The Koala Mom » Olivia Johnston

Momsicles! Frozen Breastmilk Can Be a Delicious Treat For Baby

Olivia — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:40:04 +0000

Halloween '09

I have discovered how to make this frozen treat at just the right time!

Joel has been teething a lot the past few days. Right now, at almost 9 months, he has two lower teeth and 2 top teeth coming in quickly(and boy is he crawling!). He has seemed to be a lot less fussy with these top teeth in comparison to the lower ones.

I have occasionally used the Baby Safe Feeder and inserted frozen sweet potato puree, broccoli, and banana. He loves to chew on this and massage his gums while enjoying these new tastes.

Today I ran across a site, Mother-2-Mother, where I found a recipe for frozen breastmilk popsicles.

What is better than a frozen teether that is also nutritional?

For younger babies, you can pour expressed breastmilk into ice cube trays (just like making baby food) and let it freeze. Then, just place it into a Baby Safe feeder (mesh teething bag) and let baby enjoy and teethe on it.

Or, you can use a cap from a Gerber bottle and a soft pacifier. Just pour a bit of the expressed milk into the cap, put the paci on top, and freeze. The milk will freeze to the pacifier like a tiny popsicle!!

Eventually you can add other ingredients to make a healthy, delightful treat for your child.

What methods have you used to help your child through the teething process?

Read more about this cool treat at Mother-2-Mother.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

Busy Completing My New eBook “The Psychology of Natural Childbirth!”

Olivia — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 05:56:20 +0000

I have totally avoided the blogosphere for more than a month!!

This summer, my husband Jeremy and I decided that it would be great if I wrote an eBook on my experience with Natural Childbirth. I learned SO MUCH while I was pregnant with my son Joel, so why not share all of that great information with other newly pregnant women who want options available with childbirth?

So, I spent about 6 weeks

8 Ways To Stay Healthy During Flu Season-Without Vaccines

Olivia — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 04:13:01 +0000

The following outline need not only apply to flu season. The best medicine is prevention! Full-time prevention!

Right now, it seems like I can’t go anywhere without seeing some kind of advertisement for FLU SHOTS.

I thought I could escape from the brainwashing of the medical community and pharmaceutical companies by avoiding the TV.

Apparently not.

So, since “flu season” is beginning, am I supposed to freak out and get a flu shot? Pretty much…Fear always motivates people to do things.

Oh, they also forgot to tell you that you have a 50/50 chance of getting the flu even if you’ve been jabbed in the arm with the vaccine.

Enough of my ranting…

Allow Your Body To Fight Off Influenza On Its Own!

Refill With H2O: Did you know your body needs plenty of water to flush out toxins that compromise your immune system? While you sleep, your body builds up toxins in the digestive tract. To naturally flush out these toxins, you must start your day with a glass of water to rehydrate the body. This improves immune system function and allows your body to operate at its highest potential.
Sleep…zZz…: A great night’ s sleep is like a reset button for your whole body. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can make you more likely to become sick because of an overgrowth of bacteria in the body. When we are fighting a sickness, our body naturally promotes sleep. So why not boost your immune system in the first place by getting adequate rest?
Pro-Biotic It: “Probiotic” means “A microbe that protects its host and prevents disease.” When you supplement your diet with probiotics, you increase the flora of “good” bacteria in your gut. Did you know the digestive system is where most of your natural immunties “hang out?” If a person has a poor digestive system due to an inadequate, non-nutritious diet, they are very likely to have recurring sickness. Their body’s defense mechanism (immune system) to sickness can never get the proper armor up because that armor is essentially nutrients. Probiotics get that armor up. Learn more in the post Probiotics: Are They Good For Our Kids?
Get Some Sun: Did you know the best way to get your daily dose of Vitamin D is to get out into the sun for a few minutes? The skin produces Vitamin D when it is exposed to a certain amount of sunlight radiation. Vitamin D blood levels are at their highest in the summer but reach their lowest levels during the flu and cold season (winter). When you can’t get out, or if it’s the dead of winter, load up on fish which is high in vitamin D. There are supplements out there, but do your research before buying.
Exercise…even if it’s just a little: Do your best to get your heart rate up with aerobic exercise for 20-30 minutes a day. Go for a light walk with the dog and baby. Run up and down the stairs a few times. Have sex! Do something!

Unlock Your Health Potential

Olivia — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:00:26 +0000

A few years ago, I was introduced to Jordan Rubin and his best-selling book The Maker’s Diet.

Jordan introduces

Tea Time! For Mom

Olivia — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:04:31 +0000

As a mom, I am always looking for a quick and easy way to relax.

There isn’t always a lot of time to take part in relaxation, but when I can relax I go for a good book and a cup of TEA!

A fragrant mug of Lavender and Chamomile always does the trick…

But when I’m about to start my day I switch to a tea that will energize my soul…

I love a dark cup of Oolong as I read the Scriptures in the morning.

I have found 4 different teas for whatever your mood may be:

Pick Me Up!

“Oolong” Tea: The best Oolong tea leaves come from China and Taiwan.

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

Olivia — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:55:14 +0000

Taking advantage of Chiropractic care during my pregnancy was very important to me.

I began going to my Chiropractor at about 6 months of pregnancy due to some back pain from the pregnancy and my job as a dog groomer. Early one morning, at about 3 AM, I could not sleep because of a sharp muscular pain in my back. I decided to look for a Chiropractor in the area while surfing the internet to pass some time.

I found one very close to me and she was on my way home from work. I read many different articles on how important Chiropractic is to a pregnant woman and even a newborn infant!

I have been adjusted regularly at the Chiropractor for almost a year now and I have never felt better or learned as much as I have by Chiropractic.

My Chiropractor performed a special adjustment on me while I was pregnant called the “Webster Technique.” This technique that reduces interference to the nervous system, balances out pelvic muscles and ligaments which removes tension in the uterus so the baby can remain in the best position possible.

When performed regularly, the Webster Technique has a 94% success ratio in turning a breech baby to allow for an easy delivery. Many births by C-section can be prevented by this technique as many babies who are breech must be delivered by C-section. With regular prenatal Chiropractic care, the need for medical interventions during labor is greatly decreased.

Pregnancy is very hard on the spinal cord. Excess weight from the baby creates spinal misalignments (subluxations) and changes in posture which affect the whole body and well-being of the mother and baby.

To decrease common pregnancy complaints such as:

heartburn
rib pain
pubic pain
headaches
sinus congestion
low back pain

Take advantage of chiropractic adjustments throughout pregnancy!

Chiropractic care is necessary for optimal development of the baby growing inside mom’s belly. Pregnant women receive specific attention and education during pregnancy so as to provide a great health potential for both the mother and baby.

Pregnant women also experience problems in the pelvic area. A lifetime of stress to the area, plus pregnancy, creates a great deal of misalignments which greatly decrease the pelvic opening for labor. The woman’s pelvis supports her growing uterus with specific ligaments. If the pelvis is unbalanced, the uterus cannot enlarge symmetrically with the growing baby and thus reduces the maximum amount of room for the baby.

If you are pregnant, I urge you to find a Family Chiropractor who is trained in Prenatal care and Pediatric care.

My son’s birth went very smoothly and I know a big part of that was due to regular Chiropractic care during my pregnancy. If you want to know your developing baby will stay in the best possible position for labor, then you must begin getting special adjustments now!

If your goal is to have a safe, natural birth (without medication) you can greatly increase the likelihood by getting adjusted so the baby is ready to come out!

Search for an International Chiropractic Pediatric Association member in your area. Doctors in this group are dedicated to you and your child’s well-being from a holistic perspective.

Here is a great informational video on the subject:

Please feel free to email me on any questions you may have about Chiropractic and to hear more about my experience.

To Your Well-Being,

Olivia Johnston

Bolthouse Farms

Olivia — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 00:18:01 +0000

When I’m in a hurry and I want to get in my fruits and veggies for the day, I go for a Bolthouse Farms

The Many Benefits of HEMP

Olivia — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 18:01:10 +0000

Natural Hemp Products

When people are asked what they believe “Hemp” is, they usually respond by saying, “Isn’t that marijuana?” Unfortunately, this reaction is typical of most Americans who have ever heard of hemp. Stigmas against hemp have grown from the negative view of marijuana; however, the hemp plant is quite different from the marijuana plant.

The plant has a multitude of potential uses such as:

paper
plastics
fabrics
fuel

Hemp could replace numerous industries, such as cotton in the U.S., which would cut costs and benefit the environment.

First of all, both hemp and marijuana come from the same plant- Cannabis Sativa L. However, hemp does not have the same intoxicating effect as marijuana. Hemp contains less than one percent of THC (delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol)-the chemical compound responsible for the “high” marijuana creates. This “high” is why hemp’s cousin, the marijuana plant, is illegal in the United States. However, the level of THC in the marijuana plant is much higher than in hemp. One marijuana plant typically contains anywhere from 3-20% THC, whereas hemp is bred to contain very minimal amounts of THC.

John Cloud, a staff writer for Time magazine, says, “You could roll and smoke every leaf on a 15-ft. hemp plant and gain little more than a hacking cough.” His statement is truly poignant. Anyone who thinks they will be able to get high off of hemp is foolish. So, why is the cultivation of hemp illegal?

Up until the mid-20^th century, hemp cultivation was legal in the U.S. With the Marihuana Tax Act of 1937, domestic cultivation of hemp was prohibited. Many farmers based their income on the crop, so the ban crushed their industry. However, in 1942, the government lifted the ban and encouraged farmers to cultivate hemp to help with the war effort.

Hemp was used for supplies such as rope. Unfortunately, the relaxation of the laws against hemp was terminated in 1957, and the ban continues today under the 1972 Controlled Substances Act.

Since the Act, there has been a growing movement pushing for the legalization of hemp, but not until now has the government given much attention to the topic. To date, 28 states have introduced hemp legislation and 15 have passed legislation; 8 (Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Montana, North Dakota, Vermont and West Virginia) have removed barriers to its production or research.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) considered hemp a “schedule-one” controlled substance, which are those substances that have a “high potential for abuse.” Until now, the DEA has ignored proponents for hemp by backing the agency’s argument about the trace amounts of THC in hemp.

Former head of the DEA, Asa Hutchinson, even pushed to outlaw any food products made from hemp due to possible presence of the substance THC. Hemp is grouped into the same category as Heroin. However, hemp does not have potential for abuse in comparison to drugs like heroin. Once again, the amounts of THC that can be found in some hemp crops are too low to be considered mind-altering.

Unfortunately, those opposed to hemp cultivation believe that the production of the crop will lead to the legalization of marijuana plant in the U.S. However, when the marijuana plant is placed in hemp fields, the hemp will undoubtedly degrade the quality of the marijuana crop because the plants will cross-pollinate.

If a farmer wishes to produce true marijuana, hiding the plant in a hemp field would be a foolish mistake. U.S. agencies use the argument that hiding marijuana in a hemp field will make it much easier to produce marijuana in the U.S.

In addition, the hemp plant and the marijuana plant are noticeably different in appearance. Marijuana plants tend to be short and bushy, while hemp plants can have stalks reaching 25 feet. Also, cultivated hemp grows a slender, nearly leafless lower stem, whereas marijuana strains are bred to have abundant leaves, glands and flowers where the intoxicating THC is stored. The differences in size and appearance can aid in distinguishing the two plants.

Britain, Canada, and other countries have been growing hemp for many years without major incident. Hemp is grown legally in about 30 countries, including many in the European Union, where it is mixed with lime to make plaster and as a “biocomposite” in the interior panels of Mercedes-Benzes. Only the U.S. government has such a strong feeling of disgrace against the plant.

Unbeknownst to much of the public, hemp has