I went and heard Henry Rollins speak last week in his spoken word tour. It was exactly what I needed to experience to bring me back to my spiritual center. I have been so anxious about the election and our country that it is physically and mentally draining me. A lot of past anger has resurfaced listening to peoples ignorance. It has been so easy to get caught up in the fear with this part of our culture that it is easy to forget- this is not who I am.

During the event, he asked the audience to go home and upgrade in life. That no matter who wins this election, it isn’t going to change who you are and what you can do. To basically take charge of your life and what is going on around you and to upgrade your life to be better. Better for the world and better for yourself.

He went on to tell stories about his life and how music got him through some rough teenage years. He spoke about traveling all over the world with an external hard drive full of music to share with young people. One story stuck out with how he snuck music into the middle east where it is banned and how excited the kids were. It is comforting knowing that music connects us. That no matter where you come from, what you believe, how you live- we can all connect to that one song or band.

So this got me to thinking about playlists. What my playlist was. What playlist I should create for my kids to turn them on to great music. What playlist I would create for someone who has never heard American music. I spent a couple of days putting music together for my kids- mainly my oldest E. When I finally got it together, I turned it on and they all started dancing and moving around.

If you are feeling disconnected from others, your kids, or even yourself- find your playlist. Turn it on and start dancing like no one is watching.

What would be on your playlist?

A lot of things have happened over the past 10 years when it comes to what you can give a baby. Now you can feed them yogurt, cheese, nuts, fish and eggs at 6 months instead of waiting until they are 1. Raw honey is still a no-go until 1, but everything else is up to you- though you still should avoid sugar, salt, and choke hazard foods.

When it comes to feeding my 9 month old, I kind of do a bit of everything. She is still breastfed and I do believe food is for fun until age 1. But my munchkin LOVES food. I don’t like to give solids until 6 months, but at 4 months she snatched a banana out of my hand and started gobbling it down- so I’m following her lead. I do believe in baby-led weaning but I also will mash up some sweet potatoes and mix with yogurt and feed with a spoon. And I do love organic baby food pouches when we are on the go. (But aren’t those baby-led weaning since they feed themselves??)

The littlest is my more adventurous eater, so I have wanted to step it up rather than just offer bland foods. I have plenty of old baby food books, but none with the current feeding standards. I was sent Natural Baby Food by Dr. Sonali Ruder and I LOVE this book. It was nice to get a refresher on baby nutrition and why certain foods are beneficial. It also covers allergies, how to introduce food, portion sizes, what to feed (and not feed) your baby, how to make baby food, then it is filled with age appropriate recipes!

The first part seems like common sense foods, but I love the sample feeding schedule and details about the fruits and vegetables. Then the book goes into flavorful combinations- which I’m not so good at! Especially when it comes to adding herbs and spices. Then it has recipes for finger foods- which I’m hoping my pre-schooler will get on board with. And toddler foods.

Natural Baby Food would make a great babyshower or welcome home gift!

*I AM PART OF THE STONYFIELD YOGETTERS GROUP OF BLOGGERS AND RECEIVE COMPENSATION AND PRODUCTS AS PART OF THE PROGRAM. MY OPINION IS NOT INFLUENCED IN ANY WAY

I’ve had anxiety most of my life. I’ve jumped on and off meds since I was 12- but over the past 10 years it has been mostly manageable. Since baby girl was born in January, my anxiety levels have been pretty intense. I got back on medication to try and correct the imbalance, but it is still something I deal with daily. You couldn’t tell if you hung out with me that I was struggling. I keep it pretty cool (unless one of my kids needs a reality check) and most people would have no idea what is going on internally. That is the scary part about anxiety- most people have no clue what you are feeling until you are completely broken.

After dealing with it for so many years, it has gotten easier to differentiate the crazy vs reality. But lately I seem to question if I’m overreacting or if something is literally insane. A great example is this year’s election. I’m not going to make this political- but internally this election has me losing it. I’m terrified and I’m not sure if it is the anxiety talking or if there is something to really be scared about??

Before Facebook, news apps and social media, it was easy to shut off the world when in a deep state of anxiety. Now I can’t help but to get consumed with what is going on. There is so much unrest, hate, fear, bigotry, and anger lingering in the air. My hometown has had an abundant amount of violence, murders, riots, protesting, rallies from all sides. I see news stories that talk about global unrest, bombs, nuclear weapons. Half of our state is under water from Hurricane Matthew. All of these things are out of our control and it is scary.

As a sexual abuse and rape survivor, I am deeply bothered by the words that have been floating around the media this week. I’m deeply troubled by the wide acceptance of someone who brags about sexual abuse. As a mom of 2 girls, I fear this rape culture and the fact so many aren’t standing up to it. Excuses like locker room talk, his groupies were asking for it, he was just joking around have all been accepted. People who are upset are being told there are more important things to focus on, that this is just a distraction. But as a survivor and parent this issue is very important. This type of behavior is not ok. It’s not ok for millionaires, celebrities, musicians, popular kids, jocks, and so forth to do whatever they please to a woman. No one has the right to touch anyone’s body without their consent. Period. The fact this is being taken so lightly is a huge problem for America- and I know this isn’t the anxiety talking!

It is funny how every nursing relationship is different. My first child preferred a bottle to the breast. My second child was ok taking either and had no issues when I had to pump for 3 weeks while we worked out a tongue tie and mastitis. My third only wants the breast and likes chewing on bottles. I keep trying because I do want to resume dating my husband and while the little is an adorable companion- mama needs a little bit of space!

My husband and I like to travel and also like going to concerts. The little is almost 9 months and still nurses quite frequently. So if we are on a road trip and it has been 3 hours, I need to pump or I get uncomfortable. The same with concerts. When we get to the car I’m ready to explode. So I love Earth Mama Angel Baby’s new kit- Milk-To-Go Pumping Companion Essentials!

The Milk-To-Go Pumping Companion Essentials comes with:

• Reusable Insulated Bag
• Organic Milkmaid Tea- 16 tea bags
• Natural Nipple Butter- 1 oz. of lanolin-free nipple balm
• Happy Mama Body Wash- 1.67 fl oz. no toxin castile soap
• Booby Tubes- gel-free breast packs with an organic cotton shell and flax seed filling

All of which are great for traveling! This is also an amazing kit for moms who are back at work and have to pump daily.

I find that it is easier to pump when I apply Natural Nipple Butter first. I also like using my Booby Tubes because the heat helps me relax and actually letdown without my little. Happy Mama Body Wash is great for washing your hands before and after! And who doesn’t love Earth Mama Angel Baby’s teas?

With my son I had to pump every meal for 3 weeks. He had a tongue tie which caused a horrible latch, which led to mastitis and seriously hurt nipples. After the mastitis I decided to give them a break and just pump until we could get the tie corrected. Of course the pain affected my supply, so I drank Organic Milkmaid Tea several times a day. It did wonders! Luckily my supply has been great this go round, but I still love the taste- so it is great for when traveling or when I know I need to pump.

The Milk-To-Go Pumping Companion Essentials kit is now available at Earth Mama Angel Baby for $39.99 and it is currently on sale for $34.99! This would make the perfect baby shower or new mom gift!

My superpowers are slowly fading with every whine and cry that pierce my ears. We are on day 12 of my babies not being at 100%. It started with a cold with the littles after a fun night at Joan Jett.

The following day they were battling 104 and 101 temps and they both only wanted mama. That meant carrying them both up the stairs, sleeping sitting up while holding them both, long nights of wiping noses and tears.

3 days later, baby girl had an ear infection in both ears and little man was on the mend. She is also cutting a front tooth, so she was (still is) miserable. 3 days after that, he had a scheduled tonsillectomy.

 Needless to say, it has been a very long 12 days of mama caring for her babies. And now I’m touched out. I’m depleted. I’ve given everything in me and little is left. My patience is low. Every high pitch sound they make is like nails to a chalkboard. They sense my angst and are reacting by being super needy and acting out.

They do not understand mama has to get back to work. They do not understand mama desperately needs some alone time- just an uninterrupted shower or potty break. They do not understand my legs hurt from sharing the bed with 3 other bodies and having 2 kids on my lap is uncomfortable. They don’t understand depression or anxiety and how tired I am. Or how I just need some peace and quiet!! This super-mama needs to recharge, but I can’t until they don’t need all of me.

Today he seems so tiny. His giant personality is small. He looks so innocent, making his first big steps into the world of independence. He’s an old soul that can’t be contained any longer. He is so ready for this moment. But am I? Spread your wings little man!

We traveled to Florida for July 4th weekend to visit family. While we were there, we had a huge family cookout. Amongst the chaos in the kitchen, I whipped up a simple avocado greek yogurt dip and it was gone in minutes! Everyone asked for the recipe and couldn’t believe yogurt was one of the main ingredients.

To me, when I think of yogurt, I think of a healthy dessert or fruity treat. But working with Stonyfield for the past couple of years, they’ve pushed me to see yogurt in a whole new way- it can be savory too! This recipe got me outside of my box and was a delicious Summer treat.

Late July has a line of tortilla chips that are delicious! They have 7 different flavors and I bet the Sub Lime would be perfect with this recipe. We had the Sea Sale Seashore chips for the party and they were great, but I can’t wait to try it with different flavors.

The organic dip I created is very simple and only uses a few ingredients- but it is packed full of flavor. I recently got a garlic press on Amazon for $18, and if you like garlic, I highly recommend getting one! Freshly minced garlic truly takes any dip or sauce to the next level.