Drama around Vaccines

Literally. ABC is airing a new drama in which the main character is questioning his path in life after making a living representing drug companies, including the makers of vaccines. Due to his "change of vision", he is able to take on a client, a mother of a child who has autism, who wants to sue the makers of the vaccine. I read this in the New York Times, (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/23/arts/television/23ston.html?pagewanted=1&8dpc) and was reminded how I found, and continue to find, the issues around vaccines the hardest thing to struggle with as a mom. I am amazed that a large network is allowing a show to take on such a controversial issue, with real eye opening arguements that will cause parents to think. There has been so much written about this issue, from both sides of the fence and in between. However, I still believe that nothing reaches Americans like television. It will be interesting to see if there are any changes in the way parents vaccinate thier children after this episode. (It is on at 10 pm. ...are any parents, particularly new parents even awake then? Perhaps this is not accidental!) Making informed choices is all we can do for our children and families. Hopefully more and more parents will inform themselves around these issues, and make their decisions from an educated place, whatever those decisions are. Just as I am struggling through another time around with infant vaccines, choosing my own schedule and demanding mercury free injections, I came across an article in Mothering Magazine by Dr. Bob Spears. He calls aluminum the new mercury, and feels that THIS is the preservative to be watching out for. His arguement is convincing, and alarming. I am arming myself with new information everyday, and know that this is all I can do. Back to the drawing board on vaccine decisions I go. I have not read the book yet, but for those interested, here is the link for the book, //http://www.amazon.com/Vaccine-Book-Decision-Parenting-Library/dp/0316017507 and the website //http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/ . What I can recommend is the DVD, Vaccines, by Dr. Jay Gordon. His site is //http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/pediatricks/vaccoverview.asp. Just another way of getting information, without being shouted at from either side of the fence!

More information?

Most of us are confused about what to eat, especially when we are pregnant or nursing. There are so many different studies, theories and recommendations it is hard to keep them all straight! However, I continue to be obsessed with new "science" about food and what the scientists think we should put into each of our unique bodies. I read this article a few days ago (http://www.webmd.com/baby/news/20080114/mediterranean-diet-prenatal-benefits ) questioning the link between diet in pregnancy and childhood allergies. The article suggests that the Mediterranean diet has been proven in some cases to reduce the instances of childhood allergies. OK, I thought. This diet has many positives in my book for many people - whole grains, lots of fruits and vegetables, healthy fats etc. However, as the article states, the US Government guidelines disagree with the amount of fish in the Mediterranean diet when pregnant. OK, so maybe not. Even more interesting was that the "the nutrition committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reported that there is no convincing evidence linking a mother's diet during pregnancy to her child's risk for allergic disease." Hmmm... no evidence linking mothers diet to the outcome of allergies in children. Perhaps this is true, but does that make intuitive sense to you? I am not sure what the outcome of this study tells any of us, but it does support my ongoing theory that with all scientific studies on diet, there is one to contradict it. Ohhh. except maybe one. The FDA is certain that cloned meat and milk is OK for you. Phew... because we all need more scientifically altered food in our diet!http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2008/01/15/DI2008011502270.html

Welcome to the nourishingmoms blog!  We look forward to hearing your ideas, giving support, and being put to the challenge of simplifying your experience of motherhood.  Please use this space as a place to share and discover ideas, and to -- question, question, question!!!!

Becoming a mother in this day and age comes with many choices -- sometimes too many choices.  Not the least confusing is how to feed ourselves.  As integrative health coaches, we know that feeding your nutritional hunger is only part of the equation.  To achieve our greatest overall wellness, we need to feed our need to move, to create, to slow down, to say no, to do more, to do less... you get the picture.  With our unique lives come unique needs.  Yes, we all want to do what is best nutritionally for our growing babies, and hopefully ourselves, but your best may differ from somebody else's best.  We feel that with simple solutions and the guidance and support from a community of mothers, everyone can upgrade their "daily bread", no matter what their situation.

Does that mean we all need to press our own almond milk and cook our beans from scratch?  Of course not.  It is impressive and ideal to do so, but it might not be so realistic.  In today's world, we have MANY choices. So let's start by figuring out exactly what we need, what we can do, and what we will do. 

 What seems realistic for you to improve upon? It might be adding frozen peas to our mac and cheese.  For some of us it will be kraft and for other it will be Annie's.  You know who you are.  No matter where we are in this journey, we all have one thing in mind... eating better to keep ourselves and our families healthy.  We want digestible advice and easy solutions.  We at nourishingmoms understand this and are here to nourish YOU, one step at a time.

What do you find most confusing about eating now that you're pregnant or a new mom?

Post your challenges and we will be sure to respond.  If you have any great ideas that are working for you, this is a great place to share. Let the conversation begin!