How Infertility Caused Me To Look At Food Differently
via http://www.usda.gov/
Last week was National Infertility Week and it got me thinking about our struggles again. Have you ever wondered why so many people battle with infertility, and need to go through IVF? It almost seems to be an epidemic these days.
When my husband and I moved from the Midwest to the East Coast, we scoped out a great IVF doctor to assist us in getting pregnant. We had been trying on our own for 2 years, but nothing was happening. We went through all the testing and discovered nothing was wrong with either of us. We had almost wished the doctor had given us a diagnosis and a treatment, so we could wrap our heads around why we couldn’t get pregnant and fix the problem. Our doctor informed us of our options and we went from there. After the long emotional roller-coaster and numerous months of getting poked and prodded, we conceived our first daughter through our second round of IVF. We were elated!
We had decided to talk about IVF with our parents, but waited to tell our friends until after we had conceived (not because we didn’t think we would be supported by our friends, but rather we didn’t want to answer questions). It was just too emotional. Once we did start talking about infertility, we found out how common it was/is today. So common, in fact, that eight of our friends went through IVF (not including friends of friends)– four of which lived on our street!
How could this be possible?! I still can’t wrap my head around those numbers.
I feel like there is something in the environment which is causing a rise in infertility. But what exactly is it? Water? Pesticides and antibiotics in our fruits and vegetables? Preservatives and GMO foods???
Without knowing for sure, I want to protect my girls the best I can. I have definitely changed the way I cook for my family over the years. We eat a lot of organic foods, meats and dairy without antibiotics, and I read all ingredients and try not to buy any with preservatives. Living in the Caribbean poses it’s challenges with the supply of organic foods. I usually have to go with what looks fresh off the boat!
I know I am not going to solve the world’s problems or infertility, but I can’t help think that something in the environment is effecting our bodies. Educating myself and others on organic foods gives me the hope that more people will be aware. If you are interested, here are some of my favorite blogs that I read on healthy eating.
Food Babe
Organic- Health.us
Food Inc.
A Healthy Dose of Ali
And with Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, consider trying this GMO-free recipe for Mexican Pizzas from the Food Babe. Looks delicious!!
If you have any other blogs/Facebook pages on healthy eating that you would like to share, please let us know.
{Spring Clean Fling} Friday Link-Up Party
Welcome to the Mama Dish Spring Clean Fling Week Link Up
(try saying that 3 times fast!)
If you’ve been following along with us all week, we are so grateful! We’ve had a great time bringing you tips on how to “Spring Clean” a variety of different areas of your home, and your life. Today we want to see what you’ve been doing!
This is a great way to get new ideas for sprucing up your personal spaces, and a fantastic opportunity to get new viewers to your blog. Not only will your images be visible to anyone who visits our link-up party, but we will also pin an image from your post to our Spring Cleaning & Organization board on Pinterest!
Here are the “rules” for the Spring Clean Fling link up:
1. Link directly to a specific blog post on cleaning and/or organization, not to your blog’s main page. Please do not link to posts not related to this topic. Giveaways or reviews are okay so long as they are related to cleaning and/or organization.
2. Link back to Mama Dish in your post by grabbing our button above (Spring Clean Fling) or the Mama Dish button in our side bar. Text links are okay too, but buttons are so much prettier, dontcha think?!
(To use our buttons: right click on the image and save to your desktop, then insert to your post as an image.)
3. Please consider following Mama Dish on Facebook/Twitter/Pinterest/Instagram/Bloglovin. It’s not mandatory, but it’d be mighty nice of you. We promise that if you follow us, we’ll follow you back.
4. Check out other posts linked up in the Fling. If you see something you like, share it. And for the love of Pete, comment on it! Everyone loves comments. Us too, so don’t forget 
Thanks again for participating. Don’t forget to link up with us every Monday night for Moonlight & Mason Jars with these 4 beautiful ladies (Jennifer, Hilary, Thuy & Taylor).
Have a great weekend!
Natalie
{Spring Clean Fling} Creating A Functional Kids’ Space
My daughters share a room, which means it’s literally overflowing with STUFF! Not only do we need space for them to sleep, but I keep all of their toys and crafts in there for them to play with as well.
I dreaded going into their closet every time they needed something, and because they didn’t have easy access to most of their art supplies and toys, they often went unused. I had to come up with a solution that maximized space and functionality.
The Container Store Elfa System did just that. The addition of this incredibly easy to install shelving system in their room not only gives them each space to learn and create, it also adds a decorative feature that a Mom can appreciate as well! All shelves are adjustable and very secure, so we can change the style and configuration whenever we want. And there are many different add on components for the system too, so we can incorporate new pieces as the girls get older and their needs change.
My girls were so excited to do all of their art at an actual desk!!! And each of my daughters has their own, which we can move up the wall as they get bigger. How many furniture pieces in your home can do that?!
Oh, and how adorable are those little chairs?
Don’t forget to come back every day this week for our Spring Clean Fling. And Friday, come and link up your Spring Cleaning post during our Spring Clean Fling link up.
Read More{Spring Clean Fling} Beauty Products
Welcome everyone to Mama Dish’s Spring Clean Fling!
{sounds incredibly fun, doesn’t it?!}
Tis the season for freshening up your home, so every day this week, we’ll be dishing all about Spring Cleaning. Before you roll your eyes, let me assure you that we’re not going to be talking about washing your baseboards or flipping your mattresses (though you should probably do that too). Instead, we’ll be focusing on other parts of your life, like your online presence, your kids’ play spaces, your kitchen pantry, and even under your bathroom sink.
On Friday, we’ll be hosting a Spring Clean Fling link-up party where you can share your spring cleaning posts with all the Mama Dish readers, so be sure to come back for that.
Let’s dive right in, shall we?!
If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly trying new lotions, moisturizers, shampoos and make up products, looking for the next best thing. Most times you’re disappointed with the products you buy, but you keep them around anyway, because no one likes to throw away money. The cabinet under my sink is filled to the brim with products I never intend to use and it’s time for me to do a Spring Sweep and get rid of them. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to toss them in the trash!
What can you do with perfectly good beauty products that you just don’t want anymore? Well, first make sure they are not over 2 years old. Once most products meet the 2-3 year mark, they are no longer effective, so those products really are garbage. Doing a Spring Sweep of your bathroom cabinet once a year should solve this problem moving forward.
If they pass the “age test”, there are a couple ways to get the products off your hands…
1. Ask family and friends if anyone would like to come by and look through your stash. Even though a product didn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean that someone else can’t benefit from it. You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
2. Call local shelters or care facilities to see if they would accept a donation. The residents can generally make good use of a variety of health and beauty products, especially those hotel shampoos, conditioners and lotions that you always bring back from vacation but never, ever use.
3. Put an ad on Craigslist saying you’ll be putting a box of perfectly good products out on your curb on X day at X time and that they’re free for the taking. First come, first served! Or if you’re having a yard sale this summer like I am, put a box out during the sale. It can be hard to give away stuff you paid for, but the costs are already sunk, so you might as well give to someone else who might not be able to afford it. Sure beats it going totally unused.
Now that you’ve got some free space in your bathroom {ahem}, here are some fantastic beauty product recommendations from Kristin!
…
Do you ever wish someone you trusted would tell you to buy a certain product because it’s great instead of getting sucked in by the sales pitch from the saleswoman at the store? I know I do. I can’t tell you how many facial cleansers, creams, eyeshadows and conditoners I have gone through just because they came in a pretty package with a promise of better looking/feeling/smelling (body part).
I thought I would share with you some of my favorite products that I have been using for awhile and will be sticking with for a very long time.
#1 Clairasonic- I can’t say enough great things about this little machine of goodness!!!! It’s like getting a facial everyday.
#2 Jane Iredale- This pressed powder is very light weight and doesn’t cause breakouts.
#3 Stila eyeshadow pallet- Need some fun, new eyeshadow colors?? Stila has great pallets for summer; the lavenders are what I am having fun with at the moment.
#4 Image Skin Care- I particularly think their Clear Cell skincare is hands down the best face wash for my skin type (oily and breaks out easily). If you still have trouble with breakouts, this is must try product for you.
#5 Skin Medica- Ultra Sheer Moisturizer- I have been searching for a very long time for a moisturizer that doesn’t feel heavy or make me breakout. I love this cream!!!!
#6 Aveda Damage Remedy Reconstructing Conditioner- This is a lightweight conditioner that you leave in your hair for a few minutes before rinsing. It’s great for all that sun/coloring damage.
Do you use any of the products above? If so, what do you think about them? What are some of your favorite beauty products?
** Don’t forget to check back every day this week for more Spring Cleaning tips and tricks and for the link-up party on Friday!! **
Read More{Fashion} St. Patty’s Spring Inspiration
Now that the dog days of winter are coming to a close, how do plan to usher in spring? Do you redecorate by adding spring-like colors to a room? Do you spring clean and get rid of things that have been clogging up your cabinets and closets? Do you freshen up your wardrobe by adding the new “it” color?
Unfortunately, the seasons don’t change much in the Caribbean. I sometimes have to remind myself what month we are in by looking at fashion online! I’ve noticed that green is a really hot color this season. I, particularly, am in love with mint green. It goes lovely with white, coral, browns and pinks, so it’s easy to incorporate into your wardrobe or your home.
anthropologie.com
jcrew.com
zappos.com
etsy.com
katespade.com
anthropologie.com
crateandbarrel.com
anthropologie.com
What color are you loving this spring?
More Easter Tablescapes
Easter sure is sneaking up on us this year, isn’t it? I feel like we’ve barely recovered from Christmas and it’s already time to decorate the home, dye eggs, and buy Easter dresses.
What are your Easter traditions? One of my favorite things is putting together a beautiful tablescape for our family brunch. Before I do this, I always need some inspiration. Here are a few photos that I found that helped me come up with my theme for this year.Each one is simple, sophisticated and unique in it’s own way.
{More table setting ideas at Decorating Made Easy}
And don’t forget the kids! They need a space of their own too, to enjoy the holiday. These bright and festive tables would be fun for children of all ages (maybe even a few adults!)
{Hostess with the Mostess blog}
Looking for more inspiration? Check out my Easter Tablescapes post from last year! Happy decorating!
About Mama Dish
With all that you have on your plate, do you feel like you have Mama ADD, OCD and PMS all at the same time?
Mama Dish is a blog that's as... eclectic as you are. Looking for ways to entertain your toddler? We have some ideas. You like decorating, fashion and reading? We have a little bit of that. Crafts? Yep. Recipes for two, and recipes for two-year olds? We've got those. Need a good laugh or a virtual hug? Well, we hope you'll find that here too.
Powered by women who have strengths and talents in a variety of areas (and happen to be friends for the last 20 years!), we hope to bring you useful tips, new ideas, and refreshing points-of-view that help make juggling all the different pieces of you a little easier.
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Heather, Natalie & Kristin
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