Operation Stork

A few updates on Operation Stork, as planned by the Towers. We have switched to a local midwives practice, which Aaron and I are pretty excited about. We felt that midwives would be more supportive of the natural, med-free birth we're hoping for and more likely to delay medical interventions. The switch was a little tough, mostly due to my worry that I would be making the decision based on overanalyzing/overworrying and since I had never gotten ObGyn care from anyone other than a MD. The midwives at this practice are more relaxed/warmer than doctors I've had, and though that is great, it is also unusual for me. We also looked into the local midwife-staffed birthing center, but it was full. Our practice is a bit of a compromise, since the midwives deliver in a tertiary care-level hospital, but only have a 10% C-section rate. We can breathe a little easier now. We developed our birth plan (never thought I'd be doing that!). We're taking Bradley classes (aka Husband-coached childbirth with emphasis on natural birth) through a childbirth instructor we really like-- Aaron has been great, btw. We decided we couldn't afford to pay for doula services, but we are planning on having a local volunteer doula attend our birth. We registered (ack, stressful!), including for cloth diapers (will update you once we start that adventure), and we are filling our tiny home with baby things. It's real, folks. Now, we are hurrying to finish preparations and waiting on that stork. Just two more months!

Rwandan Health Care

Lessons from and obstacles for Rwanda, one of Africa's poorest nations.

This article really struck me today - 1) it made me miss studying/working on international public health issues, 2) it got me thinking about the new US healthcare plan, and 3) it makes me appreciative that I have health care and am a healthy person/ponder my role in making the world healthier.

When I was a little kid, I used to answer "What do you want to be when you grow up?" with "First, a scientist. Second, I want to go around changing the world." I've been thinking about my mark on the world thus far and how I will show my child this by example. Have I accomplished anything with that second goal? Of course, raising a child well is one of the most important and most impactual ways to change your world. What about beyond that? Are Aaron and I really stretching ourselves?

Nip It and Flip It

Aar and I have exchanged many emails about toxic chemicals in the past few months. We have exchanged many emails about the dangers of giving birth in pitocin-happy hospitals. Frankly, we are becoming parents, and parents worry. So, when I happened upon this blog post, it rang quite true. The author's motto: Nip It and Flip It. Translation: Eliminate “the bad” and support “the good.” Please read this post if you need a reality check like us! :) Quote I liked:

“When you’re afraid of the dark, turn on the light. Instead of focusing on all the bad stuff in the world, flip your attention to the good stuff. Start a new flow of information that’s positive and hope inducing instead of negative and fear inducing. Focus on ways we’re making the world a healthier, cleaner, better place; on people cleaning up the oil spill, running greener factories, and helping people live better. There’s a whole lot more good in the world than bad, more kindness than hostility, more beauty than pollution. They just don’t make the headlines.”

Crafty Baby

I've been inspired by lots of folks in the blogosphere lately. My blog followings continue to turn in the "crafts for baby" direction, so I admire others' craftiness and dream of how domestic I will one day be. Ok, well, maybe not. But a girl can dream....

Here are some examples of my favorites:
Homemade Playdough
Washcloth Ducks
Tie-Dyed Onesie
Edible Flowers
Baby Blanket
Baby Sunsuit
Fruity Baby Hats
Lamb Pillows

If only I had a sewing machine. And more free time. And such talent.

O Jantar Brasileiro

We do so love Brazilian food. The fruits, the meats, the savory breads...oh, açaí na tigela is calling my name. This weekend was time for a revival of a last-year-favorite recipe: Feijoada! Feijoada is a Brazilian black bean stew. This version is quite a bit more fancy than the normal Brazilian type, but it is oh so delicious. We complimented the stew with homemade buttermilk cornbread and a fresh frozen key lime pie.

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew - from allrecipes.com)

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/4-1/2 pound chorizo sausage, chopped (we used plain pork this time)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 (1 pound) sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice (used Fire-Roasted)
• 1 small hot green chile pepper, diced (used 3 whole jalapenos)
• 2 cups water
• 2 (16 ounce) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 mango - peeled, seeded and diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the sausage 2 to 3 minutes. Place the onion in the pot, and cook until tender. Stir in garlic, sweet potatoes, bell pepper, tomatoes with juice, chile pepper, beans, mango and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer about 15 minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender. The longer this cooks, the better. Mix in cilantro right before serving.

Note: You can also make this dish without the sausage. The first time we made it this way and it was amazing! The sweet potatoes and mango give it a sweet flavor that really sets off the spices.

Bom apetite!