Just Because....

Why I Want To Be An #EarthMama Ambassador with #Mamavation

I have to admit, I rolled my eyes when Leah Segedie took Mamavation from a purely weight loss/healthy living initiative to a food activism, organic, no GMO, home and life detox lifestyle initiative. My first response was "Great. Where the EFF am I going to find the money to be a part of this? That kind of lifestyle transformation is EXPENSIVE!" And I kind of dropped out of the Mamavation loop as a result.

But the summer of 2012 was a game changer for me. As most of you know, I'm one of the youngest moms in Mamavation clocking in at the ripe age of 28. So when I started experiencing what the doctors thought was Menopause, I freaked, and began trying to figure out what all was going on with my body.

My hair was brittle and falling out by the handfuls, my facial skin was dry, but I had the worst back acne I've ever had, sometimes making it impossible to lay on my back without being in pain, I kept trying to lose weight, but nothing would work, and then the worst part was the night sweats. As a rule, I didn't sweat. I'm not a "sweaty" girl, but I would wake up drenched so badly that I had to peel myself off the sheets in the morning. Not to mention I had to wash the sheets practically every day or they would smell-horribly. Oh, and I didn't have periods for months at a time. Something that is kind of a problem when you're thinking about having another baby.

After months of doctors not being able to "figure me out", they gave me a diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, coupled with Metabolic Syndrome X, and told me to lose weight. Which was laughable, because we all knew that was going to be an impossibility with that combo of diagnoses. So after much investigation, I realized that I was being tampered with against my will.

I didn't realize all of the synthetic hormones I was ingesting, through non-organic dairy, meat, and produce. Or even through my plastic water bottles and plastic containers I was heating my food in. Or all of the toxins present in my makeup, skincare, or other toiletries. Re-enter Mamavation. Maybe Leah and her crazy new soapbox platform was on to something.

I immediately made a better effort to read labels, tried and buy local/organic when I could afford it, and switched entirely from plastic to glass. And guess what? I ovulated in the Fall of 2013, and fell pregnant with our second child. Amazing what simple changes to what you put in and on your body can do!

Now it's July, and I'm eight, almost nine months pregnant, with a little girl. And I have to say, I'm scared. PCOs and Metabolic Syndrome can be passed from mothers to female fetuses in utero because females are born with all of the eggs they will ever have. Needless to say, I've been trying to be extra diligent about my weight gain, what I eat, and what I put on my skin, so when I found out that Earth Mama Angel Baby was partnering with Mamavation for an Ambassadorship, I was over the moon.

I had heard of Earth Mama Angel Baby in the past, but hadn't tried much of their line. That is one thing about becoming an ambassador I am most excited about. I'm currently drinking Earth Mama's Third Trimester Tea, and it's wonderfully delish, and organic. BONUS! I've added a grip of products to my baby registry too, Nipple Butter (lanolin fee and non-GMO: Good thing because I despise both) and Milkmaid Tea (I've got supply issues because of the PCOs). But I'd love to try not only product for me, but on the baby when she gets here by her eviction date of August 8th.

Despite my story and how much I think this Ambassadorship could help me, I can't help but be impressed with the Earth Mama Angel Baby company as a whole. I would never sign up to be an Ambassador if I weren't versed in a company's philosophy, and despite being natural and organic and non-GMO and all of these good things, one other thing stuck out in my mind.

On EarthMamaAngelBaby.com there was a tab that took me by surprise, "Baby Loss". No pregnant woman ever wants to see those words. They are heartbreaking. But I clicked the link, and what did it hold? Gifts for Moms that have lost babies with the quote,

"Women who have suffered the loss of a baby are postpartum mothers too. Miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death leave women requiring not just emotional but also physical support. The Healing Hearts line was created to help comfort the specific physical postpartum needs of baby loss, as well as the aching hearts of grieving mamas."

Not only is that AMAZING, that is INTEGRITY, and true care for women. They also offer free e-cards to bereaved mothers. I have known so many mothers that have lost their children lately, that I only wish I knew about Earth Mama Angel Baby's wonderful resource before now.

Lastly, because I'm a librarian, I also feel it's important that Earth Mama Angel Baby also offers a FREE e-book! Who doesn't love FREE?! But more importantly, it's on an important subject, Herbs and Breastfeeding, something that most new moms know nothing about but really should. You can download your copy here.

You impress me Earth Mama Angel Baby, and I would love to impress you as one of your newest Ambassadors.

Oh Where, Oh Where Have I Been?

Yes, there has been a serious case of blog neglect going on over here lately. Let me fill you in on all of the many excuses that has been the case. :)

1. I started my MLIS at Wayne State in the Fall of 2012. I'm currently wrapping up my degree and things are all coming together.

2. I "beat" Metabolic Syndrome X, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and became pregnant with baby number two this past November. She's due to arrive pretty much any time now. Really, take a peek.

3. We're closing on our first home in the next 2 weeks! So we're packing, packing, packing.

4. I'm still working, and parenting my beloved 4 year old, and trying to be a "good wife" and not a grumpy, whiny, pregnant one.

So there you have it. The many aspects of blog neglect. :)

Bubble Guppies Library Song

So this isn't the best video, someone shot it off their TV, but when I saw this on Bubble Guppies tonight, I couldn't help but jam along. Enjoy!

#MLA13AC Highlights-Building Library Community Through Social Media

Kate Snyder of Piper & Gold Public Relations spoke about the importance of libraries using social media platforms to engage their readers online. She encouraged libraries not only to have social media sites but to do them well, by engaging their audiences with questions and posting fresh content daily. Here's why:

#MLA13AC Highlights- James Kane's: Loyalty

How do make make librarians loyal to you for at least the duration of your speech? Show them a video about a little kid obsessing over their profession. Hysterical.

Investing in Children, an investment in community

As we all know, children grow into adults. And what kind of adults they turn into, oftentimes has a lot to do with how they were raised. Children that are neglected often act out, and find other less than stellar ways to occupy their time. However, in our pleasure and pressure driven world, parents are often spend more time at the office making money, or worse, seeking out their own pleasure to the detriment of their children. I get it. I work. I go to school. I have a kid. But you can bet that I try my damnedest when I am home, to spend time with my child and instill values in him. Things as simple as respect and courtesy go miles! But parents aren't teaching respect and courtesy any more, and I can only assume that it's because they are just too busy. Because I just can't conceive the alternative--that they just don't care. Horrifying.

The Heidelberg Project: "Obstruction of Justice" Fall 2012

We're seeing the repercussions of children left to their own devices, in a world losing respect, more and more often. The Boston Bombings for example, where are the parents of these kids (using "kids" loosely), oh yeah, over in Russia. Sandy Hook? Mommy was too busy at the gun range or wherever, not to realize that her child was crazy. Then, there's the crime rate that is skyrocketing in my neighborhood, most crimes committed by teens, or early twenties. Where the hell are their parents? Why aren't they at home in the middle of the night? I'm SURE they aren't living on their own. Then this morning, one of my favorite local artist's work "Obstruction of Justice" of the Heidelberg Project was burned to the ground by arson (insert irony here). In variably by a kid that wasn't being watched or a scorned adult. Why otherwise, would someone demolish a project dedicated to the re-birth of the blighted Detroit? That hundreds of volunteers give of their time to try and make a gem, in an otherwise decaying city, giving back to the community.

I just don't understand. The only solution I can see is to start investing in our children. Teach your children to "love others as themselves" and have a general respect for those and the world around them. Stop worrying about high-tax rates, and whining about teachers getting paid too much, and start caring about the education of our children. There are TONS of statistics correlating the more educated the community, the lower the crime rate. The higher performing the schools, the lower the crime rate. And it's no secret that to achieve that, money is needed, and spent. It's time we start asking our lawmakers to invest in our children, before we start investing in non-essentials and overseas. Our children here at home need to come first, and sadly, they are being forgotten. It's time for change. Now. Otherwise, we're going to continue to see the deterioration of society.