Tender Mercies

I recently read an article from the Weizman Institute of Science  that explained how a good diet for one person can be a bad diet for another person.  In this study, the scientists followed 800 people over the course of 47,000 meals and monitored the blood sugar levels after eating. Through this study they found that identical meals triggered huge differences in post-meal blood sugar levels. For one lady who had a history of obesity and diabetes, her blood sugar spiked markedly after eating tomatoes. Now, aren't tomatoes supposed to be healthy? Maybe for you. Another person had a larger blood sugar spike after eating bananas than cookies. Another surprising finding. The premise that a diet can be good for one person and bad for another caught me by surprise at first because I'm constantly reading about the "next big" superfood or a cure-all diet plan. But then I thought about it and realized that I wasn't surprised at all. Intuitively I have learned what...

photo credit: Victor Whipple I was sitting on the couch the other day watching my baby play. She won't be a baby for much longer and I think there is a part of me that is mourning. Toddlerhood is coming towards us like a runaway train. Lately I've noticed some little quirks about my baby and wondered if something was wrong with her.  Is it normal for her to pull at her hair while shes's nursing? Why does she hit herself or bonk her head against the wall (albeit gently)? Why is she grinding her little baby teeth? Why does she have to put EVERYTHING into her mouth?? Shouldn't she have outgrown this by now? As I was thinking all of these things, I realized I didn't want my baby to have any  weaknesses. I didn't want to accept that she would struggle with things or have some silly idiosyncrasies. Why couldn't she just stay by perfect little baby forever?  But isn't that what motherhood is all about? It's about learning to let go ...

Dear Adelai, There is only one month left of you being a baby. I'm starting to see glimpses into your toddler years and it excites and terrifies me at the same time. I've begun thinking about and planning how to wean you. When you were first born, I had the goal of breastfeeding you for a year, but secretly I hoped we could continue longer. You and I have always had a good nursing relationship. I am the only one who can breastfeed you and give you that sort of comfort and I didn't want anyone to take that away. I worked so hard and waited so long to meet you, that I want to hold onto you forever and keep giving you the nourishment of mother's milk and snuggle you against my chest; you won't snuggle otherwise. But I am tired. It's a good tired, but it's still fatigue. And you are growing up. I was torn about when to wean and how to do it. The funny thing about researching a problem and seeking answers is that you can find any  answer you want...

Dear Adelai, It's pretty amazing how much my your aunts and uncles adore you. We spent your first holiday season with your Grandma and Grandpa Whipple and your aunts and uncles on that side of the family. Everyone gave you so much attention, and your Aunt Hannah said that one of the best parts of her trip was kissing the adorable cheeks on the cutest niece ever. Complements like this were constant and it made me feel good to be your mom and to have others love you so much. I hope you can always know you are beautiful! When I was a young girl, maybe around 10 years old, I wrote in my journal that I didn't want to change anything about my body. What freedom it was for me to feel that way! As the years passed, I slowly started to listen to some lies and felt that I needed to change certain aspects of my body. It has been a big work in progress as I have come to love my body unconditionally. I hope you can love yourself throughout your life, and...

Dear Adelai, "Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.  If you did, what would there be to look forward to?  Be thankful when you don't know something,  for it gives you the opportunity to learn. Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.  Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character.  Be thankful for your mistakes, they will teach you valuable lessons.  Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it means you've made a difference. It is easy to be thankful for the good things.  A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.  Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.  Find a way to be thankful for your troubles and they can become your blessings." -Anonymous Oh sweet girl, I heard this quote today at the end of my yoga practice and immediately thought of you. You were ...

My husband and I LOVE food. Anyone who doesn't know that about us just doesn't know us very well yet.  We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on November 25th. This past year has been the most difficult one for me, but the most rewarding. A baby's first year is not for the faint-hearted. My man has sure seen the worst of me as I have traversed these fatigue filled days, as well as the best of me as I have cherished every squishy giggle from our beloved girl. BUT O HOW AMAZING TO GO ON A DATE FOR 5 HOURS ALONE WITH HIM! (Thank you to the mother-in-law for tending the baby!) We have been planning to go to La Galette Berrichonne  ever since we were told of their 7 course French dinners on Saturday nights by reservation only back in July. Yes, we are planners too. Eating French food on our anniversary is an unofficial tradition for us. We went out for French food on our wedding night and fell in love with it, so we treat ourselves to a decadent meal once a y...