TheOliveParent

About Those Pink Ribbons…

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

I’ve always been suspect of the Susan G. Komen foundation, simply because I felt it to be too….big. Big in the sense that monetarily, it receives a lot of support and had it’s fingers in many different advertising avenues.

My feelings were further cemented when the partnership between KFC and Komen materialized. I don’t know about you, but fast food fried chicken and a foundation committed to breast cancer awareness, seemed like an odd, if not unholy, alliance to me. Adding to my unease was the knowledge that breast feeding has been shown to lower the chances of breast cancer significantly. If Komen was serious about awareness and detection, they would at least support, display or even encourage breast feeding. However, their message relies very heavily on getting expensive tests.

Read my post: Is Breast Cancer Awareness Really Helping Women?

Naturally, the fall out from the wishy-washy display of political games on Komen’s part, came as no surprise to me. Have you ever wondered about those pink ribbons? How they came to existence and who thought it up? Natural News has an interesting story to share about those pink ribbons.

Little known to many, for instance, is the fact that the original breast cancer ribbon was created by a woman named Charlotte Haley, now 68 years old, as an awareness tool to expose the fact that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) spent virtually none of its budget on cancer prevention. Today, that ribbon, which was originally a salmon color, has been hijacked by corporations and turned pink for the purpose of raising gobs of money in the name of "finding a cure."
"Raising money has become the priority, regardless of the consequences," said one woman interviewed for the film, concerning what all the breast cancer hullabaloo is really about. "If people actually knew what was happening, they would be really pissed off," added another woman. Read More

The film mentioned in the quote is titled, “Pink Ribbons, Inc.” You can watch the two minute trailer at this link: http://tv.naturalnews.com/v.asp?v=A6850654D4A85F4EA97EE37046D074F3

Whitney 1963 - 2012

2012-02-13T22:29:00.001-06:00

Photo Credit: TMZ.com

I was stunned to learn of the passing of Whitney Houston this past weekend. She was my favorite singer of the ‘90’s. There are so many nostalgic memories tied indefinitely to the many many songs she sang. “I Will Always Love You” immediately reminds me of my youthful romantic love I had for my then boyfriend, now husband. “The Greatest Love of All” provokes my heart into remembering my long lost mother, may she rest peacefully in the arms of her Savior. My sadness comes from the knowledge that she will never return to the great talent that formed an ambiance for so many enraptured by her voice.

So today we have learned from TMZ.com that Whitney may have passed from a mixture of prescription drugs and alcohol. This all too familiar scenario seems to have no end. The love affair with chemicals continues to rage on. It is clear to me. We need to change our perspective on “war on drugs”.

My thoughts, prayers and heart go out to her family, especially her daughter. Unfortunately, I understand all to well the pain of losing your mother as a child.

TOP Giveaway and Reviews Hop Week 22

2012-02-12T14:46:00.000-06:00

WELCOME TO TOP GIVEAWAY & REVIEWS HOP WEEK 22!

Thanks to GIVEAWAY SCOUT for sharing this hop on their site!

GIVEAWAY AND/OR REVIEWS LINKS ONLY. BLOG AND UNRELATED LINKS WILL BE DELETED.
FAMILY FRIENDLY LINKS ONLY
SHARE THIS HOP ON THE SOCIAL MEDIA OF YOUR CHOICE!

FEATURED GIVEAWAY!Nordic Naturals Omega D3 Giveaway - Ends 3/1/12Prizes include: One bottle of 60 lemon-flavored soft gels (non toxic fish oil)One Eco-Friendly Produce Bag filled with Nordic Naturals SamplesOne Nordic Naturals T-ShirtRetail Value: $75.00
FEATURED CONTESTNordic Naturals What's Essential Blogger's Contest! - Ends 3/31Experiencing writer's block? Write about what's essential to you in your life and win prizes valued at $125.00!
PRODUCT REVIEW OPP!Spaces are dwindling down for a chance to review Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3. See what other bloggers who have reviewed the product have to say about it...Two Bears FarmOne Mom's MoxieSay What You Need to Say
FEATURED REVIEWAuromere MudBath & Face Mask Review - Free Samples!
Don't be shy! Grab the hop button :)

Gone Fishing!

2012-02-09T22:18:00.000-06:00

I'm taking a short, but much needed blogging break! I will back to blog and share very soon! Meanwhile, feel free to check out my older posts, giveaways and contest I have going on here.

Raw Organic Coconut Water Vinegar - 2/12

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3 Giveaway - 3/1

Nordic Naturals What's Essential Blogger's Contest - 3/31

Product Reviewers Needed!

COMING SOON!

KeVita Sparkling Probiotic Drink Giveway!

Apple Gate Farms, Natural Chicken Nuggets Review!

Wishing you all health and warmness this week.

Hannah

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3 Giveaway!

2012-02-07T11:56:00.002-06:00

I’m a huge believer in healthy fats. I believe that “fats” in general have been tarnished due to the introduction of trans-fats, a chemical process to preserve or maintain shelf-life. Studies consistently show that Omegas are essential to a health. As a matter of fact, they are typically called EFAs, Essential Fatty Acids. EFAs are essential because they are needed, but cannot be produced by the body, and must be obtained from diet or supplementation.

Research shows that the two most important EFAs are the Omega-3s, EPA and DHA.

EPA	DHA
The heart & circulatory system	Brain Function
Joints	Visual Function
Immune	Nervous System

THE REVIEW

I was given an opportunity to try the Ultimate Omega D3. Ultimate D3 “provides high levels of the omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA”. Additionally, Ultimate contains 1000 I.U. of vitamin D3, cholecalciferol which is the natural form of vitamin D produced by the body and better absorbed.

The Ultimate contains 60 soft gels in lemon flavor. The soft gels are pretty big, which I found reasonable given it’s name. :) Even if they were small, I wouldn’t be able to swallow them. I’ve ALWAYS had issues with swallowing capsules and pills my entire life. So, I had to puncture the gel with my teeth and squeeze the oil out. The oil had a yummy lemon flavor. The best part is, it hardly tastes of fish! My husband enjoyed taking the Omegas knowing, he was supplementing his health. Even more important, as he is pursuing an athletic & active lifestyle.

MORE NORDIC NATURALS PRODUCTS

Nordic Naturals has a bevy of products for men, women and children. Nordic Omega-3 Gummy Worms™ is a product for children two years and older. It comes in strawberry flavor. It has no artificial coloring, flavoring or preservatives. It is gluten, milk-derivative, and yeast free. What’s impressive about this is that it is sweetened with organic tapioca syrup and organic evaporated cane syrup!

NORDIC NATURALS IS HAVING A CONTEST!

What’s Essential™ to You? Nordic Naturals® Wants to Know. Share Your Essential Story and You’ll be Entered to Win!

How to Participate: Nordic Naturals is inviting everyone to participate in the exciting What’s Essential contest. Submit your What’s Essential story and accompanying image. Winners will be announced in June. Official rules are posted at www.whatsessential.com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. Open to Canada and the USA.
What You Win: The What’s Essential contest will award prizes to the best 19 entries.

Grand Prize Winner: One winner will receive a trip for two to Santa Cruz, California with all the trimmings, including airfare, car rental, hotel, spending money, Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas, and more!
Second Prize Winners: Each of the six Second Prize winners will receive one Canon® Vixia HF M400 camcorder and a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas.
Third Prize Winners: Each of the twelve Third Prize winners will receive a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas.

THE GIVEAWAY!

ONE Winner will receive:

A bottle of Ultimate Omega D3 – 60 soft gels lemon flavor
One Eco-friendly produce bag filled with other Nordic Naturals products (sample sizes)
One Swag
One T-Shirt
Retail value: $75.00

Entry is simple. Enter your name and email address. Use the bonus entries to increase your chances of winning. You receive MORE entry points by sharing the What’s Essential contest. PLEASE provide additional information when asked. This will allow your entry to be validated and counted. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. Giveaway ends 2/29/12 12:01 am EST. Best Wishes!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

3D Birth

2012-02-06T19:54:00.000-06:00

{This post was originally a page, but I'm doing some rearranging on TOP. It's a great video that I still want available for everyone to see.}

What a wonderful process! When birthing at home I loved the squatting position. It takes so much pressure off of the backbone and gives the baby more head room to emerge. Not to mention that gravity is such BIG help considering all of my home birth babies were over nine pounds.

Watch a Childbirth video in it's natural state. A Natural Childbirth Video

TOP Giveaway and Reviews Hop Week 21

2012-02-05T14:00:00.000-06:00

Welcome to TOP Giveaway and Reviews Hop Week 21!

A special THANKS to Giveaway Scout for linking to this hop every week!

List your Giveaways or Reviews Link Only. Blog, unrelated links will be deleted.
Family Friendly
Please Tweet, Facebook or Google+ this hop

FEATURED GIVEAWAY

Raw Organic Coconut Water Vinegar - The coconut water in this vinegar is unpasteurized and fermented. What makes this vinegar unique is "the mother of vinegar", a colony of bacteria culture. Making this a truly raw product! Ends - 2/12

PRODUCT REVIEW OPP!

Would you like to review the Ultimate Omega D3 product from Nordic Naturals? Visit this link for information.

BLOGGING/WRITING CONTEST!

Experiencing writer's block? Be inspired! Write about what's essential to you in your life and win prizes valued at $125.00! Visit this link for more information.

Win a trip to California! Check out the What's Essential contest sponsored by Nordic Naturals!

Nettles For Pregnancy, Postpartum & Breast Feeding

2012-02-05T00:00:00.000-06:00

Photo Credit: eco-herbalista.com

Stinging nettle or common nettle, Urtica dioica, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best-known member of the nettle genus Urtica. The plant has many hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like hypodermic needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when contacted by humans and other animals.^[1] The plant has a long history of use as a medicine and as a food source. – Wikipedia

When cooked, Stinging Nettle loses it’s sting. Stinging Nettle is considered a super food and is high in iron and Vitamin K. Midwives and herbalists often recommend it during pregnancy. Drinking It as a tea throughout pregnancy could be very helpful if you’re planning a home birth. More likely, your newborn wouldn’t need the usually administered shot of Vitamin K routinely given at a hospital birth. Drinking infused Nettles can build up vitamin K. And if you’re low in iron, it’s a natural way to increase iron intake. Nettles is also considered helpful in reducing postpartum bleeding. Finally, Nettles can be helpful to breast milk production.

Interestingly, but not surprising, medical websites have dire warnings about Stinging Nettles, while herbal websites tout it’s health benefits. I only wish medical websites and doctors alike would be just as passionate and transparent about the proven health risks of drugs. It’s hypocritical to say the least.

I drank infused Nettles during my pregnancy with no problems at all. It’s no more work than making a cup of tea. You can infuse the nettle by heating it up in water and then straining it. Or you can use a tea ball. I sweetened my tea with raw sugar or creamed honey. I preferred creamed honey with this tea.
Mountain Rose Herbs sells herbs in bulk and if you’re looking for Nettles, Mountain Rose Herbs sells certified organic Nettles. A four ounce bag of Nettles will cost you $3.45, which is not only plentiful, but very inexpensive. It’ll cost you more to buy a box of tea from the store for a whole lot less tea.

Additionally, you can add Nettles to dishes. I usually use it in my spaghetti sauces, or in my salad dressings. It goes great with home made chicken soup! Especially during cold and flu season, it can boost the nutritional benefit of the soup.

Tip: if you purchase dried Nettles, transfer it in a air tight glass jar and store it out of directly sunlight and away from heat for a longer shelf life.

Disclaimer: This post is presented on an informative basis only and should be substituted for a qualified diagnosis. I am not a medical expert, nor a herbalist. All experiences shared here are my own. All opinions stated are my own. The reader is encouraged to conduct their own personal research

Sources:
NaturalNews.com
LearningHerbs.com

What's Up on TOP?
Current Giveaway: Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar – Ends 2/12/12

Product Review Opportunity: Would you like to review a quality product by a values-driven company?
Ultimate Omega D3 – non toxic fish oil from Nordic Naturals

Blogging Contest: Experiencing Writer’s Block? Enter to win a prize valued at $125.00
What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest – Ends 3/31/12

Technorati Tags: Herbs,Natural health,natural pregancy,postpartum,midwives,healing herbs,nutritious herbs,stinging nettles,nettles,vitamin K,Iron in pregancy,homebirthing,herbalists

Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion Recall

2012-02-04T00:00:00.000-06:00

If you’re familiar with the quality control issues that have plagued Johnson & Johnson, then you won’t be surprised to hear this news.

(NaturalNews) More quality control issues at Johnson & Johnson (J&J) have spurred yet another consumer product recall. At least 2,200 bottles of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion from lot number 0161LK have been found to be contaminated with coagulase-negative staphylococci, a highly-contagious, antibiotic-resistant pathogen that can cause crippling illness.

The tainted bottles were sold in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas, according to J&J, but are not being recalled at the consumer level. Though the company has pulled the contaminated lot from store shelves, it is not asking people who already purchased bottles from the lot to return them. – Read More

If you’ve purchased a bottle of Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Lotion, my advice would be to dump it in the trash. Naturally, the company is defending their product by saying the recalled lotion is “safe”, however a 1999 report says this…

Coagulase-negative staphylococci are by far the most common cause of bacteremia related to indwelling devices. Most of these infections are hospital-acquired, and studies over the past several years suggest that they are often caused by strains that are transmitted among hospitalized patients. Other important infections due to coagulase-negative staphylococci include central nervous system shunt infections, native or prosthetic valve endocarditis, urinary tract infections, and endophthalmitis. – Read more

Based on this company’s quality control history, it’s very clear to me that their idea of “safe” is very different from everyone else’s. Here’s hoping they’ll work harder on correcting these issues soon…or at least raise their standards of safety.

Sources:
NaturalNews.com
Annual Reviews – A Non-Profit Scientific Publisher

What's Up on TOP?
Current Giveaway: Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar – Ends 2/12/12
Product Review Opportunity: Would you like to review a quality product by a values-driven company?
Ultimate Omega D3 – non toxic fish oil from Nordic Naturals
Blogging Contest: Experiencing Writer’s Block? Enter to win a prize valued at $125.00
What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest – Ends 3/31/12

Technorati Tags: Johnson & Johnson recall,recalls,baby lotion,contaminated baby lotion,product safety,Natural News

Home Births Continue to Resist “Peer Pressure”

2012-02-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

A year ago the CDC reported that home births were on the rise with a twenty percent increase. I wrote a post in response, sharing my belief that home births are not a “trend”, but a permanent response to a broken health care system. This year, the report is that home births are steadily increasing to 30 percent. Here’s a portion of what I wrote last year…

Many are calling this a trend. I've also heard the term savvy moms” applied to these group of women who have chosen home birth. The increase of 20 percent in home births hardly makes it popular, in fact home births still make up for one percent of births. Calling this a trend, in any instance, implies that it is temporary and I truly don’t think it is. I think the term savvy moms is the defining light of home birth. Savvy, which means to understand, is the element behind the increase in home births. This is not an over night trend. This trend is a effect of a cause, and the cause is the broken health care system that has monetized birth into a industry, by which women have become baby machines.
And I bet, five more years down the line, you’ll see this trend” alive and well. Women have had enough. It’s bad enough we have to birth, such an intimate act by the way, in accordance to policy”, but we have to pay for it too! A LOT of money at that! Home Births Rising, Trend or Enlightment?

At a ten percent increase from last year, it does look like the attitude towards a home birth has definitely changed. Although the majority of moms still birth in a hospital setting, they are not dismissing home births as easily as they may have had a few years ago. Home births are being viewed as a safe alternative, despite the constant attacks on the safety of home births. I truly believe this change will continue to grow even further, as more and more women come to understand that they do not need to sacrifice their dignity in order to have, what’s believed as a “safe” birth.

This upward movement should speak to modern maternity care everywhere…we are tired of a model of care that fashions itself towards the protection of the dollar. We are reclaiming our uteri from a system that herds our bodies as cattle.
From The Rituals of American Hospital Births….

Why is childbirth, which should be such a unique and individual experience for the woman, treated in such a highly standardized way in the United States? No matter how long or short, how easy or hard their labors, the vast majority of American women are hooked up to an electronic fetal monitor and an IV (intravenously administered fluids and/or medication), are encouraged to use pain-relieving drugs, receive an episiotomy (a surgical incision in the vagina to widen the birth outlet in order to prevent tearing) at the moment of birth, and are separated from their babies shortly after birth. Most of them also receive doses of the synthetic hormone pitocin to speed their labors, and give birth flat on their backs. Nearly one quarter of them are delivered by Cesarean section.
.
Many Americans, including most of the doctors and nurses who attend birth, view these procedures as medical necessities. Yet anthropologists regularly describe other, less technological ways to give birth. For example, the Mayan Indians of Highland Chiapas hold onto a rope while squatting for birth, a position that is far more physiologically efficacious than the flat-on-your-back-with-your-feet-in-stirrups (lithotomy) position. Mothers in many low-technology cultures give birth sitting, squatting, semi-reclining in their hammocks, or on their hands and knees, and are nurtured through the pain of labor by experienced midwives and supportive female relatives. What then might explain the standardization and technical elaboration of the American birthing process?

One answer emerges from the field of symbolic anthropology. Early in this century, Arnold van Gennep noticed that in many societies around the world, major life transitions are ritualized. These cultural rites of passage make it appear that society itself effects the transformation of the individual. Could this explain the standardization of American birth? I believe the answer is yes. Read More.

Society itself affects the transformation of the individual - No doubt…it’s what we call “peer pressure”. Seemingly, we are resisting the pressure of our peers to confirm home births as a solid, valid option.

Source:
NaturalNews.com – Home Births Have Increased…
Relating Posts:
Pie Chart in the Sky: Home Birth Mortality in Perspective
Why Black Women Need Midwives
Current Giveaways: Check out my current giveaway!
Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar
Product Review Opportunity: Would you like to review a quality product by a values-driven company?
Ultimate Omega D3 – non toxic fish oil from Nordic Naturals
Blogging Contest: Experiencing Writer’s Block? Enter to win a prize valued at $125.00
What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest

Technorati Tags: home births,home births on the rise,hospital births,home birth popularity,childbirth,natural childbirth,midwives,birth choices

Can Yerba Mate Kill Colon Cancer Cells?

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-06:00

I was so excited, finding this article, that I immediately made myself a cup of steaming yerba mate! There’s a bit of history of colon cancer in my family, My mother, may she rest in the peaceful arms of her Savior, passed from colon cancer when I was a child. Her sister (my aunt) was afflicted, and passed with the same illness. My aunt’s daughter, just last year, passed after a battle with colon cancer.
My passion and motivation for “truth in eating” comes partially from my own family history. However, I don’t believe “prevention” starts at the doctor’s office with a scope inserted up your back end, but rather being aware of what you’re eating, what you’re breathing, and what you’re putting on your body and eliminating it…or at least drastically reducing your exposure to toxins.
Back to the subject at hand, NaturalNews.com published an article that shares how yerba mate can kill colon cancer cells!

(NaturalNews) A recent scientific study found that yerba mate tea induces death in human colon cancer cells. Scientists discovered that in vitro cancer cells died when exposed to the bioactive compounds present in one cup of the beverage long valued for its medicinal properties by South American traditional healers.
University of Illinois associate professor of food chemical and toxicology Elvira de Mejia stated "The caffeine derivatives in mate tea not only induced death in human colon cancer cells, they also reduced important markers of inflammation." Mejia observed that this is important since inflammation can lead to cancer progression. Her study was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research in latter part of 2011.
The study suggests that the mate tea compounds not only have potential as anti-cancer agents but may also be effective against other diseases associated with inflammation. However, since the colon and its microflora play a major role in the absorption and metabolism of caffeine-related compounds, the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of mate tea may be most potent against bowel cancer. "We believe there's ample evidence to support drinking mate tea for its bioactive benefits, especially if you have reason to be concerned about colon cancer," de Mejia noted. Learn more

Score another one for yerba mate! My favorite beverage keeps surprising me at every turn!

Current Giveaways: Check out my current giveaway!
Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar
Product Review Opportunity: Would you like to review a quality product by a values-driven company?
Ultimate Omega D3 – non toxic fish oil from Nordic Naturals
Blogging Contest: Experiencing Writer’s Block? Enter to win a prize valued at $125.00
What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest

Relating Posts:
Yerba Mate and the Breast Feeding Mom
Is Caffeine Really Bad For You?

Technorati Tags: yerba mate,colon cancer,yerba mate kills colon cancer cells,caffeine,natural health,prevention,health and wellness

TOP Giveaway & Reviews Hop Week 20!

2012-01-29T15:09:00.000-06:00

WELCOME TO TOP GIVEAWAY and REVIEWS HOP WEEK 20!

Giveaway, Reviews links only - Blog or any other links will be deleted.
Family friendly links
Tweet, Facebook, Google+ this hop

FEATURED GIVEAWAY!Raw Organic Coconut Water Vinegar Giveaway! - The coconut water in this vinegar is fermented and unpasteurized. What makes this vinegar unique is the "mother of vinegar", a colony of bacteria culture, making this a truly raw product! - Ends 2/12

FEATURED REVIEW!

Auromere Mud Bath & Face Mask Review - FREE SAMPLE!

FEATURED OPPORTUNITIES! (BLOGGERS)

Product Review - Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega D3

FEATURED CONTEST! (BLOGGERS)

Nordic Naturals What's Essential Blogger's Contest - THREE WINNERS - Prizes valued at $125.00 - Ends 3/31

FEATURED CONTEST! (EVERYONE)

What's Essential Contest - Ends 3/31

Opportunities On TOP

2012-01-28T13:08:00.003-06:00

This blog is my eighth child. I’ve nurtured, cared for it and watched it grow. Seeded in my passion for an empowered life, TheOliveParent sprouted forth to include my own stories, information, opinions and anything else that moves my quill. It’s very important to me to preserve the authenticity of this blog, which is by and by the essence of me.

In saying such, I’ve made decisions on what is and is not acceptable, to preserve that authenticity. For example, If I give away a food item or body care product, it must be organic or toxin-free. I don’t host giveaways for the sake of getting a “free” product or to gain traffic. If anything, it's to share an experience. It’s a delicate and, at times, frustrating balance as I try to maintain the balance of operating an authentic, revenue-earning, blog. What I have found, as I’ve discovered long ago, that personal sacrifices has it’s own rewards. While holding out for the best, I’ve found the best. This of course is simply my own opinion. I’ve found companies that make it easy for me to promote them. In this industrialized age, value-driven companies are rare. Far too often, companies are quick to sell products, namely food, with little concern with the consequences. I truly believe the results of this carelessness is evident in a society that is constantly plagued with obesity, and other ailments.

With that background painted, it was very easy to decide to work with Integral Marketing, a PR company for the natural foods industry, as a temporary project manager. In addition to my usual blogging obligations, I will facilitate the Nordic Naturals Blogger’s Contest on TOP in addition to managing/recruiting product reviewers, over the next few weeks. This a short-term project. I want to ensure my readers that my blog remains under my full control, and my opinions will continued to be influenced by my own unique beliefs and values that creates the flavor of TOP.

Having said all this, Nordic Naturals is a fine company. Here’s a bit of a profile:

Values-Driven & Research-Based Innovation
Bringing forward a new definition of fish oil quality as it relates to purity, freshness, taste, dosage, and sustainability, Nordic Naturals’ leadership has also shifted the model of how to conduct business truthfully and authentically. Nordic Naturals incorporates ethical and socially responsible practices with regards to environmental consciousness, corporate transparency, philanthropic partnerships, and education—all of which are integral to fulfilling our mission of correcting omega-3 deficiency around the world.– Read the Company Mission & Profile

Raw Material Nordic Naturals starts with the best raw material available: 100% pure Arctic cod (Skrei) sourced from the Norwegian Sea. We have built direct, exclusive relationships with smaller boats and independent fishermen, rather than larger trawling vessels that spend much longer at sea. These relationships allow us to maintain optimal raw material quality as well as sustainable fishing practices. We offer only 100% Arctic cod liver oil. No fish body oils or synthetic vitamins or additives are ever used—only pure Arctic cod (Skrei), which has the highest DHA, vitamin A, and vitamin D content of any cod species. – Read the Gold Standard

Manufacturing and Bottling We use nitrogen to minimize exposure to oxygen at every stage of manufacturing—beginning immediately after catch. The importance of this cannot be overstated: only by using nitrogen can the fish and oil be protected from the oxidative rancidity that leads to fishy smell and taste, as well as to free radical formation in the body. Vertically integrated from boat to bottle, Nordic Naturals delivers exceptionally fresh cod liver oil.– Read the Gold Standard

What I truly appreciate about this company is it’s transparency. They have a website dedicated to fish oil research at www.omega-research.com and encourage their customers to read, research for themselves. This goes hand-in-hand with what TOP is about, empowering yourself with knowledge. I’ve also had a chance to review and giveaway, their Prenatal DHA, (November '11) which is the official DHA supplement of the American Pregnancy Association. Since this project started, two weeks ago, I’ve not had the time to share this new development in detail. This project came about suddenly, without warning, and I’ve been working steadily on it.
I’m having lots of fun doing this, but this opportunity belongs to YOU more than this blog.

OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE – What’s Essential™ Contest

What’s Essential™ to you? That’s what Nordic Naturals® wants to know! When you submit your story along with a picture to www.whatsessential.com, you have a chance to be one of the nineteen entries chosen to win:

Grand Prize: One winner will receive a trip for two to Santa Cruz, California with all the trimmings, including airfare, car rental, hotel, spending money, Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas,and more!*
Second Prize: Each of the six Second Prize winners will receive one Canon® Vixia HF M400 camcorder and a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas.*
Third Prize: Each of the twelve Third Prize winners will receive a one-year supply of Nordic Naturals award-winning omegas.*

OPPORTUNITY FOR BLOGGERS

Product Review

In order to get the word out about the contest, Nordic Naturals is giving qualifying blogs one bottle of Ultimate Omega D3, samples of other products and company information to (1) review and (2) share the contest with their readers. If you’re interested, please read the release here.

Nordic Naturals® What's Essential™ Blogger's Contest

This contest is open to all bloggers. You can participate by writing what is essential to you, in your life, and share the What’s Essential™ Contest in a post. When your post is published, submit the link. Three winners will be chosen to receive:

Nordic Naturals tote bag filled with products
What’s Essential T shirt and
Other swag from Nordic Naturals (over a $125 retail value).

Currently there are no entries to date. You can be the first to enter! If you have any questions regarding these opportunities, please feel free to leave a comment.

Hannah

Is Caffeine Really Bad For You?

2012-01-27T00:46:00.001-06:00

I’ve always been suspicious of claims that caffeine has a negative impact on your health. My thinking stems from drinking Yerba Mate, South American tea that loaded with vitamins, minerals and naturally occurring caffeine. I’ve found drinking Yerba Mate, as well as green teas, to be a very pleasant experience of gentle stimulation. However, back in my pop drinking days, I do remember the feeling of jittery nervousness that came from caffeinated soft drinks. I’m willing to bet (I haven’t done any personal research on this yet) that synthetic caffeine is the culprit of the negative results of caffeine.

However, a NaturalNews.com article talks about the latest research that reveals that caffeinated coffee can protect against Alzheimer’s Disease.

“(NaturalNews) Recent research suggests that drinking caffeinated coffee daily may protect against developing Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, prostate cancer, depression and more, according to reports from Science Daily. Animal studies at the University of Florida discovered an ingredient in coffee that interacts with caffeine and increases blood levels of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF), a growth factor that that prevents the production of beta amyloid plaques, which are thought to be the causative factor in Alzheimer's disease. Researchers reported that daily consumption of caffeinated coffee by middle-aged and elderly individuals markedly lessens the risk of developing the disease.”

“Coffee is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, which provide the body with additional ingredients to increase cognitive function to protect the brain; as well as protect against other diseases of aging, such as Type II diabetes, depression, stroke, and Parkinson's. Studies also suggest coffee may help fight against breast, skin and prostate cancer.”

“Drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily may also lower the risk of depression in women by 15%, according to research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine-- and those who consume four or more cups daily have shown an even greater reduction in their risk of developing depression. Caffeine affects brain chemicals and is known to release mood-altering transmitters.” – Read the entire article

I’m NOT a coffee drinker. I abhor the stuff. However, the research information on caffeine is quite fascinating! The article advises that all things should be taken in moderation including coffee.

“Caffeine affects brain chemicals and is known to release mood-altering transmitters.” This would explain the “gotta have my “coffee/Yerba Mate” feeling every morning!

Misdiagnosed Ectopic Pregnancy Saved by a Dream

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-06:00

This is heart breaking. Truly. A few months ago, I asked the question, Are Misdiagnosed Miscarriages Common Practice? With this news story surfacing, it certainly gives the question the serious consideration it deserves. While the story speaks of a misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. The topic of misdiagnosed miscarriages, and misdiagnosed ectopic pregnancies go hand in hand. In both instances, pregnancies are determined, not viable and procedures are performed to end these pregnancies.

After a fourth positive test, she went to her doctor for answers. The news was devastating. "It's ectopic," Schoger recalled the doctor saying after a hormone test and an ultrasound. "I was so upset because we'd been trying for so long."

"Schoger was given two high-dose shots of methotrexate in the fatty tissue above her hips to abort her pregnancy, which was four weeks and five days along. Days later, she started having nightmares about a baby crying out in pain inside her. So when she returned to the doctor for a second round of shots a week later, she insisted on a follow-up ultrasound for peace of mind." Read the full article.

Ultimately, the ultrasound showed the baby was forming not in the fallopian tube, like the doctor had said, but in the uterus. I am compelled by this mother’s story. Her response to the dreams of her little baby crying out to her was her child’s saving grace. Sadly, the child was born with severe deformities. But the fact that the baby survived the pregnancy at all is amazing in and of itself and it’s all due, not to a person in a white jacket with letters to their name, but a mother, connected and in touch with her unborn child.

Far too often, we allow calculated decisions and scientific data to convince us our love for our children, born or not, carries no real value. The truth is, it can compel us, motivate us to achieve the results we’re looking for when it comes to our children’s safety. Love defies hopelessness, while scientific data defines it.

Home Births Can Be “Baby-Friendly”

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-06:00

“The time has come to set forth the important roles and responsibilities of clinicians, employers, communities, researchers, and government leaders and to urge us all to take on a commitment to enable mothers to meet their personal goals for breastfeeding.“
Regina M. Benjamin, M.D., M.B.A. Vice Admiral, U.S. Public Health Service Surgeon General

The breast feeding report card provides perspectives on state and national trends on breastfeeding. The CDC has been compiling breast feeding stats to track breast feeding rates for the last five years. Although more babies are being born in baby-friendly hospitals, less than five percent of babies are born in baby-friendly hospitals. Read More

Despite the fact that 99% of women birth in hospitals, hospitals are largely considered un-baby friendly. In other words, they lack the policies in place to encourage or improve breast feeding rates. I find all of this incredibly ironic. Home birth has been vilified by doctors and proponents against home births, yet it’s the one place that is most baby friendly. Having a home birth and breast feeding almost always goes hand in hand. I’d LOVE to know the breast feeding rates of home birth. I’m willing to bet it puts it’s counterparts to shame. At a home birth, the birth is planned, and centered around that child(ren) and the mom. Mom receives a lot of support and love. The expectation of breast feeding is almost always unquestioned. At least it was for me and my midwife. It’s unfortunate home births are misunderstood. I truly believe if home births were accepted and encouraged, breast feeding rates would increase naturally. Take a look at the the “baby-friendly” chart… So, so sad…

Photo credit: CDC.gov

Technorati Tags: baby friendly hospitals,breast feeding rates,breast feeding report 2011

TOP Giveaway Hop Week 19

2012-01-22T14:30:00.000-06:00

WELCOME TO TOP GIVEAWAY HOP WEEK 19!

Giveaway and Review links only. Blog links will be deleted
Family Friendly links only.
Please Tweet/Facebook/Google+ this hop (Thanks!)

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY!

Product Review! - Nordic Naturals is having a contest and is looking to get the word out! They need bloggers to (1) review their product and (2) the contest. Interested? Visit the link for more info. The offer ends when 75 spots are filled.

BLOGGER'S CONTEST!

Nordic Naturals® What's Essential™ Blogger's Contest - In addition to the product review opportunity, Nordic Naturals is sponsoring a contest for bloggers. THREE winners with the best written post per posting requirements will win...

Nordic Naturals Tote Bag full of products
What's Essential T Shirt
Other Swag from Nordic Naturals (over $125.00 retail value)

Currently, there are NO entries and three lonely prizes.

FEATURED GIVEAWAY!

Raw Organic Coconut Water Vinegar Giveaway! - Coconut water vinegar is coconut water that is unpasteurized and fermented. What makes this vinegar unique is that it retains "the mother of vinegar" a bacteria colony culture, making this vinegar a truly raw product. - Ends 2/12

Raw Organic Coconut Water Vinegar Giveaway! (Closed)

2012-01-21T00:58:00.000-06:00

I use various kinds of vinegar to create my salad dressings and marinades. My favorite vinegar to use in salad dressings are balsamic vinegar, rice vinegar and red wine vinegar. Naturally, I was curiously thrilled to try coconut water vinegar.

Coconut water vinegar is raw coconut water that has been fermented. The fermentation process enhances the nutrients that are in the coconut water. Coconut water, by the way is high in vitamins, minerals, potassium and electrolytes, a naturally hydrating drink. What I really love about this vinegar is that it retains the mother of vinegar, a colony of bacteria cultures, making this product unique and raw in every sense of the word.

With all of my experiences with vinegar, I have yet to experience a vinegar like coconut water vinegar. Its taste is unique in and of itself. It tastes a bit of alcohol, very strong and acidic. The Tropical Tradition website suggests that you add one to two teaspoons of coconut water vinegar to a glass of eight ounces of water for a "cool and refreshing, healthy beverage". I did just that and LOVE it. Drinking my water this way resembles the taste of Kombucha a bit. I like to drink my water with a slice of lemon or a few drops of Stevia extract and adding the coconut water vinegar definitely freshened my drink. I've been drinking it with my water since I got my coconut water vinegar!

I used coconut water vinegar in my salad. Using a bagged lettuce, I tossed in chopped onions, green bell pepper, garlic, cucumber and tomatoes. Typically I make my dressing right in the bowl along with the salad, I drizzled some olive oil, and then salt (pink), cracked black pepper and about two cap-fuls of coconut water vinegar and tossed. Lastly, I added a tablespoon of mayo for a creamy texture. I just LOVED how the coconut water vinegar enhanced the taste of my dressing. It was really delicious!

THE GIVEAWAY

You can make your own salad dressing or freshen your drink with this raw product! I'm giving one winner a 32 ounce bottle of Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar for their own personal enjoyment and experience. This product retails at $18.50. To enter, subscribe to Tropical Traditions' newsletter. Choose some or all of the bonus entries to increase your chances of winning. Giveaway is open to US and Canada. Ends 2/12/12 12:01 am EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bloggers: Product Reviewers Needed!

2012-01-19T14:38:00.000-06:00

Nordic Naturals is having a contest and needs your help in getting the word out!

Nordic Naturals believes that omega oils are essential to an extraordinary life. That’s why they’re committed to delivering the world’s safest and most effective omega oils. They are committed to helping you get healthy and stay healthy, so you can do more of what you love with those you love.

The "What's Essential™" Contest
Nordic Naturals wants to know what’s essential to you!

Nordic Naturals is inviting everyone to participate in the exciting What’s Essential contest by submitting your “what’s essential to you” story and accompanying image via Facebook or whatsessential .com. Winners will be announced in June. Official rules are posted at www .whatsessential .com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win. The contest is open to Canada (excluding Quebec) and the USA.

How you can help!
We need bloggers who can (1) review the Ultimate Omega^®-D3 and (2) share the What’s Essential Contest with their readers! If this describes you and your blog:

First time reviewer of Nordic Naturals products
Green, Health and Wellness blogs, or a blogger passionate about health and wellness
American/Canadian (Quebec excluded)
English or bilingual presentation
500+ Followers/Subscribers (GFC/Newsletter/RSS info should be viewable on your blog)
Facebook, Twitter, Google+ numbers will be considered as well.

Then sign up here.
Space is limited! The first 75 blogs that qualify will be sent a product to review. The turn around for your post time is 7-10 days upon receipt of the product.

Don’t meet the criteria? No problem!
As long as you have an American or Canadian blog, you can enter the What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest! If you enter a blog post about the contest, you are then eligible to win a prize valued at over $125.00. There will be THREE grand prize winners. Each winner will receive:

A Nordic Naturals tote bag filled with products!
A What’s Essential T shirt
Other swag from Nordic Naturals

To enter:

Write a post on what is essential to you in your life
Include in your post, information about the What's Essential Contest and encourage others to enter and do the same
Enter into the contest www.whatsessential.com – this is optional
Tweet/Facebook the post.
Publish your post and submit the link here.

ALL bloggers, qualified or not, can enter the What’s Essential Blogger’s Contest. Only one link per blog should be submitted.

Paula Deen’s “Moderate” Lifestyle

2012-01-18T00:27:00.001-06:00

Photo credit:JB Lacroix/WireImage/Getty Images

Paula Deen has Type 2 Diabetes. I don’t believe anyone is surprised by this newest information. I remember her words to Oprah when asked how many calories were in a certain dish.

“I’m your cook! Not your doctor!”

That statement got laughs and chuckles, but there’s nothing funny about promoting dangerous, unhealthy eating habits. I believe naturally occurring fats are actually good for you, but its unfortunate that Ms. Deen wasn’t considerate of distinguishing natural fats and trans (bad) fats in her cooking demonstrations.

Her health condition aside, it’s bad enough she didn’t differentiate between good and bad fats as well as refined sugars and salts to their counterparts… Now she’s teeming up with a pharmaceutical company to treat a disease that could very well be prevented with good dietary habits. If not prevented, at least managed.

So what we have here is a scenario where, you can consume large amounts of (bad) fats, refined sugars and salt and take prescribed drugs to help you manage your diabetic condition, should your health take a hit….it’s all good!

*Sigh…*

Ms. Paula Deen confirms…

When asked if the high-fat, high-caloric recipes she champions can lead to diabetes, she hedged.

That is part of the puzzle," she said, but mentioned other factors: genetics, lifestyle, stress and age.

"On my show I share with you all these yummy, fattening recipes, but I tell people, 'in moderation,'" she added. "I've always eaten in moderation."

She ate in moderation? “Always”? …hmmm…okay. Is this the lifestyle “factor” she is referring to? Consuming foods cooked with trans fat (allegedly) in moderation?

My children and I, enjoy Paul Deen’s feisty spirit. I wish Ms. Deen the best in her journey to healthful lifestyle, and I hope she achieves the good health she needs…although I’m not holding my breath with the route she’s decided to take.

What do you think about Paula Deen’s health condition and her spokesperson status for Novo Nordisk?

Source:

Paula Deen Teams With Novo Nordisk on Diabetes

Menstrual Softcups Giveaway Ends Tonight

2012-01-17T08:36:00.000-06:00

If you haven't had a chance to enter into the Instead Softcup Starter Pack Giveaway, you can still do so. The Giveaway will end tonight.

Go here to read more and enter the giveaway.

Giveaway coming soon....

Raw, Organic Coconut Water Vinegar from Tropical Traditions.

This vinegar is pretty unique. From the TT website...

"In the Philippines and other tropical places, raw coconut water is often left in the open air to ferment, where it eventually turns into a vinegar. The fermentation process enhances the nutrients, unlike heat pasteurization. The acidic environment prevents the growth of undesirable bacteria naturally. This process is a "backyard" cottage industry, however, and the final product is seldom consistant or attaining to our high standards. Therefore, Tropical Traditions worked with professors at the University of the Philippines for several years to develop an incubation system that could produce clean coconut water vinegar from our certified organic coconuts (used to make our Virgin Coconut Oil) and retain the mother of vinegar (a colony of bacteria cultures) as a truly raw product. We use the mother of vinegar to inoculate future batches of organic coconut water vinegar."

I'm excited to try this one out. I'm a salad lover, so I plan to use this in my salad dressing as well as a electrolyte drink. Read more about this vinegar here. Sign up by email or RSS for the announcement.

Everything You Thought You Knew About Your Clitoris But Didn’t Know

2012-01-16T00:00:00.000-06:00

Shocking! There’s something new to learn every single day. I consider myself fairly knowledgeable and pretty empowered about my body since incorporating a natural family planning method in my lifestyle. I had no clue, none…of the fascinating dynamics that surrounds the mysterious place hidden in the folds.

I stumbled upon this cleverly written post on Twitter. Yes, that’s right folks, Twitter, the new go-to for sex education! I kid, however in perfect seriousness, this post is written on the Mosex: Blog. A blog that has six contributors, and is “dedicated to the history, evolution and cultural significance of human sexuality”.

Titled “The Internal Clitoris”, it explains that all that you see externally, is not all that truly exists. The clitoris actually is a glans that is connected to a “internal shaft“ that surrounds the vagina and becomes erect when stimulated! Here’s a snippet of the post…

"Try asking the next person you encounter to tell you where the clitoris is located. Having posed this question to others many times myself, I’ll guess that the majority of answers you receive will sound something like, “It’s that small bulb at the top of my lips,” or, “That’s the button up under the hood.” Although these responses aren’t exactly wrong, the interesting truth is that the majority of the clitoris is actually within the pelvis – that is, it’s far more internal than external. Even most of the women I coach, women who are generally worldly and well-informed about their own bodies, react with a combination of fascination and confusion when I explain that their clitoris extends deep within them.
The scientific name for the external “little button” or “bulb” is glans. Not to be confused with glands, glans simply refers to a small circular mass. This little structure contains approximately 8,000 sensory nerve fibers; more than anywhere else in the human body and nearly twice the amount found on the head of a penis! From reading her work, it’s clear that Marie Bonepart mistakenly thought that the clitoris was completely comprised of the glans; and because it is super sensitive and all anyone can see of the organ, her confusion is mirrored by most women today. The fact is, though, that most of the clitoris is subterranean, consisting of two corpora cavernosa (corpus cavernosum when referring to the structure as a whole), two crura (crus when referring to the structure as a whole), and the clitoral vestibules or bulbs."

If your mind has been blown by this bit of information, then you absolutely must stop by Mosex and read the rest of this post! Don’t worry it comes complete with pictures for your viewing pleasure!

When you’re done reading the article, let me know what you think :)

Technorati Tags: women's health,sex education,the clitoris,orgasms,sexual health

TOP Giveaway and Review Hop Week 18!

2012-01-15T14:00:00.000-06:00

Group Giveaway Opportunity! I'm in the process or recruiting/coordinating blogs to giveaway cash by PayPal. Click on the link for more information. Are you a business interested in sponsoring a group giveaway? Contact me for more information.

Prevent Iatrogenesis - Demystify Yourself

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000-06:00

Iatrogenesis - “originating from a physician” – Adverse effect or complication resulting from medical treatment or advice. - Wikipedia

An Apple a Day...

A week about the Department of Health and Human Services, Officer of the Inspector General released the latest report of hospital incidence reporting which spoke of poor hospital incidence reporting and little, if any changes resulting from error reports. I happened upon a new term. Iatrogensis. Which is the same subject that report speaks of. Adverse effects or complications caused by hospital errors.

Read my post: Birth Choices: Hospital Safety, is it a Fact or Blind Trust?

What I was shocked to find out was that Iatrogenesis is the THIRD cause of death in America as shared by NaturalNews.com. A study in the University of Toronto claims that pharmaceuticals kill more people than motor accidents.

The article shares this eye-opening information:

Why So Many Deaths?

Faulty systems and operating processes
The health professional licensing process doesn't pay enough attention to preventing medical errors
Efforts to teach prevention have often encountered resistance from healthcare providers and organizations
Lack of financial incentives to improve safety and quality of service

According to JAMA, the most common causes of adverse drug events (without counting the inherent danger certain drugs pose) are the following:

Dose error
Known allergy
Wrong drug/patient
Route error
Frequency
Missed dose
Wrong technique
Illegible order
Duplicate therapy
Drug-drug interaction - Read More!

I am convinced more than ever that home births need to be promoted as a viable alternative for low-risk pregnancies. Doulas should be available for every low-risk mom who wants a hospital birth. I get that there is a supply for the demand. We as women need to demystify our bodies, so our demands don't stem from fear. We need to embrace the wondrous functions of our uterus in conjunction with all that separates us from menfolk as good, normal and miraculous. Demystifying our bodies can only come from understanding it! When we do, we empower ourselves, protect ourselves and families from a system seemingly gone mad.

I want to end this post by urging you to read this fascinating, well-written article, What is Iatrogenesis? It poses the idea that our government and the pharmaceutical industry is an oligarchy, a power structure that rests with an elite group. Are poor adverse reporting systems amongst hospitals that never seem to improve a collaborated effort? It may well be. Check it out. What is Iatrogenesis?

Source:
Stop Iatrogenesis - The Number Three Killer in America is Preventable, by NaturalNews.com

A Profile on International Midwife Assistance Organization

2012-01-14T00:00:00.000-06:00

International Midwife Assistant is a charitable, non-profit, humanitarian organization that seeks to improve the standard of maternal/infant care in developing nations and areas of crisis. IMA achieves their objective by:

Placing midwives, health care providers in hospitals, clinics or homes
Training midwives and other health care workers
Deliver medical supplies, aids and medications
Raising awareness to the cause by educational presentations and slide shows

The IMA has three programs.
The Teso Safe Motherhood Project in Uganda.

“Through the TSMP clinic, IMA offers general medical care, prenatal, vaccination, family planning services and a birth center, to help the poorest of the poor in the Teso region of Uganda. IMA midwives help local practitioners provide quality prenatal and birth services, as well as general medical care, to increasing numbers of men, women and children from surrounding poor communities. Through these services, women receive the assistance they need to help ensure safe, healthy pregnancies. The clinic staff also conducts weekly mobile outreach clinics to remote rural areas.”

Home Based Life Saving Skills in collaboration with The Colorado Haiti Project in Haiti
Plagued by social and political violence, Haiti has the highest rate of maternal/infant mortality in the Americas. Malnutrition and AIDS situation are considered to be the worst in the Americas as well. With no access to basic health care, IMA teaches Home Based Life Saving Skills.

“This summer, an IMA volunteer accompanied a representative from the Colorado Haiti Project to teach 34 Haitian women information and skills to prevent and manage maternal and newborn problems. The plan is to create a training cascade that will engage women as health educators in all the villages in the Petit Trou de Nippes region. IMA is teaching Home Based Life Saving Skills (HBLSS) – a family focused training and community mobilization program that relies on community meetings, consensus building, and the use of demonstrations and picture cards to share information on measures to prevent and manage common obstetric emergencies at the home and community level.”

Community Midwife Training Program in Afghanistan
Afghanistan has the one of the worst infant/maternal mortality rates in the world. During the Taliban rule, access to health care was “severely restricted”.

“In April 2004, along with members of the Afghanistan Relief Organization and IMA's future executive director, two midwives from Colorado traveled to Afghanistan. The IMA midwives provided two weeks of skills workshops for village midwives in Paghman. They also provided visiting nurse services in Kartay Char neighborhood, conducted family planning workshops, and spent two weeks conducting deliveries with midwives and students in two Kabul maternity hospitals. IMA staff also traveled to Bamiyan Province, one of Afghanistan's two poorest provinces, which became the site of IMA's most-recent project beginning in March 2005. “

“…22 new midwives graduated from the program in March 2006 and returned to the rural and under-served areas from which they came. IMA is confident the intensive training the 22 midwives received has led to an improved standard of care for the women of Bamiyan Province. “

Read more about these programs here.

What an amazing organization. Such bravery in visiting war-torn countries with the passion to preserve the integrity of birth! If you’d like to learn more about this organization visit www.midwifeassist.org. If want to donate, visit this link.

Technorati Tags: midwives,international midwives,international midwife assistance,home birth,Uganda,Afghanistan,Haiti,Infant mortality,maternal mortality