by Lauren Zielinski, CNM
Ah – sweet sweet summeris winding down and as we begin to prepare for all of the fun and lovely things that come along with the winter months (the smell of hatch chiles roasting and dreaming up halloween costume are my personal favorites)….. it’s a great time to prepare you and your families immune systems for the height of flu, cough and cold season. What better way to simplify your life than to avoid getting sick in the first place?One of the beautiful benefits of herbal and holistic health is that it’s gentler, slower, and kinder to our system. This often translates to daily maintenance and tender loving care and attention to your body. It’s up to you to take action every day to support your health.(IE: sleep, nutritious food, decreasing stress, self care). In western medicine, we tend to feed off of instant gratification— have a bug? Take a pill. You’re done. But, did you know it actually takes 6 months to rebuild healthy gut flora after only one round of antibiotics? There is something to be said for preventing illness and taking care of your whole body, rather than going on a roller coaster of health drama month after month. And it doesn’t have to be hard, either! There are ways you can quickly and easily achieve your ‘winter-ready’ immune system, and be ready to hit the holidays full force. Here are two of my favorite recipes that I recommend incorporating into you and your families health routine every day during the winter months.
Fire Cider
Making a big batch of homemade fire cider is a wonderful way to support your health, connect with folk medicine and have fun watching something ferment! Get your little ones involved – it’s like making a potion! Kids actually like to drink it too when you mix it with honey or molasses! This folk remedy concoction is full of antimicrobial (bacteria fighting) vegetables, roots, spices, and herbs to provide immune support all winter long. It works like this:
If you start now, your cider will be ready just in time for the beginnings of ‘sick season’. There are many ways to modify the recipe to your liking, so don’t be afraid to get creative and play with it – (a quick internet search will give you more adaptations galore).
Here is my personal favorite recipe for immune-boosting Fire Cider:
Ingredients:
Directions:
Ginger, Echinacea Ginseng Immune Tea
Drinking tea every day in the winter is a great morning or bedtime routine, it’s comforting, warming, nourishes your soul and additionally is a great way to infuse daily immune boosting herbs. Echinacea, ginseng and ginger are 3 of my favorite go to herbs for immunity and anti-inflammatory properties. There is actually a fair amount of great evidence based research on the beneficial properties in each herb. Why not get a little bit of this earth medicine in your body daily?
How to accomplish: I personally never do well remembering to do something everyday unless I work it into my routine and make it really fast, easy and accessible (my busy people and mamas can you relate?) For this reason I recommend making large batches of the immune tea over the weekend or on a day off and keeping it prepped and ready to pour in your refrigerator for easy access throughout the winter.
You can drink it by heating up a cup every morning or night OR if you’re pressed for time or prefer cold tea, add the tea to a water bottle and sip on it through the day (this is what I do). It’s a tasty addition to your water and helps you remember to stay hydrated.
Ingredients for a large batch:
Go to your local apothecary OR if you prefer online; I recommend Mountain Rose Herbs for great quality organic herbs.
Directions:
Thank you for the support!
We would like to extend a BIG thank you to some of our supporters who have hosted fundraisers that directly benefit Dar a Luz! The Remedy Day Spa Mother’s Day Fundraiser
Kendra Scott (hosted by Monica Coshet with Body Language)
These businesses believe in and support the work we do at the birth center and that benefits all of our community. You can thank them directly by supporting their businesses! Interested in hosting your own fundraiser? Contact us HERE
Thank you!!!
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day
National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is observed annually on October 15th. It is a day of remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. This year there are two events planned around this day.
Candlelight Ceremony
Tuesday, October 15th 6 – 8 p.m. at The Grief Resource Center
Forget Me Not Walk
Saturday, October 19th 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Tiguex Park
Contact Kimberlee Boreson-Maresma HERE for more info
Upcoming Events
To register for classes visit our website calendar page HERE
Birth Center Tours
Register HERE
Interventions and Hospital Transfers
Learn what happens when birth doesn’t go as expected. Hear from midwives, doulas, counselors, and a past family who transferred. Free dinner! YOU MUST register for this class. Click HERE to register.
Doula Teas with the New Life Doula Collective
Come & join us for some tea, and meet our doulas. We’ll help you learn more about doula care, so you
can explore your options. RSVP for tea HERE to let us know you’re coming (drop-ins OK too) or to learn more about doulas visit Doula page on our website HERE
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Groups
Breastfeeding and New Moms
Facilitated by our Lactation Consultant Robin Hayter with support from the nurses and midwives.
Mindful Partnering, Mindful Parenting
Feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone. Please come explore and experience gentle guided meditation and mindfulness practices that will leave you feeling calm, witnessed and supported.
Postpartum Mom Group
Our staff counselor Kimberlee Maresma, LPCC will hold a therapeutic group that supports the new mother for the first year. Email Kimberlee HERE with any questions.
Baby Count
930
Milk Count
364834
…and counting! That’s over 2850 gallons! Go, Mamas, Go!
Bonus classes
Disclaimer: Most of the special events below are set up and led by community members — not Dar a Luz staff members — and as such, they don’t necessarily reflect our beliefs as an organization. Dar a Luz is not responsible for their content, and does not necessarily endorse every aspect presented.
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Couples Mini-Retreat
Saturday, September 28th 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Please check out website for more information and to register: www.embodiedspirittherapies.com
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Postpartum Partner Workshop
Thursday, October 24th at 6 p.m.
Please join Jose Maresma for an evening of an emotionally safe exploration of the differences our partners face after the birth of a new baby. This Workshop is FOR PARTNERS ONLY. Suggested donation: $10-20
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Classports are HERE!
What is a Classport? Do I need one?
The classport is a new and easy way for all of our clients to know and track your education needs and resources at Dar a Luz! Talk with your midwife, educators, or Tracy to get yours! AND don’t forget to get it stamped at every class you attend.
Name: Micah (baby #777!)
Birthdate: 9-19-18
Fun Fact: Micah was born en caul and has proven what a mer-man he is by how much he’s loved swimming during his first summer!
You can have your baby featured by emailing usHERE a picture of your cutie and we’ll put them in a newsletter! Please include permission to use the image, your little one’s first name, date of birth, and a fun fact.
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