Red Lentil Soup with Lime and Spinach Recipe

To all who may as yet be unaware:                                

FALL IS HERE!!  Temperature is irrelevant!

Get that colorful cardigan out and begin celebrating the autumnal weather which is so quickly approaching.

Now that the leaves are starting to turn, it’s time to make some festive soups.  Here is a delicious recipe I found for Red Lentil Soup with Lime and Spinach:

Start to Finish: 50 min

Prep: 15 min

Cook: 35 min

Ingredients:

2 cups split red lentils (or yellow split peas), picked over and rinsed several times

1 tablespoon turmeric

2 tablespoons butter, divided

1 tablespoon salt

1 large onion, finely diced

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon ground mustard

1 bunch chopped cilantro

Juice of 3 limes, or to taste

1 bunch of fresh spinach, chopped

4 to 6 tablespoons plain yogurt, strained (you could also use plain greek style yogurt)

Directions:

Place lentils in a soup pot with 2 1/2 quarts water, turmeric, 1 tablespoon butter and salt. Bring to a boil; lower heat and simmer, covered, until lentils are soft, about 20 minutes. Puree in a blender or food processor.

Cook onion in remaining 1 tablespoon butter with cumin and mustard over low heat until soft, about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally. Add cilantro and cook for 1 minute. Add onion mixture to soup and season with lime juice.

Just before serving, add spinach to soup and cook just until it wilts. Top with a swirl of yogurt!

Let us know how you like it, and share your favorite Fall recipes for pregnancy.

Don’t forget to send us your birth story or spread the word to be entered to win a prize!

With love,

Mona

Every Woman Could Use A Wife

In the Britannica World Language Dictionary (1956) the definition of Wife is a woman joined to a man in lawful wedlockWhen you look up the word Midwife it says, a woman who assists at childbirthIn my opinion, neither of these definitions are accurate. It doesn’t capture the essence or expected tasks that being a wife means. A wife is a partner, a confidante, a lover, a spiritualist, an interior designer, a therapist, a culinary expert, a psychiatrist, a nutritionist, a doctor, a peer mediator …. I could go on. When the role of wife is defined in rudimentary terms the woman’s power, respect, and significance is lost. These terms put women at a disadvantage both mentally and physically in today’s society.

Women are now afraid of their strength and their own bodies.  When I thought about having a child I always assumed it would be in the hospital, on drugs, ending with a cesarean section. Discovering the world of midwifery I can’t believe I ever accepted this as my only option. Having a child is something my body does naturally. I’m not sick, so why go to a place that only deals with illness? Won’t they treat my labor as an illness instead of a miracle? Reading Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin opened my world up to new possibilities. It made me realize that midwifery got a bum rap and it started with how it was defined.

I was trying to think of a new term for Midwife. Since my imagination is pretty wild sometimes, I thought about how Midwife and Midlife Crisis sound sort of similar. What if we defined the word Midlife Wife? How would that go? What could that show?

I think it’s safe to say that Midlife Crisis is when you reach a point in life where you look back on where you came from, where you are, and where you’re going. At times, this causes extreme reactions with some individuals and they do things so they can feel new, transition, and change their world. They want to feel alive. Midlife, describes the time in which this transition occurs for people. Doesn’t having a baby take up a good chunk of the middle of your life? Aren’t you in transition when you choose to have children? Doesn’t that mean constant change? If the word Wife was defined as a support, a friend, a project manager, a cleaning woman, a teacher, a counselor, a healer … then as a woman, wouldn’t you want a wife to help you through one of the most significant moments of the middle of your life?

I don’t know about you but that blew my mind! A Midlife Wife is there to nurture a fellow female so she can blossom and serve her true biological purpose. Childbirth is a miracle, a blessing, and a right of passage. It makes us one with the universe. As the universe creates life, so do you. It is a spiritual journey that only we can do. They say man rules the world, well ladies, we make it! You tell me which has the true power. Who would you prefer helping you? Face it ladies, childbirth is a big deal and every woman could use a Midlife Wife. There will always be a reason to appreciate the nurturing hand of a female that understands.

Don’t forget to send us your birth story or spread the word to be entered to win a prize!

Peace and Blessings,

Old Earth

Be in the know about the Ocotillo

Ocotillo is one of my beloved desert plants. So you can imagine how pleasantly surprised I was on my hike to find all the rain caused this amazing healer to explode with life! These pictures do not do justice to the beauty these plants exude.

 

 

A couple of interesting facts about Ocotillo –

The leaves are delicious and super nutritious! Especially when they first burst out of the limbs. The mineral content of a couple leaves is huge! I like to nibble on them as I hike or harvest a handful for my salad.

The inside bark of the limbs can be harvested to aid in poor circulation especially in the pelvic region. Symptoms of pre-menstrual congestion, bloating, prostrate enlargement can all benefit from Ocotillo. It is also great for urinary tract support and to aid our bodies in fighting urinary tract infections (UTI).

The red-orange glowing flowers that light the tops are powerful energy medicine. The flower essence of the Ocotillo gives insight into and acceptance of our emotions without feeling victimized by them. It is soothing, calming, and grounding especially in emotionally charged events. Ocotillo flower essence also helps us in our inability to express emotions or to understand one’s feelings.

I made a fresh batch of the flower essence and it is available in the FATS office.

Enjoy these picture and then go for a hike and enjoy this exquisite plant!

For more info visit – Desert Bloom Herbs

Much love ~ Wendi

Don’t forget to send us your birth story or spread the word to be entered to win a prize!

 

 

 

 

The Controversial Stress of the GBS Test

GBS

Group Beta Strep is often one of the hardest test to talk about. It is complicated and full of controversy. I came across this fantastic seminar given by one of my favorite MD, herbalist, and midwife – Aviva Romm. She gives a lot of great information, background and treatment options. I would love this to spark a conversation about this very charged issue. Check it out and give me your thoughts…

GBS Seminar

Much love ~ Wendi