Quote of the week: Are you green and growing-or ripe and rotting? Ray Kroc

Rumination: As we rush(or in some parts of the country, flood) into April, let us take a minute to keep green in our hearts. Green means youth, life, vitality, promise. Green is the colour of prosperity, of new beginnings, of wide and beckoning vistas. How are you keeping green? Are you keeping green? Are you turning grey, not your hair, but your outlook? Perhaps now is the time to take notes on lovely, dancing, green April and:
1. Meditate to bring inner peace.
2. Nourish to bring the body health.
3.Take a class to keep your mind young.
4. Help others to keep your soul fresh.
5. Exercise to bring vitality insider.

Mantra: Green inside, green outside, green all around me, green cover me.
Recipe: Green Envy Avocado Smoothie(good for skin, mind, spirit!)
In a blender, combine:
1 avocado, without skin
2 bananas2 cups oj
1 cup strawberries
1 cup orange sherbert
1 cup strawberry sherbert
2 tspns fish oil or cod liver oil
4 tbspns honey
3 tbspns brewer's yeast
1 cup ice

Exercise:
1. Stand up.
2. Bend forward over desk, kitchen sink etc for support.
3. Lift left leg behind you as far as comfortable.
4. Return to both feet on the floor.
5. Lift right leg behind you as far as comfortable.
6. Return both feet to the floor.
7. Repeat with each leg for a total of 4 repetitions per side.

Salutations: "Green, how I want you green. Green wind. Green branches." Federico Garcia Lorca. Perfectly said...now get up and get green!

Bis vivit qui bene vivit!
Doula AngelitaSan Jose's Community Doula

#MagnificentMondays#9: Power, passion and purpose!

Quote of the Week:Possunt quia posse videnture.

Rumination: They can because they think they can. This is a time of year in which renewal and more light reveal what is inside our minds and hearts. This is a time of projects, workshops, trainings and all sorts of improvements to both home and self. This is the time when our passions have the power to move us with purpose! Harnass this power and start getting behind those self-improvement projects which most speak to you! Show the world that you stand out from the pack as a proud pink panda! If you think it, you will achieve it once you believe it! P3 power!

Mantra: Power, passion, purpose plus perserverance provide plenty.

Recipe: A Sunny Chicken Curry to gladden the Heart!

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 tablespoons curry powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon paprika

1 bay leaf

1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root

1/2 teaspoon white sugar

salt to taste

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into bite-size pieces

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 cup plain yogurt

3/4 cup coconut milk

1/2 lemon, juiced

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Saute onion until lightly browned.

Stir in garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, paprika, bay leaf, ginger, sugar and salt.

Continue stirring for 2 minutes.

Add chicken pieces, tomato paste, yogurt, and coconut milk.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes.

Remove bay leaf, and stir in lemon juice and cayenne pepper.

Simmer 5 more minutes.

Serve with basmati or jasmine rice.
Nutritional Information Amount Per Serving Calories: 313 Total Fat: 21.7g Cholesterol: 38mg
Nutritional InformationIndian Chicken Curry IIServings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 313
Total Fat: 21.7g Cholesterol: 38mg Sodium: 268mg Total Carbs: 14g Dietary Fiber: 3.8g Protein: 19.1g

Exercise: Gentle stretching
1. Sit on the floor.

2. Stretch legs out in front of you.

3. Gently and slowly reach arms out towards the toes.

4.A stretch of the muscles should be felt.

5. Hold without forcing the position for 15 seconds.

6. Release.

7. Repeat 2 more times.

Salutations: It is the time of year when Mother Earth is preparing to show off a whole new look. Taking a cue from her, we should be doing the same!

Bis vivit qui bene vivit,

Doula Angelita

San Jose's Community Doula
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Go Red! for Women Weekly Digest 0312

Last week, it was strongly advised that you visit www.goredforwomen.org/hearthealth and enter your numbers. Within approximately ten minutes, you will have your own personal set of numbers and risk factors for heart disease. With this information comes the power and responsibility needed for change.

In your hands, this checkup becomes a weapon against impairment or death. Contemplate the results. How do they make you feel? What can you learn from them? What questions do they provoke?Most importantly, what will you do with these pieces of information?

Here are some pieces of information to help you to decipher your pathway:

1. Total cholesterol levels should be lower than 200, better if below 150.

2. The LDL(lousycholesterol) ought to be below 100 and closer to 70.

3. The HDL(good cholesterol) ought to be above 45 for men, 55 for women.

4. Triglyceride levels ought to be below 150

5. Blood pressure should be around 120/80.

6. The four best health practices are: activity, diet, stressbusters, quitting smoking.

This is why the diet and exercise topic came up last week. Why? These are the two areas in which all of us have crucial input. We buy our own food and are responsible for our own locomotion. Therefore, the power is in our hands to fight off heart disease!

GO RED! FOR WOMEN HEART HEALTH CHECKLIST 0312:
1. Start taking a multivitamin.
2. Begin eating 3-5 vegetables and fruits daily.
3. Make an appointment with the doctor/followup appointment and get started with a PLAN to care for your heart!

With every heartfelt desire for your success, and
From my heart to yours,
Doula Angelita

Heart Health Ambassador

San Jose American Heart Association

Back to Sleep Campaign to reduce SIDS

SIDS is a leading cause of infant death. Though the exact causes are not known, everything from genetic predisposition to biological failure are being investigated. SIDS is something that every parent should be on guard about and have a heightened awareness of.

Here are seven tips from the Back to Sleep Campaign to reduce the risk of SIDS-related death:

*Always place baby on back for sleeping, even for a nap.

*Place your baby on a firm surface which supports the whole body.

*Remove soft and fluffy bedding and toyps from the sleeping area of the baby.

*Make sure the baby's face and head remain uncovered during sleep.

*Do not smoke or allow smoking in the house with the baby.

*Do not let the baby become too warm nor the room during the time the baby is sleeping.

*Alert and post these guidelines for all the baby's childcare providers, grandparents/relatives, babysitters and all other caregivers to be aware and to combat SIDS risk.

Caring for a newborn is a tough job but these guidelines make it a little easier!

**********************

Doula Angelita is a trident doula/parenting coach/nutrition guide/women's advocate located in sunny San Jose, CA. She writes on everything and can be reached at sanjosecommunitydoula@gmail.com.

Follow her on Twitter: @sanjosedoula1

Safely Surrendered Baby Law, California

This past weekend, another tragic incident of baby abandonment led to the needless death of a newborn whose mother gave birth at a party and dumped the child into the garbage. What makes this story even worse: the baby was put into the garbage steps away from a designated surrender site. In the interests of education and in the hopes of preventing such tragedy from occurring in future, here are the salient points of California's Safely Surrendered Baby Law:
1. What is the Safely Surrendered Baby Law?
It is a confidential way of safely surrendering a newborn to proper authorities, without penalty nor prosecution, within 72 hours of the child's birth.
2. Who can surrender the newborn?
The parents or legal guardians can surrender the infant at the designated surrender locations.
3. Where are the surrender locations?
Newborns may be taken to public or private hospitals, firestations, certain churches, and other locations indicated by the Safely Surrendered Baby sign affixed prominently.
4. What happens when the baby is surrendered?
When the newborn is safely surrendered at a hospital, there are no questions asked. The newborn is given medical treatment, placed in a foster home or pre-adoptive home. At the time of surrender at a hospital, the baby is tagged. The surrendering party is given an identical bracelet, in case they wish to become reunited with the child within fourteen days.
5. How much time is allotted if the surrendering party changes her/is mind?
From the time and date of the surrender to a full and uninterrupted fourteen days later is the time allotted to reunite with the baby.
6. What is the age of the child that is to be surrendered?
The scope of the Safely Surrendered Baby Law enables the parent/legal guardian of any newborn to surrender the child within three days of birth.
This, of course, does NOT mean that infanticide is in order if on the fourth day, the ninth day, the fiftieth day, etc. it is found that parenthood is too much to handle. In these cases, the best case scenario is to surrender the child(ren) to a hospital, fire station, police station, church, synagogue, mosque, social service agency....anyplace where they will be cared for and SAFE.
7. Why is this law useful?
No shame. No blame. No names. The baby is enabled to live free from the dangers of freezing to death, being attacked by wild animals, suffocation in a plastic bag, bleeding to death from internal injuries, etc. The parent is freed from criminal child abandonment charges and the legal prosecution that naturally attends. In addition, the parent is often reviled and shunned, especially in cases when the media is involved.
The focus of the Safely Surrendered Baby Law is to provide parents with a way to gracefully, sanely, and humanely give their newborn a chance a life while giving themselves the time and space necessary to wrestle with their inner turmoil. In view of this, it is urged that all who are involved with those who do not wish to accept the rigours of parenthood at this time, safely and securely surrender their child following these parameters.




****************************************
DOULA ANGELITA, San Jose's Community Doula, is a designated Baby Safe Haven Maven*TM. She works with parents where they are, has a wide variety of experiences, and is not interested in passing judgement, only at giving newborns a chance of life.

DOULA ANGELITA is a trident doula/parenting coach/nutrition guide/women's advocate who lives and works in sunny San Jose, CA but who answers the call of birth from wherever it comes.

DOULA ANGELITA can be reached: sanjosecommunitydoula@gmail.com, @sanjosedoula1=TWITTER

If you are thinking about abandoning your newborn, contact DOULA ANGELITA first.

#MagnificentMondays#8: P3s. Unite!

Quote of the Week: Hodie mihi, cras tibi.

Rumination: Happy #InternationalWomensDay all you ladies and those who love them! On this day, just for us, it is wonderful to see all the outpouring of love and support for the feminine. It is also sobering to look at the national and world situation and see that not all women are treated with honour and respect.

My heart goes out to those massacred in Nigeria, labouring under the lash of rape and torture in the Sudan, enduring shame and isolation in Cambodia, etc. Where one woman is enslaved, none of us are free. It is also time for us to celebrate those women of all cultures who daily work toward the amelioration of life on this remarkable planet-for both sexes.

Mantra: The goddess within longs to spring forth.

Recipe: Green Goddess Detoxification Soup

Ingredients

Olive Oil,

2 tbsp Garlic,

3 cloves chopped

Onions, raw, .5 cup,

chopped Chicken bouillon,

2 cups Turnips, .5 medium chopped into 1 inch pieces

Zucchini, baby, 1 large in 1 inch slices

1 Sweet potato, chopped into 1 inch pieces

Spinach, fresh, 1 cup

Directions

Saute the garlic & onion in the olive oil for 5 minutes.

Add the sweet potato & turnip cubes, and saute for another 5 minutes.

Add the bouillon and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the zucchini, and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Add the spinach and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Puree in the blender until smooth.
Number of Servings: 4

Exercise: Paint the Sky!*
1. Stand up.

2. Put your hands above your head.

3. Bend your body as far to the left as possible.

4. Then bend your body as far to the right as possible.

5. Repeat for a total of five times.
*with many thanks to DJ Lance!

Salutation: Wake up and shake up your inner goddess, ladies! What this means is that it is time for you to unleash the power within, and to let the world know that the feminine power is a force for goodness, truth and beauty in this world! Don't blend in with the black and white herd,ladies, be proud pink pandas and lead the parade today!

Bis vivit, qui bene vivit,

Doula Angelita

San Jose's Community Doula

trident doula/parenting coach

nutrition guide/women's advocate.

A Christmas Kiss from Disney: The Princess and the Frog

When Disney's newest princess debuts tomorrow, she will be poised to make history as one of the most anticipated heroines of the Disney pantheon. "The Princess and the Frog" is the story of a hard-working girl who works two jobs to fund her dream of opening her own restaurant. In the process of carefully saving each penny, she comes across a wayward prince who needs her help to undo the spell cast on him by the devilishly charming Dr. Facilier...and before she knows it, she is off on an adventure through the byways and bayous of her beloved Louisiana.

Princess Tiana, voiced and patterned after the accomplished actress-singer Anika Noni Rose(The Ladies' No.1 Detective Agency) is an independent, feisty heroine, adored by her parents and surrounded by a large and loving family. She is diligent, focused and serious, in complete opposition to Prince Naveen(voice of Bruno Campos)a roué who fancies himself a ladies' man. Along the way, the couple find out about life, love and le hot jazz of the Big Easy.

With the vocal talents of the aforementioned Ms. Rose, Keith David, Dr. John,Terrance Blanchard, Randy Newman, Terrance Howard and Ms. Jenifer Lewis, "The Princess and the Frog" has been carefully crafted with an eye for detail and drawn in the traditionally sumptuous, fluid style signatory of the House of Mouse. Ne-yo, one of the up and coming vocalists of the year even has a song on the soundtrack. All of this artistry is to promote a movie that generated tons of buzz months before it was even released.

As to the controversial aspects of the film, it must be acknowledged that Disney has a lot to atone for, e.g. "Songs of the South". Some complain that Princess Tiana doesn't have enough screen time and others feel that Prince Naveen should be other than what he is. None of that matters in the long run; this is the big opening for more and more multicultural films to come through the studio. "The Princess and the Frog" is a wonderful entry into the new films that Disney ought to continue to promote in future: good, quality films with high production values, tight storylines, exotic locales, singable tunes and solid human values.

"The Princess and the Frog" is a luminously dewy paen to life as it used to be lived. It holds all the hope, humour and happiness that Christmas should have, and is a nice, sweetly innocent Christmas card from Disney to you...

Drink your fruits and veggies!

Just twittered one of the easiest ways to fulfill your daily requirements of fruits and vegetables: drink them. That's right, if you cannot stand the taste of many vegetables, pairing them with fruits and liquefying them is a most excellent solution.

Of course, this idea is nothing new. Jack Lalanne and Dr. Gayelord Hauser were staunch supporters of juicing and its benefits. One of the most popular products produced by V8 is the fruit blends series of juices which blend fruit and juice. Nothing, however, can reproduce the benefits of doing it yourself at home.

One benefit of doing it yourself is the fact that you can control which fruits and vegetables are paired, and how many are contained within the juice. Another benefit is the fact that several batches can be created throughout a week or even during one day. Ease of use and convenience are other points in favour of home juicing.

A juicer is one of the best presents that one could have in aid of good health. Why not put one on your Christmas list and give some as gifts this season? Good health is the ultimate gift that keeps on giving!

######

Doula Angelita, San Jose's Community Doula, is a trident doula, parenting coach, nutrition guide and women's advocate.

She is currently accepting clients and can be reached via email: sanjosecommunitydoula@gmail.com

Follow her updates on Twitter: Twitter.com/sanjosedoula1

#Yoga108 today!

In a wonderful park, on this glorious day,
I lay out my mat, clearing my mind.
All stresses and troubles clouding my mind
banished, pushed to the edges.
Deep inhalations, deeper exhalations
aid the process.
Doubts have no place here.
Stretching my muscles
feeling the pull and expansion of tissues and sinews,
mind, body, soul working together
with purpose.





Doula Angelita, San Jose's Community Doula, is now welcoming clients for December. Please contact her: sanjosecommunitydoula@gmail.com and follow her on twitter: Twitter.com/sanjosedoula1

Thanksgiving Stress-busters

As we all know, the holiday season is almost upon us. Not only does this bring joy, but also stress, anguish and in some cases, depression. What can one do to avoid such negativity and to drink of the happiness nectar of the holiday season?

Give yourself time. Some people get so caught up in the whirl-a-gig momentum of the holidays that their feet never touch the ground. Set your own pace, go to the parties that you want to go to, if you are cooking a big Thanksgiving feast, give yourself full permission to recruit "volunteers" to help with the clean-up.

Keep yourself rested and relaxed. Easier said than done, naturally, but the important thing is to have a go-to strategy: yoga, turning off the "crackberry", putting your feet up on the hassock, a cool compress on the forehead.....

Hydrate, hydrate, and was it mentioned-hydrate? This is a crucial bit of advice which usually flies out of the window at the appearance of the first eggnog or mulled wine. Now, more than ever, keep that (recyclable, right?) bottle of water in your purse and sip,sip, sip, sip throughout the day, throughout the party, throughout the night, etc.

De-stress through defusing. If you know that you are going into a lion's den....don't. Unless you have an angel with a flaming sword to protect you, the stress and heartache is simply not worth it, whether it is a critical mother, inattentive father, loudmouth aunt or bothersome brother, ask yourself: what do you get out of this? Is your relationship any the better for your presence? If the answer is no, then gather together with friends who are really there for you. If that toxic co-worker gets started, walk away. It's the holidays; give yourself a treat.

Vegetables. If you have no other recourse, grab a case of V8 or your Jack Lalane juicer and get to work. Begin and end your day with V8(you can cut it with juice if you like; I use unsweetended apple juice or orange juice); you cannot go wrong and it may well be the one thing that turns out well during the holidays.

Keep up with exercise. Walking groups, yoga, bellydancing, karate, Total Body Sculpt with Gilad: it does not really matter what it is, just keep on schedule and keep moving to promote health and to detoxify the body, especially with rich holiday foods.


Keep sane, keep healthy and keep well during this Thanksgiving season.
May you be healthy, happy and sane during the holiday season! Thank you for your support!

No more Monday Blues!

Have a Happy Monday!




If you, like me, are a fan of the classic movie "Office Space", you groan along with our hapless worker bee when a co-worker cheerily and cheekily says, "Looks like a case of the Mondays."

Well, take heart and pluck courage, no longer will anyone accuse you of having a case of the Mondays when you log onto the site http://www.doonenicething.com No, that bit of code at the top of the post is not random bits of scrambled nonsense. Rather, it is information to paste onto your own blogs and to pass along to others. Do one nice thing is a call to arms and action: let's not gather around the water cooler and have a moan, let's get to work and help others, for a few minutes at least.

From sending postcards to wounded soldier to purchasing new underwear for the homeless, founder Debbie Tenzer and her team keep on top of the best and most expansive ways to help others. Recommending good deed ideas as well as profiling those who do them is one way that Debbie does good for the world, one small act of kindness at a time.So, dropkick those Monday blues and put on your kindness shoes and log onto http://doonenicething.com now!

First Lady of California has 10 steps to better health for children

First Lady of California Maria Shriver has issued ten steps to increase children's health index. These are easy to implement, fun and family-friendly tips which will have both you and your children up and moving, while giving back to the community. For more information, go to the First Lady's website: http://firstlady.ca.gov/.

TEN STEPS TO BETTER HEALTH FOR KIDS

1. Start your day with breakfast.

2. Drink lost of water.

3. Eat five or more fruits and vegetables every day.

4. Make healthy snacks to eat after-school.

5. Do not overeat. Be mindful of portion distortion!

6. If you drink milk, make it low-fat or non-fat milk.

7. Get active for one hour every day! Do what moves you for 60 minutes!

8. Spend less time on your computer, watching TV or playing video games.

9. Treat your body right-it will last you a lifetime.

10. Volunteer! It gets you moving and feels great!

DOULA ANGELITA(http://resurgambirthingwell.wetpaint.com/) is currently accepting new clients and very much appreciates your referrals of women before, during and after pregnancy and birth.

DOULA ANGELITA writes articles for the San Jose Examiner family and parenting section on birth, parenting, nutrition and women's issues.

Read, comment, and subscribe: http://tinyurl.com/yzrj47c

Be Informed.

Be Confident.

Be Empowered.

Birth into Motherhood with Doula Angelita!

Doulas are essential for new mothers

Doulas are an integral part of the new mothers life, yet many mothers reject the aid, assistance and comfort that having a doula can bring.
Anyone who has experienced the joys of a new baby can also attest to the steep learning curve that comes with the responsibility of the new little one. Pile on the lack of sleep, the getting to know your baby's personality and clues, the struggle to heal after childbirth and to adjust to your new body and new role, and this can be a delicate time for the new mother.
At this time, a doula is equipped to provide immediate relief and to lend a sympathetic ear. Her experience with babies proves invaluable when applied to the situation of the new baby at the home.
It is prudent to be careful with resouces, but weigh carefully being overly cautious against getting a best start to motherhood.


Doula Angelita writes a column for the San Jose Examiner on birth, parenting, nutrition and women's issues. Please visit my column http://ekahnav.notlong.com, subscribe and comment!
Looking forward to hearing from you! http://ekahnav.notlong.com

BOLD RED TENT EVENT SAN DIEGO 2009

BOLD’S RED TENT EVENT SAN DIEGO!

A red tent…mother’s voices…intimacy…truth.

After BOLD’s(Birth On Labor Day) hugely successful RED TENT EVENT in 2006, the organizers thought: “Why not have BOLD RED TENT EVENTS around the world?”

BOLD is an organization that is dedicated to preserving women’s birth choices as well as their access to comprehensive medical care and treatment.

BOLD’S RED TENT EVENT concept is simple: gather women under a “RED TENT”(the safe space created by women for women)to listen to mothers’ birth stories and then record their stories in film, via written word or visual expression as part of BOLD’S LIBRARY OF BIRTH TRUTHS!

BOLD’S RED TENT EVENT SAN DIEGO is an excellent opportunity for showcasing community birth stories and resources.

For this reason, Doula Angelita of RESURGAM BIRTHINGWELL8899 is promoting this event as an opportunity for San Jose to shine by gathering a delegation of San Jose’s finest businesses together in an impressive display of the varied array of organizations working together for maternal-fetal health. In addition, Doula Angelita has already put in her bid for SAN JOSE to host a BOLD RED TENT EVENT in 2010, and this will be a nice way to pass the torch!

BOLD’S RED TENT EVENT SAN DIEGO will be held on 18 October 2009, at the La Jolla Women’s Club..

For more information, please contact Doula Angelita, promoter, at 408.890.6380, or at doula4hire@gmail.com, or Ms. Stephanie Entin, at 310.985.9985, or at stephanieentin@gmail.com.

Homebirth in Ohio

The following is an open letter to the birth community from a family in Ohio who is being prosecuted for having a healthy child born at home. This is a case which I have been following and will continue to follow. It is of serious import and for that reason I am publishing the letter as is, with no further commentary nor addendum.

One note: it is the family's wish that help be sent to them, but NOT TO HAVE ANY MASS ORGANIZING. This is to preserve the hope that the prosecutor may drop charges against the family if the office is NOT deluged with angry, outraged letters.

Let us all do something to help this family to keep body and soul together....


### #### #####

Update

As many of you may know, we had our pre-trial hearing this morning. We were hoping once the lawyers got a chance to hash things out, the charges would be dismissed. That was not the case. The prosecutor offered us a plea-bargain for the charge of disorderly conduct, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. As much as my husband and I would love to close this horrible chapter of our lives and put it behind us, we didn't take the plea. First of all, we are not guilty of anything, and don't want a guilty plea following us around for the rest of our lives. Second of all, we felt that a guilty plea would validate the charges against us. Also, I thought that a guilty plea would give the impression that homebirth is wrong, and possibly open the door for other families to be prosecuted.

Right now, we don't have a trial date, and there is still a possibility that the charges could be dropped before going to trial. I want to consult further with my lawyer before involving the media, or unleashing a firestorm of letters and calls to the prosecutor. I just wanted to update everybody with what's going on and let everybody know what they can do to help.

This is always the hard part for me, as I'm not comfortable asking for things, but so many people keep asking how they can help, and we do need help, so I'm learning a lesson in humility. Obviously this is affecting us financially since we are a single income family, and my husband's hours at work have been reduced indefinitely. So far this whole fiasco has cost us $6427 in legal and medical bills. To pay our attorney, we took a $4000 cash advance on a credit card (at 20% interest). We have already raised quite a bit through fundraisers and individual donations, and we are grateful to everybody who has helped us so far. Paypal donations can be made to sweetchildofmine@live.com . You can also e-mail any questions to that address.

I know some people may be hesitant about sending cash, and I completely understand. Anything that saves us money on things we regularly have to buy would help too. Gift cards for groceries, gas, restaurants, clothes, etc are definitely welcomed. Also we definitely won't turn down local people who feel like dropping by with a pizza, bucket of chicken or a bag of your kids' old clothes!

There are also plenty of ways to help that are FREE!
-Send us your prayers and positive thoughts!
-Help out with a fundraiser.
- Be supportive of other families who make choices that may seem out of the ordinary to you.

I started a Facebook group page as a means to keep everybody updated. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=140938029710

Please feel free to repost this message on Facebook, e-mail or any forums where it will enlist more supporters for our cause. Please do not alter the message in any way, except to remove anything that may be a violation of the TOS of the site you post it (namely fundraising info).

It's time for us to stand up for our rights as women, parents and law abiding citizens who don't want the government trampling on our rights to live and raise our families as we choose! If they succeed with prosecuting us, it won't stop there.

Creating a Homework Nook for your Child

The success of a homework nook takes into account the child's learning and comfort style and the amount of room needed to complete assignments. A homework nook is the child's place to do homework, work on projects, etc. It is very important to have all materials needed to complete assignments as well as the opportunity to interact with your child during homework time that render a homework nook successful.

Here are a few suggestions for creating and maintaining a quality homework nook:


1. Adequate space for both books(even one book at a time) and homework paper, pencils, pens, rulers.

2. Adequate space around the computer.

3. Good lighting.

4. Some children need complete quiet to concentrate, while others need to have the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

5. Music should be of the classical variety. No words and melodic. A soft volume is best. Again, this does not work with every child. Some children need complete quiet.

6. The television should NOT be on, nor even in the same room with the child, if at all possible.

7. There should be easy access to the room, to ensure that the child is on-task and not distracted, as well as to provide for easy communication with adults.

8. As with bedtime, there should be a homework routine established from the start: home, change clothes, snack, wash hands, begin homework, for example. It should be adhered to even if there is a sitter.

9. The homework nook should have a good air supply, or let the the child take a 2-5 minute air break between subjects.

10. The homework nook should be as inviting as possible, and be adequately stocked. Soft cushioned chairs, organizational materials, and a sense of purpose will lend the homework nook the proper air of both invitation and study that is required.


Homework nooks are good ways to get children as young as first grade into proper work habits and postures. By creating a homework nook together with your child, you are both assured that the school year will get off to a great start!

Sorry, I just cannot countenance that...

I am a mother who has attended playdate with mothers who imbibe, with a pitcher of martinis, a pitcher of sangria, coolers of beer, and so forth.

Recently, I was asked to comment on my feelings for this practice. At first, the only thing I could say definitely was that I am not in favour of this practice. There are many lovely venues when such spirits would be welcome, but not at a playdate.

I am a doula/parenting coach/nutrition guide and women's issue advocate. I am a mother of two, so I can well understand the need to get a lift, or to get away from it all, or to just take a break.

However, I am very uncomfortable with the idea of adults being around children and drinking. The adults are the caretakers, the ones to ensure safety, stability and fairness. One reason that I am uncomfortable is that we all need to be responsible for our own children and their safety. If something happens, having to state that alcohol was involved is not good for anyone involved. It is no good to say to me that "So-and-So will be the designated mom who won't drink." That is no solution; that is simply finding a scapegoat.

Second, I feel that if one needs to have a glass of wine, or a mojito, that is best done in the company of adults. Many times the children want to drink the same thing as mommy, or the children are ostensibly unaware of what is going on, but influence is a subtle and tricky thing. Moreover, the point is, to enjoy adult spirits in the company of adults is one thing. To mix children and alcohol is not a good thing. Period. Full stop.

Third, and very serious for me, is the fact that I am not comfortable with the fact that adults are inebriated around children. Everyone "holds" their liquor differently; I am not conversant with everyone's style. Hence, the nice mother may have a couple of martinis and become an "ugly drunk". Factor in tiredness, dieting practices, stress, and weather and the same lady who could polish off one or two drinks with no problem will become loud and boisterous.

Fourth. I am not a prude. I was raised in a house where wine was served with dinner, and the children had a very watered down sip. The difference between that experience and "mommytails" is that I notice that where drinking united the family and complemented the experience of communal dining, "mommytails" is an exclusionary activity where mothers do their thing and children do another. In my experience, it is an expression of the desire to flee from the responsibility of motherhood.

In conclusion, I must add that I do believe in small medicinal sips of stimulants on occasion, and the glass of wine, as the Bible says, "to gladden the heart". I do not believe in a pitcher of martinis with children around.

So, there is my answer. As San Jose's Community Doula, I never shirk the issues, and when I am asked a question I have to give a straight answer.

So, until the next issue arises:

BE INFORMED. BE CONFIDENT. BE EMPOWERED.
BIRTH INTO MOTHERHOOD WITH DOULA ANGELITA!

Snapshot! Business advice for Doulas!

My top 5 tips for networking are:

1. Think pink! Be up, be excited, be positive.

2. Practice your pitch in front of the mirror. Practice everything, including your laugh. Practice with your game day outfit on.

3. Practice your approach. Moderate pace, firm handshake, saying your name in a slightly elevated, calm, articulated way. "John Smith" should be John(pause) Smith.

4. Rehearse the encounter, and think about all the possible questions that could occur. Prepare answers accordingly.

5. Layout all materials the night before: clothes, shoes, an executive padfolio, business card case stocked with clean cards, breath spray and breath mints.....





Green Blessings,

Doula Angelita

CALIFORNIA'S BOLD RED TENT EVENT!

A red tent..mothers' voices...intimacy...truth.

After BOLD New York's hugely successful RED TENT EVENT in 2006, the thinking was: Why not have BOLD RED TENT EVENTS around the world throughout the year?

BOLD, or Birth On Labour Day, is an organization that is devoted to compiling the birth experiences of women and ensuring that each woman has access to the birth she desires with comprehensive maternity care. BOLD'S RED TENT concept is simple: gather women under a red tent to list to mothers' birth stories and then record their stories in film, written word or visual expression as part of the BOLD LIBRARY OF BIRTH TRUTHS.

A BOLD RED TENT EVENT is an excellent opportunity for women throughout the world to be BOLD anytime of the year, and to showcase your community's local birth stories.

I am so proud to announce that we here in California are so fortunate to have been chosen to host a BOLD RED TENT EVENT!

On 18 OCTOBER 2009, in La Jolla, California, there will be a BOLD RED TENT EVENT! This is the perfect time to come, meet with your fellow birth professionals, show your wares, put a name with a face, have fun, do yoga, learn something....in short, to mingle and comingle with the tribe of sisters who are celebrating birth in all its mysteries, glories, pains and joys!


Ms. Stephanie Entin is organizer/hostess of the event, and both she and I would love to have you-especially if you want a table to showcase your baby-related items!


Contact: Ms. Stephanie Entin, 310. 985.9985



On a personal note, I would really like to have a spectacular showing of birth professional from all over the Golden State! I will be there, so I urge you to look over your October calendar and to put a big RED CIRCLE around the 18th for California's BOLD RED TENT EVENT!

Greenest of blessings to you all for a wonderful week!

RECENTLY ANSWERED: WHO AM I?

The recent answer to "Who Am I?"

I am a trident doula/parenting coach/nutrition guide/women's issue advocate firmly committed to helping women wherever they are along the childbearing continuum. I pride myself on being San Jose's Community Doula! and love to offer all my knowledge and expertise to them, and love working with other birth professionals to help women blossom into the mothers they secretly want to be.

Born to a Caribbean family of healers and women's advocates, I have found my path and vocation as a doula. I am also studying to be a midwife; have EMT training and nurse assistant experience, constantly learn/lecture/write about birth and have a wonderful time being both wife and mother in beautiful sunny San Jose!


BE INFORMED. BE CONFIDENT. BE EMPOWERED.
BIRTH INTO MOTHERHOOD WITH DOULA ANGELITA,
SAN JOSE'S COMMUNITY DOULA!