Minimalism as a counter-cultural movement has been increasing in recent years. Perhaps you've jumped on the minimalist bandwagon and are happily downsizing, reducing your consumerism, and creating less waste – all of which gift you with more time and energy to enjoy the most meaningful things in life. But now it's time for Christmas. If you've recently begun converting to a more minimalist lifestyle, the holidays present a formidable challenge [...]
Is it true that polyester fleece clothing is a huge contributor to the problem of plastic in our oceans? —Mickey Walton, Seattle, WA We’re all familiar with the issue of non-biodegradable plastic debris (shopping bags, soda bottles, fishing nets etc.) clogging up our waterways and making its way out to sea—sometimes accumulating in huge “gyres.” But what you might not realize is that even if you are responsible about recycling [...]
Q: What were the circumstances surrounding the death of your daughter Isabel? A: I found out I was pregnant at the end of August in 2014. This was my first pregnancy, and I was just shy of my 38th birthday. Due to my “advanced age”, my OB sent me to see a perinatal specialist. From my first appointment, they knew something was wrong. On the sonogram, they saw [...]
Contractions began 5 days after my due date. My husband drove us to the hospital, we arrived around 6 pm. My contractions were irregular but continued throughout the night with little dilation. I didn't sleep much (or at all). As each hour passed the pain intensified. My water didn’t break on its own. Finally dilating, I could no longer take the pain. The next morning I opted for the [...]
When I was pregnant with my son, I had the pleasure of being pregnant alongside a dear friend. Our due dates were only days apart. She invited me to a prenatal yoga class. We attended a weekly class in her neighborhood, where I learned to connect with my breath, my baby and myself. It was a wonderful experience that only scratched the surface of what was to come. After birth, [...]
Welcoming a new baby is such a special and memorable time for families. When you finally have that little bundle of joy in your arms after months of anticipation, it feels like your heart could explode with love. You may have been expecting the heart explosion but what about the million little things racing through your mind? From the second our babies are born, it is natural for mothers to [...]