Sprouts

Sprouts!
I successfully grew alfalfa sprouts just before I had Haeven.  I had started a little blog about it, then I gave birth and totally forgot about it... : )  So I just came back to finish it today!

After learning about the nutritional/health benefits of sprouts, I really wanted to try and grow them.  Here are some of the benefits of sprouts.....

• biogenic (life-regenerating), meaning the seeds sprout, they generate greater amounts of vitamin E, C and A--powerful antioxidants that preserve your cells and repair your DNA.
• One of the most alkalizing, easily digestible (being high in enzymes) foods
• During the sprouting process, new and higher quality proteins are produced.  Nutrients in seeds are anywhere from 50% to 400% greater after sprouting or soaking.
• They contain caner-fighting compounds (sulforaphane) , and retard the aging process by helping keep hormones in balance.
• they taste amazing!

How to grow sprouts....
What you need: a jar, paper towel, rubber band, or automatic sprouter.

Soak your desired amount of seeds for 5-12 hours in a jar with a breathable cover.  I used a paper towel with a rubber band around it.  Put the jar in a dark area at room temperature (not in the sun).  After soaking the seeds, drain and rinse them.  Lay the jar on it's side to give the seeds more room to spread out and grow.  Rinse the seeds 3 times a day with lukewarm water.  Drain the water through a strainer.  Rinsing will take care of any risk of bad bacteria or molding.
Over the next 5 days your seeds will sprout.  Keep them out of direct sunlight.  At the end of the last day, take the sprouts out and store in the refrigerator in a glass container or plastic bag.

Sprouts in mid-growth

You can sprout seeds, grains or legumes.  You can buy a mix, or create your own mix.  You just have to make sure the seeds you are mixing sprout in the same amount of time.  I grew alfalfa seeds, and they turned out great.  I ended up having to take out about half of the sprouts half way through their grown and put them in another jar because my jar was so full.  

Here is a video I used as a guide to growing sprouts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn6j-AIkDOk&feature=player_embedded

Haeven's Birth Story

Beautiful Haeven Raine graced us with her presence April 24th 2012 at 5:28pm.  She is a happy, brilliant, playful, beautiful 4 1/2 month old baby now!  We love her so much and so enjoy her as she's growing into a beautiful girl!  Before I gave birth I wrote about my birth plans, so here's a brief story of how it went...

My contractions started around 1am on April 23rd.  I had prodromal, or early labor until 4am the next day.  It was a long labor, which made for a longer recovery, catching up on sleep.  Though it was long, I was glad to be at home with people I know and love around me and supporting me.  Nate was the greatest support!  I squeezed his hand through every contraction once active labor started.  He was by my side all during labor.  My mom was also there and a big help to the midwife and to us.  She helped fill the birthing pool and keep the water at the right temperature, supplied Nate with coffee, and encouraged me so much while I was at the pushing stage.  The birthing pool felt so good to me...I was in and out of it throughout labor.  I had planned on giving birth in the water, but I started pushing on land on a birthing stool.  After I started pushing, there was no going back in the water for me.  I wanted Haeven out more than I wanted to get back in the pool.  My friends Bethany and her son, Courage were there also.  I so appreciated the pictures and video Bethany took during my labor and while I was pushing Haeven out.    Her and Courage's smiles literally gave me life, every time I looked at them.  They were full of encouragement that I so needed and appreciated!  My midwife was great, giving me reminders to drink water, eat, change positions, and go to the bathroom, etc.  My midwife had an assistant who came right before I started pushing.   She gave me some advice while I was pushing that was amazing!  With following her amazing advice, I pushed only 45 minutes.  My contractions had slowed while pushing so I was thankful it was only 45 minutes til we saw Haeven face to face!!

Haeven and I moments after she was born♥

Picture credit Bethany Hall

After a slow labor, Haeven was born and I scooped her up and held her.  Everything seemed to speed up.  I had the after birth, and the cord was cut after it was done pulsating.  Haeven let out her first sounds....such a beautiful voice.  I put her on me to nurse and we all snuggled in towels and blankets for the first time, all 3 of us.  Then Nate held Haeven while the midwife stitched me up for minor tears.  Haeven was weighed at 8lbs 3oz, measuring 21 inches long!

I would describe the atmosphere as very peaceful and quiet during my labor.  I had soft music playing, and dimmed lighting.  There wasn't much talking during active labor!  It was intense and I was focused.  One thing I know--I couldn't have done it without the presence of my husband, of God, and everyone who was at Haeven's birth.  The contractions during labor were so strong and I was so thankful for my husband encouraging me and Papa's presence giving me peace.  That peace literally helped me breathe through the contractions.  It wasn't an easy process, but every moment was worth it and I am so thankful that neither Haeven or I had any complications at all and I successfully gave birth at home naturally!!!  God answered our prayers!!  We have a happy healthy beautiful Haeven!!!!  She is a dream come true.  Papa also kept us strong through labor, and gave us such joy over our baby! We recovered and my stitches healed very quickly...I hardly had any pain with them.  Thank you God!  We are so so grateful!!!

After experiencing natural labor and birth, I know the tangible presence of God in people is so important to me in birth.  I experienced so much of His presence through my hubby, my mom, my friends and my midwife!  I know that God has promised me so much more, and as I grow in faith I'll discover all that He has for me and my family in childbirth.  I can't say that I had a pain-free experience, but I continue to believe God for that because I believe it's my inheritance as His daughter.  It can only get better with Jesus, because He takes me from glory to glory!  Life is so exciting...let the journey continue....