What's In a Name (Or Little Baby Birds Preparing To Fly)

 I am about to give birth! At least that's what it feels like. I am feeling excited apprehension. I am up all hours of the night, pacing the floors and staring into "the baby's" room (aka the kitchen) reconfiguring the best possible design for convenience and ease once she arrives. I am researching how others have deemed themselves successful parents and how they've picked up the pieces that fell along the way. How to make a mistake here and there and keep moving forward. The very best way to announce her arrival!  I am nesting non stop...getting one piece at a time from my lists. My list of lists. Then, of course, there is that one detail every newly expectant mom spends the most time contemplating, her baby's name! The title she will go by for the rest of her days. Something timeless and not too overused. Something memorable and easily rolling off the tongue. Its the very first association everyone else will have with our baby. We want to make a good impression. Of course, we know once she has her name we will be saying, "that's so her...no other name would have been better". So, what is in a name?
 In case you hadn't read some of my more recent blog posts or, been around me in person lately (as I ramble on non stop about my ideas, plans, goals and kitchen remodel), I am in the process of getting some long lived dreams off the ground. Little baby birds preparing to fly. Over the past few months my thinking cap has been about to burst into flames, over used and growing weary. The preparation for such a thing is so much work in research alone. For my body care, for example, what sizes are best? What type of packaging? Where to find said packaging? How much for said packaging?! To label or not to label? Sticker label or tags? Then there is the daunting task of perfecting my recipes. I do know that everything in time will work itself out. I am a strong believer of that! In the meantime though, I am stuck on one very important and in my opinion, STEP 1 sort of phase...choosing a name.
 I want her name to be easy. A simplistic symbol of who she is and what she wants to say to you all. An original catchy title is always best so that she stands out in the sea of competition. When stamped across a business card or a pretty little wrapped up gift box, her name will be the first thing folks recognize. It will give her family of followers comfort and happiness just to know it is her. Evoking a sense of recognition. "There she is! That wonderful little name that represents joy and health and harmony. Comforting us with the idea of what is yet to come!" 
 Whether it be a silky whipped body butter and a decadent organic sugar scrub. A simple wrapped up goodie bag of cranberry pistachio or gingerbread biscotti, just waiting to be dipped into that morning joe. A helping of creamy decadent mushroom and pea risotto given its rustic flare by sun dried tomatoes and parmesan. All comfort foods we know and crave yet, all made with such quality ingredients and love, indulging is not only a treat but, is actually good for you! A game plan of, bringing you comfort and health from the inside out and outside in! Everything you put on your skin is absorbed into your body and blood stream. Just as everything you put inside of you will emanate externally through your pores, your eyes, your mood, your smile! It is all connected. That is why I feel it is so important to bring these ideas to life. So that others can understand that with simplicty and care, you can glow a healthy gorgeous shine, inside and out, by what you choose to put in and on your personal temple. True comfort food for body, mind and spirit!
 And yet...she still is nameless. So then, what is in a name? So much! Whatever title choosen however, she will be delivered in light, love and hope! I can not wait to show her off to you all! 
 Stay tuned! Be well. Be you. 

Fur Babies Are Real Babies Too

 When it comes to our health, there should be no negotiating or cutting corners. In this day and age the medical community, although serving its purpose and appreciated on many levels, has fallen short and disappointed due to the "quick fix" and over medicated mentality. As informed as we can possibly be, to alternative paths of healing, we pay extra attention to a more holistic approach for healthy, happy living. There are many options now including Chinese medicine, acupuncture, herbal remedies, essential oils and much more! Even meditation and yoga are key players in the world of holistic health care. To take better care of ourselves- body mind and spirit- is the original and most basic form of personal growth.

 With this said, a lot of us can't help but wonder, how does this pertain to the other living beings in our lives we love so dearly? Our fur babies! We want the best for them, just as we do ourselves, our children and our family. So why have we become mindless pawns of the pet food industry. If you truly contemplate what we are putting into our little four legged friends, reading every ingredient (and actually understanding what they are), it may cause some alarm and a swift change of heart. Usually, it's all about just being able to make informed decisions. There are certainly some wonderful pet foods out there on the market that, with a little research into typical ingredients, will make for much happier, healthier furry family members. In addition to those however, is the ultimate friendly dining experience of home cooked meals. To some this may sound a bit overdone and excessive. Here's the thing though, our pets are an important part of our families sharing beds, kisses good morning, long walks and give the best cuddles of most anyone else we know! Why not feed them like we would our human children?! A more cost effective, personalized and simplistic in preparation, way to be sure they are getting exactly what they need. 

 According to Ayruvedic practice, all living beings need a very intricate tuning up, so to speak, that can become out of balance due to our surroundings, season changes and our internal body temperatures or basic make up. Some foods, for instance, are best for helping the body cool internally if someone tends to run warm or overheat excessively. Just as someone who may need extra "heat" throughout the body to keep it running at its best, foods that naturally promote warming would be beneficial. In holistic medicine, these personal traits and needs can be identified and targeted. It works exactly the same for animals. By utilizing a holistic veterinarian, we are allowing our fur babies the same optimum health care as we do for ourselves. 

 I'm highlighting today, our personal family veterinarian, Dr. Jessica Price. Located in Clinton, NY where she has practiced 13 years alongside fellow vets but just recently, has purchased the clinic herself and reopened as Clinton Pet Vet. Dr. Jessie is truly amazing! Her wealth of knowledge is evident from the moment you step into the exam room with her. 

Located at 60 Dwight Ave in Clinton

Here is Dr.Jessie herself, getting her hands dirty in the renovations to the new waiting area
Before and After

 For us, we went in with our newly adopted 8 year old rescue, Lucy. Lucy had been abused and was suffering from anxiety in many forms and afraid of everything, lashing out in what seemed to be aggression. Lucy was very calm around Dr. Jessie and after a thorough exam and history, we left with an appointment for acupuncture, some herbal supplements and a list of foods best for our Lucy (she runs warm internally so by altering her diet, we can begin to balance her from the inside out). After not too long, we could see a difference in Lucy. She still has her issues and she has good days and a few rough ones still. Typically, we see her internal struggle more without her herbs, skittish and shirking away from any sound or movement. When she's doing well, she cuddles and plays and truly shows how big her sweet heart really is! We have learned to read what Lucy wants and needs in the moment, instead of what we may want to happen. We are blessed to have her and in some ways, we feel that Lucy has truly saved us back! 

 We home cook for Lucy about 90% of the time, supplementing with a great healthy store bought alternative (canned wet food only, no dry for Lucy since we learned dry food is warming due to its processing). We cook up a batch of white fish, potato and barley or brown rice. Freezing half for freshness. She LOVES it! She knows when we're cooking her food and sits by the stove waiting. Just like she comes running to your feet when she hears the sound of the chopping knife on the cutting board! Lucy's main treats include fresh cucumber and watermelon. Both very cooling and super hydrating, which is what she needs most! 

Our little Lucy with one of her many little babies, at least that is what she believes.
She licks them clean, arranges them in her doggie bed and takes one out at a time before putting them all back 

 The alternative medicine community has come a long way in our country. We are doing more true healing and understanding the root of our health concerns instead of masking symptoms with over medicating, needless surgeries and excessive expensive treatments. As I said before, there is a time and a need for western medicine but I believe it has been overdone and led to a huge portion of middle Americas debt. 

 I'm so excited to be able to share our favorite local holistic veterinarian now though! Please don't hesitate to go give her a try. She is fair and truly cares for animals. She will give special attention to every pet that walks through her doors...even some that do not (I have contacted her on two separate occasions for injured birds we have found in our yard. She never ceases to amaze me with her quick response and her loving suggestions. Usually checking back the next day to see how things went). In our area, we have struggled for some time to find true healthy options, holistic approaches to medicine and the basic frame of mind. Lately, we feel like we are seeing such amazing growth and improvement in those areas here locally and Dr. Jessie is just one more to add to the list!

 You can find the Clinton Pet Vet on her website at www.clintonpetvet.com or on Facebook.

Lucy has no trouble getting comfy in the big bed and feeling loved now

One more picture of Lucy, just because!