http://mothering.com/guest_editors/quiet_place/quiet_place.html

God bless Peggy O’Mara, for articulating and researching what we already knew, that Rosin is just wrong:

In her article, Rosin describes her cursory review of the medical literature on breastfeeding to shore up her personal decision to possibly forgo it, and concludes that all the talk about the benefits of breastfeeding is just “magical thinking.” But it’s irresponsible to imply that such a brief and biased analysis of the medical literature could somehow trump the conclusions of the world’s leading health organizations and medical authorities. By now, the superiority of breastmilk to formula is axiomatic.

Peggy asks us:

This is no time to waver: Powerful economic and political forces are continually undermining breastfeeding progress. Surely, we need state and federal protections for breastfeeding—that’s a given. To achieve our national health goals, we—like our sisters around the world—also need guaranteed health care, paid family leaves, and caregiving credits. Bottle-feeding is an old-school feminist solution to inequality. The equal-rights arena of today is breastfeeding.

Read the article – it’s fantastic.

Now your curiousity is piqued, I’m sure… LOL

Made phenomenal crabcakes last night – a hit with all the kids even though it had peppers in it.  I used Paula Deen’s recipe from Food Network:

Crab Cakes Recipe courtesy Paula Deen Show:  Paula’s Home Cooking Episode:  Paula Deen’s Wedding

1 pound crabmeat, picked free of shells 1/3 cup crushed crackers (recommended: Ritz) 3 green onions (green and white parts), finely chopped 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 egg 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon dry mustard 1/2 lemon, juiced 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1 teaspoon salt Dash cayenne pepper Flour, for dusting 1/2 cup peanut oil Favorite dipping sauce, for serving  In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients, except for the flour and peanut oil. Shape into patties and dust with flour.Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When oil is hot, carefully place crab cakes, in batches, in pan and fry until browned, about 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully flip crab cakes and fry on other side until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Serve warm with preferred sauce.

 PHENOMENAL!!!  Ayla could eat it very easily, the crab is very tender and the rest is so munchable… you must try!

 

On other news, I had to see my doc last Friday for my leg problems.  She sees a lump and is concerned.  I knew the lump was there, it’s been there a couple of months, so really I’m no worse off than I was, other than the fact that *I* wasn’t concerned about the lump until she said something!  I go for full blood workups on the 11th of the month – I thought my leg problems may have been related to this stubborn weight from Ayla, but she said one has nothing to do with the other.  Sigh.  Oh well, we shall see.  Damned lymphedema.

 

And last but not least, I had to show off a couple of wonderful pictures of my family taken this weekend… a few little impromptu shots:

The final picture is the rare sighting of Mom on film.  I either a: don’t show at all or b: look like the walking dead.  For an old broad, I figure I don’t look toooo shabby.  (Don’t say anything.  Let me live in my Happy World for now).

 

Really.

It’s become apparent to me with the “new” information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about the fact that there is no conclusive evidence showing a reason to hold back “allergenic” foods from infants 6+ months old (barring family allergies, please read the whole article before doing this) – moms everywhere are still thinking: “Peanut Butter??? NOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!!!”, or “Crab?  Is the Ambulance on Speed Dial??”  This information really has been around for years, but now it’s official, by an organization that many herald as The Be All End All Of Information – yet they’re still hesitant to give their toddler a PB&J sandwich.

RE-train.

The information is different now.  It’s changed. 

My mom wasn’t required to use carseats with us.  We’re okay. 

Yeah, don’t even need to say “re-train” for this one, eh? 

“My mom gave us cereal at 2 months, and I’m okay”.  Are you?  Maybe you’re battling diabetes, or weight issues, or other eating disorders.  New information shows those are the potential results from the unnecessary introduction of solids prior to 6 months.  But you might be okay now too.  And that’s cool.  But does that mean your baby will?  Nope.

RE-train.

Too, there is undeniable proof of the physical effects from letting your baby cry-it-out.   But hey, you did it with your four year old, and he’s fine now, right?  Or is he?  Maybe in a month you’ll wonder why he’s having sleep problems.  Or why he’s so clingy when it comes time to go to daycare.  Or why he has attention issues in preschool.  Can we prove it’s because of the abandonment feeling a baby has when he’s left alone to cry?  Nope, we can’t.  But we can prove, with no doubts, the immediate physical effects and can predict the future problems.  Why risk this for NO REASON whatsoever?

Because your mom did and you’re okay. 

RE-train.

The information is out there – new information every day, almost!  Don’t discount the Internet for facts – I’m not talking about Billy Bob’s Website of Yukk Yukk Facts, I’m talking legitimate medical, scientific, and informational sites.  You know what?  Your doc is getting information here too.  The Web is here to stay.

RE-train.  You don’t have to buck the system, it’s okay to change your line of thinking.  Even from your first child to a new one.  You don’t have to do it the same, or the same as your mom, or the same as your neighbor, or the same as some stranger on the Internet.  But don’t discount new information and new thinking.  It often works, it’s often easier, less expensive, less invasive, more effective, and more useful.

Really.