Photo Friday

Freedom of what??

I was shocked when I read on Veronika's blog, this piece about the Maryland (US) school authority forcing parents to have their children vaccinated or risk being imprisoned. Apparently, there is no law in Maryland stating that vaccination is mandatory and yet the school authority is strong-arming parents into compliance 'for the public health'. Among the included required vaccines is the chicken pox, which is a relatively new vaccine, and does not fall into the deadly childhood disease category. In fact the chicken pox vaccine does not confer lifelong immunity, like actually acquiring the disease does. So if you obtain the vaccine as a child, and get chicken pox as an adult, watch out indeed, as it might turn out twice as serious for you.

But I'm not writing this to get into a vaccine debate, I'm writing it about the state of affairs in America, concerning freedom. I also read on newstarget a piece from last year about a teen called Abraham Cherrix in Virginia who refused chemotherapy as a treatment for his cancer, instead opting for an herbal/dietary approach and was ordered (forced against his will) by the court (after Virginia social services took the family to court) to have treatment. He since won the 'right' to proceed with his preferred method of treatment. In a country that claims all manner of freedoms, it begs the question, do you have freedom to own your own body? Ultimately it is only ourselves that can protect our own health both body and mind and we should be asking serious questions about the government's 'protection' of our common health, especially in a country where vaccinations and pharmaceuticals are big business.

You won't get the chicken pox vaccine here, because its not deemed necessary and the NHS won't pay for it. Whether you are pro-vaccine or not, you should still be asking questions and finding out the implications for yourself. Its not just the doctor's job (and the doctor certainly won't know everything), not when it concerns your own body (or that of your children), and we certainly shouldn't assume the benevolence of companies like Merck, etc. Because if what they are doing was entirely for the benefit of the common good/health, or for science, then shouldn't they be non-profit corporations?

Organic Passion

I'm going to shamelessly blog my other blog right now! I have now started my second blog, Inspired Organics as I have often written about products I have discovered, and now want to devote some time to writing about all the fabulous small and beautiful companies here in the UK.

There's so much to investigate and write about so I will probably be posting twice a week to that blog. Right now I'm posting more to get it off the ground. If you're interested in organic skincare then check it out and let me know what you think.

Giving Thanks

I didn't keep my son home from school on Thanksgiving, as there were a few special things going on that he wanted to be there for-- although he would have happily stayed home too! My husband was also working and so it just seemed a bit pointless to try and make a holiday out of it. Seeing my disappointment I think, my husband suggested we celebrate on Sunday when we can all relax and have a big meal. So that's what we did yesterday. I decided on a less traditional dinner, with gratin potatoes with cheese and onions instead of roasted or mash, and some roasted chestnuts. That's our vegetarian Quorn roast, potatoes, sage and onion stuffing and veggies. It's a scaled down version of most Thanksgiving dinners of course, since there's only four of us. In fact it was more like an English sunday roast (well, except that its vegetarian of course), which now that its winter, we are getting more regular at doing.

I have encountered this quote several times over the past few days, maybe because its that time of year, but it's good to think about at any time of year. So I'm passing it along here:

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” -Melody Beattie

NHS says No..

Yesterday my son wasn't too sure about eating his raisin bran. He said it smelled, well, like raisin bran. He had to examine the box and then after I poured the milk on, he decided it smelled ok to eat. I am starting to relax more around his sometimes quirky tendencies and sensitivities to things like smell, and this has made life more peaceful for all of us. Since we suspect he might have Aspergers and/or ADHD these sensitivities now have a context in which to make sense.

We have been waiting for a referral from the NHS (National Health Service) after our GP asked for it on our behalf, and a letter back came stating that we have to go through the school educational psychologist first before any referral to a specialist can be made. This despite the fact that the school suggested we see our doctor for a referral! But my son's teacher has been very helpful (I'm sure she's exasperated as well!) and has made an appointment for us to see said educational psychologist later this week. This is my first foray into specialist care in the UK, and I'm still navigating the school system!

The NHS so far has been a mixed bag for me, where I have had the blessing of two free births, and excellent midwifery care, but also seen one of my husband's friends die due to misdiagnosis of melanoma. My husband has also experienced the 'brush off' from his GP after complaints of aches and things that won't go away. Its the budgeting thing, the need to spend as little money as possible to keep the NHS going. This sometimes results in lack of proper care and attention, whereas in America, it can go the opposite route, you can spend unnecessary amounts of money to no real effect.

Quirkiness Poll

This came around to me last week sometime through email or was is facebook? well whatever, its about your personal quirks. The question was, name five quirky things about yourself that others wouldn't know or guess.. well I was thinking that I'm not sure I'd like to inform others of my hidden (or are they??) quirks, you know.

So I've come up with a list, don't know how 'quirky' it really is, but then I'm not about to tell you my deepest darkest most ridiculous quirks am I?
[Quirk Def.: A peculiarity of behavior; an idiosyncrasy]

1) I don't have/own/use a microwave.
2) I don't put sugar in my coffee.. but I sometimes have it cold or even iced (gasp, which is seen as a real quirk over here!)
3) I sometimes ice my tea as well!!
4) I sleep on a futon on top of a mattress, on the floor.
5) I like peanut butter (and almond butter too) on sliced apples.

So there you have it. Feel free to post your own list too.

Buy Nothing Day

This day is probably more appropriate for America and the famous day after Thanksgiving shopping rush, but that doesn't mean it doesn't apply to Britain or any other western materialistic nation. Oh yes we are just as materialistic and commerically oriented here, except that there's not really an 'official' start to the season of spending (hmm, could be worse??)..

This is my favourite time of year, but not for the shopping that's for sure. I tend to hide behind my computer now and order everything to my door. Nearly everything. I enjoy the local markets, especially the advent markets and such that are going on around here at this time. I love hand-made items and also enjoy giving gifts with meaning. I also like to spread the shopping out early, so I rarely if ever am caught in the last minute mess (although I know some people do enjoy that).

This year it seems less complicated for some reason,and the lists are very short. That's ok really, as my son's room is bursting to capacity and my daughter doesn't even have her own room yet. Me, I'm planning a new stovetop coffee pot (the mukka express by bialetti) but haven't bought it yet as its hard for myself or my husband to justify gifts to each other (are we sad???) and then the thought that it might come cheaper on Amazon after Christmas also keeps me from splurging.

So anyway, if you can, then BUY NOTHING today.. and if you have to buy necessities then use cash (that rapidly disappearing form of exchange), and not a credit card.

Photo Friday

Much ado about nothing...

I'm not sure if this nablopomo thing is doing me any good as there are many days when I really have nothing to post. I was reading about how to improve my blog over at Skelliewag.org, which is a treasure-trove of information. I have been at this for over a year now, but like many, there's an awful, awful lot I don't know or understand. So pushing my learning curve up. I appreciate all of you who read and comment, but I know I can waffle on a bit.

The idea about this blog is that I am an American ex-pat living in England with my family. And to that end, I shall try and focus more on my surroundings, which will include family issues. I am considering some streamlining, and also starting a new blog dedicated to another passion (organic skincare) for which I have sometimes posted about on here. But the idea of posting everyday, as for nablopomo, may be boring and offputting for some. As Skellieweg points out, quality is better than quantity. So bear with me as the month is nearly over! and I shall be focusing my content with posts of one-two a week. I will keep the Photo Friday feature as I know many only come here for that -- and I do enjoy it as they are my own photos! Oh and Happy Thanksgiving!!

An all gray day

Its another very gray day here amidst the pennine hills and rainy, as it was yesterday as well (this photo though is from last week, late afternoon sun on the leaves). We just came back from the second hand market in Hebden Bridge which was good, my little one got a new outfit -designer to boot, and brand new wellies, her very first pair! I heard that snow is expected at the end of the week, as the other side of the peak district near Sheffield has just had two inches. This is exciting for me at least, as I like a bit of snow and its better than this misting-soak-you-through rain that's happening right now. I forgot my camera though, what a terrible blogger I am, so no pics from today...

NLP in a week

I came across this book in the library and decided to bring it home and have a go. Its Neuro-Linguistic Programming in a week by Mo Shapiro and its basically about changing your patterns of communicating in a week of exercises. This is not entirely new to me as I recall reading something about it during corporate communication (yawn) courses in college, but that was what, 17 years ago (ahem..) .

Its a technique that was developed in the early 1970's based on various patterns used by therapists. My interest is in changing negative beliefs, or restricting beliefs. As an expat I sometimes find a string of repetitive thoughts about 'not fitting in' or being a perpetual outsider. Of course one can feel this anywhere at anytime, but it doesn't mean its true. I am an outsider in many ways, but that doesn't mean I have to allow myself to feel that way 24/7 or limit myself because of it. And since people pick up on your thoughts (subconsciously) then such negative thinking can become self-fulfilling prophesies. So that among other things is what I'm using this book to work on.

Perhaps its not possible to make such changes in one week, but its one week of learning specific techniques to do so.

Nearly Thanksgiving

Well, another Thanksgiving is nearly upon us, and once again it won't be anything like the real thing. It would seem, now that I don't live in the US, I miss this holiday most of all. Even though we (or should I say, I --since my husband's family don't acknowledge it at all) remember it, and have a meal, there's no days off work or school, no parade on telly (I know, I complained profusely about this last year), no pumpkin pie and it just doesn't feel like Thanksgiving.

This year however, I did learn that Harvest Festival, which is celebrated here (earlier though) mainly in conjunction with the Church of England it seems, is a similar event, giving thanks for the harvest, and generally sharing similar food. There are a few American Thanksgiving events around the UK, namely the one in Plymouth, but since we are vegetarian there's no point in going. That's the other thing, having a vegetarian Thanksgiving in Chicago was somewhat of a challenge at times, although most friends were happy to share in both the turkey and the veggie roast! And one could also dine out at some vegetarian restaurants or gatherings..but no chance of that here. Not that there aren't vegetarian options here, just not vegetarian Thanksgiving ones.

So I'm contemplating taking my son out of school on the day, to make it feel more like the holiday, and have him help in making a pumpkin pie. But I don't know.. don't know if my husband would take the day off work.. since it doesn't mean much to him either, naturally! Well, I have a few days to think it over.

Advent Fair

Yesterday we attended the Steiner Advent Fair in Hebden Bridge, starting the season off. It was a smaller than I expected, I think I was remembering one we went to back in Chicago at the Waldorf High School, which was huge.


Anyway, my son enjoyed making an angel, which he said was his very own guardian angel (his thoughts) at the kids craft table, while my daughter made off with a soft jingly ball (which I paid for of course). The food (all veggie by the look of it) was really well presented (quiches, pizza, salads, veggie sausage rolls, cakes, scones..) and the little bit that I had tasted great. It did make me feel like my contribution of bulgar wheat salad was a bit paltry by comparison, especially as the food/cafe was the most popular gathering point. I suppose while I expected the whole thing to be bigger, I didn't expect the food to be quite so -well, gourmet, I guess. I'm sure the event was a big success as we were among the first to arrive, with a steady stream of people arriving after us and as we were leaving.

Life as a Circle

This morning I've been reflecting on how life seems to move in circles and how people often refer to it as spiraling upward or downward, or things coming 'full circle'. Circle of life. Breathing in and breathing out, rising and falling, beginning and ending. I have always been drawn to the spiral image and one of my favourite pieces of jewelery is a hand-made silver spiral ring that I bought on the isle of Skye in Scotland many years ago.

The synchronicity of life appeared again when I received an email on Thursday from an old high school friend. I haven't heard from her since we entered our first year in college. Life took us on different paths, to different parts of the country. Nevertheless, she was someone that I have thought about often, and now she has come back into my circle of life so to speak. She is running her own business producing herbal skincare, http://www.heirloombotanicals.com/ which shows me how our paths have led us to similar interests once again.

In Steiner education, the spiral is used to represent this time of year, advent and winter. I'm not especially well versed in Steiner, but I can say that I understand it to represent the journey both inward, and outward. The spiral advent festival also represents the coming of the longest night (solstice) and the return of the light that happens with the lengthening of days after the winter solstice occurs.

At the moment, I feel connected to everything and that is a wonderful, if not sometimes fleeting feeling, as everyday living often makes us forget the utter simplicity and perfection of this life. But hey, if I remembered these insights all the time then I'd be enlightened.

Photo Friday

Naturally Clean

I never thought I'd be thinking that I can't wait to get cleaning, but I'm looking forward to trying out some new old recipes for healthy cleaning. I ordered this book, Clean House Clean Planet by Karen Logan, which arrived yesterday and it is packed full of traditional preparations for cleaning everything in the house.

For lack of anything better I used plain vinegar to clean the glass tv cabinet the other day, and was surprised at how easy and efficient it was. It did smell though, which is why chemical glass sprays have other fragances added to them. But now I realise I can use a little bit of lemon or essential oils to combine and mask the smell. So now I'm off to do a bit of cleaning.

reading not writing

One of things I'm enjoying about this Nablopomo is discovering lots of different blogs... probably more than I normally would. And finding some good ones from those that found me! Today for instance, I don't feel particularly verbose so it'll be more reading for me. I love finding inspiration and will be seeking that out today.

the drugs don't work..

Yesterday, the BBC's Panorama followed up on an earlier programme looking at kids in Britain with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). The main focus was one child called Craig who was first interviewed in 2000 when he was seven. He's now a teenager suffering really badly with ADHD and getting into trouble with the law after assaulting his teacher at high school.

The main thing I came away with is based on a follow up study of the use of Ritalin and Concerta prescribed for kids with ADHD. These are powerful drugs for anyone, but especially children. And they don't work. The MTA study which was done in America in 2000 had originally cited improvements in behaviour with medication and since then medication has become the first best option. Now however, seven years on, the research has borne out different results. The drugs don't work long term, in fact they have no beneficial properties at all, according to Professor William Pelham, a world authority on ADHD. But sadly, one thing they do have is very negative side effects including stunted growth.

the National Institute for Clinical Excellence is currently revising the treatment guidelines for ADHD in this country where Panorama estimated 55,000 kids have been treated with medication. Food for the Brain estimates up to 5% of children in Britain have ADHD. I was very interested in this report as I prepare for my son's assessment which may very well include ADHD. When I watched some of the kids with ADHD, I realised though, that my son doesn't seem to be that severe if he does have it. He does show many elements, but thankfully he's not aggressive and destructive. We are planning to follow an experimental plan of increasing his fatty acid intake (omega 3 & 6) which has been documented as helping behavioural problems.

Another Steiner Monday

Well it was the Steiner toddler group again this morning, and I didn't feel quite so peaceful and happy. Having been worked up by my son this morning, it didn't set the tone very well. Of course its not entirely his fault, a good portion of it resides with the way I react to it. The moon is passing through Jupiter and I guess by tommorrow it should all settle down once again and I'm hoping I'll feel something like myself again.

This by the way, is our leaf banner that we did last week. My darling daughter didn't want to sit very still today, and sometimes I find I have a real conflict in my head about any sort of 'education' initiative for toddlers. Although Steiner himself advocated play as a means of education, the structure of Steiner education is not entirely all about play. They play for a bit but in the rhythmn of things, they are supposed to also wind down and sit for a story near the end of the session. It seems that most of the kids can do this... not mine, at least not for all of it. But she gets tired which also seems to make it harder to sit still (why do kids do that- i.e. tired but won't give in)

So I'm wondering if this is even too structured an approach for her. Everything just seems so organised. I thought the most relaxed approach was what we did back in Chicago when my son was a toddler. A group of four of us got together with our kids and simply rotated houses each week. The kids played in the comfort of a home and we felt relaxed by the safe and uncomplicated surroundings. The issue of toy ownership sometimes came up, but mostly everything went ok. I don't really have any friends here to do that with, and people seem to meet outside their homes in some designated 'playgroup' building. It seems to require alot more effort. Ah well, can I just stay holed up in my house until they are grown??? [A cold November morning on the canal.]

Sunday Morning

The first week of Nablopomo has passed, and surprisingly it wasn't as painful as I thought. If this is your first visit here then I apologise as I haven't got much to say today. Its a lazy day, for cooking --today I'm making pumpkin soup. Its also a good day for going to the pub, perhaps. Or we may go to an indoor climbing wall as my husband wants to climb again, and my son wants to give it a go.

I also noticed that my blog isn't listed in the blogroll yet for Nablopomo, yet I seem to be getting more traffic, am I missing something? Well here's hoping that next week will prove even more inspiring.