which brings me to the purpose of this post.

this is how i walk around a lot... in the comfort of my own home, peeps.  "ah!  she's coming!" accompanied by the kids running and hiding and gracie covering her eyes, but honestly, pulling a tank down over an ever-expanding belly gets old.  sorry dudes.  my arms are getting tired.  so, it rides up.  and i keep it there.  mind you, this tank you see is a maternity tank.  yeah right.  no really, it is.  it's just a crappy one.  but calling it maternity lets them charge way more than a normal tank.  so, i'll let you in on some of my secrets.  i had a formspring question weeks ago about maternity fashion (side note: i didn't know i had a bunch of formspring questions over the past few weeks... sorry!  i answered them all last night.).  but i really wasn't huge yet so i didn't have much to share.  well, i feel kind of huge these days, so i'll share what i can.  complete with it's own logo... see??

1. target's long & lean tanks.  i pretty much buy another every time i go.  gray, black, white, striped, floral.  for $8 you can do that.  yes, $8!  and they are LONG (and i have a long torso).  so, the actual "maternity tank" for $13 (the target liz lange version) has become my belly-exposing pajama shirt and the non-maternity one for $8 is my going-out-appropriate shirt.  go figure.  i'm wearing one here and here.  and being mah big self in the summer months has made these a staple.

2. maxi dresses.  i have bought a few from places like h&m and forever 21.  non-maternity and they've worked just fine.  they're stretchy, they're cheap (so you don't mind if you stretch them to the point when you can't wear them non-prego) and they're comfortable.  i think the one pictured above is actually the one i wore to my shower here but in a different print.  this one is h&m (and i think was $17-ish) and so is this one.

3. ingrid & isabel rouched tank.  the epitome of pregnancy comfort.  SO long, so stretchy, so comfortable.  i have worn mine quite a lot and would be happy living in it (bonus -- it's so stretchy it will definitely be fine pre-baby, post-baby, anytime.  i bought one last year long before i was pregnant and loved it then too.).  i'm wearing it here.  speaking of ingrid & isabel, i say skip the bellaband.  i never found it that comfortable and really didn't wear it much (although, some people swear by it, so go figure.).

4. threads for thoughts v-neck shirts.  i've had these for a couple years and it turns out they're nice and long and work for pregnancy too.  hopefully i don't stretch these babies out permanently cause they're some of my most comfortable and long shirts (can you tell, i have an obsession with length in shirts... curse of the long-torsoed tall girl).  you can find them at whole foods and i've also gotten them at tjmaxx (for like $10) and nordstroms off the rack.  i didn't spend $32 on mine.  i'm wearing one here and here.

5. belts, belts, and more belts.  nothing can pull off a blah, tent-like outfit on a pregnant girl more than a stretchy belt can.  many a time i have not been into the outfit i had on until, poof, i put a belt right under my boobs and it worked.  plus, when you're feeling rather large and in charge, cinching the smallest part of your waist with a belt can do wonders.  or at least i think so.  which is why i did it here and here and lots more times.  most of my belts have come from old navy, h&m, or forever 21.  like this dress for instance?  it's ok.  put a belt around it and it is so much better than ok.  hear hear!

6. old navy foldover skirt.  they're jersey so they're comfy and stretchy and fold over.  waistbands suck when pregnant, so stretchy ones like these are the bomb.  i have a few and in the winter months, you can wear them with thick tights and flat boots, uggs, whatever, and summertime, nothing.  bam!

7. other randoms.  before it got hot, leggings were awesome.  they stretch (how many times can someone say stretch in one post?  i'm going for a record.)  and i wore them with flat boots all winter long.  i'm in them here and you can trust that i'm thinking in my head, "oh.  i'm so comfortable.  because of the stretch."  you don't have to buy maternity leggings that get marked up 100% because they're called maternity leggings.  whatever leggings you have will most likely work unless junk in the trunk gets out of hand but even then... they... say it with me... STRETCH!  jeans.  i didn't buy a pair of maternity jeans cause i knew i'd be my biggest in the hot months so i didn't feel like spending the mula.  and i got a lot of hand-me-downs from my sister who just had a baby in september.  these are forever21 and are technically not maternity but they don't have a button at the top... they have a stretchy waist band!  score!  what was that?  stretchy!  you can find them if you look hard at f21.  these, on the other hand, are maternity... old navy.  they're ok.  i actually prefer the non-maternity f21 ones.  michael stars makes GREAT clothes all around.  i love his stuff.  his maternity stuff is so long and has rouching along the sides so it allows for your belly but looks cute in the meantime.  and it's one size fits all.  here's me in a top of his.  maxi skirts... this is one of my favorite purchases of all time, literally.  i've worn it a gazillion times.  it's from UO but i got it years ago (but keep your eyes peeled... you'll always be able to find a long maxi skirt somewhere).  it's a skirt or dress and i have literally not gone on a big trip anywhere without this in my suitcase.  pants... i say work with what you have (especially if you're biggest in the summer like me).  these and these are not maternity but are stretchy and/or drawstring at the top, and these are just a bigger size than my normal jeans (trying to be boyfriend jeans but maybe just looking frump-tastic) so they've worked throughout this pregnancy. they're h&m and old navy & jcrew in that order.  so, basically, i have gotten some hand-me-downs and otherwise worked with what i had.  i seriously didn't spend much money at all on maternity stuff and i don't think you have to to feel good.  work with what you have... the name of the game.  and while i know my tips don't help everyone because everyone gains weight differently in their pregnancies or is pregnant at different months (i.e. if i were pregnant in the colder months, i probably would've invested in an awesome pair of maternity jeans), they've worked for me.  maybe they will work for you??

ok, this post took forever.  hopefully some of you will find it worthwhile!  i'm outtie.

we have come to seriously love lake winnipesaukee like a second home.  we've done boating, tubing, relaxing, sleeping, water-skiing, swimming, eating, and drinking all with the lake as our beautiful background.  its sunsets, we've come to love, its loons we listen for, the cool water has been a respite from the hot sun for us... we've been visiting the lake every summer since we got hitched.  and steve used to take the kids before i ever came along (he says it's one of his favorite places on earth.  i think i'd have to agree.).  it's the best.  but this summer, it has to wait.  our due date falls right in the middle of our usual two-week rental.  and boating with a big belly isn't much happening this summer.  but, the lake remains, and it will continue to until we visit again. which we will.  i envision a first birthday party celebration right on lake winnipesaukee.  this little boy will know it and love it, just like his dad, mom, brothers, and sister do.  oh, and gracie too.

someone didn't get to the bump pictures while there was sufficient light... 

thus using a different lens and having them look a bit different.  

i'll get it together by next week.  maybe.

oh, and my outfits just get fancier and fancier as the weeks go!  

grungy hand-me-down maternity jeans and a tee!  woohoo!

...why, take her to mack 'n mancos of course!

she'll do a happy dance 

right on the ocean city boardwalk

and maybe even a squat or two...  

optimal fetal positioning!

is this risky, putting these pictures on the interwebz?

keep in mind that this is straight off of a 3-day 

camping trip where my hair had not seen a brush 

and my face had not seen a mirror.

basically i'm looking like a beast (a really large one).

but, sometimes, such is the case.  

like... every morning.

frightening!

Hi everyone.  So, as you'll see, my Mom is answering roughly all of your questions from the "Doctor" Marianne post below.  Instead of addressing each one, she speaks broadly about each because there was a lot of overlap.  Hopefully you'll all find your answer, or close to anyway (if not, let us know)!  Also, those whose questions were about breastfeeding/ birth/ post-partum/ child vaccinations... your answers are still coming and will be answered by my sister who's a labor/ delivery nurse, and childbirth instructor (my Mom thought she was a bit more qualified to answer them since she had her last child in '84 and things change all the time.).  She's a new mom/ works part time/ yada yada yada... thus, she's slow.  I'll get on 
her!

Now, I turn you over to my Mom:

I’ll begin responding to your various questions by giving you a short introduction -- by way of explanation of what I can and cannot intelligently respond to -- due to my qualifications and lack thereof.  Next I will lay out what I consider to be general healthy routines and philosophies that I believe should be part of everyone’s daily regime.  The majority of questions fall into similar categories.  I believe that there are some very basic healthy guidelines for all. If you want to avoid most of the common ailments that plague people (and that are referred to in this blog), I suggest you start here.   You will also hear from daughters who are more up to date on the subject of vaccinations and things relating to childbirth etc.  Hope you’ll find this informative and catch some of my excitement.  Make your health education a life-giving pursuit.  Let’s get started....

Health and all things relating to health became my passion when I was pregnant with my first -- who will soon turn 40!!  I was a pretty sick kid and began questioning if there was a better way.   And so it began.  We went the route of natural childbirth.  My husband was in the delivery room -- the first one ever in our local hospital.  Breastfeeding came next.  That was a no brainer.  Transitioning onto solid foods really got my attention.  That demanded so much more thought.  I needed to really start reading. I soon realized the importance and the impact of the choices we make on our overall health and well being.  And so it continues.  I read and enjoy anything and everything on the subject of health.  Except for a few official courses along the way plus age and some wisdom -- I have no real credentials!!  I’m here to say that a healthy life style is worth any sacrifice (real or imagined) that is required.  Where are we without our health?  Every ‘body’ is different.  But to the degree that we can influence our health -- why wouldn’t we?  

As I explain what I believe is a healthy daily routine in terms of meals, vitamins, supplements, exercise etc. , I understand that everyone is coming from a different place.  Reading the various blog entries, it’s not possible to know the individual state of health of the person behind the question.  But I consider these ideas to be basic for anyone who is seeking better health or wants to maintain their health.  Initially, I thought I would answer each question individually.  However, many of your questions are similar. I realized most of them were going to be addressed in the same way.  Basically, the headache/migraine, bowel disorders, constipation, skin problems, yeast infection, allergy sufferers are going to get answered by reading on.

I laugh when I remember a comment from one of our sons-in-law.  He was still getting used to us and listening to our lively conversations about nutrition, health, elimination.  Nothing is off limits.  He respectfully concluded that I must think the ‘gut’ is the center of the universe.  After a moment of hesitation I agreed -- that in fact I do consider it that important.  Our second brain, if you will.  To that end (no pun intended), here are some things that will help make life easier.  

Proper digestion starts in the mouth.  So start chewing your food thoroughly.  Being the last one at the table is a good thing.  The stomach won’t need to work so hard when the food arrives.  In addition, skip drinking anything with your meals.  It actually washes away the digestive enzymes.  Occasionally sipping wine with a meal -- unavoidable.   For intestinal health--and certainly for anyone suffering with real bowel disorders--consider proper food combining.  A new concept for some but definitely worth taking a look. I googled ‘food combining‘ and there was lots of information.  Try this.  And stay away from processed, packaged foods.  The body requires whole food--but more on that later.  

Sharing the spotlight on the importance of caring for the gut is saying NO TO SUGAR!  I read “Sugar Blues” by William Dufty at the same as other lightbulbs were going on in my head.  Like everyone else, I added a couple of teaspoons of sugar to my tea -- a couple of times a day.  After all, doesn’t everyone need an afternoon lift?  I also had no reason to say no to desserts etc. I had not made the connection -- WE ARE WHAT WE EAT. However, after seeing the truth in print, it was hard to ignore.  Find a copy and enjoy a good read.  

But for purposes of making a fast and powerful impact, read what Dr. Mercola has to say on the subject of sugar.  Anyone with whom I have talked health to within the last 15-20 years has been urged to read Dr. Mercola.  He’s an M.D. with a whole lot to say about everything regarding how we should be eating, exercising, eliminating and just about everything else too! You can sign up for his free online  newsletters or search topics in his archive.  I urge you to read what he says about sugar.  Besides the obvious -- obesity, diabetes etc. sugar can exacerbate, contribute to or cause everything from arthritis, to depression, to migraines, to bowel disease, to Alzheimer’s -- he actually lists 76 dangers of sugar to your health. Read it--Please!!  

Obviously, I became a real warrior.   As the children went off to school (and out of my control) I really wasn’t any fun.  My daughters have their various stories about how they managed their sugar fixes.  Good nutrition was not part of anyone’s awareness in the seventies.  I was really ‘out there’.  Now we have come full circle and my children are raising their children according to the same principles with which they were raised albeit with more wisdom and grace.  I managed to lose my sweet tooth. I’ve done a good job of saying no to sweets and desserts and do not consider it a hardship. I’m going to say that keeping sugar out of my diet is probably the biggest reason my weight has not changed in 40 years.  To that I will add my good energy and healthy immune system.  Praise the Lord!!

A proper discussion of what foods should be avoided is not complete without reference to grains -- pasta, breads, cereals, pastries.  Gluten sensitivity is just now getting recognition.  Generally, our diets are so heavily laden with these foods and what was considered somewhat rare is now affecting way more people.  People with gluten intolerance can suffer from obscure, undiagnosed maladies to far more common, everyday complaints.  Again, I send you to Dr. Mercola here (linking to his info on grains) who will go into great detail.   Personally, I know that if I eat a sandwich for lunch -- I will immediately be sleepy.  I also know that grains/gluten contribute to gas, bloating, indigestion, extra belly fat and are a strain on our systems during allergy seasons -- contributing to our allergic reactions.  So, even if you are not sensitive to gluten -- keeping these foods at a minimum in your diet is going to keep you feeling good.  Working on your gut health (see next paragraph) will help with gluten sensitivity.

As we move from don’t to do’s --  a good probiotic is an essential addition to your health regime.   It is a important for our gut immune system.  Helps keep us regular!!  If you are someone who has taken antibiotics, doesn’t always eat the most nutritious foods, gets colds etc., please consider taking a probiotic.  Which probiotic you purchase is important.  They are all not created equal.  Again, I defer to Dr. Mercola (on probiotics).  Let me say this about Dr. M:  He sells on his website.  But as he recently explained on the Dr. Oz show -- his passion is health and if he was to continue spending his time educating and getting the country healthy--he could either advertise or sell on his website.  He decided to sell--thereby guaranteeing us the very best in supplements.  He is also controversial.  Perhaps you won’t be ready for everything you read -- just consider it ‘food for thought’ and file some of it away for another time.  But don’t stop reading! 

A quick word here about your daily multiple vitamins.  I’m all about whole food vitamins.   It just seems logical (more here).  Far more digestible -- thus more utilized.  Eating properly prepared nutritious (organic as much as possible) whole foods is first.  Let food be your medicine.  But realistically speaking, we will not be getting everything we need from our diets -- most of us will still need supplements.  

The last addition to my daily regime is cod liver oil -- your source of omega 3 fats.   But it’s critical to buy the right kind of cod liver oil.  It can easily be rancid.  I’ve been using Carlson’s Lemon Flavored liquid but Dr. Mercola recommends krill oil and there are other choices available as you will see after reading the following paragraph and checking out the next website I mention.  Read on.

Next on the list is eating smart/sensibly.  There’s no mystery here.  Keep your foods as close to whole as possible.  As much as possible, avoid refined.  Anything that comes out of a box has been processed and is lacking in vital nutrition.  This isn’t meant to be a nutrition lecture.  I’d like to introduce you to Weston Price.  Who is Weston Price?  He was an early pioneer who traveled to isolated parts of the globe to study the health of populations untouched by western civilization.  His goal was to discover the factors responsible for good dental health.  His findings in 1930-40  and subsequent recommendations are how our grandparents and great-grandparents ate.  Explore The Weston A. Price Foundation.  Also hoping you’ll be inclined to purchase a terrific cookbook authored and published by this group -- “Nourishing Traditions”: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon.  Educational, informative, fabulous!!  Will set you straight on fats, carbs, proteins, and everything else you ever didn’t want to know about how to eat nutritionally.  Again, you won’t be ready for all of it -- what’s that?  Fats are our friends?  Seriously, keep the book nearby and refer to it often.  Please explore this interesting website--very informative.  It led me to the author’s blog.  Recipes, videos....take a long look.  

I’ve gone on too long.  So much left unsaid.  But I cannot conclude talking health without mentioning exercise.  Everyone knows the importance and everyone has their favorite way of working out -- whether or not you actually do it is another story.  I have been a yoga enthusiast for a very long time and except for walking and gardening I pretty much stick to yoga.  I prefer Ashtanga Yoga.  It’s very vigorous.  Anyone interested in yoga can begin with finding a good beginner’s Iyengar class.  Iyengar is learned through a series of postures and breath control.  You can progress safely from basic postures to advanced gaining flexibility and strength in mind, body and spirit.  

That’s all for now.  The remaining questions that are more specific will be handled separately.  This is already too long!! 

to my husband/baby-daddy... so glad to share this life with you... to see you as a father now (already a darn good one) and to make you one for a fifth time... can't wait.  you are generous, patient, and kind and you inspire me to be a better mom.  thanks for teaching me a lot about parenting.  even the selfless stuff that doesn't always come so easy to me.  i loooove you.

to my dad... i'm really glad to be your daughter.  i think you're just the sweetest.  you give great, big hugs and you are sensitive and sweet which i suppose you had to be since you had four daughters and no sons.  we all love you... so much.  thanks for being such a great example of love.

(and... just so you know... i must really love you both since i took you on a father's day camping trip at 34 weeks pregnant that included various (seriously... many!!!!) middle-of-the-night pee squats in the woods which, my fellow bloggers, is where i've been for the past few days.  i'll be back at the normal schedule shortly!)

happy father's day to all.

(picture from last year's father's day camping trip)

i want that second outfit.

now.

thanks polyvore.

today we have a giveaway from the jean jean vintage shop!

the vintage items are endless... 

(i've picked a few of my many favorites above)

brooches, purses, rings, earrings, necklaces, lockets...

check it out!

you're entering to win:

a $40 gift certificate to the shop!

and you can also use a 15% off coupon code now through the 21st: HUNTLIFE15.

so get going!

to enter: 

{u.s. residents only}

+ leave a comment below (include your e-mail address)

additional entries:

{seperate comments please!}

+ follow the jean jean vintage blog

+ go to the shop and tell me what your favorite item is

+ favorite jean jean vintage on etsy

+ blog or tweet about the giveaway and provide URL

giveaway is closed.

malori is the winner!  congrats!

dear baby, 

get in head down position 

(unless you already are, because really, i'm no professional) 

so i can stop chillaxin' like this.

and so i don't have to play music to my crotch

(because yes, that is said to bring baby towards it--i'm not above trying it).

love, mom

dear etsy, 

you have soooo much pretty artwork and i want it 

all for the nursery.  all of it.  

alas, not enough wall space.

shucks.

love, bridget

dear laundry,

stop.  just stop.

i hate you.

your nemesis, bridget

dear stonyfield full fat yogurt,

you are a god-send. 

i've eaten a lottttttt of you this pregnancy.

sometimes with pineapple and granola.

sometimes with strawberries.

sometimes plain, sometimes vanilla.

i love you.

love, bridget

dear nursery,

you're coming along so lovely.

can't wait to put a baby in you.

love, that girl that walks by and stares at you a lot

dear steve,

you're so good for me.

i love you.

love, bridget

dear gwyneth,

you're so good at singing this woman's work.

might be my favorite version.

i love listening to it these days.

it soothes me.

love, bridget

hi guys.  

sorry i've been so incognito.  life has continued to be a bit crazy.  but soon, we will all be forced to slow down, sleep, and keep quiet as a newborn enters this home.  is it wrong to think that'll be a break of sorts?  (you moms-of-newborns are probably shaking your head at me right now thinking, "break!?  you fool.  as if!  get ready for it to get crazier!" and you are probably right.).  but anyway, we're getting lots done.  a trip to ikea (which somehow can always make you feel super productive), cooking, cleaning, and building... things are happening.  but it doesn't stop me from staying awake after one of my middle-of-the-night bathroom breaks to mull over all that's still left.  i hate when i do that.  but alas, it is the curse of being a woman?  or being a pregnant woman in her last trimester?  i'm not sure.  either way, i was up from 4 am on thinking about cleaning mildew off a spot on the bathroom ceiling, reinstalling a toilet paper holder that just won't stay in, and fixing a paint spot in the nursery.  and let me just say, my husband is making room for this crazy (and helping me all the while), which makes me love him even more.  

my mom has been around this week which has been wonderful.  she's been helping lots and of course we can chat and talk about the baby, and watch a movie in between the going-going-going.  she's always a welcome visitor.  she planned on answering your doctor marianne questions when, on a bit of a whim, her and my dad decided to go look at a potential place to move (jersey shore, what what!  and for all you nay-sayers, this is south jersey--not snooki-ville).  they took the jump, put their house on the market, and one week later, it has sold.  so, needless to say, her life is a little crazy too.  but, i promise, they are coming soon.  we've been talking about them lots.  so thank you for asking them and thank you for your patience!

and... as you can see, i missed a 33-week dear baby post.  i'm bummed about that as i hoped to have them all and one day put them in a book (per so many of your suggestions!) and now i'm missing a week!  baby will just have to realize, mama had a crazy week, and i'm sure all will be forgiven.  i will try my very best not to miss another though as i really love doing them.  

and last but not least, this baby needs to get head-down cause i am fairly certain he's laying across my stomach right now.  so, send your head-down, labor-ready thoughts to him, if you don't mind.  i know i've got some time, but i just like to be ready.  have you noticed?

oh, and the picture?  has nothing to do with this post.  it's just some cute zulily clothes that popped into my email this morning and i thought i'd share.  oh, and thank goodness this one's a boy because it's so much easier not to spend oodles on clothes if you're having a boy.  but, you should join.  and not just for the kid's clothes.  i scored a beautiful table cloth on zulily and they've got all sorts of other stuff like women's clothes and bathing suits, and so on and so forth.

now, i am going to most likely be a crazy person somewhere else and scrub something like it's never been scrubbed before.  

have a fabulous sunday.

picture: naturally nina

what i'm looking forward to this summer...

the weather has turned here in boston.  we've had days of 80's and sun for about a week now.  we're all pinching ourselves making sure it's really happening.  it is, it is!  so, i'm compiling a little list of the things i'm looking forward to this summer.  cause why not?

+ days at the pool (we joined one for the first time and i think the kids are going to LOVE it)
+ days at the beach with coolers filled with snacks and big, cold bottles of water
+ going to concerts... we've got at least one on the agenda and one more would be fun
+ meeting my son!  woah, that's funny to say
+ camping
+ eating corn on the cob, black bean salad, and bbq pork burgers
+ getting to the jersey shore at least once (hopefully) and having, oh, 5 slices of mack n' mancos pizza
+ driving with the sunroof open and blasting music.  the baby WILL come out with a distinct like for all things james taylor, fleet foxes, paul simon, and the like (and maybe some george strait and kenny chesney thrown in there for his dad).  no eminem babies here.
+ finding and wearing the perfect summer hat... something like this
+ a margarita after the little one makes his appearance.  and maybe a few sips before.
+ not having to bundle up
+ berries & farmer's markets
+ fetching with gracie
+ going on dates with my husband since, let's be honest, they'll be a little harder when #5 comes

you?

this weekend was a full one.

we had a baccaulaureate service (with a speaker none other than my man-candy himself!)

and now we've got a high school graduate!  

nathaniel is done and will soon be off to college.

i can hardly believe it.  seriously.

(not only because it feels like i graduated high school myself not all that long ago!)

he's grown into quite the young man and 

there were some nice things said about him at the various graduation services.

including receiving distinguished honors on his senior thesis: the problem of evil.

go nathaniel!

and then i had my second and last baby shower -- again, he's feeling loved.

(as am i.)

family was in town, food was made, drinks were drank, and the sun was out.

and then, we had a graduation party for nathaniel.

what started as a stressful morning of cooking and cleaning and running around

ended up as a nice day.

and i made plenty of pulled pork... phew.

so, i would really like to sleep for days.  

but i have to go to work today.

such is life.

how was your weekend?!

(and i am so bummed that i missed the 32/40 post-- so weeks 32 and 33 will be this week!)

Dr. Mercola has a website I suggest you all check into from time to time (or just sign up for his newsletter).  He's a legit doctor in every sense of the word, but is much more homeopathic and natural than others (and the man lives in Hawaii.  I'm not sure how that adds to his credentials but it somehow does.).  Anyway, if you sign up, you'll get a newsletter sent to your e-mail once a week.  Sometimes it's a little too fear mongering for me: "What you're eating for dinner may kill you!" or he's trying to sell his own products too much (all of which are, for the most part, above and beyond vitamins and supplements you'll buy almost anywhere... but they're pricey.), but regardless, he has great information and will take health-related articles from well-known sources and then give his own commentary on them at the bottom.  So, for what it's worth, check out his site.

Now, I might've stopped getting his newsletter because they annoyed me a little bit (I'm not selling them very well, am I?) but my Mom still does and when she thinks they're really worth sending on, she forwards them to her daughters.  So, she can sift through the ones I should read and the ones I needn't for me!  Brilliant!  Want to get on that list!?

She sent me one a few days ago that I totally have to share because once you have a nugget of information that can keep a person healthy, you feel the burden to share.  Not that it's a burden.  But if one of you develops some disease later in life and the cure might've been in this newsletter, well, let's not even go there.

Here is the info on the foods you should most definitely avoid (copied and pasted directly from his newsletter).

+ Canned Tomatoes: An endocrinologist won’t go near canned tomatoes -- the cans are lined with a resin containing BPA, and tomatoes are especially dangerous because their acid breaks the BPA down in dangerous amounts.

+ Conventional Beef: Conventional cattle are fed grain, corn and soy to make them fat, even though studies show that grass-fed beef is higher in important vitamins, minerals and heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory fats.

+ Microwave Popcorn: Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) lines microwave popcorn bags, and when they are heated the compound, which has been linked to infertility, leaches onto the food.

+ Conventional Potatoes: Non-organic potatoes are heavily sprayed with herbicides, pesticides and fungicides -- many potato growers don’t eat the potatoes they sell, but instead they grow their own separate plots without all the chemicals.

+ Farmed Salmon: Farmed salmon are stuffed into pens and fed chicken feathers and pellets. A scientific study on fish contamination showed high levels of carcinogens such as DDT and PCBs.

+ Conventional Milk: Dairy cows are fed growth hormones to maximize milk production, which results in increased incidence of udder infection and pus in the milk.

+ Conventional Apples: Apples are heavily and frequently doused with pesticides -- pesticides that have been linked to Parkinson’s.

(look familiar?  that canoodling in arch three--my header--must've been what got us in this mess in the first place!  just kidding baby boy, it's not a mess.  we love you.)

a) boston's weather is SO GREAT right now.  i apologized to it for all the hemming and hawing i do most of the year, because right now (save the mosquitoes), it's perfect.

b) nina took some pictures of me yesterday and then we had a lovely lunch nearby.  first of all, she's great (and if you don't already know that, go check her out, follow her blog, and wait for her to return from her break--or attempt to get so lucky as me to have lunch with her.).  i love them and will cherish them long after my bump is gone (which i'm really gonna miss).  thank you, nina!

c) i'm sooo tired and am up to my ears in pulled pork for nathaniel's graduation party.  it's been a vicious cycle of crockpot-shred-put in freezer-crockpot-shred-put in freezer.  what's a girl to do with over 20 lbs. of pork but only two crock pots?  the cycle i just referred to.

d) my sister and mom are coming into town this weekend!  can't wait, but it also means, i've got to get my cleaning on.

e) husband has been camping for the last few days with nathaniel.  can't wait to have him home.
f) anyone interested in sponsoring?

g) how are things in your neck of the woods?