The Sistah Vegan Project

Archive for the category “Baby Body and Health Care”

24 Oct 2012
10 Comments

“Spirulina helps me poop”: Raising my babies on a decolonizing diet inspired by Queen Afua

I am teaching Eva Luna some Queen Afua inspired nutrition for her womb-health now. She is 14 months old.

I tell her every morning that kale is the food of the goddess. I tell her that I try to decolonize my womb with raw green smoothies. She doesn’t know what I mean, but she will soon.

I am hoping that she will appreciate the Afrowomanist healing knowledge I give her. Similarly to when Sun was a baby (he is 3 now), I make herbal teas while holding her.  I tell her how gifts like nettles help make breastmilk that is nutrient rich for her and is high in calcium and great for her skin and hair health.

The other day, we bought vegan organic ice cream scoop in San Francisco. After a few tiny spoonfuls, Sun decided to stop eating it. He said, “Mama, I don’t want anymore. I don’t want my teeth to get boo boos (what we call cavities) and fall out.” He then ran away to play at the slide on the playground. I always tell him that if it’s sweet, there is usually sugar in it and we have to be careful not to eat too much ‘sweet’ ( even fruit sweetened things) because it gives us “boo boos” in our teeth. This morning, Sun had his apples and spirulina and my homemade banana hempseed oat bars. He said, “Spirulina helps me poop!”

Eva Luna is drinking a green smoothie made from 3-4 big leaves of dino kale, 1.5 tsp of spirulina, 1 tsp of chlorella, 1 avocado, 1 .5 tsp of maca powder, 1.5 sq inch of fresh ginger, 1-2 tsp of apple cider vinegar, 1 pitted date in about 30 oz of water. I drank most of it, but she drinks about 4 or 5 oz. It is imperative that you add ginger and apple cider vinegar for digestion of raw kale. A lot of people can’t handle the raw kale without a digestive aid.

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Health and Healing, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
08 Jul 2012

Toddler puking because of upset tummy? Here’s an herbal remedy idea for kids and adults

Today my son didn’t feel well… He vomited 4 times and couldn’t hold even water down this morning. I tried to coax him into drinking lemon balm and peppermint tea, but he was disinterested…

…so, I went into the yard and got some lemon balm and peppermint and decided to make an herbal sorbet for him. See, the thing is, my son will eat it if it’s in the forms of: ice cream/sorbet, cookie or chips. Seems like most toddlers in the USA function this way. :-)

I went back into the kitchen and found 1/2 pint of strawberries and 2 pitted dates. I threw everything into the Vitamix blender, busted out the Cuisinart ice cream and sorbet maker, and poured it in. 15 minutes later, organic strawberry, lemon balm, peppermint sorbet was ready for him and he ate it up. It cooled him down , hydrated him and settled his stomach down. He did not puke anymore after that, felt better, was less feverish. It’s about 9 hours later and he’s been fine throughout the whole day. Lemon balm is great fo upset tummies and is also calming. But maybe you don’t know that it’s anti-viral too and that the tea and essential oil of Lemon Balm, also known as Melissa Officinalis, is used to combat herpes virus.

Recipe for Strawberry, Lemon Balm, Peppermint sorbet:

  • You will need an Ice cream/sorbet machine
  • 1/2 cup of lemon balm leaves chopped up small.
  • 1/2 pint of strawberries
  • 1/8 cup of freshly chopped up peppermint leaves
  • 2 pitted dates
  • 1 tbsp of lemon juice
  • 1/2 d of water

Blend until smooth then add to ice cream/sorbet machine. The consistency ends up being more like shaved ice then sorbet, but either way, he loved it. I know each person is different and many folk want warm or hot liquids when they have a tummy upset, but in this case, this worked well because it’s summer, a hot day, and he wasn’t interested in tea. I would have just gone for the hot tea ;-)

Disclaimer: Of course this is what works for my kids, so if your children are sick, please do contact your practitioner first before trying anything on this blog. However, I always want to spread the wisdom I have.

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Health and Healing, Recipes, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment
05 Jul 2012
11 Comments

Baby screaming for a kale smoothie: Infants can like green raw foods!

Just another reminder that an infant in the USA can like raw greens and ‘healthy’ foods. I say USA because most people in the USA claim that kids ‘naturally’ won’t like vegetables. Just get them started early. Eva Luna is 11 months old and sees me drinking green smoothies every morning. Generally, babies want to do what their parental figures and older siblings do. She screams for it if I can’t give it to her fast enough. She is my green baby. THE RECIPE IS BELOW BUT DO NOT GIVE YOUR BABY THE ENTIRE DRINK. I DRANK MOST OF IT.

This smoothie has:

  • 1.5 c chopped Dandelion greens
  • 1 c chopped Lacinato Kale
  • 1″ cube of Fresh Ginger
  • 1/8 c chopped Fresh red peppermint
  • 1 Pinkerton Avocado
  • 1 Pitted date
  • 1.5 tsp Spirulina
  • 1.5 tsp Sol Raiz Maca Root Powder
  • 1/4 c Raw Pumpkin Seeds
  • 25 oz water

Baby girl is a green smoothie addict!

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care and tagged , , , , , , ,
03 Feb 2012
13 Comments

Breeze’s Boob juice recipe: Breastfeeding on a vegan diet works!

Eva Luna is in the 99th percentile for her age for a 6 month old. Solely breastfed. The video reveals my “secret.”

  1. Raw hemp Protein 50% (30g/day) (Nutiva brand): https://store.nutiva.com/hemp-protein/
  2. Spirulina (Hawaiian by Pacifica):  http://www.amazon.com/Nutrex-Hawaiian-Spirulina-Pacifica-16-Ounce/dp/B0039ITKR4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328314901&sr=8-1
  3. Maca Root 1 tsp (Sol Raiz Organics Brand): http://www.solraizorganics.com/
  4. Coconut Manna (Nutiva Brand):  https://store.nutiva.com/coconut-manna/
  5. 1-2 Avocados.
  6. Garden of Life Raw Protein  (17g scoop serving): http://www.amazon.com/Garden-Life-Organic-Protein-Gram/dp/B0031JK96C/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1328314955&sr=1-1
  7. Kale Smoothies: 4-5 Lacinato Kale leaves, fresh ginger , 1-2 pitted dates, avocado , water 20-25 oz (depends on how thick you want it); 1 lemon juiced,, spirulina 1-2 tsp
  8. Herbal tea: lemon balm, rooibos , nettles.
  9. Facebook Natural Parenting/Natural Family: http://www.facebook.com/groups/102982199801246/
Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding and tagged , , , , , , ,
29 Jan 2012
10 Comments

Breeze’s Boobs on Stage: Breastfeeding on demand is food justice

Who else is sick of being told that breastfeeding on demand should not be accommodated!? (sigh)

Breastfeeding on demand is a food justice issue. It is a right that is often not respected in the USA to its fullest. This video is my spiel on that….

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Food Justice and Activism, Health and Healing
27 Jan 2012
20 Comments

“You don’t look ‘American’…and are you the nanny?” More Bullshit at the Playground

This is my weekly non-vegan rant focusing on race and whiteness in the USA. IT just takes a few minutes at the playground with my newborn and 2.5 year old to get some “well-meaning” white woman to insult me by ‘complimenting’ me about the whiteness of my children and how I don’t look ‘black’ (yet I also don’t look American).

This is not an anomaly. This bullshit happens all the time and I’m just sharing it right now because it’s just been one of those weeks….

To those who thought I should have called her shit out: You’re right! I am still stuck in this “I should be compassionate to everyone including those ignant folk who racistly hurt my feelings” mode. I talked to my mother after it happened and she basically said or made several points:

(1) Amie (that’s what she calls me), If I reacted to all the racist shit white people have said to me, I’d be (a) in jail and/or (b) dead from high blood pressure. This is why so many black and brown people in the USA have high blood pressure.

(2) You’re right Amie about wondering if that lady would have mistaken you for the nanny if you had been a white woman. That is what white female privilege means: you can have a multi-ethnic child or even a “white” looking child and you will never been seen as a ‘servant’ to that child, only their capable mother. As a black woman, you are a capable nanny, buy rarely seen as a capable mother.

(3) Raise your children the way I raised you: to love yourself and everyone and not be a judgmental racist, colorist, etc. You’ll get stupid people who identify as white who say racist things to your children. And believe me, at this point in life, Eva Luna looks like she’ll be seen as ‘white’ by most white people. When she’s in school, she will probably be in a situation in which she is around all white children and they may very well start talking about black people and maybe even refer to us as “niggers” . You’ll have to train her to fight back and stick up for herself and your family. This is what it means to live in an ongoing white racist USA… and don’t think you’ll also be exempt from colorism by black folk who bother her about her being not black enough.

She reminded me how, when my parents first moved to our all white rural town in New England, the white man who came over to fill the oil tank for the heater asked, “How can YOU people afford to live here and buy a house?” She said my father told him to leave. Wow, such white entitlement to say that to my mom and dad.

So, maybe this this isn’t really a non-vegan ‘rant’… I remind myself to eat healthy vegan foods, especially my green kale smoothies with spirulina, avocado, fresh ginger, and maca root in the morning. It helps me with the physical stress in life, particularly when dealing with racist situations and feeling my blood boil. I hope I can teach my babies many methods to heal our souls and psyches and bodies from perpetual racism and normative whiteness and neocolonialism. I tell them to try to remember to be compassionate and loving to yourself and when you don’t feel well, are angry, upset, etc, nourish your soul with some green smoothies, kale chips, or a cup of nourishing mineral tea. So, here I go to make a kale maca Spirulina smoothie for all of us…

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Race, Class, Gender Issues
07 Nov 2011
2 Comments

Sistah Vegan Product Review: Seasnax, great for toddlers!

In this short video I review the vegan and non-gmo product, Seasnax.


You can purchase it here:

amazon.com/​gp/​product/​B004WZ4EIS/​ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sistvegawebs-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B004WZ4EIS

And more about NON GMO project:
nongmoproject.org/​

 

 

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Food and tagged ,
05 Aug 2011
12 Comments

Working against time: Nursing while dissertating about whiteness and veganism

I am working against time before my 2011 fellowship funding disappears next month to write my dissertation as much as possible. I wonder how many other post partum PhD candidates spend their baby moon week working on their dissertation…. LOL Yes, I’m nursing while trying to read a book and type up my dissertation,

I had a 7 hour labor and gave birth at home to a girl on July 30 at 10:05 AM PST: 9.5lb. Don’t tell me you can’t grow big babies practicing veganism while pregnant LOL.

Thank you to those who donated to my dissertation fellowship fund. So far you have contributed $4500 of my $10,000 goal. Very awesome. For those of you new to my page, here is a video that explains how I need help to finish my dissertation because my funding was not renewed. This is why I am semi-frantically writing my dissertation while doing the mandatory postpartum bedrest thang/babymoon. My funding end next month.

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care
22 Jun 2011
9 Comments

Part II: “A Vegan Pregnancy is Selfish: You will kill your baby…”

This is the second part the series ”A Vegan Pregnancy is Selfish: You will kill your baby.” I try to dispel the myths surrounding plant-based pregnancy diets and share the benefits of chia seeds as well as offering moral support for those who want to do not just vegan and vegetarian pregnancies but home births as well. I want to convey that vegan pregnancies will not ‘kill your baby’ when properly planned and under the right care provider.

I also talk about how chia seeds are excellent for hydration, labor, calcium, and other minerals, as well as Omega 3-6-9 that outshines flax seeds.

Here is what I’ve been eating during my pregnancy for optimal health!

Foods To Eat

  • Quinoa
  • . Chia SeedsThey are incredibly rich in calcium. You get 344mg of Calcium for 2 ounces. Always soak your chia seeds for at least ten minutes before eating them. I put them in my smoothies sometimes. 2 tbsp gives you 42% of required fiber for the day. And this is an excellent source for EFAs and has a 4:1 ration of omega 3:Omega 6. profile.
  • Tempeh
  • 1 Gallon of water a day
  • Coconut water if you feel water isn’t enough to hydrate you or replace electrolytes. Coconut water is the perfect isotonic beverage; especially to drink first thing in the morning if you wake up feeling dehydrated and also great to drink if you are working out or right after. However, it does take a lot to package and ship coconut water if you don’t have local access to it. So, you can use chia seed drink as a replacement to this if you don’t want to contribute to the energy and resources it takes to ship coconut water to your grocery store.
  • Greens, greens, greens: Kale, mustard greens, okra, collards, chard. Kale is my favorite I have heard spinach should be avoided but can’t verify this.
  • Legumes
  • Whole Grains
  • Wildwood Plain Soy Yogurt brand (only one in the USA that doesn’t add sugar and is organic)
  • I make most of my baked goods from whole grains and sweeten them with apple juice, banana, or fresh pineapple or fresh dates.
  • Walnuts are a very healthy nut with great oil. Almonds are great and so are sesame seeds (I eat them in the form of tahini)
  • Papaya (have heard to avoid during 1st trimester, but not sure why)

This list is not nearly as extensive as I would like it to be, as there are many foods to eat, but I’m just going to say it straight up: AVOID THE SHIT if you can. Junk food, highly processed crap that has NO nutritional value at all. I know it’s hard when you have those cravings and I admit that I still eat french fries in moderation, but it really is best to try to avoid eating refined flour, refined salt, processed refined sugar products. Your meals should be whole grainy, high protein, and very colorful. And I can’t emphasize enough, those greens! Kale is exceptional for calcium. Okra is exceptional for childbirth prep and is very amazing. Whole grains will keep you regular. I POOP 3 TIMES A DAY DURING PREGNANCY. They tell you constipation is ‘normal’, but it is not.

Hugs and baby blessings,

Breeze

I am not a doctor or practitioner of medicine. Please consult your doctor before attempting any of these suggestions. This is what worked for me, as each person is different.

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding and tagged , ,
13 Jun 2011
7 Comments

Getting your 2 year old to like healthy vegan desserts: Pistachio Sorbet-Ice-Cream

Homemade Vegan Pistachio Sorbet

Below is my 2 year old enjoying the results of the creation. It shows that you can get children to like ‘not so sweet things’ at an early age. Recipe to follow.

This is best pistachio sorbet sweetened with pitted dates with a little raw vanilla. Recipe:

Gotta a Vitamix blender (or something comparable?) Mix 1/2 cup of raw pistachios, 3 pitted dates (you can always add more if you like it sweeter), 1/2 tsp of raw vanilla powder, 1/2 tbsp of soy lecithin, 1/8 tsp of gum Arabic (optional) and 2 cups of water. Blend until smooth, chill in the fridge for an hour, then throw in the ice cream maker.

I just wanted to say that if my work has benefited you, or you have enjoyed watching my critical race scholarship and/or health advice over the past few years, I’m wondering if you can return a favor. My fellowship to pursue critical race and critical vegan studies at the doctoral level was not renewed for 2011-2012, through University of California, Davis. I would like to finish my PhD and need some help. I know the goal may seem overwhelming, but I have about a combined support network/friends/followers of 1000 people (through Facebook, blog subscribers, and Twitter followers). If you could spare $10 to $25 a piece, then this goal could be met I think.

Paypal email donation: breezeharper (at) gmail (dot) com or go to the right side top of the screen and click on donation link.

UPDATE: As of June 13, 2011:

Donated: $2700

Needed for completion of goal: $7,300

Deadline: September 2011 (so I Can register for 2011-2012 academic year)

Posted by Breeze Harper in Baby Body and Health Care and tagged , ,

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