Free Craniosacral Therapy and Hearing Screening Clinic for Infants

Nurture will be hosting Carol Gray's craniosacral therapy clinic again on November 3rd.

Babies six months and younger will receive FREE Craniosacral Therapy treatments from Carol Gray and student practitioners of her Craniosacral Therapy for Infants training program.

Please contact Carol for available appointment times

This free clinic will be held in conjunction with the Craniosacral Therapy for Infants workshop Carol is teaching this week. There are openings throughout the week for babies whose parents would like them treated by Carol for demonstration treatments and also for babies whose parents would like them treated by student practitioners under Carol’s supervision. Infants coming to this workshop clinic will get a confirmation letter with the address and directions.

An appointment is needed for your one-hour treatment time, please call Carol Gray at 503-236-2999 or e-mailing Carol Gray. Please do not call or e-mail the clinic location for an appointment.

Free Infant Hearing Screening
This is for babies up to 18 months old. Anyone can make an appointment to have their baby's hearing screened. The screening is non-invasive and takes about ten to twenty minutes. Babies who are born in hospitals usually get their hearing screened before they are discharged. Many of those babies should be re-screened.

Babies born out of hospitals don't get their hearing screened unless their parents take them somewhere to get it done. The cost is usually $70-$90 - maybe beyond the reach of the uninsured.

THE FACTS:

•Hearing loss is hard to identify without testing - it can be subtle, yet serious.

•Six out of every 1,000 babies born will have some degree of hearing loss.

•Hearing loss may result in delays in speech and language development.

•Early identification and intervention enhances your child's potential for speech and language development.

You must make an appointment.

To make an appointment call Carol Gray at 503-236-2999

or e-mail Carol Gray at carolag@e-z.net

Carol Gray

Craniosacral Therapy

Home Birth Midwifery

Free Infant CST Clinic

Study CST With Carol Gray

503-236-2999

http://www.carolgray.com/

http://www.tworiversmidwifery.com/

The Million Baby Crawl

Millions of babies are crawling to Washington D.C. Why? To demand reform of the Toxic Chemical Substances Act (TCSA). Current law does not require that companies list all ingredients on the labels of common cleaning and baby products. And only 250 of the 80,000 chemicals on the market have been tested by the EPA.

Seventh Generation and Safer Chemicals Healthy Families are teaming up to educate parents about the dangers of using these products and to introduce stronger regulations on the chemical industry. The TCSA has not been updated in over 30 years! Just think of all the things we've learned about plastics in the last three years!

This is an important cause since the use of these chemicals affect the health of our families and our environment. You can help protect your family and future generations by supporting this campaign.

Please go to http://www.millionbabycrawl.com to create your own virtual crawler to crawl to Washington and say no to toxins. You can share your crawler with friends and family who can cheer you on or create their own virtual baby. The crawler with the most supporters will win a trip for four to Washington D.C.

Portland is one of six cities nationwide participating in this campaign. Let's show Congress that Portland wants stronger regulations on toxic chemicals! We will have a Million Baby Crawl event at Washington Square Mall on November 18th from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm. There will be family friendly entertainment, activities and free Seventh Generation product.

Read more about the cause at http://www.seventhgeneration.com and http://www.saferchemicals.org

If you have questions or would like to learn how to obtain information and free Seventh Generation samples for your business or group, please email Angi Gunther at confidentbirth@gmail.com

Family Friendly Halloween in the Neighborhood!

For safe, fun trick or treating this year, Alberta area businesses (see list on map) will be giving out goodies from 11am-6pm. Click on the picture above to enlarge.

Participating Businesses:

• Milagros Boutique
• Mama Zen
• Grasshopper
• Collage
• Donna and Toots
• Nurture: Center for Growing Families
• Green Bean Books
• igpei Toys
• Alberta Co-op Grocery

Come by and grab a bag full of goodies! Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Nurture Welcomes Melissa Cole

Nurture warmly welcomes Melissa Cole to our Family Wellness Collective. Melissa is a lactation consultant with many years of experience supporting families with breastfeeding. She is a mother of three and a knowledgeable woman. Here is a bit about her practice:

Supporting new families is a joy and an honor!
After welcoming your precious child into the world, coping with breastfeeding
challenges can be unexpected and very emotional for new parents. Working with an experienced lactation consultant can help you identify the source of your breastfeeding issues and empower you to discover new approaches to those issues.

I view lactation as a holistic process and respect each family’s unique health care beliefs. I am committed to offering compassionate, comprehensive support for all phases of breastfeeding. I strive to provide nurturing, clinical care so that each family can define their own breastfeeding success. Learn more about me and my private practice, Luna Lactation, here.

Why see an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)?
The IBCLC credentials are the gold standard for lactation qualifications. Read more here to learn more about this credential or read more on IBLCE’s web site.

There are many situations in which families can benefit from a private, professional lactation consultation. Some reasons to seek assistance from a board-certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) include but are not limited to:

Mother issues: milk supply issues, sore nipples/breasts, history of hormonal issues/infertility, past breast surgery, medical issues/illness, past breastfeeding problems, planning to return to work/school, other unresolved breastfeeding concerns(prenatally or postpartum).

Baby issues: weight gain concerns, latch concerns, prematurity, multiples, traumatic birth, jaundice, unresolved fussiness, medical/anatomical issues that impact feeding, baby being supplemented or using specialized feeding tools, sleep/growth/solid food guidance, adoption, any other unresolved feeding concerns.

Hours:
Most appointment times are on the weekends and weekday evenings however I realize how critical timely and nurturing breastfeeding assistance is. I will do my best to schedule appointments ASAP. Once an established client, I will continue to provide you with care as long as the need exists and you will have access to prompt follow-up support.

Fees:
For information on consultations available both in our office space and in the comfort of your own home, please read more here.

Community:
Connection is vital as families grow and find their way. I invite you to inquire about additional community resources that may benefit your family. My resource page is a great place to start.

Melissa Cole, IBCLC, RLC
360-830-MILK (6455)
melissa@lunalactation.com
http://www.lunalactation.com/

Massage 1/2 Price October Special

Fabulous special from Joey Torgrimson

I am offering half price massages till October 31st. I still have a few appointment times left.

Deep tissue, pregnancy, or just plain ol' relaxation.

$32.50 for an hour and $45 for 90 min.

(503) 875-6257 Call, text, or email me at midwife@portlandnaturalchildbirth.com

for an appointment!

H1N1 How are You Coping?

H1N1 has hit the town, even, I think, my household. There has been a lot of talk about prevention, but now that it is here, I am curious about what your strategy is for coping with the swine flu. As a parent I am wondering...

• What herbs, medicines, homoeopathic, vitamins, etc. you are giving your children to get them through and hopefully avoid complications?
• How you are keeping your energy levels up after long nights of comforting sick children. How do you keep going during the day?
• What do you do if you are also sick?
• If you work, how have you dealt with missing work? How long were you out? How were your employers helpful or not helpful?
• How long did it last?
• What was the worst part?
• Were their any surprises?
• Did you have a confirmed or suspected case?
• Did you or will you now vaccinate?

To join share your experience, join us at: http://nurturepdx.ning.com/forum/topics/how-are-you-coping-with-h1n1

I also wanted to share this link, posted on FB by Lyla Wolfstien of Zennana Spa and Wellness Center. It is an abstract about a study of the anti-viral benefits of Elderberry in preventing H1N1. If you are looking for Elderberry, Rebecca at Portland Green Parenting has a 40% discount, through October, for members. You can also find it at New Seasons.

Wishes of wellness to you and yours.

Now Offering Maya Abdominal Massage

Nurture's very own Tiffany Ueltschi, has a list of services that she offers and is excited to add Arvigo Technique Maya Abdominal Massage (ATMAM). In addition to being a birth doula, teaching infant massage workshops, Tiffany is a massage therapist offering pediatric, pre-natal, swedish, deep tissue, thai, and now Arvigo Technique Maya Abdominal Massage (ATMAM).

What is Maya Abdominal Massage?
Maya Abdominal Massage is a non-invasive, external, massage technique. It guides internal abdominal organs into their proper position for optimum health and well-being. Maya massage improves organ function by releasing physical and emotional congestion from the abdomen. This massage is effective for both men and women.

The technique applies anatomy, physiology, herbology and naprapathy, (study of the ligaments, joints and muscles), with Ancient Maya healing techniques to address common female and male complaints. The technique works by relieving congestion and blockages to improve the flow of chi and fluids of the circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems to prevent the progression of chronic disease symptomology.

Dr. Rosita Arvigo, DN, developed these techniques, after apprenticing with Don Elijio Panti, the last of the Traditional Maya Shaman in Central America, where she has lived for over 30 years. The Arvigo Techniques of Maya Abdominal Massage™ combine modern science with traditional healing and wisdom to produce a holistic path to physical, emotional and spiritual well-being

Most Common Female Symptoms Relieved by This Treatment:

• Painful or irregular menses
• Dark, thick fluids at the beginning & end of menses
• Blood Clots
• No menstruation at all
• Headaches/ Dizziness with menses
• Varicose veins
• Tired legs, numb feet/ sore heals
• Lower back ache
• Infertility
• Endometriosis/Endometritis
• Uterine Polyps
• Painful Intercourse
• PMS
• Uterine infections
• Frequent urination
• Ovarian cysts
• Vaginitis
• Hormonal imbalances
• Difficult Pregnancy & Delivery
• Weak newborn infants
• Premature deliveries
• Difficult Menopause
• Cancer of the cervix, uterus, colon or bladder

Most Common Male Symptoms Relieved by This Treatment:

• Prostate swelling and inflammation
• Alleviates varicose veins
• Premature ejaculation
• Impotency problems
• Frequent urination
• Chronic stomach problems

What to expect in a treatment:

• Comprehensive review of personal history & health care needs
• Instruction in Self Care techniques that individuals can apply at home to enhance the benefit of treatment
• Abdominal Massage focused on aligning pelvic & abdominal organs
• Consult focused on lifestyle changes
• Additionally, herbal remedies and other natural products are available that may enhance the effect of the Arvigo treatment and may be indicated based on the lifestyle consult

Follow-up care depends on individual goals and results. We work together to ensure your individual health care needs either through Arvigo techniques or referral to additional health care providers when necessary to achieve your goals.
(Taken from the Arvigo Webiste and Brochure)

For more information please go to http://www.arvigomassage.com/

Rates: $120 for Initial Visit (2 hours), follow up visits are $60-85 and are 60-90min in length

To schedule an appointment please call or email Tiffany: 360-600-5869 (c) or
tiffany@nurturepdx.com

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

In addition to being Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, October is also a month for awareness about Pregnancy and Infant Loss. Throughout the month, across the nation, families join together for healing memory walks, special remembrance services, and healing retreats.

Today, October 15th, has been officially designated as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day. Today, families and friends, world-wide, honor their babies who have died, creating a special space in their lives for remembrance, grieving, and comforting, and will light a candle in their baby's memory.

You are invited to join the remembrance by lighting a candle at 7pm, in your respective time zone, to be a part of a world-wide wave of light in loving memory of all of the babies who have died and in support of all of the families who have experienced a miscarriage, still birth, or infant death.

For families who have experienced an early pregnancy loss, still birth, or infant death, I am including a list of local and national resources, information about coping with grief, and ways that friends and family can be supportive.

(this list is reprinted with permission from Nurture's resource list for Pregnancy and Infant Loss)

• Baby Loss and Healing (support and information to families going through the loss of a baby)
• Brief Encounters (support for parents whose babies have died before, during, or after birth)
• The Dougy Center for Grieving Children and Families (support for children and their families who are grieving a death)
• Exhale (A Literary Magazine for Intelligent People Who Have Lost a Baby, Or Have Trouble Making Babies in the First Place.)
• Grief Watch (resources for bereaved families and professional caregivers)
• MEND (Christian non-profit providing support for families who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death)
• M.I.S.S. Foundation (international support for grieving families providing crisis support and long term aid to families after the death of a child from any cause)
• Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep (network of almost 7,000 volunteer photographers in the US who will meet with the family at a hospital or hospice location to help parents create beautiful heirloom memories of their child)
• Remembering Our Babies October 15th (official site for the national remembrance day
• RESOLVE.org (is a community for women and men with infertility and provides information and support during their family building journey)
• The Secret Club Project (understanding pregnancy loss through the arts)
• The TEARS Foundation (provides financial assistance to families in WA for final arrangements for their baby who has died)
• Zen Community Jizo Ceremony (we honor their lost children by participating in a ceremony in the Jizo Bodhisattva remembrance garden)

(the following information has been reprinted with permission from Baby Loss and Healing)

Coping With Grief
Everyone grieves differently. Allow yourself to grieve. It could take weeks or months, even years. Also be aware that the mother's body will also go through major hormonal changes. Mom's, I cannot emphasize enough how imperative it is to seek help if you feel like harming yourself or anyone else. Hormones create such a powerful chemical reaction in your body and mind, and postpartum anxiety and/or depression should NOT be ignored.

Some foods that can help your brain feel good include nuts (especially almonds and
walnuts), bananas, turkey, eggs and milk. These all aid the brain in making serotonin, which in turn helps your brain feel "normal".

Many books and web sites explain a process that one goes through when grieving. Here is a look at what you can expect when grieving. I personally hit on every one of these (some more than once) in my journey so far. You may experience any or all of
these in your journey.

Shock, denial
Anger
Isolation
Depression
Numbness
Physical Symptoms
Awareness of Reality
Guilt
Sadness
Disorganization of Life
Preoccupation with Grief
Dreams
of Situation
Ability to Talk of Loss with Acceptance

How family and friends can help
Every person is different in their reaction to a loss, their way of coping with grief and their personality. However, there are things that friends and family can do to help.

Listen. ~ When a grieving parent opens up to talk about what happened please listen to them. It's not easy for some people to talk about their loss, and they may not need you to say anything at all. But if you can open your ears and just let them get it out, it can do wonders for their progress in dealing with their loss.

Ask if they need anything or offer your help. ~ Even if they say no, this is a kind way of letting them know you care about them.

Do not tell them what they should or should not be feeling. ~ Again, every person grieves differently. Although you may not have had a special bond with the baby (especially in the case of miscarriage and/or stillbirth) they probably did, and they will need to grieve their loss their way in their time.

Let them cry. ~ I hear so often people say, "Oh, don't cry..." I understand that it can be uncomfortable when someone is crying, but crying is such a healthy way of releasing stress and processing feelings.

Don't say, "It was meant to be," "It was for the best," or "You can always try again." ~ Of all the women I have run across, these are the phrases no one wants to hear. Even if it was impossible for their baby to survive, that doesn't change the love, hope and dreams they had for their child. Rather I suggest a simple, "I'm so sorry for your loss."

Keep in mind that even if the parents who have lost a baby do get pregnant again it does not mean they have stopped loving and/or grieving their baby that is gone.

Please join me in lighting a candle from 7pm-8pm tonight.

Tiny Talkers Workshop

101 PARENT WORKSHOP
Imagine knowing what your baby wants before they can talk! Babies can talk with their hands before they can speak! Learning how to communicate with baby, reducing tears & tantrums is easy when you teach them sign language which also increases their IQ, boosts bonding & actually helps them speak earlier than non-signers. At the workshop, you'll learn invaluable tips & techniques based on how baby?s brain works, over 75 common signs, activities & games to promote verbal language & get a baby signing dictionary & journal!

The workshop is 1.75 hours long and is for adults, but non-mobile babies are welcome if you feel you can care for them while concentrating on the information being presented.

When: Wednesday NOVEMBER 11th from 9:15-11 a.m. at Nurture

Please check http://www.tinytalkersportland.com/ for more program information and frequently asked questions.

SPACE IS LIMITED AT NURTURE: PLEASE PRE-REGISTER AT THE ABOVE WEBSITE!

Baby Love Blanket Drive

Crafty/Creative Families! Get out your knitting needles, crochet hooks, or quilting tools...your love is needed. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a cause near and dear to my heart. Ayla Birth is hosting a handmade blanket (as well as other items) for babies exposed to domestic violence. After working with families who had experienced domestic violence, I am more than happy to participate in and pass on the information about this drive:

Baby Love Blanket Drive
What is the Baby Love Blanket Drive?
The Baby Love Blanket Drive is a 2 month long, charity craft-along (Oct- Dec) where people in Portland, Oregon (and beyond) will knit, crochet and quilt blankets for newborns in need.

In addition to blankets, we are now
accepting: Baby Clothes, Baby Toys, Hats, Mittens, Socks, Shoes, Scarves & Slings. If you have a large amount of non-blanket items, please call (503) 809-1721 for pick up.

Who Benefits?
YWCA Yolanda House and the the Foster Closet
All of us at have seen the price babies pay in the Northwest when they are exposed to domestic violence, abuse or neglect. We can't save them, but we can give them comfort and we think you can too.

Why are we doing this?
In 2007, five doulas decided to help keep babies warm over the winter by sponsoring a handmade blanket drive for the Portland area. In 2008, Willow Birth ran the drive and Ayla Birth has taken over the drive for 2009. Regardless or who runs the drive each year, the mission is always the same: comfort for those in need.

Why handmade blankets?
We believe that an item made by hand and with love is more valuable than a store bought one, and we believe that all babies deserve to have something special made just for them. Each of us has the power to create something lovely, but if we band together, we can create a thousand lovely things, a thousand loving hands creating comfort for newborn life. Of course, any item that you personalize with love is
handmade, so if your idea of handmade is a bit of embroidery or a fleece kit, we
welcome those too!

Blanket Requirements:
Size: Any standard size
baby blanket size
Fiber: Any machine washable fiber
Weight: Any
Deadline: 12/20/09

Where do I drop off my items?

The Knitting Bee
18305 NW West Union Rd.
Portland, OR 97229
(503) 439.3316

Twisted
2310 NE Broadway
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 922-1150

Designer Yarn
38871 Proctor Blvd.
Sandy, Oregon 97055
(503)
826-0123

By Mail:
Baby Love Blanket Drive
4408 SE 67th Avenue
Portland,
OR 97206

Warm Baby Blessings,
Anne Lenzi
The Baby Love Blanket Drive
President, Ayla Birth – Community Doulas
(503) 809-1721

And...if you enjoy the company of others while you click away with your needles, join us at Nurture's Knit~Together group. Check back soon for details or join our e-village and join the group now.

Eleven – From Tao Te Ching

Thirty spikes share the wheel’s hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful
Shape clay into a vessel
It is the space within that makes it useful
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful
Therefore profit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.

New and Improved e-Community Space!

(painting courtesey of Johanna Wright)

We have found an even better on-line community space, our e-village. A special thank you to Dre from Swap-n-Play for introducing Ning to us. If you haven't discovered Ning, you should check it out; it is like Facebook, forums, web and blog rings, and more all in one!

Please join our nurturing on-line community and find a place to tend to your heart, mind, and body, a place to create, learn, nourish, and grow within a supportive group of families.



We have a virtual tour of Nurture, a special space for each of our groups, this blog feeds right onto the home page for news updates and more, and there is a forum for discussions, questions, suggestions, ideas, and sharing resources. Wow! It is so exciting and will be such a great way to connect; I am very pleased and think you will love it!

Birthingway College of Midwifery Homeopathy Workshop

Birthingway's Homeopathy Workshop

Homeopathy is safe, inexpensive and effective, and it is super fun to create yourself too!

Saturday, October 24 from 9am-3pm

taught by Cari Nyland, ND

at Birthingway College

(Registration deadline is October 16, 2009)

Cost: $70

This workshop is designed to help birth professionals or anyone else who is interested with self-care through creating homeopathy remedies.

Link to our website with the registration form: http://birthingway.org/uploads/File/Homeopathy%20CEU%20reg%20Fall%2009.pdf

Giving Birth: Upright Positions Shorten First Stage Labor

Below is an article from ScienceDaily (Apr. 16, 2009) supporting natural birth positions.

Lying down during the early stages of childbirth may slow progress, according to a new systematic review. Cochrane Researchers found that the first stage of labour was significantly shorter for women who kneel, stand up, walk around, or sit upright as opposed to lying down.

Using data from 21 studies carried out in developed countries since the 1960s, involving 3,706 women, the researchers found that the first stage of labour was around an hour shorter in those who adopted upright positions compared to those who lay down.

“In most developing countries, women stand up or walk around as they wish during the early stages of birth with no ill effects,” says Annemarie Lawrence, who works at the Institute of Women’s and Children’s Health at the Townsville Hospital in Queensland, Australia. “This review demonstrates that there is some benefit and no risk to being upright and or mobile during first stage labour.”

“Based on these results, we would recommend that women are encouraged to use whichever positions they find most comfortable, but are specifically advised to avoid lying flat,” says Lawrence.

The researchers stress that more information is urgently needed to understand how birthing positions relate to levels of pain, control and satisfaction among birthing women.

You Who: A Monthly Children's Rock Variety Show

Do your kids like to rock? Check out the new children's rock variety show, You Who, each month at the Kennedy School.

You Who features a half hour of variety entertainment including DJs, interactive dance get downs, comedians, cartoons, musical guests, and ? and more ?! The second half brings live rock, hip hop or dance band. A portion of all proceeds will go to p: ear.

Getting Sleep Postpartum

How to Get Enough Sleep in the First Weeks After Birth
Adapted and edited from a handout by Penny Simkin

To get enough sleep, you must take your need for sleep seriously, which is hard to do. They wind up sleep deprived and after several days or a week and fall apart. Baby care and everyday tasks become much more difficult than they should be. The following approach will help you get as much (or almost as much) sleep as you need. (It does not work as well if you have other children, unless you have help with them.)

• Calculate how many hours of sleep you used to need regularly before pregnancy in order to function well. Six hours? Eight hours? That is the amount of sleep you now owe yourself everyday
• Since you cannot get this amount of sleep in one stretch because of interruptions for feedings and baby care, you will require more hours in bed to get your allotted amount of sleep.
• Plan to stay in bed or keep going back to bed until you have slept your allotted number of hours. This means that with the exception of meals and trips to the bathroom, you do not get up. You do not brush your teeth, shower of dress in the early morning. Make a mental note of approximately how many hours you have slept since you went to bed (but try not to obsess about it). You may have to stay in bed from 10PM until noon the next day to get eight hours of sleep! If that’s what it takes, do it. Then brush your teeth, take a shower, dress, and greet the day.
• Many parents find it easier to follow this regime if their baby sleeps with them or nearby.
• As your baby grows and begins to sleep for longer stretches, it will take you less time to get enough sleep.
• Hiring a postpartum doula is also a great way to ensure you get enough sleep while baby is taken care of and the house isn’t falling apart while you’re snoozing.

Take your need for sleep seriously in order to prevent sleep deprivation. Sweet Dreams.

Tiny Talkers comes to Mothergarden: Oct 12

sponsored by

Mothergarden is Nurture's growing free drop-in group for parents & children, Mondays from 10:30-noon.

As part of our intention to help parents connect with community resources, Mothergarden will occasionally feature speakers on parenting-related topics. While Mothergarden doesn't specifically endorse any particular speaker or philosophy, we are delighted to offer a variety of presentations, and invite you to contact us if you would like to share with the group.

Please join us on October 12 at 11am, as Shira Fogel of Tiny Talkers gives a free introduction to baby sign language:


Baby Sign Language: Free Seminar

Imagine knowing what your baby wants before they can talk! Babies can talk with their hands before they can speak. Learning how to communicate with baby, reducing tears & tantrums, is easy when you teach them sign language. Attend this free thirty minute seminar and learn all about the benefits of singing with your hearing child and take home a few signs and tips to start working with your child right away! Learn more at http://www.tinytalkersportland.com/.

Respectful Connection Parenting Support Group

Join us for a Respectful Connection Parenting Support Group

This groups is a weekly meeting designed for those parents working towards a connected respectful relationship with their children. We will support and commiserate with each other, problem solve and share ways to meet our needs and the needs of our children without punishments, coercion or manipulations.

This group is open to all parents, no matter where they are in their parenting journey or the ages of their kids. Based on theories and works by Pam Leo, NVC, Scott Noelle, Patty Wipler, Jan Hunt, Alfie Kohn, Gordon Nuefeld, Althea Solter and others.

Children are welcome, there is an adjacent play area to our meeting room. Please feel free to bring what you or your child may need to feel comfortable during group such as easy to clean up snacks or pillows.

We meet on Tuesdays from 10am-12pm at Nurture (1614 NE Alberta St.).

Suggested donation of $3-5 per week to cover costs of handouts and space. Our intention is to work together to create a sustainable group that is abundant in resources. This means sharing what we have when we have it and trusting it will balance out in the end.

Facilitated by Deb Thornton at Nurture. Deb is the mama-mind of Sacred Arrivals, a Parent and Family Coach, Mama to 4, and has been facilitating parenting groups since 1992.

For more information, please contact Deb at 503.250.2973 or sacredarrivals@gmail.com

Nurture Welcomes Deb Thornton

We are excited to welcome Deb Thornton to Nurture. Deb wears many hats and will be offering several different services at Nurture including craniosacral therapy, lactation support, Respectful Connection Parenting support groups, and doula services. The Connected Parenting Support Group starts on October 13th; come and find support from other families as you create strong coonections with your children. Deb tells us about herself and her services...

I have really just wanted to be a wife and mother since I was a child. And that is just what I became at a fairly young age. Thank goodness, because that amazing experience opened up the entire world for me. Now I want to be EVERYTHING when I grow up...

I believe that parenting is all about connection. Parenting is the BEST thing that is ever going to happen to you. This new little person, this miracle, this JOY, is going to absolutely rock your world. I am passionate about supporting new families through this dynamically chaotic, divinely delicious, supremely scary, world rockin' journey.

Here is a bit about my background:
I am a parent and family coach with a degree in social work, and I am passionate about connecting with families and helping parents find respectful ways to enjoy their parenting journey. I am a retired La Leche League Leader of 13 years and a Certified Lactation Educator who takes great joy in helping new mama's develop their own unique personal nursing relationship with their newborn babies. I have been a doula for friends and families before the word doula was coined and has never yet been to a birth where I haven't cried. I am a strong believer in preparation for birth, and an active advocate for making researched educated choices for all decisions regarding pregnancy, birth and parenting. Becoming a Certified Infant Craniosacral Therapist has been the best addition to my lactation and doula practice. I am so amazed by the gentle yet powerful healing that happens with craniosacral therapy and am so honored to be able to offer it to families.

Right now I offer:

• Birth and Doula Services
• Lactation Support
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Parent and Family Coaching
• Respectful Connection Parenting Support Group
• I am also available to speak or teach at your high school, community center, conference, workshop, or parenting group.

I am also a mama to 4 fantastic children, a neurotic chocolate lab and two kitty brothers born at home (where else?) one of whom is still alive due to my amazing lactation skills. We live in an enchanted old Ne Portland home where the birds clean the toilets and the squirrels do dishes. Somebody has to do it.

For more information about my services please visit Sacred Arrivals.

To schedule and appointment or for more information about the Connected Parenting Support Group, please call 503.250.2973 or e-mail me sacredarrivals@gmail.com.

Nurture Welcomes Joey Torgrimson

We are excited to welcome Joey Torgrimson to Nurture. Joey is a midwife and massage therapist with a heart for helping families. Here is some information from Joey about her background and services...

I began my career in natural health care in the late 1990’s at Oregon
School of Massage. I have been practicing massage therapy for 9 years.
In 2008 I became a homebirth midwife in addition to my massage practice,
through a combination of formal study at Birthingway College and
apprenticeship. The two modalities complement each other well.

My massage specialties include deep tissue and pregnancy. I have a
midwifery practice, Portland Natural Childbirth, and my specialty is
waterbirth. I believe in meeting people where they are, and supporting
them in creating the picture of health they chose for themselves based on
their own values, belief systems, and bodies.

As an Oregon native, I enjoy living in Portland with my 8 year old
daughter Emma, travel, the outdoors, music, dancing, and surfing (in a very
thick wetsuit).

For more information about my midwifery practice, please visit my website
at Portland Natural Childbirth, call (503)875-6257 or e-mail me at midwife@portlandnaturalchildbirth.com

Many Thanks to Mothergarden's New Sponsor: Grasshopper

Mothergarden, Nurture's free drop-in group for parents & children, has a new sponsor through the end of the year: Grasshopper, our local friendly children's boutique just two blocks down on Alberta. In addition to helping fund Mothergarden's warm and welcoming space at Nurture, Grasshopper is donating toys and a new changing table as well!

Please stop by their beautiful store at 1816 NE Alberta St to check out all they have to offer, and we'd love to see you for Mothergarden on Mondays, 10:30-noon.

Early Pregnancy Workshop - October 17 & 18

Nurture would like to remind everyone that the Early Pregnancy Class is happening this fall!!!

Full Moon’s Daughter & Confident Birthing are once again offering an Early Pregnancy Workshop at Nurture.

This preparation workshop is for any woman thinking about starting a family, any couple that thinks they might want to start a family, and anyone who already has children and wants more education and information.

As with all our classes, the Early Pregnancy Workshop is organic to what each person wants to learn. In addition to customizing the class to your needs, we will also cover the following topics:

• The difference between OB/GYN, Certified Nurse Midwives, Naturopathic Midwives, Direct Entry Midwives
• Hospital Birth Centers, Free-standing Birth Centers and Homebirth options
• What type of prenatal class best addresses your needs and lifestyle
• What are pregnancy, labor and postpartum doulas
• Healthcare support while pregnant and postpartum (Acupuncture, Reiki, Chiropractic, Massage)
• Nutrition and exercise
• Baby and new mom essentials
• Breastfeeding resources and accessories
• Sleeping options for baby
• Diapering options and cloth diaper demo
• Baby sling demos
• Guest presenters who specialize in pregnancy and newborn care
• Grab bags full of community resources, handouts. coupons, tea and much more will also be provided.

Upcoming class:
When: October 17 & 18
Where: Nurture, a center for growing families. 1614 NE Alberta St.
Extras: Each couples walks away with a goodie bag full of free samples, CDs, coupons and community resources, an opportunity to meet birth professionals in the community and potential friends. Ohh yeah, and don’t forget about the organic, vegeterian meal included during both nights.
Cost Options: The complete workshop is offered on a sliding scale between $75 – $90 per couple, based on what you can afford. Couples can choose to attend one day for $40 – $50.
Day 1: Choosing a Care Provider, Birth Place, Prenatal Classes and Services

Day 2: Doulas, Breastfeeding & Eco-friendly baby care

Gluten Free Zucchini Bread

Enjoy this wonderful harvest bread, Nurture families!

1/3c poppy seeds
1/3c agave or honey
1/4c coconut oil (melt so it it s a liquid)
3 eggs
1t vanilla extract
3c grated zucchini – leave skins on and squeeze out excess water (we believe this is the key to good zucchini bread)
3c garbanzo bean flour
1.5t xantham gum
1 1/2t baking soda
1/2t baking powder
1t salt
1t cinnamon
1T curry powder (this is what makes it really unique)

Preheat oven to 350
Butter 2 bread loaf pans

In a mixer, combine oil, eggs and sweetener. Stir in extract and zucchini.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, xantham gum, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon, curry and poppy seeds. Batter will be thick and moist.

Divide batter equally between pans and bake for 40-45 minutes. Let bread cool (and cook more) in pans for 15 minutes.