Friday, May 30, 2008

Birth control pills, IVF, and abortion

For years I have been telling women that all forms of hormonal birth control lead to early, "silent" abortions of their babies by not allowing the newly conceived child to attach to the walls of the womb. Instead, these babies are "washed out" when the woman's monthly cycle starts.

This includes the pill, mini pill, hormone injections, implanted rods, patches, and hormone-releasing IUDs. (Non-hormonal IUDs have the same effect by poisoning the womb through the metal that is used.)

The reaction is almost always the same: disbelief, and then rejection or apathy. They hide behind "If it really did that, how could so many women be using these birth control methods? How could so-called Christian doctors prescribe these? Why have I never heard of this before?" etc.

I found the following article on Yahoo News surprisingly honest. I quote:

DENVER - A proposed state constitutional amendment defining a fertilized human egg as a person was certified Thursday for the November ballot, moving Colorado a step closer to an election battle over abortion rights.

[...]

Opponents say the proposed amendment could affect birth control because the most widely used form of contraception works by preventing fertilized eggs from attaching to the uterus. [emphasis added]


They also say the measure could deter in-vitro fertilization and stem cell research and bar doctors from treating women with some forms of cancer. [who are being treated with embryonic stem cells]

Of course, this is what the opposition had to say:

"Defining an egg as a person in our constitution and statutes isn't science-based and makes bad public policy," said Crystal Clinkenbeard, a spokeswoman for an organization called Protect Families Protect Choices, which opposes the measure.

Nobody said anything about "defining an egg as a person". An egg in and of itself does not begin dividing into more and more cells and become a growing a human being. This measure is aimed at fertilized eggs, which is really not an egg but a newly conceived human being.

My goal is not to make anyone feel bad who has used hormonal birth control in the past. Sadly, many women are ignorant of the medical facts behind it. I myself was guilty of this and took the pill for two months when we first got married, which is probably what caused the loss of my first pregnancy. I guess I should have been researching what I was popping in my mouth every day a little better. Although I discontinued taking the pill before I knew of its true effects (we actually WANTED kids right away, as soon as I was covered by my husband's health insurance), I was still shocked when I did find out how it really worked a few months later.

What gets to me is people who find out about how hormonal birth control works, and then choose to ignore the facts out of convenience. Could all those women please put the emotion aside, take their head out of the sand, and read up on the medical facts behind the pill? Is having babies really that bad that you have to knowingly KILL them? Do you really just need to save all your money for the mall, a new car, a bigger house and fun vacations? Do you care about anyone beside yourself?

The truth won't go away no matter how long you choose to ignore it.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Recipe for Starbucks Lemon Loaf

There are many recipes online for Starbucks Lemon Loaf, and I have tried a few of them. Here's my favorite - it came out tasting the same but not quite as moist. That may have been because I left the cake in a few minutes too long.

Starbuck’s Lemon Loaf

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon lemon extract
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Lemon Icing
1 cup plus 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
2 tablespoons whole milk
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl.

3. Use an electric mixer to blend together eggs, sugar, butter, vanilla, lemon extract, and lemon juice in a medium bowl.

4. Pour wet ingredient into dry ingredients and blend until smooth. Add oil and mix well.

5. Pour ingredients into a well-greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck into the center of the cake comes out clean.

6. Make the lemon icing by combining ingredients in a small bowl with electric mixer on low speed. When the lemon loaf is cool, remove it from the pan and frost the top with the lemon icing. When the icing has set up, slice the loaf into eight 1-inch-thick slices.

Makes 8 slices.


Monday, May 5, 2008

Pregnancy Nourishment Tea

There are many different recipes for herbal teas that can be enjoyed throughout pregnancy. You can even find some ready-made teas at the health food store. Making your own tea is less expensive because you will be buying the herbs in bulk, and it also gives you a chance to adjust the ingredients for your own taste buds.

The general recommendation during pregnancy is to have 1-4 cups of herbal tea daily after 12 weeks of pregnancy, and only 1-2 per day during the first trimester. Below is my favorite recipe, taken from Aviva Romm's "The Natural Pregnancy Book". She also lists this recipe in her other book that I use all the time, "Naturally Healthy Babies and Children". Both are must-haves if you like to treat your family with natural remedies at home instead of taking them to the doctor when they get the sniffles.

This tea is also great for new moms as it will help establish and maintain a good milk supply and aid in the mom's recovery. There are other recipes specifically for the postpartum period that I will post another time.

Please note: Parts are measured by weight, not volume



Pregnancy Nourishment Tea

1 part red raspberry leaves
1 part dried nettle
1 part dried oatstraw
1/2 part dried alfalfa
1/2 part red clover blossoms
1/4 - 1/2 part dried spearmint leaves

Mix all of the herbs and store away from heat and sunlight in a glass jar.


To prepare: You can use a reusable metal tea ball, single use fill-your-own tea bags, or special tea cups that have a built-in strainer insert. If you don't have any of these, you can simply put the tea directly in the cup and strain it before drinking.


You should always pour boiling water onto the tea, rather than dumping the tea into the hot water. Cover and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and add cold water if you want to drink the tea immediately. Sweeten with honey if you like, or add some lemon for extra taste.


If you want a simpler recipe, try this one:


2 parts dried nettle leaf
2 parts dried red raspberry leaves

1 part alfalfa

1 part red clover blossoms


You can add a bit of lemon balm, some kind of mint, or lavender for taste variations.


If bulk herbs are not available where you live, you can order them online. If you use herbs a lot and enjoy gardening, you may want to consider growing a medicinal herb garden.