NATURAL FERTILITY SERCRET!?! (MNShow 53)

August 23, 2012


QOTW: How does your family eat? Do you do three meals a day? Do you ever snack?

Got nuts, creative ways to get organized, and how many meals a day do YOU eat? It’s episode 53 of the Mama Natural Show.

This week, one lucky winner will receive the Ancient Minerals magnesium gift set. This precious mineral is majorly depleted in our soils today, and as a result, we suffer from muscle soreness, constipation, anxiety, and even depression. This gift set includes a 2lb bag of magnesium bath flakes and an 8oz spray of their magnesium oil.

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If you already subscribe, just leave a comment. Giveaway open until noon (Pacific time) on Wednesday, August 29.

Click for full show notes

First up, for the past decade, studies have shown a connection between sugar consumption and obesity in children.
As a result, sugar soda consumption is down.

(BRAVO People!)

But, many kids are replacing their sodas with diet varieties.

(UGH!)

In fact, the number of children downing artificially sweetened drinks has doubled.

Don’t people know that artificial sweeteners are much more dangerous than sugar! They are proven neurotoxins and they’re certainly not helping to slim down the nation.

That’s because fake sugars can cause the body to crave more food. In studies, animals fed these artificial sweeteners actually gain weight. So much for diet!

To quench a kid’s thirst, think about healthier alternatives such as:

  • Fresh-squeezed fruit juices
  • Raw Milk
  • Green drinks
  • Or even good old fashion, water.

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Next, anyone in the world who is trying or thinking about getting pregnant, listen up.

A new study shows that a man needs nuts for improved virility.

Walnuts that is.

A recent study shows a daily dose of walnuts improves both men’s sperm quality and quantity.

Just a half a cup a day can improve sperm shape, movement and vitality.

As well as ensure fewer chromosomal abnormalities.

Sure it’s easy to poke fun about how nuts improve men’s….sperm

However, there is increasing evidence that shows a man’s diet is important in creating healthy offspring.

To help you further, be sure to check out my preconception diet video for mamas and papas!

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Next, get your home organized as we head into the school year!

I LOVE these clever ideas from Prudent Mama to store some of our household goods that reduce clutter and keep things simple.

Here are 6 of my favorites:

#1 – Hairdryer holder

Instead of throwing under your sink with a tangled cord, why not try this magazine rack cleverly attached to your cabinet. Perfect fit!

#2 – Wrapping Paper holder

Instead of shoving under your bed like I do, where wrapping paper can get dusty and crinkled, try a garment bag! Easy peasy!

#3 – Toilettes holder

Ha! Love these spice racks to hold our toilettes… which for us mamas includes baking soda, coconut oil and other strange concoctions.

#4 – Garden tools container

Wow, this is clever! Use a colorful filing cabinet, empty drawers, set on side and use to store garden tools. When I own a garage, I may give this a try!

#5 – Tweezers holder

Oh, if you have a magnetic surface near your bathroom, use it! Like this little magnet that holds tweezers in place or even nail or cuticle clippers.

#6 – Cutlery trays as jewelry holders

Brilliant! Great place to put all your precious metals.

Now, it’s time for some community news!

First up, I often get asked what food and nutrition philosophy do I recommend for babies and toddlers. Of course, I’ve done many videos on, but one book that I own and value is called Nourished Baby, by Heather, aka Mommypotamus.

This comprehensive ebook provides the rationale and recipes for a healthy diet for our young ones. Some of my favorites include Sweet Marrow Custard With Vanilla Bean and her Pina Colada Smoothie. Oh yes! She even has tips on how to reverse food sensitivities!

And right now, she’s offering a 20% discount with the code SUPER MAMA through August 31st so if you’re thinking you need a guide like this, act now! Here’s the link.
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Speaking of books, we have a published author in our midst. Yes, crunchy mama, Sarah Pinneo, sent me her charming novel, Julia’s Child.

OK, mamas, the protagonist could be any one of us. She’s a breastfeeding, baby-wearing mama who’s trying to change the world by launching her own line of organic toddler food.

(Um, I’ve often thought of doing the very same thing!)

Well, I’m not going to give away the end but let’s just say it was a fabulous read. Pinneo shows us a true and funny portrayal of our daily struggles as women.

Support a natural mama in our community and check out her book today!
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Lastly, when it comes to daily eating, we’re all familiar with, or perhaps practice, 3 meals a day.

But, over the past couple of decades, this practice is quickly becoming an antiquated idea.

There are many reasons for this:

  • Busy, on-the-go lifestyles
  • Medical advice and diet trends (think the Mini Meal)
  • The booming and enticing snack food industry
  • And the rising rate of emotional eating and obesity, which they are now calling a disease

You see, people are not only eating more often… they are eating more.

And the food industry happily accommodates with 24-hour food chains and stores.

The lines have gotten so blurred that studies find it difficult to calculate what constitutes a meal versus a snack.

As part of this, researchers are now seeing a growing trend of, what they’re calling, the 4th meal, usually eaten between 10PM and 6AM.

For obvious reasons, primarily younger populations practice this 4th meal more. But so do people working odd hours, nursing mamas, and older students.

If you enjoy the Show, please click the Facebook “Like” button below. It helps us reach more natural mamas!

{ 90 comments… read them below or add one }

Kristi August 25, 2012 at 9:23 pm

I already subscribe to your newsletter. :-)

We do 3 meals a day and I usually have a snack in the afternoon (smoothie). I am nursing and use the smoothie to pack in some extra calories. :-)

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pavla August 25, 2012 at 9:27 pm

We do 3 square meals and lots of snacking in between :)

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Alison August 25, 2012 at 9:28 pm

I’ve heard more than one person talk about the benefits of topical magnesium, but that stuff sure costs a pretty penny! What’s the difference between this and regular epsom salts, which are significantly more available & affordable?

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Genevieve August 28, 2012 at 1:05 pm

They are more potent and harvested from pristine inactive sea beds that has never been touched by modern day pollution.

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Priscilla August 25, 2012 at 9:34 pm

My husband and I typically have three meals a day with an occasional snack here and there throughout the week. Breakfast must include a piece of fruit or green/fruit smoothie with a bowl of yogurt or kefir. We’ve made adjustments in our spending to ensure that our lunch and dinner meals almost always include a portion of grassfed organic meat or wild caught seafood along with an unprocessed carbs such as potato or rice. We really enjoy soups too and making broth! Snacks are either roasted nuts/veggies on some days or some fresh fruit and raw cheese on others. We both really like dark chocolate as a snack, too but then again who doesn’t?! We are trying to reteach ourselves how to eat properly so that when the baby comes, we can pass along these healthy habits to them, as well. Even if we don’t win the contest, we still win in this regard, and that’s more than enough for me. :)

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Sonia August 25, 2012 at 10:05 pm

We do 3 meals and snack. :)

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Jennifer August 25, 2012 at 10:08 pm

We eat 4 or 5 smaller meals a day. My DD is not a huge eater and prefers to graze, so eating like this is best for her, and just easier for me to do it too. And I offer lot of snacks as well, usually just fruit or cheese & crackers.

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Jessica August 25, 2012 at 10:18 pm

My family eats 3 meals a day w lots of grazing in between for my almost 4 yo son……I’m nursing my 8 mon old daughter as well so someone is always hungry around here :)

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( : David'sKate : ) August 25, 2012 at 10:38 pm

We eat a late breakfast(98% of the time it’s fried eggs/1% smoothie/ 1% soaked porridge), snacks, a smoothie or leftovers for lunch, snacks, dinner (frequently soup), kids in bed and snacks. “Snacks” usually means cheese, or a pickle, or nuts, homemade granola bar, or popcorn. I’m nursing so I like snacks!
And I’m subscribed to your newsletter! My husband and I enjoy the informative and fun videos that you make! I found your blog somehow through the “Sh*t Crunchy Dads Say” video. That had us in hysterics!

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Genevieve August 28, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Oh good! Be sure to check out the Crunchy Mama videos too :) > XOXO!

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Meghan August 25, 2012 at 10:55 pm

3 meals and afternoon snack

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Janet Belcher August 25, 2012 at 11:11 pm

I would love to add this to my regime for healing my body. Have been dealing with Hashimotos disease and PCOS.

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Genevieve August 28, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Sorry to hear and minerals, including magnesium, should help!

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kathryn August 25, 2012 at 11:28 pm

We do 3 meals, a couple snacks, and drink plenty of water! All whole foods, no processed-refined-hydrogenated-fake foods in the crunchy Seattle home! I’m sprouting lentils and cooking up bone broth as we speak.
kathryn recently posted Salmon Cakes

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Olivia Guzman August 25, 2012 at 11:53 pm

I eat 3 meals a day, sometimes with light snacks in between. In my young days, when i’d include a 4th meal of the day, i’d wake up feeling like a 30lb rock in my stomach…yuck.

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Lorina August 26, 2012 at 12:39 am

We eat three meals and two snacks a day….my 6 to boy lately needs extra snacks!

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Kelly August 26, 2012 at 12:46 am

We usually do 3 a day and some snacking. I do more snacking than I should at night.

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jennifer lorenti August 26, 2012 at 12:57 am

I signed up for your newsletter. We usually eat 3 meals a day and a snack or two.

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Kathy Puffer August 26, 2012 at 7:22 am

I hope I win. I currently give one of my lids magnisium in capsules and espium salt baths are not an option. This may be a good alternative.

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Becky August 26, 2012 at 7:34 am

LOVE magnesium oil!

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Maeghan August 26, 2012 at 7:57 am

Somedays we get 3 full meals in…. other days we snack. It always depends on what we have going on. It keeps things interesting and makes us really appreciate it when we have a meal that took a lot of time and love. :)

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Jean August 26, 2012 at 8:36 am

Hi there! I already subscribe to your great newsletter! I’d love to win. I’m a. It fan of magnesium! Lol

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Stephanie Gabinet-Bethoulle August 26, 2012 at 12:24 pm

We do eat 3 meals a day- and with 3 boys there’s also usually at least one snack too. I try to have healthy fruits, veggies and nuts available. My hubby is the one I have to watch- he’s always bringing cookies and brownies into the house- and it’s a lot harder to convince the kids to have the veggies when they see cookies on the shelf!

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Kathy Puffer August 26, 2012 at 4:31 pm

We follow the Dr. Sears LEAN Kids method by grazing throughout the day for a total of two snacks and three “meals”. On a whole food diet we find that the “grazing” works best. We have breakfast, a mid -morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, and dinner. The snacks are usually raw cacao/goji berry/raw pumpkin seed bars I make myself or some other whole food item. Dinner tends to be a lighter meal for our day.

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Daisy August 26, 2012 at 7:52 pm

We do stick to three meals a day, with the kids (4 and 13) having an afternoon snack between 3-4 (kitchen closes at 4, with it being so close to dinner). I’m known to sneak into the freezer for some homemade coconut oil chocolates throughout the day, though… ;) And I do have bananas and other fruit out in case the teen decides he didn’t get enough to eat at any meal – he’s welcome to as much as he wants in that regard.

I love the giveaway this week… Someone just mentioned to me to look into magnesium as we prepare to hopefully get pregnant soon (after three miscarriages), knowing that I have hyperemesis gravidarum (severe “morning sickness) – apparently a magnesium deficiency can contribute to morning sickness, so I’m looking into that. Great timing! ;) And I’ll start tossing some walnuts into hubby’s lunchbox for work!

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veronica August 27, 2012 at 12:19 am

We eat 3 times, breakfast and dinner are the biggest meals. We usually eat left overs or something quick and easy for lunch. We still snack all day long, fruits, nuts etc. Hooray for the magnesium giveaway, got my fingers crossed!

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Cyndi August 27, 2012 at 11:31 am

Multiple smaller meals for me, but bigger, fewer healthy meals for my husband at work.

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Amanda August 27, 2012 at 1:54 pm

I was just reading about the benefits of magnesium for helping with morning sickness. I subscribe to your newsletter.

I’m pregnant right now so it’s lots of little meals around here. My hubby takes a sack lunch and dinner is usually together. There’s always lots of snacking!

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Emily Smith August 27, 2012 at 2:16 pm

We eat three meals, breakfast beginning healthy and hearty.

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Rachel Leigh August 27, 2012 at 7:27 pm

We eat whenever my 18 month old will eat! I make food all day long and she grazes. I eat more like 3 small meals a day with some snacks. We certainly could use more magnesium as I’m sure we all can! Thanks for the opportunity :) LOVE your videos :) :) :)

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Genevieve August 28, 2012 at 1:16 pm

Thanks Rachel! You made me day :) > XOXO

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Leah August 27, 2012 at 9:10 pm

I strive for consistent meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) but it doesn’t often happen. I’m lucky if I get one meal a day, plus some snacks… LOTS of my friends have “second dinners” and those are dangerous for packing on the pounds, or maybe it’s just staying up late that’s the problem.

I already subscribe :)

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Maria Castro August 27, 2012 at 9:31 pm

We eat three meals a day plus snack time, dinner always has to be early no later than 7pm otherwise we’ll be too stuff to go to bed. I have Nourished Baby by Heather Dessinger, absolutely best book there is for Parents and parents to be I always recommended to every friend…oh and btw I would love to win this give away, love your shows!

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Genevieve August 28, 2012 at 1:15 pm

Thanks hon! And glad to hear that you have Nourished Baby and enjoy as much as I did. XOXO

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Beckie August 28, 2012 at 10:36 am

Our families meal habits consist of 3 meals and 1-2 snacks – if this mama is on the ball. My husband and I tend to have a 4th meal of chicken wings, nachos or popcorn in the evenings if we stay up too late (past 10pm). I don’t think it’s overly healthy to eat after 7pm (unless your pregnant/breastfeeding) so we have tried to kick the habit by going to bed earlier.
Beckie recently posted Resurgence Conference 2012

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brittany barrett August 28, 2012 at 12:21 pm

we eat three meals together, but i find that i and my three yr old need one more snack in the afternoon around three. i also will be needing a night time snack when i start BF in a few weeks. i prefer to grab a bite of ready to eat smoked salmon, or a larabar.

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Sara E-C August 28, 2012 at 3:33 pm

I try to do several small meals – I *always* feel better when I can think ahead and prep enough to do this. But sometimes, I end up not eating much of anything at work, and then too much once I’m home – which is awful. Going to be trying to add smoothies in the morning, prep a couple of different small salads/snacks for lunch – this will make life so much nicer!

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Ashley August 28, 2012 at 8:42 pm

For those trying to conceive, I have two recommendations for you that really helped us do it! The first is a great book called The Fertility Diet by Chavarro, Willett, and Skerrett. They are not writing from a naturopath background, but I think experienced Natural Mamas will easily be able to take their knowledge and adapt their tips (i.e. raw milk instead of just “whole” milk). I liked that there was a lot of science backing up the tips, making it easier for me to stick to.

The other thing I recommend–especially for fellow PCOS victims–is the herb Vitex (agnus castus) ! A friend of mine told me that she had beat her PCOS and gotten pregnant with this herb, so I tried it myself. It worked in just 3 months!

My family of 2.5 eats three meals and about two snacks a day, including the “4th meal”! For breakfast we have granola and yogurt, plus a score of supplements and vitamins for me and baby. My husband eats a traditional Japanese lunch at his job–usually fish, rice, and soup–and I eat something light, like mini pizzas made from English muffins or a sandwich. For dinner we strive to have a “main” entree and at least 2 veggies/fruit sides but lately it’s been down to just 1.

I was never a big snacker before I was pregnant but now I’m hungry ALL THE TIME! And snacking often helps me keep my heartburn at bay. Our favorite snacks are nuts/dried fruit, cheese and crackers, yogurt, and sembe (a Japanese rice cracker). Because my husband stays up late after he gets home from his 9-5 to work on his freelance career (and sleep is kinda hard when you’re 8 months pregnant), we often 4th meal it together.

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Melissa September 6, 2012 at 11:19 am

3 meals a day, and while I allow my little one to snack (he’s a grazer…), I try not to, except that I sometimes drink milk or kefir between meals. We have been slowly adopting the Whole/Real Food lifestyle, and while I have eliminated nearly all processed garbage, my husband (and therefore, my son) are reluctant to give up all of it. I have been diligently working on getting them to see that food should nourish and feed our bodies, and that whole/real food really does taste good! If I could just make a real food toaster pastry that tastes EXACTLY like a Pop-Tart, we would be golden!! :P

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