Aliens came to my home this week. They landed in the back yard, came into my house and kidnapped my children. Fortunately they replaced them with new beings. The new arrivals were amazingly polite, cooperative and happy to play nicely with each other. They created elaborate games together and spent endless hours in each others company without so much as a harsh word between them. I was totally perplexed wondering if the aliens could visit more regularly or maybe even move in!

Funny how life works. When I consider all the tireless effort I put into reading, talking with other parents and workshops only to find that my children seem to find their own pathways in their own time. And usually with more lasting results than my efforts can muster.

All in all it is nice to be reminded to trust in my children and allow them to unfold. And what a relief! Well until the next round I guess! Hopefully next time I won't fly into automatic fix it mode and try to remind myself of the alien snatch. Not to mention taking a long warm bath to float the anguish and heartache away. Nothing like a good dose of self nurturing to shift the family blues.

Anyway, down to this newsletter. In this issue Herbalist Su-Lin Sze discusses a herbal approach to addressing low milk supply when breastfeeding. Debbie Clemens sheds light on how to support our babies diagnosed with hip dysplasia and Joanne Bryant helps us prepare our children for travel over the coming Christmas holidays. Not to forget something for dads with a great new approach to childbirth - take it to the pub! Happy reading everyone. And don't forget about the great prizes to be won this month!

Warm wishes
Susan
Editor

Sourdough Bread Recipe

Our family is having heaps of fun at the moment making our own bread. Here is a simple Sourdough Bread recipe that does not require any fancy equipment, just the basics of flour and water and a bit of time. Sourdough Bread differs from most commercially produced breads in its flavour and health benefits. Making the starter from which this bread is based uses the natural yeasts around us. The fermentation process increases the absorption of calcium and starches and B group vitamins making sourdough bread far more nutritious for growing bodies.

To begin this process you firstly need to make a starter. For this you need:

• 1/2 cup of flour (use 100% stone-ground organic wholemeal flour for a great result)
• 1/4 cup of warm water (You need to use unchlorinated water. You can make this by boiling the kettle and then letting the water cool.)

Start by mixing these two ingredients in a glass jug. Place some muslin cloth over the top and leave the mixture on top of the fridge for a couple of days.

After this time you will start to see a grey layer developing on the top. Remove this with a spoon and then begin to feed your starter again by stirring in another 1/4 cup of flour and enough warm water to get a consistency like thick porridge.

See then complete recipe here Sourdough Bread Recipe

or

Visit the recipes section of our Forum

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Like to win a free box of Nursing Tea?
Weleda, producer of natural and biodynamic products for mother and baby, are giving away five free boxes of Nursing Tea.

Weleda Nursing Tea contains 100% certified organic plant ingredients, including Anise, Fennel, Caraway, Fenugreek and leaves from Lemon Verbena.

These herbal ingredients have traditionally been used for lactation support and promoting healthy milk flow. Pleasant tasting with an aromatic fragrance, Weleda Nursing Tea supports relaxed and harmonious breastfeeding.

More information about Weleda Nursing Tea and the complete range of Weleda products for mother and baby can be found at our website: www.weleda.com.au

To enter please send an email to susan@naturalparenting.com.au with WELEDA in the subject heading. Entries close 30th November 2009.

Win a copy of Dance of the Womb - A Gentle Guide to Belly Dance for Pregnancy and Birth DVD!!

Follow Maha as she leads you through an easy, gentle and sensual pre-natal exercise programme that includes a wonderful dance stretch warm up and six bellydancebirth dance instructions from the circle to the hands and arms to the chest movements. Maha's style is more about the heart of belly dance rather than being performance based. This opens the way for women to freely participate in this ancient birthing practice without inhibition.

Maha's DVD also celebrates and shares her wonderful homebirth experience at 46 years of age, utilising her bellydancebirth techniques in a lovely 50 minute film journey set against a lively background conversation with two midwives.

For your chance to win email susan@naturalparenting.com.au with Bellydance in the subject heading. Entries close 30th November 2009.

Congratulations to our October newsletter prize winners!

Winners of the Indigo Dreaming Affirmation Card sets are Geraldine and Aloys Baillet and Julie White. Winners of the Affirmation Garden Adventure book for Children are Justine Whitfield, Lisa Vaccaro and Lucy Woodsmith.

Enjoy everyone!

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