Pregnancy and Birth

Things have certainly been full steam ahead on the birth reform front with the Federal Government introducing a number of new Bills into parliament that have set the stage to make home birth illegal in Australia by July 2010. For more up to date information visit Urgent Action Required if you want to have a homebirth after July 2010. Now is the time to make your voice heard and there are a number of ways you can do that. There is still time to send a letter or visit your Federal Member or you could also attend the Mother of All Rallies to be held in Canberra on the 7th September. If you are unable to attend send your virtual self by visiting Virtual Rally Ticket. I will be there with my baby girl so please come up and introduce yourself.

In this issue of our newsletter Katie Manitsas gives us some practical suggestions to support us in achieving a joyful birth. Su-Lin Sze explains the amazing healing properties of arnica and Dara Chadwick explores how we can avoid unconsciously passing on negative body image messages to our daughters. Readers can also enter and win a BabyWedge or Weleda products for their family.

Oranges with Culture Recipe
1. Serve a big bowl of organic oranges on the table with a side bowl for the peel and a side bowl or napkins for the soon to be sticky hands.

2. Everyone to peel and slice the amount of oranges they desire into their own bowl.

3. Top with a dollop of kefir cream (recipe following) and a drizzle of raw honey and/or Grand Marnier. Garnish with sprigs of mint if desired.

4. So simple yet so delicious!

See then complete recipe here Oranges with Culture Recipe

Recipes on Natural Parenting by Julie Philliips

Goto the recipes section of our Forum

1. Win a BABYWEDGE for your family!
Originally developed as an infant support product to combat colic and reflux, the all- Australian BABYWEDGE'S innovative and clever design makes it a practical tool for every family.

Developed by Brisbane 'super sisters' Hayley Birtles-Eades and Sally Martin, the BABYWEDGE is a product that is invaluable from pregnancy as a side sleeping belly support all the way through to when the kids go to school.

A highly practical product with multi-uses, BABYWEDGE weighs just 500 grams. It can be used as a lightweight and portable infant bed you can take everywhere- an innovative alternative to carry cots or strollers and perfect for when your little one needs to sleep, rest or have tummy time in absolute comfort.

To enter send your details to susan@naturalparenting.com.au and put "Babywedge Competition" in the subject heading. Entries close 20th August and the winner will be published in our next newsletter.

2. Weleda Giveaway
Weleda is giving our members the opportunity to win a full size Arnica Oil and Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream. To enter please send your details to susan@naturalparenting.com.au and include "Weleda competition" as the subject heading. Entries close on 20th August. Winners will be included in the next newsletter.

Arnica Massage Oil and Sea Buckthorn Hand Cream from Weleda

Arnica Massage Oil can help with muscle aches and pain, bruising, sports injuries and back ache. Sea Buckthorn Handcream protects hard working hands reliably from moisture loss and restores rough and stressed skin to become smooth and supple again. The intensively active cream is rapidly absorbed without leaving any oily residue. Weleda products are free of synthetic preservatives (including parabens), fragrances, colours, mineral oils and emulsifying agents. Weleda has never used animal testing.

Last month's winners

CONGRATULATIONS to the follow winners of Jane Lee Wiesner's new book Who Am I: Yoga for Children of All Ages.
Maria De Conno, Ruth Shanahan, Melissa Sifonios, Sharon Damrow and Tani Baby. You will receive your prize in the mail very shortly!

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