Hello, I’m Amanda Tyson and I had my son circumcised. I did it because it was “healthier.” I did it because my husband and brothers are all circumcised. I did ...
Previously on MotherWise
Gluten-Free: It’s an Evolution
There are many benefits of eliminating gluten from your diet, but it can be hard to know where to begin. Time and time again I am told, “Oh I could never go gluten-free, it would be so hard.” To which my response is always, “It takes time to get used to but as you go […]
I Did NOT Consent: My Terrifying Experience with Pitocin
Pitocin is a synthetic version of Oxytocin, a hormone naturally created in the body. Oxytocin is released naturally during kissing, intercourse, and birth. It reduces the stress hormone known as Cortisol and assists the mother in bonding with her baby. Oxytocin also helps stimulate lactation. Using pitocin reduces the body’s production of Oxytocin. This can […]
Why I Breastfeed in Public
On our Facebook page, we often post breastfeeding photos as part of our effort to normalize nursing, and the reaction is always the same: lots of support and celebration, lots of oohs and ahhs, but also a plethora of insulting, attacking, disgusting comments. No matter how many times this happens, I am always stunned by […]
Sitz Bath Healing Time
After birthing, every woman needs dedicated time to heal and regroup while acclimating to the addition of a family member. While keeping up on hydration, nutrition, and rest is imperative there are other things women, and those who support them, can do to assist along this healing journey. One of the wonders nature provides is […]
An Open Letter to Facebook
First I would like to start off by thanking you for creating a wonderful social networking site that brings people together with family, friends, and their community. It helps small businesses grow, and lets us create communities that suit our personal interests. We can spend time relaxing and talking with friends, or sit back and play some games […]
Hiring a Doula Can Benefit You During Childbirth
Many women go into childbirth underprepared and underinformed; this is where hiring a doula makes a huge difference. It can be overwhelming trying to sort through the sometimes conflicting information related to birth available online, in books or from family and friends. You may also have fears or concerns that are keeping you from trusting your […]
The First Rule of Circumcision Deaths Is: Don’t Talk About Circumcision Deaths
So let’s see: A baby with a serious heart condition is circumcised, bleeds profusely, and dies. But we’re not supposed to blame it on circumcision, because the baby had a heart condition. A toddler is put under general anesthesia to be circumcised, and he dies shortly after he wakes up. But we’re not supposed to […]
10 Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar. It’s something we talk about often on our MotherWise Facebook page, because of its many uses and healing properties. But it’s important to know that not all ACV is the same. Some brands are high-quality, organic, fermented, and raw. Other brands are low-quality, pasteurized, and non-living/raw. ACV is made by fermenting apple […]
My Vaccine Info
Vaccination. The topic is enough to make my stomach churn, because of the ugliness that so often follows. I’ve read a million debates about breastfeeding and formula, circumcision, cry-it-out, carseats, and more. Yet nothing gets so viciously attacked as the choice to refuse or even question vaccines. Some people say it’s because non-vaccinators are putting […]
Why Choose Placenta Encapsulation?
Reposted with permission from Holistic Birth of Orlando. We are the only eutheria (placental mammals) that do not eat our placentas after birth. Why is this? It seems to me that we have been too far removed from trusting our bodies. It’s also common in America to think of medicine as something manipulated or invented by […]
Pregnancy Announcement Etiquette
For some people, announcing a pregnancy is a happy, exciting time. Many soon-to-be mothers experience joyous reactions, hugs, happy tears, high-fives, and other loving, encouraging responses. Others are not so fortunate, and it seems that an etiquette guide is in order. I am a single parent, and although I was 23 and had a good […]
Bi-Racial Kids’ Hair Tricks and Tips
I have a beautiful daughter who is mixed-race, and one challenge was figuring out how to let her natural hair shine through with all of its potential. It was definitely trial and error figuring out what worked best for her, but this is what I have learned, and I would like to pass it along! […]
Our Bedroom, Our Sanctuary
During bedtime, I often get quite a bit of contemplation time. A recent topic that has been streaming through my mind is how important my bedroom is to me. Lately things have been a bit hectic, so our bedroom has not been up to my standards in orderliness/cleanliness. Now, before you jump to any conclusions […]
GOOT: Garlic Olive Oil Treatment (With Coconut Oil)
Among the many medicinal food choices out there, garlic is one of the best. It is a highly anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory food. I often turn to garlic during cold and flu season, because it fights infection and protects the immune system so well. GOOT (Garlic Olive Oil Treatment) is a powerful medicine traditionally made […]
A How-To Guide for the World of Cloth Diapering
Cloth diapers aren’t that complicated. That being said, this will a long blog, packed with information. Take time to read it section by section. I am reviewing all of your options, but you don’t need all of this info. I just want you to be informed about all aspects of cloth diapering, so you can […]
My Journey to Understanding the Truth About Circumcision
I was seventeen when I found out I was pregnant for the first time. I didn’t have much support locally but thought I understood enough of the basics of how to birth and care for a child. I knew it would be challenging and confusing at times but I also knew I loved the small […]
Quick and Healthy White Chili!
This chili is typically called White Chili because it has cheese in it, making it a lighter red-orange color, and because of the white beans that are most often used. In today’s version I used aduki beans because I did not have white beans, nor did the health food section of the grocery store closest […]
Planting Seeds of Awareness with Bumper Stickers
When I first started learning about breastfeeding, attachment parenting, circumcision, gentle discipline, etc. I enthusiastically purchased some bumper stickers espousing the messages I believe in, hoping to plant seeds of information at every stop light and traffic jam. Since then, I have received some angry looks, some honks of support or disgust, plenty of glares, […]
10 Tips to Tame a Tantrum
“Tantrums” are normal reactions from kids that almost every parent deals with at some point. They can be frustrating and scary for us, particularly if we do not have the tools to guide our children through them in a healthy way. Understanding where they come from can be endlessly helpful. Tantrums are urgent, overwhelming panic […]
The Skin and Gluten Connection
Gluten. First off, what is it? “The mixture of proteins, including gliadins and glutelins, found in wheat grains, which are not soluble in water and which give wheat dough its elastic texture.” [1] “Any of the prolamins found in cereal grains, especially the prolamins in wheat, rye, barley, and possibly oats, that cause digestive disorders […]
Whole Nutrition and Food-Based Vitamins: Keys to Total Health
Vitamins. There are so many options available today that it can be overwhelming. What types of vitamins are out there? What kind of supplement is best? Do people even need to take vitamins? The truth is that not all vitamins are created equal, and knowing the difference is essential. My experience with vitamins began when […]
From Cereal To Scalpels
Circumcision and cornflakes? Looking back at how circumcision was introduced to America we will come across a man named Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of Corn Flakes fame) who believed circumcision—especially when performed without anesthetic—would create a link in the patient’s mind between sex and pain, and would make sex less pleasurable and abstinence easier. The […]
Meet the MotherWise Bloggers: Nicole
My name is Nicole Donald. I’m 29 years old and currently living in Orlando, Florida with my wonderful husband and our five children. I am a Doula presently working on certification through DONA; I’m also a photographer and a licensed hair stylist. I grew up around the Minneapolis, MN area; I was raised by my […]
Meet the MotherWise Bloggers: Amanda
Hey there! My name is Amanda. I am a 28-(in February)-year-old mama and wife. My husband’s name is Ramsey (24yo), and my son’s name is Jasper (almost 1 year). We have a Texas Heeler named Opie who is 1.5 years old and a Ball Python named Monty. My husband and I both grew up near Chattanooga, TN. […]
Meet the MotherWise Bloggers: Crystal
Hello everyone! I’m Crystal. I suppose it’s only appropriate that I start from the beginning. From the ethers of time and space I chose my parents, landed on this planet and began my journey. In my early youth I enjoyed writing and reading. I wrote stories with our old typewriter, and then our newer typewriter. […]
Meet the MotherWise Bloggers: Jackie
Hello my MotherWise Family. We are all so excited to share this new journey with you, and we would also like to share a bit about ourselves so you can learn more about us, and what has brought us to this point in our lives. My name is Jackie Nickerson. Born and raised in a […]
Meet the MotherWise Bloggers: Kristen
My journey into attachment parenting and mothering-as-activism began long before I became a mother. I have been into alternative living since I can remember, choosing vegetarianism at 12, shaving my head for the sake of Buddhist-style simplicity/punk rock style at 15, and moving away from home to attend an alternative art school at 16. I’ve been […]
Chocolate Muffins (Gluten-Free and Refined Sugar-Free)
I never used to enjoy baking, because I wasn’t comfortable with using white/wheat flour or refined sugar, and I wasn’t sure what alternatives were available. But ever since I discovered almond, coconut, chickpea, etc. flours and figured out how to bake with alternative sweeteners like maple syrup and raw honey, I’ve been obsessed with creating […]
Homemade Bone Broth: Healing Gold
Bone Broth is something that numerous people benefit from and enjoy creating. In my household broth is like gold! We make it on a regular basis, sometimes multiple times a week. The health benefits are numerous, including its amazing ability to help heal gut damage. More and more evidence is showing that gut health affects […]
Spring-Inspired Healthy Snack
This is a very quick, easy, and refreshing summer snack! It’s one of my favorites, because it is an interesting mix of tastes and kids seem to really enjoy the sweetness of it! All you will need is 3 simple ingredients: Honeydew Melon Fresh Mozzarella Fresh Mint First, I crumble up the mozzarella and chop […]
Natural Egg Dyeing for Easter/Ostara/Spring Equinox!
Whether you celebrate Easter, Ostara, Spring Equinox, all or none of the above, dyeing eggs is a fun, crafty tradition that children love to be involved in. However, using toxic food coloring is something most natural living families probably want to avoid. Thankfully there are many options for eco-friendly egg dyeing! Some all natural options […]
Nourishing Hot Chocolate (With Coconut Oil!)
If you’ve heard of the many benefits of coconut oil, and you’re trying to work more of it into your child’s diet, this hot chocolate recipe is a great option! Coconut oil is particularly good for children because the fats are essential for a growing brain and body, and it also has anti-viral and anti-bacterial […]
