It seems as though more and more women are seeing the benefit of having a natural birth without pain medications such as epidurals.  Epidurals are known to increase the rates of cesarean sections and can have an affect on your unborn child.  A good blogging friend of mine, who has a wonderful creative blog over at The Southern Institute that covers everything from crafting, fashion, and cooking has written an ebook called Unbound Birth: How to Have a Natural Birth in the Hospital.  Jenny makes her home in Nashville, Tennessee and is a childbirth educator, mama of three, and a farmer’s market frequenter like me.

After reading her ebook a couple of nights ago, I strongly believe that this is a book that every mother should read to get her started on her journey of what her birth choices are.  Jenny’s ebook is easy to read, to the point, and like you are having a cup of coffee with her.  She covers birth stories of all three of her little ones and gives you the big picture of her journey as a mom giving birth.  She also has great information on why to hiring a doula can be important for your birth team, the importance of nutrition during pregnancy, as well as a host of other useful information.

I loved this book because, I felt like Jenny’s story is much of the same as mine.  And, her heart much like mine is to help educate women so that they can have a satisfying and empowering birth experience.  If you are pregnant, or know of a pregnant mommy make sure you go to Jenny’s website Unbound Birth, click around and read the testimonials of the book and her heart behind it.  I know that you won’t be disappointed!

Unbound Birth retails for $4.99 and can be purchased for your Kindle, Nook, or in PDF format.

Then, please visit my site Endless Blessings and find out how you can have the support you need to have a little blessing in the high country!  Sign up for our newsletters to get great pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting information so that you can have the best birth possible!   And, stop by next week for some great promotions that we will have happening!

Celebrate National Children’s Dental Health Month at the Boone Mall!

This Saturday Februrary 4th, the Adult and Child Orthodonists are co-sponsoring National Children’s Dental Health Month Fair at the Boone Mall where children can receive free toothbrushes and information for both children and parents on proper dental health care. You can find displays at the entrance to Old Navy the event’s co-sponsor from 10am -4pm on Saturday!

American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR and AED Course

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
6-9 pm
Watauga Medical Center Auditorium
Cost   $40
Class size is limited.  You must call to pre-register and prepay.
Contact:
Candy Jones
ARHS Community Outreach
(828) 268-8960
cfjones@apprhs.org

This course is designed for community members who want to learn CPR for adults, children, and infants; how to help a choking victim, and use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).  Upon completion of this course, participants will receive a certification card which is valid for 2 years.

American Heart Association BLS for HCP Part II- Skills Check
Tuesday, February 7th, 2012
5-6 pm
Watauga Medical Center Auditorium
Cost $15
Class size is limited.  You must call to pre-register and prepay.
Contact:
Candy Jones
ARHS Community Outreach
(828) 268-8960
cfjones@apprhs.org

This course is for Healthcare Providers seeking an initial or renewal Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Course completion card.
Part I online (go to onlineAHA.org) can be completed in approximately 1-2 hours.  You must bring your Part I completion certificate to the skills check.
Part II – the skills check will take approximately 1 hour.

American Heart Association First Aid Course
Tuesday, February 21st, 2012
6-9 pm
Watauga Medical Center Auditorium
Cost $30
Class size is limited.  You must call to pre-register and prepay.  Contact:
Candy Jones
ARHS Community Outreach
(828) 268-8960
cfjones@apprhs.org

This course is designed for  community members who want to learn basic first aid skills- how to recognize and respond to different emergencies- heart attack, stroke, choking, bleeding, seizures, diabetic reactions, breathing problems, shock, and environmental emergencies.  Upon completion of this course, participants receive a card which is valid for 2 years.

It has been nearly 30 days that hubby has been on his special diet cutting out everything except fruits low on the glycemic index, vegetables, and meat.  Hubby has hypothyroidism and you can read more about it in this post On the Road to Thyroid Healing.  I am so proud of my husband, he has done great!  This diet has been a tough one, but he has stuck to it and now with only one day left he is about to start reintroducing foods back into his diet to see what foods that he is sensitive to.

Hubby still isn’t sure what he might have to cut out of his diet permanently, but he has a sinking feeling that it might be gluten.  I am praying that it is not, but at the same time I would not be surprised.  Gluten has seemed to give him a lot of problem in the past couple of years, as it does for more people than you might realize.

If you struggle with hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue, constipation, or overall digestive issues you really might want to check out this book Why Do I Still Have Thyroid Symptoms? When My Lab Tests Are Normal: A Revolutionary Breakthrough In Understanding Hashimoto’s Disease and Hypothyroidism, it really might change your life.  Plus, there is a chiropractor in town that has taken his (the author’s) specialized classes and practices functional medicine.  It is amazing and I am excited to get to the bottom of hubby’s problems.  At least if we know what they are we will be in a better position to make decisions for treatment.

If hubby needs to go gluten free or not, I always like to be well informed about foods and restaurants that cater to dietary need of individuals, just in case. So, I did a little research to find out about places in the high country that have gluten free menus.  For you if you have a gluten intolerance or those you might know who need to eat gluten free.  Although I am sure there are many restaurants that will cater to individuals that might have to eat Gluten Free it is also always good to know places where you can just sit down and ask for a regular menu.

Gluten Free High Country Restaurants:

Mellow mushroom: Gluten free pizza option

Primos (Boone Mall): Gluten free pizza option and pasta option as well

Hob-Nob: Gluten free options are marked on the menu

Coyote Kitchen: Gluten free options avaliable

The Red Onion: Just ask for a whole gluten free menu

Char: I’m told they have a gluten free menu as well

Chick-fil-a: There are now many grilled chicken options including in the kids meals!

Which Which: One of my new favorite sandwich spots, which which offers a bowl option where it is presented in a yummy sort of salad sandwich sort of a presentation.

Ruby Tuesdays: I’m not sure if they have a gluten free menu or if it is marked on their menu, but apparently it is easy to find.

Outback: Plenty of gluten free options

Do you have to eat Gluten Free?  Do you know any other High Country restaurants that gluten free or have clear gluten free options?

Are you ready for a healthier you? Have you been wanting to shop at Earth Fare and see what they are all about? Do you already shop there regularly, but want more bargains? Well, the Train heading for healthier living is waiting for you to get aboard,  and the pit stop is the Earth Fare grocery store with a $25 Gift Card Giveaway!

That's right, Earth Fare grocery stores are all about living a different way, a way of returning back to whole, organic, no pesticides or chemicals in their foods, even providing local foods for sale. Their philosophy is that "the foods that Earth Fare sells are as close to the ground as it gets, meaning that they have high standards for what goes on their shelves"! By eating organic, which is more affordable than you might think, it is "choosing to invest in the health and future of yourself, your children, and your planet". Earth Fare wants to help in this area by making your grocery shopping an exciting adventure by receiving money-saving coupons by text on your cell phone.

Get Coupons Now!

Earth Fare has a great incentive for signing up for their new "Mobile Text Co