My Cup

The Business of Being Born Movie!!

babysolomon — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:36:42 GMT

The Business of being born this Wednesday Wednesday, February 20th, at 7p.m. at the Lexington Convention Center FREE and open to the public! Doors open at 6p.m. Watch the trailor: http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com/ I gave birth to my son, Solomon, at home in the water without drugs and intervention. I felt safe the entire time. Birth is not an illness or a medical condition.Please do your research before you ever tell someone homebirth or natural childbirth is unsafe.

Happy Valentines Day!

babysolomon — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:52:21 GMT

Love should be celebrated everyday. Know I love you all everyday even if I don't buy you a card or some tasty organic fair trade chocolate. <<**HUGS**>>

Facts I recently learned

babysolomon — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 00:41:20 GMT

1. North Americans consume on average 1174 lbs. of chocolate per year. The Swiss consume on average 22.4 lbs. per person. 2. It takes 200 cacoa seeds to make one pound of chocolate. Each cocao pod hold about 50 beans. 3. Conventional table salt is heated to 1200 degrees and most of it's nutrients and trace minerals are extracted. It is not good for you. Sea salt and Himalya Salt have natural trace elements in it and is NOT linked with high blood pressure and many other diseases associated with salt. 4. Without salt you will die. 5. Our bodies need iodine. Most countries with a lack of iodine suffer from major illnesses and thyroid problems. 6. Jimmy Carter was the first president to be born in a hospital. 7. The U.S. claims to have superior medical knowledge and has one of the highest maternal and infant mortalities in the world. 8. Men invented knitting. Yes, men knit, and, in fact, have always knitted. When the craft was first invented it was mostly men who knit, and the tradition might have come from men working on fishing nets 9. Men in Papua New Guinea carry their newborn children in a net hammock balanced on their heads. 10. You can make yogurt from breastmilk and live active cultures in yogurt.

The flu

babysolomon — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 01:29:14 GMT

The Flu It's flu season again. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 8% of the nation's deaths last week were from the flu and flu-associated pneumonia. Considering all the ways there are to die, that's a pretty substantial percentage. Here's more bad news-- there are only four FDA-approved drugs that have antiviral properties against the Flu; all of them are relatively new, and all of them have side effects that are potentially serious; and this year, Flu viruses have developed resistance to at least three of them. And even more bad news-- the Flu vaccine, which has been with us for more than thirty years now, has failed to reduce the incidence of the flu. In fact, incidence of the flu has more than tripled since the vaccine's introduction. Every year, at least half of the people I see with the flu, were vaccinated for it. Aggressive marketing campaigns for the vaccine products have made them very popular, but have failed to make them any more effective. There are some things that can be done to help prevent the flu. First and foremost is staying away from people who have it. This means that trips to public places should be minimized, since contact with infected people is more probable. Frequent hand washing, with soap and water, might also be helpful (remember that antibacterial hand sanitizers have no effect on the flu, as it is not caused by bacteria). Keeping your body as healthy as possible is also a good step to take-- being extra careful to get good sleep and good nutrition. While there may not be any hard data available o exactly how much effect this will have on this year's flu season, it stands to reason that it will improve your odds of avoiding or recovering from any epidemic, and it's a good step to take in any case. Herbs to strengthen the immune system can also be beneficial. Some ideas for this are included in my blog entry on immune health, so i won't repeat them here. Usnea is one herb in particular that i always use during flu outbreaks. It contains Beta Glucans, which have a demonstrated and well-researched effect on improving immune function. It also contains some antiviral substances, which keep the virus from taking hold in the body, and some substances that help reduce fever and body aches if the illness is already in progress. Year after year, this is the herb that i rely on to keep me from getting sick while treating individuals who have the flu, and one of the most common ones i give to the patients who have it. Melissa, or Lemon Balm, is another herb with antiviral properties. It produces drowsiness and sleep, but can be very helpful in people who are run down and need deep sleep in addition to its antiviral properties. However, this herb is not for everyone, and especially not for anyone who is already experiencing respiratory distress. Thyme can be a very useful herb in keeping the lungs free of infection. Often, people who become extremely ill in association with the flu also develop bacterial infection, in which case thyme can make the difference between recovering and dying (as mentioned elsewhere, antibiotic resistant bacteria tend not to be resistant to the variety of substances in herbal medicines) . Prevention of the Flu is the best possible situation, but if it does strike prompt and thoughtful treatment can make the difference between a relative short period of ill health and an extended one. Written by Andrew Bently, Lexington, KY herbalist

Random Acts of Kindness Week

babysolomon — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:56:28 GMT

Sunday the 10th starts Random Acts of Kindness Week and it ends on the 16th (but it doesn't have to). What constitutes a random act of kindness? Well, it will come to. It could be as simple as putting change is someone's about to be expired parking meter or leaving flowers on someone's car. Make a meal for a friend who has been super busy or stressed, clean your friends kitchen who has just had a baby or offer whatever you are good at randomly. I am so excited about this week. And I hope you are too. I don't plan on stopping on the 16th though.

~My Henna Website is Live!!~

babysolomon — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 01:09:25 GMT

Check my new website out: www.redlotushenna.com

Organic Chocolate for V-Day

babysolomon — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:34:18 GMT

TIP OF THE WEEK: UNCHAIN YOUR HEART: BREAK THE CHAINS OF TOXIC PESTICIDES AND CHILD SLAVERY ON VALENTINE'S DAY Tis that time of year when more than 20 million Americans are buying sweets and flowers for their loved ones on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, these tokens of love aren't as sweet or pure as they may appear. Over 40 percent of the world's conventional chocolate (i.e. non-organic and non-Fair Trade) comes from Africa's Ivory Coast, where the International Labor Organization and US State Department have reported widespread instances of child slavery. Meanwhile, commercial flowers, most of which are produced in countries such as Colombia, are the most toxic and heavily sprayed agricultural crops on Earth. In order for you to deliver your bouquet to your beauty, poorly paid workers in Third World countries put in up to 18 hour work days for poverty wages during peak flower buying times such as Valentine's Day. But don't let the bad news squelch your Valentine's plans. Show your love by choosing Fair Trade and organic flowers and chocolate for your Valentine's Day gifts. Check out OCA's Buying Guide, watch an entertaining flash movie and take action against the 5 major chocolate and flower corporations: www.organicconsumers.org/valentines/

It's my 29th Birthday

babysolomon — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 13:54:02 GMT

It's going to be a cold day today but I plan on staying warm with my little family. This is my last year in my 20's!

New pictures, finally!!

babysolomon — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 16:29:58 GMT

Check them out. I will post birthday pictures later. Our computer has been down but we're back!

Question

babysolomon — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 18:23:26 GMT

I wonder about this existence. Are we put here to realize we are all one? If so what does that mean? We are taught to be loner prideful human beings. We are taught to hate that is different from us. When we look deep within our habitual patterns and see we constantly have been relearning the same lessons helps us to break the cycle of SOME of our own suffering. we can see being prideful and alone is not a path to happiness. We have to open our heart to the human race. Having loving kindness and compassion for yourself and everyone else is not easy. To forgive even that you morally hate is hard to do. It's easy to shut doors and have zero tolerance but it doesn't feel good inside. I keep coming back to love and what it truly means to love all beings. What do you think?

Happy Birthday Solomon

babysolomon — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 03:54:40 GMT

It's sometimes hard to believe when something marks that one year has passed yet again. It's even harder to believe when you carried and grew a baby inside of you and pushed the star soul out into the world. I've fed him, held him, washed him, sang to him and just been ma-ma. He now is walking a little, pushing his wagon everywhere, signing "more", climbing on everything and has so much personality. Happy Birthday my beautiful boy!

Dreams-Goals-Life

babysolomon — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:21:16 GMT

What were your dreams you had about you life? Or what did you imagine your life would be like in this stage? What are you planning to do for a career? I have been thinking of these questions this morning. I think I have been confused a lot in my life about which path to follow. I thought I would have been a very successful massage therapist which was starting to happen but I quit my job. I tried to apprentice to be a midwife three years ago but the door was shut and then I became a mama, yeah. My horoscope and tarot have all been pointing in the direction of career and creativity a lot lately. I am going to start assisting births late spring with a home birth midwife. We'll see if that door has re open. If not I might do something drastic and study to become a Certified Nurse Midwife or doctor. I am serious. I think I could work within the system and be an advocate for change. I know it would take a long time but my family would be set financially. I would be almost 40 if it took 10 years to be a doctor. I need to research it more. This is an idea. I feel like this time in my life is a perfect time to choose a path and make it happen. Not only is midwifery illegal in Kentucky but so is homeopathy and naturopathic doctors. Now that I have a family I cannot take the chance and risk anything illegal.

Various silly names

babysolomon — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 15:24:40 GMT

1.YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car) Miss Kitty Forrester 2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (fave ice cream flavor, favorite cookie) Moosepaw macadamia 3. YOUR “FLY GIRL” NAME: (first initial of first name, first syllable of your last name?) J-McAl 4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal) Red buck 5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born) Rae Somerset 6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first), Mcaja 7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink) The Yellow numi 8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers) James Theodore 10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names ), Renee James 11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter), Grigsby Gaitlinburg 12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower). Samhein Zinnia 13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”) Banana bathrobe **painting by Jamie Jones

Add me as a friend on Facebook

babysolomon — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:01:19 GMT

Search for: Jamie Rae McAlpin

I want to know you

babysolomon — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:59:18 GMT

Body: YOU'RE ON MY FRIENDS LIST, I WANNA KNOW YOU...I want to know 36 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, never liked each other, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine...You're on my list, so I want to know you better! BE HONEST COPY FROM HERE THEN SEND DIRECTLY TO ME IN A MESSAGE THEN, REPOST THE EMPTY QUESTIONS AS A BULLETIN. 1.)Q. Can you cook? 1.)A. 2.)Q. What was your dream growing up? 2.)A. 3.)Q. What talent do you wish you had? 3.)A. 4.)Q. If I bought you a drink what would it be? 4.)A. 5.)Q. Favorite vegetable? 5.)A 6.)Q. What was the last book you read? 6.)A. 7.)Q. What zodiac sign are you ? 7.)A. 8.)Q. Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? 8.)A 9.)Q. Worst Habit? 9.)A. 10.)Q. If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? 10.)A. 11.)Q. What is your favorite sport? 11.)A 12.)Q. Negative or Optimistic attitude? 12.)A. 13. )Q. What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? 13.)A 14.)Q. Worst thing to ever happen to you? 14.)A. 15.)Q. Tell me one weird fact about you 15.)A 16.)Q. Do you have any pets? 16.)A. 17.)Q. What if i showed up at your house unexpectedly? 17.)A. 18.)Q. What was your first impression of me? 18.)A. 19.)Q. Do you think clowns are cute or scary? 19.)A. 20.)Q. If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be??? 20.)A 21.)Q. Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? 21.)A 22.)Q. What color eyes do you have? 22.)A. 23.)Q. Ever been arrested? 23.)A. 24.)Q. Bottle or Draft? 24.)A. 25.)Q. If you won $10,000 dollars today, what would you do with it? 25.)A. 26.)Q. Would you date me? 26.)A. 27.)Q. What 's your favorite place to hang at? 27.)A. 28.)Q. Do you believe in ghosts? 28.)A. 29.)Q. Favorite thing to do in your spare time? 29.)A. 30.)Q. Do you swear a lot? 30.)A. 31.)Q. Biggest pet peeve? 31.)A. 32.)Q. In one word, how would you describe yourself? 32.)A. 33.)Q. Do you believe/appreciate romance? 33.)A. 34.)Q. If you could spend 12 hours with me and ask/do anything you like, what would it be? 34.)A. 35)Q. Do you believe in God? 35)A. 36.)Q. Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same?

KY Applebees told this mom to cover up.

babysolomon — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 17:00:37 GMT

http://www.kentuckyconnect.com/454/story/161993.html

Lotus Moon Mehndi

babysolomon — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:00:57 GMT

This is the name of my henna sisters combined when we work together. this is the name we will be using during the Woodland Arts Festival. Look for us this weekend August 18th 10-6p & August 19th 11-5p We will be in a red tent. my myspace page is still www.myspace.com/redlotushenna Jai ma.

Jamie to Jai Ma

babysolomon — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 01:25:47 GMT

Jai ma, Jai ma, Jai ma, Jai ma! Victory to the divine mother. Everytime I hear my name or this chant I think it's one or the other. Let it be noted. Om namah shivaya!

Bridal Henna

babysolomon — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 03:47:18 GMT

This is the finished stain on a friend's feet I did the day before her wedding. I think brides should definetely have henna.

Solomon Crawling (Video)

babysolomon — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 03:09:49 GMT

For those of you I haven't spoken too, my little guy has been crawling for a while. Here's a link to a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15rjujaLAQk

Babies Celebrated

babysolomon — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:10:06 GMT

This book is a wonderful study on babies in other cultures. Their practices of babywearing, mothering, fathering, grandparents, the role of siblings, cradles, hammocks, washing, bathing, massage, dressing, traveling and working with baby on your back. I felt connected to these women in many ways. It's a beautiful book, if not only for the pictures.

Solomon meets a duckie

babysolomon — Sun, 20 May 2007 16:14:31 GMT

Should I suck on him? Be gentle Solomon. The Duckie is a baby like you.

Solomon has started to crawl forward

babysolomon — Wed, 16 May 2007 01:08:04 GMT

He started crawling backwards a little last week. And then learned baby downward dog. Today he moved forward six paces with his knees! My little boy on his way to being mobile across the room! Wow. He's 5 and a half months today!

Kombucha

babysolomon — Wed, 16 May 2007 01:01:28 GMT

I got a scoby and am fermenting my first Kombucha culture. Wish me luck.

Rakadu at Mayfest

babysolomon — Tue, 15 May 2007 01:32:07 GMT

Thank you all for making my first Mother's Day so special!