Granola Girl

As many of you know from reading a recent Facebook status update that received many comments, Ry and I just watched The Business of Being Born , a documentary exploring women's empowerment about their own birthing decisions. I just want to clarify that I am not expecting a baby, since so many of you seemed curious! But I am interested in learning more about birth in general, especially home birth and birth with as few medical interventions as possible.

Lately I've been thinking about how to make my life more natural. One big step toward this goal is our decision to do the year of veganism. Another is that I have ceased taking any pharmaceutical medications. Don't worry none were medically necessary, but I've made the conscious decision to experience my body free of pharmaceuticals. Eat it Forest Laboratories and McNeal Pharmaceutical! You're not getting any more of my money.

The film also raised questions about how we have become divorced from a natural human process so old and refined that it must work on its own, or we wouldn't be here. We are a testament to the fact that women's bodies are designed for birth.

This got me thinking about how what is natural is not often considered beautiful anymore in our advertising-driven consumer society. For instance, I have a pesky silver streak in my hair that persistently pops back out even three weeks after I've dyed my hair. This little streak is the bane of my existence. I always tell myself, I'll let it grow and see how it feels. Um surprise, it never makes me feel beautiful.

I can distinctly remember having a conversation with my mother when I was about nineteen where I questioned why she felt the need to wear make up or a bra. Now I don't like the look of my face without make up and people ask me if I'm okay, 'cause they think I might be sick when I don't wear it. Gee, thanks. And I wouldn't leave my house without a bra. Clearly, it doesn't take too long to lose that youthful-hippie-granola-college grown indignation about natural = beautiful. Give me six years out of Madison, WI and mission accomplished. But why? Why do we accept the message that the way we are is not fundamentally beautiful?

These are questions I want to explore in my own life. I'd also like to challenge my inner granola girl to find her voice and confidence. If any of you ladies have words of wisdom to share, I'd be more than open to them.

The next book on my list: Spiritual Midwifery by Ina May Gaskin, leader and innovator at The Farm Midwifery Center in Tennessee.

A few new shots:

I'm married to the bread king. Inside of baguette project take #2.


Whole wheat loaf, dough shot.


Whole wheat loaf, finished product.


Looking East toward downtown during a pale pink sunrise.


Since it's almost April we get a new monkey on the calendar. This one appears to be a little bit crazy.


Also of note, three days until our Mexico City adventure.