Posts filed under ‘The Body’
Free Milk
I am not talking about the kind you go buy in a carton from the store. I am talking about breastmilk. I think it is one of the most amazing things the female body can do. Why do I find so much joy in this topic? Breastmilk is:
- The perfect blend of nutrients for a baby.
- Reconfigured by the body to provide exactly what the baby needs at the next feeding.
- An immune system booster. Check out La Leche League International for a great explanation on this.
- FREE!
- Always ready to go; no bottles to warm or clean up.
The list could go on and on. What a blessing we have been given! Check out this post by Nicole, my friend and doula for my daughter’s birth, for an interesting overview of the history of breastfeeding throughout the world. Scroll down to the end of the post if you just want to read the benefits of breastfeeding.
Any breastfeeding moms out there reading this? What do you find amazing about breastmilk?
I must also share a cute phrase I read on a t-shirt at a birth convention: I make milk. What’s your super power? 
The Wonders of Walking
Image via Wikipedia
Almost every morning I lace up my sneakers, get my daughter, grab the stroller, and go for a walk outdoors. Put one foot forward and then the other. Have you ever stopped to think about how amazing is the ability to walk? Not only does the brain have to properly communicate with the muscles and tell them what to do but the body must also constantly analyze the walking surface, balance, and determine appropriate speed and direction depending on surroundings.
One tiny problem, and the whole thing is thrown off. For example, if just one of your toes is broken or injured, walking becomes challenging and possibly painful. There are so many other conditions that can affect the ability to walk: broken bones, muscle tears, amputations, strokes, cerebral palsy, brain injury, spinal cord injury, general deconditioning from prolonged sickness, neuropathy, and multiple sclerosis just to name a few. When I was working as a physical therapist, one of the greatest lessons I learned was not to take any of my body’s physical functions for granted.
There are so many people out there who would love to walk, but cannot. One of my good friends volunteers regularly with Carrie’s Heart, an organization that takes care of children who are in exactly this situation. Take a look at what this amazing organization is doing.
Let me encourage you to rejoice with each step you take. The miracle of walking from one location to another should be recognized and celebrated. Have you walked today?
