You can pack a lot of kale into a smoothie before it alters the taste of whatever fruity goodness you've got going on.  In fact, this is a relatively small amount of kale, because I'm saving some for tomorrow's smoothie.

My iron count is low again, even though I've been taking a daily slow release supplement!  Even though I've been eating hamburgers!  So, time to get serious and start overloading on the green leafies.  Any excuse to make a fruity smoothie;)  And one of the most efficient ways for your body to get the iron out of any given food, is to consume it with Vitamin C (but not calcium, so make this a yogurt-less smoothie).  They really do taste just fine with a heap of kale.  In fact, when I asked mini-pear if she wanted some, she called back, "Yes!  But don't forget all that really, really good for you stuff!"

While I'm talking about stuff that's really good for you, I have to share the good news about my dentist appointment the other day.  A few months back, when I went for my first dental appointment in years, I was told I had first stage periodontal disease.  I had my roots planed (if you're a masochist, book yourself in for this procedure post haste!), increased the time I spent with dental floss, and purchased a water pik.  So, at my appointment this week, I was informed that I am well on my way to reversing my periodontal disease, which is a very good thing, because who wants soggy bleeding gums and loose teeth?  Not I, said the fly.

That news is good, but what's even better, is that I used the relaxation methods we're learning in our Hypnobirthing class, to relax during my deep cleaning.  For people with periodontal disease, even people who are reversing it with hours logged in front of the bathroom sink, a cleaning is typically a none too comfortable below-the-gum-line affair.  For the first minute or two, I lay back in the chair, trying to be good, but letting myself internally fret, "Gawd.  How long is this going to take?"

That's not very helpful!  So I closed my eyes, started sleep breathing, brought up my peaceful relaxation image, and everything else just melted away.  I was so deeply relaxed, that when I experienced a Braxton Hicks contraction (an all too frequent occurrence these last few weeks), the only way I noticed it was because I had my hands draped over my big belly.  A little voice, somewhere deep in the recesses of my brain, just sort of noted it as a curiosity, "Oh...you're having one of those..."  I had 2 more while in the chair, but they only registered because my hands could feel my abdomen tightening.  No internal discomfort whatsoever.

My hygienist was totally amazed and said she'd never seen anyone so completely relaxed during a procedure.  Here's something I also found interesting - afterwards, I didn't feel any residual soreness or aching either.  A nice plus;)

Comments

[Jennifer]

Don't know if you have tried it, but I really liked Floradix with iron. If you are low now, you might reeeeally need a boost after the babe is born. This stuff really packs a punch!

Thanks for the kale tip though- I need to give that a whirl.