Melbourne Natural Fertility | Fertile Body, Heart & Soul

Good Food Friday Treats :: Sarah Wilson’s I Quit Sugar Cook Book!

May 18, 2012

Pesto.

Photo via I Quit Sugar Cookbook, shot by Marija Ivkovic

HERE'S a winner! Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar Cookbook has landed and it is stunning! It arrived in my inbox and had me ooh'ing and arh'ing, not to mention drooling and inspired me to get my cook straight on! But don't just take my word for it. You can grab your own copy here. It's like a good food friday treat on steroids…. or should I say on protein – possibly a better comparison.

Oh and might I add – these recipes will not only have you asking for more, they will do your health and fertility huge favours – gearing you toward wellness. I'm a big fan of leaving sugar at the door and eating the way our bodies were designed to. You see, when we place strain on our digestive system, we in turn affect fertility as the body is robbed of essential vitamins and minerals. Many things in life are beyond our control, but what we put on our fork is totally up to us, so make it count!

zest 'n poppyseed cookies

Oh and one more thing. I'm delighted to have Sarah write the foreword for my new e-book, 'fertilise yourself' – coming your way very soon. For more details, find out here.

Why your GP and I don’t necessarily walk the same walk

May 16, 2012

image here

Totally muffed by conflicting fertility information? It seems you’re not the only one. Patients quiz me every day as to what works and why. In a world of information overload, it’s easy to get yourself in a pickle – I mean who really knows what they are on about? And why is it that I’m saying something different to your GP or Fertility Specialist? And how do you keep sane in this world where Dr Google says one thing, your real life doctor another? Gather round my friends – here’s what I reckon…

Your General Practitioner may be doing a stellar job and you are more than happy with his/her advice. Excellent. I’m not here to argue and tell you to go on a path away from that, but what I am here to say is this – don’t get all cross and crazy at your GP when they aren’t answering your fertility questions because first and foremost, your GP is not a fertility specialist.

Unfortunately modern medicine doesn’t have a whole lot to offer on the fertility front pre IVF, and that’s not their (your GP’s) fault. However, Chinese Medicine does fertility very well with it’s ability to scout out the problem and recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach just won’t do. Let’s look at Clomid for example which I’ve talked extensively about here and here. Clomid is the first (and pretty much only) prescribed drug your GP will suggest to treat almost all fertility troubles (see, the one size fits all). There isn’t too much on offer between this and IVF or Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). And whilst there is a chance these methods will work, there is a larger chance that they won’t.

But, if we add a few other natural fertility tricks to the mix – suddenly the chances of conception increase – with or without Clomid. Suddenly it isn’t a one size fits all approach at all, but rather exploring why Clomid was/is necessary (or not necessary) in the first place. Trust me, it works.

Nothing will work better than pumping up your fertility and getting yourself healthy before embarking on the assisted conception route.

Another reason we don’t necessarily walk the same walk, is because many mainstream health professionals are geared at fixing illness – rather than a preventative approach. You might argue that a mammogram is an excellent form of detecting breast cancer – and I can’t disagree. A mammogram will indeed scan and scout out early breast cancer, a gift to many women – but what it doesn’t do is teach you to be pro-active from your early years, living a life that sets you up for better chances of breast cancer not developing at all.

Sure there is no guarantee, and some things are way out of our control, but there are so many things within our control, we need to learn to take the reigns. This pro-active approach means gaining knowledge and gearing toward wellness rather than fixing it once it’s broken. You see, if it never gets ‘broken’ it never needs ‘fixing.’

When we turn this to fertility, we can use the pill as an excellent example. Almost all women prescribed the pill were done so without little explanation of its long-term effects. You may have been lead to believe that it is in fact preventing your endometriosis from worsening and technically ‘protecting’ your fertility. Bottom line is, it isn’t fixing the problem. In fact, once you stop taking it, the issue is there and often ten times worse. Addressing the issue long before it is a huge problem is my approach. It may take a little time but the long term wellness and preservation of fertility far outweighs short-term fixes.

Sometimes we just need to keep it simple. Simple works.

Sadly, we’re living in a world where the rates of infertility continue to escalate, shifting our mindset and seeing us look past the obvious. We can be forgiven for wanting to jump straight in the deep end – why would we want to waste precious time? However, spending quality time and effort on getting the body fertile is crucial in successful pregnancies. As precious as time is, it is never ever wasted when it comes to sweeping out the cobwebs and gearing toward a more fertile you – that’s actually a huge investment not just for your reproductive self but for your entire being.

My outlook on medication may also differ from your GP’s. Absolutely Clomid might gear you toward ovulation, but it will dry out your fertile mucus making it very difficult for the sperm to get to the end destination. Just as the pill can be some women’s saviour, it can also be a curse when it comes to fertility, you might like to read all about that here. I’ve talked plenty on the pill, and infertility – it can have a terrible affect on hormones, implantation, pregnancy, birth right down to the temperament of the baby.

Fortunately, I have a swag full of tricks that can be applied prior to making your precious bundle to prevent the unwanted. Your GP can’t necessarily offer you this because modern medicine simply isn’t geared this way.

There are however, some wonderful things that modern medicine can offer. Many women would not have the opportunity to have children if it wasn’t for the marvel of IVF. The ability to answer questions (via laparoscopys and testing) can provide a wealth of information to me as a practitioner to support a couple and increase fertility.

So how do I know what I’m doing is worth it? The proof is in the pudding. The methods we use in the clinic and those that I talk about in my first upcoming e-book have been tried and tested over almost 10 years – and we now know what works and why. One thing your GP and I will stand together on is that preservation of youth is the key to fertility – and finding exactly what works for each individual is the key to success.

Activate your nuts :: Good Food Friday Treats

May 11, 2012

Activated nuts seem to be everywhere all of a sudden, possibly because we've been quick to learn the health benefits they offer! They do amazing things for your insides and are super easy to make yourself (not to mention much more cost effective). This is a recipe from my upcoming e-book. If you haven't read about it – be sure to check it out here. I've pinched it to share with you because it's too good to keep under wraps.

Why 'active' them? Sounds like something cartoon characters do before they are about to jump off the roof of a burning building – "activate systems go!" Well, it's kind of like that – when you soak nuts, they sprout – activating all the goodness. By eating these as a snack, you’re doing your digestion a big favor, promoting better absorption, increasing health. And remember, your gut is the pivot of your health and fertility. When it has everything it needs to fuel your body – it all just works. These need to make their way into your pantry.

Activated Almonds

Soak a pack of raw almonds overnight to 'activate' and commence the sprouting process.

Drain and place on a oven tray ready to bake.

Place in an oven on the lowest heat – around 60 degrees and cook for at least 12 hours (yes, you heard me, 12 hours)

Enjoy as a snack whenever, add to salads, muffins – any way you can get them in. Even munch on these for a 4pm pick me up. Store in a glass jar.

Always, always soak your nuts and rice overnight. It makes them easily digested not to mention rids of toxic phytic acid, which can be found in the skin of the nut/rice and is bad news for your body.

Facial acupuncture – the natural alternative to botox (guest post)

May 8, 2012

image from pint erest

Lucy (one of our wonderful practitioners at The Pagoda Tree) wrote a guest blog here several weeks ago about skin and hormone imbalances and the feedback was 'more please!' Not one to shy away from giving the readers what they want – here's a beauty of a topic – literally! Lucy shares her love of using facial acupuncture in the clinic as a natural and extremely effective alternative to botox and cosmetic procedures. Line up – you will want to get in for a go once you read this.

The focus on life over the last 5 to 10 years has dramatically changed. We now want longevity and enhanced health and wellbeing- changing our diets to eating organic foods, increasing exercise, reducing the intake of processed foods, smoking and alcohol to look and feel great. We consider all chemicals that we are putting into our bodies, including using BPA free water bottles and plastics so we don’t ingest the pesky radicles that could harm our goal of optimum health.

So I pose the question to you – why is it as soon as we see a fine line or wrinkle appear on our face we are in the car straight to the chemist or department store for the strongest and best anti-wrinkle cream on the market at whatever the cost?

The skin is one of the fastest absorbing organs of the body and not many of us stop and think of the chemicals we are putting onto our face and body every day, sometimes twice a day. What worries me more is when I walk down the street and every second female in their mid-twenties and above has had or either thought about having Botox, fillers or cosmetic enhancement of some description.

Facial acupuncture has been around for hundreds of centuries taking a holistic approach to preventing and reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, skin pigmentation, impurities and acne- keeping us looking younger and feeling fantastic naturally!

A line or wrinkle on the face forms when that particular area is no longer receiving all the blood and nutrients it requires to keep collagen strong and plump. Cosmetic acupuncture works by increasing the flow of blood and qi (the bodies’ own energy) to these specific areas, rebuilding and strengthening collagen production, rehydrating and nourishing the skin.

From a Chinese Medicine perspective, each area of the face represents a channel system within your body. When these channels are affected by disharmony’s, including heat, cold, and yes especially emotions, we will notice differences in our appearance. The face acts as a mirror of the overall health and wellbeing of our body. When our internal organs are supported, our organic strengths are reflected in our facial features.

The number of needles used in cosmetic acupuncture varies for each individual. No two treatments are the same for everyone. There are many different types of needles used for facial acupuncture, most being very small in size thus quickly inserted making the treatment virtually painless, giving you an hour of blissful relaxation.

It is recommended to have 10-12 sessions of facial acupuncture over a 6 to 10 week period, depending on how rapidly you respond to the treatment and on how exhausted the affected area is. It may be beneficial to continue with maintenance every six months and it is suggested to do a full course of treatment once a year, however the need varies from person to person. You should start seeing results in your skin in as little as two to three treatments and noticing your general health and wellbeing improving in as little as one session.

Why choose acupuncture over Botox? Botox involves the injection of chemicals into the muscles of your face to hinder movement. It takes up to two weeks for the chemicals to set. These chemicals breakdown and then get released into the body gradually resulting in your Botox wearing off after 3-4 months. Acupuncture works with your own body! There is no injection of chemicals and the affects last much longer, not to mention the cost of acupuncture is oodles cheaper!

So the next time the panic arises over a line or wrinkle, instead of reaching for the car keys, stop and think about repairing your skin from the inside out with a healthy dose of acupuncture!

Emotional Infertility – are your thoughts making you infertile?

May 2, 2012

I believe our thoughts and feelings create our reality – and it is for this very reason we might actually be thinking ourselves ‘infertile’.

There are two facets to emotional infertility. Firstly, the stress of conceiving long before embarking on the practice and then secondly at the other end of the scale, the pain and torment felt by couples who have been trying their hearts out for that baby for many years. I see both scenarios too often. The stress of this baby making business is very real.

Perhaps you’ve been talking to a friend who’s been doing it tough and the baby making isn’t coming so easily? You may start to question your body’s own ability to conceive. Or maybe you’ve been trying for a really long time – and why wouldn’t you be questioning everything? There are questions you want answer to.

Chinese Medicine recgonises the strong relationship between the mind and the reproductive organs. In addition to this knowledge, I learnt many things at Lara Wilson’s presentation which reinforced the idea that our emotional state affects our health and our fertility. It’s often in that time a patient ’”let’s go” and “gives up” that she finds herself pregnant. I wish I could bottle up the formula to letting go. Reality is, it is extremely difficult for me to help a couple understand just how strongly their thoughts influence their bodies ability – it’s not something easily taught. It’s something that needs to be experienced and very often until a couple find themselves pregnant, it’s very hard to get one’s head around it all.

I’ve been trying to touch on this subject for a while now. Lara struck a chord that resonated within me; we have a choice and our choices pave the way for what we bring about. Lara shared about how our thoughts and beliefs create our realities and the more we focus on what we don’t want, the more we bring it about. When we look at this in terms of infertility, it makes huge sense to start focusing on what we want – the more we tell ourselves ‘we’re having trouble, there is something wrong or it isn’t happening,’ the more we are reinforcing this within. Get this – there is science behind this. At Lara's presentation, I learn't of the Reticular Activating System or RAS in the brain which, when activated, will look for evidence. Try this on. You buy a new car and you suddenly see it everywhere because your RAS is activated. It's not that there are suddenly more of these cars on the road, it's that you are aware of them. Apply this to fertility. We want a baby and all of a sudden we see babies everywhere because we've been 'activated.' It's what you do with this that counts. You can either focus on the 'no baby' or the 'baby.'

So if as a couple, we are constantly focusing on the lack of success, the ‘no’ baby, the infertility, the envy and so on – these feelings are being reinforced and we start to believe it. But shift this a little, by focusing on the baby, the fertility and the joy that their health brings, they are reinforcing positive attitudes which allow for endless possibilities.

Whilst it is all good and well for me to write this and suggest that you need to change your thought patterns, stat, it would also be wrong of me not to share because my job as a fertility educator is all about the babies and how to get them. And of course, this thought process isn’t limited to babies – it’s applicable to every part of your life. Sound familiar – maybe Lara is your gal to help you change those thoughts.

This alone may or may not solve your fertility issues – there might be way more to your situation. BUT this is one area of your life that you can control, and one area that when you place all the pieces of the puzzle together which can make a really big difference.

Focus on what you want – NOT what you don’t want.

What you think about, you bring about.

Let your spirit soar 21 ways feed your soul

April 30, 2012

Fertilise Yourself – my new (first) ebook!

April 26, 2012

You might think I've been in 'new mummy' bubble land lately, and I have, but not only for the 'new mummy' reasons! I've also been bunkered down writing my new (first!) ebook! I can't wait to share it with you.

'Fertilise Yourself' will be ready in a few weeks, and in a nutshell;

* it's a fertility how-to ebook

* it features a breakdown of what foods make you fertile and why

* it includes over 25 recipes to help you build your fertile body

* it helps you create a fertility-friendly pantry, and keep it that way!

* it includes a fertile shopping list – for you to print and keep

* foreword by Sarah Wilson

This ebook is all about priming your body for fertility, with plenty of tips and tricks for a wellness overhaul, and the 'how to' steps to set yourself up to win. If you're struggling with your fertility, or even just your general health, I know this ebook can help you navigate your way to being fueled and fighting fertility fit!

The ebook also includes general health and wellness tips like this:

"Eat foods that are room temperature or warmer especially during winter. This is very important to support healthy gut function and promote great health from top to bottom. Cold foods will lead to phlegm production and may cause disturbances to your health. This is especially essential for women who experience period pain – warm foods keep the blood pumping."

AND it's not just all for the girls! You can let the guys know: one of the most important aspects of treatment for abnormal and sluggish sperm is lots of regular intercourse. (thank me later guys…)

It's also looking pretty fun – thanks to the team at Sea Thru Studio who are doing a great job putting everything together

If you're keen to find out more, or want to be informed when the ebook launches, please subscribe here as I'll be making announcements this way. I also have a few fabulous giveaways up my sleeve, so, stay tuned for those as well!

Nat x