Snake On A Stick

Ingredients:

1 Can Grands Biscuits

7 Asparagus Stalks

9 Slices Lunch Meat Ham

3 Slices Cheese

Bacon Ranch Salad Dressing

Big Chunk Vegetable Pasta Sauce Over Rice Noodles

Ingredients:

1/2 Onion

2 Zucchini

3 Carrots

1/2 Can Tomato Sauce

1/2 Cup Water

Rice Noodles

Middle Eastern American Southern Fusion: Hummus Grits

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Grits

1/3 cup Homemade Hummus

1 cup Water

1/2 Tsp. Basil

Potato, Carrot, Broccoli Soup

Ingredients:

1/2 Onion

Water

4 Medium Potatoes

4 Medium Carrots

1/2 Head of Broccoli

Milk

Salt & Pepper

Thyme

Ways To Manage Clogged Milk Ducts & Mastitis

Managing mastitis and clogged milk ducts can be complicated and often chronic. There is no easy solution or quick fix. The sooner you start managing the problem the better. I have talked with a number of family members, fellow church members, friends, doctors, and a lactation expert as well as read online about ways to cope with this condition. Below I have listed things that I have found to be a help in coping with clogged milk ducts and mastitis.


DIET

Vitamin C: Oranges, Grapefruit, Mangoes, Cranberry Juice- boosts your immune system.

Spicy Foods: Curry, Ginger- decrease inflammation.

Salads, Fruits, vegetables

Do not eat oats as they increase your milk supply.


MEDICINE

Ibuprofen- decreases breast inflammation, decreases pain.

Lecithin- works against saturated fats and clogs.

Calcium/ Magnesium

Antibiotic


LIFESTYLE

Rest

Yoga

Walking

No heavy lifting.

Try to avoid repetitive arm motions.

Seat belts, bags, baby carriers, holding your baby against you, and carrying groceries may worsen your
condition.

Sleeping can be a real trick, position yourself in whatever way gives you the least amount of clogs.


HEAT & MASSAGE

Massage breasts before, during, after each feeding, and randomly throughout the day as doing so may release clogs.

Warm showers and massage can increase blood flow to the area and loosen clogs.

Heating pads can be uncomfortable and increase inflammation.

Ice packs can harden clogs and slow milk flow.

CLOTHING

No under-wire bras. They tend to cause clogs.

Sports bras provide good support.

Wear loose-fitting clothing.

Wear a sports bra or sleep bra to prevent sternum pain due to heavy breasts.


SCHEDULE

Feed every 3 hours to prevent over-abundant milk supply from coming in.

Wake baby to feed during the night.

Feed baby in different positions to fully empty breast.


DOCTORS

If you have fever, red breasts, and lots of pain, see a doctor. You will need antibiotic to clear up infection.


RISK FACTORS

Fibrocystic breasts, genetics, diabetes, and a low immune system may be risk factors for clogged ducts and mastitis.


References:

Le Leche League
Oconee Physician Practices
BabyCenter
KellyMom
Wikipedia

Food Experimentation: Citrus Infused Grilled Carrot Sandwich

Not sure exactly how I came up with this one. I suspect it had something to do with the flavor profile of the last sandwich I ate: apple, lettuce, & spicy mustard on honey-wheat. There's something about sweet, savory, & spicy that just works. I also saw a similar juice flavor profile on Pinterest today when I was adding a new board which I titled "Juice." 

And so today for lunch, between feeding the baby, taking and making phone calls, doing laundry, catching up on Facebook, Gmail, Pinterest etc. while taking care of my baby I made a special grilled sandwich.

The first bite was awful. After I removed the bitter grilled oranges the sandwich became epic. The citrus and ginger infused grilled carrots accompanied with horseradish sauce and toasted honey-wheat bread were definitely award winners. I will have to make this toasted sandwich again. Below I will list the ingredients I made it with, in case you would like to try making this experience for the taste buds:

2 Slices Honey-Wheat

1 Thinly Sliced Orange

2 Thinly Sliced Carrots

A Few Dashes of Ground Ginger

2 Tsp. Horseradish Sauce

Sandwich Night

Last night on our way home from church we were discussing what kind of snack to have. Anthony thought spicy grilled cheese sounded good for him. I was having a little more trouble coming up with a sandwich for me. Finally, I thought of something: apple, lettuce, and spicy mustard on honey-wheat. Anthony made our sandwiches. They turned out very well. He would not try a bite of my sandwich. He didn't think it sounded very tasty. I think I'll ask for it again though. I rather liked it. The Granny Smith apple was very tart complementing the spicy mustard so profoundly as to make a rather savory grilled sandwich.

Apple Sandwich:

2 Slices Honey-Wheat Bread

1 Thinly-sliced Granny Smith Apple

2 Leaves Romaine Lettuce

2 Tsp. Spicy Mustard

Spicy Grilled Cheese:

2 Slices Honey-Wheat Bread

1 Slice Pepper-jack Cheese

1 Slice American Cheese

3 Tsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese

A Few Dashes of Red Pepper Flakes

A Few Dashes of Cayenne Pepper

2 Leaves of Romaine Lettuce

1 Tb. Chipotle Ranch Salad Dressing