New Year Reflections: Body Image

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Around 5th grade was the time I began to compare myself to other girls. I noticed that only thin girls were popular and considered cute by their boy counterparts. I wasn't exactly overweight but I wasn't in the skinny category either. Nevertheless, I started to pay more attention to my diet and exercise by that tender age of 11. From then on I had issues with body image and perception of beauty. I thought that to be beautiful I had to be thin.

Advice for the Expecting/New Mom

My honeybun

It's been almost 4 months as a new mom and I wanted to offer advice to any other expecting/new moms that might be helpful. If you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask!

1. Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is HARD. Really hard, at first. You might have sore/bleeding nipples, back pain from weird postures and overall frustration. Also, newborns feed about every 2 hours so expect sleep deprivation. But I promise if you stick with it, it will definitely get easier. Before you leave the hospital try to get as much help as you can with the latch from lactation consultants and use the support resources they offer if you continue to have issues.

Marriage Advice

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This post is in honor of the many couples whose weddings I got to attend this year, those who will be married soon and those who have been married for longer. This marriage advice is based off of my experience so take whatever good you can from it!

1. Don't compare

Your relationship is unique. Each partner is a unique individual and you are building a life together. What works for one couple may not work for you. Try not to think of how marriage is/is not "supposed" to be like and instead focus on being present to your own marriage and your partner. If you have loaded expectations of what the perfect marriage is and those are not being met then this might set it up for failure.

Tea Party

The Chicken and the Egg

When my mom found me, I was curled up into a fetal position. I was counting down the minutes for the Advil to work.

“Imagine your pain multiplied by 100, that’s what labor pains are like,” she said as she covered me with a fuzzy fleece blanket. Having this pain once a month is enough for me.

“That’s a huge sacrifice that mothers make,” I said.
“It’s true, but people underestimate the chicken,” she replied.
“What do you mean?”
“Women go through these pains once a month and go through a lot to deliver a baby,” she explained, “but the chicken does that every single day.”

She recounted that as a young child, every morning she would hear the loud clucks of a distressed chicken, signaling the laying of an egg. Soon after, the eggs would be collected for consumption. Sometimes chickens would lay eggs multiple times a day. After some time, the chicken that had provided their daily sustenance would be sacrificed for food as well.

When the medicine started working I began to feel hungry. I wanted something warm to soothe my cramps and found some boiled chicken my mom had made. I soft boiled an egg and ladled some chicken and broth in to a bowl. With a newfound appreciation for the chicken and the egg I enjoyed every bite, realizing this chicken lived, experienced pain and died in order to provide food and comfort to me. Now I have found new meaning in the normal routine of cooking eggs for breakfast or using chicken to make a casserole.

Chicken, I have underestimated you. You are strong and generous, and I thank you for your sacrifice.

Tomato Basil Egg Skillet

This dish was inspired by my mom and it's very filling and flavorful.

Ingredients

• Onion (green or white)
• 1 tomato
• Fresh basil

Alaa's Avocado Salad

This is my mom's recipe for avocado salad. It has been a hit with anyone who's tried it so far. Putting it together is simple and it's a great dish to take to picnics. Thanks Alaa!

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• Red onion
• 1 lemon, or lemon juice
• 1 pack fresh mozzarella