Nutrition for Pregnancy: 30 weeks

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

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You’re well into your third trimester now!  Your baby is about 3 pounds and almost 16 inches long.  He is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, so be sure to eat regularly.  Skipping meals causes low blood sugar, which will make you more prone to fatigue and irritability – things you definitely don’t need at this stage of pregnancy!  Your baby is also starting to fill out and is beginning to put on precious baby fat to keep him warm after birth.  This is all the more reason to eat regularly – small, frequent meals will help supply the calories you need to grow your little pumpkin!

Nutrition for Pregnancy: 28 weeks

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

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At 28 weeks your baby is a little under 15″ long and weighs over 2 pounds.  A very exciting event is happening this week – your baby’s brain is changing from a smooth surface to the folded and wrinkled surface that we all think of when we picture a human brain.  Brain folds are a highly evolved trait, shared only by humans, dolphins, monkeys, cats, and dogs.  Make sure your baby knows this so that when you take him to the zoo he can walk around and tell all the animals without brain folds that he’s better than them.  Brain folds are necessary because there would be no other way to fit all of those neurons in a human skull without increasing the surface area by folding unless your baby just develops a huge alien-type skull (which, for the sake of childbirth, we all pray he doesn’t).

To help assist the massive growth taking place in your baby’s brain this week, eat lots of healthy fats.  Basically any fat eaten in the unaltered state that nature made it is going to be a healthy fat, but oils (fat that has been pressed from food) are great too as long as they are not overly processed or hydrogenated.  Get a variety of healthy fats by eating plenty of grassfed meat and dairy, poultry, seafood, avocado, coconut, palm oil (non-hydrogenated of course), olives, olive oil, cold-pressed sunflower or flax oil, raw nuts, and raw seeds.

Nutrition for Pregnancy: 27 weeks

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

Pregnant woman

I’ve decided to start a new series on my blog having to do with the nutrients needed for pregnancy as a baby develops week by week. If that is a snoozefest for some of you readers, please know that I will continue to post the same random health information you have come to know and love on this blog in addition to the pregnancy series! And I won’t let it go 2 months between posts like I did for the past 2 months (I have so many good excuses though, maybe I can do a blog devoted solely to excuses in the future).

My inspiration for this idea is for one of my good friends who is entering her 27th week of pregnancy this week. It is very special to me that she and I are pregnant at the same time since we’ve been friends since we were teenagers and at one point we were even roommates. Maybe I can somehow work our fond memories into this blog, such as the times that we were both unemployed and would lay on the couch watching such classics as This Is Spinal Tap over and over. I really credit my success in life to what I learned in those days. This may be dedicated to her, but I’m sure she’s not the only woman out there who will ever be 27 weeks pregnant and looking for nutrition info on the internet, so here goes!

At 27 weeks, your baby weighs a little under 2 pounds and is about 14 1/2″ long.  Around this time (usually right at week 27) your baby’s eyelids open for the first time!  During this time, his retinas – the light sensitive portions of his eyes- mature in preparation for him to be able to see all of the amazing baby Einstein toys that you got for him at your baby shower (okay maybe there are more important things to see than that, but either way his eyes are maturing).  Even in the womb, he may be able to see the difference between light and dark if you have light shining right on your belly (which I tend to have since I live in beautiful Hawaii and swim around in a bikini while many of you readers are living in the frozen tundra that is the mainland – ha!).  During this week, make it a point to eat foods that will nourish your baby’s eye tissue – namely foods containing DHA and Vitamin A.

DHA stands for Docosahexaenoic Acid and is a fatty acid that makes up 30% of the fatty acids found in the retina (and the brain and in sperm, but we won’t worry about your grandkids right now – we’ll just focus on the bun already in the oven).  It can be found in several foods including fatty fish and egg yolks.  For vegans or others who can’t eat fish or eggs, blue-green algae is a good source of DHA.  Cod liver oil is an incredibly rich source of DHA that can also be incorporated into your diet as a super food.  If you can’t handle the taste of cod liver oil on a spoon, try taking it in capsules.  A teaspoon or 2-4 capsules of cod liver oil daily is usually what is recommended during pregnancy.

Vitamin A is extremely important for eye health and a deficiency in Vitamin A has been strongly linked to poor eyesight and impaired night vision.  Vitamin A is an integral player in the process of seeing, as it is part of the chain of events that happens between light hitting the retina and the brain registering and interpreting that image.  Vitamin A can be found in its active form in egg yolks and butter (especially from grassfed cows).  It is also present in large amounts in cod liver oil.  Vitamin A can be found in another form – Beta Carotene – in orange and yellow vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and carrots.  This form requires some conversion by the body before it is active, but it’s still very important.  Beta Carotene is a fatty nutrient, so eating healthy fat such as butter or olive oil with vegetables containing Beta Carotene helps to increase absorption.  Enjoy!

NOTE: This blog is not meant to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.

(c) 2009 Jessica Forbes, MS CCN.  All rights reserved.

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

One of my great friends (whose idea it was to start this blog in the first place) told me today that flu vaccination is mandatory at her workplace.  They have a choice between the flu mist or a thimerosol-free flu shot and she wanted to know my opinion on both.  I figured that many of you out there are in similar situations and could use some objective information when you’re faced with the same decision.  If nothing else, you can just stall and be like Cartman on South Park, telling your boss who is requiring you to get the shot, “Whateva, I do what I want!”


Here is some info that I hope is helpful to you.  In no way am I trying to tell you to get or not get the vaccine, I just think it’s important to at least know what you’re doing when your place of work is requiring you to inject or sniff something into your body (I still don’t quite understand how it’s legal to require these things, but whatever).  Also, many people may not be required to be vaccinated but may still choose to be due to all of the news coverage on swine flu.  It’s your body and you have to do what feels right to you.  I just want to provide information to help you figure that out.

Vaccines in general
  • Vaccines work under the premise that small exposure to viruses, bacteria, or pieces of other infectious particles makes the immune system recognize these invaders as foreign and then provide immunity from them when and if you are exposed again.
  • The flu vaccine is an interesting one because every year the flu virus mutates into a slightly different strain which is similar to but not quite the same as last year’s virus.  This is why some people get the flu every single year, even after their bodies have experienced and (hopefully) become immune to last year’s virus.  This is also why some people are vaccinated for the flu but still end up getting a bad case – the current year’s flu vaccine is not guaranteed to protect against the current flu virus due to the fact that it is mutating and may not be an exact match.  As a side note, the ability of the flu virus to mutate quickly is the major reason that the swine flu is dominating the media – everyone is watching to see if the current strain will mutate into a more harmful version.
  • Vaccines in general are a current source of political angst and hot debate because they contain ingredients that may be harmful, especially to growing children and people with weak immune systems.  Ingredients commonly found in vaccines include MSG, sugar, aluminum, and mercury.  Mercury (in the form of thimerosol) is used in vaccines as a preservative, but recently has been dropped from many formulas due to public outcry.  A solid scientific link has not been established, but there is a lot of anecdotal evidence that correlates mercury in vaccines to the increase in autism in our children.  One explanation that I found for this which I would agree with from a biochemical standpoint is that some children are more sensitive to the mercury in vaccines because they don’t have enough healthy bacteria in their body (which could be due to overuse of antibiotics, stress, or other factors).  Healthy bacteria provides a barrier that detoxifies heavy metals, but if this barrier is absent then the mercury will be more likely to get into the brain and cause problems.

Flu shot vs. Nasal spray

  • The flu shot has used to be the only way to vaccinate for flu until the recent invention of a flu vaccine nasal spray.  While the vaccines may not be 100% effective, some studies show that they may be helpful in preventing flu.  Of course, other studies show that they may do more harm than good but I’m not going to get into either side on this blog – the subject is just too huge.
  • The benefits of the flu spray are that it does not contain heavy metals (at least from what I could find – it is instead preserved with MSG and sugar, so maybe don’t double up on fast food the day you get it) and it doesn’t require injection.  Possible disadvantages are that it contains live flu virus (from what I found it contains 5 different strains of flu) which may be more likely to replicate in the warm, moist area that is your nose and actually give you the flu.  There is also some question as to whether injecting live viruses right into your nose is a good idea for your brain since it is in such close proximity.
  • The benefits of the flu shot are that it normally contains inactivated virus, so it is less likely to actually give you the flu and it is injected right into the bloodstream so it gives your body a better chance to filter and detoxify the preservatives found in it rather than spraying it up your nose where it may get stuck and replicate.  The disadvantages are that it is more likely to contain heavy metals along with MSG and other questionable preservatives.

If you’re getting the vaccine

  • Avoid sugar and drink plenty of water for the week prior to getting vaccinated so that your immune system is strong and ready to imprint on whatever form of vaccination you choose.
  • Take a double dose of a good multivitamin and a normal dose of probiotics for at least 5 days prior to the vaccine to build up your levels of minerals and boost your ability to detoxify preservatives in the vaccine.
  • The day before, the day of, and the day after vaccination take a large dose of vitamin C (at least 1,000 mg but whatever you can handle) and a dose of zinc (about 20 mg – you can get this in the form of zinc lozenges at most drugstores) to keep your immune system strong.
  • Avoid aspartame and other artificial sweeteners for 1 day prior to getting vaccinated, as aspartame has been found to react negatively with vaccines and may damage nerves.
  • If you decide to get the shot, add a heaping scoop of chlorella or some other kind of green drink to a smoothie that morning to help boost your ability to detoxify heavy metals.
  • If you decide to get the nasal spray, wash out your nose with a neti pot the evening after the vaccine to make sure you don’t have any remnants left up there.

If you are refusing the vaccine

  • This may not be an option for you depending on where you work, but most employers will make allowances for religious exemption (meaning it is against your beliefs to be vaccinated) and egg allergy (because the flu vaccine is grown in eggs).
  • Be sure to live a healthy lifestyle that promotes natural immunity: sleep 7-9 hours per night, drink plenty of water, avoid white sugar, avoid processed foods, eat lots of produce, eat adequate amounts of protein for your personal needs, and exercise.
  • Be sure you are getting enough of the key immune-supporting nutrients: vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin D (from sunlight, fatty foods, or supplements).  Needs vary for each individual, so I would suggest working with a nutrition minded practitioner if you have questions.
  • Eat cultured foods (yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, etc.) and/or take a probiotic supplement to boost your levels of healthy bacteria.
  • Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching your eyes or nose during flu season.
  • Regularly use a neti pot to keep your nasal passages clean and less likely to allow viruses to reproduce.


I’m in the process of getting ready for an online seminar I’m teaching for Marilyn Farms on immunity which will take place October 24th.  I’ll get into more detail on vaccines and ways to support the immune system during this talk.  If you’re interested in registering, please click here.

NOTE: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner.  If you are on prescription medications or are being treated by a doctor for specific disorders, please consult your doctor prior to following any of the supplement suggestions listed above.

Winning the Epic Battle Against Stretch Marks

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

Tomorrow is my birthday!  I will be 29 years old and on that magical day I will also be exactly 6 months pregnant, which puts me into my third trimester (though I’m still confused as to how 40 weeks splits evenly into 3 trimesters, someone please enlighten me).  For my birthday I decided (among several other more thoughtful and less superficial birthday wishes) that I want a pregnancy with no stretch marks.  Which of course makes it hard for buying me a gift, but I’ve been doing research that hopefully will help more of you than just the “smug pregnant women” who may be reading this blog.  

Everyone is prone to stretch marks, especially teens and people who are in quick phases of growth or weight gain.  Men get stretch marks too – especially those who are on workout programs that cause them to build muscle fast.  Of course, male stretch marks on their arms because their arms just got too big for their body way too fast are still more charming than the stretch marks many of the women I know (myself included) share because hormones just made our thighs get bigger faster than our poor teenage skin could handle.  But it’s worth it because like my mom used to say, “You’ll never be in a rap video if certain body parts don’t grow so fast that it creates microtears in your skin.”  Okay, she didn’t say that but I hope I’ll be the kind of mom that says that to my teenage daughter.
Stretch marks are caused by microtears in the second layer of the skin created when it stretches too rapidly.  Hence the name stretch marks.  When these tears heal and repair, they sometimes leave silvery lines of scar tissue or if tiny amounts of blood leaked into the tears, the healing scar tissue may be a dark or purplish color.  Here is some of the information I have found for preventing and even reversing existing stretch marks:
  • Proper stretching and healing of skin is dependent on zinc.  This is part of the reason that teens are so prone to stretch marks.  Yes, they are growing really fast but they are also in a time of hormonal change, stress, and a tendency to eat more sugar and generally less nutritious food overall (at least when Mom is not looking) – all of which contribute to loss of zinc.  Pregnancy is also a time of loss of zinc because that little parasite growing in your womb is taking it!  In fact, over 80% of pregnant women worldwide are estimated to have inadequate zinc levels.  Modern day low-fat and low-meat diets have greatly contributed to loss of zinc from the general population.  To learn more about zinc and see a list of zinc rich foods, visit the Linus Pauling Micronutrient Information Center.  If you are too lazy to do that, then I’ll just tell you that to get zinc in your diet, eat oysters, beef, and dark meat poultry.  Vegetarians can include milk, almonds and spirulina but may want to think seriously about adding a zinc supplement or at least a multi that is rich in zinc (15 mg or more daily).
  • Stretch marks can be prevented and reversed with topical zinc preparations.  Most expensive creams and lotions intended for stretch mark and scar reversal usually contain zinc oxide as one of their active ingredients.  Here is the beautiful thing I discovered last week at the drug store – Extra Strength Desitin, the diaper rash ointment, contains 40% zinc oxide!  And it’s only like $6 for a tube.  Needless to say, I bought a tube of it and have started using it on my belly to make sure the skin that is somehow going to stretch to unbelievable lengths will have enough zinc to do so.  I haven’t gone super overboard on this, as the cream contains some preservatives that I’m not too excited about (namely BHT, which is also a food preservative so it can’t be TOO horrible) but half a teaspoon or less is plenty to get a good coat on.  And the cream smells okay to me, but for my poor husband it just brings back memories of changing his little brothers’ diapers.  Maybe not what you want to be associated with when you’re climbing into bed for the evening!
  • Hydrated skin stretches more easily than dehydrated skin.  I realize I am beginning to sound like Johnny One Note with my desire to make sure people are hydrated so I will just leave this bullet point at that.  Hydrated skin stretches and is less likely to tear.  So drink water.
  • Coconut oil prevents stretch marks and helps fade existing stretch marks.  I know – you are in shock and awe that I have worked coconut oil into this blog.  But it’s true!  I couldn’t find an actual study on coconut oil and stretch marks, but living here in Hawaii I have heard tons of anecdotal evidence from women of all shapes and sizes saying that coconut oil applied daily after showering prevented stretch marks.  Also, several women had stretch marks from previous pregnancies and they noticed that these marks faded after using coconut oil.  One reason coconut oil works better than other oils is that it is able to penetrate the skin to moisturize deeper layers of skin and prevent scar formation.  Jojoba oil also has this property, but I prefer coconut oil personally because it is so heat stable (in other words, it can sit in my hot bathroom for months and I don’t have to wonder if it’s gone rancid) and it is less expensive per ounce than jojoba.   
So that’s my research.  Hopefully it will help you in the fight against stretch marks.  I should design a ribbon or one of those ridiculous rubber bracelets for the Stretch Mark Awareness fund.  Maybe a rubber band would do – they’re stretchy!  And then I can charge you $10 to buy my rubber band bracelet to help support stretch mark awareness worldwide.  Feel free to mail me a check if you want to participate and I will send you back an old and tired rubber band.  It is my birthday, after all!

3 Ways to Boost Fertility

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

In a little over a week I will officially be 6 months pregnant with a healthy baby boy.  As this pregnancy was a completely happy surprise in the middle of a busy move from Iowa to Hawaii, I sometimes feel like the theme song of this chapter of my life is the Talking Heads song “Once in a Lifetime” when the singer asks, “How did I get here?!” 


The conversations that come up with people when you are a pregnant nutritionist have made me acutely aware that for many couples nowadays, pregnancy is not a “How did I get here?!” moment but something they work and plan for which still may take years to achieve.  Out of that I wanted to share with you some nutritional tips that I have learned through working with women in my practice (as well as what I have learned personally) to help boost fertility for those who are planning to conceive in the future or who are actively trying.

1. Drink more water.  As obvious and non-scientific as this may seem, it is one of the most amazing and simple ways that I have seen women become pregnant when other interventions weren’t working.  I usually tell people to aim for a gallon of purified water a day, and if this is too much (it was too much for me, a 5′3″ 120 pound person – 3 quarts was plenty) then adjust it down to what you can comfortably drink in a day without feeling like your eyes going to pop out of your head.  For others, such as my husband, you may need more than a gallon a day depending on your size and activity level.  A pinch of Celtic or sea salt added to each glass of water will help with absorption.  I was only able to find one study on this topic which showed that properly hydrated cervical mucus is more likely to allow sperm to pass through, but from my own biochemical reasoning I would think that properly hydrated men will be more likely to make quality semen.  And, from what I have heard from female friends and clients, when they increase their water intake as noted above, many of them experience the clear, glassy, stretchable cervical fluid that is a symptom of hyperfertility.

2. Reduce or eliminate gluten from your diet.  Gluten is an allergenic protein found in wheat and also in other less commonly eaten grains such as barley and rye.  Not everyone has an actual allergy to gluten, but due to modern farming practices and the genetic manipulation and hybridization of wheat, the gluten content of the wheat we eat every day is much higher than what our ancestors would have eaten.  Gluten is a large molecule that is difficult for many to digest.  This lack of digestion allows it to create inflammation in the intestines and in the rest of the body.  In my opinion, Americans in general eat too much gluten so I think we could all benefit from a reduction in our diets.  For couples having difficulty conceiving, especially those in which either partner has Type O blood, and for women who suffer from anovulatory infertility, going gluten-free may be a key to enlarging your family.

2. Do a Vitamin C flush.  Vitamin C is an antioxidant that keeps sperm cells from being damaged by excess free radicals in the body (common in athletes and those under high stress).  It also plays a part in keeping the consistency of cervical mucus “loose” to allow sperm to swim through to the egg.  On a microscopic level, cervical mucus actually looks like a web with tiny channels to allow sperm through.  If Vitamin C levels are too low, the web will be very “tight” so that sperm have a hard time navigating their way to where they need to go.  I recommend doing a Vitamin C flush instead of giving an actual milligram amount because everyone has different needs for Vitamin C based on stress levels, dietary intake, and whether they have been exposed to cold or flu viruses recently.  As an added side effect, Vitamin C flushes have a cleansing effect on the bowels which helps to get rid of stored toxins in the body that may be affecting fertility.  As happy as that sounds, please don’t plan a Vitamin C flush on a day when you can’t make multiple trips to the bathroom or when a gurgling, rumbling gut would not be a welcome addition to the party.

With all that said, I have to end this blog by saying that nutrition is very important for conception but I think that being in a happy mental state and not letting stress overwhelm you is probably even more important.  Maybe this is why so many people tell me that the key to them getting pregnant was deciding to put “trying” on hold and buying a puppy!  Of course, the last puppy I had was a heel-biter and a compulsive basement-pooper, but you know what I mean – the puppy was a fun diversion that distracted them from the stress of their daily lives and/or the stress of not being able to get pregnant.  If you’re having trouble conceiving, I hope the above tips combined with your own excitement and joy about the fact that your life is so happy that you want to bring another human into the world will help you find yourself in a “How did I get here?!” moment.


Have you ever popped champagne on a plane?

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

Last week my husband and I relocated from Kalona, Iowa to Honolulu, Hawaii.  And oh yes, we brought the fetus too – couldn’t leave that little creature behind!  We flew first class, which was wonderful, but I unfortunately did not get to enjoy the free champagne on this trip while in my current condition – although I did have the Kanye song stuck in my head for most of the flight.  

During the 13 hour trip I started thinking about how easy it is to get dehydrated while traveling and how in the past I have spent the first day or two at our destination just trying to get rid of the headache and tiredness I would feel after flying.  The last time we flew to Hawaii I was very dilligent to drink plenty of water and shockingly enough – no headache and I was able to adjust to the 5 hour time change within a day!  I thought it would be good to share my drinking water technique (yes it is more complicated than just “find water, drink it”) to help any of you who suffer from post-flight headaches or difficulty adjusting to time changes to stay hydrated in today’s world of carrying on 3 ounce or smaller bottles of liquid, $5 bottles of water for sale at the airport, and stewardesses who have a knack for offering you water right at the moment of the flight when you don’t want to be bothered with it.
Here’s what I do:
  • Bring along a full water storage container – I like the Sigg Traveler Classic Water Bottle (1.0-Liters) which is coated aluminum (not ideal, but I like the lid better than the current stainless steel bottles and it should not leach aluminum unless you’re pouring hot liquids into it or storing acidic liquids for long periods of time).  However, if you prefer not to have any possible exposure to aluminum, try Klean Kanteen Stainless Steel Water Bottles which also come in a nice container for kids sold as the Kolor Klean Kanteen Sippy Cup.
  • Drink this entire container on the way to the airport and right up until you enter the security line.  Make sure the container is empty when you get into line or you’ll have to go dump it out somewhere and lose your place in line!
  • Refill this container at a water fountain by your departing gate.  I personally tend to drink filtered water when I have control of the situation (either using a reverse osmosis filter at home or a Brita 42629 Slim Pitcher at the office) but I would rather drink tap water at the airport since bottled water is only subject to the same standards as tap water, and in many cases you’re just paying $5 for tap water that has been bottled in plastic which is probably worse than plain old tap water!  The only exceptions to this rule are when you are in an airport in a city that has problems with tap water (you can search this out on the internet to see what current recommendations are in your city) or when you are buying bottled water from a brand that you know and trust and you don’t mind paying lots of money to stay hydrated.
  • Drink this bottle of water on this leg of your flight.  If you don’t like the taste of tap water (like me) bring along a ziplock baggie of lemon or lime wedges or a few sprigs of mint or another herb to mask the flavor.  If you are particulary prone to travel dehydration (manifesting as severe headaches, air sickness, or extreme inability to adjust to time changes) bring a little bit of Celtic salt in a baggie and put a pinch or two into each bottle of water to supply electrolytes.
  • Repeat the above process for every leg of your flight, including arrival at your destination.  Drink that last bottle of water on your way home from the airport.
A good baseline for calculating your MINIMUM amount of daily water intake in ounces is your body weight in pounds divided by two.  For example, a two hundred pound person should drink at least 100 ounces of water daily.  The need for water goes up drastically under flight conditions (dry air, changes in pressure, flying through time zones and magnetic fields) so this amount is the absolute minimum you need to drink – some people need up to twice as much when traveling.   
Yes, you will be spending a lot of time in the bathroom but it can’t possibly be any more time than you would spend recovering from a headache and/or trying to adjust to the time zone!  Plus staying hydrated is good for your skin so all your friends at your arrival destination will think you look absolutely fabulous and know that you are in fact living the good life.

Life Update

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

I realize it has been over a month since my last blog post and in the world of blogging that is way too long!  I have a great excuse for slacking on writing though (actually two great excuses) – I’m pregnant and we’re moving to Hawaii.  Yes, as if one large life change wasn’t enough, everyone’s favorite bossy nutritionist now finds herself in the middle of two.  But what’s life without a little excitement?

Overall, I must say I am very thankful for how things are going with the pregnancy.  I just finished my first trimester and have had no morning sickness, very little fatigue, and no real food aversions which makes life much happier while in the midst of packing one’s life into a POD and shipping it over the ocean.  I promise I won’t turn this into a pregnancy blog since that would only appeal to a portion of you dear readers, but you will be able to look forward to blogs along the lines of:
  • Nutritional support for stress (also known as “Where are the B vitamins???  Did I pack the B vitamins in the POD or in my suitcase?  Honey, have you seen the B vitamins?  If I lose one more thing to day I am going to freak out!!!”) 
  • Creative ways to blog using a laptop when your abdomen is housing another human
  • Nutritional remedies for stretch marks
as well as such classics as “I’m now in my second trimester so you have to read anything I write and say that you really enjoyed it because that’s what the baby wants you to do.”
So there’s the update!  Thanks for reading and I’ll be writing more soon.

The Amazing Benefits of Coconut Oil

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized


Anyone who knows me or has heard me lecture knows that I am a little over the top in my excitement about the amazing healing properties of coconut oil.  That said, it should come as no surprise that when I suffered two minor life-threatening injuries last week (I burned my thumb while trying to devour shrimp scampi directly out of a hot pan and then cut the other thumb while filing paperwork) I immediately turned to coconut oil to help me recover.  For each dramatic (and did I mention life threatening?) injury I dabbed a little bit of coconut oil onto the burn or cut after I had washed it with soap, put a bandaid over it (a Tinkerbell bandaid, to be specific) and within 24 hours I had completely soft skin with no blisters or scars.  Don’t act like you’re not impressed!

When eaten, coconut oil offers benefits including improved thyroid function, weight loss, anti-viral and immune support, and liver detoxification (for more info, see the book The Coconut Oil Miracle (Previously published as The Healing Miracle of Coconut Oil).  In addition to all of these benefits, coconut oil can also be used topically for:
  • First Aid to prevent scars and infection
  • Prevention of stretch marks 
  • Diaper rash
  • Sexual lubricant (this works really well for menopausal women or those on non-latex forms of birth control but please don’t use it if you’re relying on latex for birth control since any kind of oil will cause latex to degrade)
  • Curly hair or dry ends (keep away from roots unless  they are extremely dry or you’re looking for that “haven’t showered for 10 days” greasy look)


What I do is buy coconut oil online in bulk so I can use it for cooking and other household needs.  It doesn’t need to be organic (coconuts don’t need a lot of pesticide application to grow) and if you don’t particularly like a coconut flavor in cooking, then don’t buy the extra virgin variety.  This is the first press of coconut and will have more of that flavor than the later presses.  The only thing you really need to watch out for when buying coconut oil is that you aren’t buying a hydrogenated product, which will pretty much negate any benefits of coconut oil because it has been processed to contain trans fats (I’ll post a scientific rant on trans fats and some point on this blog).  It should say on the side of the bottle whether the coconut oil is hydrogenated or not.  Any brand of coconut oil will do as long as it is not hydrogenated – just look around and see what you can find for a good price.  Here is a nice and inexpensive one I found online:  

 

Once I get the coconut oil in, I divide it out into small jars or other screw-top containers and leave them around the house as needed for moisturizer or lip balm (melt it and add a few drops of essential oil in for a nice smell) and for first aid for situations like the ones I found myself in last week.  I know my injuries were not as exciting as they could have been, but I have known people who had 2nd degree burns and were able to heal with no scars by using coconut oil on the burn site.  No kidding!  

If you have a coconut oil story to share, I’d love to hear it!  Please post it in the comments section.


Caffeine and Age Spots

Author: Jessica Forbes  //  Category: Uncategorized

I love coffee.  And I love the sun.  So, when I got married and took a 3-week honeymoon (or was it 5-week? Ask any of my friends who couldn’t take as much vacation for their honeymoons and they will tell you) in Brazil, spending a minimum of 9 hours daily on the beach I naturally blamed any age spots developing afterward on sun exposure.  My skin does freckle in the sun, but one spot in particular has hung around for the last few years of marital bliss and has been something I watch as a general indicator of skin health.  No, I won’t tell you where it is lest every time I wear a tank top you become fixated on figuring out which freckle is of concern to me.  Just trust me that it’s there.  

The reason I am blogging about such a seemingly mundane topic is that for the last few weeks I have been working on reducing my caffeine intake and drinking more water and a very unexpected side effect has happened – my age spot has gotten lighter.  I can’t say it’s directly related to caffeine intake or to hydration but it is noticeably different.  I used to drink a cup or two of coffee with cream each day, but have switched to mostly drinking green tea lattes with an occasional coffee binge once a week.  Maybe the lightening of the age spot has nothing at all to do with reducing caffeine and more to do with getting more antioxidants from the tea but either way I don’t care – I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing!

Here is how I make the green tea lattes – they’re great iced or hot:

1 green tea bag steeped in 6 oz. boiling water (I like Jasmine green tea but any kind is okay)
1 Tbsp. raw honey
3 Tbsp. heavy cream

That’s it!  It doesn’t have that bitter coffee taste that is so satisfying, but it does have a nice floral aroma and creamy texture so it is enjoyable to drink.