Brown or White Eggs?

So I bought some brown eggs the other day at a health food store. They are locally (within 100 miles) raised, Chino Valley Ranchers, Organic Omega-3. The hens are fed a vegetarian diet that includes flax seed and are free range. They are USDA organic. The dozen cost $4 or $5, I can't remember. Seems like a lot of money but once you've learned what you eat eats then it makes you take a second look at typical things you buy. Eggs and milk are staples in my house and so we buy only organic. There is a difference in taste of regular (corn) fed hens' eggs to vegetarian fed hens'. There is also a distinct smell.

Anyway, I wanted to learn more about why the brown eggs cost more than the white. Some say that there's a nutritious difference between the two being that the brown ones are healthier but there had to be a real reason why the cost was higher for the brown ones.

So I did some research. I learned that there are two kinds of hens. Ones that lay white eggs and ones that lay brown eggs! Yep, it's that simple. Hens with white ear lobes lay white eggs and hens with red ear lobes lay brown eggs. Hens that lay brown eggs are also larger birds than those that lay white eggs. They need more food and they're offered different (or better) feed than the other hens thus the real reason the cost is higher for brown eggs. The red ear lobed hens makes bigger eggs too.

You can find white organic eggs from hens fed on a vegetarian diet. You'll save about a $1 or more on white organic eggs. So there are still affordable options if you want to go organic.

Support local farmers!

Be well.

Extended Breastfeeding

This is late but I while I was on the East Coast I received comments and looks while I nursed my toddler son in public. Nothing was rude just curious. Some asked why I still do it after 12 months. One said her pediatrician told her she could stop at the year mark. I'm guessing most think there is no more benefit to the mother or the child after twelve months. I'm thankful that I live in California (being that there are many attached parents here, holistic families, natural ways of living) and there are plenty of resources and people who say shoot for 12 months minimum and stop when you and the child want after that. 


I like the Kelly Mom web site because she has a plethora of resources for every question pertaining to raising children. The information found therein supports extended breastfeeding. The other day while back home I was leaving a play date that turned into a mom's event with wine and sushi and kids playing in the yard, I left and said my good bye to one of the mothers there who later I found out nurses her soon to be 4 year olds. Wow! I was moved by that! I would have liked to stay for the wine but frankly I haven't had a sip of it since before I got pregnant. My last drink was December 19th, 2007. I surely miss red wine, too. We lived in Italy for 3 years and brought back several cases of Italian red wine, mostly a sweet brand my husband and I fell in love with. When we first move to Italy we weren't wine drinkers. That all changed! But even with that said and as much as I miss the wine, I can live without it right now. I know that I can wait between feedings or when my son was younger I could pump and dump but honestly, I can wait, really. Edit: Just as I was proofing this post, I remembered I did have wine since my son has been born. I had a few ounces of red wine at a Moms Night In last November. I was out for a few hours and knew I had time to have something before getting back to nurse my son.  Some would say having a little alcohol (wine) in the milk is not bad for the baby and that it would help him sleep better. 


Okay back to the original posting: I'm enjoying the ability to nurse my son because I understand the health benefits for both of us. Breast cancer runs in my family and I know extended nursing helps decrease the risk that I will develop it. I also know that my son will have less ear infections, will get sick less, will fight many infections because of the antibodies found in the milk - yes... even now. My son will be 23 months old in a week or so. We are happy. He is "easy like Sunday morning" most of the time. His cool, calm and collected personality I trace back primarily to his dad but also to the amount of bonding we have done because of the breast feeding relationship. I have no idea when we'll stop. I've always said that I'll let him decide. I'm sticking with that for now. 


Breast feeding comes in handy on the days he doesn't want to eat much other than drink cow's milk. At least I know that he's getting more nutrients through my milk because I eat healthy. I hope that this post will offer you some encouragement as you make the decision to breast feed or not and how long you will nurse. I applaud you for trying. I am happy for your little one if all you decided to do was offer your baby the colostrum that comes right after you deliver your bundle of joy. That's liquid gold. Lastly, don't let someone else help you make the decision to no longer nurse. There are many families that aren't supportive... I can say that I didn't have 100% support from many people around me but I knew in my heart it was the best thing for my son. 


Edit #2: After I posted this I logged into Facebook and saw a dear friend post a thread about World Breastfeeding Week - Virtual Celebration. Belly Laughs Doula & Baby Services owner, Maggie Jennings, wrote the following: "Breastfeeding gives babies all the nutrients for the best physical&mental development. The AAP recommends babies be exclusively breastfed for 6 months, then continue (w/food) for 12 months min. whereas the WHO recommends babies 2 years min! Both organizations say breastfeeding should continue for as long as mom & baby want."
What impeccable timing! 


If you want to see what else Maggie is talking about visit her Facebook fan page or her personal website.

All the best,
Jessica