Motherhood Magazine Issue 1 by motherhoodmagazine

MOTHERHOOD an intentional approach

VOL 1

autumn 2017

MOTHERHOOD

Editor-In-Chief

Kickstarter Thank You

Issue One

Amanda Rickenbach

Thank you to everyone who helped

bring this magazine to life! Your

publication may be reproduced,

support is deeply appreciated.

distributed or transmitted in any

Copy Editors

form or by any means, including

Andrea Golts

Supper Thank You

photocopying or other electronic of

Kika Panaitescu

Riverhood Rentals Mt. View Orchards TreeBird Organic Farm Four and Twenty Blackbirds Ani Che The Pines Cor Cellars Twiggs Pine Street Bakery Flow Yoga Cotton Living Sewing Chemistry Hood River Barre Jewelry By Cari Future Folk Supply Glacier Lily Clutch Hair Co Part and Labor Little Hiker Packs Ruddy Duck Sweet Margaret Handmade Hello Dear Handmade Eating Clean Cooking Dirty Hannah Freeman Waucoma Books Columbia GorgePhysical Therapy Apple Green G. Willikers Toy Shoppe Boulevard Photography Violet Montenegro Volcanic Bottle Shop Cheryl and Bob Wilson Skye Wilson

mechanical methods, without prior

Cover Photo Whitney Eldredge & Brittini Maderos

Photographers Nakalan McKay Kate Schwager Toni Pullum Jessica Seaman Amanda Rickenbach Erin Delaney Morgan Day Cecil Emily Manning Kelly Turso Mary Boyden

Event Coordinator Leigh Marquez

Kickstarter Film Manny Marquez

written permission of the editor. For permission requests, write the editor, addressed â&#x20AC;&#x153;attention: Motherhood Permissions,â&#x20AC;? at the address below. hello@motherhoodinthegorge.com www.motherhoodmagazine.net The views expressed in Motherhood are those of the contributors and are not necessarily shared by the company staff. Subscribe Motherhood is published twice a year. To subscribe please visit: www.motherhoodmagazine.net Special Thanks Leigh Marquez Hannah Freeman Isaac Rittenhouse Summer Bodolay - Cover Model Juliana Hein - Yoga Model Mary Boyden Brittany Weaver Grace Rickenbach

Contents 34 At Home with Miss Molly Take a look inside local musician Molly Schwartzâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home, which includes three young boys.

56 Homemade Babyfood Recipes Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s harvest season and a perfect time to create some homemade babyfood.

62 Fall Detox Guide As the energy of summer and back-to-school fades, cold season begins. Local naturopath Jessica Bernardy offers a pre-holiday detox for cleansing the body and boosting the immune system.

Hygge

Yoga At Home

Creative Class - An Interview

Fall Detox Guide

Beautiful Childrens Books

Regain Desire

At Home with Miss Molly - An Interview

Life On A Bus - An Interview

Minimalism In Motherhood

Moving Abroad - An Interview

Home Remedies

Family Audio Books

Baby Food Recipes

Cor Cellars - An Interview

Welcome Is it weird that you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see my face in this photo? I am Amanda. Hello. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s difficult to say when the concept for this magazine began, but active work on bringing it to life began at the beginning of the year. I started to talk about it and started interviewing mothers in our community. I bounced ideas off many different friends and I started meeting with inspiring women from The Gorge. I went from spending my days at the park and the bakery with my two young children, usually with snot or food smeared on my clothes, my hair borderlining dreadlocks, wondering if I brushed my teeth that morning, to spending most of each day navigating the unfamiliar waters of bringing a magazine to life. With the help of many different people I have started something really wonderful and am so happy to bring you the first issue. To all that supported this publication coming to fruition whether financially through our kickstarter or with words that encouraged me throughout the last year, thank you. This first issue is loosely themed around hygge. We are going into the cold and cozy months of the year so I hope this first issue is something that you can curl up and read with a hot cup of tea and a warm blanket. The concept for this magazine has and will continue to evolve. I will welcome feedback about what resonates with you and what you would like to see in the future. Thank you for your kindness and support.

Amanda Rickenbach Editor

Photographed by Toni Pullum House Dress by Dwell & Slumber Baby Romper by Sweet Margaret Handmade

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ur first Motherhood gathering happened this past July at Mt. View Orchards. We enjoyed a beautiful farm-to-table meal prepared by Shane and Kathryn Eagen, dangerously delicious sangria that Leigh Marquez prepared using Ani Che wine and fresh peaches from the farm, and that farm house ale from Volcanic Bottle Shop was crisp and refreshing for a warm summer evening.

It was a magical evening among 100 year-old fruit trees and an alpine pink glow on Mt. Hood. We won't soon forget the magic of that kickoff supper and look forward to many more serene gatherings together. Our next supper will be held at Broder Ost in the Historic Hood River Hotel this November.

Photography by Jessica Seaman

Debbie and Keith of Riverhood Rentals provided the lounge furniture and tableware that really made the

evening extra special. A full list of local businesses and artists that contributed to the supper is listed at the back.

Straight from Gorge gardens

Julianna and Carly looking lovely as they fill their plates

Photography By Nakalan McKay

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By Amanda Rickenbach

HYGGE The Danish concept of warm coziness; it’s creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. (In case you are unclear on pronunciation, it’s pronounced “hoo-gah.”)

Hygge is about atmosphere and experience rather than things. Finding simple ways to spend time with friends and family during the colder seasons might mean morning walks, sharing more candlelight, starting new family traditions (or revisiting old ones), or escaping with friends for a weekend getaway at the coast. It could mean grabbing a blanket and canteen of coffee and visiting a waterfall with your partner, turning on your favorite music and baking cookies with your kids, or spending the morning skiing before ending it with a warm drink, a good book, and a nap. You might bring treats to someone homebound or teach your children to write letters to loved ones. There are many ways to hygge. Hygge is a way to slow down and enjoy the simple things. The people of Denmark like to say, “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” After

the winter we experienced in the Gorge last year, we could all use a lot more hygge as we transition into another cold season. Add more pillows to your space, stock up on candles, trade childcare with a friend so you can go to a yoga class or curl up in silence with tea and a good book, brush your teeth naked, enjoy the sound and sight of migrating geese or a barge floating down river. Hygge is the absence of anything annoying or overwhelming; it’s focusing on wellness, self care, and togetherness instead. Hygge encourages us to do practical things and do them well.

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THE MOTHERLOA D By Kate Doyne Photography By Amanda Rickenbach

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ou’ve seen the posts. A ray of light coming through the window of a perfectly decorated nursery. All of the right books placed just so on the designer shelf, the linens so white, the beautiful mama glowing with pride as she cuddles her perfectly dressed baby.

You look up from your phone to see two baskets overflowing with laundry, a diaper genie that cannot possibly fit one more stinker despite your momentous attempts to shove a few more in there, and oh god when was the last time you changed the sheets? You sigh. The light in your phone goes out and suddenly you see your own reflection on the screen. Greasy hair, that stain of partially digested breast milk running down your shirt, the utter exhaustion in your eyes. “How do they do it?” you say. The answer is simple. They don’t. They have the same overflowing laundry baskets, the diaper jam, the spit up down the front of their shirt. It’s just outside the frame. In my five years working as a postpartum doula, I’ve had the honor of helping support families as they welcome a new soul into their community. The fourth trimester is raw, heart opening, life changing, and let’s face it, at times, hard as hell. The helpful friends and family members go back to their lives and suddenly the adrenaline wears off and the reality sets in. The dishes pile up in the sink and life becomes a checklist of never ending feedings and naps and poops and a whole lot of fear and guilt and uncertainty sandwiched in between. I have learned so much while witnessing and supporting parents as they enter a new phase of their lives. But the greatest thing I’d like to share is the importance of keeping it real. Let’s face the facts. Social media is baloney. Pinterest is baloney. And most of your friends probably ran around the house chucking crap into closets just moments before your arrival. What if we all just decided to stop this charade? What if instead of hiding the things we’re ashamed of, we embrace them. We leave those imperfections out in the open to be seen by all. Even better, to bond over and laugh about and validate and commiserate. Not just the good, but also the bad and the ugly. The highs and the lows. The light and the darkness. It’s human nature to bond over a common enemy. So let’s make that enemy the illusion of perfection. Through an Instagram lens, breastfeeding looks easy, bodies bounce back, couples seem happier. It’s intimidating, overwhelming, and easy to forget that it’s not REAL. Take a deep breath. Let go. Show your imperfections. Lean into the discomfort. You are not alone. We are all human. So tear down the walls and illusions and the need to hide your true feelings from the world. Create a safe space and invite your friends to do the same. Unravel. And if all else fails, unfollow. You’re doing great. I promise.

C O N SI DER C HI C KE N S It seems like everyone has their own backyard hens these days, and for good reason. They are useful pets! They are low maintenance animals to have in your life, they each have their own personality and they teach children responsibility. Even a child as young as one can help feed the hens and gather their eggs. Raising them is a great way to understand caring for animals and what it means to be accountable for anotherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. Many breeds are very friendly and sometimes let you snuggle more than a cat, but be sure to research breeds that are the best around children before you add them to the family.

NOW ENROLLING 800 Country Club Road. Hood River, OR 97031 I w w w.rootsschoolandmakery.com

Back To The Basics

hygge MOTHERHOOD

dwell & slumber

good medicine tea

rifle notebooks

These live-in / sleep-in dresses make the perfect house dress when you are at home all day. They are nursing friendly and have pockets. Dress them up or sleep in them!

Having a warm cup of tea by your side is very hyggeligt. This is a local tea company that has a wide assortment of blends worth savoring.

Writing down things your children say or writing down your thoughts and ideas is a great hygge practice and having a beautiful notebook to write in gives you extra motivation.

www.dwellandslumber.com

Find the widest variety locally at Farm Stand in Hood River.

Find locally at Apple Green in Hood River.

guide honey mama’s chocolate

smart wool socks

kantha quilt

When you have had a long day and you really need some chocolate, a corner of this versus an entire chocolate bar is something you won’t regret.

Have you converted to wool socks yet? They hold up much better than traditional cotton socks and don’t smell! Wool is naturally anti-microbial so you can wear them several times before washing.

Kantha quilts are typically handstitched using old saris and come in all differnt colors and patterns. They are soft, cozy and classic.

Find locally at Farm Stand in Hood River.

www.smartwool.com

Find your own kantha at Ruddy Duck in downtown Hood River.

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By Amanda Rickenbach / Photography by Nakalan McKay

C R E AT I V E C L A S S Emily and Paul Pastor homeschool their three children in the community of Bridal Veil, about 35 minutes west of Hood River.

Why did you choose to homeschool? I’d love to say we made the decision to homeschool based on a lot of research and soul searching, but in many ways it was a gut decision. Both my husband and I had been homeschooled for many years. It felt like a comfortable and natural choice, in the same way that other educational options must seem natural to those who were raised in them. When looking at our values, goals, and dreams as a family, homeschooling seemed like a natural fit. My husband is self-employed and has a lot of f lexibility on where and when he works, so we also wanted an education that we could “take anywhere, do anytime.” We also want to instill a love of learning and a curiosity in our children and there are so many unique opportunities to do that in the context of everyday life when home life is focused on learning. Often, homeschooling parents feel defensive when talking about important issues like education or parenting styles from fear that others who make different choices are judging our decisions. We always say we will take our childrens’ education year by year and choose options that are best both for our individual children and our whole family.

What do you like best about homeschooling?

What type of curriculum do you use?

I love the flexibility and freedom of homeschooling.

One of the joys and challenges of homeschooling is

We have done school at the beach, the park, in a ham-

choosing from the many different ways to do it. It’s

mock in the backyard, in the car, and more. Our world

overwhelming. There are so many wonderful and

is a bustling classroom for the curious. Any situation

inspiring methods within home education, such as

or activity can become an educational moment with a

Classical, Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, Waldorf,

little intentionality.

Montessorri, Reggio, etc. Then, each of those “tradi-

One example of integrating learning with life comes during car rides. Living in the Gorge, we end up doing a lot of driving, which used to be stressful or a “stickon-a-DVD” situation. But it’s become an extension of our read-aloud time as we work through new audiobooks together. We have listened to history told as narrative from prehistory to the fall of Rome, to some children’s classics or just-for-fun stories. We recently listened through the entire Chronicles of Narnia in less than two months just from our car rides, and are getting started on The Hobbit. Getting into stories together involves language, history, ethics, literature, and so much more.

tions” have specific curriculum, which can be daunting. As a beginning homeschooler, it’s confusing to see so many thriving families doing very different things. One of the biggest lessons I have learned is not to use a curriculum or activity only because it works for “so and so’s family” but to be open to trying new things and ditching them if they don’t match the rhythm and needs of my own children. Our family gravitates toward a Charlotte Mason and Classical education with a little Unschooling and Waldorf-inspired nature education thrown in. We use a variety of resources and curriculums, but

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rely heavily on literature, nature, and imagination as inspiration—with an emphasis on “living” resources (such as original books and primary sources instead of textbooks “about” a subject). There will always be gaps in one’s education no matter what curriculum you choose, so the important thing is to quiet the fears in your mind and do what meshes with your family. This is a lesson I’m still learning. But it’s getting easier to give myself permission to do this. What are your kids’ favorite subjects? All of our kids love reading and outdoor education. Because learning about nature draws in so many senses, and because we live on such beautiful, vibrant land, it lends itself to enjoyable and memorable learning. With that said, each of our kids has different interests and affinities. Our oldest is on her way to becoming a little herbalist. She can identify edible and medicinal herbs, both in the garden and through foraging. Our five-year-old loves learning about animals and has a remarkable memory for their names and attributes. You can often find him impersonating his latest favorite creature. We just started keeping a nature journal, and it is developing their sense of observation and appreciation even more for the natural world. Our almost-three-year old is taking it all in, but has great savvy for being outside and a wonderful attention span for listening to his older siblings’ stories and activities. What do you like about living in the Gorge? Did you grow up here? I love the wildness of the Gorge. My husband and I grew up in the Northwest but only moved to the Gorge three years ago. I feel so privileged to live in a place that people from all over the world come to visit. I love being able to observe how this beautiful and wild place changes so surely and subtly each day. I’ve never felt more in tune with the rhythms and cycles of nature and I know that’s already part of our family culture. This wildness is always teaching. Some of the lessons are a joy, and some are a struggle, but they are all valuable. Over this last brutal winter, we lost

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our well, septic and power for days at a time, but our

in our yard and is usually seen with stains around his

kids experienced using a camping toilet, cooking on

mouth from handfuls of lemon balm and salal berries.

the woodstove, washing dishes in a tub on the f loor, and using candles for light. What seemed like a horrible inconvenience really was a valuable lesson in

Paul is not just giving them head knowledge about these things, but imparting a love and respect for

adaptability and resourcefulness for all of us.

their surroundings that you can’t learn from memo-

What is your husband’s role in homeschooling?

as part of nature—not just in it as a visitor, but as

rizing facts. The kids are learning to see themselves

While I do the majority of the “schooling,” I would say my husband Paul is a more natural teacher than I am. He is so good at taking ordinary moments and im-

where they belong. I’m so thankful for his love of learning and playfulness that make homeschooling enjoyable and integrated throughout our days.

parting wisdom and knowledge without the kids even

You are also an artist. How does this work into

knowing it. The outdoors is his specialty, and he has

your days?

taught all our children how to identify plants, birds, animal tracks, constellations, and so much more. Even our two-year-old knows the plants he can eat

I never considered myself artistic, and I didn’t start painting or drawing until four years ago. It was the

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concept of nature journaling that inspired me to get

sources will be there when you need them. Likewise,

my first little watercolor set and notebook. It became

if public or private school lines up with the beat of

an area of self-growth and challenge that felt new

your family, then pursue that in the joy and knowl-

and life-giving. It’s only been in the last year that

edge of an intentional choice. Homeschooling, public

I’ve begun to do some commissioned art and sell

school, or private school, we all just need to lay the

pieces on the side.

fears and insecurities down and run hard after our

This is a season of my life when I am wearing so many hats that I’ve had to be very careful about how I spend my time. Art is something that started as a life-giving hobby, and if it ever turns into something that becomes a drain on me, then that will be my cue to scale back. I only do art if I feel inspired or if I need to finish a commission, but that usually is in the evenings after kids have gone to bed. What advice would you give parents considering homeschooling? Two things. Don’t make lifestyle choices based on fear, and don’t be afraid to be different. I know a lot of people may be afraid they’re not orga-

calling to encourage the people we love to grow in strength and love and good thinking. What are some of your favorite books? For personal enjoyment: A Circle of Quiet by Madeliene L’Engle Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery For homeschooling: Home Grown by Ben Hewitt Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins The writings of Charlotte Mason

nized enough, or “type A” enough, or qualified enough

Do you have a strong community of other

to teach their kids. I know a lot of people may be

homeschoolers you connect with?

afraid their kids would be socially awkward, or offbeat, or wear Lord of the Rings capes or something all

We have a very strong community of like-minded peo-

the time if they homeschooled.

ple, but they don’t necessarily homeschool their kids or even have kids. I’m very thankful for the friend-

As much as possible, quiet those fears and look at

ships and perspectives of those whose lifestyles look

the deepest desires for you and your children. Put

a little different from ours. I’m slowly meeting more

the fear aside and have faith that the people and re-

homeschooling families in our area, and also finding homeschooling support, inspiration, and resources online. But I would love to get connected with a weekly co-op or homeschool group for some extra support. What are your family’s dreams for the future? My husband and I are always dreaming and starting sentences with “what if…” It’s a family value to follow those dreams as much as possible. Both Paul and I have had formal education. We’ve worked manual or “daily grind” labor in manufacturing, in restaurants, in cubicles. We’ve both committed to jobs we didn’t like because it paid the bills. I think self-discipline and a good work ethic are crucial to a happy life. But it’s also easy to get trapped

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in doing things you hate because “that’s the way life goes,” or to support a lifestyle that you “should” have but that doesn’t bring true blessing to you or those around you. In our culture, our lives are filled with going places we don’t want to go, to do things we don’t really want to do, and we’re told that’s just how life is so, buckle down to get that raise. We want to foster an adventurous spirit in our family that values different things. It’s easy to think about adventures in the context of traveling, or doing something big and crazy. But I’ve found that adventure really starts with an attitude that’s willing to do things differently and creatively in spite of circumstances. Work, family life, education—all can be rich and wonderful adventures. As much work as it is, it is sure worth living that way.

Check Out Emily’s Art At www.etsy.com/shop/coopeycreek

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STORY TIME For those who love the pairing of lovely art and words, these wonderfully illustrated childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s books are sure to make your heart swell.

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when i was small Written by Sara Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leary Illustrated by Julie Morstad Little Henry has a question for his mother in this charming new picture book. When he asks his mother what her life was like when she was small, she launches into a sweet and imaginitative description of her childhood. Your own children are sure to ask you about your own childhood after you read this book. Enjoy thinking up equally sweet and imaginative adventures to tell your own little ones.

story time

you belong here

gaston

Written by M.H. Clark Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault

Written by Kelly Dippuchio Illustrated by Christian Robinson

The beautiful pages in this book journey around the world, observing plants and animals, everywhere. Everything and everyone has a place where they belong.

In this puppy tale, a bulldog and a poodle learn that family is about love, not appearances.

roxaboxen Written by Alice McLerran Illustrated by Barbara Cooney Across the road, it looked like any rocky hill—nothing but sand and rocks, and some old wooden boxes. But it was a magical place where all you needed was a long stick and a soaring imagination.

cloth lullaby Written by Amy Novesky Illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault This biographical picture book portrays Louise Bourgeois’s childhood experiences weaving with her loving and nurturing mother. While illuminating how memories are woven into us all, this book stunningly captures the relationship between mother and daughter.

almost a full moon Written by Hawksley Workman Illustrated by Jensine Eckwall Based on song lyrics it is the story of family, community, food and home. A boy and his grandmother host a gathering in their small cabin in the middle of winter. Friends travel from near and far, and some new friends even turn up. If this book isn’t the essence of hygge, I don’t know what is.

the storm whale By Benji Davies In a house by the sea, a little boy watches his father leave each day for work. One night, a great storm washes a small whale onto the beach. The boy discovers the whale is a good listener and the father discovers his son is lonely. They work together to return the whale to the sea and from that day on, the boy learns that the father can be a good listener too. Illustration from The Storm Whale

at home

W I T H M I S S M O L LY

By Amanda Rickenbach / Photography by Kate Schwager

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ood River-based music teacher, performer, and mother, Molly Schwartz invited us into her home to get a sense of her style and talks to us about her experiences working and raising three boys.

Tell us the story behind your home. We moved here in January of 2009 with our 3 week old first baby. My husband got a job here and we were very lucky to land in our neighborhood. We rented a house a few blocks away and I would walk the baby and the dog past this house every day. I always lingered a little over it, seeing its potential from the outside. Then one day, the owner came out and I said, “Hey, I like your house” and he said, “Oh, we were thinking of selling.” And the rest is history! Also, it should be noted that we didn’t even have a key upon purchase. Also, legend has it, it was a house of ill repute. There were A LOT of random doors. So many entrances.

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Learn More About Molly’s Classes At w w w . mu s i c fo r c h i l d r e n o r . c o m

What's your philosophy when it comes to decorating? I really love color and patterns. I’m not afraid of anything. I buy what I’m drawn to and make it work even if it seems that it won’t. I love Home Goods for quirky accents. I love Ikea but I hate this damn ugly brown leather couch and have dreams of a new one but...kids. They are constantly sticky. The showrooms at Anthropologie make me weak in the knees. I would take any one of them. Also, I have a serious problem with bedding. I love the fact that bedding and pillows can change a room immediately. But please, no maroon. Ever.

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What is your favorite piece of artwork or furniture you own? Our good friend Jason Oliva painted this giant rooster which lives in our living room above our fireplace. I love the bold lines and the shock of hot pink. It makes me happy every day. I also have a very weird painting from our friend Michelle Yamamoto of the actress Tilda Swinton in her character from The Grand Budapest Hotel. I really love portraits and the most hilarious one is hanging in our kitchen, also by Michelle. It’s of Kristin Wiig who I hold in embarrassingly high esteem. Scratch that. I’m not embarrassed about my love for her. Also one of my favorite things is the giant sail hanging over our bed. Danny and I lived for quite a long time on a sailboat which was challenging and fun and terrible and exciting and the sail is a great reminder of how long we’ve known each other and how far we’ve come. What do you do professionally? I teach a music program for kids which is called Mary Ann Hall’s Music for Children. Tell us a little about your background. What are your thoughts on kid stuff taking over? Is it in every room or do you keep it all corralled?

I have a background in musical theater and improv and sketch comedy hence the myriad of jobs I’ve held over the lean years in NYC. I’ve nannied, waitressed, man-

This question makes me laugh because I always

aged a restaurant, sold teeth whitener, was a barista,

think of my mom who each time she visits, practical-

bartender, and a music teacher. I met Mary Ann Hall

ly begs me to create a play area in our basement for

while living in New York and started teaching her pro-

the kid’s toys. I’ve tried before, but they really don’t

gram which I now have a branch of out here.

like playing down there and to be honest, I love having them around me IF they are playing happily. All the kids’ stuff is shoved into their small rooms. It

What do you like most about your work?

actually works fine because they are pretty good It’s hard to say just one thing. It has connected me a

about putting stuff away. I mean, after I ask them

to a whole community of wonderful Gorge families. So

six times and then threaten to take away technology.

many families have cycled through the program and the

Their closets are shameful though. Stuff crammed

most rewarding part on a daily basis is the children. All

everywhere. I think Whit’s closet has some of my

I have to do is sing with them, listen to them, talk with

dresses hanging there and a rug and a mirror and a

them and they lift my spirits immediately. And they

wig from Halloween. I rely heavily on Ikea’s wicker

make me laugh so much!

baskets which hold all their toys and have lasted a

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very long time. The boys have a thousand stuffed animals which I shove into cute plastic Ikea tubs and place under their beds. Has your passion or view of work changed after having kids? For sure. The most passion I have is for my family. I want to be the best person I can be in their eyes and of course, in my own eyes. But I’m also passionate about my own creativity. It’s just not the center of my life like it used to be, and that’s ok. I find ways to express myself other than motherhood. Each year I do a benefit called the “I Hate Cancer Concert” which has taken on a life of its own and has raised a lot of money for local families fighting cancer. My kids go every year, even though some material is above their heads and the language is salty. I want them to see that you can do great things with what you’re given. You can make your own work and have a passion for something and do something good for others. They are always in the forefront of my mind.

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What's it like raising three boys? Oh man. It’s exhausting, exhilarating, infuriating and sublime. It’s what I’m most passionate about and most sure about. I always knew I wanted to be a mother above all else. I do feel like the older they get, the harder it gets. When they’re little, it’s tiring and sweet and all those things, then they reach an age where they are out in the world and you just hope they are making good decisions. I worry about them a lot. But I know if I just keep being myself and loving them and giving them a safe place at home, then I think they’ll be ok. How would you describe your personal style? Kind of like my house, I guess. I buy what I like. I have a lot of color in my closet. I love jackets. Oh my god I have so many jackets, it’s a little sick. I am inspired by fashion and I miss that about living in New York. But I try and bring New York with me even in a small town because clothes are so much fun!

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Where do you like to shop and why? We are so lucky to have two of the best stores that you could find in any city, right here in this small town, Parts & Labor and Plenty. They are each so stylish but yet in different ways. I have to limit myself from even walking past the window displays because my closet is a little out of control and I can always justify ONE more pair of jeans...itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dangerous. I would spend all my money in those two stores. Food? Who needs food? Who are your favorite musicians? Van Morrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Astral Weeks is my number one favorite album. I love him very much. I also love old soul, like Sam Cooke and anything from that era. My early memories are deeply rooted in Motown. I also love show tunes like crazy. I love to dance but I also love to listen to quieter stuff like Joni Mitchell and Paul Simon. What do you like most about raising a family in the Gorge? The peace I feel knowing that my children are growing up surrounded by a loving community and postcard perfect surroundings. The winters sledding at Jackson Park, grabbing hot cocoa at pine street bakery, summers playing at the marina, days spent at the Waterfront Park, hiking trails and riding bikes. How did we get so lucky to call this place home?

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how getting rid of stuff saved my motherhood By Allie Casazza Photography By Erin Delaney

was struggling. I thought I was the only mom in the

functioning. I was that student in school who stays up all

world who couldn’t get it together, who wasn’t really

night studying and gets a C. That’s how I felt about my life.

enjoying motherhood. I felt terrible. I sat on my couch

I was trying so hard! I felt little satisfaction, little joy, and

with a giant pile of laundry next to me. Another day had

every day was a battle for my time.

come and gone and I had barely been able to keep up. The days were flying by me; my kids were all four years old and

I asked other moms and friends I respected if this was

under, but I felt like I had missed what childhood they’d had

normal, how they managed their homes and kids, and if they

so far. I was always cleaning up.

felt like they enjoyed it. What I was met with was a resounding “Oh yeah, I remember those days! That’s mother-

When I thought about my days and how I spent my time, all

hood. It’ll be okay and you’ll get through it.”

I saw were stacks of dishes, an endless mountain of laundry, and piles of toys and books and markers and jackets and

“You’ll get through it.”

shoes and empty water bottles and paper artwork. But what if I wanted more than to just survive in my mothI thought motherhood was going to mean I’d get to enjoy

erhood?

my kids. I chose stay-at-home motherhood because I felt like this is where I was supposed to be—home with my

After another particularly difficult day, I reflected on how I’d

kids. It felt right. Yet, I never spent time truly with them.

yelled, how I’d been the mom I never wanted to be, how I was

I had to keep moving or the house and the day would col-

counting how many hours I had of peace and quiet before

lapse. This made me lose my desire to play with them. What

morning came and I had to start over.

was the point if I was just going to get more behind and more stressed out?

In that moment, I had had enough. I decided I wasn’t going to let this be my life, and this overwhelm and depression

It’s not that I’m a neat freak (in fact, I’m probably pretty near

wasn’t going to rule me any longer. What I did next set my

the opposite). All this work was simply to keep the house

life on a new course and it changed everything.

I went into the playroom — the room that was the bane of my existence. This was a room full of colorful bins, each bin full of toys. There were toys on the floor, in chests, in boxes, toys everywhere. I would send my kids in here to play and they would come out less than ten minutes later complaining of boredom. This room was pointless, and I’d had enough. I started working through the room, making piles—keep, trash, donate. I got rid of every single toy that I felt wasn’t benefiting my kids. If it didn’t cause them to engage in constructive or imaginary play, it wasn’t staying in this house because it wasn’t worth the work it caused me. If I was going to clean up, it was going to be the things that added to our lives; it was going to be only the things we needed and the things we truly loved. When I was finished, all that remained were trains and tracks, a couple of dress up costumes, books, and blocks. The trunk of my car was overstuffed with toys to take to Goodwill, my playroom was purged, and I immediately felt lighter. The next day my kids ran downstairs for breakfast, and as usual, I sent them into their playroom to play, curious to see if meltdowns would ensue because of what I’d done with their toys. They walked in, looked around, said something along the lines of “Hey! It’s nice and clean, Mommy! Hey! There’s my trains!” and happily started playing. I was shocked. I stepped out of the room, poured myself a cup of coffee, and sat on the couch. To my surprise, my kids played in that room that day for three hours. Three hours! It wasn’t just that day either. They continued to want to be in their playroom for long amounts of time from

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then on. They started going outside more often, making up

Bingo.

stories and scenarios together, playing tag and creating art. It was as if I had unclogged their God-given gift of imagination

That’s what was going on with me, and I believe it’s the cause

when I got rid of their toys.

of today’s epidemic in mothers. Barely getting by, living in survival mode, feeling like their kids’ childhoods are passing them

I took my purging into other areas of the house — the dishes,

by even when they’re right there living it with them. Our stuff

the clothes, the drawers and cupboards — and our homelife

is literally stealing away our joy and our lives. It’s stealing the

continued to transform.

most precious thing in the world—motherhood.

I was spending much less than half the time managing my

I believe mothers need minimalism more than anyone else.

house, I was playing with my kids, I took up homeschooling, my marriage even improved because I wasn’t a cranky maniac

Minimalism is less cleaning; it’s the joy of always being ready

anymore. My depression lifted and never came back.

for company to drop by without stressing out; it’s more free time to focus on your priorities; it’s enjoying your home rath-

Life felt lighter, intentional, and I was no longer “getting

er than being owned by it; it’s being able to be a mom who

through it.” This was abundant life in motherhood; I could

plays rather than a mom who’s always cleaning up; it’s being

feel it.

a happier person.

Today, almost four years later, we’ve had a fourth baby, moved

You can escape the chronic overwhelm that everyone else calls

cross-country to chase our dreams (very easily, because we

normal. I promise you, it’s so worth it.

weren’t tied down by our stuff), I started a business doing what I love and helping other women, and the housework is just a side note in my life. It’s something I have to maintain a little each day in order to serve my family and keep things running smoothly; it does not take up the bulk of my life anymore. My kids’ imaginations continue to bloom in amazing ways because there are hardly any toys in our house. They create these elaborate stories together and act them out, they get along so beautifully together, and they prefer to be outside more than anywhere else. I feel like we’re giving them an honest to goodness 1970s childhood, and I love that. So why did de-cluttering give me so much freedom? How does losing my stuff have anything to do with my depression and general lack of joy in my motherhood? Studies show a direct link between the amount of physical possessions in a house and the stress level of the female homeowner. I learned that the more stuff was in a woman’s house, the higher her level of stress hormones. This same study also found that women subconsciously relate how happy they are

Learn More About Minimalism In Motherhood O n A l l i e ’s We b s i t e : www.alliecasazza.com

with their homelife and family to how they feel about their homes. So the more clutter and chaos in the home, the less happy the woman is with her family and her life.

Kinship

DESIGN STUDIO

w w w. k i n s h i p d e s i g n s t u d i o . c o m

Thoughtfully curated spaces for your family.

SIMPLICITY TIPS When it comes to gifts, ask loved ones to gift your children experiences over things. Audible credits, a trip to Omsi, a ski pass, a massage, an afternoon flying a kite, a ride on the the sternwheeler or train all make great gifts. When our children grow up they won’t look back on the stuff they filled their room with, they will look back on the experiences they shared with loved ones.

REMEMBER Limit what you own to that which is very useful or very beautiful (or both).

If you're not using the space in your house, consider downsizing to something more practical. You will likely save money and time spent cleaning by letting go of the idea that more space is better; smaller spaces are easier to maintain and more environmentally responsible.

Start capsule wardrobes for the whole family.

one in = one out

H AV E A F A M I LY M E E T I N G

If you get something new, something old has to go.

Talk to your partner and children about why you own things and do what you do. It might shed a new light on your home and life. This also pushes you toward talking about what you spend your time doing. Minimalism isn’t only about the amount of “stuff” in your life; it’s about the things we fill our time with.

DO AWAY WITH D U P L I C AT E S

SIMPLIFY MEAL PLANNING WITH EATING CLEAN COOKING DIRTY’S MEAL PLANS

be thoughtful We are all looking for a good deal. But often, spending a little more upfront for something of higher quality means less waste in the long run. Not only will things hold up better, but we generally care for things that cost more money differently than we do a quick grab at Walmart.

keep a bag or basket near your front door for things that need to be returned to friends and family.

start a toy rotation. pack away 75% of your childrens toys into bins and put them out of site. rotate bins every couple of weeks. { and it’s a hood river-based business }

Sharing A great way to live a “greener” life is to buy secondhand and, even better, to just share with friends. Your baby outgrew her crib? Let a friend that is expecting borrow it until you have your next baby. Try setting up a toy trade with friends once a month.

A BEDTI M E RI T U A L To say that the health benefits of lavender essential oil are wide-ranging would be an understatement. Frankinscense has the reputation of being the “king of oils” and I would say that lavender oil is “the queen.” One of the best ways for a mother or father to use lavender oil is in the creation of bedtime ritual. Lavender oil induces sleep and is commonly used as an alternative treatment to insomia. Fill an empty roller bottle with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil (no coconut scent) or jojoba oil. Then drop 10-20 drops of lavender oil into the bottle. Each night at bedtime rub the oil onto your little ones temples, the back of his or her neck, or bottoms of the feet. If you choose to do feet you should commit to always using that roller on the feet. Not only will the lavender oil assist in your child drifitng off to sleep but the ritual of knowing this is a bedtime routine will do the same.

To purchase oils visit www.motherhoodmagazine.net

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oughs, as you may know, are our bodiesʼ way of moving a virus, bac-

teria, fungus, pollen or foreign body out of our airways. As we cough, air is forced out of our lungs and along with it, any intruder that might be causing trouble. As physiologically useful as coughs can be, coughing tends to be uncomfortable and let’s be honest: annoying. Since The American Academy of Pediatrics began advising against the use of over the counter cough suppressants for children and infants, many parents are left wondering what they can do to ease their child’s cough. Luckily, there are many naturopathic therapies that help soothe a cough and support the body’s innate ability to remove germs and boost the immune system. We will focus on the benefits of apple cider vinegar and elderberry remedies that you can prepare and administer at home.

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apple cider vinegar By Dr. Kathryn Walker / Photography By Kelly Turso

inegar is truly a magic potion. We’ve all seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding right? (right!?) Quick synopsis: Gus Portokalos (father of the bride) believes Windex will cure all ills; any physical complaint the characters had in the movie would most likely result in a drive-by spraying of Windex from Gus. Trust me, it’s hilarious. (Also I am not advocating Windex usage on well… anything.) In my perspective, apple cider vinegar is synonymous to the Windex cure all of My Big Fat Greek Wedding; it’s good for just about everything. So it comes as no surprise that apple cider vinegar is also a great treatment for coughs. Facts: Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has profound benefits in the management of all coughs but especially dry cough. ACV is antibacterial and antiviral with astringent properties, which in turn helps control the spread of infection in the throat. ACV is also a natural anti-inflammatory with soothing properties that help reduce pain and irritation in the throat and chest. It contains essential nutrients, enzymes and amino acids which help boost the immune system, promoting quick relief from coughing. ADD SOME HERBS TO THE MIX Did you know that vinegar can be infused with herbs to create wonderful alcohol-free extracts? While not as potent as alcohol based tinctures, an herbal vinegar extract is a great alternative for the whole family. In my experience, dried herbs tend to produce a more effective herbal vinegar extract for medicinal value but fresh herbs can also be used to make nutritive vinegars. A few of my favorite herbs for cough in kids: Elderberry is an immune modulating herb which means it stimulates the immune system. It’s also an expectorant, diaphoretic (fever reducer), antihistamine, antioxidant, antimicrobial and antiviral.

Mullein leaf is an expectorant which means it helps the body expel congestion, it’s also a demulcent which means it can be soothing to irritated tissues. Mullein leaf is recommended for both dry and productive coughs. Marshmallow root is great for dry irritation, as an expectorant and antispasmodic with anti-inflammatory demulcent properties. Wonderful to soothe dry coughs. Wild cherry bark is considered an antitussive (cough inhibitor). Wild cherry bark can help relieve nervous habitual coughing.

herbal vinegar cough remedy 1/2-1 tsp. wild cherry bark 1 tbsp. mullein leaf 1/2 tbsp. echinacea 1/2 tbsp. elderberry 1 tbsp. marshmallow root step 1 chop or grind your dried herbs to a coarse powder. fill 1/5 of your sterilized jar with the herb. pour organic raw apple cider vinegar over the herbs until the jar is filled to the top. cover tightly and allow to extract for 14 days in a cool, dark place. be sure to shake the jar daily. step 2 after 2 weeks, strain the herb through cheesecloth. set the strained liquid in a capped jar on a shelf and allow the sediment to settle overnight. decant the clear liquid layer into another sterilized jar using a strainer. cap tightly, label, and store for up to 6 months in a cool, dark place. regardless if you are an herb savvy mama or a swig from the apple cider vinegar bottle maiden, your family can benefit greatly from acv. in addition, if you call your herbal tincture or dose of apple cider vinegar a potion your child’s willingness to take it will greatly improve, or honey, just mix it with honey.

Can’t find the time for an herbal infusion? Just take a spoonful before bed each night followed by a spoonful of honey.

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elderberry syrup By Dr. Kathryn Walker / Photography By Kelly Turso

lderberry plant medicine and teachings show up in tales from around the world, with numerous cultural variations. Elderberry often takes form in stories as the wise woman; Elder Lady, Elder Woman, or Elda Mor. Elda Mor (my favorite variation) is the mystic mama who has taken the shape of a tree in order to heal her children. She is powerful and she demands respect. If you wish to have her help, you must honor her; she requires gifts and requests that you ask permission. If you abuse her, or fail to ask politely of all she has to offer, Elda Mor will… well… poison you. My apologies for starting so morbidly; however understanding Elda Mor power is very important. The berries and flowers are used as medicine; berries must be cooked before they are taken. Raw berries contain a chemical similar to cyanide (because thats how incredible Elda Mor is). Elder is one of those plants surrounded by mystery, magic, and superstition. It’s not called “Elder” for nothing! And as many of you already know, if you bought a wand from Ollivander’s (from the brilliant world of Harry Potter of course) you would know that an Elder wand has the most powerful magical capabilities (besides Holly, Harry’s wand was made from Holly). We know a little lore surrounding elderberry, but what about raw plant value and medicinal components? Elderberry has gained great popularity because it is powerhouse food - a super food with great nutritional benefits and healing components. Talk about antioxidant power: the flavonoid and antioxidant content of elderberries is higher than blueberries, cranberries, goji berries and blackberries! Health benefits of the elder plant include naturally improving colds, the flu, sinus congestion, nerve pain, inflammation, chronic fatigue, allergies, constipation and even cancer. When used within the first 48 hours

of onset of symptoms, elderberry extract has actually been found to reduce the duration of the flu with symptoms being relieved on an average of four days earlier! One of my favorite uses for elder is when the elderflower is tinctured; when tinctured, it becomes a wonderful remedy for infant fever. Dosed at one drop per pound (of baby) many fevers have been reduced by this herb, negating the need for other over the counter anti-inflammatories and fever reducers. Elder gives and teaches us many things. While she (Elda Mor) is a shallow-rooted tree, she is sturdy and strong. While her canopy is airy and light, it is often wide and often growing low to the ground, providing effective shelter from the elements. By comparison of similars, elder reminds us we must learn to embrace multiple perspectives and through the language of flowers; elder emphasizes the need for love, compassion and purification. Elder is powerful medicine with a meaningful message. When it comes to health and healing, elder has an absolute mothering touch.

elderberry syrup ingredients: 2 cups fresh or 1 cup dried elderberries 3-4 cups of water 1-2 cups of honey or sweetener of choice place berries in a saucepan and cover with water. simmer over low heat for 30-45 minutes. smash the berries in the pan, then strain the mixture through a fine- mesh strainer. sweeten to taste with honey. store in the refrigerator. syrup should keep for 2-3 months. dosage: 1 teaspoon 3 times daily

Unable to forage your own berries? Purchase dried berries online or pre-made syrup at the grocery store.

homemade wholesome babyfood recipes Recipes created by the mothers of food blog The Modern Proper. Between them they have five children and they believe that sharing food and your home leads to sharing life. Inviting others around your table is a beautiful way to strengthen friendships and build community.

w w w .t h em o d e r n p r o p e r .c o m

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Beet, Carrot & Mango 3 small red beets, washed well & quartered 3 small carrots, washed well, tops removed, cut into 3 inch pieces 1 cup frozen or fresh mango 1. Add 2 inches of water to a small pot fitted with a steaming basket. 2. Steam beets and carrots together over low heat for 15 minutes until tender when poked with a fork. 3. Add the steamed beets & carrots along with the frozen mango to a high powered blender or food processor. 4. Process until smooth. 5. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Or freeze for up to one month.

Blueberry Banana & Mint 2 bananas, very ripe Â˝ cup frozen blueberries 1 sprig fresh mint, leaves only 1. Place all ingredients in a high powered blender. 2. Process until smooth. 3. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Or freeze for up to one month.

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Sweet Potato, Ginger & Apple 1 large sweet potato, peeled, 1” cubed 2 apples, peeled, cored, 2” cubed 1” piece fresh ginger, peeled 1. Add sweet potato to a large pot of boiling water. Boil for 5 minutes before adding the apples. Boil the sweet potato and apples together for 10 minutes before adding the ginger to the pot. Boil 5 minutes longer until the potatoes and apples are tender. 2. Drain the water off and transfer all ingredients in a high powered blender or food processor. Process until smooth. 3. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Or freeze for up to one month.

Spinach & Pear 4 large handfuls spinach 2 pears, peeled, cored, quartered 1. Place both the spinach & pears in a high powered blender. Process until smooth. 2. Store in an airtight container for up to one week. Or freeze for up to one month.

Move from a place of imbalance to a place of balance. Sound Healing I Hannah Freeman I 310.990.7649

yoga

Photography by Jessica Seaman

AT H O M E

KRISTIN FRANGER, YOGA TEAC HER AT YOGA SAMA DHI IN WHI TE SALMON, GUIDES US THROUGH AN AT HOME YOGA SEQUENC E AS WELL AS A GENTLE PREGNANCY SEQUENC E.

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P R E - N AT A L S E Q U E N C E

EASY POSE

SUFI ROLLS

TRIANGLE POSE

HALF MOON POSE

PROPS: Blanket

PROPS: Wall, block

PROPS: Wall

ACTIONS: Allow your legs to become heavy, and sit up tall through your spine. Soften around your baby and relax your shoulders, jaw and face.

ACTIONS: From a cross - legged seat, bring your hands to your knees and begin to make circles with your spine. These can be big or small, and you can move quickly or slowly. Move in both directions.

ACTIONS: From standing at the top of your mat, step out to the side of your mat with your feet one leg’s distance apart. Turn your right toes to face the short edge of your mat, and bring your left toes in at an angle. Turn on your legs, inhale and reach forward with your right hand, then exhale and bring your hand to your lower leg or to a block. Inhale your left hand to the sky.

ACTIONS: If you’re at the wall, stand about 6 inches from the wall and place your block between your front foot and the wall. Bring your legs into the same position as triangle pose. Bring your front fingertips to the block, find your balance, and lift your back leg behind you. Stack your hips, so that your top hip lifts toward the sky. If you’re balanced here, lift your opposite hand high. Keep your legs strong, relax your jaw, face and shoulders. If using the wall, you can lean on it for a little support, but try to avoid sinking all your weight into it. Stay strong through your legs and focus on your breath.

BREATH: Stay present with your gentle inhales and exhales. Imagine your inhales traveling down and around your baby and into your hips, and as you exhale, feeling a sense of release, relaxation and grounding.

BREATH: Stay present with your breath, and see if you can coordinate your movements with the rhythm of your inhales and exhales.

BREATH: With each inhale, inhale all the way to the base of your spine, gaining length. With each exhale, find gentle rotation from your middle back (above your baby!), your heart reaching toward the sky. Inhale to rise, then go to the left side.

BREATH: Observe your breath.

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P R E - N AT A L S E Q U E N C E

CAMEL POSE

CHILDS POSE

PIGEON POSE

RECLINING BOUND ANGLE POSE

PROPS: Blanket

PROPS: 2 bolsters, big blankets, pillows or couch cushions

PROPS: Bolster, pile of blankets or a couch cushion

PROPS: 3 bolsters or couch cushions and 1 blanket

ACTIONS: Place your blanket on your mat as extra padding for your knees. Stand on your knees on your blanket, tuck your toes and bring your hands to your hips or to your low back. Inhale as you lengthen through your spine and draw your tail down. Gently tip your heart back. Keep your gaze down your nose and stay connected to your breath. If you feel this in your low back, then come up, lengthen again, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go back quite as far. Inhale to rise, then sit on your heels.

ACTIONS: Build yourself two piles of blankets. Have one lengthwise on your mat. Bring your right leg in front of your blankets, and lay your lower leg on your mat. Let your right leg be at whatever angle it lands in. Bring your second pile of blankets in front of you. Walk your left leg long behind you, and slowly lay yourself down onto your blankets. Two things to consider here - First, be sure your front knee feels safe. If not, come out of the pose. Second, be sure your baby is floating, or just barely grazing your mat. If needed, prop yourself higher.

ACTIONS: Spread your knees and bring your big toes toward one another. Bring your support in front of you. Inhale and lengthen through your spine, and exhale to lay yourself down onto your support. Pause here, and make sure that your blankets are in front of your baby so that your baby is floating, and your blankets are under your rib cage. Bring one ear to your blankets, and let your arms be wherever your shoulders can release. After a few breaths, switch the direction of your gaze.

ACTIONS: Take a couch cushion and prop up the back of it, so that it sits at an angle. This will hold up your torso. Collect two more couch cushions, and have one on either side of your mat. Sit on your mat so that your low back is touching your support (the one propped at an angle). Gently lean back and make sure your support is stable! Then, bring the soles of your feet together and adjust your other two cushions (on the right and the left) so that they can support your knees as well as your lower arms. Option to cover yourself with a blanket. Bring your palms to face the sky, and relax here. Please note, it is important that your support under your spine is at an angle (make sure your head is higher than your baby).

BREATH: Each inhale brings length into your spine as you reach your tail down, and each exhale draws your heart up and towards the sky.

BREATH: Each inhale, inhale down into your front hip. On each exhale, imagine you could release your deep hip muscles on that side.

BREATH: Each inhale, feel your back body rising and expanding. On each exhale, feel a release around the muscles of your spine (particularly your low back) and your hips.

BREATH: On each inhale, breath into the area surrounding your sweet little one. On each exhale, know that your baby is also feeling the release and relaxation that you are experiencing. See if you can let go of any thoughts, and simply be here, in your body, with your baby.

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P O S T - N AT A L S E Q U E N C E

EASY POSE

CAT - COW POSE

WARRIOR TWO

CHAIR POSE

PROPS: Blanket

PROPS: Blanket under knees.

PROPS: None

PROPS: Block

ACTIONS: Sit on the edge of a blanket. Allow your legs to become heavy, and sit up tall through your spine. Soften around your baby and relax your shoulders, jaw and face.

ACTIONS: Bring your hands under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. On each inhale, lift your gaze forward, heart forward, roll your shoulders onto your back and lift your tail up and back. On each exhale, slowly round your spine, draw your tail and gaze down and reach your belly button toward your spine.

ACTIONS: Step out to the right side of your mat, then turn your right toes to face the back of your mat and bring your back toes in at an angle. Inhale and reach your arms out in opposite directions, then exhale and bend deeply into your right knee. Look at your feet - have them intersecting and adjust your stance so you feel stable. Feel the gentle curves of your spine. Subtly draw your tail towards the earth, and feel how this engages your deep low belly muscles. Keep this stabilizing action, and relax where you can - your shoulders, your jaw. When youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re ready, flip your heel to face the opposite way and practice the left side.

ACTIONS: Stand with your feet hip distance and bend your knees. Bring your block in between your thighs. Feel as if you could squeeze the block as hard as you can, while at the same time spreading your hips apart from one another. Your arms can be reaching high, or widen your arms and bend your elbows. This variation will bring more opening to the muscles surrounding your chest and shoulders.

BREATH: Stay with the gentle exchange of your inhales and exhales. Notice what parts of your body lift and spread on each inhale, and what areas can relax and become heavy on each exhale.

BREATH: See if you can connect your breath to your movements. As you inhale, notice how your abdominal muscles feel, and breathe into the expansion of your chest and shoulders. As you exhale, breathe space into your low back and the entirely of your spine.

BREATH: On each inhale, breathe in strength and vitality. On each exhale, find a sense of softening and grounding. Warrior Two is a fantastic pose to build strength, but it is also important to find the opposite energy of softening and grounding. Use your breath here to find that balance.

BREATH: On each inhale, feel length through your entire spine - reach the crown of your head high while reaching your tail down. On each exhale, squeeze your block as you spread through your hips. Continue to spread through your upper back and your collar bones.

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P O S T - N AT A L S E Q U E N C E

SPHINX POSE

COW FACE POSE

HEAD TO KNEE POSE

LEGS UP THE WALL POSE

PROPS: None

PROPS: Strap, blanket

PROPS: Wall

ACTIONS: Lay on your belly and bring your lower arms to the mat. Bring your elbows under your shoulders, or even a few inches beyond your shoulders. Spread your fingers and ground through the palms of your hands. Spread your legs hip distance (or wider) and ground the tops of your feet to the mat. Draw your shoulders onto your back, and feel a spreading through your upper back and your collar bones. Draw your tail towards the wall behind you use your hand to pull your mat towards you. If you feel this in your lower back, try moving your arms more forward, and come out a little bit. This is a wonderful pose to gently lengthen your front body, tone your deep low abdominals and find a gentle backbend around your middle back.

ACTIONS: Sit on your mat or on the edge of a blanket. Stack your knees with your right knee on top to start. If this bothers either knee or either hip, then unwind your legs and sit in a simple cross legged seat. Bring your left hand to the sky and rotate your arm so your left palm is facing the wall behind you. Then bring your left palm to your back. Bring your right hand out in front of you, and rotate your right arm so that your thumb is facing the ground. Then bring the back of your right hand to your back. If your hands do not meet, grab a strap or a belt. Very gently, begin to reach your heart toward the sky, and reach upper elbow back. Stay for a few deep breaths, then slowly release and reverse your legs and arms.

ACTIONS: Sit on your mat or on the edge of a blanket. Bring your right foot in and extend your left leg long. Turn on your legs brilliantly! Inhale and reach both hands to the sky, then exhale and take a gentle twisy to your left (towards your extended leg). Inhale, unwind and lift your hand high again, and as you exhale, keep that gently twisting action as you fold forward over your left leg. If your foot is too far away, use a strap or belt. Stay for a few deep breaths, then move to the other side.

ACTIONS: This pose is acting here as Savasana (your final resting pose.) Bring your mat to the wall, and lay down with your bottom as close to the wall as possible. Bring your legs up the wall. They can be close together, wide apart or anywhere in between. Bring your arms into a position where your shoulders can relax. Stay for up to 5 minutes.

BREATH: Each inhale, gain length in your spine by reaching through the crown of your head and drawing your tail back. Each exhale, pull your mat towards you as you continue to reach your tail back. When done, bring one ear to the mat and rest.

BREATH: On each inhale, lengthen through your spine - reach through the crown of your head and subtly draw your tail long. On each exhale, reach through your heart as you open through your chest and shoulders.

BREATH: On each inhale, lengthen your spine by reaching through the crown of your head and drawing your tail back (not down). Continue to draw your shoulders onto your back and spread through your upper back and your collar bones. On each exhale, lead with your heart and slowly fold forward.

If this bothers your low back, come up more.

BREATH: Allow your breath to be natural, and let go of trying to control it. Feel the earth beneath you and allow it to hold you. Feel the wall in front of you and allow it to support you. Relax completely. Let this be a restorative pose for you. Let go of your body, your breath and your mind. Be still.

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fall detox guide Written by Dr. Jessica Bernardy, ND / Photography by Jessica Seaman

etoxing

and

purification

are

ancient

traditions that are still used today. Now more than ever our world is full of toxic

chemicals in our food, water, and the air around us. Our bodies have natural detox systems in place; both specific organs that work to get the toxins out (like the liver and kidneys), as well as detox processes in every single cell. These systems can get overwhelmed with the amount of toxins to which we are exposed. Over time these toxins become stored in our bodies, causing damage and leading to the progression of chronic diseases including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, neurologic diseases and kidney disease. There is no doubt that these toxins are affecting our health! Doing a detox twice a year is a way help the

Step One – Stop E xposure

body clean out toxins and stay healthy. Detox is a three-step process. It starts with identifying

The top toxic sources in our day-to-day lives are

and stopping exposure to toxins in your environment.

from food, water, air, cleaning products, bath and

This is an important step to do before detoxing the

beauty products, furniture, and clothes.

body; otherwise, you’re spinning your wheels. The

Start by looking at the foods you eat every day. This

second step is actively getting the toxins out of the

is the biggest source of toxins for most people.

body. The last step is replenishing the body.

There are pesticides, herbicides, GMO’s, synthetic

Set your detox goals! Write down your top three goals

chemicals added into our food system, as well as

for the detox. It could be to have more energy, radiant

foods an individual can’t digest properly. The En-

skin, less allergies, fewer headaches, better memory,

vironmental Working Group, EWG, is doing a lot to

less brain fog, better fertility, or just less risk for

identify these chemicals. Check out the Dirty Doz-

chronic disease down the road. Keep your health goals

en list of the foods with the most pesticides and

with you, on a piece of paper or your phone, throughout

herbicides, from the EWG. They also have put to-

this detox. When you get a craving or don’t want to do

gether a rating system for bath, body and cosmetic

exercise or sweat for the day, read through that list to

products. Visit SkinDeep.org and go through your

remind yourself why you’re doing this.

bathroom and cosmetic bag.

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Step Two - Get Toxins Out Fall Purification Diet For four weeks eat low toxicity, easy to digest foods. Eat 5-7 cups of vegetables a day. This will give fiber, essential nutrients, and will decrease your exposure to toxins. Make at least one of those servings be dark leafy greens such as kale, collard greens, spinach, swiss chard, or broccoli. Greens are a rich source of folate, which is an important nutrient for detox pathways and gives a good dose of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll acts to bind toxins in the gut so they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t absorbed into the body. Warming foods such as bone broth, soups, roasted root vegetables, and the traditional ayurvedic detox food kitchari are a must during a fall detox. During the detox period, cut the gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol and other drugs. Limit your caffeine intake to 1 cup coffee or black tea a day.

Step Two - Get Toxins Out Healthy Living Basics Focusing on the healthy living basics is especially important during a detox. This includes getting enough water, sleep, daily movement, and good nutrition. This will help balance and stabilize the body, minimizing fatigue, discomfort and side effects from detoxing.

Water Drink half your body weight in ounces of water. For example, a 150lb person would drink 75oz of water a day. Add in more if you’re sweating.

Sleep Aim to be in bed with lights and electronics off by 10pm every night (or earlier if that’s what you need!) for four weeks. See how vibrant you feel when you give your body time to reset and repair.

Exercise Move your body in some way that brings you joy everyday! Maybe that’s a dance party in the kitchen, maybe it’s yoga, running, hiking, biking, or kayaking, or maybe it’s getting strong muscles by lifting weights.

Step Two - Get Toxins Out Liver Cleansing Herbs

Dandelion, Taraxacum Officionalis This is a safe and gentle herb to add in to your detox routine. The roots are beneficial for the liver, while the leaves are more nutritive and aid in kidney health. It’s safe for long-term use as well as during pregnancy and lactation.

Try roasting the root and grinding it into a coffee. Then cook up the leaves with some kale for a nutrient packed meal.

Milk Thistle, Silybum Mariana The seed of this plant is used as a liver protector, repairing and regrowing liver cells, and detoxifying and promoting the flow of bile through the gallbladder. It’s such a powerful liver protector that it’s used preventatively when people have to take toxic drugs such as anesthesias in surgery and high intervention hospital birth. This herb is safe in pregnancy and lactation. Try adding a tablespoon of the ground seed or liquid extract to a smoothie each day during your detox.

Chlorella An algae that contains a high amount of nutrients, fiber, and chlorophyll. You can find it in pills or powder. Studies have shown that mothers who take this transfer 25-30% fewer toxins to their babes, including mercury, lead, cadmium and dioxins. It is safe in pregnancy and lactation.

Step Two - Get Toxins Out

Sweat for Detox Adding in 30 to 60 minutes of sweating in a low temperature dry sauna several times a week can significantly boost the toxins you get out of your body. Nearly every toxin comes out well through the sweat including insecticides, herbicides, solvents, toxic metals, and natural body waste. During your sweat, be sure to take frequent breaks, taking a cold shower or cold dip if you can. Signs that you need a break for hydration and electrolytes include dizziness, headache, weakness, heart pounding, irritability, or just feeling uncomfortable. Try not to let it get to that point. If you do, eat a snack, and drink electrolyte rich liquids such as coconut water or a DIY electrolyte drink. If those symptoms donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go away then your body is telling you youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done for the day! This part of the detox is not safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to mobilizing toxins.

Emotional Detox Fall is the time of letting go and building up reserves going into winter, after the late nights and early mornings of summer. What can you let go of? Adding journaling to your nighttime routine is a good way to bring awareness to what you are in need of shifting.

Step Three - Restore After the detox diet and sweat, your body will be finding its new normal. Keep supporting it with good nutrition and listening to what you need. Maybe itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more sleep or time for yourself each day, or more nutrient dense food. Focus on the things that nourish you and let go of the things that donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t.

By Morgan Day Cecil

regain desire after baby I remember when my daughter was a baby and I felt like I was just a milk machine. I loved nursing her, but I also missed having my body to myself. Like many women with a newborn, I had little desire for anything other than gazing at her and sleeping. At the end of full day of nursing, making lunches for my older son, changing diapers, cleaning house, posting highlights of the day on Instagram, sex was the last thing on my mind. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, however, the last thing on my husbandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s. His desire (though it was healthy and good) made me feel pressure, which only made me want it less. Desire in a woman is a mysterious and magical thing. There is no formula for it, but there are ways to nurture it. The secret is reconnecting with your own body and remembering you are a mother AND a woman, too. Sex is best when you are connected to your own sexuality (and not just responding to someone elseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s). Here are three practices I share with new moms I coach who want to grow in Feminine Wholeness and regain desire after baby. Morgan Day Cecil is an Integrated Feminine Wholeness Coach helping women find home in their bodies and joy in their relationship with being a woman. www.romanc eandadventure.com

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Practice #1 Breast Massage You may think the last thing you want is for your breast to be touched, but breast and nipple massage is a beautiful gesture of reclaiming your body and remembering that your boobies don’t just produce milk, they give you pleasure! Breast (and nipples!) are a key erogenous zone on a woman’s body and tender loving massage can help refuel sexual energy that has been zapped. I now keep castor oil in the shower with me for daily breast massage, using this time to tune into myself and the sensations in my body. Touch is nourishing! Sensually touching our own breasts helps us connect to the women we are, and remember that we are sexy and vibrant women as well as devoted mamas.

Practice #2 Dance Naked After we have babies are bodies change and sometimes we love what has shifted and sometimes we feel sad about it. When we dance naked we are celebrating our bodies as they are now. Turn on your favorite music and dance. I like to use dance as way to process everything that I’m feeling. Every feeling belongs-- playfulness, happiness, naughtiness, sassiness, sadness, anger, jealousy, fear, shame, guilt-- we can dance all of it! And I always find after a naked dance session that it is easier to look at myself in the mirror and love what I see, because I know what I see is authentically me. And...the more resistant you feel to this idea of dancing naked, the more this practice will benefit you!

Practice #3 Yoni Breathing A lot of women report feeling numb or disconnected from their vaginas, after having babies. The ancient yogis thought of the womb as the feminine heart. “Yoni” refers to the womb and it means temple. It’s a very sacred place. “Breathing with Love” (as I like to call it) into our pelvic bowl helps awaken this part of our body. All we need to do to practice yoni breathing is to connect to our breath and draw our attention to our womb. Many women do this while they are pregnant without even thinking about it and that loving attention is so nourishing to baby! Our bodies need that nourishment too, especially after baby is out! Think good thoughts (maybe how grateful you are to your amazing body for growing a human being for you to love!) and slow and deepen your breath so it’s nice and even and soothing. Then imagine the breath flowing all the way down to your pelvic bowl, carrying your genuine love and appreciation, lighting up the dark places with the energy of your loving presence. Do this as often as you can throughout the day. This practice can completely transform your relationship with womanhood. When a woman feels whole, she gets back in touch with her healthy sexual desire. She sparkles. She glows. She has more fun doing the dishes and running her businesses. Reconnecting to your own body and loving the body you are in may take work, but it’s worth it. When you feel at home in your yoni, sex becomes pleasure again instead of pressure - and that’s the key to regaining desire after baby.

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By Amanda Rickenbach / Photography by Emily Manning

HOMEWARD BOUND The Manning family tells us what it’s like for them living in 240 square feet.

mily is a dreamer. She dives into taking risks and loves exploring with her children. She thrives on trying new things with her family, but she also finds joy in comfortable, repetitive things. She adores her little family, but in an alternate life she would be Jenny Lee from “Call the Midwife.”

With her husband and baby son, Emily left the U.S. in 2014 and lived in 12 countries in 12 months. When they returned to the states in 2015, they were at a loss as to where their family should put roots down. Emily was still eager to travel, but her husband was eager to settle down, so they compromised and dreamed of a home on wheels. This way they would have a place to call their own and the ability to experience life in different places to learn what would be the best fit for their family. They have since welcomed Zellie into their home and will be adding baby number three this fall.

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Your lifestyle certainly requires minimalism. Is it a challenge living minimally with kids?

You live in a small space, so how do you manage your things? Do you keep your belongings to basic necessities?

For almost everything in our home, my stuff is their stuff. Besides dangerous kitchen appliances, expensive electronics, and things of that nature, the kids are welcome to use and explore anything around them. We encourage them to help and be involved in the kitchen and with cleaning. The kids do have a designated “playroom” in the bus— filled with toys, books, puzzles, musical instruments, art supplies, and dress up clothes—that gets used on a regular basis as well as their own bedroom. My least favorite thing is stepping on a toy while I’m in the kitchen cooking or cleaning, but we encourage play everywhere, even outside!

I guess “basic necessities” means something different to everyone. Living in 240 square feet definitely limits what we can own, but we do feel like we have a lot of superfluous stuff still. When we traveled internationally for a year, my husband and I each had a 36L backpack. We, and our son, lived out of this. I would consider that phase of our life as relying on the basic necessities. We built our bus with storage in mind so it is able to contain anything we want. A good rule of thumb for us and for the kids is if we think we want something, what can we get rid of first? Every couple of months we’re donating a bag of clothes, toys, whatever-whether we replace them with new things or not.

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What excites you most about motherhood? I love being pregnant and experiencing labor and delivery.

Follow along with Emily and her family at www.whereweroam.com

We’ve miscarried multiple times, so each pregnancy that lasts is such a blessing for us and I love to cherish the months of being closely connected to my child. With my born children, I love experiencing new things and discovering new places with them, seeing the world from their perspective and feeling like an equal to them. What makes you the most nervous? The thing that makes me the most nervous about motherhood is always questioning if I’m messing them up. Am I being too hard? Am I not pushing them enough? Am I making enough time for them on an individual basis each day? Will they turn out to be thriving members of society who will want to make the world a better place? So I guess the future makes me the most nervous. Do you do anything professionally? I have chosen to be a stay-at-home mom since having kids, but I am passionate about photography, so I’ve been taking photos professionally for eight years. It’s a nice job to have because I can back off of work when the kids are young or if we are moving a lot, and I can jump back into it when it works well for our family. I also have a passion for sewing and over the past few months I have worked with my husband to dedicate some time to creating girl clothes and accessories that I sell at Cutie Pie as well as online. Tell us about the different spaces in your home. Do the kids have their own space? We designed our home with the top priorities being the kids space and the kitchen. With our kids being young, kids being young, we wanted their room to be as separate as possible so the nursery/office space is in the very back of the bus. Next is the bathroom with a composting toilet, small tub / shower, linen closet, and laundry hamper. Then we have the playroom and the master bedroom. During the day the space is dedicated to all the kid stuff. Then when we are ready for sleep our queen size murphy bed comes out from the wall. The next space is our kitchen. We did everything we could to have a lot of counter space in our tiny home because we place a lot of importance on family meals and having the kids being involved in the kitchen. In the kitchen we have an RV fridge, microwave convection oven, portable induction stove stop, and a washing machine. And last but not least, at the front of the bus we have our living room. It consists of two five-foot couches that face each other and there is storage underneath. The couches also pull out into a queen size bed for guests—surprisingly we’ve used it quite often! There’s also a coat closet at the front of the bus with bins to hold all of our shoes as well as a rod for coats and jackets.

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What brought you to Hood River? When people ask what brought us to Hood River I usually say, “Craigslist.” That’s the short answer. The long answer: We spent some time staying near Beacon Rock last summer and someone mentioned to us that we needed to go see the kiteboarders in Hood River. We spent a Sunday afternoon driving the Fruit Loop while the kids napped and went to the Event Site to watch kiteboarders. It was an enchanting day! Flash forward a few months and we were leaving Utah after re-registering the bus and we were supposed to head east, but the bus was overheating every couple of hours. It came time to go right and head east, or go left and head back west and we decided to head back west since the drive was shorter and it was cooler in that region. We were not prepared with accommodations since we hadn’t planned on being in Oregon again, so we stayed in an RV park north of Bend for a couple weeks while we looked for something temporarily permanent (month-to-month renting) all over the PNW. One day there was an ad on Craigslist for a spot in Hood River. We remembered that enchanting Sunday afternoon and when we learned that the plot of land was right off the Fruit Loop we packed up and headed straight there. We’ve been here ever since and we’ve never felt more at home.

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What is bus life like in the cold months? Being here in Hood River this last winter was our first time in cold weather! When we decided to stay in Hood River, everyone told us that the winters were very mild; then we got hit with all the snow. We loved iving in the snow for the first time as a little family though, and it was a special time for the kids. Since we werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expecting so much snow we definitely had to learn to adjust and fast! We used a propane heater for the main part of our home and a space heater for the nursery/office space to keep

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us toasty and it worked great. We are parked in a field so we don’t have a designated paved or gravel driveway and that proved tricky for driving in and out of the snow or getting it plowed! But the plus side of living in the field is that the kids had plenty of snow to play in and keep themselves entertained.

How do you make time for yourself and what do you like to do? I feel so lucky to have made friends with so many wonderful moms in Hood River! We go out for girls’ night every couple of weeks and that is always a highlight for me. I also love sewing, so occasionally I take advantage of naptime for little projects or my husband takes the kids for several hours when he’s done with work so I can sew uninterrupted. My usual “me time” is after the kids go to bed, but that is also my time with my husband, my work time, our weekly planning time, etc., so occasionally I just go to bed early and choose to accomplish nothing! What’s next for your family? We are welcoming baby number three into our family this fall and we’re eager to see where life takes us. Besides that, we don’t have any set plans, but they always tend to make their way into our lives!

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By Amanda Rickenbach / Photography by Kacie McMackin

MOVING ABROA D Kacie McMackin, creative mind behind the blog Gorge in the Gorge and mother of three young children, moved her family abroad this year to broaden both their horizons and their palates.

Where did you move and why?

pretty great.

A year ago my husband Kyle decided to leave his wonderful

Have you built friendships and a support network with

job as head-brewer at Double Mountain Brewery in Hood

other mothers there?

River. He was finishing his Master's degree and wanted to

We really don’t have much support here; in fact, most of our

try something new. We had hoped to stay in the Gorge, but

support comes from “back home." We’ve all made a couple

found ourselves committing to a few years in Berkshire,

of friends here but it is shockingly hard to make friends as

England where Kyle was offered a great opportunity to be

an adult! Luckily, my husband and I are really good partners

the head brewer for Siren Craft Brew. For us as a family it

and best friends, so having each other is almost enough

opened up the opportunity for some much dreamed of

most of the time. My wonderful girlfriends in Hood River

travel. We sold off and donated and loaned out the majority

can attest that I’ve called on them for virtual support many

of our belongings, put a few important things into storage,

times since our move abroad.

and flew to England with eight suitcases and two carry-ons.

What are the biggest cultural differences?

What is your new home like? What are the biggest differences?

Most people we’ve interacted with are more reserved; they’re friendly but give a lot of space. Apparently that’s typical of

Our new home is nothing like our home in Hood River. It’s

the area in England we live in. People are pretty friendly, but

been a slow adjustment. The first six months were pretty

there’s not a lot of outreach. Also, everyone says, “How are

tough as we settled in, but now things are easier and feeling

you?” or “You okay?” as a greeting. They just mean “hello,”

more like "home." The biggest difference has been learning

but it’s impossible not to answer with a proper response,

how to be on our own without our amazing community to

which will get you some really funny looks… but probably

lean on. The saying, “It takes a village to raise a family” is all

not as funny as the looks my husband gets when he calls his

the more relevant when you leave a place like Hood River!

“trousers” pants, which means men’s underwear here.

How have the kids done with the move?

You homeschool. What is that like there? Are there

Kids are resilient, but they’re also sensitive and more in tune

other homeschooling families nearby?

with the world, which can make a big move away from a truly

Homeschooling has been a great choice for us here in

unique community harder than one might think. We’ve just

England. It’s virtually impossible to take your child out of

begun to really feel at home here, but the kids still ask every

school; in fact, you will be fined heavily by the borough

day when we are going back to Hood River, and they miss

(county) for missed school days. Since traveling with the

their friends a lot. They are picking up cute accents and

kids was a big reason for our move, we opted to homeschool.

making more friends as our time here moves along, so that's

Dress up at Jane Austen's home in England

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We’d been considering it in the States anyway, so I already had the majority of what we needed to do it. They send someone out from the borough office to check up on you, which I found really helpful as they basically said, “You’re on the right track and doing everything that you need to be doing.” There are a couple of local homeschool groups and classes that the girls participate in. I love being able to pack a quick picnic and head out for little history-filled field trips; our favorite spot to go is the Jane Austen's House Museum which is about half an hour from our home. Tell us about birthing your new baby in a foreign country. First of all, I’m not sure I’d recommend moving abroad at 25 weeks pregnant for a few reasons, but the main one being that you can’t drink wine which seems essential when moving in general, let alone moving abroad. It was insanely stressful trying to navigate the NHS. I was so grateful it wasn’t my first baby! The system here is really taxed both figuratively and literally, so the few maternity appointments I had were…foreign. When you’re towards the end of your pregnancy, you let someone know that you’re either planning a home birth, a hospital birth in the midwife unit, or a standard hospital birth. I say that you let “someone” know because you never see the same person twice. We chose the midwife unit at the hospital, and the midwife who attended my birth was competent and friendly. I wasn’t with her for long because my labor was only a few hours, about an hour of which was at the hospital. Staying overnight at the hospital was not our plan, but our baby needed overnight monitoring so they moved me to the recovery ward which had six bays. That means that there were six moms, six babies, and a handful of dads (they don’t really allow dads to stay the night) with no privacy and a shared bathroom down the hall. Needless to say, I was longing for the gorgeous recovery rooms in Hood River, friends bringing by sandwiches from River Daze and 10 Speed Coffee, and the view of Mt. Adams. But we checked out as quickly as we could, and once we were back home they send midwives out to check on us at our house which was really great. There's a lot of postpartum support here which made up for the sort of haphazard prenatal and delivery care.

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Jane Austen lived in this house leading up to her death and all of her books were published while she lived here.

What are your hopes for your time in England? While we’re abroad, we hope to travel as much as possible. We have a huge list of places we hope to visit and we've already made trips to Sweden, France, and Austria. In a few weeks we are off to Amsterdam! We are really cherishing this special time as a family, spending lots of time together, and seeing as much as we can of England and Europe. Once we’re finished with our stint here, we hope to spend some months essentially backpacking around with the kids in tow! Tell us about the food! The food here has been…interesting. We love getting fish and chips at the local pubs, and have had an interesting time trying things like Scotch Eggs and Marmite. Food is really expensive here, and I love to cook, so we mostly eat at home and save up our “lunch money” for trips into London where you can get incredible food. We’re slowly getting

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to know our way around the grocery stores; my husband has started baking sourdough bread again, and my battles with the convection oven in our home are getting less “heated,” so our culinary journey is ever evolving. We also finally found a BBQ so we will be grilling a lot this summer. What are you doing with your down time? We really love picking a place to explore and just loading into the car and going. It’s strange because all of the time sort of feels like down time when you are free to choose what you want to do without the restraints of a school schedule or social engagements. Personally, I’m working on some creative projects, reading a lot, and doing a lot of photography. Is it a challenge to run your business from abroad? My personal blog of essays, photographs, and recipes has only been challenging here in that I am so busy juggling the kids that it’s hard to find time to write-although that's getting easier with each passing month. As for my Gorge in the Gorge site, I’ve brought on a wonderful partner and fellow mom, Kate Hart, to work on the site with me while we’re abroad and beyond.

Check Out Kacie’s Blog - www.withlovekacie.com & Her Website gorgeinthegorge.com

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LISTEN UP Audio books the whole family can enjoy together

There are a plethora of reasons to read to your kids everyday. It strengthens speech and reading skills. It fosters better communication skills, teaches concentration, and offers exposure to new experiences. It brings you closer together. Sometimes, though, you are just tired at the end of the day and reading books, an activitiy that should be relaxing, seems exhausting. That’s when you turn to audio books. There are plenty of websites and apps out there to access free audio books, but we personally love using Audible. It syncs with all of your devices so if you listened on your phone and then you want to listen on a tablet, it will sync up with where you paused it on your phone. Here are a few audio book recomendations for stories our family has loved. They entertained kids and adults alike, captivating even my three year old! -AR

he details in The Little House On The Prairie series make it really captivating to listen to with your children. There are nine books in the Little House series that tell the story of Laura Ingalls’ real childhood as an American pioneer. They are timeless stories for the whole family and offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier.

n Fantastic Mr. Fox Roald Dahl somehow manages’ to mix adult themes into a fantastical story. This book is told from the point of view of not only an animal but a thief, and shows that following the rules isn’t always a good thing. A cunning fox teaches us that life isn’t as black and white as we think and to appreciate people with spark and character.

onia is a young, strong, female character with an intense love of nature. She is the daughter of a robber baron but through her courage and honesty she is able to unite clans that had been divided by an age old feud. She is a character that’s pure and teaches us how to be true to ourselves.

Ar twork by Emil y Pastor

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TIME By Kika Panaitescu Photography By Amanda Rickenbach

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he heat of summer has faded and the apples hang red in their trees. The world tilts in the direction of gold; leaves crunch beneath my feet, seeds fall earthwards. Mornings now are cool enough for socks, which have beguiled my newly walking daughter with their woolen, cocoon-like charms. She affirms them enthusiastically Socks! Socks! attempting to wiggle her own small feet into their mysterious openings. “Would you like help?” I ask, and she nods solemnly. “Help.” Later, she takes them off and stores them in the bathtub.

the sense that I’m living on the skin of my life, rather than nestled deep inside it where I belong. When I was growing up here, our old house plodded through a decade of construction. Many stray animals, along with three kids, were under the care of my mother, who also worked full time and planted a huge annual garden. She trusted us to roam our acreage from the moment we could walk, and at supper she would ring the bell (we’d often return naked and uncertain of where we had shed our clothes, she reported much later, and she would go traipsing through the fields in search of primary colors). My mom usually stayed up late at her desk, worrying over details I didn’t understand then but can guess at now. But I remember the bright beam of her attention; the way, when she turned toward me, she did so fully. The way she reliably laid the table. Her love for us was my inspiration for motherhood.

At the cusp of autumn, the blackberries have dried on their thorns; the patient Oregon Grapes have finally found their moment, plump and deep purple. Next year, I promise myself, I will have found my rhythm here, and glistening rows of these various jewels will line my shelves. This year, though, our little family has just left our life on the other side of the country and returned to the rambling property where I was raised in the Gorge.

The day is fading, and Lucia climbs in my lap to nurse again. Outside the window dry oak leaves spin lazily toward the ground. It’s not just the geographical leap we’ve made, I realize, it’s the free fall into the territory of parenting that’s only just begun. How do mothers do it? How do they attend deeply to so many things at once?

I’m feeling behind. Amidst the general chaos of arrival-unpacking boxes, making repairs to the converted barn where we’ve landed, hosting rounds of beloved guests-I attempt to stay on top of commitments that’ve followed me, and many of them put me in front of a screen. At any moment, of course, the overdue email I’m about to (finally!) check off my list might be interrupted by a little voice asking to nurse, or saying “pee! pee!” (quick!! down with the pants, off with the diaper cover, whisk away the diaper, find the potty….wait together for a spell and then…here it comes! Triumph! Share the triumph, reboot the diaper, on with the pants, and…wait, what was I doing?).

Even as I wonder, I recall the laughter of a friend whose kids are older. Almost a year ago, she and I were walking down a snowy road, a tinier Lucia bundled against my chest. My friend’s closeness with her teenage daughters is remarkable, and I asked her how things were in the beginning, when they were really little. “Oh,” she grinned. “I let things go that would’ve horrified other people. I developed a very large appetite for chaos.”

Our move west was motivated by ideals of a slower pace and immersion in the natural world. I want Lucia to know what time it really is: planting time and picking time. Nut time, nap time, apple time, bath time. Full moon time and no moon time. It’s an old and ordinary magic, this way of being, close to the earth and close to the body. And it’s easily lost in our contemporary situation, with its immediacy and nonstop virtual connectivity. While these offer enormous creative potential, what I really want to provide right now is tangible nourishment and belonging.

As early dusk settles around us in layers of blue, I take a breath for what feels like the first time all day, remembering this legion of mothers who have gone before me. Lucia unlatches and smiles up at me sleepily, and I slip back under the skin a little, nestle down toward the heart of my life. I kiss her head, which smells like Castille soap. If I really want her to know what time it is, I have to remember it for myself. And so - extracting two small orange socks from the tub - I start the bath. Leaning over to grab the soap from the windowsill, I catch a glimpse of the moon rising above the Columbia.

The days grow shorter while my list grows longer. I push to catch up and find myself snappy. In the morning, I greet my husband with instructions for chores rather than joining him for the quiet half hour we both love, sipping coffee (“coff-coff!”, Lucia pipes; she loves the ritual too) and trading dreams. There’s a gnawing uneasiness in my belly,

“Moon,” points my daughter, radiant. And there it is, just now, a buttery crescent.

COR CELLARS Photography By Toni Pullum

Cellars

winery

Lyle,

Washington. Their modern, family -friendly space beckons you to stay

for more than just one glass of wine. The proprietors, Luke and Meg Bradford run their winery and tasting room while raising their toddler, Liv, teaching her the business of grapes from a young age. Meg's family has farmed apples in Yakima, where she was born and raised, since the late 1800s. She grew up surrounded by apple trees and cows. The family farm diversified in the early 2000s and bought a farm called the Doc Stewart Organic Farm that included about 30 acres of vineyard. They got into the wine business shortly thereafter starting Gilbert Cellars in 2004. This ultimately led to her path crossing with Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s many moons later while selling wine for their respective brands on a sales trip in Seattle. Before meeting Luke she had just moved back to Yakima to join the family business after years living between Italy, Oregon, Seattle, and New Zealand. She was an art history major and was lucky enough to work in her field for several years following school. Feeling like she had a bit of adventure in her before settling into career and grad school

Little Livâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dress is from a street vendor in Baja.

applications she bought a ticket to New Zealand and decided to enroll in the WWOOF program

(Willing

Workers

Organic

Farms). After years of studying indoors and working in a small gallery space, the fresh air and beauty of working outside and with

What is your role at COR? Like any small business owner, I wear many hats. I suppose an appropriate title would be sales and marketing manager. My role changes depending on the day! Over the last two years, my

her hands was nourishing in a way she was

main objective has been to open and appoint our new tasting

not expecting. She soon realized that her

room space. I keep my eye on all of our sales channels. I manage

compass was pointing her home and back

our national sales (we are distributed in nine states) and I make

to the family business that she had tried to

sure our Wine Club manager and Tasting Room manager have

distance herself from up to that point.

what they need to be successful.

"wine can delight and transport. it represents a specific place and time, and the memories you develop while enjoying it are the real end product." Does your daughter go to work with you and your husband? Liv can be found at the winery most weekends and afternoons, rock collecting (throwing), or digging in the garden. We have a nanny share most weekday mornings from 9-2 that allows Luke and I some dedicated time at the winery. Depending on the day, we trade off picking her up, and if it’s a busy day we’ll bring her back out to the winery for the afternoon. At two years old though, it is difficult to get much done with her! What does mealtime look like in your home? Liv winds down around 7 and is usually in bed by 7:30 so depending on the day we usually have two dinners, one around 5 or 5:30 where we sit down with Liv and have a glass of wine and snacks while she eats, then once she goes down, Luke and I enjoy some time together over dinner. What’s your favorite wine? Lately I’ve been really into Italian whites from Friuli. Luke and I travelled there several years ago and I fell in love with the wine, the people, and the countryside. When I taste one of these wines, in some small way I’m taken back to that trip. The wines I gravitate to from this area are made from Friulano from Ribolla Gialla. These wines are typically crisp, high acid, with floral and citrus notes. What does “me” time look like for you? I’m learning how to carve it out. I try and sneak a morning yoga class in before work sometimes, but the ultimate luxury would be a few hours with a stack

of magazines or a good book. As all parents would agree, this is often difficult to achieve. What are some of your favorite things to do as a family away from the winery? We enjoy spending time in the park, walking around town and riding the Mosier tunnels trail. You travel often for work and fun; how has traveling been with a little one? Liv is great in the car, but airplanes have sometimes been a challenge. I think being a parent has given us both incredible empathy for how hard it is to corral kids through the flying experience, especially with unforeseen delays! What do you like most about owning a business and raising a daughter in the gorge? The community and quality of life in the Gorge is fantastic. Vineyards and a winery are a long term business plan, and we enjoy being stewards of the land, being involved in the service industry here, and passing down to our daughter a business that is part of the fabric of this community. Having her grow up on the farm and in a wonderful small town hopefully will inspire her to pursue all manner of interests in her own life. The only downsides of running a winery in the Gorge are the high cost of real estate and lack of affordable housing. Often the only downsides of running a winery in the Gorge are the high cost of real estate and lack of affordable housing. Often the same ground that would make top quality vineyards would also make a beautiful house site, and the lack of affordable housing makes it difficult to find housing for new employees. Do you have any advice for parents starting a business or managing their business as they welcome their first child? Just get ready to take advantage of nap time! Whether thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to catch up on sleep or work, those are precious minutes. And as a friend reminds us, count your victories!

MOTHERHOOD

ROLLED CANDLE S Beeswax candles are not only beautiful and natural but they clean the air. THEY CLEAN THE AIR. “Regular candles” are made from paraffin, which is a byproduct of petroleum. As great a deal those tealights from Ikea are, they are a highly toxic product that poisons the air. Paraffin wax starts as a sludge at the bottom of crude oil barrels before it is bleached and treated with toulene. Then, to make candles more appealing, candle makers mix in concoctions of artificial colors and fragrances resulting in more toxins in the air when burned. When beeswax is burned, it releases negative ions. Dust, pollutants, pollen, and dirt all carry positive ion charges which allows them to be suspended in the air. When you burn beeswax, the negative ions negate the positive charge of air contaminants and they fall to the ground. Ready and waiting to be vacuumed up. Beeswax can reduce symptoms of asthma, allergies, and hay fever because they help clean the air of the contaminates that exasterbate those conditions. If you are like me, you are probably thinking, “what magic is this?!” Bee magic, my friends. Save the bees. -AR

Roll Your Own Beeswax Candles 1. Lay out a beeswax sheet and cut the wick about 3/4 inch longer than the wax. If you use an 8-inch sheet, cut the wick to about 8 3/4 inches. 2. Lay the wick along the edge of the sheet and start rolling the candle by bending over about 1/8 inch of the wax. Use this small channel to enclose the wick. Working from one end to the other all along the length of the wick, press down firmly to make sure the wax is tight around the wick. This is the only time you press hard with the beeswax sheets. 3. After the wick is pressed firmly into the wax, it’s time to be gentle with the wax. You don’t want to compress or warp its honeycomb pattern. Roll the candle tightly, slowly, and straight, making sure that you keep the ends even. 4. Gently press the final edge down onto the side of the candle. It should form a fairly smooth edge. You can use your thumb or thumbnail to press down. With guidance, children as young as four can roll beeswax candles.

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MOTHERHOOD

mulled wine The first time I had mulled wine I was at Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. It was a pretty nice experience to savor my first cup of hot wine at the base of the fairy tale castle and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been special to me ever since. There might not be any towering story book castles in the Gorge but there is certainly no shortage of wine in our little part of the world. This fall and winter season, why not try it hot? -AR

hygge worthy cocktail Serves 6 1 bottle of red wine (medium quality) 2 oranges 3 cinnamon quills 5 star anise 10 whole cloves 3/4 cup brown sugar 1. Place all ingredients except the oranges into a medium sized pot. 2. Using a sharp knife or peeler, peel half of one orange and save peel for garnish. 3. Juice the oranges and add to the pot. Over medium heat, warm the wine until just steaming. Reduce the heat and keep it below a simmer. Heat for 30 min while the spices infuse. 4. Strain the wine and serve into heat-proof cups. Garnish with an orange peel. Recipe and photo provided by The Modern Proper.

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D o ug h Pl ay When it’s cold and wet outside, a great indoor sensory activity is play dough. You can buy pre-made containers or you can go a more hands-on route and make it easily at home. You will save money and have the satisfaction of creating something meaningful for your children to enjoy. Recipe: 1 CUP OF FLOUR 1 CUP OF WATER 1/2 CUP OF SALT 1 TBS VEGETABLE OIL 2 TBS CREAM OF TARTAR FOOD COLORING 1. STIR OVER MEDIUM HEAT UNTIL WELL MIXED. 2. TURN OUT ON FLOURED SURFACE AND KNEAD WELL. Add glitter or essential oil for extra excitement. Recipe courtesy of Wonderworks Children’s Museum, The Dalles, OR

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MOTHERHOOD

“Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.” -Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

W W W . M OT H E R H O O D M AG A Z I N E . N E T # m o t h e r h o o d n o r t hw e s t

Motherhood Magazine Issue 1

Articles inside

Homemade

Elderberry Syrup

Apple Cider Vinegar

Simplicity Tips

How Getting Rid of Stuff Saved My Motherhood

At Home with Miss Molly

Creative Class

Hygge Guide

Hygge