Why I Support Genital Autonomy

Here we go… This is sort of a mission-driven, advocacy-related, agenda-ridden post, so please beware!

Image via http://www.stopinfantcircumcision.org

Before I became pregnant, things like circumcision never crossed my mind. Then I found out I was having a boy, which I dreaded because I had to make *that* choice… To circumcise or to leave intact? I was pretty sure from the get-go that I would leave him be – why mess with what didn’t need messing with? I didn’t have a partner to argue with over it. The choice at that point was all mine. I consulted a few friends on the matter – both new parents and peppered pros; both parents who chose to circumcise and those who left their children intact; doctors of mine and my child’s. The following are some of the questions I raised (from hearing of potential problems) and some responses I got; additionally there’s some commentary from me.

My Birth Story

Pregnancy and birthing hold a very special place in each woman’s heart. For most, their pregnancies represent an important time in their life; a time for personal growth, a time for interpersonal growth, a time to appreciate life, a time to be amazed with our bodies and innate capabilities. Birthing, likewise, represents a hugely significant experience. Some women are ambivalent about their birthing experience – they were pregnant, it was wonderful, their baby arrived, and they are and have been raising their baby. For some, their birth experience is an empowering experience; they spent nine months nurturing a developing new life, spent countless hours, days, weeks, preparing for their birth weighing the pros and cons of where to birth, how to birth, and with whom. For others, their birth experience was a traumatizing experience; they become overwhelmed, do not make wise decisions or are not permitted to make their own decisions, things do not go as planned and they have a birth they are not proud of. One mother can have a different experience for each birth; growing and learning from one to the next; regressing and becoming disenchanted from one to the other. Some women have a  combination of experiences in their birth, leaving their experience not easily classifiable on its positive or negative attributes. This would be me.

Lactation Cookie Recipe

This recipe has been a collaboration of others collected from the interweb… This is how I like to make mine!

• 1 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. sucanat
• 1/2 c. dark brown sugar
• 4 tbsp. flax seed meal
• 4 tbsp. whole golden flax seeds
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. bootstrap molasses
• 2 brown eggs
• 2 c. whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 4 tbsp. nutritional or brewer’s yeast
• 3 c. rolled oats OR 2 c. rolled oats, 1 c. oat groats
• 3/4 c. white chocolate chips
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries

1. Mix together dry ingredients in one mixing bowl, except for oats, chips, and cranberries.
2. Blend together wet ingredients.
3. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.
4. Stir in oats, chocolate chips, and cranberries.
5. Drop onto cookie sheets.
6. Bake 9-12 minutes at 375º.
7. Cool and enjoy!

Try your own variations! Use golden raisins instead of cranberries, or sub peanut butter or milk chocolate chips for the white ones! Like nuts? Sub nuts for cranberries! Make it creative; Make it your own; Just remember to make the delicious!