29 ways to Induce Labor

o I have been quite amused (and sometimes annoyed) at everything I hear and read that people swear by works to induce labor. I thought I would make a list and share those things I've heard up to this point. Some of them are just wacky. Enjoy. :-) And, if you have any to add, feel free!

1. Walking

2. Sex

3. Exercise

4. Nipple Stimulation

5. Acupressure

6. Acupuncture

7. Reflexology

8. Castor oil

9. Blue Cohosh

10. Black and Blue Cohosh

11. Primrose oil

12. Raspberry leaf tea

13. Spicy food

14. Pineapple

15. Oregano

16. Walking up and down flights of stairs

17. Walking one foot on and one foot off a curb

18. Squats

19. Jumping jacks

20. Cleaning your house

21. Praying

22. Pep talks to the baby

23. Don't think about it

24. Get in a fender bender

25. Swimming

26. Bouncing on a pilates ball

27. Strip membranes

28. Relax and be patient

29. Bumpy car rides

Other things I've seen/heard:

-When you get a big burst of energy, you'll probably go into labor within the next day!

-When you feel really miserable you're about to have the baby.

-When you feel really great you're about to have the baby.

-You might throw up or have diarrhea and then go into labor the next day.

-If you do acupressure, you'll go into labor in the next 12 hours.

-If you're really stressed out, the baby won't want to come into that atmosphere so he'll stay in longer.

-The baby releases hormones when his lungs are developed and those hormones cause labor to start.

And my top favorite that I have now heard twelve trillion times: "Don't worry. He'll come as soon as he's ready. Just be patient."

Yes, I believe it's true, and I trust you, but I'm the one with the huge bowling ball belly that I'm ready to have disappear! :-) Plus, I'm really terrible at being patient...

p.s. I have tried at least half the things on the list...but to no avail.

** Update: I also remember a friend saying someone said "More women go into labor when there is a big weather event or storm because of the air pressure change." We're supposed to get thunderstorms tomorrow....does that mean I'll go into labor tonight!? ;-)

hug a monkey slings!

A good friend of mine introduced me to these awesome slings. Her sister actually invented them and makes and sells them. I'm dying to get one, but I don't want to spend the money. Hopefully I might get lucky and actually win a giveaway for once!

Check them out here:

http://www.hugamonkey.com/blog/giveaway

MY Chicken Noodle Soup

I've been sick and wanting some real good, homemade chicken and dumplings. Unfortunately, that is too much work. So I decided to settle for some chicken noodle soup. However, soup out of the can just doesn't quite work for me...so, I decided to create.

The following recipe is 100% from me. I didn't cheat by looking up what is typically in CNS, and I didn't use any other recipe as guidance. I just imagined in my head and threw stuff in a pot. YUM!!!

1 c. carrots, sliced

1 c. celery, sliced

1/2 c. onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning

1/2 TBL parsley

4 c. chicken broth

Combine in a large pot, simmer covered for at least 15 minutes (or until carrots become tender).

1 chicken breast

1 1/4 c. pasta (measured after cooking)

1 can cream of chicken soup + 1/2 can water

1 1/4 c. boiled chicken/pasta water

Boil 1 chicken breast in enough water to cover it for about 15 minutes, or until juices are clear. Transfer to plate and shred. Cook pasta (I used spaghetti, broken in half) in chicken water about 5 minutes, or until barely soft and a little crispy. Drain into a bowl to reserve water. Dump cooked chicken, pasta, cream of chicken soup, and waters into veggie pot. Add fresh ground pepper to taste. Simmer together about 5-10 minutes until veggies are tender and pasta is soft.

*You can add more chicken if desired.

This totally hit the spot tonight with feeling so icky and sick. I'm quite proud of myself. :-)

Sweet n sour chicken

Sweet n Sour Chicken

4-6 chicken breasts

one egg

flour

oil to cover bottom of skillet

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Cut chicken in small chunks. Dredge in egg then flour. Brown in skillet. Dump into a baking dish.

3/4 c. sugar

1/4 c. vinegar

4 TBL ketchup

1 TBL soy sauce

1/2 teas. garlic powder

Whisk and pour over chicken. Cook for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to re-coat chicken. Serve with rice and sauteed bell pepper, onion and pineapple chunks.

**My adaptations

I used 1 1/2 chicken breasts and the same amount of sauce. If I did 4-6 chickens, I would double the sauce for sure!!! I also had no soy sauce, so I used teriyaki sauce and added some salt. I also only had red wine vinegar. I also did not measure the garlic powder. I also added a few shakes of Cayenne Pepper (my fave). I also cut the bell pepper and onion into short but thick chunks (like at Panda). I also dipped the chicken in the egg and then shook it in flour in a plastic bag. I also dumped the chicken and the sauce into a skillet with the veggies as soon as it came out of the oven.

Next time I will use less sugar. It was very very sweet and I like a little more tang. I will also use soy sauce. I will also saute the bell pepper first for a couple minutes, then add the onion and pineapple chunks. The onions got soft much quicker than the pepper.

Overall? Delicious!!!!

Thank you Casi Bludorn for this yummy recipe!!

Magical Mint Kiss Cookies

I never posted my family's favorite sweet potato recipe. Oops. I'll get around to that later...

For now....

Magical Mint Kiss Cookies

1 C. butter

2/3 C. sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 C. flour

1/4 c. cocoa

48 candy cane kisses

powdered sugar

Blend the butter, sugar and vanilla til creamy. Mix the flour and cocoa in a separate bowl. Gradually add into the butter mixture. Beat til creamy. Mold a scant tablespoon dough around a kiss, shape into a ball. Bake at 350 degrees on an ungreased cookie sheet for 8-10 minutes. (7 1/2 minutes seemed about perfect to me)

Let cool on pan for a minute or two. Transfer to cooling rack. Let cool for about 10 minutes. Roll in powdered sugar.

*the recipe says to cool completely before rolling in the powdered sugar, I prefer to roll mine when still slightly warm so the sugar melts just a tiny.

YUM!!!!!!!!!

*as you can see from the picture, I took a plate full to a Relief Society activity and they were the most popular on a table full of chocolate. Lots of people asked me about them :-)