Shopping for your naturally minded friends can be tricky. To make things easy, we've put together a list of items that any naturally-minded individual would love. 

This handy guide offers 20 suggestions for both men and women, including stocking stuffers, with gifts in every price range. 

UPDATE: I've added TEN more items! Now, you'll get 30 gift ideas!

What about a water filter that removes Fluoride, Lead, Chromium 6, PFOS PFOA, Heavy Metals, Microorganisms, Pesticides, Chemicals, Industrial Pollutants  &  More?

​ON THE LIST!

Or maybe she would like a beautiful natural bead necklace for mom that also serves as a teether for baby?

​ON THE LIST!

​Blue light blocking glasses? Safer soy candles? Ceramic, non-toxic cookware? Natural perfume?

ON THE LIST! 

Best of all, we've made it super easy to shop by adding links that will take you directly to each item! Enter your email below to receive the nurturing YOU naturally gift guide!

Can't wait? Go ahead and check out our Amazon Wish List for Natural Gift Giving!

Nashville Cesarean Rate By Hospital - Data Current as of November 2019. 
​

• Vanderbilt University -  28.9% (up 0.5%)
• St. Thomas Midtown -  25.7% (down 0.5%)
• TriStar Centennial - 37.9% (up 4.2%)
• Williamson Medical Center - 25.1% (down 1.8%)
• TriStar Hendersonville - 32.6% (down 2.2%)
• TriStar Summit -  37.2% (down 4.6%)
• St. Thomas Rutherford - 22.0% (down 5.8%)

Please note: The information on this site is derived from hospitals’ voluntary submissions of The Leapfrog Hospital Survey. For more survey results, visit: http://www.leapfroggroup.org/compare-hospitals

Click here to see our 2018 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic.
Click here to see our 2017 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic.
Click here to see our 2016 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic. 
Click here to see our 2015 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic. 

This is my 5th year to compile these figures into an infographic. We still have 4 big hospitals with rates under 30%. St. Thomas Rutherford has a rate of 22%, which is the lowest I've ever seen in Nashville in the last decade. It's interesting to note that the St. Thomas Hospital group has consistently had numbers below 30%, while the TriStar group has some of the highest rates in Middle TN. In fact, Centennial has shown a large increase 2 years in a row (combined jump of 7.6%). They were once as low as 30% in 2017.

I do know that Centennial hired a new Chief Operating Officer at the beginning of 2019 who is also a Certified Nurse Midwife and she has been working extremely hard to make positive change. It's honestly been exciting to watch her jump into this role and I will be eager to see the impact she has over the next year. 

One of the biggest factors in preventing a C-Section is to have a doula. Research shows that using a doula for your labor & delivery can lower your risk of a Cesarean birth by as much as 39%. Taking a comprehensive childbirth education class can also lower your risk for a C-Section. Please contact us if you are interested in hiring a doula or need a childbirth preparation class. 

Feel free to share this infographic with credit given to this link. 
​http://www.nurturingyounaturally.com/blog/2019-nashville-c-section-rate-by-hospital

Nashville Cesarean Rate By Hospital - Data Current as of October 2018 and compared to July 2017. 
​

• Vanderbilt University -  28.4% (down 0.1%)
• St. Thomas Midtown -  26.2% (down 2.0%)
• TriStar Centennial - 33.7% (up 3.4%)
• Williamson Medical Center - 26.9% (up 0.2%)
• TriStar Hendersonville - 34.8% (up 0.6%)
• TriStar Summit -  37.2% (up 9.4%)
• St. Thomas Rutherford - 27.8% (up 0.4%)

Please note: The information on this site is derived from hospitals’ voluntary submissions of The Leapfrog Hospital Survey. For more survey results, visit: http://www.leapfroggroup.org/compare-hospitals

Click here to see our 2017 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic.
Click here to see our 2016 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic. 
Click here to see our 2015 Nashville Cesarean Rate Infographic. 

This is my 4th year to compile these figures into an infographic. Last year we saw big progress in the numbers and I was encouraged. I'm still encouraged that we have 4 big hospitals with rates under 30%. Overall, these hospitals held their numbers steady over last year. However, I do have a huge concern for Summit Hospital, which jumped almost 10% in a single year. Combined with their 5% increase from 2016 to 2017, their C-section rates have risen 15% in the last 2 years. They also now have the highest Cesarean rate in the area. 

One of the biggest factors in preventing a C-Section is to have a doula. Research shows that using a doula for your labor & delivery can lower your risk of a Cesarean birth by as much as 39%. Taking a comprehensive childbirth education class can also lower your risk for a C-Section. Please contact us if you are interested in hiring a doula or need a childbirth preparation class. 

Feel free to share this infographic with credit given to this link. 
​http://www.nurturingyounaturally.com/blog/2018-nashville-c-section-rate-by-hospital

If you haven't heard of CBD oil yet, just wait! A quick Google search today reveals over 13 MILLION web pages and 158 THOUSAND news articles​. It's unheard of for a natural product to overwhelm the mainstream market this quickly. In fact, Forbes predicts the industry to grow 700% by 2020. Here are a just a few articles that address the popularity, health benefits, and safety of CBD Oil. 

• Forbes - WHO Report Finds No Public Health Risks or Abuse Potential for CBD
• Women's Health Magazine - What is CBD Oil- and is it Really Good For You?
• Washington Post - CBD is cannabis that won't get you high. So why are so many people using it?
• MSN - Here's the Deal With CBD Oil & the Potential Health Benefits
• CBS News - CBD oil, derived from cannabis, gains popularity

WHAT IS CBD OIL?

CBD is an abbreviation for cannabidiol which is extracted from the hemp plant but contains no psychoactive characteristics.

​IS IT LEGAL?

In 2014, the Agricultural Appropriations Act permitted the growth of industrial hemp so long as it contained no more than 0.3% of THC by dry weight. 

WHAT DOES IT HELP?

CBD oil has been shown to help with a variety of symptoms and conditions. PubMed has over 23,000 studies that include CBD.  A quick scan of these articles shows it has helped to alleviate

WHERE DO I GET IT?

I purchase my CBD oil from Your CBD Shop. They offer a variety of products including CBD oil drops, pain relief cream, and pet treats. They source their products from a US-approved hemp farm in Kentucky. It's organic, non-GMO, and they use a CO2 extraction process that retains important benefits from the plant. ​

MORE QUESTIONS?

Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can answer more questions for you. I love helping people find natural ways to manage their health and I've been thrilled with the testimonials coming in from people using CBD oil! This stuff is AMAZING!!!

WANT TO HELP OTHERS TOO?

Let's talk. Not only is this a high-quality CBD oil that's changing lives, they also offer income-producing opportunities for individuals and businesses. Contact me for more info or take a quick tour of the compensation plan.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. MyDailyChoice, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the improper use of and self-diagnosis and/or treatment using these products. Our products should not be confused with prescription medicine and they should not be used as a substitute for medically supervised therapy. If you suspect you suffer from clinical deficiencies, consult a licensed, qualified medical doctor. You must be at least 18 years old to visit our website and make product purchases. We do not make any health claims about our products at MyDailyChoice. Before taking our products, it’s wise to check with your physician or medical doctor. It is especially important for people who are: pregnant, chronically ill, elderly, under 18, taking prescription or over the counter medicines. None of the information on our website is intended to be an enticement to purchase and may not be construed as medical advice or instruction. The use of any of our products for any reason, other than to increase general health & wellness, is neither, implied nor advocated by MyDailyChoice, Inc. Affiliate Links are included in this post. ​

​St. Thomas Midtown is opening a birthing center. Here's what we know so far. 

• The birthing center is scheduled to be open and accepting patients in October. 
• Moms must get approval from her care provider and pediatrician (due to early discharge) to deliver there. 
• Both OBs and midwives will deliver their patients at the center.
• Mom needs to be in active labor,  5+ cm, low risk, and 37+ weeks to be admitted in the birthing center. VBAC moms will not be considered low risk. 
• If mom decides she would like an epidural, she will be transferred to a regular labor and delivery room. If one is not available, she will need to wait for a room.  They are not equipped for epidurals in the birthing center suites. 
• Nitrous oxide will be available in the birth center.
• Mom will have 4 hours of uninterrupted bonding time in her birthing center room.. 
• After bonding, the family will be moved to the postpartum floor for 8-12 hours. 
• Mom can bring her own clear fluids to eat/drink in labor.
• Rooms will have: a full size bed, labor stools, yoga balls/mats, wall-mounted ladders, stabilizer seats for balls, triangular wedge, diffusers (bring your own oils), fridge (being your own drinks and snacks), speakers (wifi/bluetooth), wireless monitors, hydrotherapy tubs, sleeper sofas, and gliders!

​For more in formation please visit the St. Thomas Health website. 

At first I was really skeptical about a birthing center being attached to a hospital. We saw this last year with a different hospital and it was basically a bait and switch marketing tactic. They announced "birthing center" but they really meant "remodeled hospital rooms."

I'm excited about the things I see listed for the St. Thomas Midtown birth center, especially the full sized-beds and labor tubs along with all of the other natural friendly options like ladders, diffusers, and wedges!

Over the last 5 years, STM has really made some major changes to their program. They are once again becoming THE hospital to deliver at but not in the "baby factory" way they were known for in the past. They are currently the ONLY hospital in Middle TN to complete the 10 steps required to achieve Baby Friendly status.  

I'm looking forward to seeing our city continue to make headway in our birth culture and hopefully continue to improve birth outcomes. 

On a personal note, these numbers are really exciting to me! The main hospitals that my clients deliver at have gotten their Cesarean rates under 30%. A couple of these hospitals have had a reduction in rates 2 years in a row! My hope is that these numbers will continue to fall. 

I truly believe these lower rates are a direct result of parents advocating for evidence-based care. When patients demand better care, the system has no choice but to improve. Many moms have switched birth locations or even care providers to get the care they deserve. Others have had tough but necessary conversations with their providers or hospital staff to advocate for their needs. This is huge! I'm also thankful for the amazing community of birth professionals we have in Nashville. We work to educate ourselves, our clients, and healthcare providers.  

It's been fascinating to see how the Nashville Birth Culture has improved over the last decade.

​Keep up the strong work, everyone! 

We are constantly bombarded by articles warning us of the dangers of everyday toxins in our home. As a busy mama, you may not have time to make homemade products or even time to do the research to figure out what to buy instead. I have been in both situations over the years and this article is just for you. 

Below you will find 8 quick and easy switches I've made in my own home over the last few years. Here are my criteria when selecting pre-purchased natural products.

1. It has to work. Going "natural" doesn't mean I want to skimp on quality. 
2. It needs to be affordable.  Switching to safer products doesn't have to cost a small fortune. Trust me. 
3. Must score a "green" rating from EWG (cleaners, cosmetics) when applicable. 
4. It should smell good.  I don't always like "earthy" scents. I'm more of a citrus or floral fan. 
5. Bonus if it's available on Amazon! 

Many of these products are also eligible for Subscribe & Save so they can be delivered automatically to your door on whatever schedule you set up.  It's one of my new favorite life hacks! 

NOTE: I absolutely love Grab Green products. If you are hesitant to try a full size package, I'd suggest this hand soap and sample pack. This gives you an opportunity to try out several of their products. 

When switching to natural products, I encourage families to take it one product at a time. It has literally taken me years to find products that work for us and switch over. But these products and tried and true and I feel a lot better about the amount of toxins my family is exposed to. Next on my list is to tackle fabric softener and dryer sheets. I'm planning to give these wool dryer balls a shot. What's next on your list? What are your favorite natural products? Comment below. 

*Affiliate Links Included

Thanks to the mild winter we had, ticks are BAD this year! Here's a quick, easy, and all natural tick spray that's safe for you and your dogs. 

• 4 oz witch hazel
• 1 oz carrier oil 
• 10 drops  geranium 
• 10 drops lemongrass
• 10 drops peppermint
• 5 drops lemon eucalyptus 
• 5 drops eucalyptus 
• 3 drops lavender

​Combine all into a spray bottle and shake well before each use. 

I purchase my essential oils direct from Plant Therapy. They are quality oils at an affordable price and free shipping in the US. They are also available on Amazon Prime (yes!!!) If you are new to essential oils, please check out my post on Getting Started with [non-MLM] Essential Oils. 

Last week I pulled waaaaay to many teeny tiny ticks off my dog. We had also found a few here and there on myself and my daughter. It's just part of living on our new farm, I suppose, but since we've been using this spray I haven't found another tick. I spray the dog's feet once in the morning and again in the afternoon. I've also been using it on myself, my husband, and our daughter's shoes before we go outside. It works really well!

UPDATE: Now the we live on a farm we are outside constantly and I got tired of remembering to spray ourselves each time we went out. I found an alternative that's been great - RAW AMBER! I bought a bracelet for me, a collar for my dog, and an anklet for my daughter. We still see ticks (that's just the nature of living on a farm) but none of them have bitten us. It's been amazing and super easy. 

I get asked a lot for book recommendations for before pregnancy and beyond. These are top of my list! All of these books are available in the nYn Lending Library or you can purchase them from Amazon by clicking on the pictures below. 

Knowing how to chart your cycle is crucial for getting pregnancy quickly. It's also possible to use your charts to determine potential problems. These first two books are amazing! Dr. Shettle's book is also very insightful and can be fun if you are trying for one sex or the other. I successfully used this method to have my girl!

I love this first book because it has lots of pictures. The second encompasses so much information and is also rather colorful. The 3rd book really should be required reading. 

If you want facts about pregnancy and stats about birth in America so you can make your own choices, this first book is for you. However, if you don't read any other book during pregnancy I would highly recommend The Birth Partner. It's basically a textbook for birth and has great suggestions for labor. Ina May's book is a combo of empowering birth stories and a crash course in childbirth. I love it! 

These books are basically the gold standard for breastfeeding and a must for every nursing mother. Another favorite resource is KellyMom.com!

I wish someone had given me Elizabeth Pantley's book when I was pregnant. There's a lot of great information about infant sleep patterns that I wish I had known in advance. The vaccine book is very informative and there are some awesome techniques in this last book for soothing littles.