Holistic Moms serves as a support community for those interested in holistic living and natural parenting. We appreciate all those who have joined our community and spread the word to help make the Western Suburbs Chapter possible.
With Love & Friendship,
Dorothy Coop, Krista Sherinian, Christy Poniatowski, and Tanya Kreger
Chapter Leaders Chicago Western Suburbs
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Monthly Chapter Meeting "Do you have a CAPE?Tuesday, May 2nd, 7pm | Creating A Positive Environment - a night of empowerment, encouragement and validation - for all ages!"
Amy Logan, author of A Girl with a Cape (and now A Boy with a Cape), will teach us how to rock the CAPE! Creating Action with Positive Encouragement to help Create A Positive Environment. Amy's mission with her books is not only to send a good message to anyone who reads it, but to start a movement--to rock the CAPE! Amy teaches people, especially children, to use kindness when they speak and encourages kids to focus on the positive things they do and say. She teaches kids to "get their kindness on" by teaching them that they are leaders and mentors, which allows them to have an impact on people around them and on their future. Her kindness cards and CAPE cards allows kids to leave a trail of good deeds behind them, like by looking people in the eye and saying a greeting any time of day or by inviting someone to sit with you at lunch.
Amy's Kindness Gala Foundation helps charities such as Camp Out from Cancer and Tinley Wish, both of which helps families dealing with catastrophic illnesses. Her web site even has a "Rock the CAPE" pledge we can print out. An exerpt: "The world needs more people like YOU. Be a superhero and let others look up to you. You set the example...are you ready? Who are you going to encourage? Inspire?" **Please Note Our New Meeting Location!**
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Member Highlight Susan Wyland | | How long have you been a member of HMN?
Since July 2011
I am a holistic mom because There are actually a few reasons behind why I'm holistic. (I apologize as this may get lengthy.) Years ago my husband had rashes on his body that appeared out of no where and for no apparent reason as he hadn't changed anything in his diet. He saw his doctor and dermatologists and was prescribed steroid creams and told to keep a food diary yet the rashes persisted. Eventually I searched the Internet and found a discussion on artificial sweeteners and body rashes. I specifically remember reading about Splenda, (sucralose), causing lots of health issues among the people in the discussion. So I decided to go through the pantry and read labels. All of commercial cereals he has enjoyed since childhood had sucralose in them. As a matter-of-fact, all of the, "food," we had in the pantry had some kind of artificial sweetener or concerning chemical in them. By the time I was done going through the pantry I believe we were left with a pack of water bottles and a bag of rice. I explained to my husband what I had found, and that we needed to get rid of this stuff. Thankfully he agreed, (mostly), and within a few weeks his rashes had completely healed. (During this time I also learned how chemically sensitive I was as just a small dose of sucralose in a cup of Airborne and my mind got foggy). We continued learning about more holistic ways of living, getting a better water purification system, safer home cleaning products, hygiene products, replacing the microwave with a toaster oven, etc. Fast forward a few years...I became a pregnant, but I hadn't prepared for the birth other than buying stuff on Craigslist. I thought having a doula would be the best and only thing I needed to do. Unfortunately when I went into labor, the doula overslept and I was forced into a cesarean at the hospital after reacting to the medications given. After that, the pediatrician we were with wasn't seeing eye to eye with our ideas of parenting. Actually my husband and I were yelled at and belittled before the pediatrician stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I was so distraught. I was still healing from the cesarean and exhausted from being up all day and night with a very colicky baby. There was a HMN meeting that evening and my family and I went to it. Thankfully the presenter had canceled and it was an open discussion. When it got around to me, I was bawling. I really needed help - not judgement - and not only did I receive help, I also received support and compassion. Those amazing women helped me find a more fitting pediatrician and gave chiropractic, dietary and parenting suggestions to try to help my baby stop screaming so often. I don't think I joined HMN right after that meeting, although I should have. I was at work one day in July and there was a controversial topic of conversation amongst coworkers and I was astonished at what I was hearing. I excused myself from the conversation and went to my office and signed up with HMN. (Incidentally I quit that job shortly afterward.) My holistic passions are:
There are many to list but I enjoy spending time with family the most. God blessed my husband and me with two amazing girls who we learn so much from every day. Even though we homeschool them, our children are truly our greatest teachers. I also enjoy seeing or hearing about people healing. I feel God made our bodies perfect with an incredible capability to heal. I've also learned there are many pathways to healing, and I try to keep an open mind to all suggestions/modalities of healing and seem to take a strong interest in something when it's referred to as, "quackery." In addition, I believe we are all one and all part of God. I don't believe in coincidences as I know they are a way I am being guided. The messages come though in all different ways....
What inspires you about HMN or holistic living?
The support at HMN is incredible. As mentioned that I experienced that at my very first meeting. The support I received when I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting pregnant again was incredible, (so many to thank). And after my displaced uterus was moved back into place, I conceived, had the baby and a difficult recovery full of infections. The help from these awesome ladies was nothing short of a miracle. I never would have made it through that time without all of their help. I'm honored to be a part of this group of amazingly supportive women. I have found my tribe. (Just wish I could see you ladies more often!)
What is your favorite healthy recipe?
Hmmm...this is a tough one. There is a baked chicken breast recipe that is easy and delicious. I use coconut oil instead of olive oil and bake at 340 until the chicken is fully cooked. (Link to recipe below). The chicken literally tastes like it came from a restaurant. And cooled it goes well on top of a salad. http://www.yellowblissroad.com/baked-chicken-breasts I also love cauliflower, chopped onion, minced garlic, mixed together with Himalayan salt and melted coconut oil. Put it in a 9x13 corning-ware pan and bake at 400 degrees for an hour...a little longer if you want it more crispy on top. .
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| Chapter Events and Activities
| Chapter Meetings: Held the 1st Tuesday of every month from 7-9 pm at Four Winds Waldorf School, 30W160 Calumet Ave W, Warrenville, IL 60555. Open to the public.
Monthly Morning Meetups: We will meet the third Tuesday of each month from 9:30-11:30 at Grounds for Hope in Lisle. We will have our own room but the kids can also play in the open area. A cafe is also available. The fee for the kids to play is just $5/child. Parents could also purchase a 6 month pass for just $45. This would cover their family (up to 4 children) for 6 months. It cannot be shared between families as this constitutes an agreement to our rules and wavier. Children would still need to be supervised during play and cannot be left unattended. Please pre-register here: http://www.groundsforhopecafe.org/#/kids-birthdays. As for food options, there are many items available, reasonably priced, and should be able to accommodate many food allergies. We have several fresh fruit and vegetable options as well as gluten free bread and snack bars. Please let us know if someone has an unusual allergy to see if we have an option available. Grounds for Hope, 2701 Maple Ave, Lisle, IL 60532. Open to the public. You do not have to be a member to attend. Playgroups: All ages --4th Wednesday of the month @ 9:30 am. Locations will vary. Membership is required to attend playgroups.
Moms Night Out: A moms only "playdate". Babies in arms are welcome. Dates, activities and locations vary. Watch for postings. Membership is required to attend mom's night out.
Book Club:We meet several times a year to discuss the chosen book. Dates and location will vary. Watch for postings. Membership is required to participate in book club.
Mom & Tot Outings: Special outings planned several times a year specifically with our young ones in mind. Dates and locations vary. Watch for postings. Membership is required to participate in Mom/Tot outings.
Family Gatherings, Movie Nights, and additional member events will continue to be scheduled.
Check out or local website for details. http://chicagowestsub.holisticmoms.org
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|  | | Meeting Topics | | 2017 Meeting Schedule |
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| Sponsor | A special thanks to Four Winds Waldorf School for offering us the space to host our meetings! |
| Contact Us | | Dorothy Coop Christy Poniatowski
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