Win Tickets to the Natural Family Fair!

Posted on August 14, 2014 | 3 comments

How do you find local resources for parenting, babies and fertility? Does your family like live music and food? Do you miss going out to events, but feel it would be overwhelming with a new baby? All of your needs can be met at this year’s Natural Family Fair. I have two pairs of tickets to give away — and I’ll be there with a table myself (representing my psychotherapy private practice.)

Boy with guitar

Natural Baby Pros, Hullabaloo, and Reproductive Wellness present the 5th annual Natural Family Fair, Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The Natural Baby Fair, Fertility Expo and Hullabaloo Family Music Festival combine for a fun-filled day of learning and entertainment, when all three events come together under one tent!

Your Natural Baby Fair

The fair answers all your pregnancy, birth, and health questions, while showcasing a variety of vendors, demonstrations and products to fit all lifestyle choices.

  • Keynote: Peggy O’Mara, former editor of Mothering Magazine – “How It Really Is: The Truth About the Early Years of Parenting”
  • Karen Brody, founder of Bold Tranquility, a fatigue management system – “Be Good to Yourself: Embrace the Healing Powers of Rest to Tame the Overwhelm”

Fertility Expo

Brought to you by Reproductive Wellness, this semi-private area is a great resource for couples seeking support in conception and natural alternatives. Attendees will have a chance to speak privately, at no charge, with the physicians and experts at the expo.  Speakers include:

  • Keynote: Christa Orecchio, a clinical and holistic nutritionist and founder of thewholejourney.com – “Creating a Healthy Pregnancy in Your 30s and Early 40s
  • Dr. Brooke Friedman, Reproductive Endocrinologist at Reproductive Partners  – “Frozen Embryo Transfers: Making IVF Safer and More Natural”
  • Aimee Raupp, author, acupuncturist, herbalist, and women’s health and fertility expert – “Three Things You Can Do Now to Improve Your Fertility”

Hullabaloo Family Music Festival

Head into the Paddock to boogie on the grass and enjoy several music acts throughout the day.  Hullabaloo will play for two sets, and we’ll also enjoy the performances of Randy Kaplan, The Hollow Trees, Kathryn Cloward and Melissa Green.  Several family-friendly vendors and activities will be in this area as well to allow your kids to channel their inner-monkey and inner-artist.

The Breastfeeding Lounge returns with The Dad’s Lounge, and Free Community Clinic is making their debut.

The fair will be broadcasted live via New Mommy Media. Live interviews and demonstrations of speakers, sponsors and talented pros who will be at the fair. No matter where in the world you live, enjoy an inside view of the expertise and cutting edge support that the fair offers – live on the day of the event.

Due to huge support from several key sponsors, this family event is made very affordable to the families of San Diego. Key sponsors include: Nature’s Whisper Yoga, home of hot mama yoga, BabyHawk, San Diego Breastfeeding Center, New Mommy Media.com, Gymboree Play & Music, Kid Ventures, Basic Training for New Dads and Good Vibrations Family Chiropractic.

The fair is 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14. Tickets are $10 for adults and children are $7. Tickets may be purchased in advance (purchase tickets here) or at the door. Goodie bags will be given to the first 250 families. Family Packs and VIP packages available for pre-sale, including a Babyhawk carrier and other full-sized products.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

pssst: If you would like additional chances to win tickets I am giving four away on my therapy website, www.AbigailBurdLCSW.com.

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Posted in Contests, Giveaways and Promotions, Green Parenting, Parenting

Mint Julep Kale Krunchies

Posted on August 10, 2014 | 5 comments

Summer in San Diego means the Del Mar Racetrack is open and an abundance of mint in our garden. Both were the inspiration for “mint julep” kale krunchies, our latest variation on kale chips. Using the same technique and creamy cashew base as my Cilantro Lime Kale Chips, these kale crunchies are flavored with the summer drink ingredients. Yes, even a splash of bourbon.

Mint Julep Kale Krunchies

Mint Julep Kale Chips Recipe

  • 1 head of kale
  • 3/4 cups of raw cashews, soaked in water for at least one hour, then drained
  • handful of fresh mint, washed
  • 1-2 tablespoons of agave or coconut nectar
  • 1 teaspoon of bourbon (optional but fun)
  • 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or to taste
  • a little water, if needed, to process in the blender

1. Wash the kale in cold water. Holding the end of the stem in one hand, firmly and quickly slide your other hand down the center rib. The leaves should tear off of the rib in one move. Dry the kale very well and rip any large pieces into smaller bits.

Or – Purchase a bag of kale pre-washed and cut. Just make sure to remove the thick center ribs as they do not dehydrate well. (Little Bird likes to help rip and sort the kale.)

2. Blend the rest of the ingredients in a small food processor, like a Magic Bullet, or blender. If the blender struggles, add a little water, a tablespoon at a time, until it blends well. Blend at highest speed until smooth, scraping down the sides at least once. Keep in mind the more water you add, the longer the chips will take to dry out in the oven.

3. Preheat oven to 200° F. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, massage the “sauce” into the kale. Then spread it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 45 minutes or so, checking and gently stirring the kale occasionally, until it is dried but not overly toasted.

For step by step photos of how to make kale chips, please see my previous recipes for Easy Homemade Kale Chips and Cilantro Lime Kale Chips.

Enjoying the Mint Julep Kale Crunchies with the eponymous drink is optional, but highly recommended!

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Posted in Food, Healthy Recipes, Recipes from the Garden, Recipes to Make with the Kids, Urban Agriculture

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Updates from the Baby Birds Farm

Posted on July 27, 2014 | 3 comments

Hi friends! It’s been a while since I checked in. We have been busy this summer with Papa Bird growing his artist representation business (Burd and Co.) and me continuing my private practice in peripartum mental health (Abigail Burd, LCSW). Little Bird has been taking dance lessons, Baby Bird is sprouting teeth and eating everything we eat, and both girls are learning to swim (a good skill to have here in San Diego.) Last weekend we snapped a rare family photo at a friend’s wedding.

bird family

I wanted to share some recent articles of mine that have been published elsewhere, plus an interview that turned out great.

First: How to Keep Your Relationship Healthy After Baby explores my top 6 tips for healthy relationships on the website for my psychotherapy private practice. Useful not just for postpartum couples, but for any relationship.

strong relationship after baby

Next: I was interviewed by a writer friend. You may remember Gill’s excellent writing from this post. Her website focuses on well-done, in-depth interviews. I was honored she chose me. I guess she has always been curious about what therapy is like from the point of view of a therapist and she raised great questions.

Interview with Gill

Next up: A fresh salad idea featuring Strawberries, Salmon and Green Pickled Strawberries was featured on the Ergobaby Blog. You might remember the strawberry pickles from this post. I am still an affiliate of Ergobaby and use their carriers daily.

strawberry salmon salad

Finally: I launched a monthly newsletter for my private practice. You can read the first edition here. Next month will feature 6 daily habits for staying healthy and balanced. If you have any interest (or just want to support), please subscribe here:

Subscribe to the Abigail Burd, LCSW Monthly Newsletter

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Posted in Food, Healthy Recipes, Our Family, Parenting, Pregnancy

GIVEAWAY: Ergobaby Wrap Carrier

Posted on June 16, 2014 | 35 comments

I am very excited to host my biggest giveaway yet! In partnership with my psychotherapy business, Abigail Burd, LCSW, I am raffling off an Ergobaby Wrap. I believe firsthand in the benefit of keeping baby close and wearing a them in a hug.

win an ergobaby wrap

For the parents that already love babywearing, what makes this wrap unique is that it is a hybrid stretchy wrap, half way between a stretchy wrap (like a Moby) and a woven wrap. It is literally made of yoga pants material. So imagine the comfort and gentle compression of your favorite yoga pants. The wrap is perfect for newborns. Since it keeps it’s shape better than other stretchy wraps it will also last you longer and work for bigger babies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For those that can’t wait until the end of the contest, or if you don’t win and want to buy a wrap, now is a great time. I have a promo code for 20% off the Ergobaby Wrap and the Ergobaby Swaddler. Enter ocnewborn at checkout.

20% off ergo baby wrap discount code20% off ergobaby swaddler discount code

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Posted in Contests, Giveaways and Promotions, Green Parenting, Parenting

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Ergobaby 360 Back in Stock Tomorrow, Monday 6/16/14

Posted on June 15, 2014 | Leave a comment

Hi friends! Just a quick note that the Ergobaby 360 carrier is back in stock tomorrow, Monday 6/16/14. They sold out in less than a day when they launched in the spring, and then sold out in less than a day again when they restocked. So if you are interested, I would purchase from their website bright and early tomorrow.

ergobaby-may-fb-memes-360-1

Why the ergobaby 360 carrier?

After owning a dozen different baby carriers, it is the most comfortable for me and for Baby Bird. I like the comfortable waist band, it is super fast to get baby in and out, and it is great having an ergonomic option for baby facing forward.

Don’t just take my word for it! Read the guest post by Gill Andrews.

Need more convincing? Watch our video review to see the Ergo 360 in action:

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links track that I was the one that referred you and I may receive a commission. Your price does not increase.

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Posted in Contests, Giveaways and Promotions, Parenting

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