Hi there. I’m Heather, the Mommypotamus. This is where you read a little about me, so here goes:
I’m a mom. I have two beautiful children that were waterborn in my living room. You can read their stories here and here.
I’m a researcher. Questioning the status quo comes naturally to me, which is why I rely on evidence-based research to guide my decisions on food, vaccinations, birth, full-term breastfeeding and a bunch of other topics.
Why do I write this blog? You may have noticed when I introduced myself that I’m not a doctor or certified nutritionist. There are no special letters behind my name. I’m just a mom that’s passionate about nourishing my family in every way possible.
I wasn’t always this way, though. Daddypotamus and I were junk food fiends when we got married. Part of every dinner came from a box or takeout, and we were fine with that. But years of eating MSG, genetically modified foods, and hormone “enhanced” meat took its toll. About two years after we said our vows – just when we were thinking about starting a family – I developed a debilitating autoimmune disorder.
Blood tests also revealed that years of lowfat dieting had lowered my cholesterol to nearly undetectable levels – lower than those long distance runners who don’t get periods. It’s embarrassing to admit now, but when I first heard the numbers I thought it was a good thing! Um, no. Cholesterol is necessary for producing the hormones that sustain a pregnancy, I was told. “Don’t get pregnant, you’re not strong enough to carry a baby to term” were her exact words. Fine, then. I went home and drank 8 oz of oil straight up. (Do not ever do this! You will puke for 10 hours!)
I wanted cholesterol. I wanted a baby. I wanted my horrible acne, acid reflux, anxiety and chronic exhaustion to just GO AWAY. I wanted all of those things and more, but what I NEEDED was real food.
So, with Nourishing Traditions in hand, I hacked away at my old food habits until every single one was gone. No one else I knew was eating this way and honestly I kind of felt like the unabomber while concocting ferments in my kitchen.
It was frustrating, but oh-so-worth-it. Through nutrition and laser therapy I recovered my health, got pregnant, carried my baby not only to term but to the very last day of the forty second week, nursed for two years, got pregnant AGAIN, continued to nurse through my pregnancy, had another baby at 41 weeks. I now have three year old and a one year old and have been continually nursing for 46 months straight. That’s a far cry from not being able to carry a baby to term!
Of course, that was just the beginning of the journey! The best part has been figuring out how to nourish my vibrantly healthy, energetic children and writing about it here. I’d love for you to share the journey with us!
Some of you curious types may be asking yourselves, What is a Mommypotamus? If you want to know check out this post.
Emily Giuffre
Hi Heather!
I have just been reading some of your posts, how you got the name, your past illness and your discovery on birth control. I am always impressed with each post and I get so much value about what you write.
I wanted to ask you if you would like to talk sometime? I have a blog on health as well (after reading your about page, we have so much in common). I would love to do some kind of syndication with you for getting traffic to each others blogs. I have a couple of other people I’m asking as well, but only people who have some seriously good blogs. You are definitely one of those people:-)
Please let me know if you’d like to talk! Until then, have a great day!
Emily Giuffre
Lauren Scruggs
so glad I found your blog!!!
Heather
Thanks, Lauren!
Patrice Shakti Bacal
Hi Heather! I am so moved by your story, your message, your commitment to share the truth, and your beautiful vision for a life connected to the rhythms of nature. I am excited to hear more from you. Keep shining your light!
Patrice Shakti Bacal´s last [type] ..What the spirit of the Earth told me
Heather
Thank you, Patrice. Your comment just put a huge smile on my face.
Christi Austin
Hi Heather,
I have been looking at your information that you posted on the 21 day cleanse. Do you know what a person could substitute for the meat during the cleanse? I am a vegetarian and I notice that you are not supposed to eat nuts or beans. Please help if you can. Thank you for your time!
Christi
Heather
Hi Christi! Since lentils are allowed and they contain protein I would probably use them a lot. Did you see my recipes page? You may find some ideas there. If not check back soon because I will be releasing an ebook with tons of lentil recipes.
Heather Finotti
Hi fellow Heather! I’m also a GAPSter and was searching around for a good coconut milk recipe (my ds is no longer allergic to coconut! woot for GAPS!) and found yours and was drawn in to look around your site. I thought you might like this, if you didn’t already know it:
God asked the heather the same question that he’d asked the others. “Will you go and grow upon the hillsides to make them more beautiful?”
The heather thought about the poor soil, the wind and the rain – and wasn’t very sure that she could do a good job. But turning to God she replied that if he wanted her to do it, she would certainly give it a try.
God was very pleased.
He was so pleased in fact that he decided to give the heather some gifts as a reward for her willingness to do as he had asked.
Firstly he gave her the strength of the oak tree – the bark of the heather is the strongest of any tree or shrub in the whole world.
Next he gave her the fragrance of the honeysuckle – a fragrance which is frequently used to gently perfume soaps and potpouris.
Finally he gave her the sweetness of the rose – so much so that heather is one of the bees favourite flowers. And to this day, heather is renowned especially for these three God given gifts.
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Facts About Heather Flower
* The scietntific name, Calluna vulgaris, in general, came from Calluna from the Greek Kallune – to clean or brush, as the twigs were used for making brooms and vulgaris from Latin, meaning common.
* Heather flowers are a traditional remedy in Swedish herbal medicine.
* The Heather plant is sometimes also referred to as Ling derived either from the old Norse Lyng or from the Anglo Saxon Lig meaning fire and referring to use as a fuel.
Shauna
I just found your blog while looking for a soaked flour pizza crust recipe. Then, your “about me” page caught my attention. I can so identify with being odd in our eating and parenting but really feeling like status quo needs to be challenge if I am to do the absolute best for my family. My journey began when I had my son 2 and half years ago. Just browsed your blog quickly but bookmarked it to read more later
Marillyn@just-making-noise
Nice meeting you! I enjoyed reading your story and glad I found your blog. I’ll be browsing around. Hope you will visit me at Just Making Noise… I am also a mama of 3 kids and follow the NT guide of wholesome food.
Heather
It’s nice to “meet” you, Marilyn! I’ve seen you around but have never said hello, so hello! That ice cream book you created looks SO YUMMY!
Marillyn@just-making-noise
Hello back at ya! Did you really drink oil straight up? Man! Anyway, thanks for the compliment and hope to see you around now that we’ve officially “met” ;o)
Marillyn@just-making-noise´s last [type] ..Sourdough Journel #13: Chili Beef Sourdough Pot Pie
Heather
Oh yes, and weirder things since then
Eggshell shake, anyone?