Celebrate Breastfeeding!

I'm a couple days late for celebrating World Breastfeeding week, but August is National Breastfeeding Month, so I think it's still a perfect time to celebrate breastfeeding. I work for the WIC program, so most of my day is centered around counseling pregnant and new moms about breastfeeding and child nutrition. I'm also a fully breastfeeding mom (I'm actually writing this post while I express milk on my break at work), so I've experienced the joys and the frustrations breastfeeding can bring. The theme for World Breastfeeding Week was "talk it up," and trust me-- I could talk all day long about the benefits of breastfeeding. To keep things simple, I'll just touch on a couple reasons why I think breastfeeding is best-feeding, and point out some excellent resources for nursing moms.

My happy breastfed baby

Top 3 Reasons every mom should breastfeed (if she possibly can):

3. Breastfeeding is free. Formula costs at least $1,200 in the first year. That money is much better spent on college savings, family vacations, or just making ends meet.

2. Breastfeeding is natural. Breast milk is created naturally from the food mom eats. A woman's body knows exactly how to make breast milk based on hormone cues and how full or empty her breasts are. Breast milk changes throughout a baby's feed and throughout the growth of the child to meet its needs perfectly. Formula doesn't change with your baby-- and it certainly doesn't seem natural for all of your baby's nutrition to come out of a can.

1.  Breastfeeding is healthier for Mom and Baby. Breastfeeding helps moms lose excess weight, reduces their risk of cancers, and reduces their risk of having osteoporosis layer in life. Breast milk also reduces baby's risks of getting colds, ear infections, allergies, and breastfed babies are leaner for life.

It's no secret that breastfeeding is the optimal choice for infant nutrition and development, but many women still choose not to breastfeed. Breastfeeding can be challenging, especially at first, but luckily there are some great resources to help women who choose to breastfeed. Here are some of the links I found most useful:

La Leche League International: tips on getting started

Breastfeeding Center of Pittsburgh

General breastfeeding info and other useful links

Garden Party

There are so many things I love about summer: wearing flip flops (or better yet, no shoes at all), catching fireflies, and fresh, delicious produce. Usually I enjoy fresh produce from the grocery store, but this year I've been lucky to have fresh produce from a farm-share we joined (more on that later...) and straight from our own backyard!

Super red, juicy and delicious.

I certainly don't have a green thumb. Most plants I've had in the past I've killed within a week or two, so I was a bit intimidated about planting a garden. I picked up some seeds at Lowes though, and I got a couple of tomato plants that were on sale for 50 cents each. Only half the seeds I planted survived, but my tomato plants have turned into tomato trees!!

This plant is almost as tall as me!

I can't wait to celebrate with some fresh salsa and maybe even homemade tomato sauce for fresh pasta!

Growing vegetables isn't nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. I've also heard these plants do well planted later in the summer, and may even try to plant some more: beets, carrots, broccoli, kale, and salad greens.

Our current crop-- we can't eat them quickly enough!

Here are some tomato recipes I can't wait to try:

Fresh salsa:
2 cups diced  tomatoes (4-6 fresh tomatoes)
1 onion (I like purple onions for added color)
1 Tbsp lime juice (or 1 fresh squeezed lime)
1 cob of corn, removed from cob
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (or basil for a sweet twist)
1 - ??? Finely chopped jalapenos (put in as many as you like, or just use bell peppers if you dont like any spice)
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp sugar

Mix all ingredients and allow to sit for at least 30 min so flavors can blend.

To vary the recipe try broiling or grilling any of the ingredients for a savory roasted taste. :)


Simple tomato sauce:
6 - 8 Large tomatoes
2 Cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh basil, sliced into ribbons
1/4 cup sugar

1. Begin by removing tomato skins. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and place tomatoes in for 30 - 60 seconds. Remove them with tongs and  immediately plunge them in ice water. Peel off skins.
2. Cut tomatoes into quarters and remove seeds
3. Put tomatoes and garlic  in a small saucepan for 20 - 30 min. Add basil for last 10 min of cooking. Serve with pasta and protein of your choice.

The beauty of this dish its  simplicity. It is like a little black dress that can be classy enough to serve to company, yet simple enough to enjoy as a weeknight meal. Finish it off with some tender grilled chicken or cannelini beans.

Let's get this party started!!

Hello, and welcome to the Block Party! I'm Julie Block- wife, mom, sister and friend. I think life is absolutely wonderful, and I invite you to join me in celebrating life's little moments and big moments. I'll be sharing my insight on food, family, faith, and whatever else comes up that's worth celebrating! So get ready for some fun and join the Block Party!