Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra set the record for the largest donation of breastmilk by an individual.
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly is a Council Chronicle series that offers a glimpse at unusual stories in the news around the world. They are intended to provoke thought, inform and elicit a range of emotions from joy, outrage, anger, amusement to hope. These are a summary of stories worth knowing. Each month we will feature a story of the Good, the Bad & the Ugly around the globe. If you come across a news item that falls into any of these categories, please email it to me for possible inclusion in the monthly e-newsletter.
THE GOOD
SUPER MOM FEEDS THOUSANDS OF BABIES WITH BREASTMILK DONATIONS
Elisabeth Anderson-Sierra is an Oregon mother of three who has nourished thousands of children, even helping to save the lives of premature babies. She has set the record for the largest donation of breastmilk by an individual by donating 56,301.20 fluid ounces to a milk bank between February 2015 and June 2018. That’s the equivalent to 800 2-litre bottles of Coca Cola. Wow.
Over the past nine years, Elisabeth has donated to recipients worldwide and estimates the total amount of breastmilk donated to be over 350,000 ounces. She donates to many recipients who have been labelled as “failure to thrive.”
“Being able to turn that around and [have] that label removed in so many different stories has just been everything to me,” she said. “These are the things that I focus on. These are the positives and why I continue doing what I do.”
Anderson-Sierra stocks a freezer with her breast milk to donate.
In 2017, Elisabeth and her husband took a vacation to Puerto Rico. During their weeklong trip, she accumulated a lot of breastmilk and was able to find a baby in need. A premature three-month-old boy named Joaquin whose mother died in childbirth. The infant was not thriving on formula and his father had been purchasing breastmilk from a milk bank in the States and having it shipped to Puerto Rico at a cost of more than $200 per day. Elisabeth gave the milk she pumped while in Puerto Rico to Joaquin's dad and shipped breastmilk from Oregon to Puerto Rico for an entire year for the baby boy.
Wondering what is Elsabeth's secret to producing so much breastmilk? She has hyperlactation syndrome, a condition where breastmilk overflow occurs because of increased milk production.
“My body creates a lot of the hormone called prolactin and that is what drives milk production,” said Elisabeth.
However, that’s not the only reason she is able to yield so much breastmilk. She says the equipment that you use is the most important part of being a pumping mom.
Elisabeth has been working with a breast pump company to help make the breastfeeding journey easier for nursing moms.
“I have been able to take my experience as a pumping mom and work with a breast pump company to further the technology to support moms on their breastfeeding journey,” she said.
The burden of hyperlactation has been very taxing for Elisabeth because she has to remain stationary while pumping. Using a mobile pump has changed her life and given her back some of her freedom and mobility. Despite the inconvenience of having to pump regularly, Elisabeth is proud of her unique ability to aid moms and their babies around the country.
Elisabeth does not let any breastmilk go to waste, it’s all used or donated. She would eventually like to stop pumping. There are a couple of ways to decrease her production of prolactin. These include medication and the possibility of a double mastectomy to remove all of the glandular tissue that is producing the excess breastmilk.
By removing all of that tissue, her body would not be producing any more breastmilk. There will be no more milk ducts but there is the risk of additional breast tissue being developed because of the hormones that would still be present in her body. For now, Elisabeth will continue to pump breastmilk and donate the lifesaving liquid to moms and their babies who need it.
Stockpiles of Elisabeth's breastmilk in a deep freezer.
Yep, it is that time of the year again. Time to fire up that grill and get to cooking healthy, easy, and delicious summer meals for your family. From Memorial Day through Labor Day and beyond, these tasty recipes are sure to keep your grill loaded and your belly full all summer long.
BEER-BRINED BARBECUE CHICKEN
The brine makes the chicken so moist and flavorful. Serve this grilled chicken with grilled corn on the cob and a garden salad and dig in. Make sure you make extra for leftovers the next day. Enjoy.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS:
1. Brine the chicken: Combine 1 can of beer, the salt, granulated sugar, hot sauce and bay leaves in a very large bowl and whisk until the salt and sugar dissolve. Add the remaining 2 cans of beer, 4 cups water and the chicken. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
2. Make the barbecue sauce: Combine the orange juice, vinegar, onion, garlic, ketchup, brown sugar, honey, Worcestershire sauce and chili powder in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes. Let cool slightly, then puree in a blender until smooth. (The sauce can be made up to 1 day ahead; cover and refrigerate.)
3. Preheat a grill to medium low and brush the grates with vegetable oil. Remove the chicken from the brine and pat dry with paper towels. Lightly season the chicken with salt, then arrange on the grill, skin-side up. Cover and cook until marked, about 12 minutes per side. Continue cooking, flipping and basting the chicken with the barbecue sauce every 3 to 4 minutes (keep covered in between), until a thermometer inserted into the center of a breast registers 165 degrees F, about 15 more minutes. Transfer to a platter and let rest 5 minutes before serving.
TRUTH BOMBS are described in the urban dictionary as surprising but true statements. A fact or piece of knowledge that, when told to a listener, is devastating to the listener's argument or world view.
New Yorker Seth Phillips has gained a cult following for his truth bombs that protest anything from loud engines, phones that shatter easily, “x” in espresso, and other very specific, small things that add up to our daily lives. He has a over 7.5 million followers on social media. Phillips has gone mainstream enough that fashion brands are selling "Dude with Sign" shirts in their collections.
And, of course, there’s always something new to protest. Such as, hot coffee in summer or verifying you’re not a robot online. Those of us who have had enough of everything will get a chuckle out of this series.
1. Contrary to popular belief, it’s really, really hard to see the Great Wall of China from space, particularly with the naked eye.
2. The first footprints on the moon will remain there for a million years.
3. Days on Venus are longer than years. Due to its slow axis rotation, it takes 243 Earth days to spin once; but it only takes 225 Earth days to go around the sun.
4. Humans could never “land” on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune because they are made of gas and have no solid surface.
5. You could ice skate on one of Jupiter’s moons, Europa, which is covered in ice. An Axel jump would take you about 22 feet in the air.
Europa, Jupiter's frozen moon.
6. Buckingham Palace in London, England, has 775 rooms, including 78 bathrooms.
7. The White House in Washington, DC, has 132 rooms, including 35 bathrooms.
8. It takes 570 gallons to paint the exterior of the White House.
9. In the 1940s, a retired schoolteacher came up with Candyland to entertain children who were hospitalized from polio. Because its color system required no reading, young kids could easily play.
10. The teddy bear is named after President Theodore Roosevelt. After he refused to shoot a captured black bear on a hunt, a stuffed animal maker decided to create a bear and name it after the president.
In the last several years, we have all experienced new challenges that have affected our mental, physical, and social well-being. Many of us have felt anxiety, increased stress, and emotional exhaustion which is why wellness and self-care are more important than ever before. Our wellness journey is an ongoing one, and we have to prioritize our emotional and physical health. Here are some ideas to care for the many dimensions of wellness, so we can nourish our bodies and nurture our minds.
FOODS TO AVOID THAT MAY CAUSE POOR CIRCULATION
Fatty, Processed or Red Meats
Fatty, processed, or red meats: Saturated fats can cause cholesterol to build up in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease.
Added Sugars
Added sugars: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excess amounts of added sugar in the diet can increase the risk disease such as diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, and high blood pressure. High blood pressure can damage artery walls and high cholesterol can cause hardening of the arteries. High blood sugar can lead to diabetes, which can damage blood vessels and nerves that allow the heart and blood vessels to function properly.
Trans Fats
Trans fats: Trans fats occur in certain animal products, including milk, butter, cheese, and meat. Many processed foods contain trans fats if hydrogen is added to vegetable oil to make the oil solidify at room temperature. Trans fats increase LDL cholesterol in the blood, which can increase the risk of plaque forming in the arteries and heart disease.
Salt
Salt: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), excess salt in the diet can increase the risk of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and stroke. The WHO recommends a daily intake of fewer than 5 grams of salt for adults.
Good circulation is essential for the body. If you find that, despite best efforts, your circulation continues to be a concern, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician and/ or a vein specialist to see what part of your circulatory system is contributing to your concerns. Until then, exercise regularly, stay hydrated, and try to avoid foods that have an adverse effect on the circulatory system.
Rainbow Jello Poke Cake with Whipped Topping
THESE FOUR SPECIFIC FOODS ARE THE WORST FOR CIRCULATORY HEALTH
Cake
Crisps
White bread
Pizza
CAKE
Cake is high in saturated fat, which can contribute to a build-up of fatty plaques on the inside of artery walls. This is called atheroma, and it also contributes to a problem known as atherosclerosis, where the artery walls harden. The impact of this is an increased risk of heart problems, as the supply of blood to the heart can be compromised.
The likelihood of developing atherosclerosis increases further if the diet includes lots of other foods with a high saturated fat content. These include:
Bacon and sausage
Cream
Biscuits
Fried foods
Cheese
Butter
In conclusion, all the foods that taste really good are also really bad for your health, especially if you have circulation problems. That's it, that's all. Life is not fair. 😞
Freshly baked bread.
Establishing healthy habits is a challenging but important part of maintaining your wellness. Small actions and simple activities can make a big difference in your holistic health. The holistic approach to health care focuses on the health of the entire body and mind and not just parts of the body.
Who can resist a heartwarming makeover, especially when it involves a sweet dog? Whether they were abandoned, lost or mistreated, these down-on-their luck dogs were in dire need of a loving presence in their lives. That's where caring animal shelters, pet rescues and foster parents come into the picture. With lots of love and much-needed TLC, these rescue dogs started thriving — inside and out. These before-and-after transformation pictures speak for themselves. Hopefully, it will inspire you to adopt a rescue pup of your own.
BEFORE being rescued
This poor puppy was found wandering alone in the jungle of Mexico by an animal-loving Canadian tourist and was eventually adopted by that individual. He is now living happily in Canada with new his family.
He looks like a young Scooby Doo in the After photo. It warms my heart when I see such a vast improvement in the condition of a neglected animal. The love between a rescue dog and its person is beyond compare. I hope that this fur baby and his family have many happy and loving years together.
Please consider adopting a pet from your local animal shelter or a pet rescue if you have room in your home and heart for a new furry family member. Trust me, you'll be so glad that you did. 🐾❤️
'HANK THE TANK,' THE BEAR BANDIT WHO COMMITTED 21 BURGLARIES
A black bear in California that is responsible for at least 21 home break-ins and has evaded capture for seven months has finally been caught in Lake Tahoe. The 500-pound female bear nicknamed "Hank the Tank," has a long rap sheet that includes “at least 21 DNA-confirmed home break-ins and extensive property damage,” according to the California Fish and Wildlife Department.
Wildlife biologists trapped and tranquilized the bear and transported it to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. The bear's three cubs were with her during recent break-ins and were taken to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue in Petaluma, California, officials said.
Hank, who weighs 500-pounds, has reportedly struck at around 30 homes in the Lake Tahoe area of California. She has been known to smash windows with her big paws before squeezing through the gaps in search of food.
Peter Tira, a spokesman for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told the San Francisco Gate: ‘What’s problematic about this bear is how large it is.
‘It’s learned to use that size and strength to break into a number of occupied residences, bursting through the garage door or front door. It’s pretty frightening.’
“Relocation is not typically an option for conflict animals over concern that relocating an animal will relocate the conflict behavior to a different community,” according to the California wildlife agency. It said relocating the bear was an alternative that protects the bear, residents and visitors in South Lake Tahoe.
The cubs were relocated to “discontinue the negative behaviors they learned, so they can be returned to the wild," officials said.
The three little bears.
'Hank the Tank' is now known as Henrietta by the staff at the wildlife sanctuary where she resides. The mischievous black bear's reign of home invasions has finally come to an end. She no longer has to root around in the garbage or break into homes for a meal. Henrietta can live out her days in peace and tranquility where massive quantities of food are delivered to her every day for her enjoyment. It does make me sad that she has been separated from her cubs, though. 🙁
I pray for equality, unity and peace in every city in our country. Equality for all people everywhere. I pray for justice for all those who have lost their lives needlessly and unjustly. I pray that all people, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic status be treated with the dignity and respect we all deserve. I pray for change so that healing can begin in this country and around the world.
