Green Women Mercantile

Awaiting the Lazy Days of Summer

2010-05-21T18:40:00.000-07:00

As the school year winds down, or finishes with a BANG! as it is actually doing in our world, my kids and I are anxiously awaiting our days of back yard playing, afternoons of book reading, and days spent pool-side. And so, until next week, we will do dance recitals, kindergarten beach days, and try to finish up all the loose ends before our bike rides can begin. Last weekend we got a delicious taste of what is to come, playing at one of the fountains downtown Pueblo... My children delighted in the cool water... ahh, to spend our days this way... magnificent. If you are looking for us, we will be at play this summer.

Chemo is Complete

2010-03-11T12:49:00.000-08:00

My life is getting ready to return to normal. As normal as anyone's life can be I suppose. My Erik's chemo treatment of six months is finally complete, and we are ready to more forward. Blessed Spring arrives with a renewed sense of love and appreciation at our house this year.

I feel a deep desire to clean out and reestablish our personal space... and our new eco-friendly bed comes in a box this afternoon... time to purge the chemicals from our family bed.

Erik and I are patiently walking through these days, realizing that the time to regenerate and restore are upon us, and this doesn't mean easy, but simply taking it one day at a time. After all, it is all one day at a time, I am not sure why I always forget that!

Connecting with the Trees... Gratitude in My Life

2010-02-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. -Meister Eckhard

As I traverse this time in my life, as my husband's life changing Hodkings Lymphoma makes a deep and lined impact on our family in so many ways, I am finding the wisdom and truth in these words. The gratitude that I feel for the community that is continually reaching out to hold us up is so powerful for me. I find that in the days as I struggle, I give thanks for the food and support that are coming our way... almost daily. I had a week where for five days in a row, I received cards and support via the mail. What a powerful thing, to feel five days of endless support.

My children are struggling through this time... missing daddy and the normalcy of our family, but they too are striding through this time with as much grace as they possess. They are beams of light and say things that make the world easier to navigate.

Here Scarlett announces: "this is my favorite tree... it has been waiting for me". What could I say.... "yes Scarlett, it has". May we all find solace and peace from standing in the trees.

Great Home Birth Books for Kids Make Me Smile!

2009-05-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Traveling through the desert of SouthEast Utah, I had the delight to find a book embracing home birth. I adore kids books supporting home birth, breastfeeding and the natural, and this book made my heart sing (and my kids smile!)

As a child I read "A Chair for my Mother" by Vera B. Williams again and again, and have enjoyed reading it to my kids. I found the sequel, "A Chair for Always" a gorgeous depiction of the natural way families bring babies into their worlds when they choose to have a baby at home. Simple and beautifully illustrated, this is a book to give to a big sister, brother, cousin or friend who is having a close person birth at home.

Here's to happy, healthy babies, being born into warm and inviting homes.

And, here's to caring for our children in ways that nurture their souls and the great mother earth as well!

My Personal Divine Secrets emerge

2009-04-15T06:33:00.000-07:00

I am in a phase of reading... this happens really quite seldom, now with little kids and my exhaustion at night (I am sure many parents can relate!)
However I picked up the first "Ya-Ya" book at a tag sale "Little Alters Everywhere" by Rebecca Wells, and fell in love.

I love books about women and for women. In her second book (made into a movie I saw years ago and can hardly remember)"Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" I came across this quote... I love it:

"... As she walked over Mother Earth, Sidda prayed: Stretch me wide so that the divine secrets that lie inside my mother, inside myself, inside the earth itself, will find room enough in me to bear fruit."

I loved this thought... and feel that we must consciously remember where we are from, to tap into the wonder and the connection that comes from the mother who carried us, and too, the Great Mother that now cradles us in her embrace.

So, in short, do I recommend these books?... well I am not finished reading them, but sure, if you like books about women in the deep south with too many issues to mention... I do!

Here's to a happy spring read!

Wearing Babies never Gets Old

2008-11-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

This is a deight for me, to see women with their babies in slings. This woman, Alison with her sweet boy Sammy from Colorado Springs, called me when she was big and round and had in her mind a vision of carrying her baby when he arrived in this side of the world. Here he is! And I think they are beautiful, both mother and child. Thank you Alison.

Last week I had the distinct pleasure of helping a woman locally who has a special needs baby, learn how to wear her sling. He was a premature baby weighing approx. 1.5 lbs at birth, and here he was, a year later weighing 20 lbs, and she wanted to carry him. We were able to figure out a way for her to put him in the Maya Wrap, and comfortable place him so that he was able to see the world. What a delight for me to see happy mothers and babies slinging around.

Here's to another wonderful mother, choosing the best thing: carrying her baby.

Extended Breastfeeding

2008-09-08T14:54:00.000-07:00

As my nursing days slowly come to a close with Scarlett (who will be three next month) this video came to me via email. It made me laugh until I cried. I hope it delights you as much as I did. And, encourages you to know, that if you are still nursing your toddler, there is hope... at least you aren't meeting their date!

HAPPY BREASTFEEDING!

At long last... a website for The Green Women Mercantile

2008-09-08T14:45:00.000-07:00

I am delighted to share my website, a place to purchase my green goods, and to share with your friends where you got that beautiful baby sling! After many, many months with good intentions, it is finally here, much to my relief. Please visit my site and come back often.

In the spirit of blogging, I felt this picture would inspire some laughs... enjoy!

Visit my site: www.thegreenwomen.com

Celebrate End of Summer with Cake

2008-08-18T11:11:00.000-07:00

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats."

Iris Murdoch, writer

What have you done to "treat" yourself
this summer?

As I age

2008-04-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

"Parents are Strange for their Age" -Amanda Veil

Well, as my 29th birthday arrives, I imagine I may be strange for my age. My children think so anyway...

I wish to age gracefully as my mother, and as my grandmother... and I wish to do so with an ability to care for myself in a way my grandmother never was able.

As a woman, mother, and wife I am learning about the necessary job it is to make sure that the way I care for me is wholesome and complete. I hope my daughter is able to do grow and watch me caring for myself.

Here is a beautiful quote that my mother shared with me... this is important for all women to see:

"Do you love yourself enough to take care of your health,
To change a bad habit, to prevent disease?
Do you love yourself enough to be physically healthy and
To stay another few years with a good quality of life?
If you said "no" to either of these, you may want to search deeply for
the reason you feel you are not worth the effort."
-Donna DiMarco

As you read this... think about how you nurtured yourself today? This week? This month?

On my birthday, I wish each of you a happy day, one on which you make a choice to do something wonderful for you, wheter it is sitting with a cup of tea, scheduling a massage or an appointment with your dentist, make those choices to honor yourself and your body... after all... you only get one chance to treat yourself with the honor you deserve.

-Sierra

Mothers Supporting Breastfeeding

2008-04-09T19:32:00.000-07:00

As I learn about parenting, mothering and learn about other women who are doing it too, I am reminded time and again that the way women figure out "how to do it" is by getting support, advice and talking to other women. Every morning I check my email and there is "MamaSource" a great connection to women in your area, with women asking for help, asking for support and asking women to teach them from their experience. It is refresing to me to see that women are reccomeding the things I feel in my core around mothering: trusting your child, breastfeeding is essential, co-sleeping is natural and healthy, cloth diapering is wonderful for mothers and babies, and I love to hear women opening up, asking for help and recieving it.

I know that as a woman, asking for help from those around me should be easy and safe.

I wish each woman a safe and healthy way to ask for help.

And this picure... my husband found it! I know this delight of breastfeeding, and I hope that every mother gets a chance to know the delight of breastfeeding too! (I don't know the company who made this ad, but they must have been breastfed!)

Testemonials

2008-03-27T20:08:00.000-07:00

I love to hear that women like what Green Women Mercnantile is doing!

Megan says:
With two little ones in diapers, I'm so tired of throwing so many away everyday and thinking about where they are going-- to the landfill to sit. So while Sophie is almost potty trained, Luca is a long ways off. I decided to give clothe diapering a try and have a nice little starter set. While I might not clothe diaper for every occasion, it something I always wanted to try and now I'm going to give it a shot with Luca.

My friend, Sierra, owner of Green Women Mercantile is having a sale on her clothe diaper liners, so I decided to go and try it. If you've ever wanted to try clothe diapering, now is a great time to start with the new year.

It inspires me to make changes when I see other women and mothers making them... it makes me feel that it is possible for adaptations to occur in my life, even when things are hectic!

I think this beautiful quote applies here:

Our real hunger is not for things
but for a higher image of ourselves

I am learning to see the changes I wish to make and to see myself as the person I wish to become as a mother, wife and woman of this world.

May each of you make changes in this spring time of change.

The Keeper... Powerful for the whole of our planet!

2008-03-10T21:41:00.001-07:00

My goodness... as a woman on this planet, I get so many messages... so many powerful thoughts, and I choose what I want to think about and what I don't! Several years ago I came across a web site called BloodSisters which is all about choosing re-usable menstrual products, which intrigued me. I am ok with the thought that this isn't interesting or worthwhile for all women, but thinking about the impact our choices have on the greater good, choices as simple as choosing what we use when we have our monthly period, makes me aware of how powerful I am on my own.

SO... I am proud to use 100% re-usable menstrual products every month, for nearly two years now. When I get my cycle, I get a happy feeling opening my little basket of my supplies in all beautiful colors (about 12 reusable Petunia Pads, two Sorella Luna Sea Sponge Tampons and a Keeper) ready for me to use.

Ultimately, what it comes down to is this picture below... and when I go into myself, and think about the value I have as a person on this planet, I know that this simple choice makes a world of difference!!!

Green Women Mercantile Sponsors Focus on The Nation

2008-01-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

I love that Pueblo is hosting this event, students are organizing it, and that it is free to the public, making it possible for more discussion on pressing environmental issues. Please come and join me in learning more about Global Warming.

Please check out the link for the publicity: http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1201417287/13

Cloth Diapers Make Me Smile!

2008-01-02T18:47:00.000-08:00

I have had such fun cloth diapering my babes... and though my pleasure is great to have two children potty trained, I will always remember the sweet meditation I found in folding diapers and the joy of using my special diapers on both my children.

I am delighted to hear the women around me with their children expressing a desire to give cloth diapering a try.

My friend just bought a few diapers to give it a try and I love what she says:

"With two little ones in diapers, I'm so tired of throwing so many away everyday and thinking about where they are going-- to the landfill to sit. So while Sophie is almost potty trained, Luca is a long ways off. I decided to give clothe diapering a try and have a nice little starter set. While I might not clothe diaper for every occasion, it something I always wanted to try and now I'm going to give it a shot with Luca."

So... whether you are a seasoned cloth diaper mother, or new to the idea, I send you my diapering love and words to remember: the time we have with our babies is short. Enjoy the diaper changes you have been given as a time to focus love on your little one, to touch them lovingly and nurture them .

Happy New Year from the Green Mother- Sierra

See our pictures

2007-11-10T06:42:00.001-08:00

Zena Moon Autumn Gratitude Candles

2007-11-10T06:12:00.001-08:00

Faith Candle...

Autumn Candle...

"Gratitude turns problems into blessings, and the unexpected into gifts." ---Melody Beattie

How do you say "thank you"? In this season of gratitiude, it is rewarding to share with children all that we are thankful for.

I have a new evening ritual, which my children love, we sit at the table together, and light a candle before dinner. Acutally, to be fair we light two candles, one for each child to blow out when dinner is finished. They love it, and the ritual is so sweet, they remember to ask for it and even get the candles ready. We are able to talk and sit for a moment before the business of dinner begins.

I have just recieved a shipment of Zena Moon candles, gorgeous hand poured candles from the west coast. Each candle has a purpose with a beautiful quote on it, and is scented with essential oils and then embedded with semi-precious gem stones. These are sweet gratitude gift for anyone in your life, or a special way to create intention in your life.

Price runs from $8-20 depending on size. Call now for a full selection availability and to order the perfect gratitude candle for you. 719-369-5622 or email hipcoach@comcast.net

Green Goddess Party - You are invited

2007-10-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Green Women Mercantile is out and about as the holiday season arrives. With the arrival of several new products, including Handmade Earrings, and Wonder of The Mother Cards, and the beginning of our Green Goddess Parties, we will be available at several locations in the month of November. So, pack up the kids, and head out to choose beautiful gifts to give this season, and know that you can feel good about your purchases supporting local women, as well as families world wide with fair trade items.

I look forward to seeing you, wearing babies or not, in the next weeks.

Summer Babies!

2007-08-13T20:19:00.000-07:00

Well, what have the green women been doing all summer? I know that the blazing hot days of summer have taken me away from my computer and out to the pool in an effort to stay cool... and as the days go by, Scarlett has become more and more of a 22month old mother... carrying her babies and nursing them and tucking them into bed. In an effort to provide Scarlett with the basic equipment each mother should have, I came across the Maya Wrap Baby Doll Sling, which she immediately fell in love with (and if you notice, her sling matches the one I carry her in daily). We at GWM will carry them at $16.95 if your little ones would love to wear their baby dolls... what a great way of teaching our children that babies should be held and loved and cared for... Carry your Baby, and Change the World! (Images Left: Scarlett with baby "matthew" & Right: Sierra and Scarlett and Gina and AJ... nursing and slinging together 2007) -Sierra

New Father Uses Baby Sling In First Hours of Birth

2007-06-02T14:21:00.000-07:00

Grandmother Mardee Ropella who is an amazing Retreat Coach from Washington celebrated the birth of her first grandchild by reporting this:

Kara Marie arrived at 7:41AM on 5/30. She is 7#10oz and 20 1/4 inches.

We've used the sling already. Kara loves it. Daddy loves to use it too. I took a pic of him with it on. He loves his little girl and wants her close to him all the time.

Bluegrass On The River - Meet Us There!

2007-05-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

Green Women Mercantile will be in Pueblo at the Greenway and Nature Center June 2 and 3 for their Annual Bluegrass Festival Stop by to learn more about healthy parenting products including our hot selling baskets from Africa.

Do you have a woman in your life with a baby? If so, then consider gifting her a Maya Wrap - a handmade sling for easy baby holding. Come and try one on yourself at our booth!

Mother's Day with Green Values

2007-05-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

When the first baby laughed for the first time,

the laugh broke into a thousand pieces

and they all went skipping about,

and that was the beginning of fairies.

~ Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) from Peter Pan

Join Us At The Herb Fest

2007-04-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

We love participating in fun events around the region. Our tables at the Pueblo and Colorado Springs Earth Day Celebrations were such nice ways to spend a day... and we love seeing you and your babies.

Please come and join us for this up coming event.

-Sierra

More on Sling Happiness

2007-04-18T21:56:00.000-07:00

Photo: Inside the glow of the parent-baby sling bubble

I finally figured out how to write something on our own blog! My kids and I got together with Sierra and her kids today to take some pictures for our website (which will be up soon!) and I was reminded of how much I like to put my kids in slings, as big as they are getting. I haven't used one for a while because I am letting chronic back problems heal, at least for a while, and also Jacob, at almost 21 mos. is old enough to walk around by himself. But putting my "babies" in the Bundle Bug gives me such a feeling of closeness with them...and them with me! How can I tell? Well, because of how we nuzzle each other and by their immediate sense of comfort in the world.

Eliana, who weighs about 32 lbs. still fits nicely into my sling facing me, her now-long legs dangling by my side and her arms around my neck. As long as she leans into me and I have the fabric pulled way up on her back (to support me well enough), I am quite comfortable and have even carried her through airports while I pushed Jacob in a stroller. Jacob can still face out into the world or into his most comforting, number-one person--mommy--and even fall asleep there while I walk on for miles and hours doing what I need to do. If he started out quiet and reserved in a new environment, he starts to coo and babble when I put him in the sling, enjoying his new viewpoint from up high. Even after an absence from the sling of many months, he finds himself quite at home. I also loved that when Jacob was tiny, I folded his legs up just like the Bundle Bug is designed to do, and though he was scrunched up into a ball, he loved it because that's how babies find themselves in the uterus--it's actually comfortable for them.

So, I found an old picture of Eliana in the sling with me--she's about 9-10 mos. in the picture and now she's 3 1/2! Slings carry babies from newborn baby seed pods to grown-up-acting toddler size. The first sling I ever had was a Maya Wrap which was given to me for free by someone who was just passing it along. One of our goals is to get as many donated slings as we can, from as many companies or parents-passing-them-along as possible and offer them for free, like mine was given to me...spread the word, as we want everyone who wants one to have one and we'll offer a sling class with the giveaway, too. I was so happy that someone gave me the opportunity for such a delightful experience with my children--one that I hadn't even heard of. We want to provide that for all of you, too.

Green Women Mercantile Celebrate Women's Bodies

2007-04-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

"The beauty of my body is not measured by the size of the clothes it can fit into, but by the stories that it tells. I have a belly and hips that say, 'We grew a child in here, " and breasts that say,
'We nourished life.' My hands, with bitten nails and a writer's callus, say, 'We create amazing things.'"

-Sarah, from I Am Beautiful: A Celebration of Women in "Their Own Words"

Grandmothers Holding Babies

2007-03-12T21:29:00.000-07:00

This is beautiful baby Izzy with her Grandmother Maggie from Ireland, wearing a Bundle Bug (a very beautiful one too, I might add!)

I once heard that the "human race evolved when women learned how to put their babies in slings"... I love that idea... I know my mothering evolved when I got my first sling!

So... Sling away women, mothers and grandmothers. And please, if you love your sling and love how your babies look in the sling, or snuggly or backpack or whatever else you put your babe in... send me a picture and a statement! Let's help women all over the place find comfortable and happy ways to carry their babies!

Thanks so much Maggie and Izzy!
-Sierra

Beautiful Cycles... Read What I am Reading...

2007-02-27T20:14:00.000-08:00

I am constantly watching people discover their cycles. It always amazes me to see women realize how many choices they have... and to find the pleasure of honoring their cycles. My sweet sister in law called from college to help her friends order menstrual products, and I felt a sense of comfort knowing that these young women were somewhere talking about making changes in the way they choose to honor their cycle blood each month. To these women, and all the ones to come, I thank you as our mother earth thanks you and as your body thanks you for choosing to make a change... whether it is using re-useable pads at home or a commitment to no longer buying any disposables, whatever you are ready and able to do, it is amazing and powerful!

Terry Tempest Williams says...

"Today, I feel stronger, learning to live with the natural cycles of a day and to not expect so much from myself. As women, we hold the moon in out bellies. It is too much to ask to operate on a full-moon energy three hundred and sixty-five days a year. I am in a crescent phase. And the energy we expend emotionally belongs to the hidden side of the moon."

I am in full moon tonight... where are you? Create a new word for where you are in your cycle...

-Sierra
I have a few sites i think are beautiful and amazing to look at... this one shocked me and surprised me: www.spiralingmoon.livejournal.com www.milkandcookies.com

Green Women Mercantile Goods!

2007-02-18T19:44:00.000-08:00

Because our website is being created by wonderful women, with children and things do take time I thought I might post a list of our current products and prices, so that people can see our inventory easily!

We have so many great products, and are adding new ones all the time.

Sorella Luna Sea Sponge Tampons $12.00
Petunia Pads (reusable menstrual pads) $8-$10 depending on size and current special package deal of one light, two regular pads and one overnight for $32.00
The Keeper (reusable menstrual cup) $35.00
Unbleached Indian Prefold Cloth Diapers (so soft!) $26.00/dozen
Baby Booties in Organic Cotton and Wool Blends $16-$24 depending on type and size
Maya Wrap Baby Sling $50.00
Bundle Bug Baby Sling $50.00
Pineflower Soap Co. handmade soaps and lotions $1.50-$7
The Van Manen's Children's Music $15.00
African Market Baskets $16-$38

And we're waiting for... our own line of cloth diaper covers, Zena Candles and handmade jewelry
See something you are interested in? Want to host a party and get discounted goods? Having a baby, want to register? Call us, or email us and we will get our superb goods off to you...

Pueblo 719-369-5622
Manitou Springs 719-685-5979
email: companysr@yahoo.com

Remember to check back with us, our products are ever changing and more pictures are coming! Are you looking for something that you can't find or want to find in a greener way? Let us see if in our network of businesses we can locate it for you.

-Sierra

Women and babies... beautiful bonding!

2007-01-30T20:32:00.000-08:00

Sierra and Scarlett in Isla Mujeras, Mexico - April 2006

Crystal and Shannon in Beulah, Colorado in a Bundle Bug... nursing in a sling, the happiest baby ever... Summer 2006

What do I love about slings and baby wearing? I will let the pictures do the talking.

We want to see pictures of your babies in slings!!! Please post them or email them and let us post them!!!

-Sierra

Green Goddess Open House - You are Invited

2007-01-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

We are honored to participate in a fundraiser for the Mountain Park Environmental Center on Friday February 2ND, 2007 starting at 4:30pm and going until... well, until people decide to go home! at 249 W. Linden (Pueblo West, CO). Hosted by MPEC Board members: Ann Warren and Sarah Brustele. For more info call 719-485-4444.

The proceeds of our sale will go to benefit "Getting Kids into Nature". An anonymous donor will match all donations to the "MPEC at Horseshoe Lodge" project until Valentine's Day 2007. By supporting us at this benefit, you will be supporting hundreds of children's connection with nature in the years to come... find out more about the MPEC's Horseshoe Lodge campaign at www.hikeandlearn.org.

Directions: Hwy. 50 to Pueblo West, turn left onto Purcell, right onto Linden. Go 1.5 miles (just past Greenway Ave) - 249 W. Linden.

What will we have for you at this event? Food, drink, and your opportunity to buy gifts for your loved ones while you support a great cause.

I hope to see you there...
Sierra

This picture is from "the Birds and the Bees" summer program for teenage girls at the MPEC 2007, Scarlett and Sierra were proud to be part of the group!

Basket Pictures...

2007-01-29T20:58:00.000-08:00

The Green Women are connected to Ghana...

2007-01-29T20:35:00.000-08:00

Hooray, our shipment of baskets have arrived from the African Basket Project... these beautiful baskets for some reason touch me so deeply. Perhaps it is the thought that they are handmade by women sitting with other women, nursing their babies, singing songs, tending their children as they make them... I carry my children's diapers and food in them, I carry my journal and wallet around, and each time I pack my basket for our outing, I smile and feel that connection...

This company is amazing. You can see their website at www.basketafrica.com. These baskets are bought on fair trade and the workers are paid fair and living wages. Also, the company puts money back into the communites... health care and education... things all people should have...

As I look at this stack of baskets sitting in my home, I imagine the women who made them and imagine the women who will use them, and hope that all women find connections to each other, whether through baskets or conversation... women supporting and listening to each other.

-Sierra