1. I’ve read in multiple posts you have PCOS. What is it and is it contagious?!

Haha, no. Well not unless I don’t like you, than yes – you should stay very, very far from me at all times! Polycistic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease and affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. That’s right, you either have it and don’t know yet or you know someone who does. It is that common. PCOS, in my opinion, is an unjust name for the syndrome because it screws up much more than just a woman’s ovaries. It is actually a systemic endocrine and metabolic disorder that can result in the excess production of androgens, along with adrenal hyperplasia, insulin resistance, hyperpipidemia, weight gain, anovulation and hirsutism. I don’t have all those symptoms, in fact I consider myself quite lucky that I only struggle with half of them.  But in short: It’s no fun, and although there are various types of treatment, they only reduce the symptoms of PCOS, not cure them.

2. So, does that mean your children are adopted?

No, although adoption was never ruled as an option for my husband and I.  We are the lucky ones ~ after undergoing multiple fertility procedures and treatments during the course of a year, we finally expanded our family with a healthy baby boy in 2008. When he was 3 months old, we made the decision to try to have another baby.  After attending the Fertility Center and undergoing the same fertility procedures and medical treatments,  I became pregnant when Little Monkey was 16  months old. Our second son was induced when I was 38 weeks pregnant due to numerous health problems I was experiencing. Little Piggy is a very healthy and happy little man! Like I said, we are some of the lucky ones.

3. Aside from overcoming your infertility issues and birthing 2 healthy boys, has anything else good come out of having PCOS?

Yes – plenty of things! Being diagnosed with PCOS was truly a blessing in disguise.  It really opened my eyes to what living a healthy, organic lifestyle is really about. I stopped taking life and health for granted, and started putting our health first above all else. It opened a door to me that I never knew existed.

4. So, tell me how you started living an organic lifestyle.

Well I first started out by buying a few organic fruits and vegetables and just built onto that. Next were ‘green’ household cleaners and reducing the amount of disposable products I bought. Now, 6 years later, I compost, buy organic meats, cheeses, fruits and vegetables, cloth diaper and use cloth wipes. We grow some of our own food in our backyard (this is something I really want to expand on in the coming years) and buy locally.  I love making my own baby emollient creams and I sew cloth wipes and as of recently even cloth diapers. We consciously buy Eco-friendly toys for our boys and and try our best to stick to what’s important to us: growing and sustaining an organic family.

5. Any last words about your lifestyle?

It’s not always easy, and not always cheap, but we make it work – even with our 1 income family. Oh! And wine (organic or not) makes everything better – much, much better! :p

6. Let’s talk about your site. What lead to starting this blog in the first place?

I liked reading mom blogs and thought to myself, hey – I can do this, too. And that was it – the start of Organic Mama was underway.

7. With a toddler and a baby, when do you have time to blog?

Whenever the kids are napping, sleeping or otherwise occupied and supervised by my husband. I’m lucky because he knows I need my “computer time” {which by the way, is sadly the only part of my day that is diaper changing, food serving and booger hunting-free}, thus allowing me recharge from a crazy “I’ll have 5 of what she’s drinking” kinda day and prep for the next day of chaos.

FYI right now it is 5 minutes past midnight. I’m sure you can relate, no?

8. Are you crafty, talented or otherwise special?

Crafty – yes. Talented – not that I know of. Special – oh my friends, like you wouldn’t believe.

9. What do your enjoy most about Organic-Mama.ca?

Reviews and Giveaways are a lot of fun, I like testing new products and really enjoy sending out the “you have won!” e-mails. But most of all, I love networking with other green mamas and mama’s-to-be!

10. And lastly, what do you hope to get out of you blog?

World domination, of course. And I think I’ll start with YOU! Muhahaha!

And yes, I was just kidding about world domination…Or, not!

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