Kelli Johnson, CPM, LM – Homebirth Midwife

My family used Kelli Johnson as our midwife for our last pregnancy and home/waterbirth. My husband was originally a bit stand-offish on the idea of a homebirth until our initial consultation with Kelli. She was a paramedic for over 10 years and is still sometimes called in to help out when crisis situations arise and staff is short-handed. She has attended over 400 women during their birthing experience. 13 of these women I know personally, including myself and 2 of the births I have attended. I learned of her through a local mommy group where at least 12 women I know have delivered with her at home (some more than once).

We started seeing Kelli about 10 weeks into the pregnancy. She was very supportive, informative and genuine. I loved my prenatal visits and looked forward to each one of them! I never had to wait more than 5 minutes past my appointment time (which was really important to me because I have a toddler and a life outside of prenatal visits). At each visit my family was greeted with hugs and smiles. Kelli knew my husband’s name, my daughter’s name and was so personable. Each visit was scheduled for an hour (take it or leave it) and I never felt rushed in or out of there. Her office in her home is very comfortable and clean. All exams were done on an actual bed in a private area of her home designated specifically for her clients. Kelli was very professional and speaking with her was like talking to my best friend. We created quite a bond with each other and I will continue to see her outside of her practice as she is like a member of our family now. She was very empowering and supportive during my pregnancy and there were a few times I cried on her shoulder. There were many times we just sat and laughed and talked about all kind of things. I really enjoyed the way that she put things into perspective for me, guided me emotionally and helped to strengthen and educate me as a mother and woman.

Our homebirth experience was wonderful. Kelli came over as soon as she was called (at 4am) and she was wonderful as always. I really liked that she returned to my home after 3 days to follow up so that I didn’t have to rush out to the pediatrician’s office 24hours after having a baby. She also did the PKU in my bedroom that day.

Kelli is also a Master Herbalist and very much into homeopathy and natural remedies. She makes tinctures and sells any and everything one may need during and/or after pregnancy. She is like the doctor, the mother, and the pharmacy all in one. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in a non-medicated, natural homebirth.

You can contact Kelli Johnson @ 407-699-4207 or visit her website for more information.

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Natural and Organic Foods and Products Through Seminole Natural Foods Club

Seminole Natural Foods is a natural and organic food buying club that offers its members purchasing power and wholesale savings directly from the warehouse. There is an impeccable variety to choose from and many hard-to-find items are available, too. In fact, I just found a treat my son and I enjoyed during afternoon teas while in England earlier this year. The packages that we bought from the organic English cafe did not list the US as being one of the exports. You can imagine how delighted he and I both were to be able to enjoy this treat we thought we may never taste again.

Once a month the club collects orders from the members, products are ordered either by the case or part of a case split amongst other members. The coordinator then places the purchase order with the warehouse, United Natural Foods. The United truck delivers the order the following week to a drop-off location in Winter Springs where the members check and split the cases, then collect their orders. There is a $100 minimum order per person for United purchases.

The club does require all members to be working members, meaning if you place an order, you must be present the day of pickup to help split the cases and collect your order.

In addition to ordering from United monthly, orders are also placed with Frontier Natural Products. Products from other companies, such as Aubrey Organics, are also placed periodically at wholesale cost.

Membership is limited, usually by invitation only. However, the coordinator has temporarily waived this rule since the new delivery location accommodates increased membership.

Seminole NFC has been a great option for our family since we are not particularly close to Whole Foods. We visit Publix and Target weekly as well as have fresh produce delivered from Orlando Organics. Then once a month, I do our main grocery and product shopping via the club. It is a nice buying community, and it is definitely nice to get the quality of products at the prices I get!

Jill enjoys spending her days being a helpmate to her husband and raising her three children. She holds two bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Biology. Some of her favorite hobbies are gardening, playing the piano and cooking. Jill is a Juice Plus+ distributor. Her family are the humans to Lucy, the rescued dog, Smokey, the rescued cat and soon to be humans of a flock of chickens, too!

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Fun in the Park This Thursday with Orlando Peaceful Parents

We’re having a park day for members of Orlando Peaceful Parents and other natural-minded families in Central Florida.  We’ll be at Blanchard Park at 11am on Thursday.  Feel free to come a little earlier or later if you want.  Don’t be shy. Come on out and meet other families in the area who are interested in attachment parenting and green living. 

Not sure how to find us?  If you have anything green, wear that to signify your committment to eco-friendly living.  I’ll try to remember to put my kids green shirts and I’ll try to find one to wear as well.  If you don’t have anything green, don’t worry about it.  I’m sure we’ll find each other somehow!

And if your family enjoys the gathering, I hope you’ll consider joining us again on September 6th when we meet at Capeheart Park.  

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Wanted: Suggestions from Our Readers

This site is only a few months old, so we don’t expect to have it all just yet.  Are there any green businesses, holistic practitioners, or events you think we should review or announce on the site?  Here’s your chance to tell us what we’re missing!

Just to clarify, we’re looking for real suggestions from our readers–not advertisements for your own business.

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BYOB for only $1.49 at Publix

I love my Acme Earth Totes, but I was still thrilled to see reusable bags at the Publix checkout today. I have a few of their older-style canvas bags, but they didn’t come cheap. The new “green bags” are only $1.49, and they’re placed right in the checkout lanes where people might actually notice them. They don’t look as large or as sturdy as the Acme bags, but I’m sure they do a great job and the price is definitely right! They’re the nice paper-bag style that folds easily for storage, but they also have handles for easy toting. For $10, you could buy enough to cart all your goods every week. Now there’s really no excuse for using paper or plastic.

Way to go, Publix! Now, if we could only get them to do something about the grossly excessive packaging they use for “to go” orders at their Crispers chain.

Five years ago, Jessica traded “making green” for “going green” becoming a stay-at-home mom who likes to save the planet in her spare time. This two-time Ironman finisher finds that years of triathlon training prepared her well for the endurance sport of motherhood. She spends her days changing cloth diapers, preparing organic meals for her family and teaching family nutrition as a Juice Plus health educator. At night, she dreams about the introduction of the first hybrid minivan and moonlights as a technical writer so she’ll be able to afford it.

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Orlando Entertainment Venues to be Eco-Conscious

As I’m sure you’ve heard, Orlando officials approved the plan for new arts, entertainment and sports venues in downtown.  The plan inculdes a new performing arts center, renovations to the Florida Citrus Bowl and a new arena.  What you may not have heard is that all of these venues will be eco-conscious facilities.  I heard this first as a quote from a city official on WDBO radio who was proud to announce that this was part of the plan and then I read a bit more about it in an Orlando Sentinel article.  As the article states, an ammendment to the original plan “requires each facility to use eco-friendly “green” designs.”  I couldn’t find specific details on what this means for the construction or operation of these facilities but I am excited that we are living in a city that considers this important enough to mention it in the plans for this type of project.    

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J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center in Lake Mary

We’ve been members of the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center for about two years now.  We took a break for awhile when we thought we were moving, but other than that, the YMCA has been a big part of our lives for quite some time.   I’m really enjoying our family membership and would recommend this particular branch to friends and family because of the following features:

• Well-maintained facility with an outdoor pool that’s open year round, a youth room, a gymnasium, wellness center, and more
• Classes for kids including a “Kids’ Fitness Class” for ages 5 to 9 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5 and another for ages 9 to 13 on Mondays and Wednesdays
• Organized sports for boys and girls including basketball and soccer (starting at age 3) plus swimming lessons
• A wide variety of group exercise opportunities for adults including Zumba, Yoga, Pilates, and Tai Chi (and even ballroom dancing)
• A positive atmosphere with friendly faces greeting us upon arrival and a focus on having fun rather than on winning during all children’s activities
• An “All Y” membership which means members can take advantage of classes offered at other facilities in the Orlando area
• A safe child development center in which children are engaged in activities such as outside play, story time, and crafts

I’ve been using the child development center since my little girl was an infant and have been happy with the quality of care. However, I should note that I typically do not go at the busiest times simply because I don’t want my little ones in the center when it’s extremely crowded (usually early in the morning or in the evenings).   I feel better about leaving them when there’s a lower adult to child ratio.  

I felt comfortable breastfeeding at our local Y and often nursed Loralei right there in the childcare center before leaving for my workout.  The location of the child development center is good–just a hop, skip, and a jump from the cardio area as well as where the exercise classes take place.  I always had a “no cry” rule which meant that I wanted them to get me immediately instead of waiting the standard 10 minutes if she fussed, and they were always willing to do that.   My kids are older now and enjoy going, but my 5 year old would rather go take Tae Kwon Do or do the Kids’ Fitness Class when I’m working out.  If he has a friend there with him, he goes willingly into the childcare center and always manages to have a good time.  

Since I’ve shared the features I really like about the J. Douglas Williams YMCA Family Center, I should also share the areas in which I see a need for improvement.  I really want to see the team sports implemented in a more organized fashion.  This is hard to do, of course, since they have large numbers of children involved, but I’d like to see things go a little more smoothly during our next soccer season.  I also think that the childcare staff that’s working during the first half of the day is typically better and more in tune with the children than the afternoon staff, but overall, our experience has been good.

When I first joined the YMCA, I thought $93 for a membership was really expensive, but now I realize that it’s a great value for those who use the facilities often.   My kids enjoy visiting the Y with me, so we go a few times a week. I love that I can work on getting healthy while my little ones have fun, with frequent opportunities to exercise.  Getting a little “me” time doesn’t hurt either, especially as a stay-at-home mom. 

At this point, we’ve only tried about half of the activities offered at our local YMCA, so there’s a lot I can’t comment on yet.  However, I can tell you that they have some wonderful instructors on staff who are extremely motivating, and that’s just another reason why I keep coming back each week.  In fact, I’m about to start taking the Zumba class on Friday nights in case anyone wants to join me!

Jan, the editor of the Central Florida Green Guide, is a former public school teacher who is now an unschooling mom. She strives to live naturally–especially when it comes to parenting her two young children. In addition to her work as a freelance writer and homeschool consultant, Jan is a distributor for Juice Plus+ and Usborne Books. Learn more about this crunchy WAHM by visiting her Squidoo lens, Living and Learning… Naturally

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The Central FL Green Guide on My Space & Squidoo

Here’s a link to our My Space page in case you would like to help promote the site!

Central FL Green Guide on My Space

We also have a lens set up at Squidoo if you frequent that site:

Central FL Green Guide on Squidoo

Thanks for helping us spread the word.

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“The Breastfeeding Guru”-Debra Kearney Brown, IBCLC

In Nov 2006 I had the amazing privilege of bringing my beautiful baby into the world.  It was the most wonderul experience I’ve lived.  I was not prepared however for the emotional rollercoaster that was to come in the following weeks and months.  As a doula, and trained lactation counselor there was no question in my mind that I wanted to breastfeed.  It didn’t even occur to me that I would have any issues with it given my training.  Well that is not how it went.

A day after having my Luna Jane I was already having trouble (the day she arrived was a bit of a blur) nursing.  My good friend, also a lactation counselor asked me if I wanted her to call Deb (as we know her) and I agreed.  Deb came to my house later that day.  She lives in the Lake Mary area and I live by UCF, quite a drive for her.  My milk was already starting to change and I knew (from my training) that I needed a better latch or I would risk engorgement that night.   I was very emotional and just wanted to nurse my baby.  She was so warm and understanding of my feelings.  After talking about the birth she helped me get a better latch and then asked me to say what we did different (a technique that now as a CLC I find to be very helpful.)  That night she ended up staying for quite a while helping me.

With the work we did that night I was able to nurse and not get engorged.  A few days later though we still didn’t have a great latch and I was in pain.  I called Deb myself and asked for her help.  She drove to my home again the following morning on Thanksgiving Day!  Again she was warm and caring all the while helping me.  That day she had to cook and prepare for Thanksgiving with her family yet she again stayed for quite a while.

 My emotional rollercoaster was just beginning.  Luna Jane was not making “adequate” weight gains when I took her to the pediatrician and I ended up supplementing with formula for a few weeks.  This was absolutely devastating to me and I felt that noone understood how I felt.  Deb loaned me an electric pump and I began pumping as well.  I remember one day being in her office at the Breastfeeding Center and just breaking down.  When I look back now I realize just what a gift she has.  She never went into the “drama” with me yet I felt her compassion the whole way through.  I’ve since shared this with her as it’s a quality I too want to have when helping other moms. 

 Pumping and transitioning out of pumping and supplementing was a whole other story.  I realize now that all the training and studying I had done didn’t fully prepare me for the reality I experienced.  Deb continued to call me every couple of days and helped me set mini-goals and offered suggestions.  She supported me throughout this entire challenging time.  I remember one day I mentioned to her that I didn’t pump the day before and she very simply said to me “Well, why don’t you try not pumping anymore.”  I hadn’t thought of that.  I was still so caught up in it that I didn’t even think that was an option.  Well, that was the end of pumping. 

 From then on it was just the breast for Luna Jane and we were just fine.  Deb was an incredible resource and support for me.  I am ever grateful to her for what she did for me and my family.  Since my experience being her client I have witnessed her help other moms with the same compassion and intuitive guidance.  I have also been privileged enough to work alongside with her in helping other moms.  I don’t think she truly knows just how valuable she is.  Because she was a friend before being her client I know that she went above and beyond, nevertheless she shares those same gifts and qualities with every mom she helps.

Debra Kearney Brown is the founder of the Central Florida Breastfeeding and Parenting Center in Lake Mary.  It is a wonderful resource for new parents and especially for new moms.

Michelle lives in Orlando with her husband and baby daughter.  She is passionate about pregnancy, birth, and motherhood.  She is a doula, lactation counselor, and Itsy Bitsy Yoga instructor.  You can also find her doing henna at various events.  She is a conscious and spiritual being.  Her dedication to spiritual evolvement led her to become an Avatar Master through which she is helping to create an “enlightened planetary civilization”.

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La Leche League of Florida’s Parenting and Breastfeeding Conference, Oct. 11-14

I attended this wonderful conference last year, and was amazed by the supportive atmosphere and inspirational speakers. I was truly comfortable wearing my baby in a sling from one session to another, and my preschooler and husband had a fantastic time enjoying the pirate ship kids’ pool and the children’s activities.

I felt totally supported and encouraged as a breastfeeding mother, and as someone who practices attachment parenting. It was freeing to be surrounded by dozens of babies in carriers, nursing moms and involved dads.

This year’s conference, held at the Oceanfront Holiday Inn in Cocoa Beach on October 11-14, promises to be just as meaningful! It is designed to be a family weekend experience, so there will be lots of fun activities and opportunities to mingle with other families.

(And it is definitely not ONLY about breastfeeding – my favorite sessions last year were about gentle discipline and schooling options!) You can choose to stay at the hotel or come as a day trip. The conference is very affordable for LLL members, and there are discounts for members who come with a friend.

Please visit the Florida Parenting Conference website for more information.

Jenny is a kooky, crunchy, unschooling mom to two amazing children. A long time ago, in a world far, far way, she was a theatre major, then a people-pleasing corporate marketer, but can now be found playing Fairy Godmother in repeat performances in her living room. She also makes a mean costume out of copy paper and brads. Jenny has an opinion about everything, views life through rose-colored glasses, and can be rather long-winded. Visit her at her occasionally updated website to learn more.

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