Happy Solstice

photo by Sophie Taylor-Havens

Day 31 and Before

Someone just reminded me of this photo. My very best friend, Amy took this of me when I was 14 or 15. It was very soon after this that I started to feel self-conscious of my belly.

photo by Amy North, my very best friend

Day 31 and beyond

I am really enjoying taking photos of other women and hearing their stories. It is like Christmas every day when I see my inbox with a new photo and story of a belly. As I do this, I noticed I am always looking for an opportunity to take yet another photo of my own belly.

My belly in the Red Tent, Greenfield, MA. photo by Luanne Kloster © 2011

Day 30-Celebration Belly

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 

I did it! 30 days and 30+ pictures of my belly! 

Because I was a little shy to write too much on the blog, I wrote this note last night. It sums up my 30 day experience and my plans for the next 30 days.

I attended the ALisa Starkweather's 13th Belly and Womb Conference 30 days ago. The first night there I signed up for the henna painting group where women were painting henna designs on their bellies. I was immediately afraid to lift my shirt. My pants were too tight and well, I just don't show my belly to anyone. I wondered if it was too late for me to join the group making dream catchers. But there was this beautiful woman sitting with her pregnant belly exposed and something about her made me feel so comfortable. Unfortunately, a few minutes into it, I turned to look in the mirror at my belly design I had just painted. I was horrified at the site of my belly. Cellulite, stretch marks, flab hanging over my pants. I couldn't suck it in hard enough to feel good about my belly. I looked over at the younger, more firmer bellies and started judging each woman in the group, even the women I was close to. I suddenly realized that I was judging the other women the way I judge myself. I decided at that moment to challenge myself to take a picture of my belly every day for 30 days and record it on a blog. The rest of the conference was inspiring, empowering and moving. It made me want to do the challenge all the more.

I thought the blog was private and no one else could see it. I found out I was wrong when I received several responses from other women. Women who were inspired and who offered me encouraging words. This was followed by women, some I know and some I don't, lifting their shirts and proudly showing me their bellies. Some women even sent me pictures of their bellies. Not only did they share their bellies, but most importantly, they shared their stories.

I am honored and inspired by every woman's belly and every story I hear. My son's belly appeared in one photo and yesterday's photo actually included 3 men who felt inspired to lift their shirts and join 6 women for the belly photo.

So, after tomorrow (day 30) and for the next 30 days, I will be sharing photos and stories from anyone who would like to share. If at all possible, I would love to be able to take the picture of your belly.

Belly Love to all.
Luanne

lumoonherbals@gmail.com

Day 28 and 29-Pot Luck Bellies

Kelly, Lindsay, Mara, Jamie, Eden and Me on the bottom

On Friday I was at a pot luck party with some close friends celebrating our friend Eden's birthday. (The reason why yesterday's photo was up late.) Before the night ended, the beautiful friends you see above wanted to make sure we got a group photo...of our bellies.

There was one woman at the party that I hadn't met yet. She was watching us quietly not knowing why we would take a group photo with our bellies exposed. She never asked me why we were doing it, but instead came up to me and thanked me for showing my belly. She told me that she hadn't seen another woman with stretch marks like hers. She then lifted her shirt, showed me her beautiful belly and pointed to her stretch marks that she got when she had her first child at 16.

Ed, Carol, Sophie, Me, Carie, Susan, Tammy, Woody, Nels and Copper the dog.

When I got home on Saturday morning after Eden's party, I got the house and food ready for our annual Winter Solstice pot luck. I love our pot luck suppers where we share our favorite foods, catch up with each other, drum, dance, hug and laugh. It is always sad to see everyone go at the end of the evening. Last night before some of our friends left, a group of the women wanted to make sure they got a group photo...of our bellies! As we were getting ourselves set up in front of the tree, Ed, Woody and my husband Nels lifted their shirts and joined us. We spent the next hour listening to each others belly stories.

Day 28-Mama and Her Babies' Bellies

I am waiting for a friend to download yesterday's picture. So in the meantime, here is one from a while ago that I love but didn't post yet. Me (in the middle) and my two babies who are now 19 and 20.

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011

Day 27-Under a Tree Belly

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011

Resting under a tree after a peaceful walk in the snow covered woods.

When I spend time in nature I connect to Mother Earth. Lying under a tree and feeling the earth below me gives me a sense of peace I don't feel anywhere else.

Day 26-A Touch of Spring Belly

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011

On dark winter days, a touch of spring brings me some hope that the days will get longer and brighter.

Day 25-Belly Dancing Belly

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011

This photo makes me feel like I am a belly dancer.

Day 24-Beautiful Belly

Photo by Connor Kloster © 2011

Day 23-Let it Be Belly

This beautiful belly photo showed up on my Facebook page from my cousin Judy! Her belly comes with a story of miracles and love.

photo by Judith Fabris Kupsik ˝© 2011

"I've been following your belly blog. It inspired me to share with you my belly. Let me just say....I used to love my belly! Thought it was the sexiest part of me. Had the belly button ring and it was flat and beautiful! But I gave up the ring and gained stretch marks and flab. Would I trade anything to have the young belly back? No! With every stretch mark came love! A love that I would NEVER give for anything! My babies were worth every pound and scar! Let It Be!"

I was immediately reminded of a post Judy had on Facebook just a few days before about a conversation she had with her son, Jules.

"Good heart felt crying with my Jules tonight. Telling him and relaying stories to him of why he is here today. God bless my beautiful, wonderful and amazingly strong Mom! Thank you (words can't describe) to the organ donors! Just a great feeling to tell my son how amazing that he is here today! <3 Hey Jude..."

Here is the story I have heard my whole life of Sharon (Judy's mom) in Judy's words. I remember the first time I met Judy and her mom I had a hard time talking. I just kept looking at them in awe. I was standing in front of 2 miracles.

"When my mom was a teenager she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Undiagnosed infections were destroying her kidneys. Her first transplant was in 1972 from a young donor that had died in an accident. After months of dialysis, her life could finally go back to normal. Because of the anti-rejection drugs and being immuno-surpressed, she was advised to not become pregnant. But oops...in 1975, she became pregnant with me. Some doctors told her to have an abortion. Some said I would be retarded bc of the meds. But she would not give up. She wanted me. So, April 16, 1976, Good Friday, I was born. 4 lbs and 1/2 oz. I was the 49th child in the world to be born from a mother who had already had a kidney transplant. I was named after St. Jude. The saint of hopeless cases. I was a little sick after I was born, but I pulled thru. My mom was now slowly losing her transplanted kidney. Just when she was about to start dialysis again, she got the call that they had a kidney. In November of 1977, she received her second transplant which functioned normally till the day God called her home...33 years!

My mom had had many surgeries and other problems throughout the years. She had two heart valve replacements....the first with a St. Jude valve. That one failed in 1997 and she had it replaced with a cadaver valve from a donor. So, organ donors have played a huge part in our lives. If it wouldn't have been for them, my mom wouldn't have stayed alive and would never have had me. And if I was never born, then my children wouldn't be here either. When deciding what to name our first child, my husband, a HUGE Beatles fan, really wanted the name Julian...after Lennon's son and the song Hey Jude. I always thought the song Hey Jude was written for me. It always helped me in hard times when I listened to it. So, naming our son Julian was like naming him after me. And carrying on circle of life."

Judy and her Mom, Sharon with their St. Jude necklaces on.

Day 22-Christmas Spirit Belly

We got our Christmas tree yesterday and naturally I thought about taking a belly picture. Funny how taking pictures of my belly is becoming natural now. I tried to make it discreet but one woman stopped her car to watch. She left with a smile on her face. That made my day.

photo by Sophie Taylor-Havens © 2011

Day 21-Knitting Belly

I didn't get my hula hoop yet because someone suggested that I shouldn't buy myself anything before the holidays. I hope that person is getting me a hula hoop. So, I started knitting a pair of orange mittens for a friend for their birthday instead. 

Knitting mittens

Day 20-Hula Hoop Belly

Mara's hula hoop belly

What started off as a very personal challenge has turned into a growing belly movement. I received another beautiful belly photo! This one is from my good friend Mara. We were taking herbal classes together this past year. On one very warm day, Mara wore a top that exposed her beautiful belly. I was actually jealous when I saw her come into the room. Later that day, she was outside hula hooping with her beautiful belly. I couldn't even hula hoop in front of anyone, let alone show my belly and hula hoop. So, you can imagine how surprised and sad I was to read what she had to say.

"I've never liked my belly, but your blog is inspiring me to try to foster love and gratitude for my belly. I figure a picture of it online is a good start."

You have a beautiful belly and you are a beautiful person Mara! And I am getting a hula hoop today! Thanks for inspiring me Mara!


For the record, here is mine from yesterday.

flower belly getting ready to hula hoop today.

Day 19-Yoga Belly

Teresa's Yoga Belly
Guest belly #2

"I remember the first time I realized I was fat. I was five years old. I've always struggled with my body image... through childhood, pregnancy, and eating disorders, my belly has always been my enemy. I never thought I'd have the courage to embrace it enough to actually take this picture and share it with the world.

I just got back from yoga when I read The Belly Blogs's request for a guest belly. Yoga helps me appreciate my body. Every day I roll out my matt I know I'm doing something positive and healthy for myself. This is my yoga belly."

photo by Matt Thompson ©2011

 Teresa wrote this to accompany the picture of her yoga belly. You have a beautiful belly Teresa! I was sad to read your struggles started so young. And I am so grateful for your courage and I am honored to have your beautiful belly on my blog. I love you.

Here is my belly for the day. I was thinking about a drawing I did that I gave Teresa with two figures peeking out from behind tomb stones. I went to the cemetery to take this picture. I like to consider this a symbolic gesture to once and for all, bury all the negatives and embrace our beautiful Goddess bodies.

at the cemetery

Day 18-Eden Love Belly

I wasn't feeling very inspired to take a picture of my belly yesterday because of the bloated one from the day before. So I asked folks on Facebook if anyone would like to stand-in for me today. I was offering a gift of homemade gingered candies as an incentive. I got three responses (one was of a kitty belly).  So I will post one today and one tomorrow.

Beautiful Eden
Eden makes the most magical raw super food I have ever eaten. She sent in this beautiful photo of her belly just a week before she gave birth to her daughter Indigo.

Eden Love, and Indigo safely snuggled in her mama's belly.

For anyone interested in purchasing any of Eden's magical raw super foods...

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Alive/138417719528419

Her newest addition is the Raw Herbal Superfood Chakra Honey. I have tried every one of these Chakra Honeys. A taste of bliss with every spoonful. I got the full set because I couldn't decide which one I loved the most. Food for the belly and soul.




PS. For the record, I did take a picture of my belly. See below.

before the bath

Day 17-Bloated Belly

I was feeling lazy yesterday and my belly was bloated from something I ate. I had some of the digestive treat that I made with candied Ginger, Fennel seeds and bitter orange peel and went to bed. This was a hard picture for me to post, but it shows how bloated my belly can get from certain foods. I wish I knew what I ate.

Day 16-Purple Baby Blanket

photo by Luanne Kloster

"I too loved my time carrying my children...sacred vessels these bellies of ours...and I've had losses too, and know the feeling of aloneness that brings (I know that isn't a real word, but it fits the feeling in a way that loneliness can't)..." -K


I read this comment written by friend last night about the picture from Day 2-Babies Are Miracles. It made me think about the purple baby blanket I crocheted in 1998. I took the blanket out of the hope chest and started taking pictures. In February of that year, I found out I was pregnant. After several miscarriages, I was nervous by happy. Unfortunately, I was in the hospital a few days later because it was an ectopic pregnancy. While I was recovering, I started crocheting a baby blanket. I thought it would help me through the "aloneness" and sadness. It helped, but time was the best remedy.

I am now entering the menopause years and thinking about how old I will be when I become a grandmother. The blanket somehow feels different in my hands now.


For anyone who may need some support, I found this wonderful site.

http://www.nationalshare.org/index.html

Day 15-Winter Blues Belly

photo by Nels Kloster

With the recent changes in daylight, I am beginning to miss the warm, sunny days of summer.  For some of us, the increasing darkness brings a noticeable down turn of mood, and with that a dread of becoming depressed in the depths of winter.  This is common enough that it has a name, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  It is a type of depression that is brought on by the effects of a lack of natural light.  Like depression, sleep, appetite, joy and energy are affected.
I have suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder since I was a teenager. I am once again starting to feel the effects of it. I tried antidepressants in the past. The process of trial and error to find the right antidepressant was difficult.  And then, my decision to wean off it when winter months were over, was worse then the depression itself. I tried taking antidepressants year-round, but found  the side effects intolerable.  I have decided the best way for me to conquer SAD is by being pro-active. This is a list of what I do to get through the winter. It is not by any means meant for everyone. I would suggest consulting a health care professional if you think you suffer from SAD.

-Nourishing herbs. I drink a quart of either Nettles (Urtica dioica) or Oatstraw (Avena satvia) infusion every day throughout the year. This is my favorite addition to keeping healthy (I will have a full write-up on my other blog soon).
-Nourishing foods. My winter diet includes, garlic, ginger and onions every day. 
-Vitamin D3 supplements. I get my Vitamin D levels tested in the beginning of winter to determine the amount I should take. My levels have been extremely low every year.
-Getting in the sun as much as possible or using a full spectrum light in the mornings.
-Staying physically active.
-Staying socially active.
-My future goal, to spend the winters in Hawaii.

Day 14-Tree Hugging Belly

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

TREES
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray,
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair
Upon whose blossom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems were made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.
­

-Joyce Kilmer


Joyce Kilmer wrote this poem just a few miles from where I grew up. He wasn't writing about one particular tree but about trees in general. Trees of my childhood. Maple trees, Oak trees and Birch trees.



And yes, I cheated today. This was taken the day before. But for the record, I did take a picture of my belly yesterday, it just wasn't as nice as this ones that Connor has been taking. It is hard taking a picture of yourself hugging a tree.

Day 13-Prayers of Gratitude

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

I went to bed last night with a full belly.
A belly full of delicious food I shared with my loving family and friends.

I went to bed last night with a heart filled with gratitude.

Day 13-Prayers of Gratitude

I went to bed last night with a full belly.
Full of love and full of delicious food.

I went to bed last night full of gratitude.

Day 12-Snow Angels and a Chicken

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Day 11-Belly Love

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Day 11-

photo by Connor Kloster

Day11-

photo by Connor Kloster

“Let there be spaces in your togetherness, And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone, Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping. For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.” -Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

Day 10-"Thanks for the Bellytastic evening family!"

 

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

My family spent the better part of the evening taking pictures of our bellies. Not because I asked them to, but because they were really excited to be a part of the movement. 100+ photos, a lot of laughs and a handful of photos I needed to narrow down for today's post. Posting my other favorites later.

I woke up this morning to a note from my daughter on top of an old pair of her jeans.

"Try these jeans Mama! Thanks for a Bellytastic evening family :) "

Day 9-Beautiful Guest Bellies

Day 9 and I already have had requests from friends to have their bellies on the blog! Actually the first request was on day 2 or 3. A friend asked if I ever needed a substitute belly she would stand in for me. Get your picture ready J. Another friend asked if she could henna my belly and I hers. I can't wait!  I got together with two good friends this past weekend who couldn't wait to get their bellies photographed. (photo below, I am in the middle). And, another friend invited me over to help me with my blogging. I am moved and blessed. The belly movement is in motion!

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Day 8-Dirty Dishes

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

What? There are dirty dishes? lalalalalalalala I can't hear you!

Day 7-Dwelling Place of Self

photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

 The second Chakra is located between our belly buttons and our sexual organs. In Sanskrit it is called, Svadhisthana, "dwelling place of self." It governs sexuality, emotions and creativity.

Day Six-Shut Vermont yankee power plant down now

Photo by Patti Smith © 2011 - All rights reserved

Day Five-Hippyfied

Photo by Annelise Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

I asked my husband to draw on my belly last night and he actually agreed.  He made some kind of comment as he started to draw flowers that it needed to be "hippyfied".

Photo by Connor Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Day four-Water Pokemon

I was always active until I had children and suffered a few back injuries. Then being active would come and go. When I was younger, one of my favorite forms of exercise was swimming. I remember spending most of my time in the water as a child and teenager. After moving to Vermont my time in the water was limited to the warmer days at swimming holes and ponds. And of course, hot baths all winter long. I really don't enjoy being cold and being in cold water is worse.

Two years ago during a really bad episode of ulcerative colitis the doctor put me on prednisone. A month and a half later after coming down from the superwoman high I got from the prednisone, I remember looking in the mirror in horror. I had gained 25 pounds and I was miserable.  So I joined Weight watchers and I decided to heal in water. I joined a pool and was so excited to swim. I was able to swim only one lap before becoming extremely exhausted. I spent the next hour in  the locker room in tears.

After a good cry, I vowed to swim every day even it meant swimming only 1 lap.

Photo by Annelise Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

Two years later...I lost the 25 pounds and I can swim over a mile.

My back is much stronger. Now, I am working on strengthening my core muscles to support my back even more.  Swimming has also helped lower my stress levels.

Day three-Muffin top

photo by Nels Kloster © 2011 - All rights reserved

On day three, my belly and I found ourselves at Sweeties drooling over the muffins and scones. I can't eat them, not because I am on a diet but because I have an allergy to dairy. I often wonder why I am the only one in my family that can't have dairy.
When I was 19, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. When I was 32, I eliminated dairy from my diet. I can keep the ulcerative colitis at bay through a dairy-free and now gluten-free diet, but stress still seems to be a factor.

Gluten and Dairy Free Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups gluten-free all purpose flour mix that contains xanthan or guar gum
• 1 1/2 teaspoons gluten-free baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup light canned coconut milk
• 3 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup raisins or nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 350° F
In a medium bowl combine dry ingredients and mix well.
In a separate bowl combine, coconut milk, sugar, eggs, olive oil, pumpkin puree and vanilla. Stir well. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add raisin or nuts (optional).
Fill greased muffin tin with muffin batter.
Bake in preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of muffin comes out clean.
Enjoy!

Day Two-Babies Are Miracles

I was attending the ALisa Starkweather's Belly and Womb conference in Shutesbury, MA this past weekend, which is part of the reason I started this blog.

photo by Kelly Pacheco © 2011 - All rights reserved

I am not pregnant, but this picture reminds me of when I was 20 years ago. My womb was the home to Annelise and 20 months after her, the home for Connor. I loved being pregnant. I loved my pregnant belly. I regret never taking a picture of my naked pregnant belly. I wished I could have had my children naturally, but they were both delivered via cesarean section. But I am also grateful for the c-sections. I don't think the three of us would be here today without them. 

After Connor was born, I had five miscarriages, two of them were ectopic pregnancies. My womb suffered a D&C (dilatation & curettage, where there interior lining of my womb was scraped away because my body had trouble miscarrying by itself). I am still healing from the lose. Sometimes it feels as if I am alone in the grieving.

I love my womb and I am so grateful it held and nourished two perfect and beautiful human beings. 

Babies are Miracles.

Commitment: Do something new for 30 days. What the hell, do something new that scares the shit out of me for 30 days.

I will be taking at least one picture each day of my belly for 30 days. Why? So I can learn to love and accept my belly as it is and with all its imperfections.

I painted on my 50 year old belly Friday night in front of a few woman I know and a few women I didn't know.

photo by Kelly Pacheco © 2011 - All rights reserved

I compared myself to them. Three beautiful young and flat bellies. One beautifully pregnant belly. I thought my belly was so ugly with the stretch marks and cellulite. I took one picture of my belly button that looked more like an anus then a belly button. Maybe I will post it.