Most people know by now that breastfeeding is the best way to give our children a head-start in life. Not only does it protect children from allergies, asthma, and many childhood diseases, it also brings many health and emotional benefits to mothers, AND it's good for the environment! (see "101 reasons to breastfeed" at http://www.ProMom.org , and http://www.waba.org.br/wbw97/comics01.htm ) Breastfeeding is also much more a way of life in many Mediterranean countries than it is in North America or Britain - whereas many North American mothers are nervous about nursing their babies in public, and wean them early, Italian babies are nursed anytime, anywhere, and early weaning is not as prevalent. When Italians see an older baby still nursing - " ancora lattando!" - it usually leads to congratulations for the mother, rather than criticism!
La Leche League is an international, nonprofit, nonsectarian organization dedicated to providing education, information, support, and encouragement to women who want to breastfeed. Part of the group's overall philosophy involves the promotion of good nutrition for all family members, including breastfeeding mothers, who need good nutrition to keep them healthy, to help them regain their energy following childbirth, and to help them build and sustain a milk supply for their little ones for the duration of the nursing relationship. Natural, whole foods should be part of everyone's diet - though we are all entitled to the occasional lapse - and, luckily, the Mediterranean food pyramid (http://homearts.com/sites/bertolli/bemed... ) is full of healthy whole foods! (also see the Italian food pyramid: http://www.semda.org/info/pyramid.asp?ID... and the Portuguese food pyramid: http://www.semda.org/info/pyramid.asp?ID... )
A couple of recipes (these contain meat; the books also offer many vegetarian recipes):
SPINACH YAKNEE (Middle East)
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 c pine nuts
1 T oil (I use olive oil)
1 lb ground beef
1 t cinnamon
Pepper to taste
1 lb fresh spinach, chopped
1 1/2 to 2 C water
Brown onion and pine nuts in oil in skillet. Add ground beef; sprinkle with cinnamon and pepper. Cook until brown and crumbly, drain. Layer spinach and beef in large saucepan. Add water. Cook until spinach is tender. Serve over rice. May substitute sunflower seeds for pine nuts. Yield: 4 servings.
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