Purple Broccoli...or Cauliflower that has had some sun?

We had a dilemma in the garden last month with the growing of our brassicas...
I remembered planting purple broccoli (which we had a disaster with last year) and I know that if cauliflower sees too much sun it turns purple, so when it came time to pick and eat these glorious purple creations, we weren't sure which they were!
Needless to say it is easy to tell...the cauliflower, which actually didn't look like a trditional cauliflower either, just to make it trickier, has a slightly 'grainier' texture when cooked and also losese its bright purple glow and turns a pale greenish white. The purple broccoli holds its colour more and acts like broccolini.
They were both absolutely delicious and I have decided that if we are lucky enough to grow them next year, I will be calling them regal caulibroc!

Dancing for Birth™ - I wish I knew about it while pregnant!

Guest Blog - Hela Donela

 

Unbooked recently added a new vendor to their pages: Aya Bellydance that offers prenatal bellydance lessons. My interest was roused and I wanted to know more. I had heard of bellydance, of course, but not of prenatal or postnatal bellydance."I wish I knew about this while pregnant", I was thinking. I simply HAD to learn more,( who knows there might be bubs #3.... )

Aya from Aya Bellydance explained to me: "Dancing for Birth™ Classes incorporate dance moves from around the world (African, Belly dance, Latin, Caribbean) that best prepare the expectant mother to give birth. 

You’ll become stronger, more agile, feel more at ease in your body and feel prepared mentally and emotionally to embrace your unique birth experience. 

During the class you will also be learning valuable childbirth preparation skills and natural pain coping techniques that will build your confidence in your own birthing ability and wisdom."

Apparently babies whose mothers take Dancing For Birth™ prenatal and postpartum dance classes love the motion of dancing and are easily soothed after birth by being held while dancing. 

Aya adds another benefit: "You will also regain your pre-pregnancy shape and tone more quickly when you continue Dancing For Birth™classes with your baby after their birth."

Doing more search on the internet, worldbellydance.com listed the following benefits of bellydance during pregnancy:

Strengthening pelvic and deep abdominal muscles and all those muscles specifically used for giving birth, thus facilitating the process of delivering and of recovery.

• Relaxing the body. 
• Improving self esteem.
• Promote good posture.
• Help maintain general fitness.
• Help maintain a god sense of balance.
• Relieve back ache.
• Promote socialisation, if performed in classes.

 

Some people call it bellydance for birth, others dance of the womb, or as Aya calls it 
Dancing For Birth™
Whatever the name just watching the women dance makes you move and feel like joining in.