“Medical studies have shown that red raspberry leaf can be consumed safely during pregnancy and can decrease the length of labor and decrease the number of interventions used such as artificial rupture of membranes (AROM), assisted delivery, and cesarean delivery.1 Red raspberry leaf also seems to help prevent pregnancies from pre-or post-term gestation (delivering too early or too late).”  Drinking Herbal Teas During Pregnancy, American Pregnancy Association.

I bought some in bulk at the local health food store, Healthway, and brought it home to try out. I put a teaspoon of leaves into my tea pot infuser and added 180-deg F water, then let it sit for 7 minutes. This is how I treat all herbal teas, and they always turn out great. I didn’t, unfortunately, realize that RRL is actually a green tea, which is not exactly the same thing. I would have prepared it the same, but my tastebuds would’ve been better prepared had I realized! The tea looked like water and had a very delicate, light flavour. Like green tea. The smell was not a pleasant thing to have so near my nose. Still, I finished most of it and opted to make another pot. This time I used the same temperature water, steeping time, and amount of RRL tea.  This time, however, I added a pinch of peppermint tea before and after the RRL tea leaves. I’ve found that my favorite herbal, peppermint, when added in small amounts, can bring out flavours better and even replace a need for sugar, which I hate to add to my teas!

Adding the peppermint to the red raspberry leaf tea made it much more palatable without having to resort to sugar or honey. Hopefully this will help other pregnant women or those just wanting to try the tea to make it easier to drink!  The smell was more minty than the weird RRL scent and definitely tasted better.  You could try more peppermint than I added–just try not to add more than one cup of tea can handle!

Of course, please discuss any concerns with your doula, midwife, or obstetrician.

I got the job, though.

In the year 2008, genetically-modified babies are common–if you can afford them. Parents can choose hair color, tendency toward slimness, and even eliminate the need for sleep. Leisha Chapman was born with all of these modified traits. Her twin sister, Alice, was not. As the world changes and time goes on, the two are not only led in different directions, they become members of two separate classes of people–the Sleepless and the Sleepers. Many are threatened by these people who experience no psychological problems nor waste time every night in hibernation. They are happier, healthier, smarter, and live longer. What’s not to hate about those weirdos?

The science, law, and narrative in this story work well in the first and second “books,” but after that the whole story becomes a bit long-winded. It truly feels like multiple books printed together rather than one, with each section’s ending perfect but never utilized properly. As one of the first books to discuss genetic engineering in detail, it is certainly worth the time it takes to finish and most of the language is quite accessible.  I’m not sure that I’ll read the others, since it felt like I was reading three books in one already.  I don’t know that there is more to say on the topic.

Beggars in Spain by Nancy Kress was published in April of 1993 and is currently available wherever books are sold–please be careful which edition you get, as some appear to be abridged–while I feel the story could have been shortened, I would rather read the original length and decide that for myself.

“Jackdaws” is the fictionalized account of the attack on France’s Sainte-Cécile, where Nazi forces housed their main communications. The British knew that to deal a crippling blow in a war that was not going their way, the building’s communications system must be destroyed. Led by “Flick,” an undercover team of women must infiltrate the building and succeed where bomber planes have failed.

Mr. Follett has an amazing writing style that drags you into the story. This is a book sure to keep you interested until the very end. The narrative switches mainly between Flick and Dieter, a Nazi major, adding depth to an already engaging tale.

Jackdaws by Ken Follett was released in December of 2006 and is available anywhere books are sold, and for Amazon’s Kindle.

Time for me to read: 5.5 hours total, with interruptions

Lucy Valentine belongs to a long line of match-makers, all good at their job because of their genes–and their special gift.  Family legend says that Cupid himself gave the Valentines this gift but they also received Cupid’s Curse.  The family can make matches like no one’s business, but they can’t stay happy in their own relationships.  When Lucy’s Cupid-given power deserts her she tries to separate herself from the family business and skill, until she is forced to take over after her father’s heart attack.  While not sure at all of her skills as a matchmaker, she finds the seemingly useless power she was left with actually helps her to do some good–and prove to herself that she isn’t a complete lost cause.  But what of Cupid’s Curse and the cute private investigator that works upstairs?  You should just read it.  What?  You thought I was going to give everything away?

Ms. Webber’s narrative is smooth and flawless, once the reader adjusts to the first-person story of Lucy Valentine.  She expertly blends humour with mystery, romance, and the supernatural to give it amazing pull.  I had a great deal of difficulty putting it down and found myself wanting to read Deeply, Deserately now rather than in August of 2010.  Don’t let mentions of romance and matchmaking fool you.  Although this is a book that has romance, it’s not a “romance novel” and will insert you into the story like no burly man in a kilt could.

Look for Truly, Madly by Heather Webber in bookstores February 2010 from St. Martin’s Press.  You can pre-order your copy now at Amazon.com.  My review is based on an Advance Reading Copy, which I received via LibraryThing as a member of their Early Reviewer program.

So I think Christmas stuff is going to be a bit more relaxed than I had originally intended.

Have any of your plans changed due to time and/or money?