"When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life."

It's Amy and I'm back from the UK!

I had some great adventures, but it's nice to be home. And I'm stoked about all the new products, classes and events happening here at CGB.

In case you've been in a foreign country like myself, here's a list of what's happening:

THIS Saturday, we're having our Crunchy Costume Party! We’ll have an afternoon of fun music, healthy snacks, and great costumes! In fact, all costumed guests will automatically be entered in our raffle for a chance to win our Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bag, filled with fun CGB swag like organic clothes, eco-friendly toys and a few surprises! So saunter over to CGB on Saturday, October 31 between 3 and 5 pm to enjoy a very crunchy costume party!

• Natural Childbirth Refresher Class: Sunday, November 1, 4:30 - 7:30 PM
  $50 fee. Classes will take place at CGB, but please register directly with Jean at www.birth-bliss.com

• Parenting Group Guest Speaker: Harbor Light Montessori: Wed., Nov. 4 at 10AM

• Birth Circle: Mon., Nov. 9 at 7PM
  While this event is free, please pre-register at CGB

• Baby Hand and Footprints: Wed., Nov. 11, 10AM to Noon and Fri., Nov. 20, 10AM to Noon
  $25 deposit required

• Ladies Night: Sat., Nov. 21 at 6:30PM
  Here’s a teaser: Jewelry, wine and chocolate. But stay tuned for details on this inaugural event!

• Vaccine Talk: Mon., Nov. 16 at 7PM
  Workshop is free, but donations for Active Healing Inc. are encouraged.

• Baby Wearing Demonstration: Sat., Nov. 21 at 10AM
  This workshop is free but please RSVP. All Participants receive 10% off any baby wearing product.

• The Three Hour, Learn Everything, Breastfeeding Class: Mon., Nov 23 at 6:30PM
  The fee for this class is $90, register directly with Kathy at 978-922-4289 or abbottkathy@comcast.net

• Parenting Group Guest Speaker: Spirit Wellness Center: Fri., Nov. 27 at10AM

And a few other notes:

• Beginning in November, we're launching a Membership Card for our Parenting and Play Groups. Learn more here.

• Also beginning in November, CGB will be CLOSED on Tuesdays and will be closing at 5PM on Saturdays. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

• CGB is also hosting a special November Promotion: A Coat Drive for Salem Families. Learn more about how you can help local families while also saving on purchases at CGB!
  

*Curious about what I did over in London? Check out my blog at Ms Amy Rose.

Celebrate Halloween at Crunchy Granola Baby

Looking for a kid-friendly Halloween activity in Salem?

Be sure to join Crunchy Granola Baby for a Halloween Crunchy Costume Party!

Last year’s party was such a success that we’re hosting another great afternoon of fun music, healthy snacks, and great costumes!

All costumed guests will automatically be entered in a raffle for a chance to win a Halloween Trick-or-Treat Bag, filled with fun CGB swag like organic clothes, eco-friendly toys and a few surprises!

Saunter over to CGB on Saturday, October 31 between 3 and 5 pm to enjoy a very crunchy costume party!

Tweet Tweet Tweet

Crunchy Granola Baby is Twittering! Are you?

I know how much you guys all love Facebook . . . why not try Twitter?

So come on, follow us on Twitter.

(What is Twitter, you ask? Twitter is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. It's kinda like Status Updates on Facebook . . .)

Toddler Play Group

Don't forget about our Toddler Play Group tomorrow at 10AM!

Come hang with other eco-conscience parents and watch our toddlers tumble and play.

Please note: We ask that you don't take any snacks out during this group, thanks so much!

Althea's Birth Story

Althea was born on September 29th at the North Shore Birth Center. She was 6 lbs 15 oz and 19 inches long. Labor started for us at 2:30 AM on the 29th. We had breakfast out and went for a long walk on the beach followed by a picnic lunch in Marblehead. The day was beautiful and walking played a big part in our early labor coping. We went to the birth center in the evening, where we met our doula, Joy, and Amanda, the midwife who would be attending our birth. Things progressed quickly and we welcomed Althea into our family at 10:51PM. Our experience at the Birth Center was wonderful and played a big part in us having the calm, supported natural birth we were hoping for (thank you North Shore Birth Center and especially Amanda!). - Ajna Pisani

What We're Reading: "Pushed"

Kansas City Star called it "a worthwhile book for anyone who cares about reforming our health-care system--right from the start" and the Kirkus Review said it was "a gripping expose."

"Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care" takes a hard look at healthcare, particularly women's healthcare and pregnancy, in the US. It's intense, stirring and informational. Check out the Publisher's Weekly Review below:

"According to writer and editor Block ("Our Bodies, Ourselves"), 'the United States has the most intense and widespread medical management of birth' in the world, and yet 'ranks near the bottom among industrialized countries in maternal and infant mortality.'

Block shows how, in transforming childbirth into a business, hospitals have turned 'procedures and devices developed for the treatment of abnormality' into routine practice, performed for no reason than 'speeding up and ordering an unpredictable...process'; for instance, the U.S. cesarean section rate tripled in the 1970s, and has doubled since then.

Block looks into a growing contingent of parents-to-be exploring alternatives to the hospital-and the attendant likelihood of medical intervention-by seeking out birthing centers and options for home-birth.

Unfortunately, obstacles to these alternatives remain considerable-laws across the U.S. criminalizing or severely restricting the practice of midwifery have led the trained care providers to practice underground in many states-while tort reform has done next to nothing to lower malpractice insurance rates or improve hospital birthing policies.

This provocative, highly readable expose raises questions of great consequence for anyone planning to have a baby in U.S., as well as those interested or involved in women's health care."

"Pushed" is available as part of CGB's lending library.

Or learn more about "Pushed" here.

Parenting Group Membership Card

Here at CGB we offer Parenting and Toddler Groups weekly.

Wednesdays Toddler Group (toddling and walkers)10-11:30 am,Fridays Parenting Group (newborns to crawling)10-11:30am

If you are interested in natural and organic living come spend some time with like minded parents, caregivers and their children.

Starting November 1st a 3 month membership is $25. This includes Guest Speakers and discounts at local restaurants and shops.

You will receive a 15% off shopping discount at CGB when you shop during the group. (excludes consignment, classes, Once Crunched and Hip Baby Gear Items)

Your first group is free, drop in fee is $5.00.

Show your CGB Parenting Group Member Card on Wednesdays and Fridays 11:30am-1:00pm

at these participating restaurants and shops and receive great discounts.

Lynde Street Café
2 Lynde St
978-219-1188
www.lyndestcafe.com
Free drink with meal purchase

Ben and Jerry’s
60 Washington St
Free kiddie cup or cone with purchase of $4 or more.
978-744-7500

Modern Millie Vintage & Consignments
103 Washington St
978-745-0231
www.modernmillieshop.com
10% off any full priced purchase

Salem Wine Imports
32 Church Street
http://www.salemwineimports.com/
978-741-9463
10% off any full priced purchase

Seed Stitch
21 Front St
978-744-5557
www.seedstitch.com
10% off 5 skeins or more

Caffe Graziani

133 Washington St

www.caffegraziani.com

978 741 4282

free soft drink with purchase of sandwich or entree