Young snow pea shoots remind me to relish early spring. The vivid green and fun curls make me smile, and their addition to our plates gives life to the meal and brings subtle joy to an often harried dinner routine. (Two little boys under three keep me on my toes in the kitchen!)

The recipe is simple, but the aromatics add just the right amount of complexity to fresh greens.

1/4-1/2 lb Young Snow Pea Shoots
1/2 Red Bell Pepper
1/2 Medium Yellow Onion (diced)
1 clove Garlic (minced)
1/4C Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to Taste

Heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot. (Please remember…There is a big difference between high and medium heat, and taking your time while cooking can make a world of difference.) Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute, add onion and pepper and continue cooking for around 3 minutes or until onion is translucent. Add Snow Pea leaves and cook until bright green and tender. Season to taste with salt and/or pepper. Serve warm.

Serves 2-4 as a side dish.

*Gluten, dairy, soy, egg, corn, nut, fish, etc. free. Allergy friendly!

Substitution: If mom or baby isn’t tolerating even a small amount of garlic, consider substituting with 1/4tsp asafoetida. (though a stinky spice when raw, in cooked dishes it transforms into a wonderful garlic, onion, or leek replacement that also works as a gentle digestive aid)

While attending Neonatal Resuscitation training with Karen Strange, I was reminded of this breastfeeding initiation “technique” and wanted to be sure to share here:

More info can be found on the website breastcrawl.org.

Since the time to write another blog post is long overdue, I’ve decided to reflect for a moment on my path as a doula thus far.

When I attended the Birth Arts International training weekend, I left feeling inspired and well prepared. I felt confident that my training stretched well beyond those three days, and in awe of what I had absorbed over the past three years.  Since then, I’ve spent more time studying, watching births, reflecting on my place in the birth world, and waiting for the universe to align and present the first birth in which I will have the honor of supporting a new family.

Learning of my fellow doulas attending births and hearing their stories, I have to admit that jealousy has bubbled up on occasion. Until last week, I hadn’t had a single call or email even inquiring about my services, let alone a meeting or an agreement. Sometimes I wonder if I’m in a void. I doubt myself. I question if this is the universe telling me that this calling to which I feel so tied is wrong.

Last night, after learning that I wasn’t chosen as the doula for an upcoming birth, I let myself grieve a little. While I fully understand why a mother would choose a more experienced doula, it still stung.  Rejection always hurts, no matter how valid.  I think in any profession there always exists a need to be “chosen.”

But then morning came, as it always does. After catching up on some much needed rest, I awoke to warmth and soft rain  and watched the sun burn slowly through the clouds. I rediscovered my patience. I remembered – time is irrelevant to the greater force in the world. The time must not be right for me or for my family.

I’m looking forward again. I will continue to study, to write, and to support women in other ways. I will absorb all that I can during the two days of Traditional Midwifery Skills Training at the Midwifery Today Conference. I will appreciate the knowledge and skills that I will acquire at the Neonatal Resuscitation Certification later this month. I will trust that a woman who needs my support will choose me when the time is right.

I always talk about how pregnancy, birth, and motherhood is a journey, unique to each woman. So is the path of a doula. I look forward to continuing mine.