Welcome to the Milkbar! How to get breastfeeding started

You're having a baby! So much excitement and joy! And, it can feel like there is so much to learn.

Most women in the U.S. want to breastfeed, but many run into problems or complications or bad advice, and end up stopping long before they wanted to. The key to success is support. The right kind of support for you, your little one, and your particular challenges. (This is true of pretty much all of parenting, though.) This book with help you find in-person, online, or telephone support, understand a good position and latch (which will prevent more breastfeeding problems than anything else), realistic expectations of babiness, tricks of the trade, and more! With Welcome to the Milkbar!, you get the confident voice of experience to get you started on the right foot.

To buy Welcome to the Milkbar!, go here.

If you have questions, email me here.

Home Herbalism 101 -- Parts 2, 3, and 4!

We just completed Part 1 on Saturday, and it was a great class! Fabulous questions; each person got something different from the class; even the weather conspired to make a great day! We decocted hawthorn and rose hips, slow-steeped marshmallow root, and made a few quick teas: nettles, ginger, and a liver/kidney/nervine mix. We looked at a rapid history of Western herbalism and healing, and discussed the digestive system, as the center of health and how to (generally) support its wellness. Finally, we identified and tasted weeds/herbs growing right in the average yard.

We now have dates for the rest of the classes! I am so looking forward to the next class -- I hope you can join us! :)

Part 2: Air and Alcohol (and vinegar)

Saturday, July 11th, 2-5 pm

For this class we will talk about the respiratory, circulatory, and lymphatic systems; take a walk to a park to see a greater variety of weed-herbs; and will work with alcohols and vinegars. We'll talk about how to pick different menstrua (the alcohol or vinegar), and will make a tincture, mustard, and fire cider, all of which you will have to take home with you. (If you'd like to learn a little about the fire cider controversy, see here, and here, and here.) The class is $40 and will include materials.

To register online, click here!

Part 3: Earth and Honey

Saturday, July 18th, 2-5 pm

We will cover the skeletal-muscular, and integumentary (skin and skin-like parts), and immune systems. We will work with honey and molasses in multiple ways. And we will visit the wild and weedy banks of the Charles River for edible and healing plants.

Register here!

Part 4: Fire and Oil

Saturday, August 8th, 2-5 pm

We will discuss the nervous system, and reproduction. We will use oils and waxes to create ointments and butters. And we will explore more of the river banks.

Register here!

Each class is $40, including supplies, or you can register for all four for $140 (a 50% discount on the last session!) **You can sign up for them one at a time, and get the discount retroactively.** 

All classes take place in Brighton.

Register for the series here!

Mama's Herbal: Pregnancy to Baby Care

You are pregnant, or you want to be! With all the joy and excitement, pregnancy and birth are short stages of life that involve tremendous change, very quickly. While neither is an illness in need of treatment, that much change so quickly comes with challenges. It is these challenges and discomforts that this book will address, sooth, to make your journey more comfortable. From pre-conception, through morning sickness and hemorrhoids, completing labor and newborn care, this herbal is all about you, baby! Using a handful of safe, nutritive, and often-used herbs, this will guide you through the discomforts and everyday surprises of this dynamic transition.


Click here to buy your copy!
Email me here if you have questions.

Herbalism 101: Part 1 -- Water

Do you want to know what to do with herbs? To start healing yourself, your family, with what's in your kitchen and yard? I'm introducing a four-part series on herbal approaches to health, medicine making, and spotting the plants around you. Perfect for those who are just getting started and want a clearer picture of what they are doing!

Part 1 -- Water **June 20th, 2-5 pm**
Perspective and Theory:
We will start with some context (a brief history and basic idea of the theory behind Western Herbalism), then jump right in to the center and source of health and wellness: digestion. From that center, we will also address nurition, and the eliminatory systems.

Medicine Making:
We will make tea and broth in different ways, plus washes, poultices, and compresses. We will experience both the preparing and receiving of care.

Plants:
For this first class we will explore the weeds in your yard, both ones you know, and ones that may be new. We will also explore how to identify if a new plant is safe to eat or not.

To register for Part 1 online, click here!

Part 2 -- Air and Alcohols:
For this class, we will explore respiration, circulation, and the lymphatic system. We will make tinctures, liniments, vinegars, etc. And we will explore a park for more weed variety.

Part 3 -- Earth and Syrups:
We will discuss skeletal-muscular and integumentary systems, as well as immune function. We will work with honey and molasses multiple ways. And we will visit the wild and weedy banks of the Charles River.

Part 4 -- Fire and Oils:
We will discuss the nervous system and reproduction. We will use oils and waxes to create ointments and butters. And we will explore more plants along the river.

Each class is $40 including supplies, or you can sign up for all four for $140. **You can sign up for one and convert to the series rate later one.** These will take place in Brighton and will be scheduled for Saturday afternoons. While the dates for parts 2-4 are not yet finalized, they will be in July and early August, and will be posted shortly.

For more information and to register, email me.

Spring Clean YOU!

For the last six months, HALF THE YEAR!, we’ve been indulging in one holiday-related sugar-feast or alcohol-binge after another! Almost monthly since last Halloween there has been something going on. Your body needs a break. Plus, the sun is shinning more! Summer fun-time feels better and is more fun if you give your body the tune-up it needs!

Join us to feel and be healthier: How to detox safely and gently, how to manage the sugar monster we’ve created, how to nourish and care for your body in a balanced way.

No judgments – All support!

Saturday, April 25^th, 3-5 pm

Boston Martial Arts Center

161 Harvard Ave, #4E, Allston

Workshop is $30; $35 at the door

Registration is now open!

Email here for more information, or go straight to the online store to register!

Feel Better Herbally: Support for Allergies, Colds, and Flu!!

Summer is winding down and the air has shifted to the crispness of early fall. Does the smell of leaves remind you of sneezing? I love fall, but oooooooh, those seasonal allergies! And, as kids return to classrooms, and everyone starts to spend more time indoors, cold and flu season rears its sniffly head.

Join us to look at easy and accessible ways to avoid, decrease, or ameliorate all of the above! Support your immune system, increase feeling healthy, and enjoy your fall.

We'll work with herbs that are available at your grocery store and are simple to prepare -- if you can make tea or soup, you can enjoy all the benefits of herbal health!

Saturday, September 27th, 3-6 pm
Boston Martial Arts Center
161 Harvard Ave, #4E, Allston

Pre-Registration: $40
At the door: $45

To register, email kerry_kokkino@yahoo.com, or go online here.

Exciting and Fun Herbal Talks This Summer!!

Herbalism, plant-based medicine, is a health model that supports you in learning about your body and what makes you well. That reconnection with yourself is something to be shared! I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and experience on this topic. Here is the line up of classes, demonstrations, and events I'll be involved with this summer -- something for everyone:

June 21st, 3-6 pm
Healthy, Happy Hormones! Supporting your teen, pre-teen or self through hormonal highs and lows

Location: Boston Martial Arts Center, 161 Harvard Ave, #4E, Allston

More info here.

July 12th, 3-6 pm
A Sensory Introduction to Western Herbalism: Reclaiming your health and getting to know healing plants

Location: Boston Martial Arts Center, 161 Harvard Ave, #4E, Allston

(Easy municipal parking behind the building; down the street from the B-line.)

You are your own best expert on your body, in health and in illness, and how something (medicine, food, stress, etc.) impacts you. However, our culture and medicine tells us we don't know ourselves, trains us to ignore our body's cues and communications. In this interactive class, we will use our sensory interaction with healing plants to reconnect to our innate knowledge and practice a mindful awareness of our own sensory responses. We will also discuss how these body-cues can show us a great deal about the plants we are working with. Plants and people have evolved together and share a language. We will use Western Herbalism to put this information into words and make it accessible.

Cost:

Reduced Price: $40 for the talk and tastings

To register: email kerry_kokkino@yahoo.com or online here.

July 19th, 10-2 pm

Kitchen Magic at the Farmers Market: Topical first aid preparations you can make at home

Location: Egleston Square Farmers Market, 45 Brookside Ave, Jamaica Plain

Wouldn't it be nice to neutralize poison ivy? Sooth a bruise or sprain? Wash away stress? Working with herbs from Blue Vervain Farm, we will prepare easy home remedies for mild first aid situations. Come by and learn how to make a variety of simple-yet-effective medicines for yourself and your family!

No cost, no registration

August 5th, 6:30-8 pm
Avoid the Sneezes: Herbal immune support and allergy relief

Location: Faneuil Branch, Boston Public Library, 419 Faneuil Street, Brighton

(Easy on-street parking; near #57 and 64 bus routes.)

The sun is shining! The birds are chirping! The flowers are out -- Aaaaachoo! Hay fever making you sneezy, sniffly, drowsy and at least two other of the seven dwarves? (And none of them Happy?) Do you expect it to come back this fall? With a little herbal support, you can head off your allergies before they hit, or take the edge off them and feel better soon. We will also cover stronger herbal remedies and acute attacks, their benefits and disadvantages, and overall immune support, to keep that hay fever from letting in a cold fever. A great way to enjoy the beautiful plants of summer, while preparing for the changing seasons.

No cost, no registration

August 11-15th and 18-20th, 10-3 pm
Wild Herbs for Kids of All Ages!

Location: Littleton, MA (address provided upon registration)

Bring your children, and/or your inner child and explore healing herbs all around us, waiting to be part of your health and awareness! With Meridians of Health, we will learn to identify, harvest and prepare at least 10 herbs you see every day to include in your diet and first aid kit. We will use play, drawing, hands-on harvesting, preparing, eating and crafting to get to know each herb personally and practically. Each family will leave with several herbal medicines and crafts, and the knowledge of how and why to make and use them. This fun week-and-a-half (by last year's popular demand) will engage your senses, imagination, and mind!

Cost:

Registration until July 28th: $300 (including materials and fees for all 8 days!) 

**$75 family discount**

To register: email meridiansofhealth@gmail.com or call 857-600-2TEA

August 30th, 3-6 pm
Herbs for the Athlete: Preventing and healing sports injuries

Location: Boston Martial Arts Center, 161 Harvard Ave, #4E, Allston

(Easy municipal parking behind the building; down the street from the B-line.)

Whether your athlete is training for a marathon, engaged in a contact sport, or just climbing trees, herbs can help you prevent many related problems (dehydration, fatigue, suppressed immune function, etc.) and treat many others (sprains/strains, broken bones, etc.) This class will help you get on, and stay on, target with all your sports ventures!

Cost:

Pre-registration: $40

At the door: $45

To register: email kerry_kokkino@yahoo.com or online here.

Coming soon:

Herbs for the Perinatal Year: A workshop for birth professionals

What to eat?? A guide for navigating diet fads and how herbs can (maybe should?) play a part