In this edition

* New Style and Venue for our retreats - dates remaining for 2004
* Tips from our Naturopath
* Creating a Pregnancy Retreat for Yourself at Home
* Look out for Media stories about our retreat coming up
* Testimonials from participants

Women's retreat takes off to the beach

Our last women's retreat was held on a sunny June weekend. It was our first group retreat to be held in one of our stunning beachfront holiday houses. And it was a great success. Only a short walk along a bush path, over the sand dune and onto Tallows beach, the women participating took advantage of one of Byron's most beautiful beaches. Early morning beach walks and winter dips were extremely popular.

With this change from the retreat centre to the more intimate, beachfront accommodation, our groups have become smaller and much more personal. This has allowed greater focus on individual needs and deep connection and sharing.

It really was a beautiful weekend, filled with laughter and story telling. One of the highlights was the group belly painting session where two hours were spent in honouring and celebrating each other by decorating each other's bellies with gorgeous colour and swirls.

The planning for birth session with experienced midwife, Ann Benauer was extremely inspiring, as each of the women explored their birth options, dispelled myths and became confident about what they wanted for their birth.

"Thanks for organising such a perfect weekend. The venue was very peaceful, the meals totally delicious, and the program was a great balance of the inner work and the practical birthing/midwifery advice. At first, prior to booking, as a midwife I was unsure how it would be of value to me, but, I was surprised at how much I did need this retreat. It allowed me to feel confidence and approach my birth feeling more prepared and more connected to my baby and the whole birthing process". Nikki, Byron Bay.

The Next Byron Pregnancy Retreat for women is being held on September 10, 11 and 12. To receive a detailed information package and registration form, email pregnancyretreat@natureschild.com.au or call 02 66855780

Couples connecting with each other

Our personalised retreats have become very popular with couples over the past few months. We have conducted three very different retreats for three very different couples.

In each case the retreat has been so special, because we were able to create a retreat program to suit the specific needs of the people attending. The closeness and depth experienced by each couple was extraordinary and we have felt so honoured to be witness to such a deep sharing and connection.

In one case, the couple chose a deep healing program that included: discovering inner guidance, meditation, emotional healing, birthing the spirit and hypnobirthing. The healing that took place for both of them was significant and profound.

Another couple chose a more playful and pampering program that included oceanic bodywork, belly casting, learn to massage each other and a photo shoot. They seemed to spend the whole weekend laughing.

We are so enthusiastic about these programs, as they have created a space for mum and dad to connect with baby and to build and trust and understanding with each other, that is so important for the birthing process.

Media interest in Byron Pregnancy Retreat

Well it seems that The Byron Pregnancy Retreat has captured the interest of the media. It's nice to know that we're offering something unique and special. Did you see us in Who Magazine last May?

We were visited by a freelance journalist in June, writing a pregnancy diary for the Cosmo pregnancy mag. Look out for Justine's story of her visit to the retreat, when it comes out in October.

We've also been visited by a journalist from The Australian Magazine. Pregnant with her second baby, Dani came to our women's retreat and had a superb time. Her story is coming out at the end of August or September so look out for it!

Create a pregnancy retreat at home

While not everyone is able to attend the Byron Pregnancy Retreat, we believe that every woman deserves to have the time and space to enjoy her pregnancy and prepare for her birth. So each month we are going to give you a tip for creating a pregnancy retreat from home, every day of your pregnancy.

TIP 1 ~ Eat your way through pregnancy

You are what you eat' is doubly true, when pregnant. Because what you eat directly affects your baby. Some foods are detrimental to your changing system and then there are certain foods that can strengthen and support you. For a detailed diet plan we advise you to see a naturopath. In the meantime the following suggestions can get you started.

Some foods to avoid are:

* Coffee and tea
* Soft cheese, pate and smoked fish
* Sugar

Foods to include:

* Large breakfast and lunch (small dinner)
* Iron based foods ~ green leafy vegetables, seaweed, lentils, eggs, and nettle tea.
* Raspberry leaf tea ~ a uterine tonic

And while you may not be craving pickles with ice cream, there are certain things we just
can't get enough of. The cravings are our body's way of telling us we need something, however, we can respond with healthy options. Here are some alternatives to common cravings:

Cravings and their alternatives
Salty foods ~ sea salt, sea weed, tamari, miso
Sugar ~ may be due to protein deficiency, so eat eggs or beans on toast for breakfast
Orange juice ~ Excessive craving indicates calcium deficiency, so eat tahini, broccoli, almonds or seaweed.

This is been a Byron Pregnancy Retreat E-news.