by Rebecca Bossen, R.Y.T. and Chief Shady Grove Goddess

True confession: I used to be a gym rat. At 5 AM, you could find me mixing a protein shake and listening to the clang of metal hitting metal as the morning weightlifters began their routines. It was 1999, I was twenty-two, and it seemed perfectly logical to me to work the front desk at the gym until 10 (free membership!), rush to my other job as a nanny, and then throw myself into college classes. Of course, I always pushed myself through a daily hour-and-a-half workout. I would challenge men twice my size to leg press contests. And win. I loved it. I was in great shape…right? Well, great shape in that I had killer quads and six pack abs. I also had torn cartilage in both hips, a cold I couldn’t kick, frequent heart palpitations, a hair-trigger temper, and zero energy. My cardiologist (yes, I had to have a cardiologist in my early twenties) listened to my heart and made the grave pronouncement: “Kiddo, you have got to relax.” Um…relax? I replied, “Why? I’m fine. Totally fine. I’m-perfectly-calm-and-I-don’t-need-to-relax-at-all-thankyouverymuch!”

Relaxation was as foreign to me as Kuala Lumpur.

Exercise is fundamental to the health and well-being of the human body. It strengthens the muscles, improves cardiovascular efficiency, prevents disease, boosts your mood…the benefits are so numerous and obvious that there’s no need to list them all here. However, not all exercise is created equal. The exercise that I was doing at the gym was intense, high-impact, and—ultimately—detrimental. Sometimes too much of a good thing is simply too much. Everybody’s body is different, everyone’s limits are different, and it takes a special kind of discipline to recognize when it is time to slow down. There may be a time in your life when the heat-building, sweat-inducing exercise is exactly what you need. If you’re preparing for an endurance race, you need to get your body accustomed to what it will face on the course. When you’re trying to conceive, however, the goal is quite different; you aren’t trying to whip your body into shape, but to create a warm and nurturing internal environment. One way of thinking about it is that you are moving from a “yang” (assertive, outwardly-focused) energy to a more “yin” (receptive, inwardly-focused) energy. Or, more colorfully, you can think of your body like an oven—if it’s too cold (i.e. no exercise) nothing much will happen, but if it’s too hot (overly strenuous activity) you won’t get a great result, either. Warming, gentle, moderate exercise is the key.

Yoga is a wonderful, fertility-friendly exercise option. It releases tight muscles, tones the body, opens the breath, and—perhaps most importantly—calms the mind. And there’s no need to be a lithe, graceful, rubber-limbed yogini who can tie herself in knots. The postures, or asanas, are not a goal in and of themselves, but a means to an end: mental calm. The thoughts want to go in a million directions at once (sound familiar?), so the postures are there to give the mind a place to focus.

When I was in a stressed-out graduate school frenzy, my yoga mat became my safe haven. After several weeks of whining (“but it’s so slow…and it’s really hard!”), I discovered that I got a lot more out of my exercise when I actually paid close attention to what my body and mind were doing. These days, relaxation isn’t exactly my home address, but at least it’s a slightly less exotic location. It helps that yoga does not require that you push yourself to the next goal; rather, it’s about exploring exactly where you are at the present moment and accepting it for what it is.  Is there any better—or harder—exercise than that?

by Breea Johnson, MS RD LDN

I’m sure you have heard the saying “You are what you eat” but have you ever heard the saying “you are what you drink?” Beverages are everywhere – especially when the temperature increases in the summer time! The average American adult consumes about 28 ounces of sugar-sweetened beverages per day, equal to about 350 extra calories per day. While our typical client is much more health conscious than the “average American” I’m always surprised to see what people are drinking. Top on the list (other than water) is almost always diet sodas, skim milk and coffee, followed by artificially-sweetened ice teas and lemonades (like Crystal Light), fruit juice, herbal teas, sometimes sports drinks and alcohol.

Fluids – like food – are necessary in the diet. We know our bodies are about 78% water – found inside and in between cells and our brain is almost all water- thus explaining why even minor dehydration leads to difficulty thinking. We know that we need fluid for hydration (especially in times of increased fluid loss like exercise). We need fluid for detoxification – both from internal toxic by-products of metabolism to external toxins like chemicals that are converted to water-soluble compounds and eliminated. We need it for digestion and metabolism of food. And we know that without water, we would die within days. There’s no doubt that fluids are just as essential as food to our lives — and to our fertility – as fluids are needed for lubrication, cervical fluid production, detoxification, and overall metabolic support.

We tend to think of fluids as just added calories and not having any specific nutrients in them. But there are lots of nutrient rich beverages to enjoy.  Fertility-friendly fluids are naturally nutrient and electrolyte-rich and have no added sugar or artificial sweeteners.  Here are some Fertility-Friendly beverages to get some extra vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals into your body:

• Coconut water
• Water infused with sliced citrus fruits, cucumbers and herbs
• Nettle Tea infusion
• Cucumber lemon water – Slice a cucumber and lemon and place in pitcher of water and let chill for 2 hours.
• Seltzer water (8oz) with unsweetened fruit juice (1oz)
• Kombucha Tea
• Cranberry-infused Water (8oz water plus 2 oz unsweetened cranberry juice)
• Watermelon water – Blend 4 cups fresh watermelon, add to 6 cups water and add juice of 2 fresh limes.  Serve over ice.
• Herbal Teas like PDtM’s Nourish ARTea.

For more information on fertility-friendly fluids and our Nutrition Program, please contact Pulling Down the Moon or go to www.pullingdownthemoon.com and schedule an online appointment.

by Pamela Policastro, L.Ac.

Miscarriage is the result of many possible factors during pregnancy.  These include genetic factors, environmental factors, circulatory factors, and immunologic factors.  Many of these conditions are a result of subtle imbalance within a very delicate internal environment.  Since acupuncture is used to bring the body back to balance, it is able to contribute to the prevention of miscarriage.  There are benefits to having acupuncture during each trimester of pregnancy.

During the first trimester acupuncture is used  to help prevent miscarriage and provide a stabilizing effect on the pregnancy, balance the endocrine system,  and regulate hormones.  Acupuncture helps to minimize nausea, morning sickness, fatigue, migraines, bleeding and spotting.

During the second trimester , acupuncture is used to regulate the digestive, nervous, and endocrine systems, all of which are necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy.  Acupuncture helps to alleviate heart burn, hemorrhoids, edema, elevated blood pressure, and stress.

During the third trimester, acupuncture is used to regulate to musculoskeletal system to provide relief from sciatica, backache, pubic and joint pain, and carpel tunnel syndrome.  Treatment during this trimester also encourages the proper positioning of the baby for birth and helps normalize labor.  Research shows that women who use acupuncture experience shorter labor times with fewer complications, reduced rate of caesarean, and less need for the use of oxytocin, pain medications and epidurals.

By Breea Johnson, MS RD LDN

Going through a loss can have a huge impact on our nutrition. We know that the mind and body are intertwined, with an even closer connection between the brain and the gut (otherwise known as the digestive system). Do you ever notice when you are nervous you feel it in your stomach? Or when you drink alcohol you feel it in your brain? Dealing with a loss can affect appetite; foods you typically like may seem tasteless and just trying to eat three meals a day may seem challenging. But the connection between what we eat and how it makes us feel and think is also perpetually linked. The brain is the most complex organ, as everyone knows, and it requires proper nutrition to function well.  Beyond nutritious sources of protein, carbohydrates and fat, the brain needs the complete spectrum of vitamins and minerals to properly function and for brain cells to communicate effectively. Most vital are neurotransmitters (i.e. dopamine and serotonin) which are made of amino acids—found in protein foods (meat, fish, dairy, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains) which makes protein essential in improving mental performance. While the comfort foods may be calling your name – be sure to add some protein to keep you thinking clearly and feeling healthy.

Last Friday I was riding home from work with our wise-beyond-her-years Chicago admin/receptionist Jenny when our conversation turned to coping with loss.  This had not been an easy winter for Jenny, who had lost most of her earthly belongings in an apartment fire that left her homeless in February.  During the catastrophic event and the aftermath, Jenny remained steady and positive, giving support and compassion to our patients while maintaining an impressively professional demeanor in her work.  Everyone at the Moon was inspired.

Since I had been noodling a blog about loss around in my head, I thought it would be useful to ask Jenny about the fire and the strategies she used for recovery.  I thought it would provide a foil for the losses I could write about from personal experience (miscarriages and a stillbirth) and for the kinds of losses we encounter at the Moon.  These are largely emotional losses – hopes and dreams of pregnancy, failed cycles, miscarriages and stillbirth.  At times these losses are coupled with the loss of resources, in cases where couples have paid out of pocket for unsuccessful treatments, but they are largely emotional.   Jenny’s loss was concrete – literally valuable possessions as well as priceless mementos that were completely destroyed by a bolt from the blue.

“I kept telling myself that there is a bigger picture,” she said.  ”It was the old saying that ‘things happen for a reason’ that gave me strength.  I really focused on staying positive and looking for the good that might come.”

If you smell a cliche here, keep reading.  Jenny’s next words were profound.

“I think it’s human nature to contract when we experience loss.  We contract around the pain, we avoid situations that remind us of our loss and we try to avoid the emotions – sadness, anger and envy- that come when our life seems to be in shambles compared to those around us.  More than anything I tried to remain open.  To emotions, to help from others and even to situations that could be painful.”

As Jenny shared her experiences of loss and healing, I was instantly struck by their similarity to my own journey. When my first full term pregnancy ended in a stillbirth of a little girl at 38 weeks, I received one strong message from the universe:  STAY OPEN.   Take every condolence call, accept every offer of comfort from friends, eat every casserole that was delivered and, above all, cry every tear that I needed to cry.  For a very introverted and private person (at least before the creation of Pulling Down the Moon) this was indeed a radical strategy.  My entire being wanted to crawl in a hole and avoid contact with others and with my pain.

In Jenny’s case, this call to open was an intuition.  In my own case, I believe the message came through my yoga practice.  The simple practice of stretching that has been part of my life for so many years kept calling to me to use the same techniques that keep my body healthy to heal my mind.  If you’ve ever been a beginning yogi, you know it can be an uncomfortable business at first to stretch tight muscles.  Yet, with practice, the discomfort eventually releases and gives way to spaciousness and calm.  This holds true for emotional challenges, too.  When we choose to stay open and experience our loss we can actually release pain and suffering.  When we “close” around these painful emotions we may not ever let them go.  In fact, we will often consciously or unconsciously go to great lengths to avoid the aspects of life that trigger past trauma and in doing so greatly circumscribe the scope of our experience.

There seems to be an energetic rule in play here, and the similarity of Jenny’s and my experience drove this home.  In the face of loss, rather than constrict, we must look for ways to open.  Begin with a simple physical practice of stretching and breathing.  Find support where you can tell your story and cry tears with people who understand.  Eat the casserole.  Like George Costanza from Seinfeld, do the opposite of what feels comfortable and stretch instead of hunker.

These are not easy words of advice.  Yet, there is a promise of courage and self-discovery in them.  And if you need help getting there our classes, teachers and gifted practitioners are here to help.  Have you experienced loss?  What worked for you?

by Pamela Policastro, L.Ac.

It sounds a bit scarey, but there’s a good chance that at some point in your fertility acupuncture treatment your TCM practitioner will pull out “the electro-stim machine.”

Basically, electroacupuncture is a substitute for time consuming hand manipulation.  Although you may not be aware of it, once the acupuncture needles have penetrated the skin, your acupuncturist then gives the needle a little twist, thrust, or both.   This hand manipulation communicates to the body what action we need it to take.  The point being, electroacupuncture can produce a higher and more continuous level of stimulation than manual manipulation.

Electroacupuncture was first developed in France during the early nineteenth century when a few physicians and researchers began to apply mild electric currents to Chinese acupoints.  One of the first physicians to do so was Dr. Louis Berlioz, who used electroacupuncture to treat neuralgia.

Despite discoveries in France at that time, the concept did not receive much attention until the early twentieth century, when sporadic research began to be done by US and Chinese researchers.  Still, it was not until the 1950’s that electroacupuncture began to develop extensively in mainland China.  Meanwhile, back at the ranch, a German physician by the name of Reinhold Voll systematized the procedure and made several innovative uses of electroacupuncture.  His system, EAV(electroacupuncture according to Voll), is still used by many acupuncturists worldwide.  The 1950’s also brought  developments in electroacupuncture by several physicians around the world.  One such doctor was Dr. Lavier of France (leave it to the French!), who used local electroacupuncture anesthesia for surgery..um, no thanks.  Today, electroacupuncture is widely employed throughout the world.

Electroacupuncture involves a set of needles and electric stimulation.At the start, the electrical potential is zero and the current gradually increases so a s to monitor the patients reaction.  The amount of electrical stimulation depends on the tolerance of the patient and the nature of the disease.

After  the treatment has progressed for a minute or two, the patient may become accustomed to the electric current as effective stimulation gradually decreases.  When this occurs, the current is increased accordingly.

Most electroacupuncture treatments last 10-20 minutes, but in some select cases it may be continued for as long as 4-5 hours.

Here,  at Pulling Down the Moon, your acupuncturist will probably include some electroacupuncture if she/he is trying to improve your egg quality. Electroacupuncture creates more qi and blood circulation in the uterine area, thus benefitting both eggs and endometrial lining.

Well, that is the end of my 4-part series, “Tools of the Trade”.  I hope you have found the information provided to be both educational and interesting.  Take your new found knowledge and go forth to share with friends, family, and physicians alike.  Namaste

By Breea Johnson, MS RD LDN

We tend to think of our genetics as a hereditary “gift” from our parents – one that can keep on giving.  Depending on the cards dealt by nature, we may have a life-long relationship with Aunt Martha’s high blood pressure, Uncle Mike’s diabetes and even worry that one day we’ll end up with Grandpa Joe’s Alzheimer’s.  Or maybe we’ve got “good genes,” and expect to live to be ninety-eight like Grandma Mary with a dry martini in our hand.  Hey, you can’t fight genetics, right?

Actually, that’s not entirely true.  While there is validity to genetic patterning, no health outcome is engraved in stone.  Enter an emerging field of study called epigenetics that evaluates how a woman’s diet, stress, toxic exposure and behavioral factors in the pre-conception and prenatal period can actually alter her off-spring’s genetic makeup and risk for chronic disease.  One established example of epigenetics is the “Thirty Phenotype Hypothesis,” which links poor fetal nutrition to the development of chronic diseases, specifically coronary heart disease and Type II diabetes, later in life.  Other emerging research is teasing out associations between psycho-social stress and poor pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage, low birth weight and premature birth) as well as insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and poor immune function later in life (Wadhwa et al. 2009).

As you might imagine, these new developments are placing serious focus on peri-natal health and nutrition.  When you are newly pregnant, your OB is likely to give you a handout that outlines the “need to know” info for the next nine months.  This resource is great for basic prenatal nutrition guidelines, like which foods to avoid, extra calorie needs and weight gain guidelines, as well as a basic heads’ up about the nausea, constipation and heart burn that may be in your near future.  Yet, when it comes to pregnancy, there’s basic knowledge and then there’s cutting edge.  At the Moon it’s our goal to stay on top of the emerging research surrounding the peri-natal period and to use this information to help optimize the health of mom and baby.  We not only counsel our patients on nutritional issues, we also provide a whole range of services specifically directed to pre-conception and pregnancy including yoga, acupuncture and massage.

Among some of the “nutrition-forward” topics we’re tracking:

• Vitamin D during pregnancy – what does the latest research say about recommended dosages and why is it important for baby’s future health?
• If you’re overweight when you start a pregnancy, what does the latest research say about weight gain?
• Gestational Diabetes – can it be prevented?
• Soy exposure in pregnancy – helpful or harmful?
• Emerging guidelines on the benefits/risks of phytoestrogen intake for infants.
• Increasing rates of infertility in men may be related to perinatal exposure to certain chemicals.  What should you be avoiding?
• Is it possible to avoid prenatal exposure to mercury and other heavy metals?
• Artificial sweeteners – should you consume them while pregnant?
• Organic foods, pesticides and the effect on fetal development.
• Prenatal Psycho-social stress  and potential health consequences for baby.
• Can you safely consume potential allergens like peanuts during pregnancy?

If you have undergone ART to conceive, you may have worked with a specialist in fertility nutrition along the way for optimal health during the process.  Prenatal nutrition is a whole new world, with its own recommendations and guidelines. Thus, the need to see a prenatal nutrition specialist is more important than ever.  So, when you are thinking about seeing a nutritionist during pregnancy, make sure to see a Prenatal Nutrition Specialist for the latest, up-to-date guidelines. If you would like to book an appointment with a Pulling Down the Moon nutritionist, please call (312) 321-0004 or visit www.pullingdownthemoon.com for Online Scheduling.

Wadwha et al.  Developmental Origins of Health and Disease:  A Brief History of the Approach and Current Focus on Epigenetic Mechanisms.  Semin Reprod Med 2009 September:27 358-368.

I am very excited today because I just decided to teach a One Day Fertility Yoga Retreat  in our Chicago location on July 18.  It’s been a couple of months since I’ve taught a class, largely because we have such amazing teachers (like Jenliyn Francis, Sara Shelley and Jeni O’Keefe) in all our locations.  Yet, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything. 

First, teaching yoga, especially at Pulling Down the Moon, grounds and centers me.  For those of you who know my story, you know fertility struggles shaped and directed my life in ways I could never have imagined.  I love sharing in the raw energy of transformation that women bring with them to our yoga class.   As I teach the healing model that frames our yoga I’m also continually struck by its applicability to every challenge in our lives, not just infertility.  Each story I hear is moving and each personality so different that I always walk away a bit transformed myself.   Above all, I love it when I see our students exchange emails (mine included!) at the end of class and make dates for future get-togethers.  The only rough part of teaching is having to shoo my students out of the tea room after class.  I know they’d stay there for hours if they could.  Luckily, it’s summer and our Chicago space is right on the river so taking the chat outside and up the riverwalk to Japonais is always a possibility. 

So why am I blogging this?  Well, I think it’s to share my excitement and let you all know that my heart is still very present with our mission.   Even though my fertility struggles are over, my love of the journey is still very fresh.  If you have any questions about our yoga class or this retreat, feel free to contact me directly at beth@pullingdownthemoon.com.   I’m totally looking forward to it. 

If this retreat doesn’t work for you or is out of your financial reach, we do have a Fully Fertile book group starting in July as well.  This is a free, peer-led book group that meets for thirteen weeks at PDtM’s River North location to work through the holistic plan for fertility described in our book, Fully Fertile. 

I hope that summer brings you joy, peace and +++ experiences this summer.  Peace, Beth

by Breea Johnson, MS RD LDN

An important aspect of PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is the fact that it is a syndrome, not a disease, meaning it’s a collection of symptoms.  Working in fertility nutrition, I’m constantly fascinated by the many faces of PCOS.  Gone are the days where the typical PCOS patient is overweight, has insulin resistance, adult acne, facial hair growth and elevated testosterone levels.  Normal body weight and thin women can present with PCOS.  Women also may or may not have insulin resistance, which has been so commonly associated with PCOS.

When I see clients with PCOS, 90% of the time it is because a woman wants to conceive in the coming months and does not get a regular period.  The other 10% want to conceive at some point in their life, have tried medication and were not happy with the side effects and want a more natural way to manage PCOS and induce ovulation.  Many women do not even realize they do not have a normal cycle until they discontinue the birth control pill which has medically induced their cycle for many years.

While the causes of PCOS is unclear, we do know that it is related to an underlying hormonal imbalance and that working to balance hormones and increase the sensitivity of the hormone, insulin, can definitely benefit a woman with PCOS.  While we have a comprehensive nutritional treatment strategy for PCOS at Pulling Down the Moon, a few of our important recommendations are:

• Eat low glycemic carbs: Lowering the intake of refined carbohydrates such bread and pastries and increasing nutrient-dense foods can be beneficial to decrease insulin levels.  Insulin is the “store and save” hormone, as elevated insulin levels make it difficult to lose weight.
• Try FlowPro: Myo-inositol, part of the B-vitamin complex , has been found in multiple research studies to help increase insulin sensitivity and induce ovulation in a high percentage of women with PCOS.  Some research has found it to be equally effective as Metformin in restoring ovulation.  Myo-inositol has also been found to increase progesterone levels and decrease testosterone levels. 
• Have your Vitamin D levels checked:  Studies have shown that women with PCOS have very low levels of Vitamin D (25-OH) which may contribute to insulin resistance.  The lab test is a blood test that your primary care physician can administer.

• Get screened for autoimmune thyroid disease: PCOS has been linked to autoimmune thyroiditis) with studies showing a three-fold increase of autoimmune thyroid disease among women with PCOs.  In addition to having the standard thyroid tests performed by your primary care physician, have you thyroid antibodies checked.

While PCOS is not a well-understood syndrome, there are many treatments both conventional and alternative that really work to help reduce symptoms and induce ovulation.  A client recently emailed to tell me that after 3 weeks of taking FlowPro she got her period for the first time naturally and within a few cycles was pregnant.  If you have any questions about PCOS and nutrition or would like to set up an appointment with a Pulling Down the Moon nutritionist, please click here or call (312) 321-0004.

By Breea Johnson, MS RD LDN

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Growing Power’s Urban Agriculture Farm in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Founder Will Allen is a national guru of local and sustainable food and grows food year round to supply many restaurants, farmers markets and schools in the Midwest.  So, what does this have to do with fertility, you ask? Well, Allen believes that farming isn’t as much about the growing of fruits, vegetables and grains; rather it’s about building soil which he often refers to as “fertile soil.” His message is this:  Without nutrient-rich soil, plants won’t grow, his land will be barren and he will have no fruits or vegetables to sell.  As I listened to him speak, I couldn’t help think about the relationship between “soil fertility” and “human fertility” and my work at Pulling Down the Moon specializing in fertility nutrition.  While growing vegetables may seem like a huge departure from helping women conceive, there are actually many more similarities than you might think.  

If you have ever tried to grow organic vegetables this thought may have crossed your mind. I’m personally finding in my spring venture the amount of work required to grow vegetables organically, with no pesticides, fertilizers or Miracle Gro. Vegetables may sprout in ordinary potting soil but in order to get them to grow and thrive and produce offspring they need soil that is completely nutrient-rich and thriving with microorganisms – along with sun and water, of course.  When you ask Will Allen what his biggest asset is on his urban farm, he won’t say equipment or even the people, he will always say the worms.  With hundreds of thousands of worms living on his farm, he utilizes them to compost food waste scraps into beautiful and nutrient-rich soil in order for his plants to thrive.  It’s easy to see with a visible eye how nutrient rich the soil is and taste of the vegetables is so unbelievable that I literally crave their spicy salad mix!

So, think about it. If soil nutrition is essential for soil fertility then human nutrition is essential for human fertility, right? Yes, there absolutely needs to be a nutrient-rich environment (body) for a baby to develop.  In order for this to happen, nutrient-rich foods need to be consumed.  Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, quality meat and dairy, eggs and fish have what is termed “nutrient density” – lots of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals per calorie. A diet full of these foods and void of processed nutrient-empty foods is sure to turn your body into a “nutrient-rich” one – perfect for seed planting! 

Another big connection between soil fertility and human fertility are the benefits of microorganisms. Our microbiota (the bacteria that live on and within us) actually outnumber cells that are on our body.  We call them “probiotics” as they are “good” bacteria that can be found on vegetables (specifically fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut and kimchi), fermented beans and cultured dairy such as yogurt and kefir.  Almost all cultures include a fermented food or beverage as part of their daily diet, likely leftover from a time when fermentation was used to preserve foods prior to refrigeration. In our modern times of trying to kill off all bacteria we are starting to realize that the bacteria can actually be very beneficial to health, especially in fertility. Not only do the bacteria help break down food in our digestive system so we can absorb and utilize more nutrients, but they also help keep pathogenic bacteria at bay (such as E. Coli) and help keep our immune system supported.  Similar to soil fertility, the worms keep the pathogenic bacteria low and the beneficial bacteria high while producing nutrients in the composted material. Plus, recent research shows that beneficial bacteria may help prevent early pregnancy loss and improve IVF outcomes.

I often get asked if nutrition is actually important in the role of fertility. While my first instinct is to say “Of course,” as nutrition is important in every aspect of health, I think that comparing human fertility to soil fertility makes it a more obvious connection.  Can you plant a thriving garden in a clay-filled, nutrient-void soil, shady, bug-less patch of your yard?  You can try, but the chances of it growing are slim.  Can you dig up some dirt, add some compost, some worms and seeds in a sunny spot and water and expect to grow tiny seedlings? Your chances are definitely better!  

For more information on Pulling Down the Moon’s nutrition program please visit www.pullingdownthemoon.com or call (312)321-0004 to discuss the best nutrition options for you.