Welcome to our Meet the Experts blog! We have found that we have been lucky enough to really get to know all the wonderful and talented speakers, writers and experts that are part of Mommybites. In addition to speaking and writing about their areas of expertise, they also have incredible journeys, life advice, and stories to share. We hope you will enjoy getting to know them as much as we have!
This week’s Expert: Aimee Raupp, MS, LAc.
Q: Tell us a little about you (your background, your job, what makes you tick or anything else you think our Mommybites moms will find interesting).
A: I am extremely passionate about health–and about helping people achieve their optimal state of health. As an acupuncturist and herbalist I do this clinically with my patients, and as an author, blogger and alternative health expert I do this through writing and speaking. I love engaging people in conversations that inspire them to respect their health-mentally, physically and emotionally.
Interesting fact: Traditional Oriental Medicine has a whole set of theories and practices related to fertility. My first book, Chill Out & Get Healthy, includes a chapter on “Preparing the Palace” – which is what I call the process for optimizing the female reproductive system to improve fertility. In my role as acupuncturist and herbalist, I’ve helped hundreds of women – who were told their chances of getting pregnant were slim to none – get pregnant and have beautiful, healthy children.
Q: What or who inspires you?
A: My patients inspire me. Every day I hear so many different stories about joy and loss and love and adversity. Gratitude inspires me– I have been so fortunate and have such a lust for life. I’m so grateful for that.
Q: What is your best piece of parenting advice?
A: One thing I always try to encourage parents to do is to be sure they are finding at least a few minutes a day for themselves. I think a parent who is still in touch with the core of who they are brings so much to their children. I myself am planning to have children in the next few years and from my friends, family and patients I am acutely aware of the challenges parents have in finding balance. I hope I can do it.
Q: What’s the worst piece of parenting advice you have heard?
A: “I would never do that with my child” – as I was always taught not to judge. Of course, I understand it’s difficult not to judge some situations, but we don’t always know the context of the situation. We have to do what is best for our children and for our families and respect that others are trying to do the same.
Q: What’s the most common question you are asked by parents?
A: How do I keep my child healthy? How do I take time for me without feeling guilty that I’m taking time from my child? How can I get my body back after having a baby? Should I vaccinate my child and when?
Q: What are some of your favorite T.V. shows? Books? Foods?
A: I always catch 60 Minutes on Sundays. I read a ton about health and nutrition. One of my all-time favorite (non-trade) books is The Alchemist. I’m a big believer that we are always where we are supposed to be. As for food – I’m a sucker for grass-fed beef meatballs. I cook them all the time and even upload photos of them onto Facebook and Twitter. LOL.
Q: What parenting books do you most recommend to parents?
A: Books on parenting: Simplicity Parenting, 1-2-3 Magic and Raising Your Spirited Child.
And an amazing book on transitioning and becoming a mother is The Birth of a Mother.
The reason I recommend these books is they are about balance and patience – what I see as “no-resistance” parenting – and they have all been spoken of highly by dedicated and nurturing parents in my practice.
Q: What are some of your favorite parenting products?
A: I’m a big advocate on feeding children wholesome foods that are as minimally processed as possible. However, I understand the need for convenient and easy options, so I like the Happy Baby and Plum Organics easy, on-the-go organic and nutrient-rich products.
Q: If you could be someone else for a day who would it be and why?
A: The Dalai Lama. A day of experiencing his immense enlightenment, contentment, peace and joy would be so nourishing and centering and uplifting. I’m by nature an optimistic and grounded person, but his level of mindfulness is supreme.
Q: What’s up next for your professionally?
A: Gosh… a lot. I have several exciting endeavors brewing… the foremost is my next book, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant: The Diet That Will Improve Your Fertility Now & Into Your 40’s.** This book is being published as a pre-release to a full fertility book. So much of my private practice is focused on fertility enhancement, and as the incidence of infertility continues to rise, I felt compelled to pre-release this imperative dietary information to help as many women as possible conceive (check out this video where I discuss my top 3 fertility foods. Besides the upcoming books, I am working on a beauty line, which I am just loving and having so much fun with. And, as always, I am speaking and touring and writing and growing my practice.
Q: Are there any other questions you wish we asked? If so, what – and how would you answer?
A: Why do I love writing for Mommybites? It’s an immense resource for mothers that offers so much more than basic parenting “rules” – it’s a space for mothers to learn how to nourish their children, their personal lives and their happiness. I’m proud to be a part of your team. Thank you.
** Attention Mommybites community: Aimee’s new book, Yes, You Can Get Pregnant: The Diet That Will Improve Your Fertility Now & Into Your 40’s is available now! Purchase the e-book or pre-order the print version here.
Aimee‘s Contact information:
Company Name: Aimee E. Raupp MS, LAc
Website link: aimeeraupp.com
Email address: aimee@aimeeraupp.com
Facebook page link: Aimee-E-Raupp-MS-LAc
Twitter handle: @aimeeraupp
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributors. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Guest writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.