Prenatal Vitamins : American Pregnancy Association

Prenatal supplements consist of a variety of vitamins and minerals. During pregnancy, a woman’s daily intake requirements for certain nutrients, such as folic acid (folate), calcium, and iron will increase. Vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, and folic acid are vital for proper fetal growth, development, and healthy adult living.

To help increase your chances of creating a healthy and nutritious environment in which your baby can develop, it is important that you establish a well-balanced diet and exercise routine before you get pregnant. If you choose to supplement your diet with synthetic nutrients, be sure to keep track of daily amounts that you take and let your health care provider know.

If you are interested in learning more about a prenatal vitamin or getting a free sample that you can drink, please feel free to contact OXYLENT toll-free at 1-877-699-5368

Choose Wisely

Multivitamin combinations can vary depending on the nutritional focus. For example, some manufacturers will create multivitamins that have a higher amount of iron than usual, targeting women who are prone to iron-deficiency anemia. While certain prenatal multivitamins are only available by a doctor’s prescription, many of them are available over the counter. Keep in mind that it is possible to jeopardize your baby’s (or your own) health by taking inappropriate amounts of synthetic vitamins, so be sure your health care provider is aware of any supplements you are taking.

Talk to Your Health Care Provider

Avoid taking several different supplements unless under a health care provider’s supervision; instead take one multivitamin that includes a variety of needed nutrients in one dose. Combining supplements (such as taking a folic acid supplement along with your multivitamin, etc.) can raise concerns because you run the risk of overdosing on a particular nutrient. Taking more than 100% the RDA of any nutrient should be avoided during pregnancy unless under the direction of your health care provider.

If your typical daily diet consists of unprocessed foods, fruits, a colorful variety of vegetables, whole grains, lentils, and plenty of water, then you will likely have sufficient vitamins and minerals already in your body. As long as you are eating a well balanced diet, you need not fear overdosing on nutrients found naturally in foods (although some studies have shown symptoms of toxicity after large consumption of animal organs, like liver). However, supplements (synthetic vitamins and minerals) are a different story. They contain higher doses in concentrated form, which can be dangerous if taken in improper amounts. Always let your health care provider know what nutritional supplements you are taking. Consider taking your supplement bottles with you to your first prenatal visit.

Synthetic vitamin supplements can be helpful ways of including vital nutrients in your daily meals. Vitamins and minerals are essential to healthy development of your baby, as well as your own physical health. Be sure to speak with your health care provider about nutrition before you conceive if you are planning to get pregnant in the near future, or as soon as you know you are pregnant.

If you are interested in learning more about a prenatal vitamin or maybe getting a sample that you can drink, please feel free to contact OZYLENT toll-free at 1-877-699-5368

Last Updated: 12/2011


Compiled using information from the following sources:

Jellin, JM, Gregory, PJ, Batz, F, Hitchens, K, et al. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. 4th ed. Stockton, CA: Therapeutic Research Faculty; 2002: pg 735, 1274, 1281, 1287 and 1379.

Natural Standard. Retrieved 10/06, from http://www.naturalstandard.com/.>

Williams Obstetrics Twenty-Second Ed. Cunningham, F. Gary, et al Ch 8.

 
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Workshops Health Retreats, Yoga & Meditation Retreats, Vegan and ...

Hepburn Retreat Centre offers a range of accommodation and individual or group retreat activities, just over an hour's drive from Melbourne in Victoria's spa country.

group retreats and workshops

including yoga retreats, meditation retreats, cooking retreats, singing workshops, massage courses & fasting retreats

Retreats & Workshops Calendar

Click here to read more about Individual Retreats

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One World Yga and Meditation Retreat with Anahata GiriMeditation REtreat

with Rajeev & James

Friday 13th to Sunday 15th July 2012

The Mid Winter Meditation Weekend Intensive entwines all our wisdom, inspiration, experience, knowledge and heart space resulting in a woven tapestry that is diverse, rich, colourful, challenging and joyful.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 Relax in the Meditation Garden Cooking at Hepburn Retreat Centre
More about the Mid Winter Meditation Weekend Intensive...

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Weekend Yoga Retreat with BeverleyWeekend yoga retreat

with Beverley Ellis

Friday 27th to Sunday 29th July 2012

During this wonderful weekend you will be guided to journey into the depths of your true self to reawaken who you truly are. Ignite the passion and drive to move forward on your journey through life.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 Relax in the Meditation Garden Cooking at Hepburn Retreat Centre
More about Beverley's weekend Yoga retreat...

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vegan cooking workshopvegan cooking & yoga retreat

cooking with wholefooods

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th August 2012

Learn how to cook delicious vegan and vegetarian meals that promote health & vitality on this 2 day vegan cooking course with Alexis and Ostii. Explore the art of preparing and cooking grains, pulses and vegetables to create optimum nourishment, flavour and visual appeal.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 Relax in the Meditation Garden Cooking at Hepburn Retreat Centre
More about the August Vegan Cooking for Health and Yoga retreat...

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a weekend of healthy wholefoods cooking

Friday 14th to Sunday 16th September 2012

Ever wanted to know ho to make exciting, tasty, nutritious vegan food? This three day retreat will introduce you to a range of cooking methods, ideas and ingredients, to spice up your food preparation for yourself and your friends.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 Relax in the Meditation Garden Cooking at Hepburn Retreat Centre
More about the September Vegan Cooking and Yoga retreat...

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vegan cooking workshopweekend yoga retreat

with Ambika Chadwick

Friday 5th to sunday 7th October 2012

This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in 'Yoga life'. You'll be eating healthy vegetarian meals, meditating and practicing Asanas each day. You'll also get the chance to meet and chat with your fellow yogis from Breathe.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 vegan food preparation - cooking with wholefoods course alexis in the kitchen - vegan cooking course
More about the Weekend Yoga retreat...

hepburn retreat centre

vegan cooking workshopvegan cooking & yoga retreat

cooking with wholefooods

Friday 26th to Sunday 28th October 2012

Learn how to cook delicious vegan and vegetarian meals that promote health & vitality on this 2 day vegan cooking course with Alexis and Ostii. Explore the art of preparing and cooking grains, pulses and vegetables to create optimum nourishment, flavour and visual appeal.

vegan cooking preparation - wholefoods cooking course june 2010 Relax in the Meditation Garden Cooking at Hepburn Retreat Centre
More about the October vegan cooking for Health and Yoga retreat...

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Read about past retreats and workshops at Hepburn Retreat Centre.

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individual retreats

Click here to see information about Group Retreats

rest, relax, rejuvenate retreats

You can self-cater, or book into one of our residential retreat programs.

Care for yourself....and learn how to improve your lifestyle. Specialising in Vegan Cooked & Raw Food preparation, yoga and meditation in peaceful surroundings.

Short Breaks

Get out of Melbourne for the weekend with a one or two day B & B escapes, staying in a private room and/or booking into our vegan banquet. These Short Breaks provide a basis for your own holiday exploration of the Hepburn region; with self- catering and retreat activity options.

Natural Living Programs

Select and pre-book one of our residential Natural Living Programs, including our rest and relaxation retreat or rejuvenation retreat.

Rest and Relaxation Retreat

These 2/3 day weekend retreats commence on a Friday evening and finish on the Sunday afternoon. They include full board, yoga and meditation, tuition and health information, with personal time allocation during the day and evening. Various themes are offered on a rotating basis, including

  • Yoga, Meditation and Silence
  • Cooked Food Preparation
  • Guided Bush-walking
  • Rawfood Preparation

Rejuvenation Retreat

These 4/5 day retreats are made available to 1 or 2 people, from the 4th Saturday of each month, until the following Thursday; initially from February until Easter. You will have the chance for periods of deep rest, while experiencing a rawfood diet during your stay.

Garden fruit at HRC

Your Host - Zalan Glen

Zalan worked as a consulting engineer for 20 years in both Australia and the U.K. prior to relocating to Hepburn Springs. His interest in wholistic health led to a vegan diet in 1992. He continued with private studies, leading to a Diploma in Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies in 1998, a post graduate Certificate in Nutrition in 2004, and subsequently completed the ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayerveda) Yoga Teacher Training course in 2005.

As proprietor of Continental House (now Hepburn Retreat Centre), he has both witnessed and interacted with a broad range of philosophies and teachings, and a diversity of health and healing modalities during the last 20 years.

Zalan presently practises a daily yoga, meditation and vegan raw food regime. Together with Natural Hygiene and Nature Cure principals, these interests form the context and foundation for Hepburn Retreat Centre activities and lifestyle.

I trust you will enjoy your stay, and I look forward to assisting you on the journey to improving your own health in a natural, peaceful way

Best Wishes In peace and health, Zalan

All of these yoga and meditation retreats will be held in the resort town of Hepburn Springs at Hepburn Retreat Centre
9 Lone Pine Avenue
Hepburn Springs
Victoria 3461
(turn left at Golden Springs Ave opposite phone-box outside Spa Complex car-park)

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True Buddha School Net English Homepage

4.The Energy Practices of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond
Translated by Janny Chow of Purple Lotus Society

Higher Beings in the Background

An elderly monk, who had been doing spiritual cultivation for many years, once told me, `Behind each cultivator who has attained success, whether in the internal domain or external domain (of worldly undertakings), there is always the presence of Helper Guides from higher realms.`

These invisible Helper Guides are the real directors behind the scenes. As a result, some of the essences of the Helper Guides manifest themselves on the cultivator. By observing these essences, a person with the Wisdom of Discriminatory Awareness will be able to determine the identities of the Helper Guides.

The elderly monk also went on to say that while some cultivators have only one Helper Guide, some have multiple Helper Guides. In some cases, the Helper Guides only stay for a little while and then take off. In other cases, the Helper Guides constantly follow the cultivator around. It is a phenomenon in which each case is unique and may be quite complex.

According to the elderly monk, Helper Guides of great adepts are from higher levels in the spirit realm`s hierarchy, while Helper Guides of cultivators of lesser achievements are from the ranks of earth spirits, water spirits, lake spirits, and tree spirits. Cultivators who have not attained any accomplishments only have unrefined chi in their bodies, without any trace of Helper Guides.

The elderly monk divulged the following analysis:

Dharma Master Cheng Yen`s Helper Guide is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Venerable Master Hsing Yun`s Helper Guide is Lord of the Greater Yin Mountain Palace.

Supreme Master Ching Hai`s Helper Guide is the Great Brahmadeva.

Venerable Master Hsuan Hua`s Helper Guide is the Shurangama King Bodhisattva.

Venerable Master Miao Lian`s Helper Guide is Kuan Yin Bodhisattva.

I asked the elderly monk, `Who is my Helper Guide then?`

`The Golden Mother of the Jade Pond!` said the elderly monk laughingly.

Since Amitabha is my Personal Deity, Shakyamuni Buddha (Three-Peaks) and the Five Buddhas and Four Bodhisattvas of the Central Court of the Garbhadhatu Manadala (Nine-States) are my teachers, isn`t it strange that my Helper Guide is the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond?

The elderly monk explained, `It is true that a strong component of the light and energy in your body can be traced to the realms of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. But, there is also a very unique stream of light and energy manifested unintentionally by you which is like a colorful whirlwind. This whirlwind of light often appears on your body and it signifies the presence of multiple empowerment from a Higher Being. This unusual light pattern is the light and energy of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond. That is why, seriously speaking, the Golden Mother is your Helper Guide!`

The elderly monk further elaborated, `There is more to it. The Divine Light of the Golden Mother is an important component of the Lei Tseng [Thunder Store] temples and local chapters of your True Buddha School. Often times, being the main deity and Bodhisattva-in-residence at the Lei Tseng temples, the Golden Mother`s Divine presence is the strongest there.`

I did not raise any objection to the analysis proffered by this elderly monk with wisdom-eyes.

My Affinity with the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond

I, of course, am aware of the affinity between the Golden Mother and myself. All I have to do is look into the past-life LDs (seed consciousness). I know both of our identities and that we are intimately related. Therefore, when the close attendants of the Golden Mother (Tung Hsiang-cheng, Yu-yi, Hua-lin, Ching-e, Yao-chi, and Mei-lan) meet me, they all treat me with respect.

The rank of the Golden Mother in the spiritual hierarchy is extremely high. That is why many religious sects have made her into a principal deity of their own and have given her names such as Mother Empress, Imperial Mother, Lao Shen Niang, etc. Many of the names attributed to her were actually creations of Taoist practitioners in later generations.

In Taoism, the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond is the One Breath of Earlier Heaven (Hsien-tien Yi-chi). Based on my perceptions:

One Breath of Earlier Heaven - Dharma Body
Golden Mother of the Jade Pond - Bliss Body
Hou Hui - Emanation Body

The following comparison also may be made between the Immortal realms of Taoism and the three realms of Heavens in Buddhism:

Realm of Desire - Realm of Earth Immortals
Realm of Form - Realm of Heaven Immortals
Realm of Formless Pure Spirit - Realm of Golden Immortals

The rank of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond is unimaginable. Based on investigations using my Buddhic powers, the Five Directions Mystical Breaths in Taoism are equivalent to the Five Directions Buddhas in Buddhism. Of course, the rank of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond is just as high as that of a Five Direction Buddha, and only second to those of the Hsuan-hsuan Shang-jen and Mu-kung Shang-sheng.

My comparison of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond to one of the Five Directions Buddhas is based on true knowledge and not because I want to lavish praise on her. However, I also know all too well that this kind of statement from me will be met by absolute rejection in Buddhist circles. The Buddhist religious establishment has regarded the immortals of Taoism as beings who have not attained ultimate realization or Perfect Enlightenment.

In truth, the various methods of spiritual cultivation may be likened to the scaling of a mountain. If the summit is the `Buddha Fruit,` then there is more than one way of climbing the mountain; many paths may be developed to enable one to reach the peak. The source of the Buddhadharma realized by Shakyamuni Buddha is rooted in Indian Brahmanism and Hinduism. The Buddhadharma of Shakyamuni Buddha is of course superior to Brahmanism and Hinduism, but its roots are, nonetheless, planted in the soil of Brahmanism.

After Indo-Buddhism was introduced into China, it incorporated some of the aspects of the native Taoism and became Chinese Buddhism. In terms of esoteric practices, the supreme yoga tantra and energy practices of Tibetan Buddhism are quite similar to the practices of chi-kung and the internal alchemy of Taoism. These are just different approaches leading to the same results.

Because of our relationship at the level of `seed consciousness,` I am aware of the deep and practically inseparable affinity between the Golden Mother and me. That is why I would not refute the elderly monk`s declaration that the Golden Mother is the High Being who is helping me.

The Energy Practices of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond

There are the two following passages in the Yao-ch`ih chin-mu p`u-tu hsiu-yuan ting-hui chieh-t`o chen-ching (Golden Mother of the Jade Pond`s Sutra on Liberation through Stillness and Wisdom):

`To cultivate the Tao is to return to the source of everything. The Tao is the source of everything. This source gives rise to branches which give rise to leaves. Leaves give rise to flowers, and flowers give rise to fruits. Men and the myriad creatures may have different appearances and characteristics, but the principles underlying their development from the source are the same. When the connection with the source is firm, roots will grow; well-developed roots give rise to abundant foliage. Poor connection with the source leads to the withering of roots, which leads to sparse foliage. The purpose of cultivation is to strengthen the connection with the source. How is this done? By actualizing filial and brotherly love and refining vibrant vital and spirit energies. When one practices filial and brotherly love, the heart will be free of guilt. When the vital and spirit energies are strong, Tao is attainable. To cultivate the Tao is to simply recover one`s Original Face. It is through the same areas that vital and spirit energies have dissipated that they have to be retrieved.

`Liberation is not difficult to attain if one can achieve stillness and wisdom. When the body and mind rest in meditative stillness, wisdom is engendered. With the engendering of wisdom, liberation is feasible. To realize liberation, the first requisite is to eliminate the six robbers: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, bodily sensation, and mental consciousness. When the six robbers are shut away, one sees clearly the nature of the five aggregates of form, perceptions, thoughts, intents, and consciousness. When the five aggregates are understood, wisdom is engendered. At this stage, ching, chi, and shen will arise to merge and travel freely both ascending and descending. With strong and vibrant energies, one enters into the stage of liberation.`

The Energy Practices of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond have pointed out the following:

1) To cultivate the Tao is to strengthen the connection with the source.
2) To cultivate the Tao is to recover the Original Face.
3) The key is `to retrieve vital and spirit energies through the same areas where they have dissipated.`
4) When the body and mind rest in stillness, wisdom is engendered.
5) When the six forms of `externally directed consciousness` are transcended, one gains a clear understanding of the true nature of the five aggregates that constitute a personality.
6) Ching, chi, and shen have to circulate freely, both ascending and descending.

On the day I was initiated into Buddhism and Taoism, the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond helped me to activate my psychic abilities and obtain instantaneous divine-sight. That same night, I was led to travel throughout many of the heavenly realms. These well-known events have been recorded in my early spiritual books.

I have also engaged in many of the energy practices of the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond, such as the `Sword Tempering Method,` `Great Incubating Method,` `Pill Cauldron Method,` and `Ultimate Correct Method.` Although the techniques of these Taoist energy practices of the Golden Mother differ from those of the energy practices of the Tibetan Buddhists, the underlying principles behind them are the same. The following is a brief summation of my analysis:

`Strengthening the connection with the source` is equivalent to the Buddhist Tantric practice of `achieving non-leakage in body, speech, and mind.` It is stated in Tantra that `leakage leads to falls.` There are four bodily leakages: genitalia, oral [mouth], skin pores, and urinary/excretory. The four types of chi that can leak through the mouth are: shang-hsing chi, hsia-hsing chi, ping-teng chi, and pian-hsing chi. The four ways that energy can leak from the mind are: craving, greed, ignorance, and wrong views.

`Recovering the Original Face` is tantamount to the Personal Deity Yoga of Buddhist Tantra. When a practitioner succeeds in the Personal Deity Yoga practice and transforms himself from an ordinary mortal to the Personal Deity, he is `recovering his Original Face.`

The key to the Golden Mother`s energy practices (retreiving vital and spirit energies through the same areas where they have dissipated) has great significance. It is in fact the same as the Tantric practices of `cultivation of body, speech, and mind` and `cultivation of prana, channels, and light drops.`

`When the body and mind rest in meditative stillness, wisdom is engendered.` This is the same as the three studies of `disciplines, stabilization, and wisdom` in Buddhism.

The shut-down of the `six consciousnesses` and the understanding of the `five aggregates` are subjects covered by the Mind Only School [Yogachara] of Buddhism.

Ching, chi, and shen (generative, vital, and spirit energies) are the three key elements in Taoist energy practices. Prana(chi), channels, and light drops are the three key elements in Tantric Buddhist energy practices. And I have listed them as follows:

Ching is light drops.

Chi is prana.

Shen is the manifestation of light and wind in the channels.

The truth is, the `Sword Tempering Method` is a foundation practice of the Highest Tantra, the `Great Incubating Method` is equivalent to the Treasure Vase Chi and Psychic Heat practices, the `Pill Cauldron Practice` is the `light drop` practice, and the `Ultimate Correct Method` results in the emergence of Clear Light and the Void.

The energy practices of the Golden Mother are, indeed, directly linked to the energy practices of Buddhist Tantra. When I started my practices on the Buddhist energy yogas, I realized that I had a complete understanding on them already. Penetrating one door is tantamount to penetrating all doors; all of the energy practices became clear and lucid to me.

Many Buddhist monks have accused me of practicing heresy when they saw my devotion to the Golden Mother. In reality, my cosmic view encompasses the Oneness - in expansion I do not find anything outside of me and in contraction I do not find anything inside of me, a state where the outside does not differ from the inside.

Many Buddhist monks have asked me not to enshrine and honor the Golden Mother of the Jade Pond at my Ling Shen Ching Tze Temple. I ask them back, `If I should not honor her, whom should I honor? Should I honor your grandmother instead?`

Please excuse my impudent remarks to the monks, but the Golden Mother is the first Deity who initiated me into Buddhism and thus made it possible for me to achieve Realization and Perfect Enlightenment through practicing Buddhism and Taoism. When I drink from the fountain of success in cultivation, how can I not remember from whence it sprung? If I do not honor and revere the Golden Mother, whom should I revere?

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