BREAD, BEAUTY, BABIES

IN Ancient Greece, a wonderful custom after a baby's birth was the Fates table. This was a special table laid to placate the three fates (Clotho, who weaves the thread of life, Lachesis who spins it and Atropos who cuts). 

The third night after a baby's birth they laid the table with sweet bread, milk and honey,figs and raisins. They placed a ball of yarn on the table, which symbolized a long life. They put nothing on the table with which the yarn could be cut: so no knives, scissors or a razor.

The special bread was made with honey and cinnamon and was decorated with flowers and grapes. Because the custom survived in Christianity (as the Virgin Mary table) you can put a little silver or golden cross at the center of the bread.

Sometimes doughnuts were also baked to accompany the feast.

The three Fates are goddesses of childbirth, too, like Hera and Artemis.

I think all pregnant women are beautiful. A pregnant belly is feminine and lovely. But, for me, the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen is Kate Hudson!