February 14th, 2012

Hint Water Review

Hint Water

As a runner, I know the importance of water when I train and run races. As a human being, I know water is essential everyday. Being pregnant, I need it even more. Regardless of the day or the stage in my life, I need to drink water.

But I hate it.

Water is boring and bland. If I add juice to my water, however, to make it taste better, I am adding calories. Which kind of defeats the purpose of working out. Being pregnant, I really don’t need to be any more huge than I already am.

My other alternative is sparkling water. Generally, it is my drink of choice, but has not been sitting well with me during my pregnancy (hello digestive issues) and I don’t need to burp through a 5 mile race. Not cool.

Thank goodness I stumbled across Hint Water at a blogging conference last year. It became my workout wonder and now my pregnancy partner. It hydrates like water, as it is water, but it has a touch of natural flavoring (no fake stuff!) to make drinking it a pleasure and not a chore. No additional calories, no artificial anything. (Woot.)

And it is a perfect alternative to watered down juice for kids and toddlers.

So if you need to drink more water and need your family to drink it too, here is a hint. Go get some.

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Image Credit: © CharleneChronicles

 

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February 8th, 2012

Toddler Teeth

Teeth Product Review - Spiffies_Molar_MuncherHaving a toddler presents many challenges. The most unique one, that I didn’t see coming, had to do with oral development (aka Teeth).

On the one hand, a toddler is still teething (those nasty molars!). On the other hand, they are old enough to start brushing their teeth. As always, it is up to us parents to figure it all out, and balance the two, very different, needs.

There are a couple of products that I got to try recently. One to help with the incoming molars and another to help with the new teeth brushing routine.

The first to help with teething is a product called Molar Muncher. It is pediatric approved, BPA free, and has other fabulous features. For example, it is a single piece of construction so there are no crevices where germs can hide. It is a dishwasher safe and medical grade non-toxic silicone teether that can be placed in the refrigerator to cool the gums (not freezer safe though). Most importantly for me is that it is designed to prevent nipple confusion and tooth displacement.

The second is to help with teeth cleaning transition. While some toddlers can pick up a toothbrush with no problem, most will need a transition period. The best product for that are tooth wipes, where you can get gums and teeth clean, while your toddler gets used to the sensation of cleaning. A product we fell in love with are the teeth cleaning wipes from Spiffies. Not saying there aren’t other fabulous teeth wipes, but these have natural ingredients, and if you put it in the refrigerator, a cool wipe will not only clean their teeth and gums, but sooth a teething toddlers’ gums. I actually keep a couple in my purse for my toddler and me. I can’t always use a toothbrush when I am on the go, so these clean, and refresh no matter where I am and where I need to be. (Not everything designed for kids just has to be for kids!)

Spiffies also has fluoride free grape flavored toothpaste. (Who wouldn’t want to brush with grape flavor?) It is safe, natural and can be swallowed, so it is a perfect starter toothpaste on all fronts. When my son used the Spiffies toothpaste for the first time, we had to pull the toothbrush away because he wouldn’t stop brushing his teeth. (Didn’t see that coming…)

To learn more about each of the products, visit the product websites, but here is a quick 3 minute video too. The first half explains the products in more detail, and the second half shows my son trying the products. (Such a great assistant.)

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February 7th, 2012

Saves for those Winter Blues

This week Eversave Boston has some fun deals that can save you from the winter blues. Each day, check back here for the my top five ‘winter blue savers’, and take some time to pamper, relax and enjoy. Spring will be here before you know it (despite what the rodent in Pennsylvania said.)

Day One: Massage

Time to let your poor body know you care. Here is a relaxing Save: $35 for a 55-minute therapeutic massage at  Blondie Salon & Spa in Waltham, MA. With five stars on Citysearch and a spot on Boston.com’s A-list, locals call this a “Newbury Street experience in the ‘burbs.”

Day Two: House Cleaning

Being stuck in the house all winter can make you start seeing dust bunnies. Let Ultimate Cleaning sweep them up for a $65 standard cleaning package for one-to three bedroom house or apartment (2,000 square feet or less) within 10 miles within Charlestown, MA. They are bonded and insured professionals, using green products, and take part in regular training classes to keep their tidying techniques sharp — just what you’d expect from a family-owned and operated business.

Day Three: Laser Hair Removal

While swimsuit season is a few months away, start the prep now and imagine how the sun will feel on your stubble-free skin. Get three laser hair removal treatments from A&A Laser in Newton: $99 for three laser hair removal treatments for eyebrows (in between and above), upper lip, chin, sideburns, front of neck, back of neck or underarms, or $149 for three laser hair removal treatments for Brazilian bikini or extreme bikini. You will look fabulous.

Day Four: Flowers

By mid-February, I am craving some green. Flowers, plants, you name it. So at least add some fragrance and color to your indoor space with this deal. $10 for $20 to spend at Mahoney’s second annual Orchid and Tropical Plant Festival from February 11-February 26th in Winchester, Brighton, Tewksbury, Chelmsford, East Falmouth. (PS. Perfect for a Valentine’s Day find too!)

Day Five: Get out of the House

Sometimes all you need to shake the winter blues is to get out of the house and have a nice meal with some friends. Nothing puts the spark back than some good belly laughs. So snag this deal for Appetito in Newton. The money you save can go to another fun gathering.

These deals won’t last long – just like Winter. So heat it up.

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Disclosure: I am an Eversave affiliate. However, all opinions and thought are my own.

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January 10th, 2012

Trop50 Review

UPDATE: In light of the recent reports about the fungicide found in orange juice, Tropicana has stated “We take the faith that consumers place in our products seriously and are committed to full compliance with labeling laws and regulations.”

Glass of Orange JuiceMany of you mentioned that your New Year’s Goals were to cut down on artifical sweeteners and sugars in your diet (and that of your family).

I’m in the same beverage boat.

Most of us Moms even water down juice before giving it to our kids, as we are often concerned about giving them too much sugar. However, if the babysitter, school (or even Dad) gives them full strength juice, they usually catch on. So when you try to water down the juice again, they protest. If your kids are older, and can open the fridge and pour their own drink, all control is lost; other than what you stock your fridge with in the first place.

I have tried to trick the entire family by pre-watering down various beverages in the actual container, but my bluff was called.

Though I worry about sugar, I worry about vitamins too. If I cut down the juice beverages with water, I am also cutting our daily supply of vitamin C. Would it be easier if I gave my toddler an orange? That my husband would be satisfied with glass of water? Absolutely. We all know, however, when it comes to our families, easier said than done.

When I was at a conference last year, I met some representatives from the Tropiciana brand. They were sharing samples of their orange juice beverage called Trop50. The taste is like full strength orange juice, which surprised me. Turns out Trop50 has the zero calorie, all natural Stevia, which gives it the full orange juice-like sweetness with 50% less sugar.

Actually, the Stevia they use is the highest quality available Stevia in the market called Reb A. Something I never considered in other Stevia-based products. Turns out I should. According to the website “Eating Well“, the FDA considers only Reb A a safe sugar substitute. In other words, if you want to use Stevia in your diet, look for Reb A on any ingredient label if the product states it is made with Stevia. Needless to say, Trop50 uses Reb A.

Yet, as always, everything in limitation. Anything with sweetened with Stevia is considered 30 percent sweeter than regular sugar and the recommended daily amount is 4mg per pound of body weight, according to the website “Everyday Health“. So a child who weighs 40 pounds shouldn’t have more than 160mg of Stevia a day. Though sugary in taste, Stevia has a different impact on blood sugars than traditional sugars, which has less impact on my diabetic mother-in-law and sugar sensitive toddler. So you just need to weigh the balance.

While we generally try to stock our fridge with real foods, this is one item I feel comfortable supplementing in my family’s diet, which is why I wanted to share it with you. Especially in lieu of sugary sodas and artificial fruit drinks since Trop50 beverages can be found in Orange, Pomegranate Blueberry, Pineapple Mango, Apple, Lemonade (my personal favorite) and Raspberry Lemonade. All of the bottles are recyclable ‘type one’ plastic, and the plastic bottle is BPA free too. While we all know there are a crazy array of beverages out there, here is one that cuts through a lot of them.

Just to give you a heads up, I noticed that you can get coupons (love those!) and enter to win a sweepstakes on the Trop50 True Resolutions Facebook page until the end of the month. You just have to share your 2012 Goal and you’ll get a coupon for $1 off Trop50 for yourself and 50¢ off coupons for up to 50 of your friends. Whether you submit a resolution or not, you can also enter a sweepstakes to win a $1000 gift card.

Or leave a comment below about your New Year’s resolution and I’ll giveaway a $25 Visa Gift Card to one of you. Happy, Happy New Year, I’d say. Congrats to Jessica S. for winning!

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I received a couple of free Tropicana coupons, but otherwise, the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Image Credit: Nazreth via stock.xchng.com

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January 10th, 2012

Sequenom MaterniT21 DNA Test Review

DNA StrandIn the past 10 years, there has been copious amounts of genetic research. In fact, when I worked in the Massachusetts Legislature, I assisted in the amendment of a law (M.G.L. Chapter 151B), to provide genetic protections for individuals since genetics would be playing a large role in medical care in the decades ahead. One area that genetic testing is playing a new role, is in pre-natal care.

With my background in health care, as well as being pregnant, I have done a lot of research recently on a newly public non-invasive DNA test that screens for three common fetal abnormalities. These abnormalities are often referenced as T21 (Down Syndrome), T18 (Edwards Syndrome) and T13 (Patau Syndrome). This new test is currently offered as an alternative to amniocentesis for patients who screen positive for a risk of Down Syndrome or the other two chromosomal abnormalities.

The information on the test is primarily found on medical websites, which can be often hard to understand through all the medical jargon, and mis-information is often found on pregnancy forum boards. So after an interview with a genetic counselor who was part of the study, a review of the medical literature, public press releases and articles, I will do my best to help anyone reading this to get some generally accurate information that is in one place and (hopefully) easier to read.

What is it?

In the fall of 2011, a company called The Sequenom Center for Molecular Medicine® (Sequenom) published a peer review study showcasing the use of a noninvasive blood test to detect and analyze the DNA in pregnant women. Rather than harvesting placental tissue cells as is required for chorionic villus sampling (CVS), or entering the uterus to sample the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby (as is done with amniocentesis), circulating DNA can be obtained from maternal blood. Since it is just a maternal blood draw, there is no fetal risk as associated with amniocentesis or CVS.

What does it test?

The MaterniT21 test is currently known for testing for the T21 chromosome – the chromosome known to be associated with Down Syndrome. However, according to a press release issued by the company on January 8, 2012, Sequenom stated “In addition, the study results determining the accuracy of the MaterniT21 in detecting two additional fetal abnormalities, Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13, are scheduled to be published in a peer review journal during the first quarter of this year.” So despite the name MaterniT21, the DNA test does scan for T18 and T13 chromosomes as well.

How long has it been available?

Some are concerned that the published Fall 2011 study only had a small sample group (212 women). However, it was just a part of a study. The testing has been done since the late 1990s, but it was not made available to the overall general public because the cost of the test (from collection and transfer to analysis and reporting) was so high ($10,000 to $15,000). It is similar in concept, if you will, to the past production costs of flat-screen TVs. If you recall, a few years ago it would cost you thousands of dollars for a 32 inch LCD TV, and you could only find them in specialty electronic stores. However, the production costs got better and now you can get a flat screen TV for ~$300 at a variety of locations like Walmart. So it doesn’t mean that there was no such thing as a flat screen TV before you were able to buy one, or that no one was using them. It was only accessible to a certain segment of the population. Using that as an example, as the cost of the MaterniT2 test has decreased, so the number of women who are able to access the MaterniT21 test has increased.

What does it cost?

More and more insurance companies are covering the cost of the test, which costs approximately $1,000 to $2,000, and those covered by HMO plans may need to get prior approval. However, Sequenom works with your insurance company for payment. However, if the insurance company rejects the claim, or you are not insured, most patients are only liable for a maximum of $235.

What is the process?

Your blood is either taken at your health care provider’s office or you are sent to a separate lab, which may be a distance away depending on your home state. The blood is currently sent to California for analysis, and it takes approximately eight business days for the pregnant woman to receive the test results.

How does it work?

The lab scans your blood looking for the DNA chromosomes. Scientists (or genetists) know that 3-6% of the blood in your body is from the fetus or carries the fetus’ genetic makeup. They scan your blood to see how often, for example, the T21 chromosome comes up. If they see it more than they should, that is the red flag that someone is making more of it, because if you are carrying a fetus with 3 strands of the T21 DNA (what causes Down Syndrome) and not 2 strands, it would be seen more often in your blood scan. Since you don’t have Down Syndrome, they assume it is the fetus producing the extra chromosome and would give you a positive result. If it looks the way they expect, it is negative. It is important to note that the results provided will be either positive or negative for T21 and positive for T18 or T13. (If you hear nothing about T13 or T18, it is therefore presumed negative.)

How accurate is it?

The key is that, while 99% accurate, it is not definitive as the amnio or a CVS. It is still considered a screen because it is screening your DNA. However, it is superior in accuracy than traditional trimester blood test screenings, quad tests, integrated screening, or sequential screenings since it is actually scanning for DNA and not hormones. Yet a CVS or amniocentesis actually analyzes the DNA strand itself.

So with the MaterniT21 test, you still have a risk factor; albiet a lower one prior to receiving the test. For some, this is still an acceptable level of assurance. For others, it is a more acceptable risk than the miscarriage risks associated with CVS or amniocentesis, which also have higher false positive rates than the MaterniT21 test. So, it is important to speak with a genetic counselor to determine how your own findings, after a first trimester screening, a quad test, integrated or sequential screening, relates to the screening and diagnostic options available to you and your particular needs, wants and desires.

More and more information will be disseminated to the public over the next year as this test is marketed, published, reported, and otherwise provided as an option for pre-natal care screenings. As always, talk to your medical provider to see what is right for you.

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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor so any information provided within this post should not be construed as medical advice or counseling, and was based on data interpreted by me. For full information, you should visit the sites linked within this post or conduct your own research and analysis, including those living with Down Syndrome. I received no compensation for this post.

Image Credit: svilen001 via stock.xchng.com

 

 

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December 15th, 2011

Tips to Stay Healthy

No273 13 Oct 2009 SneezeWhether you are traveling this holiday season, spending a lot of time at the mall or just have little ones a home, tis’ the season to sneeze.

Many of my 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways posts have been about various gift ideas, and how to have a fun and relaxing Holiday season. But what if you get sick? Or your child gets sick? I was sick one Christmas not too long ago. As I coughed, sneezed and tried to peer through my watery eyes to see what people were opening in their Christmas stockings, I really wanted to crawl back into bed.

So I thought I would take the common “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and tweak it to fit the reality of cold and flu season. Because, really, let’s be realistic:

Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house,
Everyone was stirring, yes, even the mouse;
Though the stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
No one cared that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children had fevers as they snuggled in their beds,
While visions of ibuprofen and acetaminophen danc’d in their heads,
And Mama with her handkerchief, and my tissue in my lap,
Had just settled down since our coughing paused for a gap,

When outside the house there arose such a clatter,
But I didn’t energy to see what was the matter.
I hobbled to the window in a non-dash,
Opened the shutters, and hoped not to throw-up on the sash.

When, what to my watering eyes should appear,
But a minature sleigh, filled with cold and flu gear,
With a driver with energy showing he wasn’t sick,
I knew through all the medicine it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than a virus, his coursers they came,
And without a sore throat, he shouted and called them by name;
“Now! Flu, now! Colds, now! Aches, and Cough,
“Off! Fever, off! Watery eyes, off! Pain, Off Off Off!;
“To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
“Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!”

As a hacking cough leaves you high and dry,
St. Nicholas flew up into the sky;
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of aspirin and tissue – and St. Nicholas too:

And despite my ear infection, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I sneezed in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound:

He was dress’d all in scrubs, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnish’d with ashes and snot;
A bundle of pharmaceutical products was flung on his back,
And he look’d like a pharmacist just opening his pack:

His eyes – how they twinkled! Not a watery eye to be found,
His cheeks were like roses, his good health abound;
His non-coughing mouth was drawn up like a bow,
How he never gets sick, I will never know;

The stump of a thermometer he held tight in his teeth,
And the bacteria in the house encircled his head like a wreath.
He didn’t have the stomach flu in his round belly,
He was able to keep down a meal of dried toast and jelly.

He was healthy and happy, a right jolly old elf,
And I was envious when I saw him in spite of myself;
A wink of his clear eye and a twist of his non-aching head
Soon gave me to know that I would no longer have a fever to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill’d my hands with products; then turn’d with a jerk,
And since he didn’t have to blow or wipe his nose,
He gave a quick nod, and up the chimney he rose.

He sprung to his sleigh, since he was healthy as a whistle,
And away they all flew, trying to dodge the sickness missle;
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight-
Happy Christmas to all, and to all a feverless night.

(c) CharleneChronicles

Yes, people, I did write that myself. So no stealing.

But the reality is, what can you do to keep you and your family healthy this winter? Here are 5 basic tips I gleemed from a recent event with Dr. Meg Meeker – a popular pediatrician and leading authority on children’s health. She also has a great book called 10 Habits of Healthy Mothers that I personally can’t wait to read.

 

  • Wash your hands. If you can’t get to water and soap, carry hand-sanitizer and use frequently. We call it “Germie Juice” in our house.
  • Use a humidifier in the house. A study last year by Environmental Health showed that the use of portable humidifiers, like the Vicks Humidifiers, in the home may reduce the survival of airborne flu virus by controlling humidity indoors. Specifically, if the humidity in your home is between 40-60%, the flu virus survival in the air can be dramatically decreased by up to 30 percent for homes with radiant heat and 17 percent for homes with forced air heat. You can buy a humidity thermometer (a.k.a. hygrometer) to check the humidity levels in a certain room.
  • Stock up on items before you get sick so you don’t have to make a trip to the drugstore with a sick (and cranky) child or when you just want to crawl into bed yourself. Products containing Ibuprofen are great for muscle aches and Acetaminophen is great for reducing fevers.
  • Take your child’s temperature before they get sick so you have a baseline to determine how bad the fever is or if they really have a fever. If your child’s everyday temperature is 99.0 degrees, then a temperature reading of 99.5 may not be bad. But if your child’s temperature trends lower like 98.0 degrees, then 99.5 is more alarming.
  • Get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods. We all know that, but a reminder is always good!

If you do get sick:

 

  • Drink plenty of fluids like Gatorade (or pedialyte for kids 3 and under.)
  • Use saline drops in the nose and then an ear sucker (a.k.a. ear syringe) (not a nose sucker, a.k.a nasal aspirator) to unstuff the stuffy nose of little kids who can’t yet blow their nose. The tip (similar to an ear thermometer tip) is easier to get in the nose, which is why it is recommended.
  • Use the right thermometer for accuracy. For children under 2, use a rectal thermometer (ahem…make sure to label it as such and clean it after each use!) For children who are over two, but not ready for an oral thermometer, a Vicks behind-the-ear thermometer is great since it takes the temperature near a major artery (unlike a forehead thermometer.) If you take a temperature orally, make sure not to eat or drink anything hot or cold 30 minutes prior to prevent a false reading.
  • Know the difference between a cold and the flu. A cold lasts 3-5 days and the flu last about a week. Cold symptoms include stuffy heads, low fever, but everyone can still function. Flu is headaches, high fever, body aches, and wanting not to do anything. Plus, you may not always need antibotics. If a cough lasts more than two weeks, has an ear infection or a nasal mucus is thick yellow, you may want to check in with your doctor.

 

All in all, I hope you all have a happy AND healthy holiday season. But to help you with that, as part of my 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, leave a comment about how you stay healthy and enter to win an awesome prize pack containing a Vicks Humidifier, a Vicks Behind Ear Thermometer, and a Vicks Vaporizer! Valued around $100. Thank you Vicks!
Congrats to Justin for winning this awesome prize pack!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post, but did attend a lovely event hosted by 360PublicRelations and Kaz, and also received a goodie bag of Vicks products to keep me healthy and blogging this winter! All opinions and text, however, are my own.

Image Credit: mcfarlandmo via Flickr Creative Commons

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December 13th, 2011

Eating Healthy During the Holidays

While blog posts this time of year are on toys, how to have stress-free holidays, and what to buy your grandmother, it is important to touch upon another issue many of us face: high calorie foods and how to keep the pounds off with all the eggnog.

The first tip is to exercise. Easier said then done, I know, but think in small increments. For example, instead of circling the mall parking lot looking for a spot near the mall entrance, park far away and walk. Take the stairs rather than the escalator or elevator at the mall or at work. On the phone, scheduling appointments? Do squats while you are standing there. Even if you don’t do these little things the rest of the year, do it during the holidays when food leans towards cookie swaps and high fat appetizers, and you’ll have a better chance starting the new year without having to lose the extra weight.

The second tip, of course, is to watch what you eat. Pass on the cheese dip, and stick with the veggies. If you really must taste the eggnog, have a small taste rather than a whole glass. The basic mantra is to avoid when you can, and minimize when you can’t.

If you have control over the menu, pick foods that are lower calories and fat, or use ingredients that have better nutritional value. For example, you can buy light eggnog. Instead of sour cream for the french onion dip, use plain Greek yogurt which has 0% fat, lesser calories and higher protein. Pick crackers for that cheese tray that have higher fiber.

Of course, when you go to the grocery store and you see all the crackers lining the shelves, how do you know which cracker is better for you without having to read every label? If you have a toddler in tow, who has time for that? Luckily there are some grocery stores that have done the work for us. Shaw’s/Star Market has a new program called Nutrition IQ. It guides you through the store with color-coding tags to highlight key nutrition attributes throughout the store.

shaws nutrition iq

How did they choose the featured foods? Food products are first screened for lower levels of saturated fat, sodium, and for some categories, sugar. Then for each qualifying products, they use established FDA Nutrient Content Claims for most of the foods and products to identify up to two key nutrients that contribute to a healthy diet. You’ll see these attributes right on the tags and signs next to those foods. It looks like this:

Shaws Nutrition IQ

Or like this:

Shaws Nutrition IQ

So if you see a tag next to a box of ABC cereal, but not XYZ cereal, it means that the ABC cereal is a better nutritional option.

To make it easier, they have a great website with information and tips for diabetes, a gluten-free diet, better kids nutrition, heart health, or for lower blood pressure. Thus, if you are doing your holiday party shopping, or even your everyday shopping and want assistance in making better product choices, check out Shaw’s or Star Market! And as part of my 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways, while I gave away everything from toys, tickets, spa passes and stocking stuffers, I also gave away a $25 gift card to Shaws so you can take the steps you need to have a healthy, as well as a happy, holiday season. Congrats to Barbara for winning!

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Disclosure: I received no compensation for this post, but did attend a lovely event with a gift bag, hosted by Shaw’s and learned about the program. The gift card I received is part of this giveaway. All opinions are my own.

 

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December 5th, 2011

Holiday Comforts

TP_125X125_LOGO

{Note} This #clevercomforts post is #spon (sponsored) by Tempur-Pedic, the brand millions of owners trust to deliver their best night’s sleep every night. Enjoy our Buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer now and give the gift of custom comfort to someone you love.

Candles
We have all seen the studies and articles proving that the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year is the most stressful time for the average family. Yet, the question is, how to minimize that stress?

For many of us, we cannot eliminate it or avoid it, despite what psychologists and talk show hosts urge us to do. The best thing we can do is find comfort in the things that make us happy, invoke a sense of calm and enable us to turn off the ads, the deal emails, the invitations to the 20th holiday party, the annoying relatives, the stack of holiday cards that need stamps, and, of course, the long lines for everything. (Did I capture it all?)

While I am not an expert, I have some ideas on little comforts that can make the holiday season special.

1) Write an annual letter to your child. There is nothing to put things more in perspective when you look back over the past year in the life of your child. The holidays are a great time to mark your child’s growth with a special message. Seal the letter and store them in a keepsake box until they are old enough to read and enjoy them.

2) Take a walk with the family that is not at the mall. Walking is a great way to spend time with each other (and work off the egg nog!). Set aside time, even if it’s for 15 minutes, to get outside and stretch your legs with the family; bond over each other and not the latest toy for the holiday season.

4) Leave a legacy that lasts (and helps the environment). Each New Year’s Day, plant a tree in honor of your child(ren). Hold a special ceremony in which everyone in the family plays a part in planting that year’s tree, and take lots of pictures, both when the tree is planted and over the years as it grows.

5) Take part in a community service project as a family. Designate a day that will be devoted to serving others in your community or if you really are swamped this time of year, at least take a moment to donate a toy to a local organization. Sometimes, doing some good can make you feel good.

6) Bake some cookies. Don’t worry about making them taste edible or looking good. Just get the whole family involved, even the young ones. Assign them tasks like stirring or making shapes. Then have fun decorating the cookies with festive music in the background and some hot chocolate at your elbows.

6) Burn a holiday candle, even if it is at 9am. Whether Balsam Fir, or Cinnamon Sparkle, light a candle (safely & out of the way of children and pets) and enjoy the warm glow and fragrant scent. There is something about smelling peppermint or cinnamon this time a year that can put you in a great mood.

7) Buy new sheets. Sometimes it is only at the end of the day, when we climb into bed, that you can find some comfort and bliss. Get some high-thread count sheets (you can find great discounts at retailers like HomeGoods, TJMaxx or Marshalls) or a soft throw to snuggle up on the couch with. Better yet, upgrade your pillow to a Tempur-Pedic. (And spread the love with their current buy 2, get 1 free pillow offer!)

All in all, enjoy the season. Take deep breaths when you can and remember the little things, like family and friends, are what truly make the holiday season special.

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Disclosure: I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. {A rockin’ network I might add.}

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October 13th, 2011

Exercising While Pregnant

Chicago Marathon

Image via Wikipedia

So there have been a lot of articles about the woman who ran the Chicago Marathon at 39 weeks pregnant and gave birth just hours later. Her doctors had given her the go ahead and the race officials did not ban her from running. So she did.

I love this story for many reasons, but mainly because it shows times are changing again for women and sports. Just 40 years ago, women were pulled off a marathon courses because marathons were only for men. It wasn’t until 1972, that women were allowed to run the Boston Marathon, for example.

I also love this story because it shows times are changing for women’s health. As soon as you got the official diagnosis that you were, indeed, preggo, the nurse or doctor told you to start ‘taking it easy’. In fact, when I became pregnant about three years ago, I was told to stop running immediately. I was just six weeks along and there was no medical reason to stop. I had just run a marathon 8 months prior too. But it was just the common pregnancy medical advisory.

Fast forward to today. Most doctors and nurses are changing their guidance and are encouraging women to stay active during their pregnancies. Science is showing the benefits of exercise on the fetus, and the fact that scientists are even studying exercise and pregnancy is a big win for women’s health.

Yet, it is important to remember that only one percent of the world population has run a marathon, and since many marathons are only certain times of year, to be able to find one on the race calendar when you are 39 weeks pregnant is the luck of the draw. But the essential point of the story is that this woman (Amber Miller) was able to run the Chicago Marathon because she had run marathons in the past. Which, basically, is the key point with regard to exercising when pregnant:

 

    1. Don’t start anything new. Don’t start running when pregnant if you have never run before. If you have run before, but no more than 5 miles, don’t start training for a marathon, etc.
    2. Listen to your doctors. While Amber completed the Chicago Marathon, she didn’t actually run the whole way. She ran half and walked half based on her doctor’s advice, which is also part of point number three.
    3. Watch your core temperature. The key to exercising while pregnant is to raise your heart rate to get the health benefits, but you have to be careful about increasing your core temperature, which can be harmful to a fetus. It is the same reason why you can’t take long hot showers while you are pregnant. So find activities that don’t elevate it too much, or balance such exercise with periods of rest, like Amber did with her run/walk schedule.
    4. Find safe exercise options. As your pregnancy progresses, your core shifts, which is why pregnant women become ‘off balance’ while walking. So make sure the exercises you pick don’t challenge that balance, which would increase your risk of falling. Stick with ‘straight-line’ exercises like walking (or running), swimming or the ellipitcal machine. Perhaps skip classes like step aerobics that require you to twist and spin (plus as you get bigger it gets harder to see the step!)
    5. Don’t forget strength. While aerobic exercises are important during pregnancy, so are strength exercises. So remember to incorporate some weights into your exercise schedule, but listen to your doctor about how much you can lift and stick to machines if you can, as they will make sure your posture is in line. This is key since pregnant women’s muscles ‘relax’ as a pregnancy progresses and there is an increased risk of a ‘pulled’ muscle if you don’t perform the exercise correctly.

 

All in all, exercise and pregnancy is showing to be a good thing. While many doctors’ wouldn’t advise many pregnant women to run a marathon, the fact that we can, and are not banned from doing so, is a wonderful advancement for women. The information gleaned from such pursuits could generate key data for health advancements. A win-win for all of us.

 

Charlene is a seven time marathon runner and a certified aerobics instructor. However, this post should not be construed as medical advice and you should talk to your doctor about any exercise program.

 

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October 11th, 2011

Body Image

Body Image IssuesI saw this on Facebook last week. It is was a post someone shared, from a woman (clothing size unknown) about women, body image and the societial pressure between the two. It is probably something you can find out there on the internet, but it went like this:

“A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and beautiful woman. The caption was “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?” The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

“Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness. They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia. They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on CDs. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish? They would have no sex life and could not bear children. Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side? Without a doubt, I’d rather be a whale. 

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends. We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn’t enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies. We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated. Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: “How amazing am I ?!”

So, what do you think?

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Image credit: CarbonNYC via Flickr Creative Commons

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