New Year, New You: Tips for the Lazy

Let’s not deny it, Moms. We can be a lazy bunch, especially when it comes to our resolutions each year.

It’s not easy; after all, we have a million and one things already on our to-do list. It never ends.

Who here makes resolutions and actually sticks to them? Not me.

If you do, I truly and whole-heartedly applaud you!

Also, this post may not be for you.

I’m here to talk to the lazy folk. Let me re-word that.

The beautiful, lackadaisical, well-intentioned ladies that really want to accomplish and cross off all on their to-do list but tend to fall off the wagon a few times throughout the year (*cough*January 2^nd*).

It’s not a crime slipping on your resolutions and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with you. It’s just really tough sticking to goals when it can seem a little insurmountable to our already long list of things to do.

I think what needs to change is writing a resolutions list. 

I do love lists though. I'm list-obsessed. It helps me stay organized and the feeling of crossing things off is amazing. 

But perhaps for your resolutions, start the year with a fresh new and positive perspective on life. Make it a goal (in your head) to make it a year filled with lots of FUN and ACTION and more time with your children.

Less time in front of a computer or on your smart-phone and more time getting fresh air and playing more.

Less greasy foods that are making you even more sluggish and more yummy foods that actually give you the energy you so badly need. Doesn't mean you can’t have a cupcake!

Less shouting and stressing and more laughing and breathing – this is so important!

Organize and clear out your closet of all those too-small, too-big or too-old clothing you have lying around and donate to your local consignment shop. This makes space for new clothes that will fit the brand new you once you start making it a goal (in your head) to get more active this year! Shopping as motivation? AWESOME!

I recently read this article on the Globe and Mail and found these to be super helpful!

One of the biggest wastes of money every start of the year is a monthly gym membership. We get excited, lock into a contract, and then lose our motivation come spring. This year, don’t jump into a membership unless you’ve demonstrated you’re committed to regular workouts – just because you start paying $50 a month doesn’t mean you’re suddenly serious about getting into shape. Set up a home gym next month as the first step.

If you live in a small space, then commit to a walking or running schedule. In a recent YouTube video, Dr. Mike Evans, a physician at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, explained why walking is the single best thing we can do for our health. And the good part is that the number one thing we can do for ourselves is also free.

I always like FREE.

So what do you think? Do you feel less inundated for the start of 2014?

In 2014, you will forgive yourself for not sticking to all your New Year’s Resolutions. Times are tough; you’re doing the best you can. Be gentle with yourself.

Have a Safe & Happy New Years!

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Better Health: One IronKid Gummy at a Time {Giveaway}

What could possibly be worse than a house full of sick kids? A sick mother too!
The past couple of weeks in our household has been a hot pot of vomit, headaches, allergies and fevers. Not pretty at all.
No exaggeration when I tell you that week after week, when one sickness goes away, another comes creeping right back in and bouncing from one family member to another.

Here I thought labour pains to be one of the most painful things I've ever experienced (albeit one with positive and happy conclusions), have you ever got an adult ear infection before?
Holy Excruciating Pain Batman!
Never do I hope and pray that I ever experience that again.
Aside from the fact that I can be somewhat of a melodramatic hypochondriac when sick (yes, the world is ending!), this ear infection that I contracted after recovering from a horrid flu virus was extremely uncomfortable and painful to say the least.

Which is why it pained me to see my 8 month old baby go through his first ear infection as well after also recovering from a bad flu virus. Poor, poor baby.
To make things even worse, he then got a bad allergic reaction to the antibiotics he started taking to clear the ear infection. I wish I had known that it's best to let a little one's ear infection clear naturally on it's own then resort to antibiotics right away. The plus side to that awful experience is that we now know he is allergic to penicillin.

My 4 year old daughter who thankfully got the better immune system from her father (knock on wood), rarely gets sicks but when she does, she gets really sick. And this nasty bug that has invaded my home made sure not to miss my little girl either.

What worries me about my (very active) daughter getting sick is that she also is going through a slightly picky eating stage at the moment too. She eats well but the balance in food groups isn't so great.
On top of that, I'm also concerned that she isn't getting enough sun as she should (especially considering the really disarrayed weather as of late).
One day your enjoying the warm sunshine in flip flops and shorts, the next day sitting next to an open fire with hot tea seems more appropriate.

If you've already read, I am a big fan of the Adult Essentials Gummies Vitamins (what my husband and I take every day), but did you know that they also have a line strictly for kids?

*Click on this image to see close-up*

PTPA-Winning IronKids Gummies are specially formulated to support the health, growth and development of your children. Not only are they all-natural Canadian-made products you can trust, but they really taste yummy!
My daughter LOVES her gummies!
I have to remind her that she can only have a certain amount per day (I also have to remind myself that when taking my own Adult Essentials Multi-Vitamins) -- they taste so much like candy!

IronKids are sold in Real Canadian Super Stores, Loblaws, Shoppers, Rexall, Metro, Sobeys, Target, Walmart and you can find the Omega 3s in Costco.

To learn more about IronKids Gummy Vitamins, visit them at www.iron-kids.com.

She was super excited to receive a generous new supply of her favourite gummies (we were running out!) and I'm even more excited to share this with my readers!

One of my readers will win this awesome IronKids Prize Pack which includes: 4 IronKids Vitamins, 1 water bottle and Coupons.

*Open to Canadian Residents only.
Contest Ends 6/16.

To Win, leave me a comment below giving me what you do to keep your child/ren healthy and active in the Summer months.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Face Your Problem

We all have skin issues; one of the most popular is acne.  Even as adults.
I came across this image on Pinterest (from Vapour Organic Beauty) and it instantly caught my attention.
There is so much that our external body is telling us, like our nails, our hair, and especially our skin.
I had no idea that where your acne, inflammation & red pigmentation is situation on your face tells a lot about the state of your internal health.

I know with PCOS, I have issues with my hormones, so that definitely explains why mine tend to flare up sporadically around my chin area.
So interesting! I wonder how much of this is right?

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Take Control Over Your Health: Small Steps to Success

I usually like to start the New Year with a few resolutions just to make myself feel somewhat motivated -- whether or not I stick to them is ambivalent but what matters is I took the first small step towards a goal.

So far I have probably broke 2 resolutions which include staying away from sweets and minimizing the yelling in the household...
the first week of the New Year is a trial, right?

Well, I figured baby steps to success has always helped me most in my endeavours and I think truly the best way to go about achieving your objectives.
This year, one of my main goals isn't to "lose the baby weight" or "exercise more!", I initially wrote these two on the top of my list but then quickly crossed them off and changed them to this: Focus on my Health.

One of the best and easiest ways to attain your goal to a healthy start to a new you for this year would be to start taking a multi-vitamin.

Adult Essentials has quickly become both mine and my husband's (and now my parents and siblings) choice of vitamins.

They taste good, instead of forgetting to take your daily vitamin/s, in this case you have to be careful not to actually surpass the daily amount you get to chew on.

I've always been bad with remembering to take my vitamins each day but have never had this issue since introducing these gummies into my life.

Try them today and let me know what you think!

If you follow them on Facebook or Twitter, you will always find they offer amazing discounts and deals on their products. And of course, you can learn more about them online at: www.adultgummies.com.

You can find them at most major grocery stores and pharmacies in the vitamin aisle.

If you're a busy mom like me, sometimes my quick food choices in between mount washmore of laundry, getting baby to nap while making sure my four year old learns her lower case a,b,c's for the day can be more bad than good for my health. That's not an excuse.

On top of a multi-vitamin, I am now stocking up on fresher and frozen food items that I can quickly whip up into a filling and healthy meal alternative.

 Check out this easy recipe for a delicious Simply Strawberry Green Smoothie that I found on Pinterest (via excellent-eats.com).  

Ingredients: 2 cups frozen strawberries, 1/2 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons flaxseeds, 3 cups fresh organic baby spinach, 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 

Small steps to success! That's the key.

Here's to a happy and healthy 2013!

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On the Mooove: Milk Unleashed Giveaway

I have probably spent hundreds of dollars the past 3 years from just milk alone.

My daughter is absolutely milk-obsessed.  Thank goodness I don't have to worry about her dairy intake. 

I never had problems getting her to drink milk; she took to it very quickly when she was good and ready as a toddler and now as a healthy, strong four year old girl has proven to me the effects that calcium truly has on your bones.  She is tough as nails for a 4 year old girl. She only slightly fractured her clavicle a year ago which healed quickly after a bad fall, but this is from one of MANY falls that her strong bones were able to take.  On top of that, she's full of energy (a little too much at times...) & growing perfectly physically and mentally.

I truly have her love of milk to thank for that.

Being a very busy family, always on the go, and our little one starting her first year of school, having milk available for her all the time does not come easy, especially when there isn't always the convenience of a fridge around.

Since we're always on the mooove, have you tried Milk Unleashed?

When I first heard of this, my initial response was "How could un-refrigerated, shelved milk possibly be healthy and safe?"
Until I found out how it works.
Apparently, Milk boxes don’t require refrigeration until they're opened. This eco-friendly packaging keeps the milk safe and maintains the protein, calcium and other important nutrients.

UHT Milk Technology
Shelf safe milk is what the industry calls UHT or Ultra High Temperature, meaning that the milk has been pasteurized at a higher temperature, but for a shorter time, to preserve taste and nutrition. Milk is the most common UHT product, but the process is also used for fruit juices (juice boxes), cream, soy milk, wine, soups and broth.
The milk is kept in Tetra Pak Cartons that protect the milk from spoiling.
Still confused?  Head over here to get more of the scoop on Shelf Milk!

More and more stores are carrying shelf safe milk! You’ll find it in both multi-serving and single-serving sizes – and in a variety of options, including organic, non-organic, lactose-free, nutritionally enhanced and flavored milks. You can get more info here on where to purchase them.

Check out this cool Milk Unleashed App!
It offers:

• On-The-Go Games and Tips! Even cruising down the freeway can be an adventure!  With these fun games and tips you can have some family time even when you are out on the road!  
• On-The-Go Snacks! Have you ever wanted to try the world’s best smoothie?  Well Milk Unleashed is here to make all your dreams come true!  Find out the best snacks to grab that will make your next outing even more thrilling!
• Get Social! Tweet with the #MilkUnleashed hashtag to get your audience revved up for their next family adventure!

Would you like to try Milk Unleashed?

What type of On-the-Go family are you?  

Simply take the quick Family On-The-Go Quiztacular in the Blog App above and post your results in the comments section!

You will then be entered to win an awesome Milk Unleashed Prize Pack which includes:

• One liter of Shelf Safe Milk (Grand Pre or Baboo)
• Three single serving shelf safe milks (white and chocolate) from: Chokeo Chocolate Milk, Grand Pre or Baboo 
• A calendar and brochure with information about Shelf Safe Milk
• Cool stickers and Tattoos
• Plus, one bonus prize!

Giveaway ends December 7th. 

*Open to Canadian Residents only*

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Mommy, I'm So Itchy! La Roche-Posay 100 Families Children Eczema Sponsorship Program

For those of you that have or have children that have suffered from eczema, then you know how arduous it is just to find that perfect skin product that will help manage the symptoms of this skin disorder.

Many families have battled through this, mine included.  Before having a child with mild eczema, I was uneducated about it and really only thought that it was nothing, but dry skin or rashes that would flare up on the body from an allergen of some sort.  Little did I know there was much more to this skin disorder and the effects can be extremely onerous -- to the person suffering from it and to the wallet.

We didn't know our daughter had mild eczema until she was about 4 months old.  In the beginning, the doctors would just tell us that all babies have extremely sensitive skin so rashes were very normal.

We noticed she would break out on different parts of her body and had this one particularly annoying red rash on her lower right cheek that just wouldn't go away.  We blamed different reasons for it -- detergents, body washes, people touching her, food/formula, anything and everything.

We spent countless hours and so much money switching her body washes and skin products including prescriptions from her family doctor trying to help rid her of the rashes she would get on her body and face.  It was really tough seeing them on her, although they didn't seem to bother her too much (*phew*).  As parents, you don't want to see anything out of the norm on your child -- you automatically assume it's hurting them in some way.  Thank goodness with our little girl, her case was mild and not severe. 

As she got older, we learned how to control flare-ups and have found the proper skin regimen that works for her.

This is not the case for other children/families suffering from this skin disorder.  It can be very uncomfortable.

There is no cure for eczema, which is why proper treatments and education is required to control the symptoms of eczema.

I'm so pleased to have learned about La-Roche Posay's 100 Family Program, a Children Eczema Sponsorship Program to help improve the quality of life of Canadian children and their families.

La Roche-Posay will be adding 16 new families to the program. Each selected family will receive the following:

• Continuous eczema support
• Information and education to help families better manage their eczema and improve their quality of life
• A supply of Lipikar Baume AP and Lipikar Syndet at no cost for December, January and February 

Families will be featured on the La Roche-Posay's Facebook page as they share their progress and achievements over the course of the program. The interaction of the families on the Facebook page will help develop a supportive network of families to share information and provide support and advice to those suffering from eczema.

To become a family, La Roche-Posay Canada Facebook  fans can submit their story to larocheposay@highroad.com between Nov. 1st - Nov. 18th and tell them in 500 words or less:

1) Your name
2) Your phone number
3) Name & age of child with eczema
4) About your child’s condition
5) What joining the program means to you
6) What becoming a La Roche-Posay ambassador means to you 

There will be a pre-selected jury of 3 people to review and approve each family submission. The contest will be featured on the http://www.facebook.com/LaRochePosayCanada wall via status updates and images. 

As part of the program, selected families will be able to submit photos and updates on their progress as they use the Lipikar products on their children. Eligible families must have a child currently under the age of 18 suffering from eczema and must be a resident of Canada.

This is such a wonderful program and I'm glad that I am able to spread the word on this having had first-hand experience of the effects eczema had on my child.

If your child is suffering from eczema, why not submit your story? You and your family may just be selected to participate in this wonderful program with La Roche-Posay.

In the meantime, you can also visit their 100 Families Tab on the Facebook Page to follow the stories of the families already in the program to connect with them and experience the journey. You can also watch videos of dermatologists answering questions on eczema. 

I hope you are able to find the solutions that work for you and finally the relief for your little one battling eczema.  Let's work together to better educate one another on this very common skin disorder.

**Disclaimer: I am participating in the La Roche-Posay 100 Families Brand Ambassador Program with PTPA and received compensation; however the opinions expressed are my very own.

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She's Got the Blues

I use to think that a glass of vin rouge coupled with a bubble bath, a side of petit fours and macarons and Edith Piaf or Billie Holiday serenading in the background was an unbeatable pleasure. I was wrong.

Sleep is what dreams are made of (yes, pun intended).

Nothing compares to a good night's sleep. 

On top of that, both my little ones are comfortable and relaxed this morning, giving me some much needed down-time aka blogging time!

I've got my cup of joe here, brewed to perfection, and just enjoying this quiet time.

After days of a wacky sleep schedule (literally 3-5 hours (if that) of sporadic "sleep" per day), a lack of appetite and recovering from a c-section, the littlest and most simplest of pleasures are so fully embraced.

I totally forgot about this part of parenting a newborn!  It's been 3 and a half years after all, so it really does feel like I'm doing this whole parenting thing for the first time.

One thing that struck me this time around after my son was born that I don't recall experiencing with my daughter was postpartum blues.  This is a silent pain that I don't wish upon anyone!

It was not sudden. Once my son was born, I was immediately in love and on cloud nine.

3-4 days after once I arrived home from the hospital is when this mute misery began.

Nobody really talks about, so when it does happen you don't know how to respond to it -- it was horrible.

I'm usually a very optimistic glass always full kinda gal. 

I did not recognize myself during the postpartum blues.

Before I go on, I'd like to make clear that postpartum blues is not the same as post partum depression which is a more serious condition.

You see all these other mothers that just had their new baby sporting a contagious and permanent smile, posting pictures and updates filled with enthusiasm and pride, tackling all the new mommy duties right off the bat and with full force and energy, excitedly hosting instant play dates with friends...

I was crying for no reason many times during the day, I didn't want to see or speak with anyone, sad and depressed, had zero appetite, no interest in anything and something I can't believe feeling -- I didn't even want to hold or tend to my newborn son during this time.  It was awful!

Although I did still function and do what I had to do for my family and myself and I was still able to muster up a smile here and there.  So some of my family and friends would have never known how much I was actually suffering inside.

I do blame other factors for why I was crippled with postpartum blues this pregnancy.  There were many things going on at the same time my son was born causing me more stress.  

My daughter was starting JK that same week we brought him home only to have to be pulled out of something that she loved and enjoyed (will talk more about this in another post -- a very tough decision my husband and I had to face), my c-section recovery this time around wasn't as quick and pleasant and my husband had to return to work sooner than last time.

After the baby is born, many new mothers have the "postpartum blues" or the "baby blues." The word "blues" is not really correct since women with this condition are happy most of the time. But compared to how the mother usually feels, she:

• Is more irritable
• Cries more easily
• Feels sad
• Feels confused

The postpartum blues peak three to five days after delivery. They usually end by the tenth day after the baby's birth. Although the postpartum blues are not pleasant, the woman can function normally. The feeling of the "blues" usually lessens and goes away over time.

Medical experts believe that changes in the woman's hormones after delivery cause the postpartum blues.

Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women do these things to help relieve the "postpartum blues":

• Talk to your partner or a good friend about how you feel
• Get plenty of rest
• Ask your partner, friends and family for help
• Take time for yourself
• Get out of the house every day, even if it's just for a short while
• Join a new mother's group and share your feelings with the women you meet there

If the symptoms last for longer than two weeks or worsen or you have suicidal thoughts, you may have postpartum depression. This is a serious medical condition. 

Although postpartum blues is said to be more common and less serious, PPD (Postpartum Depression) is not.

It affects 1 in 8 women and is something that they cannot control.  It doesn't mean she is a bad mother but it does a pose a risk for mother and child.

Click here for more information.

A famous celebrity that suffered from PPD and wrote a great book about it, Down Came the Rain, was Brooke Shields.  Here is a great interview with her from iVillage.com regarding her Pregnancy and Postpartum Depression.

I thought it very important to share this experience (although quite personal) with my readers, in the event someone is or will be suffering from this condition.  It's not pleasant and it can be quite confusing at first, but do know that it will go away and everything will be better.

Sometimes even those very close to you may not understand or offer the kind of support you truly need.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your health care provider or someone else you feel will truly understand.

If you would like someone to talk to about this, feel free to email me at: carolynngomez@gmail.com.

Be well and focus on building you.  A healthy and happy mother is the strongest and best thing for a family.

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Dads Deserve to be Healthy with @AdultEssentials #Giveaway

The men in our lives deserve to be as healthy as they can be and Adult Essentials can help them do that!

My husband is a big snacker -- what man isn't? Still a big kid at heart with his love for gummy bears and gummy worms.
As much as he tries to eat well (thank God for wives!) and exercise (he takes Mixed Martial Arts classes and goes for walks & yoga with me as often as we can), I'm constantly concerned about his health and that he's getting the right vitamins. He is my big kid after all. :)

My husband works very hard, mentally & physically he does get exhausted and I notice it.
On top of being the sole provider of our household right now, he also helps me tremendously around the house (housework and with my daughter) and many, many other things that slowly gnaw at his health.

And I have to admit - he's not a big fan of vitamins. He has this thing about having to swallow them and also just the issue of remembering to take them daily.

I was so happy to have been introduced to Adult Essentials/Iron Kids Gummy Vitamins at the Shes Connected Conference last year.  They not only provide the essential nutrients your body needs but they taste like real gummies! My picky toddler instantly loved them and it's the only vitamins she will honestly take but my concern was... will this work on my husband?  Sure he loves his gummies, but will they taste good enough for him to remember to take them everyday?

I was given the opportunity to receive these delicious vitamins for that special man in our life and see what he had to say about it, because after all Dads deserve to be healthy too, right?

Instead of telling him they were vitamins, I just handed it to him saying, "Yum! Try these!" 
He took them without question and chewed at it as if enjoying your typical candy.
"Yeah, they are. What kind of gummies are they?" 
I handed him the box and was he ever impressed.  He was actually enthusiastic about it. He's been looking for some good new vitamins to take and after the countless times I've mentioned Adult Essentials!, he finally is a believer.
"Will keep a bottle of Adult Essentials at home & in my office at work as a daily treat." 
Woo-hoo! Love that he looks at them as a daily treat (because they are!).
A healthy, guilt-free dose of yummy.

Adult Essentials are pectin based gummy vitamins that are:

• gluten free, nut free, dairy free
• approved by Health Canada
• made with natural flavours and colours
• delicious

*GIVEAWAY ALERT*
Adult Essentials along with Multi-Testing Mommy and a group of amazing and influential bloggers (including yours truly) are co-hosting a Dads Deserve to be Healthy Giveaway to celebrate Dads in Canada being healthy.
Would you like to enter to win a handsome monogramed black gym bag FULL of Adult Essentials for that important Dad in your life? Enter the Rafflecopter Form below.
Giveaway is open to Canadian Residents only and ends on June 17th 12:01AM.








a Rafflecopter giveaway

Adult Essentials are available online at Well.ca and at most Rexall Pharma Plus, Metro, Sobeys, Loblaws/Real Canadian Super Stores, London Drugs and now at Shoppers Drugmart. 

 To learn more about Adult Essentials, feel free to visit them: Adult Essentials Website @AdultEssentials on Twitter Adult Essentials on Facebook.

I'm sure that Dad in your life will absolutely love it -- if not, send them over to mine! He's a big fan! :)
Good luck! 

**Disclaimer: I did receive products to compensate for participating in this review; however all opinions expressed are my very own.

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{Recipe} Sleep Slim Smoothie

Doze off and keep your metabolism burning through the night with this delicious smoothie courtesy of Dr. Michael Breus, PhD, The Sleep Doctor. 

Cherries are one of the richest known sources of melatonin, the sleep hormone that recent studies have shown can also help reverse the effects of aging, while bananas contain loads of magnesium, a calming mineral. Lastly, soy milk is high in tryptophan, the sleep-inducing amino acid. 

Sweet dreams!

Ingredients

• 1 cup tart cherry juice
• 1/2 banana
• 1/2 cup soy milk or 4-6 oz soy yogurt (if using soy yogurt, add an additional 1/2 cup fat-free milk)
• 5 ice cubes
• 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

Combine the cherry juice, banana, milk or yogurt with fat-free milk, ice and vanilla in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Credits: www.doctoroz.com

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Moms Are Not Allowed To Get Sick!

As I sit here and type, I look around at the copious amounts of crumpled up tissue paper surrounding me, feel the burn from an abused nose, inhale the vapors rising from this perfect cup of mint tea with a splash of lemon and honey and take in the scent of Vicks Vapor Rub (officially my new “fragrance”).
Did I mention I’m also still wearing the same pajamas I have been wearing for the past 2 days. I know, gross, right?

This is probably the first time I’ve gotten up from my bed to sit at my desk and check some emails and get started on some blogging.  I’m not trying to complain to you but you realize more than ever when you are a Mom that it doesn’t matter how sick you are, you still have to try and function the best you can.  This is especially true when you have toddlers or infants.
My little 3 year old daughter has been super sweet with me being sick (she actually gets it) but at the same time, she won’t hesitate to pull at my hands to get up off the bed because she really needs something or come crying to me for big hugs when Daddy is just not enough for her.
We are Mom after all. Irreplaceable.

So, no sick days for us. We have got to suck it up as much as possible.
I’m pretty lucky because the past few days that I’ve been sick with this horrid flu virus, my mother was able to take a day off from her work to stay with me and care for not just me but for my daughter.
My husband also took a day off work today (hence the opportunity to get onto the computer).
A support system is honestly one of the most effective forms of medicine.
It gives you the rest you really need.

If you can’t get that break, which many of us hard-working mommies can’t most times, here are some really helpful tips, some of my own and some I’ve learned from others:

• Ply the kids with the TV for the day and camp out on the couch. You’re sick. Do what you can to create a comfort haven. Have Goldfish crackers and juice boxes at the ready for them, lots of liquids, soup, crackers, and tissues for you.
• If you’ve got a daughter old enough with an imagination, let her play “Mama” and have her fetch things for you that you’ll need throughout the day. She’ll love being a Mama’s Little Helper (as long as she’s actually helping you and not getting in the way).
• Let the kids make forts or dump all the toys in the playroom. It doesn’t matter that they’re making a mess today. Peace and quiet is what you need most. If the kids are playing quietly and you can rest, clean up later, when you’re better.
• Don’t worry about dinner or laundry or any playdates you might have scheduled. Cancel any plans you had. Your first priority today is getting better.
• Nap when the little ones are napping! Rest is essential to battling this virus.
• When hubby gets home, let him know he’s on his own for dinner with the kids. Better yet, have him take the kids out of the house for dinner. Chicken nuggets and fries haven’t killed anyone yet, or else they would have stopped selling them. Tell your husband the kids are all his for the rest of the night.
• Get yourself into a warm shower, slather on that Vicks Vaporub, put on some cozy PJs and then get into bed.

What makes it a tad more challenging for me when I get sick is that I am not able to take many medicines that help to nip the virus in the butt sooner because of the fertility medications.
I have to stick to everything au natural.  Which I’m not complaining about either because if you take care of yourself well, it’s just as effective as chugging down the Buckleys!

Another thing that I have learned is very important pre-sickies is to start (if you’re not already doing so) taking a good multi-vitamin to help boost your immune system, because face it, we don’t get the proper amount of vitamins daily that we really need.  PTPA winner, Adult Essentials, is a great for chewable & tasty vitamins.  They offer the first complete line of gummy vitamins specially designed for adults and are approved natural health products.

Another PTPA winner that you want to stock up on as soon as you feel those germs creeping in is Cold-Eeze, a common cold remedy in the form of zinc lozenges that works as a cold treatment, so you stop the cold, not just the symptoms.

Until you’re children are old enough to understand and care for themselves temporarily when you’re sick, this well-oiled machine known as Mama needs to do what she can to ensure she can heal quickly to be the best mom for her children.
And let’s not forget that prevention is key! Wash, wash, wash those hands every time you get back in from being outdoors, keep hand sanitizer with you and take a good multi-vitamin!
Be well.

Credits: visualphotos.com, realmomsguide.sheknows.com

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54 Ways to Take Care of Yourself When You’re Too Busy

We all have times in our lives when we just have too much stuff going on. There are always deadlines, exams, due dates and just too many priorities to juggle. And when everything is going wrong, the world is screaming for your attention and you just don’t have time – the last thing you need to hear is to “just take a day off”. So here are 55 gentle ways you can take care of yourself when you’re pressed for time and attention. Enjoy! 

Say no to anything that is not important to you

Laundry, phone calls with your mom, demanding girlfriends – this is not the time to be nice and “responsible”. Give yourself the permission to focus on what’s important. Getting the unessential responsibilites off your schedule will not only create som extra time and space, it will also lighten the burden you’re feeling to keep up with it all.

Ask for help

There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, and you’ll quickly learn that most people around you actually love to be asked! It makes them feel useful and important. What usually helps the most is to get help to do the normal things; cooking, shopping and regular every-day tasks. However, don’t underestimate how important the people in your life can be when it comes to feedback, motivationand supporting your self-confidence regarding the important work you’re doing.

Get enough sleep

An oldie, but a goodie. This old advice is not only essential when it comes to self-care, it is also absolutely essential when it comes to being able to do your best. Particularly important when it comes to exam periods and work stress, sleep will help you achieve. It’s easy to think that a few extra hours of work will do you more good, but it won’t. Sleep will.

Drink tea

Coffee will only get you that far, before it sends you down into tiredness again. While still being hot and comforting, tea (and especially the herbal kind) won’t make you dehydrated and shaky. If you’re feeling tired and think you need a coffeine boost, go for cold water (or iced tea) instead. Cold water will help wake you up!

Listen to your favourite music

Calm music will help you calm down and upbeat music will help you up your game. Pick music that won’t distract you (like music without lyrics or in a foreign language). Your favourite music will boost your mood and keep you happy, no matter how tired you are.

Eat healthy and green food

I know it’s tempting to order pizza, but it really pays off to take your time to cook and eat nutritious and healthy food. Not only will it help you achieve better, it will also boost your mood! I truly recommend heading over to The Stonesoup for some quick and easy recipes. Most of these recipes can be made in less than 10 minutes!

Take 5 minutes in the morning to just stretch and breathe

If you start your day in a stressful way, you’ll probably feel stressed for the rest of the day as well. Make sure your morning starts with 5 minutes of silence and ease. Stand up and stretch your body to make you as tall as you can be. Then bend over and touch the ground. Stretch again. Try to just feel your body and pay attention to your breath. Starting the day in a way like this will make you more relaxed as well!

Walk everywhere

You might be busy and think that every minute is valuable time to put into your work, but some extra minutes of walking might be a better way to spend some time. If you live close to where you’re going, it’s better to walk than to use public transport (or your car). Not only will the exercise be good for you, you also get      some important fresh air and daylight. If you have to commute, get off public transport one or two stops too early, or park your car further away than usual. The extra minutes of fresh air will save you lots of time when you start working and feel more focused.

Take 5-minute mini-breaks every hour

You can’t stay focused all the time. No matter how efficient you work, you’ll always get distracted, let your mind wander or end up spending time reading e-mail (and blogs) instead. A better way to spend this time is to get up from your chair, walk outside and take a 5-minute break. The change of place, the change of physical posture and the movement will make it easier to start again when your break is over. You’ll also give your brain a chance to relax and process information, which is essential for your well-being.

Break your self-care habits into smaller tasks and do one each day

No need to look like you’re constantly running after your life, even if you are! Just break up your routine into smaller, and more achievable chunchs. Shave your legs one day, paint your nails the next day, wash your hair the day after, etc. This approach also works with keeping your house tidy – just do one little chore every day and you’ll stay on top of everything more easily.

Make a plan of everything that needs to be done

Instead of juggling all your to-do’s and must-remember’s, write them down on a piece of paper. Then make a plan of how you are going to manage everything before your deadline. You may have to schedule a lot of tasks on certain days, and it may seem like too much to do, but at least you’ll know that everything will get done. Make sure you stick to the plan, every single day. Don’t fall for the temptation to start on tomorrow’s tasks today, trust that the plan will take you there, and enjoy some free time on the days when you finish your tasks early.

Make sure you keep in touch with your friends

Just a few text messages, tweets or the occational coffee will make sure your friendships don’t suffer. You will feel much better when you focus on something else entirely, and it will prevent you form becoming a workaholic hermit. You don’t have to keep in touch with everybody, most people will understand that you’re having a busy period. Just make sure you stay in touch with the people that make you happy and inspired.

Make room for rest

This one’s important. Make sure that whenever you plan to rest – really rest. That means that you will have to make a conscious effort to push all work-related thoughts and worries away. It’s also important that you rest your mind as well as your body. 5 minutes of stillness is better than 30 minutes in front of the TV!

Surround yourself with inspiring photos

Put up some of your favourite photos where you can see them when you work. Whenever you get unfocused, you will feel much better if you can rest your eyes on something pretty, rather than everything that reminds you of how busy you are. If you can’t put up photos at work or in a study hall, bring a scrapbook or use Pinterest on your computer.

Write a daily gratitude list

A daily gratitude list is really helpful to shift your focus and help you appreciate the situation. It doesn’t have to be long, a few sentences will do. If you keep a gratitude journal, you can also look back on your previous entries whenever you need a little boost of happiness and motivation.

Spend your lunchtime as sacred you-time

… and enjoy your healthy food with a little journaling, blog-reading, or people-watching. See it as a way to nourish your soul on several levels. It’s important to eat, but it’s equally important to be inspired, creative, silly, whimsical and happy.

Write a worry-list

Stress makes us more vulnerable, and worry can be a nasty side-effect of a busy period. If you find yourself worrying a lot, it’s a good idea to write a daily worry-list. Whenever you catch a worrying thought, write it down and save it for later. Spend 5 minutes in the morning and 5-minutes in the evening worrying about whatever you put on your list. It may sound simple, but postponing your worry will actually make it less worrying whenever you sit down and actually think about it in peace and quiet.

Take a run or a long walk

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Any sort of excercise will release endorophins, your body will thank you + it clears your head so you can focus on all the important work that lies ahead.

Keep a planner and shedule no-appointments time

To make your life less chaotic, it’s a good practice to keep a planner. Make sure you write down every single appointment, to save yourself from unwanted surprises and missed meetings. Just remember to schedule time for yourself. Honor your appointment with yourself just as much as you would keep an appointment with anyone else. Just make sure you schedule time with yourself first – anyone else needs to come in second in your life.

Keep track of your achievements

It may seem like you’re never going to get over a busy period, which is why you should keep a list of achievements close at any time.Whenever you hit a milestone – write it down! It will be very useful when you’re feeling tired by the end of the day and know that you still have several more hours of work before you can call it a day.

Wear your pretty clothes

… and be busy with style! If you dress nicely, chances are you’ll feel better too. All it takes is 5 minutes in the morning, and with your most powerful, wonderful and pretty clothes on, you’ll feel like a million for the rest of the day.

Go to a yoga class

…Or do some yoga at home. Even ten minutes of savasana is better than nothing, and will recharge your batteries (and your mind).

Take a hot bath

Nothing helps you relax like a hot bath. Use your favourite bubbles, turn off the light, light some candles and you’re good to go. One hour in the bath in the evening may be the best way to relax because of this simple fact – you can’t take your work and your computer with you.

Light candles

Candles have a relaxing effect, especially gently scented ones. If you can’t light candles in your workplace, make sure you light them when you get home. Lavender and cedarwood are scents that can help you relax.

Write support-thoughts and affirmations

Support-thoughts are thougths written down when you’re calm, that can support you when you are really busy and tired. For example, a gentle reminder of why you’re doing all the work, a short pep-talk, or a reminder of how wonderful you are is an amaxing way of taking care of yourself.

Craft an emotional emergency plan

Ideally, you should have this written down before you enter a really busy period. If everything goes wrong, and you’re maxed out, panicky or just plain exhausted – who do you call? what do you do? where do you go? Planning this in advance is self-care on a high level.

Breathe

Do I need to say more? When stress builds up, take five seconds off and just breathe. Deep.

Do something silly

Don’t forget to have fun! Who said you can’t laugh, even though you’re busy! Make jokes, engage with your co-workers, read comics and just allow yourself to be silly for a little while. I promise it wil boost your mood, your co-workers’ moods and a little laughter every day will help you through a really challenging time.

Single-task

Now is not the time to play superwoman. Be nice to yourself and let your brain tackle one task at a time. Rumours have it that this is more productive in the long run…

Take the last evening off

The last night before your big D(r)eadline is the night to relax. Panicking in the last minute isn’t a very good way of taking care of yourself. And you don’t want to oversleep on your exam day, have dark circles under your eyes on presentation day or distroy everything in the last minute because you spent the last night cramming. Take the last evening (or even the last day) off and relax. You’ve done your best, there’s nothing more you can do. Pat yourself on your back – you made it.

Keep a tidy workspace

It will make you more focused, relaxed and less overwhelmed.

Create some routines

When work or studies take all your focus, it can be useful to create some new habits or routines to take some of the burden off your back. Make it a habit to cook a larger batch of dinner on day 1, and eat leftovers for the next two days. Use Sundays to prepare what to wear for the next couple of days. Wear your hair in a ponytail five days in a row. This is not the time to expect yourself to find lots of different and exciting outfits, hairdo’s or recipes.

Write things down

When you’re mind is working over-time, let it relax by helping yourself remember everything. Write down any ideas, to-do’s, must-remember’s and other things you have to remember. This way, you don’t have to 

carry the additional stress of remembering everything you need to remember.

Accept a little clutter and mess

Just let it be. Some dust and a little dirt has never hurt anyone. Focus on what’s important to you, you can always clean up the mess later. Just don’t go around and feel bad about it on top of everything else!

Allow your emotions to come to the surface

If you’re tired and sad, cry it all out. If you’re stressed, don’t try to put on a mask and hide it. Get it all out, all the frustration, the overwhelm, the anger and the fear. You’ll feel much better after.

Honor your limits

Set some limits and stick with them. A lot of tasks when we’re busy don’t have a set limit, like when you’re studying and being creative. It’s easy to feel like you’re never quite done. Set some clear limits for yourself and honor them. Say to yourself; “when the time is up, I’m DONE”.

Take the weekends completely off

If you’re under constant pressure over an extended period of time, it’s good practice to keep the weekends completely sacred. This means no work e-mail or calls, no appointments or catching up.

Gather your support group

Call your mother and ask her to help you take care of the house, tell your girlfriends what you’re dealing with, seek out others in the same situation as you, and make sure your partner is on your team. Not only can they help with practical tasks, they will give you lot’s of moral support and you’ll feel less alone.

Outsource

Outsource what you can, for example your home cleaning, laundry or bookeeping.

Delegate

If you’re working on a team – make sure you don’t try to do everything yourself, delegate as much as you can to lighten your load.

Get more sunlight

Especially if your busy period is happening in winter, make sure you get your daily dose of sunlight if you’re spending a lot of time in gloomy libraries and workplaces.

Take your vitamins

This won’t even take you a minute – just go for a multivitamin paired with your breakfast. Especially important if you’re eating a lot of processed and unhealthy foods when you’re busy, but remember that vitamins don’t make up for an unhealthy diet.

Eat fresh fruit and vegetables

Keep some fruits and nuts close by and snack when you’re hungry. Don’t forget the veg, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes and carrots are great snacks!

Use scented oils in the shower

Lavender to relax, or a little peppermint to wake you up – all you need is a drop or two of essential oil in the shower.

Resist the urge to be productive all the time

You can’t be equally productive every single waking moment, so you might as well schedule some off time right away. Be nice to yourself and don’t expect to accomplish as much in the late evening as you do in the morning.

Limit your media consumption

… because your brain can only process a limited amount of information. When you need your focus to be on work, don’t overflow your brain with tv news, newspapers, magazines and books.

Meditate in the morning

Ten minutes of stillness can make all the difference.

Block out distractions

Need to get some work done? Consider to pull out your internet cable, switch off your phone and lock the door. If only for a few hours, you won’t miss out on anything, and you’ll feel a lot better afterwards.

Compliment yourself

Positive self-speech can seriously impact your mood. Instead of adding to the monkey-brain thoughts of not good enough, too stressed and panic – tell yourself you look good, that you’re doing great and that you can manage everything that comes your way.

Do the dreaded tasks first

There are always tasks you’ll love to do more than others, and it’s tempting to do those first. However, it’s a good idea to do the hardest tasks first. That way, you’ll save yourself from all the dread!

Brighten your day with colourful pencils and pretty stationary

It doesn’t have to cost much, but it will make a huge impact on your happiness – especially if you’re a stationary and design geek… (well, who isn’t?)

Reward yourself

Maybe not the best overall habit to get used to, but desperate times call for desperate measures. If you need it to get through – reward yourself with gifts, chocolate and breaks whenever you finish a task. Just don’t make it a habit to kick yourself if you don’t make it. Maybe you need the treat anyways?

Postpone all major decisions

… This is not the time to move houses, quit your day job or break up with your spouse (however tempting any of those changes are). Save the big stuff for when you’re calmer and can think clearer.

Accept yourself as you are

Let yourself off the hook and accept that you are only human. You are doing your absolute best, and you are doing exactly what you need to do. Trust your instincts and keep doing whatever you’re doing. You don’t need to change anything about yourself – trust that you are perfect just the way you are.

I wish you a happy, bustling time -
hope you achieve everything you dream of and more!

Do you focus enough on yourself when the world is screaming for your attention? What are your best self-care tips that are not on the list?

Credits: www.thefreedomexperiment.com

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The Skinny on Sizes: What Men really want

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Three women, sizes 6, 10 and 14: in an online survey, men favoured a fuller figure

Okay Ladies (that are obsessing over weight!), this is a must-read. 
Share this with all the women that you care about in your life that needs some of what I call a "High Calorie Confidence Booster Shake."

There has been a survey when it comes to women and the vast majority of men prefer them well rounded.

It seems their ideal girlfriends are pneumatic, not flat-tyred. They'd rather negotiate sweeping curves than sharp shoulders.

They like women buxom, bosomy and bountiful.

Surprised?

According to the figures, the jury is in: men will choose a Rubenesque size 14 over a more slender size 6 when it comes to their ideal woman.

Admittedly, the science could be seen as somewhat superficial.

It is based on an online survey — not the most accurate means of obtaining information — of 60,000 men across the UK & America conducted by FHM Magazine.

The mag found that when shown pictures of three bikini-clad models, four out of five men said they were more attracted to the size 10 and size 14 models than the model who was a slimmer size 6.

The majority of votes went to the size 10 woman, with 41% saying that she had the body shape of their "ideal girlfriend". Almost as many men voted for the Nigella Lawson-esque size 14 model.

"A piddling 20% of readers selected our size eight model pictured as their ideal girl-physique," wrote FHMeditor Ben Smithurst.

"Which proves one thing, ladies: crack a beer, hoe into a hamburger and we'll love you just as much."

Okay, I think not. That may have been a joke but the most important thing for us as women is to maintain a healthy diet. Not just for our waistlines and being able to fit into that adorable dress you saw the other day, but most importantly for our health and overall well-being.

Body image experts take a less superficial view of the so-called research, but admit that it carries some, well, weight.

Professor Marika Tiggemann from Flinders University said that the results supported academic research on the topic. "We find women want to be thinner than what men find attractive," she said. "Men's idea of what is 'thin' is larger than that of women. Unfortunately, a lot of people think being thin demonstrates being in control or being disciplined, while being fat is a sign you're weak."

The editor of women's magazine Cleo, Nedahl Stelio, said that most women did not diet for men but for other women.

"Most men I know would go for more boob over thinner thighs, but women, by nature, are competitive with other women," Stelio said.

"And if the society and celebrity ideal is thin, that's what she's going to aspire to, just to get one up on other women."

However, such surveys were far more damaging to women than they were helpful, according to Julie Thomson, general manager of eating disorders and body image campaigners the Butterfly Foundation.

"It objectifies women and it still is perpetuating this ideal that men do look at women externally only," Ms Thomson said.

"There is just far too much importance placed on size when you should be looking at a whole range of other aspects.

"From our perspective as an eating disorder foundation, those sorts of surveys are an issue because they are centred around judging people based on what size they are and it is a really unhealthy way to judge or view people."

She said that women embarked on extreme diets or developed eating disorders for a number of reasons, and it was oversimplistic to attribute such behaviour to a bid to appeal to the opposite sex.

"People develop eating disorders for a wide variety of reasons, including low self-esteem and family history of depressive illness," she said.

"It is very, very complex and it is certainly not just brought about because some people desire to be thin in some sort of effort to attract men."

So, what are your thoughts on this?

Speaking as a woman of "average" size, with a little extra junk in the trunk, who came from a size 0 (literally), I honestly could care less what any woman or man could think of me. But then again, I'm saying this now because I'm no longer single and have a child that gets my undivided attention.

I was raised in a family (and culture) where women are suppose to be less than a size 8 to be considered attractive.  Terrible, huh? And also, what makes it even worse is that unfortunately in my culture, tact is sorta-kinda on the back burner. People (especially family/friends) will say whatever is on their mind. "Oh, you've gained some weight." or my "favourite" during pregnancy: "Don't eat too much. It's hard to lose that weight after the baby is born."

But let's be even more honest, yes, no matter who you are, you will care about how others look at you.

And that's the truth.

Whether that be your spouse, your child, your mother, your best friend, your employer...

we will always care.

Bottom line: Take care of yourself. For your family, your children, and most importantly for you.
If you feel great about yourself - good for you! It's harder to gain confidence than lose weight. ;)
Because really, that's all that matters.

Credits: www.theage.com.au, FHM.com

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Beautiful Imperfection

The November issue of O (Oprah Magazine) has just been released. Katie Halchishick – co-founder of Healthy is the New Skinny and the Perfectly Unperfected Project – anchors an 8-page section on beauty and body image with a photo destined to be an iconic image.  Shot by famed photographer Matthew Rolston, Katie stands naked (the first nude in O history), holding an equally bare Barbie doll.   Dotted lines, of the sort that might be made by a cosmetic surgeon (or a photo editor preparing a retouch), cover Katie, indicating what would have to be cut away in order for her to have Barbie’s body.

It’s a striking photo.  There’s something revolutionary about a naked plus-size model.   Think how often this image from French Elle of Tara Lynn has been reblogged – and remember the reaction to this famous Lizzie Miller photo in Glamour?  What sets the O photo apart is the powerful reminder of how far even such a gorgeous model as Katie falls short of an unattainable ideal.

The article that follows the image includes the fascinating results of a survey of O magazine readers in their teens – and in their 60s.   There’s some encouraging news: older women report having better body image, though not by as great a margin as some might expect.   But when asked for one adjective that described how they felt about how they looked, “grateful” was the most popular choice for women over 60.  “Self-conscious” was the clear winner for the teen girls.  And we’re troubled – though not surprised – that while older women listed “staying healthy” as their number one reason to exercise, “losing weight” was the top choice for their younger counterparts.

But next to Katie’s picture, the highlight of the issue is a “Dear Every Woman” letter from novelist Amy Bloom.  Here are a couple of excerpts I loved:

You cannot be a healthy person, let alone hope for healthy children, if you sigh and moan every time you encounter your own image, eat a cookie, or see an airbrushed model on a billboard.  Even if it amounts to wholesale pretending, go pretend.  Walk around pretending to be a woman who likes her body… Because every step toward self-love you take, and every inch of confidence you give someone’s daughter, makes the world a better place….

You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed.  And you are beautiful.

Katie's photo was shown to a 15 year old teenage girl. She stared at it for a long time without saying anything.  Finally, she spoke: “At first this photo made me feel a little bad.  I thought if a girl as pretty as that has to change so much to be perfect, it made me wonder how much more I’d have to change.  Then I realized how ridiculous it would be to try and change (Katie’s) body.  She’s perfect the way she is even if she’s imperfect in the eyes of a plastic surgeon or some dude who wants a Barbie doll.  And if she can fall short of the ideal and still be so beautiful… maybe I can too.”

She paused and smiled at me.  “Um, can I take the magazine when you’re done writing about it?  I want to show it to my friends… and I want to keep the picture.”

That’s the power of an image – and the power of being Perfectly Unperfected.

I'm grateful for O’s brave and refreshing take on this issue that matters so much to all of us.

Credits: healthyisthenewskinny.com

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