Urban Suburban Mommy

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Me and my mid-century modern!

Posted on by Posted in Urban Suburban Mommy .

This week from The Modern Curator: Mid-century modern lighting, for a steal!

Seeing this little miss at the table, hard at play melted us! She’s got the perfect mid-century modern setting to get the creativity flowing.

 

Sputnik-Inspired Chandelier from Costco in stores.

Recently, my husband and I went shopping for a new light for our dining room. Our goal was to find something mid-century modern inspired with an artistic touch. I’m not sure if you have been lighting shopping lately, but we suffered from a bit of sticker shock when we discovered some of the prices! Then, we stumbled across the sputnik-inspired chandelier from Costco… of all places! We couldn’t believe the price was only $129 (easily $200 in savings, compared to other stores). We are thrilled with our purchase (and savings!) and find it’s the perfect art/light installation for our space. Here are seven more lighting options (some from places you might not expect!) that will add a hit of mid-century modern to your space and won’t break the bank.

Elise Ceiling Pendant from Canadian Tire

Mid-Century Modern Elise Ceiling Pendant from Canadian Tire

Bentwood Pendants from West Elm

Mid-Century Modern Bentwood Pendants from West Elm

Swedish Ball Pendant with White Glass by Hampton Bay from Home Depot

Mid-Century Modern Swedish Ball Pendant with White Glass by Hampton Bay

Large Mobile Chandelier from West Elm

Mid-Century Modern Large Mobile Chandelier from West Elm

Knappa Pendant Lamp from Ikea

Mid-Century Modern Knappa Pendant Lamp from Ikea

3-Light Drum Pendant by TransGlobe Lighting from Wayfair.ca

 

Mid-Century Modern 3-Light Drum Pendant by TransGlobe Lighting from Wayfair.ca

 

Taylor Ceiling Pendant from Canadian Tire

Mid-Century Modern Taylor Ceiling Pendant from Canadian Tire

 

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Let them eat lobster

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

It’s expensive, it’s a delicacy, it’s butter-laden and indulgent, and you’re probably thinking I’m crazy when I say “Let them eat lobster.”

But hear me out: 15 minutes from start to finish. Yes, dinner ready in 15 minutes!

Plus, lobster is perfect for our 30 days of wellness. Lobster is actually really good for you. Yes, this luxurious indulgence is quite healthy – it’s known to be one of the healthiest sources of protein around (a 6 oz serving has about 30 grams of protein, no carbs and less than 2 grams of fat).

What you need:

– 1-2 pounds of lobster or a few claws and a few tails
– salt
– butter
– garlic

What you do:

Set the oven to broil and put a ramekin half full of butter into the oven to melt. While the oven is heating, place the lobsters or pieces of lobster on a broiling pan. Get out a cracker or sharp knife. If you have tails, slit the shell in half and expose the meat. If you have claws, make slits or cracks in each segment of the shell. I am not going to explain how to kill the lobster – Google it. I panicked and had the fish market kill and prep it for me.

Place all the pieces on the broiler pan

Put cracks or slits into each piece and open the shell

After 5 minutes, take the butter out of the oven now that it’s melted and add some garlic (I used powdered but you can also use fresh, just put it to the garlic press and add it to the butter), and add a bit of salt. Brush all of the lobster meat with the butter and put it into the oven to broil – for about 10 minutes.

Could be 8 minutes for small pieces, or up to 12 or 13 minutes for bigger, thicker pieces. If you have a 4 pound lobster it will be more like 15 or 16 minutes. It’s done when the flesh is opaque white and just ever-so-slightly starting to brown.

Take it out of the oven and serve with the melted butter for dipping.

Done!

So. Good.

Yes, it can be expensive, but it’s not an everyday meal. You need to mix up the dinner routine and you need a treat once in a while. Splurge on lobster. You may find it’s actually not as expensive as you think, depending on how close to the ocean you are and what time of year it is. Frozen tails are also another option.

Funny story – the reason I’m even writing this all started when we went to a steakhouse last week for my husband’s birthday. I ordered lobster. The boys tried it – and loved it. They ate half my dinner. A few nights later my 6 year old asked for lobster for dinner. I said no. His response? He grumbled “That’s preposterous!” as he walked away.

But he didn’t give up asking, so a couple of days later we went to the fish market to buy some.

If we’d gotten there early I could have just asked them to steam the lobster for me, but we were too late. As we tried to select our dinner in the big tank, I realized I… just… couldn’t.

Instead, the guy laughed at me and came out from the back with a tray of 4 claws and 2 tails. At $20, it was a steal.

So go for it, let them eat lobster, and feel good about it.

10 Questions with TV personality and fitness guru Tommy Europe

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With, Fame & Fam .

When Elisa and I decided to take on wellness for the next 30 days, I thought about the people around me who inspire me to live well. TV star/trainer and dad Tommy Europe immediately came to mind.

I used to watch Tommy’s TV shows The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp and Bulging Brides avidly. In fact, when I had to squeeze into my wedding dress and only had a few months to go before the big day, I decided to enroll in a boot camp and it was the best decision I ever made.  Thanks Tommy!

So, I reached out to him (Tommy Europe – TE) to get his take on wellness so that he too could inspire you to live life to the fullest by exercising and making good choices.  Here is what he had to say:

1. What does wellness mean to you?

TE: Wellness means a lot of things. It means healthy living, nutrition, and doing things that you want to do.

2. Why do so many people fail at fitness regimes or sticking to a routine?

TE: I think a lot of people are unrealistic in terms of sticking to a routine. They try to take on too much, too fast. They focus on too much – they breakdown and ultimately, fail.  It so much better to start small.  Try going to the gym for 15 minutes to start and then increase the time, every day.  It’s about eating healthy too.

3. What advice can you give to jump start getting in shape?

TE: Focus on one thing. Commit to being active 3 days of the week. If you don’t like going to go to gym, try something else, but just make sure you move.  Try a boot camp, dance, group fitness. Recruit a friend so you can work out together. It will make you accountable.  Consider hiring a trainer.  You don’t need to work with a trainer five days a week but start.  He/she will also keep you accountable and spur you on.

4. What is your favorite kind of exercise?

TE: It varies.  I really like mixed martial arts.  In the gym, I like work outs that involve functional movement.  I am not concerned with how much weight is used but rather that the exercise is done properly.  Variety is super important so you don’t get bored.

Tommy Europe with his family on vacation

5. What exercises/workout can you recommend for busy parents?

TE: Get active with your kids. I have a 7 and a 5.5 year old and we make cleaning up their rooms fun, by incorporating lounges and squats. Just move.  Do what you like.

6. Do you think children can be part of your work out every day?

TE: It’s a great concept but I don’t think it’s possible do get a good work out with kids every single day.  You can certainly work your children into the workout on occasion.  For example, I take my kids to the gym the kids like to pull themselves on the suspensions while I am working out.  Take advantage of the time when kids are playing – even if it is 10-20 minutes and work out.

7. How is important is it to set fitness goals?

TE: If you want to be successful, you need to do it. When someone starts a business, they start with a business plan. You have to do the same with fitness and create a fitness plan.  You also need to work on your contingency plan. When you write down your goals, you can refer to them.  These goals will then be crucial to your success.

8. How fast can one expect results when working out?

TE: It really depends on how much time you spend working out.  It will take a lot longer to achieve your goals working out one day a week vs. 3-4 times a week.  It’s about how badly you want it.  This should all go into your fitness plan including how many sizes you want to drop as well as how many pounds.

9. Most important tip in the quest to getting in shape?

TE: Keep on going.  Everyone has good days and bad days.  Go for it. Be ready so you never have to get ready…

10. What should one look for a in a personal trainer/boot camp?

TE: Look for somebody who is motivated. Somebody who has your best interest in mind and will teach you something.  Somebody who can provide constant motivation, challenge you continuously and change it up  He/she should know where your coming from including your fitness background, and what you want to achieve.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjdhh3jlKmo

ABOUT TOMMY EUROPE

Best known as the tough love television host of the “The Last 10 Pounds Bootcamp” and “Bulging Brides” Tommy Europe is Canada’s most recognized and sought -after fitness coach.

Founder of Tommy Europe Fitness, Tommy is an entrepreneur, award-winning fitness coach, published author, keynote speaker and creator of the SHRED Training Philosophy.

Tommy earned his fitness credentials in the school of very hard knocks – as a Professional football player. An 11 year veteran, Tommy was a two-time all-star defensive back in the Canadian Football League, playing with the Montreal Alouettes, Winnipeg Blue Bombers and BC Lions. His football career included winning the Grey Cup in 1994, and earning a shot in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints. Tommy is also an honored member of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, BC Lions Wall of Fame, and BC Football Hall of Fame.

Facts about Tommy Europe:

  • Two-time all-star defensive back in the CFL
  • Founder of the SHRED Training Philosophy
  • Award-winning fitness coach
  • Best-selling author
  • TV Host

www.tommyeurope.tv

https://www.facebook.com/TommyEurope

https://twitter.com/TommyEurope/

https://www.instagram.com/tommyeurope/

 

 

 

 

You’re not *just* a mom

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

Wellness isn’t all yoga and smoothies, vitamins and the newest fad diet. Sure, sleep, eating right, regular doctors visits and keeping hydrated are all extremely beneficial when it comes to wellness, but you know what? Sometimes it needs to be all about us.

This dawned on me as I was sitting at Sick Kids hospital with my son for five hours this morning and then deciding to call it ‘A vacation day’ because I’d already missed more work than I wanted to make up.

My VACATION days are sacrificed for my children. Gladly.

Dinner? I make what THEY want.

Girls weekends in Vegas? Sorry, little bunny has a school play that Friday.

Honestly, when I realized I was sacrificing my purse and shoe addiction collection in order to fund the needs of these children, I knew I’d discovered the selflessness of motherhood.

Plus the staying up with sick kids, trading sleep for snuggles when they have bad dreams, playing board games (or bored games, I need a break from Candyland!), and sitting through hours of Dora, Caillou and Ruby – because, let’s face it, I really never need to hear any of those voices again – tell the tale.

We don’t have to NOT be moms, there’s no stopping that train, but we need to remember that we are also human beings. When was the last time a day was all about you? How about half-a-day? How about three consecutive hours?

It’s time to take a vacation day and use it. It’s time to leave them at daycare and NOT feel guilty on a day off. It’s time to pick a movie we want to see for once, go swimming without having to “watch this!” or spend time with a friend having tea without interruptions every minute, on the minute. It’s time to make a real dinner with adult flavours and real china instead of pandering to the mini masses.

It’s not a rejection of motherhood. I LOVE being a mom. I think that’s why it’s so easy to put myself last and worry more over their needs than mine. There’s no way I can possibly refuse to wake up for a nightmare or a sick child, but there are ways to carve out time for us and not be *just a mom* – and by JUST, I don’t minimize motherhood, not for one second. Motherhood is all-encompassing, I do it because I think it’s the biggest, best and most important job there is. But it’s time to rethink it and not make motherhood the only recognizable part of the people we are.

Next vacation day I’m hitting the spa, drinking champagne and buying myself something pretty.

(Unless my kids really need me!)

 

Oh sugar.

Posted on by Posted in The Struggle is Real .

There are two types of snackers in this world. The first are sweets people, the second are savoury snackers. Whether you can control yourself or you’re an indulger, there’s always a go-to.

Yes, those salty, garlicky kale chips in your hand, for example. Good choice, you savoury person you. At least it wasn’t a bag of potato chips or a stash of pork rinds, but you’re still a savoury.

And you – yes, you, who just “straightens” the edge of the cake, never taking a slice, just nibbling and pecking for a little sugar punch to the taste buds – you, my friend are a sweets person.

Me? I lean towards savoury. Give me salt, a dose of something fried, a little spice and I’m in snacker’s paradise. I love chocolate ice cream – I mean, come on! It’s ICE CREAM, but I know in my heart of hearts if you offer me movie theatre popcorn with extra butter I’ll denounce both Ben and his partner Jerry (unless it’s really hot out, but that’s not a fair fight!).

The problem with snacking is that I’m a snacker. It doesn’t help with the battle of the post-baby bulge (and certainly didn’t help in the battle of the pre-baby bulge, either), but after years of trying different methods of healthy eating and weight loss, I’ve learned what works for me.

Cutting out the beloved carbs.

Sorry carbs.

Carbs are essentially sugar. Whether it’s refined sugar, or carbohydrates, which the body breaks down as sugar, both forms of sugar are not doing us snackpacks any good!

Carbs are the 21st century scourge and scapegoat the way saccharine and diet colas were the solution to all problems in the 70s and the removal of all fat was the answer to our weight-control prayers in the 90s. Those fat-free foods, what? How can you have fat-free sour cream? Fat-free potato chips? Fat-free turned out not to be such a great idea either.

My favourite quotable quote of the recent nutritional revolution is from a book I listened to (I went through a phase of listening to audio books on my daily commute) called Skinny Bitch. Author Rory Freedman said ‘Whenever you see the words fat free or low-fat, think of the words chemical shit storm.’ Truer words, my friends, truer words. 

Not only do I NOT want to eat a chemical shit storm, I do not want to feed my family a chemical shit storm. I don’t want to teach them that chemical shit storms are a good replacement real food.

But what I also learned is that fat is not the enemy and sugar is actually not my friend. That fats are not the evil monsters I once thought. This is a realization that many people are just now starting to discuss.

I’m not even going to get into the politics.

Because politics.

I’m also not a nutritionist so I’m not giving advice here. This is just my personal experience after trying to figure out all of this nutrition stuff.

I live better when I live without carbs. Atkins, Paleo, South Beach, these fad diets are actually not fads at all. They are lifestyle changes to remove some foods that best allow for weight control and curbing cravings.

Yep. NO CARBS. Generally the average person is supposed to consume between 225 grams to 325 grams of carbs a day – roughly half of a day’s caloric intake will be from carbs. But if carbs are cut to a maximum of 50 grams per day, the body goes into ketosis. This is a state where it burns fat for fuel instead of sugar.

Who even knew a body could do that?

I’ve tried it and I like it, but I find it can be hard to sustain. But without carbs, I get no cravings. I get no hunger pangs. I get no sugar rushes or crashes. My body burns my fat supply as readily accessible fuel. It allows me to make better food choices.

There’s definitely something about sugar…

My mantra: Food is fuel. I can enjoy a nice steak, just skip the dinner rolls. I can have some savoury kale chips, just smaller portions. I can even indulge in chocolate, so long as it’s good, dark chocolate with no sugar added. I seriously love 85% cocoa chocolate.

It’s astounding what the body can do. There are apps to help track carbs and lists of healthy and nutritious foods that will give you all of the nutrients you need, it’s just a shame there’s no app that can actually convince me to put down the snacks and get to the gym!

NOTE: There are differing views on ketogenic diets. A ketogenic diet has been considered beneficial for medical reasons – like treating epilepsy, weight control – but can be extremely dangerous, too, specifically to diabetics. Before embracing this diet, please do your own research and talk to your doctor.

 

Be Well, Look Well – Tips to combat wrinkles and keep that face

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

We’re “Advanced Maternal Age”. Does that mean we’re old?

When I was in my teens and 20’s I looked young. I actually looked like a kid until my early 30’s. And then, suddenly, I see lines and wrinkles and signs of aging.

What the what is that all about.

I thought I’d be carded forever, turns out nobody needs to see my ID any more. So, why???? You know you want to know a bit about this danged aging business a bit more, so we caught up with Dr. John Zannis. He’s a New Bern, North Carolina board certified Plastic Surgeon, to break it down for us. 

Many aspects of facial and body aging are inevitable and a fact of life, explains Dr. Zannis. However, there are daily habits, motions and actions that we do that unnecessarily accelerate the aging process. While we are very fortunate to have so many non invasive advances in plastic surgery, many of them would not be necessary at younger ages if we negated some of the behaviors that cause wrinkles to appear prematurely.

Tanning Beds 

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. Not excessively – but hey, it was the 90s)

Despite skin cancer warning labels and common sense, 45 percent of young women surveyed in a February 2014 study revealed they still use tanning beds. Here’s your wakeup call: Tanning beds blast you with 12- to 15-times more ultraviolet radiation than the sun, which means you’re that much more likely to get wrinkles, dark spots, thick leathery skin and cancer. And that cancer could be the deadly kind: Melanoma is one of the most common cancers diagnosed among young women, with more than 32,000 women expected to be diagnosed in the coming years.

Alcohol

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. I bartended in my younger years. It was, at times, much like professional alcoholism)

Alcohol is a natural diuretic, so the more you drink, the more dehydrated you become. Dr. Zannis states that, “besides sapping the natural moisture from your skin, excessive alcohol also triggers rosacea outbreaks and exacerbates fine lines, acne, and wrinkles, all of which instantly make you look older. You don’t have to swear off the bottle altogether, but by drinking less, your liver doesn’t have to work as hard to flush out toxins and impurities from your body, and when it works more efficiently, you’ll see the results in your skin.”

Smoking

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Off and on. And I was goooood at it. But not in the last 15 years)

It’s certainly no secret that smoking is bad for your health. But did you know it’s bad for your looks, too? Dr. Zannis says that, “studies show that in addition to shortening your life by increasing your risk for heart and lung disease, smoking can activate enzymes that break down the elasticity of your skin. Even if you’re a closet smoker, the fine wrinkles and pallor that cigarettes cause can give you away — just one more reason to snuff out those smokes.”

You sleep with your face in the pillow

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Really? I sleep face down *when my kids let me sleep*)

Sleeping on your stomach or on your side with your face smashed into the pillow can create wrinkles and accelerate aging. “The connective tissue and collagen in your face becomes weaker and less supportive with age,” says Dr. Zannis. “So when you sleep on the same side of your face night after night, your skin won’t smooth out or spring back as quickly as it did when you were young.” Those crease lines from your pillow can become permanent. Sleep on your back or invest in a satin pillowcase to keep skin smooth.

 Cleaning facial skin too thoroughly.

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Love that squeaky clean feel)

After a long day, you want to get all the dirt, grease, and grime out of your pores by any means necessary, but this is a mistake that could cost your skin its youthful suppleness and glow. “When people use harsh soap in order to get a squeaky clean feel, they strip their skin of its natural oils and accentuate fine lines,” says Dr. Zannis. Stick to a gentle cleanser and don’t scrub, your skin will thank you later.

Aggressively removing your eye makeup.

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Like I have time to put eye make-up on, never mind take it off. But when I do, I love removing my eye makeup with coconut oil, it works and smells good too)

Taking off your makeup at night is important, but you should do it gently. The last thing you want to do is rub, tug, or scrap the skin around your eyes to get that last little bit of mascara off. “You can cause broken blood vessels and puffiness,” warns Dr. Zannis.

Sipping Through A Straw

(Urban Mommy Elisa: Yes, guilty. Not excessively – but hey, it was the 90s)

“Yes, repeated straw drinking causes people to purse their lips and can create wrinkles from the repetitive muscle motion,” says Dr. Zannis. He adds, “Much like repeated frowning causes wrinkles on the upper face.”

 

Dr. John Zannis

 Dr. Zannis

 John Zannis MD

 

www.Zannisplasticsurgery.com

Dr. John Zannis – New Bern, NC Plastic Surgeon, is married with three children. He has a passion for travel, languages, painting, and guitars.

Dr. Zannis is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. From Cincinnati, Ohio, he studied Human Biology and Studio Art at Stanford University prior to entering Medical School. He obtained his Doctor of Medicine degree (M.D.) from the University of Cincinnati College Of Medicine.

His studies in art and art history in Florence, Italy cultivated a passion for the Renaissance and geniuses of that time such as Leonardo DaVinci. Dr. Zannis instills artistry and perfectionism into his practice of surgery. His keen interest in procedures like rhinoplasty stem from their sculptural nature and the challenge they pose: “Rhinoplasty is considered one of the most difficult surgeries to master.

Veganuary – 2017 cookbook compiles favourite vegan celebrity recipes

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

Peter Egan shares his Parmigiana di Melanzane recipe below

Diet is a huge part of wellness. With so many options for eating well, when we came across this new cookbook for the annual Veganuary campaign, we knew we had to share! It’s a compilation of favourite vegan recipes from many celebs, including  Random Green Soup from Ab Fab’s Joanna Lumley; Parmigiana di Melanzane from Downton Abbey’s Peter Egan; Pamela Anderson’s gluten-free pizza; Mayim Bialik’s own Pean Pie Truffles; Joaquin Phoenix’s Tabbouleh; Beyoncé’s guacamole;Jason Mraz creates Chocomole; Moby’s Strawberry Shortcakes; Madonna’s Sticky Toffee Pudding – and many more!

Veganuary is an international campaign encouraging people to try a vegan diet in January. An annual campaign, it has had a huge impact, with more than 23,000 people from across 142 different countries pledging to do January meat-free. The 2017 campaign was launched with the creation of this beautiful e-cookbook featuring the favourite vegan meals of celebrities. It will be sent free of charge to everyone who registers to take part in Veganuary.

While we’re not judging, we have to say, these recipes look gooooood! I don’t think anyone would feel they were missing out on anything with these dishes!

Peter Egan’s Parmagiana di Melanzane

Peter is an incredible actor, a true gentleman and a passionate animal lover. He took part in Veganuary 2016 and has never looked back. He says: ‘I will always support Veganuary, but I won’t have to do it again because… I am now vegan.’

If, like Peter, you’re a fan of rich Mediterranean flavours, then try this beautiful Melanzane.

What you need:

– 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for brushing
– 3 cloves garlic, crushed
– 3 sprigs of thyme
– 8 sage leaves, finely chopped
– 4 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
– 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
– 3 tbsp caster sugar
– 4 large aubergines, sliced lengthways as thinly as possible
– 150g melting vegan cheese, grated – try Violife for Pizza, or VBites Cheezly Edam Style (Melting)
– 85g white breadcrumbs
– 50g pine nuts
– Handful of basil leaves

What you do:

1. Heat the oven to 200C / GM6.

2. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the garlic, thyme and sage, and cook gently for a few minutes. Then add the tomatoes, vinegar and sugar, and gently simmer for 20-25 minutes until it has thickened.

3. Meanwhile, heat a frying pan. Brush the aubergines slices on both sides with olive oil, and fry in batches until each slice is softened and slightly charred.

4. Mix 25g of the grated dairy-free cheese with the breadcrumbs and pine nuts, and set side.

5. Into a large baking dish, add a little of the tomato sauce and spread over the base. On top of this, add a layer or two of aubergines slices. Season.

6. Spoon over more sauce, then layer some cheese and basil leaves, and then another layer of aubergine. Repeat until you end with a layer of tomato sauce, and top with the breadcrumb mixture.

7. Bake for 30-40 minutes until the top is crisp and golden, and the tomato sauce is bubbling away. Rest for 10 minutes, and scatter with torn basil leaves.

Jason Mraz creates Chocomole

If, like singer-songwriter and plant-based foodie Jason Mraz, you love a pud but don’t want the sugar crash that follows, try his favourite chocolate mousse recipe, made with creamy avocados and sweetened with dates and maple syrup. It’s seriously good!

What you need:

– 16 Medjool dates, pitted and coarsely chopped
– 3 ripe avocados
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk
– 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– 1/4 cup pure maple syrup or agave nectar
– 1 tbsp coconut oil
– 1 tsp vanilla extract Pinch of sea salt

What you do:

1. Soak the dates in hot water for 5 to 10 minutes until soft. Drain.

2. Peel and de-stone the avocados, and blend their flesh with the milk, cocoa, syrup, coconut oil, vanilla extract and salt.

3. Place into ramekins and chill for three hours before serving.

 

As a charity, Veganuary is dedicated to changing public attitudes, while providing all the information and practical support required to make the transition to veganism as easy and enjoyable as possible. It is supportive, non-judgmental and a mine of information.

Veganuary has had an incredible degree of success in a very short time. In its first year, 3,300 people took part; in 2015 that rose to 12,800 and in 2016 to 23,000 people. In 2016, people from 142 countries took part with the top five being: UK, USA, Australia, Canada and South Africa.

Sixty per cent of people who participate in Veganuary say they have remained vegan six months later.

#Veganuary

10 Questions about placenta encapsulation

Posted on by Posted in 10 Questions With .

Have you heard about eating your placenta? The first time the suggestion comes up it can seem a bit unreal. But once the conversation gets going, you may see some pretty compelling reasons why many women do – the wellness factor for recovering from childbirth are pretty convincing. Eating your placenta is said to help balance hormones as you go from pregnant to not pregnant, helping combat post-partum depression and insomnia. It also helps with milk production and is said to boost energy.

Some people have recipes, but a great method has been developed to make it easy and palatable – encapsulation. It’s intriguing for all of its health benefits so invited Jenny DiPietro, a birth and postpartum worker – and specialist in placenta encapsulation – to answer the questions you know you want to know about this practice.

placenta-encapsulation-myths

1. I have to eat my placenta?  Nope

When I hear the word “eating” I think of something that lingers on my palate and is cooked al dente. That is not the case with Placenta Encapsulation. You swallow a neat and tidy pill. The pills are made for you with nothing else added except your ground up placenta.

2. I have to have a home birth? Nope

Your Placenta Encapsulation Specialist will give you full instructions for keeping your placenta safe and cool while in the hospital, until it is ready for the encapsulation process.

3. I can do it myself ?  True

I have seen many tutorials on YouTube. I cringe every time. Women are not following the proper steps to keep the placenta clean. They are not processing it properly and they are allowing the ingredients to touch the placenta.

Think about this a little more for a moment. You have just had a baby. Is processing and encapsulating your placenta really what you want to do while you are trying to heal, rest and take care of a new baby? Hiring a Professional Placenta Encapsulation Specialist helps ensure you get the most medicinal properties from your placenta.

4. This is a new fad ?  Nope

The practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been around for thousands of years. In fact, I know of Placenta Encapsulation Specialists that have been practicing this art professionally for 25+ years  — in Canada! This is a tried, tested and true remedy to heal, boost and support women who have just given birth.

5. Animals do it to keep predators away?  Nope

This theory has been debunked time and time again. I give you the short explanation: Animals that are able to leave their nesting site shortly after birth stay to consume their placenta. This can take up to 2 hours – plenty of time for a predator to sniff out and launch an attack. An animal would never be able to completely clean the nesting site from the fluids left behind, yet they still stay at the nest. Animals that have their young in trees do not drop the placenta from the tree, they stay and consume it. There are many more examples, but you get the picture. Why do they consume their placenta? Bonding, important nutrients, iron stores, and so many more reasons have been linked to this practice.

Did you know – The products made from your placenta will last forever. You can use them in menopause,  another hormone imbalancing stage in a woman’s life.

6. Only the “Crunchy” moms do it?  Not anymore

Thanks to celebrities this practice is hitting the mainstream mommas very quickly. I wouldn’t consider the Kardashian family crunchy ,  would you?

7. I’m a vegetarian or vegan.  Awesome

This is your placenta and it has come from life. It is ethical to consume. As a vegetarian or vegan you need to make your Professional Placenta Encapsulation Specialist aware of this so gelatin free capsules can be used.

8. Doctors won’t let you take your placenta home from the hospital.  False

Unless the placenta needs to be brought to pathology for some reason, you are free to do what you please with your placenta. In fact, you can ask if only a piece can be sent to pathology so you can still keep your placenta. It is your responsibility to make the doctors and nurses aware of your intention to bring home your placenta.

9. Pills are too hard to swallow.

Most Professional Placenta Encapsulation Specialists can work with you to find a more comfortable solution to this. Smaller capsules can be used, for example. The milled placenta does not have to be encapsulated. It can stay in powder form and added to fruit based smoothies instead.

10. I can’t participate in cord blood banking or lotus birth or water birth practices if I want Encapsulation .  Nope

Cord Blood Banking is absolutely possible. Placentas need to me milked of blood before being processed so cord blood banking just makes the job easier for your Professional Placenta Encapsulation Specialist. If you are planning a lotus birth you can have your cake and eat it too! Your placenta can be kept out of the fridge for up to 4 hours before it is deemed unusable for encapsulation. 4 hours gives your baby plenty of time to reabsorb the blood and precious stem cells and allow the cord to stop pulsing. This is called a partial lotus birth or modified lotus birth. It is gentle, ethical, and absolutely possible to encapsulate too.

Water birth is just fine as well. Your Professional Encapsulation Specialist is trained to know how to cleanse your placenta properly before encapsulation. She will let you know if additional cleaning needs to take place and get your permission to do so.

Go ahead! Hire a Placenta Encapsulation Specialist to get you feeling great after birth. You only get one chance with your placenta — make it count!

 

jenny-headshot-2Jenny DiPietro is a homemaker, placenta encapsulation specialist, blogger, and most importantly, wife to Paul and mom of 4 fantastic kids. She has recently formatted a brand  TV show entitled, “Let’s Talk, Mom”.   Jenny is having fun hosting guests and leading discussions through topics such as, “Planning for Postpartum”, and “Breast Milk”.  In her quiet moments she enjoys hiking with her kids and dog and watching Netflix.

 

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Tea for everything

Posted on by Posted in Delicious Dishes .

I stopped drinking coffee about 10 years ago. (Urban Mommy Elisa here, I don’t think Michelle would consider giving up caffeine). It was a baaaaaad habit. I was never without a full mug of black coffee all day long. I was super-caffeinated at all times. It was not healthy. One day I gave it up cold turkey.

It sucked.

It was weeks of feeling off, missing coffee, craving a jumpstart, fighting headaches.

You know what I found worked to replace the craving?

But tea wasn’t as easy as “Large black coffee please.” It wasn’t even as easy as “Grande skinny low-foam extra-hot one-sweet two shots of sugar-free vanilla bean latte.”

At first it was “What kind of tea do you have?” Then I learned that if I really didn’t want the unwanted caffeine I would have to ask if it had caffeine. Tea is sneaky like that,  it’s hard to figure out which teas have caffeine.

I finally realized that tea wasn’t just a hot drink to fill my empty coffee mug. I started to enjoy discovering tea because of the flavours, but as I started looking deeper into teas, I discovered some real wellness properties.

Here are my faves:

Licorice tea: I love the flavour of licorice tea, plus this one is great for digestion and acid reflux. I had never experienced acid reflux before being pregnant, but since having these two I’ve discovered the misery of it. Licorice tea really does help.
Note, anise and fennel taste very similar and provide similar properties, but are not the same plant.

Ginger tea: MMMMMM!!!!! I love ginger tea. Not particularly fond of it otherwise, but the tea! You can mix this one with a bunch of other flavours and it gives you a whole new treat in a mug. (Yes, admittedly, I’m a nerd.) They say ginger tea can help fight a cold, it’s probably because it’s an anti-oxidant, it’s got lots of vitamin C, and it helps with congestion. It’s also known for helping with nausea and offers some calming effects. Sometimes I want the strong burn of ginger, sometimes I add lemon, honey, peppermint, matcha or even a bag of apple blossom to the mix. It goes with just about anything, especially if that strong ginger flavour isn’t for you. I will boil raw ginger, but I keep store-bought sachets of ginger tea at the office.

Orange pekoe: I’ve always thought of orange pekoe as ‘tea’ – like the OG of teas. It’s one version of black tea, so it pretty much is. They serve it everywhere and it’s got this nice, mild and unassuming flavour that isn’t offensive to anyone. Of course I buy the decaf version. Anti-oxidants. This one, like most teas, is full of them.

Lemon zinger: I think I see a pattern in my tea drinking – I like strong and sharp flavours. Lemongrass is the base of lemon zinger tea. It’s a traditional after-a-meal tea because it helps with digestion. I just like the flavour. For less zing, there’s also lemon tea, made from dried lemon and often mixed with other herbals for a soothing flavour. Or you can stop laughing at granny’s habit of ordering hot water with lemon – also a digestive, lemon is supposed to help with weight loss. It also gives a good dose of vitamin C and has anti-oxidants that do the body good.

Peppermint tea: I just love mint. I like it fresh from the garden when my husband grows it, but I’m just as happy with prepackaged mint tea bags. It’s refreshing. It’s also soothing too, and is supposed to help with relaxation. This one is also a digestion aid. They say it helps with weight loss too. Really, what ISN’T mint tea good for?

Green tea: This is a super-tea. I like the flavour well enough, and it’s supposed to be so so so good for you. Lots of anti-oxidants, loads of nutrients. It promotes wellness throughout your body – from blood to organs to brain function – I’ve been told drinking green tea can make you smarter. I’ll try anything… Green tea has caffeine in it – much less than coffee, but still… So I go for the decaf version. It doesn’t have as many benefits as whole green tea, but is still better than a diet caffeine-free cola!

Matcha tea: Matcha is like Green tea on steroids. It’s got similar properties but is the super-charged version, because it’s powdered, so you’re actually ingesting the whole plant. It’s the super-tea of super-teas. It boosts the immune system, boosts energy, boosts your mood – and boosts metabolism to aid with weight loss. It’s worth reading up on this one because it has so many healthy and helpful properties. I find it’s a good one to mix with other teas. It goes with almost everything, you just need to find what you like. I mix it with ginger, peppermint and even a plain old orange pekoe. Because it is made from the whole leaf, it has quite a bit of caffeine – about half that of coffee. I have bought decaffeinated matcha but if I’m mixing it in smaller amounts with other flavours I don’t worry about it.

Jasmine tea: I’m not one for floral or fruity teas, but I love jasmine tea. It’s got a soft scent and isn’t distinctly floral-ish like, say rose-hip. I can’t stand rose-hip tea. Hate it. Hate the fancy and oh-so-trendy rooibos tea.  Sorry-not-sorry. But jasmine is a combo of jasmine petals and black tea – or green or white tea, depending on what brand you pick. Black tea has less caffeine than green tea, so there’s that – and yes, there’s decaf which I buy.

So take that coffee!

Though I should admit, after years of avoiding coffee altogether because I couldn’t resist the real stuff, I finally turned to decaf. But most brewed decaf just isn’t as good as a fresh cup of real coffee. Besides, it’s usually burnt or old pot of decaf coffee because it doesn’t sell fast, and that just tastes gross.

Though a fresh grande decaf latte has become one of my dirty little secrets as of late.

Yup… decaf lattes. I really walk on the wild side, don’t I?

*Please note – not all herbal teas are safe during pregnancy. During my pregnancies I had to consult with my doctors regarding which were safe. Since this is about my cutting out the coffee and not health tips for pregnancy I don’t feel comfortable recommending or warning against any of these since it would be best you check yourself if you’re pregnant.

Blitzing the day away blissed me out

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

Michelle and I have been talking about 30 days of wellness for some time now. It was all I could do to get through December – early deadlines, family gatherings, holiday parties, children’s winter concerts (three of them!) Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s celebrations – the month flew by before I knew it.

Then January started off with an air of calm, and I knew I’d be able to embrace 30 days of wellness.

Get yourself to the spa!

I mean it. It seems overindulgent, doesn’t it? Carving out many hours without the kids, without the responsibility, without technology. But why not? Why can’t mama be allowed to shut off completely and be indulged for 3 or 4 hours without interruption or distraction?

My bestie and I usually have kids in tow and can’t focus on a conversation for three consecutive minutes, so the spa was the perfect place to hang.

I love this place for the water therapies – Body Blitz Spa

 

I know it’s a luxury to be able to leave the kids and go – whether you’re a SAHM, a working mom, a single mom or a busy type A multitasking machine, but you NEED to make time for yourself, and the spa really is one of my favourite ways to recharge. It’s the quiet. It’s the insulation from the outside world. It’s the fact that they’ll actually kick you out if they see you with technology that keeps me in check.

We hit up Body Blitz Spa in Toronto. I love this place – it’s a peaceful retreat with a circuit of plunge pools, soaking tubs and saunas. Sometimes I commit to the cycle, sometimes I just chill out in whichever space I feel. You can add a massage, a facial, a scrub or other body treatment if you want, but the water therapies are just so soothing I’ve never really thought additional relaxation was needed.

It’s SO relaxing – just what January’s wellness calls for after the feverish pace of December.

Blitzing the day away blissed me out.

Of course, if you can’t make time for an actual spa outing, give yourself an evening of spa indulgence just the same. A hot bath, epsom salts, essential oils, a facial pack, a good body scrub, some flowers, some delicious detoxifying juices and teas and you’ve got yourself a set-up for soothing and relaxation! The important thing is – no kids, no electronics, no distractions.

 

 

 

Organize, declutter, you’ll feel better

Posted on by Posted in DIY, Urban Suburban Mommy .

UI long for Carrie Bradshaw’s closet.  Oh the single days.  I know you can relate!

Mess = chaos in my mind.  But since I have become a mom of two active boys, I have pretty much accepted the fact that my house is messy and chaotic.  As we continue our quest for wellness, we had the privilege of speaking with Jane Stoller, author of Organizing for your lifestyle. Jane provides us with some great tips for getting your closets organized to achieve your dreams of a Carrie closet. You may even be inspired to tackle your little ones closets too!

1.What are the most important things to put into practice while trying to get one’s household organized?

A constant theme I reiterate in my book is that organizing is a lifestyle, but it isn’t one-size-fits-all. Incorporating organizing into your life shouldn’t, ultimately, involve changing who you are, but rather maximizing it. Knowing where your favorite socks are, and having them stored correctly, means you’ll be able to wear your favorite socks more often, and look better doing it. Similarly, packing properly for a once-in-a-lifetime trip means you’ll be able to enjoy that trip even more. Remember: being organized doesn’t mean thinking about organizing all the time. Ideally, being organized means that you don’t have to think about organizing all the time—because you do it automatically, as an organic part of your everyday routine. And you can only reach this level of organizing bliss by making sure your organizing systems and routines are perfectly adapted to your goals, personality, and needs.

Again: organizing is a lifestyle, but it needs to be your lifestyle.

2. What items are essential for closet organization?

The most important element I address is space. Analyzing the current space you HAVE and then adding/adapting the space you NEED.

Hangers are essential. There are many different types and hangers have specific uses. Felt wire hangers are great to save space and are ideal for small closet spaces for example.

If you want to save on space use hangers made of felt wires which are thin and great for small closet spaces. In my book, I go deeper into what to hang vs fold, as often we are hanging items that should be folded and vice versa such as knitwear. After an extensive list on clothing I also mention everything else that we need to store including, Lingerie, Jewelry, Activewear, socks etc.

3. What organizational items are worth spending money on?

I would stress that this depends on your lifestyle. If you move allot or are committed to a dwelling for a longer period of time this will likely change the amount you will spend on organizing solutions.  Specifically, for the closet I would spend money on hangers and specific organizing solutions that suit the most amount of clothing you have.  If you have a lot of activewear opposed to business clothes you might need to invest in several drawers over hanging space.

4. What are some key tips to organize your closets?

De- Clutter – I focus allot on de-cluttering and for many women this is very important for the closest.

Evaluate – Ensure you know what types of clothing you have before you buy new organizing systems, know what specifics you need (hanging space, drawers, shelves).

Sustainability – It is sometimes necessary to choose the practical solution over the prettiest one; otherwise, you might be inclined to create an even larger disorganized mess. For example: if you love the look of having your shirts colour-coordinated, but then always find yourself searching for different types of shirts or sleeve lengths, why not organize for type or sleeve length, rather than by colour? Organizing shirts by sleeve length may not be as aesthetically pleasing, but it will support your organizing goals, and will likely save time.

5. How do you keep other members in your family on track once you have reorganized your closets in your home?

I recommend to tell everyone about your organizing goals so that you can garner encouragement from friends and family. Similar to when you want to reach a health or fitness goal, telling people about your organizing goals will help motivate you; once people are watching, you won’t want to fail! Tell your friends you’re on a track to get more organized, and even ask them over to help de-clutter. If you’re married or live with someone, let them know about your organizing goals, and try to involve them in the process. You might even want to reach out to a mentor or enlist a mentor to help. One of my organizing mentors is Martha Stewart, and although I cannot personally reach out to her, I can follow her on Instagram and incorporate her organizing tips and ideas into my life.

Organizing for Your Lifestyle is a fun, inspiring guide to organizing all aspects of your life, from socks to suitcases. This book is written in such a way that any reader can benefit from. Whether you are single or part of a large family, live in an apartment or a mansion, incorporating organization into your life can help maximize your potential to accomplish more on a daily basis.

About Jane Stoller

Jane Stoller was born and raised in a small town in Ontario, Canada. Her parents immigrated to Switzerland in order to follow their dream of owning a dairy farm.

Jane’s love for organizing began as a child as she was often found happily lining up her pet cats, stuffed animals and books.  Growing up, her passion for organizing shifted to all types of storage space with a special desire for revolutionizing closets! Coupled with her entrepreneurial spirit, Jane has shared her organizing skills with countless friends and colleagues.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science and a Master’s in Business Administration from Canada’s top universities.  Jane currently lives in Zurich, Switzerland and works in the construction industry.

To learn more, go to OrganizingForYourLifestyle.com or connect with Jane on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.