Urban Suburban Mommy

Category Archives: The Best You

Holiday Gift Guide – Urban Suburban Mommy Style

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Everyone needs some shopping inspiration. Gift guide after gift guide explains what to get the children, or the hubby, or the boss, or the teacher.

Well, what about mom? What do we want? You know what we want – we all want the same thing. So don’t read this gift guide for yourself, share this gift guide with the Urban Suburban Daddies, the Urban Suburban Uncles, The Urban Suburban Girlfriends, Boyfriends, Fiancés and Friends.

This is what just about any mom wants for the holidays:

A retreat.

She stays up too late sewing the costumes for class plays the night before. She runs around looking for shirts that don’t itch. She knows where every favourite toy and stuffie is at all times. She needs a break. A weekend with no responsibility. A morning with no alarm clocks. A night with no bedtime fights. A meal with no interruptions. With spouse? With friends? Let her pick.

A clean house.

We all know that housework should be shared. It’s not mom’s domain. But we all know who gets it done. Give her a few weeks off with housekeeping services. Seriously, the cost of making mom happy, giving her back some free time and putting a smile on her face is a fraction of what marriage counselling costs per month. Don’t argue about whose turn it is to vacuum, pay for the privilege and get it done.

Deep relaxation.

Mom’s got a busy life and she puts everyone else first. Everyone is served and eating before she finishes and sits down. She got the lunches made and the kids dressed for school, and threw her hair in a messy bun (thank goodness they’re in style!), forgoing a shower and blow-dry. She totally needs a day at the spa. Go for one of the good ones with water therapies and fancy tea stations, and book her a massage. A deep tissue massage. And DON’T request a female masseuse – unless you think that’s HER preference. Hold it together and let her have an afternoon off. She’s coming home to you all refreshed and relaxed up.

Some free time.

She talks about how much she misses yoga classes. She used to belong to a book club. She’s stopped going to the mall and orders all her clothing online. Face it, she loves her family, but families require endless amounts of mom’s time. Give her the gift of a few reliable hours a week that are hers and hers alone, to regain that favourite activity. Getting the kids to activities, feeding them dinner, doing the bedtime routine – it’s a big job, but you can do it without her a few hours a week!

Wine.

Mom needs wine. A spare bottle of something just a bit nicer than she’d usually buy herself. You know what? Make it 2.

Flu fighting – mom’s natural secret weapons!

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Nobody wants the flu. It sucks to get it and it sucks even more to watch the kids suffer through it.

And don’t get me started on when dad gets the flu. Nobody wants that.

From shots to putting an onion in the corner, there area  lot of ideas floating around on how to combat the flu, but those aren’t for everyone. So what can you do to keep your family healthy? We caught up with Dr. Christopher Calapai for some answers. Dr. Calapai, based in New York, is an Osteopath Physician, board certified in family medicine and anti-aging medicine (yes, we love him for several reasons!).

Here are Dr. Calapai’s 15 suggestions for fighting the good fight against the flu. Some of these – like permission to eat fries – you’ll be happy to follow. And none of these will spark nasty feuds on your favourite mom board, so feel free to share the health:

1. Keep your surroundings clean. Wipe surfaces at work, keep your cell phone clean. According to the CDC viruses can survive on a surface for up to 8 hours.

2. Wash your hands frequently. It’s not enough to get wet, wash with soap to kill the germs. And use a hand sanitizer. Remember the workplace and public spaces are a hotbed for germs. This is where the hand washing comes into play.

3. Increase intake of vitamin D, C, E and A. Include foods such as red bell peppers (add to salads), sweet potatoes, chicken soup, salmon and garlic. Research shows that keeping vitamin D levels at 80 ng/ml or so decreases the risk of catching the flu and swine flu.

4. Bring your own lunch. Pack a luch for work. It allows you to control food prep and ensure surfaces are clean. No cross contamination from a sick cafeteria worker for you!

5. Get a full night’s sleep. When you feel run down you’re more susceptible to illness.
(I know… the impossible dream with my two boys playing musical beds all night, but maybe *they’ll* take the doctor’s advice.)

6. Work from home when feeling sick. These days it’s easier for people to work from home at the slightest signs of cold or flu, protect yourself and your colleagues.

7. Eat kimchi! It’s delicious and a great probiotic – which boosts immunity.

8. Add mushrooms to your meal. Packed with selenium, they’re an immunity booster too.

9. Sip green or black tea. Green and black tea are packed with polyphenols and flavonoids, which ward off illness. They also contain L-theanine, an immunity boosting amino acid.

10. Munch on sweet potato fries. Who can argue with a doctor that instructs eating fries? But sweet potatoes are high in the powerful anti-oxidant beta-carotene. They also have B complex and vitamin C as well as iron and phosphorus, helping you to fight off bacteria and viruses.

11. Don’t touch your face – especially eyes.The average person touches their face around 15 times per hour! It’s something we do unconsciously so if we can be more aware of face touching the more we can stop.

12. Soup it up! Chicken veggie noodle and ginger garlic soup help fight flu and sinus infection.

13. Exercise regularly! Doing 30 minutes of moderate cardio per day is optimal to enhance the performance of infection-fighting white blood cells.

14. Go hands free on the smartphone. When we put our phones down and then pick them up or touch them this is where viruses can spread. Using earbuds and cleaning the phone with a device friendly cleaner will help.

15. Lose the booze. You really want to cut back on alcohol consumption during flu season. It dehydrates us and lowers our immunity so our ability to fight off virus is impaired.
(You may not like this one, and we almost didn’t include it – especially with holidays coming up. We’re going to ask the doctor if wine counts!) 

About the Doctor:

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the “The Stem Cell Guru” by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson’s. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham’s, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers.

drcal.net

 @drcalapai

7 best beauty tips for moms returning to work

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Since August is the month with the highest birth rate (I am an August baby – are all you mamas trying to stay warm in November?!?!?), it’s also the month for the most Canadian mommies going back to work after their one year maternity leave. Yes, we Canadians are lucky in that respect! But moms everywhere can use this advice, so we caught up with the woman behind the fashion label Peachymama, Merril Bainbridge for some top beauty tips to take you back to the bread-winning world.

Merril offers:

Gone are the days when you would spend hours fixing your hair and making yourself beautiful before going out, either for pleasure or work. You now have a baby to attend to! You will surely have less time for your beauty routines.

However, this should not prevent you from looking your best, most especially when you have already decided to go back to work. There are easy shortcuts that new moms like you can try to achieve glowing skin, shiny hair, and well-applied makeup.

How new moms can look fresh and rejuvenated

1. Shower before bedtime

When your baby is down for the night, you will definitely have more time to shampoo your hair and soak in the tub. The warm water will also help you feel relaxed and prepare you for several hours of uninterrupted sleep (fingers crossed!).

2. Cut your makeup routine

The sheer glow you have throughout your pregnancy often vanishes right after giving birth. Get that sheer glow back by using a high quality concealer or a cream-to-powder formula foundation. If you want to add some color, keep it simple by opting for a cream blush, which can also serve as an eye and lip tint. Allot another 10 seconds for curling your eyelashes as this can help make those sleepy eyes appear brighter and bigger.

3. Keep your nails short and neat

Right after giving birth, you may not have enough time for a manicure; still, you need to keep your nails short and smoothly filed. Aside from making your hands pretty, having short and clean nails will also prevent you from scratching your baby’s tender skin, most especially when changing diapers.

4. Use functional yet fashionable clothing

From leggings to tees to shoes, consider wearing black because this color can slim you down in minutes. Most importantly, it can take care of all those body issues you are currently dealing with.

Aside from that, choose fantastic clothing that will make your legs look longer. These include garments with vertical stripes, maxi skirts, high-waist jeans, and straight-cut pants.

As for your shoes, block heels can be the best option for you. Apart from giving you height, these are also all about comfort.

5. Accessorize

With the expenses associated with having a new baby, you probably cannot afford an entirely new wardrobe. Still, you can show off the latest trends as well as give your wardrobe a lift by picking up handbags and other accessories you own. You can make use of a diaper bag that can also transform into a laptop bag. Also, headbands or beanies are some great choices for hair accessories if you do not feel like styling your hair.

6. Make your hair shiny and beautiful

If you do not have time to wash those locks, consider using a dry shampoo. On the greasy spots, apply baby powder and brush them out. Don’t forget to apply a shine spray to make sure that whenever your hair falls, it won’t look all frizzy out in public.

If you’re feeling down, opt for a new hair color because this will surely lift your spirits. This will also introduce some welcome changes to your style for several months.

7. Nourish your skin

Keep your skin free of dirt, sweat and oil to prevent a dull appearance and clogged pores. Always wash your face every morning and night and after activities like cleaning the house, exercising or any physical activity. But if you do not have time to wash your face, use an astringent instead.

Each time you go out, do not forget to protect your skin by applying sunscreen. And after sun exposure, soothe your skin with fragrance-free cream to prevent skin irritations.

Keeping your skin moisturized is also very important. Apply hypoallergenic moisturizer after every cleansing. Be aware of the skincare products to avoid while breastfeeding.

If possible, pamper your skin at least once a week to make it feel and look fantastic. For five minutes, you can actually give yourself a home spa treatment. Gently cleanse your face, and then steam it over a bowl of hot water with rose or lavender leaves. After that, splash with cold water. Lastly, apply some moisturizer. By doing so, the pores will be deep-down clean. And most importantly, you will feel and look relaxed.

Most of all, try to embrace the return to work – it’s a big change, but you’ve got this!

About Merril:

At 16, Merril Bainbridge began her career in the Australian fashion industry. In her early 20’s she left to launch a successful Pop Music career which saw her at the top of the US Music Charts. Retiring to start a family, she found a new purpose helping breastfeeding women with her fashion label, Peachymama.

 

5 must-have beauty products and tips for every mom from Brittany Gray

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It was a  lot of fun to connect with fellow mom, Brittany Gray, founder of Fancy Face Inc and the bridal beauty expert for Kleinfeld Canada. Brittany has some amazing tricks and product suggestions so that you can look your best in a matter of minutes as the stunning woman that you are!
1. What make up tips do you recommend to hide dark circles under the eyes (every mom wants to know!)
There is a trend that is making waves right now, which is the “orange color correcting” trend. To execute this properly, use an orange-toned concealer on your under eye area to color correct the blue/purple tones that cause the dark circles. After applying a thin layer, reach for your favorite brightening concealer to put on top. This will cover up the orange toned color corrector and also reflect light so that you look bright eyed and bushy tailed. My two favorite products for this? NYX color correcting orange under eye concealer and YSL Touché Eclat. 
 
 
2. Any tips to minimize lines or wrinkles?
 
There is a product I’ve come to know and love to combat fine lines and wrinkles that happen with age and in the case of mommy hood, lack of sleep and hydration. One of my favorite go-to’s is the Kiehl’s Powerful Strength Line Reducing concentrate. This product diminishes the appearance of aging, improves the overall texture of the skin and noticeably decreases the appearance of marionette lines, crows feet, sub-orbital lines and wrinkles.
 
3. Can you recommend a simple beauty regime that moms on the go can do in 5-10 minutes?
 
I am all about fast, easy and effective beauty. I want to look the best I possibly can in the least amount of time (and without a lot of effort). One trick I swear by is the Dior One Minute Mask. I would love to have the time to pamper myself for a full hour every morning or night, but let’s face it… it ain’t happening. With this one minute mask, I am doing great things for my skin in a fraction of the time.
Another favorite product of mine is Crest One-Hour white strips. I love the ones that adhere to your teeth seamlessly so I can drink water, talk to clients on the phone, all the while giving myself the lift I need to feel fresh and glamorous. With all the coffee I drink now as a new mom, whitening my teeth is an absolute must.
Another trick is to take a few minutes to put together a makeup bag full of everyday staples. I recommend keeping your makeup bag relatively neutral in tone so that when you reach for it every morning, the products you’ve chosen work with every outfit, and you don’t need to do any guesswork. Choose your favorite mascara, a bb cream, a matte bronzer, a blush, a brow pencil/powder and a neutral lip liner and lipstick combo and you’re good to go!   
 
 
4. What is your favorite moisturizer?
 
I absolutely love Kiehl’s Super Multi-Corrective Cream. It smells amazing and it is packed with nutrients!
5. What do you recommend for dry lips – regime or product?
 
Clarins recently launched a new product coined as a “Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil“. This product is extremely moisturizing and don’t feel too slippery, sticky or greasy. Picture a wonderfully hydrating and high-shine gloss. With three shades to choose from, these lip oils have “all the power of plant oils infused in a lip treatment to nourish and enhance their beauty.” 
 
About Brittany Gray
 
Brittany Gray is a beauty expert, entrepreneur and nationally recognized actress and television personality. She is the founder of Fancy Face Inc., one of North America’s top luxury mobile beauty companies, specializing in hair and makeup services for weddings, special events, entertainment industry functions, and celebrity glamour. For more information, please visit www.fancyface.ca 
 

Want to “Get in the mood?” This Valentine’s Day? We recommend these 10 foods

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Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. You’ve written up the cutsie cards for the kids’ classes and found the class treat you’re going to make on Pinterest.

But what about moms and pops? Isn’t Valentine’s Day for us too?

Urban Suburban Mommy caught up with Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O – a New York City Osteopathic Physician. Dr. Calapai is board certified in family and anti-aging medicine. We got his take on aphrodisiacs.

“Aphrodisiacs are foods that have certain chemical properties that could increase pheromones, estrogen of testosterone, estrogen, heightening our interest in sex,” explains Dr. Calapai. So they’re real. Not the superfly – the urban legend of our high-school days, These. Are. Real. According to the doctor, o be considered a true aphrodisiac the substance must be consumed orally and must reliably increase libido or sexual desire and within minutes. No pharmaceutical blue pills, these are ready and waiting at the grocery store – you may even have some around the house and not realize their magical powers!

Ok so what are these sexual super foods and what is it about them that “Gets you in the mood? Dr. Love – er – Dr. Calapai explains:

1. Oysters

One of the most infamous aphrodisiacs to us all, oysters are high in zinc and have a reputation for being great for fertility. Researchers have found that oysters contain amino acids that trigger production of sex hormones. “Oysters offer a lean source of protein to help give you energy all night long. In addition to offering the body zinc, which helps blood flow and nourish sperm, there’s scientific evidence that an amino acid found in oysters may directly raise sexual hormone levels,” says Dr. Calapai.

2. Bananas

With their phallic shape, bananas already look tempting and sensual; but they also contain bromelain, an enzyme, which Dr. Calapai says, triggers testosterone production. The fruit’s potassium and vitamin B elevate energy levels and the high sugar content gives the brain a kick! Melt some chocolate to add some sexy decadence.

3. Honey

Honey is made through pollination and secretions of many fertile bees worshipping their queen, just what every woman wants! Drizzled on certain body parts honey can be fun. It has a number of vitamins and it also contains boron, which helps regulate estrogen and testosterone levels and the sweet and sappy sweetness provides a natural energy boost.

4. Watermelon

Packed with citrulline and lycopene, Watermelon may have a Viagra-like effect on the body, as it relaxes blood vessels and improves circulation. It may even prevent erectile dysfunction. It’s incredibly juicy, sexy and when dipped in chocolate is the perfect flavor explosion.

5. Pine Nuts

High in energizing zinc and fatty acids, which have been linked to a healthy sex drive, pine nuts are also considered aphrodisiacs because of the effort required to procure these oily gems from pinecones.

6. Arugula

This peppery tasting plant has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. “The bite of the aromatic leaf might get you in the mood and the minerals and antioxidants found in dark leafy greens like arugula have also been proven to block environmental contaminates that could negatively harm libido,” explains Dr. Calapai.

7. Olive Oil

Packed with antioxidants, olives and their oil have been used for centuries for health. The Greeks believed they made men more virile as well. “Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are critical for a healthy heart, smooth blood flow and stable hormone production, all needed to keep the brain, prostate and penis in good shape!” says Dr. Calapai.

8. Figs

Eaten by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, the fig has forever paradoxically symbolized both sexuality (the ripe fruit with seeds representing fertility) and modesty (the fig leaf). They are full of potassium and are an antioxidant powerhouse, sweet and delicate when eaten.

9. Pomegranate

These bright gems enclosed in a thick rose-colored husk are filled with tangy sweet antioxidants, which support blood flow and clear thought. One study by The Male Clinic in California found that pomegranate juice had a positive effect on erectile dysfunction.

10. Chai Tea

Skip the coffee and end the night with a cup of Indian chai tea. The typical spices in this brew include ginger, cloves and cinnamon, all come from exotic places and certainly will get the blood flowing. Since it has almost no caffeine the stimulant effect is less than coffee allowing you and your lover to drift to sleep.

So forget the champagne with strawberries and whipped cream, skip the big carby romantic dinner. Go for the oysters, the fruit platter with honey, the salad with arugala and pine nuts, drizzled with olive oil, and serve it all up with chai tea for the perfect Valentine’s Day!

 

Dr. Christopher Calapai, D.O. is an Osteopathic Physician board certified in family medicine, and anti-aging medicine. Proclaimed the “The Stem Cell Guru” by the New York Daily News, Dr. Calapai is a leader in the field of stem cell therapy in the U.S. His stem cell treatments have achieved remarkable results in clinical trials on patients with conditions as varied as Alzheimer’s, arthritis, erectile dysfunction, frailty syndrome, heart, kidney and liver failure, lupus, MS and Parkinson’s. He has worked with Mike Tyson, Mickey Rourke, Steven Seagal, and Gotham’s, Donal Logue; and as a medical consultant for the New York Rangers.

drcal.net

 @drcalapai

 

How Pinterest Saved My Life(Style)

Posted on by Posted in The Best You, Urban Suburban Mommy .

Like many moms, I need help getting dressed in the morning. Not “one leg at a time” help, just gentle redirection so that I can put together an ensemble that doesn’t scream “poor you” or “laundry day.” When I was ready to go back to work after my second and last mat leave, I turned to social media for help. I decided to start a Pinterest board to help me find my style and get my general groove back.

Unfortunately, there were no boards titled “Outfits for Cray Mombies” or “What to Wear When You’re Currently Covered in Poop”, so I settled on “Casual Mom Outfits”. I’ve learned a lot about conserving time and money when trying to piece together a wardrobe on a budget. Here’s what Pinterest has taught me about fashion, style and sanity:

  1. I pick out my clothes the night before. I’m not kidding. You will save precious minutes getting dressed if you’re not standing in front of your closet with your mouth open trying to figure out what to wear. In fact, if possible, pick out your outfits for the week. One less thing to stress about, and you’ll avoid reaching for the same 10% of the closet that you always wear.
  1. I now work with what I’ve got. I have neither the funds nor the patience to start my wardrobe from scratch. Oh pretty please, can I stare at myself half-dressed and sweaty in a dressing room while garbage music thumps through the speakers, causing an aneurysm and resetting my heartbeat? The good news is that I have have a “tabula rasa” closet –full of neutral (black) pieces and endless possibility. Pinterest helped me pull together items I already had and reassembled them in new ways. For example, I saw this:

So I thought: Well, I have jeans and I have 500 black shirts. Add some fancy bracelets and a pair of flats and voila! It looks like I got dressed without having to smell my clothes first!

  1. I stopped spending tons of money on trends. Remember parachute pants? Shoulder Pads? Yeah, I’m still trying to forget. Trends can quickly become fads. And honestly, who can keep track? I’m still wearing a side ponytail. Rushing to keep up is a waste of time and money. Consider too that not every trend is right for every body type. Recently, I tried to rock the whole raw hem with ankle boots thing. It’s supposed to look like this:

I looked like a hobbit in dirty shrunken pants. Now, I keep trendy items to accessories.

  1. I skip sales. Unless you’ve found the one – that item you’ve been dying to get and has finally come out of the stratosphere and into your arms in your size and at an incredible discount – you won’t wear half of what you buy on sale. Volume is not value. If you figure out the cost per wear, you’ve actually spent more on a $10 shirt worn once than on a $100 sweater that you’ve worn a billion times. I used to do 85% of my shopping in January and July – the in-between seasons where everything is heavily discounted – and routinely wound up with things that were out of style by the time I got around to making those purchases useful. Now, I avoid Boxing Week like the plague and only shop Cyber Monday if there’s something I’ve had my eye on for more than 3 months.
  1. I know my digits. Not just my size (which varies from retailer to retailer) but my actual measurements. In addition to being a sadistic torment, knowing my bust, waist and hip measurements will ensure that I order the right size if (when) shopping online, especially if items are listed in European sizes (for example, a size EU37 translates to “Ha ha you wish” in its US equivalent.) It also prevents an accumulation of crap I can’t unload, and I hate returning online items.

Most moms have a decision threshold – after a certain amount of time, our ability to make decisions – good ones anyway – is drastically depleted. It’s called “decision fatigue”. For me, I can’t make executive decisions past 10:00 a.m. (lunch time is usually whatever I can find between the couch cushions.) It might sound corny using social media to dress myself, but if I can offload one more task, why wouldn’t I? If people can pin vision boards or outfits for their cat, why can’t I designate a board for personal style? I’ve become a better dresser and a better shopper, and that’s major value.

Eco-wellness

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As we near our the end of our 30 days of wellness, we wanted to explore the concept of eco-wellness.  We had the pleasure of speaking with fellow mom blogger and eco-expert Sara Vartanian of Green Moms Collective.  Sara has some pretty enlightening thoughts as well as some easy tips to start living a greener and healthier life.

1. What does wellness mean to you?

Wellness means being mindful of the choices I am making for my mind, body and spirit. I am aiming to do the best I can at the time, making progress from where I am right now rather  than seeking perfection.

2. How has living green contributed to you & your family living well?

It seemed that once we began making greener choices (e.g., reusable diapers, cleaner products, organic when possible food, organic mattress/bedding etc.) that we tuned into our lives more. We became more mindful about everything including how we spend our time as a family and even the decision to live in a log home lakeside for a year.  We’ve always been fairly minimal when it comes to clothing and ‘stuff’ around our home but living green meant that the things we’ve bought have been more intentionally purchased such as saving up for a set of organic king-sized bed sheets or adding to our collection of reusable containers every year. We now have enough for leftovers and school lunches!

3.What are 3 easy things parents/families can do around their home to contribute eco-wellness?

  1. Open windows when cleaning whether you are using green or conventional products. Yes, even in winter. We spend a lot of time in our homes so it’s important to keep our indoor air healthy.
  2. Babies and children spend a lot of time on the floor playing and crawling around to explore their environment. Leave shoes at the door of your home. Wearing them around the house tracks in all sorts of yuckiness like waste, renovation dust and winter ice salt…which you breathe in and your children play on.
  3. Swap out a personal care product you use multiple times a day for a cleaner alternative. It’s the items that we use daily that can really contribute to our wellness. My guide to green beauty can help you figure out what to switch but I recommend starting with replacing plastic soap dispensers for a natural soap bars. Bars are the ultimate in minimal waste as you use every last scrap of soap and they have less packaging than their pump counterparts.

4.What should parents look out for shopping for green or eco products?

A good starting place when shopping for cleaner products is to look for a simple and easy to understand ingredient list. Also, if you aren’t sure if the scent in the product is a synthetic or natural fragrance, than opt for unscented. Synthetic fragrances can cause breathing problems, headaches and a build up of VOCs (products that off-gas chemicals) in our homes.

I aim to avoid these ten ingredients when shopping for natural beauty products since we use  personal care items daily which can really impact our health.

ABOUT SARA:

Sara Vartanian is a mom of two boys, who recently moved back to the city after spending a year living lakeside amongst the trees. She is the founder of Green Moms Collective, a Canadian website dedicated to helping mothers live a green and mindful lifestyle. Sara works with wellness and education businesses to manage their social media and outreach programs. If she’s not on Instagram sharing all things green mom, she can be found wiping green smoothies off her children’s faces or shopping at a farmer’s market.

http://www.greenmomscollective.ca

FB: https://www.facebook.com/GreenMomsCollective/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/greenmomsco/

Pin: https://www.pinterest.com/GreenMomsCo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/greenmomsco

Consider a Plant-Based Life and Live Longer

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In our continued quest for wellness this month, we had the pleasure of speaking with fellow mom and A Plant-Based Life Cookbook Author Micaela Cook Karlsen.  She shared her take on why plants trump meat in the quest for a healthier lifestyle.  She was even kind enough to share some delicious recipes to prove it. You’ll be fascinated by the benefits of leading a plant-based life – it’s good for the whole family.  You’ll want to pick up a copy of her new book to learn more.

1. Why did you choose to lead a Plant-based life?

In the very beginning, around age 16 or 17, a couple of my friends were vegetarian, and I wanted to give it a try! I felt drawn towards eating more healthfully, but since I had struggled with feeling overweight for some time, I think the goal more in the forefront of my mind was to lose a little weight and maintain what I felt was a comfortable body weight for me. Over the years, my goals have shifted to be more focused on health for me and for the planet at the same time – and it’s nice that now that I’m so much more knowledgeable about a truly health idea, it’s very easy to meet both of those goals at once!

2.Why do you think it is important for people to consider living a plant-based lifestyle?

So many people in Westernized countries are facing either chronic illness or overweight. (Most people have heard that 2/3 of Americans are overweight and half those are obese.) As someone who has cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis in the family, I’m concerned with living well into my old age, not just living longer. And as someone who struggled with weight and feeling comfortable in my body for many years, I feel so much compassion for anyone trying to lose weight unsuccessfully. As far as healthy weight goes, a whole food, plant-based diet is absolutely the easiest, most straightforward path to success because you can eat until you’re full without worrying about calories. I do believe with all my heart that important to accept yourself and your body wherever you are and whatever you look like. At the same time, for me, that’s balanced with my experience that when I finally got to a healthy weight for a woman my height, I started to feel so comfortable in a way I never had before! It’s easier than most people realize with plant-based eating.

3.How do you respond when critics say that a plant based lifestyle doesn’t taste good?

Many people mistakenly believe that tastes are fixed – almost as though your taste preferences were part of your personality. We enjoy what we are used to – so what we’ve eaten over the last few months, few weeks, few days, and even from morning to evening shapes what we want to eat and what we enjoy. Most people can recognize this with sugar – don’t eat it for a long time, and the attraction fades, but eat syrupy waffles on a Sunday morning and you’re probably in the mood for dessert that evening. People who say plant-based eating doesn’t taste good are simply accustomed to eating heavier animal foods and foods with added salt, sugar, and fat. If you switch to a plant-based diet without telling yourself you have to stick with it forever, if you can just stick with it for a few weeks, you’ll notice yourself starting to lose interest in some of the old foods. This means everyone has the ability to train themselves to genuinely enjoy healthy food!

4. What is your favorite plant based dish?

There are so many! Like most people who eat this way, I felt like diet expanded my diet rather than the reverse. Right now, one of my favorites is my own recipe Interstellar Lasagna in A Plant-Based Life. It’s a food I could eat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

5. How do you recommend parents introduce a plant based lifestyle to their children?

It really depends on whether you are introducing it when they are little or older and have already established their own eating preferences. The second can be much more challenging. As parents, it’s inevitable that our children will exercise more and more free will as they get older. I think the best strategy is to help them develop good judgement, make sure they don’t feel judged for their eating habits, and then engage in a lot of dialogue with them about your own reasons for eating this way and your hopes that they will also choose a path of healthful eating – because, of course, you care about them! The biggest bang for your buck is cooking together. Let them choose plant-based recipes they are interested in, go shopping together, and then let them cook and experiment with minimal assistance from you. The more experience they have in the kitchen, the more empowered they’ll feel and the more ownership they’ll take over the food. Of course, make sure you keep delicious options on hand yourself in case what they’re making doesn’t turn out well!

6. What are the benefits of living this kind of lifestyle?

The benefits are many – you can easily achieve your ideal weight, you lower your risk for all types of chronic disease, and you can even arrest or reverse certain chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes. You’re doing something good for the planet, as a plant-based diet has been identified as the most environmentally sustainable choice we have. And of course, you’re living a compassionate lifestyle which millions of animals will appreciate.

ABOUT MICAELA COOK KARLSEN

Micaela Karlsen

MICAELA COOK KARLSEN is a founding employee and former Executive Director of the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies. A contributor to the New York Times bestseller Forks Over Knives and the creator of www.PlantBasedResearch.org, a free online database of research on plant-based nutrition, she holds an MSPH in Human Nutrition from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is a PhD candidate in Nutritional Epidemiology at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. She is the author of A Plant-Based life: Your Complete guide to Great Food, Radiant Health, Boundless Energy, and a Better Body (AMACOM). She lives in Boston.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Plant-Based-Research-303384226459892/

Blog:  http://micaelakarlsen.com/blog/

Website:  http://plantbasedresearch.org/

Look (sort of) rested with mombie-approved concealers

Posted on by Posted in The Best You .

Generally, I don’t think I ask much from my cosmetics – simply erase all signs of age, time and fatigue.

Easy peasey, right?

In reality, if I can look like I didn’t spend the night covered in small children who treat nighttime as an MMA championship, I will consider going outside. One product I won’t leave the house without is concealer.

The right product can make you look refreshed and rested. Not “Before Kids” rested, but definitely “hit the snooze button” rested.

Trust me when I say that I have tried every product on the market; high-end, low-end, pan, wand, brush, cream, stick and everything in between. I based my selections on the following criteria:

Coverage – Since I haven’t found a concealer that mimics the effects of a paper bag over my head, I look for concealers that cover what they’re supposed to (dark circles, sun spots and those adorable laugh lines) and endure throughout the day. If makeup doesn’t last past my first coffee or my toddler whipping a toilet brush at my face, you don’t get my money.

Skin tone – My skin has an interesting hue, the result of Middle Eastern/Eastern European heritage. I need a concealer with yellow undertones. As a result, I’ve never been able to use most drugstore brands. Most of them have a pink/peach payoff that looks, at best, mismatched and at worst, completely cray.

Make-Up Atelier Fluid Concealer: Oh, how do I love thee. Makeup artists and beauty insiders can’t get enough of this concealer. The pros favour its performance and shade range, and everyone loves that it’s cruelty-free. The texture is light and silky but not thin. Blends seamlessly into skin and is perfect for every day use.
($18, beautylish.com)

 

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Eyes: When I first went looking for this at Shoppers Drug Mart my shade was sold out. When I went online, it was also sold out. This isn’t a coincidence or a failure to order enough inventory – they just can’t keep them in stock. This product is a game-changer for tired eyes – a concealer with an added BB component means that imperfections are concealed and the eyes actually look brighter and less droopy. It could only be more perfect if it were available in a bra. ($29, beautyBOUTIQUE.ca)

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick: Full disclosure: my very first concealer was a Max Factor foundation stick. After Max Factor was purchased by Procter & Gamble, I couldn’t find it anywhere. I had no suitable replacement until I found Bobbi Brown’s Skin Foundation Stick. Don’t let the title fool you – it’s so creamy and blendable that it has become my favourite go-to concealer. The thicker consistency offers medium to full coverage without feeling greasy or heavy. And talk about longevity; I can endure a full day of parenting/working/feeling like a failure/cooking/cleaning/nursing/ordering in/watching four straight hours of Caillou/drinking wine in my closet.
($55, bobbibrowncosmetics.ca)

 

When all else fails, remember that a huge pair of sunglasses and an even bigger coffee will work just fine.

Momologist, Alexis Nicols

Alexis Nicols, our resident Momologist, is a marketing specialist, actor and freelance writer. She lives in urban Toronto with her husband and two sons, but is definitely suburban at heart. She regularly dodges the slings and arrows of parenting boys, considers herself a connoisseur of stretchy pants and hopes that the light at the end of the tunnel isn’t a train.

For more musings from a mom who wonders when everything below the neck went National Geographic, visit her blog: stopstopcomehere.ca

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!)

 

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.