Monday, December 27, 2010

10 Tips For Your Post-Baby Bod

By Rachel Laber

Rachel's experience after gaining and losing weight from her first pregnancy encouraged her to become a certified Personal Trainer. She now helps others "commit to the game" and live a healthy lifestyle free of fad diets. She lives with her husband and two kids in Agoura Hills, CA. Read more about her health musings and personal experiences at www.proteinpancake.blogspot.com.



10 Tips For Your Post-Baby Bod


Once you're pregnant, there’s no excuse to turn into a human garbage disposal.
Do not assume you will lose the weight right after...it is not a free for all! 



We carry the kid for nine long months, then push them out for a grueling number of hours, then feed them, nurse them, carry them, soothe them, rock them, bathe them, change them and burp them for long months after. We deal with tantrums, cranky hours, sleepless nights, sleep training, potty training and eventually new sibling training... and the cycle starts all over again!

Yes, of course we do it lovingly, with a full heart, and wouldn't take back a second for anything. But, do we really need to be doing it all with an extra 10 lbs of unwanted stubborn weight? With all the stuff we got going on, wouldn’t it be a lot easier to feel good, be healthy and have the energy we need to deal with daily life?

So lets get started with the basics. Even if you're months after giving birth - or even years- its never too late! Use these tools to guide you and whip that body back into shape!

1.) Learn healthy eating habits. The most important rule of all. This applies before, during and after pregnancy. Of course, theres no better time to start than before you get pregnant. You're doing yourself and your unborn child such a huge favor by starting early on. The food you eat affects your entire being and, especially when you're pregnant, these are the foods you're baby will be living on for nine whole months. Once you're pregnant, there’s no excuse to turn into a human garbage disposal! Do not assume you will lose the weight right after; it is not a free for all! It’s probably the most important time of your life to be eating healthy, so adapt these habits now to ensure they stick for life. Here is a breakdown of the types of foods I like, but as you'll see in the next tip, they don't all need to apply to you.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Happy Mom Tip: Catch Yourself

Happy Mom Tips
By Rivkah Caroline



Catch Yourself

We are so quick to criticize ourselves and others. 

Use that same lightning fast "why didn't they..." that comes to mind and use it to praise yourself and others. 

The same brain that mentally critiques our co-worker for not handing in time-sensitive information can also praise the co-worker who filled the paper in the copy machine. 

It's really empowering to get caught doing something right. Try it on yourself.

-----

Rivka Caroline is an Efficiency Coach that helps moms, individuals and companies be more productive. She lives with her husband and seven kids in Key Biscayne, FL.  Visit her site www.sobeorganized.com for more great solutions on exporting stress and importing fun! 

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Mom Shot # 7: Find them, already!


In Mom Shot #6, we spoke about making do and "scoring" with 
what you've been given (aka, a sippy cup!). After I found this (above), I'm 
updating that life lesson to "It's time to get on all fours and find those basketballs!"

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Poll Results! Your feelings about your diamond!




Here are poll results for the latest LadyMama survey, which asked 
you to pick the answer that most reflected your relationship to your diamond! 

Turns out that the old adage still *rings* true!



I should have chose differently.
  6 (11%)
I just wish the diamond was bigger!
  10 (19%)
Eh, it's just a diamond!
  6 (11%)
Diamonds are a girls best friend!
  18 (35%)
Don't have one yet, but can't wait!
  11 (21%)

Votes so far: 51
Poll closed



Check out the new poll and vote on the right side! 

Monday, December 13, 2010

Mom Shot #6: A Perfect Score


Don't let anything stop you from scoring in life. Even when you can't find your basketballs. 

A life lesson brought to you by my slam-dunk-loving and sippy-cup-toting son. 

-------

[Btw, I HIGHLY recommend this amazing Little Tykes Little Champ Sports Center for your baby/toddler. It lights up and keeps score - and there's even the sound of applause! Such a feeling of accomplishment! My amazing mother got it for us months ago, and he's been non-stop entertained by it ever since...as you can see! - Mimi]


Drowsy or Drugged?

Drowsy or Drugged?

By Juliya Sheynman


"We thought we were doomed to spend 6 hours apologizing for the 
repeated shrieking, tear bursting wails of a new walker..."


So I have a dilemma. We're boarding a six hour flight soon for our first, but definitely annual, trip to Seattle. It's 3,000 miles and hundreds of passengers between the seats and the sanity of my husband, my one year old and myself.

We've heard that Benadryl can be a great help in easing the babes flight experience and the parents blood pressure - so we wanted to give it a test run before the flight. Couple weeks ago, "M" got a 1/4 teaspoon of delicious (though her face said otherwise) cherry flavored Benadryl. Then we sat and stared at her, waiting to see if our babe was one that goes a little koo koo or catches her zzzzzs with the elixir.

At first, we thought she was for sure drugged - babbling, laughing, kicking like a little rockette. We thought we were doomed to spend six hours apologizing for the repeated shrieking, tear bursting wails of a new walker. But then, a little eye rubbing action gave us a glimmer of hope.

Three minutes of rocking, and babe was out cold in drowsy dream land.

So we soon take our flight, and I only pray we can recreate this magical experience. Do we try it and hope for the best? What experience have you had with your little monkey...drowsy or drugged?



-----


Juliya Sheynman is a marketing professional with most of her experience working with Jewish non-profits. A first time Mama - constantly Googling everything from weight average for infants to croupy coughs and colored poopies - she now shares her Mamale questions and dilemmas on LadyMama. 

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Happy Mom Tip: I don't do paper

Happy Mom Tips
By Rivkah Caroline


You Don't Do Windows. I Don't Do Paper. 

I don't do paper. I avoid it all costs. 


I check my mail over a garbage can and throw away whatever I can. I scan everything and own no filing cabinets. Wedding response cards are not allowed to touch a surface and are replied to and put in the mail box the same day. I don't have a notebook or scrap paper on my desk. I put all info or lists into the notes sections of my blackberry or create a Google document.


Ahhhhh. A paper free life is a happy one.


-----

Rivka Caroline is an Efficiency Coach that helps moms, individuals and companies be more productive. She lives with her husband and seven kids in Key Biscayne, FL.  Visit her site www.sobeorganized.com for more great solutions on exporting stress and importing fun! 

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Mom Shot #5: Tis the Season!

My son sure knows how to spin some Chanukah "seasoning" into his rice!

Happy Chanukah, LadyMamas!

Dance Freely

This is one inspirational little dancer! And apparently the adults agree!


Monday, December 6, 2010

LadyMama Fashion Finds: Winter Hats

Whether it's the snow in New York or the breeze in California, we can no longer deny that fall has segued into a true winter.


LadyMama has brought you winter fashion finds like rain boots and tights. Here's some winter hats to add to the LadyMama Fashion Find flurry!


Diane von Furstenberg 'Carlisle' Hat



Check out MischaLampert.com for these two 
big-knit hats (above) and other amazing hat finds!









Thursday, December 2, 2010

Mom Shot #4: Beautiful Blur

As moms, we try to tap into every minute of mothering. But don't guilt yourself when life is a whirl and you're feeling muddy-brained. After all, even the fuzzy moments are precious!

My Lesson in Communication

By Chana Gutnick-Herzog
Chana shares an experience in her first year of marriage that taught her the importance of not just being a "good wife" but actually communicating! 



 "I loved the wife who wasn't needy. She was independent, confident, and had things under control. 
And she always seemed to be in a good mood. Be like her. She's a good wife..."

My Lesson in Communication

From the moment we got engaged, our conversations with parents, aunts, uncles, older siblings and married friends always ended up with them telling us how to have a healthy marriage. People love to give advice on marriage to newlyweds.

Trust me…the key to a successful marriage is communication.”

How many times have you heard that one? I would nod, smile and say “Thanks for that..mhhmm, I'm sure..thanks.” Communication? How obvious is that? We didn't need their advice. I wasn't so naïve not to realize that every couple has their challenges, and I knew the line 'marriage is work'  but I was completely head over heels, and he could do no wrong in my eyes. We knew exactly what we were doing. We were crazy about each other.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Mom Shot #3: Original Recipe

Some kids PLAY with pots and pans. And then there's my son. Today's special: Makeup brush a la Mr. Potato Head's nose!

Happy Chanukah! (Check out FridayLight on Facebook!)

Click here to see more FridayLight contestants' photos!




FridayLight is an organization dedicated to Shabbat candle lighting and spreading the light!
I am proud to be a part of their team, responsible for building and maintaining their social media. 


In the spirit of Chanukah, we launched a campaign for lighters to submit their Menorah photos and win prizes. Check out the inspiring Menorah album at Facebook.com/FridayLight!


It's not to late to win!
Post your Menorah photos from THIS Chanukah straight to the FridayLight wall! The picture that gets the most "LIKES" wins a prize, so make sure to TAG yourself and "SHARE" the photo with your friends!


[Want to get Shabbat candle lighting times for your city straight to your Facebook profile? Get the FridayLight Facebook application here!]

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Mom Shot #2: Mommy needs one, too!

Clipping my son's nails and hard not to notice my chipping nail polish. Time to make a manicure date for mommy, too!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Mom Shot #1: Feet Up!

Welcome to the first of what will be many of my captured homemade moments: random photographs and musings from my life as a stay-at-home and work-from-home mom!
This picture says two things:
1) Life at home can be just as busy as the workplace! Make sure to take some rest-stops and recharge!
2) Relish the fact that, at home, you can wear the most hideous shoe apparel and no one is there to criticize your choice of comfort over style!

What is on your baby's tush?!

What is on your baby’s tush?!
New LADYMAMA author and self-proclaimed "Granola Mom" Rivki Silver shares her
 journey navigating the tushy terrain of clothe diapers! 
(See her tutorial pictures included!)




"I am completely aware that this cloth-diapering 
business is not for the faint-hearted..."


I don’t really come off as super-crunchy.  Maybe that’s why whenever I’m diapering my baby in public I get such interesting reactions.  You see, I use cloth diapers.  That’s right.  Cloth.  As in they have to be washed.

Reactions I have gotten range from super-supportive (“Good for you!”), suspicious (“What, are you worried about global warming?”) to confessional (“You know, I used cloth diapers, too“).

Sunday, November 28, 2010

LadyMama Fashion Finds: Winter Tights


One of the best ways to make a statement in winter is with your legs!  Here are a sampling of tights (from black print to statement tights) that would definitely add a kick to your winter wardrobe! Because, let's be honest, awesome tights make the freeze worth it!

If your expecting, search for maternity tights at mumstuff.com!
Also be sure to check out these impressionable tights at modcloth.com - there were too many to list!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Why We Don't Do Family Dinner (babble.com)



Why We Don’t Do Family Dinner

Meal-planning in a house with little kids

by Bari Nan Cohen   |  November 22, 2010


“The kids need to eat at six,” she would say, “So I always tell Robert that if he isn’t in the door by the time we sit down, his plate will be in the microwave.”When I was growing up, my best friend’s mom used to roll her eyes a bit (good-naturedly, of course) at my family’s dinner habits. Why? Because we waited for my father to get home from work before we ate. My best friend’s mom, Mrs. T, like most parents, fed her kids at 6 p.m. on the dot.
To me, the child of a family whose dinner hour was as established as a pile of quicksand, this seemed like a great policy. My mother swears we didn’t start waiting for my dad to come home to start dinner until my sister and I were old enough to hold out until 7:30, so I’ll take her word for it. But when I had my own kids and started listening to other moms discuss the gyrations they put themselves (and their kids) through in order to have dinner at an hour when everyone (read: Dad) was home, it quite frankly made me question their sanity.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Happy Mom Tip: Books, Books and more Books!

Happy Mom Tips
By Rivkah Caroline



Books, Books and More Books!

Books make us wiser and enrich our lives. But make sure you have sufficient space for them in your home and prune regularly. 


If you are keeping a book for only a certain page, consider scanning the page and passing on the rest of the book. 


Be certain that each book has a a purpose and become creative at passing them on to other readers who can enjoy them!


-----


Rivka Caroline is an Efficiency Coach that helps moms, individuals and companies be more productive. She lives with her husband and seven kids in Key Biscayne, FL.  Visit her site www.sobeorganized.com for more great solutions on exporting stress and importing fun! 

Monday, November 22, 2010

Poll Results! What makes being modest easier?

84 LadyMamas voted and the results are in!


Being tznius (modest) with clothing is so much easier thanks to...



Women I know who rock the covered up look stylishly!
  27 (32%)
A husband who prefers I follow the guidelines.
  13 (15%)
Winter. 'Nuff said.
  22 (26%)
Those comfy stretchy skirts (kookais, etc) that everyone sells!
  3 (3%)
Easy? It's NEVER easy!
  19 (22%)



Apparently, STYLE is very important to the LadyMama. Most of you felt that seeing other women dress modestly but STYLISHLY was inspiring when it came to your own wardrobe modesty.


The close runner up: WINTER. 
That's right - nothing helps "covering up" more than...having to! 
Tights and sweaters make us feel like "I can do this!"



Issue of the Week: Your Cleaning Lady

This is the first ISSUE OF THE WEEK for LadyMama! 
Read here to find out more about this new feature! 



ISSUE OF THE WEEK: YOUR CLEANING LADY

They've been called cleaning ladies, maids, "goyas" or simply "my savior."

If you have cleaning help, she's either a source of elation or frustration to you and your home! 

  • Tell us what it's like for you to have a cleaning lady!
  • Did you always have one? If not, how did it change your life?
  • Do you have any tips on how to deal with and instruct your cleaning lady? 
  • Do you have a crazy or humorous story relating to your cleaning help? 
  • Do you feel passionately that women should or shouldn't have a cleaning lady
  • Did you opt out of hiring a cleaning lady? If so, why?

SHARE YOUR VOICE!
Send YOUR response for the ISSUE OF THE WEEK to
blog@ladymama.org




A Mom's Life in Facebook Statuses

As Seen On LadyMama Author 
Becky Brownstein's 
Facebook Wall

#14. Hmm. Just almost burnt the house down. So much for today being easy.


1. Wait...Was I supposed to make dinner? Oops..  

2. Knew I forgot something at the store! I’m swaddling grapes in saran wrap. BAGGIES! Mental note.  

3. Here's a new one:
Mommy I'm starving.
Me: we JUST finished dinner.
Yeah, I know but I just pooped out all the chicken I just ate and now I'm hungry again.
Me: not really sure how to answer that one. 

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Mimi Hecht: MetroImma Mom of the Week!


MI Post

MEET MIMI HECHT


Mimi Hecht never really went gaga over babies. And anytime she did hold someone's little one, it would - no fail - cry and be promptly returned to its rightful and more responsible owner. As one of seven siblings, she knew she wanted to someday raise and love her own brood...even though she was utterly petrified of childbirth. Fast-forward to meeting the love of her life. Even faster forward – a quick nine months after their wedding! - she gave birth to a beautiful blue-eyed, red haired boy. Although her birth went nothing like planned, it was not the trauma she had anticipated. And being a mother was in no way like holding someone else's baby...she loved it! She quickly learned that to enjoy motherhood and raise a normal child, she didn't have to be the perfect, by-the-books, high-pressure mother she had spent nine months reading about (and a lifetime dreading!). Inspired to share her thoughts, connect Jewish women and celebrate all kinds of mothers, she started LadyMama, a growing online community where she and other women document the joys and struggles in striving to stay smart, sane, stylish and spiritual.