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Archive | HEALTH AND WELLNESS

It’s National Bike Month!

May 18, 2012 0

May is National Bike Month! Have you pulled your bicycles out of the garage yet? Do you plan on riding your bike to work today? One of the things about South Florida that I dislike is –  it isn’t very bike friendly. There are neighborhoods and communities where riding your bike is a pleasure, and super easy to do. However, overall, for people who want to commute to work by bike or travel long distances – South Florida isn’t the best place. We do have the beach, the ocean and fantastic weather all year, so I won’t whine. Ha!

Here are some of my favorite bicycle related posts to get you in the mood for bike week:

– Did you know that I am obsessed with bicycles?
– I am still loving the idea of riding a Velorbis Mobii Bicycle, a STRiDA Eco Folding Bike, a Madsen Bicycle, a Papillionaire Bicycle, a Republic Bicycle.
– I also wouldn’t mind being in a Bicycle Wedding Party!

Do you love to ride your bicycle too?

photo via loop_oh

What’s in Your Organic Smoothie?

May 17, 2012 0

I am a huge smoothie fan, I drink them everyday – usually for breakfast and lunch. I also make them regularly for Eben, who is quite smitten with my organic orange julius recipe! I love smoothies so much that last year as an anniversary gift, the mister surprised me with a Vitamix blender. I think out of all of the appliances in our home, it get used the most often! Mr. Sweet Greens also uses it to make all of his homemade salad dressings, marinades and soups.

Today, as I was making my morning smoothie – I tossed in my usual, organic yogurt, leafy greens and some sort of organic fruit. I enjoyed an organic spinach and blackberry smoothie! It made me wonder what you put in your smoothies?

Do you have a favorite fruit/vegetable combination? Do you have a power smoothie recipe that is perfect for breakfast? Is there a recipe that I absolutely should try?

P.S. Whenever I make Eben a smoothie, I toss in a heaping handful of organic greens when he isn’t looking. He loves vegetables but has told me before that he doesn’t think they belong in a fruit smoothie. Ha! If he only knew.

photo via Elana’s Pantry

Ronald McDonald: Health and Fitness Advisor in our Children’s Schools?

May 14, 2012 0

Can you imagine Ronald McDonald showing up at your child’s school to teach the children about health and fitness? This is exactly what happened in Allentown, Pennsylvania at Union Terrace Elementary School. The junk food clown came to the school with a $1000 check in-hand, payment for allowing him to discuss the benefits of healthy eating and fitness with our children. For real? Is it just me or is this absolutely ridiculous? Once again, McDonald’s marketing machine is luring children into thinking that McDonald’s food is healthy. McDonald’s should be ashamed of themselves, targeting both children and schools is unforgivable. Blerg.

What are your thoughts? Do you think that Ronald McDonald should be allowed to teach our children about health and fitness?

photo via Eric Norris

Are You Mom Enough?

May 11, 2012 0

Have you seen the recent cover of Time Magazine? On it, Jamie Lynn Grumet a Los Angeles mother who practices attachment parenting, is breast feeding her three year old son. I love that they photographed Jamie Lynn and her son standing up, what a statement!

When Eben was born, I didn’t have a lot of experience with children – I did however know that I wanted to have a natural childbirth and to breastfeed. I had many people close to me say that I should bottle feed, put him in a bouncer/swing and allow Eben to cry it out in his crib at nap and bedtime, or he would become “spoiled” and I would never be able to put him down or leave him with a babysitter. (I secretly hoped I would never have to leave him!) And I even had several people tell me that it was dangerous for Eben to sleep with me. However, I decided that I would parent Eben the way that I wanted to – I enjoyed holding him all of the time, and enjoyed breastfeeding and co-sleeping with him even more – dare I say, I loved it and remember thinking to myself that those were the happiest times of my life.

Another thing that I loved about attachment parenting is it made my life as a mother so much easier. Breastfeeding is super convenient, I had a never ending supply of food for Eben with me at all times, and it is totally eco-friendly too! I never had to worry about what eco-friendly bottles to buy, toting feeding supplies with me, or needing a place to heat up a bottle. Breastfeeding, co-sleeping and “baby wearing” taught me to slow down and enjoy the moment, savor my time with Eben and I love those memories. I never knew that the way that I parented was called “attachment parenting”, I was only parenting Eben the way that felt right and natural to me – I never thought of it as been extreme.

I breastfeed and co-slept with Eben until he a little older than four. Eben is now almost 11 and we have had more than our share of challenges, but the one thing that has never faltered is our bond. Even at 11, he is still my snuggle bunny, he still holds my hand when we go somewhere together and he still kisses me hello and good-bye, even at school! He has a kind heart and I like to think that has something to do with the way that I parented him in the beginning.

I think that as a mother, you have to decide what is best for you and your child. It’s your decision. If you want to practice attachment parenting, go for it! If you don’t, that is fine too. I have a friend who is an amazing mother, she didn’t practice attachment parenting and the choices that she made worked for her and her children – they are delightful! I think you can be an amazing mother regardless of the type of parenting that you choose, I just thought this article was interesting and wanted to share my experience.

What do you think? Do you think there is an age limit to attachment parenting? What style of parenting worked for you? I would love to hear your thoughts!

photo via Time Magazine

J.R. Watkins Natural Baby Care Line Giveaway

April 5, 2012 0

Hello, Friends. I think you will love today’s giveaway! It’s sponsored by J.R. Watkins, they are giving away their entire new natural baby care line to one lucky reader! And even if you don’t have a baby, your family will love this baby care line just the same.

As you probably already know, J.R. Watkins is my absolutely favorite supplier of natural home care products and I am a huge fan of their lotions too! J.R. Watkins knows their stuff, they have been in business since 1868! And now, they have just released their natural baby care line complete with baby oil, wash, lotion and baby balm. While, I don’t have a baby, per se – my little guy is 10 after all, we still have enjoyed the baby care line in our home. Read on to learn why.

1. The Baby Oil $7.49
It’s packed with vitamin E and natural oils which is perfect for slathering all over Eben’s body after a weekend trip on the sailboat. It adds a lot of moisture and hydration to his wind-chapped skin!

2. Soothing Baby Balm $7.49
I keep this one in my handbag because regardless of how old the kiddos are they will get a boo-boo here or there. The smoothing baby balm is perfect for those scraps and also as a lip balm or lotion!

3. Baby Wash $8.49
I have to admit, I myself love using the baby wash. It is very gentle on my skin and smells yummy too! I also put this in Eben’s shower because he can use it on his body and hair – and the pump makes it easy for him to use without wasting tons of it.

4. Baby Lotion $8.49
While this lotion is perfect for babies with its natural Shea butter and sunflower oil, it is great for everyone in the family too! It leaves your skin feeling moisturized and clean and looks adorable next to the sink.

I also love that J.R. Watkins baby care line is 100% natural, comes in recyclable packaging and are affordable too – a little goes a long way!

I also highly recommend giving the set as a baby shower gift. We gave these goodies to Eben’s teacher who is expecting and she was delighted with the package! Let’s face it, all new mother’s need body care products for the little one – and giving something that is good for baby and the environment is a win-win.

The winner of the J.R. Watkins Baby Care Line Giveaway will win the entire collection. Good Luck!

Full Disclosure: I received samples of J.R. Watkins Baby Care Line in exchange for my honest opinion. We used the products in our home and the thoughts expressed are honestly my own.

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