It's funny how those things used to gross me out. I mean don't get me wrong, I don't stand up and announce that I have poo on my clothes to celebrate it and jump for joy, but I also don't freak out that there is human feces on my clothes. When did that change?
When you take the spit, puke, poo --or whatever is oozing out of your baby and wipe it on yourself because you have nothing else to wipe it on, you've entered the MommyZone/DaddyZone.
But entering the MommyZone,DaddyZone isn't all bad or disgusting. Especially when you get the giggles out of them, or they recognize you in the morning and give you huge toothless grins. It always amazes me when he sees things and ''looks" like he's seeing them for the first time--well because he is. It's this amazing innocence and lust for life that is so precious because one day it will be gone.
How can the ceiling fan keep his attention for so long, just what secret does it have?
All of our kids have quirks--things that only you, and your family may find cute but I'm going to share what my son's are because well this is my blog and they make me crack up!
- In his Jolly jumper, he only bounces with one leg, he'll touch down with two but lift up the other one and bounce off with only one leg.. why who knows. He actually looks kind of gimpy LOL I've made sure that he can touch with both etc. but alas it's just one leg bouncer for now.
- He whacks his head to sleep. And I mean hard! He'll be trying to "soothe" himself--how this sooths him I'm not so sure but none the less he is semi-sleeping, and then when he goes through his sleep cycle, he starts to bonk himself to sleep. Hard enough to shake the video monitor in his crib... it's so funny, I may just take a video to show you all!
- This last one comes and goes, it was more so when he was really young. When he was about to sneeze, he'd go. Ahhhhhhhhh really loudly, like "oh my god something is happening to me" and then he'd sneeze a few seconds later. So it was nice to have a warning for the sneeze. Now it's more of an afterthought. He'll sneeze and then go uhhhhhhhhhhh. So cute!
Thanks to Michelle for this recipe! Looking for a summer smash at your next BBQ or for Monday's supper? This is a simple healthy choice for all you veggie and meat lovers! These are always a tasty treat at our family get together's!
Wash and Cut all the veggies and chicken up into bite size pieces
Marinate for four hours in the Kraft dressing (or increase flavour by leaving it overnight in the fridge of course!)
Put chicken and veggies on kebabs alternating meat and veggies--metal skewers are best, otherwise you will want to soak the wooden ones in water for at least 20 minutes
Grill on BBQ for 30 minutes on med-high heat (or until cooked thoroughly)
Serve and Enjoy!
As always,if you have a healthy recipe you'd like to share please email them to me along with a picture to erincarrasco@gmail.com.
Chicken Kebabs
What you'll need:
One Zucchini Four Chicken breasts One red pepper, yellow pepper, orange pepper One red onion 1 bottle of Kraft Roasted Red pepper and parmesan dressingWhat do I do next?
Wash and Cut all the veggies and chicken up into bite size pieces
Marinate for four hours in the Kraft dressing (or increase flavour by leaving it overnight in the fridge of course!)
Put chicken and veggies on kebabs alternating meat and veggies--metal skewers are best, otherwise you will want to soak the wooden ones in water for at least 20 minutes
Grill on BBQ for 30 minutes on med-high heat (or until cooked thoroughly)
Serve and Enjoy!
As always,if you have a healthy recipe you'd like to share please email them to me along with a picture to erincarrasco@gmail.com.
It's amazing the difference a year makes. Last year at this time, I was just finding out I had a little one on the way. Terrified and excited at the same time.. and yes a little nauseated, I ordered my first ever decaf latte from Starbucks.
My days were filled with carefree trips to the grocery store, dinner and or lunch dates with girlfriends whenever I felt the need and my job.
Now a year later, my days are filled with, Humm what do I do next with him.. If When will I get a shower today? What time did I feed him last, oh yes, that is puke that just in my hair and down my shirt and why won't he just sleep. My days seem to be consumed with this little person my husband and I have created.
Today a simple trip into work, and then a lunch date with a friend was like winning the lottery. THANK GOD FOR GRANDMA! It's rare that I get out of the house, my son just does not like his stroller, and is getting really heavy in his snugglie at 19 lbs. So I have been house bound most of the time. Trying to entertain a 5 month old for so many hours in the day is just so exhausting. It will be nice when he sits up on his own!
Tonight my son decided he did not want to go to sleep, he didn't want anything but to cry. We had our usual routine of bath time, feed time and then a little rocking... well that apparently was not enough as we did not get him to bed until 2 hours after his bed time. I know it's probably teething but man what a rough night, I guess we can't win em' all!
But getting back to my point, last year at this time, the future lay ahead of us--(not that it doesn't right now)endless possibilities of whether it was a boy or girl, what would we pick for names, what kind of crib should be buy and so forth.. those were our biggest concerns, now reality has set in and the set of questions changes. It's more like what will we do for schooling, what about child care, when will this darn tooth make it's appearance and will I get more then 2 hours of uninterrupted sleep tonight--not to mention that I can't drink latte's anymore (even decaf ones) because the lil' guy doesn't like the lactose in them, and i'm not a big fan of soy milk from Starbucks.
But it's the little things that change that I find I miss the most. The ability to have wine when I want, go out to the store and not make a huge production out of it, have a shower, get ready after my shower(what is make up again?), go for a walk without a million things to entertain him, change him and or clean him up. It's funny how you become accustomed to having puke/spit up on your clothes and as long as it doesn't have too much on it, you deem it clean. Ah well such is life! It's funny you know things will change, you just don't know how much! Today was just one of those days in mommyhood.
The title should really be, why it's not safe for anyone. I was cruising some message boards a few nights ago and found out why Sunscreen is not safe for babies. Let's see, Number one, It's never been tested on babies under 6 months. That's generally the reason you can't use it on your babe under 6 months! To which a few of my mommy friends and i have jokingly said.. what will they turn into green monsters if we do... well according to what CRAP they put in them... they just might. Number 2, the stuff they put in them is actually being proven ineffective "as we speak" against protecting against enough of the broad spectrum of UV rays. Some of the worst offenders are: Neutrogena, Coppertone--DAMN it I just bought a new bottle, and Banana Boat (you know the one that smells like coconuts!)
A few years ago, ok well maybe 9 years ago, there was a popular song called "Everybody's Free to Wear Sunscreen" written by Mary Schmich and published in the Chicago Tribune as a column in 1997, made popular by Baz Luhrmann.
Ah, the golden tan. What is it about someone who is nice and golden that just makes them look "healthy?" I for one can not comment on this, I'm as pasty fair skinned as they come. I burn being outside without sunscreen in as little as 20 minutes on a hot sunny day. (Darn blond hair) But I have probably tanned myself senseless over the past years, because I just think a tan looks hot. I have tried a few "fake and bake" products that I find have worked better then other's and I'll review those in another post but for now let's move on to the serious stuff.
Ahh yes, it's been all the hype over the last 20-30 years and is increasing in it's popularity due to the increasing cases of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) light, (the invisible but intense rays of the sun) damages your skin.
Believe it or not sun damage of your skin begin's with a Tan. Yup, that healthy warm sun kissed glow is sun damage. It's cousin Sun Burn is more obvious to us "sun" consumers, because well it hurts! Other signs of sun damage is including liver spots or deep wrinkles (oh and the endless ways to get rid of those lovely things are driving the plastic surgery industry). With repeated sun exposure, the skin damage can even progress into cancerous tumors, and many of us think nooo it can't happen to me, well the scary thing is that it's the most common form of cancer, and unless you lock yourself away in a dungeon you're at risk too.
In Canada we have something called the Canadian Dermatology Association, and if your sunscreen has this symbol, you should be very well protected against sun damage. BUT It does not mean there aren't any harmful chemicals in your sunscreen. Click here to see what the CDA's seal of approval means.
Want to see what sunscreen's meet the CDA's list of approval? Click here to find out!
The Top Culprit in the danger Zone: Oxybenzone
It's pro: it absorbs UV-A ultraviolot rays.
It's cons: (from Wiki--please see the page for academic references)
All that Glitter's is not gold
Ah, the golden tan. What is it about someone who is nice and golden that just makes them look "healthy?" I for one can not comment on this, I'm as Sun Damage
Ahh yes, it's been all the hype over the last 20-30 years and is increasing in it's popularity due to the increasing cases of skin cancer. Ultraviolet (UV) light, (the invisible but intense rays of the sun) damages your skin.
Believe it or not sun damage of your skin begin's with a Tan. Yup, that healthy warm sun kissed glow is sun damage. It's cousin Sun Burn is more obvious to us "sun" consumers, because well it hurts! Other signs of sun damage is including liver spots or deep wrinkles (oh and the endless ways to get rid of those lovely things are driving the plastic surgery industry). With repeated sun exposure, the skin damage can even progress into cancerous tumors, and many of us think nooo it can't happen to me, well the scary thing is that it's the most common form of cancer, and unless you lock yourself away in a dungeon you're at risk too.
What can I do to prevent sun damage?
Cover up when you go outside: Let's face it, if it's hot out, wearing more clothes isn't the most realistic options. But more companies are now coming out with UV resistant clothing! Yes even wearing a t-shirt won't stop the rays, now we need special shirts... sheesh. But covering up does not necessarily mean more clothes. You can enjoy a day at the beach when you bring along a beach umbrella, and a hat. Avoid the sun during peak hours of 10 a.m.-4 p.m. but realistically that is your whole day during the summer months, and that's when sunscreen comes in.What's in my sunscreen?
SO not only do you have to make sure your sunscreen is effective, you have to make sure the ingredients in the sunscreen won't kill you! Ok you all have to seriously check out this website that specializes in researching everything from cosmetics to sunscreen. In the US there is no standardized testing process from the FDA on sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) found that 4 out of 5 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. When you read up what sunscreen has in it, it's kind of nasty and NO WONDER they don't want it on babies younger then 6 months. I'm not even sure I want it on my skin!
In Canada we have something called the Canadian Dermatology Association, and if your sunscreen has this symbol, you should be very well protected against sun damage. BUT It does not mean there aren't any harmful chemicals in your sunscreen. Click here to see what the CDA's seal of approval means.
Want to see what sunscreen's meet the CDA's list of approval? Click here to find out!
The Top Culprit in the danger Zone: Oxybenzone
It's pro: it absorbs UV-A ultraviolot rays.
It's cons: (from Wiki--please see the page for academic references)
"This organic compound has been shown to penetrate into the skin where it acts as a photosensitizer. This results in an increased production of free radicals under illumination, which makes this substance a photocarcinogen.[3] This study is actually of benzophenones, not oxybenzones. Two years after the study this information is now reaching consumers,[4] but this photocarcinogen can still be found in many sunscreens.
Oxybenzone is a derivative of benzophenone, which is well known to attack DNA when iluminated. It generates strand breaks and various photoproducts.[5] Already in 1993 the use of oxybenzone had been strongly criticized, based on its similarity to benzophenone.[5]
The photomutagenic properties of these compounds might be a contributing factor to the increased melanoma incidence that has been found in sunscreen users."Um OK, holy CRAP!!!! It's a derivative of something well known to attack DNA when Illuminated (ie, going in the sun!) And do you know that almost all the sunscreens I've looked up have this ingredient in it! Also Zinc Oxide has been linked to many many many health issues--click here to see which ones. Nano Zinc Oxide is worse however--you'd think it'd be better because of the Nano wording. The absorption of these sunscreen ingredients into the skin does not occur instantaneously, but the sunscreen concentration in the deeper levels of the skin increases over time. Right now there are studies going on that are trying to find out the amount of time between the topical application of the sunscreen and the end of the illumination period. But it could be years before the results are produced and further yet, replicated.
Bottom Line
If you are tired of waiting for the FDA to get off their duff to make sunscreen protection standardized, tell him by clicking here! Here are some Top Sunscreen Tips. Don't use sunscreen with bug repellant in it, most often bugs during that time during the day aren't of the biting kind, you don't need extra chemical's soaking into your blood stream. Right now even the sunscreens that protect you against the sun, still have harmful levels of chemical's in them, but their pro's outweigh the cons--for now. These products that actually protect your skin from the UV rays are more pricey. And basically you have to replace them if they've been roasted in your car, or on the beach, as it will make these active ingredients ineffective. Don't buy sunscreen in aerosol form. After reading this, I'm for sure not putting them on my little baby, and now I have to go buy a new sunscreen for myself. Mind you I do have the Aveeno Baby sunblock, so I guess I'm covered for the summer... Gosh now I'm even more paranoid, LOL but you know, it doesn't make me not want a hot tan, isn't that even more disturbing.Tweightloss Tip of the day
Thanks to WorkoutMommy! Here is her tip of the day: No matter where you are, if you yawn do 10 (good form) squats! I'm going to make this one of my weekly goals! Love it! Didn't get to the gym yesterday but had a good eating healthy day! But today I will be at the gym for sure!
Yes, it's true that I'm a sucker for infomercials. I've bought my share of things from infomercials over the years and admittedly most have gathered dust around my house. But I’m here to tell the truth on two items that have worked and a third that probably works but I couldn't stand to do it so I can't advocate its effectiveness. All products are from www.beachbody.com.
Debbie Seibers is a crazy woman who developed a wonderful workout series that in my opinion work your lower body to its fullest capacity--in just 6 weeks.
Slim & Limber flexibility routine to revitalize you on your days off. (14 minutes)
6-Day Express™ Diet Plan to help you lose up to 6 pounds in your first week! Also includes a handy journal and shopping list.
Tony Horton is the creator of this system. His most renowned stuff is the P90X which is the advanced system of this Power 90--which aims at transforming your body in 90 days.
I am in love with this product. It is actually fun to do. Not only is Chalene Johnson a great motivator but she's cookey and crazy so you can have a LOT of fun with this workout. Chalene's work out is aerobics and toning with the focus on your core. She has people designated for the low impact side of things so you don't have to do anything's your knees may not let you do! Out of all the products I’ve purchased she's my favourite. Its music from the early 90's that just makes you get into the groove of things! In the package I got the turbo sculpt, cardio party, ab jam and the learn and burn. Make sure you learn with Learn and burn how to use her moves effectively.
It again is $60.00 USD plus shipping--noticing a pattern here? And here are the bonus's you'll get: (I don't have the maximum results one, but I can go buy weighted gloves here at any Wal-Mart so I'm not spending shipping and Duty on this)
Turbo Sculpting Gloves Scientifically proven to increase muscle activity by up to 96% so you get ripped even faster!
Punch, Kick & Jam Advanced workout specially designed to tap into the power of the Turbo Sculpting Gloves! (50 minutes)
Turbo Slim® rapid results program An easy-to-follow meal plan and measurement tool to help you lose up to 10 inches in just 10 workouts!
I find that I get enough out of the cardio party that I don't do the sculpt, but that's only because I have the slim in 6, I find that it's more effective with all the squats. As for the ab jam, now that is a work out! If you already had turbo jam, the new one (maximum results) has hand weights to intensify the muscle burning for your arms!
Slim in 6
Debbie Seibers is a crazy woman who developed a wonderful workout series that in my opinion work your lower body to its fullest capacity--in just 6 weeks.
What is it?
Its tagline is "Slim Training combines cardio with light resistance moves to help you burn fat and sculpt a lean, sexy body—especially your abs, thighs, and buns." While it does work out your entire body, it's really focused on your lower body with all different types of squats, lunges, and plié's. I purchased this video before my wedding and lost 15lbs and quite a few inches around my lower body. The beginning DVD(Start it up) is good to get a adjusted to, the intermediate(Ramp it up) one is the one I spent the most time on because it was a good length (47 minutes) and I got a good work out! When I was at the top of my "game" I did the advanced (Burn it up) but man was I done after that work out! I found that her sculpting was combined with the cardio and that makes all the difference. The upper body is tricky because you have to really want to work out those arms in order for her methods to work as you can really just rest your hands on your hips. She does have a section for you to work your arms out with resistance bands which is good too! Over all it was a good buy.What you'll get:
When you order Online it's basically $60.00 plus Shipping. What you'll get for your money is: Start it up, Ramp it Up, and Burn it up. You'll also get a few bonus's: Slim & 6-Pack advanced abs routine for flat, sexy abs. (11 minutes)Slim & Limber flexibility routine to revitalize you on your days off. (14 minutes)
6-Day Express™ Diet Plan to help you lose up to 6 pounds in your first week! Also includes a handy journal and shopping list.
Power 90
Tony Horton is the creator of this system. His most renowned stuff is the P90X which is the advanced system of this Power 90--which aims at transforming your body in 90 days.
What is it?
I'm sure those of you who have the ability to run for your cardio workout... this one will work for you, but I have no lung capacity, so I had a hard time with this work out. Not that it doesn’t work, my husband really liked it. Tony is a little crazy, I mean not tony little crazy but a funny crazy that makes you laugh! He likes sweat LOL.What you'll get:
Sculpt Circuit 1–2 Easy moves that work to tone, firm, and strengthen your entire body. (29 minutes) Sweat Cardio 1–2 Fun, innovative cardio moves, kickboxing, Pilates, and more to burn fat and shed inches fast! (36 minutes) Sculpt Circuit 3–4 Next level for sculpting long, lean muscles! (38 minutes) Sweat Cardio 3–4 Accelerated fat and calorie blasting. (42 minutes) Ab Ripper 100 & 200 Get two 6-minute ab routines guaranteed to give you the flat, sexy six-pack abs you've always wanted. It is also $60.00 USD plus shipping. You also get a few bonus's: Fat Burning Express workout Jump-start your metabolism and burn fat and calories in just 35 minutes. Fat Burner Meal Plan A step-by-step eating plan to burn the fat without giving up your favorite foods. 6-Day Fat Burning Express plan Lose up to 10 lbs. and 10 inches in just 6 days with this proven weight loss plan. Success measurement card and tape measure Tools to help you stay motivated and achieve your goals.Turbo Jam (Maximum Results)
I am in love with this product. It is actually fun to do. Not only is Chalene Johnson a great motivator but she's cookey and crazy so you can have a LOT of fun with this workout. Chalene's work out is aerobics and toning with the focus on your core. She has people designated for the low impact side of things so you don't have to do anything's your knees may not let you do! Out of all the products I’ve purchased she's my favourite. Its music from the early 90's that just makes you get into the groove of things! In the package I got the turbo sculpt, cardio party, ab jam and the learn and burn. Make sure you learn with Learn and burn how to use her moves effectively.
It again is $60.00 USD plus shipping--noticing a pattern here? And here are the bonus's you'll get: (I don't have the maximum results one, but I can go buy weighted gloves here at any Wal-Mart so I'm not spending shipping and Duty on this)
Turbo Sculpting Gloves Scientifically proven to increase muscle activity by up to 96% so you get ripped even faster!
Punch, Kick & Jam Advanced workout specially designed to tap into the power of the Turbo Sculpting Gloves! (50 minutes)
Turbo Slim® rapid results program An easy-to-follow meal plan and measurement tool to help you lose up to 10 inches in just 10 workouts!
I find that I get enough out of the cardio party that I don't do the sculpt, but that's only because I have the slim in 6, I find that it's more effective with all the squats. As for the ab jam, now that is a work out! If you already had turbo jam, the new one (maximum results) has hand weights to intensify the muscle burning for your arms!
The Bottom Line
I love to combine Slim in 6 and Turbo jam for the best results. Cardio party and Ramp it up is where it's at for me to work at my core and my lower body at the same time. They also have something called WOWY.com (Work Out With You) that really helped me keep track at what I was doing. Very helpful. Note: if you are not a US resident you don't qualify for discounts on your purchases even if you subscribe ($39.95 USD every three months). But for US customer's there is a break on price and you can actually win money and prizes by signing up to work out! How cool is that?! So if you need a buddy to work out with and you can commit to a time to work out this thing rocks! With any work out system, you have to actually want to do it, it won't work out for you! So if you are committed to working out, the above are systems that actually work!Tweightloss Update
My team is called Twit Fit! So far everyone is super supportive and made me get my sleep deprived butt to the gym yesterday. Thanks guys and gals! I plan on trying to get in a Turbo Jamming session today! Here are a few of my fellow Twit Fit team mates: Jen Krista Lindsay Adrienne Matt Mark Lisa Jane
So over the next twelve week's Monday's will be "weigh in" days. My goal is to lose 30 lbs over all, but certainly not in the next 12 weeks. Because I'm still nursing, losing too much too quickly may cause my annoying precious milk supply to say goodbye, and while I'd love nothing more to have my boobs back, not having to worry about bottle feeding takes it's precedence. Not to mention the additional cost of formula.
Goals
- We'll I'd realistically like to lose let's say 1-2lbs a week so about 4-8lbs a month, and over 12 weeks I'm hoping to lose 12-18lbs. It's not necessarily about the amount of weight but the way I fit into my clothes.
- Will do cardio activity (between 30-45 minutes on an elliptical trainer) 3 times a week at the gym (hopefully) and alternate between two workout video's that I have at home for strength and resistance training on 2 of my 4 "off" days.
- Will eat salad with every meal.
- Will have a Greens+ drink once a day, preferably in the morning.-- Ok scrap this, I just read the label and it says: not for pregnant and/or nursing women, Great it was $65! I wonder which ingredient(s) are bad for me. It always makes me wonder if a pregnant woman or lactating woman isn't allowed to take it, how can it be good for me when I'm not pregnant or nursing?
- Only whole grain's and will try Quinoa as a wheat and rice replacement at least twice a week--anyone know any recipe's??? Email me at erincarrasco@gmail.com!