Thursday Thoughts :: A Personal Day for Moms & Dads

I contemplated writing this post because I'm sure 80% off my readers will either a. be disinterested or b. want to slit my throat for sounding like a brat but I'm going to anyway. Yesterday sucked as a stay at home/work at home mom. There was no break when I was at a breaking point so I did my usual, call my mom to vent, she wasn't available, so then I tried Brian, neither was he (in fairness, if I were them, I probably wouldn't answer either, who wants to hear a mom on the brink) so I resorted to screaming into a pillow! I've never done that before and my throat hurt afterwards but it did feel good to "get it out". Am I the only crazy person out there who does that??<br /> <br /> Before I go on, let me preface this by once again saying (I've posted a similar "essay" before) that being a mother is the greatest privilege and gift I have ever been given and I 100% honor my role, but there are days... ohhhh there are days...<br /> <br /> I woke up feeling tired as usual and not well. My entire face was hurting (it had been for days but I chalked it up to being tired) and when I pressed on my sinus areas the pain was real. So I called to make a doctor's appointment and they had an opening at 11. Brian's babysitter who lives next door (godsend) had an opening so I took it for the morning. I made coffee, got Brian off to the babysitter, fed Grace, checked emails, wrote a quick blog post, and took a shower with Grace sitting in the bumbo seat <i>in the shower</i> because she wouldn't take a nap.<br /> <br /> I get to doctor in pouring rain and find out my sinuses are infected (what??) and my doctor tells me I'm probably worn down so my immune system isn't "up to par" and able to fight the infection. So she calls in a prescription for an antibiotic. Umm , okay I guess? I don't really have time to think about it but I will once I get two minutes to myself. Onward with the day, I pick up Brian, get home, feed Brian lunch, put him down for a nap with a whining overtired baby in my arms. Finally after an hour of trying to Grace down she dozes off. I lay down feeling like crap, ahhh peace, and then five minutes later "Mommy, I'm awake!!  - Brian. The day goes on and I'm frustrated as heck because all I want to do is rest my hurting face.<br /> <br /> I've come to learn during my brief two and a half year tenure of being a mom that there really is no day off from being a mom. I love my kids to death, but I seriously need a day when I can leave the house in the morning and not come back until the evening, I need a 9-5 basically. This whole motherhood thing is f*cking tough, it really is. It's not all cute pinterest crafts, coo'ing babies, dance parties and yoga pants, that's like 10-20%.  The other 80% is spent shuffling the kids around to various activities, coming up with meals that they will actually swallow (I say "swallow" because Brian has recently starting chewing his dinner, and then keeping it in his mouth for upwards of an hour before spitting it out if he doesn't like it, #WTF???), calming the tantrums, trying to get them to go to sleep, taking care of them when they are sick, etc...Throw in trying to run a business from home and you're basically setting yourself up for a mental hurricane.<br /> <br /> Is it me? Am I the only SAHM mom who feels like this? Like on the brink and in need of a serious break? Sometimes I feel like a schmuck for feeling this way, I mean I only have two kids, what about the mothers who have like eight?! And my kids are healthy, I can't imagine the pain and stress of being a mother to child who isn't well. As I type that I want to smack myself...Believe me, I thank God every single day for the life He has blessed me with, and for the life of these two perfect babies He has given me, so I guess what I'm really saying is, I just need a personal day.<br /> <br /> Everyone needs a personal day though, right? I just think that since motherhood is not treated as a "job" there are no perks like "personal days, sick days, lunch breaks" that we all really need. The same is true for working moms. Sure, they get a break from their kids during the day, but it's not like they're taking that time to themselves, maybe if they're lucky, they get to take a quick lunch break? They wake up, get the kids ready for wherever they have to go, go to work, answer to people all day, pick up kids, get home, do the nighttime routine, and then do it all over again. I know... it's life, but it's hard. And more than anything it's beautiful and amazing. I digress, what I'm trying to get at here is that I think it's REALLY important for mothers AND fathers (sorry, I realize I've alienated the fathers this whole post) to step back and take some time for yourself, like not just a mani/pedi or quick solo trip to the store, but like a day's worth of time.<br /> <br /> So now that I've dumped that on you, the silver lining is that I have learned that I need a 9-5 every once in a while and thankfully, I have a cooperative husband who is going to give me just that. Brian is giving me from the hours of 9-5 on Saturday and I going to sail off on a train to NYC to visit a friend and wander around. I'm going to get a book and read it on the train and I'm going to shop, maybe get my nails done, have lunch with my friend, and I seriously can't wait. I'll probably be missing them come 4 pm but in all seriousness, if you're reading this, and possibly on the brink like I was yesterday, think about it. Ask your husband for a trade, maybe you take one day, and then he can take another day. You may already do this, I know this is not a novel idea but everyone needs a reminder every once in a while, right? I also know that to a majority of people, I'm probably sounding like a crazy person so, I'm sorry you just had to read that. I'll get back to my regular upbeat posting tomorrow (spring break attire, woohoo!)<br /> <br /> I'm signing off for now, Grace is sleeping so I can take a shower alone! PEACE<br /> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RKVq67F0pnzjWt4qT8PvEhc_6dY8Ms9rsDjQYcrd2G9_F0uIuQNFMcOgapf7SCA-UzKj8atdfluFIBPgGQjn7pZsmH6P6c_brSG7yvmkkZXiFH_c5TGIjKUwqRDXosI6APR_bUghJfRn/s1600/DSC_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0RKVq67F0pnzjWt4qT8PvEhc_6dY8Ms9rsDjQYcrd2G9_F0uIuQNFMcOgapf7SCA-UzKj8atdfluFIBPgGQjn7pZsmH6P6c_brSG7yvmkkZXiFH_c5TGIjKUwqRDXosI6APR_bUghJfRn/s400/DSC_0802.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankful I get to spend my days with her</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCKXl4HVacYRk3JhQXvHwzn2fAgfaSpX4KJr5dFnX7J_bTSiCr6SVaSYorz-tFMLHV14CU_ZjcyUMoYX_XvnUWZy6vlSKkQ-nX0Xxzwp4w7dvFLZPrQyeTHjO1V2CxGG2Pv3J9HV8zM0r/s1600/DSC_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCKXl4HVacYRk3JhQXvHwzn2fAgfaSpX4KJr5dFnX7J_bTSiCr6SVaSYorz-tFMLHV14CU_ZjcyUMoYX_XvnUWZy6vlSKkQ-nX0Xxzwp4w7dvFLZPrQyeTHjO1V2CxGG2Pv3J9HV8zM0r/s400/DSC_0844.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and this love bug</td></tr> </tbody></table>

WELLNESS

Thursday Thoughts :: A Personal Day for Moms & Dads

I contemplated writing this post because I'm sure 80% off my readers will either a. be disinterested or b. want to slit my throat for so...

The Best Aluminum Free Deodorants

Happy Hump Day Everyone! Let me first start out by saying that I'm pretty sure almost everything we breathe, eat and live in will have some part in causing our inevitable death at some point which is why I'm pretty laid back about most things, because seriously it's out of our control. HOWEVER I have decided to make one change which has led to taxi-driver status underarms (no offense!) and put everyone around me through stinky hell for the past two weeks ...<br /> <br /> <div> SO I remember in high school my science teacher (Mrs. Clark, thank you) told us that antiperspirant was bad for us and that we should use plain old deodorant instead. She was clearly crazy back when I was in 11th grade, I needed the most protection against sweat <i>as possible</i> <u>at all times</u>. Flash forward to my early thirties when I'm really starting to care about my health and longevity, and I'm staying as far away from antiperspirant as possible. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> There have been claims linking the active ingredient in antiperspirant, aluminum, to alzheimer's disease and breast cancer as the aluminum holds back the toxins are bodies are trying to release in the form of sweat. To quote WebMD, "most <a href="http://www.webmd.com/women/picture-of-the-breasts">breast</a> cancers develop in the upper outer part of the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/women/rm-quiz-breasts-normal">breast</a> -- the area closest to the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/picture-of-the-armpit">armpit</a>, which is where antiperspirants are applied. The studies suggest that chemicals in antiperspirants, including aluminum, are absorbed into the <a href="http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/picture-of-the-skin">skin</a>, particularly when the skin is nicked during shaving. These studies claim that those chemicals may then interact with DNA and lead to cancerous changes in cells, or interfere with the action of the female hormone <a href="http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/normal-testosterone-and-estrogen-levels-in-women">estrogen</a>, which is known to influence the growth of <a href="http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/ss/slideshow-breast-cancer-overview">breast cancer</a> cells." NOW, this is important...these claims have NOT been proven to be 100% accurate after research has been done, BUT when you think about it, it kind of makes sense. Actually, my armpits sometimes hurt after wearing antiperspirant and it is so hard to clean off in the shower. They even sell armpit sponges to help get it all off. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> So I recently switched to an aluminum free deodorant and after two weeks of smelling unpleasant while all the toxins were clearing out from my underarms, my body has sort of balanced out and my new aluminum-free stick is working just fine. Sure, I'll probably smell a lot worse than the person next to me at the gym but I honestly don't care. </div> <div> <br /></div> <div> I've rounded up my favorites below for you to try and note, these are a little on the pricey side but I found that the TOMS natural brand and other less expensive versions at the drug-store didn't do the job.  </div> <div> <br /></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNhhOsticf8-aeMhTbG8TacjrN2OCDrwb5BBlJKfM4-69PtOiaa9tL4Jy0zdvqvaWDJJ_wVlQbavWp5fFaQlMUv6k9f4c5x9mc8t7coKqfD6GOcT9U7tEdEwJPKwzT3sbMO7LH2eVhIVE/s1600/img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNhhOsticf8-aeMhTbG8TacjrN2OCDrwb5BBlJKfM4-69PtOiaa9tL4Jy0zdvqvaWDJJ_wVlQbavWp5fFaQlMUv6k9f4c5x9mc8t7coKqfD6GOcT9U7tEdEwJPKwzT3sbMO7LH2eVhIVE/s320/img.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/1RlCA4N">Honest Company</a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3egNsq1sc3LogUbOeU_5au_vWtTgSkCFVLc5iPwxCzkCapxMsYlYjP7H8zTr57zxOiz6lCy9yo5YM91MJlVDao5dmj_n3wlCHxrl6ukRqJxsMhcQ3gaGoRf_Ip3G1QKRpweFVGnZaz-T/s1600/s1425453-main-hero-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ3egNsq1sc3LogUbOeU_5au_vWtTgSkCFVLc5iPwxCzkCapxMsYlYjP7H8zTr57zxOiz6lCy9yo5YM91MJlVDao5dmj_n3wlCHxrl6ukRqJxsMhcQ3gaGoRf_Ip3G1QKRpweFVGnZaz-T/s1600/s1425453-main-hero-300.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/1PXdUMD">For special occasions, I like this one by Chloe</a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPl9CwnCUDamLTAVB7JkcEnlIpWbIdYCQ3U8NBw8wF6_zQgDWBsCLyTj49Hk2QCyCebYKVw9TLGft6YnssoneC4DbgAs7Ili6i7hGr72ZRoo0BKWMpNJiPe7VyBej1jbYMphdHWadQWNQc/s1600/2285519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPl9CwnCUDamLTAVB7JkcEnlIpWbIdYCQ3U8NBw8wF6_zQgDWBsCLyTj49Hk2QCyCebYKVw9TLGft6YnssoneC4DbgAs7Ili6i7hGr72ZRoo0BKWMpNJiPe7VyBej1jbYMphdHWadQWNQc/s320/2285519.jpg" width="168" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> These are the best!! If you need a little refresher just wipe the stench away with these <a href="http://bit.ly/1Oi3bvQ">disposable wipes</a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYbkX59V0FAlUKVMvg9fGpvCxvpmSRPJSgNcn-Fng_-2z4QdUGgzcTlvWZ52D4WuuSm-K_3MoIan19Jm3kqiKYCpWEcUS-2UiRjVB46Y1oLwNliT4BuVQq0iEwBI0PiX2kKP_VveslJns/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-13+at+9.56.30+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYbkX59V0FAlUKVMvg9fGpvCxvpmSRPJSgNcn-Fng_-2z4QdUGgzcTlvWZ52D4WuuSm-K_3MoIan19Jm3kqiKYCpWEcUS-2UiRjVB46Y1oLwNliT4BuVQq0iEwBI0PiX2kKP_VveslJns/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-01-13+at+9.56.30+AM.png" width="259" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/1Q5c0vi">My everyday stick</a></div> <br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4ME5V03WkBzlEYOhTfvNhn9kNWsdcGz5XpAbGnYm3LSSh1rXXLPF_jFkC4BspctcipJsW0HZSfesQiMsGdY9Tib3-M8pwsFhXNSjwhxPWTRllESjryflxyP0e2UbtRoATay05CzCgxlQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2016-01-13+at+9.56.45+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4ME5V03WkBzlEYOhTfvNhn9kNWsdcGz5XpAbGnYm3LSSh1rXXLPF_jFkC4BspctcipJsW0HZSfesQiMsGdY9Tib3-M8pwsFhXNSjwhxPWTRllESjryflxyP0e2UbtRoATay05CzCgxlQ/s320/Screen+Shot+2016-01-13+at+9.56.45+AM.png" width="262" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://bit.ly/1PXe8mR">L'OCCITANE</a> (everything that make is good)</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Have you tried any that you like?? Please leave in the comments so we can all see :) </div> <div> <br /></div>

BEAUTY, WELLNESS

The Best Aluminum Free Deodorants

Happy Hump Day Everyone! Let me first start out by saying that I'm pretty sure almost everything we breathe, eat and live in will have s...

My Experience with the #28dayjumpstart for Postpartum Weightloss

Happy New Year!! I wanted to send out a quick post before the actual New Year begins on my recent weight loss experiment with the instagram program <a href="http://instagram.com/#28dayjumpstart">#28dayjumpstart</a> hosted by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fitgirlsguide/">Fit Girls</a>. There is a new round starting on January 4th so if you're looking to take off a couple holiday pounds or lose that baby weight, I want you to be able to get in on this challenge because it worked for me. I recently got some comments and questions regarding my postpartum weight loss journey after I posted <a href="http://instagram.com/purejoyhome">this photo</a> of my family at the beach on vacay so here's how it goes:<br /> <br /> After having Grace in July, the weight started falling off. I gained a total of around 33-35 pounds throughout my pregnancy and I lost about 20 pounds in first four weeks after having her. Although I still couldn't quite fit into my pre-pregnancy clothes,  I was psyched that the weight was coming off. Fast forward two months, not so much. At this point, my weight loss came to a screeching halt. Weeks were passing and the scale was not budging an ounce and I was getting frustrated. I really wanted to fit into my clothes comfortably again so I decided it was time to do something about it. Although I was trying to be more aware of what I was eating and attempting exercise in the form of running and walking with the double stroller, nothing was really happening. Oh, and I had stopped nursing at this point.<br /> <br /> This is when I jumped in on the #28dayjumpstart challenge. I'm on instagram a lot so I figured nothing would motivate me more than seeing other girls on the same challenge post pictures of the diet and exercise they were experiencing. Here is how it works, you go to the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fitgirlsguide/">Fit Girls page</a> and buy the #28daychallenge on their website for about $25. They send you a packet that has all of the information pertaining to the challenge including a calendar of recipes and exercises you can do at home. I loved having this packet to refer to at the gym and a calendar of new healthy recipes to try, but to be completely honest, I didn't really follow the meal plan to a T like many of the other girls on the challenge. I didn't have time on Sundays to plan out every single meal and I cook for a hungry husband (a meat and potatoes guy) so I kind of adapted that piece to fit into my life.<br /> <br /> Having said that, I LOVED the challenge because it gave me a whole new outlook on food. Although I didn't follow the recipes like I said to a T, it kind of gave me a guideline on how much protein, veggies and which carbs were okay on a daily basis. One thing, I did have a sh*t ton of wine on the plan and that is not encouraged, well two drinks/per week are okay but I definitely had more than that, probably around 7 +/- glasses of wine/week (eek!) (#sorrynotsorry).<br /> <br /> I also have to say that I LOVED the exercise plan because well, I had a plan. I knew how many of what exercises to do every day of the week rather than just moseying on into the gym and hopping on various machines. If you're working full-time with kids, this is something you can do before work at home, on your lunch break, or maybe when the kids go to bed, definitely harder but it's doable.<br /> <br /> I finished the program in November and have been in "maintenance mode" since. I try and follow the protein/veggies/limited carbs thing and do my best to keep up with the exercises. During the holidays I definitely did not do the exercises BUT did do these minimum movements every day: at least three sets of 30 second planks, and at least 30 pushups.<br /> <br /> Do I look amazing in a bikini? HHEEEELLLL NO! Do I look and feel overweight? NO. Can I fit into my clothes again, YES! and for that I'm grateful to have done this challenge.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uat2ye6abJ5kmwW423BUP-lr62vKf_9X4J2rCqnqtq7njJUELN_bU45yJ2lm7KhmTWPHrtCnC4Okn7TNaVa1Pp03iQpxd4J6YN8cdAE0RpwJUJ_k3tdTmYadsw_7ba_w4pPSIBPgK0D1/s1600/IMG_9083.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Uat2ye6abJ5kmwW423BUP-lr62vKf_9X4J2rCqnqtq7njJUELN_bU45yJ2lm7KhmTWPHrtCnC4Okn7TNaVa1Pp03iQpxd4J6YN8cdAE0RpwJUJ_k3tdTmYadsw_7ba_w4pPSIBPgK0D1/s640/IMG_9083.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY6BNszcOxOd1xkdTrfrkqyr0shUtVIRzBo6LbsZKRXMVEBxDZgyGJxYnuj2HT-i_aTBWyEFEdfSvuv_xden9aZ_IVra1gJBrwIDXE4uWQSG3fDAGFhaYyRRmqj6HBINedd7_ONROMxx_/s1600/IMG_9088.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSY6BNszcOxOd1xkdTrfrkqyr0shUtVIRzBo6LbsZKRXMVEBxDZgyGJxYnuj2HT-i_aTBWyEFEdfSvuv_xden9aZ_IVra1gJBrwIDXE4uWQSG3fDAGFhaYyRRmqj6HBINedd7_ONROMxx_/s640/IMG_9088.jpg" width="480" /></a></div> <br /> It starts on January 4th so give it a whirl, a. you have to buy it ($25) and b. you will become part of this "fit girl" community on instagram and those two things will keep you accountable.<br /> <br /> <div style="text-align: center;"> Happy New Year Girls and thanks for the comments and for letting me share my weight loss journey with you. </div>

WELLNESS

My Experience with the #28dayjumpstart for Postpartum Weightloss

Happy New Year!! I wanted to send out a quick post before the actual New Year begins on my recent weight loss experiment with the instagram ...