How To Tell If You're Pregnant

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The weather is nice and warm here in down south USA and you know what that brings? A whole slew of my girlfriends are all preggos and making my stomach all aflutter with phantom baby kicks (those are real I don't care what anyone says!) So I think we should play a little game. Here are a few things that I have heard over the years that may be old wives tales or actual scientifically confirmed natural ways that you can use to figure out if you are indeed in the family way.

Here they are...

• If you suddenly have a really vamped up production of saliva. Like if you are spitting for what seems like round the clock, 24/7 then you may be pregnant.
• Your body will automatically have a strong instinct to protect the growing bebe so if you feel threatened in any way shape or form, like someone comes too close to your belly your hand will automatically go up to protect your belly. My husband and I used this method to figure out if I was pregnant with our 2nd and he pretended to punch me in the belly (sounds crazier when I say it out loud) and sure enough my hand went straight to my belly and sure enough we had a baby girl around 8 months later.
• Super sensitive boobahs. This can get tricky because they get the same way around PMS time. So this only applies if you have missed a period and suspect you may be pregnant.
• Super thirst. I mean like you feel like you just walked through the dessert so long that you would crack open a cactus just to see what's inside. I would feel like I needed an I.V. of H2O attached to my arm at all times.
• "The Hunger". Now this was a term affectionately used in our house through my pregnancies. It was my insatiable appetite for anything edible and it would strike at all hours of the day or night. It started even before I realized I was pregnant and my husband says that secretly that is how he knew I was pregnant. I am usually a pretty nutritious eater but when I started asking for sweet relish on nearly everything I wanted to eat, that's when I started to go "hmm..."
• Mood swings. Also happens when PMS rears its ugly head, but due to the crazy jumbled up mess of hormonal surges you will experience, this is something you will have to deal with. I say to have a list of nice things to do to make up for the Beast you may become to all loved ones within a 3 foot radius of you. Such as "Make husband a nice dessert." "Take mom out to lunch." These things will surely make up for the "I don't care if the store is closed, I want that ice cream even if you have to drive across state lines to get it!" or "I think telling me that twins ran in the family was a nice thing to know 9 MONTHS AGO MOM!" sayings that might just pop up now and again.

Now remember, if most all of these things are happening at that same exact time then by all means you should be e.p.t.ing it a.s.a.p. But if only one or two things are happening then maybe wait it out and see if you are just being impatient with your monthly "frienemy".

So I shared my thoughts on how you can tell if you are pregnant or not, how about you guys? What have you heard are tell tale signs you may be pregnant?

My best,

A Girl's Gotta Eat...

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Sorry for being m.i.a. lately. Computer problems and family obligations had me on the run and up a creek for days. But I'm back and here to tell you about some yummy for your tummy!

I love a good PB&J on any given day of the week. I also love the PB&Banana variety as well. If you have never tried that kind, then your life is not complete until you have. But what I didn't love was how much sugar it takes to make a little jar of jelly. I once watched Paula Deen make jelly on her FoodNetwork show and was shocked how much gets dumped into it. I loved white granulated sugar back then and even so, my sweet tooth was shocked.

Just recently on Jamie Olivers Food Revolution he filled a whole school bus with the sugar that kids are consuming just in their flavored milks alone on a weekly basis. It's pretty shocking to see actually and since I'm into the whole shocking reality with this blog I will share the video link with you here. Hulu has it on their site and I don't know for how long, so click quick!

That is alot of sugar to consume, and I realized that I need to be just as proactive about my kids consumption of sugar as I am for myself and my husband. So I started with our jelly. We were buying the usual Smuckers or store brand jelly, whichever was less expensive. But then I went on a shopping hunt for a natural alternative. And I found it! Polaners All Fruit makes a great spread. It's not technically a jelly and I will get to that later, but it is all natural, all fruit, and all kinds of delicious!

Right now we are sporting the Polaner All Fruit with Fiber Strawberry flavored in our fridge and it only has 6grams of sugar. The sugar isn't even sugar like in the conventional sense but rather it's sweetened with the sugar from fruit. The front label states 'Sweetened Only with Fruit Juice'. Awesome right? Why don't more companies do this? Ya got me. No wait, I have a very strong opinion on this and I'm just waiting until the day that I do a rant post and then maybe I'll get it out then. ;-)

Here are more pluses about this jar of spreadable fruit:

*Only 35 calories per 1 tbsp

*0 grams of trans fat

*0 grams of sodium

*3 grams of dietary fiber

*gluten free

foto courtesy safebeauty - aka me.

Now remember when I said it's not a jelly? Well there is a very specific reason that they can't call this a jelly but it's for very good reason. To find out why I would like you to watch this 4 minute video of The Neelys from FoodNetwork learning how to make a Strawberry Jalapeno Spread and get this - Strawberry BBQ Sauce! The creator Russ from Carlsbad Gourmet gives us some insight into what the requirements are for jellys and spreads. These recipes are definitely happening in my kitchen VERY soon. Enjoy!

My best,

Song of the Week: Since we hit a high note with the spreadable fruit let's keep it going with the high notes and rhythms of Aha and "Take on Me"

Al-Key-Hall and its Benefits...

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Did You Know...

... it takes at least an hour for the average person to burn up the alcohol in one standard drink?

- alcohol-facts.net

Do you guys like a little drinky poo at the end of the night? When you go out to dinner with the girls? On date nights? Well in most all of those cases that is a great idea. Alcohol is a very healthy thing when used in moderation and when used wisely.

First off, men and women are not one size fits all when it comes to our alcohol consumption. We are definitely on two different playing fields because women break down alcohol less efficiently. A man of the same size and weight as us would be able to drink more alcohol with less effect on him than on a woman. So please don't play any drinking games where you are possibly trying to keep up the same consumption as a man because that could just end badly - for you. Unfortunately, men are more likely to be alcohol dependent than women because many times they may have more stresses than us. i.e. primary breadwinner, loss of said bread due to unemployment, they lost their dog, truck, and girlfriend all in one day...you know.

How much alcohol should women drink to benefit their health?

Remember this rule - all drinks in moderation. Moderate for a woman is up to one (1) drink a day and up to two (2) drinks a day for men. And did you know that they now have specific guidelines as to what and how much constitutes a "drink"? Here are the guidelines in picture form because that's how my brain works - picture style.

The benefits of drinking some red wine every day are very abundant, especially when you choose the right kind. Researchers at the University of California have dubbed these varieties to be the best choice due to their high concentration of antioxidant flavonoids:

• Cabernet sauvignon #1
• Pinot noir #2
• Petit syrah #3

So when you down a glass of these reds you can smile because you will be singlehandedly be tackling potential body troubles such as heart disease, types of cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, and also protecting brain ailments.

Go on, drink to your health!

*some obvious statements that may or may not need repeating: don't drink if you are pregnant, have a history of drinking, or are on medications that may cause adverse affects if mixed with alcohol.

My best,

Song of the Week: Although our household is so torn up having to say goodbye to last weeks song "Walking on Sunshine" we welcome this weeks song of "There's One in Every Crowd" by Montgomery Gentry. They sing about the ill effects alcohol can have on us. Don't get carried away by the catchy tune because I promise there is a message somewhere in there! ;o)

Food Dye Causes Hyperactivity?

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Did You Know...

... that 1 in 10 kids have been diagnosed with ADHD? - I heard this on ABC News

Ever since I met my husband way back when I can remember clearly him taking me out to lunch and pointing out on things I would pick up that there was dye in them.

"Yeah you're right, there is Red 40 in this Gatorade - so what?!" (remember this is way back before I cared about my body and my metabolism was something to be praised)

"Well dear that stuff causes free radicals and yada, yada, yada, before you know it - cancer!"

I still don't completely know what all the yada yada was about, but just recently food dyes and their controversy have made their way into the national spotlight. It seems like everyone and their mothers is being diagnosed with ADHD. I have many theories on why these kids are all being diagnosed, but one of them is that it could be what they are consuming. Food is made so differently than it was when our parents or even grandparents were younger that is the truth. Back in the day, potato chips were just that, a simple fried potato peel. It would be slightly browned and salted and you would be on your way. Now the potato chips of our day are all bright Vegas Red and Atlantic City greens and all kind of wacky colors.

The FDA set up a panel to get to the bottom of this debate and their findings should soon be published. Many scientists have said that food dyes aren't what is causing the ADHD but it may be exacerbating the symptoms of hyperactivity in children and adults that already have the condition.

What dyes are causing concern about hyperactivity in children and adults? Here's a list:

• FD&C (which stands for food, drug & cosmetic and basically means that the FDA has approved it to consumed)
• FD&C Blue 1 and 2
• FD&C Green 3, Orange B
• FD&C Red 3
• FD&C Red 40
• FD&C Yellow 5 and 6

These are all the dyes in question. I have been looking at them with that slitted eye for the past few years like they owe me money just because I just don't really trust the fact that they are truly safe for consumption. I say tread lightly and everything in moderation. At least until the FDA gets to the bottom of things - if ever.

What say you, have you ever heard anything crazy about the food dyes? Anyone with a scientist uncle, aunt, grandma or grandpa that can help set the record straight?

My best,

Your Getting Warmer...

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Did You Know...

... that our brains consist of 90% of water and our bones consist of 22% of water?

- mangosteen-natural-remedies.com

So that's why it's so important to stay hydrated. While the weather outside is starting to creep up the towards the hot, hotter, and hottest days of the year it is super important that water stays a part of our everyday diet.

If so much of our bodies consist of so much water then it just makes good sense that we need to keep replenishing our supply. If we start to run low on our reserves then that can lead to dehydration and here are some of the side effects we may feel:

• Tiredness
• Migraines
• Constipation
• Muscle Cramps
• Irregular blood-pressure
• Kidney troubles
• Dry Skin
• 20% dehydration could lead to death - for reals!

Thankfully water is a pretty inexpensive staple to keep in your home. Drinking eight 8 oz. servings a day should keep you where you need to be healthwise. It really helps your skin retain its moisture and helps keep your body regular in eliminating wastes through either sweat, bowel movements, or urination.

How do I know if I'm drinking enough water?

Great question. Here are a few tell tale signs that you need to up your intake:

• Dark Urine - it should not appear cloudy or look like apple juice. Rather it should appear as lemonade. Pretty clear and more on the mellow yellow side. Also, it should not smell strongly of anything. Any foul odored urine needs to be addressed. Start by upping your drinky poo of water and if that doesn't help then by all means head straight to your Doc.
• Dry Skin - if you are walking around looking like a California Raisin then you just might be dehydrated.
• Thirst - you feel parched all the time? Don't reach for the nearest soda or pop - depending on where you're from - instead reach for a bottle of the clear stuff. It's your body signaling you that something is missing. If you get to the point of feeling as thirsty as a dog, then you are already on your way to being dehydrated so just stay on top of that as the day rolls on.
• Hunger - sometimes that pang in your belly might not mean that it's time for an afternoon snack. Drink one glass of water and see how you feel after that.
• Fatigue - if you are feeling sluggish then by all means drink some water because that is a really simple way to get some energy infused into your system quickly.

I hope you get to put some of these things if not all into practice. A few years ago on Oprah I heard a Dr. or some other know-it-all say that the key to getting the most out of your water is to drink it slowly. Like drink one whole glass over the course of one hour. That works for me!

I am currently in the market for a cooler small enough to fit in the back of our van so that we are never without a cold bottle of H2O. How do you guys remember to drink water throughout the day? Any techniques or suggestions?

My best,

Shampoo Free Me!

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Let's talk hair. I have it, you have it, we all have it, but we all take care of our specific hair-type in a specific way. No two heads are the same I'm willing to bet. Okay not bet, but I'm pretty sure that we are all walking around with our own distinct snowflakes atop our heads.

I am not a beautician or beauty school dropout or anything in between. I am just a woman that is to this day trying to figure out what works best for my particular tresses. In the process of finding out what works, I have read many articles that say the shampoo industry is into some shady biz with their ingredients. You see the alcohol listed either 1st, 2nd or 3rd on the list of your shampoos ingredients? That's the alcohol that you can thank for drying out your hair and making it brittle leading to split ends. But it smells nice so we go back for more, right? Which leads to us getting onto that human guinea pig wheel of purchasing. And the hair care industry just hears the sound "Cha-Ching!" every single time.

Today I will try and help you step off that wheel.

I have ditched shampoos altogether. The main reason being that I couldn't find a truly all natural alternative that I really could throw my support behind. Now when I say shampoo I mean an actual bottle of shampoo. I have found a great shampoo bar however, over at Smell Goods Spa '98 but I have yet to find an actual shampoo bottle that delivers. But now I don't have to, thanks to this great baking soda/apple cider vinegar combo that eliminates the need for said shampoo! Now all I have to do is invest a couple of dollars on these 2 simple items and I am getting the hair cleansing of a lifetime I kid you not. And it lasts a long time! Remember my post on the benefits of vinegar? Well in said post, I gave you a link to a great vinegar hair rinse and now I give you a link to a great "no poo" recipe (yes I am immature and giggle every time I read or write about this topic)

So remember this if anything: more mainstream shampooing = drier hair = you broke because you keep on looking for a cure for your dry and flaking scalp and you're willing to pay for it no matter what the cost may be.

I have tried this method and I am sold! I promise that you will benefit from it too. In fact, Ipinky promise that you will fall in love with this no poo method (chuckle, snort, snort) and I don't take my pinky promises lightly...so try this out and tell me how much you like it. If you have already done so, then by all means jump into the comments and lets keep this praise going shall we?

My best,

Great Natural Sites

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Don't you just love stumbling upon a great website that has information you are actually interested in? I know that I do, and I am pretty sure that the rest of mankind would agree. So with that assumption in hand, today I am going to share with you a few great natural websites and blogs that give me inspiration, thoughts to ponder, and an overall warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy.

• Organic Authority - this site has great photos, information, and a nice layout.
• She Hearts It - this very clean and crisp blog has great reviews on products and usually has a giveaway with each as well. Gotta love that.
• Green Living Ideas - awesome natural recipes that you can make right from home along with practical advice makes this site one of my have-to-stop-ats.
• All Day Natural - I love how Miss Lycia comes across so breezy with her thoughts on all things natural. She gives great product recommendations and delicious healthy recipes as well.

I know that you will all enjoy these sites. I have been inspired by them for the past few years and I just can't hold onto these all to myself any longer. I grew up in a large family and my parents taught us all that "Sharing is caring."

My best,

Dollar Tree Find!

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I hope that you guys have a Dollar Tree near you because I'll tell ya what. That place is amazing. It's like a modern day rummage sale but with everything that we need! I went there on Friday night to get a few staples for the house - toilet paper, pencils, toys made in China - when I decided to check out their 'personal care' section.

And I strolled upon this....

Yardley of London Oatmeal & Almond Bar Soap

I still can't believe that I bought this for a buck! A few months ago I bought this same bar at my local Publix for over $5.00 after taxes. Now is this a steal or is this a steal? Woo to the hoo!! I cannot stress enough the importance of your local Dollar Tree. You never know what you might find in there.

How about you all, have you ever found a great buy at your Dollar Tree? Share your great finds.

My best,

Song of the Week: Finding this soap really made me think of this song "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves. Sigh...I miss the 80's....

Natural Love

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Don't you just love stumbling upon a great website that has information you are actually interested in? I know that I do, and I am pretty sure that the rest of mankind would agree. So with that assumption in hand today I am going to share with you a few natural sites that give me inspiration, thoughts to ponder, and an overall warm fuzzy feeling in my tummy.

• Organic Authority - this site has great photos, information, and a nice layout.
• She Hearts It - this very clean and crisp blog has great reviews on products and usually has a giveaway with each as well. Gotta love that.
• Green Living Ideas - awesome natural recipes that you can make right from home along with practical advice makes this site one of my have-to-stop-ats.
• All Day Natural - I love how Miss Lycia comes across so breezy with her thoughts on all things natural. She gives great product recommendations and delicious healthy recipes as well.

I know that you will all enjoy these sites. I have been inspired by them for the past few years and I just can't hold onto these all to myself any longer. I grew up in a large family and my parents taught us all that "Sharing is caring."

My best,

Press Here For Relief

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Did You Know...

...that in diagnosing Fibromyalgia, doctors check eighteen specific points on the body, if the patient has eleven of the eighteen causing them pain, then they are diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia? - Answers.com

Remember that childhood song that goes "The hipbone's connected to the tailbone, the tailbone's connected to the blahbone...." and on and on? Okay well today I want to share a little gem with you about reflexology, or pressure points. Because so many of our body parts are connected in one way or another, it's amazing that pressing one area of the body can affect a completely different part.

Sleep aid pressure points to be exact. Some nights I just have so much on my mind that I can't sleep if my life depended on it. I end up tossing and turning for approximately one hour and then when I wake up it looks and sounds like the opening of almost every LOST episode. Wide eyes and a huge gasping of air. You follow me? So I looked into a natural sleep aid via pressure points.

There are a few and I found this awesome video showing you exactly where the points are and how to find them. The key is not to be rough but gentle. Just smoothly apply small amounts of pressure in the area and you should get the desired results.

I tried the one with my pinky and wrist (towards the end of the video) and no lie, 2 seconds in I let out a wicked big yawn and my eyes started watering and it's kinda hard to focus on this post because I really am suddenly tired. Now the quality of sleep I will get tonight is still up in the air, but I will tell you how it went.

In the meantime, enjoy this video and tell me which one you are going to try out or have tried and have been successful or failed with.

****DISCLAIMER: USE THESE TECHNIQUES AT YOUR OWN RISK. I CARE FOR YOU ALL, SO DON'T DO THESE IF YOU SUFFER FROM THINGS THAT ARE PRETTY SERIOUS OR ARE PREGNANT. PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR FIRST*****

UPDATE: BEST. SLEEP. EVER! I feel so rested and I am going to do this for sure on nights that I am feeling punchy or restless. Enjoy!

My best,

How I Make My Makeup Stretch

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This is a step-by-step picture show of how I preserve my bareMinerals lip gloss:

Step 1: Wake up with bare lips and bleary eyes.

Step 2: Apply a small dab at the center of my bottom lip.

Step 3: Rub the dab across the bottom lip and then the top lip with my finger.

Step 4: Enjoy my lips!

I apply my lip gloss in this way for the simple reason that in this economy you have to try and make your dollar stretch and this little bottle of lip gloss didn't come cheap - but still worth it! Also, I find very little difference when I put on a whole slathering application on both lips with the wand versus the way I just showed you. One way wastes a whole lot more though...

Maybe you do the same or have other tips on how to stretch your cosmetics out longer. But not too long right? Remember yesterdays post? Post any of your methods in the comments section post haste.

My best,

It's Time to Let Go

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I don't know about you guys but I am so guilty of this. I hold onto my cosmetics for what seems like eons. I have had a liquid-to-powder concealer that was recommended to me by my old friend Queen Latifah (via a commercial on TV) that is easily going on over a year and a half. It's an old remnant in my beauty staples that the frugal side of me is saying 'Don't throw this one out. Use it till it's gone. What are you made out of money?' But after researching for this post about how long to hold onto cosmetics before discarding, I am rethinking if that concealer will last the night. I feel a purse purge coming on.

So here are the rules for how long do cosmetics last and how long should you keep them before throwing them out. That beloved circa 1999 Cherry Bomb lipstick you bought from Mary Kay might just not make the cut sorry to tell ya.

This is taken from Dr. Zein Obagi's advice in this LA Times article...

Cream and gel cleansers: One year

Serums: Six months

Liquid foundation: Six months if it is in squeezable packaging, two months in any other form

Concealer: Three months

Loose powder: Two years

Pressed powder: 18 months

Liquid highlighter: Two months

Eye shadow: Two years if powder, two months if it's cream, unless it is in a squeezable or airtight container

Mascara: Three months (but discard sooner if it dries out)

Eyeliner: Up to three years for pencils that are sharpened regularly, two months for cream or liquid eyeliners

Blush: Two years for powder, two months for cream

Makeup sponges: Wash after each use and throw away after two weeks

Lipstick: One year

Lip gloss: 18 months

Lip liner: Up to three years if sharpened regularly

Nail polish: One year

My best,

What's New Crew?

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Hello and Happy Monday everyone! Today calls for some sunshine...

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. Down here in sunny FL the temp was high and the sun was blazing. I love a good weekend that affords you the luxury of choosing to do as you please. We had our fair share of rainstorms earlier in the week that got us national recognition on the Today Show. Hey-o! But there really is nothing worse than having kids stuck in the house when all they want to do is go outside and play. But we did fun crafts and cooking to help the time go by. La-de-da...

Today I want to talk to you about blogging. My personal blogging habits, goals, and all around general information that I think you should know.

A couple of you have noticed and commented on the fact that I have been posting a lot more lately. You are very right and that is very true. Now if you have been reading this blog since the beginning, you know that I have in the past only posted on Mondays. When I started blogging I did that because I had a 1 year old and a 2 1/2 year old that commanded much of my time. But nowadays those kids are much more grown and do not need as much doting anymore. So I sat and thought about what I could do with my time since it's not being used to wipe, wash, or wrangle babies so much anymore. And I decided that I would start to build more content on my website. And bust a move on this Internet thingy! My end goal is to use this outlet as a message board to as many women and men as possible, because the things that we will discuss on here are mega important to me and dear to my heart and it's really a driving force in my every day life.

So here are a few changes that will be happening on this hear site in the days, weeks, and months to come:

• I will be posting more frequently throughout the week. Mon-Fri preferably but if I write a post that I feel warrants more eyes then I might leave it up for more than a day or two.
• I will soon be selling ad space! In the words of the great Joey Lawrence...WHOA! I know right? There have been many companies that I have grown to know and love over the years that have constantly asked me if I sell ad space and I now feel like I am finally ready to open this space up to that. Like I said, this will be happening soon so stay tuned if you are a business owner large or small.
• I will be changing up some of the site design so as to make it more user friendly. Any ideas or changes you would like to see implemented?
• On a personal note, I am going to start looking into writing classes again. I used to take them when I was a much younger lass, but after having 2 kids I am realizing that I have forgotten alot of grammar rules and spellings of things with my mommy brain. So back to school I must trek in order to bring words to you that make sense. :o)

Hmm...more content, ad space, writing classess....what else? Oh right! Here's one last thing:

• I will be making my own button so that you can take it with you and post it on your website or blog to show your appreciation if you so choose. I have one on here now, but I am honestly hardly impressed by it. So if any of you have a better site that I can use to make a cute little button then by all means let a girl know.

Okay I think that is about it. It may seem like alot of changes but it's nothing too drastic. Don't be scared because everything will be alright. I promise!

My best,

Song of the Week: "Let the Sunshine In" performed by a group of younguns. So pretty and makes me cry every time. I don't know why...