Author Archive for Amy

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Reese Witherspoon: My Baby “Stole My Brain” And Her Girlfriends Rallied

Reese warned us that her baby boy, Tennessee, “stole her brain” a few weeks ago in an interview with British Magazine, Red. The Oscar-winning actress, 37, had her third child, Tennessee, in October with husband Jim Toth. She is also mom to 13 year old daughter Ava and 9 year old son, Deacon.

“Ever since I had the baby, I can’t remember anything. Serious, this child stole my brain,” says Witherspoon. “I’m losing friendships over forgetting to get back to people. But you can’t keep up with everything,” explains the busy mom.

It is comforting to know that celebrities can get “Mommy-brains” like the rest of us when we are running on little sleep and chasing after kids, particularly when there are multiple children to take care of the same time plus other responsibilities.

Reese says taking care of all three of her kids mentally is “like CNN ticker tape running through my mind at all times….”’Where is Ava? She’s okay. Good. Where is Deacon? He’s okay. Good. Where is Tennessee: Is he okay? Great. Back to Ava….’ It doesn’t stop.”

Reese’s emotional reserves have been put to the test lately with her recent arrest for disorderly conduct at the same time as her husband’s DUI. She has publicly admitted that she and her husband are “deeply embarrassed” adding “we know better. “ Clearly this mom was on overload and was letting loose a little too much that evening to be in a car driven by her husband who was also under the influence.

Reese does credit her girlfriends for getting her the hard times. “I don’t know what I would have done so many times in my life if I hadn’t had my girlfriends.” She adds, “It’s nice to hang with Drew because we both just had babies and we can support each other,” she says of Barrymore, who also welcomed a baby last fall, daughter Olive. “And Cameron is such a funny, bright, gal. She’s an incredibly sharp business-minded woman, but she disguises that side of herself. It’s her secret alter ego.”

Shortly after her arrest Reese relied on the help of her girlfriends, including Chelsea Handler, to help her weather the publicity storm. She admits, “They have literally gotten me up out of bed, taken my clothes off, put me in the shower, dressed me, said, ‘Hey, you can do this,’ put my high heels on and pushed me out the door!”

We should all remember to lean in on our girlfriends, particularly after having a baby, dealing with baby blues. Husbands and partners are great and essential to help with everything baby and otherwise. But our girlfriends do wonders for our psyches and can cheer us up during our baby blue and “Mommy brain” fog, they can keep us laughing and smiling though the best and worst of it all. So, don’t forget to call your girlfriends whenever you need a pep talk or a laugh (or they need one).

Kim Kardashian Wore Her “Maternity Clothes” The Best!

Ok, so we know Kim Kardashian has been getting a lot of flack for her maternity fashion choices. However, I must say, I am secretly becoming a bit of a fan. I am actually motivated to see what she wore to the latest event whether it be a striking off the runway black Prada dress to an intimate dinner date with Anna Wintour or her Riccardo Tisci designed floral print gown which she wore to the Givenchy Met Ball the following night (with built-in matching gloves).

Really, we do need some comic relief from Kate Middleton’s never misses and perfect pregnancy body perfection (although I am a huge fan of the Duchess and admire her picture perfect pregnancy and fashion choices). I am, however, more intrigued by Kardashian’s maternity fashion “hit” or supposed “misses” because, really, isn’t that what fashion is all about- not conforming, making a statement, showing your mood and style in the body you are currently living in?

I credit Kim Kardashian for making maternity fashion a lot more interesting, expressive, unexpected, sometimes humorous and controversial. I agree that pregnancy should be a time to embrace the bump however demurely or flamboyantly as we please. It’s a time to celebrate our bodies and the body forming in us. It is not a time to be ashamed of a few added pounds in places other than the bump, which for most of us is perfectly natural (unless you are the Duchess of Cambridge!)

With that said, I do have to laugh along with Robin William’s “who wore it best” taunt at Kim’s dress choice to the Met Gala and more of less accusation of her channeling his character as Mrs. Doubtfire in his 1990’s film. Kardashian’s dress is strangely reminiscent of that once upon a time comedy fashion display with the same busy head to toe floral pattern. However, without a doubt, Kim did wear it best, complete with the built-in flowered print gloves!

Maternal America’s Stork Print Dress –Perfect for Mother’s Day and Beyond!

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day Maternity Dress or Baby Shower Dress? Look no further than Maternal America’s Cut Out Yolk Maternity Dress, AKA “The Stork Dress.” This go-anywhere versatile and lightweight Spring-Summer Maternity Dress is a must-have for your warm weather maternity clothes wardrobe.

Although not immediately apparent, the navy red and white print is actually small storks that converge for a beautiful patterned look. The empire waist design is slimming and flattering on all expecting body types. The V-neck sleeveless style is cool for summer and can even be worn as a nursing dress with the elastic cross-over front design.

If ever there was a good-luck dress to be worn during pregnancy, this maternity dress from Maternal America is the one!

Vanity Fair Names Kate Middleton “Best Dressed Pregnant Lady”

Kate Middleton recently topped Vanity Fair’s Best-Dressed Pregnant Ladies list, which was not a big surprise considering her flawless and varied pregnancy fashion. This new list is part of Vanity Fair’s International Best-Dressed Challenge. Vanity Fair explains their choice of Middleton:

“At every life stage—courtship, marriage, and now pregnancy—her classic, insta-iconic pieces have inspired and influenced the wardrobes of sweethearts, brides, and mothers-to-be, respectively. The duchess conceals her (bare minimum of a) bump with three-quarter-length coats and short skirts that also help to draw attention to enviably still-svelte stems.”

Some pretty fancy wordage which we interpret as meaning she dresses well and looks good!

Although we loved Kate’s parade of stylish cross over buttoned coats and patterned tights, we look forward to her spring dress selections as her bump grows. I’m sure she will continue to deserve her top ranking for International Best Dressed Pregnant Ladies!

Halle Berry Stuns in Black Cut Out Maternity Gown!

Halle Berry does not seem like an expecting mom of “advanced maternal age” at 46 as she is looking positively glowing with her growing baby bump. She has been recently promoting her film in Brazil in a number of figure-hugging outfits which show off her growing bump. She and fiancé Olivier Martinez will welcome a child, rumored to be a boy, later this year.

Halle looked gorgeous at the South American premiere of her film in a black cut-out maternity gown with spider web lace accented on the sides. Her film, a thriller with Brad Anderson and Abigail Breslin recently hit theatres.

“I feel fantastic. This has been the biggest surprise of my life to tell you the truth,” Halle told CNN a few weeks ago.

“I thought I was kind of past the point where this could be a reality for me. So it’s been a big surprise and the most wonderful.”

Berry’s next project will be the much anticipated sequel of X-Men: Days of Future Past.

We look forward to seeing more of Halle’s gorgeous maternity style!

Kerri Walsh Jennings Welcomes Daughter

Congratulations to Volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings and husband Casey Jennings on the birth of their third child, daughter Scout Margery.

The three time Olympic gold medalist is happy to have a girl to join her two sons Joey, 3 and Sundance, 2.

“Our family feels so blessed to have this beautiful new addition,” says Kerri. “We will cherish our lil Scout and can’t wait to watch her as she grows in this world alongside her sweet big brothers.”

Walsh Jennings revealed after the 2012 London Olympic games that she was unknowingly five weeks pregnant with her daughter when she and partner Misty May-Treanor were in the final showdown week of the Olympics. “When I was throwing my body around fearlessly, and going for gold for our country, I was pregnant.” She told Matt Lauer later.

Kerri also admits this last pregnancy was the hardest one of all. “This little one is kicking my butt!” she said. “The first two were pretty easy, but with this one, I’m sick every day.”

Just goes to show us that even the best Olympic athletes can feel physically challenged by morning sickness!

We wish all the best to Kerri and her growing family of five!

Shakira Talks About Challenges of Being a New Mom

New mama Shakira looks fabulous just months after giving birth to son, Milan. However the 36 year old first time mom recently revealed that dropping the pounds to be in shape to promote “The Voice” was extremely stressful and difficult.

“I know I had to come back here to do “The Voice” two months after I had delivered a baby. I didn’t have my four months of maternity like every woman on Earth has. I’m not trying to complain, but it’s been a process full of challenges.”

Shakira went on to add that the pressure to shed the weight for our generation is much more intense than it has been for previous generations of women. She said, “I think that our mothers and grandmothers weren’t under the pressure women of today are after delivering a baby. My dad says there’s nothing better than meat over the bones. So he likes my mom a little chubby. She was never under the pressure to have to get to her old weight – and she never did.”

I’m sure that the pressure as a rock star is even more intense than the pressure most women face. However the example we see in the media of super swelte new moms like Beyonce and Shakira just months after giving birth, can make us all feel a little inadequate. So, it’s a nice reality check to hear that it was extremely challenging for them as well, even with all the dieticians/chefs, personal trainers and nannies at their call.

Shakira was also very honest about the ups and downs of new motherhood to a newborn. She told US Weekly, “I didn’t expect babies to need so many diapers! Nobody told me they needed to be changed so often! I mean he’s a great, great, baby. He’s an easy one, I think. But nobody told me it would be this hard. It takes a lot of energy from you.”

I always admire a star that says it like it is! It also shows that she is putting in the effort as a new mom and not just token baby carrying on a shopping photo op excursion. Being a mom is hard work, but it is also so worth it!

Breastfeeding Can Extend Your Life (New Research!)

If you are wondering where to stand on the breastfeeding v. formula debate, some new research may make that decision a little clearer.

A mass study published that past Wednesday in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition discovered that exclusively breastfeeding your baby for at least six months could cut your chance of dying from cancer and all other diseases by 17%. This includes an 8% reduction in dying by heart disease alone.

Previous studies on breastfeeding have primarily looked at the affect on the baby or the short term health benefits to the mother, such as weight loss.

“No previous study has investigated the association between breastfeeding and mortality in the mother,” lead researcher Anne-Claire Vergnaud said. She added that “failure to breastfeed” related to an increase in premenopausal breast cancer, ovarian cancer and diabetes.

The study also confirmed previous findings on health benefits to the baby from breastfeeding including less likelihood of adult obesity or even being overweight, which reduces risk for seven different types of cancer as well as diabetes.

AICR Director of Research, Susan Higginbotham explains the connection between breastfeeding and longevity, “Physical changes in breast tissue that accompany milk production provide some protection as well.” Since breast tissue cells are shed during lactation, the cancer risk is decreased. She adds, “Because cells have potential DNA damage get shed before they can spark the cancer process.” Also, longer breastfeeding helps by reducing menstrual cycles and the lifetime exposure to hormones such as estrogen that can increase the risk of breast cancer.

Only 16% of US women exclusively breastfeed their babies for six months and 36% breastfeed exclusively for three months, so many American women are clearly missing the health benefits for themselves and their babies that exclusive breastfeeding has to offer. 47% of women in the U.S. breastfeed the first six months while also supplementing with formula.

Clearly the breast is best not only for your baby and for helping with your pregnancy weight loss, but also for your long-term health, reduced chance of cancer and overall longevity. That’s a powerful reason to breastfeed your baby!

Eat Your Protein When You Are Pregnant Or Nursing!

We all know that foods Salmon that are packed with Omega 3s fatty Acids are a go-to for women of all ages. Salmon has the added benefit of mood stabilizing your hormones by boosting your serotonin levels in your brain which helps you to feel-good. Higher levels of this naturally occurring feel-good chemical can help ward off depression or baby blues. Salmon is easy to make and throw on a salad for a great and healthy left-over meal. Health experts recommend having salmon at least once a week for optimal benefits.

What you might not know is that high protein foods like eggs and spinach are really important for you if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. The Institute of Medicine recommends eating 425 mg of choline for all women, 450 mg if you are pregnant and 550 if you are breastfeeding. Both spinach and eggs with the yolk contain choline which is a nutrient that helps your baby’s brain develop.

Spinach has the added nutritional benefit of folate which helps prevent birth defects. The National Institute of Health recommends women eat 600 mcg of folate when pregnant and 500 mcg when nursing. One half cup of spinach, or similar green, provides about 130 mcg of folate, so about one-third of what you need. You can make up the difference by taking a supplement recommended by your doctor. However, just cooking a daily spinach omelet can give you and your baby the nutritional boost you need each morning.

Looking For A Tasty Way To Add Vitamin D To Your Diet?

New research has found that it is very important for pregnant women to get enough Vitamin D for their infant’s healthy development. When pregnant we need more than the recommended 200 milligrams supplement of Vitamin D.

This quick and tasty omelet dish from Fit Pregnancy is an easy way to add both Vitamin D and protein to your healthy diet. Among the many great things that Vitamin D will do for your body it will also help your baby absorb bone building calcium and phosphorous.

1⁄2 cup baby bok choy, washed and chopped into bite-sized pieces

1⁄2 cup mushrooms (any variety), wiped clean and sliced

1 teaspoon sesame or other cooking oil

2 eggs

2 ounces canned cooked baby shrimp

1. In a small pan, sauté bok choy and mushrooms in 1 to 2 teaspoons of oil for 2 to 4 minutes.

2. In a bowl, beat the eggs with a fork.

3. Preheat an 8-inch nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Coat with a few spritzes of cooking spray.

4. Add egg mixture and swirl around until pan is evenly coated.

5. When eggs begin to set slightly, run spatula under cooked egg and tip pan to allow the uncooked egg to flow underneath. Keep doing this all the way around until center is set, about 2 minutes.

6. Top half of the eggs with mushroom mixture and shrimp, then fold in half using the spatula. Cover and cook over low heat until omelet fluffs up, 30 to 40 seconds. Carefully slide omelet onto plate.

Nutritional information per serving

Per serving: 256 calories, 26 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate, 15.5 g fat (3.5 g saturated fat), 181 mg calcium, 3.6 mg iron, 88 mcg folate, 1 g fiber