Thursday, September 17, 2009

Pain FREE Waxing - taking a bite out of the pain of looking beautiful



Buy it at DermStore.com


Relatively pain free waxing is finally a possibility! C'mon ladies, i know youre interested! gone are the days when waxing caused you to scream bloody murder! these are topical numbing agents that contain benzocaine, a safe analgesic,which numb the skin and help take the sting out of waxing. Now you can have smooth legs without misery...and without resorting to shaving :)

http://www.bellasugar.com/1089791

this site list two different types, a cream and a spray on. My first instinct is that the spray on might be a little greasy and cause the wax to slip...i think im going with the cream! :)

Happy waxing!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Need Cheap Ovulation Test Strips?



Cheap ovulation test trips that won't break the bank are not that hard to come by anymore! Gone are the days when we just had to guess about when we should really be "focusing" our efforts on getting pregnant. I have an irregular cycle and never knew exactly when ovulation was going to occur - take it from an old pro - these work great! :)

Super easy to follow instructions are on the back of each test, and if you're not sure when to use it, call your doctor, or nurse-midwife. They can stear you in the right direction.

So where do I get cheap ovulation test strips?

I bought mine here.

This ebay seller is great and ships really quick.

peace and love!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Why don't my favorite jeans fit???

This is a pretty common question that goes thru a pregnant woman's mind somewhere at the end of the first trimester. I have been shocked that it came more quickly then i expected this time, but then again, i am on baby #3. Im at the end of my first trimester, and cant quite fit into my cute "your butt looks good this those" jeans.

In a previous post i strongly recommended getting a Belly band - a maternity stretchy band that allows you to continue wearing your pre-pregger pants, while unbuttoning/unzipping the top. An ingenious invention! If you're like me, you swim in the flexible waste band of your official maternity pants until closer to the 5th month. Belly bands help stretch your wardrobe and allows you to feel cute/and continue the "im not knocked up" masquerade a little longer. ;)

i lovingly refer to this stage as the TREETRUNK phase. You're not officially preggo round and cute yet, but you are starting to lose your waste to your ever expanding uterus and shifting organs. Now is the time to take advantage of places like forever21.com! no, im not kidding, you read that right. Forever21 is one of the best places to find stretchy, comfy empire-waste tops and dresses that can double as early maternity clothing. And the best part - is that its cheap.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Why Maternity Bands rock!




No, im not talking about an indie music group - im talking about Maternity Belly Bands and how much easier they make pregnancy! My Favorite by far -and the one i purchased was called Bella Band by Ingrid and Isabel. Its been such a blessing! As this is not my first pregnancy my abdominal muscles relax much faster now than they did several years ago...this means that im growing out of my regular jeans wayyyyyyy quicker. As i recently mentioned in a past post about saving money when shopping for maternity clothes, any way i can stretch my buck is a blessing!

Give em a try and see what you think! Whether youre just in your first trimester...all the way to post partum and needing a little extra support, these pack alot of bang for a little buck!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Pregnancy Cravings: Jasmine Chicken with Tomatos and Green Onions













I got this post from one of my favorite recipe blogs: Amina's Kitchen. This talented lady cooks up some serious craving food. If you've never tried Arab/Middle Eastern cuisine...i suggest you check it out. Its very easy to prepare, aromatic and flavorful...and will satisfy any preggy craving you have!

So here is comes: Jasmine Chicken with Tomatoes and Green Onions...i know you mouth is watering already! ;)
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I was going to make some burgul (Shami word for couscous) today...but then my taste buds changed and i had a hankering for some jasmine chicken with tomatoes and green onions. Im a big fan of "fresh" dishes. When i say that, i mean food that's prepared with lots of fresh ingredients, preferably things that i can grow myself in our garden. I originally got the idea for this recipe from a Dynasty Jasmine Rice bag, where they had a quick jasmine rice and chicken idea for dinner on the back. I took most of the basic ingredients and added an 3arabi spin to it. :) This is a delicious way to entertain friends and family, and the best part is that its not high in fat or calories. You wont sacrifice taste or enjoyment trying to be thin here! This dish will give your taste buds a kick! Enjoy :)


Ingredients:
4 young chicken quarters
4 cups of Dynasty Jasmine Rice, rinsed
1/2 a large white onion, chopped
2 green onion shoots, chopped
2-3 chicken bullion cubes
3-4 Roma tomatoes, diced (or sub a can of diced tomatoes)
1 - 2 Dynasty Jasmine Tea bag
3-4 table spoons of olive oil
ground pepper to taste
parsley to taste
crumbled feta cheese
water

Directions:

1. Set the over at 350 degrees. In a medium frying pan poor in olive oil, and add white onion. Saute for 2 minutes on medium, then add the chopped green onion and continue to saute for another 4 minutes on medium low heat.

2. While onion is cooking, steep the Dynasty Jasmine Tea bag(s) in two cups of hot water and set aside

3. Take the rinsed rice and put it in a frying pan, add water until it is covered. Bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat and dump out the water. set aside for the time being.

4.Take the chicken quarters, rinse, and place them in a deep casserole dish or deep square cooking pan.

5. Add the tomatoes and the chicken bullion cubes to the sauteed onions and continue to cook on medium heat for 5 minutes until bullion has “melted” and all ingredients are well mixed. Add a dash of black pepper and parsley.

6.Take the rice and add water until the rice is almost covered. Then pour 1 cup of the tea over the rice as well. Bring to a boil. Then cover and simmer for about 10 minutes.

7.Add the rest of the tea to the tomatoes and onion saute and all to boil for 1 minute.

8.Pour the tomato saute over the chicken in the pan making sure that all pieces are covered by the mix. Add extra water to ensure that all of the chicken is submerged beneath the mix.

9.Cover the chicken and place in the oven. Set the timer for 90 minutes.

10.Check the rice to see if its completely cooked thru, plump, soft and a little sticky. If it needs more water, add the appropriate amount and recover, check again until it completely cooked. Once its done. Turn of the heat and allow it to steam.

11.Check back on the chicken after 90 minutes. Flit each piece and remove the skin. At this point it should be about ready to fall off the bone. Replace cover and put back in the over for another 60 minutes.

12.When the chicken is done, plate the rice first and then pick out pieces of chicken and serve of top of the rice. You can add crumbled feta cheese and parsley on top to garnish.

13.The rest of the tomato and onion mix can be poured into a bowl and served as a dipping sauce for bread.

Aminas Notes:
1.You can use other spices such as rosemary, allspice or cardamom...whatever you tastes good to you.

2. Depending on how much of the jasmine flavor you want to come thru, use one or to tea bags.

3.This dish takes about 3-4 hours to prepare. Make sure you have timed it right.

How My Husband Took The News - "Really...Pregnant...Are You Sure?"....thud.

Im one of a very small group of women who has little or nothing to complain about in the husband department. I know im fortunate. Everyone gripes from time to time about something and with most of my friends...the topic of discussion at someone point turns to their less-than-perfect spouse. My husband and I have been married 5 years now. we have lived in the States and abroad overseas. All this alone time together served to bring us very close to one another...so much so that we can predict eachothers moves, reactions...even sentences from time to time.

So since i thought i knew him sooooooooo well, i could just pick of the phone and in a hyperventilating voice, tell him the news...we're pregnant...AGAIN!

Low and behold, my hubby was in an office meeting when i decided to drop the baby bomb. He was happy and easy when he picked up the phone...his boss is pretty cool. I ask if he was sitting down and he laughed saying " thats pretty much the only way i get work done around here". My out of breath response was " oh great! ...ok...promise you wont be mad?" He chuckled over the phone and said " Ok...what is it?" i could hear im expecting me to say someone along the lines our dinner plans being changed or me misplacing the scissors for the 10th time...

"I think I'm pregnant." i blurted out.

silence....

"Hello? did you hear me?"

...uh...er...um...stutter

Finally after a second he said "Really...Pregnant...Are You Sure?"....thud. I phone fell out of his hand. I winced knowing that we had been trying to wait to get pregnant until after he finished his PhD (6 months from now.)

Suddenly he was back and sounded so happy and CALMMMMMM.

"Honey, this is wonderful! Really another baby! Congratulations! - Hey guys, im gonna be a dad again! My wife just told me that she's pregnant!"

My husband is a pretty cool guy. He takes everything in stride. Even new arrivals :)

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Maternity Sale at Old Navy - Get 25 % your purchase off!

Hello to all the mama's and mamas-to-be out there! Just a quick post letting everyone know that Old Navy is having a big summer sale going on right NOW! You can get 25% off your entire purchase choosing coupon code: THANKYOU25 at the checkout!

Now i love shopping as much as the next gal, and shopping for maternity clothes is no exception! But, since we're only pregnant for a reality short period of time ( even though it can feel like an ice age ) most of us dont have the dinero to drop a grand on a whole new wardrobe that we'll only be sporting for a few months!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Prenatal Yoga - a great way to stay in shape, or get in shape gently when pregnant!

Im a HUGE fan of yoga, pilates, elliptical trainers and belly dancing :) But when pregnant i take my exercise down a notch, just to be on the safe side.

So i love to keep up my shape with some gentle prenatal yoga. I LOVE this GAIAM prenatal flow. If you've never tried one of their DVD's here's a quick peak. Its very easy, and i really like that they show augmentation for all three trimesters! :)



Did you like it? :)

Pregnant and Slightly Delusional


I love being pregnant. Please don't get me wrong. Its a miracle every time and i am thankful for the blessing...it just that when i am...and sort of in shock about it....i have the WEIRDEST dreams!

They keep me up at night, and it easily takes smy 10 minuets to realize that im awake and that everything that i was "experiencing" - like dancing in Time Square to the Beatles, wasnt really happening!

Im already noticig my cravings starting to appear. Random overwhelming urges to eat McDonald's Fish-o-fillet sandwhich's - (a "food" - if you can call it that) which i would never want ordinarily.

My husband was sitting on the couch last night, explaining a chapter in his disertation to me and asking my oppinion on phrasing. I looked completely involved in every word that was coming out of his mouth...but all i could think of was that at that moment his head looked like a very tastey roast turkey - with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy of course! :0

Usually once i phychologically accept that im pregnant, this weirdness goes away. But it usually takes until the end of the first trimester...as i dont "relax" into the pregnancy until then. Ive miscarried in the past, and i just don't like to get my hopes up too high since the likelyhood of pontaneous miscarriage is the MOST prevalent in the 1st trimester.

So i guess my nuerosis will continue until then. Arn't you glad you read my column today?! ;)

To all the ladies out there who have been pregnant or are now: does this kind of stuff happen to you as well? please tell me im not the only one out there that gets a little wierd during pregnancy!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Confessions of a Modest Mama - " I'm pregnant?!?"


Today was a regular day for me. Im a stay at home mom ( im about to pick up a part-time office manager position working with a friend to bring in some extra dough- more about that later.) I know that typical suburban soccer mom picture probebly just flashed threw your mind. To a certain extent, i do embody this very traditional role. I never really classified myself only as a mom though. Im a mother, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. :) I have many roles besides the steryotyped ideals. It took me years to realize that i didnt need to associate my identity with a career! They should really teach this stuff in school. It would have saved me alot of trouble and heartache in my teens and early 20's while in college trying to be perfect at everything, having it all, and somehow still managing to get married, be a wife and mother before i turned 30!

Anyhow, I woke up early and pushed the "start" button on the coffee maker. I always fill the water and the coffee filter the night before...thats how groggy I am in the morning...water and coffee grounds would be everywhere but in their little compartments if i tried to attempt this at 6 am! I know its lazy, but after having two kids back to back, having surgery and needing to help get a dazed husband out the door...the less i have to think of the better!

The morning started off the same. i run a little online accessory shop, so after my 1 and 2 year old boys had finished their breakfast, i set to work printing and filling orders. By the kids nap time i was ready for coffee number 3, and a quick moment alone on the couch flipping thru our mail. I wasnt concentrating much because my mind had been wondering. Id been feeling really weird lately: hungry, moody, bloated, a little bit of a backache...and very emotional. i wrote it off as "my cycle must be starting soon". But then i realized that i'd been writing off my cycle for a couple of weeks now.

I went to the bathroom and decided to clear up any rediculous suspicions that i had. Ive been known to be quite wrong about these things in the past - even seeing "phantom" lines on negative pregnancy tests! You see, I just recently had my gall bladder removed, and the idea that i could get pregnant was light years away from my mind. I only recntly finished healing and was finally able to pick up the kids again without worry of busting my stitches. :)

I did the little pee-on-the-stick test, set it on the sink, washed up and proceeded to collect up all the laundry around the house. I would have forgotten entirley about the test, accept that we keep the detergant in the bathroom - and there was my little test strip still happily resting there waiting for me. I picked it up and barely glanced at it, assuming i already knew the result. I bent over to toss it into the trash when my eye caught site of a 2nd pink line! It was a little weak...but a very clearly marked line and not one of those shadow marks that happens when you let it sit out all day. I did a double take, ran out of the bathroom into the living room and put the test directly in the sun...as though the extra light would change the result or something! >:o

TWO lines! "Im pregnant? What? WAIT? HHHOOOWWW???"

Good news always seems to come when you least expect it.