teresajuan0: July 2012

Tuesday, 31 July 2012

Camila Alves Worried That Being Pregnant Would Ruin Her Modeling Career

belly in bikini Moms-to-be have a lot to worry about. We pray our babies grow big and strong in our bellies, fret over the safest crib and car seats. We also worry about work. Mostly it's thoughts like, "How will I get through a long work day feeling nauseated or exhausted?" But for some pregnant women, a scarier question comes up: "Will I be able to hang on to this job?"

That is what model Camila Alves McConaughey feared when she learned she was pregnant with her third child with actor Matthew McConaughey.

She had signed on as the face of Macy's clothing line I.N.C. International Concepts a short time before learning about her bun in the oven. "I was over the moon, but my first reaction was that it was going to be a deal-breaker for the campaign -- that they wouldn't want a pregnant mom -- but we worked it out," she told People.

It's a legitimate fear. Many people don't realize this, but pregnant women lose their jobs all the time. Employees often get away with it by citing poor work performance. For example, a saleswoman was fired from a national department store chain because she was repeatedly tardy due to severe morning sickness. A real estate company "job-eliminated" a woman on maternity leave who was receiving treatment for postpartum depression at the time. In another instance, a company placed a pregnant lab tech on unpaid leave because her work involved exposure to toxic chemicals. Why couldn't they have given her desk duty until she delivered?

In 2011, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission had nearly 6,000 pregnancy discrimination complaints, but these cases are hard to prove. So advocates want pregnancy to be considered a disability so that women will be protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act. A handful of states require companies to make accommodations for pregnant women, but most states do not.

What these expectant moms lose is more than just a paycheck. That also means their medical insurance benefits are out the door too. Camila is much luckier, of course. She is married to one of the biggest stars on the planet. Aside from the fact that she already has financial security, chances are, because her hubby is such a marquee name actor, she would never be dropped as a spokesmodel. Nevertheless, job security is something no expectant mom should have to worry about. It's just immoral and wrong.

Do you know of a pregnant woman who lost her job?

Image via flequi/Flickr

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cafemom/thestir/pregnancy/~3/d2Sp9Dq43-w/camila_alves_worried_that_being

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SIFF Films4Families: Newsies

Wondering what to do with your kids and how to get out of the sun during the hottest hours in August? Introduce them to some classic family films!

The SIFF Films4Families program has a great line-up during Seattle’s one month of heat, including the film Newsies this weekend on Saturday, Aug. 4 and Sunday, Aug. 5. Now a hit Broadway musical, Disney's film about the 1899 Newsboy Strike was a failure on its initial release, but this high-energy musical has become a fan favorite thanks to a rousing soundtrack and an exuberant young cast featuring a young Christian Bale leading the way.

The Films4Families line-up continues with Oliver! (Aug. 11 and 12), Mad Hot Ballroom (Aug. 18 and 19) and The Little Prince (Aug. 25 and 26). Films4Families was developed as a way for film lovers of all ages to discover and share the finest in classic family films as they were meant to be seen—on the big screen. And the program makes family viewing affordable. All Films4Families seats are only $4.

Program films play each Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Seattle’s Child is a member of the Films4Families Parent Advisory Group. For more information, visit www.siff.net.

(0) Comment(s)

Source: http://www.seattleschild.com/article/siff-films4families-newsies

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Around the Web…

Start your week off right with a read of Monday’s links:

When Mom is an Olympian – HuffPost Parents
What’s holding Mississippi children back in school? – TIME
12-year-old girl steers car to safety after grandfather dies while driving – Associated Press
Working when more than 8-months pregnant as harmful as smoking – The Guardian
ESSAY: I was a parenting “expert” – until I had kids – Babble.com

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/4Ac91rOzECM/

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Monday, 30 July 2012

Working While Pregnant Is as Bad for Your Baby as Smoking

Pregnant waitress You'd never dare go anywhere near a cigarette while pregnant, right? But you may be doing something just as harmful without knowing it. A recent study found that your job may be just as bad for your baby's health as smoking.

Researchers in the U.K. found that simply showing up for work in the eighth month of pregnancy and beyond was as detrimental to a baby's health as smoking. According to The Guardian, they found the babies of mothers who kept working had babies who weighed half a pound less at birth than those of mothers who stopped working between six and eight months. And as we know, babies with lower birth rates are at risk for a plethora of problems down the line.

Time to clock out?

Maybe so. The effect likely has to do with the type of job you have though. More physically demanding jobs, like being a waitress on your feet all day, would probably be more taxing than a desk job, and interestingly enough, the effect wasn't shown on women under 24. But I think overall it's an important reminder that rest is just as important as all of the other things we do (and don't do) for our baby.

Of course, plenty of moms need to bring home the bacon, and there's no option to put our feet up for the final month. If you do have a choice, it's certainly something to consider, but if not, it should serve as a reminder perhaps to try and get rest and relaxation as much as possible when you're not working. And like all of the other things we're supposed to do and not supposed to do to protect our unborn babies, it should be taken with a grain of salt, and not be a cause for panic if you're working the late shift tonight.

Still, it's important information to have. Most women I know try to work up until the end of the pregnancy so as to save that time off for after the baby is born. This study, however, may indicate a need for employers to be more flexible with their leave policies.

Of course, there are plenty of other needs most employers should look at when it comes to maternity policies as well, so I guess this should be added to the heap. It's really too bad how difficult it can be for women to work and bring children into the world, and I hope studies like this continue to show the importance of giving women the flexibility and support they need to give their babies the best possible start.

Did you work/are you planning to work up until you give birth? Will this study change your plans?

Image via FaceMePLS/Flickr

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cafemom/thestir/pregnancy/~3/QYGW5p_aRBI/working_while_pregnant_is_as

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Zambia: Public Fury Over Abortions Justified

ABORTION is an emotive issue the world over, but it is one topic that calls for a sober and rational analysis to ensure that appropriate medical interventions that are taken to deal with this problem are based on informed opinion and are devoid of irrationality.

Secondly, it is important for medical practitioners in any given environment to peruse appropriate statutes and ensure that their prescriptions are in conformity with the law.

Marie Stopes-Zambia, a branch of the United States-based non-governmental organisation, Marie Stopes International, has had its abortion 'mission' abruptly aborted by the Ministry of Health following a public furore over 490 abortions carried out in Northern and Muchinga provinces.

This development stems from failure by the NGO to contract the services of a qualified local consultant who could have conducted a comprehensive survey to delve into all the salient issues the NGO needed to know prior to commencement of its work.

Although the public is aware that illegal and unsafe abortions outnumber those that are carried out legally, flouting the law with impunity cannot go unpunished, and cannot be condoned by any country. The ban is, therefore, justified.

In Zambia, abortions are regulated under the Abortions Act of 1972 which stipulates that three medical doctors with the requisite expertise should authorise an abortion before it can be carried out. In the case at issue, only one doctor conducted the abortions.

One of the prerequisites that had to be satisfied before a legal abortion was carried out was that the life of either the mother or the unborn child could be in imminent danger if the pregnancy was not terminated. It is unclear if this factor was considered.

Sadly, most abortions in our country are deemed illegal because they are premised on economic factors-most women, particularly the young and vulnerable, claim to have no capacity to look after their unborn children, while other cite differences with their partners.

This is a serious moral issue which anti-abortionists often raise. Pro-life movements believe that life begins at conception, and they have consistently argued that abortion is no different from murder.

What is unsafe abortion? The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines unsafe abortion as "a procedure for terminating a pregnancy that is performed by an individual lacking the necessary skills, or in an environment that does not conform to minimal medical standards, or both."

Statistics speak volumes about the magnitude of this problem in Africa, and globally.

The overall abortion rate in Africa, where most abortions are illegal and unsafe, showed no signs of decline between 2003 and 2008 with WHO statistics indicating that there were 29 abortions per 1,000 women of child-bearing age.

WHO further notes that in 2008, 97 per cent of abortions in Africa were unsafe.

"In the United States, legal induced abortion results in 0.6 deaths per 100,000 procedures. Worldwide, unsafe abortion accounts for a death rate that is 350 times higher (220 per 100,000), and in Sub-Sahara Africa, the rate is 800 times higher at 460 per 100,000â-'

Unsafe abortion is cited by WHO as a significant cause of ill-health among women in the developing countries, with estimates for 2005 indicating that 8.5 million annually experience complications linked to unsafe abortion that require medical attention, and three million of the victims do not get the care they need.

Beyond the immediate health concerns affecting women who contract unsafe abortions, there are other complications that arise such as reducing women's productivity, causing long-term health problems such as infertility, unnecessary maternal deaths that leave children orphaned, and added financial burden on public health systems.

All considered, abortion is not an issue that can be wished away by simply banning Marie Stopes-Zambia. A comprehensive review of current practice in Zambia is desirable in the light of what transpired in Northern and Muchinga provinces.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201207271238.html

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A Parent’s Review: Cinderella at Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

In all the years I’ve lived in the Seattle area (many, many), I’ve never been to the enchanting Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater – and this is the company’s 46th season. The venue itself is enough reason to see this summer’s production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, and the show is also a lot of fun.

You drive through thick woods and alongside the bubbling Snoqualmie River to get to the gate to the 95-acre property, driving slowly through the easement road to a big meadow, parking and a shelter for the dinners served between shows. There’s a little playground in the meadow with an extra fast, short slide, a big hit with my 5-year-old companion. After picking up your tickets, you walk a short, well-maintained but fairly steep trail through towering trees, ferns, moss and native plants to the lower level amphitheater. Alternative transportation is available for those who cannot walk the trail.

Snacks are sold from a little log cabin with plants growing on the roof. An attendant in another cabin gives out free seat cushions and bug spray applications. The simple set with a few movable parts is set up in the bark in front of the bleachers with the forest as the backdrop.

This Cinderella follows the traditional storyline with the misused, pretty orphan girl, the mean stepmother and the two ugly stepsisters – dressed in an over-the-top fashion with funny wigs. They’re uglier for their constant bickering and put-downs of Cinderella than for their appearance. My friend, Taylor, looked at the husky fairy godmother in puzzlement, listened to the deep singing voice and finally said, “It’s a man! Isn’t that a man?” Indeed, following a British panto tradition, the fairy godmother in pink curly wig is played in drag, and he’s really funny. (British panto, short for “pantomime,” takes familiar fairy tales and children’s stories and inserts a bit of music hall vaudeville with a chorus and humorous characters.)

This Cinderella is more self-reliant than the girl in the old fairy tales. She takes matters into her own hands to sew up her mother’s old dress to go to the ball and is not shy about talking with a prince. Still, the fairy godmother helps out by exchanging pumpkins for a lighted coach pulled by two funny men dressed up as white horses. They appear from the curtain behind the set in a puff of smoke.

Another British panto touch is audience participation, and the cast could have employed more of this. Several children mentioned that their favorite part of the performance was when the prince and his stewards went through the audience trying on the glass slipper.

Most of the acting is average, although the godmother and female steward are really good. The stepmother nervously misses quite a few lines. Some weak singing, often drowned out by background music, is a bit of a drawback, but the worst point is the prince’s voice. I’m tone deaf, and it even sounded off to me, so I asked a musical expert next to me and she pronounced it “dreadful.” It’s a major distraction because he has so many songs.

Despite its few shortcomings, this cheerful show is a good bet for most kids 5 and older. It’s almost two hours, broken by an intermission, so you might take that into consideration if your children have shorter attention spans. On the other hand, it’s an informal setting, so wiggling isn’t a problem, and it’s easy to step out and walk around a bit if little ones get restless.

Be aware that the only bathroom facilities on the theater level are porta-potties and some children, including my friend, can’t bear to use them, even though they’re clean. There are full bathrooms on the upper level.

Wenda Reed is a Seattle area writer and theater-lover.

(0) Comment(s)

Source: http://www.seattleschild.com/article/cinderella-at-snoqualmie-falls-forest-theater

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Sunday, 29 July 2012

Angola: Breastfeeding Week Events Launched

Luanda — The Health Ministry launched last Friday, in Luanda, the Breastfeeding Week, being celebrated by the 20th time all over the world, from 1 to 10 August.

The launching ceremony was chaired by the deputy minister of Health, Evelize Freitas, moments after the opening of the Angolan Women's Fair and International Forum in Miramar ward.

According to the deputy minister, the global strategy for young child feeding is an initiative that was launched in 2002 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which outlines several goals towards the improvement of feeding practices and subsequent reduction of malnutrition and poverty.

"It is a topic based on human rights, which gives instructions on how to protect, promote and support breastfeeding during the first six months of life, after which, and until the children reach the age of two, they must be fed with appropriate food (...)", explained the deputy minister.

The strategy, said the deputy minister of Health, aims to launch Point 4 of the Millennium Development Goals, which is the reduction of death rate of children aged 5 and below, about which Angola has been progressing satisfactorily.

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201207280468.html

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Mother-In-Law Hurt by Not Being at Birth

I've written a lot about mother-in-laws and others not being invited to birth. There is also a spot for others to share their stories over the years, so have been very supportive of mother-in-laws, while others haven't. (I might add that some were also anti-grandma in general.) Then I got a response from a mother-in-law:

Grandma and Baby

"I've had a very hard day today. My DIL had a planned C-sec. Her and my son said we want you and her mom there only in the waiting room. I said great happy to be there for their first. A half hour before I was to arrive at hosp. son called and said there were delays, her mom said to me I will call you after the birth. Yes I'm hurt and my son doesn't understand why. Her mom of course was there. We all get along great, should I feel left out and hurt? They sent me a pic over my phone."

What advice do you have for her? Can you see yourself in this situation?

Related:

_{Photo Fotolia}

Source: http://pregnancy.about.com/b/2012/07/27/mother-in-law-hurt-by-not-being-at-birth.htm

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Tell the Senate: Healthy Children Need Safe Chemicals

Blog

by Margie Kelly, Communications Manager, Healthy Child Healthy World

We know a lot about how toxic chemicals hurt kids. Babies are born with more than 200 chemicals in their bodies. Rates of childhood cancer keep rising, while other types of cancer are holding steady or declining. Every ecosystem, person and animal on the planet is contaminated with toxic chemicals. It’s not just factories that harbor dangerous chemicals; our couches, lotions, household cleaners, toys, building materials, canned foods and more in our homes are made with chemicals known to harm human health.

We live in a stew of toxic chemicals. There are 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States but only 200 of them have been tested.

How did this happen? One big reason is that the national law that is supposed to protect us from toxic chemicals is a total failure. Passed in 1976, the Toxic Substances Control Act has been rendered essentially toothless, with no authority to ensure the safety of chemicals before they are added to products. As a result, the chemical industry has added millions of pounds of chemicals linked to cancer, asthma, infertility, obesity, learning disabilities, and other diseases and conditions to products we use everyday.

But big change finally may be coming.

On July 25, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to take a vote on the Safe Chemicals Act. This is the first vote ever taken on updating TSCA since it passed 36 years ago!

A combination of factors has made this moment ripe for political change. Scientists and medical researchers continue to find damning evidence linking toxic chemicals to diseases that plague our society. Informed consumers have demanded safer products and some manufacturers have stepped up to deliver, proving progress can be made without turning back the clock.

But it is the transformation of passive consumers into active citizens for safe chemicals that created this political moment.

Congress is listening. Polls show voters overwhelmingly support stricter regulations on toxic chemicals. Tens of thousands of people have written letters, called their Senators, marched, educated friends and family, and called for a new way to make chemicals safer.

Moms in particular have really stepped up. For example, Hannah Pingree, an incredible advocate and fearless spokesperson and a Healthy Child Healthy World Mom On a Mission, is scheduled to testify in support of the Safe Chemicals Act before the U.S. Senate.

Hannah is a former Speaker of the House in Maine. Her political credentials are impeccable, but it’s her mom credentials that make us believe we can change the law.

“No politician wants to be on the wrong side of moms when it comes to lobbying for greater protections for their kids. The more I spend time with fellow moms, and as the maternal instinct has kicked in for me, I realize there is nothing more powerful than a mom on a mission—especially a mission to protect her family.”

Thanks to Hannah and to all the other moms taking action to protect your kids from toxic chemicals!

If you haven’t yet taken action to support the Safe Chemicals Act, please do so now so your Senators get the message that you want a new law that protects our kids’ health from toxic chemicals.

Print this page | Email a friend

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/checblog/~3/3e_PD1Mg3gM/

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Saturday, 28 July 2012

Biceps Curl for Pregnancy

What you don't always realize in pregnancy is that your biceps will be very important once the baby is born. Lifting and carrying, even a normal sized newborn puts your arms through a serious work out. This exercise can be done very easily and help you prepare for all of the changes that a newborn will bring to your arms.

How do you exercise your arms?

Related Fitness Friday:

Source: http://pregnancy.about.com/b/2012/07/27/biceps-curl-for-pregnancy.htm

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Moms-to-Be, Take Note! Expectant Mom Anna Paquin Is Letting You In On a Little Secret…

If you’ve ever heard the myth that moms-to-be shouldn’t wear stripes because they only make you look bigger, Anna Paquin is here to set the record straight. That’s her in the pic above and you can hardly tell she carrying twins (!) because that striped dress is so flattering.

And comfortable, too! It’s stretchy so she can move in it, and with those cutie little booties she looks put-together and polished all while being pregnant. So yes, it can be done!

Love Anna’s striped dress? Shop a lookalike style here:

Click here to see more pic of Anna Paquin pregnant.

Sign up for our newsletter for even more great finds delivered right to your inbox.

Click here to email Jeanine, the author of this post.

Source: http://www.momfinds.com/2012/moms-to-be-take-note-expectant-mom-anna-paquin-is-letting-you-in-on-a-little-secret/

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Organic Whale Baby Burp Cloths SET of 2 - Eco Friendly Nautical Gray and Blue Kids Gift (READY to ship) by SewnNatural

This sweet whale organic burp cloth set is the perfect baby shower gift - refreshingly gender neutral, in our favorite nautical print.

{ READY TO SHIP }

♥ Modern. 100% Organic. A beautiful, original gift for a new baby.

For a cry, a burp, or a wee little slurp... every modern baby and new mom and dad need a stack of burp cloths at the ready. Great for shoulders, a changing pad on the go, a security blanket, a large napkin or even a nursing cover.

- Go back to the shop here: SewnNatural.etsy.com

- Looking for the matching whale bib? https://www.etsy.com/listing/101515093/whales-baby-bib-organic-nautical-blue?ga_search_query=whale%2Bbib

- Find lots more organic burp cloths and bib sets here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural?section_id=5878427

- Love the handmade wooden whale rolling toy shown in the photos? You can find it here: Imaginationkids.etsy.com - let us know and your order can ship all together!

ITEM DETAILS
******************
• you will receive 2 burp cloths with this listing, and each burp cloth measures 11 x 18" and is top-stitched

• each burp cloth has organic cotton sateen printed with eco, water-based inks on the top and organic cotton flannel on the underside

• handmade with keen attention to detail in Ottawa, Canada

• easy machine wash on warm, and air dry or use cool temperature dryer

ABOUT ORGANIC: Organic cotton is grown and spun without the use of pesticides, herbicides or other chemicals. It also maintains soil fertility and is grown using methods and materials that have a low negative impact on the environment.

________________________________________

Organic baby bedding available here http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural?section_id=5786794

________________________________________

♥ We ship internationally and happily combine shipping for multiple items.

Questions about how to buy from Etsy? http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php
All photos and items © SewnNatural and Imaginationkids 2010- 2012.
Please see our store policies on your way to checkout.

Thank you for visiting http://www.SewnNatural.etsy.com!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/104903080/organic-whale-baby-burp-cloths-set-of-2

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Friday, 27 July 2012

5 Pinterest pins worth sharing

Obsessed with Pinterest like we are? Here are 5 cool pins we loved this week.

1. A gorgeous camera bag that looks nothing like a camera bag.

2. Spectacular handmade bangle bracelets in yummy colors, all one of a kind. Want!

3. 9 S'mores recipes with photos so yummy it's kind of cruel. Sorry.

4. Probably the most hilarious outlet covers we've seen. (Can an outlet cover be hilarious?)

5. The perfect affordable baby shower gift, because books are always cool.

Find More: Link Roundups, Websites

Source: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2012/07/5_pinterest_pins_to_share_072712.php

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Around the Web…

TGIF! Get Olympic weekend going with our must-read links:

Olympic air rifle shooter from Malaysia is 8-months pregnant – Associated Press
J.K. Rowling building 40-foot tree houses for her kids – Today Moms
ESSAY: Breastfeeding has a negative impact on men – The New York Times
Average number of births per woman in the U.S. hits 25-year-low – HuffPost Money
How to tell your boss you’re pregnant – BabyZone.com

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/oeo8Dxf9kUM/

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Tell the Senate: Healthy Children Need Safe Chemicals

Blog

by Margie Kelly, Communications Manager, Healthy Child Healthy World

We live in a stew of toxic chemicals. There are 80,000 chemicals in use in the United States but only 200 of them have been tested.

But big change finally may be coming.

On July 25, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee is scheduled to take a vote on the Safe Chemicals Act. This is the first vote ever taken on updating TSCA since it passed 36 years ago!

But it is the transformation of passive consumers into active citizens for safe chemicals that created this political moment.

Hannah is a former Speaker of the House in Maine. Her political credentials are impeccable, but it’s her mom credentials that make us believe we can change the law.

Thanks to Hannah and to all the other moms taking action to protect your kids from toxic chemicals!

If you haven’t yet taken action to support the Safe Chemicals Act, please do so now so your Senators get the message that you want a new law that protects our kids’ health from toxic chemicals.

Print this page | Email a friend

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/checblog/~3/3e_PD1Mg3gM/

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A Parent’s Review: Cinderella at Snoqualmie Falls Forest Theater

Wenda Reed is a Seattle area writer and theater-lover.

(0) Comment(s)

Source: http://www.seattleschild.com/article/cinderella-at-snoqualmie-falls-forest-theater

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Thursday, 26 July 2012

You Have To See The Adorable New TOMS Mary Janes… And Pre-Order Them Before Everyone Else!

today’s sample sales

* Creative Recreation at The Mini Social

* ALEX Toys at Rue La La

* Little Marc Jacobs at Gilt

* Modern Kids’ Furniture at Hautelook

* Sage Creek Organics at Zulily

* Disney Collection at MyHabit

* Fall Preview Boys’ Shoes at Totsy

* Bebe Mignon on Keekoo

Source: http://www.momfinds.com/2012/you-have-to-see-the-adorable-new-toms-mary-janes-and-pre-order-them-before-everyone-else/

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Nick and Vanessa Lachey Bump It Up at Home

She’s getting close! With just weeks left in her pregnancy, Vanessa Lachey shares a bare bump shot on Twitter Wednesday. “My Happiness… My Family! Ahhh, My Boys!” the Wipeout host, 31, writes as husband Nick Lachey touches her belly.

With their son due in September, the couple already have a name picked out for their little boy. ”We’ve been yelling it around the house. Nick and I love it,” she told PEOPLE recently. “We’re going to tell him first, and then introduce him to the world after he knows his name.”

Source: http://feeds.celebritybabies.com/~r/celebrity-babies/~3/lzbZ5sZ-EpI/

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Picnic Blanket / MARIMEKKO Cotton Sateen Summer Camping Blanket / Tangerine Orange Gold With Gingko Leaves (Wedding Gift Idea) by SewnNatural

Here's a delightful Marimekko gingko leaves quilted 3-layer picnic blanket - handmade by us using collectible Marimekko cotton sateen (polished, satin cotton). This luxurious picnic blanket will soon be an indispensable, well-loved part of your family.

♥ Perfect for alfresco dining, lovely for every season. This blanket is a mod & pretty ode to nature.

MADE TO ORDER { last 2 }

Note: the one shown in the photos has sold. The one available is much larger than the one in the photo, with slightly different placement of the gingko leaves.

- Back to the shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural?ref=si_shop

- Want a picnic blanket with a non-toxic *waterproof* backing? https://www.etsy.com/listing/100596454/picnic-blanket-waterproof-red-gingham

- Looking for a different picnic blanket? http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural?section_id=5924925

ITEM DETAILS
*********************
• you will receive one Marimekko gingko leaves picnic blanket

• it is eco friendly (using all natural fibers) and Marimekko cotton that is carefully printed with hand-mixed, water-based inks

• BIG and ROOMY, measuring (142cm x 118cm) 56" x 46" (18 sq feet)

• thick & comfy with 3 layers of fabric (top soft Marimekko cotton sateen, inner cotton flannel and denim underside)

• lightweight, becomes a tidy 14/15" roll with a carry strap

• quilted to be sturdy & withstand lots of washes (suggested care: cool water wash, air dry)

• top stitched edge for added durability and quality finish

• will not easily show dirt or grass stains

• beautifully retro to go with your vintage picnicware

• soft enough to put a baby (or two) on

So here you go. And it won't cost the earth. Handcrafted with keen attention to detail. Perfect for a frolicking couple or a whole family, for the:
• beach
• backyard
• park
• pool
______________________________________

♥ SHIPPING on this item is expedited with a tracking # & insurance.

We ship internationally and happily combine shipping on multiple items.

This order comes with little ECO GIFT to make you smile!

Questions about how to buy from Etsy? http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php
All photos and items © SewnNatural 2009-2012.
Please see our store policies on your way to checkout.

Thank you for visiting http://www.SewnNatural.etsy.com!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/84142209/picnic-blanket-marimekko-cotton-sateen

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Wednesday, 25 July 2012

Snooki Is Going to Regret Giving Birth on Camera

Snooki I guess this really won't come as a huge surprise to any loyal Jersey Shore fans out there -- Snooki is planning on having the birth of her baby caught on film. Yes, there will be a video camera present in the delivery room to make sure Snooki and Jionni can relive the birth of their son, Lorenzo, over and over again for many years to come.

But thankfully, the rest of the world can have their eyes spared from seeing Snooki push out a human head, because she's not planning on letting any of the footage air on TV. (Whew!) She has two main reasons for filming the birth -- so she can remember the moment, and so she can embarrass Lorenzo when he's 16 years old by playing it in front of his friends. (Eww. Poor kid!)

I know she's just being sentimental and wants to make sure that she never forgets the moment her son came into the world, but something tells me Snooki is seriously going to regret letting a camera get so up close and personal during her labor & delivery.

Maybe I'm a bit squeamish or overly modest -- but I just can't understand why anyone would want a video camera aimed directly on their hoo-hoo like that. It's already mortifying enough having a room full of strangers completely focused on your va-jay-jay, so why on earth would you want to let anyone else witness that moment at a later date?

But while there is no way in hell I would've let the camcorder anywhere near me while I was giving birth to my son -- we did bust it out and film a little bit of footage immediately afterwards. There are shots of him screaming his head off while being weighed, and then my husband did manage to capture a little bit of me holding him for the first time, which was pretty amazing. I still get teary-eyed every time I watch that "first meeting."

And even though the actual birth wasn't recorded, I still remember each and every single moment of it, and I can play it over and over again in my head any time I want to. Snooki will be surprised at just how much she remembers -- and I highly doubt she'll miss reliving the entire ordeal via video. Besides, this is Snooki we're talking about, and there's a good chance that tape would get into the wrong hands. Why take the risk?

Are you planning on filming your birth? Why or why not?

Image via university.unions/Flickr

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cafemom/thestir/pregnancy/~3/DOaXfdy5sM4/snooki_is_going_to_regret

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A cardboard play town perfect for kids, and rebels who like turquoise houses.

Or hey, get out the water colors. You own the town, after all. There's no neighborhood association to keep you from making everything magenta. -Llz

Find the cardboard paper town kits in three different colors online along with tons of other cool stuff at My Sweet Muffin Plus CMP readers can save 10% through 7.29.12 with code COOLMOM

Find More: Getting crafty, Toys and Other Playthings

Source: http://www.coolmompicks.com/2012/07/a_cardboard_play_town_perfect.php

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'Pregorexia': Disturbing Stay-Skinny-During-Pregnancy Trend Is on the Rise

Victoria Beckham A new article in the Canadian press is crediting celebrity moms with causing a sad and unhealthy phenomenon among "regular" pregnant women known as "pregorexia."

The article basically says that when women who are expecting see photos of celebrities who haven't put on much weight during their pregnancies and still look all perfect and beautiful, it makes them feel bad about their own changing bodies. As a result, some women wind up developing eating disorders not only during their pregnancies, but right after giving birth as well.

And even though the idea that some women are so negatively affected by images of super-fit new celebrity moms that they wind up having eating disorders seems kind of far-fetched, I can absolutely see how something like that could happen.

I was pregnant with my son right around the time that celebrities like Katie Holmes and Britney Spears were pregnant with their babies too. And even though both of them looked pretty comparable to how most pregnant women do in their final trimester, I still couldn't help but compare the size of my rear end with theirs, especially in the months right after I had my son. I had a tough time shedding all of my baby weight -- took me a good nine months. And I can still remember seeing both of them step out looking slim and trim a couple months postpartum, and it made me feel pretty bad about my own appearance.

Lately there seem to be more and more celebrities popping up who don't gain much weight at all during their pregnancies, and I can't even imagine how seeing their images must make women who can't see their feet and don't even recognize themselves in the mirror feel about the way they look. The Canadian article mentions women like Tori Spelling (who has pranced around with a bikini baby bump more than once), and Victoria Beckham (who didn't even look pregnant right before she gave birth to baby Harper).

For a pregnant woman who is really having a hard time coming to terms with trying to stay in shape and get her pre-baby body back quickly, I can absolutely see where an eating disorder could possibly come into play. And that's why women who are expecting need to be reminded that what they see in the media isn't reality, and everyone gains different amounts of weight during pregnancy. And on top of that, they need to be reminded just how beautiful they look exactly the way they are, regardless of how fast they are able to pack up their maternity clothes and bust out their pre-baby wardrobe.

Have you noticed your self esteem dropping when you see photos of pregnant celebrities?

Image via Pacific Coast News

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/cafemom/thestir/pregnancy/~3/jKqDXulDsqI/pregorexia_disturbing_stayskinnyduringpregnancy_trend_is

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Tuesday, 24 July 2012

Africa: HIV/Aids - Better Paediatric HIV Formulations

Fewer babies are being born HIV-positive, but treatment for the more than three million children living with HIV remains under-researched and underfunded. As part of efforts to boost access to paediatric HIV treatment, researchers are getting creative, moving to better pills, kid-friendly treatment "sprinkles", micro-tabs and even medicine-dispensing pacifiers.

Ahead of the International AIDS Conference, Indian generic drug manufacturer Cipla [ http://www.cipla.com ] announced that it would partner with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), [ http://www.dndi.org/press-releases/1226-dndi-cipla-arv-collaboration.html ] a not-for-profit research and development organization, to produce an improved first-line antiretroviral (ARV) combination therapy specifically adapted for infants and toddlers living with HIV. The partnership is just one of the developments in paediatric treatment highlighted at the 19th International AIDS Conference in Washington DC.

Mother-to-child HIV transmission rates have fallen by almost 25 percent globally since 2009, according to the latest UNAIDS report. [http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/epidemiology/2012/20120718_togetherwewillendaids_en.pdf] Governments and donors celebrated these gains and pledged to eliminate [http://www.irinnews.org/Report/91250/HIV-AIDS-Looking-forward-to-an-AIDS-free-generation] mother-to-child - or vertical - transmission by 2015.

Former UN Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, Stephen Lewis, speaking at the conference, criticized the lack of progress in improving treatment options for the 3.4 million children living with HIV.

"You can't aim for the virtual elimination of paediatric HIV by 2015 at the continued expense of [treatment] scale-up for children living with HIV now, but that's exactly what appears to be happening," said Lewis. "[These children] deserve the right to life, they are not expendable causalities because they didn't fit into prevention of vertical transmission programmes."

The latest UNAIDS report shows that about 55 percent of adults living with HIV and in need of treatment are receiving ARVs globally, compared to just 25 percent of the children who need them. In some countries, patent laws still restrict access to some existing paediatric fixed-dose ARV combinations.

Paediatrician and researcher Dr Adeodata Kekitinwa, who works at the Mulago Referral Hospital in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, pointed out that HIV treatment for children is historically under-researched and less efficacious than adult formulations, making it harder to suppress HIV viral loads in children and infants compared to adult patients.

Promising pills and more

Cipla and the Clinical Trials Unit of the UK Medical Research Council [http://www.mrc.ac.uk/index.htm] have produced several ARV formulations for babies, and recently announced good results from a new granular, or sprinkle, formulation of lopinavir-ritonavir, a combination of ARVs.

In the recently released CHAPAS-2 [http://www.pipelinereport.org/TOC/pediatric-ARV] trial, which compared the sprinkles with the conventional lopinavir-ritonavir syrup, caregivers reported that the sprinkles were easier for babies to swallow and easier for caregivers to transport and store than the syrup formulations.

According to Diana Gibb, a researcher on the study, the CHAPAS-2 trial also collected important data on how caregivers thought the sprinkles should be administered. For instance, many caregivers reported pouring sprinkles into the baby's mouth and then immediately breastfeeding.

While this data is yet to be analyzed, Gibbs said it was important for drug manufacturers and developers to understand what treatment options worked best for families. Kekitinwa said these considerations might also factor into trial designs, possibly looking at how drugs interact with breast milk.

Cipla's newly announced proposed four-in-one therapy will also be developed in sprinkle-form and have a child-friendly taste. The company aims to register the drug by 2015.

As more paediatric ARV formulations are developed, drug companies may be able to move beyond syrups and sprinkles to dissolving microfilms or bulk powders that would make it easier for healthcare providers to calculate doses based on children's rapidly changing body weight.

Bulk powders could also make drugs cheaper, as pharmaceutical companies would not have to alter the manufacturing process to cater for different age and weight groups. Better-tasting drugs could also eventually be administered in pacifier dispensers.

With an urgent need for more paediatric ARV formulations, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) recently formed a technical working group to draw up guidelines on formulation and dosing in an effort to help guide research and development, said Lulu Muhe, who works in WHO's Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development.

Source: PlusNews

Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201207240785.html

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Top 5 Green Road Trip Tips

Blog

by Claire Moshenberg, MomsRising.org,

Originally posted at MomsRising.org

Summer is here, and for a lot of families that means it’s time to hit the road for a family road trip. Make sure you and your family stay healthy by taking your nontoxic habits with you when you travel. With a few small tweaks, you can make your road trip safer and more eco-friendly, without missing out on any of the fun. Safe travels!

Fuel efficiency: Greener Penny advises that you keep your car in tune, tires correctly inflated, and change the oil regularly in the interest of increased fuel efficiency. For the most fuel efficiency, make sure your oxygen sensor is working and keep your air filter clean. And try to pack as lightly as possible: The less you pack, the less weight you put on your vehicle, and the less fuel you have to use. Here’s an easy tip to lighten your luggage: The Go Green Blog recommends paying attention to what shoes you pack. Shoes add a lot of weight to bags, so aim for less shoes, and make the shoes you pack lightweight.

Sunscreen: Even though you’re not technically outside, you still need to stay on top of your sunscreen use when you’re in the car. Make sure you’re regularly applying sunscreen, and that you’re picking the safest nontoxic sunscreen for your trip. Safe Mama has an easy sunscreen cheat sheet that lays out what to avoid when choosing a sunscreen. The Environmental Working Group has an entire updated guide to choosing safer sunscreens, including a handy free app for iphone users. For more tips on how to choose the safest suncreen, check out the Tips Tuesday guide to sunscreen, “Navigating a Sunscreen Wonderland.”

Safer Hydration: Say no to bottled water! It adds up financially, and it adds up in our landfills: Those convenient plastic bottles create 1.5 million tons of plastic every year. Also, the plastic may leech endocrine disruptors, which are linked to early puberty, infertility, and obesity. The Daily Green recommends choosing an aluminum bottle with a water-based, non-toxic lining, and avoiding low-grade stainless steel bottles, which can leach metals.

Hand sanitizer: Hand sanitizers can be really helpful when it comes to keeping hands clean, and everyone healthy, on the road. This guide from Healthy Child Healthy World will help you read labels, buy non-toxic alternatives, and even make your own hand gel. Look up hand sanitizers on the Skin Deep Database to find the healthiest, least toxic option for you.

Open a window: When you’re in heavy traffic, Healthy Child Healthy World recommends cracking your window slightly to reduce carbon monoxide buildup inside your car. If you’re driving all day, make sure to get some fresh air by either opening the windows for part of your trip, or planning brief breaks outdoors throughout the ride.

Photo courtesy faungg / CC BY 2.0

The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and not necessarily those of Healthy Child Healthy World.

Posted by Suzanne on 07/06/2012 at 06:53 PM

My husband always reminds me about inflating the tires properly. It’s amazing how something like that can have a huge impact on efficiency of a vehicle.

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/checblog/~3/UkS3Des2lLo/

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The Frida Dress - girls summer dress in fuschia red pink with orange ruffles (ready to ship SIZE 2T) by SewnNatural

Here's a beautiful handmade fuschia pink girls dress to help her take summer by storm. Like Frida Kahlo, an unflinchingly bright and bold dress that is perfectly modern.

With elastic around the top for easy dressing. Will work as a dress now, a jumper and even a swingy top as she grows. Can be layered with a shirt, tights or leggings. The loose fit allows for most body types and plenty of room for growth.

{ READY TO SHIP in size 2T } Also made to order available in 12 months - 5 years

Indie handmade, sweatshop-free dress, from our own design, using our many decades of experience in handcrafting clothing.

ITEM DETAILS
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• You will receive the dress, as pictured, in size 2T
• Dress is 19.5" long from back of nape of neck to bottom of hem
• Dress is made with fuschia red/pink cotton with dotted waves in cream, pink and peach and has orange cotton neck and sleeve ruffled trim
• Handmade in Canada in our small Ottawa studio
• Handwash, hang to dry
• Designed with keen attention to detail, using premium quality fabrics, seam allowances and finishes

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Lots more one-of-a-kind girls dresses, red riding hood capes and other apparel here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SewnNatural?section_id=5788375

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◆ This order comes with a little eco GIFT to make you smile!

SHIPPING ON THIS ITEM: is expedited with a tracking # and insurance.

We ship internationally and happily combine shipping for multiple items.

Questions about how to buy from Etsy? http://www.etsy.com/help_guide_checkout.php
All photos and items © SewnNatural 2009-2012.
Please see our store policies on your way to checkout.

Thank you for visiting http://www.SewnNatural.etsy.com!

Have any questions? Contact the shop owner.

Source: http://www.etsy.com/listing/98112070/the-frida-dress-girls-summer-dress-in

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