May 8, 2009   

Moms, We Salute You!

We know we don’t need to tell you that being a mom is, hands down, the toughest job you’ll ever have. But like most jobs that require a lot of effort, the reward is also great. So along with the sweat, tears, sticky hands, dirty sippy cups and, on some days, the seemingly endless whining, comes that blissed out feeling you get when your child gives you a tender hug and kiss, or reaches for your hand with those chubby little fingers, or wraps his arms around your leg, and says, without saying, you’re the center of my universe. So here’s to all you savvy Mommies—a day to celebrate, reflect, and rejoice with your mom, your mom-friends, and, most importantly, to honor yourself, for all that you do and give on a daily basis. Of course, we’re here for you every day, any hour of the day—so come visit us at www.realsavvymoms.com for the latest on everything from going green, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and more.

If you can steal a couple of hours for yourself this Mother’s Day, treat yourself to these fun and uplifting books written by moms (available on www.amazon.com):

• UNBUTTONED: Women Open Up About the Pleasures, Pains, and Politics of Breastfeeding Edited by (yours truly) Maureen Connolly and Dana Sullivan. Twenty-five original essays organized in to four sections: Latching On; Got Milk?; On Empty; and Letting Go. Publisher’s Weekly gave the book a starred review and called it “beautifully written . . . a powerful and informative commentary on this most loaded of parenting topics that will resonate especially with anyone who has raised a child.”





• STEPPING OUT OF LINE by Nell Merlino. Merlino is the woman behind Take Your Daughter to Work Day (created 16 years ago.) She's now out with a brand new book,”Stepping Out” which gives women the inspiration (and the tools) to walk away from their jobs/careers/lives and start the life they've imagined. It also includes real life stories of women who have done just that. Nell also created Count Me In, a leading non-profit, that has helped thousands of women take their small businesses to the million-dollar level. She is convinced that women are the key to pumping millions into the economy.



* HAPPILY EVER AFTER DIVORCE: NOES FROM A JOYFUL JOURNEY. In her shockingly honest account, mom and author Jessica Bram shares how divorce turned out to be a happy occasion for her – a reason to be congratulated rather than offered commiseration. It's a fresh approach to such a common problem – with over half of American marriages ending in divorce, she gives readers the hope that life will turn out okay after the divorce agreement ink has dried. She also offers hope to parents that divorce does not have to ruin their children's lives. Bram’s advice to newly single moms is to recognize how very special they are – even though they may have to do it themselves. “The best Mother’s Day present I ever got was the one I bought myself after my divorce. No one deserves Mother’s Day recognition as much as a single mom. It is a necklace that I still wear today with great pride.”

• THE ULTIMATE MOM: Uplifting Stories, Endearing Photos, and the Best Experts’ Advice on the Toughest Job You’ll Ever Love by Maria Bailey is a collection of stories on the joys and challenges of motherhood, combined with the best must-know advice from parenting experts. She covers everything from sibling rivalry to parenting a spirited child to achieving life balance and staying connected with your partner. .All of the stories are accompanied by beautiful eye-catching photos that depict motherhood in all its guise.





Be Well,

Maureen Connolly
Editor, Real Savvy Moms.com

Happy Mother’s Day Scrubs and Soothers
By RSM Celebrity Hair and Makeup Stylist Rita Ragone

Feeling the need for a little spa-like treatment for your skin? No need to head for a fancy spa (tho we’re not discouraging that either!). Create your own at-home spa facials and scrubs using items you have in your fridge or cabinets…I even use these recipes in my facials here in NYC!

Sugar and Honey Scrub: Combine 2 Tbsp. of sugar, with 3 Tbsp. of honey or royal jelly. Add a drop or two of warm water and make a paste. Apply this to your face in gentle circular motions. Leave on for 2 to 5 minutes, and rinse with a warm washcloth. Your skin will be soft and smooth!

Grapefruit-Lemon Juice Exfoliator: Apply juices of both to a cotton pad, leave on for one minute, and rinse.

Rosewater Soother: Rosewater mist can be applied to the skin after exfoliation. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel and Rosewater sprayed onto the skin is an anti-irritant and makes your skin glow!

Sweetened Milk Bath: When the kids are at a play date and you’re finally alone for 30 minutes, try my favorite Milk Bath. All you need is a packet of dry milk, 5 drops of your favorite aroma oils (lavender or rose are two of my favs) and a tub full of warm water. A nice soak in this combo will leave your skin soft, your mind rejuvenated, and you’ll be ready to tackle dinner!

‘Til next time!

Meet Your Multifidi
From The Trainers at NYC’s Nimble Fitness

This week, we’d like to introduce you to your multifidi, the small muscles that sit on either side of your spine and work to stabilize it. They are what we call “postural” muscles—muscles that control the stability of the spine while your extremities move and do work. The multifidi are part of the deep-layer “core” group of muscles (along with the pelvic floor, transversus abdominus, and the diaphragm, among others). Learning to activate and work these muscles is essential for building and maintaining overall strength.

The Exercise: (Keep in mind that this exercise is for pre-and post-natal women but for slightly different reasons.) Start lying on your back on a mat with your pelvis in a neutral position and your knees bent with feet flat. Begin by inhaling, then exhale and contract your navel toward your spine. Maintain that contraction while sliding one foot slowly away from you along the floor. Alternate legs and go slow enough that you do not move your pelvis/lower back at all. This exercise is great for your beginning training program, pre- or post-pregnancy, or to get your deep abdominals ready for more demanding exercises.

For more info and a video demonstration of this exercise, please go to www.nimblefitness.com

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