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Archives for June 2013

Healthy Eating with Bellamy’s Organics

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Healthy eating for babies, toddlers and children is a massive topic of discussion at the moment and has been for the past few years. Bellamy’s Organic has heard mothers asking for more pure products for their babies and have delivered. Bellamy’s Organics are a family operated Tasmanian business that started in 2004. They are the only certified organic brand that offer a 100% Australian made babies’ and childrens’ range from birth. They are 100% certified organic by NASAA.

Their range is quite extensive and has something to suit everyone – formula, milk drinks, cereals, fruit snacks, porridge, pastas and the new range of ready to serve pouches. The pastas were a big hit with my kids; my 4 year old who isn’t a big fan of vegetables didn’t even realise the alphabet pasta or macaroni were made from vegie goodness! He thought they were delicious and what kid doesn’t want to eat pasta in the shape of different letters?

 The dried fruit were also a big hit for school and snacks during the day. They are made with 100% Australian fruit, no added sugar and packaged in convenient resealable pouches. The fruit sticks (organic pinkies) were also very popular among the young ones that frequent our home.

I cannot really fault Bellamy’s Organic products at all especially when they offer so much goodness for babies and children around Australia. Bellamy’s Organic products can be found in Coles, Woolworths, Big W, Chemist Warehouse and Toys R Us. They can also be purchased online and delivered to your door.

GREAT PRODUCTS THAT ARE GREAT FOR OUR KIDS!

Have you found a new brand of product that are healthy for your kids that you just love?

Your Questions Answered About LBL!

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You may remember a few weeks ago I blogged about interviewing physiotherapist Jane Le Fevre with all your questions and concerns relating to light bladder leakage. There were some great questions asked by readers that I’m sure will benefit many other women.

1.       What causes LBL in women who haven’t had children? There are many causes, ranging from dietary changes to periods of inactivity, or starting a new activity eg running or boot camp! Women with lower back pain as well as lifting injuries. Hormonal changes as well as medical issues such a recurrent urinary tract infections and diabetes will also impact PF function.

2.      I experience LBL – will I ever be able to laugh without this occurring or is it too little too late? Most women with LBL will see an improvement with a consistent exercise program, and if they are not seeing change after 2 weeks, they should see advice from a womens health physio who may be able to pinpoint a specific reason why it isn’t improving. This could be due to poor sitting postures or pelvic stiffness or even a poor technique.

3.      I have heard that by doing pelvic floor exercises it makes it tighter ‘down there’ during sex. Is this true? Yes, absolutely! The PF also pumps blood to the clitoris so makes arousal more heightened and quicker to achieve!

4.      How do I know if I’m doing my exercises right? If you are lying down and place your hand next to the crotch of your underpants, facing upwards and you lift your PF, you should feel your skin draw together and lift away from your hand. An incorrect contraction would feel like the skin is coming into your hand (bearing down) You could also insert a finger into your vagina in the shower and you should feel your PF tighten around your finger, and with practice even lift up.

 I would like to thank Jane for being available to be interviewed and also the lovely ladies who emailed in their questions.

Toy Shopping In Your Pj’s + Giveaway

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It’s the end of financial year which means The Big W – Giant Toy Spectacularsales are about to begin and I can get a start on Christmas shopping. There is nothing I enjoy more than a good sale, except maybe being able to shop from the comfort of my own home. With the convenience of online shopping I can do it at any time of the day, wear my pyjamas and ugg boots or even enjoy a glass of wine while I shop!

The online sale begins on the 20th June and ends on the 10th July. I was fortunate enough to receive a gift card to personally experience shopping with Big W online. I told my kids they had a set amount to spend and could get whatever toys they liked within the budget from the toy section on the website, they were absolutely thrilled and found it so simple to pick and choose the toys of choice. I had considered using the voucher to purchase their Xmas gifts but I seem to be quite out of touch lately with what toys are ‘in’ and toys are ‘so last week’ and figured my boys are the toy experts and left the decision in their capable hands.

Last year I used the Big W Toy Spectacular Sale to purchase Christmas presents and must say that the Christmas Layby Service was a massive help. It allowed us to be select the items we wanted and pay them off over 6 months!

Would you like the chance to win a $100 Big W gift card to spend at the Giant Toy Spectacular? I have 5x $100 gift cards to giveaway to 5x lucky readers and their toy experts to enjoy.

To enter all you have to do is follow the instructions on the rafflecopter below. 

Winner is decided based on skill and chance plays no part. 

**The mandatory instructions MUST be completed or your entry will be void!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

GOOD LUCK!!

WINNERS ANNOUNCED: 

Jasmine N, Carolyn K, Natalie S, Benjamin T, Anna R-P

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Big W.

Clothing Label says No Pregnant Chicks!

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If you go back to September last year I did a review on dress for i&u which I must say with all honesty is one of the best brands of clothing for pregnancy & breastfeeding mothers. Since that review I purchased 3 of their maxi dresses and a pair of the lounge pants. The dresses are designed for breastfeeding but they are so comfortable, stylish and versatile that I have practically lived in them for my whole pregnancy!

The designer of i&u has decided to do a brand relaunch with a new name, new look, new range and a brand new philosophy – NO PREGNANT CHICKS! The idea behind this is to give new mums the confidence to wear gorgeous clothes without having to wear maternity or battle your post baby body demons in uncomfortable clothing. Laila & Spot has designed a range that is not only comfortable and affordable but they are highly flattering to the ‘new mum’ figure.

 

You can view their range here and visit them on facebook here.

This is not a sponsored post – it is just a brand that I trust and want to spread the word about so other mums can experience the comfort, support and confidence that Laila & Spot offers.   

Shedding Light on Pregnancy & Pelvic Floor Myths

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Today I am talking about bladder weakness in pregnancy and those first few months after the birth of your precious baby. I am going to share some tips, statistics and hopefully get (the almost 60% of) women talking about ‘the little problem they don’t have’ who are too embarrassed to discuss bladder weakness.

Did you know that 1 in 3 women will experience bladder weakness from pregnancy and that women who have had just one baby are three times more likely to experience this issue compared to those who have never been pregnant? This is caused by the extra pressure babies put on your pelvic floor.

Out of 1000 women surveyed over 44% believed if they suffered from light bladder leakage due to pregnancy they would have a life-long struggle with the issue. This not definitely not the case and by taking action and carrying out daily pelvic floor exercises they can strengthen and regain control preventing any future leaks happening at all!

You may have seen me previously discuss this issue on my blog and that is due to an educational campaign for women that I am taking part in ‘Lights by TENA’. This campaign is the first of its kind and aims at helping soon-to-be and new mothers understand the problem and empower them (by educating) to overcome it. Bladder weakness is extremely common for women to experience during pregnancy and after birth however it is not something they must just accept; they can follow these simple tips (thanks to physiotherapist Jane Le Fevre) to help combat and overcome the problem.

Find your Pelvic Floor
The Pelvic Floor runs from your pubic bone at the front of your pelvis to the coccyx at the back. Imagine this sling of muscles is like two elevator doors. As you lift it, imagine the doors closing together and then lifting towards your head. The rest of your body should stay still.

Practice!
Practice lifting your pelvic floor daily, both strong fast and slow gentle contractions throughout the day. Your pelvic floor has to work harder to support your growing baby and changing body so it’s a perfect time to keep it active and strong.

Practicing lifting your pelvic floor regularly during pregnancy will help you regain pelvic floor control after the birth of your baby.

Lift baby and pelvic floor
Every time you lift your baby, lift your pelvic floor. This will help to regain control as well as protect your back.

Patience
Be patient with your pelvic floor after birth. If you aren’t feeling confident with your pelvic floor by 6 weeks post-partum talk to your GP or see a women’s health physiotherapist to get help.

Use the right product while dealing with the problem
Use a correct liner such as one from the newly launched lights™ by TENA® range to handle the leakages while you’re dealing with the problem. The liners will keep you drier, fresher and odour free. And much less stressed.

 If you would like more expert tips, further information or to receive a complimentary sample liner visit www.lightsbyTENA.com.au.

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