Are you pregnant?--Read this!

The largest pre-natal nutrition study ever conducted here in Canada is still looking for pregnant women in Alberta. You must be LESS than 27 weeks pregnant. The study is examining the effect that diet has on women and their babies. For more information check out this link

MaMa was WRONG!!

From BestHealthMag.ca

Turns out, chewing gum is not so bad for youafter all. Chewing gum can aid in weight loss, help reduce anxiety and may even help with heart burn!! Check out this link to get the latest info. on new research from the University of Rhode Island.

Happy Chewing!

Erin

Mass Recall of Baby Slings....

WASHINGTON - More than 1 million baby slings made by Infantino are being recalled because the products have been linked to three infant deaths.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission says babies can suffocate in the soft fabric slings. The agency is urging parents to immediately stop using the slings for babies under 4 months.
The recall involves one million Infantino "SlingRider" and "Wendy Bellissimo" slings sold in the United States and 15,000 in Canada.
It follows a warning earlier this month from CPSC that sling-style baby carriers pose a suffocation risk to newborns.
Infantino President Jack Vresics says the company will offer a free replacement baby carrier, activity gym or shopping cart cover to any affected consumer.
(The Associated Press)

When To Toss Old Makeup....

Most women have piles of makeup they don't use all the time. But beauty products do have a shelf life -- they "expire" after a certain period of time. Wondering how long you should keep that pile of makeup you have? Here you go:

Concealer: Up to 12 months.
Powder: 2 years.
Pencil eyeliner: Sharpen it regularly and it will last up to 3 years.
Eyeshadow: Also good for up to 3 years.
Foundation:If water-based, up to 12 months. Oil-based, 18 months.
Lip liner: Up to 3 years.
Lipstick: Most experts say 1-2 years. Of course, if it smells bad, toss it -- it's spoiled!
Mascara: This stuff expires the fastest-throw it away after 4 months.
Brushes: Wash 'em every 2-3 months with mild detergent and you can keep 'em until the bristles fall out.
Nail polish: Up to 12 months, depending on the quality and consistency.



The above is courtesy of Meg Tucker of the Chris and Meg Morning Show heard weekday mornings on 101.5 Energy FM.

Have a great week!
Erin

Who's smarter...your toddler or your dog?

The following story is from today's "Vitals" in the Calgary Herald.....compiled by Lisa Kadane, Calgary Herald.


Who's Smarter -- Your Toddler Or Your Dog?

Pets - Psychologist and leading canine researcher Stanley Coren of the University of British Columbia recently spoke at The American Psychological Association's annual convention. The subject of his talk? How Dogs Think.

According to Coren, dogs are as smart as two-year-old children, can understand more than 150 words, and can count up to four or five. But with brains comes manipulative behaviour (something any toddler has figured out). Dogs are "consciously deceptive" and trick people into giving them what they want. "And they are nearly as successful in deceiving humans as humans are in deceiving dogs," Coren said. Coren studied data from 208 dog-obedience judges in the United States and Canada to determine the differences in working and obedience intelligence across different dog breeds. Here are the results of which dogs are smartest.

1. Border collies

2. Poodles

3. German shepherds

4. Golden retrievers

5. Dobermans

6. Shetland sheepdogs

7. Labrador retrievers

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Glee headed to the White House...

I’m missing my weekly dose of Glee, so any little bit of Glee news I can get, I devour!

According to Entertainment Weekly, First Lady Michelle Obama has invited the stars of Glee to perform at the White House for the annual White House Easter egg roll on April 5th!

Apparently, Michelle Obama and her two daughters Malia (age 11) and Sasha (age 8) are all “Gleeks”! The producers of Glee promptly rearranged their production schedule so that they could make their White House performance.

Glee returns with a new episode on April 13th. Can’t wait!!

If You're Happy Then THEY Know It!

According to two University of Vermont mathematicians, Twitter CAN gauge the mood of millions of people around the world. Peter Dodds and Chris Danforth have built a program, that plows through nearly 1,000 tweets a minute....identifying commonly used words amongst the thousands of tweets.

Some of the findings? A couple of the happiest days on record (so far) are Christmas Day and New Years Eve. The saddest....was the day Michael Jackson died, June 25, 2009.
Believe it or not, Mondays often come out as the second happiest day of the week (people are still thinking about their awesome weekend)....while Wednesdays often turn up as the saddest day of the week.

Happy Tweeting!

Erin

Ending Fat Talk……One Anonymous Post-It at a Time!

This is part of the mission of anonymous do-gooders of Operation Beautiful. Their mission is to post anonymous notes in public places for other people to find. Notes like, “Yes you ARE beautiful!” Expect to find these notes anywhere….on a public bathroom mirror, in a clothing-store change stall or on the parking meter. Upon checking their website, I found that most people leave their anonymous positive posts on public bathroom mirrors (school, gym, restaurant, etc.) The Operation Beautiful web address is almost always left at the bottom of the note. On their website (www.operationbeautiful.com), you can find samplings of notes left behind, along with stories on how people left their words of encouragement. Check out the recent posting below!!


Laura wrote:
Instead of sleeping, or studying for my three final exams that are tomorrow, I decided to write out a “You Are Beautiful” post-it note for everyone who lives on my floor and stick it to their doors for them to find in the morning. I plan to put one on every door in my building. I am a firm believer that health comes first, and beauty follows. I believe it’s possible to think yourself beautiful. That’s why we have to remind people, every day, just how gorgeous/amazing/wonderful/beautiful/good-looking/ marvelous/handsome/attractive/awesome they actually are.”


So as I write this heading into 2010, I think this will be one of the many resolutions I will make and actually follow through with. I will write a note on a Post-It and leave it somewhere in Calgary. Pretty simple (I know), but maybe the person who finds it will be having a really crappy day, and that little note of inspiration will turn their day around. Maybe you can do the same?!

Happy New Year…..and remember, beauty is NOT a size.

GaGa for "Glee"

I've got Glee on the brain after watching another great episode last night and then waking up to a Glee article in today's paper. I also just got off the phone with a media friend who recently interviewed Canadian born Cory Monteith who plays Finn on Glee. What juicy little tid-bit did he get to learn about "Finn"?. Cory misses ketchup chips!! Ha! I guess they don't sell ketchup chips in U-S where Cory now lives. Poor guy.

If you missed the Glee article.....here it is. Enjoy, cuz if you're anything like me, you can't get enough of Glee!!!

http://tinyurl.com/yhrmnb7

Taking a PERFECT Driver's License Pic......

My girlfriends and I were laughing a couple of nights ago about our terrible driver's license pictures. Oh, and it's not just bad D-L pics!! My Costco pic is uber awful...my husband's is awful too. In fact, whenever I need a really good laugh I dig his out....look and laugh. (His is worse than mine).
Anyway, in the quest for a better pic I dug up some tips on how to put your best face forward for the dreaded driver's license mug shot.

*Wear more makeup than usual to avoid looking washed out. And don't forget the powder....that'll avoid shine on your pretty face.

*Set your feet hip-width apart and then place your palms up on your backside and drop your shoulders.

*Tilt your chin down (only a bit). If your nose is long, face the camera head on.

*Because most faces are asymmetrical, angle your head with your smaller eye out in front.


Simple tricks to a prettier you.
Now if we could only use these tips for our passport pics!!

Erin

Have you "Done It"?!

The list could be endless...eating blowfish in San Fran, checking out the Windsor Castle in Berkshire England or experiencing the Sydney Opera House in Australia. It’s what you’ve done and what you’ve yet to do. Jen Leo of the L-A Times recently wrote about a cool new website called diddit.com.

http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-tr-webbuzz6-2009sep06


“Diddit” is a place to discover new things to do, keep track of what you want to do and share stories about your life experiences (your "diddits")! The website allows for any experience to be chronicled. So for instance, one of my “diddits” would be, “landed at the bottom of the Grand Canyon in a helicopter”. And a wanna-do-it??...”eat olives and drink wine at a little cafe in Greece”!

Have fun “doing”-I know I will!!

Erin

Back To School ALREADY??!!

That seems to be the consensus of parents with school aged kids across Calgary this week. Every where I turn, parents are shaking their heads in disbelief..."I can't believe they're back in school on Thursday"....as I sit writing this, Thursday is now tomorrow. YIKES! Where did the summer go?
I have many Calgary school teacher friends who were grumbling over this past weekend. You see, it was their last weekend of freedom....our school teachers were back in school on Monday.
If you're a parent, you most likely know that our traditional school calendar was adjusted for "Worldskills Calgary 2009"!
Check out everything you need to know about the upcoming school year by checking out this website!

http://www.cbe.ab.ca/


While you're on the Calgary Board of Education website, be sure to check out the CBE H1N1 Resources Centre. There's some great information reagrding the H1N1 influenza A virus, seasonal influenza and strategies for staying healthy during the school year!!

From one parent to another, I hope tomorrow goes smoothly for you and your kids as they head back for another year of reading, writing and arithmetic!

Erin

Facebook = Jealousy???

As I sat reading this article out of yesterday's Calgary Herald, I found myself questioning any "feelings" that have come up with my use of Facebook. Can't say I've ever felt jealousy. But I CAN see how easily it could happen. I do have two friends who discovered their realtionships weren't what they thought it was upon discovering their boyfriend went from being "attached" to "single". What a crappy way to get dumped!!!
I've been on Facebook for just over a year....and I'm embarassed to admit it took me about a month before I realized if you write on somebody's wall, everyone else can see it! DUH! I also know that amongst friends, even putting pics up can cause some grief. You have four couples over for a BBQ, you snap pics and throw them up on Facebook....your other "couple friends" see it and wonder why they weren't invited. Oh the drama!!! :)
If you didn't catch this article in yesterday's paper...enjoy the read!!

Erin

http://tinyurl.com/lawjoj

Beauty Tips for Pregnant Moms from Liza!!

You're not imagining it, we're in the middle of a baby boom! Did you know, more Canadian babies are born in July than any other month.

One of North America's most foremost experts in pregnancy beauty Liza Elliot Ramirez will be sharing her coveted secrets to help Mom's show off their beautiful bumps on CTV Edmonton, Wednesday July 8th at noon!
I had a chance to ask Liza a few questions of my own about pregnancy and beauty....


Erin: Among other things, you’ll be sharing some product information with the Moms-To-Be of Alberta, information on a beauty product called “Bio-Oil”! (I’ve actually been using it throughout my pregnancy and I love it)…..for women who haven’t heard of “Bio-Oil”, can you tell us about it?

Liza: Sure! That’s so great that you’re already using it! Bio-Oil helps prevent those dreaded pregnancy stretch marks, particularly when used right from the first trimester. It’s the best selling scar and stretch mark product in 13 countries and is recommended by doctors and pharmacists around the world. I recommend it to all my models to keep their belly beautiful before, during and after their pregnancy. It contains a combination of calendula, lavender, rosemary, chamomile oils, vitamin A and E, and the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™. This unique formula is totally non greasy and absorbs rapidly. I love it because it’s a simple, affordable all-in-one skin solution everyone can use.

Erin: Would you recommend women continue using Bio-Oil AFTER the baby is born?

Liza: Definitely! It keeps your skin hydrated and moisturized. Keeping your skin well moisturized is key to maintaining your skin’s elasticity. Also, if you don’t use Bio-Oil during your pregnancy, you may get stretch marks which are a huge issue for pregnant women. If skin is not cared for properly, especially in the first trimester, stretch marks are a near guarantee. Few people realize that stretch marks are actually scars, a result of the skin stretching quickly and tearing. Bio-Oil helps first to prevent and to reduce the appearance of these scars.

Erin: Can you share with us, a few of the secrets famous Moms use during their pregnancies?

Liza: Hollywood stars are heavily influencing today’s pregnancy beauty and fashion trends and whether you’re a star, a model or the yummy mummy next door, these secrets can help add a little glamour to your pregnancy.

1. Silky Skin: Moisturize! Exfoliate your body with gentle soap and a coarse cloth in the shower; apply Bio-Oil head-to-toe on your skin; focus on the belly area morning and night – for beautiful silky, stretch-mark resistant, summer-ready skin!

2. Fashion that embraces your pregnancy curves: Top trends include the empire waist maxi dress; bare shoulders; bikinis and unfussy stretchy belly-hugging styles. Fuller bustline means new bras are a must. Stick to solid colours for a sleek look. Add visual interest with bold accessories that make a statement. With chunky necklaces and bracelets; gladiator sandals; comfy wedge heels; bold sunglasses and wide rim hats you’ll have it made in the shade!

3. Fresh, clean make up: Your skin emits a natural glow so don’t cover it up. Powder can make you look older. Tinted moisturizer with SPF; a little bronzer and a soft neutral lip gloss enhances the glow. Add glamour to this radiant look with a smudge of dark liner across the upper lash line. Use an eyelash curler; for best results heat it under the blow-dryer for 5 seconds; finish with a rich mascara and a few artificial lashes to the upper outer corners for a pretty, polished look. For swelling in the eye zone, apply spoons chilled in the fridge for a few minutes before makeup application.

4. Loose, pretty hair: During pregnancy your hair gets thicker and more luxurious. When the weather is warm try a fuss-free up-do. Tie back hair in a loose pony-tail; twist the pony-tail into a loose bun fastened with bobby pins; hair-spray; and put on a delicate headband in a solid dark colour. Très chic!

Erin: Liza if people want to learn more about you, can you please pass along your website? Thanks!

Liza: You can reach me at www.expectingmodels.com and find out more about Bio-Oil at www.bio-oil.com.



You can also catch Liza on her hit TV show Runway Moms on TLC this fall!!

Some great tips from Liza. I wish I would have been able to speak to her earlier in my pregnancy! I'll be off on maternity leave as of July 10.....learning how to be a new Mom all over again with baby #3! I know many of our Energy listeners are pregnant too.....wishing you all healthy deliveries.

Erin

Getting a Good Night's Sleep

Sleep is as important to a healthy lifestyle as eating properly and exercising. Studies suggest that not enough sleep (over long periods of time), could increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, obesity and depression.
And guess what? A relaxing bath and warm milk really WILL make you sleepy!!

If you're having trouble falling asleep, check out the following tips to help you wind down.

Get into a Routine: I know this is a tough one....especially on the weekends and while on holidays. Experts say try going to bed at the same time every night. Also, try getting up at the same time.

Go No-Tech: All the experts say your bedroom should be reserved for sleep and SEX! So get rid of the TV, cellphones and laptops.

Stop Worrying: If your head is spinning, get up and try doing something calming (like reading)!

Exercise Regularly: Physical exercise done early in the day may promote deeper sleep. Careful of exercise right before bedtime....that can give you an energy spurt!

Use Noise: If you're a light sleeper (studies show women are more prone to this), try a little white noise. A fan (especially in the summer) will help block out traffic noise or a snoring partner.

Getting back to warm milk and relaxing baths....try it before bed. The warm bath will raise your core body temperature (that'll make you sleepy). Dairy products are a good source of tryptophan an amino acid that will help kick starts your body's sleep inducers (melatonin and serotonin).

Happy Sleeping!!

Erin

Superfoods!

Feel GOOD about consuming the following "superfoods"....some that you may have thought aren't so great for your mind and body.

Wasabi: Japanese horseradish has many potential health benefits. It's said to prevent everything from asthma to ulcers and also has antibacterial properties.

Pumpkin: this highly nutritious fruit contains antioxidants and other ingredients that help prevent eye disease.

Avocados: another fruit that we all know is high in fat BUT the "good" fat....monounsaturated fat....the kind that doesn't clog the arteries. It also contains potassium AND Vitamins B, E and K.

Buckwheat Honey: Unlike light honey, dark honey doesn't cause a spike in the body's sugar levels. It's also an anti-inlammatory packed with anti-oxidants.

Tomato Paste: no-salt or low-salt tomato paste has the highest concentration of lycopene of tomatoes and tomato products. It's a natural blood thinner and a stong defense against certain diseases like prostate cancer.

Spices: in general, most spices are "superfoods" (most are calorie-free and anti-inflammatory). For example, Cinnamon. It helps slow down the rush of sugar to the blood, and that helps prevent weight gain. No, this doesn't mean we can all pig out on cinnamon buns!! Cinnamon is also an anti-inflammatory which COULD help delay the onset of aging.

Healthy Eating!

Erin

Birth Order and Personality....

With the impending birth of my third child, I've been thinking a lot about birth order and whether or not it affects personality. I must admit, I've often noticed that first borns tend to be "people pleasers".

I've heard OTHERS say the following...the oldest child is responsible, the middle child is diplomatic and the "baby" is the rebel. And what about the "only" child? Some may argue, forever spoiled.

Personality is apparantely the result of a number of factors. Genetics, education, social and economic environment. Any number of life experiences all play a part in shaping who we are.

So why do so many people think birth order has an effect on who we are today? Most psychologists agree that personality has something to do with what went on when we were kids.

How do your personailty traits compare to those associated with certain birth-order positions? Read on!

First Born:The oldest are the only kids in the family (for a little while anyway). Because Mom and Dad are new to the game of parenting, they tend to have high expectations. That can rub off on the first born. (Remember, I mentioned "people pleasers" earlier on). It's said that oldest kids tend to stick to family rules and they tend to be conservative and responsible.


Middle Child:"They", say the typical middle child is the good-natured, empathetic peacemaker.


The "Baby":Last borns, are finding a way to assert their individuality. It's all about finding your own way because you're coming into the world where your surroundings have already been created for you. It's said, that the youngest tend to be more rebellious and more likely to take risks.


I laugh over the youngest kids "taking more risks". That's my baby brother, who took more risks because he knew he could get away with it. He never had a curfew, but I did! Maybe that's cuz he's a boy....and a whole OTHER topic!

Have a great week,

Erin

World's Happiest Places.....

The Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development recently released a new study, ranking the world's nations by the happiness levels of their citizens. So where exactly ARE the happiest people in the world? Read on to find out.....

10. Belgium
9. Norway
8. New Zealand
7. Switzerland
6. Canada
5. Ireland
4. Sweden
3. The Netherlands
2. Finland
1. Denmark

Side Note: The U-S did receive an above-avergae score but failed to crack the top 10.

Have a great SUNNY (and happy) weekend!

Erin

Happiness Secrets.....

Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of "The How of Happiness: A Scientific Approach to Getting the Life You Want" has studied "happiness" (and the science of it), for years. The following are a few tips to help you increase your bursts of happiness throughout the day!

*Avoid Overthinking-it'll make you feel more pessimistic, more "out of control" and effects your self esteem
*Focus on your Relationships-loved ones are critical to your happiness....so always take the time to nurture them
*Pick a Goal-Commit yourself to a project (work or fun). Happy people all have goals they care about
*Practice Acts of Kindness-practical, everyday gestures that make someone's life a little easier, will make you happier as well
*Take Care of your Body-carve out a small part of your day to give your body some TLC. It'll go a long way in boosting your happiness.

For more info. on Sonja, you can check out her website
http://chass.ucr.edu/faculty_book/lyubomirsky/

Have a "happy" long weekend!!

Erin

Mother's Day Run and Walk

On Mother's Day (Sunday)....thousands of adults (Moms and Dads included), kids and seniors will run the annual Mother's Day Run & Walk here in Calgary.
Included in those thousands will be Meg Tucker of the Freeway and Meg Morning Show and me! I've talked Meg into walking it with me (instead of running)....my 7 month pregnant belly is slowing me down!!

Last year's Run and Walk raised half a million dollars for the neo-natal intensive care unit and special care nurseries in the Calgary Health Unit. This year's event will benfit the same organizations. Monies raised, will buy 2 hybrid bed warmers, two cardiac monitors and two triple-channel intravenous pumps.
Meg and I are part of "Team Peyton".....I've attached the story of how Team Peyton came about. It's a very touching story.....we're both very proud to be part of their team!

As some of you know, this will be the 4th year that Team Peyton will be participating in the Forzani Group Foundation’s Mother’s Day Run & Walk (www.mdrunandwalk.com). This year, the funds raised will once again be going to a place that will always be close to our hearts: the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Units and Special Care Nurseries of Calgary (and surrounding area) hospitals.

As many of you know, we have some history with both these areas of the Rockyview and Foothills Hospitals. On January 15, 2006, we tragically and unexpectedly lost our first child, our precious baby girl Peyton Olivia LeManne just three days before her due date. The dedicated doctors and nurses tried desperately to save our little girl, but she passed away in mommy’s arms just 5 hours after she was delivered. She had inexplicably contracted an infection and had started to hemorrhage just 24 hours prior to her emergency delivery via c-section. Up until then she was a healthy, vibrant little girl, and her loss was devastating to us, our families and friends. Recovery has been a long and winding road, and we miss those dark and beautiful eyes every day. In her memory and fighting spirit, TEAM PEYTON was formed, and ran their inaugural run 4 months after her death, on Mother’s Day 2006. The team wound up raising nearly $10,000, and as a result of our success, a Family Team division was added to the event the following year.

Late summer 2006, we were lucky enough to get pregnant again, and were told right before Christmas that we were expecting a boy. As Peyton’s death was still somewhat of a medical mystery, our doctor recommended a scheduled c-section 3 weeks prior to our son’s due date. On April 30th, 2007, our darling boy Wesley Everitt Stephen LeManne was delivered. Not even an hour after delivery, the nurse noticed his wheezing and crying was not subsiding, and was sounding somewhat irregular. He was taken to the Special Care Nursery, where they diagnosed him with Hyaline Membrane Disease, (also known as Respiratory Distress Syndrome) due to a set of very underdeveloped lungs. His situation worsened over the next couple of days, and our strong little man had to be intubated to help him breathe, and had to have a chest tube inserted in his right side to help drain the pneumothorax* that subsequently developed. (*Air leaks between the chest and outer tissues of the lungs) As a result he was transferred from the Rockyview Hospital to the Foothills NICU for more intensive care. It was very difficult watching our little man in pain and fighting to breathe on his own. But day after day, he slowly got better, and after a harrowing two weeks, we were finally able to take him home, as luck would have it, on Mother’s Day—after Team Peyton (minus mommy and Wesley) ran their second year.

This Mother’s Day, Team Peyton will once again be running and walking in memory of our little girl, and now, in honour of her little brother as well. If it wasn’t for the NICU and Special Care Nurseries, and the skilled and dedicated doctors and nurses that staff them, Wesley would not be here with us today. We are eternally grateful for the services and care provided, and are committed to continue raising funds for the areas of the hospitals that house some of the most fragile and vulnerable patients.

Since Team Peyton’s inaugural run in 2006, we have raised more than $18,500. Last year we were the top Family Fundraising Team, and we hope to be again this year.
Please help Team Peyton in having our most successful year yet. All donations are greatly appreciated, and as you can see through our now-healthy baby boy Wesley, will be put to the best of uses.

Registration information for this Sunday's event can be found at mdrunandwalk.com

Have a GREAT weekend.....and Happy Mother's Day!!

Erin