Turn your Baby Food into your own Breakfast & Lunch

 
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When you have a baby at home, the last thing you may want to do is cook. The lack of sleep from a newborn makes it very hard to get creative in the kitchen. When I was at home with baby Eddie, I began to realize that I would make food for him and totally forget the fact that I needed to nourish myself as well.

One of my kitchen saviors quickly became avocados, since Eddie became obsessed with them at an early age. I always had them handy and they were a perfect food we both could share for breakfast and lunch. Actually, one of his first foods was a mix of avocados and bananas. Not only was it smooth and creamy, but extremely versatile.  I could serve it alone or mash it up with fruits like bananas or mangos.

Though Eddie is already 2½ years old, avocados are still one of his favorite foods (and mine too, I mean, who doesn’t like a good avocado toast?), but now I don’t have to mash them up. He loves to eat them in chunks over salads, pastas, tacos, dips or in a smoothie.

Being conscious of nourishing our babies and of course, ourselves, is a challenge any super mamá can overcome. With having high nutritional value and being super versatile, it’s easy to incorporate avocados into our everyday diets.

Here are three recipes in partnership with Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy® that can help you turn your baby’s food into your very own breakfast and lunch (so you don’t forget about yourself when prepping for your baby). And please remember to check your pediatrician before introducing any new foods.

This post sponsored by Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy®

AVOCADO MANGO BABY

Nutrition Tip: 

  • For infants: If desired, add breastmilk or formula to reach desired consistency based on age and caregiver’s comfort level. Nutritional information will vary.

  • For older babies and toddlers:

    • Mash ingredients with a fork instead of pureeing.

    • Serve in reusable baby food pouches for maximum portability, or freeze in ice pop trays to make homemade popsicles.

    • Add Greek yogurt and use as dip for your favorite fruits and vegetables.

Note: Speak to your child’s pediatrician before adding solid foods to your infant’s diet.

Ingredients: 

1 ripe, fresh avocado, cut in half, peeled and seeded

1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted and diced

Instructions 

  1. Puree avocado and mango in a blender or in a baby masher until desired consistency is reached.

  2. Serve baby 1 to 2 tablespoons mixture. Freeze remainder in 1 ounce ice cube trays.

*Recipe adapted from SaboreaUnoHoy.com

AVOCADO AND MANGO KICK-STARTER SMOOTHIE

Instructions 

  1. In a blender, add avocado, mango, pineapple, pineapple juice, almond milk, and ice.

  2. Blend until smooth.

  3. Serve immediately.

*Note: Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados, adjust the quantity accordingly.

*Recipe adapted from SaboreaUnoHoy.com

Ingredients 

1 ripe, fresh avocado*, halved, pitted, peeled and diced

1 large ripe mango (about 1 cup), pitted, peeled and cubed, or 1 cup frozen

1 cup fresh or frozen pineapple, chopped

3 Tbsp.pineapple juice

1 cup almond milk

1 cup ice

MANGO AND AVOCADO SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 2 mangos, cubed

  • 2 avocados, diced

  • 1/2 small red onion, diced

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

In a large serving bowl, whisk together vinegar, lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. Slowly whisk in oil. Toss in mangoes, avocado and red onion to coat. Serve immediately.

*Recipe adapted from SaboreaUnoHoy.com

 

The Baby Shower of my Dreams

 
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My mom is the go-to person whenever we plan parties in my family. With my previous baby showers, I would just decide on the theme, the food and she would do everything from start to finish. I didn't realize how much work it took until now.

This being my last baby, I decided to have a more hands-on approach and do it myself. Truth be told, I ended up needing lots of help. I couldn't have pulled it off without my mom, sisters, friends and it was just what I wanted. It was the perfect celebration for my baby with the people I love, my favorite food and in a beautiful setting that gave us beautiful pictures to share with her when she gets older.

We may make it look easy, but we all know it's not. I learned a few lessons from this experience and I decided to put some tips together, so you too can fully enjoy your celebration. Don’t feel guilty and just go for it. You deserve it, Super Mamá!

Ask for help

Yes! As much as you want to take over and do things yourself, you're growing a human inside of you. Enlist your family members and friends and give them a task.  My sister Elizabeth was in charge of all the games and activities, Bricia put together my vision and helped with final touches, and my mom helped with the flowers, decorations and dessert table. She also came with me on my multiple shopping trips (you know me). I had many other tasks that I spread around to a few family members and friends and they were so much help!

Don't get caught up with having the ‘perfect’ theme

Nowadays with the pressure of social media we all want the prettiest theme and believe me, I did too. I wanted a 'chic cacti and pastel colored Mexican baby fiesta' party. I know! It was complicated and it was born from a picture I saw a while ago on Pinterest. I was so stressed that I spent hours searching online for the prettiest things, but as time went by, I couldn't find anything. At the end, I let go of that idea and opened myself up to finding things I loved organically. So, start with a general idea and be open to change! It’s easier and stress-free.

Support small businesses

Every vendor at my baby shower were contacts from social media.  From my delicious cake, to my catering, to my deserts. There are so many growing small businesses and people with side hustles who are incredibly talented. You already follow these people, so why not support them in a real way? We also all have that one friend (or many) who loves baking, making flower arrangements or taking amazing pictures. I bet if you look closely in your address book you will find a lot of people that can make your life easier.  Plus, your budget will thank you! Also, don’t forget to visit your local dollar store. You will be surprised at all the things you will find for a super cheap price!

Choose what YOU like

Yes!! It's your party and you will cry if you want to. This party is about you! So what do YOU want to eat, drink, experience and take away from your party? You’re never going to make everyone happy, and haters will hate no matter what (so, don’t invite haters). What really matters is that you enjoy your own party! If you want to have a special food, dessert, music, or treat, go for it and have it! Believe me, the people who are really there for you will have a blast no matter what you give them and at the end of the day, you’ll be much more satisfied.

Rely on technology to make things easier

Its 2017 ladies! There are so many things we can take advantage of. Websites like Evite and Paperless Post will do most of the invitation and guest list work for you. People can RSVP, get up-to-date information, get maps, directions, etc. After many birthday parties for the kids, I’ve learned to rely on other people to do most of the ‘cute stuff’. I downloaded clip art from Etsy and designed my own invitations with the Over app. For my baby registry, BabyList was super helpful. I put all my favorite items from different stores in one place and people had the option of either buying straight from the website or purchasing on their own (Plus - you can link it to you invitation). And for music, I used Spotify to create my playlist. There is an app for everything nowadays!

Take lots of pictures

Taking photos is a way of putting special moments in a time bubble. It gives me a chance to see how blessed I am and how much we have changed and grown as a family. Your baby will look back and see how much she or he was loved before being born. My kids get super excited to see themselves inside of me.  Believe me, these are the best moments!

Have fun!

This is the most important tip of all. This is YOUR party. You are the queen, you are growing life inside of you and deserve to be celebrated and pampered. This is not the time to take care of others, it's about you!! Once your little baby is with you, you’ll have plenty to do. Things will not be 100% perfect, but if you enjoy yourself those little things won't matter.  

Go ahead! Give yourself permission to have fun and enjoy!

 

#TalkReadSing Moments

 
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During the month of August, we asked our Super Mamas to share with us their Talk.Read.Sing moments for our August campaign in partnership with First 5 California!

First 5 California is an organization that educates parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers about the critical role they play during a child’s first five years. Since their creation in 1998, they’ve supported millions of families with programs and services designed to help more California kids grow up healthy and ready to succeed in school – and in life!

We know that talking, reading, and singing with young children every day and throughout the day helps build important connections in the brain that can change their lives forever. 

Thank you to everyone who submitted a post using #talkreadsing. We enjoyed learning all about how you are nurturing your little ones’ minds in everyday life.

Below is a sample of some of the tips we loved! But really, we thought they were all fantastic.

Image by: @raisinglilhumans

Image by: @raisinglilhumans

@Raisinglilhumans is a #supermama who makes amazing eats for her babies and she showed us how everyday activities can be a perfect time to engage with your kids. She said, "Homemade baby food at its finest. Get your kids involved. Talk to them about what they are eating. Have fun with it!" #talkreadsing

Image by @capturingcultura

Image by @capturingcultura

Nadia Hernandez @capturingcultura. “It’s #Nationalbooklovers today and I just had to share this photo. If you’ve met my daughter, you will know that she loves books. This was my daughter’s genuine reaction when she saw these Lil Libros books. She’ll say wow to everything she likes so I knew that these will become some of her favorites. I have been reading to her since the womb. I have #talkreadsing to her I have seen how this has helped her development.”  Nadia even shared a blog post with helpful tips on how to start your reading journey with your children. Check that out here!

Image by @lifeoftorres

Image by @lifeoftorres

Nessa from @lifeoftorres shared how they spent their time this summer singing along to their favorite Disney Jr. songs and listening to the storytelling of Snow White and Brave!

Image by @veronica.rmrz

Image by @veronica.rmrz

Veronica @veronica.rmrz shared all about how her daughter Ximena is choosing her own books and they happen to include little books with cute images that teach her about accomplished women like Maya Angelou, Amelia Earhart and Frida Kahlo. What an amazing way to #talkreadsing and learn about #girlpower at the same time.  

Image by: @brendah21_

Image by: @brendah21_

Brenda aka: @brendah21_ told us how she started to #talkreadsing to her son Elijah during her pregnancy. She says, “It feels good, when we get to witness Elijah responding or repeating something we have been teaching him.” Here he is practicing doodles while momma reads to him! 

During the month of August our Super Mama guests also shared with us their favorite #talkreadsing moments! You can visit our show notes to see more of their tips. Miriam Carrillo of Episode 115 shared how she sings to her infant during diaper changes, and other guests shared their favorite books or apps they use to encourage talking, reading, or singing. 

We were so happy to partner with First 5 California for this campaign! We hope you learned as much as we did. 

Visit www.first5california.com for more information! 

You can also find more tips and resources on First 5 California's social media channels: Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook and listen to their Pandora station.

 

SISTER SPOTLIGHT: REDEFINING MODERN FATHERHOOD WI/ MICHELLE OLVERA

 
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LatinoDad.Co offering a special discount code for our Super Mama listeners. Enter Supermamas_Rock at checkout - 25% off the ticket price. They are also asking for donations -to pay the way for other fathers to attend, and exhibitor booths are still available. Visit Latinodad.co for more details! 

Michelle Olvera is the founder of LatinoDad.co a culturally-relevant, trusted source and digital media platform for Latino fathers that seeks to provide support to modern dad’s.

The idea for this platform started when Michelle realized that the Latinx/multicultural father was not being addressed at-all, especially the younger millennial father. She told us,

"Somehow the GQs, Esquires don’t cut it after you become a father, right? There is a lack of ‘modern’ parental resources that speak to Latino men/fathers. I did my due diligence, found an underserved market gap, surveyed about 50 fathers on their pains, problems and wishes, then built the minimum viable product platform myself using a simple Wordpress theme and my own design, technical skills and knowledge of lean startup application. It’s not perfect yet LatinoDad.co a parental resource and content platform was born and has been well-received so far."

In countless with conversations with young fathers Michelle realized that what they wanted was tips and knowledge on how to adapt fatherhood by breaking away from being generational, traditional father approaches that tend to emphasize a rigid father figure. This is why as part of their launch, they are putting on a first-ever LatinoDad Summit 2017 on September 9th in Los Angeles that will cover topics ranging from race, toxic masculinity to wellness. 

"Men as caregivers are the real game changers in our community.”

Michelle is a serial entrepreneur and this work is closely aligned to her path in life. She believes her mission on this earth is to solve problems in our community. She is also the founder of SupaDaily.com a site that celebrates the individual & collective power of Latinas and multicultural women as feminists & culture makers. They cover politics via commentary and journalism, race/identity, pop culture and personal ‘brown girl’ narratives from influential writers, to help readers make sense of the world around them. She believes that we cannot change conditions for women without including men and their role in the conversation. 

“if I can change hearts and minds through the power of storytelling, mind shifting content products and user experience - then I found the problem I was meant to solve.”

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One of Michelle’s main motivations is being a SuperTia to three Latino nephews. She helped raise two nephews, now young men 18 and 20 years old. She is now, helping to raise Joshua, the youngest at 8 months old. I have a small immediate family - so the nephews are the next generation - all boys!

She believes many factors indicate that the timing is here for LatinoDad.co. First, from a marketing perspective Latino male spending is increasing as dads become more hands on in their role as caregivers. She also alludes to an important crisis of masculinity. She explained:

 “Globally, there is a crisis of violence, manhood, gender politics - a renewed feminist movement for gender equality has triggered more men into growing in their capacity to support women, but there is still a lot of work to do with men of color.”   

She is excited about bringing the conversation to “real life" with their first offline event in Los Angeles next month, LatinoDAD Summit 2017. LatinoDad.co wants to give fathers the space to explore offline and online what it means to be a father today and of course, work in synergy with the trusted brands who align with LatinoDad.Co’s mission that want to reach them.

Michelle believes a paradigm shifting happening and that we can move the needle by supporting Latino men as fathers and caregivers to raise the next generation of children with gender quality. She believes if we do that, "we will see more liberation in them and therefore, in us as females." 

We couldn’t agree more!

You can follow the conversation on Latinx fatherhood on social media:

  • Twitter: @joinlatinodad

  • Facebook: LatinoDads

  • Insta: LatinoDad_Media

  • You can sign up for their newsletter

 

SISTER SPOTLIGHT: SARA QUINTANAR, MUSIC WITH SARA

 
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Welcome to our monthly Sister Spotlight! We are excited to share with you the stories of the inspiring women who make up our Super Mama Squad! If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate someone to be featured please email us at info@supermamas.la

Sara Quintanar is the founder of Music with Sara, her mission is to make early childhood music education accessible to more families and educators. She is a bilingual early childhood music educator based in Los Angeles, California. She teaches music in Spanish to hundreds of children each week. She is also a mother of 3 children ages 12,10 and 5. Her family comes from East Los Angeles, and from Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, México. Her husband is from Zacatecas and Jalisco. 

Sara Quintanar started “Music With Sara” after her first child Celia was born. After trying various mommy and me classes around LA, she wanted to have a class with music in Spanish and music parents could really vibe to. So after attending a few, she decided to start “Music With Sara”, bilingual ‘grown up and me’ classes for children. She told us, “I saw a direct need for early childhood music classes AND music in Spanish.”

 
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When her oldest started school at a Dual Language Magnet, Sara started teaching in her classroom. By then she had a broad understanding of how music impacted learning, and how it facilitated learning a second language and improved fluency. A parent, who she now considers a great friend recorded her so the kids could practice, and that recording became her first album “Canciones en español”. She now has 4 albums of music in Spanish. Her latest collection of songs was published by Scholastic for First 5 CA as a bilingual songbook.

“Children learn through whole body activities how to move, make music, follow rhythm patterns, and explore. In my classes children learn to share, make friends, listen, and improvise. I had no idea what a huge impact these classes would have on the families or my own career. “

Currently, she teaches music in pre-schools, Head Start and Childcare Programs, and at the Elementary level. She has published 2 books for children and makes bilingual videos and music for children.

She wants parents to know how each rhyme they learned as a child helped them grow. She told us,“sometimes as parents we forget the simple things our parents and grandparents did for us, like sing those little songs, playing games like “A la riki ran”, or “papas papas para mamá” These are so important to a developing brain.”

In fact, she shared that children who enter kindergarten knowing at least 5 rhymes tend to have higher literacy levels. Those rhymes connect our children to their traditions and culture and are their first forms of storytelling. They build a child’s vocabulary and creativity.

Music has now become a family affair. Her children have been learning music along the way and her daughters play Latin Percussion. Her oldest learned to play violin, guitar, and drums but now plays mostly clarinet and vibraphone. She believes learning to play music is like learning a language. She shared, "It just takes practice but anyone can do it!"

While entrepreneurship found her, now she is grateful for the opportunity to know that she didn’t have to follow someone else’s footsteps. “My parents worked pretty much in the same jobs for their entire working careers. I look up to them. They showed me what it was to have a very strong work ethic and to work hard. But I wasn’t always that good at following rules, so doing my own thing suits me.” She wants to share with others now that you can make your own way too. She was candid in sharing that is still trying to figure things out too.

Since she is musician we asked her about her musical inspirations. Her favorites include René Colato Lainez, a children’s author from El Salvador that has inspired her to continue to create while continuing to teach. Other influences have been José Luis Orozco, whose music has been so influential in the world of bilingual music for kids, and Ella Jenkins. More than anything she is continually inspired by the children she teaches. “They push me to do better, be funnier, and keep going,” she added.  

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Sara is not done maximizing her impact! She is hoping to reach more people by creating more content and working with parents and teachers. She wants to empower parents and educators too.

“We ARE creating the future based on how we treat children in our society. So we have to give them our best.”

As her business has expanded Sara has also expanded her giving. In the Fall, Music With Sara classes will be part of family activities at Ascensia in Glendale, which offers transitional housing and homeless services. 

You can connect with Sara online and on her website. 

  • @musicwithsara – instagram

  • @itsmusictime – Twitter

  • facebook.com/musicwithsara

  • Musicwithsara.com

Thank you for sharing your story with us! 

How To Get Stuff Done As A New Mom

 
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Life after a newborn can be filled with beautiful moments, and endless hours of taking in that new baby smell. But it also means learning a whole new way to balance our time.

We’ve often wondered what we used to do with our time before kids!

This week’s guest Rachel Gomez talked to us about how she managed to keep her business going after having a baby! She told us how she would work when the baby sleeps! She said,“You’ll be surprised how much you can get done during those one-hour spaces.”  

We know that staying active is another way to keep our brains sharp and focused, we still remember our previous guest Ana Guerrero’s tip, “I wake up early to work out. I teach a spin class at 5:30AM. If you get it done before the day starts you won’t have to worry about fitting it into your day.”

Here’a few things we recommend to make some time in your day:

Take In Inventory of Your Day: Often we will say that we don’t have time for something. But sometimes what it means is that we aren’t making it a priority. Think about how much time you spend scrolling social media or other ways in which you spend your time on things that are not of highest priority. It is definitely harder to get things done after a child but you can always carve out pockets if you set goals about what you want to prioritize. Don’t fixate on the limitations on your time but on how you can maximize 10 minute intervals.

Make “Me” Time A Part of Your Routine: Whether it’s waking up early or having time for yourself after the kids are asleep make time to decompress a part of your life. You’ll be surprised how much more you can accomplish if you give yourself time to refuel and be more relaxed. You can also use this time to nurture your next big idea!

Spend Time With Friends In a New Way: Another thing we like is the idea of having phone dates with friends if you need a session to vent, laugh or cry. (All normal emotions after having a baby). Just because you can’t meet for happy-hour like you used to ,doesn’t mean you can’t foster your friendships. These friendships are important for your mental health and will keep you emotionally strong for your kids and your life.

Encourage Your Kids to Play Independently: We are big proponents of teaching kids to play on their own and foster their imaginations. Recently, we talked about creating spaces for our kids to play. Paulina even created a space for the girls to play “dress up.”

Say No To Mom Guilt: One of the biggest reasons why we have a hard time getting things done after a baby is that we feel guilty to carve out time for ourselves or things we are passionate about. We believe that children are happy when mom is happy so our biggest tip is to always make time to keep your dreams going!

 

 

SISTER SPOTLIGHT: SONIA SMITH-KANG, MIXED UP CLOTHING

 

Sonia Smith-Kang is the founder of Mixed Up Clothing a line for kids that aims to build friendships through fabrics. They encourage the exploration of culture and family through fabrics from around the World! Her mission is to showcase and celebrate cultural diversity.

Her clothing has been seen on the Today show, The Real, NPR, Huff Post and the clothes have been worn by celeb children including Modern Family’s Lily, Zoey from The Little Couple, Tia and Tamera’s little ones and many others.”

Sonia was born to an Afican-American father, and Mexican-American mother in Puerto Rico, and spent much of her childhood in Hawaii.

The idea for her business stemmed from her own mixed-race background and her multicultural family. Her husband is Korean-American and together they have 4 children (2 boys & 2 girls) ages 9,11,18 and 25. She told us about how her clothing line started. 

“Clothes struck an emotional chord with people. There was a need for them to have a piece of their culture that they could wear daily and not just during cultural ceremonies or special occasions. They wanted to represent who they were in a mainstream way but didn’t know how?

She told us that she thinks of her kids as “mini global citizens” because they represent the changing face of America.

 

“We teach them that just like being ambidextrous is using both hands, they can be ambi-cultural in that they can straddle all of their cultures without having to assimilate or lose out on any one culture.”

Her children are being taught children English, Korean and Spanish. They eat all foods and listen to diverse music. They code switch like champs and they understand the benefits of being multi-cultural.

But her life could have gone a very different way. She went to the University of San Francisco and became a critical care registered nurse. Even then she used her multicultural background to become an RN that brought a holistic, cultural and family-centered philosophy to nursing and she made sure she took patients and their caregivers’ religion and cultural needs into account while patients were in her unit. For instance, she would move hospital beds toward Mecca, have prayer rugs available, bring in Chaplains, have translators on hand all in hopes of improving the family’s stay, "which (hopefully) in turn helped the patient get better care." 

Being a RN was stressful and a hobby was encouraged for self-care. This is how she started first sewing clothes for her children finding ethnic fabrics sourced from around the world that represented their cultures.Then she started mixing and matching prints and silhouettes in a fun way that would have folks stopping her on the streets to ask what culture was represented on the fabric and where they could buy the clothes.

She noticed that in their exchanges people loved sharing their cultural stories as well. She was fascinated listening to them and learning about other cultures.

She was also building friendships and using the clothing as a vehicle to teach about culture and diversity through the fabrics. It was a comfortable way to discuss topics that can be difficult to talk about, especially in our current climate.

Then the proverbial light bulb went off!

After 15 years as a RN, she took a leap of faith, resigned from nursing, borrowed and took out her savings, took an entrepreneurial business class, got all the necessary licenses and permits, made a payment on a downtown LA studio, sourced fabric and contractors to help get my clothes from idea to distribution and voilà, Mixed Up Clothing was born.

Her children are her motivation each day. She herself struggled with my identity and grew up feeling that she wasn’t Black enough, Latina enough or American enough.

She promised herself then that her children (and multicultural children like them) would not have the same experience. She works hard everyday to dispel the cultural myths and breakdown the barriers that prevent inclusion.

Her kids are not only her motivation; they help her package, sort, take inventory, and ship each clothing season. They make public appearances with her too!

“It’s all hands on deck and they know that they may not always want to but family jumps in and we are there to help each other succeed. It’s a family thing!”

But her greatest success was leaving the comforts of a regular career as a RN in exchange for one that is unknown and she considers herself a small business owner living her dream.

Being an entrepreneur has allowed her to be the mama, wife, daughter, amiga, granddaughter, sister, tia, nina, etc. she wants to be.

With so many projects and things to keep track of she plans her day the night before so that when she starts the morning after morning kid/school drop-offs, she can just hop on the treadmill without wasting time looking over my calendar. While on the treadmill she listen to the news and read emails that have come in overnight and looks over social media accounts and puts out fires as needed.

But behind every great woman is another great woman! She counts her mom as one of her greatest inspiration. And her abuelos who taught her about her “Mexican cultura.” and to respect everyone whether they are a CEO or anyone else.

One of her tips is to “culture-proof” a home is by having toys/dolls/books/movies that LOOK like your kids and reflect their reality.

She lives and breathes diversity in her numerous projects aside from Mixed-Up Clothing that include: MultiCulti Corner: a community group that explores the ethnic enclaves here in Los Angeles to bring cultural awareness to children, Mixed Heritage Day: which a day (9/23/17) where she partners with the LA Dodgers to celebrate those of mixed heritage, in interracial relationships, or are transracially adopted.  This is a day of community and celebration held at Dodger Stadium. She also volunteers as Vice President of a non-profit organization called Multiracial Americans of Southern California (MASC). It is a 501c3 that advocates and educates for the multiracial community.

“I wanted to be the change that I wanted from this world.I needed to be a part of it. So I jumped without a parachute.”

Her commitment to shedding light on multiculturalism has led her to contribute to major websites like Babble, Huff Post, Medium, Mash Up Americans and The Mixed Up Blog and as a multicultural expert who has spoken on different panels about race and identity around the country. She also still uses her medical knowledge as an advisor to a non-profit organization called Mixed Marrow which helps encourage and sign up more bone marrow donors or color and multiracial heritage to become donors on the bone marrow registry.

We are in awe of Sonia and all that she is doing to create a better world for all children. You find her clothing on her website, www.mixedupclothing.com and on Amazon. You can learn more about Mixed Heritage Day on her site.

You find her on social media @mixedupclothing.

 

Scoring Goals with McDonalds

 

This week, us and a couple of super mamas had the pleasure of taking our kids to the McDonalds Soccer Clinic at the StubHub Center to practice their skills before the 2017 International Champion Cup between Manchester City and Real Madrid. The experience is one we will always remember.

As we arrived, we were surprised with two things: the coolest and cutest McDonalds soccer uniforms and the one and ONLY Ronald McDonald. Luckily, the kids had the opportunity to practice with him before the event started. 

To kick off the event, Ronald gathered us up and introduced the official soccer coaches and emcee of the day, Piolin (who need no introduction). Then the fun began!

The kids were divided into different teams, each with their own soccer coach. Max (@nardasarit), Krista, Sabina, Eduardo, Benny (@mommyinlosangeles), Xavier(@scillasticks) and Ji (@lamamacitablog) eagerly waited their turn to kick the ball. While the handsome little Kai (@thepennycloset) cheered from the sidelines with his mama. On right field,  Alexander (@pattyrodriguez), Mia (@ themotheroverload), Nia and Knox(@momdutyblog) scored some serious goals

As the session went on, we noticed a huge group of kids gathered around someone in the distance. It was non-other than the legend himself, Jared Borgetti! Everyone was freaking out (especially the husbands). Seriously. He’s a huge deal! Paulina’s husband can tell you every single detail of his famous goal against Italy in the 2002 World Cup. Basically, every major soccer fan knows who Borgetti is.

Borgetti visited every team and made the effort to interact with every single child on the field. He encouraged them to be brave and gave them confidence to go for the goal. Borgetti and Piolin were the best goalkeeper and coach any child could ask for, the perfect dynamic duo. 

Not only did the soccer clinic give our kids the opportunity to play outside, but also a once-in-a-lifetime experience to practice with a world-renowned player and further connect with a sport that plays a major role in their culture. Thank you for the amazing experience, McDonalds! Now, it’s time for us to get ready for the ICC game tonight at the Los Angeles Coliseum!  Who are you guys rooting for?

 

Paulina's Must-Have Pregnancy Products

 

By: Paulina Lopez-Velazquez

Pregnancy comes with many wonderful things, but let’s face it, not everything is great, we all go through different weird changes in our body, for me it has been the same in all three pregnancies:  Skin issues, swollenness, and breathing problems.  By now I have a pretty set routine down to tackle each issue and a few products that are my Must Haves that I wanted to share with you if you are having the same issues! Hopefully you find something useful for you. Ok here we go!  

Skin Issues:

Itching much?  This has been a constant issue with every pregnancy, and it kills me! Towards the end of the day I just simply cannot stand my breasts, this is the area it hits the most as well as my thighs.   I try to avoid scratching as much as I can but I have woken up with marks all over my breasts because I do it over night without noticing.  The only thing that has worked for me is the Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Soothing Oil, I have used it since the first pregnancy and it’s a life saver for me! as soon as I found out I was pregnant I ordered it right away, I apply it through the day on my breast and my belly or as soon as I feel the itch start, it’s very soothing and it helps me with the scratching, plus it also helps avoiding major stretch marks. Whenever I run out I have also used some natural coconut oil, soothes me but the soothing oil works better for my skin.

Let’s talk Stretchmarks! Ever since I was young I had lots of weight issues (that’s a whole other blog post I should write about later) so my weight was up and down a lot from a very young age which caused some stretchmarks on my butt (can I say butt? Haha) So, since my first pregnancy I have been very mindful of taking care of my skin, I tried different things but my favorite so far is the Bio-Oil.  I am very happy to report that I have almost no additional stretchmarks from pregnancy, plus applying it on my skin gives me such a relief and It feels good! My only advise would be to put it at night right before going to bed because it might rub off on your clothes depending on the fabric.

My skin is cracking! And not in a good way, mainly my feet due to the swelling and since I have been pregnant over the summer I tend to use lots of sandals.  This has been the biggest struggle, I mean who wants to see some cracked up dry feet? Not cute, right? Well, this time around I found the perfect solution! I have tried over 8 different types of foot creams (seriously!) and none have worked better than the O’Keeffes Healthy Feet, I apply this cream daily in the morning and at night and my feet are looking and feeling great (ok, except for the swelling) I will definitely continue to use this cream beyond my pregnancy to keep my feet smooth.  They also have a Working Hands cream that my husband has been using for his psoriasis and that one is just as great! 

Swelling and Sleeping

Let’s move on to swelling, which has been the biggest struggle for me, I mean I am now only wearing size 11 man sandals! I mean I’m only 5’4 so that’s a bit huge for me.  My feet start kind of normal (haha) but as the day progresses my feet just keep getting bigger and bigger, my biggest tips are taking lots of water, putting your feet up as much as you can (but when you have multiple children, a job, a home and a husband, how much can you do this, really?) And what has worked wonders for me is the Epson Salt, if I don’t have a whole lot of time to sit on the tub, I simply put ½ cup in a container with warm water and I put my feet there for 20 minutes, maybe while checking my phone, or catching up on some reading (multitasking at its finest) at the end of the day, I found some that have lavender added to them, so that also helps me relax and have a good night sleep.  You can find different ones on your favorite stores!

And talking about sleeping, I am now in the third trimester and sleeping is starting to be a challenge, I bought a nursing pillow recently which has made my nights SO much more comfortable but it does take a big chunk of space and my husband refers to it as “the barrier between us” so, sometimes I opt for using the regular pillows which still make me feel very comfortable.  However, my main problem is that when I lay down my nose gets really congested and it gets hard to breath. This causes me to breathe through my mouth overnight which at the same time causes mouth dryness, thirstiness and makes me wake up constantly and not get enough sleep, a never-ending circle that I had to end! Luckily I found the life changing essential oils, they have made a HUGE difference for me, I use the Doterra brand and add a few drops of lavender, peppermint and the Breath blend to my diffuser every night.  What a difference! I have been able to sleep with no problems ever since, I am able to breath and relax and just get a much better night sleep waking up in a much better mood! I carry the breath blend with me and I breath it through the day which has helped me with the daily congestion as well.  I have personally found so many benefits to using oils during pregnancy I would totally recommend for you to do some research and see if you can apply it to any particular problems you might be experiencing .

 

I know a lot of us experience a lot of different crazy side effects during pregnancy and I can only speak from my personal experience but I hope that if you are going through a similar experience as me you can find this products to helpful! 

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and share with me some of your own favorite products! I always like to hear and try new things.  Hang in there Mama! This is only temporary and by the time your baby arrives this will all be nothing but a blur.  

Love, Paulina

 

 

5 Birthing Methods You Should Know About

 

If you are an expectant mother it can be overwhelming to sort through the numerous birth options available to you. Below you will find a few of the options and methods available!

We are strong advocates of women taking charge of their births in consultation with their health care providers, midwives and doulas. 

Read on to learn more! 

Bradley Method:This is a 12 week course in which expectant parents learn how to give birth without the use of epidurals and with minimal interventions. A doula or midwife will normally deliver the classes, and create a plan for you. This method focuses on the wellness of the mother, baby and partner. Please note these classes should begin around your 5th month of pregnancy. Learn more here.

Hypnotherapy Method: As the name implies, this method teaches mothers a form of self-hypnosis that reduces pain and stress during labor. Think of it as meditating through labor. It helps mothers learn how to reduce anxiety in your mind and your body and how to get through painful contractions. Learn more here.

Lamaze Method: This method was commonly taught by hospitals and includes pain management techniques as well as breathing and relaxation methods to help women during delivery. The Lamaze approach and birth classes aim to“increase women’s confidence in their ability to give birth.” Lamaze classes also provide information about unmedicated and medicated births. Learn more here.  

Water Birth: Water births are known as the “gentlest of births.” Mom’s are immersed in water during delivery. This environment replicates what babies experience in utero. The warm water also helps moms manage pain. However, Parents Magazine cautioned that “if your baby is breech, if you've been diagnosed with excessive bleeding or maternal infection, if you're having multiples, or if preterm labor is expected, you'll have to discuss with your healthcare provider whether you're a candidate for a water birth.” While not many hospitals offer the use tubs, you can find a birthing center, or rent one for use in your own home. Learn more here.

Home Birth: This method allows you to deliver your baby in the comfort of your home with midwives and doulas on-site to support you. Home births are mostly recommended for women with low-risk healthy pregnancies. Decide if this plan is for you only after consulting with medical professionals, midwives and discuss it with your partner too! Learn more here. An alternative option is to use a birthing center that has a homelike environment.

For more discussion on this topic check out these episodes that focus on birth and delivery.

Labor and delivery are joyous occasions for families. However you choose to experience them, you should feel supported and respected! Don’t be afraid to speak out and assemble a team that makes you feel empowered!

Happy Labor Day!

 

HOW TO TEACH YOUR CHILD TO NAVIGATE DIFFICULT EMOTIONS

 

This week on the show our guest Lesley Yadon, talked to us about how meditation and mindfulness can be great tools to become more calm and peaceful mothers. But mindfulness isn't just for adults. Mindfulness is a skill you can start teaching kids from a young age to help them develop resilience and the ability to deal with their emotions. But it can be hard to know where to start. Which is why are so excited to share an amazing resource that can help you.

Stop, Breathe and Think is a mindful games app designed specifically for children ages 5 - 10. With this app kids can check in to how they are feeling using fun emojis and try recommended mindful missions tuned to those emotions. Stickers reward their progress and keep the activities engaging.

 

Mindfulness and meditation are tools to help children better deal with the variety of emotions they experience. It develops coping mechanisms and strengthens their emotional intelligence, which helps them avoid being overwhelmed by their emotions.

.The app was created by two moms, Julie Campiston and Jamie Price who wanted to address what they feel is an "emotional crisis with younger generations."

"Stress and anxiety are on the rise, and are more prevalent with 18-34 year olds than any other generation. Suicide is the #2 cause of death for that age group. "

They are big advocates of having an "emotional wellness hygiene" and taking 5 minutes to Stop, Breathe & Think. They are excited to extend their mission to younger kids.

The meditations and mindful missions in Stop, Breathe & Think Kids were developed in collaboration with activity-based mindfulness expert Susan Kaiser Greenland, creator of the Inner Kids program and author of Mindful Games and The Mindful Child.

STOP, BREATHE & THINK KIDS FEATURES:

  • Meditation & mindfulness for kids:

  • 15 free mindful activities for every situation

  • Fun video animations

  • Stickers to reward progress

Julie and Jamie have the following tip to create an emotional hygiene routine. 

"Pick a time in the day, like right when you wake up or at bedtime, when you take a few minutes to Stop, Breathe & Think. It helps create a positive routine for the whole family and integrate mindfulness in your daily life. "

The app is super interactive and includes mindful missions to deal with common emotions like: sleep, over excitement, stress & worry, disappointment & sadness, caring & connecting.

"We want to raise our kids to be able to handle whatever comes their way. Whether they need to mellow out before bed, develop positive relationships or simply have a peaceful moment, Stop, Breathe & Think Kids offers children a fun and easy way to identify and process their emotions.

From counting breaths to friendly wishes or frog jumps, each activity brings fun rewards to keep them engaged. The activities in the app are a great way for grown ups to spend time with their children and create a positive daily routine.

Jamie and Julie are both mothers themselves and hope to inspire other moms to know, "they can take on risky and demanding adventures like founding a startup." 

They are both excited that they have had overwhelming support for their venture and even won the People’s Voice Webby Award for Best Health App this year.

Keeping true to their vision for a more peaceful world they donate 10 percent of their proceeds to a non-profit. 

We are happy to highlight them and their mission to lead a mindfulness revolution that will result in happier kids and moms! 

Learn more about them by visiting their site. You can also download the app! 

You can also follow them on Instagram. @SBTbreathe

 

 

 

 

Tips to Overcome Obstacles & Reach Your Goals

This week our guest Cristela Alonzo the voice of Cruz Ramirez in Cars 3 gave us valuable insights on how to overcome obstacles. We’ve been feeling so inspired after the movie that we wanted to share some tips that previous guests have shared with us about how to push through and make your dreams come true, and how to deal with setbacks and sorrow.

  • Deal with bullies by proving them wrong. Cristela tells a powerful story of how she dealt with her high school bully. Don’t forget that success is the best revenge. Keep focused on what you want.  

  • Be Grateful Everyday. Even when things are very difficult you can always find something to be grateful for. Our guest Mary Carrillo taught us valuable lessons on how she has found gratitude in the midst of losing her son to cancer. You can listen to that episode here.

  • Understand the some people will not be supportive of your dreams. Accept that it has nothing to do with you and more to do with them and where they are in their life and mindset. Cristela also shared that is how she deal with online bullies or people who weren’t supportive of her pursuing a career in the entertainment industry.

  • Surround Yourself With Positive People. The people who you surround yourself will play a tremendous role in the person you become. Tony Robbins who we love often talks about how your group informs the expectations and beliefs you have about yourself. Check out our experience with him here.  

  • Understand that Mistakes Are Normal. It’s ok to not know everything all the time. Don’t pressure yourself to be perfect. If you talk bad about yourself to yourself then you will start to believe it. Forgive yourself for having a bad day. If you know someone who has a resources or information that can help you don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many of our Super Mamas Guests have shared with us how their biggest projects began with them making mistakes and building things as they went along. Beatriz Acevedo from Mi Tu, was a perfect example. Check out her episode here.

  • Choose Happiness Everyday. Jacqui Saldana of Baby Boy Bakery shared with us all about how she has learned to choose happiness after losing her son. It doesn’t mean she doesn’t have grief or sadness but she tries not to let that overpower every element of her life.

There you have it! Tell us a piece of advice that has helped you overcome obstacles or difficult times in your life!

CARS 3: If you want to Dream, DO IT! I will be there for you

 

By: Paulina Lopez @iampaulinalopez

Today was the official release of Cars 3, the latest addition to the Cars Franchise. I have enjoyed and loved all the Cars movies, but this one is by far my favorite!  It may be the fact that this time around there is such a strong female presence in the film. As a #Super Mama of two girls and a third one on the way, I was so happy to see a character that doesn’t have to be a princess, and that proves that with hard work and dedication you can accomplish anything you desire even in an environment that is considered “only for boys”, just as Cristela Alonzo has done.

The movie is still based on our beloved Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson), and we see all the familiar characters from the previous films, but it’s amazing to see how they came out with a whole new story, a new perspective according to the “stage of life” he is going through.  That means that if your kids still haven’t seen the previous movies, they will understand and love the story just the same.  This time around we see McQueen struggling with the fact that he might no longer be the king of the race tracks, as a new generation of “younger” more advanced and modern race cars like Jackson Storm (Armie Hammer) are ready to take his place. After a devastating accident, he is faced with the tough decision of giving up or proving himself once again to his fans. 

The movie takes us along on his journey as he decides to get his throne back, but we learn many lessons along the way, like the fact that a relationship between a boy and a girl doesn’t necessarily have to become romantic.  Cruz meets McQueen’s at the super modern and technologically advanced Rust-eze Racing Center, where she is assigned as his trainer. At the beginning he resists her,  but they eventually become friends and each other’s support and inspiration on the tracks.  While trying to find his way back, Mcqueen reflects on the ones that have come behind him, his teachers and mentors, and he knows that without their knowledge and advice he wouldn’t have gotten as far as he did

In the movie, we also see a hard reality that we confront every day, where women must work extra hard to prove themselves in a male dominant environment and though at times she doubts herself, Cruz finds out who she is meant to be and becomes an inspiration for McQueen himself.

Cruz Ramirez ends up showcasing her skills leaving everyone around astonished, including those of us watching the movie, I know I was surprised because I was not expecting this ending at all! It’s a huge deal for girls all over and for the Latino community that Pixar made Cruz Ramirez such an important part of this story. She's had a life long dream, and we learn that Dreaming might be uncomfortable to outsiders, but its something that we should all do! As parents it is important to know that we HAVE to support our children's dreams even if at times they sound crazy, because being there for them is the one thing they should alway count on.  

 

This is a movie you don’t want to miss, look for the nearest theater and check it out!

If you want to read a more about the people behind the movie, read the Movie Junket piece I wrote and check out this super cool trailer featuring Cruz and McQueen! 

 

SISTER SPOLIGHT: CARMEN LOPEZ, CURRENT BOUTIQUE

 

Welcome to our monthly Sister Spotlight! We are excited to share with you the stories of the inspiring women who make up our Super Mama Squad! If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate someone to be featured please email us at info@supermamas.la

Current Boutique, is a shop for fashionistas with an eye for vintage gems.

Carmen Lopez founded her shop in 2007 with the notion that the modern woman’s busy life needs a revolving wardrobe that can keep up with that schedule. It began with her own love of designer pieces, that kept her fashionable, current and on trend. She also had a thirst for recycling her pre-loved designer gems.

Current Boutique operates by accepting lightly used women’s clothing, bags, shoes, jewelry and other accessories from people who want to sell. They take pieces they they can sell in stores and online and then split the proceeds with the seller if its purchased. But soon after starting the business she noticed that this could be something bigger! 

Current Boutique is known for innovative events and for making connections. They collaborate with the hottest influencers, up-and-coming fashionistas and style-novices alike. We browsed her site and instantly found some Vintage Valentino and Jimmy Choo we would love for our closets. (Wink, Wink) 

She soon saw an opportunity to develop a community for fashion lovers!

My goals was to create A community where women could bring their pre-loved designer gems and recycle them into, new-to-them designer outfits.

She started the business by pulling together her entire life's saving and investing it into her business. There were skeptics but she believed so firmly in her idea that she signed a ten-year lease on her first store in Alexandria, Virginia. Her business now generates million dollar profits each year and boasts thousands of devout sellers and buyers. 

She is also the mother of a 14 month old daughter, Annie who is named after her mom.  She told us that her husband and family are a tremendous support system, "I have a wonderful father who is the greatest babysitter on the planet and two older brothers who have always looked out for me.  Oh yes, don’t forget my nieces, nephew, aunts, uncles and my cousins (LOTS of cousins!). " Her husband also runs the business with her. 

 “My family is the heart of everything I do and I love them all.”

 One of the things she likes about being an entrepreneur is that she gets to create her own schedule and spend her mornings with her daughter Annie and she couldn’t image starting her day without the quality time they share.

 “I get to work with a sense of determination – knowing I need to work hard every day to keep the life that I’ve grown to love.”

 She is proud of  launching our e-commerce site and challenging herself to venture out of her comfort zone.  She told us that “moving into the online space was a whole different animal. I surrounded myself with great people that new the industry.  All I had to do was teach them about what made Current Boutique great.  From there, we built an amazing online experience.  It was my biggest challenge but my greatest reward!”

 She has been an entrepreneur since she was 28 years old and she likes that everyday is like an adventure.  

 “I am betting on myself and my team to get things done every day to keep the ball rolling and making new discoveries and improving processes as we go along"

 We asked her about her secret weapon and she noted that she can’t live without exercise.  

“Stamina is important for running your own business and chasing your little one - staying in shape is key.”  She also enjoy reading books about professional development. Her favorites are, “How to Win Friends and Influence People” and “No Thanks, I’m Just Looking.”

We love that through her business she is also creating a more sustainable world. For over ten years, they have donated tons of clothes! They also donate to Suited for Change, a DC based charity that helps women in need of professional attire, mentoring, and job-readiness education.

They are also working on a functionality that allows consignors to donate a portion of their earnings to charities.  

Style with a conscience at the click of our fingers? We love it!

Learn more about Carmen and her boutique by visiting their social media @current_boutique or their website:www.currentboutique.com

 

Cristela Alonzo: Racing through boundaries

 

By: Paulina Lopez-Velazquez @iampaulinalopez

This past weekend I was lucky enough to meet and hear directly from the talent behind the new Cars 3 Movie hitting theaters this weekend.  It was my first time attending a press junket and I really didn’t know what to expect, but I must say that I left feeling more connected and in love with the story.   Plus, I’m not going to lie, I was totally fanning over Owen Wilson, the super-hot Armie Hammer, Kerry Washington (eeek!) and of course, our girl Cristela Alonzo!

 

I have been a fan of both the Cars franchise and Cristela Alonzo for a long time now, so when I found out she would be involved in Cars 3 I was beyond excited.  Excited to see the movie, excited for her, excited for the Latino community and now I can say that I am excited for the generation of girls (including my girls) that will be watching and getting inspired by her character “Cruz Ramirez”.

Photo by: @iampaulinalopez

Photo by: @iampaulinalopez

If you know a little bit about Cristela you know she is not shy talking about her background, her humble upbringing and the fact that she grew up as she says, “poor without knowing it.” In fact, she is very outspoken about it in all her mediums. She has always been a face and a voice for the Latino community and we are all very proud of her accomplishments because she is an example of perseverance, hard work, of breaking barriers and fighting against stereotypes.  And Cruz Ramirez is just that, the perfect reflection of Cristela.  A female succeeding in an environment where all odds are against her, even her own doubts and insecurities.

 

The director, Brian Fee, told us that he wanted to deliver this message to his daughters through the story, “Never be afraid to try something.” He explained that there are a lot of things that are treated as “only for boys or only for girls” and he wanted to be very intentional about breaking that stereotype. There are quite a few female characters within the movie that manage to accomplish this.  Watch for Miss Fritter, voice by Lea DeLaria, you will love her! 

Photo by: Victoria Infante

Photo by: Victoria Infante

I do have to say that this movie is not gender targeted, and this is what I find most fascinating.  Kerry Washington another female powerhouse (voice of Natalie Certain) pointed out that the movie manages to empower you beyond gender and beyond color. I agree with her, Cars 3 does not refer to gender but skill, it’s about the best person for the job doing the best they can. It’s about inclusivity, perseverance, learning from the ones that came before us, the ones that inspire us, honoring them and passing on that knowledge. We see that in the relationship that blooms between Lightning McQueen and Cruz Ramirez

 

When Cristela was asked, who inspires her, she immediately said “My mom. She managed to give us a good life regardless of the circumstances around us…” She also mentioned her teachers, who pushed her out of her comfort zone and who told her, “If you want to dream, do it!”  I believe that a lot of our kids, particularly our girls, will identify with Cruz Ramirez, I know my girls already do and that makes me very excited. It is not every day that we see a Latina playing a big role on the big screen. It is not very often they see themselves in a movie character. I applaud Pixar for the great job they are doing including minorities into more main characters within their projects, and most importantly for not falling into stereotypes. 

Change is happening and as parents we must teach our children that they should trust their instincts, believe in themselves and follow their dreams. Cristela said something very important, “Tell kids that they matter, that it is possible to have a dream.”

Make sure you watch Cars 3 when it hits theaters June 16th, I know you will love the movie just as much as I did! 

 

5 Ways to Support A Mother After A Loss

5.Ways.06.09.10.f.jpg
 

When someone we love has suffered a loss it can be hard to find the right words to say, and it can be difficult to know how to behave. The loss of a child or a miscarriage can be particularly devastating to mothers. 

We put together a list of some ways you can support those you love when they are faced with this tragedy. Thank you to our previous guests for all their wisdom and advice on this emotional topic. 

1. Be There and Let Them Know You Are Thinking About Them- We can sometimes instinctively shy away from people during this time but sometimes being there in the immediate aftermath can be helpful. Gabrielle Kauffman has decades of experience supporting women after a loss and she suggests that you are there for your loved one and keep them company. She also suggests that you make sure and say, "I am here if you want me to be but I won't be offended if you want me to leave." Leave the door open for them to decide how they want to grieve. 

2. Remember that Grief Doesn't Have An Expiration Date- Once the first weeks have passed remember that your loved one is still grieving. Former guest Mary Carrillo who lost her son to cancer in 2014, told us that she appreciates those who will send her Mother's Day messages even if it is just a simple, "Thinking of you today." Make sure you show your love and appreciation and follow your person's lead. Often, we think that people don't want to discuss the topic but in fact, they may love to keep their child's memory alive. Again, follow their cues. Check in with them after the initial loss when it is more likely other friends and family will be around. An idea we like, is to send flowers or a simple card on the birthday of their loved one with a simple, "Thinking of you" message. 

3. Sometimes Less Is More- Gabrielle. also cautions about saying things that you think you should say but that are especially hurtful to mothers. She advises against saying things like, "Everything happens for a reason" or "God wanted it this way." While these might be your personal beliefs and the mother might eventually develop her own clarity around the loss, in the immediate aftermath these words do not honor the pain the mother feels.  If a mother suffered a miscarriage or still-birth, refrain from saying things like, "Don't worry you can get pregnant again." Instead assure her this was not her fault. Hold space for the mother and her grief, do not try to minimize it or shame her for feeling sad. If you don't have the words, it's ok to to say, "I don't know what to say, but I am here for you."

4. Offer to Help In Any Way You Can- Another suggestion if you can't physically be there is to send food, offer to get their groceries or help with errands in some way. They might have difficulty carrying on with some basic functions like grocery shopping or preparing food. Particularly, if your friend has other children it can be helpful to offer to help with caregiving. Grieving is physically and emotionally draining so creating a space where they can rest is helpful too. For example, offer to take the kids to the park so she can take a nap or have a hot bubble bath. 

5. Withhold Judgment or Comparison- Maybe you went through a loss and it took you months to smile while your friend is smiling a few weeks after the loss. Understand that everyone is different and that smiling doesn't necessarily mean "they are over it" and we can "move-on." Grief is like a roller coaster and the important thing is to listen more, say less and put yourself aside for the one you love. 

Remember that mothers can experience feelings of grief and loss after a miscarriage, a still-birth, or even due to infertility issues. Be sensitive and tailor your support accordingly. 

If you or someone you know needs helps dealing with a loss here are some groups that can help: 

MissFoundation.org- Peer led support group for mothers who had a loss

Stillbirthday.com- A pregnancy loss is still a birthday

If you or someone you know suspects they are suffering from depression or need someone to talk to after losing a baby please call 1.800.944.4773 or visit postpartum.net

 

 

 

Stop Feeling Sorry for me because I'm having another girl

 
Photo by: @Lilyro_

Photo by: @Lilyro_

By: Paulina Lopez-Velazquez   @iampaulinalopez

 
 

“Aaaaaww its ok, you can always try again”,  “Well, if the baby is healthy I guess it's ok” , “I can imagine how disappointed you must feel” or the worst one I have heard so far “I heard there is a treatment that can change the baby’s sex while still inside of you” Really?!?!?

 

These are some of the many lines I have heard from people when I tell them I’m having a girl for the third time.  Yes, I’m the first one to admit I was thrown off myself when I found out, and so was my husband, but it wasn’t because we didn’t want a girl. It was because long before I got pregnant my husband and I knew for sure next time we would have a baby it would be a boy.  The same way we knew for sure Krista & Sabina would be girls long before we conceived them. I got rid of all Sabina’s baby clothes because I wasn’t going to need them anymore.  I started buying items that were gender neutral so they could all share, and whenever we would see cute baby boy clothes we would get them. We even had a name picked out long before the pregnancy happened! So, from the moment we found out I was pregnant we never really considered the fact that we might have a girl, we immediately started referring to the baby as a him and by the name we had chosen. Even Krista, my oldest would say my baby brother, and that is not something we told her to say. 

 

 You can imagine our surprise when my brother popped up a princess lollypop and not a cars lollypop at our mini gender reveal over lunch at our family restaurant.   It’s a girl!! It took us some time to digest it, and to adjust to the idea.  I was already struggling with the idea of being pregnant at all, and this added to my confusion.  But it didn’t take us long and by the next day we were talking about all the wonderful things about having another girl. Girls stay closer to their parents we said, our grandkids will spend a lot more time with us.  

Photo by: @Lilyro_

Photo by: @Lilyro_

 

I don’t know what it is, I have heard it from Latinos, non-Latinos, man and women the same, but when we started telling people the news, I started getting so many negative comments from strangers, friends and even close family members.  They viewed it as a negative, they assumed we were sad, disappointed and that we would immediately start considering having another baby. We obviously had to keep trying for the boy!  I would say: “No, this is our last baby” and their face would look concerned for us " But you  have to try at least one more time" they would say. At first I thought it would be something occasional but it has been a continuous pattern. 

 

When they told me I should look into changing my baby’s sex within the womb I was baffled, did they really think I would consider something like that?  I went off on them, I tried to lecture them about being a girl nowadays but when someone has those kind of opinions, is there really a point on trying to argue with them?  I started realizing the kind of challenges my girls have even before being born.  A lot of people still view being female as a disadvantage, or an obstacle in their life. I know for a fact this is not the case. I am so thankful my parents never made any distinctions because I was a girl, they raised me without highlighting that fact, and that only encouraged me to prove those people wrong. It only made me happier to bring in another girl into this world. 

Photo by: @iampaulinalopez

Photo by: @iampaulinalopez

 

 My husband and I are determined to educate them, encourage and empower them as much as we possibly can so they can be part of the generation of women who are changing this archaic views.  It inspires me to keep working on myself so that I can be an example for them.  She chose us for a reason, she was meant to be part of our family long before we knew it and I finally know why. So, don’t you dare feel sorry for me, if anything I feel sorry for you, because you will have a very difficult time living in the future my girls will help construct, so get in with the program. And don’t you forget  "Who runs the world?  GIRLS!"

 

Bricia's Beauty Essentials

 

A few weeks ago I posted my nighttime routine on our @_supermamas instastory and so many of you wrote in with questions on all the products I used.  I will admit that when I put all my beauty essential products in one picture, I realized that it may seem a bit overwhelming.  In my defense, I don't use all of them at once.  I pace them out throughout the week, but I do use them all.  

Before I go into my routine, I want to mention that I have dry to normal skin and that I in no way, shape or form a beauty guru. I am a skin care junkie and as a lot of you may already know, a make up one as well.  I try to get facials at least once every 4-6 weeks. I always like to ask questions to my esthetician and have learned a lot from her.  These products listed below I have been using for the past couple of months and can personally vouch for them all. My face washing routine does change up throughout the year and I will list alternative products I use below as well.  Ok, lets get started! 


1. CLEANSE

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  1. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover - I have been using this product for the past 7 years. I have tried others and no other product comes close to this for me. It removes even the toughest water-proof mascara. The only other product I have tested that may be a tad better is Bobby Brown's eye make up remover, but it also costs a lot more, so I just stick to Neutrogena's. If you are a Target shopper, their Up & Up Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover works just as well and is just as amazing. A great tip is to use cotton swabs to cleanse any left over make up residue under the eyes.

  2. Facial Cleansing Oil - I love this particular oil from No-Tox life, in fact I love a lot of their products. I am also a big fan of their deodorant collection. (Both me and my husband use them, I particularly love the grapefruit mango scent). ok, back to the routine, I always begin my night time routine by taking my make up off with a great oil cleanser. Since it's the first thing going on my face, I make sure they are organic and vegan. Also, since my skin can get very dry, this helps. Other oil cleansers I have used and like are DHC Deep Cleansing Oil and Mineral Fusion Cleanser

  3. Gaffer & Child Deep Cleanser - after using the oil cleanser, I follow with a deep cleanser. I am currently using this refreshing Gaffer & Child face cleanser. Other cleansers I love are: Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel Cleanser and Derma E Hydrating Gel Cleanser

  4. Face Wash Clothes- I don't use make up wipes, I instead opt to use terry towels to cleanse my face. I find it that it's the only way for me to make sure all of my make up is total off my skin. Also, I think its better for the environment. I bought 12 from Ikea and wash them regularly with my laundry.

2. MASKS & PEELS

  1. EmergenC's Triple Threat Mask- This is a pricey one, but very much worth it. I have been using it for only a month or so, but my skin thanks me every time I use it and has quickly become a favorite. Also, I only use once a week, so I know it will last me a very long time. I make it point to use it on Sunday nights, this makes it easier for me to remember to use.

  2. IS Clinical Coolmint Revitalizing mask - This mask I use twice a week, generally on Saturday and Wednesday mornings before getting ready for the day. Its a quick hydration boost that never hurts in the morning time. I also always use it to prep my skin if I need to wear event or photo make-up.

3. TREAT 

  1. Resurface Retinol Reform - I heard so many great things from so many beauty bloggers about this, that I decided to give it a try and I am so glad I did. I only use this product 2-3 times a week at night time depending on the amount of sun I anticipate to get the following day. you never want to apply retinol products if you expect to be out in the sun all day. I've used other retinol products before and this one has been the least abrasive on my skin. Also, I only use retinol on the days I don't do peels, or the day's I don't use my IS clinical active Serum.

  2. IS Clinical Active Serum - This I use on the days I don't use Retinol to help prevent any breakouts and help with uneven skin tone. I suggest you apply it with a cotton face pad. Makes a huge difference than applying it with your fingers.

  3. Emergin C Vitamin C Serum- This product I have begun to only use it in the daytime. Helps fight and prevent free-radicals also helps in combating bacteria that causes breakouts and aids in skin texture and tone.

  4. Revitalizing eye gel- I use this eye cream every day both day and night. I must say that I am not a HUGE fan of this particular product. But to be fair, I haven't found an eye cream that I just absolutely love and adore. Maybe I just expect a lot out of an eye serum. Because this product was pricey, I probably won't be buying again but do want to use every last drop before I buy switch to a different brand. Until then, my search for the perfect eye cream will continue. I will keep you all posted on any new finds! Just as an FYI, the reason why I didn't return it was because wanted to give it a fair chance and any cream is better than no cream.

4. HYDRATE & PROTECT

  1. Eminence Herbal Facial Recovery Oil - I absolutely love this stuff. It looks like a small bottle, but all you need are two drops to completely boost your face's hydration. I add a couple of drops to any of my two favorite moisturizers. I also always add a couple of drops to the ends of my hair after curling or when I get out of the shower. This stuff is really amazing if you suffer from dry skin.

  2. IS Clinical Reparative Moisture Emulsion- I use this moisturizer every other day and every time I use it, it feels like my skin drinks a gallon on water. I usually use this on the days I don't wear my retinol, because I don't like to mix the retinol with any other ingredients other than natural ones and really sink into my skin.

  3. Control Corrective Healing Lotion - This is a moisturizer I absolutely love to wear on the nights I use retinol. It's a basic face cream that anyone can wear and should be in every women's beauty arsenal. It's also very affordable.

  4. PIXI Hydrating Milky Mist - This is the first thing I spray on my face when I wake up. Since I don't wash my face in the mornings, just a couple of spritz of this on your face feel so good in the mornings. Always follow with a tall glass of water in the morning

  5. Trish McEvoy SPF 30 Primer - This product I wear every single day, rain or shine. I wear it alone or under my make up. I love it because it serves both as an SPF and as a make up primer. There are a lot of great SPF's in the market that I have used and love as well such as DELTA MD and Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen. I am almost out if this particular tube so I will be switching back my SPF this summer to either Delta or Supergoop!

5. Misc.

  1. Konjac Sponge- I don't have an exfoliator cleanser, but do use a konjac sponge a couple times a week with my face cleanser twice a week for deep cleansing of pores.

  2. Rejuvenate Eye Mask - I use these when traveling or after having a long night. Makes a huge difference. Feels even better when you've kept them cold in the fridge.

  3. Lip Balm - I have so many laying around my house and wear a balm constantly throughout the day. I can't say I have a favorite, but I am currently loving my lip butter from No-tox life in Rose Petals.

Thanks for reading my super long beauty regimen. I hope you find it helpful.  Please hit me up on my Instagram @bricialopez or in the comments below for any questions!

 

 

SISTER SPOTLIGHT: MARILYNN RENTERIA, MADRE TRIBE

 

Welcome to our Sister Spotlight! We are excited to share with you the stories of the inspiring women who make up our Super Mama Squad! If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate someone to be featured please email us at info@supermamas.la

Marilynn is 21 years old and the Founder of Madre Tribe a community where mothers meet, connect, and inspire. Marilynn is a graphic design student at FIDM, a military wife and mother. 

"I am still a work in progress.  But motherhood turned me into the person that I always hoped to be."

Marylinn created the group after the birth of her daughter, April Renesme who is now 14 months old. She explains that, "Loneliness is often a feeling that is felt by first-time mothers, I experienced it first-hand, and I told myself that I did not want anyone else to feel like that."

She wanted to create a group of women, who could stand tall and deal with the challenges of motherhood together. Her mission was to create a safe community for mothers. A place where they could be honest about all aspects of motherhood. Specifically she wanted to talk about the side of motherhood that she feels is often not talked about like: loss, postpartum depression, and other topic that are often,  "thrown under the rug."

Marylinn also wanted to create the antidote to the Instagram version of motherhood, "I want women to stand up strong while accepting that they are not perfect and that there is way more going on behind the pretty photos on Instagram." 

But she wanted to create a space that demonstrated different perspectives about mothers too. This is why she regularly highlights other young, hip mothers on her site.  In her interviews, they talk about everything from dealing with the regular challenges of motherhood, to their favorite song lyrics and foods. 

She hopes that mothers will connect with each other and maybe develop friendships and networks of support. "Social media is amazing and if you use it wisely, you can meet great people," she says. 

Like many members of our sisterhood, she credits her daughter as the reason for her drive and motivation. "This whole project revolves around motherhood and because of her I get to be part of this amazing community."

She also shared with us how her daughter has allowed her to step out of her comfort zone.  

"Motherhood made me strong and emotionally raw. I was always being what others wanted me to be. That all changed once I had my daughter."

In fact, after having daughter she left community college and decided to go after art. She did it to be a strong role model for her daughter.   

We asked her how she starts her mornings. She likes to start with music and fresh air.  Her and her family spend their free time eating ice cream, hanging out with loved ones, or running errands.Her number one book would be: You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero. 

She is currently working on arranging a small get together for the Los Angeles members of her tribe. 

"Motherhood gave me the confidence that I was missing my whole life. I realized I can do anything I want if I set my mind to it."

She is very excited about the future of her site! "I have so many visions and ideas that I want to bring to life and although it feels overwhelming at times, I know that it is possible. I already took the first leap of faith and now it is time to take ten more. "

We wish Marilynn much success in all of her endeavors! We can't wait to attend a Madre Tribe event ourselves! 

Keep up with her and her tribe of cool mom's on social: @madretribe / @marilynncristine

Visit her site: Madre Tribe

 

 

The Super Mamas Social presented by Target was a huge success! We were so thrilled to meet and re-connect with our Super Mama Sisters and their babies at La Plaza de Cultura Y Artes

The event began with a greeting from our fabulous volunteers!

A team of 18 volunteers helped us make this day extra special! They helped us staff the check-in area, and ensured everyone was having a great time! They even wore special buttons that said, "I speak mom." 

Guests then walked through our Super Mamas Marketplace! They were able to shop products many made by other Super Mamas and entrepreneurs! 

There was plenty of fun activities for the kids too! Including an activity corner by Target where kids created a keepsake with a powerful message #stronglikemom. They kids also enjoyed a reading of Roselyn Sanchez and Eric Winters' new book, "Sebi and the Land of Cha Cha Cha," a bubble and tent area and soccer by Super Soccer Stars! 

Meanwhile, moms were pampered by the Northgate Cabana and Target's Beauty Concierge's 

Of course, like any good party the food and drinks were amazing too. Thank you to Todo Verde, Love Swirls, Viva Los Cupcakes, Greenz on Wheelz and Food Truck Stop LA for the delicious eats! I Love Micheladas was a hit with dads, and mom's alike! Everyone got their caffeine fix thanks to Califia Farms. 

Mom's left feeling inspired by our amazing panelists! Hanna Lim, Natalie Alcala, Jacqui Saldana, and Melissa Fumero 

Munchkin dropped by to share with us all about their new and exciting grass-fed baby formula and our mom's walked away with samples too! 

We were excited to share this day with our friends from Northgate! During the event a few lucky mom's received a complimentary make-over and were invited on stage for a special surprise! This was followed an amazing serenade by an all female mariachi! 

Paulina surprised us all with a gender reveal at the end of the event! Surprise! It's a girl. We could not be more excited to bring another girl into our #Momboss tribe! 

 

This event was made possible thanks to all of you, our team and amazing sponsors! Don't forget to save the date for next year May 12th, 20181 

Photos by: Lily Ro Photography