MCM-" MOM CRUSH MONDAY"

                 To the women that inspired us from the beginning, our very first Mom Crush Monday goes to our very own mothers ! Thank you for being an amazing example of what a mother should be and showing us how to live well, laugh hard and make every day an adventure. 

Robin and Grace We LOVE you! 

How to ROCK that Baby Bump @ the Beach! 1.) Sunscreen, Sunscreen and more sunscreen! When you're pregnant its normal for some women to develop blotchy dark spots on their skin, this is called the "mask of pregnancy" (melasma). This will most likely fade a few months after pregnancy, however you still want to protect the skin you're in.  Use a broad-spectrum sunblock which protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays with a minimum of SPF 30. The biggest mistake that people make is not reapplying their sunscreen so make sure you find a way to remember; Set an alarm on your phone if you have to. A big brimmed Sunhat will also help with blocking the sun and it looks adorable on.

2.)Some great sunscreens that I love and are suggested by Doctors at Southern Dermatology: -Elta MD Broad-Spectrum 40 -Neutrogena Pure and Free Liquid Broad Spectrum 50 3.) Sunglasses- protect those eyes from the sun and avoid those wrinkles that can come along with those rays!

4.) Get a bathing suit that you are confident wearing. Do NOT feel like you have to buy a "maternity" bathing suit. Be proud of that baby bump and rock that string bikini if that's what you feel confident wearing, just make sure you find one that holds those girls in ;)! I didn't want to spend a lot of money on something that I was only going to wear a few times; Tar-je and Venus Swimwear have some super cute bikinis that are reasonably priced!

4.) H2O I can not stress how important it is to Hydrate for both mommy and baby especially when you are outside in the sun. I know that just plain water can get really boring so I even make my own lemon mint or lemon basil water and it is DELISH and has great health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties that reduce swelling, antioxidants that can protect from premature aging and it even contains flavonoids, orientin and vicenin which are plant pigments that shield your cell structures from oxygen and radiation damage! Great taste with even better results. I personally suggest pre-making your lemon basil water a few hours before drinking. It really lets the flavor set in!

The Power of the Maxi Dress

The Power of the Maxi Dress

      Many times as moms we sacrifice style for comfort and then the Maxi Dress was invented AHHHHHH. They elongate you, are effortless, comfortable and BONUS you can wear them even after you give birth! You can dress up a maxi dress easily with heels and statement jewelry for instant elegance for a date night or special event.Just make sure that you choose a maxi dress with an empire waist line (which is below the boobs at your smallest point right now).

 You never want a waist line that hits you in the middle of your baby bump because it will not be flattering and will look awkward.  Believe me we know from personal experience.  Whether you are just going to run errands, go to the beach, or go out on a night on the town the maxi dress is a perfect choice for your growing baby bump.  I am a firm believer that the MAXI DRESS is the best clothing investment while preggo in the warmer months! 

Save The Queen!

Dear Dads,

If you haven't noticed we never grow out of wanting to be a princess.  We love to love and be loved.  How you treat your wife is one of the most important things for a child to observe.  If you look at studies this is proven to be true over and over again.  Children learn by example and how you treat your wife is how they will one day treat their significant others.  Fathers are key in shaping future husbands in their sons , and ideal in creating standards for their daughters when searching for their future husband.  Bottomline is the most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.  

                Make your new mommy feel like a Queen by showering her with a Push Present.  Whoever came up with the 'Push Present' idea is amazing and I would like to give them a huge hug and kiss.  For those of you who don't know what a push present is a 'push present' is a type of present that loved ones give to a woman who has recently given birth to a child.

Just a little something to make her feel appreciated and loved for the little miracle (or miracles) that she brought into the world.  Treat the woman in your life as gold Save The Princesses of today and the Queens of our future!

xoxo
Thee Inspired Mommy

"Yoga Your Way Through a Hard Day"

YOGA YOUR WAY THROUGH A HARD DAY.

After an exhausting night of my little dude not feeling well and having an extremely hard time waking up to the groove this morning I decided that I had to do something in order to be alert for my baby.  Instead of gulping a cup of coffee to avoid upsetting little Williams belly since I'm breast feeding, I decided to so some yoga to chill out and boost my energy for the day.  The great thing about yoga is that I can do it right next to baby William while he's sleeping and he doesn't move an inch.  All you need is a yoga video or just go on to YouTube and do a quick search.  I use a yoga mat and blocks in class but don't have my own and am perfectly fine on the carpet.  

Yoga is a gentle and effective way to strengthen your body and because of the breathing it will also help calm you.  Now keep calm and yoga your way through the day.

BENEFITS OF POSTNATAL YOGA

1.) Boost your mood by increasing the levels of feel-good chemicals (endorphins) in your brain.
2.) Help you to lose weight and regain your pre-baby figure!
3.) Give you more energy, if you are feeling tired and you just pooped out a baby so yes you are TIRED!
4.) Improve your strength and stamina! your going to need it!

"That Mom"

Okay I know I am not the only one who has been in this exact position? Eating junk food while reading a fitness magazine.  Dunkin Donuts motto is “America Runs on Dunkin” and if I keep on dunkin these donuts in my mouth I am going to be running A LOT more and be no where near where I want to be after I give birth to my twins.  Most of us know how to eat right and are constantly reading magazines on how to get where we want to be but why do we still end up in this position?   I will tell you why for me the top 2 reasons is EXCUSES and AVAILABILTY.

  What motivated me to change my bad habits was seeing the long term effects of my short term excuses.  When I found out I was pregnant with my son I had quite a few moms tell me I should just say goodbye to my body and that I am going to get frumpy.  Really encouraging right?  I had so many moms come up to me and say they used to be able to eat whatever they wanted like me and then one day BOOM everything they ate went straight to their hips and thighs.  I would be lying if I told you that did not boost my motivation.  I saw how easy it was for these beautiful moms who once had these beautiful bodies to fall into this routine of taking care of their families and their priorities shifted. Eating fast food on the go because of there daily  hectic schedules and putting healthy eating and exercise  completely off the list of priorities.  The excuses stem from how “busy” you are and that junk food is just more “available”.   I am blessed because at my present office environment all my co-workers are health nuts.  I am surrounded by fresh fruits and veggies and most of my co-workers idea of a chocolate is usually 99.9% cocoa.  I am surrounded by a healthy “lifestyle”.  A year ago when I worked on the construction site, for lunch we would always go to fast food restaurants and 7-11 for snacks on our breaks.  I  cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel and so much natural energy when I eat right.  I want to share one of my favorite smoothie recipes that I have for lunch while being pregnant and my advice to keep that donut out of your mouth? Don’t buy the donuts! Prepare healthy snacks in advanced and keep them available to you and your kids.  Am I saying don’t indulge??? ABSOLUTELY NOT! The key is to maintain and create a healthy routine and that way the indulgence will feel even better. Here is a recipe for a my favorite shake that I make 5 days a week.


Note: The Smoothie will look Green and Gross but I promise you it tastes Delicious and it has so many health benefits for you and your growing baby! I drink this instead of coffee and it gives me so much natural energy! Who doesn't want to have more energy and radiant skin? Also, Unless stained teeth is becoming a trend soon USE A STRAW! I learned the hard way that kale stains your teeth.

Tacey's Recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle is to SNACK ALL DAY!