Healthy & Natural Pregnancy: What not to eat during a pregnancy & Pregnancy cravings

A few weeks ago I was frustrate at the realization that my wardrobe was drastically shrinking as my belly was expanding and the weather was changing. Then last Saturday it hit me that my culinary selections have shrunk as well during my pregnancy.

My husband was fixing some smoked turkey, eggs and cheese biscuits for breakfast when it hit me that I could not eat the deli meat! Humm good delicious homemade breakfast right under my nose that I could not even enjoy! That was more for the kids and him as they teased but that was not funny too me, it looked and smelled so good!

The past few months I have tolerated the sacrifice of Sushi which I looove.

I have endured watching my husband enjoy some when I could only salivate at the view of rolls that I would have devoured under normal circumstances.

Since July I have suffered the temptation of some French pate that my sister in law brought me from France. My only comfort is to keep telling myself that I will have a stack of treat ready to indulge on once I have the baby.

I have considerably decreased my herbal tea and cappuccino intake. Some days I have opened my kitchen cabinet just to sniff the ground coffee in hope that it would fool my mind that my body have had the pleasure to sip some.
With the change in weather, I have allowed myself to a cup of Starbucks Cafe Macchiato once a week as an excuse that my body would appreciate its warmth now that the weather is cooler.  When I resumed my weekly trip to Starbucks, I soon realized that it was not just the cup of Cafe Macchiato that was delicious. It was great to see again our old barrista and some of the regular patrons that I have not seen in months.


So some very rare cups of herbal tea and cappuccino are the only indulgences I have had this pregnancy. I have been consistent in staying away from certain things that should be avoided or limited during pregnancy.

Things such as:

• Sushi,
• Camembert (soft cheese),
• deli meat,
• Pate from France,
• caffeinated drinks and sodas)
• spicy food ( watch out heartburns),
• certain kind of fish and seafood etc...
• Of course Alcohol is on the list of such things but since I don't drink it has not been a challenge for me.

Isn't it funny that the one time when we have some good excuses to be indulging we are warned to watch carefully what we consume?

Talking of indulgence the holidays are fast approaching and one of my favorite holiday drink is Eggnogg...can I consume egg nogg while pregnant?


 I know I should watch for raw eggs so I was just wondering..

Oh well..(shrugging my shoulders) at least I can still enjoy this

and many of my other favorite things like Pineapples.
Pineapples in every drink.... I love Pineapples. The Hawaiin punch is just something I have suddently been attracted to recently, while before I could not even stand it. I prefer fresh juices but hey maybe I am just having one of those weird cravings. What I know for sure is that Pinapples are on top of my list of cravings right now, and it's alright by me because they are healthy!

I am also eating this often,
warm croissant with herbs omelet

 Are you or someone you know having a hard time sacrificing certain food? What? Do you have a particular pregnancy craving? What healthy food are you craving more for during your pregnancy?

N'na

Natural hair: To Big Chop or not to big chop? My hair journey: Transitioning made easy!

To big shop or not to big chop? That is the question.

That is the question most women contemplate when deciding to go natural.

I have been transitioning since last year and I am finally just inches away to the end of my journey! The beginning was both exciting and frustrating, like any new endeavor we undertake.

 Once I got into the routine of things I became more and more comfortable with the transition and enjoyed the process.

Going natural is and should be a personal decision. Once we decide to do it we are faced with another big decision. We have to decide either we would transition or big chop. We all make our choices for different reasons but what's important is to own and be comfortable with the choice we make.

I knew that transitioning was the best option for me because I sure can't tolerate having ' bad hair days'. I can't tolerate the thoughts of my hair being in a condition I have NO idea how to manage.

I did notice in the course of my journey that most people put pressure on the BC but it's my hair not theirs. I am the one who has to be happy and feel confident about my " crown" so I was in no way going to give into any kind of pressure about the BC.

Transitioning granted me more control. I can handle my hair with length. I would have been a frustrate sister if I had cut my hair and learned to care for  it short and impatiently waiting for growth. I knew that even with a relaxer, short styles can be demanding so there was no way I would have complicated my life by having a BC.

Plus I am married and greatly respect the idea to always being/feeling  attractive. Personally I think that when we are into a relationship we should maintain our best look even with natural hair and I did not think that I could pull it off with a BC! 

I feel more confident when I look my best and I had doubt that a big chop would help me maintain that confidence consistently.

I wanted the natural hair without dealing with unwelcome frustrations.

Here an old article on the start of my natural journey: http://goodhealthdiva.blogspot.com/2011/03/i-am-coming-out-call-to-naturals.html


My Tips for easy transitioning:
Transitioning was easy for me because of the following:

1) I asked a LOT of questions before deciding to go natural.

2) I deep conditioned my hair every two weeks.

3) I maintained regular visit to the salon by having my hair professionally maintained and had my ends trimmed as needed.

4) I stuck with hair stylists that had natural hair and were very experienced in maintaining my hair healthy.

5) I stuck to products and procedures that work best for me from professional brands my hairdresser recommended to homemade products/treatment I loved.

I rarely used any protective styles throughout my transition. I got my hair braided just once in the course of my transition, and I used a pretty wig a couple of days when I was too lazy to attend to my hair.

Well, that's what worked for me and made my transition enjoyable!

Remember that it's your hair and either you BC or transition you are the one that has to love your hair (and make your man fall in love with your "crown").


What about you? What did you do once you decide to go natural? Are you a new natural? Are you transitioning or going with a Big Chop? Why?

N'na

Breast awareness and the importance of a mammogram

Wow, I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last entry, time is flying by. The last time I wrote I was talking about wardrobe dilemmas I want to follow up on the last post but I have a more pressing issue at heart that I want to share with you all.

How are you all doing? Hope you are all doing well.

I attended a Breast Awareness event this morning called "Hats Off Breast Awareness.... " ( can't even remember the full name right now...oh well!!!). However, I learned so much that I can't help but make time to share some tidbits with you all tonight. I will share what I do remember.

Our educators were two passionates women who work for a local hospital. Miss Joyce that I will mention many times below did most of the training.


Here are some of the facts that stuck with me:

• You are never too young to start checking your breasts.

• Even though Mammograms are not required annually till you are 40 years old every women should be mindful of her breast health.

• Miss Joyce shared a very sad story of a 32 years old mother of three who at first loss most of her mobility and could not walk without the aid of a walker. Then it got to the point where she could not walk at all and only once she got to that point was one physician able to determine that she had breast cancer but it was too late as her bones had been affected, then her brain.  =The lesson from her true and tragic story was that 1) we are never too young to get checked 2) Our youthful hormones can actually cause more growth to cancerous cells.

• No matters a person's age the risk of breast cancer is always present so make sure to continually do it.

• 80% of people diagnosed with breast cancer are the first in their family. So even if you do not have a family history of Breast Cancer you can still be at risk. The young lady mentioned above was the first in her family.
• Miss Joyce mentioned that there are THREE important things that we should do:

1) Self examination
2)Mammogram
(3)....humm sorry can't remember number 3, I promise to update as soon as I remember, sorry)

• The size of your breast doesn't matter, anyone can get breast cancer. Apparently some women with small breasts can be lead to think that having a small breast keep them safe from the risk of breast cancer.

• Men too can get breast cancer.

• Once you are over 40 years old it's important to get a Mammogram once a year.

• Breast Cancer is NOT a death sentence. Many women survive it for many years and live a good life.

• A friend, Tammy, who is a cancer survivor in her forties was diagnosed at 29 years old.  She shared her story today with much encouragement for us all, young or old to take our breast health seriously and keep a positive outlook on life in an event of a negative diagnosis.  Her daughter who is in her early twenties has learned from the experience and monitor her breast health diligently.

Contrary to what we tend to think it's not just a lump that tells you that something is wrong with you. It can be anything from a mole, some discharges or whatever is different with your breasts. In Tammy's case it was a discharge over her breast that she described as something powdery.

• In the picture above, Tammy explains the importance of checking also the area that she's pointing out. Our lymph nodes. Miss Joyce standing by ( on the picture) later explained that it's not just our breasts that need to be regularly checked during our self exams but we also have to check the area above the breasts, check our sides etc...

You got to KNOW your breasts so that you can easily spot any abnormality. Miss Joyce  urged us to "KNOW OUR TATAS"! So ladies either you call it your" girls", your "tatas" or whatever. KNOW your breasts so that you would be able to easily spot something that doesn't look or feel right!

• Don't be intimidated by a Mammogram just because someone you know may have made a negative comment about it being painful to them.

Something else to think about:
Miss Joyce our educator also taught us that in scheduling a mammogram we should be aware of our time of the month as a certain time of the month might make us more sensitive to pain resulting in a bad experience.

• Now, the most amazing story ( to me) that Miss Joyce shared was how a patient over 60 years old finally got her first mammogram done after losing her mom, sister and daughter to breast cancer. She apparently had a fear of the mammogram just to realize that it was not the painful experience she had expected listening to others' intimidating comments. After doing her mammogram this old woman thanked Miss Joyce and told her that she saved her life.

It's your breasts, it's your health, it's your life so be aware, get a mammogram done (or better a thermogram, I will explain later)

• Never make money an excuse not to get a a mammogram.

For people with Medicare be informed that Medicare does cover it, as according to Miss Joyce many women don't even know that!
If you do not have health insurance you should ask for assistance as there are grants available to allow women to get a mammogram.

• A good tip Miss Joyce shared with us is to pick a date that's easy to remember to get a mammogram done each year. In her case her birthday is the date she get hers done each year.

• Set a good example for those around you. As you monitor your breast's health and get your mammogram done regularly your children and significant others would learn to value and appreciate the importance of it. You can save your life and others!

• There might be unfortunate cases where some people close to you might not care to do what's right but you can still be an inspiration to others. Like a woman in her 60s who attended today.

She has two daughters who neglect the importance of it but as for her she plans on doing it the rest of the life "till she can't do it no more" (in her own words).  She certainly was an inspiration to me as she diligently get her mammogram done each year, and exercise daily to maximize her chance of a good life.

•  Continue to eat healthy, exercise daily and keep a positive attitude because even if something unpleasant happens you, like Miss Joyce said today you would be doing the "hard part and half the battle".

Well, that's the best I can do for now as far as offering a summary of what I learned today.

I have known Tammy the cancer survivor I mentioned above for over 3 years and she can certainly credit her positive attitude to her survival story. She is also a big believer in consuming organic products which she has often credited some of her success to.

At the end of the day, our lives might be in God's hands but He says in His Word "my people perish by lack of knowledge".  I wish more people had attended this event today! I learned a lot of new things.

You know, many people justify their negligence or bad habits to the fact that we will all die someday. The issue is not that we will all die someday. The issue is the quality of our lives while we are living! Being aware and educated about things can and do improve the quality of our lives. The choices we make daily can and do improve the quality of our life.

The event I attended today was called "Hats Off" because our educators Miss Joyce and Miss Aline illustrated by having us wear some funny hats, the many excuses that women come up with to avoid getting a mammogram.



I promise to share more later, for tonight I just wanted to share what left and impression on me while the details are still fresh in my mind!


Below is a picture of me in a hat that illustrates some of the excuses we make not to get a mammogram! I tell you what, that did not represent my personality at all...more about it later!

WELL WELL WELL, ALL THIS BEING SAID I AM LEFT WITH ONE QUESTION...ARE MAMMOGRAM EVEN SAFE? IS THERE A MORE NATURAL ALTERNATIVE TO MAMMOGRAMS? WHAT ABOUT THERMOGRAPHY INSTEAD OF MAMMOGRAMS?

 I do totally agree with the importance of self examination and even the annual check. I am only questioning if mammograms are safe and if there's a better Natural alternative to mammograms. But before you use this question as an excuse to add to the list of reasons not to get one, let me add this, there's something called thermography that's a natural alternative to mammograms. Research it but whatever you do, mind your BREASTS ' health please!

 Do you get a mammogram done every year? Why is it important to you? Are you or anyone you know a a breast cancer survivor with a word of wisdom for us all? Have you ever heard about thermography?

Time to get off here, talk to you all very soon and have a blessed week!

Here's a small gift....

flowers from a rose bush from my mom's garden, if I could add a small note to it I would say this " May the Lord bless you and keep you"

N'na

Natural pregnancy: What not to wear, my pregnancy fashion dilemmas

Alright, I never considered myself as one needing an intervention when it comes to clothing but I am seriously getting frustrated here. I am 25 weeks pregnant and fashionably challenged.

I was going through my closet, putting away the summer dresses and visiting my storage for Fall dresses that I could use.
Umm...the experience was almost depressing...
I can't fit in my only pair of jeans ( I mainly wear dresses and skirts).
I can't keep wearing summer dresses.
My sweater dresses which used to make my  FAll and Winter signature style are not cooperating with my preggo figure.

So I tried my dresses from last year and the sweater dresses looked like .....


...the sweater dresses looked like.....they looked like sweaters not like dresses.  The dresses are now minis thanks to my growing baby girl in my tummy.
 I could have humoured you by showing you what I look like in my sweater dresses  but I'll pass and save you the tears and the stomach ache.

Okay...a picture...just one....






 You might think that it's not that bad but that was one of two dresses that cared to pass my waist! I think it would have been fine if I did not have curves and if I was more liberal in my wardrobe. But personally I can't wear this in public because I feel like it's too short for my modest taste!

The dresses and the style are cute. But as a preggo woman I will have to be desperate to wear something this short  in public and I don't care to wear them at home either because... got to whisper... that would only get hubby more excited. So forget the "mini"...the sweater dresses are going back in storage...

I could only salvage the sweater dress below!

Pregnancy week 25  picture
(&the only sweater dress that looks right)!

( on a side note here please don't ask me what's wrong with my plant. I think it's inspired by the tower of Pisa    or just crave so much  sunlight that it's leaning like nut toward the East)

~Back to my Fall wardrobe drama....

You see I believe that not everything look right on everyone. Or what looked right on me at one point just can't  necessarily look right with my preggo figure.
So being pregnant during the Fall is forcing me to consider the fact that I might be wearing sweatpants more often but there's one issue. I am not a sweatpants girl.
I like to feel feminine and the reflection of myself in sweatpants make me feel lazy and sick. I wear them verrrrry rarely.

Sure I still have loads of dresses that I can wear with tights and a cute jacket that can't zip all the way because of my belly... but the weather is getting cooler and I just can't afford catching a cold for the sake of looking fly!

So since I just can't complain I got to Work something out! I believe that most problems have a solution and the solution here is this:
                                 

                                I will have to go shopping!!!

On the shopping list:

*sweater dresses in a bigger size.
*I would love a pair of maternity jeans. Found some at Target that I love but they are so long that they will require alteration; not sure that it's worth it for just 3 more months!

*Some new boots! I know I can still fit in my old boots but since I got to watch my balance I will need boots with low heels!That sounds like an excuse to get some new shoes doesn't it? Well it is,and it's a good excuse because I:

Yup! "I can do anything with the right shoes"!



Shopping with a credit card and going on a shopping spree in designer stores is NOT an option and I can't have a private consultation with Stacy London and Clinton Kelly ( of the TLC show What Not to wear) to help me in the process.



I will just have to ask myself what they would recommend to a frugal preggo woman on a budget because I enjoy shopping only when I see signs like this one!

If I can't find some great sales I guess I will try stores like Ross, Marshall and T.J Max and see if I can be a Maxamista even with a preggo figure!

Bye bye summer dresses and welcome Fall Preggo Fashion! Something that's an adventure in itself!!!! Not sure what I will come up with.... but... we will see! Stop by and see how the  Fall preggo wardrobe is evolving!


Do you have any suggestion?

N'na

Natural Pregnancy: Feeling good and some preggo pictures

Hellooo!

How are you?  Hope you are enjoying this new season.
Fall is officially here and I couldn't be happier. I love FALL!  It's like the best season to be pregnant! Don't you think? Well, I think so.

I must say that the previous months I was not convinced that a preggo woman get her energy back during the second trimester. I was just not as energetic as I feel right now. Maybe I am finally having a boost of energy now that I am entering the third trimester, maybe it's mental and it's the fact that I love the Fall season so much that it makes me feel that energetic. Either way, I am feeling verrrryyyy good.

The change in weather is benefiting me in many ways.
I am no longer complaining of the hot summer days.
The landscape is becoming such a treat to admire. Watching the changes in the trees during my walks or even from my chair as I type bring me many smiles which of course would play a great role in one feeling so good!
The breeze is a gift from heaven as I now enjoy more frequent walks.

During the previous months getting myself to go on a walk was a chore. I had to mentally prep myself. Now, I just can't wait to be up in the morning and walk alone or enjoy an afternoon stroll in the company of a sweet friend and neighbor. I even walk my dog very late at night sometimes because I just can't seem to have enough of the beautiful weather that makes it harder for me to stay still!

I was actually walking with my afternoon companion earlier when we ran into other neighbors and one asked how I am doing. My answer of course was
" Good, I'm doing good"
It felt good to say " Gooood" I am doing good" well I am doing good most days says it but today I feeeelt good from the inside out!

There's something good in the air. Maybe it's just mental but honestly the Fall air seems to bring me something good!
So what about you? How are you enjoying this new season?

Another thing a neighbor asked me earlier is " How many weeks are you ?" and I answered that I don't even know!
Can you believe that? I am asked all the time how many weeks I am and I keep saying that I don't know. Truth be told I stopped counting since week 12.  No particular reasons, I just did. My very good friend and neighbor Ashley M-C
 that was there replied for me " she's just enjoying" or something like that. And it's true! I am not counting and I am just going with the flow enjoying the process.

But some of you want to see some preggo pictures so I decided to count how many weeks I am today as I share some preggo pictures!

So here I am at 24 weeks:

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

A picture taken last night after I returned from an afternoon walk with my neighbor Miriam.

A picture taken over an hour ago after I returned from another walk with Miriam.

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

So... voila for some recent preggo pictures! A friend who has not seen me in months told me on Monday that I got darker! Thanks the Sunshine State for my recent natural tan! The heat in Orlando got me a nice tan from each time I would go on a walk or take the kids to the pool.

A month ago...

Sometimes last month, returning from time at the mall with my neighbors Miriam and Ashley M-C...

Alright I am out of here for tonight! Love you all and thanks for stopping by!

Be blessed!

N'na

The benefits of vacations: Fun in Orlando Florida

Hello friends and readers old and new. Thanks for stopping by!
It's been a couple of weeks since my last posting.
I was simply busy with a few things and enjoying some time in the "Sunshine State".

I can't believe that the last time I went to Florida was when I was a college student. It felt so good to return to the "Sunshine State" especially at this time of the year. My children got the pleasure of visiting Florida for the very first time and it felt good to acquaint them right here on the continental USA with small pleasurable details of my upbringing.

I was so delighted to see once again natural elements that surrounded me during my own childhood. Things such as...
Palm trees,

Hibiscus flowers

Birds of Paradise

 and other tropical flowers like the one below that grew in my backyward and that reminded me of my tropical homeland

I must say the weather and the environment made me pretty nostalgic! What added to the pleasure of being down South is the warmth and hospitality I felt where I stayed and the candor of the many people I met not just as locals but from other parts of the world. ( Canada, Brazil, Australia, just to name a few)

Above is one of my chilling spot for the past evenings...

Well, it's getting late I just wanted to catch up and say a brief hello.

I will share more pictures later so better stay tuned. For now check the link below for more pictures of the spot where I have been "chillaxing" in Orlando. Right across from :

as a matter of fact here's the real view from across the hotel

Oh, I am doing well, pregnancy is going quite well Praise God! I am feeling blessed and hope you are as well.

I am leaving you with this video that I am working on, it's a work in progress but it gives you an idea of what's up with me (smiles) 
http://www.youtube.com/user/goodhealthdiva#p/a/u/0/j1Rsmf9kbH8
 That's all for tonight! Have a great week !

Are you a Florida resident or fan? What's do you like most about Florida? What do you like most about Orlando?



N'na

Natural skin care: Milk for your face

I made some lavender milk yesterday for my hot chocolate drink and had too much milk leftover so rather than wasting it I saved it for my facial cleanse.







So today I just rinsed my face with some leftover lavender milk and it feels smooth like a baby face!




Milk for your face: 

Simply rinse you face with milk like you would with some water.
Rinse your face thoroughly with water, pad try and if you need a moisturizer apply as needed.


Your skin will be left unbelievably soft!


Did you know you could use milk as a make up remover?
Milk as make up remover:
Use a cotton call, dip it in some milk and use it to remove your make up. Rinse thoroughly with water.


Did you know that the beautiful Cleopatra



believed in the virtue of milk as a beauty product and was reported to bathe



in milk to have a smooth and beautiful skin?






N'na