Salt Dough Ornaments

• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling the dough
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup water
• Rolling pin
• Cookie cutters (various shapes and sizes)
• Cookie sheet
• Toothpick
• Used yarn or ribbon, cut in 3- to 4-inch lengths
• Nontoxic glue (optional)
• Gold and silver glitter (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 250°F.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Add the water and stir until the dough is well blended, until no traces of flour remain.

3. Knead the dough on a flat surface until smooth, about 8 to 10 minutes. Do not let the dough get too rubbery.

4. On a floured surface, roll out the dough until it’s about 1/4 inch thick. Using the cookie cutters, cut out shapes and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Use the toothpick to make a hole at the top of each ornament, large enough for the yarn or ribbon to fit through and bake for 2 hours.

5.When the ornaments are done, let them cool, slip a piece of yarn or ribbon through each hole, and knot.

6.If you like, draw glue designs on the ornaments and then cover them with glitter. Allow them to dry, then shake off the glitter.

Anna Getty, Founder Pregnancy Awareness Month, author, cook, educator, and mother

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Alisa Donner & Anna Getty, Co-founders of Pregnancy Awareness Month (P.A.M.)

Last Thanksgiving I announced a bold campaign, spearheaded by an amazing band of volunteers, to upgrade babies’ first foods to real foods – and babies’ first grains to whole grains – and to do this in 2011.

It’s November, and we still have a ways to go, but we also have an exciting reason to celebrate!

Over 10,000 physicians, mostly pediatricians, took part in a July/August 2011 survey by Medscape.com that demonstrated an historic shift in their feeding recommendations this year. The first question in the survey was “What do you recommend for baby’s first food (check all that apply)?” The options were white rice cereal, whole grain cereal, a vegetable, a fruit, egg yolk, meat, or other. Of those who answered as of August 31, the number one choice was white rice cereal – garnering nearly twice as many votes as the next most common.

But after reading an article about WhiteOut Now, our public service campaign the survey results were strikingly different.

Responding to,” What will you recommend for baby’s first food (check all that apply)” only 3% even included white rice cereal among their recommended choices. Physicians were also asked, “Do you think white rice cereal is the best choice for baby’s first food?” About 3% of those who responded had “No opinion” and an overwhelming 93% responded, “No.”

As of now over 12,000 physicians have taken part in the survey, and the change continues to spread. To me this major reversal suggests that the old white rice cereal recommendations were based on well-meaning habit rather than on science or even on careful consideration. When asked to reconsider, an overwhelming majority of physicians were quickly able to see advantages of abandoning the old recommendation.

Evidence is mounting that changing early feeding habits is critical to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic. This stunning survey suggests that first feedings are poised to change. A reason to be thankful indeed!

Alan Greene, MD, FAAP

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ZEVIA is the original, zero calorie, all natural soda safe for expectant mothers, children, diabetics and everyone in between.  This guilt-free beverage was created because, “it’s time to feel good about what you drink.”  New studies have been posting on FB and Twitter citing the questionable link between weight gain and drinking diet sodas sweetened with aspartame. This is a concern for all adults as weight gain has obvious links to diseases including diabetes and heart disease.  However, for the pregnant woman, it is important that the weight you are gaining is helpful and healthful for you and your growing baby, not spawned by an artificial craving to eat as a result of an artificial chemical sweetener that you put in your body.  

So how do you create an alternative soda drink without using artificial chemicals?  Simple, ZEVIA is made with stevia, a sweet little miracle of nature.  This little green plant stems from the sunflower family and was originally grown in South America.  People have been using stevia to sweeten foods and beverages for hundreds of years and ZEVIA was the first to use it in soda, thank GOODNESS someone did!  With no caloric value and no effect on blood glucose levels, stevia is an alternative sweetener straight from nature.

With only the purest ingredients, these sodas contain none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes, artificial colors, flavors or preservatives found in other diet sodas. ZEVIA sodas are always all natural, have zero calories, zero net carbs, zero fat, and little or no sodium (depending on flavor).

“When it’s hot outside, I want to grab a cold fizzy drink.  I was raised in the Mid West and grew up drinking pop, it has been a blessing for me to have this alternative to conventional soda,” says Alisa Donner, Co-Founder of P.A.M.

Not only great for you, but great tasting, they offer 12 delicious flavors, 9 without caffeine!  Looking to soothe a “morning Sickness?  Try the Ginger Ale, made with real ginger extract, or better yet, the Ginger Root Beer (Alisa’s favorite).  Need a sweet treat to satisfy those cravings without calories and excess sugar? Cream Soda is like ice cream in a can.  Missing a citrusy alcoholic cocktail? Try the Grapefruit Citrus or a Lemon Lime Twist for the refreshing burst of flavor.  There is even a new Caffeine Free Cola!  These sodas are safe for kids to drink too.

P.A.M Founder, and Holistic Lifestyle Expert Anna Getty says, “When I became pregnant with my first child I gave up soda amongst other things and never looked back…that was until I discovered ZEVIA. It is a healthy and delicious alternative to conventional and unhealthy soda. My whole family can enjoy it. I don’t feel guilty when my daughter drinks it. I feel good knowing that she is enjoying it. It is a quality beverage that we can all drink and feel good about.”

So kick up your feet, take a gulp and enjoy what we hope will be your new guilt-free pleasure.  We bet you’ll be surprised about how great this soda tastes.  It truly is what soda should always have been.  Of course water is the best source of rehydration, so please keep grabbing for your water, every day.  We are just saying that when you want a cold fizzy drink, this is one that you can feel good about choosing.  Enjoy!

Tell ZEVIA why it’s a great fit for your growing family on their Facebook page and you might just win a month supply of healthy soda!

Thirsty yet?

Just for Pregnancy Awareness Month® fans, we’re offering a special $3 off coupon.  You can print the coupon at www.ZEVIA.com/pregnancy and find a retailer in your area.  Good today through 7/31/11 while supplies last.

Want to know more about Zevia?  Check them out at www.ZEVIA.com, on Facebook and Twitter.

Pregnancy Awareness Month does not give medical advice.  We encourage you to do your own research and consider all options when making decisions about what to eat.  We always recommend that you consult with your medical provider before starting any new nutritional product or physical exercise regime.  We at P.A.M. are not medical advisors, your best bet for medical advice is always to start with  your medical provider.

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If you are like me, you are a woman that has secretly dreamed of having the luxury of fabulous, fresh, and calorie conscious meals delivered to your door. I always loved that idea BEFORE I became a mom, after having my baby…well, let’s just say, it is becoming more of a daily prayer.

I had the incredibly good fortune of sampling 2 weeks of FreshMommy. What is that? FreshMommy is a fresh meal delivery program for pre- and post-natal women emphasizing nutrition and (post-natal) weight loss. Designed to address the specific nutritional needs of pregnant and nursing mothers, their menu is filled with nutrient-rich ingredients essential for a growing family. After your new baby’s arrival, the FreshMommy menu shifts to encourage weight loss while maintaining a strong nutritional foundation for new moms.

That’s the official description. Mine is simple: DELISH!!!

My husband was frankly jealous and by the end of the 2 week period I was sharing my meals with him, they were that good. Some of my favorites were: Orange Ricotta Pancakes with blueberry infused syrup & Canadian bacon, Sun-dried tomato hummus with lavash chips, Fig and fresh mixed green salad, Italian style chicken salad over mesculun with radishes & fresh marinated tomatoes, smoked salmon rillette with whole wheat crostini, dairy free pumpkin cheesecake cup. I could go on and on.

Is your mouth watering yet?

This is a wonderful program that is focused on nutrition, sophisticated recipes and fresh, wholesome food. If you have the opportunity, try it. I vote for it to be in the running as a terrific Mother’s Day gift…hint, hint.

Obviously there are many reasons besides pampering or weight loss that a woman would choose a program like this, sometimes complications can arise during pregnancy or post partum that require bed rest. This program is an excellent program for the resting and recuperating mommy or mommy-to-be.

For those of you attending the May 1st PAM Event in Santa Monica, there will be representatives from Freshology in our Holistic Mommy Spa that can tell you more about their program.

Enjoy!
Alisa Donner
Co-founder, Pregnancy Awareness Month®

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PAM’s Intern began using a weekly food co-op to pick up her local produce. Finding carrots in her weekly pick-up bag, she began to want to find new and unique recipes. Listed below is a tasty recipe for Moroccan Raw Carrot Salad that takes little time to make and is guaranteed to please.

Recipe

• 4 cups grated carrots
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 2 to 4 cloves garlic, mashed or minced
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground paprika
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper (optional)

In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or up to 2 days to allow the flavors to meld and permeate the carrots. Serve chilled.

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Amy Tara Koch

Great skin requires a quality skin care regime that encourages cellular turnover: frequent exfoliation, hydration and SPF application. But, what worked pre-pregnancy, may not work now. Step one? Evaluate your products and avoid the host of contraindicated ingredients for pregnancy. Avoid topical kojic acid, Vitamin A, retinoids, glycolic, alpha hydroxyl, beta hydroxyl, salicylic acid hydroquinone. These ingredients can enter your bloodstream and harm the fetus. Synthetic preservatives are a concern since the baby ingests everything that enters your bloodstream. For pregnant women, exfoliation is a preventative measure to ward off the dreaded “pregnancy mask,” Professional microdermabrasion is effective but you don’t need to spend the big bucks for results. There are dozens of mild exfoliants that can do the trick. Look for enzyme based (papaya, citrus, pineapple, pumpkin or lactic acid) scrubs with non invasive (stay away from products that contain nuts as the can cut the skin) granules.

Photo by Expecting Models

Here’s what you need to do to stay radiant

·         EXFOLIATE - To pump up the luster factor, exfoliate three times per week with. Exfoliation brightens skin, maximizes product penetration, encourages cellular turnover and can ward off melasma.

·         PROTECT - Whether you live in Miami or Anchorage, sunblock is key. Sun exposure at any time of the year encourages hyperpigmentation for women of all ethnicities which is very difficult to eradicate post delivery. Look for brands with UVA and UVB protection that contain titanium dioxide and zinc.

·         PACK YOUR BAGS! - An eye cream or serum with ingredients like elastin, oxygen, collagen and vitamin E will hydrate and reduce swelling Invest in an anti-oxidant rich eye cream and a creamy moisturizer.  You need to supplement moisture boosting elements to help your skins ability to stay hydrated. Key ingredients to look for are peptides, caffeine, hyaluronic acid and omegas 3,6 and 9.

·         REFRESH - Toss on a nourishing mask while chilling out in the tub. Essential oil extracts and vitamins will further boost hydration and plump the skin’s surface.

Josie Maran Cosmetics Mini Argan Oil Moisturizing Stick

·        RISE & SHINE – Applying shimmer (it comes in a creamy blush, powder or lotion format) product to the apple of the cheeks, nose forehead and eyelids will give you that insta luminescence of red carpet luminaries.

·         FAUX GLOW - Bronzer is the eighth wonder of the world. The moment that you feel sallow and unattractive, apply bronzer to your face, décolleté and other exposed areas. The result, a sun-kissed just- been- to- St Barth’s- glow, will lift your mood instantly.

Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Creme Bronzer

·         THE TWO’OCLOCK TOUCH -UP - Exhausted, pregnant women free fall after lunch. Perk up at a moment’s notice by keeping a stash of beauty minis in your purse or office. Give skin an extra boost with a shpritz from a hydrating mister over makeup.

·         BEAUTY FROM THE INSIDE OUT - Eat foods loaded with vitamins a, c and e. Fruits, vegetables and good fats (olive oil, avocado, salmon, nuts) keep body hydrated on the inside and maintains skin suppleness.

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Mareya Ibrahim, President and Founder, EAT CLEANER® and the Cleaner Plate Club™

Spinach.  Eggs.  Parsley.  Peanuts.  Beef.  Last year was a landmark for food recalls – so many we seemed to all glaze over at the news of yet another sweeping net of bites-gone-bad.  What you don’t hear about every day, though, are the millions of people affected by tainted food every year and the lives affected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that about one in six Americans gets sick – over 46 million – and 3,000 die from food borne diseases each year including, but not limited to:  E.coli, Salmonella and Listeria.

On January 4th, President Obama signed the revolutionary Food Safety Modernization Act into law, a $1.4 billion proposition and the most sweeping policy related to food safety in almost 100 years. But what does this all mean to YOU?

If you’re a food manufacturer or food service operation:

- Increased number of facility inspections and food safety records to be reviewed

- Mandatory recalls if a company does not volunteer to stop selling tainted products, trace food outbreaks to its source and step up food inspections.  In the past, company recalls were not enforced

- Owners, operators, or agents in charge of a food facility must identify and implement preventive controls to significantly minimize or prevent hazards that could affect food manufactured, processed, packed, or held by such facility.  This must be

- Allows for fines to be imposed on companies that have issued recalls and food facility re-inspections

If you’re a consumer:

- Possibly higher food prices, from grocery stores to restaurants.  Everyone will be absorbing the increases.

- More traceable food.  Manufacturers will now be required to implement a traceability program.  Look for scan codes on every piece of produce you purchase

- Voluntary food allergy and anaphylaxis management guidelines for schools and early childhood education programs

In time, the hope is for a safer food supply for all but is it a catch-all? Some food experts feel that the slow moving pace of the FDA combined with the limited funding will have them biting off more than they can chew.  But for victims of the debilitating effects of food poisoning, it is a much needed step in the right direction, putting more onus on manufacturers and food service professionals to join the cleaner plate club.

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Healthy Snacking for the Mommy-to-Be

By Anna Getty

During pregnancy our bodies require a whopping 60-75 grams of protein per day. Gosh, I have a challenging time getting in the 35 grams when I am not carrying a child. A great way to get protein everyday is via protein shakes. There are so many great protein powders on the market these days. When using soy be sure it’s non-GMO (genetically modified) and organic of course. I love rice protein powder. This shake uses Spring’s fresh strawberries but frozen are okay too. I like to freeze banana pieces to have on hand.

Strawberry Banana Protein Shake                          
1 ripe banana
4 strawberries
4-6 ice cubes (omit if berries and bananas are frozen)       
10 oz. rice milk
2 dates (pitted)
2 tables spoons rice protein powder

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend. Add more milk for a thinner consistency.

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Catherine McCord, Official Host of the May 2010 PAM Launch Event

Founder of Weelicious.com

It’s been cold, rainy and — thankfully — really quiet here after the holidays, which means there’s plenty of time for me to make warm soup to fill everyone’s belly. Even though I’ve been in less of a rush than usual, that doesn’t mean I’m not looking for ways to make life easier for myself in the kitchen. So, time once again to break out my crock pot! All I do is toss in some lentils, a few herbs and a mix of vegetables from the farmer’s market and serve it with a dollop of herbed goat cheese on top, which the kids love swirling in to their soup. This recipe makes enough so that I can freeze half for cold, lazy nights when I don’t have any time to cook — which I anticipate happening quite a bit once school starts up again!

Crock Pot Lentil Veggie Soup (Serves 8-10)

1 Tbsp Olive Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
2 Garlic Cloves, chopped
2 Leeks, chopped (use only the white and light green part of the leek)
2 Large Carrots, chopped
3 Celery Stalks, chopped
2 Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Fresh OR 1 Tsp Dried Thyme
2 Tsp Kosher Salt
8 Cups Vegetable Stock (you could also use chicken stock)
1 32 Oz Can Chopped Tomatoes with juice
16 Oz Dried Lentils
2 Cups Kale or Swiss Chard, chopped

Accompaniments: plain yogurt, herbed goat cheese, feta cheese, crème fraiche or Parmesan cheese

1. Heat the oil in a sauté pan over medium heat and cook the onions for 4 minutes.
2. Add the garlic and cook an additional minute.
3. Place the onion mixture with the remaining ingredients in a crock pot and stir.
4. Cover and cook the lentils on high heat for 4 hours or low heat for 8 hours or until lentils are tender.
5. Top with desired accompaniment and serve.

* You can also place all of the ingredients in a large pot over low to medium heat and cover for 90 minutes or until tender.

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“White rice cereal is the number one source of calories for kids in their first year of life.” States Dr. Alan Greene.

Take the opportunitiy to watch this Youtube clip and get informed from Alan himself.  And if you like it, share it.  Also please become a fan of  the WhiteOut page on Facebook — http://Ez.com/WhiteOut.  It is thru all of our support that Dr. Greene and our babies will be successful to eliminate white rice baby cereal and swap it our with whole grain cereal by Thanksgiving 2011.

As mom’s we are the influencers for our infants, babies, toddlers, and children in what they eat.  We tend to be the stakeholders of the kitchen and later, the lunchbox.  As we zoom through the incredibly fast pace of our lives let us all stop to consider the quick grab of a convenient food or snack.  Most of us have switched to organic grabs, thank goodness.  Can you take it one more step and endorse Dr. Greene and the WhiteOut campaign?

Alisa Donner

Co-founder of Pregancy Awareness Month™

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