I have to tell you about one of my nearest and dearest friends. She is not yet a mom, but is a superwomen who I know will become one of those Super Moms. Anyways, aside from her day job (at an engineering firm) she is really an entrepreneur at heart. It must run in the Family as her grandparents run the oldest, most popular drive-in joint back in our high school town. Anyways, She spent quite a bit of time living in Mexico so she could become a fluent speaker. While there, she came in contact with the owner of the Vieri purse factory. The purses are sold in upscale stores in Cancun and Mexico City, not available in the US. However, she has started her own small business through her relationships with the Factory owners. She is the only supplier of these high quality designer bags in the United States. Here is a picture of me with one of her tote bags that doubles as a great alternative to the vinyl whinnie the pooh diaper bag!

I will post a link to her website soon. But if you are interested in finding out more, you can always contact me as I help her out a lot since I have time during the day while she is at the Engineering firm. You can also email moonmadnesspurses@yahoo.com for more info.

BONUS! I'm so excited, she also recently got in contact with the factory that makes BKE jeans that you find at The Buckle! One of my faveorites along with Citizens and Sevens. Those will be sold at a nice discount as well. It's crazy how much they are marked up!

Is your Thyroid Making you Fat?

Could you be suffering from Hypothyroidism? The symptoms are subtle and often mistaken for depression. If left untreated, it can cause anemia, low body temp and heart failure.

I was diagnosed while in high school. I was always cold and lethargic. I was dead tired no matter how much sleep I got and getting out of bed felt impossible at times. I often got detention for having so many tardies and would fall asleep in some of my classes that had teachers that didn't care. My mom was the one who finally suspected low thyroid. We then did the Basal body temp test for about 3 weeks and it was pretty obvious, with my average temperature some where around 96 whereas the average persons resting body temp should be around 98.

Hypothyroidism is a lot more common than people think and it often goes misdiagnosed. The basic blood testing might show someone on the low end, however, if it's within the normal range, most doctors will tell you that you are fine. However, even being on the low end can mean you need treatment.

To determine if you may be gaining weight or just feeling exhausted at all times due to a hypothyroidism, check out the symptoms here!
If you do come back positive for Hypothyroidism, never fear, there are certain things you can do to help you lose weight when you are hypothyroid. Learn more from my article How to Lose Weight when your are Hypothyroid.

And for those who are interested, you can see my article on treating hypothroidism naturally here!

I'm Not a Skinny B!tch

Looking great is not about becoming a waif like the models we see in all the media around us. You can be a hot momma by putting your best face forward....taking a bit of time to look in the mirror and get ready, to make sure you are wearing clothes that flatter your figure, and exercise for health, well-being, and to get a break from your job as a mom/wife! I'm not super skinny, I haven't been "skinny" since before I was 15. I guess I consider myself medium size. Not big, not small....not the size of Montreal (That just came out! Memories from Childhood...I don't even remember the original rhyme).
Anyways, whatever your SIZE is, don't obsess. Be the best you can be, love yourself and tell yourself that you are sexy and attractive. Your attitude and how you feel about yourself radiates and others pick up on it. If you are always thinking negative things about yourself, it will show in your demeanor and others will pick up on it. So put on a smile, enjoy your life and your family and embrace the skin you are in....just remember to exfoliate and moisturize! (and maybe add a little bronzer:)

A Few Fitness Myths

Don't lift weights otherwise you'll get huge arms or too big of muscles. MYTH!
It takes so much work to build that kind of muscle bulk in your arms. Lifting weights can help slim and tone your body and help you burn more fat!

Working out while still nursing will cause your breast milk to go sour and the baby won't like it. MYTH!
Some women think they can't work out after having a baby if they are nursing mothers for fear of spoiling their milk. This isn't true. If your doctor has given you the green light to work out and you feel up to it, then by all means, get some exercise!

You can spot reduce fat. IE-get flat abs from merely doing crunches. MYTH!
In order to get a smaller waist or flat abs, you have to burn fat. This means working up a sweat from doing cardiovascular exercise. Creating a routine combined of cardio and strength training will help reduce overall body fat. You can do all the sit-ups that you want, but without burning off the fat, you'll just have mud on rocks.

No Pain No Gain! MYTH!
We've all heard the saying "no pain no gain" when it comes to fitness but it's just not true. If you are in pain while working out, you are either doing it wrong or have an injury. To make gains in your workout, you may work yourself to the point of fatigue or exhaustion, but remember, muscle fatigue and pain are not the same thing. Pain in the form of soreness a day or two after working out is normal, but pain during your workout is not.

Stylish Moms

When trying to find a style for yourself as a mom that doesn't scream "MOM", look to stylish celeb moms for ideas. Not all celeb moms are model style icons....I don't see myself walking my daughter to school when she's 5 wearing booty shorts like Kate Moss. After looking at a few pictures of each celeb mom, you will start to notice a preference for certain celeb moms, as their style seems to mesh with your own, or is at least something you could see yourself emulating.

Check out PHOTOS of Stylish Moms on the go! Click Here.

Hot Momma's can indulge their chocolate cravings without the guilt!

So I've been trying to eat less junk food lately, but I'm a sucker for anything crunchy or chocolaty. (who isn't!). I've been on a good workout regime, going to Yoga class and working out at Gold's Gym and doing Abs of Steel or Turbo Jam at home, but I haven't wanted to give up my treats! I walked by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at the mall the other day and ever since I couldn't shed the craving for chocolate covered almonds, which I LOVE! Well, I kept thinking about it and decided to make my own. Using raw, unsalted almonds and dark chocolate from the baking section, I've recreated one of my favorite treats, but now I consider it "superfood". lol. Maybe the experts wouldn't include it, but after all the articles I've read about superfoods, it is clear to me that raw almonds and dark chocolate are on that list. So, I gave it a try and they turned out great or as Rachel Ray would say "Yum-O!"

Just because you want to try to maintain your figure or even loose a bit of it doesn't mean you have to deprive yourself completely. I consider this a healthy snack...as long as I don't eat too many at once. Check out my recipe and enjoy!

A Smokin' Pregnancy

Being a hot mama doesn't mean you have to have a flat stomach (although it doesn't mean we all want one anyway!) Even when you're stomach is the size of 3 watermelons during pregnancy you can still look great. To look great and feel attractive during pregnancy, buy a few maternity clothes. It's tempting to just wear our husband's baggy shirts and that's okay when you are lounging around the house needing to be comfortable, but you should invest in at least a few cute maternity clothes for when you do leave the house, or just even when you want to look nice when your man comes home.
You should shop around for the following items:
Start out with some cute maternity panties. Wearing cute new panties can add a little spring into your step and I'm pretty sure your hubby won't complain! I had a hard time finding any cute undergarments while I was preggo, but here is where you can find a 4-pack of these cute little panties.

Citizens Maternity Jeans will make you look and feel stylish a great. Designer jeans are a little pricey, but well worth the splurge, esspecially if you are planning on having multiple pregnancies. If not, you can re-sell your used Citizens on Craigslist or eBay! Buy you new pair HERE.
This feminine little summer dress looks so comfortable for easy, effortless style on the go. Plus, a dress like this is great post pregnancy too giving you extra room and camouflaging your post-baby belly. I found this dress at a fun webstore called Hot Mama Maternity.


Another MUST HAVE item for pregnancy is a Bella Band. You will be able to wear all your favorite pants a little longer as you can unbutton them and hold them up with the bella band, available in an assortment of colors and they add a stylish layered effect. Get a couple in a few basic colors HERE.


Think about getting at least one nice maternity blouse and then the rest can just be empire waist tops or stretchy long tanks and t-shirts that can be layered. I like this top a lot! Find it HERE.


Now to really feel great and have a beautiful smokin' pregnancy, is to stay healthy and fit in a safe and appropriate way. When I was pregnant, I was broke but I did splurge on a prenatal yoga DVD and it was so worth it. Doing Yoga during pregnancy energizes you, aids digestion and helps relieve back pressure and physical and emotional stressed caused by pregnancy. When doing Yoga during pregnancy you have to be very careful as some exercises are dangerous during pregnancy, which is why it is safer to just buy a DVD specifically for Prenatal Yoga. I enjoyed this DVD by Gaiam.