If you’ve been diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, this book is for you. The Diabetes Miracle addresses the root cause of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, insulin imbalance and resistance. Author Diane Kress, RD, CDE offers proven strategies to control diabetes with minimal need for medication.

The Diabetes Miracle provides simple, efficient, inexpensive strategies to:

• Correct your body’s insulin imbalance naturally and stop the progression from Metabolism B to prediabetes to diabetes
• “Rest, reset, and retrain” your pancreas to process carbs and react more normally to blood glucose changes
• Lose weight and keep it off—especially the love handles and excess back fat
• Get the best blood sugar readings you have experienced since your diagnosis on the least amount of medication
• Have more energy, sleep great, look younger, and feel healthier
• Gain control of type 2 diabetes on an easy, livable program

Diane Kress, R.D., C.D.E., owner-director of the Nutrition Center of Morristown, has developed, personally follows, and has successfully taught this proprietary program to thousands of patients. She also wrote The Metabolism Miracle, 3 easy steps to regain control of your weight…Permanently.

About 40 percent of Americans don’t scoop, leaving behind nearly 4 million tons of dog waste. The failures of humans to pick up after their dogs are one of the reasons many people don’t like my kind around. No one wants to walk down the street, on the beach or through a park where there’s feces. It smells. It’s unsightly. And it’s unhealthy.

Dog feces can pass intestinal parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, and infections to other canines and people at parks, playgrounds and even backyards. Children can contract eye diseases, like ocular larva migrans, through the parasitic worms as well. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 10,000 human cases of roundworm infection annually. And I can even be exposed to infective worm eggs and larvae through waste. If your dog has diarrhea, it’s a good idea to bring along a bottle of water so you can rinse off the contaminated ground.

If you don’t pick up our piles, it can result in storm water pollution. Our waste contains bacteria that can increase the risk of viral infections, flu, and skin rashes for those who swim in the ocean.

In some areas, it’s against the law to leave dog poop in public. Don’t be afraid to scoop up our feces. If you don’t want to walk through the neighborhood with a pooper scooper, use a plastic bag from the grocery store or purchase them at pet stores. (Some are even scented.) Put your hand in the bag like it’s a mitten. Grab the feces with your covered hand, turn the bag inside out and be sure to knot it at the top. Dispose of the bag properly.

It’s really easy and everyone is happier.

- Trevor the Dog

January is National Eye Care Month. To celebrate National Eye Care Month, we are giving away 1 year’s supply of contact lens cases. Enter here to win.

Did you know contact lens cases can encourage bacteria growth if not cared for properly?

After removing your contact lenses, empty the case and rinse with fresh contact lens solution (never tap water). Cases should be cleaned after each use. Always allow the lens case to air dry. If the contact lens case gets cracked or damaged, discard it and replace it with a new one.

In our quest to find healthful, tasty, organic food to feed our babies, we stumbled upon Plum Organics baby food. Plum Organics offered everything we were looking for; gently cooked baby food made with fruits and vegetables, wholesome toddler food, and bite sized snacks made with organic fruit and whole grains.

Our babies’ favorites are the Just Peaches (4 months and up), the Pumpkin and Banana (6 months and up), the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal breakfast meal (8 months and up), and the Blueberry, Oats, and Quinoa Mish Mash (toddlers). The sweetness, texture, and overall flavors satisfies hunger while providing important nutrients. We must confess, we like to eat them too!

Plum Organics is so dedicated to serving up healthful food and making the experience great for parents and children that they partnered with Boon and created a dispensing spoon designed specifically for their portable pouches. The spoon attaches directly to the pouch and makes serving easy.

Reasons why we feed our babies Plum Organics:

• certified organic with 100% pure organic fruit
• non-GMO ingredients
• nutrient rich
• no high fructose corn syrup
• no added sugar, juice, colors or flavors
• no trans fats
• no artificial ingredients
• BPA-free packaging
• convenient portable pouch
• child-safe cap, reseals for flexible portions
• meat and vegetarian options

Plum Organic baby foods cost around between $1.40 and $1.19 each and are available online and in stores like Target, Whole Foods, and Babies R Us.

Have your baby or toddler try some today!

- Mama

** Plum Organics provided the product for review.

The Make-A-Smash Food Masher is a must have food preparation tool. It’s easy design makes mashing fruits and vegetables effortless. It is simple to use and lightweight enough to take with you wherever you go. You can take it on vacation, to mommy and me outings, to a friend’s house, lunch with grandparents, or even the park.

The masher is small enough to fit into your diaper bag or purse! It also comes with a bonus feeding guide and a booklet with recipes and simple tips and helpful hints on how to introduce solids to your infant. Our favorite helpful hint is “Gauge food sensitivities and allergies by introducing one food at a time to your infant, spacing two or three days apart.”

Looking for a fun way for your baby’s older sibling to bond with the baby? Have them use the food masher to make the baby’s lunch or dinner.

The Make-A-Smash Food Masher comes in vibrant colors to capture your baby’s attention. Our masher is white and orange, blue and white is also an option.

Dr Brown has plenty of other amazing products. Visit their website and join the Designed To Nourish community to receive special product news, promotions and tips from Dr. Brown.

- Mama

When it comes to Fitness Balance Boards, there is only one name you need to know Fitter First.

The Fitter First Soft Balance Board comes in beginner, regular and advanced versions. The Soft Balance Boards are great tools for individuals seeking muscle or joint rehabilitation, balance-training, or strength building.

The Fitter First Soft Balance Board’s gel-like cushion is easy on the knee joints. If you’ve had a knee injury, you can use the beginner’s board to regain your balance and strengthen your muscles without putting yourself through a lot of pain. The non slip 4 corner compression legs create a solid contact with the ground, enhancing your experience and creating a no slip sensation.

The board’s gel-like cushion is also great for strengthening muscles, ankle ligaments and tendons. The cushion gives you the sensation of floating on a cushion of air while still providing a predictable foundation underfoot. And with its light weight, you can take and use it anywhere.

Source: Balanza Tablero by Trendy Toys

Already have good balance?

Then the advanced soft board is the one for you. The advanced board is specially designed to improve balance, increase core stability, motor function, posture and stance. The advanced soft board is a unique tool that can be added to any exercise routine. This board is especially useful if you are training for a marathon or a triathlon and need to build your core strength.

Benefits we love:

• Safely achieve better balance, coordination and overall agility.
• Enhance function based on a 3-D sensation where the boards tilt and float laterally creating a tri-place sensation for the user.
• Non slip legs create a solid contact with the ground – no slipping sensation.
• Non marking and silent base means these boards are quiet when in use.
• Larger surface area allows for a variety of foot or hand and sitting positions.

Some would even call it another form of procrastination because, well, it is. One of the most painful self-reflections I’ve imposed is realizing all the things I didn’t do because the time just wasn’t right.

There were jobs I didn’t go after because I felt I wasn’t ready. Maybe I wasn’t as prepared as I could have been, but looking back, I understand it was just an excuse. In my twenties, there were men I wouldn’t speak to because I didn’t feel ready for any kind of relationship, as if every man would immediately fall into one with me. When I first started writing, I didn’t allow others to read what I’d written because I wasn’t ready for their critiques. Keeping talents to yourself is no talent at all.

So what was it all about? I was scared. I was afraid of rejection, of getting hurt, of finding out I was no good. Rather than expose myself, I claimed it was never the right time. There was a perfect moment, and THIS wasn’t it. I was only going to put myself out there when I was certain of success. And guess what? That moment never came.

Losing out on jobs, relationships and careers because of fear is a crime, punishable by days, weeks, months and years that you can never get back.

In Dr. Seuss’s Oh, The Places You’ll Go! he speaks of “The Waiting Place”. It’s obvious the characters on those pages are wasting time, waiting “around for a Yes or No”, or “their hair to grow”, or for “wind to fly a kite”, or “a pot to boil, or a Better Break.” Seuss makes it clear that the reader won’t be that person. The reader will rise above and move forward, embracing the unknown, taking chances, trying things because there’s no other way to live.

The first time I read the book, I cried. It was obvious to me I wasn’t living the best life I could live because I’d been waiting so long for the perfect moment that never came. Through self-exploration, some therapy and plenty of joy and pain, I’ve managed to overcome this issue, to a degree. I remind myself that life goes on whether we take part or not. No matter the excuse, the moment is here… and then it’s gone. Whether it’s perfect is not the issue. Whether I seize it or waste it is.

- Althea

Spread the word. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook and we will continue to plant more trees.

- Mama

We love Baby Silk. Kid-tested, Mother approved.

Baby Silk is the first pediatrician-developed personal care line for babies! The Baby Silk personal care line includes moisturizing balms, hair and body wash, moisturizing towelettes, moisturizing towelettes with sunscreen, liquid powder, diaper rash cream, exfoliating cleanser for cradle cap, and SPF 30 moisturizing lotion.  All of their products are made in the U.S.A. and have not been tested on animals.

baby silk gentle all over clean
fragrance-free hair and body wash

Baby Silk Gentle All Over Clean is fragrance-free for ultra-sensitive skin. It is also soap-free, sulfate-free and tear-free. Baby Silk Gentle All Over Clean contains a blend of gentle ingredients that includes marine silk, certified organic aloe and antioxidant vitamins E and B5.

Features we LOVE:

• Paraben-free, preservative-free, sulfate-free
• Contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum, waxes, wheat or gluten
• Clinically rated tear-free
• Clinically tested & hypoallergenic
• Made in the USA
• No animal testing
• Recipient of National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance

baby silk daily skin protection
moisturizing balm

Baby Silk Daily Skin Protection moisturizing balm is a quick-absorbing, lightweight moisturizer that is perfect for restoring and maintaining the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Shea butter, aloe, avocado oil, olive oil and marine silk soothe baby’s dry skin, cracking or irritation. Antioxidant vitamins E and B5 and grapeseed oil help protect from environmental damage and reinforce the skin’s natural defense system.

Features we can’t live without:

• Paraben-free, preservative-free
• Contains no phthalates, lanolin, mineral oil, petroleum or waxes
• Clinically tested & hypoallergenic
• Made in the USA
• No animal testing
• Recipient of National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance

All baby carriers are the same right? Absolutely not. The BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Miracle is the crème de la crème. It seriously doesn’t get better than this!

If your baby loves to be held and you need your hands free to do household chores, read a book, shopping, or if your hands simply need a break, the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Miracle is for you. We put a 4-week old fussy, crying newborn into the carrier and she was comfortable and sound asleep within 3 minutes.

Features we LOVE:

• Easy to put on. For forgetful moms, dads or grandparents, directions are sewn into the inside of the carrier so you won’t have to look for a manual if you happen to forget how to put it on.
• Color coded buttons for easy adjustments.
• Waist belt and flexible carrying for superior comfort.
• Body length chart inside so you don’t have to guess if your baby is longer than the recommended 30 inches
• Easy on your back and waist. The ergonomic waist belt allows flexible carrying in a variety of ways. Adjustment options transfer baby’s weight between your waist, hips and shoulders as needed.
• Head support for the newborn baby’s neck. The head support is adjustable and can be folded down once the baby can hold his or her head up (around four months).
• Once baby is able to hold his head up, you can carry him facing outwards.
• Fits baby perfectly – from newborn up to 15 months.
• Developed in collaboration with pediatricians to fit your baby perfectly. No extra insert or pillow needed.
• Extra soft and durable fabric.
• Made from a soft, durable cotton mix. Non-chafing seams.
• 2 color options: Black and silver or Black and purple

One important thing to note is that some exercises that are more targeted towards muscle growth and development could actually make your waist appear wider, so you must make sure that these are not being included.
If they are, you’re not going to get the results that you’re after. You may get stronger, which is definitely a good thing, but you won’t get slimmer.

Let’s take a look at three exercises that will work to your benefit, however.

Exercise Bar Twist

Most gyms will have weighted exercise bars so choose one that’s approximately 10-15 pounds for this movement. If you don’t have a weighted exercise bar because you’re doing this movement at home, not to worry as it can be done without weight as well.

Placing the exercise bar across your back and holding on to both ends with your hands, you’re to then twist from one side to another, while keeping the knees slightly bent and shoulder width apart.

Really focus on using those ab muscles to generate the twisting motion for best benefits rather than allowing momentum to do the work for you.

Interval Training

Next up you have interval training. How could interval training help you get a slimmer waist?

The answer to this is simple. Since interval training is highly effective for helping you burn off your body fat stores, it’s going to be one of the best ways to go about reducing your overall body fat.

If you perform these two to three times per week along with your weight lifting workouts, you will start seeing fat loss take place. As that occurs, you’ll notice your stomach getting slimmer as well.

In most cases it’s not just a matter of firming up the muscles in the ab region but rather losing body fat that’s covering them.

Plank On An Exercise Ball

Finally, the last exercise to perform to help you get a slimmer waist is a plank exercise on an exercise ball. Since the plank is an isometric contraction that calls for you to hold this position in place, you’ll maintain a steady rate of tension on the ab tissues.

By then adding the exercise ball into the mix, you’re going to up the intensity even further, really forcing those muscles to tense up hard.

As they do, this will train the stomach to stay sucked in at all times, so that when you’re going about your everyday activities the stomach appears flatter and more firm.

So there you have three top movements that you should do regularly if you want to achieve a slim waist. Be sure to do these along with a good diet for the best

- Mama

Can one really be so prescriptive about dating, I wonder. And who on earth came up with the number three?

Somehow, though, the idea of having a set number of dates in which to wait before deciding it’s appropriate to hop into bed doesn’t seem such a bad thing. I don’t care what anyone says, there is a difference to the way men and women perceive sex and for a lot of women (I’d argue most), the sexual leap is a hugely emotional one too. So why not give yourself a predetermined number of dates in which to figure out whether this is someone you actually want to be sharing bodily juices with.

However, when it comes to making your intentions (or lack thereof) clear, it’s not so cut and dried. Timing, it would seem, is everything. It’s too late to say “sorry, buddy, but you’re not getting any tonight” when your bra and panties are hanging over the headboard.

I guess this begs the question: Whatever happened to, if it’s right it’s right? As a woman, I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I know if I’m going to sleep with a guy within five minutes of meeting him. And if I can’t at least picture myself in the sack with him, he doesn’t get a second date, I’m afraid. Life’s too short for games.

Of course, that’s not to say I will sleep with him. I have heard of the thrill of the chase. Thanks to my relationship guru sister, I’m well versed in the “treat ‘em mean, keep ‘em keen” school of thinking. She calls it delayed gratification – or eating the cake and leaving the frosting for last.

So, no, not a set cap on numbers of dates before sex, but yes to taking it slow. If for no other reason than to protect your heart.

- Single-again Samantha

As a mom with a newborn who breastfeeds every 2 hours, I was excited to try out the Simplisse Double Electric Breast Pump. Since the breast pump was designed by lactation consultants and moms, my expectations were very high.

While the sucking action of an electric breast pump can’t completely mimic the gentle sucking of a baby, the Simplisse Double Electric Breast Pump comes very close. The suction cups are soft are designed to easily conform to the shape of your breast. More importantly, the sucking mechanism is gentle, yet efficient and will not leave your nipples sore.

I appreciate that the pump is easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of attention. (I once used it at 3am while my baby slept soundly a few feet away.) The only thing I didn’t like about the breast pump was the loudness of the motor. However, if your infant is calmed by the sound of white noise, the sound of the motor might soothe him.

The breast pump comes with a purse-like tote bag which is great for ‘moms on the go’ who want to be discreet. The breast pump also comes with a Wet Storage Bag, Microfiber Cooler Pack, 2 Ice Gel Packs, 4 Breastmilk Collection Bottles, and an Instructional DVD

Features:

• Compression technology and super-soft flexible breastcups
• Gentle Compression Technology gently elicits milk expression
• Gentle compression is designed to help minimize tugging and pinching
• Super-Soft BabyFace™ Flexible Breastcups conform to mom’s breast and naturally move with mom while expressing
• Inner and Outer Breastcups work together to mimic baby’s tongue and suckling motions, to encourage Let-Down

Overall, we liked the Simplisse Double Electric Breast Pump. The price is reasonable, it is efficient, easy to use, and is gentle on your breasts.

In our continuous search for great quality products we found Spindrift, a soda that is actually made of ingredients we can recognize.  Look at the ingredients of their blackberry soda: Another thing we love is that it’s sweetened with real cane sugar,  crushed fruits and sparkling water!!

Spindrift comes in 6 delicious flavors bottled in glass! (forget harmful plastics.)

• Cranberry Raspberry
• Half and Half
• Mango Orange
• Sparkling Lemonade
• Sparkling Blackberry
• Sparkling Grapefruit

It’s the kind of soda your mom would like to see you drink!

Check out the nutrition facts: