Makeover Momma

JUST FOR FUN TREND:  P9OX — Intense In-Home Workout Video Systems

MAKEOVER MOMMA™ RATING: C-

REVIEW: We at Makeover Momma love any and all women who have the initiative, motivation and incentive to take care of their health post-partum by exercising. There are a wide variety of intense workouts systems, such as P90X, which (although their charming infomercials are fun to watch during late night feedings) are just not that realistic for busy parents.

Although we secretly wish we could try out this trend in our single days, these 60 minutes per day (for 90 days) sweat fests may deliver results to the lucky few with time to commit, but most of our energy is spent changing diapers and cleaning up crayon graffiti from our living room walls. And although infomercials are enticing, the nearly $120 price tag is staggering for strapped parents. How to improve this trend? Try renting a wide variety of challenging fitness DVD’s from Netflix or your local library, and rotating for 90 days to create your own routine. Better yet? Start exercising for 30 minutes per day in order to create lasting and reasonable results, and prevent post-partum fitness burn out.

Celeb Beauty – Salma Hayek is a beautiful actress and proud mother to daughter Valentina… yet, we at Makeover Momma can’t help but admire her enviably shiny hair.

The Look – Long, dark locks that are supremely straight and shiny.

Who This Look Works For – New mothers who have naturally straight hair or dark coloring should jump for this style, but mothers with wavy, curly or lighter strands should skip it all together (save yourself the extra trouble.) Try to shampoo and condition hair every-other day with products created for sleek styles, and keep locks shiny by adding a thick deep conditioner whenever possible (multi-task by conditioning hair while cleaning the house or feeding baby.) This style is low-maintainence, but high on shine and glamour.

Make It Work For You – To improve straight hair without hours of blow drying, try spraying daily with Nexxus Sleek Style spray, which is said to straighten hair texture slowly over time (in addition to providing potent styling power). Keep strands a uniform (and easy to manage) shade of deep brunette to flatter your skin tone, and avoid high-maintenance highlights in favor of high-shine (try rinsing hair with clear glossing treatment twice per month, like John Frieda Luminous Clear Shine Color Glaze).

NO BRAINER OUTFIT: loose classic shift dress + dainty kitten heels + bold accessories

WHY THIS WORKS: A mini shift dress can conceal post-partum pudge (whether real, imagined or hormone induced), while showing off a woman’s most flattering assets (long neck and even longer legs.) Try choosing a style that is classic in shape and structure (ie. zero cling factor) so that you can relax and feel sexy (nursing bra be damned!) Take this look from dumpy to darling by adding supportive kitten heels and daring accessories (like stacked bangle bracelets, a bold necklace or long colorful earrings.)

LESSON LEARNED: No matter your size or shape, add this comfy shift to your “in-a-moments-notice” motherly wardrobe…and you can dress it down or up however needed.

      Unlike most toddlers who are learning their first colors, my toddler is obsessed with perhaps the most obscure of the spectrum: yellow and purple. Our kitchen is overrun with squash, egg yolks, bananas, egg-plant, plums or grapes (among many colorful and healthy foods.) Bizarre as their eating preferences may seem, it goes without saying that we can stand to learn a lot from the colorful habits our children innately possess.

     Remember the days when eating was about taste, color, and enrichment, instead of fast, faster, and more fattening? As parents, we could completely revamp our diet into something nutritious and delightful, purely using the colors that nature provides to guide us. Try skipping the bland and processed foods that are dull in color, such as white flour, sugar, processed carbs, or items that come in colors only dye and synthetics could create (read: fruity pebbles do not count as healthy colors!) Instead, why not try filling your plate with colors that are both discernible and worthy of your toddler’s appreciation: rich produce, deep vegetables and greens, and natural whole grains will not only make your plate beautiful…but they’ll make your body and health beautiful too.

* Have a New Momma No Brainer question? Ask us and we will answer any of your nutritional queries or conundrums…

· Photo courtesy of www.environment.nau.edu

Exercising can feel selfish to many new (or veteran) mothers, because it takes time away from your baby. We at Makeover Momma™ believe firmly in fitting fitness into your lifestyle (which includes baby inclusion all the way). Try teaching little ones valuable skills while getting fit…its like homeschooling and personal training in one!

Active mother Naomi Watts knows that adding your baby’s weight to your lifestyle can help you lose your own baby weight.

·         Young infant – As soon as that little one has secure neck strength, you can start teaching basic songs and rhythms through singing. Try creating an exercise circuit by picking 2 lullabies: one for cardio and one for strength training. Hold baby securely in your arms and sing one song while doing simple cardio movements (walk rapidly around the house, dance in place or climb stairs) and sing another song while using baby as weight for strength (press overhead, press to each side, press out from your chest or use as weight during squats and lunges.)

·         BENEFIT: Alternating between lullabies will create and intense and efficient interval circuit, while soothing your baby too!

Busy mom Bridget Moynahan knows that exercising with baby equals multitasking.

·         Growing Baby – If your baby is still comfortable in your arms (ie. not crawling away constantly), try teaching them how to count by creating a number circuit. Sit down and let them straddle one extended leg (raised at hip level in front of you.) From here, use your leg to “draw” numbers 1-10 in the air while counting out loud (your thighs will be truly burn!) Afterwards, use baby to do 10 swing squats (squat and swing them between your legs,) 10 overhead presses and  10 step-ups. Finally, hold them securely in your arms, and draw numbers 1 through 10 in the air in front of you (this is a killer arm routine and will hit nearly every muscle you have.)

·         BENEFIT: Your baby will have fun while learning to count (and you will be toning from head to toe.)

*   Tune in next month for Toddler and Young Child exercise ideas that both shape (you) and school (them). Have tips or advice of your own, or want to be a Makeover Momma healthy mother model? Share with us or send in an image!

   Nearly infamous mother Michelle Williams is a movie and television star in her own right, but also proud and active mother to daughter Matilda. Although it may seem difficult to get shiny hair, preserve color or prevent dandruff as a new mom, but Makeover Momma’s™ sneaky spa moment is as simple as brushing your hair. We have fallen in love with the new Goody’s Styling Therapy brushes, which can treat your hair while you comb (isn’t that genius?) It comes in three varieties (one to preserve hair color, one to prevent and treat dandruff and one to add shine with jojoba oil) and can literally be used while bathing/feeding/burping your child. Its sneaky, its clever and it will do a hair ‘do good.

UNFLATTERING FAUX PAS:

Even though it may come in handy to have (what men charmingly refer to as) “child bearing hips” when delivering a baby…it may not seem quite as handy when dressing post-partum. Have confidence in those curves with well-placed outfits and proportional clothing.

FIGURE FLATTERY FIX:

Instead of hiding your curves after baby, simply learn the three keys to highlighting those beautiful womanly hips: 1) Accentuate a small waist or shoulders to create proportion, 2) balance hips with a wider cut in either pants or skirt, and 3) wear a flattering color, cinched waistline or something that makes you feel sexy.

1. A top with balance: Aim for a top or shirt with wider cut shoulders, ruffles on top or a dramatic neckline. Balancing out small shoulders to hips will create leaner proportions and balance overall.

TRY: Layered Puff Sleeve Top for Wet Seal

2. A cinched belt or waistline: Nipping your top or dress at the waist creates an hourglass figure, which is enviable to anyone. Try a soft belt with light stretch so that you can flatter your figure, while still being comfortable after baby.

TRY: City Style Wide Stretch Belt from NY&Company

3. A wide cut bottom: Choose an A-line skirt or wider cut trousers to balance out hips. Although it seem counterproductive to wear wider clothing on your widest area, clothing with slight give and structure is better than tight, stretchy items.

TRY:Victoria’s Secret Linen Drawstring Skirt

Fashion Fix Prices:

· Balancing Bold Top — 18.50

· Stretchy Belt — 13.96

· A-line or wide skirt — 29.50

     This fast and easy recipe for 5 Minute Chicken Taco Salad takes mere minutes to prepare in the microwave, and produces a crunchy and satisfying meal. Not only is this original Makeover Momma™ recipe quick and easy for busy mothers, but it makes a healthy lunch to share with your child. Completely gluten-free* and filled with lean protein, it uses crisp lettuce, beans and fresh salsa to create a crunchy snack. Try using any left-over produce or meats wanted to make it your own, or use lactose-free cheese (such as Veggie Delight) and cubed tofu to make it dairy-free or vegetarian.  

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 gluten-free corn taco shells – Garden of Eatin’ Corn tacos
• ½ can of gluten-free refried beans – Bearitos Organic Traditional
• 2 tablespoons of Daisy brand sour cream
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup chopped cherry tomatoes
• ½ cup chopped celery
• ½ of a scooped avocado
• ½ cup shredded fresh cheddar cheese (not processed)
• 1 bag of pre-cooked lean grilled chicken

Instructions:

Pour ½ can of refried beans into a microwave safe container, and heat according to package directions (roughly 1 minute). Cut an avocado in half, and scoop out ½ of its contents and layer over beans. On a separate cutting board, chop onion, cherry tomatoes, and celery, and add to dish to form another layer. Break 2 or more corn taco shells into small crunchy pieces and add to the dish, and finally pour content of pre-cut grilled chicken (gluten-free) over top. Add freshly shredded cheddar cheese, and put entire bowl in microwave for 2-3 additional minutes, until contents are warm and cheese melted. Top off with a dollop of sour cream.

*All meal suggestions at Makeover Momma™ will include allergen information and suggestions for children with allergies, celiac disease, or additional health concerns. This snack is gluten-free (but can be dairy and meat free, as needed.)

Do you ever get sick of celebrity mothers stating that it was simply “walking with their stroller” that got them back in shape? Although it seems that a simple stroll with your stroller won’t do much to keep the weight off, there are many ways that you can get more from each walk (even when you’re short on time.)

·         Add Intervals With Music – Try turning up your favorite tunes when taking a walk, and alternate between your normal pace for one song and a much faster pace at the next. It’s up to you how far you push the pace, but simply alternating between two different speeds on your normal walk will burn more calories. (Make sure your music is at a level where you are still aware of your surroundings to keep both you and baby safe.)

·         Bump Up The Weight – Before hitting the pavement for your next walk, try adding a few extra water bottles, toys or even dumbbells to the bottom of your stroller to increase the resistance. The heavier the weight you’re pushing while walking, the more calories you’ll burn (as long as you’re careful not to risk injury by going overboard.)

·         Use New Tools – Make workouts harder by buying affordable ankle or wrist weights at your local convenience or athletics store. Simply adding 2 to 5 pound weights while walking will tone your body more, without needing to increase walk time.

*Do you have a tip for making your momma workout more challenging? Share with us, and we’ll post your advice!

We recently came across a new term known as a “scuppy”, which refers to socially conscious yuppy-esque mothers (or parents) who embrace eco-friendly everything…without losing their sense of style. These mothers somehow manage to enjoy organic beauty products and aesthetics, without resembling the greasy, hippie image of the past. Makeover Momma™ was inspired by this balance between beauty and enviro-awareness, and decided to do some affordable product investigation of our own.

Try helping the planet and being eco-savvy…without breaking the bank (even if that sounds impossible.) Check out the new Dessert Essence Organics line available at CVS (or www.drugstore.com), which offers an Age Reversal Mineral Sunscreen with SPF 30. This clever concoction claims to both moisturize and protect your skin daily, without clogging pores or irritating sensitive skin. If you need a new nighttime cream, try their Age Reversal Pomegranate Face Serum which is a potent treatment to prevent wrinkles, fight free-radicals and reverse signs of aging…all while using completely natural ingredients. We may be late to hop aboard the evo-savvy train, but we find ourselves inspired to ditch the chemical creams and abrasive acids we hold dear, in favor of something more natural.

·         What Is Your Opinion on the Scuppy Trend? Let us know if you’re down with green or sticking to your creams…