After recent tragic events around the world and in New York City, I am often asked how do I manage to keep centered and focused on my work with so much drama and uncertainty going on? The simple answer, and often with such events, is not so simple at all, Meditation!
Through meditation, I have come to realize that life is indeed made from a series of tragic and magic moments that happen around me and to me, and most I have no control over whatsoever. What I do have control over, is how I respond to such events and use meditation as a tool or process. Meditation has helped me and my children no matter what has happened, and we have been through some very tough times together, to return to love and to maintain our innocence, that is trust in the mystery, magic and possibilities of life and creation.
With any tragic event that we are aware of and they sadly happen so often these days, we all consciously or unconsciously take a deep in breath, out of shock or disbelief, many forget to take the out breath and continue to breathe. Meditation allows us to breathe freely again and re-center.
It is so easy to get caught in the fears of the moment, especially with the speed and immediacy of news and multi-media. For me, meditating is a way to stay centered in being present in the moment despite whatever is happening around me. This practice helped me enormously when I was diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer.
We cannot avoid the suffering that comes out of loss and death, which we cannot easily explain because it makes no sense to us. We can take care of ourselves and be tender to the fears and anxieties, anger and rage, or shear disbelief in how violent people can be to each other. We are living at a time of inexplicable and unpredictable violent unrest and danger that can happen to any of us at any moment as we go innocently about our daily lives.
Once I mention meditation the next question is oh that’s so difficult or so out there or how do you meditate, or how can I do that when I’m far too busy? I answer simply by saying if you can breathe and relax you can meditate.
Meditation is for me the fastest way to become centered and to be and stay present to what really matters in life and to realize in this moment I am safe and free from harm.
Clearly if I were in the middle of a violent or dangerous event my first instinct or advice to you would not be to meditate. But, I can tell you that meditating over time really helps in moments of high stress or danger to respond with what Buddhists call “ the spontaneity of right action!”
Once alone and safely back at home I believe and experience meditation is the best thing to do to return to my center and feel safe in my surrounding. It gets me out of being hijacked and stuck in my biological, animal and instinctual response to freeze, flee or fight and all the behavioral expressions of these that we experience as humans.
There are many ways to meditate and I would encourage you to explore. For me, these days life is a meditation, but for those who would love to develop a practice to begin to learn the principles and fundamentals of meditation below are some simple suggestions.
Being still and focusing on our breath is the place to start. With breath awareness, we return to the most essential thing human beings need and that is breathing. We can last days without water and some of us weeks without food but no one can last long without breathing.
As I focus on my breath, my body slows down as I control my breathing my body responds immediately and lets go and relaxes. This may take time for some but the investment of time and patients with oneself is well repaid through meditation.
Focusing on our breath we focus on our prana or "life force" and what we focus on expands, be it fears, anger, anxiety, happiness and love.
We all know the feeling of being in the zone and mostly we like or rather love the outcome of anything that comes out of this moment of being in the Zone.
All we do with a calm state of mind we seem to achieve better results more easily with better flow and more success with ease.
To understand the value and importance of a daily meditation practice is powerful for us as parents and for our little ones to benefit from and for the quality of life we all want to get in touch with but stressful events minor or major can distract and derail us from time to time.
Meditation is a great way to take a moment to reflect and to collect oneself to get back on track.
I even teach meditation to my kids who love to sit with me and share such precious moments of stillness, peace and energetic togetherness. It creates real energetic bonding, just try it.
Simply by connecting to your breath consciously will make a huge difference in your life in any situation. There are so many different techniques and kinds of meditation and research shows that meditation improves our quality of actions and decision making in many ways. There are also now many researchers proving that meditation has many health benefits and can improve the speed of recovery from illness and surgery by up to twenty percent.
As we begin by simply focusing on our breath and breathing we relax and begin to experience quieting of our minds. Some minds don't give in to being quiet so easily, so this may take time. I recommend at first to see thoughts as clouds simply moving through the sky. Some thoughts like clouds are light, others can be dark and heavy, but for those of us that have flown we know that above the clouds there are blue skies and in daytime the sun is always shining.
Quieting our minds brings a sense of inner peace a place from where we can begin to accept the world as it is and be free from the need to obsess about why things happen as they do if there is no logical answer or way of knowing. As the serenity prayer explains we begin to accept the things we cannot change and develop a courage to change the things we can. Most importantly, we gain insight to know the difference between the things we can and cannot change or control. Meditation is not about being passive! It is about gaining insights and skillful means to be proactive and not reactive, in responding to events and how we can use our resources and energy wisely to make a real difference in our world as we so choose.
I remind myself with a simple inner ritual to get to my heart center, that you can follow at first and then develop your own when you have experienced the benefits of meditation and gained confidence to explore and be playful. There are no rights or wrongs, just what works for you. Each stage I breathe slowly through until I feel at peace to continue with the next.
“I am breathing freely and I let go of tension in my body with a huge sigh.
My mind is now becoming quiet and I let go of my thoughts as they arise.
I accept the world as it is and not the way I believe it should be
I love and accept myself just as I am.
I love and accept others just as they are.
My Heart is open to expand and receive .
I choose now to be here in bliss as I feel my heart opening and expanding.
I breathe into this expansion and allow anything other than love in this moment to fall away” .... With meditation less is more.
Breath awareness, making the mind still, being open to accept the truth and loving and accepting myself and others as I am and they are, really opens my heart and brings great emotional awareness and healing.
As the Buddha said .... “Look within and be still. Free yourself from fears and attachment and then know the sweet joy of the way!”
Fertility Support
FERTILITY TOGETHER: Email: Leyla@fertilitytogether.com, Ph. (201) 638-8618, Instagram: @fertilitytogether
I have so many friends who went through fertility issues. It seems as if it’s more common than not these days, and the process can be very daunting. I’ve heard them discuss all of the hormone shots they need to give themselves daily, the specific dietary restrictions, and the emotional roller coaster they go through hormonally. It is such a tough time for women, and until now I’ve never heard of a company that provides support specific to fertility problems. Leyla Bilali is a registered nurse who has worked at RMA in NYC for many years. She has seen the women who struggle with having so many unanswered questions, and she has found a way to meet their needs. Fertility Together is a concierge consulting service that aims to make life easier for women going through IVF and other hormone treatments. Leyla does home visits and administers all of the shots, helps answer all fertility-related questions at any time of day, and helps guide you in beneficial eating habits. She is a true life saver!
Feminine Hygiene
LOVE WELLNESS: email: contact@lovewellness.co
For whatever reason, we all steer clear of the word vagina. I’m not sure why this discussion is such a faux pas over the years, as it’s a crucial part of the woman’s body, but we are going to try to change that for you. Vaginal hygiene is something Lo Bosworth, creator and founder of Love Wellness, has improved with the help of her gynecologist and homeopathic doctor. She is providing women with an all-natural kit, which includes suppositories, pills, cleansers, and towelettes that cure chronic yeast infections and prevent bacteria from entering the vagina. Many of us, including myself earlier in my life, suffer from chronic urinary tract infections and yeast infections. Whether they come from sex, working out in wet clothing, sitting in wet bathing suits, or our nutritional habits, we are all familiar with the itchy, unpleasant feeling affiliated with yeast. Monistat, Diflucan, Acidophilus and all of the medicines we know to be helpful with these infections are pumping so many chemicals and unnatural substances into our bodies, so let’s all be thankful that Lo has created something healthful for us to use to cleanse our bodies from the inside out.
Read more"All You Need Is Love"
Our children as babies are born very dependent on us, their parents.
New discoveries in neurobiology and psychology have lead doctors, scientists and psychologists to discover and establish that the healthy bonding with parents in the first two years of a child's life is so important for the healthy development of our children.
Mothers and grandmothers, fathers and grandfathers have always known they have the most important, demanding and beautiful role to play in bringing up a child and now science is confirming to us the importance of loving nurture in the emotional, social and cognitive development of our children. The Beatles got it right with " all you need is love".
The way to develop and grow a strong bond with a baby and young child is not rocket science, it's common sense. We can make it a lot easier if we take time to make ourselves present and available.
It's hugging, gentle touching with skin to skin contact. It's the soft voice of a mother singing and tender smiles at night. It's the eye to eye contact when feeding and giggles during the day. It's the playfulness at bath time. These all may seem simple and obvious, but it is now known these precious moments are building bonds and connections in making your child feel safe and at the same time building emotional strength and resilience.
New science has established that by the age of three our child's brain has reached 90% of its adult capacity. This highlights the need for us to give as much love and affection in these early developmental years as we possibly can. We all want to buy nice baby clothes and toys and decorate a new room, but it is the simple gift of our loving presence that is so important to our young children.
In my practice as an energetic healer I have so many clients coming to me with discomfort that we carefully trace back to early issues with a lack of childhood bonding. I work with many symptoms like anxiety, depression, addiction, perfectionism, feelings of abandonment and even low self-esteem, that can be rooted in the lack of bonding we receive as a child.
We started last week's article on self-acceptance deliberately, for self acceptance opens us up to be fully present and understanding of our own needs which in turn opens us up to be fully present and aware of the needs of others, especially our little ones.
As mothers these days, we have so little time to prepare for motherhood. If we are fortunate, we still have a close and honest relationship with our own mothers, and if we are especially fortunate we also have a close relationship with a grandmother.
Sadly today, very few of us live or feel close to our families and communities of origin so the usual way we would learn as future mothers to mother is limited. It is therefore important not to isolate or try to do it all by yourself alone as we do in big cities. Bonding with a community of other mothers helps for sharing your experience early on and is very important for our own growth as a parent. It is important to share your feelings with others you trust. Some mothers experience mixed feelings in having a child. It's good to share these and not judge yourself at such a time of hormonal imbalances.
Many mothers will at some stage go through the baby blues. This is normal and passes within a few days or weeks. Make sure you are gentle and tender with yourself at this stage. Don't fight it. A simple mantra like " this too shall pass" will remind you this is not forever. For me, it came after forty days with each child when the feelings of euphoria wear off and there is a realization that one's life will never be the same again. Childbirth always has with it many strong feelings and mixed emotions and in most cases these feelings balance out over the first few months. Approximately 15% of woman in the USA will experience some form of postpartum depression or PPD which is more serious and these women should be encouraged to receive help. If left unattended, a mother can really suffer with PPD. So, moms there is no shame in asking for help and no honor in suffering silently.
I mentioned earlier in this article that it is our love and presence that our newborns needs for nourishment on so many different levels and if we have just one child we can often focus and do this well. However even with one child, our husbands or partners will feel the special exclusive bond we all have with a newborn child and we must be aware of this dynamic and make sure we do not drop the bond we have with our partners. Even the most loving partner will react when they see and feel the unconditional open intimate love a mother shares with her new baby . Many wish they too could experience such love and intimacy, so it is important to make time to be with your partner even if it's for a short walk, warm hug or a meal out together. Our children feel safer when they experience and feel the close bond and love with their parents.
Often this can be as simple as including our partner and sharing the love we have so our partner can also give love to our child in their own way and be included. This may seem simple but we as mothers need to be aware of reaching out to partners in small ways even when we will not feel like doing so to stop our partners from feeling dropped or even abandoned.
Keeping bonding and connection with our partners is very important, but what about keeping the bond with our other children? Depending on the age of your other children they will feel the change in connection with their mother in different ways before and most definitely with the arrival and presence of a new child. As a rule it's a good investment of time to include your child or children in the lead up to birth, to talk through the birth itself, sharing the birth experiences you had with them and caring for the new arrival in the family.
As much as possible, make it an inclusive experience that each child feels they have an important special part to play. Use story telling to get your points across and even though you will be tired, make sure you keep track of your other children's reactions and make small adjustments as you go rather than wait for a huge emotional reaction from your other children. One way to help the process, is to remind everyone that we all are different and have unique gifts to share. As with our partners, our children will have mixed feelings about the new arrival. On one hand feelings of love, caring and excitement, and on the other hand, feelings of being displaced or overlooked or not acknowledged or even envy, jealousy and resentment. It's important not to make the feelings of your younger children wrong, but to listen to them and get to understand their fears and vulnerabilities at such a time. We all know having a new baby is so time consuming and there will most likely be times when you are exhausted, but taking time out with your partner and other children will save so much time and heartbreak in the future and will help bring about self-healing with your own childhood experience.
In remembering even when we are stressed out, exhausted, frustrated and tired, we all have available to us the ability to choose love and kindness knowing that this is what makes for a happy bonded child and family. This is an admirable aim and I know through first hand experience, at times we will all fall short of reaching such a goal. At times, this is going to seem or be impossible, but it's so important even when we react from a place other than love we quickly remember to start over again and not to be so hard on ourselves and in such a moment demonstrate self-love, for our kids do what we do, not what we say....
Self Acceptance As The First Step Towards Healing
Louise Amar:
Growing up I had a strong and very romantic image of myself as a Mother. That very quickly changed with the arrival of my first child. The magic of the pain and beauty in childbirth can never be anticipated or accurately talked about, it has to be experienced. In short, we can never be fully prepared. After this amazing event, I had to face the reality and challenges of being a practicing new Mom and keeping my professional career alive.
I quickly realized that there where two parts of me out of step with each other. Affectionately I’ll call them my “career girl” and the “new Mom”. It became obvious that these two discrete parts of me had their own rules, opinions and beliefs about how I should be managing my life. It also became clear that they developed, over time, huge judgment and antagonism towards one another. For example my natural stay-at-home Mom made it very clear from the beginning that I was a bad Mother to leave my child with a nanny and go back to work so soon. My career girl was simply saying come on don’t get trapped at home we have to get on in life.
This inner talk over time became louder and louder with other voices joining in. I had “the feminine woman” in me, who likes to feel healthy, beautiful and keep herself in a good shape speak up. She was upset she didn’t have the time to look after herself the way she would like and that I was always smelling of milk. She became depressed at always being tired and lacking quality sleep with dark eyes and real or imaginary new lines on her face. Then, was "the wife” who felt and knew she was missing in action. To make matters worse there was also “the dutiful daughter” listening to her own Jewish Mother and taking or ignoring advice how to be the best Mother possible!
You can imagine even the healer-meditator in me became overwhelmed with such noise and confusion. Somehow I managed with determination to work things through until the voice of all internal voices showed up-- my “inner critic”. And wow mine was a killer!
The inner critical voice was constantly complaining that I was just not good enough at any of the above. I was not a good enough Mother or a healer or a wife or a daughter and certainly not looking or feeling beautiful enough. This super-critical voice was constantly focusing on what I should’ve, could’ve or ought to have done. She was the loudest of all inner voices.
For a time the critics tenacity took me by surprise, but like most challenging things in life this voice brought with it a huge gift and opportunity for growth. I had to update and strengthen the way I listened to my self. I had to really focus on and develop ways in being much kinder and caring towards myself. As a result I began to hear and experience the strengths, limitation, fears and vulnerabilities in all these individual inner-voices.
When I learned to stop fearing and criticizing my critic I could even listen to and use the very practical down to earth wisdom that this part of me was sharing in trying to keep me and my child protected and safe. In short, the most welcomed and unexpected outcome was the profound sense of awareness and peace that came from me simply listening with kindness and without judgment to all these different parts of myself. I realized the quest for "self acceptance” cannot and doesn’t happen without us accepting all of ourselves, even the parts that we truly do not like or want to accept or admit to. Self acceptance is the key that opens the door to taking better care of ourselves and our loved ones. Truly if we do not know how to Mother and take good care of ourselves how can we even begin to take care of others especially our precious little ones.
After practicing a very simple daily ritual of listening with self kindness and acceptance, judgment of ourselves and others becomes less and less. We become willing to open our hearts and make ourselves available for the first steps for healing to take place.
My Pelvis Rescue
THE FUNCTIONAL PELVIS: Email: lindseyvestal@functionalpelvis.com, Ph. (917) 601-1299
We all have our weak parts of our body. Some people are prone to ear infections or sinus infections, others are predisposed to stomach or heart issues. I, for one, have always been prone to urinary tract problems, and it only got worse after two pregnancies. For whatever reason, perhaps because it's not at all glamorous, most of us keep our internal issues to ourselves. I am an open book, so I prefer to share the information in hopes of finding answers and helping one another. I have had a weakened bladder wall since naturally delivering both of my children, so I was incredibly grateful to find the Functional Pelvis, to strengthen my bladder in a non-invasive way. Lindsey Vestal came to my rescue with her pelvic floor exercises and cold laser techniques. She knows every inch of the pelvic floor and what it takes to get it back in shape after labor and delivery. I know many women suffer in this region between bladder incontinence or urgency, decreased sex drive, and decreased sexual pleasure, so give Lindsey a call for a consultation and you will be on your way to recovery.
Read moreAustin's Surf Camp
AUSTIN'S SURF CAMP: montauksurfcamp@gmail.com
It all goes down at Ditch Plains beach in Montauk! Children all over the Hamptons drive to the End to get surf lessons from the famous Austin Eckardt because he is the best! Austin was born and raised in Montauk and knows the beach and surf better than anyone. He is so sweet, patient and fun to be with, so it is of no surprise that children return year after year to take his surf camp or private lessons. Austin has children as young as five years old learning to surf and also teaches many adults in private lessons. He has a passion for teaching and it's clear that he loves his job. We had a blast on the beach together, and I know when my girls are ready to hit the waves, Austin will be my first phone call!
Read moreSunset Paddle
JBYOGA: Ph. (917) 301-6919, Email: jessica@jbyoga.com
I've never been a big yogi, but the thought of doing it out on the bay with a paddle board sounded too good to be true. Jessica Bellofatto started stand up paddle yoga, and it is an awesome workout! Your core has to work extra hard to keep your body balanced and centered on the board with the waves beneath you. There is a challenging physical component to this experience, but it is also the greatest spiritual connection to the earth. You feel one with nature and your surroundings. Jessica runs her camps and paddle yoga classes out of Sag Harbor, and takes children of all ages. It's a really beautiful way to spend the afternoon as a family on a nice, sunny day. I was fortunate enough to take my best girlfriends out on a sunset, full moon paddle this past week and Jessica led us is a yoga class while the sun came down. It was so peaceful and special to have this experience with my closest friends. We all agreed we could have fallen into a deep meditative sleep out on the water. It was one of the most wonderful nights of my summer, and I highly recommend calling her before going back to city life!
Read morePampering Out East
TIGHT: 760 Montauk Highway, Suite 1A, Watermill, NY 11976, website: www.tightmedspa.com, ph. (631) 500-9090
I live in the Hamptons every summer and in the past have struggled to find a great medical spa out here. In recent years, particularly when I turned 30, my skin maintenance became a priority. I had all of my regular facialists, dermatologists, and laser centers in NYC, but there weren't any places for upkeep in the summertime. I also was craving the B12 shots that I regularly get at my doctor's office for an immunity boost in Manhattan, and failed at locating a doctor out east who had them. Lastly, any time I had a breakout or cyst that need a cortisone injection, I found myself waiting for hours in the local Southampton dermatologist office. The answer to all of this just hit Water Mill, and the Medical Spa is called Tight for a reason! They provide so many services, from Botox and fillers, to eyelashes and lasers. My favorite being the B 12 shots and vitamin infusions that keep me feeling healthy and energized. Dr. Norman Rowe, an NYC plastic surgeon opened up shop with his wife Mia and her sister Libbie. They have incredible nurses on site that they brought out from Manhattan and are taking the Hamptons by storm with their Body FX and Forma facials!
Water Workouts
PADDLE DIVA: Paddle Diva Center, 219 Three Mile Harbor, HC Road, East Hampton, Shop/reservations: 631-329-2999, Email: gina@paddlediva.com, Mailing Address: 61 Lincoln Ave, East Hampton, NY 11937
As I've mentioned in previous stories, I love to get outdoors for exercise in the Summer. There is no better way to spend a sunny day than on the water! Years ago when I stopped surfing (because I became a mama and my shark anxiety was through the roof), I wanted to figure out a way to exercise on the water, rather than in the water. I searched for a great instructor out east who specialized in paddle boarding, and I found Gina. She is a very special woman. Her energy is magnetic, and she makes you feel confident and safe the moment you step on the board. Before long I was asking her where to buy boards for my house, so I could make paddling a regular part of my fitness regimen. There is something so incredibly calming and therapeutic about standing on that board, looking out at the bay. You almost forget that you are actually working out. It's a great activity to do with friends and family, and Gina also offers paddle yoga classes which are great for core strength. A couple of summers ago she helped train me for the Paddle for Pink race supporting breast cancer, and it was a challenging and rewarding experience. My girls were so in love with their first paddle lesson this summer, they didn't want to come out of the water, which was shocking for me to watch. Typically my girls would be a bit fearful of getting into the bay without me, and somehow they were standing up balancing on the board with Gina for an hour! We are looking forward to many more lessons together as a family.
Read moreBeach Boot Camp
MINARDI TRAINING: ph.: (631) 680-3000, website: http://www.minarditraining.com/
When summer finally arrives, I crave being outside and on the beach. The more time I get to spend outside, the better I feel. All winter long I exercise indoors, which is great, but when it warms up, I like to incorporate some outdoor activities into my weekly fitness regimen. Jimmy Minardi has been a popular fitness trainer out East for decades. He is a unique character, a man who is somehow both warm and fierce with infectious energy. Jimmy is so passionate about his workouts, and makes you feel one with nature as you are getting sweaty! He is so motivating and inspirational being a single dad of 3! Jimmy's beach boot camps contain so many elements and obstacles that create an intense and unique workout, all while glancing out at the serene ocean view. He caters to his clients, and holds both classes and private sessions on the beach. Jimmy also does great obstacle courses for kids parties and can set up a fun family workout session in your backyard, so everyone can participate in the fitness fun! I'm thinking of hiring him to do a fun family/friend color war at the end of summer, and hoping he's on my team!
Read moreRecover and Rejuvenate
LIZZ V SMITH PHYSICAL THERAPY: email: lizzvw@me.com, ph: 212-675-9355, website: www.LizzvSmithPT.com
Lizz has been a dear friend of mine for many years. We met at the Tracy Anderson Method studio many moons ago, and have been sweating it out together ever since. Before Lizz had her two sons, she practiced physical therapy, and now that they are in school full-time, she has gotten back in the game! Lizz knows the body, and especially those who work out at the tracy anderson method and cross fit. She does these workouts herself on a regular basis, which enables her to be the best expert in helping us fitness addicts avoid injury and maintain strength. She is able to correct our movements, or give modifications to ensure our health and wellness. She also performs cupping techniques and deep tissue massage to improve circulation in tight areas. She has equipment in her new, beautiful Modrn Sanctuary space for rehabilitation exercises and a salt room to promote further healing. Weird but true, when en route to Lizz's office to shoot her feature, I was in an Uber accident, and couldn't move my neck. When I arrived to her in pain, she spent the time to work on my injured neck. By the end of the session, I felt brand new again!
Read moreA Personalized Practice
WASHINGTON MARKET PEDIATRICS: 161 Hudson St., NYC, ph. (917) 388-2611 , email: drtiffany@wmp.nyc
Dr. Tiffany is a pediatrician with an office in Tribeca, and is our pick for those looking for a pediatrician downtown. She has created a clean, artistic, kid-friendly office, and she has the bedside manner to match her perfectly designed space. Children and parents in the downtown community adore her and the personalized approach she offers her patients. Her space is a kid zone, each room decorated by theme, from dinosaurs to space. The children are so engaged by the art on the walls and the games in the room, they forget they are at a doctor's appointment. They will definitely not be afraid of the doctor going to this office! Dr. Tiffany limits her patients, so that she can really focus and dedicate personal attention to each family, hence why there is rarely anyone in the waiting room. This is by far the best experience I've ever had at the doctor's office, so if you live downtown and need a pediatrician, look no further, she's your girl!
Stretch and Release
ELANA SLOTT YOGA: email: elana@elanaslott.com
When becoming pregnant with my first child, I remember feeling the need for something meditative in my life. I wanted to find a way to incorporate extra stretching and new breathing techniques into my routine, because I felt my body and mind could benefit from these tools. There are so many aches and pains affiliated with pregnancy, and it is important to learn how to keep your body balanced and calm. Elana Scott is full of good energy, and has a private practice which conveniently brings meditation, yoga and healing to the home. She also has two weekly classes at a beautifully lit studio in TriBeCa called Sky Ting Yoga. Elana believes in opening your heart, strengthening your body, clearing your mind, and smoothing your nervous system to be present and happy through pregnancy.
Read moreDr. Cure-All
URBAN WELLNESS CLINIC: 57 West 57th Street, Suite 1406, Ph.: 212-355-0445, Email: emily@urbanwellnessclinic.com
I cannot say enough wonderful words about Emily Kiberd and her private practice, the Urban Wellness Clinic! Dr. Kiberd has created a center where women can feel safe and comfortable, knowing they are in the hands of great professionals and true experts in their field. She is a chiropractor and physical therapist, and has other wellness professionals on staff full-time. There is a nutrition expert, masseuse, personal trainer, yoga instructor, and pelvic floor expert. She believes in giving her patients the tools they need to exercise properly, to prevent injury, and build strength. I was so grateful when she showed me the correct positioning we all need when we are simply at work, sitting at our computers. That is a large portion of our day, and it's very easy to be hunched over, creating so many aches and pains in the body. The highlight of my visit was when Emily introduced me to her pelvic floor specialist who does house calls! After two births, there can be many internal changes, and I personally suffered many complications, so I am very excited to give this a try!
Read moreJab Right Kick Left
LUCHADOR FITNESS: ph.: 917-795-6230 email: lucho@luchadorfitness.com
Lucho Brother is Tata's personal trainer post pregnancy. In order to drop her baby weight, she changed her fitness to cardio interval training. Lucho had Tata doing rounds of jumping rope to sit-ups to treadmill sprints to lunges. Lucho does in-home private training and specializes in boxing and martial arts. He knows how to get your heart rate up and you will really feel the burn! I tried throwing a few punches with him and it was super fun and challenging!
Read moreMAMA-OF-THE-MOMENT: Nicole Berrie, founder of Bonberi
How did you come up with the idea for Bonberi?
I originally founded Bonberi with my friend Vanessa Packer who went on to found Modelfit. At the time, we were searching for a place online that focused on wellness but presented it in a chic, fashion-forward way. Sure there were plenty of crunchy "green goddess" sites, but where did the girls who read Vogue go for kale salad recipes? Coming from a background in magazines, I wanted to marry that curated, editorial look with subjects that cover holistic living, nutrition and well-being. Not all plant-based blogs need to be crunchy :)
How has being a mom changed the way you work? How do you manage both the site and spending time with Jude?
When I first had Jude, I couldn't even imagine the concept of "working mom" since I was so overwhelmed but about six weeks after giving birth, I got a writing assignment and had to dive right back in. It was a struggle in the beginning. It took me a while to figure out how to balance being there for Jude and also committing to work. I've learned to prioritize better and just "get it done". There's less time to second guess things, which I guess is a good thing. Now I try to focus my weekdays on work (barring colds, fevers and teething spells) but come the weekend, everything stops and it's mommy time. I've come to look at it a precious mommy and me time that is both restorative for Jude and me. I also make sure I do every good morning and goodnight song. There's nothing better than story time--as long as they involve trucks.
How has your son inspired you in your work?
Since becoming a mom, I've been inspired to include more healthy kid and baby-friendly recipes on the site and also feature moms who are raising their families in a healthy, holistic way. It's so inspiring to see what other moms are doing and to know there's not only one right way. My commitment to natural, organic products and foods has always been strong but since having Jude, I've become hyper-aware of what I put in his body and mine. That said, I've also become way more relaxed since the biggest thing motherhood has taught me is that we cannot control situations no matter how much we try. That has been the biggest learning curve for me.
What are your favorite kid-friendly restaurants in NYC?
Wild for gluten-free pizza; The Butcher's Daughter for almond butter toast and smoothies; Morandi for their soups and veggie sides.
What has been your favorite family vacation to date and what made it so memorable?
Every summer my husband and I used to go to Ibiza and last summer we took Jude for the first time over his 1st birthday. Taking him to every hidden beach, cliffside restaurant and cobblestone side street that my husband and I discovered on our own was so special since now we were a family unit. The plane ride back was unforgettable too--but not exactly for the same reasons ;)
What are your go-to meals to cook at home for your family?
A hearty vegetable soup is always in our fridge made with bone broth, chopped veggies and a dash of fresh dill with himalayan salt; brown rice pasta spirals with a creamy pesto sauce made dairy-free with steamed zucchini and cauliflower pureed with fresh basil; and a ground turkey, kale and beet ragu over roasted spaghetti squash.
What is your best health and nutrition advice?
My personal philosophy when it comes to nutrition is 80% plant-based, alkaline, whole foods and 20% indulgent foods. I try to eat as much raw, whole plants as possible whether it's in the form of salads, smoothies or juices. Food combining is also big thing for me, not mixing starch and protein in one meal to aid digestion. That said, the biggest thing when it comes to eating healthy for the longterm is don't forgo the pleasure. Listen to your intuition and see what you're craving. If you want crunch, add tons of cucumbers, bell peppers and toasted sunflower seeds to your salad. If you're craving pasta, go for it but choose the healthy option with whole grain options, tons of veggies and a savory sauce. If you want sushi, go for the avocado or veggie rolls since it's the rice that makes a roll. If you want a glass of red wine, go for it. Listen to your body. It's divinely intelligent and knows what it wants. Once you're the flow of listening to your intuition, eating healthy will most likely become your natural instinct.
What are your favorite all natural kids products?
TruKids Eczema Soothing Face & Body Wash; Earth Mama Angel Baby Angel Bottom Balm; Moon Valley Eczacalm
What is the best market for fresh organic produce in your opinion?
I recently discovered Heermance Farm Purveyors on Christopher Street, which only carries fresh local produce from their upstate farm in Tivoli. I also love Health & Harmony, Lifethyme and Integral Yoga Market.
What values do you hope to instill in your son?
As a child, my father always instilled in me a strong sense of principles, which I carry to this day. "The 4 D's," he used to call them. Dedication, Determination, Drive and Dignity. I hope one day I can convey the same values to my son.
My Pantry Cleanse
CURATED KITCHEN: ph. (212) 634 -6494, website: www.larametznutrition.com
Everyone struggles to keep their house clean and organized when they have children. It is simply a fact of life that kids equal mess. I'm sure many of you are also challenged by your children's eating habits, and preferences. We are living in an age where wellness, health, and nutrition are priorities, not only for maintaining our own health, but also our children's. I have so many dietary restrictions and allergies, and they have become so prevalent now. Two fabulous women, Lara Metz and Barbara Reich, have joined forces to help you in all of the above, with their new company, Curated Kitchen! Lara is a nutritionist, who cooks clean and simple meals. She is in the know of all the kid snacks out there with the least amount of sugar and most nutritional benefits. I quickly learned that even my Annie's Organic overloaded snack pantry was replaceable by way healthier options! Barbara is a professional organizer, who comes with containers and name tags in tow, ready to de-clutter your life, and make your kitchen highly functional and immaculate. Together they tackle your home, and have your children making better choices in a fresh, sparkly new space.
Read moreIn the Ring
DOGPOUND: 1 Renwick St., NYC, email: info@thedogpound.com, ph. (646) 620-6533
It's always important to mix up your workouts, so although I will never miss a week of Tracy Anderson, I wanted to find a good workout to combine with TA to really challenge my body and work on a different type of strength. When Tata and I walked into the gym for our session, I immediately understood why everyone was raving about this studio, the whole badass vibe gets you ready and wanting to work out. It's a dark studio centered around a boxing ring and the amazing playlist really gets your energy up! The trainers are all jacked and many have backgrounds in boxing, and they really get how to target the right spots and make us mamas look good! They offer private training packages and boxing, which we both loved! I never realized how empowering it feels to throw a punch, but it was a fantastic release for me.
Read moreFresh, Local, and Hearty Goodness
MARKET.KITCHEN.TABLE: email: info@marketkitchentable.com
Market Kitchen Table is a meal delivery service that provides fresh, nutritious and tasty meals to your door. They change up the menu each week, but they deliver three days of meals that include lunch, dinner, two snacks and dessert. For those mamas who have no time to cook or are tired of ordering in, this is your answer for farm fresh and substantial food. We tried several dishes on the menu and were super impressed with these chefs! Our personal favorites were the turkey meatballs, the lemon hummus, and the avocado chocolate mousse made with raw cacao, which satisfies that sweet tooth! Market Kitchen Table is a time saver for our busy mamas and will keep you filled and healthy!
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