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31 Days of Service - Fight Against Breast Cancer & Look Good Doing It

As this is Breast Cancer Awareness month, our 31 Days of Service would not be complete without highlighting some the non-profit organization devoting their mission to the fight against breast cancer and the search for a cure.  Below is a list of some of those organizations and relevant campaigns:

BreastCancer.org (www.breastcancer.org) - In furtherance of its committment to assisting women diagnosed with breast cancer and their families cope and thrive, this organization is currently trying to raise $100,000. Your contributions would help reach that goal.

BeAware Foundation (www.beawarefoundation.org) - This foundation provides education to promote early detection. Although the foundations annual fundraising event has already taken place for the 2011 calendar year, 2012 will be here before you know it. Ready to give now?  No problem.  BeAware accepts monetary donations and car donations.

Bright Pink (www.bebrightpink.org) - Through education and support programs, Bright Pink aims to promote breast and ovarian health education to all women.  The organization accepts donations and volunteers to support local chapters. Want to get involved but no local chapter in your area?  Do not stress. Bright Pink will work with you to start your own.

Breast Friends (www.breastfriends.org) - Breast Friends has made it its mission to provide family and patient support, education, workshops, and retreats to women suffering from not only breast cancer but all types of cancers.  Breast Friends accepts monetary donations and car donations.  Also, merchandise can be bought on its site.

National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (www.nationalbreastcancer.org) - This foundation provides education and mammograms to women in need. Support groups and resources are available.  The foundation is currently hold its annual Pink Ribbon Challege.  Visit the website to learn more.  Donations are welcomed and encouraged.

A COUPLE PRODUCTS IN SUPPORT OF BREAST CANCER (Proceeds from sale go to breast cancer charities)

Stilla's Positive and Pretty Palette.

KitchenAid Artisan Design Series 5-Quart Mixer

31 Days of Service - Fight for Maternal Health

(image courtesy of www.blog.timesunion.com)

In August, a college girlfriend of mine passed away while giving birth to her first child. She was 33 years old. Fortunately, her daughter lived. She is a beautiful baby who will be raised by her loving father, and she is surrounded by people of who love her and who will take excellent care of her, but she will never know her mother.  A mother's love is a love every child should know.  I think about my friend and her daughter everyday. As a mother of a 4 year old, 2 year old, and another baby due in February, this tragedy not only reminds me of my own vulnerability and mortality but also reinforces the need for increased advocacy for Maternal Health.

The United States like other countries around the world continues to struggle with Maternal Health. During the 2008 presidential election campaign, Senator John McCain suffered some much deserved backlash for making flippant, uninformed, and insensitive remarks minimizing maternal health in support of his pro-life position on the abortion issue.  In the United States, we like to think that we are more medically advanced than other nations, but according to an Amnesty International maternal mortality report 40 countries have lower maternal mortality rates than the United States and the maternal mortality rate in this country has been on the rise since 1998. The report states that "a total of 1.7 million women a year, one-third of all pregnant women in the country, suffer from pregnancy-related complications."  Minority women continue to be at the greatest risk.

Much needs to be done to protect our mothers and to ensure that mommy and baby make it home from the hospital and through the postpartum phase safe and healthy.  Are you ready to help?  The MillIon Moms Challenge is a campaign launched by several international entities designed to bring awareness and action to the global fight against maternal mortality. Visit the Million Moms Challenge website to bring learn how you can help protect moms in the U.S. and abroad.

Below is a list of just a few of the non-profit organizations that are devoted to Maternal Health:

• Life of Mothers (www.lifeofmothers.org)
• Physicians for Peace (www.physiciansforpeace.org)
• Pre-Vent (www.pre-vent.org)
• Women Deliver (www.womendeliver.org)

Call to action:  Be an advocate for Maternal Health.  Write your local representatives and tell them you want more done to promote Maternal Health.  Legislation is currently pending, so tell them to support the Maternal Health Accountability Act 2011 (H.R. 894). You can tract the legislation at http://thomas.loc.gov

Are you considering starting a non-profit but are uncertain of the cause your would like to pursue? Consider Maternal Health.

Nasty People and Gettin Old

 

I just went to the bathroom a few minutes ago.  A woman from my building was talking to me about an incident at her house.  She went to the bathroom.  Came out of the stall.  Turned on the water.  Swished her hand under it and before I could say "nasty a__ germs," she dried them off.  No soap.  No rubbing together.  Nothing.  I mean, do people really think that's enough?  I stood there stunned.  What tha..ugggg.  I was standing there wondering if I should've said something, but what would I have said?  Nasty!

Gettin Old

Kendall made a great statement the other day.  "You know we're getting old because we all have specialist."  We can't go to general practitioners anymore.  We have Neurologists, Urologist, Hematologist, etc.  We're getting up there.  But we're still fly!

~Rae

What I Learned from the Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend Show

(courtesy of www.sideviewmagazine.onsugar.com)

I have been promising myself for a while now that I am going to start paying attention to me again. While I love my family life and tolerate my work life, I have not been doing the things that I like to do for me. Now, don't misunderstand me I have never been a makeup girl.  I wear it when I am going out for an evening but lip gloss is all I apply on a day to day basis. With the inspiration of a few makeup savvy friends, I have decided to explore the endless world of lip colors, eye shadowing techniques, and all things face.  As I dig my heels into embracing my thirties, I do so with the knowledge that concealer will likely become one of my closest friends when my children keep me up at night.  Ahhh, discovery.

On Saturday, April 9th, I had the pleasure of attending the Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend Show.  What better way to spend my birthday morning than to immerse myself in all things girly and learn a few things about makeup.  I had no idea of the wonders that awaited me as I took my seat in front of the makeup runway in the center of Nordstrom's first floor level.  Here are a few things I learned at the Trend Show:

1. 6:30am is not too early for makeup.
2. Women will line up in the damp morning air hours before the Trend Show is to start much like groupies line up for autographs on their breasts.
3. Yes, some of these women will drag their incredibly sad husbands to the show.  Yes, these husbands will get pushed by restless makeup seeking hoards of women.
4. I am not above engaging in a light jog to get a good seat to see said Trend Show.
5. I am not above screaming for free makeup giveaways.
6. Cosmetic lines will fly in their most dynamic representatives from around the county and Norway to introduce drooling women to new products in their lines.
7. Apparently, every woman should have at least one Chanel cosmetic item in her purse.  
8. Tweeting during the Trend Show can get you free stuff.
9. Skin care is the gateway to the land of the beautiful face but makeup is the garden within.
10. When you sleep, your skin works to repair itself.  Yes, night recovery treatments are important.  Estee Lauder is the industry leader in night recovery.  Who knew?
11. I can love a makeup line other than Smashbox.
12. The Laura Mercier counter is my new addiction. 
13. Wearing a full face of makeup does not mean you have to overwhelm your face.
14. Cream eye shadow gives me goosebumps.
15. Black girls look damn good in bronzer.
16. You can wear tinted moisturizer, illuminating moisturizer, bronzer, concealer, cream eyeshadow, cream blush and a full lip and look natural and effortless.
17. Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 20 in Almond is my new confidant.  Ohhh, the things we will do together.
18. A tight line is a subtly sexy alternative to the standard top lid eye line.  With a gel liner and a small flat brush work the color under (not above) the top lashes.
19. Clarins Instant Gloss gives my lips the perfect red shade.
20. Avaha means love and is the name of a very nice skin care line.
21. The Tanda Zap greatly diminishes pimples in 24 to 48 hours.  Did I buy it? Yes.  Did it work? Yes!
22. Yves Saint Laurent has a beautiful eye shadow line.  Yes, it is expensive.
23. Any and all future Nordstrom gift cards I receive will be spent in the Beauty Department.

I will be attending the show in the fall and cannot wait.  Did you attend the Nordstrom Cosmetic Trend Show?  What did you think?

It's Spa Week

 

Hey Blushing Ladies

Guess what? Its spa week.  There's nothing that I enjoy better than a great massage and body scrub.  Especially for $50.  Check out the spa week website and find which spas are participating in your area.

Let me know how you liked it!

Slim By Summer Challenge

Since giving birth to my youngest almost two years ago, dropping 25lbs has been the fastest hare in all the land.  Working out has been great for toning and losing inches but the scale has stubbornly only ticked down a couple of notches.  Over the last two years, I almost committed to Jenny Craig, and I almost committed to Nutrisystem, and I almost committed to South Beach.  Today, I am happy to report to you, the interested reader, that I signed up for Weight Watchers this past Saturday.  I decided that endlessly planning to do something was getting me nowhere.  Why Weight Watchers?  I did not really like the idea of packaged foods and with two small children and a husband to feed I just did not find the packaged food programs very practical.  Why not South Beach?  Frankly, I like carbs and I knew that I would not be able to stay away.  Moderation with accountability is far more manageable for me.  

Upon setting up my Weight Watchers account, I decided to start with an initial weight loss goal of 8lbs and once attained I will readjust my goal until I reach the evasive and golden 25lbs. I officially started being accountable to the Weight Watchers PointsPlus program on Sunday morning.  My plan says that I can eat what I like as long as I do not exceed 29 points.  The program makes it very easy for me to determine how many points I am to assign food and my conscience demands accuracy and full disclosure. The Weight Watchers online community offers extensive forums to interact with others like me, fitness advice, recipes, and more.  I have officially become a devoted member of the online community.  In the spirit of focusing on my focus, I will some meetings in my area.  

For my first day, after each meal and snack, I logged onto my WW account and recorded my food intake and my points were tallied.  After my first day, I was one point over.  I had one small pack of Motts fruit snacks too many.  Now this second day, I am determined to color inside the lines.  29 is my new religion. Fruits and vegetables are worth zero points, so bananas and apples will be my new between meal snacks. 

I invite you to follow my weight loss story.  Each week I will report my progress whether good or bad. I invite you to share your weight loss story with us.  It does not matter whether you are on a program or doing it on your own.  What is working for you?  What is not working for you?  Share your recipes and more.

 

I cheated on my diet. Now I must pay!

Hey Blushing Ladies

 

I went out last night and KILLED my diet.  I'm talking chocolate bread pudding for dessert, wings, the whole nine.  So I really have to step up my workout game.  Although it hurts, I figured that I’ll start my football suicides routine.  

 

You start at the endzone, sprint to the 10 yard line, then run back.  Sprint to the 20 yard line, run back to the end zone.  See how long it takes you to finish the whole field.  For those of us who aren’t super athletes, you may not be able to finish the whole field during the first workout, but it’s a great way to track progression.  Your cardio will build up in no time.  Here are some great ways to work the suicides:

• Track your time and try to beat your best time. 

• Take a group of your workout buddies and encourage each other to beat the best time.

• Competitive?  Compete with your workout buddies each week to see who wins.  The winner picks someone to cook a healthy dinner for the group.

• No football field nearby?  If you live in a subdivision, use every other house and/or drive way as a marker.  How long does it take before you circle your entire street or subdivision.   I’ve also included a video that I found on Youtube on how to use the lines in a parking lot as a marker.

*Please note, if you are reading this via email and can't see the video, please visit our site at www.blushblog.com to see the video.

 

Here’s a great meal idea that you can cook for just you, your family, or a group of your workout buddies if you happen to lose the suicides challenge.  I came across it on the Food Network website.

 

Chicken Parmesan

 

 

 

Ingredients

Tomato sauce:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
• 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes, preferably organic
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• Salt to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Chicken:

• Cooking spray
• 4 thin chicken cutlets (about 1 1/4 pounds total)
• Salt to taste
• 2 large egg whites
• 6 tablespoons dry Italian bread crumbs
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 to 5 teaspoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

Click here to see how it's made.

Tomato Sauce: Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, salt, and red pepper flakes; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the flavors are blended and the sauce begins to thicken slightly, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in the basil.

Chicken: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle the cutlets with the salt. Lightly beat the egg whites in a medium bowl. Combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan on a sheet of waxed paper. Spread the flour on another sheet of waxed paper. Working with 1 piece of chicken at a time, dip both sides into the flour, shaking off excess. Dip each piece into the egg whites, shaking off excess, and then press both sides into the breading to coat.

Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken (in batches, if necessary) and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken, in 1 layer, to the baking dish. Spoon the sauce over the chicken then sprinkle with the cheese. Bake, covered loosely with a tent of foil, until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbly, about 12 to 15 minutes.

Copyright 2009 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Nutritional analysis per serving: 1 cutlet with 3/4 cup sauce and 2 tablespoons cheese.

Calories 435; Total Fat 14 g; (Sat Fat 4 g, Mono Fat 7 g, Poly Fat 1g) ; Protein 44 g; Carb 31 g; Fiber 4 g; Cholesterol 90 mg; Sodium 1435 mg

Live healthy!  

Do you have any ideas Blushing Ladies? 

Be Aware

I think that in these times, we often remind our girls that just because you sleep with someone famous, that doesn't mean that you can't contract an STD.  You should be EXTRA sure to put on a condom.  Let's not forget our boys.  I saw this article on the UK Dailymail website and had to share

Singer in Germany's top girl band facing jail as she admits having sex with men without telling them she had HIV

A singer in a girl band is facing the threat of a long jail term for having unprotected sex with several men without telling them she was HIV positive.

Nadja Benaissa appeared in court yesterday charged with grievous bodily harm for allegedly infecting one of her lovers with the virus.

The 28-year-old has also been charged with attempted aggravated assault for allegedly having unprotected sex with two other men who did not contract HIV.

'I am sorry with all my heart': Nadja Benaissa, singer of German girl band 'No Angels', sits in a courtroom in Darmstadt, Germany, today

Benaissa, who is a member of Germany's most successful girl band, No Angels, and has performed in the Eurovision Song Contest, denies infecting anyone deliberately.

But she told the District Court of Darmstadt she was 'careless during those days' and admitted she did not tell her sexual partners about her condition, adding tearfully: 'I am sorry with all my heart.'

A 34-year-old former lover, who is now HIV positive, claimed the singer's management tried to buy his silence after he became infected.

Enlarge  

Brief encounters: Benaissa had a small smile on her face throughout much of the proceedings this morning

No Angel: Nadja Benaissa has admitted she was 'careless'

The man said he slept with Benaissa five to seven times over a three-month period in 2004.

He maintained a platonic relationship with her after the affair ended, and said it was the star's aunt who told him in 2007 that her niece was HIV positive.

Fallen star: Benaissa on stage during Eurovision 2008

He told the court: 'My quality of life has shrunk enormously. I cannot travel to many countries.

'I have been told by my doctor my condition can become full-blown Aids at any time.'

He added that Benaissa's management had offered him a deal to remain silent, but claimed he told them he wanted her to go public about her condition and pay 100,000 euros to an Aids research charity.

If she had done this, he insisted, he would not have gone to the police.

Benaissa's lawyer read a statement from her, saying: 'It was said to me that the probability of me passing on the virus was practically zero.

'Therefore I also concealed the fact that I was infected to my acquaintances.

'I did not want my daughter to be branded by this. I told the band members because I trusted them. I never made it public because I thought that would mean the end of the band.'

In her statement, Benaissa told the court she became addicted to crack cocaine at 14 and that during her pregnancy at 16, she found out that she was HIV positive.

The court heard she had sexual encounters with the three men between 2000 and 2004.

If found guilty, she could be jailed for up to ten years.

No Angels were discovered in 2000 during the TV talent show Popstars.

They are Germany's most successful girl band and sold five million albums from 2000 to 2003.

They reformed in 2007 and competed in the 2008 Eurovision Song contest but only came in 23rd.

Reformed: The band rehearsing at Eurovision in 2008. (L-R) Lucy Diakowska, Jessica Wahls, Sandy Moelling and Nadja Benaissa

Appearing for a TV performance in Nuremberg, the four members of the group were in their heyday compared to the Spice Girls or Girls Aloud. L-R Nadja Benaissa, Lucy Diakowska, Sandy M lling, and Jessica Wahls

Source: UK Daily mail

Black Beauty

I am a magazine fanatic.  I get so many each month that I can't keep up with them.  By the time that I finish reading all of the magazines from January, I'm getting them for March.  Well I'm glad that I took the time to read my Glamour. 

It had a great article in it by Iman's eldest daughter Zulekha.  Zulekha spoke about her battle with weight and her decision to have weight loss surgery.  And in case your sitting there scratching your head, yes, that would be supermodel, cosmetic mogul Iman.  Zulekha's dad was Imans first husband, basketball star Spencer Haywood.

Most of us have gone through body issues at some point in our lives.  But I can't imagine how hard that must be when your mother is a supermodel, your dad is a basketball star, and your step-dad is a rock star.  That pressure has to be unbearable.  I applaud her tenacity and her desire to find her own way.  I feel like she was re-living this while she was writing because I felt like I was walking down this road with her while I was reading it.

People tend to judge those who decide on surgery so harshly, but to each his own.  Sometimes you get to the point where you need that to start over and that has to be a tough decision.

I've never had to go to these extremes to hide my insecurities, but i've had to do a cover here and there, so I could relate.  Below is one of the portions of the story that I found most gripping.

I awoke the morning of my twenty-eighth birthday determined to make it my most fabulous year yet. Tonight, I thought, I’m painting the town red in that slinky cap-sleeve number that shows off my décolletage. I opened a birthday card from my ex-boyfriend Eric,* who had remained a close friend. Inside was a top-five list of why I was the most wonderful woman he knows. Number three: “Because you always let me shower first—in case the hot water’s tricky.” When Eric used to spend the night, I’d tell him to shower while I made the bed and put on coffee. “The hot water’s tricky sometimes,” I’d assure him, flashing him a smile.

But the plumbing in my building was fine. The truth: At 330 pounds, I had developed heel spurs and swollen knees that made it excruciatingly painful to stand up after lying down for eight hours, so getting out of bed was always an orchestrated event. I’d send any man who slept over off to shower, and once the coast was clear, I’d swing my legs out and put my feet on the ground gingerly, allowing the blood to return to my feet and legs. After a minute, I could stand. After another minute, I was comfortable enough to start walking.

Reading Eric’s card was a powerful reminder that, while I’d done my very best to love my super-plus-size body, I couldn’t keep lying to myself or anyone else. The physical pain I’d endured in my twenties could not continue into my thirties. I had to lose weight.

But how? I have more or less been on a diet since I was eight years old. None of them worked. An overweight kid and already dining for sport, my first was the “Basta” diet. At home, my mother, Iman, a beauty icon and devotee of clean eating, would whisper basta (“enough” in Italian) when I was in danger of overeating. The choice was always mine, and I usually put down the fork. But I also got hip to late-night snacking, raiding the refrigerator and cupboards after midnight. At school I routinely traded lunches, and when I was old enough to buy my own, I would pass over apples for Hostess Apple Pies. We always had plenty of nutritious snacks at home, but there was nothing more satisfying than savoring a secret Twinkie that I exchanged homework answers for. In the end, all I learned from basta was how to make PB&J in the dark.

You can read the full article here at Glamours site

 

ADVENTURES IN SPINNING + FISH AND VEGGIES DIET FOR LIFE

ADVENTURES IN SPINNING 

Saturday, a girlfriend of mine and I decided to embark on a spinning class.  Now, I have tried spinning in the past.  I was still in my pre-two babies body and was only concerned with toning.  Oh, those days.  Anyway, I lasted all of fifteen minutes.  Clearly, I knew I could not keep up with the fake ass Lance Armstrong's but I must say I was a bit surprised that I could not hang with the 50 year old woman spinning in her boat shoes and fanny pack.  Under these circumstances, I believed my exit was well warranted.

Back to Saturday.  So we get to class, get set up on the bike, drink some water, breathe deeply and wait for the house music to begin.  I observed the fulled mirrored wall and saw very quickly why I needed to be in this class.  Baby pooch and all.  As expected, the spinning elite enter the class and the instructor announces that the class will be an intermediate endurance class.  Ok, endurance and intermediate sound doable.  I can hang, right?  I start off well.  The class is full and I am keeping up with the spin count.  I guess the Zumba, kickboxing, walking, and yoga are paying off.  A few minutes in and my posterior begins to hurt like none other.  The seat is not comfortable, so you would think when the instructor calls for standing spinning that I would jump at the chance to ease my behind. Not so much.  I am not sure which is worse - the pain from the seat or the pain in my thighs from the standing.

The instructor is cool.  She is giving guidance and encouragement but one of the spinning elite was not impressed.  He was a well built man who looked in the face to be in his early 40's.  He took it upon himself to be the class cheerleader.  Here are some of his words of encouragement...

"Shut your haters down.  Shut your haters down."

"If you don't love you who will?  I said, who will?"

"Look in the mirror. Do you like what you see?"

"Your haters are at home on the couch right now.  At home on the couch."

"You gonna have some more haters after this."

"Hi haters. Hi haters."

"Don't look down.  Look in the mirror.  Don't look down."

"Ah yes. Move. Move. Move"

"Push through.  Push through."

Yes, he was obnoxious but I'll be damn if I didn't stay till the end.  I'll be back for more pain.  I need more haters.

FISH AND VEGGIES FOR LIFE

So in case you missed Halle Berry at the Golden Globes last night, here she is reminding me of why I should only have carbs once a week and why I should only be eating fish and vegetable (and maybe a banana, for the potassium, of course).  She also reminds me of why I love my hair short.  Thanks for getting me back on track Halle and reinforcing why Peanut Brittle should not be part of my daily diet.  Sorry See's Candies.

What do I need to do for a back like this?