Running for A Cause

If you've been following the fitness journey of Renee on CutieBootyCakes, you know that her training has been an inspiration to many of us who want to live healthier lives.
But now she's preparing to run in the Nike Women's Half Marathon (that's 13 miles!) for someone who has inspired her. She is running with Team in Training in honor of a friend's 4-year old daughter, Ja'Naya, who is battling (and currently winning against) leukemia.
You can get involved in the fight against childhood leukemia by helping Renee to reach her fundraising goal of $4000 by August 5th. All proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Click HERE for the link to Renee's donation page.

Sponsored: Summer Grilling

Over the weekend, lots of families in our neighborhood fired up their barbecue grills. We all know that this is the perfect time of year for it, but we may not know how to turn a simple cookout into a backyard bash. Our friends at Kraft have some simple tips for lighting your fire.

Happy Father's Day!

Here's to all the fantastic Dads out there who enrich the lives of their children every day and in every way. Happy Father's Day!

Seven Tips for Expectant Fathers

by guest bloggers
Dr. Michele Hakakha & Dr. Ari Brown


This year alone, there are 4.2 million expectant fathers--and they're much more involved in pregnancy and childbirth than ever before. In fact, many fathers-to-be are so intertwined with their developing baby that they experience symptoms such as weight gain, nausea, insomnia, and even labor pains, called Couvade Syndrome.



Fathers-to-be go through changes that rarely get discussed, and have decisions to make that are uniquely theirs. Here are 7 tips especially for expectant dads:



Mind your own baby bump. Are you eating for two right along with your wife? Newsflash: Your wife will lose a lot of her weight automatically when she has the baby--you won't! Studies show expectant fathers often gain extra pounds of "sympathy weight" during their wife's pregnancy.



Take one for the team. Get your TdaP shot as well as seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines to protect your precious cargo, who will soon be joining the family. Seventy percent of babies who get whooping cough are infected by immediate family members like you.



Baby yourself. Have you even been to the doc lately? Studies show many men ages 25-45 don't even have a primary care physician. Go get a checkup. Find out how you're doing, healthwise. Your baby needs a healthy dad who will grow old and wise.



Mind your moods. Research shows that partners are not only at risk for gaining sympathy weight, but may also suffer postpartum depression. Seek help if you feel overwhelming feelings of sadness, lack of desire to be around family and friends, severe fatigue, or trouble eating or sleeping after delivery.



Prepare for a dry spell. Hate to say it, but there can't be intercourse 6 weeks after the baby is born. The good news? Barring any health issues, you and your wife can have sex up until the last day before she delivers. And, no, sex does not trigger labor--that's an old wives' tale.



Engage in baby talk. We now know that babies recognize their parents' voices inside the womb. So go ahead--sing Hank Williams songs, recite your favorite poem, or just shoot the breeze with your unborn baby. When your baby is born, she or he will already know you.



Dads can nest too. Expectant dads are allowed to nest too--and often feel an overwhelming need during their wife's pregnancy to rev up the power tools. Feel free to paint, spackle, drill, and build to your heart's content--but avoid toxic materials and fumes in the baby's room.

* * * * *

Michele Hakakha, MD, is an award-winning obstetrician/gynecologist in Beverly Hills. Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a pediatrician in Austin, TX, an official spokesperson for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the children's health expert for WebMD, and a medical advisor for Parents magazine. She has appeared widely on TV, including Today, ABC News, CNN, Dr. Phil, and Rachael Ray. They are coauthors of Expecting 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice for Your Pregnancy (Windsor Peak Press, 2010, www.expecting411.com), the only pregnancy guide written by two MDs who are also moms, and part of the bestselling book series that includes Baby 411 and Toddler 411.

Etsy Find: Ankle Biters

Looking for ultra cute and colorful fare for your baby, toddler or preschooler? By the looks of things, Joey and Aleethea have you covered with lots of adorable pieces. I'm most impressed with the 100% cotton pants, called "ankle biters", after buying a pair for my son last year. They're perfect for daycare, playing outdoors, or just lounging around.








Now these will be a bit more expensive than pants you might pick up from the nearest discount or department store. But keep in mind that they're handmade and 100% cotton.

Biological Time Bombs & Cougars

by guest blogger Savannah George of Marvelous-Girl.com

The other day I was chatting with a friend whose father was in his 40s by the time she was born. That got me thinking…with a time frame on our baby-making years, we’re really just hostages of our own fertility. It’s not the biological clock; it’s the biological time bomb.

Meanwhile, men like Charlie Chaplin are having children at the age of 73, while the average American woman is having her first baby at age 25 and experiencing menopause symptoms as early as her 30s! So, I propose a theory: Women would have more fun if unbridled by their fertility.

In fact, that’s why we’re seeing the rise of “cougars” or women age 35+ who are in relationships with younger men. The majority of these women are victims of their biological time bomb, having children and too many responsibilities too young. Consequently, with the divorce rate at an astounding 50%, these women end up single and living out their repressed youth later in life.

For example, one of the most notorious cougars is actress Demi Moore, who had her first child at the age of 26. But, by age 38, Moore was divorced from the father of her children, Bruce Willis. At the age of 43, she remarried Ashton Kutcher, 15 years her junior.

In 2007, stylist Tameka Foster was 36 when she married singer Usher who was 14 years younger. The two split last year.

Now that we know the driving forces behind a cougar, it’s easy to identify cubs in training. One person who fits the criteria perfectly is Kate Hudson. Hudson became a mom at the age of 25 and was divorced by 27. Now she’s become know as a “maneater” or “serial dater”. As time passes by and Hudson matures, we’ll likely see her boyfriends staying the same age.

So, what can we do to avoid the biological time bomb? I’d like to think identifying the problem is the first step to solving it. While we can never beat the clock (with exception of freezing our eggs), being aware that life is not a race but a marathon will set us on the right path to fertility freedom. What do you think? Is it different for women-of-color?

Photo: Usher and Tameka Foster before their breakup last year.

Plan to E.A.T. R.I.G.H.T.

by guest blogger
Margaret Lewin, MD,FACP
Medical Director, Cinergy Health

Eat the rainbow! Not only do foods of varying colors pack a wealth of nutrition, they also look ever so enticing on the plate!
• Red fruits (think cranberries, grapes) and vegetables (think beets, red peppers, tomatoes) are high in the anti-oxidants which help fight heart disease, cancer and age-related memory loss.
• Orange and yellow fruits such as citrus and vegetables (sweet potatoes, squash, carrots) are high in beta-carotene for healthy skin and eyes, Vitamins A and C and anti-oxidants.
• Green leafy vegetables (think kale, spinach, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) – the darker the green the better – broccoli, bok choy, avocados, and snow peas. They are high in fiber and most are rich in folic acid, vitamins A, C and K and potassium.
• Blue and purple fruits (grapes, raisins) and vegetables (purple cabbage, blue potatoes, black beans) are high in fiber, anti-oxidants and many important trace elements.
• White and tan fruits (pears, dates) and vegetables (garlic, ginger, mushrooms, shallots, onions, turnips) add spice, phytochemicals and anti-oxidants to any meal. Cauliflower is rich in vitamins C, K, and folate, and is one of the cruciferous vegetables that reduce the risk of many cancers.
• Brown grains, seeds, legumes (beans, lentils, split peas) and nuts are high in fiber, zinc, iron, folic acid, minerals, healthy fats and B-vitamins.

Avoid processed foods. Take advantage of your time at home to multi-task by making your own soups and stocks and steaming some fresh vegetables while you prepare the main course (note that micro-waving removes many valuable vitamins). Cook larger portions than you need and freeze the extras in individual portions to reheat for lunch or to thaw quickly when you’re in a hurry to get dinner on the table.

Take a list with you when you shop – with a mind to whole meals containing those fresh fruits and vegetables of varying colors as well as whole grains.



Read package labels carefully. Pay attention to serving size (for example, you’re likely to be surprised that those little boxes of dried pasta contain 8 servings!) and choose products low in hydrogenated and saturated fats, salt and added sugar, altogether avoiding products containing trans fats.

Inspect fruits and vegetables carefully for signs of spoilage, store them properly, and wash them immediately before using.

Get locally grown, seasonal fruits and vegetables when possible, in order to maximize nutrition, decrease the risk of contamination and save money.

Have fish at least twice weekly – it’s high in protein, low in calories and fat, and high in omega-3 fatty acids. There is evidence that dementia and impairment of thinking are significantly decreased, the incidence of heart attacks and sudden deaths are decreased by more than one-third, and the risk of death from all causes is decreased by more than 15%... and benefits can be seen in as little as 3 - 4 months! Fish’s ability to reduce inflammation can decrease symptoms of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and it may also help to control diabetes.

Take time to enjoy your meals, eating slowly to decrease portion size and to help digestion.

So… celebrate good nutrition by trying at least one new seasonal vegetable or fruit every week of this month, going to the Internet to find new and interesting ways to serve them, and making your meals brilliant with color and nutrition.

Dr. Margaret Lewin specializes in nutrition and prevention who believes ‘you are what you eat’. She is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Hematology and Medical Oncology.

Breastfeeding Saves Lives

For lots of reasons, breastfeeding can be a touchy subject for many families of color. On top of that, some new mothers are unable to nurse because of health issues or work situations. But new research offers encouragement for those who are able to produce milk for their babies and those who are considering breastfeeding. According to a study published in the journal Pediatrics, if 90% of American women fed their babies only breast milk for the first six months of life, the lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year.
My own experience is that nursing my son is one of the most rewarding things I've done as a parent. The health benefits are immediate and tremendous. My little one never had an ear infection and did not catch a serious cold until he went to daycare at almost 18 months. Today he's a healthy, happy, rambunctious 3-year-old.

What is your experience? Did you choose to nurse or use formula? How do you feel about your decision? Would you do anything differently if given the chance?

Tuning In: Tiny & Toya

The hit BET show Tiny & Toya returns to the air tomorrow night for a second season. As many of you already know, the show focuses on two women attempting to live their own lives in the shadow of their children's fathers- namely, rap superstars T.I. and Lil Wayne.



Want more information on what Tiny and Toya have been up to? Click here. So, what do you think? Will you be watching?

Sponsored: Spring Cleaning with Arm & Hammer Plus OxiClean

In my house, kids mean stains. I first noticed this when my son was just months old. My husband and I were always changing him out of food-soiled onesies. To make things worse, we would wash the onesies only to find out that the stains were not coming out. And things have not changed. Spaghetti sauce, gravy, and juice try to make permanent marks on shirts and pants. We've had mixed results with various sprays, but Arm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean detergent might have saved us the trouble. It has the popular spray OxiClean built right in for brighter colors and whiter whites. Click below for more information on getting your child's laundry cleaner for less.