Glow Mama - New Mother Drink - Healthy Alternative While You Are Expecting and Nursing

By: Amy Myers, DivineCaroline

Weeks fifteen and sixteen are what I like to call the puberty of my pregnancy. I’m in an awkward phase. Much like a twelve year old with gangly limbs and weirdo hair, I look … well … strange.

The belly is there. I know it, my husband knows it, and now strangers know it. I just think the strangers are a bit confused as to what the belly actually consists of. It might be baby, might be fat, might be a wadded up blanket. No one knows for sure, mostly because I am dressed like a blind person. A blind person who reached into her crazy, overweight sister’s closet.

I mostly blame the size of the clothes. Too large for my regular pants, I’ve been climbing into my tent-sized maternity jeans, which are super comfy. And super big. So big in fact I could smuggle food for six in front of my stomach.

This brings me to the pouch. The dreaded span of stretchy fabric that reaches across the waist allowing for adjustable comfort for all stages of pregnancy. While a great idea and very handy in preventing bankruptcy due to skyrocketing denim demands, not the best for shirts that don’t extend half way down to your knees. Now, the geniuses that run Baby Momma Clothes Inc. have a solution. Pregnant lady tops.

Pregnant lady tops come in three basic styles. The first are the adorable, hippy, flowy tops with empire waistlines. They are made of cotton/hemp/some other natural fiber. I have several of these and adore them. I had to buy mediums because my breasts have grown to gigantic proportions and are only supposed to get bigger. I don’t fit in them with full luscious capacity now, but will someday. When I grow up.

The second kind is the office friendly, button down, tied in the back number. Some have ruffles, some have stripes, some are dolled up with pleats, but all scream “What? I can still run the Scottsdale office/get you the McKenzie brief/land the Happy Time Baby account!” I have many of these, but again, not the greatest fit due to expectant breasts that have yet to materialize.

The third top is a hybrid of the two. These are the tops that are flowy but also have a tie so you can wear them for as long as you like. They are by far the most practical and most flattering.

Want to read the rest of this article? You can find this and other witty and informative articles just for you over at a new social community for expecting parents, Barefoot and Pregnant.  Oh, and did we mention you can find Glow Mama there too? More about B&P soon!

Content provided by DivineCaroline.com as feature on Barefoot & Pregnant, a community for expecting parents.

Has your Valentines Day changed in recent years?  Did it used to be filled with chocolates, flowers, jewellery, a fancy restaurant, lengerie and sweet talk… is now instead filled with diet food, home-made cards, baby talk, take-out dinner and a night in, cuddled up in front of the TV in your pjs?  While we wouldn’t have it any other way… it would be nice to have a special treat JUST FOR YOU this month wouldn’t it? 

How about a big bundle of the gorgeous spa products from Barefoot & Pregnant?  Or a day of pampering at one of their specialty maternity spas?  Or a fantastic babymoon?  This $150 gift certificate from the generous gals at Barefoot & Pregnant would sure go a long way in making sure you got a special treat this Valentines month.  (PS. the products and services are perfect for all moms… not just the new and expecting varieties).

 Couple that with these fantastic other products, and you’ll be one relaxed, stress-free mom this Valentines…

The Home Pack from MedBasics is THE essential guide of what to do for babies in case of emergencies.  Thorough, compact and stylish, it really is a must have for moms.  Value = $35.

The Stress-Free Pregnancy Guide is a fabulous way to dispel the myths and put your worries to rest with a healthy dos of reassuring advice from a veteran OB/GYN. Value =  $10.

How do I enter?

Simply leave a comment here telling us what you’d like to, or did, receive for Valentines Day?  An extra hour of sleep?  An extra hour in the day?  A chocolate-filled, diet-free day?    Remember you can earn extra entries by leaving us a comment that you’re following Glow Mama on twitter… or that you twittered about our giveaway.

Need some more encouragement to get moving during these cold months?  Other than the $300 worth of Glow Mama No Butts About it goodies we are giving away next week?  How about the Baby Boot Camp’s Mother Love Fitness Challenge?  What better way to stay on top of that new exercise promise than meeting a regular group of gals, workout with a nationally certified fitness expert… and have your baby there along for the ride?

February is their cardiovascular endurance… or Cardio Love! (which sounds much better)… so jump on board, find out more details… and see you there.  Yes Glow Mama is one of the sponsors!  Nothing like a bit of exercise to build up a thirst!

I don’t know about you, but my long list of excuses and “buts” is growing as fast as my butt is this winter.  Too much holiday candy, turkey and hot chocolate and not enough exercise.  Between the dark, short, cold days… the rain/snow, and the colds, we all need a little motivation to get moving again, stay healthy and keep glowing.  How about over $300 worth of inspiration to get you motivated with the New Years Resolutions? 

First up is this amazing Bootcamp for Butts box from Mama Mio.  The tagline is “a butt lift in a box - a complete skincare and exercise system to lift your butt in 30 days”!!  Doesn’t that sound great?!  Now considering we’ll be drawing this Jan 31st and they’ll ship it directly to you.. that means you could be buttless by mid March!  All three of the yummy creams - the body buff, the shrink to fit, and the tummy toner are “for today’s supermama”.. so yes they’re perfect for new and expecting moms.  My favorite part?  They smell great and have the words “zap cellulite” and “zap crepey skin” right on the funky bottles!   Value = $160

Next, for all the exercising you’re going to be doing, don’t you need some new styly work out clothes?  Thanks to Jakfish, you could be wearing this fantastic new innovative hoody.  Not only does it have all the necessary bits and pieces - four way stretch, wind-resistant, Polartec keep-your-skin-dry-fabric… but get this… it has side zips for when the belly expands.  It comes in snazzy blue or black and you get to pick your size from the kind folks at Jakfish.  Value = $90

So, now for the actual exercise bit?  Can’t decide whether to try yoga or pilates as your New Years Resolution?  How about both.   We’re also giving away the Stott Pilates Prenatal and Post-Natal Pilates DVDs (Value = $30) and the Prenatal Vinyasa Yoga (and Short Forms) DVDs from Jennifer Wolfe (Value = $32).  

How do you enter to win?  Leave us a comment here with your favorite tip for making and keeping New Years Resolutions - especially those that are health and wellness focused (aren’t they all?).  We’ll let the lucky winner know shortly after Jan 31st (open to US residents only).

Like to increase your odds of winning?  Please follow us on twitter, tweet about the contest, blog about the contest, or just make us laugh.

Given that all our contest prizes this month are made from recycled drink bottles… we thought we’d feature some other pretty cool products (gifts perhaps?) made from bottles like Glow Mama.

Lamps… This awesome piece takes 150-200 plastic drink bottles, costs only $599 and is available from the great Etsy store of THISgallery (and yes, it comes with an eco-friendly fluorescent bulb).

Pet Beds…Yes, now even Spot can help your family go green.  This cave like bed from Bella is made from recycled drink bottles, is machine washable and hypoallergenic.

School uniforms… These are in the UK, but still, it would be a pretty good feeling to send Johnny off to school with pants and a fleece (they do skirts too) made out of recycled bottles don’t you think?.  Go Marks & Spencers!

If you haven’t entered into our draw to win the tote/diaper bag, umbrella, tableware, hat, scarf and blanket ALL made out of recycled plastic bottles yet… what are you waiting for? 

I read somewhere recently that getting people to switch breakfast habits is near impossible - especially for something healthier and more expensive.  Well if anyone can do it, I’m putting my money on [me]&goji.   The guys behind this great new venture recently sent us some [glow]&goji (cool huh!?) and here are our top three reasons why we think they’re great…

1) The website - it looks great and is fun to use.  Just like customizing your own character on a wii, you customize your cereal bases, fruit, nuts and seeds until you have your ideal mix.  It instantly updates the nutritional facts and price each time you add something.  You even get to name it!

2) The cereal is yummy, healthy and looks good- anything that can get our fussy toddler eating (not only eating but running to the cupboard and whining until he gets it) is a winner.  We loved the macadamia nuts and choco goji!  PS> The cereal was not a powdery mess from the shipping/travel to reach us, as we’d expected. 

3) You can buy a $1 Green Tag at checkout that makes your purchase carbon neutral.  cool huh!

What mama doesn’t need a good healthy start to her day?  A bowl of [me]&goji and a bottle of Glow Mama anyone?

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice or some combination thereof… there should be one color we can all agree on this holiday season… GREEN. 

The Glow Mamas are always on the look-out for new ways to be eco-conscious… our labels are printed with soy ink, our marketing materials are printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper and we actively encourage everyone to reuse and recycle their Glow Mama bottles…. so we’d love to hear your tips and thoughts.  How are you “glowing green” these holidays?   No wrapping paper?  Shopping at farmers market?  Home-made decorations?

Leave us a comment here and we’ll enter you in to WIN these incredible GREEN prizes. 

Enough Recyline tableware from Preserve - made from 100% recycled plastic - to host an impressive holiday party.  It’s reusable, recylcable, dishwasher safe… and stylish!  Of course we like the Pear Green, but the plates, cutlery and cups come in Tulip Red or Ocean Teal too.   Total value = $65

One of these fantastic Tote bags and “eco ‘brella” from the generous folks at act2 - Green Smart.  The bag is made from 100% recycled PET polyester and has two nifty zipper pockets and a organization panel.  It takes over 13 Glow Mama bottles to make one of these cool bags - perfect for a diaper bag we think.  The umbrella canopy is made from recycled drink bottles, the shaft is 70% recycled steel and aluminium and the handle is 70% recycled plastic.  Total Value = $55

Also made from recycled drink bottles (notice a theme yet?) are the great winter woolies from the friends at Cagoule Fleece.  All their hats, gloves and scarves are made from a cool new fiber called BottleFleece including the snazzy, warm and super soft blue hat and scarf we’re giving away.  Value = $40 

And how could we do a bottles-come-back-as-cool-stuff giveaway without including a Glow Mama Eco Blanket made from EcoFleece.  Its big (30 x 48), soft, snuggly and perfect for you and/or baby this winter.  Value = $40

How do you win these eco-cool goodies made from recycled plastic?  Simply leave us a comment here with your GREEN tip-of-the-season.   Of course extra entries can be earnt by twittering and blogging about the Glowing Green Giveaway - leave us comments here for every help-spread-the-word effort you do.

Alison Sweeney and her guests were treated to some Glow Mama recently at her baby shower hosted by the Hot Moms Club in LA… and the news even made it to the Life & Style magazine!

Want to win the $2000 goody pack she received that included Glow Mama?  You can at Life&Style Weekly… and no, we wouldn’t make you donate yours to charity like she did.

Not only are we proud to be giving away an amazing Nest sling this month, but we’re happy to be baby-wearing mommies. That’s why we couldn’t let this crazy and insulting Moltrin video ad slip by without us mentioning how poor it is.  Maybe if they’d had some moms in the ad exec/PR team instead of morons?…

Click here for the massive Twitter response on this ad that reached MSN and eventually caused the video to be removed, withdrawn and apologized for. Go Twitter!

And here’s a great video response…

We are pleased to announce that Glow Mama will now be available on the shelves of the Mollie Stones Markets around the Bay Area.  Look out for the bright & shiny bottles in the maternity nutrition, ready to drink, baby and vitamin sections. 

To kick off this momentous partnership, we’re going to be at the Greenbrae Mollie Stones this Saturday (Nov 15th from 11am - 1pm) mixing up some yummy drinks, chatting about Maternity Wellness and spreading the kiwi goodness.

Please come join us and/or help us get the word out. 

Cheers!

We’re spending our November focused on giving… both thanks and actual giving and we’re asking for your help picking which cause we should support for the next year.  In return, we’re giving you the chance to win more gorgeous mommy stuff…

Here is this month’s awesome goodie giveaway pack:

A super comfortable and stylish Nest Baby Sling in the Glow Mama matching “Shore” pattern from the generous mommy at Nonny & Boo.   Value = $90+

An Earth Mama Angel Baby Postpartum Recovery Kit, which includes yummy balms, sprays and bath herbs. Value = $46

A copy of the DVD “the best birth” from well-known birthing expert Sarah McMoyler.  Value = $35

Here is how you can enter:

1.  Read all about the three fantastic maternity wellness causes we’re thinking of supporting.

2.  Vote (using the nifty poll we have in the sidebar) whether you think we should help promote maternity wellness in our own backyard, in our country or across our world.

3.  Leave a comment to this post telling us you voted and, if you like, your thoughts behind your choice.

Of course there are always ways to earn more entries…

Leave us a comment telling us you have either tweetered about our giveaway, followed us on twitter or twittermoms, become our friend on facebook, or signed up for our Glow Guide… or all of them!

Not having grown up with Thanksgiving I’ve become enamored with the whole spirit of America’s most popular holiday.  I love the idea of stopping for a day to give thanks to those that give so much to us every other day of the year.  Since my thanksgiving dinner will be small again this year (two chairs and a highchair) we’ve decided to let Glow Mama show our thanks instead by getting behind a good cause, non-profit or organization.   The only trouble is… the Glow Mama team can’t narrow it down to just one. 

Thats why we need your help. 

Where would you rather help… and see us help (with our time, $ and energy) promote maternity wellness for expecting and new moms?  In our backyard, across the country, or around the world?   Please vote using the nifty poll below and we’ll let you know the results after Thanksgiving.  

Here are your three choices…

Our Backyard:  San Francisco’s Homless Prenatal Program

“When families come to us, they begin to hope. We help them identify a strength upon which to build. Our goal is to partner with the parent so that the family achieves full health and stability. We want to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty so that the children will never end up on the streets again.”  Read their website

Our Country:   The Coalition for Improving Maternity Services

(CIMS) is a coalition of individuals and national organizations with concern for the care and well-being of mothers, babies, and families. Our mission is to promote a wellness model of maternity care that will improve birth outcomes… focuses on prevention and wellness as the alternatives to high-cost screening, diagnosis, and treatment programs.  Read their website

 Our World:  Family Care International

FCI envisions a world where no woman suffers preventable injury or death from pregnancy or childbirth related causes, and in which all people are able to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights.  Read their website

Thanks for taking the time to vote….

Need an incentive to vote?  Leave us a comment on our Glow Mama Giveaway post with your preference, ideas and thoughts and we’ll enter you for this months wonderful goodies (worth $150+).

Congratulations Jenny H! 

She was randomly picked as the winner of our October Pink Ribbon Giveaway and will receive a gorgeous pink “Cosmo” labor and delivery gown from BYOG, a copy of the book If these Boobs could Talk, and a box of yummy Luna Berry Almond bars.  And it sounds like she could use them all….

I want to win pretty bad, since I’d love to have a special gown for my next baby, love Luna Bars, and the book looks hilarious!  I tweeted!  Signed up for the Glow Guide! Following you on Twitter! (babyfingers) And I’m a facebook fan.

Congrats again Jenny!

How does a woman with an amazing Hollywood career, four kids, and one famous football husband make us learn, understand and care about one of the serious things she is passionate about… autism?  With laughter, charm and grace. 

I was lucky enough to hear Holly speak recently about her adorable little twin boy and their private and then public battle with autism.  She peppered her anecdotes, experiences and ordeals with hilarious mom and wife tip-bits we could all relate to…. how not to embarass your children, how to stay married for 15 years and how to turn all family meetings in your favor. 

She even has a daily radio show with Oprah and several foundations… now if only she liked the bottle of Glow Mama I slipped into her purse!

As you’re probably aware of by now today, Oct 15th is Blog Action Day.  According to their site www.blogactionday.org there has been nearly 10,000 sites write and promote this cause today already and over 10million readers worldwide!  Pretty impressive. 

We wanted to take this moment to blog about a great group of people close to home who are not just talking about helping fight poverty one day a year, but who are extremely generous in their actions every single day… the Homeless Prenatal Program.  Here are a few of their fantastic stats…

• Since it started in 1998, the HPP has moved 3,993 children into stable housing through their housing program.
• In 2006 alone, 108 babies were born under their care, 92% of which were normal birthweight and 93% were drug free.  They ended homelessness for 697 children.

So please… take a moment to think about those new and expecting moms that are less fortunate than us… please give of your time and/or $ to help.  Glow Mama does.