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

From my art mama point of view, I am not a cookie-cutter mom. I never had a planned timeline of when - or even if - I was going to have a child or how it was going to happen. I didn’t pick out baby names when I was 14 (okay, maybe I did pick one boy name and one girl name, but they didn’t stick!), and I can’t honestly say that I always knew I wanted to be a mom.

For the last part of my 30th decade, I was more concerned with exploring places, music and food with my husband, and gathering my ‘after hours poetry’ friends together to read poetry at various ‘establishments’ and acquire more inspiration for our writing.

I never listened to Top 40 music. I have no earthly clue about the difference between Fergie or the Pussycat Dolls. I love a summer evening listening to John Coltrane or a Saturday morning dancing to old Peter Gabriel. I was definitely there in the 80’s for the whole New Wave movement, and right in the front row of Grunge in the 90’s.

I saw a saying somewhere that I can easily adopt: Rocker Mom, not Soccer Mom. So for all you rockin’ moms, or even rockin’ soccer moms — I have pulled together some fun essentials for your new mom status. For your first essential, pour yourself an ice cold Glow Mama Mom-ito and enjoy!

Fun and Fashionable Maternity Apparel
Rock Star Moms - their motto is maternity wear for the rest of us.

Cry Baby Maternity - Because attitude is everything - Cute maternity swimwear! I like this guitar tee pictured here.

Motherhood Maternity - Affordable and fashionable. I was so excited when I ran across this store at the mall. You don’t have to change your style just because you’re pregnant.

Apparel for Baby
Jaminga - funky baby clothes

Urban Baby Runway - funny onesies and tees, cute dresses, shoes and boys and girls clothes.

The Retro Baby - rock band onesies and Dr. Suess baby clothes. My favorite: ‘My dad is rad’ onesie.

Unique Baby Gifts and Diaper Bags:
Pokkadots - Modern gifts, books and diaper bags. My favorite: Fleurville Diaper Bag (pictured here).

Baby Bella - My favorite: Trumpette Baby Ballerina Socks. How cute are these?

Must-Have Baby Rock
Rockabye Baby music - A necessity for all future rockers! Award-winning series transforms timeless rock songs into beautiful instrumental lullabies. My favorites so far are Radiohead and U2. A few noteworthy others include The Cure, Coldplay and The Smashing Pumpkins!

Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. So much so that it draws strangers in grocery stores and sidewalks to hover right to your round belly as if rubbing it will grant a wish. I believe it should be worshipped in this manor and cherished, celebrated—perhaps even preserved into art.

Belly casts (or belly masks/belly sculptures) are a unique and expressive way to preserve this special moment in your life and celebrate your body, as well as create a treasured keepsake for your little one as he/she grows older.

Since I chose to memorialize my pregnancy by having a professional photographer take artistic photos of me and my belly, I had to do some research for this particular art form. It looks like belly casting has been around since the mid 1980’s and conceptualized by a former art student, Francine Krause, who eventually created easy at-home kits. No art background is required, though, for creating your own belly mask. It can be as simple as keeping it just the natural plaster color, or painting it and/or embellishing it your heart’s content.

My favorite part about my research for this was the wonderful online art galleries I perused! Since I am a huge moon and star fan, I liked this piece I found on Proudbody.com. They have such an extensive gallery that they divided the masks by “theme.” There are some stunning pieces! I also particularly loved this flowery one:

Some masks can be quite ornate, too, like those I found on RockABelly. I can see these hanging in high end galleries! My favorites were a hand-painted one to resemble an elaborate English pottery design, one with glass mosaic tiles, and one with an aged copper finish. Check it out! I also loved Belly Of Love where I found this fairy one. The possibilities are only limited by your own wishes and imagination!

So now that you’re hopefully inspired, there are many at-home kits you can purchase online that streamline the process and make it especially easy and safe. Prices range from $20-$75 for these kits, and the process only takes about an hour.

Budding artist or not, I think it’s a creative, wonderful way to treasure this glowing, unique-to-you time and celebrate your own belly of love!

Here is a new book to add to your collection of pregnancy books, right alongside The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy (Vicki Iovine, Pocket Books). The Real Deal Guide to Pregnancy by Ericka Lenkert gives down-to-earth and practical advice with a twist of whimsy.

The author speaks from her own 9 month journey as well as takes snippets from a pool of 100 women whom she refers to as the “Mommy Menagerie.” The result is a complete guide that covers everything from the best places to buy maternity clothes, a section on nutrition and even “craving recipes” (I love this!), to particulars like what to bring in your hospital bag and what to skip, essential baby products, and even the author’s own birthing story (which I was touched by because it was very similar to mine).

If you’re like me, I soaked up every book on pregnancy I could get my hands on, and often re-read chapters as I was going through or about to go through that particular phase. This book is definitely one that you will constantly be referring to throughout your pregnancy, whether you need a pick-me-up when your pre-pregnancy jeans no longer fit even with them unbuttoned, or whether you want resources on breastfeeding or best baby gear to buy (often with brand names, which I appreciated).

The sprinkling of Mommy Menagerie top lists and topics, such as “The Mommy Menagerie Top 10 List of Creepiest Elements of Pregnancy,” and “The Mommy Menagerie on…Fashion Tips” are interesting tidbits of support when you need info from a pool of pregnant lovelies like yourself, or just knowledge that what you’re feeling is normal. But one of my favorite features are the various “Cheat Sheets” on topics like exercise, weight gain, sex and what to pack for the hospital.

From the perspective of a new mom who went through my own special 9 month pregnancy adventure, I have to commend the author for managing to incorporate *most of the pertinent information that us “real” gals want to know, without any fluff. (*There was no information or Mommy Menagerie weigh-ins on the actual giving birth part.) And it’s a fun read to boot (despite the book’s ridiculously small font size!) The resource guide in the back of the book is an added bonus.

Check out Erika Lenkert’s website at www.therealdealguide.com for more information about the book. Better yet, treat yourself to a copy!

When we recently learned about the Cal-SAFE (School Age Family Education) School we of course jumped at the opportunity to supply them with some Glow Mama. What an amazing organization - developed and run by volunteers - they provide nutritious food, support and lessons to 35 pregnant and parenting teens aged 15-18 in Oakland. They have dedicated teachers, on-site childcare, school supplies and baby gear all accessible. And, as if the founder and teachers weren’t inspiration enough, check out what the gorgeous girls themselves said when I asked them what made them glow…

“When I was pregnant the thing that made me glow was the life inside me. Having a growing baby made my face brighter and more beautiful.” Jordana Smith

“I feel that people make me glow more when they acknowledge that I am pregnant. Seeing other babies makes me glow because I think about mine.” Alexis Farrell

Cal-SAFE is always looking for donations (good food, yoga equipment, baby gear, doulas and birthing educators, etc) so they can continue their good work… So go on, donate… we do!

For me, part of being Art Mama is creating a joyful, fun and entertaining lifestyle for my family, and I believe that it starts with my relationship with my husband—and perhaps most importantly, myself. So that is why when I was 5 months pregnant, we decided to go to one of my favorite places—Mexico!

At that time “babymoon” was a humorous thing to call it, as it was a new term I had just run across. But indeed, that certainly was what it was, and I am so grateful I took advantage of it and immersed myself in its concept. The intent of a babymoon is to enjoy one last vacation together as a couple before your little addition arrives, (changing life as you know it!). My belief on top of that is to nurture yourself during one of the most important times in your life, during your pregnancy, when it is a time that is all about YOU. It is a time for rest, relaxation, reflection, dreaming, wish-list making, and pampering. And going on vacation to a favorite spot with your hubby is the perfect way to indulge in all of this. Spending time together to reconnect is also a special way to share your pregnancy with your husband.

Now babymoons are a popular trend in the vacation industry, with lots of information and travel guides to find online. Sites like BabymoonGuide.com and BabyMoonFinder.com offer a one-stop shopping source for finding the perfect babymoon destination. Specific resort packages all over the U.S. and in some tropical areas that cater to expecting couples now include everything from side-by-side couple massages, romantic dinners, prenatal yoga classes, and even Lamaze classes. BabymoonGuide.com also offers an area for people to share their babymoon experiences.

Travel sites like Frommers and Suite101 offer trip planning tips and other useful information to encourage parents-to-be to get away.

An article on iVillage Parenting shares the best babymoon packages, such as the “Mother in Balance” package in Arizona at the Miraval Resort and Spa, or La Costa Golf Resort in Southern California . These include classes and workshops on pregnancy nutrition, fitness, and pre and post-natal life, as well as perks such as use of the spa and pre-natal massage.

Or you can always wing it like I did and go to one of your favorite places and do all of your favorite pampering things! For me it was walking on the beach, swimming, napping, and eating Mexican food (and drinking virgin Piña Coladas during happy hour)!

Either way, it’s a trip of a lifetime. We went with my parents and sister and brother’s family. So one day my mom, sister and I painted Mexican pottery items as keepsakes for the baby. If you go, I encourage you to take lots of photos, maybe keep a journal of your daily activities and thoughts, and make or acquire a keepsake for your little one on the way. It will be a time for the whole family to always remember. But most of all, happy mommies and daddies have happy babies!

To honor all the beautiful and exhausted moms and moms-to-be out there, we are giving away two fantastic prizes to the most creative mommy photos we receive.     Simply email us your photo (of you and your bump and/or baby) to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and you could receive one of these fabulous gifts on your doorstep… timed to arrived just after the last of your Mother’s Day chocolates have been eaten and flowers wilted!

 24 bottles of Glow Mama  and a gorgeous Earth Mama Angel Baby Pampering Kit (either Pregnancy or Postpartum) wrapped up in a soft and snug fleecy baby blanket made from Eco Spun^TM.  Thats over $100 value!

Glow Mama is packed with the pre and post natal vitamins you need right now, is completely natural, made with real juice, and yet is only 70 calories per bottle.  Turn it into a delicious mocktail or gulp it down straight from the bottle. 

Not so small print:

• Photos we receive will be included (without names or emails) on our Glow Mama Flickr page.
• We never pass on names, emails or photos to 3rd parties.
• We will contact the winners by email to obtain their mailing address
• Yes, photos which include a bottle of Glow Mama are considered extra creative!
• Only one photo entry per mama
• We can only ship prizes to US addresses
• Entries close midnight PST on May 16^th, 2008 so photos taken at your Mother’s day celebration can be included.

As a long-time music lover, I always enjoyed hearing stories about pregnant women who played music to their bellies only to have that child later become a musical prodigy. One friend told me a story about a husband who played his guitar right up against his wife's pregnant belly and their son became a guitar whiz. Unfortunately, I only appreciate music, and besides my wishlist accomplishment of learning to play the cello for a brief stint, and my husband's attempt to learn the bass guitar, we can only play our eclectic mix of CD's like the best of them.

Of course I want to believe that music-lovers and musicians will raise the same. And it makes sense, doesn't it, that if we expose our little ones to music of all types when they are dancing and tumbling around in the womb, they will come out as natural born appreciators of music. But I was interested to see if there were studies on this topic, and "hear" is what I found out….

It is a common belief that if you play calming music or lullabies to your baby in utero–for instance, placing your iPod headphones on the belly–your little peanut will react by kicking and moving, or becoming suddenly still, especially in the third trimester. Some even believe that music played while in the womb will be remembered by the baby up to a year after birth.

According to an article on SmartMommy.com , it is believed that in the 7th month of pregnancy, the soothing sounds of music in the womb can stimulate your baby's ear, brain and body development in preparation for sound and language comprehension. Thomas Verny, M.D., author of The Secret Life of the Unborn Child (Dell, 1994) said, "Musicologists seem to agree that rhythms, similar to the mother's heartbeat, have the most calming effect" on babies in utero. This can also be used as a tool to calm a fussy newborn.

One woman reported to BBC News Health : "I used to have a daily bath and listen to Ella Fitzgerald at 6pm. It was my peace time. When she was born she was very fractious with colic. We used to play Ella Fitzgerald at 3am to try to settle her, and it really worked."

But there are differing opinions on what is called the "Mozart Effect," which says that playing classical music to babies in utero increases brain activity and stimulation, which thereby is an intelligence and IQ booster. An online BBC article –Does Classical Music Make Babies Smarter? — states that "Numerous studies conclude that playing music to babies in the womb and in the early years helps build the neural bridges along which thoughts and information travel. And research suggests it can stimulate the brain's alpha waves, creating a feeling of calm."

It's a fact that a fetus develops their ability to hear 5 months into pregnancy, and can therefore react to sounds outside the womb, but there is no hard evidence that proves that playing classical music is a direct link to higher intellectual development.

In the same BBC article, Professor Paul Robertson, a leading expert in musicology, believes it's important the best music is made available to babies at the earliest possible stage of their growth.

My thoughts are, whether my baby becomes the next little genius or not, it can't hurt to encourage her development with this great source of entertainment (that is far better than TV). If nothing else, it will be a way to bond with your baby before she arrives, and it will definitely be a way to share a fun and necessary form of the Arts for many years to come. So crank up that CD, go to Baby & Me music classes, and enjoy your happy time together!

While sometimes I think just making it to the end of the day without too many Dora songs, tears, food related tantrums, hubbie frowns, missed call or neglected emails deserves a medal… there are a lot of true supermoms out there who deserve an real award. I was so excited to discover my city honors a new woman each year who “goes beyond the daily responsibilities of parenting and/or grand parenting by becoming extremely active in the lives of citizens in the community”, in fact, this is their 55^th year! How cool is that!?

Follow this link for more info on Oakland’s award, or comment here to tell us about your city’s or organization’s mom award.

Lets start at the simple end of the creativity scale - around the house.  Here is a picture of my little guy with his new bath accessory.  I’m sure he’s not going to be I’ve been thinking a lot about getting Glow greener, and short of
offering everyone a chance to buy carbon offsets with their purchase
(I’ll look into it), I’d like to spark some discussion on re-using our
empty Glow Mama bottles.  happy when he discovers that his mommy plastered naked photos of him all over the internet - all for a good cause buddy! 

If you’re like me and you find that your flashy, colorful, expensive toys always seem to get abandoned for the phone, keys and remote control, then why not try imaginative new Glow Mama toys… rattles, instruments, even bowling!   The My Education Junction blog has some cool suggestions for bigger kids. 

Back in adult for a minute, there are the desk accessories, garden and garage storage suggestions and even plenty of ideas for the fridge/freezer.  Why not fill empty bottles with the salad dressings or sauces you make from scratch or buy in bulk?  Just be sure to rinse it well first, unless of course you are looking for a bit of kiwi flavoring.  Freeze some water in an empty bottle (don’t fill it to the top) and use it in your cooler or lunch bag instead of a chill-pak.  Ok, that one might not be that appropriate for another couple of months. 

Rachel from MN wrote to me with a great suggestion… "After I’ve finished drinking it, my husband rubs my Glow Mama bottle up and down my aching back and legs.  There’s something about me being 8 ½ months pregnant that has turned my husband into a sweet heart." 

Then there are the extreme measures for reusing your PET drink bottles.  Check out these two boats made from old water bottles.  Anyone up for a Glow Mama canoe?

People have been asking why Glow Mama focuses a lot on new moms groups, and it’s really because they mean so much to me.  They really saved my sanity during my first year of motherhood.  People have also asked for my tips and thoughts, so here goes…   

      1.       Invite babies of a similar age to your own. 

This is really more for your sanity than any developmental reason.  Firstly, having a toddler rip every precious ornament off your shelves while your baby is still lying on a blanket is both distracting and a scary reminder of your upcoming baby proofing work.  Secondly, you need sympathetic ears right now.  We all get a bit wiser and calmer as our babies grow into toddlers, so trying to discuss the scary intricacies of first food with a mom of a three year old won’t be that satisfying. 

2.       Invite mommies you like. 

This might sound fairly obvious, but why not grab the last few months of you before life turns into being all about your lovely offspring.  Organizing play dates with children that your child likes will come soon enough.  This is your time. 

3.       Be flexible. 

Not only do you have ever-changing nap times to contend with, but moms often go back to work or school, or go on vacation.   Going to the baby signing/music/yoga/massage classes together or meeting up for a walk can also be a fun way to still get together and get the support while trying something new. 

4.       Set the boundaries early. 

Whether its rotating around each others’ houses, the simplicity of the host’s nibbles, or the courtesy of rsvp-ing each week…whatever is important to you (all), better to get it out on the table early.   One important issue to figure out early is toy sharing.  Are you comfortable with your toys (and pacifiers and sippy cups) being in every other baby’s mouth or would you rather they brought their own?

5.       Give the mommies some refreshments. 

Whether still nursing or not, motherhood is hard work.  If they’ve managed to get out of the house with the multitude of gear, accessories, clothes (and the baby), and arrived at your place relatively on time, they deserve a reward.  Unless moms are trying to lose the pounds, chocolate cookies always work well.  No one will expect homemade (at least they shouldn’t).  Drinks are a must too, although glasses are a hazard around babies (for their and your carpet’s sake).   A chilled bottle of Glow Mama for everyone is quick, easy, and nutritious.

6.       Pre-tidy the house. 

Unless you’re superwoman, or have help, you’ll have to tidy the house a bit before people arrive.  Especially the floors as that’s where everyone’s attention is drawn to with babies.  If you don’t have time to vacuum at least but down some blankets for the babies to roll, crawl and spit up onto. 

7.       Get a pedicure or some nice socks. 

Speaking of floors and how that’s where everyone is constantly looking… don’t forget that shoes often come off around rolling and crawling babies and no one wants to see ugly toes. 

8.       Be open, frank and honest. 

There really is nothing more intimate or gory than the birthing story, and yet we all love to tell our version in lengthy detail.  After hearing about each other’s procedures, pain and plans, there really shouldn’t be anything you can’t discuss (behind closed doors).  This is the place to get the real answers on nursing pain, sleep deprivation and rekindling things in the bedroom.

9.       Try to cut out the competition.  

Easier said than done, but really, Motherhood is not a competitive sport in the Olympics.  These days a lot of moms are used to a world of climbing on each other and stabbing each other in the back to get ahead - and that’s hard to leave behind for a few months/years.  Remember though, the point of a mommies group is to leave less isolated and exhausted than had you stayed at home.   Babies really do sleep, eat and develop at their own rates.

10.   Get out occasionally without the babies. 

There’s nothing like a couple of hours out after dark in a cool new bar or restaurant to rekindle your spirit as a woman.  And the beauty of meeting up with other new moms is that they’ll forgive you if you turn up late… with spit- up on your shoulder… leaking!  Everyone appreciates the effort (physically and mentally) it’s taken to get out the door, so you’ll all enjoy yourselves so much more.