Guest Blog Written By: Dr. Jen Cisternino Naturopathic Doctor
The menstrual cycle is such a beautiful time for a women if she tunes into her body. This extends to her emotional, mental and spiritual body. We are all aware that our hormones orchestrate our menstrual cycle. For example; if your hormones are out of balance then you may miss a period or have several symptoms like breast tenderness, mood changes, acne, sleep disturbances etc. Most women will see their medical doctor for these imbalances and most are prescribed the birth control pill. Essentially, the pill is masking the underlying imbalances which are there to get “your attention”. We are not meant to “suppress” symptoms but instead listen to the innate wisdom of our bodies and do something to HEAL ourselves.
Let’s look at a common complaint- dysmenorrhea (cramping and pain with periods). Pain with menses can be quickly remedied with Anaprox or Advil. Have you ever wondered why you have pain and why some months may be more painful? Have you spent the time wondering if stress or poor diet had something to do with it? I do IgG food allergy testing in my office and essentially you can find out which foods cause inflammation in your body, which can translate to menstrual pain. Something else to consider is “blocked pelvic energy” a 2nd chakra issue. This energy centre in our body is affected by our relationships with men, sex, our feminine nature, our needs and wants and how they may be influenced by cultural needs and wants. Have you assessed these relationships? They might be telling.
Another common complaint are mood changes- anger, irritability, sadness or anxiousness. If people have told you that you morph into a different person then there is something there to explore. Are you holding everything in and then using that time to give yourself “permission” to explode. What are you not expressing day to day?
I always urge women to look at the cyclical nature of their moods, and try to figure out what their minds and bodies are telling them. Maybe you need a diet change, a relationship change, need for more exercise, an emotional release, more yoga, meditation or reiki.
During the week before your menses and even into your period-your body, mind and soul naturally want to relax, renew and recharge. Even though you can’t see how much your reproductive organs are working, you have to believe that putting more stress on your body is not helping. Do not over exert yourself during this time and be sure to be extra loving and kind to yourself. Each menstrual cycle is designed to help you start new and fresh. Believe it or not, most post menopausal women come into my office saying how much they miss their menses. They didn’t realize how good it felt to be “cleansed”.
I want this blog to relay a simple message to you. Your menstrual symptoms are sending you a message that there is imbalance in your body and most likely your life. You are in control of your hormones and you are being called to make a change to help yourself.
For more from Dr. Jen Cisternino Naturopathic Doctor
and to book a free 15 min consult be sure to check her out online,
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Guest Blog Written By: Holly of It’s Personal Branding
Mammas, I get it.
We’re often head of the household (either formally or informally) and we have TONNES on the go at any given time. Not only do we have to take care of ourselves, but we are responsible for EVERYTHING to do with our littles.
It feels like there’s just no time.
But, part of being so responsible means looking out for our own opportunities to grow professionally – for intellectual stimulation, added challenges and to provide even better for our families.
So, when was the last time you updated your resume?
In case it’s been a while for you, I’ve put together some ways you can revamp your resume to get noticed, in between all of the caring and coping and craziness of motherhood.
Ready?
# 1: Make sure your professional summary actually summarizes your key qualifications for the position.
I often see resumes with vague and generic professional summaries. Things like:
Key Qualifications:
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Detail oriented with the ability work under pressure
- Report writing
This summary does a poor job of differentiating the applicant from the others. And worse yet, it usually appears at the top of the resume so that it’s the first thing the reader sees.
Now consider this professional summary:
Key Qualifications:
- Greeted customers and managed the return and exchange process for a busy retail store.
- Wrote summary reports on board meetings including capturing the findings and developing insights.
You have only a few seconds to grab the reader’s attention, so instead of listing generic skills, describe your qualifications that the hiring manager is actually looking for.
The aim of your resume is to stand out from the other applicants and communicate your unique value.
But how do you communicate your uniqueness?
# 2: Use quantitative accomplishment statements in your resume.
Quantitative statements incorporate numerical values to convey your accomplishments in a way tangible way. It helps the reader get a clearer understanding of what you did AND what you can contribute to the new organization.
Consider the following two statements. The first one is a duty-focused statement and the second one is a quantitative statement.
- Organized several external conferences.
- Planned and coordinated three conferences for over 400 guests including staff, stakeholders and global management.
Which one sounds more impressive to you?
By adding numbers like “three conferences” and “400 guests” it helps bring the accomplishment to life so that the reader can feel the benefit.
Which brings us to the last step.
# 3: State the benefit of your accomplishments
Businesses usually have at least one of three main reasons for wanting to hire:
- To make money
- To save money
- To solve a problem
So, if you can tie back your accomplishments to how they created a benefit for the company (or client or patient), then you end up showing a direct link to how your work provides benefit – without relying on the reader to make assumptions about the results.
Here are some examples of tying in the benefit with your qualitative achievement:
- Assisted with planning and execution of seven national and international trade shows
in a one-month period, adding 150 prospective clients to the list.
- Greeted and consulted with up to 100 customers per shift, sharing product knowledge
and assisting in purchase decisions.
- Followed up with trade show prospects to provide product details and arrange on-site product trials, leading to 50+ purchase orders.
Bonus points for making the benefit quantitative too.
These are three important ways you can distinguish yourself from other applicants. Focus on writing statements that are unique to you, that no other applicant could write and have them be true.
Holly Hagan is a professional resume writer and LinkedIn profile writer for her business It’s Personal Branding. She is passionate about helping people shine to receive opportunities they deserve.
For more info on It’s Personal Branding be sure to check them out online,
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For thousands of years we have been turning to crystals and gemstones for their special powers and healing properties. Rose quartz has been known as a stone of gentle love due to it’s ability to help heal the heart, bring love and also deal with grief. Smokey quartz is the stone of power, grounding, protection, which removes negative energy and emotional blockages while bringing in positive energy. Moonstone is the stone of hoping and wishing, feminine energy, psychic abilities, abundance, childbirth, fertility, pregnancy, hormone balance, power, calm and relief of emotional stress. There are many different crystals and gemstones, each with it’s own special power and healing properties. You’ll find some people like to carry loose stones with them while others like to wear them as a jewellery piece. No matter your preference, their powers and properties remain the same.
I have always loved crystals and stones, learning about them, buying them and of course wearing them. The spiritual and healing side of them has always been something that I have taken comfort in and been attracted to, which is why I’m thrilled to feature this local Toronto business Sanat Kumara Crystals in our Chic Mamma Holiday Gift Guide.
The great thing about crystals and stones is that they are for everyone…women, men, children and Sanat Kumara Crystals has something for everyone. What I love about them is that each piece has been created with the intention of awakening consciousness and healing the heart. Another interesting feature of their pieces is that they are blessed and infused with Reiki and Angelic High Frequency Healing.
I had the opportunity to shop the Sanat Kumara Crystals website and fell in love with pretty much everything they have, but I narrowed it down with my top picks which are perfect for gift giving this holiday season.
For those of you who know me personally you know how much I love bracelets. I love stacking and layering them and on any given day you’ll probably find me wearing at least 10 haha. Hands down bracelets for me are definitely my go to jewellery piece of choice which is why I absolutely love their crystal stone beaded bracelets. They come in a variety of different stones and sizes for women, men and children. Pick a stone that you like the look of or dig a little deeper and pick one that resonates with you based on the powers and properties it emits. At $28 a piece you can’t go wrong! These make fantastic teacher gifts and they always make for awesome gifts when you want to pick something up for yourself. Wear them alone or stack a few together…you make that call depending on your mood and what you’re feeling.
Beaded Crystal Bracelet $28 each (Rose Quartz, Hematite, Smokey Quartz and many more)
If bracelets aren’t your style than a great choker might be the way to go! Right now chokers are all the rage since their 90’s come back and probably one of the most popular accessories at the moment. Sanat Kumara Crystals has a great selection of crystals chokers as well other talisman like the Hamsa featured below (which protects its owner from the evil eye while bringing happiness, luck, health and good fortune). Beautiful, simple and fashionable!
Hamsa Protection Chokers $28 & Clear Quartz Crystal Choker $31
This set is something I love and will be gifting my girls with this Christmas. It’s an opalite (great for soothing nerves and depression while bringing joy and calmness) angel necklace with the matching beaded Mother Mary bracelet blessed with Mother Mary’s intentions of love and healing. Available for women as well and also in a variety of different crystals.
Beaded Opalite Mother Mary bracelet & Angel necklace set $51
This is a fantastic online shop that you need to check out. They are amazing, they know their crystals and can guide and educate you so that you can pick the perfect items for yourself or loved ones. Everything they offer are tools to help aid in spiritual awareness and opening, hiding you on the path of love.
Right now all orders placed up until Jan 30/17 will get FREE SHIPPING so check them out and SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL and SPEND LOCAL with Sanat Kumara Crystals.
For more information on Sanat Kumara Crystals visit them online,
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The Christmas lists are never ending, the shopping is insane, the preparation is stressing you out and once again us Mammas are thinking about everyone and everything but ourselves. Well, it’s time to do something for yourself and maybe get yourself a little something this holiday season, which is why I’m featuring one of my favourite local online stores…My Legwear Shop!
My Legwear Shop is a homegrown Canadian company that was launched by founder Antonella, a Mamma just like us. Her desire for great fashion and comfort is what kick started My Legwear Shop. She was on a mission to find comfortable and quality clothing, at a price that wouldn’t break the bank, while being stylish and trendy. When she couldn’t find what she was looking for she knew that something had to change that. She knew that she would have to be the person to make that change.
My Legwear Shop is THE place to shop for athleisure, athletic wear, leggings, yoga pants, hosiery, stockings, tights, shape wear and much more. Tons of great and affordable items for both girls and women and I’m excited to fill you in on some my faves.
Let’s start with something from the Slymwear line which is exclusive to My Legwear Shop. I love this line because the quality is amazing. It’s made right here in Canada and the pieces from this collection are versatile, so you can wear them to workout in or just as everyday casual wear.
My fave pants from the Slymwear collection are the Tess Capri Premium Fit Leggings. These are fantastic and for a few reasons. The nylon used is silky and smooth while the spandex in the fabric ensures that your clothing will keep it’s shape forever, while the breathability ensures a faster drying time. You also don’t have to worry about fading, wrinkles, snags or pills. The thing that I absolutely love about these capri’s is that they NEVER creep up on you. I don’t know about you but putting on capri’s that ride up throughout the day are just annoying! With these it doesn’t matter how much you move around or how active you are…they stay in place all day long. LOVE!!!
Tess Capri Premium Leggings – Slymwear $66 (available in mosaic grey, citrus, lollipop)
Now let me introduce you to the Deanna Dance Bamboo top. This is a top that I think every woman needs in her closet. Again it’s from their exsluive Slymwear collection and I seriously don’t think I could live without it. It’s actually the most favourite top I own. This top is very versatile, comfortable and fashionable. Wear it with a pair of yoga pants to yoga class, while you run your daily errands or dress it up with some jeans and heels. It’s soft and lightweight…which makes it perfect for layering with a great tank under it and it doesn’t cling making it super sexy and flattering on everyone who puts it on. The wide neckline also makes it a great off the shoulder top!
The Deanna Dance Bamboo Top – Slymwear $58 (available in black and cherry burst)
My Legwear Shop also carries a wide variety of other brands including Yummie Life by Heather Thompson. This line is fantastic and having discovered it, I am hooked. These leggings are not your regular leggings, these are magical lol…let me fill you in. So what makes Yummie Life leggings amazing and different from the others out there? Well it’s because they are considered shapewear and were created by a Mamma just like us who knows and understand what life is like after children…including the fun body changes 😉 . These quality made leggings will give you a look that no basic average legging could ever do for you. They will lift, shape, tuck and boost the confidence of any woman who puts them on. I honestly didn’t believe it until I tried them for myself and now I own 4 pairs. They come in a variety of different colours, lengths and fabric, like their Tony style which is a faux leather (which is also totally breathable). Again like everything My Legwear Shop has to offer they are super versatile. I’ve worn mine with with a tank top and flip flops or converse in the summer, with a great top and high boots or heels and I love to match it up with my Deanna Dance Bamboo Top featured above.
Yummie Life Leggings by Heather Thompson $65 to $100 (available in variety of colours and lengths)
There you have it, my top picks from My Legwear Shop for this year’s Holiday Gift Guide picked specifically for YOU! You, not the kids, not the husband, not the teachers but YOU! So stop what you’re doing, it can wait…it’s not gonna go anywhere and jump onto their site and do some shopping. You don’t have to worry about driving to a crazy busy mall and trying to navigate your way through the bumper to bumper parking lot or fight your way through frustrating line ups…you can shop in your pj’s while sitting on the sofa with a cup of tea by your side. You’ll be happy you did and you can find some great stuff to dress up this holiday season and dress down on those stay at home and veg days. PLUS we’ll be giving one lucky Chic Mamma reader the chance to WIN a $75 gift certificate from My Legwear Shop as a little treat from us to you, enter below.
Also don’t forget that if you have a Chic Mamma Card you can SAVE 15% off your order at time of purchase. Click here for more info on this deal, many more and how to purchase your very own Chic Mamma Card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*contest closes on December 25th and winner will be chosen the week of December 26th*
GOOD LUCK!
For more info on My Legwear Shop be sure to visit them online,
“LIKE” them on facebook and “FOLLOW” them on instagram and twitter.
Jewellery is more than an accessory, it often tells a story and holds a special place in our heart. It brings us back to a different place and time where memories were made. I often find myself going through my jewellery box and looking at pieces that I have received over the years and thinking back at that time. Whether it’s the pearl ring my parents got me at the CNE when I was a little girl, the heart locket my husband bought me for our first Christmas when we started dating, the initial charms for each of my kids that I wear around my neck or my daddy’s wedding ring. All are so special, meaningful and sentimental. It doesn’t matter if it cost you the same amount as a mortgage payment or it was less than what a tank of gas would be…it’s all about who it came from and what made them think of you to buy it.
About a year ago I came across this amazing boutique called Glitz Jewellery and fell in love. They have an amazing variety of items for men, women and children. From gold to silver, diamonds and semi precious stones, designer brands and even their own custom designed pieces…they have it all. There are two lines that they carry that I especially love…Chrysalis for the women and Italgem Steel for the men which of course, I just had to feature in this year’s Chic Mamma Holiday Gift Guide.
Chrysalis is a UK company that was launched back in 2007 by co-founders (husband and wife team) Andrea and David. Their love for jewellery joined together with their love for travel and making memories is what kick started their business. They wanted to create something that was meaningful to the wearer and they were able to do that with their signature bangles. Their bangles are stackable which means each individual is be able to create their own personal story. We love these fun and fashionable pieces. They are perfect for gift giving, whether it be for your mom, the wife, a girlfriend, daughter, aunt or even teacher…you can’t go wrong. Available in different colours…silver, gold and rose gold and with a large selection of charms pick from you’ll be sure to find the perfect meaningful gift for the perfect person. Prices range from $35 to $45.
Now let’s talk men…the hard ones to shop for! Over the past couple of years there has been a major shift in men’s jewellery. Men that weren’t really into jewellery are now finding themselves wearing more and more of it and why? Because they are finding the right way to do it and are coming across great new lines that are targeted specifically for men like Italgem Steel direct from Italy. It’s all about style and accessorizing to compliment your look without going overboard and feeling out of place and how do they do that? With bracelets of course! Keeping it simple, classy yet fun. Stack them up or wear them as singles. With options like beads, leather and steel it’s easy to achieve the the look and feel they want. The secret is to match up what on your wrist to what’s in your closet which is why I love this line that I discovered at Glitz Jewellery Boutique. These bracelets make a great gift and are at the perfect price point starting at $45 for their hook and anchor designs. Any daddy would love to get one from his little ones this Christmas and would surely cherish it and keep it close to his heart knowing it was picked out just for him.
Whatever it is that you are looking for when it comes to jewellery and accessories, Glitz Jewellery Boutique has you covered. With a wide variety items and price points, you’ll be sure to leave with the perfect gift. In the meantime since it is the Christmas season and it’s all abut giving, we are very excited to bring you an awesome contest! We’ve teamed up with our good friends over at Glitz Jewellery Boutique to give one lucky ChicMamma.ca winner the chance to WIN a beautiful Chrysalis bracelet of their choice. Wanna WIN? Just enter using the rafflecopter widget below.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*contest closes on December 21st and winner will be chosen on December 23rd*
GOOD LUCK!
For more information on Glitz Jewellery Boutique be sure to visit them online,
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Let me start by saying that I love my kids more than life itself. They are my life, my world, my everything! Now what I’m about to say may come as a shock to maybe 1 or 2 of you but to the majority, I’m probably preaching to the choir. People may judge…well fuck who am I kidding, of course they will because it’s the norm these days but it’s a good thing that I don’t give a shit because I’m gonna say it anyways.
I need a day, just 1 day, a fuckin day to myself, for ME, with no one around! No kids, no husband, NO ONE! As Mammas we carry these kids around for 40 weeks which is 10 months not 9 (who ever came up with the 9 month shit was probably a man), deliver them either vaginally or via c-section and let’s be honest here…neither tickle or are a walk in the park, then the minute they are born, we are with them pretty much 24/7. Our lives change gears, it’s now all about them not us, it’s about making sacrifices and doing what we need to do to make sure they are happy and most of all healthy. We go through breastfeeding or trying to and again painful as fuck in the beginning and draining like no man could ever imagine. We worry about them every waking hour and even when we sleep. At night, the slightest change in their breath (which we an hear from down the hall and 3 rooms away) has us jumping out of bed and running to their side to make sure they are ok. We pick them up when they fall, kiss their boo boo’s and do our best to raise them with a good head on their shoulders. When they are sick we want them to feel better and it kills us inside knowing that sometimes shit is beyond our control and there isn’t much we can do besides hold their hands and give them tons of hugs, kisses and let them know that Mamma is right there with them. It’s a pretty hard job being a Mamma, it’s a selfless job! It’s a job that doesn’t come with pay, vacation days or sick days! Sick days? What the fuck are sick days?! Sick days don’t exist for us. We do however get rewarded in many other ways…through hugs and kisses and the I love you’s that are said in their little voices and of course seeing their faces light up and smiles that appear when we are the first thing that they see in the morning.
Now with all of that said I’m tried, I’m exhausted and I’m not saying I don’t wanna be a Mamma anymore. I’m just saying I need a day off. A day where I can go pee by myself without my entourage, a day where I can make and eat the meals I make (warm) without little people pulling at my legs or fighting in the background. A day where I can go without getting pee’d on, shit on, barfed on or have their snot and dirty mouths rubbed all over me. A day where I can sleep in, take a shower without rushing, pick up that book I bought months ago that I haven’t been able to crack open yet…a day where I don’t have to run and hide in the bathroom just so I can have 3 minutes of peace and quiet (which by the way doesn’t work cuz the little shits always find you).
The pressures and day to day shit that we Mammas feel is pretty insane and men (well with the exception of the few who are home raising their kids) have NO FUCKIN’ CLUE what it’s like. It doesn’t matter if you are a stay at home Mamma, work from home Mamma (like me), or career Mamma, everything falls on us. The kids get sick at daycare or school we’re the first ones there. Doctor appointments…it’s us, extra curricular activities…yup, us too. We’re usually the ones preparing meals too and although it may not be anything fancy it’s food and it’s warm and they’re fed. My house is a mess. I don’t know whether I’m coming or going and worst of all, us Mammas are made to feel guilty (gotta love the Mamma guilt) for wanting some solo time.
Sometimes shopping for the wee little ones can be a lot harder than you think. First off babies don’t need much…some clothes, a few toys, what else? They grow so fast so that they don’t really need a crazy wardrobe and there’s only so many toys you can get them…often they just sit there. So, what’s a great gift you can give that will be used and as a bonus makes a great keepsake? Something made just for them from one of our fave ChicMamma.ca Vendors Signature Little Ones Inc.
Signature Little Ones Inc. is known for their personalized keepsake items and so this year I’m really excited to feature them and their newest collection, sublimation printing in our 2017 Chic Mamma Holiday Gift Guide. Sublimation printing is the hottest trend out there when it comes to custom and personalized items and Signature Little Ones Inc. is one of the very few in the country to offer this! What is it exactly? Just think of it as super high-quality printing that is done directly on fabric. It won’t fade, crack or peel and is made to look as if the printing is actually part of the fabric…it’s pretty awesome!
Signature Little Ones Inc. Blanket $62.50
Signature Little Ones Inc. Onesie & Hat Set $49.50
With a variety of items to choose from, colour options and design layouts you can custom create the perfect gift for the perfect little one in your life. Something just for them and something they can use and cherish for years to come.
Plus if you purchase any items from this collection and send Signature Little Ones Inc. copies of your professional photos of your little ones in their new gear they will give you 10% back on your order. So what are you waiting for? Place your order today and find out why we love this hot new collection from Signature Little Ones Inc.
Also don’t forget that if you have a Chic Mamma Card you can SAVE 10% off your order at time of purchase. Click here for more info on this deal and many more!
SUPPORT LOCAL! SHOP LOCAL! SAVE LOCAL!
For more information on Signature Little Ones Inc. or to place an order visit them online,
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The Chic Mamma Holiday Gift Guide for 2016 has arrived and I’m so pleased and excited to be kicking things off with local Toronto designer Ksenija Dias of KODA NIVOLI!
KODA NIVOLI launched this past spring with their amazing line of luxurious handbags and accessories for women, men and children. Gorgeous statement pieces, quality made and fantastic price points is what they are all about. Since their launch, their products have been seen on TV, in print and of course on the red carpet during TIFF.
This holiday season whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special someone or that amazing statement piece to complete your look, KODA NIVOLI has you covered. Let me show you exactly what I mean.
For the ladies, we all know that a little black dress can go a long way. Rule of thumb is keep it simple and let the accessories complete your look. Go with a classy look, something a bit funky, trendy, edgey…the choice is yours and it’s really easy to do…just add some amazing arm candy or a great set of earrings from KODA NIVOLI. Have some fun with it, dress it up and create a look that is all you. Prices range from $20 to $90 a piece.
Now for the men! There is nothing better than seeing a man all cleaned up, polished and of course sporting a sexy suit. You don’t have to get all fancy but you can have a little fun with it and so this year’s gift guide is featuring these amazing and beautiful KODA NIVOLI cufflinks. It’s the perfect accessory for the man in your life and with a great selection to pick from. The best part is that they range in price between $50 to $70 dollars so if you can’t decide just grab him a few 😉 .
Saving the best for last is the brand new KODA NIVOLI Annie clutch! This clutch is oh so CHIC and we are in love with it. It’s the perfect add on to any outfit. Made with the finest lambskin leather or suede this is a MUST HAVE. Available in 4 colours (black, blue, mauve and gold) it will go with a sexy dress or even your fave pair of jeans with rockin’ heels. Throw your cell phone in it, some cash, cards, your fave lipstick and you’re ready for a night on the town. Hold it in your hand or throw on the beautiful chain that comes with it and wear it over your shoulder or as a cross body. We absolutely love this versatile piece from KODA NIVOLI and know you will too!
The Annie clutch is a steal at $149 which is a fab price but we figured that for all our awesome Chic Mamma readers we’d sweeten that up a bit with an additional 15% OFF* and FREE SHIPPING when you use promo code CHIC15 upon checkout on the KODA NIVOLI site at kodanivoli.com. Now you have no reason not to pick one up for yourself and maybe purchase a few more as gifts…honestly, you can’t go wrong!
*promo code CHIC15 is valid for the ANNIE CLUTCH online only at kodanivoli.com
* can not be combined with any other coupon or voucher
* valid until Jan 6, 2017
* unlimited use per customer for this product only
So there you have it, our top picks from awesome Toronto brand KODA NIVOLI for this holiday gift giving season. Stay tuned for more from the Chic Mamma Holiday Gift Guide and happy shopping!
For more information on KODA NIVOLI be sure to check them out online,
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Tomorrow is December 1st and while all the Mammas are getting ready for the holiday season I’m here prepping for my class tomorrow, grading assignments and of course getting distracted with facebook. To be honest I didn’t even realize that tomorrow is the 1st of the month, UNTILLLL I scrolled through my facebook newsfeed.
Ok seriously, am I the only Mamma out there that doesn’t buy her kids advent calendars or have the elves already in position and with a “HEY, I’M BACK!” note for the kids? I’m looking around my house and I don’t even have one single Christmas item out, let alone the Christmas Tree set up. I do have the Christmas lights outside but let’s get real that was THE HUSBAND’s doing not mine.
Does this make me a bad Mamma? Should I stop typing to go find the elves, write a note and call THE HUSBAND to stop at Shoppers on the way home from hockey to grab whatever advent calendars he can find? Is this what the kick off to the holiday season has become? Advent calendars…chocolates, toys or books? Elves…boy or girl or both? What about Elf clothes? Do we dress them up? Which outfit? And OMG how should we position them? Is all this shit really going to make a difference? Sure it’s fun, we have Elves too but do I go all ape shit crazy over them and follow a pinterest calendar to have them in cool and different positions each day? No, not really. There are days where I even forget to move the stupid things. Yes, OMG I admitted it…write me a ticket haha.
So, tell me am I a bad Mamma for being so chill about this stuff and just taking it easy and or is it perfectly fine? Please tell me I’m not alone 😉 lol.
Guest Blog Written By: Dr. Jen Cisternino Naturopathic Doctor
The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. The reason for this is because people are being misguided. Most people who are overweight agree with the following statement. “When I am sad or stressed, I eat a lot. When I am happy, I eat well.” Why then are people so focused on FOOD when it comes to weight loss? It has been my experience and reality that addressing the underlying emotions that influence food choices is most essential.
Let’s discuss some of the reasons why you are not losing weight and keeping it off.
1. You don’t do a good job at nourishing your emotions. It’s not completely your fault. You may have been raised in a family where your emotional needs were not met. From a young age, you might have realized that when you were sad or anxious, no one was there to comfort you or listen to you and so you turned to food. This pattern of emotional eating to help you cope with your emotions stays with you and the habit strengthens as you get older. Unless you make the connection and tend to your emotional needs in other ways, you may always struggle with excess weight.
2. You are too stressed out. Most people I see in my office are overwhelmed with life. They work full time jobs, try to juggle family, friends, relationships, everyday stresses etc. People today fill their days with a “to-do” list that only superwoman can accomplish. What are you accomplishing if you are stressed, unhappy and overweight? When you set out to lose weight and change your habits, you need to make yourself a priority. It involves you freeing up time for yourself and saying “NO” to the things that get in your way.
3. You lack self-love. “How can I love myself when I have a lot of fat on my hips and belly?” says my patient. “Why not? You are more than your flesh”, I say. Once you learn to love yourself unconditionally (that means no matter your size), you can begin the healing process. Here is the reality, only good can come from self-love. It is a process that takes time and some hand holding, but when you have love for yourself, all your decisions reflect that love. For example; a woman who loves herself will not stuff her face with chocolate and ice cream. A woman who loves herself will want to move her body, address her emotions and eat healthier food. Alternatively, a person who hates themselves is more likely to have negative thoughts and negative emotions which lead to poor eating habits. Make sense? Why wouldn’t you choose love?
4. You think FOOD is the problem. Food is part of the problem. More importantly, it is your relationship with food that is the problem. Food is quick, easy and accessible, especially under stressful times. It seems way easier to eat pizza and chips than to express your emotions to a friend. It might be easier in the short run, but very damaging in the long run. You don’t need another fancy diet plan that tells you to avoid gluten and wheat and dairy (unless of course you have an allergy to them). You need to assess the relationship you have with food first and fix it.
5. You keep looking outside yourself for help. So many people are looking for quick fixes, drugs, diet pills, diet plans, personal trainers, nutritionist, doctors, to “fix” them. Asking for help is great, but a lot of people don’t fully understand that they hold all the answers to their problems. I want you to feel empowered in your weight loss journey. I want you to understand that healing starts when you look within yourself to address your feelings, wants and needs. One size does not fit all when it comes to losing weight. You hold the key to your weight loss success. I just help you unlock your potential.
Why am I so passionate about this topic? For many years, I struggled with my weight and was desperately searching for ways to lose it. I tried all sorts of diets and seeked out all kinds of help with no success. When I began to look within, I realized what I needed. It wasn’t pills or strict diets. It was self-love, respect and emotional balance. I started an exploration within myself which involved addressing my emotions, negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, and poor self-image. Through a process, I ultimately created a healthier environment within myself. My outer reality began to reflect my inner loving self. Weight loss happened almost immediately and effortlessly without much concern about food. It truly was a remarkable experience and I can’t begin to tell you how freeing it is. I wish the same for you.
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