Mamaste

GUIDES FOR BUSY , FABULOUS MOMS FALL 2015

YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE...

OH MY!

10 FUN WAYS TO RELAX AND REJUVENATE OUR TOP NJ PICKS FOR SPAS, SALONS AND PLACES TO SWEAT

E T S A MAM

MAMASTE FALL 2015

May you sleep in on a Saturday.

May the doorbell stay silent at nap time.

May your jeans fit just right; your new gloss the perfect shade... and as the clock strikes 5, may you have a glass of wine in the palm of your hand.

Mamaste.

HOBOKEN/MONTCLAIR/SUMMIT/WEST ESSEX/ WESTFIELD MOMMIESANDCO.COM INFO@MOMMIESANDCO.COM

BEAUTY IS PAIN

by Christina Surretsky

“Mom, I have a unibrow,” my eleven-year-old son complained. “Want me to pluck it?” I asked. “Will it hurt?” “A little.” “Forget it.”

I watched my son vanish after this exchange, without giving the caterpillar across his forehead a second thought. And then I realized with dismay, if he had been a girl, by now she would have been plucking, shaving, waxing and dying various hairs on her body, as well as complaining about every other aspect of her femininity in pursuit of the elusive brass ring of bodily perfection. And I would have probably been helping her —after all, we all want to be beautiful, right? But isn’t it time we start asking ourselves at what cost? Sure, we like to think ourselves as having made progress given that corsets and foot-binding are no longer de rigueur. But have we really made that much progress when we’re still wearing Spanx and five-inch heels? Not to mention giving in to some of these less standard, more crazy beauty treatments: VAGINAL STEAM CLEANING There are very few things in life I feel the need to steam clean. Occasionally my floors. Sometimes my carpet (and I mean “carpet” literally, not figuratively). But never once has it occurred to me to steam clean my lady bits. However, Gwyneth Paltrow feels differently. On her website, GOOP, Ms. Paltrow wrote about the benefits of the Mugwort Steam Clean, “. . . a combination of infrared and mugwort steam cleanses your uterus, et al. It is an energetic release—not just a steam douche—that balances female hormone levels.”

First thing’s first. Who decided, “Hey, I’m going to shoot vapor from boiling water mixed with herbs that are used in rice cakes and soup into my vagina! That sounds like a fantastic idea!” Well, newsflash, it’s not, according to doctors (or anyone with half a brain). Feminine parts are like an Apple computer: if it’s working, simply leave it alone because if you decide to open things to “improve it” you run the risk of damaging the equipment (and you will definitely void the warranty).

THE SPERM FACIAL As recently as March 2014, Cosmopolitan was writing about the pros and cons of the “sperm facial” according to “science.”

Well, thank God! Because when I want to know about scientific information, Cosmo is always the first place I look.

However, what the sixteen-year-old male writer (I’m assuming) of the article overlooked was the actual science behind the benefits of a sperm facial, or more like, the fact that none exists. Nice try, kid. Next time go with ‘but blue balls might kill me.’

I could go on: waist training, Thai face slapping, crazy plastic surgery. There’s no end to what women will do in pursuit of beauty. So If I had a daughter, I would tell her the same thing I tell my sons: You are beautiful the way you are. I think my sons believe me. I’m not sure my daughter would.

It’s too bad the saying, “beauty is pain,” is more accurate than ever . . . and in more ways than one.

Christina Surretsky wanted to be Wonder Woman, Princess Leia or one of Charlie’s Angels when she grew up. However, after the realization that none of these would pan out, she decided to pursue a career in advertising, and then moved on to a gig as a mother (a field in which she currently still dabbles). Eventually she heard the siren’s call of the pen (or, really, computer) and began writing. A freelance writer and blogger, she recently released her debut novel Divine Bloodlines. Besides writing, she is an avid local volunteer, a lover of good (and some would say bad) books, a yoga enthusiast and a student of the art of sarcasm. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and two sons. She can be found on Twitter (@ChrisSurretsky), Facebook, and at Christina Surretsky.

10 Ways to Relax and Rejuvenate 1. YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE. Obviously. This IS the Mamaste Guide after all. But really, taking a full hour to stretch, challenge yourself, turn your brain off, and dedicate the whole practice to something/one you are struggling with. Go, and go often.

Try a class at Corefire Montclair.

Some Mommies call it Pilates on steroids. We call it a little piece of heaven.

2. GET A BLOW-OUT Never underestimate the power of a good hair day. Some of our faves are Salon Phoenix in Hoboken, Salon Americana in West Caldwell, Blo Lounge in Livingston, Blow In Blow Out in Westfield & Summit, and Pure Energy in Montclair.

3. READ A BOOK Try our Contributing Author, Christina Surretsky's debut novel - Divine Bloodlines!

Visit our friends at Little City Books in Hoboken to pick your next fave.

4. DRINK FANCY WATER Ginger improves circulation and gets the blood in your body flowing, giving you an instant zing to combat Mommy fatigue.

5. A BLACK AND WHITE MILKSHAKE Vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. Extra thick. Calories don't count today.

6. HOT STONE MASSAGE Get a Hot Stone Massage at Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spa in Clifton. The stones make a world of difference for our tired and achy muscles.

7. HAVE A MAKEOVER Who couldn't use a fresh face? We get stuck in a routine and forget to change things up and enjoy! Artist Christina Trotta prides herself on achieving a natural and perfected look, without the visibility of makeup.

Sounds like a win-win for Moms everywhere!

8. GET A NEW BRA There are like 1257% of women wearing the wrong size. For real. And the girls are unhappy. Try Peach - they come to you! They custom fit you with a totally-not-awkward system. Our backs are thanking us! Tell Samantha and Romy we sent you! 973-9022225 9. MOMMIES LUNCH AND/OR NIGHT OUT Take a friend to lunch! When is the last time you were one-on-one with your bestie? And don't even try to figure out the last time you actually ate slowly and tasted your food!

Seriously. So. IMPORTANT. Don't give up your time with your girls. We all need it... and a great bottle of Pinot. Go to dinner. Go dancing.

Go to see a movie. Just GO!

10. TAKE A NAP Naps aren't just for the little ones. We are tired, lacking sleep, sleep too lightly, wake to all the noises of the night. Studies show - a quick snooze can relieve sleep deprivation and boost your productivity. Siesta!

MOMPRENEUR

Take a peek into the mind of Mompreneur, Jennifer Yen

OUR CHAT WITH CREATOR/CEO OF PUR~LISSE, JENNIFER YEN

What advice do you have for working moms?

You have to preserve parts of your former self to stay sane. Whether it’s a job, hobby or passion, it’s so important to be happy with yourself so you can be a better mom.

Tell us about your business!

I used to fight Power Rangers and now I save complexions with my skin nourishing beauty company, Pur~lisse, fused with Asian botanicals and French skin science. All of our products are formulated without toxic ingredients and it’s safe for sensitive skin.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a new mom?

You don’t know what it’s like until you become a mom. So TRUE!

What inspired you to get involved in starting Pur~lisse beauty?

While playing the evil queen on Power Rangers, my skin was wrecked from all the heavy makeup and I tried all the latest and greatest and nothing worked.

I turned to my wise grandmother and fused her beauty secrets into modern French techniques and started Pur~lisse.

What’s your favorite part of each day?

Coming home to play with my baby! She makes me laugh all the time and instantly de-stresses me.

If you could explain your career path in one hashtag, what would it be? #unconventional Who inspires you in business?

Other women – from Estee Lauder, Hillary Clinton, my mother and all the daring women who choose to blaze their own trail.

"I love being a mom because it’s the remedy JENNIFER YEN for selfobsession and being with my child brings out the child in me."

What’s your secret to balancing work and family?

I have a supportive partner and family and I’ve had to dramatically cut back on my social life.

Favorite indulgence?

I love taking naps with my daughter.

What do you love most about being a mom?

I love being a mom because it’s the remedy for self-obsession and being with my child brings out the child in me.

BEAUTY 2.0...

ON THE GO WITH KIDS We ' ve all been there ... you have an appointment for highlights to fix your 9 inch roots ... and the sitter cancels . Now what ??

IT

is inevitable. You just can't find the time. The kids are perfectly coiffed. The dog is groomed. The house is clean(ish). But those roots.

Those nine inch roots. Is your hair actually colored anymore? But today is the day. It's highlight day! Then the phone rings. $%^)(W$*$@$ The sitter cancels. You have a choice.

Split second decision. You can't cancel. You have your sister's neighbor's brother's aunt's wedding this weekend, and you can NOT look like THAT Mom. You make the call.

You're bringing the kid.

Things start out easy enough. Little one is adorable in that stroller. All of the girls are oohing and aahing over the outfit, how good they are being, how big they got. Little one is a novelty... until...

The attention stops. All hell breaks loose. Formerly sweet now super annoyed lady next to you might actually cut your ear with the laser death stare she's giving you. It's hot in here. Is anyone else hot? Is my face red? Is that sweat? OMG stop crying. I'm right here.

You need a time machine. Go back and cancel the appointment. Go forward and speed up time. Either way, fight or flight kicks in. You're praying to anyone that will listen. Please make the yelling stop. The stylist highlights you on double speed. Asks the shampoo girl to help with the foils (you know it's to get you the hell out and you're thrilled). Oh skip the blowout. No, really it's fine. I can blow-dry myself at home (not). How much? Sure - take double. I'll send wine later too. Thanks. Love ya. Bye. See ya again in 6 months. Or 8.

Americana is a childfriendly facility with ample onsite parking available. With plush leather sofas, our reception area is a comfortable place to relax before or after your appointment and our large front desk is staffed with several friendly receptionists making it quick and easy to check-in and out.

There has to be a better way.

Enter the unicorn. Child Friendly Salons. They are popping up like daisies. Sweet, beautiful daisies in a sea of chopped home remedied bangs. Grateful? YEP.

Americana Salon & Spa 12 Eisenhower Parkway Roseland, NJ 07068

QUICK TIPS FOR BUSY MOMS Whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a working mom, let’s be real, not many of us have the time in the day to put a full face of makeup on. But who is to say that you need a lot of makeup to look like the glamorous gal you are?

Here’s a quick guide to make you look like you just walked off the red carpet with a makeup routine that you could’ve done while vacuuming the carpet (which will probably need to vacuumed 5 more times that day).

First take either a Beauty Balm cream or Color Corrective cream of your choice and apply all over the face. Be sure that the color tone matches your neck and jawline.

Second, take a dab of concealer slightly lighter than your natural skin tone and apply under the eyes and on the bridge of your nose, blending with your finger or a concealer brush (fingers are the fastest).

Next dust bronzer slightly under your cheekbone, around the frame of your forehead and chin.

Then curl your eyelashes and apply a few coats of your favorite mascara.

Following mascara, shade your eyebrows in lightly with a soft powder and angled brush; pencils are a little harsher than a powder.

Last, apply a pop of color to your lips with a balm or lip stain.

Some of my favorites: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream Origins CC Cream Maybelline Baby lips Dr. Rescue in Berry Soft & Just Peachy Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Powder Before any makeup application, be sure to have a clean moisturized face. The better your skin is the nicer the makeup will turn out.

Email me for details on how to achieve flawless fresh skin!

A little goes a long way.

Author Terese is the owner of FACIAL CREATIONS. For more info, contact her at teresemariet@gmail.com

HEALTH

BE GOOD TO YOUR HEART

STRAIGHT TALK BY KRYSSIE WOODS, M.D. It’s not a sexy topic, but let’s talk about heart health. Every year 1 in 3 women die of heart disease or stroke. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the USA. But it’s not all bad news. A large amount of it can be prevented. And it’s never too early to start. People often tend to think of heart disease as something that affects older people. But the truth is, it can affect us at any age. And the choices we make in our youth can impact our health in our later years. So here are a few things to consider, to keep you and your family heart healthy.

First, let’s talk about how heart disease and strokes happen. Our bodies contain a network of blood vessels that range in size and function. Think of them as a system of pipes that pump blood around the body. Normally, blood vessels are squishy, so they can stretch and compress. They have a smooth inner lining made of special cells. As we age, our blood vessels become harder and thicker as part of the aging process. This is called atherosclerosis.

Things like high blood pressure and smoking speed up this process substantially, causing it to occur earlier in life. Smoking, physical inactivity and a bad diet also help contribute to the buildup of “plaque” within the blood vessels, making their diameter narrower and irregular. Think of plaque as the gunk that eventually lines and clogs up the pipes of the sink in your home. When the plaque gets to a point where it either partially or completely clogs one or more blood vessels in the heart, a heart attack occurs. Or, if this happens in the brain, a stroke occurs. A stroke can also happen if a piece of plaque breaks loose and travels within a blood vessel until it lodges in a smaller blood vessel in the brain.

Now that we have a basic idea of how these diseases happen, we can talk about what we can do to prevent them.

Quit Smoking.

It not only leads to lung disease and cancer.

Smoking itself increases the risk of heart disease. If you smoke AND take birth control pills, you’re increasing your risk of heart disease by 20%. Now you can add heart disease to your list of reasons to kick that smoking habit!

Keep your blood pressure in check.

Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80.

High blood pressure, called hypertension, is increasingly common in developed countries because of our diet and lifestyles.

POSTMODERN PAINTING. Stella alternately paints in oil and watercolor

Hypertension is defined as a pressure of 140/90 or more. Pre-hypertension falls between the two. Hypertension is called “the silent killer” because often there are often no symptoms. Women are at increased risk of hypertension if we become 20+ lbs overweight, if it runs in our family and once we reach menopause. Hypertension can be managed by limiting salt intake, limiting saturated fats in our diet, keeping our cholesterol under control, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.

Balance your cholesterol. Cholesterol is important for our bodies. It is made by our livers. We need a balance of the different types of cholesterol to stay healthy. One big myth is that high cholesterol, called hyperlipidemia, is a problem of people who are overweight. You can be skinny and have high cholesterol. High cholesterol can be hereditary, so it is important to know if your parents or immediate family members have struggled with high cholesterol levels. And in particular, if it became a problem for them early in life. If that’s the case, you may have a genetic problem that runs in your family, called familial hyperlipidemia, in which your body overproduces cholesterol.

Now that we have a basic idea of how these diseases happen, we can talk about what we can do to prevent them.

Even for those of us who don’t have a family history of hyperlipidemia, it’s a good idea to know your numbers. The American Heart Association recommends being aware of your cholesterol levels as early as in your 20’s. It’s a simple blood test that is best done before you’ve eaten. So if you haven’t ever had your cholesterol level measured, ask your doctor about it at your next visit. Just schedule your appointment for first thing in the morning, so that you’re not waiting until after that 1:30 appointment to eat!

When you get a copy of your cholesterol report, you will notice a few different things.

There are different types of cholesterol listed.

You will want to pay attention to the HDL, the LDL and triglycerides. We will talk about those in detail in a minute. The “goal” level depends on your overall health & what other medical problems you have. There is a lot of debate in the medical community on what “goal” levels should be and how to manage people whose numbers aren’t “at goal.” And the argument shifts every few years. Here are the current recommendations & “goal” numbers.

- HDL: Also known as the “good” cholesterol.

Often, as women, this cholesterol is naturally higher for us because of estrogen. And it decreases as we approach menopause, when our estrogen levels also drop. Scientists believe that this cholesterol is “heart protective” and helps our body to remove plaque from our arteries. Ideally, you want this number to be high (greater than 60 mg/dL).

Regular exercise, in particular cardio, can boost HDL. So if yours is on the low side, it’s time to hit the treadmill or get to that Zumba class.

- LDL: Also known as the “bad” cholesterol.

When it is high, it accumulates as plaque.

Things that contribute to high LDL levels are diets high in cholesterol, saturated fats and trans-fats. For many years, “ideal LDL levels” depended on whether you also had certain medical problems. Recently, the argument has been made that doctors should assess the overall health of their patients rather than setting a specific LDL goal. An LDL level of 190 mg/dL will, however, get your doctor’s attention. This is the threshold for starting you on medications for cholesterol. So the general take-away message is the lower you can keep your LDL, the better. Diet and exercise help definitely with that.

- Triglycerides: These are the most common form of fat in the body. Triglycerides are often higher in older people. But some things that we do, and certain medical problems, increase our triglycerides, such as being overweight or obese, being physically inactive, smoking, drinking alcohol in excess, eating a high carb diet and being diabetic. Eating a diet lower in saturated fats and trans fats helps to reduce triglyceride levels. Levels less than 150 are considered normal.

Get moving! Overeating & sedentary lifestyle both contribute largely to heart disease. I’m not talking about that lazy Saturday night when we thank God the kids are finally asleep and we flop onto the couch to enjoy a movie and a bowl of ice cream. If you regularly tend to eat poorly and not exercise, you’re putting yourself at risk. Being sedentary and overeating causes a slow accumulation of plaque in our blood vessels. So how much exercise is “enough”? The American Heart Association recommends 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise 3 to 4 times a week. If you get more than that, fantastic. And on the days you’re just not feeling up to getting to the gym, consider taking a long, brisk walk. That has been shown to be almost as good for your heart.

Eat healthy. I’ve mentioned diet a few times. A balanced diet is not only heart healthy, it contributes to our overall health and sense of well-being. Foods that are heart healthy, and can help to lower cholesterol are: whole grains and multigrain foods (bran, oats), fatty fish (salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel), foods high in omega-3 fatty acids (avocado, olive oil), antioxidant rich fruits & vegetables (apples, grapes, berries, broccoli, spinach, collard greens, other dark green veggies) and nuts (almonds, walnuts). And the foods which can cause our cholesterol to increase and aren’t as heart healthy are: foods high in saturated fats (dairy, egg yolks, beef, pork, duck, veal), fried foods, processed meats (hot dogs, sausages), lard, hydrogenated margarine, simple sugars (soda, candy, cookies) and saturated oils (palm oil, coconut oil). These foods should be consumed in moderation. The American Heart Association also recommends limiting salt intake and limiting the consumption of processed foods. As moms, we can make these healthy choices easy for our kids. If we are mindful of what we feed them, and if they see us eating healthy foods, then eating healthy will be second nature to them.

Before you think that I’ve just spent the last 10 minutes telling you to live in the gym and survive on celery sticks, here’s something you probably won’t have a hard time doing for your heart health. Have a glass of red wine. This might not be something your doctor will tell you. Probably because we worry that if we tell our patients to have a glass of wine, they will have that same moment that Charlie Brown has when he hears his teacher talking. We say, “Have one glass of red wine with dinner” and we worry our patient hears, “Have blah, blah, red wine, blah, blah.” The American Heart Association recommends one 4 oz glass of wine to keep your heart healthy. There is research that shows that red wine has antioxidants which can help increase HDL and reduce LDL. If you have any specific health problems, heart problems or concerns about your health, bring it up with your doctor. This rough guide is in no way mean to be comprehensive. Together with your doctor, you can come up with a plan to keep your heart healthy. And in the meanwhile, enjoy that one glass of red wine tonight. If anyone asks, it’s for your health. Cheers!

Kryssie Woods is a board certified internist and infectious disease specialist. She completed her Internal Medicine internship and residency in New York Hospital Queens. She then completed a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Mt. Sinai’s Beth Israel campus in Manhattan, where she served as one of two chiefs in her final year. Kryssie’s specific interests within medicine include travel medicine, public health, virology (in particular herpes & influenza), medical ethics, antibiotic misuse/overuse and bacterial resistance (“superbugs”). She has spoken in conferences for infectious disease specialists in New York City, presenting some notable cases in 2012 and 2013. Kryssie has published several articles on the topic of multidrug resistant bacteria. Her work on the effects of antibiotics on the development of bacterial resistance was presented in a national meeting on infectious diseases in San Francisco, in 2013. Kryssie is currently affiliated with Carepoint Health and has opened her own infectious disease & travel medicine practice, Hudson Infectious Diseases, in Bayonne, New Jersey. Outside of medicine, Kryssie and her husband are parents to a super cute and active 9-month old son. In the little spare time she has, she enjoys reading, cooking and traveling.

YOGA, PILATES AND BARRE... OH MY! YOGA

PILATES

a physical, mental, and spiritual practice or discipline which originated in India.

a system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture, and enhance mental awareness.

BARRE combines Pilates, yoga and ballet moves to give you beautiful, sculpted, lean muscles – without the impact and injuries dancers endure

WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU ?

All of the above! With Pilates, Barre, and Yoga, you will not only build muscle tone, increase your flexibility, help your posture and strengthen your core, you will see a total transformation - to a longer and leaner shape. Your muscles and your mind will benefit from the positive transformation!

If you want to tone your muscles without bulking them up, add one or all of these to your weekly workout routine. Whether you love spinning, walking to beat your step goal with your FitBit, crossfit or anything in between, giving your muscles the strength and flexibility they need will help you win!

DEFINITIONS BY WIKIPEDIA

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LOCAL MAMASTE

FITNESS HUDSON VIBE hoboken hudsonvibe.com KURE PILATES hoboken kurepilates.com LOCAL BARRE hoboken localbarre.com PRIME CYCLE hoboken primecycle.com WHEELHAUS hoboken localbarre.com WORK IT OUT hoboken workitoutgym.com THE BAR METHOD montclair montclair.barmethod.com COREFIRE montclair corefirepilates.com THE MAX upper montclair themaxchallenge.com NJ SURF FITNESS bloomfield njsurffitness.com YOGA MONTCLAIR montclair yogamontclair.com MANAGED FITNESS summit managedfitness.net MOMENTUM CYCLING/FITNESS summit momentumnj.com INDIGO YOGA caldwell indigoyogastudios.com

BEAUTY JOHN MESA, MD hoboken doctormesa.com

SALON PHOENIX hoboken salonphoenixhoboken.com

BLOW IN BLOW OUT westfield/summit blowin-blowout.com

CHRISTINA TROTTA (973) 396-6759 christinatrottaco.com

THE LONDON HOUSE SALON hoboken (917) 803-9113

TONI & GUY hoboken toniguy.com

THE SPA AT MECCA fairfield meccaspa.com

REBELLATIONS hoboken rebellations.com

UP & OUT hoboken (201) 401-4119

AMERICANA SALON AND SPA roseland americanasalonandspa.com BLO LOUNGE livingston blolounge.net

212 SALON & SPA montclair 212salonanddayspa.com

MAMASTE.