Guest Post: Live Naturally During Your Pregnancy

Live Naturally During Your Pregnancy
It's so easy to make excuses for eating poorly during pregnancy. Why not have the slice of pie or extra piece of candy? You already know you're putting on weight, so how could a few extra calories hurt? Unfortunately, eating poorly can diminish your energy and make you feel awful at a time when you should be healthy and happy. Instead of junk food and comfort food, take time during your pregnancy to research natural and healthy alternatives.
Getting in touch with your body is a big step to living naturally. You'll want to pay attention to how much energy you have, how your body feels and how what you eat affects you and your growing baby. Try some of these tips to increase your stamina and feel better during your pregnancy:
Prenatal Yoga or Pilates

Exercising during your pregnancy may not seem like it belongs on a list of "natural" things, but exercise secretly has lots of benefits. It makes your body stronger and more able to deal with being pregnant. You'll have reduced aches and pains, which means fewer medicinal treatments. Look for a specific prenatal class to learn poses and exercises that are good for you and your baby.
Drink Water

Water flushes toxins from your system. It also hydrates you and makes you feel better. You'll also feel fuller, which can reduce your need to eat junk food. While you shouldn't diet when you're pregnant, that doesn't mean you have to overboard. Water can help you with that.

Eat Organic Foods

Whenever possible, strive to eat raw and organic healthy foods. Carrots, apples and spinach are all excellent options that are relatively easy to find in organic form. Try farmer's markets if you can, or use coupons at the grocery store to bring the cost down.

Cut the Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates can make you feel sleepy and can lead to additional weight gain if you're not careful about eating them. When possible, try to eat fresh vegetables instead of carbohydrates. Swap pasta for steamed veggies and cut out bread whenever you can. You'll feel better and have more energy all throughout your pregnancy.
You don't have to make dramatic changes to live naturally and healthfully during your pregnancy. Make sure to talk with you doctor throughout your pregnancy. I was fortunate to talk to my doctor about every aspect (eating healthy, cord blood banking, swaddling and more!) Try making a few of these simple changes and see how you feel. You might even get inspired to continue living a healthy and natural lifestyle after your baby is born!

Katie Moore has written and submitted this article. Katie is an active blogger who discusses the topics of, motherhood, children, fitness, health and all other things Mommy. She enjoys writing, blogging, and meeting new people! To connect with Katie contact her via her blog, Moore From Katie or her twitter, @moorekm26

Guest Post: Tips to Save on Babysitting Services

For some families, one parent staying home is cost effective. They can save on weekly childcare services, which frees up cash for other important household expenses. But even if one parent decides to stay home, you may need someone to watch your kids at other times. You and your spouse may have weekly date nights, or you make accept an invitation to an event that isn’t kid friendly.

If you have a huge support system, finding someone to watch your children for a few hours shouldn’t be a problem. But if you live away from your family, or if friends and family are unavailable, you may seek a babysitter.

Like most families, you want to spend your money wisely. When shopping online, you can search DermStore.com promo codes, as well as other forms of discounts to save money. Saving money on babysitting services doesn’t imply sacrificing quality care for your children.

You can leave your children in good hands while saving money. Here are three ways to save on babysitting services:

1. Know the going rate

Some daycare centers offer drop-in services. With this service, you can leave your children at the center for a few hours each week. And if local centers offer nighttime or weekend care, this is the perfect place to bring your child if you’re attending an event. But don’t choose any daycare center for your children. To keep costs within budget, contact multiple centers in your local area and compare prices. Additionally, ask your neighbors for recommendations or go online and check reviews.

2. Get a student

Daycare centers are plentiful, and finding quality child care for your children shouldn’t be an issue. However, centers can be costly. If your finances are tight, consider hiring a student or a neighborhood teenager to watch your children. But don’t hire anyone for the job. Again, you can ask your neighbors for a few referrals. Likewise, you should carefully interview those who apply for the position. Do they have childcare experience? What age groups are they most comfortable with? Are they CPR certified?

3. Learn how to barter

When you don’t have a great deal of money, you may do anything possible to save a few bucks. This can include clipping coupons, or perhaps searching Black Friday ad leaks at NerdWallet. There are other ways to stay within a babysitting budget. If you trust your neighbors, perhaps you can suggest a bartering service. This way, you can acquire quality care for your children without spending a dime. In exchange for someone watching your children, you can provide this person with a service. For example, you can clean their homes/apartments or provide other personal services.

Finding someone who is qualified and affordable can create opportunities for you and your partner to spend alone time together. Don’t automatically assume that you cannot afford a daycare center or a private babysitter. As a matter of fact, the cost might be cheaper than you think. With careful planning, there are ways to keep cost within reason.

Birthday Party Etiquette 101- Guest Post

I just so happened to be heading to a kids birthday party today and thought this was perfect timing to have a guest post!  I really appreciate this post because I don't throw many parties and  never thought about some of these things that are good to know.  Enjoy! -Virginia

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Birthday Party Etiquette 101

If you're relentlessly browsing the aisles for super mario party supplies or trying to sort out a princess birthday party, the theme may be the only thing you’re really thinking about. However, there are certain “rules” that apply to every party. So what are these unwritten rules and how can you avoid faux pas when hosting a birthday party? Read these tips to make sure that everyone has a great time at your little one’s next celebration.

• Invites

Don’t allow your kids to distribute birthday invites in class. This will make others in the class feel left out on alienated. Make a list of invitees with your child, then drop off or mail the invitations individually. Try and explain to your son or daughter that talking about the party at school is a bad idea.

• Prepare Party Favors

As thanks for all the birthday presents that parents have bought, it’s good form to have nice party favors for the kids. Even if you do something easy, like baking cookies or cupcakes for each kid, the gesture is greatly appreciated by fellow parents.

• Other Child Blues

It’s natural for other children to feel jealous of the birthday boy or girl getting more attention. Involve your other children by having them invite a friend over to keep entertained. Try and explain to your other children that you will do something just as special for their birthdays.

• RSVP

The dreaded RSVP. Don’t you hate it when parents don’t RSVP? Okay, you may be a little peeved at parents for not calling you up and telling you that their children are attending, but really all you have to do is call them up and ask sweetly if their child will be able to make it on the specified date. Just make sure not to say anything rude to the negligent parent!

So there you have it, some tips to help you be the pinnacle of class and etiquette during your child’s birthday party. Now, for the party planning!

-Melissa C.