LilSugar

Why Didn't Anybody Tell Me: Wispy Hair

babysugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:00:00 -0800

I lived for the luxe locks I sported during and immediately after my pregnancies. I paraded around like a supermodel, tossing my hair from side to side as if everyone in the world were mesmerized by my thick, shiny strands that seemed to grow by the second. I was even prepared for the postpartum hair loss many women experience once their pregnancy hormones subside.

What I wasn't prepared for was the wispy bangs that seemed to appear overnight around my face. I awoke one morning, about five months after delivering my son, and as I stood there blow drying my hair, I couldn't get the lion's mane of wisps to stay down. I tried different hair serums, headbands, and hats before I just gave into the baby-fine hair that seemed to stay with me for months. In fact, I would marvel in the fact that my tot was ready for his first haircut around the same time my wisps finally blended in with the rest of my hair!

OnSugar Blog: Couch Breaking Postpartum Motivation

OnSugar Blog — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:00:22 -0800

Lots of moms think out loud, and CaliChic does too. What motivates you? comes from the Work It Momma blog at OnSugar.

Ever since Thomas was born I've been looking for a little kick in the pants to get me back into an exercise routine. Well, there is nothing like the feeling when you break your own couch to get you moving. Yes, I broke the couch. When I sat down. In half. Not cracked, broken. I am going on a jog tomorrow if it kills me.

Want to see more? Start following OnSugar blog Work It Momma or start your own OnSugar blog. We may just feature your content on LilSugar.

Did Weight Loss Influence Your Decision to Breastfeed?

LilSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 11:15:00 -0800

Heidi Klum credits staying active for losing the baby weight. And there's no question that being a mother of four under age 6 keeps a woman - even a supermodel - on her toes! She noted that nursing is just a means of nourishing her children Leni, 5, Henry, 4, Johan, 3, and 4-month-old Lou. She told Us Weekly:

"I never looked at breastfeeding in terms of, 'This is something that helps me.' Breastfeeding helps my child. The after effect: yes, you lose your weight in a normal manner. I think people blow it out of proportion."

Battle of the Baby Weight: LilSugar's Green Bean Recipe!

LilSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:00:04 -0800

Eating healthy can be hard for moms who have picky kids to feed. So today (as part of the Get Fit for 2010 challenge) I'm sharing one of my favorite healthy family recipes for Asian inspired green beans. It's low in fat, high in fiber, and dairy-free making it perfect for vegetarians and those with diet restrictions. Serve it to your children with a side of steamed rice or noodles.

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 10 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage good-bye too, set a goal, and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support!

To get see the rest of these mouthwatering pics and to get the recipe, read more.

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LilSugar's Asian Inspired Green Beans
Original Recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces of green beans
1 tbs toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup of minced yellow onion
1 minced clove of minced garlic
6 ounces of sliced mushrooms
5 ounces shredded carrots
2 green onions
2 - 3 ounces of toasted and unsalted sliced almonds
soy sauce (to taste)
rice vinegar (to taste)
sea salt
pepper
Sarachi sauce (optional)

Directions
Blanch green beans, then strain and set to the side.
In a pan, saute minced onion and garlic, mushrooms and carrots in 1 tbs of toasted sesame oil.
If you need to add moisture to speed up the process, add two tbs of water to the hot pan.
Toss in the sliced green onion about one minute before you take the veggies off of the heat.
Next mix all the vegetables together in a large bowl.
Shake in the almonds.
Add a splash of soy sauce (I use the low sodium variety) to taste.
Then, do the same with rice wine vinegar.
Add a dash of sea salt and a pinch of pepper before plating and serving.
Salt and pepper to taste.
If you want to spice the dish up, put a little Sarachi sauce on the side.

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The Don'ts of Visiting a New Baby in the Hospital

LilSugar — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:00:54 -0800

The first few days after a baby's birth are like living in a bubble so hospital visitors shouldn't burst it. Doting mothers stare at their new bundles of joy in awe and focus on if and when their babies are eating, sleeping and pooping. The following is a list of off-limit topics and behaviors for those heading to the maternity ward.

Don't snap mad photos without permission - especially if the mama has a visible catheter bag or stained sheets.
Don't stare or ask to touch her brand-new Dolly Parton boobs. News flash: engorged breasts hurt!
Don't ask if she had her tubes tied or if her hubby is getting a vasectomy.
Don't discuss the family's carbon footprint.
Don't ask if there's any way the baby's conehead can be molded.
No matter how big the baby's head is, don't speculate about the size of her pelvis or hips.
Don't refer to the child as having "elf ears."
Don't attribute every baby smile to gas.
Don't mention that you think today's parents don't have a clue.
Don't ask when they are going to try for another one!
Don't question if the husband is really the father since the baby looks nothing like him!
Don't try to persuade the parents to change the baby's name by coming up with all the awful nicknames you think the child faces.
Don't talk about everything that is wrong with the world.
Unless she offers, don't ask the degree of her tear.
Don't exclaim, "Oh, I love your mom pooch!" It's not like she can speed up a contracting uterus.

Add your additions to this list below!

Battle of the Baby Weight: Eating Better

LilSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 10:00:00 -0800

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 12 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage good-bye too, set a goal and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support! Check out my updates here each week.

Battle of the Baby Weight: LilSugar Takes Fit's Tests

LilSugar — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:19 -0800

It's a new year, and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 12 months hitting the gym to burn the baby fat. If you're a mom who wants to bid your postpartum baggage goodbye too, set a goal and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support! Check out my updates here each week.

6 Post-Pregnancy Garments to Help the Body Bounce Back

LilSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:30:00 -0800

Nine months up, nine months down may be a post-natal mama's mantra, but that doesn't mean she can't get to work on that body sooner. Once baby arrives, a new mom's belly doesn't shrink down as quickly as she might have expected. For generations, women around the world have bound their postpartum bodies to help retrain their midsections and 65 percent of LilSugar readers think binding garments will help them return to their pre-baby bodies. Before mum is cleared to diet and exercise, there are a bevy of post-pregnancy compression garments designed to help put the body back where it started. Take a look at some of the options.

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Do You Love Your Stretch Marks as Much as Jessica Alba?

LilSugar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:00:07 -0800

Honor Warren may layer on the accessories just like her famous mama, but there are a few items that Jessica Alba's daughter isn't likely to be sporting soon. The actress, who returns to the silver screen next month in her first movie since the birth of 19-month-old Honor, waxed poetically to Self about the battle wounds she bares from her pregnancy. In the February issue of the magazine, Alba discusses her ability to ignore her stretch marks and deflated breasts.

"Pregnancy was the most incredible experience I've ever had, so I’ll take the stretch marks. I’ll take the sagging boobs. I'll take the cellulite I can never get rid of. If you walk around with your head held high and you’re happy and positive, then all that other stuff is irrelevant. Confidence is number one."

Alba may embrace her postpartum body, but plenty of women don't. Have you just accepted the markings of your pregnancies, or would you consider procedures to remove them?

Battle of the Baby Weight: LilSugar Gets Fit For 2010!

LilSugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 04:00:15 -0800

It's a new year and I want my old body back! Inspired by FitSugar's health challenge, I'll spend the next 12 months hitting the gym to burn baby fat. If you want to bid your postpartum baggage goodbye too, set a goal and join the Get Fit For 2010 community group for support! Check out my updates here each Tuesday.