Guest Post on Girlology! Body Image & Self Acceptance: Advice from a Teen to Moms

Last month I was given the wonderful opportunity to guest blog on Girlology! 

"Whether you’re a tween, teen, or adult, learning to love who we are inside and out can be a difficult task. Especially when we are being bombarded with misleading images in the media. We constantly feel the need to compare ourselves to others and strive to be thinner, smaller, firmer, etc. So how do we stop it?


There is no definitive way to stop the beauty industry and media from portraying un-realistic images and ways of living, but what you can do is learn how to view it differently, and how to talk to your daughters about it"....(read full article)

Back To School: Be Yourself!

Be yourself, embrace your flaws, and hold your head high! You, yes YOU are beautiful inside and out. Now go have an awesome first day of school :)

Guest Blogger: Andrea Owen, Professional Life Coach helping people to live a "Kick Ass Life"

Love Renegade

Professional life coach, Andrea Owen, talks about "loving yourself first" and why it's so important!

I thought if many things to write about for this post. There are easily 100 things I could say to a teenage girl; 100 pieces of advice. Oodles of “words of wisdom”. But, I decided not to. Not because I didn’t want to, but I really thought about who might be reading this. I put myself back some 20 years, when I was a teenage girl and what I needed to hear the most. And it was only one thing: 

Love yourself first. 

As teenage girls, we hear a million things from people that love us. Wear sunscreen, study, go to college, be polite, be on time, use birth control, don’t have sex!, be nice, etc. 

And then there’s the media. Be sexy, be thin, be perfect, buy this, buy that, get a boyfriend, exercise, do everything, etc. 

It’s enough to make your head spin.  But, trust me when I tell you the most important thing you can do for yourself and your future is to

Love yourself first. 

I didn’t really do that when I was a teenager. Don’t get me wrong; I actually grew up loved by my parents and that part was great, I just never knew how important loving myself was. And that it takes practice. And forgiveness. And letting go of doing everything “right”. It might seem as if you’re some kind of renegade to love yourself, I mean the media you see everyday wants you to do the opposite so you’ll buy everything they throw at you so that you’ll be lovable. But, again, all that “stuff” will never love you back, nor will it make you more lovable that you already are. So, again

Love yourself first. 

Will your life be perfect with rainbows and unicorns if you love yourself first? No. It won’t. But, I guarantee it will set a path for you that is ahead of the rest. Love is what we’re all here for. And by loving yourself your heart will open up and your life has the potential for greatness. When you love yourself first people are genuinely attracted to you. You’ll have that certain something that makes you special. 

By loving yourself first I ask you not to place your worth in someone else’s hands. You are the most precious thing to yourself. You’ve got a long road ahead of you filled with struggles, happiness, pain, celebrations, heartbreak and so much more. Great stuff and not-so-great stuff.  Throughout all of this, loving yourself will make it all that much better. More colorful, honoring you the whole way. And if it makes you uncomfortable, here’s a secret: You don’t have to tell anyone. It can be your own little secret gift. 

You, my dear, we’re born on this earth perfect the way you are at just the perfect time and place. There is a reason you are here, and at your age, it’s not your job to find out what that reason is just yet. But, I promise you, by loving yourself first, you will find it. And life will make a little more sense. 

So, if you ignore all advice from everyone else, try on this one. It may not make too much sense right now, but it will later. Pinky swear. 

Andrea Owen is a professional life coach and speaker. She is passionate about empowering women and girls to value their character and feel beautiful by manifesting respect and love for themselves first and foremost. She has helped hundreds of people manage their inner-critic to break through and live their most kick-ass life. You can read more at www.yourkickasslife.com and contact her at andrea@yourkickasslife.com

SITE MAINTENANCE!

Free To Be Me is currently undergoing site maintenance, but will be back looking all pretty again shortly :) Thank you for your patience!

Ask me your self esteem & fashion questions LIVE

Wanna ask me your fashion and self esteem questions live? Check out all the details below!!

1) Tomorrow, Tuesday April 26th at 4:00 PST you can join the "Ask Dani" chat here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dani-california-style

2) Since safety is extremely important to me, you must enter the password: askdanilive

to enter the chat

3) Once "Ask Dani" begins, you can ask your questions via the Ustream chat box, or on Twitter by using the hashtag #AskDani

I can't wait to answer your questions and I hope to see you there! :))

Interview with Mac-n-Mo's Creator & CEO, Maura Knowles (a.k.a Mo)!

Last year I was lucky enough to have met the fabulous Maura Knowles while shooting a Mini Cooper commercial. It was shortly after, that I found out that not only was she a great actress, she was the CEO and creator of Mac n' Mo's Morsels! 

Maura (a.k.a Mo) has created these tasty morsels for her dad, who is a diabetic and a heart patient. They are vegan, and all natural with no preservatives, and are also gluten, sodium, and sugar free! To add to all this greatness, Mac-n-Mo's has been approved by one of the top 10 dietitians in the country. 




I decided that these delicious morsels definitely deserved a spot on my blog. I interviewed Maura and here's what she had to say:


What inspired you to created Mac-N-Mo's?
Mo: My Dad inspired me...his craving for a treat after his Quadruple Bypass Surgery. In February 2010, my Dad suffered two massive heart attacks and underwent a quadruple bypass surgery. The operation was successful, and he was discharged with very clear and strict dietary guidelines. To further complicate things, Dad is a diabetic. Low salt, low fat, low sugar, low cholesterol, no trans fat, more fiber. None of this, some of that. More of this, less of that. You get the picture. Dad’s new diet proved to be a giant challenge, and he craved baked goods. One Saturday morning in March, he begged me to bake something sweet. My challenge was to find all-natural ingredients with no preservatives, very little salt, no added sugar, high in fiber, etc. Mom and I went to several grocery stores, and I searched for as many tasty “legal” ingredients as I could find. By the third store, Mom asked, “What do you plan on making with all this?” Shrugging my shoulders, I replied, “I have no idea, but I’m going to do my best to create something magical for Dad.” After mixing many batches, we found a winner.  Mom, my sister, and I devoured them and most importantly, Dad relished each morsel, exclaiming, “These are magic!” We shared some with our friends, and soon I was taking order requests. I hope you enjoy Mac-n-Mo’s treats as much as we do. They’re “MORSELICIOUS!”

Can you tell us about some of the great all natural ingredients you use in your morsels?
Mo: I use 100% natural real whole food ingredients..NO FAKE FOOD, NO preservatives & NO GMO's.  I make my own Morselicious Mix out of Oats, Coconut, Almonds, and Flax Seeds. 


Where can we purchase these delicious morsels?
Mo: Mac-n-Mo's are sold on macnmos.com, FULL O' LIFE in Burbank, California (Refrigerated Section-back wall) ,  VICENTE FOODS in Brentwood, California (Freezer Aisle #6), and FIGUEROA PRODUCE (refrigerated case near the Check-Out)

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Mo: I believe eating real whole foods is the #1 important thing we can do for ourselves.  Exercise, Love, Laugh, Indulge from time to time & treat yourself well!  Dr. Oz says "if it doesn't rot, it doesn't belong in your gut."  In otherwords, be wary of processed foods and foods that have a long shelf life.  That doesn't mean punish yourself by eating foods you hate! Make healthy choices by alternating recipes and email me for any fun tips.

To find out more about Mac-n-Mo's, you can visit their website at: www.macnmos.com and be sure to check out the adorable Mac-n-Mo's video below! :)  

Also, take a look at Maura's "Morsel vs Cookie" chart. The results are shocking! You can view that here: 

http://tinyurl.com/MorselVSCookie

For great nutritional tips, check out Mac-n-Mo's Tip O' the Day on Twitter:

@macnmomorsels

Coffee: Good or Bad?

This morning I had a terrible craving for coffee, but then I thought about it. Was it really such a terrible craving? Maybe not...In fact lately there has been research stating how coffee is actually good for you! So I went ahead and drank my 1 rare cup of coffee, and sat down to see what I could find on the benefits of drinking it. What I discovered was a lot of truth to the fact that coffee can indeed be beneficial to your health!

After reading various articles, I found that coffee has shown to decrease the risk of certain diseases and conditions. Although, it’s not proven to prevent these conditions, there is solid evidence showing that that coffee has been known to decrease the risk of Parkinson’s disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. It has also been linked to lowering the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, as well as meditating depression.

In continuing to research further, I saw that drinking coffee can be beneficial, but “all things in moderation”. The benefits of coffee are dose related, so downing numerous cups of coffee a day probably won’t do much good. (Other than staining your teeth.) It’s also important to pay attention to what you are adding to your coffee. Itself it doesn’t have many calories, but when you add in the extras such as milk and sugar, this is when it can start adding up.

As I was reading, I was curious as to what the opinions are on children drinking coffee. What I read is that
“It's better to limit their caffeine intake. They'll get caffeine in other things -- chocolate, sodas, but particularly in kids, it's linked to attention problems and hyperactivity, so it's better to avoid it.”

In the end, as you imagined, there is a catch. Not a big one of course, the good still outweighs the bad in this case, but it’s important to get all the facts, right? The first fact is that caffeine increases urine production. (A.K.A - Be ready to pee more than usual) Next, is that regular and decaf coffee both contain acids that make heartburn worse. Meaning as good as that coffee may sound, if you have a heartburn, it probably isn’t worth it. Lastly, keep in mind that caffeine can become addicting, once again, it’s important to drink in moderation!

All in all, I was happy to see that my coffee this morning was definitely not a terrible decision! It looks like the more scientists are learning, research is leaning on the side of it being good for you. So cheers! Sit down, relax, and enjoy your cup of joe.

Bauer, Joy. "Buzz or Bunk? 5 Coffee Myths - TODAY Health." Today Show Health. 2011. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20187977/ns/today-today_health/

Phillips/CBS, Dr. Holly. "The Truth About Coffee - Good For You? Bad For You? Dr. Holly Phillips Addresses Myth And Reality." CBS News. 18 Aug. 2008. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/18/earlyshow/health/main4358103.shtml

Osterweil, Neil, and Laura J. Martin MD. "Coffee and Your Health/Health Benefits of Coffee." WebMD. Web. 17 Feb. 2011. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food?page=3

Holiday weight gain? Not anymore!

As we all know, during the holidays we tend to dread the possible extra pounds we might put on from all the delicious food. We also know that it’s hard to fit in those trips to the gym with all the rushing around for the Holidays!

Well here’s something you may not have known...you don’t need those trips to the gym to keep the extra pounds away! You can do short bouts of exercise while doing all of your holiday shopping, cooking, and cleaning and help you to feel, and look fabulous!

AT THE MALL 

Park and walk
Instead of conveniently parking in the closest parking spot to where you are going, park at the furthest spot away and speed walk to your location! Bend your elbows and swing your arms to add cardio benefits as well. Besides, you won’t have trouble finding a space by parking that far away! :)

While waiting in line
Make good use of your time while waiting in long shopping lines by working out your butt! Squeeze your glutes and count to five, then release. Keep repeating! This will tighten and strengthen your backside.

While shopping
Turn your mall shopping into an exercise stint by taking a full lap around the mall before starting to shop. Not only will you get some exercising in, but you will get a preview of all the stores so you’ll know where to go and shop more efficiently!

IN THE KITCHEN

While food is cooking
Waiting for something to cook? Grab some cans or light dumb-bells and take a few laps around the kitchen or inside of your house doing bicep curls while you walk. You’ll get your circulation pumping while also working several major muscle groups!

While something is in the oven
While waiting for the pie, turkey, ham, etc. to be done in the oven, work your major muscle groups. Stand with feet hip-width apart. Lift arms forward to shoulder heights and lower into a squat. Reach up with arms as you jump straight up, landing in a standing position with knees soft. Repeat.

AFTER DINNER

Help the food digest and relax
To help digest your evening meal and leave the day's stresses behind, close your eyes and imagine yourself in a beautiful, snowy landscape. Keeping your stomach drawn in, bring your knees up one by one at a time and swing your arms as if walking through deep snow.



Happy Holidays! xo
~Exercises from Body + Soul Magazine. Original article written by Kate Hanley~

Guest Blogger: Melisa Holmes MD, Co-Founder of Girlology!

Melisa Holmes, MD and Co-Founder of Girlology, gives you the 411 on growing up and adjusting to 'The Teen Body Morph'!

Adjusting to The Teen Body Morph

 It’s understandable that you can spend way too much time thinking, worrying and wondering about your body – especially as a teen.  You are bombarded with artificial images of how others think you should look.  You are overloaded with information from your friends, the internet, and even strangers.  And you have your own frustrations with whatever body part doesn’t seem to be cooperating with your fashion plan for the day.  And just when you thought you were finished with the awkwardness of puberty, and beginning to accept the “new you,” something else morphs.

One thing that can help you handle continued changes is knowing what’s normal and what to expect.  So, here’s a little list of lowdown tips on the uptop, the down-there, and the in between parts of your body as it adjusts and changes through your teen years. 

Your Height: Most of your height is determined by the time you start your period. After your period starts, you can expect to grow another 1-3 inches, and most of that will occur in your spine.
Your shoe size: By the time your period starts, your feet are pretty much finished growing! That means a nice pair of shoes will last you a lot longer since you won’t be outgrowing them!

Your Breasts: No matter how old you were when your breasts blossomed, they will continue to change shape and grow up until age 17 or 18. And if they are a little lopsided, that’s actually very normal.

Your Bras:  It’s important to make sure you wear bras that fit well. Let a “professional bra fitter” help you in a department store.  She can show you what matters in a bra fit. With a bra that fits, you’ll feel more comfortable, look better, and even lessen the stretch marks that can occur on breasts when they are growing the fastest.

Your skin: Acne seems to peak for most girls a year or two after they start their periods.  The best treatment is washing regularly with soap and water, drinking plenty of water, and getting exercise to increase the blood circulation to your face (increased blood circulation helps bring oxygen and healthy nutrients to your skin).  Over the counter soaps, creams and lotions with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid can improve acne, but start with the lowest strength to avoid excessive redness and peeling.  If that isn’t working, see your doctor.
 
Your stretch marks: Most girls will get some stretch marks during puberty. They start out as purplish red streaks and most commonly show up on the breasts and hips. Whether you get them or not depends a lot on whether other family members have had them in the past and how fast you are growing.  There aren’t any great treatments to make them go away, but they will definitely fade to a natural skin color over time.
 
Your Hips: You’ll find that your overall body shape changes the most during your teen years.  Your hips get wider, you get a waist, and you’ll take on some curves and new body fat – it’s what your body is programmed to do. Keep your body in great shape with exercise and healthy foods, and remember that curves are normal.

Your Unwanted Hair: Whether it is on your face, around your nipples, creeping onto your upper thighs or sprouting somewhere else, unwanted hair is one thing that’s pretty easy to control.  Plucking or mini-shavers work great on the upper lip and other facial hair (and no, you won’t grow a stubbly mustache), waxing is great but can be expensive unless you learn to do it at home.  Dipilatory creams work but can irritate sensitive skin.  Shaving is easy and cheap, but requires frequent repetition. Trying different methods is the best way to find what works for you.  If you are having a hard time keeping up with your hair removal and growing more and more hair on your face, chest or upper back, talk with your doctor.  It might signal a medical condition.

Your Period: Once you start your period (which should be by age 16), it can be unpredictable for the first few cycles, but it should start to show a pattern. Keep your period marked on a calendar and figure out your cycle length each month: count the number of days from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period.  That number should be between 21 and 45 days.  If it is longer than 45 days for several cycles, or if it is ever more than 90 days, you should let your doctor know.

Your Cramps:  Did you notice that you didn’t have very painful period cramps when you first started, but then after a year or so, they got worse?  That’s actually normal.  For many girls, cramps set in about 2-3 years after their period starts.  Your cramps should be controlled by over the counter medications.  Mild exercise can also help.  If you are missing school or skipping your favorite activities because of cramps, talk with your doctor.  There are other treatments that work well.
  
Your Style: Learning to love your new body with all its new curviness takes some time, and even some practice.  Make the effort to find a style that works for your body shape.  Remember that normal is really what you see in your English class or at a basketball game, not in fashion magazines or on TV. Understand that girls with curves are normal, and enjoy your new shape by finding a style that looks great and best represents you!

Your Brain: Don’t forget that your brain is actually growing and “hardwiring” skills during your teen years and up into your early twenties.  In your teens, you are able to think deeply and compassionately, and understand complex ideas.  Take good care of your growing brain by staying healthy and practicing things you’ll need it to do in the future, like making good decisions, thinking about consequences before you try something risky, and communicating your ideas and opinions.

With all these changes, no wonder there’s a lot to wonder about!  For more detailed information on any of the topics above, and for other great advice from Dr. Melisa Holmes and Dr. Trish Hutchison, founders of Girlology, visit www.girlology.com or check out one of their books for teen girls.  Girlology’s There’s Something New About You (for girls 8-12); Girlology: A Girl’s Guide to Stuff that Matters (for girls 12 and up); and Girlology: Hang Ups, Hook Ups & Holding Out for teens.

Mini Greek Pizza Muffins (Via fitnessmagazine.com)

While browsing Fitness Magazine's website, I ran across a recipe for Mini Greek Pizza Muffins. They looked so delicious that I just had to post it here!

All following information and photos are from fitnessmagazine.com

Servings: 2 dozen mini muffins

Prep: 30 mins

Total: 50 mins

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil

2/3 cup  finely chopped onion

2/3 cup  finely chopped red bell pepper

1/3 cup  whole-wheat pastry flour

1/3 cup  all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons  baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons  chopped fresh oregano, or 1/2 teaspoon dried

1 teaspoon  sugar

1/4 teaspoon  garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon  salt

1/3 cup  low-fat milk

1/3 cup  crumbled feta cheese

1   large egg, well beaten

2 tablespoons  tomato paste

2 tablespoons  chopped kalamata olives

 

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and let cool for 10 minutes. 

 

2. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a mini-muffin pan with cooking spray. 

 

3. Whisk whole-wheat pastry flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, oregano, sugar, garlic powder and salt in a medium bowl. 

 

4. Stir milk, feta, egg, tomato paste and olives into the onion mixture. Make a well in the dry ingredients; add the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Fill the prepared muffin cups two-thirds full. 

 

5. Bake the muffins until lightly browned, 13 to 15 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. 

 

Tip:
MAKE AHEAD TIP: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Serve at room temperature or reheat at 350 degrees F.

 

Equipment: Mini-muffin pan with 24 (2-tablespoon) muffin cups. 

 

Nutrition Facts

Calories 39, Total Fat 2 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 11 mg, Sodium 106 mg, Carbohydrate 4 g, Protein 1 g, Potassium 36 mg. Exchanges: Starch 0.5,Fat 1.
Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet 

 

Eatingwell.com. Fitness Magazine Website. 29 Oct. 2010. http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/​recipes/​recipecomdetail.jsp?recipeid=25126572