Health & Wellness

What’s New on Gugu: August 15, 2019

This week I have found some great products for mom! Some items will help with pregnancy while others will help with the fourth trimester and beyond! We can’t take care of our babes without taking care of ourselves (easier said than done!). I also found some items for said babes – a new high chair that is taking on the style game and a great new eco-friendly toy company!

For a number of our other favorites, please check out our Explore page!

Frida Mom: The newest line of products from our friends at Fridababy and all for mom! These products were created to help with recovery after birth and throughout the fourth trimester. Known for their honest approach to baby products, the Frida Mom line helps immensely with one of life’s messiest times. Available for purchase as individual items or as a set!

Mouse Loves Pig: Simplifying the toy game, Mouse Loves Pig has created high-quality, organic toys that kids will want to play with! These toys will easily become your child’s go-to playthings whether at home or on the go. Great for the car, plane, or while trying to pass the time!

The Chair by Lalo: ‘The Chair’ as they call it, is lightweight, easy to clean, and beautiful! We love the high quality materials they used to create ‘The Chair,’ and that it converts to a toddler seat! Plus, this chair won’t feel like an eyesore when you leave it out in your kitchen. Lalo has also partnered with BabyQuest to assist couples and individuals with the cost of fertility treatments. Apply for the grant by Sept 5 by clicking here.

Storq New Mama Care Kit: Three all-natural products meant to help you through pregnancy, fourth trimester, and motherhood! This set helps ease the stigma associated with postnatal life (think cracked nipples and sore vaginas!). They are easy to use and feel luxurious on your new mom bod! Pair with the set by Frida Mom and you will be good to go!

Reebok Maternity Collection: Trying to find for comfortable active wear that will fit your growing belly? Look no further! Reebok recently launched a line of maternity active wear that will be a perfect addition to your wardrobe. Great for running errands or heading to yoga, these neutral and classic pieces all come in both black and navy.

Please note that these opinions are 100% my own and I have not received any products in exchange for placement in What’s New on Gugu!

Like what you see? Check out some other What’s New on Gugu posts:

What’s New on Gugu: June 18, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: June 24, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: July 3, 2019

What’s New on Gugu: August 1, 2019

The Truth About Talc

by Gugu Guru 1 Comment

Today’s guest post is from the team at The Truth About Talc; you can learn more about their mission at their website, or Instagram. To sign their #TosstheTalc petition, click here for more info.

When it comes to women’s health, it’s always important to stay alert and in the know about any possible factors which could affect a woman’s health or body. For many years, women have been using talcum powder on their own bodies, as well as on their babies; however, it has become abundantly clear in the last few decades that talcum powder has negative side effects for the human body, some even potentially fatal.

According to The New York Times, many women use talc as a “feminine hygiene product, applying it to their bodies and breathing in airborne powder.” Talc also appears in makeup, laundry soap, deodorant, and arts and crafts materials. Talc is a mineral that is composed of different elements including, chromium, nickel and other substances that are known to be harmful or worse, carcinogenic. Talc is found underground and is often intermingled with asbestos, a dangerous substance known to cause cancer. Since talc and asbestos can be found so close together, asbestos can be found in talc naturally. Reuters reported that asbestos contamination is an issue that companies like Johnson and Johnson have known about for decades, and when they started losing market share amongst their core buyers they turned their attention to minority groups.

Women who have typically used baby powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine may have talc particles in their ovarian tissues. As Dr. Judy Wolf, a gynecological oncologist states: “The inflammation alone that talcum powder products cause can lead to cancer—specifically ovarian cancer.” Talc particles can actually remain in the body for years, even long after talcum powder use is discontinued. The talc particles can cause inflammation in the ovaries that allows cancer cells to form, grow and spread. Talcum powder has been banned from condoms and medical gloves, and pediatricians no longer encourage parents to use baby powder made with talc on infants due to adverse health effects. However, women are still using talcum powder as part of their feminine hygiene routine – in fact 1 in 5 women routinely use talcum powder products like baby powder for feminine hygiene purposes.

Talc appears in many popular brands of baby powder, such as Johnson and Johnson’s, Clubman Pinaud Talc, Nivea Pure Talc, Gold Bond Medicated Powder, McKesson Baby Powder, and Shower to Shower. However, many women do not realize the connection between talcum powder and ovarian cancer. More than 25 published epidemiologic studies have examined the link between genital talc use by women and ovarian cancer since the 1980s; according to the scientific research in these studies, it has become apparent that women who regularly use talcum powder products like baby powder in their genital area are three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than women who do not use the product. Interestingly enough, even research funded by Johnson & Johnson concluded that talcum powder use for feminine hygiene increases a woman’s chance of developing cancer. Incidentally, ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of death for women and 22,000 women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer yearly in America.

As women learn more about the connection between talc and ovarian cancer, the Truth About Talc is hoping to educate more and more women. As of this moment, manufacturers of talcum powder products are finally beginning to take note of the scientific studies and litigation documenting the link between talcum powder and an increased risk of ovarian cancer. In fact, as recently as this year, a U.S. House subcommittee held an investigative hearing on the science and safety of talc-based products, prompted by the FDA’s discovery of asbestos-containing talcum powder in certain cosmetics marketed to children and teens. The panel may recommend granting the FDA more authority to mandate safety recalls of cosmetics, powders and personal care products. Knowledge is power, and we’re grateful to be able to spread the mission of Truth About Talc and educate women not only for their health, but their children’s as well.

However, FDA regulatory changes that can protect us can take years, if not decades. That’s why we’d like to ask you to take less than a minute to sign this online petition. We urge you to #TosstheTalc and share this information with every woman you know.

You can also find recommendations for safe alternatives to talcum powder via the Truth About Talc’s Instagram or Facebook profiles.

Thank you to Truth About Talc for making this sponsored post possible – we are so appreciative!

Best Prenatal Vitamins: Ritual’s Essential

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Hey, Everyone – it’s Monica here, founder of Gugu Guru. I know what you’re thinking, “Best prenatal vitamins? Aren’t all vitamins the same?” Quite simply, the answer is no, absolutely not. Today I want to share a vitamin company that you may have heard of already. It’s called Ritual and the brand just launched its new prenatal vitamin. At Gugu Guru, we think these are the best prenatal vitamins available today and the best multi-vitamins for women. Period.

If you take a vitamin every day, like 50% of Americans do, whether you’re pregnant or not, you need to check out Ritual. Like now. So what’s the hype? I was seriously blown away when I watched the video on why Katerina Schneider set out to create a better vitamin. When she was four months pregnant, Katerina turned her house upside down to get rid of products with ingredients that she couldn’t stand behind from her laundry detergent to her deodorant. However, she had a hard time figuring out what was in her daily multivitamin. Then when she dug a little deeper, what she found was profoundly disturbing in terms of all the – for lack of a better word – crap that are in the average vitamin. Newsflash: some of these ingredients aren’t just crap – they’re actually potentially harmful.

So Ritual was launched and the brand is committed to creating the purest, most effective vitamin formulations, and sharing every ingredient, source & scientist that makes its vitamin a reality.

Gugu Guru believes the Essential Prenatal formula are the best prenatal vitamins because they contain all of the essential nutrients for mom that support energy, mood, and even her fertility, for a healthy pregnancy from conception to delivery, as well as all of the essential nutrients for baby that fuel health-vital development, including baby’s brain, vision, immunity, and metabolism. These include:

Folate – Helps prevent neural tube defects (which develop in the first 28 days). Our bodies can’t store folate and our need is almost doubled during pregnancy, so it’s important to take it early and consistently.
Iron – Maintains healthy blood cell levels for oxygen delivery and energy support.
Omega-3 – Sourced from DHA, omega-3s affect mood and support on-time, healthy babies.
Iodine – Crucial to producing thyroid hormone, which helps baby’s brain development. We need 50% more iodine during pregnancy, and our bodies don’t store it outside the thyroid.
Choline – Newly classified as an essential nutrient for infant brain development.
Vitamin D3 – Influences healthy birth weight. Plus, the more vitamin D mom has during pregnancy, the better her mood, which may help prevent postpartum depression.
Biotin – Helps the body convert food into energy. Up to 50% of women may get less of this vitamin than they need during pregnancy.
Vitamin E – protects cellular structure, helping to protect against free radicals and oxidation.
Vitamin K – Supports bone and blood vessel health.
Vitamin B12 – Supports blood cell production and brain health.
Magnesium – Balances calcium, while supporting healthy mood and cardiovascular health.
Boron – Works with calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D3 to support their functions.

Essential Prenatal utilizes a proprietary delayed-release nested capsule technology to combine these essential nutrients in their most easily absorptive forms. The innovative delayed release capsule bypasses the stomach and releases its contents evenly in the small intestine, for better absorption and reduced nausea.

Another reason why we think these are the best prenatal vitamins? While most prenatals require women to take 5-7 large, often nauseating pills to satisfy all their nutrient needs, Essential Prenatal’s two, small, once-daily capsules offer a more pleasant experience. Essential Prenatal also contains a natural, lemon-essenced tab since citrus is commonly craved in pregnancy.

Priced at just $35/month, Ritual will provide soon-to-be moms with monthly deliveries of 60 impeccably-engineered, naturally lemon-essenced capsules (two pills per day).

Healthy Pregnancy Summer Fruit Recipes

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With the temperatures heating up, it can be tempting to sit poolside with a bucket of ice cream, as it can be tiring to go to the market and pick up food to prep and cook when you’re carrying a pregnant belly, too! Luckily, Hello Fresh makes cooking easy, even for the busiest and most pregnant of mamas. Did you know you could add Hello Fresh boxes to your registry? Today we’re sharing delicious and healthy fruit salad tips from Hello Fresh’s blog for pregnant mamas!

If you’re hanging pool or beachside and you’re looking for a healthy snack, check out some of these tips from Hello Fresh’s blog to up your fruit salad game!

You’ll want to prep each fruit with the perfect tool, but a good rule of thumb is to use as sharp and thin a blade as possible. Typically, you should avoid serrated blades and peelers so that the cutting surfaces are super clean for each slice. Melon ballers and fruit scoopers are great ways to add some new shapes to your fruit salad, and you can’t go wrong with a classic paring knife for small produce.

Elevate a simple strawberry-mango fruit salad by sprinkling coconut flakes throughout to add some nutty, shredded texture to the sweet fruits. Plus, pairing the coconut flakes with foods rich in Vitamin C (we’re looking at you, mangoes) actually helps absorb the iron from the coconut. Try toasting just the coconut flakes for 10 minutes on a baking sheet at 350°F; that’ll give them a delicious, gentle crunch, so mist them with cinnamon to taste, sprinkle over the fruit, and voilà — summery snacktime bliss.
You don’t need to post on social media to make your fruit salad delicious, but there aresome ways to make it the most beautiful dish at the barbecue. Skip the standard bowl and opt for a more enticing vessel — the fruit itself. Watermelons are spacious enough to hold a big fruit salad in style, and when there’s no salad left, use the watermelon rind as a punch bowl. Watermelon mint juleps, anyone?
It may seem obvious, but refrigerating fruit salad does a host of wonders for preserving its flavor. It’ll always taste best when just-made, but popping it in the fridge should help it last for 2-3 days. In an ideal world, fruit salad is the very last dish you craft before guests arrive. Since it’s only natural for best-laid plans to go haywire, clear off your counter space and keep that baby cold for optimal enjoyment when it’s time to eat.

Since fruit inherently packs a lot of bright flavor, a dressing for your fruit salad is by no means necessary. But it does kick things up a notch in a really flavorful way. Most fruit salad dressings can be whipped up in minutes using ingredients you might have around the house anyway, like honey, vanilla yogurt, herbs, and orange juice. Whisking almost any combination of those pillars will land you in taste bud heaven, so feel free to get creative and add some minced jalapeño for a kick. If the choices are a) lime mint dressing, b) honey lime ginger dressing, and c) honey vanilla yogurt sauce, sign us up for all the above. Poppy seeds welcome.

Clean Living: Roseview Essential Oils

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When it comes to new motherhood, we are always on the lookout for tips and tricks to help calm our minds, soothe our bodies, and bring a sense of peace to our world. When we came across the gorgeous shop, Roseview, which designs and creates essential oil blends, we knew it was a gem we had to share with all of our mamas. Founded by Sophie Assa, a mama and step-mama, Roseview is your one-stop-shop for essential oils and inspiration for holistic living. Don’t forget to check Roseview out on Instagram, too.

Sophie was raised in an holistic environment, and after years of working in fashion, she felt a calling to get back in touch with nature. Surrounded by California’s beauty, she is inspired to share her journey on how to raise a family or care for oneself in a holistic manner using natural remedies and essential oil education through her blog. We especially love Roseview and Sophie’s point of view because she isn’t simply selling essential oil blends, she is helping mamas grow spiritually and emotionally, while also teaching them simple ways they can live holistically. She even has specific blends for babies, pregnancy, and new moms, and we happen to think these make perfect gifts, too!

Fussy Baby is a beautiful gentle blend for newborns and their mamas. As we know, the first few weeks and months with a new baby can be magical, but also an emotional rollercoaster! Since newborns are so sensitive, this blend is ideal for mamas to wear around their babies for the first few months.

Sophie says, “I encourage mothers to wear the blend behind the ears, on the ends of their hair, the collarbone and wrists. During feeding or nap time it can really help relax mother, get her into the zone for a calm serene environment for her baby to go down. If a child is experiencing discomfort it’s a great way for them to find calm within their body as well as provide calm for the mother. It is about setting an intention for a more peaceful present experience. As the baby grows and starts to experience digestive issues such as gas or colic, or becomes over stimulated, around four months you can go ahead and apply the oil directly on the baby; feet for sleep, belly for gas massage.”

The Lullaby blend is quickly going to become a part of your child’s bedtime routine for years to come. Sophie says, “I suggest applying this to the soles of the feet, PJ collars or chest 20 minutes before bed time…the smell is so heavenly it really creates a calm restful mind and body ready for bed.”

Wild Child is ideal for that next stage, from toddler tantrums to older children who experience emotional upset, but interestingly enough many adults feel attracted to this blend as well. The essential oils have been carefully chosen to help the emotional reaction kids go through. Sophie says, “I suggest rolling the blend in the palms of your hands and creating air around their face so that they sense the smell. If they don’t mind being touched apply to acupressure points and give them some space to work it out. My daughter has some anxiety from time to time and we roll it on the moment I can sense her head drifting bringing her back into her body, getting her grounded and calming her nervous system. As a mother these times can be stressful to so don’t be afraid to roll in on yourself.”

Sophie’s mission with Roseview is to make essential oils a practical and attainable solution for all people, while teaching them about her holistic lifestyle, and trying to remain as toxic-free as possible. Sophie can also create custom blends for all situations, moods, and emotions – she loves working with pregnant moms to find essential oil blends which jive with their holistic approach to pregnancy and motherhood. She says, “I say the trick to using oils is about creating a moment and being consistent with them. When I reach for a blend I am trying to change my experience in that moment. So as I roll the blends on my skin, I also breath in the oils deeply. I sit for a moment and get very present. The two minute experience is an energy changer and one I suggest all mother to use as a tool when big feelings come up.” What a perfect gift for a new mama, or as a must-have item for yourself!

Winter Nursery Must Have: Crane Humidifiers

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-Sponsored Post-

With the onset of wintertime, comes the onslaught of colds, viruses, and the flu! While it can seem overwhelming trying to prevent your little ones from catching the latest cold, there are some natural ways to protect your babies, toddlers, and kids – and one of the methods we always recommend taking in any nursery or kid’s room is to have a cool mist humidifier. When it comes to humidifiers, we always turn to Crane USA – especially when it comes to sleep time! The Crane USA Adorables line of humidifiers are not only adorable, but a necessary addition to the bedroom. Stay wise this flu season and set your family up for success with Oscar the Owl, Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier.

Did you know that according to the American Academy of Pediatrics there is actually no cure for the common cold? Since the cold is a virus, there is nothing you can do except help your little one stay comfortable – and the AAP recommends that a great way to do that is to make sure there is a cool mist humidifier near their sleeping area. As the AAP says, “Set it close to your child (but safely beyond reach) so that he or she gets the full benefit of the additional moisture.” The Oscar the Owl Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is a welcome addition to any child’s bedroom and will help soothe any little noses and airways if they do happen to get a cold.

With flu season running rampant this year, it’s imperative to help keep a baby’s and child’s nasal passages clear and clean to help prevent them from catching germs. The whisper quiet Oscar the Owl Humidifier relieves cough, cold, and flu symptoms, as well as nasal congestion, dry cough, sinus irritation, nose bleeds, and dry skin and hair. The ultrasonic cool mist increases moisture in the air for easier breathing and a good night’s sleep, plus it is a perfect size for any bedroom, and effectively humidifies small and medium rooms up to 500 square feet. It is also BPA free and features an auto-off function for when water tank is empty; safe enough to have in a child’s room.

During the winter, full of stuffy noses and congested chests, the AAP recommends using a cool-mist humidifier, so why not choose a humidifier which is both cute and will help your little one breathe a little easier at night? Plus, the Oscar the Owl Crane Adorable Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier is easy for parents to use too; it has a removable 1 gallon tank which easily fits under most bathroom sinks, and it doesn’t need a filter, so you never have to worry about changing filters! If the Owl isn’t your style, head to the Adorables and check out all the animals!

Thank you to Crane for making this sponsored post possible.

New Year, New You with Baby K’tan

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January is a month of new beginnings, and when you’re a new mama, there are oh so many new beginnings! As a new mom, it can often be difficult to find time to focus on yourself in the New Year, so we’ve partnered with our friends at Baby K’tan to show you how easy it is to find time for yourself when it comes to self care, even when you’re the mom of a tiny baby. We’re sharing our top tips with Baby K’tan today for making the most of your self-care in the New Year with #MyBKJourney – all the different ways Baby K’tan can help you find your zen in the New Year!

The Gugu Guru team are huge fans of Baby K’tan for many reasons; one of the main reasons is that it is super easy to use! If you’re looking for the feel of a baby-wrap, without any hassle, Baby K’tan is your answer. Soft and stretchy, like your favorite t-shirt, the Baby K’tan carrier keeps baby close to you without hurting your back or shoulders. For many moms in those newborn hazy days, it can be overwhelming to learn to use a new carrier, but the Baby K’tan literally goes on like your favorite t-shirt!

Baby K’tan has 5 different versions – the Original, Breeze, Active, Organic and Print – all of them are machine washable, can be used from newborn to 35 pounds, and have five different positions for baby. Plus, the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier is approved as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Baby is worn in the natural seated position, with knees bent and hips spread, promoting healthy development.

Work it Out, Mama!

Part of the New Year, New You is taking time to move your body – whether it is hiking, walking, taking a stroll around the block, or even walking around the mall on a cold day. It is so important for new moms to have time to get their circulation moving, as exercise is known to lower stress levels and help a new mama find her center again. If you’re looking to combine a mind-body experience as self-care, Baby K’tan parents love using their K’tan to do yoga while holding baby close. Yoga is a fantastic way to transition from pre-natal movement and meditation to taking time for yourself and working out with baby in tow.

We recommend: the Baby K’tan Active Wrap; The Baby K’tan ACTIVE Baby Carrier is made of a breathable hi-tech performance fabric that wicks away moisture and sweat, blocks over 90% of the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, is quick-dry, and provides a unique temperature control. This makes it super comfortable for both parent and baby to move, sweat, and take a little time on your #MyBKJourney.

Check out the Baby K’tan on the Ultimate Fitness Baby Registry and Must Haves for Mama Fitness and Wellness

Multitasking Mama:

Maybe your goal for the New Year is to finally write that book, start that company, or begin that podcast? If you’re on a #MyBKjourney to learn how to effectively and efficiently multitask, a Baby K’tan is a must have! Baby K’tan knows that even though you’re a parent, you still have goals and dreams, and when it comes to a New You for the New Year, they’re here to help you achieve all of your dreams. How can they help? Well, new babies want to be held all the time, and especially want to be close to your heartbeat…but, you have to do things like type, plan, draw, paint, and design – how can you do it all? By keeping baby close to your heart in your Baby K’tan! The Baby K’tan is a must have for working from home, as you can get all of your tasks done while baby sleeps comfortably on you.

We recommend: the Baby K’tan Original (pictured above); coming in 5 colors, this super comfortable and washable carrier is ideal for a work at home mom because you can comfortably wear all day long, wash and wear the next day, too! Plus, it’s as lightweight as a t-shirt, so you can easily travel with it in your diaper bag.

Check out the Baby K’tan in our Comfort is King Must Haves and Baby’s First Flight Must Haves

Take a Moment, Mama!

The most valuable gift you can give yourself is the gift of time and being present in the present; of course, this isn’t easy with a new baby, but it can be done on your #MyBKJourney! Finding your moment of zen in the wild word of baby-life can be done when you and baby are both comfortable and relaxed – with the super soft and stretchy material of the Baby K’tan, you can happily wear baby while taking a few moments to breathe during the day. Part of the New Year, New You mindset is making sure you take time for yourself – whether you’re meditating, doing yoga, focusing on your mandala, or simply reading your favorite book, you can (and will!) do it all with your little one in the Baby K’tan.

We recommend: Baby K’tan Print Wrap; why not babywear in style with the Baby K’tan Print Carrier? We love the different designs you can choose from; these gender-neutral designs are modern and fresh. PS. the nautical stripe carrier pictured above is on sale, too.

Want to join in on the #MyBKJourney? Enter below to win a Baby K’tan Active Baby Carrier!

Baby K’tan Active Giveaway

Thank you to Baby K’tan for making this sponsored post possible.

Making the Whole30 Easy for a Busy Mama (+ giveaway)

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Hi mamas! Olivia here and today, I’m excited to share all about my Whole30 tips and tricks for a busy mama. I’ve been doing Whole30s since before I had kids, and found once I had two littles one in the house, I had to really think about preparing for a Whole30! In the last few years, I’ve discovered some Whole30 hacks, as well as some favorite foods – plus, head to the bottom of the post for a fun giveaway with our friends at Whole30 Mamas! Check out my Whole30 post from last year, too.

Are you pregnant or breastfeeding and wondering if a Whole30 is right for you? Head to our friends at Whole30 Healthy Mama Happy Baby to learn more; together with Melissa Hartwig of the Whole30©, Stephanie Greunke created Healthy Mama, Happy Baby, a virtual pregnancy handbook consisting of a series of short videos with comprehensive information meant to guide women throughout their entire pregnancy. You can learn more about Stephanie Greunke from our Mompreneur Spotlight on her.

Make sure you’re following the Whole30 Healthy Mama Happy Baby account on Instagram, as I’ll be taking over their Instagram on January 20th to chat about my Whole30 tips and favorite foods. If you missed the Stephanie from Whole30 Healthy Mama Happy Baby on Gugu Guru’s Instagram, simply go to our Instagram page and click on the highlight “Whole30 Mamas.”

Tips: Doing a Whole30 can seem overwhelming at first, especially when you have little kids in the house, but I’ve discovered some tips which really do help!

Find a support group: whether it’s a real life group of friends doing a Whole30 together, the awesome Whole30 forums, or a Facebook group for Whole30 support, find your tribe and use them! Struggling? Confused? Have a non-scale victory to celebrate? Having a support group to encourage and guide you is seriously half the battle.
Prep, prep, prep: I prep foods literally whenever I can! Are the kids watching a movie for two seconds? Cut some carrots! Is the baby napping? Brown some meat! Use the time when you have it to prep for the time when you don’t. The last thing you want is to be out of time and flummoxed on what to eat.
KISS: Keep it simple, silly! Whenever someone tells me they are starting their first Whole30, I always remind them to just keep it simple. There is no need for gourmet level food at every meal. I’m a big fan of the Paper Plate Paleo concept – it’s okay to have simple meals – it’s still a meal, even though it’s simple!
Pre-packaged is OK: We know how hard it can be to find time to prep everything you need, which is why I’m a huge fan of pre-packaged Whole30 foods – while it can be more expensive to purchase pre-chopped fruit and veggies, think of it like an investment in your health for the 30 days! Plus, Trader Joe’s now has spiralized frozen veggies and cauliflower rice – stock up when you can!
Make it fun: Speaking of spiralizing veggies, why not have fun with your time learning to use all these new foods? We’re fans of the Inspiralizer from Inspiralized (check out Ali’s Gugu Guru registry picks!). Ali, the founder of Inspiralized, makes it so easy to learn all about veggies and how you can make them the star of the meal. She has a bunch of Whole30 compliant recipes on Inspiralized, like these chicken fajita bowls with spiralized sweet potatoes – yum! (head to the bottom of the post to WIN an Inspiralizer Lite!)

Favorite Foods: I’ve developed a love for some favorite Whole30 staples over time – these make life so much easier!

Primal Kitchen Mayo and Dressings: I am not the type of person who will have the patience to make my own mayo, so when it comes to my mayo for Whole30 time, I always stock up on Primal Kitchen’s Mayo. I use it for tuna salad, chicken salad, marinades, and most importantly, making delicious and fun flavored dips that my kids love with veggies and chicken. Primal Kitchen also makes the best salad dressings, I use them all the time, not just when I’m on the Whole30. My favorites are their Greek Dressing and Ranch Dressing, they’re creamy and so healthy! Use code GUGUGURU for 10% off at Primal Kitchen.com
Aidell’s Chicken Apple Sausage: I could eat this chicken sausage every day, and I pretty much do on the Whole30. It’s delicious fried up with eggs, or even in a salad; and, my kids love it chopped up for breakfast! It makes a great toddler food.
Safe Catch Tuna: I’ve been a fan of Safe Catch tuna ever since I was pregnant with my oldest son and only wanted tunafish! My grandmother found Safe Catch at our local health food store and there was no turning back for me; what makes Safe Catch Tuna so special? Safe Catch is the only canned tuna company that tests each and every fish (before they purchase them) to ensure that the mercury levels in their Elite Wild Tuna is 10 times lower than the FDA’s limit! Tuna is full of healthy omega-3s and is a great source of lean protein, which is why I want to make sure it’s safe enough to give to my sons; I feel so much better knowing that Safe Catch tests all of their fish. Plus, not only is Safe Catch free of fillers or additives, it’s also non-GMO verified and sustainably caught so we can feel great about eating tuna again. If you’re pregnant and going to enjoy tuna, you definitley want to make sure you’re eating Safe Catch.
Nutpods: If you talk to anyone doing a Whole30, they’re going to start telling you about Nutpods! Nutpods are a life-saver during the Whole30. These non-dairy creamers are made from coconut and almond milk, and come in three flavors: hazelnut, French vanilla, and original. I use Nutpods all the time (we recommend adding them to your registry!), and sometimes even use the original flavor in my curries and soups. I carry one with me wherever I go and it’s so nice to have an additional to my coffee, whether I’m home or out. Use discount code GUGUGURU for 25% off your order at Nutpods.com (until 1/31/18). This is a great deal, so stock up now!
Not Ketchup: If you’re looking for a marinade or dipping sauce on the Whole30, check out Not Ketchup. This line of sauces is sweetened with fruit juice, so it’s Whole30 compliant. My kids love it too, so it makes preparing for meals easy – I just grill some chicken ahead of time and slice it into strips, add some celery strips and snap peas – and a delicious dipping sauce made with Not Ketchup, and everyone’s happy with a simple and healthy meal! Use code WHOLE30FCHUP for 20% off any Fruitchup purchase (single bottle, 2-pack, 4-pack) through Feb 28th at Not Ketchup.com.

Are you doing a Whole30? Let us know – and head below to enter an amazing Whole30 Giveaway – enter to win The Whole30 Fast and Easy Cookbook, a subscription to the Whole30 Healthy Mama Happy Baby Program, 2 Bottles of Not Ketchup, $30 to Safe Catch Tuna, the Inspiralizer Lite, and a Variety Pack of Nutpods!
Whole30 Giveaway

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Product Discovery: The Wild Zen Mandalas

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With the New Year comes a moment of reflection, and with reflection comes the realization, for many moms, that you need a way to meditate and reflect in the moment. When the Gugu Guru team came across The Wild Zen, we knew we wanted to share their mantra and mandalas with you all.

When Jessica Saavedra visited the Grand Canyon at age 13, she fell in love with its majestic beauty and all of the surrounding natural wonders. Her fascination with the natural wonder led her to start collecting rocks and giving them as gifts to family and friends. As she grew, she developed a passion for art as well, and deeply appreciated the intersection of the world’s natural phenomenons and the artistic world.

As the years went by and Jessica started a family of her own, her passions were laid to rest for the time being. As a young mother to three small children, and the busy wife of a police officer, Jessica was finding herself stressed out and missing her own soul. While suffering from PPA and PPD, she decided to try a mommy and me yoga class, which changed her outlook on everything!

Jessica decided to become a yoga instructor and was very passionate about helping people find their zen through breathing and meditation. While on a trip to Hawaii with her family, she came upon a beach full of rocks and decided to bring some home. As a gift to fellow yogis, she painted unique mandalas on each stone and gave them as gifts. People fell in love with them! A mandala, coming from the Sanskrit for circle, “represents wholeness, a cosmic diagram reminding us of our relation to infinity, extending beyond and within our bodies and minds.” (via)

Jessica is often given stones, or finds them herself; she cleans the stone, sets it under the sun to charge its energy and clears the stone’s energy with sage. She then sets an intention for each stone and paints it with the colors she feels are most beneficial for the stone’s soon-to-be owner. Each stone is totally unique and made only for the person she intended! Mamas use these stones to meditate, pray, set intentions with, carry in their pocket as anxiety-relief, or simply to sit on their desk as a reminder to breathe. You can learn more about Jessica and The Wild Zen on their website, Facebook, and Instagram.

Real Mom Review: Thule Urban Glide

by Gugu Guru Leave a Comment

It can be hard to find the time to workout when you’re also taking care of a little one, which is why so many parents turn to jogging with baby as a way to get a workout in while baby hangs out in the stroller. Our top pick for jogging stroller is the Thule Urban Glide, and we had a real mom, Kusum, review one – here’s her take on why the Thule Urban Glide gets 5 stars as a jogging stroller!

Live in an urban environment? Check out our top jogging strollers for urban parents.

Want to see more posts from Kusum? Check out her top picks for bringing baby home essentials, new mom style guide, and new mom fitness tips.

Being a first time mom, I generally spend hours on the internet looking up baby product reviews from time to time. Call me paranoid, but there is not a single baby product I bring home without reading at least a few dozen reviews and comparing different products and their features (even if it is as simple as a baby toothbrush). Maybe all moms are like that? Or maybe not? But in any case, nothing is more important to us mamas than our little one’s safety, right?

So, when it was time for the hubs and I to choose a jogging stroller, I was more skeptical than confused with the number of options that are out there in the market. And for someone who has a love-hate relationship with running, this was a make or break situation, because it is extremely important to me that both my baby and I, enjoy our run while also being safe and worry-free. This Thule Urban Glide jogging stroller is everything I was looking for (and more). And I have Monica of Gugu Guru to thank for that – not only did she recommend the Thule Urban Glide but when I expressed a few concerns about this jogging stroller, she also gathered expert opinions from pros who have used this stroller for a while and love it. Talk about going above and beyond – personal concierge indeed!

Reasons why I (the hubs and our baby) love this stroller… First and foremost, my hubby is tall whereas I on the other hand am petite and the Thule Urban Glide has an adjustable-height handlebar which makes it easy for either of us to use this jogging stroller without any hassle. It is easy to maneuver the stroller when I want to make a quick turn or even when the path is bumpy. I can recline the baby into a comfortable sleeping position when he is fast asleep on our run and park the stroller as I stretch halfway through the run. The stroller has a zippered storage compartment under the seat that comes with a water-resistant cover which is super helpful for the rainy Seattle weather. And weirdly enough, this stroller glides so smoothly that it makes it fun + makes me feel like going for a run with my baby more often. Can you tell from that big smile on my little baby’s face that he loves to go running with his mama!

On the downside, even though the Thule Urban Glide feels light while running, this is not exactly a light-weight stroller, but I think it has to be heavy and sturdy to ensure safety. I also wish that a cup/bottle holder came with the stroller, but that’s a minor complaint. This jogging stroller is definitely a bit on the expensive side but when your baby’s safety is in question, the price tag is justifiable and worth it!

We still haven’t had a chance to test the multi-position sun canopy (just thankful for the rear appearance the sun god makes over here in Seattle), and come to think of it, we haven’t ever tried to fold the stroller for storing either (thank god for the ample space in the garage!). I am quite eager to use the Thule Urban Glide as a travel system and to take it on the beach and mountain trails on our next vacation. And all in all, this stroller gets a 5 star from me and I highly recommend it!

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