Health & Wellness

Subscription Box Love: BINTO Box

Did you know that National Infertility Awareness week is April 23-29? In honor of learning more about women’s reproductive health, we want to introduce you to a new reproductive health lifestyle company. BINTO (which stands for Bun in the Oven) is a subscription-based service that delivers a tailored box of curated products related to fertility and reproductive health to your doorstop every month to help make navigating the process of becoming pregnant a bit more simple and less stressful. BINTO comes once a month, personalized with all the safe and effective products just for you and your reproductive health.

Designed by certified nurse Suzie Welsh and a team of infertility specialists, BINTO was created to take some of the stress and burden off of your shoulders with a personalized suite of monthly products that cost less than purchasing the products individually. BINTO supports women’s health journeys with safe and effective products geared toward supporting fertility and reproductive health, including organic cotton tampons, prenatal and regular multivitamins with built-in DHA, probiotics, and feminine wipes. Everything in the box is personalized just for you – you answer questions upon signing up and your BINTO Box is created for your individual needs. BINTO takes the work out of researching all of the best products, which can be confusing and overwhelming. Their vitamins and supplements are heavily researched and contain none of the yucky stuff you don’t need!

BINTO champions the awareness and importance of reproductive health by partnering with people on the journey to optimal reproductive health, conception, and beyond. The extensive free online knowledge center includes a streamlined library of reliable online information on topics ranging from ovulation tracking to endometriosis. You can check the BINTO Box out on their website and Instagram.

Real Mom Review: Meddy Teddy

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Glowing mama Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years. Here she shares her thoughts on the addition of Meddy Teddy to her yoga-loving family. Disclaimer: It is important to note that Cristina is not a yoga instructor nor is she a physician. Consult your doctor before trying these poses or before any physical activity before, during or after pregnancy.

When we received our Meddy Teddy it was the first time my Julianita voluntarily did a yoga pose with me. She was so excited about her new teddy so I showed her how he could do some yoga. I was sooo excited about her doing this that I forgot to do the pose myself! This is one overjoyed mama!

Meddy Teddy is a fun way to teach yoga, mindfulness, and meditation. He is a role model and cOMpassionate buddy for young ones, helping them lead healthier, more mindful lives.

Meddy has an internal frame allowing him to bend into lots of yoga positions. He is happy doing yoga with a room full of kids or sitting in lotus on your desk.

Meddy is here to make yoga, meditation, and mindfulness cool and fun. A great teaching tool and supremely soft.

I can’t say enough about this bear. It’s been one of the greatest additions to our yoga family. First off, he’s so so sweet, he just inspires love. Second, the girls absolutely adore sitting on the mat with him and coming up with poses they can all do.

He’s really helped with involving them in my practice and perhaps with the beginning of their own practice. We’re in love!

Bio: Born and raised in Costa Rica, Cristina Meloy has been practicing yoga for over 10 years and has loved her yoga journey during pregnancy and motherhood. Follow her on Instagram at @crismeloy

Ultimate Fitness Registry With Sara Haley Fitness!

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Sara Haley is a pre and postnatal fitness specialist and creator of the award winning prenatal program, Expecting MORE and postnatal program, Expecting More®:The 4th Trimester Workout. Today she rounded up her favorite baby registry picks for a fitness loving family. You can find Sara Haley on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Plus, check out 5 Simple Prenatal Cardio and Strength Moves with Sara, and Get More Fit After Baby

1. A Big Comfy Yoga Mat: I’ll be honest I used to totally cheap out on my yoga mats and then I had a baby . . . 1) Things hurt that hadn’t hurt before and I needed more comfort. 2) Sometimes my baby would be there with me while I was working out and I liked having a space for just the two of us. If a round one is too big for your space my favorite yoga mat is here.

2. Running Stroller: Even if you don’t run (which I don’t) a running stroller will make walks and working out with your stroller so much easier. I’ve tried a bunch but am definitely partial right now to the Bob. It’s definitely not cheap but so worth it, especially if getting outside is a priority. Check out some of my favorite exercises for working out with your stroller: Stroller Workout for the Core, and Lower Body Stroller Workout.

3. Baby Carrier: Another great way to lose the baby weight! I love the Baby K’tan. I found it during my second baby and it’s so breathable, fashionable and compact. It’s t-shirt material so easy to just stuff into a purse or diaper bag. Your baby will be super secure so you can do squats, lunges, and walks with ease

4. Belly Bandit Belly Wrap: Another item I discovered after my 2nd pregnancy that saved me! First of all, it’s great for anyone for helping your belly go down after pregnancy, but more importantly if you develop a diastasis recti, it will be so supportive in your healing process.

5. Expecting More: The 4th Trimester Workout: How could I not recommend these? They are the workouts I developed to help other new moms and moms-to-be to stay in shape and/or get back in shape during pregnancy and postnatal recovery. You can purchase the DVD on Amazon and read the rave reviews or for Digital Downloads visit SaraHaley.com.

Yoga Mama: Introducing the OMie Mat + Towel

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It’s no surprise that the Gugu Guru team are huge fans of yoga – it helps de-stress, helps postpartum health, and is a great way to introduce movement and body awareness to toddlers and kids. We also love when mamas pass down a passion of theirs to their children; when we came across the OMie Mat and Towel set, we knew we wanted to share it with all of our yoga loving mamas. Sami Fishbein, originally from Illinois, performed yoga next to her mama for her entire life. She saw how frustrating it was when the yoga towel would slip and slide all over the place, so she came up with an innovative idea.

The OMie Mat and Towel set use zippers to attach the yoga towel to the mat; the durable and lightweight mat is made from natural rubber, so it’s eco-friendly and nontoxic. Its nonslip design provides excellent traction through every Sun Salutation. The soft, absorbent microfiber towel gives you perfect grip, even when wet. Durable zippers quickly and easily secure it to the mat on both sides, so you can keep your focus on your practice. Plus, it is easy to roll up and throw in your bag (even your diaper bag) so you never have to worry about forgetting it for yoga class.

Our resident yoga mama, Cristina Meloy tried one out and said, “I’ve gone through hundreds of mats and this is a great one. It has amazing grip for non slip, it’s very long which I love and obviously being able to zip the towel/blanket feature is great. It has a very mild smell which most mats do, but this one is on the mild side.” If you know a yoga loving mama-to-be, indulge her in a new yoga mat for her baby shower! And, if you’re a mama-to-be, you can add this to your baby registry on Gugu Guru.

Use GURUGURU for a $20 promo code at OMie Yoga.

PS. Check out our post on prenatal yoga poses for the heart, mind, and self-esteem.

Oilogic: Kids Better Sleep Project

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–Sponsored Post–

What would you do if bedtime wasn’t a long drawn out hassle anymore? Do you have hobbies you’d pursue, or a book you’ve been waiting to read? Maybe spend some time with your partner? Oilogic Essential Oil Care, which creates skin care items with 100% essential oils, is asking parents all over, “what can you accomplish when your kid goes to bed?” in their new Kids Better Sleep Project Sweepstakes. In honor of National Sleep Awareness Month, Oilogic is launching the Kids Better Sleep Project, raising awareness for the importance of using natural solutions to rest well, helping parents recognize all they can accomplish when their kids go to bed. The video below, from Oilogic, gives some very funny examples of activities mom and dad can do when baby goes down 1-2-3!

The therapeutic, solution-based brand uses 100% pure essential oil blends to safely and naturally comfort your child, and with the help of their Slumber & Sleep product line, including the Vapor Bath, Calming Cream and Roll-On, parents can establish a dependable nighttime routine the whole family can rely on. In case you don’t know yet, Essential Oils are all-natural, non-invasive, non-toxic and are very easy for the body to absorb and use for care. And when you blend multiple oils together and dilute them appropriately with a moisturizing carrier oil, you can create powerful mixtures which will help you and your little one.

The Slumber and Sleep product line is the perfect bedtime trio. At bath time, just pour the Essential Oil Vapor Bath solution into warm water so your child can breathe in the natural lavender and chamomile vapors. Then, rub the Essential Oil Calming Cream all over your child’s body to calm the senses, and finish off by applying the Essential Oil Roll-on to the back of the neck, chest and bottom of the feet.

In honor of Oilogic’s Kids Better Sleep campaign, they are kicking off an amazing sweepstakes, which runs through Mother’s Day! You can head to the campaign’s site to enter for a chance to win a gigantic entertainment bundle (seriously, you can win a flat screen TV), plus Netflix subscriptions, money to Barnes and Noble and of course, Oilogic products.

Thank you to Oilogic for sponsoring this post!

Getting Outside With Go Adventure Mom!

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When it comes to the outdoors, Kathy Dalton is its #1 fan. She founded Go Adventure Mom in 2012 and has never looked back. She has a passion for helping families get outdoors and to move! Her goal is to work with brands that encourage outdoor play and exploration in children. She also loves to educate families on how they can get outdoors and enjoy the fun! Kathy has been featured in many top editorials. From The Huffington Post to Parents Magazine, — she has a desire to make getting outdoors fun! She spreads the word of being active where she can. She has a background in communication, marketing, and public relations. She’s been an outdoor mom for years and there’s no turning back now. Follow along as she teaches about being outdoors, getting your family active, and enjoying life to the fullest. Today, Kathy is sharing simple tips for getting outdoors with your baby – stay tuned for posts on hiking while pregnant, and hiking with baby.

Tips for Getting Outdoors with Your Baby

Getting outdoors with your baby is important. You both need the fresh air and the opportunity to be with nature. I have always loved to go outdoors, but once I had a baby, I needed to find ways to make it enjoyable for both of us. Here are a few tips to help you to get outdoors with your baby and enjoy that time.

Keep it Simple

When you are outdoors with your baby, you do not need to be doing anything fancy. Keep the outdoors simple! Go on a walk, take a hike, have a picnic, and just enjoy each other’s company. The whole idea behind getting outdoors is to spend time with your baby.

Set Low Expectations

When you go anywhere with a baby, you never know what to expect. When I’m heading outdoors with my baby, I set low expectations. You shouldn’t have unrealistic expectations for your time spent outdoors with the baby. I like to think of a few activities we will enjoy, but for the most part, going with the flow is how I roll when I’m heading outdoors.

Don’t Stress

Oh mama, don’t stress about being outside with your baby. I’m sure you are nervous about bugs, the sun, and if they will enjoy it. You can always start going outside for a small period and then work your way up. Your baby will eventually get used to spending more and more time outside with you.

Getting outside with your baby and enjoying the fresh air is something you won’t ever regret. The outdoors is a special place for moms and babies. There are endless activities and plenty of chances to have fun together. Make sure you apply my top 3 tips and most of all, have fun!

Mom Sleep Essentials

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When you have a baby, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll hear this sage advice from a friend or relative, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” When your little one is snoozing, it can be so darn tempting to attend to some of the mundane tasks that are piling up like paying bills, laundry or – heck – even showering! Our advice? Sleep. It’s not just because you don’t want to be a disheveled zombie walking around the house, it’s because it’s critical to your wellness and postpartum recovery, as well as helping you to think clearly and generally function in life.

So instead of focusing on essentials for baby sleep today – because we’ve covered that topic a lot – we’re focusing on essentials for you, mama. And these aren’t your run of the mill products either…

RECLINER Sleepwear

Developed by a fashion industry executive who was frustrated by the lack of options in sleepwear, RECLINER is luxurious and stylish, yes, but we’re talking about it today as an essential because it’s truly functional and may even help you sleep better. Their featherweight Japanese satins are machine-washable; the bamboo jersey incredibly soft and comfortable. It’s also temperature-regulating so you can wear it year round. We also love that because bamboo is more absorbent than cotton, it helps prevent sweat from pooling on the skin. For those of us mamas who had crazy postpartum sweats, this is definitely a plus. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, you’re going to be lounging a lot those first few weeks so why not look cute while doing it?

The Queen Rose Pillow

This U-shaped total body pillow provides side sleepers with the ideal alignment of the spine reducing strain on the lower back, helping to alleviate back pain. The pillow’s unique filling provides comfort for side sleeping and retains fluffiness for better performance and longer use (and there is no chemical-y smell.) By the way, if you haven’t had your babe just yet, the Queen Rose is also ideal for pregnant women, in fact one Amazon reviewer says, “any husband whose wife is expecting should buy this now!”

Venta Kuube

The Venta Kuube is a powerful yet compact 2-in-1 humidifier and purifier. Incorporating a “Cold-Water Evaporation technology”, the Kuube operates with a whisper-quiet multi-speed motor to put the perfect amount of humidity into the air, never over-humidifying and never creating white dust or mold. Simultaneously, the Kuube removes airborne pollutants like odors, allergens, dust and dander from the air without the use of filters. The Kuube’s dual purpose coupled with its size make it perfect for small spaces and minimalist parents alike. Perfectly humidified and pure air means moisturized and rejuvenated skin, more restful sleep and increased concentration – three things that every new parent needs. Bonus: crafted air also helps with many of the breathing problems that cause snoring.

basq Lavender Calming Oil

Due to its pregnancy- and breastfeeding-safe formulations, basq has always been a favorite brand of the team at Gugu Guru. Monica, Gugu Guru’s founder, swears by the brand’s Lavender Calming Oil for the amazing benefits it provides in her personal care routine. Lavender, after all, is shown in sleep studies to help both infants and adults sleep longer and deeper. Plus the Lavender Calming Oil is also dual purpose for mama + baby; moms can use it on their skin as a relaxing essential oil, while also using it on their babies for infant massage. Basq’s Lavender Calming Oil is free of parabens and phthalates and clinically tested for ZERO skin allergens. Note: as a little extra refresher, Monica also likes to balance her skin and mind throughout the day with Naturopathica’s Lavender Honey Balancing Mist.

Dirty Lemon [sleep]

While we believe it’s important for new moms to get as much sleep as possible, we caution about getting too drowsy, especially if you’re nursing or co-sleeping with your baby. Therefore, we 100% recommend consulting your doctor about Dirty Lemon [sleep] (or really any thing you ingest) before you try this product. The [sleep] drink, best taken before bed time, supports a restful night’s sleep by way of its proprietary herb blend, along with Magnesium and rose water. Dirty Lemon’s [sleep] ingredients include filtered water, cold pressed lemon juice, pure rose water, lemon balm, passionflower, chamomile and magnesium glycerinate chelate. Again, check with your physician or Lactation Consultant but all of these ingredients seem fine for nursing (in fact, many experts recommend that nursing mamas take more magnesium) though, according to Kelly Mom, some research suggests that consuming heavy, heavy amounts of lemon balm could affect breastmilk supply – though this is not proven and this may be a plus if you currently experience over-supply.

QuickZip Sheets

If you’ve been following Gugu Guru for awhile, you may know that we are big fans of QuickZip crib sheets, but you may not know that we love this brand for us grown ups too. That’s right! We need easy changing bedding as well. As we mention above, new moms can sweat a lot, especially when nursing. And, if you’re breastfeeding, your boobs can leak on the sheets when you sleep. To top all of this off, sometimes babies have accidents when they’re in your bed – spit up, urine and the occasional diaper blow-out (hey – it happens!) So all of this means that you’re going to have to change your sheets a lot more often than usual and maybe even in the wee hours of the night. Make it easy on yourself and go with QuickZip sheets for your adult bed – you can just zip off the top layer without fuss or, more importantly if you’ve had a c-section, without pain. Plus they didn’t sacrifice quality with the functionality, the sheets are 400-thread-count luxurious sateen cotton – soft and smooth against your skin for a great night’s sleep.

Babywearing Workout Video

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Morgan Suarez is back this week with a special treat – a video outlining a 15 minute baby wearing workout! This routine can be done anywhere, all you need is a baby and a baby carrier. You can follow Morgan on her blog or Instagram.

Ah, the new year. A new beginning, a fresh start.

If you’re like me, working out more was on your list of resolution. And if you’re also like me, you’ve already been slackin’.

Sometimes it’s just not possible. Getting out of the house by yourself is no easy task. So, here’s a short 15 minute workout you can do at home while wearing your baby (or by yourself). This workout will you get you into tip-top shape in no time.

You can check out Morgan’s past babywearing workouts for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Holiday time!

Top 10 Tips for Running While Pregnant

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Editor’s Note: Last week we shared some great products for a Runner’s Registry, and today we’re joined by Tootsies‘ founder, Jackie Edwards, whom happens to be a 5-Time Olympian and a Certified Personal Trainer! She’s here to give her top tips for running while pregnant! Tootsies is a new line of fun and fashionable compression socks specifically branded for the modern mom-to-be who still wants to maintain her sense of style while alleviating the discomfort of swollen ankles, feet and legs. Reduce swelling. Look good. Feel great!

Running has long been known to be a great way to add cardio to your workout program for many reasons, including increasing endorphins in your brain, which ultimately puts you in a better mood overall. Running can also help to reduce anxiety and improve sleep while providing you with an awesome total body exercise. Gestational diabetes and hypertension have also been known to be reduced in women who exercise regularly.

The decision to run or not during pregnancy depends on many different factors and you should always consult with your doctor to get the best advice. No two pregnancies are the same and you can never be too precautious. If a woman has had no prior history of running or jogging before pregnancy, it is generally advisable not to begin a running regimen while pregnant. If you were an avid runner before getting pregnant, then it is likely that you will be perfectly fine to continue with your routine however, you should still listen to your doctor’s input on the duration and frequency of your runs. There are certain medical conditions such as preterm labor, preeclampsia, placenta previa or short cervix, where running should be completely avoided.

Here are our Top 10 Tips to help you successfully navigate your way through pregnant running:

Wear supportive running shoes that have high arches to ensure comfort and stability.
Wear a proper running bra without wires to help support tender breasts. Some women will also benefit from wearing a belly band to support a large baby bump.
Focus on really good running technique as opposed to increased pace and try to run on flat surfaces.
Tune into your vitals. Know the signs to stop exercising. Contact your doctor if you experience an abnormal shortness of breath, chest pain, painful uterine contractions, vaginal bleeding, dizziness, or feeling faint.
Be aware of your conditions. It is important to avoid running in the heat, especially in the first 12 weeks because overheating could potentially harm your baby.
Nourish your body properly. Blood sugar swings are common during pregnancy. Have a small snack/meal about an hour before you exercise and carry an easily digestible snack or have juice on hand while you exercise in case you begin to feel lightheaded or dizzy. Be sure to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Drink plenty of water before, during and after exercise.
Listen to your body. If you don’t do it already, pregnancy is a great time to start paying attention to the signs your body gives you. The signals your body puts out during pregnancy are clear and obvious. Heed them! If you’re feeling too tired to run one day, consider resting or walking instead. Trust your body and don’t overdo it.
Measure your mileage and don’t run yourself to exhaustion. Record the number of minutes you run. If you are able to engage in a conversation while running, that is typically a good indicator that you’re exercising at a safe level.
Pay attention to increased joint laxity. Be aware of increased joint range of movement caused by pregnancy hormones. This increased laxity is necessary because our pelvis must be flexible enough for a baby to pass through. However, an increase in flexibility can put you at risk for injury so be aware of this increased range of motion, don’t overstretch and protect your joints.
Last but not least – PUT YOUR TOOTSIES ON!!…You didn’t think we’d forget this one did you??……Always wear your Tootsies Maternity Compression Socks when you go out for a run, particularly in the third trimester when your ankles, legs and feet are more likely to be swollen, achy and tired. Compression socks help to reduce and prevent swelling and inflammation, reduce and prevent spider and varicose veins, improve blood circulation and reduce fatigue and soreness. Your Tootsies will be your best running accessory! #treatyourfeet #rockoursocks

Once you have safely delivered your bouncing bundle of joy, be very careful about your return to exercise after giving birth. The months following childbirth and delivery is a time for your body to rest and repair because your pelvic floor muscles and abdominals have been stretched and pushed to their maximum limits. During this time, it is important to retrain your breath, and rehabilitate and strengthen your core and pelvic floor before you return to running.

Most women who return to running and vigorous exercise too soon after giving birth won’t actually experience any issues. However, the number of surgeries for pelvic floor disorders is on the rise, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.

Good luck with your pregnancies and have fun running!!

An Avid Runner’s 6 Baby Registry Picks

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We connected with running mom, Leah Balentine, on Instagram last year when she was pregnant and we’ve followed her ever since. Now a new mommy to her adorable little running buddy, we find Leah’s posts super inspiring plus she’s a Charity Miles ambassador and that means, every time she gets moving (which is a lot), she earns money for a charity of her choosing. With the theme of healthy living and New Year’s resolutions in mind, we asked Leah to guest blog for Gugu Guru this month and share some of her avid running mama picks. Here’s what she had to say:

I started distance running after college. I ran my first marathon (Marine Corps Marathon) with Team in Training in 2009. One thing led to another and over the last few years I have run 10 marathons. I slowed down but continued to run during pregnancy.

Stroller running brings a whole new level of intensity but it is so fun! We love to run around Honolulu. A great place for stroller running near us is Ala Moana Park. It’s a beautiful, paved park.

Here are some of my top picks for avid running mamas:

Thule Urban Glide is an all-round sports stroller with a sleek and lightweight design making it perfect for urban mobility or jogging on your favorite path.

2. Stability ball for core/pelvic strength.

3. Running journal to keep track of fitness during pregnancy and postpartum progress.

4. A supportive sports bra that allows for breastfeeding. I like the Moving Comforts Juno Sports Bra.

5. A Bao Bei Maternity Sports Band to provide pregnant belly support for workouts.

6. Gabrialla maternity support belt – I found this one works best for belly support specifically during running versus just general workouts.

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