Does Your Child Have Anxiety?

“My Daughter Is Not a Brat- She Has Anxiety” - Colleen Wildenhaus,

Yahoo! Lifestyle

We asked the Super Mamas how they work through anxiety with their kids

Did you know that 40 million American adults, as well as 1 in 8 children, have anxiety? We found these great articles that touch on children with anxiety that we’re sure some of you mamas will relate to. Take a look and let us know what you think about this topic! Read, comment, SHARE!

Question for Bricia - “How do you work with your child when he’s anxious?”

“When he’s anxious, I try to calm myself first and teach him breathing techniques. We’ve even tried a meditation app.”

Question for Paulina - “How do you manage your 3 (THREE!) girls when they get anxious?”

“I’m teaching them to breathe. I tell them ‘slow down and breathe’ as well as using some apps like Calm. It’s hard though. Soothing music helps; warm baths; essential oils.”

How do you mamas calm an anxious or worrisome child?

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Meet the dairy nutritionist and farmer making sure milk is a part of your family

 
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For dairy nutritionist Rosemarie Burgos milk isn’t just a part of her family—it’s a family legacy. As a third-generation dairy farmer and second-generation dairy nutritionist, Rosemarie is the person making sure that dairy cows receive the best nutrition by meticulously testing and evaluating everything cows eat so that they produce the very best milk. It’s a job that requires long hours and lots of travel but it’s her passion, and it takes her all over the US and even overseas. The youngest of 5, Rosemarie was Daddy’s little girl, but she quickly realized that her dad had a busy schedule and in order to spend time with him she’d have to go to work with him. She learned so much from her father that by the time she graduated from high school she was ready to follow in his footsteps. She got her BS in Dairy Science as well as a Master’s and PhD in Animal Science and Nutrition. She’s been running a dairy with her Dad and doing nutrition work ever since.

Rosemarie joined the Leche, amor por lo verdadero campaign, so she could speak frankly about her love for the real things that matter to her: her cows, the farm, her family, and the pride of nourishing families in the community. Because with the amount of science that goes into keeping cows in a state of optimal health, it’s surprising that so much misinformation about milk exists. Rosemarie says that it stems from the opinions of people who don’t have any understanding of what is done on a dairy. As a scientist, as a dairy expert, and as a mother, Rosemarie loves when people ask her questions so she can explain from her firsthand experience what they do in the farm every single day. Here are a few of the myths she thinks should be put to rest:

Myth: “There are antibiotics in milk”

Rosemarie Fact: “The number one myth is that there are antibiotics in milk and that is absolutely false. Every tank that leaves the dairy is tested for antibiotics and it’s a pass-or-fail thing. If there is any sign of antibiotics, the milk gets dumped and the dairyman gets fined. There’s zero tolerance for antibiotics in your milk. It’s not even an option.”

Myth: “Milk is bad for you”

Rosemarie Fact: “Milk provides 9 essential nutrients, 8g of high-quality protein in every 8 oz serving. It’s the top food source for calcium, potassium and vitamin D, critical nutrients for kids’ growth. Milk is a wholesome food and delicious by nature. What else can I say?”

Myth: “Dairy cows are abused”

Rosemarie Fact: “It doesn't make sense that people don’t think we care for our cows. I mean even from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense to have animals you don’t care for because then they wouldn’t be happy or produce milk. We love and care for our animals, we want happy cows*.”

*She calls the cows her “girls” which is so cute.

Myth: “Dairy cows are unhealthy”

Rosemarie Fact: “I think if humans were fed like cows we wouldn’t have an obesity problem. We literally go out and test every feed and seed on the dairy. We know how much fiber, protein, vitamins & minerals they’re getting. A dairy can have anywhere from 3 to 20 diets based on how their cows are grouped, the ages they have, and where they’re at in life. It’s really well managed.”

Since milk is a staple in the all of the Super Mamá kitchens, we think it’s amazing that someone like Rosemarie is out there personally making sure it meets all of the nutrition standards as well as the mom standard of deliciousness. Wondering how to incorporate more milk into your cooking? We’ve got the right mama for the job! Check out Chef Claudette Zepeda’s enfrijoladas recipe at fuertesconleche.com and you can tune into her conversation with Paulina and Bricia on Episode 177. You can also stop by her Restaurant El Jardín if you’re in San Diego!

 

Delta x Super Mamas Social 19 Flyaway

 
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Pack your bags ladies! One of you is coming to L.A.! We’ve teamed up with our friends at Delta Airlines to give one lucky out-of-state winner the opportunity to come to this years Social… on them!

The Prize

  • Two Delta Vouchers ($1,000 value)

  • Two night Hotel in Downtown LA

  • 1 Super Mama Swag Ticket

  • 1 Super Papa Ticket (or) 1 Super Mamas GA ticket

How to Enter

1. Post an IG story sharing what you see when you look in the mirror. A hardworking mama? A true hustler? A kind and caring confident woman? We want to know!

2. Tag us @_supermamas, @delta & @aeromexico & use #contest #EquipoNonstop

3. You may enter up to 5x a day

Moms from Northern CA or other parts of the state that would require a plane ride can enter too!

We can’t wait to hear from you all! & keep in mind, contest is open until April 19th and your account must be public. Full rules below!

Thank you to our wonderful partner Delta. Now let’s get to posting, sisters!

Super Mamas Social x Delta Giveaway 2019 Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions of entry and competition rules relating to the Super Mamas Social (“SMS”) are organized by The Super Mamas Sisters LLC (“SMS LLC”) By submitting an entry for the Super Mamas Social x Delta Giveaway (“Entry and/or Entries”), each person submitting an Entry (“Entrant”) accepts these Terms & Conditions.

The Super Mamas Social x  Delta Giveaway is March 11, 2019 to April 14, 2019.

  1. Submission of Eligible Entries:

    1. Entry must be submitted via the Super Mamas Instagram call to action.   

    2. Any Entries including members of your “immediate family,” may be the only identifiable individuals shown or referenced by name in an entry and all identifiable individuals appearing in an entry must have provided their consent (or the parent/legal guardian of the minors have provided consent) for submission of an Entry and use of such Entry as contemplated in these Terms. In SMS LLCs sole discretion, anyone referenced by name or shown in an entry (or the parent/legal guardian of any minors) may be required to execute and return consent forms / releases confirming the representations, warranties and grants of rights contemplated in the Terms & Conditions.

    3. Entrant must be 21 years or older as of January 30, 2019 and must be residents of the United States.

  1. Entry Criteria:

    1. Entry must be (i) original to the entrant; (ii) contain nothing that is obscene, derogatory or defamatory; and (iii) not contain anything that infringes the rights of a third party.

    2. Entrant must agree to share a social post about Delta’s Socio SkyBonus program if selected to participate in the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway.  

    3. Entrants must use @delta @aeromexico and #EquipoNonStop and #Contest.

    4. Entrants must post on ‘public’ viewing settings on Instagram.

  1. Judging of the Entries

    1. Entries will be judged by a panel that in the Super Mama's sole discretion has the appropriate qualifications to judge the Entries.

    2. Judges shall consider all Entries on the basis of the criteria explained in Sections 1 and 2.

    3. Judging will take place between April 15, 2019 to April 18, 2019.

  1. Entries Results

    1. Winner will be notified via a direct message to their personal Instagram account on or near April 19, 2019.

    2. Winner will be announced via a blog post on SuperMamas.com and on Super Mamas social media channels.

  1. Prizes:  

    1. Winning entry will receive a choice of either U.S. Domestic round-trip airfare for two (2) or a $400 Delta flight voucher. Hotel accommodations will be covered by the SMS LLC.

    2. Travel vouchers can be used for travel on a Delta-marketed flight and are redeemed at www.delta.com/viewterms. Vouchers will be issued in an increment of $400 for a total of one (1) voucher. Vouchers are valid one year from the date of issue. Booking is based on flight availability. Winner is responsible for taxes and fees upon booking.

    3. No transfer, assignment, cash redemption or substitution of prize is permitted, except by SMS LLC due to prize availability and then with prize of equal or greater value. Prize Winner is responsible for all taxes on prize, as well as the cost of wireless service and any other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of prize not specified as included in the prize.

  1. License to use Entries

    1. All submissions become the property of Super Mamas LLC & Delta, and can be used in advertising or otherwise for the sole purpose of promotion and marketing of the Super Mamas Social and the  Socios SkyBonus Program without any compensation to entrants.

    2. Winner agrees to permit SMS LLC and Sponsor to use her or his name, voice, photo, or likeness for reasonable promotional and marketing purposes related to the Super Mamas Social for up to one year after the end of the Super Mamas Social 2019.

  1. Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway Sponsor: Delta and Aeromexico

      1. Delta and Aeromexico will not be held liable or responsible for the execution of the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway.

  1. General Conditions:

    1. By entering, you agree to indemnify, release, discharge and hold SMS LLC, Delta and Aeromexico, and their respective affiliated and parent companies, and related entities including officers, directors, employees, licensees and assignees of each; advertising and promotion agencies from all claims or damages arising out of your participation in the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway Entry submission and competition and/or acceptance, ownership or use of any prize.

    2. If for any reason any portion of the competition is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the competition.

    3. SMS LLC and Sponsor reserve the right at their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition, to disqualify any individual who tampers with any entry process, and to award prizes among eligible entries not affected by the problem.

 

Big City Moms BIGGEST BABY SHOWER EVER!

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Paulina's baby shower was lit but

Big City Moms' Biggest Baby Shower Ever

might take the cake!

We have a pair of tickets to give away to The Biggest Baby Shower Ever - Los Angeles at the Skirball Center on March 6th from 5:30pm-9:30pm. Expecting? Just had a baby? The Biggest Baby Shower Ever is the country’s largest and original event series for expecting and new parents. Don’t miss out on testing the latest gear, learning from the experts, meeting other new and soon-to-be parents in your area, and going home with the latest products on the market. Baby gear, experts, shopping, seminars and of course, giveaways and goodies!

How to enter: Upload your funniest (Facebook-friendly!) baby shower photo on our Facebook Super Mamas community page One winner will be chosen at random on March 1st and given a code to redeem a pair of tickets on the Big City Moms website. We will contact you via Facebook direct message.

Good luck!

Valentine's Day Churros & Milk with LECHE!

 
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Churros for Valentine’s Day? WHY NOT? Change it up this year - go the extra mile and be a Super Mamá! Cookies are great, but churros are better! Not only will you create a lasting memory, you’ll blow away any other Valentine’s Day treat your child receives. Yes, we are so extra! Bricia’s churro masa se aguado (became watery because Paulina gave the masa ojo) but by following this step-by-step guide, you can create this memorable treat at home:

What you’ll need:

  • 2 cups of water

  • 2 long sticks of cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 cups all purpose flour

  • 2 oz queso fresco

  • ¼ cup milk

  • 2 eggs

  • Vegetable oil, for frying

  • ½ cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for rolling

Step 1

In a large saucepan, bring water and cinnamon sticks to a boil.  After the water comes to a boil, discard cinnamon. Add salt and butter and cook under medium heat until melted.

Remove the saucepan from heat and add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Continue stirring stirring until the flour is fully incorporated and it becomes a smooth ball.  Allow the mixture to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.

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Step 2 - secret ingredients!

Add queso fresco and milk, stirring to incorporate.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and stir until the dough is nice and smooth.  The dough must be thick, and not runny - almost a chewy, hard texture.

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Step 3

Heat 4 to 5 inches of oil in large Dutch oven or deep-fat fryer until it registers 325 degrees on a deep-fat thermometer.

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Step 4

Put some of the dough into a piping bag with a star tip. Holding piping bag a few inches above oil (taking care not to get too close to oil to avoid getting burned), pipe out strips of dough, cutting off 4-inch lengths with a knife or scissors. Cook as many as will fit comfortably at once, turning as they brown, about 5 minutes.

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Step 5

Drain on paper towels for 30 seconds and then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy immediately - IF Paulina didn’t give the churros ojo!

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For more recipes, visit Fuertesconleche.com

 

How to talk to your young daughters about "down there" cleanliness

 
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“Our generation needs to break the taboo of complete silence or even shame when it comes to anything related to genitals and cleanliness.” - Rocio Navarro

Wow, that was a heavy intro! In one of our recent episodes, water healer Rocio Navarro discusses her practice of vaginal steaming and touches on vaginal cleanliness. We had such a good conversation and we would like you to think about how you’re talking to your girls about this.

As we already know, Paulina has 3 young girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) - so that’s A LOT of vagina talk. What do you say? “Wash your colita”, “lavate bien la cola”? HOW do we go about this sensitive subject?! During our episode with Rocio, Paulina asked about tips. Rocio mentioned that it is very important to teach our young girls to be comfortable saying the word vagina. The more comfortable you are, the more comfortable your children will be with themselves.

The importance of hygiene is something that needs to be taught to the little ones from a very young age. Apart from washing hands, face, hair etc., kids need to be taught to keep their genital areas clean too. This becomes specifically important for kids between the age group of 6 to 11 years, as their private areas begin to develop and some young girls may begin their menstrual cycles as they reach puberty. Kids become shy as they go through the growing years - we’ve all been there! “Cierra la puerta!” or “tapate la cola, no seas cochina!” were (and still are, unfortunately) sayings heard in many Latino homes around the world. If your child isn’t comfortable talking about genital cleaning, it’s important to start explaining about overall hygiene and not specifically “down there” hygiene. It’ll make the conversation less awkward or uncomfortable for you and your child.

Some tips are:

  • Make sure we get the point across that everyone, boys and girls, need to wear clean underwear every day.

  • Cotton underwear are the best for both little girls AND adult women. Cotton underwear allows our vaginal area to breathe and is less likely to breed unhealthy bacteria.

  • Washing the outside labial area is most important since our vaginas are self-cleaning so we don’t have to go “inside.”

  • Washing from front to back is important too, so harmful bacteria from the colita area isn’t spread to the urethra area. If you’ve never had a urinary tract infection, BLESS YOUR STARS! There are many ways you can use your family love language to talk to your girls (and boys) about keeping clean.

How do YOU talk to your children about this touchy subject?

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Post C-Section Essentials

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With the C-section rate in the U.S. being 1 in 3 women, it’s important for moms to understand that although all births are unique and special, the recovery from a C-section is a little different than recovering from a vaginal birth. Whether you’re scheduling a C-section or preparing yourself in case you need one, we’ve compiled 10 great essentials to help you or a loved one recover in comfort.

  1. UpSpring C-Panty C-Section Underwear for Recovery support

    Designed especially for C-section recovery by a medical team and moms who went through the procedure. No uncomfortable binding waistband across your midsection like traditional panties and no hooks, bands or Velcro.

  2. Trendyline Women Postpartum Girdle Belly Band

    Effectively tightens and flattens your postpartum belly, provides great back support which is especially helpful after a C-section. Adjustable closure for easy wearing to keep your belly secure.

  3. Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm for C-Section Scars and Stretch Marks

    Effective herbal balm for C-section scars, stretch marks, and even minor burns. 100% natural ingredients traditionally used to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Vegan and dermatologist tested.

  4. Always Radiant Feminine Pads (or any pads you prefer)

    Just because you didn’t give birth vaginally doesn’t mean you’re not going to bleed after birth. Always feminine pads helps you get the best protection by tailoring your pad to fit your flow and panty size. Always Radiant Overnight Pads absorb 10X their weight and feel light so you hardly notice they are there with 8-hour protection and odor control.

  5. Advil (or your choice pain reliever - check with your Dr. first!)

    Number 1 Selling pain reliever, safe and effective tough pain relief. Stops pain at the incision site.

  6. Colace Regular Strength Stool Softener (check with your Dr. first!)

    Occasional constipation relief for new moms. It allows for gentle relief from occasional constipation. This is a trick no one talks about!

  7. Lansinoh Nursing Pads

    Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, the Stay Dry Lansinoh Nursing Pads have a quilted, honeycomb lining and a unique breathable waterproof layer protection for any post-birth leaks.

  8. Kindred Bravely Emmaline Maternity & Nursing Robe

    This pregnancy robe is perfect for resting with your baby and late-night breastfeeding sessions. Its versatile design allows for easy transition during all phases of motherhood: pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond!

  9. Ekouaer Women's Nursing Nightgown

    Front double layers wrap with elastic ruched trimmed design for easy and discreet breast feeding. Loose irregular hem design, perfect both during and after pregnancy.

  10. Rest!

    This goes without saying but it’s so so important! Rest, ask for help, create your tribe and enjoy your baby!


A financially savvy Latina's Top Money Podcasts

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Whether you’re saving for a house, retirement or simply trying to get your finances right, you may feel confused, alone and simply like you don’t know where to start! We’ve all been there and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. This week’s guest, Natalie Torres- Haddad, AKA Financially Savvy Latina, has some great tips for being your own financially savvy woman! She shared with us her top 6 favorite money and finances podcast - besides her own! Listen to episode 179 on your own time and get inspired to invest in your financial future!

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  1. Her Money Matters - Money Confidence Coach, Jen Hemphill goes on a money journey each week helping you make your money simple and easy to master. She brings practical and simple money insights and showcases women like you who share their real life stories.

  2. Stacking Benjamins - Stacking Benjamins is a magazine-style podcast. While each episode is just over an hour long, rarely will a segment run longer than 10 -15 minutes. Joe Saul-Sehy & his co-host OG discuss finances in a casual, yet factual conversational way that makes learning about finances almost fun!

  3. Real Estate Investor Goddesses - In the Real Estate Investor Goddesses Podcast, Monick Halm interviews women who are rocking it in real estate investment and we discuss real estate, pleasure, investing, money mindset, and whatever else comes to mind.

  4. Young Smart Money - YSM is a business podcast that allows you to hear from today's top young entrepreneurs on their experiences, their journey, and digging for actionable information for you to apply to your own life and your businesses.

  5. Make Money Your Honey - Amanda Abella is a full-time brand ambassador, an online business coach, and a millennial money expert. She’s a young Latina trying to secure her bag, just like you!

  6. Renegade Millionaire - From prosperous entrepreneurs to high profile CEOs, the nation’s top trailblazers in business and entertainment are sitting down to share their secrets with Winnie Sun.

Now that you have the tools to get started, what are you waiting for? Subscribe to these podcasts and take notes! 2019 is the year to secure the bag!

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Our Day in San Diego with MILK!

 
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When we think about what really matters in our lives, there’s no surprise that the first thing we think of is our loved ones. As Super Mamás enters another year, we’ve made the conscious decision to step back and smell the roses or in this case, taste the leche. We were so excited when we were asked to take part in a partnership with MILK, because not only is MILK a staple in our homes but the message is something that is very important to us as women, as mothers, and as business owners --- Amor por lo verdadero (love for what’s real). Being your true self takes backbone, and what’s better than milk to build strong bones?! It has been our determination to stay true to our roots and be who we are that has opened doors for us, it has allowed the Super Mamás community to thrive!

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This partnership resonated with our Super Mamás tribe as messages from moms flooded our social media when we posted about MILK. We asked our followers what childhood memories they had that involved milk and the responses were both hilarious and heartfelt. From cereal con platano to licuados to rompope for the holidays, Latinos incorporate milk in tons of recipes! Made from scratch or purchased from your favorite corner panaderia, milk is the foundation of so many of our favorite dishes and pastries.

We’ve been trying to take Super Mamás on the road for a while and this trip to San Diego came at just the right time. We were so glad that MILK helped us bring together our families, a special guest we had on the show, and our listeners all at the same time! We loaded up our stuff (yes, Paulina had more than one bag), our sister Liz, our friend Jennifer, and hit the road.

The first thing that we realized when we arrived at El Jardín was the power of our words and the way we speak is what will truly nourish us into reality. Claudette Zepeda Wilkins was a guest on the Super Mamás podcast episode 101 back in 2017. The chef mom hustler extraordinaire, talked to us about her super mamá journey as well as the challenges she faces being a woman in the restaurant business. Who would have guessed that only a year later she would be realizing her dream of opening her own restaurant. It’s been incredible to see the seeds of all her hard work taking root and how she’s created a sisterhood in her kitchen.

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El Jardín is a beautiful display of both Mexican culinary art and Claudette’s own homage to the women in our lives that carry and preserve these traditions. We got to see the gorgeous space for ourselves and have a conversation led by Despierta América’s Ana Patricia Gámez that included dairy nutritionist and farm owner Rosemarie Burgos, Claudette and us of course! Then there was the food, which was so delicious. Claudette recreated the classic Mexican comfort food enfrijoladas with her personal twist, making sure that milk was the main ingredient. You’d be surprised to know just how many of our favorite dishes have milk in them!

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Since we were already in San Diego we decided to have a last-minute Super Mamás meetup at Holy Matcha. We shared our excitement about MILK with our tribe of mamás which sparked a conversation about how they incorporated milk into their daily lives in their own way. We were able to connect with so many super mamás and it reminded us just how important it is to have spaces and people who nourish our most authentic selves, our verdadera selves-- because that’s what really matters.

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10 Tips For a Healthy 2019

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Every year we vow that year will be OUR year. New year, new me, right? We set goals, we meal prep, we workout and we drink our water. But then life hits; the kids go back to school; you’re exhausted and your goals towards a healthy life fade as the months pass. There is no shame in it. We’ve ALL been there! That’s why, with the help of our amazing trainer and certified nutritionist Arthur Smith Jr., we’ve compiled 10 steps for a pain-free healthy 2019!

Tip #1 Affirm Your Health

Start by being grateful for your current health. You’re walking, talking, reading, breathing, and living daily. After you put yourself in the right state of mind, affirm your future health. What weight would you like to be? What foods would you like to start eating? How happy do you want to be?  Where do you realistically see yourself?

Tip #2 Drink More Water

We’ve all heard this before. Now here is something practical: purchase a 32oz or larger hydro flask or larger. Be realistic and pace yourself. You can’t go from 0-100 real quick, no matter what Drake says. Fill up your water bottle every morning and finish it by days end. Start small and gradually increase until you are able to comfortably consume 60oz – 100oz daily. Fun Fact: water transports waste out of your body, including stuff that makes us hold on to fat.

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Tip #3 Walk After Every Meal

Digestion occurs before, during, and after meals. It never stops! You can increase your metabolism and digestion by walking for 20 – 30 mins post meal. This will help you process food better and get your body looking and feeling right in no time.

Tip #4 Invest in Running Shoes

Women love to wear heals, pumps, flats, and other painful footwear for fashion. Overtime, this changes the arches within our soles and causes pain for very important muscles within our feet. Find comfortable running shoes so you can increase the number of steps you take per day and get to your goal efficiently by doing everyday stuff.

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Tip #5 Practice What You Preach

As parents, we want our kids to grow up healthy, strong, smart, and positive. Well, here’s a little secret…monkey see, monkey do. You and your kids are not monkeys, however, we share 85% - 95% (some say 99%) the same DNA as our primitive ancestors. Your kids will copy most things that you do. If you’re healthy, strong, smart, and positive; then the chances they will be is great!

Tip #6 Hire Help (If You Can)

Hiring help is the fastest way to reaching a goal. You don’t need to know everything in order to start, you just have to start! Getting information from a trainer, coach or teacher will only help you feel accountable and motivated to reach your goal or simply to educate yourself.

Tip #7 Drink Your Veggies!

In 2019, most people will eat the same amount of vegetables as they did in 2018. For some of us, vegetables aren’t fun to eat, we get it. Start by blending and drinking your vegetables every morning. This will help you consume more vegetables than you did last year and help change your taste buds. We promise, veggies can be delicious if you know how to cook or blend them and incorporate them into your rotating recipes.

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Tip #8 Find An Accountability Partner

An accountability partner is either on the same path as you or where you want to be in the future. This person will motivate you to stay on track and guide you through the tough days. You can find this person in your community, work, or online. Family and friends are great motivators, too.

Tip #9 Have a Year-End Goal in Mind

Set a December 31, 2019 goal. Where you do want to be physically, emotionally, and spiritually then? A helpful tip is to write it down or print it out and place it somewhere you can see it every day. This will help you think long-term and be conscious of the choices you make. Do not skip this tip!

Tip #10 Celebrate Along The Way

Celebration is happiness, fun, and excitement. So, celebrate the small wins. This will make the process enjoyable. The more fun, happiness, and excitement you can create along the journey, the better destination will be.

If you want to hear more about fitness and healthy living, check out Episode 151 w/ Arthur Smith for more great advice! You can also find him on Instagram at @arthursmithjr. Now, let’s get moving!

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Beginners Guide To Snow Gear

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I remember the first time I experienced snow. My parents drove up to Big Bear for the day with all four of us in the back seat. We pulled over on the side of the road and all for us walked into the snow with our thermals, jeans and sweaters. After a few of hours or so of freezing weather, we hopped back in the car and drove back home. We were wet, super cold and happy to have finally experienced snow. My parents had no idea how to properly gear up, but that is not to say we didn’t have fun. We had a blast with my parents. My dad built a snow man with his bare hands and us kids went down the sled over and over again on a hill we found. My parents didn’t know any better, we grew up in Oaxaca where snow is foreign to us. And as kids, we were just happy to see snow!

This past winter vacation, I took the initiative of booking my husband and I a 3-night stay in Mammoth, CA. A couple of days before the trip, it dawned on me that I was not at all prepared for the snow. Lucky for me, I was referred to REI, an awesome outdoor sporting store. I walked in there blind not knowing what I was going to buy. I met a wonderful associate by the name of Denisse who was extremely helpful. She guided me through what I should and should not buy. I will say that snow gear is not cheap, so if you are a planner, buy in the warmer months like March and April when most of the winter items are on sale. Although there is nothing wrong with thermals, jeans and sweaters, I wanted to make sure the three of us could experience the snow to the fullest and be comfy and warm. Hopefully this guide can help you in choosing your gear for your next snow trip!

LAYERS VS. SNOW PANTS

Denisse at REI told me there were two options: either layer or buy thick snow pants that would suffice in the snow. I weighed my options and decided for the layering. The three layer system consists of a thermal, fleece and a ‘waterproof soft-shell’ which is essentially a pair of rain pants, but better quality. I decided to buy each layer separately because the pieces can be used throughout the year. I also knew my son would make great use of the rain pants since the rainy season in LA is approaching. Here are a few of our favorite options for layering:

TOP LAYERING

I followed the same layering rule for my top.  I used a thermal base layer, a basic sweater, and a thick waterproof snow jacket that I invested in. My son layered in a thermal, sweater, a down jacket we already owned, and a basic waterproof shell.  I didn’t mind buying the extra waterproof shell because again, I figured he would use it on a rainy day here in LA. If your kiddo doesn’t own any jackets, I suggest buying a 3-in-1 jacket for them. It’s a great investment for colder weather and the winter season.  

SNOW JACKET

I will begin by stating that snow jackets are NOT cheap. However, I will say that I absolutely LOVE my new jacket. It was absolutely perfect and kept me warm in even the coldest weather. It’s super stylish and of incredible quality. If you are on a budget, try a discount store such as the Nordstrom Rack or Marshalls. Make sure that the jacket is waterproof - that is the most important feature of all. Also, all, if not most, of the jackets have hoodies to help keep your ears and head warm. A major plus! Some options we like are:

SHOES AND SOCKS

You do not want to be walking around the snow with cold and wet sneakers or ruin your favorite boots just for the sake of fashion. I purchased Sorels for my husband, my son and myself. All of us loved our snow shoes. We were super warm and most importantly, DRY. I also recommend thick merino wool socks, so when you buy your shoes, take that into consideration when sizing for you and your little one. Some options we love here:

HANDS

I recommend you research the best deal in Gore-Tex mittens and gloves for your family.  Gore-Tex isn’t a brand but a sort of waterproof technology. It is the best to ensure your hands keep warm and dry.  I also 100% recommend hand warmer packets. These were life saving. It is crazy how much cold penetrated through my gloves (I didn’t buy Gore-Tex). But these packs were incredible. You shake them, stick them inside your gloves and they omit heat for up to 8 hours. They were incredible. They also sell toe warmers which I didn’t buy this time around but will for our next trip.

Now that we’ve covered all the bases, when will YOU go on a snow adventure! Hope this helps you plan accordingly!

Kids & Privacy in the Age of Social Media

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When it comes to kids online, social media can still feel like uncharted territory. We don’t know what long-term effects tech will have on the lives of our children and we also don’t know what kind of impact documenting our children’s lives will have on them in adulthood. In fact it seems like everyone has a different opinion about what is ok and how much is too much exposure for their kids. So how to we breech this subject and what do we do if family or friends don’t exactly take our concerns seriously?

One thing we can all do it make having a conversation about social media exposure the norm. If you’re dropping the kids off for a birthday party make sure the parent organizers know you do not wish your child’s picture to be shared. And depending on the age of your child make sure they also know what your policy is and why. Better yet, if you’re the one throwing the party let parents know what you intend to do with the photos and if you really want to be serious about it have waiver they can sign the same way they do in school.

Even better still would be every parent taking it upon themselves to just ask and to be respectful of each other since our laws still have not caught up to the speed of technology. Did you know in France authorities fine up to 38,000 Euros to anyone who posts a photo of someone without their consent? There has even been a case of a teen suing parents for refusing to take down photos they feel violate their privacy. That may seem a bit extreme, but is it? There are plenty of experts that suggest too much social media exposure can cause psychological harm.

But what can we do if our families don’t respect our wishes? Masada Siegel wrote a great article about her experience dealing with “sharenting” in Real Simple. Her overall message being use your best judgment when confronting people who continue to post photos of your kids, untag them, and since social media isn’t going anywhere it’s probably a good idea to teach your kids about what is and isn’t ok to share.

This is however, is a question for the ages. We’ll probably be learning how to mitigate the ever changing online world forever. What are some things you do to keep your kids safe and healthy online?

I Decluttered My life for the New Year & This is what I learned

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As Latinos sometimes we don’t realize how much emotional “stuff” is attached to the things we buy and keep in our homes. When our families come to this country with nothing in search of a better life getting rid of things we worked so hard for can feel like a slap in the face to everything we and/or our parents sacrificed. And even though I understand what it’s like not to have, I realized that I have been living with a scarcity mentality and that it was holding me back.

After months of dealing with my postpartum depression I came out feeling like I needed to make room not only spiritually but physically-- my therapist thought it was time to get rid of “the stuff” that I was holding onto-- but little did I know how difficult it would actually be to let things go. It made me realize that “letting go” of physical things can be a way to let go of emotional attachments and traumas as well. When we talk about “making room” it’s not just about having space where a chair once was or a box once sat. Making room means removing attachments so that emotionally you’re able to grow and embrace simplicity in all areas of your life.

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As long as I can remember I’ve always had a lot of stuff. For years and years it seems I’ve been taking the same old things (that I don’t really use or need) from place to place. It was stuff I thought I needed, like pants I hoped to fit into again, nick nacks passed down from my mom, baby clothes, and nearly anything you can think of. I had convinced myself that they were things that I simply could not part with because of the emotional value. It got to the point where I felt guilt for even thinking about letting them go. I knew it was going to be tough but I was totally committed. And there are a few things I did in order to make the process easier:

  1. Giving things to people I know:

    The thought of my special things going to strangers or possibly going in the trash made it really hard to choose what to keep and what had to go. But giving them to people I care for actually brought relief since it’s like my things were going to have a new life and live on with someone else.

  2. Be realistic about what you need v. what you want:

    Is your stuff really stuff you need? This is a question that brings up a lot of different feelings because we so often confuse what we want with what we need. Cleaning unintentionally forces us to face our wants versus our needs and the habits we’ve formed that contribute to the mental, emotional, and literal clutter in our lives. Make sure you’re actually keeping things that will enhance your life not just take up space.

  3. Have someone keep you on task:

    When you’re going through your own stuff it will feel like you need it all. It’s a smart idea to have someone impartial to make sure you’re being real about what you want to keep. My husband was a huge help when it came to being realistic about why I wanted to keep certain things. He was also the one who threw things out when I felt like I couldn’t. With certain items it felt like a huge relief not to be the one to make that decision.

  4. Periodic decluttering:

    Going through your things a few times a year is a great way to avoid getting into my position. It’s a lot easier to get rid of things little by little than it is to do it all at once. From now on I’m going to make sure to go through and get rid of things more often-- but another silver lining is that it has made me more aware of what I buy in the first place.

  5. It’s ok to keep some things:

    Because there ARE attachments that are completely healthy make sure you don’t throw away something you love just for the sake of decluttering. I have a box full of letters and photos from my best friends when I first moved to the US that I’ll never let go and there is nothing wrong with it.

Decluttering going into this new year has made me feel lighter, liberated and open to new things. Let us know in the comments what you’ve learned from decluttering your life or if you have any tips we can try!

Vision Board Posada 2018

We cannot even begin to express the amount of gratitude and love we have for every single person that made our 3rd annual Super Mamas Posada a success. It was absolutely perfection. Thank you to all of our beautiful attendees for opening up your hearts to us. We hope that you enjoyed the night as much as we did. We cannot wait to see how you manifest your dreams this 2019.

And for all of our Super Mamas Tribe who was not able to attend, please make sometime before the year ends to make a board for yourself. Checkout our Vision Board How-to to get more inspo. Grab a few magazines, scissors, a board and a few girlfriends. You will love what yo can create.

Cheers to a fabulous and fruitful 2019 mamas!

Special thanks to:

Event Planning: @harlowplanning

Photographer @l.a.momma 
Florist @madreflorals 
Rentals @circarentals 
Photobooth @nevercloudyevents 
A/V @ametron 
Catering @churroservice @laguelaguetza 
Supplies @yoobi 
Venue @theknottedapron

Super Mamás 2018 Baby Holiday Gift Guide

 
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Our FIRST-EVER baby holiday gift guide brought to you by Target is finally here! After having 3 babies, Paulina is basically an expert on gifting baby gifts. We’ve compiled everything below for you to easily gift one of these to your tia, sister, friend or even yourself! Comment below what you’re gifting this holiday season.

Also, don’t forget- When you spend $50 on baby toys at Target you get a $10 coupon in return! This ends 12/15 so hurry! Don’t feel like getting out of your car? Try out their Drive-Up feature via the Target Cartwheel App.

1. Graco 4-Ever All-In-One Convertible Car Seat- This is the only seat that truly goes from baby to booster! It’s a bit pricy BUT it’s a great investment because it’ll last you years.

2. Fisher-Price Auto Rock 'n Play Sleeper- Perfect for traveling! It’s so easy to disassemble and perfect to soothe baby.

3. Mermaid Tail Wearable Blanket - Cloud Island™- Super cute and warm!! Beyond perfect for chilling at home right now during winter.

4. Pearhead Baby's Little Organizer- 2019 is all about organizing. This is a great way to keep all your baby’s keepsakes.

5. Pearhead Hello Baby Babybook- Keep all your baby pictures in one place. Yes, there are in your phone BUT there is nothing like a physical book you can look through.

6. Sophie la Girafe Toy and 1,2,3 Book- Great stocking stuffer for any baby that’s beginning to teeth. It can be baby's first sensory development toy! Stimulates each of baby's senses!

7. Melissa & Doug First Play Roll & Ring Ramp Tower With 2 Wooden Cars- Great for those small baby hands- super durable and easy to clean.

8. New Baby Target GiftCards

9. Blackout Curtain Panel Foil Stars- This is the perfect gift for a baby who is just starting with sleep training. It’ll transform any room into the perfect sleeping cocoon.

10.Milestone Wood Blocks- These will up your IG game and they’re a great milestone option.

11. Small Security Blanket Bunny- This has worked magic with sleep training for Paulina. It really makes baby Zixta feel safe and secure at night. Another great stocking stuffer option.

12. Skip Hop Explore & More Roll-Around- With an easy-grab design, this rattle encourages rolling, shaking and tossing. The familiar face engages baby in developmental play while the flexible body offers easy-to-grasp openings to help little hands build dexterity. Teethers and beads offer more to touch and explore.

13. B. Rocking Unicorn- Perfect for any nursery or playroom, this rocking horse toy is made of ultra-soft and safe materials that are phthalates and BPA Free. 

For a full explanation of each pick, listen to our recent episode, EPISODE 174: OUR SM 2018 BABY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE- EXPLAINED & #SMPOSADA18 RECAP!


 

Super Mamás 2018 Holiday Gift Guide

 
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It’s finally here! We’re sharing our favorite picks from this past year in our annual holiday gift guide. This is one is specifically curated for all the mom bosses/hustlers and mamacitas in your life (or even for you #treatyoself). Don’t worry, our fav baby picks are on the way.

Happy Holidays, sisters!

  1. Body oil by Skin Owl- This has become our all-time favorite body oil. It’s the perfect post-shower smoother to enhance your skin’s natural radiance and visibly reduce the appearance of stretch marks, wrinkles and dark spots. Use can use it everyday to quench tired, thirsty skin.

  2. Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation® Perfecting Moisturizer- After getting it as a birthday gift, Paulina has fallen in love with this moisturizer. It hydrates, evens skin tone, smoothes skin texture and helps improve the look of dark spots and discoloration.

  3. Lordag & Sondag Handsag Wax Canvas Backpack- On her trip to Portland, Paulina stopped by Via Raiz and bought this beautiful backpack. This piece, made by the expertise of tan leather artisans in Leon, Guanajuato, is made from 100% waxed cotton canvas and vegetable tanned leather.

  4. Q&A a Day for Moms: A 5-Year Journal- A mother and child share so much together--countless milestones, simple joys, unexpected challenges, and all the little surprising moments in between. This five-year journal will help you capture it all--simply turn to today's date and take a few moments to answer the question at the top of the page. As the journal fills, it will become a loving record and cherished family keepsake.

  5. Baja United Wine Club Subscription- Who doesn’t like wine? With the Baja Explorer Series, they will hand select three to four bottles of wine each month that will showcase their discoveries throughout the Valle de Guadalupe. It’s the perfect gift for any wine lover.

  6. Mala by Patty Rodriguez “I Love Tacos” Necklace- We love tacos. You love tacos. They love tacos! Pick between the 14K gold-plated silver or sterling silver for the person who can’t get enough of tacos.

  7. SELF Journal- This journal completely changed Bricia’s life- it’s basically the daily structure for success. It includes morning & nightly gratitude, your day's targets & goals, a 6AM-9PM daily schedule, and plenty of space for notes. You will be surprised with what you can accomplish in 13-weeks. Oh! & the journal isn’t numbered so you can start this when you’re ready.

  8. Farmacy’s Take it to Glow kit - Elizabeth really into skincare this past year and she has since never found any other makeup remover that worked better than Farmacy’s GREEN CLEAN makeup meltaway cleansing balm. It’s like butter on your skin and it leaves her skin silky smooth every single time. This kit is perfect for any young professional who travels a lot for work and looking to upgrade their skincare routine

  9. Milk Frother- You’ve heard this pick from Bricia so many times. Ditch the coffee shop and make yourself that delicious latte.

  10. Kieba Massage Lacrosse Balls - These are honestly the BEST for that stressed friend/sister/mom/brother/dad (or you) you have. Put the ball in between you and a wall and feel the pains of stress melt away. It may hurt at first but TRUST US, it’ll relieve so much built up tension.

  11. Rose Quartz Face Roller - For the ultimate skincare and beauty queen in your life. These are not only super trendy (#millennialpink) but they also depuff your face after a night of partying and promote collagen.

  12. Hedley & Bennett Apron- Know of an aspiring chef? or even a fire home cook? These are the best aprons on the market. Plus, it’s an LA-based and women-owned business.

  13. Bonita Hoops by Viva La Bonita- Pre-order the “Bonita Hoops” for all the girls in your life who are just so #Bonita. Also, look around on their website, there are plenty of dope tees, sweaters, hats and even home decor for everyone.

  14. Lipsticks from Vive Cosmetics- Vive Cosmetics is a vegan and cruelty-free lipstick line created by Joanna Rosario and Leslie Valdivia who celebrate and honors the unique backgrounds, skin tones, languages, and origins of all Latinxs. A bold lip changes anyone’s look, shop around and gift it to your fellow sister (Candela is Bricia’s favorite shade).

  15. Audible Subscription- We’re HUGE on podcasts and we’ve recently dabbled into audible books. This is for the person in your life who has a long commute and/or loves to learn and hear compelling stories. You can even give this gift if they’re already an Audible member.

  16. Photoshoot with LA Momma or LilyRo- If there is one thing we learned from all our birthdays/events/IG life is that you always need great pictures. Choose the gift of a fabulous photoshoot for anyone!

  17. Styling Session with Vaya con Fashion- Any good photoshoot, date, wedding, party needs a great outfit. Book a session with Mari to shop for that perfect look or to work with the closet you already have.

  18. Joylab Workout Pants from Target- Super cute, comfortable and most importantly, affordable. With everyone hitting the gym in January, these are the perfect pants for anyone trying to look HELLA cute while also putting in some work.

For a full explanation of each pick, listen to our recent episode, EPISODE 173: OUR SM 2018 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE-EXPLAINED!.

 

Ramona Ortega’s 6 Best Tips On How To Make Your Side Hustle Legit

 
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When Ramona Ortega comes on the show you know we’re going to talk about all things money! On our last episode we dove into entrepreneurship and the massive amount of power the Latino and Black market command in the US. But mainly she educated us on how to surpass the fear of taking the leap into being full time entrepreneurs or even just taking the first step in starting a business. Ramona had so many amazing tips perfect for first time entrepreneurs we had to write it down. Here is her definitive checklist on how to make your side hustle legit.

  1. Understand what you’re selling

In order to form a legit business you need to know for sure you have a good idea. You can do a survey and ask the people who you trust and respect for their honest opinions. Also ask yourself: does the world want what you’re offering? If the answer is “yes” then next you should define:

  • if it’s a service or a product  

  • what problem you are solving

  • how your product or service solves it

2. Be SUPER Specific About Who Your Market Is

Large companies can spend millions of dollars hyper focused studies of their target markets, but whether if you’re just getting started or have years in the game, getting customer data is super accessible. If you’ve already been making sales, profile your customers looking for things like location, age, gender, income, education, etc. then look for what they have in common. Definitely make use of google analytics and create a business Facebook/Instagram page so you can look at the insights. With that information you can create a customer profile and an empathy map. Empathy mapping will help you identify your customer’s pain points and how you can better fulfill those needs. Don’t neglect your data!

3. How Are You Going To Make Money?

This is KEY! Because there is no point in starting a business that isn’t going to be profitable and we have a tendency to undervalue ourselves. If you have a product your overhead costs and time should be included in the price and the markup should be at least 50%. If you are offering a service do your research and ask people how much they charge to gauge what your price point should be. If you don’t know anyone personally explain your situation in an email or DM and make the ask. Identify your revenue streams as well as which ones to focus on based the ones that make the most money. It’s also smart to identify what sells well and what doesn't to make the necessary adjustments to your production.

4. Create a Business Plan

It doesn’t have to be super official but writing it down helps. Ramona says we should create a one or two page document that includes: What you are selling, who you are selling it to, how big your market is, what your prices are, how much you will negotiate, what your revenue streams are, what are your quarterly and yearly goals. This is a great time to come up with your 30 second elevator pitch, as well as your company mission statement.

5. Get a Handle On Your Tax Structure

There are several tax options that may or may not be right for the stage and size of your business. It’s important to know which one is right for you.

  • Sole Proprietorship: If you’re just doing business as yourself you can file Sole Proprietorship. You don’t have to file paperwork but it might be a good idea to get a business account.

  • Doing Business As (DBA): You can also have a separate business name but not a business entity, you can say you’re Doing Business As “whatever name you choose.” You’ll have to file a form with the City to let the public know you’re doing business under a certain name but the laws depend on your state.

  • Limited Liability Corporation (LLC): When you start to grow you want to think about becoming an LLC, which includes a name finding process that protects you from getting sued. With an LLC there is no liability to your personally if something goes wrong in that business. Its limited liability, and because it lets you track your taxes, more tax credits, doesn’t have to be a separate name as long as no one else is using it.

  • C-Corp: This is usually used by a much bigger company that wants to use a smaller business as a holding company since the smaller company will be taxed separately from its owners.

6. Keeping Your Money Straight

Don’t commingle funds, which basically means don’t mix personal and business money. If you’re mixing funds you’ll have no idea how much money was spent and how much money was made. We tend to underestimate how much money we spend and schedule c taxes are much easier to file when you have your business and personal money in a separate business account.

Drop some of the tricks of the trade you’ve learned in your entrepreneurial journey in the comments! For the full convo with Ramona you can listen or re-listen here and don’t forget to like and share with the entrepreneur in your life.

 

Super Mamás Night Out

 
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Sisters!

THANK YOU for making our first-ever Super Mamás Night Out such a success. We know it took a lot of compromises and baby sitters for you to spend one of your few child-less nights out with us and the rest of the Super Mamás community and we truly appreciate it. We hope you put your your mom guilt aside and enjoyed yourselves by listening to our conversation with the talented and candid Melissa Rios and danced all night to the dope super mamá DJ Que Madre. We all need a girl’s night out here and there so this one was all for you! 

We also want to say a HUGE thank you to PLANTA for hosting us in their incredibly beautiful space & our vendors and sponsors of the night: Lotus Party Company, Brujita Skincare, Isa & Co candles, Baja United Wines, SelvaRey Rum, I Love Micheladas, GuelaguetzaAnna Alvarado, GYV Mesoamerican BeautySkinOwl, Claire's, Dove, Dr. Brown's, Little Spoon, Suja Organic, Yoobi & Macy's

Till next time, sisters!

XOXO,

Paulina & Bricia

P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a 1 year Macy's Beauty Box Subscription for free! All you have to do is:

  • Post a photo of your Macy's Beauty Box on Instagram
  • Include the following hashtags: #MacysBeautyBox + #SMNightOut
  • Include the following sentence in your post: For $15 each month receive your own #MacysBeautyBox with 5 deluxe beauty samples in a cute cosmetic bag + a $5 beauty coupon! Get your box @macy's 

All posts must be submitted by Friday, August 31st, 2018! Get to posting, ladies! 

 

How To Use Your Brand Loyalty For Social Good

 
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Bricia and Paulina’s conversation with Neilsen’s Stacie M De Armas was full of so much awesome information about the economic power that of Latinas-- we are really out here making names for ourselves, ladies!  According to Stacie’s 2017 Latina 2.0 report all female owned businesses grew 27% in the last 5 years, but Latina businesses grew by 87%, during the same period! More often than not Latina entrepreneurs are creating their own businesses out of necessity, because they are excluded from the traditional workforce or simply because their earning capabilities are capped.

In 2016 the total buying power of the Hispanic market was estimated at $1.4 trillion, so why are Latinos still not seen as general market? And why are we still fighting over the 6% or 8% of the total marketing/advertising dollars set aside for “multicultural market”? The answer is plain old backward thinking and the lack of importance placed on Latinos in the US. But in a time when our livelihoods and safety are in jeopardy shouldn’t we expect more from the companies that need Latino money to stay afloat? As Stacie tells us, the answer is “yes” we should reward brands “that stand up and with us on important social issues.” But how do we know which brands care and which are just trying to fake their way into our bank accounts? Stacie reminds us that not only are Latinas trend setters, but they influence the way others spend as well. Here are 4 easy ways we can totally use our influence and our brand loyalty to support the Latino community.

Examine a brand’s track record

There are plenty of companies out there that profit off Latinos but refuse to stand up for us, hire us, pay us fairly and reach us authentically. A good rule of thumb is asking yourself if you would donate money to that company based on its values and actions. 

Flex the power of your dollar

Whether it’s chick-fil-a’s homophobia, Home Depot’s CEO Trump endorsement, or American auto companies lobbying for fewer environmental restrictions, we’ve all got to decide what we stand for and what we’re willing to put up with. Are you cool supporting homophobia? Do you want to make someone who doesn’t care about Latinos lives richer? Are you ok with a company that puts profits over the air you and your children breathe? The first step is recognizing the power of our dollar and using it to not only demand more, but to let companies know that shady business practices and negative “isms” won’t be tolerated. According to the Latina 2.0 report, Latinos control $1.4 trillion, that’s powerful!

Is the messaging created for and by Latinas?

Conversations about diversity and inclusion as well as the #MeToo movement have shone a light on how pervasive all forms of discrimination and abuse against women are. The biggest takeaway is that the need for female representation in every professional field is needed because the alternative is toxic. We’ve all seen these totally off base and sometimes offensive ad campaigns (*cough cough* Pepsi) where it’s clear that there wasn’t a single person of color in the room when decisions were made. If you see something off you can always write a letter, start a petition, tweet them, but ultimately we should make it known with our wallets that unless people like us are in the decision making room, we won’t buy it!

Buy from Latina owned businesses

The absolute easiest way to empower Latinas is to buy from them directly. In the last 5 years over 682,000, Latina-run businesses have sprouted up but statistically very few are be able to grow and scale up due to lack of resources. Putting money back into the Latina community means helping families like yours put food on the table and hopefully creating more jobs for Latinas in the future.   

For more info on Latina businesses you can read Stacie’s report here and for the full convo tune into Episode 157!
 

 

5 Tips For Youthful Looking Skin

 
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Due to natural aging your skin cells aren’t going to be renewing at the same rate as they did when you were in your 20’s. You’ll start to realize that your old skincare routine isn’t cutting it, or maybe you’ll realize that you didn’t really have a skin care routine at all. Lucky for us, Afterglow Beverly Hills esthetician and nurse Natalie Aguilar gave Bricia and Paulina the scoop on what everyone can do to maintain youthful looking skin.

Drink water

Water is the source of life and Natalie says when clients come in asking for hydrating serums and creams she’s quick to let them know that you must hydrate from within “you don’t need a serum, you need to drink water,” she said. Not to mention water is an essential to a functioning human body! Approximately 50 to 70% of our body mass is made up of water, which includes, tissue, cells, our organs and of course our skin. She also says we should avoid hot showers that are extremely drying to the skin and to instead start taking lukewarm ones. But if you must have your hot showers be sure to drink plenty of water as soon as you get out.

Don’t use a product because someone else does

Natalie says we shouldn’t copy our friends, or influencers or just anyone else’s skin care routines because everyone is different. To find what is right for you, you’ll need to start out by trying products. She also remind us that trying something for one day isn’t enough to see if it really work for you, “a skin cycle is 30 days so give a product a minimum of 30 days” she said.

Pro Tip: Mix grapeseed oil into your moisturizers for an extra softness and moisture.

Don’t invest too much money on makeup and not enough on skin care

It’s really easy to fall into the trap of treating all your blemishes and skin issues by covering it up with makeup. Your skin is your body’s largest organ so taking care of it should be high on all of our do to lists. A great skin care routine can save you money down the road since you'll be preventing skin issues down the line. Natalie also reminds us that your makeup will look even better on healthy skin. We’re not saying to forgo your favorite MAC essentials but you should definitely spend equally on skin care.

Start With The Essentials

There are SO MANY products out there that it can be really overwhelming especially when you feel like you don’t know where to start. According to Natalie, the easiest skin care regimen is super simple and consists of: cleanser, moisturizer, & sunscreen. We can start by testing each one and seeing which is right, or Natalie also suggests finding an esthetician “skin sister” to help you on your journey. You’ll also need a budget to make sure you don’t overspend and to find the best products in your price range.

Pro Tip: Take your climate into consideration when picking products.

Vitamin C Is A Must

This is one of the most important products to promote cell renewal in your skin. A good Vitamin C serum is a natural brightener, an antioxidant, promotes collagen, and the citric acid in it helps dry out pimples. Peak collagen production is at 25, so our skin care goal is to keep it alive and active. A daily routine stimulating with vitamin c also has other amazing benefits like inflammation reduction and faster healing. There is also the fact that it’s natural without chemicals, but that of course depends on the type of serum you use but for the most part you can’t go wrong with Vitamin C.

For more on skin care routines, jade rollers, and chemicals we should all avoid check out Episode 156!