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https://youtu.be/_OCv1PY7MTM 10 Steps to a Healthy Pregnancy 1. Plan for Pregnancy Just as you make life plans for things like career and finances, consider your reproductive plans in young adulthood. Thinking about when you want to have a family, spacing pregnancies and how many children you might want should be on your radar well before you have a baby. This way, you can maintain reproductive health and make informed decisions. Regular physicals and dental appointments, good health habits and control of any ongoing medical conditions can be part of that plan. 2. Get Prenatal Care Early As soon as you learn you are pregnant, or even before if you are trying to conceive, choose the right practitioner for screening tests, medical care and counseling about your pregnancy. Particularly for women with risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, genetic risks and prior problem pregnancies, early medical care is essential. An obstetrician and your family medical doctor may be the right choice. For women with low risk factors, a certified nurse-midwife or professional midwife with obstetrician back up may be right. Get recommendations from family and friends to find a comfortable fit. 3. Take Prenatal Vitamins It’s not easy to keep perfect eating habits in our modern world. That’s why most physicians recommend a daily multi-vitamin to maintain optimal health. This is especially important during pregnancy, particularly where nutrients such as iron, calcium, iodine and folic acid are concerned. Prenatal vitamins ensure that the needs of your growing baby are met. Adequate folic acid levels are extremely important in the development of baby’s brain and spinal cord in the first trimester. Look for vitamins with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid. Your doctor may recommend more. 4. Manage Expectations You’ll reduce stress levels if you can manage both your own expectations as well as those of others. Each pregnancy is different and all moms are different. There is no such thing as a perfect pregnancy, so decide early that your nine months are unique to you. Try not to compare how you or your body handles pregnancy with anyone else’s experience. Likewise, let your loved ones know things like whether or not you want company and when, or who you want in the birthing room with you. Make a plan in advance with your medical team to address items such as how you want to deliver and pain management. And try to remain flexible. Pregnancy can also be unpredictable and plans can change. 5. Check finances to allow you to stay at the hospital or with care at home as long as required Review your health insurance so you know what types of tests, prenatal care, delivery and postpartum care are covered. An early discharge from the hospital or birthing center may not be the best thing for you and your baby. Three days is a typical recommended stay, with longer stays for C-section births or deliveries with complications. Have a good idea of how much you will need to cover costs not paid by insurance. Include expenses such as prepared meals or extra household help for the first week or two you are home. Saving up to meet the costs of optimal prenatal and postpartum care reduces stress and provides a good start for you and your baby. 6. You’re not sick, you’re pregnant – know what to watch for If you are in good health when you conceive, your doctor will probably tell you not to worry and to continue with your daily life per norma. Only recommending to adjusting a few things like diet, exercise, schedule or medications to fit your pregnant state. Twinges, aches, upset stomach and gas are common. However, there are some symptoms for which you should seek immediate medical attention. If you experience cramps, pain or contractions, call the doctor. Vaginal bleeding, fluid, or discharge is a red flag. Swelling in your feet, legs or joints (edema) can be serious. Dizziness, palpitations or shortness of breath also call for medical care. While morning sickness is also common, it usually passes after the first trimester. If you have continuous and severe nausea or vomiting, seek medical treatment. Listen to your body. If something doesn’t seem right, call your doctor. 7. Eat Well Eating a balanced and varied diet that delivers good nutrition goes without saying. Also cut out extra salt and processed sugar. Feed cravings with fresh fruit instead. Get plenty of water and fiber. Your growing baby is putting a lot of pressure on your digestive system, and constipation can be an issue. Don’t deprive yourself. A little indulgence is fine. Just keep it under control. Gaining too much weight — or even too little — during pregnancy is unhealthy for both of you. Stay away from unpasteurized dairy products such as some cheeses as well as unpasteurized juice. Stay away from herbal teas, too. Fish is a great source of protein, but avoid larger fish such as swordfish, shark or mackerel due to mercury levels. Keep albacore tuna to less than six ounces per week, although canned light tuna is fine. Don’t eat any raw or undercooked seafood, poultry, pork, beef or eggs. Food borne illnesses caused by pathogens such as salmonella or listeria can cause severe complications. These include miscarriage, premature labor and infant death or developmental disabilities. Moreover, be extra careful with food hygiene and preparation during pregnancy. 8. Exercise Correctly and With Moderation It’s important to maintain good muscle tone and strength, particularly in your core. Thirty minutes of daily exercise such as walking or swimming (skip the scuba diving) will keep you aerobically fit. You’ll need that heart and lung power. Talk to your doctor about exercises designed to keep your stomach, back and pelvic floor in optimal condition for delivery and recovery. Exercises like crunches, sit-ups, deep knee bends or leg raises are not good for you during pregnancy. Also avoid contact sports, high impact activities (moderate running or jogging may be OK in the first few months) and activities where you could fall, like horseback riding. In your last trimester, you may notice some balance issues, so be aware of any limitations in your movement to be safe. Always discuss exercise options with your doctor before starting any routine. 9. Be Good To Your Feet Those 4-inch-heel showstoppers need to sit out your pregnancy in a place of honor in your closet. Invest in a few pair of cute, comfortable low-heel shoes with cushy, non-slip soles and plenty of room. You will very likely experience some swelling in your feet and ankles. This can make your pre-pregnancy shoes pinch, rub and restrict circulation. Higher heels throw your weight and balance off, putting additional unwanted pressure on your lower back and knees. Pregnancy is a great excuse to go shoe shopping, so go! 10. Be Good To Yourself This is the time to indulge in a bit of pampering, whatever that means to you. Don’t volunteer to take on new projects at work and don’t create new projects at home unless they’re manageable and make you happy. Let the little stuff go. Give yourself permission to be tired, cranky, or impatient. Keep up with your doctor visits and get plenty of rest. Surround yourself with a positive support system and tell yourself how beautiful you are every day.

The word “doula” comes from the Greek word referring to a woman’s servant. Modern doulas aren’t exactly servants. However they are dedicated to serving a mother’s needs before, during and after childbirth. Mothers who work with a doula during and after their pregnancies often feel more relaxed, empowered and satisfied with their experience. This is particularly true during the delivery. Learn more about what a doula can do for you, so you can decide whether this might be a good option to pursue for your pregnancy. What Is A Doula? Doulas are professionals who assist with pregnancy, childbirth and infant care. They don’t replace doctors or nurses. However, they are typically a good source of information for pregnant mothers and new parents. The doula is not involved with the activities of the midwife or medical team. during labor and delivery. Some doulas may have medical training, but they must have separate credentials to get involved with any advanced healthcare assistance. Doulas do not require formal education or licensure in most cases.. Some states require doula registration, but that’s not the same as a credential. There are multiple independent certification organizations.However, this is a voluntary process that can be completed with varying degrees of rigor and formal requirements. Be sure to research different candidates if you’re concerned about finding a qualified professional. Look carefully at each potential doula’s background and training. Doulas provide a paid service, and because the profession lacks a formal standardized training and licensure process, insurance companies may not cover their services. Mothers who are particularly anxious about pregnancy or labor often benefit from having a doula by their side. The doulas are a dedicated resource for emotional support and information. What Does A Doula Do? Doulas are often referred to as birthing companions. They are a one-person coaching and cheerleading team. They support the pregnant mother and, usually to a lesser extent, her partner. Most doulas are labor doulas.They attend to the mother during labor and delivery. Labor doulas typically meet with the expectant mother several weeks or months prior to the due date. The doula will get to know her client in these pre-delivery meetings. She will answer questions, provide reassurance and assist with the development of a birth plan. Doulas are helpful assistants to mothers as they learn breathing and relaxation techniques. Doulas provide coaching for the mother’s partner as well. This is particularly helpful as he or she may have anxieties or hesitations as well. During the labor and delivery process, the doula may hold the mother’s hand. She will provide her with encouragement and reassurance. She will speak up for the mother’s needs. The Doula will act as a familiar face during a potentially stressful time. Doulas can also provide pain-relief services such as massage. Your doula can also make sure your medical wishes are respected, allowing you to focus on the big job at hand. Not all doulas are labor doulas. Specialist doulas focus on other aspects of pregnancy. Using a specialist doula allows you to find a professional who provides exactly the service you need. Antepartum doulas provide emotional and physical support to pregnant mothers experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Postpartum doulas provide information and support after delivery for nursing mothers. They can also perform some personal-life assistance as well. They help out around the house and perform other tasks.

For many women, excelling in the professional realm means gracefully balancing motherhood with proper planning at work. Get started with your plans as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed. This will help you set the stage for a smooth future through each stage of the experience. Read more to learn some helpful tips on how to manage a full-time job during pregnancy. Breaking The News Even if you’ve already decided to tell your friends and family, it’s often best to wait until your second trimester to announce the news at work. Gather as much information as you can from your doctor about when you might need to start maternity leave. If you’ve been pregnant before and were put on bed rest or otherwise had to start your leave earlier than expected, be prepared to discuss this with management. Start by telling your direct supervisor and management in a closed-door meeting. If you’d like, you can ask them to keep the news confidential. Otherwise, give them permission to share with the whole team. Confirm details of the company’s maternity leave policy ASAP. Ideally you should do this before the meeting. Share your expected timeline and, if your employer isn’t being flexible or is showing signs of frustration with the news, make it clear that you know your rights as a working mother in your state. In most states, this does not include mandated paid time off. But it does often mean that you can’t be fired. Know that some employers are quite selfish with this kind of news and will even try to break the law. That does not mean you’re wrong. They are. Update your employers or managers every month or so with how your pregnancy is progressing . This includes if your expected due date changes or it’s seeming likely that you’ll be on bed rest, when you may need to take time off. Taking Care of Yourself and Your Little One Stay connected to your body and be mindful of what your hormones are up to. If you’re experiencing nausea at a certain time of day, bring ginger ale or anti-nausea medication to work. This way, you can fight those yucky feelings. Wear comfortable shoes and ask your employer to temporarily relax the dress code if your comfy shoes don’t match. Schedule appointments around your work schedule as much as possible. This is even if everyone at work is being super supportive. If your direct management isn’t being understanding of your completely reasonable need to take time off for doctor’s check-ups, consider talking with their higher-ups. After you welcome your new baby to the world, be prepared to wear compression garments and ask for permission to extend your maternity leave if you won’t be able to perform your regular job duties due to doctor’s orders. If you’ve already planned and prepped your work crew before your left for leave, a few extra days off shouldn’t be a big deal.

The pregnancy glow is a reality for a lot of mothers, but most women experience some sort of pregnancy skincare conundrum before giving birth. Let’s take a look at what’s going on and how you can take care of your skin by taking care of your basic health. https://youtu.be/DLMkHHKS93w The Realities of Pregnancy and Skincare Pregnancy is a time of major hormonal change. These hormones can produce that pregnancy “glow” that makes some mothers look so radiant and lovely from beginning to end. However, similar to puberty, pregnancy hormones can also cause your skin to freak out a bit and react in ways you aren’t used to. Understand that everyone’s bodies are different and, as with nearly every part of a pregnancy, your experience is unique to you. Some women glow with no effort, some women break out unexpectedly. Your skin may get drier, redder or even stay the same. Don’t focus on what “should” be happening—just take care of yourself. Taking Care of Your Whole Body Skin can often reflect systemic nutrition and health issues, so one of the best things you can do for your skin is to address your basic health and nutrition. Drink plenty of water and get as much sleep as you can. Hydration and rest can work wonders for the skin, even when you aren’t pregnant. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. You can indulge your pregnancy cravings, but try to balance that out with some healthy food. For example, if you want some ice cream, try giving yourself a small portion with some fruit and nuts. Consider working with a registered dietitian (RD) rather than simply taking your doctor’s advice on diet and nutrition. Your doctor has special training that makes him or her an excellent resource for most elements of your pregnancy. However, this training many not include detailed or current nutritional education. Many doctors take a single nutrition class in medical school and do not receive continuing education in this specialty area after the fact. This means their information can be both outdated and incomplete. Dietitians, on the other hand, have specialized professional education focusing solely on what you should eat. In most states they must keep current on research and education to keep their licenses. There are lots of dietetic resources for pregnant women. Some dietitians even specialize in pregnancy nutrition. Books about pregnancy diets written by qualified professionals are a good option as well. Taking Care of Your Skin Use gentle cleansers so you don’t further irritate your skin. Try all-natural products that address the specific issues you’re having. However, don’t make dramatic changes to your skincare routine. Doing so can actually prolong some issues that might have resolved on their own with some patience. Your face isn’t the only area you can care for at this time. Using nourishing lotions containing ingredients like vitamin E or shea butter on your belly can minimize the appearance of stretch marks as bump expansion progresses. Mothers expecting multiples may want to start early. If you found these lotions effective during pregnancy, you can use also use them afterwards. Additionally, you can even treat fully healed c-section scars the same way. Don’t suffer through nipple soreness at this point. Conditioning your nipples during pregnancy can better prepare you for breastfeeding. It can also help with some of the breast tenderness you may be experiencing at this point.

In this day and age, women can manage the many ins and outs of pregnancy with the touch of a button. No longer do you have to scramble through note pads and papers to try to remember Doctor’s appointments, keep track of pregnancy progress or even manage your contractions. With the introduction of iPhones and apps, staying organized (and well informed) during pregnancy is easier than ever before. Here are some of our favorite apps to use during pregnancy: What to Expect ‘What to Expect’ is one of the most complete pregnancy apps available. Heidi Murkoff, author of the world’s best selling pregnancy book, What to Expect When You’re Expecting, brings moms a day-by-day and week-by-week guide through their pregnancy. The app is easy to navigate, user friendly and offers a variety of features such as: Daily tracker shows your week and day of pregnancy, baby’s development measured in fruit sizes, and countdown to your due date. Weekly videos, personalized tips, and week-by-week information help you understand your changing body and your baby’s development. Active and supportive community makes it easy to meet Moms due in the same month as you. Photo journal to capture moments each week that create a visual memory of baby’s journey. Weekly inspiration and shareable milestones make it easy and fun to celebrate your little one’s progress with family and friend. The only app that tracks your pregnancy as well as your other children in one place. Syncs photos, content, and preferences across your devices. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and best of all, it’s free! Click here to get the app. My Labor Bags This app has been called ‘The ultimate bag preparation tool for your family’ and it really is! It is a complete guide and tracker to help you get yourself and your family ready for the big day. My Labor Bags is extremely flexible and easy to use with 3 primary labor bags: Mommy’s Bag, Daddy’s Bag & Baby’s Bag. Some of its features include: Pre-loaded with nearly 100 of the must-have items preloaded to help get you started! 2 full sets of labor bag databases. (Default & Custom) 3 Individual Labor Bags: Mommy’s Bag, Daddy’s Bag, & Baby’s Bag. Convenient “All-Bags” button allows you to manage all of your labor bags in one view. Manage any item’s Description, Location, Cost, Quantity, Packed Status and Notes! MyDueDate, the powerful due date information extraction tool provides, Day of Week, Time Remaining in Weeks & Days, Pregnancy Week, & Trimester. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s FREE Click here to get the app. Contraction Master The Contraction Master app is the easiest and most accurate way to time your contractions. Just tap once at the start of the contraction and tap again at the end. Contraction Master automatically keeps track of the start time, duration, strength, and frequency of each contraction. At any time, you can switch to the History screen to see a log of all contractions that have been timed. When contractions are close enough together and long enough Contraction Master will automatically alert you that it’s time to go to the hospital and even display a button you can tap to call your Ob/Gyn! If you want to share your contraction history with your doctor or nurse, Contraction Master makes that easy by allowing you to email it at anytime. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s $1.99 Click here to get the app. Baby Names by Winkpass Baby Names by Winkpass is one of the best baby name apps out there. It has a simple and intuitive interface and includes a massive database of more than 25,000 names along with their meanings and origin. You can easily browse names by origin, popularity, alphabetically and by gender. You can also save a list of your favorites and share it across your Social Media. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s absolutely free! Click here to get the app. Positive Pregnancy The Positive Pregnancy app is a guided meditation audio program intended to help expecting mothers become deeply relaxed and focus on a positive and successful pregnancy. It can be listened to at any time during your pregnancy and its relaxation techniques, visualizations and positive affirmations ensure you have a more comfortable, natural and enjoyable pregnancy. Benefit associated with guided meditation during pregnancy include: Boosting your energy and well being. Deepening your sleeping patterns. Reducing physical discomfort. Building a connection with your baby. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s $2.99 Click here to get the app. Baby Kicks Monitor From about 28 weeks or when you feel your baby’s kicks regularly, your doctor may suggest that you keep track of the kicking daily to make sure that your baby is doing well. Baby Kicks Monitor will record the start date, duration and times of kicks of each test with an easy to use interface. When the kicking reaches 10 times or the time reaches 2 hours, the kick session will stop automatically. If you wish to redo the test or end the test, you can press the X button in the upper-right corner to stop it. Other great features include: Share sessions or one individual kicking test with your doc or friend by email. Continue the kicks counting where you left off in the condition that you make a call or play other apps while doing the kicking session. Input your last menstrual period, Baby Kicks Monitor with show your Delivery Due Date and the days remains to that big day. Help documents to provide you more information about fetal movement. This app is available for iPhones, iPads and free for a limited time. Click here to get the app mPregnancy – For Men With Pregnant Women Men tend to be a little sensitive to the realities of pregnancy that their partner is going through. This app is created to bridge that gap and keep men in the loop in terms that they can relate to. mPregnancy contains useful facts for men of before and during pregnancy, not only about the baby but also about what is going on with your partner and yourself. Men will learn about making their partner’s pregnancy a pleasant experience. It contains great illustrations of how the baby develops and describes the size in terms that men understand, e.g. similar to the size of a football, or a bottle of beer. Other great features include: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) which among other things lists foods that are not safe to eat during pregnancy A Gestational Age Tracker trimester Days Left of Pregnancy Tracker And explanations of all the weird counting tricks that are used during pregnancy This app is available for iPhones, iPads and it’s only $2.99 Click here to get the app. Having a healthy and safe pregnancy is something that all expectant moms want. The apps we suggest above are to help you stay organized and have daily insights to your journey through pregnancy. You should always consult with your doctor about your prenatal care, decisions and advice in regards to your pregnancy.

There was a time when the thought of finding out the gender of a baby before they were born was unfathomable. Yet with today's technology, you can get a clear snapshot of your baby's face in just a few minutes. So needless to say, we've come a long way. Still, many parents struggle with the decision of whether to find out or not, so lets take a look at the why's and why-not's of finding out your baby's gender. The Pros of Knowing The most common reasons for parents finding out the gender of their babies while pregnant are simple: If you know your baby’s gender ahead of time, you can plan ahead. You can get started with choosing a name for your little one which is often one of the most challenging decisions a parent must make. You can also decide on the decor of your baby’s room and the color choices of all the gear you want to purchase ahead of time. Finding out your baby’s gender before he or she is born can allow you to decorate the nursery based on gender. The Pros of Not Knowing The most common reasons for parents to NOT find out the gender of their babies while pregnant are just as simple: If you wait, when your baby is born you will experience the joy of surprise. You won’t have to have that extra ultrasound when you already have so many others planned. You can skip over all the gender biased decorations and colors and instead choose more gender neutral decorations. Waiting to find out your baby’s gender , you can paint the nursery a gender neutral color. Both sides make great points. To know which decision is right for you, consider which reasoning from above you can relate to the most. There is no right or wrong choice only the choice that is right for you. This Article was brought to you in collaboration with Bellefit, the makers of the best postpartum girdles Founded in 2008 Bellefit® is the most mom-trusted and awarded brand of postpartum girdles & corsets for recovery after c-section or natural childbirth. Bellefit® girdles come in five designs made using proprietary compression fabrics. Their unique design features triple-layered reinforced front and back support panels. As a woman-owned company, Bellefit® is no stranger to the challenges new moms face during and after pregnancy. The company helps women feel supported and confident in their changing bodies. Bellefit Girdles

We're pretty sure that the days of getting dads a tie or a drill for Father's Day are sort of in the past. Although dads appreciate those hugely stereotypical (yet heartfelt) gifts, wouldn't it be nice to do something different this year? Let us help you do just that with this simple list of what dads really want for father's day. Happy Father's Day to all the awesome dads of the world! Quality Time Dads love their families more than anyone else in this world. They truly do cherish spending quality time together, especially when everyone is getting along. Find out what dad enjoys doing most, whether it's going on an adventurous excursion up the side of the highest mountain or simply watching his favorite show on Netflix, and make it happen. Acknowledgement Dads today definitely do a lot for their families, and because what they do is done very selflessly, it normally goes unnoticed. Take the time to acknowledge dad on both the big and little things he does. It will mean the world to him that someone is paying attention to his efforts. A Gift Card (why not?) OK, so metaphorical and intangible gifts to show dad you 'get him' are great, but why not get him a gift card as well? Find out what his favorite store is and get him a gift card so he can go choose whatever he wants. Sounds easy enough? That's because it is! Freedom This one sounds a bit harsh, but it's really not. Sometimes dads need a little bit of freedom to just be them without having to worry about everyone else's needs. Give dad the freedom to choose just what he wants to do that day, be it alone or with the whole family. He will certainly appreciate the extra slack and room to breathe. Silence Give dad the gift of silence by just being quiet. Men in general appreciate peace and quiet. Some of the most amazing moments, the ones they remember most fondly are those in which the bond with their family was covered in a blanket of silence in which everyone was just enjoying the moment and soaking it all in. Make Dad a Movie A man's legacy is very important to him. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to show him just how much he means to you? Make a simple 'Dad Movie' on your computer by compiling all of your favorite dad photos and videos. On Father's Day, do a screening with dad to show him the movie and just sit back and enjoy watching him light up with pride. This project may be a little more time consuming, but dad will absolutely love it!

As Valentine's Day approaches, make sure all your preparations for a lovely date night are ready. Start by setting the mood with some DIY decorations, send the kids off to grandma's house and spend the night-in with a well thought out Valentine's date night menu for you and your sweetie that you can cook together. Here are some of our favorite recipes from inspiredtaste.net to get you started: 1. Lovely Appetizers Fresh Tomato Bruschetta Ingredients: 3 to 4 medium ripe tomatoes, at room temperature (1/2 pound or 225 g) Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons olive oil 6 basil leaves, thinly sliced Six 1/2-inch thick slices Italian or French bread 2 cloves garlic, peeled and left whole How to make it: Halve tomatoes then remove and discard the majority of the seeds. Chop tomatoes into 1/4-inch chunks then add to a medium bowl with a generous pinch of salt, small pinch of black pepper, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil and the basil. Stir and let sit 10 minutes. Heat a grill pan over medium heat or prepare an outdoor grill or barbecue (medium heat). Drizzle bread slices with remaining tablespoon of oil then grill 2 to 3 minutes on each side until warmed though and grill marks appear. Remove bread then lightly rub one side with garlic — two to three strokes per bread slice should do it. Stir tomatoes one more time, taste then adjust with more salt or pepper as needed. Then, spoon a generous amount onto each bread slice. Drizzle a little of the juice remaining at the bottom of the bowl over tomatoes and enjoy. Roasted Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients: 1 pound (450 grams) large shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails left on 2 teaspoons olive oil 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest Lemon wedges Cocktail sauce How to make it: Heat oven to 400º F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, toss shrimp with the olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Tumble shrimp onto the baking sheet and spread into one layer. (If you are doubling this recipe, you may need two baking sheets. Try to leave some space between each shrimp). Roast shrimp for 5 to 10 minutes until pink, firm and cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce on the side. (This can be served straight from the oven or cold) 2. Veggie Lovers Butternut Squash And Pesto Pizza Recipe Ingredients: 1 (13.8 oz) can Pillsbury Artisan Crust with Whole grain (Substitute 12 ounces of refrigerated pizza dough) 1 tablespoon olive oil 3 cups (466 grams) diced butternut squash (about half of a medium squash) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup (118 ml) vegetable or chicken stock 1 cup (60 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese 3 tablespoons basil pesto 10 cherry tomatoes, halved How to make it: Heat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Then, spray a baking sheet (with sides) with cooking spray. Form pizza dough into a 15-inch by 10-inch rectangle (this doesn’t have to be exact, just close). Place dough onto baking sheet then bake for 8 minutes. While the pizza crust bakes, add olive oil to a large frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the butternut squash and a 1/2-teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, 4 to 6 minutes or until the squash begins to brown. Add vegetable (or chicken stock) and cook another 5 minutes until the squash can be pierced with a fork and is tender. Evenly spread the pesto over the baked pizza crust then scatter the butternut squash, mozzarella cheese and cherry tomato halves on top. Bake the pizza 6 to 10 minutes until cheese has melted and starts to bubble. 3. Pasta Lovers Spicy Pasta: Diablo Pasta Sauce with Clams and Shrimp Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 1/2 cup diced onion 2 tablespoons minced garlic 1/3 cup dry vermouth (Sauvingnon Blanc works well too) 1 28oz can diced tomatoes (San Marzano Tomatoes are great) 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1 teaspoon brown sugar 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1 lemon, cut into wedges 8 small clams, unshucked 8 large shrimp Pasta (fettuccini works well) How to make it: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Add the olive oil and butter to a pan (with lid) over medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add the diced onions and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Next, add the minced garlic and saute for another 5 minutes. Add the vermouth and allow to simmer for about a minute. Add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes and brown sugar then simmer for another 8 minutes. While the sauce is simmering, prepare and de-vein the shrimp, then place the shrimp in a baking dish or on a cookie sheet tossed in olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in the oven for 5-6 minutes. Add the clams to the sauce and cover the pan with a lid, allow to steam for 4-5 minutes. After 4-5 minutes, the clams should have opened, if one or two have not, remove it from the pan and discard. Toss in the shrimp and some pasta with about 1/4 cup of pasta water, then sprinkle with parsley and serve with a lemon wedge. 4. Chicken Lovers Honey Teriyaki Chicken Ingredients: 1/4 cup (59 ml) low-sodium soy sauce 1/3 cup (79 ml) fresh orange juice (about 3 small oranges) 2 tablespoons mirin 3 tablespoons honey 2 teaspoons finely grated fresh ginger 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil 1 3/4 pounds (794 grams) skinless, boneless chicken thighs 2 teaspoons orange zest (optional) How to make it: In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce, orange juice, mirin, honey, ginger and sesame oil. Cut chicken thighs into bite-size pieces then add to the marinade. Let marinade for 15 to 20 minutes. Heat oil in a large saute pan or wok (with lid) over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot use a slotted spoon to add the chicken, but not the marinade. Save the marinade until later. Cook chicken, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides. Turn the heat to medium-low then add the marinade and cover pan with lid. Cook for 5 minutes. Remove lid then check to see if chicken has cook through. If cooked, remove the chicken to a clean bowl. Allow the marinade to simmer for 1 to 3 minutes until thickened then toss with the chicken. Sprinkle top of teriyaki chicken with orange zest then serve with rice and/or vegetables. 5. Pork Lovers Roasted Pork Tenderloin Ingredients: 2 (1- to 1-1/2-pound) pork tenderloins 2 tablespoons dry spicy seasoning blend/rub of your choice 2 tablespoons of canola or vegetable oil 3/4 cup apple cider 1 tablespoon unsalted butter How to make it: Heat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Trim each tenderloin of any silver skin (this can be tough when cooked, just use a small sharp knife and slide the blade under and outward to remove it). Pat pork dry with paper towels. Then, roll in seasoning blend/rub. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed oven-safe frying pan over medium heat. You will know when the pan is ready when the oil shimmers. Add the pork tenderloins and cook, turning occasionally, until evenly browned all over. This should take about 2 minutes per side. Roast 10 to 15 minutes or until an internal thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers between 145 and 150 degrees F (63 and 65 degrees C). Transfer pork to a large plate and cover with aluminum foil. Let rest about 10 minutes. While pork is resting, place the skillet over medium heat, add apple cider and simmer until reduced by half. Add butter then serve drizzled over pork. 6. Fish Lovers Sour Cream Baked Salmon Ingredients: Four 6-ounce salmon filets 1/2 cup sour cream (whole fat) 1 1/2 teaspoons whole grain mustard 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese Salt and pepper How to make it: Heat oven to 425 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly oil a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish. (Instead of oiling the pan, you could also line with parchment paper). In a small bowl, combine sour cream, mustard and the cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place salmon onto baking sheet then spread about 2 tablespoons of sour cream mixture on top of each salmon filet. Bake 10 to 15 minutes until barely done in the center at the thickest part of the salmon. The center should be firm, but with a small amount of uncooked salmon in the very center. Depending on how thick the salmon is, it may need a few minutes longer. (The internal temperature should be around 125 degrees F). Remove from oven then cover lightly with aluminum foil and let rest 5 to 10 minutes. During this time, the salmon will continue to cook. Serve salmon with your favorite sides 7. Lovely Desserts Tiramisu Ingredients: 1/2 cup (120 ml) espresso or very strong coffee, at room temperature 1/4 cup (60 ml) dry Marsala wine, divided 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 large egg yolks 1/4 cup (50 g) granulated sugar, divided 8 ounces (225 g) mascarpone cheese (1 1/4 cups) 3/4 cup (175 ml) heavy cream 18 to 20 Savoiardi Italian ladyfingers (from 7-ounce package) 1 ounce (30 g) bittersweet chocolate or cocoa powder for dusting (optional) How to make it: Prepare Coffee Combine espresso (or coffee), 2 tablespoons Marsala wine, vanilla extract and a tablespoon of sugar in a wide, small bowl. Prepare Filling Beat egg yolks, 2 tablespoons of Marsala, and 3 tablespoons of sugar in a bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water until tripled in volume, 5 to 8 minutes. Use a whisk or, to make things easier, a handheld electric mixer at medium speed. (Do not stop beating until removed from the heat). Remove bowl from heat then beat in mascarpone cheese until just combined. Whip cream in a bowl until it holds stiff peaks. Once the yolk-mascarpone mixture has cooled a little, gently fold in half of the whipped cream into the yolk-mascarpone mixture, then the remaining half just until fully incorporated (the whipped cream will deflate a little). Assemble Tiramisu Dip half of the ladyfingers very quickly into the coffee, and line the bottom of a 9-inch (23 cm) square dish. (You might find that you need to break a few into pieces to fit them in the dish). Spoon half of the mascarpone filling over the lady fingers and spread into an even layer. Grate half of the bittersweet chocolate over filling (optional). Then dip the remaining ladyfingers very quickly into the coffee and arrange a second layer over filling. Spoon remaining mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers. Grate more chocolate on top or dust with cocoa powder. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 6 hours. When ready to serve, dust with extra grated chocolate or cocoa powder. Leave out at room temperature about 20 minutes before serving. (Tiramisu can be chilled up to 2 days, but no longer or else the ladyfingers will break down too much). Fudge Brownies Ingredients: 10 tablespoons (145 g) unsalted butter 1 1/4 cups (250 g) granulated sugar3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (65 g) unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process) 1/4 rounded teaspoon Kosher salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 large eggs, cold 1/2 cup (70 g) all-purpose flour (we use Gold Medal unbleached all-purpose flour) 2/3 cup (75 g) chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) How to make it: Position an oven rack in the lower third of the oven and heat to 325 degrees F (163 C). Line the bottom and sides of an 8-inch (20cm) square baking pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. (This helps when removing the baked brownies from the pan, once cooled). Add enough water to a medium saucepan so that it is 1 to 2 inches deep. Heat water until barely simmering. Combine butter, sugar, cocoa powder and the salt in a medium heat-safe bowl. Rest bowl over simmering water (if the bottom of the bowl touches the water, remove a little water). Stir mixture occasionally until the butter has melted and mixture is quite warm. Don’t worry if it looks gritty, it will become smooth once you add the eggs and flour. Remove the bowl from heat and set aside for 3 to 5 minutes until it is only warm, not hot. Stir in vanilla with a wooden spoon or spatula. Then, add eggs, one at a time, stirring vigorously after each one. When the batter looks thick, shiny and well blended, add the flour and stir until fully incorporated, then beat with the wooden spoon or spatula for 40 to 50 strokes. (The batter will be quite thick). Stir in nuts, if using. Spread evenly in lined pan. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and come out almost clean (you want it to be a little moist with batter). Note: Some have found they need to bake an extra 10 minutes, so keep an eye on the doneness of the brownies and use the toothpick test as your guide. Cool completely then remove from pan. For the cleanest lines when cutting, place into freezer for 20 to 30 minutes to firm up. Cut into 16 squares. Coriander Roasted Strawberries Ingredients: 1 pint strawberries, hulled and halved 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 cup whipping cream 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon powdered sugar How to make it: Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with sides with parchment paper or foil. Add strawberries to baking sheet then toss with brown sugar and coriander then spread into one layer. Roast strawberries 20-25 minutes until slightly softened. Add cream, vanilla extract and powdered sugar to a bowl and whip either by hand or with a hand blender until soft peaks form. Then, top warm strawberries with a dollop of cream and enjoy!

If you have young children at home, you know first-hand that their little minds are always eager to explore and learn. Thanks to modern technology, parents today can encourage their young children's growing minds with the help of applications for iPhones, iPads and other types of smart devices. We have filtered through thousands of apps and come up with a list of our favorite top educational games for young children. Endless Alphabet Endless Alphabet is a delightfully interactive educational app. This fun app featured the most adorable "monsters" in the form of animated letters that teach letter sounds and word composition for over 50 big words. When composed properly, the talking letters lead to a short animation illustrating the definition of each word in fun and unforgettable ways. Before you know it, your child will be using words like gargantuan and cooperate! This app is available for iPhone and iPad at $6.99 but worth every penny. Click here for details. Endless Reader The makers of endless Alphabet introduced the follow-up app, Endless Reader to set the stage for early reading success. This app introduces "sight words", the most commonly used words in school, library, and children's books. Kids need to recognize these words by sight in order to achieve reading fluency. Endless Reader uses the same interactive and animated formula used in endless alphabet to teach children these important sight words in the most fun ways! This app is available for iPhone and iPad for $2.99. Click here for details. ABC Mouse by Early Learning Academy This revolutionary learning app teaches young children all the subjects that are taught in school in an interactive school-type setting. Lessons are tracked in paths as children learn to read through phonics, take lessons in math, social studies, art, music, and much more. This app is available for iPhone and iPad and is FREE but an ABC Mouse membership is required to access. Click here for details. Toca Boca Toca Boca is a game development studio focused on child-friendly applications for tablets and smartphones. With over 20 fun and educational apps, Toca Boca makes digital toys and games that help stimulate the imagination of children. Some of the most popular Toca Boca apps include: Toca House, Toca Kitchen, Toca Hair Salon, Toca Tailor, Toca Doctor, Toca Robot Lab and many more! These apps are available for both iPhones and iPads and prices range from Free to $2.99. Click here for details. Stack The States Stack the States makes learning about the 50 states fun! Watch the states actually come to life in this colorful and dynamic game! As you learn state capitals, shapes, geographic locations, flags and more, you can actually touch, move and drop the animated states anywhere on the screen. Carefully build a stack of states that reaches the checkered line to win each level.This app is available for iPhone and iPad and is only $0.99!!! Click here for details. The Human Body by Tiny Bop With this app, children can explore a working model of the human body. Every body part is animated and interactive: the heart beats, guts gurgle, lungs breathe, the skin feels, and eyes see. Designed for kids ages 4+ to discover what we’re made of and how we work. Some of its features include: Six interactive, animated layers of the body teach basic human anatomy including the skeletal, muscular, nervous, circulatory, respiratory, PLUS a recording mode that enables kids and parents to ask each other questions. This amazing app is available for iPhone and iPad and is $2.99. Click here for details. PBS Parents Play & Learn PBS’ first app designed specifically for parents, PBS Parents Play & Learn provides more than a dozen games parents can play with their kids, each themed around a familiar location – including at the grocery store, at home, in the kitchen, and many more. This bilingual (English/Spanish) app makes it easy for parents to seize upon those daily “teachable moments” through theme-based interactive games and simple hands-on activities that connect math and literacy skills to everyday experiences. Each game comes with a parent note that provides information about the math and literacy skills woven into the game and suggestions for effective ways to interact with a child while playing the game to maximize the learning experience. This app is available for iPad and is FREE! Click here for details. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss Join Sam-I-Am in this interactive book app as he offers his friend green eggs and ham here and there and everywhere! Explore pictures, learn new vocabulary, and personalize the story with your own narration to encourage your child's literacy skills with highlighted narration, learn new vocabulary with tappable words and pictures, and record your own narration & share it with others. Best of all, you can keep kids in the story with parental controls! This app is available for iPhone and iPad for $3.99. Click here for details.

Living a healthy life when you are a mom is not only important, but it should be a priority to ensure that you at are your best for yourself and your family. With the technologies available at our fingertips on this day and age, learning to be fit is more accessible than ever before. Here is our tried and true list of top 10 women's health apps to give you some direction in achieving a healthy & happy lifestyle. Healthy Eating Zipongo - Healthy Recipe Recommendations and Savings. Zipongo is an expertly created database that helps you search for grocery savings, builds your shopping list based on its thousands of recommended healthy recipes and checks off items as you shop. It's an all-in-one nutrition app and is super convenient as it does all the hard work for you and shows you how to make healthy choices in your daily meals. Best of all, it's Free and compatible with all Apple devices. Click here to get the App. Go - Meal and Fitness Tracker This handy Meal and Fitness Tracker by lolo Apps is the easiest meal and fitness tracker you'll ever use. "Go" plots each entry on an easy-to-read timeline in daily, weekly or monthly formats to help you see the "big picture" of your eating and exercise habits. You can enter meals and activities in seconds and its integrated camera lets you snap pictures of your meals for precise meal tracking. This awesome healthy living app is just $1.99 and is compatible with all Apple devices. Click here to get the App. Motivation & Meditation Simply Being- Guided Meditation for Relaxation and Presence This simple and elegant App makes meditation a breeze. It features deep relaxation, stress relief and enables you to benefit from meditation without prior experience. Simply Being allows you to choose from 4 meditation times and gives you the option to listen to the guided meditation with or without music or nature sounds. This App is compatible with all Apple devices and costs only $0.99 Click here to get the App. Heal Your Body A-Z Heal your mind and your body with this beautifully crafted app based on the bestselling book, Heal Your Body A-Z by Louise L. Hay. Heal Your Body A-Z is fresh and easy step-by-step guide, set up in an A-Z format that shows you that if you are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed. Just look up your specific health challenge and you will find the probable cause for this health issue, as well as the information you need to overcome it by creating a new thought pattern. This App is available for $4.99 and is worth every penny. Click here to get the App. Period Tracker Deluxe The Period Tracker Deluxe App is only $1.99 and features a FREE Lite version so you can check it out. It simply does all the work for you when it comes to tracking your menstrual cycle. It's special features allow you to enter the start and end dates of your period with the click of one button and proceeds to calculate the dates when you are ovulating. Other handy features include symptom tracking, current and future period countdowns and privacy protection with a 4 digit passcode. Click here to get the App. Exercise Fitness for Women - Workouts and Exercises This amazing app is designed exclusively for women and makes staying in perfect shape or acquiring it nice and easy with effective exercises, ready-made workouts and individual programs! Fitness for Women features over 80 pre-installed workouts in beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. You can choose the right exercises for any zone you need: upper body, abdomen & waist or thighs & buttocks and allows you to add new exercises into your workout and easily delete the ones you don’t need any more. You can add your own music to each workout and all you need is your body since no equipment is required for this app. Get it today for just $2.99. Click here to get the App. 7-minute Workout by lolo This high intensity 7-minute workout is all you will need to count on for a daily exercise routine. This app features 3 skill levels designed for Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced exercisers. It also includes 200 unique exercises and each one includes video, coaching points and audio guidance. Over 100 exercises use your own body weight so you can workout wherever you are. The 7-minute workout is equipped with lolo's beat-sync technology to perfectly match the tempo of your own music to your workout. Plus, it's completely interactive and you can swap out exercises to personalize your workouts. This awesome app is available for just $1.99 and is also compatible with all Apple devices. Click here to get the App. Daily Yoga - loose weight, get relief Daily Yoga is the world's most dedicated yoga coaching app, providing over 40 dynamic yoga sessions, 300 plus poses, different durations & levels, HD VIDEOS, live voice guide, soothing music, social community, and much more! Channel your inner Yogi and get in shape with this Free App. Click here to get the App. Women's Health Weight Loss Hypnosis Tired of losing weight, and then gaining it all back? Do you have trouble sticking to your weight loss plan? Is losing weight a constant battle for you? The Lose Weight with Hypnosis app is FREE and it helps you loose weight permanently and easily. After listening just 20 minutes daily for one to three weeks, you'll begin to notice how much you enjoy eating healthy food and exercising. And before you know it, you aren't even trying to lose weight -- it just happens naturally. Click here to get the App.

There is one in every family, a very picky eater that throws off mom and dad at every meal of the day. It can be very frustrating for any parent when you spend time, love and energy into making delicious meals for their family and their picky eater refuses to eat. Fret not; most children go through lengths of time when they want nothing to do with certain foods, so you are definitely not alone. Read on as we offer some tips and tricks for dealing with the picky eater dilemma. Keep it Positive It is very important for parents to have a positive attitude during meal times. Make sure that you don't show your children when you get frustrated about their pickiness even if it means ignoring some of their bad behavior at times. Try to focus on the positive and celebrate the small milestones when they try new things. Continue to Introduce New Foods Be organized in your weekly menus and continue to introduce new foods so your children can develop a familiarity with new foods. Even if they have no desire to try them at first, when they see the rest of the family eating different foods, they will learn to be more accepting of these new meals. Setup a Reward System Children love rewards. Setup a reward system to encourage your children to try new things with the outlook of a nice reward at the end of the week. Although some parents can find it difficult to budge in rewarding children who are not cooperating, this method can have a very positive outcome in the long run. Know When to Introduce New Foods There are certain times in the day when children are very hungry and are more likely to try new things. Have certain snacks and foods such as fresh veggies or fruits ready to go for these small windows of willingness. Make it Look Fun If food looks fun and delicious, children are more likely to try it. Sometimes going the extra mile in making fun looking food in smaller portions, can encourage children to give certain foods a try. Get Them Involved What better way to get children into food than getting them involved in making it? There are many ways to involve children in the cooking process. If they can see how it's made and be part of the cooking process, then they will be more excited to try the foods that they "cooked themselves". (wink-wink)

Only fellow moms understand just how little time most moms have to get ready and look presentable on a daily basis. Whether you have one, two or however many children, these little people tend to require so much time and care that simple things such as putting on make-up or combing our hair become a thing of the past. Even so, this doesn't mean that you should completely give up on yourself and the beautiful independence you once had. Give yourself the time you deserve to start feeling good by following these simple beauty tips for moms. Shower at Night When the kids are in bed and the house is finally quiet at the end of the day, stop everything you're doing and take a shower! This will wash off the stress of your day, soothe your mind and allow you to go to bed feeling refreshed. Plus, the fact that it is nighttime means that you can take a proper shower, wash your hair, and shave your legs & armpits. Even if you shower and stay awake a little longer, taking that nighttime shower will give you a nice boost to end the day on a good note. Get a Hairstyle Visit your hairstylist to give you a style to fit your new busy mom schedule To avoid having your hair in a mom-bun on a daily basis, take some time and a little bit of money to go get your hair styled by a professional stylist. Talk to them about you and your busy schedule and they will help you choose a style that works with your natural texture and color. This will allow you to do your hair with ease every day and reduce the amount of product that you will need to use to make your hair look good. Cleanse Your Face Daily Keeping your face clean will diminish blemishes and acne. Keeping your skin clean of residue from make-up and the daily grind is highly beneficial. It takes a few minutes, but you will avoid blemishes and pimples in the long run. Keep a pack of face cleansing wipes or make up remover wipes at hand so that you can do a quick face sweep when needed. If face wipes aren't your thing, keep your face cleanser in the shower so that you may wash your face when you shower at night. Moisturizer and Sunscreen Moisturizing your face is a very important step in skincare. Moisturizing and applying sunscreen to your skin is a very important part of a proper skin care routine. Most moisturizers now come equipped with sunscreen to save you that extra step and keep your skin looking radiant. Make-up Enhance your beauty with a little makeup. There is something mesmerizing about putting on some make up and making ourselves look just a bit more beautiful than we already are. In less that 10 minutes, you can achieve a great natural look with a few simple items: Liquid concealer Loose powder Blush Eye shadow Pencil or liquid liner Mascara Lipstick If you don't have that much time, settle for make up on your eyes & lips. Just apply eyeliner to your water line, neutral eye shadow, add mascara to your lashes and slap on some pretty lipstick or tinted lip gloss. Improve your Diet Eating healthier not only will make you feel better but will improve your skin. To keep your skin looking radiant, be sure to drink the daily recommended amount of water. Eating healthy meals also increases your energy and prevents you from getting sick and developing ailments over time. Keep Your Feet Pretty Don't forget to pamper your feet. Get Pedis or simply keep a scrub in your shower. Last but not least, take good care of your feet. Place a foot scrubbing-brush in your shower so that you can scrub your feet a couple of times a week when you shower. It feels great to remove the dead skin and residue that could eventually cause unwanted bunions, callouses and fungus. Also, a relaxing self-massage can be quite soothing at the end of a long and tiring day. With the busy life that moms lead, it's easy to overlook taking care of ourselves, but taking the time to stay looking and feeling beautiful is a must. Remember to always love yourself as much as you love your family so you can stay healthy, happy and beautiful no matter how busy you may be.