Monday, June 8, 2009

Baltic Amber Necklaces are Back in Stock!

Recommended for teething and other concerns, baltic amber jewelry is popular for babies and children. How does it work? Here is an explanation from our manufacturer...

Our Baltic Amber jewelry is a unique piece of history…The amber beads are fossils from an ancient forest which existed tens of millions of years ago. Baltic amber is not a stone, but a fossilized tree resin.

Historically, Baltic Amber has been used in Europe as a natural and traditional remedy and curative for many ailments for centuries. Long ago it was considered one of the leading ‘medicines’ of its time. Baltic Amber is the most esteemed amber in the world, and the healing qualities of Baltic Amber make it unlike any other type of amber found in the world.

When baltic amber is worn on the skin, the skin’s warmth releases trace amounts of healing oils from the amber. These oils contain succinic acid and are absorbed into the skin.

Baltic Amber has some of the highest concentrations of Succinic Acid found in nature, and this is what makes it so special. Succinic Acid is a natural component of plant and animal tissues, and it's presence in the human body is beneficial in many ways. How can baltic amber help us?

Pain Relief -Baltic amber contains analgesic properties and helps take the edge off of many types of discomfort associated with dental issues, headaches, joint pain, etc.

Strengthens the body's immune system -In many different and subtle ways, succinic acid helps boost the body's own natural healing ability and immune system.

Restoring Energy – The human body naturally produces succinic acid. The salt of succinic acid (succinate) is one of the most active substances in the processes of cellular respiration and intercellular energy creation. Succinic acid restores oxygen and energy supply to depleted cells and helps the body return to a normal, functioning state. Succinate is a raw material and a catalyst in the Krebs Cycle which is one of our main sources of energy. During the Krebs Cycle carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are metabolized for energy.

Maintaining Wellness - When the human body reacts to stress, the body’s cells begin to use oxygen more quickly. Oxygen plays a central role in the intercellular creation of energy, and a lack of oxygen can result in feeling lethargic. Oxygen is alkaline-forming in the blood and maintaining a slightly alkaline blood ph helps keep us healthy. Whenever the body functions in a state of low oxygen, it is much more susceptible to illness.

To help break a cycle of (chronic) inflammation - Where chronic inflammation is present, disease lurks. When the body’s cells are chronically inflamed the human body’s immune system response is to increase production of free radicals. Chronic overproduction of free radicals results in inflammatory-related disease. Chronic inflammation is a common denominator of many seemingly unrelated diseases.

While wearing a piece or two of baltic amber jewelry may not cure all that may ail you, it has been a proven benefit to many!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Breastfeeding and Heart Disease

Women who breastfeed are at lower risk for heart disease later in life. Data from nearly 140,000 postmenopausal women (median age 63 years) were studied, as reported in the May 2009 edition of the journal “Obstetrics and Gynecology.” The study authors found that postmenopausal women with a single live birth who breastfed for 7-12 months were significantly less likely to develop cardiovascular disease than women who never breastfed. Among the women, increased duration of lactation was also associated with lower rates of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Access the study online at http://journals.lww.com/greenjournal/Abstract/2009/05000/Duration_of_Lactation_and_Risk_Factors_for.5.aspx.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Our June Newsletter - The Latest Buzz

Read our June newsletter here. To receive future e-news, please register here. Thank you!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Even Mildly Premature Infants at Risk for Severe RSV Infection

According to a research report presented earlier this month at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2009 Annual Meeting in Baltimore, even mild prematurity increases the risk for severe RSV infection in infants. The team, from Kaiser Permanente's Division of Perinatal Research in California, conducted a retrospective study of over 100,000 infants with gestational age of at least 33 weeks. They found that even babies who were born nearly full-term (at 37 weeks) were at significantly increased risk for serious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections that require medical attention, including hospitalization in some cases. While the team does not determine why even mildly premature infants born just two to three weeks early have such a high risk of RSV infection associated with morbidity. Placing mildly premature infants in an even more precarious position is the fact that RSV prevention with the drug pavlizumab is approved only for the extremely premature baby. For Medscape's coverage of this research and a Canadian registry under development to better understand the use of pavlizumab with preemies, click here. (Free registration is required to view this link.)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Free Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness Walks

This is FREE & FABULOUS! Come out and enjoy the company of other moms and stay ENERGIZED! Join Kimberly (who teaches Prenatal & Postpartum Firness classes at Babies in Bloom) for a fitness walk!

Walk with a stroller or wear your little one. Wearing your baby may be a plus if you think your baby will want to nurse while walking. Remember water, sunscreen and a light snack.

Monday, May 18th 10AM Carlsbad
Saturday, May 23rd 9AM San Marcos Discovery Lake
Monday, May 25th 10AM Carlsbad
Monday, June 1st 10AM Carlsbad
Saturday, June 13th 9AM San Marcos Discovery Lake
Saturday, June 20th 9:30AM San Marcos Discovery Lake
Monday, June 22nd 10AM Carlsbad

Directions:
Beach Walk
5 South & 5 North
Exit Carlsbad Village Drive
West on Carlsbad Village Drive
South on Ocean St
Park & gather around the grass area

Discovery Lake
78 East & 78 West
Exit San Marcos Blvd
West on San Marcos Blvd
South on S. Bent Ave.
S. Bent Ave. turns into Craven Rd.
Right on Foxhall Rd.
Park in parking lot at the top of the hill

Call 760.908.6535, email kimberly@BeautifulBelliesAndBabies.com, or just show up.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!

A few of my favorite quotes in honor of Mother's Day - hope you have a wonderful day!

"Before you were conceived, I wanted you
Before you were born, I loved you
Before you were here an hour,
I would die for you
This is the miracle of love."
-Maureen Hawkins

"The moment a child is born, the mother is also born. She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother, never. A mother is something absolutely new."
-Rajneesh

"For finding your mother, there's one certain test. You must look for the creature who loves you the best."
-David Kirk (from Little Miss Spider)

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Congratulations to...

...Rahele M. She is the winner of our Earth Mama Angel Baby gift basket worth over $125! Thank you to all the moms and moms-to-be that joined us at our tea party. :)