Mama Mimi @ Mom Central

Kicking up my heels in Ariat boots!

I have this beautiful memory of my grandfather - a.k.a. “Papa” - as a cowboy boot-wearing son-of-a-gun. He was a top executive at a Fortune 500 company and he wore Western-cut suits, cowboy boots and talked on a CB-radio. His handle was “Cotton-pickin' Chicken Plucker.” Papa was a wonderful character and set the tone for me of what a “real man” is. 

Whenever I visited Papa, it was my “job” to help him pull off his cowboy boots at the end of a long day. I don’t know if he actually needed help, but I jumped at the chance and enjoyed the tug-of-war during each boot-removal ceremony. I usually ended up flat on my bottom holding the heel of one of his fancy boots with two hands and laughing my head off. 

Maybe it was Papa’s influence or my Texas heritage, but for me, wearing cowboy boots means you are also wearing your personality. You just can’t wear ‘em without feeling a little swagger in your walk. 

Ariat cowboy boots

When the kind folks at Ariat asked me to check out their cowboy boots I was happy to oblige. Talk about boot-inducing personality! I had a helluva time choosing a pair and ended up with the Heritage Western X Toe in vintage black with turquoise stitching. They are GORGEOUS! I really think the “X” toe is key in making these boots look stylish and versatile for jeans/pants or dresses. I tried a wide toe and I didn't love them as much. Plus, I don’t think they work as well with skirts – and with the beautiful stitching, you will want to show off the detailed work underneath a simple dress or skirt. Just perfect for this urban cowgirl.

I also tried on the Ariat Crossfire Caliente – which are hot, hot, hot! But I wasn’t keen on the wide square toe. But if you like a little color in your life, then these might be your ticket to the rodeo. 

Comfortable style

Ariat was founded on creating advanced performance footwear and apparel for top equestrian athletes.  They use this same technology in their more fashion-forward items as well. The Heritage Western boots are really comfortable. It only took about a week to work them in – just a little rubbing on the backs of my ankles – but any full-grain leather boots will need some time to mold to your feet. The soles of my feet never felt better in boots. The padding is generous, even with a 2.5” heel, I didn’t have any discomfort on the bottom of my feet. 

Recently, Ariat unveiled an improved Ariat.com that features an enhanced shopping experience with powerful navigation, product comparisons, multi-angled product photography and a community section with social media, news, events and athlete blogs. Yee haw!

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Disclaimer: Michelle received a pair of Ariat Heritage Western X Toe boots in vintage black to facilitate this review. 

HealthyWomen: cycle of obesity can stop with mom's influence

Growing up in Texas where we ate on platters instead of plates, obesity was prevalent all around. In fact, BOTH my parents had gastric bypass surgery within the last five years – they are thinner now, but it wasn’t without risk and pain. 

I was lucky and learned early about how healthy eating and exercise could keep my weight manageable, but it pains me to see children affected by their parent’s unhealthy habits. 

HealthyWomen’s study on obesity

HealthyWomen, the nation's leading nonprofit health information source for women, recently published a survey that sheds light on how obesity now can affect future generations. The study was conducted to assess women’s understanding of the impact of obesity— particularly in terms of influence between women and their children, other family members and friends.

Although the majority of women surveyed seem to understand there is parental influence on obesity, they do not recognize their role in the “cycle of obesity.”

Key findings of the obesity study

• The majority of women believe a parent’s obesity has an influence on a child’s risk of becoming obese (87%), yet only one-quarter (28%) of women surveyed assign the responsibility to themselves.
• Most women don’t seem to recognize how early a mother’s obesity can impact her child’s risk of becoming obese. Only one in ten (11%) women surveyed recognizes that a mother’s obesity in her first trimester of pregnancy more than doubles her child’s risk of becoming obese.
• More than half of women surveyed were either unsure of the impact of a mother’s obesity in her first trimester (46%) or believed there was no impact (11%) on her child’s risk for obesity.
• Women surveyed understand the role that familial obesity has on their risk for becoming obese, but they underestimate the influence of friends and others. In fact, studies show that a person has a much greater chance (57%) of becoming obese if he or she had a friend who became obese than if he/she had a sibling (40%) or spouse (37%) who became obese.

Making smart decisions about obesity

Best-selling author and chief medical correspondent for Discovery Health TV Pamela Peeke, MD, MPH, FACP, says the survey findings bring new light to prior conceptions and emphasize the importance of personal responsibility.

“Battling obesity is a matter of making smart decisions,” she says. “In understanding the significance that our relationships can have on our lifestyle choices, we see an opportunity for women to play supportive roles in weight loss and best living practices.”

Take heart moms, this is a problem with proven solutions and many resources. HealthyWomen has created an online resource center with tips and tools specific to the WomenTALK survey including BMI and target heart rate calculators, family-friendly recipes and exercise videos at HealthyWomen.org/womenTALK.

In addition to educational content, the site features advice from Dr. Peeke and motivational articles including a personal perspective from boxer Muhammad Ali’s daughter and obesity advocate Khaliah Ali.

Just think, if all moms unite around obesity, our power to change generations to come is unstoppable. 

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Disclosure: Michelle received information from HealthyWomen.org to facilitate this post.  Mom Central Consulting and HealthyWomen are strategic partners bringing quality health information to women and moms.

March of Dimes: pregnant women need the flu shot

I’m a big believer in prevention. The flu can strike without warning and can take you down for weeks on end – rattling schedules, work commitments and time with your kids – or worse, it can mess up a vacation or other special events. No thank you. 

Last year, the flu was truly nerve wrecking!  We had to call all around town to find the vaccines, then we waited in long lines – then we had to do it all over again and get a second round of shots. This year only one shot is needed because the seasonal vaccine was designed to protect against three different flu viruses:  an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus, and the 2009 H1N1 virus.

Protect you and your baby

Our friends at The March of Dimes reminded me recently that pregnant women should be at the front of the line to make sure they get immunized to protect themselves and their babies. I didn’t know this, but the normal changes from pregnancy put pregnant women at increased risk of the harmful effects of flu infection.

Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes says, “Based on expert medical opinion, we urge all pregnant women, and women who expect to become pregnant, to get their influenza immunization because the flu poses a serious risk of illness and death during pregnancy.”

Since my second child is due in January (the height of flu season), getting vaccinated was a no-brainer.  As an added bonus, my little one will be protected at birth.

Here’s a parting thought: Although pregnant women make up only one percent of the US population, they accounted for five percent of the H1N1 deaths in 2009, according to research published in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

So, if you haven’t done so already, I urge you to get the flu vaccine to protect yourself AND your baby. 

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Disclosure: Michelle received information from the March of Dimes to facilitate this post.

Loews Regency Hotel invites families to Build a Better Lunchbox

I love stories about brands doing good things.  I've written about this on the DeBroff DeBrief and I plan to write more about it here.

In NYC this weekend I'm going to attend the Loews Regency Hotel “Build a Better Lunchbox” event. In addition to bringing families together around packing their daily lunch in a healthier way, it's a fundraising event to support community schools through DonorsChoose.org, an online, not-for-profit that supports local school projects for individual sponsorship.

Join me at the Build a Better Lunchbox event in New York City!

To celebrate the 20th anniversary its Good Neighbor Policy, Loews Hotels across the US are hosting “Build a Better Lunchbox” events to promote healthy eating habits and raise funds to support projects in local schools. Proceeds will go to DonorsChoose.orgto support schools in the New York City area. I hope you'll join me!

When: Sunday, October 24, 2010
11:30am-1:00pm

Where: Loews Regency Hotel
540 Park Avenue (at 61st Street)
New York, NY 10065

Price: $25 for advance RSVPs, $30 at the door (ticket price is for one child, accompanying adults are free)

To RSVP to “Build a Better Lunchbox” at Loews Regency Hotel, call 212-339-4013 or email amandavargas@loewshotels.com

Other Build A Better Lunchbox events around the country

• Loews Regency Hotel (New York, NY) – October 24, 2010
• Loews Miami Beach Hotel (Miami Beach, FL) – October 30, 2010
• Loews Lake Las Vegas (Henderson, NV) – November 6, 2010
• Loews Portofino Bay Hotel (Orlando, FL) – November 7, 2010
• Loews New Orleans Hotel (New Orleans, LA) – November 12, 2010
• Loews Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) – November 13, 2010
• Loews Coronado Bay (Coronado, CA) – November 13, 2010
• Loews Philadelphia Hotel (Philadelphia, PA) – November 13, 2010
• Loews Ventana Canyon (Tucson, Arizona) – November 13, 2010
• The Don Cesar, a Loews Hotel (St. Pete Beach, FL) – November 14, 2010
• Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel (Santa Monica, CA) – November 21, 2010
• Loews Vanderbilt Hotel (Nashville, TN) – November 28, 2010
• Loews Annapolis Hotel (Annapolis, MD) – December 11, 2010

New Toshiba Kids PC: Extra security and sticky finger friendly

I need advice about the whole computer thing and kids. I'm truly torn between the idea that I want my kids to be computer-free for as long as possible and giving them access to something that can help them learn. I have at least a couple of years to continue obsessing about this, but my son has been introduced to the joys of YouTube where I do searches for Elmo and songs I loved as a child. I also want him to know the joys of The Beatles and Elvis. 

I do anticipate a power struggle though and can see it all in the making. I'm already worried about what kids may encounter on the internet or how curious button pushers may delete important family files, plus my neat freak side is concerned about keeping the keyboard free from sticky hands.

Toshiba Satellite L635, a computer designed with kids in mind

When I attended a recent event for Toshiba, I was introduced to the idea of getting kids their own computer. As part of the You Spoke, We Listened program created by Toshiba and Best Buy, the Satellite L635 Kids’ PC, a laptop computer designed exclusively for children, has recently been released for sale only at Best Buy.

Unlike other products currently on the market for kids, this full-sized laptop, geared toward the five to 10 age range, functions like any other “adult” laptop and comes equipped with kid-centric software such as KidZui, an Internet browser made for children. It also comes with Net Nanny, which allows you to decide how you want your child to use the laptop. For parents who can’t seem to master going back and forth between kid-safety mode and a parental account, this separate computer makes it easy for parents and kids to work side-by-side.

In addition, the computer comes pre-installed with two Disney movies and a LEGO Batman game, perfect for any rainy day or just to keep your child busy while you prepare dinner. Kids’ PC also features a wipeable keyboard (its sealed between the keys), which allows for easy clean-ups, and a finish that helps resist fingerprints.

This new PC for kids seems to allow parents the peace of mind to let their kids play and explore on the computer without the fear of Web dangers. Kids can play and use the computer as they like, freeing up the parental computer and maybe even allowing us to do work while they are occupied.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

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Disclosure: Michelle attended a New York City event for Toshiba.

Counting games with Count Me Healthy Jewelry

I count all the time. I count stairs, steps, bites. It's like a tick in my head to just count what I'm doing.  My son started counting a couple of weeks ago and just seemed to do it on his own. I was amazed, but not surprised because I'm sure I've drilled numbers 1-10 into his little 19-month-old brain!

But counting what we are doing does have a purpose. It can help us keep track of our health and good intentions. And if I lived on the planet where I think of everything first, I would have SO come up with Count Me Healthy Jewelry. But Chelsea Gosett beat me to it and she is much more clever! This jewelry is more than beautiful, it's jewelry with a mission.

Healthy jewelry

Chelsea is committed to preventing women's diseases and aims to create a “health jewelry” category. The premise behind Count Me Healthy jewelry is that you assign a value to each bead and slide one of the 12 beads from one side of the bracelet to the other.  It is a constant reminder on your wrist to eat another serving of fruit and vegetables, keep track of sugary drinks or to drink more water. It's like a little secret health journal in your line of sight that only you know how to crack the code.

I tried counting glasses of water with my bracelet. I fell short, so I'm now counting gulps of water. I feel much more accomplished at the end of the day now.

Counting for health

Chelsea has all kinds of encouragement and ideas for counting using the little beads.  Here are some of my favorites: vitamins, hours between meals, kind words, happy thoughts, miles walked, workouts per week, snacks, Weight Watchers POINTS, and baby kicks. 

She also has a “Golf Goddess” one that counts strokes per hole or par per round. So it isn't far fetched that you can use these eye-catching beauties to count arguments won with your husband or non-verbal I told you so's. Just brainstorming here.

Check out Chelsea's cleverness through her blog, Counting with Chelsea.

Count Me Healthy bracelets are a unique gift and the packaging is beautiful - no wrapping required. I'll be sending the Counting for a Cause one to a couple of women I adore this month to help support Breast Cancer research. 

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Disclosure: I received a Count Me Healthy bracelet to facilitate my post.

The NEW way to Trick-or-Treat with UNICEF

As a new mom, I have a renewed enthusiasm for Halloween. I've already decided what my 19-month-old son will be this year. I just hope the Bumble Bee costume still fits two months after I bought it! The image of him running around with little bumble bee wings makes me laugh inside!

Showing kids how to give back

I'd love to rebrand Halloween for my kids as a time to give to others. It's a perfect lead in to the other holidays coming up and a great way to show that it's FUN to give back.

For 60 years, the trick-or-treat for UNICEF campaign has connected Halloween and giving back. This year they are celebrating their anniversary by adopting the FEED Trick-or-Treat bag as a new way to collect treats and help provide life-saving nutrition for children around the world.

The message is simple. One child can help feed another child for one year.  Here's how it works:

• Buy a fun jack-o-lantern inspired bag through Home Shopping Network Cares for $13.20 and UNICEF will provide one child in the developing world with an entire year’s supply of unique micronutrient powders – a food supplement which serves up valuable vitamins and minerals to support a child’s overall development and growth. The stylish FEED bag was designed by Lauren Bush and Ellen Gustafson who started FEED Projects with a mission to provide good products that help feed children around the world. 

Here's your charge: Go to HSN.com to order your bag and help give a year's supply of micronutrients to kids in need. You don't want your child to be the one carrying around a plastic pumpkin do you?

Now, I've got a busy little bee to go chase around.

Disclosure: Michelle attended a media event at HSN headquarters in NYC and received one FEED bag along with some candy to fill it.  Her candy was donated to her co-workers, but her FEED bag will be her new fashion accessory all through the month of October.

Celebrating my belly at Destination Maternity

As I write this, I'm 20 weeks pregnant with my second child. It seems that at about the half point of pregnancy I hit my limit of trying to make regular clothes work. I did have some left over clothes from my first pregnancy. Also, I bought a few second hand items from some neighbors, but it was time I get a few things that made me feel good. 

I'm more of a skirt and dress kinda girl.  My favorite “uniform” is a dress with a longer cardigan and sandals. In the winter or on rainy days, I add leggings/tights, boots and a scarf. Although I know my body a bit better for this pregnancy, it was time to go try on a few things that will take me through the second half of my pregnancy plus meetings with clients, conferences and events.

My trip to Destination Maternity

I was so thrilled to meet Sheila at the New York City Destination Maternity on East 57th Street.  Her specialty is understanding your needs based on your pregnancy stage and picking out the best products for her clients. She sized me up perfectly and knew her inventory - ultimately this saved me loads of time and I was in and out within an hour.

Destination Maternity is a one-stop shop for expectant mothers that includes A Pea In the Pod, Motherhood Maternity, skin care, classes and spa services. You can also take prenatal classes in yoga and Pilates, plus childbirth education. It's a warm and inviting place in which you are greeted and offered water or juice. The bathrooms are also clean and easy to find - an important factor in keeping you comfortable while shopping! 

The wild side of urban living

Living, working and raising kids in an urban environment takes some creative thinking.

Unlike my non-NY friends, we tend to multi-purpose most everything. We don't usually have separate dining rooms, dens or playrooms. And counter space in the kitchen is a luxury item.

We go to parks daily and rely on public play spaces. Just about everything we buy for ourselves or baby is assessed in terms of the space it requires.

I tend to interview just about everyone I meet to look for those little nuggets of innovative ideas all in the spirit of raising happy and healthy children and keeping my own sanity in check.

So this blog will be about sharing ideas and insights from friends and neighbors. We'll also bring to you information on brands and products we like. All the better if the brand or product focuses on organization, healthy living and learning. 

Oh, and don't think we forgot about fun! Getting a little wild now and then is a must - even if it's just to entertain the baby.