Health and Beauty Tuesday: Kmart’s Share the Word Campaign Launches With Steve Harvey

As a blogger I have worked closely with Kmart and I have always had a great experience with them. I had the privilege of being dressed by some of their designers last year at Blogher, which was really fun and an amazing experience. I love how Kmart is working hard to improve their products and reach their customers.

Now, Kmart has teamed up with Steve Harvey for their new Share the Word (kmart.com/sharetheword) campaign which is designed to provide valuable resources to their customers during Black History Month. This year, their focus is beauty and wellness.

Steve Harvey launched the Share the Word campaign last Monday in Atlanta.  And in Chicago (Kmart, 4101 W. 95th Street, Oak Lawn) on Feb.  27 celebrity hair stylist to the stars Johnny Wright will bring the expertise he’s gained through work with his A-list clientele.  Wright will offer his favorite healthy hair tips, provide hair assessments and make suggestions to Kmart customers.

Steve Harvey talks relationships and love to customers at Kmart, 230 Cleveland Ave SW., Atlanta on Monday, February 8. The event, coinciding with Black History Month, is part of the company's 'Share the Word' Beauty and Wellness program designed to celebrate the inner and outer beauty of African-American women. (John Amis / AP Images for Sears Holdings Corp )

Steve Harvey hugs an excited fan while speaking to customers at a Kmart store, 230 Cleveland Ave SW., Atlanta on Monday, February 8. The event, coinciding with Black History Month, is part of the company's 'Share the Word' Beauty and Wellness program designed to celebrate the inner and outer beauty of African-American women. (John Amis / AP Images for Sears Holdings Corp )

If you are on Twitter and want to follow the conversation, check out #sharetheword.

On the Net: www.kmart.com/sharetheword

Spa Goodness

As busy women and mothers we always set lofty goals for relaxation and de-stressing before our health tanks or our minds become cluttered beyond recognition. In 2010 we should really commit to spending time on ourselves, don’t you think?

It sounds terribly cliché, I know, but when we are in desperate need of stress relief, that’s too late. That’s certainly not to say we should spend a whole heap of money on expensive spa treatments. But relishing a good facial is worth the money, even if it’s only once a quarter.

Visit www.spafinder.com to find a spa in your area. Not only is Spa Finder a comprehensive spa directory, you can also write and read reviews and discover great spa deals.

Checking Your Thyroid During Pregnancy + Maternity Style

The second most likely diagnosed disease during pregnancy behind breast cancer is thyroid cancer. We don’t hear about thyroid disease very often, but an estimated 20 million people have been diagnosed with some form of thyroid disorder. Pregnant women with undiagnosed or inadequately treated hypothyroidism have an increased risk of miscarriage, preterm delivery, and severe developmental problems in their children.

The risk of hypothyroidism goes up during pregnancy and even after delivery, so the next time you have a prenatal visit, make sure to talk to your O.B. about your thyroid.

Click here to read, Thyroid Disease and Pregnancy, an online brochure from the American Thyroid Association.

Maternity Must-Have

If there is one thing that’s certain it’s this: Being pregnant is not the time to lose your sense of style. In fact, it’s the perfect time to push the limits of your style creativity. Thanks to forward-thinking, hip designers you can do that.

This 100% Make Love Not War funky maternity tee from Spunky Sprout will make your belly stand out in the crowd and put a little pep in your step when you’re out and about.

Find the tee on spunksprout.com. Price: $56.00

Healthy Holiday and the Original Facial Cleanser

The American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation have joined forces to eradicate childhood obesity through their joint initiative, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. They have come up with tips to increase physical fitness this holiday season.

Walk It Off – Schedule at least one night a week to eat dinner as a family, and then go for a walk together.

Game of the Week – Start a new weekly tradition and spend a Saturday or Sunday afternoon skating or playing touch football as a family.

Form a Team – Scan local resources and sign up as a family for a community fun run, walk or car wash.

On the Net: HealthierGeneration.org

BEAUTY

I have been spending way too much money on facial cleaners for years, incessantly looking for the perfect cleanser for my skin type and I completely forgot about Noxzema. I bought a container of Noxzema Deep Cleansing Cream and it’s working far better than all of the expensive cleansers I’ve wasted money on combined. Sometimes we just need to keep it simple.

On the Net: www.Noxzema.com

Motherhood Maternity Debuts Spring Collection, iPeriod Helps Track Menstrual Cycle

Motherhood Maternity launched preview outfits for their upcoming spring 2010 collection. What’s hot in the new year for maternity wear?

blues, from cobalt to midnight blue

jeans, from frayed hem short shorts to the long and lean dark wash boot cut

stripes and plaid

bright floral prints

“This season is all about the details,” said Rebecca Matthias, President and Chief Creative Officer of Motherhood Maternity. “Lace trim, smocking, and rhinestones are the small touches that go a long way, all at a price everyone will love!”

On the Net: www.motherhood.com

Track Your Period With iPeriod

For those of you who are interested in chronicling each day of your period, I highly recommend the iPeriod app. It’s free and allows you to date your period, state the mood you’re in, and even write notes each day during your period. You can also track your weight and even your flow.

Fight for Preemies and Diabetics

While November 1st marked the very first day of the holiday season, there are two issues that are also being honed in upon this month: diabetes and premature birth.

November is American Diabetes Month. I’m sure you probably have someone close to you who is suffering from diabetes. It is such a horrible disease, but one that is completely preventable with diet, exercise, and healthy living.

This year the American Diabetes Association is launching a campaign called Stop Diabetes because diabetes is now an epidemic in this country. There are 24 million children and adults who are living with Type 1 Diabetes and 57 million more are at risk for Type 2 Diabetes.

Visit www.stopdiabetes.org for more information about ways you can prevent and or control diabetes in your life and  in the lives of others.

November also marks Prematurity Awareness Month spearheaded by the March of Dimes. On November 17 hundreds of bloggers, including myself, will blog to raise awareness about prematurity. 20 million babies are born premature every year and the numbers are higher for black babies. We need to save them through awareness.

Visit the March of Dimes prematurity web site to learn about signs and symptoms of preterm labor and questions you should ask yourself to see if you’re at risk for preterm labor.

Always Made Me a Happy Woman Today

This is a very unusual post for me because it’s about that special friend that visits us women every month. You know who I’m talking about, right?

For me, every month is a nightmare because I just could not find the right maxi pad for me. The size, fit, and flow absorption was just never right. Nightmare!

This morning I asked my husband to go get maxi pads for me. I told him the brand I use (Always) and what the package looks like (green with the orange wrapped pads, heavy flow). Of course, he came home with the WRONG package, but I’m so happy he did!

He came home with the Always Extra Heavy Overnight With Flexi Wings and I am in love with them! They’re everything I want in a maxi pad from the design to the thickness to the flexi wings…everything. I am a happy camper right now.

I almost went down the washable menstrual pad route because I keep hearing how great they are, but I just don’t want to deal with the mess of that. Here’s how the Always Extra Heavy Overnight pads are designed. I am so thrilled!

Even though they’re created for at night, I’m going to use them all the time. Love them!

On the Net: www.always.com

Test Your IQ on Premature Birth Rates in the U.S.

As you’re probably aware, the infant mortality rate in the black community is 2.3 times that of white babies according to the Office of Minority Health. Researchers, doctors, and even our government cannot determine why black babies are dying at such alarming rates, but there is power in knowing as much as possible about infant mortality and knowing resources that are available to you in order to save your child.

Below are four questions about infant mortality I hope you will answer or either pass along to your readers. Answers are after the jump.

1. QUESTION:

What is preterm birth?

a. Preterm birth is childbirth occurring earlier than 39 completed weeks of pregnancy
b. Preterm birth is childbirth occurring earlier than 40 completed weeks of pregnancy
c. Preterm birth is childbirth occurring earlier than 37 completed weeks of pregnancy

How many babies in the United States are born premature?

a. 1 in 5 babies
b. 1 in 12 babies
c. 1 in 14 babies

3. QUESTION:

Which women are at the greatest risk of preterm birth?

a. Women who have had a previous preterm birth
b. Women who are pregnant with multiple babies
c. Women with a short cervix
d. All of the above

4. QUESTION:

True of False: Can preterm birth can be predicted?

The Swine Flu and You: What Every Expectant Mother Should Know By Charles Hux, MD

There is a new strain of flu virus called the H1N1 or swine flu virus. This virus is quickly spreading throughout the world, causing much worry and fear among the general population and the medical community. Over 90% of flu cases this year will be caused by the H1N1 strain of virus.

As with the most strains of the flu virus, young children, the elderly, those with comprised immune systems and pregnant women are especially at risk. The H1N1 strain of flu carries a greater risk of complications and death compared to the traditional flu. This is due to the fact that the H1N1 virus causes more severe respiratory complications much faster.

As a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, I am very concerned that pregnant women understand the dangers of not being vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and particularly the H1N1 strain of virus. Pregnancy weakens a woman’s immune system making her more susceptible to catching viruses. A pregnant woman who already suffers from asthma or another chronic respiratory condition is at a greater risk for complications. There is an 8 percent or 1 in 12 risk of death if, a pregnant women becomes infected with the H1N1 virus. In addition, if a pregnant woman needs to go to the hospital and ends up on mechanical ventilation due to respiratory complications, the baby can suffer from decreased oxygen. This has the potential of causing neurological damage to the baby. It is also important to note that the majority of pregnant women who did not survive after contracting the swine flu were otherwise healthy.

Getting both the H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine is the best protection you can have to avoid contracting the flu. You should get both vaccinations to be fully protected. These vaccinations will also give protection to your unborn baby for the first six months of life. It is best to get both the vaccines before you become pregnant or if you are already pregnant in the first trimester of pregnancy. If possible it is important to try to avoid getting sick with an illness that will produce a fever, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. Having a fever in the first trimester doubles the risk of having a baby with a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. In addition, women who contract the swine flu are at a higher risk of a premature delivery.

Pregnant Women Urged to Get H1N1 Vaccine

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) pregnant women who have contracted the H1N1 virus have died at a rate six times higher than the general population. Because of this physicians are encouraging expectant women to get the H1N1

“All pregnant women should be vaccinated,” urges Dr. Gerson Weiss, professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Women’s Health at UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School. “Pregnant women are immunocompromised, in a sense, because they have to have in themselves the ability not to reject the baby. So that’s a window that the virus clearly is taking advantage of.”

The CDC has a very comprehensive web site that tells you everything you want and need to know about the H1N1 virus including:

• H1N1 and you
• 2009 Vaccine
• Information for Pregnant Women