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I was the weird kid. You know what I’m talking about. I was the kid who wore homemade clothes and ate strange, unrecognizable foods that emerged out of dark containers, while the rest of the kids pulled up the collars on their Izod polos and ate fluffy white bread sandwiches. While the other girls in my class were at Brownie meetings, I was attending socialist freedom rallies or making up fable skits for the viewing pleasure of my sister because we weren’t allowed to watch television.

Don’t get me wrong. With all my heart, I wanted to be a Girl Scout. But when I tried to join the same Brownie troop that a bunch of kids from my class at school joined, I was told that the troop had reached capacity. I wonder why? (continue reading…)

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Recently, I found I had more stress in my life than normal.  Having the kids out of school, meant more time together, adding summer activities meant more running around and having them at home also meant more home cooked meals.  As the weeks went on the pressure of keeping up increased and I seemed to have lost the order and control I normally keep in running a house with three children.  I had very little time left to work on my own business and no time at all to fit in a workout, spend time with my husband and be fun.  So after 4 weeks of running this marathon, I snapped and needed a break.

Have you felt this way?

I had my husband take over for a day and I left the house to clear my head and gather my thoughts.  Being away was exactly what I needed to gain control and be a GreenDivaMom again. So, sitting by the pool, with a laptop in my hands I put a plan of action in hand to get back on track. (continue reading…)

Thinking about conceiving when you’re over 35 can be scary with increased risks of birth defects like Down Syndrome and Neutral Tube Defects to name just two, but with preparation months before you even think of conceiving, you can increase the chances of a healthier pregnancy and baby. Follow the steps below and your doctor’s orders and you will be better prepared for your pregnancy. Plan and Prepare for your pregnancy at least 3 months before, possibly even as sooner.

Taking a prenatal vitamin with at least 400 mcg of Folic Acid.

The March of Dimes states that women who take Folic Acid a year before becoming pregnant can help with the risk of having a premature baby and possibly help you with cancer risks. Premature babies are more at risk for lasting complications. Experts agree women should begin taking a prenatal vitamin with 400 mcg of Folic Acid which is a B vitamin, before becoming pregnant. According to the book, Healthy Pregnancy over 35 by Laura Goetzl MD, “Folic acid decreases the risk of neutral tube defects by as much as 70%. Neutral tube defects, which affect brain and spinal cord, occur during the first 28 days of conception before most women even realize they are pregnant.” (continue reading…)

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Like you, I love my mother but it wasn’t until I became a mother myself did I understand and see all the sacrifices she made for me growing up, that I do now for my own children.  It’s a 24/7 hour job with no pay that starts from birth and continues all through life.  Even when a child is grown and has left home, a mother still worries and hopes her child is safe and well!

A mother’s love can concur the world and move mountains.  A mother will never take no for an answer and strive to do the best and get the best for her child.  I especially would like to praise mothers who have children on the spectrum, because I know it’s not easy and that it sometimes feels as if you have double the amount of children.  Moms don’t get me wrong–all children our demanding and need our attention–but children on the spectrum have needs 10 times more than your average child.  Remember to never give up and keep fighting and looking for alternative choices that offer no side effects because all your hard work and effort is well worth those precious hugs and smiles.

I would like to congratulate all mothers and wish you a very Special Mother’s Day and thank you for supporting this website.  This website was especially designed for mothers and individuals seeking a “green lifestyle” with the desire to take preventative measures to insure healthy choices for themselves and their family.

Once again,     “Have a Wonderful, Fabulous, Mother’s Day!”

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We bet you know a lot of moms who deserve a “Mother of the Year” award. Imagine their surprise when they get a video news clip saying they are the 2009 Mom of the Year. Be sure to send yours before Mothers Day tomorrow.

Go to cnnbcvideo.com to send your favorite mom a video with her name embedded in it. The site also sends you a copy of the video so you can forward it to her friends and family, if you want. Everyone should know she’s won “Mother of the Year.” Right? The site’s privacy policy states that they will not send additional email to you or the video recipient, unless you leave the check box marked to opt-in to receive emails from moveon.org or momsrising.org, the two sponsors of the site.

Check out a sample of the finished video, where our own Green Diva Mom is the 2009 Mom of the Year

©iStockPhoto.com - Ahmad Hamoudah

Birth control: Most of us use it, have used it, or will use it in some form or another. Whether you opt for hormonal methods like the pill or the patch, barrier methods such as condoms or diaphragms, intrauterine devices, or surgical sterilization, no method is without its drawbacks. Hormonal methods can cause side effects such as weight gain, headaches, depression, decreased libido, and nausea, and the potential dangers of ingesting synthetic hormones for extended periods of time are still largely unknown. Barrier methods are inconvenient. Intrauterine devices can be painful and are associated with complications such as uterine puncture and tubal infection. Surgical sterilization is costly and usually irreversible.

You may be surprised to learn that there is another option, one that is virtually free of side effects, costs, and inconveniences: natural birth control. (continue reading…)

©iStockPhoto.com - Ahmad Hamoudah

Right around now I usually look at my personal planner and feel like crap. Because it’s usually empty. The beginning of each year I buy day-view or month-by-month view pages for my binder, and vow that I’ll use them, and then I don’t and feel like I’m a loser and a tree-killer. February is when I usually clear my desk of last year’s stack of unused “day-at-a-time” sheets and vow to do better.

My problem is that I either fly by the seat of my pants and don’t plan things ahead, or the things we do (music lessons, karate, etc.) are the same time each week so there’s no point in my writing that down on a gazillion pages. I’d imagine most moms with young kids are in the same boat. Do you really need to write down your Tuesday morning Gymboree class on every Tuesday in your planner? Even worse, do you find yourself writing things in after the fact just so your planner doesn’t look so pathetic and empty? (continue reading…)