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Navigating Pregnancy Comfortably with the Best Active Wear
Often a popular resolution in the new year is adopting more exercise into your daily routine. Particularly during pregnancy, keeping active through low-impact exercises and activities is a great way to prepare your body for labor, and it also improves mental health significantly.When expecting, your body goes through many changes, both internally and externally, therefore it’s important to find adaptable and breathable activewear that allows movement.
With the help of pregnancy expert and experienced Doula, Kalli Chason, the team at Your Baby Club has shared insight into why comfortable maternity active-wear is so important and how to find pieces to add to your winter wardrobe.
Discussing the importance of comfortable maternity activewear, Doula Kalli Chason says:
“During pregnancy, individuals are going through immense amounts of growth in short amounts of time which makes it more important to dress in a way that is comfortable for you during exercise. Comfort differs from person to person, listen to your body and you will know if that outfit feels good for you.
“Maternity wear can provide more comfort as you stay active while your body is undergoing immense amounts of growth, but not every person finds them necessary. For first-time pregnant parents and parents with certain body types, belly growth can be a lot less than in others or subsequent pregnancies. Particularly with gym wear as it can stretch to fit changing body types.
“For this reason, some individuals might not feel the need for maternity wear. If your clothes are fitting too tight and leaving lines on your body after exercise, it might be time to make the jump into the maternity section. Check your local Buy Nothing groups and thrift stores, they commonly have great options for maternity activewear.
“Support can make a huge difference while working out during pregnancy. Finding leggings that have a tight supportive band around the belly but that are not too tight around the legs and ankles will likely be the most comfortable. While pregnant your body is releasing a hormone called relaxin, which makes all of your muscles looser and easier to injure. Having support from your clothing can help prevent injury and provide more comfort.”
1. Find the right fabrics
Pregnancy can be uncomfortable, but if you add restrictive and irritating clothing to the mix whilst exercising, it can become even more difficult. The key to finding comfort is loose, lightweight clothing that’s breathable, like lycra, polyester, and nylon. Go for clothes that are loose in structure if you are seeking comfort when walking, playing sports, or doing any low-impact exercise; so, maternity sweatpants, sports bras, and leggings with belly support.
2. Remember footwear is just as important
During pregnancy, you’re likely to experience achy, swollen feet and legs, due to weight gain and changes in hormones. Finding appropriate footwear is incredibly important when staying active throughout your pregnancy, as it can not only determine how comfortable you are, but can also support your back, ankles, and feet as they change in shape.
When shopping for new sneakers, or even taking a deep dive into your wardrobe, find a pair with a good arch and ankle support – so no flimsy dolly shoes. As your body starts to grow, you’ll likely need a shoe that can slip on and off easily, as reaching down to tie your laces will become increasingly harder. Finally, your feet are likely to swell, which means you need a shoe with room for expansion, so invest in a pair that is a size or half bigger than normal.
3. Find gym clothes you can wear post-pregnancy
Your maternity wardrobe doesn’t have to be restricted to elasticated waistbands, and maternity gym tops that you may never wear again. While some items are essential for your comfort, you can purchase items that can be worn later down the line.
A bigger sweatshirt may fit perfectly during pregnancy, but it can still be worn after your baby arrives as an oversized outer layer, which will pair perfectly with leggings. This can be done with most maternity activewear, as they are designed to stretch to fit your body comfortably.
4. Buy basics to save cash
Basic t-shirts, vests, and leggings will become your go-to picks when exercising throughout your pregnancy. They are affordable, comfortable, and go with just about anything.
Your basic activewear can double up to become your everyday go-to’s – you can throw them on for a trip to the supermarket, to meet friends and family, or for lounging around the house getting ready for your new arrival.
5. Most importantly… be comfortable and confident
Your maternity activewear doesn’t have to be bland, but they do need to be comfortable. Find pieces that match your pre-pregnancy style and make you feel confident. It’s all about finding clothes that support you during exercise while also complementing your changing body shape.
The rise in athleisure’s popularity in the world of fashion means there is an increasing amount of options for you to choose from throughout your pregnancy to make you feel confident.
https://www.yourbabyclub.com/
category/prenatal-health- fitness-wellbeing-741 -
Vegan Music Artist/Influencer’s Tips For Going Meat Free In Veganuary
2024 has arrived and with the New Year, resolutions are underway and some may have already given them up. One challenging change we can make that is growing in popularity every year is Veganuary and making it a meat free month is something many will try. Be it for personal health or planetary concerns, what is some advice for these brave souls taking a shot at veganism?
Dominique Side is an artist, serial entrepreneur, and vegan fashion/lifestyle influencer. She has built a boutique vegan grocery store, founded the new “Nikki Green” luxury vegan clothing line, and is co-owner of the Vgn Bae Music Group, featuring an eco-friendly studio located in Houston, Texas. With 100,000 followers on Instagram, she inspires others to go plant-based through her social media and is showing the world that being vegan doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Dominique is helping change how veganism is perceived by the public and redefining its image.
Releasing music as DOM, she has been heard on the radio, movie soundtracks, and fashion stores in the US and UK. The music video for her latest single has had over 300,000 views, and she’s also been featured for her vegan insight in USA Today, Women’s Wear Daily, The Chalkboard Mag, MIC, Luxury Travel Magazine, iHeartRadio, and on CBS, ABC, NBC, & FOX.
Dominique leads with compassion based thinking in all of her ventures and can offer advice on:
- Tips for anyone thinking of giving up animal products for Veganuary
- Looking at being vegan as more than a diet and all the choices it affects
- Why it’s a great way to start the New Year not only for your health but the world
- How she maintains the balance of a vegan lifestyle with fashion and travel
- Exploring her ethical based businesses and leading with compassion first
- Her journey in veganism and why it doesn’t mean you can’t have any fun
To learn more visit: http://instagram.com/vgnbaedom
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TurfMutt’s Tips for Enjoying Your Yard, A Winter Wonderland
Spending time outside in your own backyard and community green space – backyarding, as the TurfMutt Foundation calls it – is good for you no matter what time of year. When winter hits and the temperatures drop and the days get shorter, it just takes a little more creativity to turn your yard into an outdoor oasis.
“Our living landscapes transform when our yards and parks are covered with white snow,” says Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation, which advocates for the care and use of our backyards, community parks and public green spaces. “Mutt Mulligan the TurfMutt and I really enjoy spending time outside even when it’s cold and snowy. We just have to prepare properly for it and plan ahead.”
Here are the TurfMutt Foundation’s suggestions for turning your backyard into a winter wonderland:
• Take cues from your dog. Most dogs love to play in the snow because it offers new smells to sniff out and a new layer to dig through. Lace up your winter boots and enjoy your yard with your family, including your dog. Snowballs make for an excellent game of fetch. If you get enough snow, you can even create an obstacle course for your furry friend. Using a snow thrower will make quick work of the task and can provide a clear path for your pup to do his “business,” too.
• Light it up. Create a welcoming ambience that draws your family outside by stringing lights in your trees and shrubs and on your patio. You can also add lanterns and solar and battery operated candles around your yard to bathe your outdoor space in sparkly, inviting light.
• Add warmth. Being comfortable in the wintertime is all about temperature. Firepits are an excellent choice to add warmth, and they create an opportunity to gather around to make s’mores or tell stories. Patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces are another option to warm up your outdoor living room. For an added layer of comfort, set out a basket of blankets, along with packets of hand and toe warmers.
• Create snow activities. Lure your family outside by creating winter-themed activities that are fun for all ages. Snowball fights, snowman building sessions, a game of freeze tag, and even tic-tac-SNOW are just a few ways to make a game of being outside this winter.
• Attract wildlife. Throughout the year, your yard is an important part of the connected ecosystem, linking nature to the man-made world of our neighborhoods. Support wildlife in the wintertime by adding bird and squirrel feeders to your trees and patio. Then observe the kinds of wildlife that visit your yard and how they are different from other seasonal wildlife.
• Involve your community. Who says neighborhood block parties can only happen in the summertime? Create community this winter by inviting your neighbors to participate in a Winter Wonderland Block Party. You can host a snowman building contest or snowball competition and serve hot chocolate to warm up.
• Explore community green space. Take your winter backyarding into the community by exploring your neighborhood parks and other community green spaces. Take a nature walk to identify the wildlife you can spot in the wintertime. Or lace up your snowshoes or cross-country skis to explore the winter landscape. Grab the other kids on your block or in your building and hit the sledding hill at the community park. The options are endless!
• Dress for success. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing choices. Remember to bundle up and wear layers when you head outside this winter. You will also want to keep your pet safe by monitoring their time outside and removing the snow from under their bellies and in between their paw pads before heading back inside. Remember, if you are cold, your pet probably is, too.
For more, sign up for Mutt Mail, a monthly e-newsletter with backyarding tips and all the news from the TurfMutt Foundation here. To learn more about creating the yard of your dreams, visit TurfMutt.com. Look for Mulligan the TurfMutt on the CBS Lucky Dog television show.
About TurfMutt
TurfMutt was created by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation and has reached more than 70 million children, educators and families since 2009. Championed by Foundation spokesdog, Mulligan the TurfMutt, and through education partners such as Weekly Reader, Discovery Education and Scholastic, TurfMutt has taught students and teachers how to “save the planet, one yard at a time.” Today, TurfMutt is an official USGBC® Education Partner and part of their global LEARNING LAB. TurfMutt has been an education resource at the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Apple, the Center for Green Schools, the Outdoors Alliance for Kids, the National Energy Education Development (NEED) project, Climate Change Live, Petfinder and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2017, the TurfMutt animated video series won the coveted Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series. TurfMutt’s personal, home habitat was featured in the 2017-2020 Wildlife Habitat Council calendars. More information at www.TurfMutt.com. -
Reishi Functional Mushrooms Added to Yum Cha’s Best-Selling Organic Tea Line
Drinking tea offers a multitude of health benefits, making it a delightful and nourishing beverage. Packed with antioxidants, tea helps combat free radicals in the body, contributing to improved overall well-being. The moderate caffeine content in tea provides a gentle energy boost without the jittery effects often associated with other caffeinated beverages. Regular consumption has been linked to enhanced cognitive function and a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, such as heart disease and stroke. Additionally, the calming properties of certain herbal teas can promote relaxation and stress relief, fostering a sense of tranquility. With an array of flavors and varieties, tea is not only a versatile and flavorful drink but also a simple and enjoyable way to support a healthy lifestyle.
Yum Cha Tea Co. has added functional mushrooms to their best selling organic tea line. The inclusion of beneficial Reishi mushrooms for overall health and wellness complements the essential Cordyceps, Matcha, and Lion’s Mane offerings for immune support. Yum Cha Tea Company, located in Jacksonville, Florida is a well-known tea brand offering popular and seasonal flavors, and announces the addition of Reishi mushrooms to its collection of best-selling products. Tea lovers now enjoy the benefits of functional mushrooms in the Organic Matcha Reishi Tea and the Dual Extracted Organic Reishi Powder.
In addition to functional mushroom teas, Yum Cha Tea Company offers such popular varieties as Cordyceps, Matcha, and Lion’s Mane to its expansive collection for immune support and overall wellness, essential for the upcoming cold and flu season.
With the holiday season passed and everyone goes back to work, the mushroom teas are a non-alcoholic drink option for social settings, providing a relaxing aid for those with anxiety. The delicious offerings also work well for mocktails (like a tea ‘mosa with seltzer), detoxifying and even helping you sleep better.
The venerable Reishi mushroom, a cherished component of holistic wellness harking from ancient Eastern cultures, is known for its potential to bolster the immune system and enhance vitality with its antioxidant properties, helping individuals stay healthy during the fall and winter. Further, it is known to reduce oxidative stress and improve mental and physical well-being in a thoughtfully crafted extract.
Co-founder Zac Holzapfel is a beekeeper and shares his love for tea and nature through his mission. Along with his wife, Nicole, the pair have cultivated a unique collection of sought-after teas with plenty of benefits and flavorful notes that appeal to tea lovers worldwide.
Yum Cha Tea Company offers over 250 teas, tea gifts, recipes, and teaware. The collection features popular fall tea flavors, including Almondina Biscotti, Sugar Shack Maple, Caramel Vanilla Candy Rooibos, and Pumpkin Pie. The brand donates a portion of proceeds to create beehives that their team plants.
Surf Rider has all the flavors of Pina Colada with a touch of Barbados cherry (also called acerola cherry). The sweetness of pineapple and coconut are rounded out by the tart cherry and orange. Leaving you with a blend that has a natural sweetness from the fruits and a satisfying tang at the end.
Like the acai berry, the Barbados acerola cherry is full of potent antioxidants known as anthocyanins which gives the superfruit its bright red color. Baobab isn’t the only superfruit known for it’s high vitamin C content! Acerola’s primary superpower is its high vitamin C content. One cup of acerola cherries packs 1,700mg of vitamin C. You’d have to eat 16 cups of oranges to get that amount!
- Tea Cocktail Recommendations
Surf Rider has the flavors of a pina colada. So rum shines here. Wine also does a fantastic job making a quick cocktail. Steep ¼ glass surf rider in 16oz boiling water for 5 to 20 minutes. This will make a concentrate. Fill a glass with ice, then fill a quarter full with surf rider. Add rum and top with soda water. Sweeten to taste. For a wine tea cocktail or teamosa, fill glass with ice. Pour ¼ glass full of surf rider. Top with sparkling wine.
For a non-alcoholic option, fill your glass with ice. Fill half of your glass with surf rider concentrate. Transfer contents of the glass to a blender. Add a scoop of coconut ice cream. Blend to perfection. If you want to get crazy, before you do any of the above, cube pineapples, roll in brown sugar and butter. Add a pinch of salt to the mix. Bake for 15 minutes at 350F or until they look candied. Let cool. Add some of these to the bottom of the glass when you transfer your drink back to the glass. Serve with a wide straw so you can sip the candied pineapple pieces with your Surf Rider Shake.
- Ingredients
pineapple cubes, apple cubes, hibiscus blossoms, rose hip peel, orange peel, coconut chips, freeze-dried Barbados cherry pieces.
- Directions
Iced 16oz cup: 3 tsp tea steeped for 2 minutes in about 8 to 10 ounces of water. This concentrates the tea a bit so your beverage isn’t watered down. Fill glass with ice, pour and strain brewed tea into your glass. Enjoy! Hot: 1 tsp per 8 ounces of water steeped for 2 minutes. Strain and enjoy!
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Sennheiser Triples Down at CES 2024
The Sennheiser brand today reveals a trio of dynamic devices for high-performance audio enthusiasts
The all-new MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, ACCENTUM Plus, and MOMENTUM Sport make their debut at the Consumer Electronics Show, ushering in a new generation of feature-packed devices. The Sennheiser brand showcases premium earbuds and headphones stuffed with state-of-the-art technology for power users, bringing their acoustics expertise to the forefront of a connected, always-on world.
MOMENTUM True Wireless 4
Loaded with more than a dozen enhancements and larger-than-life sound, MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 is Sennheiser’s most capable earbud yet. It delivers unparalleled sound for the connected audio aficionado, with an impressive roster of connectivity built on the Qualcomm® S5 Sound Gen 2 platform and Snapdragon Sound™ Technology for aptX™ lossless sound quality and ultra-low latency.The Bluetooth® 5.4 earbuds will also bring Auracast™ support and an overhauled antenna design for exceptional signal continuity while on the go. Improved Adaptive ANC, evolved tuning, and an upgraded battery system make them an everyday companion for all of life’s adventures, among other practical enhancements. The fourth-gen MOMENTUM buds boast 7.5 hours of continuous audiophile-inspired listening, a Qi charging case, and quick charging over USB-C. MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 will be available in three colorways; black copper, metallic silver, and graphite—and will be available to pre-order on February 15th for $299.95 USD / $429.95 CAD.
ACCENTUM Plus
The new ACCENTUM Plus prioritizes a premium headphone listening experience for less. The Bluetooth® 5.2 headphones emphasize outstanding sound quality, battery life and versatile connectivity—supporting all popular codecs including aptX™ Adaptive for optimum sound no matter where you decide to use their 50 hours of listening time per charge. A touch-enabled earcup—also used in the flagship MOMENTUM series—offers intuitive feature control without needing to search for buttons or dive into menus.For power users, multipoint connectivity, wind-reduction and adjustable side-tone allows wearers toadapt to the world around them. Adaptive ANC optimizes its noise target to constantly adjust tochanges in the ambient noise environment around the wearer, reducing distractions so that the subtle details in your content shine through. And for those times when wireless listening is not permitted, an audio cable is included to tap into in-flight entertainment systems or other headphone outputs—the entire package stows away in the included travel case. ACCENTUM Plus will be available in black and white colorways and be available from February 20th for $229.95 USD / $ 329.95 CAD.
MOMENTUM Sport
Pulse-pounding Sennheiser sound is supercharged with real-time biometric feedback in MOMENTUM Sport, a new true wireless earbud optimized for fitness. It integrates both a photoplethysmography (PPG) heart rate sensor and a body temperature sensor that can each output critical data to popular fitness apps and devices. MOMENTUM Sport’s heart rate data connects and integrates seamlessly with many popular sport devices and apps, such as Apple Watch/Health, Garmin Watch/Connect, Strava, Peloton and more. For the first time ever in a non-Polar product, users will be able to enjoy full access to Polar’s elite biosensing capabilities and data analytics—including Body Temperature—offering real-time insights during training and deeper offline analysis via the Polar Flow app ecosystem.To minimize footstep noise, breathing, and other body-borne distractions, the earbuds feature an acoustic relief channel and semi-open design for natural environmental awareness. An adjustable Transparency mode, Anti-wind mode, and Adaptive Noise Cancelling mode let the wearer easily adapt as their surroundings change. The all-new acoustic system features a redesigned transducer that handily delivers the best sound quality yet in a Sennheiser sport earbud. Thanks to IP55 sweat & water resistance, a shock-proof chassis, and clog-resistant ear tips, MOMENTUM Sport are built to withstand the rigors of any workout. The equally tough IP54-rated, Qi-enabled carrying case stores up to three additional earbud recharges, extending the playback time from up to 6 hours to 24 total hours. A quick charge feature provides up to 45 minutes of playback after just 10 minutes of USB-C charging. MOMENTUM Sport will be available from April 9th. It will have an MSRP of $329.95 USD / $449.95 CAD and come in three colorways; Polar Black, Burned Olive, and Metallic Graphite.
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Orange County Tourism Website’s 2023 Visits Surpass Record-Breaking 1 Million for First Time
23% increase crushes previous annual records and inspires dynamic experiences for more visitors
The Orange County Tourism website, orangetourism.org, drew record-breaking traffic over the past year, surpassing 1 million annual visits for the first time.
The surge of website visits represented a 23% increase over 2022’s visits, which set the previous record. The increase was powered by a combination of Orange County’s many assets, County Executive Steven Neuhaus’ Four Seasons Campaign to promote year-round tourism and marketing strategies from the Tourism Department.
“A county with as many popular destinations as Orange County, N.Y., needs a dynamic, easy-to-use website to serve as the virtual gateway and roadmap for our visitors,” said Amanda Dana, Director of Orange County Tourism and Film. “Not only have we improved our website with eye-catching photos, easy-to-navigate webpages, and personal itinerary creation, but we have implemented creative marketing strategies successfully driving traffic to our site. Planning your trip has never been easier!”
“In Orange County, we have a unique blend of charming downtowns, natural beauty, fun activities for all and opportunities for escape, exploration and relaxation,” Neuhaus said. “Making investments in Orange County Tourism’s website and a variety of other marketing initiatives have led to success on many different levels. Reaching one million visits to this tourism gateway in one year is a testament to our incredible county, which is rich with fun-filled tourism assets.”
Orange County recently enhanced the website in collaboration with Focus Media, the tourism office’s Goshen, N.Y.-based public relations agency of record, and ITI Digital, a software solutions and digital service pioneer serving the travel industry. The site gives visitors access to everything they need within a single website – making trip planning a breeze. The upgrades created a dynamic look and through integration with Google Places, added features such as interactive GPS-enabled itineraries, and automated real-time dynamic content. The Tourism website has gone beyond a portal of static content and engages visitors to easily customize an itinerary for visiting Orange County, N.Y.!
Strategies utilized to increase traffic to the website include targeted digital advertising, social media advertising and organic growth, and calendar listings with more eye-catching photographs. The function for creating personal itineraries guides users through a simple process that suggests points of interest, places to eat and anything else the prospective visitor seeks. A highlight is the craft beverage section, which was expanded into a distinct microsite within the larger site, with profiles and videos of the breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries.
Among the site’s additions are:
- The Taste the Craft Trail Pass
- The Family Fun Trail Pass
- A new travel guide
- A wealth of new videos that include top destinations, craft beverage locations, family fun opportunities and more.
A steady stream of press releases posted to the website, with images, adds another dimension to promoting the county’s assets while maximizing search engine optimization (SEO). Images and landing pages are updated quarterly to showcase the seasons and offer a fresh look. Email sign-ups and travel guide request forms create strong calls to action and user interaction.
“Our strategic and innovative improvements continue to drive visitors to the website,” Dana said. “We invite you to check out orangetourism.org’s many offerings, and of course, to visit Orange County, N.Y., for good times and great memories.”
About Orange County Tourism & Film
Orange County Tourism & Film, based in Goshen, N.Y., is the county’s tourism and film production headquarters and a participant in the I LOVE NY program. A comprehensive listing of area attractions, lodging, events and film resources can be found at www.OrangeTourism.org. Additionally, a fun, free, 56-page travel guide is available for digital download at orangetourism.org/travel-
guide/.
