Thursday, December 3, 2009

It's Time to Talk Day: teen dating abuse


An amazing Mama, Meaghan Morelli from mamascup.com, is spreading the word on teen dating abuse. So the following is what Meaghan helped draft for Liz Claiborne Inc. on this important issue. Please read but most importantly, start talking!
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Una gran Mamá, Meaghan Morelli de mamascup.com está hablando sobre el problema del abuso en adolescentes cuando tienen una cita romántica. Lo que sigue es lo que Meaghan ayudó a redactar acerca de este tema para Liz Claiborn Inc. Por favor, lean lo que sigue pero sobre todo, empiecen a hablar.


Liz Claiborne It’s Time to Talk Day
You’re a well-informed parent, committed to raising a healthy family. You read food labels, give your kids vitamins. You enforce bedtime, check homework. You’ve had—or are planning to have—conversations with your kids about the dangers of alcohol and tobacco use.
But are you planning to talk to your kids about dating abuse? A recent study by Liz Claiborne Inc. showed that parents are seriously out of touch with the realities of dating violence. The majority of parents surveyed couldn’t identify the warning signs of teen dating abuse. The majority of teens surveyed don’t confide in their parents about their abusive relationships. Sometimes teens themselves don’t know that they’re what they’re experiencing is wrong or where to get help. At a critical stage in their development, teens are taught about the impact of drug abuse, drunk driving, smoking, but they are not taught how to identify and engage in healthy relationships or what to do if a relationship turns abusive.
Isn’t it time to start talking? Liz Claiborne Inc.’s Moms and Dads for Education (MADE) to Stop Teen Dating Abuse is a coalition of parents, teachers and concerned citizens advocating that every high school in the country teach a curriculum on preventing dating relationship violence and abuse. MADE highlights: the power of education, the importance of reaching kids as they are beginning to engage in relationships and the potential for parental involvement to effect prevention.
On Thursday, December 3rd, Liz Claiborne Inc. will host their 6th annual “It’s Time To Talk Day” at their New York City headquarters in partnership with Talk Radio News Service. Celebrities including Mariska Hargitay, Tim Gunn, Malaak Compton-Rock, Ann Shoket, Editor in Chief of Seventeen, and Stacy Morrison, Editor in Chief of Redbook, nationally renowned authors, corporate and government leaders will join with advocates, relationship and adolescent development experts, parents of victims, and teen survivors from across the country to get the conversation started. Leading local and national talk radio hosts will conduct interviews with these participants who are willing to speak-up about domestic violence and teen dating abuse.
“It’s Time To Talk Day” is also an opportunity for Mom Bloggers to help spark a national conversation about the importance of parents taking action and talking to their children about healthy relationships. Anyone can be part of this national day of awareness by joining MADE, www.loveisnotabuse.com/MADE, and by advocating for teen dating abuse education in middle and high schools. (Our website has some great ideas on how to get the conversation started.)
As a parent and blogger, your support is invaluable in raising awareness on this issue. All of our children benefit from your involvement. By actively and vocally promoting healthy relationships, we can effect change. By starting the conversation, we can help stop the violence.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Moments

For a while, I have been srambling to find a moment to hear myself think and this week seems as hectic. I long to read a fashion magazine and soak in the pretty pictures of miracle lotions and silky lipsticks in shades I'll never buy.
Even as I daydream I'm escaping everyday reality I realize there are no excuses for not being present for my daughter. She is soaking in the world around her - every drop of it - and learning to live in it as complain that I have no time to shower, dream about automated house chores and the power of telekinesis.
So, here goes belated Thanksgiving 2009: I am truly thankful for all the moments that make up my day, the not so perfect and the sublime.
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Hace un tiempo que trato de encontrar un momento para escucharme pensar y esta semana va a ser tan movida como las anteriores. Sueño con tener tiempo de leer una revista de moda e impregnarme de fotos bonitas con cremas que hacen milagros y de labiales en colores que nunca voy a comprar.
Incluso cuando sueño que me escapo de la realidad diaria me doy cuenta de que no hay escusas para no estar presente para mi hija. Ella absorbe cada gota del mundo a su alrededor y aprende a vivir mientras yo me quejo de que no tengo tiempo para ducharme, y sueño con quehaceres automatizados y con tener el poder de telekinesis.
Entonces acá van mis sentimientos por el Día de acción de gracias atrasado: Estoy verdareramente agradecida por todos los momentos que componen mi día, los no tan perfectos y los maravillosos.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Lavanda

Desde hace unos años el aroma que prefiero es el de la lavanda. Compro jabones, shampoo, cremas para el cuerpo, perfumes y velas con lavanda. En la aromaterapia la lavanda se recomienda como calmante (muy suave) para conciliar el sueño o para disminuir el estrés y la ansiedad. También tiene propiedades antisépticas y anti-inflamatorias.
Estuve buscando en internet un lugar para comprar las flores secas y hay una variedad abismal de precio y calidad del producto.
Si les interesa comprar productos hechos con lavanda les recomiendo la variedad lavandula agustifolia, en especial si compran el aceite esencial.
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For some time now, lavander has been my favorite scent; I get lavander soaps, shampoo, body lotions, perfumes and candles. Lavander is used in aromatheraphy as a mild sedative for better sleep or to diminish stress and anxiety. It also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.
I was digging in the web to order dried lavander flowers and the variety in price and quality is abysmal.
If you are interested in buying lavander products I recommend that you get lavandula agustifolia, especially in essential oils.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Magic (soap)

Have I ever mentioned how terrific Dr Bronner's Magic Soap is? Since my baby was born I buy the lavander scented Dr Bronner's liquid castille soap. Want to feel great by benefiting the environment and yourself? Use this soap. It comes in many varieties and they all are biodegradable, vegetable based, made with certified Fair Trade organic essential oils.
Oh, and there's other products form Dr Bronner's worth checking, like the lip balms and lotions.
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Seguro alguna vez les conté acerca del jabón Dr Bronner's. Desde que nació mi hija compro el jabón de castilla con aroma a lavanda de Dr Bronner's. ¿Se quieren sentir bien por contribuir con el medio ambiente y por hacer algo bueno para uds mismos? Usen este jabón. Viene en varias fragancias y son todos biodegradables, de origen vegetal y hechos con aceites esenciales orgánicos y Fair Trade.
Y hay otros productos de Dr Bronner's que vale la pena mirar como las cremas corporales y los labiales.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Mommy Time

I promised myself some Mommy time after a long month full of emotions - from health concerns to 1st ever birthday parties. And it's been hard even to decide what qualifies as Mommy time every day. Should showering be considered time to myself... those whole 5 minutes? Does reading once I start the laundy count... right there I have 25 minutes! I'm open to suggestions from other busy women.
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Me promeí tiempo para mí luego de un mes lleno de emociones fuertes - desde preocupaciones de salud hasta festejos del 1er cumpleaños. Hasta me es difícil definir que constituye un poco de tiempo para mí cada día. ¿Debería contar la ducha diaria? (todos los 5 minutos). ¿Y leer mientras lavo la ropa cuenta? (serían unos 25 minutos). Acepto sugerencias de otras mujeres ocupadas.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Your Story

Just swim

Just swim

Go on with your story.

by Dainin Katagiri Roshi

I first came across this poem when reading Writing Down the Bones by N Goldberg in 2002. And I've read all of her books since - more than once. Every time I read them I get transported somewhere else. These are not her words but that of her Zen teacher. Wow!
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Sólo naden
Sólo naden
Sigan con su historia.

por Dainin Katagiri Roshi

La primera vez que encontré este poema fue leyendo el libro Writing Down the Bones de N. Goldberg en 2002. Desde entonces leí todos sus libros - más de una vez. Cada vez que los leo me transporto a otro lugar. Estas no son sus propias palabras sino las de su maestro Zen. Increíble.


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Motherhood (the movie)

Yay! I went to the movies. And saw a movie that was too close for comfort. Motherhood, staring Uma Thurman revolves around a Mom trying to keep up with her hectic life and myriad of roles: mom, wife, blogger, friend, cleaning lady. On this particular day, she's going through a ridiculously long list of tasks to put together her little girl's birthday party. (I'm living this movie!)

I recommend it only for relaxed Moms (oxymoron) and to view it with the moral support of a fellow exhausted Mother.

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Si, fui al cine. Y ví una pelicula demasiado pareceida a la vida real. La maternidad, es la película en la que Uma Thurman es una Mamá que trata de sobrellevar lo mejor posible su vida ocupada y sus miles de roles de mamá, esposa, blogger, amiga, señora de la limpieza. En este día en particular, ella trata de terminar una lista ridículamente larga de tareas para preparar la fiesta de cumpleaños de su niña. ( Estoy viviendo esta pelicula).

La recomiendo sólo para amás que estén relajadas (oxímoron) y para mirarla con el soporte emocional de otra Madre exhausta.