During your pregnancy, you will go through a roller coaster of emotions. Having a baby
is a beautiful thing, but you need to make sure that throughout your pregnancy you are not neglecting yourself and your health. Remember that you are a person too, and the vessel that is carrying a new life!

In order to have a healthy pregnancy, you need to take care of yourself and feel good about what you look like, so that when you look in the mirror you don’t just see a belly, but a stunning woman.

Below are a few Novena products that will help you feel better and more beautiful
during this Mother’s Day season.

1. Organic Beauty Breast Cream: This cream contains ingredients that were
   hand-picked to bring a unique and effective product for women that have
   existing stretch marks, sudden growth spurts and women that want to
   prevent them.
2. Organic Beauty Belly Cream: This luxurious cream consists of cocoa butter,calendula, and macadamia oil that aid in preventing development of stretch marks. It penetrates your skin leaving a velvety smooth feel with silkiness, not stickiness.
3. Organic Cucumber Cranberry Eye Gel: The cucumbers in this gel cool and soothe, while the cranberries go to work on diminishing fine lines and dark circles. Just one tiny drop is all you need to send your tired, puffy eyes away!
4. Organic Citrus Blemish Lotion: With this lotion, you can have acne-free skin before, during and after pregnancy without the worry of harmful or toxic chemicals.

It’s always important to take care of yourself and your body at every chapter of
your life. After having kids, your focus shifts to them and their well-being. But
this Mother’s Day, pamper yourself. Buy some soothing Novena products and visit
Skintique in Coral Gables. You’ll be given the chance to relax and wind down on
your special day – and you deserve it.

Did you know that eating poorly while you are pregnant leaves your baby less able to properly store fats later in life? According to recent research, this means that your baby will be at a higher risk of diabetes. It is very important to maintain a balanced diet during your pregnancy, not only for you, but also for your baby. Did you know you should be consuming about 300 more calories to maintain your unborn baby?

Below are some foods you should include in your diet, and foods you should avoid eating.

Foods to include:

• Fiber: Make sure to eat plenty food with fiber like cereal, whole-grain bread, pastas, rice, fruits and vegetables.
• Avocado: Did you know that avocados are loaded with folic acid, potassium, vitamin C and vitamin B6. These ingredients are all vital to forming your baby’s brain and nervous system. Spread some ripe avocado on your whole grain roll!
• Vitamin C: Bet you didn’t know you should be getting about 70mg of vitamin C on a daily basis! Grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, cauliflowers and broccoli are all good sources of vitamin C.

Foods to avoid:

• Soft cheese: Feta, Brie, Camembert, and Mexican-style cheese are often unpasteurized, which means they can easily cause bacterial disease.
• Caffeine: You should really limit the amount of caffeine you intake to no more than 300mg a day. Grocery list items with high levels of caffeine include coffee, tea and chocolate.
• Alcohol: It is extremely important to avoid drinking alcohol during your pregnancy. It seems obvious enough, but many people don’t realize that alcohol has been proven to cause premature births, low birth weights and even mental retardation.

Whether you are home or at a restaurant, think before you eat. Make sure it is healthy for you and the newest member of family.

Not sure about your favorite snacks or have another question about dieting during pregnancy? Visit our Facebook page!

Did you know that on average, you place 126 ingredients on your skin daily? Every day we use cosmetic products; whether it is shampoo when we are washing our hair or toothpaste when we are brushing our teeth. I bet you don’t really think twice when using them, but did you know, that according to the FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, “…a cosmetic manufacturer may use almost any raw material as a cosmetic ingredient and market the product without an approval from FDA” (FDA 1995). Now, that is something to think about.

Many of the products that we use on our skin daily contain harmful chemicals such as parabens and dibutyl phthalate. In August 2005, scientists published a study where they found a relationship between phthalates and feminization of U.S. male babies,
and they named fragrance the possible culprit. Parabens were also found in
human breast tumors, and it was questioned whether deodorant was the source.

During your pregnancy you are told not to smoke, drink alcohol and what foods to stay away from. No one ever tells you what you shouldn’t apply to your skin. Remember that what you apply on your skin ultimately ends up in your bloodstream, and can be easily passed on to your developing baby. Choose products with organic ingredients to ensure skin safety. Remember to read labels and make the right decision for you and your little one.

Need more information or have a question? Visit our Facebook page!

Now that you are pregnant and feeling beautiful, there are precautions you need to take in order to keep yourself and your little one safe. Below are a few things you should be aware of when beautifying during pregnancy.

1. Be careful of manicures & pedicures: It is important to take precautions
   when stepping in to a nail salon. Be careful of the many harmful chemical fumes circulating in the air and as always, make sure to get your nails done at a place you trust.
2. Be aware of facials: Your skin becomes much more sensitive as you advance in your pregnancy. Because of this, you should stay away from facial peels and anything containing high contents of Vitamin A, like Retin-A. It is better to calm the skin with soothing lotions like our Organic Luminescent Moisturizer. When you are not sure, consult with your health care provider for a list of ingredients and treatments you should stay away from.
3. Be cautious of hair treatments: There is a lot of controversy surrounding this topic. While there hasn’t been a conclusive study done, most healthcare providers will suggest waiting to indulge in these activities until after the first trimester. There are new hair colors in the market that are ammonium and formaldehyde free, all of which you can find at your nearest Whole Foods and other specialty stores.
4. Don’t take hot baths: While you are pregnant, you shouldn’t take very steamy baths, use hot tubs, steam rooms or saunas. Getting too hot during pregnancy can be dangerous to you and your baby’s health. Since babies do not have the ability to sweat, they become more susceptible to the deadly effects of heat.

Need more information or have a question – visit our Facebook page!

Pregnancy can be scary because of the uncertainty. It can be the most healthy  and natural  period or the most stressful one. One of the most important things to keep in mind while you’re pregnant is your health. You aren’t just taking care of
yourself now, but also your little one.

Here are a few tips you should keep handy on your refrigerator, and make sure to
abide by them every day:

1. Avoid any toxic substances completely. Read labels!
2. Avoid undercooked meats.
3. Start eating six meals instead of three larger ones.
4. Drink enough water to stay hydrated. At least 8 / 8oz glasses a day.
5. Do not try any new exercises during pregnancy, but stay active.
6. Take care of your skin before, during and after your delivery! It will be constantly changing and needs proper care to stay balanced and beautiful.
7. Always follow your licensed professional suggestions. When in doubt; ask!

These simple tips and precautions will affect your pregnancy in a positive manner and further enrich your experience!