WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

The prospect of giving birth and the massive life changes that come along with a new baby can make mamas-to-be anxious as well as joyous. Meditation can help ease the physical and emotional challenges of new motherhood, quieting mind and body. Here are a few meditation tips for moms and non-moms alike.

Pick Your Place

Choose a meditation spot that puts you at ease: in your backyard listening to the birds sing, in a quiet room in your house, in a secluded spot in your favorite park.

Focus on Your Breath

Especially when you’re a beginning meditator, it can be hard to quiet your mind. When you find your thoughts wandering, corral them by breathe slowly through your nose, focusing your thoughts on the in and out sound of your breath. Deep, purposeful breathing is the gateway to deep, purposeful meditation.

Practice Makes Perfect

Your first attempts at meditation can be rocky. You might find yourself making a mental grocery list, or planning your weekend. Your legs cramp. Your breath grows shallow and unfocused. But don't give up, or beat yourself up. Like pretty much everything else, meditation gets easier with practice. So keep setting aside at least 15 minutes a day to meditate. Odds are, tomorrow’s 15 minutes will be even better than today’s.

ECO TIPS with friends

This time of year is an amazing time to spend with friends. Picnics! Beach days! Hikes! Here are our eco tips for having a fun and green time together.  

1. Staycation Together

 Travelling with friends can be so much fun. Instead of traveling somewhere far away, plan a staycation together. It reduces your carbon footprint, and can be just as much fun. Plus, you don't have to lug any baggage through security! Book a few nights at a locally owned bed and breakfast and explore your city by foot. Or even better, find a great local destination to go camping. You'll have loads of fun discovering your own city, and spending quality time with pals.

2. Give a Green Gift:

We have a soft spot for handmade gifts. Try putting together something special for a friend using reusable or repurposed items. You can transform a plain canvas bag into a beautiful tote using fabric paints. String together a fun and funky bracelet using recycled glass beads. Wrap your present up in newspaper and secure with twine and you have a great green gift. Your friends will appreciate the thought and love that you put into it.

3. Be a Role Model:

It might sound cheesy, but we really do look to our friends for guidance. When together, try visiting restaurants that serve local, organic produce. Volunteer to carpool on the way to events. Encourage them to recycle. Give them a reusable water bottle. They'll start to see that what's good for you is good for them too.

 

31 WEEKS & MOTHER'S DAY winner

Thank you to all of you who entered our Mother’s Day giveaway. We loved reading your heartfelt and loving memories. Myda’s story of her family coming together on Mother’s Day in the wake of such incredible sadness to celebrate Mom brought tears to our eyes. Congratulations, Myda. Sounds like you have a truly amazing family. 

ECO STYLE thanks, hatch

Back in January, I told you about Hatch, a great maternity line full of clothes that can be worn before, during, and after your pregnancy. Well, the people over at Hatch were nice enough to send me a few pieces that are really putting the spice back into my closet. Thought I'd share a few pics of my latest duds. Thanks, Hatch!

31 WEEKS & MOTHER'S DAY giveaway

Happy Mother’s Day! I am officially 31 weeks pregnant and getting bigger every day. As I’m about to become a mama for the second time, Mother’s Day seems a little bit more special this year. In honor of all the mothers out there, I want to hear about your favorite Mother’s Day memory. We’ll read through your responses and pick one special lady to receive a Josie Maran Argan Balm, which is great for everything from rough elbows to stretch marks. I hope you all have a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend.  We’ll announce the winner on Monday! 

JOSIE'S PICKS gifts for mom

I hope you’ve all remembered to do your Mother’s Day shopping, but if not here are a few of my picks from Etsy. My choices were inspired by my favorite color: turquoise. Enjoy!

French Country Birdhouse

Mint Julep Owls

Aqua Accent Pillow

Aqua High Gloss Wooden Tray

Vintage Distressed Garden Crate

Moroccan Gold Earrings

WORKOUT WEDNESDAY with For Two Fitness

It is our second week of pregnancy workout tips with For Two Fitness! This week we’ll be focusing on strength and toning exercises to keep you strong during your pregnancy and after! 

STRENGTH TIPS

Work your Biceps

In just a few months you’ll be lifting your little one every day, so you should focus on building strength little by little over the course of your pregnancy. Try bicep curls with five-pound weights. Make sure your legs are shoulder-width apart and knees are loose. Raise the weights slowly towards your shoulders, keeping the chest up. Do ten reps then rest.

Try some Squats

Did you know that some women deliver in the squatting position? Squatting strengthens your thighs and glutes, both of which you will definitely need during labor. Make sure to keep your heels on the ground, and try holding the squat for at least 10 seconds.

Do your Kegels

This is the perfect strength tip for the woman on the go. Kegels can be done anywhere! They tone your pelvic floor to prepare you for labor. So what is a Kegel? It’s the same exercise that you do when you have a very full bladder and have to hold it. Flex those muscles!  

A DAY IN THE LIFE: Josie's Birthday

Hi Argan Beauties! Today is my birthday and my amazing coworkers threw me a little party at the office to celebrate! The event was complete with a delicious fish tacos, cake, and lots of great music. I even showed off my DJ skills! 

Everyone pitched in to get me a pair of great chairs for my porch in Pennsylvania, plus a special pink one for Rumi! Makes me feel so lucky to have such an amazing group of people care about me. 

Tell me about your best birthday ever! 

IN THE KITCHEN: Baked Apricots & Greek Yogurt

Stone fruit is one of my favorite things about summer. There’s nothing like biting into a ripe peach and having the juice run down your chin. I jumped the gun a little bit and bought some apricots last weekend that just weren’t quite ready. I found this recipe for baked apricots, and oh boy were they good. I made some alterations to make the recipe a bit simpler (my version, below) but baking them made all the sweet and tart flavors of the apricots really come to life. I served them over a bit of honeyed greek yogurt for a sweet and healthy treat.  

What summer produce are you eager for?

 Josie’s Baked Apricots with Greek Yogurt-generously serves 2

 Ingredients:

• 4 apricots
• 4 tsps. butter (try coconut oil if you’re vegan)
• 4 tsps. brown sugar
• 3 tbsp. water
• 1 cup greek yogurt
• 2 tbsps. honey

Preheat oven to 350°. Halve and pit apricots and place in shallow baking pan.  Add 1/2 tsp of butter to the hollow of each apricot. Sprinkle 1/2 tsp of brown sugar onto each apricot. Pour water into bottom of baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes or until tender and bubbling.

Combine honey with greek yogurt and stir. Split between two serving dishes. Serve hot apricots on top of yogurt. Dig in!

Images via:

MoxieQ, A Wee Bit of Sugar

A DAY IN THE LIFE Pennsylvania Summer

In a few weeks, Ali, Rumi Joon, Baby (due in July!) and I will be moving to Pennsylvania for the summer. We are staying in an idyllic farmhouse with 200 acres in the countryside—a far cry from the busy, bustling streets of L.A.! Here are a few pics of our new outdoor playground. I can't wait to make daisy chains with Rumi and welcome my new little bean into the world in Pennsylvania.