Is Wellness a Luxury?

I was on the website, huffingtonpost.com and i came across this article and it made me pause and think about this title. Even the fact that wellness could be a luxury issue is concerning. It goes back to how expensive the foods we purchase are and how difficult it has come for us to take care of ourselves. Wellness, as part of the health care debate, should be something that is offered to all citizens, regardless of where we reside. She speaks to these three factors (where you live, price and ethnicity/race) that impact on wellness.

In the following paragraphs, Ms.Pooja R. Mootl expands on these factors...

Where you live matters:
If you can't get it, you can't eat it! Being able to get your hands on fresh, nutritious food is harder for some urban and rural populations than it is for the rest. In her campaign to make American children live healthier, Michelle Obama discusses access as it relates to "food deserts" where a lot of inner city kids as well as those from rural America don't have supermarkets within reach - only fast food restaurants and bodegas. Manhattan's Borough President, Scott Stringer is also trying to address this problem in a major way through a new initiative based on the report, FoodNYC, that aims to promote urban agriculture and regional food production. Moreover, studies have shown that obesity rates can actually be predicted by zip code.

Price Matters.
Even if you can get your hands on it, can you afford it? Research has shown that nutrient-deplete foods average around $1.76 per 1,000 calories versus healthy, nutrient-rich foods which can average nearly 10 times more than that. If you can buy an entire lunch meal at a fast food restaurant for $1 versus a head of organic broccoli for more than $3, eating for your wellness becomes a pretty tough decision. Healthy foods simply cost more. And, unfortunately, vegetables and fruits are becoming luxury goods for many. So its not surprising that scientists find the highest rates of obesity among people in lower income groups.

Ethnicity and Race Matters
In a recent report released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Surgeon General Regina Benjamin noted in her Vision for a Healthy and Fit Nation, that many racial and ethic groups in our country are disproportionately affected by the epidemic of overweight and obesity. Her report states that among 40 to 59-year-old women, about 52 percent of non-Hispanic blacks and 47 percent of Hispanics are obese versus 36 percent for non-Hispanic whites. And in the super popular, academy award nominated documentary, Food Inc., it's noted that according to the CDC, 50 percent of American minorities born after 2000 will contract early onset diabetes in their lifetimes as opposed to about 33 percent for non-minority groups.


Some of Ms. Pooja's ideas are well noted and again it is an urgent discussion we should continue to have until EFFECTIVE AND APPROPRIATE CHANGES are made that impact all of us FAIRLY. Wellness should not be a luxury, it is necessity. To look at her complete article and for further interested reading, check out this website... http://www.huffingtonpost.com/pooja-r-mottl/has-wellness-become-a-lux_b_479685.html.

The Fashionable-Affordable Maternity and Nursing Wear

So as you are aware this blog wants to bring diverse women together. It also wants to bring the best clothing line designed for a comfortable nursing and motherhood. So we went on search of the website where you can purchase some of these garments.

Expressiva is the website dedicated to mothers who want to be stylish but also have freedom to breastfeed their little ones when out and about. There is a variety of choice for affordable top, dresses, bras and nightgowns. All for the comfort to breastfeed. There is also the choice of covers whilst breastfeeding although I am not convinced of its benefit for the child. So The dresses and tops are excellent (no one is paying me to say this, you can see for yourself on their page).

Another good find are these two website in the UK. Isabella Oliver (left), their aim is to produce produce effortlessly chic collections; multifunctional must-haves that provide style confidence when you need it most. They have managed to do so by creating timeless classics with a contemporary twist such as ruche and wrap accents to create comfortable and stylish maternity essentials in easy and wearable fabrics. This to prove that you can be pretty and fashionable whilst pregnant and breastfeeding. Please check their website out.

The other cloth line that we find fabulous are by FertileMind (right). The garments are classy and elegant. According to us women/mothers would like to wear these kind of line. There many items in sale so please don't hesitate. This post will be breve because there are so many website dedicated to maternity/nursing wear, we loved these three and wanted to share it with you all.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

Hope everyone enjoyed Valentine's Day. Just remember it is not a one day event, the idea of spreading love, giving flowers and chocolates and cards are all something that should be given on a regular basis. Another idea, next time instead of indulging in all the pleasures of V-Day...spread the love to an older person who may not have anyone to share the day with. Trust me, it is a day worth spending.