New Mommy Files, Part 10

Last week I was writing to you all at 7:30 Saturday morning, right before taking a trip down south so Raine could see her dad and ailing great-grandmother. I'm back at it again. It’s around 8:30 am Saturday and I am once again heading south. Initially this trip was for a happy reason—my aunt and uncle’s 50th wedding anniversary (God bless ‘em). But I just heard that Raine’s great-grandmother has passed away. Last week my prediction was correct—Raine did put quite a few smiles on her father’s face as he was dealing with his grandmother’s condition. So once again I hope little Raine can remind everyone about the cycle of life. It doesn’t make losing a loved one any easier, but it can’t hurt.

On the mommy end—I lost 4 pounds! Something about going down to Virginia melts off a few pounds. Could the NY air be flooded with calories along with the bus and car exhaust? I’m beginning to wonder. I hesitate to step on the scale this week because we’ve had plenty of fund-raiser bake offs at work. But I’ve eaten a lot of sushi and worked my Windsor Pilates DVD. It’s not melting off fast enough with all of these cute summer dresses! It’s pure torture when I grab what I would usually wear and it looks horrendous. I’m quickly learning that having the baby was the easy part. Losing the pounds is much harder. And if even the thought of having another child pops up, I can’t start where I am now. I can see what my future holds if I don’t get this weight off: high blood pressure, diabetes. All of those conditions that have a grip on our people.

I’m off to the highways. Have a great weekend!

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion
mcaster@heartandsoul.com

Atlanta, Here We Come!

Do you love the Buick/Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion tour? Do you want more? Have no fear; this tour is far from over! We’ve made our mark in Dallas, Memphis, Baltimore, and now we are headed to Atlanta.

Heart & Soul will be visiting Atlanta’s Stone Mountain Park from noon to 6 p.m. on July 28. Radio One’s family of four stations will create a festival that will be one of the biggest urban family events of the summer, filled with celebrities performers, tons of food and plenty of family fun. The Buick/Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion is the perfect “vehicle” to showcase our brands.

The Heart & Soul team of specialists, including fitness expert Mocha Lee, nutritionist Surina Jordan, Ph.D., and Healthy Weight Plan chef Kathryn Clay, who had lost more than 50 pounds, will give health and fitness demonstrations that are guaranteed to help you have a healthier lifestyle. Crème of Nature, Black Radiance and Nubian Heritage will also be joining us again to provide lots of fun, lots of information and a ton of free give-a-ways.

Plus, you can learn about our cover model search and meet publisher Edwin Avent, as well as editorial director Yanick Rice Lamb and contributing editor Joyce Davis, both of whom will be signing copies of their latest books. Yanick is the co-author of "Born to Win: The Authorized Biography of Althea Gibson" (Wiley) and "Rise & Fly: Tall Tales and Mostly True Rules of Bid Whist." Joyce is author of the popular teen book "Can't Stop the Shine" (Kimani Press).

Our last stop in Baltimore was full of history and culture. The audience listened to great music while participating in exhilarating health and fitness demonstrations. If you haven’t attended already, trust me, you want to visit the next tour stop near you.

Soul mates don’t forget to come back to www.heartandsoul.com and give us feedback on what you thought of our tour. We want to hear your success stories, or if we need to improve. Our goal is to help you live a healthy, wealthy and wise lifestyle.
2007 Buick/Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion Tour

June 16
Dallas, Fair Park Fairgrounds

June 23
Memphis, Audubon Park

June 6, 7, 8
Baltimore, Camden Yards

July 28
Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park

Aug. 11
Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium

Aug. 19
Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Sept. 2
Houston, Eleanor Tinsley Park

Dominique Jones
Intern

New Mommy Files, Part 9

It's 7 a.m. and I’m about to hit the road to go pick up Raine from her week with the grandparents. Remember I wrote last week how organized and structured my week had to be? For the most part it was. But I surely didn’t complete all the tasks that I wanted to. My co-workers had to chuckle at how scheduled I was. Monday and Tuesday evenings I was scheduled down to the hour: 7:30-8:30 go to grocery store, 8:30-9:00 clean kitchen, 9:00-9:15 take out the trash. I even gave myself 10 minutes to slap rollers in my hair. Call me crazy, but it worked. Monday was by far my best day and I plan to continue to plan my days. I felt such a sense of accomplishment. I had to wonder what in the world I did with all of the spare time I had pre-baby. I can only conclude that I was a total slouch!

But my week got a little out of whack because Raine’s great-grandmother is very sick. I never knew my great-grandparents, so it is amazing to me that Raine has two great-grandmothers. Her dad’s grandmother is in the hospital, so I spent most of my evenings on the phone with him. This all leads up to why I’m picking up Raine. We’re going to head to her dad. He needs to see her. Right now he is consumed with the hospital and his grandmother; Raine will give him a mental break.

I’ve found it doesn’t matter how bad your day is, you have to smile when there is a baby around. Raine was a little ray of sunshine with my parents this week, too, because they were dealing with funeral arrangements for my dad’s aunt. Every time I called I could hear family that had gathered either playing with, feeding or talking about Raine. It got even better when 5-year old cousin India hit the scene yesterday. You just have a lighter heart when kids are around—especially young ones (I don’t know a thing about teenager angst). So once again, baby Raine is on tour, and I’m glad she will be able to meet her aunt and uncle on her dad’s side of the family.

I’m prepared to be the invisible mother this weekend while Raine grabs the spotlight. And she’s so cool about it too. At five months, she’s recognizing familiar faces and giving the gas face to strangers. But she warms up to people pretty quickly. She just had her doctor’s appointment and she’s grown about an inch and gained about a pound, coming in at a whopping 13! She makes for great exercise for the arms! Gotta go pack the car—I only scheduled 20 minutes to write this blog. Enjoy the weekend!

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion
mcaster@heartandsoul.com

New Mommy Files, Part 8

Raine is off to the grandparents for the week. I’m just getting back from dropping her off—a six-hour roundtrip. You do what you gotta do these days. So I’m anxious to see how disciplined I can be this week to get a lot accomplished. Everything from paying bills to cleaning to shaving my legs. Hey, speaking of mommy maintenance, I found a great product— Heel Balm by Flexitol—if your heels are getting a little crusty. I admit mine are a bit cracked. I blame walking the NYC streets in flip-flops.

I’m on the hunt for some great baby products, too. I would love to go natural with Raine. Wouldn’t that be great? But let’s be realistic: It ain’t happening. If anyone can spread the knowledge about lotions or hair products for babies that you really like I’d appreciate it. I want to find products the whole family can use. We do use (including baby Raine) Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil. Love it! And at $18 it’s worth it with the three of us rubbing it on.

Since the last post Raine’s two bottom teeth have really popped through and she is trying to sit up alone. She’s almost there. The teeth are dangerous though. I still try to breastfeed Raine at night, but she bit me so hard that I am seriously reconsidering. At five months she is also eating solid foods. Just a few tablespoons of rice cereal a day. She loves it. Most of it ends up on her face, but she grabs the spoon and shoves it in her mouth. She loves food and sleep. Now that’s my girl!

Speaking of food, I’m trying to eat better. I’ve cut back on the bread and try to snack more sensibly. I just can’t eat half a pizza anymore. The Windsor Pilates DVD I bought is fun, though I haven’t done it enough to see a difference yet.

I miss Raine already. I’m home alone. Hopefully Daddy will be home most of this week so we can have some couple time. It is work keeping that alive! All the touchy-touchy goes to Raine. She gets all of the hugs and all of the kisses. Her dad is absolutely in love with her. She may be the only woman in the entire world who can get this man to jump at her command! I’m a little jealous. I read that the transfer of affection goes to the baby in many cases. I didn’t believe it but it is so true. Your touch quota really gets filled up with the baby.

So a lot needs to be accomplished this week--cleaning, organizing, life planning, date time...all around the work schedule. I’ll let you know how it goes. And please, you other mothers out there, share with me how you keep the home fires burning!

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion
mcaster@heartandsoul.com

New Mommy Files, Part 7

Little Raine is five months old today. She has two new teeth coming in and everything! It's been a short five months. Within a five-month period I've had my maternity leave, gone back to work and in general adjusted to this new life. But the time is going by so fast. Two teeth today, college tomorrow. I'm more worried about myself than I am about her when it comes to this flying time. When you have a little one looking up to you, it puts the heat on to be the best you that you can be. I feel far from that.

Especially having a little girl—you just want her to grow up and be the bomb. And I know I am going to be the first person she looks to for the blueprint. So I don't know how much longer I can go through my days not leading the life that I know I'm supposed to be living. You know that nagging feeling you have that something else is out there for you? I've dragged my feet before but now it seems almost criminal.

The challenge? Finding the time to clear my head enough to let my thoughts gather. You know the robot I talked about a few entries back? It's still happening. But I'm going to try to shake it off—between spending a total of 13 hours a day getting to work, working and getting home from work. Children really do make you aware of time. All you new mommies, let's try to use the minutes wisely.

There was a tip I wanted to share with you today but I can't for the life of me remember! My mind has really gone to mush lately. The memory is fading fast. As soon as I remember I'll share it. Well, it's time to give Raine a bath and hopefully get her to sleep.

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion

Home Sweet Home!

Do you want more Heart & Soul magazine? Do you need tips for living a healthy, wealthy and wise lifestyle? Then want no more! The Buick/Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion tour is coming to a city near you. This amazing tour will visit Baltimore, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia and Houston.

Come join the fun and excitement July 6 (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.), 7 and 8 (noon to 6 p.m. both days) at the next stop at the Camden Yards in our hometown … Baltimore! This family-oriented empowerment series is guaranteed to help you make healthy, life-altering decisions. Heart & Soul magazine will promote health and wellness under air-conditioned tents, offering massages, manicures and health screenings.

Workshops, seminars and demonstrations include Body Clinic with workouts led by Charles Harris of Chezel-It Fitness Center in Baltimore; Natural Healing with tips from nutritionist Surina Jordan, Ph.D., and Soul Kitchen with healthy cooking techniques from Healthy Weight Plan chef Kathryn Clay. Plus, you can meet Heart & Soul editor Yanick Rice Lamb, managing editor Kendra Lee and other members of the team. Find out how you can land on the pages or cover of this popular magazine. This is definitely something you don’t want to miss!

Heart & Soul wants you to leave this tour well educated about living healthier, which is why you will receive the latest issue of the magazine when you visit our tent and subscribe or renew your subscription. Celebrate your man with the June/July issue of Heart & Soul. Honor good fathers, and praise black men who are getting it done in the community. Learn how to recognize the symptoms of his depression and how to help him seek treatment. You will also be given the wonderful opportunity to subscribe to Heart & Soul and become a soul mate!

After visiting the Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion tour, come back to our blog at www.heartandsoul.com and tell us what you think. We want to hear your success stories! Let us know how we helped or if there is anything else we can do to improve your healthy, wealthy and wise lifestyle.

If you can’t make it to a tour stop, visit us regularly at www.heartandsoul.com. In addition to the wealth of information that we normally offer, you can find out what you missed on our blogs. We are providing great feedback and exclusive photos straight from the tour locations.

The tour’s first stop was in Dallas at the 6th Annual Stone Soul Picnic at the Fair Park Fairgrounds. This family affair was the largest Juneteenth Festival in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. “What a fun event,” said Darlene Jett of Bishop’s Day Spa in Dallas. “Your staff was great, and my girls had a great time enjoying all those beautiful clients. We were happy to represent Heart & Soul magazine.”

The second stop in Memphis at the Audubon Park was packed with even more excitement. I had the pleasure of experiencing the fun and activities myself, and I didn’t want to go home. This is truly one family reunion that you won’t want to leave. Stay tuned for more updates on our various locations. Next stop … Atlanta!

Dominique Jones
Intern

2007 Buick/Heart & Soul Health and Wellness Pavilion Tour
June 16 Dallas, Fair Park Fairgrounds
June 23 Memphis, Audubon Park
July 6, 7, 8 Baltimore, Camden Yards
July 28 Atlanta, Stone Mountain Park
Aug. 11 Washington, D.C., RFK Stadium
Aug. 19 Philadelphia, Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Sept. 2 Houston, TBA

A Different Debate

AIDS, Katrina, jobs and education—all important issues that don’t receive enough attention during presidential debates. The first leg of the “All-American Presidential Forums on PBS” (http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/special/forums/) was remarkably different in that it focused primarily on these topics. It was also remarkably different in that the questions came from journalists of color: DeWayne Wickham, a columnist for USA Today; Michel Martin, host of “Tell Me More” on NPR; and Ruben Navarette Jr., a columnist for the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Hailed as the first major debate with a diverse panel in prime time, it was long overdue. Sitting in Cramton Auditorium at Howard University on Thursday, June 28, I felt proud that it was happening at my graduate alma mater where I also teach journalism, but I was also a little annoyed that it has taken this long.

Why are we still celebrating “firsts” in 2007?

The insightful questions posed by the stellar panel and their credentials proved once again that we should be a mainstay in debates, Sunday morning roundtables and anything else that “matters.” Kudos to PBS host and moderator Tavis Smiley for making it happen—and for helping to bring four students from Tennessee to join political movers and shakers in the front rows.

Some complain that the war in Iraq got short shrift during the debate. The war was primarily mentioned in the context of draining funds that could go toward AIDS, Katrina, jobs and education. While the war is important and needs to end, it’s become one of those evergreen topics that’s always on the table, but never has a real resolution. It was refreshing to hear it discussed through different frames—frames that really too often get short shrift.

From our standpoint at Heart & Soul, the quote of the day came when Hillary Clinton said, “If HIV/AIDS were the leading cause of death of white women between the ages of 25 and 34, there would be an outraged outcry in this country.”

It’s been 25 years since the first AIDS case was officially documented. During that time, HIV/AIDS drew a bigger spotlight when it was thought of as a problem plaguing gay, white men. Now that black women are at the center of the epidemic, there’s silence. We need to pump up the volume and make it clear that this shouldn’t happen no matter who is affected.

Let the politicians who represent you—and especially those who want to—hear your voices loud and clear. Tell them to fight harder against HIV/AIDS, to push for economic equality, to quit leaving our schools behind, to end the war—in Iraq and on drugs in our communities. (Check out our three-part series on addiction, which begins in the August/September issue.)

Catch what the Republicans have to say at Tavis Smiley’s next stop at Morgan State University on September 27, 2007, which happens to be my birthday. Help me celebrate by becoming more active and informed. And please, exercise your right to vote in each and every election. Too many of our ancestors died so that we could have power at the ballot box. Let’s not waste a drop of the blood they shed.

From my heart to yours,

Yanick Rice Lamb
Editorial Director
yricelamb@heartandsoul.com

New Mommy Files, Part 6

It really does take a village to raise a child. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have people to turn to for a helping hand. The only reason that I am able to write this right now is because Raine is with her Auntie for the afternoon. I’m lucky. I do have a support system. But it is still difficult to keep up. Organizations like Mocha Moms seemed cute but hardly necessary during my pre-mommy days. Now I completely see the value in them. I see why my girlfriend in California so looked forward to the Mocha Mom get-togethers and play dates. It’s nothing like being around women who share similar hurdles and triumphs. And having an extra hand or two in the same room as your charming little one doesn’t hurt, either. Even when Raine’s dad is knocked out on the couch, it’s still easier to take care of a child with someone else around. Simple things like taking a shower or washing the dishes takes an ingenious plan or two. I’ve strapped Raine on me in her Snugli as I cooked and strolled her around in the baby carriage as I cleaned the house. Whatever works.

And you know, you really can’t be shy about asking for help. I hate asking for help in any area of life (which isn’t good). But not asking for help when it comes to raising a child is not good for parents or baby. Nothing is worse for a child than a stressed out, overextended parent. So I’ve had to put my pride on the shelf and ask for a break when I need it. Granted, it’s only been 5 months since I’ve entered mommyhood, but that is one lesson that I learned quick. And I encourage all new mommies and daddies to reach out and ask for resources, a helping hand or a break whenever necessary. Your whole family will benefit.

On to a very practical tip—I found a new use for my exercise ball. It’s great for getting Raine to sleep. We have our little evening routine—a sudsy bath, baby massage and then I feed her while I sit on the ball. The bouncing action of the ball takes the work away from my arms that usually get the bounce going. I highly recommend one. It helps with the sit-ups, too, but I must be honest here: I use it mostly to get Raine to drift off to sleep.

I’m not talking about my weight this week. No major pound loss to report. My girlfriend reminded me again to give myself 9 months to get this weight off and I am taking her advice. I’ve looked into a gym down the street that has daycare. I think I’m going to have to go that route. A little exercise (or in my case, a lot) will do this body good!

Marcia Caster
Senior Editor, Beauty and Fashion