Window to My World Wednesday

Presenting my NEW Gig in Zen MamaVentures
Window to My World Wednesday!

Welcome to my world! LOoK inside! I've opened the window to my world so you can see what's in it. Take a peek. Walk with me in my journeys the way I see them as captured forever in a picture...

Today's Captured Scene : The Beauty of FALL

a reminiscent of last year.

Fall at Biltmore Estate, Asheville NC

The air is getting cooler and crisper. Leaves are a-changing : golden, brown and orange. Some leaves are falling. The sweaters makes a comeback. Mornings are chilly. Tis' the season for lots of hugs and cuddles. Time to fire up the fireplace and sip warm chocolates or coffee. Best of all, the time to jump on that dry pile that spells nothing but lots o' fun for my little girlie is a-nearing! Ah, the ode to Fall!

My personal favorite is driving down the road along trees displaying the wonderful color of fall. Never fails to take my breath away each time...

Road to Asheville NC

And of course, Fall-inspired Jewelry at Golden Flower Creations

comes to life this year!

Pinecone Maple Leaf Fall Earrings

Did you enjoy my little Scene today? Great!

So what the heck is Window to my World Wednesday? Well, it's kinda sorta like Wordless Wednesday but not really! It's for those who loves to brag about their photography skills and loves to talk about themselves! Kinda like me. Are you like me? I know you are! Posts will be themed to make it unique.

Well then, come join me every Wednesday if you will. You can link your WWW themed post with Mr. Linky and invite others to join us. If you're feeling generous, you can also grab that little button below so everyone else can see it too! (c'mon make me proud, I made it myself!)

Can't wait to see through your windows! Thank you for looking through mine. RSVP below and join me next Wednesday!

If I Don't Speak For My Child Who Else Will?

My sick child patiently waiting for the doctor

Three weeks ago, my 5 year old daughter caught the cold virus and was sick for a couple of days before she complained of an ear ache that kept her from sleeping one night due to pain. We suspected it could be an ear infection brought about by her cold. Our suspicions were confirmed by a medical professional when we brought her in for a check-up the next day. Albeit in spite of the warnings of rampant prescription of antibiotic non-discreetly advertised in the Clinics flyers, my daughter was prescribed one to cure her infection. Being parents who wants the well-being of their child, we obliged and filled the prescribed drug: Amoxicillin.

She took the medicine for 10 days as instructed which I believe helped in easing her ear aches. On the 12th day, as we were walking home from picking her up from school, I noticed nasty red spots on her nape when she took off her backpack to hand over to me. What the hell were they? Measles?! No way! My daughter is fully vaccinated. I looked inside her shirt. Her back, chest, arms and legs were covered with rashes! I freaked out! I made her cry. I almost cried! I was stunned...

We rushed her back to the Clinic that prescribed the antibiotic. The PA has no clue what it was! I was more freaked out! What the hell is wrong with my child?! The rashes were spreading rapidly all the way to her face. We were advised to go to another Clinic for further testing. I was already agitated at this point.

The lady doctor that looked at her nonchalantly declared that she, my child, is allergic to the antibiotic Amoxicillin and her ear is still mildly red which means her ear infection was viral and NOT BACTERIAL! Though I was relieved that it was only an allergic reation, I was fuming inside... We go to clinics and hospitals to get better not to get sicker!

I did an extensive research online about Amoxicillin and found out that Amoxicillin is widely known for it's highly allergic properties. Why then is it loosely prescribed especially to kids?! Some reactions are fatal as what happened to Eliza Jane who died. Should I be happy that the reaction is only mild? Hell no I'm not! This would have been avoided if there was an stringent guideline in prescribing this highly allergic drug! Affected patients includes infants and toddlers. It is also found that an allergic reaction to Amoxicillin can cause yeast infection in infants! Don't they value the lives of these kids? Our kids?!

My daughter suffered through this ordeal. She missed school and was itching! We literally pumped her little body with yogurt and probiotic drinks to flush the toxic out of her system OR she will end up taking STEROIDS! Isn't this totally absurd??? Steroids at a young age. This is not happening.

The rashes lingered for four days where at the fifth day, it started clearing up. This is the reason why I hate medicating my kid or any kid at all. The side effects are worst than the ailment and I just couldn't stand seeing them suffering like this!

We as a parents should take a stand and demand for a stringent guideline to protect our kids from the horrors of drugs like Amoxicillin. And next time, your child gets an ear infection, demand for a skin test or a challenge test to make sure they're not allergic before your doctor can even begin to write the letter A of Amoxicillin on their prescription pads! Protect your child. Be empowered.

I wish I've known these before we gave her that first dose of Amoxicillin... I feel like I've let my child down. Please don't let this happen to you or your child...Let this serve as a warning for you as it is now for me.

The word of the day: Achoo!

Yes, achoo! is right. Zen Mama is sick! OH NO! Yes, I am. Dang it! The dreadful, yukky, icky cold virus finally got me. I missed work today of course and here I am sitting on the couch like an old fart, nose running and feeling like Ugh! Tissues became my instant BFF. I don't like being sick. I hate it with a passion! But with a sick kid all over you for the past week and coughing and barking at your face like an ogre , it's bound to happen. Hand-washing and hand sanitizer pathetically lost this fight and I'm paying for it. Drat!

So PLEASE don't be like me...

a) Go grab one of those surgical masks and keep it plastered on your face!

b) Arm yourself with big bottles of hand-sanitizers.

c) Do frequent trips to the restroom to wash your hands

d) TAKE LOTS and LOTS of Vitamin C.

e) AND Don't ever, ever let your kid cough on your face!

From the Experts :

Swine Flu Tips as posted at the childrens clinic we went to.

WHAT NOT TO DO:

a) Don't PANIC

b) Don't rush to the ER

c) Don't be afraid to eat PORK

d) Don't hoard Antiviral medicines

e) Don't Leave home if you feel sick

DO:

Wash hands, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands, wash hands!!!

Good hygiene = Best prevention

yeah NOW you tell me...

My get well card from the culprit

she meant to say "I hope you get better" - sweet huh?

that's me bundled under the blanket & her next to me.

Papa is the appointed "doctor".

And if you do get the dreaded germs like I did: ONE WORD FOR YOU - Oscillococcinum (let's see if you can pronounce this one) - by Boiron. You got to try this! It's my saving grace each time I get the nasty cold/flu virus. It comes in small tube that contains round pellets that tastes like sugar and very crunchy. Yummy! Better than Tamiflu w/c has nasty side effects. (and NO, I'm not paid to endorse this product. It just works for me and my family, this is why I'm recommending it. A mom to a mom is all)

This was effectively used during a study in 1987 where H1N1 virus
was later on identified as the culprit of the flu epidemic at that time.

Now please wish me well so that I can talk to you about what the ugly antibiotic did to my child next time. Now, excuse me, I need to blow my nose...Aaannaaakkk! where is that box of tayhssueee!!!

Ah! to be home sick...

Have you entered the Super Mom giveaway yet? What about the Disney on Ice giveaway?

Charlotte Moms Like Me

Super Mom Me with my little cutie
Psst! YOU can win a shirt just like this!
(look for details below)

When I moved to Charlotte 6 years ago, it was particularly tough not having any family close by. It's like being in a lonely planet. No friends to hang out with. No Mom friends to connect with either! It was crazy! So, I went online and searched for local Mom groups to connect with. I was lucky to find the relatively well-known group (which will remain nameless) and signed up immediately. I did connect. Started to make friends. I even organized a day-out for all the Moms & Kids for a free Martial Arts class so we can all get together & meet in person. Things were looking up, so I thought...

Due to life & work, I was not able to sign in for about a month and what do you know? For some odd reason, my account was disabled! WTH?! Weird part of it, I haven't heard from any of those moms either during that course of time. Not even the moderator who I was in constant contact with. And I thought I've made friends. I guess they never really cared about their members. And that site has so many restrictions it was utterly ridiculous! From then on, I was hesitant joining other so-called local "MOM" groups in this area again. It was a very distasteful experience.

The Lovely Beverly (City Ambassador aka sleepymom7) and Me

at the recent Moms@Work Luncheon

Then my blogging life took off, I've gotten more "connections" online but I still craved local mom connections. So I searched AGAIN and Eureka! CharlotteMomsLikeMe.com! Ok for the life of me, I was a bit reluctant joining but hey, I'll never know until I try, won't I? So, I "tested the waters". I liked it and never looked back since! Only a month being a member, I already feel "at home". I made great friends and was privileged to meet these wonderful ladies during the recent Moms at Work Luncheon on Sept. 17 in person! Can't wait to hang out with them again soon.

If you're a mom looking to connect with other moms in Charlotte, this is a great site to be a part of and let's just say that this site is way more member-friendly and everyone here is so supportive & will make you feel at home instantly! You can be YOU here! And you know what's great about now? I'm giving away 3 Super Moms Tee to 3 lucky readers courtesy of Charlotte Moms Like Me - just because we MOMS, are fabulous! Cool huh?!

Here is what you need to do! The drill is plain and simple:

a) Leave a comment telling me why it is essential to connect with other moms.

For additional Entry: (leave separate comments)

b) Go to CharlotteMomsLikeMe.com and sign up. Come back here and tell me your screen name. Not from Charlotte? - They've got other local site locations where you can join!

*Note: If you're an existing member - leave a comment w/ your screen name.

c) Follow Zen MamaVentures (if you're already a follower, leave a comment)

d) Subscribe to Zen MamaVentures RSS Feeds (If you're already a subscriber, leave a comment)

e) Twitter: Follow @MaricrisG and tweet this: I just entered Zen Mamaventures giveaway to win a cool SUPER MOM Tee! @MaricrisG http://bit.ly/2m2rHL #charlottemomslikeme (if you're already a follower, just tweet the message & leave a comment)

The contest will run for 2 weeks from Sept 21 to Oct 15th 12AM EST. OPEN TO US ADDRESSES ONLY. Please make sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. No blog? Just leave a comment & your email address. Best of luck to all!

The BIG DAY! Moms@Work Luncheon at the Convention Center

Me and Wendy Sachs (Speaker)
Emmy-Winning former Dateline NBC Producer

(yes, we have a great backdrop. You don't know when you need to run, right?)

Here is the much-awaited highlight of the event! Click on the Whrrl widget to take you to the story and to see the pictures. THANK YOU to all who donated! You made this event a success not just for me but for Dress for Success! You all rock! I've had so much fun connecting with all the wonderful moms and bumping into people I've never seen in a long time and reconnecting. Most of all I've made new friends too which is always the greatest reward of going to events such as this! I'll definitely do it again next year and hopefully see you there too!

Powered by Whrrl

Enjoy the Story!

Moms@Work - Dress For Success Update

Showing off all the tons of donations from all you lovely folks!

This Thursday, Sept 17 is the much-awaited Moms at Work Luncheon and I'm quite excited to hand over all the tons of donation I gathered from all of you! In behalf of Zen Ventures and Golden Flower Creations, thank you for making my cause a success! I wouldn't have done it without you. Your donations will come a long way in helping the underprivileged & disadvantaged women of America through Dress For Success to help take charge of their lives. Women to Women!

My ticket - more than ready to network!

I will post an after-event update so stay tuned! In the meantime, I'm dancing the happy dance for you and me! Ticket is in hand, I'm ready to meet wonderful moms and have fun! I'll also be joining the Charlotte Moms Like Me group, who is one of the major sponsors of the event, so watch out for me in their booth and at the groups' luncheon table. Can't wait to meet the wonderful ladies behind this cool local mom site in person! Please come say Hi to us!

Special Thanks to:

Kathryn of Blueberry Hill

Lori of Loribelle Designs

Geri of Silpada Jewelry

Kristin of Sweet World Photography

Tiasha - @tstevens312

Martha of A Sense of Humor is Essential

Jackie of The Dancer's Spirit

These ladies have a heart of Gold! HUGE THANKS from the bottom of my heart.

Contingent Option for Minor Health Care needs

For many of us who could not afford Health Care coverage and don't have any health insurance, getting sick is not an option. But what if you do get sick? Where would you go?

Let me share to you a classic example: My little girl got sick last week. When she started complaining of ear ache, running a fever and not sleeping at night due to pain, we knew she needed medical attention. We suspected she's got ear infection but we have to be sure.

Now we could not afford to go to just any urgent clinics that charges absurd fees especially if you don't have health insurance, so we did our homework and discovered Minute Clinic by CVS Pharmacy. They charge a very nominal fee of $62 for Minor care needs. Melissa Herrington, the Physician Assistant who attended to my Little Miss Sasserfrass was very thorough and concise with her examination and diagnosis. We were definitely happy and relieved with the result and pleased with the experience.

Minute Clinic is definitely our first choice now if we do need minor medical care. And we're not the only ones apparently. There were a lot of people lined up at that clinic that day and according to Herrington, their clinic is always busy everytime! In this current economic times, I was not at all surprised. More and more people are opting for services like these and this might just be the answer we need to completely eradicate the tight rein of Health Insurance companies on us! A drastic strategy used by private-owned clinics in Canada offering memberships to their facility to eliminate the use of health insurance. Do you think this can be a sensible approach here in the US especially with this dysfunctional health care system we have?

Logitech Mom Mixer Event

One of the ultimate rewards when you're blogging is meeting your bloggy friends in person and breaking through that virtual barriers to create a relationship that goes beyond blogposts and tweets! This is what I was privileged to experience when I was invited to participate in the recent Logitech Mom Mixer event in Cary NC.

In this picture: Layla, Janel (@Dandeliondayz), Jen (@onemomsworld), Me (@MaricrisG), Malise (@CarolinaMama), Maria Bailey (@MomTalkRadio), Molly (myGOMom), Erin (@Mktg_Mama), Sarah (@RealLifeSara), and two lovely ladies I never got the chance to get their names

I was quite happy to be in this mixer and got the chance to finally meet these wonderful, influential ladies who most of them I only talk to and see online. I was specially privileged to meet the driving force behind Mom Select : Maria Bailey! A very influential lady yet so down to earth. Alongside her is the classy and very eloquent speaker Molly Gold of Go Mom Inc. whose tips and advices were so right on target for the multi-tasking, blogging aficionados moms of today!

And then of course the highlight of the day was the chance to sample, test run and bring home Logitech's Webcam Pro 9000 and Vid Software loaded with cool techno features! I'm a big fan of Carl Zeiss lens technology and this webcam have it. "It got me with the lens!"

Looking back at the course of my blogging career, I am really pleased to have finally decided to get out of my 14 inch widescreen box and get out into the world and socialized vertically! This event was my first mom mixer gig and it was a very wonderful experience.

I've always looked forward to attending Blogher, Type-A Mom, Blogalicious, Blissdom and all the other mom conferences out there but as always, the nagging question is: when can I afford them? I'm keeping my hopes high. Now if you're a company looking to expand your horizon in the mom-o-sphere and reading this, I'm here! Bet your bottom dollar on me!

The best perks you get out of events like these are not just the free stuffs or opportunities connected to it, but the chance to build offline relationships and rewarding friendships! I'm truly happy with the ones I made at the Logitech event! "You can bet your bottom dollar on it!"

Back to School Challenge -Lose weight in 30 days

I used to do a lot of walking as a form of exercise in a hope to lose all these god-forsaken post-pregnancy belly flabs around my waist. Yes, these gruesome belly that seem to have a mind of their own; they dictate what I wear and what I can't and worst, they make me feel quite insecure sometimes. Hateful. I was on the right track but my lazy butt got in the way and fast forward 2 years, I still got most of them!

Whenever I complain and whine about it, my husband like a broken record always taunts me with the dreaded word "EXERCISE!" I wish he would stop doing that! If he was ever an ant, he'd have been squooshed long time ago. But he is right unfortunately for me, I seem to always find an excuse not to and yes, I'm talented that way. Are you like me? We should be buddies.

Last week, I happened to tweet with the lovely Kathryn of EAS Active and she told me about the Back to School 30 day challenge which oddly got me interested. Unfortunately, I found out that I couldn't join their on site challenge because I don't own a Wii device which is part of the program. Though I was a little disappointed, an opportunity to do my own challenge presented itself.

My daughters' school is close to where we live which makes walking a preferable option of getting her to school each day. The idea hit me. I can easily ease myself back to walking again this way! Definitely a brilliant idea. It's a good mile both ways which is a good start. And so, since the beginning of this week, after I get home from work, I make sure I lug along with my husband whenever he goes to pick up my daughter.

The first few days was, let's just say a real challenge. I was like the wolf who puffed and huffed and very exhausted at the end of those walks! Gosh! I.am.so.out.of.practice! But on the bright side, This is the great deal I got out of my daughter being in school that I wanted to tell you last time. A chance to tread the path back to the world of exercise again and dare myself to lose (some) weight within 30 days! So, God help me!

Now they say a "buddy system" is very effective in achieving goals like this. Would you want to buddy with me? I would love you too. I'm setting a virtual group walk this Tuesday @ 2:30pm to jumpstart this goal for all those who wants to join me. Let's all walk as one on that day in support to a healthier you and me. Then at 7pm let's meet on Twitter and chat and get to know each other. We'll use hashtags #momswhowalk just because we're cool!

Enjoy your labor day and remember, Tuesday we'll walk off those pounds! And NO, I don't want to hear your excuses! Grab your walking shoes, take the kids for a stroll, walk on your treadmill and "See you at the walk! "

P.s. Leave your twitter handle so I can follow you. Mine is @MaricrisG.

It's Official. My baby is a Kindergartener!

So last week was Little Sasserfrass' first day of school which is the staggered class week. Everything went well, thank goodness. No horror stories to tell and 100% Drama free. It was actually a very wonderful experience. We did it as a family. And to those who think I'm a hypocrite for not crying on the first day, I do not believe you either!

"If you think crying and bawling your eyes out infront of your kid while you walk them to their room all the way to the hallway & out the door to your car and giving your kids anxiety attack in the process is cool, then please, bring your case somewhere and leave me alone in peace! - I've seen one mom do just that on the very first day and it was not a very happy sight!"

I know it's normal to be emotional but that doesn't give anyone the right to be prejudgmental of others when they don't exhibit the same symptoms. Just because you're a crybaby that doesn't have to make me one. Why can't you just be happy for me? It doesn't kill if you do, trust me.

Now my little Sasserfrass loves school and it showed. The moment she entered her room, she was lost in that new adventure. Enough to not feel scared nor fear that she's on her own and her parents will leave her in the care of her teacher. It was a great transition! She was definitely ready for school and I was overjoyed.

Overjoyed that I did not have to deal with the horrors of separation anxieties and stress of getting her adjusted to being in school that first day. All those weeks of brainwashing & getting her into a mindset worked! It's been a week and she's doing great! She even made it to the Purple board. The board where outstanding students are recognized. Definitely made us so proud of her. My daughter is awesome! And yes, every mother has the right to say that about their kids no matter what others think.

But do you know what good deal I get out of her being in school? I'll tell you about it next time. All you need to know now is that it is a challenge. To all the Moms out there, embrace who you are. Don't let anyone put you down just because you are different from the rest. You are unique just by who you are! AMEN.