Protect Your Stem Cells with Mustela

Just when you think Mustela is already the holy grail for all baby products, it just got even better! They now have a new formulation that protects the stem cells of the skin. Yes, stem cells!

Stem cells are really popular these days.  I'm sure most of us have heard of the wonderful benefits of stem cells these days. But what exactly is a stem cell? I did a little bit of research and found that stem cells are actually a reserve cell with the capacity to grow and multiply to replace dead or damaged adult cells. Some, but not all, organs and tissues in the body have a supply of stem cells. Skin is one organ that contains stem cells. Skin wounds are repaired by skin stem cells so it is very vital to retain them in our skin.

Two weeks ago i attended Mustela's launch for the reformulation of the Mustela Bebe line.  During the event, i learned that a newborn's skin contains a rich cellular reserve of stem cells at its highest potential. The problem is that this remains extremely vulnerable during the first few years of life while our skin's barriers are still being formed (usually until the age of 2).

The good news is that Mustela's new active ingredient, Avocado Perseose, supports the development of the barrier function and more importantly, protects the stem cells in the baby's skin. Once safely preserved, the original stem cells can continue to play its role of restoring and maintatining the skin throughout life.  

Mustela event held at the 2nd floor of Stacy's at BGC



Van Santos of Seek the Uniq hosted the event



Sharlene of Mustela Philippines talked about the new ingredient in Mustela Bebe



Cute table setting with Mustela borchures and the signature Stacy's colored mallows and popcorns

Cai of applesanddumplings, Tita K of LiveLoveLolz, Jen of Attachedatthehip, Eli of ThePaintersWife, me, Jen of MyMommyology



 

Yes, Mustela is from France, Tita K!

This new ingredient is available across all products in the Mustela Bebe line. Since my previous blogs on the Mustela products that our family has been using (Read about it here, here, and here), i have found more products that our family is now using.

1. Baby Shampoo

With my 2-year old's growing hair, i found it important to use shampoo now instead of just using soap all over. The shampoo makes her hair soft and more tangle-free.

2.   2 in 1  Hair and Body

This was actualy recommended to me by the Mustela sales assistant in their Glorietta 4 branch. The smell lasts longer than the other Mustela washes so this is just perfect for my very active 5-year old. I like that his hair still smells nice after the end of a very busy day.

3.  Facial cleansing cloths

I found this to be particularly useful for my daughter who loves to thumbsuck. i use this to regularly clean her hands while we're out of the house. I like that i can trust Mustela's ingredients and not worry that the wipes i am using contains harmful ingredients that my daughter may ingest.

4.   Agua De Colognia

Try it and you'll understand why our family loves it!

5.  Cold Cream

Tammy Tancinco of Mustela Philippines gave this to me as a gift after our trip to Korea during the winter. My husband's elbows were peeling and very dry so he decided to test this. We're very happy with the results and Dens' elbows have significantly improved. This is also very good to bring during your winter holidays where lips and skin become extremely dry. Great for the whole family.

So what are you waiting for? Rush to the nearest Mustela branch and start protecting your baby's stem cells!

Mustela is avaiable at the following locations:

Ayala Trinoma, 1st level (beside Mary Grace Cafe)
Robinsons Manila, 1st level Midtown wing (beside Topshop)
Glorietta 4, 3rd level (in front of Gourdo's and Play & Display)
Shangri-la Mall, 4th level (in front of Mothercare)
Megamall A, 2nd level (in front of Esprit)
Greenhills Shopping Center, The Shops, 1st level (in front of Watson's and Mary Grace)
Alabang Town Center, Upper Ground Floor, Connector Mall (in front of K & C Company)
SM Mall of Asia, 2nd level, Main Mall (near Osh Kosh and Periwinkle)

All Rustans Department Stores
All Landmarke Department Stores
Mothercare, Nationwide
PureBeauty, 2nd Floor Serendra, BGC and Harbor Point, Subic
Medela House, New Manila, QC
Chimes Specialty Store, Davao City

www.mustela.ph
Mutela Hotline 0917 895 9988
mustelaphilippines@yahoo.com
Facebook: Mustela Philippines

Read more...

Do You Know How to Delegate?

Last weekend i found myself in a Strategic Planning seminar. The points that were raised were mostly applicable to organizations - whether it's a business, a church or other non-profit organizations. But when the speaker started talking about delegating, it struck me as a parenting lesson.

Are we, as parents, confident enough to delegate responsibilites to our children? It easier when our children are already adults. We endorse business decisions and other important responsibilities to them. But how about the younger ones? I gues the question we should ask ourselves is "how early should we start delgating responsibilites?"

When we were discussing delation during the seminar, the speaker explained that when we delegate, we must allow for a certain level of risk. But what is important is that the risks associated with the task is calculated. This means that you can easily recoup most of the damage should something go wrong. Likewise, the responsibilites that we delegate to our children should also be calculated based on their age. We give them responsibilites but make sure that it is age appropriate. More importantly, we should also ensure that the consequences of failure will not be life threatening. 

One of the things that Dens and i have recently talked about is allowing our kids to commute in the future. Dens is convinved that he does not want our kids to grow up dependent on private transportation. I agree with Dens 100 percent.  But there is a struggle within this paranoid mommy to allow for them to commute at such a young age.  Perhaps when they're 30?  Okay fine, 25?  I feel like allowing them to commute at a young age is like sending them off to war unprepared.  Dens started to commute when he was in gradeschool and i cannot imagine doing the same for my kids.  I told him maybe the first time Troy or Dawn will take the jeep, i will be trailing behind in our car. Dens didn't find it very funny. Maybe because he knew i was serious.

It's never easy to let go.  When we hold on to these parental responsibilites, our children will grow up in a very sheltered environment that will not allow them to thrive in the real world. It's important that we start delegating small responsibilities to them while they're young. It really does not have to be something big right away. For example, my 2-year old daughter is tasked to always pack her things away after she plays. She also helps me fix things at home and is always reminded to close the door after herself each time she leaves a room.  With my 5-year old, we often remind him to try to do things himself first before asking for help. When we watch movies in our TV room, he has learned to get water by himself.  Most of the time he would even get water for everyone else while he is at it.  Sometimes, other friends and family members would get anxious when they see Troy holding the pitcher because he might drop it and make a mess. For me, that's quite all right. Yes, he may spill the water sometimes but that's part of learning. In fact, he already knows to clean up after himself should that happen...in which case it becomes another teaching opportunity.  Again, the risk involved in the given responsibility is not life threatening so that is fine.

Maybe in a couple of years, i will be braver and allow my children to take the jeep. Until then, we will continue to train them at home and win these small battles. Maybe next time we will be ready for the war.

Read more...

Babypalooza Bazaar 2013!

My friend Candy (TheCorporateHousewifeMom) and I are selling some new and pre-loved items at this year's Babypalooza Bazaar.

Multi-tasking moms can also attend parenting talks in between shopping time!

Topics/Schedule:

Childhood Happens Once (Play)
Tips on how to enrich playtime with your child.
Feb. 16, 2013 – Rm. 3, 12-1 p.m.,
Walter Hogan Conference Center, ADMU

Childhood Happens Once (Read) 
Ways on how to maximize reading sessions with your child.
Feb. 17, 2013 – Rm. 3, 12-1 p.m.,
Walter Hogan Conference Center, ADMU

*No entrance fees will be charged for these talks but pre-registration is highly encouraged. Limited seating capacity. Email babypalooza.info@gmail.com to reserve your seat.

We hope to see you there! You may visit http://www.babypalooza.com.ph/ to learn more about the event.

**Check out my review of the Babypalooza 2013 event here

Read more...

Mums of New Beginnings

It's very hard being a first time mom.

They always say that the first child is often a product of [discipline] trial and error. Learning how to be a good parent is never easy.  I have bought countless parenting books and have interviewed veteran moms on several occassions.  There is always something new to learn.  This is why I was more than happy to say YES when i was invited to be part of a new community for progressive moms last June.      

New Beginnings is a community where moms grow together. Watch the video below and learn more about New Beginnings.

Meet the Mums of New Beginnings

Like us on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/newbeginnings.com.ph] and chat with other moms about the joys and pains of motherhood.

Read more...

Walking Wings

Back in 2008 when Troy was just learning to walk, I heard a lot of comments about not letting the baby use a walker since some research shows that it may have some negative effects on the baby's legs. I am not sure how true but i did not want to take any risk it so i tried other ways to teach him how to walk.

One of the most common step training method was to hold baby's hands up high and guide him to wherever he wants to go. The problem with that method was that after a while, the baby's arms might get tired of being held up for too long, not to mention the back-breaking position you'd be in while reaching down to hold him up.

Another method i've frequently seen was to loop a cloth diaper ("lampin") over the baby's chest and under both his harms and hold it like a leash. I never tried that because i didn't trust myself to hold the "lampin" tight enough for the baby to be 100% secured. Besides, that method still did not address the backpains for the parent or holder.

Finally, one of my friends recommended a solution. Walking Wings!

I started using this when Troy was one year old.  After only a week of use, Troy learned to walk without assistance. I was amazed at how easy it was for the baby and the parent. All you need to do was to wrap the main body of the Walking Wings around the baby's chest and fasten it tightly at the back. Then hold the two long belts which would allow you to walk straight while training the baby how to walk.

When Dawn started showing some interest in walking at 9 to 10 months, i borrowed my friend's Walking Wings again. I thought i'd start early and see how it goes. True enough, after only a few weeks' use, Dawn can now walk confidently walk on her own! The only problem now is for us (parents) to gain the same confidence in letting her do it without assistance. Dawn can easily walk around inside her crib but still needs some guidance when walking on the floor just to ensure she doesn't hurt herself in case she falls.

Dawn on the go

Walking Wings is available at all Rustans Department stores and costs around P1,200 each.  Check it out. It's worth the investment. Your back will thank you for it!

Read more...