Take Your Pick By Laura Posada

There’s nothing like the sensory discovery of a season to really help bring it to life. Getting your hands on the fresh vegetables of the season is deeply gratifying and also makes for unforgettable fall family activities. The following ideas make for excellent day trips, or weekend getaways where you might consider also booking a stay at an overnight inn or bed-and-breakfast.

Lords of the Gourde: Think about visiting a pumpkin patch one weekend, where you can collectively select the celebratory gourde of your choice.

An Apple a Day: Apple picking is another fantastic autumnal plan, and better yet, you’ll end up with a full batch of healthy snacks for weeks.

Praise the Corn Maze: Many farms offer corn maze activities for kids that include puzzles, labyrinths, scavenger hunts and learning about farming.

Immunity Boosting for Fall By Laura Posada

We all know what it’s like to wake up on a November morning with that dreaded tickle in our throat, and that horrid, achy feeling that you know is just the beginning of what will turn into an awful cold.

It’s even worse when your kids are the ones who wake up with that nasty feeling. But there are lots of little things you can do to arm your whole family against these pesky seasonal maladies, and simultaneously boost everyone’s collective immunity.

* Research shows that eating eight servings of vegetables is one sure-fire way to increase immunity.

So think about putting carrot and celery sticks in your kids’ snack and lunch bags; and instead of making one veggie serving for dinner, come up with comprehensive vegetarian menus that feature three or four different vegetables in interesting ways. Don’t afraid to be abundant in your use of vegetables, and dare to think of vegetables as “entrees.”

* Another way to boost immunity is by cooking with lots of garlic, which contains allicin, the active ingredient known for fighting bacteria and infection. Never mind that garlic makes everything taste better anyway!

* Drinking at least eight glasses of water per day is another way to keep the immune system strong, as it promotes a routine flushing of toxins.
* Research also shows that not enough sleep can be detrimental to the immune system, so you should set certain bed time hours and keep to them, in an effort to keep everyone’s sleep cycle as balanced as possible. Drinking warm milk and counting sheep definitely come in handy if you have a little night owl on your hands.
* Consider implementing bi-weekly oatmeal mornings at home, as these grains contain beta-glucan, a fiber with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

* Fresh OJ in the morning is another Vitamin C no-brainer, as is fresh pomegranate juice, for the more exotic among you.
* Exercise can also help strengthen your immune system by improving blood flow, flushing away toxins from muscles and organs, and helping to keep the kidneys and endocrine system working well. Staying active also helps with germ elimination and to circulate antibodies.

On the Road Championship Tips By Laura Posada

Most of you know that my other half is NY Yankees All Star Catcher Jorge Posada.

During the last couple of weeks, to show my support, I have been on the road with him and constantly away from my home. With this very hectic schedule it has been impossible for me to cook at home and I have had to turn to discipline in order to stay in shape.




Up until now being disciplined has paid off and I continue to maintain my ideal weight. Let me share with you a couple of tips that have helped me even when on the road.

1. When packing always remember to take your workout clothing and your sneakers, that way you will not have any excuses not to get some needed exercise in to your busy schedule. Before starting your day, you can take a half an hour walk. It is an excellent way to sightsee while you to get your heart rate going. You can also visit the hotel’s gym and if the hotel does not have one look for one in the vicinity, they will usually give you a free one-day pass. You can also visit the nearest park where you can perform various exercises using your own body weight.

2. Always try to remember that a trip is a perfect time to relax your body and your mind and not necessarily a free pass to eat whatever is put in front of you. Try to maintain a balanced diet and consume produce that is typical to the area that you are visiting and in season. Try fruits and vegetables that you might not be able to eat back home and remember to control your sugar intake.

3. If you trip will be long, always bring a couple of snacks for you and your family. I recommend that you take apples, bananas, nuts, whole-wheat turkey sandwiches, low fat yogurt, carrots or celery sticks. You never know if your flight will get delayed and you will be stuck at the airport with nothing but fast food joints to choose from. Remember it is better to be safe than sorry!!

4. Keep in mind that it is very important to hydrate!! Always remember to drink at least eight glasses of water a day. When you are on the road and outside of your routine and your home it is very easy to forget to drink enough fluids. I recommend that you take a bottle with you that you can refill everywhere you go.

5. Finally, I will encourage you to try to maintain a healthy balance between planned activities and resting.

When you go back home you will jump back in to the daily grind and it is necessary for you to get enough sleep while you travel. Otherwise, you will return home even more tired than when you left.

Fit Home Team

The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise and Nutrition the inexpensive and Simple Wayby Laura Posada

"The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise and Nutrition the inexpensive and Simple Wayby Laura Posada"
Why did Jorge and I write "Fit Home Team"?
We wrote this book ( Fit Home Team) to share some of the things that we love to do as a family and that are part of a healthy lifestyle.
How did we accomplish that?I think my family is healthy because we have balance in our lives. You can accomplish that by learning about nutrition and being creative in keeping the whole family active.
Why do we put so much emphasis on health, balance and exercise in "Fit Home Team"?Due to past experiences with the illness of our son we learned the hard way the importance of health in our lives. Now every day we attempt to keep a balance in everything we do so that we can be there for each other for a very long time.
How can someone transform their life and the bad habits of their family? The parents have to find a way to be motivators and lead their kids by example. They have to stop making up excuses and start looking for activities that they will enjoy and that will keep them active and healthy.
How is this book "Fit Home Team" a good way to help American families to be attain health and balance? "Fit Home Team" is a simple guide that any family can follow on a low budget. It reminds readers of the simple things that we used to do when we were growing up and that are sometimes forgotten. It will lead families step by step on how to work as a team and make a change for life.
Do you think the average American family is addicted to the wrong food? I think the average family is so busy that they eat foods that are easily accessible just to get that meal out of the way. However, many times they make the wrong choices.

Why there so much obesity in kids these days? Kids are eating foods that have high contents of fat and sugar . Then, to top it off they are spending way too much time in front of the TV and very little time outdoor.

Why did we divide the book into seasons? We believe that it is extremely important to enjoy the seasons and what they bring. By changing activities according to the weather there is the opportunity to keep things different and fun.

Can good food be both fun and healthy? Of course, in our book we offer more of our favorite family recipes that are healthy and taste great.

What about water? What is the best way to use water in order to be healthy? That's easy drink plenty of water and stay hydrated at all times.

How we can get off the couch and do activities instead? Find options and think outside the box.
Working out doesn't just mean going to the gym!!!

How do we get kids used to TV and video games into exercise? Motivate them, encourage them, lead them, reward them!

And what about a couch potato mom or dad? For parents it is sometimes more difficult to get started, but if they motivate and challenge each other that will make it a lot more fun.

Is it true that it is better to eat a small amount of food more often then a few big meals? I believe that it is better to eat small meals and avoid what many people do which is starving all day and then eating way too much at night. That is terrible for your body.

What is the most essential fitness activity that the American family has to do? I don't think there is one specific thing. Try everything until you find what works for your family.



Check out below details of my book, myinterviews and much more!

All the links about me and my book!!

My website

http://www.fithometeam.com

My Twitters

http://twitter.com/lauramposada
http://twitter.com/fithometeam


Fit home team book:

http://www.amazon.com/Fit-Home-Team-Nutrition-Inexpensive/dp/1439109311/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1247327910&sr=8-1

Yes Network

http://www.yesnetwork.com/media/video.jsp?content_id=6670355

Myfoxny.com; Bidding Open For Yankees Motorcycle

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/090909_bidding_for_yankees_motorcycle

Segmento Univision:

http://t.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2027773
http://www.univision.com/content/videoplayer.jhtml?cid=2022380

Republica Deportiva
Entrenando con Laura Posada

http://www.univision.com/uv/video/Entrenando-con-la-esposa-de-Posada/id/261470607

The Yankee Universe
Laura Posada appears on “Baseball Wives” reality show tonight

http://www.theyankeeuniverse.com/?p=5262

Laura Posada Among Prominent Latinos To Receive Trendsetter Award:

http://www.baseballdigest.com/2009/11/02/laura-posada-among-prominent-latinos-to-receive-trendsetter-award/

Wendy Show

http://www.wendyshow.com/2009/09/16/jorge_posada_fight/

Fox Interview:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/search-results/m/25345156/diamond-district-posada-s-charity.htm

E!True Hollywood Story: Baseball Wives'

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sportsprose/2009/07/laura_posada_baseball_wives.htm

ABCNEWS

http://abcnews.go.com/search?searchtext=laura%20posada

MYFOXNY

http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/good_day_ny/091104-laura-posada-good-day-ny

Latinos Sports:Posada Keeps Swinging for Cause

http://latinosports.com/baseball/posadas-cause-continues.html.

Radio Interview:
http://multimedia.wfan.com/m/audio/24634928/laura-posada.htm

Article in Daily News:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/07/08/2009-07-08_wife_of_yankees_slugger_jorge_posada_set_to_make_her_reality_tv_debut_on_e.html

Laura talking to Michael J Fox:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/15840232?video=1128445219&play=1

The New York Post
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08162009/news/regionalnews/secrets_of_the_yank_wives_club_184876.htm

The Jorge Posada Foundation, Gala 2009

http://slideshows.flintweddings.com/posada/

Summer Tips

In this economy, not too many parents will be able to afford sending their kids to summer camp. So the big question is how to keep kids active and having fun seven days a week and 24 hours a day? It is definitely a tough challenge but you can’t give up before you hear my suggestions.

First of all, you have to get your tools ready if you plan on spending time outdoor. Sunblock, water and a hat will be your best friends for those super hot sunny days. Once you have that everything else is up to you!

I suggest planning in advance for the week. Sit down with your children and find out what they would like to do. They might want to try some things that you haven’t thought of and which might surprise you. Try to arrange play dates with their friends so that they are not always alone and get bored of each other and you. I’m a firm believer of the more the merrier!!!

Also, remember that all the other mommies out there are in the same boat. If you can create a cool group of friends to get together and join you it will be a lot more fun for everyone! You can take turns watching the kids and that way have some well deserved time off which will save you from going insane. Being a mom is a tough job with no days off so if you can take a little time to relax go for it!

Look into your state’s department of parks and recreation and you will find many free activities and events for the whole family. If you are in NY the link is http://www.nycgovparks.org/. Also, if you will be going to theme parks check out their websites first because a lot of them have yearly passes for state residents. They also have many different deals and options to purchase entrance passes and you can save money if you just take a few minutes to check them out. For just an example check the site for Sea World http://www.seaworld.com/sitepage.aspx?PageID=313

When your planning consider the weather!!! If the temperature will be extremely hot consider indoor activities like children’s museums, art museums, bowling, movies or just staying indoor doing something special like an invention or craft.

Dear moms, these are just suggestions and I’m sure you have your own great tricks and ideas up your sleeves so don’t be shy and please share them with me!!!

In my upcoming book FIT HOME TEAM I’ll give you tips and tricks that can be used according to all four seasons.

The Jorge Posada Foundation

The Jorge Posada Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the New York Yankees’ All-Star Catcher, Jorge Posada, and his wife, Laura. Their son, Jorge Luis, was diagnosed with Craniosynostosis when he was just ten days old and has undergone eight major surgeries to correct the condition. Jorge and Laura are very grateful that all of Jorge Luis’ surgeries have been successful and that they were able to financially support the procedures. However, there are many other families who are not as fortunate. 

The purpose of The Jorge Posada Foundation is to: reach out to families in need, whose children are affected by Craniosynostosis, and provide them with emotional support through its family support network; provide financial assistance to underwrite a portion of the costs of initial surgeries in its partner medical centers; and encourage further research of this medical condition. The Foundation also strives to create awareness about the condition through events and through funding other educational outreach efforts.

KEYS ISSUES: WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE HELP?


SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN
Jorge Posada Foundation’s Mentors Program
Sponsor of family conferences and events, such as: the North American Craniofacial Family Conference and the Children’s Craniofacial Association Cher’s Family Retreat

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES IN NEED
Provide grants to and partner with medical centers to increase their capacity to provide pro-bono surgeries and underwrite associated costs, such as: The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore; The Institute for Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at New York University Hospital through NFFR; Connecticut
Children’s Medical Center Foundation; and Winthrop Medical Center

EDUCATION & TREATMENT - EARLY AND ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS
Sponsor educational seminars for pediatricians, such as the 2008 Craniosynostosis Symposium in partnership with Montefiore Medical Center
Partner with the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction to develop a virtual teaching tool to be distributed to 15,000 doctors in third-world countries and throughout the U.S.
Provide grant to rehabilitate Craniosynostosis surgery recovery room at Centro Medico Hospital, Puerto Rico

INCREASE AWARENESS
Events such as the Annual Heroes for Gala in New York City and the Celebrity Base-Bowl Tournament in Puerto Rico
TV & Radio Public Service Announcements
TV programming placements, such as: ABC’s “Extreme Makeover Home Edition”; Fox Channel nationwide movie promotion of “Everyone’s Hero”; Discovery Channel’s “American Chopper” and “Pioneros”; YES Network’s “Ultimate Road Trip” and “Kids On Deck”; and other television and news programming in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
Newspaper & magazine articles, features, and PSAs, both in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, such as: Gotham Magazine, Daily News, Chicago Sun Times, El Vocero
“Play Ball” book signings, multiple locations

Why Did This Happen to Me? by Laura Posada

Ever since I can remember, I have had a very privileged life. I had almost all of the things that can make anyone happy, and everything in my life was going perfectly according to plan. Unexpectedly, something happened that completely changed my life. On November 28, 1999, in my beloved island of Puerto Rico, my son Jorge Luis was born.

Looking back, I think that was the first day I ever knew love at first sight, unconditional love, pure love, a mother’s love. Unfortunately, I can’t say that it was the happiest moment of my life, because my son Jorge was born with Craniosynostosis. I found out when he was barely ten days old, and my world crumbled.

When the doctor told me the news my mind was racing with questions. And I have to admit that my selfish attitude at the time asked, “Why did this have to happen to me?” Well, why not? What made me more vulnerable to this or that disease? And finally, why did I keep thinking about myself since it wasn’t even happening to me? That was precisely the worst part, that it was my newborn son, who was innocent, defenseless, vulnerable and had so much to live for, who had this condition. That question hung in the air, along with many others. What I didn’t see, couldn’t see at the time, was that my stupid plan was worthless, and that my fate and life were destined for a different plan.

Slowly the agonizing days went by while we waited for the first 12-hour surgery, when they would open my son’s skull and take out his small bones in an effort to reconstruct him. My daily menu featured desperation, frustration, and a sense of impotence, served by the day, the hour, the minute and even the second. I looked for information in encyclopedias, books, the Internet, and on Posada television, but they were all dead ends. Each time I found medical explanations with chilling illustrations that did little to satisfy my need for information. Though in reality, it was my need to hear another mother tell me that everything was going to be fine. The nights were an eternity and the days never-ending. I lost contact with the world and with the reality of the situation.

During those 9 months, I decided to wage an internal battle with the help of my friend, solitude. I didn’t even tell my husband Jorge how I felt, and would spend the day with a rehearsed smile pretending that everything was fine. I didn’t share my feelings with relatives or friends either, since I felt I was the only one, that no one else had this disease and that therefore no one else could understand how I felt. And things went on like this, ignoring the elephant in the room, until that day—the day before the surgery.

Everyone was already sleeping and I locked myself in the bathroom so that I could shower. Once there, my tired mind and body, unable to pretend any longer, gave in, and all I could do was cry and cry and cry. And it was precisely at that moment that I realized that life was showing me what my plan was. I couldn’t allow this to remain a secret and let other mothers feel the way I had felt. It was time to grow and open my heart to all of those families that were affected by this enemy, an enemy that for many years had inflicted its harm silently and unknowingly. Now I understand why this happened to me: so that I could help others avoid this pain and show them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Now I understand how much happiness you can give another mother with a simple glance, some words of support, a hug, or just a call from a stranger who’s living a parallel life and who can tell her “everything will be fine”. I don’t feel like wasting my time anymore asking “Why did this happen to me?” Now I feel that, through the Jorge Posada Foundation, there are more important things that I can do to help the children and families affected by Craniosynostosis. To me, it’s clearer than ever that the “Why?” isn’t the question that matters, but rather “What will I do to help many people be happy?”