Praise for basq!

Another Lover of basq!

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:25:00 GMT

We love hearing from the people who use our products! Recently Jacquelyn from New Berlin, WI wrote to use about our Advanced Stretch Mark Butter. This is what she said:

I was advised about this product in the early part of my pregnancy while shopping at Pea in a Pod. And now, I swear by it! Currently, I am 8 months pregnant and have yet to see one stretch mark on my ever expanding belly. I have told all of my girlfriends and pretty much anyone that will listen about how amazing this product is.

Prenatal Safe Exercises for Lower Back Pain

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:52:00 GMT

Prenatal Safe Exercises for Lower Back Pain

By Jaime Wooten, AFFA, CPT Prenatal/Postnatal Health and Fitness Educator

One of the most common complaints I hear from my pregnant clients is “my lower back is killing me.”

The relaxin hormone and a growing uterus are to blame, but there are exercises to help ease the pain!

Pelvic Tilt:

Lying on your back with arms are at your sides, bend your knees so that your finger tips are almost touching your ankles. Inhale and press your lower back to the floor. Exhale and tilt the pelvis to create space between the floor and repeat. It is a small but powerful movement that can bring big results. Try 1-20 reps working up to 3 sets of twenty, 3 times a day.

Yoga Cat Cow:

From an all fours table position, open your hands wide like a starfish. Have your wrists under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. Inhale Cow; make a hammock with your back, gaze is up towards the sky. Exhale Cat; arch your spine like a scaredy-cat, gaze down towards the floor. Work up to 15 breathes.

Table with Opposite Arm and Opposite Leg:

While in your all four position check your alignment for wrists under shoulders and knees under hips. Extend and raise your leg to hip height, be sure to flex your foot, and make sure your hips are square and even. Then, add your arm extending forward like you are shaking hands with thumb extending towards the sky. Be sure not to go above shoulder height. Inhale back to your original table starting position, then exhale your opposite arm and opposite leg to the extended position. Switch sides and repeat 10-12 reps.

Note: if you have any tingling in the hands or wrists you can modify any all-fours exercise by making fists with your hands.

Remember to continue core strengthening exercises when you are pregnant. Yoga is a fantastic way to build core strength and relieve back pain. After 20 weeks you can still do crunches but do them on a ball or slanted surface (3 risers and a step, head is above heart). Three minutes is the rule for exercising on your back when pregnant. Remember to roll to your left and take a break for circulation purposes.

Please consult your doctor or midwife before beginning any prenatal exercise program. These exercises were designed for low-risk pregnancies.

Finally, one last tip; purchasing a pre-natal support belt can also bring great relief to your lower back. Try one on and you will know right away if this will work for you. It is not a gimmick, but amazing, drug-free relief of back pain.

Jaime Wooten, AFFA CPT blends her background as a mother to 4&6 year old girls and 17 years as a certified fitness professional to assist her clients through this unique time of their lives. You can reach her at Jaime@fitnessadvantagetrainer.com

Current Exercise Guidelines For Low Risk Pregnancies

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:50:00 GMT

Current Exercise Guidelines For Low Risk Pregnancies

by Jaime Wooten, AFFA, CPT Prenatal/Postnatal Health and Fitness Educator

Exercise can be a wonderful outlet to prepare your mind, body and spirit in preparation for motherhood. New guidelines from ACOG & AFFA suggest that women with low risk pregnancies should workout 30-90 minutes a day! Walking, yoga, light weight-lifting and belly dancing are all fantastic programs to begin during your pregnancy.

Current Considerations and Modifications:

1) Perceived Rate of Exertion: On a Scale of 1-10, you should be about a 7/8 somewhat hard. If you need to test yourself make sure you can speak comfortably

2) Stay well hydrated! Take extra water breaks!

3) Second and Third Trimesters exercising on your back should be limited to 3 minutes. Abdominal work should be done on a slant ie: on a ball.

4) Avoid activities with high risk of falling or contact sports.

5) Hormonal carpal tunnel and tendonitis is quite prevelent. Lifting 3-5lbs weights is recommended. If you have a tingling in the hands or wrists, avoid direct pressure with palms while doing exercises on all fours and use fists and elbows as modification.

7) Especially in the 3rd trimester, if you have heartburn keep your head above your heart.

6) Signs to stop exercising and call your doctor include: vaginal bleeding, difficulting breathing, dizziness, and headache.

Listen to your body at all times, and remember to always consult your doctor or midwife before beginning an exercise program. Exercise can help you physically and mentally prepare you for labor and beyond. Enjoy your journey!

We all deserve a little pampering!

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 04:56:00 GMT

New Mom, Elaine, shared why she loves basq in the following testimonial!

During the first few months of being a new mom, the only time I really took for myself was locking myself into the bathroom for fifteen minutes and doing my BASQ ritual. I am still using all three products to the day, just because I love them and they make me feel good. The Citrus Sugar Body Polish with it’s great smell gives me an instant feel of awake and freshness. After, I massage the Oil on the critical areas and I am happy to tell you that I do not have any single stretch mark. It worked for me. To finish off, I apply the Illipe Body Butter which makes my skin feel so smooth. I appreciate that the smell is neutral so not to interfere with perfume.

I feel that each woman should have these three products on her baby registry. After all, we all deserve a little pampering!

Thanks so much and keep up the great work.

Sincerely,

Elaine

Praise for basq

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 18:13:00 GMT

Praise for basq!

basq is starting the New Year off right with praise from fans of our products. The following testimonials were posted on the basq website.

Jennifer from New York City posted: “I was at a baby shower event in Manhattan, and having a SUPER ITCHY day- I saw their (basq) booth and snatched up a bottle of their Resilient Body Oil (I was desperate at the time for some sort of relief)- Well, let me tell you something- this stuff is INCREDIBLE. I mean, stop shopping around for other oils and creams, add this to your cart and buy it! I absolutely love the texture, which reminds me of a hair serum/oil- but it has a faint powdery scent and once it's applied, absorbs right into the skin! Not sticky, not greasy- just smoothing, hydrating, and most importantly- relieves my pregnancy itch and skin dehydration. I am now online purchasing a few more as gifts for my newly pregnant friends. Try this stuff- you will be IN LOVE. ”

Andrea, a certified massage therapist posted: “As an Certified Massage Therapist I enjoy all the Basq product with my Mothers2be but recently had a pleasant experience in which my client experienced relief from her aching and tired legs after I used the Energizing Body Lotion.”

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about basq! We love the feedback.
By: Brooke Ditlow

The Dry Skin Cure

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 04:16:00 GMT

The Dry Skin Cure

By Brooke Ditlow

Is your skin starting to react to the change in season? As the temperature drops, it can really do a number on our skin. I live in a dry climate and the colder it gets outside, the worse my skin looks and feels. It got to the point where I was putting on lotion several times a day and my hands were still cracking. Luckily, I discovered a cure! I started treating my hands to the following routine several times a week. It has made a world of difference.

Step 1- Wet hands and apply basq Citrus Body Polish. Massage into hands and each finger in a circular motion. This Citrus Polish is great because it exfoliates but it doesn’t dry out the skin. It has Shea Butter and Essential Oils so it leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Step 2- Rinse and dry hands.

Step 3- Apply basq Resilient Body Oil. I fell in love with this oil when I was pregnant. basq’s Resilient Body Oil provides amazing hydration without leaving skin feeling oily. This oil sinks in very quickly and it has an amazing smell that makes me feel like I just left the spa.

If your hands feel this good after using these products, imagine what it will do for the rest of your body!

Delicious Healthy Meals for Women on the Go: Fall Edition

Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:25:00 GMT

Delicious Healthy Meals for Women on the Go: Fall Edition- Brooke Ditlow

Finding Balance in Life and Pregnancy this Fall

It’s fall! I love fall. The air is crisp. The beautiful colors of fall surround us and we no longer get overheated every time we go outside. I also think it is a great time to evaluate our lives in that constant search for balance. If you have a child at home who is in school or if you yourself are a student, you know what an exciting time the start of a new school year can be. You have brand new school supplies, brand new clothes, a brand new schedule and a brand new chance to start fresh!

As the leaves change, this may be a great opportunity for some self evaluation. How are you feeling right now? Do you feel like you need a change? Is there something that is making you feel out of balance or out of sync? When the schedule changed at our house this year as my daughter started school, I realized that I had an amazing opportunity to start fresh. I looked at my ridicules schedule and started weeding. I tried to take out all of the things that I didn’t actually have to do and the things that I felt did not make my life more satisfying and more balanced. This can be very difficult because it often means telling people “no”. However, this time of year people tend to be a bit more understanding of schedule change.

Another reason that fall is absolutely my favorite time of year are the cold weather recipes! I love the fresh food and grilling that come with summer but there is nothing like walking in the door at the end of the day to the smell of soup cooking in your kitchen. I’m sure that when you hear the words Slow Cooker, many of you think of your grandma in her house coat. However, if you do not currently use a slow cooker, imagine yourself walking into your house at the end of the day to the delicious smell of dinner already made. Added bonus, the recipe that I am about to share with you is healthy!

If you don’t have a slow cooker, you can pick one up at target for between $20.00-$40.00. Then try out this great recipe from Disney Family.com: http://family.go.com/food/20-crock-pot-slow-cooker-recipes-pg/#Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup;16

I made this Creamy Farmhouse Chicken and Garden Soup for my family and they all loved it. My 4 year old daughter is getting more and more difficult to please and even she loved this meal. I loved the soup and I really loved that the crazy hours in my house, (4-6 o’clock) were calm and peaceful since I wasn’t scrambling to get dinner on the table!

Take it from the Experts - Mom Generations Raves about basq

Tue, 21 Sep 2010 23:42:00 GMT

Beauty Advice: Try basq Products

August 26, 2010 by Audrey
Filed under Beauty, Mom Fashion Report

Do My Eyes Look As Tired As I Feel?

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:47:00 GMT

Do my eyes look as tired as I feel?- By Brooke Ditlow

Back pain, discomfort, and indigestion along with nonstop worry and anxiety can make it very difficult to sleep during pregnancy. Once the beautiful bundle of joy is born, a full night of sleep certainly does not get any easier. How do you go out to face the world in the morning with those puffy tired eyes? Try the basq Cucumber Tea Eye Gel. Not only does it feel great on tired puffy eyes, but the natural coolant of the cucumber fights swelling and puffiness. The green tea fights environmental free radicals that damage the skin. The best part is that this gel feels wonderful and truly makes me look more alert. I like to store it in the refrigerator for an extra cooling sensation. The basq Cucumber Tea Eye Gel is featured in the September 2010 issue of Pregnancy & Newborn magazine as well as OK Weekly.

Take it from the Experts - Easy Peasy Talks basq

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 17:32:00 GMT

basq in the Glory of Being Cool

August 12th, 2010 . Easy Peasy Blog Posting on basq

Remember when you were cool. I mean, like really chilly. Pinky Tuscadero cool. SATC cool. Leather jacket, sunglasses, heels…too cool for school, daycare or anything other form of organized childhood education.

Then you became a mom. Then you became hot. But I don’t mean MILF (although there are glimpses of that sometimes). It began with pregnancy hot flashes and those heavy, swollen throbbing legs. Then the baby is born and there’s that awful temperature control issue with your breasts during breastfeeding (or was this just me…my boobs were big giant globes of fire…yes, I had sun boobs). The baby gets bigger, starts to walk, and then you’re sweating because the entire day is a race of some sort.

Like I said. Hawt.

I found a way to be cool again. basq (a great NYC company) makes an Energizing Body Lotion and Cooling Cucumber Tea Eye Gel that let you chill. Sold separately or as part of the Bounce Back Kit, they both impart a tingling cooling sensation–perfect for fatigued and achy shoulders and legs, sleepy and puffy eyes.

basq began as a labor of love of two moms in 2005 and has grown to a luxury skin care collection with a pretty cool celebrity following: Heidi Klum, Marcia Cross, Sheryl Crow, to name a few. Because they make products for every phase of your life (think pre-baby, baby and every day care), it’s possible to hang on to your coolness throughout any stage of being a woman.

As a nice gift to all those moms, moms-to-be and any woman who could use a cooldown in the summertime, basq is offering you, the EasyPeasy reader, 20% off of their products. Just enter EasyPeasy20 into the checkout section, and you’re on your way to being the coolest woman on the block. That is until your neighbor gets that Stella & Jamie studded motorcycle jacket you’ve been coveting. Can’t help ya there, sister.

Easy Peasy

http://easypeasyblog.com/2010/08/basq-in-the-glory-of-being-cool/

Delicious, Healthy, Meals for Women on the Go- Summer Edition

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 14:57:00 GMT

Delicious, Healthy, Meals for Women on the Go- Summer Edition

Finding Balance in Life and Pregnancy- By Brooke Ditlow

In the fast paced, hectic lives that we live these days, it seems difficult to find the right balance. I don’t believe that I am alone in having more on my “to do list” than time to get things done. As women, we have a lot to juggle. This is especially true during pregnancy. On top of an already over packed schedule, we have to find time to nurture our bodies in order to provide the best possible environment for our growing babies. Suddenly eating right, exercising and relaxing have to scramble to the top of the priority list. This however, can be easier said than done.

At the end of the day, I feel ready to put my feet up and relax. I don’t feel like pulling out the pots and pans to cook a meal. Going out can be expensive and time consuming and it is often difficult to find healthy options on the menu. I am always looking for a recipe that is healthy, reasonably priced, and that does not require a lot of time and effort to prepare. The best recipe that I found that fits the bill this month is: Ravioli with No-Cook Heirloom Tomato Sauce. I found it on the Whole Foods Website. The link is: http:www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/2740. This recipe is perfect for August. It doesn’t require an oven. It is healthy and a great meal for everyone, including vegetarians.

I made this meal for my family and here is how it broke down:

Cost: All of the ingredients were: $18.25. I should mention that there is not a Whole Foods near my house so I had to go to my local health food store. I believe ingredients would have actually been less expensive at Whole Foods. I had basil in my garden and I had balsamic vinegar in my pantry so I did not have to purchase those items.

Time from prep to table: 22 minutes. The most time consuming part was waiting for the water to boil. This recipe was very fast!

Rating from the family:

Me: Loved it. It was nice and light and full of flavor. Plus I felt good knowing that it was good for me.

My Husband: Really liked it. Said it was a definite do again. He did however have to supplement with a piece of chicken. He didn’t think that this alone will fill him.

4 year old: It wasn’t her favorite meal. She complained but finally ate.

2 year old: He loved it! He picked off the spinach but downed the rest and asked for more.

Check back monthly to the basq “Finding Balance in Life and Pregnancy” blog for more tips on taking care of yourself. Each month I will include a recipe for a healthy meal that is quick and easy.

Passions, Priorities and Community - a round table discussion hosted by Rbaby Foundation

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 18:51:00 GMT

I was recently invited to be a speaker in a round table discussion with mom entrepreneurs hosted by a wonderful foundation Rbaby. I can honestly say there is nothing more inspiring than listening to women talk about their dreams and the challenges we face juggling the roles of mom, business owner, wife and friend. We talked about our dreams, inspirations, frustrations, failures and successes. Each of us has created a unique business and it was incredible to hear the journey of each woman. If you have an idea and you aren’t sure what to do or if you can do it – listen to this web cast. It will make you feel like you can!

You can hear the event at http://www.rbabyfoundation.org/live.php.

I also want to share the story of Rbaby and the incredible work they are doing to help all of us have safe and healthy babies. Rbaby is an inspirational not-for-profit foundation uniquely focused on saving babies lives through improving pediatric emergency care. Founder Phyllis Rabinowitz is an incredible woman who suffered a great loss with her husband when their newborn passed away shortly after birth because her illness was misdiagnosed. We all wish for one thing during pregnancy, a healthy baby. Rbaby strives to give parents information that will help them navigate Emergency Room care. The foundation also works to fund ER’s so they are better equipped to care for infants.

I want to share some invaluable information on ER care. I also want to thank Rbaby for letting me share this information and participate in such an inspirational day. Please feel free to pass this information along – it might make a big difference in someone’s life.

Resources In Case of Emergency:

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EMERGENCY ROOMS -  NOT ALL ER’S ARE THE SAME

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT AN EMERGENCY  ROOM WITH A YOUR BABY

ITEMS AND INFORMATION TO HAVE ON HAND

NEWBORN EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARD

basq with Beyonce for Cosmetology School Opening

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:26:00 GMT

I recently had the pleasure to attend the opening of the Beyonce Cosmetology Center at Phoenix House in Brooklyn. Phoenix House is a treatment program that doubles as a vocational training center.  Not only is Beyonce incredibly beautiful - check out pics below - she is truly a beautiful person all around. She became involved with Phoenix House while preparing for her role as former heroin addict Etta James in the film Cadillac Records. She was so inspired by the women she met she wanted to introduce a vocational program geared towards helping women.

She spoke about growing up in a salon environment, her mother  "Miss Tina" who was also on hand - owned a popular salon in Houston, and how enpowering the salon was for women of all walks of life. Miss Tina gave a lot of women a chance at employment when they had little else left and literally transformed lives by providing a career and community. Beyonce emotionally noted caring about one's apperance often represents the first step to recovery. Her Center will offer a seven-month cosmetology training course and as services expand basq will be there to support!

OK Magazine was one the the many magazines there to cover the event and YES that is a partial shot of me listening to Beyonce's team at the facility!

basq Advanced Stretch Mark Butter Nominated for CEW Body Treatment Prestige 2010!

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 16:28:00 GMT

The Cosmetic Executive Women Industry 2010 Beauty Awards Showcase was held March 3rd in New York City. Our Advanced Stretch Mark Butter was nominated for the Body Treatment Prestige Category. It was a fantastic evening showcasing the latest and greatest product innovations for the year. Each product had a table, product display and gave product demos. Our Stretch Mark Butter was lauded for its Clinically Proven Ingredients and Safety for use during pregnancy. It was a great opportunity for us to get recognition in an arena usually dominated by the "big guys."
Also wonderful to be sharing ideas and seeing all the interesting new stuff. Some of my favorites:
Oscar Blandi Pronto Colore Root Touch - pen that touches up those random grey hairs or in-between roots;
Christian Dior Lip Balm - works with your specific lip chemistry for unique color;
Lancome Ôscillation Powerbooster Vibrating - lash primer with vibrating brush to improve and lengthen eye lashes;
Sexy Betty Hair Color - for the hair "down there" - next to my stand and founder Nancy Jarecki is amazing!

The evening was tons of fun with CEW Members, press and industry figures enjoying product demonstrations. The awards will be handed out May 21st!

Check out the new product entries and video from the event https://www.cew.org/eweb/

basq Best Bets - Gorgeous Winter Skin

Sun, 31 Jan 2010 04:49:00 GMT

The Holidays are over and we are all feeling winter. From the cold air to heated rooms that leave you dry, we all need to hydrate inside and out! We've got just what the Dr ordered to feel great this Winter: Lets face it - sizing clothes and picking a style can be exhausting and if your gifting someone who knows what she needs. Here are a few fun ideas that will make her feel cozy this winter:

Illipe Butter -- this rich thick butter will sap that dry, itchy skin while the aroma is divine. Her skin will feel like velvet - who could imagine she's battling stretch marks when something feels this good!

Spa Socks & Spa Gloves - Hands and feet take a beating in the cold weather! Welcome to an instant cure -- cuticles never felt stronger and knuckles never felt softer. For those dry heels, this is an sos that will make your feet feel like they went on vacation.

Citrus Sugar Polish - Time to slough away all that dry dull skin, while your at it give your shower and instant spa boost - you'll never want to come out! Just remember, keep the water warm -- those wonderful hot showers sap your skin's moisture.

Add your suggestions or best gifts by commenting on this post!

We love to hear from you - from the funnniest moments to the things that get you through the day with a smile. Please let us know your favorites for the New Year:

New Years Resolution?
Yummiest Food?
What keeps you feeling warm?
Top 5 things on your Registry Wish list?
Best thing to do when you put your tired toes up?