Ever since becoming a mom, I have realized that there are many topics surrounding pregnancy and childbirth that some women never talk about because they are not so pleasant. One of those subjects is bladder leakage and, let me tell you, it might not be sexy but it is definitely a reality for a lot of us after having kids. It's a common misconception that this condition only affects older people because I'm 37 years old and I've had my own experiences with it already. After giving birth to our second son, I noticed that sneezing and coughing hard would sometimes cause me to have a little bladder leakage. Other times, I would just notice that it would happen during the day while engaging in everyday activities like working or walking. I was embarrassed by it at first but, over time, I have learned to accept it since most of the women in our family are open about going through it as well since having kids. To deal with my slight bladder leakage, I've used pantyliners … [Read more...]
It’s Not A Taboo Subject Anymore! #DropYourPants #Underwareness @Depend #Ad
Why Do Women Put Up With This?
This evening I was watching a popular reality television show when I found myself sadly wondering why women put up with men who cheat. In this particular episode, a man has three kids with three different women and they are all arguing with each other due to him. The thing that troubled me the most about this whole situation is that the ones who lose out in this fiasco are the children. As siblings, they should all be raised around each other or, at the very least, know each other. Since the mothers can't seem to get along, it doesn't seem like this will ever be possible. Even more galling is that, while these women argue with each other, this man is like a spectator who is watching a show being acted out on stage. Some of you might argue that this just happens on television but I beg to differ. Time after time, I see familial situations like this one where women are devaluing their worth for the "privilege" of being with a man. It brings me back to my childhood when my … [Read more...]
When Life Gets Tough, I Rise Above It And Get Tougher! #RiseAboveIt #NoTeRindas #Ad
This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Pine-Sol® and Latina Bloggers Connect. When I was 30 years old, two things happened to me that year, I gave birth to my youngest son and I found out I had cancer. If it is shocking for you to read that, imagine how shocking and bitter-sweet it was for me to go through one of the most joyous events in my life while, at the same time, going through one of the most devastating things that could possibly happen to me. Unfortunately, I didn't have the luxury of falling apart because I had a three year-old and a newborn that needed me to keep it together. I remember the weekend after my diagnosis, I lay in bed feeling sorry for myself and wondering why this would happen to me. After a while, I realized that the answer was "Why not me?" People go through tragedies and receive bad news regularly so what made me exempt from it? At that moment I decided that I was going to stay strong and rise above my cancer diagnosis, not … [Read more...]
Celebrate The Women Of Steel In Your Life! @SamsungTweets #Samsung #Sponsored
This is a compensated campaign on behalf of Samsung Home Appliances U.S.A. All opinions are 100% mine. Six years ago, my life was rocked with a Cancer diagnosis and I really didn't know what to do or who to turn to. Being a teacher and a lifelong student, I decided to become proactive about my health and my mental state and I researched cancer support groups online to connect with others who were going through the same struggles. One of the angels whom I met was Mike Tufo. He was a Synovial Sarcoma Survivor and we would chat online during the wee morning hours about all of the concerns that were keeping us up at night. He was an amazing man who loved his sweetheart Dianne and their four sons. I can still recall how he would comfort me and give me hope during those dark early days when I was first diagnosed. While he was fighting for his own life, he still found time to support others and be a mentor. Unfortunately, Mike passed away on December 1st, 2009 after 19 … [Read more...]
Spread Breast Cancer Awareness In Your Community! @PGEveryday #PGBestDefense #Giveaway
Disclosure: This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with SheSpeaks and P&G. However, all opinions expressed are my own. One in eight women will get breast cancer in her lifetime. This is certainly a very sobering thought. It could affect any one of us or the women who we know and love in our lives. Sadly, death rates are much higher among African American and Latina women. Every hour and a half, a Latina woman dies of breast cancer in the United States. Have I got your attention now? I'm sure that you have been inundated with breast cancer awareness messages this month but the one message that I want you to receive is that early detection saves lives! Due to medical advances that have been made in modern times, the five year survival rate for women who are diagnosed during the early stage is 98%. Without a doubt, early detection is the best defense against breast cancer. As you are all aware, fighting cancer is one of my main priorities … [Read more...]
Early Detection Saves Lives! #PhilipsBCA @PhilipsHealth #Giveaway #Ad
This is part of a sponsored collaboration with Philips Healthcare. However, all opinions expressed are my own. My Mammography Story: Many of you have virtually held my hand recently when I went through my first mammogram screening and callback scare. Although it was terrifying to worry about possibly being told I have breast cancer, I am aware that early detection saves lives and the earlier, the better. That is why Philips is taking action to fight breast cancer by raising awareness through education, empowerment, and encouragement. I never imagined that I would be getting my first mammogram at age 36 but, this summer when I had my yearly gynecological appointment, I shared on my health screening form that my paternal great-grandmother had died of breast cancer. As a result, my gynecologist gave me the option of having an initial mammogram screening before age 40 due to the family history. Believe me, I was very scared but I knew that it was better to be … [Read more...]
Pass The Purple Purse To Raise Money For Domestic Violence Victims! #PurplePurse #Sponsored
*This sponsored post was written by me in collaboration with Latina Bloggers Connect and The Allstate Foundation. All opinions are 100% mine. Many people are unaware that October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Unfortunately, many of us have been affected personally by domestic violence, myself included. Back in high school, I had a good friend who was being abused by her boyfriend and I recall how frustrated I felt and how worried I was for her welfare. I just couldn't understand how she could continue to stay with someone who was treating her this way and I didn't know how I could help her. WHEN IS IT TIME TO GET HELP? The scariest moment for me was when her boyfriend beat her in the car with his friends present and then kicked her out of the car. As she recounted the story to me and I gazed upon her badly bruised face, I knew that I had to do something to help her because I was afraid that he was going to kill her. I was able to get help from teachers whom … [Read more...]
What Does It Mean To Be A Latina Of Today? @Orgullosa #OrgullosaHeritage #HHM
This is part of a sponsored campaign with P&G and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own. Being a Latina of today means many things to different Latinas. We all juggle diverse roles as mothers, businesswomen, professionals, wives, and daughters. The one common foundation that we all have is our desire to have the best of both worlds by embracing our Latina heritage and culture and taking advantage of the opportunities that being American has afforded us too. For me personally, being a Latina of today means that I have bridged the gap between the traditions of my Latin ancestors and the modern roles and opportunities that Latinas are able to experience in the United States. It means that I can have it all, a family, a career, a business, and a relationship without having to compromise any one of these roles. Also, it allows me to be a strong and independent woman who is not afraid to balance it all and be successful while doing it! … [Read more...]
