How to Help Oklahoma Tornado Victims Today

Sometimes there are no words to express our grief and sadness. We're in shock. Our hearts go out to the people who's lives have been devastated by tragedy and we include them in our prayers. Unfortunately, that's not enough. They need more from us to survive each day. Many of us don't know how we can help victims across state lines. So, I've put together this list of disaster relief organizations we can donate to right now who are on the ground helping the Oklahoma tornado victims today:

RED CROSS
People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief, which helps provide food, shelter and emotional support to those affected by disasters like the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and Texas as well as disasters big and small throughout the United States by visiting redcross.org, or dialing 1-800-REDCROSS or texting REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

SALVATION ARMY
Supporters are encouraged to give online at www.SalvationArmyUSA.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). You can also text the word “STORM” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.

Donations in the form of checks designated to Oklahoma Tornado Relief may also be mailed to:
The Salvation Army
PO Box 12600
Oklahoma City, OK 73157

OKLAHOMA BAPTIST DISASTER RELIEF
The BGCO is taking monetary donations at www.bgco.org/donate.


Give what you can. Every little bit helps!

photo credit: Michael Hodge

Mommy Makeover Monday - Fitness with BeFIT Go

Welcome to Mommy Makeover Monday! 

It's almost summer and not too late to start getting our bodies in shape for the big reveal. Yes, I said it. The big reveal. I have gained 20 pounds over the last year. I realized this while shopping for wedding dresses recently. Things just aren't looking the way they used to.

It seems I have two options. I can either:

A. Cover up my problem area and act like it's no big deal, or
B. Show what a big deal it is to be in great shape

I'm choosing the latter. Not only am I young and like to feel confident, but fitness is important to living a healthy lifestyle. Last summer after taking allergy meds every day for almost two months, I gained weight for the first time in my life. In December, I stopped nursing my daughter which led to packing on a few more pounds. I don't mind the weight gain. I actually like it. I finally fit into almost any outfit on the racks. I was size 0 for so long that shopping for size 6 is like buying new shoes. Exciting!

The only problem is where the weight goes. It doesn't go where I want it (my skinny legs). Woe is my stomach. It's about time for a nice warm up and a few isolated aerobic exercises. So, I've decided to subscribe to the new BeFit GO videos. They have everything from warm ups & stretching, to dance workouts, pilates, yoga, and ab-focused videos.

It's just what I need!

Today's video release is 20 Minute Cardio Power, an intense, calorie blasting cardio circuit workout that boosts metabolism through a unique combination of exercises that include ski jumps, air squats, and jumping lunges.


Here are a few benefits of Cardio Exercise:

• Increased Heart Health - Your heart is a muscle just like any other, it needs to be worked to become strong. By getting the heart pumping at a faster rate on a regular basis you will keep it in shape and healthy.
• Increased Metabolism - The more intense your cardio session, the more noticeable increase you will see in your metabolic rate. An increased metabolism means an easier time maintaining your weight, or even losing weight!
• A better life! - Performing cardiovascular exercises changes the hormonal profile in your body by releasing “feel good” hormones called endorphins, which block pain and enable you to experience euphoric feelings. People who partake in regular cardio exercise often have a better outlook on life because they’re getting the stress-relief benefits from these hormones.

Check out BeFit Go - 20 Minute Cardio Power

Madame Tussauds D.C. Displays Hope: Humanity and Heroism Figures in Honor of 9/11 (Video)

Hope: Humanity and Heroism 9/11 exhibit on loan from Madame Tussauds, NY 

National Police Week (May 10-18) was kicked off at Madame Tussauds, D.C., revealing their newest exhibit Hope: Humanity and Heroism on loan from Madame Tussauds, NY depicting NYFD Firefighters George Johnson,  Dan McWilliams,  and Billy Eisengreing raising the American Flag out of the rubble of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

HOPE was created with the support of the three firefighters, who have endorsed the project as a means to present its image to the public. It is important to each firefighter that they be recognized not as celebrities, but as individuals doing an important job, along with many others.  All three participated in the process through sittings with Madame Tussauds' artists which consisted of detailed measurements and photos, allowing for the creation of identical likenesses.

It was meaningful taking my daughter Gabriella to view the Hope Figures Exhibit. She was born on September 11, 2009. Although it's an emotional day for our country, she is a constant reminder of hope for the future. God bless each and every person affected by the tragedy. We will never forget.

Celebrating Mother's Day Running My 1st 5K Wearing C9 from Target

As you know, I suffered though both of my pregnancies with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, and it's no secret that I was extremely ill and lost a lot of my body use during bed rest. I gained 70 pounds with the second daughter and had to use a walker to get around.

I'm doing so much better today, and that's something to celebrate. Despite being stricken with hyperemesis twice and being in such a desperate place, today I am well and I'm going to run for my life.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hyperemesis strikes 2 out of every 500 pregnancies and creating awareness with the Hyperemsis Foundation is my goal today. Since 2007, I have continued to support over 10 women on bed rest who were and/or are suffering from hyperemesis, and I want them to be an encouragement to the women I meet who will suffer tomorrow.

I beat hyperemesis twice and running in the HER 5K is #TodaysVictory for me!

Content and/or other value provided by our partner, Target.

Not only will I be running my first 5K, but I have also decided to wear C9 by Champion from Target. I've been working with #C9atTarget and celebrating #TodaysVictory for the past few weeks, sharing my healthy choices in fitness and they have the best selection of fitness clothes to choose from to celebrate the victory of surviving two hyperemesis pregnancies and being blessed with two amazing little girls.

What is your victory today?

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What's In a Name? I Call My Dad "Hey Steve!"

To some people it may be weird when they come over and hear me say, "Hey Steve," when I'm talking to my dad. I've never thought twice about it. Except for the "Hey" part. Growing up he would always respond, "Hay is for horses, Bug." (Bug's my nickname around the house)

His response only made me want to say it even more. I don't think there's a time when I haven't said "Hey" before Steve.

That's just who he is, but that's not all. Deep down in a little box buried somewhere deep in the bottom of a storage bin, there's a birth certificate with my name along with another man listed as my father. Biologically, it's true, but legally, lovingly, and consciously, I belong to Steve. I always have. Here's the thing. When I was a little baby still in diapers and he met my mom, he gave me the choice of what I wanted to call him. I guess I said "Steve," because I didn't really belong to him yet.

So Dad, Daddy, DaDa and so on wasn't ever an issue. Growing up, I liked showing out at picnics by tossing "Daddy" out there, but I grew up calling my step-dad "Steve." I didn't grow up calling him my step-dad. If you ask people who have known me all my life, they would never know he's my step-dad.

He's my dad, and over the years the "Hey" has become like the Dad in Daddy and "Steve" is the "dy."

He's the only dad who has ever cared for me. From diapers, to auditions, to court appearances, to opening ceremonies, to driving lessons, to walking me down the aisle and giving me away to my husband, to taking care of my little girls now. Steve has always been my DAD.

Hey Steve! What's in a name?

All of his grandchildren call him, "HONEY!"

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LACTAID for Lactose Intolerance Giveaway and Lactose-Free Blueberry Muffins

This deliciousness is provided by LACTAID

Growing up I always had a sensitivity to dairy products and any food or drinks with dairy in them. I wasn't ever diagnosed with a lactose intolerance then, but it was pretty obvious what my problem was, because I wasn't the only one in my family who had bad reactions to dairy. Several of my family members experience the same cramping, gas, bloating, and all the other miserable symptoms that come with it.

Lactose Intolerance
Lactose is a type of sugar found in milk and other dairy products. Lactose intolerance develops when the small intestine does not make enough of an enzyme called lactase. The body needs this enzyme to digest lactose.

What's interesting about having an intolerance to lactose is that no two people are just alike. Each person in my family reacts differently to various dairy products. The weird thing is we still use the products that we know we should stay away from if we REALLY want them. (Bad, I know)

For instance, my mom knows she has bad reactions to ice-cream, but she loves it so much. Doesn't that suck? Seriously, if we're out and I give my kids ice-cream (they don't have any problems whatsoever), I tell my mom she'll have to get some on her own time, because I don't want to deal with her. Isn't that awful? I know...I put my foot down, because the aftermath is not cool. (MEANIE?) It happens to me a lot of times too, but it's like flipping a coin. I never know what side it's going to land on. Some days are far worse than others.

I don't touch milk. Unless it's chocolate and bubbling and yummy looking. Then I can't help myself. (Oh somebody hold me...wait, no. Get away from me. I'm soooooo sick.) It's never pretty!

Get the picture?

So recently, I've been working with LACTAID and The Motherhood to learn ways to be able to enjoy the dairy products and recipes that I love despite my intolerance to lactose.

Last week I had an informative call with Melissa d’ Arabian, celebrity chef and LACTAID Brand Spokesperson and Michelle Harrington , R.D. and LACTAID Regulatory and Nutritional Affairs Manager, to talk about lactose intolerance and what LACTAID does for those who have it. As soon as I hung up I was sharing the information with friends, because this is very common and lactose intolerance comes up in conversations often.

Here are some things you should know about lactose:

• Lactose is the major carbohydrate in milk and other dairy foods
• Lactose (milk sugar) consists of two simple sugars – glucose and galactose
• Lactose must be broken down into glucose and galactose by the intestinal enzyme lactase before it can be absorbed by the body

What's awesome about LACTAID products is that they can help people who have a lactose sensitivity to digest dairy products without stomach discomfort. What LACTAID does is provide the lactase that the body can’t produce enough of, which helps you break down lactose.

All of the LACTAID Dairy Products are 100% real dairy, just with a natural yeast-derived enzyme added called lactase and the product line includes Milk (several options), Cottage Cheese, Ice Cream and Eggnog.

Hear that? Ice-cream! (I'm talking to you mom)

LACTAID ice-cream is available in 5 flavors: ​Chocolate, Vanilla, Cookies & Cream, Strawberries & Cream, Butter Pecan. Doesn't that sound good? I may need to run out and get the cookies and cream today!

LACTAID can be used to make all of your favorite recipes too. Watch as Melissa d’ Arabian, celebrity chef and LACTAID Brand Spokesperson shows you how to make lactose-free blueberry muffins:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Are you sensitive to dairy and wish you could enjoy a few more meals without worrying about the side effects? Add your name and email to the comments section to enter my giveaway to receive a coupon for one FREE LACTAID PRODUCT of your choice. (one winner)

Enjoy!

Sponsored by LACTAID. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free for the purpose of reviewing the mentioned product and/or doing a giveaway. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

McDonald's and Gospel Superstars Kick Off Multi-City Tour to Give Back to the Community

McDonald's will kick off its Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour tonight in Washington, DC. The tour will feature three generations of gospel artists, including Grammy-winning gospel sensation Smokie Norful, contemporary gospel artist Tamela Mann, hip-hop artist Lecrae, traditional/contemporary gospel artist John P. Kee, and will be hosted by gospel recording artist Vicki Winans.

For seven years the McDonald's tour has been dedicated to giving back and throughout the show attendees will learn all about Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) and the importance of the organization in the lives of children and families all over the world.

“Giving back to those around us is crucial, especially with the recent tough times our families and communities have faced,” “Now more than ever, our communities need to know we are there for them, and that’s something the McDonald’s Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour has set out to do. I’m honored to take part in the cause, and I look forward to bringing joy and laughter to everyone who attends the concerts.” - Vicki Winans

Watch the trailer.

I'm excited to attend this event representing Mocha Moms and I admire the commitment from these celebrities to creating awareness for an organization that gives back to the community every day.

Visit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington D.C. to find out how you can give back in our community.

Tour dates and locations for the McDonald's Inspiration Celebration Gospel Tour include:

• May 9 – Washington, D.C., Ebenezer AME Church
• May 10 – Philadelphia, Sharon Baptist Church
• May 11 – Newark, McDonald’s Gospelfest - Prudential Center
• June 6 – Birmingham, Bill Harris Arena
• June 7 – Atlanta, Greater Travelers Rest Baptist Church
• June 21 – Detroit, Second Ebenezer Baptist Church
• June 22 – Chicago, Chicago Gospel Music Festival
• July 3 – Louisville, Full Gospel Baptist Conference
• August 30 – Dallas, MegaFest


I hope to see you there!