For many women, starting a family is an impetus to move toward a healthier lifestyle. Discover where to begin with better choices for supplements, body care and aromatherapy. Malia Curran is a nutrition consultant, speaker and mother of 2 young children.

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Nutritionist Malia Curran recommends the following supplements for pregnancy:

• If possible, a woman should start taking a prenatal vitamin three months prior to getting pregnant.
• DHA is an essential fatty acid found in fatty fish and fish oil that is vital for the growth of a baby’s brain and nervous system.
• Research shows that babies born to mothers with higher amounts of DHA scored better on attention and visual learning tests.
• For nausea, eat something—such as crackers—before you get out of bed, and ginger or ginger tea promotes a calm stomach.

Choose body care products carefully while pregnant:

• Remember that what you put on your body can be absorbed into your body.
• Skin, hair and oral care products can contain harsh ingredients, so choose body care with a high percentage of natural ingredients and avoid synthetic scents.
• Dilute products containing 100% pure essential oils in equal parts with unscented varieties.
• Look for the Whole Foods Market Premium Body Care™ label for the best choices available.

Aromatherapy can be beneficial throughout pregnancy:

• Only 100% pure essential oils provide benefits, and synthetic scents may be harmful.
• Before using essential oils, always consult your practitioner, and research varieties and usage specific to your stage of motherhood. During pregnancy, certain oils should be avoided.
  • Essential oils are very concentrated and can be harmful if not used properly by diluting them with carrier oils.
  • Never use essential oils directly on skin.
  • Massage is an opportunity to pamper yourself and may also promote a positive mood and comfortable, relaxed muscles and joints.

Aromatherapy can also be used during labor:

• Candles with no petroleum wax or artificial scents can help create a warm, softly lit atmosphere.
• Aromatherapy can also be used by inhaling essential oils from a tissue, the pillow, an electric diffuser, mists or forehead compresses.
• During and following labor, inhaling 100% pure essential oils of rose or ylang ylang may inspire strength; grapefruit, sweet orange or peppermint may promote relaxation and focus; and mandarin, bergamot, lavender or clary sage may support a positive mood.

Get the solid basics for taking control of your weight, plus some lesser-known facts and tips, such as new ways to jumpstart your weight control plan. Stop spinning your wheels on the diet cycle! Discover how supporting two natural body systems will help you manage your weight.

Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Boston region.

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Cold and flu season is no joke. But rather than simply hoping you don’t catch a bug, focus on getting prepared with knowledge, intention and – you may have guessed – stocked shelves! Plus, since getting sick is part of being human, let’s also look at ways to get better faster when the sniffles do strike.

So, what are the wellness tasks that help keep us on top of our game? Hopefully some of these are already habits, or soon to be adopted ones:

• Wash your hands. “Hands down” the number one thing to stay well is to keep your hands clean. Both cold and flu viruses are passed from person to person through direct contact, coughing and sneezing. Viruses are plentiful on surfaces, and the ones for the common cold (rhinovirus) are still alive three hours after contact. Not around a sink? Try hand wipes or sprays such as EO Hand Sanitizing Spray with Organic Peppermint Essential Oil. It’s naturally antiseptic, energizing and invigorating. Read the rest of this entry »

Learn the big reasons why most kids can benefit from a little daily multivitamin. Despite even the best attempts at a healthy diet, many don’t get all the essentials they need. Think of it as a combination of insurance and investment, and get the most recent nutritional recommendations for smart parents and smart kids.

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Sunburn and scrapes, bites and bruises remind us that summer’s not all easy. Fortunately, there are effective natural products for addressing nature’s small challenges. Learn how to create your own summer first aid kit with essential oils, vitamins, herbal ointments and homeopathic remedies. Malia Curran, MS, MPH, is a nutrition and health consultant.

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Don’t let sprains, strains and pain get in the way of your summer fun! Discover homeopathic, herbal and lifestyle recommendations for supporting the muscles, joints and whole body before during and after your activities. Dr. Tiffany Binder is a Naturopathic Physician, a general health care practitioner and a leading expert in nutrition and supplements.

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Here’s your chance to discover the top easy-to-adopt lifestyle recommendations for dealing with and finding relief from allergies. Includes research-based natural approaches that work, as well as personal accounts of what’s been helpful over the years. Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Boston region.

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How can you lower your risk of cardiovascular disease? Why is chronic inflammation often the heart of the matter? Get answers to these questions and more as you learn about specific nutrients, food and daily habits to help keep your heart healthy. Malia Curran, MS, MPH is a nutrition consultant and speaker, and sees clients in the Boston region.

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These days, ANTIOXIDANT is both a health buzz word AND a big reason to eat superfoods. But you may be wondering “what IS an antioxidant?” Antioxidants protect the body from wear and tear, while strengthening the immune system, muscles, bones and skin. They do this by stabilizing cell-damaging “free radicals” that form as we use energy and age. Unhealthy processed and sugary foods, stress, excessive exercise, extended sun exposure and some chemicals in our environment also spur free radical production. The more antioxidants present in the body, the less damage free radicals can cause. So go for more superfoods for a great-tasting health boost in every bite