Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Importatn Info...

Some interesting information that was sent to me...

Pesticides on Produce Tied to ADHD in Children

Play VideoABC News – Study Links Pesticides to ADHD
MONDAY, May 17 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that exposure to high levels of organophosphate pesticides, commonly found on berries, celery and other produce, could raise the odds for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.

At this point, though, there is no evidence that pesticide exposure can actually cause ADHD, stated the authors of a paper appearing in the June issue of Pediatrics.

Certainly parents and children shouldn't swear off fruits and veggies, said study lead author Maryse Bouchard, an adjunct researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at the University of Montreal and at Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre. However, "I think it's safe to say that we should as much as possible reduce our exposure to pesticides," she said.

That would meaning going organic, buying at farmers' markets and washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly before consuming them, she said.

"I always encourage my families to embrace healthy lifestyles in general," agreed Dr. Nakia Scott, clinical assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine and a child psychiatrist with Lone Star Circle of Care. "I think it's much more important that they're eating fruits, vegetables, nuts and grains instead of sodas and fast foods and I'm not saying that they're not going to eat any produce because it might contain pesticides."

Previous research has shown an association between both prenatal and postnatal organophosphate exposure and developmental problems in young children.

But most prior studies have focused on excessive rather than average exposure to organophosphates.

"Organophosphates are one of the most widely used pesticides in agriculture to protect crops and fruits and vegetables," Bouchard noted. "For children, the major source of exposure would be the diet -- fruits and vegetables in particular."

In their study, Bouchard and her colleagues analyzed data on pesticide exposure and ADHD in more than 1,100 American children aged 8 to 15.

Children with higher pesticide levels in their urine were more likely to have ADHD, the team found.

"The analysis showed that the higher the level of exposure [as measured by metabolites in the urine], the higher the odds of having ADHD," Bouchard added.

Just how might pesticides harm brain development? According to the authors, high doses of organophosphates may inhibit acetylcholinesterase, a nervous system enzyme. Lower doses of the pesticide may affect different growth factors and neurotransmitters.

The findings, if replicated, may provide another clue into the causes of ADHD, a condition which affects three to seven percent of school-aged children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"We do have a fair amount of evidence about other causes of ADHD," Scott said. "We know that ADHD is a highly heritable disorder. At least one-third of fathers who have had ADHD in their youth have a child with ADHD."

"There are also prenatal risks such as tobacco exposure and alcohol exposure," she added. "There's also a possibility that children who are exposed to high levels of lead prior to the age of six may develop ADHD."

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Travel Tips!


Hi! Sorry its been so long since I last wrote. I was in New Zealand then came home to pick up Liv and went to Puerto Rico and NYC. Good thing is that with practice I have gotten very good at this whole travel thing with kids. You should have seen me the first time I traveled with my daughter, she was only 1 month old and of course as a first time mom I didn't know what I would need or not. I packed everything we owned...haha!! As time went by I got very good at figuring out what we really needed and what wasn't necessary.
For most trips I used to order the diapers, formula, wipes, basically all the things that take lost of room and have it sent directly to the location thru diapers.com( they offer free delivery). Now its a little bit easier since my daughter now drinks organic whole milk which you can pretty much get anywhere these days and if you are not sure, you can always get the ready ones from Organic Valley (they don't need refrigeration till opened).
Anyway, lets talk about going thru security at the airport with all the rules and regulations. When you travel with kids most airlines will check your stroller and car seat free of cost which helps since there is a charge for almost everything else while traveling this days. Here is my secret which I have shared with all of my friends and I have yet to find one that didn't agree. I own an Ergo Brand baby carrier, this amazing product has saved my life(and my back) so many times it is to many to count. You will attach the baby to you from the moment you get dropped off at the airport until you take the seat on the plane, in many occasions i didn't even take my daughter out of it. You do not have to remove it to go thru security. They may ask you to go to some quick extra screening after but its worth it. Basically you have both hands free to put your shoes back on and grab your carry on. The Ergo Baby carrier goes up to 40 pounds. I still use it every time I travel. Another great gadget is the Gogo Kidz travel mate, this amazing invention pretty much attaches to your car seat and you can wheel it thru the airport like a stroller. If you buy a seat it can stay attached to the car seat and it will fit on most airplanes seats. All you have to do is buckle up and ready to go. Its a great thing to have especially when your child falls asleep, you pick up the seat and wheel it away. I can't tell you how many times while traveling this has helped. My last but not least important tip.. if you have the flexibility to book your trips around nap times I highly recommended it. I have been booking my flights around nap times for the last year and it has payed off every time. I save the bottle for right before take off and before you know it they are out cold and you can relax and enjoy the trip!! hahah!!
xx
model mommy

Sunday, May 9, 2010

English from Spanish Translation:

Spanish to English translation of the Article written in El Nuevo Dia today:
Article in Original Format (with picture)
http://www.elnuevodia.com/unamadremodelo-700244.html

Spanish to English for all my friends who don't speak Spanish:

A model parent
From bottles and designer clothing, Anne Marie Kortright enjoy the best moment of his life


Anne Marie and little Liv Anne
By Liz Sandra Santiago / lsrivera@elnuevodia.com

On June 20, 2008, the life of the model Anne Marie Kortright changed forever. With 26 years at the time, and more than a decade of work in the field of modeling, young Puerto Rican woman faced the biggest challenge to become the mother of the little Liv Anne

Since then he has worked hard to bring her work as mother, wife, daughter and professional successfully. Today, Anne Marie (who was his closest call tuty) sit in the prime of his life and shares with readers his experiences and his plans for the future.

Your family life

You married four years ago at 24 -, how is the relationship with Scott?

I think it's my soul mate, he is the right person to spend my life, my best friend, my counselor.Part of all my accomplishments I owe to him. It has helped me to make business decisions in my career, taught me to see this race as a business. It is a perfect marriage, but that's what I like. No matter what happens, we're right for each other.

How to combine their careers, himself an entrepreneur and you're a model with a highly charged agenda?

We have time to constantly surprise, that is the secret of my mom and dad. We have the perfect balance. That's the magic. He does not travel much and work from home, and I feel calm because when I go to work outside the home Liv has her dad.

How was the experience of being mother of Liv Ana?

I dreamed of being a mom for many years. My husband said we should expect to be ready and I told him that there was to be ready. But the fact that I did expect was that Liv came at the perfect time. Now I can say is the best dad I've seen in my life, besides my dad.

How did your life when you became a mother?

My life changed a lot in the sense of all these emotions that I never knew existed inside me.But life at home we maintain ordinary life, going to the pool, the beach, ride bikes together. We love to travel and do not stop doing what we like about her. I love when morning comes running, I touch your face and says "mama, mama." That smile and happiness is amazing.

"Being a mother changed your plans in modeling the long term?

No, I think it happened at the perfect time in which the economy fell. Then I was pregnant, but I felt the lack of contracts because I could not model. Now I'm doing great works, I'm in the prime of my career and Liv is part of that. I have more inspiration to do a better job. Someday, when you're old, we will sit and show him my pictures and that book of Cartier in which she modeled at six months old.

What values did your mom taught you that you are now instilling in Liv?

Tell her I love her, hug her, kiss her and accept it as is.

What future do you want for Liv?

In August she will start going to a small school five times a week. She has two years and I want to go to a school where the well educated, because my dream is to go to Harvard or Yale.

How have you done for physical distance will not affect your parents?

There is nothing I can do. I'm with them whenever I can and when I can not be physically is Skype.

Think back to live in Puerto Rico at some point?

I want to live in California, with Liv on the beach. Do not know the opportunities that life brings.

Who do you admire?

For people who work hard and maintain his family, to whom his family is important. I admire my mother because she struggles every day to keep the family together, even for Skype. My grandmother because they are what keeps the peace in the family and all mothers, because no matter the hardest job you have, are dedicated to being mothers.

A healthier life

What motivated you to write a blog with your experiences as a mother (modelmommy101.blogspot.com)?

Before becoming pregnant, my husband and I began an organic diet while we were at home, because getting out is difficult restaurants. Before becoming pregnant, I cleaned and when I got pregnant, I began to lead a life as natural as possible. When the baby was born, I took it seriously because I understood the importance of raising a healthy. All my friends were pregnant at the time and began to ask about that lifestyle. So I decided to make a book type guide, telling my experience of how to bring an organic life as a family. It had lists of what to buy and what not, and were sent to my friend and became famous list. He wanted all children have the opportunity to my daughter.

Do you think writing the book?

I started writing a book and realized that took a long time and although I keep writing, I started my blog because two of my agents, who were pregnant for the same time, 'he suggested. One night I sat down and did the first time I began to get emails. I love it because I would like to help educate people on this to be 'green' and 'organic'. Even the sun today, my daughter has been sick beyond a 'runny nose' in change of season. Love to have billions and billions of dollars to give better life to those children who are being born right now.

What are you doing to keep fit?

As a snack, I'm always moving and I have a fast metabolism. I do not exercise, but I'm always behind Liv.

Do you practice any religion or discipline to grow inside?

We are Jews, I became for many years and my daughter are teaching Judaism. We go to church and share with the community. My religion is trying to be someone better, be a friend, a good daughter, to help others. For me it was a big change in the sense that binds us all, even with my family when they come to visit us and try to learn more integrated.

What's left to do?

Many things, but for now I love to do a cosmetic Hispanic campaign, to be the spokesman of organic products for babies and teach anyone who can how to take a more natural lifestyle and organic.

The sacrifices of modeling

How did you get into modeling?

Originally, I started my international career through the CoverGirl contest in 1997. At that time I was in school and I was always the skinny girl that the kids did not want. I became self-esteem model I came, I saw that there were other things he could do with my long, skinny legs. I had many problems with 'bullying'. When I looked at school, I sat in the car crying because I was bothered, he could not get a Parasuco, who were the jeans that were tight fitting, because even the smallest size I was huge.

It was the perfect time to win this competition and become a model because I began to be 'cool' and I could develop into something that was very much mine. He was also a transition in which I recognized who my best friends and even today are still the same two friends with whom I speak every week.

I remember the first time I went to Image, the magazine ran the school. Then there was the skinny tuty was tuty the model.

Do you consider yourself pretty now?

After modeling, I felt safer. When I think of beauty I think more about what's inside than outside. The beauty may have many definitions, physics, interior, how you as a friend, sister or mother. There is also the beauty of the land and water.

"Modeling has always been your choice or thought to change course?

While in school, on trips abroad to work as a model. When I graduated from high school I started studying at the University of the Sacred Heart and I felt that was not what I wanted to do and decided to fully enter the modeling. Yes, now I say that my daughter goes to college.

How would you describe your modeling career?

Successful.

What do you like to be a model?

I love being in front of the camera. I become, it's like being in another world. Because you not only need beauty to be a model, you need to know ProyectArte. It's like they say, 'the camera has to love you. " I love being someone else.

What do you least like about being a model?

Being in the aircraft. Regularly I can get on a plane three times a week and that's exhausting.

What would you change your life?

Nothing.

Do you think that the life of the models is frivolous?

In general no, but there are always people who are frivolous, as elsewhere. Being a model is a work, is what 'studied', I get up, get to work, I do and I'm going home. Once I got home, the most important thing is off, talk to friends about something else, I cook and take care of the house. For me modeling is my job, does not define me as a human being. There are models that can live a frivolous life, but I'm a mom, wife, cook, pack my bags tomorrow when I go and get to the workplace, I am a model.

Do you usually relate with renowned designers and celebrities?

It is part of the race. I am very fortunate to have worked with renowned designers such as Ralph Lauren, Diane Von Furstenberg and photographers like Bruce Webber, an icon of fashion and had always been a dream. My two best friends are famous and when we are together do not talk about work.

How many times in your life you have touched the sense that it achieves a dream or a goal?

It has happened many times. I have many goals that I got into modeling, I magazines like French Vogue, has just appeared in W, the most important journal I've done. The report in which W is I'm coming in with 'top models'; be in the group with all of them was amazing.Personally, nothing has been more impressive than having my daughter, no work above that 'feeling' of being a mom.

Anne Marie

• He has starred in advertising campaigns for major brands such as Sephora, Jordache, Body Central, JCPenney, Bobbi Brown, Levi's, Cartier, ESQ Watches, Redken, Reebok, Yammamai, Jockey, Pantene, Herbal Essences, Target and Swatch.

• He appeared on the cover of the magazine, Latina and Shape, as well as publishers of Vogue, Elle, Glamour, Marie Claire, Image, Caras, Fitness, Vis a Vis, Suede, Cosmopolitan, YM, W and Maxim, among others.

• In his career he has been part of the modeling agency Chic Management, Modelwerk, NEXT Model Management and Wilhelmina Models.

• Among the photographers he has worked with include Bruce Webber, Terry Legoues, Ruvan Affandor and Antoine Verglas.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

10k!!!





Hi!!!! Getting ready for the 10k that benefits Casa Cuna de San Juan!!!! Will keep you all posted via facebook and twitter!!! xx
xx
model mommy