Health Archives - Elena B in the OC

Throwing A Party Fit for a Princess with Dole’s Tribute to Disney’s Ultimate Princess Celebration

Disclaimer: I am an official ambassador for Dole. Dole provided me with product samples and or prize merchandise for the purpose of this post, as well as compensation for my time. As always, all opinions expressed are mine. To know me is to know I love all things Disney Princesses. From Ariel’s unwavering curiosity to Moana’s strong determination, Snow White’s gentle kindness and Cinderella’s hopefulness, …

Family Health

To all my healing mothers this Mother’s Day

It was almost a year and a half after my son was born. I was experiencing crippling anxiety every morning before work, at work, after work and even weekends. It always hit my chest first, then slowly spread up my shoulders, through my arms and to my fingers, leaving my hands trembling and my lungs gasping. My stomach would ache, my knees would get wobbly …

Health

Getting Bikini Ready with Marukan Organic Apple Cider Vinegars

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Marukan. I received free product for my honest review.* As anyone who has been around me for five minutes knows, I’m going to Hawaii in May! Hawaii is my happy place. And I love to live in my bikini but after having two babies, I will admit, I’ve been feeling a little self-conscious about sporting a …

Health

How to get a free COVID-19 antibody test

Like everyone else, I have a COVID story. Back in March, my family came down with coronavirus symptoms. First it was my son with a fever, cough, runny nose and tummy ache. His fever was high – 103.9 – but this was early in the pandemic so his pediatrician told us it was likely a common respiratory virus (duh) and to stay home and rest. …

Family Health

Now We’re (All) Cooking with Dole Food Company & Disney

Like so many families on Thanksgiving break, I was looking for fun and creative ways to keep my preschooler occupied that didn’t involve more screen time. Luckily, the awesome team at Dole Food Company launched the “Now We’re (All) Cooking” campaign inspired by Disney and Pixar’s Ratatouille. The program aims to help busy families like mine with recipes even the most novice little chefs (aka …

Family Health Personal

Celebrating the two-year anniversary of a mother’s birth

This week, my only son turned two. What a magical milestone for our little family. This day, we not only celebrate the birth of our little man, Hunter, but also how far we’ve come since that fateful day on January 18, 2016. As the days neared toward our birth anniversary, time transported me back to the memories of birth. During the week of Hunter’s arrival, …

Family Health Personal

2017: the Year of Healing & Hope

As I hustled and bustled my way through the holidays, I often found myself thinking, “I just can’t wait for this year to be over.” I avoided arranging my poinsettias above the entertainment center like the plague. I stared at my unopened boxes of decorations in hopes I could unwrap each trinket with the power of telekinesis. I didn’t cross anyone off my list on …