We've moved house!

Hey all you fabulous moms! Thank you very much for visiting my site. If it is fabulous you are looking for, you've come to the right place. Well, actually, I have to redirect you to my current and new site as I have recently 'moved house'. The new site (thanks to my very talented husband) happens to be much more accommodating and therefore allowing me more freedom to bring you the absolute best of life as a Fabmom.

Come and have a look at the new place! It's pretty cool! ;-)

visit www.fabmom.co.za

Fabulously yours
Carmen Marks xx

Eat your way to a longer life!

Ah! The good old days. Remember them? No, I don't mean before the kids came along, and bond payments and school fees and credit cards, blah...I mean back when your body had the perfect size curves, you looked great in almost everything you threw on them and even YOU thought wow when you looked into the mirror. No matter what you ate or how much of it, no one noticed. Lots of things change as we get older and wiser, but the most depressing has got to be the increase in numbers on the bathroom scale. Kudos if you reached 30 and didn't gain a thing.

However, what if I told you, you CAN get back the weight of your youth and that you CAN look and feel fabulous again. Even as a mom in her 30's and beyond.  Having a good-looking body is not a destination, but a way of life.

Our nutritional adviser, Fallon Finlaysson, shows us exactly why having a well-balanced diet (No wait, let me rephrase), a well-balanced eating plan rather, is the very thing that will help you reach your dream weight, help you to feel good about yourself again and live a longer, happier, healthier life. If for no one and nothing else, do it for your kids. They need us to be around for a long time still.

Fallon shares the facts on how this is possible, while also motivating you throughout the program. Stop binge dieting and make this program part of your daily routine for sustainable results!

Fact 1.
Weight loss is all about energy.
Energy in Vs. Energy out.
- Consume fewer calories than you burn, after which, your body uses energy stored in fat. That ladies is when you lose weight.

Tip1
Fibre is your best friend.
It's nutrient dense and low in calories. Therefor you feel fuller for longer without the added calories.

Motivation
If you cheat, it's not the end of the world. Start fresh tomorrow, but never give up!

Fact 2.
The amount of calories you need to consume per day is 1500 - 2000.
For WEIGHT LOSS, aim for 1400 - 1700 per day.

Motivation
Rather than getting onto that wretched scale, we all hate so much, get a tape measure and instead measure your upper arms, waist, hips, upper thighs and butt. If you're losing centimeters, those curves are returning! Measure yourself at least once a week. Get onto the scale at least once a month.

Tip 2.
Calories are sneaky!!! Familiarize yourself with those hidden calories even if it means reading the back of every food container and packaging. Example:
1 glass of red wine = 160 calories
latte = 300 calories
cream based salad dressing
shop packaged fruit juice
'health' snack bars
Energy drinks like Powerade, energade etc.

Don't be so easily fooled.

Fact 3.
Your Metabolism slows down as you get older, especially once you reach 40. Fewer calorie consumption can prevent weight gain.

Motivation
Dress to impress! This will boost your confidence, make you feel good about yourself and this, in turn, will spark your determination to reach your goals.

Tip 3.
Say NO to "White" foods! Otherwise known as carbs -  white bread, sugar, pasta, flour and potatoes. Make these Enemy nr1 and your slimmer curves will return sooner than you expected.

Fact 4. Break the fast!
Never skip breakfast! You need to 'break the fast' and boost your metabolism within 2 hrs of waking in the morning!

Tip 4.
How to make a tasty and super low calorie vinigrette
-half a cup of apple cider vinigar
1 cup olive oil
quarter cup honey
3 cloves garlic
half a chilli
half an onion
salt & pepper
Blend together and voila! Delicious.

Tip 5.
Water Water Water! 1.5l - 2l water a day keeps the kilos away!

Motivation
Healthy eating together with an active lifestyle will ensure the extra kilos falls and stays away!

Season Must-have: Tartan

Welcome to March and my birthday Month!! The closer I get to my 30th birthday, the more I find myself reflecting back on my childhood. It wasn't all rosy (no one's was exactly perfect, I get that now) but it was, with all it's highs and lows, the best. I often reminisce about growing up in the 90's, skipping school and lying about being sick, when actually we were going too see Titanic at the cinema for the first time! ha! yeah, some of the best movies were made in the 90's, I met my best friend in the 90's, the music was good, and the fashion...ooh, the fashion was awesome! In fact my first encounter with fashion was back in the 90's, I just didn't know it back then. Over the years, designers have brought back many 90's inspired fashion, but this season has seen the return of my personal fave and definitely a season must-have, the Tartan print! I'm proud to say I owned a tartan dress when I was about 6, it was red, had white puffy collar and sleeves and I wore it wherever and whenever possible! Did I have other items of clothing besides my tartan dress? Maybe not. But I do intend making tartan my "wherever, whenever" fashion item this season. Before we get ahead of ourselves, I'm only turning 30 next year, but I intend on making the last remaining year of my 20's a rocking one indeed!!!

Here's how I will be rocking the trend this season:

Nothing says "Hello Autumn" like a cute skirt! Match your Tartan printed pencil, mini or midi skirt with a beautiful cami for the last of warm days or a denim shirt to keep the cool autumn breeze at bay. Tartan is actually quite an easy print and looks great with almost anything! Have fun exploring!

...so easy, it even looks fabulous with leopard print!

And what doesn't go with leather! Pair your tartan with leather for an instant glammed-up look.

Accessorize well!

 Don't be afraid to live! Wear tartan on tartan and don't be surprised by all the compliments you get.

Even just slung around the waist, you could not go wrong with tartan, unless you tried really hard.

Looking back, it's easy to see why my tartan dress was such a big favourite of mine.

Yours in fashion
xoxoFabMom