Thursday, May 6, 2010
And the Winners Are....
 I'm so thrilled at the responses that came in for the Moms Are Beautiful contest. Fred and I had no easy task of judging, but without further delay, I'd like to announce our Grand Prize Winner and her submission...
Jenna C. of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia (Canada), mom of a one-year-old son.
"Because motherhood is such an amazing, sacred and awesome task, every mother deserves to feel as beautiful as she is.
In order to stay rooted in the awareness of her own beauty, she needs to daily give herself permission to feel beautiful. She needs to give herself permission to do something just for her, be it a walk, a bubble bath, or coffee with a friend. She needs to give herself permission to eat leftovers, leave the laundry aside and dance with her children instead. She needs to give herself permission to create something – a photograph, a blog entry, a sonnet, or a nursery rhyme. Most of all, when it gets hard, which it inevitably will, she needs to give herself permission to ask for help. Part of the beauty of motherhood is that all other mothers understand how hard it can be. Among the sisterhood of mothers, we want to ease the burden for each other so we can live joyfully.
Each child deserves a joyful mother, and each mother deserves the support she needs to be that joyful mother for her children."
Jenna will receive a full makeover at FRED valued at $500, a basket of natural skin care products from Anointment Natural Skin Care valued at $120 and a gift certificate to Nurtured valued at $50.
Our second prize goes to Kelley L. of Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada), mom to a toddling daughter. Kelly writes "Growing into the role of a new mother can, at times, be as harrowing as the process of birth itself. Pregnancy, childbirth, and the early years of motherhood can do a number on our bodies, inside and out. Suddenly, we are more exhausted than we ever thought possible, we have lines and bulges in new places, nursing wreaks havoc on our breasts, and even our skin may change. For me, learning to accept and even value my new body and energy has been so important. The best advice I could offer a new mom is to start each day with a few minutes devoted to centering yourself and breathing into the present. Look in the mirror and remind yourself of the hard work your body has done and continues to do. Look at your child and see how they are reflected in the parts of you that are still young and strong. Accentuate what you can (whether it’s a fine set of gams, long lashes, or thick hair) and treat yourself to little things that return attention to your body and its senses: a long walk, a hot bath, a dry cappuccino, a foot rub, or a cozy nap curled up with your babe."
Kelly will receive a basket of natural skin care products from Anointment valued at $120 and a gift certificate to Nurtured valued at $50.
Third prize goes to Penelope J. of Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). Penelope is mom to a two-year-old son. Penelope writes "Since becoming a mother, the ways I define beauty and care for myself have radically shifted--and I am so much happier for it.
I don't catalogue my flaws anymore. Instead, I try every day to revel in the small miracles of my body: the silvery streaks on my belly, once home to more than ten pounds of baby; my strong, calloused hands that move effortlessly from banjo to fingerpaints, keyboard to clothesline; my new crow's feet, proof that I smile more every year.
A work-at-home mother with no childcare, I cannot take time just for myself--but I do nurture myself as woman and a mother. I cook fresh, clean foods from farmers we see each week. I write songs while we dig in the sandbox. I take my son to the woods, and we marvel together at the wild joy of spring bursting through the soil.
Finally, I keep two mantras close. The frivolous first: A cute hat hides a multitude of sins. The sacred second: Turn away from mirrors and towards the people you love. There is so much beauty in my life, in my family and friends, I no longer search for it in my own reflection."
Penelope will receive a $25 gift certificate to Whet Cafe at FRED in Halifax and skin care products from Anointment Natural Skin Care valued at $50.
All of the submissions were fantastic, and the reminders to give ourselves permission to grow as women, to be joyful, to allow ourselves the time to look and feel our best, are important to hear every day, but especially with Mother's Day approaching.
Thank you to all who entered, and thank you to Fred Connors of FRED in Halifax and FRED beauty for his participation in this event to exemplify and articulate the beauty of women every day.
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