I AM Modern Magazine for Moms

Stress in your life keeping you awake? Do you have a hard time falling asleep or wake up way too early? You are not alone. Some 60 million Americans have sleeping disorders. Consider a natural solution.

Our back to schools is issue is a huge event for us. It is an important time of year for moms of all stages and ages. Our little and big ones head back to school and we get our lives back... kind of. We are looking for our next group of moms that define today's modern moms. The true definition of the new age mom that embraces traditions while adding her own unique touch to being modern.

In today's culture so much of what society sets up for norms comes from the mass media. Often we find ourselves in a race to do better and to be happier than the moms we see on the pages of magazines and websites.

Is it a realistic expectation to lose 40lbs in 4 weeks and do it with the help of a posse of a "120 lbs Team".

Do real moms have "teams"? In my home the only team that exists is the "eat the most chocolate team"!

What is in your home? What does it mean to be modern? Not just rich and famous.

The last thing we want to hear about is how famous moms are balancing their lives , how tough it is to manage 4 nannies, a full entourage and a career that pays silly money. Most of us real moms do it with much less and we do it much better!

Please enter yourself or a friend, include a short bio and answer the questions below:

written by Murat Aksu

Situated just at the edge of historic city of Hillsborough (established in 1752), Hillsborough Vineyards encompasses both the last few acres from Lord Fairfax’ estate (originally 2,500 acres) and a house build in the 1820’s by David Lovett (Founder of Lovettsville, VA).

Owned and operated by the Baki family, Hillsborough Vineyards is the fruit of true family labor and love. Father Bora Baki, a native of Istanbul, Turkey is no stranger to agriculture. He grew up in a family that cultivated grapes and apricots in his native country. Mother Zeynep Baki, also a native of Turkey, cooks delicious meals for the hundreds of visitors that come in waves during the weekend. Their son Kerem is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Master degree in Enology (study of winemaking).

by Neil Smith

Drinking wine is good for your health, it enhances the flavor of foods and is a great way to relax and enjoy time with friends and family, and now it can also be good for your community. How, you ask?

Jim and Kristen Opalka had spent countless hours watching their premature baby, Avery Quinn, grow strong in neo-natal intensive care. Modern healthcare practices and technology helped guarantee that Avery, born eight weeks early, would eventually go home with her parents. The Opalkas, owners of a wine distribution company in Virginia, felt especially grateful to the March of Dimes for its role in advancing baby healthcare and enlisted Reed Renaudin (winemaker for X Winery) to create a line of California wines they called “Avery Quinn.” Jim and Kristen donated a portion of the proceeds from this wine to the March of Dimes.

by Paru Rellan

As summer approaches, our children are getting ready to sleep in, watch TV, play outside and generally take pleasure in each day that school is out. For parents, it is also a time to work on activities with their children, and a time to make sure they will not forget the academic skills of the preceding school year. There is no doubt that children are sponges soaking in information and knowledge, but they also need to have fun. So this summer here are a few activities and ideas that will keep you and your kids busy, having fun, and continuously learning.

by Nancy Smith

The bond is powered by knowing that no matter what happened at school that day, your horse will be eagerly waiting for you to come ride.

What makes girls and horses inseparable? This bond is powered by the gentle touch of a soft horse nose sniffing for a sugar cube, or the excitement of wind rushing through pulled-back hair as horse and rider canter across the arena. Ultimately, the bond is powered by knowing that no matter what happened at school that day, your horse will be eagerly waiting for you to come ride.

by Dr. Louis Potyondy

The best candidates for a tummy tuck are men or women who are in relatively good shape.

The tummy tuck (a.k.a. abdominoplasty) is a popular cosmetic surgery procedure designed to remove excess skin from the abdomen, while simultaneously tightening the abdominal muscles. It is indicated in cases where there is laxity of the abdomen resulting in bulging due to abnormal stretching of the abdominal muscles and skin. Unlike liposuction surgery, which just removes fat, this operation involves removal of skin and fat, with tightening of the abdominal muscles. For this reason, it is more extensive than liposuction. The actual extent of surgery will depend on the amount of excess skin and the laxity of the abdominal muscles.

by Kate Bengaard | pictures by Michael Vonal
Tired of a one-dimensional wardrobe? Here are some tips on how to mix up and glam up those basics in your wardrobe to upgrade your personal style.

The Little Jacket
Chances are you have a pair of jeans and a white tank top already in your closet. Upgrade from basic to chic with the little jacket.

Simple, refined, and easy-look for a jacket that is shorter in length (no longer than the hip) and well tailored. Go for glam, like the little jacket shown here, with a metallic linen fabric or add some color with a bright spring hue.

by Suzan Meredith, IRN & Jennifer Mangum, IRN

Turn an extra room in your home into your own personalized fitness center. Consider this 11 x 14 room. With design help from your Loudoun interior refiners and some research, anyone can have a spa fitness room fit for a queen. Build a room that invites you to train hard, so turn up the music and get ready to sweat.

Although some sports require children to wear protective sports mouthguards, all activities that necessitate physical contact pose a threat to athletes’teeth and gums. It is universally recommended that young athletes protect themselves from oral trauma by wearing sports mouthguards.
by Dr. Woo

As spring and a new sports season arrive, it is important to remember dental safety for our children. With kids being more active now than ever before, playing lacrosse, baseball, soccer, and many other sports; young athletes are exposed to traumatic dental injury yearround.Although some sports require children to wear protective sports mouthguards, all activities that necessitate physical contact pose a threat to athletes’ teeth and gums. That’s why sports mouthguards should be worn during all athletic activities.