New Moms Event 2013
Thanks so much for joining us for an amazing morning! We had so much fun and hope you did, too! Be sure to check out our events page often to stay connected with us.
With Gratitude to Our Community Experts
We are so thankful to our amazing panel of community experts and all the wisdom and knowledge they shared with us at the event. We learned so much from each of them and hope you did, too — and we hope you are utilizing their services!!
Caeli Esser
Caeli is a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor with a background in nutrition and counseling. She has been a fitness professional for over eight years, and currently holds more than 15 certifications. She has helped hundreds of different clients from all walks of life achieve their fitness, wellness and weight loss goals. Caeli takes a holistic approach to health and helps her clients truly improve their overall wellness through personal training, semi-private sessions, and classes. She believes fitness can be more than just a workout and specializes in bringing fun, fresh fitness classes like PILOXING and WERQ to her clients in Des Moines. Her background in dance, yoga and Pilates helped her develop a unique training style which centers around functional training methods and training smaller, accessory muscles which traditional strength training often neglects. This style of training allows clients to develop leaner physiques, correct muscular imbalances and function at their best. She believes no two workouts should ever be the same, and her clients love the huge variety of methods she utilizes during workouts.
As a new mom herself, Caeli knows firsthand what it takes to juggle the demands of a full-time career and a new baby. She loves working with other moms and helping them feel strong and healthy. In addition, she is a respected journalist and speaker, formerly writing for Juice and the Des Moines Examiner and conducting wellness trainings through out the Midwest.
Tammy Watkins
Dr. Tammy is the proud wife to her handsome husband, Zac, and the humbled mom to their son (February 2008) and daughter (September 2011).
The Watkins are often referenced as a “crunchy family.” Both of their children were born in the water (their son at a birth center and their daughter at home), they baby-wear and cloth diaper some, strive to eat a paleo diet, love essential oils, and are embarking on a homeschooling adventure.
Together, Zac and Tammy own The Livewell Clinic, a center for healing and healthy beginnings. Tammy feels so honored and blessed to have discovered her passion… educating, empowering, and equipping pregnant women through chiropractic care and doula services. Her husband calls her a “birth junky,” as she loves talking all things birth at any time with anyone. Words of wisdom… “If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any; and the best decision for your family is an informed decision!”
Angela Swieter
I am a wife of 38 years and a mother to three home-grown children. I have four grandchildren, one from each of our baby boys and two from our baby girl!! The first three “grands” are all 2 years old and the fourth just turned one. Another is on the way – December 2013!! My life has always centered on my family: raising and home educating my children and now encouraging the raising of my grandchildren.
I am an RN and currently have a part-time private practice business where I provide support for families in the Des Moines and central Iowa area as a birth doula, lactation consultant, educator, and postpartum doula. I seek to empower families through pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and beyond the baby’s first year. I also speak/teach at parent groups and for health professionals.
Connect with Angela via email at [email protected], on Facebook at Basking Babies and L & B Doulas, or on the web at www.basking-babies.com and www.lbdoulas.com.
Dr. Mely Mathews
Dr. Mathews is a Pediatrician with Unity Point Health. Mely completed her medical education at the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Cochin, India. She completed her residency at John H. Stroger Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She is accredited by the American Board of Pediatrics.
Mely’s clinical interests include preventive care, developmental pediatrics, obesity management, adolescent medicine, newborn care, skin rashes and asthma. When she isn’t at the clinic, you will be able to find her enjoying social media, traveling, cooking, home décor and spending time with her family.
Lacey Goes
Lacey Goes RD, LD has been a Registered Dietitian for 8 years, primarily working as a consultant in Long Term Care. Lacey received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and attended the University of Massachusetts-Amherst for her dietetic internship. Lacey is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the Iowa Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, as well as the Iowa Dietitians in Healthcare Communities.
Lacey has always been interested in the health and nutrition of Pre and Post-Natal women and got to experience it first hand when she had her beautiful baby boy in March of 2012. Through her personal and professional experiences, she hopes to help guide and influence women on improving their lives with food and nutrition.
Liz Bergstrom
Liz is an exceptional dental hygienist, working with Stoltze & Stoltze Family Dentistry. She is married with two grown children and two grandchildren. She has been with Stoltze & Stoltze for 29 years, 10 as a dental assistant and 19 as a hygienist. Liz likes working with patients of all ages but especially likes watching her younger patients grow into healthy adults!
Many Thanks to Our Sponsors for Making this Event Possible:
Giveaway & Swag Bag Sponsors:
Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
King’s Pointe Resort & Waterpark
The Grateful Chef – Brandy Lueders
Thirty-one Gifts – Sarah Farnsworth
Ava Anderson Non-Toxic, Stephanie Henzi
Just Between Friends Consignment – Des Moines