Wellness: Interview With Latham Thomas Of Mama Glow

I met Latham Thomas in September 2012, at the press room of Social Good Summit. She stood tall in her heels and a fabulous hat, with a wide smile and warm energy filling the room. I don’t remember how, but we started talking, and that’s when I found about the really cool concept of Mama Glow – a lifestyle website and movement that educates and inspires women about embracing our own radiant energy through a holistic approach to life, during pregnancy and beyond. Latham has empowered such big-name ladies as Alicia Keys and Rebecca Minkoff through their pregnancies. On top of that, Latham is a yoga teacher, a TV personality, certified nutritionist and author of Mama Glow: A Hip Guide to Your Fabulous Abundant Pregnancy. Here, Latham shares her story and her tips on glow foods, meditation and daily rituals.

With Mama Glow, you’re really changing the way women think about pregnancy. How did this amazing movement come about? Mama Glow the seed was planted during my pregnancy with my son Fulano. The movement was spawned from my being. Mama Glow is a certain radiance that overcomes a woman who is happy, healthy, and feeling fulfilled in her life. I associate the glow with lifestyle choices aligned with wellbeing.

Most of all Mama Glow is an attitude, a way of carrying oneself- owning your fierce power and femininity, and embracing the awesomeness of motherhood. I want women to not only feel supported and empowered but also mobilized to take healthy action in their lives, making choices aligned with a positive set of beliefs. I wanted to promote green living, I wanted to share a different story about pregnancy and motherhood, one that wasn’t fear based, one that spoke to modern women living in big cities and in suburbs too- addressing all aspects of their self care- in the kitchen, on the mat, and in their lives.

Latham with son Fulano

What’s the most rewarding part of what you do? Seeing women nuzzle with their newborn babies after giving birth. I love to see women harness their glow power during pregnancy. I also love that I get to spend lots of time with my son Fulano.

What’s your best advice for living a wholesome, healthy lifestyle? Show up for your health every day. It’s all about loving every aspect of your temple, your queendom. When you are really tapped in to who you are and what you want to offer life– you make choices that are aligned with your highest good. That make you feel most radiant. How can you love yourself today?

What’s a life changing habit you have? What lights up my cellular activity and gets my soul chirping daily is movement and meditation. I call it part of my glow time practice. My ritual time.

What is your favorite book? I have lots of favorite books. What I am reading now is “The Desire Map” by Danielle LaPorte and “DreamBirth: Transforming the Journey of Childbirth Through Imagery” by Catherine Shainberg PhD

What’s your food philosophy?  Embrace your glow foods! Food becomes your blood, your thoughts, and your actions. What you eat when you rise up in the morning shapes your interactions, experiences, and who you become that day. Will you fortify your body with whole foods that make you glow?

Favorite healthy snack? Avocado Toast with crushed red pepper, lemon, olive oil, and Maldon salt.

Avocado Toast by Latham Thomas

What is your favorite breakfast? I do different breakfasts during different seasons. I love quinoa porridge in the winter, granola and acai bowls in the summer and granola and almond milk with berries is something I could munch on all the time… I love my green juice and then when its time to chew,  granola is a fave.

Rockstar Granola by Latham Thomas | Breakfast Criminals

ROCKSTAR GRANOLA

• 3 1⁄2 cups rolled oats
• 1⁄2 cup toasted mixed nuts
• 1⁄2 cup coconut flakes
• 1⁄4 cup sunflower or pumpkin seeds 3 tablespoons flaxseeds
• 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup grape seed oil or raw coconut oil
• 1⁄4 cup raw agave nectar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon sea salt

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients, and stir well to incorporate. Spread the mixture in an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes (depending on the depth of goldenness you’re looking for), stirring every 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Store in an airtight container for up to four weeks.

How would you describe your style? My style is fluid. It depends on how I want to feel for the day. Sometimes I am Boho Chic, in a Love Shack Fancy dress, sandals and a cowboy hat. Other times I may be in the mood for a denim look with stilettos and a Zac Posen blouse. What I can say is that no matter what- I always rock a fly scarf and hat. I love a good hat-  the way I express myself most is through hats and scarves. I get my hats made at a millenary in Manhattan- Satya Twena– she makes great hats. I love shoes- many of my shoes go with everything but I have a hat and scarf for just about every mood and climate.

@glowmaven with June Ambrose

What is your go-to look that makes you feel your best? My go-to look is a pair of soft dark blue Paige jeans, a beautiful blouse, a Matta Indian solid color scarf, a light weight trench coat, a pair of booties, a Satya Twena hat, and a pair of sunglasses- I love Stella McCartney and June Ambrose for Selima Optique. It’s my “Where in the World is Carmen San Diego” look. I used to love that character so my style is influenced by her. This is a comfortable look that translates well for work, meetings, school events for my son, and a lunch date with a special someone.