Thursday, 16 June 2022

A 33-year-old mom who's been pregnant for 17 years. Plus, easy tips to get in shape if summer snuck up on you. Here's the latest.

June 16, 2022 | VIEW IN BROWSER

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What the largest interest rate hike in 28 years means if you're deciding between buying a home or renting, and healthy ways to get in shape if it feels like summer snuck up on you. Plus, a 33-year-old mom of 12 shares what it's like to have been pregnant for nearly 17 years in a row.

THE LATEST

🏠 Looking for a home? How to decide whether you should rent or buy after the biggest interest rate hike in 28 years.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates 0.75% yesterday, the biggest rate hike since 1994, in a bid to rein in the highest inflation rate in 40 years. With the housing market still red hot in many areas, should you rent or buy in the wake of the rate increase? Tune in to TODAY at 7:30 this morning as NBC's Vicky Nguyen has tips from an expert on which strategy to pursue and what you need financially when looking for housing in the current climate.

A 33-year-old mom of 12 kids has been pregnant for nearly 17 years.

Kansas mom Britni Church started having children at 16 and has barely taken a breather since. She's been pregnant all but three years while raising her family of 12 kids. Church, 33, who documents her large family to 1.8 million followers on TikTok, spoke to us about the questions she often gets about her religion, how her body has handled all those pregnancies, and her family's finances ($200 a month for milk!). And this might not even be the end of her child-bearing years. "I think I'm done," she told us with a laugh.

Can't find tampons? These 4 alternatives can help — and may save you money, too.

While there is no official word of a tampon shortage, many people on social media have noted they've had trouble finding them in stores. If you're among those struggling to find menstrual products lately, not all hope is lost. We spoke to health experts who gave us 4 tampon alternatives to consider, like period underwear and reusable pads, as well a few tips for using each safely and effectively

👟 These 29 outdoor essentials will help boost your daily walks.

Whether you've joined the TODAY 30-day walking challenge or are just looking to get outside for some exercise, these 29 items recommended by celebrity trainer Bob Harper and Men's Journal contributing editor Clint Carter cover everything from clothes to accessories. These items can't do the walking for you, but they'll keep you comfortable, hydrated and safe as you get outside this summer.

LIVE BETTER TODAY

Achieve your life goals with this easy tip.

If summer has snuck up on you and you're not feeling in the best shape, there are healthy ways to turn things around without resorting to crash diets or hours in the gym. Personal trainer Stephanie Mansour told us focusing on these 6 areas, including going to bed early and reducing stress, can help you reduce bloat, increase your energy and mood and begin to see muscle tone without trying for quick, unsustainable weight loss.

WHAT'S FOR DINNER?

Allow us to do the meal-planning for you.

Juneteenth is almost here, and you can honor the day with recipes that food writer and cookbook author Nicole A. Taylor has shared with TODAY from her new cookbook, "Watermelon and Red Birds: A Cookbook for Juneteenth and Black Celebrations." Taylor gives us the scoop on how to recognize the holiday by making victory chicken burgers inspired by the '80s sitcom "A Different World," as well as a summer pea, green bean & corn salad with buttermilk dressing and a devil's food icebox cake (pictured above) to help keep you cool in the sweltering heat.

DAILY DELIGHT

A little pick-me-up before you go.

Three years ago, Matt Accurso lost his wife when she died at 37 while giving birth to a baby boy, who also died just 18 days later. It was an overwhelming time for Accurso and his daughters, Ali, Naomi and Layne, who were 8, 5, and 2 at the time. Matt shared with us how he "got his mind right" after realizing his resentment and bitterness over his wife's death was also affecting his girls. Ahead of Father's Day, the single dad shared with us how he has made raising three daughters work in the wake of tragedy. "You can allow yourself to be dragged into deeper darkness, or you can decide to be a vessel for good, and a vessel for hope," he said. "You have a choice."