Exercise

Exercise Tip of the Day:  Buddy Up

Let's face it,  it is hard to motivate to get out whether it be to the gym or just out for a walk, etc.  If someone is counting on you to be there to go at it with them, then chances are you will show up, and in all of my years of exercising and training I've learned, showing up is more than half the battle.  So there it is:  Get a Buddy and Show Up! 

Need a starting plan??

PLANKS!  Probably THE best core exercise out there and even better you need NOTHING except for yourself !  Start with 30 second plank holds and work up to 1 minute!  Remember form is more important than time, drop to your knees/forearms if you need.

Lunges around the world:  Forward, Side, Back, Side that counts as 1 round 5-8 rounds per side get deep into those lunges and press from those glutes!

Mountain Climbers:  Hold a plank, knee pulls to opposite elbow, start slow, pick up your pace, cardio & core all in one!  20 each way

Back Extension:  Lay on your stomach, anchor hips into the floor.  Float your upper body off of the floor just a bit, feel your shoulder blades pull down the sides of your back towards your butt, support your upper body with your arms VERY LIGHTLY, keep back of the neck long, lift one leg up 1-2 inches, not trying to kick up, rather keep long and reach toes for the wall behind you, 8-10 reps per side finish with double leg lifts.  You should feel the muscles surrounding your spine, not tweaking into the back.    I LOVE these exercises....everyone focuses on Abs, but you need to balance yourself with back work and this hits the all important muscles surrounding the spine and low back, which is all CORE!

Remember "Exercise gives you endorphins, endorphins make you happy, and happy people don't kill people"  Any parent knows then just how important exercise is!  And yes, I just quoted from Legally Blonde, and yes you knew what movie that was from even if you were too embarrassed to admit it!

Go to Snacks for the girls

I've been told that I've been blessed with good eaters.  I suppose that that is true.  However, I can't help but think that my husband and I have much to do with the way that they eat.  I grew up a picky eater and I have nieces and nephews who are picky eaters.  I am determined to have good eaters. I've made all home made baby food, with the help of a few cook books, never fearing adding spices and actual flavor to their food.  I'm often asked about what I give the girls so I decided I'd make a starting list of snacks.  Here are a few things that I am almost never without and consider my go to foods for the girls:

•   Organic Frozen Peas...why bother to even cook them
•   Organic Sweet Potato/Yams:  Peel, slice, little coconut or olive oil, in oven at 425 for 15-20 mins...yummy snack  ( I also do this with parsnips (w/thyme &/or add salt to these after age 1 & butternut squash sometimes with cinnamon)
• Goat Cheese (spreadable is great)
• Seaweed Snacks...what a perfect slightly salty, crunchy, and uber healthy snack
• Almond butter
• Plain Yogurt, great for making dips or just plain  2 favorite dips: with apple cider vinegar and honey, and my newest love with nut butter and a dash of cinnamon and honey
• Frozen Mango, great as a snack, dessert, and for teething
• Avocado!! Talk about yummy and nutritious, perfect brain food
• Spinach/Kale  seriously: blanch it, and mix with pear, depending on age of child mash/puree it, you can even add in yogurt (though dairy inhibits the uptake of iron so if you're goal is ultimate iron absorption, Id omit it)  I've done this with strawberries, spinach, yogurt, froze it, called it a popsicle and it was a hit!
• Oatmeal use it for breakfast or to make homemade granola type bars.  Overnight oatmeal is one of Blaire's favorite breakfasts
• Organic Cherry Tomatoes or any small variety
• Organic Apples

My list could go on, but these 12 are a great starting point.  I know that organic isn't always feasible; I highly recommend it with the few things I've mentioned as they tend to be high in pesticides; if not, wash thoroughly first. 
   

Entertainment for all

I LOVE to entertain.  I've discovered that I'm not great at going out with groups of people, but I LOVE to have people over for great food, drinks, and of course my wonderful company!  Last night we had a friend over, cooked a whole Mt Lassen Rainbow Trout, had winter squash puree, Balsamic Maple Brussel Sprouts, and of course wine!  Sometimes its hard with the girls to get the food going, pay attention to guests, and them.  Voila: Salt Painting...super Easy activity that Blaire did sitting next to our guest.  Entertainment for all.   Really cool way to show the absorbency of salt.

Dinner:

SALT PAINTING:  

Make Designs in Glue on Paper
Cover glue with salt (I used Kosher)
Dip Paintbrush in food coloring,touch to salt, and watch it expand

Why my daughters' tantrum is good for us all

The first time Blaire had a tantrum in public I felt a mix of emotions, sadness for her, for me, for those around us, embarrassment   dread (how long will this one be?), and honestly amusement (ha, ha, everyone here has to deal with this as well)!  As I've learned to work with Blaire through her tantrums, I have to be honest, I allow her and mostly encourage her to go through her spectrum of tantrum.  There is all this information out there about how to curb or stop a tantrum, and as much as I can see why we would want to do that ( only so much screaming is tolerable), I wonder if that is truly the best thing for the child.

Toddlers are at a stage when they are learning constantly about everything.  Until the age of 3, toddlers are mostly right brained, meaning that they don't utilize logic (left brain), which is why the experts say not to try to rationalize with a toddler under 3 when they are having a fit, as a fit is the right brain in control and they do not yet have the skills to transfer into the left brain/logic, and to try to prevent the tantrum/fit prior to it getting to thsi point.  Back to point:  Toddlers are experiencing more and more each day and expected to understand and do more and more each day than they are probably truly ready to take on.  

Toddlers are Neanderthals.  They want what they want when they want it and communication is null and void.  They don't understand that moldy food will make them sick, or that it's 30 degrees out and too cold to wear a tutu and sandals; more importantly, they do not care about these minor details.  They understand basic needs and desire, I'm hungry I need to eat, etc.  We tell them No, for probably the 100th time that day and they loose it.  Can you blame them?  How many times and ways can you be told No before you lose it?

Why stop them from experiencing this emotion?  Why stop the child from expressing his/her desire?  Why not allow your child to show his/her will?  I'm not saying give in to the child's wants (or allow dangerous behaviors).  What I am saying is that I want my children to have opinions of their own, strong wills, determination, and the understanding that if you want something you should go after it.  I want my children to know that just because you fail at achieving your goal one time doesn't mean you should quit trying.  I want my children to have the confidence and strength to be individuals, leaders.  Thus, I will not follow the pack in squashing my children's tantrums.  I will allow them to express their emotions.  I will hug and kiss them when I won't give in, and on those occasions when I realize that what they want really is not a big deal and I give it to them, I will acknowledge their strength, determination, and victory.  

Afterall, isn't that the kind of person you want to take care of this world?

Activity for the kids

We have decided that our girls will not begin attending school until the age of 4, if even then.  Ad a former teacher I have so much fun educating my children and truly forming an amazing bond with them.  Part of this blog, I plan to devote to learning activities for young children.  I will admit some ideas I have found on other blogs, remember from my own childhood, or just make up as I go.

Last week the girls and I made Jellyfish in a bottle!  I believe I came across the idea on Pinterest (a mothers frenemy).  It was such a simple task, and came out surprisingly well.  We've been to the Ty Warner Sea Center to see the Jellies on a few occasions and have read about them in books, thus it was fun for Blaire to create her own.  We followed up the following day with a trip to the Sea Center. 

STEPS:

Cut a clear plastic bag, leaving a section together.  

PLace a rubber band (I used one of teh small ones for the girls hair) around teh section that is still connected (this is creating the head)

Cut strips in the plastic bag (kid scisssors were tough to use; I had to guide Blaire with my scissors)

FIll the head with water (pull section open, leaving rubber band in place; seriously it took me a few attempts to really get it right)

Fill bottle with water

Push Jellyfish into bottle.

Add some Food Coloring (we used a little too much of the blue which ruined teh effect slightly)

cap off adn Voila, jellyfish in a bottle.  

Holding up to the light really brings it out.

Passing on a great article.

 I'd like to pass on an article written by my boss, Pilates mentor, Master Trainer, and IM=X studio owner, Chanda Fetter, whom, will be teaching the largest Pilates Mat class in Phoenix, AZ next month (Sat. May 4) for National Pilates Day!  If you can get there, I promise you will NOT be disappointed.

At Home Core Strength -by-Chanda-Fetter

http://www.healthyourwayonline.com/at-home-core-strength-by-chanda-fetter/

Give Daddy some credit

As a mostly stay at home mom I'm more often than not the person in charge of any and all things kid related.  I'm also the one who has gotten the routine down to a near perfect science (ok, maybe it's more like a routine based on organized chaos).  Anytime I have to be away and leave the girls with daddy for longer than 1 hour I find myself getting a bit anxious.  What will he feed them? What will happen if Sloane has a meltdown? What if Blaire has a tantrum? What if what if what if???  I leave, I come back, and sure enough everyone is happy, healthy, and as much as I hate to admit it, better off than if I had stayed.  I know this, I've always know this, yet why is it I get so anxious each and every time, it's not this hard to leave them with the nanny?  I will tell you: Television.

Have you noticed the increase in the amount of programming relating to dads being primary care givers??  I mean Charles in Charge (yes that's what I call, what's his name) has a new show where he is again the man in charge of the house/child care, and I know there are a few others out there as well.  I don't actually watch any of these shows (I find other IQ decreasing ones to watch), but I've seen the commercials or read tid bits in magazines, and I get the jist.  "Ha Ha, look at daddy try to change a diaper, or use a baby bjorn, or make dinner, and use the stroller, feed the dog, etc"  Why is this all so comical?  Why can't daddies do these things just as well as a mommy?  Hell, why shouldn't they be doing these things? It's sad to think that men taking care of their children is considered so odd and challenging that it is actually comedy?

Give Daddy more credit than that.  Men are just as much parents as women.  Men LOVE their children just the same as women.  Your children will flourish if given the same opportunity to spend quality time with their daddy as much as they do with mommy.  Daddies can bring a level of crazy that most of us moms fear; a level that will challenge and teach the kids in a unique way.  So, STOP buying into the media BS that daddies are incompetent, STOP giving daddy a list of do's and don'ts, what to expe
cts, and how to's.  Instead, let daddy do what daddies do best.... BE A DADDY!  On his own terms, in his own unique and loving way.  And by all means,  take advantage of being able to have some YOU time, rather than Mommy time.  I know I will. 

Kale Salad

I've learned that if we grow it, they will eat it.  Hence, my girls love Kale.  Blaire will actually pick it out of the garden and eat it raw.  However, I stumbled upon a Kale Salad recipe that I throw at just about anyone who comes to eat here and have found that I can turn just about anyone into a lover of Kale!  This recipe comes from the cookbook Feeding the Whole Family, Cooking with Whole Foods author: Cynthia Lair

Massaged Kale and Currant Salad

1 bunch Kale
1 tsp sea salt
1/4 diced red onion
1/3 cup currants
3/4 cup diced apple
1/3 cup toasted sunflower seeds
1/4 Olive Oil
2 tbs unfiltered apple cider vinegar
1/3 cup gorgonzola cheese, crumbled (I have never put this in)

Massage your Kale (after cleaning, de-stemming, and cutting into think pieces) in the salt for 2 minutes.  Add in onion, apple, currants, sunflower seeds.  Dress with Oil and Vinegar.  Adjust for salt/vinegar as needed (again, Ive never needed).  Seriously keeps for a few days.  

pure goodness!  

Balance

I think that we can all agree that Balance is the key to sanity.  I'm not only talking about life balance, but also EXERCISE!  You knew it had to come sooner or later ;)  I am one of the lucky people in life who actually enjoys or rather LOVES exercise.  I think that nothing  can compare to the feel of dripping swear after an ass kicking workout.  Unfortunately, I also know that there are many people who find that to be the worst feeling.  And that brings me back to BALANCE.  You don't have to be dripping sweat hours each and every day to be getting exercise.  BUT, truly, you DO NEED to exercise.  Exercise helps the physical, mental, and spiritual self.

I will attempt to give you some ideas to help balance out your life and exercise, some days my suggestion may be to go on a walk and find the beauty around you, which really we shoudl all do at least one time per week.  Other days possibly circuit training ideas, mommy and me, etc.  As a trainer and lover of fitness, I know how easy it can be to become unbalanced in your routine, so if nothing else I hope to just motivate you to mix it up.  Afterall, variety is the spice of life.

Today GET OUTSIDE!  This can easily be done with your child/children. Let them try to do these exercises along with you or cheer you on!

20 Plie squats (second position)
Play Hop Scotch for 1 min, varying which is your single leg to jump on :)
20 Wall push ups, or floor, knees/toes, whichever suits you
Walking lunges, aim for 20 from each leg
15 Tricep dips from a chair or step, whatever you have
Abdominal crunches:  knees in table top (knees stack on top of hips) support your head in your hand, 15 down the center and 15 to each side (keep both butt cheeks down at all times)

Do 1-3 X's  

OR come try a class at the IM=X studio.  www.imxsb.net   ;)

I gave my Husband the middle finger...

And then I drank a glass of wine.  Before you judge, let's rewind.  4:55 a.m. Sloane decides she should wake up.  I go in to get her and she easily falls asleep.  Just as easily, she's right back awake and wanting to nurse.  Ok, I'll give, I want to sleep.  5:10 am back in bed.  5:15 am. Blaire yells for Daddy, only daddy doesn't hear.  I nudge him enough to get him going. 5:18 Blaire is in our bed, tossing, turning, and my favorite, talking to me. 5:25 am. Sloane wakes up.

5:30: changing Sloanes' diaper, I let Blaire know that I would be making both she and Sloane french toast for breakfast with some fruit and berries.  Breakfast made, Tantrum no.1, something about fruit, wanting oatmeal in a jar, and God knows what else.  Luckily tantrum no. 1 was easily diffused and although Blaire did not eat her french toast she ate some yogurt and berries and would have some Crepes with daddy later.  Sloane loved her french toast!

8:30 am.  I take Sloane and Daisy, our 3 year old Viszla, out for a 7 mile run.  Blaire and Sloane play for a bit on the floor and Blaire has to be reminded gently and then firmly that she must be gentle with her sister.   She gets crazy, kicking, yelling, etc and must also be reminded that she will not attend her friends party later that day if she's not being a good listener seeing as that would be rude and potentially unsafe.  11 am.  Family trip to stores. We had to buy a birthday card for the party.  CVS, almost Tantrum no 2. Luckily a little reverse psychology from daddy got her moving before she could really get going.  Grocery store went surprisingly well (a little fruit to keep the girls occupied can go a long way, real fruit, not one of those pouches)

Preparing to go to the party, Tantrum no 3, not a true tantrum, but a fit, running away, refusing to cooperate, throwing toothbrush, etc.  I leave to go tell Daddy that we will not be going to the party seeing as Blaire is being a bad listener, suddenly teeth and hair can be done.  Ok, she did what she was asked, we will go.

Party.  Good times had by all.  3:00, time to go.  Tantrum no. 4.  Crying and Yelling all the way to the car, doesn't want to go home, mommy has to carry her, wants to go to the park, ummm, party was at the park.  Drive home: party horns not in correct spot, Blaire can't get them hooked into her seat, Screaming some more.  Home:  Put Blaire down for a nap. Sloane refuses to nap.  An hour later: Blaire yells for mommy, I go in, she gives me a coin she had, tells me to take it, then falls back asleep.  4:50: I tell the hubby that we may need to wake Blaire soon, but to give her 10 more minutes.  He opens her door anyway and allows Sloane to go wake Blaire.  Blaire comes out yelling. (Way to go hubby, way to go)  Blaire wants fruit, but I have to remind her that she already had a lot today and that she could have some cheese and crackers.  Tantrum no 5.  Blaire wants to eat on the couch, mommy wants her to eat at the counter or table.  Finally reach a compromise, I get it all set up, and nothing is eaten anyway.

Dinner:  Blaire decided is the time to run around crazy.  Sloane super tired and crying.  I was shoveling food down as quickly as possible, I think it was pork, not sure, had to eat before I could taste.  Blaire refusing to listen, screaming, running.  I was at my wits end.  I picked her up and took her to her room, told her she had to stay until she was calmed down (forgot to use her Tot clock)  1 min later:  "mommy, mommy" with tears.  Go in to find her in the rocking chair goofing off.  Blaire put back in bed and informed she can come out when calm, but that she was being a bad listener and that that was not nice, I had had it and would not play with her. Daddy, not happy with mommy.  Get Sloane so I can get her ready for bed.  Blaire comes out starts running.  Daddy takes over, only allows her to go nuts in hallway outside of bedroom where I will be putting Sloane to sleep; I say something about positive and negative reinforcement..  He tells me to not be angry (or something along those lines) and as I walked away with the baby, I gave him the middle finger.  Nursed Sloane to sleep, came out Blaire was eating, and I sat down and had my glass of wine.

Parenting Fear

In light of the tragedy in Boston, I feel it's a good time to address parenting fears.  As parents, I think that we can all agree that we have goals and dreams when it comes to our children. I'm talking about character, who our children will grow up to become.  Empathetic, Sympathetic, Loving, Kind, Trustworthy, Faithful, the list could go on for miles. But what about what we fear our children could become?  I can't imagine any parent wanting their child or children to become bullies, sociopaths, terrorists.  I'm sad for the parents of children who become those individuals.  Do I blame them? Partially, yes, I'd be lying if I said otherwise.  However, I also believe in individuality, rebellion, and free will.  Still, I can't help but think, "what if that were my child?" You can tell me that would never happen because you're a good parent.  And, I pray that that is true. Yet, having worked in Education with at risk and challenged youth, a part of me understands that sometimes the best parents in the world end up with some not so wonderful children.  

Since the moment I discovered that I was going to be a parent I became flooded with feelings of joy, yes, but also fear.  What if I'm not a good parent? What if I screw up?  What if What if what if???  I don't believe that there is one right way to parent.  However, I do believe that there is a wrong way to parent.  As a parent, it is YOUR JOB to teach, love, praise, and support your child/children.  It is NOT the job of schools, communities, etc.   No one can or will love and support your child/children the way that you can and should. I'm not saying be a helicopter parent, but by all means when your child hurts, hug them, kiss, them, support them, and don't say "I told you so."

My heart goes out to all affected in Boston.  My heart breaks that any child can grow up to be so full of hate that they can act on it in such horrific manners. I pray everyday that my own children learn love and acceptance, and as their middle names say, to live with Grace and Faith, for there is no better way.  

Food for thought

Food is a large part of our life.  I am obsessed with food, which is both good and bad.  I love to eat, and luckily I love to exercise.  I also experience a lot of food related issues that I do not wish to pass onto my children, which is a big reason why I am always looking for making nutritious and yummy food for the girls, and let's face it, I'm a bit of a control freak.  Today for lunch I made the girls one of my absolute favorite meals and wanted to share.  I also have to give a big shout out to Tina Schmidt Wood, whom is the creator of said recipe, and friend (though I bought her books and was using the recipes before I ever met her and her beautiful girls)

in our house we call this yo-yo dip (Blaires word for yogurt when she was just a wee little thing)

1/2 cup plain yogurt (I use Goat yogurt as I firmly believe that cow dairy is gross and not healthy)
2 teaspoons Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon honey (raw of course)
Add ins:  any and everything!  Chicken, peas, carrots, grapes, celery, apple, bell pepper, etc.

LOVE LOVE LOVE 

Happy Eating!

Seriously Socks

Anyone who knows me knows that I was not blessed with good sleepers.  Bad sleepers is almost an understatement in our household.  Since I chose to not work full time I find it only fair that I am the one who takes care of night waking's, seeing as if I was a person who could nap, I would nap during the girls nap time while the hubby is off at work.  Last night took the cake on the 2 am wake up call.  Not because it was a particularly long or tearful awake period, but because I found myself talking about socks with my not quite 3 year old. Apparently, wearing your cousins socks, who is 8 yrs older, to bed may not be the best option if you would like to keep them on.  Blaire spent what felt like FOREVER pulling the socks up as high as she could, by the way they are ankle socks, only to stretch them out and make them bigger, thus fall off more quickly.  After then finding her way to my bed, Blaire continued to throw her legs up to play with the socks and scream each time they slid opposite of her desire.  Although I know that there is no reasoning with an almost 3 year old due to the whole right brain left brain thing, I still in my deep desire to sleep tried to explain why the socks were falling down and that she needed to close her eyes and sleep.  That led to more screaming and possibly a few tears, hard to say at that time on day.  Finally I did my best to tuck the socks in under her pants in hopes of keeping them in place.  That along with some water allowed her to drift back to sleep just in time for my loving 1 year old to want to join the fun of wakefulness.  After she fell back to sleep, yes I caved and nursed her...the power of the boob is amazing in the middle of the night, some may poo poo me but that only proves you don't know the true meaning of not sleeping, my husband then needed to know how Blaire came to be in our bed...SERIOUSLY, I just want to freakin sleep!!  SERIOUSLY, SOCKS! 

On a side note, washing machine DO EAT SOCKS!  We've been having trouble with our washer not fully draining, upon opening some panels and tubes, low and behold we found SOCKS!  A few little baby and toddler socks, as well as one or two of my own.  Yet, another reason to want to throw out every sock in the house today, especially baby socks that never stay on anyway and then you wonder how it is that other parents get them to stay on without the use of shoes.  Yea, I don't buy it; I've tried it all, well not duck tape or super glue, but hey there's an idea, baby socks are pointless. 

Happy Wednesday.

What I may have to say

I've been wanting to start a blog or write a book for some time now.  This is my attempt.  The funny thing is it's unlikely that anyone really cares what I have to say, but as I tell my husband, I spend most of my time debating with a two and a half year old and/or talking to a one year old.  Needless to say I speak to myself all day long, and though I'm not convinced that blogging is truly any different than me speaking to myself, at least I can pretend that I am speaking to all of you, the people in cyberspace. 

In my past life, which is my life pre-children, I was a high school teacher.  Specifically, I taught Special Education and Continuation School.  Oddly, these jobs probably prepared me better for being the parent of a toddler than any job I could imagine, being as behavior management was the number one indicator of a good or bad day.  I was, and am, a trainer at the most amazing Pilates studio and Fitness Center, IM=X Santa Barbara.  I can't imagine working with and for better individuals; much of my sanity, is due to this place. (Yes, the level of my sanity is debatable, but again I reference the fact that much of my day is spent with a 1 and 2 yr old).

 I'm a lover of all things health and well being related.  I spend what little time I have reading up on nutrition, health, fitness, etc.  It's somewhat obsessive, I'm sure, but to me it's thrilling information that I strive to put into place everyday.  My girls never ate baby food from a store bought jar (with the exception of some prunes to relieve constipation).  I'm a stay at home mom who strives to make play educational & messy.  I work harder at trying to be a mom then I've worked on any other task given to me.  I have yet to earn my super mom cape. 

I am the wife to the most supportive and loving man, Brian, that I have ever known.  We made the decision, together and not lightly, for me to become a stay at home mom.  It was the best decision I have ever made in my life. I can't imagine not being with my girls as much as I am.  I work part time, very part time as a trainer, and on most days even that is too much for me (mainly because my awesome nanny takes the girls out and about so when I do get home no one is here:( now please play your violin for me) This brings me to my final point:   I am judgmental, and before you go poo pooing at me, realize that EVERYONE is judgmental, it is part of our human make up and does not equate to being negative.  When you tell me something, yes I will make a face and you will think, "there she goes judging me again" but you're wrong.  I'm not judging you, I'm judging what you told me in comparison to what I do and deciding if it would work for me or not, and if it would it be better for me and my family.

Thus, my point and what I think I can bring to the world of blogging... Educator, Trainer, Stay at Home Mom...my crazy convoluted world, the ins, outs, ups, downs, twists, flips, and oh shits....the road to...what?  Not sure yet, but I'd love for you to come along for the ride.