Best test for fat loss...

I just read on Women's Health the best way to test for fat loss. And if you are having a hard time committing to a healthy diet, this one will give you the motivation.

Basically it says that weighing yourself is not a good indicator of fat loss since the scale measures water and muscles as well as fat. A better way is to "place your fingers on your belly and inhale deeply so that it expands. As you exhale, contract your abdominal muscles and push your fingertips against your hard abdominal wall. Now pinch.

"You're holding pure fat," says Tom Seabourne, Ph.D., author of Athletic Abs. Do this every day, 30 minutes before your workout, and you'll find that you rarely decide to skip a session."

Ouch. I did the test and I am now even more committed to making healthy choices in my diet. Check out the whole site for great tips on health and wellness.

Zebra Mix Giveaway

I am always on the lookout for fun to be had with your kids. Since K and I have been on a cooking spree I found Zebra Mix and I am so excited to try these kits out with K. We are going to get the chocolate chip cookie bag!

(from the Zebra Mix Website) You will love eating our Chocolate Chip Cookies. But, we think the best part is in the process of making these cookies.

Each baking mix has on oversized Safari Baking Map with two levels of learning. Level 1 (age 4-9) is for non-readers, beginning readers and experienced readers. Level 2 is for ages 9 and up. Each level has aspirational learning and appeals to a variety of learning styles.

Using pictures, colorful illustrations and icons, kids learn math, science, practice critical thinking and they even learn how to write a scientific formula - all while they are Stirring Up Fun!®

It is the perfect kid-sized project for one, or set it up as a fun activity with family and friends.

I found the kit on Mammalicious Finds. They have great things for moms and kids. Visit their site to learn how to win a kit for yourself!

Toffee Anyone?

Hey Ladies, I know we are in the middle of a Fit Moms Challenge. But I am a firm believer in moderation and also happiness. One of the things that brings me happiness is good toffee. Click here to learn about a toffee giveaway from Funky Monkey and English Toffee Anytime. Good luck and if you win, you better share!

Moms Most Wanted Contest- Hot Mommy Next Door!

Visit Moms Most Wanted and see how to win The Hot Mommy Next Door book! Everyone knows I love talking about ways to get into your Pre Baby Jeans, and here is another helpful motivational tool...

(from Moms Most Wanted)
"At one point or another we all ask ourselves, "who am I?" When I first became a mom, this question took on a new level of importance for me. Before my son was born three and a half years ago, I could not answer it. But his birth put my life into perspective. In some regards, it was like undergoing my own rebirth. Finally I was able to define my own idenity and my goals to my own satisfaction. I was the happiest I'd ever been. Subsequently, after the birth of my daughter two years later, I gained more clarity and fine combed my answer. Unfortunately, I also gained weight. The good news was that the experience of two pregnancies and the resulting weight gain inspired me to take charge of my life and my fitness, and ultimately it inspired me to write this book. Everything I learned from my role as a mom about taking care of my body and health is in this book."

Alison takes you through an easy and effective way to loose the "baby weight" and to help you take charge of your life. This book is really easy to read and layed out well. You can easily use it as a second Bible for regaining your life and your weight.

Alison M. Fadoul is a certified Spinning® instructor and founder of The Hot Mommy Next Door, a web source and consulting service for mothers of newborns and young children. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Florida State University and a Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University.

Click here to find out how to win! Good luck!

Sensa, now that looks easy!

I am not usually a supporter of diet "assistance". I am more of a believer that if you eat right and exercise than you can reach your goals. But since I read about this product on Bookie Boo (you should check out this site!) I am very intrigued.

Apparently you just sprinkle it on your food and you get full faster. As a breastfeeding mommy who sometimes feels like she can eat all three meals at once (I am ravenous...), I think I may have to look into it. And they are giving away 6 months to 2 lucky winners... Check it out and see what you think!

BPA- what is it and why should we care?

If you haven't heard yet, BPA is bad for you. What is BPA?

Bisphenol A, commonly abbreviated as BPA, is an organic compound that is an important monomer in the production of polycarbonate. Suspected of being hazardous to humans since the 1930s, concerns about the use of bisphenol A in consumer products grabbed headlines in 2008 when several governments issued reports questioning its safety, and some retailers pulled products made from it off their shelves. (from Wikipedia)

As an employee of a retailer that sold water bottles I was first made aware of BPA by a frantic email from corporate telling us to pull all our water bottles. I later learned that BPA can leach out of the product that contains it and enter the human body. When inside the body, it mimics hormones (such as estrogen). This "estrogenicity" has been linked to Breast Cancer in several studies.

So I thought, great, I will switch to a stainless steel water bottle (or my Stroller strides bottle which is BPA free). But I forgot about the baby! Here I was giving the little one a bottle filled with BPA (and milk). So soon after switching out the BPA for me, I found BPA free bottles for Ethan. I strongly suggest you mommies do the same, especially since the earlier the exposure to BPA, the higher the risks! Here is a list of BPA free baby bottles. I use the medela ones since they match up to my pump.

Read more about BPA on Seventh Generation's blog, the Biography of BPA...

You are what you eat, and your kids are watching you eat it...

Our culture is filled with immediate gratification- fast food, microwave meals, TV, video games, fast forward buttons and more. Long gone are the nights when families would eat together at the table and then get together for a board game. Or even (heaven forbid) read a book. Now it is scarf down some food in front of the TV and then some more TV. It is awful... No wonder childhood obesity is nearing epidemic proportions.

Eating healthy has always been one of my struggles. My husband and I have been blessed with fast metabolism, something I am assuming our children will also have. This means that self discipline is a skill I am still working on. But I am working on it... I have removed all the microwave meals from our freezer, cut our High Fructose Corn Syrup intake (studies show HFCS may contain mercury), increased the amount of fresh veggies and fruits we eat and we no longer have soda in the house. All good first steps...

I was recently reading on Kids Health a post about childhood obesity and it really opened my eyes as to how we are responsible as parents for passing on both good and bad eating habits to our children. We cannot just talk about what is healthy, we have to "practice what we preach" and make healthy eating and exercise a family affair.

As a Stroller Strides instructor I try to be a good role model to my moms and their children. Not perfect, but trying my best to make healthy choices about nutrition and exercise. It is wonderful in class seeing the children imitate our workout and I hope they continue to view exercise as something fun. But I also have to remember when I hang up the exercise bands and put the stroller away, I am still a role model to my own kids. So no more computer today! It's time to go on a bike ride with the kids and do something active together!

Self Discipline is the precursor to success.

Just remember this phrase as you start receiving your girl scout cookies this week. You do not have to eat the whole box at once. Although I know from experience that you really, really want to...

Six O'Clock Scramble- you only have until February 28th to win!

Ever feel like a chicken with your head cut off- running around trying to do 5 things at once. I do... Right now I am blogging, warming up food for Ethan and trying to clean the kitchen while moderating Kaiden brushing his teeth... Yikes. And with the Fit Moms Challenge I am also committed to making all home made meals.

But I have found an awesome tool to keep my mom sanity intact. It is The Six O'Clock Scramble. They offer inspiring ideas for quick and healthy dinners. They help you with menu planning, grocery lists and recipes. And Stroller Strides is giving away 5 1-month FREE memberships. Click here to get the rules.

This giveaway will end February 28 at 11:59 PM EST. 5 winners will be randomly selected and notified by email. US entries only, please.

Boogie Wipes- last chance to win!

Hey Moms, this is cold season and runny noses are a given in the Colorado cold. Even with the softest tissues our little ones noses can get a little raw. I recently tried Boogie Wipes instead of kleenex and they are awesome! They even come in travel packs for moms and kids on the go.

Boogie Wipes are the latest innovation in a moist wipe product for busy moms, dads & kids. With added saline, they offer quick, gentle, effective relief of stuck on Boogies (mucus) caused by the common cold & allergies.

How are Boogie Wipes different than a regular baby wipe?

* Made with Natural Saline to Dissolve Mucus
* Hypoallergenic
* Alcohol Free
* Moisturize with Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile

* Lightly Scented
* Gentle Enough for All Ages
* Phthalate & Paraben Free

The coolest part about boogie wipes is they come in kids approved scents... Like grape. Grape scented wipes, it's genius!

To give you a chance to try this great product, Stroller Strides is running a fun giveaway contest. Click here for the contest rules and check your February Stroller Strides newsletter for an amazing coupon code.

This giveaway will end February 15 at 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be randomly selected and notified by email. US entries only, please.

Love yourself this Valentines Day!

Hey Moms,
I just wanted to send out a note. On Valentines Day remember to give yourself a little love. Being a mom is a hard job, there are no how-to lists, only to-do lists. So pat yourself on the back and know that on this day, love really is enough.

Have a great Valentine's Day and spread love to all you meet!

Rice Krispy Treats for Vegans!

So I made rice krispy treats last night without marshmallows or butter. Why would I take out the yummiest part of the treat? Well, hubby is a vegetarian and marshmallows have all sorts of yummy things in them like pigs hooves. Since he turned veg. 12 years ago he has not had a rice krispy treat. Every time I would eat a normal RK treat I would have to eat it for both of us. So sad...

So I decided to make some vegan treats for valentines. It was really just on a whim. Most recipes suggest using vegan marshmallows but I couldn't find any at the store. I could order them online though... But I wanted to make the RK treat right away!

I looked online and found this recipe...

Classic Rice Krispies Treats
Recipe By: Lisa Bennett, adapted from VegWeb.com
Serves 12
Preparation Time: 30 minutes, plus cooling time

1 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup brown rice syrup
1/2 cup sugar (white or unbleached)
1 tablespoon Earth Balance “Buttery Spread”
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 cups Rice Krispies®

1. Spray a 9X13 pan with non-stick spray.

2. Add corn syrup, brown rice syrup, and sugar to a small, heavy-bottomed pot. Stir continuously and bring the mixture to a slow boil over medium heat. (If it gets frothy, turn down the heat.)

3. When the sugar is dissolved and the mixture has reached a slow boil, add margarine.
Stir until margarine is melted.

4. Remove from heat and add vanilla, still stirring.

5. While cooking the syrup, pour 5 cups of the cereal into a very large bowl.

6. Pour the heated syrup over the cereal and begin stirring with a heat-proof spoon (silicone, wood, metal) to combine the ingredients. Add another cup of cereal if your mixture looks too wet. (Some people like more candy, I like more cereal.)

7. Spread mixture into pan. Press flat with “buttered” hands or spray a piece of plastic wrap or disposable gloves with non-stick spray and use that to flatten out the mixture.

8. Let sit at room temperature for about 1 hour for best cohesion, but it’s perfectly OK to sample the warm Krispies if you can’t wait.

—————
Notes: For a healthier version - substitute brown rice syrup for the corn syrup, unbleached sugar for the white, and brown rice crispy cereal for the Rice Krispies.

They turned out pretty great and even better this morning for breakfast! Our son had no idea they were vegan and I am serving them at a playdate this AM. We will see if they pass the test!

Enjoy!

Write it down! To really see weight loss keep a food journal...

The Stroller Strides Fit Moms Challenge entry fee includes many things- support, weekly emails and team motivation. But it also included a food journal. Why? Well the reason is simple! Read below from SparkPeople how writing down what you eat can help you make lasting healthy change.

from The Key to Weight Loss Success- It's Write In Front of You

"I feel the most important action one can take when trying to lose weight is to keep a food diary," says SparkPeople dietitian Becky Hand. "Yes, it takes time to write down everything consumed during the day, but this in itself can curtail overeating and be vital for self-assessment and monitoring"

Studies show that people who keep food journals lose more weight and keep more of that weight off in the long run. The National Weight Control Registry–an ongoing research project tracking more than 3,000 people who’ve lost an average of 66 pounds and kept it off for five years–found that keeping a food journal is the one strategy used by the majority of successful dieters. In fact, in a study of 685 dieters conducted by a health insurance company, the best predictor of weight loss throughout the first year was the number of food records kept per week. Another recent study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that dieters who tracked their food intake in a "food diary" lost twice as much weight as those who didn't track their food.

Why keep a food journal?

* Tracking the food we consume forces us to take responsibility for our food choices. It shows what we're really eating.
* An accurate food journal helps us see eating patterns, giving us insight into when and why we eat.
* Monitoring the foods we eat helps us estimate calorie intake, so we can make adjustments, by eating less or exercising more.

If you're beginning a program to change your habits, you may want to start with a baseline food journal that keeps track of a "typical" week of food choices and exercise. This way, you'll have a better handle on what you need to work on-- problem times or situations, circumstances that make it difficult to eat healthy, and so on. The level of detail you record depends on your goals, but some possible things to jot down include:

* What you eat and how much you eat: You can estimate portions, but be honest and be thorough-- don't forget items such as candy, condiments, etc. Record as you go to ensure accuracy.
* When and where you eat: Time of day, how long you were eating, if you ate in a fast-food restaurant or the company cafeteria, etc.
* Who you were with and any other activity you were involved in: Were you reading or watching TV, or having brunch with your best friend?
* Your mood while eating: Were you bored, frustrated, happy? This may tell you whether you engage in emotional eating—eating triggered by mood, not hunger.
* Any exercise you did, including the activity, length and intensity, and estimate of calories burned.
* Any special categories for which you want to monitor consumption, such as carbohydrates, fat, or fiber content.

Once you have a baseline journal, you can set priorities for what to work on. Do you eat well when eating by yourself, but go overboard when you're with friends? Does the routine of a workday keep you in line, while the freedom of the weekend weakens your willpower? Do you subsist on convenience foods that are heavy on processing but light on nutrients and real taste? Important things to consider include:

* What is your real motivation for eating? Are you truly hungry when you eat or are you eating for emotional reasons?
* Do you eat well-balanced meals with reasonable serving sizes? If not, map out the changes you’d like to make.
* Do you eat at appropriate intervals, or do you eat a little and then overindulge later? It may seem counterintuitive, but eating smaller amounts more often may keep your energy high, and prevent overeating.

A food journal allows you to compare your habits to the healthy habits recommended by experts: getting 25 grams of fiber a day, limiting fat intake to 35 percent of your total calorie intake, and consuming fewer calories than your body burns daily. You can then continue to track what’s important to you—whether it involves elaborate detail or very simple information.

Keeping a food journal can make us uncomfortable because doing so forces us to recall things we’d rather not take note of—that chocolate shake we had for lunch, or that extra mound of mashed potatoes we regretted as soon we inhaled it. In other words: no pain, no gain. When you see the foods you’ve eaten listed in black-and-white, you can’t wish them away. But pain, even metaphorical pain, can be the impetus for change—and if used consistently, a food journal can be the instrument of that change.

Originally posted on SparkPeople
-- By Rebecca Pratt, staff writer

If you don't want to write in a book and prefer the computer- check out SparkPeople's free online Food Tracker!

Don't join Stroller Strides or the Fit Moms Challenge to lose weight...

What! But isn't that what will happen if you add exercise into your life? Well, yes. But I want you to consider some of the other things that may also come with adding Stroller Strides (or another daily exercise program) and healthy nutrition into your life.

1. More energy to chase your kids around making you a more interactive parent. Exercise strengthens your heart and lungs to work more efficiently. This means you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.

2. Your kids will see exercise as something that is fun, not something that you have to do or will get to later. Childhood obesity is so prevalent in today's society that making exercise fun will affect our kids in positive ways that we can only imagine!

3. Since the majority of moms do the cooking and grocery shopping, moms that make healthy food choices for themselves will also make healthy choices for their families. This will positively affect the health and energy of the family as a whole.

4. A better sex life... Yup, I said it. And not because of your fit body, but because exercise increases endorphins, sex drive and circulation. There have been studies to prove it!

5. A better outlook on life- see the above for endorphins! Exercise can put you in a better mood as well as reduce stress, depression and anxiety. And we all know the effects of a cranky mom on the whole family...

6. Exercise can also combat chronic disease... Like heart disease, osteoporosis, even high blood pressure. It has also been shown to prevent type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

7. Exercise promotes better sleep, and better sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. Better sleep also translates into more energy during the day for the things you like to do.

8. Exercise can be a fun way to meet new people. Take a yoga class, take a salsa class, if you are a mom, take Stroller Strides and meet other moms for friendship and support. These new friends can also be your motivational support when you feel like jumping off the healthy bandwagon!

9. Exercise also strengthens and boosts your immune system. Got kids? Then you have germs- and really strong ones too. Exercise can boost your immune system to fight the super germs that kids like to bring home from daycare and school. Meaning you can get on with the business of being a mom.

10. And I guess the last things would be that yes, exercise will help you maintain a healthy weight.

Check out this video and learn why other moms are joining the Stroller Strides Fit Challenge. Each mom is so inspirational and they remind me why I became a franchise owner... The reason was to create a community that empowers and inspires moms to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.

And I love the kids doing the exercises at the end- just goes to show you they pick up things from us all the time. It's up to us to be healthy role models!

Consignment sale alerts!

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Do you find yourself getting Mad at Dad?

The Well Mom just posted a link to this fantastic article- Mad at Dad. I could completely relate! My husband is a great father and I admit he is not as bad as the examples (sometimes he is great) but transitioning into a SAHM role I feel the anger this article describes bubbling quite close to the surface. Perhaps I should send the link to my husband instead of posting it here!

Six O'clock Scramble Giveaway!

Ever feel like a chicken with your head cut off- running around trying to do 5 things at once. I do... Right now I am blogging, warming up food for Ethan and trying to clean the kitchen while moderating Kaiden brushing his teeth... Yikes. And with the Fit Moms Challenge I am also committed to making all home made meals.

But I have found an awesome tool to keep my mom sanity intact. It is The Six O'Clock Scramble. They offer inspiring ideas for quick and healthy dinners. They help you with menu planning, grocery lists and recipes. And Stroller Strides is giving away 5 1-month FREE memberships. Click here to get the rules, and I am SO entering this contest! I hope someone from Longmont wins!

Boogie Wipes- A genius invention for little ones runny noses!

Hey Moms, this is cold season and runny noses are a given in the Colorado cold. Even with the softest tissues our little ones noses can get a little raw. I recently tried Boogie Wipes instead of kleenex and they are awesome! They even come in travel packs for moms and kids on the go.

Boogie Wipes are the latest innovation in a moist wipe product for busy moms, dads & kids. With added saline, they offer quick, gentle, effective relief of stuck on Boogies (mucus) caused by the common cold & allergies.

How are Boogie Wipes different than a regular baby wipe?

* Made with Natural Saline to Dissolve Mucus
* Hypoallergenic
* Alcohol Free
* Moisturize with Vitamin E, Aloe and Chamomile
* Lightly Scented
* Gentle Enough for All Ages
* Phthalate & Paraben Free

The coolest part about boogie wipes is they come in kids approved scents... Like grape. Grape scented wipes, it's genius!

To give you a chance to try this great product, Stroller Strides is running a fun giveaway contest. Click here for the contest rules and check your February Stroller Strides newsletter for an amazing coupon code.

Have fun ladies and check back often for more fun stuff from Stroller Strides of Longmont!

Fit Moms Challenge- Moms get ready, get set, get fit!

The New Year always brings resolutions. This is the year to keep them!

Pre Baby Jeans and Stroller Strides of Longmont is hoping that you will look at your total health – mind, body and spirit. Although a certain weight on the scale might be your desire, it is your strength and vitality that make you beautiful. For 2009 not only do we want you to commit to be active at some point EACH day, but we also want you to commit to strengthening your inner beauty and spirit.

If you are ready to make a commitment to your health than join The Fit Moms Challenge! This challenge is a way for moms to get in the best shape of their lives. It is being offered nationwide in conjunction with Stroller Strides.

Each week, you will get tips on nutrition, fitness, motivation and more! You will also be able to test your fitness throughout the challenge to see your progress. The best part is that you participate in the challenge as a team. This means you have a built in support network! And the support does not stop there! There is also a facebook page with participants nationwide sharing their stories, successes and challenges.

If you are really ready to take it to the next level and get in the best shape of your life, join the Fit Moms Challenge!