You've got to have good sneakers!

Don't you hate it when you go for a run and you start getting hot feet? And I don't mean temperature- I mean the heat that signals a blister is starting. That is the worst! I am not a runner, but I do run. I do not LOVE it but I hope to get there. There is nothing that stops the love short faster than bad sneakers.

I have been running in New Balances for a while and they have been great! Look What Mom Found is giving away a pair of New Balances this month to a lucky winner. I hope it is me! If running is to become my new love I need some new sneakers!

Did you miss the JBF sale last weekend? Didn't find what you were looking for?

Then come to the SHOP KIDS EVENT this weekend in Loveland!
www.shopkidsevent.com

Come shop our event for a huge selection of gently used clothing and equipment!
You don’t want to miss this sale!!!

General Public Shopping
Friday May 15th 6:00pm-8:00pm
Sat May 16th, 9:00am-5pm
Sunday May 17th, 9:00 am-12:00 pm ½ price sale

Where
The Ranch at the Budweiser Event Center
I-25 and Crossroads in Loveland

Mindful Eating

How many times a day do you eat a meal standing up? Do you snack in front of the tv? Or do you savor each bite when you eat?

Life is busy. Sometimes I feel like every second of my day has been scheduled in 15 minute portions. Eating is crammed in there somewhere. Sometimes it is in the car, sometimes in front of the tv watching our favorite show or sports team. It is easy to feel like a bystander with your life whizzing by... It is hard to feel satisfied by a meal that just speeds past your taste buds on the way to your belly.

I have come to terms with my nature of enjoying a full schedule, for myself and my family. But in terms of healthy eating, I have made a commitment to be more intentional and aware of what we eat and where. To do so, I am changing my attitude on food... Meals are no longer another stop on the speedway that is the Waterman calendar!

Here is my plan to make meals more mindful in our house...
* Say thanks before each meal- We are vegetarians (with a little fish sometimes) so this means thanking the farmers and the food for the nourishment it offers us. This also helps the kids realize where their food comes from so there is less waste.
* Set the table- And this does not mean the TV tray. Meals are to be eaten as a family at the table. This also creates an environment of sharing and community.
* Use your five senses - Experience your meal with all five senses. Look at your food, taste it, touch it and feel for texture, smell the aroma, and listen - is there are crunch when you eat it? With the farmers market opening last week it is much easier to get farm fresh veggies with a wonderful array of colors. Enjoy it!
* Be mindful of your fullness- Sometimes people eat when they are really thirsty. Or people eat beyond fullness. Pause frequently while eating to see if you are full. It is hard to sense fullness when you are shoveling food into your mouth on the way out the door.
* Check the source- Are you craving food because you are hungry or because of another emotion (boredom/sadness/control issues). Be mindful of the emotions behind your cravings.

I am excited to really savor my foods mindfully starting with dinner tonight- I am off to cook!

Breakfast- a must for mommies (to be and otherwise)

I never have enough time in the morning. Between sending Robert off to work, getting the dogs fed and in the dog run, dressing the the kids, changing diapers, making breakfast for a 4 year old and a 1 year old (one that is healthy and will actually get eaten), supervising potty time and teeth brushing and more, there are just never enough minutes before we have to run out the door for Stroller Strides. This being the case I still manage to squeeze in a healthy breakfast for me. Why?

Because breakfast kick starts your metabolism and your day. Skipping out on breakfast can rob you of so much energy you feel it into the next day. Don't miss out on this stamina-building morning eating occasion!

Think of your needs while meeting those of your baby. For example, as you fill your baby’s sippy cup, pour a glass of milk for yourself. Or, if you don't like milk, try a drinkable yogurt or flavored milk to get the calcium you need.

Because you can't get by on yogurt and milk alone, instead of grabbing that pastry at the coffee shop or while running errands, reach for whole-grain foods such as instant oatmeal, LUNA bars, or slice of peanut-buttered whole-grain toast to compliment your morning dairy selection.

Right now I am on a steel cut oats kick. While it does take a bit longer to cook than those instant (sugar high) packets I just make a bunch on Monday and stick the rest in the fridge for the week. While I am making Kaiden's breakfast I heat up a bowl for me. I add a little milk (so it doesn't get too thick) and some vanilla whey protein. For a little sweetness I add organic maple syrup or agave. If I am lucky enough to have berries in the fridge I add those on top. Yummy!

I know that as moms we are lucky to make it out of the house, much less out of the house on time with clean clothes on everyone. But try to take the time to have a healthy breakfast. Your body will thank you for it in many ways!

Working Moms- Stroller Strides has Saturday classes!

Are you a mom that works out of the house during the week? Do you relish your weekends with your little one but still want to get a workout in? Or perhaps the rec center is out of the question since your little one is too little?

Then come to Saturday Stroller Strides classes!

Stroller Strides of Longmont/Firestone offers a Saturdays only membership for only $25. It is perfect for working moms and moms/kiddos with other weekday commitments. Not only do you get a great workout but you get it without sacrificing family time!

There is a one time registration fee of $25 and monthly membership is $25. Membership includes Saturday classes only ($6.25 each).

Also, to celebrate Pregnancy Awareness Month new moms can try out classes for free from May 10th through May 16th! And your first class is ALWAYS FREE!

Visit strollerstrides.net/longmont for more information!

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month

And for those moms to be...

May is Pregnancy Awareness Month!


Declared and founded by holistic lifestyle expert Anna Getty, May 2009 marks the 2nd year of Pregnancy Awareness Month (PAM). Through PAM, Anna aims to empower pregnant women with information, “how to” ideas and inspiration to incorporate PAM’s four key initiatives – education, exercise, nutrition & wellness and nurture – into their life routines and to show women how easy it can be to make healthy changes in their lives for themselves and their children.

“My life was altered not only by the birth of my daughter, but by the experience and choices I made as I prepared my body, mind and spirit to become pregnant and the incredible inward journey of pregnancy itself. In PAM we have adopted the tagline: “Motherhood begins now,” and I really believe that. I took that message to heart before I actually became pregnant as a way to prepare my mind, body and household for this fabulous moment of creativity, and my life literally turned upside down, for the better."

Visit the PAM website for more info!

To celebrate PAM, Stroller Strides is offering FREE classes from May 10th to May 16th. Click the coupon for more info!

Happy Mothers Day- to those with little ones, big ones and ones still in the "oven"

Happy Mother Day from Stroller Strides of Longmont/Firestone!

Start the day off right with easy recipes for your family to cook!

Mothers Day Breakfast in Bed...
by Ann Bender and Karen Hutcherson
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY from Relish!

[A] Café Mocha
[B] Seasonal Berries w/ Whipped Cream
[C] Maple Sausage
[D] Banana Macadamia Pancakes

Here's a deliciously simple breakfast menu with banana macadamia pancakes that are to die for. The grocery list is included so send Dad and the kids to the store and stretch out on the couch and watch Beaches, Pretty Woman or any Meg Ryan movie.
Enjoy!

CAFÉ MOCHA [A]
Freshly brewed coffee
2 tablespoons chocolate syrup
Dollop of fresh whipping cream*
Cinnamon

1. Pour hot coffee into a mug, mix in the chocolate syrup, and place a dollop of whipped cream on top with a dash of cinnamon.

*FRESH WHIPPED CREAM
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon sugar

1. Using an electric mixer, mix the whipping cream and sugar until stiff peaks form. Use the cream in the coffee and on the berries.

SEASONAL BERRIES WITH WHIPPED CREAM [B]
1 pint fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
1 pint blueberries
1 pint blackberries

1. Mix all of the washed berries in a bowl. Transfer to individual bowls and top with fresh whipped cream.

MAPLE SAUSAGE [C]
1 package link sausage
¼ cup maple syrup

1. Prepare sausage in skillet over medium heat for 10-12 minutes. When the sausage is cooked, brush with maple syrup and let cook another minute.

BANANA MACADAMIA PANCAKES [D]

1¾ cups flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1½ cups buttermilk, well shaken
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ripe large banana
½ cup macadamia nuts, chopped
Maple Syrup
Butter
½ cup coconut, toasted (optional)
Cooking spray

1. Spread the coconut on a small baking sheet and broil for 2 minutes until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. BE CAREFUL NOT TO BURN!
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture and whisk until just combined. Cut the banana into bits and fold into batter along with the nuts.
3. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 3, pour 1⁄4 cup batter per pancake into the hot skillet and cook until the bubbles appear on the surface and the underside is golden.
4. Flip the pancakes with a spatula and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a large plate and tent with foil. Spray the skillet before each new batch.
5. Heat maple syrup in the microwave. Top the pancakes with toasted coconut and serve


MOTHER’S DAY SHOPPING LIST

Each recipe and side is coded with an A, B, C, D, or E that corresponds to the shopping list. If you’re unable to make a particular item, simply cross off everything on the grocery list with that code.

WHAT YOU NEED BUT MAY ALREADY HAVE
Baking powder
Baking soda
Butter
Chocolate syrup
Cinnamon
Coffee
Cooking spray
Eggs, large
Flour
Salt
Sugar
Vanilla extract


MEAT, FISH, POULTRY
1 package maple-flavored link
sausages [C]

PRODUCE
1 pint strawberries [B]
1 pint blueberries [B]
1 pint blackberries [B]
1 large banana [D]


DAIRY
1 pint heavy whipping cream [A,B]
1 pint buttermilk [D]


SYRUP
1 12 ounce jar of real maple syrup (the good stuff) [D]


BAKING
1 7 ounce bag shredded coconut [D]


NUTS
2 2.25 ounce packages of chopped Macadamia Nuts [D]



Relish! was founded by Ann Bender and Karen Hutcherson, two busy Colorado mothers who found themselves in the over-scheduled, eat-in-the-car trap. Both women love to cook but didn't have time to sift through cookbooks and magazines for evening meals. Healthy, good-tasting dinner shouldn't be out of reach and this is where the Relish! story begins. www.relishrelish.com.

Celebrate Mother's Day with Great Deals from Stroller Strides!

As a mom of two energetic boys, I am all about celebrating Mother's Day!

As the fastest growing workout for moms with their kids in the stroller, Stroller Strides is all celebrating moms too- by offering all kinds of sweet deals!

Doce Vida Fitness is a new line of fitness attire that is very slimming and great to workout in! It's very stylish workout apparel. They say that it’s made with a unique ultra soft, super moisture wicking 12% stretch fabric that instantly slims. How can you not love that? Doce Vida Fitness Wear is perfect for everything from working out to lounging. The folks at Doce Vida were so glad we liked it at Stroller Strides that they wanted to share a gift for our readers. Get 20% off your purchase. Use the code "SSTRIDES09" at checkout.

We're not finished yet! As a gift to you Stroller Strides is offering a FREE copy of Lisa Druxman's book Lean Mommy to the first 200 people to visit the retail store at www.strollerstrides.com. Lean Mommy is an inspirational book providing tips on staying fit during and after pregnancy, how to be a "opti" mom and eating healthy!


And with the weather finally getting nice maybe you are in the market for a jogging stroller. If so, visit Joggermom! With the purchase of any BOB stroller, you will receive a FREE console attachment for your stroller using the voucher code "4mommy." Now wouldn't that be an awesome Mother's Day gift!

Amazon discount on Earth's Best Foods

Great promo going on in May from Amazon! You can Save 30% On Earth's Best Foods! Add eligible items to your cart, choose SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE to save 15% (this can be canceled at any time with the click of your mouse from "My Account" page) and enter code: EBEST545 at checkout.

A case of Earth's Best 2nd Foods, which includes 12 jars, was just over $8 or roughly $.67 a piece. Use this to your advantage and stock pile your baby food this month!

(Thanks Candace from Deal-ectible Mommies)