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!