Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Ghost The Musical
Last week, I headed to Times Square after work for a performance of Ghost, The Musical at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. I've been in love with the movie since I first laid eyes on it (Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.... can you blame me?!) so you can imagine my excitement when I was invited to participate in this Blogger Night, right?! Yup... psyched!
I certainly wasn't expecting the live show to live up to the movie. And, in many ways, it didn't. I mean, who can out-perform Mr. Swayze himself and how can one convey ghosts and the after-life on stage?! However, I was excited to see the younger, promising actors on stage that I've heard so much about these past few weeks.
And they did not disappoint. Richard Fleeshman embodies Sam Wheat, Cassie Levy plays a great Molly, and Da'Vine Joy Randolph delivers a stellar performance as the always-funny Oda Mae Brown. I'm not just saying that to say it -- the audience loved them, and the show was special in its own right.
I especially liked the special effects during the performance used to convey the after-life and Sam Wheat passing through walls and doors and subway cars. It topped all of my expectations and felt like somewhat of a magic show as well as a musical.
All in all, it was a good night for Mommy Delicious to hit the town and a good night on Broadway.
Ghost, The Musical will run through August 18th at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street) so be sure to get your tickets if you want to check out all the magic! Tickets run from $55.50 -- $145.50, with specials on group sales.
{Disclaimer: I was not compensated for this post. I received two tickets to Ghost, The Musical in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
Friday, July 27, 2012
On Fostering Resilience in Our Children
[Photo via] |
Our "light and funny" conversation soon shifted to something a little more serious. To me. (And, apparently to D as well).
We began talking about Aiden and I bought up something that's constantly on my mind. Am I doing enough to foster resilience in this child? Am I doing enough to help mold and shape him into a well-adjusted, socially competent, self-sufficient young man?
I think about these things.
A lot.
Aiden's other parent has chosen to not be apart of his life, and I know that as his mother, I can not completely fill the void that may result because of this. I can teach Aiden that the world is filled with different types of family structures; I can make sure he knows that he is loved and cherished; I can make sure that he gets a damn good education; I can make certain that he's well-read and well-traveled and that his weekends are filled with swimming and soccer and kid-friendly outings. And I can work hard and get the high-paying dream job to pay for all of these things.
But...
I can't replace his father.
And as I try to foster resilience in this child, it worries me.
But...
I think I found a solution.
As I was having dinner with D, I rallied him up as Aiden's newest mentor. Heck, Aiden already loves and looks up to him so I might as well milk it for all it's worth! He'll be spending a couple Saturdays per month with the kid doing "boy stuff," whatever that means.
I say all this to make one point: single parents can create protective factors in our children that far outweigh their risk factors. We can foster resilience in them and they can grow up to be well-adjusted and socially responsible.
It can be done.
We just have to put in the work.
Bottom line: never underestimate the life that you can create for yourself. And your children.
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Summer Activities: Woodworking Crafts for Kids
Written by Marie Hunter
If your kids are stuck indoors because of summer rains or are taking a break from the hot sun, woodworking crafts can be a fun and creative way to keep kids busy during the summer. Most parents don't consider woodworking crafts for children because of the safety risks involved. But there are plenty of craft ideas your kids can participate in that are safe for every age.
Wood Collages for Young Children
Any age group can make a wood collage, but it's especially fun for children who are too young to use woodworking tools. For this project you’ll need an unfinished wood base that's approximately 1 square foot, decorative craft items, a paintbrush and wood glue.
A great way to start the project is by taking your kids on a nature walk to collect decorations for the collage. Depending on where you live, kids can use small pine cones, seashells, colorful pebbles, small rocks or pieces of wood and twigs as decorations.
Spread a thick layer of glue over the surface of the wood. Let your kids place the decorations on the surface however they want. Have them brush wood glue over the top of the project when it’s finished and let it dry for 24 hours. Drill holes at the top of the canvas so you can proudly hang your child’s artwork on the wall.
Hand-Painted Jewelry
This project allows kids to paint wooden beads for jewelry. All you need is wooden beads, paint, paint brushes, masking tape and a piece of string or ribbon for the finished beads.
To start, have your kids select the colors of paint they want to use for their beads. They can paint freestyle and make their own designs, or they can use the masking tape to cover parts of the bead so they’ll paint a more structured design. For a handmade Mother’s Day gift, kids can paint large beads to look like their faces and string them on a necklace or bracelet.
Decoupage Furniture
By the time they reach a certain age, most kids aren't interested in doing projects with their parents. But a decoupage table, desktop or chair will allow your teens to personalize their spaces, enjoy some craft time with you or, if desired, by themselves. This project requires wood furniture, photos or pictures from magazines and decoupage glue.
Have your teen gather some favorite photos and meaningful magazine pictures, such as favorite singers, celebrities, places or activities. Arrange the photos over the piece of furniture, securing each with a drop of glue. Brush decoupage glue over the entire wood surface and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Creating Lifelong Hobbies
Helping kids experiment with woodworking allows them to explore new activities, and it may spark their interest and become a lifelong hobby. As your children get older, talk to them about other woodworking crafts they'd like to try. This encourages independence while maintaining a common interest you can share with your kids.
About the author:
Maire likes to read romance novels, jog, practice hot yoga and walk her Scottish Terrier, Pete. She also enjoys baking and experimenting with new craft projects.
[photo via Parents.com] |
If your kids are stuck indoors because of summer rains or are taking a break from the hot sun, woodworking crafts can be a fun and creative way to keep kids busy during the summer. Most parents don't consider woodworking crafts for children because of the safety risks involved. But there are plenty of craft ideas your kids can participate in that are safe for every age.
Wood Collages for Young Children
Any age group can make a wood collage, but it's especially fun for children who are too young to use woodworking tools. For this project you’ll need an unfinished wood base that's approximately 1 square foot, decorative craft items, a paintbrush and wood glue.
A great way to start the project is by taking your kids on a nature walk to collect decorations for the collage. Depending on where you live, kids can use small pine cones, seashells, colorful pebbles, small rocks or pieces of wood and twigs as decorations.
Spread a thick layer of glue over the surface of the wood. Let your kids place the decorations on the surface however they want. Have them brush wood glue over the top of the project when it’s finished and let it dry for 24 hours. Drill holes at the top of the canvas so you can proudly hang your child’s artwork on the wall.
Hand-Painted Jewelry
This project allows kids to paint wooden beads for jewelry. All you need is wooden beads, paint, paint brushes, masking tape and a piece of string or ribbon for the finished beads.
To start, have your kids select the colors of paint they want to use for their beads. They can paint freestyle and make their own designs, or they can use the masking tape to cover parts of the bead so they’ll paint a more structured design. For a handmade Mother’s Day gift, kids can paint large beads to look like their faces and string them on a necklace or bracelet.
Decoupage Furniture
By the time they reach a certain age, most kids aren't interested in doing projects with their parents. But a decoupage table, desktop or chair will allow your teens to personalize their spaces, enjoy some craft time with you or, if desired, by themselves. This project requires wood furniture, photos or pictures from magazines and decoupage glue.
Have your teen gather some favorite photos and meaningful magazine pictures, such as favorite singers, celebrities, places or activities. Arrange the photos over the piece of furniture, securing each with a drop of glue. Brush decoupage glue over the entire wood surface and allow it to dry for 24 hours.
Creating Lifelong Hobbies
Helping kids experiment with woodworking allows them to explore new activities, and it may spark their interest and become a lifelong hobby. As your children get older, talk to them about other woodworking crafts they'd like to try. This encourages independence while maintaining a common interest you can share with your kids.
About the author:
Maire likes to read romance novels, jog, practice hot yoga and walk her Scottish Terrier, Pete. She also enjoys baking and experimenting with new craft projects.
Monday, July 23, 2012
{Personal Style} Color-Coordinated, Mother-Son Style
[skinnies: American Eagle; blouse: Target; flats and ring: Aldos; watch: Nautica; stacked rings and necklace: H&M; sunnies: David Yurman] |
I styled the cobalt skinnies and neon/gray color-blocked loose-fitting tank with a Tory Burch purse of the same color combo, sparkly flats, and an oversized bold pink ring (for another pop of color). The outfit screams "summer" and for a play date where I was going to get down and dirty, it was pure perfection.
But even better? I dressed my little man in the exact same color combo!
[sweater, shirt, shorts: H&M; cap and sneakers: The Children's Place] |
For now, I'll soak it all up.
Have a fabulous and stylish week, everyone!
Friday, July 20, 2012
A PlayDate To Remember
If you hang out with me over on Instagram, then you would have caught a glimpse of some of the cuteness that was Aiden's playdate abroad The Queen of Hearts boat. Last Sunday, we met up with my girl T and her daughter A at The Hudson River Park, Pier 40 for an afternoon Kiddie Cruise -- A Princess and Pirate Adventure.
Aiden and A seem to have a love/hate relationship, but they always have a great time when they hangout. They do damage and it's totally a four-year-old's definition of "mayhem and madness."
But I digress...
The 2-hour cruise that sails along the Hudson River features a full schedule of events -- live music that the kids are encouraged to dance along to, a magic show, a puppet show on the upper deck with Captain Michael and the Fairy Godmother, and another one on the lower deck where the children are on a mission to help Buzz Lightyear, face painting, and arts and crafts.
Suffice to say, Aiden and A had a really good time, even in the heat and humidity that is Summer in NYC. Actually, I was expecting it to feel much hotter than it did on the boat. But... because we were sailing, there was a nice breeze on the upper deck, which did not have air conditioning.
The lower deck, however, did have air conditioning. And I spent a lot of my time trying to pry Aiden away from the magic show on the upper deck and convince him to hang out downstairs. At first, he didn't budge, but once Soccer Super Stars introduced a mini soccer tournament, he was all game. Literally.
Our friend A stayed on the upper deck to hangout with one of the princesses on the cruise. She was in love! And the crew members remained true to their characters the entire time, welcoming the kids to sit next to them (or on their laps!) and engage in activities.
Aiden and I headed back to the upper deck once we got to Lady Liberty because, well, who can resist getting this picture?
After the cruise, we spent some time at the Hudson River Park, and while I was loving on my maxi dress, Aiden and A's love/hate relationship became more evident:
[Starbucks break] |
Totally a good time.
If you're in the NYC area, the Kiddie Cruise is a really fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon. The next cruise is Sunday, July 29th and will take place twice each month until October 28th. Call 212.987.9200 or visit the Kiddie Cruise website for more information.
{Disclaimer: I was provided with tickets to the Kiddie Cruise: A Princess and Pirate Adventure to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Beauty and Brains: Essential Makeup and Money Tips
[L to R: Sarah of The Stroller Ballet, Nicole of Momtrends, Yours Truly. Photo via Momtrends] |
Make-up tips:
In-between makeup touch ups from QVC bareMinerals -- the makeup that is 100% natural and without preservatives -- bareMinerals expert, Jessica Foust shared tips and tricks with the crowd. Here are a few of the take-away points (you know, just in case you missed my tweets about it):
- Less is more. No really! I've said this before, and I'll say it again: most of the time, all you'll need is tinted moisturizer, black mascara, blush, and a lipgloss (or lipstain depending on your preference)
- Get the right brush! You'll need a different brush for your foundation and blush application. And as Nicole says, "When it comes to makeup, you're only as good as your brush." Ditto!
- "Pretty is; beauty does." (Take from that what you will...)
[L to R: Me, Jill, Brianne, Serena, Nicole, and Kerri. Photo via Momtrends.] |
Money tips:
After discussing makeup (or the "beauty" portion of the event), we moved on to talking about money (or "brains"). Personal Finance Expert and author of the "My Money Matters" kit, Galia Gichon, shared a load of useful information and I'm excited to share it with you. Here are Galia's three personal finance strategies that every mom needs to know:
Create a Customized Spending Plan
- Calculate your fixed expenses, then "pay yourself" so you'll be able to save for vacation, emergency savings, debt payments, college for the kids, and whatever else comes up
- Use an online budgeting tool such as mint.com
- Consolidate your old IRAs or 401Ks into one firm such as Vanguard.com
- Continue saving for your retirement with a ROTH IRA, Spousal IRA, or SEP IRA -- no matter what!
- And my all time favorite? Start. Saving. Now. I've said this back in January after attending the GoGirl Finance event with Glamamom: If you save $5,000/year in your 20's, by the time you're ready to retire around the ages of 65 or 70, you'll have... err... a lot more money saved up than if you were to start saving in your 40's.
- Be sure to have an updated will (guardian, trustee, living will, and health care proxy).
- Be sure to have enough life insurance -- stick with a term life insurance unless your finances are in excellent order.
Part of being beautiful is making sure that your finances are in order and setting up systems so that you are as financially stable as possible. Then and only then can you feel just as beautiful as you look!
Thanks to Momtrends for hosting such a fun and necessary event!
{Disclaimer: Event attendees received gift bags. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
Monday, July 16, 2012
{Personal Style} Maxi Love
[maxi dress: Target, sparkly sandals: Aldos] |
The weekend began with sangria and happy hour on Friday night, which was followed by clubbing on the Lower East Side. Saturday morning, Aiden and I headed to Governor's Island (I shared a bit about that on the Mommy Delicious Facebook page) and enjoyed a day of fun in the sun and bike riding. Saturday night, I enjoyed martinis, dinner, and dessert in the East Village. And Sunday, Aiden and I went on a Kiddie Cruise that sailed along the Hudson River, with a stop to check out Lady Liberty on Ellis Island. It was a playdate to remember. And this weekend was one that'll go down in history.
Whew! Just thinking about it makes me excited again.
For the Kiddie Cruise (more on that later this week), I wore a fun maxi dress that featured a halter and V-neck neckline. It was colorful, lightweight, simplistic, and fun -- perfect for a cruise around Manhattan.
["mommy" necklace: Michael C. Fina; signature necklace: Lauren Nicole Gifts] |
[stacked bracelets and stacked rings: H&M] |
I've been hesitant to purchase a maxi dress because I didn't think that I could pull it off with flats, but I really loved this look. What do you think?
[Check out my lil man in this picture? This photo is totally getting blown up and framed. I LOVE it!] |
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend and wishing you all a very stylish week!
Thursday, July 12, 2012
I Got A New Job
This week I received pretty great news.
I got a job offer. But, not just any job. The job.
The job that's a career-changer. The job that makes you feel like a "real" grown up.
It’s a position as part of the leadership team for a very popular and successful charter school network in NYC and NJ that works to close the achievement gap. I’d be working in an elementary school, directly with the principal and other school leaders. And I’d be supervising the teachers, observing them in their classrooms and providing them with feedback/suggestions to improve their classroom management techniques. I’d also be developing, implementing, and maintaining school-wide programs in order to sustain a positive school culture. Pretty warm-and-fuzzy.
The position combines my love for (and experience with) urban education/teaching and counseling. (And the paycheck makes me smile. A lot. #ImJustSaying)
I was so excited when I got the call from the principal offering me the position that I may or may not have said, "Get outta here! Really?!"
But I digress...
I got a job offer. But, not just any job. The job.
The job that's a career-changer. The job that makes you feel like a "real" grown up.
It’s a position as part of the leadership team for a very popular and successful charter school network in NYC and NJ that works to close the achievement gap. I’d be working in an elementary school, directly with the principal and other school leaders. And I’d be supervising the teachers, observing them in their classrooms and providing them with feedback/suggestions to improve their classroom management techniques. I’d also be developing, implementing, and maintaining school-wide programs in order to sustain a positive school culture. Pretty warm-and-fuzzy.
The position combines my love for (and experience with) urban education/teaching and counseling. (And the paycheck makes me smile. A lot. #ImJustSaying)
I was so excited when I got the call from the principal offering me the position that I may or may not have said, "Get outta here! Really?!"
But I digress...
This is pretty much my dream position. So much so that when I finished grad school last May, I added this exact position as something to accomplish while I was putting together my Five-Year Plan. I figured I’d work really, really hard for the next
five years or so, hone my leadership skills and all that jazz, and then apply for
the position. But, if I can’t see my greatness (even right now), how can I
expect others to see it?
FOUR rounds of intense interviews later (one that included
me teaching a lesson to a class of summer school students while the principals
and school leaders watched from the back of the classroom, taking notes) and here I am.
Success.
I didn’t tell anyone that I was applying for the position. I wanted to
trust my own intuition on this one
and follow my own instincts.
So one night, I filled out the long, extensive application. Quietly. Confidently.
When I had a moment of doubt in my abilities after the first round of interviews, I told one friend: L. Over margaritas at happy hour (there's always a happy hour involved), she encouraged me. She's a Heaven-sent.
And the bottom line is this: I worked really hard to get to and through Columbia – as an undergrad and in grad school. I worked really hard as a NYC public school teacher
and as counselor. And the shindigs that I had in between only helped me to hone even more skills.
Proper preparation.
As the saying goes, "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."
I don’t share all of this to toot my own horn. That's not really my style. I
share it to show you that dreams really do come true and hard work really
does pay off. Always.
And… there’s no time like the present to buckle down, grind
through, and pursue your dreams. There's no time like the present to be purposeful with your time and lead a fulfilling life, in every way possible.
And to think that just 2 ½ years ago my life was like this.
Game over.
Aiden and I are moving onward and upward.
[A and I walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Symbolic, in so many ways.] |
And walking into
our season.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
eBay Mobile: There's An App For That!
[photo via] |
The eBay for iPhone app helps users check on and watch for items and auctions at anytime. (I had my eye on a pair of Jessica Simpson peep-toe color-blocked shoes. Love them!)
If you're a buyer, the eBay iPhone app lets you know when/if someone outbids you, or if your auction is ending. Also, you can use the app to compare in-store prices with eBay prices by using the bar code scanner, which'll save you money. Oh, and let's not forget the convenience of paying for items from your phone.
If you're a seller, you can check out sales trends, list items, and make sales, all from your phone. If you wanted to pre-populate your listing, you can do so by using the bar code scanner as well.
eBay iPhone app extras: The app includes Daily Deals, Reminders, My eBay, amongst others. There is also eBay Half.com, Fashion (my love!), Classifieds, and Motors. Pretty inclusive, no?
[photo via] |
If you're a buyer, you can receive alerts if/when someone outbids you, as well as when your watched items or auctions are ending. If you create favorites, you'll receive alerts when new items are listed that matches your favorites. One feature that I like is that you can use the voice-enabled search to find what you're looking for without typing.
If you're a seller, just as with the iPhone app, you can research sales trends, list items, and make sales. You'll also be able to pre-populate your listing.
eBay Droid app extras: Classifieds, Red Laser, and eBay Half.com.
Check it out if you haven't done so yet and let me know your thoughts! Also, for more eBay tips and tricks, visit this link.
{Disclaimer: As an eBay Parent Panel Ambassador, this post is being sponsored by eBay. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
Monday, July 9, 2012
Alone, But Not Lonely
Two years.
Wow!
When I think back to that first month after my ex moved out, I remember it as being no easy feat. Break-ups suck. Big time. The habits of that relationship became so engrained in me and in my daily life that I remember feeling a sense of loss when he actually moved out. There was some sense of "Wow... okay, this is actually over."
I'd gotten so used to our abnormal relationship that at some point it felt like "normal."
Not good. (And I'm so glad that I'm back to a much better "normal".)
At first, I thought I was going to be lonely. But then I realized that towards the tail end of that relationship, I was already lonely. And there's nothing worse than being lonely in a couple. Or lonely in a crowd.
After a few months of being a single mother, I realized that I wasn't lonely.
At all.
I thought that I was going to be a co-parenting guru, but after trying (and trying... and trying) to make it work, I learned to embrace life as a solo single mother.
It seems to be for the best. For Aiden. For me. For sanity.
I've experienced some challenges as a single mother. I've learned some lessons. Hard ones. But here I am, almost two years later...
It feels good.
Two years.
Wow!
Time flies when you're living life.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Hip Hop 4 Life's Shades of Beauty Women of Inspiration Brunch and Awards Ceremony
A few Saturdays ago, I found myself in a room surrounded by an incredible group of women. I attended the Hip Hop 4 Life's Shades of Beauty Women of Inspiration Brunch and Awards Ceremony at Long Island University. And, man, I should have brought a box of tissues with me because every speech was so heartfelt and passionate. Each person recognized at the brunch was a true inspiration to young ladies and to me.
Hip Hop 4 Life is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the lives of the young people it serves. They do this by providing interactive life skill training and health and wellness programs aimed at engaging and educating it's members to lead extraordinary lives.
[Photo opp with Founder and Executive Director, Tamekia Flowers-Holland] |
Shades of Beauty is Hip Hop 4 Life's personal development program designed to help young ladies develop and foster healthy self-esteem and body image, build confidence, and define their self-worth. The program was created because Hip Hop 4 Life's Founder and Executive Director, Tamekia Flowers-Holland struggled with her own issues of self-esteem and negative body image as a teenager and young lady (haven't we all?), and felt that such a program for young ladies was imperative.
And the fundraiser brunch proved it.
As I sat in my seat, surrounded by the likes of Michaela angela Davis, Kela Walker, and VIBE Vixen's Niki McGloster, jamming to DJ Jason Grae on the 1's and 2's, I got goosebumps.
[Michaela angela Davis receiving the U.N.I.T.Y. Award] |
[Photo opp with the talented Kela Walker] |
Goosebumps because of the young ladies schooling us and letting us know that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Indeed ladies, indeed.
Goosebumps because of the motivational speaker who encouraged us to "tap into [our] frequency" (Deja "Deja Vu" Parker).
Goosebumps because motivational speaker, Kheperah Kearse giving us a little reminder -- "You have everything inside of you to blow up; You just have to take a moment, be still, and figure out what that is."
Agreed!
[Young ladies schooling us on the definition of beauty] |
Hip Hop 4 Life is doing great things with our future generation, and you too can get involved in this amazing program by visiting their website to donate, become a "Professor of the Day," a mentor, or a volunteer.
[Photo opp with Rondel Holder of Creative Genius Branding] |
{Disclaimer: I received a complimentary Press ticket to this brunch, and event attendees received a gift bag. All opinions expressed herein are my own.}
Monday, July 2, 2012
{Personal Style} Casually Summering
[skirt, blouse, rings, necklace, bag: H&M; thong sandals: Aldo] |
I met up with my girlfriends JB and T after work for happy hour, which was followed by dinner, which was followed by cocktails in the Meatpacking District. Yep, I headed to the posh neighborhood in flats. Eh, at least they were shimmery flats.
I didn't get home till late (as usual), but in true Mommy Delicious fashion (as usual), on Saturday, Aiden, my niece, and I headed to The Bronx Zoo. And on Sunday, before church, we welcomed July (what the what?!) by cooling off at The Brooklyn Bridge Park at Pier 6. These aren't exactly style photos, but they are my definition of love...
[Being a Midge Fly at The Bronx Zoo] |
This is how we cool off, Brooklyn style -- at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6:
Finding Time for Fitness
Written By Marie Hunter
Carving out time for fitness is tough, and if
you’re a mom, it might seem close to impossible. No matter what you prefer – jogging,
swimming or an exercise bike, it
is an arduous task to balance work, kids, home and fitness all in one day.
Motherhood is no reason not to eat and live healthy, however. Exercise is not
complex. Just a few minutes here and there is all you need.
Get the Most out of 10 Minutes
Many don’t realize that exercise is
cumulative. Working out in 10 minutes sessions is beneficial as long as you rev
up the intensity. If you were to measure intensity on a scale of one to 10, you
want shorter 10-minute bursts to reach at least a seven. You can jump rope, jog
in place or ride
your exercise bike at a high-speed. Try to do at least four
sessions with two focusing on aerobics, five times a week. You can also do four
aerobic sessions one day and then four strength-building 10-minute routines the
next.
Use What You Have Around
If pulling the weight bench or treadmill out
takes too much time, use
what you have on hand for short workouts. Something as basic as a kitchen
chair can be an effective exercise tool. Stand in front of the chair with your
arms raised to chest height and your feet planted square with your hips. Slowly
lower towards the chair but stop just before you sit. Hold this position for
three to five seconds and then stand back up. Repeat the exercise for 12
repetitions.
As you walk past the couch towards the laundry
room or kitchen, place your palms down on the arm and slide your legs out in
front. Use the couch as an anchor to do eight to 12 triceps push-ups. Bend your
arms slowly to lower towards the floor just a few inches than press back up to
the starting position. You just accomplished a mini workout while doing chores
around the house.
Go for a run with the baby in a jogging
stroller or a fast walk pulling the kids in a wagon. This gets you moving and
gets the little ones some fresh air all at the same time. When you go to the
park, take advantage of the jungle gym and do pull-ups while the kids play. You
can keep an eye on them and get strong at the same time.
Take a Day Class
If the kids go to school or are old enough for
daycare, take advantage of that free time. Pick a class that starts just after
you drop them off. This will not take up much of your day. If you work while
the kids are in school, take a lunch time session.
Moms with children too young for school can
look around the neighborhood for a fitness center with childcare or mommy
classes. Swap time babysitting time with a friend. You go to the gym one day
and babysit the next to give her free time.
Exercise is a critical part of staying
healthy. Most activities give you some opportunity for a workout; you just need
to use your imagination. For example, lift the grocery bags like weights while
you are walking to the car. When you are cleaning, pick-up the speed and
increase your heart rate. Exercise does not have to be structured or boring.
Sit down, make a list of your daily tasks and think about ways to make them
work for you instead how much time they take up. The fitness minutes will add
up faster than you think.
About the Author: Maire frequently works out during her daily
work routine. She has even taken up a natural diet to complement her exercise.
When she isn’t doing pull ups or sit ups, she blogs on behalf of Sears and
other brand she loves.
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