Celebrate National Nutrition Month!
March is National Nutrition Month, and the good folks at the American Dietetic Association have inspired bloggers to write a post based on this year's theme, "Nutrition from the Ground Up." In honor of their work, as well as Michelle Obama's campaign to end childhood obesity, I'm happy to oblige! As a mom, it's hard to keep up with all the conflicting information about nutrition, especially when it comes time to feed picky kids. Last week, I attended a P.T.O. meeting, where a dietician spoke about the 5-2-1-0 program here in Maine, and for every tidbit of information she gave out, ...
Breaking Out of The Comfort Zone
Facing the dilemma of what to write about tonight, it was going to be one of two possible topics. One: a recent weekend getaway with friends and family to an area never before visited. Two: a new recipe using tempeh, an ingredient never before introduced at my dinner table. As I procastinated a bit, switching between the two drafts on my screen, it suddenly hit me. Maybe this recipe and the mystery ingredient which pleasantly surprised three out of four of us sitting around the dining table had something in common with my winter weekend in the mountains of Maine. The tempeh recipe, ...
The Great Grocery Smackdown (The Atlantic)
"It's getting harder and harder to hate Wal-mart," — Michelle Harvey of the Environmental Defense Fund If you're a mom who cares about sustainable agriculture and supports local farmers, but worry about blowing the food budget at high-end organic markets like Whole Foods, this article will surprise and delight you! In the past, I've shopped at Wal-mart for a wide variety of things. They are, by far, the cheapest place to buy saline solution, and I usually do well in the toy aisle for kids' birthdays. I frequent the craft aisle during long, school vacations, and I have been known to pick ...
The Maze of Motherhood
It's Friday afternoon. Dozens of children are swirling about, running, jumping, laughing...Disney music blares as parents shout to be heard above all the commotion. I am sitting in an aluminum and canvas chair, normally found poolside or in the beauty of a quiet garden on a summer afternoon, with nearly the same amount of peace. On this cold February day, the local indoor playspace is bustling with activity, as so many families have come to burn off the high energy caused by winter in New England. As I sit in the midst of such chaos, I find myself in a bubble ...
Hakuna Matata
My two-year-old has recently taken a liking to the Disney hit "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King. In my opinion, this catchy tune ranks third on the list of all-time most fun Disney songs, right behind "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid (#2), and "Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious" from Mary Poppins (#1). While all three will put a spring in your step or make a traffic jam more bearable, only Timon and Pumbaa's silly song can bring you completely into the present moment, and make you momentarily forget your troubles. As I belt out the lyrics, "It means no worries for the rest ...
All in a Day’s Work
I admit it - the term "Mom Blog" turns me off. There are many mommy bloggers with a wide range of topics and specialities, but there are countless sites where mothers do nothing but vent and write out every detail about their day. While I totally understand why these blogs exist, and I support a mom's need to connect and feel supported by other moms, I just prefer a different voice and a more meaningful message. But lately, motherhood and my days at home have pushed me to new limits. Sometimes I sit back and watch in horror at what ...
Keep Your Workout Simple! Real Tips from Real Runners (Runner’s World)
Sticking to any exercise regimen can be stressful. For me, running is such a head game. If I think too much about it, I worry - stressing about the very activity that is supposed to relieve tension and anxiety. In addition to working through my own mindset, I struggle to schedule my workouts and stick to the time allotted. Once I've built up the confidence and/or stuck to my gameplan, I am known to furiously search my house for my headphones or running shoes. So this article from Runner's World really helps - if anything, it reminds me I ...
Mom's the Word
A friend recently linked this article, and although the show they mentioned has...
It’s Friday afternoon. Dozens of children are swirling about, running,...
My two-year-old has recently taken a liking to the Disney hit “Hakuna Matata”...
I admit it – the term “Mom Blog” turns me off. There are many...
If only I had several more hours in a day…I might stand a chance at getting...
It’s a new year. A new beginning. Time to reflect on your past and make...
OK, I admit it. For all of my thoughts about wellness and suggestions for ways...
Everyday I make connections with my true self, constantly learning about who that...
This week, I’ve got babies on the brain. Two good friends are due any day...
Call me crazy, but my inner foodie won’t listen. Today at lunchtime, the...
A 10 a.m. request to cover a story happening at 4 p.m. My son’s delayed...
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Yoga
How great is it to know that yoga can help you teach your kids important values...
Facing the dilemma of what to write about tonight, it was going to be one of two...
The last 48 hours have given me quite the yoga lesson. Yoga teaches us to be present…no...
Tonight it was the number 2.75 staring at me from my training schedule. Last...
Have the winter blahs hit your house? Are you interested in learning and teaching...
“She jumped feet first into yoga, and still hasn’t come down.”...
How many times have you rushed the kids out the door, five minutes after you intended,...
Yoga Twists for Teens (Thanks to Yoga In My School!) A great sequence of twists,...
I wanted to share a post I recently wrote for The Kids Yoga Resource, Karma Kids...
“You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.” -the advertising...
Today it happened. I have tried to avoid it, tried to stick to my workouts and...
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Health & Fitness
As usual, I was trying to fit it all in. Church service and meetings, grocery shopping, writing, and playing with my kids. I was running from the minute I woke up, which is sad for a Sunday, the day once known as the day of rest. Still, I refused to give up my workout. I laced up my sneakers, jumped on the treadmill and started out on my 2.25... [Read more of this review]
Sticking to any exercise regimen can be stressful. For me, running is such a head game. If I think too much about it, I worry – stressing about the very activity that is supposed to relieve tension and anxiety. In addition to working through my own mindset, I struggle to schedule my workouts and stick to the time allotted. Once I’ve... [Read more of this review]
Thank goodness for Google. Last year when I got serious about running, I was a total beginner. I had no idea where to go for training plans, advice on gear, or friendly support. I googled “train 5k beginner” or something to that effect, and this plan popped up. I followed it religiously and completed my first 5k in about 10 weeks.... [Read more of this review]
Ever heard of Mommy-brain? That total lack of memory and concentration caused by constant multi-tasking and interruptions? Want to do something about it? Get moving and take back your mind! Check out this interesting article discussing a scientific research study that proves exercise can make us smarter. Get Smart (Active.com) Read More →
“Many people exercise to boost confidence along with reducing anxiety and stress, all of which contribute to psychological health and well-being. So, exercise can be viewed as a preventative or wellness activity that may actually help prevent physical and emotional conditions. By the way, even short bursts of activity help individuals feel... [Read more of this review]
If you’ve participated in a few road races, you may have noticed some of them offer a “Fun Run” for kids. I have personally wondered how old a child should be before running for anything but the ice cream truck. This is a very insightful Q&A initiated by a mom with concern for her 2-year-old’s well-being. Too Young... [Read more of this review]
The family that plays together stays together! This brief video gives some good ideas for families, especially those with older kids. Fitness Tips for Families (Active.com) Read More →
It’s not easy to stick to a fitness routine if you like the great outdoors. I love to run, hike and walk outside, but when the snow and ice start flying in November and stick around through March, I struggle to stay motivated. Check out this article for some great advice on sticking to or creating a new exercise routine in the colder months.... [Read more of this review]
Attention Seacoast area Moms! I’m happy to announce The PranaMama will be hosting a nutritional seminar series in March. Tracey Miller, of Tracey Miller Wellness, will provide four 90-minute seminars for group discussion and education. Come to learn, share ideas and questions, and meet other wellness-minded Moms. “Be Well” Mom’s... [Read more of this review]
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it’s time to get down to business. Although I try to avoid thinking about the holidays until after the four-day weekend is over, I admit, in recent days I’ve made mental gift lists, touched base with relatives to plan get-togethers, volunteered for the school’s Christmas craft fair and attended... [Read more of this review]
This week, I’ve got babies on the brain. Two good friends are due any day now, and another just told me she is expecting in 2010. Every celebrity magazine on the newsstand is showcasing Hollywood moms and moms-to-be, as I walked in downtown Portsmouth NH yesterday, soaking in the warm November sun, it seemed every other person on the street... [Read more of this review]
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