Doing It All – or Not?

A friend of mine recently debated about interviewing for a job.  While she had applied with interest a month ago, she has since taken a different job in the retail industry, with great excitement.
“I can go to work, and then leave it there at the end of the day,” she said to me.
It sounded wonderful. [...]

My Own Message, In Someone Else’s Words

You’d think I know this by now.  The subheading on the Yogamint.com article, “Mama Needs Nurturing,” is the principle on which I’ve based this entire site.  By taking the time to care for ourselves, we mothers are better able to nurture those depending on us, whether they are our own or others’ children, pets, organizations, [...]

It’s All About Community

The PranaMama loves to write. And luckily, you love to read. But I’ve always had the intention of making this site much more interactive, in hopes of allowing PranaMamas everywhere to share their own questions and answers, thoughts and reflections, hopes and dreams.
Well, folks….it’s here!
Introducing The PranaMama’s latest feature: Community Forum. [...]

Farewell Summer

Earlier this summer, I wrote Settling Into Summer, a reflection on how summer vacation, for me, had been surprisingly fun thus far. I say “surprisingly fun” because the pessimist in me had this preconceived notion that a lack of structure would wreak havoc on our family.  Boredom, sibling squabbles and New England humidity are all [...]

Yes, you can love running! Here’s how…

I once hated running…I blame years of phys. ed. classes which forced me to run a mile for the annual physical fitness testing, required by federal law, given by teachers who never spent one other class on the track.  Even though I played sports that required cardio-vascular health, like soccer, I never learned how to [...]

Trying Veggie – A New Favorite Food Blog

Have you ever stumbled upon an inspirational blog and, upon reading, thought to yourself, “Hey, I could do that!”?
As a flexitarian myself, (a person who eats mostly vegetarian but occasionally enjoys meat), I felt that way when Carrie, an old friend and co-worker of mine, introduced me to her cool new blog:  Trying Veggie. Carrie [...]

Lemon-Garlic Quinoa and Cilantro Salad

It’s August – summer is officially coming to an end.  As sad as that thought may be, it’s easy to cheer up when you have new summer recipes to liven up your picnic lunch or dinnertime repertoire.  For a few more weeks, you can enjoy the garden’s bounty while eating light, cool meals that require [...]

Pranayama for Calm and Clarity of Mind

“If you can breathe, you can do yoga.” — It’s one of my favorite excuse-busting comebacks to those who think yoga is for super-fit, crazy-calm and ultra-flexible people with hours of free time.   My friend Lisa of ChildLight Yoga uses it to promote her program for children, but I think it’s perfect for naysayers [...]

Check Your Ego at the Door

Have you ever attended a yoga class, church service or other form of meditation, and felt like the speaker was reading your mind, speaking directly to you?   I’ve had this experience many times, and perhaps that is why I continually go back for more.  But of all the spiritual guidance I’ve ever heard, one [...]

A Customized Wellness Plan: You’re Worth It!

Whenever I read about some celebrity who has regained their pre-baby figure within a few weeks of giving birth, or another who has completely turned around their health with a new diet, I tend to roll my eyes.   While some would let this sort of thing either inspire them or send them running for [...]

Why Hello, Pattypan Squash!

“Veggie wrap, please,” I said each day to the woman behind the deli at my company’s onsite cafeteria.  As if she really needed me to specify…
I was a little obsessed with roasted vegetables.   Never tiring of the sweet flavor of zucchini and summer squash blended with vidalia onion and roasted red pepper, there was [...]

Celebrating Independence – The Final Day

My family returned home at 3:00 today and I couldn’t have been happier.  I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder!
I was completely spoiled by four days of solitude.  I did whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted to.  I didn’t run the dishwasher once.  No one asked me to turn on Chuggington, get them a [...]

Day 3 Celebrating Independence: Let Freedom Ring

To me, a bad yoga instructor is as much a waste of time as a bad boyfriend.  If the person doesn’t acknowledge, inspire, challenge or bring me to a meditative state, I regret the time I just spent with that person, especially considering the benefit I might have enjoyed on my own.
This morning, on the [...]

Day 2 Celebrating Independence: Out with the Old

It’s 6:30 p.m.  An entire day has passed and I am just now doing what I had planned to do since waking up this morning.  While writing and relaxing is on my agenda for this weekend at home without my family, yesterday’s cleaning and organizing didn’t go as swiftly as I had thought, so today [...]

How to Push Past Those Last Few Miles (Active.com)

Wow – a perfect article for a beginning or experienced runner.  Races are fun and exciting, but if you don’t conserve your energy early on, you will never make it to the finish line at a time you can be proud of.
It’s important to start out slowly so you have enough “gas in the tank” [...]

Celebrating Independence

The Fourth of July holiday weekend is upon us!  This is always my favorite holiday of the year.  Growing up in “America’s hometown” of Plymouth, Massachusetts, I learned how to party on Independence Day, spending the day with family and friends, enjoying a huge community parade, an annual backyard BBQ (complete my water balloons), and [...]

Restorative Yoga for Children (Shivaya Naturals)

These last few days, my son, nearly 3, has been nearly bouncing off the walls.  As I struggle to keep up with him, I am exhausted by his energy.  Trying to transition him from home to day care or vice versa, change his clothes or settle him down for bed is a challenge.
When I saw [...]

Jogging Strollers: Tips for Running with Small Kids (Active.com)

Here are some slightly obvious, but nonetheless, good reminders, of how to make your jog safe for both baby and you.
Jogging Strollers: Tips for Running with Small Kids

Settling In to Summer

Long before I had kids of my own, a grouchy woman in a supermarket made me think all moms hate summer.   Exhausted and short-tempered, she screamed a bit too loudly in the checkout line, and her outburst has stuck with me to this day.
“Oh, I can’t WAIT ’til school starts!” growled the mom, after [...]

Miles and Smiles

Being outgoing and social has always worked for me.  I love to volunteer at community events, hang out with other families, spend time with good friends, and meet new people.  For me, friendship and support have been essential in these early years of parenting, and I’m not sure I could have survived the various tests [...]

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