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 [...]

Stress Prevention & Relief: The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise (FindCounseling.com)

“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 better, which means [...]

Oh, the Choices!

Today it happened.   I have tried to avoid it, tried to stick to my workouts and not let the holiday stress overtake me, but today, I was weak.  After an afternoon of retail giant overload, I began to resent my to-do list, and lost sight of the meaning of Christmas.  At 8:00 tonight, while [...]

Off the Mat Moms-Lesson 5: SAUCHA

We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than what we are. – Nutritionist & Author Adelle Davis
Being a mom is much harder than I ever expected.  One day it’s figuring out how to keep a kid in bed (when you have [...]

Be True to Yourself During the Holidays and Beyond

Everyday I make connections with my true self, constantly learning about who that sometimes crazed, sometimes serene person is.  My goal is to inspire and provoke the very same thoughts in moms everywhere.  This very blog, my personal project and first step into a brighter world, has made me think about myself and the world [...]

Off the Mat Moms-Lesson 4: Tapas (Discipline)

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 [...]

A Lunch of My Own

Call me crazy, but my inner foodie won’t listen.
Today at lunchtime, the most stressful part of my day, I voluntarily created some stress of my own by breaking out several child un-friendly ingredients and at least three Calphalon pans.  Tired of the noontime habit of standing behind my kitchen island, stealing sandwich scraps and leftover [...]

I Get By With a Little Help from My Friends

A 10 a.m. request to cover a story happening at 4 p.m.  My son’s delayed afternoon nap.  The car running with the keys locked inside.  A sudden stomach bug.  A construction detour.  A job interview.
These are just a few of the many occurrences which have led my friends and neighbors to my side within the [...]

A Peaceful Life through Yoga and Organization

As a follow-up to a previous post last month entitled “Bless This Mess,” The PranaMama is proud to welcome Professional Organizer and Author Lea Schneider as its first guest blogger.

Seated on my yoga mat, I inhaled deeply of the gentle scent of incense. Stretching, my vision moved across the shiny hardwood floor and [...]

Back-to-School Yoga – 10 minutes to Calm!

With many of the nation’s kids going back to school this week, it’s a great time to introduce yoga.  If your house is anything like mine, the kids have become quite used to staying up late, being lazy in the morning and having lots of opportunities to burn off excess energy outdoors and with their [...]

I’ve Lost that Loving Feeling…

Last spring I began a new relationship.   After many years of sheepishly admiring from afar, something in me made me try one more time, and I charged ahead in hot pursuit.  To my complete surprise, my affection was returned, and I found myself head-over-heels in love with a strange, yet familiar, being.
Now, I know [...]

Bless This Mess

I recently read a quote that both inspired me and irritated me:

“For every minute spent in organizing, an hour is earned.”  ―Benjamin Franklin

Sure, I suppose Mr. Franklin was right – if we all took the extra time to put things in their proper place, then we’d all save time and frustration when it comes to [...]

And Miles to Go Before We Sleep…

Ahhhhhh.  I am sitting down for what could honestly be the first time in three days.  It’s been one of those non-stop social weeks, the kind that makes for great memories but can totally wipe you out.   This has been the first stretch of sunny summer weather we’ve had all season, so naturally, we [...]

A Fitness Challenge boosts Physical and Mental Health

For busy moms, it’s hard to make time for exercise.  We are exhausted by our daily routines and caregiving, and if anyone has a toddler, you know you get your heart rate up several times per day without even trying!  But physical exercise, especially when done by yourself or with friends, is not only beneficial [...]

Mommy needs a Timeout!

Thank Goodness It’s Friday. The week flew by, but today is proving to be a challenge. My 4 1/2-year-old daughter has had a bossy, my-way-or-the-highway attitude all morning and nothing I say or do means a thing to her. This summer thing was fun for a while, but now I am definitely [...]

Morning Madness

Today I had one of those mornings.  I stayed up too late last night enjoying the quiet of my house, and I was paying for it at 6:30.  I woke up to my toddler shouting my name from his crib.  I grumbled, open my eyes and groggily walked towards his room, only to be met [...]