About Me
- Mommybefit
- As a mommy I like to be of fit mind, body and spirit! Love being a Mommy of three energetic and loving boys who are also intricate in design and motivational in my daily living. Being Creative truly makes me tingle as does trying new things and overcoming fears. It is my strongest hope that my boys, hubby and I keep growing in our Faith and Obedience in Christ becoming strong individuals who not only experience and live daily in the "Fruit of the Spirit"(Galations 5:22,23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control...) ,being individually blessed but also being blessings to all around us. Big Prayers! from a Big Believer and a Woman of Great Hope and receiver of much Grace, Mercy, Love and Friendship; many Blessings and such Joy in life. Sure life isn't always easy but its amazing when we can learn and grow from it find courage knowing that we are so greatly loved by our Maker. My life motto straight from the Good Book, "Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Dear Lord what do you have for me to do today?
Friday, October 8, 2010
Family Fit-Fun!
Fall Break isn't just a time for sleeping in, later bed times, and a much needed break from packing school lunches. No its more than the absence of homework! Its a fabulous opportunity to have fun with your family and get fit while doing it. Having your own work out class in your family room is truly a rewarding experience. Each child gets to have a task. One pops in the selected group exercise class on DVD, prepares all the necessary equipment, matts and towels. Another child gets all of our water bottles filled. Before you know it we are entertaining our little toddler with repeater knees, jabs and cross punches and moving all around our space smiling, encouraging each other, and feeling good. There is also the ever wonderful family walk as a tried and true way to stay fit. In our situation its gone beyond me speed walking to keep up with the boys pushing the stroller. At times I can be found running alongside my eight year old checking in the core muscles as he holds on for stability while learning agility and technique on his new skate board. There are so many ways to enjoy your fall break with your kids. Why not use it as a time to demonstrate the fun of staying healthy? Today our family friends along our side journeyed through the wild life inspired terrain including winding paths and stroller pushing thrills on the hills of the Phoenix Zoo! Seriously, with six kiddos ages ten and under along with three toddlers, tigers, lions and bears...can there be a more exciting way to get fit...TOGETHER?
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Easy Meal Time
Sometimes you just need a quick and healthy go to dinner, lunch or breakfast idea that won't break the bank or bust your waistline. It can be challenging finding something that is healthy, inexpensive, quick, relatively easy and eaten by all members of the family. I found something tonight that was all three and fun to eat and easy to clean up after. There are so many variations. Here is mine.
Toast your favorite whole grain English muffin like the one I used tonight with raisins.
Break an egg into a small condiment bowl and whip with a little flax seed, garlic powder and cracked black pepper.
Cook up some turkey sausage or Morning Star veggie sausage.
Microwave your egg for 30 sec. to one minute after covering with wet paper towel.
Take your muffins out of the toaster.
Lay open faced on a plate.
Place a slice of your favorite natural cheese on top of your half of the muffin.
Slip the cooked egg on top.
Carefully place the cooked sausage on top of the egg.
Finally put the last half of the toasted muffin on that.
Last flip it over and microwave it for 30 more seconds and press down on it while it cools with a spatula for another 30 seconds.
Feel free to add spinach leaves or anything else that tempts your palette.
Slice up some fresh fruit with some Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese and enjoy!
Simple,wholesome and fun for the whole family to eat!
Toast your favorite whole grain English muffin like the one I used tonight with raisins.
Break an egg into a small condiment bowl and whip with a little flax seed, garlic powder and cracked black pepper.
Cook up some turkey sausage or Morning Star veggie sausage.
Microwave your egg for 30 sec. to one minute after covering with wet paper towel.
Take your muffins out of the toaster.
Lay open faced on a plate.
Place a slice of your favorite natural cheese on top of your half of the muffin.
Slip the cooked egg on top.
Carefully place the cooked sausage on top of the egg.
Finally put the last half of the toasted muffin on that.
Last flip it over and microwave it for 30 more seconds and press down on it while it cools with a spatula for another 30 seconds.
Feel free to add spinach leaves or anything else that tempts your palette.
Slice up some fresh fruit with some Greek Yogurt or Cottage Cheese and enjoy!
Simple,wholesome and fun for the whole family to eat!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Get Your Kefir On!
Saying it is one thing and knowing it is another. The pronunciation is debatable but its nutritional value is purely factual. Kefir is a live culture with more than 30 beautiful and hard working micro flora. Known to have both antibacterial and antifungal properties ingesting this aged old find is good for just about every working part of your body. The range of ailments treated with Kefir vary from simple underactive metabolism to candidiasis (also known as yeast infections) and even far reaching disease fighting battles of the heart and bone loss. This fermented Milk or its like concoction grown from seed like grains that resemble a cauliflower go even beyond physical health benefits into even that of the mind. It has been known to help calm and even help fight depression.
Fortunately for me I have a sweet, smart, and healthy friend who was kind of enough to share her Kefir grains and encouragement to me. I now have it every day and feel some of the benefits already. It’s great in a smoothie (this is how I get it in my boys), sweetened with Stevia, Agave Nectar or Honey. I can handle it plain but I must admit that it is not for the faint hearted. So be encouraged to get interested in Kefir. You can buy it in almost any store but usually with more than the desired amount of sugar. By growing your own grains and fermenting your own milk you not only have more quality control but a little more bang for your buck. For your own knowledge based learning feel free to check out this amazing grain by visiting any of the following sites. Happy fermenting!
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html
http://www.seedsofhealth.co.uk/fermenting/kefir.shtml
http://www.mercola.com/forms/kefir.htm
Fortunately for me I have a sweet, smart, and healthy friend who was kind of enough to share her Kefir grains and encouragement to me. I now have it every day and feel some of the benefits already. It’s great in a smoothie (this is how I get it in my boys), sweetened with Stevia, Agave Nectar or Honey. I can handle it plain but I must admit that it is not for the faint hearted. So be encouraged to get interested in Kefir. You can buy it in almost any store but usually with more than the desired amount of sugar. By growing your own grains and fermenting your own milk you not only have more quality control but a little more bang for your buck. For your own knowledge based learning feel free to check out this amazing grain by visiting any of the following sites. Happy fermenting!
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html
http://www.seedsofhealth.co.uk/fermenting/kefir.shtml
http://www.mercola.com/forms/kefir.htm
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Mommy get Fit with Love!
With it finally starting to cool down around here I thought it might be motivating for not only myself but any readers with babies or toddlers for me to post some exercises that were a part of my former PostPartum exercise class that I designed and instructed. With both PreNatal and Postpartum exercise certifications along with many more including AFAA (Aerobic and Fitness Association of America) these were the top ten for this genre:
1) Stroller Stroll:
As you stroll, your feet should point straight ahead, and your heels should touch the ground before the balls of your feet. Make sure that your feet stay within the wheels of the stroller. Keep your legs under your hips, and don’t be afraid to let your thighs rub together. Lastly, with each step try to reach your leg out in front of your belly button. Your steps should be silent and deliberate. Avoid shuffling your feet or dragging your heels. And don’t bang your feet down hard on the pavement. Perfect posture and body alignment is necessary during all walking and power walking.
2) Stroller Dips:
Once stopped and strollers are safely locked in position while babies or toddlers are secured inside, find a bench or step to grip with fingers forward and elbows back. Buns are positioned in front of bench or step with feet safely on the ground beyond the slightly bent knee. You can place one leg on the other for added resistance. Dip down striving for a 90 degree angle between bent forearm and upper arm. Hold for 10 seconds for 10 repetitions. Cross right leg above left knee for 10 more repetitions and then cross left leg over right knee to finish this exercise with the last 10 repetitions.
3) Glide-&-Stroll:
Start with both hands on the stroller. Step forward with your right leg, and push the stroller away from your body. Now tighten your buns, and extend your left leg behind you (but don’t lift it too high). Focus on lifting your leg, rather than swinging it back. Glide it forward gracefully and avoid jerking the stroller. Be sure to keep your tummy tight, and don’t arch your back. Glide & Stroll for 50 yards, return to Stroller Stroll and repeat.
4) Miniskirt Stroll:
For this exercise, imagine that you’re wearing a little miniskirt and you are really working it! Your tummy is tight, and your thighs are squeezed together (otherwise the skirt won’t fit). You have to take very fast, very small steps (in a tight skirt, your legs don’t have a lot of room to move around). Keep your perfect posture, and cruise with a confident way about you. Keep a good grip on the stroller. Let your hips swing side to side, as fast as possible, in one smooth and continuous motion. Keep up this movement until your buns burn.
5) Diaper:
Once stopped and strollers are safely locked in position while babies or toddlers are secured inside, lay down on a matt or blanket placed near stroller. Lift knees up together to chest while raising your buns off of the ground. While imagining to have your diaper changed you are exercising your abdominal muscles. Repeat this exercise for 10-20 repetitions.
6) Up, Up and Away:
Stand with your feet about hip width apart, keeping your abs tight and back straight. Bending your knees, pick your baby up off the floor, and lift him or her over your head, straightening your legs as you extend your arms. As you do so say “Up, Up and Away” (Be careful not to lock your knees or elbows.) Bend your elbows and knees to lower your baby to chest level.) Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
7) Baby Squats:
Stand with your feet within hip width. Keep your knees soft while standing. Hold your baby face out with their back and head against your abdomen and chest. Slowly bend your knees as if to sit in a chair. Before you might sit, hold for 10 seconds. Don’t let your knees extend pass your toes. Then slowly stand up again. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
8) Bundle of Love lifts:
Sit in chair with your feet together, holding onto the sides of the chair with your hands. Have your baby sit on your feet, facing you and holding onto your calves. With abs tucked in, slowly straighten your legs to lift your feet and your baby off the ground. Hold for one count; then bend your knees to lower your feet back to the floor. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
9) Sit and Lift:
Lay on a mat with knees bent and feet placed on the floor hip width apart. Sit your baby on your lap facing you, their head and back resting against your thighs, and hold them securely. While they sit, you lift your pelvis up to the sky and keep your abs, thighs and buns tight. Hold the lift and engage your pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds. Release the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel Exercise) and then lower your buns towards the floor. Before your buns touch the floor lift them up again and repeat the exercise. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
10) Diamond kiss:
Place baby on a soft blanket or pillow between your bent legs as you sit on a mat. Your feet should meet each other at the top of the diamond with your knees making the two side points while your buns on the floor complete the bottom of the diamond. While baby rests on pillow inside of your diamond, begin by making sure that you are sitting upright with corrected posture and spine alignment. Relax your shoulders away from your ears. Gently embrace your baby’s sweet face with your hands and round out your back, lowering to kiss your baby while you knees press closer to the floor. Elbows are tucked in at baby’s sides while you hold the stretch for 12 seconds. Repeat if you’d like.
Happy Mommy getting Fit to you!
1) Stroller Stroll:
As you stroll, your feet should point straight ahead, and your heels should touch the ground before the balls of your feet. Make sure that your feet stay within the wheels of the stroller. Keep your legs under your hips, and don’t be afraid to let your thighs rub together. Lastly, with each step try to reach your leg out in front of your belly button. Your steps should be silent and deliberate. Avoid shuffling your feet or dragging your heels. And don’t bang your feet down hard on the pavement. Perfect posture and body alignment is necessary during all walking and power walking.
2) Stroller Dips:
Once stopped and strollers are safely locked in position while babies or toddlers are secured inside, find a bench or step to grip with fingers forward and elbows back. Buns are positioned in front of bench or step with feet safely on the ground beyond the slightly bent knee. You can place one leg on the other for added resistance. Dip down striving for a 90 degree angle between bent forearm and upper arm. Hold for 10 seconds for 10 repetitions. Cross right leg above left knee for 10 more repetitions and then cross left leg over right knee to finish this exercise with the last 10 repetitions.
3) Glide-&-Stroll:
Start with both hands on the stroller. Step forward with your right leg, and push the stroller away from your body. Now tighten your buns, and extend your left leg behind you (but don’t lift it too high). Focus on lifting your leg, rather than swinging it back. Glide it forward gracefully and avoid jerking the stroller. Be sure to keep your tummy tight, and don’t arch your back. Glide & Stroll for 50 yards, return to Stroller Stroll and repeat.
4) Miniskirt Stroll:
For this exercise, imagine that you’re wearing a little miniskirt and you are really working it! Your tummy is tight, and your thighs are squeezed together (otherwise the skirt won’t fit). You have to take very fast, very small steps (in a tight skirt, your legs don’t have a lot of room to move around). Keep your perfect posture, and cruise with a confident way about you. Keep a good grip on the stroller. Let your hips swing side to side, as fast as possible, in one smooth and continuous motion. Keep up this movement until your buns burn.
5) Diaper:
Once stopped and strollers are safely locked in position while babies or toddlers are secured inside, lay down on a matt or blanket placed near stroller. Lift knees up together to chest while raising your buns off of the ground. While imagining to have your diaper changed you are exercising your abdominal muscles. Repeat this exercise for 10-20 repetitions.
6) Up, Up and Away:
Stand with your feet about hip width apart, keeping your abs tight and back straight. Bending your knees, pick your baby up off the floor, and lift him or her over your head, straightening your legs as you extend your arms. As you do so say “Up, Up and Away” (Be careful not to lock your knees or elbows.) Bend your elbows and knees to lower your baby to chest level.) Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
7) Baby Squats:
Stand with your feet within hip width. Keep your knees soft while standing. Hold your baby face out with their back and head against your abdomen and chest. Slowly bend your knees as if to sit in a chair. Before you might sit, hold for 10 seconds. Don’t let your knees extend pass your toes. Then slowly stand up again. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
8) Bundle of Love lifts:
Sit in chair with your feet together, holding onto the sides of the chair with your hands. Have your baby sit on your feet, facing you and holding onto your calves. With abs tucked in, slowly straighten your legs to lift your feet and your baby off the ground. Hold for one count; then bend your knees to lower your feet back to the floor. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
9) Sit and Lift:
Lay on a mat with knees bent and feet placed on the floor hip width apart. Sit your baby on your lap facing you, their head and back resting against your thighs, and hold them securely. While they sit, you lift your pelvis up to the sky and keep your abs, thighs and buns tight. Hold the lift and engage your pelvic floor muscles for 10 seconds. Release the pelvic floor muscles (Kegel Exercise) and then lower your buns towards the floor. Before your buns touch the floor lift them up again and repeat the exercise. Once you have worked up to 10 repetitions you can repeat for a total of 2 sets.
10) Diamond kiss:
Place baby on a soft blanket or pillow between your bent legs as you sit on a mat. Your feet should meet each other at the top of the diamond with your knees making the two side points while your buns on the floor complete the bottom of the diamond. While baby rests on pillow inside of your diamond, begin by making sure that you are sitting upright with corrected posture and spine alignment. Relax your shoulders away from your ears. Gently embrace your baby’s sweet face with your hands and round out your back, lowering to kiss your baby while you knees press closer to the floor. Elbows are tucked in at baby’s sides while you hold the stretch for 12 seconds. Repeat if you’d like.
Happy Mommy getting Fit to you!
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Beautiful Wake-Up Call
Waking up to soft little kisses on my cheek, a little arm wrapped around me and, "I love you Mommy, I am so sorry for how mean I was being to you last night," being said by my oldest son was the best way to start my day! Yes, both of my big boys ended up in Mommy and Daddy's bed at some point during the night but that isn't something we choose to get too upset about. We have a pretty open door policy including an invisible "Welcome" Matt at the entrance to every room. Besides, if we didn't my morning wouldn't have started out as beautifully as it did.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Two Weird Things Today
Today two incidents occurred that were notably more unusual than my normal chronicles of unusual happenings. First and foremost in my mind is what my two oldest boys were up to on their Kid Zui accounts during their social media time. School was out, Thursday QT day was a success without any consequences for anyone, car pool drop off was sweet, homework was finished so snacks and media time were on. They were playing so peacefully the two of them. One eight year old little boy and one six year old boy playing together on what their parents (my hubby and I) have deemed safe for their internet entertainment, Kid Zui. They were almost huddled together, smiling, discussing, pointing at the monitor and encouraging each other with comments like, “…yes that works”. I was practically humming while my seventeen month old was happily dancing in his bordered off space while we all listened to a soft and quiet "Eat Pray Love" cd in the background. Whizzing around feeling accomplished with the big boys playing peacefully, little guy full of joy and me, oh yes, me, I was getting “stuff” done! Yes! I wandered by the big boys as I was picking up and organizing to discover the object of their attention for their always so desired media time. I couldn’t believe, well actually I could, what my little men were up to. They were on some fashion or dress up site styling an electronic female mannequin. I was actually quite impressed. Each one had very carefully and tastefully I might add created an image of their future “wife”, from their lips not mine. From the hair to the nail polish and even the accessories including not only the handbag but a wallet. The outfits they chose were darling and very hip. Did I tell you I was impressed. I smiled and decided not to say anything and just keep on a grooving in the getting “stuff” done department. All the while I couldn’t get out of my head the images of the girls they chose. From their eyes to their carefully selected hairstyles and decided on outfits that I noticed they changed around a lot until they found the one they felt best suited their vision. Many things went on inside my head. But what I concluded was that I have a feeling they may be a little more opinionated than their Daddy about what their beloved best friend and spouse may adorn herself with. It took me on a futuristic journey that I hope may be as beautiful as my thoughts and with as much smiles and shared joy in mind. I mean truly what kind of women one day might allow my boys to suggest the leopard print clutch. Hmmm….
Now the second slightly more unusual than normal occurrence today actually happened tonight. First I had to run a little later than normal quick run to the grocery store to support the boys’ school’s fundraiser. This was of course a little beyond regular as the boys and Daddy went to a Birthday celebration for a mutual friend that I truly preferred to be at but my life’s responsibilities deemed otherwise. I was happy though that my two big boys and husband got to go. My littlest guy was so incredibly tired by the time they actually left that his short bouts of intermittent screaming rang “he’s too tired” in my ears over and over again. But still I had to get to that fundraiser before 8 and I was on my own now because my original plans went way side when my husband ended up getting home an hour and a half later than I had originally expected. With all that said baby doll and I went to the store to support the big boys and boy did we. Never knew there were so many great deals and awesome food selections at Fresh and Easy. Now I know. All of the checkouts were self checkouts. “GREAT!!!!” I wanted to yell but instead some of the schools volunteers came to help out. You see my little one had had enough and wanted out of the cart without fail and couldn’t wear the little belt anymore because he is too big. So this sweet mommy from the boys’ school comes to get him out and her eyes got so big when she so generously grabbed him for me. I realized immediately the concern. I had to explain that in the car he managed to spill his entire sippy cup of water on him. Nice I know. He has this amazing skill of being able to make even the most declared spill proof cups leak beyond measure. It’s beautiful! Anyway once this kind lady learned that she was not holding a baby covered in pee I went as quickly as I could to get through check out and back in my car as soon as possible. As soon as my baby was secured in his car seat he fell asleep. He has been sleeping ever since. Ahhhh life is good! Here comes the weird part. On the way home my usual craving for a Starbuck’s wasn’t there. Every time I am in my car or out of my house my Starbuck’s magnet starts attracting its favorite splurge. Going through a Starbuck’s drive thru is what others may consider a week at the spa. Seriously I feel that indulgent and pampered by the privilege of driving up to the Starbuck’s window to kindly pay my just short of five dollars for a Iced Venti, Decaf, Non-fat three pump Mocha without any Whip Cream please. But tonight…oh tonight something was different. I was thirsty, real thirsty for a diet coke. I squealed my tires as I did a u-turn to the McDonald’s drive through. As I drove up to the speaker box it happened. “I would like a Medium Strawberry Banana Smoothie please”. WHHHHAATTT was that? I then pulled up to the first window to pay still feeling weird and unsure then carefully went to the second window to get my oddity. I drove home still feeling insecure as I sipped the medium beverage. This was weird for me on so many levels. The first and most obvious was that it wasn’t a Starbucks. O.k. I think everybody gets that. But there was more. For example it was a Medium. It’s confession time. I do not order beverages less than large. I just don’t . I haven’t for at least all of my adult life. And then….a smoothie…from McDonald’s at 7:45p.m. Weird. That’s all I can say, weird. I still cannot figure it out and am not sure if I am even happy or satisfied by the whole strange thing.
With all that said what about you, ever weirded yourself out? Please, please, please tell me about it.
Now the second slightly more unusual than normal occurrence today actually happened tonight. First I had to run a little later than normal quick run to the grocery store to support the boys’ school’s fundraiser. This was of course a little beyond regular as the boys and Daddy went to a Birthday celebration for a mutual friend that I truly preferred to be at but my life’s responsibilities deemed otherwise. I was happy though that my two big boys and husband got to go. My littlest guy was so incredibly tired by the time they actually left that his short bouts of intermittent screaming rang “he’s too tired” in my ears over and over again. But still I had to get to that fundraiser before 8 and I was on my own now because my original plans went way side when my husband ended up getting home an hour and a half later than I had originally expected. With all that said baby doll and I went to the store to support the big boys and boy did we. Never knew there were so many great deals and awesome food selections at Fresh and Easy. Now I know. All of the checkouts were self checkouts. “GREAT!!!!” I wanted to yell but instead some of the schools volunteers came to help out. You see my little one had had enough and wanted out of the cart without fail and couldn’t wear the little belt anymore because he is too big. So this sweet mommy from the boys’ school comes to get him out and her eyes got so big when she so generously grabbed him for me. I realized immediately the concern. I had to explain that in the car he managed to spill his entire sippy cup of water on him. Nice I know. He has this amazing skill of being able to make even the most declared spill proof cups leak beyond measure. It’s beautiful! Anyway once this kind lady learned that she was not holding a baby covered in pee I went as quickly as I could to get through check out and back in my car as soon as possible. As soon as my baby was secured in his car seat he fell asleep. He has been sleeping ever since. Ahhhh life is good! Here comes the weird part. On the way home my usual craving for a Starbuck’s wasn’t there. Every time I am in my car or out of my house my Starbuck’s magnet starts attracting its favorite splurge. Going through a Starbuck’s drive thru is what others may consider a week at the spa. Seriously I feel that indulgent and pampered by the privilege of driving up to the Starbuck’s window to kindly pay my just short of five dollars for a Iced Venti, Decaf, Non-fat three pump Mocha without any Whip Cream please. But tonight…oh tonight something was different. I was thirsty, real thirsty for a diet coke. I squealed my tires as I did a u-turn to the McDonald’s drive through. As I drove up to the speaker box it happened. “I would like a Medium Strawberry Banana Smoothie please”. WHHHHAATTT was that? I then pulled up to the first window to pay still feeling weird and unsure then carefully went to the second window to get my oddity. I drove home still feeling insecure as I sipped the medium beverage. This was weird for me on so many levels. The first and most obvious was that it wasn’t a Starbucks. O.k. I think everybody gets that. But there was more. For example it was a Medium. It’s confession time. I do not order beverages less than large. I just don’t . I haven’t for at least all of my adult life. And then….a smoothie…from McDonald’s at 7:45p.m. Weird. That’s all I can say, weird. I still cannot figure it out and am not sure if I am even happy or satisfied by the whole strange thing.
With all that said what about you, ever weirded yourself out? Please, please, please tell me about it.
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