A 1/2 Day in the Life..

For anyone out there who thinks that being work at home mom allows for more free time...Think Again!

I just found a spare 20 minutes and could not think of what to do so I figured I'd throw in a blog post!

Here is my day so far and it is pretty typical on a daily basis...

- Woke up to a fussy baby in my face wanting chocolate milk.

- Got up and fixed chocolate milk x2...I knew I had to have milk for the other tot after he wakes up! Also turned on the TV to Disney to entertain Riley while I get everything ready.

- Took clothes out of the dryer...then put clothes from the washer in the dryer...then put new load of laundry in the washer. Moms I know you know that routine!

- Brushed teeth and got dressed. Gave my son his first wake up call. Riley calls out and says she done with her milk and now wants cereal. Retrieve milk cup and fix cereal cups.

- Tot wake up call #2. Check and send a few emails.

- Prepare sippy cups and snacks and do a diaper bag check for all of the basic necessities (diapers, wipes, changes of clothes). Notice need spare undies and shorts for Joshua.

- Time for Riley to get a new diaper and get dressed. Wake up call #3 for Josh!

- Put stuff in the car. Storm into Joshua's room and start dressing him while he's asleep. He wakes up and protests! I convince him to go potty and brush teeth.

- Argue with Joshua about his shorts and shoes. He is not cooperating!

- Time to leave...we are late...as usual! Joshua is purposely walking extra slow to the car. Mommy wishes for coffee!

- Finally made it to the car. Arguing with the kids about where they need to sit. Finally get them in their seats and seat belts on.

- Drive to Stroller Strides! It starts raining on the way there. Uh-Oh, I hope it doesn't last long!

-Yay made it and it is not raining! Love to see the moms and their kiddos! Had a fun class. The weather cooperated...unlike Joshua!

- Stopped at mom's to drop something off. Argue with the kids to get back in their seats!

- Drive to Chick -Fil - A to meet Amy and Gavin for lunch. Had a great lunch! Mandy and Andy, nice to meet ya!

- We let the kids play in the indoor playground while we tried to carry a conversation over the screaming kiddos!

- Joshua takes off to the bathroom. He's holding his bum, must mean #2!

- I was right, it was #2! Joshua runs out of the bathroom holding a pair of poop filled undies. I grab the diaper bag (thank heavens I refilled the undies and shorts), head the bathroom, and clean him up. Put on clean undies and shorts, scrub the hands, back to more playing!

- Finish up our playtime and leave for home. Riley falls alseep in the car! She played hard!

- Arrive back home. Let the dog out and see that the cat puked in the hall...again! Put Riley down on the bed, have to change her in a few minutes!

- Clean up cat puke then change Riley's diaper and clothes.

- Take out clothes from dryer, put clothes from washer into dryer, put today's yucky kid clothes into the washer!

- Call Joshua and Domino in. Notice the cat has pooped outside of her litter box...again!

- Clean up the poop. Notice that the toilet is clogged! When will it end!

- Unclog toilet and then clean out litter box so it is fresh and clean!

- Take out the trash and scrub hands! Put on a Scooby Doo movie for Joshua and realize I have 2o minutes before I have to leave to pickup my 1st grader! Hmmm, what to do in 20 minutes??

- Alarm on my clock just went off. Time to leave!

Off to part two of my day!

Vote for Stroller Strides at Start Up Nation

Vote for Stroller Strides in the Start-Up Nation Leading Moms in Business contest! You can submit one vote per day for each of your favorites. I have been putting in my daily vote and then browsing around at some of the other mommy owned businesses! There are some impressive and inspiring business mommas out there! Click here to cast your vote!

Operation Hi Mom

I saw this and knew it had to go on the blog...

Canvas On Demand is offering a free 16 x 20 pixel painting to 500 troops to give to their moms.

We appreciate our trooops! That's why we started Operation: Hi Mom, a program that gives hundreds of our deployed military men and women a free fine-art canvas that will be presented to their moms on Mother's Day. Canvas On Demand

The 500 paintings will given away via random drawing on April 30th. Click here for more information.

Blog Spring Cleaning

The blog is less than a year old and already it is time for some re-organization! I want this blog to be user friendly for all readers so I am going to be adding some navigation and cleaning things up a bit! I apologize in advance for any delayed page loads or formatting errors that might pop up in the next few days!

-Val

This is why it is storming in Houston!

I finished (mostly at least) next month's calendar! Can you believe it! Most of the time the calendar goes out around the 15th of that month!



To download the calendar click here!

Updates will be sent out throughout the month! Next step, the April newsletter!

Oh, and I hope you like the new Spring blog design! I wanted something bright and fun and so got to work on the new design!

I have a lot of great announcements, including one that has had me smiling for two days now (but I just can't let that secret out yet)!

I'll be updating the blog throughout the weekend so check back!

Live Inspired

I love fitness and healthy living, but I also love photography and photo art (photo books, scrapbooking, digi scrap, etc). I bought a great book last year by Donna Downey and have been following her blog ever since. If you want some great ideas for your photos check out her stuff!

Donna's motto is "live inspired and dream with possibility". I love that! She took her own words to heart when she started her journey to weight loss and healthy living. Like many of us she is swamped with kids and work, but she set her goals in January 08 and a year later she is 46 pounds lighter, several dress sizes smaller, has run a few 5K's, and is about to run her first half marathon! Talk about being inspired!

Read about this amazing mom's journey to fitness here and let her story inspire you to "dream with possibilites"!

Welcome Blog Party Bloggers!

for my readers...told ya I was a dork!

Welcome to Moms Living Fit! On this blog you will find fitness tips, recipes, exercise ideas, giveaways, contests, and plenty of mommy banter! Feel free to browse around and sign the "guestbook" by leaving a comment!

If you are one of my readers and you are wondering what the heck I am talking about, or just landed here via search, blogger bar, etc, See yesterday's post about the Ultimate Blog Party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom! If you are in search for a mommy based blog, this is the week to find it...all in one spot!

You can also win tons of great prizes! I am hoping for that Ergo Baby Carrier offered by Giveaway Addicted Mommy! I also wouldn't mind the Chic Ear Buds (so cute) given away by IE Mommy or any of the $50 Target gift cards (I love Target) offered by Agoosa & Beginner BabyBlog.

**For 5MFM...also (41, 26, 44, 45, 56, and anything after that!)

Ulitmate Blog Party 09

Tomorrow 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting the 09 Ultimate Blog Party! What is it?

In their words...

It has become a tradition in the “momosphere.” It is the perfect event to build your network and have some serious blogging fun, all without stepping away from your machine…

In short, browse through hundreds of mom blogs for some good reads and good friends...oh and there are prizes too!

Check it out! I know you'll love it!

For information on the Ultimate Blog Party, click here.

I <3 Wry Baby

I stumbled upon this website a few years ago and have purchased many onesies and gifts there! It is called Wry Baby and it is hysterical! Not everyone has the humor for their baby items...and I will pray for them! If you love dry humor and mild potty humor, you might like Wry Baby!

I decided to blog about this today because I got an email from them featuring a new onesie with "Ask me about my compost" written on the front and thought it would fit into the "green" category for St. Patrick's Day! In fact, they are offering a $10 coupon code for the new set...coupon code GREEN!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Meet your Vitamins

It is common knowledge that your body needs a daily ration of various vitamins and minerals (at least I hope it is common knowledge) to maintain health and function! The problem is that most people don't know the specifics on these vitamins and minerals and so don't realize their significance, and ultimately the body's true nutritional needs are not fully met (if at all).

Here is a handy pdf found on Women's Running Magazine. This great article lists all the major vitamins and minerals and where to find them...in your food!

Download it, read it, and take it to the grocery store for your next shopping run!

Slainte, Y'all!

Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

-Val

Vote for a Funny Mommy Blog

I have mentioned on several occasions how much I enjoy reading a blog by Dawn Meehan called Because I Said So! I'm not the only one too! Last year she was nominated for not one but 4 different Blogger's Choice Awards and won 1st in Best Parenting, 2nd in Best Humor, 4th for Hottest Mommy Blogger, and 6th for Best Blog of All Time...Wow!

She is nominated again for all but Best Blog of All Time this year. I highly recommend stopping by her blog, especially when you have those mommy moments when you feel like tearing out your hair and going for a few round with a punching bag! It is very funny and sometimes we all just need to laugh!

You can vote for her blog here.

Also she her first book (also called Because I Said So) just came out (or is about to). If you need your humor on the go, this might be an option for you!

Got Milk? Drink Well. Live Well. - Mustache Tour

The Got Milk Mustache tour is coming to Texas!

From March to August, America's milk processors are traveling coast-to-coast with the Drink Well. Live Well. Tour to encourage Americans to not only live well, but drink well with milk. Milk is naturally nutrient-rich like no other beverage, some may even say milk is nature's wellness drink. Providing an array of benefits in every glass, milk has been endorsed by more than 250 celebrities and its benefits are supported by hundreds of scientific studies. Drinking milk is one of the simplest things you can do every day and feel good about, for you and your family.
from http://whymilk.com

At all of the locations there will be the following free activities!

- Experience the “Wellness Oasis” and get tips on how to achieve wellness and balance in their life

- Sample lowfat and fat free milk from Borden Milk Products, Braums, Oak Farms, H-E-B, Southwest Dairy and Shepps

- Relax with free five-minute chair massages by a licensed massage therapist

- Receive free health screenings from a registered dietitian

- Enjoy freshly made Soothie Smoothies

- Pose for a celebrity-inspired Milk Mustache souvenir photo

- Learn more about the health benefits of milk with a giant, six foot glass visual

Dallas Events
Tuesday, March 17
11:00a.m.-2:00p.m.
Museum of Nature and Science
3535 Grand Ave
Dallas, TX 75210

Wednesday, March 18
1:30PM-3:30PM
El Rio #3
2515 W. Jefferson
Dallas, TX 75211

Thursday, March 19
5:00p.m.-7:00p.m.
Carnival
3460 Webb Chapel
Dallas, TX 75220

Friday, March 20
10:30a.m.-12:30p.m.
Wal-Mart Super Center Store #220
951 Southwest Wilshire
Burleson, TX

Friday, March 20
5:30p.m.-7:30p.m.
Brookshire Grocery Store
105 E. Ovilla Road
Red Oak, TX 75154

Saturday, March 21
12:00-2:00
HEB Store #426
800 N Hyw 77
Waxahachie, TX 75165

Houston Events

Monday, April 6th
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Kick-Off event
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby
Houston, TX 77002

Tuesday, April 7th
11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Central Market
Time: 11-1
3815 Westheimer
Houston, TX 77027

Tuesday, April 7th
5-7 p.m.
HEB 020 (Houston#53)
Hwy 290 and Barker Cypress Road
Houston, TX 77094

Wednesday, April 8th
5-7 p.m.
Kroger store
6200 Highway 6
Missouri City, TX 77459

Thursday, April 9th
11 a.m. -1 p.m.
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA PARKWAY
Houston, Texas 77058

I encourage you to head to your local Got Milk? event this summer and grab a cold glass of milk...and don't forget the free massage!

Freebies, Giveaways

If you've been a reader for a while you know that I love to find good deals and freebies! Really who doesn't! I think even if I was super wealthy I would still do the same!

I came across a few good freebies and giveaways today. It is amazing how many blog gems are out there! I find new ones every day love it! I have to give credit to this blog for listing the first one and then the rest came from there!

1. Win a free Ergo Baby Carrier from Deal ectible Mommies

2.Win a free pair of Baby Legs from A Classic Tale

3. Win a free pair of See Kai Run shoes from Mama's Money Savers

I'm compiling my internet coupon list so stay tuned for that!

Nearly Half Way to Goal Mark for March for Babies

This year our fundraising goal for March for Babies is $1000 and we are close to the half way mark at $460 raised so far! We still have 45 days before walk time so we can definitely make our goal! If you would like to donate to Team Stroller Strides Houston, please visit our team page at

http://marchforbabies.org/teams/strides

Thank you to all who have donated to this very important cause!

No More Toxic Tub Report

I receive updates and newsletters from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics Organization. I found several startling facts on the number of chemicals (toxic ones) that are allowed into our everyday hygiene and skin care products when I read the book Healthy Child Health World. Believe it or not there is really very little regulation on what goes into these products and there is also very little regulation on what the product says on the bottle.

I received this report today and while I wasn't surprised that the two chemicals being tested for were found, I was surprised at the products that tested positive for these chemicals. I'm not telling you to throw out all of your shampoo and lotions and substitute with baking soda and beeswax. I am just saying, do your homework. Read the labels, do a little background research, and be sure you know what you are putting on yourself and your kids everyday!


A Toxic Tub for Baby - And a Call to Action for Congress

Babies across America are sitting in bubbles tainted with cancer-causing chemicals and other toxins linked to serious health effects, according to a report released today by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. Many of the contaminated products are advertised as "gentle," "pure" or "naturally refreshing."

Read the new report, "No More Toxic Tub," for all the details, but this is the quick and dirty version:

The Campaign sent unopened bubble bath, baby lotion and other products intended for babies and children, purchased in cities across the U.S., to an independent lab to be tested for 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. Both chemicals are contaminants that do not appear on product labels, and both are carcinogenic; formaldehyde can also trigger rashes in those with sensitive skin.

The lab tested 48 kids' products for 1,4-dioxane and found it in 67 percent of the products. Of the 28 products tested for formaldehyde, 82 percent were positive. Seventeen products were contaminated with both 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde.

Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea baby wash, Sesame Street Bubble Bath, American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel, and even the iconic Johnson's Baby Shampoo were among the products that contained both of these toxic contaminants.

We know that cosmetics can be made without hazardous ingredients and contaminants. So what's going on? How is it legal for companies to sell baby and kids' skincare products that contain toxic chemicals used in embalming fluid, fumigants and automotive coolant? Worse yet, these chemicals aren't even on the label, so even the most ingredient-conscious parents wouldn't know whether the product is safe.

Take action right now: Ask your legislators to clean up cosmetics.

Some industry representatives say that a little bit of formaldehyde or 1,4-dioxane isn't going to harm anyone. But these bath products are regularly used on children in combination with numerous other products. Because our air, water and food can contain harmful chemicals, too, our total daily exposure to toxic chemicals can be significant and can add up to harm.

According to the National Academy of Sciences, several factors contribute to children's special vulnerability to the harmful effects of chemicals:

• A child's chemical exposures are greater pound-for-pound than those of an adult.
• Children are less able than adults to detoxify and excrete chemicals.
• Children's developing organ systems are more vulnerable to damage from chemical exposures.
• Children have more years of future life in which to develop disease triggered by early exposure.

The widespread presence of contaminants and other harmful ingredients in children's bath products is just one symptom of a self-regulated cosmetics industry badly in need of reform. We deserve better!
What Can You Do?

Ask your legislators to give the FDA the authority it needs to ensure that all cosmetics, from baby shampoo to lipstick to body lotion, are truly safe.

Spread the word to friends and family.

Download the report, check the list of products we tested and find safer alternatives at www.safecosmetics.org/toxictub.


**I must note that I have no way of validating this the report or its data. For questions and concerns on the products you are currently using, contact the manufacturers via the numbers listed on the packaging.

A Great Recipe

I am aiming to post a few healthy recipes a month from now on so to start here is one that is easy and fast to make (about 30 min) and is also fairly inexpensive ingredient wise. It is also one that the whole family can enjoy (even with picky eaters like me)!

Corn Flake Crusted Halibut with Chili-Cilantro Aioli

• Aioli:
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons fat-free mayonnaise
• 1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 
  Fish:
• 1 cup fat-free milk
• 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
• 2 cups cornflakes, finely crushed
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (about 1 ounce)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 (6-ounce) halibut fillets
• 4 lemon wedges

Preparation

To prepare aioli, combine cilantro, mayonnaise, serrano, and minced garlic, stirring well.

To prepare fish, combine milk and egg white in a shallow dish, stirring well with a whisk. Combine cornflakes, flour, salt, and black pepper in another shallow dish.

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Dip fish in milk mixture, and dredge in cornflake mixture. Add fish to pan, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Serve fish with aioli and lemon wedges.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

367 (27% from fat)

Fat:

11.2g (sat 1.6g,mono 6.3g,poly 1.9g)

Protein:

40.8g

Carbohydrate:

25.1g

Fiber:

2.2g

Cholesterol:

56mg

Iron:

2.4mg

Sodium:

645mg

Calcium:

166mg

from Cooking Light

I'm a Dork!

I'll be the first to admit...I love blogging! More specifically I love writing and even more than writing, I love to read! It all ties in together because the more I read (and I read A LOT) the more info piles into my head meaning the more info that wants a medium to get out! It works!

So keeping that in context, I was reading the Blogger Buzz and there was a post on the new and update Follow and Google Friend Connect feature for Blogger. Pretty much anyone can sign up for a blogger account (it is just a user name and password) and you have a blogger home page where you can read recent posts from the blogs you follow as well as read updates from Blogger. Entering dork waters, I know!

The new Follow feature (if I understand correctly) allows you follow along and leave your comments even if you do not have a blogger account. Pretty cool! Yes I know, I'm a dork!

So if you are a frequent reader of Moms Living Fit, I invite you to "follow" this blog! There is a Followers widget in the sidebar (the arrow is pointing the way)! You can sign up to follow the blog there!



Thank you to all of my faithful readers!

-Val

More Ways to Get Moving...

About a month ago I talked about ways to turn your Spring cleaning into a workout. We went over ideas on ways to add more activity into a busy life at my First Place 4 Health class...and was very proud of my members who came up with some good ones! I also found a great article in the Spring 2009 Heart Healthy Living Magazine (which I highly recommend picking up a copy) also going over this topic. I will take as a divine nudge to share these tips!

When you have a jam packed schedule it is easy to fall back on the "I don't have time" excuse when it comes to daily exercise. What most don't realize is that there are several activities and modifications to things you are already doing that can be classified as physical activity. Start with these simple tips and work your way up from there!

1. Sunrise Stretch - When you wake up in the morning. Take 2 minutes to stretch and breath. You don't even really need to get out of bed to do this! Stretch your body out finger tips to tippy toes and take a deep breath. Proceed to stretch your arms, legs, back, and neck. In your time of stretching, meditate on your goals for the day. It really can help!

2. Take the far away parking spot! - Whether you are at work or at the store, park at the end of the row and walk! This one brings up one of my biggest pet peeves! My mom will circle the parking lot for as long as it takes to get that perfect spot. In that time, I could have parked, walked to, and if its the holiday season started on my shopping at the store in the same amount of time! Just Walk! Imagine how many miles you could rack up if did this every day!

3. Use the upstairs bathroom! - If you live in a house that is 2 story or work in a multi-story building use the bathroom one level up...and take the stairs! If have stairs around at all USE THEM! They offer a great way to exercise and it costs nothing!

4. Keep a small set of weights or resistance bands at your desk or nearby. - Take two minutes to do bicep curls or some other simple exercise. The resistance bands can be used in hundreds of strength training exercises and they are very affordable!

5. Keep a set of workout clothes in your car. - Minimize those workout avoiding excuses such as "I'd have to go home and change..." Keep your change of clothes with you. Invite a friend or spouse to meet you at the gym or park after work or sometime during the day. It helps to have that extra support!

A few other tips to help you out...

- Eat a healthy breakfast (include carbs, lean protein, and fiber).
Breakfast jump starts your metabolism, boosts calorie burning, and stabilizes blood sugar. You will see a major improvement in your health and in your workouts!

- Write down your progress.
Keeping a journal of your daily exercise and food consumption will show you what your habits are and allow for modification. It takes just a few seconds to jot down your entries it helps you with your progress!

- Read the label.
This step alone can make a huge difference in your health. Do you know how much sugar is in your cereal? Do you know how many grains are in your bread? Pick a small goal and focus on the labels. ex. Reduce sugars - find foods with low sugar. Once you've learned the facts, move on to the next goal! Very simple! Very effective!

- Drink water.
The appeal for soft drinks and other sugary drinks is definitely strong, but help your body by reducing the number of these drinks and substituting with water. If you have have a flavor, add in a few sprinkles of splenda and drop in some fruit for your own low cal fruit water!

Lastly, take a few deep breaths and few stretches before bed and be proud at all of your proactive work towards better health!

..."And the last stretch of the day, SMILE!"

Another Photo Contest

Riley eating chocolate

This one was sent to me from one of our own Stroller Strides moms!

This one is called the Baby's Favorite Food Contest. Upload a picture of your baby eating their vittles to your Flickr account and add it to the Whole Foods Market Baby's Favorite Foods group.

All entries must be submitted by March 13th. Good Luck!

A great article on Yahoo

One person who routinely sends me great article links related to fitness is my hubby! This is one he sent me earlier in the week.

The title of the article is "3 reasons your workouts aren't working". It lists 3 common reasons and solutions to the problem. I thought the article was very true and worth the read! Take a look and see if any of these apply to you!

Class Moved Indoors Today

It is going to be in the 40's and windy so we will be moving indoors to Memorial City Mall. Class time still at 9:30!