Exercise of the Week - Plank-Thrust

Guess what we're doing in class on Friday? :)

Win cloth diapers!

I know there are quite a few new babies in our midst and we have discussed the world of cloth diapering.  I just entered a contest that would set you up with a great cloth diaper stash and accessories.  I thought some of you might be interested, as well.

Enter by clicking here and get the whole scoop by clicking here!

Kelly Wels is sponsoring this giveaway of an INCREDIBLE package from bumGenius!  I'm very excited about it and hope you are, too!

Happy Valentine's Day!

We'll be celebrating Valentine's Day at Stroller Strides class in the morning!  Join us at 9am at Battlefield Mall for a Valentine exchange for the kiddos and a kickin' love your heart workout for the moms.  Want to try a few classes to see how you like it?  Click here for a coupon!

Wear red/pink and bring your singing voices - we'll be entertaining the little ones with some Valentine's songs.  If you'd like to get a head start on the songs, here is what we will be singing:

Love Your Friends (Tune: Row, Row, Row Your Boat)
Love, Love, Love your Friends,
Love them all year long.
Especially on Valentine's Day,
As we sing this song

My Valentine (Tune: The Muffin Man)
Oh, will you be my valentine? My valentine? My valentine?
Oh, will you be my valentine? And love me every day?
Oh, yes, I'll be your valentine, Your valentine, your valentine.
Oh, yes, I'll be your valentine, And love you every day.

The Postman Brings a Valentine (Tune: The Mulberry Bush)
The postman brings a Valentine,
A Valentine, a Valentine.
The postman brings a Valentine,
It says that I love you!

Counting Valentines (Tune: Ten Little Indians)
One red, two red, three red Valentines
Four red, five red, six red Valentines
Seven red, eight red, nine red Valentines
Ten red Valentines.

I'll see you there! 

Weekend Fitness Fun with your Kiddos

It's the weekend and there is no Stroller Strides class - sad, I know!  However, it doesn't mean that you can't fit active fun into your two days off.  Take the opportunity to let the kids workout WITH you. 

• Click here for a Mommy and Me Yoga workout.  Have even more fun - make it a Daddy, Mommy, and Me Yoga session!
• Turn up some kids tunes and DANCE!  Have a dance party with the kids - you'll have tons of fun, make great memories, and get some great cardio in.  Pandora has a toddler station now - it's free, check it out!
• Spark imagination while you get movement, think of different animals and imitate their movement with the kids.  For example, run fast like a cheetah and then lumber along slowly like an elephant.  Crab walk, bear crawl, or even slither like a snake! 
• Take advantage of the warmer weather - use chalk to draw a hopscotch board on your driveway.  You'll be able to work on numbers while you hop!

Have fun and enjoy the thaw!

Fabulous Friday!

Friday, February 11 is going to be a great day at Stroller Strides!  It is Luna Moms Day at class.  What does that mean?  It means that as a Luna Moms Club member, you get your first 3 classes in a 7 day period free - so take advantage and start your FREE TRIAL tomorrow. However, if you have already used your free trial, join us for the special drop-in rate of $5.
It is also Freebie Friday!  Everyone who comes to class will get some awesome freebies and coupons from our sponsors.  I'm not sure what all I will have, but I know there are some things from Huggies, Aquaphor, Bekaboo Baby, and more!  You must be present at class to get your freebies, so join us.
Since we had to cancel due to weather conditions on Wednesday, we are also going to follow class with our Coffee and Crafts playgroup.  After class, grab a snack/drink from your favorite place at the mall then meet us at the food court for a Valentine's Day craft.
So, I'll see you at 9am at Battlefield Mall tomorrow morning!  We meet in the corridor by Maceo's, Fast Break Sports, and Dr. Fly's Salon.

Exercise of the Week - Lat Pull with Hip Extension

Stand in a split stance with your front leg bearing most of your weight ("kick-stand the back leg"). Hold onto the handles and choke up on the tube to create tension between your hands, begin the lat pull. Add in a hip extension and hold it to incorporate balance for core work. To take it a step further, draw the elevated leg in towards the torso. Repeat on other leg. (via Farel Hruska, Stroller Strides National Fitness Director)

Primary Muscles Used: Latisimus Dorsi, Core, Gluteus Maximus

What's cookin'?

Do you find yourself at a loss for what to make for mealtime?  I know I do, often.  I thought I would share some of my go-to sites that provide healthy recipes.

If you haven't heard of Cook Yourself Thin, you should check it out!  I fully agree with the concept - basically, they promote that you shouldn't say I can't eat cake or pizza or whatever food you love because I am trying to eat healthy or lose weight.  There are ways to remake a recipe so that you can still enjoy your favorite foods, but cut calories and fat from the original recipe.  There is a TV show and cookbooks, but you can click here for a large collection of their recipes.

For the kiddos, I really love Weelicious.  Go check it out and I think you will love it, too!  It has tons of kid-friendly recipes, but I think you and your hubby would enjoy many of them as well.  The recipes are also mom-friendly - her latest posts are a 5-in-1 series that shows you 5 ways to serve one main meal, so you can use your leftovers in creative ways!

For the itty-bitties in your life, I would recommend Wholesome Baby Food.   This site was very valuable to me when I was making baby food for the boys, so I'll be revisiting it before too long for baby girl.  It has recipes for purees, provides guidelines as to what foods to introduce at what age and how much, and suggested meal plans for those little ones.

Exercise of the Week - Up Down Push-Up

This is definitely something you SHOULD try at home.  We've done it in class and here is a reminder tutorial of how to do it at home.  It's a great exercise that works arms, chest, and core.  


Have fun!