EVERYTHING
FOR YOUR FAMILY
|
| ||||
|
Advertise
With Us
Click here to request more information.
OC Family reaches:
- Active & educated parents
- Growing families
- And more...
SMART MOM
|
||||
 Take the time to recharge your batteries. Whether you do this by yourself or in a group setting, there are many ways to feel good about yourself. Rediscover your hobbies – When little ones come along, a mom’s hobbies are often the first activities to get cut from a schedule. Connect with moms who share things you enjoy, so you can include your children in a shared activity or swap childcare with a friend while you take time to participate. Schedule a book club meeting, an in-home cooking class, a knitting group or whatever makes you feel happy. Write the activity on your calendar; you’ll be less likely to cancel when it is on paper! Find serenity in your everyday tasks – It can be a challenge to reach a calm and relaxed mindset, especially in our modern world. In her recently released book, “Shortcuts to Inner Peace, 70 Simple Paths to Everyday Serenity,” Ashley Davis Bush helps readers learn how to hit the pause button amidst the chaos with a spirit of quick restorative respites to ordinary everyday activities. “Once busy moms begin to integrate these shortcuts into their daily lives, they begin to happen automatically,” Davis Bush said during a recent interview, adding, “When that happens, inner peace will no longer be a brief state of mind, but a way of life.” An example of mindfulness sits in the kitchen. While unloading the dishwasher, pay attention to the sounds of the plates, glasses, pots and pans as they are being moved. A simple and often monotonous task can become more meaningful when approached in a positive light. The book is available at Amazon.com and independent booksellers. ashleydavisbush.com Exercise is key – Popular exercise programs and equipment change frequently. What does not change are the overwhelming number of studies and medical opinions that promote exercise for good health and wellness of body, mind and spirit. We love Stroller Strides The organization (strollerstrides.com) offers three class options for every stage of motherhood. Whether you already exercise regularly or need to start a routine, Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that lets moms work out with their babies. Power walking and strength and body-toning exercises incorporate exercise tubing, the stroller and the environment. Taught by certified and specially trained fitness instructors who weave songs and activities into routines designed to entertain and engage baby, groups are led through a series of exercises specific to moms’ different roles. Stroller Strides is designed to give mothers the “Strength for Motherhood!” Fit4Baby – This is a prenatal program designed to strengthen the body for all the changes it will experience during pregnancy. The class includes cardio, strength, flexibility and balance training. Fit4Baby is designed to accommodate all stages of pregnancy and various fitness levels. Body Back – Here’s the newest program from Stroller Strides’ founder, Lisa Druxman. It is a results-based workout designed specifically for moms. Whether your baby is 1 or 21, this exercise program will help any mom get her body back. Most importantly, it will help moms unlock their personal possibilities in an inspiring and powerful environment. All Stroller Strides class locations offer free LUNA Mom’s Clubs, which serve as energetic playgroups for mom and baby. Not only are the classes great for mom, they are enriching and fun for children. A quick search for classes in the Orange County area returned dozens of results at community centers, parks and more. We hope you take time for yourself on a regular basis. It can often seem too difficult to carve out “me time.” However, remember to keep the base of the family pyramid strong with these suggestions and whatever activities you find to fit your busy schedule. Keep this adage in mind as well: “When mom is happy, everyone is happy!” SMART MOM GOES GREEN A LUSH, luscious skincare option Since every mom likes to feel pampered, we are sharing a great find: fresh, handmade cosmetics called LUSH. A line of cleansing rolls made of herbs and fresh ingredients, LUSH is an all-natural line made with ingredients such as seaweed, natural clays, lavender and much more. These rolls are preservative-free and give instant benefits to your skin. Simply place a pea-sized chunk in the palm of your hand and add water to create a paste. Apply to your face using small circular motions, then rinse thoroughly. There are four vegan skin-nourishing options: Dark Angels, a sugar scrub that exfoliates, cleanses and smoothes skin; Herbalism, a 100 percent natural cleanser for oily skin; Angels on Bareskin, with ground almonds, rose and lavender; and Aqua Marina, a calming and effective cleanser for all skin types. The cleansing rolls are part of an extensive line of products for every body part. lushusa.com SOLUTION OF THE MONTH Good nutrition on the go Moms are time-starved, so it’s often a challenge to eat a healthy meal or snack that does not include consuming the little ones’ crackers or leftover food. Busy moms also know how much good nutrition means to energy levels. Eating lots of fresh fruits and vegetables is important, so make it easy to grab a portioned snack as you are running out the door. When the groceries are still on the counter, rinse the fruits and veggies and divide them into snack-size portions. This works for you as you race out the door or for children’s lunchbox additions. Place the containers or bags in one drawer in the refrigerator, and you will save time while making sure you and the family are eating healthy snacks. A nutrition bar we like is the newest from Balance, called nimble. Formulated especially for women, nimble bars contain fiber, protein, calcium and iron. Lutein, beta-carotene and antioxidants promote healthy skin in this 120-calorie snack. Nimble also has a 40-30-30 balance (40 percent of calories from carbs, 30 percent from protein, 30 percent from dietary fat) to provide energy that helps moms keep pace with the non-stop activities that make up a family. They’re available in yummy flavors like yogurt orange swirl and peanut butter. balance.com |
||||
RSS SubscribeSEARCH THE SITE
