In The Now

When I was starting back to work, a friend of mine (who has a daughter the same age as mine and also just went back to work) told me that the number one thing she has learned is to 100% in the now.  When you're at work, be at work- give 100% and try not to think about what's going on at home without you (this seems impossible).  When you're at home with the kids, be there.  Get off your work email, put your phone away and just be there.  The time with the kids is precious.  I have about 2-3 hours with them a day (usually only 2 and the other hour is going in and out of my daughter's room trying to get her to stop throwing books out of her bed).

I learned this the hard way from my daughter when I was on my phone facebooking, tweeting, instagramming, texting--whatever I was doing ( Yes, I am addicted to my phone and social media).  Anyway, she got sick of my fake listening and came over and took my phone and said "no phone, Mama.  Play with me."  Uh DUH.  I felt like a jerk.

I get home from work around 4:45-5PM.  After they eat dinner, instead of scrolling through useless information on my phone, we go outside and play on the swing, I put Pandora on and we have a dance party, we read books, build block towers and watch 30 minutes of a movie of her choice before bed.

Monday-Wednesday I have classes at 7 or 7:30 and she is obsessed with exercising with me.  As a special treat, she gets to stay up and "excise" with me for 15 minutes and then it's bed time.  I don't know who is bribing who here, but it works and 2 years olds are extremely flexible!! She can also do 100's like a rock star!

When the weekends roll around, I make a concentrated effort to plan fun and active activities for my family.  My husband tends to work every other weekend, so on the weekends we are together we like to do something good.  Now that it is nice out, a lot of our activities revolve around being outside.  Both of my kids LOVE to be outside, especially my daughter.  She begs to go out as soon as she steps foot inside.  I am always looking for active things to do on the weekends, while at the same time avoiding major crowds because that just gives me anxiety :)

Here's a list of some fun and active things to do with kids and families on the weekend.  I am sorry this list is only a Boston list.  I don't leave the state ever haha, but it would be great if readers in other cities or countries could add their favorite outdoor activity on here as well!

Cushing Memorial Park in Framingham:  We LOVE this place.  There's a 1.5-2 mile loop for walking, running, biking, rollerblading- whatever. It's situated on about 60 acres of pretty flat terrain and absolutely beautiful trees.  There's a small playground in the center of the park, with a train, so of course my daughter is obsessed. We take bikes, strollers, soccer balls and picnic lunches and spend a couple hours here.  They have swings too, which is all my little man needs!

Ashland State Park - Reservoir Hike: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/trails/ashland.gif
This is a wonderful place for the entire family, including the pooches.  I prefer to park next to the tennis courts on Chestnut Street at the Warren Center and start the trail walk from there.  I used to hike around here with my dog and recently brought my 2 year old.  She loved it- loved the sticks, animals, water, everything!

Blue Hills:  I have yet to do this, but I plan to go during lunch next week my schedule isn't so insane.  Here's a link to the reservation.  http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/blue.htm

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary in Natick, MA:  Note to self, I must get a hiking backpack for the kids.  I have yet to be here, but we might try it out this weekend.  9 miles of varied trails with amazing views. This is not free (except for members, but it's only $5) http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Broadmoor/index.php

Going to the Cape for Memorial Day Weekend?  Be sure to check out the Cape Cod Rail Trail.  An amazing bike path that goes all over the Cape.  We've been in Chatham the past two weekens and they have one of their own called the Old Colony Rail Trail that goes through Harwich and Chatham.  http://www.chathaminfo.com/shared-files/File/Rail-Trail.pdf

Upper Charles Trail- Milford, MA:  This is a walking, biking, running train that is pretty much brand new.  There's a 5.5 mile section open so far, but proposed 20 mile trail through Ashland, Hopkinton, Milford, Sherborn and Holliston.  The Milford trail runs up rt 85.  We usually go to EMC Park in Hopkinton and then head to the trail for a walk/run after in the stroller. http://www.uppercharlestrail.org/

The Ecotarium, Worcester, MA:  This is probably out favorite place to go in the summer and in the winter.  However, you really only get the hiking in during the nice weather.  In the winter/rain we stay indoors. I have walked and hiked the outdoor museum area multiple times while pregnant.  It is NOT easy!  But, it's fun for the kids and there are lots of animals :) Added bonus- if you buy the membership, you can get into the majority of other museums in the city for free or a deep discount as well as museums around the country.
http://www.ecotarium.org/

Finally, here is a link to some great hiking in and around Boston: http://www.boston.com/travel/explorene/specials/outdoors/galleries/great_local_hiking_spots/

This Memorial Day, we remember our fallen heroes and their families and everything they have done for our country.

I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend with lots of fun and healthy activities planned!

PS- try (as hard as it may be) to stay away from the potato salad :)

32

Well, I turned 32 yesterday.  Such an uneventful age.  I actually had to stop and think about how old I was this year a couple times because after the big 3-0, who really cares? Haha...not me! As uneventful as this age is for me, I was reflecting on all the things I am grateful for.  This last year has been both challenging and immensely happy.  Here is my sappy list of everything I am grateful for:

• This guy:  
  
  
  
  My amazing hubby and Daddy to my babies.  He works so hard for our family and never, ever complains about it.  Even though he does stuff like falls asleep after I have just given birth to a giant baby, I still love him.
  
  
  
  
  
• My sassy little lady.  She keeps me on my toes and has a heart of gold.  She is the best big sis a boy could ask for.   Love her to pieces. 

• My Little Big Man.  An unexpected miracle that I am eternally grateful for every single day.  He is the light of my life.

• My fam, obvs.  They are all mucho supportive and I don't know what I would do without them.  My parents opened their home to me, my 2 kids, my dog and my hubby while we get our feet back on the ground after a challenging year and start the house hunting process. 
• My sissy.  My bestest friend on the planet.  We have come a long, long way...  
  
  
  
• My friends!  After 32 years I am happy to say that I have a few really great relationships with old friends.  I don't see them often, but when I do I treasure the time.  <3 you ladies! 
• My sister from another mister.  We've grown up together, broken up together and gotten back together.  Our babies are best friends and 30 years later, we get to watch them grow up together too. Amazingly beautiful.  
• 
• Coffee and under-eye concealer.  As much as T is the light of my life during the day...at night I would like the light turned off!  He just wants to snuggle. 
  
• Gina Fay and her beautiful DanceFIT Studio creation.  It was her dream that got me out of my fitness rut and at the same time got me actually hooked on clean and healthy eating and hooked on fitness.  For that I will be eternally grateful. 
• 
• DanceFIT also created a program for teeny tiny ballerinas and helped to introduce my daughter to the wonderful world of dance.  
• 
• Scarves.  Trivial, yes, but my signature accessory.  I heart them.  
• Mount Auburn Hospital and the doctors and nurses that cared for me and my babies while we were there.  I think about them all the time...probably more than I should haha.  They are fabulous though and I was lucky to have the same delivery nurse who actually remembered me.  My nurses were my lifeline, especially when C had to stay a few extra days without me.  They hold a very special place in my heart. 
• A new job, a new beginning.  As much as I loved being home with the kiddos, I thrive when I am contributing outside the home as well.  I am very thankful to have started new opportunity.
• Spring, the last few weeks in general.  Of the entire year, they are my favorite.  The flowers are in bloom and everywhere I look I am reminded of my beautiful Gram with lilacs blowing in the wind. 

• Skype and Facetime.  Amazing technology that has allowed C+T's family in Ireland watch them grow, allowed us to watch our baby niece and nephew grow, When one of us is away, we can still say goodnight and read stories or sing songs and my sister can eat dinner with her niece when ever she wants...all the way from NYC.   
  
  
  
  That's enough of that.  So many other things too, but I need to get back to work!  
  
  
  I will leave you with this and hope you can somehow find the time to fit it into your day: 
  
  
  
  
  

You Are Not A Number

For the past 15 (+) years I have been a scale watching addict.  15 years of my life have been consumed and ruled by a number...how crazy is that?  Drop pounds, drop pounds, drop pounds.  That was the one and only thing I was ever concerned about when it came to any sort of health and fitness regimen.  I still struggle with this daily, I am sad to say.  However, I am slowly starting to realize that it is not the number on the scale I (or any of you) should be concerned with.  What we should all be focusing on is the way we feel.  Do you feel stronger today than yesterday?  Can you hold a plank like a pro for just a few more seconds?  Get to 30 bicycle crunches without going all sloppy at the end?

Weight has never ever just fallen off me.  Even when I work hard, it still sticks around.  I am tall and bigger boned so I definitely find it harder to maintain a weight I think is healthy.  Feeling a little discouraged the other day about being stuck in scale plateau, my best friend reminded me of how hard I have been working and even if the scale isn't moving, my strength and endurance is.  "I will never be as strong as you", she said.  And while I completely disagree with that (because I think she could be!), it was a wake up call and really nice to hear.  I went shopping for back to work clothes a couple weeks ago and no, I still wasn't the size I wanted to be, but I felt good in the clothes.  That's what matters right?

I feel really grateful that I have found a group of strong and healthy women that motivate me to be a better me every single day...whether I am in a 6FIT session or not.  The women of DanceFIT Studio are not concerned with a number on the scale (for the most part...I am sure everyone has their moments!) but rather the number of squats, burpees, tricep dips they can reach by the end of the day.  How AMAZING is that?
The women I surround myself with both in person and virtually take multiple DanceFIT classes a day, climb mass amounts of stairs with the November Project, do CrossFIT programs, run marathons.  The list goes on and on and on. They are strong and healthy and they motivate me to be the same.  I see most of these women through the computer via Skype.  I have been working out with them all for over a year and I am literally watching them transform before my eyes.  I do not think...woah, she is so skinny, but rather she has gotten incredibly muscular; look at her arms muscles, legs, etc.  It is amazing to see.


In our little 6FIT cult, if one person gets down about not achieving their weight loss goal, or if someone is having a bad day everyone is quick to pull that person up...and by quick, I mean within 5 minutes words of encouragement are flying:

• You are getting stronger
• Don't worry about the number on the scale, you are building muscle
• You are healthy
• You have made a healthy lifestyle change...there is kale coming out of your ears :)
• You're running your ass off
• You are taking a gazillion classes a week
• Focus on how your clothes fit and not on the scale
• YOU ARE NOT A NUMBER (Thank you, Leta)

Personally, those words of encouragement that fly around our 6FIT FB page need to be hammered into my brain on a daily basis, but I am getting there.  These are words that I want my daughter to hear, as I have said before.  I don't want her to grow up the way I did...consumed by a single number on the scale.  She has seen me weigh myself before and of course wanted to do the same.  Instead of telling her the number on the scale I said "It says you are beautiful, you are strong, you are healthy".  Now when she see the scale, she says "I am beautiful Mommy?" and that just make my heart happy.  

My friend and fellow 6FITTER, Nicole wrote it best here.  The babies are watching and hearing everything you say. Not only as parents, but as a society, I feel like we need to set a good example for these littles as they grow. Teach them the words healthy, strong and beautiful not skinny, size 0 and scale.  

One last thing to leave you with.  At the end of every yoga class, Gina has us curl into a little ball and stay still for a couple minutes.  Not being a seasoned yogi, I asked what the purpose of this was.  Her answer?  "Self Love".  What a concept.  

Week One...and Done!

6FIT Week 1 is over!  I will admit, I really loved week one.  Cardio week, leafy greens week and water week...for me, they all went really well together.

I logged 10 miles of cardio: a hike with my daughter, double stroller hill torture runs, single stroller runs and finally a solo run yesterday where I broke a personal record and felt really proud of everything I accomplished in the past week.

Here I am after my final Cardio Week Run, sporting my DanceFIT Studio gear, of course!

I participated in 10 Virtual Skype classes, including a new class where I got to be a Rockette for 45 minutes--it was amazing!  Saturday was my rest day, and boy did I need it.  My muscles were sore and I felt physically exhausted.  It was a welcome day off.  I spent the day with my daughter...we went to see Elmo Live and then to a BBQ at my brother's house.  The weather was beautiful and it was just a great day.  My husband was away all week so it was jut me and the kiddos.  Surprisingly, I did OK...no major anxiety attacks and the babies behaved themselves (for the most part)...I feel like super mom!

As for water, I averaged about 75oz a day...I learned that when I wanted to snack, stop and sip some water first.  The phantom hunger went away.  What a concept! I will admit, there were a few nights that I realllly wanted a glass (or 3) of wine.  I went out with my girlfriends on Thursday and used the 80/20 rule.  I had a salad and some wine.  I resisted the fries and dessert.  It was a special treat.

My meals were FILLED with leafy greens.  Almost every single meal I ate last week contained at least 2 cups of spinach, kale or both.  I felt really healthy all week.

Here are a few pictures of my meals this week:

Salmon over quinoa and spinach with a side of broccoli 

BBQ Tofu/Kale/Quinoa Bowl

Shrimp, asparagus, zucchini over spaghetti squash

Last min meal:sauteed spinach, asparagus, pine nuts, spaghetti squash and chicken

Lettuce wraps with roasted chicken and tomatoes for lunch

Cardio Week might be over, but I have signed up for a training plan via Run Keeper so I am going to stick to my overall 6FIT goals that were set before I even started and get more cardio into my life.  Now I just have to get over my fear of running by myself in the morning!

Quinoa- The Super Food of All Super Foods

I was introduced to Quinoa about 3 years ago when it was "trendy"...everyone was eating it, talking about it, blah blah blah.  I read up on it, bought it and tried it.  First I just cooked it up and threw some frozen veggies into it...not good.  The next time I made it, I replace the typical brown rice we use for out chicken curry dish with it.  I warned my husband in advance and he promised he would try it and also not complain about it.  This is huge in itself.  Anyway, he didn't like it, but I thought it was OK with the curry.  Either way, I decided it was too annoying to prepare (rinsing it, letting it sit, 15 minutes to cook) and I just stopped using it.  When my first 6FIT rolled around in December of 2011, I tried it again.  This time, I looked up some recipes (which I will share with you below) and made it a point to love quinoa!  Even my daughter was eating quinoa in her prepackaged baby food.  Today I LOVE, am obsessed with, replace everything with quinoa.

Did you know that 2013 has officially been declared "The International Year of Quinoa"?  It must be good!

Here is a list of tips and tricks that I have found helpful for eating and preparing quinoa:

• Buy in bulk (if you can).  I buy a 2lb bag of quinoa at BJ's for $4.99.  In the regular grocery store, the same brand costs $5.99 for a 14oz bag.  No brainer.  
• Buy pre-washed.  This takes a lot of time out of prepping quinoa.  
• Make a big batch.  2 cups of quinoa and 4 cups of water will make a batch that will last about 5 days between myself and my daughter.  During 6FIT Quinoa week, I make more.  I literally put quinoa into everything so having it premade makes it really easy to add it to salads, sauteed recipes, etc. Also, most recipes called for cooked Quinoa but always double check.
• Replace pasta and rice with Quinoa.  I will admit, it took a while to get used to this.  My family does not eat a lot of pasta, and when we do we make a chili type sauce and put it over pasta so it is easy to replace.  We also eat a lot of veggie/chicken stir fry with brown rice.  Brown rice is not forbidden during bread/pasta week in 6FIT, but seeing as it coincides with Quinoa Week...go ahead and replace it! 

This is the brand I use (chubby baby legs are not included):

Want some details on the health benefits of Quinoa?  Go here:

Quinoa is great; here's why.

Ok so onto some recipes.  I usually keep it pretty simple, but I have been branching out lately.  

One of my go to recipes for lunch (or dinner) is roasted veggies over satueed kale and spinach with quinoa.  Roast veggies at 400 for 40 minutes (I like sweet potato, parsnips and brussel sprouts- toss in olive oil, salt/pepper and cayenne).  Saute the kale and spinach together in olive oil, salt pepper, cayenne (see a pattern here?) and stir in the cooked quinoa at the end. Serve together and voila! 

Pinterest is a fabulous place for Quinoa recipes and it's where I get most of mine.  I have linked my health recipes pinterest page as I am constantly pinning quinoa stuff! 

Below is a list of recipes I have tried and approved!  They are all links to where I got the original recipes.

Quinoa and Kale Patties  I posted this in the 6FIT page, but I just want to stress a few things.  Make sure that once the batter is mixed, it sits for a while- even 30 minutes.  It is still going to be really runny.  Try to form into a ball anyway.  Cook for 10-12 min medium heat on BOTH sides. These are so good.  I used them as breakfast cakes, in lettuce wraps for lunch and then again for breakfast sauteed in with my spinach.  

BBQ Quinoa/Kale Bowl.  So here is the recipe I base mine off.  I made it a lot easier though and substituted a few things.  First of all the BBQ tofu: I just tossed in BBQ Sauce and tobasco, baked for 30 min at 400 (tofu cut into cubes).  Instead of brown rice I used quinoa and instead of blackeyed peas, I used garbanzo beans.  So So good.  If you don't like tofu, you can use shrimp of chicken! It is very filling.  

Quinoa/Avocado/Corn Salad The recipe calls for soaking the quinoa overnight...here is where the pre-washed quinoa comes in handy.  You can omit that step all together.  

Quinoa Breakfast Bowl  One of my favorites.  My sister shared this recipe during winter 6FIT and it is absolutely delicious.  Note- This recipe calls for walnuts, so if you're allergic  it still tastes good without.  Just add more berries!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers  I will not lie.  I don't follow a recipe for these, but the one linked comes pretty close to what I do.  I usually just stuff peppers with quinoa and steamed spinach, add some spices and bake them.  So good and 2 peppers lasts 2 days. 

I think those recipes should get you started on your journey to loving Quinoa! I wish I had tips of how to make kids like quinoa, but I don't.  It's just one of the things my daughter loves...she will eat it plain without spices too.  

Enjoy!

A New Day

As Spring 6FIT  with DanceFIT Studio kicks off tonight and tomorrow, I can't help but feel very grateful for a happy, active, positive 6 weeks ahead.  It has been an emotional roller coaster of a week here in our beloved city of Boston and all over the nation really.  There is no sense in getting into during this post because I could go on and on, but as I start to have a sense of closure and my paranoia goes away, I will continue to pray for the families who are still grieving, healing and struggling and pray for a peaceful future for all of us.

Ok friends...so HERE WE GO!  Week 1 is finally here.  This happens to be one of my favorites.  Cardio, Kale and Water.  This is going to be my final week as a stay at home mama...I was offered and accepted a great position last week.  That said, I have this whole week to get out and run, hike, walk, climb.  Personally, I am going to be logging miles for Miles For Boston and #runforboston over the next week.  

I am also going to take my kids for a hike in town, we are going to take a trip into the city, and we are going to try and concur a 180 elevation hill near our house.  We went up it last week and I honestly didn't think I was going to make it.  Pushing 80lbs of kid and stroller was a feat in itself and I don't think Run Keeper took that into account when calculating my calories burned! Speaking of Run Keeper- I highly recommend it!  You can make a friends list, etc.  it is wonderful.  It also reminds you to get you behind moving when you haven't logged in, in a couple days...!

Kale.  I have blogged about kale before.  I used to hate it...like literally couldn't swallow it.  Today it is one of my DAILY staples.  I eat it for breakfast a lot.  I usually just saute it in olive oil, add salt and pepper and for some spice, a sprinkle of cayenne.  Scramble with eggs or make an omelet.  If I eat kale for lunch I saute, roast a lot of veggies (I usually roast enough veggies for 3 meals), grill tofu and mix it all together.  Delish.  In the winter, I put it in soups.  Smoothies with kale are really good, although you need to get a good balance of kale vs fruit.  I use kale, almond milk, ice, a banana and frozen berries.  A plus is that my 2 year old daughter loves this smoothie and thinks it is a treat! Ha!  Have her good and fooled.     

Water!  Water week is not too difficult for me...besides maybe cutting out the wine :)  I do not drink anything except water ever.  I have previously blogged about water tips, but in case you missed it, but #1 tip is to get a great water bottle, keep it with you and refill when it's empty.  For those of you who have trouble with water, the good news is that it's spring and I personally find it easier to get water down when it's warmer.  There are a lot of great ideas out there to naturally flavor water as well.  Berries, mint, cucumber and the old staple- lemon or lime are all great options.  Have a Pinterest account?  There are hundreds of water "recipes" on there.  

Good luck to everyone this first week.  If there is one thing I have learned from my past 6FITs, is that even though we all on separate teams, we are are really on one big team.  Don't be afraid to ask questions, vent, share bad days and good days.  No one judges.  Everyone sympathizes, gives advice and provides motivation to get you back on track.  

More Hours Needed

Ok friends.  The time has come for this Mama to get back to work.  I am just going to write this blog as if I 100% have a new job because I need to keep the positive thinking up! With any luck, I will be going back to work by the end of the month.  I have been at home with Caoimhe for a year and my little man for 6 months now.  We have a good routine going.  I have time to think about what I am going to make for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, I am able to workout in the middle of the morning while the baby naps and C is running around and most nights I am able to get everything done before my evening workouts.  For the most part, I feel like I have the "work life balance" thing under control, but being out of the home after so long is going be hard for me and I tend to easily get overwhelmed. Never mind missing my babies, but that is a whole other story.

Now, when I go back to work my schedule is going to look something like this:

5AM- wake up, shower, get ready for work
6AM- leave for work
7AM-4PM - work
5PM- 7:15PM- Get home, dinner, play with kids, bedtime routine
7:30-9:30PM- Workouts
9:30-10:30PM Relax with hubby
10:30PM- Sleep!

So that schedule takes care of the daily necessities right? Work, commute, kid time, me time, hubby time, sleep.

WHAT ABOUT EVERYTHING ELSE?? Laundry, nutritious meals for all of us, grocery shopping, cleaning?  I need sleep.  I can't give up sleep...I barely have any as it is.  Why are there not more hours in the day?

So, I have been thinking of things I can do in order to try and simplify my days during the week.
The actual ideas are good, but I have no idea how to make them real...that's where you come in.  I need help!  Ideas, recipes, advice from other busy parents...SOS!

Here's what I've come up with:

• Meal Planning- for both dinner and lunches.  The kids are not a problem, but for instance- can we make a full weeks worth of sandwiches for my husband's lunch?  What can I make ahead of time for breakfast and lunch for myself to take with me to work for the week?  I usually eat sauteed kale and veggies for breakfast.  What about dinner?  I want to make nutritious dinners for my family, but I don't want to spend the whole night making it when I could be playing with the babies instead.  I am a fan of the crockpot, but I can't use it every night...am I making any sense? 
• Food Prep-  Preferably, I like to eat meals fresh, but I feel like if I have everything I need ready to go cooking won't take as long. 
• PeaPod...I really might just give in and have all of my major groceries delivered.  I feel like this is going to take a lot of pressure off. The only thing is that I have some control issues and a little bit of OCD so not being able to pick out my own produce and meat is going to bother me.  Does anyone else use this service?  
• Take advantage of my Rest Day.  I am going to try to not twitch when I see laundry piled up or toys all over the place and just SLOW DOWN and enjoy the time I have with my family that day.  

Spring 6FIT with DanceFIT Studio is 1 week away.  I need to make a list...I need to start planning!  Listed below are a few blogs that I have found with great meal plans and ideas, but how do I actually implement them into my daily routine? How do I start this new routine?  

The Naked Kitchen: http://www.thenakedkitchen.com/category/daily-menus/

100 Days of Real Food: http://www.100daysofrealfood.com/real-food-resources/

Deep down, I know everything will get done, everyone will be happy and we will have a good balance, but seriously- I would kill for maybe 5 more hours a day.  That would really help, wouldn't it?