Good Stuff for the Holidays- Numi Organic Tea & Udi’s Tasty Treats

Disclosure:  TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are TMC's only.  Need a bit of holiday cheer?  I don't know about you but I'm feeling less than jolly this week as deadlines loom both before and during the holidays and the kids will be out of school in just a few days. There is cleaning, cooking, wrapping and shopping to do and I am trying not to freak out.  I need a few indulges that won't add-on anymore holiday-induced pounds or leave me feeling nauseous, bloated and lethargic.  I'm loving my two latest finds. They are just perfect for this time of year. … [Read more...]

Wide Awake with Jensy

I'm not quite sure how to describe how I met Jensy, author of Your Wide Awakening: A Guide to Anorexia Recovery. I had participated, while very pregnant with The Comedian, in a yoga class for moms and kids that she taught at TD's preschool and I knew of her through our mutual friend Jen who we sadly had to say good-bye to this past February. Jen had always told me that I would love Jensy and that one day we should all get together.  That fun little trio never got to happen but it didn't matter.  … [Read more...]

Zumba Instructor Changes Lives One Step at a Time

Facebook, it allows us to keep in touch, nose around and get reacquainted with people from our past. My high school reunion is coming up next fall and with a lot of the planning happening through social media (who could have seen that coming?) it has given me a chance to find old friends. Sara and I became fast friends my first year in a brand new school. While I was still quaking in my suede oxfords (fashion full circle!) and badly permed hair she was calm and cool in a quiet way. She seemed to know everyone and liked to bake just as much as I did. She sent me a note during freshman English and shortly after we were inseparable. Small parts, words that hang like pearls on a string, echo in my ears to this day as clear as when she spoke them at our high school graduation. Here we are, … [Read more...]

Adding Style to My Workout with Reebok CrossTrainers

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Reebok. I received a Famous Footwear gift card to purchase a pair of Reebok shoes to facilitate my review and to thank me for participating. The other day my girlfriend called me a workout fiend.  She may be right but that is not a bad thing.  I like to run, cross-train, do yoga, a barre workout or a mixture of all four every other day or at least three times a week.  It keeps me sane, sleeping well and feeling good when I can get my endorphins up and stress level down.  As much as I like doing all these things I sometimes lack the diligence in keeping my footwear up to date.  I use running shoes for cross-training half the time and that's not the best idea for my joints. Why do I do this?  Because I don't want to take … [Read more...]

The Challenge to Change

Disclosure:  TMC was sponsored by MinuteClinic to attend Blogher 2013.  Reviews are done without compensation and all opinions are my own.  I can't think of a better time to get back into a challenging new workout or change-up one than after a trip. Whether it is for work or vacation your body is ready for something different when you return home.  It might be something you dread at first (ME! I DO!) but if you just push yourself to get started, to put on the clothes, go outside or into the gym to a class you have never tried before, you will discover a new energy that you did not have prior to that workout.  Trust me, it's true.  New energy and exhilaration mixed with exhaustion but still Awesome with a capital 'A'. … [Read more...]

Staying Fit 5 Minutes at a Time

Fall Turkey Trot 2012 I'm running around Chicago, participating in Blogher13 today, hustling a bit here and there and working with the awesome team that is MinuteClinic while finding ways to spread health.  Today's post is brought to you by guest contributor Sara Dawkins and her take on how to stay fit in just a small amount of time.  A little bit can go a long way!  … [Read more...]

Summer’s Lovely Reveal- What I’m Loving Right Now

I sometimes think that summer is best described as a case of white mundane mellowing heat punctuated by icy bouts of excitement.  There are those lazy days where you stay in your pajamas or head to the pool.  The kids roam the neighborhood with friends and popsicles are eaten on a regular basis.  Great books are devoured, binge television happens in air-conditioned basements late into the night and to me, it is a time to get creative and discover new things.  In a lackadaisical way I've been busy brewing with ideas, projects and testing new things.  It's a slow process that only summer can offer and I can't help but embrace it and share. Here's what I'm loving right now.  From workouts to books, things for the home and you, it's all good.  Enjoy! … [Read more...]

The Yoga Workout Series that Rocks Your Lower Body

I'm always looking for ways to improve my workouts, try new things and figure out ways to work on my lower body. It is the one area that I will probably always feel like needs work.  I'm really digging the newest Lower Body Yoga Workout from MyYogaWorks, the newest video in the BeFit Summer Ready Yoga Series. … [Read more...]

3 Activewear Items I’m Loving Right Now

Disclaimer: TMC was not paid for this post. Products received are for review purposes only.  Opinions are TMC's only.                 Being active, fit and working out is a priority to me. I do it on a regular basis and I like to feel good in what I'm wearing. A few years back it was totally fine for me to just wear the basic black yoga pants and a t-shirt but the more I got into different types of fitness the more I gravitated towards brighter colors and different styles. These days I'm downright colorful. My new loves this summer are the following three pieces. They are fun, fit and wear well and are spot on for summer. … [Read more...]

Get High

Let's face it, there are days when working out isn't going to be part of your schedule even if it is on there. That was me quite often last week.  Despite trying to do a 4-week fitness challenge, life just overwhelmed me and I couldn't dig deep or do any of that cliché "go big or go home" junk.  I just wanted to survive.  Over the weekend I realized I haven't run since the 8k and there is another one coming up just around the bend.  Except there was no way or where for me to run. It was time to get creative.  … [Read more...]