Jamie Oliver's Chicken Finger test

So the StrollerFit moms were all over the premiere and 2nd episode of Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution.  We discussed the chicken finger test he did and how the kids were grossed out by the bones, guts and extra skin used to make the frozen chicken nuggets, but in the end they were still willing to eat them.  Scott and I were discgusted and, I now know why I make my own.  They are so easy to do.

Take boneless chicken breasts cut them into nuggets or strips, I usually do stips.

take in a bowl use an egg or egg whites and mix to use as a binder

in a second bowl add bread crumbs (I use seasoned panko-japaneese bread crumbs for added crunch) or crushed corn flakes.

I place mine on a wire rack sprayed with pam on a lined cookie sheet for added crunch on both sides, but you can bake on a parchment paper lined or sprayed cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrrees for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

I make a large batch at once and freeze them in bags with 4 or 5 in a bag, just enough for a serving for both kids.

So last week I said I would keep track of the kids food, and I did but it was a crazy week and I did not get it on the blog.  Joey and Julianna ate a lot of yokids squeeze yogurt.  I use to buy the stoney field squeeze yogurt but can not find them lately and he likes the squeezies as he calls them.  I happened to read the package and I am sure I read it before, but some of the flavors have High Fructose Corn Syrup, some do not.  So I am going to try to locate the stoney fields again, and be careful if I by the yoplait to look at the flavors and only buy the ones without the HFC.  they still have coloring and preservatives, but this is still a better option then some of the other stuff they couls eat.

Joey at fruit leather, all natural, no additives or preservatives, can find in walmart, but better selection and cheaper at trader joes.  They both ate dried fruit and nuts, cherrios, pb&j (homemade jelly from our fruit picking last summer, it freezes well) on  sandwich thins, grill cheese on whole wheat bread, chicken, apples, carrots, celery with pb, wild rice, shrimp, potatos, salad with dip (a little low fat dressing that I made), pancakes with real maple syrup, and lots of milk and water with a little juice.  They had low fat fudgcicles a few nights, joey had a few lollipops and some of the candy from easter egg hunting, but over all they eat healthy.  He did snack on rice crispy treats that we made from scratch and had a few special k bars, but I think we are on the right track here.  Lunch & dinner for Joey was usually cereal, yogurt or what we were eating with some fruit and/or veggies.  I am glad me kids are not too pickie when it comes to food.

It is raining again and StrollerFit is back inside.  Tomorrow is a big day, Joey's First Day of scholl, YEAH!  Will try to remember to post pictures.

Jamie Oliver's New Show "Food Revolution"

I watched the first episode of Jmie Oliver's Food Revolution and was disgusted by some of the things I saw and heard.  First ws pizza for breakfast at a elementary school.  Now I can not say I have never ha pizza or pasta for breakfast, but that was in college not kindergarten.  Then Jamie was told that each meal must have2 breads, this was a government guideline and mashed potatos met the guideline for a vegetable, last time I checked it was a starch and potato buds with oil and other additives sem to me to be more of a proceesed connconction then a food at all.

When the kids were given the choose of frozen pizza or healthy chicken and salad, what do you think they choose.  the pizza of course.  It will be interesting to see how Jamie faires in the school with the ladies that work in the cafeteria and the town as a whole.   The town he is in has been classified as the most unhealthy in the Us and the US as a country is the most unhealthy in the world, making them the most unhealhy town in the world. 

So I think about some of my favorite food issues:  High Frustose corn syrum and processed foods in general.  I havbe no problems with addititives or preservatives to a point, but too much processed foods is not good for any of us and I am happy to report both my children like fruits and vegetables and eat a pretty healthy diet.

I am vowing to my blog readers and my StrollerFit moms out there that I am going to continue to teach my kids to be healthy and to continue to read labels and try to feed my children the best food I can, which is not always easy, especially when we are on the run.

I have decided to journal for a week what my kids eat and see what changes I can make. 

So far today they have had yoplait squeeze yogurts, not the best yogurt with the food coloring and additivies but not the worst choose either.  they had dry heerios, no milk (have to o to the store) they drank the milk when they got up, and 1/2 a banana each.  Not abad start for the day.

Lets see what they eat the rest of the day.

Some benefits of StrollerFit

We all want to get rid of that post-pregnancy pudge and tone up those toddler-lifting arms, but if you're like most modern, multitasking parents, you don't have a ton of time for long, involved workouts.   I know I don't, Which is why StrollerFit is great for moms that have busy schedules, from classes with kids to working to dr's visits to you name it.

StrollerFit gives moms and dads a place to bond with your baby, meet other active parents and get a good workout — all at the same time.

Medical experts have said that by making health habits a priority in your life, you in turn make them a priority for your children, a sentiment echoed in recent months by first lady Michelle Obama.  “Our children are on track to be less healthy than we are,” Obama said in January when she kicked off the Let's Move campaign against childhood obesity. “And truly, if we're really honest with ourselves, it's not hard to understand how this happens.”

StrollerFit is a workout that encourages you to bring your baby along, so Checkout one of the many strollerFit classes in the US that offer a total body workout — running, jogging, core work, strength training, etc. — all done with a stroller.

In my classes in Northbridge and Milford, MA my son and the other kids lunge with the moms, they cando squats ad one even does planks.  It is amazing to see them follow our lead and workout without it being called a workout.  One of the moms tells the story at hom, her daughter pushes her baby stroller while lunging and says "look mommy, I amdoing StrollerFit like you!"  My son loves to tell me to run faster and lets go up the hill o we can come down really fast.

StrollerFit encourages an interactive environment for kids, incorporating activities such as singing kids songs, talking about colors and vegetables, saying the ABCs and counting in different languages into workouts.   YM one year old has learned row row row your boat and the wheels on the bus from  us singing them in StrollerFit. 

We are building strong, confident moms and strong, confident kids!

Go out and try a class because both you and baby will benefit and the benefits are amazing all around!

Eating After a Workout

I was thinking about my post StrollerFit activites.  One of themsmaking Joey andmyelf lunch, Julianna is usually naping and has lunch later.  We do not eat on a schedule, but since we get up early, we usually eat within the hour after arriving home from StrollerFit.  I usually have a piece of fruit when I get home because I am hungry and want a healthy snack.

I just read an article that reminded me "What you eat after you work out may be the most important meal of your day. That's because muscles that have been exercised are thirsty, hungry, and stressed. Making the right food choices may make all the difference in avoiding muscle soreness and fatigue. They may also power up your next workout."

Remember that your body demands water, carbohydrates, and protein after a workout. Its primary goals during the post-workout (two hours after exercise) are rehydration, muscle recovery and repair, and blood sugar/electrolyte stabilization. If you don't feed it, your body will feed itself by dipping into valuable glycogen, protein, and electrolyte stores.




Some people make the mistake of avoiding eating after exercise because they think they'll burn fat and lose more weight this way. That's not how it works. Fat is one of the last nutrient resources your body will turn to for its immediate needs. That's why it's important to give it a healthy meal within two hours of exercise. Proper nutrition helps your muscles heal from the stress of exercise and metabolize energy more efficiently. Figuring out what to eat after a workout is simple science.
What should you eat? Carbs and protein. As its main energy source, your body burns glycogen (sugar) derived from carbohydrates. Glycogen is stored in the muscles. By replacing carbs soon after exercise, you replenish your glycogen stores and avoid muscle breakdown. If you don't replace those carbs, your body will break down muscle cells to help itself to the sugar. The result? Fatigue and muscle loss.
Protein is the building block for muscle fiber. While it won't release the instant energy your body needs immediately, it will help provide the nutrients needed to help tired muscles recover and rebuild the tiny tears that come with exercise. Protein helps you build the stronger muscles that will metabolize energy and help you lose weight. It also helps you avoid sugar highs and lows from burning carbs quickly.

So with this energy I will stick with piece of fruit and add some protein, one good choose is an apple with a tablespoon of peanut butter.

So after strollerFit or any exercise remember that you need to eat and replinsh your water.  Also if it is hot outside remember you need to drink more fluids.

NO More Diapers for Joey!!

Joey has decided he is a big boy.  He has been in Underwear since Mid-February.  He loves being a big boy.  He hads been sleeping in pull ups or the left over diapers but wakes up in the morning dry, so we decided to give it a shot and try underwear.  Knock on wood he has been dry.  We have had a few poop accidents and a peeing accident when he was a sleep on a long car ride but other than that, he does nto even tell me, he just goes.

I also bought new toilet seats that have a smaller seat inside the lid and he loves that he can sit on the big potty without falling in.   He also loves announcing to anyone who will listen that he is a big boo because he pees in the potty so I guess he no longer needs batteries (For anyone that did not hear, in January he told me he could not be, his pecker was broken, it needed batteries....I wondered where do you put the batteries?)

I have a feeling Julianna will follow suit being that she has been trying to keep up.  She walked at 10 months and climbed the stairs safely up at 9 months and now at 12 months safely can come down the stairs.  She is fasinated with sitting on Joey; little potty so I think once she can tell us she needs to pee she will be trained too.  They grow up so fast.  I was just pregnant with him and he is going to be 3 and she is almost 13 months ols.  The moms at StrollerFit talk about when you are a teenage life is moving so slow.  You can not wait to drive, have your first kiss, go to college, get married etc.  When you have kids it seems like life speeds up, you get pregnant and in a blink of an eye they are already off to school. 

So Remember to cherish every moment with your children

The 10 secrets of StrollerFit

I must give credit, where credit is due to Wendy in California for this list.  It is all true and they are just some of the reasons if you have not tried a class you should.

 

1. It's been documented in several articles and studies. When you push a stroller, you are burning more calories than walking alone. Us moms are always looking for a way to multi task and StrollerFit does this.

One article claims walking at a brisk pace can burn 100 calories, a brisk walk with a stroller bumps that up to 180 calories! Not only will you be able to squeeze in that exercise, but you'll also be more efficient while doing it. ediets Diet & Fitness blog

2. Walking with a stroller is not the only secret weapon of StrollerFit. Many of our exercises use resistance bands and tubes. The principle behind these is strengthening the muscle on the lengthening phase, much like pilates. This creates long, lean sexy muscles.

3. The weighted mommymuscle bar combines strength and resistance into one exercise. Using the muscle in both directions, increasing muscle strength. Muscle burns more calories than fat..so more muscle is good.

4. Your body burns calories while you are doing a cardiovascular exercise, like a brisk stroller walk. Do a StrollerFit class adding resistance training to that cardio and you'll keep burning calories for up to 48 hours after you're done.

5. No one has ever asked me why we sing in StrollerFit, or why I'm always encouraging moms to sing louder. Seems obvious right? Nice loud singing entertains our kiddos, what baby doesn't enjoy Ring around the Rosy, or what toddler doesn't like picking the farm animal for Old McDonald? True, but there is a bonus reason. When you sing, your uptake of oxygen increases. Making the effort of singing while exercising even more challenging AND building cardiovascular fitness. AHHH HAAA!

6. Adding imbalance to our exercises with the mommymuscle ball, or by doing them on one foot engages the core muscles, improves the proprioception sense and challenges the body even more. Balance is also a sense that will decrease overtime if we don't continue to challenge it. Weight bearing, gravity based activities increase our sense of balance and keep it from diminishing as we age.

7. Combining weight, resistance and imbalance really bumps up the calorie burn and effectiveness of the workout as a whole. Making the most of the short time moms have to exercise each day.

8. Above all, I believe the greatest part of the mommymuscle theory used in StrollerFit is that it allows a new mom who is also new to exercise to work at her own level, while working out right next to a mom who has exercised her whole life and is also being challenged. Now that is an all levels class.

9. The social advantages of working out with other moms are obvious. We love being in the company of others who understand we may need to stop to explain to our toddler why she can't hit her sister, or stop to nurse a baby who woke up late and is off schedule. It's also just fun to be around other moms in general.

10. Last but not least, I bribe the kids. Stickers, fun songs, tickling feet...it's all to get them to ask you "mom, are we going to StrollerFit today?" No not really, I just adore kiddos, but it's an advantage for sure.

So, the secrets have now been revealed. You now know why you were able to go from 34 squats to 48 in an 8 week time period, why your pants fit and why you're now able to unload the dishwasher while balancing your toddler on your hip without falling over.

See YOU in class mamas!

Adding Nutrients to Kids Meals

SO my Blogging has been slacking as I have gotten busier with the kids and life ingeneral.  I recently have been talking with Sara Eberle, Producer & Host of the MommaJam Podcast and she sent out an email after her interview with Denielle Finkelstein regarding kids and shuning vegetables.

This made me think of the things I have read recently and the conversations we have in StrollerFit about food.  First off does anyone know what the statistic is of kids who eat french fries, mash potatoes and other forms of potato as a vegetable - over 60%.  Potato is not a vegetable it is a starch.  The StrollerFit moms talk about the veggies and fruits there kids do and do not eat.  Mine eat a lot and I am amazed at how many eat few or non at all and how many moms sneak in veggies. 

Here is the info Sara sent from her podcast, I hope it makes you think about whaty your kids eat:

Some moms resort to sneaking fruits and vegetables into family meals to add nutrients to basic, everyday dishes that kids love, like mac ‘n cheese and pizza. Who says these standard fares need to be fattening and junky. When you infuse the recipes with naturally healthy and fresh ingredients, you boost the nutrients and flavor, making mom and kids happy.


This week’s podcast is with fellow mom Denielle Finkelstein, who talks about her successful techniques for adding fruits and vegetables to her son’s meals. Check out this podcast for great ideas on making mealtime molto bene with ingredients such as apples, sweet potatoes, oatmeal, cinnamon, vanilla, carrots, and more.

We also talk about two notorious cookbooks on the subject, “The Sneaky Chef” by Missy Chase Lapine, and “Deceptively Delicious” by Jessica Seinfeld. To sneak or not to sneak is a controversial topic discussed frequently online. Some moms and experts believe sneaking food leads children to have eating disorders. Others find that adding fruits and vegetables on the sly is an easy way to ensure healthy eating is a priority.

So Tune in to Sara's MommaJam Podcast to hear our solution for creating balance so kids get the vitamins and minerals they need to grow and look at what you are feeding your family, I am reevaluating what I am feeding mine.

Stay tuned for my StrollerFit PodCast on Momma Jam in the next few weeks.

What a Week!!!!

What a week!!!  Last week ended with us putting our dog Raven to sleep and Joey does not understand Heaven, he keeps telling us Evan stole his dog.  then to this week...

It started with Joey getting a stomach bug, so I cancelled class on monday and felt yucky without a workout, and on a day that was warm and beautiful.  I ended up taking the kids for a long walk later in the day when Joey seemed better.

Tuesday was my birthday.  What a birthday, joey gave me his stomach bug, i was sick from noon til midnight and to top it off Scott forgot my birthday.  He tried to make it up by buying me flowers but I was too sick to care.

Wed was a better day and I got tulips delivered to me from Scott.  They make up his forgetfulness a bit, but he still needs to work  bit more....

Today is is starting to get cold after 5 warms days so we are inside for StrollerFit and preparing for the rain and the crazy weekend.  I am teaching a LGT Review friday, starting a WSI class saturday and then Sunday is the Blackstone Valley Baby Expo and then sunday night is the a benefit for a little girl with a tumor.  It will be a busy few days but all great activities so today I plan to teach Strollerfit, clean the house, have a playdate with a new baby friend of Julianna's and then have dinner with a good friend.  

I wanted to remind everyone that monday is the StrollerFit Open House at Milford Sports Center at 9:30 AM, with lots of fun prizes and I have a great workout planned!!  Come and bring friends..

My crazy children..

So today strollerFit was held at a new location, The Milford Sports Center at 132 Central St, Milford, MA.  Joey was so excited to be at anew place where he could play ball.  He also was excited about peeing on there big boy potty and told everyone he saw thta he did it twice.  This was almost as good as him telling the girls at the supermarket bakery that he needed 2 cookies please, because he peed on the potty at the supermarket.  He knows many of the emplyees at the supermarket because he sees them every week, so he told eveyone who said hi to him that he was a big boy who was wearing lightning mcqueen big boy underware and that he peed on the potty at the supermarket and that  Erin in the Bakery gave him 2 cookies because he is now a big boy.  It was very funny.

Julianna had fun walking and crawling on the turf at the end of class today.  But I think she had the most fun climbing on me while we did planks.  she only weighs 17 pounds but a climbing little girl makes planks very difficult.

The kids at class today seemed to like the new location as did the moms so hopefully StrollerFit Monday's and Wednesday's at 9:30 will get lots of new moms.

Now I am watching Joey sleep, he ran a lot and was tired and Julianna is climbing.  She is going to be a handful.  She climbed on a small chair, it fell over, she cried, I picked her up, she stopped crying and then went back to climbing the chair.  God help me.

First Class at the Milford Sports Center

Today was the first Class at the Milford Sports Center.  It was a small class but a great class and a great workout.  We are trying out this location to see if the new of the art, high-performance, indoor synthetic turf fields will be a greta place to hold classes indoors during the winter and during bad weather in the spring, summer and fall.

We had a great workout and you all should come check it out.