Fit Bottomed Mamas

A Brave Re-Direction

Erin — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:00:30 +0000

I haven't seen the Pixar movie Brave (I'm beyond excited to take my daughter to her first movie), but I was aware of the fact that the Merida character broke the Disney Princess mold. With wild red hair and a bow and arrow, she's said to be a kick-butt heroine. So I was disappointed recently to see that Disney had revamped her image---quite literally to make her look more vampish. As you can see from the image, her reimagining gained her a slimmer waist, smoother yet more voluminous hair and sexier eyes. Her neckline dropped, and her signature bow and arrow had also gone missing. It appears though, that after a massive web backlash, Disney has opted to keep Merida looking how fans fell in love with her---flyaway hair and all. (There are mixed reports---some say that the modified Merida will be available on some products, so I guess time will tell which version ultimately wins out.) I'm certainly not anti-Barbie or anything, but I do believe it's ridiculous that a character created to be a departure from the standard Princesses get spruced up in such a way as to be unrecognizable. I have no problem with pretty-pretty princesses, but I think it's also great when girls are exposed to the idea that beauty isn't everything, that women can be strong and independent and totally kick-ass, and that women can be beautiful with crazy hair and a less-defined waist. I certainly know which Merida doll I'd be buying my daughter if both versions are available. It's just like teaching our kids that we should exercise to be strong and healthy, not that we should work out to be skinny. We can show the girls of the world that it's okay to like playing dress-up AND sports---heck, sometimes you can even combine the two. We should encourage our daughters (and sons) to break the mold at every opportunity, not that they have to be perfect to fit in. What do you think of the Merida makeover? ---Erin

Motherhood: The Universal Language

Erin — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:00:01 +0000

I'm convinced that you could drop any two moms with kids under 5 into a room together and listen to it fill up with laughter, shakes of the head and mutual understanding. It wouldn't matter if you were total opposites philosophically or politically because you still have so much in common because of the greatest common denominator: motherhood. Last week, I got a rare day away from the kids (thanks hubby!) so that I could attend Fitness magazine's Meet & Tweet blogging event. I was a panelist, which had me shaking in my adidas shoes a little bit, but once that bit of fun was over, I got to hang around, meet other fit bloggers, visit vendors and do a cardio dance workout taught by Athleta athlete Jennifer Turner. It was a really fun, inspiring day. But besides the fit inspiration and total girl power vibe of the event, I cracked up at the nearly instant friendship I struck up with two moms: Nellie of Brooklyn Active Mama and Gia of RUN Gia RUN. Nellie is a mom of two young kiddos and a Zumba instructor, so we had a lot to chat about. Gia is the mom of two young twins, so I instantly had mad respect. Within two minutes of conversation with both of them, the chatter had turned to potty training. And for that, I apologize, as it was surely my fault. But I was reminded how wonderful it is to connect with other mothers who are at the same crazy life stage as you are. It's not only wonderful, but I think it's important. It's so easy to feel overwhelmed and inadequate when it comes to motherhood. You're stretched thin, trying to do it all. The demands are 24/7. You feel like a failure when you can't do it all. You feel like maybe yours is the only kid who eats rocks. So it's a relief to know that other moms know how crazy it is, how tough it is to balance everything. How it's easier to just stay home sometimes than deal with potty training on the go. How every kid on earth puts rocks in their mouths. Every mama needs some mom friends. If you haven't met a few, I highly suggest you get yourself out there so you have a couple of mom confidants. Momfidants, if you will. Join mom groups, library story times, swim classes for babies. You might not hit it off with every mom, but odds are, you'll have a lot to talk about with most of them. How do you meet your fellow mom friends? ---Erin

Mama Links: Superfoods for Moms-to-Be, An Active Reunion & More!

Erin — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:00:56 +0000

Want to float on your pregnant belly? We can help with that. Want a sniff-worthy story about running bringing sisters together? We've got that. Want news that may relax you in the early days of breastfeeding? We've got that, too! Mamas-to-be can still get their float on in the pool. ---Holo-Lilo Running brought these sisters together. Sniff. ---MSN I will make up an occasion just so I can make this cake. ---Fit Bottomed Eats Picnic. Bob. Perfection! ---Stuft Mama Breastfeeding isn't all or nothing. ---Time Do not forget to enter FBG's birthday giveaways! Do it! ---Fit Bottomed Girls Hit up these superfoods for pregnancy! ---Fit Pregnancy Read anything good lately? ---Erin

How to Apply Sunscreen for the Sunny Days Ahead

Erin — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:00:18 +0000

Now that the weather is finally warming up, I've become a crazy Mama Sunscreen Bear. Luckily my kiddos are pretty good about letting me lather them up with lotion, but sometimes I find that I'm so concerned about preventing their sunburns that I forget about my own protection. This is an excellent reminder from the American Academy of Dermatology on how to apply sunscreen so that you get the sun protection you need. (This video is also helpful!) After all, sunscreen only works if you use it correctly!

“People who get sunburned usually didn't use enough sunscreen, didn't reapply it after being in the sun, or used an expired product,” says Amanda Friedrichs, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Sycamore, Ill. “It’s important that people take the time to choose an effective sunscreen and properly apply it.”

Dr. Friedrichs recommends people follow these tips when applying sunscreen.

5 Tips for How to Apply Sunscreen

1. Pick wisely. Choose sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays. 2. Before is best. Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn. 3. Use plenty. Most adults need at least one ounce of sunscreen, about enough to fill a shot glass or the amount you can hold in your palm, to fully cover all exposed areas of your body. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin. 4. Get covered. Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard-to-reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide-brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15. 5. Reapply often. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to remain protected, or immediately after swimming or excessive sweating. Remember too that your skin is exposed even during cloudy days and in the winter, so always remember to keep sunscreen handy. You know, if you're one of those crazy people who can tolerate being outside in the winter. Are you a stickler for the sunscreen, too? And have you been using enough? A shot glass is a lot of 'screen! ---Erin

Theme Parks With Kids: Magically Exhausting!

Erin — Wed, 15 May 2013 10:00:38 +0000

Unless you're down with parents-only trips, vacations once you have kids just aren't quite as relaxing. Peaceful nights of sleep and late breakfasts are replaced with kids who can't sleep in strange places and breakfast at the crack of dawn. Relaxation on the beach is replaced with making sure your kids don't eat sand. But while vacay is certainly different as a parent, it's also still a blast. I, for one, cannot wait until I can take my kids to Disney World, even though I know that it will be so much exhausting fun when that day comes. FBG Tish recently got to hit up Disneyland with a couple of kiddos, thus proving what I long suspected: I will not have to worry about working out when Disney Day comes! ---Erin

A Day At Disney

I love the unexpected workout. This past weekend my fiance’s twin brother and his wife and children came to visit us in California. We decided to do as many kid-friendly activities as we possibly could—which, of course, meant hitting Disneyland. I don’t know if it’s just me getting older, but going to an amusement park is a serious workout! The walking and standing in line…OH GOD, THE STANDING! We covered both California Adventure and Disneyland, which meant double the activity. There was lots of carrying of children (which totally counts as strength training!), running, skipping and hopping, and even dancing when the Disney parade would come through. I swear, on the way home I crashed so hard, and the moment I got into my bed, it was like the angels sighed and tucked heavenly clouds of comfort underneath me. My feet and knees were singing with sweet, sweet relief. The Disney trip proved that workouts don’t have to be long, boring, structured and gym-centered. Even the strongest of strong have to admit that walking from 10 a.m. in the morning until 7 p.m. at night is pretty demanding. Just another reason Disney is the happiest place on Earth…with all those endorphins floating around, how can you not squeal with happiness? Ever tracked your theme park adventures on a Fitbit or other fitness-tracking device? It's gotta be crazy... —Tish

Do You Have Unhealthy Habits You Hide From Your Kids?

Erin — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Over on Fit Bottomed Girls recently, I asked if cigarettes had any place in healthy lifestyle. It came to mind when I learned that Gwyneth Paltrow allows herself one cigarette a week as a guilty pleasure. Not only does it boggle my mind how cigarettes go along with her otherwise healthy lifestyle, but it made me wonder: Do her kids know? And how does she talk to them about that unhealthy habit? As a parent, you certainly don't want your kids picking up on unhealthy habits, even if you do them yourself. But as a parent, is "do as I say, not as I do" ever okay? We can't be perfect models of health all the time, but we certainly are our kids' best line of defense against really unhealthy behaviors. My kids are both under three, and I'm already working on setting a good example for them when it comes to health through my actions. My daughter knows what it means to exercise, and hopefully she'll know that cupcakes are yummy and are sometimes foods. I'm hoping vegetables and fruits as snacks are more familiar than, say, Twinkies. We only have control of their habits for so long---and arguably, we don't even have "control" when they're super young!---so we have to make the most of the time we do have and the messages we can send. Luckily, I kicked my year-long cigarette habit a long, long time ago. And my worst vices are Chipotle and chocolate. But how about you? Do you have any unhealthy habits you don't want your kids to pick up? ---Erin

Working Hard to Relax: Finding Me Time in Strange Ways

Erin — Mon, 13 May 2013 10:00:01 +0000

Hope you mamas had wonderful Mother's Days yesterday. I did, although it certainly wasn't restful. The holiday always falls when it's finally warmed up, and I'm itching to get flowers planted in our yard. So while my hubby sometimes buys me a bouquet of flowers, more often than not I request that we go buy flowers I can actually plant. (Makes Mother's Day last all summer!) People might think that it's crazy to spend a holiday like that dedicated to doing yard work. But for me, working in the yard is super relaxing. Not in the kick-up-your feet sense. Nope. It's serious back-breaking work, and I know I will be sore tomorrow from weeding out all the of the dandelion bushes that were running rampant in our flower beds. But it's therapeutic to dig in the ground, to pull out the weeds, to plant new flowers. A few hours of work can have such a dramatic impact on a yard that it's worth every sore muscle to me. It makes me a little giddy. Plus, just being outside on such a beautiful day was refreshing. And even though I did most of the work during my kids' naptime, it was nice to have my hubby be the one listening for the kids to wake up instead of constantly being on guard, checking the baby monitor. Because, sure, I could work outside during my kids' naps when it's just me at home. But that would guarantee my attention would be needed inside every five minutes. Kids somehow know when you really want to get something done during naps, and they do their darndest to make it difficult. Add in my dirty hands, and I know the baby monitor would have been squawking and I would have been interrupted a million times. It was nice to have uninterrupted time, outside, to let my mind wander and focus on the flowers and the mulch and the weeds. So yes, I loved my breakfast out and presents and cards and the dinner my husband cooked and the unprompted "I love you, Mommy" from my daughter. But I also loved a chunk of time given to me to do something I love to do. Even if that something seems like a chore! To keep the celebratory theme going, head over to FBG this week. We're celebrating FIVE YEARS of Fit Bottomed fun, and there are some awesome posts and great giveaways all week. It's going to be super fun, and what mama doesn't need some free goodies to stay inspired? What about you? Do you find peace in an activity others would consider work? ---Erin

Post-Baby Slim Down Vegetable Soup Recipe

Erin — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:00:42 +0000

Today, Ivy Larson, author of Clean Cuisine: An 8-Week Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Program that Will Change the Way You Age, Look & Feel, shares an awesome recipe she swears helped her lose pregnancy weight. We can't wait to make it because it includes every veggie under the sun and sounds delish! I have been following an anti-inflammatory “Clean Cuisine” style diet for 15 years now, ever since I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). The diet I follow not only helps me control the inflammation that flares up my MS symptoms, but it also helps me keep the pounds off. So, when I had my son 12 years ago, I had no problem losing the baby weight. Yes, I had youth on my side, but I also credit my Clean Cuisine diet and a special bean soup my mom made me. Now that I am 37 years old, most of my girlfriends are just now starting to have their children, and I always share my special soup recipe with them---because it is a lot easier to give someone a soup recipe than an entire healthy eating plan to follow! The soup is a jump-starter that makes the post-baby weight-loss doable, tasty and easy. Over the years I have revamped the original soup recipe my mom made me and friends have added to it, too. The soup has become sort of like that game “telephone” where you start with one thing and end up with something very different. But the two things that have remained constant are the vegetables and beans.

What Makes Beans Such a Slimming Superfood?

I knew for a long time that beans were rich in detoxifying fiber and that fiber was good for filling you up and helping with weight-loss. But I had no idea until I started writing my fourth book, Clean Cuisine: An 8-Week Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Program that Will Change the Way You Age, Look & Feel, that beans were also rich in what I consider to be a miracle substance called “resistant starch.” Resistant starch is somewhat comparable to soluble fiber and insoluble fiber---it is sort of like a third type of fiber, and it actually resists digestion, meaning the calories in resistant starch are much less likely than the calories in other foods to be stored as fat. And trust me, this is a really good perk after having a baby! And, because resistant starch is only partially digested yet even more filling than simple starches like sugar and flour that are completely digested, you end up with lower blood sugar levels, fewer insulin spikes and a better ability to burn fat following a resistant starch-rich meal. In other words, after eating a big bowl of my Clean Cuisine bean soup, you will feel like you’ve eaten more than you really have due to the taste and volume satisfaction resistant starch brings. But---and here’s the great part--- your body will treat this dish as if you’ve eaten less because only a small portion of the food is metabolized. If your body needs more energy than can be absorbed from the resistant starch it has no choice but to burn fat! So here it is … the recipe that will help you get back into your pre-baby jeans and still have enough time to bond with your precious new baby.

Time-Saving Farmers Market Vegetable Soup Recipe

Serves 6 Ingredients 1 ½ pints cherry tomatoes, halved 2 tbsp plus 3 tsp cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, divided Unrefined sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 5 cloves garlic, chopped 1 large onion, finely chopped 4 carrots, finely chopped 4 celery ribs, finely chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 tsp dried thyme) 1 package (16 ounces) frozen cauliflower florets 1 box (9 ounces) frozen cut green beans 2 cans (15 ounces each) BPA-free canned garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1 c frozen petite peas 4 c baby organic spinach leaves 5 c organic vegetable broth 2 tbsp parsley, finely chopped ¼ c fresh lemon juice Directions 1. Pre-heat the oven to 400°F. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the tomatoes with 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Roast for 15 minutes. Let cool, then mash with a potato masher. 2. Heat the remaining oil in a large heavy saucepan over medium heat; add the garlic, onion, carrots and celery and sauté 10 minutes, until vegetables are very soft. Add the fresh thyme and season with salt to taste. Stir in the frozen cauliflower and green beans and sauté 4 to 5 minutes. Add the beans and peas and sauté 1 minute. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, 1 minute. Add the mashed roasted tomatoes. 3. Add the vegetable broth. Raise heat to high and bring to a boil; cook for 7 to 8 minutes. Remove pot from heat and stir in the parsley and lemon juice. Adjust seasoning. Let soup sit for at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm. That pretty much sounds delicious. Do you love an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink soup recipe, too? Do you credit post-baby weight-loss to any one food? ---Erin

3 Cooking Shortcuts for Quicker Kitchen Clean-Up

Erin — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:28 +0000

The other day I actually had this thought: "Man, these kids will just never stop eating, will they?" Nope, they won't. Which means many, many hours of parents prepping meals and doing the dreaded clean-up. Which is why when these tips from Reynolds landed in our inbox, we had to share. There are several sneaky tips and tricks you can use to cut corners when whipping up a meal and facing the task of clean-up. Who doesn't want to cut down on kitchen clean-up? Less time in the kitchen equals more time outside enjoying this fabulous weather!

3 Cooking Shortcuts for Quick Kitchen Clean-Up

1. Use pan lining paper. When baking dishes like fruit cobbler and casseroles, use pan-lining paper. It's super reliable and less likely to tear when scooping or lifting. After serving, peel out paper---no stick and no mess. (Watch a how-to demo here.) 2. Parchment paper. When roasting dishes like vegetables, use parchment paper to line the baking dish. Parchment paper requires no extra oils or sprays for healthy eating and no sticking. Scoop off veggies, fold up parchment paper---no clean up! 3. Foil. Line pans with non-stick foil to create your own custom-fitting liner for any pan size. It lifts right out after serving---no need for soaking or scrubbing. Thanks to Reynolds for this reminder! I roast veggies constantly, yet I never think to line the cookie sheet, so I'm always stuck cleaning the darn thing. Must commit this list to memory! Do you have any tried-and-true tips for quicker kitchen clean-up? ---Erin

10 Potty Training Tips: Because Someone Needs to Benefit from What I’ve Learned from This Dreadful Stage

Erin — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:12 +0000

Yesterday I promised potty training tips for other parents on the long road to dryness. It's probably my least favorite part of the stage we're in---worse even than tantrums. I thought I'd share my tips with you in hopes of making others' potty training experiences just a little easier, even if that's just reminding you to have a sense of humor!

10 Potty Training Tips

1. It will get better. You will hit a point when you think it's never going to happen for you. It will. Like sleepless nights, this too shall pass. 2. Wait until they exhibit all of the readiness signs. And then wait an extra month. 3. Key readiness sign 1: Agreeableness. If they are contrary to life, take a rain check. You do not want to be dealing with tantrums each time you head to the bathroom because you'll be heading to the bathroom a lot. Like, more than you can fathom. Not worth it. 4. Key readiness sign 2: Staying dry. If your kiddo can't stay dry for more than 30 minutes at a time, don't waste your time. Wait until you're consistently seeing dry diapers until you make a move. 5. They're in charge. There are many times to put your foot down as a parent, and this isn't one of them. You will not win. 6. Training diapers are BS. Seriously, training diapers are just more expensive diapers, and I've decided, a total scam by diaper companies to keep your kids in diapers. They're still crazy-absorbent, so kids don't feel a difference. Get some for overnight and save your money by graduating to training underwear (the thick absorbent ones) and real underwear. 7. Expect accidents. Accidents will happen, but these little mistakes are valuable teaching tools. Accidents don't feel like accidents in diapers; accidents feel like an "oops!" when they have wet pants or a puddle on the floor. They learn quickly to head to the potty---or start doing the potty dance so you know to get them there. 8. Have clean-up supplies handy. I have tons of cloth diapers around the house for all kinds of kid spills, but they come in especially handy now. (At least if I didn't cloth diaper, I can cloth-clean up!) 9. Beware auto-anything. In public, cover up the sensor to the auto-flushing toilet. Explain how the loud hand-dryer works. This is whole new territory, and you don't want setbacks because of fear of flushing or loud noises! 10. Porta-potty. Buy an extra cheapo potty and have it in the car. That way, you're prepared if you're on the go or at the park where there are no convenient restrooms. I'm hoping these tips will help even one parent hold onto their sanity a moment longer. What potty training tips can you share? ---Erin