Awhile ago, I was listening to the Diane Rehm show on NPR (I'm kind of a npr-junkie) and she was discussing the new study about BPA and its effects on humans. It was a really informative show that explained things amazingly well. Click here to listen for yourself.
Some countries find BPA so concerning they have banned its use in children's products including; bottles and formula can lining. Like a lot of things that have to do with our kids there are a lot of different thoughts on this, according to our country BPA is "safe enough".

OK- why am I talking about this? A got an email today from a Stroller Strider who found a great website that sells all sorts of BPA free products and just wanted to share it with you. A lot of the things on the website- including the Bambu products that Lily & I love- are sold at Zen Baby which not only saves you shipping but also supports our local, mommy-owned businesses! In case what you want is not available in town check out this site http://www.thesoftlanding.com/
It really has everything & its all so darn cute!!!! And I've heard their customer service is great & they ship quickly.. yay!!!

I just came across this while doing some research for tomorrow's class. Its proven- you burn more calories walking with a stroller!!! We all knew that- and ask Beckie what its like with a loaded double stroller- but its nice to have it in print..

I don't know about you ladies- but I am feelin' those butt busters.. Yowzas.. Personally, I love being sore- it means I'm doing something worthwhile.
When your muscles are sore it means you have started to break them down. As most people know, to strengthen your muscles you have to break them down- make little microscopic tears in them so that they can regrow even stronger.

I know, I know its not Wed- and it won't be tomorrow either, but for those of you that have been coming to class since the beginning its our 3rd day.. The hardest day. For some reason Day 3 of anything is always the most difficult- for some the difficulty may lie in the physical (tired, sore etc.) but for most its all mental.

The first day is all excitement- the second is about seeing if its still as cool as Day 1 and then the 3rd day...........
By the 3rd day some of the excitement may be wearing off and the excuses start popping up "Baby's nap really should be at 9 instead of 10", "I've gone 2 days already & don't see a difference yet- I should just quit", "I'm too sore", "I'm too tired", "Its going to be too hot"... , "I don't feel like it, I'll go tomorrow" etc. etc. etc.

FIGHT the excuses!!!!! Although the 3rd day is hard it is the most important- if you can do something 3 times in a row- you have started a pattern. Routine & pattern are the KEYS to success in pretty much anything but especially fitness. If you make Stroller Strides part of your daily/weekly routine you will see results.

See you all tomorrow!!!

I was going into the ice rink yesterday to go play hockey & as I was struggling with my stroller, Lily, her diaper bag, my purse & my hockey bag & stick- I suddenly had a flashback to our Grand Opening & the awesome diaper bag that Absolute Bikes had... the one made by BOB that fits over the handlebars perfectly.. and man, for the 1st time in my mommy life I had severe diaper bag envy... I may have to go in there & check it out....

I don't mean to make this a gear or shopping blog that is Flagstaff Mama's turf- I just keep having these moments & think "hmmm. I should tell people about this".

Jason Phillips of Payson... He is giving it to his grandbaby so we can't be too mad that it was a) a guy that won b) that he doesn't go to Stroller Strides class and c) isn't from Flag....

For those of you that came in 2nd in the raffle :) remember you have that awesome $40 coupon on a BOB to use at Zen Baby. Take it from me, unless you find a used one, those things are no cheaper online than they would be at our favorite local baby store.. :) Also the coupons are transferable- what a great add on to a baby shower gift! That being said every time I go into Zen Baby I think "man, I wish I registered here"... just a thought...I love me some organic cotton..

Hope everyone is having a great weekend & those of you I saw yesterday- I hope you're feeling those inner thighs.. If not, I'll have to make it harder on Monday!!!

Maybe we can convince the ladies at Zen Baby to have another BOB raffle when my 2nd location opens in Sept... Another chance! Get your tight glutes in there & tell Jackie & Brittany to do it again!!!

YAY!!! Thanks so so so much for a fantastic Grand Opening. It was so wonderful to see you all there & of course your babies.. I hope everyone had a fantastic time & got a good workout in- I know I'm a little tired & I didn't even do most of the exercises! You guys all deserve to give yourselves a HUGE pat on the back for coming out to class today.

The winners of our "act fast!" prize are:

Carrie
Beckie
Jen
Kim
Heather

These lovely ladies will all be enjoying a gift card to Harkins. I will either mail the cards or bring them to class on Friday- let me know which you prefer.. Since you will ALL be in class that may be the easiest.. All they had to do was comment on the blog- it pays to read it!!

And a HUGE "Yay!!" to all of our Founding Mothers- thanks for becoming our "Founding 13" and paving the way for all the other mommies in Flag!!! You guys Rock...or should I say Roll!!!

Almost feels like Christmas doesn't it??? :)

I was downtown today to pick up some of the awesome discounts & gifts local businesses want to give all of you tomorrow and I stopped in to a few places on a whim to see if they would be willing to donate anything. I was surprised that even though I didn't have any of my 'official' Stroller Strides gear on- I got a few "sure...what do you need?" responses. So I want to thank thank thank the Life is Good store, Late for the Train (you will all thank them too when you have yummy coffee tomorrow morning) and Massage Bliss. It is really amazing to me how many stores are eager to support Stroller Strides and I guess that can be my second reason I love Flagstaff...at least for this week!

Back when I was teaching a student gave me a mug at the end of the year- it was a Life is Good mug and has the catchy phrase "Do what you like. Like what you do" on it. I've read that mug almost everyday for the past year and it may seem strange to say but I really think that little reminder had an impact on getting me out of the professional rut I was in.... so stop on by the Life is Good store- you may have some sort of life changing experience as well, or at least find a cute shirt.

I spent yesterday at the Children's Music Festival at Wheeler Park (thanks to Parks & Rec for a great event!) where I got to meet a ton of moms & babies and introduce them to Stroller Strides.

As I was sitting at my table I looked around and thought "what a great FREE event for families"- there was a climbing wall, a jumpy castle, a train, tons of entertainment and excellent educational booths. I was next to the Health Department's booth where they were making pig face snacks- wheat bread, strawberry cream cheese, raisins, apples, bananas & sunflower seeds- I have never seen so many kids begging to eat healthy!

There are so many opportunities for free family fun here in Flag- I swear there is something every week at Wheeler Park. We really are lucky to live in this town.... And lets not forget the FREE Stroller Strides Grand Opening on Wed....

There are still 2 more prizes to be given out to folks that leave a comment on the blog.. so hurry! I promise it will be worth it.

I don't know about you but I get so frustrated when I excitedly get my gossip magazine out of my mailbox on Saturdays (yes, I'll cop to being a trashy gossip mag addict) and instead of juicy gossip I get the low down of how some rich, celeb lost all (!) their baby weight (20lbs!) in weeks!!! I get frustrated for a variety of reasons-
1. I wanted juicy gossip, not diet secrets
2. I gained WAY more than 20lbs
3. I still haven't lost all my baby weight- 9+ months later

And maybe most importantly, articles or stories like this can make women feel bad- they set up unrealistic expectations for those of us 'normal' women. Now, I know that a lot women do lose baby weight quickly thanks to genetics or crazy discipline while they're pregnant- and I harbor no bad feelings towards them, or even these celebs- but I do have some bad-ish feelings towards the magazines that write these stories...

For those of you out there that, like me, are still on the 'lose the baby weight' struggle- have faith, keep working and try to ignore the bad feelings that stories like these may bring up in you- some may say ignore the magazines all together but what would be the fun in that?

Keep in your head the mantra repeated by pre/post-natal healthy experts everywhere- "9 (really 10!) months on, 9+ months off". Give yourself a break & get moving- Stroller Strides is a great way to do both while you & your baby have a great time.

I'm including some shots of me very pregnant- the one in the football jersey was the day I went into labor (actually I think I was in labor in that picture). I was big.. I am less big now, but still a work in progress.... If I can..... so can you.

See you on Wed!!!!!!!

In order to get everyone pumped up for our Grand Opening 8/20, 9:15 AM- I will be offering sporadic prizes to readers of this blog. The 1st 5 people to leave a comment on this post will receive an awesome prize at the Grand Opening... I promise it will be worth it!!! NOTE: Your comment has to explain why you are excited about Stroller Strides coming to Flagstaff.

Until our Grand Opening event in Buffalo Park (8/20 9:15AM)! So far I am super excited about the response I've gotten from mom/baby businesses here in town- I am excited to announce a partnership with Absolute Bikes, Zen Baby, Madie & Mo's, Babies to Kids, About Memories and More and Cherished Image. A handful of these businesses will have a table at the Grand Opening with some super deals & things to buy! :) Zen Baby is holding a raffle for a new BOB stroller- for $10 you have a 1 in 38 chance of winning a FREE stroller that is perfect for Stroller Strides class- and if you don't win, they will give you a $40 coupon off a new stroller. Pretty cool.. Love those Zen Baby ladies..