Hope everyone is doing well & doing their Stroller Strides Homework- come on ladies you want to win that massage....I know you do.....Personally I was VERY happy after my 2nd Christmas dinner that I went for a run around Philadelphia (and like Rocky, up the Art Museum steps) that morning. It was only a 1/2 hour run but with the stair workout I put myself through I got my heart pumping enough to feel OK about that second helping of dark chocolate covered pretzels.. yummy..
Hopefully those of you that traveled are back home & readjusting to normal life, we are entering Phase 3 of our vacation and are excited for New Years..
Bring it on 2009!!!

I don't know about you ladies, but as I bit into my 3rd (yes, 3rd) cupcake of the night I started thinking...."how many days until L.E.A.N Mommy starts????!!!" Answer- 17.

On Monday 1/12/2009 at 7PM we will hold our 1st L.E.A.N Mommy class.

L.E.A.N Mommy is an 8-week course designed to get each & every one of us OFF the diet track forever. It will completely change the way you look at food and forever alter your behavior in an amazingly positive way. This program is appropriate if you are pregnant, nursing, thinking about becoming pregnant etc. etc. etc....It is an intensive 2 months which depends on a lot of hard work from YOU to really be successful, but I promise it will change your life- and maybe more importantly, the lives of your family. You will learn the tools to become the most amazing role models to your children. As we all know, they watch EVERYTHING we do- set them up for a life without food issues and you will be setting them up for success.
L.E.A.N Mommy meets once a week for 8 weeks.


This is the year ladies...lets start making way more interesting resolutions, personally I am sick of seeing 'lose 10lbs' on top of my list..

People who ate 3 oz of almonds a day, trimmed their waistline by more than 7 inches after 24 weeks- compared to less than 5 inches for non-almond eaters. Note: these were people who were dieting. (International Journal of Obesity)

Women who sipped soy shakes daily for 3 months, didn't add any midlife fat to their middle (University of Alabama, Birmingham). Buy a box of soy & make some lattes, chais, or yummy protein shakes - not the worst way to fight the mid-life bulge.. :)

Moderate servings, about 40% of your daily calories, of lean protein in your diet may lead to overall weight loss (Skidmore College)
What is a lean protein??

• Chicken breast (skin removed)
  
• Turkey breast (skin removed)
  
• Egg Whites
  
• Fish Fillet (flounder, sole, scrod, cod, etc.)
  
• Shellfish (clams, lobster, scallop, shrimp)
  
• Lean Beef (top round)
  
• Tuna (canned in water)
  
• Non-fat cottage cheese
  
• Beans (black beans, kidney, chick peas or lentils)

Spanish research shows that diets rich in monounsaturated fats, like the Mediterranean diet, can prevent belly fat.

• high consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
• olive oil is an important monounsaturated fat source
• dairy products, fish and poultry are consumed in low to moderate amounts, and little red meat is eaten
• eggs are consumed zero to four times a week
• wine is consumed in low to moderate amounts

As you may have guessed- class tomorrow is canceled! Enjoy the snow & see you on Wed- 9:15 at the Flagstaff Mall- we will be at the fireplace!!!!

Get your Calcium from yogurt instead of supplements (if you can)- its calcium may help whittle your middle (International Journal of Obesity), but watch your choice of yogurt! Rats who ate saccharin-sweetened yogurt gained more weight and body fat than those who ate sugar-sweetened yogurt. Read the labels & if you prefer sweetened yogurt- look for the kind with real sugar- like most things skip the artificial & go for the natural. Yum- eat up!!

Make sure you get to Zen Baby today as there are offering 10% off your purchase $5 in Zen Baby Bucks and tons of goodies to Luna Moms. A bunch of us went after class & we all left happy- I bought Lily some awesome bamboo plates & yet another born free sippy cup- she loves those things..
Support our local business & get a great deal!!! I just love going into that store- makes me feel so nice... and the cookies are amazing.. :)

Dieters who got 1200- 1300 mg of Calcium daily, saw 3 times the belly trimming as those consuming the same calories, but less calcium. Man, if it works for Heidi Klum, I'll try it....

(image dedicated to Sarah & Nash) :)

Researchers at Penn State found that overweight adults who cut calories and increased whole grains lost more of their tummy pooch than those that cut calories, but stuck to refined grains.

What are whole grains, you ask?
Technically, whole grains are just that, the whole grain (bran, germ & endosperm)...Feel like you're in high school biology yet? A quick & dirty definition would be grains that haven't been broken up and separated through processing. Check out this whole website & blog from the Whole Grain Council- there you will find more than you ever thought you needed to know about whole grains. The easiest thing to do? Look for the label!

With a high of 39 expected later today & a 'real feel' temperature of 11 degrees- it is too cold for us to be out for an hour. Also, the sidewalks at NAU are slippery- Sorry ladies! We'll try again on Thursday!!

Women who ate 360 more calories per day of healthy food were less prone to ab fat than women who ate fewer calories that were higher in saturated fat and less fiber. (Framingham Nutrition Studies). How many of us are guilty of skipping meals- we spend so much time worrying about our kids eating right and eating enough that sometimes we forget about ourselves. I'll admit to missing out on lunch more times than I care to admit. So eat ladies!! We will talk more about tips like this & how to actually DO it- in our LEAN Mommy classes starting 1/12!

Reminder: Classes will be at the Flagstaff Mall starting tomorrow.
MWF 9:15- meet us at the fireplace in the middle(ish) of the mall. We also have class Tues & Thurs- meet us at the NAU Skydome- this class is OUTDOORS so plan accordingly.


Unlike many starches, ride doesn't produce gas while being digested- less gas = you guessed it, less belly bloat.

If you absolutely can't skip the broccoli, cauliflower or the brussel sprouts- take some Beano! It will help break down the gas-inducing chemicals.

Me neither!!! Here are some other options...

Flagstaff's Winter Wonderland Sat 12/6 @ 5:30pm - Santa comes at 6. Cost: FREE (bring your own camera)
see previous post

Flagstaff Biking Organization's Festival of Bikes- 12/13 4pm @ The Orpheum. Cost: $5
Admission is $5, but current FBO members are FREE! Starting at 4pm, Flagstaff Biking Organization will have Santa photos for young and old for only $5 for a 5x7 image! Santa will be on a bike, of course, with your little ones on the tandem seat or the tri-cycle basket. We're going to start playing kid movies at 4pm too! The parade starts at 6pm so come by early to visit with Santa and enjoy the movies and some hot chocolate before the parade.

N. AZ Law Enforcement/CASA Toy Drive- 12/13 9AM-11AM @ Kachina Square 2640 N. Steve's Blvd. Cost: a new, unwrapped toy
Photos by Colleen Timmons (a real photographer!)

About Memories & More is participating in the Law Enforcement/CASA toy drive this year (like they always do) and they are passing that holiday spirit on to you! If you drop off a toy at AM&M you will save , save , save on your purchases there.
Here is the info copied from their blog:

Between December 1st and December 20th for each new, unwrapped toy you bring you'll receive:

So- we may be missing the snow, but that can't get us down- the holiday's are here!!!!
Tomorrow, Sat 12/6 the City of Flagstaff is throwing their Winter Wonderland celebration.

Watching the lighting of Wheeler Park by Mayor Presler, enjoy hot cocoa & treats, holiday crafts with About Memories & More, rides on a train, readings of the Polar Express and OF COURSE! visits with Santa (bring your camera!)

Fun starts at 5:30pm (Santa comes at 6!). See you there!!

There are 20 days until Christmas & 20 more belly tips to go!


If I've never told you the story about eating corned beef & cabbage on St. Patricks Day while breastfeeding Lily- just ask. It is pretty funny & shows very clearly the effect of cabbage.. :)

We are heading into the holiday party season (don't forget Stroller Strides 1st Annual Holiday Party is on 12/18!) and want to look & feel good before we go out for the evening. A great way to do that?


Broccoli contains raffinose, and indigestible carb that will bloat you bigger than a balloon in the Thanksgiving Parade. So skip it right before you want to have a slimmed down belly..

Hopefully you've seen a theme in the last few tips being posted- mainly- these are some things to try before a big event or maybe a day at the beach- when you want your belly doing the best it can!


Peppermint, fennel and chamomile tea can relieve IBS (irritable bowel) symptoms, which may cause gas and/or bloating. So sip some tea as you get ready to go out!!

I just checked in with my favorite Flagstaff Mama and she posted a great link- opt out of phonebook deliveries! I hate getting a new one every 2 weeks (or so it seems). So check it out

http://www.yellowpagesgoesgreen.org/

Lots of tips today! When I was little I wouldn't open my advent calendar for a week so I could get all of that yucky chocolate at once- I guess old habits die hard!


New Zealand researchers find that although energy drinks may give you a short-term burst, but the sugar and caffeine found in the are turned int0 fat faster than caffeine free drinks. And for most of us, that fat ends up around our waists.


Next time you're feeling a little too bubbly inside, take activated charcoal tablets to keep your belly from swelling.


Feeling bloated? Try probiotics- look for 'specially marked" or really just any old yogurt, OK OK, not old yogurt. Those helpful little guys help breakdown food preventing bloating & gas.. Try drinking one of those yogurt shots before you sit down to a big meal- it may just make a difference.