Depending how clued in you are to the internet you may or may not have heard about the scandal with SIGG water bottles that erupted las week. SIGG are the cool looking , expensive metal bottles that everyone now carries around. Still confused? Think of the red bottle I bring to Stroller Strides & Fit4Baby- I spent over $20 on that!
Supposedly, these "safe" bottles have BPA in them! I can hear you thinking "but, they aren't plastic" to which I reply, "no but BPA also lurks in the plastic-y liner in most cans" including SIGG water bottles made before 8/08.
Check out this link for more info
http://thegreenmomreview.com/2009/08/23/sigg-comes-clean-bpa-in-bottles/

Hope everyone is having a great Monday!
I saw this blog this morning and it really made me think, again, about all the chemicals we are exposed to. Check it out and think some simple ways you can do your part to decrease the number of chemicals in your life.
http://healthychild.org/blog/comments/failure_to_thrive_how_chemicals_are_compromising_reproductive_health/

Don't forget- class is at 8am tomorrow!

Early bird gets the workout!!!

Prizes for all!

WHEN: SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd, 2009 5:30PM-10PM

WHERE: THE GREEN ROOM - 15 N AGASSIZ ST. FLAGSTAFF AZ 86001

HOW MUCH: $35 PER PERSON (PRICE GOES UP TO $40 PER PERSON THE WEEK OF THE EVENT, SO BUY YOURS EARLY)

WHY: TO RAISE MONEY FOR SUSAN G KOMEN FOR THE CURE. ALL MONEY RAISED WILL BE DONATED FOR BREAST CANCER EDUCTION AND RESEARCH TO FIND A CURE.
WHAT YOU GET: VEGAS STYLE GAMBLING, GREAT FOOD AND AN AWESOME NIGHT OUT WHILE HELPING A GREAT CAUSE! PLAY POKER, ROULETTE AND BLACKJACK WITH YOUR FUNNY MONEY INCLUDED WITH YOUR TICKET. TOP WINNERS WILL BE PUT IN A DRAWING FOR THE TOP PRIZES. AWESOME RAFFLE PRIZES DRAWN THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT. OPPORTUNITIES TO GET UNBELIEVABLE DEALS WITH OUR SILENT AUCTIONS!


EMAIL ME AT kristy.marquart@gmail.com TO BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY!!!

In a recent warning about lead exposure, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically recommends that shoes remain outside the house. According to a report called the Door Mat Study, lead-contaminated soil from the outside causes almost all the lead dust inside homes, and it notes that wiping shoes on a mat and removing them at the door cuts lead dust by 60 percent. The study explains that limiting the amount of dust and track-in may also help reduce exposure to lawn and garden pesticides, wood smoke and industrial toxins, mutagens, dust mites, and all

What should you do? Leave the dirt at the door. Wiping our shoes off and leaving them at the door reduces the amount of contaminated dirt tracked in. Think about this, your babies and kids are the ones who spend the most time on the ground in your home – crawling and playing.

Stroller Strides is proud to join with LUNA and its partner, Healthy Child Healthy World in the “Change Agents” program - designed to build a strong community of women through social networking with the end goal of inspiring action and effecting positive change surrounding women’s health.

Creating a healthy and safe home for our children is of utmost importance. This important health tip was provided by “Moms with a Mission,” an educational program designed for LUNA Moms Club members. To find out more about Luna Moms Club in your area click here.

Don't forget the Children's Music Festival is tomorrow!

Here's the scoop:

City of Flagstaff Recreation Services is proud to present the Flagstaff Children’s Music and Arts Festival. This family-friendly event celebrates the artistic potential of all youth in our community. In addition to dance and music performances, children can make recycled crafts, make their own musical instrument, paint and draw. There will be a Kiddie Caboose, the Police Dept, a Fire Truck, carnival games, Library Bookmobile, bounce house, musical instrument workshops and other fun activities.

And of course, Stroller Strides! Drop by & visit me- I've got tons of free LUNA bars & lip balms!!

This month's Mom of the Month is Sarah Downs. Sarah has been a Stroller Strides member since last September & her husband Dwight has attended every family class we have held. Sarah wanted me to show you her before & after pictures- she & Dwight decided to get healthy before they started a family & Sarah lost over 70lbs on her own. She is a true inspiration!

Who are the members of your family? Me, Dwight and Nash
What was/is your previous and/or current career? I have cleaned houses for the last 10 years
Describe yourself in 4 words or less. Happy, Funny, loving and loyal
When/Where/How did you & your partner meet? Well this is funny but we meet in a chat room called I am an evil carrot when I was 15. He lived in Marquette MI and I lived here and we meet in person a year and a half later and got married 5 years ago.
How long have you been a Stroller Strides Member and what has Stroller Strides done for you? I have been a Stroller Strides member since September. Thanks to Stroller Strides I have made some wonderful friends and so has Nash. It has kept me in shape and given me a place to go workout and not feel guilty about leaving Nash in a day care at a gym.
What are some of your favorite thing (besides your husband and kids!)? Cars, Hiking, stupid tv shows and exercising in general.
Tell us something about you that would surprise us. I used to have a crazy fast car that did a 14 second quarter mile. Dwight sold it on me the week before we had Nash.
If we asked your husband what he thought your best qualities are, what would he say for personality? physically?
Well I asked him and he said first and foremost, selfless and nurturing, attentive, people smart and patient. Physically besides T&A, he likes my eyes,nose and my back.

I hear this so many times at Stroller Strides class (even when you think I can't hear you) and I just want to tell all you moms that barring any actual physical injury- you CAN do abs!
My coach in high school, Mrs. Boynton (isn't it funny how I remember her name?) used to say "never say you 'can't' just, 'I have not yet learned how to.........'" and that lesson has definitely stuck with me for over 15 years.

Try it yourself- next time we are doing something challenging in class, or maybe when you are doing something challenging at home- instead of writing yourself off with an "I can't" change it a little to "I can't, YET".

And for those of you that really think you can't do core work, either because you don't have the abdominal strength back from pregnancy, you baby won't let you put them down etc. etc. here is a quick & effective exercise to try. This & other amazing tips can be found in Lisa Druxman's book, LEAN Mommy.

Starting Position
Lie down on the floor or a mat with knees bent, feet flat on the floor. Sit baby on your hips, resting against her back against your thighs. Gently hold her in position. Keep a space between your chin and chest (looking diagonal towards the ceiling). Engage your abs by pulling your belly button towards your spine. Press your weight down through your heels.

Action
EXHALE: Slowly lift hips off of floor toward ceiling by squeezing your glutes and engaging your abs. Your body should be in a straight line from your knees down to your shoulders. INHALE: Slowly return to starting position to complete one rep. Aim for 1-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions.

Special Instructions
Safety should be your main concern, for you and the baby. Make sure that baby is totally secure in all movements. If any exercise is uncomfortable or too strenuous with baby, try it without baby first. Squeeze glutes and abs during both phases of this exercise. Make it harder: Try not to let butt touch ground when lowering between reps.

Personally, when I think about ingredients that could be harmful to myself or my family I think about food and pesticides. Rarely do I even begin to think about the things I put on my body: shampoo, lotions, cosmetics etc. This week's Luna Moms Club tip had me running into the bathroom & reading ingredients. A great source of natural personal care products right here in Flagstaff- Winter Sun Trading Co. I LOVE their face regime!!! :)

Fact: Personal care product companies are not required to test their products for safety prior to selling them and can put in virtually anything they want. Not surprisingly, there are many ingredients that have been found to be harmful.

Action: To reduce exposure to carcinogens, neurotoxicants, and reproductive toxicants, purchase products that do not contain: - Parabens - Formaldehyde - Triethanolamine and cocamide DEA - PEGs - Isopropanol - 2-phenoxyethanol - Benzethonium chloride - Talc - Phthalates - Fragrance Skin Deep safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products (brought to you by researchers at the Environmental Working Group) is a great resource for what type of chemicals are in over 25,000 products – you can search by product type, by brand etc. Find out more at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com.

I hope you all have enjoyed the little goodies you've gotten at every class this week, LUNA cycling/running socks, "Fit Moms Rock" magnets, LUNA bars & for 1 lucky mom, an amazing Arbonne gift pack! Thanks Kimberly!!! Congrats Maricel!!!

Here is our 1st 'online only' prize challenge- the mom that gets the most moms to register online for their free Stroller Strides or Fit4Baby class (follow this link: http://classes.strollerstrides.net/flagstaff/register/65b309900f1c9a3b42970a318bc31f4a/buffalo-park/buffalo-park/index.aspx) will win any t-shirt they want from www.strollerstrides.com, I included pictures of my favorites. Hurry, this contest only lasts for a week- 8/14/09!



* This only applies to online, 1st Free class registrations. Please make sure they include your name as their referral. No purchase necessary- just a valid registration!!!

So, I've professed my love for BOB before- and let me assure you, this love did not come as a result of BOB's partnership with Stroller Strides, in fact, this partnership was just another PLUS for me to get involved with Stroller Strides.

Check out joggermom.com's latest post about the beauty of the BOB stroller.

And even better ALL BOB's are on sale, 10% off, at Absolute Bikes through August 15th. Just imagine, all of the color choices you want, an opportunity to test them out before buying AND getting to walk out of the store with it that day, ALL while supporting a locally owned business.

Stroller Strides wouldn't exist here in Flagstaff without the support of our amazing members! Which is why the month of August is dedicated to all of you as a big thank you!

There will be prizes at every Buffalo Park class this month along with a bigger, special prize on Fridays. You do not want to miss these!

Can't wait to see you at class & thank you SO much for helping to make this program such a huge success here in Flagstaff.

Fit Moms Rock!!!

Luna Moms Club Tip of the Week!

A lot of people value a bug-free home and weed-free, perfectly green lawn. While both of these are totally valid- new research shows that these desires may be effecting us and our children. Like almost everything in life, we need to balance what we want- with the cost.

Fact: According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, organophosphate pesticides (OP) are now found in the blood of 95% of Americans tested and levels are twice as high in blood samples taken from children than in adults. These pesticides are linked to hyperactivity, behavior disorders, learning disabilities, developmental delays and motor dysfunction.

Action: Use non-toxic methods to manage pests and weeds.

If you're looking for a great way to give back this Fall, Girls on the Run has an idea for you!
For those of you that don't remember, Girls on the Run of Coconino County was the local non-profit beneficiary of LUNAFEST (we raised over $3,000 for them!).

Change a girl's life and change your life by volunteering as a Girls on the Run coach this fall!
The mission of Girls on the Run, a non-profit organization, is to educate and prepare girls for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. Our 12-week, 24 lesson after school programs use experiential learning and the power of running to give girls ages 8-13 the tools to celebrate their bodies,
honor their voices, recognize their gifts, and activate their inner power. Our volunteer coaches are adult women over 18 who strive to lead a healthy lifestyle and are committed to serving as positive role models for adolescent girls facing today's challenges.

The fall season of Girls on the Run begins August 31, 2009 and ends November 24, 2009. Prospective coaches complete an application, consent to a background check, and attend a daylong training on August
31 before beginning the season. Please contact Stephanie Ludwig at stephanie@gotrcoconino.org for an application. Visit our website at http://www.gotrcoconino.org for more information.