GOTR: Top 5 Summer Salads

Happy Tuesday!

For my final installment for my Girls on the Run group, I'd love to talk Summer! As we're approaching the end of the school year and anticipating the long hot summer days I can't think of anything sweeter and light than a good salad. Now, I have previously talked about Mason Jar Salads which I still think are phenomenal for any summer day. These salads below are great to whip up for a family gathering and will last in the fridge for days. So the next time your GOTR girl and her friend says "Mom, I'm hungry and we have nothing to eat" tell her to grab a fork and eat up!

Here are some of my Summer favs and I hope you'll enjoy them too!

1. Watermelon Feta Salad by Life's Ambrosia
2. Simple Quinoa Salad by Curtis Stone
3. Avocado & Grilled Corn Salad* by Keep it Skinny
4. Strawberry Salad with Candied Walnuts by Our Share of the Harvest
5. Quinoa Vegetable Salad with Lemon-Basil Dressing by The Garden Grazer

*Side Note: One the Avocado Salad instead of said dressing, I typically do Sea Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper (to taste) with a whole fresh squeezed lemon and a Tbsp of Red Wine Vinegar!

These salads are all made with very simple ingredients and take little time to make. Might I add that they're delicious and will go well alone or on the side of any meat - chicken, beef, or fish. Enjoy!

I wish the girls the best of luck on Sunday & hope their summer is filled with good fun, good friends, & good food!

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 11: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

True Confessions: Mommy Revelations

There definitely is a transition when becoming a mom - even becoming an expectant mom. Your thought process is different, your cares change, your focus switches, and so on. There is a certain light your children bring into your life and they can either drive you crazy or put you at ease (or both). There were definitely revelations for me and I wanted to share them with you...especially all my expectant mother friends who may be anticipating the birth of their first child this year. Congratulations!!!

15 Special Moments About Being A Mom

1. Children will rock your world - for the better. You'll love it!
2. They help you appreciate the little things in life. The sky, the moon, a pretty flower, etc.
3. They giggle, just for fun. Why not?
4. A ball is a game. Period.
5. Little baby fingers and toes. Need I say more?
6. Watching kids grow is amazing. Enjoy it.
7. Playing in the rain is fun. Now, go grab your boots.
8. You're supposed to be chipper in the morning. Remember?
9. The playground is an amusement park to young kids. Keep it simple.
10. They help you do better. Be better. Eat better. Live better.
11. Be kind is what you'll teach them. Be kind is what you should be.
12. If you've never appreciated your own mother...you will now.
13. When life gets hectic take a deep breath..or a mommy time out. Have gratitude for today.
14. You will sleep again, eventually. I promise.
15. Unconditional love is real.

Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all you mommies out there! You deserved to be spoiled! Enjoy!

It Takes a Village

...I've always hated that saying.

I'm not really sure why I've hated it, but probably because it was just cliche and I never put meaning to it. Unfortunately, I'm coming to realize its so true! As you have one kid, after the other, you get to a point where life gets in the way - school, sports, illnesses, doctors appointments, family obligations, birthday parties - and multiply that per child and you already have a busy day. I never felt like I asked for much help...that is, until I had baby #3. Although planned, my baby boy through me for a loop. It probably wasn't planned all that well because we now had 3 kids under 4 years old which meant not one of them was in school full time. Hmmmm...thats alot of quality time with each other - remember, I'm a stay at home mom.

 Anyway, back to my point - the Village it takes to raise children. Once baby #3 was born we had just moved into a new (and spectacular) new neighborhood. So with the addition of new neighbors, I also have met some of my favorite friends a girl could ask for. To be able to have other moms right around each corner, just like me, is priceless. They too, have young children, working husbands, and daily trials and tribulations. We are able to rely on each other at a moments notice. Whether its providing dinners when babies are born, or making homemade soup or Popsicles when one of our kids are sick, these moms are the key to raising my family too - they keep me sane!

Another part of my village is my house cleaner. I fought having a routine cleaner for years. I always thought to myself, "I'm a stay at home mom, how can I not clean my own home?" Well, I can't anymore. Owning up to the fact that you need help isn't a bad thing, its being honest with yourself.

One last, and yet important, part of my personal village is a good babysitter. When we decided I would stay at home we had to adjust our budget having only one income. With that adjustment comes sacrifices and financially its hard to justify cleaners and nannies, but with multiple children it almost becomes a necessity. The demands of nap schedules and school routines leaves little time for running simple errands and even making dinner. It wasn't much, but I decided to get a babysitter every other week for a few hours which is enough time for me to run to the grocery store, pick up last minute birthday gifts, go to the dentist, maybe even get my haircut. Believe me, I have taken my kids to plenty of my dentist and doctors appointments over the years - but I felt it there came a time when it wasn't fair to them to drag them around all the time. The sitter provides me with the flexibility of time and the kids ample time to play and get the attention I believe they deserve. Side Note: A good babysitter will also contact you and let you know when they are available. This, to me, is such a bonus when I get an unexpected night out with my husband!

So there you have it - that's my Village! I'm so very grateful to my wonderful husband, friends, and family who do everything they can to help me raise my family. I hope they would all feel like I would do the same for them!

GOTR: Change Your Wellness Vocabulary

Strong is the new Skinny 

Healthy Eating is the new Diet 

Movement is the new Exercise 

Quick Meals is the new Fast Food

Modeling good behavior is the most important advice I can give you from one mom to another. You can't control someone's eating all of the time, but if they see you choosing wisely and staying healthy & happy you can bet your GOTR girl will follow in your footsteps!

If we can help young girls switch their way of thinking I believe we can change their future. Wouldn't you wish upon your child never to go through life worrying about what they're eating, and how much they weigh? I would!

Strong - We must explain to young girls that there is quite a difference in body types and every girl's body is changing year after year. If we stop focusing on the skinny - which, by the way is subjective, and help them to want to be strong. Being strong is automatically being fit and healthy. Plus, building muscles helps with overall health and longevity. Strong muscles are good for their heart, bones, and self esteem.

Healthy Eating - As moms of a certain age we all grew up at some point in the late 80's & 90's where the word "diet" exploded into our way of living. Anything from diet programs, to diet foods, to diet soda, etc. Diet is such a generic word anyway which to me, has turned negative. If we change our vocabulary to use "healthy eating" in our conversations with our children we can never go wrong. Discussing all of the wonderful healthy food choices that are out there as opposed to all of the foods they can't eat when they're on a diet. Doesn't that sound better to you?

Movement - Although I do love to exercise, I believe it puts an extra pressure on us to perform well anytime we hit the treadmill. If we tweak our vocabulary to focus on movement instead of exercise we can help translate the pressures of "working out" to helping our kids live an active lifestyle. Help them enjoy the outdoors, going to walks with the dog, taking a bike ride with their friends, etc. They don't need to be on a sports team or join the local gym to move and stay healthy.

Quick Meals - I have proven over and over again that meals prepared at home are quicker, cheaper, and much healthier than any items you'll find on the fast food menu. There is just no excuse anymore. Its just as easy to pack a fresh salad, protein bar and an apple, or a almond butter & jelly sandwich with some sliced watermelon. That is just as much of a meal, and much yummier, than a high fat, high salt,and lord knows what else junk in a fast food "burger" or "chicken" meal. Furthermore, fast food lacks all nutrients important for growing bodies & brains.

And there you have it...if we can simply change a few words that we use as moms and help our daughters now, they will be set up for better choices in the future!

Girls on the Run Newsletter Week 10: http://www.girlsontherun.org/

My Personal Blog: Choices: Nutrition.Life.Love.

Letter to My Daughters: Laughter

A day without laughter is a day wasted. 

- Charlie Chaplin

Dear Little Ones,

As your mom, I want you to know that you have to see the good in things in life & in people to understand the bad. As long as you have laughter in your life, I promise you'll be alright. Make sure your smile shines through and you laugh - as well as make someone else laugh - each day :) You two are already two of the funniest people I have ever met. You bring a smile to my face everyday - and I love that you know how funny you are. Your facial expressions, smiles, giggles, and simply, your being is just so silly! Life is to be enjoyed and you certainly already know how to do that.

As a mom, all you want is for your children to be happy. It seems as though daddy and I must be doing something right. We love you more than you could possibly imagine. Always.

Mom xoxo

True Confessions: 25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

25 Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. I brush my teeth 3 times a day, but I hate flossing.
2. I had braces when I was 26 years old. And pregnant.
3. I am always early. Always.
4. I am so terrified of heights that I used to not be able to walk on the 2nd story of a Mall.
5. I haven't been on a roller coaster since I was 6. Which is where #4 comes in.
6. I'm a natural brunette. Duh.
7. I was the point guard of my basketball team.
8. Growing up, I always thought I would become a teacher.
9. I've seen every episode of Friends at least 10 times. I still own all of them on DVD. Even the Series Finale!
10. I have a terrible memory so photos are so precious to me.
11. Bruce Springsteen is my favorite musician of all time.
12. My Father Daughter Dance song at my wedding was Thunder Road.
13. I was 4'11''when I entered high school. When I graduated, I was 5'7''.
14. I can't help but watch Dirty Dancing everytime its on TV.
15. I'm not a big animal lover, but I really want a dog.
16. I've never broken a bone.
17. We have a home speaker system so I listen to Country Music all day long.
18. I'm a compulsive list maker.
19. I used to eat Pepsi & Doritos everyday after school.
20. I love jeans - skinny jeans, jean shorts, jean skirts, jean jackets, etc.
21. I had a melanoma removed about 3 months ago and have a big scar to prove it.
22. I haven't been tanning in years, but I certainly will never go again.
23. I organize my fridge everyday. And my pantry.
24. I used to be slightly obsessed with Britney Spears.
25. My husband calls me Kiki. My niece calls me Uncle Kiki :)

Bonus: My best friend growing up was also names Cristin...but with a "C" ;)

My Favorite Skin Care Products

As with my hair care product selection, my skin care regimen has changed over the years - as it should with everyone as they age. The problem with skin care is you have to really be careful about what you put on your skin. What you choose when you're 15 can come back to bite you in the ass in you're 20's and 30's if you're not careful. Your skin is so important and can say so much about how well you take care of yourself.

First and foremost, hydration...hydration...hydration. It is something I'm very guilty of, and work so hard at each day to get in my intended about of water. A good rule of thumb for an active person to staying hydrated is to drink your body weight in ounces. The warm lemon water in the morning has helped tremendously!

OK, back to the fun stuff. I have combination and dehydrated skin so my typical routine goes:


Morning
CervVe Hydrating Wash*
Cadaulie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum
CerVe AM Facial Moustierizing Lotion*
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream





Evening
Neova Radiant Skin Cleasner Facewash*
CerVe PM Facial Mousterizing Lotion*
ROC Retinnol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel

*My dermatologist recommended these a couple of years ago and I've never turned back. These products have saved my skin!

As for the Cadaulie Serum I don't know how I ever lived without this. It is an amazing product I stumbled upon about a year or so ago. It soaks right up in your skin leaving a clean slate for your moisturizer to go on evenly and allowing your make-up to settle nicely on your face.

So this was a fun project - I recruited some of my gorgeous and insightful girlfriends (aka beauty consultants) to give me their take on favorite skin care products and here's what they said:

Ashleigh Says:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser
Dermalogica Daily Face Wash
Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System 
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex
Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

Beth Says:
Olay Regenerist Facewash
Loreal Youth Code
Balm Concealer
Lumene Vitamin C Beads

Bridget Says:

I love any and all Dermalogica products:

-Active Moist

-Skin Smoothing Cream

-Overnight Clearing Gel

-Dermal Clay Cleanser

Blue Mercury's M-61 Fast Blast Vitamin C Facial Mask

Kate Says:

Dove soap & Aveeno Moisterizer

CeraVe Lotion

Aquafor for Eyes & Nose

Baking Soda + Dove Soap = Perfect Exfoliator

Lisa Says:

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Firming Serum

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder

MD Forte II Facial Cream

CeraVe Lotion

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye Cream or Clinique's All About Eyes (I do love this stuff too!!)

All of these ladies couldn't be more unique and more beautiful. It just goes to show you that there are so many products out there and even all of us, good friends, don't have to use the same products. Not all skin types are created equal. We all use what works for us. That is the most important lesson you learn as you age - don't follow the fads. I will add that we all agreed on one thing - wear your SPF daily!! In the meantime, find what works for your skin and what will nourish it for the future and go from there!