Welcome to August.  Can you believe summer is more than half over?

We still haven’t been that hot here in San Diego.  We had one warm week but that’s been it.  I have to say I’m enjoying the cooler summer. It makes it nice to go to parks and play with kids without the nagging heat.  

But back to food…

I’ve been looking to try different snacks lately.  I made some zucchini muffins the kids seemed to like (recipe forthcoming).  And I tried roasting garbanzo beans from this recipe on Family Fresh Cooking.  I went the sweet route and topped them with syrup and they still tasted bland.

But I’m very intrigued with the idea behind this recipe.  What’s better than kids snacking on crunchy beans?  I’m going to try more savory seasonings next time and have it cook longer to make it really crisp.  Does anyone make this at home?  If so, I’d love to hear from you. 

Because we are somewhat cool over here, I’m going to make a Black Bean Chili for Wednesday long slow cook day.  I’m also going to try Mexican Lasagna for the first time.  And Tuesday it’s Chicken Parm in the slow cooker. This recipe is tasty and beyond easy.  All in all, a good food week.

For more weekly meal plans see Org Junkie.

What’s Cooking this week?

Monday:  Mexican Lasagna with guacamole from the 6 O’Clock Scramble Newsletter

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan with bread, spinach salad and fruit.

Wednesday: Black Bean Chili made with pork tenderloin (Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook), bread, carrots and green salad.  

Thursday: potlock/use leftovers

Friday: Grilled Salmon with Avacado Dip, mac and cheese and sautéed mixed veggies

Challenges – it’s me this time!

A couple of weeks ago I fell into a bad cycle.  I noticed that I was exercising less, falling extra short on sleep (I’m never 100% well rested) and eating more than usual.  Basically I was feeling stressed with all that I had on my plate — blog, work, buying a condo, taking care of kids and trying to stay up with friends.

An article I read on Simple Mom reminded me of something I know but often forget — I was choosing to feel stressed out. 

It’s easy to feel like a victim to stress with the million things parents have to do.  But the truth is the situations don’t automatically cause stress — it’s how we perceive the circumstances around us that produce the stress. 

I’ll never forget when my old boss told me, as I was upset in her office, that I chose to feel that way.  At the time I thought she was crazy but now I hate to say she was right.

So once I caught on to what I was doing, sat back, looked at the situation objectively, and asked myself some questions. 

What is the worst thing that can happen if I don’t get everything done?  Does being stressed help me in any way?  What things can I do to help me get through this overwhelming period?  Doesn’t exercise and sleep make more productive and happy?  Is there anything I can cut back on? Can I organize my time better?

So last week I got up early to run, did my 20-minute yoga tape before writing at night, went to sleep earlier and got up early to work on stuff.  And I have to say, it was a much better week. 

News – don’t sit for long

There have been news reports about the downside of sitting for long periods.  According to a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, those who sit more hours in a day (>6 hours) are at higher risk for obesity and dying early than those who sit less (<3 hours).  And the time spent sitting was an independent factor regardless of daily activity levels.

That means getting your hour of exercise in doesn’t make up for sitting all day.

This isn’t meant to be another guilty twist on getting enough exercise.  Instead, it demonstrates an important point — the human body was designed for movement.  Yet we are all faced with a modern lifestyle that encourages more sedentary behaviors.

We also live in a society that places more importance on getting structured exercise, like spending an hour at the gym, than being naturally active every day.    

But making your days filled with activity is very doable.  Take breaks at work to walk down the hall and talk to a friend.  Be more playful with your kids.  Walk instead of driving whenever you can.

Studies show that people who get more of this natural type of activity in their day, something health experts call Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT), may burn up to 350 additional calories daily.  That adds up.

Of course there are additional benefits to getting more intense physical activity in terms of health, strength and how one feels.  We just can’t forget the power of moving more every day.  We have those legs for a reason.

Okay, I’ve been sitting to long.  Time to go wrestle with my kids.  Have a great week!

I was a little cocky going into my six-week postpartum doctor’s appointment. After gaining the same amount of weight with my second pregnancy as I did with my first, I assumed my weight loss would be the same too. But when I stepped on the scale it revealed I was 10 pounds heavier than I was six weeks after my first child. Ouch!

Since that day seven weeks ago, I’ve been thinking a lot about how busy moms like me can get into shape. My experience tells me it’s more about being creative than finding extra time. To show you what I mean, I’ll share my getting-back-into-shape plan with you.

1. Why exercise in the first place?
Last year I read about a research study that confirmed something I already knew intuitively. Why you exercise can make or break your success.

I interviewed lead researcher, Michelle Segar, PhD, about her 2008 study published in Women’s Health Issues. Her research team asked 156 midlife women their reasons for exercising. The top five reasons included weight loss, health benefits, stress reduction, sense of well being and weight maintenance. Those who said they exercised for weight loss and health benefits, participated in significantly less exercise than those who exercised for stress reduction and a sense of well being

Michelle explained to me that exercising because you “should” is less motivating than doing it for your own reasons including how it makes you feel. The more I thought about it the more it made sense. I would have never kept exercising all these years if weight was my only motivator. So now I constantly remind myself how being active makes me feel both physically and mentally. After a workout I have a more positive outlook, am much more productive and present with my kids. And I have come to love the time to myself.

2. Do what you like
Nothing turns me off to exercise more than doing something I don’t enjoy. It doesn’t matter how many calories I burn or how good it is supposed to be for me, if I don’t like it I won’t continue to do it.

So I’ve decided to make running my priority when it comes to cardiovascular exercise. I used to run much more before having kids and I really miss it. Not only do I love it, but it’s easy to do, which is key for me at this point in my life. All I need are some running shoes, a good jogging bra and I’m good to go.

I also enjoy exercises that strengthen my body. I have always incorporated some weight training in my routine but it seems like forever since I’ve really challenged myself. After having 2 children, I no longer recognize my abdominal muscles which I mistakenly ignored between pregnancies. So I plan to slowly build a stronger body.

3. How to fit it in
There’s a part of me that wants to dive into exercise like the old me would. I could go to the gym 5 times a week, do tough classes and commit to long runs on the weekend. Not only is that not practical, it no longer fits my life. So I mourn the fact that I don’t have that kind of time – and quickly move on.

I have to start with where I am now. I have a nursing 3-month old and a somewhat high maintenance 2.5 year old (almost forgot my husband too). I just started working part-time and I run this wonderful blog. I simply don’t have big chunks of time available.

Since my 3-month old’s schedule is still unpredictable, it doesn’t make sense for me to commit to running with a group or try to catch classes at the gym. So instead I’ll be on the lookout for daily opportunities to run. Sometimes mornings are good when my husband is home. I also bring the kids over to my moms at least once a week making it easy to escape. And every Sunday afternoon we go to my in-laws so I can bring my running stuff and take off at just the right time.

I plan to do a 15-minute postpartum rescue tape most days to help my poor little core and will incorporate hand weights on the days I have more time.

The Plan
So my plan is to run when I can, do my postpartum core strengthening video on most days and use my hand weights a few times a week. After a month or two I’ll check back in with the why, what and how and change what isn’t working and add on to what is. And I’ll be sure to let you know how I’m doing.

I realize the best way for busy moms like me to get into shape is unique to individuals and constantly changing. What worked for me 6 months ago doesn’t work today. And what I’m doing today is sure to be obsolete for my life in 6 months. If, as a mom of growing and changing children, I had one set idea on how exercise “should” be I’d never do it. For me, that’s just not acceptable.

Have you found a way to balance exercise and your busy mom life? Let others know by leaving a comment below.

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Inspiring articles by Michelle Segar
Women Who Don’t Workout Aren’t Lazy

Flexing My Mom Muscles