Workout 2011: Day 1

This is my first workout day of 2011. It's off to a great start. 55 minutes of snowshoeing in my new snowshoes. I've want to go snowshoeing for years now. This year I got snowshoes and poles for Christmas and was ready to enjoy winter in a new way. I find it kind of like a cross between two things I enjoy: skiing and hiking. I've found the more packed the snow, the easier the workout. That fresh, untouched snow in an open valley, through the forest, or down a dirt road... That's the good stuff. I did a combo of packed and virgin snow on this snowshoeing trek.

New year, new goals

This year, I'm declaring the year of getting back in shape. That means exercise and a simple diet plan.
This is a plan I found successful years ago, pre-kids. It's easy and it works. It is a lifestyle, not a diet plan.
First part is exercise. The rules are easy. Six days per week every week you must workout for at least 20 minutes. What I found happening is the more I worked out the more I wanted to work out. Exercise can be walking, hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, treadmill, running, yoga, step aerobics, climbing stairs, elliptical machine, Wii Fit Plus, swimming... whatever. I like to change it up. This creates a feeling of freedom and choice plus it makes it more interesting, more fun and maximizes the workout in various body areas. I found the elliptical machine that includes arm movement and a run-walk-hike combo workout to be the most effective in weight loss for me.
Food
Food rules are easy too. No fried foods. No candy. No high fructose corn syrup. One meal per day should be all veggies. That can be a mega salad or a mix of cooked veggies. You can include pasta with the veggies too.
For breakfast, one piece of fruit and/or one crunchy granola bar (make sure it has zero high fructose corn syrup).
It's okay to have French fries on the occasion but no fried chicken or other fried meals.
I also feel it is important to not feel cheated. Have a cookie here or there. But only have 1 or 2. Take the rest of the batch to work for coworkers, give them to neighbors or send them to school with the kids for a dessert with lunch for the next week.
Drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. That's easy. That's just three of those 32 ounce glasses. Then you can also have diet soda, iced tea, coffee, iced coffee, homemade lemonade (use Splenda or the like), etc. Just don't have any of those sugar, super creamy dessert versions of coffee drinks. Beer and wine are fine too.
The idea is to be smart. Don't over eat. Snack smartly. Eventually make smaller portions but ease into it. I find that the more I work out the more I think about what I eat. If I've done a great workout I don't think I've earned more food, I start to think that I don't want to waste a second of that workout, so I tend to eat better naturally.
Last time I went on this diet I went from a size 14 to a size 6 in less than a year.
Every day I plan on putting my workout on this blog. You'll also find food tips, recipes, workout ideas, etc.

FurReal Friends Snuggimals Puppy

FurReal Friends Snuggimals puppy

Hasbro

Wanting to get the family a dog but don't want the trouble. Consider a FurReal Friends Snuggimals puppy.
My almost three year old daughter is in love with these little pups. They're just her size, fitting in the palm of an adult hand and they're simple to operate: just stroke their back and you'll trigger head bobbing and tail wagging. She thinks the world of her little pup. Now it is nothing like having a real dog: no feeding, potty training, and you can leave it on your bed or in your backpack all day and there's no problem.
The Snuggimals would make a good gift for any pup-loving tot for a second birthday or any other occasion after your tot stops trying to eat toys. Though Hasbro, who makes the toys, recommends them for kids 4 and up.

Mattel's new Sing-a-ma-jigs!

Mattel/Fisher Price's new Sing-a-ma-jigs! toys are a hoot!

Photo courtesy: Mattel

Mattel's new Sing-a-ma-jigs! are the coolest new toy to hit the market in a while. They can't help but make you giggle.
Fun for all ages, these would make a fabulous birthday gift for children three and up. Also could make a good "get well soon" gift for someone under the weather or a little something special for someone who needs some cheering up, because these little guys will do the trick for sure.
When the Sing-a-ma-jigs! sing, their little mouths open wide for each note, showing off their cute little teeth, creating a look and sound that is truly engaging. Each character features three modes of play: First they chatter; then they each sing their own song; and when kids put them all together and squeeze their tummies one more time, they erupt into a harmonic chorus like none heard before.
As their motto says, “They Love Singing Together,” and when they do, they sing together in perfect harmony each and every time. Each character is featured in a different color and sings its own song, which includes:

• “Where Oh Where has My Little Dog Gone” (Red)
• “Skip to My Loo” (Pink)
• “When the Saints Go Marching In” (Teal)
• “Home on the Range” (Yellow)

My kids (ages 4, almost 3 and 10 months old) have been playing with three Sing-a-ma-jigs! for the last few days. Each playtime turns into a performance. My husband and I both get in on the action because, well, we can't help ourselves. They really are a blast.
Additional characters, each with their own specific color and song, will follow throughout the year for a total of 12 available just in time for the holiday season.

Shaun the Sheep: One Giant Leap for Lambkind on DVD

Shaun and his buds are baaaack in a new out of this world adventure!

Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment

For some out of this world fun, check out the new six-episode collection, Shaun the Sheep: One Giant Leap for Lambkind.
Like all of the other Shaun collections, my kids had a hoot watching this one, this time even my 10 month old took an interest. My daughters (ages 2.5 and 4 years old) LOVE aliens, so they really enjoyed all the close encounters Shaun and friends had in this disk. Unidentified Farm Objects and paranormal sightings are the norm with Shaun the Sheep and his barnyard buddies Bitzer, Shirley and Timmy, as they encounter more madcap mischief along with those Naughty Pigs next door.

Episodes include:

• “The Visitor” – All is quiet at night on the farm when a bright green glow and strange noises awaken the flock. A space craft crash-landed! Can Shaun and his woolly friends help its giant green occupant get air-borne again?
• “The Bull” – Shaun learns it’s not safe to wave anything red in front of a bull. But the Naughty Pigs thinks it’s funny to add red paint to the sheep’s bath. What to do with an angry charging bull and all those red sheep?
• “Hiccups” – Shirley drinks Bitzer's lemonade too fast and gets the hiccups. Shaun tries all the usual tricks to cure her with hilarious results.
• “Bitzer Puts His Foot In It” – Even with Bitzer guarding the fresh concrete the farmer just poured, Shaun and his fearless flock of friends can’t resist treating it like their own personal “Walk of Fame”
• “Save the Tree” – The Farmer wants to turn the tree in Shaun's field into firewood, so the flock must take desperate (and humorous) measures to stop their beloved tree from getting felled!
• “Shaun Encounters” – Two naughty alien kids land at the farm one night and run riot. Can Shaun and Bitzer stop them before they wake the Farmer?

DVD BONUS FEATURES

• “Sing-Along With Shaun”
• “Whack-A-Pig” Game

Five minute shorts of the series currently air in the U.S. on the Disney Channel. Fans can only find full length episodes on the DVDs.

My Little Pony So Soft Rainbow Dash

If you've got a little one who loves stuffed toys and wants one everywhere she goes, check out the My Little Pony So Soft Rainbow Dash. This is a water toy for the bath, pools and anywhere else. She's made to get wet and even comes with a towel for your little one to dry her off afterwards. (It has a loop to hang dry too.) This would also be a great toy to get a soon to be big sister, as the pony comes with a diaper you can put on and take off. She can pretend she's changing her baby pony while you change the new baby.

Super Soaker Hydro Fury 2-pack

Fun tot-sized squirt guns to try are the new Hasbro Super Soaker Hydro Fury 2-pack. These are nice sized for little ones to hold and easy to pump to squirt water. Plus the stream of water doesn't hurt when you get blasted as it is a nice and thin stream. That's needed for little ones who like to shoot at close range. My husband and daughters had a blast playing with these this weekend.

Strawberry Shortcake Splashin Petal Pool

The Strawberry Shortcake Splashin Petal Pool playset is a fun way to get indoor-outdoor fun with the same toy. You add water to the pool and it becomes spashable fun. I had my doubts this would be as cool as my daughters thought but they love it. The little flower power shower sprays water with the pump of your fingers to sprinkle Strawberry and her friends. One doll comes with the set to boot. It does have some small parts, so it isn't recommended for tots under three, but if your 2.5 year old doesn't munch on stuff, like mine, you'll be fine.Take any parts you are worried about before giving it to the kids to play.

Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center

 Step 2 Naturally Playful Sand and Water Activity Center is a million times better than a sandbox. The perfect height for tots and endless enjoyment. We've had this at our house for a few years now and it never fails to entertain. My girls like to drive their cars thru the water and sand, make mini sand castles, you name it. There's lots of splashing fun to be had too. Added bonus, it's all in the shade of the umbrella that comes with it. Keep bugs, cats and leaves out when you're not playing with a tightly fitting top. We also have the coordinating picnic table. Both are a nice neutral color and made to look like rocks, which is an added bonus.

Disney PRINCESSES THEN & NOW

Not much has changed within the realm of royal roles!  From the Middle Ages to today, take a look at how Princess Tiana fits in with a long line of Princess pageantry and practices!

PRINCESSES THEN –
Princesses then, enjoyed delicious desserts called ‘subtleties.’   Made of sugar and jam, subtleties were sculptured in the form of animals and heroes.

PRINCESSES NOW --
Princesses today cook up any number of tasty dishes.  Tiana’s beniets are tasty treats that cap off any meal especially when it’s Tiana’s gumbo or jambalaya!



PRINCESSES THEN –
Music was played as a princess enjoyed her evening meal.  After the meal, there was often entertainment, including acrobats, animal trainers and storytellers.

PRINCESSES NOW --
Jazz music is served up regularly at Tiana’s Place.   With Louis the Alligator on trumpet and Prince Naveen on ukulele, Tiana’s court and her patrons enjoy the best New Orleans entertainment imaginable!



PRINCESSES THEN –
In the middle ages, princesses often enjoyed great festivities and banquets that were occasionally celebrated by hundreds of guest and sometimes lasted for days.

PRINCESSES NOW --
Celebrations and festivities never go out of style – especially in New Orleans.  Princess Tiana often resides over balls and banquets throughout the many days of Mardi Gras celebrations!



PRINCESSES THEN –
Princesses of the middles ages enjoyed beautiful clothes, and their garments were often made of linen, silk and velvet.  These beautiful gowns were often adorned with braid, embroidery and fur.

PRINCESSES NOW --
As a master seamstress, Tiana’s mother Eudora often made clothes for Tiana and Charlotte from the finest cloth imaginable.  Ribbons, lace and fine details shape the gowns of today’s Princesses.



PRINCESSES THEN –
In the middle ages, little Princesses enjoyed playing with toys.  Playthings might include ceramic dolls or miniature cooking utensils.

PRINCESSES NOW –
Little Princesses today, still enjoy playing with toys.  Cooking utensils were definitely a favored toy for Princess Tiana as well!



The Princess and the Frog is Available on Blu-ray & DVD March 16th!



A Timeless Royal Legacy

Princess Tiana & Prince Naveen join the timeless legacy of Disney Royalty!



1937
The gentle sweetness of Snow White draws her handsome Prince to her side.


1950
Cinderella’s goodness transfixes her Prince Charming at first sight.


1959
Princess Aurora’s melodious voice captivates the the dragon fighting Prince Phillip.


1989
Princess Ariel’s kindness engulfs the heart of Prince Eric.


1991
The gentle beauty of Belle enchants her Prince, The Beast.


1992
Love of adventure binds Princess Jasmine to her Prince Aladdin.


1995
The wise and gentle nature of Pocahontas mystifies Captain John Smith.


1998
Mulan’s selfless bravery captivates the heroic Captain Li Shang