11.14

Hey guys, and Happy Thanksgiving! I had some time to spare this morning so I wanted to make a blog about the stuff I have been really into this month.

1. Beanie hats. It's cold out there. The dollar store has really cute ones and so does eBay. I am addicted to the dollar store. They have everything these days. Not like when I was younger. You had to spend a fortune to be stylish. 

2. Lipton white mangosteen peach green tea superfruit. It's so yummy. I stocked up on my favorites this month. They had tea sales everywhere. 

3. Bigelow earl grey green tea. I found this at Walbaums but when I went back they were all out of it. They had a sale on Bigelow 2 for $5. But I think target had it for $2.39 a box. 

4. Music. For some reason I've been listening to a lot of Dolly Parton (the oldies) and The new Selena Gomez song "What the heart wants". It's been in my head for weeks. My son and I sit around and sing acapella. It really is a lot of fun. I am teaching him about rounds. He does a great job with "Jolene". I was so shocked that he told me he preferred country music out of everything. He said all of the other children in his class like hip hop and pop music and he doesn't really care for it. I'm just glad he enjoys music and it's something we can bond over.

5. Warm boots. MI was recently gifted with a really nice pair of black slip on mid-calf Bearpaw boots as an early Christmas present. Score! I love them, I wear them all the time. Besides being super comfy they go with almost everything in my winter wardrobe. On a budget? I saw similar pairs on EBay for $20 and you might even get lucky and outbid someone for less. 

6. Cortland and Honeycrisp Apples. Today is actually the last day our local farm stand is open this season. We normally go to Lewin's farm stand. My daughter is such a picky eater, but I can get away with adding a variety of fruits and veggies into her oatmeal. Mmmm Oatmeal. I peel and cut the apple into small chunks and add it into the milk and oatmeal. I also add vanilla extract, cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon on cardamom. It's heaven! It also makes the house smell amazing. Or as a simple low calorie snack sprinkle apple slices with cardamom. A little goes a long way.

7. Pinterest. It's great for finding recipe ideas or D.I.Y. crafts for the kids or just for yourself. This one is really something for the whole year round. But I find myself browsing pins more in preparation for the holidays and the winter months.

8. Blogging. Tee hee, that one is a bit obvious.

9. Thanksgiving!!! I am so thankful I get to spend it with my beautiful family today. And all the delicious food. 😊

Here's my list, short and sweet. I didn't get out a lot this month. What are some of your November favorites?

Baby, it's cold outside... Maybe too cold for your baby.

I love going for walks. During the summer months I can be found trying to get my "fit" on at the local track or park. On sunny days it can feel like pure bliss. Long walks, picnics, a gentle breeze and the sound of birds chirping.  Right now it's November and a daily walk/run can become a challenge when the weather is less than perfect.  The morning walk to the bus stop has already caused us all to have anxiety. Especially with temperatures already in their low 30's. Except for today of course, the weather is 61° and raining. Welcome to New York, where you can experience all four seasons in the same week. I feel terrible taking my little ones out just so I can keep a firmer figure. Besides cardio is cardio, right? They say that squats are great for getting your heart rate up and I think pacing around for an hour around your house on the telephone can be counted as a sufficient workout. I will just have to keep trying to believe that for the next four to six months.

 A few months ago I completed a 30 day squat challenge. I paired it with a 30 day Ab/Core challenge and had amazing results. At the time I also incorporated a daily walk/run of at least 1.5 miles, while pushing a single stroller and yelling at my 8 year old to stop walking in front of it. I have posted them below just incase you might be interested. I highly recommend recruiting a friend for the squat challenge. You don't have to be in the same place or do them at the same time. I guess it's that whole "misery loves company" thing. I can guarantee that if you stick with these routines you will definitely see results. And they take no time at all, as long as you have approximately 30 minutes to spare. I like to get them done in the morning after we get back from the bus stop. Walking up and down the stairs can be a little tricky afterwards. I normally do squats while I am making breakfast for my little one so that she is confined to her high chair and not trying to climb up my legs. She thinks it's the funniest thing. Knowing that it makes her laugh does makes it a little easier. But I'm not going to lie to you, it's still hard.

One last thing. If you find yourself at the end of these challenges and unsure of what to do next, you can continue increasing the amount of exercise daily or just stay at a number you are comfortable with for a while. I continued doing 100 a day on average. On days that I felt like doing more, I did. I hope this can be helpful to others like myself who can't get out during the cold season or just to anyone who wants to change up their workout. Good luck guys!

'Tis The Season

    As it is the holiday season and all, this blog might be seen as both appropriate or not so much. I'd like to talk about good will and giving back, paying it forward, whatever you want to call it. Those of us with children know it very well. This is the time of year they send out those flyers asking for non-perishable food donations, gently used clothes and toys. I'd just like to put this out there. The next time you are at the dollar store, maybe you can purchase some extra tooth brushes, toothpaste, toilet paper, Tupperware, or maybe even a small pack of baby wipes and drop it off at your local church or donation site. You may not know this, but government assistance does not cover these items. They do not cover diapers, feminine products or toiletry items. They do not cover blankets or socks. The dollar store sells thermal socks :)

    

    And okay, so maybe you don't feel like giving to a complete stranger. What about giving to someone you know? I once watched a movie where instead of presents, the family bought supplies to fix up their home. The movie was called A Home of Our Own starring Kathy Bates. When I was child, I thought it was a horror film about Christmas. Now that I am older and have had home improvement issues of my own, I think it's brilliant. I know I get super excited when something broken gets fixed in my house. I live on long island, and know several people who have been affected by natural disasters in the recent years. Maybe you would be inclined to offer your time to habitat humanity or a similar organization. There are so many little ways to give that would make such a big difference. Feel free to post any additional ideas in the comments below. And to all of you, have a very blessed holiday.