Just 1 Week Left to Register for our Grand Opening Event!

Join us on Tuesday, March 1st at the NC Museum of Art Park to kick-off our newest class location!

9:30am: Registration opens (click HERE to register online)

10am: FREE Stroller Strides class
11am: Raffle, Refreshments & Playgroup Time
(Raffle prizes donated by Episencial, gDiapers & Smartmomma/ERGO BabyCarrier)

What is Stroller Strides?

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller, and the environment. Taught by certified instructors.

Who should come to the Grand Opening?

It is a great workout for any level of exerciser. All moms of stroller-age children are welcome to attend this free event. Bring your child(ren), your stroller, a yoga mat or towel, and dress to exercise! (jogging stroller not necessary)

Location & Directions:

The Museum Park surrounds the NC Museum of Art which is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. Parking is free. Class begins and ends in the open area between the East and West Museum buildings. For more information on the Museum Park and for parking and driving directions please click HERE.

You're Invited to a Grand Opening Event!

Join us on Tuesday, March 1st at the NC Museum of Art Park to kick-off our newest class location!

9:30am: Registration opens (click HERE to register online)

10am: FREE Stroller Strides class
11am: Raffle, Refreshments & Playgroup Time

What is Stroller Strides?

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program that moms can do with their babies. It includes power walking and intervals of strength and body toning exercises using exercise tubing, the stroller, and the environment. Taught by certified instructors.

Who should come to the Grand Opening?

It is a great workout for any level of exerciser. All moms of stroller-age children are welcome to attend this free event. Bring your child(ren), your stroller, a yoga mat or towel, and dress to exercise! (jogging stroller not necessary)

Location & Directions:

The Museum Park surrounds the NC Museum of Art which is located at 2110 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. Parking is free. Class begins and ends in the open area between the East and West Museum buildings. For more information on the Museum Park and for parking and driving directions please click HERE.

Space Travel and Bone Density... hold the Swiss!

A few weeks ago my family was watching a PBS special about astronauts and the challenges they face in space travel and I was struck by an alarming statistic (which I'll get to in a minute). I wish I could find a link to the episode but I haven't been able to find it yet- sorry.

Anyway, one of the astronauts' challenges is living in a zero-gravity environment and the effect it has on their bone density. Humans need weight-bearing exercise to maintain bone density and the zero-gravity environment of space makes it impossible to lift weights of any sort. An astronaut doesn't even work against gravity when he space-walks or raises his arm overhead. You might be thinking... well, duh! But stay with me here... do you know how much bone density an astronaut loses over 6 months in a zero-gravity environment (despite "exercising" for 2 hours each day)? 14%. Yikes! How does he manage to walk off of the shuttle after it lands back on earth without crumbling to the ground? When I hear this statistic I pictured his bones riddled with holes, like Swiss cheese. One false step and he's got a broken hip... without a doubt an exaggeration but that is what I picture in my head.

14%- that is huge! So how important is weight-bearing exercise to maintaining healthy bone mass? So important!!! According to the Merck Manual, as women, our bone density peaks around age 30 and then it is an uphill battle to maintain it from then on. Eventual menopause only fuels the fire and thus begins the slippery slope to being frail little old ladies.

So how can we fight against bone loss and be strong moms? Make sure you are taking in adequate calcium and Vitamin D and incorporate weight-bearing exercise into your exercise routine. Join us at Stroller Strides for a full body workout that includes plenty of weight-bearing exercise and stay strong and fit for motherhood and all that lies ahead!

Stroller Strides Sweetheart Special

Looking for a Valentine's Day gift for the moms in your life with young children?

Or a great 'wish list' idea for yourself?

Take advantage of our Stroller Strides Sweetheart Special... just in time for Valentine's Day! Between now and February 14th purchase a 10-Class Pass for only $99 (regular price- $110).

No need for gift receipts, worrying about sizes or colors or what someone already has--this is a gift that ALL moms will appreciate, that allows them to feel healthy, get in shape, meet other moms, AND have fun with their baby or stroller-aged children!

You can purchase Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh 10-Class Pass online via Paypal (see below-no account required) or by calling 888-760-0142, ext. 1. You will receive a follow-up email with instructions for redemption.

We currently offer classes 3 days/week (Mon, Wed & Fri), in the Midtown Raleigh area and will add Tues/Thurs classes to the schedule in March.

Stroller Strides is a total body workout program that moms can do with their stroller-aged children. The workouts include cardio, strength training, and abdominal work, plus songs and fun for the kids. Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh offers classes at the North Hills Mall and will open at the NC Museum of Art Park in March. Gift certificates are valid through 8/30/11. We also offer a weekly playgroup and monthly moms night out for moms in the Triangle area.

For more information about Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh, see www.strollerstrides.net/midtownraleigh.

Questions? Contact missycurrin@strollerstrides.net, 888-760-0142.

Feeding the Family: Spinach Stuffed Portabellas

A tasty recipe made with lots of veggies from our very own Stroller Stridin' mama, Kerri Kanter...

I made spinach stuffed portabellas last night with items I had in my pantry and fridge. It was so easy and yummy that I thought I'd share. I didn't measure so some of these are guesstimates! Hope you like! ~Kerri

Ingredients:

2 Portabellas

1 large bag of baby spinach leaves

14oz can of fire roasted tomatoes

1 mini can of sliced olives

1/4 cup or so of reduced fat feta

Generous sprinkle of black pepper, oregano, basil, garlic powder

Shredded mozzarella cheese

Portabellas

1. Wipe clean and remove stems.
2. Place in a baking dish with top facing down.
3. Brush inside with 1 tbs of Italian dressing in each (you could also use wine or a vinegar of choice).
4. Let marinate for 45 minutes.

Spinach Stuffing

1. Heat olive oil in saute pan.
2. Saute spinach until wilted on medium heat.
3. Add remaining ingredients execpt for mozzarella cheese.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Stuff portabellas top with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 15 - 20 minutes in a 350 oven.

Thanks for sharing, Kerri! Can't wait to try this one out at Chez Currin. To share a recipe with your favorite Midtown Raleigh Moms type it into an email or Word document and send it along to missycurrin@strollerstrides.net and I'll post it up here for all to try.

Our February Mom of the Month...

Our Mom of the Month Program honors moms for making strides in fitness, motherhood and life and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time! February's Mom of the Month is Sharon Morris (aka Alexander's mom)!

Sharon's hard work during class and amazing attendance record have really paid off... every time we see her there's less of her to look at! She is getting so fit and trim that we wanted to honor her efforts and encourage other moms with her success story. Sharon has also agreed to serve as our Playgroup Co-Captain starting in February and will be planning and coordinating our playgroup activities with our current Playgroup Captain, Nora!

It has been a joy to get to know Sharon this Fall/Winter and to call her our friend. Here are a few interesting facts about Sharon to help you get to know her even better...

Hometown Raleigh, NC
Education NC State University
Stroller Strides Member since October 2010
Members of your Family William (hubby), Alexander (son), and Bernie (beagle/chihauhau mix)
Current Career Mom! previously a project manager
What was your childhood ambition? To be a judge
What does motherhood mean to you? Being challenged and rewarded each day in ways I never imagined.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Western Europe
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Helped me tone up and feel the best about my body ever! It has also allowed me to get out and meet some amazing women (gee- thanks, Sharon!).
What is your favorite exercise? Lunges or squats- I am trying to one day have a perky backside!
What is your proudest moment? Every time my mom instinct kicks in and I figure Alexander out.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Reading, laying on the beach and being outdoors doing anything!
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. After college I used my sociology/criminal justice degree and worked for a police department. I got to go to training and become a Certified Hostage Negotiator.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Patience, dedication, and organization.