DIY salt scrub soothes dry summer skin!

Last week I was lucky enough to spend a relaxing week with my family at the Jersey Shore (it's not all GTL, folks!). We played on the beach, took long bike rides, checked out the island's many playgrounds, did some bird watching in the marshes, and just generally had a fabulous week of active family time.

Monty's "Bee" gives him a lesson in shallow water boogie boarding

All of these great activities left us covered in sweat, sand, and sunscreen at the end of the day... a stinky and sticky combination! Luckily my mom left a batch of her homemade salt scrub in the enclosed outdoor shower for all to use. My skin has never felt more refreshed! So I thought I would share with you all this super easy homemade salt scrub recipe so you can all feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Enjoy!

DIY Salt Scrub
Ingredients

• Coarse salt (sea salt or kosher will do)
• Baby oil
• Plastic container with a lid (any "tupperware" container will do)

Directions

1. Pour salt and oil into the container. The ratio is 1:1 (1 part salt to 1 part oil). No need to mix as the salt inevitably sinks to the bottom. Make as little or as much as you want.
   
2. Apply in small amounts in the shower with a circular motion using your hands, washcloth or bath mitt- avoiding sensitive areas like the face and neck. Rinse and pat dry. Your skin should feel gently exfoliated and moisturized.

Possible substitutions- You can substitute raw/turbinado sugar for salt but beware of attracting ants. Other oils that you can use include almond oil, extra virgin coconut oil, scented baby oil, or vegetable oils (but you probably want to avoid olive oil because it is a bit smelly). A few drops of essential oils can be added for fragrance as well.

A word of warning: this may leave your bathtub/shower feeling a bit slippery because of oil build-up on the tub/tiles so be careful!

Free Stroller Strides Classes this week at all Midtown Raleigh locations!

Try Stroller Strides for FREE during the week of

June 20-24th, 2011!

The North Hills Mall & The NC Museum of Art Park

Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh would like to invite all local moms out to try our program for a full week at no charge! Join us for up to 5 classes for free. Please note: this offer is not valid for those holding an active Membership, Class Pass, or Living Social voucher.

Schedule:

• Monday, 6/20: North Hills Mall @ 9am
  


• Tuesday, 6/21: NC Museum of Art Park @ 9am
  


• Wednesday, 6/22: North Hills Mall @ 9am


• Thursday, 6/23: NC Museum of Art Park @ 9am


• Friday, 6/24: North Hills Mall @ 9am
  

Locations:

• North Hills Mall (Midtown Raleigh): Meet in front of the movie theater


• NC Museum of Art Park (Midtown Raleigh): Meet in between the East & West bldgs

Interested in signing up for Stroller Strides?

Don't miss our special Membership & Class Pass discounts--

this week only!

Commonly-Asked Questions:

What should I bring?

Please bring a sturdy stroller, a towel or mat for ab work, water, walking/athletic shoes and attire, and any toys/snacks for the little one/s as desired.

Do I need to pre-register?

You can pre-register so that your info is on file by clicking here. However you can also show up on any day (or every day!) between June 20-24th to attend class for free. We suggest arriving 10-15 minutes before the start of class.

What is Stroller Strides?

Stroller Strides is a total fitness program for moms that they can do with their baby or stroller-age child. The hour-long workout includes power walking and intervals of body toning, using exercise tubing and the stroller. Taught by nationally certified instructors who are trained in pre- and post-natal fitness, it's a great workout for any fitness level.

Fitness for Mom, Fun for Baby

In addition to providing a great full body workout for moms, we engage the children throughout our classes through songs and activities, keeping baby entertained while mom exercises. We welcome moms and babies from 6 weeks to any age that they’ll stay in a stroller (usually about 4 years old).

More than an Exercise Program

Our program also offers our Luna Mom Playgroup at no additional cost (click here for Midtown/North Raleigh area) that consists of weekly playgroups after class, monthly moms night out activities and special community events. Don't put it off any longer... come join all the Stroller Strides fun!

We hope to see you soon!

-Team Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh

One way to Avoid the "Farmer's Tan"

The sun is shining on Stroller Strides classes and the farmer's tans are starting to emerge! There's nothing I can do about the white feet (shoes are required for class :)) but I can help you with the t-shirt tan lines! I'm putting in an order for some warm-weather Stroller Strides apparel and would love to include you in my order for Chocolate Brown ribbed tanks (sizes M-XXL). You've seen Alicia sport hers in class these last few months and doesn't she look great?! Now these tanks are available for just $18.99 if you order by tomorrow (March 18th).

Available in sizes M-XXL (runs small- order up one size) for $18.99 (includes shipping). The order goes in tomorrow (Friday, 3/18)! Email me ASAP if you want one missycurrin@strollerstrides.net or purchase after class tomorrow!

Cash, check, or VISA/MC accepted.

Staying Fit on Vacation

Here's my little guy on the beach in Ocean City, NJ- he LOVES the beach!

I've been so blessed this summer with a couple of wonderful family beach vacations. One week in Holden Beach, NC with my husband's family, one week in Ocean City, NJ with my family and various weekends with more of my husband's family in Carolina Beach, NC. While it is a treat to be at the beach it is not easy to fit in my workout when I am away from our daily routine!

A few weeks ago I drafted this blog post for WRAL's Go Ask Mom blog and it has been such great accountability for me. I can't go on vacation and not workout after writing about staying fit on vacation! Plus- I knew I had my Stroller Strides ladies to come home to... I couldn't come back out of shape!


So please read my latest blog post... at this address:

http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/goaskmom/blogpost/8020727/

And leave me a comment if you want to share about the exercise you got while on vacation!

Keeping Kids Cool in the Stroller

Starting July 1st (a Friday) we're moving Stroller Strides classes to 9am. This is an effort to keep our moms and kids out of the midday heat. However, it can still be pretty steamy here any time of day in the Raleigh area so I thought I'd share some ideas to keep kids cool in the stroller. Feel free to comment with your own ideas for keeping kids cool in the stroller too!

*Keep baby hydrated with a water bottle or sippy cup of nice cool water- don't forget one for yourself too!

*Bring a snack of frozen fruit to be eaten in the stroller

*Keep your kiddo up to 10 degrees cooler with a Stroll-n-Cool stroller insert ($53 including shipping).

*Provide plenty of shade for baby. If your stroller lacks a large enough canopy to provide shade- try one of these products...

*Shade your baby in the stroller with a fashionable parasol from BabySunX ($42.99).


*Shade your infant in his/her car seat with a darling Airy Cotton Car Seat Cover from BabbCo ($50).


*A "ray" shade (available on Amazon, Target.com, Babies R'Us, etc).

Check out these items and more at www.strollerstrides.com in the Stroller Strides store under "Stroller and Class Accessories".

Of course, Monty's favorite way to keep cool in the stroller is to dump his water bottle on himself... he's wet, but happy! Whatever works, right?!