Win a Gift Card to The Container Store!

We are giving away a $25 gift card to The Container Store! Click on the link for a list of all the ways to enter...
http://app.e2ma.net/app2/campaigns/archived/1406276/be3b6490844249ea7432095ad3438d4c/

You do not have to be a Stroller Strides, Fit4Baby or playgroup member to win!

Monkey-See-Monkey-Do

My son is now a toddler... and he doesn't miss a thing. And for better or worse it's Monkey-See-Monkey-Do at our house. It is hilarious to watch him brush his teeth, floss, and drink from a cup at bedtime (just like mom & dad). He stumbles around the house wearing our shoes and loves to dress up in my jewelry (much to his father's chagrin). He even puts his new stuffed dog on a leash and drags her up and down the sidewalk in front of our house (and the poor thing seriously needs a bath in the washing machine because of it!) and uses an old plastic grocery bag to pick up "poop" (so far just sticks- thankfully). He has started to sing along with the songs we sing in Stroller Strides class with his favorites being: Row, Row, Row Your Boat, Twinkle, Twinkle, and the ABCs. He even surprised us the other day by counting to ten.

It is amazing... and a little sobering. It makes me think about what behaviors I'm role-modeling to him on a daily basis and which ones I'd like to see him imitate. I've decided that these are some of the things (because this list is a work in progress) that I want him to imitate...

1. I want him to know how to exercise and like doing it
2. I want him to eat his fruits, veggies, whole grains, lean proteins- and like them!
3. I want him to be kind, gentle, generous and patient with his friends, family, and community

So, I've got to make sure I'm role-modeling these behaviors to him daily because he really doesn't miss a thing. I'll keep taking him to Stroller Strides with me, stock my house with and prepare healthy foods, be kind, gentle, and patient with him, and take him along with me to volunteer (when appropriate). I can't yet figure out how you teach a toddler to share toys though... any suggestions?

What behaviors do you want your children to imitate and how are you going about it? Please share!

Feeding the Family: Creamy Chicken-Apple Chili

There's nothing like a bowl full of hearty & healthy chili using fresh seasonal ingredients (like apples) on a crisp cool fall day (or a hot sunny one as the case may be)! Which is why I love this recipe and want to share it with you! Though it may sound a bit strange it has become a family favorite and even my toddler loves it! It was originally a Rachel Ray recipe but I've made it so many times my way that I can't even tell you what is different about it anymore. So thanks, Rachel, and here it is... enjoy!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 lbs chicken breasts/tenders, cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
• 4 tsp chili powder
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 2 apples, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 3/4 cup milk
• 2 150z cans of kidney beans, rinsed
• Shredded cheese to taste

Directions:

1. In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, chili powder and cumin. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes; transfer to a bowl.
2. In the same (as yet unwashed) pot, heat the remaining 2 Tbsp olive oil. Add the apples and onion and cook, stirring, until softened, 6 minutes; add to the chicken.
3. In the same (still unwashed) pot, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Whisk in the flour for 1 minute; whisk in the chicken broth and milk until thickened, 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken-apple-onion mixture and the beans and bring to a simmer. Simmer for approximately 30 minutes or so. Serve topped with cheese and enjoy!
4. Oh, and now you can wash the pot!
   

FREE STROLLER STRIDES CLASSES THIS WEEK Oct 11-16th!

Try Stroller Strides for FREE,

Oct 11-16th, 2010

North Hills Mall, Crowder Park, or Lake Johnson Park

Stroller Strides of Midtown Raleigh would like to invite all local moms out to try our program (the largest and fastest-growing mom/baby fitness program in the nation) for a full week at no charge! Join us for up to 6 classes for free (offer valid for all who are new to Stroller Strides).

Schedule:

• Mon, Oct 11th, 10am: North Hills Mall or Crowder District Park
  
• Tues, Oct 12th, 10am: Lake Johnson Park
• Wed, Oct 13th, 10am: North Hills Mall or Crowder District Park
• Thurs, Oct 14th, 10am: Lake Johnson Park
• Fri, Oct 15th, 10am: North Hills Mall
• Sat, Oct 16th, 10am: Crowder District Park (FAMILY CLASS--Dads welcome too at no additional charge!)

For directions, registration information and more click HERE!

Luna Moms Club Tip of the Week:

Take time to volunteer in your community with your family. Find activities the whole family can do, such as:

• Visit an elderly neighbor
  
• Visit a children's hospital
• Deliver Meals On Wheels
• Work at a food bank

What do you do to give back to your community? And how can you involve your family?

A Prescription for Prenatal Exercise

Years ago, women were told to decrease their physical activity during pregnancy. Now, we see that this may have contributed to the obesity epidemic. Almost all experts now agree about the numerous benefits of exercise during pregnancy. We know that it lessens or alleviates almost every discomfort of pregnancy. It helps create better childbirths and healthier babies. Yet, many pregnant women are still uncertain about how much exercise is safe and often feel it is better to abstain. Recent studies indicate that it is the doctors who are most likely to influence how much or even if their clients exercise during pregnancy. For this reason, I hope that doctors realize their tremendous responsibility in educating their clients about safe prenatal exercise.

Interestingly enough, the approach for exercise prescription for pregnant women does not differ much from that of non-pregnant individuals. Women who didn’t previously exercise can begin exercising during pregnancy so long as they start slow and build up gradually. I would recommend the same to someone who wasn’t pregnant! Of course, you should check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.

Here are some good recommendations for a woman experiencing a healthy pregnancy:

• Exercise most if not all days of the week.
• You should exercise approximately 30-minutes per day.
• You can participate in most physical activities. Of course, you should evaluate risk of falling or abdominal trauma in a sport (and Scuba diving should be avoided).
• Heart rate is not reliable for determining exercise intensity. Instead use a talk test or an RPE (rate of perceived exertion) scale.

Remember, exercise during pregnancy has many benefits. Consider prenatal exercise classes with educated professionals to support you through a healthy pregnancy. Talk with your doctor and find out what is right for your pregnancy. When you take good care of yourself during your pregnancy, you give your baby a first gift of health. You are not only getting fit for you, but Fit4Baby® and fit for motherhood!
Orginal article by Lisa Druxman, Founder of Stroller Strides.

Fit4Baby class registration is now open! Email Missy at missycurrin@strollerstrides.net to register or for more information!

Our October Mom of the Month!

Our Mom of the Month program honors moms for their efforts to lead healthy lifestyles and gives us a chance to get to know them better at the same time!

Our October Mom of the Month is Jennie Barker (aka Christian's mom)! Conratulations, Jennie!

Jennie is one of our "Founding Mothers" and has been with us since our very first class. Rarely missing a class in 5 months has had a dramatic effect... just check out Jennie's workout-mom physique and big smile in class one day!

We're all fortunate to know Jennie as a classmate and friend! Here are a few details to get to know her even better...

Hometown Tecumseh, Michigan
Education Eastern Michigan University, BSN
Stroller Strides Member since Um... the beginning :) (april 2010)
Members of your Family Rob my husband and of course Christian
Current Career RN
What was your childhood ambition? To see my name "in lights". It wasn't Nursing or to be a mom... it's funny where life takes you!
What does motherhood mean to you? EVERYTHING
What is the furthest you have been from home? I lived in Arizona for 6 months.
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Helped me fit back into my pre-prego clothes! I never knew how much I needed exercise until I started doing it consistently and I never did it before Stroller Strides.
What is your favorite exercise? Abs and arms
What is your proudest moment? Graduating from college, it took me a long time and not a lot of people in my family have done it.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Reading, shopping, and now exercise!
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. This is a hard one...I danced ballet and jazz for 7 years.
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked him and he said, "patience". I need a lot of that around here.