Luna Moms Club Tip of the Week:

Fact: An amazing variety of toxic substances find their way into carpet, including metals (such as arsenic, lead, and mercury), pesticides, pet dander, fungal spores, bacteria, dust-mite droppings also seep into carpets. New carpet can off-gas for weeks releasing such harmful substances as formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene in a mix of up to 200 different chemicals.

Action: Clear out the carpet and use washable rugs instead or install hardwood floors.

How do dads lose their "baby weight"?

Check out this fun video of one dad's attempt to shed his "baby weight"!



Dads are always welcome at Stroller Strides... if they can handle it!

REEBOK Casting Call

Stroller Strides' new marketing partner, REEBOK, is looking for fit women. We happen to know thousands and would love to see a Stroller Strides Mom in the ads.

Here is the casting post from Reebok: Looking for Caucasian and Hispanic women between the ages of 22-45 to be featured in their 2011 worldwide campaign for Easy Tone shoes. If you meet the following criteria, we would love to invite you to our casting the first week in September!

• Attractive, physically fit and toned. Great legs and rear end a plus.
• Fitness and/or physical activity plays an important role in your life.
• You have an interesting personality or an inspiring story to share…are you a fabulous Mom, business woman or hard working student?

Rate- The fees are still being determined, but it will be a very fair financial compensation.

To Submit- Please send a current photo (if you have a body shot terrific, but not necessary) with your name, phone number, and email address to: cece@dragonflypartners.com. Also include a brief summary about yourself and how you may be an inspiration to other women by making fitness/physical activity an important part of your life.

They will contact you regarding the casting date and time, eligibility will be determined by the casting team.

Good Luck!

Important Stroller Tip:

Strollers are shipped with tires not fully aired up to avoid them being punctured in transit. When your new stroller arrives, be sure to pump a little air into the tires using a bike pump!

Not sure what the recommended tire pressure is for your stroller? Check out our blog post on stroller maintenance from a few weeks ago!

Luna Moms Club Tip of the Week:

Fact: Toys made out of PVC plastics (also called vinyl) often contain additives, such as lead, phthalates, and cadmium, which can leech out increasing your child’s risk for brain damage, cancer, and hormone disruption.

Action: Purchase toys made out of wood or cloth.

Our September Mom of the Month!

This marks the debut of our Mom of the Month program and the first mom to receive this honor is... (drumroll please)... Nora Bray (aka Cooper's mom)!



Nora has been coming religiously to Stroller Strides classes and Luna Moms Club activities since we started in April of 2010. She is currently serving as our Luna Moms Club Playgroup Captain and will be coordinating our playgroup, field trip, and Moms Night Out activities this fall/winter! We're all fortunate to know Nora as a classmate and friend... here are a few more details to get to know her even better!

Hometown Cherry Hill NJ - but I got out early
Education BA East Carolina University
Stroller Strides Member since April 2010
Members of your Family Hubby John & sweet boy Cooper
Current/previous Career Gourmet Food & Candy Broker
What was your childhood ambition? I always wanted to write for a teen magazine like Tiger Beat.
What does motherhood mean to you? It's the job I was born to do.
What is the furthest you have been from home? Rock of Gibraltar in Spain
What has Stroller Strides done for you? Health wise, I am stronger today than I have ever been. I think I could punch someone and really hurt them! Socially, it has been wonderful to make new friends that I have so much in common with.
What is your favorite exercise? Wall Sits and Traditional Crunches
What is your proudest moment? Having an open, positive relationship with Cooper's birth mother. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.
What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Weddings, my monthly Supper Club group, anything monogrammed & preppy.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique. I went to 8 different schools from K -12
If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? I asked him and he said that I am an awesome mom and very loving and outgoing. He also said I am very clean!

Happy Back to School New Year

(Written by Lisa Druxman, CEO & Founder of Stroller Strides)

After two decades in the fitness industry, I have found that September is like a second New Year for moms. After a summer time of crazy schedules with lack of a regular diet or exercise program, back to school seems like the time to get back on track.

Here are my top 5 tips for getting back on track:
1) Plan! You know the saying that those who fail to plan, plan to fail? Well this is definitely true when it comes to your diet. Plan your weekly meals and exercise routine. Be prepared with healthy foods and don’t wait until hunger sets in to grab a bite to eat.

2) Portion! Watch your portion sizes. See how much you would normally choose and then cut it back at each meal. Using smaller plates can make a big difference in your food volume.

3) Write It Down! A food diary may be time consuming but it’s a great way to stay on track. It’s the times you don’t want to write down that you most need to. You may see some surprising trends in your eating when you see it on paper.

4) Weigh In! Now you may be surprised to hear me say that you should weigh in daily or weekly as I am not usually one to be a slave to numbers on the scale. But if your weight is creeping up, it may be the reminder to keep you in check so there are no surprises when you don’t fit in to your jeans.

5) Accountability! Join a workout or group where you are held accountable. Even a workout partner is great! You can’t make up an excuse to skip a workout when someone is waiting for you!

Your exercise and eating behaviors will sway from time to time, season to season. Do your best to avoid drastic extremes on either side as your body truly wants to keep a state of homeostasis. Extreme weight losses or gains are worse for your body than maintaining a higher weight. Be good to yourself and realize that you will feel your best when you are consistent in your health routine!
Original post can be found at http://strollerstrides.com/blog/?p=1628