Haddonfield

 This week, I felt a little cabin fever setting in. As much as I get out and have play dates with my other mom friends, even a few days at home can start to feel like groundhog day; each day pretty much the same. 

With the weather so nice, we decided to take a little "field trip" over to New Jersey and visit a very cute little town called Haddonfield. There are a ton of boutiques, restaurants, and coffee shops. We really didn't have anything we were looking for, just wanted to get out. 

We started by doing a loop around the main street to check everything out. 

After checking things out, we decided on lunch outside at a place called Bistro. They serve breakfast and lunch, and we split a greek salad and cheeseburger. The food was good, and the atmosphere was especially nice because we got to sit outside.  It's funny how weather in the 50's suddenly feels so liberating after being inside all winter. Some people got a little too excited though. I spotted a few walking around in shorts and flip flops. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here.  

C slept during lunch

After he woke up 

He was smiling soon enough

Surprisingly, didn't have anything for me

Cute Easter window

We stopped in a running store; I really need new shoes but didn't want to go through the process of getting fitted. If you're a runner, make sure you get properly fitted- don't just buy what looks cute. It can make a big difference. 

C inside Haddonfield Running Co

Indulgence Cupcakery

On our way back to the car we found a place that does customized cookie flavors. You pick a cookie (chocolate, butter, or original), spread (peanut butter, white chocolate, chocolate, or marshmallow), and toppings that were all over the place. You could also pick a cookie that was pre-made. We got a 6 pack of different flavors, and the few that we've tried are amazing! They're a very cute wedding favor idea too (Michelle!).








It was the perfect way to spend our Saturday, and I am so excited for the weather to keep getting warmer!

Not my finest moment

The weather the past few days has been so unpredictable. Forecast said snow, but it was mild and around 40. I packed up C in his fleece bear suit to head out for a run.

Feeling good, singing to C, getting used to the whole running with a stroller thing, when I was rounding my street corner and felt a knot in my stomach. The cleaning lady was in the house when I left, and her car was no longer there. "please have the back door be open" I thought.

No such luck, mama. I ran through the many bad scenarios that could happen...C could need a diaper change, neighbors wouldn't be home for help, cps could come and take the baby because I was clearly an unfit mother...

By some miracle, Matt was literally pulling into the driveway as I called him frantically. Over an hour earlier than he's usually home! I think C is my lucky charm.

Some luck. Happy Friday!

Run Like a Mother

Recently, I've been feeling a bit limited with the time I have to run during the week. I have to teach Tuesdays and Thursdays, so they're out. After Matt gets home from work it's usually dark (and even colder than during the daytime) so that's not out, but not ideal.

I decided a good solution would be a jogging stroller so I can run during the day and get my workout done. Everyone says the BOB is the best stroller for actual running, but the 400 plus price tag gave me pause. We already splurged on the Uppababy Vista stroller http://uppababy.com/products/product.php?id=236 which we love and have gotten a lot use out of it.

A friend suggested searching craigslist for used BOBs in good condition, and I got quite the steal! I made sure to inspect the stroller well when we checked it out in person, looking for general wear and tear, treads on the tires, made sure the front wheel locked properly, etc. The stroller was in great condition; the former owner just had kids that weren't into riding in it anymore and she wanted to get rid of a lot of baby things.

My stroller is a BOB revolution http://www.zoostores.com/shop/catalog/product/view/id/438118/s/bob-revolution-sports-experience-black-stroller.html -this website has them on sale right now.

I got C all bundled up in his fleece snow suit, slathered some aquaphor on his lips and cheeks (to protect from cold air), and we were ready for our first run together. 

"I'm so excited, Mom!"

Ready to run

C doing his best bear impression

The stroller felt great, very smooth and easy to push. Maybe not "easy", but not bumpy. I did discover that running with a stroller is decidedly harder than without. I felt great in terms of knees, ankles, feet, but my lungs were burning! Pushing the stroller increased the cardiovascular workout, and not having both arms to pump while running also made it harder. 

I timed the run with a nap time, but was surprised to see that C didn't fall asleep at all. Maybe he's transitioning to 2 naps? He was up for more than 2 hours in between his first and second nap today, but completely pleasant and not tired, so maybe it'll be down to 2 longer naps. I'm fine with that. 

Warm layers for cold running

For cold weather running, I always wear layers, and never anything 100% cotton- that will just hold moisture and get cold. I'm wearing Lululemon- run inspire legging, cool racerback tank, headband/earwarmer, and socks. Nike 1/2 zip mock turtleneck and Old Navy puffy vest. I promise to do a post soon about my favorite workout gear. I spend so much time in workout clothes that a lot of them double as "everyday" clothing for me. Maybe not such a great thing, haha. 

Happy Monday!

Work it!

Today's workout is inspired by some of the moves from the ZAKTi video shoot yesterday. Keeping with the principles of ZAKTi, make sure you are executing good form with each movement. If you move well you will optimize the end result, which is what everyone wants when you're working out.

Circuit 1
20 burpees
1 min plank, march feet up and down at a slow count of 2 seconds
20 alternating side lunges
20 alternating front lunge with a hammer curl and shoulder press

Circuit 2
20 squat jumps
20 1 legged rows- switch after 10
V sit- hold for 30 seconds
20 crunches w a pullover and chest press

Repeat each circuit at least 2 times!

Video Shoot

Today was the big day! I'm writing this from bed, completely exhausted after this morning. Its only noon but feels much later. This morning I needed to leave the house by about 6:30, which meant I needed to get up around 5 to make sure there was enough time to feed the baby, get his bottle ready for when I was going to be away, shower, etc etc. Even though I'm more than used to waking up so early, I had just fallen back into a deep sleep (from being awake for a 3:30 am feeding) when the alarm went off. I'm really not even sure why I set the alarm, C always gets up around 5 anyway.

I gave him extra kisses before I left, and put him back to bed. This was the first time I wasn't home when he woke up for the morning! I'm sure he was just as excited to see dad. He did have a lot of fun last night, maybe a little too much fun ;)

I checked out the set once I got there. Very cool, used to be an old theatre that has been transformed into the video studio. 

Hair and makeup was next. Since I was the only woman in the video, I obviously had the most "work" to be done. The makeup artist did a pretty basic natural face- BB cream, neutral eyeshadow, brow pencil/gel, eyeliner, mascara. She set everything with a pressed powder and did a simple lip with neutral gloss. I really liked how she lined my eyes. I usually skip that step but it does help to open the eye and look more awake- which I certainly need help with these days!

For my outfit, I kept it simple with all black. Lululemon wunder under crops and scoop neck tank.

Once we were all ready, shooting started. It was tough at first to make sure we were all together, doing the right number of reps, and staying on the beat. I was in charge of counting down, and I'm pretty sure we had to do a few extra takes because I messed up the counts! Good thing they can edit. 

The toughest part was re-shooting certain segments that were focused on one body part. The workout was pretty heavy on shoulders, so mid way through we were all getting pretty tired. 

Today was really fun, and I can't wait to share information about where you can purchase the Zakti fitness DVD!

                                    

Hmmm

I'm pretty sure men lack the ability to tell if a size is way off.

Two examples. The tee shirt my brother got C while on his honeymoon in Thailand. He thought it might be too small.

The other example is the phillies hat my husband thought would fit C this summer. Barring some extreme head growth spurt, I don't think it will.

Busy Thursday

Today C and I shook things up and headed into the city to meet with my friend Pete Mattis at Zakti fitness http://zaktionline.com/. Pete originally got me into teaching group fitness, and I'm so happy that he has his own studio up and running. We share a lot of the same fitness philosophies; especially the principle that good form is the key to a good workout. You can do a hundred squats with mediocre form and never see results. Tighten up that form and do 10 perfect squats; you'll feel and see the difference.

Pete Mattis

C watched as Pete did a plank

This weekend we are shooting Pete's first fitness video, so we ran through some moves and talked about different ideas. It should be fun, and I'll update after the shoot. 

Another friend, Josh Thornton, will be in the video. Josh runs his own company, My Epic Strength http://www.myepicstrength.com, and he's partnered up with Pete. Josh's workouts are intense- not for the faint of heart! 

Josh Thornton

Zakti

C playing on his activity mat

After getting home from the city, I had about an hour before I had to leave to teach class. When I finally got home at around 7:15 I was exhausted. I threw together a quick and healthy dinner- 2 eggs, 1 egg white, diced onion and red pepper, handful of spinach. I like to make this when I need something quick and light. 

Doused in Sriracha of course!