Visit Your Local Park this July For National Park and Recreation Month #ParkRecLuv

Did you know July is national Park and Recreation Month? We love our local parks and, since we live up in the mountains, we visit them often for day and weekend trips with the kids. We can go biking, hiking or even just stay at one of the cabins. There are 9 state parks within 50 miles of our house and the one we visit most often is the Amicalola Falls park, which is absolutely beautiful and has an amazing lodge or you can even hike to an inn that is only reachable by foot! This area is perfect for families and makes for such a great day or weekend trip.

We also have several local parks that the kids love and, in fact, Josiah just had his birthday at one nearby. It has a playground and splash pad, so we could cool off afterwards.

We've spent so much time at local parks as a family and have made some wonderful memories together. Looking at all of our pictures has been a great trip down memory lane and I am sure there will be many more in the future. Here is a picture of Liam's first visit to Amicalola Falls at only a few weeks old, all wrapped up in a baby sling as we hiked around trails!

As part of Park and Recreation Month, the National Recreation and Park Association has one important question for everyone to answer:

"I Love my Parks and Recreation Because..."

You can visit the NPRA website for more information on their initiatives, free resources, a calendar of fun events nationwide and about their month-long weekly photo contest!

Yes, I said contest! 

We love our giveaways and contests here, so we are excited to share this one with you. Get out and about this month as a family and explore your local park or recreation area. Then, share your experience with them via social media. Easy, right? Go to the NPRA Facebook page, click on the Show UR Love Contest and enter for a chance to win a $500 gift card and more! Go and show some love for your local parks by snapping some great family photos.

I try to make summer vacation as fun as possible and this means we spend a great deal of time at our local parks. The boys just love running around and going down slides. I love that we get some great exercise and it gives them a way to get out some of their energy. We just recently packed a turkey sandwich picnic lunch and headed to a park, which the boys liked very much.

There is still time this month and during summer vacation to visit your local parks! Believe me, your kids will really enjoy the experience. Be sure to snap pictures for the contest, too. So, what do you like most about your local parks and recreation?

Whole Body Workout At Home

So you want a flatter stomach and think just focusing on your abs will make that happen. Do you

wonder why you don’t see the results you want, and then give up?

Well something you may never have been told is that to lose weight and tone up requires you to

work the whole body. Yes it’s not the answer you wanted but it is achievable and at the comfort of

your own home. The trick is that the more muscles you work the more calories you burn.

Things you’ll need:

• T-shirt
• Exercise bottoms
• Trainers
• A chair
• An exercise mat
• Motivation

Belly-buster
To banish that muffin top work on different sets with your abs and increase your reps when the

routine becomes too easy.

Plank- You will need to hold the plank for at least 30 seconds and then release.

Mountain climbers- this will work the core muscles of your stomach which will then strengthen it.

Bicycle crunch –twist your body so your elbows touch your knees and break down reps of 15-20 with

slower bicycle crunches.

Legs
Leg lifts- Begin with 15 reps on each leg and then repeat once, then on your next work out build up

your routine by 5-10 sets.

Squats- Many people think that the quicker you do a squat the quicker the results, this is a myth. By

moving slowly you will tone up more. To break down the squats do a set of 4 squats then 4 bottom

halves and repeat all the way through a 3-4 minute song.

Lunges- When performing your lunges exercise it important to perfect this technique rather than

injure yourself. Do 15 -20 reps on each leg depending on you are used to lunges. Then add reps as

you progress.

Arms

Triceps dip- use the edge of your chair and put the palm of your hands on the edge of seat. Sit at a

90 degree angle and slowly go down breathing equally.

Press ups- This another great exercise because as well as the arms it works muscles around the body.

If you need to use your knees for support then do so. Slowly build your strength so you can hold a

press up without the support of your knees.

Running
If you are not a runner by nature then build yourself up, use the stairs to run up and down in.

Whether you are carrying your washing, new clothes then run up the stairs at every opportunity

you get. If you use public transport a lot then get off a stop or two early and brisk walk. Waiting for

dinner to heat up then don’t waste time jog on the spot for 30 seconds then up to a minute and so

on.

Food
If you are someone who snacks a lot during the day then make sure it is all healthy and filling. Add

yoghurt (vanilla flavour will add a nice taste) with strawberries, bananas and berries. Being healthy

does not have to be boring, but spoil yourself once a week with your guilty foods.

Author bio: This post was written by Shehla Ali on behalf of Powerhouse Fitness the UK’s leading

supplier of fitness equipment.

Holiday Gift Guide Event: Knocked-Up Fitness DVD's Review/Giveaway

One thing I wish I would have done while pregnant with my daughter was work out. I've never been too great at keeping up with a workout,I usually get bored, or like what happened just recently, Netflix took the workout videos off. This time around, as we're trying to conceive, I've really been starting to look at different work out videos and many of them have been Prenatal workouts. I want to make sure that I get my chance to work out and stay extra-healthy this time around!

I've heard that while you are pregnant you can continue working out if you're able. Well I decided it was time to find a workout that I could do before and throughout a future pregnancy.

So when I got the opportunity to review the Knocked-Up Fitness DVD's I was super excited. These DVD's were not what I was expecting. Honestly, I was thinking that I could just fly through these workouts and I would be able to do this easily. I mean, the lady doing them is very pregnant, so I should have no problem right?

I was wrong!
These Fitness DVD's are no joke and are awesome. I got the best workout I've every had. I loved that you were given tips as well as Beginner Advanced moves, which was super helpful.

One thing I really enjoyed was using the Thera Band. I've never used one before and was a little skeptical at first, but it was great. I've been trying to do these work outs as often as I can, and honestly am so glad I got the chance to review them. I look forward to continuing use with any future pregnancies, if I'm able!

Along with these Fitness DVD's, I was sent 6 simple tips to ensure your baby arrives as healthy as possible.

1. Eat nutritiously and make sure you take your vitamins! Pregnant women should adhere to a healthy diet that includes daily servings of whole grains, lean protein, and fruits and vegetables. A diet filled with the right foods can help you avoid conditions such as gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia.

2. Avoid toxins and chemicals that may harm your baby, including many common household solvents and cleaning agents. If you must use these chemicals, make sure the room is well ventilated and wear appropriate clothing to protect your skin.

3. Protect your baby from radiation. These days it seems nearly impossible to avoid the radiation that comes from common technology like iPads, cell phones, laptops and other electronic devices, but attention has recently been brought to the harmful effects of these products on a fetus. Taking the precaution of shielding against radiation exposure throughout pregnancy can significantly lower the health risk. Belly Armor products use RadiaShield® technology, which is integrated with basic maternity wear and accessories, to shield more than 99 percent of radiation, making every day tasks safer for mom and her growing baby.

4. Drink water. It is important for pregnant women to drink enough water to maintain proper circulation. Try to drink several full glasses of water per day to help you stay hydrated. This is especially important during times of excessive heat.

5. Keep Your Body and Mind Fit. Maintaining a regular exercise routine two or three times a week and eating wisely throughout pregnancy can help you stay healthy and decrease some common discomforts, such as backaches and fatigue. Pilates is known to be the safest and most effective type of exercise during pregnancy as it helps to strengthen your core, which makes for an easier labor and delivery. Try Knocked-Up Fitness DVDs with pilates master Erica Ziel!

6. Set goals and track your progress. Use the Use the Mama2b Fitbook to ensure an active and healthy pregnancy. The Mama2b Fitbook is a notebook that includes a guide to determine a goal for healthy baby weight gain, tips for a fit pregnancy, and power pregnancy foods to feed a growing baby bump.

What exercise routines do you have during pregnancy? 

Ready For A Giveaway?

One Lucky Children Teaching Mama Reader Will Win The Knocked-Up Fitness DVDs we received to review! 

Together Counts Encourages Us To Stay Active This Fall Season #TogetherCounts

 I have always been very active and enjoy being on-the-go all the time. Now that I have a family, we are even more busy pretty much all the time! The fall is one of my favorite seasons because there is so much to do. We live up in the mountains, so the fall is when our little town gets busy and and we have a blast.

I want my children to be happy, healthy and active, which is exactly what Together Counts, a nationwide program, inspires others to do, too! The Together Counts principle is Energy Balance. This means you balance the amount of calories eaten in foods with the calories you burn from exercising and staying active. No sitting indoors watching tv when we can be outdoors enjoying nature.

Together Counts is the first kind of coalition bringing together almost 200 retailers, food/beverage manufacturers, restaurants, sporting goods and many other businesses. You can check out their website for some amazing resources, both local and nationwide. There is even a service locator feature that helps you find nearby businesses and activities encouraging physical activity, health and nutrition, food and recipes and much more!

Here are a few fun fall activities for your family:

1. Go for a hike. We live up in the mountains and have many state parks and trails nearby. Search online for local trails. You can be outdoors, enjoy the weather and get some exercise.

Beautiful fall weather in the mountains while hiking!

2. Go fishing! We are far from master fishermen, but we still enjoy it. The kids get their little reels and love trying to fling them in the water. Honestly, we have never caught anything, but that's ok! They have more fun splashing in the creek.

3. Ride bicycles as a family. You can ride around your neighborhood or go to a local/state park. Many have fun bicycle trails and, in the fall, the scenery is so pretty!

Having a great time picking apples!

4. Go to a fall festival. Many states and cities celebrate annually with a fall festival. Take a stroll around, look at all the arts and crafts and enjoy what the festival has to offer. Stay away from junk food and look for the local produce. We have an Apple Festival every year and our local apples are absolutely delicious!

5. Go apple or pumpkin picking. This year we went to an apple house to pick apples. I had no idea just how much exercise we would get while walking around the fields. There were thousands of trees with different types of apples. We walked for miles and we were having so much fun, it really didn't even seem like work. Then we rewarded ourselves by making caramel apples. Yum!

There are so many things I love about fall, including all of the healthy recipes that go perfectly with fall weather. Vegetable soup is one of my favorite things to make and is perfect on a cold, windy day. I also enjoy making vegetarian chili for the family in the fall. My husband likes his a little spicy to warm him up.

How do you stay active during the fall season? 

Click Here to see how you can help win your child's school a $30,000 grant with the Find Your Balance Challenge. There are several other prizes, too!

Be sure to join the Together Counts Twitter party next Wednesday, October 17th from 8-9PM EST with the hashtag #TogetherCounts. We hope to see you there. 

Also keep up with all the latest news from Together Counts by following via Facebook, their blog and Pinterest!

Disclosure: This post was written for Together Counts in conjunction with Resourceful Mommy Media. All opinions written are my own.

Together Counts Encourages Families To Become More Healthy & Active + 5 Fun Outdoor Activities

This year we've been very lucky with the weather here in Georgia. Spring arrived very early this year and at the beginning of March we've had highs in the 80s already! I'm so happy because we are an outdoor kind of family. We love being outside and, since we live in the mountains, there is always something fun to do. It's so important to stay active as a family, especially for children. Why? Being active benefits children in may ways, including promoting healthy growth and development, building strong bones and muscles, and improving self-esteem! I notice my children are much happier after spending time outside and I think we parents also benefit from getting some fresh air and letting the children burn off some of that extra energy!

There are many ways we stay active with this kids and I highly recommend as a family. Here are 5 ways to stay active outdoors with children this Spring and Summer!

1. Plan a visit to a national or state park! We live close to the Amicalola Falls State Park because there are several hiking trails, beautiful scenery and you can even hike to see the amazing falls. They even have a hike-inn where you hike up part of the mountain and spend the night.

2. Plant a garden! We plant a garden every year. The boys love digging in the dirt and it's great exercise! This year I bought them their own above-ground garden, which is an 8x8 area. They can dig in it, plan flowers and vegetables, etc. Not only is it fun for them, but they learn something from the experience and get to enjoy the results! We have already planted our flowers and have one tomato plant that has several tomatoes already forming.

3. Go fishing! Older kids may actually love to go fishing. We go out to our creek and walk along the rocks. Josiah enjoys casting his reel, but more than anything he just likes playing in the water. Encourage children to look for the fish and find other creatures in the water. We always find clam shells, crayfish and other goodies to tote home with us.

4. Backyard Water Games - We have 2 water tables and the kids go wild with them. You can also get cheap little pools or even just water guns and let them chase each other around. Kids love water!

Hearthsong Folding Trampoline Review

 With the winter months finally here and snow fast approaching, we spend more and more time indoors! This means two little boys with a ton of energy, trapped indoors and one Mama going insane. That's why I have been searching for great toys that can be used indoors and that help kids burn off some of that energy. We love Hearthsong and all of their fun, educational and artistic. We received the Folding Trampoline to review and I couldn't wait to try this one out!

About the Folding Trampoline
A great outlet for kids' energy, this space-saving trampoline can be folded up and hidden under a bed. Just fold the legs into the heavy-duty nylon mesh base, attach the bungee cords and tuck it away.

One of the safest trampolines around, with slip-proof feet; padded covers protect little feet from sliding into the bungee cord openings, and the padded handle adds an extra measure of security.

Use it indoors or out; both bounce mat and finish are waterproof

Weight up to 60 pounds. Adult Supervision is recommended while this item is in use. Sorry, gift wrap is not available.
For ages 3 and up. 

My Thoughts
As soon as the boys saw this trampoline, they couldn't wait to give it a try. In fact, this is something Josiah has wanted for quite a while. As soon as I quickly assembled the item, they were ready to expend some of that energy!

You know how some toys lose their excitement after a day or so? The Folding Trampoline is definitely not in that category! This toy is something they come back to every single day not only once, but usually twice or more. We do arts & crafts each day as well as imaginative play, but they get the most exercise from their Folding Trampoline. I tried a fun workout routine for the kids, but they never got into it. Luckily, we have the Folding Trampoline!

You can purchase the Folding Trampoline on Hearthsong for only $79.98! This is a gift any child would love to receive as a holiday present. Let us know if you purchase one!

Check back soon for our Hearthsong Gift Credit Giveaway for the Holiday Gift Guide!