ChesapeakeMommies

We're on our way!!!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 23 May 2012 04:00:00 +0000

We're soaring high with your help!
The Mommies Network is in the running for a fundraising marketing package that will increase our development efforts. A free ONCORE package from Eleventy Group's 4Good contest will benefit all our members by raising funds with less effort. More money means a better network for mommies across the nation.
Join our facebook event to vote and share. A minute of your time is all it takes.
With gratitude,
The Mommies Network

The Mommies Network needs your help!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Mon, 21 May 2012 20:21:00 +0000

The Mommies Network is a finalist non-profit in Eleventy Group's 4Good contest With a simple click to vote and another to share, you can help boost TMN's fundraising power. Better fundraising means technology upgrades, an expanding network, and more time for our volunteers to focus on what they do best: make mom-to-mom connections everyday.

Join our facebook event to spread the word that will help us spread our wings. Voting costs nothing but a minute of your time.

From everyone at The Mommies Network, thanks for your support.

Free Premium Membership Access for a Limited Time

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Ever wonder what's so special about Premium Access to the National Forum? For a limited time The Mommies Network is offering FREE access to premium content like Debate This and Buy/Sell/Swap to all members.
See what you've been missing by logging on to http://www.themommiesnetwork.org/nationalforum/index.php and get started today.

Free Premium Access is available to all current and new members of The Mommies Network National Forum. It is available NOW through April 30th.

Learn a New Language During Cultural Awareness Month!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Bonjour! Ciao! Hola! Have you been checking the National Chapter and participating in Cultural Awareness Month? In our Multicultural Mommies forum, we’re talking about foreign languages and discovering fun facts about different cultures. Join the celebration, and add some new words and phrases to your linguistic repertoire!

Do you have something to add to the conversation? Share your knowledge with other moms who are learning a language with their children. Go global with TMN as we highlight the many languages and cultures that make our world wonderful!

February Is Cultural Awareness Month!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:38:00 +0000

February is Cultural Awareness Month at The Mommies Network, and we're thinking globally! Share a love for foreign language and different cultures with your child in our Multicultural Mommies forum on our National Chapter. Each week, we'll feature several languages and cultural tidbits. You may also participate and strengthen your language lingo in a special webinar. Additionally, our sponsor will provide information on how you can continue your language-learning experience after the month is over.

According to Associated Content, brain research shows that children are at an optimal age for language learning. Although language study is effective at any age, some studies suggest that the human brain is more open to learning a foreign language from birth to preadolescence. Fortunately, researchers have not found an age in which the language window closes completely, especially in the areas of grammar and vocabulary.

Take advantage of this opportunity to think globally, and join us as we learn about foreign languages and different ways of life during Cultural Awareness Month at TMN!

Reminder: Ring in the New Year With TMN!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The New Year's parties may have ended, but our sponsorship promotion hasn't! We're still ringing in the New Year at The Mommies Network with an incredible deal that will have you reaching for your noisemakers.

Moms may have the greatest buying power, sharing business experiences and trends with one another. And since women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation’s disposable income, targeting this group benefits your company. Resolve to reach this influenial portion of the population by taking advantage of this limited-time promotion.

With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012.

The end of the month is just around the corner, so what are you waiting for? Celebrate with TMN by taking advantage of this amazing deal.

For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.

TMN Weigh-In Challenge News

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Hello, and Happy New Year to everyone!

My name is Karen Skidmore, and I am the owner of Completely Fit, a personal training and fitness company located in Mount Airy, Md. I am a team leader for one of the groups in The Mommies Network Weigh-In Challenge.

All my team members have started off strong and are working very hard to accomplish their goals. They were asked to fill out a detailed questionnaire about their current nutritional and fitness habits, and answer questions about what changes they wanted to create. Based on that information, I have helped each person come up with a detailed action plan that will not only help to accomplish her goals, but more importantly, help to improve her lifestyle.

If you are looking to make a change in your life but are not a part of the Weigh-In Challenge, you too can do it with just a few small changes at a time.

If your nutrition is off track, start by taking away one unhealthy food once a week and replacing it with a healthy food.

If your exercise routine is off track, start by finding something you really enjoy doing — walking, biking, or swimming — and adding 10 minutes of that exercise to your day. Before you know it, exercise will have become a daily routine.

Be sure to track your results, as we do much better when we can see our progress.

I am very excited to be a part of this group and team, and I look forward to reporting our successes back to you each month. — Karen Skidmore, Completely Fit

Family Event Night

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Bring the family to Chuck E. Cheese for Family Night. ChesapeakeMommies will receive 15% from all sales generated between 3pm - 9pm.

Chuck E. Cheese is located at
5 Bel Air South Pky, #1447
Bel Air, MD 21015

This event is open to the public so invite everyone you know.

Naughty Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Have you RSVP'd for the Naughty Santa Party?

No? What are you waiting for?

Go ahead and RSVP right now.

http://www.chesapeakemommies.com/forum/cal_display.php?id=2453&cp_day_start=21&cp_mon_start=1&cp_year_start=2012&cp_category=

Snowball Meltaways

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Yield: about 60 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (8 ounces = 2 sticks)
6 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 teaspoons almond extract
2 cups sifted flour
2 cups pecans, finely chopped
2 cups powdered sugar (for rolling)

Directions:
In small saucepan on stove top, melt butter, browning it ever so slightly. Watch it carefully...DO NOT BURN!!!

Allow melted butter to cool to room temperature. Refrigerate for 10 minutes before using.

Cream butter with sugar and extract.

Gradually add flour, mixing in thoroughly. Stir in finely chopped nuts, chill at least one hour in the refrigerator.

Form teaspoonfuls of dough into balls. Bake on ungreased sheet 20 minutes at 350*F until PALE golden color. Cool slightly, then remove from baking sheets to wire racks to cool another 15 minutes.

Allow to cool slightly, about 15 minutes. Roll while still slightly warm in powdered sugar. Roll again in powdered sugar after they're cool.

Wellness Wednesday ~ Stretching

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Stretching and Weight Training

Stretching muscles in between sets and
especially after workouts promotes better blood flow to the muscles which
supplies nutrients and removes waste. As a result, your soreness should not be
as significant and you should be able to lift more intensely.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Wellness Wednesday ~ Look Fitter

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Rest Up to Look Fitter

Your muscles are actually growing stronger and more
toned in the rest period after you have trained. As a general rule, you should
give your muscles, 48 hours of recovery time between training the same muscle
group again. By skipping the recovery time, you may end up doing more, but
seeing fewer results.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Wellness Wednesday ~ Weights

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

No Clanking the Weights

When using weight machines in your training, do not let the weight plates you
are lifting touch the rest of the stack when you are performing a set. This will
keep continuous tension on your muscles which will lead to better results.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Wellness Wednesday ~ Better Results

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Keep It Challenging for Better Results

You should increase the weight on an exercise when you are able to do more repetitions on a set than you have been regularly doing. If you normally do 20 lb for 10 reps and you find you can do 11 or more reps with that 20 lb you should increase the weight to the point where you can only do 10 or fewer reps. Muscles must continue to be stressed, in order to continue to strengthen and tone. If the weights you are using aren’t challenging anymore, you’re no longer stressing your muscles.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Ring in the New Year with TMN!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:36:00 +0000

Ring in the New Year by reaching moms across the nation!

Women make more than 80 percent of all purchasing decisions and control two thirds of the nation’s disposable income. And moms may have the greatest buying power. What mom doesn’t share the latest trends or personal experiences with a business that has provided products or services for her family or herself?

To help you start the New Year with a bang, The Mommies Network is offering the following:
With all new/renewed sponsorship agreements, your business will receive a complimentary blog feature (advertorial to include logo/product image and 500 words). Prepaid agreements receive a 5 percent discount and a complimentary two months on one sponsorship listing. Sponsors also receive 20 percent off event sponsorships. Offer expires Jan. 31, 2012.

The Mommies Network can help your business reach moms across the nation or in your community. We are a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide a safe, secure, free place for mothers to find support and encouragement from other mothers and to empower them to be better women, parents, and community leaders. Through our online forums, our chapters connect local mothers, enabling them to ask questions, seek support, offer encouragement, find volunteer opportunities, and grow as leaders as they volunteer their time with our site. Our organization provides a valuable service to a portion of the population that is nearly always overlooked, overworked, and taken for granted: moms!

For more details on how your business can ring in the New Year with moms across the nation, please contact Jessica Van Dyke at Jessica.VanDyke@TheMommiesNetwork.org.

How are you reaching the greatest buying power in our nation?

Menu Monday ~ Pretzel Coated Baked Chicken

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Ingredients:
4 large chicken breasts

1-16 oz. bottle Fat-Free Honey Mustard Dressing

About 6-8 ozs. pretzels

2 Large Ziploc bags

Cooking Instructions:
1. Put 4 chicken breasts and 6-8 ozs. Fat-Free Honey Mustard in 1 large Ziploc bag.

2. Leave to marinate at least 30 minutes.

3. Have big kid helper (BKH) put pretzels in the other large Ziploc bag. Have BKH mash pretzels in bag until crumbs are the size of bread crumbs. Have BKH dump pretzel crumbs in a large bowl/plate. (If you don't have a BKH feel free to pulse pretzels in food processor).

4. Pour remaining Fat-Free Honey Mustard Dressing in a second bowl. Have BKH take chicken out of marinade. Dip one breast in pretzel crumbs, then dressing, then pretzel crumbs
again. Make sure chicken has a thick coat of pretzel crumbs.

5. Repeat for all chicken breasts. Place 4 chicken breasts on aluminum foil wrapped baking
dish. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-35 minutes (ovens vary, until chicken is cooked
through).

Recipe submitted to The Mommies Network by Rebecca (chapter unknown).

Wellness Wednesday ~ Cardio Boredom Busters

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Cardio Boredom Busters

To break up the boredom of doing one piece of cardio equipment for 30-45 minutes, try 10 minutes on the bike, 10 minutes on the elliptical, 10 minutes on the treadmill. Unless you are training for an endurance event like a 5K or a triathlon, you will get the same results from breaking your bouts of cardio up as if you did them all continuously. It also helps to have a workout buddy to talk to while you exercise! Leave us a comment with your best tip for keeping cardio fun.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Menu Monday - Tuna Melts

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:18:00 +0000

Tired of turkey yet?

Ingredients:

3 cans tuna, drained well

1/3 c mayonnaise or miracle whip

2 tsp mustard

6 slices cheese

12 slices lightly buttered bread
All to taste: Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Minced Onion

Cooking Instructions:
1. Mix Tuna, Mayo, Mustard and seasonings together.

2. Spoon mix onto un-buttered side of bread, add cheese and another slice of bread, buttered side up.

3. Cook on griddle until cheese is melted and bread is golden.

Recipe submitted to The Mommies Network by Jessica (chapter unknown.)

Don't Forget: Santa Letters!

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:53:00 +0000

The elves are busy coordinating delivery of Santa letters to boys and girls across the United States. Is your letter in the bunch? If you haven't yet ordered your letter(s), don't delay! Place your order by Nov. 30 to ensure delivery before Christmas.

Remember, Your first custom letter is only $6. If you purchase more than one, you will receive a 10 percent discount on the entire order. Use coupon code SANTA at checkout to receive 10 percent off the total.

You will be asked a few questions about your child during the ordering process. Your answers will assist Santa in creating a unique letter for your child. Letters will be printed on Santa's special stationery, signed by the jolly fellow himself, and with the help of a special elf, shipped in bulk to North Pole, Alaska, in time for your little one to receive a special letter before the holidays.

Reserve your letter(s) before Nov. 30 to ensure delivery before Christmas. We hope you'll take advantage of this terrific treat from the North Pole. Place your order now! http://www.themommiesnetwork.org/santa.html

The proceeds of this fundraiser will support The Mommies Network and your local chapter. Please mention your chapter's name to ensure they receive credit for your purchase.

Wellness Wednesday ~ Breathing

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Do You Know How to Breathe?

While exercising with weights, exhale during the lifting (concentric) phase, and inhale while lowering the weight (eccentric) phase. For example, on a biceps curl you would exhale as you curl the weight up and contract the biceps, and you would inhale as you lower the weight down and stretch the biceps. Do not hold your breath as this will increase blood pressure and may cause dizziness.

Submitted by ChesapeakeMommies member Shannon Brennan, who also writes the Counting On Me Blog.

Menu Monday ~ Chicken Paprikash

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Chicken Paprikash is so easy to make, it requires very little effort and not a lot of past culinary experience.

Ingredients:

1 pound of chicken (diced)
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1/2 stick of butter
1 small onion (diced)
2 cloves of garlic (diced)
1 cup of sour cream
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of cornstarch
1 tablespoon of paprika
salt & pepper to taste
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 package of spaetzle or you can make your own

To get started gather all of your ingredients and prepare them so this meal takes you 20 minutes from start to finish!

Dice up your onion and garlic

Melt 1/2 stick of butter in skillet

Add onions and garlic to butter and saute until soft

Combine sour cream, milk, cornstarch and paprika and whisk together, then set aside.

Add spaetzle to your butter/onion/garlic mixture and saute until golden brown.

If you are using your own dumplings you may opt to omit adding them to this mixture depending on their consistency.

Warm up the olive oil and then add chicken until it is cooked completely. Add the chicken broth slowly to deglaze the pan and turn heat to medium.

Add the sour cream mixture to the chicken, mix well, then add your spaetzle/onion mixture to it.

You are done, you have now made Chicken Paprikash! How easy was that!

This recipe was brought to you by Joelyn Morgan, Chapter Manager of ClevelandMommies.
Originally posted on the ClevelandMommies Blog on May 3, 2011

Upcoming Events - Week of November 21

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Upcoming Events - Week of November 21
Check out the calendar for more details.
http://www.chesapeakemommies.com/forum/calendar.php

November 21

Playdate

November 22

Playdate

November 25

Muppets Movie

November 26

Mom's Night Out

The Mommies Weigh-In Challenge

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:59:00 +0000

Are you looking to shed a few pounds? Need some help with your fitness goals? Or just searching for the right foods to eat? The Mommies Network challenges you to be the best you can be in 2012!

Join mommies across the country on their journey to be healthy for themselves and their families. Participants will be assigned to regional teams led by a TMN member and a wellness collaborator. Results, tips, and stories will be shared monthly to keep all participants motivated. This challenge is a six-month commitment, running January–June.

Email fitness@themommiesnetwork.org for more information about this program. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 23, 2011.

An Organized Thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of remembrance, family and thanks, not a holiday of stress and chaos. Here are 9 easy ways to stay organized for an enjoyable, stress-free Thanksgiving Day:

1. LEAVE COOKING AND CLEANING BEHIND. These days, many people opt to go out for Thanksgiving, instead of cooking and cleaning at home. If you're an extremely busy person, this may also work for you. If you don't want to miss the feeling of being at home, perhaps you might have the main course at a restaurant, and later have pie and coffee at home. In addition, lots of supermarkets and restaurants offer fully cooked Thanksgiving dinners. You simply pick everything up and place it on your table ready to be served, and if you must add a personal touch, make one special dish of your own.

2. PREPARE FOR TRAVELING. If you're traveling this Thanksgiving, be sure to make your packing list well ahead of time. Check items off as you're putting them into your luggage. Bring this list with you and use it to repack when you're ready to return home. By the way, I usually suggest that you travel a few days before Thanksgiving and come back a few days after the Thanksgiving rush. Otherwise, you're going to spend a lot of time in airports, on the road, in line, etc.

3. LET'S TALK TURKEY. First, determine how much room you have in your freezer and refrigerator, and how many people you will be serving. Then, order your turkey. If you need more storage space, perhaps a neighbor or relative can help you out. Rather than defrosting a frozen turkey in water on Thanksgiving Day, defrost it a few days ahead in your refrigerator instead. This saves tons of time!

4. INVITE GUESTS IN A SNAP. If you haven't already sent out invitations, you may consider simply calling possible guests instead. You won't have to spend a ton of time writing and mailing, and you usually get an RSVP immediately.

5. CHECK YOUR INVENTORY. Check your supply of chairs, tables, dishes, glasses, pots, pans, serving plates and utensils. Arrange to buy, rent or borrow anything you don't have.

6. PLAN YOUR MEAL. Plan your meal from appetizers to dessert on a piece of paper. Make a list of all ingredients needed. Bring your list when you go shopping and check items off as you put them in your cart.

7. COOK AHEAD. Make any meals that you can well ahead of time, and freeze them. On Thanksgiving Day, just defrost, heat and serve. You will save tons of time, plus you'll be able to join in the festivities without being stuck in the kitchen.

8. GET READY THE NIGHT BEFORE. You'll be happy you took care of a few things the night before. Set the table. Get the good silverware out of storage. Lay out your wardrobe--and your kids' wardrobes.

9. DON'T FORGET THE IMPORTANT STUFF. Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to be thankful for health, family, friends and all that life has to offer. Some people choose to say grace. Others prefer to simply have a moment of silence before dinner and football. Still others like to make time to read a Thanksgiving Story or a poem. Make a list of the things you want to do to make the day a special one and reference your list so you don't forget them.

Originally posted by CharlotteMommies.com.

Menu Monday ~ Dinner Rolls

noreply@blogger.com (Kristi Schwartz) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Ingredients
◦1 package yeast
◦3 T warm water (110°)
◦1 c warm milk
◦6 T butter, softened
◦3 T sugar
◦1 large egg
◦1 t salt
◦3½ - 4 c flour
◦1 t oil

Directions:
Combine yeast with water and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in milk, 4 T butter, sugar, egg, and salt. Slowly add 2 c flour and beat for 1 minute. Gradually add another 1½ c flour or more, until dough is still moist but no longer sticky.

Turn out onto floured counter and knead 10 minutes, until smooth and stretchy. Form into a ball.

Oil the other bowl, place dough ball in it, and turn to coat with oil. Cover with plastic wrap, place in warm spot, and let rise until doubled in size - at least 1 hour. Knead for one minute, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Divide the dough into 36 equal pieces and roll into small balls.* Using a bit of the remaining 2 T butter to grease the muffin tin and enough plastic wrap to cover it. Place three dough balls in each muffin cup, cover loosely, and let rise until doubled, at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375. Melt the rest of the butter and brush the rolls. Bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes.

*At this point you can freeze the dough. When you're ready to use it, let defrost, then follow above directions to let rise the second time, etc.