Stroller Strides Flagstaff

We've Moved!

2011-03-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

The Stroller Strides Flagstaff blog has moved! Same great content & information, new location

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Please contact us with any questions.

Give the Gift of Fitness!

2009-12-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

Our Dec. Newsletter is out with tons of great information about Dec. activities around town & amazing deals on Stroller Strides gift certificates (perfect present for the moms in your life!)

Click here to check it out!

And if you would like to subscribe, please email me!

Our New Meetup Sponsors!

2009-12-10T15:20:00.004-07:00

The Luna Moms Club of Flagstaff wants to send out a HUGE thanks to Walking Cane Ranch of Flagstaff- they are our new Meetup sponsors!

Walking Cane Ranch offers local, grass-fed beef for an amazingly affordable price! Sarah & I both have 1/8 of a cow coming to us in Jan- for only $4/lb (try finding that at New Frontiers!). If you've never had grass-fed beef, you don't know what you're missing! It is amazingly tender & flavorful & you don't have to worry about scary hormones & feed lots- it's all natural, baby!

Check out what they have to offer at www.walkingcaneranch.com

Welcome Ethan!!!

2009-12-10T09:07:00.002-07:00

Well, he didn't follow his big sister's lead of arriving on his due date- but close enough!

Please welcome Ethan Edward Womack to the Stroller Strides family! He was born this morning 12/10 at 4:05am. Weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and 20.5 inches long.

Congrats Shauna, Tim & Adisson!!!!

We can't wait to see the 3 of you back at class!!

HighLIGHT of the Season!

2009-12-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

The Holiday Light Parade is this weekend!! The parade starts at 6 & follows the "normal" parade route around downtown.

Come enjoy the beautiful lights & chilly weather!

Snowbound? Try this Workout @ Home!

2009-12-09T08:46:00.002-07:00

Power Squat Cardio!

Watch this video to see the power squat in action! Make sure you
- Keep your shoulder blades down and back
- Keep your core engaged throughout the whole exercise

Want to make it a little less intense?
- Take out the impact

Want to make it more intense?
- Go as HIGH as you can

Aren't All Christmas Trees Green?

2009-12-08T12:39:00.002-07:00

f you’re in the market for a Christmas tree, take the kids to get an organic tree this year – go with a real organic tree, then recycle or replant after. Here are some reasons why an organic tree is the best option:

Fewer chemicals flying through the air. Many tree farms use pesticides that harm workers and the environment, and are especially harmful to kids.
Many fakes contain toxic plastics that are hard to recycle, and 80% are shipped from overseas.
Opting for a living tree with roots intact, then replanting in your yard after is the most eco-friendly option. Think shade in summer, a natural windbreak, and a fun thing to do with kids.

Most landfills are so compacted that organic matter can’t biodegrade; recyclers turn trees into wood chips that can help prevent land erosion.

For a list of organic Christmas tree farms, check out http://www.greenpromise.com/resources/organic-christmas-trees.php

Babies in the Sun

2009-11-30T20:05:00.000-07:00

Here is a cute picture from class last month. Miles & Isabel are fast friends. I get asked often how early they can bring their babies to class - Miles started at 6 weeks and Isabel was about 3 months. They are both SO cute & well behaved at class!

Giving Thanks

2009-11-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

Gratitude.
It's a big word. Hard to really grasp- basically being thankful. Challenge yourself to find things you're thankful for (besides the "easy" ones of health, family, home etc.) I love the facebook challenge some moms have been doing of saying 1 thing they are grateful for every day for the whole month of Nov., not just around the turkey-day table.

One of the things I am most grateful for is you- all my Stroller Strides & Fit4Baby moms- you guys make me happy every day that I see your smiling faces at the start of class. I love my time with you all- and I love watching you grow as athletes and as moms. I'm glad for the friendships both Lily and I have found as a result of this program.

So THANK YOU!

How to Have a Healthy Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T18:14:00.003-07:00

There are a TON of healthy eating tips out there in cyberspace- here are my favorite (and I think the easiest to follow).

1. Drink Plenty of Water
2. Eat Slowly
3. Don't skip your normal meals
4. Eat the 'special' stuff (skip the everyday & go for the pie)
5. No Seconds
6. Skip the hors d'ouveres

Basically, I go between trying to treat Thanksgiving as just another day and treating it as a once a year special occasion (read: eating free-f0r-all). The best way to do the former is to make sure you give yourself at least one treat so you don't feel cheated, and the latter- make sure you exercise in the morning and don't let the Thanksgiving free-for-all mark the start of the "holiday free-for-all".

I like the advice this website gives because it kind of toes the line- go a little crazy, but not too crazy. Do what feels right & celebrate your friends & family.

I HIGHLY recommend getting some exercise in before eating (and it's always nice to take a post-turkey walk).

If you're in Flagstaff tomorrow- join NATRA for a run in the morning- they will meet at Flagstaff Middle School parking lot at 9AM, run to Buffalo Park & complete the Turkey Trot up there. OR just meet at Buffalo Park at 9:30AM & trot like a turkey for 2 miles!

No Class Today! Tues

2009-11-24T08:36:00.002-07:00

The weather outside is frightful- so Dara's class is cancelled today. We hope to have this class inside by next week- so stay tuned for more details!

Moms With a Mission: Toxic Yule Log?

2009-11-24T08:10:00.002-07:00

Minimize the effects of toxic chemicals from your wood burning fireplaces this holiday season.

1. Only burn dry seasoned hardwoods like oak, hickory, and ash.
2. Avoid soft woods like pine and cedar.
3. Avoid wet wood and any treated or painted wood.
4. Never burn plastics, cardboard, garbage, magazines, etc.

If you want the beauty of a fire without the big environmental impact, light soy or beeswax candles. Get several large pillar candles of varying heights and place them on a flat surface in your fireplace. They are cleaner and gentler on the environment, but are every bit as beautiful and fragrant. Plus, they last longer!

Stir-Friend Chicken Salad Recipe

2009-11-22T07:56:00.000-07:00

Hopefully you didn't miss this in the National Stroller Strides Newsletter that just came out, but if you did-check it out!

Stir-Fried Chicken Salad (from cookinglight.com)

Ingredients
• 1/4 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon bottled chopped garlic
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast tenders
• 1 tablespoon peanut oil
• 4 cups mixed salad greens
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
• Lime wedges (optional)

Preparation
Combine first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl. Add chicken to broth mixture, stirring to coat. Let stand 3 minutes.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Drain chicken, reserving marinade. Add chicken to the pan; cook 4 minutes or until done, stirring frequently. Stir in the reserved marinade. Reduce heat; cook 1 minute or until slightly thickened. Remove pan from heat.

Combine greens and basil in a large bowl. Add chicken mixture, tossing to coat. Place 1 1/4 cups salad mixture on each of 4 plates. Top each serving with 2 tablespoons onion and 1 1/2 teaspoons peanuts. Serve immediately. Serve with lime wedges, if desired.

Nutrition Facts: Calories: 214 (30% from fat), Fat: 7.2g (sat 1.3g, mono 3g, poly 2.2g), Protein: 29.1g, Carbohydrate: 8g, Fiber: 2g, Cholesterol: 66mg, Iron: 2mg, Sodium: 594mg, Calcium: 60mg

Cute! Toy Site

2009-11-21T07:41:00.003-07:00

Check out this website- it has awesome toys!

Here is a blurb from their site: "Palumba sells natural, award-winning USA made wooden toys and Fair Trade Waldorf dolls, non-toxic art supplies from Stockmar, playsilks, and many other products designed to foster creative play and imaginative play in children."

I LOVE the knitted play food- how awesome! http://www.palumba.com/category/play_food/23/

Need Something to do Today? Winterfaire!

2009-11-21T07:29:00.003-07:00

The magic of Winterfaire is in the air!

On Saturday, Nov. 21st , enjoy an enchanted day with fairies, gnomes, Father Winter and other magical characters at Pine Forest School. Take part in the winter activities that bring the greater Flagstaff community together to celebrate the season.

Visit the Enchanted Cookie Forest Let your little ones shop for the holidays in the kids-only Gnome Gnook Receive a bit of magic in the Magical Characters Grotto Relax in the Bake Shoppe or enjoy a Mexican lunch at the cafe Create a winter craft to take home (beaded snowflake wands, frisbee mandalas, wooden pirate ships, kaleidoscopes, maracas and more)

If you have further questions or ideas, please contact
the Winterfaire Chair, Laura Colvin at 779-2082 or
lauracolvin@yahoo.com.

Cooking Light Deal!

2009-11-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Flagstaff Mama for this info:

amazon.com is offering a 1-year subscription for $5!

Awesome! I love this magazine- full of amazing, healthy & yummy recipes!

3 Cheers for the Crockpot!

2009-11-14T08:10:00.000-07:00

I am a super huge fan of the crockpot. It is one of my favorite cooking implements- seriously, ANYTHING you put in there & cook all day, tastes amazing! Here is a great recipe I've stolen from Carolyn at Synergy Fitness.
Haven't tried it yet, but I will & man! does it sound YUMMY!

Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed, trimmed of fat
2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into spears
1/2 pound white button mushrooms, thinly sliced
6 large shallots, peeled and halved
4 cloves garlic, peeled
1 cup dry white wine
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary, or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

Directions,

1. Place chicken, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, shallots, garlic, wine, rosemary, salt and pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker; stir to combine. Put the lid on and cook on low until the potatoes are tender, about 5 hours. Before serving, remove bones from the chicken, if desired, and stir in vinegar.

**You can freeze this stew for up to 1 month.

Luna Moms Club Tip: Buy Local

2009-11-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

Buy food (and drink-ideally tap water) from local companies whenever possible. Each pound of local food you purchase prevents a quarter pound of global warming (CO2) emissions. Support your local Farmer's Market. If possible, grow your own fruits and vegetables using organic gardening practices. Find local resources at www.localharvest.org.

Need a Reason to Shop?

2009-11-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

You're Invited...

Shauna has invited you to save 30% during Give & Get, our Friends & Family event. For every purchase you make, we give 5% of the amount you spend to CARE, a non-profit selected by Shauna.

Click a button below to RSVP to this event:

	In-store Barcode (For multiple uses)


	This offer is also good at Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory Store!

Gap
find store

Old Navy
find store

Banana Republic
find store

Rather not receive updates? Click here.

Gap.com values its customers and respects their privacy. Please review our privacy policy for more information. If you have any questions about the Give & Get program, contact gap.com Customer Service via email at custserv@gap.com, call us at 1-800-GAP-STYLE (1-800-427-7895) or write us at gap.com Customer Services, 100 Gap Online, Grove City, OH 43123-8605.

Please note: Prices shown on the website are in U.S. dollars only. Currently, we do not ship or bill orders internationally, including Canada.

Offer valid November 12, 2009 through November 15, 2009 at Gap, Gap Outlet, Gap Factory Store, Gap Generation, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Store and Old Navy stores in the US only (including Puerto Rico). Not valid online or at Edition by Banana Republic store. 30% discount cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Discount applies to Eligible Purchases ("Eligible Purchases") which are merchandise only, not gift cards, packaging, applicable taxes, or telephone orders placed to stores or customer service 1-800/888 numbers. Not valid on Gap (Product) RED™, Junk Food™, Converse®, Havaianas®, Medela®, CharmIt!®, Robeez®, Stella McCartney for GapKids, Stella McCartney for babyGap, or the following babyGap Home items: strollers, car seats, high chairs and nursery furniture. Not valid for cash or cash equivalent. Gap Foundation ("Gap") will donate an amount equal to 5% of Eligible Purchases to a nonprofit partner ("Partner") only when one is designated by the Gap Inc. best customer ("Best Customer(s)"). If no Partner is designated no donation will be made. If the Best Customer selects Donorschoose.org as its Partner the Best Customer can also select a specific project on Donorschoose.org to receive the donation. Gap's total donations to all US and Canadian Partners shall not exceed US$2 million. Such donation does not entitle the Best Customer or any offer recipient to claim a charitable contribution deduction. Merchandise cannot be put on hold during offer period. Return of discounted merchandise will be for the price actually paid. Exchange for different size is permitted; however, the discount will not be applied to exchanges for different merchandise. Reproductions or photocopies of offer card will not be accepted. Not responsible for lost or stolen offer cards. Offer is not transferable or valid for resale. No price adjustments are allowed on previous purchases or on purchases made with this discount.

© 2009 Gap Inc.

Positive Thoughts!

2009-11-11T13:56:00.002-07:00

Tomorrow is the big day for the Young Family! Jess, Pat, Aspen & Elden are in San Antonio, TX for Elden's big surgery!

Please send them all of your positive thoughts, prayers etc.

We are thinking of you guys & wishing that you were here sweating with us!

Check out their blog here: www.eldenscutehead.blogspot.com

Quick! Donate to March of Dimes Today!!

2009-11-11T13:55:00.000-07:00

MasterCard Worldwide has made a wonderful — and very timely — offer to the March of Dimes. They will match every gift* made before December 31 with a MasterCard^® card.

When you make your donation with a MasterCard card, your donation of $25 will become $50 when it is matched; your gift of $50 becomes $100. Anything you can give today will be worth twice as much.

This opportunity could not have come at a better time for moms and babies. According to a new report, an estimated 13 million babies worldwide — or 1 in 10 — are born prematurely every year. And North America has one of the highest rates of premature birth.

This Matching Gift will help us take action now to prevent premature birth, and help give every baby a chance to grow up strong and healthy.

By making a gift today, you will help the March of Dimes receive up to $225,000 in additional funds — money that will go a long way toward supporting moms and babies who need our help.

I hope you will be as generous as you can.

Dr. Jennifer L. Howse
President

Moms With a Mission: Get a Sweater!!!

2009-11-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

Continuing with this quarter's focus of the environment, here is a tip regarding heat. Basically- do as my mom said, "If you're cold, get a sweater"....

Set the furnace thermostat at 68 degrees or lower, and the air-conditioner thermostat to 78 degrees or higher, health permitting.

Three to five percent more energy is used for each degree above or below these marks.

Thanks to Our Oct. Vendor of the Month!

2009-11-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

A huge Stroller Strides THANKS! to Melissa Collins Cripps, State Farm Insurance Agency for their amazing partnership this month!

The lovely ladies in red threw us a fantastic Mom's Night Out- food, wine, shopping & free chair massages & skin care help (Thanks Simpatico!) early in Oct & followed up with the informative & educational "From Chaos to Clarity" workshop.

If you need insurance or financial planning help, these are the ladies to go to- they understand what it's like to be in charge of the family's finances, worried about the financial future AND they can help you with insurance.

Please check them out & tell 'em Stroller Strides Flastaff sent you.

THANK YOU!!!

Are you financially exposed?

2009-11-05T12:37:00.003-07:00

By: Melissa Cripps, State Farm® agent

Many people realize the need for life insurance but keep putting it off until it is too late. You may think that life insurance is confusing, expensive and complicated. You may think you don’t know enough to make the right decisions for you and your loved ones. Postponing this decision leaves you and your family exposed financially.

Assumption #1: I’ll always be able to buy life insurance.

You could develop a health condition that makes you uninsurable or could make life insurance too costly for you.

Assumption #2: I’ll get life insurance later when I’m older or have a family.

Life insurance may be needed at all stages of life. Whether married or single, male or female, with children or without, you may have financial obligations that need to be met. Life insurance provides financial security for you and your loved ones.

Assumption #3: My family and I are covered by the group insurance at work.

To meet the future needs of your family, you need to have 7 to 10 times your annual income. Most group term insurance amounts offered by employers won’t meet this need. And, when you don’t work for that employer any longer, you usually lose that coverage.

Assumption #4: My husband has life insurance so I don’t need it.

Women often live longer than men but not always. There are countless stories of men who had to shoulder the family financial burden along with the emotional burden after their wife passed away.

Assumption #5: My family can cover funeral and burial expenses.

Burying a spouse or loved one is the most stressful time in a family’s life. Having life insurance can reduce financial concerns for the family.

Take the time now to review your needs and provide adequately for yourself and your family.

For more information or to review your current policy, please contact my office or an insurance professional.

I know I get a little irritated when our life insurance fee is taken out each month, but the sense of security I get for my loved ones and especially my daughter, is well worth the cost. If you don't have life insurance yet, or feel like you're paying to much, stop by Melissa Cripps' office on 7th Ave- who knows, she'll probably have some of those yummy cookies for you!

One of the best decisions I never made.

2009-11-04T19:46:00.002-07:00

When I found out I was pregnant almost 3 years ago (surprise!), I knew instantly that I wanted to stay at home with my baby. Unfortunately, I also live in a town where living on 1 income & owning your own home is fairly hard to accomplish.

So, I explored my options. The pool of legitimate "work-at-home" jobs is very, very, very tiny- so I agreed to keep teaching- part-time. When that job evaporated after a year, I found myself in a bit of a panic & suddenly remembered an email I received months before. In that email old friends from college who were living in San Diego were talking about this great fitness class they were part of called, Stroller Strides. I immediately searched for a class here in Flagstaff & when I found out there were none- I decided to start one!

I knew from the instant I explored the Stroller Strides website & talked to the franchise team that I was in- it wasn't until much later that I actually started comparing Stroller Strides to other stroller fitness franchises and talking to franchisees in similar markets. I did all this way after the fact, I knew from the moment I read about Stroller Strides that it was what I was going to do (which is why it is a decision I never made- it was made for me).

Owning my own business has been beyond eye-opening. I have learned, through many mistakes & lots of trial & error, SO much about myself and what I am capable of. I have acquired countless new skills and impressed myself with all that I've done in a year.

The best part of Stroller Strides & owning my own business is getting to hang out with my daughter all the time, while still maintaining my own sense of self. It is so easy to get lost in the world of mommy-hood and not stretching your mind to think past milestones, sleep schedules and toy organization. My daughter and I have made such great friends through Stroller Strides class, I've been able to contribute financially to my household and every time I hear a mom say "Stroller Strides saved me", I know that all the hard work is more than worth it.