TriangleMommies

Looking for Something to do this Weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:34:00 +0000

Lots of great things are going on in the Triangle this weekend, and Odile Fredericks of Carolina Parent Magazine has made it easy for you to see what’s happening! Check out her blog filled with tons of great information!

Sneak Preview

This weekend, family-friendly festivals invite Triangle families to celebrate the Chinese New Year and explore African-American contributions to North Carolina through food, song and dance. Kids can catch free performances or head outdoors for nature programs that take a look at a range of creatures from possums to salamanders and coyotes.

If you're thinking of a winter getaway close to home, see our newest resources for where to where to ski, snowboard and tube within a short drive of the Triangle...

Join Us For Coffee Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Soothing Space- Thank you for a Relaxing Moment at Winter Bash!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:00:00 +0000

Thanks so much to Soothing Space Massage Therapy for providing a moment of relaxation and raffles for TM's Winter Bash!

Soothing Space Massage Therapy

At Soothing Space Massage, Veronica McMullan, looks forward to assisting people to enhance their lives through body, mind and spirit. Holistic Massage and Reiki can be used to reduce stress, detoxify, and address disease. McMullan seeks to empower clients through relaxation, and self-awareness to promote positive, healing changes in themselves and their lives. Kinds of massages available: Lymphatic, Swedish, Prenatal & Postnatal, Chair Massage, Kansa Vatki (KV) Foot Massage™ provided, along with Reiki, Reflexology, and Aromatherapy.

http://soothingspacemassage.com/

Ruckus Rocked TM's Winter Bash!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:34:00 +0000

A huge thanks to Ruckus: Pizza, Pasta, & Spirits for their generous donation to TM's Winter Bash event!

Ruckus Pizza Pasta & Spirits
8111-208 Tryon Woods Drive
Cary, NC 27518
919.851.3999
www.ruckuspizza.com

Ruckus, in a word, is what we wanted to create for friends and guests when we opened the doors of our NCSU location more than 10 years ago. A place for great food, great music and great times. Affordable, comfortable and delicious were what drove us to take the path we are still on today.

Do You Have Flower Power?

noreply@blogger.com (The Mommies Network) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Are you looking for some curb appeal? Do you need to beautify your backyard? Spring planting season may be a few months away, but there's no better time than now to grow with TriangleMommies! We've partnered with Flower Power to bring you a fabulous fundraiser to help you plan the garden of your dreams.

Flower Power sells quality flower bulbs with a 100 percent money-back guarantee. Gorgeous geraniums, tantalizing tiger lilies, and beautiful begonias are just a few of the many bulbs available and ready to be shipped to your door. This fundraiser runs Jan. 22–March 20, 2012, and your bulbs will arrive in April and May, just in time for beautiful summer blooms.

So save some gas and the trip to your local nursery or big-box store, and plan your perfect garden from the comfort of your computer. Visit http://www.flowerpowerfundraising.com/i/t/240250/oBAvHG9Kd2we to view the enormous array of flower bulbs, and spring into Flower Power and TriangleMommies' fabulous fundraiser!

Special bonus: Spend $40 or more to receive a free bag of 10 Twilight gladiolus, a $10 value.

Grow with us!

Profits made through our fundraising link go toward our chapter's operating expenses.

Looking for Something to do this Weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Sneak Preview

Wondering what's on tap for weekend family fun? You'll find a range of events, from nature hikes to a game night at a local museum and third Friday fun. Catch live performances by kids or for kids.

With Valentine's Day approaching, find out with Triangle venues are planning fun events for kids or parents...

T-Minus 11 Hours!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:41:00 +0000

Join us this Friday night for food, fun, and festivities!

FREE Massages

Nail Art

Catered Food

Games

Prizes

Raffle

Please bring donations of women and kids clothing, shoes, accessories, used cell phones, and gift cards. We will be donating these to InterAct, a nonprofit organization that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence, rape/sexual assault.

For more information, please visit our Mommy forum. If you are not a member of triangleMommies, you can register for FREE by clicking here.

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.

Are You Ready To Party?

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:38:00 +0000

Join us this Friday night for food, fun, and festivities!

FREE Massages

Nail Art

Catered Food

Games

Prizes

Raffle

For more information, please visit our Mommy forum. If you are not a member of triangleMommies, you can register for FREE by clicking here.

$1 Wins You a Chance @ 13 Amazing Raffles!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Jenny) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:45:00 +0000

Winter Bash is almost upon us and some fabulous businesses, organizations, and individuals have donated some awesome prizes for TriangleMommies to raffle off on Jan. 20th.

1) Avon Cream by Michelle Sullivan- retail $40
2) Mary Kay Body Care by 4potters- retail $35
3) Carolina Ballet Tickets- retail $160
4) Museum of Life and Science Family Pass- retail $58
5) Michelle McClafferty Photography - Photo Session includes sitting fee and 5 digital images- retail $150
6) Noodles & Co Dinner for 4- retail $45
7) Soothing Space One Hour Massage- retail $60
8) The Healing Arts School Hour Massage- retail $30
9) Noodles & Co Dinner for 4- retail $45
10) Tastefully Simple/ Pampered Chef Gift Pack- retail $40
11) Pediatric Express Ear Piercing- retail $50
12) Salient Learning Tote- retail $12
13) Aqua Tots Swim School- retail $100

If you haven't RSVPed for the bash yet, it's not too late- head on over now and say "Yes!"

Join Us For TM's Winter bash!!!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:36:00 +0000

Join us this Friday night for food, fun, and festivities!

FREE Massages

Nail Art

Catered Food

Games

Prizes

Raffle

For more information, please visit our Mommy forum. If you are not a member of triangleMommies, you can register for FREE by clicking here.

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

Join Us For Coffee Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 02:55:00 +0000

Looking for Something to do This Weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 00:57:00 +0000

Sneak Preview

Get ready for a long weekend full of fun family events in Triangle with many kids out of school on Monday, Jan. 16, to celebrate the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. You'll find lots of free MLK events spread across the weekend as well as nature programs that take kids outdoors for hands-on exploration. See how your town is honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in this round-up of MLK events. ...

Carolina Parent's Family Meals Deals Directory

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

If you're heading out to eat and don't want to spend a bunch, discover which Triangle-area restaurants let kids eat free or for 99 cents! Check out Carolina Parent's newly updated Family Meal Deals Directory. Why spend more than you have to?

Join Us For Coffee Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 20:00:00 +0000

Go Ask Mom's 2012 Spring/Summer Consignment Sales

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

If you're a lover of consignment sales, or haven't been but are interested in them, don't miss out on WRAL's Go Ask Mom's article on 2012 Spring/Summer Consignment Sales! She offers a lot of great tips. To check out this article, click here!

The 2nd Look Boutique semi-annual Children's Consignment Sale

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Join The 2nd Look Boutique for this amazing event! Sell, shop, and save!

Feb 16-18

New Horizons Fellowship

Apex

Consignors earn 65% on items sold.

Volunteers can earn up to 80%!

Volunteers, Consignors, and 1st Mom Club Members shop early (register online)

Voted Best Consignment Sale in Raleigh/Durham by ConsignmentMommies.com!

For more information, visit their site by clicking here!

Join Us For Coffee Tomorrow!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Fit Mama Fest With Stroller Strides!

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:14:00 +0000

Stroller Strides of Raleigh would like to invite you to our

Fit Mama Fest

Wed Jan 18th

9am-2:30pm, or 5-8pm

Cary Towne Center Mall

Storefront between Claire's and Dillards

This FREE event for local moms features:

Free mommy-and-me activities

(Stroller Strides workout, Mommy and Me yoga, Toddler Dance),

Informative Sessions

on topics that all moms of little ones will appreciate (baby sleep, cloth diapering, nutrition),

a variety of local mommy-focused businesses providing discounts & information,

FREE MASSAGES for moms,

adorable products for your little ones,

and fabulous RAFFLE PRIZES.

For more information and to RSVP click here!

Looking for Something to do This Weekend?

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Sneak Preview:

This first weekend in January brings balmy temperatures and lots of family fun to the Triangle, from First Friday events at museums in Raleigh that are free or discounted to a free Day of the Kings parade and celebration in Cary on Saturday. You'll also find opportunities to enjoy live music or head outdoors to enjoy nature with your kids. Unless otherwise noted, look for details on these upcoming programs in our Daily Calendar.

What I want to read...

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea (ace1028)) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 12:10:00 +0000

What's on your reading agenda for 2012?

I have SO many books that I would like to read, so I'm jotting down a few titles figuring maybe you can use a little inspiration, and might need some new authors or some fun (or serious!) reads for yourself!

On my *to-read* shelf already, just waiting to be cracked open:

Little Bee, Chris Cleave

29 Gifts: How a month of giving can change your life, Cami Walker

Traveling with Pomegranates, Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor

Sing You Home, Jodi Picoult

Bossypants, Tina Fey (I am patiently waiting for the paperback version of this!)

Dirt is good for you: True stories of surviving parenthood, Babble.com editors

So that's a few off my list. What's on tap for you this year? Find any incredible authors in 2011 that you want to recommend? Please share in the comments field, we want to know!

Happy reading!

TM's book clubs for January!

noreply@blogger.com (Andrea (ace1028)) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 18:03:00 +0000

TriangleMommies' book clubs for January are up on our calendar!

North Durham/Orange Area Group
Sunday, January 22nd @ 2:30PM
Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins

South Wake/Central Raleigh Area Group
Monday, January 23rd @ TBD
The Shack, William P. Young

NorthEast Wake Area Group
Tuesday, January 24th @ 7PM
The Eternal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Rebecca Skloot

NorthWest Wake Area Group
Friday, January 27th @ 7PM
The Color of Water, James McBride

So head on out to meet your fellow moms and enjoy some good discussions about some great reads!

Triangle rings in 2012 New Year with family fun events

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 15:24:00 +0000

Lots of great things are going on in the Triangle this weekend, and Odile Fredricks of Carolina Parent Magazine has made it easy for you to see what’s happening! Check out her blog filled with tons of great information!

Sneak Preview:

Got plans to celebrate the New Year with your family? Across the Triangle, you'll find lots of family-friendly holiday events designed to please kids and grown-ups of all ages. Sample culture from Africa to France, or escape to the beauty of our state parks.

On Dec. 29-30, Cary and Durham will host free family-friendly celebrations of Kwanzaa, a holiday that highlights African-American family, community and culture. Enjoy live performances, children's activities and a market featuring handmade arts and crafts with African themes....

Have a Happy New Year Without the Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (SRM) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Originally posted by CharlotteMommies.com

Well it is that time again…have you made your New Year’s Resolution? I say, let’s just abandon that tradition all together and be more practical about our goals! My New Year’s Resolutions have been broken so many times that I find I am no longer bothered when I lose my way before February! This year, banish that idea of setting a goal to accomplish sometime over the next 365 days. Usually our goals are too big or too vague and a whole year is much too long for us to stay focused (especially since we have this little distraction called children). This year, let’s meet our goals all year long.

My resolution has always been to lose weight, get fit, be smaller (does this sound familiar to anyone else?). Since I spent all of last year gaining weight (I was pregnant) and most of this year giving all of my attention to my daughter…I still need that resolution. Earlier this year I decided that I could not wait for New Year’s Day to for a resolution to lose weight, get fit, be smaller, be healthier! I had to be proactive! As a nutritionist and a fitness instructor, who would have thought that I would need to find ways to motivate myself to become healthier?

Here is another revelation that I had…children are not automatically conducive to a healthy lifestyle for moms. I ate whatever I could grab with one hand or quickly while she napped, and I did not exercise because I was so wrapped up in her schedule that I gave up having one at all! I am with moms everyday and I know that I am not the only one who forgot about myself and focused solely on my baby. So for both of us, these are the keys we have all heard before but rarely been able to implement into our lives for meeting our goals to lose weight, get fit, and be healthy!

Here is the first one…BEGIN! Don’t wait for some perfect time when you are not busy, don’t have a party to go to, the baby is not fussy, and the planets are aligned. Can you think of a time when you were lounging without a “to do” list, had no one around you tempting you with unhealthy foods, and the baby was in a perfect mood or better yet napping? I didn’t think so. That time will never come. Make a plan to get over the obstacle of the moment and those yet to come. Whatever you do, just begin working toward your goal.

Here is the second one…INCORPORATE exercise and eating healthy into your daily life and needs. Some obvious ways to add exercise to your daily life are to park further away at the store, take the stairs, do squats during Oprah’s commercial breaks, do calf raises while waiting in line. Find ways to incorporate your little one into your goals. Children need to eat healthy, so eat healthy together (baby eats carrots, mom eats carrots). You should also try to eat with your little ones, not only are you teaching them by example but you are also eating more frequently which is good for your metabolism! Try to meet your “mom needs” with exercise and eating well. If you need a Mom’s Night Out or to reconnect with your girl friends, sign up for a tennis lesson together or just meet to take a walk on a regular schedule. If you need to be with other moms to share your victories and challenges, join a mom’s group that exercises together before they go out for coffee or encourage your current group to add a date that includes exercise. Be creative and work a little exercise into your day in a way that you enjoy or don’t notice!

Here is the third one…set a REASONABLE and MEASURABLE GOAL! If you want to lose 30 pounds set a goal to lose 5 by the end of January. That is a little over one pound a week which is reasonable and measurable, and you are not setting yourself up for disappointment by having a goal that is too hard to attain. If running a 5K (3.1 miles) is your goal, then set a goal to walk that far at least once a week and create a plan to gradually increase your running on the other 2-3 days a week. Don’t be vague about what you want or when you want to attain it. Make the goal measurable, break it into a small piece, and set a deadline.

Here is the last one…FORGIVE yourself when you stray from your plan. If you go out to eat and abandon your vow to not eat fried foods, forgive yourself and get back to your plan by the next meal. Don’t figure the whole day, weekend, or week is ruined and go on a bad food eating binge. If you bail on your exercise all week because you are busy, jump right back in first chance you get. Don’t feel like you have to exercise three extra times this week because you did not exercise last week. Getting back to your regular schedule is the best way to recover without overdoing it.

I know that these keys to success are basic, and I bet that you all have read these tips before in a magazine. We all possess the keys and knowledge to be healthier moms. Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in our children, our husband, our house, our job that we forget about

OURSELVES! When we decide to focus on improving ourselves (usually January 1st) it seems like we have to catch up for a whole year. Not this year. This year, I am going to improve myself all year with little goals that I can reach by incorporating them into my life. Hopefully, instead of beating myself up in December of 2012 for not keeping my New Years Resolutions, I will be toasting myself for all of my accomplishments!

Have a Happy and Healthy New Year!