Hilary Duff’s High Energy Prenatal Piloxing Workout

Some women may take it easy during their last trimester but Hilary Duff isn’t the type to let her workouts slide just because she’s eating for two. The singer-actress may be seven months pregnant but, according to her trainer of eight years, Vivica Jensen, she’s still staying fit with biweekly Piloxing sessions.

     As a stay at home mom I cherish and am thankful for all the time that I get to spend with my two young kids. I have never had to work thanks to my wonderful hard working husband. A couple weeks ago I took on a temporary nanny job for a friend. 8am to 6pm, Monday through Friday. It is a full time job lasting til February. Let me just say that I now have a new appreciation for hard working moms that work full time and do their mommy duties when they get home. It amazes me that a lot of women do this, do it well and don’t go crazy. I truly get a different perspective being on the other side. The working, daily grind, being away from home side. This is something I don’t think I could ever get used to. Being away from the kids and being exhausted is not fun.

Research shows that children that get one on one quality time do better in life. It makes kids happier and healthier knowing that they are loved. They are more confident with themselves and are proud of who they are just because their parents spend time with them. That really makes me think of how much quality time, not quantity time but QUALITY time I spend with my kids. How much time do I spend playing with them, encouraging them, doing art with them, reading to them and making each one of them feel special. As a now temporary working mom, I see how other women can struggle with the fact that they need to do ALL the house duties, cooking, cleaning and laundry on top of all the mommy duties plus running important errands, teacher conference meetings, appointments AND spend one on one time with kids and go out and do fun things with them. Whew, modern day superwomen! That is a whole lot of things that need to get done at the end of the day and weekends. I guess the official working mother’s saying is really so much to do, so little time.

With not getting a lot of time at home, as moms, we need to make all the little things count. Give the kids special time with you after dinner. Talk with them. Ask them how their day was. I think that it is so important to have quality conversations with our children. They will know that they can tell us anything and maybe it can eliminate all these crazy teenagers who won’t open up to their parents. Ok, we can wish upon a star right? I’m definitely not at the teenager stage yet but one day, so no experience and advice here!

Family time does not have to be elaborate or expensive. There are plenty of little things to do and you will be creating long lasting memories. So I encourage all working moms  to take a step back and contemplate the actual time you spend with your kids. Remember it’s the little things that count. So, kiss more, talk more and hug more. Make the most of the time you have. You are doing a great job and I can honestly say you deserve some “me” time too!

Here are ideas for busy parents on how to make the most of the time you have.

Play games or dance as you cook, shop, clean, or take care of pets together

Implement healthy every activites…

• • Sing or listen to music together. Make up silly songs with their names in it.
  • Exercise together.
  • Cuddle together with a good book. Make it a part of your everyday routine, perhaps each night before bed.
  • Do arts and crafts together and hang their art on the fridge or wall for them to show off.
  • Rent a special kids movie for them and eat snacks and laugh together.
  • Let them help you make dinner or bake cookies. They love to stir!
• Sit down next to your child to pay the bills, and go through the mail as they play next to you.
• Limit TV time. Some TV time together might be worthwhile in strengthening families, but there are better ways families could be spending time together.
• Plan to use car travel time as a special “together time.”
• Sing together.
• Talk about your day and ask your child to talk about hers.
• Tell stories about your childhood.
• Have children tell you a story; identify colors, shapes, or objects along the road.
• Plan a special night where the children get to pick an activity of their choice.
• Give your children a responsibility in the grocery store. Ask them to:
• Match the coupons with the labels.
• Point out or find where the items are.
• Play games such as “I see something” and have the children guess what you see.
• Along with a goodnight hug and kiss, tell your child how much you appreciate all the good things he did that day. Be specific

  There are so many little things to do together!  Don’t feel quilty for the time that you don’t have but make the most of what you do have. Also, if you are a stay at home mom make sure you appreciate how hard your husband works so you are able to have special time with the kids all the time. You are blessed! As, for me I know I do appreciate my husband more after working this temporary job and I can’t wait til my life as a stay at home mommy goes back to normal.

6th Annual Holiday Celebrity Gifting

The holidays are the best time of the year for gift giving and this year Baby Swags is celebrating it’s 6th Annual Holiday Celebrity gifting event.  Baby Swags has selected 13 celebrity families who will receive beautiful hand-crafted, hand-made and hand-painted products created by various talented women in business.

Judith Raye Paintings creating art for children of all ages that is primal, charming, sweet and created from Judith’s vivid imagination, and with some ideas that come directly from a child’s perspective, Judith’s granddaughter Caden.  Judith enjoys painting with vibrant and warm colors using friendly animals and other whimsical characters.  Each celebrity was presented with their a special work of art.

Cabecitas Lindas (Pretty Little heads in Spanish) is an online boutique that specializes in handmade boutique hair accessories for ladies of all ages. Cabecitas Lindas gifted Jennifer Lopez and her daughter Emme an assortment of their popular “No-Tug” Hair Ties and hair ties with rhinestones. Jennifer Garner and her daughters were gifted with an assortment of their popular “No-Tug Hair Ties” that include colorful tie-dyed hair tie packages and hair ties with rhinestones. Both celebrities also received beautiful boutique headbands and no-slip clippies such as our sparkly Verushka-Dior Swarovski accented clips, velvet lined holiday clips and various clip sets that are fun and stylish.

Boutique Elli’Ette shared their exclusive design Back-Tie Bow Dresses with Jennifer Garner’s daughters, Seraphina and Violet.  The exclusive dresses are reverse knot dresses that tie in a big bow in the back and each girl received a matching hair accessory to go with their dress.  Boutique Elli’Ette is a WAHM small business and all items are handcrafted in the USA.

Danica’s Chic Bowtique shared a beautiful assortment of hand-crafted headbands for Mario Lopez’s one year old little princess, Gia.   Danica’s Chic Bowtique creates newborn to adult sized headbands, flower clips, elastic headbands, lace headbands for any and all occasions.

Tutu Pour Mon Deux – Virtually see and DIY (design it yourself) tutu with attached top. With more than a dozen original patches and ribbons to choose from, the tutu shirt can be as unique as the little girl wearing it. One third of the proceeds from each sale is donated to Children’s Hospital Boston.

Celebrities gifted included, Matthew McConaughey, Michelle Williams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jimmy Kimmel, Nicole Richie, Keith Urban/Nicole Kidman, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mario Lopez, Christina Applegate, John Travolta/Kelly Preston, Jennifer Lopez, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Garner.  These celebrities do not in any way endorse Baby Swags, it’s clients nor the products listed here.

About Baby Swags:
All of the products supplied have been created by mom, invented by mom, or is a mom owned boutique. Baby Swags fully supports the work-at-home mom, their products and services to which they provide to and for the everyday mom. It takes a strong woman to build up their business while maintaining their role as mom, wife, and friend. It is for these strong women than many of our products exist today. Being able to assist their clients in promoting their products affordably is one of the great services that Baby Swags can provide. Phyllis Pometta, Baby Swags founder and work-at-home mom is on the rise to finding the most unique, most wanted and sought after mom and baby products out there. Not only does quality play a factor in her search, but products also have to be affordable. It is a goal to be able to bring these products into the public eye. Keep your eyes open as new products surface every day.  Baby Swags was awarded Startup Nation’s 2011 Top Home-Based 100 business in the Most Glamorous category and countless client products have been spotted in numerous celebrity magazine’s and featured on many entertainment websites since 2006.

If you would like more information regarding celebrity baby baskets, getting products to celebrities, celebrity gifting, or other marketing services, please feel free to contact Baby Swags directly at info@babyswags.com.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phyllis Pometta
Baby Swags
info@babyswags.com
888-284-2170

Here are a few ideas for the kids for Christmas Eve.

1. REINDEER FEED

www.ChristyRobbins.blogspot.com

Make up little bags of oats (oatmeal) and glitter with this cute little poem to give to the kids. The kids sprinkle this outside on Christmas EVE for the reindeer!

“Sprinkle on the lawn at night the moon will make it sparkle bright as Santa’s reindeer fly and roam this will guide them to your home”

2. LAWN TINSELING

Sprinkle the glitter all over the lawn so Santa knows where to stop! It also helps Santa find your house in any kid of weather. Super cute! Full instructions at http://shabbykitteh.blogspot.com/2011/12/lawn-tinselinga-christmas-tradition.html

3. OPENING 1 GIFT

Every year I let the kids open 1 gift Christmas Eve which is usually new PJs. This is a tradition that my mom still does for me and my sisters when we get together.

4. SANTA COOKIES WITH MILK

The day before Christmas bake special cookies (I usually bake gingerbread cookies) and let them decorate them for Santa. Use the same plate (Santa’s special plate) every year! Also, use “Santa’s cup” for milk!

5. A SNACK FOR THE REINDEER

Leave some carrots by Santa’s cookies for Santa to give to the reindeer!

Happy baking!

3 cups all purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp. allspice
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 large egg
1 1/2  tsp vanilla extract

Combine flour, baking powder, and spices in a large bowl and whisk to combine.  In a mixing bowl, cream sugar, brown sugar and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy, about three minutes.  Add egg and vanilla and beat until well incorporated.  Slowly add flour mixture, mixing on low speed.  The dough will be very stiff.  Lay out a large sheet of plastic wrap and turn dough out on to plastic.  Form into a disk and wrap tightly.  Chill approximately one hour. 

Remove dough from refrigerator and let stand five to ten minutes at room temperature.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.  Generously flour work area and rolling pin.  Roll dough to about 1/4″ thick and cut into desired shapes.  Transfer to prepared pans and bake about 9-12 minutes.  Cookies shouldn’t really brown but will firm up.  Remove from the oven, let stand about one minute on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.  When completely cool, frost as desired.

Photo Source: homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com

Source:http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/12/spiced-brown-sugar-christmas-cookies.html

Holiday traditions are big at my house. My husband’s family has had the same traditions for many years and now we are able to do them with our own children. There are SO many traditions out there that are fun! I encourage you to add another one for the kids to yours! I personally have added 3 new traditions to mine! As a mother, it makes my heart melt when I see my children’s faces light up with joy seeing these new traditions come to life.

Here are my new traditions  you can try!

                                                                                                             THE PICKLE ORNAMENT

The night before Christmas the pickle ornament is hung on the tree, Santa does it secretly. And on Christmas morning when you arise, the first to find it gets a sweet surprise. A family tradition for all to share, you’ll look for the pickle year after year! You can find your own pickle ornament at Target!

                                                                                                   THE ELF ON THE SHELF

Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa knows who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year. 

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot!  While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy. You can get your won elf at Target or www.elfontheshelf.com

                                                                                                    TREE STUMP ORNAMENT

Cut about an inch thick off of your Christmas tree stump every year, date it and hang it on the tree! Do this every year!

Source: www.elfontheshelf.com

Photo source: www.thefancyyanceys.blogspot.com 

                             www.elfontheshelf.com

                            www.kidsstuffworld.com

Hilary was once the star of the Dinsey show Lizzie McGuire and since then has grown up, got married to pro hockey player Mike Comrie and is now expecting their first child.

Duff and hubby will be welcoming their baby boy in March 2012.

Congrats to the cute couple!

Photo Source: Unknown

                                                Apple bites

Ingredients

• Apples

• Slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Just quarter and core an apple, cut a wedge from the skin side of each quarter, then press slivered almonds in place for teeth.

Tips:

If you’re not going to serve them right away, baste the apples with orange juice to keep them from browning.

Source&photo:http://familyfun.go.com/halloween/halloween-recipes/halloween-snacks/apple-bites-688193/

             HAVE A HAPPY, HEALTHY & SAFE HALLOWEEN!

So, as the holidays are approaching I came across a fun Halloween lunch for the kids. I had purchased a kids food cookbook at my local grocery store a while back and finally used one of the recipes. These Ham ‘N’ Cheese spiders were a hit with my kids! You could even stuff the spider with ground turkey or anything else!

• 5 Servings
• Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min.

Ingredients

• 1 tube (12 ounces) refrigerated flaky buttermilk biscuits, separated into 10 biscuits
• 1 tube (11 ounces) refrigerated breadsticks, separated into 12 breadsticks
• 1 cup chopped fully cooked ham
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1-1/2 teaspoons prepared mustard
• 5 slices process American cheese
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon water
• 2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
• 1 tablespoon diced pimientos
• 1 teaspoon poppy seeds

Directions

• On two greased baking sheets, pat five biscuits into 3-1/2-in. circles. Cut one breadstick in half lengthwise, then in half widthwise, creating four strips. Repeat nine times (save remaining breadsticks for another use). Position eight strips of dough around each biscuit to resemble spider legs; twist and press lightly onto baking sheet. Tuck a 1/2-in. foil ball under each dough strip so it stands up in the center.
• Combine the ham, onion, butter and mustard; spoon 3 tablespoons onto each biscuit circle. Fold cheese slices into quarters and place over ham mixture. Pat remaining biscuits into 4-in. circles; place over filling. Pinch edges to seal.
• In a small bowl, beat egg yolk and water. Brush over tops of biscuits and breadsticks. On each spider, position two olive slices for eyes; place pimientos in center of olives. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Bake at 375° for 15-20 minutes or until browned. Yield: 5 sandwiches.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (1 each) equals 511 calories, 18 g fat (7 g saturated fat), 83 mg cholesterol, 1,751 mg sodium, 66 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 20 g protein.

*This isn’t the healthiest recipe but it is fun and has a good source of protein.

Photo source: TasteofHome.com

Source:http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Ham–n–Cheese-Spiders