Martini Momma

Introducing the Newest Member of our Family....

After months of waiting for you to hit the travelling roadshow at Costco I am so happy to announce your arrival....Welcome to the family Vita-Mix (Sorry Mr. Dyson - you have moved one notch lower on the totem pole)

I will not sugar coat it - this machine IS pricey but it is the ultimate tool in clean, healthy food - free from additives and preservatives.  It will make almond milk from almonds, oat flour from oats, and hot soup in just minutes.  I have been dreaming of smoothies with the likes of spinach, kale, and beets hidden amongst raspberries and yougurt.

I spent quiet time getting to know my Vita-Mix this morning and in a matter of seconds whipped up a raw beet, raw carrot, apple ginger juice that was delicious and is sure to get these iron levels up. 

Health was represented by oats and berries was on my vision board. The Vita-Mix is just one step closer to this goal.  After great tips from the women at the retreat I stocked up on daily must-have's Udo's oil, Brewer's Yeast, and a green supplement.  We are en-route!

****Today, we were vaccinated for H1N1 and that feels somewhat contradictory to my life thoughts.  I beleive that we are a family of 4 fully capable of fighting anything that comes our way.  We have done great so far without any flu shots ever in our family.  However, we do have advances in modern medicine that I trust can minimize the outbreak of the flu.  My true thoughtis that it is a bandaid to a REAL pandemic of crappy eating, preservatives, fast food, obesity, stress and lack of sleep.  I hope that there will come a time that a proper diet and a return to simple foods we will see a decrease in diet related illnesses and at that time vaccines may not be so required.  Until then, I will work at our own health as best we can and still vaccinate.

Going Glamourous

So I have decided to dedicate all of this weeks posts to a topic that I put on my vision board at the past weekend's retreat....

Today - Going Glamourous:  Represented by the smoky eyes:)

Here is the thing about glamour - it can mean so many things to so many people.  For me, personally it is morethan what is on your face and body it is the way you carry yourself. 

I am a strong believer that confidence and class are far more glamourous than a perfectly painted face.  Hard work and athleticism, aging gracefully, naturual beauty and kindness also top the list of what is glamour to me. 

I am 90% there but I still fight the frumpy momma blues that comes with some combination of lazy, lack of time, and sheer impatience.  I hang most days in Lulu's and sweats or "dress up" by wearing jeans and a T-shirt.  Make-up is almost non-existant - mascara and maybe a smearing of a soft eye shadow.  I wear lipgloss if I even have my purse and then if I remember.  The irony is that I almost the same with or without GLAM because it is really the inside that counts (I still feel 20 years old too but the look from my young babysitters when I try to be cool reminds me I am NOT - another post, maybe?)

I finally bought my beloved boots and spent days staring at them before wearing them out.  I want to step it up a notch and step out more in those boots.  I want a little more glamour all around the joint.  A little more Fancy for this Nancy.  It is time - I am nearing my mid-thirties - time is ticking.

So, I got some great lessons on make-up this weekend (Thanks Nik and Nat)...I have scoped out this site and even watch a you-tube video or two on smoky eyes:)  I am stepping up and wearing my nicer clothes just because and taking a little more face time in the morning.  I am tossing the old, crappy granny gitch that once protected my c-section scar an somehow made a permanent home in my undie drawer.  I am going to read an occasional magazine and try to incorporate a few tips into this momma's everyday life AND I am taking my husband out on a date with some real smoky eyes.

What are you doing to feel glamourous?

The Path to Fulfillment

Heading out to the retreat I snuck this book into my bag in case I curled up to read -

Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul - How to Create A New You - by Deepak Chopra

I spent no time reading and yet I am home with a reinvention of myself.  The same solid principles are still the same but I learned a little something VERY big from each and every woman I spent the weekend with.  I learned that despite different outsides we are all very much the same on the inside - we all wake up striving to do our very best and we all feel failure when we don't get there.  We all wear our hearts on our sleeves and though some may be quieter than others we all need to be heard in our own way. 

Love and compassion is actually possible amongst strangers despite stories told otherwise.  We witnessed it first hand this weekend.  We all want to instill humility and hard work in our children - we are on our way. 

I reconfirmed that the value of fresh air and outdoors is magical and necessary to me being a complete person.  It is as important as breath. 

I accept without guilt that time away for ME absolutely makes me a better woman, spouse, parent, and friend. I will never let this learning slip away no matter how busy I am.  It is a slow down and rejuvinate that is better than the spa. 

I am home with goals.  I learned more about the soul and religion, health, empowerment and love.  I learned to do smoky eyes.  I learned I am glamourous with or without them.

It was so awesome - I am already onto the next one's plans!  Cheers to some very amazing and beautiful women that keep this city so great and instill so much hope for the future generation!

Here is my vision board - it inspires me to be myself and be thoughtful of my family at the same time.  It reminds me to strive for health, fulfillment, be glamourous, relax, and enjoy the outdoors.  Love the simple things!
 

Book Club Booyah!

Another very entertaining bookclub (aka  - drinking of the minds) maybe this person has a point but we did discuss the book - very interesting read (Still Alice by Lisa Genova - a glimpse into early onset Alhzemier disease) and get some mega important LIFE issues sorted out!

1.  RUN to get this at Costco - It comes as a package together and is D-licious:)  We loaded up again and again until it was gone. 

2.  The word Douche, Super Douche, and Douche Bag are making a come-back  - join in now, try it on, have some fun!  ***Use sparingly for those such situations that REALLY are deserving of such a super cool word!

3.  3 is the NEW 2 ( ie.3 is the new black) Word on the street is 3 kids is the WAY to go - thankfully I have alwyas been a brown girl so I feel no need to hunt now the new black :) 

Always, good for a little book talk, at least one hot parenting topic debate, some silly gossip, LOTS of wine, and TOO much food

Love ya Book Club:)

Just BE it!

I think the Nike slogan Just Do it was made for people like me.  I like to get things done.  I always have a To-Do list.  I love a good challenge.  I live my life in perpetual motion and when something gets in my way I evaluate and move past.  This is how I deal with emotions too.  I feel them and move on - one might argue that it is too quick but it is my way.

It seems like the universe is shouting out to me these days to take a walk on the other side and just experience BEing.  Here are a few of the signs:

Sign #1 - The Principle of Process:  This was one of the topics we covered during my coaching class this month.  This was the homework:

Homework #1: For two hours, simply BE. Notice your process during this practice, and your reaction to it.This will look and feel different for each person. Find out what simply being means for you. Note any temptation to do something or fit this into something you already know, like journaling, meditating, or even reflecting, and bring your attention back to simply being.

I resisted this practice like crazy.  I found it too hard to just BE and kept defaulting to an activity, a list, or a plan. I was a fidgeting toddler with an attention disorder.  I could not just BE no matter how hard I tried and IT SCARED ME!

Homework #2:  In your coaching over these two weeks, listen for where your clients avoid being in their experience.  Take them into their experience and deepen it. Go beyond your own comfort zone in being with where they are, whether this takes five minutes or the whole call. Do this with at least five clients

This is so very hard for me and I need to master the Principle to BE of better service to my clients.  I want to get going, take them away from the pain or lead them to an action that will serve them.  Some clients just need to stay and feel the feelings - good, bad, or other.  They don't need a plan.

Sign #2 - Inspired by Others :  Our recent interview with Wendy got me thinking about meditation.  The author of The Happiness Hypothesis states that he believes that meditation is as powerful as Prozac (and she is in favour of Prozac if required).  Meditiation or any quiet time and solitutde is so lacking from our world these days you can help but wonder the effects.  Brandi told me you can get meditation videos on You Tube - now isn't that funny?

Sign #3 - November's Martini Momma's Bookclub Book - Today we received this email from this lady...

"I have been having a really hard time picking a book for November and I have finally decided.It's a ridiculously easy and short read... but it influenced me and I am re-reading it to gain a little momentum. And who couldn't use a little more momentum these days?" Kal
 

The book is DO by A.C. Pin


I laughed because I am trying to SLOW down but then saw this...

I am starting with this one - BE by A.C. Pin

Looking back it seems funny that I used to sign-off this blog BE this, BE that when it really is something I need to BE with more.  I am off to practice:)

Just curious...What is your slogan? 

 

The Burden of Choice

I stumbled along this very cool, hot heated topic today while trying way too hard to compose a post on a whole bunch of nothing (it did include the Eat Clean Recipes...but they will still come). It stopped me dead in my tracks.  I was in awe.

It is a subject that I think draws moms to this blog, clients to coaching, and me to a quest for total happiness and fulfillment.  It is what makes our to-do lists longer, our days busier, our success no matter how great still seem somewhat incomplete.  It breathes new life to to the phrase ignorance is bliss....or does it?

Choice is both an blessing and a challenge in my own and many clients lives.  What are your choices?  What or who do you base them on?  Where are there too many? Too little?  When does the burden show up and what are you doing about it?

www.inspiredbykath.com

My guilty conscience

Thanks Brand for letting me know about the sale at Lucky. (insert sarcasm, heavy sarcasm)  Didn't I tell you just yesterday that someone needs to put a stop to my shopping.  Anyone know of a shopaholic meeting?

  Confessions:

1.  I LOVE back to school, it is the perfect  reason to shop.  The perfect first day outfit, the greatest backpack, the niftiest shoes.  OK, the backpack is not for me, you're right, none of it is, my shopping is always for kids.  Less guilt, the kids need to be clothed, don't they?

2.  The back to school season also means our birthday season is on.  I love, love, love shopping for great bargains on great toys and with Christmas just after birthdays, it feels like there is more than enough reason to shop.  I get as excited as the wee ones when I think of the new toys Santa will bring. 

3.  I return items about a hundred times before I am satisfied with my purchases.

4.  I am a sucker for the post summer sales.  I stock up at the end of season to avoid paying full price next year.  Reason to shop, right.

5.  Halloween stuff is out, another reason to put on your comfiest shoes and comb those stores, the perfect costumes are out there and I have purchased and returned 5 at this point.

OK, so stop me, the Mastercard is still hot at this point and it's like everywhere I turn, there are sales and the most adorable girls outfits.  My little Misses are fully outfitted for fall and even next spring, even matching waterproof trenches from Gap, so cheap.  My boy still has his fair share but sorry, boys, just not as flashy.  I might be an addict but only briefly for 3 months in the fall and then just again at Christmas.  My travels have found some great finds.  Here goes:  Gap has all there already reduced merchandise for an additional 40% off resulting in dresses for fall for $12 and T's for next spring $8, never mind the trenches for $20 and so much more but going very fast. Adorable butterfly backpacks for cheap as well. Children's Place has costumes, cute ones.  Sadie is the flower, adorable, Ty is the T-rex, very scary.  Maggie's costume is from Costco, our very own Sleeping Beauty, going very fast, as usual.  Costco's toys for Christmas are in as well, some goodies.  Disney Store has great costumes, so cute, I wanted the kids to go as Woody and Jesse, they won out, thankfully, the costumes are a bit pricey there.  Gymboree has everything on for 30% off.  Lastly, Joe has cute fashions for kids, adorable lined rubber boots for girls, still trying to decide if they are totally impractical.  I know my mom would say, "Who cares? keep 'em".  I bought a puffy jacket there for me, cute, cheap, black, goes with jeans, so I did get one item.  Keep in mind, it's coupon week there for $25 gift card.

Gotta run and eat another still-warm cinnamon bun, nothing like homemade baked goods to ease a very guilty conscience. 

Wisdom from Trac

 

 

I have to begin by telling you a bit about Tracy.  I hope she keeps writing for us after my introduction.  As Kath alluded to, she is gorgeous and has the MOST amazing skin.  I will tell you this - some of it must be genetic, but seriously, looking at her make you want to buy ANYTHING she sells.

 

She is incredibly thoughtful.  A testament to her...She bought maternity clothes from the store when she wasn' pregnant just to support her pals. 

 

Lastly, she is crazy passionate about what she does.  She loves her business and is so dedicated to making your experience THE best that she'll blow you away.

She is so amazing that it taeks a while to get in to see her but it is well worth booking ahead.

 

So, Kath  nd I asked her to give us a few pointers on skin care that we can share with our ever fellow mommas because if we can look half as good as she does, we'll be kicking some serious martni ass.  Here's what she had to say...

 

Skin in your 30’s

 

Throughout the course of our lives, our skin will change. Our complexion starts to lose its youthfulness depending on the elements its faced with. The skin is our largest organ, so we need to protect and preserve it!!

 

In your 30’s your body starts to exhibit the first sign of aging.  Smile lines deepen; brown spots & freckles appear, due to various triggers working against us. Following the knowledge & tips below will help to make you look positively stunning throughout your thirties!

 

Factors that our skin is affected by:

 

* Sun exposure can result in photo damage, the more sun you face the slower the cell turnovers causing our skin to become less firm & wrinkled.  Research studies have shown that ninety percent of the skin problems associated with aging are the result of too much sun exposure. These symptoms include premature wrinkling; dry, leathery skin; sagging skin; distended capillaries; blotchy pigmentation and skin cancer.

It’s never too late to start wearing a high SPF now, not only will it prevent future damage, if at bay it will start to repair past damage.  Even tanning beds are damaging with UVA rays.  Wear hats and sunglasses so that you are protecting yourself, as well as wearing SPF on the skin all year round (winter months also) and especially staying out of the sun during peak times in the day 11am-3pm.

 

* Makeup - Avoid harsh makeup that can clog your pores and which will actually cling to any lines and wrinkles, making them more prominent. Use light cosmetics, and if possible, choose a line that contains vitamins and minerals that promote healthy skin. An Eminence Sun Defence mineral evens out your skin tone  while giving your skin effective SPF 30 coverage.  What other product do you know that have these features?

 

* Stress & the environment (pollutants at home or work, smoking etc) play a factor definitely causing a fatigue look to the skin.

 

* Exercise is very detoxifying, when your heart rate is up you will sweat out toxins and increase circulation & oxygen levels therefore creating a clearer canvas on the skin. Also calms the nerves and promotes a deeper more revitalizing sleep. When you are well rested and getting enough sleep, your skin will mirror this with vitality and a healthful glow.

 

* Water intake is important so that dehydration doesn’t occur, especially with our extreme temperatures on the prairies.  All is reflective in our skin.

 

* Hormones do influence our skin….

Breakouts can be the end result especially before and during our menstrual cycle, the level of estrogen drops in our skin & testosterone level increases causing more of an imbalance in the skin therefore causing breakouts to occur.

Eminence products have the solution; they have taken phyto hormones from plants to normalize the skin during these times therefore counteracting the imbalance so that it does not affect the skin.

 

* Use of Antioxidants (nutrients that include certain vitamins, amino acids & other natural substances) can stop or even reverse free-radical damage. Free radicals are not just manufactured by our bodies but by external factors like cigarette smoke, sunlight and air pollution.

 

Eating a diet that is rich in antioxidants is an excellent anti-aging strategy for the entire body.  It is estimated that only about 2-3% of the antioxidants we eat get into the skin because of the body’s demand for antioxidants.  Topically applied antioxidants in an absorbable form can reduce skin damage. 

 

Now, back to reality...I am definitely not cutting out my hot holidays, but I will wear sunscreen.  I am off to get a drink of water and book a trip to see Trac soon.

Rant: How can I be a "guy" parent?

Before you all let me know how you really feel (which please do if you agree and thanks but no thanks if you have ANY other opinion - just kidding)

Disclaimers:

1. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my children.  I would NOT trade them in for a pair of premium denim although those words have been known to fly out of my mouth.  I did stop saying a few weeks ago when Harris told Evy is she didn't give him his stuff back "He would sell her for cheap"!

2. I LOVE my husband.  While I do think he might be slower that most at household tasks than many because in his words "the home is a place of rest and fun" I am definately his number 1 fan.  I think he is an amazing father and husband.

3.  I know the rant below is going to place in comparison to the troubles some of you are expereincing.  I KNOW this.  I wish I was less selfish that I could remind myself of this and MY troubles and stress would melt away BUT THIS IS MY RANT.

WHY CAN'T I BE A GUY PARENT?

As of late my kids are driving me crazy (crazy might be an understatement - MENTAL - like bring on the pink pills people).  Each day is intermixed with cute things they say and do, melt downs, demands, negotiations, and way too many needs.  I HAVE NEEDS TOO! 

Harris needs chocolate milk...., gum at 8:30 am ??????????...., snacks...., sandwiches cut into squares - nope, triangles actually....he needs to know what we are going to do each day AFTER a walk to the park and BEFORE school as if the hour inbetween the two events just can NOT be left to the imagination....he needs me to help fight NINJAS on XBOX as if I know how (thanks Dad) and then he cries when I can't help him win...

Evy takes her clothes off 200 times per day and will not do anything unless she is naked.  She insists on doing everything herself and if I even make a suggest she blurts I KNOW in the most confident of voices.  She thinks at 20 months the IPOD belongs to her and RAFFI should blast through the house at all times.  She cries if I try to help her and then if I try leave her to do it herself - "me do it"...She loves the dog WAY too much and thinks FOXY is a personal assistant (Evy barks non-stop demands at the dog as if she was her personal assistant) and pulls her tail for a good laugh, only she is the only one laughing. 

I am GOING to get a job! I AM going to get a job!  I AM going to get a job! 

I am just trying like stink to hang on because we are soooo close to school - Harris will be in Kindergarten next year and Evy in pre-school.  As many of my friends would put it - that is really when you should decide to be a SAHM when the nest is empty so to speak.  I also know that working maybe getting out but there is guilt there and no more time either.

In fact I am actually taking a course to try and get one THAT I MIGHT ACTUALLY LIKE but when would I ever study?  As I am falling asleep mid afternoon etc. after trying to cram in a workout at 5:45am?  While my kids are home?  I can barely pee with them home?  

This brings me to two things I can NOT get right - TIME and CHILL

I CAN NOT CHILL - I worry if they are in enough activities, if Evy gets enough one on one time, if Harris gets enough one on one time, if they drink too much chocolate milk, eat too much candy, spend too little time inside, too much time on the computer.  I research crafts, snack ideas, how to help them eat enough veggies, to be independent, to have manners....

I get the whole it can be done tommorrow which someone in this house is very fond of BUT with tommorrow comes new challenges on top of what was left behind.  IT JUST PILES UP until you can not see your way out of it! 

This is where it comes to GUY parents.  I am NOT bashing you I am jealous.  You just do your thing.  You just are CHILL.  It doesn't really cross your mind that when you throw frozen Eggos onto a plate for breakfast that there is no fruit/veggie food group.  You go to work because where else would you be? Duhn?  You don't have an internal stuggle about the greater good of YOU vs YOUR family.  You head out the door most mornings to work with little thought of guilt. I JUST WANT TO BE YOU FOR A WHILE - FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE IN THE MOST FAMILY ORIENTED SENSE OF THE WORD..... The only thing is that if one of us is CHILL isn't the other picking up the slack so to speak?  Is that possible for any mom - Stay at home or working?

TIME - My rant is that there is just not enough of it, unless we run on dead empty fueled by coffee which is where we are at most days anyhow.  I do try to prioritize but there are things I do not want to cut out:  a clean house, fridge with healthy food, good healthy meals, fun with kids, exercising, watching tv with my husband, walking the dog, reading a great book, maintaining friendships, BLOGGING, and taking a course so that I can do something I LOVE. 

Add to that the shit jobs of changing and sorting kids clothes at seasons, all the big house projects, laundry, picking up poo, weeding and lawn care, cleaning, chaffeur, obligations, dishes, blah, blah....

We are at a time deficiet people.

HELP.....

BY, the way F the daily plate we are eating out tonight!!!

EXTREME blog makeover.

HEY. It's Kal. I'm totally TRESPASSING on the Martini Momma blog today (but, it just occured to me that I'm a mother-to-a-kid TOO!). We're doing a little SPIFF UP. I wanted to let you all know that these MOMMAS are crazy MOFO's these days. Oh yes they are. Look out. Brandi's got BOOKS out the yang and I happen to know she's itching to get some PRODUCT REVIEWS up here, too. And she will. SHE WILL.  We all kind of agreed that this could be a much more AWESOMER place for Momma's to come and rant, vent, meet, laugh, play, cry and CONNECT.

That's what Momma's do. RIGHT?

(Be patient with us as we get things linked and into shape. GRACIAS.) And stay tuned.