Martini Momma

Am I old???

After reading my sister's post the other day about feeling old (the one where the server asked them where they were off to next), I got thinking about my own life and how drastically it has changed. Yes, I still love to have a great time, but my idea of a great time has changed. For one, I like being in my own home. Sitting around the kitchen table drinking wine and playing games with people I can laugh with is a good time for us these days, in fact our Friday night consisted of Scrabble and Yahtzee. Being pregnant and having a baby was and is a huge contributing factor to the shift in our lives, but I must say, we were starting to enjoy being closer to home long before Ivy came along.

This weekend I came across two situations that made me think twice about how old I am.  One came as we were at the liquor store picking up some beer for game night. Jared stood outside with the dog and Ivy while I went in to get the goods.  While I was standing in line, a girl who was around  20 was picking up white zin for her and her friends wearing pretty much next to nothing. Her dress, showing her boobs in the front, and her ass in the back (yes, that short), took me by surprise.  When I came outside I said to Jared, "Did you see that girl inside?" He replied, "Yeah".  I said, "I can't believe what a whore she looks like ". At this point I knew my husband had two thoughts. 1.)That she was hot which she absolutely was and 2.) Why doesn't my wife show more skin when we go out?  The truth is, that when I was her age I dressed like that too, just not quite as skanky. At that moment I wondered if her parents saw her before she left the house and what I would have thought if that was my daughter. Oh my God, am I grown up???

My second brush with age came while I was running at Kildonan Park on Saturday.  If you know Kildonan Park, you know what we call Cool Man's Corner.  This is the corner of the park where all the "cool" kids hang out with their pimped out cars and smoke weed among other things. As I was running by smelling the aroma of a fat joint being smoked, I couldn't believe how ballsy they were. Here I was exercising in the middle of the afternoon while they were busy getting high. I too remember a day way way back where my friends and I could be found on that same corner with our loser boyfriends getting ourselves into trouble, but now it all seemed so crazy.

All of those immature events in my life seem like a forever ago and I must say I don't miss the days of the bar, slutty clothes, and stupid decisions.  My life is full and fun and I wouldn't trade it for anything. How is that for feeling old??

So what? SoMed

I will be the first to admit that I live in a bubble:)  Sure -  I blog...I send email...I use outlook calendar to send appointments to my husbands iphone (even stuff like pick up dry-cleaning is an actually appointment - YES, he might no survivie without me:))...I go on FB (mainly to see what the rest of the world - aka my friends without blogs are doing)...I own a cellphone BUT it is rarely charged or with me.

Last week I heard of soMED (social media and don't be embarassed if you too didn't know this term either) and mashable for the very first time.  I am taking a very cool cyber course (EB4W - Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Women) and would definately recomend it to anyone that it might apply.  It has confirmed that although I once came from a field of technology and although I think I am hip to the teens of today - I AM NOT - I am a social media and technology dinosaur.

Well, this bubble that I live in is about to pop - NOW!  Let's face it  - FB might be the best way for me to keep up my kids lives as they grow (sad yes, but true maybe), it is the vessel to a mega kick ass businees, and it is a way to connect with people and leave a footprint and impact on this world - ALL OF IT!

Check out this video:

This video floored me - I had no idea!  It has burst my bubble ten-fold.  What am I doing?   I am currently working on a new page/blog that will reflect my business and talk to my clients.  We are posting DAILY DOSE OF BALANCE TIPS that will change your life - people.  They are seriously changing mine:)  You can read them every day HERE or you can follow me on twitter (kathGompf).

Yes, I am up on twitter and I am keeping up with my tweets.  Tweets actually work awesome for me - I never can get the writing to the blog. I struggle with putting my thoughs on paper - that's why my blogs ramble and use hyphens as some new fancy form of punctuation but tweets have to be short and sweet (max 140 characters) so hurrah.

Twitter is described as a coctail party - it's social....and we all know I LOVE cocktail parties...so join and be my friend - KathGompf

Yes, so my bubble has burst and I have joined the masses (YES - masses - Did you watch the video? Facebook would be the 4th largest country based on population)

Come join me!

Your Daily Dose of Balance

Live a Balanced Life is still a work in progress but we just can't keep these tips to ourselves anymore - they are changing perspectives, health, habits, and bodies in women who our taking our course and they are changing us too.

The reality is that too often women let themselves go.  We become wives and mothers and begin to put ourselves on the back burner of our life!  This means putting on a few pounds, exercising a bit less, becoming 'frumpy' (I hate that word and yet somedays that is exactly how I feel), giving up things we love because of guilt and time.  Slowly, we become resentful, stuck, empty, and crabby and we begin to wonder if the pot will ever sparkle again.

The truth is that you can have it all!  You can be first and still be an awesome mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend.  We can show you how....

Live a Balanced Life is powered by real women and moms who are doing it right now.  They will give you the tools to get off the back burner of life and start to sparkle again. These experts can 'un-frump' you with holistic nutrition tips and physical training programs that are realistic, energizing and hold you accountable.  They will walk you and help you through the guilt, the bad habits, the empty slump and teach you how you can become first again and why that is mandatory for your family and your future.

Stop waiting and feeling overwhelmed – join us and partner up now with women who have done it and can show you how!

What can you do?

1.  Visit our site daily for you daily dose of balance! Subscribe to our blog to get real-time info.

2.  Subscribe for our newsletter!  Encourage a friend to do so....when we reach 1000 subscribers we will draw for a free space in each of our 3 upcoming sessions.

3.  Follow us on twitter - see what we are up to and how we are putting balance into action in our own lives (kathgompf, wendynovotny, nutritionnat)

4.  Jump in - take a course - find that sparkle again!

Ten on Thursday

1.  Seriously, who makes the commercials for tampons and Canesten?  Neon Kotex where you feel like jumping and singing?  A big box of Canesten hanging out of your big duffel bag!

2.  Why is it so hard for me to get out of bed early these days?  I used to have no problem going to boot camp 3x week and now 2x to the gym kills me.

3.  Last years running injury is coming back - I can feel it!  Not cool hips - what is up with you?  I have been working on core strength all Winter.

4. I have gained 8 pounds since December and I am just not ok with that even though 7 pounds are muscle and my body fat has gone down (yes, I went to get scanned and see WTF?)  My jeans need to fit:)

5.  I have lost my mojo for cooking - maybe it is the cleanse but I am out of ideas and nothing is all that appealing.  We need some good lunch/snack ideas for a mom and kids trying to eat healthy and yummy!

6.  I love the sun! I love the fact that my son can ride a two wheelie anywhere in the sun! He rocks and even pulled off a 12 km loop to Fort Whyte - Harris you amaze me!

7.  Thank you whine god!  Harris is no longer whining and is in fact, super dude.  No whining but a $100 bill at the end of the week for his new hockey net courtesy of his Dad's No Whining Zone sticker chart.  Seems fair to me!

8.  Happy Earth Day!  Swap something you no longer use with a friend (this past weekend's swap and shop was a huge hit)

9.  I love this quote - Show me a woman who doesn't have guilt and I will show you a man! Give up feeling guilty today and enjoy it!

10.  I love tea (ALOT) especially the super cool flavors from Sister's Leap BUT coffee I miss you!  I am rewarding myself after the EcoAdventure this weekend with a big warm mug!  (Yes, I convinced my husband to do the whole thing with me - a great test to see if we would make it on The Amazing Race....)

Bringing Balance Home

Last night kicked off this session with a group of 11 amazing women.  As much as I am leading it, I needed it...you women will inspire me too to grow, push, and get better all around...so great to meet you and I can not wait to see how it unfolds. 

Today, I am starting a spring hypoallergenic cleanse at the recommendation of my nautropath and our meeting Friday.  It is two weeks.  I am ready ( I think).  I am excited (I am rather grossed out by the amount of food I squeezed in at The Lobby and Brunch at the Fort Garry).  I am stocked up.  Here is the nitty gritty:

1.  The diet - no allergens, therefore no gluten, no dairy, no eggs, no caffience, no alcohol, no crappy cuts of meat, shellfish, peanuts....SO yes, you can still eat fruit, veggies, many select grains (brown rice, millet, flax), nuts, organic meats, lentils etc.  It will just require some extra planning and cooking.  I like that so I am looking forward to re-connecting with that.

2.  Dry brushing to stimulate the removal of toxins from the lymphatic system

3.  Cod Liver Oil heat pack/liver soothe - NO I do not have to drink it, just rub in into my liver and soothe

4.  Sauna - 10x in 2 weeks for 30 minutes

5.  Supplements - a few simple supplements to cleanse

It seems not too bad and should have me feeling like I million bucks - check back I will report...

Oh ya, she recommends also detoxing the soul and stuff SO I happened to already have a big swap and shop party with girlfriends planned for Friday so that TOTALLY works (more details on that - would so reccommend it - planning to post photos and tips next week) and for the soul I am going to read this book seems fitting. 

How are you going to kick off this week and Spring?

The Fountain of Youth

This past weekend we had A Balanced Life meeting of the minds and I NEED this course....sure, I am doing the coaching portion but the other 2 experts I have teamed up are so well read, fascinating, and challenge me to grow big:)  We outlined all 12 topics for the session and they are awesome. 

We have 2 more spaces left and if you are interested in kicking your health into high gear and being pushed by some serious motivating debates and topics - sign up soon:)  The course start date is April 11, 2010 (one week further than planned because of Easter) and is completed entirely over the phone from your jammies....

Here is a snippet from Natalie - our Holistic Nutritionist and her talk on alkalinity and the fountain of youth...way cool!

If you're a living, breathing woman, chances are there is something about your skin, energy levels or general health you'd like to improve.  If you feel you're aging too fast there is something you can do about it.  The "fountain of youth" is a simple lifestyle to follow that has been backed by science and is well known in the medical field.  In fact, it was discovered in the 1900's by a scientist who later won the Nobel Prize for his groundbreaking cellular research.  Why is something so important and useful such a well guarded secret for over 100 years?  It doesn't have to be. I'll tell you all about it.  Learn how to stay young on the cellular level and improve every aspect of your health.

Sign up at www.liveabalancedlife.wordpress.com

We interrupt this breakdown......

Yes. It is getting way crazy over here and I am starting to teeter on the verge of breakdown.  Breathe. Balance.  I have lots of family/kids activities mixed in with a huge family wedding in which my husband will quickly burn (or swim) back from his Grand Forks hockey tournament minutes before they walk down the aisle.

I have a coaching presentation for the staff here.  A Balanced Life is very close to full and starting in two weeks (we moved the date by one week to accommodate Easter) and insert marketing material into grab bags at this event worked REALLY, REALLY great...I am getting calls every hour and my cell phone that NEVER rings is totally freaking me out!  Busy=Good and I am so happy that this world is so interested in coaching and the benefits because I think it is Life Changing - always for the better in the end:)  Hmmmmm....maybe today I need to cram a call in with my own coach.  Breathe again - Balance.

ANYHOW, the point of this blog is to tell you that last night I forgot about stress, deadlines, zits, and flab and headed out for TWO FULL HOURS of serious belly laughs.  Girls Only - The Secret Comedy of Women is playing at MTC Warehouse and all women NEED to go.  It is laughter until you cry and we all know we need more of that!!! Grab a friend, a mom, and GO, GO, GO!  You will thank me later:) The even have a blog!

PS. Do not bring your husbands - one poor dude was in the audience and the totally teased him!

Have a great Thursday!

Bringing it All Together....To Be in Balance....

Upcoming Seminar - A Balanced Life

Three life experts have come together to create a one stop opportunity for busy women to find clarity, gain knowledge about fitness and implement a holistic nutrition approach to life.

How do you know if this is right for you?

Are YOU in need of a personal Spring Cleaning?   

Do you feel too busy to commit to meeting with someone outside of your home?  

Do you wish you had a life coach, a personal trainer and a holistic nutritionist at your disposal? 

Are you lacking motivation to get started? 

Or do you simply need a cheerleader to help you to do this on your own?

Here is your chance.  Join a group of like minded busy women who are ready to kick their physical and mental well being into high gear while being led, inspired, and pushed by a dynamic threesome.

What will YOU get out of this?

• 4 Fitness, 4 Life Coaching and 4 Holistic Nutrition seminars via a weekly dial in information session on a hot health/wellness topic followed with inspiring homework

• A daily dose of inspiration and a small challenge to set your day up for success.  We will help you build your new life habits!

• Online access to a password protected Balanced Life community where we can share, discuss and support each other

To Learn more or Register:

Visit www.liveabalancedlife.wordpress.com

Phone Wendy at (204) 898-2763

Email [email protected]

NEXT SESSION STARTING APRIL 4, 2010

Heros and Heartbreak

The Olympics were both breath taking and heart wrenching this weekend, teaching us so many important lessons that each one of us can weave into the fabric of our own life.

Celebrate! Celebrate your successes - it encourages others to GO FOR IT, dream big and celebrate their own success.  We need MORE of this in the world!  Who wasn't inspired to run faster, eat better, be nicer,and just do more after watching Jon Montgomery win GOLD.

 
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others - Marianne Williamson

Courage - Olympics athletes risks it all to train for 4 years for a medal moment.  In skeleton, that 4 years of training is for just over 2 minutes of sliding down a track head first where a medal finish is up 1/100th of a second.  The put lives on hold, dream big, RISK everything and GO FOR IT!  It might seem like a crazy thing to do but they are so courageous in following dreams and passions that I am convinced not one of them would ever issue a statement over any regret.

This weekend we watched with heartbreak and emotion as Mellisa Hollingsworth had a small error that erased her dreams of Canada gold on Canada ground.  She teared up talking about the dissapointment she felt to her country. Imagine, disappointment to US? You are nothing less than inspirational.  The next day when she talked to the press about her heartbreak and the risk she took to get their I was SO INSPIRED.  I am going to re-tell her story to my kids over and over throughout the years. 

Including the hockey game in this discussion Gretzky says it best....

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

 

"It's going to change me as a person," Hollingsworth said of her disappointment. "I hope I become a better person for it and I hope I show others it's okay to dream big and take risks."

Strength - Strength seems obvious, they are incredible athletes, solid is strength and performance, the best in their class.  It is the mental strength that inspires me over and over.  The strength to move past a tragic luging accident and death of a team mate.  The strength to overcome losses and fallen dreams.  Today, the strength that most inspires me is that of Joannie Rochette.  Every Canadian is heartbroken for you and the sudden loss of your Mother and yet you will find the strength to dig deep and finish what you set out to do.  We are all behind you.

The lessons from these athletes are unbelievable, inspiring and motivating.  Use them to dig deeper and influence your own olympics of life.  As they all have been teaching us - there is always a better time, a better way, a new world record.

The scoop on poop

You thought we wouldn;t go there but we are....poop talk 101.  Did anyone see Oprah yesterday  - discussions with Micheal Pollen (read his books - they are fascinating), talk about Food Inc, the owner of Chiplotle and Alicia Siverstone who has taken clean eating to a new level of vegan talking about her poo poo (2-3 times per day and in and out in a minute)

So, we are going there.....when i asked Wendy (who has a private blog but after reader's interest here might be INSPIRED to start a fitness blog)about losing the last 5 pounds of a before the bahamas - she promptly asked about my pooping habits:)

Number 2 has never been a problem although I do admit that with the increase of iron and the lack of coffee I have had to work harder at making it happen (more fibre and water).....and I wont lie I do add a coffee these days when I feel like a need 'a little help' with the process!

We all need to admit a good poop makes you feel great - how gross but true!  I have one friend who has been battling constipation like no body's business (we're talking a po every two weeks and enema's) and trust me no poo makes you crazy!

So here's the low down on shit, poop, crap, logs, number 2 just to kick off your Thursday:

What makes a healthy poop?

Golden Brown

Formed into one long shape like a ripe banana (consistency not colour)

Nearly odorless

1-2 inches in diameter and 18 inches long

Ideally you should poop at least once per day.

I thought I would post a picture but then thought I would sparing you all! Happy pooping!