I had a new client who arrived frazzled, and stressed out. When I suggested that we do yoga to relieve her anxiety, she stated anxiously, “but I’m not flexible!” I reassured her that 99.9% of my clients felt the same way when they were first asked to try yoga. What’s great about yoga is the postures are performed at your own level of ability. There’s no competition in yoga, the focus is within. Much of the class you’ll have your eyes closed with the focus placed on your breath.

A simple posture I often begin class with is called Mountain pose. To do Mountain pose begin standing with your feet shoulder width a part. Keep your spine straight, tuck your pelvis under and tighten your upper thigh muscles. Close your eyes and inhale a deep breath in through your nose. As you inhale imagine the breath going to the top of your head. Exhale out through your nose with your mouth closed. As you exhale imagine the breath sinking to your toes. As the breath sinks to your toes imagine all the tension of your day exiting your body sinking into the ground. Read the rest »

It’s as easy as A, B, C to cook (and shop) faster, better and smarter!

The editors of Every Day with Rachael Ray break down what it truly means to be ‘al dente,’ draw a treasure map to help you find ‘hidden treasures of the supermarket’ and even give you the ‘V.I.T. treatment’ (Very Important Tools that is) revealing their top five faves that no kitchen should be without.

Check out the NEW September issue, on newsstands now, to find these A to Z tips to raise your kitchen consciousness. Read the rest »

My ten year-old son, Kevin, was sitting at dinner last night playing with his food. I could tell something was wrong. Finally, he let it out, “I thought I wouldn’t be picked on, at least for the summer.” It turns out that he was being bullied again at day camp.

I contacted the camp director and informed him of what Kevin told me. His response was, “We didn’t see anything so there is nothing we can do.” If I understand this correctly, at least one of his campers is scared to return to camp and he says there is nothing he can do about this situation? This is not acceptable. I believe there is a lack of concern at the administrative level and a lack of training and support for the counselors. Read the rest »

Parents today recognize the importance of feeding their children healthy nutritious foods. The problem is that the cafeteria has become just another franchise; foods aren’t healthy and well-balanced. Vending machines offer chips, cookies, sodas and a myriad of other junk foods that children shouldn’t be eating. This creates a challenge to parents that many have decided to ignore.

Assuming that it’s a lost cause, some parents have rationalized that the rest of their meals are healthy and nutritious so why worry about what their children are eating for lunch. This is a dangerous misconception considering what is being served in the majority of school cafeterias. Read the rest »

This week on the Clever Parents Friday Picks of the Week: back to school lunch tips to lure your child into healthy eating, back-to-school spending tips, Modern Moms Groups and more!

Boston Mamas: Lunch Lures
Check out these back to school lunch tips that no doubt will lure your child in to enjoy a healthy meal.

Modern Mom Groups Have Launched! Meet other moms at exclusive Moms Night Out events, play dates and more.

MomFinds: Win a $100 giggle Shopping Spree The first giggle giveaway was such a big hit, we decided to give our readers another chance to win big..$100 big.

Moms Buzz: Back to School Spending Tips Here are some tips to spend less when going out shopping for Back-to-School necessities so that you “hit the books and not your wallet.”

One Chic Mama: Pumping Made Easy August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and we bring you two great solutions to make it a little easier.

It’s funny to me how something that was so popular twenty something years ago can get my daughter excited in 2008. I guess what goes around really does come back around. On August 12, Strawberry Shortcake is dancing and singing her way on stage in a new release called “Rockaberry Roll.” Read the rest »

Are there any foods that may help with muscle stiffness, aches and pains? Have no fear, there are many delicious foods that contain natural anti-inflammatory compounds. But first, let’s make sure you’re not consuming foods that are actually increasing your discomfort.

Sugar really disrupts your body chemistry in many negative ways and can make your body and mind feel tired and achy. People often crave sugar, which comes in many forms, when their body feels sluggish and they want a boost of energy. Unfortunately, while the immediate rise in blood sugar may give you a short-lived burst, the drop in blood sugar that soon follows will make you feel worse than before. Caffeine works in a similar manner; quick boost, then long fall. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the mornings you wake up with especially stiff achy muscles followed an evening before that contained a sugary dessert, alcohol (another form of sugar), or coffee. Read the rest »