Have you ever taken a close look at the other women around you while you were eating out? Chances are that many of them are “hunched” over and often complain of various body pain and discomforts. Hopefully, those most affected by musculosketal injuries, and/or predisposed discomforts due to heredity, are seeking the advice of a competent physician or licensed chiropractor. However, what I have observed from my experience as a certified personal trainer and group fitness instructor (as well as, being a “forty-something”, mother of two!), is that so much of our aches and pains may be relieved by simply becoming aware of the many changes that our bodies go through during pregnancy and postpartum.

In the 1970’s and early 80’s pregnant exercisers were not the norm. In fact, pregnant women were considered “delicate”. Unfortunately this “myth of the delicate condition” is still alive and well today. It is amazing to me that even in 2007, my perinatal fitness students tell me stories about total strangers coming up to them while they are exercising , saying such things as, “Are you sure that is safe for you and your baby?” If these observers introduced themselves as certified in perinatal fitness, I might listen to them. Otherwise, their comments would lead me to believe that they are unaware of the vast amount of research available today that supports the benefits of exercise before, during and after pregnancy. Read the rest »

Looking for a fun activity for the family? Bundle up and light up Fayetteville Street with Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker. The first-ever holiday lighting of what has been newly dubbed “Raleigh’s Main Street” kicks of this afternoon, December 8, at 5pm. Take a carriage ride and enjoy the holiday carolers while watching thousands of white lights in the trees lining the street.

“We hope this is something that can become an annual event,” said Tracey Lovejoy, vice-president of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. “Since Fayetteville Street was reopened to traffic, it really has become Raleigh’s ‘Main Street’. We had tremendous success with the Christmas parade this year and we’re looking forward to making the street beautiful for the holiday season.”

Looking for a fun weekend activity? Check out the 12th annual self-guided walking tour of historic homes and buildings in the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood next Saturday, December 2 from 3pm-8pm. Walk through ten historic homes and buildings and learn about the structures’ history while enjoying the beautiful oak trees and wide sidewalks that make up the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood. The neighborhood represents the merging of two 1905 suburbs (yes, these two Raleigh “suburbs” were inside the beltline and near what you know today as Glenwood South). More than 75% of the homes in the Glenwood-Brooklyn neighborhood retain their historic character, securing the neighborhood’s spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here for $8 or for $10 on the day of the event at Jenkins Memorial United Methodist Church, which is also the starting point for the tour. The church is located at 725 North Boylan Avenue on the corner of Devereux Street. Tickets include a tour guide booklet and map to the featured homes, along with descriptions of the features and history of each home.

Visit the Historic Glenwood / Brooklyn Neighborhood Association website.

Do you live in Raleigh and have young children? If your answer is yes and you don’t know about Project Enlightenment, take a moment to read about this wonderful (mostly free) resource.

Project Enlightenment is a comprehensive early childhood education and mental health program within the Wake County Public School System. Since 1969, Project Enlightenment has offered workshops, resources, consultation and education services. Read the rest »

In driving distance from Raleigh, you have two options for a fun baseball outing and day-trip, the Durham Bulls and the Carolina Mudcats.

* Durham Bulls - The Triangle’s minor league baseball team located in Durham. See the schedule, learn about the team and order tickets online.
* Carolina Mudcats - North Carolina minor league baseball team located in Zebulon. Visit the website for tickets, roster, and fun ‘Muddy the Mudcat’ activities you can print.

The North Carolina Museum of Art took 164 acres of land from a now-relocated state prison and turned it into a park for visitors to enjoy. One highlight is the Art Park which consists of a trail lined with temporary and permanent works of art - some of which are perfect for children to climb through! Learn more on the North Carolina Museum of Art website.

Head outside in beautiful weather and visit one of Raleigh’s many wonderful parks. A few of our favorites are:

• Banbury. Tucked between Glenwood and Wade near Cantebury, this park has swings, a sandbox, and a fun climbing and sliding play set. It’s next to a hill and a soccer field - perfect for children who like to run and run and run. 1700 Banbury Road, Raleigh, NC 27608.
  
• Laurel Hills. The best thing about Laurel Hills is its gigantic wooden structure that kids can climb up, down and through. Slides, bouncing bridges, and tires are a few of the many highlights of this great play set. 3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh, NC 27612, Phone: 919-420-2383. Read the rest »