Supper Swapping makes life easy for this Stroller Strides mom

I recently started participating in a Supper Swapping group with 3 other moms. We each have a day of the week, my day is Tuesdays. I cook a pre-determined meal for our family and all of their families as well. They I deliver the meals and I'm done cooking for the week.

None of us had ever done this before and I can honestly say we were a bit skeptical, but we started a couple of weeks ago and it is awesome!

Personally, I am so grateful for the extra time I have each evening to spend with my kids. We can play, watch a video, clean up (not a favorite) and not worry about dinner because it's already made. It's wonderful.

Tomorrow we will get together and discuss how it is going. We also use Facebook to keep track of one another. It's great! ommunity, conversation, exercise, Extra Pounds, fitness, healthy eating, moms,

There are several books out there on the subject if you are interested. We used "The Great American Supper Swap" by Trish Berg. As a wife, mom, friend and Stroller Strides owner and instructor I am always looking for things to make my life a little simpler so I can spend my time doing the things I most enjoy. Supper Swapping has made a marked difference in my life and the life of my family.

Try it!

How to get back into life - after having a baby!

Stroller Strides fits the bill for women's health

The most recent issue of HEALTH magazine offers an article by Lambeth Hochwald that states that walking boosts your mood, improves your memory, lowers your risk of disease and helps you to stay fit.

Well of course it does. We all know that walking is an important link to better health. So why don't we do it more often. How hard can it be?

Well, if you have little ones, then you know the struggles we face, as moms, to get out the door to go walking. Here are a few of the challenges:

• loading the stroller (how does this thing fold up again?)
• kids dressed
• toys
• snacks
• drinks
• dry pants
• shoes (I know I have some tennis shoes somewhere under this pile of flip flops)
• shorts that fit (yeah right!)
• t-shirt (can I borrow one from my husband?)
• jacket / sweatshirt (the throw-up stain isn't that noticeable is it?)
• car keys / house keys

And that's just the list to get out the door; Let alone take the walk, keep the little one(s) happy, break a sweat and avoid getting lost in your own neighborhood because you have mommy brain.

But the fact of the matter is that walking does help and it has wonderful side effects. According to Hochwald's article, walking is "great for the heart, cut's breast cancer risks, helps you sleep, cuts down on aches and pains, makes you happy, keeps you slimmer, staves off senior / mommy moments & protects your bones." With benefits like this it would be crazy not to walk a little more each week.

Stroller Strides fits this bill perfectly. All you have to do show up. Let us take care of the rest. As you walk your way to better health we entertain your little one(s), never notice your stained sweatshirt, keep you from getting lost, support you with conversation, laughter and multiple shoulders to cry on, instruct you on great exercises to get you back into your skinny jeans / shorts and most importantly walk with you!

We're here for YOU and want to see you succeed as a mom and as a woman. We value your health and we want to help you be as fit and healthy as possible. So don't wait another day to start walking. If you can get to the park, we'll help you do the rest, and can guarantee you'll want to be with us everyday.

See you there!

Stroller Strides is helping moms be healthier and happier this summer!

Summer is just around the corner. The weather is getting better and better on the high desert and it's time to start venturing outside. If you've had a baby this winter chances are you've been cooped up inside for a while. If you have little ones they've probably been cooped up with you and hopefully not driving you crazy - ask me about my 1 & 2 year old!!

But now it's time to get out and get fit. Stroller Strides of Central Oregon is proud to offer a full schedule of classes for moms and babies all summer long. Getting outside, breathing fresh air and exercising muscles is just what you need to feel healthier and happier this summer.

Classes are offered at the beautiful Pilot Butte State Park on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:15 am. There is room for you and we welcome you with open arms. Please join us for a week of FREE classes.

Spend an hour with us and you'll want to spend every day with us. Guaranteed!

(Play days are also on the calendar for the entire summer - come join us for LUNA Moms Club twice a month. Meet some other great moms and make some friends for your baby. Visit www.strollerstrides.net/playdays for details and a full calendar of events.)

Stroller Strides is MOVING OUTSIDE!

The weather is finally turning, so all Stroller Strides classes in Bend will be moving outside on May 12! If you haven't tried a class yet, now is your chance to get into shape for summer and meet some really great moms at the same time. We have a blast and we'd love for YOU to join us.

Classes are held at Pilot Butte State Park on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday @ 9:15 am. All fitness levels are welcome and your first week is FREE!

Classes are ideal for both prenatal exercisers and new moms (who are at least 6 weeks postpartum.)


Please remember to bring the following:

• WATER
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Blanket or mat for ab work
• Layers for changing weather
• Toys & snacks for baby

There are nice restrooms and ample parking at the butte. We meet on the walking track at the base near the restrooms.

Please feel free to click here www.strollerstrides.net/bend if you have any questions or call Debi @ 382-1147.

I look forward to striding into fitness with you!

Our Bodies Are Seeing Results!

We've been having so much fun in class lately. Tank Top Thursdays have been a real hit and we've all be talking about how we're starting to see results. Even our husbands are starting to comment. This is GREAT!

The wonderful thing about Stroller Strides is that it is the consistency that really makes the difference and it is so fun to celebrate these accomplishments together!

Thanks to all the great moms who are putting in the effort to be healthy and model healthy habits to their kids. You rock!

Mommy Couldn't Finish Dessert!

Yummmmmmy! We had a great time at our Moms Night Out event on Friday night. It was so awesome to be out having adult conversation. While most of it was about our kids, it was still fun to sit and laugh and chat and ask each other questions.

Our desserts were to die for. The Blacksmith definitely has some great offerings in the post dinner department. A big shout out to them for making our evening so great. My brownie sundae was so rich I couldn't finish it. Yum!

We spent over 3 hours just shootin' the breeze and it was AWESOME!

If you missed it, please join us next month. It will be great, as usual.

Party on girls!

Moms Night Out - Mommy Deserves Dessert!

We're going out this Friday night. Just the girls that is. No husbands, boyfriends, or kids tagging along. We'll be at the Blacksmith at 6:30 pm for dessert.

Does this sound tempting to you? Check out our group and events at www.strollerstrides.net/bend and click on the LUNA playgroups tab at the top of the page.

It will be an evening of relaxation and fun eating decadent desserts and participating in adult conversations!!

See you there!

March Events for Moms - LUNA Moms Club of Bend

LUNA Moms Club Calendar for March 2008

Join us for some fun this month!

* LUNA Moms Club @ Deschutes Public Library, Bend , Thursday, March 13 @ 11am
CREATE A READER TODAY! Join us at the Deschutes Public Library in Bend for playtime and book fun. We will meet in the kid's section at the back on the couches for a time of playing and reading. Even if you have a very little one, join us to find out more about what the library can offer you as your little one grows and maybe even pick up a book for yourself.


* Moms Night Out, Friday, March 21 @ 6:30 pm
MOMMY DESERVES DESSERT & Book Exchange Come join us for a fun evening of wonderful desserts at The Blacksmith in downtown Bend. All moms deserve a little decadence in their lives once in a while. We will meet a little later on this evening so you can eat with your family then sneak away for some girl time. Enjoy a Coffee Creme Brulee or Lemon Meringue Tart with Lavender Butterfly Cookies along with an Irish coffee or other adult beverage. We will also be doing a book exchange, so bring something you've read recently and want to trade - What? You haven't had time to read any books recently? That's ok, come anyway and learn what's hot on the literary scene while enjoying some adult conversation.

The Blacksmith
211 NW Greenwood Avenue
Bend, Oregon 97701
t | 541.318.0588

PLEASE RSVP TO DEBI AT: debis@strollerstrides.net

* LUNA Moms Club @ Larkspur Park (aka Reed Market Park), Thursday, March 27 @ 11am
PLAY TIME The weather is tempting us, so we're gonna tempt the weather by planning a morning of play time at the wonderful Larkspur play area. This is also known as Reed Market Park just off Reed Market Road where the Senior Center is located. Bring your snacks and play clothes for a time of swinging, sliding and getting crazy with the kids. If the weather doesn't cooperate we will have an alternative activity planned. Just cross your fingers for a great day!!

Moms Night Out at Pepe's

Oh we had so much fun. It was wonderful to sit and talk with other women for a couple of hours. Nice, accomplished, intelligent women.

I can't wait to do it again next month.