My baby turned one, and I knew it was time.  It is time to Start Something.

I am married, and we have three children.  I work outside the home, and a part of my title is a coordinator.  At home, I have also been told that I am the coordinator.  Or as Bryan usually puts it, I am the management and he is the labor.  He thinks that’s hilarious.  I’m undecided.  There is an awful lot to coordinate.

There is a woman I know named Katy, and I believe that we are becoming good friends.  Katy sent me a link to IowaMoms.com and in about 11 seconds, I had written to my husband to tell him I wanted to try something new.  My husband is a very patient man.

“What do you know something about?”  Katy had asked.  And I thought, well, I know how to coordinate things?  But there is more to it than that.  I’m a woman with a career, a husband, and children ages 6, 3, and 1.  Anyone with a similar schedule knows that simply means busy, and anyone who doesn’t live with small children won’t quite get it no matter how I describe the mundane duties that go along with it, all day, every day.  My best friend says “it is what it is” and I think I’ve got the routine down.

What I’m most proud of is that I make time for fitness every single day.  This is what I’d like to write about.  Recently, for reasons I may decide to discuss at another time, I have heard a lot of comments like “I don’t know how you do it.”  And I try to smile and say “oh, it just takes some organization.”  But in my head, I automatically think, “How I do it?  Sometimes, I’d just like to know why I do it.”  So here I am, and I hope to answer both of those questions and more.

We were recently asked by Save the Children and the Ad Council to let you know about their new national public service campaign, “See Where the Good Goes.”  They are working together to mobilize citizen action in the U.S. to help local health workers save more children worldwide.

Each year, almost 9 million children in the developing world die of largely preventable and treatable illnesses before they reach the age of five – that equates to approximately 24,000 child deaths a day.  However, every 4 seconds a child survives thanks to the basic health care provided by local health workers.  The campaign communicates that local health workers are critical when it comes to newborn and child survival in the developing world.  “See Where the Good Goes” supports these local health workers and you can meet them and the children they help to survive by visiting www.GoodGoes.org.

The website also features a customized Google map application of the local health worker’s village, blog posts, video bios, and a menu of ways people can get involved in this campaign.  You are one step away from helping children around the world survive.

Thanks for checking out www.GoodGoes.org … because Good Makes The World Go Round.

So many people suffer from arthritis pain, and you can learn that ‘moving is the best medicine’.    May is Arthritis Awareness Month and throughout the entire month of May, there will be over 100 Arthritis Walks held nationwide to help raise awareness and funds to help improve the lives of those that live with arthritis.  Do you live near one of them?  You can find out here, and help support the cause. 

The Ad Council and Arthritis Foundation have teamed up to put together a great website where one can take a quiz to find out if they are at risk of having osteoarthritis.  Knowing the facts are important.  Take a minute and learn about the causes, risks, symptoms, and diagnosis for osteoarthritis.   If you are at risk, or do suffer … it does not need to dictate your life. Come find out what exercises will benefit you the most, how to manage your pain, and how to talk to your doctor.  It can change your life.

Visit the website – Fighting Arthritis Pain - In addition to everything mentioned above, there is also an online community, local events and programs and also some awesome resources.  It’s worth a few minutes of your time time check it out.

And that is not all, we have been given a  “Moving is the Best Medicine” Premium Package to give away to one of you!

The package includes: 

   • a copy of Walk With Ease
   • a DVD of Tai Chi For Arthritis
   • a set of light dumbbells
   • Pilot Dr. Grip Pen
   • Hefty 1 zip storage bag coupons
   • Cardinal Easy Open Binders
   • ThermaCare heating pack

The contest is open to US residents only.   Just leave a comment on this post and you are entered to win.  If you’d like to tweet or share this giveaway on facebook or your blog , please feel free to do so.  The will give you extra entries, but please remember to leave a separate comment telling us you’ve done so.  Winner will be drawn randomly from all entries and contacted on Friday, May 28, 2010. 

Good Luck!

Disclosure:  IowaMoms.com has been given two premium packages (contents listed above).  One to keep and one to give away to a random winner.

Lately, I have had more of an interest in firming up my jiggly parts. Probably because after 31 years and co-creating three babies, my body is wilting a smidgen. Or a lot. While I love and respect this body for what it has accomplished, I feel like I need to repay it with a healthy lifestyle update that includes getting stronger from exercise, not just carrying heavy baskets of laundry up and down the stairs.

Like squeezing a sausage back into it’s casing, I slipped on my spandex and set out for Hothouse Yoga in Iowa City. The staff and fellow yogis were very kind and I felt right at home. By “home ” I mean like a frog stuck in a coffee can on a hot summer day.

Yes, it was hot. It is supposed to be. Initially I struggled to find my breath so I took the time to stretch. I laid on my towel covered yoga mat and remind myself that I could do this. Breathe. What am I doing here? Breathe. No crying. Breathe. Seriously, no crying.

Truthfully, from the moment we began moving, I loved the workout. I was curious where all the water pouring down my body was coming from before I realized it was seeping from my own pores. Never in my life have I sweat so much. And it felt so empowering. I was sweating away worry, toxins and stress. I was breathing in positive white light and strength.

As a parent, I was amazed to look back at my hour of pretzel twisting and realize that while I was in there, I didn’t think once about my To Do List. Or who I had to pick up and when. Or if I remembered to shave my left armpit after I was interrupted for the 4th time during my six minute shower.

I was totally invigorated.

And thirsty.

I am about as flexible as an old barn board. In the heat, my body loosened up and allowed me to stretch and feel the results almost immediately. The careful direction of the teacher allowed me to push myself without any risk of injury and allowed me to feel comfortable in my own skin.

I walked out of there feeling like one hot mama. In more ways than one.

Hothouse Yoga
www.hothouseyoga.com
Iowa City & Coralville
$15 per class (Discounts available on punch cards)
$20 First week unlimited classes

Katy Brown is a wife, mom and part-time super-hero. She lives in a humble, cozy home with her SuperHub and three adorable kids. Read more Mommy Mishmash at www.mommymishmash.com.

It’s THAT time of year again.  Though this year I think we’re entering “Round Two”.  Earlier in the season it seemed like  the cold and flu hit our families pretty hard, so hopefully this bout won’t be nearly as hard on us.  One important key to that is to be ready and knowledgeable. 

Triaminic, a leader in children’s over-the-counter cold and flu symptom medication, has launched an awesome site  full of helpful information.  Their national Cold & Flu Tracker provides a weekly data feed of cold & flu symptom trends by state.  (So far, Iowa doesn’t look too bad!!  Whoo Hoo!)  For parents, being aware of the activity in their area could help them prepare for when cold and flu symptoms appear. This online tool also provides information and tips to help prevent their family from becoming sick. 

If your kiddo does become ill, there’s also the Sick Day Guidelines available to you on the site.   Triaminic® partnered with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) to create these guidelines, making the decision of whether or not to keep your child home or not … a little easier. 

VISIT THIS INFORMATIONAL TRIAMINIC® SITE TODAY! 

You’ll be glad you did!

In additon to all of this,  I would like to offer you a downloadable coupon for $1.50 off any Triaminic® product.  I hope you won’t need it, but if you do … this would sure be helpful.

When dispensing medication to children, remember to always read and follow medicine labels exactly, to ensure that the child receives the right dosage. Single-use products like Triaminic Thin Strips® provides a pre-measured dose of medicine that dissolves quickly on the tongue, so parents know their children are receiving the recommended amount for their age.

DISCLOSURE:  IowaMoms.com received a sample pack of Triaminic Thin Strips to try and review.  All opinions are that of IowaMoms.com.

There seems to be a growing controversy over the H1N1 vaccine.  Take a moment to watch the story below and let us know what YOU think.  Will you have your children vaccinated?