Time to Take Care of You

Motherhood is the biggest blessing in my life. I never imagined that having a child would give me so much joy! Although motherhood gives me great joy I would be lying if I said there weren’t times I wasn’t stressed. As a single mother I’ve learned that it is important to distress from parenting. Since I don’t have a partner living in my household my responsibilities are doubled. Now that I’ve adjusted to my lifestyle I find it imperative to take care of myself just as well as I take care of my daughter. Too often mothers neglect themselves and end up feeling depleted, exhausted, and unhealthy. Below are a few suggestions on keeping a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Exercise

Exercise is an integral to our well being. If we don’t exercise our health will suffer, if our health suffers, our family suffers. Keep yourself on track by exercising a few days a week. Previously, I wrote an article about creating a home gym, an inexpensive way to stay fit without draining your bank account. Try exercising when you are stressed you’ll be surprised at how much better you’ll feel after a good run or workout. My tips for exercising:

• Take a brisk walk during lunch or after dinner.
• Squat while doing the dishes, this is great for your thighs.
• Lift arm weights while watching television and be pleasantly surprised at how quick they become sculpted.
• Try activities such as gardening, biking or swimming.

Eat Well

I can’t tell you how often I get tempted to order a pizza after a long day at work, but I always feel better when I don’t. Eating well gives you energy and keeps your body in good shape. When you cook at home you’ll most likely eat healthier. Stay away from junk food that lowers your energy level and keeps you feeling sluggish. When you are stressed the worst thing to do is overload on food of no nutritional value. Here are my tips for eating well:

• Buy fresh fruit and vegetables and put them in baggies so they are ready to snack on at work or while running errands.
• Invest in a slow cooker and let a nutritious meal cook itself during the day. Coming home to a cooked meal gives you free time in the evening to decompress.
• Plan your meals for the week. You will be less likely to order that pizza.
• Take your vitamins!

Take a Time Out

Life can beat you up! When the kids are misbehaving, work is overwhelming, and everything seems out of control one of the best things you can do is take a time out. Diffuse the situation by walking away and spending time breathing and relaxing. Don’t be ashamed to tell your kids, “Mommy needs a time out.” It is better to walk away than lash out in anger. Here are some suggestions for getting away from it all:

• Take a drive or sit in the car and listen to music.
• Go to the coffee shop and grab a latte or browse in a bookstore.
• Find a quiet room and slowly breathe in and out for 5-10 minutes.

Find a Hobby

When we become mothers our life doesn’t stop. We should continue to grow as an individual and nurture our creative interests. Find something you like to do and do it. Don’t lose yourself so completely in motherhood that you have no interests of our own except your children. I have been guilty of this, but I’ve discovered that I am a better mother when I am fueling my creative fire. Here are some ideas:

• Check out classes in your city that are inexpensive and convenient.
• Convince a friend to try something new with you, for example take an art class together.

Take Time for Beauty

If you look good you feel good. Take time to pamper yourself you deserve it! When Anya is with her father one night a week I take time to fill up a bubble bath, give myself a facial, and do body maintenance. I feel great afterward! You don’t have to run around in sweat pants every day, pulling yourself together gives you confidence and it is a great mood booster. Here are some inexpensive beauty ideas:

• Relax in bubble bath, light candles listen to music or just close your eyes and relax.
• Give yourself an inexpensive pedicure/manicure at home if you can’t afford a spa. All you need is a basin, some oils, nail clippers, a filer, moisturizing lotion, nail polish, foot scrubber, and a pair of comfy spa socks.
• Get your hair cut, your eyebrows waxed, and buy a new dress if you really want to indulge.

Nurture Your Spirit

When you are stressed the biggest stress reliever is turning to God. When you feel unappreciated and like the world is working against you, it is time to pray. As a single mom God has truly been my partner on this journey. Whenever I feel like I am heading toward dangerous water I turn to my father. Read the Bible and spiritual literature to enrich your spirit. Without God we can’t be effective mothers or women so always turn to God in good and bad times. Boost your spiritual life by:

• Keeping inspirational bible verses in your desk at work.
• Praying daily and keep a prayer journal.
• Creating a prayer hot line with your friends.

We all have days when it all seems too much. The key is learning how to respond to stress. Figure out what puts you at ease. Whatever makes you feel better as long as it isn’t destructive I encourage you to do it. Moms aren’t machines. We must take care of our physical, spiritual, and mental well being if we plan on being healthy and productive mothers. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your family.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Mother/Daughter Frugal Spa Day…at Home!

A great way for a Mom to connect with her daughter is to have a beauty day. It’s fun, girly and filled with opportunity for memories! This is a great idea for ANY age!

Tips to Create a frugal spa day at home

• Plan a date. If you have boys in the house, send them out for the day with Dad.
• Place scented candles around your house to create a relaxing ambiance.
• Homemade Facials. Here are a few recipes…

Mix together 2 tablespoons of ground oatmeal, 2 tablespoons plain yogurt, and 5 drops liquid honey in a bowl. Apply to your face and allow it to sit for at least 10 minutes. Finish off by rinsing with warm water followed by a moisturizer.

With the following ingredients (oatmeal, warm water, yogurt, honey, and one egg white), make a thin mud type mixture and apply it thinly to your face. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes, or until you feel a tightening, then rinse with warm water.

This decadent chocolate mask is actually an excellent moisturizer. I found this one at spaindex.com. Mix following ingredients until smooth; 1/3 cup cocoa, 3 tblsp. heavy cream, 2 tsp. cottage cheese, 1 cup of honey, 3 tsp. oatmeal powder. Relax for ten 10 minutes, then wash off with warm water.

Watch a chick flick while waiting for your facials to absorb.

• Give each other a manicure and pedicure. Put on some of your daughter’s favorite music while doing mani/pedis. Yes, HER favorites.
• Ask her how her day was. Try and learn more about her.
• Share some spiritual insights without seeming preachy.

The point is to spend quality time with your daughter and build a strong bond. Start young and you will stay connected even through the coming years of puberty. If you are getting a late start, no worries…it is NEVER too late to love your daughter and get to know who she is!

Enjoy your girls, Moms!

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday’s Mommy Tip: Burn Extra Calories

Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!

NOTE: PLEASE read the rules. We have a few who are not posting to the ACTUAL TIP post on their blog. I need you to post your link to the actual TIP POST…NOT the main page of your site. THANK YOU!!

OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…

Burn Extra Calories

With the holidays coming, I thought it would be a perfect time to share what I have been doing…

I have been diligently focusing on weighloss and fitness over the past couple of months. I have dieted on and off throughout the years, however, I never had the results I really wanted. Until now. What am I doing differently? I am focusing on all the different ways I can burn more calories and take less inss. I just got off the scale to discover that I have lost another two pounds. YEAH! I am not at 12 pounds lost. A couple of the things I am doing to burn extra calories are…

Walking: I am not just walking. I am pushing a stroller with a child in it. She is 5 and old enough to walk. However, I let her walk and run for half of our hr walk, then she get pooped and in the stroller while Mommy burns butter. I am also wearing ankle weights for maximum calorie burning. The ankle weights are great for the stroll AND speed walk portion of our daily walk. Yes, daily. I try to walk as much as possible.

Eat Less and More Often. Sounds like an oxymoron. LOL. It’s true though. I have been eating less portions. Lower fat, sugar and bad carbs. I have also gone from eating once or twice a day to 5 times. It has helped speed up my metabolism.

I am feeling better, sleeping better and looking better every day.

Note: Most of what I am learning can be found at my new website, Fat Be Gone Club. I also wrote an ebook filled with great tips and ideas to prepare, motivate and help with any weighloss program. It’s called; So, You Want to Be Thin. A GREAT resource for under ten bucks.

Well, I hope these tips help you as they have helped me. Happy Butter Burning!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday’s Mommy Tip – Cutting Unhealthy Calories

Do you have a great tip for Moms? They can be about anything (family friendly, of course) that pertains to a Mom’s life, including; beauty, kitchen, health, parenting, and so much more! Click Here to find out how YOU can join Moms of Faith’s Tuesday’s Mommy Tips!

NOTE: PLEASE read the rules. We have a few who are not posting to the ACTUAL TIP post on their blog. I need you to post your link to the actual TIP POST…NOT the main page of your site. THANK YOU!!

OK, on to this week’s Mommy tip…

Quick Tip for Cutting Unhealthy Calories

I have battled weight since the birth of my first child. However, after number two it became a much more prominent problem in my life. I have been on and off diets for years until finally I decided no more diets. Now, I simply make better choices. Diets are great for some people…just not me. I feel so confined. LOL. (you can read more about my battle with weight and my current goals here.)

I thought I would share one of the tips that help me still eat what I like, however, calories are cut and it is a healthier option. It’s simple. Replace ground beef or pork with ground chicken or turkey breast. Trust me, cutting out even one or two meals a week of beef and pork is not only a healthy choice…replacing it with poultry makes it lower in fat and calories as well. It’s a win win situation!

You see, I am not a fan of “low fat.” LOL! It just does not taste good. So, when I want to make tacos, instead of going for icky tasting “low fat” cheeses. I choose to use ground chicken breast and soft tacos instead of the fried hard version. Simple changes can make a WORLD of difference in your weightloss strategy!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

What’s your tip?

Nourshing Your Temple In The Comfort Of Your Home

Mothers have a tendency of putting everything and everyone before them. Our plates are filled with careers, household and financial responsibilities, taking care of our children, running errands, being involved in church, the list is never ending. We remarkably fit it all in, unfortunately we often do it at the cost of neglecting our own needs. God blessed us with a temple that needs nourishing. When we neglect our temple it eventually begins to fall apart.

Moms were given the wonderful gift of being a nurturer and most of us wouldn’t trade that trait for anything. However, why not give yourself the same gift you give others and take the time to nurture yourselves. There are a number of ways to relax in your own home that can provide the rest and rejuvenation you so desperately need. Taking care of our temple requires us to feed ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Ways to nourish your temple in the comfort of your own home

Nurturing the Body

I have always enjoyed a retreat to the spa and believe the money spent is well worth it, however with everyone tightening their belts and trying to save money, spas just aren’t affordable for many moms. If you can’t go to the spa then bring the spa home to you!

Choose a day when you can spare a few hours and have some alone time. Create a spa like environment in your own bathroom. Start by making sure the bathroom is clean and clear of clutter like toys or wet towels. Light soothing candles, play music you find relaxing, grab some reading material, fill the tub, add some bath salts, and soak your troubles away. Afterward wrap yourself in a comfy robe take a nap, watch your favorite television program, or drink some tea and relish in your, “me time”.

Here are some suggestions for your spa day:

• Facial masks are an inexpensive way to make you feel refreshed and have clean skin. Look for homemade recipes with ingredients from your kitchen. Try an avocado mask they are extremely hydrating.
• Find a moisturizer that hydrates your skin especially since colder weather is on the rise. Oils are great for dry skin.
• Give yourself a pedicure. Purchase an inexpensive foot spa, or soak your feet in a basin with Epson salt.
• Exfoliate your skin with this homemade tip. Mix 1 cup of brown sugar, 1 cup of oatmeal, and 1 cup of olive oil, then rub it in circular motions on your body. For soft skin cut a piece of lemon and rub your elbows and knees to soften your skin.

Another way to nurture your temple is through eating and exercise. I mentioned in a previous article the benefits of creating your own home gym. Exercise gives you the energy you need to be the nurturer you are. Don’t forget to squeeze in exercise at least three times a week.

Food is our energy source. Whatever, we put in our body is what we will get out of it. Make your kitchen a place that is conducive to nurturing your temple. Instead of high sugary snacks stack your cabinets and fridge with fruits, almonds, and healthy snacks. Buy a cookbook with healthy recipes, gather the kids and make some nourishing meals together.

Staying Mentally Healthy

If you are always running around putting fires out it can become exhausting. Your mind needs a break from your hectic schedule. When we are mentally drained it manifests itself in a number of ways. Keeping your mind healthy is of the utmost importance for yourself and your family. Most of us wouldn’t mind hoping on a plan and taking a trip to the Bahamas, but again we are in a recession.

So find some peace right at home by trying these suggestions:

• Take a few minutes to sit on your porch. Nothing clears your mind like fresh crisp air.
• Have a space in your home that is created for you. I wrote about creating a prayer room in an earlier article. Having an extra room to go to when you need to get away from the bustle of the family is beneficial for everyone.
• Naps aren’t only for your toddler. Take a 20 minute nap to clear your mind and keep exhaustion at bay.
• Keep your mind alert is by doing crossword puzzles. Curl up in your favorite chair, pull out a crossword puzzle and put your brain to work. Take the time to read a good book that is inspiring and uplifting, watch your whole mood change.

Staying Spiritually Fit

Christians know that nurturing our spiritual life and strengthening our intimate relationship with the Lord is essential to our well being. Our family and home are our priorities, but always remember that our first priority is God. For the six days you aren’t in church don’t skimp on staying spiritually fit, keep the momentum going at home.

Try these tips:

• Create your personal prayer space, and try to spend at least 15 minutes to half an hour praying and studying scripture daily.
• Have a group of friends come over to your home once a week for bible study.
• Keep a prayer journal.
• Memorize a scripture for the day or week and take time to reflect upon it.

There are so many ways to nourish our temple in our own home. Stay fit physically, mentally and spiritually in the comfort of your own home. By taking care of yourself you are giving the best gift to your family, the gift of a healthy mother, wife, and woman that honors the temple that God gave her.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

I Love Kerasal!

For those of you who do not know, Kerasal is a foot ointment. It is used to help make your feet softer. You can buy it at most drug stores. I got mine at Walgreen’s. This stuff is like a miracle cream. I have been doing all kinds of experiments. Who would have thought??

I love the stuff! I originally purchased it for my elbows. Yes, my elbows. I was getting rough elbows from leaning on them a lot while working Online. Nothing worked. I tried everything, including; Vaseline, moisturizers, olive oil, vitamin e oil, you name it. Nothing would even touch the roughness.

Then, I though, hey, let me try some heel ointment. This is where Kerasal came in. It worked almost instantly. Seriously. I was shocked. After a few applications, my elbows were no longer rough. Yeah!

So, then I actually used it for it’s original purpose…LOL…my heels. Guess what? It worked there too!

Me being me decided not to stop there. I though man, if this stuff is that good and moisture filled, why not try it on some wrinkles. LOL. Yes, I went there. As soon as I put it on, I noticed the line fade a tad. I put it on the one I blame my husband on. LOL. You know the one between the eyebrows. It’s a line that drives me nuts.

It is slowly fading. I mean it is still there. However, the Kerasal has definitely diminished it enough that I feel better about it.

Kerasal is so much more than foot ointment. It is a beauty product that every Mom should have. It has so many uses and I am still experimenting with it. Buy some. Use it. LOL. Let me know how it worked for you!

If you really want feet that rock, read my review on Ped Egg. Together, you will have feet to be envied!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Anti Aging Tips for Hands

We use our hands for many things, and unfortunately, they are one way to tell our age pretty accurately…unless, we take good care of them! Yes, I believe our hands can help us look younger!

Simple Everyday Anti Aging Tips for Hands

Protect them from the affects of the sun. Use sunscreen. Not only will your hands have a youthful appearance, you will be less likely to get those ugly age spots on them. Simply apply a 15-30SPF sunscreen to your hands daily as you would moisturizing lotion.

Speaking of moisturizing…Moisturize your hands at least three times a day. Why, well, many of the everyday things we do…like washing dishes, actually dry them out, thus giving an aged appearance.

Give yourself regular manicures. Pretty nails go a long way to helping you have pretty, youthful looking hands. Simple things are all that you really need to do. Clean. File. Buff. Apply a colored or clear polish.

Protect Hands. Wear gloves when gardening. When gardening, gloves protect your hands from the sun and from injuries such as scratches and contact dermatitis from handling weeds.

Hand Massages. Rub one palm over the back of the opposite hand in a circular motion. The massage motion increases circulation, which helps warm up your hands.

Another Option is finger massage. Especially soothing for those with tired hands, carpal tunnel or even arthritis. A nice finger massage with a little warm coconut oil is very healthy and helpful for hands.

Exfoliate. Gently rub damp hands with salt or sugar, then rinse. The grainy texture of the salt helps scrape away old skin cells, and, once again, it improves circulation.

Eat right! Lack of B-complex vitamins can cause ridged nails. A lack of calcium can result in brittle, dry nails that chip and flake easily. Make sure to eat a balanced diet filled with vitamins and minerals. Fresh fruits and veggies are important for healthy skin, nails and hands, as well as your overall heath!

These anti aging tips are sure to get you on the path of better health and a more youthful appearance for your hard working Mom hands!

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Beauty Product Review – Ped Egg

Product Name: Ped Egg
Rating: 10
Where to buy: amazon.com

Description: A nifty little beauty product to help fight calloused rough feet!

Review: Ever since we have lived in our current residence, I have had issues with calloused feet. We went from carpet to tile. It has been very hard on my feet over the years and I have tried everything you can imagine to fix the problem.

One product that helped with the roughness was Kerasal. Unfortunately, that alone did not fix my calloused foot problem. It only softened them. I had tried several foot scrubs and tools for removing the crud that makes calloused feet look so bad. Some did OK and others just…well…stunk for lack of a better word.

Then, I found Ped Egg. Personally, I balk at “As Seen On TV” products. My experience with them has been negative to say the least. I have gotten to a point where I avoid them at all costs. However, my husband convinced me to at least try Ped Egg, and the price was right, so I caved.

I am very happy with my decision to give Ped Egg a try. It is a wonderful little product. Very easy to use and even easier to clean!

I simply open the egg up, and scrub a dub dub my heels with the metal grater (not too hard though…no need). Once finished, I open the grater and inside is all the yucky gook that I just scraped off my feet! It is quite gross, but cool too, cause I just rinse it off, replace the top, and it is all clean for next time! Once the egg is back together, the bottom of it is a little smoothing stone. I use that to smooth the areas I just grated. Rinse the bottom, and put back on shower rack. Done. Simply fabulous.

Ped Egg is a very cool beauty product. It works better than any others like it that I have tried. Use it with the Kerasal and you will have heels envied by the masses! Better yet, NO expensive pedicures to get them! Whoo Hoo! Another plus for Mr. Ped Egg! I love it and highly recommend it to all my Moms of Faith readers!!!

Criticism: None! I mean even the price is right!

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Save Money, Skip the Gym & Work Out at Home

Working out and staying fit has number of physical and mental benefits. When you exercise you generally have more energy, you sleep better, and your eating habits improve. As busy moms, we are juggling a million items are on our to do list every day, which makes it difficult to run to the gym and get forty-five minutes of cardio in on the treadmill. If you have little children, you may have to find a sitter or a gym with child care. In these economic times gym memberships seem to be more of a luxury than a necessity. But, don’t make this an excuse to skip your work out. If you can’t afford to go to the gym or you simply don’t have the time, create your own home gym. Working out in the comfort of your own home can be both affordable and convenient.

First, pick a space in your home that has an adequate amount of room for you to exercise and put your equipment in. This can be spare room, a family room, the basement, or even a covered garage. Any place in your home that is comfortable and cool will make a great place to work out.

Your work out regime will determine the equipment you will need. If you thrive on cardio you may want to invest in a treadmill or an elliptical machine. Check out Craig’s List or your local newspaper for deals on exercise machines. Invest in some weights I suggest 3-5 pounds, you’ll be surprised at how defined your arms can get just by lifting three pound weights 3-4 days a week. Stock your fitness room with mats, fitness magazines, resistance bands, a balance ball, a television and a dvd player to watch workout DVDs, a cd player or an iPod if music inspires you. Also have plenty of water on hand, if you have one of those miniature refrigerators this would be a great place to put it to use.

I find the best way to stay consistent with a workout routine is to record your progress. Hang a chart on the wall to monitor how often you are working out, your weight loss or gain, goals, etc. Keep in mind we are constantly burning calories just by running after our kids, doing housework, running errands, and doing yard work. A great calorie buster is running up and down the stairs, you can do this instead of the stairmaster, it is a great form of cardio. Have an exercise plan before you begin to maximize your time and to get the best results.

Try fitting in at least 2-3 workouts a week, think of it as your, “me time.” When you workout you feel stronger, think clearer, and are overall healthier. You don’t have to spend $80.00 a month on a gym membership, or a ton of money on a personal trainer, make your work out feasible for your lifestyle. Your workout room can be a place where the whole family can go to get healthy. With autumn around the corner and the weather getting cooler this is a perfect time to create a space in your home to help you stay fit.

When your kids see you working out and being active they are more likely to take care of themselves. Having a workout room in your home will not only benefit you, but everyone else. I still urge you to get outdoors and go for a run or walk for as long as the weather allows, but keep in mind that you can bring the gym to you. Honor your God-given temple by exercising regularly, eating fresh nutritious food, and getting plenty of rest. Remember it isn’t just about fitting into those skinny jeans it is about having a strong body so that you can be your best for yourself and your family.

Copyright © Chere Williams, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Organize Your Home Life Before the New School Year Starts

With a new school year starting soon, an organized home life will be needed for a smooth transition and stress free days. A simple and affordable way to get your home life and family activities in order is to create a home life planner.

It does not have to break the ban either. I have shopped around for ready made planners and have found them very expensive and not tailor made to my personal needs. Creating your own can be fun, include the kids and very affordable.

First, you will need to buy a 2 or 3 inch three ring binder. Let the kids pick the color and design a fabulous cover for it. This way they are involved in the pending order that will make Moms life less stressful!

Once that is done, you’ll want to have the following items on hand to fill the home life planner:

• 8 1/2” x 11” calendar (purchased or one you print for yourself)
• 3-hole punched dividers with pockets
• 3-hole punched dividers with tabs
• 3-hole punch

Decide which categories you’ll need in your home life planner. A few category ideas to get you started are;  finance, contacts, school, medical, scheduled activities, church events, bills, take out menus, etc. Tailor make the categories to fit your family’s needs.

Print off blank contact pages which include name, address, telephone, and cell phone numbers. There are many sources online which offer this type of file to print out for free. You can also find blank calendars to print off to include in your home planner.

Find papers that have accumulated in your family – notes from school, old calendars, take-out menus, etc. – and determine which category they’ll fit into. Three-hole punch them and place them behind the tab they belong to. Smaller items that can’t be punched can be placed in the dividers with pockets to keep them from being lost.

After you’ve found papers with important dates on them, transfer those dates to the calendar you have or have printed out. You may want to color code your family so you can see at a glance which person in the family has activities on a particular date. Don’t forget to write down standing dates such as birthdays and anniversaries so you can plan for them.

Not sure if you’ve paid a bill for the month? Having a schedule of all bills owed, when they’re due, and when they’re paid behind the finance tab can make that problem a thing of the past. The home life planner is also a good place to put all bills as they come in so they’ll be available when it comes time to pay them.

Meal planning is another task that can be made easier by having the home life planner. You can create weekly or monthly meal plans and store them in the planner. Make sure you allow for fast food and take out nights. Especially on days that are busier than others. The home life planner is meant to help make life easier and less stressful for Mom.

Be creative and make your home life planner. Of course, after your planner is made and you’ve used it for a while, you may wonder why you didn’t put one together sooner.

Copyright © Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

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