Ramble On

March 25, 2014 by camoozle

In other words, the post in which Cam rambles about the various going-ons in her fitness-seeking world. I have lots to share! Some of it is exciting.

A. I purchased a new pair of running shoes.

Finally! They weren’t even one of the pairs from my list. I went to a shoe outlet in Lake Arrowhead, because, you know, I was on vacation and what else to do but shoe shop. I tried on a few pair but these babies caught my eye. They’re colorful and fun and wide…three of my favorite things. I tried them on and I’ve been kicking them ever since. I like them still…so far.

New Balance are my new flavor of the month.

I also made the decision to make the switch to a more natural shoe. Nothing I’ve tried seems to be “made” for me and since I’ve been doing more barefoot exercise, like Barre and Yoga, I’ve come to accept that maybe my feet aren’t made for shoes. I’m going back to my hunting and gathering roots and trying out what nature gave me. I don’t intend to go full on nude, but definitely minimal. I’m going to slosh around in these New Balance until after the April Fools Half in 12 days. Then, I’m simplifying.

B. I’m playing dodgeball!

And I have never been this sore. It seems, during my regular workouts, I’m not exerting maximum effort. Only when there’s a chance of some dude hurling a rubber ball at my head do I really move my ass. Sure, it stings when you get pegged. But it’s a total rush and the perfect mix of core, arm/shoulder, and cardio workout. Moving directions so quickly really does a number on the bod. And if you get your SO involved, you get to throw balls at each other. It’s like free therapy.

C. I’m kicking ass at Body Back.

Yep, down 8 pounds in two weeks. I’ve been working out like a maniac and eating as clean as I can. It hasn’t been easy, the meal plan calls for no alcohol. Not even wine. I’ve also given up sweets, coffee, dairy, and fast food. Let’s have a moment of silence for those foods I’ll miss the most…

Brie Cheese

Cake

Soft-Serve Ice Cream

In’n’Out Cheeseburger with grilled onions

Chips and Salsa

Chili Cheese Fries

Did I mention cheese?

But I can still have tacos! Winning!

I love this program. I feel like it’s exactly the type of exercises I need to get rid of my pouch…you know, that flap of skin left over from my two c-sections. And I love my trainer. She’s an inspiration for health and strength, not just a smoking hot bod. But seriously, she’s smoking hot. Like fitness-competition-she’s-going-to-be-in-a-magazine hot. I’m kind of smitten.

Burn, baby, burn! Powering through Power Yoga. It hurts so good!

D. My kids are kicking ass in karate.

Did you know ADD is genetic? My dad has it. I have it. And I’m almost positive my children have it, in various forms. My daughter is more mentally distracted. My son doesn’t stop moving. Ever. We’ve tried baseball and cheerleading but the dojo is where we feel at home! My kids started taking karate at our local U.S.K.O. and they are loving it. I love the focus and self-discipline it requires of my kids. And these instructors are amazing the way they corral these kids and keep them under control. They both just earned their first stripe and they were so excited. They’re learning respect for their bodies and I can visibly see the boost in self-esteem and confidence. I can’t say enough good things about it!

Sweep the leg!

One Sock, Two Sock, Red Sock, Blue Sock

March 8, 2014 by camoozle

I have a problem. A big one. One that takes up lots and lots of drawer space. It’s obvious I’m a fan of running in costume but after all these races, I have acquired quite the collection of knee socks. An entire drawer full to be specific.

Oh look, I've displayed them for your viewing pleasure.

Oh look, I’ve displayed my favorites for your viewing pleasure.

I love my socks. I love every single pair of them. I currently own EIGHT Ragnar race shirts. And oh, the medals. I adore my medals. I couldn’t possible part with them. But how can I continue to acquire the various apparel necessary to race and also house important things, like my real clothes? Or my children. My race swag is taking over my very limited living space.

These still have tags. I need help.

My yoga teacher in college once said that the inability to free oneself from possessions is the result of the underlying fear that we won’t be able to provide for ourselves in the future. My socks aren’t valuable or expensive. Most of them are not even for running or athletic purposes. I’m pretty sure I can’t get rid of my socks because they’re so ridiculously cute. Plus, there’s that small fact that every time I see them in my drawer, I’m reminded of how many miles I’ve covered.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of my race season. I also have my very first official weigh-in and fitness assessment for Body Back. It’s time to clean out my running drawer. My Ragnar shirts are going up into the rafters. I can’t toss them yet. My medals proudly decorate my classroom. There’s plenty of wall space there. But as I try to decide which socks to bench, I have no fear. Instead, I’m reminded of all the times I doubted myself. And all the times I proved myself wrong.

What do you do with your excess swag? Do you have any cute socks I should buy? Where do you get your socks? Leave me a note!

Chick Chat: It’s a World Class Menagerie

February 25, 2014 by Meridith

Well, it’s not quite a menagerie but the Chicks sure do love our pets. With my family’s new addition (who is all over the Scoot a Doot Instagram because I’m obsessed with her) I thought it would be fun to introduce our furbabies! I feel like pets are an extension of who we are as people and so when I see pictures of Sam, Ollie, Walt, Axl, Hannah, Boomer, Ace (just to name a few), they make me smile and feel like I know their owners better.

So snuggle up with your animals and prepare yourself for the Scoot a Doot pet parade.

I live with two rescued cats – a 13-year-old calico tabby mix I’ve had since 2002 and an almost 1-year old tabby who came to our home just two weeks ago. We also have a hedgehog, I have found it so hard to find things for him. But I finally found a cage that is perfect for him, if you have a hedgehog and your looking for a new cage check out this hedgehog cage on Amazon. It’s the exact one I got and I love it.

I met the elder cat, let’s call her Murr, in the newsroom of my last paper. There, the local SPCA each week brought in a pet to be photographed and featured in the paper. I often helped out and regularly squealed when I saw the animals. Murr and I fell in love straight away, and by the time her photo ran in the paper, she was already exploring my then-apartment.

She lived with me well before I started dating my now-husband. (and she instantly preferred him to me once he entered the picture. Humph.) But Murr’s in it for the long haul, even though she’s quirky, wiry and most definitely is not a snuggler. She’s an incredible mouse-hunter, she’s obsessed with tuna juice. She’s tiny and beautiful. And she knows it.

New cat was hit by a car last fall. She broke her back leg and had several surgeries to repair the damage. She was rescued by a friend, who couldn’t keep her, so she came to live with us.

She’s sweet, fat and always underfoot. She loves to snuggle and is ALL about the food. Her food, Murr’s food, my food, my husband’s food. She will eat anything. We still haven’t picked a name for her but have a few frontrunners.

Needless to say, Murr hasn’t taken too kindly to the new cat. She’s currently stashed herself in our loft/attic and throws repeated screaming tantrums whenever she sees new kitty. Please tell me they will eventually be friends?

Reily came to Mister Jess and I nine years ago as an 8-week-old fluff ball. He was this adorable Shih Tzu-Yorkie mix, a tiny, tiny little ewok. We couldn’t walk down the street without getting stopped at least five times by people remarking about how cute he was.

Seriously. Look at this puppy! Gah!

He really is our first-born son. We’ve had him for the vast majority of our relationship, and he’s kind of grown up with us. His interests include long walks on the beach, playing with his 80 bazillion toys, and giving me judgmental looks.

He also really enjoys moping. We like to call him Jordan Catalano because he’s not easily impressed. Case in point: when Bug came home. He was not having it.

Who are you, tiny human, and why have you taken all of the attention away from me?

Despite his bemusement, he has been amazing with the transition. We are so lucky to have such a sweet, sensitive (seriously), scary-smart dog-son in him. I hope he and Bug will be best friends as time goes on.

Yay, pets! We are dog people in this house. Brewser is a terrier mix that Josh adopted before we met and we got our cavalier, Caroline, ten year ago this summer.

Three kids plus two dogs makes for a full house! Brewser is the gumpy old man of the family- he stays away from the kids and sleeps most of the day. He likes to sit right next to me at night, once things have calmed down.

Caroline likes to be at the center of everything. She loves to sit near the kids when they play and she has even snuggled right up next to the babies while they’ve nursed. She sits on my lap once the kids are in bed, and sleeps at my feet at night.

I was raised by the quintessential ‘cat lady’, so it’s no surprise that I’m a cat person. Growing up, we always had cats, sometimes outnumbering the people in the house. We had dogs here and there, but we were definitely a feline family. At twenty, I went out and got my own cat for the first time (yes, I still lived at home, and yes, my mother was away on vacation when this happened). Elmo, my orange tiger baby, moved with me into my first apartment. When I moved to NC to live with my then boyfriend/now husband, we couldn’t have pets, and I was heartbroken. My grandmother graciously offered to take him, and he still lives with her. He’s a big, old, spoiled nineteen-year-old tabby at this point.

For years, we lived in apartments, and couldn’t have pets. So, as soon as we bought our house five years ago, we started talking about getting a pet. My son is phobic about dogs, so cats it was. We adopted Cleo and Coco from a local rescue organization and brought them home the day after our first Christmas in our new home. They’re neurotic and weird and occasionally insane (hello, catnip), and they are very much a part of our family.

Cleo is our shy cat. If you come over, you will never see her, unless you crawl underneath the sofa. She was found outside at just a few days old, and she’s quite timid. She’s terrified of people walking, but oddly loves feet if they’re on the couch next to her. We think she’s part Maine Coon, due to the fluffy fur between her toes, but who knows. If she loves you, and she’s pretty darn selective about who she loves, she LOVES you. Mostly, she loves my daughter. Every once in a while, she loves me.

A rare snuggle moment with Cleo.

Coco is our nutbag cat. She’s our hunter, our talker and our dinner table beggar. She’s a tortoiseshell, and very pretty. She alternates between viciously playful and attack-mode snuggly. If she wants to cuddle you, you darn well better be ready to let her. She’s relentless. When I’m getting ready to go to bed, she’s right there at the top of the stairs, stalking me.

My personal stalker.

Coco was rejected by her mom when she was a baby, which my mom tells me explains her neediness. Whatever, I’ll take it. She’s such a love, and if I’m reading in bed, you can find her curled up on my hip. The rest of the time, you can find her sleeping on something (always on. If there is a single sock on the floor, she will sit on it) or chasing things that aren’t there.

As much as I would love a dog, and we talk about that being a possibility someday, I think I’ll always be a cat person. I’m sure my mom is proud.

My pet situation is a little complicated. I recently moved back home with my mom. My mom currently has three dogs, two cats, and cockatiel. I have a lab named Ruby and two cats, Stella and Sookie.

When I moved in with my mom, Ruby kept figuring out how to get out of the yard. For her safety, she now lives with the ex. Which is the best situation, considering my children didn’t have to say goodbye to their dog. But it’s been the hardest loss in my divorce. That dog once saved my life by alerting me to a gas leak. Not to mention she was the greatest comfort I had during my bout with depression. I miss her greatly.

The Protector

My cat Stella has been with me for ten years. My sister found her as a newborn in a parking lot, the umbilical cord still attached. I fed her a bottle and taught her how to poop. And how does she return the kindness? By biting the top of my feet and attacking me in my sleep. She’s feral, that one. I can pet her for about three seconds before she swats me away. She’ll only drink from the sink and refuses to go in a messy litter box. She’s a total primadonna.

El Diablo

Sookie is the youngest, just 3 years old. She is a very loving cat but complains constantly. My friend once told me that “Sookie” means to whine in Australia. Which is completely appropriate. But she sleeps on my chest and purrs so I forgive her whining.

The Complainer

Lastly, I’ve recently adopted my guy’s pup, Murphy. She’s a big baby and the sweetest dog I’ve ever met. She has the best disposition and loves my kids. When she puts her head in my lap, I can literally feel the positive energy she radiates.

The Baby

Two weeks ago, the only pet in the house was our fish, Fin. And while he’s very pretty, he’s sort of the quiet, not-interested-in-us type. Life was pretty mundane and we were all missing having a four legged pal in the house.

But all that changed when a little over a week ago, we adopted little miss Gemma from Bella Reed Pit Bull Rescue.

Adoption day picture

The first few days, we spent getting to know each other. Finding all the sunny patches in the house. Encouraging peeing outside rather than on the floor. Realizing that I was posting more pictures of her than my children on Facebook. You know, the usual.

I’ve always been the only girl in the house, so it’s nice to have someone with whom to share my girly things – like my Hello Kitty blanket, for example.

Intently watching Cesar Milan.

Gemma is still a puppy so we are working on good manners and basic commands. She’s very food motivated and eager to please, so I think she’ll learn quickly!

I’m hoping that soon, we’ll be able to start running together. She’s got a lot of energy so I think we’ll probably start that soon. She’s getting the lay of the land and I can’t wait to go exploring more with her.

Gemma is a totally different dog than Jack. But when you look into her eyes, the same sentiment is present. Home. She is mine and I am hers.

I think that’s what makes pets so great. That underlying understanding that cannot be said with words because you don’t speak the same language, but it’s there just the same: you are my home.

Tell us about your pets! Anyone have any puppy training tips? What’s your favorite activity to do with your animals?

Chick Chat: Advice for Beginners

January 29, 2014 by beewhobabbles

Every January, treadmills and tracks see a new flurry of activity. One has to arrive earlier than usual to find a space at yoga. There’s a line for the weight lifting equipment at the gym.

I used to work at a gym, so I’m familiar with the whole “January Joiner” thing. A new year provides a perfect opportunity for a new beginning. A new attitude. New goals. New shoes. (Okay, that last one might just be me.)

However, the whole concept of a “January Joiner” is that these individuals will be done by February, and I hate that that’s a thing. Why can’t we encourage others to be fit? Active? Their healthiest, best self? We were all beginners once, right?

Two of our Scoot chicks are getting back into the swing of running things, and what better way to celebrate them- and other runners either returning to the sport after a hiatus or those who are dipping their toes in the running pond for the first time- than with some Chick chatter. We want to help you make the best start on your running journey; whether you are running for general fitness or adding miles for a race goal. Our advice:

CAM:

I haven’t clocked any miles since Wine and Dine, so it’s like I’m a newbie. I’d have to say the 2 min work/1 min rest routine is helping me immensely. It’s not so daunting when you have a guaranteed rest. There are awesome apps for phones that keep track of your time, and of course, there’s those fancy schmancy time-pieces that everyone’s sporting nowadays. I use HIIT Interval training timer. Also, get a buddy. I’m far less likely to slack if I know someone’s expecting me. Or even better, if someone’s picking me up!

MER:

When you begin (or begin again) I think it’s really easy to compare. Comparing yourself to other runners or to the runner that you once were – whether it be your high school self, your pre-injury self, or your twenty pounds ago self. My advice would be to treat yourself kindly. Use positive words and remind yourself that you are doing the best that you can within this given moment. When you’re running consistently, it’s very easy to forget just how difficult it is at the beginning of things.

Be consistent. But also be forgiving. If you have a bad day or a bad run, acknowledge it and then let it go. Don’t carry it with you.Try not to let it turn into a bad week or a bad month.

When I first started running, I was heavily reliant on my friends. I’d ask them to meet me at the park. It kept me motivated and they never minded going my pace (which was always slower than theirs). Now I’m more of a solo runner for many training runs but I still check in on the daily mile and chat with friends.

VIC:

Any journey begins with a step. It sounds cheesy, yes, but it’s also true.

Anytime anyone asks me about starting to run, I suggest they start with a run-walk. Run for a minute, walk for five. Run for two minutes , walk for five. Run for three minutes, walk for five. You get the idea!

Soon enough, you will be running without wanting – or needing – to stop and walk! I did this when I first got back into running. I’d actually count light poles on my route. I’d run past 2 light poles, then walk for two more. Then repeat. And again.

For me, the break was enough to look forward to, to get me through “the tough part.” And by distracting myself to look for and count light poles, it went by in a flash!

BROOKE:

I’m a big fan of small goals; they can add up to Big Things. Start with 20-30 minutes of running, 2-3 days a week. Once that is routine and comfortable for you, you can up the time, number of days and/or switch to a mileage goal. And don’t forget to celebrate your achievements!

Missing a day is just that. Missing a day. We all do it- hell, I did it last week. Don’t be too hard on yourself, just get back on track tomorrow.

Find your fit people. I’ve been lucky to find a regular crew to run with each week. We motivate each other and we laugh a lot too.

Happy running, everyone!

Any new runners out there? How’s it going? Experienced runners, please add your best advice in the comments!

My Feet are Trying to Kill Me

January 17, 2014 by camoozle

It’s that time of year. In 2013, I logged a few Ragnars, a couple half-marathons, and some fun runs and my running sneakers have seen better days. It’s widely known that I have a sick fascination with footwear. I own it all: boots, clogs, flats, Moccasins, Oxfords, Mary Janes, Espadrilles, and chunky heels. I have tap shoes and ballet shoes and boat shoes. My Salt-Water Sandals, flip-flops, and Chucks come in every bright color, and my sock collection is even more impressive. Knee socks and bobby socks and ankle socks and funky patterned socks. My footwear is like a page out of a Dr. Seuss book.

But there is one type of footwear that I despise having to shop for. And it’s all because of my stupid flat feet.

I’ve searched high and low for a running shoe that will not hurt my feet. I’ve read articles and visited experts, all to no avail. It’s always the same, it only takes minutes of running before my feet start to rebel. It doesn’t help that I suffer from Air Jordanitis Syndrome. It’s a side effect of growing up in the 90’s. A tragedy really, it’s responsible for my compulsive tendency to believe that a new pair of shoes will actually increase my running speed and drastically improve my agility. If I could only find THE pair of running shoes. Similar to the holy grail or an easy diet, I’ve heard of their rumored existence, but I’ve yet to encounter them.

This is why I need your help, internet friends. I don’t know which shoes to buy. I have about 2 and a half months until my first big race of the season, plenty of time to break in a new pair of kicks. Do I go minimalist or a trusted favorite? Do I dare make the switch to a barefoot shoe? Do I just need to wear my inserts? Show me the way, oh trusted internet!

I have narrowed my search to the following contenders. All pictures have been borrowed from their respective links.

1. Saucony Omni 12

I currently own these and they’re not bad. They worked out okay and still look pretty decent after a year of abuse. They’re not perfect, I still have foot pain and lately I’ve been having some shin pain. It’s unknown if this is caused by my erratic fitness regime or my flat feet but if there’s the hope of that perfect shoe out there, I simply can’t just settle for decent, right?

2. Brooks Adrenaline GTS 13

I took a little quiz on their site and this is the shoe they paired me with. I’m not crazy about it, it seems all the flat foot friendly shoes aren’t very cute. And we all know cuteness matters. However, everyone raves about Brooks. I have ran in Brooks before and they do have a more generous toe box, which I like. But they’re so borrrrrring.

3. Mizuno Wave Sayonara

I have this good friend who writes this blog that I love and she seems to like her Mizunos. This shoe is pretty light-weight and it looks snazzy too. I like the mesh and it just looks fast. This shoe definitely plays into my Air Jordanitis Syndrome. I feel like it will shave minutes off my pace!

4. Merrell Road Glove Dash 2

Merrell

I love this shoe. I have been interested in trying out Merrell for a while now, but I’m extremely nervous about this whole “barefoot” idea. This shoe just screams my style and it weighs a whopping 6 ounces. And it’s adorable. Have I mentioned how much I want to be able to run in these shoes? My fear is that I want them to be “the one” more than they actually will be. Kind of like that guy I dated in college.

5. Newton Energy

Now, I hadn’t heard of these shoes until I started researching my options. I googled “running shoes for flat feet” and into my life these little gems appeared. I love the style, I like the breathable mesh, and they have a kick-ass tread. And it was Shoe of the Year. I dig how wide they are, I’m no dainty dame and my Flintstone feet need a bit of accommodating.

As you can see, I have quite the decision to make. What’s a stylish, yet comfort-seeking, gal to do???

A Little More of This, A Little Less of That

December 30, 2013 by scootadoot

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI-ZteQ8JGU&w=853&h=480]

Going off of this awesome idea, I (Mer – waves from behind the Scoot a Doot curtain) asked the Chicks what they’d like to hear more and less of in 2014, either from themselves or others.

victorianame

“I’ll do what I can, when I can, with what I’m given.” This is a reminder for work and life. I’m hard on myself when I can’t complete a task on deadline, make a mistake or can’t travel to see a loved one. I need to remember that I can’t do it all.

“I can and I will.” I’ve adopted Meri’s mantra. Fortunately, she likes to share! I repeat it several times a week. But could certainly use it far more. Having a bad day? Need a reminder or an affirmation? It fits the bill all around.

“Please,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” People don’t say these words enough. Such small words mean so much to so many people.

Less:

“You should have…” Don’t focus on what went wrong, instead focus on what you can do to make a situation better.

“I can’t do it.” You CAN do it. If you believe it, and put on the work, you can do anything. If you tell yourself you can’t, you won’t.

Gangnam style (’nuff said)

meridithname

“I volunteer…” (not as tribute, for what it’s worth) aka “How can I help?” I work with a lot of volunteer based organizations and I can say this with much certainty – we always need MORE help. When people readily volunteer, come to the table with ideas, and make things happen it’s always a welcomed and happy event!

“It’s all good!” Pete the Cat says this in my kiddo’s book and my variation on it is “No worries.” Positive attitudes make things so much more pleasant.

Less:

“I have to do laundry now.” Sadly, I don’t think I’ll be saying this less. But maybe I could get on more of a schedule so it doesn’t feel like I’m doing it all the time, every day.

“I can’t…” after someone has committed that they CAN, the last thing that I want to hear is that they can’t. It’s important to know ones limitations but good planning makes the phrase less said (on my part and on others).

brookename

“What can I do to help?” In my house and in my volunteer commitments – and I’d like to be better about accepting help when it’s offered.

“Let’s play!” My kids are growing up, and with half of kindergarten completed by my oldest, I know we will continue to be busier and busier (and busier). Between school, homework, play dates and our scheduled activities like dance class, I want to take more time for unstructured free play with my littles. Every day.

“No, I can’t do that.” Like Meri, I volunteer for quite a bit. This year, I’d like to learn how to say no. That I don’t have to be in charge of everything, every time.

Less:

Yelling. I pray for more patience every day and hope I’m getting stronger. As a parent, I’m still learning how to stop and take a breath before I react- and I need to keep working on that.

jessicaname

“Here, let me get the door for/do that for/help you.” Any of these combinations is a win. I try to do one nice thing for someone I don’t know per day, whether it’s as simple as holding a door open or buying someone less fortunate a coffee. When we reach out to people like that, we make a connection, however fleeting. That simple gesture might make someone’s day!

“I understand where you’re coming from.” Even if you don’t agree with it, understanding where someone’s coming from goes a long way. Unless that place is somewhere incredibly stupid and close-minded, of course.

“Thank you!” Two words. So simple. Easy to say and extremely valuable.

Less:

People glued to their phones. This includes myself. You miss so much when you’re staring at your screen. Put it down, look around, have a conversation!

Also, no more mention of twerking. Please.

“You’re right.” Admitting when I’m wrong is one of my non-strengths. While I’ve gotten marginally better at using the phrase “I’m sorry”, “you’re right” seems to elude my vernacular.

“I can’t.” I know what you’re thinking…shouldn’t this be I CAN? That’s not a typo. Sometimes saying no is just as important as saying yes.

“I’ll do it now.” I’m the best at procrastinating and I have a terrible memory. When I put things off, I usually forget about them.

Less:

“I hate.” I need to be a bit more careful in proclaiming my hatred of things, especially things that I don’t actually hate or even really care about.

“I’m starving.” I’ve never actually been starving a day in my life. There are people in this world who are without and it’s a huge disrespect to stand in my stocked kitchen and think that I am starving.

“Fatass.” This is my favorite way to slam myself. Negative self-talk is poison.

“I know.” It’s no secret, I’m a know-it-all. I don’t mean to be, I just listen to a lot of NPR and watch a lot of documentaries. When someone brings up a topic I have some knowledge in, I want to discuss! And sometimes in an argumentative style. While I think a respectful argument can be quite thrilling, sometimes it’s just as thrilling to listen.

More:
“I can/I did.” I may not be able to do everything. I may just NOT do things. But I will focus on what I can do, and what I have done. This is how progress is made.

“You inspire me.” Far to often, the people who inspire us have not idea that they are doing it. A while back, a friend of mine wrote a guest post about how I had inspired her. I was shocked! And touched. So, the people who are my inspirations? Get ready to hear all about it.

“You’re beautiful.” To myself. Because I need to hear it. From me.

Less:

“I can’t/I didn’t” These have been my mantras for far too long. I can’t stick to a diet plan. I didn’t prepare for this race I’m about to run. I can’t be the person I want to be. We have have things we can’t do, things we didn’t do, but these have been my constant state. No more.

“Let’s hang out soon.” This is something I find myself saying a lot, but not acting on nearly often enough. The internet makes it easier to connect with people, even if you don’t see them. But there is a lot to be said for a nice, old-fashioned, sit down conversation. I want more of those. And really, less phone/internet in general is a personal goal for me this year. A favorite author of mine tweeted something a while back. “What if, for my birthday, I gave myself a year off from the internet?” I was both horrified and in love with the idea. So, while NO internet isn’t a reality for me, LESS internet and MORE face to face interaction sounds fabulous. Want to come over?

“Let’s work on being healthier.” This is me, around my house, all the time. Lots of talk about changes to make us healthier as a family. But, it seems to me, the more we talk about it, the less we do about it. It’s time to stop talking about change and start implementing it. I don’t have to say ‘we’re going to have less junk in the house’ to have less junk in the house.

So now it’s your turn! What do you think we should say more of in 2014? Less of?

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

December 19, 2013 by camoozle

There was a time in my life, not so very long ago, when I would have given anything to just have a “normal” body. I never dreamed of the oh so coveted thigh gap or the pronounced cheek bones; I had sense enough to embrace my size 9 feet and my big bones. I just didn’t want to be Extra Large. Why couldn’t I just have one of those metabolisms that lets me eat what I want and maintain a healthy BMI? Judging myself by an index devised in the 1800’s is completely logical, right? I abused my body and destroyed my self-esteem and it was a tremendous climb back to positive mental health. When I became a parent, I made it my mission to make sure my children never travel this path. I don’t ever want them to doubt their worth, not even for one second, because of some stupid standard society has dictated as beautiful or smart or acceptable.

My darling gems.

My childhood was filled with running and climbing and hiding and seeking. We built things out of wood and got splinters. We played catch and picked stickers out of our socks. We made mud pies and drank from the hose. We ate carrots straight from the soil and apricots right off the tree. During all this time, I never once thought to worry about my metabolism or my BMI. I was normal.

Oh, how the times have changed. Chicken nuggets, computer games, cell phones, youtube, Minecraft…this is the new normal. It’s normal for an 8 year old to have a cell phone. It’s normal for kids to have McDonald’s for breakfast. Normal has been redefined. This new normal, combined with my daughter’s severe asthma, my son’s hyperactivity, and my history of ADD and depression, makes family exercise not only a priority, but an absolute necessity.

My poor girl after her latest asthma attack.

Getting my kids to turn off the tablet is no easy task, but explaining all my reasons to a five and eight year old would only cause confusion and/or possible scarring for life. We’ve tried many activities. Some result in constant whining and misery for all involved. Others they beg to revisit week after week. So, as dictated by my children, Sophia and Alex, here are our Top 5 Ways to Exercise.

#5 – Organized Sports

The gang was a bit divided on this one. Sophie’s a big fan of cheerleading and gymnastics but we still haven’t found Alex’s sport yet. I wasn’t keen on the idea of my daughter getting into cheer initially. I’ll admit it, I’ve always thought cheerleading to be a bit vapid. I just don’t understand why sports teams need young girls in short skirts smiling and shouting in unison whilst flashing their undies to everyone. But Sophie likes it and the instructor promotes strength training and flexibility, making them do push-ups and yoga poses during their warm-up and cool-down. I’m still coming to terms with it, but I’m trying to be open-minded. It teaches commitment and responsibility to a team, which, unless Sophie plans on going underground, are great skills for the future. It’s a little bit expensive, but I consider it an investment in developing essential life skills.

#4 – Video Games

Yep, video games can be good for you! Sophie loves the Wii Fit. She likes the running and yoga the best. Occasionally, we’ll bowl together or play tennis. Alex enjoys to Xbox Kinect because he gets to pretend to use a lightsaber. For the record, his actual response was “lightsaber fights”. Also, you can pretend box. This is great for relieving family tension. My personal favorite is the dance game. I don’t know what it’s called, but I’m perfect on the easy setting. Video games give the illusion of gaming but it’s really good exercise. Like when you blend carrots in with your spaghetti sauce.

#3 – Hiking

My kids love nature and every couple weeks, we try to go on an adventure. Sometimes it’s the local trail, Sycamore Canyon, where we scan for foxes and coyotes. Or if we’re feeling more social, we head over to Mt. Rubidoux to climb our way to the cross at the very top. We’ll venture over to University of Riverside’s Botanical Gardens or we might just walk to the park down the street. Taking the time to enjoy the bits of nature in our concrete suburbia always turns into a learning experience.

#2 – Swimming

Living in Southern California is definitely a factor when it comes to this activity. We can swim pretty much 9 months out of the year and when my grandma belongs to the golf club down the street and can get us into the heated pool, the likelihood of us using said pool skyrockets. I have two little fish. They’ll swim anywhere, anytime: the beach, the pool, the front yard sprinklers, the fountain at Starbucks…if it’s even the least bit warm out, my kids are in their suits. We spent this summer at a local water park and pool. It was the best $120 I’ve ever spent. Not only were they occupied all day during summer break, but they were exhausted when they got home. Which means they slept well. Which means I slept well.

#1 – Trampolines

By far, the activity that they beg and beg for is to go to Sky Zone. Located in a warehouse, Sky Zone is a big room filled with trampolines. You purchase time on the tramps and you just jump. The first time we went, we purchased an hour and by the end of our time, we were pooped out. There are different sizes and shapes, and some fully enclosed for dodge ball tournaments. They have a pit of foam blocks that people can dive into, which my kids like the best. I did it once but trying to climb out of the pit zapped my energy like no other. They even offer a fitness class. It’s stunning that something so easy as jumping on a trampoline can work your body so hard. Trampolines are no joke.

There you have it, Sophie and Alex’s Top 5 Ways to Exercise. My children are fairly adamant that these activities will be loved by all your families and that you all try them. (That was verbatim, btw). Reject those unrealistic standards and normalize being unique. Make family fitness the new normal.

A Day of Thanks

November 28, 2013 by scootadoot

Victoria

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. Yes, I love food. That’s a given. But really, what I love so much about the holiday is that it’s all about family.

As a child, we always went to my aunt and uncle’s house for the day, along with my grandparents and others in my extended family. After J and I married, we alternated spending Thanksgiving between J’s family and mine. We all contributed to the meal, and ate together – brothers, sisters, parents and cousins. And after the meal, we’d all go for a long walk.

Walking by the barn one snowy Thanksgiving weekend

(And may I say, my in-laws are incredible cooks, so each holiday meal tops the last. That goes for table settings and decorations as well.)

Last year, we headed off to Maine for the week, where we hiked all over Mt. Desert Island and dined like royalty. We had a blast, and plan to return for another holiday week in Bar Harbor another year.

Hiking with my family in Acadia National Park last Thanksgiving. Photo credit: (Uncle) Kreg Ulery

Thanksgiving to me is about spending time with loved ones. No matter the location, no matter the meal, no matter the activity, it’s about being thankful for what we have and one another.

Jessica

It’s the most wonderful tiiiiime of the year!

I adore Thanksgiving. I grew up celebrating it (and every other holiday) with my raucous extended family and I’ve carried that feeling with me through the years even though we’re all spread out now. Wah. The great news is that Mister Jess’s family is local, so we often spend the day with them. We’ll be doing that again this year, and I fully anticipate enjoying everything I love about this holiday: good food, great company, lots of thanks and lots of laughter. What’s not to love?!

Brooke

I’ve always loved Thanksgiving. Gathering around a table to share food and conversation with my family fills me with warm fuzzies. It’s the perfect place and time to feel connected to my most important people.On Thanksgiving morning, my mom would make pumpkin pancakes and then we’d watch the parade on tv- something I do with my own kids now.

Getting ready to watch the Macy’s parade on my middle baby’s first Thanksgiving.

As a child, it was my job to make and set out place cards at our dinner table. My grandma would hand me a stack of cards and a fancy pen and send me to work. Now that my girls are old enough, I’m continuing the tradition. Last year, the girls and I made turkey place cards out of wine corks.

Last Thanksgiving, less than two weeks before Little Dude arrived!

In the past we’ve hosted Thanksgiving, but last year, I was close to giving birth, and this year, our dining room has become a playroom for the kids. We’ll go to my in-laws to eat, but we’ll bring our Thanksgiving tablecloth- a tradition we began three years ago. We started with a white tablecloth, and each year, using fabric markers, we add a drawing, or turkey handprints for the kids (to see how they’ve grown) and a sentence about something for which we’re grateful.

My husband soothing our oldest girl on her first Thanksgiving- she was a little peanut at one month old!

I always make dessert. I’ve been planning my pie menu for weeks- can’t have just one, we need options!

Meridith

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays although when I was younger it was difficult for me to pinpoint exactly why. I don’t really like turkey (I’m more of a sides type of girl). We never had a set house we went to – usually my cousins hosted it or my family did, depending on the year and the circumstances.

When I married Jay and started a family of my own, my in-laws began to host the holiday with great regularity and invite my parents each year to join in the festivities, too.

Thanksgivings of days gone by.

Since I’ve grown up and gained perspective, I’ve realized why it’s my favorite; Thanksgiving is about being grateful for what we have and furthermore, for helping those in need. Being that we don’t host Thanksgiving, our free holiday turkey from the grocery store is donated, along with other canned goods and non-perishable items. A holiday with the sole intention of being with family and helping other families? That is my kind of holiday!

Additionally, we celebrate Hanukkah so we’ll be partying it up Thanksgivukkah style!

Cam

My Thanksgiving traditions are pretty typical. My large, Italian family gathers, we each bring a dish…I usually bring cookies, and we eat too much food and drink too much wine and laugh way too loudly.. And trust me when I say, in my family, food is no joke.

I mean, we have lasagna as a side dish. For the last couple years, I’ve began the day of gluttony with the Claremont Turkey Trot. Running the 5k first thing in the morning makes me feel less guilty about the large quantities of calories I’m about to ingest.

Sensing a theme here?

This year, however, I will not be running. I will be participating is a special Thanksgiving R.I.P.P.E.D. class at T3 Fitness. Because I really, really love food and wine!

Bec

I have always loved Thanksgiving, both the day itself and the idea of a day to give thanks. My oldest memories are of going to my grandmother’s house. My Grampa, a truly wonderful man that I am thankful to have known, used to pay me if I could find lumps in the mashed potatoes. A nickle a lump, and he always made good on it.

As I got older, and our family grew, my mom started hosting Thanksgiving, I loved helping out with the prep. My specialty was mashed butternut squash with so much butter and brown sugar that my teeth, and my arteries, ache just thinking about it. We always wound up with extra people at our house, and it was always a special day.

My first Thanksgiving on my own was a hot mess. I had no idea how to coordinate it so everything was ready at the same time. My gravy was beyond gross. We lived in North Carolina at the time, where my husband was stationed, and anyone we knew that couldn’t go home for the holiday came to our place. So while the meal was not winning any prizes, we gave people a place to go, and that was something special. My years in the South gave me a love of Southern Cornbread Dressing and Sweet Potato Casserole.

I’ve hosted all but one Thanksgiving since we moved back to Massachusetts thirteen years ago. My cooking skills have improved, my menu has gotten bigger and more varied, and my guest list changes yearly, but the feeling of being surrounded by friends and family has been my constant. We’ve had years without Pumpkin Pie. We’ve had years where the pies outnumbered the guests (10 to 8). We’ve had years with snow, and rain, and sleet. But every year, I’ve had a day filled with good food and good people whom I love dearly.

For all the things I have in my life, on this day, and every day, I am truly thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Attitude of Gratitude

November 8, 2013 by Meridith

Every November there are trends that circle back around. NaNoWriMo for the authors and aspiring novelists. No shave November in support of the American Cancer Society. And of course, seeing many friends and loved ones share what they are grateful for each day on Facebook.

While I don’t express my gratitudes daily, I sincerely feel them throughout the weeks, days, and hours. As you might already know (if you follow our Instagram/Twitter/Facebook) I’m in Disney World this week with my family, prior to running this year’s Wine and Dine. And somehow, Disney makes me feel ALL THE FEELS, in a big way. They’re good like that. My heart swells, my eyes well, and I can’t help but look at my family and think they’re mine, all mine.

I’m grateful for my children’s unbridled enthusiasm which is always authentic and never forced.

And I’m extremely grateful that I have a partner who knows exactly what I’m thinking with just a glance, who will go along with my off the beaten path ideas (like grilled cheese for breakfast), and will make certain things happen for me because he knows that they mean a lot, even if they’re not always the most convenient.

Being down here in Florida has given me the chance to see a few of my favorite people and I’ve got more in store for me. Having the chance to spend a day with Brooke and her family was amazing.

We’ve had a few opportunities to spend long weekends together but this was the first time we had our children together, although I feel like we’ve been planning it forever. We knew that they would love each other as much as WE love each other.

We were not disappointed!

I’m grateful for new things… and things that are tried and true and don’t change. I grew up coming to Disney World and while it keeps evolving and growing, it still feels like “home”. Perhaps that’s why there’s such a well of emotions that are evoked every time I’m here. I spent my family vacations here, a college spring break (let’s not talk about that), my honeymoon. I’m a Mouseketeer, a dreamer, and a believer.

At the end of each day my little family talks about what our favorite thing was of the day. The kids surprise me with their favorites often times because it’s usually not what I would expect them to say. For example, at Hollywood Studios, Little’s favorite was the rainbow that appeared in the sky after a light rain.

And Pooks’ was becoming an Honorary Citizen in the historical One Man’s Dream, the story of Walt Disney. One of the cast members overheard him asking me a question about a first rendition of Mickey Mouse and through a little scavenger hunt, he was award this badge and got to sign a ledger.

I’m grateful for their inquisitive nature, for them wanting to know all there is and all there isn’t. Their relentless pursuit of knowledge keeps me learning, thinking and growing. And seeing things that I might otherwise not notice for lack of observance.

Victoria and I grew up on Disney, although when we were teenagers, we never had the opportunity to share the parks together like we do now. I’ve spent much of my adulthood vacations in Disney and many of them with her by my side and I’m extremely fortunate that we have been able to do so. (I just noticed that we usually take pictures with her on my right! Creatures of habit!)

The other morning, I was in Animal Kingdom when I got an email saying that someone wasn’t able to attending the runDisney’s Wine and Dine meetup and that I was next in line for the spot! I am so very grateful for the experience that I had last evening.

More about that to come but a quick summary: it was amazing from start to finish and I met so many really awesome, really genuine people. It was good stuff and hey, you know ALL THE FEELS I spoke about earlier? Yes. Those were out in full force. I get so emotional, baby!

The emotions will keep on coming all weekend, I’m sure. Along with my gratitude.

Tomorrow morning my kiddos are running in the kids races and their excitement and energy is just feeding my excitement; even though our vacation is nearly over in days, it’s still rich in experience.

To say that I’m super excited for the next few days might be a slight understatement. People, there will be tackle hugs and tears and pictures (and we will lament that Jess and Bec aren’t with us). There will be meetings with new friends and seeing long-time friends, like Heather and Lisa. There will be squealing, there will be carb-loading lunches and light snack dinners.

And then, just when you’d think that it can’t get much better than that… it does. Because then, we get to run a half marathon!

Stay tuned…

Chick Chat: All Dressed Up for Halloween

October 31, 2013 by writeitdownjess

Happy Halloween, boys and girls! Or is it ghosts and goblins? Perhaps there are some vampires and zombies out there reading this as well.

Or maybe you’re reading this thinking, “ahmahgah, it’s Halloween and I have no costume! What am I going to DO?” while slapping your cheeks, a la Kevin McAllister in Home Alone.

Okay, probably not. But whether you’re looking for inspiration, a chuckle, or reading this simply because you love us (which I suspect is all of you), this chick chat is all about dressing up. Read on for some of the Chicks’ favorite costumes of yore…and more recent yore!

Meri

I had two tried and true costumes when I was a kid: gypsy and hippie. Some might say that they are very similar and to that, I say, true. My mom liked easy costumes and I usually just went along with it. Hey, when you’re getting to eat candy (a rarity in my house growing up), you get what you get and you don’t get upset.

Hottie-boom-body!

Now that I’m an “adult” (loose interpretation), it’s less about me dressing up and more about the kids. We let them choose their costumes at this point.

Adora-kids.

My boys are cuckoo for Halloween so we begin discussing costuming options in September. This year they settled on being a pirate (surprisingly the harder of the two costumes to track down) and the werewolf. Not what I would have picked but I suppose we need to allow for independent thinking and all that.

Vic

Every summer, my sister would start planning her Halloween costume. She always created intricate, creative and unique costumes over three to four months. I was always impressed. She labored over what she would be months ahead of time, and she would repeatedly ask me about my plans. My response was ambivalent. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. I usually figured it out the week before trick-or-treat night. And while my sister was always stylish, I regularly placed comfort before style.

Over the years, I was a genie, a vampire, a 50s rocker, a prairie girl. I was a turtle, a ballerina, a witch and Underdog. But most often, I dressed as a ghost.

As a young girl, I was obsessed with Casper the Friendly Ghost. I know I am totally dating myself here, but I loooooved Casper. Perhaps because he was bright, happy being in a season where the goal was to scare one another. I think I went as the neighborhood’s friendliest ghost for three or four straight years – I used a plastic mask and a hand sewn… uh… sack, which I think was made from a white sheet.

I loved to trick-or-treat with friends and family, to flee from house to house gathering all sorts of goodies, then sorting them into piles once I was back home. Now, I love to hand candy out to the kids who come to my own door. (Albeit, six kids usually knock on my door. Those kids get awesome candy.)

I rarely dress up for costume parties as an adult. Trust me, when you’re an October baby, costume parties get really old, REALLY FAST. It – however – has happened several times. I’ve been a 60s mod girl, Little Red Riding Hood, but most often, I wear scrubs and pose as a doctor or surgeon. Hubs has gotten in on that action as well.

BEST COSTUME EVER. I add a plastic stethoscope and voila. I am good to go.

Brooke

I have always loved Halloween, because I love dressing up and playing make-believe, and also it’s in the same month as my birthday, so it feels like a very long celebration. The candy is okay too.

We used to trick-or-treat at the mall when I was a kid, and my mom dressed me in some pretty cool costumes. One year, my brother and I were the cutest ever Raggedy Ann and Andy. When I was seven, my mom let me dress as a punk rocker, complete with pink streaks in my hair. My favorite though, was the year I turned six. My mom made a movie star costume for me, and let me wear dangly “diamond” earrings, a sparkling necklace and my grandmother’s fur coat, which was the softest thing I’d ever felt in my life. And she let me borrow her HIGH HEELS. I felt so special; wearing pretty make-up and mom’s shoes and jewelry.

One of my favorite adult costumes is one I wore last year, when I was pregnant. Josh dressed as Linus and I made a t-shirt with Snoopy’s face on my belly.

How cute is this?

Jess

I have possibly the worst memory in the world, tied only with my mom (thanks for passing that along, Mama Jess), so it’s hard for me to drudge up the various things I dressed up as when I was little. There is one gloriously strange costume that sticks out for me, when I was 7 or 8. I was a bunny. And not just any bunny. I was Hammer Bunny. As in MC Hammer, people. I was kind of obsessed. Not sure why I had to throw the bunny angle in there.

You might wonder what this costume consists of. It goes a little something like this: a super-stylish white Hanes sweatshirt and sweatpants, most likely bought at Costco; white bunny ears attached to a headband (headband headache, CHECK); a rubber bunny nose with buck teeth that should have been called Sweat-Maker; and, of course, sunglasses. That was the MC Hammer part.

I wish I had a picture of that, but I’m sure I burned them all somewhere along the way. I did manage to dig up a random picture of me in what looks like a pilgrim costume, however.

I’m the shorter pilgrim.

I kind of lost interest in Halloween once I was too old to trick or treat. But since having Bug – and since this is his first Halloween, AHHH! – my love for this holiday has been renewed. Probably because I get to dress him up, parade him around, and then eat all of his candy. Hey, he’s too young for now! I’m doing him a favor.

My sweet baby elephant.

All right, Scooters, it’s your turn! What are you going to be for Halloween this year? What was your all-time favorite costume? Tell us in the comments!

Scootadoot

fitness, food, friends, fun

Category Archives: Scoot a Doot chatter

Ramble On

One Sock, Two Sock, Red Sock, Blue Sock

Chick Chat: It’s a World Class Menagerie

Chick Chat: Advice for Beginners

My Feet are Trying to Kill Me

A Little More of This, A Little Less of That

Kid Tested, Mother Approved

A Day of Thanks

Attitude of Gratitude

Chick Chat: All Dressed Up for Halloween