Barbells for Boobies

Many of us associate October with Halloween. October is also National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For a disease that affects so many women and touches so many lives, I think it is really important to raise awareness. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women aside from skin cancer. As a woman and a mother of a young tween girl, it is awareness and early detection is key. I just turned 40 this year, so I am scheduled to have my first mammogram. For me, this is just step in my preventive health care, but for those who don't even have health insurance, getting a mammogram might not even be on the top of the list.

That is why last weekend, I, along with my husband, participated in a "Barbells for Boobies" fundraiser sponsored by Anaheim Crossfit to raise money for Mammograms in Action, charity to raise money for women who can't afford to get mammograms. We even brought along Maggie as the cheering section.

First let me explain what a crossfit workout is, if you have never heard of it. Crossfit is a bootcamp-like workout utilizing weights and strength training exercising. Every workout is called a WOD or "workout of the day", and most of them have names, like "Angie" or "Barbara". For instance, the Angie WOD is: 100 Pull Ups, 100 Push Ups, 100 Sit Ups, 100 Squats. Barbara WOD is 20 Pull Ups, 30 Push Ups,40 Sit Ups, 50 Squats, Rest 3 Mins, Repeat All For 5 Rounds.

The WOD for the fundraiser is "Amazing Grace" which is 30 clean-and-jerks as fast as you can. The recommended weight for males is 135 lbs and for females 95 lbs. Let me just say, I have never done a clean-and-jerk in my life, but that didn't stop me. After some one-on-one instruction from one of the other attendees, and making sure my barbell was at a weight I could handle-35 lbs-I powered through the WOD at a time of 4:23 minutes.

I just kept looking at Maggie cheering us on, and that is what fueled me to power through. Being the tween girl that she is, we are in the in-between stage of her being embarrassed of me and still needing me. I can't dance or sing in public anymore but I can still give her a piggyback ride or heal her boo-boos with a kiss and a hug.

All in all, it was an empowering and inspiring day for all. Stephanie Amato, one of the co-owners of Anaheim Crossfit—and one of the strongest women I know— recently lost her mother to cancer just a week earlier. I got a bit teary watching her complete the Amazing Grace WOD. She said she used her mothers spirit to motivate her to carry on and be strong. The event raised over $1000 to go towards Mammograms in Action that day!

Although my body was sore, my spirit was high, and I was proud to be a part of such a worthy cause. 

Check out this video for more information about Barbells for Boobies.

WORKING MOTHER JUGGLING ACT

Schools are back in session and helping with homework, afterschool activities, making lunches are all back in effect. We had a really nice long active summer filled with summer camps, sleepovers, sleeping in past 7am, flip flops and swimsuits as basic apparel, and a different schedule every week. A couple years back I made the decision to step away from corporate life and work from home. I wanted to be able to actually participate in and enjoy my daughter's school years, and have a job that was flexible with her ever changing schedule. Working from home is a double-edged sword—a blessing and a hinderance, a constant juggling act between family and work, at times lonely and other times peaceful—and always a work in progress. 

Such is life, right? 

The internet is an amazing tool, and has changed the way businesses are run. Without the internet, working from home would not even be an option. Also, the way my daughter's generation will view the workplace will be different. Maggie made a comment over the summer that really struck me. I was dropping her off at camp one morning, in my normal apparel of either shorts and a t-shirt or workout gear depending, and I said my good-byes because I needed to get to work. She replied, "Mommy, you don't have to go to work, you don't go into an office." 

Um, ouch!

I had to take a step back and process a little. I realized I have completely changed the concept of "working mom" for my tween. I explained, "Of course mommy works," but that I have the benefit of doing it from my computer at home. In my mother's generation, if you worked it definitely meant that you had to work outside of the home in most cases. In our generation, most families can't survive without two incomes, and whether you work in or out of the home, once you add children into the mix, it becomes the ultimate juggling act. 

Am I trying to say, "Life is a circus, deal with it"? Maybe.

Or rather:

Life, motherhood, family, and work take mad juggling skills. 
Good thing the journey is worth it!

Juggle on! 

Just for fun - here is a quick video on how to juggle for real. 




post by Pauline Molinari

BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIPS

It’s that time of year again: back to school. It’s a time where the hectic morning routine returns and parents everywhere start to get more than a bit frazzled. Here at ChicaCircle, we’ve come up with some tips to make the transition to the daily routine just a little bit smoother for kids and parents alike. 
 
One of the most important tips for getting back into the swing of school is to ensure that everyone in the family is getting enough sleep. Without adequate sleep, mornings will be rushed, and everyone will be cranky and sluggish. Keep in mind that kids age 5-12 generally need about 10 hours of sleep, while older kids need about 9 hours of sleep to ensure maximum energy for learning and staying focused in school. Get to bed early, and try to pack lunches and snacks the night before, to reduce stress and leave more time in the morning for a good breakfast. Here’s a great list of kid-friendly lunches!
 
The most important meal of the day can also be the most stressful meal of the day. With the rush to get to school, it can be hard to find time to make a healthy breakfast. Here are some quick, easy, and protein-packed breakfast ideas from Better Homes and Gardens  that are perfect for any school-age child:
 
Berry Banana Smoothie
1 banana, peeled, cut and frozen
¼ cup of berries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup orange juice
3 tablespoons of vanilla low-fat yogurt
Blend all ingredients in the blender until smooth. Makes 2 8-ounce servings. 
* optional, add 1 scoop of protein powder 

Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
1 8-oz carton of plain, low fat yogurt
1 cup of fresh fruit (peaches, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, kiwi, etc)
1 tablespoon of sliced almonds
½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 teaspoons of honey or light pancake or waffle syrup (maple flavor)
Dash of cinnamon
Combine yogurt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add fresh fruit on top, and garnish with sliced almonds. Drizzle honey or syrup on top, and enjoy!

Smiling Oatmeal
1 pack of Instant oatmeal (any flavor)
Fresh fruit (Strawberries, bananas, peaches, blueberries)
Sugar of honey (if oatmeal is unsweetened)
Make oatmeal according to instructions on packet. Add sugar or honey to taste. Arrange fruit in the shape of a smiley face on top of the oatmeal. Serve and enjoy!

Finally, be sure that your child has a place to study when they get home from school. Designate a study space and study hours that fit your child’s needs. Keep the area organized, well lit, and free of all distractions. Also, be sure to communicate with your child’s teacher. Introduce yourself and your child on the first day, and discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses with the teacher. Have the teachers name, phone number and email address visible in the home study area, so that when your child is struggling with homework or a certain subject, you can make a note of it and discuss it with the teacher. Communication and involvement are tools for your child’s academic success.  

We hope you have a great school year!


Post by Khassaundra Delgado

STAYCATION IDEAS!

As summer winds down, many families find themselves having never taken the summer vacation they planned – and in this economy, a big vacation just doesn’t seem feasible for many families. A delightful alternative to a vacation is a family staycation. As August begins and back-to-school draws closer, a staycation is a perfect way to plan a relaxing getaway without the stress and expense of a big vacation. Here at ChicaCircle, we’ve come up with some great ideas for an end-of-summer family staycation!

Supereco has a great list of staycation ideas. Some are traditional, such as planning a weekend trip to the local zoo, museum or amusement park. They also have some great ideas for non-traditional staycations. For example, one staycation tactic is to visit your local chamber of commerce website, and plan a “tourist” trip of your city, hitting all the tourist spots suggested by the tourism board and city chamber of commerce. It’s a great way to see your hometown in a new light!

Another great staycation idea is a stargazing trip. Drive out past the city, the local suburbs, and find a remote but local area (rest stops are a great place to stargaze), since they are often remote but well-lit and not completely isolated). Pack a telescope, binoculars and some snacks for a nighttime picnic. Try making star-shaped sandwiches, using a star shaped cookie cutter on a sandwich of your choice. Another yummy picnic recipe is Astronaut Pudding, courtesy of BabyZone.  

What you need:
One box of instant pudding (any flavor)
Zip lock sandwich bags
Mix the instant pudding according to the recipe on the box and chill. Scoop pudding into zip-lock bags and seal tightly. Then, snip one corner off of the bottom of the zip-lock sandwich bag.  This is where you can suck the pudding out of the bag, just like astronauts do with their food in space! No mess and it’s a delicious stargazing snack!
 

Family Education also offers great staycation ideas. One suggestion is a state park day trip. If you’re fortunate enough to live close to a state or regional park, they can be an ideal spot for a staycation. They often offer trails for hiking and backpacking, as well as small lakes where you can rent pedal-boats or go fishing.

Of course, the usual staycation spots – the local zoo, museum, or amusement park – can also be a blast for the whole family. Many zoos offer a “backstage” tour of the zoo; it’s a great way to see a local spot from a different perspective. Museums and amusement parks may also have summer deals and group rates. To make a day at the local zoo or museum feel like a real getaway, try staying at a local hotel for one night to add to the experience. Slash in the hotel pool, take pictures, and enjoy the home away from home for one night! 

Can't leave home? Try camping in your own backyard. Roast marshmallows, tell ghost stories, sleep out in the good outdoors.

All of us at ChicaCircle hope you have been able to take the time this summer for a family vacation, even if it is a staycation! A vacation is what you make it - time away from your normal work/school schedule spent together as a family, no matter where it is, can be a spectacular memory making adventure.

Post by Khaussandra Delgado

WE DANCED, WE CELEBRATED, WE ♥ NATIONAL DANCE DAY!

Last Saturday morning, Maggie and I woke up early and made the drive to the Music Center in downtown LA. We became a part of the at least 1000 people who participated in the LA location for the flash mob dance to commemorate National Dance Day. There were a lot of dance troops and groups who showed up, so it was a little intimidating at first to join in. Maggie got a bit of stage fright initially, and we hung out and watched the crowd and the many camera crews filming different groups of dancers. Once we saw one of our favorite choreographers, Tabitha and Napoleon, walk out and engage the crowd, I think we were both in awe and happy to join in. Oh, and of course, we loved seeing Adam Shankman and Mia Michaels too. If you are fans of SYTYCD, you would appreciate it when I say, we were so excited to see them so close, in person, and not through a TV screen.

All in all, I am so glad we decided to participate. Maggie rocked the dance, and I didn't do so bad myself. There is comfort in numbers, and the crowd was definitely a mixture of people all with the common but simple goal to celebrate dance. It was great to be a part of that energy and just express the sense of community through dance.

The celebration ended with a great performance from a young dance troop, "Rage Crew". They will also be performing at the upcoming Dizzy Feet Foundation Gala Event, "A Celebration of Dance" on Aug 21st.

You can check out more great photos from the event here via Idolator. Keep on dancin'!

HAVIN' A SPLASHY SUMMER!

The summer season is synonymous with taking a dip in the pool. There are few things that are more refreshing than cooling off in the pool on a hot summer day. When kids enter the equation, however, a dip in the pool can go from relaxing to chaotic. Here at ChicaCircle, we’ve unearthed some games and activities that make a day at the pool a great time for everyone!
 
A great way to start is by having some pool toys at your disposal. The latest pool toys go beyond noodles and inflatable loungers, however. Pooltoy has a vast collection of pool toys and gadgets that are so unique and fun, you’ll never want to get out of the pool! In addition to the typical floating pool toys, the site offers floating coolers, Aviva Inflatable slides and loungers, and floating inflatable card tables. These floatables offer a convenient way to have a blast while lounging in the pool.
 
A great game for the pool is a rubber duck race, courtesy of AmazingMoms.com. Each family member should start at one end of the pool with a rubber duck, and nudge the rubber duck with one finger to the other side of the pool. Whoever gets to the other side first wins!
 
Another great pool game, courtesy of Disney’s Family Fun website, is Crocodile Crossings. Have the children line up on one side of the pool. Each child must pick a color of the “fish” that they choose to be. One child – the “crocodile” – will stand in the middle of the pool with his or her eyes closed and back facing the children that are lined up. The crocodile will yell out a color of the “fish”: red, blue, green, etc., and the children who chose the color that the crocodile calls out must swim to the other side of the pool before the crocodile catches them and tags them. Whoever gets tagged first is the next crocodile!

There are also dozens of ways for the whole family, young and old,  to have fun with a kiddie pool. Disney’s Family Fun website offers game ideas for toddlers, but they can be fun and challenging for the whole family! One example is the Hole in One game, which starts by filling up a kiddie pool with water and laying Frisbees upside down to float on the water. This should create a surface that will catch objects thrown inside it. Take turns throwing small sponges or waffle balls into the Frisbee, and each time you make one, take a step back. To add an extra challenge, use small circular Gladware containers.
 

A great poolside craft is a Shell Shirt. Here are the instructions, courtesy of Party Animal:
 
Materials:
• Assortment of sea shells
• Fabric Paint in assorted colors
• Clean, dry sponges
• White or light-colored plain T-Shirt or tank top 

After the kids put on their sunscreen and wait for it to soak in, have them soak the sponges in paint. Roll the seashells on the paint-covered sponge and then press or “stamp” the seashell on the shirt. Create any variety of designs.  Place on some newspaper in the sun to dry and then jump in the pool! By the time you get out of the pool, you’ll have a brand new shirt, ready for you to wear!
 
These are just a few ideas to take make an ordinary pool day extraordinary! We wish you a fun and safe summer pool day!


Post by Khassaundra Delgado

FOURTY AND FABULOUS

I just crossed the 40 milestone mark, and I have to say, I think I am still digesting it all. When you are young, you always yearn to be older and when you get older you always strive to feel younger. I think I am yearning to be in the right here, right now, trying to appreciate and savor it all. 

One of my Maggie's favorite movies is 13 Going on 30, and I keep hearing in my head the life changing wish that young 13 year old Jenna makes in the movie, "I want to be 30, flirty, and thriving".
 

Well, I want to be 40 and fabulous.  

Even though I tell myself I am 40 and fabulous, I think my body was rejecting the milestone a little bit. We all resist change in our own way, but I think mine comes in the form of migraine headaches. On my actual birthday, I had a wonderful dinner with my husband and another couple in a really fabulous wine bar. I was fine until the ride home, when what felt like a little headache turned into one of the worst migraines I have ever had. I ended up launching the contents of my dinner into the toilet and all over the bathroom when we got home, and embracing ice packs on my head the rest of the night. The last time I remember suffering through a migraine on my birthday was my 21st. Coincidence? I'm not sure.

But this is what I do know for sure: this is my life and it is up to me to make the most of it. I will be fabulous at 40!

So here is what I think is fabulous: my daughter, my husband, my family, my friends, and myself. Not in an egocentric sort of way, in a grateful and appreciative way. We are all still a work in progress. I am grateful I have the health and friend and family support to enjoy the ride!

Thank you to everyone that made this such a special and momentous milestone!