Month: July 2017

My Miracle Kid.

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Thomas was too weak to breast feed. I pumped for 6 months.

My son Thomas is my miracle baby.  I have been wanting to blog about him but, have been resistant.  I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about dragging up the past, and I don’t want to come across as a victim of  my past. I will give you the short version.

Thomas was a full term baby. I had no idea of what we were heading into. I had a normal pregnancy, labor and delivery. At birth, Thomas was a bit blue and had a white patch on his eye, but no one seemed too alarmed about his condition. That night in the hospital, I woke up in the middle of the night, to find Thomas’ pediatrician standing over my bed. The Doctor told me that Thomas had a seizure and  he recommended transporting him to Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia.  While I laid in bed shaking, the team from CHOP took Thomas in an ambulance. I discharged myself from the hospital and got things situated for my other son. My husband Dan and I then drove down to the hospital.

Thomas spent the first 13 months of his life at CHOP. He had 11 surgeries during his stay. It was as if he came into the world 3/4 complete and the Doctors had to finish the process.  He came home on a ventilator with a team of nurses set up to help take care of him. Dan and I were also trained how to change his trach, suction him… etc.  It was a life changing year as you can imagine.

Sam has been an amazing brother. He taught Thomas to kink his ventilator hose to make funny noises!

Fast Forward to now. I wanted to write about health and the importance of taking care of yourself and your family.  Thomas is a special needs kid. I want to make sure that his health is optimized as much as I can. I am very concerned about his community. So many of his friends have health issues and are overweight.

Thomas loves pasta , macaroni and cheese, ice cream, chocolate milk.  These are treats for him. He would have spaghetti every day if on his own.

I make a brown rice pasta and give him a serving size along with meat sauce and vegetables. He begins each morning with a smoothie. I will add his probiotic, half of a frozen banana, maybe a few collard greens, and cocoa powder. You can hide a lot in chocolate. He also takes high quality supplements twice a day everyday. He reminds me that he needs his vitamins if I forget. Thomas knows the importance of being hydrated. He tells me when his urine is too dark. “Mom, I need to hydrate.” He goes to bed  basically the same time and gets up everyday at 5:50.

Thomas is an amazing human being. He is really very healthy! I have learned so much from him. He teaches me patience every day.

Thomas Loves a good parade!

Love Your Kids,

Mary

Take Action!

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Can you get up off the floor easily? I was with a friend this weekend that set up a birthday party for a 63 year old woman. They planned fun games from their past like Twister. The problem was most of the women could not get up off the floor. Please don’t assume this is part of aging. You need to work on staying strong and flexible!

Get down on the floor and see how easy or difficult it is to get up. Let me know!

I have been working on my flexibility. I want to improve my squat and I am running again! Going slow in my new NB Minimus but I am going.  I am running on soft surfaces, the grass or on the dirt path in the woods. Something I had given up on because of my back. I have been diligently working on strengthening my back with Foundation Training. Since I have discovered Katy Bowman I am also working on my feet. I have been able to get rid of my orthotics and I am wearing a cute minimalism sneaker!! So Far, So Good.

Here is a short video of a movement that I am including in OutdoorFit and in my daily life.  It is another great inspiration from Katy Bowman. #HappyHealthyJoints

What are you doing to feel better this summer? Having Fun? Paddle boarding? Reading?

Here is my summer reading list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Summer!

Take Action! Come try OutdoorFit. You will leave feeling so much better!

Fit and Fabulous…Aging Optional! 

Your Choice.

Love,

Mary

Lighten Up

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Summer Time. I have been working on lessening the load. I have spent the past two months decluttering, donating, and  throwing out. (More donating than throwing out. ) 

I have been doing exercises to strengthen my feet, hips and back. As you know if you have been following my blog. I love Foundation Training by Dr. Eric Goodman and recently found Nutritious Movement by Katy Bowman. I am going slow. I did buy a new pair of sneakers from Dorian Meyer at Shore Footed NJ. New Balance Minimus which I love how light they are and so cute! This is a huge step for me. No more puffy shoes or orthotics. I am using my body to support itself. Very interesting at 62.  It is so important not to limit your self.

Run Faster Jump Higher:)

After OutdoorFit today, I decided to try running in the Minimus.. I was a competitive runner and I miss it. I know I will not be running 5 miles in 30 minutes.  The competitive fast running was the past. I am working on running a few miles in the woods. Today, I ran 1/4 mile on the grass at the fields. Intermediately afterwards, I did  Foundation Training. The amazing exercises to put you back in place. So far so good!

I have also lighten up with my food. More vegetables, more vegetables, more vegetables. I have cut back on my fruit. I was eating more fruit and I was starting to crave sugar again. Interesting. Everyone is different. It is important to pay attention to your body.   I am also vegetarian most days until dinner. I am embracing the egg. I am drinking more tea and less coffee. Baby Steps.

I am keeping my SHMEC in checked.

SHMEC…Sleep, Hunger, Mood, Energy, Cravings How is your SHMEC?

I have been spending time in my garden. Weeding -Weeding-Weeding. Gardening is also tough on my  body. Here is a quick video of my Post Garden Founder. So Helpful! Give it a try.

The Summer of Fun.

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Do you love summer?

I am not a summer person. To be honest, it makes me a bit nervous. I have a sense of guilt about having FUN. I live 5 miles from the ocean and  rarely get there. I would rather stay home and weed on some level. I am working on changing.

I am inspired by Casey Neistat? Do you follow him? (I am old enough to be his Mother. I think I have seen everyone of his videos.  I love his enthusiasm and love of life.)

I watched his you Tube Video. First Day of Summer.

 SO…I am making an announcement! This will be my summer of fun!

At the Jersey Shore with Ivone!

I have been to the beach twice so far! Thanks Ivone!

Coffee with Wendy!

I went shopping, bought a dress and enjoyed a cup of coffee on a bench in Red Bank with my Fashion Consultant Wendy!

I have been to a parade with my son Tom! Spent an hour having candy thrown at us. I had a piece of double bubble gum! Check out this short video of Thomas conducting the bagpipers. Lots of Fun!

I bought a new pair of sneakers! New Balance Minimus! I am so excited about them. The next blog post will be about Lighten up in so many ways starting with your Feet!

Run Faster Jump Higher:)

What are you doing for fun this summer?  Going to the beach? Taking a bike ride? A trip to Italy? I would love to hear!

Enjoy!

Love,

Mary