James Weiselman Schulman CHEF DADDY

I have become “that Dad”…well, at least according to my wife. In this case, “that Dad” is the one that doesn’t let his kids eat crap; the one that brings his own food to places, the one that has the kid that says that they won’t eat meat, the one that won’t let his kid eat freaky colored crap at the soccer game, the one that passes on juice, boxed or otherwise, because it is basically soda anyway.

How we choose to eat is a lifestyle choice and that extends well beyond our own home. Whether we choose to eat vegan or veggie or only meat, low-carb or low-fat, these are all choices that we make constantly. And this extends to our families as well. It is easier to eat whole real food at home, but the test of our resolve is when we leave the home. It is what we pack our kids for lunch, it’s the kinds of restaurants we choose to go to, and what we choose to eat when we are out.

For me, eating healthy real food isn’t something that’s confined to just the meals I prepare but everything I and my family eat. And sometimes, my convictions cause issues with other people (and my kids). Unfortunately, as a society we have decided that it’s ok to eat food that been made by some giant multi-national food manufacturer. Rather than simply being able to say “I don’t eat XYZ” there must be a whole discussion and it often doesn’t end well. The very notion that these foods are “safe” and “healthy” speaks to our willingness to give up the fight.

Sometimes the issue is with our kids, and this is more easily addressed with a little planning.

First, it starts with talking about food, a lot. What’s “good” and what’s “bad.”

Then, when going into a situation where there may be things I don’t want them eating, I can easily prepare them for potentially not getting something.

We have also taught our son to read labels. Ideally, we eat foods with no labels, but it does happen, and having him get used to reading the ingredient list and nutrition label is great practice. He brings us items and knows that he may not get the HFCS-laden cookies or fruit juice, but will ask for a special homemade treat instead.

So, yes I have become “that Dad,” but shouldn’t more of us?

Got a question for Chef Daddy? Ask in the comment section below and he’ll answer in an upcoming post.

For more from James, check out his own blog at: www.jamesschulman.blogspot.com, follow him on twitter @jamesschulman, and find his other Chef Daddy posts at
www.BlackBerryMom.com

Alison Malkin Schwartz - PASSION FOR FASHION

My husband just informed (after he spied our most recent credit card bill) that we are on a “Spending Freeze”!!!!!! Apparently after our washer and dryer broke and had to be replaced (ASAP) and our new shed arrived in our backyard and the flat tire that I got coming home from my sons soccer game set us back thousands of dollars, completely shattered my dreams for a new and improved Spring wardrobe.

With this being my new reality I’ve decided to get creative and start shopping in my friends closets, welcome to the world of swapping!

Last week I found a great Pucci like dress in Stephanie’s closet that I wore to multiple communion parties and she took my black tie Tahari gown to her cousins wedding and returned the Calvin Klein dress she bought earlier that week.

Days later I found a beautiful costume necklace in Janet’s closet that I wore with my black sheath dress to a 40^th birthday party and Janet borrowed my leopard print scarf for her date night with her husband.

I then made a pit stop at Carley’s house and swapped her new Tory Burch bag for a couple of my handbags that she likes.

I’ve decided that instead of planning a typical girls night out for dinner I’m going to Evite my friends to come to my house for our first official “swapping”’ party (and I don’t mean partners). I have already saved myself a good amount of money by avoiding the mall so now I need to keep the momentum going .  My husband is relived that I’m not spending money on clothing and I won’t be sweating when the next credit card bill arrives.

Check out the www.swapstyle.com where you can swap items like clothing, accessories and even makeup with others. Pay a small membership fee; start your own page and raid closets around the country.   Just be prepared to pay for postage. The web site explains step by step how it works.

Happy shopping and saving at once…who knew?

Read more about Alison’s Passion for Fashion at www.BlackBerryMom.com

MOMMY NETWORK by Susan Fishback

What skills to you use as a mom that you can apply to the workplace? A lot.

Every year around Mother’s Day, Salary.com compiles a list of mom duties and places a monetary value on these skills.  Why not use these same duties when applying for a job or looking for a promotion?  Some people place these skills on their resume or you can refer to them in the interview process.  Here are some mommy skills that translate directly to the workplace.

The ability to prioritize:No matter where you work or what field you are in, the ability to prioritize is important to all hiring managers.  They want to know that you can take everything you are given and handle it in an appropriate order.  As a mom, you are constantly prioritizing; you make sure there is food for dinner, clean clothes for different games or activities, paying bills, etc.

Multi-tasking: I am sure you have worked with someone who can’t multi-task.  They are completely overwhelmed when they are presented with more than one issue or task.  Many moms are refereeing kids, making dinner and helping with homework all the while, thinking nothing of it.  That is because we have to.  This is a great skill to present to employers and give them examples from home.  Similar to the ability to prioritize, it is often these skills that set potential employees apart.

Budget: If you are responsible for your family budget, this is a great skill to present.  Two years ago, I had to put our family on a tight budget and we went from a deficit (credit card debt) to a profit (savings account).  I brought this up recently in an interview and explained the process I put in place and how strictly I followed the program.  Budget is important to all businesses, big and small.  They want to see that you can handle a bottom line and make the choices necessary to keep them on budget.

Decision making: As a mom, you are constantly making decisions that affect an entire group (your family).  Dinner alone involves a variety of factors.  What time is everyone home, who eats what, are you going to make more than one meal, how much time do you have, did you get to the store?  All of these factors go into the making (or ordering) of one meal.  Sometimes everyone is happy with the decision and sometimes everyone has to compromise.  The same is true in the work place.  There are times everyone is happy with a manager’s decision and sometimes everyone has to compromise.

I am sure that you can think of many other skills you use as a mom that can translate into the workplace.  Don’t be afraid to explain what you do at home that would help make you a great employee.  It is often the intangibles that set people apart in the interview process.

Catch up on more posts by Mommy Network, Susan Fishback, at www.blackberrymom.com and read some of her other thoughts at www.simplymoderndance.com or follow her on twitter @susanfishback.

MAMASTE By Stefanie Lester Coslow

A few weeks ago I read a Forbes article that a friend posted on Facebook, the title struck me because it was about working moms versus stay-at-home “Lululemon Moms”, and well, I fall somewhere in between that.  And so, I find myself sitting here, on Mother’s day, when I spent the morning with my family, and then took a yoga class and taught two, and felt pretty guilty over not being with my family the entire day, reflecting on my own personal journey.

My first few years of motherhood I worked part time, 3 days a week, an office job for a company that I ended up working for for over 11 years.  I didn’t love my job, it was just work, and that was fine, but I loved still being part of that “adult world”, still having a bit of a routine, and still having a bit of my own identity.  Now this was all a bit shocking to me as all my life I knew that, once I had kids, I would stay home with them full time, no question in my mind.  Yeah, as many of us have now realized, you “know” a lot before you have kids, and then you realize that you actually knew, and know with certainty, very little, except that life is uncertain and things change.  So I found myself wanting exactly that which I thought I never would.  And boy did that produce huge feelings of anxiety, guilt…  But we found our groove and it really worked.  My job was super flexible, and my daughter was at a daycare that a friend of ours owned that had a wonderful family like feel. I worked, I was home, and I found a great balance and was a better mom for it.

Then I became pregnant again, and I knew, financially, it didn’t make sense for me to keep my job after having 2 kids.  But I was so reluctant to quit, I did not want to give up my routine, the world I knew, my work family, the day care that we loved…..people that I had seen a few times a week for years.  I actually was pretty close to changing my mind and deciding to go back to work anyway, even though it didn’t really make total sense.  And then, I was laid off and the decision was made for me, easy, right?  Wrong.  I was miserable.  My life completely changed at a time when I was super hormonal.  Awesome.  And had a cholicky son.  Even better.  And a toddler that decided to give up napping.  Okay, life could be way worse, I get that, but this was hard and I was having a rough time.

I spent a long time trying to find a routine, trying to figure this all out, trying to find anytime for me and to get anything done (short of staying up super late at night).  Eventually, I found yoga, which became a great “me” time place and it felt like a work out and therapy all rolled into one.  I never felt better.  So, one thing led to another, and now I teach yoga, and I absolutely love it.

But, in starting to work again, there’s been some struggle for sure.  Finding the balance has been challenging at times.  How much should I work?  When should I work?  How much is too much?!?  To what extent should I pay for child care, at what point am I not making enough to make it worth it?  But sometimes I want to do it anyway, so is breaking even sometimes okay?  I end up teaching a lot on weekends or evenings so that my husband is home, but then that puts a lot of pressure on him and leaves him with little downtime.  And I feel guilty and bad about that, and guilty and bad about missing some of the fun times with my kids, and them missing me.  I often hear “are you going to yoga again?”.  It’s sometimes hard to know at which point I’m doing the right thing, being true to myself, and in that case being a better person, making me in turn a better mom and wife, and at which point am I being selfish.  And, if I was making a ton of money and was the “breadwinner” or even close, would any of those things even be issues?!?

So, I wear multiple hats, as most of us do.  I’m a stay at home mom, and, I’m somewhat a working mom.  And, majority of the time, whether for work or when I’m being mommy, I wear Lululemon or other types of stretchy pants.

Namaste,

Stefanie

http://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahljacobs/2012/04/15/a-working-mom-defends-the-lululemon-stay-at-home-mother/

Take one of Stefanie’s classes at CorePower yoga studios throughout Chicago corepoweryoga.com (Stefanie C on the schedule) or at Yoga Loft Chicago http://yogaloftchicago.com. She also works with private clients in their homes so think of her for your next party or corporate event. Either write her a note on the blog, or call her directly at 646-642-3391. Catch up on Stefanie’s prior posts at www.BlackBerryMom.com

Alison Malkin Schwartz - PASSION FOR FASHION

This Sunday is a big day – and I am here to help make it a very happy Mother’s Day!

Are you shopping for your mom, or looking for some hints for whomever is shopping for you?  Either way, this fashion forward mother’s day gift list is sure to please!

Flip Flops- Never out of style and fairly inexpensive, this is a great gift! There are so many fabulous styles to choose from in stores all over. Another option is a web site like switchflops.com where the flip flops start at $35 and the best part is that you can switch strap and pin designs that run from $12-$15 each. Add on a gift certificate for a pedicure if you want to.

Beach accessories – How about a new bag for the beach in a fun, bold print then stuff it with a sarong / tunic and some sunblock. Moms get ready to sunbathe!

Personalized jewelry – Necklaces with your children’s initials or birthdates is always a great way to make mom happy. You can find these types of gifts in a store like Henri Bendel or at a web site like love-and-victory.com where they offer beautiful silhouette charm necklaces and stackable name rings that will end up being a family heirloom.

Anything in mint green- Spring and summers  “it” color is a fun way to incorporate a new color into moms’ wardrobe. How about a new top or a pair of those fun denim jeans.  If you’re looking for a more subtle way to introduce the color how about a bottle of nail polish or a cute skinny belt.

Of course another great gift for mom would be a subscription to some fashion magazines like Vogue, Elle, Bazaar or In Style to name a few. A great gift to keep moms up to date on fashions all year round.

Happy Mother’s Day to all!

Read more about Alison’s Passion for Fashion at www.BlackBerryMom.com

MAMASTE By Stefanie Lester Coslow

Looking to melt body fat, lose inches, stretch, tone, feel like a million bucks, and have a ton of fun while doing so?  Short on time and would like to accomplish all of that in a one hour workout?  Have I got the class for you……… hellllloooo yoga sculpt!

It may go by other names in other studios and gyms across the country, but I’m sure it’s effects are the same regardless.  As I know it, yoga sculpt is a one hour power yoga class with typically pretty basic yoga postures combined with weight training and some cardio bursts/plyometrics done in a heated room.

Why do yoga sculpt?  Well, it’s simple, you get the benefits of weight training, you build lean muscle mass which burns more calories, sculpts your body, and strengthens your bones while you simultaneously get the stretching, flexibility and the calming, relaxation benefits of yoga.  Add in some quick cardio bursts or plyometrics to get your heart pumping fast to shock your body and help you burn more calories, and bam, it’s a recipe for success.

Anytime I’ve done it I’ve gotten a major a$$ kicking, have sweated said a$$ off, and have had a blast doing so.

It’s a fantastic addition to any current yoga practice you may have as it will build strength to help you in arm balances and other challenging postures, or it can be an incredible way to add in some strength & flexibility training if you are a big cardio person.  And, if you’re neither of the above and have never worked out or are just getting back into it, it’s perfect for you as well.  You can always modify or put your weights aside as needed.  That’s the great thing about us yogis, no pressure and no judgement.

I can recommend Corepower Yoga (if you live near or are visiting somewhere where there is one), and there are also dvds to purchase and yoga videos on demand that you can access on the Corepower Yoga website.  I have also done “The Biggest Loser Weight Loss Yoga” Dvd which I highly recommend as well.  Other than that, I’m sure there are classes and dvds out there a plenty.  They may be called something else, but yoga sculpt by any other name….still kicks your butt just as much.

Have fun, and please, let me know if you have any questions!

Namaste,

Stefanie

Take one of Stefanie’s classes at CorePower yoga studios throughout Chicago corepoweryoga.com (Stefanie C on the schedule) or at Yoga Loft Chicago http://yogaloftchicago.com. She also works with private clients in their homes so think of her for your next party or corporate event. Either write her a note on the blog, or call her directly at 646-642-3391. Catch up on Stefanie’s prior posts at www.BlackBerryMom.com

James Weiselman Schulman CHEF DADDY

Why is it that your grandmother’s apple pie is the best?

How come the way your mother prepares chocolate chip cookies is just that much better than anyone else’s
recipe?

Why do we crave these familiar dishes (and many more) when they are likely not “the best”?

It’s because your relatives put into the dish something no restaurant or multinational food conglomerate could ever put into their food…LOVE!

Yes, you heard me. It’s LOVE, and the experience of consuming something made with love and care. It’s what makes homemade birthday cake so much better than anything bought from a store. It’s what makes the best homemade food that much better. Unfortunately, this idea has been largely lost from our collective food consciousness.

The LOVE of the food…the LOVE of the process…the LOVE of using the best ingredients…the LOVE of seeing the smiles on the faces of those who eat your food. It’s not something that can really come from a box. But  with a little added effort or preparation, it is something that you can incorporate.

Take the time to make the kids’ birthday cakes from scratch. I’m not talking about a mix; the ingredients are ones any kitchen should have on hand. It may not look like a store-bought cake, but it will surely taste (and feel) better.

Take the time to make the recipe passed down from grandma. Keep the traditions alive. Show the kids the LOVE and thoughtfulness you put into making it, and they will be rewarded not just by the delicious (and likely healthier) food, but also by the knowledge of the history and tradition that is all to easy to lose.

Got a question for Chef Daddy? Ask in the comment section below and he’ll answer in an upcoming post.

For more from James, check out his own blog at: www.jamesschulman.blogspot.com, follow him on twitter @jamesschulman, and find his other Chef Daddy posts at www.BlackBerryMom.com

Alison Malkin Schwartz - PASSION FOR FASHION

I’M SO NOT A MORNING PERSON!

Pre kids I thought I had it rough when that alarm woke me up at 7 am and I hit snooze button until it broke off and I was forced to drag my body to the office. Post kids I have it worse…

There are many interrupted nights of sleep with children who have frequent nightmares, soil the sheets (trying to shed the nighttime diapers!), wake up from a thunderstorm or any weird sound and of course all this results in me sharing my bed with another warm body on top of mine all night long. Sound familiar?

Years of  never getting the eight hour sleep I desperately seek, has me waking up later than ever. After I pry my kids out of bed usually by 8am, I have to get them dressed, make them breakfast (make sure they eat it), make up thier lunches, pack up their book bags, walk and feed my dog, all in 45 minutes so I can then drive them to school before 9am.

With my current schedule I have absolutely no time for myself in the early morning and I find myself lately rolling out of bed and taking my daughter to school wearing my pajamas…yes, pajamas.

I remember a time when I did have the ability to dress myself early in the morning, I watched g a mother in plaid pajamas climb out of her car to let her children out and I laughed, thinking to myself I would NEVER drop off my child in pajamas.  And yet, here I am following in her footsteps.

Should I really beat myself up that I drop off my daughter looking like I’ve just rolled out of bed, after all I pride myself on always trying to be so put together so I’ve pondered this question and have made the decision…to embrace the PJ”S!

Look we are busy and sleep-deprived and we can’t be perfect all the time. So I am accepting that I will have days where I show up in pj’s at drop off .  And I promise to never judge any other parents on what they choose to wear at drop off or otherwise.

…hey at least I brush my teeth.

Read more about Alison’s Passion for Fashion at www.BlackBerryMom.com

MOMMY NETWORK by Susan Fishback

What do you want to do when you grow-up?  Seems like a silly question now, but we are constantly changing and opportunities come and go.

If you stay at home, you have a unique circumstance; you can create a new career or continue to build a career.  There is likely something you always wanted to do.  Some things may be out of reach, but if you think long and hard about it, you will think of things that are not.

It might mean working a different job to pay the bills, you can begin laying the ground work.  Once you decide what you want to do, start working towards that goal.  Set aside an hour a week or even an hour a day (depending on your availability) and research your passion, make connections and most importantly practice your craft.

Use internet searches, and social media.  You don’t have to use every platform, pick one to begin with and see what people with similar ideas are doing.  Most likely they follow other companies or people in related fields as well, so follow them too.

Eventually, explore other forums and continue to express your message.  Also, the more information you have the more effective you will be moving forward.

While you are managing your internet network it is important to network with the people you meet.  You could be surprised at what the mom next to you knows.  Just as you discuss schools, pediatricians and activities, talk about your backgrounds and what you are hoping to do in the future.

Keep it a simple and general conversation.  Even if the other parent doesn’t have a background similar to your own, it is interesting to hear about people’s lives before kids.  It’s nice to mix up the parent conversation and learn something new.  You never know, they could be your first student or customer.

Catch up on more posts by Mommy Network, Susan Fishback, at www.blackberrymom.com and read some of her other thoughts at www.simplymoderndance.com or follow her on twitter @susanfishback.

MAMASTE By Stefanie Lester Coslow

“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you always got.” Mark Twain

I’m a creature of habit, change makes me anxious and I often resist it ferociously.  I tend to stick in my comfort zone, with what I know.

Intellectually, I know/have realized that change is good.  Change is growth, change is evolution.  To quote Baron Baptiste (a world renowned yogi if you are unfamiliar) “We have two choices:  We grow or we die.  It’s that simple.  Growth is forward movement; anything else is stagnation, or worse, regression.”

And yet I sink back into old patterns, especially when it comes to workouts.  Back in college, many moons ago, at the gym you would find me either at a step class, perhaps a sculpt class, or on the stairmaster, reading a magazine while I worked out.  Then that switched to the eliptical and sculpt classes, which eventually translated into yoga sculpt.  And eventually that transferred to yoga, mostly vinyasa (aka “power yoga”) and occasionally hot style (longer holds, more static postures).  I love my yoga so, I really do, and I never want to veer away from it.

But lately I feel like I’m stuck and my body does not feel like my own.   Yoga, for me, is not truly about my body but about the spiritual connection, and my mental well being.  And there is always something new to learn.  But, the body benefits are pretty good too.

Lately though, my clothes are tight.  I guess I spend so much time in spandex that I don’t really notice when I’ve expanded a bit, but when I put on a pair of jeans, well, they ain’t lying.  And before I get people (aka, my mom) all up in arms, I’m not saying I have a lot of weight to lose, just a few pounds.  But, we all know what it’s like to just not feel like ourselves and want to get back where we were.

Now, I’m going to make excuses here, but the problem is multifaceted.  I’m a mom of 2 kids, busy with them.  And lately, my husband’s been traveling pretty much non-stop during the weeks, so there went my 6am yoga classes out the window, and a lot of what used to be my “free time” is now spent teaching or learning about yoga (2 things I absolutely love!).  I get that I could get up early and do it in my house on my own, but for some reason, the snooze button always seems wins out.

The other thing I know I need is to do more cardio.  Really, hardcore cardio.  I need to push myself, even if it’s just to take a class and have someone else push me.  I forced myself the other morning to wake up at the crack of dawn, on a Saturday no less, do go to a Real Ryder (spin type class) that my friend was teaching.  At 7am.  On a rainy Saturday.

But, it was pretty much my only shot to work out that day, so I did it.  It was brutal.  A few times I thought I might die.  My heart was pounding and I was dripping with sweat.  But it was awesome.  Thank g-d for my friend Adam teaching, who’s fantastic, and thank g-d for his super fun music, they are truly what kept me going.  For the rest of the day, I felt fantastic!  I felt the heart pumping effects all day long.  So, note to self, yet again, I need to make myself  to do this more often!

Another source of inspiration, my dad recently realized he put on some weight.  Now, let’s just say the apple does not fall far from the tree.  I love my dad dearly, but calling him a creature of habit is putting it mildly.  And he likes his sweets and his wine, just as I do.  But, he cut way back on both of those for a week, just one week, and so far has lost 10 pounds.  Pretty amazing.

So, I know what I have to do, we all know what we have to do, it’s just a matter of finding the time,  and doing it.

Namaste,

Stefanie

Take one of Stefanie’s classes at CorePower yoga studios throughout Chicago corepoweryoga.com. She is on the schedule as Stefanie C. She also works with private clients in their homes so think of her for your next party or corporate event. Either write her a note on the blog, or call her directly at 646-642-3391. Catch up on Stefanie’s prior posts at www.BlackBerryMom.com