Groovy Mom Down Under

The photo is of Mary-Lou and her sons (and business partners) Ned & Digby. They live in Perth, Western Australia. Mary-Lou is the creator of groovy-kids-parties.com and she recently added her website listing to the momz.com directory for moms. Mary-Lou is a mother passionate about her kids, and she felt it was important to provide them with happy memories. So she did a lot of research at libraries and via the world wide web, put those lessons together with her own experiences and provides this information to help moms organize kids’ birthday parties and provide positive memories.

Check out her great website and send her note with your feedback or questions. She’s a great mom and one smart WAHM.

How You Can Lose Weight Quick

Are you fat in places you wish that you weren’t?  Would you like to know the safe way to lose weight quick?  Kristie, a certified aerobics instructor for sixteen years and a personal trainer for a short time as well, shares all the tricks she’s learned, plus all the gimmicks and all the trials.

Here are five tips on how to lose weight quickly and safely:

1. Start with a mental attitude of “take no prisoners” for the natural tendency is for us to make excuses.  This is not the time to play games with yourself.  This is a war, against bad, old habits of over indulging yourself.  If you don’t like the way that sounds, go look in the mirror.  If you don’t like what  you see, keep reading.
2. Examine everything you put into your mouth. Why am I eating this? Is this helping me meet my goals? A mental attitude is the beginning step here. Why are you eating everything in sight? Is it because you are hungry or could it be perhaps that you are using food as a consoler, to pamper yourself, to comfort yourself?  If so, it is only a temporary fix and will wind up on your backside in about three to four days.
3. Ask yourself, is it worth it?  Is it worth developing diabetes or losing my self-esteem each time I go to my closet to dress?  The answer to that is no! Be kind to yourself and tell yourself that there is no food that tastes so good or  that looks better than a smaller size pants or dress size or bathing suit when the warm weather rolls around.  Be tough, but be wise and eat healthy.
4. Some think that it is smart to lose weight weight by starving.  This is dead wrong.  The only thing you lose by starving yourself is muscle, especially if you aren’t exercising. You can risk serious health issues and you won’t look good or healthy.  Thin, saggy muscles are not your goal.
5. Eat healthy, eat often, and eat little meals or healthy snacks throughout the day. This is the key. This is the secret. Eat small, be small but eat raw, healthy vegetables and fruits and a good portion of protein from chicken, fish and some beef.

To find quality websites with more information about losing weight go to:  http://www.momz.com/dir/diet-nutrition/

Date Your Mate: Ten Ideas That Work for New Moms

When baby makes three, someone is often left out. Can you guess who? Where does the new father, former star of his home, fit into this new world of round the clock feedings, diapers, and laundry?

Mothers can be very baby centered and for good reason. After all, when God creates little babies, He makes them irresistible, maybe so mothers will endure the rigors of taking care of them.

Yet even during the first months of life with baby, it’s important to nurture your marriage. The stronger your bond is with your mate, the more secure and happy your baby will be. Dates don’t have to be elaborate, expensive or even outside of your own home. New parents have to be creative about spending quality time together, even if it is just for a few moments.

Here are ten free or almost free ideas to choose from:

1. Look through old photos from your dating days. Reminisce about your first date. What were you wearing? Where did you go? What was your first impression?

2. Share a scoop of ice cream together. Use one bowl and two spoons. Talk about the highlight and low light of your day.

3. Cuddle up and have a movie night for mom (chick flick). The next week, have a movie night for dad (action, drama or comedy).

4. List 5 things you love about your spouse. Exchange lists over a glass of sparkling cider.

5. Get a baby sitter and walk around the park hand in hand without the stroller. Kiss at the swings.

6. Heat up some massage oil and give your spouse a massage.

7. Have a candlelight dinner in your home or backyard.

8. Go to a coffee shop together. Talk about how you can meet one another’s needs better.

9. Take a hot bubble bath.

10. After the kids are asleep, take a blanket out to the backyard. Lie down and watch the stars together.

As you can see, you don’t need a lot of time or money to date your mate. Any of these things can be done even with a new baby. You just have to be intentional about planning special moments together. Don’t exchange romance for a diaper bag when you can have both. Just look your husband in the eye, hold hands, shut out the rest of the world from time to time, and date.

This article was submitted by Arlene Pellicane. For more great information visit her website at Losing Weight After Baby.

Shake up your relationship by starting a diet

Want a great way to wake up your relationship? Start working out and dieting! Don’t stop until you’ve succeeded in losing enough weight to miss when looking in the mirror. As your not-so-significant other begins to notice that you’re serious about looking and feeling better they’re likely to take notice and either start their own regimen or try to knock you off track of yours. Stick with it.

Sooner or later you’ll hopefully find new life in your relationship and if not, you’ll at least feel better about how you look and better about yourself.

Get going! Try diet.com if you need help.