It all started with a pizza…way back when…. {see “How to Trash Your Kitchen in 15 Minutes Flat” , the Kale Chip Experiment and Tears of Seasoning.

I’ve always used cooking as a means of managing my young children while I attempt to get dinner on the table. But, really, it’s become it’s own thing now. My children are 8 and 5 and they are both VERY interested in getting their hands dirty in the kitchen. As my tastes and interests have changed, they’ve just gone with the flow up until now.

My youngest child is still very much a carrot, strawberry and protein kind of kid, however, he’s the one whose most interested in cooking {also should give credit to the movie Ratatouille}  and I find it fascinating the recipes he’s been picking out!  We are currently working our way through, Everyday Paleo and last night Ratatouille was on the menu even though my child will in general have nothing to do with zucchini, onions or tomatoes!  My deal with him is if he cooks it, he has to at least have 2 bites {Book Review}.   And, he eats it.  I am not sure if it’s the process of cooking he likes, or having control over the stove the most but I can’t get him out of the kitchen.  “I’ve got it mommy” he tells me with my biggest kitchen knife.  Cooking with kids can be dangerous, nothing like hot food and sharp knifes……and, yes, I have little panic attacks because he thinks he’s got it!   All in all, though, we are having a blast cooking together every night and I can only hope that eventually he will develop tastes for more than just carrots and strawberries.

My little chefs!

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This week I was generously given the opportunity to try out MPG Sport’s new styles for winter. Can I just say that I am always impressed with the details that MPG puts into their clothes? For purposes of review, the sent me the Gemini Shawl Cardigan in black and it is beautiful. This cardigan is a lightweight fabric with internal warmth on the cuffs, a zebra print on the back and a long, flowing design–perfect for layering over yoga clothes. Also, perfect for going out with jeans. In addition, MPG also sent me their Nadir pant. They are a really nice lightweight yoga pant that would be great for all indoor workout activities.

Below are a few styles from this seasons Fall line which I loved! Thank you, MPG!!

FTC- For purposes of review, MPG sent me two pieces of clothing to try. The opinions above are mine.

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My children and I have been doing tons of cooking.  In fact, they are begging me every night to let them do the cooking.  It has become their main thing to do when we get home from school, thanks to the movie Ratatouille.  At times, I am doing the chasing just to keep them from burning themselves and not letting things boil over.  However, I’m having tons of fun with this, so, now I’m on a hunt for matching chef hats and aprons for the boys and a cute, sexy one for me!  Santa would be doing us all a favor if he could deliver these for us, hahahaa…

Anyone, have any suggestions?

Flirty Aprons for Mothers and Daughters.

And for the boys, so, far, all I’ve found is on Etsy.

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11 Ways Gluten and Wheat Corn Can Damage Your Health

A Mom’s Guide to Too Many Toys

Holiday Gifts for the Athlete Inspired Mom

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“Creating Family Habits” is now live.

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The Weighted Squat



Hiking and Gathering



Back on my bike, again!



Attempting to eat a sugar doughnut off a string with no hands! Very hard thing to do!

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We have a rule in our house that if you burp, belch, fart or make any other rude noises at the table, then, you must eat the most nastiest (according to them) vegetable on the table. Lately it’s been roasted beets, tonight, zucchini. However, we found this kid’s menu at a restaurant in Monterey this past weekend that takes the cake for what to do with a misbehaving child!!

Which kid do you know would eat Liver and Brussel Sprouts?!?!

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It’s apple season around these here parts.  How many of you partake in the bobbing for apples, drink apple cider, yoddle and eat apple crisp festivities in your neck of the woods?!  The entire month of October here in Southern California could be considered the best time of year for us, as the weather is cool – as in only 90 degrees, the air is crisp and clear, but you could still get away with a jacket at night!  It’s great for us, as we can experience the fall without too much hassle of changing our clothing from summer to fall, ha ha ha.

My kids and I took a trip up to Oak Glen over the weekend, and headed straight for the nearby hiking trails and had a great time, just hiking around.

We spent some time listening for birds and looking for catfish, although, we didn’t see either.

Had a great time though and there are always new questions and new projects to work on for the next visit with my kids!

Happy Monday!

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“Mommy, come watch what I can do!”

My five year old walks up to the 53 pound KB and picked it up!

Mommy says, “his back is rounding and that’s too heavy for him!”

We go over proper technique and he tries it again.  Again, back rounding, so, I sent him back to the 15 pound kettlebell and the answer I got was “mommy this is too light for me!!”  Ha ha ha, but, the point I was making is that 53 pounds is too much weight at such a young age.   My children are only 5 and 7 and they do like to do workouts in the garage…something that looks the picture above {2 pullups, 3 deadlifts, 2 pullups and 3 deadlifts} with Baseball being the game they play at the end.

Then, I saw this Q and A on Experience Life Magazine and when and how much weight kids should be lifting.  I agreed with the article:  Body weight workouts are more appropriate for children under age 9, and then after age 9 they could start lifting a little weight.   Mine are 5 and 7, and most of the time are content with burpees, box jumps, pullups, pullovers, skin the cats…whatever, as long as it’s child driven and easy for them, I say GO FOR IT!

What’s your opinion of kids and lifting weights?

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Apologies for lack of posting! We spent the day at Big Bear Lake yesterday and had a “nail biting” blast. My youngest got stung by a nasty kind of wasp, his face is still swollen and my older one spent a half hour out there in the choppy water paddling with his seven year old little friend!

You can read more about my scary moments on Breathe Magazine!

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