Showing posts with label fit for spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fit for spring. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Spring pregnancy, fun and the outdoors...


There's no better time to be pregnant than during the spring. Of course I'm sure every pregnant person has their own point of view, but how could you not love coming out of hibernation and into the warm sun.

Ok, here's the real truth, being cooped up in your home all winter with a 3 year-old and a 1 year-old could drive any sane person nutty. Now take into the fact that I'm pregnant, ahhhhhh!!! Seriously though, getting outdoors, going to the park, flying kites, blowing bubbles and playing in the sandbox are only a small fraction of all the fun Spring brings. My family and I enjoy having friends over, grilling steaks and veggies all while the kiddos are running around thawing out from their winter hibernation.

Last weekend I did something new to ring in Spring. I planted flowers! This is big for me because I kill everything that lives in soil. Friends have given me plants before and I welcome them with a "thanks" and say a silent prayer for the poor little plant soul being placed in my hands. Finally my mother exclaimed that it was time for me, a grown woman, to understand the basics of caring for plants, so she got me an ivy to jump start my training. It sits right next to my kitchen sink so I'm reminded to water it when the soil is dry. I've done pretty good at the watering part and it actually started growing so large that my mom had to come over to prune it. Since I passed my first challenge it was now time to embark on my biggest plant challenge. Planting flowers outside! My mom accompanied me to our local home improvement store and the nice little gardening employee helped me make my plant selections. We came across a beautiful plant with the perfect little red flower. That was the flower I wanted, so the employee helped me load up my cart. He then proceeded to tell me that I'll need to make sure to "dead-head" them for their blooms to come back. Ummmm, excuse me?? First, if you expect me to have the time to go around and snip the heads off these poor little flowers AND even trust me with scissors around any type of plant, well that wouldn't work for me. So the perfect little red flower plants had to go back on the shelf. Finally I did find my perfect plant and it had bright, vibrant blooms. I don't have to do anything except water. I've got the water thing down so I know I can do my part in keeping these plants alive, of course if they die this will not be my fault! We loaded up my cart and my nerves cringed when I swiped my card for close to $100 for all the plants. It's like paying for dirt, it doesn't feel right... Anyway, my mom and I got home and unloaded all of my beautiful plants. I said a little prayer for them all and started planting them in their new home. I learned a lot from my mom that day. She's one of those women that knows how to do everything! I also learned that my 3 year-old and I found something new for us to look forward to when Spring rolls around. We enjoyed getting our hands dirty, playing with the water hose and then sitting and enjoying the beauty of our new little flower friends.



One week later, I'm happy to report that they're still alive and beautiful. Even if the flowers don't make it through my torcher, we will still look forward to Spring every year and all the activities it brings as well as our new adventure of planting the perfect flowers.

Happy Spring Everybody! Kendra Odum- VP of Research and Development

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Fit for Spring


It is HERE! Alright, officially it is not here till the 20th and, actually, it doesn’t really feel like Spring outside right now. However, make no mistake, it is SPRING! March is coming in like a lion but in a few short weeks it will be out of here like a lamb and I am ready. I am no longer content to sit on my sofa all day wrapped in a Snuggie. I can feel the pull of the outdoors, bare legs, and flip flops.
I am always tempted at this time of year to panic. Oh No! Bathing Suit season is only months away. Oh No! My shorts shrunk in storage. My general routine is: First, to panic. Next, go on a diet that I can’t possibly maintain. And, finally, start an exersize regime that should only be attempted by a tri-athlete.
Not this year though! This year is different. I have learned my lesson. Panicking doesn’t solve anything, I cannot stay on any diet that does not allow a glass wine on girls’ night out and although I am fit, I am no tri-athlete. This year the key word is baby steps.
My first baby step is my diet. While I cannot deny myself a glass wine or a really good cheesecake, I can enjoy all the wonderful things Mother Nature gives us this time of year. Already my fridge has made a marked transformation from being filled with frozen dinners and comfort foods, to being stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables. This doesn’t feel like I am denying myself anything since I really did miss peaches this winter, and strawberries, and blueberries. . .

Step two is exercise. Instead of embarking on any routine (the word itself makes me bored before I begin) I am just going to do what comes naturally. A warm day calls my soul outdoors anyway: a walk with my family after dinner, a Saturday bike ride, and maybe even a hike to enjoy the gorgeous new palette of Spring.

The truth is change doesn’t come without action but this year I want my changes to stick. So I am making them one step at a time. Longer days and warm rays of sunshine are on their way. Old Man Winter is heading off to hibernate and Mother Nature is about to bless us with gorgeous new flora and fauna. So again, IT IS HERE! No panicking. Let’s Celebrate!