Carve Your Path + Discount code!
If you’re anything like me, you’re a “multi-tasking ninja”, trying to do 10,000 things at once and often forgetting the importance of YOUR sanity and well-being. Or maybe just forgetting that you can’t possibly do everything, as much as you may try. Someday I’ll convince myself this isn’t true.
For me, here’s the biggies when I am trying to prioritize my time, in no particular order:
- My family
- My faith/taking time for reflection
- Exercise/outdoor time
- Managing my home/food
It seems simple enough, but somehow one of those gets pushed aside throughout the course of the day, despite my best efforts. I often wish I had a personal coach telling me exactly what to do at each moment….and hold the baby too. Alas, I’ll muddle through like the rest of you out there in desperate survival mode and someday look back on it fondly.
My pal Robyn at Nomads With a Purpose (and fellow mom of 5 who made it through those “in the trenches” young years) approached me with a course she has written that has been fairly life changing for my journey. The mission is straightforward: Learn to live life to the fullest by discovering your passions, overcoming fear and becoming a strong and healthy person.
Over the last couple months, I have been taking the “Carve Your Path” course. She’s kicked my butt physically with workouts that are varying to keep them interesting, given me some new great ideas for food and challenged my mind and thoughts. I love that the purpose of the course is to be in the best shape for PLAYING and adventuring, physically AND mentally/emotionally.
Because, here’s the deal:
- The stronger and healthier you are, the more you can enjoy the outdoors. The better you can hike, bike, ski, camp, jump, play and adventure.
- The cleaner you eat, the more energy you have to get outdoors and create memories together as a family.
- The more you reflect on who you are as a mom and create goals for yourself, the more patient you will be with your kids and the less regrets you will have because you will find a balance between being selfless all the time and creating self fulfillment.
How the course works:
Over the 8 weeks, you get a daily email with the three elements lined out for that day:
- Move to Play
- Eat to Play
- Think to Play
This helps remind me what we are doing for that day and that I need to actually do it!
From there, I head over to the course on Teachable for further explanation.
Move to Play:
Videos are included for this part of the course explaining the workouts. These are an explanation of each move, not a “follow me through the whole workout”. That required a bit more thinking on my part, but also made it easy to go my own speed. There’s a great balance of strength training, HIIT (high intensity interval training), stretching and Playing! This was the part of the course that I connected the most with.
Eat to Play:
Not only does Robyn provide weekly meal plans recipes, a grocery list AND some videos walking you through how to make them, but an in-depth look at the science of foods/nutrition. The weeks are broken up by the following subjects:
- No Fake Food and No Sugar
- Fats
- Protein
- Veggies
- Greens Juice
- Probiotic Foods & Legumes
- Grain Free
- “Warrior” foods
There’s also a “Sweets & Treats” section.
This is the part of the course that I took what I wanted/needed right now and will be going back and referencing it in the future too.
Think to Play:
This is the part of the course that is so accessible because it comes to your email! While some of it didn’t resonate with me personally (as to be expected – can’t please everyone!), I really have loved those little tidbit, accessible reminders every day.
How to Sign up!
Robyn has offered an exclusive coupon code JUST for a few days for Tales of a Mountain Mama Readers!
Go HERE , choose the “Carve Your Path” class and use code “mountain_mama” for 80% off the original price. That’s about a dollar a day. Far less than a cup of coffee and better for you too! Coupon valid only through Midnight (MST) April 18th, 2018.
© 2018, Tales of a Mountain Mama. All rights reserved. Republication, in part or entirety, requires a link back to this original post and permission from the author.
Fifteen Minutes Isn’t Enough.
When I started this blog six and a half years ago, I had a 2 year old and a newborn. Life was so much simpler then, and yet I remember it being so much more stressful. Being a new mom is so hard. Time and more kids have certainly changed me.
My goal then was to get my boys outside for at least 15 minutes a day, and somehow it seemed like enough. It was my mantra, in life and here, on the blog: Go outside at least 15 minutes a day.
Looking back, I am not really sure what I was thinking. While babies maybe don’t necessarily NEED more than 15 minutes while they are bundled up and tucked in anyway, I don’t know how I even survived on that. Maybe that’s why I was so stressed.
Now with 5 kids in various stages and life situations, I find myself struggling to find the balance so many parents do to fit in the things that matter. I have to be intentional about our time outside, especially in colder/wetter/muddier weather.
While it is far better than many schools out there (and shame on them!), my boys get only one recess a day. Granted, it is about 45 minutes and allows time for getting on winter gear, ice skating, sledding and letting their brains reset in the fresh air. They also walk to and from the bus stop (about a mile total) and play outside for 30-90 minutes after school. On the days that doesn’t happen due to scheduling conflicts or just plain laziness, the evening seems to fall apart much more rapidly and dramatically. Maybe it’s them, maybe it’s me, but it’s never good.
Research shows again and again the you-need-time-outside-daily rule applies to all of us, no exceptions. Benefits include the following:
- Rejuvenated physical energy
- Faster physical recovery
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduced muscle tension
- Decreased stress hormones
- Heightened immunity
- Lower heart rate
- Decreased blood pressure
- Better cholesterol
- A kinder and more generous disposition.
Did you catch that last one? Going outside makes you NICER. And good golly, we sure could use more people who are thinking of more than themselves these days, couldn’t we?!
So, how much time a day should we aim for? The answer: As much as possible. Really.
But, galavanting through the woods and up the mountains on a daily basis isn’t realistic for most of us, even if we wish it was.
Mom/Parent guilt is a real struggle and this is NOT a post to try and make that even worse for you. I feel it just as much as you do, and that is never, ever my intention. This blog is more often than not a pile of reminders for myself because I struggle too.
So, we squeeze it in when we can. A walk in the morning, a walk at lunch, a bike ride or some exploration in the evening before/after dinner. Ten minute chunks go a long way, but extended periods are even better. We make it work. The key is not falling victim to excuses about why not.
A good goal is 60 minutes of active, outdoor time a day. Are we always going to nail it? Nope. But, we can try.
We want to know! How do you make it work? What struggles do you have with fitting it in? Do you see a difference in your kids and in you when you go outside more or less, or not?? Join the conversation with us here in the comments and on Facebook.
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© 2018, Tales of a Mountain Mama. All rights reserved. Republication, in part or entirety, requires a link back to this original post and permission from the author.
Gear to Keep Kids Dry in Wet Weather
Oh spring….how wet (and muddy) thee are.
But, the outside play must continue for the sanity of us all. Of all the gear we have used and own, I think the gear that keeps everyone dry and happy proves to be the most valuable in each season.
These are our tried and true favorites. Full disclosure: A few of these are affiliate links. While we will only recommend products we actually believe in, if you click through these links to purchase, it helps us out just a tiny bit. Thank you!
Villervalla – available at Biddle & Bop
This is the new kid on the block (imported from Europe, thanks to Biddle and Bop) and is a brand new hands-down favorite in our house. I am a kid gear-head dork and I can’t stop gushing about this stuff. It’s more of what I would call a “hard shell” so is super, incredibly durable, works for snow, slush and rain and is full of tiny details for a great fit.
The shell suits and pants/jacket separates are available in stripes and bright solids. The sizing is in Euro so best to measure the child’s height to find the perfect fit.
What I love:
- Cinched waists allow room for layering without it being bulky and in the way
- Adjustable cuffs AND an inner sleeve and thumb holes keep out the moisture
- Adjustable hood is big enough to actually work in the rain, fits on kids’ heads and is detachable when you just don’t need it
- Detachable and adjustable elastic for under boots (though I am sure this is the first thing that will go when it DOES start breaking down someday.)
We have used it and loved it in all spring weather conditions (pouring rain, slush, snow, & mud).
Suits available in ages 2-6 years; Jacket/Pants in sizes 6-9 mo – age 10.
Another import, this is one we have been using and wearing for years and years now, thanks to Ollie and Stella. It’s soft and supple for really great rain movement and their hood is THE best I have seen. It’s a lighter weight than the Villervalla so great for warmer temperatures. We have seen occasional tears in our suits (like 2 in 6 years of wearing them), some zipper sticking and eventually they just aren’t waterproof anymore (like after 4 years). But, don’t let those small things turn you away – these are fantastic suits and if you’re just looking for rain, our favorite. Plus they pack very small and are bright for easy-to-spot kids!
These the most budget-friendly of any of the rain suits you will find and are also fantastic. They are less supple than the DucKsday and more of a hardshell (though not as reinforced as the Villervalla). I love the inside cinchable waist and adjustable cuffs AND ankles. Their downside? The hoods are sort of terrible and don’t keep rain off little faces.
These are THE toughest shell out there I have seen for kids. Literally bomb-proof. They are more of a winter shell, but we use in cold, heavy rain too. If you need something for all-seasons, especially in colder climates and can afford it, this is what you want! Only downside? I wish there was a bit more shape or a toggle for the waist and that the ankle cuffs were adjustable.
They are on sale right now!
The tuffo is the lightest weight and simplest design. It has double zippers for easy on and off and provides a basic full rain-suit. The cuffs aren’t adjustable and it’s not super thick, but people love love love them and they’re very affordable also.
CeLaVi Classic Rain Bibs/Jackets – available at Biddle & Bop
These are a thicker, softer rain jacket and so great for mud because they clean super easily. Often in warmer weather, we’ll send the kids out in just bibs. They’re generously sized, but snap at the waist for a more trim fit. Plus, they come in a footed version for babies (who kick off boots anyway!) YAY!!
Rain Mittens – available at Biddle & Bop
Rain mittens that WORK, where you been for the last 9 years?!?! Intended to be of an overmitten than work by themselves, these are the only ones we have tried that we’ve actually been happy with.
We prefer the ones from CeLaVi with a thin fleece lining (blue), but if you don’t need that and want a little longer length and for bigger kids, go with the ones from Villervalla (turquoise).
We have been long-time lovers of Muck boots because they fit well, keep little feet warm in colder, wet conditions and hold up for years and years and years. In fact, our pairs that are over 6 years old show virtually no wear, despite being on the 3rd kid. The only thing we have noticed is that for kids with a bigger heel/arch, we recommend their Element Boot over the Hale (which we love!)
I love these boots, especially for little ones. They are super light, packable, waterproof, and help little ones get out and run! Of all the models (Muddy Munchkins and Explorers are the other ones), these are my favorites. They have excellent traction, stay on and work perfect.
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© 2018, Tales of a Mountain Mama. All rights reserved. Republication, in part or entirety, requires a link back to this original post and permission from the author.
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