{ fit ME challenge - week 4 }

Live your Healthiest Year EVER! It's not too late to join us in our Fit ME Challenge. If you aren't up for p90x (and really, who the heck is?!?!), check out Jillian Michael's DVD's (1/2 hour workouts).

So, I've gone 31 days in a row working out. I've lost 3 lbs. I can do guy pushups. My jeans are way looser on me. I have way more energy. Still sore as all get out, but it's working.

And for all of you Fit ME challengers, here are a few other tips to help keep you fit, health & sane.

Keep track of your progress. But instead of focusing on the scales, track improvements in your performance (sets, reps, weights energy) and the way your clothes fit. At the end of Week 4 my weight hasn't changed much but my skinny jeans (my size 28 joe's that I could never squeeze into) fit...they aren't comfy by any means yet, but my body has definitely changed shaped already.

Excuse proof your environment. Schedule it in. I repeat, schedule it in. Everyday put some sort of fitness into your daily planner. Leave a packed gym bag in your car. Set our your running shoes and workout clothes the night before. Stock your fridge & pantry with healthy, clean foods.

Surround yourself with positive role models. Find inspiration in other women who motivate you to be your best. Workout with a buddy. Join an online fitness community. Or read blogs of fellow fit challengers.

January was AWESOME but February is going to be even BETTER! GO! ;)

image above © MikeBaird@Flickr via creative commons

{ family fun }

OMG. I just discovered this delightful women's color-filled life, via the lovely Tracie (and spent an hour drooling over the fun, the color, the creativity oozing out of her home)! This is exactly what the world needs more of.

I am going to dig out the craft supplies, pick up stuff at the store and have FUN with Samme this weekend! Oh my goodness. I love when I get inspired. Especially when it comes to being a better mom. Thank you Katherine.

image via Katherine Marie Photography

{ look at ME }

Look what came in the mail yesterday (super fast I might add)....my new custom iphone case from Get UnCommon! Woot! Love, love, love it!

I'm working with them to see how you can get a Mantra ME one too....will keep you all posted, so hang tight (or in the meantime get one with a pic of your kids or one for Haiti relief efforts from their collection).

{ organize ME }

This weeks goal is to organize your health stuff! Medical records, insurance papers, doctors numbers - this information should always be easily accessible.

1) Put all of your doctors numbers into your cell phone and post on a bulletin board at home for caregivers. Also enter in an ICE (In case of Emergency) contact info into your cell phone.

2) Schedule annual appointments - One of the things I do each January is schedule all of my annual appointments for April (my birthday month) - I get them all out of the way in one month - eye exam, annual pelvic exam, mammogram, dentist, skin cancer screening, bloodwork, oncologist visit, etc.)

3) Create a filing system - I have a folder on my desk for each family member that has medical records, bloodwork results (to keep track of how they've changed over time), the kids immunization records and our immunizations for international travel. And then I have a folder for our family health insurance plan, bills, policy notifications, etc.

Here are some recommended tests and the ages for which they are recommended for found via WebMD. (note - other than for all of my annual screenings, I aim to NOT go to the doctors office by staying healthy! We do have a family doctor and a naturopath doc we see if we get sick. We also have a family eye doctor and a family dentist. I get colon cleanses done once every few months and Will sees an accupuncturist when needed. Staying healthy is the key. Preventative care is the key.)

Blood pressure Measurement (at least once every 2 years): _______
Cholesterol Test (starting at age 20, at least every 5 years): _______
Blood Glucose Test (starting at age 45, then every 3 years): _______
Thyroid Test (starting at age 35, then every 5 years): _______
Eye Exam (every 2 years or as needed): _______
Skin exam (every years. also do a monthly self-exam for any changes to moles, etc.): ______
Dental Exam & Cleaning (once a year): _______
Colonoscopy: (starting at age 50, every 5-10 years): _____
Breast Exam: (at annual exam in addition to monthly self exams): ______
Pap Test & Pelvic Exam (starting when sexually action, annually): _______
Mammogram (starting at ach 40 or sooner if at elevated risk): _______
STD Screening (starting when sexually active, annually): _______

Image via Flickr

{ i love you more than.... }

Found the perfect Valentine's Day Card for Will... I know all of you Edward fans out there will want one too! Made by the lovely Danyelle of Dandee Designs.

{ feed ME - take note & prep }

What's in my fridge this week - lots of veggies, fruit, eggs, water and lean proteins. (click on it to enlarge image above).

I clean out the fridge and reorganize it each Sunday so I don't forget about the stuff in the back before it goes bad. I like to store leftovers and prepped food in clear glass containers so its easier to see the contents.

On Sundays, I also take note of what we have on hand, make up a meal plan for the week. Before I plan the meals I look at the calendar and develop a realistic weekly meal plan around our schedule & commitments for the week. I then do my one grocery shopping trip a week (usually 2 store stops) and prep the food for the week ahead (cut up veggies, fruit, etc).

Our weekly Feed ME meal plan this week:

Monday - BLT's & lentil soup
Tuesday - spinach, tomato whole wheat pasta with salad
Wednesday -salmon, brown rice & edamame
Thursday - halibut with roasted veggies
Friday - out after taking kids to rec center (healthy mexican food at ZIA)
Saturday - at friends house
Sunday - veggie chili (from freezer) or leftovers

This weeks goal: Drink more water and more green smoothies. Stay healthy! (I've been sneezed, drooled & puked on all week by my little guy who has been sick).

{ fit ME challenge - week 3 }

So, I'll be honest here. This week I struggled to find the motivation to get up at 5am. To get going. To BRING IT. There was a huge winter storm. Snow days. Sick kids. Unpacking.

But I did workout everyday. But I wasn't as gung ho as the 1st 2 weeks UNTIL Friday night when I squeezed in the legs & back workout and did GUY PUSHUPS - 10 of them! I always have done "girl" push-ups - and certainly not anything wrong with them. But I did them and did them with good form. Then, I was like, "I can do this! It is working. I'm getting stronger!"

Next week I'm mixing things up a bit (it is supposed to be "rest" week - still workouts everyday but more yoga, etc.) But since I feel like I took it easy a bit this week, I'm going to step it up this coming week and get the energy back! Here are my workout goals for Week 4.

Monday - p90x chest & arms and Yoga class at studio (2 hours total)
Tuesday - Xstretch & Kickboxing class (2 hours total)
Wednesday - Core Synergistics (1 hour)
Thursday - Kenpo (1 hour)
Friday - Core Synergistics (1 hour)
Saturday - Legs & Arms and Yoga X (2 hours)
Sunday - X Stretch (1 hour)

How are you Fit ME challengers doing? GO!

Fit ME fitness planner & tracker pictured above available here.

{ big dreams }

I've got a guest post up over on {the good life for less} in her great series about dreamers becoming do-ers!

{ ten }

{ My list of 10 things to do in 2010 } in addition to my overall more general resolutions/aspirations.

On this list is to grow out my hair...so I can get it cut (and colored) like this. I've had short hair for the past decade. And most likely will in the majority of decades to come. But this year, by the end of summer, I hope it can look like this.

1. Make Henry's baby book. It's mostly empty except for scraps of paper where I've jotted down notes.
2. Post pictures daily on our family blog so family members can see what the kids are up to daily. Turn into a book at end of year perhaps.
3. Home emergency kit in case my father in laws prediction of the apocalypse comes true. ;)
4. Clean out garage & storage shed and get rid of more stuff. Less is more. Simplify. Organize Will's tools in garage. I would seriously pay someone to do this for me.
5. Complete Mondo Beyondo course and come out of it with my Big Life List.
6. Complete p90x. And do a pull-up or more.
7. Grow hair out.
8. Run the Boulder Bolder.
9. Max out IRA's & kids college fund.
10. Continue spending hiatus (more on this to come).

{ digging this }

Discovered this custom iphone case site via this blog and made myself a LobotoME mantra iphone case cover. Custom covers = genius. I wish they had a way that I could sell these! You can upload your own photo or choose from their designs (they have a bunch for Haiti relief efforts). Speaking of selling, I'm going to try to get some mantra image products up on cafe press soon (maybe this weekend) and sell a limited amount of those (think mousepads, journals, coffee mugs, etc.) with all proceeds going to relief efforts in Haiti.

ps - use coupon code PHOTO3DTATT for 20% off on your custom case at GetUncommon!

{ a day in the life of ME - amanda from daily worth }

I'm excited to introduce you all to Amanda Steinberg, founder of Daily Worth. You all MUST subscribe to Daily Worth right now. Daily Worth is a free daily personal finance email newsletter for women. They deliver practical financial tips, empowering ideas and the occasional kick in the pants. Go subscribe...and then come back and read what a day in the life is like for Amanda raising 2 kids and running 2 businesses from home.

I have two kids and run two businesses. My kids are a 7-month-old girl and a 3-year-old boy. My first business, a Web consultancy called Soapbxx, will gross $300,000 in 2009 and employs eight people. The second company, an online finance publication for women called DailyWorth requires a team of four part-time contractors to operate.

The best news? I'm not insane. I have plenty of time to be with my kids. I even manage to find time to have a leisurely lunch or extended "ME" time.

Here's how I do it:

7am: Our baby girl wakes all of us up.
8am: We're downstairs, dressed, eating breakfast and packing lunches.
9am: My baby is cared for by a nanny. This nanny shows up at 9am and I hand my baby girl off. My 3-year-old goes to preschool. My husband always takes him to preschool. Bottom line: even if we're running late, I depart for my home office (top floor of our house) at 9am sharp. This is critical to me. 9am. Work.
9am-11am: After I clean out my inbox, I focus on DailyWorth, my finance blog for women. We send out a daily email, and this requires about two hours of my day to orchestrate.

11am-4:00pm: I focus on Soapbxx, my web consultancy. The tasks I concern myself with include:

1. Ensuring that I'm selling and closing the next $50,000 - $80,000 Web project.
2. Managing our project coordinators to make sure that they're planning and managing Website projects effectively.
3. Reviewing and testing Websites that are close to launch; logging tasks into our project management system that I think need to be considered or changed.
4. Producing strategic documents. Many clients hire my company because of the the strategic services I sell them. As a result, I personally handle a lot of the planning and strategy documents that go with selling large, complex websites.

I don't worry about Soapbxx's internal performance or quality because I've learned over the years how to hire only the best people. My team is exceptional and as a result, I don't have to micro-manage them or worry much. This did not happen by accident. I have 10 years practice hiring and firing. I've employed or contracted to 40 people over the last few years and only a select few remain.

4:00pm. I shut down my computer, scoop up my daughter, and drive to pick up my son from preschool. It feels incredible to me that I can run two companies and finish my workday by 4:00. Having been raised by a single mom who was forced into a strict 9-6 corporate work environment, I vowed to set up a life where I could be there for my kids more than my mom was for me. I don't blame my mom for her absence -- she did what she had to do to earn what she needed to earn in the 1980s. But I hated that she couldn't drive me to school, or be there for me after school. I'm structuring my life so that I can run my businesses and be there for my kids before and after school. Today, working moms can have it all if we plan properly.

4:00pm - 9pm. Family time! We run errands, make dinner, take baths, read books and every other bedtime ritual that makes having kids so special.

9pm - 11pm. Here's the part of my life that isn't so ideal. I generally boot up my Mac and do more work at 9pm. I know my husband would rather that I curl up on the sofa and watch True Blood with him. Sounds dreamy, really. But the truth is, these days I feel pulled to run through emails that came in from 3:30 - 7pm (there are often many) and finish tasks I wasn't able to finish during the day. I look forward to a day when I can stop work at 3:30pm and not resume until 9am the next day. Until my babies and businesses are more self-sufficient and systematized, it's a sacrifice I'm making, and hope that my husband realizes it's temporary.

11pm. Bed.

The keys to my operation:

1. I delegate a lot to very precocious people. I have a very responsible, motivated assistant. Without her, I'd be mad. She loves having her hands in everything from accounting to project management, and I love her for it. If she chooses to leave me (which she will some day), I'll have a very hard time replacing her.
2. I'm obsessed with cash flow and work with a great bookkeeper/accounting team. For Soapbxx to operate, we need to deposit $25,000 into our bank account every month. I plan quarterly and manage daily when and from whom checks will arrive. My bookkeeper claims I'm one of the best cash collectors she's ever worked with, and I'm proud to have mastered the science of receivables. Just last month, I got our receivables down to $0.
   
3. Once a month, I'll stay up until 4am if need be to push through things I need to get done. Sometimes, you just have to.

Does my story seem impossible to you? You have to take into consideration my manic, tightly-wound character. I'm more work-obsessed than your average mom. I love my companies and have very ambitious financial goals for myself (tens of millions, thank you). I don't exercise. I'm generally not eating proper lunches (note above: no lunch break). I do experience exhaustion. I wish I had more time to just be with my husband. For now, I'm satisfied with my structure and recommend it to my power mom friends.

Check out Soapbxx here and subscribe to Daily Worth here.

Thanks Amanda for sharing with us! If any of you have any financial topics or money questions that you'd like addressed on Daily Worth in a future post let Amanda know here!

{ feed ME - planning ahead }

Fail to Plan & You've Planned to Fail.

I was reminded of this during the past weekend while we were on the road. For the most part the traveling days were fine (I packed apples, clementines, almonds, water, etc. to snack on.) But then we were in the city with events to go to and access to yummy, yummy, different food that we don't get in our small mountain town, well, I fell off the bandwagon a bit. I did make a pit stop into Whole Foods to get bananas, almond milk, sushi, salads, etc. But we ate some not so healthy stuff too (think birthday cake, scones, lattes, beer & pizza). So, I'm ready to get back into our healthy eating routine this week.

And with the amount of hunger generated by working out HARD everyday coupled with my desire to only suffer through grocery shopping with Henry in tow once a week, I am a big meal planner. I used to just plan dinners, but am now having to plan for breakfasts & lunches that are a bit more involved than toast with almond butter or cereal. If I don't have healthy food options at home, takeout food (often unhealthy) becomes the norm. But if I plan for healthy meals & snacks for the week, then that's what we do - we eat healthy.

So, start with taking an inventory of what you have on hand (whats in the pantry - for example do you have a big box of whole wheat couscous), look in the pantry and empty out the fridge of old food and crappy food. Start fresh for the week. Now, based upon what you have on hand, start thinking about some meals you could make for the week ahead. Flip though a recipe book (I keep a small binder on the counter of all of my frequently used and loved recipes) and start jotting down grocery items you'll need.

Then you make a shopping list that includes healthy breakfast options such as quick cooking oats, corn tortillas for breakfast tacos, and Ezekiel bread with natural peanut butter. Load up on protein like eggs, which you can hard boil for easy packing, protein powder for shakes, fresh fruit, etc.

This week, we've got the usual eggs & veggies for breakfast, protein shakes for post workout, big salads with lean protein for lunch and the following dinners.

Monday - Rice, Beans, sauteed Veggies
Tuesday - grilled blackened salmon, brown rice & edamame
Wednesday - out
Thursday - slow cooker steak & veggie fajitas
Friday - whole wheat pasta w/ homemade meat sauce and large salad
Saturday - turkey chili
Sunday - leftovers

What's on your menu this week?

{ No Brainer Fundraising Program }

So, our No Brainer School Fundraising Program is live! Visit our website here to download the sales catalog & additional information or email me your mailing address at info @ LobotoME (dot) com if you would like me to mail a sample sales catalog to you. If you've already requested a catalog they are on their way to you!

{ unclutter your life in one week...+ giveaway }

I had the pleasure of reviewing Erin Doland of Unclutterer fame's recent book, Unclutter Your Life In One Week...A 7-Day Plan to Organize Your Home, Your Office and Your Life! While I don't think I am the target market for this book (as I already aim to be uber-organized and know where to start on additional organizing & decluttering projects) I enjoyed the book and even learned some new tips including additional functionality of google's online calendar - entering in birthdays to it (and setting it to repeat every year). I also like how it is broken out into cleaning tasks for the busy person, the dedicated cleaner, and the overachiever. {Yes, I know what category I fall into it! ;) }

The book takes you through 3 tasks each day - one for the home (am), one for your office (to do during the day while at work), and one at home (in the evening). For example, on Tuesday morning, you focus on your bathroom - organize it, clear the cabinets, etc. While at work you set up a good filing system and create an order for your papers. On Tuesday evening you designate household chores among family members, set up a routine that works for you & your family and schedule in a day to run errands (or hire help).

I do know that some of you, my dear readers, could use this book, based upon the questions I get each week - ranging from "where do I start?" to "I am starting to feel like a hoarder...will Oprah come to my house?" And since I know many of your new years resolutions involve getting more organized than this book is for you. And I am giving away a copy! And I'll throw in some other organizing goods from LobotoME along with it. All you need to do is leave me a comment (by Monday morning) about why you NEED it. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday.

* The winner of the Unclutter Your Life in One Week giveaway is Maggie S. who declared her New Year's Resolution as The Great Purge of 2010. Maggie email me and send me your mailing address!

{ give }

Today, we must pray for the people of Haiti and we must help them in any way we can. Erin has pulled together a list of additional aid organizations accepting funds for Haitian relief programs here. A gift of $35 here will help one family receive emergency supplies of food and clean water for about one week.

image via msnbc

{ fit ME challenge - week 2 }

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." -Anonymous

So, its week 2 of p90x. I have to tell you that although I have been really sore, I feel good. Really good. I have way more energy than normal. I've already lost 3 lbs. My arms looked more toned. I can get out of bed at 5AM with a lot less bitching & moaning then when we started. Will says he feels like he has more energy too and feels great. I hope we can keep this pace up!

Our workout plan this week:
Monday - Chest & Ab (this one is the hardest for me - pushups, chinups & pullups)
Tuesday - Plyometrics (tons of lunges, squats & jumps. Hard to walk after this one.) + ab ripperX
Wednesday - Shoulders & Arms + 1/2 on elliptical trainer
Thursday - Yoga X (this is okay, just LONG - an hour & a half) + Ab Ripper X (YogaX is Will's least favorite)
Friday - Legs & Back
Saturday - Kenpo (which is like kickboxing) - this one is my favorite! + ab ripperX
Sunday - Stretch X & hike or sledding

You can follow my daily p90x triumphs and tribulations on twitter here. Also, its not too late to join in - you don't have do p90x. Just commit to doing SOMETHING everyday. Sweat once a day peeps. It's good for you. I promise. ;)

ps - Thanks for all of your support & encouragement! I love getting emails like this first thing in the morning from my fellow p90xer's - "Week 2 – I am starting to like my 5 am workout more and more – woot woot is right! I’ll check in tonight, have to get ready for work but just wanted to check in with you to let you know that I’m on track for week 2!! xo, Jana"

{ dress ME }

I've long been a fan of Jill's blog {the good life for less} and her amazing fashion sense and she offered to put together some outfit ideas for some upcoming tradeshows I'd be attending. My booth is filled with LobotoME vivid colors so I needed some outfit options that wouldn't class or detract.
_______________________

Hello LobotoME readers! I am so excited to guest post for Jenny today on her awesome blog! My name is Jill and I write the blog The Good Life for Less. Jenny emailed me recently wanting some outfit suggestions for upcoming trade hows she would be working at. For more on my wardrobe consultation services visit my Good Look for Less, but for now... let's focus on Jenny!

Her booth with be filled with the fun and energetic colors of LobotoME and I wanted to create a few looks for her that exuded this fun and energy, but that also spoke to her professionalism and passion for organization. The outfits need to be comfortable, stylish, well pulled together... and need to compliment, not compete with, her booth. Of course we tried to stay budget friendly as well. So, with all that in mind... let's take a peak at some of these outfits!

Jenny's only requirement was that all the outfits had to include comfortable footwear. The brown flats are Crocs, believe it or not, and happen to be Jenny's favorite shoe of choice for tradeshows (she learned the hard way that adorable heels don't work when you are on your feet 12-18 hours a day). For this first outfit I chose casual layers punctuated by modern and chic accessories. The bird necklace and orange belt are small additions to the outfit, but help to create a cohesive look.

(sources: Henley Tunic, Anthropologie; Jeans, Gap; Belt, Gap; Cardigan, Gap; Bird Necklace, Urban Outfitters; Flats. Crocs)

For this next outfit I chose a cropped corduroy pant that is both modern and comfortable at the same time. Gold accessories pull the look together effortlessly and I even added a little clutch for later in the day if she is ready to hit the town!


(sources: Cropped Cords, JCrew; Cabled Turtleneck, JCrew; Belt, JCrew; Bangle Bracelets, Forever 21; Clutch, Endless; Flats, Crocs)


For the last outfit I pulled together some classic wardrobe staples, the jean jacket and khaki skirt. Staples like these can make any outfit a snap. Add to them bold colors and fun accessories and you are all set!


(sources: Skirt, Gap; Jacket, Gap; Top, Old Navy; Scarf, Gap; Ring, Charlotte Russe; Flats, Crocs)

Thank you so much Jenny for the opportunity to pull these looks together for you... and if you are interested in finding out more about my wardrobe consultation services, click here. I work with all types of women, whether you are a stay-at-home mom or a busy professional I can work with you and within your budget big or small! Feel free to email me at goodlifeforless @ gmail.com or visit my blog to see past clients I have worked with.

Thanks so much Jill! So much fun!

{ 10 things that make ME happy }

Be sure and check out my guest post on { 10 things that make ME happy } on Emily's delightful blog, Wide Open Spaces.

{ feed ME }

This weeks meal plan: (Week 2 of p90x)
Breakfast - much the same as last week (lots of eggs & fresh fruit & green smoothies)
Lunch - much the same as last week (lots of protein salads)
Dinner - We've got a lot going on this week so we will only be having 4 dinners at home
- Slow Cooker Pork Chops with quinoa and salad (I just add pork chops, soy sauce, honey, ground ginger, 1 clove of garlic to slow cooker).
- Leftover Turkey Veggie Chili (recipe in comments section of this post)
- Grilled Salmon, Brown Rice & Edamame
- Slow Cooker Chicken & Veggie Fajitas with Lettuce Wraps

Lots of water. No bread. No wine. No diet coke. Let the fun continue!

ps - Speaking of recipes, check out this great site GirliChef and her review of LobotoME goods.

Hope you all have a great Monday! I was up and at em at 5 to do my p90x workout. I am starting to think it is the best way possible to make good on the fact that it's a fresh, new day! Bring it. Woot.

{ still i am learning }

This new to me blog (but now a daily read) {i love life} posted about this italian phrase attributed to Michaelangelo that is now written on the board above my desk...."ancora imparo" - which translates to Still I am learning. I love that. Still I am learning. Because aren't we all? I'm constantly amazed & inspired by all I learn from other woman, other mothers, other business owners. I learn how to cook great new healthy recipes, where to stay on our next trip to Mexico, how to manage our family's finances better, how to create a peaceful and creative home, how to be more patient, how to treasure the moments with my family, and more on a daily basis via my google reader. ;) Here are a few treasures I've come across lately....So go make yourself a cup of tea, snuggle in and enjoy. (ps - I'll be reading this over the weekend while I rest my sore body...week one of p90x almost over.)

My One New Years Resolution on 6512 and Growing

Two Vital Elements for a Peaceful Household on Zen Family Habits

We Better Have An Answer on Clover Lane

Making Financial Goals for 2010 on Simple Mom

Start Right Now on I Love Life

Most Days on Everything I Love

ps - our family photo taken for my parents over the holidays by Will's brother Todd who is an amazing photographer in Colorado.