As a Mom to an active seven year old daughter healthy eating is something that we try to incorporate into her diet – and I realize that it starts with me. I really dislike breakfast (even though I know that’s really bad!) and would constantly skip the meal in the morning, and starting noticing my daughter was too. Then noticed she was getting more and more tired. So I got her together and we are coming up with fun new meals for breakfast. I’ve involved her in the healthy living process, and getting her excited about the endless possibilities in the kitchen. Her new addiction? Strawberry blueberry smoothies! Yum.

The new “Run the Rainbow, Eat the Rainbow” contest too understands the importance of healthy kids. Run in collaboration with ChopChop Magazine, The Fun Cooking Magazine for Families, and Boston based New Balance the “Eat the rainbow” campaign helps kids get in the habit of eating a balanced palette of fruits and veggies —and, because different colors are associated with different nutrients, it is an easy way to color your world healthy. What better way to eat multiple colors than with a rainbow fruit kabob?

In celebration of healthy kids and New Balance’s awesome brand-new 890 Rainbow shoe, ChopChop and New Balance invite you to enter the contest for chance to win a monthly prize pack, including a pair of Rainbow shoes, a one-year subscription to ChopChop, and a grand prize of a $400 gift card to a local grocery store. Visit www.newbalance.com/rainbow to enter! The contest is live now and will run through May (entrants must be 18 years or older).

The colorful brand-new 890v3 Rainbow shoe by New Balance are stylish sneakers featuring a synthetic/mesh upper, offering lightweight comfort and support with solid rubber outsole to provide long-wearing durability for active kids. These are my daughter’s new favorite sneakers, I love how they brighten up any outfit, and they’ll be the perfect addition for our upcoming Disney trip!

Be sure to enter today for a chance to win some amazing prizes!
Just for my readers, one lucky reader will win a yearlong ChopChop Magazine subscription AND a pair of the stylish New Balance Rainbow shoe!! They’ll make the perfect addition to any summer wardrobe and they are so comfortable!! You don’t want to miss out on this great giveaway, entering in easy just use the widget!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post between ChopChop Magazine and New Balance. I received a pair of New Balance kids sneakers and a ChopChop subscription. All opinions, as always, are my own.

Looking for an awesome event the whole family will enjoy?  Get your tickets to the Harlem Globetrotters brand new “You Write the Rules” tour.  Your family’s smiles will start before you even get to the game as the Globetrotters take kid participation to a whole NEW level.  Your family can vote at harlemglobetrotters.com and decide rules for the game that could affect the final outcome.  With rules like double the points for every basket, and two balls in play at the same time, there’s an exciting rule that every kid will enjoy.  After the game, Globetrotter stars will stay on court to sign autographs and take photographs with your kids.  The only thing better than finding an awesome event for the whole family, is getting a great deal on it.  Use the promo code “USFAMILY” when you buy tickets for your family to save $7 on each ticket purchased http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/tickets*.  Get ready to experience the show your family will remember for a lifetime!

You can get your tickets here http://www.harlemglobetrotters.com/tickets and don’t forget to use the promo code USFAMILY to save $7 on every ticket!

*Discount available on select seating levels*

No no I’m not getting married!….One day!! On December 9^th I’ll be headed to the Shop & Talk Girls Night Out event at the Sheraton Copley Hotel with my girlfriend (who is engaged). I posted about this event back in October, but due to Hurricane Sandy the event which was regularly scheduled for November was pushed out to December.

Also in the Sheraton on the same day as the above event will be an event geared to brides *dum dum dumdum* called the Boston Bridal Bash sponsored by Boston Event Guide. While I’ve never been a bride I’ve been to quite a few Weddings and love the atmosphere and love that is shared on a couple’s special day. Know someone who is engaged? Planning a wedding? Hopes to get married soon? Then this is the event you’ll want to attend! Meet with all the right wedding planners that will help you in planning your nuptials. Talk about your ideas, get feedback, and inspiration!

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and all guests will be entered to win a fabulous door prize worth $3,000 including:

Wedding bands from Elyse Jewelers

Valentin Imperial Maya 3 night All Inclusive Trip Giveaway in a Deluxe Junior Suite with a complimentary couples massages

Geez, maybe I should think about getting married with the above door prizes! Mama could use a vacation!!! Click HERE for more information!

Details:

Sunday, December 9th, from 12noon – 4pm

Sheraton Boston Hotel Copley Square

39 Dalton Street · Boston, MA 02199

Directions

Living so close to Boston means I get to take advantage of all the fun local events happening in and around this historical city! This year I’m feeling unusually prepared and organized about my holiday shopping and have already purchased 3 presents for my daughter and have created lists for close friends and family. And, of course, I’ve put together my wish list which includes the Samsung Galaxy SIII, UGG Airondock Boots, and another Longchamg tote :-)

As a single working mom my needs often get pushed aside to ensure my little leading lady has all that she could ever need and want. But on November 4^th mommy’s going out!!

I’m excited for the upcoming Shop & Talk Pop-Up Warehouse Shopping Party from 11am – 5pm at the Sheraton Copley Hotel. This event is a great opportunity to get together with some girlfriends to shop and have a good time! Indulge in the latest fashions, beauty products, and yummy bites. Spend the day or a couple of hours in the trendy Sheraton sipping cocktails while getting introduced to local Boston businesses in the Back Bay.

Anyone else love swag? Be sure to get your gift bags to keep all your goodies from the day as well as door prizes! LUX (Luxury) Bags are filled with items from sponsors and vendors – $100+ value.

A portion of the gift bag ticket will be donated to The Ellie Fund.

And as if that wasn’t enough there will be a giveaway to Valentin Imperial Maya! Enjoy a 3 night All Inclusive Giveaway in a Deluxe Junior Suite with a complimentary couples massage! What Whaaaat!

Afternoon Shopping Party - 11am – 5pm

both ticket options include general admission

Entry Tickets: only $20 each until Friday then $30

Luxury Bag Tickets: only $40 each

Click here to get tickets

ACT NOW: Receive HALF OFF until 10/19!!

SPECIAL: Use code SHOP12 to get half off Gift Bag tickets. Hurry, tickets are limited!

Parking is available at various lots from $7 – $11 using a coupon found here

See you there!!

This summer I made a promise to myself – to lose 5lbs by my birthday at the end of September. I was getting so frustrated and discouraged by nothing fitting and not really feeling like myself. I’ve been running, realizing I hate running, so jogging and walking, and lifting. What I’m realizing is I need a lot of variety to keep me interested!

I sure got to switch things up a bit Wednesday with an exclusive media and blogger core cardio fusion class with Exhale Spa in Boston. The class was on a gorgeous roof deck overlooking Boston. The views were absolutely breathtaking. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, it was perfect.

Exhale Spa has locations across the US and three locations around Boston. The location I was at, within the upscale 45Province is usually only open for residents including a multi-level fitness studio, state of the art gym, meditation lounge, and an in-ground pool 20someting stories up that’s open year round! All of which I got to tour, it was incredible! Exhale is elegance and relaxation all wrapped in one.

The roof deck was spectacular, there was a full house as we took off our shoes and got ready for a core cardio fusion class. The original core fusion class developed by Elisabeth Halfpapp and Fred DeVito is the original core class providing a challenging workout for those that are ready to work. This class was designed to make you *sweat* and sweat we did with the sun beaming on us as we completed sets of plank runs and countless amounts of mountain climbers. Our heart rates got pumping with yoga postures and light weights for a maximized calorie burn. My favorite part is when we got into the punching and kicking!

While the class included far too many mountain climbers for my liking, and it was difficult to follow the instructor at times, it was a great to try something new and incorporate a different workout into my schedule. It was a great workout for cardio! Even though it was tough and moved fast I didn’t give up. I stopped when I needed, got some water, and gave it all I had, and my body is in pain today as a result. OH and they served us white wine when the class was over!! Sweet! I had to pass to get home to lil mama, but how awesome is that! They also gifted media and bloggers with some swag including face masks, socks, and a core fusion DVD!

And look at me; even as a sweaty mess after the class, I had a smile on my face! Don’t look too bad after an hour workout in the sun if you ask me!

 I’m looking forward to an outdoor sunset Pilates class next week in Boston by the water. I love summer!! Get it right, get it tight!!