Curly Kale

Post Natal Fitness for Mother and Baby

Exercise tips to shed post-pregnancy pounds. 

Having a baby and raising your family changes your life and certainly your body. But does that mean forever? Most women gain around 30 pounds during pregnancy and shed about 20 pounds within the first month after delivery. The last infamous and dreaded 10 pounds can be difficult to get off. While exercise can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight, as well as help you manage the stress and strain of having a new baby in your life, you may wonder how you are going get back into shape and fit exercise into your new life with a baby.

• First, be patient and gentle with yourself.  Start slowly.
• Second, get creative.  If you start thinking of exercise as an active lifestyle for you and your baby, you'll be able to do more than you think. 
• Third, get involved and get support.  Look for mother and baby exercise groups in your area

Some Common Sense Tips for the first 6 weeks:

• Breathe slowly and deeply when you exercise, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth - this will help you to relax
• Tighten your abdominal and buttocks muscles to help protect your lower back
• Listen to your body and stop if you have increased vaginal bleeding, feel pain or get shortness of breath
• Exercise in 10-minute intervals throughout the day
• Exercise with your baby and enjoy!

Our baby will be four months old this week, so I found this post right on target and worth sharing with you. Please click here to read the entire post written by Deb Paige for blog.gaiam.com.

Bring Autumn Inside

Here are a few easy ways to welcome the fall season in your home:

• Exchange crisp cotton bedding for cozy flannels with lots of warm layers.
• Replace summer fruit with pumpkins and gourds as natural decoration.
• Introduce darker, earthy tones in towels, pillows, and even rugs.
• Give everything a good cleaning, and re-evaluate your possessions.  Just as nature releases her bounty, it feels good to let go of outdated items (and behaviors).

To read the entire post, written by Cheryl Terrace for blog.gaiam.com, click here.

Image Source: wili_hybrid via flickr.com

Vegan Pumpkin Roll

Enjoy this Delicious Vegan Pumpkin Roll Recipe from The Vegan Zombie.

Yoga for Bedtime

Please enjoy this relaxing yoga sequence to help you prepare for a wonderful nights sleep.

The Meditation Challenge

I'm taking place in the 21 Day Meditation Challenge with Deepak Chopra, which begins today.  I meditate frequently and use a variety of meditation methods and I'm participating in the challenge to increase and enhance my current practice.

Here is an example of a meditation session with Deepak Chopra:



If you are interested in joining the meditation challenge, click here.

Nature Relaxation

Put your feet up and unwind with the Ultimate Nature Relaxation video.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Try something new for breakfast. This recipe is quick, easy and includes some power packed nutrients.

Morning Yoga for Flexibility

Feeling a bit tense?  Enjoy Morning Yoga for Flexibility with Tara Stiles.

Basil Smoothie

Check out this delicious Basil Smoothie recipe by Giada from the Food Network.