Archive for ‘Product Reviews’

August 22nd, 2010

The Rattles “Rattle On” CD Review & Giveaway

by Janice

rattlespr 150x150 The Rattles Rattle On CD Review & Giveaway

The Rattles 'Rattle On' CD

My kids and I love to find new (appropriate) music to dance and play to. Truthfully, they just can’t get enough of it. So when I got the chance to review The Rattles “Rattle On” Cd I was excited. The CD will debute on September 25th but I have a sneak peek at one of their songs.

This new song is called “Wavy Lane” click HEREto take a listen.

My kids really enjoyed this CD, and the beatles-esque sound to it means I enjoyed it too!

New York, NY – Hailing straight from the swamps of Central Jersey, an eclectic band of anthropomorphic critters known as The Rattles are preparing to roll out their debut studio album ‘RATTLE ON’. Working in the classic traditions of The Beatles, Moxy Fruvous, The Monkees, and They Might Be Giants, The Rattles apply a fresh fusion of classic rock and power pop that is sure to appeal to fans of all ages and put them on the map.

The unique animal collective consists of four stellar musicians and life-long friends – Gus, Kitty, Sal, and Hal – who describe their upcoming release as “the album we were born to make”. From start to finish, ‘RATTLE ON’ provides a solid testament to The Rattles’ undeniable musical ingenuity, jammed with catchy pop melodies and feel-good vibes that are sure to inspire lots of head swaying and booty-shaking.

With their trusty manager Benny and a devoted legion of roadies all named Elvis in tow, The Rattles intend to take their show on the road and connect directly with the people who inspire them most – the fans. With such a distinct background and a colorful collection of grooves, The Rattles are shaping up to be one of the most intriguing new music acts of the year. To learn more about this fun Cd click HERE.

Thanks to Musebox I have 1 copy of The Rattles “Rattle On” Cd’s to giveaway! This giveaway will end September 5th at 11:59 PM. The winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to my email. If no response, a new winner will be chosen.

Required entry:
Go to The Rattles website and tell me something fun you learned about the band!

Extra entries (Leave a separate comment for each entry):
1. Subscribe to Mom On The Run by email.
2. Tweet about this giveaway (click that Retweet button at the top of this post) .
3. Enter the giveaway on my Fitness Cheerleader site.

This giveaway will end September 5th at 11:59 PM – Good luck!

Popularity: 48% [?]

August 14th, 2010

Introducing the Fitness Cheerleader Walk and Tone mp3 Workout!

by Janice

I’ve always gotten a large amount of joy out of playing sports and being active. In fact running has been my cure for depression and I highly recommend taking a learn-to-run clinic to anyone who’s feeling blue. With how much I’ve enjoyed being active, I’ve always wanted to inspire others to be active too, as I know how much it’s helped me. I’ve purchased a bike for my dad, have done a mother/daughter 5k walk with my mom, and have encouraged countless friends to take up running and walking. I then created Fitness Cheerleader so I could inspire others outside of my immediate circle of friends and family, and have greatly enjoyed motivating others by leading through example, sharing health and fitness articles and by sending out motivational emails each week to my small list of subscribers. The part that has surprised me the most, is how much all of you inspire ME! There is no way I would still be running at 27 wks preggo without the kind words of encouragement my friends!

Fitness Cheerleader's Walk and Tone mp3 WorkoutI’ve now decided to take Fitness Cheerleader to a new level and start selling workout mp3’s. Last week I recorded my first walk and tone workout mp3 that is set to 90’s dance music. Through voice commands, my voice leads you through an upper body strengthening program while you walk. Why? Combining strength moves with cardio allows you to burn more calories in the same amount of time, and building muscle causes you to burn more calories at rest. Win-win! (You can read more about the workout in my article: How to Shred Fat Faster By Walking). In the future I plan to add an 80’s Dance Music version, and a learn-to-run 5K program to offer to you.

I’ve now have uploaded my first mp3 (Fitness Cheerleader’s Walk and Tone mp3 Workout) to Fitness Cheerleader and have made it available for purchase. Several friends have already downloaded it, tried it, and have reviewed it publicly on their blogs. And guess what? They LOVE IT! Here’s what Scarlett had to say about it:

Today I tried this mp3 out for the first time and WOW! I feel incredible. It can be done outside or on a treadmill. For you pedometer wearers, I reset mine right before I began the workout and got almost 3,400 steps! This was just me walking around my house. I probably wasn’t covering as much ground as I would outside, so I would say I could get almost 4,000 if I were outside and not sick! The music is 90?s dance music, which brings back so many memories and gets me moving. In addition, my 4 year old son got out his 2 pound weights and walked with me. He LOVED the music – particularly the “Move it, Move it” song. I can already tell my arms are going to be a little sore tomorrow! Thanks, Fitness Cheerleader!

Chelle also liked it, and gave me some honest criticism about my voice overs, which I’m in the process of fixing and will send a replacement copy to everyone who’s downloaded it:

I did this workout on my treadmill but it could easily be done outside. You do need some weights. I used my 3lb weights and started walking. I had to smile when the music started, it is dance music from the 90?s, I felt so young and it also reminded what I was working towards! So I knew the tunes, then Janice encourages and guides you through each exercise. The MP3 is 40 minutes and I was totally burning once I got going. My arms are sore today! I also realized I need to pay more attention to my triceps, ouch!

I’ll even be doing the workout myself as I progress through the last 10-13 weeks of this pregnancy, and will continue to do it as a gentle post-natal workout (I’ll probably walk with baby asleep in an infant carrier or sling).

I really hope you’ll try my mp3 workout – it’s a great way to be healthy, build strength and tone your arms while walking. It’s safe enough to be done as a pre or post-natal workout, and is a great activity to do on off days or while recovering from injuries.

I’m having a special introductory sale on the Fitness Cheerleader Walk and Tone mp3 Workout! Right now you can get it for $3.99 – LESS than a trip to Starbucks! (use coupon code LAUNCH, for a limited time, regularly $4.99).

(If you are a subscriber to my Fitness Cheerleader newsletter you are automatically entered to win a copy – I’ll be giving away one copy every month for the next couple of months!)

Enter to win a copy by visiting SCARLETT at Maniacal Matron
(Ends 8/26)

Popularity: 38% [?]

June 22nd, 2010

The Internet is Really Smart – AKA How To Fit 3 Car Seats In 1 Car

by Janice

You know the saying: “Two minds are better than one”? Well did you know 35 minds (because that’s how many views I had of my post about carseats yesterday) are way better than two? Hubby and I have been debating how to get three kids into our vehicles ever since he waved that magic stick with a “+” on it 16 weeks ago. Yes – I said “he” because he was the one who dipped the stick into a cup. I really couldn’t tell you how many hours hubby’s spent analyzing our finances, budgets and researching various makes and models of 7-seater SUV’s* to solve our dilemma.

Anyways, Liz @ Loving Mom of Two Boys responded to me came to my rescue and said she was looking into getting Sunshine Kids Seats when her newest addition joins her family (Congrats Liz!).

Look at this pic! These car seats have a narrow base and can fit three across a mid-sized sedan (I’d consider my Santa Fe & hubby’s Mazda 6 both to be mid-sized).

3carseats 300x196 The Internet is Really Smart   AKA How To Fit 3 Car Seats In 1 Car

3 car seats in one car!

My kids are small, I hate to admit this but 5 year old, Sierra, weighs 34lbs and my almost 3 year old, Brooke, weighs a whopping 25lbs. So this is the perfect solution for us. I considered having both girls in boosters, but because we do long car trips to visit family frequently, and both girls fall asleep in their seats a seat that will hold them upright is a better match for us. $900 in car seats vs 5 yrs of $400 +/month in car payments…. This is a no-brainer to me! And look how cute the fabric is:

sunshinecarseat 214x300 The Internet is Really Smart   AKA How To Fit 3 Car Seats In 1 Car

I’ll probably get the grey because I’m conservative like that even though the pink is so adorable (and my girls would love it). Actually the pink is so cute I’m almost tempted to find out the sex of this baby at my 20 week anatomy scan ultrasound tomorrow, even though I PROMISED my hubby Mr. Old School I wouldn’t find out. Gosh it’s killing me not to know who’s hiccupping in there!

Anyways – thanks again Liz for your awesome suggestion! I’ve researched and have found that the Bay Department Store across from my work carries these so I can scout them out now (or maybe if I’m lucky Sunshine Kids will send me one to review and therefore ease some of the expense of expanding our family…).

PS – Special thanks to Emma and Marisa for their suggestion to check out Car-seat.org where I learned that I only need 2 Sunshine Kids car seats and can use my existing Graco in the center rear-facing for the baby.

* I am not a mini-van kind of gal – I may be a washed up former cutie now that I’m gonna have three kids, but I will never ever drive a Caravan, Sedona etc… Yes, you can call me a snob ‘cause it really doesn’t bother me at all.

Popularity: 33% [?]

May 26th, 2010

Wordless Wednesday: Getting Rid of My Plantar Fasciitis

by Janice
043661 Wordless Wednesday: Getting Rid of My Plantar Fasciitis

My New Birkenstocks

Popularity: 55% [?]

March 12th, 2010

Losing Weight Isn’t Easy

by Janice

I’ve been running and running and training and eating healthy and skipping junk food for 10 wks now.  I’ve lost 8lbs – slowly.  It has seemed painfully slow at times.  Working out, eating healthy etc seems like so much work for such little return.  Stepping on the scale each week after running 30k or more and doing weights and finding a 0.5lb to a 0.7lb weight loss is frustrating.  Running is getting easier and I’m getting faster, but it doesn’t seem like I’m getting smaller. 

It’s no wonder so many of us are looking for the quick fix weight loss answer.  But with so many of us looking, how come none of us has found it yet?  Could it be that it doesn’t exist?  Could it be that the 1/2 a pound per week loss I’m experiencing is actually fast?  Is a loss still a loss, not matter how big or small it is?  It’s so hard to keep convincing myself that.

Oh I do have more energy – and more laundry thanks to my sweaty exercise clothes.  My kids are having fun doing exercise videos with me – they particularly like a Fit MOMZ n Fit KIDZ video that I got this week.  Sierra loves to crawl under my planks and pushups while I do the video, and Brooke actually DOES the video with me.  It’s a great way to give the kids attention while fitting in a workout, making this weight loss thing a little easier because I don’t have to find the time to do it.   My legs were on fire after my first attempt at the video.  The girls made me do the Preschool and toddler workouts back-to-back on Tuesday, and last night they made me do the preschool and infant workouts.  I hope that with them pushing me this week I’ll lose more than my usual 0.5lbs… 

Here’s a snippet of the video I found on their website:

video3459a26a12ff Losing Weight Isnt Easy

 

What exercise activities do you like?  Have you experienced weight loss success?  What have you done to lose weight?  Do you have any advice for me on how to make this easier?  Faster?  Help!

Popularity: 17% [?]