Family Review Network

Having a baby is an amazingly blissful experience.  Unfortunately, it is often accompanied by changes in a woman’s body.  That’s why it is so important for new moms to engage in some type of exercise.  But who has time?  Nationally recognized perinatal exercise specialist, fitness author, and certified personal trainer Helene Byrne, has developed an entire website dedicated to helping women stay fit and healthy during and after their pregnancies.  Our bloggers are fit mommies thanks to  Helene Byrne’s Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning DVD and her book Exercise After Pregnancy:  How to Look and Feel Your Best.  

From the site:  “Exercise After Pregnancy: How to Look and Feel Your Best” (BeFit-Mom, 2007) offers new mothers a comprehensive guide to reconditioning after pregnancy that features a safe, easy to follow, and amazingly effective 3-step program that systematically rebuilds the postpartum body and prepares you for the almost nonstop physical demands of motherhood.

The “Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning” DVD presents a truly innovative postpartum reconditioning program that will have you looking great and feeling terrific—fast!  Unlike other programs that offer a run of the mill assortment of exercises that have little relevancy to postpartum needs, the BeFit-Mom system—which fitness expert Helene Byrne created and honed over many years of helping hundreds of new moms get back in shape—provides a unique set of progressive exercises that specifically target postnatal physiology and concerns. 

Here is what our reviewers are saying about the site, the book, and the DVD:  

Chocolate Fingerprints:  It was only a couple of weeks ago that I started doing level two in earnest, and I can already tell a difference in how my jeans fit. Also, my transversus abdominus is getting stronger, thanks to the exercises in the book. I can tell because my lower tummy no longer bulges very much during crunches. I can’t wait until I’m ready to graduate to level three and try those exercises the correct way!

From Melissa’s Desk:  This book offers new mothers a comprehensive guide to reconditioning after pregnancy that features a safe, easy to follow, and amazingly effective 3-step program that systematically rebuilds the postpartum body and prepares you for the almost nonstop physical demands of motherhood.

The best part for me was these exercises work no matter how postpartum you are!

Here’s What I Think:  I will admit, I haven’t done it like I should, but when I did, I felt better and seemed to have more energy. I have a long way to go before I am back in shape, but this DVD can help get me there.

Moms In a Blog:  The exercises are easy to do and I feel more confident in how my body is starting to look.  

O Momma Reviews:  Firstly, I haven’t seen a postpartum exercise DVD that specifically talks about and deals with the abdominal separation as this one does. The exercises themselves are very gentle and easy going, much like pilates and yoga.

Our Seven Qtpies:  The exercises in the book are not difficult and it teaches you how to do the exercise correctly. (No painful crunches! But the correct way to work the entire abs, not just one part.) But she also touches on many other areas that need work, too, like posture and restrengthening the pelvic floor. 

Rockin’ Mama:  I know this may not seem significant but I have lost 3 pounds since starting this program (normal weight loss is 1/2-1 pound per week).  I’ve used this program to supplement my walking and have found the program targeting abdominal separation to be particularly helpful.  What’s really great about the program is that it can be started just days after giving birth (unlike most fitness programs).

Sage and Savvy:  BeFit-Mom is an excellent resource for women who are pregnant or recently gave birth on how to stay fit. The site focuses on different types of exercises, why they are good for you, and how they can help during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and post-partum recovery.

The exercises were not strenuous—they were indeed very gentle on my body. Helene was very thorough in her explanations of the different exercises and how they are beneficial. My body feels great whenever I do the exercises.

Summer’s Nook:  So I tried the video and I like it. It’s all about strengthening your core and helping with abdominal separation if you have it. The moves are definitely safe for doing very soon after delivery, definitely strengthen and the instructions are very clear and easy to follow. I was surprised at how sore seemingly simple stretches and slow movements could get me. And I really liked Helene’s reminders to keep your tummy sucked in throughout.

Head on over to BeFit-Mom for a wealth of information regarding pregnancy and postpartum fitness.  

Win it!

Helene Byrne has generously donated a copy of “Bounce Back Fast! Post Natal Core Conditioning” 

for one lucky winner!

To enter:

• Stop by BeFit-Mom before midnight, Dec 6th and take a look around.
• Then come back and mention in comments something you learned on the site. That’s it!
• A random winner will be selected and notified on Dec 7th.
• The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

• Subscribe to our feed.
• Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to BeFit-Mom.  
• Place our button in your sidebar.

This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses.  Good Luck!

This giveaway is now closed. Thank you for your participation.
The winner is comment #57: Rosanne M.
Congratulations!

Ever feel like life is trying to get the best of you? Well, you’re not alone. And like they say, laughter is the best medicine, right? Psycho Super Mom, Lauren Mayer, has come up with a way to take all the stress, anxiety, and every day situations and present them in a way that makes them a little more bearable, a lot more fun!

From the site: “Lauren Mayer is a singer, songwriter, music teacher, comic, and sleep-deprived mom. She is a five-time recipient of the San Francisco Cabaret Gold Award, a Peninsula Arts Grant recipient, and a phi beta kappa graduate of Yale University. Her songs have been heard on A&E’s Good Time Cafe, the Dr. Demento Show, and more, she is the author of several musicals published by Contemporary Drama Service, and she is the co-founder and songwriter for Curriculum Rocks, a company producing entertainingly educational music for kids. Visit the Curriculum Rocks Website. She is the mother of 2 boys who introduce her to really cool music, who sing backup on her kids’ CDs, and who inspire her wackier comedy songs.”

The members of Family Review Network had the opportunity to review this hilarious CD set and this is what they had to say:

All Because Two People Fell in Love: My favorite song is “I Hate to Exercise Blues!” Could be because I can unfortunately relate VERY easily to these blues! The whole family was able to appreciate and enjoy this hilarious CD!! I can’t wait to take this CD to our next BUNKO party because I am certain that my BUNKO Buddies will LOVE it as much as I do!!

An Island Review: Let me say, this is one funny lady! She takes everyday ordinary situations and really makes you laugh. My favorite song is “Have Aliens Replaced My Kids?” because I think we all wonder about this once in a while, right? Right? Or am I the only one? Even my girls liked listening to some of the more age-appropriate songs.

Chocolate Fingerprints: Listen up Mamas…If you’re having a stressful or difficult day, pop Return of Psycho Super Mom into your cd player and laugh with Lauren Mayer. I really do believe that laughter is the best medicine. Last week, when I was having some trouble with mommy guilt,  this cd helped me feel better. I spend so much time worrying and agonizing over my everyday life; it was so nice to laugh about motherhood for a change!

From Melissa’s Desk: Lauren Mayer’s newest CD Return of Psycho Super Mom is not the kind of music I would normally pick to listen to. However, I don’t think its meant for everyday listening. It’s true comedy that is unique and very funny. I can relate to these songs all about mom issues. This might be a good CD to play at a mom’s party.

Here’s What I Think: This CD is so perfect for mom’s. With songs like “Grown Ups Get to Have Fun Too” and “Too Pooped to Party”, I think every mom can relate. I definitely got a chuckle out of most of the songs. This would be a perfect gift for any mom that spends a lot of time in the car, running errands and carpooling kids around.

Mom of 2 Dancers: The CD is very funny! My favorite song is Food Network. I was laughing my head off at that song. Another favorite is Environmental Envy. I know I felt that way when my girls were younger!

Our Seven Qtpies: Lauren writes fun songs about the frustrating things we go through as women and moms. It is fun to see the humor in our situations, and to know we are not alone in our psycho worlds. (to find that I am not the only one that thinks of myself as psycho was a relief!) The tunes are catchy, I’ll warn you.

Tara’s View of the World: The CD is “an autobiographical, comedic look at life, motherhood, and sleep deprivation”. I thought the CD was very witty and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the songs “I Hate To Exercise Blues” and “Grownups Get To Have Fun Too”. Any mother will be able to relate to the pictures Lauren paints with her songs and have a good laugh at the funnier side of being a mom!

The Dirty Shirt: The song Defining Gravity cracked me up and I just loved Too Pooped To Party (my new theme song lol) And Mama’s Gonna Be Okay was funny. Lauren has an all around great sense of humor and she portrays that straight into her music touching on all the topics that we moms go through on a daily basis. I really enjoyed this album and my toddler danced to the whole thing so she liked it too!

Val’s Views: While a CD of comedic songs isn’t something I’d typically get for myself, I did enjoy listening to this one. Only another woman can relate to my feelings on a day to day battle with gravity, and Lauren captures it perfectly in “Defining Gravity”. And every mother can relate to “Tell Me Another One”, one of my favorites on the album.

Stop by Lauren’s site for the perfect stocking stuffers for your girlfriends!

Win it!

How would you like to win a copy of Psycho Super Mom, Return of Psycho Super Mom, & First Grade Rocks? To enter:

• Stop by Lauren Mayer’s site before midnight, Dec 4th and listen to some of her music clips.
• Then come back and mention in comments which song is your favorite. That’s it!
• A random winner will be selected and notified on Dec 5th.
• The winner will then have 3 days to claim their prize.

To earn extra entries, you may do one or all of the following. Each one counts as an extra ticket but you must leave a separate comment for each one.

• Subscribe to our feed.
• Mention this giveaway on your blog with a link back here and to Lauren Mayer.
• Place our button in your sidebar.

This giveaway is open to everyone world-wide. Good luck!

1st Comes Love . . . is an online stationary boutique that specializes in personalized invitations that are sure to make a fabulous first impression at your next celebration event. And with the holidays coming up, these beautiful personalized photo cards to share with all your loved ones.

From the site: “1st Comes Love… specializes in creating one-of-a-kind invitations for one-of-a-kind events. Our designs are classic, modern and timeless. We pride ourselves in providing the perfect match for your occasion. Choose from one of our ready-made designs or work with us to create something unique. Our small design studio is committed to providing personal attention to all our customers.”

Here’s what some of our members thought:

An Island Review: We received a sample of some of their personalized invitations and they were awesome! The quality of the cards were thick, the coloring used were very professional, and the designs were chic and stylish. Seeing these invitations made me wish I knew some of these people so I could have attended too!

Brain Foggles: The holiday cards I received have a lovely, sparkly type of background, not too much but just right. The birth announcement card is simple, yet elegant. The card stock shows quality and the colors of the note cards and matching envelopes are perfectly matched.

Cutie Booty Reviews: The card stock used is excellent quality and the designs are very unique. The pairing of the color envelopes with the cards completely complimented the designs. Each design was slightly glossy which is visually appealing. I really liked the irridescent card stock and I personally would choose that for my stationary needs.

Here’s What I Think: I loved these cards! The designs were all so different but beautiful. It would be very hard to pick one. I was impressed with the quality of the paper. It was nice card stock that would take the abuse of mailing but stay in tact. The colors were all so bright.

Thoughts From the Mrs: If you don’t have any huge announcements to make or already have plans for your holiday cards, look at the stationary. These cards are so nice and would really brighten someone’s day to receive in the mail. This is a great way to keep in touch with family or even send a nice note to a friend once in a while. Let’s face it, everyone likes getting a nice card in the mail.

So stop by 1st Comes Love and order your personalized cards today. We guarantee you’ll be proud to show them off!

The consensus is in!  Mom’s across the country want healthy, all-natural snacks that they can feel good about giving their children.  That’s why R. W. Kudsen Family’s Sensible Sippers makes sense!  

Here is a little about Sensible Sippers from their website:

“We are proud to partner with The Berenstain Bears to offer convenient, wholesome, Sensible Sippers juice boxes for kids. Offered in child-friendly, unbreakable 4.23 oz juice boxes, Sensible Sippers are certified USDA Organic and feature classic Berenstain characters - such as Papa Bear, Mama Bear, Brother Bear and Sister Bear. True to their name, Sensible Sippers are 50% organic juice and 50% water, reducing the amount of sugar in each serving without compromising taste.”

These kid-sized juice boxes are perfect for little hands, feature cute, familiar characters and are offered in four fun flavors.  

Here is what our mom bloggers said about Sensible Sippers!

All Because Two People Fell In Love:  As a parent I appreciate the convenient factors of these great drinks!! There is no need to dilute the juice with water and each box is a portion controlled 4-ounce box.

Brain Foggles:  Emily really liked that her straw was green and that the juice tasted “wond-er-ful”. Sarah drank her entire juice box all in one drink. She just sipped it all down. So I’d say that she really liked it! They were smiling from ear to ear not only from the taste but from the cartoons of the the Berenstain Bears on the boxes too.

Chocolate Fingerprints:  My daughter, who would drink juice at every meal if I let her, is completely thrilled with Sensible Sippers! She can’t believe her good fortune! I don’t know if she’s wondered why Mommy all of a sudden allows her to drink juice boxes, but she sure is taking advantage of this new turn of events!

Confessions of a Diet Coke Addict:   The Fruit Punch was their favorite. Even my oldest that doesn’t really drink anything other than water liked hers. My 13 year old babysitter even had one when she was watching the girls last week and commented how much she liked it.

The Glamorous WAHM:  My boys drank them up like they were drinking creme soda on hot summer day.  Those juice boxes didn’t last two days in my house!

Just a Mom’s Take On Things:  As a parent, I love everything about these juice boxes – they’re a healthier, less sugar and calorie option for my girls to drink, and they’re something fun that they love as well. They spend as much time looking at and reading the boxes as they do actually drinking from them.

Mom Giveaways Reviews:  My son first tried the apple juice and declared it delicious!  He then tried the fruit punch and said it was good too.  When we ran out of juice boxes he informed me that we must immediatley go to the store and buy some more. :)  Needless to say, the Sensible Sippers were a hit!

Mom of 2 Dancers:  My oldest has a major sweet tooth, the only “juice” she likes is Hi-C, Hawaiian Punch & Kool Aide. I struggle to get her to drink water and other healthier juices. I couldn’t believe it when she started asking for the Sensible Sippers all day long.

My Trendy Tykes:  When these came in the mail today, I was leery of what the kids would think.  NOT ONLY did they like Sensible Sippers but they were slurping the straws and turning up the boxes for more.

Ohana Mama:  In our house, Sensible Sippers passed with flying colors.  It was easy to see that we gave them two huge thumbs up…after all they were gone in a flash!  No joke!  We were all drinking them, yes hubby and myself included.  I actually had to hide some away so that we’d have them for my son’s school lunches.

O Momma Reviews:  These juice boxes help to make giving our children “sensible” and healthy drinks when ever needed.  For those school lunch boxes, a quick drink for on the go, etc. these are perfect!

Red Sox Mommy:  I love that they come in such a small container. They’re just over 4 ounces which is the perfect serving for my little girls. And my oldest loved the Berenstain Bears characters on the boxes.

Sage and Savvy:  DS liked both flavors, but I think he liked the Fruit Punch flavor the best. I gave him his Fruit Punch Sensible Sipper at the beginning of his lunch, and by the time I brought him his meal he was already done with the juice!

SAHM Reviews:  But the true selling point was the following day when it came time to pack Miss M’s lunch.  When I said “Are you having milk today or do you want the new juice?” she responded “The new juice.” Apparently Sensible Sippers are better than a girl’s best friend.

This Mama Cooks! On a Diet:  The fruit punch and apple juice Sippers I tried were just as good as 100% juice. My daughter, Lucie, thought they were as delicious as they were cute, and was excited to have me pack a box in her lunch for school the next day.

Wish List Worthy:  Now, as for the taste. Because they are 50% juice and 50% water the flavor isn’t as strong as other juices. This is both a good thing and a bad thing. For example, with the fruit punch, the lighter flavor was just right, whereas we would have liked the apple to be stronger. Still, it’s a very pleasing flavor all around.

At first the directions were a bit confusing to understand however once we got the hang of it we were on a roll. It’s one of those games where everything falls into place once you start playing.

Hand and Foot Canasta is perfect for 4 players although more can play as long as you have an even number of players. The games includes 4 decks of cards for 4 times the fun. The cards have been created with point values pictured on them for easy play and learning. We had a blast and I truly cannot wait until we get together to play again.

Priced at less than ten dollars, Hand and Foot Canasta is the perfect gift and holiday stocking stuffer. It’s a great twist on the classic Canasta game!

What our reviewers think:

 The Clan McLeod: After taking a couple of hands to get accustomed to it, we had a lot of fun and hope to play again soon! If your family enjoys playing games together, try it out! Like us, you’ll soon discovered that Canasta isn’t just for old folks!

Mom Giveaways: This past weekend was my brother’s birthday so when we went to his birthday dinner I brought the game along.  We quickly got a group of four to play and started playing. Once we played a couple of rounds and got the hang of things we started to really enjoy the card game.  I really enjoyed playing Canasta Hand & Foot and I’m looking forward to the next time my family can get together to play.

The way I see it: We are big time game players at our house. We love board games, Wii and card games alike. Even our young grandchildren enjoy playing games. I’m a firm believer that playing games teaches sportsmanship because everyone, occasionally, must learn to loose graciously.

An Island Review: I have to admit that I was a little confused at first but after reading the rules a few times, I realized that it was very similar to Gin Rummy except that the groups of cards that you put down are a little different. The whole goal of the game is to beat your opponent by scoring more points. You score points by melding cards, and making as many canastas as possible. A canasta is a meld of at least seven cards of the same rank.

Our Seven Qtpies: I tested it out with the ladies at Ladies Night Out. It was really a fun game, and easy to learn. Only two of us had played Hand and Foot before. Now, if you know anything about Canasta games, everyone has their own rules, so that was fun, deciding which of our rules applied, lol. The game does have a very complete set of rules, and they are easy to follow and learn.  

 

Forgetfulone: The instructions are a bit confusing, but once you get going, everything falls into place.

 

Just a Mom’s take on things: Partner games like this one are always a blast since there’s interaction between the partners and with the opposition – I think that Hand and Foot Canasta would be a fun party game.

 

3 P’s Mama Says: We will most certainly play Canasta Hand & Foot game by Marina Games again - maybe during our annual New Year’s Games.