Our Top 10 Favorite Things to Buy from Costco

By

-

November 10, 2015

:: Detroit Moms Blog LOVES Costco ::

There is just something about Costco that gets me over the top excited every single time we go there! I even get excited at the thought of going to Costco! I’m not sure if it’s the delicious samples, the ridiculous deals or the $1 churro after a productive shopping experience. I had a hard time compiling a list of only 10 things my family absolutely loves. These are things that Costco truly has the best deals on.

Baked Goods :: Seriously, have you tried their cake?! It has to be the absolute best and at a great price! All of their sweets are de-lish-ous. But it’s not just their sweets that will reel you in – their croissants are so soft and fluffy. They make the best breakfast sandwiches.
Meat (including organic) :: You can buy bulk meat and then freeze it for later. Economically it’s the best way to go. If it’s to much meat for you – share with a friend. It’s a great way to always have something on hand to grab out of the freezer and throw a healthy meal together.
Coconut Oil :: Enough said! If you’re anything like my family we use coconut oil for everything. I’ve pinterested every possible use. Hands down Costco has the best price on the larger tubs of quality coconut oil.
Laundry Detergent + Fabric Softener :: Kirkland’s top rated laundry detergent will give you the best bang for your buck. Bonus – it smells amazing!
Paper Products : I think it goes without saying that having toilet paper and paper towel in bulk is a necessity. Save money by buying these products in bulk and rest assure you won’t have to wipe with anything other than toilet paper.
Rotisserie Chicken :: Yum! My husband loves their rotisserie chicken. We’ve bought them from competitors and they are tiny and overly priced. At Costco you’ll get a nice plump 3lb delicious chicken that will last a couple days and can be used in multiple meals or eaten alone.
Gift Card Selection :: The selection of gift cards Costco has is insane! You can find whatever you’re looking for. I hate having to run to multiple stores to get the gift cards I’m looking for. Don’t you?!
Gas :: I don’t know about you but I love the fact that I can get my groceries and gas all in one spot. A one stop shop! The prices alone justify purchasing the membership.
Organic Produce :: Best strawberries ALL year long! We can always count on Costco and their selection of organic produce – berries, pears, apples – you name it, they have it.
Diapers + Wipes :: These diapers rock our world! Goodbye blowouts and leaks – finally a diaper that makes it through the night and saves on extra loads of laundry. For $29.99 you can get 192 diapers and they last. They are soft and don’t irritate our little mans skin. If you’ve ever thought about trying them – do it – you have nothing to lose!

We would LOVE to know – what are your top items that you buy at Costco for your family? Please comment below!

And for good measure, here are a few more reasons to shop at Costco!

Competitive pricing on quality merchandise meets or exceeds local competitors.
Kirkland Signature products are rated higher than most leading brands.
Free demos and samples on a daily basis.
Costco is leading the nation in organic sales.
The environment in Costco speaks for itself with its cleanliness and well-lit warehouse shopping experience.
Costco offers many services in and outside of the warehouse: Auto Buying, Check Printing,
Travel and Car Rentals, Insurance, Mortgage Financing, Water Delivery, Leaf Guard, Flooring and Windows, Identity Protection, Pharmacy, Hearing Aid, Optical, and Photo Lab.
Discounts to restaurants, movies, spas, and many more.
They offer a 100-percent member satisfaction guarantee. We will refund your membership if at any time you are not satisfied.
Free healthy heart screening, osteoporosis screening to all members and non-members.
They offer pet meds for your fur babies.
Costco’s meat department is USDA Choice grade or better.
They have the best Rotisserie 3-pound chicken for $4.99 – no preservatives, MSG free, gluten free, and USDA grade.

Join us for #CostcoMomHour

This event is absolutely FREE and just for YOU! We’ve partnered with Costco to open an hour early for Detroit Moms on November 13th at 9 a.m.

Mark your calendars and come enjoy shopping before the public rush, breakfast, samples, and swag bags to the first 100 people. Yes please!

How to attend the #CostcoMomHour ::

This event is FREE but in order to plan accordingly please RSVP with a ticket below. Don’t forget to follow our Costco Mom Hour {Metro Detroit} event page on Facebook.

Powered by Eventbrite

Added Bonus / Costco Membership Details

If you come to the Costco Mom Shopping event and sign up at the event to become a new Costco member, Costco has a special offer*: New Executive Members will receive a $20 Costco Cash Card and new Gold Star and Business Members will receive a $10 Costco Cash Card.
For existing Costco members who bring a friend to the Costco Mom Shopping event, if your friend signs up for a new Costco membership, you will receive a $10 Costco Cash Card** as a thank you.

*Limit one Costco Cash Card offer per household. Offer is valid for new memberships the day of the Costco Mom Shopping event only. Offer is not valid for renewals or upgrades of Costco memberships. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Costco Cash Cards are not redeemable for cash. The Costco Cash Card must be used by the new Costco member during the first year of membership.

**To be eligible for the Costco Cash Card, the existing member must be a Costco member prior to the Costco Mom Shopping event and the friend must become a new Costco member at the event. Offer is valid the day of the Costco Mom Shopping event only and is valid for new membership activations only. Offer is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other offer or coupon. Limit two new member referrals per primary Costco member per year. Separate forms are required for each referral. Employees of Costco are excluded from this offer.

A Costco membership is $55 a year. An Executive Membership is an additional $55 upgrade fee a year and includes an annual 2% Reward (up to $750) on qualifying Costco purchases. Terms and conditions apply to the 2% Reward. See the membership counter for details. Each membership includes a free Household Card. Price does not include sales tax. Costco accepts cash, checks, debit/ATM cards, EBT, Costco Cash Cards, Costco Credit Cards and American Express.

We hope to see you there!

Join Our DMB Neighborhood Mom Groups

By

danielleandresen

-

November 8, 2015

Hey there Mama, I have some exciting news! DMB has created Neighborhood Mom Groups! This is a great way for us ALL to connect with our neighborhood moms. I don’t know about you, but I am always looking for another rambunctious two year old for my son to play with or a little mom support after a long work week and a few too many sleepless nights. To bring us all a little closer, join Our DMB Neighborhood Mom Groups! If you don’t see your city, don’t worry, jump into the one closet to you. Lets get connected!

Neighborhood Groups

Our primary goal in creating Detroit Moms Blog was to connect moms online, as well as offline through playdates and our events. We know that being a mom is the most rewarding job we can do, but it’s also the hardest. We all need some support now and then from others who know just what we are going through! We’ve loved doing this through our larger events, but this year we are also looking to incorporate some more intimate ways for moms to connect with one another

Detroit covers three different counties and we would like to make it feel a little smaller! We’ve decided to create Neighborhood Groups that will help you all facilitate playdates, mommy meet ups, learn more about your specific neighborhood or simply pose a question to a group of moms. Whether you’re a new mom, new to the city, or just want to meet new friends, these groups will be the perfect way to connect with moms in your area.

We currently have 19 neighborhood groups available to join. Don’t see your neighborhood? Because Detroit is so large, we aren’t able to list every suburb – start with the group closest to your city and hop in. We’re just starting this program, so please let us know if your city isn’t close to the listed groups so we can get your area covered. Just click on your neighborhood and ask to join the group!

Each group will be run by volunteers called Mombassadors – these ladies will plan events each month with the intention of gathering people in person. If you’re interested in being one of our Mombassadors please send an email to [email protected] and let us know. We absolutely love our online community, but what we’d love most, is to help you get connected in person to other Moms in your own neighborhoods within Detroit!

Working Moms

Homeschool Moms

Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti

Auburn Hills/Lake Orion/Oxford

Bloomfield Hills/Bloomfield Township/West Bloomfield

Clarkston/White Lake

Clinton Twp/Harrison Twp/Warren/Centerline

Commerce/Walled Lake

Detroit

Dearborn/Dearborn Heights/Westland/Garden City

Downriver (includes Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, Wyandotte, Flat Rock, Taylor)

Farmington/Farmington hills

Ferndale (includes Oak Park, Huntington Woods, Berkley)

Livonia/Plymouth/Canton

Novi/Wixom

Macomb, Shelby Twp and Washington Twp.

Roseville/Eastpointe/Fraser

Royal Oak/Birmingham/Berkley/Clawson

South Lyon/Milford/Brighton/Howell

Southfield/Redford

Troy/Rochester/Rochester Hills

We hope this will be an opportunity for you and your kids to make some new friends and connections in our community! In order to stay up-to-date on ALL the connection opportunities Detroit Moms Blog offers, “like” our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter (@detroitmomsblog), Instagram(@detroitmomsblog), and Pinterest! We look forward to hearing from you!!

Keeping Birthdays Simple… Just Cake

By

danielleandresen

-

November 5, 2015

When I think back to my birthdays as a child, I remember a handful of birthday parties. For the most part it consisted of a friend or two. I loved my birthday. I still do! It’s my special day. I remember my family always making me feel special on my birthday. I remember my 10th and 13th birthday parties because those two were BIG! But for most birthdays, we had cake and some kind of food – although I don’t have a clue what was on the menu. I received presents, but I couldn’t tell you what they were. Either way, I loved my birthdays as a child growing up. It was my own special day and it still is!

Fast forward a number of years and now its my turn to throw my children birthday parties. How fun! I have a number of tools to help me be as creative as I want to be. Between Pinterest, Google, Etsy, Social Media and Michaels, I can get creative and have fun while doing it.

Planning a party is fun, especially for your own child. It can also be very expensive and time consuming.

My son recently turned two and during this time I had an 8 week old baby at home. We
all know how busy and time consuming a newborn is. The idea of throwing a big party didn’t seem exciting. As my husband and I discussed our birthday options for our little guy, we reminisced about our childhood birthday memories, the little things we remember. My husbands most memorable birthday was simply having his favorite dinner with his family. I loved planning something fun to do with a friend or two. But when it came to remembering any of our birthdays before the age of six, we simply lost that memory. After brainstorming, we knew that our two year old only cared for balloons, the birthday song and cake. We had our answer. Let’s keep this simple and invite his people (immediate family) over for cake. This was a relief.

I feel that sometimes I get caught up in what I see from social media or on Pinterest; I think I need to do this and that for my child, when in fact I really don’t.

A month later our son is still singing his birthday song and looks at his birthday cards daily like they’re books. We kept it simple with what matters…birthday cake. Most importantly he felt special on his birthday.

Do you keep your child’s birthday parties simple, or do you enjoy planning a big event?

Have you ever felt pressure to plan the “perfect” birthday party for your child?

Are you there God? It’s me, Infertile.

By

Jessica Maurer

-

November 4, 2015

A few weeks ago, I shared the lengthy story of my journey with infertility. In that post I shared how I largely remained upbeat and positive through all the roadblocks we encountered. However, there was another side to the mental aspect of our experiences that I would like to shine a light on today. Everything I felt was just that – my personal feelings. I don’t claim to represent any other women of faith or any other infertile women, for that matter.

I was raised in an average conservative Christian household. We went to church most Sundays, I was always involved in youth group at church through high school and I knew from a young age that I believed in God and what it meant to accept Jesus as my savior and know I was going to heaven. I never really dove any deeper into my faith and as is pretty common, I relaxed it (quite) a bit in college. When my husband, who has a very similar upbringing to mine, and I got married at the church my Great-Grandfather and Grandparents were long time members of – we decided to become members there, re-strengthen our faith, and started attending on a regular basis in part to visit with my Grandpa. My Grandfather passed away right after I had my first child and my husband and I kept up regular church attendance to build a faith base in her.

After my two ectopic pregnancies, I was never the type to blame myself or God and I never thought it would be the end of our efforts to expand our family (we did have one successful pregnancy in between). So, while I prayed for healing and restored health I really thought they were just little bumps in the road.

Just a few months after my second ectopic pregnancy was surgically removed, I distinctly remember standing in the lobby of the medical building where I had just been told (and seen for myself) that both of my fallopian tubes were damaged beyond repair. My husband could only hug me while I could no longer hold back the tears that were silently streaming down my face. I remember one of my very first thoughts: “God doesn’t want me to have another baby.”

I tried to push that idea aside. At this point we knew that In vitro Fertilization (IVF) would be literally the only way I could get pregnant again. There was no other way for my eggs to reach my uterus. We went through the beginning stages of finding and meeting with a doctor who specialized in IVF but I still had thoughts nagging me. ‘Why would God make it so I can’t get pregnant if I am supposed to have another baby? Maybe I’m not supposed to have another child.’ ‘Who am I to use these modern medical techniques to go around what God has done to my body?’ ‘Is this even ethical to “create” life outside of the womb?’

I kept those thoughts to myself for a long time and it wasn’t until I finally opened up to my husband that I started to see things differently. My husband was quick to point out that people use modern medical procedures every day to save their lives for ailments that in biblical times would be certain death – heart attacks, strokes, cancer the list goes on. I myself would have bled out internally had I not been rushed into emergency surgery on two different occasions with ectopic pregnancies. Well, I realized that is true and it did make me feel better.

I still was uncomfortable with IVF being the moral thing to do. I could quickly think of two strong Christian women I knew who had been through IVF which also made me feel better – if they didn’t have a problem with it, maybe I shouldn’t. Nevertheless, I wondered what the church’s ‘position’ was, and if they even had one. I set a meeting with the senior minister at our church and she had a lot of reassuring comments for us. The one thing that stuck with me that she said, in response to me asking something like ‘Is this like forcing a pregnancy where there wasn’t one in God’s plan?’ was “If it truly is not in God’s plan for you to have another baby, then this procedure won’t work either. You still have to carry this baby for 9 months, this is only helping you get started.”

I felt a lot better after that and moved forward confidently. Unfortunately our first round of IVF didn’t work and a lot of these thoughts came rushing back. ‘OK, now the medical intervention didn’t help either so surely this is a sign I’m not meant to grow another child inside of me’. I forced myself to entertain the thought of adoption but it wasn’t what was in my heart at that time. I just knew I would be pregnant again. Gratefully, I trusted my instincts and we tried again. Happily now we have the second child we struggled and prayed so long for.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t have eventually warmed to the idea of adoption. I think adoption is a beautiful thing and such a blessing to families who feel that is the path they are called to take. In fact, based on a growing number of women I know – I can’t even say for sure that adoption is something God won’t place on my heart at a later time. I have heard a lot of stories just recently from mothers who have adopted later in life, many after having already given birth to their older children.

For now we are happy as a family of four and I am so thankful that in this case, I listened to my instincts and didn’t let my head get in the way. Looking back I am 100% confident that this is God’s plan for our family. This is how we were meant to conceive and I know without a doubt our son was meant to be the wonderful addition to our lives that he is. I simply could not imagine it any other way and it helped me to trust God’s timing and accept that there really is a reason why everything happens when it does even if I don’t understand it. I’ve learned that it is important to remember not to take it too hard when things are not going the way I have them planned because it really isn’t up to me after all.

Fall Date Night in the D

By

annacenti

-

November 3, 2015

There is nothing more romantic than Fall in my book. It’s the season of cozy fires and comfort food – time to enjoy the crisp air, the golden and burgundy hues of changing leaves and a time to enjoy the company of your loved ones, big and small. Whether you’re looking for a date night out with your love or a family outing, Detroit has you covered. These warm summer days have faded into Fall, but that’s no reason for the fun to come to a screeching halt.

So, without further adieu, here is my personal guide to Fall Date Night in the beautiful city of Detroit!

Detroit Andiamo, Riverfront

You didn’t expect me to leave an Italian venue out did you? That would just be silly. If you are looking for a scenic view, Detroit Andiamo, Riverfront is the place to be! Andiamo has many wonderful restaurants, but this one is certainly a gem. Enjoy the scenic view of the Detroit riverfront and Canada from the outside patio, or dine inside where you can enjoy a design that speaks to the Urban spirit of Detroit. Nestled at the bottom of the Renaissance Building, the Riverfront venue is filled with a lovely mixture of rustic charm and urban vibes. From live entertainment to wine tastings, Andiamo’s Riverfront venue has you covered!

The Crab Cakes and Italian Wedding Soup — The Crab Cakes

The venue has a unique blend of Italian cuisine, with the feel of Detroit that we have come to know and love. It represents my husband and I: a blend of Italian culture and the heart of Detroiters all in one romantic escape. Detroit has that “stays with you” effect – as does the Italian culture – and especially the food. More goes into the food than the ingredients. A little bit of soul and a little bit of culture, love, romance, tradition and family gets packed into each course.

A nice walk by the riverfront is a nice way to enjoy the evening after your meal. Want to turn it into an overnight stay? Book a room at the Detroit Renaissance Marriott. Visit Andiamo’s website to plan your next spontaneous, local getaway!

Next up, the new kid on the block….TOWNHOUSE DETROIT

townhouse3 — Hubby and I at Townhouse Detroit

Townhouse, already a Birmingham presence, recently decided to open up its doors in Detroit. With a retractable glass dining area, and an indoor industrial-inspired bar area, Townhouse is a MUST as a Metro-Detroiter! We started our meal with a Seared Cauliflower Steak served with Moroccan olives, feta cheese and argula with a golden raisin dressing.

townhousefood — Lamb Bolognese and the Townhouse Burger

Some of my personal favorites were the Lamb Bolognese with Buccatini and Pecorino cheese, and the Townhouse Burger. Perfectly summarized on their menu, the burger is as a “10 oz. proprietary blend of 28 day aged steak cuts, prepared daily & hand pattied to order on authentic plugra butter brioche bun, topped With bourbon glazed onions & aged white cheddar”. This amazing dish is served with Townhouse fries, or you can opt for a little zest with the Truffle Oil fries, sure to not disappoint with white truffle oil and a rosemary garlic aioli dipping sauce!

townhouse1 — Retractable Glass Dining Area

Townhouse Detroit is a little magic, a little escape, and a whole lot of Detroit! Check out their Pledge!

Family Fun Date Nights

If you’re looking for a little family fun during the Fall Season, here are some recommendations that will provide fun for all!

franklincider — Sister Bonding at Franklin Cider Mill

Visit any of the local Cider Mills or Orchards to enjoy a little sugar, spice and cider – oh so nice! Plymouth Orchards is great if you’d like to enjoy seasonal donuts and cider and visit with the animals, while Franklin Cider Mill has a pleasant outdoor market feel and great curb appeal, overlooking a brook where you can sit and enjoy your Fall treats with family.
Parmenter’s Winery and Cider Mill in Northville has it all – fun for kids and adults and probably some of the best donuts I have ever had the pleasure of devouring – I mean eating. Mmm, mmm!
Danny’s Pumpkin patch is a great place to enjoy Fall treats!

Fall in love with Metro Detroit – one unique and satisfying venue at a time!

Go forth and frolic in this Fall weather!

dannys2 — Frolicking at Danny’s You-Pick Pumpkin Patch

What’s In A Label? {Part 2}

By

Erica B

-

November 2, 2015

When shopping for food, makeup, & personal care products, most folks take at least a cursory glance at the label. Labels are supposed to provide information – identifying the product, the ingredients, the manufacturer, etc.

But what do those words on the label really mean? Does “Natural” equate to organic? Does “organic” mean it’s 100% organic?

These days manufacturers and marketing companies know that a lot of people want to avoid chemicals as much as possible, especially the food we eat and products applied to our skin! So even when their products may not be the best for us, they use smart language to get and keep our attention. Here’s some tips on what exactly these label s mean about what’s inside that package:

Natural – By the USDA definition, these products should not contain artificial ingredients or preservatives and are minimally processed. They may contain antibiotics or growth hormones, however and there are no inspections or certifications required by the USDA.

All Natural – The USDA defines Natural and All Natural as the same.

USDA Organic – In regards to foods, they must be grown and processed without the use of most synthetic or petroleum based fertilizers, without sewage sludge, are not GMO (genetically modified), radiation, hormones, or antibiotics. For meat, the animals must have 100% organic feed with no animal by-products, no growth hormones, no antibiotics, and must have continuous access to the outdoors. Note that chickens are exempt from the access to outdoors requirement. There are several levels of organic for items with multiple ingredients, per the USDA guidelines, so look for specifics! There are strict guidelines for USDA Organic certification and steep fines for violations, including misrepresentation, so it’s likely that any foods labeled organic are truly organic.

100% Organic – All of the ingredients used must meet certified organic standards.

Organic – 95% of the ingredients must meet certified organic standards, the remainder must come from a USDA approved list of non-organic ingredients. The USDA Organic seal is still allowed on these products, so if 100% organic is important to you, be sure to look for that statement on the packaging!

Made With Organic Ingredients – At minimum, 70% of the ingredients must meet certified organic standards adn the remainder must meet other standards, including no GMO ingredients. These products may not bear the USDA Organic seal.

Regarding Cosmetics and Personal Care Items – The FDA does not have requirements of the term organic, and the USDA does not govern or have authority when it comes to these kinds of products when they are made of non-agricultural ingredients. If, however they are made of agricultural ingredients, the USDA Organic certification can be attained and the labeling would be the same as food products. Cosmetic and personal care products labeled as “organic” but not USDA certified may still contain chemicals hazardous to your health. Clear as mud, right?

Free Range & Cage Free – Animal products labeled this way should come from animals which are allowed to forage over an area of open land. However, these products labeled with these terms are not closely overseen and there are no certifications required by the USDA.

Grass Fed – USDA definition states that these animal products come from animals allowed to graze out of doors. This label is generally preferable to “Cage Free” as the nutritional value of grass fed animal products is superior, however there the USDA does not regulate this label in any way.

Many American consumers today are demanding more specific and honest information on product labels. What are the biggest concerns you have with regard to product labeling? Will the above information change the way that you view the products that you and your family consume?

I’m Ready, He’s Not {Baby #2}

By

aubreymoon

-

November 1, 2015

In a perfect world, I would have two children, a boy and a girl, roughly two or so years apart. They would bicker as little kids but grow up to be the best of friends and eventually their own children would be best buddies. Yes, in a perfect world everything would come together just as I had written it in my dreams and we’d all live happily ever after.

Newsflash. We don’t live in a perfect world. But that’s what makes the journey so much fun!

When it comes to getting pregnant or having children, is there such thing as perfect timing? Well, other than the obvious science that occurs when the baby is made. But I’m talking about is there a perfect time in one’s life to bring a little one into the world.

Right now I have baby fever. My friends have started to have babies, my family keeps multiplying… I want a friend for my little man. The trouble is, it takes two to tango and my husband wants to wait a little while longer. I work part time but am home with my son for 90 percent of the day everyday. My mom babysits on Mondays when I work on-site but other than that, it’s just the two of us during the day. While I enjoy the time that we spend alone together, there’s something about being able to watch him interact with other children and light up when they interact with him. I’d love to be able to give him that experience everyday with a younger brother or sister.

I’m still young, just 27, and I know I’ve got time but my thought process is: why wait? What happens if I have trouble conceiving another child? It could take months or years and suddenly that two year age gap turns to five or six. Additionally, it’s not like we live an extravagant lifestyle where we’re traveling all the time or on the town very often. We like to go out for dinner on the weekends and occasionally to a sporting event or date night, but having one more child wouldn’t necessarily hinder that ability. Then there’s always the debate over how expensive it is to raise kids, but honey, that cost isn’t going down anytime soon. We’re fairly conservative with our finances and started contributing to our son’s 529 College Fund when he was born so I’m confident we can pinch pennies other places in order to provide for another person. Lastly, and possibly most selfishly, I’m the one that will have to carry the child for 40 weeks, go through labor & delivery, and ultimately care for him/her while my husband works to provide for the family. Perhaps that’s where I struggle to understand — the stress he feels when thinking about having to provide for another person.

Maybe it’s just me being naive about having two little ones but I think we could handle it.

I can’t imagine I’m the first person to be ready for another child before their spouse. Am I?

Busy Moms Get Their Workout From Home With CrunchLive {Giveaway + Review}

By

Elizabeth Lewis

-

October 30, 2015

Working out and motherhood sometimes just don’t go hand in hand. You’ve probably found yourself wondering how you’re going to make it to the gym, pay a babysitter and make sure your baby is in good hands. As new moms or even veteran moms we’re still trying to adjust to this life altering change and just figure out our baby. But then you take a look in the mirror or try to squeeze into those pre-pregnancy jeans you love and suddenly you realize you need to do something…anything!

Before having the baby I joined a barre studio and absolutely loved it but the biggest problem I had was the 30 minute drive to get there, an hour workout and a 30 minute drive home. All of this after I worked 8 long hours. By the time I got home I was rushing to feed our three year old and start prepping for the next day. Whew, it was physically taxing! While I loved going to the studio and even more I was loving the body I was getting, I knew there was no way I could do it once the baby came. My days currently consist of struggling to find five minutes to jump in the shower with a cluster feeding newborn and a toddler that has boycotted naps. Apparently big sisters no longer require naps according to a very independent three year old!

Recently I had the opportunity to try out CrunchLive.com and I fell in love! Crunch Live is an online extension of Crunch gyms located across the country. They encourage people of all shapes and sizes to take charge of their fitness goals and participate in their fitness routines. Don’t get me wrong, I was a little skeptical at first because I have tried my fair share of workout videos and never really stuck to any of them. This was when I actually had the time and didn’t have a toddler grabbing at my leg asking for fruit snacks or needing to use the bathroom. But there was something different about these videos and the wide range of workouts they offered. I didn’t feel stuck in one routine. As I scrolled through the library of 70+ videos varying from 15 – 60 minutes I was beyond impressed with how many of them I couldn’t wait to try. From total body bootcamp and dance cardio to pilates, yoga and more. What I was even more excited was that I didn’t have to leave my home to attend a barre class. I could do it in the comfort of my own home with a toddler pulling at my leg and a baby sleeping in the swing inches away. It’s the perfect mom solution to getting your body back or maintaining what you have!

I bet I’ve left you wondering what exactly you can expect with a Crunch Live Membership?! Wonder no more!

You’ll pay $9.99 a month or $90 a year for over 75+ workout videos streamed through your computer or t.v.
They have a workout for everyone regardless of your fitness experience. The “Get Low (Impact) Cardio” video is a great workout for people who haven’t worked out in a while or postnatal moms looking to get their hot mom bodies back
Most of the videos don’t require equipment
New workouts are added monthly
Ability to save your favorite workouts
Access to the videos from your phone, laptop, desktop, Apple TV, Chromecast or Smart TV via their mobile website

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Detroit Moms Blog is partnering with Crunch Live to offer our Readers a special 30-day free trial. Visit CrunchLive.com, click Join Now, Select Free Trial and then use discount code CITYMOM30!

Celebrating Gratitude

By

Carly Goidosik

-

October 27, 2015

Each month, our corporate office chooses a word to focus on for the month. Not too surprisingly, the word for November is “Gratitude”. This time of year starts the inevitable hustle and bustle of the holidays, and the seemingly endless to-do lists. It can be all too easy to get caught up in our lists, holiday parties, baking, shopping, and yes, fun, without slowing down and being present in the moment.

To really enjoy this time of year, I’m going to really concentrate on each moment. I know looking back I won’t wish I had done more baking, sent better Christmas cards, or think about which swag I used on the fireplace. Instead, I’ll look back at the photos and remember how little J saw the tree, the lights, the parade. How his sweet body felt in my arms and how magical the holidays are for our kids.

I’m going to choose calm over stress, and gratitude most of all. Gratitude for what I have, for my family, my home, my friends, and my business. Instead of focusing on what I want (or what I want to buy or give to someone else) I will think about experiences and bringing joy to everyone I encounter. I’m going to ignore that nasty voice in my head that tells me my decorations aren’t enough, or her cookies are better than mine, or I need to work harder to find the perfect gift for my mother-in-law. Because I am enough, I have enough, and so do you.

Be kind to yourself and remember that you are amazing. No holiday is worth stress, it’s about celebration and joy. So breathe, focus on the moment, and have a wonderful rest of the year!

The Doula and the Doctor

By

emiliemaierhofer

-

October 26, 2015

Photo Credit: Sharee Liebing Photography

When I was pregnant with my daughter (my first), and making decisions about her imminent birth, I was caught between two worlds. I value the traditions of yesteryear (considered a non-medicated birth), and question whether the modern approach to things is always best. Meanwhile, I was immersed in a community of student doctors, my husband among them, studying and advocating for the betterment of humanity through modern medicine.

I decided to look into using the services of a doula for the birth of my child, but at the time, I knew little about them.

“I am using a doula to try to have a v-bac since I felt so alone and confused during my last birth” said one pregnant friend.

“Doulas are terrible, and get in the way. They are crazy and don’t respect the research and evidence that goes into being a doctor!” exclaimed one of my husband’s (female) classmates.

At the advice of a friend, I attended a ‘birth circle,’ a group of moms who advocated for all choices in regards to birth circumstances. It was clear that some really favored the ‘all natural’ approach, but even so, the women attempted to support pregnant moms and inform them of the cost and benefits (physical, mental and emotional) of each decision.

After the first meeting I went home at told my husband that I wanted a doula for our birth. Like me, he had never heard of the profession, so I did my best to explain. “At your school, you focus on health as a collaboration of mind-body-spirit. The OB/Gyn I’ll see at the hospital, and her nurses, will use their expertise to make sure that the birth is healthy and safe, while a doula will work to help me prepare my mind and spirit for this crazy thing I will be going through.”

Always the scientist, he went to uptodate.com, a medical website he and many physicians subscribe to for access to the latest research and practices as they pertain to medicines and procedures. (A version of the site is also available to for patient subscription). To his surprise, and my pleasure, doulas are not only addressed in his trusted information database, but according to most recent research, doulas not only improve a mother’s feelings about childbirth, but are statistically related to shortened duration of labor and use of pain medications.

Although in some cultures, and places in time, mothers are surrounded with the collective wisdom of others (I’m thinking The Red Tent, a novel by Anita Diamant). I didn’t feel that I was to the degree that I wanted. In order to be better informed and to have a person whose express purpose was to address my social-emotional needs, we hired Laurie, a doula.

At first I was nervous to let my guard down in case she was anti-doctor. She wasn’t. Instead, she gave us a folder with brochures and pamphlets, and finally, a contract. A week or so later, we mailed her the signed contract and set up our first meeting.

Over the next few months, Laurie came over with photocopies of helpful information, checklists, things to talk over as parents about our expectations, and eventually, birthing positions. We talked about what medical interventions commonly occur, and why. She, having the experience of her own childbirths and dozens of others in a professional setting, had answers to all of my questions, and treated them with respect, no matter how naive they were (oh, and they were).

I nervously approached my OB/Gyn about the extra person I was planning on bringing into the room. To my delight, she responded with, “oh, ok.” In fact, she had a birth coach at the birth of her own children, and had worked with Laurie several times. She too encouraged all of my medical questions and birth plan with one request: “please call them birth preferences.”

Her job, she stated, was to do, or not do what I wanted while maintaining the safety of her patients. I nervously brought forth my typed out ‘birth preferences.’ Again I was relieved. “These are almost all common practice with my births.” I was comforted to know that some of the books on ‘natural’ birthing are simply out of date. When my OB/Gyn questioned me about my choices it was to clarify, either for her knowledge, or for my education about why certain practices occur in the delivery room.

The long and short of my delivery: My water broke at 6 am (I texted Laurie) and I spend the day in the hospital. At around 7 pm, when contractions started getting serious, my husband gave Laurie a call, and she came over. Through the tough part, she encouraged my husband to give me sips of water and helped him to navigate his biggest supporting role yet, and she reminded me of my own desired when I said “I don’t want to do this anymore.”

Our daughter was born shortly after midnight and Laurie gently encouraged me as I began my journey in the (long, sometimes arduous) road of breastfeeding. A few days later she sent an email, and we kept in touch with the mothering questions I had in those first few weeks.

I can’t promise that every doula, or OB/Gyn will be as understanding as mine, but now you know one possible outcome. What I want you to take from my story is for you to be empowered to advocate for yourself and to surround yourself with those who will support a healthy and positive birthing experience.

Detroit Mom