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A Horse is a Horse... of Course! |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Updated: Sunday, April 11, 2010
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"It’s
incredible to see the change in kids when they know they and their horse are
working as a team. When they understand that they are responsible for another
living being, be that the horse beneath their saddle, kids show some remarkable
growth.” -Rae Anne Bartz, Horsemanship Teacher
How’s this
for a great way to spend a Spring day with the family? The Pennsylvania
Equestrian Horse Farms Open House is a free,
self-guided tour of sixteen amazing professional horse farms that are not typically open to the public.
On Saturday,
April 24th from 10 am to 4 pm and Sunday, April 25th from
11 am to 4 pm, sixteen professional horse farms in Adams, Berks, Bucks,
Chester, Lancaster, Lehigh, Perry, Schuylkill and York Counties will be open to
visitors.
Participating
farms will open their barn doors to the public and offer activities such as
demonstrations, pony rides, sample riding lessons and horses for sale.
The event is a way for families to enjoy
a highly affordable spring day in the country, and learn
about Pennsylvania's huge horse industry.
For
a list of participating farms in your area, go to: http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/horsefarms_OpenHouse.htm
Tags:
Adams
Berks
Bucks
Chester
Horse Farms
Lancaster
Lehigh
Pennsylvania Equestrian
Perry
Schuylkill
York
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The Dreaded Season |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Friday, March 19, 2010
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It’s here, folks. 2010 tax season. Let’s face it. This tax season may differ from previous ones
for many due to the lousy economy. However for me, it’s
the organization part that has me worried. This year’s finances are just a big pile of disorganized
papers sitting in the corner.
I just read a piece called, "Making the Most of Your Tax Refund Dollars,” by
Sheila Jacobs the CEO of Life & Money Consulting of Lahaska,
PA. She stated that "If you’re about to
deliver a disorganized box of overwhelming papers to your accountant, now is
the time to create a personal finance filing system. De-clutter and organize your personal finance
information so you’ll be organized this year and next. Getting organized can also help you save tax
preparation costs. You can’t expect a
tax preparer to clean up your clutter for free.”
It’s time to turn my disorganized
box of overwhelming papers into a personal finance filing system. As Laurie Palau of Simply B Organized says, implementing change is never easy but once
we make a commitment we will spend less time living in survival mode.
"A place for everything,
and everything in it’s place.” – Isabella Mary Beeton
http://lifemoneyconsult.com/
http://www.simplyborganized.com
Tags:
Lahaska
moms
Sheila Jacobs
tax season
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Parents as Coaches |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Sunday, March 14, 2010
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"I need a drink. I
have needed a drink since 9:30 this morning.
In fact, make it a double.”
Last week this is how I started my Sunday post. (http://bit.ly/bNiGhl) I was writing about my son’s soccer game and
how sometimes it’s really hard for me to watch as a parent. This week I am going to write about it again. This week, I am mad. Moms, tell me what you think of this.
Picture a league for five and six year old kids. There are no tryouts, all children are
welcome. The kids at this age vary
widely in both size and skill-level.
After all, we are talking about kids in Kindergarten and First
Grade. Sometimes a
child kicks but misses the ball and ends up on his rear end. Other times they surprise you and pass down
the field to a teammate. Whenever the
ball is up in the air they all inadvertently raise their hands. They are just starting to grasp where to stay
on offense and defense and how to work together.
I think you get the picture.
Today’s game was my first real experience playing against
one of those parent-coaches you see on TV.
I am talking about the type of coaches who bench their own kids and play
the best players for the entire game. This type of coaching is expected in High School and College but is not exactly kosher in peewee soccer.
In the first half they stopped keeping score because the
game was so one-sided. When our team finally
scored a couple of goals (but were still down plenty) he
actually asked to have his team’s goals that had not been counted put back on the
scoreboard.
These are the type of
parent-coaches that give coaches a bad name.
Yet even though the rational woman in me knew that, I found the mother and competitor in me getting more sucked into this nonsense by the minute.
I hate to admit it but the next time I hear about one of those stories on the news
where two parents or coaches at their kids little league game got into a heated
argument or worse, a small piece of me is going to understand the frustration
which may have led the argument to begin in the first place.
Our team played well in the second half but still lost the
game. All of us were proud of the
boys for hanging in there and continuing to work as hard as they could. They were proud too!
Although I wanted to clock those coaches in the nose, I
have to thank them for reminding me what is really important - the kids. The coach who can leave his (or her) own ego at the
door is the one who will teach my child from this day forward.
Just Let Them Play: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_36OpchdG6w
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Oh, No. Spring is Coming! |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Monday, March 08, 2010
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Anyone out there, like myself, realizing that Spring is
coming and it’s time to get back in shape?
A while ago I read "The Lifestyle Fitness Program” By Debi
Silber, who is known as The Mojo Coach.
I have actually spoken with Debi on many occasions about her passion for
helping moms. Her enthusiasm combined
with her realistic views regarding the lifestyles of moms is what makes her so
good at helping women to get their mojo back.
Debi has four kids. She used to
take walks with all four of them, two in a double-jogging stroller, one in a
papoose and one in a backpack hiking carrier. Talk about a killer workout!
As Debi says, one of the most important reasons for moms to
get themselves feeling, looking and living their best is for the sake of our
kids. The first suggestion she gives
moms (who handle the vast majority of food tasks) is to set a good example. There is no better way to get the message
across to our kids. She’s right, of course, but do I really need
any more guilt? Darn sake of the kids…
Debi also says that kids should be included in some of the shopping and food
preparation details because when they are included they are more likely to understand
its importance. Maybe
they can run to the supermarket and prepare dinner while I work out?
Recently, Susie Beiler, a
Holistic Health Counselor and Occupational Therapist in Doylestown published her
top tips for creating a healthy lifestyle for the family. She also says that we should lead by example
and take responsibility for our own health.
"Your actions send a very loud message to the rest of your family. Believe in the power of the ripple effect!” (I
wonder if she means fudge ripple ice cream?)
So now the Spring is coming and
it’s time for me to get my mojo back and to lead by example. Ugh. Why can’t a good example mean sitting on the
sofa and eating chocolate? Darn guilt.
I will report back when I find my
mojo. If anyone knows where it went,
please email me at Jessica@bucksmontmom.com.
http://www.spectrumhealthconsulting.com
http://www.themojocoach.com
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Think Green This Spring! |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Friday, March 05, 2010
Updated: Friday, March 05, 2010
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If you are trying to find more ways for your family to practice
natural and holistic methods and to go green, there are several events coming
up. At each of these events you can
learn about the ways that each of our small changes can make a big impact on our families and on the planet.
The Greening Your Community Expo
organized by Green Changes and presented by Boho magazine, will take place on
Saturday, March 13th at Citibank, Valley Square in Warrington from 11:30
am to 2:30 pm. You and your family can spend a
fashionable and educational afternoon meeting and greeting with eco entrepreneurs
in our community and learn all about how to live your greenest life now!
For more information, go to: www.GreenChanges.org or send an email to
Justine@GreenChanges.org.
The 6th
Annual Holistic Living Expo will take place on Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 am
to 5:00 pm at the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (2740 Old York Road,
Jamison). This event is a
showcase of regional holistic practitioners, services and products dedicated to
renewable living. Among the guest
speakers are Lynne
Doyle, Host & Executive Producer of, "It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle.” The entrance fee is $5.
For more
information, visit www.holisticlivingexpo.org or send an email to info@holisticlivingexpo.org.
The Go Green Expo will
be open to the public on Saturday, April 17th from 10:00 am to 6:00
pm and on Sunday, April 18th from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Greater
Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Avenue, Oaks). The
expo is for anyone and everyone who is interested in learning about
environmentally friendly goods and services for use in our everyday living.
The ticket
prices are as follows: Saturday & Sunday are $10 for a full weekend pass; $5
for Students and Seniors (with ID); Children 12 and under are Free.
For more information, go to www.phillyexpocenter.com or www.gogreenexpo.com.
Let’s protect our planet. After all, Moms, it’s the only one with chocolate.
Tags:
Green Changes
Greening Your Community
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A Bad Case of Mom-Anxiety |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 28, 2010
|
I need a drink. I
have needed a drink since 10:30 this morning.
In fact, make it a double.
When I was a kid my mom was the embarrassing one who ran up
and down the sidelines of my soccer game screaming frantically. You know the type I am talking about. She is the one who is clearly a nervous wreck
so she screams; I mean cheers, really loudly.
REALLY loudly. She is the one you
can hear over all of the other mothers in the crowd. That was my mom. And now, I am ashamed to admit, that is me.
As a kid I did gymnastics too. Each session I would pretend to forget that
it was "Parents Day” so my mom would not come and embarrass me. And now, I fear that just might end up being
my kid who pretends to forget.
Luckily so far he does not seem bothered by my nerves…
yet. Give him time.
I honestly cannot help it. When he’s on that soccer field I am a ball of
nerves. I want him to play well and I
want his team to win because I don’t want him to be disappointed or worse, to
feel like it was his fault. He is not
the kid who can lose a game and just go on with his day. Nope.
He’s the kid who stews about it for many hours afterward. It’s a wonder where his competitive nature
comes from. I mean, really.
When he volunteers to play goalie I literally pace back and
forth and sometimes I even have to leave the gym. (For crying out loud, he’s the smallest one
out there. He has no business playing
goalie!)
What is wrong with me?
Am I the only one who feels this way?
Please, Ladies, tell me it isn’t so.
Tell me that I am not the only insane mom out there. Please?
Tags:
Soccer
Soccer Mom
Soccer Moms
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Love Belongs There |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 28, 2010
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I am so proud at this moment to be a Penn State Alumni! I am watching the live feed of the last few moments of THON 2010 from the Bryce Jordan Center. It's the last line dance, then the total. I have such chills.
THON is the most special moment. I danced 18 years ago. 18 years and it is still one of my proudest moments. Then I had such a different perspective on the kids with cancer than I do now as a Mom. Now I am watching the parents of the children just as much as the kids. My heart goes out to them.
Congrats to all the dancers, organizers, contributors and everyone else who had a place in making this weekend an enormous success.
There are almost 9,000 viewers online watching the live stream with me, some of whom have checked in from as far as Europe. Together we will watch the total in just a moment. The chills are the same now as they were 18 years ago. Thank you, PSU!
Tags:
Dance Marathon
Love Belongs Here
Penn State
THON
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New Hope Fitness |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 28, 2010
|
Yesterday I went
to New Hope Fitness in… well, New Hope. Union
Square Drive to be exact.
What a great
place. It is owned and run by Dan and
Katie Kramli. It’s a low-key, no
pretenses gym with Pilates, Spin and a renowned morning Cross-Training
class.
Here are a
few more reasons to like New Hope Fitness.
First, it is mom-friendly. As a
mom of two, Katie opened a childcare room, called The Hang Out, for children to play in while their
parents exercise. It is not one of those
super-sized gyms so you don’t have to feel as though your children are on the
other side of town. Since New Hope
Fitness is for people who are serious about their workouts, there’s not a long
social-hour going on in-between sets. You
can get in, work out and get on with your day.
There are Dance and Karate classes available at New Hope Fitness
too. Moms can even take advantage of the childcare for younger siblings while the older one is in class and you are
working out.
Even better,
you don’t have to sign your life away to work out. You can pay per day or per class if you don’t
have the flexibility to get to the gym as often as you might like. So that renowned Cross-Training class I
mentioned? You can pay a few bucks just
to attend that class and get a monster of a workout.
Ok, so now it’s
time to tell you the other reason why I really enjoyed visiting New Hope
Fitness. Not long ago Dan Kramli was
approached by gym member Terry
Bissonette about the Bucks County Special Olympics Powerlifting Team he
welcomed them to train in his gym at no charge. Terry is the coach of the team and they were no longer able to train at their
previous location. Together the owners,
and members, of New Hope Fitness have been inspired by the team’s positive
attitude and sense of determination.
Even more special is that Dan and Katie were hesitant to even mention it
to me when we talked. They clearly did
not open up their gym for recognition. They did it for the same reason why they run their gym – to see people
make a commitment to them-selves and to see those people follow through on
those commitments.
Next time I go maybe I will actually work out…
By the way, if you are interested in making a donation to
the Bucks County Special Olympics Powerlifting Team, contact Dan or Katie Kramli
at Kramli@NewHopeFitness.com.
Tags:
Bucks County
Cross-Training
New Hope
New Hope Fitness
Pilates
Special Olympics
Union Square
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Calling All Meditating Moms |
Posted By Jessica Cohen,
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Updated: Sunday, February 28, 2010
|
This is my
first blog on MomSpace and I want it to be fabulous. After all, I have a lot to say… really I do. It’s just that I have a brain-clog at the
moment and cannot unravel my thoughts. I
am sort of nervous about what will happen once I can spew it all out but for now it’s all jumbled up in there.
Of course, that has me worried.
Is it sleep-deprivation? Is it stress?
Is it the wine I had last night? Why
is it that our intelligent thoughts seem to be fewer and further between once
we have children? How come my friends
didn’t warn me about that? Or did they?
Since I’m new
here you should know that I am quite capable of having an intellectual thought
or two (if I do say so myself). I have a
career, read for leisure and work, speak publicly and … Darn it. I know there was something else.
A friend recently
told me that she started to meditate after having children so she could clear
out the chatter and concentrate on her own thoughts. Bingo.
That very day I tried to meditate but the only thought I had was about
what to have for dinner, which is not exactly what I was trying to
accomplish. I tried again a few days
later but I just felt a bit silly.
Today I went
to how-to-meditate.org. (Don’t tell my
husband. He thought I was working.) On the site I learned that "By
training in meditation, we create an inner space and clarity that enables us to
control our mind.” That sounds awesome. I am going to try it again tomorrow.
So I ask you,
Moms, do you meditate? If not, what do
you do to maintain your intellectual capacity when half your day is spent
answering questions such as, "Are we there yet?”
I would love
to hear about it. Just be warned, if I
can de-clog this brain of mine you might be in for a long ride.
Tags:
meditate
meditating
moms who meditate
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