Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

For all my pregnant mamas, new mamas, someday might be pregnant mamas, or just want to get in shape mamas, I am thrilled to share with you two amazing prenatal fitness DVD’s recently released by Erica Ziel of Knocked-Up Fitness!

Prenatal Pilates-Infused Fitness

This DVD includes a new (highly effective!) method designed to keep expecting moms active and fit though all stages of pregnancy.

Erica shows moms-to-be how to strengthen and tone key muscle groups while preparing the body for labor, delivery and recovery.

The workout fuses pilates, cardio and conditioning exercises for safe and effective prenatal workouts.

You can even mix and match the 5 different workouts to form your own routine.

Prenatal Core Pilates Workouts

In this DVD, Erica shows moms-to-be how to strengthen deep core muscles safely.

Instead of crunches, she has designed a variety of exercises to specifically target deep core muscles and help support the weight of the baby as well as prepare the body for labor, delivery and recovery.

This workout is a unique mix of core cardio, pilates, yoga and other fitness exercises.

Can’t decide which one to get? Get them both! Buy them as a set, and in addition to a price break, you can will also receive a free exercise band with purchase.

I trained with Erica last year and she is fabulous. Not only is she extremely knowledgable, but her workouts are crazy good!!

Even cuter, Erica herself was pregnant with baby # 3 during the filming of her videos.  As they say, it takes one to know one, so you can be assured that Erica knows exactly how it feels to do her workouts “with child!”

Click here to buy on Amazon.com and visit her website for more info (and a video) at www.Knocked-UpFitness.com.

Stop by Xpecting Maternity Boutique in Costa Mesa this Saturday, 1/28/12 from 10am – 12pm for a special DVD Launch Party and get 15% OFF at Xpecting (excluding strollers), meet Erica, enter fun raffles and more!

Click HERE to download the flyer on this event.

1 lucky winner will receive the combo set including both prenatal DVD’s and exercise band! To enter, please leave a separate comment for each entry option. Here are the entry options:

Simply comment! – 1 ENTRY

Facebook fans of Tiny Oranges and Knocked Up Fitness automatically get an entry, so let us know if you are – Up to 2 ENTRIES (please leave separate comment for each)

Followers of @TinyOrangesOC and @KnockedUpFit also get an entry each! Tell us if you are followers! - Up to 2 ENTRIES (please leave separate comment for each)

Subscribe to Tiny Oranges via email or RSS – 1 ENTRY

Giveaway runs through Thursday, 2/2/12 at 5pm PST. Please leave your email address in the comment field (won’t be published) so I can contact the winner when selected at random.

Good Luck!

Just reading the word yoga makes me want to take a deep inhale and exhale.  Shall we take a few deep breaths together mamas?   Ahhhhh…

Feeling more centered now?  Then let me share with you new local yoga classes for OC moms in South Orange County taught by Kelly of Peace Flow Yoga.

In the past 7 years, Kelly has lived abroad and taught yoga in Malaysia, Bali, Thailand and most recently Kauai. A trained yoga instructor and also Certified Prenatal Yoga instructor, Kelly has a class for every mom at every level.

Here is a snapshot of the types of classes she offers:

Prenatal Yoga

Nurture yourself and the life you carry inside you.  Connect with other pregnant women who share this journey with you.  Strengthen the body for childbirth and release anxiety and fears.  For all stages of pregnancy.  No previous yoga experience necessary.

Tuesday 5:30 – 6:45 pm  - Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel (must pre-register/childcare available)

Friday 10:15 – 11:30 am  – Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel (must pre-register/childcare available)

Sunday 10:30 am – 11:45 am – (Level 1/Prenatal Appropriate) Yoga Bungalow, San Juan Capistrano

Affordable Private & Semi-Private Yoga

At a park, on the beach, a yoga studio, or the comfort & convenience of your own home.  Specializing in yoga for women at every stage in life (prenatal, postnatal & beyond).  Semi-private sessions are great for new moms or a group of friends. Contact Kelly to schedule a session.  Click here for pricing.

Vinyasa Flow/Power Yoga (Regular Yoga – Not Prenatal)

Tuesday 10:45-11:45 am (Power 1) Beyond Yoga/Fitness Elite, Laguna Niguel

Wednesday 9:00 – 10:15 am (Intermediate/Vinyasa Flow) Yoga Bungalow, San Juan Capistrano

www.peaceflowyoga.com

808.634.2836 * kellybuskirk@yahoo.com

Namaste.

StressBusters Lifestyle Day Spa is having a special event this Saturday for pregnant and new moms! There will be complimentary 20 minute pre & post-natal massages, food & beverages, goodie bags, drawings for gift baskets & discounts offered on products and services.

I had a 20 minute pregnancy massage at a Milkalicous event last year and it was A-MAZING!  Nothing better to a pregnant mama than a little back rub to soothe those aching muscles.  My parents also treated my sister (who happened to be pregnant at the same time!) to an at-home StressBusters pregnancy massage when she was on bedrest at the end.  Isn’t that a great idea for a mom-to-be on bedrest who might need a little pick-me-up?

Here is the information!

Pregnancy & Post-Partum Event
Saturday, May 22nd, 2010 from 10am – 1pm
26548 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA 92653
(at the corner of Moulton & La Paz, next to Chuck E. Cheese’s)
949.831.1988

For more information, contact Jen at jhood@stressbustersspa.com.

Green 4 Your Soul, a one-stop-shop for all your green essentials,  recently debuted a fabulous new line for mom and baby called Noli N Nali Organics.  I have slowly started to make the green transition for products for my kids, and Green 4 Your Soul is my favorite website because it is so easy to use.

Coupon code alert!  Use Green 4 Your Soul coupon code “ORANGES” upon checkout and receive 15% off your order (offer good now through 1/1/2010 – time to stock up on holiday gifts!)

You can  read and write reviews on the site which is such a great feature for me as I love reading reviews when buying products.   However, last Friday I wrote a review for a lotion of theirs I am crazy about, the Shea Terra Moroccan Mint Vanilla (LOOOOVVVVEEE the scent!), and since I was 2 days away from turning 35, I had to select the 35 – 44 age range.  It hit me that within one weekend I was entering a whole new age bracket!  Oh well, if this weekend was a sign of the year to come, 35 is going to shape up to be a good one.

I digress, on to the baby products!  The Noli n Nali Willow Baby Shampoo and Ella Bella Body Wash are fabulous –  I like that the scent is very subtle and clean (in more ways than one!)  And since I am convinced that little birds fly into my 3 year old’s room at night and build a nest in the back of her hair, the Willow Detangler is absolutely AWESOME.  It is a leave-in conditioner that makes her hair easier to comb and keeps it soft (therefore less nest-friendly – so stay away birdies!)

As a breastfeeding mom, I also use their Bosom Blossom Nipple Salve, which is fantastic.  It always weirded me out to think about my baby ingesting the nipple cream since I had to use so much during those painful early days.  It just brings me peace of mind to know it is completely chemical and paraben free.   Thankfully those painful early days are over, but I actually use it now when I pump.   I learned through my consultations with lactation consultants that you should never pump without lubricating the poor nipples.  They go through enough with that udder machine as it is!

So if you are in the market for anything green, definitely check out Green 4 Your Soul, because in this case, it IS easy being green!

I recently had an invigorating post-pregnancy wake up call at ABC Pilates for my muscles.  They had been sleeping for um, the past year, and Amy Cady, owner and instructor extraordinaire, poured them one strong pot of coffee.  Figuratively of course!    WOW.   I felt muscles I forgot I had! And although it made walking slightly painful the next day, I have to say it felt really good!  It had been one long year.

If you are a first-timer to Pilates or an old (and by old I mean “experienced”) pro, ABC Pilates has something for everyone.   Located conveniently right off the 5 freeway in Laguna Niguel, this serene, zen-like studio is the type of place you walk in and feel like you can exhale and leave your crazy day at the door.    I forgot what it was like to take one whole hour to focus on myself.   That in itself is priceless.

Specializing in pre and post natal fitness, they are accustomed to working with woman in all stages of pregnancy and postpartum.   Amy, a mommy of two herself, has worked for the past 4 years to develop a series of exercises specifically designed for the pre and post-natal woman.

She wanted to know about my pregnancy and delivery and was incredibly knowledgeable.   One thing I learned:  when we carry those precious little babies in our belly, it causes the muscles to completely split in our abdomen,  called “diastisis recti,” or separation of the abdominis muscle.    When she pointed this out, I could actually see the divide in my tummy.   They are there to help bridge the divide and bring those muscles back together, one exercise at a time.

During our workout she had great ways to explain how to properly do the exercise in a way I could visualize.  She also had great tips on things to do at home and important tips on posture.   I had been walking around with that post pregnancy slump.  You know the one? Shoulders hunched, hips sort of swayed forward, and the belly hanging out in a “not so pretty” sort of way.   Since working out with her, she has made me think about my posture  every day since.

We did some floor exercises and then moved on to the  ”exo chair” with me.  It was pretty amazing.  It combines upper and lower body exercises.  Talk about “feeling the burn!”  That little chair was one powerful piece of equipment!        

They offer a great schedule of private and group classes.   If you are in any stage of pregnancy or beyond, or just looking for a great way to get in shape, I can’t more highly recommend ABC Pilates!

Special Tiny Oranges Offers!

* Mention Tiny Oranges and receive 3 private sessions for only $125 (normally $210!)

* Sign up for a privates package or 5-or-10-class group packages and get 10% off the package price

Hooray! It’s a Tiny Giveaway!

Email me at giveaways@tinyoranges.com and tell me:   Where did Amy get her certified training?  Hint: CLICK HERE to find out!  10 lucky winners will receive a FREE private session with one of their fabulous instructors.    I learned so much from doing a one-on-one workout, I guarantee you will too!

You can email all week, just have them in by next Friday, 11/20/09 at 3pm PST.

Happy Friday everyone!  Have a fabulous weekend!