GotchaBaby

March 31, 2014

First 5K After 40 Training: Week 1

A long time ago, I used to be in pretty good shape. Around my 30th birthday, I power walked the Indianapolis Mini-Marathon, and felt good doing it. I could walk for 8-10 miles at a time, and not feel the aftermath the next day. Flash forward ten years, and I am not in nearly the same shape. So this year, I am doing the 5k portion of the Mini Marathon this year.

Here’s the thing- 5k is not a long distance. As a matter of fact, I typically do about a 5k when I workout at the gym or walk with friends on the weekend. But what I don’t do is a 15 minute mile, not even close. My goal is to finish this 5k in about 45 minutes, which would put me back to the time I was clocking ten years ago. Never mind that it’s unlikely I’d be able to do 13 miles in a row at that pace, it’s at least a good start at getting into better shape!

With what seems to be better weather, I think a key part of my training is going to be at assorted playgrounds around the northeast side- the kids can happily play on the playground while I walk around the paths surrounding the playground.

So that’s my first fitness goal of 2014- what’s yours?

“Disclosure: McDonald’s of Central Indiana has provided benefits, including free Finish Line 500 Festival 5K registration, an Arch Card, a t-shirt and giveaway products in exchange for my participation in this campaign.”

March 25, 2014April 2, 2014

Packed Lunch Ideas for the Rest of Us

Thanks to Fruitshoot for sponsoring this post.

We have passed 100 days of school, and we’ve gotten to the point where I’m now encouraging the children to buy lunch whenever they can. We’ve highlighted all of the possible entrees on the rotating menu, but most days, I’m packing at least one lunch.

It’s getting tricky- the girl has definite things I cannot pack because they are babyish. The boy has certain things I cannot pack, because quite frankly, more lands on his shirt and all over his lunchbox instead of in his mouth.

When I do pack a “fun” lunch, with just the right amount of third grade maturity, I get big points. I also get big points when I find a drink they like to bring. Enter: Robinson’s Fruitshoot (we stick with the no sugar added varieties). Fruitshoot is a 10% juice drink that my kids love. With the 10.5 oz bottle, it’s a much better shot of hydration (why are schools such deserts?), and there’s no embarrassing preschool cartoon character on the package. Total bonus? There’s currently an Angry Birds download code on every bottle! You can learn more about Fruit Shoot and the Angry Birds promotion on Facebook.

Here’s a Kahuna Kids lunch with just a smidgen of pizzazz.

For the girl, cut outs of cheese are always a big hit, since cheese is her favorite food. Silicone baking cups in fun colors and shapes are an easy way to add a touch of fun, even when they don’t contain chocolate chips.

The boy is much simpler. Mostly, he just wants food, and if he can get a chuckle, so be it. For him, I like to make his initial out of pretzels or strips of cheese or dried fruit. It makes him very happy, and it’s oh-so-easy. The other thing that scores points with him are stickers- any old stickers will do. I try to keep a sheet near the lunch supplies so that I can jazz up packaged food every now and then.

Again, adding a cool big-kid Fruitshoot makes him very happy! To learn more about Fruitshoot, visit their Facebook page. Available in select markets, it’s a great way to help kids stay hydrated.

Disclosure: Thanks to Fruitshoot for sponsoring this post. All adventures in healthy lunch packing, and opinions are my own.

March 15, 2014March 24, 2014

Soccer for Everyone: McDonald’s Player Escort Sweepstakes and a {Giveaway}

The Kahuna kids have suddenly and whole-heartedly jumped into the world of beginning sports. They’ve tried basketball, and wrestling so far, and have plans for baseball and gymnastics soon. Soccer will come in the fall, and they are both excited to try it.

I remember wanting to play soccer somewhere around 4th or 5th grade (maybe even 6th) and talking to the school principal about it. At the time, the CYO league our school was a part of only had boys soccer. We had fun beating the boys every single day at recess, so we thought it might be fun to play on a real field with them and beat another school. I don’t remember exactly how we got to the principal’s office, but we did. And then he told us no, girls could not play on the boys soccer team.

Knowing nothing of Title IX, our cause stopped there. We went back to class, we continued to play soccer every day in the parking lot for the rest of the school year. The following year, we stopped playing games on the playground and stood in groups, you know, like (not) cool kids do.

Fast forward thirty years, and girls can play any sport they want. People don’t even blink an eye, and I like it that way.

To celebrate soccer for everyone, the McDonald’s® Player Escort program is a sweepstakes that will send over 1000 children from around the word to to FIFA 2014 World Cup in Brazil this summer.

McDonald’s® of Central Indiana will be sending a winner from our area. This young fan will receive an all expense paid trip to Rio de Janeiro, and then attend a match in one of the four cities where games will be held. The player escorts will get to walk hand-in-hand with soccer players onto the field for a game. How awesome is that?

To enter the Player Escort Program sweepstakes, visit www.mcdonegoal.com. The sweepstakes begins March 11 and runs until April 6.

To celebrate sports for everyone, and the start of SPRING (it has to be coming, right?) Enter to win a fun prize pack from McDonald’s® of Central Indiana.

{The Giveaway}:

McDonald’s® of Central Indiana has put together a prize pack that will include a water bottle, $10 Arch card, assorted coupons for participating stores, and some fun swag from IndyEleven, the newest game in town.

{To Enter}

To enter, please do the following:

1) Leave a comment telling me a sporty memory, whether it’s from playing yourself, your kids playing or being a spectator.

For additional entries, feel free to share via Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, whatever you like. For each share, please leave a comment here telling me you’ve shared (one comment per share).

A winner will be chosen on Monday, March 24, 2014 and have 24 hours to respond. If the winner doesn’t respond, a new winner will be chosen. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received a prize pack of my own for hosting this giveaway. My enthusiasm for kids’ sports is all my own.

Looking for more chances to win a Prize Pack? Go visit these local Indy Geek Girls:

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