For anyone considering breastfeeding, chances are you’ve heard some variation of, “for something so natural, breastfeeding is not easy.” I’m here to report that this statement is true. But if I’m honest, the same could be said of parenthood in general. Being a mom is simultaneously the most amazing and amazingly difficult experience I’ve ever had. In fact, I think there are several lessons I’ve learned from breastfeeding that translate to parenthood as a whole.

Summer vacation. I have a love/hate relationship with it. For my children, summer vacation symbolizes freedom, fun and testing my patience. Without the structure of a school day routine, it can be easy for children to fall into bad habits, such as watching too much TV, playing countless hours of video games and reaching for those infamous sugary snacks. While children might enjoy this freedom, spending too much time engaging in sedentary activities like these can quickly lead to unhealthy lifestyles. To prevent this unhealthy lifestyle here are a few tips on how I keep my children healthy over summer vacation and save my sanity at the same time!

Moms everywhere tend to put themselves on the bottom of the priority list. Well, it’s time that mom puts herself on the top rung of that ladder. What we won’t do for ourselves we will do for our children. Do you want them to know how to embrace health and wellness? Well, then you need to be the role model mom.  Let's talk about how we can fit fitness, healthy eating and stress management in so we can practice OptiMOM health!

The holidays can be a tough time practice good health and stay on a budget while enjoying holiday celebrations. 

Celebrate the season by practicing healthy eating and physical activity to feel your best, and to create life-long habits.

The calendar is filling and it is only December 1.

My mom died on Oct. 30, 2008. 

I was 19, on the cusp of 20. Just old enough to have a touch of adulthood figured out. Just young enough to have no idea what the hell I was doing yet.

In July of 2013, my husband Joshua and I heard the words “You have Cancer.” We had been married less than a year.  I don’t remember much after that. Everything was a blur. I just knew in my heart that our lives would never be the same again...

Wednesday, October 14th is Walk to School Day! (We hear the groans already.) You might say… Why do I have to walk to school? Why should I walk or ride with my child to school? And we say… Because it’s fun, it’s healthy, and it’s good for the environment.

What’s so fun about walking or riding to school? Are you kidding me?

We want to hear from you. What factors contribute to a healthy community? What can we do better? 

It’s free, unlimited and is known as the great outdoors! That is the best place to play together! We are so lucky to live in a place where there are so many options for play

I climbed Mt. Garfield for the first time seven years ago, on my 41st birthday. My children were younger then, and I knew it would be challenging. But as we got it accomplished, I remember telling my family that I wanted to do this same hike every year on my birthday.

Parenting is full of good stuff, but the moment passes quickly. 

Find your way to hang onto it.