International Women's Day!

I went to French school all my life, one of my favorite words in french is a Souffragette! I won't go into a huge historical diatribe because you can find plenty of that online already, what you will learn about here is what I like to call:

The New Feminist!

What is the new feminist you might be asking over in front of you computer screen, well the truth is she a lot like ME! The new Feminist is a lot like the Souffragettes, with their passion for equality and voices being heard, but not the same as those who burnt their bras decades ago. I understand those ladies who marched and burn their bras and shun the establishments and how they fostered a newness to the new feminist that gives us a larger ability to attain the rights that those first feminists wanted.



Let me describe you the NEW feminist... she is most likely married or looking to get married. Honestly she might not want to ever get married, but she is looking to be in a committed relationship because that is what SHE wants, she doesn't want it for her parents sake, she isn't doing it to drive up her value at work and really doesn't care what those around her think, she will be married, young, old, living in with someone or living alone and sharing her space with someone who comes over to sleep. But she wants something and she's going for it!

These particularly married or not Feminists are actually bearing children and loving every moment of the idea... why because they don't sit under the bubble of what a mother does from the point of view of others, a huge shift of staying home feminists, because they don't want bigger homes, or more cars, they breastfeed, pump or bottle feed. They parent educationally, they work if it's their passion, they play because they are released of the pressures of judgements of others because they don't actually CARE about being pigeon-holed in a criteria.

These Feminists have passion... no seriously! They are driven, they work hard, they hire help when they know it's in no one's best interest for them to be in charge of this task. They read newspapers, recipe books, HTML codes, blogs and Ikea manuals... most of all they share and are social, they like it, they need it and most of all they enjoy it. They go out for drinks while the other parent is watching the child, they leave laundry baskets to be folded on the living room floor to go to the gym, because they understand that they are a priority in the grand scheme of things. They really understand the basis of SHARE in a working relationship.



Best of all... sit down, this might make you want to be one of these FEMINISTS... they are HAPPY! I don't lie, they love taking their own life into their own hands, they thrive of being in charge of their schedule, they like to pick the work they do, the activities they participate in and all in all their primary focus is being Happy because they know that being happy is the only way to offer their best self to everyone around them; because that's what they want out of life.

So today, on International Women's Day, I encourage you to look at the women in your life and see those lovely NEW Feminist and smile at them, gifts aren't mandatory... but smile at them, because it's better than praise and WE somehow know how to store those smiles for our own needs when we need a fix.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!!

March Forward!

March is a peculiar month... it's said that March is the month where Winter fights off Spring!

I feel this to be so true for us all... Spring brings on newness, change, birth and blossoming! So March is the internal tug and pull of growth and letting the new win into your life. I like this concept because I believe that yearly we are in a mode of newness, that we regenerate and bring on new projects, new vacations and well something new to learn.

On the blog and in my own life I feel that this newness has been fighting it's way into the new mold... and while part of the subconscious is fighting it off, the conscious part of me is excited that it wins and I keep doing new things that I am passionate about. The blog has great new things looking forward.

Ohhh and I am starting a new workout regimen for myself... I am guessing you've heard about P90X, my little cousin has been touting how great and fantastic it is, never was really interested, but I was getting lackadaisical and needed to get back to the grind of working out and being healthy. And with the idea of the pinks, and the creams, the warmth of sandal wearing, light fabrics all I can think is bring on Spring, I am bringing on the best me!

How will you be celebrating March, and yes I mean celebrating... life is short, this month doesn't go out without a fight, let's celebrate it, how will you be doing that?

Cheers!~

Social Mom Monthly

Meet Vicky, she's the first Mom chosen for the Social Mom Monthly highlight. We started with a Toronto mommy, she is in my hometown and I am big believer that Toronto is a really social city. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Vicky myself but we've become twitter buddies and I am always in awe of how busy and bustling she is and how she's mastered the art of the juggle. You can always tell by how active she is on her twitter handle @momwhoruns... follow her she's great!

1. Tell me about yourself! -- A daughter who is 11 and a son who is 15 year old. I am a food sales rep and I love my job. It allows me to still get the job done while having the flexibility to drop off lunch at school when they forget it in the car!!--- she also has a great little blog at Mom Who Runs
2. How do you like to stay social? What sources of social networks do you use to stay connected? --I am very social... tweet-ups, events (interior design show, beer festival, etc.) meeting friends for coffee (this is critical). LOL
3. Does your social life ever interfere with your family life and how do you make it balance? --sometimes my daughter says "I wish you didn't have to go to so many events". I took her to an event once so that she would have an understanding of what they are like. She had a blast!!
4. Do you have separate social events for work and life? --Absolutely. I couldn't see myself going out three nights in a row to events.
5. I know you excercise... but do you find excercising a social regimen? Do you find it adds or distracts from your social calendar? --I love to excercise. It's a must!!( kinda like having a coffee.) It feels good to excercise... mentally and physically.
6. What was the most favorite thing you spent money on recently? --This year I spent $$ on a MacBook, an Ipad and a Canon DLSR. I am loving all three purchase... way more than a Michael Kors handbag. My fave purchase would have to be the Ipad; it's just such a cool toy.
7. Do you have a social calendar in your house, something where all your weekly or monthly events are up for display? How do you use it? --We have a calendar in the kitchen to track appointments and my husbands travel schedule as well as invitations for dinners/parties etc.
8. Do you use social media? What is your biggest personal benefit you get from it? --I'm loving Twitter. It has expanded my network in a huge way.
9. When you do go out what is your primary choice of enjoyment, what kind of events do you prefer to attend? --I mostly go to tweet-ups at a restaurant that I have not been to or to an event. I recently went to a Molecular Gastronomy event!
10. If you can tell a Mom about the benefits of having a social life, what would you say to them? --Its good for you. Simple as that. It's nice to know that you are a mom... but that there is a world outside of "mommyhood".

It was really great to have Vicky be the first of the Mommy's to share. Next socially mommy resides in California... stay tuned!!!

Cheers!~~

Meet a mommy!

I recently had an A-HA! moment, I was very excited about this idea... couldn't wait to get started on the project!

I like to believe myself to be a really social mom... to much of the chagrin of some people around me, I don't believe you are a healthy human or person if you can't begin to imagine yourself balancing both work, kids and a social life! The social aspect of my life had lost it's place in my life for a very long time, it probably was a reason I wasn't feeling as happy or content with myself.

But the best part is I started to notice the happy women who were moms were balancing, they were active in a community project, they were aware of the things that bring interest to them and they were perfecting balance and passion all at the same time.

So as of tomorrow... prepare to read about some great Moms living across the Continent and how the enjoy balancing being a mom and a social creature all at the same time.

If you know any great Moms, Mums or Mommies who fit and should be encouraged to show off how they greatly balance send them my way! Enjoy the read, the moms I have planned are great you'll all really enjoy!

Happy Valentine`s Day!

Hope you guys had a great Valentine`s Day! I had a coffee with a girlfriend at noon, while my little women were with their Yiayia, then some midday date with the husband with a movie and everything.

Followed by some great dinner meet-up with the whole family, my parents in tow, the girls all feasted on some Lasagna and chicken soup (hey Valentine`s Day happens during cold and flu season)... then topped off with a coffee date for all with the lovelies that are my girlfriends Mel & Kim!

Smiling... so hope yours was as wonderful!

In the meantime.... I am really enjoying my Pomegranate Mint Pur gum! I am not a gum girl... actually I can never chose a gum because well... I hate that overly hot flavor in my mouth and as a mom I don`t want something hanging out in my purse that my toddlers might get their hands on, so when I found out about this organic gum without aspartame made me pretty darn excited! You really should try it! :)

Twitter and the Social Mommy!

You can see from the side bar on my blog that I am an active twitter user, if you see a post now, and return to this blog in a few hours I can guarantee the posts you see will not be there when you come back.

Do I love my twitter??? That would be an understatement I couldn't begin to describe like a mature women! I love my twitter for so many reasons I couldn't describe in one blog post. But one of my most favorite parts to twitter is the social aspect it provides for well just anyone.

I have a new mommy friend from Twitter, her loveliness is Shweta. She found me one day on twitter messaged me and the rest is history. (ohhh and if you chose to go on twitter after reading this post, engage me because there is not one person on twitter that I won't talk to) But a while back Shweta said to me, you want to come with me to this Share Social event being held at a local Loblaws sponsored by PC Financial/Mastercard. I had met Kathy Buckworth at a Women's Post before and felt slightly excited and nerdy fan-like at the fact that I would be hearing her speak again.


And then the talk started... what can I say? You put a group of socially interactive women in one room, a majority of them mommies and the gab fest begins! It was really a great activity listening and sharing my personal story about what Twitter has provided to our social lives and interaction as a whole. My most favorite part (ok so I might be a silly fan, but mom's who know how to balance, is where I get most giddy about) was meeting the lovely Catherine Connors from Her Bad Mother; I have been a fan of hers when I read her awe inspiring post about Africa.


There really is something truly fantastic when you put together some great moms into one room, so extremely social media conscious folk who really are there to grow as individuals as well as learn from each other. I couldn't begin to tout the experience enough and all I can say is stay tuned as they might come to your town.


*side note the gift bag is actually pretty sweet!!*

Sick is the man who complains....

Or the child that won't stop puking!!!

I am soooo withdrawn and tired! It started on Saturday and today it eclipsed itself with a sick and not so happy husband.... on the contrary a futile and absolutely abysmally unhappy one.

So everyone in the house is napping, sleeping, coughing, puking, lethargic and blah to say the least. Hopefully this will pass soon and we can be on our way!

Green Eye Monster of Jealousy! Friendship revised...

So I was part of a conversation that well made me think... I have had these conversations before and listened intently to others saying how they see my relationship and lackadaisical way when it comes to protect my relationship!

Let's discuss... I have no jealous bone in my body! No literally--- ask around! I don't know how to be jealous; that being said I unfortunately (at least this is the definition my friends would take) don't get remotely possessive of my husband, and expect the same mutual respect of my husband.

What does that mean? I am allowed to have MALE friends... he is encouraged to be friends with girls. More so my husband wouldn't go and seek out a friendship from a strange female, but our mutual friends are well mutual. If a girlfriend came over and I wasn't here, I would assume she would stay grab a chair, play with the girls and have a coffee with him. Would I automatically be worried, concerned, fearful or jealous??? ---- Ummm NO! That almost seems odd, why would I believe my husband would every be disloyal to me, would my friend put the moves on my husband, are these not suppose to be people who love and cherish me.

What I honestly believe, is if you have a glimmer of doubt a thought of this possibly occurring than you don't really trust one or both people in the situation.

Why I might go mental if my husband was jealous... I am human but not mean or sneaky to a fault. Do I find men attractive, of course I do; I am married not dead! Men don't all look the same, no one person is utter perfection and I am not in-love with my husband because of his looks, it's far more than that and will always be more that! But will my husband ever get jealous of my uber social ways with the opposite sex, no!! I believe he knows I am not that stupid, remotely retardedly in-love with the man that is in my life to be knocking on the door of moral stupidity.

But what bothers me more than some or many of my friends calling our relationship a mystery in non-jealousy... is that they wouldn't engage in a social friendly meeting/hangout with either of us. Why? Because I would trust my husband to hang out with them, why would they not trust me with their husbands or boyfriends. I have NO interest in him WHATSOEVER! Why would going out for coffee, lunch or dinner with my friend who might just happen to be the opposite sex be so touchy of an issue. We are Friends! Friends... when did the word friend get lost in reality that people are scared of their actual friends.

Perhaps I believe in the sanctity of Friendship! That our friends may they be male or female are a person to have a great conversation with, to share great stories and not expect anything more than that!

So get me or not... I am not asking you to think like me, but I definitely think my belief sense is all that makes sense to me. If I was your friend, would you trust me enough to have lunch with your significant other???

No Pain, No Gain!

Hi my Name is Angie and I am a Lactic Acid sufferer!

I hurt.... like really hurt! I went to the gym yesterday. Not in a New Year resolution kind of way, but a life time reality... working out is not a resolution, goal, seasonal behaviour but something I need to do on a constant life activity that I will strive to continue on a weekly/daily basis!

I went to my muscle conditioning class taught by my favorite new instructor Robin! Why do I love this girl.... she makes our bodies do things they have never done before... and you know this to be true since I can barely move or walk today!

What was so great about this class, and things you might try and incorporate in your workout because the pain that hurts so much makes you feel so good because you know you worked your ass off like a MOFO, and you are proud like a turd when you can barely crawl down the stairs, the idea of picking up something off the floor is a triumph and a half.... but the pain is making me smile!

So what did we do---

1. For about 10 minutes we did squat reps with weights in hand.
2. Then we followed those with side lunges, with curls and shoulder presses combined.
3. Now Salsa it with your weights in hand, do 4 steps and side squats, repeat
4. Pick up your step and well do lat lifts, followed by wide shoulder raises
5. Now put it down and start the Ballet boot camp (both sides)
6. Now place your step in decline head on the bottom...
7. Do every possible arm, chest, shoulder weight move possible, we even rowed in decline
8. Now put the weights down, crunch time! Make those ribs meet your hips still in decline ok?
9. Now get on the mat beside you, more arm workouts... yeah I said more.
10. Roll over, side plank, roll over, raised plank, now standard plank, push ups
11. Ohhhh you thought we were finished.... hahaha!!! More crunches, lift the right leg crunch and meet your knee...
12. Now take your weights again and time to do Chest fly while doing bicycle with your legs
13. Did you make sure you did the side plank on both sides
14. Now stretch every possible muscle in your body because this will be the last time it feels nice for the next few days!

Now I might have missed something, I am NOT the trainer here, so don't do these at home if you don't workout on a regular, I take no responsibility if you get hurt or if you do it and also can't MOVE for days after.... I have more than ENOUGH forewarned you about the pain I am enduring!

But the benefit will pay off... the mini skirts are in my future again and I am sooooo excited---- yes there are a million O's in that because the pain, while painful is so exhilarating because it means I am giving over 110% when I am in the gym, I don't half ass it, I don't do anything without all of my energy.

So if you are out there, in a rut not sure if it's too late in the year, tomorrow is too late... today is a perfect time to do it! So go out there, and well get hurt a little!

Cheers!~

all pictures were borrowed from www.weheartit.com

Pretty Little Face!

So I am vain... kill me!

Hard to call myself vain, you won`t catch me with my hair blown out on a daily basis, not wearing the most expensive duds or a full face of make-up... but when people tell me my skin is flawless; I know it is! Has been for as long as I have had it and I don`t try and mess around with a good thing!

I actually hate talking about my skin because it makes me feel guilty about not dealing with trivial experiences that are teen acne or adult acne. But my skin aged beyond it`s years after having my second daughter... now when you meet me you will guess my age or maybe if I am lucky a year or 2 younger; but just 2 years ago I was still getting 6-7 years younger! I reveled in it!

So when I heard about this organic facial that is fast and wonderful... I couldn't miss out on the opportunity! Months planned in advance I had anticipated getting this facial... some fine lines appearing I needed to get them in check fast. So I walked in and was greeted by @blushpretty from Fresh Beauty, how great was this location right in the health conscious Carrot Common on the Danforth, I was told my facial wouldn't take long at all due to my great skin (personal score and ego boost at that), a very wonderfully organic exfoliator was used on my skin, followed by a really cool organic crystal microdermabrasion which does not feel odd what so ever, even though you are preempted, having kids and a tattoo this felt like nothing at all. It was followed by this really cool technique that was called Cold Laser... follow along here I am a fan of this little technique!! My skin glowed from the blood rushed to the pores... it was so great how fantastic my skin looked for days after. My pores minimized and well even my husband said I looked younger lately.

So if you get a chance to head down to Fresh Beauty tell them Angie sent you, it really is a fun and fast experience... and it leaves you with glowing skin. Now to send Mike for some pampering because well he deserves a little bit of pampering!

Cheers!