Thursday, December 6, 2012

Coca-Cola Balanced Living Workshop


I was compensated for my participation in Coca-Cola's Balanced Living Workshop, but my thoughts and views are my own.

Admittedly, we've had very little time to tend to ourselves, our relationships, our health or even hygiene lately. This whole stay-at-home-mom business can really bring out the grunge in a person. I recently made a pact with a friend that we'd send one another photos at least three times each week of us actually wearing nice-ish clothes and having washed and blowdried (bonus if styled!) our hair. No joke.
Actual photo proof.
Add a basement renovation and taking care of a very rambunctious 9-month-old to equal a recipe for exhaustion at the end of the day. I love to cook, but find myself reaching for a frozen pizza when I'm so tired from toting around the little all day and spending the rest of the time scrubbing dried scrambled eggs off the dining room floor. It's an exhaustion I'm so grateful for, but one that requires some balance.

Our relationships matter. Ray and I spend very little time together these last few months. The jogging stroller has received very little wear and tear because by the time I can hand over the kiddo at the end of the day I'm too busy catching up on dinner or dishes or emails or DVR to have the desire for anything else. Okay, so that bit about DVR is neither necessary nor important, but sometimes it's just really awesome to zone out while hearing adults speak without actually having to interact.

We need some work.

Next week I'll be heading to downtown Chicago for a Coca-Cola Balanced Living Workshop that will take place over the course of two days. I'll be spending time with other mom bloggers as well and I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I received the itinerary and am looking forward to a few things that will be taking place:
  • Learning about family nutrition, specifically how I might find more effective ways to feed my family while sticking to my own vegetarian interests.
  • A one-on-one consultation with a registered dietitian about my lifestyle goals. I'm excited yet nervous about airing out all the dirty laundry on this one!
  • The family-friendly fitness session during which I will totally be wearing my cute yoga pants.
  • Meeting some local Chicago moms and mom bloggers. I'm not from here and meeting friends can be tricky. What if I meet someone super-local and we have tons in common and plan coffee dates every week?
  • A grocery store visit with a registered dietitian to get their take on reading labels and buying the best produce. I feel like I'm decent at this, but I'm used to California produce being super fresh and ripe. It's harder to pick it out here, especially in the middle of winter!
  • The cooking demonstrations because I'm a sucker for fun kitchen gadgets, techniques and yummy food.
I'm seriously thrilled. I feel all kinds of fancy going on my own little trip downtown for fun and learning. I'll be taking photos and updating, so stay tuned. It's time this girl (and her boys) gets back in shape and lives a healthy lifestyle. Lumberjack Benjamin approves and decided to release me from my mom duties for the event.
My name is Benjamin and I approved this message.

11 comments:

Heather (Live.Love.Laugh.) said... [Reply to comment]

I will be there too. I'm excited to meet some bloggers!!!

Natasha said... [Reply to comment]

Sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun! Can't wait to see pics!

AlliFerg said... [Reply to comment]

Sounds amazing! Have fun :)

Lj82 said... [Reply to comment]

I love that lumberjack picture. too cute. Glad he approves.

You're doing great on your end of keeping up appearances. ha! :)

Solange, Nik, Caitlin and Oliver said... [Reply to comment]

Yay! Have a great time. Lumberjack Benjamin is SO cute!!!

Alison G. said... [Reply to comment]

I'm excited to hear about the Coca Cola event! Sounds fun!

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

This sounds great and all but blow drying your hair THREE times a week?! You're so fancy!

(which is probably evidence that I should start a pact like that)

Kathy said... [Reply to comment]

I am so exited too and look forward to meeting you there! See you soon!

Renel said... [Reply to comment]

Um I am so jealous. I think it's cool that you might meet other moms and might be local because finding friends is hard!
I would love a chat with a dietician or market tour just for kicks.
I think it's so fun that you have a little "look I got out of my sweat pants" email buddy. I need one of those too!

Brooke said... [Reply to comment]

That sounds totally fun and I wish I could go.

"sometimes it's just really awesome to zone out while hearing adults speak without actually having to interact." is the best description of TV time ever, and so true.

I thought B looked just like you, but now every picture I see, I think he looks just like his dad.

Melissa said... [Reply to comment]

I agree with Brooke. Every photo I have seen of B I thought he looked like Brandy...until this one! Now he looks like his Dad!