mommyzine
Back to School!
contents
MOMMY MAGIC™ mommyzine FALL 2014
What’s Inside
Publisher: Mary Susan Buhner Editor: Jen Alderman Contributing Writers: Kara Tamulonis Katie Swick Molly Tittle Jen Kampmeier Paige Miller Jodie Terlisner Photos & Design: Jen Alderman
Features: Welcome
3
Party It Up
5
Mommy Magic
8–9
Witty in Pink
14–15
Ready for Football?
12
Monster Mash
24–25 27
©2013 Mommy Magic Publishing
In Every Issue 6–7
Welcome Fall!
20–21 Quick Crafts Quote Page
18–19 17
Fitness Fabulous
10
I Almost Cook
19 20
Mommy Magic Bulletin Board
28-29
! e m o c l e W
Welcome to The Mommyzine! Thank you for taking what little time you have to read Mommy
It is always a little bittersweet to start a new school year. I love seewith enthusiasm for a new school year, meeting their teachers, seeing their friends, and learning new things. It got me thinking that back-to-school time should be no different for us moms. As our kiddos head out each morning eager for their new adventures at school, we as moms should take the time to get ourselves back on track and try new things ourselves. With that in mind, this issue of The Mommyzine will have helpful tips on embracing back to school as the perfect time to reinvent yourself and try new things. This issue will also have fun party tips heading into autumn and ways you and your kiddos can
tips, feel inspired, and most of all, enjoy celebrating motherhood with us when reading this issue of The Mommyzine! Blessings, Mary Susan Buhner, Founder, Mommy Magic
Mommy Magic is an interactive community of real moms, founded by a real mom, to give support
and tips to make the chaos of motherhood easier and more fun! I am Mary Susan, an author, a columnist, a life coach for moms, and host of the Mommy Magic segment on FOX. Most importantly, I have three beautiful (and very busy) daughters! I am a real mom managing the daily insanity of motherhood, just like you!
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Party It Up!
by Kara Tamulonus
Halloween
ceptable (and encouraged) for adults to dress up and eat candy! In my world, I can
that will get your guests into a “spooktacular” mood and set the tone for a “spirited” party! Get crafty! Creating your own invitations for your party can allow your creto inform your guests about your event. scissors, markers, and colored paper) of a pumpkin, ghost, or tombstone are affordable and festive. You can also other than you) invitations on Etsy!
Create a custom favor. A great way to take your invitations to the next level is to include a favor with them. You themed goodie basket to include with for goodies that the whole family will enjoy: a bottle (or two) of orange soda, orange and black bubble gum, gummie worms, vampire fangs, spider rings, or even a pumpkin!
Dress up and deliver. Add to the fun by hand delivering your invitations in
you present them with their custom inspell on them!
What’s Hot
As we pack up the pool toys and reload the backpacks, the nostalgia of what “back summer watching our kids get older, swim stronger, and grow into their own sense moms we not only prepare our little ones for their best year yet, but we don our most
A great bag...Perfect
for toting the many aspects of life from work folders to snacks.This fall, use your bag to add a pop of color–cobalt blues, rich warm reds, and jeweled greens all in more structured shapes for a more ladylike feel. (Coach handbag...$398 www.coach.com)
Go back to school...Take
a foreign-language
been putting off during the busy summer days. like spinformer, which is the combination of spinning for 30 minutes and reformer pilates for the time. Find what most interests you and get signed up.
for Fall
by Paige Miller
fab footwear and kick off our own back-to-school sense of self. This fall, trends are
moms, we deserve to feel and look our best in our many roles during the school year. report card!
Cool supplies...With notes coming and going, send yours in style. When picking up supplies, make sure you update your desk and correspondence with fun notes geared to you. (the stationery studio 23.75 www.stationerystudio.com)
Shine on...In the spirit of doing something for you and also having an edge on style,update your manicure. Whether you choose to DIY or visit a lorich tones we love about fall. From dark wines to
jumps to the palest of creams, whites, and golds, offsetting the rich jewel tones. There is something (available at nordstrom.com $14)
by Mary Susan Buhner
As a mom, I sometimes get in the rut of running my kids from game to game, practice to practice, thinking of only of
I recently was on an airplane by myself (which never happens) and had an opportunity to read a book (which also never happens). I decided to make the most of the strange but wonderful opportunity and stopped at the airport store and bought Ever Gotten: Lessons from Extraordinary to buy a bunch of magazines and escape into reality show drama, but as I looked at all the magazine covers, all the head-
opportunity to enjoy some peace and qui-
load of laundry before bed. What this book taught me is that although maintaining life is a reality for everyone, it is stepping out into the unknown that brings the most growth. That is, saying the simple word of “Yes” to an opportunity, a situation, or an experience that is not typically in our routine or normal daily chaos can and will bring great personal growth. This got me thinking as a mom, my vocabulary seems to lean more to the “No” category than to the “Yes” category. For instance, “No, you cannot ride your bike without a helmet” or “No, you may not cut your own hair” or “No more candy...you are going to make yourself sick!” You get the point. Most times as moms, the “No” word is necessary to keep our kids safe and healthy. On the other hand, we have to start saying “Yes” to things outside of motherhood that can help us grow, evolve, have fun, and help us keep our sanity in the midst of raising our children.
friend who has asked you out to lunch, but you always seem too busy to make it happen. It can be trying a new class, taking up a new hobby, or even reading a new book that you would not normally pick up and out, good leaders usually have good ad- consider reading. It sounds simple, but as vice and I was thrilled to be soaking it all creatures of habit, it can be harder than in over this two hour mini “vacation” in the you think. Saying yes can be powerful and lead you to amazing opportunities. Yes to air. depressing stories about drama. I decided to put my money to better use. I bought this book instead. I boarded the plane and felt empowered and excited to start read-
a play date with a new friend, yes to catching up over a cup a coffee with an old one, yes to a new job, yes to trying something that is hard to do. Yesterday was the past, tomorrow is the future, and today is the present, so treat it like a gift.
Zumba class, get a totally new hairstyle, take an art class, learn to play an instrument, or volunteer for a cause that means something to you. 3. Take care of yourself. Make your annual pap test with your OB/GYN, and schedule your annual mammogram and to say yes more than no. I have to admit annual dental appointment. Ever notice it is empowering. I feel invigorated and we as moms tend to put ourselves last on open to new things that I would not have our to-do list for health? The irony of it is, otherwise given myself we have to stay healthy in permission to do. After all, order to care for our family. we all have extraordinary Make your annual appointlives and we have to give ments and go so that you “...Take a deep breath. ourselves the go ahead to stay healthy for your family live them to our fullest poEnjoy the peace and quiet. and yourself! tential! 4. Connect with friends. With summer Somehow over the sumwrapped up back to school mer I tend to let my own � is the perfect time to refriendships fall to the side. claim yourself and commit I suppose it is because I to getting yourself back on am, like you, spinning the track. With that, I am happlates so fast I just run py to share a few tips that out of time. With the kidI have done myself that dos back in school, make work. a list of friends who make 1. Make a date with you laugh, inspire you, and yourself. One of the best ways to start empower you. Set up a coffee date or a this process is to actually get out of your time to go for a walk or meet for lunch. house and go somewhere quiet. A library, Friendships and a good support system a coffee house, wherever you want that are vital for us moms. If you are like me, a visit with a good friend always makes me inspire you. Personally, if I am at home, feel energized! it is easy to let myself off the hook by do5. Just breathe. A strange concept, ing a load of laundry or cleaning up the but an important one. Once the kiddos breakfast dishes. It helps me to actually are out the door, take a deep breath. Enmake an appointment with myself out of joy the peace and quiet. Breathe! Somethe house and, most importantly, to keep it. my breath and don't even realize it. With 2. Seek new opportunities to grow the change in schedule, take some deep outside your comfort zone. It could be breaths and just be still and enjoy it! reading a new book or signing up for a cooking class or Bible study. Or, join a
Are You Ready for Some Football? by Jenn Kampmeier
Back to school means sports in our family!! Are we ready for some football? That has been the question for the past four weeks and counting. My son, Zane, has achieved the ripe old age of seven years
also learned that there are several types of cleats and that we needed rubber ones because they cause less damage to the body (or something like that). A whopping 125 later, we walked out with our purchases.
While he is overjoyed, I am a little apprehensive and worried. My thoughts turn to Being the OCD organized mom that I broken bones and grass stains. I digress. his mouthpiece. I pulled out the package, Last week, I received an email from his read the instructions and thought to mycoach letting us know what items we will need to purchase. The list was as fol- last words!) Once the water was boiled, I lows: white pants, socks, mouthpiece, placed the mouth piece in for 30 seconds. and cleats. Okay, he has one of those I already had Zane prepped and waiting on the counter. One thing to note, a rubber mouthpiece in boiling water is very hot timer at this sport, I decided to enlist the when you pull it out and you have to be assistance of one of my dear male daddy very precise when dipping it in water then friends. (Sidebar: I could have probably managed to handle purchasing the items on the list but my male daddy friend is a football coach and well, he knows more than I do.) derful and did allow me to return one of Okay, so the shopping experience was the mouthguards. very interesting to say the least. Words like “jock strap” and “cup size” were introduced Now the only thing we need is a real game to my vocabulary. Talking to a seven year to try out all of our new items. We are old about cup size was not a conversation ready for some football and looking forthat I thought I would ever have. Zane felt ward to a fun season. the same way when he responded, “Mom,
For Parents. By Parents.
Fitness Fabulous
by MollyTittle
Why not make this school year your time an effort to have someone watch you and - critique your form. This is critical in having pecially if your resolutions had to do with a results-oriented routine. FITNESS! 3. Work your core (i.e. abdominals). If your core is strong, then it will help with - everyday life. Try to perform core exercisergy will be contagious. Your commitment es at least two to three times a week for to your health will be the insurance your no less than 20-25 minutes. A strong core is a preventative prescription for low back pain, proper body alignment, better oxyleader for your family. gen intake and organ performance, and a smaller waistline. A great DVD to work 1. Make a pact with yourself or even your your core is my Quick Cuts DVD, availhusband or kids that you will start out this - Check it out. ness. Find something you like to do and stick to it, at least through the school year! Keep moving all year long (at least the We ask our kids to commit to school; show school year)! BE the example for your them the same dedication to your new rou- family and BE the change the school year tine. Whatever it may be, lead by example. asks for! Try not to complain about it. Set a time for your workouts, mark it on your calendar, Best of luck and abs in! and do not stray from it. Do not be late for your workouts! You will see results once you commit and stay disciplined.
an appointment with a trainer or having a conversation with the group exercise instructor from the class you choose: make
com
Cancer Patient Walking: My when the nurse came to get me to the OR for surgery, and she the movies, they always show the patient being wheeled on a gurney down the hall while their loved ones hold their hands and profess their never-ending devotion. My experience was more like a scene out of “The Green Mile.” All I needed was
Over it old-school” in the basement, listening to
me yelling, “Cancer patient walking!” while
as a bat, and they took my glasses, so I was dancing like it was 1986. And then my most ran down my surgeon when I walked 36-year-old body decided to check in to the present day and I fell and broke my They made me hop up on the operating ankle. Somehow I had managed to make table myself! After all that I half expected it through the birth of three children and them to ask me to hold the clamps for cancer treatment without ever making a them during surgery. trip to the ER, but trying to relive my glory days by dancing like a fool bought me a I Need a Java Drip STAT!: It is a wellone-way ticket there. I was given a walkknown fact that you are not allowed to eat ing boot and crutches and told to stay off or drink after midnight the day of your surthe bad foot for a month. Really, I got off pretty easy, but the whole incident got me to thinking about being in the hospital for my double mastectomy surgery and being nally walked into the OR that I would be laid up afterward while recovering. Before experiencing serious caffeine withdrawal. the big surgery, I had never experienced Finally, the anesthesiologist announced so much as a cavity, let alone a six-hour that he was about to give me some drugs procedure requiring two surgeons and an to put me to sleep, and the java-deprived army of nurses and assistants. To help crank living inside me spoke up and said, in that situation, I put together a list of the geon, who had been loyally standing by “Things Nobody Tells You About Major me, was going to fall over from laughing, Surgery That You Should Know”: tient say that before. I may have to main-
line a latte before my next procedure.
prises waiting for me during surgery, I had prepared myself for this to be a horrible
When I woke up after surgery in the recovery room, I was to be the last, and best, surprise. I was blessed with gifted physicians who worked patient there. Nobody warned me that hard to leave me with as little physical and I would be sharing such a bizarre time emotional scars as possible. I had amazwith complete strangers. I was still with- ing nurses who took great care of me, and out my glasses and drifting in and out of did so while allowing me to hang on to my consciousness, which only added to the dignity. And due to the love and support Twilight Zone experience. I could hear I received from my family and friends, I moaning and groaning, and nurses try- never for one single moment felt alone. ing to restrain patients who were trying to get up and leave. When I heard a woman ence I would wish upon my worst enemy, but I would gladly tell anyone facing this I continue to get stronger and stronger the further I move away from my cancer experience. Well, most of me is getting stronger. Apparently my ankles are a weak spot. Every day the strange and painful memory of my surgery fades a bit, and I main will be that feeling of love. Well, that and the memory of the other crazy lady in recovery.
scream from the other side of the room, the possibility that I had been accidentally routed to the psych ward (although in my head I responded to her, “I hear you sister!”). I foolishly thought a recovery area would be a quiet, calm, and private place where you could peacefully transfer out of anesthesia to consciousness, but I found out the hard way that “Recovery Room” is
: Even -
Get Crafty!
by Jen Alderman
Looking to jazz up your playroom? My husband and I built a simple stage in the corner of our basement so our kids could “rock out.� It was relatively easy, inexpensive, and only caused one minor argument. For anyone who has worked on home improvement with a spouse, that means success.
STAGE CRAFT Materials: wood, nails, paint = $80 Instruments to create rock-star kids = $100 9 yards of fabric for curtains = $50 + 1 argument with husband in the fabric store Childhood memories that will last a lifetime = PRICELESS
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As the school year creeps up and summer comes to a close, we are reminded of the daunting tasks of packing daily lunches and creating dinner options that are family pleasers, but also are “better for you” and your family. One of my favorite time saving tools is to use a tortilla when making my kiddos breakfast or lunch! It’s a fun twist to use a tortilla in a new way and make a healthier choice from my kiddos than using a slice of white bread! Tortillas can be used for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks, and are a key ingredient to help get you back in the “school routine.” Enjoy! Protein Packed 2 Minute Burrito • 1 Azteca No Preservatives Flour Tortilla • 1 egg per tortilla • Shredded Monterey jack, Cheddar or even Goat Cheese (crumbles) • Your choice of vegetables such as peppers, corn, onion, tomato, mushrooms, or sliced carrots • *This is an easy way to sneak in veggies! • Your choice of proteins: precooked bacon, sausage or beans Chop up vegetables and proteins in small pieces. In a microwavable bowl mix the egg, vegetables and proteins. Next microwave egg mixture on high for 30 seconds. Mix and return bowl to microwave for an additional 20-40 seconds. Do not overcook eggs. Spread the cooked egg mixture on one side of the tortilla. Heat tortilla according to package directions. Sprinkle with cheese and roll into a burrito. Serve as-is or add salsa or even cilantro! • I love this breakfast because it’s quick and easy and it allows all of my family members to customize their own ingredients to their liking! Hazelnut Heaven • 1 Azteca No Preservatives Flour Tortilla • 2 tablespoons hazelnut spread (Nutella) • 2 tablespoons Marshmallow Crème • 3 medium strawberries, sliced • Optional-Drizzle honey or sprinkle powdered sugar on top. Place tortilla on a paper towel and microwave 10 seconds, until tortilla is soft and warm. Spread warm tortilla with Marshmallow Creme, top with Nutella, and place sliced strawberries on half of the tortilla and fold in half. Slice tortilla that has been folded in half and drizzle with desired topping such as honey or powdered sugar. This dish is a crowd-pleaser morning, noon and night! Cheese Pinwheels Quesadillas • 1 Azteca No Preservatives Flour Tortilla • ¼ cup of Jack, Colby and/or Cheddar shredded Cheese • Grape Tomatoes • Salsa Place Jack, Colby and Cheddar cheeses mix on tortilla. Place tortilla on a microwaveable plate and heat for 10 seconds, until cheese has just melted. Then roll to create a long cylinder. Cut the roll into pinwheel‘s. Place cheese quesadillas onto a stick and alternate with grape tomatoes. Serve with a side of salsa. A fun twist on a grilled cheese that is visually appealing to kiddos of all ages!
Katie’s Korner
by Katie Swick
f...
l e s r e H g n i d o Fin t y e n r u o J A Mom’s My
mom recently told me (in the most loving, supportive manner possible) two things: 1) Stop wearing yoga pants out of the house (insert: all the time). 2) Wear makeup more. While moderately devastating, the spirit of what she was saying is spot on: Do more
and the self-loathing that came with it, manifests itself in what I can only describe as gainfully employed. To be honest, I just got lazy and let myself go for a while. And that, my friends, is the ever “so” slippery slope that can come with weight gain,
throughout our lives. So, here is the deal; Take off the shabby yoga pants that are too big or ugly or which
on a little makeup. But take care of YOURSELF!
stressed, or overwhelmed, and because I feel better about myself, I have found that I am not walking about town as much in seven-year-old XL yoga pants—which I own in weight that they fall off and I have to retire them. I may enshrine them. As I have embarked on the journey of (trying) to like what I look like, irrespective of my size, here are the things that are working for me:
(a bit) and started wearing more colors, and some brighter lipstick to add drama. I probably manage six days a week, although I excuse myself from this when working around the house or yard, or going to the grocery store. (2) I have purchased a few, low-cost items in fun, on-trend colors. They are really soft, bright, light, and pretty.
statement bling. And you know what? People have recently started asking me about my jewelry! And, no one says, “Does this necklace make my butt look fat.” Quite the opposite, big statement necklaces and earrings draw attention up. Long neclaces make me look longer, and distract from a bigger midsection and large rear end. (4) Spanx. We used to call them girdles, ladies. Go watch you some Mad Men—foun-
den in too-big (yoga pants) clothes, and squeezed into too-small jeans. Buy yourself basics if you have only a little to invest, or if your size is changing. Switch out those ac-
A Friend’s Story
by Jodie Terlisner
My dear friend Donna is healthy and is busy balancing back to school, football practices, Boy Scout meetings, volunteering, working, and family life. This sounds pretty common for many of us moms this time of year, but for my friend, it is a special blessing.Three years ago, Donna felt a weird lump when she pressed down on her stom-
It was everyday stuff that many of us face—swollen or bloated abdomen, indigestion, feeling tired all the time….the list was pretty run of the mill for any busy mom. The statistics were anything BUT mundane! That year in Indiana, 300 women would be diagnosed with ovarian cancer—and 29 would survive it. Donna is one of those 29! wedding, but no matter what she did, she could She was diagnosed with stage one (that rarely not get rid of her tummy bulge (a common com- happens). Because Donna visited her doctor and plaint among us moms, right?!). she was properly diagnosed, she is back at volunteering, chairing events and watching her boys That fall, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. at football practice without chemotherapy and raShe was shocked, and as her dear friend, I was diation on her to-do list this fall. saddened and shocked as well. After all, Donna - I am blessed to have Donna as my friend and to be inspired by her grace every day. As moms, we have to take care of ourselves and each other. If by chance you can relate to any of these sympgrade and happy that her third grader would be toms, please consult your doctor. If you happen there to lead the way, she was balancing how to to be visiting with a friend over coffee and she battle ovarian cancer now in her to-do list. I recall mentions feeling some of these symptoms, enshe was knee deep in running the Boy Scout pop- courage her to contact her physician. As women, corn drive and chairing a run/walk fundraiser for friends, and moms, we MUST put our own health at the top of our own to -do list and look out for not have cancer or chemotherapy in her plans for one another along the way! the fall of 2010. It was so scary and so sudden!
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Swollen or bloated abdomen Indigestion Fatigue Pelvic discomfort or pain For more information visit http://ovariancancerin.org
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Monster Mash! I love Autumn and all the festivities that surround this time of year, a bit biased since my actual I grew up bobbing for apples on my birthday and making homemade costumes (my favorite was making my stoplight costume). The prepping of a costume, carving pump-
less fancy the better. More importantly, it is about connecting with friends and family and enjoying the memories that are being made as a family.
it brings back great family memories for me. loween costume party. It is a great excuse to dress up, eat smores and hop on a hay ride. Adults and kiddos alike dress up and embrace the “Monster Mash Bash� we host. It is not fancy and that is the great thing about a family party in autumn—the
Some of my favorite tips for hosting a family
*Use candles, lanterns, and of course jacko-lanterns to decorate and create a warm mood. *Take pictures loweens and enlarge them. Place them on easels around the food...such a fun, easy, and affordable way to decorate a table! *Bite-sized food is
HOW TO PLAN FAMILY FRIENDLY HALLOWEEN FUN!
a must. Easy and no mess. Small sandwiches and
have fun with it as a family and enjoy the memories you are making together!
treats are yummy and fun to eat for all ages. One of my favorite treats is made by taking a cake pop stick (sold at craft stores) and placing a ghost peep on the stick. Put them in a small vase and let kiddos grab them to eat. Fun, no mess, and easy!
Watch kiddos around the bon-
the selection of candy—graham cracker, marshmallow between—yummy! A great party favor for kiddos and adults are delicious cake pops too! made, store bought or a little
by Mary Susan Buhner
loween costume contest. Moms and dads included! You can give prizes you pick up at the dollar store, but getting the whole family in on the costume contest can be a hoot!
Don’t Say Cheese! For most of us, this time of year feels like it has been put in fast forward. The weeks between Labor Day and the holidays seem to get closer every year, and there is always an endless to-do list to accomplish before Santa is hauling his happy butt down the chimney. At the top of many lists is taking a family photo for holiday cards or gifts, and this task can be about as much fun as listening to tips to make this annual ritual a bit more jolly:
bit this year. Take it outside and capture them playing in the leaves. Let them have PJs. You will get great, relaxed shots of your family if they ize they are being photographed, and your photos will be unique and stand out from the crowd of holiday cards.
era comes out. It seems to cause kids to plaster these giant fake grins on their fac-
standing around a tree and then stand over them and start snapping away. But you might do better to get down on their level to take the photo. By coming down to their height, the perspective of the photos will be a better representation of
the “real” side of who they are. Instead, ask them to say funny-sounding words or tell them a joke as you click the shutter. A shot of your children laughing will always be better than one of them looking like a wax replica of themselves.
level also makes it a more interactive experience, and may motivate your little one to cooperate a little more.
And when all else fails, bring in some help. Make an appointment with a photographer. Maybe even bring back that
2.LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: A photo of everyone seated around the
Bells” to capture some giggles from your little elves.