Subway and NIH say WE CAN! Prevent Childhood Obesity (Part 1)

This is the first post in a series that will highlight the WE CAN program. _____________________________________________________

Last week I was invited to attend a very special PEP Rally where kids learned they need to "Play more, Eat right, and Push away the screen" if they want to maintain a healthy weight.

To get the kids excited, renowned athletes Laila Ali and Olympic soccer player Tab Ramos teamed up with Jared Fogle (who has a blog) for a pep talk and to show the kids fun ways to get off the couch and keep moving.

This is all part of a partnership between Subway® and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to promote the WE CAN! Education Program that will bring families and communities together to fight childhood obesity.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Laila and Jared (Tab got away but I'll get him next time).







Coming up next...
More on WE CAN and what you can do to get your community involved!
Then more from Jared and how he likes blogging!

Janine

Twincident #147: A broken swing can be fun with a twin

Did they break the swing on purpose? I have no idea - but they did seem to be having a lot of fun.




Have your kids had more fun with something after it broke?
Do tell!
Janine

Cross-Post: Bake Me a Wish gourmet cakes review and coupon!

This is a cross-post over at Twofer Thumbs:
There is a lesson to be learned eating cake, and it has nothing to do with nutrition...or lack thereof.

How would you feel living far away from family and friends, often risking your life, on your birthday? I bet something as simple as a surprise birthday cake would make you feel pretty damn happy...even for just a few minutes.

That's what Bake Me A Wish! had in mind when they started the Freedom Cake program. When you purchase a Freedom Cake from Bake Me A Wish for someone here, a second cake is sent to a soldier serving oversees for their birthday!

My family was given the opportunity to experience the Kids Freedom Cake: a cake was sent to our home and the Twofer then wrote a letter online that will be delivered to a soldier along with a birthday cake for them!

We decided to share the deeeeelishious cake from Bake Me A Wish! with some friends and explain the Freedom Cake to all the kids.


To see what we thought of the cake and read the rest of the post go to Twofer the Price of One

Already convinced? You need to check out Gourmet Birthday Cakes at BakeMeAWish .com!


Then come back and tell me which cake you ordered!

Janine

Make-A-Wish makes all the difference

This little girl had half of her brain removed...


One of the best things about being a blogger has been meeting people who make me stop and think. One of those people is Dwan, aka MommaDJane who I had the pleasure of meeting online and then IRL (in real life) at the Blissdom 09 conference in Nashville.

Dwan is one of those people that no matter what life throws at her (and she's had some serious curve balls) she keeps plugging along with a smile and always with a hand ready to help others.

Now Dwan needs some help as she and her family raise money for the Make-A-Wish 5k Walk THIS Saturday (3/28) !!!

MommaDJane and her daughter Gabby knows first hand what an blessing the Make-A-Wish foundation is for families with children who are facing life-threatening illness and operations. As Dwan explained on her own blog,

"Gab had a stroke during utero and therefore was born with Cerebral Palsy. At nine months old she started having seizures. With the help of steroid shots, seizure medication and lots of therapy we had been able to keep her healthy and active until she was about 4. Her seizures at this point became monthly, weekly and then daily. Since she had brain damage caused by the stroke her epilepsy was only going to get worse. The Neurosurgeon informed me we had to do surgery to remove the abnormal brain tissue in order to stop the seizures, the convulsions were lasting 20 minutes each time and she could no longer even go to school. The surgeon believed if we did not remove the left side of the brain (which was the damaged part) then eventually her right side (good side) would suffer stress and start having seizures as well." read more

Thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, two weeks before her surgery, Gabby and her family were wisked away to a place where dreams really do come true.
Go here to see Gabby's own Make-A-Wish trip!

If you would like to help this amazing family raise money so that other children can enjoy their wish (no amount is too small) you can Go here to donate.

Ringling Brothers Circus is "Over the Top"

Wow.
Wait, WOW!

That's how we felt leaving the Over the Top show of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus last week.

First, we were invited by Mom Central and Feld Entertainment to join them for a meet & greet with performers before the circus.

The girls loved meeting some of the circus stars....

The Twoer with Pepe & Royo

and I loved meeting some of my blogging stars (now friends)!

Jill (Musingsfromme), Jodi (Jodifur), Me, Erin (CouponCravings)

Blog Idol Jessica (APISS), Me, and L (who was more hungry than impressed)

Then we headed over to the floor of the circus for the All Access Pre-Show event which I highly recommend. It does not cost extra AND you get up close and personal with some of the performers (Mr. swears the stilt walker nearly tripped over him but I'm thinking it's all part of the act), their costumes, and the crowd please...getting to see on of the elephants paint.

Stilt guy had a bone to pick with Mr.

The Main Event itself was incredible! From the motorcycle cage to the lions to the Bounce guys...we left feeling completely WoW'd and wanting more!

Bounce guys...waaaay cool

Did you miss the DC show?
Don't worry, tickets are still available for the Baltimore and Fairfax, VA shows!

Baltimore: 1st Mariner Arena –> March 25th – April 5th
Wednesday March 25th at 7:30 pm
Thursday March 26th at 7:30 pm
Friday March 27th at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm
Saturday March 28th at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday March 29th at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Wednesday April 1st at 7:30 pm
Thursday April 2nd at 10:30 am and 7:30 pm
Friday April 3rd at 7:30 pm
Saturday April 4th at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday April 5th at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Fairfax: Patriot Center -> April 8th – 19th
Wednesday April 8th at 7:00 pm
Thursday April 9th at 7:00 pm Friday April 10th at 1:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Saturday April 11th at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday April 12th at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm
Thursday April 16th at 7:00 pm
Friday April 17th at 10:30 am and 7:00 pm
Saturday April 18th at 11:30 am, 3:30 pm and 7:30 pm
Sunday April 19th at 1:00 pm and 5:00 pm

Use DISCOUNT code: MOM when ordering on www.ticketmaster.com to get 4 tickets for just $44!

Bonus:
Pepe and Royo turned the camera on us and snapped a really cute photo of our family!


Janine

My Trip to Lotte Korean Market - leave the neuroses at home

Indulge me if you will....
Here is the other title I considered for this post:
"Local Korean Market has a 'Lotte' Seoul"

L and I were running errands the other day near the local Korean chain of grocery stores called Lotte. I have never been in one but heard great things about Asian markets specifically that their produce is much cheaper and they have the freshest fish around at great prices.

I'm trying to get more one-on-one time with the girls and L is always one for an adventure so we popped in...and immediately started taking pictures like the tourists we are. The fact that all the signs are in Korean first, then English, kinda gives you and idea.

Tourist photo

First we strolled through the fresh fruits and vegetables many of which I have no idea existed...or even how to cut, cook and eat. Take, for example, the durian or King Fruit.

Durian "King Fruit" photo credit: Wikipedia

Next we ventured to the prepared meals area where we found a whole batch of sushi (yes, grabbed some to-go of course), marinating ribs, a variety of seasoned tofu and veggies, a pre-packaged baby squid

Mmm, baby squid

and of course the Asian equivalent of the rotisserie chicken section....roast duck hanging by the crook of it's neck.

L with poultry. Duck on the right.

Finally, we ended our quick trip at the fish department. "Mommy! Look! Those fish have their eyes! Are they still alive?" I hear you just have to ask and the fishmonger will skin and fillet any fish you want to buy. The market was busy that day so I stuck with the pre-cleaned and cut packages of sole and salmon, but not before eyeing the open containers of self-serve shark steaks. Just pick up the tongs, grab a bag, and load up!

Jaws anyone?

I have to say my neurotic self was itching to grab the hand sanitizer and slather it on both of our hands. But I pushed those thoughts back and adopted the 'When in Rome' attitude. Sometimes the best way to know the fish is fresh is to touch it, smell it, hold it - we do it for fruit, why not for fish?

I also have to also note - I haven't been to other Asian markets but this store was Pristine with a capital P...not easy for any grocery store.

My basket quickly started to fill and we had only been down the far right side of the store! I'm definitely heading back there this weekend for produce and just to see what else there is. On the way to check out they had samples of a new grape juice that L seemed to really like. It was tart, almost unsweetened, but tasty all the same.

The BEST part? I got a basket full of fruit, veggies, sauce and fish for under $30.
What should I look for next time?
If anyone has experience shopping at Asian markets I would LOVE some tips on foods to try.

Considering kimchi,
Janine

The Ultimate Blog Party 09 - My first!

WELCOME Partiers!
Can I offer you some coffee? No? Well that's all I drink these days so it's that or water, or wine so you choose.

This is my first evah Ultimate Party Blog and with 5 Minutes for Mom and I can't wait to meet new bloggers and add to my blog roll. (Check out my UPB Prize too!)

For those of you stopping by, here's just a little about me.

My name is Janine and I have 5 year old twins (actually they are now closer to 6 than to 5 but I'm holding on to 5 as long as I can) and last Halloween my husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary.
Yes, Halloween. No, it was not a costume wedding...until much later when the silly masks came out. And oh by the way, I fit into my wedding dress this year!

My Twofer: L on left , M on right

We live outside of Washington, DC and we try to take advantage of the free museums as much as possible and as much as we can stand getting around the, um, tourists. Honestly, I consider myself a New Yorker at heart having grown up outside what I will always refer to as The City. Washington is a great city and does have a lot of life....but c'mon. It's not NYC. It's not The City. It's DC.

I can be a little snarky (no! really?) and silly, and a little bit rock-and-roll (shhh, don't tell anyone but I have a tatoo). But most of I'll I'm just me.

I often blog here about the silly things that come with raising twins, who are girls, and the neuroses I suffer trying to make decisions that hopefully won't screw them up too much (like the time I told them no matter what they should not pee in the port-o-potty on the farm field trip and they should hold it until they get back to school - yeah, that kind of stuff).

Me in Nashville at Blissdom 09

I have been blogging for not quite a year and found it has given me a great place to be creative, keep memories alive for my children, and make new friends...yes, friends. As strange as this blog world is, I've been able to meet some online friends in real life (IRL - new term for me) and have yet to be disappointed.

Remember to check out UBP Prize #USC 71
Enter to win the adorable North Country Lamb Print from Golly Bard. This print is perfect for the nursery, a bathroom, or even a quiet little corner of your room.

And here are the prizes I'm hoping to win:
#89 — $100 gift card to HomeGoods
Provided by: HG Openhouse

#113 — $25 gift certificate to Office Max (two winners)
Provided by: Multi-Tasking Mama http://www.multitaskingmama.com/

INTL 1 — Available to English speaking bloggers. Custom Basic Blog Design
Provided by: Sweet ‘n Simple Design

If those are gone I'd be more than happy with any of these: #s 16, 22, 31, 37, 69, 118, INTL 28, and, um I'll be adding to this list!

Thanks for stopping by and let me know you did so I can visit your party too!

Janine

Before the CAbi Clothing Party is the Twofer Fashion Show

Twice a year I host a CAbi (Carol Anderson by Invitation) clothing party at my house and invite friends and neighbors over to shop.

It works much like a Silpada, or Pampered Chef party where the rep brings samples to your house, gives a little demonstration, and then people shop afterward. The items purchased are ordered and shipped to the hostess about a week after the party. The hostess then distributes the items to her friends.
The hostess does not mind because her friends' shopping enabled her to get 5 items at half price and even a few, in this case, CAbi dollars - which means at least one of her items was free!

This time the Twofer, having been through the drill before, knew there was a little show and they wanted to be a part of it. And so my CAbi rep (and now dear friend) Charlie indulged them about 30 minutes before the moms came and put them each in a few CAbi outfits and let them do their best spin on the catwalk. Here's what happend:


Watch out Tyra! These girls just might be American Next Top Twin Models!
Janine

Spring is coming and that means...scraped knees for twins

This past weekend we had a taste of Spring. The twins were so happy to toss their heavy winter coats to the side, climb a tree, ride their bikes, and then come running inside because one had scraped her knee and the other had cut her finger.

This time, thanks to Mom Central and Johnson's, I was prepared! I had just received my samples of Neosporin + Pain Relief ointment and cream and was excited to try it out. I grew up with Neosporin so of course it is what I stock in my own house. But this Neosporin + Pain Relief is different because it helped stop the crying while it helped to prevent infection.


Did you know that even minor cuts and scrapes can become contaminated with dirt and germs, which may cause infection? Did you know that Neosporin is suitable for ages 2 and up?

After I received these samples I looked through my medicine cabinet and noticed a few expired tubes. Those have been tossed but I encourage you to check your own!

Then pick up tubes of Neosporin + Pain Relief ointment, cream (great for minor burns) and the Neo to Go spray (perfect for trips to the playground) so that you are well stocked for the spring and summer months.

Replacing our boo-boo buddy,
Janine

Cross Post - Win a Wonderwash from Laundry Alternatives!

Check out my new Twofer Thumbs Up blog and read all about the coolest, greenest, and most efficient way to do laundry, the Wonder Wash!


How does the Wonderwash work?
When you put warm or hot water into the drum, fit the lid in place and seal the machine,the air inside the drum will absorb the heat of the water and expand (i.e., just like a hot air balloon). When the air expands it creates pressure inside the drum. The pressure forces the detergent (which is diluted into the water) into & through the fabric (which is porous) about 100 times faster than you could by hand or machine.

YOU can enter to win a Wonderwash AND a Mini Countertop Spin Dryer but HURRY! You have to enter by Friday, 3/13 at 8:00 pm!

Go here for details and be sure to RSVP to the Twitter Party this Friday at 9:00!

Happy laundering!
Janine

Someone get me a Stop-Growing pill quick!

L and M 2003

I'm a slow learner. When people told me time would fly when I had kids I thought they were just trying to make me feel better because they knew I'd be up all night with newborn twins. During those early days time stood completely still.

Even as the girls entered preschool I didn't think time had passed any faster than normal. They were still little, still had funny ways of saying things, and still fit comfortably on my lap.

It has taken me five, almost six years to finally learn what people are talking about when they say time flies once you have kids. They are talking, of course, about those angry little men that come out in the wee hours and fast forward all the clocks in my house.

Those little men have made it impossible for M to fit comfortably on my lap, her skinny legs crunched up or dangling off, and my legs going numb from the weight.
My innocent little girls now come home from school talking about boys, and which 5th graders are getting boobs throwing me into a tailspin of neurotic 'what-if' thinking.

L and M 2009

I will not let this go on without a fight!
I will develop a Stop-Growing pill that will not only keep my little girls 5 forever, it will keep my rear-end from expanding.
I will make millions, I will have a sort-of-ok ass, and I will have all the time in the world to enjoy it!


Janine

I Don't Want to Miss a Concert with Brooke White!

As parents of young kids it's a no-brainer that I get them flu shots. But what about parents of teens? Last year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its flu recommendations to include teenagers.

The "I Don't Want to Miss" campaign is a national contest that puts teens in the spotlight to talk about flu education and prevention.

The challenge?
Teenagers are invited to create a 45-60 second video PSA on cold and flu education and prevention and how it can help make sure they don't miss out on fun events like prom. Videos have to be uploaded to SchoolTube.com (subcategory under PE & Health) by Mar 11, 2009 at 11:59 p.m. EST

The Grand Prize
One first place winner will have singer/songwriter and former American Idol finalist, Brooke White, perform an acoustic concert at their school!

Visit http://www.idontwanttomiss.com for information for parents, teens, and teachers. Then let your teen borrow your video camera, and I bet they'll let you see Brooke White if they win! But hurry, video have to be up my March 11th!

I wish they had contests like this for moms but probably my video would be about how I don't want to miss out on dinner with my friends, or a good night's sleep. I guess this contest is better left to the teenagers.

Janine
This post sponsored by

Playground Games I Forgot How Much I Enjoyed

Now that my twins are in kindergarten I get to hear about all kinds of games they cram into just 30 minutes of recess. Mostly these consist of games with teams: the girls vs. boys teams, the good vs. bad teams, and jump rope.

One day last week they came home with a piece of yarn leftover from a measuring project and asked me to tie the ends together. Then M wrapped the ends around her two hands and waited for L to do something...except that L had no idea what to do and so the two of them sat there staring at the yard around M's hands.

I have no idea how long this would have gone on without my finally saying, "Are you trying to play Cat's Cradle?"

And that's when I realized that my little babies are soon going to be playing the games I used to LOVE to play with my friends outside at recess. These games are different than your classic board games like Chutes and Ladders and card games like Old Maid and Go Fish, which we often played with our parents.

There are 3 classic "kids-only" games we played simply because most adults at that time could not follow them. It also seems that every child of the 80s grew up learning at least one of these, if not all. And apparently, they are still around. I can't wait to share them with my girls...for as long as they'll let me.

Miss Mary Mack

The earliest of these games in pat-a-cake. But recently I came across a Miss Mary Mack book that had more verses than I had ever heard. Plus, there were intricate hand movements that went like this:
Cross arms, slap thighs, clap together, clap right hands, clap left hands, clap right hands.

And here's how the song (if you call it that) went:
Miss Mary Mack Mack Mack
All dressed in black, black, black
With silver buttons, buttons, buttons
All down her back, back, back.

She asked her mother, mother, mother
For 50 cents, cents, cents
To see the elephants, elephants, elephants
Jump over the fence, fence, fence.

They jumped so high, high, high
They reached the sky, sky, sky
And they didn't come back, back, back
'Til the 4th of July, ly, ly!

Cat's Cradle

This simple little string makes the most complicated toy.
I remember playing by myself on those long car rides to Vermont. I also remember making my older brother play with me when I wanted to do the 2-person version...which later lead to me being forced to play the football 'hand-held' game that was actually more the size of a laptop but that's another post.

The only ones I can remember are Cat's Cradle, Witches Broom and Jacob's Ladder but if you gave me a string I'd be hard pressed to know how to do any of them. And that's where I give a BIG Twofer Thumbs Up to, what else? YouTube! YouTube will keep all of these games alive for generations to come.

Chinese Jump Rope

Remember the chant, "In-out-side-side-on-in-out" as 2 people stretch the rope around their legs while you try to jump to the chant without messing up the order?
We used to spend the entire recess taking turns jumping and judging, and I have the distinct honor of being the one to have Dr. Scholl'sbanned from school after my sandals went flying off my feet nearly clocking a teacher on the head. The jump rope started out low around the ankles and moved up higher as long as you didn't miss.

(Babysitter version was to put the jump rope around your neck and see who could 'jump' it without a) breaking an arm or b) taking out one of the rope holders.)

Do you remember these and can you add to my memory of them? I know I'm missing some of those Cat's Cradle moves especially.

Janine

Seeing a certain Mouse for just $44

The D Word. I think you all know what I'm talking about. It's the word we have been whispering around here because the minute it is said aloud we are barraged with questions.

I am, of course, talking about Disney. And I mean that in a good way.

My girls are aching to see, visit, and participate in ANYTHING Disney.
The minute they hear the word Disney they start asking, "Who's going to Disney? Are we going to Disney? When can we meet Mickey and Minnie, Mommy?"

This is why I am so happy to find out that Feld Entertainment (along with Mom Central) has the same promotion for Disney on Ice as they are offering for the Ringling Bros. Circus! That means that our family can see Disney on Ice this year for the first time ever and for just $44. Finally the girls can see Mickey and Minnie and we don't have to fly to Florida...yet.

And you can too.
Just go to www.ticketmaster.com and use the code "MOM" when you purchase a minimum of 4 tickets.
Offer good on all performances, minimum purchase of 4 tickets required; additional tickets above 4 can be purchased at $11 each. Offer not valid on Gold Circle Seating, Front Row and VIP seating or combinable with other offers. Other restrictions may apply.

If you want to upgrade to Front Row or VIP seats, a select number of these seats have been reserved before they go on sale to the public. Use code "MOM" when purchasing those seats.

Dates and cities where families can use the national "MOM" code are as follows: Houston
Disney On Ice presents Mickey and Minnie's Magical Journey
April 15-April 19

Dallas/Ft Worth
Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey
March 18-March 29

Sunrise/Miami
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy
March 26-April 5

Toronto
Disney On Ice presents Worlds of Fantasy
March 18-March 22

Kansas City
Disney On Ice presents Mickey & Minnie's Magical Journey
April 1-April 5

Denver
Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland® Adventure
March 12-March 15

Phoenix
Disney On Ice presents a Disneyland® Adventure
April 9-April 12

Chicago/Rosemont
Disney On Ice celebrates 100 Years of Magic
Sept 8-Sept 13

To learn more about Disney On Ice shows touring the country this year, visit http://disney.go.com/disneyonice.

Picking out my Mouse ears,
Janine