Giveaway starts TODAY!

Are you ready to enter the CSN Stores $35 gift certificate giveaway? Today is the day!

How to enter:
Visit CSN Stores and check out their huge selection of products. Decide what you would buy if you won the $35 gift certificate and leave a comment on this blog post. 

Really want to win?
Earn bonus entries by doing one, some, or all of the following (one bonus entry per item):

• Follow @mamabootcamp on Twitter (let us know in your comment that you have done this).
• Tweet about this giveaway (let us know in your comment that you have done this).
• "Like" the Mama Bootcamp Facebook page (let us know in your comment that you have done this).
• Share a link to this post on Facebook (let us know in your comment that you have done this).
• Subscribe to the Mama Bootcamp Blog- see left column or click here (let us know in your comment that you have done this).
• Write a post about this giveaway or Mama Bootcamp in your blog and share the link in your comment.

Winner will be chosen by random drawing and will be announced on the blog on Monday, March 7th.

Enter today! This contest ends on Sunday, March 6th at 11:59pm PST.

Good luck!

Weekly Challenge #9 - body care!

We all know that exercise is an integral part of getting and keeping our bodies healthy. But how many of us really take care of the body we are requiring so much of? This week's challenge is all about taking care of your body.

Every day this week, take care of your body. And at least every other day, try one of these body care regimens:

Ice Massage: Fill a small paper cup up about half way with water, and freeze. When frozen solid, peel down the paper to just below the ice. Use this to massage areas that are tight or sore - just use the ice and dig right in. The ice acts as an anti-inflammatory to help ease the pain and inflammation that can come after a hard workout. (I especially like to do this one on my shins after a long run.)

Massage: Need I say more? Who doesn't love a good massage?!?

Ice Plunge: When you're muscles are tired, sore and have had enough, try reviving with an ice plunge. Put some ice and cold water in the tub, and climb on in. Coach Krista advises keeping some type of shirt on (good tip!) and you might want to have something hot to drink as well. Sounds crazy, and maybe a bit scary, but once you try an ice plunge you'll know for sure that there are few better ways to get your body feeling great.

Foam Roller: Using a foam roller to "work out the kinks" is a quick and easy way to release sore spots. It is great for your calves, hips, quads, hamstrings, and low back. Borrow one at bootcamp, or pick one up at the sporting good store (even Target has then recently). There is a great video here on the blog to help you get started.

Epsom Salt soak: add two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for about 20 minutes. It will help draw the toxins out of your system, and as a bonus will probably make you sleep like a baby! Be sure to drink a lot of water, as this can be dehydrating, and please note that diabetics should NOT use this modality without first consulting with a doctor.

Have a great week, and remember to take care of your body!

Carrot French "Fries"

Are you craving French fries but trying to stick to healthy veggies instead? This is a delicious way to cook carrots! They are similar to French fries but much more nutritious- and one serving has only about 155 calories!

Carrot French "Fries"
Serves 2

• 8 medium carrots, peeled and cut into fries
• 1 1/2 tsp olive oil
• Sea salt to taste

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF.
2. Place the carrots on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Drizzle with the olive oil and toss them with your hands to coat. Spread carrots out in a single layer on the baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with sea salt (optional). 
3. Bake at 425ºF for 18-25 minutes. Checking once or twice to toss to ensure even cooking.

You can get creative with the seasoning for the fries too! Consider adding cinnamon, chipotle chili powder, or cumin.

Giveaway coming Feb 28th!

CSN Stores has generously furnished another $35 gift certificate to Mama Bootcamp and we are hosting a giveaway starting on February 28th!

From fitness equipment to cookware or even swingsets, CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find just about anything.

Get ready- we will let you know how to enter starting February 28th!

*Please note that products can only be shipped within the US and Canada.

Weekly Challenge #8: Eat your Veggie Soup!

One of the the best things you can do for your body is fuel is right, and there's nothing better than veggies.

In the winter, at least for me, it gets a little harder to get in all 7 to 9 servings of vegetables my body needs. When it is cold and rainy outside, and all I want is comfort food, a salad or crunchy carrots just doesn't seem to fit the bill.

That's where this soup comes in. Warm and delicious, and versatile enough to enjoy as a snack or a full meal, veggie soup is comfort good that it good for your body.

Your challenge for the week: Cook up a big pot of veggie soup on the first day of the challenge. Add your favorite veggies, or add some protein to make it a complete meal. Eat it when you need a snack, or a meal, or just something warm and delicious. Enjoy your comfort food, and know that you are doing something great for your body and your health.

Have a great week!

VEGGIE SOUP
1-2 cloves fresh garlic
1 can diced tomatoes
3-4 (or more) cans chicken broth
1 onion
1 head of cabbage
3-4 carrots
3-4 celery stalks
1 red bell pepper
1-2 yellow squash
1-2 green squash

Chop all the vegetables and saute all but the squash in a big soup pot with a little oil and add 2-3 cloves of fresh chopped garlic. Saute for about 15-20 minutes until the veggies are starting to get soft. Chop and add the squash and 1 can of diced tomatoes. Then add 3-4 cans of chicken broth, or more if you want it soupy. Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer for about 30-40 minutes.

You can add whatever vegetables you like to this soup. To change it up use a can of Rotel tomatoes with mild green chilies, or add a can of kidney beans, black, beans, garbanzo beans, pinto beans or potatoes. You can also add turkey or chicken for a change.

Weekly Challenge #7 - De-clutter your life!

This week’s challenge is to de-clutter your life!

Clutter can be draining and de-energizing. By getting more organized, you simplify and live a more meaningful life!

Pick a drawer, a closet, or a room depending on your time and ambition this week and get rid of the junk, give away things you no longer use, and dust off the things you forgot you had! You will live more simply and freely as you de-clutter one step at a time.

Have an outstanding week!

Beauty tip: Glow from the inside out!

Did you know that eating lots of fruits and veggies actually gives your skin a healthier glow than the sun?

In this photo, the center image shows the woman's natural skin tone. The image on the left shows the effects of the sun and the image on the right shows the results of a diet high in fruits and veggies. Participants in a recent study thought that the fruit and veggie glow looked healthier.

Photo credit

Don't forget to get some sun too, though- you still need to get your vitamin D!

For more details on the related study and the reason for this glow, click here.

Weekly Challenge #6 - Start your day with Five Minutes of Core!

This week we focus on exercise. One of the most important aspects of creating a strong and healthy body is working to have a strong core. Your core supports your entire body, and core training helps prevent back problems.

This week, start every day with five minutes of core training. Plank three ways (front, left, right) for one minute each, do a minute of bicycles, and finish off with a minute of torso twists (with or without hand weights). It literally only takes 5 minutes to help create a stronger healthier core!

See the side bar for Lorri Ann's core strength training video.

Have a GREAT week!