December Restaurant Club

From left to right: Margene, Stacy, Susan, Lauren, Joni, and Liz

For December Restaurant Club, we had a fantastic evening out at the Halekulani with a table overlooking the ocean, fancy drinks, and even fancier dessert. Beyond dinner, though, it's always fun to carpool into Honolulu with friends. We'll be at Indigo on Tuesday, January 12, 6:30 PM and I hope you'll join us!

New Year's Day Reminder

There is no class on Friday, January 1. Enjoy the final day of the holiday season! Our schedule will return to normal on Monday, January 4 (Tuesdays at Kapolei begin again) with a few new additions:

*Monday class at CORP
*Friday class at Ocean Pointe

You can click on the calendar on the right to see the teaching schedule. Click forward to see January.

I came across this story on CNN about Modest Needs, a charity that helps low-income families with a one-time expense that threatens to push them into the public welfare system. After browsing the directory of requests for help, I have a new appreciation for utility bills, broken cars, and rent.

Each request is vetted by the staff of Modest Needs and checks are sent directly to the utility company, landlord, repair shop, etc. You can view every request for help and decide where to direct your donation. I think it's a brilliant idea.

Just like the name, Modest Needs, it only takes a modest donation from lots of people to help someone out.

1 Day Till Book Club!

We will be reading The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn and meeting at Jen Nielsen's home in Ewa Beach. This month's 4th Monday falls on December 28 and Book Club will begin at 6:45 PM as usual.

December's Book Club will also include a "White Elephant" book exchange! This is the perfect opportunity to regift an amusing book choice of Christmases past.

If you are new to Book Club, you can email Rosy (rosyc11[at]yahoo.com) to be added to the Book Club Evite list . The Evite will include directions to Jen's home.

January Restaurant Club

We will be going to Indigo in Honolulu for January's Restaurant Club.

Opened in 1994, INDIGO restaurant offers a signature blend of modern Asian, French and Mediterranean cuisine, creating a balance and harmony that delights any palate.

The restaurant is located on the edge of modern day Honolulu and Historic Chinatown, in the heart of the culture and arts district.

We will carpool to Honolulu from the Leeward side. Dinner will be on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:30 PM. Check your email and RSVP via Evite.

L.E.A.N.

* Are you frustrated by dieting?
* Looking to improve your habits and lose the weight?
* LEAN is an 8 week program that will teach you how to achieve sustainable results. You will learn positive, healthy behaviors in small steps.
* This is not a quick fix or an 8 week bootcamp. No calorie counting required.
* Let this be the last time you set a New Year's resolution to lose weight!

Check your email to view the participant questionnaire and to sign up for LEAN. Registration is open through January 6 for the full price of $199 (Stroller Strides members).

Class begins Thurday, January 7 and will be held in Ko Olina, 7 - 8:30 PM. Nursing babies are welcome to come with you to class.

Questions? Call 258-0402 or email Joni at joni[at]strollerstrides.net. I'm happy to help explain LEAN in more detail.

I hope you'll join us!

Honolulu Marathon

4 moms at Leeward Oahu ran the Honolulu Marathon on Sunday... Fit Moms Rock! Congratulations to the women who rocked it.

Stephanie (OP)
Rayna
Michaela
Stephanie (CORP)



From Stephanie, OP:
"I had a great first marathon experience. I finished in a time of 3:51:48. I felt good most the run. My quads started to hurt around mile 23 and I slowed a bit. Running back up Diamondhead Hill Road was not fun either. But I finished strong."






Rayna, Michaela and Stephanie came to class today at CORP (active recovery?!) and we were able to get as close to a group shot as possible. Since the marathon had at least 25,000 runners, no one was able to meet up at the race.

from left to right, Michaela, Rayna, Stephanie

From Rayna:
"I personally felt very strong throughout the race and did not hit any "walls." I ran a strong 9 min mile most of the time. But I finished strong and I already want to do another one!"

And More Baby News!

From the Hendrickson ohana:

We are so very proud and blessed to announce the birth and arrival of our beautiful daughter, Aubrey Elise Kalea. Tania went into labor Friday evening, and Aubrey was born on Saturday morning (12/5) at 7:11 am. She weighed 6 lbs, 9 oz, and she was 18 inches tall. Both mom and baby were happy and healthy, so the hospital released them the next afternoon.

She's gorgeous! Congratulations Tania!

More Baby News!

Celeste had her baby boy, Curren, on a Sunday morning, December 6. He weighed 7 lbs 11 oz & measured at 20 1/2 inches long. Congratulations to Celeste and her family! We can't wait to meet Curren at class soon.

December Book Club

We will be reading The Autobiography of Santa Claus by Jeff Guinn and meeting at Jen Nielsen's home in Ewa Beach. This month's 4th Monday falls on December 28 and Book Club will begin at 6:45 PM as usual.

December's Book Club will also include a "White Elephant" book exchange! This is the perfect opportunity to regift an amusing book choice of Christmases past.

Evite coming soon! You can email Rosy to be added to the Book Club and receive an evite by contacting her at rosyc11[at]yahoo.com. The evite will include directions to Jen's home.

L.E.A.N.

Learn Eating Awareness and Nutrition (LEAN) is an 8-week lifestyle weight management program designed to help you achieve a balanced body and a balanced mind.

It is based on a positive, empowering approach to health and was developed by Lisa Druxman, the founder of Stroller Strides. Using behavior and cognitive modification, stress reduction and social support, you will discover how to take the power out of food, and get off the diet cycle for life.

The next session of LEAN will be offered on Tuesdays at 7 o'clock beginning May 4. Each class is 90 minutes and will be held at my home in Ko Olina.

Week 1
May 4, LEAN Introduction

Week 2
May 11, Eating and Hunger Awareness

Week 3
May 18, Retraining Your Mind -- Self Talk

Week 4
May 25, Nutrition Sense

Week 5
June 1, Resistance Training

Week 6
June 8, Social Support

Week 7
June 15, Real Life Eating
We go to a restaurant for dinner.

Week 8
June 22, Program Summary

The LEAN program book and food diary will be provided to each participant. The session costs $199. Register by April 23 for a $25 discount.

Photos from Friday Class & Playgroup

Ooh, don't we look imposing?









This is my all-time favorite Stroller Strides picture.


Love that smile, Beth!

Mahalo to Rainey for being our photographer that day. I think you'll agree, she captured some great SS moments!

Baby News!

Welcome Reid! He arrived on November 20th weighing in at 7 pounds and 20.5 inches long.

Congratulations to Alyssa and family! We look forward to meeting Reid and seeing you and big sister Kara back at class soon!

Introducing L.E.A.N. Mommy!

A recent email was sent out introducing a new program that will begin in January. If you missed it, you can view it here. Please contact Joni for more info or questions, or to register!

Playgroup: Homemade Handprint/ Footprint Ornaments

For those of you who could not make it to playgroup last Friday, or didn't have their children with them, the recipe for the handprint/footprint ornaments are below:

4 cups flour

1 cup salt

1 1/2 cups water

Mix all the ingredients together. Knead dough for 10-15 minutes. Roll dough to 1/3 inch thickness. Use cookie cutters or bowl to cut into circle or desired shape. Press hand or foot in the dough. Use a straw to punch out two circles (for stringing ribbon or string through for hanging after it is baked). Use a toothpick to write your child's name, age, date, etc. Paint. Bake at 350º for 20-25 min. Spray with clear polyurethane for shine after it is baked.

*dough is inedible, just due to the salty taste*