Sunday, January 29, 2012

Top Trainers Workout DVD Set

I have a hard time prioritizing workout time for myself.  There just never seems to be enough hours in the day.  I have an elliptical machine, but that gets boring after awhile.  I've tried working out to tv shows, but the commercials are annoying.  I've tried checking out workout dvds from the library, but haven't liked any of them, and they all seem dated.  And forget joining a gym, because that adds commuting time on top of workout time, not to mention the $$$.  So what's a gal to do?

Last summer I was introduced to Top Trainers, a set of 10 workout dvds from top fitness trainers in different disciplines.  The program uses the "blend method" offering workouts from multiple fitness disciplines.  I LOVE IT!  Here's a list of the dvds and their descriptions, with my comments following in blue:
  • Lindsay Brin's Shed Five Fast:  Two different 30 minute workouts of total body and balance toning exercises with bursts of cardio.  Great when you want to fit in a quick workout and hit all the major muscle groups.
  • Ellen Barrett's Yogini (45 minutes):  Classic yoga poses intensified with Pilates and body-sculpting techniques.  I love the way I feel after doing yoga, and this is a nice workout.
  • Angie Miller's Core and Strength Fusion (70 minutes):  Fresh, creative and fun total body workout.  This one is okay; I wouldn't say it's my favorite, but I can't give a good reason why.  Maybe it's the length - I like 60 minutes or less.
  • Jennifer Galardi's Ballet Body (64 minutes):  Five mini workouts blending exercises from classic ballet, Pilates and yoga to deliver a workout that elongates and strengthens your entire body.  I LOVE this one.  It really targets and strengthens hip muscles (a big area of weakness for me).  I appreciate that she doesn't do tons of repetitions over and over -- it's a variety of exercises that accomplish the same thing.  I always feel like I'm walking taller and straighter after this one.
  • Tracey Mallet's Six Minute Quick Blast Method (27 minutes): A total body calorie blast that fuses cardio with deep toning techniques to lengthen and strenghen your entire body.  Targets the core for a flat, lean belly and healthy back.  I like quickness of these videos:  6 minutes for cardio, mind/body, and abs.  You don't get tired of one thing before it's time to move to the next.
  • Michelle Dozois' Your Best Body Circuit (58 minutes):  A complete weight and fat loss system which utilizes a powerful combination of fun and easy to follow cardio intervals and metabolism boosting exercises.  Nice mix; perfect length for me.
  • Ilaria Montagnani's PowerStrike 5 (52 minutes): An intense kickboxing workout filled with energy packed, exciting new drills and challenging choreographed routines.  I haven't tried this one.  I had my hip replaced a few years ago, and this one just didn't sit well with me & my titanium hip.
  • Christi Taylor's Mission: Possible (56 minutes):  Step and multi-impact workout for all exercise levels.  Burn calories and increase flexibility.  I used to do step class all the time when it first came out, and I still have my step, luckily.  I LOVE this workout, which mixes step with floor exercises. 
  • Susan Tuttle's Latin Sensation (2 26 minute sessions): Exercise to spicy Latin rhythms, going through a variety of Latin dance routines such as Salsa, Meringue, Cumbia, Cha Cha and Reggaeton.  Fun, fun, fun!  It doesn't even seem like you're exercising!
  • Stephanie Vitorino's Ultimate Body Shaper (48 minutes) Full body workout.  This workout is a little harder than some of the others, and has good cardio.  I like it!
In general, I really like all of the instructors.  I've attended many different fitness classes from many different instructors over the last 25 or so years, so I've got some experience behind me.  The set comes with a workout calendar preprinted with a schedule for 60 days.  I found I like to set my own schedule, though, depending on the time I have any particular day.  The set also includes some information on nutrition and a one-month subscription to ediets which I did not bother to look into.  Maybe I should....

I think the best thing about the set is the diversity.  The variety of workout routines really gives you a chance to pick and choose what you feel like doing on any given day.  Let's face it:  some days a 78 minute full cardio workout sounds great, and other days you just want to squeeze in a little salsa.  Also, you don't get bored doing the same workout over and over.

The cost for this set is about $90 (3 payments of $29.95 each).  That's about $9 per dvd, which isn't bad.  When you compare it to a gym membership, it's much cheaper.  Of course, a gym would give you many workout options, too, with equipment you're not likely to have at home. 

I recommend the set if you want to exercise at home and like a variety of options to choose from.  It also helps, I think, to have a background of attending classes with a live instructor so you know what good form feels like.  You don't need a lot of space, but you will need some light to medium handweights for several of the workouts, as well as a yoga mat.  I've done the yoga workouts on carpeting without a yoga mat, and it was okay, but the yoga mat worked better.

Now excuse me while I grab some shuteye so I can get up and workout in the morning!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

Disney On Ice Dare to Dream

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Last night my kids and I went to Disney on Ice Dare to Dream at the Allstate Arena. What a fabulous show! You expect a good show for Disney on Ice, but we were really wowed by how great it was!

The show highlights 3 main stories -- Princess and the Frog, Cinderella and Tangled. The Disney characters, Mickey & Minnie, Pluto, Donald Duck and Goofy, started the show with a New Orleans theme, skating and singing to “When the Saints Go Marching In” as well as other songs. The costumes and skating were both great. I felt like I was sitting in a theater in Walt Disney World!

Princess and the Frog had a cool, creepy start when they skated to “Transylvania Central.” My son liked the skeleton skaters and the villains in this scene. I didn’t really know all the details of this Disney story going into the show (although my 5 year old daughter apparently did), but I loved all the New Orleans music and skating. They used smoke and bright lights to hide the changes of Princess Tiana into a frog and then back into a human. It was done very well and was seamless.

The second story was Cinderella. I’ve never been much of a “princess person”, but I think I’ve been converted! They did a great job with this story, balancing both the beautiful dresses and skating and even some humor that poked fun at Cinderella’s stepsisters. The ball scene was beautiful with all the skaters in huge, sparkly dresses, making everyone wonder how they skate in those?!? The most spectacular part of the story was when Cinderella came out in her carriage that was pulled by “horses”. The horses were skaters with huge horse headdresses that were skating in unison pulling a beautiful lit-up carriage. It was really amazing! When the prince was looking for whoever fit the single glass slipper, a few little girls from the front row were “fitted” with the slipper by the performers.

The final story was Tangled. All the shows were great, but they definitely saved the best for last! Several songs from the movie were included and the best was the bar scene where the group of fabulously costumed thugs sings I’ve Got a Dream along with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider. Lots of people in the crowd singing along to that one! Maximus the Horse skated throughout this story with some very talented skaters inside the costume. Rapunzel and Flynn Rider did some spectacular acrobatic moves with long ribbons that hung down from the ceiling. They were literally flying through the air holding onto the ribbons.

The show ends with all the Disney princesses coming out in white and gold costumes. My daughter wondered why they weren’t in the dresses she was used to seeing them in, but still loved how “pretty” they all looked. Even Mickey & Minnie had white and gold sparkly costumes. The dance ended with fireworks and all the characters lined up on the stairs of the castle.

The show lasted about 2 hours, which included a 15 minute intermission. Each story included about 6-7 songs. Mickey & Minnie started the show, came out in between each story, then starred in the final song. It was a show that absolutely wasn’t just for princess loving girls. There was a group of childless women sitting behind us who loved every minute! Lots of adult humor and entertainment infused throughout the show. I can’t say that I would have went without kids, but I think I loved it just as much as my daughter and son. Lots of appeal for boys as well as girls.

After the show, we hung around for a short presentation done by the production crew. They told us some of the behind-the-scenes info on what it takes to put the production together. We learned that the scenery fits into 13 semi trucks, they travel with 2 washers & dryers, there are 178 costumes and over 1100 costume pieces! Four of the skaters came out in regular clothing and did some skating tricks for the crowd. It was fun to see and worth the extra time we stuck around. The extra time also helped to empty out the parking lot so we just walked to our car and pulled out.

Our seats could not have been better. We were straight in front of the the castle in section 115, right above the extra folding chairs they set up for the “VIP” section. I do think it made a difference to follow the stories when the characters are facing you all the time. Seats on the side would be fine, but if you can in the front section, its probably worth it.

Parking at the Allstate Arena was $13. There were many empty seats for our show, so you I don't think it would be a problem getting last minute tickets if you need to. All the food and drink prices inside the Arena were ridiculous, as expected. Lots & lots of Disney vendors set up all over to buy any kind of overpriced Disney toy you could imagine! We did end up with a Rapunzel flag, but it was $8, so I didn’t feel too bad about it.

Definitely a show that your whole family will enjoy. Highly recommended! You can get more information about Disney on Ice Dare to Dream on the Kidwinks site. It was a great way to start our weekend!

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The Perfect Big Brother/Sister Gift!


Baby GoGo Goes Home Doll Set and Diaper Bag is an adorable baby doll that would make any toddler happy! The doll is intended to be a new big brother or big sister gift, which it is perfect for. It could also be a great gift for any toddler that likes to take care of his or her dolls. The packaging it comes in makes it a great gift. The set includes the doll, a cloth velcro-tab diaper, a soft blanket, a small book entitled "Baby GoGo Goes Home" and a nice sized diaper bag to keep all of it in. The box is extremely sturdy .... my daughter put a few blankets inside the box and used it as a little bed for the baby doll.

The doll is gender-neutral (actually looks more like a boy), so its great for new big brothers as well big sisters. When my younger kids were born, I wanted to give my older boys their own babies to take care to keep them occupied (much to the dismay of my husband!). I had to search quite a bit for boy-looking dolls. Baby GoGo would have been perfect!



The diaper bag is relatively small, but large enough to carry the cloth diaper that comes with the set and maybe a few accessories you add yourself. My daughter likes to take a few things from her stash of doll accessories and put them in the diaper bag for Baby GoGo. Just the diaper and blanket didn't hold her attention for that long. Then again, she has no younger siblings that are having their diaper changed or blanket swaddled. That would make a difference. The pieces are all made very well .... the diaper bag is a heavy canvas.

Baby GoGo is a great gift for an older sibling and could be passed down from child to child as more brothers or sisters come into the family.

You can see a full descriptions of Baby GoGo in the shopping section of www.Kidwinks.com, as well as lots of other great toys!

Sunday, January 22, 2012

Sledding in Chicago - A New Favorite Sled Hill for Kids

I'm a Yooper - born and raised in the Upper Peninsula (Da U.P.) of Michigan.  So snow, winter, cold and the great outdoors are in my blood.  But sledding has always been a daddy-daughter activity in our house.  By the time our oldest daughter was old enough to go sledding, we had our 2nd daughter, who was just a baby.  So I stayed home with #2 while daddy took #1 out to enjoy the hills. 

The first few reports from the sled hill in Park Ridge (Centennial Park) had me worried about my daughter's safety.  My husband told me how crowded the hill often was, and how easy it was for kids to get hurt by other sledders.  There was no way he'd even consider letting our daughter go down the hill by herself. 

In a couple of years, #2 was old enough to join them, but I had a recent hip replacement (turns out hip dysplasia isn't a problem only in large breed dogs!) and not too keen on getting wiped out and hurting that precious hip. So I was relegated to staying home and making sure the hot chocolate was ready when the sledding contingent returned.  Poor me!
Flick Park Sled Hill
 
After a couple of close calls at Centennial, my hubby tried Flick Park in Glenview and was pretty happy with it, but still felt somewhat concerned about solo sledding.

When the snow first fell this year, our neighbor offered to take our daughters sledding with him and his 3 kids at Melas Park Sled Hill in Mt. Prospect.  Not familiar with this hill and concerned about safety, I made my husband go with so he could sled with #2 and help keep an eye on #1 and the others.  Well, it turns out I had little reason to worry!
 


Melas Park Sled Hill
Mt. Prospect, IL

Melas Park
Mt. Prospect, IL
Melas Park is FABULOUS for sledding!  It's a large, bowl-shaped area used for water retention after heavy rains.  There is room for everyone to spread out and have their own piece of the hill, so the danger of sledding accidents is much lower.  The slopes are steep enough to keep the older kids happy, but not too steep for the younger kids.

Melas Park - Pure Joy!
I think Melas Park might just tempt me out onto a sled this winter for the first time in years, and make this a fun winter family activity we can all enjoy together!  I have to say I'm actually pretty excited about it!  Who doesn't like a good sled ride?  WHHHEEEEEE!!!!! 

If you're looking for more Chicago area sled hills or other winter kids activities for Chicago kids, check out kidwinks.comKidwinks' Winter Fun for Kids online guide is a great way to find fun things to do with kids, and so is kidwinks' Chicago kids Events Calendar.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab

The Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab by Smartlab is a fun do-it-yourself maze toy. The set comes with a standing velcro board that is about 2 feet tall. It includes all kinds of crazy and silly components that you put together to create a path for the small steel ball to race through. You can follow one of the "maps" outlined in the instructions or you can put together your own design.

My seven year old son played with this toy on his own (actually with some help from his little sister, but all the ideas were his!). He thought some of the pieces were hysterical. They range from a kicking boot that sets off a pointing finger, a chicken coop, a flying pig, a variety of maze straight and curved pieces, and my son's favorite... a toilet bowl (toilets will always be a hit with 7 year old boys). With all the pieces set up, they almost looked like a contraption straight out of a Dr. Seuss book.

With so many possibilities in how to use the pieces, the toy kept my son's interest for quite some time. You definitely need some patience to work with this. The pieces need to be lined up exactly in order to for the ball to flow through. There isn't much room for error in some of the pieces. My son was a bit frustrated in trying to get the ball all the way through to the end, but he did certainly enjoy the Contraption Lab enough to keep playing with it for a couple of hours! That sure says a lot! Working with a partner might have made things easier for him.
Contraption Lab 2
Overall, the Weird & Wacky Contraption Lab is a great toy that requires patience and creativity. It rewards your child with the satisfaction of seeing their creation work and is a great deal of fun! Its a perfect toy to enjoy for an afternoon when the freezing cold winter temps keep you trapped inside the house. You can find lots of other fun things to do with your kids both inside and out on Kidwinks family fun page.





Saturday, January 14, 2012

Chicago Free Days - Free Museum Days in Chicago and Suburbs

Here is a great new addition to the kidwinks.com website. 
Parents won't need to empty their wallets if they visit Chicago area museums / cultural institutions on one of the many free days offered.  Below you'll find a list of the programs and Chicago museums' free days for 2012.  After the Chicago museums, we have listed the suburban museums. 
Each of the headings for the individual programs and museums is a direct link to the museum's discount page or the program's description page so you can easily click thru to verify the free days.  NOTE:  It's always a good idea to double check by calling the museum first, just in case their policies change before their website is updated.
Bank of America Museums on Us:  Holders of a Bank of America or Merrill Lynch card can enjoy free admission to 150 museums nationwide on the first full weekend of every month.  In Chicago, this includes:
Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Chicago History Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Adler Planetarium.
Chicago Public Library's Great Kids Museums Passports:  A Great Kids Museum Passport is good for two adults and two children for general admission to certain Chicago museums. Adults may check out these free passes at Chicago Public Library branches with your Chicago Public Library Card.


Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary general admission on Adler Discount Days with proof of residency.  2012 Discount Days:
January: 9-12, 17, 18, 23-26, 31
February: 1, 6-9, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29
March: 6, 7
Click on the link above and check out the Under One Sky membership - Members of the DuSable Museum of African American History and the National Museum of Mexican Art enjoy FREE general admission and sky show tickets at the Adler Planetarium, in addition to other discounts. 
Free Winter Weekdays:  Admission to the Art Institute of Chicago is free to Illinois residents every weekday, January 2–February 10, 2012.
Children under 14 are always free.
Target Free First Sundays:  First Sunday of each month, free admission for visitors 15 and under 
Kraft Free Family Night:  Thursday Evenings 5pm – 8pm, free admission for all visitors 

Illinois Resident Discount Days:  The museum is no longer free every Monday, instead a new schedule of days is offered, which provide free admission to Illinois Residents only. Discount Days at the Museum are on: 

Monday, January 16 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day) 
Sunday, February 5–Wednesday, February 29
Admission for kids age 12 and under is always free.
Free for members of: Chicago History Museum, DuSable Museum, and National Museum of Mexican Art. 

Tours are FREE on Wednesdays (not applicable to groups of ten or more). 
Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary basic admission on free days. 

Free Sundays:  Admission is FREE to all on each Sunday of the year. The museum also offers free admission rates (on school days) to all Chicago Public School students.
Children under 5 are free every day.


Illinois residents can enjoy complimentary basic admission during The Field Museum Discount Days. 
January Discount Days:   11th - 13th;  19th - 20th;  24th;  26th - 27th;  31st

Tours are FREE on Wednesdays (not applicable to groups of ten or more)

On the Shedd's Illinois Resident Discount Days, Illinois residents can enjoy free general admission. Shedd's 52 discount days a year take advantage of civic and school holidays to make family visits more convenient.
2012 Illinois Resident Discount Days 
January: 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31 
February: 6, 7, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28 
June: 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 
September: 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 
October: 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 
November: 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
 
 

Admission is FREE for Illinois residents on Tuesdays year round. 
Members of the military and children aged 12 and under (must be accompanied by an adult) are free every day.
Family Days:  Every second Saturday of the month, the MCA invites families to learn about the art of our time through hands-on art activities, scavenger hunts, Look & Learn stations, and more. Admission is FREE For families with children 12 and under.  Activities are appropriate for all ages. 

Children 12 and under eat FREE at Puck’s cafe at the MCA on Family Day with purchase of one adult entrée per child. 
Illinois residents receive free general admission on the following dates in 2012:
January:  12, 13, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31
February:  1, 8, 15, 22, 29
March:  5
April:  19
May:  23
June:  4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11
September:  4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
October:  1, 2, 3
November:  5
December:  3


Free admission every day.

Thursdays: Illinois Residents can enjoy free admission.
Children 3 and under are free every day.
Plenty of free street parking along Cannon Drive.

Admission to the Brunk Children’s Museum of Immigration is included with Swedish American Museum admission.
Free admission: second Tuesday of every month. 

 

FREE DAYS AT SUBURBAN MUSEUMS / ZOOS


Free Admission Off Season:  Zoo admission is free on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28. 

Hamill Family Play Zoo Admission 
Admission is free November 1 to March 1.
   
Free Admission for Military Personnel: 
To show appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the men and women in the United States Armed Forces, the Chicago Zoological Society is offering free admission to Brookfield Zoo to all active, reservist, and retired members of the military. Qualified personnel who present a valid ID at one of the zoo's admission booths will be admitted free of charge.
2012 Family Free Days: 
• January 7 
• February 4 
• March 3 
• April 14 
• November 3 
• December 1 

ALL VISITORS RECEIVE FREE ZOO ADMISSION; THE PARKING FEE REMAINS IN EFFECT.

 
Tuesdays are FREE to the public; group rates still apply.
Children under 12 are always free.
Every Tuesday is Donation Day, which means there is no fixed admission price, but you can leave a donation if you like.

For Chicago parents who are looking for rainy a day activities for kids, what to in Chicago kidwinks is the site for you.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Places for Birthday Party for Kids - Birthday Parties Jump Zone - Chicago with kids


For Chicago area parents looking for children birthday parties locations for kids check out Jump!Zone with 5 locations you get access to the entire play arena for the first 75 minutes of the party and the next 30 minutes in the party room.

Parties will have use of their Private Party Room for almost the entire time of the party (party room will be made available shortly after the party start time). Parents can relax and socialize or jump into the fun (as long as no children are playing on the inflatable at the same time).

In addition they are also a good option for indoor fun in Chicago and suburbs.  As an indoor kids venue they offer open jump times.  To find the exact times and days click thru on the links and then View Website.  Also if the weather is not great outside or if you are looking for rainy activities for kids.

For additional birthday parties locations for kids take a look at the kidwinks' Birthday Party Guide for Chicago Kids

Here are links to all 5 Jump!Zone locations:

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Places for Birthday Party for Kids - Pump It Up - Chicago The Inflatable Party Zone - Chicago with kids

Only at Pump It Up "The Inflatable Party Zone" can you enjoy a fully staffed, private, indoor party with giant interactive inflatable play structures and a 20' rock climbing wall. A Pump It Up party is a fun and unforgettable event for ages 2 to adult.  Allow the staff at Pump It Up to do the work while you are a guest at your own party. And it doesn't stop there, we offer more than just birthday parties.

Let Pump It Up host your field trip, corporate team building event, scout troop, sports team or special event. We are happy to customize a package that suits your individual needs.  They also offer weekly structured play classes for Ages 5 and under. These classes run, jump, climb, slide, sing, dance and more. The focus is on having fun and learning.

Click thru to read reviews by Chicago area parents  - 13 Great Reviews as of today.

For more places for birthday party for kids check out the Birthday Party Guide for Chicago Kids on kidwinks.com.

Click thru - Parents looking for Indoor Fun in Chicago with Kids.