Can you believe it’s April already?  It seems that just yesterday we were starting the new year with a renewed sense of focus on our goals and now I wonder – where do you find yourself?  Are you still on track or need another push?

We are continuing our inspiration weeks with none other than the fabulous Josie who you might know as YumYucky and is “finding the balance between fitness and your greedy side.”

Special Guest: Josie aka @YumYucky 

Josie has been a long time friend of the show and is always entertaining as a guest so you don’t want to miss this week’s episode.  Join us on Monday when we will hear about her journey and how she grew to accept herself along the way.  Don’t forget to check her out on twitter, facebook and occasionally over on Pinterest too.

I really love what she shares on her site:

“Don’t wait to get started on your own journey. Work hard. Make it count. And never, ever quit.”

Truer words were never spoken.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

Don’t forget to check out our Sista of the Week and show her some love this week!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by RockMyRun!!!
– 2 participants will receive a 1 month membership

  RockMyRun is focused on providing GREAT running music for active people. Specifically, RockMyRun provides running mixes, designed by popular, professional DJ’s that will increase the enjoyment and performance of a person’s workout or race.

“This post is sponsored by RockMyRun & Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Link up your post here.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):
-2 Viewers will receive  a 1 month membership to Rock My Run.

 To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. Get inspired by @YumYucky – Won’t you join us? http://bit.ly/Z2JZFG ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
4. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
5. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
6. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
7. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation

Over the last few weeks, it seems that within the sistahood there are a lot of us who are busy.  Really busy in some cases.  No doubt there is a LOT going on in all of our lives, but are we slowly letting all of life’s “busy” take precedence over our own health and well-being or are we finding our balance and keeping our health – and the health of our families – at the forefront?

Part of being in the Mamavation Sistahood is that we are always surrounded by inspiration no matter what step of our journey we are on.  Likewise, no matter where you are on your journey, you are an inspiration to someone else – even when you don’t know it.

This week’s guest has had a remarkable transformation which is inspiring in an of itself, but for me, the real inspiration is in the rest of her story.  She is definitely a jane of all trades and I am inspired by how she manages to keep it all together.

Special Guest: Kat Robertson 

If you haven’t yet taken the time to meet Kat Robertson, you should definitely hop on over to her corner of the webiverse – I heart Seven.  

Kat Robertson is a 30-year-old mom with four daughters, ages 4, 7, 10, and 13 and one 11-year-old son as well as two stepsons, ages 12 and 13.  She is also the woman behind behind all the chaos you will find here at iHeart7.com! She is the founder of Fitness Rebooted & StepInFaith Ministry, the owner of eDesign-Pro Company, and a joint-founder of Interracial Family Organization.  She’s also a talented singer who shares covers on her YouTube channel.   And… like so many of us, Kat is a “social media enthusiast” so you can follow her regular updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  Oh – and did I mention that she does all of this while “single parenting” 4 weeks at a time as her husband works off shore?

Join us on Monday to hear how she keeps it all together and still finds time for health, fitness and fun with her amazing brood.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

Don’t forget to check out our Sista of the Week and show her some love this week!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Mamavation.
– 2 participants will receive a copy of the book “Anatomy for Runners: Unlocking your athletic potential for health, speed, and injury prevention“

“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway”

Link up your post here.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):
-2 Viewers will receive a copy of the book  “Anatomy for Runners: Unlocking your athletic potential for health, speed, and injury prevention”

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. Get inspired by @katjrobertson – Won’t you join us? http://bit.ly/14kI9rE ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

1. Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
4. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
5. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
6. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
7. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation

One of the things I love most about Mamavation is the tremendous amount of support and inspiration within our members and friends. We feel fortunate to be able to bring several on to share their stories over the next few weeks and up first is the remarkable Roni Noone.

Roni Noone is a Web Publisher, Healthy Living Blogger and Social Media Fanatic. She founded FitBloggin, a conference for health and wellness bloggers, created BlogToLos, an online weight loss community, and blogs regularly at Just Roni, GreenLiteBites, The UnWorldlyTravelers, and the quirky Poops Butterflies

If you haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know Roni, you definitely should make an effort. She is so genuine and kind that just having her in my social media streams. You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest

Special Guest: Roni Noone

Roni, a 30ish working mom with a passion for coming up with lite recipe ideas. Eight years ago, she lost 70 lbs and started her blog as a way to help her focus on her weight loss journey. She is also an avid runner/fitness enthusiast now which is “still unbelievable to me” {Her words – Not mine}. She has run 4 half marathons, 1 full and 3 ToughMudders and on top of all of this awesomeness? She’s the organizer of FitBloggin’ and wrote a cookbook!!!

Dealing with the same challenges many of us face, Roni tackles mealtime like an adventure with “The world’s pickiest eater” and two adorable kiddos. She began sharing food ideas on her blog but when it began to take over, she opted to expand to GreenliteBites.com and from there, she created GreenLiteBites: a full color, photograph rich, cookbook containing 80 pages of recipes and ideas for lighter, healthier meals from the popular website.

From breakfast to dinner, sides to sweets, GreenLiteBites has a little bit of everything to inspire the hesitant home cook. The ideas are simple and use every day ingredients and techniques.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

Don’t forget to check out our Sista of the Week!!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Roni Noone
– 2 participants will receive a copy of her Cookbook – Greenlight Bites. Be sure to include the following disclaimer:

“This post is sponsored by Roni Noone and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post.

Link up your post here.

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):
-2 Viewers will win a Copy of GreenLiteBites

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “ Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. Talking with @RoniNoone about her journey and adventures in healthy living! http://bit.ly/XK9ezY ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):
Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)

1. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
2. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the#mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
3. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
4. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
5. Follow @roninoone on Twitter
6. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)
7. Start a thread on the forums and tag another Sista to join in on the conversation

I’m sure you’ve seen the commercial where kids are playing soccer in junk food costumes while the mother’s remark at how sluggish the kids seem.  Some days I think that is the perfect way to describe how we feel when we are too busy to take care of ourselves.  How often we forget that we are more than a mom, but often we are a wife and most of all a woman.  A woman who deserves to feel sexy and wonderful even with the demands that are placed on us day in and day out.

Chef Jessica Porter has recently released a cookbook embracing that idea – even with it’s semi-controversial title,The MILF Diet: Let the Power of Whole Foods Transform Your Body, Mind, and Spirit…Deliciously.(January 1, Simon and Shuster)  This new cookbook is inspired by a new breed of young, fit moms who embrace the term MILF as empowering.  Once a slang word for a sexually attractive mom, the term MILF has been downright aspirational. These moms eat a plant-based diet but they aren’t strictly vegan or macrobiotic.  They just want to eat the food that will keep them lean, keep their hair shiny, and give them energy.

“MILF is a term that reunites sexuality with the great maternal gifts of motherhood It is one four letter word we could AND should get behind,” states Jessica.

Special Guest: Jessica Porter

Jessica Porter, chef, nutritionist and best-selling author of The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics. She also co-wrote The Kind Diet with Alicia Silverstone. She teaches macrobiotic cooking classes in Santa Monica, CA, where she lectures on the spiritual and emotional dimensions of macrobiotic practice. She has also taught cooking in major food cities like New York, Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Portland, Maine and London.

The MILF Diet is the perfect cookbook for women who want to combine health and happiness. It’s a great way to kick-off the New Year with some resolutions to get healthy!

The MILF diet is all about eating whole, natural, and delicious foods that will help moms look younger and even spice up their sex life.

Jessica has traveled and worked as a private chef for a number of years and in her free time, when not writing, cooking or teaching macrobiotics, Jessica is a hypnotherapist.  Talk about a Jill of all trades!

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Chef Jessica - 2 participants will receive their own copy of The MILF Diet: Let the Power of Whole Foods Transform Your Body, Mind, and Spirit…Deliciously.  Be sure to include the following disclaimer:

“This post is sponsored by Jessica – the Healthy Hip Chick and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post.

Link up your post here.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

1. Copy of  The MILF Diet: Let the Power of Whole Foods Transform Your Body, Mind, and Spirit…Deliciously (2 winners)

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. Sexy Food Talk with @jessicahipchick http://bit.ly/XyvGt6” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):
Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)

1. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
2. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the #mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
3. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
4. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
5. Follow @jessicahipchick on Twitter
6. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)

There are many different schools of thought on whether or not snacking should be a part of your day, but I think everyone can agree that if you are going to snack, you should make better choices than say a neon orange puffed concoction that may have well been a science experiment gone wrong.

As a mom of growing kids who seem to ALWAYS want to eat, it’s important to have better choices at the ready. Snacking on fruits or vegetables is preferred of course, but what happens when the craving requires something salty and crunchy?

Enter Beanitos, an all natural, bean based, 100% corn free snack chip, quite possible Doug Foreman’s greatest creation to date.

Photo Credit www.statesman.com/

Special Guest: Doug Foreman

Beanitos founder, Doug Foreman is no stranger to healthy snacking.  Most famous perhaps for his “Guiltless Gourmet” line of low-fat baked tortilla chips, he’s often coming up with new and inventive ways to feed our snack craving all the while avoiding the typical snack pitfalls.

In 1996, Foreman also created Pop-Nots™, a snack consisting entirely of the crunchy half-popped popcorn kernels usually found at the bottom of any popcorn bowl. Pop-Nots were sold in Wal-Mart and 7-Eleven Stores and are still available online.

Today, his passion for the business is evidenced by his regular visits to Beanitos baking facility, tasting, checking and personally overseeing his latest creation.

He has been a media favorite, appearing on the cover of Food and Beverage Marketing (Nov.1993), Forbes (July 1992 & 1994), and Inc. (cover story, June 1994). In 1992, he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst & Young and Inc. magazine. Foreman’s interests have always reflected his desire to take the unpredictable path. He was once a professional helicopter pilot delivering traffic reports in his hometown of Austin, Texas. Born in Louisiana, Foreman has since remained in his adopted home state of Texas where he resides with his 3 young sons.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Beanitos – 2 participants will receive their own healthy Beanitos snack.  Be sure to include the following disclaimer:

“This post is sponsored by Beanitos and Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post.

Link up your post here.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

1. Beanitos (2 winners)

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. Let’s talk healthy snacking with @Beanitos http://bit.ly/XERXng” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):
Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)

1. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
2. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the #mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
3. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
4. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
5. Follow @beanitos on Twitter
6. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)

I can hardly believe it but we are about to embark on Campaign #15. Over the years Mamavation Moms have lost a grip ton of weight and changed families time and again.

This week we are going to meet the finalists and I know that everyone who applied will be on pins and needles waiting but please know, you are all winners for making the dedication to living a healthier life.

Special Guests: Mamavation Campaign 15 Finalists

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV.

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Bengay Zero Degrees Menthol Pain Relieving Gel which, if you’ve been following along on the hazing you KNOW this is a good thing to have on hand. 2 winners will be selected to receive their very own zero degree pain relief straight from the freezer.  Be sure to include the following disclaimer:

“This post is sponsored by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post.

Link up your post here.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over Twitter. (Or later if I get swamped)

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

1. Bengay Zero Degrees Menthol Pain Relieving Gel (2 winners)

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV. This week Meet the #Mamavation Mom Finalists and cheer them on  http://bit.ly/VEFjbP ” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):
Download the Alexa tool bar, http://www.alexa.com/toolbar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)

1. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
2. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the #mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
3. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
4. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
5. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)

For most of us, this week marks a transition back to the regular routine.   The holiday season has come to a crashing halt like a three year old after a sugar crash.

Did you make any resolutions?  How are they working out for you? Need a kick in the pants yet?  (hehehehe)

In honor of the first Monday of 2013, we are kicking the year off with a SLUMBER PARTY!

These are always our favorite and most *ehem* entertaining shows of the year where anything… well ALMOST anything goes and we enjoy an hour or so of girl talk.  The crux of the conversation will be around our goals and/or resolutions because there’s something almost magical about saying them out loud…

Do your goals focus around physical achievements?  Are you focused on your health this year?  Making yourself a priority?  What about mental health and stress?  Are those on your list?

The top resolutions made in January shouldn’t be a surprise – (in no particular order)

1. Eat less
2. Exercise more
3. Spend less/Save more
4. Drink less
5. Stop smoking
6. Find a better work/life balance
7. Volunteer in the community
8. Get Organized
9. Learn something new
10. Finish a project that you’ve been meaning to get to

Any of those are YOUR list? Most importantly, have you decided what your reward will be when you do reach your goals? Because after all, rewarding yourself is perhaps the funnest part

Speaking of taking care of ourselves (we were talking about that, right?) This week’s Mamavation Blogging Carnival is sponsored by Schick Intuition Razors. If you haven’t tried them yet, you TOTALLY should. I swear these are the only razors that can get me to shave in the winter even if I don’t have a hot date lined up. Come on… I KNOW I’m not alone in this… right?!?!

MAMAVATION TV: Join us Monday night at 7pm PST/10pm EST on Mingle Media TV

BLOGGING CARNIVAL: This week’s blogging carnival is sponsored by Schick Intuition. 2 blogging carnivals participants will each receive Schick Intuition Razor.

Schick^® Intuition Naturals Sensitive Care^™ has a Skin Conditioning Solid^™ that contains 100% natural Aloe with Vitamin E, and is fragrance free and hypo-allergenic so it’s gentle on your skin and helps reduce irritation.

Now gentler on the environment with 100% recyclable packaging made with recycled materials!

Be sure to include the following disclosure “This post is sponsored by Schick Intuition and hosted by Mamavation – a community dedicated to obesity prevention & weight loss for women and I’m writing this to be entered into a giveaway” at the bottom of your post. Link up your post here.

SISTAHOOD: If you are interested in pledging to the Mamavation Sistahood, Monday is the time to do it. Please go here for instructions. Invitations are done on Wednesdays over twitter. (Or later if I get swamped).

GIVEAWAYS (You must attend Mamavation TV show to win):

1. Schick Intuition Razor  (2 winners)

To Enter (leave a comment for entry):

1. Hit the Linky
2. Tweet out this message “Giveaways LIVE on #Mamavation TV.  This week is a SLUMBER PARTY sponsored by @SchickIntuition http://bit.ly/Uu0ppo” (Unlimited Entries for tweets)

Extra Entries (leave a comment for EVERY entry):

1. Download the Alexa tool bar (this will help your Alexa rating go up and will help Mamavation too!) (1 entry)
2. Comment on a Mamavation Monday post. (2 entries for each blog you visit)
3. Tell a Sista this week WHY she is special on twitter using the #mamavation hashtag (1 entry)
4. Subscribe to the RSS feed of this blog (1 entry)
5. Follow @InspiredRD on Twitter (1 entry)
6. Like Mamavation on Facebook (1 entry)
7. Follow @SchickIntuition on Twitter (1 entry)
8. Give @Bookieboo Klout points, +Klout in Fitness, nutrition, health, social media, or parenting. (1 entry each)