Food for thought. True story.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

TRUE STORY: AT THE MARKET THE OTHER DAY A YOUNG GIRL ABOUT 10, VERY VERY OVERWEIGHT WAS IN LINE TO CHECK OUT. SHE WAS ALONE WITHOUT HER PARENTS.

SHE WAS BUYING A JUMBO CONTAINER OF GENERIC ICE CREAM, 10 PACKAGES OF COOKIES, CANDY, SUGAR SODA...YOU GET THE PICTURE.

IT REALLY AND STILL UPSET ME (EVEN NOW AS I TYPE THIS.) MY KIDS WERE WITH ME. WE WERE ALL SILENT (AND FOR MY KIDS AGES 4 AND 8 TO BE SILENT, YOU KNOW IT WAS QUITE A SITE.)

AS A MOM, I WANTED TO TAKE THIS GIRL IN MY ARMS, SHE LOOKED SO VERY VERY SAD AND EMBARASSED. DO WE INTERFERE AND BUT IN? DO WE SIT BACK? I WAS FROZEN.

THE CHECKER LATER TOLD ME HER MOM AND DAD SEND HER IN ALL THE TIME TO BUY THE SAME ITEMS. WOW. SO SAD.

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF SHE KNEW BETTER AND TOLD THE PARENTS OTHERWISE? I COULD ONLY IMAGINE THE SCENARIO AT HOME OR WHAT THE PARENTS WERE LIKE BEING TOO LAZY TO EVEN GO GET THE JUNK FOOD....

LATER, IN THE CAR, MY KIDS TOLD ME THAT "THE GIRL SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BUYING ALL THAT JUNK FOOD, IT IS UNHEALTHY." MY 4 YEAR OLD ASKED ME WHY HER MOMMY DIDN'T TEACH HER BETTER?

HMMM.

Kiana :60 Tip: Juicer

I love fruits and vegetables. I love juice. So you can imagine how excited I was when one of my gifts from Santa was a brand new, top of the line, Juicer! I love to get all types of fruit and veggies: kale, spinach, apples, carrots, ginger…and make new juices to try….it is such a yummy way to add more vitamins and greens to your daily food intake. I recommend juicing as an addition to eating whole fruits and veggies. My whole family loves it!



Here is what I will be juicing tomorrow morning:
Kale, spinach, apple, carrot, celery, lemon.

[SlideDeck id='2243' width='100%' height='300px']

Wonderful Family Christmas

This was the first time in years that we decided to stay home for Christmas. Usually, we head to Aspen or to the local mountains for snow boarding and skiing. Sure glad we did since it rained for 4 straight days. The most rain we've had years.  I personally don't like to fly or drive in the pouring rain since too many LA people text and drive already, let alone do it in the rain!? Yikes!

We had such a nice time, but not relaxing at all! The kids sang on Christmas Eve at the Church, which was lit by candles. Imagine 100+ people holding candles while their children sang. Beautiful and really made my heart so warm. I made Christmas Eve dinner for my parents and sister, everyone came to the house and we sat by the fire, sipped champagne and talked for hours. It was so relaxing.



That all came to screaching halt when I was awakened at 4 am (yes 4 am) by our 8 year old wanting me to "get up and make everyone pancakes and open presents!" She had already scoped out the gits, new how many gifts Santa left for every member of the family including how many dog treats were in each dog's stocking. She told me how many bites of cookies Santa took "I think that is why Santa is so fat Mommy, cuz he is eating cookies all over the world!" (Makes sense to me, what a smart kid.)

I was able to sleep 1 more hour and then before I knew it I was buried in wrapping paper! My favorite Fit Mom gift I received from Santa was  a new Juicer. I have some delicious recipes I will share with you at the start of the New Year!  We made an amazing apple, carrot, celery juice this morning!


It was over so fast but I am more relaxed now being able to enjoy playing their games 1 at a time.  Yes, I am proud to say I am the Bop it and Wii Just Dance champ.  I still need to work on my Toy Story Yahtzee skills.  I would love to hear about your Christmas! Please share!

Fit Tip: Vitamins

Hi Fit Moms! I had to share this Vitamin Tip from a well known Doctor.... Here is what I just bought that he recommended.

It's a busy busy time of year! And from all the coughing I hear in town....it's also flu season.

I am a firm believer that we should get most of the necessary nutrients from whole, natural foods. Basically, I feel we should eat our vitamins by eating a wide variety of natural foods. However, we are all very busy and don't eat as healthfully as we'd like to, so that is where a good solid vitamin comes in to the picture.

Just got back from the store and stocked up on vitamins. Here is what I bought:

• Centrum Multi Vitamin


• Vitamin C 1000 mg.

Last week, I had my annual check up at the Doctors and had a nice visit with him too. It seems everywhere I turn, people are coughing and are sick, they cannot get rid of the cough. I asked my Doctor if he often got sick, since his patients are sick.  He told me he hadn't been sick in 30 years and only took antibiotics 1 time. This was amazing to me, considering the fact that he sees dozens of very sick patients who come to his office with the flu and worse.

I asked him how he stayed so healthy. I told him I hadn't been sick for years until I had kids (they bring home all types of new germs from school!)

I thought I'd share his advice with you:

My doctor said he has been taking "Centrum" vitamins for decades. 1 per day. He said he also takes 1000 mg. vitamin C per day and if he is going to be around sick people, he increases that to 3000 mg. I had never taken Centrum vitamins so I thought it was worth a try. They have a large selection of vitamins for "performance," "cardio," "multi-vitamins" and "for kids" too! No, I don't professionally endorse Centrum vitamins, but I do buy them.  I just thought it sounded like simple, doable and realistic advice.

Old School? It may seem old school, especially that there are dozens of vitamins to pick from.  I believe that "old school" is often the best, since the fact that it has been around for a long time, is proof in itself that it works. It's not a gimmick or fad.

To your health!

Quote of the Day

"Mommy said sugar is bad for you. You'd better take the smaller Christmas cookie." My 8 year old daughter to her 3 year old little sister.

Violins, Christmas Cookies and Brownies

What a fun night last night!

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days....Christmas with 2 kids means a PACKED week!  Like you I am sure.....I am trying my very best to juggle being a good Mommy, Fit Mom TV, Kiana's Flex Appeal for Fox Sports, re-designing Kiana.com, finishing up my fitness inventions, moving forward with the 3 other business ventures I am starting....oh....and the workouts, errands, groceries, and chores.....You know the drill.

Both kids have their school Christmas parties this week. and I being the over zealous Super Mom, volunteered to have the Annual Family of 30 over for sit down dinner this Saturday---yikes! What did I do??? Good thing we have  big house. I am going to take the Parenting Mags' advice and only "wipe the counters and light candles." instead of my usual obsessing that the house is spotless.

Anyway. my daughter is a Brownie for the first time.   Her Brownie Troop (along with the Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts) went Christmas Caroling at the local Senior Citizens' Home. What a warm, emotional evening for me. I wondered if I were the only one feeling it. All the parents joined and watched.

I fell "in love" watching my 8 year old sing, she looked so grown up. Seemed like I blinked and now she is 8. (I have to stop blinking) My 3 year old and I watched and listened.

Side Note: When I drop my 3 daughter off at pre-school, she is so independent and secure that she quickly hugs & kisses me so that she can run to join her friends at school. I watch the other parents as their kids cry and scream.....they won't "let go" and don't want to "leave Mommy." Those parents are frustrated and I feel it in a different way. I have to remind my kids to kiss me goodbye! I asked our Pastor about it...he said "your kids are so secure and loved...they KNOW you will be back so they aren't clingy." (I am going with that so I don't get my feelings hurt!) All in all: Guess I am raising 2 very independent, strong girls...I like that.

While most of the Moms and Dads were busy taking photos of their kids, but I was busy watching my kids AND the audience. It seemed a bit sad that the seniors sat there watching so unemotionally. I wondered if they were bored or enjoying the music but lost their passion for life and had no expressions anymore?  What were they thinking? Were they thinking "it was yesterday I was taking MY 8 year old Caroling for the Holidays and now here I am!?" So many of the parents asked...."Is this what we have to look forward to?"

The thoughts were sort of surprising as we all expected lots of smiling, laughs and energy.....hmmm....Guess when you're 90-that's not the drill. We humbly forget.



On a positive note; After the Jingle Bells, Red nose Reindeer, Dashing through the snow, Silent Nights....the kids played their violins, recorders and shook their Jingle Bells. The Brownies, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts then handed out handmade ornaments and homemade cookies to the Seniors after the caroling. It was really a special beautiful night that made me think on so many unexpected levels. I thought about how they would probably be talking about it for hours or days after the children left.

Just curious....do you have grand parents, great grand parents or older parents? What are they like? I think I have a tainted frame of reference since my Mom is very young acting and very very energetic.......Even my grand mother went sky diving on her 70th birthday....

Blueberry Smile Pancakes

As a busy mom with 2 picky eaters, I am always trying to find FUN ways to get healthy foods into their favorite foods. Here are fun pancakes we make, my kids said they make them "SMILE." I add blueberries and make a cute smile face, you can also add nuts, raspberries, bananas for the nose, almonds for the teeth....The kids love it. And...when they help make it, they eat it!

I also add almonds and a handful of trail mix as crunchy options for more texture and protein. Hope you and your kids try this!

Crazy 8 Exercise for Kids by My Crazy 8 Year Old!

The other day I was filming for FitMomTV and my 8 year old asked if she could do a workout "for the Fit Kids of the Fit Moms."  I was so proud of her and very surprised what she did on camera the first take. The show isn't edited yet but I am excited to share the exercise routine with you and your fit kids! Enjoy!

Goal: Do 8 of each movement and HAVE FUN!

1. Start with feet together, move the feet outward: heel toe heel toe to count of 8


2. Clap 8 times as you put both hands on the floor


3. Walk your hands forward to a count of 8


4. Do 8 push ups (I am so impressed she could do 8 real push ups!)


5. Walk your hands back in to count of 8


6. Clap 8 times as you stand back up


7. Walk your feet back together to a count of 8


8. Do 8 jumping jacks

Start with feet together, move the feet outward: heel toe heel toe to count of 8



Clap 8 times as you put both hands on the floor



Walk your hands forward to a count of 8

Do 8 push ups (I am so impressed she could do 8 real push ups!)

Walk your hands back in to count of 8



Clap 8 times as you stand back up



Walk your feet back together to a count of 8

Do 8 jumping jacks

My Thanksgiving Weekend

My family and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I cooked for the whole family and made everything super Fit Mom Healthy: Roasted Turkey, fresh yams with pecans, broccoli salad, cornbread with organic honey, homemade apple pie with homemade crust without sugar. My tips for a healthy Thanksgiving OR Holiday Feast is to try and make every dish on the healthier side.

That way when you did indulge, you have less calories, fat and sugar. You don't want to deprive yourself or take the special-ness out of the Holidays but keep the flavor, not the calories, fat or sugar.

It was really nice to be making dinner at home and not be driving to other people's home in traffic.

My husband and I were able to enjoy a glass of champagne before everyone got to our home.   I'll admit we all ate way too much and were so tired from the tryptophan in the turkey-we got sleepy early!

The next day, I got up early at 6am. I intended to go to Black Friday and Christmas shop but got side tracked. My 10 year old, 140 lb. black lab/shepard/chow mix, "Crunch," was acting like a puppy. He never gets up on his hind legs, but this morning he put both paws (huge paws I might add) on my lap and was wagging his tail trying to tell me something. Standing on his hind legs he was about 5 feet tall, I never see him do that. I figured he was saying, "don't go shopping, you'll never come back! Let's go for a walk up the hill instead while everyone else is asleep! It will be like old times, just the two of us!"  So that is what we did.

When we got back, the kids and my husband were up. We had turkey breast on sour dough toast, protein shakes and coffee. Then we headed to our home gym and did 2 interval circuits. We were only interrupted a few times by the kids, not too bad.

We are going to put up our Christmas lights tomorrow. My goal is to wrap all 21, 20 foot palm trees with lights. I want to be surrounded by a winter wonderland this year! The kids love colored lights, so we will put up colored lights in the front of the house and all white lights in the back. I think the white lights will look stunning against the back drop of the blue ocean and orange sunset.



Well, going to work on the new workout routines for next week.

Bye Fit Moms!

Fruit Kabobs! Kiana’s Fit Cooking

Kiana, host and founder of Kiana's Fit Mom TV, brings a new episode to the Fit Mom TV lineup: Kiana's Fit Cooking! 10 minute healthy recipes that are fun to make and easy to clean up. Joining Kiana is Guest Fit Mom Executive Chef, Eldon Pico and their kids to make Fruit Kabobs with Exotic Dragon Fruit and healthy/sweet dipping sauce! Watch at www.fitmomtv.com

Healthier Piggy Cupcakes for Kids

What a crazy couple of weeks we've had. The days flew by so fast. My youngest daughter turned 4 last week. Her preschool class is learning about barnyard animals. She wanted cupcakes to share with her class on her birthday. I have to confess, this was the 1st time I'd ever made cupcakes. We don't eat many sweets so I modified a great recipe on Parenting.com for Piggy Cupcakes. I substituted stevia for sugar. They loved them!

Here are the cupcakes. They had pink marshmallows as the nose and I clipped them for the ears.

Halloween was terrific with the kids. Our youngest was Super Baby, our 8 year old a Rock Star Witch.  Took them trick or treating on a well known street that has haunted houses, lots of fun family parties. SUVs full of kids from around the county come to walk and get huge candy bars. The kids wore their costumes to school and had a big parade for all the parents. Of course....more candy! What's a Fit Mom to do?





Few days later, we Celebrated Hubby's birthday, my Mom's birthday and attended a wedding in LA at a beautiful Catholic Church.....balancing these fun nights out with the regular workouts, errands, kid's dance classes, homework, kids swimming lessons, brownie meetings, pre production for Kiana's Flex Appeal Fox Sports Network....quite a juggling act for me.



I am off to the beach now for a long walk with my youngest. She runs 1/2 of the way and then I push her in the stroller the rest of the way. Talk to you soon Fit Moms!

Free Kids Stuff! Great links

Hi Fit Moms! Wanted to share some great links to get Free Stuff for Kids. Enjoy! Share your links by posting below in the comments box. Thanks!

http://www.kiddierecords.com - Records online. Free kids classic books. Like books on tape. Free!

http://www.swap.com - swap used DVD's your kids have outgrown. 1 for 1. Recycle and Reuse!

http://www.kik.com - free texting for your smart phone. Did i say free?

Oatmeal Cookie Recipe - withOUT butter

My 3 year old and I had such fun making cookies the other day. She pronounces the word, "Oatmeal" as "Opa-meal." So I thought that was a good name for these cookies.

Ingredients

• 1 cup applesauce


• 1 cup packed light brown sugar


• 1/2 cup white sugar


• 2 eggs


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1 teaspoon baking soda


• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves


• 1/2 teaspoon salt


• 3 cups rolled oats


• 1 cup raisins - optional

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).


2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, butter flavored shortening, brown sugar, white sugar, eggs, and vanilla until smooth. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Stir in the oats and raisins. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets.


3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until light and golden. Do not overbake. Let them cool for 2 minutes before removing from cookie sheets to cool completely. Store in airtight container. Make sure you get some, because they don't last long!

How to make French Toast Fingers

We've all seen the Frozen French Toast at the grocery store. Here is a healthier version that is more delicious and costs less, too. My kids love to dip the french toast sticks into honey, yogurt or syrup.

Directions:

Heat non stick pan. Spray with non stick spray.

Scramble 3 eggs (2 egg whites, 1 whole egg)

2 Tbs. milk

Dip 1 slice sour dough in egg batter and brown both sides in pan. Cool. Slice toast into "fingers" almost to the crust.

This will keep the toast from sliding into the toaster when you reheat it. And it's fun for kids to pull apart. Store in air tight containers in freezer to reheat on busy mornings.

I keep the freezer stocked with Ready to Eat French Toast, protein rich edamame, portioned 2 minute brown rice and lean ground turkey

Serve alongside Fage greek yogurt and berries.

Healthy Halloween Treats

I have done alot of things in my life: hosting tv shows, acting in major motion pictures, television dramas and comedies, commercials, producing, directing, writing and creating tv shows, interviews, music, art, sports and even accomplishing some of my travel dreams: hiking to the top of Machu Picchu in Peru, walking atop a glacier in Alaska and dining at the US Ambassadors home in Japan after performing in the City to name a few.

Discovered in 1911, Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful locations in the world. The city is made of stones weighing up to 50 tons. How did they get up there? There weren't tractors back then.....

But, here is something I NEVER thought I would get to do. The other day I had the honor of leading my first born daughter's Brownie Troop in a fun Fitness and Food Class so they could earn their Badge.

From my point of view, for over 20 years, I've helped millions of people around the world learn about health and fitness. It's a whole new meaning to me when it's for my own children and their friends. Quite a significant part of my life.  It was a real treat.

My first born is now 8. Helping her Brownie Troop is so very special.
They grow up too fast.

What fun we had! Here is what we did.

Food:

Since Halloween is coming up, we made Spooky Snacks that were Apple Mouths with Straggly Teeth and Tongues.

Ingredients: Red and green apples, sharp knife (for adults only), almond slices and cheddar cheese.

Fit Mom bragging rights: I asked my daughter what the "tongues" should be made of and at first she said "Fruit Roll Ups." She quickly said, "No wait Mommy, those have too much sugar, let's use cheddar cheese slices and besides that tastes better with crunchy apples." (Sigh. This Fit Mom is so proud.)

After our Spooky Snacks, I taught them how to read the Nutritional Breakdown on packaged cereals and crackers. They quickly learned what to look for and all have fun picking the "healthier sweet cereal."

Fitness:

Then it was on to the Fitness part of the Badge. I led them through a fun Plyometric Obstacle Course that include jumping on a mini trampoline, hopping over hurdles and bunny hopping thru a fitness ladder.

They had so much fun cheering each other on as they took turns on the course. Little did they know they were doing Plyometrics that are done by highly trained professional athletes for training to increase muscle speed and power.

I have incorporated many Plyometrics into thousands of Kiana's Flex Appeal shows for ESPN. These exercises are a really fun way to lose fat and tighten your body FAST.

Here is a sample of a recent Plyometric workout I did for CBS Health, "Flab to Fab with Kiana."

Flab to Fab CBS Health

For another convenient workout to do at home, try the Fitness Band DVD to tighten your entire body. It's a wonderful workout using the Fitness Band as resistance.

Fit Moms Lead by example.

Our Day at the Ranch

Just got back from a wonderful weekend at the Ranch. I am one of the lucky ones since I get along with my mother-in-law. She is great with the kids, has lots of energy and she loves animals, esp. horses. She gave several horses to our girls. They named their horses: Salsa, Chico, Lily, Poco Loco.

We had such a fun time riding the horses, watching the baby horses nuzzle and roll on their backs sunbathing, feeding the goats, and playing with all of the dogs.  The girls love giving the horses showers and even had fun putting all the saddles and tackle away.

From a fitness point of view, riding horses is great for toning the inner thighs, since you are constantly using the adductor motion to hold onto the horse. It is a fun way to strengthen your core too, esp. when you cantor or lope the horses.

What a wonderful day!