Great article for the Winter – 11 Ways to Beat Winter Flab

Great article by Nutrition expert Elisa Zied, her blog is the Zied Guide, on 11 Ways to Beat Winter Flab – with a little quote from me, too. msnbc: http://bit.ly/QGZi7

I hear it all the time: “I can’t work out on vacation” or “I don’t have room in my suitcase for my sneakers” or best yet “I can eat whatever I want on vacation” but should we? Because I also hear that after vacation sometimes we feel worse. We over-ate, didn’t exercise and that makes getting back into our normal routines that much harder for ourselves.

When you travel – whether to visit family, for fun, or for business, it’s important to keep your body moving and still make healthy food decisions. I always try to pack my sneakers and a pair of walking shorts even on an overnight business trip. I know that I feel better when I can get up and get my body moving. But beyond that, it’s a great way to see a city. I like to get off the airplane, check into my hotel and then lace up my sneakers for a little exploring time. Whether it’s a walk around NYC or a visit to a nearby park in Orange County, CA, getting outside gets those endorphins going and even helps prevent jet lag.

A hotel room can very easily become a great make-shift gym with or without your sneakers. Arm dips on a chair, a few push-ups, lunges back and forth across the room are just a few ways to get the blood pumping while traveling. And don’t you know that you’ll feel a little less guilty about that fabulous dinner you will have on vacation when you’ve put a little effort into keeping yourself in shape.

So as we head into to that Holiday Feast season, remember to keep moving and enjoy without over-indulging.

Rachael Ray or Root Canal?

Doesn’t seem like much of a choice does it?! Actually, I have been suffering with some serious tooth pain and last week the dentist decided I needed a root canal. It was scheduled for today. The pain, over the weekend, was so severe and excruciating that I think I would rather go through child-birth again. Luckily by Sunday afternoon, I had pain medicine in hand and life has been much better.

Before I return to this story, let me digress about a mother’s pain or illness. Is it just my household or do things seem to get more messy and chaotic when mom is a bit out of commission? I just can’t seem to get clothes off the floor in the bathroom, or dinner just like I would like it, or the kitchen cleaned up afterward. And because a sick or hurt mom doesn’t have it in her to clean while under the weather the mounting mess is also a mounting mess of things-to-do when you do feel better. Aaagh! I know what’s wait for me when I get home.

Back to my story! Sunday I had a phone call with a producer from The Rachael Ray Show who invited me to come on the show for a Holiday Travel segment. What tooth pain? Of course, I can make it! So with that, the root canal is pushed to Thursday and I am in New York City. I’m taping the segment tomorrow which will air in a few weeks for Rachael’s holiday week of shows.

What tips will I be sharing? Well, you’ll have to watch to find out. And I will say that I never thought that I would ever be looking forward to a root canal but I am. Never say never.

Ok, maybe one tip but I’ve said it before. If you are planning to travel this holiday season and you haven’t booked your flights – BOOK YOUR FLIGHT! What are you waiting for? The prices are not going to be better than they are today. And with it being a Tuesday, they really won’t be better any time this week so get booking! You run the risk of not getting a seat at all because airlines are cutting capacity NOT price. Airlines will also be charging surcharges this season, some @ $10 each way on peak holiday travel days.

There you go.

Hotel Price Index Study from Hotels.com

I’m in Vegas. Well, at at the Las Vegas airport waiting for a flight back to Denver.  But this morning, I sat in front of the Wet Republic (super hip) pool/bar at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino filming live interviews via satellite with TV stations around the country. I have to say it was a gorgeous morning.  The weather was warm with a slight coolness. The resort looked gorgeous in the background and the crew of KEF Media couldn’t have been any better to work with.  But why was I there? Thank you for asking.  I was sharing the findings of the 2009 Hotel Price Index Study from Hotels.com.   

The Hotel Price Index reflects actual hotel booking trends of US travelers in the first half of this year compared to prior years.  The good news – there are TONS of travel deals. Las Vegas surpassed New York City as the top destination for US travelers for the very 1st time. It’s really no surprise to me as (according to the study) hotel prices in Vegas are down 30%.  The deals in Sin City are truly sinful.  Prices from $24/night to an average of $82/night. I stayed in a wonderful jr. suite for @ $119/night. It had a balcony, a living area, a kitchen, a gorgeous big bathroom. Oh and the resort provided food and activity credits.  I am telling you deals abound!  It’s a great season for Las Vegas too. As I mentioned, the weather couldn’t be better right now and the crowds are seemingly smaller – unless you are at Wet Republic. (Boy, is that place hot! ) I do go back to my point though that it’s more than just the prices that are too good to be true. The hotels are rolling out the red carpet to get travelers into their beds, restaurants, casinos, and attractions. The resort/casino credits and promotions that are being offered make Las Vegas the absolute best travel value around.  Don’t take my word for it….go try it for yourself.

New York City is #2 on the list of most popular US travel destinations.  It has also seem a 30% dip in hotel prices during the first half of this year.  However, its prices still remain the highest in the country too. Still $196/night on average in NYC is a good deal. With the holidays quickly approaching, you may want to consider a jaunt to the Big Apple for holiday shopping or New Years Eve or my favorite – The Rockette’s Christmas Spectacular.  Travel prices are going to rebound next year and quickly in cities like NYC. I know you are tightening the purse strings but be smart about how tightly you pull them.  The vacation you can take today is much nicer than what your travel dollars will be able to purchase a year from now. Mark my words!

Other top destinations according to the Hotel Price Index study from Hotels.com

• Orlando
• Chicago
• San Francisco
• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• Miami
• Boston
• San Antonio

The study is very telling as hotel prices across the US are down @17%.  So no matter where you may be traveling to, you should be able to take advantage of great deals. Remember that it’s not just about price but about the total value.  Is there a free breakfast being offered, are there resort credits, stay 2 nights – get 1 free. You have to look at the total deal.

So what are you waiting for? Get booking!

Kymaro Shape Slimming Solutions

Lots has been going on since my last post including representing Kymaro Shape Slimming Solutions (As Seen On TV). Here’s a segment from last week on The Daily Buzz. I have to say, as a woman, as a mom with post-pregancy issues – I am impressed with their products and solutions. Let’s face it – air brushing doesn’t happen in real life so any help is good help. The best part is that each item is under $40. Check it out!

East Coast 4th of July Deals –

Here’s a link to a quick video segment from WUSA in Washington, DC on 4th of July deals from Hotels.com with myself and host Willie Jolley.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Il92X0R3yU

The ground tour

This week I have been on the road as spokesperson for Hotels.com. Four cities in five days. Even now I am in the SFO airport waiting to get home to Denver.

I’m not sure why they call this type of media outreach a ground tour because I was in the air for most of it. Orlando, Atlanta, Washington DC and San Francisco – just a blur now but I was able to squeeze in quick visits with family and friends making it all worthwhile.

Here are some of Hotels.com’s great deals in this week’s Daily Buzz segment.

Next Week’s Travel Trips…and a little parenting rant

Well, I’m preparing for next week’s travel segments for hotels.com.  I will be traveling to four U.S. cities to share 4th of July travel deals. Monday – The Daily Buzz. Tuesday – Atlanta & Company, Atlanta, GA. Wednesday – Washington D.C. WUSA – a taping for the Sunday Morning show.  Thursday – San Francisco – KRON.   If I’m in your city, I hope you can tune in.  

I’m lucky enough to have a fabulous mother-in-law to help us out when I am gone so long. The kids love having their grandparents visit and I actually think it helps that I am not here with them sometimes.  I think it is important for the children to have to rely on, listen to, respect, and respond to other adults in their lives. Not to mention the fact that it just tightens the bond between grandchild and grandparent.  It’s SO important especially because we live so far away.  

I was talking to my MIL this morning about things she wished she had done differently now that she is looking at her life with a little more perspective.  She raised four wonderful boys and gave them everything but she feels like maybe she should have had a different career as well.  I argue that it is hard to do!  Sure necessity dictates that most women in my generation have some sort of employment but to be a great mom and a great employee naturally lends itself to some sort of sacrifice. And you pray to God that it’s not your children that you are sacrificing.  Sure we have great child care options today but you can never get back the time, nor the influence that you can have when your children are young, to shape and mold them into great human beings.  

I take full responsibility for my children and that may be to the sacrifice of my career, to some degree. But is it really a sacrifice? I don’t think so.  It’s about the choices I make. I know that I can always work but I can’t always be so influential in the lives of my children.  It’s the biggest job of all that I accept freely and fully.  And with this knowledge, I am working to combine my personal and professional passions that will enable me to be the best mom and employee.  

Ok – enough about that.  For the past few nights, Genna Grace has been getting out of bed and coming into our room.  The first two nights, I must admit, I was happy to snuggle with her.  Primarily because I thought it was 5AM and not long before we had to get up anyway.  However, I was wrong.  It was more like 2AM and she snoozed in my arms for quite a bit.  So last night, I had t break the vicious cycle that I could see developing before my little monster reared her ugly head.  Sure enough, at some o’clock in the night, when I was happily dreaming of my new Twilight friends, in she comes.  I got up, put her right back in bed, and then the water works began.  I thought for sure she had woken up the whole house but after a few minutes, I was back in my bed sans toddler. Success!  We’ll see if she repeats the effort again tonight.    Parenting is about being consistent even when you are tired.  Giving in may be a short term fix but it creates a longer lasting control issue with your children.  Don’t fall for it!