Pilates in Pajamas

Were you ever a girl scout? I was my fourth grade year and have the best memories. My daughter just joined her school's troop and is having such a great time. Her troop leader asked me to lead them in a Pilates class to earn their fitness badge. It just happened to be pajama day in second grade and now Pilates in pajamas is my new favorite way to work out.

I think these girl scouts just might be Pilates for life kind-of-girls. They responded to the exercises really well, worked hard and stayed focused. They definitely earned their fitness badge.

It was the dream of Joseph Pilates to have his Method taught beginning with children in schools. He said, "Physical fitness is the first requisite of happiness."

Pilates truly is for everyone...especially children! Our children are the Pilates practitioners of tomorrow. All parents want their children to be happy and healthy. Pilates helps young people by offering an experience that can foster healthy habits for life. 

At the end of the day, I can't help but revel in the fact that it was Joseph Pilates' dream to have children learn his exercises so they would grow up knowing how to take care of their bodies for the rest of their lives. When you learn things as a child, they truly stay with you forever. 

Joseph Pilates said, "Patience and persistence are vital qualities in the ultimate successful accomplishment of any worthwhile endeavor."

P.S. Pilates for Kids Get to Know Joe  and Achieve More with a Personal Trainer

Art and Appetite (and blueberry muffins)

What are you up to this weekend? If you have a chance, this is the last weekend to enjoy the Amon Carter's mouthwatering exhibition of over sixty paintings that explore the art and culture of food and dining in America. Think...cookies, cakes, fruit, turkey and the pure joy of the visual feast...all guilt-free. Fort Worth's Amon Carter Museum is sponsored by Central Market and the Ben E. Keith Foundation, of beer distribution fame, as well as the Fort Worth Promotion and Development Fund.

Art and Appetite: American Painting, Culture and Cuisine ends May 18 at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, 3501 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth. Hours: noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays. Free. 817-738-1933.

Famous paintings of Art and Appetite includes many iconic works such as Nighthawks (1942) by Edward Hopper, Freedom from Want (1942) by Norman Rockwell, and Campbell’s Soup (1965) by Andy Warhol. 

If you can't make it to Art and Appetite, then make your own art in the kitchen to satisfy the appetite of the ones you love. My children both said that blueberry muffins are one of their favorite things that I make. Wishing you a healthy appetite and happy feasting! xx

Lemon Blueberry Muffins

1 3/4 C flour

1 C sugar

2 t baking powder

1 t salt

1 C blueberries

2 large eggs

1/2 milk

1/4 C vegetable oil

finely grated zest of 1 lemon

1/4 C fresh lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a standard 12-cup muffin pan. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder and salt. In a another medium bowl whisk the sugar and eggs. Slowly add the milk, vegetable oil, zest and lemon juice to the wet mixture then combine with the dry mixture. Gently fold in blueberries and scoop (using an ice cream scooper) into the muffin pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 

Charlotte's Web and my little Fern

FIFTEEN YEARS of reading Charlotte's Web to my second grade class and this year was the most memorable because my daughter played the part of Fern in her second grade class. Watching her be a part of one of the most beloved children's books made my heart swell. 

You can see a little bit of the performance HERE on my favorite app STELLAR. 

P.S. Flying Lessons from Charlotte's Web