Pittsburgh Moms Gettin' Fit & Healthy: Leigh Anne Cowger

 This series is intended to be an encouragement to all moms, whether you have battled weight gain all your life or simply find staying fit & healthy a much more difficult challenge as a busy mom. We can learn from each other and, most of all, be a cheer leader to those in this journey! You can read the introduction to the series here. 
Embody Natural Health will be sending Leigh Anne a free smoothie coupon from their Juice Cafe! 

And so we begin with Leigh Anne's story, in her own words.....
Hi, I'm not sure how "great" my story is, but I have always been a bigger person all my life. Here is where I started.....

 I was in athletics but still not the "skinny one". I gained 70 lbs while pregnant (my son will be 4 in May). It took me a little over a year to get the motivation to begin but I am continuing my journey. Weight watchers is the only thing that works for me. I still have my struggles, I am still trying to get about 15 lbs off to get to my goal (which is also the lightest I will ever be/maintain in my 34 years of life).

In the past 2 years I have also got an interest in races. I started off with 5k's but as of today I ran in a marathon relay, 3 half marathons (training for my 4th now) and hope to at some point complete a full marathon. I still don't like to run just for fun; but once I get signed up for a race that is the motivation I need. I also am trying to get into other things to keep it interesting; classes, weight training...anything, especially if I can include my friends!

So I don't have a completed story; and I am still working to find a balance. It seems you get a good routine down, then your child gets into the next phase of life to throw it into craziness again. So I know with my history/family background it will be a tough battle and I don't have the motivation everyday; but overall I am going in the right direction and will continue to work and do what I can to reach my goal and maintain for myself but also for my son...my family. I know there are a lot of great stories out there and I can't wait to read from other moms to see I am not alone and get the "motivation" on the days I can't give it to myself.

Leigh Anne Cowger

I say, Way to go Leigh Ann! Keep up the motivation and the great work!

{Look for more stories in the coming months.}

' Ban Those Winter Blues' Giveaway!

Yep, we all feel it. It's been one loooooooooong winter. 

So, who needs a little pick-me-up....say......

 DINNER. WINE. A MOVIE. 

Anyone? :)

 When Cadillac Ranch contacted me about offering this fantastic giveaway package, I was quick to say yes, knowing it might be the perfect gift for one of YOU!

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Here's the prize package:

A $50 gift certificate to Cadillac Ranch (Settler's Ridge/Robinson)

a bottle of Apothic Red Wine

2 Cinemark Movie passes 
(a Cinemark theater is also located at Settler's Ridge)

Sounds amazing, right?!

If you're lucky enough to be there on a warm-ish night, they have the best outdoor seating + fire pits.

They also generously offered dinner to my hubby & I, and let me tell you, this place is YUM! 

Cadillac Ranch is an eclectic mix of great food, great service, and a fun and entertaining experience. Features a made-from-scratch menu with a wide variety of steaks, burgers, seafood, pasta, salads and outstanding flatbreads.

It's also a great place to catch big games!

 Although I don't personally like alcohol, they offered me a virgin strawberry margarita which was delish! And their chips.....oh. 

House made chips covered with garlic cream sauce, bleu cheese and balsamic? Not saying it's diet food, but worth the extra time on the treadmill, if you know what I mean. :)

 While we were too full to take advantage of this menu, it certainly looked great. Cookies are fresh made when you order!

Go here to enter for one fantastic DATE NIGHT! 
Leaving a blog post comment is mandatory to win! Click on the first arrow for instructions! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Contest open for entries through Monday, March 10, 2014, at midnight. Winner has 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. 

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We always love to hear back from our winners and here is what our winner had to say:

We had a great time and a wonderful meal... our total bill was over $75 and although we expected to pay the difference, the manager wrote the entire meal off. Everything went perfect, they greeted us at the door, had our table and prize ready, the manager came to our table multiple times to make sure everything was just so... it was very easy. They knew as soon as we walked in what we were talking about when I mentioned winning the package. It couldn't have been any better.

Thank you for a lovely evening out... child free, probably our last before the new baby comes the end of April.

Thank you so much!

Rosemary

#MomtourageSpringChallenge 2014 begins!

Spring Cleaning Challenge #2 has commenced!

Here's the challenge: pick a place in your home that either a) needs a major re-do or b) just some serious re-organizing. We will have 2 separate categories, so don't feel if you do a "smaller" project that you won't have chances of winning - you WILL!

Da Rules:

• Contest will be open for entries March 1st - 31st.
• Projects can be completed anytime between January 1st - March 31st, 2014. (So yes, you can enter projects that were done anytime after 1/1/14!)
• You can submit up to 2 separate projects (double your chances to win!)
• You will have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes/gift cards from some amazing businesses!
• Share your photos on your own facebook page and add hashtag #momtouragespringchallenge.
• Take before & after pics and be sure to label (picmonkey is an easy site to create collages & add text.)

Here's a couple of submissions from last year to inspire you!

 

SO...what do we win, you ask?
We have 3 cool companies that have some great gifts ready for our winners. I am so thrilled to have several mom-owned businesses team up for this challenge!
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First of all, you don't even have to lift a cleaning finger to get an entry to win! All you have to do is SHARE our contest - on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter and you can be entered to win a $25 gift card from 97 Design, Inc. Simply enter using Rafflecopter to show that you shared about our challenge and you could win!
*At the bottom of this post are easy share buttons for facebook, twitter, pinterest + more. 
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 97 Design Inc. is an awesome resource to find custom recycled lumber products, fashion statements, and beautiful handmade fabric accessories for your home. Go here to find out more about 97 Design, Inc.!

 And the prizes up for grabs for each category winner of our contest will be......
A $50 gift card from Lily Noelle Jewelry!
Lily Noelle is an original line of jewelry meticulously crafted from semi-precious stones, sterling, crystal and vintage items. Heidi has also helped to provide at-risk women with education, training, and the skill-set necessary to earn an alternate income with dignity in the Dominican Republic. 
But that's not all - Heidi has offered 40% off discount code for Momtourage followers - go here to see details. Easter & Mother's Day are just around the corner!

 A $50 gift basket from Pick Your Plum!
Pick Your Plum is my favorite deal site with the best products & awesome quality! They will send you a box of goodies that you are going to love. The fun of unpacking that surprise mystery box will be so worth that time you spent working for it! Go here to see more about Pick Your Plum.

(All pics of these companies show a small sampling of their variety & ever-changing products!)
So that's our contest in a not-so-short nutshell. :) I hope everyone will have some fun motivation to do some spring cleaning & re-organizing! I'm sure we all have a space in our home that could use a little makeover. And why not win awesome prizes in the process? Get thinkin' & plannin', get ready to be challenged & WIN!

Use this form to enter to win - whether you shared our contest or are ready to submit your completed projects. *Please note, pictures of completed projects will need to be emailed to pghmoms@live.com with subject line Spring Challenge. 

Not all categories are mandatory to enter and you can share any day you want to and come back for more entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Contest will be open for entries March 1st-31st. All pictures entered will be compiled and judged by an unbiased panel of 3 judges. Winners will be announced in April. 

Good Luck and Happy Project-ing! 

97 Design, Inc.

97 Design Inc. has also joined up as a great sponsor for our Momtourage Spring Project challenge (find out what that is here!

I have known Deb & Ginger since college and they are 2 fantastically creative mamas who are also as sweet as can be!

 

97 Design Inc. is the coolest resource to find custom recycled lumber products, fashion statements, and beautiful handmade fabric accessories for your home. 

Known for their cool rope scarves!

They have some pretty great baby stuff too! 

 Although their Etsy shop is currently on a break right now, make it a favorite and stay tuned for more great products coming soon!

 

 For our contest, you'll be entered to win a $25 gift card, simply by sharing #momtouragespringchallenge! So stay tuned, it all starts Saturday, March 1st!

Pick Your Plum

 Another great sponsor for our Momtourage Spring Project challenge (find out what that is here!) is Pick Your Plum! Pick Your Plum posts daily deals - but let me tell you, this is not your typical 'deal' site. They have the best products!! I have gotten jewelry, skirts, kids legging, party supplies + more from them and I have never been disappointed at all! Their prices are amazing. 

Because their inventory is constantly changing, these pics show a sampling of their variety of products.

 

 

 

 Check out their current stock here, but be sure to enter our Momtourage Spring Project Challenge for the chance to win a box stuffed full of goodies from them ($50 value!!)

Lily Noelle Jewelry + code for 40% off!

 The Momtourage Spring Project challenge (find out what that is here!) has begun and I am thrilled that Heidi from Lily Noelle Jewelry has come on as one of our prize sponsors! You'll have a chance to win a $50 gift card to Lily Noelle!
BUT, you don't have to do any house projects to be a part of this deal - she has offered 40% off necklaces + bracelets to any Momtourage followers! (Excludes the Heidi Collection & Little Fashionistas)

What's that I hear? Mother's Day is just around the corner? Oh yes, start making your list and strategically place it in front of your hubby. :) Your mom & MIL might even enjoy some of these pretties! 

Lily Noelle is an original line of jewelry meticulously crafted from semi-precious stones, sterling, crystal and vintage items.  The process of each design begins with Heidi personally selecting each stone while venturing to shows and auctions worldwide, and ends with heart-felt customer service .

And here's the really cool part....

Making A Difference
In 2006 and 2007, Heidi traveled to the Dominican Republic to help a group of women learn the art of jewelry making.  As a result, an organization was formed to provide at-risk women with education, training, and the skill-set necessary to earn an alternate income with dignity.  A portion of each jewelry sale benefits these women in the Dominican Republic.  By choosing Lily Noelle, you are providing humanitarian aid beyond the pleasure it brings to decorate your favorite styles.

Here's a gift that keeps on coming....

Join the exclusive Lily Noelle Earring of the Month Club! Receive a pair of stylish earrings mailed directly to you each month. Purchase a 3-month, 6-month, or 1-year membership and enjoy a special gift each month. Go here for more info.

 

 The coupon code does not include the Heidi Collection, but you still might want to browse through...some really fun pieces!

 And because she is a mom of little girls, she certainly hasn't forgotten about them. Check out her Little Fashionistas line - perfect Easter basket stuffers!

So who's ready for some shopping? 

Use code pghmom for 40% off!

(valid for 40% off necklaces and bracelets, excluding the Heidi Collection and Little Fashionistas.)

Code is valid through March 31. Free shipping and returns on orders over $100.
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Follow Lily Noelle on facebook here. 

Important survey for Allegheny County residents

 The Allegheny Department of Human Services recently contacted me about sharing this survey with you. I am not being compensated in any way, but I have a particular reason for wanting to share this with you.

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We had a foster child who came to us at 23 months and could not communicate at a basic level. Did not speak any words and didn't understand simple commands such as "go get your shoes, sit in your chair", ect.... We later found out his mother had said she didn't believe in talking with children and that it was a waste of time. After a few short months with us, with no special therapy or help, he was speaking & understanding clearly for his age range. Only through what we consider normal family interactions. I almost cried one day when he said to me "Let's sit on my bed and read this book" - just amazing!

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The Allegheny Department of Human Services (DHS) is conducting research to gain an understanding of Allegheny County, Pa., parents and caregivers’ perspectives on talking to their babies and young children, and to see whether or not they have the information and materials they need to increase the time they spend doing this. Talking to babies or young children appears to stimulate a lasting curiosity, which leads to the motivation for lifelong learning. Research has found that the greater the number of words children hear from their parents or caregivers before they turn 3 years old, the higher their IQ will be and the better they will do in school.

 Through this survey, DHS hopes to generate insights into the most effective ways of motivating Allegheny County parents and caregivers of children from birth to age 5 to talk with their babies or young children.

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So please take a short minute and take this quick survey. Be honest. It will be a big help in advocating for kids all over our region!