The Gift of Warmth

The weatherman says it feels like 7 degrees outside, and I was sprinkled by tiny snow glitters as I walked into the office this morning. For all the ugly it brings – colds, freezing extremities, and a lack of sunshine – winter, especially during Christmas, certainly has its perks! This year I’m trying my best to enjoy these perks. Here are a few of mine. Christmas. The New Year. Hot chocolate. Sweaters. A roaring fire. Indoor exercise classes. Cuddling up with a good book. Homemade soups. What do you love about winter?

Stock up on some handmade winter goods and give the gift of warmth this holiday season. It’s not too late to make Christmas orders (if you do so quickly!) or you can give the below items as Happy New Year and Winter “Happies.” First, I was so impressed with Kat’s knitting goods, that I had to share:

Kat has been knitting for five years and uses the garter stitch for all of her projects.

Baby blankets $35, baby hats $20, wrist warmers $12, and scarves $15, and prayer shawls $35 (not pictured).

All items can be made to order. There are lots of colors to choose from. You can use solids, stripes, two colors at the same time (see baby blanket for example).

Email kat.jones3@gmail.com with orders. Some items are available and others will need 1-2 weeks to complete. Shipping will be $2-$4 depending on items. She accepts cash or check.

To see some of Kat's other knitting projects, visit:

http://scoutjones.blogspot.com/search/label/Knitting

This is prime time to purchase your On.a.Whim heating sachets: a natural heating pad to ease a plethora of aches and pains. All you have to do is microwave your sachet for three minutes in the microwave and then take in the moist heat and lavendar aroma over and over again.

Sachets are $15 a piece ($3 for shipping) and come in a variety of fabrics.

You may want to complement your heating sachet with a lovely gift basket. Baskets range from $35 to $50 and can be filled with an assortment of goodies. The ones below have an Anthropologie initial mug, star ornament, Tazo tea, whimsical magnet and Thymes products.

Email onawhimbird@gmail.com to place orders.

Sending warm winter wishes your way today!

SEC Championship Weekend: WAR EAGLE!

This weekend was absolutely incredible. We hosted a booth for our injured military program at SEC Fanfare and got to watch the Tigers dominate in the Championship game.

Check out one of my favorite activities at Fanfare. Little Tigers and Gamecocks competed on the Dr. Pepper Field. So cute!

Auburn defeated South Carolina 56-17, and our man Cam threw for a career-best 335 yards, four touchdowns, plus ran for a pair of scores.

I'm so glad Matt was there to celebrate with us! Up next, Glendale, AZ. WAR EAGLE!

Tear-It-Up-Tuesdays: Mama Mia Core Workout

For today’s Tear-It-Up Tuesday, new mama and bestie Kat will showcase some great core exercises. Six months post-baby, Kat has lost all of her pregnancy weight but still wants to tone up her core. Before we begin the workout, enjoy our Q&A Session below:

OnaWhim: Tell me what it’s like being a new mama?
Kat: Most moms will tell you it's the most wonderful thing in the world. It is a wonderful feeling but hard work! His smiles and giggles are the rewards. The screaming, dirty diapers and more dirty diapers... not so much. Regardless of how many dirty bombs he leaves though, I do love that little fella!

OnaWhim: Is it harder to find time to live a healthy, active lifestyle post baby?
Kat: No, I have a perfect schedule and perfect child. Whatever! Yes, it's harder to find time to exercise and eat healthy. If I don't exercise, eat right, etc, I'm not only punishing myself but my husband and child. They really get the wrath of me! Exercising, running, and eating healthy are guarantees for a happy me and family.

OnaWhim: What did you not expect to happen to your body?
Kat: I just remember thinking, “Can I get any bigger?!" The answer to that is YES!God is an amazing and intricate designer of the body. No detail is left behind when He creates. Each person created is a masterpiece in their own way.

OnaWhim: Are you satisfied with your weight loss thus far?
Kat: I lost all my baby weight at month 5. So, yes I am pleased. But just because you lose the weight doesn't mean everything is back to normal. Now it's time to tone the muscles.

OnaWhim: What are your fitness goals for the next six months?
Kat: It was to run a marathon, but since my perfect schedule and perfect child does not exist, I've made a new goal to run a half marathon (or two). Once Rollins is a little more independent, I plan to return to marathon training. Hopefully by next fall. Hopefully.

OnaWhim: How much do you absolutely love your trainer? :)
Kat: She's tough and she means business. She'll whip your bootie into shape!
All the below exercises incorporate the use of a 55cm stability ball. These can be purchased at any fitness store. I bought two this past weekend on sale at Wal-mart for $6.97 each.

Do 10 reps of each exercise 3xs. You may want to start out with 10 reps 2xs.

Pike: Rest anterior hips on ball with arms extended forward and resting on a flat surface. Balance core on ball and extend legs.
Using your abdominals and legs, “roll” ball in to create a 90 angle with your body. Hold three seconds. Release and repeat.

PushUp: Rest quadriceps on stability with arms extended forward like in Pike. Lower head and chest to ground while legs remain extended in air. Push up. Repeat.

Side view:

Oblique Twists: Lean back in seating position with knees bent. Hold ball in front then rotate from left to right then back to center for one complete exercise. Repeat. Hold in abdominals and breathe through exercise.

Our Audience:

Crunch A: Rest small of back on ball with knees bent and feet flat on the ground. Lift chin, rest hands on ears like ear muffs, and focus on a fixed point above.

Slowly lift up using abdominals. Keep fist width between chest and chin. Do not strain neck.Repeat.

Crunch B: Lie flat on back with knees bent and feet flat on ground. Lift ball over chest with arms extended straight.

Using abdominals, lift shoulders, upper body and ball upward. Keep chin lifted and don’t strain neck. Repeat.

And this is what Kat does when I’m not supervising:

Proud, Strong Mama:

Tear-It-Up Tuesdays: The Burpee

And we're back at the track!

Week 2 of Tear-It-Up Tuesdays showcases more exciting plyocardio exercises from Vanderbilt's track.

This week's feature: The Burpee

Though thoroughly exhausting, three reps of 20 of these will kick your butt into fighting shape in no time. For your first try, start light with three reps of 10. Increase over time as you build endurance.

Begin in a squat position with hands touching the ground.

Extend legs in plank position:

Side view of plank:

Now, on the next part, you have a choice. You could do a push-up, or as I so gracefully demonstrate, you can just release your body completely to the ground, collapse-style.

Lift back up to plank then into squat:

And then BLAST up into the air, arms high.

Catch your breath and repeat 19 more times quickly for one set.

Add three sets of burpees to your plyocardio workout for a full body toner! They're the perfect exercise to blast off those extra holiday pounds from this Thursday's turkey indulgence!

It's Alright to be Little Bitty!

Is it just me or is there something purely therapeutic about spending time with a baby?

I got to share a good bit of my Saturday with Rollins and his momma Kat and enjoyed every moment.

It’s hard to believe the little man will be six months old this Thursday!

Happy Half-Birthday to You!

On.a.Whim will feature a post-baby core workout with Kat in two weeks that you won't want to miss!

Ode to the Pear: A Delicious Fall Salad

After spending Saturday morning with my sweet friend Miss Marcie a couple weeks ago, I stopped by my parent's to share some more kitchen time. Mom already had a delicious roast in the ready so I opted for a festive pear, romaine and gorgonzola cheese salad, a variation of one I found in this month's Health Magazine. Not much of a pear person, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the aromatic flavor of these Bartletts mixed with the other fresh ingredients, including homemade croutons!

Who knew making croutons was such a cinch. I gathered up the following:

-EVOO

-1 slice of chopped bread (any type will do; I had wheat on hand)

-Spring of Rosemary, chopped

-Clove of Garlic, minced

-Handful of Walnuts, chopped

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. I used clean fingers to keep from dirtying a spoon.

Spread contents on to a baking sheet, and bake on 400 for 5 minutes.

The spicy rosemary will fill your kitchen with a delicious, savory scent.

While croutons bake, chop pears into cubes.

Remove croutons from oven; cool.

Chop lemons in quarters.

Wash and pat dry romaine. Pull leaves apart and chop as desired.

For dressing, whisk together 1/2 cup lowfat buttermilk, 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, pinch of pepper and strong squeeze of lemon quarter.

Arrange lettuce on serving platter.

Top with other ingredients finishing with croutons and then dressing.

In other news, my Aunt Lis made me this whimsical painting in exchange for some design work I did for her. The blackbirds are now adorning one of my bedroom walls and look quite charming!

If you're deciding on Christmas presents, perhaps you should have her create a(some) custom painting(s) for your loved one(s)? She has canvasses in all shapes and sizes and is open to creative ideas!

I also received requests for pics of my mother's fall decor. Here are a few. Enjoy!