Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: Rainy Day Activity

We haven't had many this summer, so as I look out my window and see the rain coming down, I can't say that I am upset. We need the rain! But there is one little girl that might not appreciate the rain as much as I do...and that is Kimber. Even though she understands that the trees and the flowers are thirsty, it still doesn't dismiss the fact that rain cuts into pool time. Tuesdays and Thursdays are our pool days. She knows the routine by now. We pack up the pool bag after lunch and head over to the neighbor's house for a couple hours of Mommy-Kimber swim time. It is a blast! Now what? In case it doesn't clear up, I need to think of some rainy-day activities to keep us moving! Here are some that might work for us today. If you see any you like, keep them in mind for your next rainy day home with the kids.

INDOOR FUN FOR EVERYONE
Rainy Day Activity Ideas for You & Your Little Ones

Panda Bread from Gourmet-Mom-on-the Go.

• Cook Somethin'! ~ OK, you knew this was going to be one, right? Find a kid-friendly recipe to make with your kids. This is a great time to teach kitchen safety, nutrition, science and even some math! Check out some of Kimber's recipes or stop by my friend Mandy's blog at Gourmet Mom-On-the-Go. She has really cute ideas family fun in the kitchen.

• Edible Art ~ My friend Anne wowed me with this great idea for an art project for kids that may still eat paint if you let them use it. Take some Cool Whip (sugar free, naturally) and put a big spoonful in a few pinch bowls. Drop a little food coloring in each, creating multiple colors of "finger paint". Get a white plastic place mat or cutting sheet and let them go to town decorating their canvas. If the hands go in the mouth...no big deal! It's just Cool Whip! Love this idea. Smart.

• Clean Up, Clean Up ~ Maybe my child is a little different, but she LOVES cleaning! If this sounds like your child...use it to your advantage. Start cleaning and ask the little ones to join in the fun. General cleaning can burn around  215 calories per hour (150 pound woman), so if you can't fit in a work out, this is a nice alternative. Check out how your exact calorie burn with this calculator from SELF. 

• Just Dance ~ For Kimber, we can just throw on some music and dance. Laughing and dancing burns calories, plus it is very entertaining to see the new moves that little ones will bust out. If your kids are a little older (late elementary to middle), you could try making up a dance routine. They can practice for hours and even put on a big show when they have it down to perfection! Just think, Dancing with the Stars-Kids Edition in your living room. Priceless. Don't forget to charge the video recorder!

• Places to Go ~ You don't have to stay home. You can always take the little ones out and about. Try bowling, skating, an indoor playground, a pottery decorating  place or museums.These are all activities done on your feet; giving you and your children more activity than just going to the movies.

I better get going on our rainy day activities! Kimber and I are cooking something fun today for Kimber's Korner and then (if the weather doesn't improve) we are heading out to Kidz Play, which is a fun indoor playground full of those inflatable bouncies found at birthday parties and carnivals. Fun!

Have a great Tuesday and remember that rainy days do not have to be lazy days.

Livin' Lean Topic Tuesday: Just Add Water...and a Little Fruit

Water should be an important part of your diet every day of the year. But during these hot days of summer, water is needed more than ever. Staying hydrated is critical. Even if you are not thirsty, you should be drinking water. The problem is that not everyone likes water. Some people would prefer to drink tea or diet soda. I get that. Yet nothing can top the health benefits of pure water. So what do we do about it not liking the taste of water?

We add fresh fruit!

Fresh slices of lemon, orange and raspberries can add just enough flavor to your water to make it taste great for all those people needing a little somethin' sweet. I like plain water, but it MUST be ICE, ICE COLD. But adding fresh fruit to ice-cold water is THE BEST! When I think about it, I love to add fresh fruit to a pitcher of water and keep it in the fridge. I will definitely drink more water on those days. My favorite part about fruit-infused water is that it reminds me of being at a spa. Gotta love that!

Don't have time to make your own fruit water? Want to have fruit water on-the-go?

Pic from www.drinkhint.com

Last night I was up (way too late, by the way) watching a show about a mom who started her own company bottling the fruit water she would make for her kids. Her children loved this healthy alternative to sugar drinks...and so did their friends! Eventually, parents were calling up asking where they could get the yummy fruit drinks their children were having at her house. That was this mom's AH-HA moment! With the help of her hubby, Hint was born! So inspiring. You can find Hint in places like Whole Foods and Starbucks all over the country.Where I live in VA, they are at Sheetz. Yes, I already hunted them down. Check HERE to see where you can find Hint where you live. No preservatives. No sugar. No artificial sweeteners. It's just water with a "hint" of fruit flavor from REAL fruit. I can't wait to give it a try! Have any of you had it yet? I love discovering new, healthy products!

Want a little more motivation to drink water? Here are some great reasons to pour a glass of H2O right now!

• Keeps skin lookin' healthy (Carrie Underwood swears by it).
• Protects your joints and organs.
• Helps nutrients to get to all the organs.
• Regulates body temperature.
• Helps relieve headaches.

Since well over half of our body is made up of water, it makes sense that we would need to keep supplying it with water for it to work efficiently. Treat yourself and make a big pitcher of fruit water today. Your taste buds and your body will thank you!

Lean Libation: Watermelon Killer Chiller

Watermelon made into a delicious and refreshing cocktail? Why not?!?! I loved the look of this Watermelon Killer Chiller from the first moment I saw it in the pages of EveryDay with Rachael Ray (June/July 2011 Issue; page 20). Yes, I am saying I experienced love at first sight with a cocktail. That's right. But with such bright fuchsia coloring, accented with a slice of green apple...I just couldn't help myself. This cocktail is absolutely fabulous! It's another one of those "sit outside on a hot summer day or evening to enjoy" type of drinks. And in true "Cookin' Lean fashion", we have made this a skinny cocktail. Check it out!

WATERMELON KILLER CHILLER
Makes 4 Glasses

INGREDIENTS

• 10 ounces fresh cut watermelon
• 1 lime; juiced
• 8 ounces vodka
• 2 cups SPRITE ZERO
• green apple; thin slices for garnish (see picture)

DIRECTIONS

Place watermelon in a blender and puree until smooth.

Strain puree over a large bowl or pitcher.

Add vodka, lime juice and SPRITE ZERO to the watermelon juice. Stir well.

Pour the mixture into four glasses over ice. Garnish with an apple slice. CHEERS!

RESULTS

We were four happy adults with this "lean libation". Don't want the alcohol? No problem! It is great with or without (Alcohol accounts for most of the calories. Leave it out & save 128 calories per serving!). This drink is light. It is refreshing. It is a winner! I took a shortcut by buying the watermelon already cut up, but that's just my style. If you are doing this for a party, try cutting the top 1/3 of the watermelon off and taking out all the flesh or what I like to call, "the good stuff". When the drink is ready, serve it in the hollowed out watermelon; using the watermelon as the punch bowl. It's not only cute, it's clever. Now you can throw "the bowl" away when the party is over (in other words...one less dish to wash).

Just check out what we saved by using SPRITE ZERO and changing the amount of vodka used. Don't worry...there is still plenty of kick!

Nutrition Facts (per glass):

BEFORE: 340.75 calories; .25g fat;  22.36g carbohydrate;  .79g protein;  .5g fiber

AFTER: 166.25 calories;  .25g fat;  9.48g carbohydrate;  .79g protein;  .5g fiber

SAVES: 174.5 calories & 12.88g carbohydrate

*PRINT~FRIENDLY*

I believe you have a cocktail to try this evening! Have a great Monday!