Stroller Strides of Little Rock

Stroller Strides Little Rock’s Top 10 Tips for Beating the Heat

Posted on July 9, 2013 by sslrock

It’s that time of year again…SUMMER! That means your outdoor activities will be held in warmer temperatures which can sometimes be uncomfortable. Here are our top 10 helpful tips to keep you and your little one nice and comfy during Stroller Strides class, or where ever your summer plans take you.

Hot and Cold Gel packs: A frozen gel pack wrapped in a dish towel makes a wonderful climate control backrest for your little one. It’s squishy so it is not uncomfortable to lean against and because it is frozen it will keep baby nice and cool without being too cold.
Frozen water bottle: Fill a water bottle ¾ of the way and then freeze it while it is partially on its side. Make sure it is on an angle and that the cap end is not totally covered with water. Right before class, fill the remaining space with cold tap water. Your water will remain cold for the duration of class.
Ice Towels: Wet a wash cloth or dish towel, fold it and place it in the freezer. Before class, fill a ziplock with ice cubes and place your frozen towel inside. During class you can reach for your frozen towel as needed for a cool down, then simply place it back in the ziplock to keep it cold.
Clip on fan: You can find a reasonably priced clip on fan to provide a breeze for your little one. They can be found at Wal-Mart for as little as $5.00 or online for around $15.00.
Misting Fan: Look for a hand-held misting fan to provide your baby with an occasional spritz of cool water. Find these at Wal-Mart and Sports Authority.
Frozen Ice Pack: Keep an ice pack in your diaper bag to keep treats cool during class.
Chilly Pad by Frogg Toggs: Get it wet, wring it out, and give it a little shake. Instantly, you’ll have a cooling towel which is great for around your neck, or draped over your stroller-child’s lap. We like these so much, you’ll probably want to get one for each of you! You can find these in sporting stores, Bed Bath & Beyond or online. They are also available in a Chilly Dana version.
Hydrate with Water: Staying hydrated is key during the heat of summer. Water is best, as sports drinks contain too much unnecessary sugar. If you’ll be exercising in the morning, drink lots of water the night before and again as soon as you wake up. Hydrate throughout your workout, and drink your fill upon completion.
Snacks with High Water Content: Choosing snacks which are naturally high in water content will help your child stay hydrated during your outings. Grapes and strawberries are a good choice, and as a bonus, when frozen they double as a bite-sized fruit popsicle.
Sunscreen: To protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and ensure your sunscreen stays put, try selecting a spf of 50 or greater. Picking a sporty version with a high spf rating will ensure your sunscreen stays put, and not in your eyes.

Filed under: Body Back, Exercise Safety, Exercises, Newsletter, Stroller, Stroller Strides, Work-Life Balance | Leave a comment »

Jessica Jo Photo

Posted on June 4, 2012 by sslrock

Jessica Jo Photo was founded in 2009 by Jessica Jo Schuver. Jessica, originally from Illinois, relocated to Little Rock with Caterpillar Inc and soon fell in love with the southern hospitality and warm winters. Jessica left Caterpillar in 2010 to focus full-time attention to her passion-time spent with her camera and her clients. Jessica Jo Photo specializes in portrait, lifestyle, family, children and baby photography. Jessica believes in creating visual legacies for her clients and in the power of a photograph. Documenting ourselves and our loved ones archives a history that will someday be priceless to them. Jessica’s vision is to creatively capture the people important to us with timeless, beautiful imagery…to document the unspoken connection between mother and child, husband and wife…to create beautiful custom artwork that will become treasured family heirlooms…to create your visual legacy. Allow Jessica to capture the moments you can never get back so you can cherish them forever.

Here are some of the amazing photos Jessica snapped at a recent Stroller Strides class.

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To find out more: www.jessicajophoto.com

Find Jessica on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicajophoto

Follow Jessica on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jessicajophoto

Filed under: Classes, Exercises, Special Offers, Stroller Strides | Leave a comment »

Stroller Strides Little Rock’s Top 10 Tips for Beating the Heat

Posted on June 3, 2012 by sslrock

Hot and Cold Gel packs: A frozen gel pack wrapped in a dish towel makes a wonderful climate control backrest for your little one. It’s squishy so it is not uncomfortable to lean against and because it is frozen it will keep baby nice and cool without being too cold.
Frozen water bottle: Fill a water bottle ¾ of the way and then freeze it while it is partially on its side. Make sure it is on an angle and that the cap end is not totally covered with water. Right before class, fill the remaining space with cold tap water. Your water will remain cold for the duration of class.
Ice Towels: Wet a washcloth or dish towel, fold it and place it in the freezer. Before class, fill a ziplock with ice cubes and place your frozen towel inside. During class you can reach for your frozen towel as needed for a cool down, then simply place it back in the ziplock to keep it cold.
Clip on fan: You can find a reasonably priced clip on fan to provide a breeze for your little one. They can be found at Wal-Mart for as little as $5.00 or online for around $15.00.
Misting Fan: Look for a hand-held misting fan to provide your baby with an occasional spritz of cool water. These can be found at Wal-Mart and Sports Authority.
Frozen Ice Pack: Keep a frozen ice pack in your diaper bag to keep treats cool during class.
Chilly Pad by Frogg Toggs: Get it wet, wring it out, and give it a little shake. Instantly, you’ll have a cooling towel which is great for around your neck, or draped over your stroller-child’s lap. We like these so much, you’ll probably want to get one for each of you! You can find these is sporting stores, or online. They are also available in a Chilly Dana version.
Hydrate with Water: Staying hydrated is key during the heat of summer. Water is best, as sports drinks contain too much unnecessary sugar. If you’ll be exercising in the morning, drink lots of water the night before and again as soon as you wake up. Hydrate throughout your workout, and drink your fill upon completion.
Snacks with High Water Content: Choosing snacks which are naturally high in water content will help your child stay hydrated during your outings. Grapes and strawberries are a good choice, and as a bonus, they can be frozen to double as a bite-sized fruit popsicle.
Sunscreen: To protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays and ensure your sunscreen stays put, try selecting an spf of 50 or greater. Picking a sporty version with a high spf rating will ensure your sunscreen stays put, and not in your eyes.

Filed under: Exercise Safety, Stroller, Stroller Strides, Work-Life Balance | Leave a comment »

Mom of the Month – Jessica Bielamowicz

Posted on May 2, 2012 by sslrock

This month, we’re highlighting Jessica Bielamowicz, who has been with us since last summer. This comes at a time when, unfortunately for us, Jessica is moving to Texas. We’re going to miss her in our evening classes, and we’ll especially miss her son, Daniel’s, participation in class! It’s been so much fun watching him learn his colors, shapes and ABC’s. It’s also been fun watching how strong Jessica has become.

It saddens me that I’ll miss out on their next milestones, but I know they’ll be in good hands; Jessica plans to attend Stroller Strides in her new city, Houston.

Here’s more about Jessica.

Hometown: Fayetteville, AR

Education: graduated from Baylor University (sic ’em bears) then Graduate school at UT Southwestern in Dallas

Stroller Strides Member since: June 2011

Members of your Family: husband Kevin, son Daniel, dogs Blue and Jackson

Current/previous Career: Physical Therapist

What was your childhood ambition? To be a dancer

What does motherhood mean to you? Other than worrying all day 🙂 it means to experience the greatest gift I have ever been given…such a joy and such a responsibility. Something I can’t imagine life without.

What is the furthest you have been from home? Backpacking through Europe

What has Stroller Strides done for you? Given me the chance to exercise again while spending time with my son

What is your favorite exercise? Squat hops (don’t tell Susan) because I always feel sore afterwards

What is your proudest moment? Maybe when I walk into daycare after work everyday and Daniel yells with excitement, “MAMA!!” Nothing feels better.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Baking, water skiing, and cycling (oh, and eating the sweets I baked)

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique: I like to knit. The only problem is that I can only knit straight lines, so everyone in my family has a handmade scarf. Maybe one day I will be able to knit a matching hat.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? He says, “she’s joyful and selfless.” Well, I would like to be at least.

Filed under: Stroller | Leave a comment »

MOM in March – Tina Brown

Posted on March 5, 2012 by sslrock

Please meet Tina Brown, our MOM for March! Tina has been a member of Stroller Strides since January 2011. A mother of two, she is inspirational in her work as an RN at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Tina attends morning classes, when her work schedule allows.

It’s always a pleasure talking with Tina, as we are generally both without children in our strollers. Her daughter Hannah, who just turned five is at school during our classes and her son Austin who is ten, well, just imagine trying to coax him in the stroller!

Read on to learn more about Tina and her Family!

Hometown: grew up in little rock, born in Michigan

Education: BSN (Bachelor of Science, Nursing)

Stroller Strides Member since: Jan 2011

Members of your Family: husband Adam, son Austin (10), and daughter Hannah (5)

Current/previous Career: nurse at AR Children’s Hospital

What was your childhood ambition? To travel to as many places as I could

What does motherhood mean to you? Motherhood means to nurture, love, teach, listen, and learn. I think it is the most challenging and most rewarding job you will ever have.

What is the furthest you have been from home? I went to Italy on a high school trip.

What has Stroller Strides done for you? It has made me stronger and more confident in my physical ability.

What is your favorite exercise? I like exercises that work several areas at the same time, like wall sits with overhead presses or planks.

What is your proudest moment? When my son asked to be baptized.

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Being outside, the ocean, and shopping.

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique: I love to go on mission trips.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? He would say I am good with kids, have a servant’s heart, and am a good cook.

Filed under: Member Profile, Stroller Strides | Leave a comment »

LUNAFEST Little Rock 2012

Posted on February 6, 2012 by sslrock

It’s time! LUNAFEST Little Rock is this week!!

Little Rock’s 2nd Annual LUNAFEST is sure to bring the house down in support of two worthy causes: the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and the Breast Cancer Fund.

There’s still much to do, but the fun stuff is all lined up! We have a phenomenal group of women volunteers and the silent auction is out of this world! The films – it’s about the films, right? Well, technically yes, but the power and change that happens when women unite for a common cause is almost overwhelming. It gives me goosebumps!!

In the coming days I will scurry around, trying to iron out last minute details and collecting silent auction items, but what really matters to me is that everyone enjoys the films, and that we collect a nice contribution for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas and the Breast Cancer Fund.

There’s still time to get tickets! In advance, you can get a single ticket for $25 or two for $40. You can also get one at the door for $30. Your admission gives you popcorn and a drink, snacks and access to bid in the silent auction. For Tickets: http://www.lunafest.org/littlerock LUNAFEST is Thursday, February 9th at 7:00pm.

This year’ s goodies include Two Registration fees for boating lessons from the Arkansas Boathouse Club, private Breakfast and Beauty Consultation for you and 4 of your friends at Sephora, Spirited Art session, “Blue Luna” sculpture designed by a local artist, Body Back 8-week session, Dinner from Zaffino’s and Wine from Hall Beverage, Jewelry from Stella and Dot, and Photography by Mandy Shoptaw. With over 20 items, there’s something for everyone!

Wish me luck that I don’t fall apart in the final hours and come see me at LUNAFEST!!

Filed under: LUNA Moms Club, Special Events, Stroller Strides | Tagged: breast cancer fund, shoptaw | Leave a comment »

Body Back Little Rock – If Not Now, When?

Posted on December 24, 2011 by sslrock

VIDEO: Body Back Little Rock – If Not Now, When?.

I’ve had the opportunity to train some AMAZING women over this past year. I’ve watched women lose inches while gaining confidence, I’ve helped them become stronger and more lean. I’ve been touched by their dedication to their health and wellness. It’s not just a workout, it’s a way of life, a way of living life to the fullest.

I look forward to this coming year with anticipation, thinking of the lives I’ll help change.

If you’re ready to get your Body Back, contact me!

Filed under: Body Back, Classes, Exercises, Nutrition, Work-Life Balance | Leave a comment »

Mom of the Month (MOM)

Posted on December 5, 2011 by sslrock

This month’s MOM is Jill Ulrey. A mother of two, Jill can be counted on to attend most weekday Stroller Strides classes. In fact, we’ve watched her body change over the last few months as a result of her dedication! Jill began Stroller Strides last January, and has found class to be a great way to get out of the house and to feel better about herself.

Learn more about Jill and her family!

Hometown: Ashdown, AR

Education: Degree in Art Therapy and Art Education from Harding University

Stroller Strides Member since: January 2011

Members of your Family: Robert, Grace (3) and James (16 months)

Current/previous Career: Mother

What was your childhood ambition? Climb MT Everest

What does motherhood mean to you? Everything!!

What is the furthest you have been from home? South Africa

What has Stroller Strides done for you? It’s helped me get out of the house. I feel better about myself and I’m in better shape.

What is your favorite exercise? Hiking and biking

What is your proudest moment? The birth of my children

What are three of your favorite things (besides your family!)? Being outdoors, traveling with my husband and coffee

Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us or makes you unique: I was born in Bulawayo, Rhodesia. My parents were missionaries in Zambia.

If we asked your spouse what they think your best qualities are, what would they say? Smart, fun, funny and compassionate ( I had to ask Robert)

Filed under: Classes, Exercises, Stroller, Stroller Strides, Work-Life Balance | Leave a comment »