Mamacita, Donde Esta the Mayan Apocolypse?

I know that I should be the sleeping...(image via Wikipedia)

So....yeah. We're all still here. But the picture in this video is totally how I imagine the Mayan Apocolypse would have looked if it had happened. So now that we can all relax, let's CHA-CHA with Augie Rios! 

Wishing you love (and Feliz Navidad) with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

PODCAST Episode 39: Food, Fun and finding Exercise You Can Stick With (with special guest, Dr. Robert Hopper)

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How are the holidays treating you so far? Are you remembering to take time for YOU? Join me as we share books, movies and more to help you keep your health in check this holiday season. PLUS join us in the chatroom during the LIVE broadcast to ask your fitness questions of our special guest, Dr. Robert Hopper, author of Stick with Exercise for a Lifetime: How to Enjoy Every Minute of It.

"Red, Fur-trimmed Coat Syndrome" Santa, STRESS & The Scale

Have you ever heard of "White Coat Syndrome"? That's when your blood pressure is unusually high because being in the doctor's office makes you nervous. My mom has this and always insists that the nurse take her BP at the end of her appointment, when she's slightly more relaxed.

Dude, you are totally tripping up my game!*

Listen folks, since Thanksgiving I have been "Miss Polly Perfect Super Weight Watchers Member of the World". I even lost weight after Thanksgiving! But every week since then, despite my being Practically Perfect in Every Way-the scale has crept up a little. The first time I shrugged it off, "I know I've been rockin' this program-the scale will catch up to me!" The second time I went back and scoured my food & activity journal-and wound up completely puzzled. Last Sunday when I weighed in at ANOTHER (0.8) gain? I was muy steamed, let me tell you.

REVIEW: Dear Santa, please can I have a Nissan Pathfinder?

Pretty cool for a "mom car" right?

Hi everyone! I was so lucky to get the chance to check out the LA Auto Show this week (it's still on through tomorrow) and see the new Nissan Pathfinder. My family is planning to buy a new car in 2013, we'll be going from 2 cars to one, so I was very interested to see what the Nissan Pathfinder had to offer!

REVIEW: Salma Hayek Nuance for CVS

Hello everyone!

Hope your holiday season is off to a great start. I've been so busy that I'm already MUY behind with my posts here at NMB! One thing I wanted to share with you was a fun event I attended with my mom for NUANCE-the beauty line by Salma Hayek for CVS.

Skin like Salma's? Yes, please! (image via Wikipedia)

Mom and I got to try out the entire line at the beautiful Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. I'd been using a few of the products for a while, since I am a devoted CVS shopper (I absolutely adore their customer rewards program, "Extra Care Bucks"), but I was so impressed by the entire line! For instance:

PODCAST: Episode 38, REVIEW of the NEW Weight Watchers 360 Program!

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It's FINALLY here! We'll be talking about "Weight Watchers 360"and the additions to the WW Pointsplus program. Joinme as we "geek out" on all things Weight Watchers and participate in the converstaion in the chatroom during the LIVE broadcast!

PODCAST LINKS!

Weight Watchers

Finding "Me Time" During the Holidays-my post at Mamiverse

Curvy Escapades-Cynthia's NEW blog!

Nacho Mama

Disclosure:  All opinions expressed on Nacho Mama's Podcast are strictly my own and are intended for entertainment purposes only. For heaven's sake, please consult your health care provider before beginning a new health or fitness program of any kind!  I am also not affiliated with Weight Watchers-just a regular, paying customer, folks. ALL PODCAST CONTENT Blogtalkradio.com/NachoMamasPodcast is © Nacho Mama and nachomamasblog.com, 2009-2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of podcast content without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.

I almost forgot! In addition to the 3 month tracker, Success Handbook, measuring cups and coupons the NEW Member Kit ALSO includes a body measuring tape, a workout DVD, food labeling stickers and a BIG Cookbook! All for just $34.95 (special pricing for a limited time)

PODCAST: Episode 37 RESOLUTIONS & Keeping Fit Through The Holidays

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Don't let this happen to your holiday health resolutions!
(btw-the man in the photo is my Grandpa)

We are deep into the holiday season. Before we know it, it'll be time to make those RESOLUTIONS, yikes!! Many folks make lots of ambitious vows to move into the gym to make up for all their out-of-control holiday eating and lack of exercise. But what if you made sure to fit in exercise NOW, throughout the holidays? How would that affect your resolutions? Join me LIVE during the broadcast as we discuss strategies to keep fit during the holidays. PLUS we'll talk about how to make healthy, achievable and realistic resolutions for 2013!

So did you survive Thanksgiving? #NHBPM

I did!

We actually had a really, really great Thanksgiving here in San Diego. It was a beautiful day, we had the family together-a good time was had by all.

Less snacking, more crafting!

I'm fortunate that I don't really have to deal with many "food pushers" this holiday season, but if you need some help you can check out the article I wrote for Mamiverse HERE. These tips have gotten me through some serious holiday scrapes!

THANK YOU Falettin Me Be Mice Elf Agin!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone! If there's one thing I'd like to say to all of you, it's...

And for my top tips on saying "NO!" to Food Pushers, check out my latest post for Mamiverse, HERE.

Wishing you all a HAPPY THANKSGIVING with extra cheese!
Nacho Mama

FINALLY! SheKnows Custom Gift Guide to the Rescue

Tis the season! This is the time of year when I start pouring through every holiday gift guide I can find, trying to zero in on the perfect gift for everyone on my list. Yes, it's fun, but it's so time consuming! I can't tell you how many times I've thought, "I wish I could just plug in my niece's (or co-worker's, or client's) tastes and just get a list of stuff she'll like, already!"

 

I can't believe it, but the folks at SheKnows have developed a CUSTOM GIFT GUIDE tool, which gives you a list tailored specifically to the Facebook preferences your family and friends!

"The Best Fudge in the World" #Positivisimo #Recipe

Hello everyone!

Can you believe it's almost time for THANKSGIVING? What?!!

the little boy in the foreground is my dad

If you're like me, you don't like to show up to a holiday shindig empty handed. But, if you're also like me? You're a terrible baker. So I'd like to share a quick and easy fudge recipe that's sure to please your holiday hostess!

PODCAST: Episode 36 Thanksgiving!

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Election's over-LET'S EAT! Ok, maybe not so much, lol. Join me in the chatroom during the live broadcast as we discuss tips and tricks to help you get through "Turkey Day". We'll have ways to lighten up those traditional recipes and manage the stress of this hectic holiday.

WALK the VOTE! #NHBPM

I hope you're not reading this instead of voting!

I figured I'd veer from the set topics for National Health Blog Post Month and encourage everyone not only to VOTE (seriously, VOTE!) but to consider walking to your polling place if you can. I know some parts of the country are suffering from horrible weather conditions, but if you're in Southern California like me it's a beautiful day to WALK to your polling place. EXERCISE your rights, people!

Need more encouragement? Here, once again, for your information and entertainment...fitness walker David Balboa and his Dolphin shorts!



Now get walking and VOTE!

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

#NHBPM Share and Cher Alike

Today's topic for National Health Blog Post Month:
Disclosure post. How do you decide what to share? What do/don't you share?

Not that Nacho Mama's Blog is some juicy gossip site, but those of you who've been here for a while (and especially those of you who listen to the podcast) know I share pretty freely when it comes to myself: my health, my body image, my weightloss struggles, my disgraceful baking skills, etc. I don't want to bore you, of course, but you know what they say, "Write/talk about what you know."  I also want to take the opportunity here to say THANK YOU to all of you who have written/tweeted me to tell me that you can relate.

It's TOTALLY not because I'm completely self-aborbed...honest!

Having said that, I do try to have some discretion where the other folks in my life are concerned. I know I have a tendency to "get going" on a story without checking whether the other characters are ok with my sharing our adventures. I don't always succeed in keeping mum, but so far I've managed to keep it from devolving into, well...

 

What don't YOU share? Do tell! I'm waiting. One ringy-dingy....(btw can we all just take a moment for the majesty that is Lily Tomlin and CHER? If you ever needed the courage to be who you are, look no further, people!)

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

DAY TWO: Delta Burke has a Point #NHBPM

Today's topic for National Health Blog Post Month: "Find a quote and use it as inspiration."

I DARE you not to look at Delta Burke! (image via Wikipedia)

I am always looking for inspirational quotes to help me along the road to health and fitness. Today I found this great one from (the CRIMINALLY underrated) Delta Burke that I just had to share with all of you...

DAY ONE: National Health Blog Post Month! #NHBPM

 

Hi everyone! I thought it would be fun to participate in Wegohealth's National Health Blog Post Month. Since Turkey Day will be here soon, I thought it would be a fun challenge. If you'd like to participate too, click HERE.

Today's Topic...

Johnson and Johnson #Giveaway! #ETYY

Hi Everyone!

Yes, it's time for another awesome Johnson and Johnson giveaway! I have so enjoyed trying all of these products. My faves so far have definitely been the Aveeno line-especially the baby products, but the face cream and hair products and definitely staying on my future shopping lists!

LOVE these!!!

Once again, Johnson and Johnson will be giving away $100 worth of AWESOME J&J products to one of YOU! Check the widget for entry details, winner will be selected at random on 11/8/12.
 Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

Disclaimer: In compliance with FTC guidelines, please be aware that my review and giveaway of/about Johnson and Johnson products, was made possible by the Latina & Latino Lifestyle Bloggers Collective (http://www.llbloggers.com), and sponsored by Johnson & Johnson. The above is my honest opinion-honest! 

CUPCAKE SIDESHOW!!! #Review

Those of you who have been with me here at Nacho Mama's Blog for a while know that it is entirely possible that I am the worst baker in the United States (though I'm still waiting to hear back from the Smithsonian). I can cook up a storm, but baking? As my husband has advised, "Just.....don't."

Did I mentioned they served mimosas? This is MY kind of class!

So when Jensen invited me to try Cupcake Sideshow, her cupcake decorating class, I was muy intimidated! But her website made it look really fun.

PODCAST Episode 35: Talking with the Brooklyn Fit Chick!

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Today we talk with special guest Margo D., aka Brooklyn Fit Chick!Yes, it's a 2-Margo show!) We'll learn from Brooklyn Fit Chick's passion for fitness, diet and getting in shape.

Join us in the chatroom during the LIVE broadcast and we'll answer your questions live on the air!

The Milk Truck Stops By At Bedtime #VIDEO #Positivisimo #CUTE

One of my favorite things about being a "Positivity Ambassador" for Milk (aside from using it to win arguments with my friends, "What do you mean I have a bad attitude? I'm a Positivity Ambassador!") is that my kids and I have had a great time reading the adorable bedtime stories in English and Spanish that are available to download for free at www.otroscuentos.com. I try to teach my kids Spanish but, I must admit, I'm pretty lazy about it. So I'm always tickled when my toddler asks for his bedtime "lechemilk"!

"CH-CH-CH-CHIA HEAD" My New Food Find!

Happy Sunday everyone!

The Aztecs enjoyed the many nutritional benefits of CHIA (image via Wikipedia)

I wanted to share a recent food find that's been helping me stick to my daily PointsPlus target-CHIA SEEDS! Apparently, "my people" have been enjoying them for centuries, but I must admit that when I hear "chia" I immediately think of...

PODCAST EPISODE 34: Holiday Survival Guide

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Don't let this happen to you-My Grandpa, 1974

Feel like you can't escape the mountains of candy at the supermarket? Can't believe artificial Christmas trees are already on sale? TERRIFIED of what all that stress, family and FOOD are going to do to your health and fitness goals? Never fear! Join me during the LIVE broadcast in the chatroom as we discuss tips and tricks to help you get through the coming holiday season with your waistline, and your sanity, intact.

Bedtime Ritual for One Night of the Year #Positivisimo #Spon

As I mentioned last week, bedtime rituals are a pretty big deal in our house. There are baths, stories, a glass of milk-maybe even lullabies. But there is one night of the year where it all goes out the window, HALLOWEEN!

Halloween, 1976

My mom would always make sure we'd had a GOOD, nutritious dinner and a tall glass of milk before we hit the streets. She used to say it was to "coat our stomachs", but I think it was her secret weapon to help us get to sleep after all that candy! She usually made our costumes, like the one in the photo above-I was Witchiepoo from H.R.Puffenstuff. Yes, I am that old-lol!

Even now, Halloween is the one night of the year that we skip our regular routine. There's still a good dinner and a glass of milk to prepare small tummies for the candy onslaught. There's still a story, but it's a spooky one, like "La Llorona" or something involving the Cucuy. It's fun to shake up the routine for just one night out of the year-especially since, we moms know, it's always going to end the same way.

Before seatbelt laws-passed out in the backseat on Mom's Pinto

Do YOU shake up your bedtime routine for Halloween?

Remember, The Master of The Glass Half Full has a bunch of adorable bedtime stories available for you to download for FREE at www.otroscuentos.com.

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

 This is part of a sponsored campaign with the California Milk Processor Board and Latina Mom Bloggers. However, all opinions expressed are my own.

 

Who's With Me? #EatCleanForHalloween

BUH-BYE! (at least for now) image via Wikipedia

Any and all of you who'd like to join me in this (completely made up) challenge are muy, muy welcome!

Wishing you love with extra (real, unprocessed) cheese-
 Nacho Mama

GUEST POST! October is #FairTradeMonth

Last October I was invited to an event with acclaimed nutritionist Ashley Koff, to learn about the importance of buying FAIR TRADE products. The event really opened my eyes and changed my shopping habits!


buy products with this label whenever you can!

Why should you shop Fair Trade? Here's a cute video that explains why:

My New Favorite Shampoo! #Giveaway #ETYY #llblog

Hi everyone!

Can you believe it's almost October? Can someone please tell Mother Nature that she can turn down the heat here in Socal, already? The great thing about this time of year is that I always get plenty of GIVEAWAYS to share with all of you and today is no different!

As many of you know, I am a SERIOUS couponer. That means I generally have NO brand loyalty and love to try new products all the time. Sometimes, though, I must admit this "cowgirl" approach to shopping comes back to bite me. Case in point: shampoo.

#CRAFT Tutorial: Day of the Dead Apron!

Hola!!

I've been in a super good mood lately because FALL is finally here! For me, that means cooking and CRAFTING for Halloween, Day of the Dead and beyond!


Crafty Chica products on sale at Michael's stores nationwide

All summer I've been dreaming about buying a "Day of the Dead" apron to do all my cooking in. They are pretty easy to find here in San Diego (not to mention online) but hijole, are they pricey! They start at $40 (at least the cute ones do) and that is waaaay out of my budget.

Fitness Walking with Sally Struthers #VIDEO

Remember Speedwalking? I do. It was very popular here in San Diego during the 80s and early 90s. Nowadays, though....the Speedwalkers seem to have vanished. Sure, many people like me can be seen on our streets and in our parks walking for fitness and fun, but how much fun can it be, really, when we've completely abandoned the technique?

 image via Amazon.com

What's YOUR Bedtime Ritual? #GIVEAWAY #Positivisimo

Hi everyone!

We're talking about sleep again, and I'm happy to report that I've been sleeping MUCH better lately, yay! My kids have always been really good sleepers, and I like to think that's because they have a pretty solid bedtime ritual. Both my kids end the day with a glass of milk and a nice story to settle them down for the night. This ritual helps settle MOM down, too! Plus it helps me get in one of the 2-3 servings of lean dairy I try to get every day.

Yes, I am wearing "Toma Leche" PAJAMAS!

I recently received the cutest bedtime story from Otroscuentos.com! My son especially enjoyed it.

PODCAST Episode 33: How HABITS Can Make or Break Your Healthy Goals

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I've been working to make exercise a HABIT!

 Lately weightloss experts have been asserting that it's not willpower, but HABIT that is the key to meeting and keeping your weightloss and fitness goals. Join us as we discuss HABITS: the healthy, the unhealthy, making them and breaking them!

Skip the Snacking and "See What Unfolds" ! #spon

Gotta love a graphic that matches my blog!

Not too long ago I did about podcast about "30 Things to Do Instead of Snacking". I'm happy to say I've tried many of the tips suggested by some of my favorite weightloss bloggers with great success, but I also realized I forgot to share one of my favorite ways to curb a "Snack Attack"-CHEWING GUM!

For me, the danger time is always around 3pm.

Best. Weight Watchers commercial. Ever.

Hi everyone! Hot enough for ya?

It is SWELTERING here in San Diego! Which made it pretty difficult to get through Zumba class today. I get a lot of questions from my students about the song I always play at the end of every Zumba class. It's Alesha Dixon's "Do It Our Way", which I love for a number of reasons, but mainly for the lyrics. I also love it because it's the unofficial theme song for Weight Watchers in the UK, and is featured in this AWESOME commercial:

Every single person in this commercial is a Weight Watchers member. Except for Alesha Dixon, of course (I think).

I get goosebumps every time I watch it. Not just because it's so inspring, but because it also reminds me of the summer of 2001, which my husband and I spent in London. I love London! I had joined Weight Watchers back in the states and I continued attending meetings in London. All the members and leaders I met were wonderful. While I was there I stayed fit by exploring the whole city on foot and I regularly swam in an indoor poor just like the one in the video! Since I officially lost "two stone" (28 lb) during my stay, my London Leader gave me a 10% keychain to celebrate, which I still have.

I like to watch this video whenever I need a little boost of inspiration. Do you have songs or videos like that?

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! #Latism

Hi everyone!

Today is Mexican Independence Day (please tell me you knew it wasn't Cinco de Mayo), and this is also Hispanic Heritage Month!

I am so proud to live in a country that celebrates our diversity and I love learning from the cultures and traditions of my neighbors. I thought this video was the perfect way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Los Lobos at the White House!

Stay tuned for a muy fun HHM craft project and giveaway, you're gonna love it!

Wishing you love with extra cheese-
Nacho Mama

A Good Morning Starts With A Good Night #Positivisimo

Good Morning!

How'd you sleep? I don't know about you, but I've never been what you might call a "Good Sleeper". For as long as I can remember, I've had trouble falling and staying asleep. Recently, though, I'm glad to say that's changed. I like to think it's because I've been drinking a glass of nonfat milk every night before bed, since I've been getting 2-3 servings of milk per day as part of my diet regime. Turns out, that might actually be why I'm sleeping better!


Unlike me, my kids have always been good sleepers-and they've always enjoyed a glass of milk before bed. Coincidence?

PODCAST: Episode 32-The missing link in your diet plan: Humor?

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Forget hyped-up pills and quick-fixes: the secret to your long term weightloss and fitness success may be a good attitude and a sense of humor. Join us as we discuss the importance of levity for, well, levity! It's no wonder Betty White still has us in stitches over 20 years after The Golden Girls-all that laughter has kept her going strong!

I Heart NY

image via Wikipedia

This post, written by me, was originally published at MomfiaInc last year, on the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

You can be Mary, I'll be Rhoda #Hiya



Of course I loved Mary, but I'd much rather be Rhoda...(image via Wikipedia)

Rhoda Morgenstern: How can you gorge yourself and stay so skinny? I'm so hungry I can't stand it.
Mary Richards: Why don't you eat something?
Rhoda Morgenstern: I can't. I've got to lose 10 lbs by 8:30.

Happy Sunday Everyone! Hope yours is going as well as mine.  Last Sunday I was kind of bummed out after my Weight Watchers meeting, I had gained 0.6 lb thanks to a lethal combo of entertaining out of town guests (which is fun, but fattening) and my refrigerator being broken, which meant I was eating out EVERY DAY-YIKES!

But this week...

GIVEAWAY! Summer Skin Savers #ETYY #LLBLOG

Hi Everyone!
Can you believe summer is almost over? Me neither! I promised to be back with another great giveaway and this one really delivers. I have so been enjoying all the wonderful products that Johnson and Johnson have sent for me to try out and my family has loved them too. Why? Because my husband and kids suffer from.....SUMMER SKIN!!! (cue horror movie violins)

PODCAST Episode 31: "Back to School" with Health and Fitness this Fall!

Click Player to listen NOW!
 

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This Episode will air LIVE today, August 29th, from 3-4pm Pacific on Blogtalk Radio.

Every Fall I love to participate in Mama's Kitchen annual Pie Sale!

Fall is coming! It's time to get back on track with our health and weight loss goals. Join me LIVE in the chartroom during the broadcast as we discuss books, tv shows, resources and recipes to help kick-start YOUR Healthy Fall!

Read more »

Stop! Look! Listen! and MOVE!

Happy Monday everyone!

Last week in my Weight Watchers meeting, the topic was about how the unhealthiest habit that most of us have is NOT moving. One thing that has really struck me since I started using the Activelink is that, even after following the plan for all these years, I am guilty of long periods of sitting still! When I see that bar graph at the end of the day, it's all there in black and white (well, green and white).

This week, we talked about how small steps can add up to big results. So I've made it my goal to try to reach my baseline of activity by noon at least 3 days this week. That means coming up with new ways to fit in extra movement everywhere I can. How have I been doing this?

PODCAST: EPISODE 30 Creating and Managing an Environment for Success!

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What if you don't have time to get to the gym?

Weightloss experts have recently shifted their focus from "will power" to habit and environment. Join me LIVE in the chatroom as we discuss was to set up and manage an environment that will help you acheive your health, fitness and weightloss goals!

Summer fun and eats! How was your weekend?

Happy Monday everybody!

Well, it was a real scorcher here in San Diego! I know, I know, a lot of you live in the South and on the East Coast and are thinking, "Boo-hoo! You don't know what hot is, lady!" It never gets as bad here as it did when we lived in Boston or New York, but since we've been back in San Diego for a few years now, I've become a bit of a weather wimp. I even had to break out my Mexican muu-muu...

Does anyone remember what these dresses are really called? I'm drawing a total blank...

This weekend we packed in a TON of summer fun! The kids' godfather was visiting from New York, with his boyfriend and his brother. They rented an adorable little cottage on Mission Beach and we spent the entire weekend playing in the water, digging in the sand and catching up with each other.

A Great Day to be a Weight Watcher

Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch and CEO David Kirchhoff (image via USA Today)

People, I am having just about the greatest day a Weight Watcher can hope to have without reaching Goal or Lifetime-or meeting Jean Nidetch. Seriously.

It all started out with my usual morning look-see around the thrift store (yes, I visit my local thrift store daily. It's close to my home and I pass it a few times through the course of my day anyway, so if I want to stop in every now and then, that's my beeswax!) Today the shelves were actually kind of bare, just the usual assortment of coffee mugs, some Corelle dishes in 'Spring Blossom' (yawn, not my pattern) and then....