There are so many spectacular fireworks shows to enjoy this coming holiday. What a great way to celebrate Independence Day! How can you make it even better? Try wearing 3-D glasses and see what it does to the show.

Click here - More fun 4th of July ideas from MOM Magazine.

Celebrate Independence Day with this cool and colorful ice cream float. They are delicious and colorful. Red for courage, white for purity and blue for justice.

Ingredients
Jones Brand Cream Soda (clear)
Blue liquid food coloring
Vanilla ice cream
Can of whipped cream
Marachino cherries
4th of July sprinkles

Directions
Pour several bottles or cans of cream soda into a large pitcher. Add several drops of blue food coloring and stir until food coloring is mixed in well. Set aside. Next, fill chilled glasses or clear plastic cups with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Pour the colored soda over the ice cream to the brim until ice cream is floating. Spray whipped cream to cover top. Garnish with a marachino cherry and sprinkles. Add a red straw and spoon. Click here to watch a video of how to make this recipe.

Tips
We chose the Jones brand cream soda because it's clear. This helps you get the right blue when the food coloring is added. Not all cream sodas are clear, so check for brands that are for best color results. If you aren't a fan of cream soda, you can use 7-UP or Sprite.

Flavors
For the adventurous, try flavored soda as well, such as Romano's creamy strawberry Italian soda. Check out more awesome Romano's recipes for your big bash.

Click here - More fun 4th of July ideas from MOM Magazine.

What was your biggest success this week?
No sugar all week and I made sprouted raw hummus that is actually quite yummy!

Biggest challenge?
I felt unusually tired this week and due to sick kids couldn't go to Nia Tuesday and Thursday.

Best advice from my trainer?
"Just do what you can do"

How do I feel?
I'm losing weight, so I feel good about that. I had a lot of blood sugar issues this week, though. I started out the day strong, but then at some point I'd be super hungry and veggie sticks just were not doing the trick. I'd end up just eating something to get me through and then crashing. Even though I wasn't eating sugar, I seemed to ride a sort of low blood sugar roller coaster and felt exhausted at the end of the day. Friday I didn't have the cravings I had the other days, but Friday was a mellow day. I am guessing that it is harder to avoid unnecessary carbs on days when my stress level is high.

Return to the Fitness Challenge

What was your biggest success this week?
My biggest success was feeling energetic enough to do all of my daily workouts and tackle the yard and the garage to boot! I have discovered that after a great workout, I have more energy to do things I have wanted to get done. I also realize I have been too busy and active this week to watch any evening TV.

Biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge this week was going to the gym and giving it my all in spite of a bad cold. I woke up Monday morning with a sore throat and body aches. I thought about calling the trainers and rescheduling but once I got there I felt better and was able to complete the workouts. I was also at a large family gathering with a multi-course meal that definitely over-stretched my calories for that day. It is hard for me to say "no thank you" when someone has gone to a lot of trouble to make a big meal.

Best advice from my trainer?
I was lucky to work with two fun trainers this week. Travis focused on functional fitness. He was great describing a weight lift sequence as "picking up your child, then tossing them into the air" to help illustrate the muscles used and why we were bothering to work on them. Morgan always reminds me "every exercise is an ab exercise, keep them tight." He was very encouraging and challenged me to double my goal expectation… yikes… but if he thinks I can do it, then I can.

How do I feel?
I feel great. I am starting to see myself as a much healthier person. My clothes are fitting well and I have had several people give me positive feedback about my slimmer look.

Favorite go-to food?
Odwalla Superfood Smoothie. Yumm. It has lots of good nutrients, 190 calories, and is a better choice than an iced coffee drink.

Message for MOM Readers
Just start something. I waited so long thinking about how, what, where, when. I finally decided there is no perfect way or time to start. It means a change in your schedule, shopping, and meals, but it is worth the effort!

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What was your biggest success this week?
This year, I took up Stand Up Paddleboarding and decided I wanted to give it a go, professionally. At almost 40, it's a brilliant idea to become a professional athlete, right? I say, I would rather feel ridiculous trying than ridiculous wishing I had. So on that note, my biggest success this week was entering and winning the Ross Island SUP Series in Portland. The 3 race series was my first attempt at a professional level and I won!  We paddled 6.6 miles around Ross Island (and then some) and (somehow) I came out on top. Chalk one up for the ol' gals, eh? Check out this video of Kerri.

Biggest challenge?
My biggest challenge this week was getting motivated. I mean (please hear me Mother Nature) COME ON SUN!  IT'S JUNE ALREADY!!!! I AM OVER TAKING VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS! I WANT THE REAL DEAL! (respectfully, Mam) I don't want to put on layers to exercise this time of year and sometimes the blanket on the couch is the only layer I want! With that said, I ALWAYS feel better getting on the water for a paddle, even if it's more like a paddle in an Italian canal, than a hard workout.  Also, the great thing about making it out the door to boot camp is being surrounded by other hard working people. Then it's too lame, to be the only person being lame.

Best advice from my trainer?
Visualize your goal. Then when you are finished, visualize it again. I think that is great advice for everyone. If your goal is to climb South Sister then imagine what the view is from the top.  Imagine the smell and the wind on your face. If your goal is to simply walk 1/4 of a mile without 'almost dying', then imagine what a deep, easy breath would feel like or just how proud you would be of yourself in that moment. Or, what if you just wanted to look 'smokin' at your high school class reunion this summer? Imagine walking in and realizing not only do you look damn good, but you (more importantly) feel damn good, too. (*Don't know if I can use 'damn' but I was just going with it!)

How do I feel?
With the ever looming 'swimsuit' season around the corner (hopefully), I feel motivated to keep up the lunges and twists and burpies, oh my. I am going to try to keep it up AND take a break when I need to, without beating myself up.  Because sometimes, in the summertime, potato salad is MUCH better than push-ups. Maybe all the time, but I would like my belly to stay off the floor when I am doing push-ups, so I keep potato salad to a minimum. It's all about balance, yes?

Favorite go-to food?
I love brown rice cake with avocado and a small slice of cheese melted on top. It's the 'good' fats (whatever that is), combined with a little self indulgence. You fill up, it's quick and it's satisfying.

Message for MOM Readers
Be kind to yourself. We are notoriously hard on ourselves, in almost every aspect. That needs to change. WE need to change that, Mommas. If you go on a run and stop to walk, at least you are out walking and not sitting on your couch, right? If we go to yoga and just CANNOT get in tune with our inner OHHHM, then lay there and laugh inside your head, instead. Stressing about yoga is a bit ironic, don't you think? And if we choose not to do a thing, than choose not to do a thing and don't feel bad about it.  Know tomorrow is another day and sometimes we just need a break. Say it outloud 'I WILL BE KIND TO MYSELF TODAY'. Let's start a movement.

Thoughts of the week
Strong is the new skinny.

Video
*If you were wondering what paddleboarding is, my boyfriend shot this video (little did I know) of me in Yaquina Bay in Newport, Or.

SUP in Newport, Oregon from Oregon Lensman on Vimeo.

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Share your favorite animal story for a chance to win an overnight stay at Wildlife Animal Safari Park July 23-24 for four people. Post your story in the comment section below...we'll randomly choose the winner (by a hat drawing) on July 1st!

Experience Wildlife Safari in the moonlight with the new Camp Tiki. Designed for families, groups and clubs, this overnight camping trip in the Safari Village includes lions, tigers and bears - You won't get any closer to a world-wide safari than this!

Muffin tin meals prove that good things come in small packages.  Six different items are served in a muffin tin providing manageable portions and a ton of fun. It is a great way to encourage kids to try new foods, and also helps mom or dad ensure the meal provided is balanced. You can make these for any meal or snack of the day, and there are endless resources and ideas online for different combinations.  Muffin tin meals were made widely popular by the Muffin Tin MOM (www.muffintinmom .com), who posts a new muffin tin meal idea every Monday on her blog.

Prepare them for summer lunches on the back patio, dinner on the go, or participate in the Muffin Tin Mom's "Muffin tin Monday" by posting a photo of your own creation. If you find yourself in a rut over what to serve your child, or need help encouraging your child to eat different kinds of food, give muffin tin meals a try. Here are some muffin tin meals I've made recently for my kids.

1. Skim milk  2. Potato-Chip Frittatas*  3. Chocolate chip cookie  4. Apple sauce  5. Edamame  6. Carrot sticks

1. Skim milk  2. Broccoli cheddar biscuit muffins*  3. Mango  4. Celery and peanut butter  5. Tortilla scoop with bean and corn salad*  6. Fruit Leather

1. Chocolate soy milk  2. Strawberries  3. Cucumbers  4. Colby Jack cheese cubes  5.  Pita triangles  6. Garlic and artichoke hummus

1. Vanilla soy milk  2. Blackberries  3. Butterscotch cookie  4. Broccoli  5. Roasted red pepper tomato soup  6. Grilled cheese sticks

Potato-Chip Frittatas
Source: Cookie magazine, February 2009
5 eggs
1 ½ T. milk
Salt and pepper
1 T. olive oil
1 leek, sliced (about ½ cup)
½ onion, sliced (about ½ cup)
1 carrot shredded (about ½ cup)
4 T. shredded cheese (such as cheddar or smoked provolone)
Potato chips

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Whisk together the eggs, milk, salt and pepper; set aside. Heat the leek and onion with a pinch of salt Cook until tender, about five minutes. Add the carrot; cook for one minute more. Remove from heat. Grease silicon muffin cups. Divide the cheese among the cups, then the vegetables. Pour in the egg mixture until each cup is three-quarters full.  Add a few potato chips to each. Bake until cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.

Broccoli cheddar biscuit muffins
Source: www.cookingwithmykid.com
1 package ready to bake biscuits
2 cups broccoli florets (blanched + chopped)
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Grease silicon muffin cups with cooking spray. Using one biscuit at a time, place a biscuit into a muffin cup and then press down to "dig a hole" in the middle. Plant your broccoli by dividing it evenly among all the biscuit cups. Sprinkle cheddar on top of each biscuit and bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the biscuits are turning golden brown. Serve warm.

Bean and corn dip
1 can shoe peg corn
1 can white beans
1-2 tomatoes chopped
1 bunch of green onions chopped
1/2 bunch of cilantro chopped
2 avocados diced
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tsp. minced garlic
2 tsp. cumin
salt & pepper

Combine all ingredients and serve with tortilla scoop chips.

by Eco MOM™ Lynzie Kronheim

It's summer and a great time to pick some juicy ripened blueberries. Starting in June and running though September you can stock up on sweet berries for making smoothies, cobblers, muffins and pies - or eat them fresh. Two great ways to find locally grown berries are at u-pick farms and at farmer's markets. Most u-pick farms provide buckets to use that children love to walk around with and fill. And local markets are great places to pick up berries and other produce at the same time.

Blueberries are excellent antioxidants for boosting the immune system and include many vitamins and minerals. They last fresh for about two weeks and longer if frozen. Stock up for the winter months by canning, freezing or dehydrating them. Buying locally supports farmers and is good for the environment. Bring sunscreen, a hat and lots of water to be comfortable at u-picks. Find locations nearby at Hummingbird Wholesale, LaneFood.org and Springfield Farmer's Market.

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Selecting a house that is in your budget and in relatively good shape is a reality today. Buying a bank-owned home (also called real estate owned - REO) is one of best ways to find a great deal. Some homes need fixing up and are deeply discounted, others are still in good shape and still below market value. Here are some ways to go about securing one:

• Choose a Realtor who has successfully completed numerous REO transactions and can successfully negotiate the purchase price, repair costs and navigate a bank's red tape.
• Ask the Realtor for a list of REOs in the area.
• Have her investigate the history of a listing that interests you.
• Let her help you determine a value to place on the home for an offer.
• The banks will look at all offers and try to find the highest and best, so be able to walk away from it if the counter offer comes up too high.
• If it is accepted, submit a Repair Addendum to request the bank to make needed repairs.
• The property is usually vacant and an accepted offer can close in 30 to 45 days, faster than a short sale process.
• Enjoy the place as an investment or a great new home for you and your family!

For more information, visit SIXEL Real Estate at www.SIXELre.com.

by Travel MOM™

Does the chore of packing for your family trip fall on mom? It's not easy, but packing well will save you time, money and frustration. After many family trips, here are my secrets to packing all the essentials in as few bags as possible.

Plan your packing

The temptation is to pack everything you might need. Eliminate the guesswork by planning ahead. Start with a list of activities you'll be doing each day, with specific items required. Plan outfits for each member of your family for each day, based on that list. Pack an entire kid's outfit into a zipper bag and write their name and the activity on the bag. I always pack the following items: zipper bags of all sizes, permanent marker, small scissors, tape, small amounts of every type of medicine we might need, band-aids and clothes pins.

Look-up expected day and night temperatures for your destination and plan accordingly. Your travel outfits should include short sleeve shirts with a light jacket or sweater. The temperature in airports and on planes can fluctuate dramatically. I dress my kids in running suits and tennis shoes so they are comfy for the flights and can adapt to any temperature.

If laundry facilities are available where you are staying, reduce the amount of clothing by half. A month before travel, start making a pile of important items. Make sure everything fits and double-check essential items. Then pare-down to only necessities and choose multi-purpose items. Decide how many suitcases you want to take and keep eliminating items until the bags are zipped.

Checked baggage vs. carry-on

With the exception of Southwest and Jet Blue, all airlines now charge to check-in luggage for coach class travel within the USA. For a family of four, checking-in one bag each can add $200 or more to the cost of a trip.

Weigh each piece of check-in luggage. The maximum allowed is 50 pounds. The extra charge for an overweight bag (51+ pounds) can be $100 each direction. Some airlines offer a discount if you prepay the baggage charges online. The rules for international travel will vary depending on the airline and destination. Details can be found on the airline websites.

Many people choose to save money and avoid the risk of lost luggage by bringing only carry-on baggage. Each traveler is allowed one carry-on bag and one personal item such as a briefcase, garment bag, laptop, purse or small backpack. Measure your bag to make sure it is no more than 9"X 14"X 22". You are allowed to check-in strollers and car seats for no charge. Ask if you can gate-check these items so you don't have to wait for them at baggage claim. Put your name and cell phone number on all items.

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