After falling off my fitness wagon for a few weeks (amid injury, dreadful heat, and end of school year chaos), I recently found a way to get on a summer fitness regimen. And if I can do it, you can too -- and why not rock a new routine in some of Marika's new "miraculous" fitness gear? This collection of fitness basics was designed to wick away moisture while supporting, slimming, and contouring so you can look your best while you're, well, working on looking your best. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Marika generously is gifting one lucky winner with a pair of miracle capris + a miracle sport bra ($75 value)! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 20, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Marika Miracles" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Jul 2010 | Permalink | Comments (152) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Sports & Fitness
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During April vacation, I posted a series of ideas to help encourage families to get outside together. And today I wanted to share a fun upcoming initiative per my role as a founder mother for the National Wildlife Federation. This Saturday (June 26), the NWF is hosting their Great American Backyard Campout -- an event designed to inspire families to get back to nature together. Whether you enjoy a campout in your backyard or register to participate at a campsite near you, it will be a super fun way to kick off summer. And whatever you do, don't forget the s'mores.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Jun 2010 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Family Issues; Sports & Fitness
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As some of you may know, I took up running last summer and have gotten into it enough to actually run some races. I love the minimalism of running -- you can hit the pavement on your own schedule and can go pretty minimal gear-wise, with running shoes being the major expense (that is, unless you're like some of my crazy barefoot running buddies). But one piece of gear that I was thrilled to learn about and now use regularly is the Moji Knee. I wanted to share my thoughts about the Moji Knee here because it's been great to have it in my running "toolkit" and it also seems as if every week I connect with more readers and bloggers and friends and family who are taking up running.

Continue reading "Hands Free R.I.C.E.'ing" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 May 2010 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Sports & Fitness
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Back in the B.C. (before child) era, Jon and I used to go camping periodically -- both hard core overnight backpacking and laid back car camping. Since then, our gear has sat unused the past six years, moved only during the two times we changed residence since Laurel was born. And while Laurel now is at an age where I think she'll love car camping, last week I found the tent to be a brilliant solution to get Laurel and her friend Annabelle to Be Out There.

Continue reading "Be Out There: Pitch A Tent" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 Apr 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Sports & Fitness
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One of the things I adore about Boston is that green space is so easily accessible. And whether you reside here or elsewhere, I hope you'll take the time to enjoy today's Be Out There idea: to take a hike, whether it's through the woods (as Jon is doing with Laurel today) or along a river or some other green space for a nature walk (as I've done with Laurel in the past). Laurel especially loves finding nature treasures (e.g., unusual rocks, already-fallen twigs, flowers that actually are weeds, etc.). She uses these treasures to create the sweetest centerpieces (see below).

Continue reading "Be Out There: Take a Hike" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Apr 2010 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Eco Living; Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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As a Boston lifer, I do periodically grumble about the weather but ultimately I’ve come to embrace it (even becoming one of those crazy winter runners), and think it’s important to bundle the kids up and get out of the house. Subsequently, I love that the Massachusetts Audubon Society is offering February vacation week programming across the state that includes both indoor and outdoor activities. Another great outdoor option (particularly during this Olympic season) is ice skating. The Rink at the Charles Hotel has extended their hours for vacation week, and you also can enjoy the Frog Pond and Kendall Square outdoor rinks.

Continue reading "February Vacation: The Great Outdoors" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Feb 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Apparently, today I’m in a bit of a PSA mood. In addition to asking you to get out and vote, I wanted to urge you to take care of you. I firmly believe that you need to take care of yourself in order to better take care of others (think oxygen mask airline instructions) and I felt compelled to post this PSA because: a) I’ve been fielding a lot of questions these days about self-care (mostly informally, but also more formally via a recent fit mom profile over at Momtrends); and b) this past weekend I had the lovely opportunity to host a yoga event that was infused with personal and global mindfulness; the deliriously happy looks on the attendees faces made it clear that self-care was not happening enough.

Continue reading "Take Care of You" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Jan 2010 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Kids grow fast and seasonal gear subsequently has a short window of use, so I was thrilled to find these Bladerunner adjustable ice skates (also available in blue) for Laurel. Sturdy and (according to Laurel) comfortable, the skates are available in three size brackets, each adjustable across four sizes, which means we’ll get at least two, maybe even three, seasons out of them. Super fabulous.

Continue reading "Multi-Season Skates" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 Jan 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Sports & Fitness
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I've recently had the honor and pleasure of conducting some really lovely interviews, and last week I sat down for a one-on-two chat with 2006 Olympic silver medalists Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto before they led a skating clinic at the Simoni Arena in Cambridge. Read on for my interview, in which I talk with this personable duo about everything from competitions, to shows, to tips for skating safely with kids, to important advice for parents who are enrolling their kids in any types of lessons, to why Boston ranks among Tanith’s favorite cities. (Visit Pop Discourse for additional personal photos.)

Continue reading "Chatting With Belbin & Agosto" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Mar 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues; Fun Indoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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After posting about Boston area skating rinks and the lack of media buzz in advance of the recent US Nationals, I was offered the wonderful opportunity to chat with Kimmie Meissner, national and world figure skating champion, member of the 2006 Olympic team, and 2010 Olympic contender. Read on for my interview with Kimmie, where we talk about everything from competitions, to shows (she’ll be in Boston in April for Stars on Ice), to the amazing family that has kept her grounded, to tips for skating safely with kids.

Continue reading "Chatting With Kimmie Meissner" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Feb 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Fun Indoors; Local; Sports & Fitness; Tweens & Teens
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I’ve recently had my mind on ice skating (in fact, just this morning I posted at Pop Discourse about the lack of buzz over the impending national figure skating championships), and similarly, Laurel has been asking to hit the ice. Fortunately, my talented friend Melissa Massello (founder of the excellent budget lifestyle resource Shoestring Magazine) stepped right up with advice on local, affordable rink time. Thanks, Melissa!

Continue reading "Local Rink Leads" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Today, Kate reports on a clever way for kids to learn to skate, in the comfort of their own shoes:

“I grew up ice skating at the Metropolitan District Commission rink in Brighton, and I can still remember the clamor of the lobby/changing area, the sense of unlimited possibility found by stepping gingerly onto the ice, and the taste of the watery hot chocolate (mini-marshmallows and all) sold at the snack bar.

Continue reading "Pint-Sized Skates" »

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Feb 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Gear; Sports & Fitness
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Whether or not your family escaped to a balmy February vacation destination this week, you can embrace winter this Sunday (Feb. 24) at the Stony Brook Reservation Frozen Fun Fest. Enjoy a free afternoon including skating (BYO-skates), a hockey clinic, ice sledging (sledges provided), and other winter fun. Bundle up, and consider bringing hot drinks in a thermos too.

75 Turtle Pond Pkwy, Hyde Park; Tel: 617-333-7404

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Feb 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Looking for a way to work off those holiday cookies and experience the winter weather without a shovel in hand? Check out the Kendall Square Community Ice Rink in East Cambridge, where you can skate recreationally, take lessons, or host a party. A café serving hot drinks and snacks is available.

300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-492-0941

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Dec 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Keep your blades crossed for favorable triple axel weather as the Rink at The Charles opens this Sunday (Dec. 9). From noon to 8pm, enjoy complimentary skating (free entry and free skate rental!), beverages, entertainment, and a kid’s activity room with cookie decorating, coloring, and ornament crafting.

The Charles Hotel Courtyard, One Bennett Street, Cambridge (Harvard Square); Tel: 617-864-1200

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Dec 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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I’m not sure whether it was a coincidence that my two closest college girlfriends both were former competitive figure skaters, but I’ve always had a place in my heart for the ice, regardless of the fact that I have long been limited to scooter-pushing my way around the boards.

And whether you spin or scoot, starting tomorrow you can strut your stuff at the Frog Pond Skating Rink on the Boston Common. The season starts tomorrow and ends March 17. Click here for hours and rates; tel: 617-635-2120.

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Nov 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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If you can’t beat the winter weather, you might as well join in. Throughout today and all day tomorrow, Lowell Winterfest celebrates the season with a full schedule, including free ice skating, face painting, magic shows, tundra rides, and fireworks, as well as crafts, live entertainment, a soup bowl competition, and the ever popular National Human Dogsled Championships.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Feb 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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Winter days in Boston don’t get more picturesque than today, where the snow falls light and pretty, and brushing off your car takes mere minutes.

All the better to leave you with time to bundle up and get your skating groove on at The Rink at The Charles Hotel. Located on the plaza side that opens out into Harvard Square, until early March the rink is open from 2pm - 8pm on weekdays and 10am - 8pm on weekends. Skate rentals are $5 and skating fees are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 12 years old.

And after cutting your figures, be sure to reward yourself with a decadent hot chocolate at L.A. Burdick’s on Brattle Street.

The Rink at The Charles Hotel, One Bennett Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-234-8008

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Jan 2007 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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The underground parking rates at Boston Common Garage are well worth the fun of Frog Pond and Frog Pond Park. In the winter Frog Pond is a famous skating rink; in the summer, the pond is a place for kids to cool off. The Frog Pond spray pool and wading program is open daily from 11 am to 6 pm (free of charge) until Labor Day. Call 617-635-2120 for updated information.

Before or after dipping in the pond, check out the awesome Frog Pond Park two steps away. This terrific playground has lots of cool structures to explore, including what my yummy niece called the “frog potty” (frog sculpture holding a life preserver).

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jul 2006 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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