By Stephanie Maziejka Touch. It means something different to each of us. It is nearly impossible to live life without touch. We touch and are touched every day. We hug when we are happy and we hug when we are sad. The same action can convey very different emotions. Yet in today’s society touch is almost taboo. The media covers stories of negative touch so frequently that in our minds touch is a bad thing. Touch has the power to transfer emotion and intent and we must learn when and what kind of touch is acceptable. My mission as a Massage Therapist is to educate about touch and its amazing benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. In my monthly posts, I will be discussing touch as it relates to different demographics and giving you tips on how to use and introduce touch to your family! Infant Massage is a great place to start talking about touch since the best way to ensure a healthy lifestyle is to introduce healthy habits at a young age! Infant Massage focuses on providing nurturing touch to promote bonding and attachment between you and your baby. An Infant Massage class or session is facilitated by a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (that’s me!) with parents being the ones to administer the massage strokes to baby.  The massage itself is compiled of techniques taken from Swedish massage, Indian Massage, Reflexology, and Yoga. In addition to the strokes Infant Massage teaches baby behavioral states and body cues to help parent’s better respond to their newborns. It is a lot more empowering as a parent to look at your little one and know he’s sleepy than to run through a checklist of a thousand possibilities as to why your sweet...

Since becoming a mom in 2010, starting this blog and Run Stroller Run (a stroller friendly race site), I’ve continually yearn to lead a healthy, happy, fit life not only for myself, but for my family.  I connected with Stephanie Maziejka, a NCBTMB certified and a CEIM under Infant Massage USA and a new mom herself, to learn more about the benefits of infant massage. The more and more I learn, the more and more I like to share with other parents. On a monthly basis, Stephanie will be contributing to LaraCoffee.com and Run Stroller Run, discussing touch as it relates to different demographics and giving parents tips on how to use and introduce touch to their family.  Stephanie’s first article will be the Importance of Touch; the Benefits of Infant Massage. Introducing Stephanie Maziejka Stephanie Maziejka is a massage enthusiast. She provides clinical massage at a gym during the week and teaches the art and science of massage therapy on the weekend at the National Massage Therapy Institute in Falls Church, VA. Believing it is never too early to begin a healthy lifestyle, she teaches infant massage and enjoys helping families to bond and benefit from nurturing healthy touch. Stephanie has recently become a mother herself and is getting to experience firsthand the joys and benefits of motherhood and massage. Stephanie has her BA in history and literature, her MS in Psychology and is National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) certified and a CEIM under Infant Massage USA. She is looking forward to writing about massage and wellness as it pertains to babies and families. She would love to hear from you, contact her directly. If you live in Northern Virginia, you can also stop by the Lifetime Fitness in...

  Before you set-up the grill, have a few beverages and watch the fireworks, start your 4th of July with a stroller friendly race. Here are family and stroller friendly races listed by State below. California Chili Chase 2013 Run San Ramon @ San Ramon Community Center Firecracker 5K/10K Greene’s Fastest 1 Mile Run & Fireworks Show Extravaganza Mayor’s 1 Mile & Firecracker 4 Mile  15% Discount Code: COFFEE Colorado Earn Your Independence 5K and 1 Mile Walk @ Boulder Reservoir USA 5K @ Bank of Colorado Georgia Firecracker 5K/10K for Henry County Special Olympics Georgia Front Runners Firecracker 5K/10K Indiana Independence Run/Walk @ Gas City Park Maryland OPA Freedom 5K @ South Gate Pond Nebraska 4th of July Fun Run 2013 New Jersey Pray For America 5K @ Cooper River Park New Mexico Smoke on the Water 5k @ 1st & Main St. North Dakota Veterans 4th of July 5K Run/Walk and 10 K Run  Oregon 4th of July Fun Run-Boardman @Former Boardman Chamber of Commerce location Flat Traffic Flat Funky Foot Race and Kids Boardwalk Dash South Carolina 4th Annual Independence Day 8K/5K/1 Mile @ The Market Common 27th Annual Easley Firecracker Frolic 5k @ Old Market Square 28th Annual Hilton Head Island Firecracker 5000 @ Jarvis Creek Park BORN IN THE U.S.A. 4 miles RUN/WALK @ Forest Acres Lake Texas Christoval Volunteer Fire Dept 5K @ Main Street Firecracker 5K & Fun Run The 24th Annual Baytown Bud Heat Wave 5 Mile Run Utah Barrus Memorial 5K @ Grantsville High School Centerville Utah July 4th Freedom Run Uncle Sam 5K @ Dixie Sunbowl Virginia Independence Day 5K @ Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA Let Freedom Run 5K & Kids Dash @ Fairfax Corner Shopping Center  Washington Edmonds 4th of July 5K Fun...

If you are still looking for a Father’s Day race to celebrate the dad’s in your life, here is a list of family and stroller friendly races for the weekend of June 15-16, 2013. Saturday, June 15, 2013 Alabama Chick-fil-A Connect Race Series:… @ Decatur Baptist Church California Color Blast 5K Run @ San Bernardino County fairgrounds in Victorville, CA Lincoln Center Father/Son Fun Run @ Fleet Feet Stockton District of Columbia Purple Stride Washington, DC Georgia 5 Alarm 5K @ Suwanee Towne Center Park Connect Race: Warner Robins, GA @ Southside Baptist Church 9th Annual Blake Gammill 10.5K, 5K, & 1-mile Run/WALK Illinois Run For Boston 5k NHRI 5K Walk/Run @ Busse Woods Elk Grove Village Dash with Dad Louisiana Race 2 Grace 5K, 10K @ Fair Park Baptist Church Missouri Steps & Strides 5K/10K @ Frontier Park, Jaycee Stage Hero Up 2nd Annual For The Children Run Nebraska Nebraska Land Road Run Nevada Las Vegas 5K for Heroes @ Sunset Regional Park New York Saratoga For Uganda-Annual Fairw… @ McGregor Fairways Corner of Fieldstone Dr and Autumn Ct North Carolina Dash for Dad @ Pine Valley Sam’s Club Children’s Miracle Network 5K and 1/2 Mile Kids Fun Run Hope for Haiti’s Children 5K/10K… @ Statesville Soccer Complex Oklahoma Footsteps of Faith 5k @ Sequoyah State Park South Carolina Firefighter’s for Fitness 5K @ Myrtle Beach Market Commons (please note part of this course is gravel!) Texas Playtri 5K & Kids Fun Run @ Playtri North Store Smiles for Life 5K @ Nelson Park Washington Strollin’ to Fight SIDS @ Newport High School Track   Sunday, June 16, 2013 – Father’s Day California Pleasanton Rotary Father’s Day Spirit Run @ Under the Arch in Downtown Pleasanton Florida I LOVE FATHER’S DAY 5K @...

Au Pairs live in our house and care for our children and I want to ensure they are as equipped with the most knowledge to protect themselves and my children from harm’s way. In addition, I want to provide an environment that is fun, healthy and presents the best experience for the Au Pair and my children.  Here are my top 5 important reads for Au Pairs & Child Care Providers. Drowning Doesn’t Look Like Drowning.  Now that summer is here, most Au Pairs are frequenting the pool with their host kids. Please read this article because what you think a drowning person should do, they won’t be able to do.     Child Care Emergency Check List.  As an Au Pair, if you do not have this information at your finger tips, please ensure you ask for immediately.  We have this information located in kitchen on the wall by the phone and phone chargers, in the diaper bag (you can put it in the kids pool or school bags), and a few more strategic places in the house.       Mom, you told everyone! Kids Privacy Online.  We have social media guidelines in our house.  Most Au Pairs we know us Facebook to communicate with one another or another form of social media. Please ensure they know what your rules are about posting photos of your kids, home, etc. or using your children’s real names.     Who Did Your Au Pair Bring Home?!?! “Sleep tight; don’t let the bedbugs bite.” This is no longer just a phrase. According to Orkin Pest Control, they have seen a 33% rise in bed bugs since 2011.  As of 2012, New York (ranked 10th in the country) and Washington, DC (ranked 7th in the county),...

Traveling with a toddler sometimes can be difficult, especially a hungry, tired toddler.  If you are like most parents, you want to ensure you have healthy snack alternatives– instead of cookies – and games to keep your little one occupied when you are standing in lines or waiting at the gate.   With airline regulations now, going through security with foods for toddlers can be difficult; unless it is formula or breast milk the TSA agents might not allow you through security lines with certain foods. Yes, you can buy food in the convenience stands and restaurants, but they might not have any healthy snack options to your liking. One healthy snack alternative that most likely will get through a TSA security line (although, it is always subject to the TSA Agent) is FruitaBu Organic Smooshed Fruit.  Portable and convenient, our Smoooshed Fruit Rolls contain: 1 serving* of all-natural fruit Now Non-GMO Project Verification No artificial additives Real-fruit purée No added sugar – all sugar comes naturally from fruit This taste great and I personally have been eating their fruit leather from years; I buy them at Whole Foods. Originally, I was going to suggest the fruit puree pouches as the best healthy snack alternative for traveling with a toddler, but after reading about how much sugar is contained in the pureed fruit, I opted against them for my children. However, if you are still interested in the fruit pouches, and a lot of parents are — companies such as Plum Organics, GoGo Squeez and Smashies Pouches—as well as multi-national conglomerates such as Gerber® sell them.  Most pouches are within the limit of 3.4 oz, and generally will be accepted by a TSA Agent.  Please check the pouch size before throwing them in your diaper...

If your kids are home for the summer whether it is with you or with a care giver, here are 50 great summer activities for kids 2-5 years old. There are many versions of these activities below and can be tailored to your location; so make it fun for you and your kids. Have a wonderful summer and enjoy!...

In order to put things back into the perspective after the terrible tragedy at the Boston Marathon yesterday, I went home hugged my husband and kids and I went on a family run.  We strapped the kids in the double jog stroller and went to our favorite lake and ran.  Not unlike the rest of the world, I am stunned, shocked, horrified and restless.  Who would do this? Why would you do this? My heart aches for the father who lost his precious son and his wife and daughter suffered major injuries while waiting for him to cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I am saddened that spectators who came to share in a glorious moment of celebration with their family member(s) and/or friends will forever associate this tragedy with the Boston Marathon. I am sad that runners/racers will be concerned – myself included – that entering any major race is no longer safe or fun.  Why put ourselves in harm’s way? Should we race? Should our family come out and celebrate with us? While my heart heals, my legs will keep running.  Yes, I will continue to race. Yes, I want my family to celebrate my accomplishments with me. Yes, I will still be fearful that we are in harm’s way.  But, I will keep going.   Each day I am suffering on the bike, or tired of the monotony in the pool, or breathless running fartleks, I be grateful that I can still run and I have my wonderful family around to support me.  I am grateful that my teammates racing the Boston Marathon were all safe. My prayers and thoughts go out to all those who lost a loved one or have loved ones injured. From the Washington Post Boston...

I usually don’t post recipes, but I wanted to share one I created this weekend out of necessity. I was making baby food and I ran out of storage containers and had two ripe bananas leftover, so I made Nutella Banana Popsicles. I did not have a recipe for it, but after creating my concoction, I decided to see if a recipe already existed.  Low and behold you can find several recipes  for Nutella Banana Popsicles, but they all called for milk, cool whip or some other variation. I used no milk because I did not even consider it, but I am sure the other recipes taste as good or better. FYI, these were a big hit with my 3 yrs old.  Furthermore, for all the people that workout, this is a great recovery food too. NUTELLA BANANA POPSICLES GLUTEN FREE 2 medium ripe bananas 3 tablespoons of Nutella 2 scoops of non-flavored Protein powder (optional) Yields 6 Popsicles Instructions In a medium bowl warm up three tablespoons of Nutella in the microwave for 30 seconds. Mash the bananas up in a blender or with a fork.  I just used a fork because my bananas were so ripe. Add the banana into the Nutella and mix well. Add protein powder if you so desire. Pour the mix into 6 Popsicle containers. Freeze at a minimum for six hours, but overnight might just be easier. Nutritional Facts Without Protein Powder 1 serving = 1 Popsicle 85 Calories 0.80 grams protein 14 carbohydrates 3 grams of fat Nutritional Facts With Protein Powder 1 serving = 1 Popsicle 118 calories 7.5 grams of protein 15 grams of carbohydrates 3 grams of fat    ...

This week for this first time, I realized how quickly people are to place blame on little boys and classify them as “bad”, “naughty”,” aggressive”, etc.  Here is what I witnessed.  My son C2 – newly turned 3 years old – and his little girl friend were playing around; they are always so excited to see one another. His little friend kept pulling at C2 shirt collar and pushing him to get his attention and C2 repeating asked her to stop. She persisted and finally C2 hit her.  At that moment, the teacher scolded C2 for pushing his little friend. Now, I do agree his behavior needed correcting and hitting wasn’t warranted, but what I do not agree with is that the little girl received no correction and/or direction from the teacher.   The teacher and I watched the entire scenario unfold and of course, I did correct C2 as soon as I saw him hit his little friend, but I was stunned by how the teacher reacted.  She physically gasped at C2 and made an ugly, disgusted face before correcting him, when she clearly could have stepped in and told the little girl that C2 asked her to stop.  C2 friend’s mom did correct her and both C2 and his little friend said their apologies, hugged and ran off to play. And at that very moment, I finally got it; this is how little boys get such a bad rap. As a parent, my job is to help C2 learn how to cope and find other ways handle his emotions. But, my job also is to protect my children until they can protect themselves. Prior to having a son, I really never gave credence to how little boys are treated or perceived in school...