Self Defense Class

Quincy Police recently offered a 2 day women’s self defense class. I’m so glad I attended!

It was a great refresher of the skills I learned from a Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) class I took back in college,

The second night we tested our skills against the cops in the red man suits acting as attackers.

I cried at how many Mom’s and daughters were taking the class together.

According to one of the instructors the most dangerous time in a woman’s life attack wise is pregnancy thru the first year of your child’s life.

I took the class to be sure I stay safe and get home to my 5 month old. Also want to be safe when baby and I are strolling.

Quincy Police will be offering this free course again in September & I’d happily take it again if any of you reading want to join me but don’t want to take the class alone!

I’m also going to be taking the pepper spray training class offered by Quincy PD in September as well.

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ZOOMA Cape Cod Women’s Races

I’m wicked excited to announce I’m a ZOOMA Women’s Race Series Cape Cod run ambassador!

I’ll be running my first 10K with this race.

As an ambassador, I have a discount code to share with you: DANIELLE2018

Please use the code to get a registration discount and let me know which race you’ll be running!

I’d love to have my lady friends in the crowd with me!

The race options are: HALF MARATHON + RELAY + 10K

Imagine a powerful sea of women on the move – encouraging fellow runners, creating unforgettable moments, getting strong, and celebrating personal running triumphs.  Picture an inspiring weekend filled with strong women, yoga sessions, speakers, an exciting expo, and celebrations in an unforgettable resort location.  This is ZOOMA. 

Recognized as one of The Year’s Best Races by Runner’s World, ZOOMA Cape Cod is a race weekend you simply don’t want to miss!  Bring your best friends, your sister, your mom or your daughter for a weekend you’ll remember for years to come!

ZOOMA CAPE COD FEATURES:

EXPO + Welcome Party. Pick up your race packet and shop, hang out and have fun with your crew. From 5pm-8pm the Expo transforms to a Welcome Party with lots of giveaways, prizes and more!

RUN. Saturday is race day where you’ll run a Half Marathon, Relay, or 10K through Falmouth, MA in Cape Cod. Expect gorgeous ocean views and quaint neighborhoods as you run this one-of-a-kind course!

PARTY. Celebrate your run with an unbelievable Post-Race party on the beach of the Sea Crest Beach Hotel. The party includes mimosas, food, massage, recovery yoga, shopping, live music and tons of fun!

SWAG. Each runner receives a swag bag with a women’s cut shirt, tote bag, free race photos and a finisher medal. Upgrade to the Premium Swag bag that includes a ZOOMA hat, custom wine glass, personalized race bib, training plan and access to the VIP Training Group.

SUNRISE YOGA SUNDAY. Start your Sunday morning with yoga on the beaches of the Sea Crest Beach Hotel.

FUN + SUPPORT.  ZOOMA race weekends are always filled with fun and incredible support.  You’ll be surrounded by so many amazing women throughout the weekend and will be incredibly well supported throughout your run. It’s nearly impossible not to have fun during a ZOOMA race! And new this year, ZOOMA Cape Cod will feature our friends Mel + Tori from Fellow Flowers. They’ll be infusing their own brand of fun and friendship (and a few shenanigans) throughout the weekend at the Expo, Finish Line + Post Race Party!

Let me know if you register!

Hope to see you there!

Exploring Nature – Stroller Style

The weather has been a bit spring-like in MA – so baby & I have been exploring nature.

First, we went for a walk around Turner Pond in Milton.

Elise loved looking at the ducks with Grandma Martha!

Next, we visited Webb Memorial Park in Weymouth with all of the Kempe family: Dad, Grandma, Grandpa, 2 Aunts, and an Uncle!

The views there were breathtaking! Auntie and Grandpa took Elise out of her stroller to give her a better view.

Finally, on Sunday, we visited with my side of the family and took Elise for a stroll on Revere Beach.

That one put Elise to sleep but I was happy for the walk with Elise’s Grandmother, Great Grandmother, & Dad.

We’re looking forward to lots more outdoor adventures when the weather in New England remembers it’s supposed to be spring, not winter.

Peek A Blue Hike

My 4 month old Elise, her Grandmother, and I had a wonderful time at the first Peek A Blue Hike of 2018!

The hikes are in the Blue Hills of Milton, MA.
LL Bean sends a guide to lead and read stories.

Friends of the Blue Hills provide a song break and awesome snacks!

Snacks included coffee for adults, mini water bottles, juice boxes, apple slices, goldfish, mini muffins…and probably something else I’m forgetting.

There are 2 routes – one stroller friendly & one with hiking.

We chose the stroller friendly but I plan to carry Elise in her front carrier next time to see if we like the other route better. The stroller route was a bit of a steeper climb than we expected.

Hope to see you at a future hike!

YWCA Cambridge

It’s International Women’s Day and I can’t think of a better time to write about the YWCA in Cambridge, MA.

You may think of the YWCA as a gym, but it’s actually a nonprofit that does so much more!

The YWCA Cambridge is an institution in Cambridge and Marshfield, a cornerstone for providing safe, affordable accommodations for women and families and an advocate for human rights.

With 103 units of single room occupancy housing for single women and a 10-bed shelter for homeless families, the YWCA is the city’s largest residential housing provider for women.

Our Marshfield Branch, offers a reasonably priced summer day camp program to families in Marshfield and the surrounding communities.

The YWCA Cambridge is dedicated to eliminating racism empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.

As far as health and wellness:
Boston Classical Soo Bahk Do, a Korean martial art, has recently become a YWCA Cambridge program. The main building hosts classes in Tai Chi, Latin Dance, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and more!

When my baby is a little older, I’ll get a sitter and sign up for a workout class.

Since I’ve worked in fundraising for nonprofits for over 10 years, I love when I can support other nonprofits and get a workout at the same time!

Go for a Walk

New England weather has always been extremely fickle. The joke is “if you don’t like the weather, just wait a minute”.

But even for us, the weather last week was odd! It’s February & we’re used to winter weather. We had a record setting 70 degree & sunny day –  32 degrees and snowing the following day!

While the weather is nice, I’ve been taking my infant out in her stroller.

Here she is with her Grandmother & two aunts at John Paul II park in Dorchester.

Parents in MA – what are your recommendations for stroller friendly walks?

We’ve also gone to the boardwalk on Marina Bay in Quincy & Castle Island in South Boston.

We’re up for learning about other fun routes though!

Photo Blogging Challenge – Color

The theme for the April photo blogging challenge was “color”.

Like others, my first image was taken around Easter.

These eggs were decorating the lobby of my apartment building.

I love the pink sunset in this photo – taken on Cape Cod – in Chatham, MA.

The seagull waiting for his dinner at the fish pier also made me smile.

This is the Boston Tea Party Museum

I like the yellow of the ship, red of the building, and even the blue windows of the new construction in the city.

This is from the carousel on Boston Common

I took this photo on the Saturday of Boston Marathon weekend – on a fun walk through the city.

This final photo is from the restaurant Novara in Milton, MA.
The space used to be a movie theater and they kept some of the posters.

I was amused that a movie that stars mostly black & white dogs was advertising it’s in Technicolor.

Thanks for checking out my photos this month. I always have fun taking photos that fit the theme all month, then seeing which 5 speak to me as the best to feature.

This monthly photo blogging challenge is facilitated by PJ of the Northeast Bloggers Network.

Thanks for inspiring me to take more photos!