Being a full-time stay-at-home Mom to two kids, plus working full-time as a bartender, moonlighting as a bellydancer, and being a writer/editor of a website for other kick-ass moms, can really take it’s toll on a gal! If anyone knows what it feels like to multi-task, wear many hats, and try to “do it all” all the time- it is me! But- I don’t do it alone… the Husband helps me tremendously, as do a few of my favorite wines, my girlfriends, and of course a few tips and tricks that keep me going. I’ll share a few of those with you- anything I can do to help your day go smoother!

Trick #1: Nutritious snack bars for the kids and for yourself. I prefer CLIF Kid Z-bars: Super healthy, organic, no trans fats or high-fructose corn syrup, and they taste good! I keep a stash in my car for outings, when the kids are freaking out, because they’re hungry or bored, and I don’t want to drive through McD’s for the third time in one week! I also keep a stash at home for a healthy snack as we’re all making a mad dash out the door to get my daughter to school on time. For myself, I prefer Detour protein bars: Low sugar, lowfat, high fiber and protein, and if I imagine really hard, and I’m hungry enough, I can convince myself it’s a Snicker’s bar!

Trick #2: I don’t have time to go to the gym, nor can we afford the added cost of a gym membership right now. So, I keep a library of assorted 20 and 30 minute workouts on DVD, and I pop one in first thing in the morning to rev up my energy, burn calories and add strength and tone to my body. Since I get bored easily, I like to switch them up. Here are a couple of my faves:

 Both workouts are 30 minutes or less, and I see results, even though I only do them three days a week. Plus, both women are inspiring without being annoying. It is also good for my kids to see my effort in being healthy and active, and they enjoy crawling under me when I’m doing a “bridge” or they play with my hand-weights in between sets, which I allow them to do, until they start swinging them at eachother. Leading by example to have a good body-image, providing entertainment for the kids, while keeping me in a bikini for one more summer- a definite win-win situation in my book!

Trick #3: Certain Dri deodorant and anti-perspirant:

 Not that I’ve ever really noticed sweating very much, but I tried this little gem, and I don’t sweat at all…even after working out, at work, or dancing- never! Plus- if you shower the night before, and put this on right after- it lasts into the next day, saving you an extra step in the morning. Plus- you will never check your trendy turtleneck for emberrassing underarm spots, because there won’t be any! I also like that it is unscented- no “flower meadow” or “spring rain” powdery smell to interfere with my Chanel perfume!

Trick #4: “Fake Tan in a Can”: Every woman would love to know the answer to the question, “How do I lose 5 lbs. in 5 minutes?” Here it is- fake tan in a can! It contours the definition of your muscles and highlights your curves and makes your boobs look bigger and sexier- sounds like a girl’s best friend to me! There are many options from drugstore to salon, from $8 to $38- I’ve tried them all. The trick to all of them is to make sure you have exfoliated your whole body, do not apply body lotion before applying the tanner, wash your hands, and let your body dry at least 15 minutes before getting dressed. I don’t care if the can says “dries quickly”, wait the full 15 minutes! I have dressed too quickly only to discover later that my bra has soaked up the tanner, and now I am left with half-moon, pasty- pale crescents under my boobs- not so sexy! Learn from my mistake.

I hope that at least one of my tricks has helped you to become a sassier, sexier, more confident Mom-on-the-go! Stay tuned for more tricks this Halloween season! I’m full of “smoke and mirrors” tips and secrets, and will be sharing more soon…