MBT's high-tech Ari

MBTs: Walking shoes and workouts

Ideally, I’d be at the gym every morning. But that’s not going to happen. I can barely get enough time to take a shower. I got a pair of MBT Ari’s. these shoe make you use your core muscles just by wearing them. They have a patented structure that make you use your bum, tummy, and leg muscles to keep balanced and moving. Just walking is a workout. I can throw on my MBTs, head to the grocery store and by the time I’m back home I can feel the burn in my lower body. It is truly amazing.

Graco Pack and Play

Graco Pack and Play: Traveling Bed and Playpen

We live in a small apartment in San Francisco, so we don’t have room for a beautiful crib with matching furniture. What we have is the Graco Pack and Play and it is a lifesaver. My baby sleeps in it at night and she plays in it during the day. Then, we I send her off to grandma’s house, the system easily breaks down into a carry bag. It comes with a rod where you can hang toys and mobiles as well, which is great for little curious minds.

Orbit Baby Strollers

Orbit Baby: Stroller and Car Seat in One

This stroller is not only a stroller, it’s its own verb. I can Orbit with my baby, not just walk. The stroller seat is also a car seat that snaps into an orbit base in the car. The Orbit system offers a bassinet on a rocker – which my baby slept in for the first 4 months. The bassinet clips into the stroller base as well. So, with a few pieces from Orbit, you have a stroller, car seat, and bassinet. For you fashionistas, you will be happy to know that the stroll comes in a variety of hip colors.

Lululemon

Lululemon: Workout to a Night Out

OK, I spend my day nursing, burping, and keeping a new human alive while juggling client calls and writing. I can’t fit into any of my pre-pregnancy clothes and I want something that feels sexy, but still lets me move with my not-so-hot body. Lululemon has some great clothes that firm and lift while looking tres chic. Kinda like body Spanx but way sexier. Some of the pants are reversible, so I can wear them a few days in a row! What is great about many of their designs is that I can throw on one of their darling sweaters over an outfit along with a cute pair of flats and I am good to go.

Netflix mobile

Netflix Mobile: Breaking the Breastfeeding Boredom

I’ve had Netflix for years. I enjoy getting movies in the mail and having movie night. Well, then I started breastfeeding and I was bored out of my skull. I can’t just stare at my beautiful baby for 45 minutes straight 8 times a day. So, I downloaded Netflix onto my iPhone. Now, I can put in my earplugs (a must) and watch movies to my heart’s content. Now, breastfeeding is not boring at all, actually I look forward to it!

These are a few items that have made my life much easier and have helped me be the best mom I can be. No, I’m not supermom, and I need all the help that I can get. I’m not too sure what I would do without these few treasured items, luckily I don’t need to find out!

DAY 2 – Letting go. What I learned today was that we cause so much stress by expecting others to changes to be what we want. We try to put square pegs in round holes and the truth is – we can’t change others. We can only change ourselves. Once we realize this truth we can LET GO of others and FOCUS on living our best lives. Accepting the fact that people have different values is key. If those values don’t meet yours, then perhaps it is time to step up and start creating the life YOU WANT….

“I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
- William Ernest Henley

DAY 3 – Listen to your body. You talk to your body, sometimes negative things like, “I’m fat.” Your body listens and confirms what you say. So, be aware of your thoughts. What is great is that your body talks to you too. Every thing from gut feelings, sickness, headaches, and jitters is our body’s way of “talking.” What we need to do is listen. Take a moment in the morning and ask, “My beautiful body, what do you need today?” And listen. You might get thoughts like, “Rest, water, touch, or exercise.” If you’re about to do something that you’re not sure you really want to do. ASK! Your body will answer with a definitive YES or NO. Simple, yet powerful.

DAY 4 – Five Regrets of the Dying. We heard a story about a women who worked in hospice care for years and she listened to hundreds of people who were about to die. The regrets were always the same:

1. “I wish that I had the courage to live the life that I wanted.”
2. “I wish that I did not work so hard.”
3. “I wish I had the courage to express my feelings.”
4. “I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.”
5. “I wish I let myself be happy.”

Personally, I suffer from “letting myself be happy.” When I wake up, the first thing I think is not, “WOW another beautiful day!” My tasks and responsibilities hit me in the face and, if anyone ‘offended’ me the day before, I remember that too. I don’t want to be that way anymore. So, my commitment is to BE HAPPY when I get home. Life is pretty amazing and we are all blessed. Thanks for reading – I love you!

Day 5 – Live in the NOW. They have a saying her at OHI: “What time is it?” And the answer is “NOW.” There is nothing but the NOW. We get stuck in our heads, feeling regret about the past and getting worried about the future. But they don’t exist. In my life I struggle with staying in the NOW, I am always running off to some dark corner of my past or racing to a worrisome place in the future. One of the ways they teach us to stay in the NOW is to connect with our breath. 3 minutes without breathing and we die, so our breath is a powerful tool to use to get us back into our bodies and in the present moment. When you find yourself getting caught up in a negative past/future loop, stop and take 3 deep, conscience breaths and ask yourself, “What time is it?” The time is NOW.

DAY 6 – Celebrate Small Successes. Kyle Ruppe is here to change his life. On January 3, he was diagnosed with ALS: Lou Gehrig’s disease. This 29 year old is FILLED with joy and love. His smile lights up the room. He is here with his friend Chris who is his biggest fan (besides me!). Kyle saw Chris making his bed and asked him why he did that every morning. Chris said, “Because I like to celebrate small successes. When I make the bed I feel like I accomplished something, it’s a great way to start the day.” What a life-changing moment for me. Yes, it is time for us to take time and celebrate, no matter how small the accomplishment. I went back to my room and made my bed, and did a little dance to celebrate my success.

DAY 7 – I feel so connected to myself now. This week has given me an opportunity to rest, heal and learn. I am so grateful for this time. Now, it’s time to go home and implement what I have learned. My intention is give everyone I meet some joy, hope or inspiration. That’s it!

In 2003, Patti and I went to Peru, where we drank pisco sours and thought about what a website for solo women travelers would look like. It was during those exciting moments that TangoDiva.com was born.

Talking about birth, 7 months ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. That’s why you haven’t seen much of me. Honestly, I had no idea how hard motherhood was going to be. Now, I have such an appreciation for mothers around the world.

My promise to you, Divas, is to get back on board. I still believe that through travel we become better women. And it is my goal to help foster travel – be it solo or with your mama.

Please let me know what you want to see at TangoDiva this year. When we started this network, our goal was always to give back and support our members. That has not changed. I’m just a bit busier with my baby diva. She already has a passport and has been to Mexico. I plan on showing her the world, so she can have a passionate appreciation for culture, countries, and others.

Keep in touch! You can reach me at teresa (at) tangodiva (dot) com.

Passionately and faithfully,

Teresa

Join me at the PR Summit Fall Chat Series, taking place at Next Space as our experts shed light, on how news agencies and news bureaus operate in a digital 2.0 landscape.

Learn the interaction between…

– Professional journalists
– Bloggers
– “I-Reporters”
– Citizen Journalists
– How news agencies and bureaus engage with Public Relations practitioners?
– How PR Professionals can add-value in a digitally networked 24-hour news cycle?
– Practical tips and approaches for shaping news stories, that are timely, on subject and are relevant.
– How social media plays a pivotal role in the news eco-system.

Aaron Pero KRON4 news director

Moderator: Teresa Rodriguez, Founder, JetsetExtra & TangoDiva.com
Aaron Pero, News Director, KRON 4 TV
Eric Savitz, San Francisco Bureau Chief, Forbes

Eric Savitz

To learn more and buy your tickets, CLICK HERE

NextSpace
28 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

Wednesday, September 28, 2011 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM (PT)

Congratulations to the five well-deserving winners! Two of them are gifting their coveted MBTs to another deserving Diva. Meet the winners and their winning responses.

1) Sara Connell

“What would I do with a pair of MBTs? What would I do? Well, I had a 1 lb, 5.5 oz baby at 25 weeks’ gestation on November 19th. Little mister Jacob was in the neonatal intensive care unit until 2 weeks ago. During those four plus months, I spent every day with him at the hospital. He was on three different ventilators for two months, had heart surgery, received treatments and medications for his lungs that the NICU hadn’t used in a decade, and almost died twice. Needless to say, during that time I didn’t get out much. Now that Jacob is home with us, we are still somewhat limited in our mobility because he is on oxygen and heart & breathing monitors. We are, however, looking forward to going for walks now that spring is arriving here in Iowa. So, what would I do with a pair of MBTs? I would wear them on daily stroller walks with my precious little miracle, Jacob, so we can both be outside and enjoy nature and being together!”

2) Susan Pearson

“Oh how we Canadian Diva’s love the Swiss!
As the mother of the bride, I would wear my MBT’s to my daughter’s wedding in Switzerland!
Recently engaged, my daughter is Canadian and her groom is a “Swiss mister” from Zurich……
They met in NYC (where they both work) and they have a romantic wedding planned for August 2012. I have no doubt it will be a glorious day, BUT it will be a long day and I think the best way to be “light on my feet” is in my MBT’s. We begin our day with a boat cruise on Lake Zurich which will be followed by the wedding and reception. I’ve always been a “trend setter,” so here goes……………If I wear a long dress, my MBT’s can be easily (and discreetly) worn for this special occasion. That night when everyone else is complaining of aching feet, I will be “footloose and fancy free” in my MBT’s! PS …..I will send a picture of our Swiss wedding party!”

3) Martha Ashton

“If I won a pair of MBT’s I would know that it was a sign to wear them and return to The Tumaini Orphanage outside of Nairobi to visit my young friends! Did I mention that I published a little fiction book after visiting the orphanage? – “The Flowers of Tumaini” by Martha Jones Ashton. I’m not bragging; just pleased that my experience could be shared.”

4) Sara Berman for her mother Julie

“I would give them to my mother who has terrible plantar fasciitis. She loves to take long walks, but her ability to do so has recently been hampered by the pain. Someone recommended MBTs to her, so I would love to win her a pair!”

5) Renee Woodruff for her sister Rachel Curry, who is a nurse in the ER at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale.

“I’d give my MBT’s to my twin sister, who is a nurse, since she’s on her feet all day doing things better than me to receive the shapely legs and bootie that she deserves!”

Many thanks to everyone who entered! And a big round of applause to our sponsor MBT Shoes!

In support of the 34th America’s Cup, AMERICA and USA 76 are coming to San Francisco to allow residents and visitors the opportunity to experience the excitement of authentic America’s Cup yachts. Yes, Diva, that means you can jump (be careful!) ono one of these yatchs for a beautiful afternoon on the bay. Feel the wind in your hair, meet a few hot sailors, and enjoy the exhilaration of riding on a piece nautical history. Make sure to dress warm – this ain’t the Caribbean darling.

Operated by ACsailingSF, the yachts will offer trips to individuals, groups or corporate parties beginning May 25, 2011 through September 2011.

AMERICA is a replica of the 139-foot yacht that won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s “100 Guinea Cup” race around the Isle of Wight held in 1851. The replica was built in 1995 at a cost of more than $6 million. It now serves as a sailing vessel for entertainment and hospitality events, private charters and individual sails for up to 80 people, and will be operational in San Francisco through September 2011 before it returns to San Diego.

USA 76 is an 85 foot International America’s Cup Class yacht previously owned and raced by the ORACLE Racing Team in their challenge for the 2003 America’s Cup held in Auckland, New Zealand.

Boats will sail under Golden Gate Bridge and along Cityfront to PIER 39

TICKETS: USA 76 and yacht America are operated by ACsailingSF and Troy Sears. To make reservations and purchase tickets for USA 76 or yacht AMERICA, call 1-855-ACSF 2013. (855-227-3201)

MBT giveaways, wine, appetizers, book signing, and mingling. What could be better? MBT’s premier U.S. retail concept shop at The Core by Footwear Etc., in downtown Palo Alto, is hosting a Tango Diva cocktail party and you’re invited!

5 pairs of MBTs will be given away that night – just bring your business cards and friends. Teresa, founder of Tango Diva and author of FLY SOLO, will be on hand to sign copies of her book; and if you buy a pair of MBTs, you’ll get a signed copy for free!

A portion of proceeds from MBT shoes purchased during the event will go to Education for All Children (EFAC), a New Hampshire–based nonprofit organization that provides secondary-school scholarships for underprivileged children in Kenya. Twenty percent of the children who benefit from EFAC are members of the Masai tribe—the inspiration for the MBT brand.

WHEN: Thursday, April 28th 6 pm – 8 pm
WHERE: The Core, 644 Emerson Street, Palo Alto
WHO: Tango Divas and their friends

To RSVP to this free event email mbt.contest@gmail.com

MBT giveaways, wine, appetizers, book signing, and mingling. What could be better? MBT’s premier U.S. retail concept shop at The Core by Footwear Etc., in downtown Palo Alto, is hosting a Tango Diva cocktail party and you’re invited!

5 pairs of MBTs will be given away that night – just bring your business cards and friends. Teresa, founder of Tango Diva and author of FLY SOLO, will be on hand to sign copies of her book; and if you buy a pair of MBTs, you’ll get a signed copy for free!

A portion of proceeds from MBT shoes purchased during the event will go to Education for All Children (EFAC), a New Hampshire–based nonprofit organization that provides secondary-school scholarships for underprivileged children in Kenya. Twenty percent of the children who benefit from EFAC are members of the Masai tribe—the inspiration for the MBT brand.

WHEN: Thursday, April 28th 6 pm – 8 pm
WHERE: The Core, 644 Emerson Street, Palo Alto
WHO: Tango Divas and their friends

To RSVP to this free event email mbt.contest@gmail.com

We love her! Dr. Melina is an internist and board certified physician nutrition specialist (one of only a few hundred in the country). She specializes exclusively in nutrition for weight loss and disease prevention and treatment.

Dr. Melina is a highly sought after public speaker and lectures throughout the country on nutrition for weight loss and optimal health. She has been interviewed by USA Today, USA Weekend, New York Post, Family Circle, Better Homes & Gardens, Glamour.com, Ladies Home Journal, First for Women, Women’s World, Alternative Medicine Magazine, Women’s Health, San Francisco Magazine, Clean Eating, Baby Talk, and more on nutrition and weight loss related topics.

She has appeared numerous times on Live with Regis and Kelly as well as Dr. Oz. show, CNN, FOX News channel, FOX Business Network, and numerous local television and radio stations including ABC , NBC, FOX, KGO radio and KRON-4 news.

She has just launched her facebook page and every day in April, she will be giving away a %50 Dr. Melina Gift Box filled with healthy goodies!

All you have to do is become a FAN of hers on facebook HERE. And you are instantly entered to win.

Good Luck Divas!

I had the chance to interview Amy Manson for TangoDiva this week. She is an incredible women who is living the life of her dreams and inspiring other – especially children – to reach there goals.

This athletic Diva is a rock star! She has been on the cover of Runners magazine, ran professional for over 2 decades, had Nike as a corporate sponsor and now is sponsored by MBT footwear. She is happily married with two darling children and travels the country inspiring others and teaching them how to reach their goals. We are grateful that she took the time out of her busy schedule to chat with us.

You too can learn how to set your goals into action with her 6-step goal setting plan. So, Diva, what is your goal?

READ MY INTERVIEW WITH HER.