Vlog

Call out for Healthy Recipes & a Video Confessional #MamavationMonday

July 9, 2012 By Amanda 14 Comments

Happy Mamavation Monday! Yes, I know it’s been OH so long since the last time we saw each other!! I can’t believe I was doing so good and then travel happens (as it always does) and boom! I’m off the wagon faster than your head can spin! This week I’ve got a little video, perhaps how I’ll start doing my check-ins (simply because I’m a narcissist and seeing myself on video is a good motivator.

Let’s start with my confessional!! (HA! I’m not giving it away, you’ll have to watch to see what I’m confessing…it’s nothing big or life changing or anything, so don’t be underwhelmed ).

I pulled out the treadmill again last night (I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it and what a great focuser it was!)and logged 30 minutes on it, which at midnight was a big feat for me. I stopped running just after completing the Couch to 5K and was a little bummed to see that so much of the stamina that I had fought so hard for had vanished…clearly, I’ll have to work back up to the time I was logging before. Still though, I wasn’t back to the terrible – out of shape point I was at when I started the training, so that’s something I suppose.

So as I mentioned in the video, I have gained 5 of those hard fought pounds back and need to focus a little more on my eating and exercise levels, so I would love for you to share any links or suggestions for healthy delicious recipes in the comments for me to share with my family. I’ll try some of the recipes you guys suggest and report back in a vlog next week!

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Impact Video Tagged With: healthy living, mamavation monday, video, Vlog, weight loss

The Great Henson Clean-Up Vlog

January 10, 2011 By Amanda 1 Comment

Today marks my first vlog in over a year AND the first Face-to-Face Monday here at High Impact Mom. Today, I am giving you a look at what I spent my entire day doing {while the kiddos were at school and Stef’s}. In an effort to turn our Family Room into an office Jon and I are moving all of the girls’ toys into their rooms. The problem? They don’t fit. Who are we kidding? They didn’t fit when they took up most of the family room and ALL of their bedrooms. As part of the rearranging I knew there would need to be some major, and rather difficult, choices made…ones I was better off making sans kids. So today I packed KJ up and sent her to Stef’s so I could work unencumbered….6 hours later there is still much to do..but as you can see I made a lot of head way. All of the toys I separated from the pack will go to help families in need through shelters, the state police, and women’s shelters. Anything I have left afterward will be donated to GoodWill of KY. How do you deal with the overflow of toys?

Filed Under: Impact Video, Mama Says Tagged With: donations, organization, toys, Vlog

Coffee Corner: 1/11/2010 (No Vlog this week)

January 11, 2010 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Hi guys…you are not going to believe this. I am sick. Again. No, I’m not joking…trust me I would not joke about this. Last night Smalls covered me in vomit last night and I wake up this morning to find myself nauseous and all stopped up again, complete with massive headache and chills. I just do not feel well enough to do all the work it takes to get ready to be on video. I’m sorry guys. It sucks, but you don’t want to hear me whine (hear not read, of course you want to read it) right now. I figure today I’ll make up for it by “chatting” with ya’ll this way.

Late last week we got 6 inches of that gorgeous fluffy stuff…but we didn’t go out and enjoy it. OH no. I was not going to take the chance of taking the girls out and exposing them to any germs. Lotta good that did me huh? Sigh. Bigs went back to school today hallelujah after three weeks off. This evening I was looking through the work she brings home from school and noticed in a series of sentences where she was to use “action verbs” she wrote: “I am blogging.” Warmed my heart a little…but also made me awful glad she didn’t write “I am Tweeting“, I would never had heard the end of it.

Tomorrow I will be sharing my grandmother’s recipe for chili (without a photo at first) on Tasty Tuesday. With weather as cold as it has been, I have been craving chili intensely. We use spaghetti noodles and beans in our chili…I know there are as many ways to make chili as there nationalities on Earth. I like mine especially spicy, but can’t add the spices until after I have separated some for the girls. How do you like your chili?

Oh! And there is an update to my bloggy schedule: Rather than taking Thursdays off I’m moving my off day to Fridays. I tried it last week and by the time Friday rolls around I am sick and tired of getting up at 5am to write .

Also, with so many great conferences happening in February I must get a haircut this weekend! Must. I’m starting to look like one of those scary moms…hair all shaggy and such. I have one of those haircuts that requires a trim every 3 weeks to keep it looking hawt. Due to budgeting strategies, it has now been over 6 weeks. It looks really rough, seriously. I would be embarrassed to be seen by my buddies, brands, or Harry Connick Jr. with my current hair-do.

Did I mention something about conferences? Why yes, yes I did! Thanks to Katja Presnal, Skimbaco Lifestyle, and Tommy Nelson publishing I will be able to attend Blissdom with little impact on my family’s budget. I will have much more on the upcoming conferences and my wonderful sponsors this week…I want to give each sponsor and conference the kind of attention they deserve.

I guess that should be it for now…it’s bedtime for the kiddos and I’m having chills now. All I want is to feel better for an extended amount of time. This being sick over and is getting old.

And as always, I am looking for posts from the Internetz that will leave me a little smarter than I am today:)

Ya’ll leave me some feedback and some links of posts I just can’t miss!!

Filed Under: Mama Says Tagged With: Blissdom, Coffee Corner, Disney Social Media Moms, katja persnal, outgoing links, skimbaco, Tommy nelson, Vlog

Coffee Corner: January 4, 2010

January 4, 2010 By Amanda 8 Comments

Welcome to the first installment of Coffee Corner. It is my greatest wish to start vlogging again and my theory is if I vlog every Monday there will at least be one day a week when I get dressed up and look presentable

The purpose of my Monday vlog is to connect with you and let you know from me personally what has been going on in our lives and to touch on any current events or subjects you want to chat about, so please let me know if I’m missing something!

*Note: You may have to turn the volume way up…sorry. I thought I was being loud enough, but it’s really low. That’s as loud as my voice gets right now.*
This week I wanted to spend some time catching you guys know up on current events in our house, let you guys in a valuable learning experience happening at Ang England’s blog (#10habits), and remind you guys about January’s new Featured Mombiz, Mishelle Lane Photography.

Angela England is getting ready to start a learning series called Ten Habits of Successful Blogging based on a recent blog post she did on this subject. I encourage you to head over now and let Ang know you’ll be participating with us starting January 5th. We’ll be following along on Ang’s blog and continuing the conversation on Twitter (#10habits); there will be lots of valuable knowledge passed along (plus plenty of fun). Hope to “see” you there!

If you have a topic for discussion or a suggestion on how to make this Vlog better, feel free to leave me a comment letting me know! Your input is always appreciated.

Filed Under: Impact Video, Mama Says Tagged With: #10habits, Coffee, Featured Mombiz, video, Vlog

Finally Friday Vlog

October 9, 2009 By Amanda 3 Comments

*Click through to view video!! And While you’re at it..leave me some comment luv too please *

Welcome to my new Friday vlogging feature, my goal is to sit down and chat with you every Friday about what’s been going on in our lives, your lives, the world, and whatever else comes to mind. This week I chat about the awesome opportunity I’ve been given to be as the blog ambassador for Crocs at Blog World Expo thanks to Collective Bias and Crocs. As part of my involvement I get to meet with Crocs and five other brands at Collective Bias’ Speed Dating event at Blog World and help them host their fabulous pool party Saturday night! I also introduce you to my new Mom-biz feature and the first spotlighted business Parentella.

I hope you enjoy the video, look over my goofiness, and leave me some feedback. The idea behind this is to talk about subjects your interested in, new upcoming features on HIM, and anything else that comes up…so get involved and let me know what you want to hear about! Please?!

Full Disclosure: Crocs, Collective Bias, and BlogWorld Expo have sponsored my round trip airfare, hotel accommodations for 2 nights, my BWE registration, and a Per Diem. Parentella has given me no reimbursement for my feature or mentioning her in the video, nor will any of the featured Mom-biz companies.

Filed Under: Impact Video Tagged With: Blog World Expo, Collective Bia, Crocs, Engage, Finally Friday, Mom-biz Feature, Parentella, Speed Dating, Vlog

Fitness Friday: Laziness

August 7, 2009 By Amanda 8 Comments

I’ve been lazy. Just plain old lazy. I haven’t been working out and it shows. I may not have gained poundage (which I’m sure I have) but I have definitely lost some of my shape.

My muscles now jiggle in fear of a workout.

I am frightened to look at myself in the mirror. The time has come.

The time to, like in so many other areas of my life, take control. To schedule time out of my day for things that are important to me, to take care of me.

Are you being lazy about something? Or have you been on the ball about something?

Leave me a comment..I would love to encourage you either way!!

Filed Under: Impact Video Tagged With: Fitness, Vlog

Mom of Faith Rebranding Contest Winner is Announced VLOG!

June 12, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

I am overwhelmed by the out-pouring of graciousness and love from all of you. I am moved by how much and how many of you put thought and concern into your suggestions and entries. There were so many wonderful and fabulous suggestions it was especially hard for the girls to choose. They liked them all.

Finally, KG was able to help me narrow it down to a list of 5 and from there she chose the winner…

www.highimpactmom.com

Here is Jacquie;s winning comment:

Hiya! I was reading your “About” page and noticed that you have a real passion for impacting the people around you and helping others do the same. Perhaps you could include this idea in your new domain? I thought of highimpactmom.com, but it appears someone may have dibs on that name (http://www.freewebs.com/thinkingmom/index.htm) even though it doesn’t look like the website is current or has any new content from over 2 years ago & isn’t using that actual domain?? Other ideas might be

impactingmoms.com
momsimpact.com
faithfulimpact.com
impactingfaith.com
highimpactfaith.com

etc. My favorite is probably highimpactmom.com, but there may be issues with that one, which is too bad. Overall though, I like the idea of “impact” as it is a strong word and reflects something that you are already passionate about. Blessings on you in this venture and all the best as you try to make a difficult decision on your new brand!

After some research and help from my dear friend @AlyssaAvant over at Life From My Laptop I have found that the aforementioned website is not infact trademarked and as she mentioned it has not been updated in over two years. I have sent a courtesy email to the address given on the site, but do not expect any problems.

High Impact Mom

I really think High Impact Mom speaks volumes to what this blog is all about! It is my intention to always be a High Impact Mom, not only in my children’s lives but in the world around me and for Christ. The name is broad enough to allow me to continue write about a variety of subjects and to involve others. I am so excited to get started building this new brand with all of you.

KG very wet @ Fun in the Sun Day

Be sure to head over to Painter Mommy and DPK Graphic Design and have all of your web design/VA dreams come true! Not only is Dawn a great friend, fabulous mom, and awesome web designer…she’s also a dedicated VA, painter and closet Twitter addict. Please be sure to show her some love for all the hard work she has done on my header and the great friend she has been.

Be sure to head back over here on Monday for a look at our new rebranding contest!!

Please leave me some comment love and let me know what YOU think of the new name!!

Filed Under: Impact Video, Rebranding Tagged With: contest, High Impact Mom, re-branding, transition, Vlog

Self.com Challenge Weigh In Week 2

May 15, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

This week was especially tough and it has been hard not to give into the temptation of late night cravings. I have lost a total of 7 pounds now and am down to 158lbs which for me isn’t too bad. I’m pretty proud of myself. I’m feeling much better today, so I’ll be jumping back on the exercise/strength training bandwagon today.

Self.com‘s diary has been great for keeping me on track with my eating and encouraging me with the weightloss tracker.

My dress is kind of sleeveless (oh, and it was not designed for BlogHer, I just meant I was wearing TO BlogHer) and I need my arms to look great. Any suggestions on exercises to work my arms?

If you aren’t already, why not take a moment to subscribe? You don’t want to miss anything!

Filed Under: Impact Video Tagged With: BlogHer, Challenge, Self Magazine, self.com, Vlog, weigh-in, weightloss

Self Challenge Week 1-Video

May 8, 2009 By Amanda Leave a Comment

Wow. This week was crazy. I’m amazed by how fast it flew by and daunted by the thought that next week will be worse. I have been trying to work out every day, but I’ll be honest I think I skipped Wednesday. I even jogged most of the time I spent on Twitter last night at the #MNO-09 party. (Which was an absolute ball!!)

I have really enjoyed using the Self Challenge Homepage this week! It’s been so simple to input my food and exercises quickly. I have learned that I do not consume enough calories in the day to keep my metabolism running in tip-top shape, but that the calories I do consume are often empty and/or sugar laden. My goal for the upcoming week is to incorporate more protein and fiber into my diet while avoiding those late night pantry runs.

So, as promised, here is my video weigh-in for week 1. Hope you enjoy, but don’t laugh too hard:)

So, any advice on how to manage the late night munchies? I often find myself snacking while I wait for hubby to get home. I’ve beeen trying to workout, jog or strength training, instead…but I am still starving during this time of night (9-11pm).

Don’t miss a single weigh-in! Be sure to sign up for Mom of Faith’s Email Newsletter. You won’t get emailed if I don’t write something new. Sign-up link is at top right. Thanks!

Filed Under: Impact Video Tagged With: fit, healthy, Self Challenge, Self Magazine, self.com, Vlog, weigh-in, weightloss