Even though your jam-packed schedule leaves little time to go to the gym, you can still fit fitness into your day - in the most unexpected ways.

• Before you get out of bed, stretch for five minutes and articulate your ankles, wrists and neck. Then do 20 abdominal crunches.
• While you wait for your espresso and toast in the morning, do squats or lunges in the kitchen.
• Make it a goal to climb your stairs 10 to 15 times every day.
• While waiting for your turn in the bathroom, do side bends and calf raises (stand up on tip toes, tightening your calves, then lower down).
• Use your toddler as a weight - pick her up overhead 10 times while making funny faces at her (this can be done throughout the day).
• Do tricep dips on the kitchen counter or on a chair while waiting for water to boil.
• Walk your son to school (if in proximity).
• Park farther away from your destinations.
• Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.

Get in the habit of injecting these fitness snippets into your daily routine and enjoy the unexpected results.

One of the easiest ways to save time in the kitchen is by taking advantage of frozen foods - particularly fruits and vegetables.

The variety of frozen fruits and vegetables is near endless. On your next grocery trip, don’t miss the freezer aisle. Stock up on frozen fruits for smoothies, pureed dessert sauces, pies and just for snacking. Get your fill of ready to heat and eat vegetables, veggies with sauce, and meal kits.

Frozen fruits and veggies are healthier and far more flavorful than canned goods - and possibly more healthier than fresh - so you can feel good about the meals you make your family. Best yet, you don’t have to worry about frozen fruits and vegetables going bad (like the fresh produce you buy with the best of intentions) and they are ultra convenient and can help you get a healthy dinner on the table - fast.

It is no secret that stress can have a detrimental impact on mental and physical health. But stress is part of life - whether it is family-related, the daily commute, or due to a jam-packed schedule - so how is a busy mom supposed to find time to unwind?

Simple. Schedule it. Dedicate time every week or even every day to do one of the following:

• Make an appointment for a massage, facial or other spa treatment.
• Lock the bathroom door and take a candlelit bubble bath.
• Give yourself 20 minutes every morning before getting out of bed to breathe deep and collect your thoughts.
• Meditate for 15 minutes every night before going to sleep.
• Take your dog for a walk - alone.
• Attend a weekly yoga class.
• Make a coffee or lunch date with a friend.
• Write your thoughts, feelings, dreams or important events in a journal - expressing yourself can be very therapeutic.
• Make arrangements with your family so you can get an extra hour or two of sleep. The better rested you are, the less stressed you will feel.
• Tune in to your senses. Much like meditating, simply paying attention to all of your senses for 10 to 20 minutes every day can bridge your mind and body and give you a new appreciation of everything around you.

Your dedication to self-care is going to keep you healthier, happier and less stressed - important for you and important for your family.

Cereal is more than just a breakfast food. Here are five alternative ways to use cereal in your every day meals:

• Crush unsweetened cereal to use in place of breadcrumbs.
• Use different shapes of cereal to “decorate” your kids’ dishes - Cheerios make perfect eyes or mouths for faces, bran or frosted flakes can be layered to make roof shingles, and animal-shaped cereal can be used as part of an edible zoo.
• Substitute crushed cereal for graham crackers or flour for cheesecake and tart crusts.
• Include a variety of cereals in homemade trail mix.
• Use crushed cereal to top ice cream desserts or even frosted cakes.

Cereal is one food that the whole family loves to eat - now you can include it in meals other than breakfast for a tasty, healthy change.