Outdoor Entertaining

Deviled Eggs topped with Hungarian Paprika on a bed of yellow peppers & spring greens  PHOTO by MAM of GaveThat.com

Now that spring is here, you'll want to start making plans for some dining "al fresco".  We did a simple birthday celebration in the garden with char-grilled burgers, spring salad, deviled eggs, sour-cream cucumber salad and a tray of tortilla chips with dip.  Mr. Husband was in charge of the grill so I didn't have to worry about that.  The rest of the menu is so easy to prepare and even the deviled eggs are quick to put together.

Weather & number of guests will dictate if a tent is needed

April Showers

Spring is notorious for unpredictable weather and afternoon showers.  If it is a rather grand affair with your guests being dressed more formally you might consider renting a party tent like this one.  The sides can be rolled up on extremely hot days to allow cool breezes to blow through or closed down if rain threatens.

Caterers can set up the chairs, tables and buffet menu giving you more time with your guests.  However if it is a small intimate party, you might simply enlist the help of family and friends and do it yourself.

Havaleena Lights Grace surround this lit birthday of strawberries and whipped cream.  PHOTO by MAM of GaveThat.com

Frame Your Work

The dessert table featuring the "guest of honor" is almost always a cake.  Here is our Strawberry topped white cake with whipped cream frosting.  We did a late afternoon soiree in the garden and enjoyed the main meal while it was still light and warm.

You can surround your dessert and gift table with colorful lights so that when twilight rolls around, everything will still be illuminated.  The cake and presents are often the last amusements of the evening so it really looks pretty to have them framed in colorful lights. In the glass vase we have our lovely Havaleena Party Lights which are flameless, cool and safe being lit around children.  These lights last for hours on only three AA batteries so no chord or outlet is necessary.

Havaleena Party Lights & a colorful disco ball light up the night!

Get Toned: Danskin 6 lb Ball

Danskin's new take on old school medicine balls.

We're all a bit out of shape from winter but the grass is starting to grow again.  Perfect timing for adding a little variety to your workout routine.  Kettlebells are all the rage but you do need special training to avoid injury using them.  They are not easy to hold and control despite their handles.  Now while I recommend visiting XTreme XTraining for more hardcore exercise ideas, using a weighted toning ball is something that nearly everyone can start out with regardless of fitness level.

Danskin 8lb Weighted Ball

Danskin's Weighted Toning Ball is soft and latex free with an easy to grip vinyl shell.  They make a perfect alternative to hard, uncomfortable dumbbells and free weights.  They come in a variety of weights from 3 lbs up to 10 lbs so you can use them alone or as they do in the boxing gym, tossed back and forth between two people.  In fact a weighted toning ball offers a unique strength training tool. Exercising with a toning ball improves core strength, functional movement, overall muscle tone and flexibility.   Use the ball for strengthening the core muscles of your midsection (abdominals ,obliques , hips and lower back).  Use the ball for overhead stretches and you'll notice your arms becoming much more defined and toned in a short period of time.  Once you feel that your exercises have become too easy, move up to the next weight which is 8 lbs shown here.

When your muscles are toned, you'll find everyday tasks become easier and more enjoyable.  It also helps with range of movement and motion.  Multiple repetitions with low weights can produce impressive results because unlike using an exercise machine, your smaller muscles have to work to stabilize the weight.   You can really get a whole body workout with these things!  Here are two easy exercises for your arms, abs, hips and thighs:

The Golf Swing

Using an 8 lb ball, alternate sides for 30-45 seconds or reps.  To hit your biceps in this exercise, try bending and straightening your elbows at the top and bottom of the motion.  You can start with a lighter weighted ball of 3 lbs as this is a more advanced exercise. You WILL feel it!

Leg Rows

Start by reclining back on your elbows.  Using a 6-8lb ball, start with it cradled between your ankles.  Extend and retract your legs smoothly for 45 - 60 seconds keeping your heels above the floor.  This really works the midsection while touching on your hip flexors and thighs.

Toning balls are very easy to pack and take on vacation or trips.  You don't need to leave your workout routine at home when you can get it on the road.  I've highly recommended using all types of toning and exercise balls in my health & fitness books as they are a great way to shape up without heavy gym equipment.

These are just two exercises to get you started but stop by at Prevent Disease.com for more Swiss and weighted toning ball moves to shape you up!