Yesterday I had the great fortune to have dinner with Kathy Kaehler. And guess who ran into? Mayor Daley and his phenomenal wife Maggie! Wait, let me back up to the beginning.
Sunday night I got a message from my good friend Hope Bertram of Windy City Social about an opportunity to have a guest blogger on my site, Kathy Kaehler, Personal Trainer to the stars. I said, “Of course! What is she in town for?” Kathy was coming to town with Healthy One’s deli meats to talk about her Sunday Set Up and, of course, fitness.
Fast forward to Tuesday. After getting kids to school, talking with the principal, emailing about my “Taking the Stage for Teachers” Office Max Mom event September 30th, (don’t worry I will come back to that!), auditioning for voiceovers for Laughing Cow and GetGo, having a phone meeting with Centered Chef, Chef Jill, I made my way alllllll the way to Lockport’s Jewel Osco to meet Kathy Kaehler. (Whew!! Good thing I wore my running shoes.)
Kathy was in the store putting customers and employees through their paces right in front of the pain reliever isle, (irony). She had targets on the floor so that participants knew where to place their feet for each exercise. It looked like a lot of fun. But, talking first. Kathy and I met and it was instant chemistry, (cue music). She and I are both mother’s of three who lead extraordinarily busy lifestyles, but who are passionate about helping kids and parents be healthier. We started chatting immediately about ways that parents could improve their chances of getting healthy meals in their children’s mouths. I especially loved hearing her practical ideas about “Sunday Set Up” and how a little preparation can make the difference in whether your children grab chips or a handful of carrot sticks. They can’t eat what isn’t there! That’s why taking time with your “Sunday Set Up” to “shop and chop”, (that one is mine. LOL), is vitally important. (Just a teaser. Much more detail to come).
We moved to the other side of the store where she had a different circuit set up, 5 yoga mats on the floor side by side. (I am pretty sure I have seen her use this with the Today Shows’ Matt, Merideth, Ann and Al sometime.) This was a minute circuit of individual core strength building exercise. I got on the mat along side two kids and their Mom. Kathy put us through the paces. We did alternating arm and leg raises, pelvic bridge, push ups, sit ups with a twist, and walking the plank (“Ahhrrgg! Shiver me timbers”). It was AWESOME! I felt energized and empowered, and a little hungry. Luckily the Healthy One’s team were right there with a little triangle sandwich for me to fuel up with.
Kathy and I stepped outside and chatted some more about all that she has going on in the World of fitness and healthy eating. (Yes, of course there is video! Be patient). But alas her reps had to pull us away from each other because she had another event at the Jewel in Orland Park, (coincidentally the same Jewel I performed my AWESOME Health tour at last weekend with WTTW!) So I headed back to the city with promises to meet her later for diner. (Yes, now we can talk about the dinner.)
I met Kathy, her friend, Molly, Paige from SCC Grossman, Hope and Dawn Reiss for dinner at Cibo Matto on State. (I even found street parking. BONUS!) We were personally met by Chef Todd Stein, and our waiter Smith was very attentive. I didn’t do the ordering, so I can’t name all that we ate and drank. All I can say is that my taste buds were in ecstasy with each bite.
While we were conversing Hope noticed that Mayor Daley and his wife were dining, along with two other people, at the table across the isle. So, I got up and went over to say, “Hello”. (I know, I am bold like that.) I made them aware of the work that I am doing for children, as well as my concern about the lack of recess, PE and after school play in the Chicago Public School System. I shared my DVD with Mrs Daley and told her that it is how I seek to inspire children to be activated. Then I brought Kathy over to meet them and she gave Maggie her book, How to sexy. It was lovely.
Now, just so you don’t think I am a stalker you need to know that I am not unfamiliar with the Daley’s. I have run into the Mayor from time to time at different functions, or with his trainer, my friend Kristie Yaakoby, though I hadn’t seen his wife in 12 years. In fact 12 years ago when we met it was at my performance of Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at the Goodman. Maggie Daley attended the show with her husband, and then Vice President Al Gore and his wife Tipper. That was special enough, but what put it over the top was that just before coming to the theatre I found out I was pregnant with my first child. Maggie Daley was one of the first people I told. Wild Huh!
Whew! All that talking just to get to THAT. I know I can be a little long winded, but wasn’t it worth it? You know you didn’t see that story coming!
Miss Lori
Miss Lori can be found Musing from her Minivan at MissLori.TV , Wearetherealdeal.com and ChiacgoMomsBlog. You can also see her Activating to Be Great at Miss Lori’s CAMPUS on Youtube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
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