Oh and as far as dance workout videos, I have: Crunch Cardio Salsa, World Dance Workout, Samba Party, Madonna Grimes Hip Hop workout, The Method Afro Brazilian Cardio, and of course my all time favorite Zumba 4-pack DVD..but you can only get that one on zumba's website. I used to have a Hula workout, but can't remember what that one is called.

Yes, the Winsor Pilates videos are the best as most pilates teachers will agree.

I use Kaye's Kare near EFC Metro. A bit further than Clarendon/Ballston area, but it is super affordable and they have an excellent preschool curriculum.

Pilates is great for working the deep abdominal muscles that you don't normally use and I can definitely tell my abs are firmer from it. BUT you have to be careful not to strain your neck and stretch between the exercises. My belly is still a bit flabby, but ALOT less flabby since I took up Pilates, Yoga and Zumba (I gained 60 pounds on my last pregnancy). I have a library of video workouts, take it at my gym and teach classes at a dance studio. If you don't like gyms, I'd check out dance or mind body studios or the library to check out different workouts.

Is there anything else like Chuck E Cheese that has entertainment for kids, but not as obnoxious as Chuck E CHeese with better food? In Arlington/Flls Ch/Fairfax ?

I used Kaye's Kare near EFC Metro. Maybe too far for you, but they are VERY affordable, they are in a church and very involved with the kids.

OP here, 13:34, you can check out www.zumba.com to find classes near you anywhere in the world. How lucky you are to have taken classes in Miami, where it all started. You didn't by chance take Beto's class did you? I plan to go to one of his workshops someday.

I used Kaye's Kare, but it's closer to EFC Metro than Ballston. I loved it, and so did my son. He bonded very well with the teachers, they have a very good pre-school curriculum, and it's in a church so it's VERY affordable. You can google them or call 703-237-9454. My son seemed more challenged and connected there than at his new Kindergarten. So I'm definitely enrolling my daughter at Kaye's next year.

I'd check holistic wellness centers, acupuncturists, herbalists. Tell me if you find one! I think there are home kits too, but not sure.

I went to a holistic practioner in CA, and when my son had an ear infection, she used some kind of candle and funnel to dry up the mucus in his ear and pull it out. I kid you not, his ear went from red hot to normal within a few minutes. He has not had one since and that was years ago. But I don't know anyone in DC who does this. I think its called an ear candle, but I'm not sure.

This is a great topic. Is the Organic Valley milk sold only at Whole Foods? I always try to buy organic, but agree that it is a shame it's so hard to figure out if it truly is organic.

Mine went to Kaye's Kare which is on the borderline of Arlington/Falls Church. It is very affordable, as it is in a church, and they have a great curriculum.

Zumba is a dance fitness workout designed to feel more like a party than an exercise class. It combines various dance styles from around the world: salsa, merengue, belly, flamenco, hip hop, cha cha, samba, tinikling, it is very culturally versatile, but predominantly latin. You learn to move to the rhythm changes of the music, rather than the standard 32-count format of traditional aerobics classes, and you can take the moves to the night clubs, as we are always throwing in the latest moves from Brazil, Jamaica, and everywhere. I love it.

With my first I was induced for bp, but would not dialate past 2, even after they broke my water...he didn't want to come out at 40 wks! So I ended up with C-section. My second was the opposite, I was 11 weeks early so they tried to stop the labor, but ended up with C-section again. There's no telling how it will end up sometimes.

ZUMBA! ZUMBA! I lost 35 pounds with Zumba, have kept it off for 2 years, and have so much fun I want to Zumba everyday! I even Zumba with my kids.