Spring (if it ever gets here) is the perfect time to lace up your running shoes or get back into the habit of regular exercise. Local races can be a great way to increase your motivation to exercise and get back in shape, whether you're an established runner, a newbie or just want to get out and walk.The Algonquin and Chicagoland area offer a variety of 5k walks and runs, half marathons and marathons during spring, summer and fall. One critical step that you can take to increase your chances of successfully finishing a race is to carve time out of your busy schedule for your training runs. …

Whether you're a stay-at-home mom, a working mother or a mompreneur, chances are that you don't really get a chance to go out and meet new people very often. Gone are the days where you can join a friend for a long, leisurely cup of coffee or pursue your dreams and interests at your leisure, right?Wrong!Even the busiest mom needs to carve out a few minutes for herself on a regular basis, whether that's once a week or once each day. It's absolutely imperative that you take care of yourself, even when—especially when!—you're taking care of everyone else in your life on a daily basis.Remember …

Did you know that chocolate makes you happy?It's true. The creaminess of cocoa butter mixed with sugar, fat and other ingredients in chocolate releases endorphins in your brain and triggers a reaction that provides a euphoric rush. In addition, many of us associate chocolate with being "in love" or receiving gifts from someone we love.This week, how about buying yourself a gift of chocolate? Your personal trainer or running partner might not be crazy about the idea...but everyone needs to splurge now and then. Head over to Morkes Chocolate, 2755 W. Algonquin Road, for some mouth-watering …

Remember when you used to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on a Coach, Gucci or Fendi designer handbag or purse? Me neither.If you're like most Algonquin moms, you've probably never forked over a few hundred dollars or more for a designer purse...and maybe you never even wanted one. After all, you thought, who needs a status symbol or a designer label on a bag that's used to carry around snacks, crayons, pacifiers, medicine and other mom paraphernalia? Or even just your everyday wallet, makeup and assorted receipts?Now, keep in mind that I'm a pretty frugal person. I don't generally …