Speaking of Flag Day, Magic Beans is excited to be focusing on family fitness all summer long. This issue of BeansTALK includes a great article about exercise, and we’re planning an exciting schedule of contests and events that are all about getting active. Which seemingly has nothing to do with Flag Day. Except that Magic Beans owners, Sheri and Eli Gurock will officially kick off this initiative by running in their first 5K race on Flag Day. Look for them and cheer them on.

Thanks to all of our amazing customers, we’ve got a slight lead in the voting for the CBS4 A-list contest. This prestigious award has been compared to the Best of Boston, and we would just be tickled pink to receive this honor. If you haven’t voted already, please take a moment to do so. The voting is almost done, so let your voice be heard.

We got some great feedback about this featured article in the last edition of BeansTALK, but when it came to sharing your own embarrassing moments, it got pretty quiet out there. We’re extending the deadline of this contest, and asking you to spill the beans. We know you’ve been there, so share your story and win.

Peapod Fitness owner Dara Kelly shares some great tips for integrating fitness into your summer routine.

Ahhh…Finally, summer has arrived! The weather is warm, the days are long, and it’s time to break out the shorts and bathing suits. Uh oh. Did someone say bathing suit? After so many months of hiding under winter coats and wooly sweaters, do we even recognize our bodies? Oh yeah. Mine’s the pasty postpartum one.

With the onset of summer comes the fabulous opportunity to play outside, and get active with the whole family. As a new mother, and the owner of a fitness company, finding the time to work on my own personal fitness goals has become increasingly difficult. For new parents, balancing work and family on a sleep deprived schedule puts taking care of ourselves much lower on the list of priorities than it should be. However, when you feel good about yourself, your children see a confident, happy person, and this sets a precedent for them to emulate as they grow older.

Summer is the perfect time to instill these values in your children, and yourself. How do you fit in exercise and good nutrition? Make it a family affair! Try a power stroll with your kids in the stroller. Find some hills, power up them, and do some lunges and squats at the top. Find a bench, do some pushups and abdominal crunches. Your kids will either laugh at you or fall asleep.

Not up for a power stroll? Try playing in the park. No, really. Get up and chase your child in the grass. Trust me, they love it. Blow some bubbles, then run around together and try to catch them. And as they reach the bubbles, pick your child up over your head to reach the ones escaping. That’s weight training, in its most basic form. Play with a ball, teach them how to ride a bike, show them how to swing a bat (maybe they can help the Red Sox-you never know), or how to jump rope. Why should they have all of the fun while you sit there and watch? I know, you are tired, and it’s tempting to sit and relax while they play. But energy begets energy. You will feel energized, happy, and relaxed if you allow yourself some time to play.

Take advantage of the warm weather. Be active. Play. Walk everywhere. Try rollerblading or skateboarding. Ok-it’s too rainy to skateboard. I finally gave in the other day and spent 30 minutes jumping in puddles with my 2 year old. We were wet, but at least we were active, together. Just get out there and do it as a family-you’ll be glad you did.

Dara Kelly is the owner of Peapod Fitness, and was recently named as one of Boston’s Best Personal Trainers. Visit her website at www.ppodfitness.com, and feel free to contact her with any questions regarding fitness, nutrition, or pre/postpartum health. If she is not trying to rescue her 7 week old from the clutches of her 2 year old, she will contact you immediately. Her famous Powerstroll and Baby Bootcamp classes are back, Wednesday and Thursday mornings at 9:30am at Magic Beans. To register, send an e-mail to info@ppodfintess.com or call 617-413-8124.

Join Dara for a free Powerstroll preview class on June 22 at 9:30am. RSVP by e-mailing info@ppodfitness.com. To ensure a great experience, this offer is limited to the first 6 who reply.

Magic Beans is very excited to announce a new partnership with the Sports Club LA in Boston. This superlative sports complex attracts many families with its gorgeous facilities and extensive family-friendly programming. If you’re looking for something new and interesting to do with your kids this month, why not sign up for a class at For Kids Only? By special arrangement, all BeansTALK subscribers can register for classes at club members’ pricing. To receive a schedule and more information, e-mail Jamie Wexler at jwexler@mpsportsclubco.com.