I was in my bedroom, folding my third load of laundry in the span of two days when I heard a curdling scream. "Mommy, Sofia hit me!'" cried Alessandra, my 5-year-old. "It was an accident," claimed Sofia, 7, as they both rushed up the stairs. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. When I opened them, nothing had changed. I was still in my bedroom, folding laundry and had a crying child on my left and one claiming innocence on my right. Even though this scenario really wasn't all that bad, nevertheless, all I could think of was the old commercial, "Calgon, take me away." Now.

I'm sure many mothers can relate to my story. Haven't we all been there, done that? Crying kids, screaming parents and bribes galore. However, I've always felt there must be a better, easier way. This time, instead of just making a wish, I took matters into my own hands. That very afternoon I had received the latest Kripalu catalogue. Kripalu is a center for yoga and health in Massachusetts. I had received their catalogues for years and would devour each one and drool as I read about their numerous programs. I always wanted to attend one of their weekend retreats but always came up with an excuse why I couldn't go.

I had reached my limit. I was going to plan an escape or bust. Stacey Houghtaling, a mom who coaches women and mothers on how to strike a life balance, understood my pain. "In my experience, the moment we become moms, our focus changes dramatically and we become hard-wired to take care of our families and the people around us, sometimes at our own expense," she said. "I have heard countless moms talk about how they want to take better care of themselves, but somehow it just doesn't feel right to them once they are parents."

I definitely take care of myself. I eat healthy and I exercise but I still felt stressed and on edge more than I would like. I told Houghtaling that I was planning a weekend getaway. She thought it was a great idea. "Not only will you feel better, but it will also help you to handle the challenges that come up in of your life and in your family," she said. Now that I had the support of an expert, I felt better armed on making the case to my husband.

The good news is that my husband is a pretty amazing guy. He is a wonderful father and he looked forward to spending the time with our girls. Once that was settled, I couldn't pick up the phone fast enough to make my reservations. I was feeling better already.

I decided to embark on what Kripalu calls a "rest and relaxation" weekend. I could sleep in or take a 6:30 a.m. yoga class. I could go to bed early or attend a workshop. Just reading about the options put a huge smile on my face. Once I got there, I never stopped smiling. How could I not be happy when someone else was cooking healthy, delicious meals, guiding me in meditation classes and greeting me with hello everywhere I went? I did not want to return home. But, of course, I had to.

The minute I dropped my bags, my daughters showered me with hugs and kisses.  My husband also gave me a kiss and ran out the door (to his soccer game). The next morning, my 5-year-old woke up with a case of pink eye. Yes, it was back to the same old routine. I wanted to maintain my zen. But how?

I reached out to Houghtaling once again. She asked me the same question she poses to all her clients: "What is one small thing you can do today, or this week, or this month that would benefit and rejuvenate you?"

She explained that it had to be something that resonated with me and something that could realistically be incorporated into my life. "It can be simple things like committing to get more sleep, spending 15 minutes at a café once a week, signing up for a class you've always wanted to take or making a date to go out with friends. Think about what works for you, and then build on it."

Was it too soon to book another retreat? Until then, I will continue to slow down and savor my every day moments — pink eye or not.

Do you have ideas for upcoming columns, know an athletic enthusiast, want to ask a question, or can put me in touch with people who are inspiring or creating a healthier West Orange? Post a comment or e-mail Hurtado. Hurtado is an enthusiastic fitness and wellness expert with years of experience. She blogs about her health and fitness adventures at JudieJuice. Her articles have been published in magazines such as Time Out New York and Park Place.