It is possible you have seen Estela Schnelle running through the neighborhood, up hills, down hills, upbeat and smiling, pushing a jogging stroller.

Since I can see this out my window every day (she claims it is only three to four times a week), I have learned to turn off my severe jealously. She can push a stroller while running and smiling, all with a little girl who seems delighted to have the morning air kiss her cheeks.

After confessing this envy to Estela (omitting the part where every now and then I consider honking at her so maybe she will stumble just a little), I told her how during the two times I ran with my children in a double jogging stroller they shouted at me continuously, "Run faster! Maaaa! Run faster!"

That was the end of my jogging with stroller career.

Estela is not only impressive as a road racer. She is a seasoned nutritionist, the former director of clinical nutrition at Sibley Hospital, and now a successful blogger. Estela is the editor of Weekly Bite, a website where she shares her thoughts on nutrition, fitness and motherhood.

Weekly Bite was born around the same time she learned she was pregnant with her now 16-month-old daughter, Marin. At the time, she was still working at Sibley, just shy of Marin's first birthday. It was then that Estela decided to make Weekly Bite and Marin her full-time job.

Like a lot of mothers who work from home with small children, Estela does not have full-time childcare. Instead, she rises each morning before her daughter, checks e-mails, comments on other blogs and then reviews her posts for the day.

She admits, "Marin is really starting to hate this white thing," and points to her laptop. It is difficult to find the time to work, which for Estela might mean taking photos, writing posts, commenting on other blogs and even trying a new recipe.  

"Trying a new recipe can take me all day," she said. "Marin pulls on my legs while I am chopping onions, asking for 'More! More!' Even though she has no idea what I am doing, she thinks she wants it."

But Estela manages her schedule by identifying chunks of time where she can get certain things done.

"Being organized and having a schedule is very important," she said. "And I have learned when to just close the computer and stop working at the end of the day."

Estela has a loyal following of readers who are eager to see what she has come up with for Marin' s lunch in Kiddie Lunch Box. She photographs the lunches, which deviate from the norm of string cheese, turkey and grapes.

Readers also enjoy stories of the joys and challenges of motherhood. Most importantly, Estela offers tools on how readers can take care of themselves through healthy eating, minimal deprivation and lots of fun. Estela writes on her blog that she lives by the motto, "Eat when you're hungry… and eat real food."

Estela recently wrote a posting about goldfish crackers and how they can be a bit of a detriment to moms, i.e. "one for you, seven for me."

Her humor, wit, and total understanding of the stresses behind maintaining a healthy lifestyle while also trying to remember to get dressed, brush your teeth and put gas in the car make her blog a must-read for other moms.

When Estela is not shuttling Marin to preschool, running, working, or taking care of her house, she enjoys taking Marin to the library. Marin loves crawling on the colorful carpet and having Estela share books with her.  

If you are or know of a working Del Ray mom, please e-mail me at delraypatch@gmail.com. I would love to share your story with the community!