Using Mother-Daughter Days to Tackle Big Parenting Moments

"Being a parent is the toughest job you will ever have." -My Mother It's not that I didn't believe my mom when she said these words but then I went and had three kids, all girls, who are hitting that tween and teen stage and now I'm a true believer.  I'm learning those mother-daughter days in order to tackle the big stuff and not just for tea parties, lunches out or getting treats. Yes, the diaper days were rough.  The physical nature of parenting little ones is damn hard.  I was not prepared for that aspect of it.  But tweens and teens come with so many emotions, the highs, and lows. The bigger problems that force us as parents to reflect on our past and then figure out how to handle the same issues in a different world. That doesn't even factor into the running them around town … [Read more...]

5 Natural Ways to Get Allergy Relief

There is no good time for allergies to rear their swollen eyes, red-nosed, ugly head. Now that spring is in full bloom so are seasonal allergies. In our house, we like a multi-prong approach for obtaining allergy relief which includes both natural and traditional medicinal routes. Here are my top five natural ways to get allergy relief. If it is not a stuffy nose or one that is chronically running there are swollen, red eyes or a dry cough that plagues at least one or all five members of my family.  While I have more allergy relief than ever this year due to my strict Lyme diet (no gluten, no dairy, no sugar, no yeast) my kids and husband do not.  The absence of food inflammatories in my diet has made a radical difference in my seasonal allergies this year. There is a lot to be said … [Read more...]

3 Ways to Drive Safe This Spring

We often think that winter is the most hazardous of driving seasons.  That may be true with the snow, ice and sleet mess that can muck up the roadways but spring runs a close second.  That old phrase, "April showers bring May flowers." can signal heavy rain or even hail.  Not to mention that springtime signals the end to hibernation for many animals.  That's why it is important to keep these tips and bits of advice in mind when hitting the road so you can drive safe this spring. First, keep in mind that while the warmer temps make us want to get outdoors that means others are out on there too.  More pedestrians and bikes are out and about.  Stay alert and utilize your extra car features like blind spot monitoring and make sure your wipers and lights are in good working order.  Ditto for … [Read more...]

How to Make the Most Out of Your Beauty Oil

Pink Black Dots Beauty Makeup Facebook Cover by veamason Everyone knows how excess oil can be bad for beauty; it can attract dirt to your skin, cause makeup to streak and run, and give your face a less than flattering shine in photos, among many other things. It’s true that excessive oil production can complicate your beauty regimen and the way you shop for skincare products and makeup, but it’s also a mistake to believe that all oils are bad for your skin. In fact, adding oils to your skincare routine can help in regulating oil production. Yes, you heard that right: people with oily skin can benefit from using oils. Many people assume that oils automatically cause breakouts, but the truth is many oils are non-comedogenic—they neither clog pores nor cause the onset of acne. Oils are … [Read more...]

The Big Three: How to Buy Your Next Car, Truck or SUV

What's the big three? It is the three big question all car buyers should be asking themselves each time they begin their search for their next vehicle. Question 1: Be honest with yourself and your partner (if you have one).  Will you be leasing or buying this vehicle? Do you like to haggle and strike a deal?  Before you even begin to do your research you have to know how much money you can spend each month on a car payment.  Do you have money for a down payment or will you be trading in a vehicle?  These answers can all affect the price of your next car, truck or SUV. For us, we will be buying our next SUV and plan to own it for the about ten plus years. That's a long time to many people in the car world today.  While I know our budget has to be under a certain amount I do try to … [Read more...]

Move It Monday

Mondays are all about getting moving. Jump start your week and think of Monday as 'Move It Monday'. I mix up my workouts a lot. From Barre3 to HIIT, running and finding new ways to get fit from Beachbody OnDemand I am always on the move and trying to hit my goals. When I'm short on time I do something like this to kick off my day and I do it before anyone else gets up. Source: TrimmedandToned.com Then I make a green smoothie, protein shake, or veggie egg scramble and add a supplement or two. Check out my Maven board for more ideas. Enjoy 30% OFF BPI Sports products now with STRONGER17 promo code.     *Disclosure: TMC was compensated for this post. Affiliate links are used.  Opinions are 100% my own. … [Read more...]

Fire Safety with Sparky’s Firehouse

This is post is sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association and Sparky.org. Fire Prevention Week is just around the corner, October 9-15, 2016 to be exact.  That means the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is debuting the highly entertaining and informative Sparky's Firehouse app.  Get the word out to teachers gearing up to teach your kiddos at all grade levels the importance of fire prevention and safety and cue adorable plastic hats atop their heads as they climb off the bus.  In our house we have a child at every level from kindergarten to the end of elementary school.  I try to teach them about fire protection and so do their teachers, but we all need a little help sometimes too. That's why we frequently break out the Sparky's Firehouse app from the NFPA. Even … [Read more...]

My Elementary School Age Kids Eat Baby Food

  My kids may be beyond actual babyhood but that doesn't mean that baby food is no longer in my house. Yes, the rice cereal went with the bottles and rubber nipples but the squeezable fruit and veggie pouches  stayed along with other assorted foods and here's why.  Baby Food is Portable. Whether you have a full day of errands or fun activities (hello, beach trip!) ahead of you and your family or you are on the road; baby food like GoGo Squeez pouches, Peeled dried fruit or Jammy Sammy bars are easy to pack and take with you when you are on the go. I can pack a full days worth of snacks and drinks in a flash in non-leaking, biodegradable packaging, All those flat, squishy square and rectangular shapes fit nicely into my "mom-sized" purse or beach bag. So while I no longer … [Read more...]

Share-A-Haircut this August

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. Compensation was received and all opinions are my own. It's that time again!  Heading back to school means we are teaming up with Hair Cuttery again this year to Share-A-Haircut this August. Yes, the girls are already getting ready for back to school. I totally ordered all their school supplies off Amazon this year.  No more fighting in the back to school aisle this year!  Not this time. We did it last year and we are back at it because honestly who can resist taking part in the 17th year of this campaign?  Did you know that 55,000 haircuts were donated to victims of domestic violence by Hair Cuttery this past spring? Yes, ma'am!   Seriously, when did she get this big? Now Hair Cuttery is giving free haircuts to … [Read more...]

My Anti-Aging Hair Care Routine with Women’s Lilyhair®

A few years back I noticed something was going on with my hair. You could see through it. My hair stylist was concerned. I was frustrated. My fine hair wasn't going to go back to being thick with just a new 'do either. The truth? I'm getting older. I needed a foolproof anti-aging hair care routine fast. That's where Lilyhair® Foam comes into play.  Because let's face it.  Hair thinning isn't uncommon. I've talked about it with my girlfriends before. Did you know that up to 42% of women will notice some hair loss in their lifetime and many of them will see hair thinning after age 30.  That is totally me. For me that means starting the day with a dose of Women’s ROGAINE® Foam after shampooing with a volumizing shampoo and conditioner.  I can add it without worrying about my hair … [Read more...]