April 11, 2013 A trip to our nation’s capital is a must-do for every family looking for a vacation that’s both fun and educational. History will come alive before your eyes as you stroll up the steps of the Capitol, catch a glimpse of the Wright 1903 Flyer, and pledge allegiance to the original Star-Spangled Banner. Here are…
April 16, 2013 Your head is pounding, but you’re not sure what it is or how to treat it. It could be a tension headache, a migraine, or even allergies. Find out the symptoms of each type of headache and the best way to deal with them … now and forever. Tension Headache Probably the…
April 26, 2013 Worried about plastic and chemicals leaching into your skin and body? You’re not alone. There is a lot of controversy surrounding hormone disruptors – those chemicals found in skin products, soaps, make-up, water bottles, and cans lined with BPA. They are suspected to affect or harm our health in several ways, especially…
May 7, 2013 Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Nothing would make me happier than waking up to a buffet of omelets, pancakes, cereal, fruit, coffee, and juices. But what if there was a healthier drink alternative – one that provided protein, calcium and Vitamin D? That’s where Silk® Fruit & Protein comes in. Silk…
April 17, 2013 One undeniable truth is that we all get a bit older each day. The same is true of our pets. Sadly, their life expectancy isn’t nearly as long as ours and we lose them to the inevitable. Cats seemingly never age – they always appear athletic, always seem able to leap onto…
April 19, 2013 One of my favorite styles for spring and summer is eyelet. At first, you may think it’s too delicate of a fabric, or that it makes you look like you walked out of an Easter parade. But eyelet can be worn a variety of ways, from soft and sweet to edgy. It…
April 19, 2013 At our rural Vermont home we raise ducks and chickens. When spring and summer hits, the birds start laying eggs again. We always end up having way too many eggs on hand, so when we’re invited to cookouts or holiday events, I almost always choose to bring deviled eggs@ The traditional deviled…
April 26, 2013 Morning time is busy time at my home. It’s difficult enough to get my kids out the door with their teeth brushed, shoes tied, and lunches packed – it’s rare that they get a healthy, balanced breakfast. They’re known to devour a frozen waffle as we carpool to school. That’s why I’m…
April 23, 2013 With Spring well underway you are probably considering, if you haven’t already, breaking out the grill. There is nothing that solidifies the beautiful weather more than a freshly grilled meal. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to hamburgers, hot dogs, or steaks. In fact, there are a number of fantastic…
April 24, 2013 There’s a recent new trend that has really caught my interest. A number of communities are gaining popularity with the concept of “growing food not lawns”. I absolutely love this concept and think the grassroots approach to promoting gardening is refreshing. Many of you probably think you don’t have enough space to…
April 25, 2013 When it comes to vacationing, many people head south to take advantage of the warm weather and sunny beaches. Why not look toward the northern skies? There’s an equally close destination – Canada! The country itself is quite large and the population is modest, giving the North American nation vast areas of…
May 7, 2013 In the past 24 hours, it feels like the entire world has been talking about the new “sex superbug” originally reported to have been found in Hawaii. Of course, this caused some mild panic – since it really is a serious public health issue. But some of the original stories contained some…
April 29, 2013 Mother’s Day is a day to truly enjoy your children and celebrate your family. Unfortunately (like many holidays) Mother’s Day has become incredibly commercialized. From television commercials touting the best Mother’s Day cuisine, to full displays of flowers and cards at your local grocery store, you have probably already been inundated with…
April 30, 2013 They say you need to eat a rainbow in order to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Eating all those ½ and 1 cup servings can seem hard to fit into your meal planning. There is an easy solution to this colorful problem. It comes in the form of the…
May 2, 2013 It might have been the aqua pants combined with a crisp white shirt and white patent leather ballet flats … but regardless of which item it was, a recent visit with a friend had me craving summer colors for my own daily looks. Colors that invoke fresh flowers and beach locales can…
May 1, 2013 Everyone knows America is getting fatter. The obesity problem in our country has grown so much that many are calling it an epidemic. Diets are notorious for not working – we don’t lose much, begin to eat normally again, and wham – we gain MORE weight. What can we do to win…
May 2, 2013 With the traditional school year ending soon, your kids are probably ready to take a break from schoolwork for the summer. Actually, the summer can be the perfect time to brush up on some skills or let your child grow in subjects they are particularly interested in learning more about. Families can…
May 3, 2013 Cinco de Mayo is celebrated on May 5th. The holiday commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. If you are looking for a fun and easy dish to get your family in the mood for Cinco de Mayo, definitely try these Easy…
May 10, 2013 As the weather warms up, we tend to think about adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to our meals. With the rising cost of living it can be tough to incorporate fresh produce into your budget, and it’s even harder to purchase organic items. A good way to save money is to…
May 6, 2013 I have always been a huge advocate of blood donation. Once I turned 18, I was adamant about not only donating blood, but donating consistently. I donated whole blood every 56 days at my local nonprofit blood collection agency – Oklahoma Blood Institute. I felt good knowing that my blood was going…
May 7, 2013 It’s time to talk bathing suits ladies … please don’t cringe. The summer weather is rolling in and your kids are going to ask for some pool time soon, whether you’re ready or not. Maybe some talk of the 2013 bathing suit trends will have you ready to shed those winter clothes, sit poolside and start…
May 8, 2013 Headed on a family trip to the Most Magical Place on Earth? Disney World is that once-in-a-lifetime family destination, where even mom and dad get to be a kid again. Where else can you have a mad tea party with Alice in Wonderland, set off on a Jungle Cruise, and eat breakfast with…
May 9, 2013 Whether you are going gray or simply want to change up the color of your hair – most of the hair products are chocked full of potentially harmful chemicals. If you’re looking for something a little more natural, there are definitely greener options available by many of your favorite brands. Here are…
May 9, 2013 Lemonade is a staple when hot weather emerges. But there’s no fun in just sticking with the basic recipe. There are a number of ways to liven up your lemonade! All these recipes are surprisingly refreshing and incredibly tasty. Here are 5 unique lemonade recipes that are sure to impress the children…
May 17, 2013 So simple and so many different options. Picture all the boxed cake flavors and all the different types of soda. Now imagine all the pairing options available when you make this easy cake. You can even use diet soda, just to knock off a few calories! Soda Cake This recipe really is…
May 14, 2013 The months between January and June are the most common times for people to hit the gym and get fit. Whether it’s part of a resolution for the new year, or the desire to look good in a swimsuit, you are probably hitting the pavement or gym more than before. Go you! …
May 14, 2013 There is something very special about hand selecting the flowers that go into your garden. Creating a beautiful and custom garden outside is wonderful; but, wouldn’t it be even better if your could bring some of that beauty indoors? That is exactly what you can do by planting a cutting garden. There are a…
May 21, 2013 Pets offer a lifetime of love and companionship, but they also age faster than we do. Perhaps your beloved pet has slowed down and gotten gray around the muzzle. You realize sadly that the end is near, your buddy’s journey will soon be over. But if it comes down to choosing euthanasia are you…
May 15, 2013 I love the idea of repurposing and reusing items. It’s the ultimate way to go green. But what about clothing? Are you concerned it might wind up frumpy instead of stylish? I recently stumbled across the most amazing video outlining how to turn an ordinary men’s button up shirt into a stylish dress. Best…
May 16, 2013 As a kid did your mom tuck you into a terry-cloth robe or mini-jacket after swimming? That was your cover-up and you probably hated it. Well, those days are over. Now, you can find a cover-up that is luxurious or economical, full coverage or see-through. No matter your style or budget, you can…
May 20, 2013 Summer is on the horizon and soon it will be time to keep cool at the pool and the beach. You know to pack your bag with sunscreen, towels, snacks, beach toys, and perhaps a book to read. But what about sunglasses? You, and every member of your family, should don a…
May 17, 2013 Memorial Day is coming up soon. Are you hosting a party or heading out to a family event? Memorial Day is a time for cookouts and barbecues with friends. To some, Memorial Day is all about the meat on the grill. For me, when I hear Memorial Day, I think of…
May 24, 2013 Memorial Day is typically the first holiday when the family gets together to barbeque or head to the local campgrounds. Here are a couple of side dishes that can be made up the day before and can sit out in the heat without fear of spoiling. Coleslaw I call this Patty’s Coleslaw…
May 24, 2013 If you keep up on current nutrition trends and health news, surely you’ve read about hemp. It’s a sustainable and versatile seed known as a nutritional powerhouse. June 3rd is the start of the fourth annual Hemp History week. Learn more about some of the well known endorsers like Andrew Weil, Ziggy Marley…
May 23, 2013 For the most part, Vermont is a rather peaceful state. I rarely see our state mentioned in the national news. Days tend to go by at a slower pace than in many other states I’ve visited. There’s little hustle and bustle, practically no traffic, and a lower crime rate than many people…
May 29, 2013 Looking for a new way to get creative inspiration for crafts and décor ideas for your kids? Look no further than Pottery Barn Kids’ newest resource: Building Blocks. With great content provided by the PBK Editorial teams, designers, external bloggers and industry influencers, Building Blocks offers a mix of content refreshed daily…
May 23, 2013 Memorial Day is this weekend. Traditionally this is the time to break out everything white in your wardrobe. Whether or not you follow this rule, you may still be hesitant about adding white to your wardrobe … no matter what the season. Maybe you’re afraid it will highlight some flaws, or you’re…
May 23, 2013 Bananas and onions, bacon and chocolate, avocado and coffee – what do these three combinations have in common? To some they may sound absurdly disgusting! But to others, these combos are surprisingly tasty and a real treat for the adventurous foodie. Surprisingly easy to make, and quite tasty, definitely give these unique…
May 28, 2013 Summer is just around the corner, which means it is time to show some skin. Say good-bye to dry, flaky skin and hello to radiant, refreshed skin that begs to be shown off. Using a few ingredients right in your home you can create natural at-home face and body scrubs that banish…
May 31, 2013 2013 brings a trend of juicing to cleanse our bodies. There are many different ready-to-drink products out on the store shelves, but if you’re purchasing an organic, fresh-pressed juice it can be pretty pricey. Why not make it yourself? Even if you don’t have a juicer, many can be made with just…
May 30, 2013 Perhaps you’ve been waiting and hoping for the neon trend to disappear. Well, it hasn’t. In fact, for spring/summer it is bigger than ever. A pop of neon can really lighten your daily look and add a dose of fun that screams hot weather and good times. Neon can be worn in…
May 31, 2013 Father’s Day is right around the corner and I’m sure you’re trying to find the perfect gift that Dad will appreciate. No, he doesn’t need a tie or another Greatest Dad t-shirt. You’ve heard the old saying: The way to any man’s heart is through his stomach? Well, Dad’s stomach will definitely appreciate…
June 3, 2013 Anyone who lives in the Midwest has most likely as some point experienced severe weather. As a mother of three small children, I know how difficult it can be to get everyone to safety when severe weather strikes. Oklahoma has been battered with a constant stream of severe weather these past few…
June 7, 2013 First let me wish all dads a Happy Father’s Day. Father’s Day is a day for children to show their dad’s how special they are. And what a better way than to whip up some breakfast in bed? Here are a couple of breakfast casseroles you can make up the day before…
June 10, 2013 I am allergic to many things, especially insects. A mosquito bite quickly turns into a seriously itchy knot! And as much as I look back fondly on the summer camping trips with my family, I also recall spending nights by the campfire, itching at a series of bumps along my bare legs….