July 18, 2013 As a beauty writer I encounter many products, all of them claiming to be unique and be something that you cannot live without. I’m a mom to three and I travel frequently. I want my make-up and skincare to perform what I like to call beauty double-duty. Finding those balms, creams, liners,…
July 17, 2013 Gas prices are no laughing matter for most families. This makes it difficult to travel on a budget. Road trips used to be the “cheap” vacation of choice, but now fuel costs are making even family road trips a financial burden for many. That doesn’t mean you have to skip a family…
July 23, 2013 As the temperatures rise my running tends to taper off, except when it comes to races that offer more excitement than your typical 5k charity run. If you need some motivation or a way to get active with friends or family look into these slightly off-kilter, but totally fun, 5k runs. Run…
July 26, 2013 Summers are very hectic at my house. I juggle the normal work and home responsibilities that are always part of my routine – but now I’m also dealing with the kids hanging out in the living room (which is my office). In the summer, I also get to play mom’s taxi service…
July 25, 2013 Many people spend hours planning the perfect outfits for their trip, but rarely do think about the clothes they’ll wear when they actually travel. Ditch those sweats and flip-flops and go for a look that is just as comfortable and smart! Clean & Simple When traveling it is important to look good…
July 26, 2013 Ever have one of those weeks where you realized you forgot you had volunteered to bake goods for the school? And then family drops in for the weekend and someone’s having a birthday so you think you need to bake more? That was my week. Only it was 2 birthdays and an…
July 30, 2013 An article by Rodale suggests that the sugar in our diet may be making us old. I’ll admit, when I first saw the article, I wasn’t really concerned. I don’t eat dessert very often and would much rather have potato chips than candy. Of course, we know that sugar can be found…
August 1, 2013 Let’s face it, sunburns do happen – and with it come the pain, redness, and eventual peeling. Here are some great home remedies to take the burn out of a sunburn. Pain Management The first sign that you have a sun burn is a tightness and burning or tingling feeling in your…
August 2, 2013 Summer is coming to a close and the kids are going back to school (in some places they are already back). Instead of packing the same old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (many schools are going nut free anyway), why not try something new? I know my grandkids are always begging me…
August 5, 2013 Mangoes are in season right now – which means you can get some fantastic deals on the fruit. I recently purchased 25 Kent mangoes from a local co-op and have found they are really a very versatile fruit. Mangoes are packed with nutrients and can take a recipe from plain to exotic….
August 7, 2013 In the past if full-time vacationing was mentioned I probably would have laughed. I mean, unless you were gifted with substantial amounts of money, didn’t need to be employed, or didn’t have children, you couldn’t make that work, right? Wrong! My family has been “vacationing” now for a little over a year….
August 9, 2013 My son has asthma. It’s not a problem, most of the time – we have an inhaler and nebulizer to keep it under control. But recently we were on a family vacation and I forgot to pack his medication. He started to wheeze and I knew we were on a downward spiral….
August 9, 2013 I was not a big fan of cabbage when I was younger. I think it was because my mom always boiled it. But now I love cooking cabbage in a variety of ways. When cabbage prices come down, I tend to buy a lot of it! I blanch and then freeze the…
August 6, 2013 It may be August but there are two months left to summer. Hard to believe, I know. But this means there is still time to showcase the best of summer beauty, find more to love and keep getting that sunless tanner fix. Check out these amazing stains and shimmers for glowing skin:…
August 8, 2013 The nights are getting cooler and the evening breezes are blowing. It is almost time to start transitioning your summer wardrobe to a fall one. Do it the most efficient way by cutting out clutter and staying organized as you change out your summer clothes for fall and winter ones. The Basics…
August 13, 2013 Have you ever wondered if the cute, little parakeet makes a good pet? They’re adorable – but they don’t really seem to have much personality, and they’re not as interesting as the exotic, colorful birds you see in the specialty pet stores. The good news is the price tag isn’t as big! Parakeets…
August 12, 2013 There is nothing more enjoyable than a nice, cold drink on a hot day, so I am always looking for a refreshing natural drink in the summer time. Water is one of the healthiest things that you can drink and I really enjoy flavored waters the most. There are a variety of different…
February 20, 2015 I’m not a super chocolate lover, but I do love brownies. I like them crisp on the edges and chewy inside. There are so many recipes out there and I’m sure you have your favorite. Even the boxed brownie mixes are good. But what makes them better is adding your own unique…
August 14, 2013 Quinoa has been named the “Food of the Year” by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). They’ve also claimed 2013 as “The International Year of the Quinoa.” Quinoa is touted and revered around the world for it’s super nutrient qualities, but is not a familiar food in the United…
August 19, 2013 Setting off on a journey that will take you away from American soil can be an extremely exciting experience. You will likely come in contact with new cultures, religions, lifestyles, languages and even weather. With so much to see and do, who wants to waste time worrying? To help make your overseas…
August 15, 2013 Put away those metallics from years past and punch up your fall/winter style with metal studs, felt fedoras and a plethora of gorgeous shoes in every color. Big Stud The biggest trend on the fashion scene this fall and winter is studs. Seen on everything from shoes, purses, jackets and jewelry studs…
August 20, 2013 Writing great content is the goal of every writer. Being able to pen words that capture readers’ attention and inspire them to be – or do – better is what makes writers memorable. But sometimes, words stop flowing. The inspiration to write something new seems far out of reach, and oftentimes, the…
August 21, 2013 Most of us have tried to lose weight and I’m sure many of us have failed to reach our ultimate weight loss goals. Unfortunately, losing weight is rarely simple or straightforward, regardless of what “gurus” try to tell us. But there is one issue we can all agree on – the scale….
August 20, 2013 Until recently I was not a big time fan of the avocado. Sure, I liked to load up some tortilla chips with guacamole but that was about it. Then something shifted. Suddenly I could not get enough avocados. Considered a healthy mono-saturated fat that can even reduce the risk of heart disease,…
August 21, 2013 It doesn’t matter that summer is almost over and the kids are heading back to school. This is the perfect time to get fit fast with quick, do anywhere workout routines. Using your body or minimal equipment these four fitness regimes will make you feel the burn and look good before the…
August 27, 2013 When it comes to Labor Day travel, the good deals tend to only show up during the last days of August. While it doesn’t leave a lot of room for planning, it can mean amazing deals if you are flexible. Here are some suggestions for making the best of this last fun…
August 26, 2013 The USDA passed new “smart snack” regulations that will apply to public school settings.School lunches are always a topic of debate, but what about the vending machines? Parents can monitor school lunch offerings by packing a child’s lunch or making smart choices from the cafeteria menu. Unfortunately, it’s tough for parents to monitor what…
August 28, 2013 Like many other families, meal time is a very busy time of day in our home. The kids need to be picked up from dance or football or soccer or a job. I’m trying to finish up last-minute tasks for my online business and my husband is wandering around wondering where dinner…
August 28, 2013 Labor Day weekend is right around the corner and you may be preparing your menu for a day at the lake or picnic. It is tempting to grab pre-packaged snacks and hot dogs for the grill, but it is just as easy to prepare healthy and simply snacks. Maybe even easier! These…
August 30, 2013 Always wondered whether or not you should serve your cheese at room temperature? Or the best way to cut a cake? Here are helpful hints and tips for anytime you are cooking or entertaining. Appetizers and Beverages: Add flavor to hot tea by dissolving old-fashioned lemon drops or hard mint candies in…
September 13, 2013 As a follow up to my recent article about 5 Household items for natural beauty and cleaning, here are 5 more amazing products that have multiple uses and benefits for beauty and around the house. As a bonus, they are not expensive and you may even have them in your house already….
September 6, 2013 Sure, the cucumber can make a soothing eye treatment or add a bit of flavor to a tall glass of water but what else is it good for? If you’ve ever planted a cucumber seed, you know the plant can produce a large amount of cucumbers throughout the summer. In most places across…
September 3, 2013 The Illotibial Band (IT Band) is a long band of connective tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh from your hips down to your shin. It seems fairly inconsequential until it shortens. Suddenly it’s as if your leg short circuits all the time. An injured IT Band can cause you…
September 4, 2013 It’s a fact – America’s kids are gaining weight right along with the adult population. In the past 30 years, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children, and even scarier, more than tripled in teens. More than one-third of our young population is overweight and/or obese. What is the difference between…
September 5, 2013 The 2013 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is upon us! While New York is buzzing about the shows, the celebs and latest looks, we here at SocialMoms have honed in on the hot trends and latest looks for hair and make-up. Metallic Eyes The eyes have it this season. Playing up your eyes is…
February 13, 2014 This post is sponsored by Sanofi Pasteur Inc. What you need to know: head lice symptoms and treatment. With my daughter in theatre, spending countless after-school hours with dozens of other kids, it was always in the back of my mind…I worried she may get head lice one day. I dreaded it,…
September 5, 2013 A paleo or primal diet may be the answer to get rid of some weight and feel great, but for those who have a love of bread these diets can get a bit difficult. A paleo diet is void of grains and high glycemic carbs, so breads based on wheat, flour, or…
September 10, 2013 If you are anything like me, your garden is growing like wild and you have more fresh vegetables than you want to look at. You are running out of ways to hide them in foods that your children enjoy and if you try feeding your husband another zucchini, he may revolt. The…
September 13, 2013 Is it me or does it seem like the fall season becomes this time where all we do is run around like crazy? School starts and everyone is trying to get into the new schedule. There are more extracurricular activities, more meetings at work, and the holidays seem to be looming over…
September 27, 2013 Fall and winter brings more than back to school shopping and prepping for the holidays. It’s also the season for germs. While visiting a doctor to check symptoms or get prescription medicine is important, when it’s just a simple case of the sniffles or a common cold, there are a few very…
September 9, 2013 Human Papillomavirus (HPV), is the most common sexually transmitted disease. In fact, a whopping 79 million Americans are infected with many of those affected being in their late teens and early 20s. As women, and as mothers, we must do all that we can to educate ourselves and our children about the…
September 10, 2013 I have recently discovered the joys of no-bake dessert preparation. There has always been the tried and true no-bake cookies, but sometimes you want a treat with a little more visual appeal. These recipes provide a bit of flair with, believe it or not, less effort. If you need a treat to…
September 12, 2013 Yes, ladies the rumors are all true. The 80’s are officially back and big time. Not content to just swath ourselves in neon bright colors for summer, fashion has gone full tilt with this fall’s 80’s Glam styling. Think lots of leather, gold-capped and plated everything and a whole lot of black…
September 12, 2013 When my son was five years old, I promised him a three-scoop gelato per day if he’d be so kind as to accompany me to Rome. With an offer I knew he’d never resist, we were off to spend our summer vacation in Rome, a city so dear to me that I stayed for…
September 16, 2013 September is notoriously a busy month with back-to-school activities and impending holiday season. Make meal preparation a little easier by incorporating ready-made freezer meals into your routine. Freezer meals are perfect for busy families because they kill two birds with one stone. Prep a bulk meal one time and freeze the portion…