Really dislike it… but not enough to hire a cleaning lady. I’d much rather turn up Metallica, Rise Against, 30 Seconds to Mars or Alexisonfire and turn a cleaning into a good ole workout, take the money I’d spend on a cleaning lady and buy myself a new item of clothing or shoes.
I just need to stop making excuses of getting some spring cleaning done!
I’ve been keen on organic and chemical-free living so of course, I’ve become a fan of Seventh Generation. Their cleaning and personal care formulas are biodegradable, comprised of a high level of plant and mineral-based materials, and free of harsh solvents, dyes and synthetic fragrances. Instead, the brand uses essential oils and botanical extracts in their fragrances to create a fresh and pleasant aroma.
If every household in the U.S. and Canada replaced just one bottle of 32 oz. solvent-containing all-purpose cleaner with Seventh Generation’s 32 oz. solvent-free product, we could prevent 624,000 kg of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from polluting our air.
Seventh Generation makes dishwashing detergents, surface cleaners for the kitchen and bathroom, laundry detergents, stain removers and fabric softeners, hand soap, bar soap and body wash, body lotions and facial cloths and diapers, wipes and baby personal care.
We’re giving away a cleaning pack of Natural All Purpose Cleaner, Natural Glass & Surface Cleaner and Natural Tub & Tile Cleaner to help you with your spring cleaning!
Recently Disney Pixar unveiled Brave heroine Merida’s makeover – they redesigned her with a completely different look; bigger bust, made-up face and thinner. Fans were so outraged that a petition on Change.org started to let Disney know that they should not sexualize a role model for little girls.
A Mighty Girl started the petition which garnered 200,000 signatures:
Merida was the princess that countless girls and their parents were waiting for — a strong, confident, self-rescuing princess ready to set off on her next adventure with her bow at the ready. She was a princess who looked like a real girl, complete with the ‘imperfections’ that all people have.
The redesign of Merida in advance of her official induction to the Disney Princess collection does a tremendous disservice to the millions of children for whom Merida is an empowering role model who speaks to girls’ capacity to be change agents in the world rather than just trophies to be admired. Moreover, by making her skinnier, sexier and more mature in appearance, you are sending a message to girls that the original, realistic, teenage-appearing version of Merida is inferior; that for girls and women to have value — to be recognized as true princesses — they must conform to a narrow definition of beauty.
Thanks to the power of the internet, Disney has quietly responded by returning Merida to her original character design on their official princess website.
A Mighty Girl is using the hashtag #KeepMeridaBrave on Twitter and tweeted: “Still no statement from Disney confirming madeover Merida not on merchandise. Keep spreading the word!”.
The first six months of food introduction (usually from six to 12 months of age) are intended more as a sensory experience than to replace the nutrition provided by breastmilk and/or formula. Complementary foods teach your child about new textures, tastes, and colours so it’s important to offer a variety of different finger foods in addition to the purees or solids you may have already introduced.
Babies and children love flavour (just like adults!), so don’t be afraid to add seasonings and spices including garlic, onion, cinnamon, nutmeg, tumeric, etc. Taste your child’s food and chances are, if you like it, so will they.
There are many packaged convenience foods marketed to the parents of babies and toddlers like yourself, however know that most of these convenience ‘first foods’ are not necessary for your child. Most of these packaged foods are high in sugar (disguised in rice crackers and teething biscuits), salt, and synthetic ingredients and colours that do nothing to enhance your child’s health. Some commonly marketed and advertised finger foods have the same sugar content as a can of pop!
Tears for the Toronto Maple Leafs’ stunning loss against the Boston Bruins in overtime after a 4-1 lead;
and tears because my son didn’t make the minor rep hockey team.
He was devastated. Of course I was saddened for him and very disappointed.
I swear it felt like the game on TV last night mirrored what happened to us – a strong journey and then it all just fell apart.
The rep hockey tryout process is gruelling emotionally and physically. There are levels of rep teams – from AAA to AE – and there are three tryouts for every level and cuts after each tryout. For example, my son made it through one cut of A level hockey but then got cut; he then made it through two tryouts for AE only to be cut last night.
Seven other hopefuls were also very disappointed last night. That’s eight little hearts broken in one evening – my heart goes out to all of them!
It’s very difficult for the coaches to select players for the teams – but more difficult for the players who are still only 8 and 9 years old. Players can be cut from a higher level also, getting beat out by lower level players who have improved over the past year. Players who were on the team the year before are automatically guaranteed to make it through to the third tryout.
If your child doesn’t start out young in rep hockey (Tyke), it just gets more difficult to make the team. The coaches already have their teams set up and dozens of kids are fighting for just a few spots. In most cases the coaches have 90% of their rosters already filled. If the coach has a child playing on the team, they’re in. Doesn’t seem fair but that’s the way it goes.
To make the team, your child will need to perform exceptionally well – he has to perform even better than those already on the team. Kids have to fight for a spot – that’s a ton of pressure! Like anybody, kids can have an amazing tryout (like my son did up to last night), and can have “off” days too.
Now what?
We pick up and move forward.
He tries out for the Select team again this year, which is kind of like an all-star House League (he was on the Select team last year).
If he really wants to play rep hockey, he’ll have to work even harder this year, improve his skills tremendously, and try out again next year.
He’s already bounced back, the tryout already a distant memory. Love how kids are so resilient. It might take me a bit longer.
No matter what, I’m proud of my son and all that he’s accomplished so far.
“Nothing is impossible to a willing heart.” ~ Terry Evanshan
Mother’s Day is this Sunday! I love receiving gifts that my child has made but who would not also want a morning off from cooking?
I started digging for recipes that children could make for their mothers for Mother’s Day. A lot of them were things that my five year old just would not be able to handle. Things like French toast and Cheesy Eggs.
Yes, I am a fan of both of those things, but would I want to wake up to a royal mess in my kitchen on Mother’s Day with him trying to make this for me? NO.
I found a really easy Mother’s Day breakfast recipe for kids to make on their own. Now, granted my son is five years old and should probably not be operating the toaster or even a knife alone. There are safety hazards to something like this. Enlistment from Dad or other adult supervision besides Mom would be required.
Here is the best recipe for non-disaster in the kitchen that I could find for a little man or woman to make for their mother on Mother’s Day:
I Heart You Toast
The directions for this are pretty simple. These are the items that you will need:
2 slices of bread
2 tbsp cream cheese
About 1/4 cup fresh blueberries or other berries
2 tbsp cup light strawberry or raspberry jam
Seems pretty easy and basic right? Here are the directions:
Toast bread slices – young kids will need a grown-up to watch the toaster. Spread about 1 tablespoon of light cream cheese over the entire top of each piece of toast using a plastic knife.
Make a heart in the center of the toast using about 1/8 cup of fresh blueberries for the outside of the heart, on each piece of toast.
Spoon jam into the middle of the heart.
So simple and I would love to wake up to something like this made for me by my little one! Even if the heart were not perfect or the toast were burnt, I would know that it was made for me with love and that I was the only one that he was thinking about when he made it.
Rebecca Wilson is mom of two and lives in Chesapeake, Virginia. She loves reading, blogging and cooking. She is a college grad and very proud of being able to do it all online with holding down jobs, a household and children with the help of her wonderful husband.
While my husband and I were sitting and attempting to make a list of things that we will definitely be needing for this baby (we got rid of most of Tatum’s stuff since we weren’t sure when we’d be bringing another little one into the world!), we kept drawing blanks about what was really necessary. Now that I’m in my third trimester, I’m trying to get everything prepared and somewhat ready for baby’s arrival, so it was imperative that I get a move on organizing everything.
When I was expecting Tatum, I was told that we would need SO many items besides the obvious diapers, wipes and onesies. We were gifted with a swing, a bottle warmer, wipes warmer, and several other “necessary” items that ultimately ended up collecting dust and were given away or donated. The gifts were very well intentioned, but we had a lot of things cluttering up our space that we never used.
With this baby, we want to make sure that we only have what we REALLY need. I’m not a big fan of waste, and any ways we can keep the baby necessities to a minimum is ideal for me. Now that we’ve experienced becoming parents to a baby and what they really entail, we knew what was important for us to have and what wasn’t.
A baby carrier or wrap is a lifesaver. Whether you are becoming parents for the first time and will need it to soothe your baby to sleep (babies love being near their mamas!), or to get some dishes done while your little one wants to be held, or if you are been-there-done-that parents who will need it mostly to be able to chase after your other children, you will not regret this purchase. There are so many benefits to baby-wearing (helps babies to cry less, to keep postpartum depression at bay, and great for baby’s mental development, to name a few!), and being able to have the use of your arms and hands is a priceless gift when you have a newborn who likes to be held! This is number one on our list of must-haves.
2. Bouncy Chair
For the times when baby-wearing was not possible, such as shower time or while cooking supper, a bouncy chair was one of our most-used items. It came with me in the bathroom while I got cleaned up, while I was in the kitchen, or when Tatum was old enough to eat solids, she sat in it while we fed her. It was comfortable enough for her to nap in and didn’t take up too much space. Another really great item to add to the “must-have” list!
Franki at 27 weeks
3. Comfortable Glider/Rocking Chair
We didn’t have a glider when Tatum was a baby, and I do not know how my back survived the many hours of sitting up in bed nursing Tatum or rocking and swaying her to sleep. Our very first purchase for this baby was a glider, and I can already tell it is going to be used a lot. Babies love movement, and having a glider in your bedroom/nursery to rock to sleep or to sit comfortable in while you nurse your baby will be well worth the investment.
4. Big, Roomy Diaper Bag
Right now I have a huge Timi & Leslie diaper bag waiting to be filled with all of our new baby’s items. It has several little comparmtents as well as a handy little clutch that comes with it for mom’s essentials. Having a diaper bag that’s big enough to fit an extra change of clothes, our fluffy bum Genius cloth diapers, wipes, perhaps a few pumped bottles of breast milk if my husband is with the baby, a change pad, plus toys, receiving blankets, and our necessities is crucial. Make sure you have one that is wipe-able on the inside and outside in case of spills or other mishaps!
5. Food Processor
When Tatum first started solids, I went out and bought a bunch of baby food in jars for her. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw how expensive those teeny jars of food are, and I also remember feeling a bit wary about feeding her food that has been sitting on a shelf for so long. David and I did some searching around on the internet and found some great and easy baby food recipes, and we set to work making our own baby food. Not only was it super easy and much cheaper than the pre-made kind, we also knew exactly what our child was eating. To make baby food, all you need is a good processor and you are on your way. We currently use a Cuisinart 12-cup processor, but you can get them in several different sizes to fit your needs. Spend a couple of hours (maximum) on the weekend prepping and processing food, and your baby has fresh, wholesome and budget-friendly baby food!
What were the baby items you couldn’t live without?
Franki Arnold, owner/operator and blogger of Those Young Moms is a 26-year-old mother to 4 1/2 year old Tatum and expecting baby number two in July 2013. Franki is passionate about natural and empowering birth for women, organic and healthy eating for families, easy chic fashion for moms and big cups of coffee. She hopes to inspire women through blogging about her journey towards a VBAC with her second pregnancy. Find her also on Facebook and Twitter.
I’m so saddened to hear about Jeanne Cooper’s passing – she was THE Young and the Restless playing Katherine Chancellor on the The Young and the Restless for nearly 40 years. She was 84.
Cooper’s son, actor Corbin Bernsen shared the sad news on Twitter:
Mom passed this morning. She was in peace and without fear. U all have been incredible in your love. In her name share it 2 day with others.
Cooper was in and out of hospital recently to be treated for undisclosed illness.
My mom watched the Y&R ever since I can remember. Every day after school at 4:30pm on Global, we’d watch together – it was a ritual. Even after getting married, I still couldn’t stop watching the lives of the Newmans and Abbotts – with Katherine Chancellor as the Queen Bee.
I still watch the show and ironically, Cooper’s character was also in hospital getting brain surgery.
Cooper was a daytime drama legend. A television icon.
May she rest in piece.
Who can forget the best cat fight Katherine had with Jill?
Every winter I go up a size – the body wants extra padding and I get more cravings because of the cold weather. Hibernation doesn’t just happen to bears I keep telling myself. Plus I like to eat comfort foods and indulge in chocolate all cozy on the couch during those long-ass Canadian winters.
I read this fabulous blog post yesterday entitled “Why The Whole Concept Of Bikini Body Is Ridiculous” on Beautiful with Brains.
The author writes that the words “bikini body” implies that only certain body types should be allowed to wear one.
And I left this comment:
I don’t like the term bikini-body or bikini-ready; I want to be able to wear a bikini if I want to. I admit I do care about how I look in it – at the same time, I’m ok with being the size that I am (a size 8-10 which is considered ‘plus’ size in the fashion industry). I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my stomach, even if it’s a bit flabby because of having two kids.
That’s right, a size 8 or 10 is the in-between size in the modeling industry – not quite a plus size and not slim enough for industry standards.
So where do gals like me fit in? Normal gals like me? Although some may call me “chunky” like the Oklahoma cheerleader who was criticized for her figure recently.
I’m posting thing photo of me in my bikini to show that a size 8/10 is NORMAL.
Wear a bikini and be proud.
“To get a bikini body, get a bikini and put your body in it.”
P.S. Seeing model Jennie Runk in the recent H&M summer ads inspired me also to post this.
Yes moms are stressed. But how stressed are we? What do moms stress about?
An online survey of 7,164 U.S. mothers, conducted by TODAY.com and Insight Express revealed that:
– On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the most stressed, the average mom in our survey puts herself at 8.5.
– 75 percent of mothers said they stress more about the pressure they put on themselves to be “perfect” than they do the pressure or judgment they get from other moms.
– 46 percent of moms say their husbands/partners cause them more stress than their kids do.
– 72 percent of moms stress about how stressed they are.
– Biggest cause of stress: 60 percent say it’s lack of time to do everything that needs to get done.
– Nine out of 10 moms stress about staying fit and attractive.
What do you think about these stats?
I’m saddened to hear that three-quarters of women still feel the pressure to be the “perfect” mom as there is no such thing – even worse is hearing that they feel judged by other moms.
I’m curious to hear what moms think about the percentage who say raising girls is more stressful – care to agree or disagree?
I’ve heard many tell me – “oh girls are stressful especially in the teen years”…. and I say to myself, I’m sure that boys are also stressful to raise. Am I missing something?
