by admin | Jul 21, 2015 | Blog
The following is part of a new series called The Chronicles of Mommia from our guest blogger SonnyGirl. Enjoy! Christmas is officially ruined. Yes, it’s only July, but still… Since this past November my nearly-four year old, Parker, has been relentlessly playing Christmas songs and her 19-month-old brother, Axl, is loving every minute of it. Every time we get in the car Parker screams out, “CHRISTMAS SONGS, MOMMY!!!!” I try to dissuade this, but usually to no avail. When they were in the womb I started indoctrinating them with “cool” music. We weren’t gonna be that family that listened to “Itsy Bitsy Spider” or sang the Barney theme song; oh no, we were gonna jam to Tegan and Sara, Joy Division, any song off G & R’s Greatest Hits album. But now “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” is stuck in my head for days on end. How did this happen? Where did I go wrong? Maybe I proclaimed my love of Christmas-time too enthusiastically. I do (did) love it, though! The lights, the trees, the coffees, the mixed drinks, the shopping, the movies, the mixed drinks and, of course, the music. It’s the greatest 30 days (plus or minus) of my life. At least, it was. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” isn’t fun in July, it’s aggravating. Pulling up to a stop light with the windows rolled down and my kids singing “Jingle Bell Rock” with Alvin and the Chipmunks doesn’t have the same cool-factor as it would have, had we been singing any song by Muse or MGMT. My kids are… dorks. And they’ve pulled me into dorkdom with...
by admin | Jul 14, 2015 | Blog
Ditch the toxins in some of your favorite personal care products and enhance your natural beauty with these amazing recipes with ingredients you probably have in your kitchen! These recipes are super easy to make and work wonders. Who knew these kitchen ingredients would be so helpful in our beauty routine?! Fresh coffee grounds: What to do: Fresh coffee grounds can help reduce the appearance of cellulite. All you have to do is mix ¼ cup fresh ground coffee with 3 tablespoons of hot water and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes or until the water is absorbed and forms a paste. Then, add 2 tablespoons olive oil to help bind the grinds. Cleanse the problem areas in a warm shower, then turn off the water and massage the coffee mixture in circular motions for 2-4 minutes. Rinse with warm water, pat dry and moisturize. Repeat this process 2-3 times a week for 6 weeks for best results. How it works: The fresh ground coffee has more antioxidants and caffeine than used coffee grounds. These are moderately effective to reduce the appearance of cellulite in the short term. Caffeine, a stimulant, dilates blood vessels, which temporarily tones and tightens tissue. The antioxidants in coffee may help release toxins which is helpful for overall healthy skin. The olive oil not only helps the bind the mixture, but it adds some moisture which leads me to one of my favorite beauty hacks. Olive Oil: What to do: Aside from being a kitchen staple, extra virgin olive oil (hereinafter referred as olive oil) is fabulous for hair, skin, and nails. I’ve...
by admin | Jul 9, 2015 | Blog
Having your child do certain tasks like helping with the dishes, brushing his teeth and finishing homework can be a difficult task. They might cry, argue and yell forcing you to cave in and do the task for them. Unfortunately, this teaches the child that Mom and Dad will always do what they say when they start crying and yelling. What if I told you there are ways to motivate your child to complete the-oh so unpleasant tasks and avoid the crying and yelling? If you want the magic potion just keep reading. Rewards can sometimes be a temporary fix and can be useful when trying to accomplish a task like doing homework. However, studies show that the positive effects of rewards are short lived. “It is true that rewards will motivate people to do activities,” says Edward Deci, Ph. D., professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. “But what happens is the behavior becomes dependent on the rewards and will stop when the rewards stop. Adults go to work to get paid, but if the pay stopped, they would stop going to work.” This is true even if an activity is something they enjoy. Researchers at Stanford University found that when children who enjoyed drawing with markers were paid to do so, they quit using them when they were no longer paid. In other words, the reward somehow shut down their passion. In the short term, using bribes such as a second cupcake does not cause negative effects for things like getting your child to stop having a tantrum at a restaurant, but these rewards won’t build...
by admin | Jul 7, 2015 | Blog
Being a parent is tough even if it’s a rewarding 24 hours a day, 7 days a week job. Moms and Dads don’t always have the time to focus on themselves. Between work, parent-teacher conferences and swimming lessons, it’s easy to skip the gym and head to the drive-thru and order a large number 1 with a Diet Coke instead of a healthy fresh green salad. Children learn by observing their parents and other adults. Remember, your children admire you as you are their role model and wish one day to be just like you! As a result, they will often follow your example more than your advice. We understand it can be difficult to stay fit and healthy when all you want to do after a long day of chasing little ones around the house is relax on the couch and catch up on your favorite TV show with a bag of your favorite chips. That’s why I have put together a few tips to help you make better choices and set an excellent example for your kids: Plan your meals. Investing some time to plan and prep your meals will end up saving you time and money in the long run. Pick a day to go grocery shopping and prep the meals. Doing it all in one day will prevent you from procrastinating! Prepping breakfast, lunch, dinners, and even snacks for the whole family will save you time later in the week. You can also freeze certain meals that you can simply pop in the microwave or throw in the slow cooker. Check out Passion for Savings...
by admin | Jun 30, 2015 | Blog
Let the sparks fly this 4th of July with these mouthwatering food ideas. Celebrate America’s independence day with these recipes that are not only easy-to-make but also very tasty. I am sure you will find something you and your 4th of July party will enjoy. Even if you do not have a party, these recipes are delicious to make any time of the year! DIYJoy Let’s not forget dessert! Here are some tasty deserts everyone will appreciate: Foodista Happy 4th of July! WiFi Baby is a top rated wireless network-based monitor and nanny cam that keeps you connected to your child on iPhone, iPad or Android. Anywhere. Visit our Homepage! Get to know us! How WiFi Baby Was Born. Ready to buy? Visit our...
