Published on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 by caryn
We're about a week from Valentine's Day! Do you know how you'll celebrate that loved one in your life? I love getting flowers and candy, but I tend to be very practical when it comes to gifts I'd like to receive. I tend to opt for gifts with lasting value if I'm asked for suggestions.
If you're still in search for the perfect gift this month, why not get that... Read More »
Published on Monday, February 6, 2012 by caryn
Last week, several of us kicked off February by wearing red to increase awareness and lend support to the fight against heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC and does not discriminate...we are all at risk. Often called the silent killer, it is important for women of all ages to be aware of the risk factors and t... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by caryn
As someone who is very discerning about the products we use, I've often found that in some instances, there is no natural or environmentally-friendly alternative. Right around the time when we learned that I was pregnant with my son, I stopped using conventional cleaning products, and over the years have slowly replaced our personal care products with eco-friendly s... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 28, 2012 by caryn
Can you believe that Valentine's Day is just 2 weeks away? I feel like it was JUST Christmas! While I absolutely love getting traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate, I'm also appreciative of more practical gifts that I'll get use out of long after the day has ended.
Most of my shopping is done online, mostly due to the fact that it's just easier than bravin... Read More »
Published on Saturday, January 14, 2012 by caryn
Every year around this time, I aspire to develop some type of regular exercise routine. Before I got married and had children, I enjoyed running and taking fitness classes at our local gym. At that time, it was easy to get to the gym without having to worry about child care or another person's schedule. Of all the resolutions, this is the one I find most challen... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 12, 2012 by caryn
2012 Resolutions...
1. Cut out all sugar from my diet. Eat less sugar.
2. Buy all organics. Do my homework and buy the organic versions of those foods that are most important.
3. Work out 3-5 times a week. Start going to the gym.
4. Lose weight. See number 1 and 3.
5. Get more sleep. Get uninterrupted sleep.
6. Spend more time together as a fam... Read More »
Published on Monday, January 9, 2012 by caryn
Having lived in Southern California my entire life, I often overlook the beauty that surrounds me. Just a few miles to the south lies the Pacific Ocean and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Drive approximately 2 hours northeast and you'll find a slew of ski resorts. And directly east? Pure bliss!
Over the holidays, my husband and I managed to sne... Read More »
Published on Thursday, January 5, 2012 by caryn
It's Friday night and nobody wants to cook. After shopping, prepping, and cooking meals all week, the very last thing I want to do on a Friday night is whip up something elaborate. It's way too easy (and definitely more expensive) to stop at one of our local restaurants and pick up dinner after a long week. But with the new year ahead, I'm sticking to my goal of... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 30, 2011 by caryn
Who would have thought that having a child would be so disruptive to one's sleep? Even after four and a half years, I'm still struggling through nights of interrupted sleep. Fortunately, those interruptions are temporary!
Sleep is truly a complex physiologic process, influenced by a number of different factors. Some, like children who wake up at 2 am, aren't easi... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 26, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Aisha. Congrats!
Like most children I know, our kids could eat pasta every single day and not tire of it. Pasta is a staple in our household, and my "go-to" meal when I don't want to make something elaborate or it's time for a grocery run. By incorporating a low-fat protein, such as ground turkey brea... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Margie, Patricia W C, and Angie. Congrats!
As much as I enjoy getting creative with my holiday meals, preparing and cooking for a large number of people can be time consuming, stressful, and costly. If you still haven't decided what you'll serve this Christmas, why not opt for a few semi-homemade di... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 23, 2011 by caryn
In the past few months, I've been experimenting more and more with spices. Spices can flavor foods in unique ways, very often allowing for at least some of the removal of salt and fats. During this season, where gingerbread and peppermint predominate, author Kim Ima, who wrote The Treats Truck Book has teamed up with McCormick to offer recipes and tips for putting... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 22, 2011 by caryn
It's the season of entertaining and holiday parties. I've been shopping and prepping for our upcoming family dinner and I'm happy to say that we're nearly done (minus the cooking part, of course). What's going to be particularly tricky about this year's Christmas celebration is the fact that the hubby and I will be cooking the meal in someone else's home! Sinc... Read More »
Published on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Jennifer Q. Congrats!
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Organizing a girl's night out was so easy wh... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 19, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Darcy McDonald. Congrats!
In less than 2 weeks, we'll be ringing in the new year! In previous years, we have spent our New Year's Eve quietly at home with our littles. But this year, the hubby and I are getting a babysitter so that we can actually enjoy a some time out together as a couple.
If y... Read More »
Published on Saturday, December 17, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Laurie Harrison. Congrats!
In the midst of the shopping rush and holiday parties, I'm reminded of and sensitive to the fact that this season isn't always "magical" for those who may be struggling financially, physically, or emotionally. This is the time of year when charitable organizations reach... Read More »
Published on Friday, December 16, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is clenna in NH. Congrats!
While it goes without question that flowers are a staple gift idea for holidays such as Valentine's Day and Mother's Day, I don't always think to gift arrangements for the holidays, despite the fact that they are lovely and fragrant. If you're planning to attend a holiday pa... Read More »
Published on Thursday, December 15, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Lisa Weidknecht. Congrats!
As a mom to a four year old boy, trains come highly recommended, not only because my son could spend quite a bit of time playing with them, but because they are relatively easy to clean up and encourage imagination and interactive play. Since the hit Disney Junior show Chu... Read More »
Published on Wednesday, December 14, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Katharine Davis. Congrats!
As in previous years, tech gifts are topping the list of most popular items to buy for loved ones this year. And these days, tech gifts are no longer reserved for "men" per se, since there are a wide variety of female and kid-focused products on the market.
As a mom and a... Read More »
Published on Monday, December 12, 2011 by caryn
This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winner is Sassy. Congrats!
In our household, pasta is the dish we resort to when we don't want to cook anything labor intensive or time consuming. By incorporating fresh veggies, ground turkey breast, and whole wheat pasta, the meal is nutritionally complete, yet flavorful so that my children still enjoy it. ... Read More »