What is a Dandelion Mom?
A dandelion mom is beautiful, strong and resilient. She is someone who tries to be mindful and stay present in the moment. This can be difficult at times with all that we juggle as women and mothers. I have to constantly remind myself to be present and not “check out” thinking about all … [Continue Reading]
Featured Inspirational Mom
Inspirational Mom :: WordGirl Creator Dorothea Gillim
I love how life can be so serendipitous (a word you would find on WordGirl). While walking to breakfast at the PBS annual meeting that I attended this month as part of their PBS Kids Ambassador Program, I happened to be walking next to a woman who was also going to breakfast. We started talking… [Continue Reading]
Spotlight On…
In the Spotlight with Best-Selling Author Dr. Daniel G. Amen
While visiting my in-laws at their house, I picked up a book they had on the kitchen table called Use Your Brain to Change Your Age by Daniel G. Amen. I was thoroughly intrigued and was so engrossed with the book they told me to … [Read More...]
The Latest & Greatest
Disney’s Toy Story: Story Theater Review & Contest
We have watched all of the Toy Story movies no less than 10 times each. I just love the idea of toys coming alive once the humans leave the room and the movies have definitely hit a cord … [Read More...]
Win This!
In the Spotlight with Best-Selling Author Dr. Daniel G. Amen
While visiting my in-laws at their house, I picked up a book they had on the kitchen table called Use Your Brain to Change Your Age by Daniel G. Amen. I was thoroughly intrigued and was so engrossed with the book they told me to take it home and give them cliff notes… [Continue Reading]
Melissa’s Musings
Yesterday, I took my daughter out of kindergarten early and headed to Knott's Berry Farm. Lately, I have been feeling like time is just going by too quickly and she is growing up right before my eyes. The other morning I came down the stairs and found her playing with her Lego's in her superheroes pajamas and it reminded me of a story I had read years ago about how the author found as the years went by the fingerprints on the walls went higher and higher as her children grew and the toys she had to pick up on the ground went from baby toys, to Lego's to teenage paraphernalia, to … [Read More...]
What’s New…
Garden :: The Beauty of the Sunflower
The sunflower has special meaning in my life and my relationship with my husband. When I give flowers to my husband for Father’s Day or for his birthday, I always give sunflowers. Back when we were dating, we were walking along a beach path in Laguna Beach, and I saw a gorgeous sunflower growing in… [Continue Reading]
Parenting :: What Matters Most
My little girl is a full-blown fire-cracker. She seems to two speeds: asleep and awake. Some days parenting seems more like running a marathon (and definitely not in some super-cute puma shoes). At the end of the day, I usually feel like a haggard she-beast with boogers smeared in my hair and mystery stains… [Continue Reading]
Disney’s Toy Story: Story Theater Review & Contest
We have watched all of the Toy Story movies no less than 10 times each. I just love the idea of toys coming alive once the humans leave the room and the movies have definitely hit a cord with children as well! We had a chance to review Disney’s newest release Disney Toy Story: Story… [Continue Reading]
In the Spotlight with Best-Selling Author Dr. Daniel G. Amen
While visiting my in-laws at their house, I picked up a book they had on the kitchen table called Use Your Brain to Change Your Age by Daniel G. Amen. I was thoroughly intrigued and was so engrossed with the book they told me to take it home and give them cliff notes… [Continue Reading]
Travel :: The Family-Friendly City of Boston
Everyone says Boston is a beautiful city, but you don’t truly understand what everyone means until you visit Boston for yourself. Boston is one of the cleanest, well-maintained cities I have ever seen in North America. The people here are proud, yet unpretentious. The history is inspiring. The sites are breathtaking. And the food,… [Continue Reading]
Play :: Creating a Summer Bucket List for the Kids
The idea to create a bucket list for the family this summer came to me while looking through Pinterest. The pictures that people post are such eye-candy – it is hard to get off the site! I came across a bucket list that a woman had made with her kids. I loved the idea so we… [Continue Reading]
Let’s Celebrate Summer Facebook Party on June 26th
What better way to celebrate the start of summer (officially starts June 21st) than with a Facebook Party! We have some wonderful sponsors that include WordPlay by PicPocket Books, My Ride with the Alien, SoGaBee, and Pixel Mouse House who will all be providing some fantastic door prizes! Over $125 worth of gift cards will… [Continue Reading]
Ask the Doctor: Aspartame and Inflammation
Ask the Doctor: Question: A friend has terrible leg and foot pain and she is wondering if aspartame is a contributing factor. What are your thoughts? Thank you for your question! Aspartame must be eliminated; however, something needs to be replaced otherwise other symptoms may arise (headaches). I suggest to all of my patients… [Continue Reading]
Reflections :: To be alive with what is alive
Here is a thought worth contemplating. It comes from a man named James Hollis in his book The Archetypal Imagination. Hollis reminds us that the Greek word psyche, which is the root of words like psychology, means soul. Today the word psyche is associated with our mental life, as in our thoughts and emotions–what’s going on… [Continue Reading]
Tech :: Gift Ideas for the Tech Dad
Some super cool gadgets for the men in our lives who have everything this Father’s Day (and beyond). That’s right mama’s, move over and get ready to let Dad/Brother/Father/Uncle [et al] become “King for the Day” where they can relax and have you wait on them hand and foot and even fan them while… [Continue Reading]
In the Garden :: Beneficial Garden Helpers
Many factors contribute to a healthy and successful garden. Beyond soil amendments, water retention and adequate sunlight exposure, the garden also needs pest control. Historically, through the use of pesticides, many gardens were kept from the destruction pests unleashed; however, today’s modern gardener may prefer a more natural approach. Beneficial Garden Helpers: The… [Continue Reading]
Special Needs Parenting: Uncoventional Choices and Unconditional Love
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am a soon-to-be-single mother of two special needs children.. I love duct-tape, MacGyver and was born thinking outside the box. I am an independent thinker who often got in trouble in school and college for speaking my mind and not following the crowd. As far as I’m concerned… [Continue Reading]
Recipe :: Frozen Raspberry Yoghurt
Did you know yoghurt is one of nature’s super foods? It’s like ‘milk plus’. It has all the benefits of milk plus many more. It’s much gentler on the stomach and is easier to digest which makes it ideal if you’re lactose intolerant. It’s rich in calcium, protein and the good bacteria acidophilus which… [Continue Reading]
Tips to Get Your Home (and Life) Organized
My wish list includes having my house organized from top to bottom. One of my best girlfriends is super organized and I swear you could open up any drawer, cabinet, door in her house and it would be organized! I think there are people who are like that – super organized – but I am… [Continue Reading]
Dwell :: 4 Curb Appeal Facelifts That Add Value to Your Home
Curb appeal is the aesthetic goal of homeowners interested in making a good impression. Real estate agents and sellers strive to achieve curb appeal for a quick sale or to simply impress neighbors and guests. While there are many options for homeowners interested in giving the outside of their home a facelift, certain makeovers… [Continue Reading]
