MOM CONFESSIONALS

We just love love love this!!  The husband has been ON me to get all the old baby gear out of our basement.  Since I have been hinting at a complete basement overhaul with a dream worthy laundry room, I’ve been told the first step to making that a reality is unloading some of my precious baby gear.  Sadly it may be time to say good bye.  The kids are no longer in need and let’s be realistic, if we had another child, I’d be all in what’s the latest and greatest.

Just in time for Earth Day, Sunday, April 22, 2012, donors can bring their new or gently used strollers, cribs (non-drop side), pack and plays, bassinets, and clothes, as well as unopened packs of diapers, to the nearest NYC Metro giggle store during store hours.  All donations made to Baby Buggy are fully tax deductible, and tax forms will be available at each store location.  As giggle’s CEO Ali says, the Great giggle Giveback is an important cradle-to-grave solution for the next phase of the lives of the products they sell.  Won’t be able to make this event?  Not to worry, the Great giggle Giveback will occur in giggle stores across the U.S. twice annually, around Earth Day and in the fall.  For more information, go to http://www.giggle.com/gigglecares.  For store addresses and hours, please visit http://www.giggle.com/Store-Locations-Landing/store-locations,default,pg.html.

Oh giggle, you have me giggling with glee!

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Earth Day is officially celebrated on April 22 but at Cascadian Farm, they treat every day as Earth Day – working with the Earth, not against it.  We love Cascadian Farm, a brand that has been organic before “organic” was a trend.  It’s funny how once you start a family, eating healthier becomes one of the most important things in your life, but it should always be.  Muddling the world of organics can be a little confusing but brands like Cascadian Farm makes it easy.  With all our staples covered from Breakfast cereals including M’s favorite Clifford Crunch and my favorite French Vanilla Granola which can go on smoothies, yogurt and simply a plain snack to Muir Glen Organic Whole Peeled Tomatoes with Basil, which I didn’t know was a Cascadian Farm brand, which we have been using for years to make the most delicious marinara sauce.  Listening to concerns worldwide, they are now canned in a BPA free liner. You can taste the organic difference and it’s divine!  When I work the night shift at work, I love to stock my bag with Cascadian Farm Granola Bars.  They are a healthy and nutrition snack alternative to all the junk food in the hospital I could be eating.

What is Organic and Why Eat Organic you ask?

Organic refers to the way agricultural products and foods are grown and processed. Organic production is based on a system of farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers. To maintain the integrity of the final product, organic foods are minimally processed without artificial ingredients, preservatives, or irradiation.  Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically engineered ingredients which you want to avoid especially in young, growing children.  The dangerous effects of these products are just coming light in recent years and the information is simply scary.

FIRE ROASTED TOMATO MARINARA

Heat deep pot with olive oil on medium.  Toss in garlic cloves and roast until golden.  Pour in organic fire roasted diced tomatoes and mushrooms.  Simmer on low for 40 minutes, salt and red pepper to taste.  Serve over pasta or even fish!

For more amazing recipes for cooking organic, check out the Cascadian Farm webpage and Muir Glen webpage.

GIVEAWAY: Enter NOW!  Cascadian Farms wants to help you make eating Organic an everyday occurrence.  From now until April 22nd 2012 – EARTH DAY — you MUST visit this FORM and leave a comment.  ONE (1) lucky winner will win this amazing  Earth Day Celebration Kit, seen above, containing:

• Cascadian Farm products
• VIP coupons for free products
• Amazing recipes
• a gorgeous Picnic cooler basket to tote all the amazing food you’ll be making

For an additional (3) entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s @CascadianFarm #Giveaway and you should too! http://wp.me/pLvfH-1f6) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends.  – 3rd option – subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  DON’T FORGET to leave a comment with your favorite organic tip and leave a separate entry for each action on this FORM. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on April 22nd 2012 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

Check out and “like” the Cascadian Farm Facebook page to find more information on ideas for celebrating Earth Day your way!

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Anyone who knows me, I am a sucker for good clean design and when my partner at Trumpeting Media, Nancy Johnson Horn, introduced me to mOmma Technology, a new line of baby products recently acquired by Lansinoh, I was ga-ga.  I was immediately drawn to its clean, almost futuristic sleek lines.  It came as no surprise to me that it was designed in Italy.  With Marcus’ just turning 2, we had already outgrown much of their product age range, but the sippy cup ($10.99) was something we are still using.  And what fun it is!  It’s almost a dual purpose with its fun wobbly roll as entertainment.  Perfect for little hands, it still stands upright to maintain hygiene. 

Another innovative product from the line we love is the warm plate ($12.99).  If you have a toddler, you know what a challenge it can be to have them sit through a meal and often the food goes cold in the process.   The plate is divided into two compartments to separate different foods so that baby can experience various tastes.   It is also built with a special rubber coating to assure perfect adhesion to the surfaces of tables and high chairs, so no more tipping or spilling!

Parents love well thought out design, Thanks mOmma! We’re totally diggin your designs! The full line of mOmma products are available online at Diapers.com and Amazon.com.

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Recently I was invited to the launch party for Honest Company hosted by MomTrends and got a chance to meet the fabulously gorgeous Jessica Alba, one of the founders of this revolutionary company.  We listened to hear tell the story of her early days as a new parent and it echoed my very own experience.  I became a parent during the early uproar over BPA in bottles and remember the ignited fear within.   I began countless hours of research and at every turn I was more and more horrified.  Not just at the chemicals in everyday products we used but also at the high costs for products that were safer.  “I’ve spent way too many hours researching products and driving around trying to find safer, eco-friendly options for my kids,” exclaimed Jessica Alba, President and founder. “I knew that most people didn’t have that kind of time, nor the means to pay the premium prices. We had to make it easier.”  She teamed up with Christopher Gavigan, former Healthy Child Healthy World CEO; Brian Lee, ShoeDazzle.com founder; and Sean Kane, PriceGrabber.com executive, to launch The Honest Company, an eco-friendly line of family essentials offered through a monthly subscription service at Honest.com.  That’s a pretty amazing team for sure!  Healthy Child Healthy World was my go-to site for the most reliable information and still is.  Meeting Christopher Gavigan was inspiring.  He admits to being asked for product recommendations all the time but it took a LOT of nudging from Jessica Alba to give birth to The Honest Company.  We’re glad he came on board.

Created for parents by parents, The Honest Company founders say they are committed to making safe, sustainable products more convenient, beautiful, and affordable.  While one might be skeptical about signing up for a monthly subscription service, I can barely commit to a magazine subscription, I was pleasantly surprised at the flexibility.  The products are curated into personalized bundles that are automatically shipped every month, and parents can try a FREE Discovery Kit, that includes a sample pack of diapers and wipes, or trial-sized versions of the bath, skin and cleaning products.   If you like the discovery kit, you can continue to receive a customizable kit of FULL size products monthly.  It’s an easy process, and members at Honest.com can purchase a monthly supply of non-toxic stylish diapers competitively priced at less than $20 a week, and can also choose a monthly supply of the body care and home cleaning essentials for under $9 a week.  When it’s put in those numbers, it makes a lot of sense.

I really can embrace the Honest Family Essentials Bundle model where I can select 5 out of 14 currently available products every month.  My needs are always constantly changing, not to mention being a little commitment phobic, having the flexibility to choose the products I need for the next month is awesome!  While I am just transitioning my littlest one out of diapers, I have to say the Honest Diaper Bundle is so gorgeous I even contemplated waiting a bit longer on potty training.  Completely natural & non-toxic – made from chlorine-free, bio-based absorbent, and plant-based materials, these diapers are not only stylish, but also ultra absorbent with a premium fit.

As one of the founders of Trumpeting Media, we love brands that have a charitable arm, doing some Social Good.  I was thrilled to hear that a portion of every dollar Honest Company earns goes to their non-profit partner Baby2Baby. This worthy nonprofit supplies local families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for children up to age four.  We love it!

In these days where BUSY doesn’t even begin to describe a parent’s typical day, convenience and value speaks to us.  We welcome The Honest Company to make every parent’s life a little more manageable.

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Is it me or is this holiday season particularly chaotic?!  There seems to be not enough time for anything these days and yet… I still need a good party to celebrate the holidays!

This season I’ve picked up some fabulous tips from some seasoned party planners, Debi Lilly and Jane Buckingham, to pull together a Holiday Soiree for the books — in a pinch and on a dime!  I have to say I was incredibly impressed with the results!

Debi Lilly had recently introduced me to her line of new affordable products and decorations for Safeway and I went GaGa over them!  The nearest Safeway is a bit of a trek for me, but no more than a trip to Stew Leonard’s is and we do that trip all the time!  Totally worth it if you’ve got grocery shopping still to do after all it’s a one stop shop.  I know what you’re thinking… don’t grocery store decorations usually classify as kitchy?  Well when Debi Lilly stamps her name to it, you know you’re in for a quality, stylish product.  I mean really, finding mercury glass in your grocery store?  Amazing!

First things first, use what you’re already got! Look at all the decorations you already have and see if you can recreate or take a twist on things!  Although my only set of cloth dinner napkins have seen better days and already have made their appearance, maybe one too many times at my parties, I whipped out my new cordless Panasonic 360° Freestyle Iron and lickity split I was ironing out all the creases and wrinkles and using them as decorative accents under my dish display.

Revamp your traditional glassware by customizing each glass with debi lilly design™ Double Faced Satin Ribbon in Taupe.   Taking that cue, I filled my glass bowls with unused ornaments and tied a ribbon around it just like the photo.

Finding ready to heat food items saves loads of time and are amazingly delicious too!  We got a chance to sample their baby maryland crab cakes , and scrumptiously addicting bumbleberry tarts.

With a few easy to make changes, they don’t have to look like something straight out of a freezer box.  Don’t just defrost and put out.  Debi Lilly makes presentation the focus and just elegantly displaying them on a plate with some garnish really makes it look like a world class dish.

Running around like a maniac with not enough time to cook.  The fabulous people at Panasonic and Jane Buckinghan showed some great dishes that are real crowd pleases to make in something as simple as their Fuzzy Logic Rice Cooker!  I know you can’t imagine much more than rice being made, but we made …. You can set aside, and push the button at just the right time, or even pre-set the timer up to 24 hours in advance for a perfectly cooked dish!  Time schedule needs to be more flexible?  They’ve got you covered with a stay warm feature that doesn’t dry out your meal!

If you’re looking to redo your kitchen and plan on doing lots of entertaining, I’d recommend checking out the new Samsung Dual Oven Range.  Operating as a single cavity convection range or a double oven with independent temperature control when needed, with 5 burners and a warming compartment, you have the flexibility to create and entire holiday menu or just a small meal without wasting electricity.

A final spin around the room with my cordless Panasonic 360 Freestyle Iron, I iron out wrinkles in my curtains and table cloths on the fly.  It even let me vertically steam cloth too!  Great for steaming out my holiday dress in a pinch too.  Everything was picture perfect!

For some great inspiration, follow Debi Lilly on Pinterest, my new obsession.  Want to follow me too? You’ll see me pinning loads on my next project for the new year — finishing my basement and creating my dream laundry room… I know, how domesticated of me…  To shop Debi Lilly’s new collection for safeway and check out more tips for the holidays, visit at: http://www.safeway.com/ShopStores/Debi-Lilly

For all those last minute jams you might get into before the party, check out Jane Buckingham’s new book, The Modern Girls Guide to Sticky Situations.

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Written by Dr. JJ Levenstein, M.D., FAAP, president and co-founder of MD Moms
With the school year under way, children’s health should be a top priority for every family. Whether your little one has just started pre-school or is back to high school after a long summer break, making sure your child is healthy is vital to academic success. The following tips will ensure the entire family stays happy and healthy in these first few weeks of school and throughout the rest of the year.

Maintain healthy eating habits all day long. To maximize your child’s learning, make sure to leave time for a healthy breakfast. Without food to fuel their brains, children may find concentrating and learning in class difficult. A healthy, complete breakfast should include complex carbohydrates (such as whole grains and fruit), as well as protein and plenty of water. Avoid beverages high in sugar in order to avoid a potential high/low sugar surge. At school, lunch and snack times give children the energy boost they need to maintain their momentum all day long. When preparing food for your child to take to school, make sure to include different food groups, such as protein, dairy, vegetables and fruit. Examples of healthy snacks that can help your child refuel and stay focused on schoolwork include low-fat cheese sticks, nuts, whole-wheat crackers and yogurt.

Don’t put too much stress on the back. Your child’s spinal health is important to keep in mind each school year. When a child’s backpack is too heavy or worn incorrectly,muscles can fatigue or become overused, leading to back pain and muscle imbalance. Make sure your child’s backpack is the right size for his or her body and frame. Also, pack the heaviest items closest to the back, with lighter items in the front. One of the most important things to remember about backpack safety is that a child’s backpack should not weigh anymore than 10 to 20 percent of his or her body weight.

Sun protection shouldn’t end with summer vacation. Although students are in the classroom most of the day, they are often outside during recess, lunch and after-school activities. These activities happen in the peak UV sun hours (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Frequently, children are sent out to play without the protection of sun block, hats or sunglasses. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends using at least an SPF 15 sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection. As a general rule, use one ounce of sunscreen (the size of a shot glass, or a palm full) per application. A good practice is to apply sunscreen in the car, enroute to school. Encourage your child to re-apply at lunchtime and after school if anticipating afternoon outdoor activities. MD Moms’ Baby Silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes, for example, contain SPF 30+ physical sunscreen and are easy to pack in your child’s book bag. Just be sure to check with your school before packing sunscreen, as some administrators require a doctor’s note prior to allowing a child to self-apply sun protection.

Don’t forget yearly checkups. Annual checkups with your child’s healthcare provider are pertinent to their learning success, and in fact many schools require them. At these checkups, children usually are screened for vision and hearing problems, allergies, anemia, sleep dysfunction and other issues that could hinder academic performance. Seeing your child’s doctor annually is a proactive way to avoid problems such as having trouble seeing the blackboard or hearing teachers speak.

Beware of germs. Sicknesses ranging from common colds to more serious maladies can spread easily between children during the school day. In order to curtail the spread of germs, make sure to teach your child the importance of washing his or her hands before meals and snacks, and encourage your child to NOT share food or beverages with other children, and practice “covering his cough”. Also, at your child’s annual checkup, make sure immunizations are up to date. Equipping your child with a small container of wipes or hand sanitizer makes remembering easy.

Extra points for staying active. By sitting behind a desk all day, children have less time for physical activity during the school year than they do in the summer. As a parent, you can find creative ways to maximize your time with your child by being active together. Turn on music and dance, have a pillow fight, race while walking home from school or clean the house together — anything to increase everyone’s heart rate and benefit cardiovascular health. Try to walk or bike to school, distance permitting.

Z’s lead to A’s. The more sleep a child gets, the better he or she is able to concentrate and excel in school. The school day can be exhausting and it is a parent’s job to make sure a child gets enough sleep to remain alert and refreshed throughout the school day. Generally, preschoolers need 12 hours (which can include naptime), kindergarteners need 11 hours, and children eight and older need an average of 10 hours. A healthy amount of sleep is important for both your child’s physical and emotional well-being.

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) lucky reader will win a set of MD Moms Sunscreen Wipes!  To ENTER, from now until October 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (Staying safe with MD Moms and @momconfessional’s #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-17r) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on October 1st 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

{ disclosure:  Mom Confessionals was not compensated in any way for this post, nor did we receive any samples.  We believe in these few simple tips that while obvious, is so important. }

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Any way to sneak in some veggies into my child’s diet is awesome in my book!  When we discovered Revolution Food’s Organic Mashups I was giddy with Glee!  My kids are already huge fans of fruit pouches.  They are particularly amazing just to throw into your purse, diaper bag and school bag.  Revolution Food’s has a huge line of Organic Fruit Mashups but with their recent addition of Fruit & Veggies Mashups, its a quick healthy way to get your daily fruits and veggies without the fuss!  You would never be able to tell veggies were included, they taste that good! They’ve made this mom’s job a helluv a lot easier. I particularly love, in light of recent headline new that they always have No Transfats, No High Fructose Corn Syrup, and No Artificial Ingredients!  It’s a no brainer for Back to School!

Available in 3 Yummy flavors -  Beetbox Berry, Carroty Chop and Blueberry Blitz – in packages of 4, these fruit & veggie pouches with kid-safe, resealable caps are available at grocery stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com.

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Knowledge helps us make our decisions and determine what is best for ourselves. Most women want to breastfeed their babies. Sadly, many women wean months before their original breastfeeding goal.

The American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommends breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for one year or for as long as is mutually desired by the mother and baby. According to the Center for Disease Control’s 2011 Breastfeeding Report Card, 74.6 percent of U.S. mothers begin breastfeeding at birth. However, more than half of those moms stop before six months and only 23.8 percent continue breastfeeding until baby’s first birthday. A variety of factors can contribute to moms not reaching their breastfeeding goals, including discomfort, lack of support, scheduling or work-related issues.  In order to achieve your six month and one-year milestones, I advise expectant moms to help themselves with the following steps:

Learn the Facts
Understanding how beneficial breastfeeding is for both you and baby is essential to your success. Medical research shows breast milk is packed with disease-fighting substances that protect your baby from disease early in life. Breastfeeding has been shown to protect against diseases in adulthood such as inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disease. Babies who are not breastfed have a higher risk of ear infections, eczema, asthma, obesity, type one and two diabetes and childhood leukemia. Beyond the physical benefits of breastfeeding, baby receives emotional stability and a stronger parent-child bond from skin-to-skin contact with mom. In moments when you feel like quitting, remember the positive physical and emotional impact you’re making on both you and your child’s life. Take one day at a time.

Breastfeeding will help you get your little one off to the best possible start and it also has numerous benefits for moms.  Women who breastfeed have a reduced risk of breast and ovarian cancer, type two diabetes and may have protection from future cardio-metabolic diseases. Breastfeeding also helps the uterus naturally contract and return to normal size after pregnancy.

Trust the Pros
Plan to learn as much as you can about breastfeeding before baby arrives. Breastfeeding classes are great for this. Talking to a Board Certified Lactation Consultant is a great source of information and will help you get personalized tips based on your specific situation. Make a list of questions and have them answered prior to your baby’s birth to reduce anxiety. This will help you start the process confidently and continue successfully. Don’t forget to check with your insurance provider before you make an appointment, as some cover lactation services.

Prepare at the Hospital
Take a tour at the hospital where you will deliver so you feel more comfortable when it is time for baby to arrive. Find out the hospital’s policies regarding skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. Moms who have immediate skin-to-skin contact with their babies through the first feeding increase their ease and comfort with breastfeeding. As soon as you arrive at the hospital, remind the doctors and nurses that you plan to breastfeed. Many times, hospitals are not fully equipped to help you breastfeed. Make your wishes clear and discuss concerns ahead of time to minimize any confusion. If the hospital is equipped to help you and provides a lactation consultant, ask your partner to stay and take notes, so you can learn together.

Secure a Support System
With a new baby, you need a support system. Many women run into obstacles and do not have the encouragement or information to overcome them. Lactation consultants and doctors can offer tips and support. While there is often a fee for a private practice lactation consultant, these services are well worth the expense – considering putting an LC visit on your baby shower wish-list. Invite a friend over who has breast-fed successfully to share experiences with someone who has been there. Also, support organizations such as La Leche League International, the Nursing Mothers’ Council and local hospitals often offer opportunities to meet and compare notes with other local breastfeeding mothers.  Most of all trust yourself to know what is best for you and your baby. Finally, make sure your partner and close family members are educated on the benefits of breastfeeding and are prepared to offer support and encouragement.

Plan for the Future
After you spend the first few weeks postpartum bonding with your baby, returning to work or your normal busy routine may become a distraction to breastfeeding. Some breastfeeding moms find a lack of privacy, inflexible schedules or fatigue can impede their breastfeeding intentions. Think about potential barriers and solutions ahead of time to help you stay on track. Before you return to work, talk to a human resources representative about your plans and understand your company’s policies and history with supporting breastfeeding mothers.  According to Section 4207 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, employers must provide reasonable break time and a private, non-bathroom place for you to express your milk during your workday until your baby is one year old.

Choose the Right Pump
If you choose to pump, having the right equipment is vital. The first decision to make when choosing a pump is whether to buy a double electric pump or a manual pump. If you plan to exclusively breastfeed and need a pump occasionally, a manual pump may be your best choice. If you plan to work outside the home or be away from baby for several hours at a time, a double-electric pump may be better fit, You may decide to purchase both (put these on your baby shower registration).  Be sure to understand the specific features of the pump, and make sure it is right for you. A pump that is comfortable and easy to use will help you continue pumping. As you research pumps, check to see if the company has a warrantee or a guarantee for their product and if they have a track record for good customer service.  Be sure to open the pump you get, read the instructions, and know how to use it prior to your baby’s arrival. Understanding your pump ahead of needing to use it will help you avoid frustration once your baby arrives.

With the proper planning and support you can meet your breastfeeding goals. Years down the road you’ll be glad you persevered, and you will reflect fondly on those quiet moments you and your baby enjoyed as you provided the physical and emotional benefits of breast milk. Remember, you are the final expert on you. Knowledge of the benefits of breastfeeding, understanding how breastfeeding works and knowing that it can work for you is your greatest advantage in this adventure.

GIVEAWAY: ONE (1) very lucky readers will win a Simplisse Gia Angled Breastfeeding Pillow and Bebe Au Lait Nursing Cover!  To ENTER, from now until September 15th 2011 you MUST subscribe to Mom Confessionals.  For additional entries – 1st Option – If you follow me on twitter @momconfessional and re-tweet this giveaway (I just entered @momconfessional’s Simplisse & Bebe Au Lait #Giveaway! http://wp.me/pLvfH-15w) – 2nd Option – If you “like” us on Facebook and share the giveaway with your friends. DON’T FORGET to visit this FORM and leave a separate entry for each action. Giveaway only open to those with U.S. addresses and must be 18 years or older. Giveaway ends on September 15th 2011 at 11:59 EST. A winner will be selected randomly by Random.org and notified by e-mail.

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Bloggers, have you looked recently at all the stuff you’ve accumulated?  I’m not talking about just the swag, but the papers, press releases and ALL those flash drives!  I love those flash drives.  I’d rather get them than the hard copies but to that end, I’ve amassed over 84 of them in the past year.  I remember the days when I had to purchase one for school and they were a pretty penny.  Now I’m practically raining them!   It has become a mission for me to figure out what to do with all those flash drives.

Over time, a minute here and there, I open up my Mac Disk Utility and format those babies, one at a time.  Once formatted they’ve gone into a handy little box labeled FORMATTED.  At first I considered donating them to my daughter’s school.  While I am sure that they would greatly appreciate them, I wanted them to do a greater good.  A greater good you say?  What do I mean?

Well, a little research uncovered that flash drives are need for everyone from schools in under-served neighborhoods, to organizations helping teen boys find jobs and single moms returning to the work force.  A little more digging and I discovered some great places in New York City via a New York Magazine Article – “Where to Donate Everything” –to donate all my flash drives, blogger swag drag and all the other excess in my life.

The Flash Drives will be heading to Mercy Center  (377 E. 145th St., nr. Willis Ave., the Bronx; 718-993-2789) for its women’s job-training program, the center needs new 1 and 2 GB flash drives, which I’ve got a plethora of!

Looking at the list, I’ve got tons of used baby items that would be greatly appreciated by The Children’s Aid Society (105 E. 22nd St., at Park Ave. 212-949-4684)  The Society is in dire need of new shoes and apparel—as well as strollers, diaper bags, car seats, and high chairs—for the 100,000 kids (ages 0 to 11) that it serves. I’ve got much and yet so little of what they truly need.

How about it Bloggers and Friends, would you join me and make charity a year round thing?

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I’m a little crazy about sun protection as everyone should be.  I’m always scouring my family for signs of skin cancer.  No, there is no history in our family but at the same time, they love to be in the sun ALL the time. If they’d only invent a dip that lasts each summer season I would be so happy.  Every year it seems we’re searching for a new sunscreen.  Our first year was our California Baby Sunscreen.  As much as we loved it, it’s thick as can be and applying it can be somewhat of an art form.  It’s still our emergency sunscreen if we run out as it’s often commercially available at some of our favorite box-top stores.

This year I was hoping to find one that wasn’t as pastie and easier to apply, more like a lotion.  We stumbled upon Sunbow Sunscreen.  It is rated on the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Database with a score of 2.  While it’s not the lowest, it’s not the worst offender either (10 is the highest and worst score).  What I love about Sunbow is that my daughter loves it.  Why?  Because it is covered in her absolute favorite character, Dora the Explorer.  I struggle enough getting that first application of sunscreen on and a repeat is often a fight of will – will she or won’t she.  To prove my point, welcome to my little puerto rican princess.  People often look at her and then look at me and I can see their heads swimming in wonder, where is her mother?  Har Har Har… she tans dark.  Oh I hope for a summer where she colors more closely to mine.  While I intend not to abuse my skin, I plan on slathering her every hour instead of the recommended 2½ hours.  Hey a girl’s gotta try!  Maybe this summer she’ll be a little more Filipino?

Sunbow comes in 3 different application methods – tube, spray and stick.  It’s a winning combination.  While I found the tube as thick as our trusty California Baby, I’ve come to terms that it may be the best coverage yet.  We love the spray!  What I can appreciate is the fun colors that it applies on as, but dries CLEAR.  It lets me know that I haven’t missed a spot and the kids think it’s just magical!  My routine now includes tube first, spray for reapplication and stick for nose, ears and cheeks  – swipe, swipe and swipe!  Sometimes you have to embrace those characters, they can be your friends!  They will be a staple on our end of summer trip!

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