A New Definition for "baby powder?"

If you thought a little stray poop was the only thing lingering on those nasty public changing tables, think again! A study from the UK paper, The Daily Telegraph, found a substance that is even more disturbing.

Click here to read the recent article.

Cereal Killer

When I was growing up, my mom had a rule I thought was cruel and unusual punishment. She absolutely refused to buy any cereal in which sugar was listed as one of the top three ingredients. As a typical kid, I often railed against this stringent decree and took it upon myself to gorge on these forbidden cereals whenever I spent the night out. I vowed that when I became a mom, I wouldn't perpetrate such injustice on my own children.

Fast-forward some 30+ years and I daresay, I've taken my mom's dietary rules to a whole new level!

Which is why I was especially dismayed to read the latest study from the Environmental Working Group (EWG) related to the health of cereals marketed to kids (or should I say, lack of health).

The study found that many of the top selling cereals, often marketed as "nutritious" are anything but -- filled with enough sugar, fat and/or sodium to rival treats like cookies and cake. Topping the list of the worst offenders was Kellogg's Honey Smacks (lest we forget it was actually named "Sugar Smacks" when I was a kid).

Don't be fooled by the honey hype. Honey Smacks packs 56 percent sugar by weight and one cup contains more sugar than a Twinkie (20grams vs 18grams). And by the way, the first three ingredients of Honey Smacks are sugar, wheat and corn syrup. Actual honey is listed as making up less than two percent of the total. Nearly 50 other name-brand cereal portions are filled with as much sugar as three Chip's Ahoy cookies, including Honey Nut Cheerios and Apple Jacks.

I'll admit, I'm a big label reader when it comes to food my kids eat. But I know I'm not the norm and it so sad that unsuspecting parents are being duped into giving their kids unhealthy fare to start their day (yes, I'm talking to you, Nutella, with your misleading commercials!)

This is just another reminder that you can't believe what you see when it comes to your kids' health. Take time to read more than just the splashy graphics on the front of the box. Just because a product touts that it contains "whole grain" or is even organic, doesn't mean that tells the whole story. Check out the ingredients yourself to get a scoop on the real nutrition and you'll really get your kids' days off to a good start!

To read more on the EWG cereal study, click here.

Food for Thought Friday

Think all things "Disney" are expensive? Think again!

Did you know that you are entitled to a replacement dvd if one of your Disney flicks gets damaged in any way? Yep, and it's nearly free.

According to Disney's DVD/Blu Ray Help Center, all you have to do is send in the movie that needs replacing and for $7 per DVD and $9 per Blu Ray, they will send you a brand new one, no questions asked.

So, the next time your disc gets mangled, crushed, or otherwise destroyed, assure your kids it's a-ok.

You can only take advantage of this program one time per calendar year. For more information on this generous offer, click here.

Clear the air - naturally

A few weeks ago, I took my son to one of those kid-friendly haircut places. It was late in the day and they had started tidying up the place in anticipation of closing. As we paid, the owner walked casually around the place, spraying an aerosol air-cleaner. I nearly chocked to death on the noxious smell. Even my three-year-old started complaining and we both tried to hold our breath until we could run out to the car.

I absolutely abhor products that aim to cover up smells by polluting the air with toxic chemicals. Before I became a mom, I used to embrace all things Lysol, but now that I know what some of these cleaning and disinfecting products contain, I only break them out when absolutely necessary.

Which is why I was intrigued by a new product I came across while perusing the web for holiday gifts. I have no first-hand experience with this product, but it has piqued my interest. It's a portable, inexpensive, all-natural air purifier, in the form of small linen bag filled with bamboo charcoal. According to the literature, it's been used for centuries in Japan to literally, "clear the air" of allergens and odor-causing bacteria. Each small pouch works for two years and covers an area of about 90 feet. With a price point of just $10, it's worth a try!

For more information, visit uncommon goods.

I Gotta Hand it to You

I know you're all very busy getting prepped for the holidays and winter break, but I'm sure you are aware (because you marked your calendars) that it is Handwashing Awareness Week! (What.... you don't have a party planned to celebrate???)

Anyhoo....as you may or may not realized, washing your hands is the single best way to prevent illness. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), frequent hand washing has the potential to save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention. Yep, it's true. And amazingly, this miracle remedy resides right in your very own bathroom.

However, as simple as this may seem, studies have shown that very few people actually use soap when they wash their hands. Ick! This is especially important because the CDC also found that proper hand washing is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which cause more than 3.5 million deaths worldwide in children under the age of five every year.

So, do yourself a favor and review what your parents (hopefully) taught you back in Kindergarten. There is actually a right way to wash, if you want to get rid of germs. Flu season is upon us and I for one, don't like to take any chances. Besides, what's 20 seconds out of your life if it saves you a week or more of sniffles, coughs and a house full of miserable kids.

In case you need a little review, here's what the CDC considers the most effective method of washing:

• Wet your hands with clean running water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
• Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry. 

See....now was that so hard? Take a peek at your kids sometime soon to make sure they are getting it right too. After all, nobody wants to spend winter break in bed.

At least not for the wrong reasons!

Food for Thought Friday

Here in the South, people pull out their faux furs and mittens as soon as the mercury dips below 50. This flyer, distributed at a school in Minnesota,  just goes to show that when it comes to winter, it's all relative.

What's in a name?

In about an hour, Fox is debuting their newest comedy with Jaime Pressly of "My Name is Earl" fame. While I don't plan to watch the show, I was alerted to it by an over-sized, electronic billboard blaring the program's tacky title past rush-hour traffic.

I find it hard to believe that a network executive actually came up with and approved the name for this prime time comedy  -- "I Hate My Teenage Daughter."

Is it meant to be humorous? Ironic? Over-the-top to draw viewers and/or ratings?

Early reviews have not been kind so I'm guessing that despite the "catchy" title, the program may hit the skids before we figure out who actually hates whom in this family romp.

Many (many) years ago, I actually was a teenager and someday, I will actually have a teenager daughter of my own. And while I fear I may, at times, share the title's controversial sentiment, I still find it jarring and tactless. Yes, it's just a television show and probably a bad one at that, but must they really stoop so low? Even the movie "Mean Girls" which was about just that, didn't offend so blatantly right off the bat. As the mom of young kids, it's all I can do to minimize the use of words like "hate" and I certainly don't need them plastered all over the highway while I drive carpool.

Headline-grabbing labels like this may get attention in the short-term (I'm blogging about it so that's obvious). I may not be a teen anymore but as a mom, I find it insulting and sad that a title like this made it past the censors.

Food for Thought Friday

Most parents deck their nurseries out in a cool, pale blue or a ballet pink, with the requisite Pottery Barn Kids accessories. Not this uber creative couple. Check out their kid's "crib" as seen in the latest issue of D magazine, online.

Is it hip, funky and retro? Or odd, over-the-top and gauche?

Possibly all of the above?

For more photos of this family's abode, click here.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Craving some family fun and a holiday treat that won't add inches to your thighs? Try this on for size.

Pumpkin Pie Play Dough

ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 2 TBS vegetable oil
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 2 TBS cream of tartar
• 2 TBS pumpkin pie spice 
• paprika for coloring

Mix wet ingredients and paprika in saucepan over low heat. Add dry ingredients and mix. Remove from heat and knead until good consistency for play.

Food for Thought Friday

Since the clock is ticking on the window in which you can receive a flu shot, I wanted to throw in my two cents...for what it's worth.

I know that some of you out there subscribe to the Jenny McCarthy school of thought that vaccines are evil and must be avoided, lest we poison our children with these man-made medicines. But in reality, vaccines are not the devil they've been portrayed as in the media and in fact, many of the news stories that originally found vaccines dangerous have since been debunked.

The fact is, vaccines keep our society, and especially our most vulnerable citizens (ie: kids and the elderly or infirm) free from horrible diseases that once ran rampant in our country. Yet, for all their benefits, Americans remain surprisingly skeptical about them.

Last year, only 43 percent of people in the U.S. got a flu shot. Experts note that the flu kills more people each year then any vaccine-preventable disease. Read that sentence again and be sure to seriously mull it over before you toss the idea aside. My son's teacher skipped the shot last year and missed nearly a month of school due to her lapse in judgement. Thankfully, she recovered but it's a misstep she has vowed not to repeat.

Each year, the flu kills nearly 50,000 people and sends another 200,000 to the hospital. Children are especially at risk. Just ask the parents of 4 1/2 year-old Amanda Kanowitz. Amanda was a healthy preschooler before she suddenly came down with the flu. Three days after being stricken, she died, leaving her family devastated but determined to spread the word about this preventable danger.

In case you're still on the fence (hey, I get that you are a worrywart, or just queasy about needles), here are a few other thoughts to keep in mind.

• It is impossible to get the flu from the flu shot. The virus contained in the shot is dead and the biggest side effect you can expect is a sore arm or a slightly runny nose. 

• The preservative, thermerosal, was once contained in flu shots but was phased out ten years ago from both the flu mist and single-dose vials. A small level is still used in vials that store multiple doses so if you're concerned, find a preservative-free option but don't let it deter you from getting the vaccination or giving it to your kids.

• The flu is much more serious than a bad cold. At best, it will have you in bed aching with fever, sore throat and congestion for a week or longer. At works, it can kill you.

So, if you've declined to get the shot this year, think again. Time is running out. 

Food for Thought Friday

“Waking up in the middle of the night is the problem of every woman I know. The minute I had children I was like the mother listening in the woods for the bear. I don’t know if men are less vigilant, but my husband doesn’t wake up in the middle of the night. He could sleep in a dunking booth.”
                                                                                                                    -- Novelist, Meg Wolitzer.

Last year, nearly 16 million women between the ages of 40 and 59 were prescribed medication to help them sleep. Studies show that of mother's with infants, 84% experience insomnia. But sadly, sleep issues are likely to continue after your child is out of diapers -- not just with the kids, with the mommies as well.

Speaking as the world's lightest sleeper, I am practically woken by the sound of my kids turning over in bed. In my college days living in a big city, I could sleep through a cacophony of fire engines, ambulances and police sirens screeching all through the night. Now, I regularly wake at an ungodly hour to the pitter patter of little feet shuffling down the hall, followed by a small face appearing inches in front of mine, shout-whispering, "Mama!" This while my husband is blissfully unaware, snoring away. Often he doesn't know what nocturnal adventures have occurred in our house until I inform him the next morning.

How has having kids affected your sleep? If your kids are great sleepers, I won't judge you. I may hate you, but I won't judge.

Food for Thought Friday

Who knew it was this easy?

Food for Thought Friday

Looking forward to Halloween but not the stash of never-ending candy that always lingers after the holiday?

Guard your kids' teeth and protect your own thighs by locating a local dentist participating in a candy "buy-back." Goodies are donated to military serving overseas and kids are rewarded with cash in exchange for their sugary treats.

To find a drop-off spot in your area, click here.

Food for Thought Friday

Cantaloupes, eggs, salad greens, sprouts....

There was a time when that read like a list of things you could only dream of getting your kids to eat. Now, that dream has become a nightmare for dozens of people across the country.

Each of those items, along with many others, have been recalled in recent months for contamination by listeria, salmonella or E Coli. It used to be that we were frightened of getting sick from food coming in from other countries (ie: China) or at your filthy corner bodega with the horrendous food safety rating. Now the threat hits much closer to home --  right in our own backyard (literally, in some cases). To date, more than 25 people have died from contaminated cantaloupe in the past month -- the worst case of food borne illness in the U.S. since 1985. Culprits of the sickening fruit were likely unclean equipment in the Colorado farm that processed it, and pools of water on the floor that served as breeding grounds for the deadly bacteria.

I'm a huge Farmer's Market foodie, and always assumed I was getting safer produce at such places, but sadly, that is not always the case. Just recently, the CDC came out with a report detailing outbreaks of salmonella at so-called "backyard farms." The eggs were traced to chicks purchased from a mail-order hatchery (sounds odd, but is actually rather common for urban chicken farmers). I've toyed with the idea of getting a chicken coop in my own backyard, though I think my neighborhood association (and my husband) would freak out.

Apparently, chickens can look and act completely healthy, yet still be carrying a variety of deadly viruses which they then pass on to humans through touch, or consuming their eggs or meat. Kids are especially vulnerable to such bacteria and often the effects can be deadly (this is the same reason why it's really important to wash your kids' hands after they touch farm animals or visit a petting zoo of any kind).

For now, I'll leave egg production to the professionals. I just hope they know what they are doing. Have these recent recalls changed the way your family eats? I'll admit, I've been hesitant about buying cantaloupe lately, even though the affected fruit did not apparently end up in Georgia. Unfortunately, we don't know about many dangerous foods until someone gets sick. Even when a recall is issued after the fact, it's too little to late for too many.

Food for Thought Friday

I'm so lucky that my kids adore fruits and veggies (please don't hate me!). I've never had to resort to hiding the nutritious stuff inside other things so they wouldn't realize what they were eating. But, I know many of you out there don't share my good fortune and meal time can be an agonizing battle of wills.

I recently came across a nifty little blog that aims to take a wide array of decadent desserts and and reinvent them in a healthier manner without sacrificing taste. (For some reason, this reminds me of that old Folgers coffee commercial and I keep replaying it in my head -- "Mr. and Mrs. Johnson don't know it but we've replaced the coffee they usually serve with our own Folgers mountain grown coffee....")

Anyhoo.....

I just tried a "cookie dough" dip that seemed too good to be true and yet, it didn't disappoint. None of my guests had any clue what it was actually made of. I'll give you a hint: You could call it chocolate chip hummus, but that just wouldn't go over quite as well.

So, if you want to coerce your kids into downing some veggies without twisting their arms to do it, try this on for size. Added bonus: It's gluten-free and can be made nut-free as well if you use sunflower seed butter. You can find this and other delicious dessert recipes at Chocolate Covered Katie. Mmmmmmm.......

photo courtesy: Chocolate Covered Katie

Healthy "Cookie Dough" Dip:

• 1 1/2 cups chickpeas (1 can, drained)
• 1/8 tsp plus 1/16 tsp salt
• tiny bit over 1/8 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup nut butter (You can get away with using only 3 T)
• up to 1/4 cup nondairy milk (Start with 1 T, and add more as needed)
• 2/3 cup brown sugar (easily can use slightly less if desired)
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 2 to 3 T oats (or flaxmeal) (You can omit, but also omit the milk if you do)

Add all ingredients (except for chocolate chips) to a blender or food processor, and blend until very smooth. Then mix in the chocolate chips.

Food for Thought Friday

Ever read the labels of most of the snack foods and birthday treats your kids ingest on a weekly basis? I try to make a habit of buying things with ingredients I can pronounce, though I have little control over what the kids get at school, on playdates or at other extracurricular functions.

Hats off to the Los Angeles Unified School District food services division which recently banned sulfites, artificial red dye #40, and yellow dye #5. In case you are wondering, Yellow #5 is actually derived from coal tar. Yes, coal, as in the stuff mined in West Virginia that has been linked to all sorts of cancers. This particular food dye has been banned in other countries and numerous studies have linked it to hyperactivity. Yet, it and many others are still approved by the FDA. Go figure?

So, the next time you see those disgusting and ill-designed ads for Kool-Aid that show the kids with multi-colored tongues, perhaps you'll decide not to drink and dye. Your kids may gripe, but they may just thank you in the long run.

The End of a Life but not a Legacy

In the coming days, papers, magazines, the web and every conceivable talking head will be consumed by the death of Steve Jobs. His career ups and downs will be delved into, dissected and analyzed. The privacy he guarded so fiercely will unravel a bit more. We'll hear interviews with his colleagues, competitors and fans and see photos of his spectacular progression from college-drop out to one of the greatest tech innovators the world has ever known.

But as fantastic as all that is, I am especially moved by his humble beginnings as the child of an unwed, single mom who was put up for adoption and despite many obstacles and setbacks, his drive and vision never seemed to falter. It's hard to reconcile Steve Jobs - the legend, with Steve Jobs - the man who once turned in Coke cans to earn a nickle and walked miles to get a hot meal at a Hare Krishna Temple after he dropped out of school. He famously founded Apple Computers at 20 in his parents' garage, only to be ousted when the company reached the $2 billion mark ten years later.

But these "setbacks" didn't actually set him back at all. Each time, he kept moving forward, finding a way to do what he loved and build upon his entrepreneurial gift again and again. After being fired from Apple, he went on to found Pixar, the venerable movie studio behind such hits as the Toy Story and Cars franchises.

In the end, even the most successful, seemingly iconic of us cannot escape death. Death is the great equalizer and while he certainly must have known it was inevitable sooner rather than later, in his case, Steve Jobs left a great legacy of how to live your life in the here and now. I hope that future generations learn from his amazing journey and strive to continue with their passions, even in the face of adversity. Sometimes, the greatest things in life are accomplished by accident.

In a commencement address Jobs gave at Stanford University, he talked candidly about his life and passed along some lessons that are worth repeating.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

His work and his words outlive him and I've no doubt his contribution to our current way of life will be reflected for decades to come.

Baby Love

I don't usually post things purely for sentimental value. But I just couldn't resist this one.

Amazingly, this is not a photo-shopped picture. It was taken in a NICU unit in 1995 when two twins were placed in the same incubator by a nurse who'd read it was beneficial for them to sleep together. Weighing only 2 lbs, one of the babies improved significantly after co-bedding with her sister. Today they are happy and healthy and the photo that originally ran in the Worcester Telegram & Gazette remains an indelible image.

Food for Thought Friday

Who is this woman and what is she doing at Target?

I'll give you a hint.....Secret Service had to "sweep" the store almost an hour before her arrival.

Maybe she's returning some of those Missoni items she couldn't sell on Ebay. Ya think?

Food for Thought Friday

Despite the fact that REM has just broken up, it isn't in fact, "The End of the World as we Know It."

My fellow Americans -- In case you were planning on hiding out under your bed today, counting your blessings and saying goodbye to your loved ones, let me put your fears to rest. NASA has now confirmed that any remaining fragments from the satellite set to fall to earth today will not hit North America.

Apparently, the space agency has somehow determined that the debris (which they say could be as heavy as 300 lb chunks) will likely land in the ocean when it likely falls to earth sometime around 6:30pm ET. Most of the remnants of the ailing satellite will burn up once it enters our atmosphere, but nearly half-a-ton could hit the ground or sea. Witnesses to falling debris will likely see something akin to a fireworks display and NASA officials say that in the entire history of the agency, nobody has ever been injured by falling satellite debris.

So, you can safely go ahead with your weekend plans. It's official -- the world will NOT be coming to an end -- at least not today.

Phew!

Independence Day

If you're a child of the '70s, as I am, no self-respecting, forward-thinking household was complete without a copy of the groundbreaking record, "Free to Be....You and Me." Who can forget those heartwarming and sometimes hilarious classics sung by the likes of Marlo Thomas, Mel Brooks, Diana Ross, Alan Alda, even the late, great, Michael Jackson. Where else can you hear a song like "It's Alright to Cry," belted out by a professional football star? Others like, "William's Doll," shattered stereotypes and promoted acceptance and tolerance long before it was en vogue.

Thank goodness my parents raised such an evolved kid, because my 3-year-old son came to me the other day and announced that he wants to take ballet lessons. Now, honestly, I didn't even blink before saying ok. I see absolutely nothing wrong with this scenario. I know I may be in the minority because I've since mentioned this to other moms who laughed and told me they'd never permit their sons, despite their young age, to take a class meant for girls.

I do know of at least one other boy who is planning to sign up for the class, so my little guy won't be alone in his gender. But even if he was flying solo, I think it's so great that he can assert his independence and I want to do everything I can to encourage my kids to make decisions based on what they enjoy as individuals and not as what society deems appropriate.

Besides, Natalie Portman is engaged to marry a total hottie who is an accomplished ballet dancer. And look at Mikhail Baryshnikov.....his time in tights hasn't appeared to hold him back. Hello! Who would watch Dancing With the Stars if the only ones hoofing it were women?

So whether it's soccer, baseball, drama or dance lessons, I'm taking my cues from one of my favorite tunes off that iconic album.

Don't Dress Your Cat in an Apron

Don't dress your cat in an apron
Just 'cause he's learning to bake.

Don't put your horse in a nightgown
Just 'cause he can't stay awake.

Don't dress your snake in a muu-muu
Just 'cause he's off on a cruise.

Don't dress your whale in galoshes
If she really prefers overshoes.

A person should wear what he wants to
And not just what other folks say.

A person should do what he likes to -
A person's a person that way.

Food for Thought Friday

Eating out with kids is always an adventure. It's like not unlike watching an episode of Jersey Shore -- it's loud, obnoxious and you often question what made you want to do it in the first place.

It's always tricky picking a restaurant that will please everyone in our family. We try to rotate so everyone gets a chance to choose. My kids are pretty adventurous and we've made an effort to expose them to a variety of ethnic tastes so it's not unheard of for them to crave Indian or Middle Eastern fare.

As a mom, I'm always looking for healthy alternatives to cooking at home and fortunately, a few national chains have stepped up to the plate (literally), offering fresh, organic meals that appeal to kids and their parents.

One of our "go-to" spots has always been Sweet Tomatoes, a salad buffet that also features soups, pizzas, fruit, pastas and of course, the obligatory frozen yogurt. That's why I was even more pleased to read that they recently earned a "green" seal of approval for adding more organic offerings to their menu. They've also made a concerted effort to reduce waste, conserve energy and water and implement non-toxic cleaning products in all their restaurants.

If your palate is a bit more sophisticated, you might check out one of the dining options participating in Share Our Strength's "Great American Dine Out", kicking off on Sunday. This nationwide fundraiser allows a variety of culinary establishments to donate a portion of their proceeds to hunger relief organizations. With an estimated 16 million kids in our country going hungry on a regular basis, the need could not be greater.

I do find it a bit unsettling that my going out for a nice meal helps those who are going without food. But hey, if it raises money for a good cause, then I guess the end justifies the means.

For more information or to find a list of restaurants in your area, click here.

Fashion Week is right on Target

Don't hate me for not reminding you that today was the day that Missoni launched their limited edition collection with Target. Do you mean to tell me that you didn't have this marked on your calendar months ago when it was first announced?

I actually was going to blog about this yesterday, and I did in fact have this on my calendar, but I thought most readers would think I was a bit nutty to be writing about such things.

Apparently, there are a lot of other nutty moms out there.

I sauntered into Target near my son's school today at around 9:10am, shortly after I dropped him off. Sadly, all I saw were bare racks of women's clothing and accessories with the Missoni logo on top.  Assuming the clerks had yet to stock the merchandise since the stores had only opened an hour before, I asked a saleswoman when the items would be for sale. She laughed and told me that they were already sold out. Women had camped outside the store and run in like vultures when the doors opened at 8am. One cashier told me that one customer spent more than $3,000 at her register.

In a panic that I'd missed the fashion opportunity of a lifetime, I called my mom in Florida and told her to immediately go to Target and collect every item she remotely thought I might want. They were all returnable, I reasoned, and I figured many would be soon fetching high prices on Ebay. In the meantime, having only an hour before a doctor's appointment, I drove to a Target farther outside the city and found many items still available. The iconic Italian fashion house has outdone themselves reaching out to the masses with everything from shoes, handbags, clothing for men, women and kids, dishes, sheets and towels, paper goods, hair accessories, candles, pillows...even bicycles.  I filled my cart like their was no tomorrow. I can only imagine that this is what Charlie Sheen must feel like at the Playboy mansion.

It turns out, there is no tomorrow, at least where Missoni for Target is concerned. Within hours, stores all across the country were stripped clean of the zigzag patterned motifs. The Target site crashed repeatedly throughout the day, leaving many without access to a local Target in the lurch. As of this writing, there are nearly 10,000 Missoni for Target items listed on Ebay, some for more than eight times their retail value.

I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I bought so much that American Express put a fraud alert on my card thinking that it had been stolen. They called me to advise me and I meekly admitted that yes, I was making a purchase for that amount at Target. Half of what I bought will likely go back since I grabbed multiple sizes rather than trying things on in the store. And some of my impulse purchases will be returned or given as gifts. Plus, my mom still owes me a birthday present this year so I figure a fraction of it will be covered.

All I can say is that today, my drab mommy wardrobe got a boost from an unlikely source. I've always coveted Missoni but more from afar and not from within my own closet. I'm sure the ladies who shop at Neiman Marcus would shudder to think that the label is now slumming, but I for one think it was a brilliant move.

However, I'm not sure my husband will agree when he sees the bill.

If you're feeling lucky, try logging on to the Target site to see what's left.

In Memorium

I've struggled for some time now with what to write about on this heartbreaking anniversary. Like all of you, I remember exactly where I was when I watched the horrible events that seemed too surreal to be true. Still single, I was on the phone with my friend Barrie, both of us tuned in to The Today Show trying to make sense of what we were seeing. I remember sitting in complete silence for long stretches as the flames engulfed the buildings and newscasters struggled to make sense of the senseless. I'm not sure why we stayed on the phone when neither of us was talking for most of the time, but I guess we both felt the need for some connection at what seemed a total disconnect from reality as we knew it.

On September 11, 2001, my father was a commercial airline pilot for a major carrier and just happened to be scheduled to fly out of New York that day. For a brief time when I could not reach him by cell phone and the news had yet to report the airline that had been hijacked, I imagined the worst. When he finally phoned, safe from the cockpit where all planes were on indefinite hold, I could barely contain my emotions. I was so thankful he'd been spared, but so completely overwhelmed with what was happening. My brother also lived in NYC at the time and was able to see the smoke and smell the debris from his apartment in Gramercy Park.

But it was the experience of a close cousin that brought the events home to me on that day. Having just moved back to the United States from Israel (partially due to her family's concerns over terrorism), she had recently taken a job in the World Trade Center. Fortuitously late for work that day, she was on the subway when the attacks occurred. When she arrived at the site all hell was breaking loose and she was at the scene just as the buildings fell. She told me she took off her shirt and placed it over her nose and mouth so she could breathe among the dirt and dust and just started running, thinking that she'd jump into the water if she came to the edge of the island. Thankfully, she emerged from that day physically fine, if not emotionally shattered.

We all have our stories. We all share in the collective memory of 9-11. My children will learn about this horrible atrocity in history books while we watched it unfold in real time in person or on live television. I remember feeling that, for a brief period following the attacks, society became a bit more civilized. Americans seemed to feel a sense of camaraderie as if we were "all in this together" and many of us acted with such kindness and respect toward one another. Like the buildings themselves, harsh exteriors fell away leaving only a shell of what had been and a human race striped bare of emotion was forced to rebuild from the ground up. I remember feeling that I wish it hadn't taken such a tragic event to create such a positive byproduct, but alas, like the day itself, it was short-lived. All too soon we resumed our lives, many of us as if nothing were amiss, save for the additional hassles at the airport and occasional stories of rumored terrorist plots.

But for so many, life will never be the same. Over the past few weeks, I've read countless stories of families who lost loved ones and have spent the past decade trying to glean meaning from the lives of those that were cut tragically short. Many have established memorials, camps, scholarships and other philanthropic endeavors to help bring light where there was once only darkness. Children have grown up without mothers or fathers, getting to know their lost loved ones through pictures and second-hand stories. It all seems so unfair. Yet, we go on. We have no choice but to move forward while this horrific day recedes further away in time.

There is a Jewish tradition that calls for a memorial candle to be lit in a house of mourning immediately after a death in the family or to commemorate the anniversary of that death. While my family was fortunate enough not to have lost any immediate members on 9-11, we will light a candle today for all of those who lost their lives. I pray that their souls and those of their families have found peace and that while their lives were extinguished that day, that the spark of their being lives on through the good deeds and memories of those who loved them.

As a young girl, one of the first times I really came into contact with the idea of grief was through reading the book, "The Diary of Anne Frank". It's been years since I've read the thoughts and brilliant observations of the teenage Anne who suffered such a terrible fate but remained an optimist til the very end. So much of her writing still rings true and as I struggle to come to grips with the pain and suffering that characterize this day it's her profound words that bring me comfort.

"I don't think of all the misery, but of all the beauty that still remains."

I pray that my children and my children's children never know first-hand of such loss and devastation. I wish I could say the world today is a different (safer and more positive) place than it was 10 years ago. May we all do what we can to move in that direction during the days and years to come.

Food for Thought Friday

“They shouldn’t be thinking about the fact that it’s been 10 years. For them, it’s every day.”

-- Andrea Russin of Princeton, NJ speaking about her twins who were born four days after their father died in the 9-11 attacks at the World Trade Center. 

The art of disconnecting

A friend recently sent me a link to this very refreshing email message and I just had to pass it along. First of all, if this "Josh" truly exists, he is a G-d among men (and husbands). Second, in this age of constant access, what a creative and yet honest way to get his point across.

Below is the out-of-office email, written by Josh Kopelman prior to leaving for vacation. Josh, wherever you are, I salute you!

I am currently out of the office on vacation.
I know I’m supposed to say that I’ll have limited access to email and won’t be able to respond until I return — but that’s not true. My blackberry will be with me and I can respond if I need to. And I recognize that I’ll probably need to interrupt my vacation from time to time to deal with something urgent.
That said, I promised my wife that I am going to try to disconnect, get away and enjoy our vacation as much as possible. So, I’m going to experiment with something new. I’m going to leave the decision in your hands:

• If your email truly is urgent and you need a response while I’m on vacation, please resend it to XXXXX@XXXX.com and I’ll try to respond to it promptly.
• If you think someone else at [the company] might be able to help you, feel free to email my assistant, and she’ll try to point you in the right direction.

· Otherwise, I’ll respond when I return…
Warm regards,
Josh

Food for Thought Friday

Does this new coloring book about the events of September 11, 2001 inspire healing or hatred? Is it patriotic or propaganda?

You be the judge.

See more of the book and images here.

Toddlers with Tatas

You could say, a little TLC goes a looooooong way. At least when referring to the television network, that is.

Tonight's episode of Toddler's & Tiaras hits a new low as one mom actually gives her daughter a C cup to perform a toddler tribute to Dolly Parton. I've heard of these so-called "pageant moms" waxing their kid's eyebrows, dying their hair and applied scads of makeup, but boobs...really? Is that what we've come to? It's not Halloween for another two months people!

Incase you forgot, TLC actually stands for "The Learning Channel." What exactly are we learning from watching little girls prance around in fake bobbies on stage, in front of a bunch of judges? Perhaps this will come in handy when they resort to stuffing their bras in high school? Or maybe this is just foreshadowing when a bunch of them enter the Miss America pageant, because you know how often these little beauties end up "making it" on their looks. Just sayin'.

Tune in tonight at 10pm EST on your own boob tube if you want to see for yourself.

Food for thought Friday

Is it just me or does anyone else out there think to clean the library books their kids check out? Maybe this is my true paranoia showing, but I will say, the wipes I use are often coated in blackness after I swab the books, sort of bolstering my theory of their griminess.

Who is to say the last kid who read the book didn't have it in bed with him while he recovered from the flu? Maybe someone's little brother threw up on it? Perhaps another toddler cradled it in their hands while on the potty?

I'm all for reading....just want to keep my stories good and clean!

Crime & Punishment

This week, an Alaska mom was convicted of misdemeanor child abuse for punishing her adopted son by forcing him to take cold showers and putting hot sauce in his mouth. The case has received much publicity, in large part due to the fact that it appears the mother videotaped her poor parenting choices in an effort to become a guest on the "Dr. Phil Show".

The fact that a video exists of this whole episode is the only reason it came to light and was brought into a courtroom. Most controversial discipline tactics may receive hushed condemnation or stunned reactions, but unless the behavior of a mother or father is clearly criminal, it is usually a private, family matter.

This got me thinking.....are we stumbling into a world where even bad parenting is regulated by law? Or, is this a case of poor parenting stepping over the line and entering the criminal realm? There are loads and loads of bad parents out there -- one was just acquitted in Florida of murdering her toddler -- but if we jail parents for controversial behavior, we'll have to build an awful lot more prisons.  I'm not a lawyer (nor do I play one tv), so I can't really speculate on the legalities involved in this particular case. I've seen the videotape that aired on "Dr. Phil" and I think, at the very least, this is a mother who was clearly at her wits end. But ironically, what comes across even more is that her behavior is much worse than that of her child. How could she not have noticed this before submitting the tape to a nationally syndicated talk show?

This is an five-year-old we're talking about here.  While this mother did have several of her own biological children (in fact, she made her own 10-year-old daughter film the incident in question), this boy was adopted from Russia and presumably has had a tough time acclimating, as many adopted children often do. I'm sure most of us can relate to the frustrations and annoyances of life with a preschooler, but unduly harsh tactics just don't work in the long-run and often just scare kids into submission. This woman needed much more help than a tv therapist like Dr. Phil could provide and I do often wonder how these producers can, in good conscience, put people like this on their shows. In a way, our reality-loving tv culture of voyeurism and exploitation also bears some of the blame for fostering an environment where this sort of behavior is tolerated and even encouraged as a way to get a ratings boost. (For the record, even when it aired, Dr. Phil referred to the clip as "over the top.").

If the sole reason for this videotape was to make this mom "famous," she's gotten her wish -- though I seriously doubt it's the sort of attention she originally intended. This case has been commented on to death already and I just viewed a segment on Sean Hannity's show on Fox where guest Bill Cunningham actually condones the beating of kids as long as it's done "appropriately and with love." First of all, what does that even mean? When is it ever appropriate to "beat" a child? And second, who gets to pick and choose when violence is warranted? Is there a rule book out there that I don't know about? Do we as adults really need to physically lash out at kids in order to punish them, or do we do this as a way of getting out our own aggression. And if the latter is true, who really needs a "time out?"

This woman may now spend a year in jail for a bad decision she chose to publicize. I don't subscribe to punishments like spanking and washing mouths out with soap, but I know some people who were raised with that and I can certainly understand that some parents see that as a deterrent. And for the record, while I do frown on these methods, I do realize that they often do not rise to the level of actual child abuse. But when we chose punishments that serve merely to humiliate and hurt kids, what are we teaching them?

In the end, the court has chosen to punish the party who really deserved it. Let's hope the message this sends is one that discourages the actual parental misbehavior and not just the recording of it.

Just in time for the new school year!

Everyone's favorite all-natural cleaning company is offering a discount of 20 percent on all online purchases made through August 31. Those who know me know I've been on the Cleanwell bandwagon for quite some time. I just recently stocked up on their hand wipes in anticipation of cold and flu season (Though "seasonal" is sort of a misnomer, if you ask me!)

Consider the health benefits of killing germs without touching or breathing in harsh chemicals at the same time. There is no need to sacrifice the air you breathe or the environment in which we all live in order to remain healthy. And even better, your kids won't complain that "it stings" when you wipe down their hands!

Check out all the offerings from Cleanwell, including new disinfectants-to-go. To get the discount, use code BTS11 at checkout.

Food for thought Friday

Last month, my family and I went to New England, ostensibly to escape the heat. Little did we know that the temps up north would break records and Boston would hit 104 upon our arrival. Nonetheless, we had a fabulous vacation, due in large part to a last minute decision to stay on a working farm in Vermont.

Liberty Hill Farm in Rochester, VT is about as picturesque a setting as you can get. There's the 150-year-old barn, the clapboard farmer's house, a pasture of grazing cows, a nearby swimming hole -- all flanked by gorgeous mountains in the distance. Luxury, it isn't -- no air-conditioning or blinds on the windows (hello rising sun at 5:30am!) and many bathrooms are shared with other guests or with Farmer Bob and his wife, Beth. But what it lacks in posh amenities, it more than makes up for in charm and experience.

My kids are still talking about this trip and begging to go back the next chance they get. Seriously, this made more of a lasting impression on them than Walt Disney World, which is just fine by me. There's a time and a place for "packaged vacations" like Disney and such, but there's truly nothing like truly seeing the work that makes up farm life. As tough as some of the jobs I've had have been, nothing compares to the labor and love that go into this lifestyle. It's definitely not something I'm inclined to take on everyday, but I will never forget what I saw and learned.

Guests to the farm partake in as many or as few "farm chores" as they like. This may include feeding baby calves, collecting eggs, helping out in the barn while the cows are milked, etc. A family who arrived just before we did even got to see the birth of a baby calf (sorry, but I can't help but call to mind that scene in the movie, "City Slickers." Remember, the one with Billy Crystal and his watch?)

So, if you're looking for a different way to spend your next vacation, consider a farm stay. Who needs Starbucks when you can wake to the smell of fresh cow manure (joking - avoid the barn and you will be spared). You'll meet new friends, eat yummy home-cooked meals (Beth makes some of the best cornbread I've ever tasted -- and I'm a born and raised southern girl so I know my cornbread!), live the life of a wannabe farmer (no overalls required). Plus, I guarantee you'll gain a new respect and understanding of what it takes to bring that jug of milk or hunk of cheese to your table.

Food for Thought Friday

Don't become immune to what's best for your child's health. Take your advice from a doctor and not Jenny McCarthy.

A west coast pediatrician makes the case for vaccinations. Click here to read the letter.

It's Pinkalicious!

Feelin' HOT HOT HOT?

Treat yourself and your hungry brood to some yummy frozen yogurt at a discount. I found this coupon through Pinkberry and it's good for just a few more days. 

Not only do I think they serve some of the most delicious stuff out there, they use hormone free milk in all their products. Fresh fruit toppings abound so you can feel less guilt as you indulge.

You're welcome!

It could happen to anyone

Last month, I received an email from a friend detailing a horrific tragedy that had happened to a former sorority sister of hers from Tulane University. Since then, the story has made the rounds via email and several news stories have appeared with details of the awful accident and subsequent suffering.

This is the story of a family -- not unlike yours or mine -- driving home from vacation. One minute they were fine, the next, a car crossed the median and hit them head-on, instantly killing both parents and seriously injuring the young children in the backseat. The two boys, ages 9 and 8 are now both paralyzed from the waist down and face months, if not years, of excruciating rehab and mounting medical bills. They, along with their 6-year-old sister, now have to face a new reality, without parents, and figure out some way to rebuild their young lives.

It pains me just to think about this. I've resisted writing about it, though I heard the story more than a month ago now. Today, I discovered an organization that has been set up to raise money for the children's ongoing needs and I felt it would be irresponsible of me as a mother, and even as a human being, not to pass it along.

Times are tough but if you are able to read this blog, you are tremendously more fortunate than Joshua and Robin Berry who lost their lives on July 3, 2011. Hug your kids a little tighter. Be a bit more thankful for what you have. If you feel so inclined, you can reach out personally to the Berry children through this link.

And even if you aren't a religious person, keep these precious kids in your thoughts and prayers.

Food for Thought Friday

Now that I'm back from all our summer travel, I'm working on getting organized around our house in anticipation of school starting again soon (Thank you G-d!). Several items in desperate need of attention are the many "deals" I've accumulated off more than a dozen sites. To date, I've probably saved more than I've lost and I try oh so hard not to make purchases I won't use. But alas, I have let a few slip through the cracks and it annoys the crap out of me that I actually lost money in my quest to save it.

This week, I came across a site that very well might be the answer to my deal organizing prayers. Apparently, DealsGoRound has been around for quite some time so I'm sorely behind the 8-ball. Their ingenious premise is one that allows you to sell deals you realize you won't/can't use and subsequently purchase other deals you missed out on.

But the icing on the cake is the "deal wallet" feature that keeps track of all the deals you've purchased on all the various sites you've joined. While I'm a tad nervous about giving up all that information about those accounts, the company's literature assures that it remains encrypted for safe transmission. The whole shebang is free, save for a 10% transaction fee on deals you sell. So, you literally have nothing to lose (other than the money you've already lost for buying something you didn't need in the first place!).

So, I'm talking to you over there, sitting at your ipad, eyeing those discounted children's name labels that you will never order. And you, about to purchase a facial and laser hair removal from a spa you've never heard of. Go ahead, get the deal. Buy that helicopter tour package you've always thought you'd enjoy.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Food for Thought Friday

Since this is my blog, I'm going to take some liberties with my "food for thought" this week and give you the inside scoop on a film you will want to mark your calendars to see when it arrives in theaters on August 10th.

I was lucky enough to score tickets to an advance screening of "The Help" (thanks Cinemoms!), a book I read years ago and loved. If you are one of the few dozen women who have yet to read it, I urge you to grab a copy. I often go into films based on books with a skeptical eye since they rarely measure up to their original format. Fortunately, this is not the case with this movie.

I can't remember the last time I left the theater feeling as moved as I did after seeing "The Help." Like the book, it is at once powerful, funny, heartbreaking and filled with messages of hope and sisterhood. As a woman who was raised in the South, I can assure you that the overall themes of racial inequality, even the dress and entire look of the era, are impeccable. I hope the film is well received because I think it will push more people to the book and its message, though set in the 1960s, is one that still resonates today.

The casting is dead-on and I guarantee that the movie will bring new respect for young actors like Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard, as well as the fabulous Octavia Spencer and Viola Davis. Kathryn Stockett's bestseller is elevated to new levels through this film and I'm proud to call her a fellow Atlantan!

I promise you, I have nothing to do with the movie or the studio. I'm simply a viewer (and reader) who was touched by this wonderful story and think it may inspire you as well.

For more information about the soon-to-be-released film, here's a link to the film's official site.

Food for thought Friday

I'm a sucker for free toiletries and once came home from Hawaii with a small suitcase full of tiny loot from l'occitane.

While staying at a beautiful, old Vermont inn recently, I noticed we not only got the standard shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, we also had individually wrapped make-up remover towelettes in our bathroom. I was just about to scoop them up to toss them in my bag when I happened to flip one over to read the ingredients:

Purified water, glycerin, fragrance, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone

No, those last two are not typos- I googled them and found they are preservatives used in various cosmetics, glue, paint and fuels. The longer one has also been linked to nerve damage.

I'll give you one guess as to whether or not those towelettes made the trip home with me.

Food for thought Friday

This week, two girls in Midway, GA had their lemonade stand shut down by city officials because they didn't have the proper business permits. Local police chief Kelly Morningstar said, "We were not aware of how the lemonade was made, who made the lemonade, of what the lemonade was made with, so we acted accordingly by city ordinance."

Do you think such temporary, child-run "businesses" on private property should still be subject to such high standards?

Food for thought Friday

Did you know that Hooters (the restaurant known for their wings and scantily-clad waitresses) offers a kids' menu and even hosts birthday parties for little ones? Apparently, some locations even have "kids eat free" promotions and offer balloons and coloring pages to entice parents to bring the whole family.

Is Hooters an appropriate venue for kids?

What do you think?

Casey Anthony's Life Spared

I have struggled to come to grips with the horrible testimony and scraps of evidence presented in the trial against "tot mom," Casey Anthony. Having once produced a legal talk show, it's hard to watch the proceedings without my inner-producer chiming in. I definitely have formed my own theories and thoughts as the trial has come to a close. Despite only a few hours of deliberation, the jury today found Casey not guilty on the most serious charges she was up against, instead, finding her guilty only of lying to law enforcement officers  The young woman who could have received the death penalty will now face only misdemeanor charges and potentially no further jail time at all.

Regardless of the verdict, nobody involved in this case will return to life as it was before -- least of all Caylee whose brief time on this planet ended in tragedy. As a mother, I cannot imagine what would bring a young mom -- even a teen -- to cross over to the dark side and take the life of her own child. We ought to remember that just because a person is found not guilty in a court of law, this does not mean that they didn't commit the crime they were accused of. Simply, it means the prosecution did not prove their case to the jury beyond a reasonable doubt. Our judicial system is imperfect and does occasionally let the guilty go free just as it sometimes convicts the innocent.

If Casey did commit this crime, perhaps just as I believe OJ Simpson did, she truly thought she was justified in her actions because her own narcissm prevented her from recognizing the pain and anguish she would cause her family. Maybe she lacked the ability to delve far enough to the future toward a time when she might relish the role of motherhood. The prosecution painted a picture of her as a selfish, immature young girl who preferred her identity as life of the party over that of mommy. I cannot purport to know the daily struggles that come with teenage motherhood, or single-motherhood in general, but I do know that most single, teen moms manage to get through it without resorting to murder.

One thing about the trial struck me as particularly ironic. Though it seems the jury discounted it, it did appear that Casey's mother Cindy may have lied when she took responsibility for the questionable searches on her home computer that involved "chloroform" and "neck breaking." She claims she, not Casey, conducted these searches, even though records show she was at work at the time the searches were conducted on her home computer. Was this the case of a mother doing whatever she could to protect her daughter? And if so, how tragic that this is exactly what Casey lacked in terms of her own parenting skills -- the role of guardian and protector of her own child. Even if she is not guilty of murder, she is guilty of failing to report her own toddler missing for an entire month. Regardless, Casey's parents showed no emotion in the courtroom as the verdict was read. Considering that just weeks ago, Casey accused her own father and brother of sexual abuse, I doubt their relationship will repair itself any time soon.

I feel sorry for everyone involved in this long and drawn out saga - the family, the friends, the sequestered jurors, the witnesses who testified about findings so disturbing they would shake most human beings to their core. I'm sure anyone touched personally by this case will struggle to come to grips with it for some time. In effect, many lives ended on that fateful day when Caylee died.

I even feel sorry for Casey. She may have escaped death, but she is by no means free. Going forward, she will have to live with the consequences of her actions -- and without her daughter --  for the rest of her life. Maybe that is the harshest punishment of all.

Food for Thought Friday

A container of Lemon Pledge contains more lemons than a container of Country Time Lemonade.

Consider this when quenching your thirst this 4th of July weekend!

Model Mama

If I read one more story about a celebrity mama who is back in her size 0 Hudson jeans within two weeks of giving birth, I think I'll gag on my lowfat snack bar. It took me a good year to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight and body after my daughter was born. And my son is now three and I'm still not there yet. But you know what? I'm healthy, happy and I'm not a gym rat who is driven to work out each and everyday. So if I never look like Gisele, so be it! (because you know, before I had kids, people mistook me for her twin all the time!)


So I found it refreshing to read a quote from CSI Miami's Emily Procter who gave birth six months ago and is apparently still holding onto a few extra pounds. 


“I’m going to let myself off the hook, because if there’s one thing that is not my focus at the moment, it’s how much I weigh.”


Wow! What a concept! Focusing on your new baby and not on your own looks! How totally unHollywood of her.

Food for Thought Friday

Next year, the Food and Drug Administration plans to release new cigarette labels that depict graphic byproducts of smoking such as rotting teeth, diseased lungs, even images of corpses. Do you think such shocking photos will have a major impact on those who smoke and prevent new smokers from lighting up?

To view the new labels click here.

Here Comes the Sun

Here in Atlanta, we've already logged record-breaking high temps and summer has yet to officially begin. Each morning, without fail, I slather both my kids with sunscreen before sending them on their merry way. My six-year-old is used to the routine, but my three-year-old squirms and complains and makes it tough to apply it to his tiny features. Yet, I never give up, making sure his little ears, back of his neck and every other body part exposed to the sun gets covered.

I am constantly amazed when I see parents out with their kids, even newborn babies, without a hat and likely without any other barrier protecting their precious skin from the sun's harmful rays. In today's world, there is absolutely no excuse for not covering up in the summer. For years we've all known that tanning, even the slightest bit, causes cancer. If it's a vitamin D deficiency you're worried about, take a pill. And for heaven's sake, don't even think that those indoor tanning beds are somehow producing a healthier glow.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 65% of melanomas are caused by UV radiation. Last year, in the U.S. alone, nearly 70,000 people were diagnosed with melanoma and nearly 9,000 died from the disease. So despite what you might think, tanning may "look" healthy, but that is simply not the case. There is absolutely nothing healthy about bronzing (even lightly) your skin and the risks of future damage and even death are an incredibly high price to pay for perceived beauty. Bottom line: any level of tanning is a form of skin damage which at worst case, will lead to cancer, and at best case, will lead to wrinkled, prematurely aged skin.

I read an article on Web MD recently that it only takes one severe sunburn in your child's life to double their chances of skin cancer. I'm not a big gambler, and certainly not when it comes to the health of my children.

Unfortunately, not all sunscreens are created equal. While some tout an SPF level over 50, independent studies found that in some cases, this was way off the mark. One brand aimed at babies tested 80% lower in SPF than the label claimed. Many also contain controversial ingredients best avoided such as oxybenzone (a potential hormone disruptor) and retinyl palmitate (a form of vitamin A that studies have shown may speed the growth of certain tumors). Zinc Oxide and titanium dioxide are the active SPF ingredients that have proven the safest for kids. For a list of the latest and greatest sunscreens, visit EWG for their yearly roundup. Be sure to check out their "Hall of Shame" for a list of brands to avoid.

So as you head out to the beach, the pool, or even your own backyard this summer, keep this in mind:

• Waterproof sunscreen only lasts about an hour and a-half, or less if you towel off. Reapply accordingly. 

• Allow sunscreen time to "set" by applying it about 15 minutes before you head outside.

• Be sure to use an adequate amount of sunscreen to protect you -- one ounce, about the amount in a shot glass. 

• Sun Protection Factor should be at least 30 and use a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from both ultraviolet A and B rays.

• Don't forget a hat or umbrella and seek shade when possible.

Fortunately, just this week, the FDA announced new rules for sunscreen labels that aim to make their protection levels more clear. Currently, SPF only refers to UVB rays, that cause sunburn. Now, labels will be required to list protection for UVA rays, which are the ones that cause cancer. Next year, sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or below will carry a warning stating that they only protect against sunburn and not against cancer or wrinkles. For now, look for a labels that say "broad spectrum" to be sure your coverup is doing the most complete job possible. 

I always have to laugh when I read the caution to stay out of the sun when the rays are the strongest -- between the hours of 10am and 4pm. I mean, I would personally love to be indoors enjoying my air-conditioning all day, all summer long, but how practical is that? I'm not now and never have been a hot weather kind of gal. But I have kids and they are loathe to stay indoors all the time so I suck it up and suffer the southern heat for many months of the year. But as with everything else in my life, I take precautions to make sure we're as safe as we possibly can be.

A few years ago, I discovered a product that my family swears by and I always recommend my friends try it out, especially in the summer. It's a powder that is added to the laundry that gives clothing an SPF of 30. It's cheap, easy and lasts for 20 washings so it's a no-brainer. For more info, visit Sun Guard.

Like many of you, I naively coated my body in baby oil and sprawled out on a towel practically made of tinfoil as a teenager living in Florida. You wouldn't know it now with my obsessive skincare routine and albino pallor, but I have no doubt I did plenty of damage to my skin before my 18th birthday (when most of the damage that causes skin cancer takes place). So if you can't stay cool, at least be smart about your sunning. No matter how healthy you think that tan makes you look, I promise you, it's worth the sacrifice to skip it.

Food for Thought Friday

In honor of Father's Day weekend, here's a meaningless poll to ponder:

Which celebrity father do you think provides the best role model for his children?

A. Hugh Hefner
B. Jesse James
C. Arnold Schwarzenegger

An apple a day? Depends on the apple.

As parents, we'd like to think we're being healthy and conscientious when we feed our kids fruit, right? After all, we're all supposed to eat five servings of fruits and veggies a day.

Well, it turns out you may be getting more than you bargained for with some of nature's bounty. Today, the Environmental Working Group released it's annual report on the level of pesticides found in 53 of the most popular fruits and vegetables. This is the same organization that produces the so-called "dirty dozen" list of the most pesticide-ridden produce that should be avoided if at all possible. I don't know if I should be proud or embarrassed to admit that I walk around with this list in my wallet and routinely check it when I'm in a grocery store.

The worst offender? Apples. The report found that 92% of apples contained multiple pesticides. Contaminants on the produce were measured after most had been peeled and washed, signaling that much of the dangerous residue is absorbed into the fruit itself. The no-no list also contains such summer staples as peaches, strawberries, celery and blueberries. My kids will be ecstatic to know that cherries have dropped off top-12 this year.

Pesticides are typically sprayed on produce to prevent insect infestation and to extend shelf-life. But these toxic chemicals have the unpleasant side-effect of contributing to hormone disruption, cancer and brain damage in children. Other studies have linked pesticide exposure to an increased risk of ADHD.

Thankfully, the flip side is a list of the "Clean 15," fruits and veggies with the lowest pesticide residue. These include corn, pineapples, watermelon and avocado. In my family, we strive to buy organic as much as possible, but it's helpful to know when it's not as vital.

My daughter, who is very taken with fairy tales, has now decided that the reason Snow White fell into a deep sleep is because the apple that the evil witch gave her wasn't poison -- it just wasn't organic.

That's my girl!

To view the full report and print out your own list, visit. www.ewg.org.

Food for Thought Friday

For those of you following closely, you'll notice I skipped last Friday. My bad! But since it was only my 2nd entry as part of this theme, kindly cut me some slack and let me start anew.

A third birthday party got me thinking. Recently, I accompanied my son to a friend's little shindig and I noticed that many of the moms (and dads) were too busy socializing to be bothered with keeping an eye on their own kids. Many of these kids were happily careening into their fellow toddlers, hurting others and themselves in the process.  While their parents chatted nearby, several kids nearly fell off playground equipment or resorted to asking complete strangers to help them. One mom even asked me if I'd mind watching her son (who does not even know me) while she took a call on her cellphone and proceeded to leave him in my care for 15 minutes while she wandered off to have what appeared to be a casual conversation.

This got me thinking...are these parents just relaxed, "go with the flow" types or are they irresponsible and lazy? Have any of you ever experienced this situation and if so, how did you deal with it?

Just curious.

Let me sleep on it

If you are anything like my family, you've amassed quite an impressive pillow collection. After all, we spend more than one-third of our lives in bed, so it makes sense. What's not impressive, is that I absolutely cannot tell you how long I've had some of these pillows and I fear they may harken back to the days when Duran Duran was still in the Top Ten on Casey Kasem's weekly countdown.

Yes, I know that is gross and that pillows should be replaced every few years. I wash my sheets each week, yet my pillows? Not so much. Ick!

Studies have shown that the weight of a pillow doubles in three years due to the remains and excretions of dust mites (again, ick!). If that isn't enough to have you yanking out your coupons and running to Bed Bath and Beyond, I don't know what will.

So as you finish your late-Spring cleaning -- and I know that is high on your priority list (wink, wink) -- you might want to consider getting rid of those soft things you drool into each and every night. It won't be an improvement that anyone will notice, but you might just breathe a little bit easier. And don't forget to invest in those zipper encasements they sell to ward of allergies and the like. Even that small bit of protection goes a long way.

I hear you can often donate used cushions to an animal shelter. Apparently, those mites don't bother the four-legged among us so much.

And now that we're on the subject, how old is that mattress you're resting on?

An Ounce of Prevention

What do dry cleaning chemicals, pesticides, microwaves and cell phones have in common?

All are items now listed as "possibly carcinogenic" by the World Health Organization's (WHO) International Agency for Research on Cancer. The finding, announced today by 31 scientists from 14 countries, doesn't involve the discovery of any new data, but rather, reviews of previous studies relating to radiation emitted by cell phones. This marks the first time a government panel has categorized cell phones in the same potentially cancer-causing group as other dubious chemicals.

The list of items labeled "possibly carcinogenic" now numbers 240 and includes things like DDT, engine exhaust and lead. While the studies do not mean that these things definitively cause cancer, the evidence is a clear warning sign that more information is urgently needed and that caution is warranted in the meantime.

Cell phones are particularly disturbing because they are used close to the head and have been previously questioned in several cases of brain tumors. Studies are ongoing, but scientists urge parents to be especially cautious when allowing kids to use the devices.

So, you may want to keep this in mind the next time your preschooler wants to play Angry Birds or decorate virtual cupcakes to send to friends. While the activities are a useful way of keeping kids busy, they may be doing much more than killing just time.

There is one company that is manufacturing radiation-blocking cases for several popular cell phones. Pong research claims (and independent studies have backed these claims) that their covers block between 60 and 90 percent of radiation that would otherwise be absorbed by the body. The cases are not currently available for all cell phones or for laptops and ipads, which also emit radiation. And while the covers are a tad pricey (between $40 and $50, plus shipping), it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Food for Thought Friday

In an effort to "mix things up a bit," I came up with the idea of a new "theme" for an end-of-the-week posting. I call it "Friday's Food for Thought." Just a little something you can discuss amongst yourselves over the weekend, or ponder when you have a moment to spare. Let me know what you think or if you have ideas to share!

Here's my first offering:

With the school year ending, are you looking forward to spending more time with your kids? Or, are you dreading filling the days with activities and losing your precious "me" time?

And to all my friends who regularly email me directly with comments, post them on the site and let us all revel in your brilliance!

Everything I know I learned from Oprah

Well, that title is a bit exaggerated and downright misleading, but hey, it's catchy!

Since the divine Miss O is signing off the air tomorrow (from her talk show, at least), I figured I'd reminisce a bit about my short stint as a member of her staff. I actually did learn a major lesson during that time, but it's probably not what you'd expect.

By 2000, I was burned out from years spent working for CNN and yearning for something a bit less intense. That summer, I was going through the breakup of a major relationship and decided that now was the time to get the h*ll out of Dodge and go for the holy grail of work in daytime television -- The Oprah Winfrey Show.

A bit brazenly, I sent them my resume tape (sounds so dated now, huh?) and followed up with a letter that I'd be in the Chicago area later that month and would love to come in for an interview. Surprisingly, I got a call back saying they'd like to meet with me and to let them know when I'd finalized my trip.

It's a heady feeling taking a cab down to Harpo studios knowing that you could potentially end up working there. I arrived early and the executive producer who was meeting with me was tied up with some last minute show stuff, so they asked if I'd mind sitting in the audience for a taping. Unfortunately, it was not the "My Favorite Things" show, but rather, a show on female genital mutilation. There is a shot of me in the audience wincing rather uncomfortably at some of the subject matter and friends of mine who saw the show later that day and knew I was going in for an interview were totally perplexed as to why I was sitting there.

The interview went well and I was offered a position. I headed back to Atlanta, practically jumping out of my skin with excitement, ready to put my newly purchased condo on the market. My mom -- ever the voice of reason -- persuaded me not to cut my Atlanta ties so fast. What if it wasn't all I thought it would be, she asked? At the time, I thought she was nuts but her words turned out to be quite prescient.

I headed for Chicago as the weather was turning colder, though it didn't matter because I was really never outside at all. If I'd thought the hours I'd worked at CNN were rigorous, they were nothing compared to this. Working 18 hour days was not unheard of and time off was a big no-no, unless it happened to be a month when the show was on hiatus. I'd escaped the gravity of the subjects we covered at an all news network, but not the grueling pace.

I will never forget my time at Harpo and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity and for the fact that it graces my resume. But it didn't take me long to figure out that this fantasy job was one of those things I would later come to realize that you sometimes must be careful what you wish for. I was 30 and single, knowing I wanted a family and a life more than I wanted a career at that point. I later read a quote from Oprah herself where she says, "You can have it all, just not at the same time" and I wished I'd known that before I'd gone to work on her show. Saying I worked for her was a huge ego boost at first, but the varnish soon wore thin as I sacrificed any personal life I'd hoped to have in favor of booking A+ guests and dreaming up shows worthy of their namesake.

To the shock of nearly everyone who knew me, I walked away within months and returned to Atlanta, taking a job at a not-for-profit that I'd previously volunteered with. People thought I was insane, but the job was much more fulfilling personally and I had the pleasure of working normal hours for the first time in my life. To add to the timing kismet, I met my now-husband later that summer.

So, what did Oprah teach me? Well, the answer is probably obvious by now, but it it made me realize that a job is just a job, even if it's for Oprah (unless you actually ARE Oprah). Life is short and nobody lies on their deathbed wishing they'd spent more time at work. In a way, just knowing that I had gotten the job was almost enough for me. It taught me that I was qualified, determined and capable of reaching the highest goal I set for myself. But ultimately, that work goal fell short of my overall life goals.

So, as Oprah gives up her throne, I hope she also has the ability to step back and rejoin her own life a bit. I've never seen someone as dedicated as she was -- in the studio at 6am, taking part in every meeting, pretty much calling all the shots and always with the utmost professionalism. But at what cost? She is has never married and has no children. Perhaps this is what she wants for herself, but for me, a TV show just wasn't enough. I knew I'd want something more fulfilling and meaningful in the long-run.

Today my life is about potty training and tooth fairies gardening in the backyard and removing splinters, soothing occasional nightmares and watching Sesame Street. And while that might not be as exciting as say, meeting Matt Damon and Tom Hanks, or attending Oprah's annual Christmas Party, it suits me just fine.

And we'll always have Chicago....