Pie, Oh My!

I love to bake and my family loves pies. It's a match made in culinary heaven. The thing about us is that we don't just eat pie in the cooler months. We love it year 'round. But we can be picky about the kinds of pies we eat and we definitely have our favorites. -The ones that really hit the spot, in our opinions, are the southern-inspired pies full of down-home goodness.

So in celebration of Pi Day on March 14 I would like to introduce you to my Down Home Dirty Dozen - the 12 pies that I will be trying out in the next year, courtesy of my new board on Foodie.com. Many of the pies included are inspired by my childhood in the deep South and by modern interpretations of old favorites. Take a look and let me know what you think! The delicious post is sponsored by Foodie, but as always all opinions are strictly my own.

What We Did This Summer - In Pictures

This Summer I took a break. Not just from blogging but from just about everything except "the basics". I decided a while back I didn't want my 6-year-old to only know me as a blur - going from point A to point B as fast as I can so that I can get a head start on getting to C. I've lived so much of my life that way and I've paid my dues. So I made sure that, as much as possible, we managed to spend some quality time as a family unit this summer. We didn't roam far, but we did roam. It was NOT easy. But it was so worth it.

The Zoo


The Mall

July 4th

Summer Camp


The Baseball Game


The Dentist


The Bike Shop (Proteus Bicycles in MD)


The Park


The Park II


Rita's Italian Ice. We're regulars.


Irving - Did I neglect to mention our new family memeber?


We had a GREAT time.

Giving Back By Inspiring Others To Be Themselves

On this site we talk about all kinds of inspiration. But today I want to discuss being inspired to give back in your own way. Michelle Obama may not ever know who I am or what I do, but she has inspired me to do what I do in my own way. As the First Lady of the United States of America, Mrs. Obama does many things differently from the First Ladies before her. She chooses her own causes. Her push for healthier eating and physical fitness has inspired people around the country to make changes in their lives. She has her own style of dressing and expressing herself, and both are extremely effective. She doesn't hide the fact that he is intelligent and powerful in her own right, despite the fact that there are some people who don't believe she fits the mold of previous First Ladies. But, I find her inspiring for exactly this reason. Being different, has made her even more important to people around the globe. Because of Michelle Obama I'm inspired to give back, even though not everyone will "get" what I'm giving. What's more, sometimes we give different things on different days. On some days I can blog about deep issues, but on other days I'm posting an outfit picture taken in the bathroom. That's just how it is.

We have all been given chances - whether large or small - join a team, contribute to a project, or create something new - and I think it's important to look at those things for what they are: opportunities to express ourselves in our unique ways. If you are in the midst of doing great things, I believe you are doing what you are doing right now because you are who you are. That's because I believe the same is true for me. I could have done it another way, but then what would be the point of that? What am I really contributing if I'm doing something in exactly the same way it has always been done. I'm not here to be a copy of other people, and neither are you. To me, it's more proof that it's OK that no one before you has ever done it the way you have. And it's thrilling to blaze your own trail. As long as you're getting it done, then do YOU.

This is what I tell the young people I mentor in my field. Whether we are working on writing or networking or some other learned skill, I try to first teach them master the rules. But I also teach them to go above and beyond, which requires being inspired and being willing to think outside of the box. So it's never my aim to tear them, down but show them how to use their unique attributes, energy and personalities to achieve their goals. This is the way that I give back and thanks to the First Lady's shining example, I will continue doing it my way.

Because a great mentor can make all the difference, Coca-Cola has teamed up with Magic Johnson, Common and Debra Lee of BET Networks to give four young people the apprenticeship experience of a lifetime. Visit MCR.com/PayItForward to nominate an aspiring youth and help pay it forward to the next generation. You'll also be automatically entered for a chance to win $5,000 for each nomination you make (up to five nominations per person).



Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Coca-Cola via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are all mine and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Coca-Cola.

Happy New Year!

May this year bring you a world full of wonder! Best wishes to our faithful readers. Big changes are on the way in the new year. More about that in the next post.

Birthday Roundup: We're Six!

As usual, birthday celebrations for the little one were broken down into having cake with mom and dad on the actual day and then a small get-together the following weekend.

Most importantly, though, my "baby" is now SIX!

Angry Birds Cupcakes made by me

Birthday table in the breakfast nook

Sonic the Hedgehog cake. Designed by me, made by Safeway

Hitting the bowling alley

Bumbo Recall

If you haven't heard by now, the maker of the popular Bumbo Baby Seat is voluntarily recalling 4 million of the seats. The company says anyone with the recalled Bumbo should stop using it immediately and call them for new warnings and a restraint belt. (The picture in the top left corner shows the seat with the restraint belt.) Apparently, some parents were using the seat in the wrong way or on raised surfaces, leaving infants open to a risk of falling and serious injuries. Read more details about the recall here. We had a Bumbo for our little one and we thoroughly enjoyed it as it allowed him to sit up and be "part of the group." But it was always clear that you could never leave kids in it unattended or on a tall surface. It was a GREAT tool when used with an abundance of caution. Here's a picture we snapped after we had just finished feeding cereal to our munchkin in the chair - forgive the messy face and hands!:

Again, you don't have to return the Bumbo. Just contact the manufacturer for the repair kit. The Shopping Mama even has some great tips about alternative infant seats. Stay safe!

What Are You Doing About Sunscreen?

It's all fine and good to have fun in the sun. In fact, I recommend it. Those of you who know me know I've been on a major push to get my fellas out of the house this Summer. But if you're going to step into the sun's rays PLEASE don't forget the sunscreen - for the kids and for yourself. Pediatricians say lots of parents still haven't gotten the message about safe sun exposure. Sure, we hardly used any sunscreen at all back in the day (no, my darlings, cocoa butter doesn't count - I wish I did). But with global warming and the dwindling ozone layer the sun is a whole different thing right now. You can enjoy it, but you've got to play it safe.

Despite what you've heard, African-Americans can indeed develop skin cancer. VERY dark skin can have a natural SPF of about 13. (Don't be fooled, most of us do not have SPF 13 skin.) But dermatologists say you need an SPF of at least 15 to be protected. They recommend wearing sunscreen daily. But if you're going to spend any significant time outdoors, it's important to not only slather on sunscreen before you leave the house, but also to reapply it after a couple of hours.

So what should you look for when you're ready to buy a sunscreen? First of all, not all sunscreens are created equal. In fact, some barely live up to the name. But here's one thing all the experts agree on - an effective sunscreen must protect against both UVA and UVB rays. That's because while UVB rays get most of the blame for sunburn, both kinds of rays contribute to skin cancer.

I won't lie, we had to go through quite a few tubes of sunscreen before we found ones that didn't mess with our skin - we're all considered "sensitive" in my household - or make us look like the white shadow. Much could be written about the challenge of finding an effective sunscreen for non-pale skin.

Our personal experience is that anyone with sensitive skin should avoid most sunscreens with the ingredients avobenzone or oxybenzone. I wore a sunscreen with these ingredients during a trip to the zoo on Father's Day and I'm still scratching. If you're a Sensitive Sally like me, don't do it. Unfortunately avobenzone and oxybenzone are in most of the broad-spectrum sunscreens found in your neighborhood drugstores. They are damned difficult to avoid unless you're willing to hunt around or purchase your sunscreens online. That's why I'm doing the leg work for you.

Now if you're going to avoid chemical suncreen ingredients like we do, that leaves you with natural/mineral sunscreens. Natural suncreen contains zinc oxide or titanium dioxide (or both), which used to leave a slight white cast to the skin. But now many companies have discovered ways to get those particles very small - not nano sized, but- small enough to wipe-out or dramatically cut down on the ghastly tinge. For now we like and use:

Jason Mineral Based Sun Block SPF 30+
All Terrain KidSport SPF30 Oxybenzone-Free Natural Sunscreen
Trukid Sunny Days SPF 30+ Natural Sunscreen
Aubrey Organics SPF 15 Saving Face

You can find more options on the EWG list and on similar sites on the internet.

But now it's your turn. Please sound off. What is YOUR experience with sun exposure and suncreen? Or lack of??

Life's Luscious Little Luxuries

It's true that the best things in life are free. But sometimes it's the little things that can keep you encouraged and on the right track. I'm not the only one who thinks so. We've all heard that stopping for a cup of coffee at your favorite java bar EVERY DAY can be a drain on your wallet, especially if you're struggling to save. But every now and then, leaving the coffee-making up to someone else could be just what you need to save time and experience a morning treat. Again, I said a treat. Without making a habit of it, this is something small that can feel like a tiny luxury. Or if you get up early enough, brew your own and be that much more fabulous and on-the-ball. Here's something that costs little to nothing but can change the entire course of your day: Having lunch or a walk in the park. This is truly one of those things that makes the most of a work break. In this day and time, spending a few minutes among the trees and breathing fresh(er) air is very much a luxury. I recommend doing it as often as possible. When you take the time to think about life's little luxuries, you might realize that some of them go all the back to childhood. This is the case for me when it comes to cool cotton sheets. There's just nothing like them at this time of year. Satin and all those other trendy fabrics just won't cut it. But the good news is that you don't have to spend a mint or buy those whatever-hundred-count sheets to get the same effect. Simple cotton sheets costing just a few dollars at your local discount store can have the same effect. I know it for a fact. What about you? What are your little luxuries?

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Fifth Third Bank.

Priceless Style for Families

We talk a lot about ways families can save money. But I know of at least four that things are actually worth a splurge. Take a look at my list and let me know what you think. Please feel free to add on!

Handbags - As a mom, I just don't have time for the problems that come with cheap handbags. I need something sturdy, reliable, organized and nice-looking too. In my humble opinion, a well-made handbag can change your life!

Functional Shoes - I'm not talking about those overpriced sky-high stilettos everyone seems to be obsessed with at the moment. I mean shoes that go beyond trendy with a timeless style and comfortable design. I cannot tell you how much it simplifies your life to have a great-looking pair of shoes (ones that are actually made for human feet!) that you can grab at a moment's notice.

A Great Haircut - Yet another sanity-saver is a good haircut or protective style. Knowing that your hair only needs minimal styling when it's time to be presentable is a huge plus for busy moms and dads. Kids, too!

Quality Bath Products - These are some of my favorite products to talk about when it comes to splurges, but they aren't always expensive. We just forget to take the time to look for items that are moisturizing-instead-of-drying, or that include ingredients we can pronounce. Getting the right products for your skin and hair can actually save you money and time in correcting the issues caused by inferior products.

How about you? Where do you splurge?

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Fifth Third Bank.

Real Ways to Save Real Money

I don't know about you, but I feel inundated with tips and strategies for saving money. These little tidbits are all over the news and in the papers. But I find that not all of them are practical for those of us with families. Here are just four really big ways we actually do save money in our household:

1) Buy less stuff. No, really. This sounds simple, but it isn't - especially when you think you're saving money by buying low-quality staples. Looking only at the price of an item can have you making more trips to the store, burning more gas and spending more cash. Which brings me to my second tip.
2) Buy quality stuff and make sure you're getting what you think you're getting. We found this out first with paper towels. My husband would hit the discount store and come back with a trunk full of goodies, including a huge bulk size package of paper towels. Well one day we ran out of the cheapies, so I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and bought a large single roll of a well-known brand. Days later we noticed that the roll had not been changed, whereas we had to change the rolls of the cheapo paper towels almost daily. Once we looked at how much we were paying for the so-called bulk rolls, we realized we actually got many more sheets for our money when buying the regular brand.
3) Stick to healthier foods, cut back the processed and snack-type foods. Not only is this better for the health of your family, it's better for your fiscal health too. How do I know? Take a look at the prices of foods on the snack aisle. The prices are VERY inflated for what you get, especially since these are exactly the foods that leave you hungry a short time later.
4) Shop off the beaten path. The first lightbulb went off when a local news report showed that the stores with the highest prices and worst customer service were actually the chain stores that everyone knew and "trusted". It turns out people were actually getting more bang for their buck by shopping at co-ops, farmers markets, and stores that were wrongly considered high-end. Deals are where you find them. Being locked into shopping at just one place is a great way to waste cash.

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Fifth Third Bank.