Our house has a small entryway and so there always seemed to be an overabundance of coats, vests, boots, backpacks and shoes. Our office, also at the entrance, was looking very cluttered. I can’t even show you a “before” picture; it’s too embarrassing. We are in the process of putting in new floors and converting it into a mudroom/office ourselves. It’s not close to being done yet but I just want to give you a sneak peek at one of the ideas that we had – these beautiful DIY lockers for kids.
I’ve spent my entire adult life searching high and low for the best bathroom cleaner that removes soap scum off the glass like a magic wand. If I found anything that promised to “clean your shower doors in minutes” and make my glass so clean and clear that I’ll repeatedly walk into it, it never worked. Or, it took multiple washes, and by the time my shower was “clean,” I killed millions of brain cells and fried my nose hairs from the stench of bleach and chemicals.
The words ‘Super Bowl’ brings a lot of things to mind. Aside from the obvious, football, I always think of gatherings, friends, and incredible food. While some foods are classic football party fare and will never go out of style, sometimes a little menu reinvention is necessary. A staple in our house, chowder is a weekly request during the cold winter months. Paired with a thick crusty bread for dipping, this recipe often needs doubling as even my 9 year old goes back for extra heaping servings! This recipe is easily tweaked for clam or shrimp lovers, too.
As a mom of four littles, I often have to navigate the kitchen with care. While we have a nice kitchen, it’s not quite big enough to handle 4 extra bodies that don’t yet know how to control themselves. Most of the help they offer comes in the form of dumping cups of flour or stirring the contents of a bowl for me, which is nice if you can let go of the mess that inevitably occurs. My 9 year old has been asking for a bit more of a lesson in the kitchen recently. She wants to learn how to make a few of her favorite meals on her own. Who am I to turn down such an opportunity?
Super Bowl is around the corner and the menu is the most important piece. My family loves these Spicy Shrimp Tacos, which are big on flavor without being as big on calories as a lot of Super Bowl fare. Fortunately, there’s some easy ways to enjoy the big game without missing out on all the foods you love.
Now that winter is in full swing, it’s hard to imagine spring bursting from the cold, barren ground in a few months. But until then, why not create a terrarium to bring a little life and greenery inside? A homemade terrarium is an easy and inexpensive project you can do by yourself or with your kids in an afternoon. The bowl of year-around greenery, will instantly brighten a room and make the browns and whites outside seem a little less daunting.
Everyone remembers his or her first Bikram Yoga class! And for good reason! It can be overwhelming, unfamiliar and a bit scary! But don’t be disheartened. Follow these easy tips to make sure your first class is as positive an experience as possible. And don’t be discouraged if it is tough. It should be tough! For many of us, it is the first time we have worked so deeply into our bodies. Plus, it’s 105 degrees in there!
I don’t know about you, but my 6-year-old can ask about a million questions a minute. True story. It usually starts innocent enough, but trust me when I tell you, the little guy keeps me on my toes and calls me on any inconsistencies that may creep in because I’m at my question answering limit.
Canned soups are a great way to prepare great meals quickly, but there’s no such thing as gluten free dairy free cream soups in the supermarket! … Or, at least they’re really hard to find.
The New Year brings us more than an urge to make resolutions, clean out cupboards and start new regimes: it brings colds and flus. For parents with little ones, this is a most difficult time of year. Just when we were ready to bustle them into their coats and mitts and head back to school, they come down with something just ghastly enough to keep them from attending… yet not so debilitating it knocks them out for the day.