Well, I’m sure there are many answers to this question… But, in my house the answer is simple - ”it doesn’t.” The problem is plant care and gardening just doesn’t come naturally to me! Unfortunately, the planting and gardening gene skipped me. Truth be told – my mom has a green thumb! She’s an interior plant designer and landscaper (I know, I know – stop snickering please).
Like most people I love the looks of flower gardens and my mouth waters everytime I set foot in a fabulous vegetable garden. But, I’m a little intimidated when it comes to the thought of planting my own vegetable garden and finding the time to care for it. If you find yourself in the same situation, I found a great site that I wanted to share with you. www.gardeners.com.
They have a great pre-planned gardens. You pick the type of garden you are looking for. They have 6 to choose from. My favorite is the “Plant It and Forget It” garden They list materials and instruction for planting etc.
I learned about this site years ago when looking at all my mom’s business materials… They have some great resources for people that want to start gardens, but don’t know where to start. The best part is you can purchase materials and supplies from them too.
Happy gardening! Tell me how your garden grows!
Could You or a Mom You Know Use a Little Pampering?
Let’s face it. Moms are extremely busy ladies with very little time to themselves. We spend our days working, cleaning, schooling, caring for kids, parents, grandparents and pets, taxi-ing children from sports/lessons and feeding the masses… It gets me tired just talking about it! The truth is moms can always use a little break to relax and renew the soul… AKA: me time! www.metime.com is celebrating moms through the end of May. We have selected a grouping of products that will pamper you, relax you, or assist you in making everyday task a little easier! The best part is not only are these products available online… we are running a “Me Time Celebrates Mom” Giveaway (info below) so several of you lucky ladies will win these great products!
LaborKit is everything you need for the big day! ($55)
LaborKit™ hospital bags are filled with essential items to help new moms through labor, delivery and the first few months with a new baby. LaborKit™ was created to help moms be prepared and have the best birth experience possible.
To help plan for the big day, every LaborKit™ includes a Birth Plan, Hospital Checklist and Share the Joy Contact List. To help mom through labor and delivery all kits are filled with trusted brand name items like Lansinoh Lanolin, Burt’s Bees Lip Balm, Gerber Nursing Pads, and Pampers Swaddlers, and much more. All LaborKits are breastfeeding friendly and are packed in reusable canvas toiletry bags.
LaborKit™ is a unique and practical purchase for an expectant mom. A perfect baby shower gift for the mom-to-be that helps her prepare for the birth of her new baby. With four to choose from, there is a Laborkit™ for every budget. www.laborkit.com
Mothers Need Time-Outs, Too: It’s Good to Be a Little Selfish, It Actually Makes You a Better Mother ($16.95 – McGraw-Hill 2008)
This book is about taking care of yourself so you can take care of others. Through research—both academic and anecdotal—we seek to prove that life is better for everyone if mothers start respecting their own needs. It doesn’t take a lot of money or even a lot of time… it starts with small steps in the right direction. We interviewed 500+ moms in America and abroad so we could share their stories and tips from the trenches. We discuss mental and physical health in detail, and give encouraging and fresh advice.
Many stressed-out modern mothers try so hard to be more and more selfless—always putting themselves last on their to-do lists—when, in fact, the secret to greater happiness (for husbands and kids too!) is to be more selfish. We believe that parenting with energy, optimism and according to our own instincts is possible in this frenzied world! www.momstimeouts.com.
Care4Hire 1 Month Subscription ($29.99 per month)
This Mother’s Day do away with flowers, chocolates or anything ordinary. Why not really pamper mom and get her something she deserves – a break! Care4Hire.com is offering fantastic services to help mom with a cleaning lady, a trustworthy babysitter, or anything else her heart desires…
Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone. For more information visit care4hire.com
Mom’s Meal Mastery Session
Between work, children’s activities, and the demands of running a household, pulling dinner together can be a struggle. You don’t have to feel guilty. It’s challenging to get everyone together and serve a healthy, home-cooked meal, but it can be done. Learn skills to make enjoyable family meals a reality. Dinner Together offers a 30 minute phone session which will help moms:
- Create a crystal clear vision for taking charge of their kitchen and feeding their children to create more enjoyable family meals with less stress.
- Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging their family meal success.
- Leave this session, renewed, reenergized and inspired to take consistent action to make relaxed and happy family meals a reality for their families.
For more information visit the Dinner Together website.
Deluxe Scentsy Warmer and Scentsy Bars ($44)
Safe, Elegant, Fragrant, Long-Lasting! Introducing Scentsy, The Hottest New Thing in Candles! Scentsy bars melt at a very low temperature over a 25-watt light bulb in our exclusive electric warmers. Because they use no open flame like a standard scented candle, they pose no danger to children, pets or property when used properly. Scentsy candles are leadless, wickless, flameless and smokeless, and are available in over 80 exclusive scents.
Scentsy warmers are also more economical than jar candles. You can warm your favorite scents 24 hours a day, for a fraction of the cost. Each Scentsy bar lasts from 50-80 hours of “on time”. It’s also easy to change the fragrance whenever you’d like. Just pour the melted wax back into the bar container, wipe the warmer top with the paper towel, and drop in new scent cubes. If you like candles, you’ll LOVE Scentsy! Check out the Scentsy designs online.
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire – 4 pack of passes ($28 value)
The museum is located at 6 Washington Street on the banks of the Cochecho River in downtown Dover and offers two levels of hands-on exhibits for children ages 1-12. Families can explore a wide range of subjects, from dinosaurs, music and aeronautics to world cultures, art and natural history. A special area on the second floor has been designed especially for children under age 4 to spark imaginative play. Visitors enjoy a uniquely New Hampshire experience, as all exhibits have been created by museum staff in conjunction with local artists and craftspeople. The museum also features two classrooms for field trips and birthday parties as well as a gift shop. Open year-round Tuesday – Sunday plus Mondays during summer & school vacation weeks. Visit the Children’s Museum of NH website for more information and current schedule of programs, classes, performances and family events.
Swarovski Crystal Personalized Koozie ($10 value)
Look super stylish while keeping your drink cold and your hands warm and dry! These Swarovski Crystal personalized holders are the perfect way to keep track of your or your child’s beverage. What a perfect gift idea for a birthday, wedding, teacher or the gal on the go in the gym. No more worries that your child is drinking from someone else beverage at a sports game or activity. Your child will be able to pick it out of the crowd.
Machine washable in cold water. Each holder is custom made to order with a maximum of 8 letters. Made from black collapsible Neoprene and your choice of Swarovski crystal color – crystal (clear), light pink, hot pink, light blue and a brushed silver or gold stud. Ships in 5-10 business days. Click here to visit online.
Me Time Tees ($24-29)
Me Time branded apparel is where fun meets fashion, and where you can identify with the important me time message among our many fashion top designs. From shopping to sunbathing, wine to dog walking and everything in between, we have your favorite me time activities covered. Our tees make a statement and will draw comments and smiles. We have 65 tees available online. In the coming weeks we will be adding coffee mugs, lounge pants and bling tees to our offering. Shop tees now.
If you need some help coming up with a design for your special someone use our Me Time Gift Suggestion Guide.
Mother’s Day Me Time Certificate (FREE – downloadable).
You don’t find much for free these days, but, we are here to change things. Give Mom the gift of Me Time. This can also be a nice simple gift for kids. They feel a great sense of accomplishment creating something special for Mom. Simply click on the certificate to the left. Print it out on fine quality paper. Fill in the certificate. Roll it up in a scroll and tie with a fancy ribbon. Be sure to arrange for a peaceful time for the gift to be carried out or hire a babysitter if needed.
Give the certificate alone or attach additional gift items like movie tickets, gift cards, theater tickets, a spa certificate or even jewelry.
Enter to Win the Fabulous Products and Services Listed Above in Our “Me Time Celebrates Mom” Giveaway.
A terrific compilation of 4 pampering products. As if these products weren’t enough, we In addition to the great products and services above we have assembled a nice Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket that we are going to include in our giveaway!
Me Time Relaxation Spa Basket ($75)
A compilation of 4 relaxing and rejuvenating products… perfect for a little pampering. Me Time “Relax” Scent Massage Oil which contains, grapeseed, sunflower, jojoba, sweet almond and avocado oils restore and soften tired, dry skin in a silky-smooth custom blend that glides along the skin effortlessly. This massage oil is 100% natural and fragranced only with the purest essential oils. Bath Fizzies that turn your bathtub into a lavish spa. Relax and unwind while the simple fizzing action releases cocoa butter and intoxicating scents to nourish, fragrance and soothe dry skin. Also included is Body Cream containing organic aloe vera make up the base for this ultra rich lotion. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly, leaving behind velvety soft skin kissed with a delicate scent. And last but not least… Spa Eye Pillow filled with all natural flax seed and lavender. Eye pillows are used to provide gentle pressure on the face and temples for relaxation, meditation and sleep.
Enter the “Me Time Celebrates Mom Giveaway”
6 Ways to Participate in this Contest.
The more you spread the word and tweet – the more chances you have to win.
-
Sign up to the Me Time Matters newsletter! Once you’ve become a member, come back here and let us know by leaving your name in the comment.
-
Spread the word! Let your friends know about this giveaway – Twitter (hashtag #metime), Come back here and let us know!
-
Join Our Facebook Fan Club (Me Time – http://groups.to/metime/) and invite your friends to join. Leave a comment on the discussion board, start a new discuss or post something on the wall within the Me Time group.
-
Blog about this guide & giveaway. Post about this guide & giveaway on your own blog or website and come back here leaving the link in the comment box!
-
Follow @aspainhower or @metime.com on Twitter! Once you’ve followed in twitter, recommend us by sending one of the following tweets.
-
Purchase a Me Time Tee.
Good Luck! Happy Mother’s Day! 
Talk to mothers anywhere, and they’ll admit to feeling guilty whenever they sneak a minute for themselves. A woman’s work is never done, right? But taking time outs for yourself is the key to finding greater balance, and ends up benefiting everyone in the long run.
You can start today, by taking it one small step at a time. Here are the top ten tips for taking time outs, gathered from mothers all across America.
Top Ten Tips from the Trenches
1. Steal Five Minutes – wherever you are! The next time you have five free minutes, grab it and do nothing. Get to a meeting early and sit quietly; try to forget that extra load of laundry; take a short walk; breathe deeply; pause. Being still allows you to reconnect with your instincts
2. Delegate… and Appreciate Let your kids make their own beds, and be OK with how they do it! If your husband makes dinner, don’t complain about the burnt hot dogs, but show gratitude. Give yourself a break by letting others help you
3. Your Health Matters Like clockwork, you take your kids for their annual checkups, to the dentist and to specialists, but over 50% of moms we talked to said they miss mammograms, doctor’s appointments and dental checkups for themselves! Make a master list on the computer of all your checkups, specialists’ names and numbers and dates for visits and then no slacking off allowed… Your mental and physical health is a priority
4. Sex is IN; Headaches are OUT! Commit to saying yes to your partner more often: Increasing frequency of sex from once a month to once a week improves happiness as much as getting a raise of $50,000 a year, according to a 2004 study in the National Bureau of Economics Research Working Papers. Intimacy with a loved one makes us come alive!
5. Curiosity—It’s KEY Pick up that magazine or newspaper in the corner and actually read an article! Get down to your kid’s eye level and listen to their stories. If you loved old movies as a kid, skip dinner out with your husband and head over to the local community theatre instead. Plug into the world around you to stay energized
6. Just Say No! Decide on your priorities and stick to them; you are in charge of your own calendar. Be prepared with a reason: “Sorry, I’ve already committed to something for my child/ my boss/ my family, maybe next time,” and then, be firm! Be proactive, not reactive
7. Strip Down to the Basics Try a spending embargo: Don’t re-stock your fridge for two weeks to clear out your pantry; re-use or inherit instead of buying something new; discard old clothing when you buy new. Clutter feels bad: simplicity feels better
8. Walk Don’t Run Slow down so you enjoy the scenery. If you usually take a shower, try taking a bath. If you’re always late, cut something out of your day so you’re early instead. Have a conversation instead of e-mail.Taking life more slowly is a conscious choice
9. A Blast from the Past What did you love doing as a kid? Eating ice cream? Running in the rain? Drawing? Figure out what you used to love, and invite it back into your life.Connect with what makes you tick
10. Shake Things Up! Wear three inch high pink stilettos. Go on a motorbike. Ride on a rollercoaster. Play a prank on a friend. Laughter always feels great.
About the Authors: SUSAN CALLAHAN , ANNE NOLEN and KATRIN SCHUMANN are the authors of Mothers Need Time-Outs Too, It’s Good to Be a Little Selfish, It Actually Makes You a Better Mother (McGraw-Hill, 2008). After interviewing over 500 women across America and abroad, they came to the conclusion that being selfish isn’t always bad. The authors have appeared on numerous T.V. and radio shows and have been featured in such publications as Women’s Day and the Daily Telegraph, UK. Passionate about empowering women, they are donating a percentage of their profits to UNIFEM, the United Nations Fund for Women. For more information, please go to www.momstimeouts.com. Women’s health guru Dr. Christiane Northrup has said this groundbreaking book “stands the motherhood-as-sacrifice model on its head. The result is healthier moms and healthier families.”
Dear Aly,
I was kissing my boyfriend and his scratchy stubble left red patches on the tip of my nose, my chin and upper lip. What is this?
Signed,
Burned Lip
Dear Burned Lip,
While you were kissing your boyfriend his stubble caused physical trauma to your face commonly referred to as “beard burn.” Beard Burn is caused tiny microscopic abrasions and will leave your skin tender and visibly red.
If you are suffering from beard burn try to avoid scrubs and alcohol based products as those will cause additional irritation. Also, apply a calming product with soothing ingredients, such as cucumber and green tea extract, which will reduce the redness in your skin (try MD Skincare® Hydra-Pure® Redness Soothing Serum). Finally, disguise any remaining redness with a concealer or tinted moisturizer.
Hope that helps!
Technorati Profile
