| All Blogs | Page 1 of 155 | Next |
| New Ideas: Food & Working Out Publish On 2012-05-16 , 8:47 AM By Marjorie Valle and John Davis During this week of getting fit has gone very well! I have mastered running to different blocks in my subdivision without painting like a thirsty dog. I still huff a bit but not as intensely. It could be because I have two things motivating me, 1. Jada who thinks running is a big race! She loves to have us say 1, 2, 3 go and run's for her life. I try and keep up with her which makes it more fun. 2. When I run alone…I keep saying in my head you can do it girl sometimes I want to scream Shut Up to my own self but I just keep at it. I had a great conversation with Elaine Jones a Clinical Nutritionist with CMC University Hospital. She has opened my husband and I eyes in regards to viewing food differently. I am amazed that she has my husband thinking about trying things like hummus and black bean burgers (gasp). Two of my favorite things I enjoy. Our daughter Joi is willing to try black bean burgers as well, just amazing. However Joi is opposed to hummus claiming it makes her throat itches, go figure. So far the Fit Family Challenge has been fun and helpful. Trying to put different concepts into daily practice is the biggest challenge we face. We are still working managing our time and making better food choices but hopefully as the weeks go on we will find a balance. We are giving it our best effort. It has opened the line of communication for us to discuss food and working out. Comments (0) | ||
| MeckEd Honors Teachers of Excellence Publish On 2012-05-16 , 8:34 AM  Teachers work tirelessly each day. Tonight, May 16, a group of 40 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools teachers will be recognized for their hard work, dedication and leadership at the MeckEd Teachers of Excellence celebration at the Mint Museum.It's the first year that MeckEd has recognized a group of educators. CMS principals nominated the teachers for their instructional leadership and positive contributions to their schools and professional communities. MeckEd then collaborated with CMS officials to narrow the pool of nominees based on student academic growth and a desire to highlight the work of teachers across diverse school settings, subjects, grade levels and experiences. The Daily Post thinks this is another great example of community awareness and recognition of educators in Mecklenburg County. Limited budgets and shifts in funds often stir the community into a frenzy of negativity about public schools. It's good to be positive, recognize those who are making a difference despite the obstacles and challenges. Hats off to all those teachers who work tirelessly with our children each and every day. You are an integral component to raising up the village! Comments (0) | ||
| Mom-Tested: Waxelene Publish On 2012-05-15 , 2:17 PM  Waxelene is good stuff. An alternative to petroleum jelly, it's great to prevent chafing, is gentle and nontoxic for babies, and is great for rough feet and dry hands, or chapped lips. What makes it better than petroleum jelly, however, is it's ingredients.It's made from organic soybean oil, natural beeswax, rosemary oil and vitamin E oil. All really great things for your skin ... and no petroleum, because really who wants to smear petroleum on herself? I have used it over and over on my toddler son when he had chafed cheeks in the winter, a boo-boo that needed a little attention. I also shared with my mom who says it's awesome for helping keep feet and hands smooth and moisturized. It's not greasy or sticky, has a nice, mild smell and goes on clear. Look for it at Whole Foods stores, or order at waxelene.com. Two-ounce jar, $6.99; 9-ounce jar, $15.99. And did I mention it lasts a long time! Legal Stuff: Products reviewed on Mom-Tested are sent by manufacturers, PR and promotion companies for editor’s review. All products are tested by our Mom-Tested Team (all moms, of course!), and our Test Kids to determine if it’s a thumbs up or thumbs down; our children range in age from 6 months to 17 years. Legally, we are required to tell you we do not take payment for reviewing products. Hey, it’s a tough job, but someone has to do it! If you have any questions, contact us at editorial@charlotteparent.com. Comments (0) | ||
| TRIPLES! TRIPLES TRIPLES! Publish On 2012-05-15 , 11:27 AM  HARRIS TEETER TRIPLE COUPONS START WEDNESDAY, MAY 16!One of the things that drove me crazy before I learned the ins and outs of couponing was that I did not know about events like Triples and SuperDoubles in advance. I would normally find out by the weekend and at that point all the good stuff was gone. Here are tips on navigating your Harris Teeter shopping this week during Triples!
The next thing you need to learn about is RAINCHECKS! Rainchecks are every couponers secret weapon. Why? Because they are awesome and basically give you the sale price whenever YOU want to buy the item. Harris Teeter will issue rainchecks on out of stock items (unless the circular states no rainchecks). Rainchecks at Harris Teeter NEVER expire. How do I get a Raincheck? While you are shopping, jot down the items that are not on the shelves. Go to the Customer Service counter and ask for rainchecks on those items. Harris Teeter coupon policy allows for three alike coupons in one transaction. So it’s best to get your rainchecks written for 3. If you get it written for 10 of the item you’ll only be able to pair that raincheck with three alike coupons. If the item you want is a Buy One Get One Deal (BOGO) they should write it for “3 deals” or “3 sets” Why should I take the time to get them? Let’s say there is a great BOGO item on sale, like peanut butter. The store is out of stock on the item, but you’ve got plenty in your cabinet so you keep on walking. STOP! Here’s why you get a raincheck.
And another thing! Don’t forget that when coupons come out this Sunday there maybe great deals you can use those on since the Triple Coupons continue till next Tuesday. Did you learn something? Please share it with a friend. Like MOM$ENSE on Facebook and as soon as I know that Triples or SuperDoubles is happening you’ll know too! Don’t forget to email me at savingwithmomsense@gmail.com. and tell me how these tips help you this week while you practice your Triple Coupon skills or share your tips for making the most of Triples at Harris Teeter in the comment box below. ~Saving money is MOM$ENSE Comments (0) | ||
| Bottles, Binkies and Sippy Cups Pose Risks to Toddlers Publish On 2012-05-15 , 6:47 AM  A new study published in the journal Pediatrics reports that between 1991 and 2010, there were 45,398 children treated for injuries that involved pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups -– about 2,250 cases per year. In more than 80 percent of the cases, falling down contributed to the injury.Pacifiers, bottles and sippy cups can all be soothers for kids, but that doesn't mean it's always the best idea to let them run around with one. Most of the injuries reported were with toddlers around age 1 ... you know the age when they trip over nothing as they find their balance. The study also mentioned that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends weaning babies off the paci in the second six months of life to avoid middle ear infections. The Daily Post did not do this, and her son did have a lot of ear infections. Still not sure whether I believe the two correlate, and his pacifier was (still is at bedtime) his soother. What's the takeaway here? Don't let kids runaround with things in their mouths. Stumbles and falls are inevitable with the little ones, and if something is in their mouth – food included – they run the risk of getting a cut or choking. The Daily Post thinks this report is simply a common-sense reminder! Comments (0) | ||
| TIME Magazine Detaches With Latest Cover Publish On 2012-05-13 , 9:02 PM By now you've likely seen the new TIME Magazine cover that pictures a 26-year-old mom nursing her 3-year-old son who is standing on a stool in front of her. The mom looks poised but void, IMO, with her hand on her hip, looking straight into the camera's lens ... not at her son.The cover highlights the feature about attachment parenting. It's been 20 years since Dr. Bill Sears came out with ideas support for growing strong attachment bonds between parents and their babies and toddlers through extended breastfeeding, co-sleeping and baby-wearing. The Daily Post is a believer in balance. Building bonds with children is an awesome thing, and so important in helping them develop confidence and self-esteem. But the full definition of attachment parenting doesn't work for everyone, but that doesn't make it right or wrong as long as you create a loving environment for your child. But that brings me back to the cover. The Daily Post gets the shock value of the image, and also thinks that TIME is banking on that. The mom is a beautiful, thin woman with a beautiful son, but the picture does not in any way seem warm. The mom looks void of attention to her son and he too is looking into the camera, not at his mother. That's not bonding, that's posing for a picture. That's not thinking of your child (who let's hope has an extreme sense of confidence to live with this picture in the history files). Again don't get me wrong, attachment parenting can be a beautiful thing, but it's not about pictures and taking stands, it's about loving your child to the fullest and giving them your best. TIME may need to try again to capture that sentiment. Comments (1) | ||
| Week 2 in the Books Publish On 2012-05-13 , 8:26 PM So, we've completed two full weeks of the Fit Family Challenge, and "challenge" has been the key word this week. Last Sunday, I spent the majority of the day cooking and prepping for healthy meals and snacks for the week. This was incredibly helpful and I definitely felt more prepared this week. It made my life so much easier. If only the rest of my life had been easy as well! Monday night we had a baseball game and Tuesday was a PTA meeting that was necessary for voting in the new board. Tuesday was one of those days ... you know, those days when everything keeps coming up. Chris had woken up with a sore throat on Sunday morning, and I just kind of let it go because he had no other symptoms. Monday he went to school and his game, but still complained of the sore throat. Tuesday he woke up really not feeling well, so he stayed home from school. I couldn't get him in to see the doctor at a convenient time, so after the PTA meeting (which was short, thank goodness) we went over to the Children's Urgent Care to have him checked out. I'd like to give a little shout-out to the people at the Urgent Care...they were phenomenal! We checked in, they checked him out, ran a strep test, we saw the doctor (negative for strep!) and we were out of there in less than 30 minutes! Yippee ... I was going to make it to the gym after all. Chris went home with some dinner and I headed out. I felt so good for actually making it to the gym after such a hectic day. Anyway, the rest of the week was a little easier. I went to Zumba Wednesday night and back to the gym on Friday night and Saturday afternoon. Thursday evening, we met with the nutritionist, Elaine Jones. She is super nice and I think will offer a wealth of knowledge to help us out. We eat pretty well already, but she offered a couple of nice substitutions. I'm sure I'll be talking about her more later. So, the moral of this blog post is that life happens. But when you are serious about making some positive life changes, you have to roll with the roadblocks and keep your eye on the end goal! I've tried very hard to do that this week. I've looked at these first two weeks as my learning curve. I've learned that planning is key. And even if I make a misstep, get back on my path and continue on. Too often we punish ourselves for making a poor choice, or not trying harder, by continuing on the destructive path. I will no longer do that. To help with that, I've started writing motivational phrases in a little notebook that I keep with me. I've started following so many people on Facebook who are on the same path as I am. Find others who are making the same positive changes so you can look to them for support. I have two significant positive outcomes of the week. Yesterday I was walking/jogging on the treadmill. At one point I jogged continuously for two minutes. This may not be a big deal to some of you, but it is HUGE to me! Because soon, two minutes will be 10 minutes, and 10 minutes will be 30 minutes! I also lost one pound. Losing one pound is nothing to write home about, but I didn't gain a pound. I didn't stay the same. I LOST a pound, and I am definitely a "glass half full" kind of girl! Until next time ... Comments (0) | ||
| To Buy or Not to Buy Sunday's Paper Publish On 2012-05-11 , 3:17 PM  I say yes for this Sunday! Sunday’s paper is scheduled to have 3 inserts on May 12: SmartSource, Red Plum and Proctor & Gamble. If you don’t subscribe to the newspaper, but pick it up on Sunday for coupons here are Mom$ense’s top tips to make sure you get your money’s worth! 1. Always take the one from the bottom of the rack! There are many coupon “shoplifters” out there who rifle through the paper and take the inserts even if they don’t buy the paper. Be sure you are getting everything you are paying for! 2. Don’t waste your money on the paper until you check to see what inserts are going to be included. Here’s a great website you can check. You can also subscribe to their website and you’ll get a reminder as soon as the coupons for that week are posted. Sunday Coupon Preview  3. Headed to the coffee shop for your Sunday Morning cup-o-joe? Coffee shops are great sources for coupons. Many people pick up the paper and leave it behind once they are done. 4. Join a coupon group to help bulk up on the coupons you want most! Here are a few I am familiar with. Fort Mill
Support our Troops!Clip Save Give - Meets this Saturday May 12 – 3:30-5:30 Baxter Village Library http://clipsavegive.com/ for more information.  SouthPark Come to the SouthPark Coupon Clippers next meeting this Sunday, May 19th @ 2:30 at EarthFare in Southpark. Share and clip coupons with other money saving enthusiasts! SouthPark Coupon Clippers or email SouthParkCouponClippers@gmail.com for meeting info. York - SC Coupon Swap - First Thursday of each month Life Way Church Annex - 6:30pm - 8:00pm. The annex is located at 23A North Congress Street in downtown York.  All three of these Coupon Clipping Groups also collect expired coupons to share with our US Military service people. Each group does it in different ways, but here’s a website to learn more about the topic. Coups for Troops  Know of any other coupon groups in the area? MOM$ENSE wants to spread the word Email me at savingwithmomsense@gmail.com. ~Saving money is just MOM$ENSE! Comments (0) | ||
| A Mother's Day to Remember Publish On 2012-05-11 , 8:10 AM  Celebrate Mother's Day in a special way this year and get out and about for one of many festive mommy events. Relax and soak up the beauty of Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens at Mother's Day at the Garden. The first 250 moms to arrive Saturday and Sunday will receive a free potted plant. Enjoy stained glass and mosaic art demonstrations and browse art pieces for sale. Delicious picnic baskets are available for pre-order. Other food and beverage items will be available for purchase onsite. Put on your finest dress and celebrate Mother's Day with a dainty tea party. Learn about the origin of Mother's Day and the tradition of tea Saturday at the Mint Hill Library's Mother-Daughter Tea. You will also enjoy a tasty snack at this free event. Get all dolled up and take your little ones and their dolls and teddy bears to Pottery Barn at SouthPark Saturday for a free Mother's Day Doll Tea Party. Enjoy an afternoon of refreshments, stories and more. Celebrate in style at the Ritz-Carlton's Mother's Day Holiday Tea. Featuring live entertainment and spectacular panoramas of Charlotte, this year’s annual tea party will offer a delightful selection of traditional and contemporary tea sandwiches, warm scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, and a spectacular sweets and treats array from Bar Cocoa. Combine your Mother's Day celebration with education and head to Latta Plantation Nature Center Sunday for Muffins with Mom. Enjoy a snack while learning the basics of birding. Get active this Mother's Day Weekend and enjoy a free yoga class to celebrate healthy moms. Embark on your mental escape at Urban Active in Ballantyne Saturday morning. Pamper yourself further Sunday with Pampering at the Park during the Charlotte Knight's Game. Moms will receive mini-manicures and massages on the concourse while kids can make t-shirts that express why they love mom. Honor Thy Mother and let NarroWay Theatre prepare a feast to remember with a fun-filled variety show that pays tribute to motherhood. With real-life kid interviews, hilarious drama and music that thrills the soul, this is a show fit for a queen! Here's to you Mom... Have a wonderful Mother's Day! Comments (0) | ||
| Lollipops: "Peter and the Wolf" Thrillin Publish On 2012-05-10 , 8:09 PM  When I heard that I was going to a symphony, the first thing that came to my mind is long, boring weird music. But I gracefully accepted the opportunity to try this one out. After all, the title was Lollipops: "Peter & The Wolf."The Knight theater is well designed. It was easy to put myself in the story because of the life like colors and lights. Even the live music was amazing. I felt like I was in the middle of everything. I understood the music, which is not the norm for me, but I couldn't help it. Each set was thrilling! I laughed a few times at the cleverness of Peter. This symphony was something different. It was fun. They even had mines there to help tell the story ... 'and that poor 'ole wolf didn't have a chance! In closing, it was nice to see a few of my animal-themed instruments being played. Maybe one day I'll be on that performance level until then, I hope to see more symphonies on this level! — Cassie Pressley, 11, Charlotte Comments (0) | ||
By 
