Slideshow
-
Spotlight On :: The Girl Scouts of America
My family moved quite a bit when I was younger. In 2nd grade I went to three different schools in one year. Sometimes it was hard to adjust to a new city or school as a kid, but I do value that experience as an adult as it taught me coping skills at a young age. One year, I joined our local Brownie Troop (see below) and made some instant friends. And earning my badges was a highlight of being a part of this organization that helps build confidence and character in girls. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development…
-
The Best Place in the World to Raise Kids
“Mark Zuckerberg: 699 Million People Use Facebook Today And Soon We’ll Connect The Whole World”—as reported in www.businessinsider.com (Sept. 11, 2013) Most of the people I am connected to on Facebook are friends, family members, or acquaintances that I would be connected to whether or not this social medium existed. That being said, there are a handful of precious fallen friendships that are being rekindled. You know the kind, right? I’m talking about those whose ties should never have been broken, yet they somehow became detached in the shuffle we call life. I lost touch with such a friend two decades ago. Hmmm…, that makes me sound…
-
Ask the Doctor :: Best Supplements for Kids
Ask the Doctor: Question: My preschool and elementary children are back in school and I want to prevent any school colds and flus. Do you have any suggestions? Kids are back in school and yes, cold and flu season is gearing up. The best thing you can do, especially with those picky eaters, to slide in a few to boost and support their immune system; no one wants to miss school or work. Below are my 3 favorites that can be thrown into a smoothie or made into a popsicle: Essential Fatty Acids Why? Your body cannot make essential fatty acids so you need to get them from…
-
Fashion :: A Love Affair with Fall Coats
My love affair with coats probably started while I lived abroad and experienced what cold weather really meant while living in Japan. It happened that the city I lived in, Shizuoka Prefecture, was known for having mild winters, but for a Southern California transplant they were much more severe than what I had grown up with. Since then, I have had this… need I say obsession with coats. My husband will just shake his head if I bring home a new coat I found at our local resale boutique (BEST place to get coats) and have a look in his eyes like Really? You need another one? And I just hang…
-
Garden :: Using Stones to Add Beauty in Your Garden
There is something so calming about stones in a garden. While living in Japan, I grew to appreciate old stones used throughout a garden, such as a stone pagoda covered in green moss, or the stepping stones used in a pathway to a temple. White sand and gravel had long been a feature of Japanese gardens. In the Shinto religion, it was used to symbolize purity, and was used around shrines, temples, and palaces. In Zen gardens, it represents water, or, like the white space in Japanese paintings, emptiness and distance. (Source: Wikipedia). Years ago, I brought back three large gray stones I found along the beach in northern California that reside…
-
Play :: The 2013 Rugby Championships
2013 Rugby Championship – Teach your kids something new today! Have you ever heard of a game called rugby? It’s a really fun sport, especially if you’ve seen a game being played. The rules are similar to games that are familiar to you (such as soccer or football). Two teams, with 15 players each, try to earn points by getting a ball across the opponent’s goal line or between their goalposts. However, in rugby, you can only throw the ball backwards! Rugby is popular in countries such as Australia, England, Italy and Argentina. It’s watched by over 2 billion people worldwide, especially during world championships. Sam and Sofia,…
