Three Easy-To-Keep New Year’s Resolutions

Well here we are at the end of one year and start of another.  Just walking through Target gave me paranoia on what my New Year’s resolutions might be:  big displays of storage and organization, sales on athletic wear and point-of-purchase set ups showing off detox teas and protein shakes.  The new year typically brings a newfound interest in starting with a fresh, healthy slate.  However often times New Year’s resolutions are easy to state but hard to keep.  With that in mind I am sharing the three I have found to be simple yet effective!

DRINK WATER – simply put.  You’ll be surprised how much water you can drink when you start with a fun, cute water bottle and just keep it on your desk or in your car.  I love the Swell bottles for their pretty designs. Bonus points for adding flavor with lemon or lime slice!

WEAR SUNSCREEN –  another no-brainer.  These days we cannot afford to NOT wear sunscreen even on wintry days.  This is the easiest way to prevent a major type of cancer and not look older than you are (win, win!).  So many make-ups these days offer an SPF.  If you prefer a no makeup routine, a moisturizer with SPF will certainly do the trick.  My favorite by far for a bit of foundation coverage is IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50.  People have actually committed on my skin since I started wearing this product.  AH-MAZING.

STRETCH YOUR BODY – After having three children and not getting any younger my body has suffered a bit.  The most obvious toll has been in my lower back.  After 7+ years of picking up children, strollers and toys, my back has taken a beating.  Since monthly massages are not in the budget I find stretching helps tremendously.  Stretching comes naturally once you get in the habit of doing it and the benefits are amazing!  Better breathing, better posture and more strength just to name a few.  This is a simple resolution because it literally be done anywhere, anytime:  on the living room floor during The Real Housewives, watching your kids play at the park, or even sitting in traffic.  While this is pretty easy to learn some specific techniques are always helpful.  I recommend Stretching by Bob Anderson.  This book has been around for decades and is a go-to for trainers and massage therapists.  In fact an excellent massage therapist is the one who first told me about it!

If I can commit to these three simple resolutions I am certain you can to!  Cheers to a healthy, happy 2018.

Easter Basket Ideas For Toddlers

Holidays have taken on a whole new meaning now that I am a mom.  Seeing Christmas, birthdays and upcoming Easter through the eyes of a child have made these days a lot more fun.  It also brings back fond memories of my own childhood holidays, with the ubitiquous photo of sitting on Santa’s lap and handing out cards to classmates on Valentine’s Day.

Last Easter my son was not even a year old so there wasn’t much to do but go to church.  This year we will do the same but also add on the traditions of an Easter basket and a couple of Easter egg hunts.  It took some hunting of my own but I have rounded-up a few ideas for simple but playful Easter baskets for young toddlers.

First…the basket.  The baskets from Pottery Barn Kids are super cute personalized and will last through the years.  Last Easter my mother purchased one for my son and I even use it as a centerpiece on our dining table filled with vintage looking paper Easter eggs in different sizes.  I also love the look of galvanized buckets such as these from Etsy shop BroddersTubs for a more contemporary look.  Of course inexpensive baskets from Target work just as well!

Now…what to put in these baskets? Older children are easy:  candy, candy and more candy.  Peruse the seasonal section at any Walgreens or Target and it is chocolate bunnies galore.  For toddlers, however, I really don’t see the need to give them anything for extra energy.  For candy alternatives I like snack treats such as Annie’s Graham Crackers, mini boxes of raisins or small bags of Happy Baby yogurt melts.  The all natural “Kitty Egg Crayons” from Etsy shop Kitty Baby Love is an adorable gift.  And what child doesn’t love a lovey? A small bunny blanket from Angel Dear provides something soft and lovable.  As a toy option Little People by Fisher Price is just the right size for a basket goodie.  Its a collection of figures in the form of different characters (farmer, bus driver, etc) and even superheroes (Holy Smokes, Batman!) perfect for little hands to hold.  Happy Easter!