Some much deserved R & R

As a busy, busy, busy mom I need (just like all other moms and women alike) some me time to relax and unwind. With a toddler, that time is hard to find. But I urge you all to take some time for a little rest and relaxation in the near future with Masada Mineral Herb Spa.

Here's what you need to create such a spa:

Draw a warm to hot (depending on your liking) tub with water
100% Natural Dead Sea Mineral Salts with Herbs and Aromas by Masada
An hour (give or take as much time as you like) with peace and quiet - after your child is in bed, perhaps...

This I guarantee will relax you from head to toe. It's very soothing and these are whole organic salts that do more than just relax you. For more information on the salts go to www.masada-spa.com.

I have copied and pasted a bit of info from their website as well for easier viewing:

Masada Dead Sea Mineral Salts- like a bandage for what ails you. Exclusive Masada Dead Sea Mineral Salts are 100% natural, imported in unprocessed form from the southernmost part of the Dead Sea, where mineral concentration is richest. The combination of these essential minerals- Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium- does amazing things for both mind and body.

Physiological
• Helps detoxify the body and ward off viruses
• Stimulates natural circulation for improved health
• Helps relieve athlete's foot, corns, calluses
• Acts as a natural anti-bacterial

Musculo-skeletal
• Relaxes tense, aching muscles and joints
• Helps relieve arthritis and rheumatism
• Helps relieve chronic lower back pain

Skin benefits
• Draws out impurities in skin
• Soothes skin irritations such as psoriasis and eczema
• Soothes itching, burning and bites
• Smoothes and softens skin
• Encourages skin to renew itself
• Helps scars to heal
• Restores moisture balance to the skin

Psycho-physical
• Provides deep relaxation
• Helps relieve stress and tension
• Promotes restfulness

Occupational
• Relieves tired, aching feet and leg muscles
• Eases tension in hands and wrists
• Helps relieve sports injuries

But not all bath salts are created equal.

Bath salts abound in all sizes and scents and make many claims. But the majority of bath salts on the market are regular sea salts that cannot offer the benefits of Dead Sea Mineral Salts.

Regular Ocean (sea) salts = 97% Sodium Chloride 3.5% Minerals

Genuine Dead Sea Mineral Salts are an entirely different classification of bath treatment. These always contain a higher concentration of beneficial minerals and a much lower concentration of sodium chloride. But even among Dead Sea Mineral Salts there is significant variation in composition that will effect therapeutic results. Only genuine Southern Dead Sea Mineral Salts are unchallenged as the optimal therapeutic bath salts. These have the highest concentration of minerals. This is the concentration of minerals in all Masada Dead Sea Mineral Salts: Magnesium Chloride (MC12) 34.0% Potassium Chloride (KC1) 23.0%

You can find these salts at any store that carries natural or organic products. And remember if possible, try to shop locally.

I Love You Through and Through

Okay, so I've been slacking a bit on the blog duties. Sorry, Florida is really nice and I've been busy. Ok, so this is a very adorable book. It's called I Love You Through and Through, by Bernadette Rossetti Shustak and Illustrated by Caroline Jayne Church. This is one of my daughter's favorite books. It tells her just how much I love her and she also learns her body parts and learns that I love all of her, even when she's mad. The illustrations are of a cute, little boy and his teddy bear throughout the book. Highly recommended by both parent and child. If you haven't picked up this book already, you should do so today. You can find it at your local book store. If you live in the Tampa Bay area check this website out to help you locate a locally owned bookstore: www.localshops1.com.

Arthritis Foundation

On a recent shopping trip (yes, I was shopping at locally owned stores:)), I stopped in a store called "Browse". From the first glance this looked a like second-hand furniture store and what luck was that, because after moving I need to fill my much larger house with furniture:) As I walked around the store, I couldn't believe all the low prices for such nice pieces of furniture. I spoke with the gentleman in the back and he told me that this was a completely non-profit store. The store was donated to them, and the people working in the store were volunteers from the Arthritis Foundation. Everything in the store was donated and all proceeds go to the Arthritis foundation. I thought this was great! They also have dishes and lots of stuffed animals as well. We bought this adorable little bear for my daughter (she had to have it) for a steal. It's a brand new bear with the tags still on it. She hugged it the whole way home! So please, before you go out shopping for stuffed animals or furniture (and many other miscellaneous items including books), stop by "Browse" located at 410 12th Street W, Bradenton, FL 34205 or go to www.arthritis.org and see if there is a similar store in your area. You can save money, save the planet (by recycling) and help a good cause all at the same time!

Thanks, Gramma!

If you are fortunate enough like I am to have a grandmother (or mother) who is crafty and talented, then you may already have something similar to this. My grandmother made this blanket back in the 80's for my first child. When each one of her grandchildren were born, she made a blanket for our first born child. She did this so that we would have something from her, even if she wasn't around to see it. Luckily for me, she was still around when I had my daughter and is still around today in fact. And I get to have this adorable pink blanket as well! I am not using it as you would traditionally use a blanket however. I decided to display this great work of art as a wall hanging in my daughter's bedroom. She loves it because it's pink and has animals on it. I love it because it's handmade from the heart and it looks adorable hanging on her wall. Each square is hand embroidered with an animal for a children's story. Take a closer look...

Dog's Noisy Day

Dog's Noisy Day, A Story to Read Aloud. By Emma Dodd. This book has so many great qualities such as whimsical drawings, cute little farm animals and the sounds they make. Your child (and you) will enjoy reading this book and will learn about farm animals and their sounds. The story is great and even has some (many) humorous lines. One of my favorites is "This is a friendly farm, thinks dog." Another is "Hello, dirty Dog"

I bought this book at a yard sale (recycling books= green), but you could probably find it at your local bookstore. And remember to shop locally- it's good for the economy, it's good for the community and it's good for you!

Pizza, Pizza

We all know that kids love pizza, but ordering out can get expensive and frozen pizza's are just yucky. But who has the time to make one from scratch? That's why I get a pre - made pizza crust (such as Boboli), pizza sauce, toppings and cheese and throw one together in 5 mintues tops (no pun intended). It takes a bit longer than taking a frozen pizza out of the freezer and removing the wrapping, but oh so worth it! And you can customize your pizza to be exactly the way you want it. Better yet, you can use all organic ingredients and make it that much better. A favorite in my house is green olives and mushrooms. I buy the olives and mushrooms pre-sliced and voila- it's oven-ready in a jiffy. Pair the pizza with a steamed veggie and your dinner is served.

Cross Country Travel

My family and I just had the adventure of a lifetime. We moved cross country from the frozen tundra of Wisconsin to warm, sunny Florida. We traveled over 1200 miles with a 22 month old and survived! We not only survived, but we had very few meltdowns. How, you ask?

We planned the trip over a span of four days. We timed our trips around nap time and we had magic in the form of a portable DVD player. It was that simple. Because we know our daughter, like many kids, does not do well on long car rides we wanted to limit the amount of per day driving to 4 or 5 hours. That gave us 2 to 3 hours of solid nap time and had only an hour of two to fill with books, dvd's and snacks. By the fourth day we were all sick of being in the car, there's no doubt on that one, but we were all happy. Because a happy baby equals happy parents!

Welcome

Hello.

If you are looking for a one stop location to find toy and book reviews for your uber chic children, travel ideas and tips, healthy kid friendly recipes, kid friendly spots (restaurants, museums, etc.), items geared just for mama and daddy, then welcome home.