Travel

3 Tips to Keep In Mind At Your Next Barbecue

July 3, 2015

When it comes to the Fourth of July, fireworks might be the first thing to come to mind. But, food is probably a pretty close second! In fact, the 4th is the most popular holiday for grilling, followed by Memorial Day.

Who can resist the taste of juicy burgers, finger-licking BBQ and delectable hot dogs? Oh and don’t forget the American quintessential sides of potato salad and baked beans! These decadent summer staples are synonymous with the holiday and help make it fun and festive. While it’s ok to indulge in some of these mouth-watering dishes, it’s important to be smart and sensible.

Dr. Michele Reed, a board certified family physician in New York, shares a few tips on how to stay active and avoid derailing a healthy diet at your next backyard barbecue:

View image | gettyimages.com

*Prep for Success: Set the menu, shop smart and have fun. Make sure lean meats, creative salads, in-season fruits and veggies and better-for-you marinades are all part of the plan.

*Get Moving: In between the food and drinks comes all that great activity. Keep a playlist of tunes going, have some water balloons on reserve or play an impromptu volleyball game – there are tons of crowd-pleasing activities that you can do in your own backyard.

*Portion-Control Gear: Whether you’re bringing your favorite summertime salad or a delectable dessert make sure to include a serving utensil that promotes portion sized eating. If hosting, choose a theme, decorate your space and remember to encourage portion controlled eating by stocking up on salad-sized plates.

What’s your favorite Fourth of July fare? How do you make healthy choices while being tempted with tasty summer treats?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

Mom’s Corner: The Benefits of Breastfeeding

July 2, 2015

As a mother, breastfeeding my children was such a special, cherished time in my life.

From the moment they came into the world I offered them what I felt was the best choice—breast milk. Prior to having them, I researched all the facts about breastfeeding. I found that there were just too many benefits for moms and babies to not give it a shot. Luckily, both of my little ones latched on immediately and quite effortlessly. And, frankly it took them a while to finally let go and move on to the next stage.

To be clear, I don’t knock moms who prefer to feed their newborns and infants formula—I simply did what I felt was the most natural and beneficial for my family and me. I nursed both of my children exclusively for the 6 months, which is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In fact, I continued well past a year.

Me nursing my son when he was still under a year old (I think).

I know that not every mom has as good of a nursing experience that I’ve had, but I encourage all new and expectant moms to at least give it her best effort.

Every mom is entitled to feeding their babies what they feel is best no matter what. But, in case you or someone you know is thinking about breastfeeding, check out these tips, facts and advantages from the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and the American Academy of Pediatrics:

*Breastfeeding provides unique health benefits for babies.

*Ask the doctors and nurses to place your baby skin to skin with you immediately after birth (the baby must be healthy and alert) so that you can breastfeed.

*Try not to give the baby a pacifier while breastfeeding is being established (a few weeks to 1 month after birth).

*Mothers who breastfeed recover from childbirth more quickly and easily.

*Breastfeeding also protects the mom’s health.

*Breastfeeding saves money.

*Breastfeeding is also good for the environment, since there are no bottles to wash or formula cans to throw away.

*Breastfeeding takes practice and you may need help. Don’t be discourage if you find it challenging at first, it gets easier.

Did you breastfeed your child(ren)? What was your experience?

Category: Health, Travel & Lifestyle | 3 Comments

Event Recap: Disney Pixar’s ‘Inside Out’ Advance Screening

June 16, 2015

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to attend an advance screening of Disney Pixar’s new animated movie, “Inside Out.”

Hosted by The MOMS, the viewing was held at the Dolby Screening Room located in midtown. Yep, I braved the subway all the way from Brooklyn with two small kids to see the movie. Usually, that wouldn’t be such a big deal, but the fact that one is still in a stroller and it was nearly 90 degrees makes it a feat in my book! Luckily, my little one slept during the entire 35-minute ride into the city. However, that meant that he was wide-awake once we got to the theater.

Ava and her brother (not pictured) were excited for their surprise trip to the movies!

Up and ready for the movie, the three of us settled into the last row and waited for it to start. Since I’d seen a few commercials for the film, I was eager to finally see it on the big screen. The movie tells a clever story of a young girl who is uprooted from her hometown to a new city as she grapples with the various emotions (joy, fear, anger, sadness and disgust) that relocating entails. Her emotions, as well as her parents’ are illustrated with fun-loving characters voiced by popular actors Amy Poehler (Joy), Mindy Kaeling (Disgust) and Bill Hader (Fear). In fact, Hader was on hand at the screening to the delight of the children in attendance. The movie was chock full of funny one-liners and witty remarks. As I expected, it was an outstanding movie that both parents and kids will enjoy.

Disney Pixar’s “Inside Out” hits theaters nationwide on Friday, June 19th.

Oh, and despite my daughter needing FOUR bathroom breaks and my son having two meltdowns, it was a great way to spend a Friday afternoon!

Check out the trailer below:

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

Sunglasses: Stylish and Crucial for Sun Protection

June 1, 2015

Sunglasses can be a fun and stylish accessory to wear, but they’re far more important than that.

Like the rest of our bodies, our eyes need protection from the sun—year-round. Harsh ultra-violet (UV) rays can put our peepers at risk, which many people fail to realize. Leaving our eyes exposed can lead to sunburn, cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which aren’t recognized as being preventable.

Since many of us adults aren’t aware of the damage that UV rays can do to our eyes, we often fail to protect our little ones too. This oversight can be very detrimental. According to The Vision Council, since children receive 3 times the annual adult dose of UV, not wearing shades sets the stage for serious vision damage later in life.

I received these cool sunnies from Sum Sunglasses that my daughter LOVES!

I used to think sunglasses on small kids and toddlers were just a cute fashion statement, but I never knew the real importance. Now, I make sure that both of my kids’ eyes are covered when we’re out and about.

So, no matter if it’s sunny, cloudy, rainy or snowy people of all ages should be wearing sunglasses when we’re outside—especially during peak UV times: 8am – 10am and 2pm – 4pm.

Check out these eye-opening tips and facts about UV rays and the significance of wearing sunglasses:

*Water reflects up to 100% of UV light
*Snow reflects up to 85% of UV light
*Dry sand and concrete reflect up to 25% of UV light
*Grass reflects up to 3% of UV light
*58% of Americans spend the most time outdoors from 2pm – 6pm
*3 in 10 Americans don’t protect their eyes in the winter, when UV rays are still present
*33.7% of parents of children under 13 said their kids rarely or never wear shades
*Children as young as a year old should wear sunglasses
*Look for a UVA/UVB sticker or label when purchasing quality sunglasses

*Full disclosure: I was gifted a pair of sunglasses and sun protection package from The Vision Council. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

For more information regarding eye protection from the sun, click here!

Do you make it a priority to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes? Do you make sure that your children’s eyes are protected too?

Category: Health, Travel & Lifestyle | Leave a Comment

GIVEAWAY: Celebrate Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Yogurt’s Sweet 16!

May 12, 2015

With two little finicky eaters in my home, it’s hard to find healthy food and snacks that will satisfy their picky palates. But, when all else fails there’s one thing that’s always a go—yogurt!

My five-year-old daughter has loved Stonyfield Organic YoBaby yogurt since she was two and it’s also my 19-month-old son’s go-to dessert. For years I had been giving the single packets to my daughter straight from the fridge, but just recently discovered that freezing them turns them into a delicious froyo treat.

Packed with good bacteria aka probiotics to keep digestive systems happy, yogurt is the perfect alternative to sugar-laden ice cream. Unlike other brands, YoBaby is completely organic with whole milk and fruit and isn’t made with any antibiotics, artificial hormones or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Plus, they’re super convenient and relatively mess-free.

Stonyfield Organic Yogurt is available at grocery stores nationwide. Check them out in the dairy aisle!

So when I was invited to attend YoBaby’s Sweet 16 celebration brunch at the lovely Bouley Botanical event space in Manhattan last month, I was thrilled! It’s always great to gain more insight and information about a brand or company that my family uses and loves. Not only did my kids enjoy the yummy yogurt on hand at the event, but I learned about the company’s 16-year history and received great tips on how to get them to eat more than just yogurt! While it’s a nutritious snack option, their diet definitely needs to be well-balanced with more veggies, grains and protein.

Me and my son enjoying some yogurt at the Stonyfield Organic YoBaby Sweet 16 celebration in New York City on April 28, 2015.

YoBaby partnered with dietician and mom blogger, Sally Kuzemchak, MS, RD of RealMomNutrtion.com to give us moms and editors in attendance feeding ideas to encourage successful eating for babies at different stages.

Check out a few of the tips:

6 months—Purees are the standard first foods for babies but if your little one is interested in self-feeding, experiment with soft, long pieces of finger foods he can easily hold in his hand like wedges of ripe avocado or roasted sweet potatoes.

9 months—Give your baby some yogurt or cooked cereal and a spoon, she can try her hand at self-feeding. Also, introducing whole grains and eggs are a great option at this stage.

12 months—Phase out formula and opt for whole milk for your growing tot. Small finger foods like chickpeas and tofu cubes are fun to eat and nutritious!

24 months—Avoid making separate “kid food” and make meals that your whole family will enjoy. Serving your toddler the same meals as the family will encourage them to try more foods like healthy leafy greens.

Do you have a picky eater in your family? Do your babies/tots/kids enjoy yogurt? If so, I’m giving away a prize pack of YoBaby yogurt to one lucky reader. Simply leave a comment below or Tweet me (@browngirlgumbo) telling me how you get your child to eat different foods to maintain a healthy diet. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, May 26th. This giveaway is only open to U.S residents.

Category: Baby, Giveaway, Giveaways, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 10 Comments

CHARM IT! Event Recap & Design-A-Charm Contest

April 21, 2015

If you have a little girl in your life between the ages of 5 and 14, chances are you’re pretty familiar with CHARM IT!

This past Saturday, the novelty jewelry brand in partnership with Crayola hosted a super girly event celebrating their 2015 Design-A-Charm Contest. Held at the uber trendy Dylan’s Candy Bar on the Upper East Side, my mini-me and her best gal pal were treated to tasty pastries, including Magnolia Bakery cupcakes and of course candy!

Throughout the event, those in attendance were given entry forms to create and submit their best drawings using Crayola (crayons, pencils & markers) for a chance to have them turned into actual charms. Having the girls look through the yearbook of whimsical creations, which included everything from a pair of headphones to palm trees allowed them to use their imaginations.

The contest was a creative activity that my daughter and her BFF really enjoyed, but that wasn’t where the fun ended. After the aspiring charm designs were drawn—the kids got camera-ready with fun props and took cute pics at the photo-booth station.

We had a fantastic time coloring, mingling and especially, indulging in sweets. Now our fingers are crossed in hopes that their designs made the cut.

If you’d like for your child to participate in the charming contest, you’re in luck! The contest runs through May 6th so you have to act FAST!

Simply click on the photo below to enter:

Did you collect charms as a little girl? Or do you STILL collect charms from adult jewelers like Pandora, etc?

Category: Health, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 2 Comments

Get Spring & Easter Styles for Less at The Children’s Place

March 27, 2015

If you’re looking for stylish Easter and spring fashions, look no further than The Children’s Place.

This season the store is stocked with plenty of trendy apparel perfect for school, play dates and weekends. I’ve been shopping at the fashionable and affordable store for just about every occasion since my daughter’s birth five years ago. It’s been my go-to for everything from dresses to headbands (she collects them!) and everything in between. So of course when my son was born, I continued to go there for cute and comfy tees, jeans and outfits for him as well.

My daughter, Ava, wearing one of her favorite dresses from The Children’s Place spring offerings.

Right now I’m completely obsessed with the retailer’s cheery animal motif dresses. They’re so adorable for little girls—especially for those with pets. They’re playful and whimsical just as kids’ clothing should be.

With Easter rapidly approaching next Sunday, be sure to drop by your local TCP—I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Check out some of these look-at-me styles: