Mrs Mo's New Jersey

What is That? Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-14T23:47:00.004-04:00

Can you guess what's in the picture?

The winning guess will receive FREE press release services from yours truly! Check out my business site, H. Morris Solutions, for more details of my services and some samples.

photo by Heather James Photography

How to sneak in reading during the summer

2009-07-13T07:15:00.004-04:00

Maddy loves books. She enjoys turning the pages and pointing at the colorful images. But she can't read the words yet and she's too squirmy to sit though an entire reading. She's only 14 months old, but I'm already pretty well equipped with various resources to encourage reading when she's ready. But whether you're children are in that stage of "Yay books are fun!" or "Ugh do I have to read?" there are great websites and bloggers who have found ways to sneak in reading to your day. Kind of like the way you can cook brownies with zucchini!

A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to join a conference call with Judy Harris, the CEO of Hooked-on-Phonics and other reading/parent bloggers. We talked about ways to encourage reading through the summer in addition to the opportunities for reading that we have all around us.

In attendance for the "Virtual Coffee" were some very inspiration and creative bloggers:

Allie of No Time for Flash Cards
Amy of Teach Mama
Nirasha of Mommy Niri
Brian of Book Dads

Some of the highlights were:

How many books can you read? Make a book paper chain with your kids where each chain represents a book they promise to read. From 5 to 30, it doesn't matter how many they choose. It's all about the enthusiasm to read!
Aisles and aisles or reading! Make easy to read shopping lists of food for when you shop with the kids. Hand each child a list with words and pictures and let them find the items.
Read rules and instructions before you play a game or enter an amusement park or museum. You get the reading practice but also an easy-out to remind your child "Sorry, those are the rules!"
Reading can be fun and games...and crafts! Create a craft activity using a new or favorite book as inspiration. But if you're at a loss, check out Allie's blog for creative and unique ideas.
Boys vs Girls? Sometimes boys need a little encouragement from the men in their lives. The Book Dads provide a resource for dads, uncles, grandfathers and all parents.
Star power: create videos of your kids reading to send to grandparents. You get reading, speaking and concentration practice all-in-one!
B-I-N-G-O: Planning a trip or looking for car activities? Make BINGO sheets with letters and play I-Spy looking for object-letter associations.
Write the alphabet out on paper and take your kids outside for a letter scavenger hunt.

Since my educational background is in middle school, here are some ideas to encourage older kids to read:

Drop everything and read...as a family. Let's face it, some kids won't do something if you don't either. Pick a time of night (right after dinner is always best) where everyone stops what they are doing to read for a short time. Set a minimum time limit, like 15-minutes, and if you want to read more than that, great!
Teen recommendations: find websites with book reviews written by kids and let your child pick from that site. A great place to start is Flamingnet, started in 2002 when the publisher was in 5th grade.
Sometimes, your teen will even want your advice or want to know your opinion. Why not read the same book and then compare notes when you're finished?
If it's not going to be book, try a magazine. Surprise them with a subscription to a special interest mag or let them pick one from your local B&N or Borders. Just try NOT to DISCOURAGE magazine reading. It's words and content that your child is READING. Done.

Buy Gelato for charity

2009-07-10T19:22:00.003-04:00

Present this coupon for proceeds to support a charity that provides water to suffering countries. (Click for full size)

More about A Drink for Tomorrow

My interview with founder Stephanie Weaver

Visit Dolce Crema

A natural choice for your BBQ: Feature Friday Q&A with FunniBonz CEO Jim Barbour

2009-07-09T11:00:00.014-04:00

Some people would say that Jim Barbour is a saucy kind of guy. But the West Windsor entrepreneur would take that as a compliment!

After launching his own line of all-natural BBQ sauces called FunniBonz in December 2008, Barbour has been treating NJ residents to his unique and all-natural creations. As of January 2009, FunniBonz has sold 2,200 cases which are 26,400 jars and are in 102 store locations and have received orders from Market Meats in Vancouver, Canada and Selfridges in London, England making them an International company. With 3 full time employees, 6 part time employees, 12 part time independent contractors and 1 intern for the summer, FunniBonz is growing rapidly!

Rob and I actually ran into the FunniBonz man himself at Murphy's Market in Beach Haven over 4th of July weekend while we were shopping for dinner. It was hard to miss his enthusiasm and of course, his yummy BBQ chicken! One bite and I was ready to spoil my dinner appetite. So of course, I had to learn more about his sauce and how his brand is grilling the competition.

Meet Jim Barbour, the saucy guy behind FunnizBonz BBQ Sauce:

Q: Jim, I love your sauce and it's rare to find all-natural varieties. What was your inspiration to start the business?

A: Aside from not really liking the job that I had(an electronic discovery account manager in NYC), I have always had a love of cooking and I have always wanted to start my own business. I spent a lot of time grilling out and I could not find a sauce that I really like, so I decided to make my own.

Q: FunniBonz is a great and unexpected name for BBQ sauce. Where did it come from?

A: When I suggested to my business partner Ryan, that I was going to create my own barbecue sauce he said that we should call it FunniBonz, and the name just stuck. It just seemed right.

Q: So why BBQ sauce? And how did you learn about flavor and food combinations?

A: I learned food combinations growing up. I was always the kid at my mother’s apron strings and I have always had a curious fascination about good food. I did not know the first thing about making a barbecue sauce, but I know what flavor combinations that I like and I feel that I have an innate talent for layering and finding a balance when creating a sauce or a dish. The sauce is a pretty unique blend, but I pulled the things I love best in several sauces that I have had.

Q: In addition to being a unique blend, what else sets you apart from other all-natural sauces on the market?

A: One thing that sets our sauce apart from other all-natural sauces is the flavor. Our sauce is a full bodied, sweet and tangy style barbecue sauce without the heavy vinegar bite. Because of this, it pairs with everything from chicken to pork, beef, vegetables, seafood and tofu. It is also one of the lowest in sodium on the shelf. We also have a very unique packaging process where we heat our sauce for a certain time and to a certain temperature at the time of bottling. This process allows our sauce to withstand higher heat without falling apart or burning like most other sauces. This allows you to actually cook, bake or grill with our sauce without the drastic change in the consistency of the sauce.

Q: Let's go back in time for a second. I read that you were a drama student at UNC Greenboro. This may be stating the obvious, but do you feel your academic training has helped you make Funni Bonz more successful? Do you have any tips for other potential entrepreneurs on getting out there and marketing your product?

A: My dramatic training has helped me in so many ways. I love to perform and I love to be in front of people. I am able to read people a lot better and also adapt to my environment. But I also feel that every aspect of my professional career has played a part in making me the person that I am and preparing me for this role.

My advice to other entrepreneurs that are looking to market their own products is to just do it. Most people never move from talking about an idea to actually doing it because they don’t know where to begin. People become so preoccupied with the 1 million reasons why it can’t be done rather than fixate on the goal at hand. The true secret is to just do it. It will take a lot of hard work and dedication and the road will be filled with obstacles to overcome and problems to fix. But if you start by putting one foot in front of the other, eventually you will be walking. Don’t let yourself or anyone else put doubt in your mind and make you lose your focus. If you want it, go for it! Start knocking on door and go out and get it!!

Q: You certainly have been getting out there with in-store taste testings in various NJ locations. What do you like about them and what brought you to LBI?

A: I love meeting the people. I love to see their reaction when they taste my product. I love the when kids love my sauce. Especially the picky eaters!! I love to know that I have an effect on the dish that a mother will prepare for her family or to know that FunniBonz has become a staple in someone’s house. It just makes me feel good that I can bring joy to other people. I don’t have a house down in LBI (yet) but I spent my childhood growing up there every summer. So on the 4^th of July it only made since to spend my day at a store that I really enjoyed and that was Murphy’s Market. They brought our product into their stores and have been really great to us. I am proud to have my products in Mr. Murphy’s stores.

Q: In addition to Murphy's, how has the support from local NJ markets been for you?

A: The support from the NJ supermarkets has been tremendous. I began this journey with Pennington Quality Market where Don and Chris Rellstab welcomed me into the store with open arms. They allowed me to feature my product and sample to their customers. Colin John, the grocery manager of Whole Foods in Princeton looked at my product and told me how he championed local vendors and facilitated my entry into the Whole Foods Mid-Atlantic Region. Ken Toth the meat manager from McCaffrey’s brought us in to all of the stores and has always supported our cause. We have had such a great experience with the NJ supermarkets. I could not imagine starting my business anywhere else.

Q: Future plans?

A: We have just opened the catering arm of the business where we will do everything from rolling up a smoker to your event and do a real BBQ meal with pulled pork, chicken, ribs and upscale southern sides to delivered catering trays to a more elegant fine dining catering menu. I also have plans to develop my FunniBonz line of cryopaked meats such as FunniBonz Pulled Pork, FunniBonz Pulled Chicken, FunniBonz Baby Back Ribs and FunniBonz Brisket among other things. I will distribute these smoked meats out to retail locations.

I do have plans for restaurants in the future. The restaurants will offer a culmination of our smoked meats, sauces and rubs along with a variety of other menu items that will surely keep people happy!

I would also like to compete. This year has been so filled that we have not had a minute to breath. There are so many things to do and I want to do them all!! All in good time. But I do plan to compete next year. Maybe we can do Memphis in May. That would be a lot of fun.

Special thanks to the following people who had a hand in helping our business get off the ground: staff photographer Karri McKenzie, graphic design firm called Creativenergy owned by Linda Abbedrabo, who designed all of our labels and graphics, animator and producer named Stephan Lay who creates all of our animation and digital visual effects

FunniBonz BBQ Sauce is available is various Whole Foods Markets across the state and local supermarkets. For more information including store locations, recipes and the online store, visit http://www.funnibonz.com.

Boutique News: Christmas in July!

2009-07-09T08:51:00.002-04:00

It's Christmas in July at Bellies & Booties!

This week and next week only, save 40% or more on all Layette & Children's Clothing.

We stock sizes up to 4T, plus shoes, socks and other accessories at great prices to complement all of the clothes you'll pick up at 40% off.

New fall fashions are arriving daily, and we still have a great selection of warm weather merchandise that your little one can enjoy up to October!

Plus, a special for you, my VIP Customers: bring in a picture of your child or grandchild wearing one of our outfits and receive a special gift from us!

Present this post to your fashion associate upon entering the store to receive your special discount!

Remember, we're now open till 6 PM on Mondays and 7 PM on Wednesdays!

This offer is good until 6 PM on Saturday, 7/18 only.

Hurry in for the best selection, or shop BelliesAndBooties.com for free in-store pickup!

No more "sitting on the sidelines" with EA Sports Active for Nintendo Wii (Win a copy!)

2009-07-09T08:13:00.000-04:00

Say hello to my client Kelly Rouba, arthritis spokesperson and author. Kelly recently launched her debut book, Juvenile Arthritis: The Ultimate Teen Guide, a comprehensive guide for children who are living with the disability. Informative and personal, Rouba's book is a window into the lives of kids and teens with the disease including tips for parents, guides on symptoms and inspirational testimonies. For more information about Kelly, her book and her upcoming appearances, visit her blog: kellyrouba.blogspot.com.

On a recent night after work, I met up with my friends Jerry, Krystal, and Scott in the recreation center of Scott’s building to test out EA SPORTS Active. With the exception of Krystal, the rest of us have varying disabilities (arthritis, spinal cord injury, and cerebral palsy—we all use wheelchairs) and wanted to see how well we faired with this new fitness video game package, which allows users to create their own customized workout from more than 25 exercises or follow the recommendations of a virtual trainer. We chose to try both.

Although Scott bailed before we could get the Wii to work on the big screen TV, Jerry finally got it up and running and the three of us began taking turns replicating the exercises as demonstrated by our virtual fitness trainer. Some exercises, like inline skating or squats, definitely proved difficult or impossible when you’re sitting in a wheelchair. But, we had a good laugh over trying to figure out a way to do the exercises and eventually passed along the controls to Krystal once we gave up. Other exercises, like tennis or hitting the punch bag, proved to be something we all could do—and we even broke quite a sweat!!

After following the recommended routine for a while, we decided it might be better for Jerry and I to create our own workout made up of exercises we knew we could do based on our own abilities. This turned out to be even more fun, so much so that I had trouble tearing the couple away for dinner. As the minutes (and calories) flew by, we continued to laugh and sweat over games of baseball, volleyball, and even dancing. While this fitness game system certainly can be played alone, I think we all agree that exercising with friends makes it much more enjoyable!

Having the option to customize your own workout also makes EA SPORTS Active a worthwhile investment for those with physical limitations. Instead of sitting on the sidelines, it allows you to “get in the game,” literally. In “virtual life,” Jerry and I can engage in activities, like baseball or tennis, whereas in “real life,” we could not. Furthermore, the customized workout allows us to skip those activities that we still can’t do virtually, like squats.

I recommend trying EA SPORTS Active as a fun way for those with disabilities to stay in shape, especially if you are one who doesn’t venture out much. The game package allows you to select exercises that are right for you—and any exercise is better than no exercise.

Stay tuned to New 12 NJ: 12 To Your Health for Kelly's interview which is taping today!

What type of eater are you?

2009-07-08T07:31:00.006-04:00

“Non-eater” - I don’t eat after a workout. I just burned all those calories I’m going to gain back everything I just worked so hard to burn.

-or-

“Immediate-eater” - I rush to eat after a workout. I have my protein bars and protein shakes in my bag ready to eat as soon as I’m done.

These are the two typical eater-types I come across. The “non-eaters” are the ones who will often be the ones that eat the “treats” and junk food later in the day and tell themselves it is “OK” because they exercised earlier in the day. The “immediate-eaters” are on the right track, but they just need to be sure they’re eating the right foods.

Understand how your body works after a workout:

30 minutes following a workout: your muscle cells are hungry for nutrients – carbs and protein!

30-60 minutes after a workout: your muscles start to relax and begin to repair themselves (making them stronger!).

Here is the most optimal way to eat after your workouts:

Eat a high protein meal 30-60 minutes after you workout. This is when your muscles will use the protein most effectively to build muscle and burn fat.

If you don’t eat, you’re missing out on a critical opportunity to give your body the building blocks for your natural fat-burners – YOUR MUSCLES! And chances are you’re more likely to eat the not-so-nutritious food later on.

2-3 hours later, eat a regular meal that has a combo of good protein and good carbohydrates (veggies, fruit, whole grains, etc.).

Quick & convenient post-workout meal ideas to help build muscle and burn fat:

Protein shakes (whey protein is a good choice, look for low-sugar versions, less than 10-15g, ideally)

Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread

Cottage cheese and fruit

Grilled chicken breast with small baked potato

2 eggs and whole grain toast

Until next time, your partner in health and fitness,

Lindsay Vastola, CFT

It's "Wellness Wednesday" with Lindsay Vastola. She is the founder and president of Body Project Fitness & Health providing customized fitness training and “everyday eating” coaching. Her mission is to help men and women who “have no time for fitness” incorporate a healthy lifestyle amidst a busy schedule. Lindsay is an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified personal fitness trainer and has more than ten years experience in fitness, weight training, and sports conditioning. Visit Body Project at www.bodyprojectfitness.com.

Day Trip: Haddonfield (Repost)

2009-07-07T07:27:00.000-04:00

Repost from April, 2007
I've never really ventured into Philly-suburb country, but after reading about Haddonfield in New Jersey Monthly as a "Best Downtown", it sparked my interest from a blogging point-of-view as well as personal curiosity. Luckily, my husband grew up both in Cherry Hill and Moorestown and was very familiar with the area. I'm not a fan of reading long paragraphs on blogs, so I will keep my details to bullet points. I found some great shops, 1 fabulous restaurant, and 1 cozy cafe: *Disclaimer: I realized after we left that I forgot my camera, so you'll just have to imagine the places that don't have images online*

First Stop: Three Beans Coffee Co., 140 N Haddon Ave, 856-354-2220

Selections: coffee, tea, pastries, specialty drinks, soda, juice
Ambiance: like a Vermont lodge-slate fireplace, couches, tables w/chairs, dark green paneling, wood floors, paperback books to read, cozy nooks
Location: on a side street on the corner, park on the street or rider your bike

Second Stop: House Hunting(just looking)

Third Stop: Shopping!

Powder Room-Surf Shop for Girls, 112 E. Kings Highway, 856-216-1670
Davison's Mens Shop, 150 Kings Highway East, 856-795-0070

Carries Burberry, Lacoste, and silk shirts

Favorite of the Day: Serendipity, 127 E Kings Hwy , 856-354-6343

Floor to ceiling Vera Bradley: bags, desk accessories, hats, belts, lampshades, everything!!!
Crabtree & Evelyn (women and men)
Ame & Lulu: Women's Golf accessories-totally cute!!

Engaged/Newlyweds: The Polished Plate, 101 Kings Hwy E. , 856-428-2696

Simon Pearce, Bernardaud, Glassware, Flatware, Wedding Registry
Unique Find: Japanese Rice Paper Napkins-great for wedding favors, table decorations, plate chargers, etc

J. McLaughlin Company Store(Outlet): 123 Kings Highway East
Pendleton Shop: 121 E. Kings Highway, 856-795-8898

Lunch: Corner Bistro, 59 E. Kings Highway, 856-354-8006

I had Mesquite Salmon with a Berry Salsa for only $850!
My husband had a burger..and he was very pleased!
For the 2 of us, lunch, soup, and coffee was all under $20!
Ambiance: It could easily be found in Old City, Philly or Brooklyn Heights.
Seating: Tight space, but that just adds to it's character

Haddonfield is 15 minutes drive or train ride from Center City Philly. It has been named "best shopping district" by Philadelphia Magazine and the "best collection of shops anywhere in the state" by the New York Times. For more on Haddonfield, click here.

You Snooze…You Lose! (Weight, that is)

2009-07-01T08:26:00.002-04:00

It's "Wellness Wednesday" with Lindsay Vastola. She is the founder and president of Body Project Fitness & Health providing customized fitness training and “everyday eating” coaching. Her mission is to help men and women who “have no time for fitness” incorporate a healthy lifestyle amidst a busy schedule. Lindsay is an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified personal fitness trainer and has more than ten years experience in fitness, weight training, and sports conditioning. Visit Body Project at www.bodyprojectfitness.com.

We live in a time when adding the word “Diet” to anything becomes an instant fad! The cookie diets, grapefruit diets, cabbage diets, Mediterranean diets, no-nuts diets, everything-nuts diets, rice diets, liquid diets…and it goes on, and on, and on. How is the average person (basically, any of you who do not hold a Ph.D. in nutrition) going to sift through all of the nonsense and figure out what is the best way to get healthy? Yes, most of it is nonsense. These “plans” often take one thing that is good for you (grapefruits, cabbage, nuts, rice…) and take it to the extreme. We are inundated with nonsense from the media, our friends, our Hollywood superstars and daytime talk-show hosts.

My husband and I recently took a short trip to Europe over New Year’s, and I returned home with a striking realization. Not once did I have a conversation about working out, how fat anyone felt after the holidays, or how much fat or carbs was in the food we were eating…and believe me, we spent a lot of time visiting and celebrating with copious amounts of amazing food. Here in the U.S., it would be almost strange if at a party or get-together someone didn’t mention what new diet they were trying or what new supplement they were taking.

During the trip, I realized that at the root of our country’s obesity epidemic is that we are literally obsessed with food. We are one of the few countries that require all food be labeled with nutritional values. How many people actually know how to read the Nutrition Facts and more importantly, how many actually understand what those nutrition facts mean to them? So, though we know more and are provided with more information, we have one of the highest obesity rates in the world.

My point: simply…be accountable for your own health. Do not rely on what clever food marketing companies come up with you sell you their food that will magically make you lose weight. Eat close to the ground…this is the kind of food that our bodies want, love, and crave.

With that said, here is a diet I think really makes sense and those of you who know me, know how much I hate the 4-letter word. THE SLEEP DIET…funny though…this really is not a diet at all!

What you have to do:

Sleep 7.5 hours each night
Eliminate caffeine after 2:30pm
Do not drink alcohol 3 hours before bed
Ideally, go to bed at the same time every night

**Test this without making any conscious changes to your eating or exercise habits – change ONLY your sleep habits.

Why it works:

Hormones: “During deep sleep, your brain secretes a large amount of growth hormone, which tells your body how to break down fat for fuel,” explains Michael Breus, MD, sleep expert. “Deprive your body of deep sleep, and when extra calories get stored as fat, there isn’t enough growth hormone to break it down. So your body takes a shortcut and packs it away in your butt, thighs, belly — wherever you tend to put on weight.”
Calories: On average, women eat 221 calories extra when they do not get adequate sleep. 3500 calories = 1 pound of fat…in just about 2 weeks, you can easily gain a pound…so in one year, you could potentially gain 26 pounds just because you are not getting enough sleep!
Energy: This is a no-brainer. Sleep more = more energy = more effective workouts = intuitively eat better = weight management.

Sleep tight! (maybe those jeans won’t feel so tight!)

Your partner in health and success,

Lindsay Vastola

www.bodyprojectfitness.com

Every child deserves FRESH AIR

2009-06-29T15:10:00.002-04:00

About The Fresh Air Fund:

THE FRESH AIR FUND, an independent, not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer vacations to more than 1.7 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Nearly 10,000 New York City children enjoy free Fresh Air Fund programs annually. In 2008, close to 5,000 children visited volunteer host families in suburbs and small town communities across 13 states from Virginia to Maine and Canada. 3,000 children also attended five Fresh Air camps on a 2,300-acre site in Fishkill, New York. The Fund’s year-round camping program serves an additional 2,000 young people each year.

There is only 1 DAY left to make a donation that will be matched DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR. However, your support is welcome year round. Please help and spread the word about the Fresh Air Fund by posting a banner on your blog or webpage. Just click below!

Donate now!

The Fresh Air Fund is pleased to offer new banners and widgets for your blogs and websites!

What is That? Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-24T08:28:00.003-04:00

For more info, contact Ommie's Treasures

YoBaby Oranic Yogurt: Maddy tested and APPROVED!

2009-06-23T08:28:00.011-04:00

Maddy's going through this thing where she doesn't want to be spoon-fed. Not even the "here comes the airplane" works as she assertively shakes her head no and arches back away from the EVIL SPOON.

But that all changed this morning when I offered her some of the new line of Organic YoBaby Yogurt from Stoneyfield Farms. Of course I had to sample some myself offering a "mmmmm" to assure her that this white goop was indeed yummy. But she opened wide, did her own little "mmmmm" and at one point even stood up in her high chair and peered into the container of yogurt to make sure that she would get every little scrape. I'd say that was a success!

What's the best success is that when Maddy was 2 weeks old, she was admitted to Robert Wood Johnson Children's Hospital for rounds of tests which concluded that she had a milk protein allergy and had to drink special ordered formula called Neocate. She couldn't even have Soy formula. But at 1 year, we sampled dabs of yogurt, cheese and milk and she's been eating dairy without issue ever since!

Since Maddy is transitioning to the sippy cup, she's not drinking as much milk as she was from a bottle. What's great about the YoBaby Whole Milk Organic Yogurt is it's not only creamy and flavorful, it provides the essential nutrients that a cup of whole milk would.

The YoBaby Whole Milk Organic Yogurt comes in variety packs of 2 flavors: Vanilla, Banana, Apple, Mixed Berry, Peach and Blueberry and Pear. We tested 4 flavors, and if Maddy could lick the containers clean, she would!

And what I REALLY like about this yogurt are the ingredients. Everything is natural. No high fructose corn syrup, hormones, antibiotics or toxins. If you read the label, you will find Organic ingredients. No additives. Nothing fake. All good for your baby..and you too!

For example, here is the ingredient list from Apple: CULTURED PASTEURIZED ORGANIC WHOLE MILK, NATURALLY MILLED ORGANIC SUGAR, ORGANIC APPLE PUREE, PECTIN, ORGANIC SPICES (CINNAMON AND NUTMEG), NATURAL FLAVOR,ZINC GLUCONATE, VITAMIN D3. CONTAINS OUR EXCLUSIVE BLEND OF SIX LIVE ACTIVE CULTURES INCLUDING S. THERMOPHILUS, L. BULGARICUS, L. ACIDOPHILUS, BIFIDUS, L. CASEI AND L. RHAMNOSUS.

While YoBaby is available in any supermarket, I have an opportunity for 1 lucky mommy or daddy to win a YoBaby prize pack of: YoBaby bowl with lid, Yobaby fork and Spoon, an Eric Carle growth chart, an organic YoBaby bib, and 5 FREE YoBaby coupons.

To enter, follow these simple instructions:
1) View the YoBaby site and tell me which flavor you would enjoy the best.

2) For an additional entry, Tweet the following: "Is yo' baby an Organic baby? Win a FREE Stoneyfield Farm YoBaby prize pack with FREE coupons: http://ow.ly/fHwh"

Deadline is Wednesday July 1, 2009.

National Pink Day: For your home

2009-06-23T07:43:00.008-04:00

I am a girlie girl and love the fact that today is National Pink Day. There's no history behind (that I can find), but if you do a Google search for it, many blogs and even businesses are celebrating the color too!

While most recently, I've become more of an red-accents girl, pink is a classic happy color that can be worn or even used in your home! And even though pink is traditionally a 'girl color,' you men look FANTASTIC wearing pink (and other bright colors). If I can convert my conservative husband to wearing pink ties by choice, all men can do it!

Since I'm standing in my kitchen, post #1 of National Pink Day is all about Pink In Your Home:

Learn to read with Super Why! and win a FREE DVD copy!

2009-06-22T18:52:00.014-04:00

Last week I wrote about an opportunity to join other NY/NJ area mom bloggers in a behind-the-scenes 'Lunch-and-Learn' with the producers and creators of Super Why!. We learned what went into the creation of the hugely popular AND enriching show and had the chance to talk about our experience with learning from television. While I do not have a child who is old enough to engage in the PBS Preschool shows, I am an educator by trade and have used this opportunity to give a review from both the mom and teacher point-of-view. Plus, I had an opportunity to give away a copy of Super Why! which I'm super excited about!

Even though I taught Middle School and Math, there is a lot of similarity between learning to read and learning math. In my non-expert opinion, the best way to learn is through repetition, interaction and the ability to associate the lesson with reality. I was always providing alternative practice to my students either online or with additional worksheets. I got kids out of their seats and at the board-playing “math wars” or independent practice. When we learned how to solve word problems, I had kids create their own-crazy themes and all-because that helped them learn and gave them confidence.

And that’s what you’ll get with the Super Why! page at PBSkids.org: learning alternatives, interactive projects and opportunities to reinforce the TV lesson in your home.

However, just as there are wonderful positive aspects of learning through the Internet and media, PBS (and I) is not suggesting that these act as substitutes for books, but rather a compliment to the learning that goes on at school or at home. Though the reality is, not all children are lucky enough to be exposed to a plethora of books and reading activities, and that's why PBS has been dedicated to community programs like Super Why! Reading Camps in which communities around the country take children through a fun week of the Super Why! curriculum, resulting in impressive and exciting statistics. We [I’m grouping myself with the expert intentionally] want parents to know that learning through media is not doing a disservice. You’re not a lazy or bad parent if you let your child play a reading game for a few minutes while you clean or catch up on emails. As long as you monitor what your child is doing; all is good.

At the conclusion of the Super Why! 'Lunch-and-Learn,' us moms were given an assignment to test out a Super Why! curriculum with our children. Nicely packaged in a convenient wheelie PBS bookbag, the lessons were designed in the same fashion as the Super Why! camps where the same episode is aired Mon-Fri, but a different character and skills are explored each day.

The Super Why! curriculum benefits kids and parents in 3(and definitely more) major ways that I observed:

The lesson format introduces children to the structure of a school day as some children are getting ready to attend Preschool.
Provides a guide for parents to create lessons at home. All lessons can be tweaked to fit your home environment. Use the lessons as templates for future educational opportunities.
While these activities are reading lessons, the learning process can be translated to other subject areas. The idea of getting up and getting active with learning is great for anything!

The individual lessons are structured in a way to help parents know what to do AND to help introduce kids to consistency, routine and structure:

Even though an entire episode of Super Why! covers a variety of literacy topics, each lesson addresses only 1 at a time through each character, making it easy for the child to focus on a task.
Each lesson has a script for parents to follow. If you are new to teaching your children at home, it’s so much easier to have a script to follow. It will help with transitions as you move from one activity to the next to use the same wording and phrases. There’s that consistency again!
Each lesson follows the same schedule: Activity 1: transform into character and be part of the lesson with a colorful cut-out mask; Activity 2: Two worksheets expanding on the character’s super power (i.e. Alpha Pig constructed words with capital and lowercase letters); Activity 3: Extensions/Reinforcements-if there is enough time, expand on the lesson with another activity OR try something more challenging if your child is zipping through the given worksheets. And the activities are tiered, knowing that the range is 3-6 years old.
While the activities are specific, they can be easily tailored for you and your family. For example, one of Alpha Pig’s activities is to help your child spell his/her name. As an extension, use magnetic letters on the fridge.

In addition to the curriculum handouts, the Super Why! program itself is set up in a way for children to interact with the characters on the TV. It’s as if Wonder Red is asking the child herself for his/her input when she pauses between question and answer (This is a tool used in all levels of teaching…the 3 second pause). An episode of Super Why! is like a live action CD-Rom or Wii game. From the opening problem to the conflict resolution, the characters bring take children along for a journey of discovery, trial-and-error, magic and problem solving which is unique to PBS programming.

Now since I have a few more years before I can really engage Maddy in Super Why! and other PBS programs, I am offering a giveaway of a Super Why! DVD of 2 episodes: The Three Little Pigs and Jack and the Beanstalk. With the DVD and the resources available at PBSKids.org, you can take your own children on a literacy journey and teach them that reading can be fun!

To enter, follow these simple instructions:
1) Leave a comment with the ways you engage your children in reading activities whether online, with books, or homemade projects.
2) For an additional entry, Tweet the following: "Get the power, the power to read with @MrsMoNJ's Super Why! Giveaway! http://ow.ly/fBve"
3) For 2 additional entries: Do a blog post about the contest

Contest ends FRIDAY JUNE 26TH AT 7PM!

Educating Mommies: PBS, Super Why! and teaching with media

2009-06-19T08:45:00.002-04:00

“If kids can kick at a TV after watching Power Rangers, can’t we get them to learn to read?”-Angela C. Santomero, Creator, Executive Producer and Head Writer of Super Why!

[Almost] Every morning, while Maddy has her typical 1-year old breakfast, I turn on PBS to either catch the tail end of Sesame Street or the start of Curious George. The TV usually goes off around 9am right around the time of our morning jog/walk around the neighborhood. What I didn’t realize, though, was that over in the 9:30 time slot was a super popular show about adorable fairy tale characters and reading super heroes called Super Why!

Whenever I receive an invite from one of the ladies at 360 Public Relations, I know it’s a fun opportunity to meet other moms and learn how companies really do think of children and families in their processing of ideas. That’s why I jumped at the chance to attend the PBS Studio behind-the-show lunch-and-learn with Super Why! creator Angela Santomero. Even though Maddy is too young to “watch” the show, this was my opportunity to be educated about PBS children’s programming from concept to creation

But first, click here to learn more about the Super Why! characters

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So how in the world do 4 cartoon characters help kids read? That’s what were learned about at PBS Studios.

In the same fashion that a teaching staff works to put together a multi-layered reading curriculum with specific learning tasks and behaviors, the creative minds behind Super Why! create the multi-layered, multi-age level related program that has statistically proven to be effective for building literacy skills for kids.

Some of the highlights from the workshop included statistical evidence of improved literacy skills and personal anecdotes from the creators and producers, all of whom are mothers:

Children from low-income families and who participated in a Super Why! test group, showed significant improvement in reading skills scoring 46% better than children who watched an alternate program.
After watching Super Why!, the test group children were faster at naming letters and sounds.
PBS hosts Super Why! Reading camps using a format much like the curriculum I’ll review later. The 2008 results of the camp revealed that there was a 5% increase in letter naming, 4% increase in ability to pick out letters from the alphabet, 139% increase in word decoding, 18% increase in sound-letter identification, 84% increase in proper word spelling and 29% increase in reading words.
Leslie Rosenberg, Senior VP Children’s Media was inspired by her own children to lead the launch of the PBS Kid’s preschool platform which include popular shows like Curious Geroge, Super Why! and Sid the Science Kid.
An episode where the Super Why! team confronts the Big Bad Wolf was an idea given by Angela’s two daughters, who are frequent script contributors.

But the Super Why! experience doesn’t end when the TV turns off (or switches to a more mommy friendly channel). Like the other PBS Kids’ programming, there is a vast curriculum of websites, videos, printouts, enrichment lessons and more at the Super Why! site. Speaking from the POV of a math teacher who always looked for fun ways to help kids learn their skills, the PBS site is such a great resource for parents and teachers and it serves as an fun and interactive alternative for reinforcing skills hat have been addressed in the classroom or at home.

This and next week I'll be sharing the Super Why! experience of another NJ mommy C2CMom to see how real kids react to and enjoy the show. I'll also be putting my 2 cents in as an educator about how the structure of the show, the lessons and the web aid in reading.

Monday: Multimedia-teacher tested and approved

Fitness reality check: How to avoid the exercise plateau

2009-06-17T17:29:00.019-04:00

Welcome "Wellness Wednesday" poster Lindsay Vastola. She is the founder and president of Body Project Fitness & Health providing customized fitness training and “everyday eating” coaching. Her mission is to help men and women who “have no time for fitness” incorporate a healthy lifestyle amidst a busy schedule. Lindsay is an International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) certified personal fitness trainer and has more than ten years experience in fitness, weight training, and sports conditioning. Visit Body Project at www.bodyprojectfitness.com.

If you have ever exercised or followed a diet with the same routine for any length of time, you most likely have reached a point where you stopped seeing the results you saw when you first began. This undoubtedly is frustrating and unmotivating, and usually leads to giving up completely, putting you back where you started. Knowing how to avoid a plateau and realizing when you have hit a plateau is critical to helping you meet your goals. Read on to learn more about how to avoid a plateau and how you can keep your progress in high gear!

Q: What is a plateau and why does it happen?

A: If you have been exercising with a specific exercise routine and/or a specific diet for several weeks and you no longer see the results as you did when you began – you have likely hit a plateau. Simply put, a plateau occurs because of your body’s ability to adjust to routines or diets. As a result, your body does not respond effectively to the same regiment over time. Essentially, your body becomes “complacent” without change.

Scenario:

For the last 6 weeks, you have been eating a low-calorie, low-fat diet and following an exercise routine 4 days per week, 30 minutes on the treadmill and 30 minutes of resistance exercise (the same exercises at the same intensity). For the first 4 weeks, you lost on average 1½ pounds per week but since then you have been at the same weight or maybe even gained back some of the lost weight.

What you can do to get back on track:

You might also need to switch up your workouts – try increasing your repetitions, instead of 12 reps at 10 pounds do 25 repetitions with 5 pounds. For cardio exercise, you can interval train – walk 2 minutes then run (or walk on an incline) for 1 minute and do this repeatedly for 20-30 minutes.

Try changing up your calorie intake – believe it or not, adding more quality calories can kick up your metabolism. Eat different whole foods, more carbohydrates in the form of whole grains, fruits, and veggies (the most important fuel for the body!), or increase your protein intake.

Q: How can I avoid a plateau?

A: Follow these guidelines:

Keep your body “on its toes.” It typically takes your body about 4-6 weeks to experience the “training effect” – after that, your body adjusts to the routine and your body does not respond as effectively. Change up your routines every 3-5 weeks in both your diet and exercise.

Eat the right foods at the right time. Eat higher carbohydrate meals in the morning and earlier in the day and lower carbohydrate meals later in the day.

Rest. Rest is critical to effective training. Now this does not mean you can be lazy for a week or two! Massage, walking, quality sleep, lighter workouts, and stress management are all active forms of rest that will help promote your progress.

Drink more water. Drink at least 65-85 ounces of water every day – not only will your skin, hair, and digestive system thank you, but you will have more energy and this will help you manage weight as well!

Start the 'new you' with this quick and healthy meal:

20-MINUTE CEDAR PLANK SALMON WITH YOGURT-DILL SAUCE

1-2 lb. fillet of Salmon
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt & pepper
Hot or plain paprika, optional
Cedar cooking plank or baking sheet

Yogurt-Dill Sauce
1-cup Greek-style low fat yogurt
¼ cup peeled and diced cucumber
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Juice of ½ lemon
6-7 sprigs fresh dill, chopped (or 1-2 tsp dried)
Dash cumin
Salt & pepper

Yogurt-Dill Sauce: Mix all ingredients above and season to taste. You can make this ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.

This sauce is also delicious with chicken, turkey, London broil, on sandwiches…get creative!

Preheat oven to 400F. Place cooking cedar plank (available at most grocery stores or home goods stores) in the oven to preheat as well (put it on a cookie sheet in case juices spillover. Be sure to read the instructions on the planks as some require soaking before use.) Season the salmon with the olive oil, salt, pepper, and paprika. Once the oven is full temperature, place the salmon skin-side-down on the plank. Cook for 15-20 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.

Place a spoonful of yogurt-dill sauce next to your fillet of fish and ENJOY!

To download free quick workouts checkout http://bodyprojectfitness.blogspot.com/

What is That? Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-17T15:57:00.003-04:00

Can you guess?

Spice up your summer with a healthy BBQ

2009-06-17T00:07:00.003-04:00

Welcome Sally Jones, C.E.C., A.C.C. to the Mrs Mo's New Jersey community. Sally is a certified life coach with experience as a Weight Watchers team leader. With her company See...Believe...Achieve!, Sally motivates individuals and entire companies to reclaim their health and well-being in life or work. Sally can also be found on Twitter!

"Variety's the very spice of life, that gives it all its flavor." William Cowper

Summertime is here and to some of us that means putting everything on the grill. But how do we do that and keep the marinating natural, healthy and sodium free? How can we marinate, grill and continue to lose weight?

The answer to these questions is in natural, healthy spices!!

The biggest perk of summer eating for me is the way the produce aisle comes alive with vibrant, fresh, healthy color! This not only happens with fruits and veggies, but also with natural spices like basil, cilantro, ginger, and more!

As we look around everywhere we see foods advertised with “zero calories”, artificial flavoring, no fat, no trans fat, you name it! But studies are starting to show that our best bet is natural and pure earth grown herbs, fruits and veggies! All of these foods contain therapeutic healing vitamins and, yes, you can actually eat them and live healthy! So are you ready to greet the summer with a vibrantly colored, healthy plate at your next BBQ?

If so read on:

Next time you are ready to grab a bottle of marinate loaded with chemical ingredients why not think about exploring some heart healthy olive oil with lemon and garlic to use as a marinade? Try salmon or shrimp with lemon juice (a natural detoxifier) and olive oil and garlic chopped up. That is low calorie and healthy! The garlic alone has so many health benefits. It is an antioxidant, and contains vitamins like C and B6!
You can also be creative with marinades and add fresh herbs you enjoy like fresh cilantro, pepper, or oregano for added flavor.
Marinades flavored with fruits such as pineapple or peaches are also healthy and delicious. Once you experience a grilled pineapple you won't even think about s'mores!
To spice things up, add some cayenne pepper! It has healing powers and is known to increase metabolism-maybe because it is so hot it makes you sweat! Ha! So next time you make chicken wings, take the skin off and baste with the real hot stuff- cayenne pepper! Enjoy taste without the high calories this way!
Basil is my favorite herb in the summer. Summer food means Pesto! Pesto gives you true flavor and natural benefits and the basil has antioxidants (which protect us from free radicals). In the summer, sun does a number on me (free radicals) so I make sure I eat plenty of Pesto to help reverse the damage! I mix my basil with a little olive oil (heart healthy oil) and pine nuts and blend in the blender and serve over whole wheat past! Yummy Pesto. Fast, easy and great for you!
Ginger, like basil, is an antioxidant. It is also an immune system booster and a natural anti inflammatory. Try it on veggies or in a stir fry for a delicious meal! A little ginger goes a long way in terms of flavoring!
Cilantro is a healing herb! If your enjoy eating fish but are scared of the mercury, add some cilantro- it is known to help cut down the mercury and it is also a natural detoxifier. Cilantro is my favorite dip ingredient in summertime! Chop it with fresh tomatoes, avocado, onion and lemon- yummy! It easily replaces the sour cream and onion dip! Yes you can have a healthy and delicious dip!
Healthy starches with veggies: Grill small red potatoes with oregano, pepper and olive oil or mixed with veggies like zucchini and asparagus sprinkled with lemon juice and olive oil!
As far as drinks go water is really the best bet when trying to hydrate, but if you want to spruce it up a little, fresh brewed ice tea with fresh peppermint is delightful! Peppermint in its natural form helps with digestion, tension, and yes insomnia! In no time at all you won't miss the sugar! If you really want to get creative, put a cinnamon stick in the tea-this helps boost metabolism and also has been known to lower blood sugar by having one teaspoon a day!

Grilling is such a healthy way to cook so let's keep the preparation in its purest form this summer and focus on socializing and eating in moderation and preserving our health at the same time!

So tell me...what spices are YOU using this Summer?

Neiman Marcus Last Call Clearance for Father's Day!

2009-06-16T17:02:00.002-04:00

Yes another Father's Day Gift Guide! Mrs Mo Style

2009-06-15T23:09:00.002-04:00

Chances are you've already gotten dad something for his big day. You might be taking him to brunch, surprising him with season tickets or a concert or getting him that super-powered lawn mower he always wanted. But if you're still looking for last minute ideas, here are some that are available anywhere:

The Ultimate Dad Gift: A Hammock!
Sure, Moms are hard at work all day taking care of the kids, but Dads work all day and then have to work again at night and the weekends with the kids. While Mommy could really use a hammock in the living room, in the backyard and even in the bedroom, let's give Daddy a nice outside hammock (because then the kids will go outside and want to jump in with him and give Mommy some time alone too....oh wait, this is supposed to be all about giving dad a break. Right.) All joking aside-a lot of Daddies do have double-duty with working hard and then coming home to excited and joyful kids to play, he needs some alone time (and usually it's not a salon or shopping):

Budget: Walmart | Ace Hardware | KMart(water hammock)
High-End: Brookstone | Sears | Smith & Hawken

DIY Dad Gifts
Double Picture Frame: one side photo of child/baby/baby with dad facing your choice of a Father Poem. I gave one to Rob for his first Father's Day and it sits on his desk at work.

Custom Gift Basket for Dad: If you have more than 1 child, then it's possible that each will have a different impression of something that Dad would want for Father's Day. Pull all of your resources and ideas together and make one big basket for Dad. Here are some ideas themes:

Food Basket: Dad's favorite snack foods and/or beer. If Maddy and I were to make a basket for Rob, it would include: Cheeze-Its, Oreos, Beef Jerky, Fiddle Faddle, Cracker Jacks, Pretzels, Dr. Pepper and A&W Root Beer.
Golf Dad: golf balls with your kids' names painted on, tees, towel, new hat and shirt combo
Grilling Dad: Spices, rubs, marinades, meat thermometer, grilling tools, mini-grill cookbook
Random Dad Basket: (for more than 1 child families) Have each child come up with something to add to the basket and then you (Mommy) pick something as well.

(For Dad from Mom) Sexy Gift: Lingerie for Mommy-need I say more?

Mrs Mo: Budget friendly in-training

2009-06-15T07:59:00.001-04:00

For over a year now, Rob and I have been talking and talking that we need to tighten up and watch our spending. That effort would last a few days and then we'd get back into our habit of: "Oh do you want to grab some ice cream? Do you want Chinese tonight?" And then the whole theory of budgeting would be out the window.

Well, last week we hit the wall, mostly because of one of my high credit card bills (mostly full of food, gas, and assorted bills). That night, when we should have been cuddling up in our warm cozy bed, both of us got down to business planning out exactly how much we could spend a week. That meant, no more spontaneous trips to Wawa or Wegmans. No more weekly ice cream trips to visit Daddy in Cranbury (not that I need the calories, but it was fun family time). It is business now...for real this time....really.

For a few days, we kept record of our expenses by the paper/pen method. But, I channeled my former Computer Teacher self and put together a Weekly Expenses Spreadsheet, with SUM formula and all. And I KNOW that I'm not the only one who needs it, so it's available below to download into Excel.

The beauty of the SUM formula, is that as you type in expenses for Monday, for example, the total for the day will update automatically. And I've set up the SUM formula to find the total for the week per expense item. So, if you purchased groceries on Monday and then had to pick up a few more items on Wednesday, you will see the total grocery expenses for your week at the right.

You'll also notice enough weekly blocks pasted one 1 spreadsheet to cover a month. Simply fill in the "Week of" slot with the date.

I've also set it up so there is 1 worksheet per person. Since there are just 2 of us involved, you'll see 2 Sheets with our names labeled. To format the Sheet for you, simply double-click on our names and type yours. Very simple!

Of course, you can always email me if you have any questions (or find me on Twitter).

And for kicks, I threw in the Weekly Chores Chart for you to plan out what task you'll complete on a given day (i.e. Monday=clean the kitchen, Tuesday=laundry and dusting, etc)

Weekly Expenses Worksheet (.xls)
Weekly Chores Chart (pdf)

New Jersey weddings are their business: Erik and Beth Kent, founders of NJWedding.com

2009-06-11T16:23:00.013-04:00

Yay you’re engaged! Call your parents, tell your friends, walk around with your hand extended flashing that gorgeous ring in your face.

Here is some Vaseline to help keep that smile going.

Go ahead and subscribe to all of those bridal magazines and websites. Pull out the Wedding Checklist and start mapping out your plan of action. But first things first: Where are you getting married? If you said New Jersey, then you’ll want to read on. If not, shame on you, but enjoy our day anyway!

When I was planning my May 2006 wedding, I subscribed to all sorts of websites and purchased MANY magazines. You should have seen my Internet bookmark list of wedding websites-I had categories for limos, flowers, accessories, dresses, etc. What I should have done was just use the one-stop resource for New Jersey Weddings, NJWedding.com. It’s a gold mine of wedding information for couples planning their big day in the Garden State. From vendors, to advice, to contests and photos of real weddings, NJWedding.com has it all.

And it all started in 1994(back when I had to dial-up to use Prodigy) with New Jersey couple Erik and Beth Kent who were forward thinking and wanted to provide a new way of planning weddings for future brides and grooms. I had a chance to chat with Erik, who's also Director of Marketing and Promotions, about the breakthrough idea, how he and Beth grew a successful at-home business and what exciting plans they have for lucky brides and grooms in NJ (I definitely missed ‘”the boat” on the LBI Tall Ship wedding contest):

Q: Erik, you started your business in 1997 right on the cusp on the Internet boom. What was the inspiration?

A: The inspiration for NJWedding.com came in 1994 after planning our own wedding (we were married at Kirkpatrick Chapel at Rutgers University on April 17th) but it was almost 3-4 years later before getting it off the ground. We both worked in various industries after college (advertising and bookkeeping respectively), and put our skills together to start the business. While the Internet was used for advertising, there wasn’t much “out there” when it came to wedding planning information in New Jersey. We officially left our jobs in 1996 to start our own business full-time.

Q: At the time, you were a pioneer in the wedding industry. Now you're one of many resources. How did you carve your niche?

A: When wedding magazines were starting to launch web sites to complement their content, they only used the magazine to promote it. We established a niche as an “independent” resource and advertised in the magazines. By working with them to cross-promote, it gave us both a win-win opportunity to reach more brides.

Today, the wedding industry is worth over $1 BILLION in New Jersey alone, and we are constantly finding new advertisers on a regular basis.

Q: Now, more than 10 years later, you’ve seen a lot of venues and locations for weddings. What would you consider your top 3 covering North, Central and South Jersey?

A: While our site is a resource showcasing hundreds of venues from throughout every region of the state, I think these three stand out as some of the most interesting and unique:

Northern New Jersey: Pleasantdale Chateau, West Orange
Central New Jersey: The Palace at Somerset Park, Somerset
Southern New Jersey: Mallard Island Yacht Club, Long Beach Island

Q: Your website is a great place for NJ couples to search for specific vendors like florists, photographers, venues and limos. What’s really unique is the interactive feature, “Ask the Expert,” where couples can get advice straight from an expert. How did you make that connection?

A: Miles Wagman, a relationship expert, became an advertiser on NJWedding.com several years ago and had an interest in helping couples further by being available to answer questions. He receives several questions per year about deep relationship issues that only he is qualified to handle. We are considering expanding this section with other experts answering questions on various topics of wedding planning.

Q: While you don’t get as much interaction with the couples as our vendors do, do you have a favorite memory of a couple from one of your contests?

A: Occasionally we run special contests for “Most Romantic Wedding Proposals” or for couples to win a weekend getaway to an area of New Jersey like Long Beach Island. Through these contests, I’ve met some wonderful couples with beautiful stories. One groom-to-be, I remember, was a registered pilot and arranged for his friends and family to lay out huge boards saying “WILL YOU MARRY ME?” on the ground at Princeton Airport so his girlfriend could see it from the sky. I also enjoyed meeting a recent couple who won a Romantic Getaway to Long Beach Island through NJWedding.com during a special event called the “Wedding Road Show” promoting various venues and businesses along the LBI region that she could visit throughout the day. This event was so important to her because she knew she wanted an LBI wedding but didn’t know the first place to start. She was genuinely grateful for being chosen as a contest winner and enjoyed every moment of the event.

Q: You also have a great advice section, which I used for the Mercer Chamber of Commerce Bridal Expo Program.

A: Thanks, and that’s what the articles are there for…to provide useful information on a number of topics. Whether it’s information about beach & Jersey Shore weddings, beauty, hair, makeup, catering/banquets, ceremony planning, civil unions, destination weddings, entertainment, poetry, etiquette, favors, flowers, South Asian/Indian wedding customs or wedding day dancing, we have a lot to offer, and always accept more, which are submitted by our clients and sometimes from outside sources.

Q: I’d love to know what kind of advice you can offer to couples. Let’s start with what to save and splurge on?

A: I’m told the same thing pretty much every time: Splurge on catering venue (food), entertainment (band/dj) and memories (photo/video). There are many ways to tighten a budget, but it’s so important to treat you and your guests to good cuisine, enjoyable music, and capture the memories of the day forever with both a good and reputable photographer and videographer.

Q: As a former groom and a male-wedding expert, what can you offer to grooms and the father-of-the-bride?

A: I would say, “be there every step of the way” for your bride-to-be, since how you communicate in your marriage is an indication of how you communicate in your wedding planning. While it’s not necessary to be involved in every single decision during the process, it’s good to work together to make the wedding a part of who you are as a couple, since that is what shines through the most.

Q: Not only are you a male in the wedding industry, but you are a husband and father running an online business from home. How do you find balance to do it all?

A: While “balance” is one of the keys to a strong marriage, it’s even more important when raising a family, and one of the aspects of running our home-based business is the ability to be involved in with our kids and balance it with the growth of our company. We focus on what we need to do to maintain our web site, sell and welcome new advertisers, keep the site up-to-date, manage an independence sales force, attend wedding industry meetings, exhibit at bridal shows, advertise throughout the state, and being a husband and wife team helps greatly. Communication is the key, whether it’s through email, via cell phone, or having lunch together to coordinate schedules or see if we’re achieving the goals we set together.

Q: I think it’s wonderful that you are able to be successful helping future couples make their day perfect and stay home with your family. What are some futures plans for NJWedding.com?

A: There are always new areas of New Jersey to explore as “wedding destinations” and we recently got involved in promoting Long Beach Island, NJ as one of our projects. Since the “trend” of destination weddings is being affected by the down economy, many couples are looking more “locally” and New Jersey, especially its shoreline and beach areas, have a lot to offer. We participated as a sponsor in the LBI region’s first Wedding Road Show in April and have future plans to promote it as an annual event.

We have also had a book in the works for many years and hope to move it forward or see it take on a different form (not a print magazine, though). There is an opportunity to market it, however, information and trends change so rapidly that staying as an online format is much more appealing.

“NJWedding.com exists to help the bride and groom-to-be find the services and information they are seeking, to help the wedding professional advertise their business to reach their potential client with the best marketing message, and to be a valuable resource for the New Jersey wedding community that both consumers and industry members come back to for the long term.”
-Erik Kent

Carter's Baby Sale Ends 6/16

2009-06-10T23:36:00.002-04:00

Repost: Warehouse Sample Sale 2009!

2009-06-06T23:14:00.000-04:00

Exit 8A Warehouse Sample Sale
handbags, shoes, clothing, etc

Click For Details

Planning a Low Stress 1st Birthday Party

2009-06-06T09:20:00.002-04:00

Notice that I said "Low Stress" instead of "Stress-Free." Not sure if that's possible!

Party planning in theory is really fun, but it can bring on a lot of stress. I love planning get-togethers, but you would think that after 8 years I would be used to it! The day of the big event, I’m usually worried that the guests won’t enjoy themselves, the food won’t taste good and my friends who don’t know each other will feel stuck or bored. But maybe that’s just because it’s for my Annual Thanksgiving Party with turkey, stuffing and all the fixings for 20+ guests who look forward to the feast every year.

But that wasn’t the case with Maddy’s 1st Birthday party! The theme I had picked out months in advance: The Kentucky Derby. We were lucky to attend for our first anniversary in 2007 (The Paddock, The Queen, The Manning brothers, Betting and all!) and Maddy’s birthday is the day after so it was a perfect way to tie it all together. And all modesty aside, I was pretty impressed with my custom designs and personal touches. But besides that, there are some budget friendly tips that I wanted to share with other mothers who are planning a 1st Birthday or any child’s birthday with a theme.

Click here to read on.