Momathon Blog

New study says media is the leading sex educator for kids

  

Finding out what your kids watch on TV or on the internet could be as important to your kids' health and wellness as making sure they wear bike helmets. 

According to an article published in the September issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, teens and younger children are learning about sex from the media and the message can be dangerous.

Parents might feel hesitant to talk to their kids about sex. However, when parents shy away from talking to their kids, by default then the parents are encouraging their kids to learn about sex from  less reliable sources such as the internet, TV, and movies.  

The content in the videos, shows, or music content is not the only place where kids hear sexually explicit messages. Major advertising campaigns for products including erectile dysfunction drugs constantly play during daytime and primetime TV.

Here are some of main findings of the study according to healthfinder.gov:

• 70% of teen shows contain sexual content 
• Less than 10% of the sexual content in these shows talk about the consequences of sex such as contracting an STD 
• U.S leads the western world in teen pregnancy rates
• One in four American teens have an STD.
• U.S. children spend seven hours and more a day watching or listening to media that may include sexually explicit content-- music, movies, television shows, magazines and the Internet.

Photo of laptop by bigpresh

Inspiration from Maeve magazine

 

 

The new online magazine MAEVE aimed at the "conscious consumer" looks fascinating. According to their website: "MAEVE is an observatory on human kind, incorporating a plethora of ideas and inspiration to bring life to your life and your family."

Thanks for the tip via Design Mom on Babble.com: 

"The second issue of Maeve Magazine just came out and you can count me as a fan. Maeve is a quarterly online publication published from Australia. It’s free and it’s a treat to scroll through — interesting content and excellent photography. I love the tagline: Raising An Inspired Generation. And I love how the about page describes the publication.

No excuses... Just pick up your camera

Last week at BlogHer 10 in NYC, I was inspired by so many creative bloggers. One of my favorite sessions was presented by three talented artists: Karen Walrond (chookooloonks blog), Carol Gillott (paris breakfasts) and Khadijah Ali-Coleman (MoonWritings).

My teenage daughter attended the BlogHer conference with me and loves creating stop-motion videos because they allow you to transform photos into a "magical motion video." 

Karen's stop-motion video below captures the magic of BlogHer. She used over 1300 photos from her conference trip to create this 4-minute video. You can read more about Karen's video and her photography at BlogHer on her lovely chookooloonks blog. Her video and photos remind me, I have no excuses... Just pick up my camera and start shooting!

BlogHer'10: 4 days in 4 minutes

The beautiful sights and face of BlogHer 10.

Video by Karen Walrond

Special mommy hugs to Karen and all the wonderful bloggers at BlogHer 10.

Takes a village to convince young girls they are fat...

 

Can a girl as young as five learn to dislike her body? If you are unhappy with your body and obsess over dieting, your young daughter might follow your lead and learn to feel the same way according to the American Dietetic Association:

"Parental body image has a powerful influence on how kids feel about their bodies. If you talk about your thighs, your latest diet or your punishing workouts, your children will naturally absorb these negative messages. They will begin to worry about the size of their thighs and think they should be dieting."

I know how easy it is to spill my own feelings about dieting or the fact that a certain pair of jeans no longer fits. It happens. I don't have a simple answer to this dilemma. I will never be able to live perfectly. Perfection is something air-brushed on a magazine cover or edited in a movie. I gripe about not getting to the gym. We keep a big supply of cookies at our house. We have ice cream. Lots! But we also have plenty of good stuff like fresh fruit (or the easy to use frozen fruit), yogurt, whole grain foods, and the super food called water.

I know I won't always set the best example. However, I am taking baby steps in the battle against negative body images. Instead of saying certain foods are bad, at my house I am trying to focus on the foods with positive benefits. As a family we read the food labels. If my kids know the low fat content or the fiber benefits of a certain snack I consider that a success story.

(Photo above: limaoscarjuliet)

Will new "reality webisodes" help save marriages?

 

Can this marriage be saved? That's the question Ladies Home Journal has been asking in it's popular column of the same name since 1953. In the column, LHJ profiles real-life troubled marriages. 

LHJ adds a new dimension to the series with webisodes. Spouses tell their stories to a therapist who offers advice and also reveals how the marriage turns out. 

Will the new webisodes help marriages?
Throw in a little humor and you have me hooked. This humorous/serious combo works for me. The producers of the series tackle common marriage issues we probably wish we didn't have to think about. Denial is powerful force, webisodes make it easier to face the facts. 

Tweet therapy
LHJ also tweets (@marriagebesaved) about marriage, offering tips and advice. 

The three mini episodes produced so far available at Can This Marriage Be Saved?:

• Our Dog Is Coming Between Us
• We Never Have Sex Anymore
• His Mother Is Tearing Us Apart

Not surprised by the snarkiness on Sarah's show

On Tuesday, Rapper LL Cool J tweeted about the fact he was surprised to find out an old interview was now scheduled to be on the new series "Real American Stories" tonight. Sarah Palin's crew at Fox turned the tweet into a PR real mess...

Celebrity interviews produced by Fox originally meant for different programs were picked up by the new program "Real American Stories" hosted by Sarah Palin. 

A few of the celebrities felt they should have been contacted before their interviews were included in this political show. 

LL Cool J tweeted: 

"Fox lifted an old interview I gave in 2008 to someone else & are misrepresenting to the public in order to promote Sarah Palins Show. WOW."

Evidently Fox reads his tweets and doesn't like his attitude. 

In fact the Fox network is trying to transform LL Cool J's relatively mild tweet into blast against everything American. Yikes. I didn't know that Republicans are the only ones who care about helping the less fortunate. 

Still trying to figure out why Fox does not refer to LL by his rapper name in their responses to the incident. Maybe they don't like rap? Whatever the reason, Fox prefers the name James Todd Smith, his birth name. 

According to TVNewser on mediabistro.com, a network spokesperson for Fox told them:

"Real American Stories features uplifting tales about overcoming adversity and we believe Mr. Smith's interview fit that criteria. However, as it appears that Mr. Smith does not want to be associated with a program that could serve as an inspiration to others, we are cutting his interview from the special and wish him the best with his fledgling acting career." 

The Fox "Real American Stories" series has an admirable goal to uplift people, but that is not personal property of the Republicans. In fact, the series goal to uplift America with inspirational uplifting stories about overcoming adversity fits the Democrats platform too. 

Hmmmm. It saddens me that Fox in a weird re-writing of history makes it sound like LL Cool J does not like to help those less fortunate.

Maybe LL just doesn't want to be part of a political machine that twists the truth.

LL Cool J's interview from 2008 is no longer scheduled for the show tonight. Is it surprising that an "inspirational" show blasted a celebrity for giving an opinion?

Geeky Mom: Got iPad?

Apple calls the iPad magical and revolutionary. Without test driving it myself, I'm not so sure. Yes, the new ad shows the variety of ways the sleek iPad can be used. The features look pretty wonderful in the short ad. But an ad is only an ad. Has anyone heard from anyone who has played around on this device? All the mystery surrounding the launch makes it not so surprising that the ad above first appeared during the Academy Awards. 

Here's what I do know...
• I love the big multi-touch screen. 
• The Kindle killer e-book feature will definitely make this gadget a go-to device for students
• The plethora of amazing apps--150,000 and counting--is, well, amazing.
• Not so sure about how the iPad performs as an iPod too. And this seems odd since the iPad seems like an iPod on steroids. Too bad the new ad doesn't say much about iTunes or music features. What's up with that?

Pre-sales for the iPad begin next week. Sales of iPad begin April 3rd. Starting at $499.

Why this Geeky Mom may wait to buy the iPad

 

It's easy to fall in love with an iPad. It was love at first sight for me, the Geeky Mom. Admittedly, we have one of those awkward long distance relationships. I am hoping the two of us will get closer, but for now I adore my iPad from afar. The only problem with my tablet affair is that I keep noticing flaws.

 

iPad Cons: 

--No flash. Flash is the Adobe software plugin that handles video and animation on the web. So this means no Hulu and other web video sites do not work. (If you looked closely you would see that even the NYT app that was hyped in the intro was missing the Flash plugin icon.) This omission is not a complete disaster because alternatives are available in other browsers for video streaming including YouTube and Vimeo which use H.264 for video streaming. 

--No multitasking. The iPad is supposed to be better than a laptop or a smart phone at browsing the web, reading and writing email, watching movies, reading a book, and listening to music. BUT the iPad can only do one thing at a time. Multitasking is a big energy hog and by leaving this out of the iPad, the iPad has a super long battery life--10 hours.

--No textbooks. Yet. The iPad has an iBooks feature that makes reading digital books just like reading paper books. However, the intro to the iPad did not mention a partnership with textbook publishers. The good news is that it does offer a full-color Kindle-killer app for many other books.

--No cameras (No still camera, video cam, or webcam). Although I can't imagine using a device this size as a general use camera, I would have liked a front facing camera for web conferencing, etc. Geeky moms probably know more about gaming apps than they wish to admit, but they also know about talking on the laptop using Skype webcam calls. Moms love to see amazing connections built when kids video chat with Gramma and Grampa hundreds of miles away. And how would moms away from home on a business trip survive without video chats with their kids?

--No TV subscriptions (and no way to hook up to HD monitor via HDMI). I was hoping I could subscribe to TV programming just like a subscribing to print media. Didn't hear anyone at Apple mention this at the intro. Rumor has it that Disney will be a key player in TV and film distribution.

--No USB port. The good news is there is a way to work around this via the dock connector including the camera connection kit for photos.

--No GPS on Wi-Fi models. 3G iPads come with assisted GPS.

10 reasons why this Geeky Mom loves the iPad

 

First of all, it only took me about 5 minutes to get over the name iPad. Yes, it does bring to mind all those feminine hygiene products that we giggled about when we were teens. I'm a grown-up now--at least most of the time--so I am moving on and thinking less about wings and more about apps.

The official Geeky Mom (that's me) list of iPad pros (list of cons coming tomorrow).

Pros:

--Size. Apple delivers a miracle: The iPad is compact but big. Except for the fact it won't fit easily in a purse or pocket, I love the size. The specs: 9.7 inch display (imagine your favorite video playing here), 0.5 inches thick, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. Some will complain that the iPad is still too heavy. Not such a big deal to us moms who lug around kids and pets and backpacks and groceries more than we want to admit. And don't even ask how much my purse weighs.

--Multi-touch. The multi-touch display screen acts like an iPhone and iPod. Familiar is good. After all, who takes the time to read the tech manual? This gadget is easy to use right out of the box. My kids think this feature makes all those games even cooler.

--Apps. Apps. Apps. Runs nearly 140,000 apps found at the app store. Even runs your favorite iPhone/iPod apps and you can sync them!

--iWork runs on iPad. I love Pages, a classy document creator with oh-so-cool templates and formatting on my laptop. I see one problem because the iPad lacks the multi-tasking cut and paste feature.

--Price. I was surprised by the relatively low $499 price for the basic 16GB model that uses Wi-Fi. Seems reasonable for a professional, but not really affordable for kids and teens who REALLY love gadgets. A Wi-Fi only 32GB model @ $599, a 64GB model @ $699. The Wi-Fi and 3G enabled iPad has 3 options: 16GB @ $629, a 32GB @ $729, and the fully loaded 64GB @ $829.

--3G. I admit it, I am a 3G snob. Wi-Fi is great--really great--but it isn't everywhere, yet. I know thinking I must have 3G is irrational. The 3G feature is either a decadent tech luxury or one more vice I should cut from my diet. You decide. A deal with AT&T gives iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99... I'm warning you: Don't give your preteen/teens this option. The unlimited data go-ahead-and-surf-the-web-24/7-and-send-a-million-texts-a-day plan is $29.99.

--iBooks. I love books and I really love books with photos and lots of color. No, I am not talking about books for toddlers. I love photo-rich cookbooks, decorating books, travel books and--kids cover your eyes--I love textbooks. I watched the books feature on the introductory videos. Love the hi-res, LED-backlit screen with COLOR. However I read on the blogs and tweets that the iPad was introduced in a dim room. So how does it perform in normal light or sunlight? We'll see. Also, I didn't hear much talk about textbooks. I am crossing my fingers. Textbooks on the iPad is a dealbreaker in the decision to purchase an iPad for my high schooler.

--10 hour battery life while watching videos. And a month of standby. The critics are complaining that the battery is not removable. Not a big deal for me. Having a spare battery would just mean more to lug around.

--News. The intuitive NYT app is so much better on the larger iPad display. I was hoping more newspapers and magazines would be on board too. I can wait patiently for more digital news editions, but I hope they hurry.

--iPad keyboard. Of course you can use the virtual keyboard on the screen. But I also like the fact you can also use a standard sized keyboard with a soon to be released keyboard dock that lets you type and charge at the same time.

 

Web comics for dog lovers: Dog Eat Doug

 

While you drink your cuppa joe, check out Dog eat Doug and get your daily dose of canine humor by comic strip artist Brian Anderson. Web comic features the antics of Sophie the chocolate Lab and a baby named Doug. 

(Image from Dog eat Doug web comics.)

2009 was a very good year in the kitchen

If you like lists and you like to cook, then check out the top ten recipes (plus five runners-up) according to the LA Times.

1. Rice noodles with Chinese chives, shrimp and pork (banh pho xao he)
2. Quinoa salad with shiitakes, fennel and cashews
3. Pizza Margherita
4. Sizzling shrimp with garlic and hot pepper
5. Neapolitan-style ragu
6. Orange-flavored shortcakes with strawberries and cream
7. White-chocolate bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce
8. Bell pepper and corn slaw
9. Potato gratin with caramelized onions and prosciutto
10. Julienne's graham cracker chewy bars

The five runners-up recipes available here.

What makes a perfect city? Or a great vacation destination?

What makes a city great? Cost of living? Education opportunities? Jobs? Weather? The truth: No one really knows. But Americans are obsessed with making lists, so let's indulge in a game of comparison. 

We've all seen the lists before that claim to know the best places to live. I love the Best Towns 2009 in Outside magazine that ranks the top 10 cities in the 100 most populated cities in the US. Maybe I'm a tad biased. Colorado Springs won this year, Seattle came in second, with Atlanta in third place. A bonus feature, this magazine also ranks the best small towns near the big cities.

Of course many other magazines rank their favorite cities too. Travel + Leisure asked readers to rank their favorite cities and the results are revealed in T+L's America's Favorite Cities 2009. I love this interactive listing. You can even choose two cities to go head-to-head and see how they compare in the category of your choice using the City Face-Off. 

If you aren't ready to move to the perfect city just now, then try out the interactive Vacation Finder. You choose the criteria and T+L finds your perfect vacation city. I'm thinking this might be a good way to end the squabbles over where to go on vacation next time.

TIME's Top 10 of practically everything

If you like lists about current events, technology, tweets, books, video games, gadgets, late night jokes, fashion faux paus, or just about any list you can imagine, then Time's The Top 10 Everything of 2009 is for you. TIME charts the highs and lows of the past year in 50 lists. Check it out TIME.com.

 

 

Ooo La La! Raspberry Tiramisu

 

I can't take credit for this yummy recipe by Dorie Greenspan at Parade.com. Only 7 delicious ingredients. Looks easy enough to make with the kids. 

The fabulous red berries make this tiramisu the perfect holiday treat.

Now all I need to do is decide what to serve the desert in... Wine glasses? Martini glasses? Or just some pretty glass bowls?

Go to this link for Dorie's recipe for Raspberry Tiramisu

(Image by Bloggyboulga)

Warm mommy hugs to Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep turned sixty this year and she still gets the greatest leading roles. Has Hollywood finally realized 'older' women are still sexy and smart? I am hoping Meryl is a trendsetter and more women her age--and older--grab those coveted leads in high-profile movies.

Streep even jokes about her continued success after all these years. "I've been given great, weird, interesting parts well past my 'sell-by date," says Meryl Streep in Boston.com.

 

Meryl Streep on Vanity Fair, January 2010

Why is Streep still so successful playing the lead in romantic comedies and more? I think she is successful and beautiful at 60--and throughout her career--because she is self-confident and seems to enjoy the fact she has experience. I don't like the phrase 'she looks good for her age' because it seems terribly sexist. (No one ever says that about a man.) I think Streep is amazing and successful because she is devoted to great acting.

You can read more about Streep online in the Vanity Fair preview cover story about the January 2010 issue. Still want to know more? Grab a copy of the January issue coming out today, December 2nd. (So very glad I am a VF subscriber.)

DIY: Make a giant Halloween spider for the front porch

This week why not make a giant spooky spider to greet your trick-or-treaters. A Halloween yard decoration is a fun craft that sets the mood for parties too. Kids can make the spider, but parents or an adult should help out when you need to use a craft knife or scissors. Any craft that uses a milk jug and green duct tape has my vote.  To check out the complete directions for this craft go to Spooky Spider at FamilyFun.com. 

 

Spooky Spider craft at FamilyFun.com

I love, love, love reading Family Fun magazine. Every month their clever editors dream up cool ideas for crafts, printables, recipes and activities for the entire family.

This month in Family Fun you'll find:

• Costume ideas

• Halloween recipes

• Pumpkin carving ideas

• Halloween printables

• Halloween crafts

Geeky Mom: What's the worst part about reading?

What's the worst part about reading? According to internet comedian Amir the answer is: the reading part.

Check out Amir's solution to the dilemma of reading without really reading in the video clip below. Warning... this is college humor. If you are seriously worried that technology is taking over our lives and spells the end of reading, then do NOT watch this video.

Jake And Amir are two friends that work together, live together, and play together. Are they best friends? Probably not. Watch more Jake and Amir video episodes to decide for yourself. 

Geeky Mom: Stay Ahead of Your Kids with All Things Digital App

My kiddos think they are the experts on all things tech. I admit I use them. For FREE. They are best tech consultants in my neighborhood. But sometimes I want to catch up and maybe even know something new and cool first.

I am a fan of AllThingsDigital on the WSJ.com. Sometimes I read their columns and I think tech gurus Mossberg, Swisher, Paczkowski, Kafka, and Boehret can read my mind. Has someone implanted a chip up there?

Now these clever folks offer a new cool All Things Digital app for the iPhone and iPod touch. It features their daily columns, blogs, video, product reviews, and more formatted for easy use on your iPhone or iPod. For more info on this app check out Swisher's column here.

Go get the ATD at the iTunes App Store. It's FREE!

Momathon Fave: New Moon Girls Magazine

Finding a magazine for girls that isn't loaded with diet advice, popularity contests and ads might seem impossible. That is, until you discover the wonderful New Moon Girls Magazine.

"New Moon Girls magazine is about helping girls discover and honor their true selves, engage in meaningful pursuits and dialogue, and express their voices in ways that matter."

In every issue readers will find: 

• Articles about girl athletes, adventurers, and activists
• Girls internationally teaching readers about countries and cultures
• Features about women in careers that girls can aspire to 
• Life stories about fascinating historical women 
• Fiction stories about girls 
• Honest, accurate information about our bodies
• Inspirational messages from accomplished girls and women 
• Book reviews, cartoons, Ask a Girl, Dear Luna, and more 

You can read a full issue at this New Moon link.

She's Got a Big Dream: This Will Make You Smile

Ann Curry on Twitter alerted me to this YouTube link. I don't want to give the video clip away, but suffice it to say I'm cheering for 47-year-old Susan Boyle in Britain's Got Talent singing "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.

Even when every one in the crowd seems to be against her before she even begins singing, something extraordinary can happen! This story is a great reminder to never let the cynics get you down. 

Here is the YouTube link

YouTube - Susan Boyle - Singer - Britains Got Talent 2009

I love stories like this. You go girl!

Easter Ham 3 Ways with Rachael Ray

If you have eaten at my house, then you know I am kind of a last-minute cook. I like recipes that don't take loads of prep time and they must have a short list of ingredients. That's why I love Rachael Ray's 30-minute meal segment on her show and her book 30-Minute Meals 2. Fast, fuss-free meals are a staple at my house. But what do you prepare if you have a special occasion like Easter? How much time do you have to prepare a holiday meal?

Today on her TV show, Rachael featured 3 different Easter ham recipes with varying prep times and cooking times. They each look dee-lish. Plus, you can count on Rachael to develop a recipe that both kids and adults will like--and that's no easy task.

 

Rachael's Fresh Bone-In Ham With Maple-Cherry Glaze

This is definitely the most time consuming, but I'm thinking spending some extra time on a yummy holiday meal like this is definitely worth it.

Cooking/Prep Time: approx. 3 hours.

Includes a simple glaze recipe with maple syrup and cherry preserves.

Click on the link above for the complete recipe, plus a short video clip by Rachael.

Rachael Ray's Spiral-Cut Smoked Ham With Spicy Rum and Orange Glaze

Cooking/Prep Time: approx. 2 hours.

Who can resist the ever-popular spiral-cut ham?

You cook this ham low and slow.

I love the glaze ingredients: spiced rum, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, and orange marmalade

Click on the link above for the complete recipe, plus a short video clip by Rachael.

Rachael Ray's Ham Steak With Apricot-Peach Sauce

Cooking/Prep Time: approx. 30 minutes.

This one is Rachael's favorite because it is a 30-minute ham.

Thick cut ham steaks you sear and finish them in the oven.

Easy to make glaze with brown sugar, vinegar, ginger, mustard, nutmeg, and apricot preserves.

Click on the link above for the complete recipe, plus a short video clip by Rachael.

Thanks Rachael. Bon appetit!

You Go Girl: Katie Couric Wins Walter Cronkite Award

I am a news junkie. Even as a child it bugged me that women were not more prominent in the news. When Couric became the first solo woman anchor in the history of network evening news, some wondered who let the girl into the boys' club? She hasn't always been popular in that post, but something about her style makes her the top news anchor in my opinion. 

Katie Couric, Emmy-winning journalist, cancer-awareness advocate and devoted mom, doesn't just read the CBS evening news, she talks to me. She's a modern Everywoman. She asks the tough questions about world events and politics as well as those real world questions many of us want to ask such as when she asked Starbucks C.E.O. Howard Schultz about their the quirky coffee cup sizes: "Why do you have to do that? Why can't you do 'small," medium,' 'large," like normal people?"

When Vanity Fair asked Katie Couric to describe what is her idea of perfect happiness she said, "At the kitchen table, laughing with my daughters."

The CBS Evening News anchor was honored by Reliable Resources for her "extraordinary, persistent, and detailed multi-part interviews with Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin," according to CBS News. The Cronkite Awards are presented biannually by the USC Annenberg School of Communication.

Textbooks in the Fridge

Life with kids means lots of things will go missing. At my house, we usually blame the dog or my son. He resents this because his sister is younger and in his opinion she's the less responsible one. This line of argument at my house could go on and on.

Moms everywhere face the similar challenges just getting the lunches packed and the kids on the bus for school. Lost a lunchbox for the hundredth time? That's why we have paper bags. Can't find your homework? If you did it once, you can do it again. (Probably with more help from Mom or Dad.)

It's easy to feel inadequate when clutter overtakes the house and the pace of your busy life grows faster and faster. That's why I love blogs and podcasts that tell the real stories behind the mommy juggle by mommies everywhere. ABC news correspondent and mother of three boys JuJu Chang has a clever blog Juju Juggles and her new video segments on The Fix.

What happens when a BlackBerry goes missing at JuJu's house? Check out this video clip from the The Fix.

Swimsuit Models on Planes...Literally

I like swimsuits. I'm not phobic about trying one on. I know I am "older" so a bikini probably isn't a good option. And because I used to be a lifeguard, I don't pick a red tank anymore.

However, swimsuits--even on super models--in my highly opinionated opinion belong at the beach or the pool. I was not impressed when I saw the story about Southwest Airlines teaming up with Sports Illustrated to paint one of their Boeing 737s with the image of uber swimsuit model Bar Rafaeli in a white binkini. I wouldn't go as far as to equate the plane's swimsuit edition to "soft porn" as some shocked passengers did according to Gadling.com. 

Sure, it would be funny to see this "swimsuit edition" plane, but funny is not what I am looking for in a plane.

wowOwow! Liz Smith and The Women on the Web

I admit I am a news junkie. My less boring side enjoys reading gossip columns and opinion pieces. This week Liz Smith, gossip's grande dame, was bumped from The New York Post due to bad economic times. Despite her age, 86, she managed to find an even better spot for writing her column in on one of my online faves wowOwow, the Women on the Web site she co-founded.

As the site promotes, the diva of dish will be "delivering daily dish as it breaks in real time." One more reason I love the web. 

If you want to read about people in business or the arts, celebrities and just interesting new trends, check out her column. Her column is addictive. She's dishy without ever being mean. And she has everyone's cell phone number.

According to Joni Evans at wowOwow, "Liz has raised more than $20 million in the fight against illiteracy and more millions in the fight against AIDS. Other causes close to her heart include The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, The New York Landmarks Conservancy, The Police Athletic League and The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders."

You can read more about her career in the NY Times article, Liz Smith Bids City’s Tabloids Goodbye.

Word of Mom @ Cookie

If you've read my blog before, then you know I'm a big fan of Cookie magazine. 

Moms are an opinionated group and Cookie values your opinions. Thats why the editors at Cookie want you to help determine which products should receive the Cookies' Word of Mom Readers' Choice seal of approval. Cookie wants you to tell them what you like...your favorite foods for kids, beauty products, stores, etc. In appreciation for telling the folks at Cookie your product picks, they will enter you into a sweepstakes to win a 3-night stay for 4 at the Inn of Spanish Garden in beautiful sunny Santa Barbara, California.

How to vote: 

The Word of Mom Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on 1/06/09 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 6/02/09, when all votes must be received. To enter, visit Word of Mom and complete the online survey. 

If you want to see the Word of Mom product winners for 2008, click on this link:

Word of Mom 2008 Winners: Cookiemag.com

Shopping Bargains Online: Books

This year we all are trying to find a way to get more and spend less. Sounds impossible, but if you check your favorite retailer's website often you can find some great bargains. Even though I don't like to get loads of marketing emails from retailers--the online version of sales catalogs--these emails can offer tips on sales promos and coupons. 

I get several email savings alerts from retailers every day. For instance, today I got an email alert from Borders. (To recieve the email, all you need to do is sign up for Borders Rewards.) The email included a 25% off store coupon for any item at Borders. Plus links to promos savings on Dr. Seuss books, selected $9.99 DVDs, and half price books. 

I also like the fact that the email includes book blurbs and the fascinating Borders Backlot featuring behind-the-scenes book video clips and audio clips that help me determine if I would like to buy the book, CD, or other bookstore item. 

Trying to get your kids/tweens/teens interested in reading more? Have them check out Border's Backlot that feaures audio and video clips. One video clip my daughter loves is about the new movie based on the book by Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux. According to the website, "The Tale of Despereaux is a fairy tale that's fairly different, in which life is for living, soup is for tasting, and rats are not to be trusted." The website also features coloring activities, games, and more videos including the "From Story to Screen" clip all about making of the new movie.

If you have older kids, check out the video clips and more from Borders Backlot all about the hit movie and book Twilight. The site includes author and cast interviews, trailers and more.

I loved John Grogan's book Marley and Me, so I enjoyed the Borders Backlot  feature all about the book and movie. 

Momathon Faves: Domino Magazine

A stack of magazines is one of the little indulgences I look forward to each month. Sitting down on the couch with a cup of tea and a magazine like Domino (or Oprah, InStyle, Real Simple or one of the many others) has the power to lift my spirits even after the longest day. For less than $5 I'll find inspiration to improve my day, my home, my closet, and even maybe my personal style. The online editions are fun to check out, but I still love my paper version complete with sticky notes that mark important pages. Domino has a clever and cute mini issue of the magazine online that you can flip through like a the real thing. My favorite article for October is "Starting from Scratch." It's all about Domino editor Rita Konig's move from London to Manhattan. She's a smart shopping expert. Don't you just love her car? I'll take one in yellow.