Wellness

Actor Taye Diggs Releases New Children’s Book “Mixed Me!”

November 17, 2015

Last week I had the opportunity to take the kids to a private reading of actor/author Taye Diggs’ new children’s book, “Mixed Me!”

Hosted by The Moms Network, the event was held at Aeropostale, a popular clothing store in the heart of Times Square. Prior to the reading and meet-and-greet, attendees were encouraged to donate gently used plastic toys to Second Chance Toys for the holidays. We were also treated to cupcakes and light refreshments.

Once the moms and kids were settled in, Taye Diggs and the book’s illustrator Shane W. Evans (also one of Taye’s closest friends) began to read the well-written tale. Inspired by Taye’s son, the book is about a little boy named Mike whose mom is described as being “rich cream and honey” and his dad as “deep brown.” His hue falls somewhere in between, which his parents explains to him as being “mixed just right!”

The story encourages children to be confident and celebrate their physical differences. While the title suggests the story’s about being bi-racial, it’s truly a universal story about embracing and accepting individuality.

Ava and MJ look on as actor/author Taye Diggs and illustrator Shane W. Evans sign copies of their new book, “Mixed Me!”

Shane, the illustrator spoke eloquently about how important it was for him to get the pictures just right. He told the audience that he specifically chose each complexion and every curl meticulously to give credence to children whose hair and skin tone might stand out from the crowd.

Surprisingly, both Ava and MJ sat attentively while the story was being read and seemed to be quite entertained.

Overall, it was a fun afternoon for the kids and me. I plan on reading the book at Ava’s school next month.

“Mixed Me!” by Taye Diggs and illustrated by Shane W. Evans is available here, $13

If you’re a parent to a young child, how do you encourage them to be confident? Please share your thoughts!

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

Post Halloween Candy Tips for Parents

November 2, 2015

My family and I had a fantastic Halloween! The fact that MJ was old enough to partake in the festivities made for a frightfully fun night out.

Ava was a wicked witch, while MJ was Alvin from “Alvin & the Chipmunks,” my favorite cartoon of all time. The weather was perfect so they had a blast trick-or-treating up and down the blocks for about two hours. Their pumpkin-shaped buckets were filled to the brim with sweet treats. From mini chocolate bars to fun size gummy bears, they scored TONS of candy!

On Halloween night I allowed them to pick three pieces of candy of their choosing, which was fine. But now, they’re asking for it every day! As parents, we know that they can’t consume too many sugary goodies on a daily basis. But, if you do let them indulge, at least know the healthier options.

I made MJ’s costume by putting yellow tape on a red turtleneck and cap. Oh, and Ava’s wearing one of my dresses!

So, here are a few tricks that I’ve learned throughout the years to get through the post-Halloween treats:

*Choose chocolate – If you’re going to give your child candy, opt for chocolate instead. Super chewy and gummy candies get stuck in teeth and are cavity culprits.

*Avoid sour candies – The acidity of sour candies can eat away at teeth’s enamel, causing painful sensitivity and of course cavities.

*Set Boundaries – Limit their treats to the weekends. Let your little one know that too much sugar on a daily basis can wreak havoc on their overall health.

*Out of Sight, Out of Mind – After Halloween, put the candy away in a high cabinet or tuck it away in a pantry. If they don’t see the candy, they will soon forget about it.

Did your little ones go trick-or-treating this year?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Event Recap: L’il Critters Fun Day at Central Park Zoo

October 14, 2015

Last week my children were surprised to a impromptu visit to Central Park Zoo.

Of course, as we moms know, things are hardly ever impromptu when involving kids. So, I knew well in advance that we had been invited to a day of fun all courtesy of L’il Critters vitamins—America’s #1 Kid Vitamin Brand.

Since L’il Critters is all about promoting healthy lifestyles for kids and families, it was befitting to have the afternoon start off with a nice warm-up routine. The activity reinforced the importance of physical activity by encouraging those in attendance to get moving with the help of the L’il Critters mascot! Who doesn’t love exercising with a larger-than-life bear? Needless to say, the kids enjoyed it.

A few of the L’il Critters vitamins that were on display throughout the event space.

Ava showing off her push-up skills during the exercise portion of the event.

Ava and the other kids giving the L’il Critters mascot high-fives.

Ava enjoying lunch before taking a peek at Steve Ettinger’s book, “Wallie Exercises.”

After the workout, the kids worked up an appetite and were presented with various healthy lunch options. Ava and MJ hardly ate anything because they were just so excited to be in the presence of the L’il Critters bear. After lunch it was time to see some animals! Unlike regular trips to the zoo, the children were led by a zoo tour guide who provided them with a wealth of information about all of the animals were saw. From penguins to grizzly bears, the zoo has plenty of attractions that will educate and entertain kids of all ages.

Once the zoo tour was over, we went back to the tent and took more pictures with the L’il Critters mascot and learned more about the brand and what their vitamins offer. Did you know that all of their vitamins are gluten-free? My kids love them and it’s always their highlight after breakfast.

Oh, if you love gummies like me, they have a line of gummy vitamins for adults under their VitaFusion division. Trust me, they’re delicious and nutritious! I like to use the Hair, Skin and Nails multivitamin since I’m still on a quest to restoring my hair’s former luster prior to having children. Plus, I could always use a clearer complexion and these seem to be helping me achieve an even skin-tone.

VitaFusion Hair, Skin & Nails Multivitamin available here, $14.50

Check out these lifestyle tips to keep your child active and healthy:

* Shop together. Give kids a small budget and let them pick out a new veggie or fruit they want to try as part of their meal.

*Involve kids in meal prep, whether it’s setting the table, cracking the eggs or making a grocery list. Kids who participate in cooking are more likely to eat better and are more willing to try new foods. Praise them for their efforts.

*Make the focus about each other – designate the dinner table a “no screen zone” by turning off the TV and leaving the phones and tablets in another room.

Does your family take multivitamins? How do you keep your kids active?

Category: Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Wellness | Leave a Comment

Get Class Picture-Perfect with Conair’s Quick Twist Hair Styler

October 5, 2015

I can’t believe we’re already a month into my daughter Ava’s school year. I’m even more shocked that her class picture day is next week!

School pictures are a big deal—at least they were when I was growing up. But, that was before digital cameras and cell phones. When I was in school, my mom would style my hair in special ways for the big day. Back in the ’80s and early ’90s that meant pressing it straight then curling the ends. Since I won’t be doing that, I do plan on using Conair’s new Quick Twist Hair Styler to create fun, twisty braided-ponytails.

Conair Quick Twist Hair Styler available here, $30

Ever since we attended the launch party for the product last month, Ava has been so excited to use it on her hair. During the event we were able to test the hair tool with the help of a professional hairstylist.

One of the hairstylists using the Conair Quick Twist Hair Styler on my daughter, Ava’s, naturally curly hair.

At first, I was skeptical that it would work on naturally curly hair like my daughter’s. To my surprise and delight, it worked perfectly. Plus, it’s super easy to use. The hair clamps into two grooves and the rotating head quickly and gently twists the hair creating effortless two-strand braids. However, if your child has short hair, this product will not work well. The hair has to be long enough to go into the clamps in order to create a twisty braided look.

So, on picture day Ava will rock her signature ponytails, but this time with a twist!

What’s your favorite hairstyling tool?

Category: Beauty, Hair, Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | 1 Comment

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

May 12, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out a few of the tips:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

April 21, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simply click on the photo below to enter:

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

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

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

March 27, 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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