Farmer's market bags

First a big thank you to Design Sponge for this one. This project is exactly what I have been looking for. In an effort to live a more green lifestyle - it kills me to use plastic bags. It is something I don't think I could give up entirely, but any chance I get to use something reuseable or more sustainable I do!

One of my highlights of the week includes a trip to the Reading terminal and some of Philadelphia's finest outdoor farmers’ markets. These trips to the market remind us of where our food comes from and how important it is to take care of our earth and continue to cut down on waste. We get some of the freshest, finest and most reasonable fruit and veggies from the area. I love talking to the farmer's and learning about their practices...and the recipes I get are often favorites. I am borrowing these pictures from design sponge, but I promise to post my after photo's as well. I suggest checking out their post as they have pictures to go along with each step. This is so great. You will not be disappointed. Thanks again, BBB Sisters and Design Sponge.
http://www.designsponge.com/2011/06/diy-project-farmers-market-bags.html

Materials

■fabric scissors
■kitchen tea towels (Ours are from Ikea and Williams Sonoma; you can use new ones or give new life to old towels. Flour-sack towels work really well because they’re such a lightweight, breathable fabric, and they don’t weigh very much if you use these at the grocery store, as well.)
■string
■safety pin
■sewing machine
■rubber stamps (optional)
■fabric paint, ink or stamp pads (optional)

Instructions

1. Make sure the hem of your towel is such that you will be able to thread twine through it to create a drawstring. All of the towels we were using had this allowance.

2. Determine the size of the market bag you would like. For the larger market bags used for potatoes or apples, we simply folded the tea towel in half. Others we cut in half and then folded in half again to make them half the size. These we used for garlic and herbs and smaller items. If necessary, cut the towel to the proper size. For an extra-big bag, you can put two full-sized towels together without cutting at all.

3. Fold the towel in half, right sides together, making sure the hem of the towel is on the top, or opening, of the bag. Then you will be able to thread a piece of string through the top hem of the towel.

4. Pin the sides and sew them up with the wrong sides facing each other. Be sure not to sew all the way to the top on either side so that you will be able to thread the drawstring through the top seamlessly.

5. Turn the bag right-side out. There should be a space large enough to thread a string with a safety pin or a tape threader at the top of the bag. This is one of the great things about this project — the hem is already made for you, saving you the trouble of needing to sew it. Thread the twine through the entire top of the bag creating a drawstring.

6. Stamp and decorate!

Clarisonic...anti-aging at its finest

Looking to transform your skin? I am. At nine months pregnant with number two on the way - I am looking to do just about anything to feel good and look younger. Afterall - who isn't?! I recently broke down and invested in the Clarisonic skincare system. I was getting lazy about taking care of my face...Especially exhausted as I was at the end of the day. Using the same technology as the ever popular sonic care toothbrush the clarisonic cleans skin penetrating deep to remove make-up, dead skin and helps decrease the visibility of pores. Who doesn't need that! It is easy, fast and convenient. And the difference you'll see is immeadiate. I love that my package comes with body brush as well so bringing in the shower allows for an all-over body massage and deep cleaning. Similar to what so many spas and salons use how could you possibly go wrong. A little bit of heaven at home. A little pampering goes a long way

Bugaboo and Missoni...

I think I might have died and went to baby heaven!

Upon researching what I need to do to convert my stroller back to be infant prepared I stumbled across some amazing news last week. Bugaboo and Missoni are collaborating on a collection. This will include canopy, apron for bassinet and blanket! It is to die for! Sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus and available in July you can bet I will be getting my hands on this.

TALKS | IN LESS THAN 6 MINUTES Ric Elias: 3 things I learned while my plane crashed

Parental advice - anyone?!

Who could not use a little advice on getting your child to listen?


Parenting is certainly the best gift…but along with it there are definitely challenges. As little ones grow, misbehavior begins. It’s tough to know what discipline tools will be effective for your child when they are throwing a tantrum and not listening.

Daily thred has partnered with Amy McCready, founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, to offer a free live training webinar on Tuesday, May 24th at 2PM EST, 9PM EST and 9PM PST.

The webinar is…Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling and Amy McCready promises that we’ll walk away with concrete tools we can use the next day and see results. We know you'll be especially interested in learning the 5 R’s of Fair and Effective Consequences. You can watch, listen and even interact with Amy. Participants are not required to have a webcam, only a computer with speakers.

You'll love the way this webinar is structured. Amy is right there LIVE; a video image of her is in the upper left corner of your monitor the whole time. As she talks with you, you'll watch her PowerPoint presentation that is packed with valuable information. She'll also stop to answer our questions about difficulties and needs when it comes to getting our kids to listen.

You will also have the option to write in specific questions and she’ll address them, right there for you!

All you have to do is RSVP and then kick back and learn the proven strategies to Get Kids to Listen without Nagging, Reminding or Yelling!

Webinar seating will be limited so don't forget to RSVP!

http://www.positiveparentingsolutions.com/thredup


About Amy McCready

Parenting expert Amy McCready is the founder of Positive Parenting Solutions, which has empowered thousands of parents worldwide to correct their kids’ misbehavior without nagging, reminding or yelling. Amy is a frequent guest on the TODAY show and has also appeared on Rachael Ray, CNN, Fox & Friends, MSNBC, and elsewhere. A regular contributor to the TODAY Mom’s blog, Amy lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two sons.

It’s important to be consistent about disciplining your children. Effectively disciplining your children is the key.

healthy. green. mom.: The Miracle of Berocca...

healthy. green. mom.: The Miracle of Berocca...: "'If you drink too much, smoke too much or do not get enough sleep - you may not be getting the accurate vitamins your body needs.' This is..."

The Miracle of Berocca...

"If you drink too much, smoke too much or do not get enough sleep - you may not be getting the accurate vitamins your body needs."

This is along the lines of what the packaging said when I first was introduced to Berocca by my roommate in College after returning from a trip to Australia. If I tell you these effervescent tables were a small miracle - that would be an understatement. Only sold overseas I found a way to keep them stocked if I needed an energy boost or was feeling a little under the weather. Many people I met while traveling overseas were familiar with these amazing tablets. It was like a secret overseas - that is until now. I was thrilled to find out this morning that Berocca is now available in the United States! Berocca contains a combination of B vitamins and vitamin C, as well as the minerals calcium, magnesium and zinc. The multivitamin contains no caffeine, sugar or other artificial stimulants, and is aimed at providing improved and long lasting mental and physical performance.

Benefits and Vitamins found in Berocca
Vitamin B1

Vitamin B1 helps with energy production, athletic performance, may improve memory and mood and can strengthen the heart. It is essential for converting carbohydrates into energy.

Vitamin B2

Vitamin B2 can help prevent cataracts, reduce migraines, and may be beneficial for depression and mental functioning. It plays a role in thyroid production which speeds up metabolism in the body.

Vitamin B3

It is helpful for lowering cholesterol, improving circulation, easing arthritis symptoms and improving cognitive functioning.

Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 can help prevent heart disease and depression. It also helps cells to make proteins and release stored forms of energy from within the body. Doses of up to 100 mg daily are safe.

Folic Acid

Also a B vitamin, folic acid is known to protect against birth defects, reduce risk of heart disease, lower cancer risk, heal wounds and build muscle.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 helps to fight fatigue, lower risk of heart disease, plays a role in producing DNA, and helps to convert food into energy.

Biotin

Biotin helps the body more efficiently use carbohydrates, fats and proteins from food. It also helps promote healthy nails and hair.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C helps promote eye health, protect against heart disease and cancers, promotes wound healing and helps absorb iron from foods. Optimal intake is at least 200 mg per day to achieve these benefits.

Obviously take any vitamins or supplements after consulting with your health practitioner. I could not keep this a secret!