This post was inspired by the gorgeous straw beach bags we all received at the Mom 2.0 Summit from their title sponsor, Dove Beauty. I was as thrilled with the bag as I was with the assortment of Dove products hiding inside. I love a big, gorgeous beach bag and I’ve been in the market for a new one ever since my Lands’ End one fell apart. *sob*

When I was thumbing through my People Style Watch the other day, I came across a whole article on how to buy a beach bag, and I thought it would make the perfect Fashion Friday post!

Here are a few things to consider when purchasing a beach bag or pool tote (let’s face it, my “beach bag” is usually going with me to the neighborhood pool, not the beach).

How to Buy a Beach Bag

1. Material

Straw or raffia is stylish and durable and it doesn’t stain like cotton or polyester. It also dries out quickly, which is nice. Plus it goes with everything!

2. Straps

Go for mid-length straps that you can carry easily over your shoulder so you can remain hands-free in case you need to grab wayward child from darting in front of a car in the parking lot or to carry your favorite iced beverage. (Or, in my case, so I can text while I’m walking . . . I know, not smart.)

3. Size

Make sure it’s big enough to hold all your essentials but not so big that you feel like you’re packing for a week. Also, look for smaller pockets inside to keep your cash and cell phone from getting lost in its depths.

4. Shape

Make sure to get a bag with a flat bottom that is structured enough to stand up on its own.

So now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s see what we can find!

5 Fabulous Beach Bags Under $50

1. J.Crew Farmers Market Tote, $49.50

This one’s a classic. You simply can’t go wrong with this traditional straw tote. It has all the components we’re looking for, and it’s gorgeous too.

2. Billabong More Please Tote Bag, $44.99

The More Please Tote is lined on the inside, so it wouldn’t dry out as fast if it got wet, but I included it because the printed burlap and yarn wrapped tassel detailing is just so darn pretty. Plus it has nice long straps, it’s plenty roomy inside, and it stands on its own with a nice leather bottom.

3. LOFT Straw Beach Tote, $39.50

These colorful neon straw beach totes from LOFT with removable coordinating clutch (love that part!) are trendy and cute for carrying your beach (or pool) essentials in style. I doubt they stand on their own, but otherwise they meet our criteria and they’re super cute.

4. Mossimo® Straw Tote at Target, $27.99

This bag has no interior pockets, but it’s also unlined and incredibly lightweight. I love the sassy geometric pattern is sassy and the boxy shape. You can find it at Target, and at $27.99 it’s quite affordable.

5. Nine West Large Beach Tote, on sale for $43.99 at Macy’s until 5/19 (also available on Zappo’s)

This might be my favorite. I love the cool colors, the shape, the faux leather straps with logo luggage tag . . . all of it. It is lined, but that doesn’t bother me; my bags don’t usually get wet. And I love that it has a zip pocket AND two slip pockets inside, as well as a top zip closure. This bag is on sale at Macy’s until Sunday and then it returns to its original price of $59.99 so if you like it, don’t wait around. You can also get it at Zappo’s, but it’s not on sale.

So those are my best picks for a fab summer beach bag. Which one’s your favorite??

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One of the boxed convenience foods I often fall back on is granola bars. I buy the ones from Cascadian Farms because they are organic, which means no GMOs (genetically modified ingredients) and because I like their story and believe the company truly does try to operate in a responsible, sustainable way. I know they aren’t health food, but in my mind they’re a decent compromise food. They’re easy to grab and toss in a lunchbox or as an after school snack, and the kids like them.

Lately, though, I’ve been buying about four boxes at a time — yes, that’s how many my kids eat. Which got me to thinking that it’s probably time to revisit the homemade variety. I’m buying the boxed kind too often to be financially responsible, and they really aren’t nutritious. Surely I can do better!

So last week I perused my cookbook binder where I store all the recipes I find on the internet that I want to try, and I came across this one from No Ordinary Moments.

I altered it a bit due to the ingredients I had (or didn’t have) in my pantry, and this is what I came up with. My kids have been eating them all week; they’ve been quite a hit! And it sure beats buying them by the box at $3.89 a piece!

I’ve spent the last few weeks thinking about the topic and how to approach it. I had the option of continuing the story that Susan Carraretto wrote for the NPMA last year called The Pest Detectives, about the adventures of Millie, an 8-year-old insect lover, as she solves real-life pest mysteries with her father, a pest professional. I could write Chapter 2 of Millie’s story and create another pest mystery for her to solve. Or I could create a spin-off and invent a new main character and incorporate Millie into the story.

I thought about it for a while and decided it would feel like a cop-out to just write the next chapter of Millie’s story. And also, I was a bit intimidated at the thought of trying to impersonate Susan’s lovable character. I was afraid I couldn’t do it justice or would miss the mark, so I decided to create my own character and then bring Millie into that story.

From there, I decided to write the story from the perspective of the family who has the pest infestation. I envisioned bringing Millie and her dad to their house to solve the mystery, and upon arrival, the main character of my story would recognize Millie from school and they could work together to solve the pest problem!

The folks at NPMA loved the idea, so I set out to develop the story.

I spent a few days perusing the NPMA’s website, PestWorld.org, for ideas and trying to figure out which critter should be the pest in my story, and I finally honed in on the idea of a mice infestation.

I will never forget the evening 15 years ago, in my very first apartment, when I  noticed out of the corner of my eye a mouse scurrying across my family room floor while I was reading a book on the couch. To say that I freaked would be an understatement. This set my husband on a mouse hunt, and thanks to a few well placed traps, we soon had our mouse problem under control. To this day, he lectures the kids to put the trash bags full of food and waste from our kitchen into the sealed trash can and not leave them sitting in the garage to attract mice.

I knew immediately that I could use my own experiences to make the story believable, so mice it was!

I’ve been pondering my storyline for days, anytime I find myself with some downtime, and I yesterday finally had a chance to sit down and plot out my story on paper. Or, you know, in a Word document.

This morning I put the finishing touches on my outline and sent it to the NPMA for approval!

I can’t wait to actually start writing the narrative. Now that I have the plot line figured out, I think it will come together quickly. Or at least, it should be fun! Nothing I write comes together quickly; I’m way too obsessive for my own good. But I enjoy the process, and I’m excited to move on to the actual writing of the book. Stay tuned!!

I’ve been rather lazy this week with my photo-taking, and since I’m going to physical therapy 3X a week for my plantar fasciitis, I’ve been spending a lot of time in yoga pants. But here’s what I’ve got.

Day 1

I have no recollection of what day this was or what I did. I was probably just working and running errands, as usual. Obviously this was taken before our weather turned cold again. This pink and coral striped top is from LOFT this season. I like the gathering around the neck and arms — it adds interest without being fussy. I wore it with my favorite jean shorts and my pink sandals.

Day 2

I wore this outfit to church on Sunday. The black and white striped top is from White House Black Market. The white straight-leg jeans still need to be hemmed so I wore them with my highest heels — black wedge sandals with a wooden platform that I picked upon a clearance sale at Bloomies eons ago. I still LOVE those shoes. The red patent leather purse creates a fun splash of color, and I just wore simple silver jewelry.

Day 3

I wore this to attend my daughter’s orchestra concert at the elementary school. The coral sweater is old; I picked it up at the Banana Republic outlet several years ago. I wore it with my bootcut jeans and tobacco-colored wedge sandals. The necklace is Studio Jewel. Earrings and gold bracelet are Stella & Dot. The coral enamel bracelet is from Kohl’s!

Day 4

I wore this today around the house. I prefer this sweater with my white jeans, but they were dirty. The striped modal hoodie is from Gap. I bought it before the Mom 2.0 Summit, thinking it would be perfect with white jeans for a California conference, but I ended up not wearing it till I flew home. It’s really easy to wear and perfect for cooler spring days (like today!) I like it so much I’m tempted to get it in navy or gray while everything at the Gap is 30% off.

And that’s all she wrote! (For now, anyway. Heh.)

For more fashion-over-40 inspiration, check out all of my Daily Mom Style posts.

I’m linking up with:

Then I wake up, and I’m smacked in the face with a reality check.

Sure, we could sell our house and buy a small farm and start homesteading. There are people who do that, and I admire them. But I’m not that person.

And while I do try to make some of our foods from scratch, I find myself plopping convenience foods in my grocery cart on occasion — especially when it comes to the gluten free products for myself. Because I’m the only one in the house who eats gluten free, I just don’t feel like it’s worth the time and energy to bake for myself. so I love that there are so many gluten free options on the grocery store shelves these days. Here are a few of my new favorites:

5 New Favorite Gluten Free Snacks

1. Udi’s Granola Bars

One of the benefits of being an Udi’s Gluten Free Community Leader is that I get to sample new Udi’s products when they’re released. They recently sent me a box of their newest offerings, and the granola bars hit it out of the park. They are the perfect mid-afternoon snack with a cup of espresso. At just 160 calories, I don’t feel a bit guilty indulging!

2. Udi’s Harvest Crunch Muffins

I’m also in love with these Harvest Crunch Muffins. I’m so glad to see that they’re making a healthier muffin option. Not that their chocolate and blueberry varieties aren’t fabulous — they are still among our favorites. But they seem more like dessert than breakfast. The Harvest Crunch Muffins are a nice quick breakfast for those days that I don’t have time to whip up some eggs, or a half of one makes a nice afternoon snack.

3. Glutino Toaster Pastries

This is one of those things that I would probably never have bought had I seen them in the gluten free grocery aisle, but when they offered to send me some samples I was happy to accept. I’ve never been one to buy pop-tarts or other toaster pastries, but these are delicious little treats for those days that I feel like having a little indulgence. When you toast them, they are nice and crisp and flaky, and the filling is just sweet enough to be tasty.

They also sent me a gluten free muffin mix that I haven’t tried yet. It’s next on my agenda!

4. Angie’s Sweetly White Cheddar Popcorn

I picked this up at Whole Foods on a whim, and it is my new go-to snack while I’m preparing dinner. It’s cheddary with a hint of sweetness, oh my word it is DELICIOUS. Addictive too. You’ve been warned. I love that 2 cups are only 160 calories. It’s a lot of bang for your caloric buck.

5. Kettle Brand New York Cheddar  Potato Chips

Okay, so this isn’t a new favorite. It’s more like an all-time favorite. But my OCD would not allow me to post a list with only four items on it. I KNOW. I am weird. These are so delicious (and so high calorie) that I urge you NOT to buy them unless you can afford to eat the whole bag. Once it’s open, it’s as good as gone.

Do you have a favorite gluten free snack I should know about? Please share! And also, check out the Udi’s Gluten Free Community for more gluten free snack ideas.

A lot of people want to know how I did it, and how long it took to start feeling better, and how I’m doing now, so I thought I’d write a follow-up post.

First, for those of you who may be wondering what’s the big deal, you should know that Nexium can create the exact problems it is supposed to prevent (namely, GERD — heartburn/reflux) along with a host of other possible side effects. It also prevents your body from absorbing important nutrients, leading to increased risk of osteoporosis and broken bones among other undesirable situations. You can read my first post for more information.

Furthermore, these types of medications are not intended for use more than 4-6 weeks, but doctors are prescribing them longterm. I had several different doctors tell me that Nexium is harmless and I would probably have to take it for life. Something about that just didn’t sit well with me, so I started doing some internet research (gotta love The Google!)

When I discovered the truth, I set out to get myself off this medication. I’m not saying it’s easy, but if you’re willing to put in the work, it’s doable. Our digestive systems were designed to work a certain way, but with our standard American diet and our stressful lifestyles, we are sabotaging ourselves. If you really want to understand the digestive system, I highly recommend reading the book Practical Paleo. She takes you through every part of the digestive system and explains how it should work, what goes wrong and why, and how to remedy the situation. Plus, the second half of the book is a fabulous cookbook with nutritious real food recipes that are delicious and easy to prepare. It’s a worthwhile investment.

So as for my update.

It is very hard to say when my symptoms started to disappear; I honestly don’t remember. It’s been so long that the details are getting fuzzy. In the summer of 2009, I discovered the real food movement and started drastically changing my eating habits. Soon after that I went off the Nexium. I know that it only took me a few weeks to wean off the medicine, and it wasn’t too horribly painful. You can read my original post to see how I did it. And if you want even more advice, I highly recommend reading through the comments on my original Nexium post. There is a wealth of information in there.

Of course, I must make the obligatory disclaimer and state for the record that we are not health professionals; we are just people sharing what has worked for us. Untreated GERD can result in Barrett’s Esophagus (a form of cancer) so please consult a doctor or naturopath and get help if you are trying to go off these meds — especially if you’ve been on them for a long time.

In the fall of 2010, I went gluten free, and it was like the final piece of the puzzle fell into place. The benefits of gluten free living are subtle (for me — others notice immediately if they ingest gluten) but when I get lazy and let some gluten creep in, I start to experience strange symptoms like nausea, dizziness and stomach aches. So gluten is definitely a no-no for me.

Even with all my diet changes, I am definitely not in 100% perfect digestive health. Maybe I make it sound that way sometimes, but that is misleading. I would put myself at about 90%.

I still have some reflux at times (usually when I overeat, but then some other times that I really can’t determine a trigger.) I manage these by drinking raw, organic apple cider vinegar (1 TBSP in 8 oz water — I actually have a little system whereby I mix the ACV with water in a 1:1 ratio and drink it in one gulp. Then I have a second glass of plain water in my other hand, which I chug immediately, to dilute the ACV that’s was previously ingested and to get the bad taste out of my mouth.) I have also heard that the tablets work just as well, so I might buy those next. The ACV will immediately relieve my reflux symptoms, and it’s really all I need to keep my system in check. I’d probably be better off taking it daily as a preventative, but I usually just take it when I’m having symptoms. Those nights (it usually seems to happen in the evening, after a big meal), I will go to bed in a sitting-up position so that my digestive system doesn’t get backed up.

And I do still get an occasional gastritis stomach ache, but these are rare. (Those are also what caused me to start taking Nexium in the first place; the reflux issues started when I tried to go off Nexium the first time. Ironic, yes?) The stomach aches tend to come in pairs. I will be fine for months, and then I’ll get a few bad stomach aches in a week. Often I don’t even know what causes them, but I assume that my digestive system is compromised from getting lax in my eating habits, causing me to be more sensitive than normal. This is my wake-up call to get back on track. I usually can’t pin-piont a trigger, but there are some things that definitely set me off.

I am pretty sure that artificial dyes bother my stomach because I’ve experience debilitating stomach aches after drinking certain colorful alcoholic drinks (the ones with red dye). So now I stick to wine, with an occasional homemade Mojito or Cosmo (forgive the shameless self promotion!)

Sometimes nuts upset my stomach; but sometimes they don’t.

Mexican food, and avocados will often do me in, but not every time I eat them. So of course, sometimes I take a chance because they taste so very good. I’m usually sorry I did.

A cup of milk (and nowadays, even a Starbucks latte) will immediately send my stomach into fits that last for a few hours. That is the one thing that is absolutely dependable, and I know to stay away.

I definitely should eat more vegetables. I’m sure I’d feel better overall if I incorporated more veggies into my diet. I don’t like raw vegetables except for salads, so that eliminates a lot of opportunities to get them in. It’s hard to get cooked veggies into your diet several times a day, but I try to incorporate them into my eggs at breakfast time and then of course into our dinners.

I know that I shouldn’t eat processed foods, even when they’re organic and gluten-free. They don’t offer any nutritional value or digestive help, but sometimes I like a treat. Since they don’t seem to directly upset my stomach, I justify the indulgence every once in a while.

I should be more consistent about taking digestive enzymes, bitters and probiotics.

I am not a very disciplined person, and I tend to not take care of myself until I start to feel poorly.

At the end of the day, I have a weak digestive system that will probably always need some coddling. Whether it is hereditary or due to the horrible eating habits I had for my early adult life or a combination of the two, I don’t know, but evidently this is my cross to bear. If I’m consistent with eating primarily real whole foods, keeping the starches and sugars to a minimum (and no gluten), taking my digestive enzymes and probiotics, and refraining from overeating, I feel great. But I when I get lax with any of that, the digestive issues creep back in. I just try to look at it as a wake-up call, a reminder to get back on track.

There is a diet called GAPS that is supposed to heal the gut. I know I should try it, but it is so restrictive that I have decided that I can live with things as they are now. If you’ve done everything you know to do and you’re still not feeling as good as you want to feel, definitely look into the GAPS Diet. At the very least, it can’t hurt.

So that’s where I am and how I got here!

I once felt hopeless and trapped, afraid that I’d be on medication forever and that my quality of life would always be subpar. If you are feeling that way today, I want you to know that there is a way out. Your mainstream primary care doctor may not tell you that there are other options to medication, so I continue to tell my story. I hope it helps or encourages someone today.

Good Monday morning! Do I sound chipper? I do not feel chipper. I’ve been up for an hour and I’m on my second cuppa coffee (I usually just have one) and I’m finally starting to feel somewhat awake. I’m also feeling quite uninspired to plan my meals for the week. I wish someone could do this ugly task for me. But alas. I’m the Household CEO and there are some things only I can do. The meal planning is one of them.

MONDAY: Tonight my son has a band concert, and my in-laws are coming for dinner first so I need something easy that feeds 7. After perusing my Recipe Index, I think I’m going to go for Shepherd’s Pie with sautéed swiss chard.

TUESDAY: Citrus & Herb Whole Roasted Chicken with roasted carrots and steamed green beans

WEDNESDAY: Mexican Lettuce Wraps

THURSDAY: I have an event so I’m leaving spaghetti fixins for my husband and the kids. If you’re gluten free, I recommend Tinkyada pastas.

FRIDAY: Baked (or grilled, depending on the weather) Asian Style Salmon with rice and roasted broccoli & cauliflower

SATURDAY: sushi take out

What are you eating this week?

For more gluten free meal plans, see all my Meal Planning posts. And check out my Resources page for all my favorite kitchen tools and products.

A few years ago we tried using an ionic air purifier, but when I read some disturbing articles about their safety, we immediately stopped using it.

Then a few weeks ago, the folks at Airocide reached out to see if I’d like to give their NASA technology air purification system a try. Here is what they had to say about it:

Airocide draws in harmful airborne pathogens (VOC’s, allergens, pet dander, etc.)  and forces them into a densely packed matrix which destroys them on contact. Nothing is captured so there is nothing to clean. (i.e. no filters!) All that exits is crisp, clear air.  The company has spent more than a decade testing and retesting Airocide, and has found that typical Airocide users feel all-around better between four and six weeks, especially asthma/allergy sufferers.

As an asthma and allergy sufferer, I was immediately intrigued.

This video explains much better than I the technology behind the Airocide.

There’s a 60-day money back guarantee, which is always reassuring, but my main concern was its safety. I did some Googling and couldn’t find anything concerning so I agreed to accept the unit for review.

Because I have mild allergies to our dog, Savannah, I was anxious to try the Airocide. I was planning to place it in my office, which I share with our little furry family member. But when it arrived, my 10-year-old daughter was in the throws of her spring seasonal allergies, which are far more severe than my issues with Savannah, so we immediately put the Airocide in her bedroom. Her allergies are primarily grass and trees. For my little nature girl, this is a sad fate.

Immediately I liked how small and attractive the Airocide unit is. It sits on her dresser, and while it’s not exactly a decorator’s dream focal point, it’s not an eyesore either. It’s also totally quiet — unlike the ionic air purifiers of old.

As far as its effectiveness? It’s hard to say. So far this season, her allergies have not been as severe as they were in years past, and I was crediting the Airocide. But it’s also been a cold spring, and recently her allergies have worsened as she has begun playing outside more.

The technology IS impressive. Here is more about it:

The technology behind the Airocide® Air Purifier was born in NASA when space station astronauts needed to eliminate the ethylene gas produced by their fruits onboard shuttles.  What was developed was an air purification technology that eliminates 99% of ethylene gas from the air without filters or any harmful emissions. Commercial units were then introduced in 1998 to food packers, florists and grocery chains to extend the shelf life of their products. 

Further testing showed the Airocide® Air Purifier was virtually 100% effective in destroying Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) – basically the bad stuff that’s emitted by products you have around your home, like aerosol sprays, cleaning supplies, disinfectants, hobby supplies, dry-cleaned clothing, paints and paint thinners, strippers, pesticides and even air fresheners. Furthermore, Airocide Air Purifier eliminates pollen, dust mites, viruses, bacteria and other biological pollutants traditional air purifiers couldn’t even attempt. These findings were truly a breath of fresh air.

In 2003 the Airocide Air Purifier was introduced into hospitals, clinics, emergency rooms, dental offices, daycare centers and prisons to help stop the spread of infectious disease. Further studies consistently demonstrate dramatic reductions in mold and bacteria counts.

I like feeling like I’m doing something to help my daughter feel better — something to help keep her personal sleeping space clean and free of allergens. We keep her windows closed and the door shut, so the Airocide can do its job without competition from outside substances. Because her allergy triggers are from the outdoors, not as much dust and animals that are inside the house, I assume the Airocide can only do so much. But I also know that keeping her bedroom a safe haven is of utmost importance, so we will continue to use the Airocide until her allergy season is over. After that I plan to try it out in my office, as my asthma issues tend to be worse in the wintertime.

The Airocide retails for $799 and is backed by a 60-day money back guarantee. Also check them out on Facebook and Twitter. I received this product for review. No money was exchanged, and all opinions are my own.

If this is a hard day for you due to the loss of your own mother or infertility or any other reason that these types of days can be so very hard, please know that you are in my prayers.

Taking a Mother’s Day picture is a tradition in our family, and it’s become a bloggy tradition as well. Once again, I’m posting photos of my Mother’s Days through the years, and adding today’s picture at the end!

Mother’s Day 2000 — this little guy is 13 now. Crazy.

Mother’s Day 2002 — this is the day I discovered I was pregnant with C.

Mother’s Day 2003 — Mama said there’d be days like these . . .

Mother’s Day 2004 — I wish my daughters would still let me put bows in their hair.

Mother’s Day 2007

Mother’s Day 2008

Mother’s day 2009 — hot and tired, but it still counts, right??

Mother’s Day 2011

Mother’s Day 2012

And finally . . .

Mother’s Day 2013

Happy Mother’s Day!

It was also the hottest day of the season so far. In other words, not prime racing conditions.

Still, we went for the fun of it. It was a “Taco Run” and ended with margaritas and, yes, tacos. I even convinced my husband to run it with me — his first 5K ever. He hates to run, but he did it to be sociable. (We had friends running it too.)

He also ran it in under 30 minutes — JERK.

No, really. I am proud of him. He was determined not to be an utter laughing stock so he ran for his life, and look where it got him! A pretty respectable 5K time for anyone, to say nothing of someone who has never run a race in his life.

I, on the other hand, had no goals except to finish and get a margarita! I know I say this every race, and yet every time I cross that starting line, it’s no holds barred, I’m racing for my life. This time was no different. Even though it was a Friday night (I always run in the mornings) and 85 degrees (I’ll take 35 any day of the week!) and I had spent all day traipsing around the zoo, herding cats — I mean, first graders . . . I still set out to match my personal best. Which, I thought was about 28 minutes. The last race I ran wasn’t chip timed and I forgot to turn my Garmin off when I crossed the finish line, so I was guessing my time was around 28 minutes.

Last night I was watching my Garmin, and I knew I was doing pretty well. I started out at a reasonable pace — around 9:30, trying not to go too fast. Then by mile two, I was running a solid 9-minute mile. Throughout the third mile, I was running between 8:30 and 9:00. I knew I had to keep it there to have a chance of making my goal. I stayed strong, even though I honestly wanted to puke for the last half of the third mile.

Once again, I forgot to turn off my Garmin when I crossed the finish line, so I wasn’t sure of my time until they posted the race results.

I was standing in line for a taco when they announced that the race times were published. I quickly navigated on my iPhone until I found them. I wanted SO badly to come in under 28 minutes but figured I hadn’t quite done it.

But then I saw this . . .

I did it with not a second to spare!!!!

The way I was jumping up and down, you’d thought I’d won the whole race. I am so psyched.

I really love the 5K. Yes, I’m going to train for the half marathon, but really, I don’t know that my heart is in it. I am sure I’ll be proud of myself, and you better believe I’ll be putting that 13.1 bumper sticker on my car. But the 5K is where it’s at. What can I say, I like instant gratification.

I hope to continue increasing my times. It’s my dream to place first in my age group some day — even if it’s just in some podunk race without much competition. I would love to win a trophy and say I did it. It might take me five years, and it might never happen, but I’m going to start working towards that goal.

For now? I’m just thrilled to say that I have officially run a 5K in 28 minutes! WOO!!