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Archives for November 2023

My Favorite Fall Must-Try!

November 3, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Soul Food Starters

Nobody knows good soul food like Booker co-founder of Soul Food Starters – well, except some of our grandmas. But in today’s world, not everyone has the time to put love into a good homecooked meal. You know, the kind of comforting soul food that gets each member of the family excited to sit down for supper. That’s why husband-and-wife team Claude and Crystal Booker decided to transform their cherished family recipes into pantry-ready starter kits that make it easy to bring together the heart and soul of every family through food.

I featured the brand a while back, but finally had the opportunity to try them! My favorite is the Peach Cobbler! It’s easy to make and it tastes delicious!

Find Booker’s Soul Food Starters at your favorite local grocers, including Winn Dixie, Kroger, Stop & Shop, Food Lion, and more. The meal starters are also available online.

To learn more about Booker’s Soul Food Starters, visit the family-owned business at SoulFoodStarters.com.

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

DrySee Bandages: Innovative Protection and Color-Changing Technology!

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
DrySee Bandages

It’s no secret that we are naturally concerned about the safety and well-being of our family, especially when it comes to the possibility of getting hurt. Everyday cuts, scrapes, and minor wounds are just a part of life, whether it’s from playing, cooking, cleaning indoors, or engaging in outdoor adventures. While these incidents can’t always be prevented, there’s a solution that can provide peace of mind: DrySee Bandages.

DrySee Bandages offer a fantastic solution for addressing those common mishaps. They stand out with their unique combination of a waterproof design so that moisture does not compromise the healing process and its patented color-changing technology. This smart feature indicates bandage change through color change, ensuring that wound care is both effective and easy to monitor.

I had the opportunity to try these out! They work really well and I like that they are waterproof and love that the color change lets you know to change the bandage!

You can find them on Amazon.com.

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Meet Bumpas – A Huggable, Weighted Friend Waiting For Your Love

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
These are a must! https://mybumpas.com/

Bumpas are a new line of weighted, plush toy friends from the co-creators of Ugly Dolls. 

Weighted plush has taken over where weighted blankets have left off!  And the weight of this plush doll (nearly 3 pounds!) creates deep pressure stimulation which can help promote a sense of security, reduce stress and anxiety — even improve sleep quality for kids. . . and their parents! 

They’re literally designed to hug you! Their arms are perfectly sized to give realistic-feeling embraces and hold together to hold onto the wearer.  They even have eyes on the back of their head to keep the wearer “protected and safe!” 

Whether it is used during homework, home relaxing after school, or to simply watch a movie with, Bumpas are there as an emotional support friend! They totally tap into the growing MESH (Mental Emotional Social Health) trend in toys right now, too.

I highly recommend Bumpas! I recently gave mine to a little girl I babysit, and she loves it!

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Holiday Travel Must-Have!

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Travel-eeze

Eeze Natural Health has launched Travel-eeze, its product designed to tackle a common discomfort faced by travelers worldwide – constipation. The water-soluble powder’s all-natural and vitamin-enriched formula offers an effective solution to alleviate digestive issues, Travel-related changes in dietary habits and schedules often lead to digestive complications, specifically constipation, which can dampen the overall travel experience.

Travel-eeze is crafted with a blend of natural ingredients, including magnesium citrate, Vitamin C, flaxseed powder, raspberry powder, and cascara sagrada to alleviate constipation without adverse side effects such as cramping, diarrhea, urgency, or dehydration. Travel-eeze supports bowel regularity, stool consistency, digestive function, and immunity support.

Key features of Travel-eeze include: 

  • Travel-Friendly Convenience: In five travel-ready stick packs, Travel-eeze is the perfect compact companion for globetrotters and frequent flyers.
  • Fast and Gentle Action: The gentle yet potent formula ensures quick relief without problematic relief.cramping, urgency, and bloating .
  • Natural Ingredients: Travel-eeze is derived from all-natural non-GMO ingredients and ensures maximum effectiveness. The formula is vegan, gluten-free, paleo and keto compatible, making it a perfect fit for everyone.
  •  Pleasant Flavor: Delicious berry flavor  
“I’ve experienced constipation for years, particularly when I traveled, and I tried everything to help without success, “ said Elizabeth Hall, Founder of Eeze Natural Wellness. “I created Travel-eeze after extensive research and it has made me fall in love with traveling again. I can eat, drink and enjoy myself without giving constipation a second thought.”

Travel-eeze retails for $19.99 for a pack of 5 packs. 

About Eeze Natural Health 

Eeze Natural Health, founded and made in California by serial entrepreneur Elizabeth Hall, provides high-quality products that improve the lives of its customers and enhances the travel experience.  

For more information about Eeze Natural Health Travel-eeze, please follow on Instagram at:@eezenaturalhealth, and visit: https://eezenaturalhealth.com

Self Disclosure: I received a free sample to facilitate this post. Information and images were also provided.

Filed Under: Featured Products of the Week

Beau, Nov. 3rd Pet of the Week

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
awwwwww, sooooooooo cute!

Say “Sit” to Beau, and he’ll take it as an invite to join you on the backyard furniture. Beau would so like that as a forever option—at only a year old, he’s about reached the limit of his shelter residence. His stress levels have increased because of shelter containment. Beau’s a lovely German shepherd who enjoys a good tennis ball toss and an energetic rubdown. Please don’t let his last days at the shelter be his last ones on the planet. You can speed the process of adopting or fostering Beau and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our new open walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A704264 to meet Beau.

Filed Under: Pet Corner

The Ecology Center Hosts Community Celebration to Commemorate 15th Anniversary

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Image courtesy of The Ecology Center.

The Ecology Center, San Juan Capistrano’s non-profit 28-acre farm and education center, welcomes the community to celebrate 15 years of impact on Saturday, November 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free family-friendly event is open to the public and will feature a day of hands-on activities, delicious farm-fresh food, local beverages, and a wonderful sense of community on SoCal’s only Regenerative Organic Certified™farm. 

Since its founding in 2008, The Ecology Center’s goal has been to nurture and ignite the spirit of our community, driven by the vision of a sustainable and ecologically conscious food future. This fall, the Center celebrates its 15-year anniversary and a 40-year extension of its lease from the City of San Juan Capistrano of the historic farmland on which it is located. 

Founded 15 years ago with the simple goal of connecting our community to our shared living systems, our foodways, and one another, The Ecology Center began as a one acre dirt lot and a historic farmhouse and grew into a vibrant educational space for hundreds of thousands of visitors. The Center is now proud and honored to run a dynamic organization focused on the three primary efforts of modeling a replicable, health-giving methodology of agriculture for our environment, waterways, wildlife, and families as well as mentoring the next generation of global citizens, and nourishing our community with farm-to-table culinary offerings and certified regenerative organic produce grown on its farm.

Join The Ecology Center in celebrating the momentous occasion and sharing a special afternoon on the farm. The Community Celebration is free to the public with advance RSVP at TheEcologyCenter.org/event/community-celebration/.

PRICE: 

FREE with RSVP

WHEN

Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. 

WHERE

The Ecology Center:

32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

PUBLIC CONTACT

For more information on The Ecology Center’s 15th Anniversary Community Celebration and to RSVP to the free event, please visit TheEcologyCenter.org/event/community-celebration/. To learn more about The Ecology Center and upcoming events, please visit www.TheEcologyCenter.org.

MEDIA CONTACT

Please contact farida@theaceagency.com with interest and inquiries. 

Credit: The Ecology Center.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News

Books of the Week

November 2, 2023 By Leave a Comment
Adorable & Hilarious Farm Animal Picture Book DON’T WORRY, WUDDLES by Lita Judge
In this snowy day picture book, a kindhearted but overeager duckling tries to be helpful by sharing Wuddles the sheep’s wool to make sure all their animal friends stay warm—but will there be enough for Wuddles?

Snow is coming, and the barnyard animals are preparing for the cold. Duckling has an excellent idea! Fleecy Wuddles the sheep has plenty of wool to keep everyone nice and toasty. Surely Wuddles doesn’t mind sharing? Soon there’s a goat in legwarmers, piglets in onesies, and more! But will this outpouring of generosity leave Wuddles himself out in the cold? Not to worry—Duckling has one final, absolutely heartwarming idea!
Author Bio
Lita Judge is the award-winning author and illustrator of many children’s books, including Flight School, Penguin Flies Home, Red Sled, Red Hat, Good Morning to Me!, Born in the Wild, Even the Smallest Will Grow, When You Need Wings, and her illustrated young adult novel, Mary’s Monster. She lives with her husband, two cats, and a parrot in New Hampshire. You can visit her online at LitaJudge.com.
A delightful story for young children!
 LOLO’S SARI-SARI STORE by Sophia N. Lee and illustrator Christine Almeda

LOLO’S SARI-SARI STORE is A Song of Frutas meets Last Stop on Market Street set in the Philippines, and Kirkus called it “A gentle tale brimming with love and warmth.” It tells the story of a young Filipino girl who spends her summers helping her Lolo (grandpa) at his Sari-sari store. When she moves away from the Philippines, and begins missing her Lolo and community, she starts remembers her grandfather’s words and lessons he taught her in order to keep him close to her heart. With these lessons of kindness and giving back, she starts to see opportunities for connection and community in her new home. I loved this delightful story and children will love the characters!

REMEMBERING by Xelena González and illustrator Adriana M. Garcia 

REMEMBERING, just received a STARRED REVIEW from Kirkus, calling it “A gorgeous, deeply touching exploration of grief and remembrance.” It’s a brightly illustrated picture book about a family remembering their beloved pet dog through the traditions of Día de Muertos. This poignant title comes from the Pura Belpré Honor-winning team behind ALL AROUND US, Xelena González and Adriana M. Garcia. REMEMBERING gives a different spin not only to books about Día de Muertos, by focusing on the loss of a pet rather than a relative, but it also gives a fresh take to pet loss books in general, which have remained a staple for decades.

Fun story!

Don’t Be Mean to 13 (LabelFree Publishing / October 13, 2023 / $9.95 Paperback / $14.90 Hardcover) is a charming story with adorably drawn characters for pre-readers, while at the same time presenting the ancient historical roots of a popular superstition and introducing older children to evidence-based, critical thinking. I loved the characters!

About the Author:

Douglas Harris is an award-winning children’s book author and co-owner of Label Free Publishing where he has published My Name is Stardust (Label Free, 2017), Stardust Explores the Solar System (Label Free, 2018), and Stardust Explores Earth’s Wonders(Label Free, 2019). He co-authored these books with his children along with the Stardust Book series. My Name is Stardust is the first in their series of children’s illustrated science storybooks and features a foreword by renowned evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins. Harris is also the co-author ofElle the Humanistwith his 12-year-old daughter Elle. It is a beautifully illustrated book presenting humanist ideas and ethics in a way that’s warm, welcoming, and accessible for young readers. 

The Presidents Decoded (Workman Publishing; September 26, 2023; $24.99 paperback; Ages 10+)

Author Katie Kennedy brings to the market a book that’s unlike any other. Not a presidential biography, but a source-rich comprehensive look at each of the 45 presidents’ time in office, this book reframes the idea of what it means to be president.

I really found this an interesting book and highly recommend it for kids 10+.

All young students know the names George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and FDR. But how much do they know about what really happened during each president’s time in the oval office? The Presidents Decoded shines a light on American History — good, bad, and in between — through the lens of the leaders who shaped our nation. Focusing on the facts, not the politics, of each president’s time in office, this book is a desperately needed supplement to every history classroom.

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to facilitate this book round-up. Cover images and info also provided.

Filed Under: Media Reviews

Experience an Inspiring Holiday Season at Laguna Art Museum!

November 1, 2023 By Leave a Comment

Art Workshop: Gratitude and Grace with Jo Situ Allen – November 18, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

  • Celebrate self-care and gratitude by working with air-dry clay to create a beautiful nature-inspired centerpiece platter. We’ll shape the clay with our hands, pressing foraged items into it to leave a unique print. The workshop will commence with a silent, meditative walk from the museum to Heisler Park and back. Bring textured items from nature to incorporate into your creation. After a 15-minute silent walk to gather materials, we’ll return to the museum for a grounding exercise and breathing session before immersing ourselves in the creative process. Jo will facilitate the remaining time, encouraging presence and gratitude for the abundance around us. More information can be found at this link.

Brain Health: The Impact of Art + Nature – November 19, 2023 at 2:00 p.m.

  • Join Dr. Cheryl Alvarez for an insightful discussion about activities promoting brain health. Delve into the benefits of art contemplation, connecting with nature, gardening, and social activity in maintaining a healthy brain. This program is presented in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Family Center of Huntington Beach. Advance tickets are recommended. More information can be found at this link.

New Moms at the Museum –  November 29, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

  • Calling all new parents! Join us at the Laguna Art Museum for a special event tailored for you. Enjoy art, gain expert insights, and socialize with other parents. Learn about a featured art piece, receive advice on self-care and newborns, and meet specialists in midwifery, doula services, newborn care, nutrition, acupuncture, and massage therapy. The last 45 minutes are dedicated to mingling. This event is for infants aged 0-6 months. Light bites and refreshments will be provided. More information can be found at this link.

Holiday Glow (feat. Pacific Vocal Series) – December 2, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. 

  • Step into the holidays with an evening of live music! Enjoy live musical moments featuring recognizable holiday classics presented in collaboration with Pacific Vocal Series. The event will showcase Laguna Beach local and international mezzo soprano Kayleigh Decker and pianist Cheryl Lin Fielding. Indulge in a sparkling signature cocktail, light bites, and shopping at our delightful museum store. Receive a gift with every purchase and an additional curated gift bag with a minimum purchase of $100. More information can be found at this link.

Movie-Made Los Angeles Lecture and Book Signing – December 9, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

  • Embark on a captivating exploration of the historic ties between Laguna and early Hollywood with renowned film professor and author John Trafton. Meet the author and have your copy of his latest masterpiece, Movie-Made Los Angeles, personally signed after the program. Discover the cinematic origins of Los Angeles and delve into Southern California’s artistic heritage that laid the foundation for Hollywood’s rise. More information can be found at this link.

Credit: Laguna Art Museum.

Filed Under: SoCal City Kids News
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