Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Suave Professionals Shampoo and Conditioner (Volumizing with Aloe and Ginseng)

For 10 years I swore by Biolage shampoo and conditioner. I loved their 'Color Care' formula even though I didn't color my hair, it just seemed to work well for me. I loved the smell and when I could find the liters on sale 2 for $20 it was quite a deal. Then, all of a sudden one day it stopped cleaning as well and my hair felt heavy and limp. I researched a little and found that they changed the formula (not sure if there is truth to this) so I decided I should step out of the box and try something new. I posted on Facebook to see if anyone could recommend a good drugstore shampoo and a number of people recommended the Suave Professionals line (comparable to Aveda).

So, off I went to the store and found the shampoo and conditioner for $1.84 each! Can't beat that. I tried them the next day and instantly I could tell a difference! My hair felt very clean and it had more body than it had had in a while. I thought maybe it was a fluke since I switched brands so when I ran out of the first bottle I tried Dove shampoo and conditioner...this didn't work quite as well. So, back to Suave I went, and I love it! Try it for yourself, you will be surprised!

Star Power

Kenson Kids "I Can Do It" Reward and Responsibility Chart

Eva didn't have terrible twos...she had terrible threes. No form of discipline seemed to work; she just didn't care. At three years old she wasn't really involved in too many things so I couldn't take much away from her. At the end of my rope I would often talk to my girlfriends about how to manage this stubborn, strong-willed, independent toddler; one of them suggested a star chart. I looked online and didn't want to invest too much into a form of behavior modification that may or may not work so I decided on the Kenson Kids "I Can Do It" chart. It got great reviews and the price was right ($19.99 with free shipping). So, we gave it a try.

The chart arrived with a number of actions (ex. "No Mean Words", "Go to Bed and Stay in Bed", "No Whining", "No Harming Others") and a number of blank tiles to add your own behaviors (at this time one of mine is "Be a Good Listener"). The tiles have velcro backs to adhere to the chart and there are 45 stars included as well. I printed my own rewards and let my girls choose one reward after they achieve their star goal (15 stars each). The rewards I printed are ("Go Out for a Treat", "Buy a Book", "Get a New Outfit or Pajamas", "Money for my Piggy Bank", "Movie Night with Mom and Dad"). I allow the girls to choose their one reward and then take it out of the drawing...otherwise they would choose "Go Out for a Treat" every week!

The chart worked magnificently for our problematic three year old. She is now four and a half and shares her chart with her two year old sister who is just as excited to use the chart. It has been wonderful for our family; the girls get so excited to earn their stars at the end of the day...and are equally as upset when they lose stars for bad behaviors. Let's just hope this star power doesn't wear off any time soon!

http://www.amazon.com/Kenson-Kids-Reward-Responsibility-Chart/dp/B001BX0BF4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331505609&sr=8-1

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies---YUM!

Healthy and Delicious Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Having a child with dairy and egg allergies has taught me so much about substituting while cooking and baking. Now that it is Lent and a time of strict fasting in the Greek Orthodox faith, cooking and baking this way is even more useful. These cookies are delicious and filled with things that are so healthy and tasty!

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups wheat flour or white-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut oil (instead of butter)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Ener-G Egg Replacer "eggs" (this is a powder sold in a box in the baking section of Whole Foods)

Scant 1/4 cup applesauce

2 cups Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a large bowl beat coconut oil, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until blended
3. Add the two servings of Ener-G Egg Replacer and the applesauce; beat until combined
4. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt until combined
5. Stir in chocolate chips

Roll dough into balls about 1 1/2" in diameter and place about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown

Cool on wire racks

You're My Hero

www.flattenme.com

Last year I saw a little blurb in one of my parenting magazines advertising www.flattenme.com. When you visit this website you can create a variety of books inserting the face of your loved one (husband, wife, son, daughter, niece, nephew, Godson, etc.). Since Father's Day was around the corner I made a book called "My Super Daddy" and inserted Heath's picture.

The girls absolutely flipped over it...as did Heath :) The book portrays Heath swinging with gorillas, climbing tall towers, playing games with large animals and more. Even though we have read the book dozens of times both of our girls are still in awe that their dad could be such an incredible super hero!

This is a great gift idea for pretty much anyone on your list (there are even baby board books!). Check it out: www.flattenme.com