Bring on the Blintzes! It is time to Celebrate Shavuos!

 

Image from kosherscoop.com

 

The very first time I learned about the Jewish holiday of Shavuos I was both angry and excited. Why? I was angry because I didn’t know it existed until I was in Israel on a work/study program in Arad, Israel. I was invited to a program that required us to stay up all night and learn Torah. That’s not all. While we were up all night, we would be noshing on ice cream, cheesecake, and blintzes galore. I wanted in, but I wasn’t sure what the deal was with all of the dairy dishes. That is when I learned about Shavuos.

 

Hurricane Katrina Torah Rescue.

 

Every year at Passover, we start counting the days leading up to Shavuos. Why? This period of time represents when G-d gave the Jewish people the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Again, as a kid I always assumed the Torah was a part of the Jewish people from the beginning. Than again, I was so tuned-out during Hebrew school in my youth that it just passed me by. And this happened with talk of ice cream, blintzes, and cheesecake galore?

Does your Child Have Any FRESH Recycling Ideas?

contributed by Audrey, givememmilk.com 

We don’t have to throw away our Fresh Direct boxes anymore. Fresh Direct wants to stir your children’s imagination with their “Family Fun Photo Contest”.  

It’s a classic experience for a child to receive a gift where they are more interested in the box it came in. The box becomes… a car… fort… doll house… These are only the beginning of what a child can dream of when given a box.

 Fresh Direct knows this. And they are crazy curious about how their young buyers are recycling their boxes once the Fresh Direct top quality items have been removed. 

Fresh Direct is more than convenience, more than everyday supermarket products. Fresh Direct carries a beautiful Kosher selection, gluten-free & organic health foods, local farmer’s market and baby items in their Baby Boutique. 

Enter & Win
“LIKE” Fresh Direct on Facebook
Enter a photo of your little creative master with their recycled box masterpiece by May 31, 2012.

Please visit www.GiveMeMilk.com & www.PrimeTimePregnancy.com & “follow” author on Twitter @GiveMeMilk @PrimeTimePreggo

Disclaimer: This was not a sponsored post.

 

 

 

Sesame Street at Beaches Resorts and Spa in Negril, Jamaica

Check out my 8 Reasons to travel to Beaches Resorts in Negril Jamaica over at http://www.travelingmom.com

Facing the Facts of Rosacea

It is easy to assume that all celebrities look beautiful all the time because that is what they do. Well known actress Cynthia Nixon from Sex in the City always looked beautiful on and off the

screen. I never knew that she had Rosacea.

Here is an informational youtube video that Cynthia Nixon made about how she discovered she had Rosacea.

I feel that true beauty comes from within and how a person acts. However, it is human nature to notice outer beauty first. I may not have had Rosacea, but I know all about acne and facial hair. I can’t even tell you how much money I had spent trying to cover things up and wax unwanted hairs away. These were only temporary solutions. The acne flared up again, the hair grew back, and the cover-up eventually ran out. Is there just one solution for me? I am still trying to figure that out. I feel that sticking with a routine and getting the facts about an issue can bring success.

The people behind the National Rosacea Society are reaching out to help those suffering from it.

Learn more about Rosacea at RosaceaFacts.com www.RosaceaFacts.com.

Join the conversation on The Rosacea Facts fan page on Facebook.

Follow the conversation on twitter by using #RosaceaFacts.

Disclosure: This post enters me into the running to be a RosaceaFacts Ambassador, sponsored by Galderma Laboratoreis, L.P.

Are Pediatric Emergency Rooms Ready For Your Emergency?

If you are a parent, grandparent, mom, step-mom, or sibling, you know what a Pediatric Emergency room is. You may have even been in one recently. I am going to share a true story about what happened when these parents took their prematurely born daughter to the pediatrician and hospital emergency room. The following story was written by the parents.

Our daughter Rebecca was born four weeks early on July 13, 2006. We loved her from the moment of birth and savored every hour with her. She was released from the NICU five days later, supposedly as a healthy baby girl. The next day, Rebecca was severely congested with thick mucus, continuing her slow feedings, and had difficulty breathing. We took her to the pediatrician and the hospital emergency room during each of the following days we had her. Doctors diagnosed her symptoms as a common cold, and she was repeatedly sent home. Unfortunately, Rebecca passed away on the morning of July 21. We later found out that she had contracted an enteroviral infection that can be lifethreatening in babies. Had her symptoms been treated, she may still be here today. As a result of this tragedy with Rebecca, we created the R Baby Foundation. This charity is dedicated to helping newborn babies, primarily those less than a month old suffering from viral infections and other infectious diseases, receive the highest quality of care and service through supporting education, research, training and life-saving equipment.

This story was taken from The R Baby Foundation website. The parents that wrote this story are Phyllis & Andrew Rabinowitz. You can read more about their story here. Their goal is to save as my babies’ lives as possible.

In order to reach as many people as possible, the R Baby Foundation enlisted a very influential list of parent bloggers. I was beyond thrilled and honored to be invited to participate in this initiative. I am happy to support this organization and will attend the 5 Star Gala honoring the amazing Julia Beck in NYC next week.

With a passion and gift of exceptional reach, we all participated in an #rbabyfoundation twitter party. In one hour, we reached almost 10 million impressions and was a topic trending in NYC! The reach was tremendous and the conversations inspirational, emotional, and most importantly, hopeful.

You can help R Baby Foundation accomplish their goal of improving Pediatric Emergency centers around the world. I have included some links below.

Please sign our petition to improve pediatric emergency care http://www.change.org/petitions/improve-pediatric-emergency-care

View and share the R Baby Foundation PSA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9f5SBVaLGnk&feature=player_embedded

Share the R Baby ad

Follow R Baby on Twitter

Follow R Baby Facebook

Grab the R Baby Foundation blogger badge
 http://www.rbabyfoundation.org/ 

Read and share tips from R Baby Foundation

Join us for the R Baby Foundation 5 star gala: http://www.rbabyfoundation.org/fivestargala.php

Donate
http://www.rbabyfoundation.org/about-donate.php

Shop with Glassybaby and donate
http://www.glassybaby.com/shop/product_detail/precious.aspx

Volunteer
http://www.rbabyfoundation.org/about-volunteers.php

Share you emergency department story with other parents.

Thank you for making a difference! Follow the conversation about R Baby Foundation and use #rbabyfoundation.

NY Yankee All-Star is Making the World a Better Place One Smell at a Time

Contributed by Lauren Finkelstein, save1person.org

Esti from Prime Time Parenting sent this mommy blogger on an assignment to go sniff out a All Star NY Yankee, Curtis Granderson, who’s the new face behind a NY Yankee cologne with fellow teammate Mariano Rivera. 

My brother was for sure jealous, as when I had the opportunity to meet Derek Jeter at a Starbucks in my neighborhood, and asked for his autograph for my son, my brother’s response was “How could you not get Derek Jeter’s autograph for me?” I thought for sure when I got a picture with this all-star player it would make my brother go batty.

 Anyway, when I had an opportunity to interview Curtis Granderson and ask him about how he’s making the world a better place, I was truly impressed about more than his home runs. Curtis told me about his Grand Kids Foundation, which raises funds for education for inner city youth and sports programs. Curtis’s response was that when he became famous through baseball, he felt a responsibility to pay it forward – it was more of a response, how could I not?

So what does Curtis’s philanthropic endeavors have to do with the newly released NY Yankee cologne / fragrance for men and women? Curtis said he’s not personally receiving a dime for his effort and time for this fragrance. Curtis’s compensation goes directly to the education of inner city youth and sports programs. I think Curtis should be a role model for all well known athletes, as well as all famous notables.

At the press conference a reporter asked who’s fragrance is better Derek Jeter’s or this NY Yankees fragrance. Curtis said with a chuckle, there’s no competition and nothing really to talk about there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marvel Avengers Take The Bronx Zoo This Weekend

The Bronx Zoo will be the only place in the US that will have the 4 costumed characters appearing from the new film Avengers Assemble prior to the film release of Avengers Assemble (Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the HULK)!

The Avengers will be performing an EXCLUSIVE Bronx Zoo show “Marvel’s Avengers: Super Heroes Saving the Earth” at 11:30, 1:30 and 3:30 on Sunday April 29th on the Animal Tales Extravaganza Main Stage

Guests will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Four Avengers at 12:30 and 2:30 both days in Dancing Crane Pavilion

Guest can visit the Main Stage for special Avengers prizing from Disney Pictures, Radio Disney and Wyndham Resorts including a limited-edition Avengers comic book and Avengers screening passes.

You can still get a 20% discount – running from April 17th – May 6^th, which provides a great short term discount on Total Experience tickets that will only be available for this time period. For more information, go here.

Keep up to date with events at The Bronx Zoo on Facebook. If you tweet, follow them on Twitter @TheBronxZoo. Keep up with my adventures at The Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Zoo and Queens Zoo @primetimeparent.

Disclaimer: My blog is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program I have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.

 

 

 

Newest DVD from Sesame Street Will Have You and Your Kids Singing with the Stars

Here is a link to the trailer of the latest DVD from Sesame Street, Singing with the Stars, which will be available on May 1st. Elmo and the gang love to sing and dance and now you and your kids can join them! With over 15 musical performances by some of the biggest names in music and entertainment, your favorite Sesame Street friends invite you to enjoy the party! Songs range from classics such as, “Furry Happy Monsters” with R.E.M.to Emmy Award-winning hit “What I Am” with Will.i.am, and focus on encouraging children to feel good about who they are, boosting self-esteem and confidence. Be sure to check out the DVD trailer at the link below for a sneak

A Night Out with The Moms and Review of Magic/Bird

contributed by Lauren Finkelstein, save1person.org

 

Who knew Moms could be so popular. At times, it seems as though our lives are just one food spill after another, laundry loads, and sleepless nights. It is nice to know that Denise Albert and Melissa Gerstein of The Moms can put the glam back in to mom. Who knew? 

This time, The Moms hosted a Broadway event, teaming with Max Cure Foundation for Pediatric Cancer and Kids Foot Locker for a night of awareness, fun and dunking your sneakers for support and helping to find a cure for this horrible disease. 

The Moms make it so you can be entertained, mix and mingle with the cast of the show and just really feel like Mommy hood is cool while giving back to the world at large. 

Magic/Bird, was about Magic Johnson and Larry Bird and their unexpected friendship that developed over the many years. The play was poignant, funny and entertaining. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys basketball or does not, to take the family out for a night of pure enjoyment, fun and to be taken through the hoops. Get ready for the tip off, if you want to bedazzled by actors showing you the relationship between basketball legends and their journey in the world of sports.

Great Events Kick Off This Weekend at The Bronx Zoo

This year, I am WCS Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium Blog Ambassador and I will be sharing their schedule of events and discount tickets, when available. Yes, a 20% discount – running from April 17th – May 6^th, which provides a great short term discount on Total Experience tickets that will only be available for this time period.

This weekend at the Bronx Zoo kicks off with a Meet & Greet with Yo Gabba Gabba! and Storybook Fun with Curious George! That’s not all!

Your kids will love the Mainstage: Storybook Fun with Curious George. This is a high-energy, interactive live performance featuring songs, games, storybook readings, fun dances and lots of audience participation with one of today’s most popular storybook characters!
11:30am, 1:30pm, and 3:30pm

Adjacent to Grizzly Bears Meet & Greet with Yo Gabba Gabba!Meet Brobee, Toodee and Foofa from the rockin’. pre-school series Yo Gabba Gabba!
2:30pm and 2:30pm at Dancing Crane Plaza

Each weekend of Animal Tales Extravaganza includes an array of activities for families and children. The zoo’s Dancing Crane Pavilion will be transformed into an intimate story time corner, presented by Plum Organics.

Zoo-goers can take a break and read from a wide variety of animal-themed books from Simon & Schuster, Candlewick Press, and Hyperion. Children can then stage their own animal tale with a puppet they create at the Bright Horizons Early Education & Preschools crafts area.

In addition, this year features a special production – Avenue ZOO – featuring a guest appearance by Kate Monster, the beloved puppet star of the Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q.

Running each weekend on the zoo’s Asia Plaza Stage, Avenue ZOO highlights the importance of wildlife conservation in a fun, entertaining way. It is a musical tale in which Kate Monster meets exotic animals and discovers that though they may seem strange and different, they are not as scary as she thought. Avenue ZOO performances will be at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. each weekend from Saturday, April 21 through Sunday, Sept. 9

Also, the main stage has something for everyone throughout the spring season. Highlights of this season’s main stage entertainment include:

· April 21 and April 22 – Storybook Fun with Curious George
· April 28 and 29 – Marvel’s Avengers: Heroes Saving the Earth featuring Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and HULK
· May 5 and 6 – Nickelodeon’s Dora and Diego: We Did It!
· May 12 and 13 – Sportacus from Sprout’s Lazytown
· May 19 and 20 – Disney’s Choo-Choo Soul with Genevieve
· June 2 and 3 – Ferdinand the Bull
· June 9 and 10 – Barney™ Sing-Along
· June 16 and 17 – Super Sprowtz™
· June 30 – Spider-Man takes over the zoo

I know that my kids love any opportunity to meet and take pictures with will their favorite personalities. At the Bronx Zoo, the Dancing Crane Pavilion has meet-and-greets scheduled with top children’s entertainment characters including Yo Gabba Gabba; Marvel’s Avengers; Nickelodeon’s Dora and Diego, Sportacus from Sprout’s Lazytown; Mo Willems’ Elephant and Piggie; Buddy the T-Rex from Dinosaur Train; Maisy Mouse; Olivia™ and more.

Eight-time Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken will present favorite songs from his collection along with Music Unites Youth Choir of Women’s Academy of Excellence on Saturday, June 2.

Actor LeVar Burton, host of the Peabody award-winning series Reading Rainbow will make an appearance on Saturday and Sunday, June 16 and 17 for a special storybook reading. LeVar will share his favorite tips and techniques to encourage young readers and host a special preview of the new Reading Rainbow iPad book discovery and reading application.

Find a full listing of Animal Tales Extravaganza dates and times is available HERE. For hour, direction and more info, go to: www.bronxzoo.com. Plus, buy tickets online and save 20% HERE.

I am so thankful for The Wildlife Conservation Society. Founded in1895, their mission is to save wildlife and wild places across the globe. During their 115 years, they have forged the power of our global conservation work and the management of our five parks in New York City to create the world’s most comprehensive conservation organization. They currently manage about 500 conservation projects in more than 60 countries; and educate millions of visitors at our five living institutions in New York City on important issues affecting our planet. Their parks include: the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and Queens Zoo. The WCS parks in New York City welcome 4 million visitors each year, and help the city to educate millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.

This year, put The Wildlife Conservation Society on your agenda when in New York. Beautiful, fun, meaningful, and educational for the everybody!

Keep up to date with events at The Bronx Zoo on Facebook. If you tweet, follow them on Twitter @TheBronxZoo. Keep up with my adventures at The Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Zoo and Queens Zoo @primetimeparent.

 Disclaimer: My blog is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program I have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.

 

 

 

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