The Musings of a Working Mom

I don't know about your kids but my kids aren't the biggest fans of salmon.  They love fish sticks and most white fish but salmon has "too strong" of a fishy taste for them.  But I really want them to try salmon and reap the benefits of the Omega 3's that they have - so I realized that if I make a salmon patty and give them ketchup to dip them in, they'd eat it up!  Of course, kids love anything they can dip in ketchup!!  This is an easy and quick recipe for Salmon Cakes that kids will love to gobble up! Salmon Cakes Serves 4 Ingredients: 2 - 14 oz cans red or pink salmon, drained, any skin and large bones removed 1 1/4 cup dry panko bread crumbs 1/4 cup olive oil mayo 1 large egg, beaten 1 T Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup capers, drained and chopped 1 1/2 tsp dried tarragon kosher salt and black pepper Directions: 1.  In a bowl, combine the salmon, 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs, mayo, beaten egg, Worcestershire sauce, chopped capers, tarragon an...

I have been so frustrated with my hair for so long now.  I have long, curly, thick hair that has the tendency to be dry and frizzy.  I end up using SOOOO many products just to tame the frizz and hold my curls together.  And that's just when I want to wear my hair curly.  When I want to wear my hair straight, my hair is exposed to lots of heat from the hair dryer as well as the flat iron.  I try to use products to help strengthen and protect my hair from the heat but I still have dry, frizzy hair.  So what can I do to help my hair look healthy again??? Well....I'm sure that you have all seen the infomercials on the WEN Hair Care System by Chaz Dean and you are asking yourself "What is WEN"?  WEN is a cleansing conditioner for your hair that both cleanses and conditions your hair in one single step- this product is really an all-in-one product.  The cleansing conditioner acts as your shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, detangler and...

TARTE SMOOTH OPERATOR AMAZONIAN CLAY WATERPROOF CONCEALER (Sephora, 0.07 oz., $22.00) Now I know that I'm a makeup addict - I just can't seem to be satisfied with any product even if I think that I've found my HG product!! Well, here we go again with yet another concealer... I purchased this concealer in the color Medium (which by the way is one of the more popular shades as every time I went to Sephora and looked at this product, Medium was always sold out).  The formulation of this product is very creamy and easy to blend with your fingers or with a blending brush.  The coverage is medium to full coverage and I didn't notice a lot of creasing over the course of the day.  I absolutely love the workability of this concealer - easy to apply, easy to blend, and long wearing.  Sephora carries this concealer in 4 shades - Fair, Medium, Tan and Deep.  According to the write up on the Sephora site, "this waterproof, full-cov...

Even though I have adventurous eaters, I do have toddlers after all and we do have our moments of "picky eating"...but I get them to try something new by reminding them of the story of "Sam I Am".  I have read and re-read the story Sam I Am by Dr. Seuss for many years now...and the moral of the story is that you should give something a try before writing it off - you never know how good it tastes until you try something.  So when my kids say that they don't want to eat something, I just say "Come on Sam I Am - you should try it, you may like it!"  Saying this reminds them of the story and they take one bite and if they don't like it, no problem - they don't have to eat it.  At least I got them to try it.  And if they like it, even better.  On a side note, if they didn't like whatever they tried - don't give up on that item just yet.  Keep on trying - toddlers are finicky eaters and one day they make like something, and the next day the...

This month's Birchbox is here...and the theme this month is inspired by nature - with "delicious ingredients and healthy formulations".  I think this month's box has arrived at just the right time as I am in the process of purging out the bad and unhealthy and bringing in the clean, eco-friendly, healthy, natural, just-plain-good-for-you products to use not only on my body but to feed my body as well.  The samples included in this month's Birchbox  This month's samples include: 1.  Atelier Cologne: Orange Sanguine Cologne Absolue (full size $55 - $150) - It doesn't get cheerier than this juicy scent, a pure blend of blood orange, jasmine, and sandalwood. 2.  Befine: Skincare Sampler (full size $24 each) - Revive dull skin with this gentle cleanser and moisturizer duo.  Both use rice extracts to restore skin's natural barrier. 3.  Olle Biologique: 004 Huile Moderne (full size $56) - This lightweight blend of five organic essential oils - i...

If your husband is anything like mine, then he would annoyingly and constantly ask why we need a dozen pairs of black shoes when they all look the same?  But do they?  Of course not, we all know that they have different heel sizes, platform sizes, patent, matte, suede, straps, no straps, peep toe, closed toe, open toe...well, you get the point (but why doesn't he?)!  Anywho...we have all of these shoes which means that we are spending a lot of money on these shoes.  And I will be the first to admit that sometimes, a classic, timeless shoe is worth a lot of money and I'll spend my money on an investment shoe like that.  However, shoes that are super trendy and won't last more than a season or two, well I just don't like to spend too much money on these non-investment pieces.  Basically my rule is this: for trendy shoes - I will pay no more than $40!  And I have found a couple of these monthly subscription shoe sites as well as other sites...

DESSIN DU REGARD WATERPROOF - Long-Lasting Waterproof Eye Pencil ( Sephora, $28.00 ) I am always on the hunt for a great waterproof eyeliner to wear in my waterline especially because I have very watery eyes and most eyeliners never stay put (even if they are waterproof).  Now ordinarily, I would never pay $28 for an eyeliner but since I had read sooo many great reviews on this one and how long lasting it was on the waterline, I had to try it out for myself!  Not to mention that I did wait to get this during a Sephora Friends and Family sale so I didn't quite pay full price for it.  I ended up ordering this in 02 Patent Leather (deep brown) and not black because black was sold out at Sephora both online and in the store.  But the brown is very dark and looks like a blackened brown which I really do like. Well...the results are in and bleh - it's nothing to write home about!  I'm sorry but maybe I just have extremely watery eyes ...

My husband and I love Thai food!  I have made curries of all different types but during the weekdays I like to make something that is quick, healthy and delicious! The keyword here is QUICK!!!  Here is a recipe that I created that I use during the weeknights when we are craving some Thai food. Thai Tofu and Veggie Stir Fry Ingredients: 14 oz. package Firm Tofu, cubed 2 large garlic cloves, chopped or grated 1 each Red and Yellow pepper (any color you like really), seeded and cut into 1 inch pieces 1/2 onion, roughly chopped 1 small container Cremini, Baby Bella or White Button mushrooms, quartered 3-4 T rice wine vinegar 2 T Ponzu citrus soy sauce 2 T Thai Garden seasoning mix (from World Market) 1/3 cup (or more) Thai Peanut Sauce (I used Archer Farms from Target) Directions: 1. Start out by marinating the tofu.  To do this, press out the excess water from the big brick of tofu - place tofu brick in a clean kitchen towel or a ...

I don't know about you (and your family) but my kids and I are suffering horribly so far with our seasonal allergies.  And for me, oral meds just seem to knock me out and I really don't want to make my kids suffer from weekly allergy shots but we have figured out ways to deal with them.  Here is a great article that can help you determine just how bad your allergies really are and how to deal with (dare I say 'treat') them. I hope that you find this article helpful...Enjoy!! http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20579273,00.html

I used to be a MAC girl - I only bought and used MAC products but I have branched out over the years.  I have used both drugstore brands as well as high end brands.  But let me tell you that I am really starting to like the Tarte makeup brand. Not only does this makeup line have great products but they are good for your skin too!  Not only am I interested in feeding my body healthy and nutritious foods, but I also want to use products that are good for my skin and can help "repair, rejuvenate and replenish" my skin with continued use.  Tarte formulates their products without the use of mineral oils, parabens, phthalates, sodium lauryl sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.  This particular set is a QVC exclusive set containing all full size products which is such a value for the price.  Since I purchased this as a TSV (Today's Special Value), I got this whole set for just under $60 (plus about $5 for shipping)....

Well another month has passed by and I still can't seem to follow my new years resolution to buy no more new makeup for 6 months!!! But it has given me the opportunity to branch out and find new products that I wouldn't have tried previously.  However, I am trying to use up the makeup products that I have and I do try to think twice before buying anything new (I ask myself if I really do need to buy this item - doesn't work all of the time but I am trying!).  Anyway, here are my favorite products for this month: Beauty Blender - I got this last month in my Birchbox and I can see why people love this makeup tool!!  This tool leaves an airbrushed effect on your skin when applying foundation.  I love that it leaves my foundation looking airbrushed.  All you have to do is dampen the sponge and apply the foundation either on your skin or on the back of your hand, and then work the product onto your skin.  I like to start out by stippling the foundation on a...