Experience Included

Experience Included - Dec 2009

2009-12-14T21:56:00.000-05:00

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Consignment a 'go-go' for the Home

2009-12-03T16:49:00.000-05:00

Experience Included is over-the-top, just-about-to-crash-into the moon excited for a client, fellow business and hard-working, full-of-life partner Boston Consignment (http://www.bostonconsigns.com). They were chosen and featured on Boston's Channel 5 Chronicle Show - don't you just love it? Chronicle - how very fun! To watch, comment and experience the best new shop West of Boston, in all of Boston - please visit: http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/21637920/index.html

EI Nov 09 - Click here.

2009-11-06T22:25:00.000-05:00

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Nov 09

2009-11-06T22:21:00.001-05:00

(Join our facebook page to see updates, board postings and tips!) Holiday Spice, Winter Wears, Boutique & Resort Wear, Best Brands Only, Just Clothes, Velvet Dresses, Blazers, Dress Shoes (Boys & Girls), 'Tween Semi-Formal, Maternity and Outer Wear for the slopes & shows ... The Children's Drop & Shop announces WINTER CLOTHING EVENT ANDOVER, MA Nov 16th - Nov 24th. 26 Chestnut Street Andover, MA 01810 Sample of brands: Mini Boden Brooks Brothers Saks Misha Lulu Naartjie Catimini Deux par Deux Matilda Jane Cakewalk Lemon loves Lime Mimi & Maggie Oililly Ralph Lauren Oeuf Room Seven Lili Gaufrette Paper Wings Jottum Neige Tea Collection Crewcuts Stride Rite Primigi

Attention Consigners for CD&S - Click here!

2009-09-14T15:35:00.000-04:00

Hi 2009 North Shore Consignors, You are going to love the space - open, airy, clean, easy parking, easy to find, and plenty of sq footage, it's a huge 2 floor, 9,000 square foot wedding reception facility. It's awesome, we are excited for us and for you! Here are some notes for you to consider: 1) If you want to make your DROP easy and fast - make sure all your items are within the limits of the goods we accept. If we flip through your stuff and items do NOT meet our standards (as clearly explained on the CD&S web site) we will ask you to stay and take home the extra items. If you do want to drop and leave w/out waiting, then you are agreeing to let us us donate items we deem unacceptable. In the past, we neatly put aside your goods and held them for you during the event until you came back and picked them up - we even called you to say that we will not put it on the floor to sell, sorry - we can't do that anymore. It's bad feng shui for the event workers & the energy of the room. 2) Also, from here on in we are 100% adamant about NO WIRE HANGERS! Thank you for understanding. 3) I am sure you have heard the scuttlebutt of the new law regarding children's toys, goods & resale of recalled items. We ask that you do three things, 2 before you come to the event and one when you drop off your goods: A) Before you come to the event: please visit and review this web site to compare your items for consignment against the items that have been recalled: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html B) Before you come to the event, check this website page and see if you are about to consign any of the listed items, if you are - please remove them from your items to be consigned. We will not accept them. http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/smbus/cpsiasbguide.html C) When you DROP off your items, we will ask you to sign a release that states you are not consigning anything that has been recalled and/or contains lead or harmful plastics. Before the SHOP opens, we will review the items on the floor again, if we find items that are recalled or that pose a threat, we will remove them. The CD&S team wants everyone to be safe and we will be very strict with these guidelines, FYI. 4) Consigners should be mindful pricing. After a survey we posted with 2000 people in our database, we received many comments about the items being too pricy at the last event. If you want your items to sell, price them competitively. Pricing too high is not good for you, or for the items you wish to sell. Please keep this in mind when you price. If you have already priced and tagged items. Log back in, change the price online and then make a note on the tag itself, you don't have to re-print the tag. 5) Help spread the word - if you would like to post a flyer, please download it from our web site. Spread the word on your facebook page, email your friends. The more people know about the event, the better the sales will be and the better chance of you selling your items. We are all in this together, do your part by spreading the word! 6) Consider becoming a customer of a CD&S sponsor. If you have not already, please review our sponsors - there are many reasons we have affiliated ourselves with these services and stores - not only do they share our passion for you, the earth and the community - they are owned, operated and managed by really good people in business to serve you. They are friends to the CD&S team. Here's a list of our sponsors and a link to their sites: The Green Egg http://www.thegreeneggshop.com/ Mommies Who Shop http://www.mommieswhoshop.com/ M.Lekkakos Spa http://www.mlekkakos.com/ The Boston Ballet School http://www.bostonballet.org/school.html The Coffee News http://www.coffeenewsnsb.com/ Milne Plumbing & Heating http://www.milneplumbingandheating.com/ Boston Consignment http://www.bostonconsigns.com/ 7) Last but not least, join our facebook group! http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=51311258492 See you soon, email any questions and good luck tagging & spreading the CD&S News! The Children's Drop & Shop Childrensdropandshop.com info@childrensdropandshop.

com

We love videos!

2009-08-16T22:48:00.001-04:00

"I have a business idea, now what do I do?"

2009-06-17T12:51:00.000-04:00

Launching a business looks and feels unique to different people. Some people feel horrified, some impatient, some unrealistic, some over zealous & some are just plain too quiet & shy! Whatever you may feel or experience when considering a business idea - take notes and start to ..... keep a journal of your ideas, fears and discoveries along your journey. Reference your journal on a daily basis - even for a minute or two. Start to read stories of other entrepreneurs - learn from their mistakes, successes, failures and experiences. Continue your note taking. Expose yourself to the likes of: Inc Magazine, Ladies Who Launch & get familiar with the business section of books in your library. The same applies for a person who wants to launch a jewelry line, sell a cleaning product or open a yoga studio; Study yourself and your own habits AND study the 'process' of starting a business, regardless of how big or small the business may be. Step 1 - Mindfully examine your actions as you explore launching the idea. Take copious notes and be totally honest with yourself - capture in your journal what you are loving and detesting about this first step. First list your fears, then list your dreams. And then, list your fears again. Focus on the dreams and slowly erase the fears. Honestly, how can you let a personal fear get in the way of your dreams? Continue to move forward until you open the doors of your new business or until you reach the point, right now is not the time for me to be doing this. Reread your journal starting from page 1. What are you learning about yourself? Are you seeing the fears shrink as you focus on the dreams? Is the idea of having your own business becoming clearer in your head. If so, are starting to think like a business owner. Your germ of an idea is starting to grow, the 'business baby' is being born. Foster, care and attend to your new budding bean ... Step 2 is Introduce the business to friends and family. Get ready to go back to your journal to transcribe the feedback and comments made by others. Be open and put your ego away for a couple of days as you listen to their feedback. Keep listening, taking notes and enjoy the initial process of making your idea into a business. Good luck! If you have enjoyed reading these notes and you are interested taking your idea to a North Shore business forum for people starting a business, who have a small business or would like to grow their existing small business, please email Stacey Lai - stacey@childrensdropandshop.com.

Mercedes FOR SALE

2009-06-17T12:27:00.001-04:00

Mercedes 380 SL $9,000. The wind in your hair? PRICELE$$ 1981 87,070 miles Runs like a dream! Has 4 new tires. Comes with hard top and car cover as well as sheepskin seat covers. Perfect for cruising around Cape Ann this summer. Call Larry at 617-412-8671

SNOW BLOWER FOR SALE

2009-06-17T12:25:00.000-04:00

Snowblower $250 Ariens ST824, 8HP Not pretty but a real workhorse. It came with the house when we bought it two years ago. We used it the last two winters. Will deliver. Call Larry at 617-412-8671

Boundless Playground coming to North Beverly, MA

2009-06-09T23:07:00.000-04:00

For the last 13 months, a group of parents, teachers, specialists and community members have be raising funds to bring the first barrier free, Boundless playground to the North Shore. It will be sited at 48 Putnam Street in North Beverly. The Rising Stars Playground, as it will be called, will have so much to do and no barriers for children, parents or grandparents who have disabilities. No one will have to leave behind support equipment like wheelchairs or walkers. Children with sensory disabilities (like visual or hearing impairments) or developmental disabilities (such as autism or Down syndrome) will have lots to explore, too. What's more, the very play activities included for children with disabilities are often the most popular with children who have the ability to play anywhere. For more information about this project and how you can help, please visit NBPlayground.org

Skin Cancer Article from the Cottage Spa in Beverly

2009-06-09T22:20:00.000-04:00

Each year, more than a million Americans develop some form of skin cancer, making it the most common form of cancer in the United States. Different Types of Skin Cancer The most common types of skin cancer are basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas and are highly curable. These are both considered non-melanoma skin cancers. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more deadly, and often affects young people. If you don't catch non-melanoma early, it won't necessary kill you, though it still has to be surgically removed and can leave your skin deformed. If you ignore it, it won't usually spread internally, but you'll need more of your skin removed, causing a bigger deformity. Early detection is crucial in reducing the likelihood of melanoma spreading internally and potentially killing you. Risk Factors Family history is a strong risk factor for both. With melanoma, the more moles you have and the bigger and more irregular your moles are, the greater your risk. With non-melanoma, the look of your moles is not relevant. But fair-skinned people who burn rather than tan are at higher risk. High exposure to sun and how much sun damage you have puts you at risk. Getting Enough Vitamin D Some say 10 minutes of sun a day is OK when you can take a supplement -- a better idea for most people, especially women, and even more so for older women. Realistically, how many of us are going to sit out in the sun with an egg timer?. There's no such thing as a "safe" tan. You don't need to be afraid of the sun, but you should protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. Recommendations include wearing appropriate clothing, a hat with a wide brim, and two thin coats of 30 or higher SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen on the parts of your body that aren't covered. Making sunscreen part of your morning routine can cut down on skin aging and skin cancer risk. A key warning sign for melanoma is any dark spot that looks different than the rest of your moles in terms of color, shape, or size. While most melanomas occur on parts of the body that get at least occasional sun exposure (arms, legs), melanoma can occur anywhere on your body -- between toes, private parts, scalp, etc. To screen yourself, you need a full-length mirror and a handheld one. Non-melanoma: Look for pink (not red) spots that don't go away for months or go away but keep coming back in the same spot -- especially in the summertime. Another warning sign is that the spot is easily irritated (i.e. towel drying makes you aware of it); it can occur anywhere on your body, especially the face and is important to catch early because they can be disfiguring. Determining Whether a Patient Has Cancer During a visit with your dermatologist, the doctor will search your skin from top to bottom for problem spots, sometimes using a dermatoscope -- a magnifying tool. In the uncommon case in which someone has many atypical moles, the dermatologist will monitor the moles using specialized medical photography to create a digital record to check for changes over time. The Cottage Spa 29 Cabot Street Beverly, MA 978-479-8411 www.thecottagespa.net

Host Families Needed!

2009-06-09T22:15:00.001-04:00

Host families needed!

Worldwide International Student Exchange is a non-profit educational program and we are running two programs in this area. We are in need of Host Families for about 10 students. Hosting a student is a rewarding experience for the whole family! Here is some info:

Students can share a room with your child of the same gender

Students have a structured program each day from 9-5 with English classes and field trips

Students come with their own spending money

Students only want to experience and American family. There is no need to run around making sure the students see everything as they will be doing a great deal of this with the program. We only ask that you make them part of your family.

Families help each other with rides, pick-up etc so we can most likely work out any issues you may have with that.

Programs will run out of the Northshore area.

It is preferred that families take students for the entire stay, but we will break the stay in ½ to accommodate families when needed.

Students are usually ages 15-17. Profiles are available and families can choose their own students.

Please think about this wonderful opportunity.

Spanish program beings June 28-July 25

Thank you,

Carla King, Area Director, 978-884-4866 Carla.King@comcast.net

Haiti Projects Info & July 4th Event News!

2009-06-09T22:09:00.000-04:00

When you buy any article from Haiti Projects’ knitting or embroidery projects you are helping women from a rural area of Haiti send their children to school, buy more food and better clothing, fix a roof, buy a pig. Your purchase provides desperately poor women with an earned income that nourishes the whole family and improves the struggling economy of the village of Fond des Blancs, Haiti. To learn more about Haiti Projects’ work please check out our web site at www.haitiprojects.org. On July 4th (9-1pm) we are having a sale of a wide variety of goods : nightgowns, pillow cases , napkins , exquisitely embroidered items of heirloom quality, made by the women of Haiti Projects needlework cooperatives . Our tote bags, sachets, aprons, jewelry bags, linen handkerchiefs are great for gifts. Come and check out the assortment of children’s sweaters at summer prices. Overstocked and discontinued items will be at discount prices. The sale will be held in Annisquam opposite the Annisquam Exchange on the lawn of 31R Leonard Street . Come lend your support and bring a friend. For more information you may call 1-978-283-0892

June 13th in Hamilton MA

2009-06-09T21:51:00.000-04:00

PLEASE join us at the Odoardi/Ryan Families Lemonade Stand on Saturday, June 13 at 95 Union Street, Hamilton, from 10am - 2pm as we raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand. "Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation shares the vision of its founder and creator, Alexandra “Alex” Scott – a cure for all children with cancer." Check out the website and read this touching story of a girl with a vision and a lemonade stand! www.alexslemonade.org

Salem Event, June 20th @ 10 AM

2009-06-09T21:48:00.001-04:00

What: Consuming Kids: The commercialization of Childhood When: Saturday June 20, 10 am Where: Cinema Salem, 1 East India Square, Salem, MA (www.cinemasalem.com) 978-744-1400 How much: Free (CinemaSalem has generously donated its facilities) Why: Because your kids are always nagging you for stuff. Because you're worried about them growing up too fast. Because you want them to think for themselves. Because you value their imagination. Because childhood obesity is on the rise. Because gender stereotypes are cramping your child's style. Because you want them to be happy for who they are and not for what they own. Who: Hosted by Alexa Ogno (adogno@alum.mit.edu). Just a mom on a mission. Join us for " an eye-opening account of the pervasive and pernicious effects of children’s advertising on the health and well-being of kids" and a lively discussion afterwards in CinemaSalem's cafe. For more information, visit http://www.consumingkidsthemovie.com/ "Consuming Kids shines a bright and probing light on the powerful forces of commercialism that are reshaping childhood. Contemporary marketers have developed a panoply of techniques -- from focus groups to "parties in a box" to brain research -- for engaging and influencing children, often under the radar of parents. The tentacles of modern marketing now penetrate every aspect of children's lives -- on television, in school, and through an array of new digital media, including interactive games, mobile phones, and 3-D virtual worlds. With its vivid imagery, this thoughtful and well-researched documentary explains it all." - Kathryn C. Montgomery, PhD. | Professor of Communication at American University | Author ofGeneration Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet

Beverly Farms

2009-06-08T21:54:00.001-04:00

Small, small towns like Beverly Farms is the classic example of why it is necessary for residents to frequent their small, local shops in order for the shops to be there year after year. Local stores in small towns like Beverly Farms really need the constant foot traffic of locals to stay in business. Many readers spoke up about their favorite health food store on the North Shore - located in downtown Beverly Farms. You can't see it on the web, you can't see it in a hurry - take some time and visit the Wild Oats Health Food store in Beverly Farms. The owner, Tammy, is friendly, a wealth of knowledge and eases your mind about any ailing body part while she packs your basket with all the right, healthy foods, teas & supplements you need to get back on track. Wild Oats in Beverly Farms (not related to the national food chain) has a healthy solution and product for all your needs - home, house, garden, children, pets, dairy, sweet tooth, traveling, working, vitamins and Ear Candles. Tammy works every day expect Saturday. The store is open Mon - Sat 9 30 - 6 PM. Acton, Andover, Beverly, Beverly Farms, Boxford, Cambridge, Danvers, Dracut, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Hamilton, Hampstead, Hampton Falls, Haverhill, Hudson, Ipswich, Kingston, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Magnolia, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Methuen, Middleton, N. Andover, N. Reading, Nashua, Newburyport, Peabody, Plaistow, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, S. Hamilton, Salem, Saugus, Sudbury, Swampscott, Topsfield, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westwood, Wilmington & Woburn

Beverly

2009-06-08T21:44:00.000-04:00

Just Kidding Resale in Beverly 978-922-6543. I have twin 8-month old sons. My family was kind enough to throw me a surprise shower the month before they were born. However, the rain storms that proceeded their birth (and the construction mess) destroyed my stash of goods I had saved from my daughter's infancy. I was able to comfortably afford many essentials that were in terrific shape. Again, another business started by a woman!

Casa de Moda in Beverly 978-922-8100. More than just hippy dressing staples. I try to get all my gifts there. Very cute... I could spend hours wandering.

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Acton, Andover, Beverly, Beverly Farms, Boxford, Cambridge, Danvers, Dracut, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Hamilton, Hampstead, Hampton Falls, Haverhill, Hudson, Ipswich, Kingston, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Magnolia, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Methuen, Middleton, N. Andover, N. Reading, Nashua, Newburyport, Peabody, Plaistow, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, S. Hamilton, Salem, Saugus, Sudbury, Swampscott, Topsfield, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westwood, Wilmington & Woburn

Andover

2009-06-08T21:23:00.001-04:00

Andover is the new home to the Children's Drop & Shop (http://www.childrensdropandshop.com/). This past Spring/Summer the event was held on Chestnut Street in downtown Andover. Despite the rain, parking challenges & underestimation of the space needs to hold the event - it was a fabulous! The town was very welcoming & the local newspaper was terrific - see the press about the event: http://www.andovertownsman.com/archivesearch/local_story_084163355.html http://www.andovertownsman.com/archivesearch/local_story_098173300.html The Children's Drop & Shop will be back Fall 2009 for another bang out event for the families in Merrimack Valley area. While the CD&S Team was in Andover, we fell in love with a few spots (so did our consignors, here is what we heard!): Helen Thomas Simply Smashing - Right on Main Street, next to Bertucci's. They have a fabulous PJ line there, Tea clothing for children and a super nice mother-daughter team running the business. While I was there, the gal behind the counter engaged my children in drawing so I could concentrate on shopping. The simple touches of a business that gets a mom shopping with her children goes a long way. Hometown Seafoods - Chestnut Street, Andover, MA http://www.hometownseafoods.com/home.nxg Every town in New England would love to have a store like Hometown Seafoods. The experience (ok, we admit - the m u l t i p l e experiences) at Hometown Seafoods was/were amazing. The lobster roll - devine. The crab soup - epic. And, most importantly, the patient, hard working and attentive staff befind the counter - a pure joy.

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Acton

2009-06-08T21:16:00.000-04:00

Thank you from clicking on Acton. If you live in Acton and would like to send us information about businesses you frequent OR is there an event you would like for us to know about - we'd love to hear from you. Please email Experience Included with your contact information, business name and a brief write up about why you use the service, what you love about the business and why it helps your family. Every month, regardless of whether or not your recommendation is published, you will be entered in a contest to win our monthly prize. Experience Included reaches: Acton, Andover, Beverly, Beverly Farms, Boxford, Cambridge, Danvers, Dracut, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Hamilton, Hampstead, Hampton Falls, Haverhill, Hudson, Ipswich, Kingston, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Magnolia, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Methuen, Middleton, N. Andover, N. Reading, Nashua, Newburyport, Peabody, Plaistow, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, S. Hamilton, Salem, Saugus, Sudbury, Swampscott, Topsfield, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westwood, Wilmington & Woburn

Welcome, Welcome to Experience Included

2009-05-09T21:22:00.001-04:00

Welcome to Experience Included - here's the first volume of EI brought to you by the team at Children's Drop & Shop. We're pulling together our incredible CD&S community of families to capture our collective experience. Here we'll share ideas and support each other in our day-to-day lives. Enjoy! EI reaches families in Acton, Andover, Beverly, Beverly Farms, Boxford, Cambridge, Danvers, Dracut, Essex, Georgetown, Gloucester, Hamilton, Hampstead, Hampton Falls, Haverhill, Hudson, Ipswich, Kingston, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Lynnfield, Magnolia, Manchester, Marblehead, Melrose, Methuen, Middleton, N. Andover, N. Reading, Nashua, Newburyport, Peabody, Plaistow, Revere, Rockport, Rowley, S. Hamilton, Salem, Saugus, Sudbury, Swampscott, Topsfield, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Wenham, West Newbury, Westwood, Wilmington & Woburn **** **** **** Fairfield County's hottest, most popular consignment store with furnishings from the finest homes is coming to Boston's Metro West.

Book Club Books - May List

2009-05-08T22:45:00.001-04:00

Book Group Corner!

Here's a list of May titles from local book groups Chasing Francis by Ian Morgan Cron The Shack by William P. Young Excuse Me, Your life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn Ladies Who Launch by Victoria Corrigan The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Baby Food Cooking Class

2009-05-08T22:24:00.001-04:00

**TEACH YOUR BABY OR TODDLER TO BE A HEALTHY LIFE LONG EATER !** BABY FOOD COOKING CLASSES (babies aged 6-12 months) *Learn to make delicious and nutritious purees for your little one* from pure steamed single ingredients like apple, pear and squash at 6 months to more textured and varied combinations for 8-12 months old *What to start When* Find out the infinite variety of fruits and veggies on offer and when to offer them class also includes feeding tips, reasons to buy organic, recipe ideas TODDLER FOOD COOKING CLASSES (1year +) *Learn to cook nutritious and delicious meals for your toddler that your older children can enjoy too !* class includes feeding tips, reasons to buy organic, ideas for nutritious snacks, how to make standard favorites from scratch like homemade chicken nuggets, macaroni ‘n’ cheese. Class cost : $25 per person Class size : 6-10 people Location : by mutual arrangement Contact : sara@littlelettice.com for further details

Children's Drop & Shop Consignment Event

2009-05-08T21:57:00.000-04:00

A one-week children's clothing consignment sales event for gently used, name brand children's clothing and gear. All items are screened for quality and condition. Great selection, great prices. Visit www.childrensdropandshop.com for more information. To see more photos of the event and to learn about the amazing couple behind this fabulous photography, visit: http://sherrellportraitdesign.blogspot.com/2009/03/childrens-drop-shop-i-was-psyched-when.html

Salon Bogart Gives Back & Sponsors Women in Business Event!

2009-05-06T14:32:00.001-04:00

Salon Bogart Gives Back & Sponsors Women in Business Event!

4A Summer Street Manchester, MA 978 525 3221 (20% off any Salon service or AVEDA product) Expires May 30, 2009 Manchester's Salon Bogart believes in giving back to the environment and community. AVEDA Concept Salon owner, Lauren Rowland, has been in business for 21 years sharing the world of AVEDA to her loyal and new clients. She embraces AVEDA's philosophy, as well as their environmental and humanitarian causes bringing a better balance to our world. Closer to home, Lauren actively supports local charities and animal rescue organizations through multiple fundraising events. Lauren's next event is May 27th, from 7:00pm to 10:00pm, to celebrate local women in business. From Salon services and products to homemade sea glass jewelry, join in the celebration and meet some amazing women who are making a difference in our community and our world. Salon proceeds from the event will support local charities. Salon Bogart is located at 4A Summer Street, Manchester, MA. For more information about the Salon or the event, call 978.525.3221.

June 10th in Weston, MA - Mommies Who Shop

2009-05-06T14:22:00.000-04:00

Mommies Who Shop June 10th Peruse a selection of handcrafted clothes, art, toys, books and gear for babies, kids and expecting moms by up-and-coming artists and designers. Wine, food, shopping and swag - who could ask for more? Mommieswhoshop.com

Lucy's - Food Allergy Twitter Party May 15

2009-05-06T14:16:00.000-04:00

Food Allergy Twitter Party May 15 - Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 10th -16th Help us celebrate, and end the week on a great note, by joining us for a Food Allergy Twitter Party online! The party will take place on Friday May 15 at 12PM & 10:30PM EST. You can ask questions of our panelists by using twitter with your hashtag #foodallergy. To follow along with the ongoing conversations go to summize.com and type in #foodallergy. This will take you to our party room (AKA chat room) where our posts and questions will be streamlined. What will be discussed? Anything and everything pertaining to food allergies. Eating out, epi pens, preparing food, health care plans, allergists, new research, etc. Our Great Panel Members @chupieandjsmama @foodallergyassistant @foodallergymama @allergicgirl @foodallergybuzz @bestallergysite http://www.bestallergysites.com/> @nowheymama @rationaljenn Prizes Thank you to all who are donating! Linda Coss-Book Navan Foods- $25 gift certificate and free shipping on order Cherrybrook Kitchen Flashcard Zoo-set of Flashcards Beyond a Peanut-set of Food Allergy Awareness Cards Lucy's-Gluten Free Cookies Spread the word by blogging and twittering about this special event!

About Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies

2009-05-06T14:15:00.000-04:00

Through the brand "Lucy's", Dr. Lucy Gibney is creating and marketing delicious, high quality and convenient foods for people who must follow diets that do not contain major food allergens. She has developed a program, which incorporates the best available strategies for ensuring product quality control. This includes sourcing raw materials specifically without allergens of concern, testing in her lab to ensure the ingredients are safe, and operating a dedicated factory where the allergens are never allowed. "Lucy's" gluten free cookies are available in four delicious flavors: Chocolate Chip, Sugar, Oatmeal and Cinnamon Thins. Visit - www.drlucys.com

For Sale, Bugaboo Cameleon

2009-05-06T14:12:00.001-04:00

Selling Bugaboo Cameleon! GREAT stroller! We wish we could keep it, but are expecting another baby this summer, and need a double stroller. Stroller starts with a basinet for newborns, changes into a reclined seat for 4-8 months, and turns into an upright seat for toddlers. Dark grey base with Sand fleece seat & hood. Fully loaded! Includes the sunshade and breezy canopy, which protects your child from harmful UVA and UVB rays and keeps them cool in summer. For winter, we have the foot muff in chocolate brown. Stroller comes with everything we received when purchased last year. Great storage below. We have loved this stroller and will be sad to see it go. Excellent condition. Please email me if you have any questions, or are interested in taking a look. Please refer to http://www.bugaboostrollers.com to find out more details on what this stroller can do. Original price with all of the extras was $1059. We are selling it for $600 – a great deal! Karen@agentkrecruiting.com

Safety Starts Here, By Scott Bumpus

2009-05-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

Safety Starts Here! By Scott Bumpus There is nothing more important than your child's safety and there are important steps you can take to make sure you and your kids are always safe on the bikes before even getting on the bike. Helmet Safety Check: 1. Check the condition of the helmet. Is you or your child's bicycle helmet over 3 years old? Are there cracks in the foam? Is it visibly dented or has it ever taken an impact? If you answered yes to any of those questions, the helmet should be replaced. 2. Check the fit of the helmet. The helmet should fit sort of like a baseball cap. The front should come down far enough to protect the forehead from an impact and not sit high on the head. If it sits high on the head it is probably a little small. Also, the most common problem I see with ill fitting or poorly adjusted helmets is when they are sitting way off the back of the child's head (and parents too), When this happens, the likelihood of the helmet protecting you or your child’s head from an impact are greatly reduced. The helmets that we put on your kids here, all have easily adjustable retention systems that ensure a proper fit and are available in multiple sizes to ensure the kids are as safe as possible. To fit the helmet properly, we recommend loosening both buckles under the ears and remove the strap from the chin buckle half way so it can move easily along the chinstrap for adjustment. The next step is to get those buckles right under the ears adjusted so the helmet sits properly on the head. Once you have it level you can tighten the buckles under the ears and then tightening the chin buckle but not too tight. If you do not feel confident setting up the helmets you can come down and we will check and adjust your helmet any time for free. Bicycle Safety Check: You can take a few simple steps to make sure that your child's bike, and yours, is working properly and safe to ride in just a few minutes. You do not have to be a mechanic to quickly check a few things. It is important to remember that while we have tons of fun on our bikes, they are not toys and they should be maintained properly so we get the most out of them and everyone is safe out there. 1: Check Your Tires. Are there any bare spots or threads showing on the tires? Do you see cracks all over the tires? Are the tires properly inflated? If there are bald spots and threads showing or the tires are all cracked, they should probably get new tires to prevent a blowout. If the tires are low, pump them up to the recommended pressure (stamped on the tire) using a bicycle pump with a pressure gauge. 2.Check The Wheels: If the wheels have quick release levers on them, make sure they are tight and properly installed. Quick release levers have the words Open and Closed stamped on them. When it reads "Open" the wheel can fall out. Look to see that you can read the word "closed" on the lever to make sure it is safe to ride. On the wheels, just grab the wheel and try to wiggle it back and forth, if the wheels are installed properly on the bike, but something still feels loose, you should bring it to the shop because something could be wrong with the wheels and we can quickly tell you if you bring it by. 3. Check The Brakes: Your child's safety depends a lot on how fast they can come to a stop. Pull on the brake levers. Are they easy to pull? Could your child pull it easily enough to stop in an instant? Do they pull smoothly, easily and evenly? (on bikes with 2 hand brakes). If not, you may need to lubricate the brake cables or replace the cable and the housing that they travel through. Also, look at the brake pads to make sure there is plenty of rubber left on them. If not, they should probably be replaced. If you pull the brake and the lever comes all the way to the bar, your pads or your cables need some attention. You can bring the bike by any time and we can tell you if it is safe or not. 4: Check The Chain and Gears; is the chain rusty? Is there a lot of grime and dirt in the gears? The bike depends on having a clean drivetrain to pedal easily and without resistance. A clean and properly lubricated drivetrain will ensure less wear and tear on the bike and a better pedaling experience. An improperly maintained drivetrain can lead to missed shifts and likelihood of chain derailment and possible crashes. Do NOT use WD-40 or anything like it on your chain. It is a solvent. We recommend a bicycle specific lubes that are available right at the shop where we can show you how to apply it properly so you get the most out of your bike. 5: Drive Carefully! Think about how distracted people are when trying to drive our cars, answer cell phones and everything else going on in the car. If you look down for just a second, you have the potential for colliding with a cyclist, including kids on bikes. We have very narrow streets with lots of turns and poor site lines. If we all give ourselves a little more time to get where we are going and drive through town a little slower, everyone's safety would improve exponentially. These are just a few of the things you can do to make sure you and your children have a safe and fun summer on the bike. Seaside Cycle has been servicing the community here for over 40 years and we feel like we are part of the community. We support the Manchester Bike Rodeo helping to keep the kids safe on the bikes, doing free clinics for the cub scouts about bike maintenance, and supporting bike to school week with bike donations to encourage kids to bike to school. If you would like us to present to your group send us an email. A lot of thought has gone into the bikes we carry as well. Trek Bicycles Corp. Owner John Burke, Specialized Bicycles Owner, Mike Sinyard, and Gary Fisher of Gary Fisher Bikes, are all huge advocates for biking and for children's health on a grand scale. They lobby congress for funding on behalf of cyclists, rails to trails programs, and Trips for Kids (a non profit program) there will be more info on the advocacy efforts on Seasidecycle.com soon. Even the companies we buy replacement parts from for your bikes are contributing to advocacy for all of us. Our community here is just part of a vibrant and incredible cycling community that is truly worldwide. Exclusively for EI readers: 25.00 $ off manufacturers advertised price on any bike on trekbikes.com or specialized.com. (Father’s Day Gift Idea!) 5 $ off any helmet for the kids. free safety check any time. Scott Bumpus and wife Debbie are the owners of Seaside Cycle, 23 Elm Street, Manchester. Seaside Cycle Inc. 23 Elm Street Manchester 978-526-1200 www.seasidecycle.com bumpus@seasidecycle.com

Healthy Tips from April - Acupuncturist

2009-05-06T14:08:00.000-04:00

$15.00 off each visit for EI readers. By: April Shewan As an acupuncturist people often ask me for tips on how to stay healthy. The answer is as simple as resting more, eating better and reducing stress. For moms this is far easier said than done. Try these tips: 1) Eat healthy. Try making large batches of soup and freezing individual portions for quick thawing. 2) Listen to calm music while running errands. This will help your brain stop all of its “chatter” so the mind is quieted. 3) Take time for yourself. I know it’s a cliché but it works. (See tip #2) 4) Practice deep breathing. Even if you do this while making dinner it still has positive benefits. 5) Get acupuncture treatments at least once every 4-6 weeks. This has been shown to boost the immune system and leaves you calm and refreshed. Coastal Acupuncture is a full spectrum acupuncture clinic specializing in Women’s health. 26 West Street Beverly Farms, MA (978) 922-4111 www.coastalacupuncture.net

The Warmth of the Sun, By Scott Milne

2009-05-06T14:07:00.000-04:00

The warmth of the Sun. By Scott Milne The rising cost of fuel and our damaging carbon footprint has many families talking about using natural heat from the sun to heat our homes. Solar heating have been around for centuries. Homes were built to face the sun and water was warmed in tanks on the roof. During the 1970’s solar heating from roof top panels enjoyed a boom as the oil embargo had homeowners looking for ways to cut fuel bills. Solar heat is once again an attractive home heating solution as many homeowners look to reduce bill costs and reduce the use of fossil fuels. Many companies are producing computerized, easy to install solar systems complete with roof top panels, a storage tank and a pumping station. In the North East, cost effective solar systems are used for heating domestic hot water. A two-panel system with a storage tank can produce a majority of a homes hot water needs. Using Federal and State tax refunds that are currently available, the purchase of these systems can be quite attractive. To find more information on domestic solar heating solutions, visit www.milneplumbingandheating.com or contact Scott Milne (978) 526 1751