After the horrific massacre that took place in Israel on October 7^th, like many Jews I felt staggered and lost. My family had given what we could financially, to charities in Israel, but I still felt helpless to help Israel in its war against Hamas. Reading the news and staying informed did not contribute directly. I wanted to do something more substantial. Then I remembered I had volunteered for the Sar-El program in Israel years ago. In that program, volunteers are assigned to an army base where they provide logistical support to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). I immediately signed up for Sar-El and several weeks later I was on a plane about to land.

I have spent more time in Israel than any other country outside of the United States. I first visited with my immediate family, for my older brother’s Bar Mitzvah when I was 11. I spent a semester abroad at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva. Then I returned on the World Union of Jewish Students program and lived and worked in Israel for almost three years. My last visit, before volunteering for Sar-El, was for my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah. 

I didn’t know what to expect for this trip. Although I have lived in Tel Aviv during a spate of terrorist attacks from Hamas in the mid to late 90’s, including one that I narrowly missed by five minutes, I have never been to Israel during an actual war. However, while the airport had far fewer people than usual, things did not seem to be that far out of the ordinary after I disembarked. 

As I rode in a taxi, I saw an incredible amount of development, with cranes everywhere. There was even more construction going on than what I saw five years before during the Bar Mitzvah trip. I found it amazing how much Israel had continued to develop and not only the addition of high buildings, but also numerous parks and transportation infrastructure. It wasn’t just sprawl. It was extremely well planned and gorgeous. 

Inevitably my conversation with the cab driver went from how beautiful everything looked to current affairs with the war. He said things had been relatively quiet in the center of the country after facing many days with sirens driving them to bomb shelters due to rockets fired by Hamas. The normalcy that had returned to the country during this lull took me by surprise. There were people in the restaurants and bars, and even hanging out on the beach. I was expecting to have a very quiet or even unsettled stay in Tel Aviv the first weekend, but it was enjoyable. I spent the weekend walking along the boardwalk by the sea and strolling to parks and cafes. However, I was aware that this calm could be broken at any moment. I kept my phone handy so that I could hear alerts from the Tzofar app (apple version and android version) that would inform me if there are missiles or drones in the area. During the weekend there were frequent reports of attacks from Gaza and Lebanon on the border communities, but the central region remained quiet. Just because it was relatively quiet in the center of the country, I definitely do not want to make light of this as there were still tens of thousands of Israelis displaced from these communities.

That Sunday, I returned to the airport to register for my Sar-El assignment. There was a lot more activity that day. While Sar-El usually has 2-3 dozen people at a time, almost 300 people were registering that weekend. As I would soon learn, they came from all over the world. From numerous countries in South American and Europe; across the United States and Canada; as well as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. While most of the volunteers were Jewish, there were many non-Jews who wanted to give their support during the war. 

I was assigned to work on an assembly line, helping pack rations for the soldiers in Gaza. Each box that we filled would feed four soldiers. We arrived in the warehouse to a standing ovation from the Israelis working at the facility. It took us by surprise. On several occasions we were told how much it meant to the Israelis to have fellow Jews and non-Jews drop what they were doing and travel from around the world to help them. We also were fortunate to have Israelis come to the assembly line to help pack the rations. Twice we had groups of high school students come. We were also joined by lovely a group of ladies from Rosh Ha Ayin who had volunteered every Tuesday since the outbreak of war. Another group that joined us were from El Al’s human resources department. It was delightful getting to know all of these people and we listened to music and sang as we worked.

I also worked on a food packaging assembly line at another base, preparing gluten free rations, and at a third base packaged apparel and body armor. The work at the third base included organizing and packaging cold weather clothing, socks, and combat boots. It also involved going through protective body armor for knees, shoulders, and elbows; discarding equipment that was no longer usable and re-packaging the rest to be sent back to the front.

During the first week, there were two sirens my immediate area. The first was while I was on base. We were instructed that we had a minute and a half to reach the bomb shelters after the sirens began sounding. This is plenty of time to walk briskly but without going too fast to reach shelter. The second siren sounded while we were on the bus. Since there was not a shelter readily available, we stood against a wall as cover. On both occasions the IDF used its Iron Dome missile defense system and shot down the rockets. The second time I could actually see one of the Iron Dome missiles flying through the sky and we saw the numerous clouds of smoke where Iron Dome’s missiles struck down Hamas’ rockets.

Sar-El volunteers usually eat all their meals and sleep in the barracks of the base. However, due to the war, there was not enough room for all of the army reservists to sleep on the base. Therefore, Sar-El volunteers were housed off base and were bused in and out of the base. We were given breakfast and dinner at this location and lunch on base. I must say that the army food was surprisingly good, and one base even had delicious babka and ruggelah for dessert.

During the evenings we had activities. The most touching activity involved everyone telling the group who they are, where they came from, and why they came. Although some of the details varied, in the end, we were drawn from the corners of the world to help the Jewish people and the Jewish state in its time of need.

Even though we could only offer modest help, we were able to contribute. I think our presence meant as much to the Israelis as the work we did, and I think just being able to help did a lot of good for our souls. I enjoyed volunteering in Israel with Sar-El.

Get more info about Sar El at https://www.sar-el.org.

The post Volunteering in Israel with Sar-El appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Here are some ways – we are not picking one organization over another, please do your research:

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc.,JDC

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc., JDC, is a nonprofit, tax-exempt charitable organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, contributions to which are deductible for federal income tax.

As soon as the crisis began, they have activated their emergency response team and protocols in Israel. In the country’s south, their programs providing support to those now under attack — including the elderly, people with disabilities, children and families at risk — are the backbone of our response to this war.
In the coming days, they will:

• Expand mental health interventions for children and youth at risk 
• Strengthen the capacity of nursing homes welcoming elderly Israelis who have fled from the current conflict zone 
• Provide emergency support for people with disabilities, including access to a hotline with social workers and psychologists 
• Support small businesses and entrepreneurs in southern Israel so they can remain open and financially stable during this uncertain time 
• Provide the government of Israel, social workers, and healthcare professionals with critical data on vulnerable populations at this time
• Train front-line professionals to meet the unprecedented needs among the most vulnerable children and families, the elderly, and people with disabilities

Donate here:
https://donate.jdc.org/give/109212/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwjqWzBhAqEiwAQmtgT4ZPmcGQs0syoz6_n-ZvGRHUarXEJHLYs0wtx0BfUe7PpjF1HAhmGBoCu0MQAvD_BwE#!/donation/checkout?c_src=GSEvergreen&c_src2=Jan2023A

United Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund

The United Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund is:

• Cash assistance to families and individuals who have been killed, wounded, or kidnapped through the Jewish Agency’s Victims of Terror Fund.
• Trauma relief and counseling to the thousands who have been living in bomb shelters and witnessing the terror firsthand.
• Emergency needs to those in the line of fire including the elderly, children, those with disabilities, and other vulnerable populations.
•  Equipment for public hospitals in the south of Israel to provide critical medical treatment for wounded civilians and soldiers.
• Relocation of huge numbers of people from the southern border and northern border, including Ethiopian and Ukrainian refugees who already fled one war and are now living through the horror of another war.
• Charter flights to bring Israeli special forces back to Israel from abroad so that they can rejoin their reserve units.
• Mobilization of civilian volunteers to better coordinate and deploy resources based on needs in the field.
• Enhanced services and supports for Holocaust survivors, including food, medicine, and home care.
• Aid to military personnel and their families to receive care for those who have been injured and to cover the costs of burial and shiva.

Donate here:

https://www.ujafedny.org/israel-emergency-fund?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7JOpBhCfARIsAL3bobcJISKkW_IdFVg6zaoqybaYkmRFchYEEuTwTQYj5APf1SPKTYWXZqYaAp-gEALw_wcB

If you are a donor from outside the US/Canada, please click here to complete your donation.

Make a Gift to UJA by Mail

If you prefer to make your gift to UJA by mail, please make a note on the check that it’s for Israel Emergency Fund and mail the check to the following address:
UJA-Federation of NY
P.O. Box 4227
New York, NY 10261-4227

Magen David Adom in Israel (EMTS)

MDA is at the front line. In the battle fields, right in the face of danger under missile attacks and Hammas’s heavy artilery. We strive for contact, take care of the injured under fire. We arrive quickly to help the injured in each and every location.

In each Kibbutz that has suffered severe missile barrage and terrible slaughter – it was the MDA’s crews who striked in, under fire, to help rescue the families and give life saving medical treatments to the injured.

https://www.mdais.org/en/donation?fbclid=IwAR27ASCpoqr7n2NIrnjpFCIdglGztYaZJ0ELXwNYA-fz1zcSOvq3vfyUwgQ

Hadassah

Support is urgently needed to purchase medical supplies, essential equipment, and other indispensable devices for healing and saving the lives of some of Israel’s most severely injured victims. 

Your gift puts the expression Tikkun Olam (Repair the World) into action as we work to heal and repair our own beloved Israel in these devastating and uncertain times.

Every dollar counts twice, as a generous anonymous donor is matching your gift, dollar-for dollar, up to $1 million

https://hadassah.gospringboard.com/secure/israelatwar?utm_source=website&utm_medium=hometile-100923&utm_campaign=israelatwar2023

United Hatzalah 

United Hatzalah of Israel is the largest independent, non-profit, fully volunteer emergency medical service (EMS) organization that provides the fastest emergency medical service throughout Israel, and we do it completely free of charge. Our goal is to provide immediate lifesaving medical intervention during the critical window between the onset of an emergency and the arrival of traditional ambulance assistance. United Hatzalah’s services are available to all people regardless of race, religion, or national origin. We have a network of more than 6,500 volunteers across the country, available around the clock – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – who respond to more than 2,000 emergencies each day. With the help of our innovative GPS-based technology and our iconic ambucycles, we have cut down emergency medical response time in Israel to less than 3 minutes, and in many metropolitan areas, less than 90 seconds.

https://israelrescue.org/donate/

The post Helping Israel: A List of Places You Can Donate To appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

He was not an easy going person and we had a lot of battles growing up, most of which he won. I lost a lot of hairdryers that had been plugged in (he would toss them out the window). He was tough, but when the chips were down, he always came to help to save the day. Except for the time I was driving his maroon Cutlass Supreme and it always used to stall while I was driving it. My Aunt Lo was visiting and it stalled right in the middle of Jericho Turnpike — he believed her when she told him to fix it.

We didn’t discuss politics because I didn’t agree with his. I had my kids trained since the George W. Bush administration not to discuss world affairs in front of him.

He had great musical taste in the 70’s and 80’s. I was singing the songs from Rocky Horror when I was 7. Meatloaf’s Bat out of Hell album, Loverboy, and Donna Summer were faves.

He loved making impromptu turkey dinners (just for fun) and made it with all the trimmings. He used to pick up turkeys on sale and keep them in the deep freezer. He also used to give me a 5 pound box of Streit’s Matzos for Passover, which was used up pretty quickly. His chicken soup was also legendary and I make it myself (link here).

And while he didn’t really understand my job as a content creator, anytime I needed to go somewhere for a product for a sponsored post, he would go find it himself or get me into one of the warehouse clubs he belonged to help me pick it up.

He has been in ill health for a while, especially in the last year since he broke his hip last March of 2021. My mother went to Florida in January and he wanted to stay up in NY. I would go and see him once a week and he told me he wasn’t sleeping well and didn’t feel his best. He was 84 and he never thought he would last that long. His father had passed away at 69 and his grandfather had passed away when his dad was 12.

My father was born in Hartford, CT in August of 1937 to Solon and Rosalind Johnson. A few years later his brother Bob was born, followed by his sister Lois in 1946. He was a character even then, making up some crazy characters to terrorize my aunt like the Ronzoni Monster (he rigged a rope to rub against the attic railing to sound like a gorilla was up there). One time he dressed up his mother’s dressmaker dummy and threw it down the stairs to scare my grandmother. Another time, one of the cats who lived around the house ate some frosting off a cake and he and my uncle quickly ate the rest of the cake so the cat wouldn’t get in trouble.

He was proud to be a Jew and I know he was upset that he couldn’t make it to Israel with us to celebrate my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah and he was not well enough to attend my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah last June (he had broken his hip 3 months before).

He had some kind moments also. He liked my mother-in-law and worried when she was sick last year (not that he would express this to us, but he expressed it to his sister).

And he was the kind of person you call in a crisis, because he usually knew what to do. Like when something broke in our apartment or there was something wrong with the car.

Growing up with him wasn’t easy. I won’t go into all of that, but I have gotten over a lot of things. As I got older and got married and had kids of my own, we had a different relationship. Did you know he was actually amazing with babies? He loved to be the baby holder at family events. Who would have thought?
And when I was pregnant in 2010, with my youngest child, he met me at every doctor’s appointment to take care of my middle child, who was 2 then.

He would approved of his funeral. The Honor Guard came and draped his casket with an American Flag. They played Taps, they honored him. He was proud of his 5 years in the US Army. They presented my mother with the flag and wished her condolences.

His sister and her husband, and my cousins were there. He had a good relationship with her and we sat around the day before and after the funeral and told a lot of stories. We laughed and we exchanged a lot of memories. I am grateful that I got to spend time with them, even in such a sad occasion. We watched home movies from the 80’s – boy the VHS quality degrades and looked through lots of photos.

My dad was the master of the 1 minute phone conversations and I used to talk to him all the time. I think that is what I’ll miss the most. Our conversations and his voice. For such a gruff person, he had a soothing voice. I know that I still have so many questions about why he was the way he was. But most likely I won’t ever get those answers, but I’ll still miss him.

Rest in peace, Dad. I know you are drinking a Diet Coke and watching an WW2 Documentary.

His Chicken Soup

How to Make a Turkey Like Steve Johnson

The post My Father Passed Away appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We love to have our kids be in the kitchen with us, but did you know that a burn injury can happen to anyone? Imagine being distracted in the kitchen rushing to get dinner together and you don’t notice your toddler reach up and pull down a pan of sizzling oil? Or envision you are scrambling to get ready for work and you leave a hot cup of coffee on a table that is just low enough for your little one to grab? Painful burn injuries are often accidental and occur in a matter of seconds.  Hot liquids are the leading cause of burn injuries among young children. As a result, this year’s theme for National Burn Awareness Week is burning issues in the kitchen. Here are ten important tips for kids stay safe in the kitchen. We hope you can share this post with your friends and family members to help your children to be safe in the kitchen.

Ten Tips For Kids To Stay Safe in the Kitchen

1. Never hold your child while cooking, drinking or passing hot items. We know that sometimes you have a fussy kid and this seems like it could work, but it’s dangerous to do this. Find an alternate way to keep kids occupied while you’re cooking.
   
2. Cook only on the back burners. Keep pan handles over the stove.
   
3. Keep appliances and their cords at the back of the counter at all times.
   
4. Do not place hot items on the edge of counters, tables or the floor.
   
5. Avoid using tablecloths to prevent hot liquid or food spills.
   
6. Never microwave a bottle or food for children under two.
   
7. Mix microwaved food and liquids carefully and cool before serving.
   
8. Establish a kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas hot food is prepared. Make sure to supervise your kids in the kitchen!
   
9. Install an oven door lock and stove knob covers.
   
10. Secure the stove to the wall.

Although the idea of your child getting burned is terrifying, it is important to know that 75% of childhood burn injuries are preventable. Keep these tips in mind and be certain to educate anyone caring for your child. Please explore The Children’s Burn Foundation website here and follow them on Instagram @childrensburnfoundation for more life-saving information. Using these tips above can help kids to stay safe in the kitchen.

The post Ten Important Tips For Kids To Stay Safe in the Kitchen appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The fun begins when your child receives their very own Party Box, delivered to your doorstep, filled with everything you need to get the party started for the whole family, including:

• One-of-a-kind craft kit with how-to videos and all materials provided by New York City favorite, The Craft Studio! Crafts include a “Let’s Dance” Beading Kit, Puffy Paint Bucket Hat Kit, White Chocolate Lollipop Kit, and more!
• Make your own kid-friendly, delectable hot chocolate kit from master mixologist and City Harvest Food Council Member Cody Goldstein of Muddling Memories.
• Mind-blowing dance and entertainment videos featuring On The Move’s talented DJs and performers who will keep the Around The World dance party going until bedtime!

Families have until February 18th to purchase their box. The virtual event will take place March 9th. One Party Box is $250. Families can purchase additional boxes so children who rely on City Harvest for food can also participate. Family Friendly Virtual Event to Help Fight Hunger in NYC

Purchase your box here: https://www.cityharvest.org/event/winter-family-carnival-2022/ 

The post Family Friendly Virtual Event to Help Fight Hunger in NYC appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

This year, I’m excited to announce that in partnership with Kulture City, the Bronx Zoo is working to improve their ability to assist and accommodate guests with sensory processing needs.

During Holiday Lights, guests can:

Check out a KultureCity Sensory Bag. Available free of charge with an ID hold, bags are loaned on a first come first serve basis. We ask that bags are returned by 9pm. Sensory bags containing fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and other resources. All item are carefully disinfected when returned.

Take a break in the Quiet Area. Available 5-9pm. This is an indoor space (so masks are required for all guests age 3 and up) with lower light and sound to help guests needing a break from stimulating program areas.

Mobility Assistance – All Holiday Lights activities are wheelchair accessible. Stroller and manual wheelchairs are available for rent at Bronx River Gate and Southern Blvd Gate. ECVs available at Southern Blvd only. Equipment available on a first come first serve basis.

More Information:

Bronx Zoo Access Services: General Information about our support for visitors with sensory sensitivities can be found at bronxzoo.com/access

Holiday Lights Access Services:
Support for sensory sensitivities at Admin West/Guest Relations –Located next to sea lion pool/across from Luminous Garden

For visitors in need of assistance, please contact Guest Relations at 718-220-5103 or stop by Admin. West.

Note: Information will also be available within our Holiday Lights mobile app on the Holiday Lights web page.

Coupon Code for Holiday Lights

Don’t miss Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights from November 20 to January 10 (check for select dates). We’re so excited to partner up and show you how amazing they are! Get tickets here:

https://fxo.co/DCCA

Find other fun cold weather activities in New York City here: https://fxo.co/DCCA

The post Bronx Zoo Holiday Lights is the Perfect Social Distancing Event appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I’m happy that our infection rate in NYC is down and things are slowly starting to open up. I’m going to post all the information as I see it.

Zoo and Gardens

The Queens Zoo is open and we were there last weekend. Things are very different now – facecoverings and timed tickets are the way to go. Check out my post and video to see what the changes are.

https://www.themamamaven.com/visiting-the-queens-zoo-in-nyc-during-the-pandemic/

Queens Botanical Gardens

Masks will be available for purchase at Garden entrances.

Hand sanitizer dispensers are available at multiple stations throughout the Garden. Feel free to inquire with Staff to help locate the nearest dispenser.

Restrooms are accessible by the ramp next to the Visitor & Administration Building. Please follow on-site instructions on how to enter restrooms.
They are limiting the use of paper materials.

entrances may be temporarily closed when and if the Garden is at capacity. Should you arrive at such a time, you must wait on the socially distanced line or return at a later time. The Visitor & Administration Building (Gift Shop and Gallery) will be temporarily closed until further notice. Indoor facilities are closed to the public.
For a Visitor Map, click here.
They are closed on Mondays.

https://queensbotanical.org/

Museums:

American Museum of Natural History – is open to members right now and as of 9/9

Open to Members! Reopening 9/9 to the public.

• All tickets—including Member tickets and complimentary and pre-paid passes—must be reserved online.
• All tickets are for timed entry, from 10 am to 4 pm, to limit attendance.
• All visitors aged 2 and up must wear a facial covering throughout the visit.
• See Plan Your Visit to find out what’s on view.

The Met open as of August 29!

Timed entrance tickets now available. Complimentary bicycle valet service will launch on opening day. Facecoverings will be required. More info:

https://www.metmuseum.org/

Gyms

24 Hour Fitness opens on September 2

Masks

We made sure we have plenty of masks at home. If you need more masks, here are some we like.

Buy here on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QmLZwP

I also like these masks for kids from Target –

Get here: https://rstyle.me/+1tLi4pRpTKSPKkP0iPL0FQ

Or a collapsible hat with a face shield. Buy on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3gApPCg

The post Family Guide to NYC Reopenings appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Note, I’ve been an ambassador in the past and worked with the Bronx Zoo in November, but this visit was not part of any of that. We just missed the Zoo.

The Queens Zoo is 15 minutes from our apartment and we were thrilled that it’s open right now with social distancing and mask rules in effect. You need to buy tickets ahead of time and it’s a timed entrance.

We chose 10AM for the next day, bought and printed out our tickets (with the QR Code). I also had a screenshot of our tickets and you’ll see later why that was important.

We parked (Tip: don’t take exit 9P on the Grand Central, we got so lost. Follow Directions to Terrace on the Park and go to the public parking lot the right) and walked into the park. Go down the steps and around to the left to find the entrance to the Queens Zoo. Trust me on this one.

This is a smaller zoo, so they can do this. They will kick you out if you are not mask-compliant.

We were thrilled to be outside and had a blast wandering around the zoo on a warm summer day.

Check out our video:

Things are different, of course. You couldn’t sit it the bald eagle nest for a photo. The snack bar was closed, but you could sit outside and I’m assuming the vending machines worked. There were no open kiosks selling anything (no souvenirs), no people walking around eating. The small playground near the exit was closed (photo below). Things are definitely different in a mid-Covid-19 world and I was frankly just pleased to not be looking at my apartment walls.

We stopped at the benches by the buffalos to have a snack and then finished the zoo visit soon after.

The petting zoo is open and those animals were so happy to see us! Note: You’ll need your tickets to get in to see them, but I have given our tickets in at the main gate, so I pulled out my ticket screenshot (with the QR Code) and the zoo attendant was able to scan it.

Bathroom Information:

One bathroom was open in the Barnyard area and another one was open by the sea lions.

We can’t wait to plan a trip back.

The Queens Zoo, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park
 53-51 111th St,
Corona, NY 11368

Related Posts

Where to Find a Bathroom in NYC

Thomasland at Edaville USA

The post Visiting the Queens Zoo in NYC (During the Pandemic) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I wanted to let you know about Communities In Schools (CIS). It’s a national organization that ensures all students have what they need to stay in school and on a path to a brighter future. Communities In Schools works directly inside more than 2,500 school and community sites across the country, and they connect kids to caring adults and community resources designed to help them succeed in school and life. Communities In Schools is committed to helping kids realize their full potential and Communities In Schools coordinators are in schools to help kids stay in school. They support 1.6 million students across 25 states and the District of Columbia.

The adults who work for Communities In Schools build relationships with students, empowering them to overcome barriers and succeed in and out of the classroom. They also connect students with resources like food, clothing, medical care, academic assistance, and counseling.

Even though we’re in the middle of the C-19 Pandemic, this support is still going on. Communities In Schools is going beyond school walls to provide vulnerable students with the resources they need to stay healthy, maintain their progress in school and most importantly, deal with issues of anxiety and trauma they may be feeling during this time of crisis.

Communities In Schools sees potential in every student—and they’re committed to helping them see it too. If you weren’t aware, millions of children across the country face overwhelming roadblocks to their academic and personal success with learning disabilities, homelessness, emotional effects of trauma, untreated medical or dental conditions, and even a lack of school supplies and clothes. Communities In Schools is in schools to spot and overcome the roadblocks in students’ way.

THE CLASS OF 2020

Important — 95% of seniors who receive the most intensive support from Communities In Schools graduate from high school or receive their GED, but the C-19 pandemic means that much of the Class of 2020 will miss out on end-of-year traditions and graduation ceremonies. To make sure this year’s grads don’t go unrecognized, Communities In Schools is sharing their stories, organizing virtual grad parties and sending cards and gifts to graduates to celebrate all that these students have accomplished and all that they’ll go on to achieve.

The Mosaic Project

I also want to share about Communities In Schools’ Mosaic Project. This project was created to reach, connect and engage diverse communities using the medium of mosaic art to showcase the role we all play in seeing the story within every student. Renowned pop artist Jason Mecier @jasonmecier created the portraits.

Every single mosaic portrait is assembled with elements from students’ lives and it shows who they are as individuals as well as the Communities In Schools services that helped them succeed. These student portraits tell a rich story about who they really are and what they’ve been through.

To get more info about Communities in Schools, find out more about the What We Are Made of Project and donate: pleasevisit their website.

#AllinForKids
#WhatWeAreMadeOf

The post Communities in Schools Helps Students Realize Their Full Potential appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

No Kid Hungry Helps Kids in Need Find Summer Meals Easily Via Text 

Last week my youngest son and I hung out with No Kid Hungry and corporate partner Citi at CitiField. No Kid Hungry is a campaign of Share Our Strength, an organization working to end hunger and poverty. 83% of teachers worry about their students not having enough to eat in the summer. In New York, summer meals sites are serving only 27% of the meals that kids need. By spreading the word about the availability of free summer meals, perhaps we can change that? 

We enjoyed face painting, beanbag toss, and decorating baseball hats. 

I even got to take my photo with Mr. Met (who surprisingly didn’t remember me the last time we met in 2017). I’ve been lucky to go to several Mets games over the years and I will always be a fan because my grandfather Ben Glassman was a huge fan. 

The purpose of this fun event was a serious reason — to spread awareness about how to text to find free summer meals for kids in need. Thank you to Citi for being No Kid Hungry’s wonderful partner!

No Kid Hungry is ending childhood hunger through programs that provide kids with the food they need. Schools and community groups across the country run summer meals sites where kids can eat breakfast and lunch for free. No Kid Hungry helps local organizations launch and operate these sites, and also helps fund needed equipment like coolers or mobile meals trucks. However, summer meals sites aren’t much good if families don’t know about them. That’s where you come in. 

Over a million families have used No Kid Hungry’s texting service to find free summer meals for their kids.

I’m asking for your help spreading the word about the summer texting number: Text ‘FOOD’ or ‘COMIDA’ to 877-877 to find free summer meals for your kids. Learn more at http://bit.ly/2VXxFLH

Please share my post or the instructions on how to text to find summer meal sites with your community!

#ShareSummer @NoKidHungry #SummerMeals #NoKidHungry  

No Kid Hungry, Share Summer, summer meals, hunger, childhood hunger

The post No Kid Hungry Helps Kids in Need Find Summer Meals Easily Via Text appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

New York City in the summer is a treat. The whirling bustle of the city actually slows down to a dull roar and people stop their frenetic place. Catching a drink or a meal al fresco is a must, and everyone just seems to be more relax. New Yorkers relaxed? Yes, it actually happens! We let the kids stay up late and we all sleep in a little. Summer in the city can be so much fun too! But there’s one thing that doesn’t exactly take time off — my bladder leakage issue. So, while I’m enjoying myself this summer, I always make sure that I am protected with Depend and that I’ve scoped out the bathroom facilities ahead of time.
Here’s my list of fun summertime NYC activities you can do either with your friends or your family, all while keeping yourself ahead of any bladder leakage issues. Where To Find a Bathroom While You’re Exploring New York CityMy Favorite NYC Summer Activities & Tips on Easily Finding a Restroom Around NYC Where To Find a Bathroom While You’re Exploring NYC

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Broadway Shows

I love seeing Broadway musical any time of the year, but in the summer, when things are more relaxed, I try to see more shows. And yes, the cheaper seats are just as good! As long as I get to see a show, I’m happy! When I walk into the theatre, I immediately ask where the closest bathroom to my seat is and I go before the show and right after the show (everyone is using the restroom during the intermission and I hate to wait on long lines). Also, if you have to use the bathroom as you are on the way to your show, find a nice restaurant and then walk in confidently and scoot right into the restroom — I’ve done this many times. Check out my BEETLEJUICE review, The Play That Goes Wrong review (totally great for kids), BEAUTIFUL The Carole King Musical, and Pretty Woman the Musical Review. BEETLEJUICE and Pretty Woman are not skewed for kids, just keep that in mind. For BEETLEJUICE, if you are on the Orchestra level, there’s a handicapped bathroom right near the drinks cart on the back left. Pretty Woman, which is unfortunately closing in August won’t let you in early to use the bathroom, there’s a cute restaurant right to the left of the theatre that you can sneak into. If it’s possible, I try to grab dinner in the Theatre District first. Try to eat around 2 – 2 ½ hours before your show starts, you may have to wait for your table! There are so many great places to eat! Favorites in the area are Nizza, Trattoria Daniela, and John’s Pizza. Bring your appetite!

Central Park

I love Central Park! I try to go in by either by the Plaza or by Columbus Circle. I always stop near one of the fast-casual restaurants near either the Plaza or the Time Warner Center to use the facilities and then I’ll hit the park for an hour. If I’m with my family, then we’ll let the kids run around on the grass or if I’m with a friend, we’ll stroll and people watch. There are bathrooms around the park, but I usually prefer to go before I get to the park and then when I leave.

Street Fairs

Street Fairs are so much fun! There are street fairs in NYC just around every weekend. I love strolling along and looking at all the fun things for sale. There’s always a restaurant or a coffee shop that I can use the restrooms at. I’ll try to time my visits with getting a snack or an iced beverage.

Cruises to Nowhere

Sometimes it’s just fun to get on a boat and ride around The Big Apple.We love the Hornblower Dinner Cruises because they are just one big party! The food is always delicious and the dancing is a blast!. Plus, there are easily accessible and spotless restrooms! Read our review here and here.

Bronx Zoo

I’ve been a fan of the Bronx Zoo since I was a kid and my grandfather used to take me there. Now, I love to take my family or a friend and spend the day. There are TONS of clean bathrooms, so I keep a map on me and note where the bathrooms are as we stroll. I make it a point not to have a set itinerary at the Bronx Zoo – we simple pick a few animals, pull out the map and just start walking. Read my Family Guide to the Bronx Zoo.

THE RIDE Interactive NYC Experience

Riding a Tourist Bus in NYC is a real treat, but The Ride takes it to the next level with it’s interactive experience. However, it’s only around an hour and leaves from Times Square. There’s no bathroom on board, but there’s a Starbucks and a bunch of restaurants right near where it leaves from. Duck in one of those places to use the restroom! Check out my review with video!

I hope you get to check out some of the fun NYC activities on my list! Nearly 65 million Americans experience bladder leakage in one form or another, but bladder leakage doesn’t have to get in the way of living a confident, uninterrupted life.

If you experience incontinence, join The Incontinence Community on Facebook to connect with others, get advice and even share your own tips: http://bit.ly/InconCommunity.

Photo credit for NYC Photo Where To Find a Bathroom While You’re Exploring New York City

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

More New York City Content

King Kong on Broadway: It’s Not a Show, It’s an Experience! (+ Discount Code)

The Downtown Experience: An Unforgettable Multi-Media Experience of Lower Manhattan

Gulliver’s Gate: A Magical Land of Miniatures in Times Square

https://www.themamamaven.com/the-tour/

The post Where To Find a Bathroom While You’re Exploring New York City appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We got to screen the movie recently and I was very impressed by the young cast, as well as Patrick Stewart. We got to speak to the cast – in this part of the video, you can hear me ask a question. 

Check out the rest of the video here: 

And later in the day my daughter got to do knight training.

Patrick Stewart and the cast discussed bullying and I was pretty surprised to hear Sir Stewart say that he was a bully growing up and the reason behind it. He said he grew up in a home that wasn’t safe (unfortunately I know a lot about that) and my heart just went out to him. Writer/Director Joe Cornish revealed that he thought of the idea for this movie when he was 12 years old — which gives creative kids a great reason to start documenting their own ideas. We were all charmed by young actors Louis Ashbourne Serkis (yes, dad Andy was in the room during our press conference, but didn’t speak to us, this was his son’s time) and Rhianna Dorris. 

Should you see this movie? Absolutely. While there were some scary parts, I was on the edge of my seat and the premise hooked me. What I also liked is that the bullies turned allies didn’t have that trust until later in the movie. A lot of times bullies/enemies just become friendly/work out their differences immediately. That didn’t happen – -the relationship evolved in The Kid Who Would Be King, but it was done in a more realistic timeline and really seemed authentic. Louis Ashbourne Serkis shined in this movie and I look forward to seeing him in other movies. 

Patrick Stewart and another actor, Angus Imrie, both play Merlin. It’s definitely a touch of comic relief and the character totally works. I really liked that the film wasn’t predictable, but the message of people working together against a common enemy/cause and to do what’s right and live by a chivalric code (while not a new idea) was one that we all should remember. 

The Kid Who Would Be King is in theatres on Friday, January 25.

Written and Directed by: Joe Cornish
Produced by: Nira Park, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner
Cast: Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Dean Chaumoo, Tom Taylor, Rhianna Dorris, Angus Imrie, with Rebecca Ferguson and Patrick Stewart

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.TheKidWhoWouldBeKing.com 
FACEBOOK: www.Facebook.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing  
TWITTER: www.Twitter.com/KidWouldBeKing  
INSTAGRAM: www.Instagram.com/KidWhoWouldBeKing  
HASHTAG: #KidWhoWouldBeKing

The post The Kid Who Would Be King Patrick Stewart and Cast Interview (Video) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

There is no cure for Stage 4 Breast Cancer. More than 40,000 people die each year from Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) in the US alone– Shari and Stacy’s mother Judy Levin was one such casualty. Very little of the funding for breast cancer research goes to Metastatic Breast Cancer. So, they were determined to design a creative fundraising campaign to raise money. Judy was a beloved baker/cook even throughout her 6-year battle with MBC. Her kitchen was a communal table for family, friends and even strangers to embrace the tastes and love emanating from her dishes. After receiving multiple requests for Judy’s recipes over the decades, her daughters, Shari and Stacy, realized they could spread Judy’s culinary love  — all in the name of Metastatic Breast Cancer research.

Over time, thousands of supporters across the country began to pass on Judy’s culinary legacy and hope for a cure. To date, they have raised over $60,000 for breast cancer research and are determined to raise more! My mother’s aunt Ella died of Breast Cancer and there are way too many women in my Facebook Feed that are fighting it now or have fought it. This is for them also.

While I’m not going to share the recipes — you are going to do that by going to Bake it Happen’s website and baking and sharing — also — donate while you are there!

We made the Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chips cookies and boy, did my family love them.

Donate:

https://www.bakeithappen.net/donate or go to bakeithappen.net for more info on how to bake for Breast Cancer Research.

The post Bake It Happen 2017: Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We all pretend that our lives are perfect on social media, but that’s not often the whole picture. No one’s family is really Pinterest perfect. Life doesn’t happen in ideal Instagram snaps. I’ve gotten a little personal in the past, and I’m going to go there again. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My father was always very difficult and things were very rough at home. But there was another aspect I haven’t really talked about – the financial aspect of that. While I’ll go into it further in the post, there was verbal, emotional, and even some physical abuse. And something that I didn’t even realize until I was grown up – there was also financial abuse. My mother wasn’t able to support us on her own, even if she had actually gone through with divorcing him. I’m partnering up with Allstate Foundation Purple Purse to share my story and let you know that The Allstate Foundation Purple Purse drives fundraising for local, state and national nonprofits that provide crucial financial empowerment tools and resources to survivors of domestic violence. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Financially Empowers Domestic Violence Survivors

While I am not going to talk about my parents’ relationship and what went down between them (because it’s not my story to tell), I will tell you about the financial aspect. One of the main reasons my mother couldn’t leave was because she couldn’t support us. There wasn’t a lot of money and he would have never given her money to live on with us.

My mother was a teacher and she worked full time before I was born and she started subbing when I was 6 weeks old. My father was a salesman (though not a very good one) and his jobs were never stable. I imagine he made money, but he wasn’t much of a saver. Both of my grandmothers took turns watching me while she subbed (she needed to help our family). I remember her getting calls in the morning and me getting shipped off to one of their houses. But it was the best she could do while she was around to be there for my brother and me.

While I can’t remember all the details, my mother went back to work full time when I was around 9 (my brother must have been around 5 1/2). I remember picking him up from kindergarten and walking him back to the babysitter, Estelle. Back in the early 80’s, teachers were making a lot less than they are currently. When things became worse with my father and they almost divorced (which I think was the next year or so), she couldn’t afford to support us on her own. She was worried that she couldn’t put a roof over our heads. There were other reasons why she didn’t leave that I don’t want to go into to, but later she told me that money was one of the reasons why she stayed. My grandfather had passed away in the mid-seventies and my grandmother (who had moved to a 1 bedroom in Florida by then) couldn’t have helped out financially. There was no place to go. I don’t think my father’s mother would have helped her, her own husband had passed away at that point. My mother didn’t have many choices. So we stayed.

My father didn’t help out at home or cook dinner for us, it was all my mom. She would take classes on the weekends so she could go up on the pay scale and she worked hard. Eventually (probably when I was in high school) she started making a lot more money. But by that time, my father had become a carpenter and often had long periods of time when he wasn’t working. He’s turning 80 this summer and while he doesn’t get very many jobs anymore, he will never be allowed to retire.

When I went to college, she urged me to get a teaching degree so I would have something to fall back on. There weren’t many options for my mother back then, but there are options now. Allstate Foundation Purple Purse aims to help end domestic violence and financial abuse through financial empowerment. Financial abuse isn’t something that’s really on the news, but it occurs in 99 percent of all domestic violence cases and is the No. 1 reason victims stay in or return to abusive relationships. 

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse drives fundraising for local, state and national nonprofits that provide crucial financial empowerment tools and resources to survivors of domestic violence. I wish my mother could have turned to this when I was young. You can support these efforts by visiting PurplePurse.com and donating today. 

Allstate Foundation Purple Purse has just released this video to educate the public on the issue of financial abuse. This video will be short, compelling and focused on raising awareness of this too-often silent issue. The film depicts a social experiment and challenges viewers to question their position as bystanders: “If you knew, what would you do?”

Check out this powerful video:

For more info, go to http://purplepurse.com/

Purple Purse Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/purplepurse
Purple Purse Twitter: https://twitter.com/PurplePurse

The post Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Empowers Financial Abuse Survivors appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

This spring, the Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are unveiling new PSAs featuring characters from Fox’s upcoming summer road trip adventure Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul. The PSAs remind parents and caregivers that even if kids argue and plead, parents should stand firm and always insist that their kids buckle up and sit in the back seat (the safest place for kids under the age of 13).

My kids love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series so we can even watch the PSAs together—and I can remind them to buckle up safely, just like some of their favorite characters. Are your kids’ fans of the series?

How do you talk to your kids about seat belts? My kids know that they must buckle up before I will even start our minivan. I do a visual check before I even start my engine. It was easier when I put them in car seats myself and buckled them up, but they are pretty independent now. I still have to buckle in my youngest child, who can’t really buckle himself in yet. 

While my almost 14-year-old niece is allowed to ride in the front seat of her parents’ cars, we haven’t allowed that yet. I’m okay with saying no to that for my kids — my 11-year-old is still way too young. Even though my son has asked to sit in the front seat, I’m going to keep saying no for at least 3 more years. This is a battle he’s not going to win. 

Per data from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 69,000 tweens are injured every year in car crashes and 61% of 14-year-old children killed in 2015 car crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash. Even though life as a parent is full of compromises, seat belt safety should never be up for negotiation. That’s why the new PSAs encourage us to: “Never give up until they buckle up!”

For more information or if you need more tips to convince your tween to buckle up, visit SaferCar.gov/KidsBuckleUp.  If you have a great tip, join the conversion on social media using: #KidsBuckleUp.

We were not compensated for this post. 

The post Never Give Up Until Your Tweens Buckle Up appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Sony Pictures

This year, the International Day of Happiness highlighted the Sustainable Development Goals as building blocks of happiness. Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, and MandyPatinkin from the upcoming animated movie Smurfs: The Lost Village attended to honor youth and children who have played a role in raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals. 
The “Small Smurfs Big Goals” campaign is designed to encourage everyone to learn about and support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which were agreed on by all 193 member countries of the United Nations in 2015. It kicks off with the launch of a Public Service Announcement video inspiring viewers to champion the Goals, which include ending extreme poverty, protecting the planet and giving everyone the chance to enjoy peace and prosperity.

“We know that children and young people are some of the world’s most passionate advocates on issues that matter to them the most. We must continue to find new ways to empower them to help achieve a world free from inequality and injustice for every child. This campaign will give children and young people the platform they need to have their voices heard,” said UNICEF Director of Communications Paloma Escudero.

“The campaign message focuses on the notion that every one of us can make a difference, regardless of our size,” said Veronique Culliford, the daughter of Peyo, who created the Smurfs in 1958. “It’s an honor and privilege for The Smurfs to support the United Nations and to continue our longstanding relationship with UNICEF.”  

“All of us, even a small Smurf, can achieve big goals!” added Demi Lovato, who voices Smurfette in the upcoming animated movie Smurfs: The Lost Village. The “Small Smurfs Big Goals” campaign will be localized in 14 different languages and promoted across Sony Pictures Television Networks’ flagship channel brands such as AXN, Sony Channel, Crackle, Animax and Pop available in 178 countries, including their on-air, online and social media properties.

The public can also join “Team Smurfs” by visiting the SmallSmurfsBigGoals.com website to find out how they can contribute to achieving the Goals; discover which goals are best suited to their interests; raise their voices for a better world for all; and share information, ideas, and images on social media.

View the United Nations/UNICEF Smurfs Partnership Video

Go to: www.smallsmurfsbiggoals.com

#SmallSmurfsBigGoals #TeamSmurfs @GlobalGoalsUN

ABOUT SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE

In this fully animated, all-new take on the Smurfs, a mysterious map sets Smurfette and her best friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty on an exciting and thrilling race through the Forbidden Forest filled with magical creatures to find a mysterious lost village before the evil wizard Gargamel does. Embarking on a rollercoaster journey full of action and danger, the Smurfs are on a course that leads to the discovery of the biggest secret in Smurf history! The feature is directed by Kelly Asbury, produced by Jordan Kerner and Mary Ellen Bauder Andrews, and written by Stacey Harman and Pamela Ribon, based on the characters and works of Peyo. 

We were not compensated for this post. 

International Happiness Day and Team Smurfs Highlight the Sustainable Development Goals

International Happiness Day and Team Smurfs Team Up to Support Sustainable Development Goals with the UN

The post International Happiness Day and Team Smurfs Team Up to Support Sustainable Development Goals with the UN appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The post Join the Visionworks #LetsGoSee Movement by Nominating Children for Free Eye Exams & Glasses! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Put down the cookie sheet! Bring Dessert from Dancing Deer Baking Co. This Holiday Season. This is a sponsored post with Dancing Deer Baking Co. Order here: https://www.dancingdeer.com.

Go to my blog post for more info: http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/12/16/be-a-great-guest-bring-dessert-from-dancing-deer-baking-co-this-holiday-season/

The post Holiday Dessert Options for Non-bakers appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As we prepare for holiday parties, we can also take the time to clean out our closets for the new year and give a little extra back to the local community at the same time. Goodwill provides ways to fulfill all of these goals. Not only can you shop for your holiday outfits, but you can also make a difference in the lives of people in your community by donating to Goodwill.

Goodwill sells donated goods through more than 3,200 stores across the United States and Canada, and channels more than 85 percent of sales revenue to provide those services to people who are unemployed or underemployed.

Since the holidays can be an increased stress for those that find themselves without work, we can do a simple good deed by giving a little extra to Goodwill or by doing some of our shopping there.

You would be amazed at what you might find. They have such a variety of gently used items and even some new items. Take a minute to reflect on the great blessings life has offered you and take this opportunity to give a little extra back to your community.

While you’re at it, you can take some time to share your “Reverse Shopping Haul” with us. We’ve all seen those shopping haul videos and photos on blogs and social media. In fact, several of my friends make them about their thrift shop finds from Goodwill. But we would love to see a “Reverse Haul” video or photo that shares what you plan to donate using the hashtag #DonateStuffCreateJobs. Share videos or picture(s) of the items you plan to donate and use the donation impact calculator to let the world know how many hours of on-the-job training you are creating with your used stuff — stuff that doesn’t help anyone when it’s in the back of your closet or under your bed. We can’t wait to see your haul!

This post was written by Goodwill.

The post Give Back This Holiday Season with Goodwill’s Reverse Shopping Haul appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Recently we attended a live experience with Target’s Mini-musical, The Toycracker starring John Legend and Crissy Teigen. It was awesome!

Read my recap blog post: http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/12/09/my-experience-at-targets-the-toycracker-a-mini-musical-spectacular/

MUSIC: FUNK CITY
COURTESY OF
Music: http://www.purple-planet.com

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post The Target Toycracker Mini Musical Live Experience #Target #toycracker #toy #cracker appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I am sure that you have heard of foster care, everyone has, right? But what do you really know about foster care? Is it just something you know about, where kids who have no homes go? More people need to be made aware of what foster care is, what it means, and the resources that are out there for people who are interested in fostering or adopting these children and young adults who are longing for a place to call home.

“There are 428,000 youth in the U.S. foster care system and 112,000 are waiting to be adopted.”

AdoptUSKids’ maintains a national photo listing service for children waiting to be adopted. Since the project launched in 2002, more than 26,000 children who were once photo listed on adoptuskids.org have been adopted and nearly 39,000 families have registered to adopt through the website. Nevertheless, older youth are disproportionally represented – approximately 43% percent of children and youth photo listed on adoptuskids.org are between 15 and 18 years old, but only 17% of those adopted have been in this age group.

The journey to becoming a foster parent often involves many of the same steps you would take to become an adoptive parent. There are many things to consider prior to making the decision, so it’s good to take your time and make sure this is the right fit for your family. You don’t need to own your own home, have children already, be young, wealthy, or a stay-at-home parent to foster.

Some of the Misperceptions about Adoption from Foster Care:

• Adoption is expensive. Unlike the private adoption of an infant or adopting internationally, there are virtually no costs associated with adoption from the US child welfare system. In addition, the vast majority of youth adopted from foster care are also eligible for monthly adoption assistance up to the level of the foster care rate.
• You have to be married. You do not have to be married to adopt in most states. Many children have been very successfully adopted by single parents. Single-parent families accounted for 29 percent of all adoptions from foster care in 2014 (AFCARS).
• You have to have a college degree. Having a high school diploma or college education is not required. What is important is that you are stable, flexible, and compassionate, and that you have a good sense of humor. Most importantly, you must have the support and commitment to raise a child and to be there for him throughout his life.
• You have to own a home and each child has to have their own room. You can rent your home or live in an apartment or a mobile home so long as your living situation is a stable one.
• You have to be of child-bearing age to adopt. Experienced parents and empty-nesters are encouraged to adopt. In most instances, you’re eligible to adopt regardless of age, income, marital status or sexual orientation.
• You can only adopt a child who is the same race and ethnicity as you. Federal law prohibits the delay or denial of an adoptive placement based on the race or ethnicity of a child in U.S. foster care and the prospective parent or parents who are seeking to adopt them. The only exception to this law is the adoption of Native American children where special considerations apply.
• You can’t adopt if you’re in the military. Military families stationed overseas and within the U.S. are eligible to adopt children from the U.S. foster care system.

Contacting a local foster care agency is the best way to connect with resources and learn about policies to become a foster parent in your State. Choosing an agency should take into account your family’s personal preferences regarding the services provided by that agency. You can either use our interactive map of state adoption and foster care information for finding a local agency, or search Child Welfare Information Gateway’s National Foster Care and Adoption Directory.
The truth is there are kids out there who need YOU. And whether you realize it or not, maybe you need them too. For more information about adoption, or about becoming an adoptive parent to a child from foster care, please visit www.adoptuskids.org or visit the campaign’s communities on Facebook and Twitter.

We were not compensated for this post. 

The post Help Children in Foster Care for National Adoption Month appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I’m so excited to check out Juice Beauty! Juice Beauty’s chemists start with an organic botanical juice base (aloe, jojoba, grape seed, shea, infused with citrus juices) and add powerful age defying or blemish clearing ingredients to deliver highly effective, clinically validated results.

Like what you see?
Check out my affiliate link: http://shopsharenetwork.go2cloud.org/aff_c?offer_id=81&aff_id=163&source=youtubechannel

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post Juice Beauty Makeup & Skincare Unboxing – Made with Organic Ingredients #greenbeauty appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We unbox and make this craft kit — Disney’s Little Mermaid: Design Your Own Fintastical Mermaid Tail by Seedling. #AD

Read the rest of our post:

http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/11/21/disneys-little-mermaid-craft-kits-by-seedling/

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post Disney’s Little Mermaid: Design Your Own Fintastical Mermaid Tail by Seedling appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Pizza Squirrel! Squirrel Steals my son’s pizza crust while at Forest Park, Queens on November 19, 2016

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post Pizza Squirrel! Squirrel Steals Pizza Crust in Forest Park, Queens appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My daughter had an accident at school yesterday, as she was getting ready to go home. We had to go to the ER last night and she got 20 stitches. So scary!

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post School Accident Recap: My Kid Got 20 Stitches appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

AD: Need a fun entertaining idea to make the kids happy – make these DIY Ice Cream Sandwiches? We were excited to partner up with Dancing Deer Baking Co. to show you how easy and fun these are to make.
Read the blog post: http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/11/15/kid-friendly-holiday-entertaining-idea-diy-ice-cream-sandwich-bar/

Follow Dancing Deer on Social:

Website: https://www.dancingdeer.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DancingDeer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DancingDeerCo
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dancingdeer/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dancingdeerco/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/dancingdeerbakingco

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post How to Make an Ice Cream Sandwich (Kid-Friendly Entertaining Idea) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

See a Tour of Disney Magic Cruise Ship @DisneyCruiseLines #DCLNewYork

Check out my blog post here: See a Tour of Disney Magic Cruise Ship @DisneyCruiseLines #DCLNewYork

Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise? Leave your response in the comments.

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post Disney Magic Cruise Ship Tour appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Shari’s blog My Judy the Foodie honors her late mother (Judy) who tragically lost her fight against breast cancer. Too many women, including Judy, and my great aunt Ella had their life cut way too short from breast cancer.

How Can You Help?

1. Go to www.bakeithappen.net and sign up to get 3 of Judy’s recipes. 

Then bake one of the recipes. You can make either Pumpkin Chip Muffins, Judy’s Black Bottom Cupcakes, 0r Banana Chocolate Chip Loaf.

2. Share it:

When you post on social media or email the picture to ubakeithappen@gmail.com, you’re automatically entered to win an iPad Mini & 100 Baked By Melissa Cupcakes. Isn’t that sweet?
While I’m not going to give the recipe to you, I will tell you that we made Judy’s Black Bottom Cupcakes.

My daughter helped me to make these delicious cupcakes.

What are you waiting for? Want to make these delicious black bottom cupcakes? Go bake it happen! 

Visit http://www.bakeithappen.net.

t Happen 2016 for Breast Cancer Research

The post Judy’s Black Bottom Cupcakes – Bake It Happen 2016 for Breast Cancer Research appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Love your pressure cooker? In this video I make Chicken Soup in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker. So easy and delicious! This is loosely based off Mama Under Pressure’s Book: Everyday Instant Pot, which I purchased off Amazon.
Purchase her book here: http://amzn.to/2d5V3nf (Affiliate Link).

Buy your Instant Pot on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2f59xGE (my affiliate link)

Full recipe at http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/10/10/making-chicken-soup-in-the-instant-pot/

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post Instant Pot Recipe: How to Make Chicken Soup in the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As my oldest child turns 11, I decided to put together some life lessons for him to know. Did I miss one? Let me know in the comments below.

Read my post: http://www.themamamaven.com/2016/09/29/eleven-life-lessons-i-want-my-eleven-year-old-son-to-know/

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Please watch: “Best Holiday Desserts for Non-Bakers”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_Ob4pI6akA
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The post 11 Life Lessons I Want My 11 Year Old to Know appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.