Wellness - An Autumn Walk

So far, this autumn weather has been extremely beautiful. Yesterday I was off work and Erin had a half day. She's been dying to walk to school but if I can take her, I take her, plus I feel she's still too young. So yesterday I asked her, do you want me to walk you to school?? She got so excited and said YES!!

 I walked with her to school. We walked and we talked and I watched her go into school and then I walked back....alone.  I thought, okay, I'm not in a rush, let me slow down, let me breathe in the fresh air, let me take in the beautiful sight of the autumn leaves around me. Let me feel the ground beneath my feet, stand up straight and swing my arms. Let me just walk! That, for me, was my meditation and my peace. 

Maybe early in the morning, walking your child to and from school if nearby, in the afternoon or in the evening, at the park, or parking far in a parking lot, please take advantage of these beautiful days and go on your own autumn walk. (Especially before it gets too cold!)

For more WELLNESS topics, click HERE!

Events - Branding Workshop

Here's some pictures from our Branding event over the weekend hosted by Mochas Tanisha and Shawanna!!

The following is a recap of the event from Mocha Tanisha:

We had a great night tonight! Maximizing our personal and professional brand, and having fun! Great presentation Shawanna! God blessed me with an amazing group of ladies! Now this is a group of ladies who need a reality show! We would only survive on the Hallmark or Lifetime channel because we have no drama, lol. We're all about supporting each other, loving our families and ourselves! We are a brand in itself!

For pix from more Mocha Events, click HERE!

Events - Breast Cancer Walk

When one of our sisters was diagnosed with breast cancer over the summer we knew that we'd do everything possible to support her in her journey of healing!

On a chilly fall day in October, the Bergen County Mocha Moms walked and raised money to find a cure.

We made shirts, we brought our friends and families (and pets) and most of all we raised money!  We FAR exceeded our goal.

Last but certainly not least, we had a heck of a good time!

To see other Mocha Mom EVENTS, click here!

Wellness - Coconut Oil

Happy Wednesday!

So, I recently discovered a new use for coconut oil!! Last month our refrigerator went out and we had to get a new one. Stainless steel is the norm and I found myself with my OCD constantly wiping to keep it clean and spotless. I turned to google! Coconut oil is a great cleaner and lubricant for stainless steel. It removes fingerprints, bacteria and gives a nice shine. After wiping off any dirt, dip a cloth in pure coconut oil and rub into anything stainless steel. It works!! Plus, it doesn't leave fingerprints for days and guards against germs. The lauric acid is what kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Which we need to watch at this time of season.

Coconut oil contains a combination of fatty acids that can also benefit our bodies in many ways:

1. Strengthens hair as a conditioner and moisturizer.
2. Whitens teeth by rubbing on teeth.
3. Prevents and heals cavities by swishing around in mouth.
4. Helps curb appetite when ingested, 1 teaspoon daily. (Just swallow it after you rinse your mouth with it;))
5. Great oil for skin and a natural sun screen. 6. Protects nails when rubbed on cuticles.


Here is a link for 101 other ways to use coconut oil! http://wellnessmama.com/5734/101-uses-for-coconut-oil/


Have a good day!

This post is courtesy of Mocha Tiffany K.

For more Wellness tips click HERE!

Food - Apple Picking

Yes dear one's it's THAT time of year again!  It's apple picking time!

I LOVE apple picking but we somehow always manage to pick too many!  Here are a few recipes [plus tips and tricks] so you won't feel overwhelmed if you happen to have too many apples.

NOTE:  These are all rustic recipes.  Meaning that they are very easy, little cooking skill is required and they're super yummy!


Pie Crust

Honestly, I suggest that you buy pie crust from the supermarket!!  If you really feel moved to make it from scratch, here's a good recipe.

Apple Tart (can be sugar free)

This apple tart recipe has been in my family since forever.  It's easy to make with any fresh or frozen fruit.

3-4 Apples (any kind)
2 Tablespoons sugar (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
1 pie crust

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Core and seed the apples. You can peel them if you like but you really don't have to make the effort. Sprinkle the apples with cinnamon and sugar (optional). Lay a pie crust flat on a cookie sheet. Center fruit in the middle of the crust. Fold up the edges of the crust and bake. SO EASY!!!

Bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown and fruit is tender.

Baker's note: depending on the apples, you could make this dessert without any added sugar.

Homemade Apple Sauce (can be sugar free)

6-8 Apples (any variety)
1/4 water
sugar (optional)

Chop and core apples. (you can peel them if you like, but it's not necessary). In a large pot with a lid combine the apples and the water. Cook over medium heat (with lid on the pan) until the apples are soft. Stir. Add sugar and or cinnamon if you like.

Chef's note: The longer you cook the apples the softer they will be. For chunky apple sauce check the texture every 5 minutes or so.

Chef's Note: "check texture" is fancy talk for "stir". Your apples may appear to be chunky but they'll break apart easily when stirred. To check the texture of your apple sauce give the mixture a good stir and see what you've got!



Skillet Apple Pie

Skillet apple pie is an easy caramel apple pie that you make in 1 pan.

4-5 apples (chopped or sliced, core removed)
1/3 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar (brown or white)
2 Tablespoons all purpose flour
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon in a bowl. Melt butter in a skillet. Remove from the skillet from the heat. Add the apples to the skillet. Stir the apples in butter until all apples are coated. Sprinkle apples with sugar mixture.

Top apples with 1 pie crust. Cut vents (slits) into the crust.

Bake at 350 degrees until crust is brown and apples are tender.

Enjoy!

Freezing Apples

Great news - apples freeze well!  Chop and core apples (peel if you like).  Place the apples in freezer safe bags and freeze.  

You can use frozen apples for all of the recipes on this page!

PRO TIP:

You can use any of these recipes for fresh or frozen fruit.  Feel free to try these recipes with berries, peaches, nectarines, apples or plums.

For more recipes from the Mocha Moms, click here!

Food - Homemade Icee Syrup

Homemade Cherry Icee

Icees are so easy to make!  It seems CRAZY that I never thought to do a blog post about them until now!

Icee Syrup Ingredients

Homemade Icee Syrup

1 pkg unsweetened Kool-aid (any flavor)
1 c. sugar
1 c. tap water


In a saucepan combine water, sugar and Kool Aid Powder. Cook over low heat until sugar is melted.  Stir.  Set aside to cool.  The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools.

Done!

Drizzle as much syrup as you like over shaved ice.

Ice shavers are cheap and easy to find.  I got mine from Target YEARS ago for less than $20.  It's so easy to operate that my kids use it to make icees for their friends.

PRO TIP:
You can use this syrup to make fruit flavored soda (pop if you're from the midwest).

To make soda, drizzle icee syrup over ice cubes.

Tropical Punch Soda

Fill the glass with seltzer or ginger ale

Homemade Soda Pop

YUMMY Fruit Flavored soda pop!


SUPER PRO TIP:

Use flavored seltzer for an extra kick!  I recently discovered coconut flavored seltzer.  It makes our homemade soda taste like the cream soda from my childhood!

Flavored Seltzer + Icee Syrup!

Homemade Red Cream Soda

Red Cream Soda takes be back to my 1978 at the Spring Mill Bible Camp canteen!!

For more recipes, click HERE!

Wellness - Do Not Disturb

I fully encourage all of you to take advantage of "Do Not Disturb Moments."

Embrace them, create them, indulge in them, and encourage other moms you know to partake in them! 

I am a constant advocate of relaxation this summer. We work hard, the weather is nice, the kids are busy and we deserve some "me" time! If you still find your schedule packed, take a personal day off, arrange a play date or a time the hubby can watch the kids so that you can get some alone time. Spend quality time with just family and get back to your friends later. Steal some time away. Unplug and just say no, you can't and you just don't want to be disturbed. 

Do Not Disturb Moments Include: 

Coffee or Tea Time

Reading 

Naps

Showers and Bath Time

Mani-Pedis

Massages

Yoga and Meditation 

Gym Time

Salon Visits

Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner

Outings

Vacations 

Please do not disturb and excuse me as I take a summer break from Wellness Wednesday's :-)

For more Wellness topics, click HERE!

Dating for Mom Friends - from The Huffington Post

From The Huffington Post

Back in my 20’s I was young and pretty in New York City.  It was the life I’d worked for and the life that I wanted.  Nobody I knew had kids and nobody, it seemed, wanted them. 

Near the end of my 20’s I found myself unpartnered and pregnant.  It wasn’t the path I would have chosen but I decided to make the best of it.  Finding a bigger apartment and child care was a challenge.  Finding great mom friends felt impossible!  

By the time my son was three I’d met a great guy moved to the burbs.  My white picket dreams came into focus while my fun girl dreams faded away. 

A few short years into suburbia it was time for me to start dating again - dating for mom friends!  Looking back, it seems crazy that I didn’t think of it sooner!  Why not apply the skill and savvy I’d learned from dating to finding cool mom friends?

Just like with regular dating I created a mental “must have” list.  I wanted to be a part of a group of moms more than a one on one situation.  I wanted social and economic diversity and basically fun loving people.  What I really wanted was moms who were just like me -but not.  (One of me is plenty!)  How hard could that be to find? 

Turns out is wasn’t that easy, but it also wasn’t too hard.  I trolled for mom at the playground and in churches.  There were online meet ups and mommy circle at daycare.  I still love the sisters of the Red Tent but that’s not really a mom’s group.

I finally found “my people” in the Mocha Moms.  Mochas offered diversity of experiences and parenting philosophies and it’s also just fun.  It’s the first mom’s group I’ve come across that’s not about the kids!  We have spa days, wig parties and wine tastings.  There are family events a couple times a year, but basically it’s by moms, for moms!  My group puts me back in touch with the non-mom me but leaves room to honor family life.

   

Fun time apart from the kids allows me to be better with the kids! 

I have no desire to go back to being the single version of myself but I also don’t want to put her on a shelf.  I need to find ways to be foot loose and fancy free while honoring the family person I’ve grown into.  My mom’s group allows me to be every part of myself and that’s a real gift.

On June 4^th I’ll celebrate by 17^th year as a mom!  It’s a tremendous accomplishment and the hardest job I’ve ever loved.  My only regret is that I didn’t shop for mom friends sooner. 

The Longest, Shortest Time podcast is hosting an event called Speed Dating for Mom Friends.  It’s exactly what it sounds like and it sounds totally fun!    If you’re a new mom, or a lonely mom, I say get on out there girl!  Start dating for mom friends! 

Whether you prefer groups, one on one mom friends or something else, I hope you find “your people” in the ocean of mommies out there. 

As we honor and are honored as mothers this Sunday, take a moment to raise a glass to your great mom friends!  They love us, care for us and keep us sane!

Happy Mother’s Day mamas!  Now go on out there and get yourself a girlfriend!

For other Wellness Topics, click HERE!     

Kate Spade Shopping Trip

Kate Spade and the Mocha Moms have long enjoyed a warm relationship.  Just in time for Mother's Day our friends at Kate Spade hosted a shopping event in their Riverside Square Mall store.

Mochas enjoyed a 20% discount on purchases, food, fun and lots of laughter at this event.

Click HERE to see more Events!