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Role Mommy Fave Five

Fave Five Ways to Cure a Sore Throat

Let me just start this post by saying I am not a doctor or a nurse. But I am quite good at Googling and when I woke up five days before my big show at my synagogue with a sore throat, I panicked.

I could feel my throat start to get a bit scratchy before I went to bed but I tried to ignore it and not freak out. But when I awoke at 6 am and the pain started to get worse, I went into full on state of emergency mode. You see, my pattern for sore throats is as follows. Redness gets worse to the point where I feel like I've swallowed knives. Within 24 hours the sore throat dissipates as I develop a full blown head cold. At this point, I can't breathe at all through my nose and I can't taste food. Horrendous.

Making matters worse, after about two days of the cold, the mucus usually heads down to my chest and I get stuck with a cough that keeps me up at night and sometimes even develops into laryngitis. Did I mention my show is in five days?

So, back to my story. I woke up this morning and raced down to the kitchen. And while the cat thought I'd be breaking open a can of Fancy Feast a few hours before his usual meal time, I headed to the cabinet that's chock full of cold, sore throat and stomach bug remedies. So what did I do? Popped two vitamin C, gargled salt water and ate an Airborne throat lozenge. Since there are other remedies I've yet to try, I'm going to include them in this fave five, but do it at your own risk since I'm not desperate...yet.

1. Pop two tablets of Vitamin C. Although after copious Internet searching I learned that Vitamin C is not that effective, I ignored that piece of information and immediately swallowed the required dosage.

2. Gargle with Salt Water. That has been the resounding choice of doctors and consumers all over the web. Take a glass of warm water and add about a teaspoon of salt.

3. Gargle with mouth wash and hydrogen peroxide. While you'd think that sounds like a recipe for a stomach pump, supposedly the anti-bacterial action in the hydrogen peroxide will kill off those throat germs.

4. Gargle with Cayenne Pepper. Okay, this one you must try at your own risk. At the Earthclinic website, I saw a huge response to the method of gargling with cayenne pepper powder. However, I also read a few of the mishaps - one woman swallowed the pepper, it went down to her stomach and she proceeded to throw up so much that she forgot about her sore throat. Another man swallowed it too and his head caught fire. Okay - not really but it felt like it did. There are over 300 testimonials from people who say it worked instantly but just be careful - put in an 1/8 of a teaspoon of pepper because if you over do it, you could turn into a red hot chili pepper and your throat will still hurt.

5. Eat a Garlic Clove. I have no idea why this works, but again according to the holistic cures for a sore throat, garlic is at the top. The thought of it totally grosses me out but I guess I can stomach garlic over cayenne.

Now of course, there's always zinc lozenges, echinacea, hot tea, chicken soup and a crazy remedy that I had once with honey, lime, lemon juice and pepper - but I'm not desperate yet. Check back with me later in the day if the sore throat gets worse because if so, I could be trying all of the above.

Do you have any surefire remedies to stop a sore throat and cold in its tracks? Let us know because at this point, we will try anything! Now if you don't trust me and would like to consult someone more official on the web, then hit one of my favorite sites that's chock full of great medical advice...WebMD.

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five on 02/01/2010

Role Mommy Fave Five

Now that we're jumping into the New Year, I wanted to share some of my favorite links of the week to some of the most talented bloggers I've had the great fortune of meeting these last few years. So without further ado, it's time to check out these awesome blogs.

Momspective Fitness Friday Post - want to get a dose of inspiration and motivation, then read Julie Maloney's latest post on her six week EA Sports Active fitness challenge.

Check Out Momspace - offering tips on how to actually keep your New Year's Resolutions this year. As a special bonus, check out this post by former radio host and Momspace TV host, Joey Fortman - heartfelt and powerful at the same time.

The Spice Up Your Love Life Challenge - Gotta love Mominatrix and her new year challenge to get all of us to add a lot more spice into our lives (and I don't mean cinnamon).

Cruise on over to From Hip to Housewife - where the fabulous Nancy Friedman blogs about her life, fabulous finds and even shares her latest secret...she sings too! In fact, she used to be a Bar Mitzvah singer. Gotta love that!

Last but not least, visit Mom in the City and find out about how job elimination turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Plus, Kim shares what she has in store for her readers in 2010...can't wait!

More fabulous fave fives to come!

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five on 01/02/2010

Fave Five Family Flicks

There is nothing that quite compares to a rainy weekend filled with popcorn, M&M's and DVD's of the best family movies of all time. While your list might be different, for me, it's about re-capturing my childhood and reliving it right along with my kids. Check out my fave five and see if you agree. And, if you want to check out my top 10 picks of 2009 movies, then visit me at Lifetime Moms and see if you agree with my selections!

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - Willy Wonka currently tops our fave five list with Gene Wilder as the eccentric candy genius in the 1970's classic musical. Haven't seen the film in a while? Well, if you have a seven year old who was just introduced to the original film at school, you will have the best time kicking back and watching it right along with them. In this clip, Willy Wonka sings "Pure Imagination." Incidentally, when you see the reaction of the kids and adults to the factory, all it took was one take to film that first scene. The bonus features on the DVD share all special Willy Wonka moments.

Big - There are several movies with Tom Hanks that are pure classics...Forrest Gump, Sleepless in Seattle, Saving Private Ryan, but the one that is fun for families with tweens is one of my personal faves, Big. Any time a child gets the chance to be transformed into an adult and then lands the ultimate job as an executive at a toy company, is my kind of movie.

The Sound of Music - Give me Julie Andrews and eight kids dressed in curtains and what you have is pure magic. Okay, there's way more to the film than the outfits. In fact, when I got married I contemplated having the band play "How do Your Solve a Problem like Maria" when I walked down the aisle. I went with another number from Phantom of the Opera, but either way, Sound of Music will forever be one of my all time favorite musical films. Check out this classic movie trailer...

The Wizard of Oz - When it comes to musical movies, nothing comes close to Judy Garland as Dorothy and her fearless and fearful friends, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion and of course, the Scarecrow. When my kids were little, we must have watched the film two dozen times and my son even dressed up as the scarecrow at his third birthday. My husband even played the cowardly line at the party and unfortunately scared a few kids along the way. This year, I am determined to take my kids to see "Wicked" (or I'm going by myself because I've got to get a musical theatre fix stat.) And while I'm waiting on a great deal for tix, I guess I'll pop in the Wizard of Oz and take a trip down memory lane.

Grease - Well, we featured Tom Hanks in our fave five round up so we of course have to conclude the list with Danny Zuko....better known as John Travolta. The original movie, starring Travolta, Olivia Newton John and DiDi Cohn (gotta love that scene in the diner with Frankie Avalon as the Teen Angel), has always been a personal fave of mine and now that my daughter is a tween, it's fun to step back in time and remember the first time I ever saw the film. Come to think of it, I think was younger than she is. Man, do I feel old. Either way, take a look at this classic scene and then get ready to rent or buy.

If you'd like to pick up any of these classic movies (along with one of our bonus picks from 2009), just check out the carousel below!

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five on 12/26/2009

Fave Five Holiday Time Saving Tips

Find more videos like this on Role Mommy

This morning, we got up at the crack before dawn to make an appearance on the WPIX morning news with Tamsen Fadal (love her!) We were on the show to offer time saving tips for the holidays and in case you missed it, we've got the clip above. Or, if you don't have time to watch but want our tips pronto, well, here they are.

Time Saving Tips for the Holidays
1. Shop for groceries online. Who has time to hit the supermarket when you're busy buying a snuggie for your Great Aunt Tilly? Instead, visit my hands down favorite online grocer - Fresh Direct. So why do they win top honors in my book? Simple. Not only can you order prepared meals that are restaurant quality (they've got dishes from Rosa Mexicano, Tabla and more); you can even order meats that are pre-marinated; four minute meals and if you dare to cook from scratch, they've got recipes right on the site that you can add directly to your shopping cart. Best of all, if you order this week between Tuesday-Thursday, delivery is free.

2. Visit parenting blogs for all your holiday gift needs. If you're like me and still haven't started shopping for gifts, no need to fear. Some of the best blogs I know are featuring incredible holiday gift guides. From Cool Mom Picks, to Classy Mommy, Twitter Moms and Lifetime Moms - where 13 blogging moms share their picks on everything from toys to home, beauty and fun (that would be my category). Incidentally, my three favorite picks this year for gifts include:
1. Kids - Scribblenauts for Nintendo DS - a game that requires imagination and spelling - gotta love that one!
2. Your Family - HP Touchsmart Wireless Printer
3. Friends and Family - 1-800 Baskets - I visited the basket factory in Chicago and trust me when I tell you - those gift baskets are gorgeous - they've got everything from wine to chocolate, cheese, crackers, Starbucks coffee and much more. And best of all - it's affordable!

3. Make clean up a breeze - No need to schlep your vacuum up and down the stairs when there's a spill in the living room. Make sure you have the brand new Swiffer WetJet with anti-bacterial solution handy and get your kids in on the act. My kids happen to wrestle over who gets the Swiffer and sometimes, if I have two in the house we hold races to see who finishes first. If only I could teach my cats how to Swiffer too.

4. Make Plans before You Leave Home - the worst thing you can do during the holiday is leave your home without a plan. I always love to check out sites like Mommy Poppins or New York Metroparents for their calendar of events. Instead of hitting all the tourist attractions and being crammed like sardines, we opt for fun alternatives like off-Broadway shows, museums, aquariums and holiday craft fairs. In the burbs, I visit Essential Mom. And when in doubt, there's always moviefone.com.

5. Relax and don't sweat it! I know - better said than done but trust me - if you take some time for yourself, you'll be armed and ready to take on the holiday singlehandedly. Even though my daughter asked me to find 26 dreidels for a class project that was due this morning, I didn't sweat it. Wandered into Papyrus and lo and behold, there was a bucket of dreidels awaiting. Sometimes visualization is key. Obviously, the people who run Papyrus are busy moms.

Enjoy the holiday and don't get stressed!!!

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five, Role Mommy Recommends, see mom run book tour on 12/15/2009

The Role Mommy Fave Five

It's been a crazy week over here at Role Mommy (when isn't it a crazy week), but while we were racing around town, we've compiled a Fave Five that's entertaining, informative and hilarious.

1. Eating Candy Could Turn Your Kid Into A Criminal. This is by far my favorite story of the week. Some researchers were testing kids since 1969 and found that the ones who ate too much candy became hardened criminals moreso than the children who ate a balanced diet. Thank goodness my parents shipped me off to Weight Watchers at 12 - there's no telling where I would be today if they hadn't put an end to the candy insanity.

2. Want to Find High-End Children's Clothing, Baby items and more for a fraction of the cost? Then register today for Totsy.com, an exclusive private "flash sale" site that officially launches on October 7. Two of my favorite mom bloggers, Audrey from Mom Generations and Nicole at Momtrends are the faces of the site and they'll be sharing their top picks on the latest trends and products that are turning heads in the children's fashion and accessories industry. Incidentally, did you know that Nicole used to work at Ralph Lauren and Audrey used to work at Donna Karan? Love that!

3. One of Our Favorite Role Mommies Makes the NY Daily News...I love it when I can flip through my local paper and then Bam! I get to read a profile of one of our contributors to our new humor anthology See Mom Run - Issa at YourSingleParenting and New York City Mamasan. The paper even featured a gorgeous photo of Issa and her son, that was taken at one of our Role Mommy events with celebrity photographer extraordinaire, Jade Albert (photo was in the print version, not online). Go Issa!

4. Fall TV is Back!!! I can't tell you how beyond thrilled I am that my favorite shows are back on TV. I don't know about you, but I was on the edge of my seat this week watching Private Practice. Any time a crazy looney tune performs a c-section on Amy Brenneman, steals the baby and both survive, I've got to say it doesn't get any better than that!

5. The Secret Behind Giveaways! On our latest Role Mommy on the Run and Traveling Mom Show, we gave the secret behind getting lots of comments on your site for giveaways. Listen in and unlock the key to building traffic on your site!

Posted in: Daily Shout Out, Role Mommy Fave Five on 10/03/2009

Role Mommy Fave Five Fantasy Vacations

Now that we're in full back to school mode, yours truly is fantasizing about vacations. In fact, I'm in the process of planning my dad's 70th birthday and we're about to sail the open seas in February to the Caribbean. But while I'm planning the shindig, I've been having fun checking out the places I want to go next. And here's a snapshot of my Fave Five Fantasy vacations.

1. Aruba - I have always wanted to go to Aruba - from the white sandy beaches to the gorgeous ocean views and the perfect weather all year round, one of these days I will finally make it to Aruba. And while I've been surfing the web, I've even found Kid Friendly resorts in Aruba with tons of activities and gorgeous rooms.

2. Hawaii - Another destination on my must vacation list. Once you buy your plane tickets, check out how reasonable these hotels are for families! I think it's cheaper to go to Hawaii then to head to Florida during spring break!!!

3. Dominican Republic - We went to Club Med Punta Cana several years ago with our kids and totally loved it, and since that time, several resorts have popped up that are perfect for families. Plus, the price is right too.

4. Jamaica - Love, love, love Jamaica. Food is amazing, service is unbeatable and the music is amazing! I'm determined to hit the Half Moon resort in Montego Bay next go round because kids under 16 stay for free!!!

5. New York City - Okay - since I live in New York - I don't really need to stay at a hotel but if I do decide to check in, why not feel like an A-lister and book yourself where the celebrities stay? Sure they usually are staying there free of charge (because they're promoting a movie, TV show, or new CD), but why not put on a pair of oversized sunglasses and pretend you're one of the new stars of Real Housewives of NYC (or the Biggest Loser).

Want to hear more about my latest adventures this week? Then listen in and laugh to my latest Blog Talk Radio show with Traveling Mom!

This is a Traveling Mom dedicated post.

Posted in: Role Mommy Fave Five on 09/26/2009

The Role Mommy Fave Five

In between crappy weather and hints of sun, I've been scouring the web looking for five favorite posts relating to summer, travel, beauty, books and more and guess what? I've found them all for your reading pleasure!

1. Summer Travel Tips: If you're still making last minute plans to getaway before school starts, today's USA Weekend has a great feature by Travel Channel's Samantha Brown on 5 Surefire Ways to Get the Most of Your Vacation.

2. Perfect Summer Hair: Humidity making your hair look downright frightening? Have no fear. This summer, thanks to Allure Magazine, we've discovered a brand new trend for your frizzy locks - go get a Brazilian and no, it doesn't involve wax! It's a natural treatment for your hair - it's a little pricey (not as bad as Japanese straightening though) and it will leave your hair straight and gorgeous in any temperature!

3. Fuschia for Me: Anyone interested in sprucing up their mani-pedi? Is Sex on the Beach and Ballet Slippers boring you to tears? While Essie's summer colors are still pretty tame, we decided to brighten up our tootsies this August with Opi's Flashbulb Fuschia. Check out the Bionic Beauty's blog where she give a Sally Hansen bright purple a try and then also shares her pick on the hottest flip flops of the summer - Switchflops! Gotta love a flip flop where you can change the fabric to match your outfit.

4. Blast from the Past: Since we've had really bad weather all summer, we've pretty much seen every movie you can possibly watch with your kids and others that in hindsight, we probably shouldn't have taken them to (can anyone say "Land of the Lost?") This weekend, when it was time to take in "Shorts," I wanted to try something different. It's been more than 20 years since I've been to a drive in movie and I decided to do a little Google-ing and managed to find a Drive in movie theater that was only an hour away from our home. If you live on the east coast and want to take your family to a drive-in, here's the perfect site to find an outdoor theater near you! More on our drive-in movie adventure and review coming up!

5. Great Beach Reads: Now summer would not be complete without a great beach or rainy day read. Here at Role Mommy, we've got several picks of our own, but we managed to also find this article over at About.com that selects great books in every category.

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five on 08/23/2009

The 411 on Family Cruising

Thanks to Traveling Mom, I got the chance to explore the wide world of cruising. And trust me, these days, while the best known cruise lines attract millions of vacationers, there are several luxury liners that are giving families all over the world the experience of a lifetime. So get ready for the 411 on the travel opportunities awaiting you on the open sea...

1. Luxury Cruising with Windstar: While I'm a cruising veteran (I've hit Celebrity, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL to name a few), even lifetime cruisers like me can be introduced to something new and exciting. That's why, I was excited to meet the reps from Windstar, a cruise line offering a one of a kind luxury experience with top of the line food, incredible service, gorgeous staterooms, watersports and ports of call like Costa Rica, Barbados, Rome, Barcelona, Nice, and many more. The Windstar ships are much smaller and can accommodate approximately 300 guests (can anyone say, Role Mommy Retreat?) Plus, if you're expecting, the Windstar also offers "Babymoon" getaways - the chance to set out on one last romantic adventure before your new arrival.

2. Kids Sail Free on MSC! While I had never heard of MSC cruises, I discovered this cruise liner is a hidden gem that offers top of the line sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda and Europe. Since they are owned by a family from Italy, they are committed to high end service and offer Italian style dining options on all their ships. Plus, they have special group rates if you're booking eight staterooms or more; a Balinese spa and private butler if you're traveling with more than 100 guests, and theme weeks like All-Star Baseball cruising. Plus, they've got great gaming options for the kids too including miniature golf, swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, an Internet Cafe, and an outdoor cinema!

3. Costa Cruises - If my kids were meeting with the reps from Costa Cruises, they would have had them at playstations. For me it was the gorgeous staterooms, a menu that's to-die for, and destinations that are definitely on my must-visit list- the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Caribbean and now...cruises that leave out of New York and hit New England and Quebec! While Costa Cruises is best known as a European luxury liner, they cater to families from dozens of countries and they say, when you put two kids in front of a playstation, those language barriers instantly disappear. Oh and did I mention the incredibly reasonable prices?

4. Cruising to Europe is Less Expensive According to Bob Sharak, Executive Vice President and CMO of the Cruise Line International Association, traveling to destinations like Italy, France and Spain is actually less expensive than booking hotels in those cities. While you still may go for pasta in Rome, the rest of your food is taken care of onboard, plus you can arrange all your land excursions on the ship and then return in the evenings to dine, dance, and relax!

5. Prone to Seasickness? Try a Riverboat Cruise! While most ships these days are like floating hotels (you barely feel like you're actually at sea), if you're afraid you might lose the midnight buffet aboard a rocking cruise ship, there are patches or bands for cruisers with weak stomachs. Or, according to Bob Sharak, why not try the latest travel option....Riverboat Cruising! Today, there are boats that can literally take you through the rivers of Europe and dock right on land. Which means, the moment they set down that anchor, you can walk off the ship, hit a bistro, shop or go sightseeing.

For more information on cruising with your family, check out this video!

The 411 on Family Cruising from Beth Feldman on Vimeo.

Posted in: Blog, Role Mommy Fave Five, Role Mommy Recommends on 08/04/2009

The Parentville Fave Five

That Was Easy!

Even though Summer's supposed to be relaxing, I find myself running from work to home, to activities for my daughter, straight into Friday night packing for a weekend trip. So if you're like me, you don't have time to worry about cleaning up messes and anything that takes a long time. Here are some simple solutions:

Ultimate Crib Sheet

When your baby is sick, spits up, or just plain leaks through her diaper - this is a wonderful waterproof sheet (cotton on top) that snaps around your crib rails on top of the regular sheet. Buy two so that when one gets soiled, you can just throw it in the wash and snap another on.

Nomie Baby Car Seat Cover

I don't know about you, but my former preemie was a big fan of spitting up in the car - all over her seat. Note to self: (Do not have your kid travel with good clothes on.) And I was in shock that my Britax Marathon car seat cover said: "do not machine wash"! I was leaning over a bathtub trying to disassemble and wash each horribly smelling piece. Thanks to Katie Danziger at Nomie Baby, her waterproof, machine-washable car seat cover (in 5 colors) really solves the trick. It fits most standard car seats by putting the straps through holes and closing up with velcro.

The Snack Trap

This is a wonderful way to save on snack cleanup and give your kid some independence. This cup has a special lid that allows your toddler to take out a small snack but not dump them all out on your floor or in your car. It doesn't prevent crumbs from falling out, but Cheerios and the like stay put! The cup can also be used to drink, and it's dishwasher-safe (though not the lid). It also comes with a cover (sold separately) to keep closed while in your diaper bag. I'd buy an extra lid, since it can get stretched out from overuse!

Avent Formula Dispenser / Snack Cup

I've used this since my baby was 6 months old. This BPA-free cup already has 3 pre-measured, 9-oz. sections for formula or snacks. Simply turn the top to get to the right section, and open the spout! It's dishwasher, sterilizer/microwave safe, and you can take out the sectioned cup to find a larger cup for single formula or snack purposes. This is great for travel, plus, I put three different snacks in it so she's learning how to make choices.

KidCo Adjustable Locking Strap

I can't tell you how many times I have been to the baby store to return kid cabinet locks - too many to count. Every time I tried one, it didn't work for my cabinets, and I didn't want to start putting holes and screws through them. Then I found this - it's so easy and painless! You just paste on both doors, adjust to desired length, close and clip the extra strap off. To open, just squeeze top and bottom buttons together.

Posted in: Daily Shout Out, Role Mommy Fave Five, The Parentville Fave Five on 07/20/2009

The Busy Moms Fave Five

We know you're swamped and while you may want to read something interesting, who has time to thumb through a magazine? We've got your solution. We're showcasing some of our talented moms in the Role Mommy community who have been sharing their personal expertise and prose on on our site and we've also uncovered some fab finds of our own! Get ready to be inspired, informed and entertained!

1. In her essay On Palin and My Public Apology, My Work Butterfly.com Co-founder Bradi Nathan offers up a public apology to a member of her community after she shared her true feelings on the Michael Jackson memorial hoopla and she also weighs in on Sarah Palin's resignation. It's a high charged essay you won't want to miss!

2. Struggling with Arthritis? Well, Melinda Winner has just written a book about how to cope. She shares her story as well as tips from her new book, Cooking with Arthritis on the Role Mommy blog.

3. Are you a parent of a twin and struggling to decide whether to enroll them in school together? Well author Kathryn Whitely shares this top 10 list on the reasons you should.

4. Wear Yellow and Get into Madame Tussauds for Free!!! Live in the tri-state area and struggling to figure out what to do with your child during the dog days of summer? Well, Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum has just unveiled a new exhibit featuring one of the most favorite Nickelodeon characters of all time! To celebrate the launch of its newest wax figure - SpongeBob SquarePants - Madame Tussauds New York will offer kids 12 and under FREE admission, if their family comes to the attraction dressed in yellow, from Wednesday, July 15 - Friday, July 31, 2009, Madame Tussauds New York, 234 West 42nd Street (b/w 7th & 8th Aves.), Manhattan. SpongeBob is the first animated character to receive a figure made entirely of wax by Madame Tussauds, which worked with Nickelodeon to create the figure in honor of the SpongeBob's 10th anniversary.

5. If you're like me and spend the day surfing the web while working, then you are definitely going to want to try out ThisMoment - a new site that instantly enables you to load photos, video and your own words as you share a personal story of a special moment in your life. Blogger and entrepreneur extraordinaire Ciaran Blumenfeld recently shared her ThisMoment story in anticipation of the upcoming Swiffer SocialLuxe Lounge red carpet style event next week in Chicago, and I was instantly hooked!

Posted in: Role Mommy Fave Five on 07/15/2009

Older Entries

07/12/2009: 2009 Summer Beach Reads

07/06/2009: The Entertainment Fave Five

07/01/2009: The Parentville Fave Five

06/28/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five

06/26/2009: The Michael Jackson Fave Five

06/22/2009: The Parentville Fave Five

06/16/2009: The Parentville Fave Five

06/14/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five

06/07/2009: The Parentville.com Fave Five

06/04/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five

05/22/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five

05/18/2009: Mom Blogger Buzz

05/12/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five

05/07/2009: The Find's Top 10 Gifts for Mothers Day

05/02/2009: Role Mommy Fave Five

04/24/2009: The Friday Fave Five

04/19/2009: The Earth Day Fave Five

04/15/2009: The Role Mommy Fave Five for Kids

04/10/2009: The Friday Fave Five

04/08/2009: The Passover Fave Five

04/06/2009: The "This Economy Blows" Fave Five