mom hacks Archives - now & gen https://nowandgen.com/tag/mom-hacks/ Wed, 28 Oct 2020 18:00:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.9 https://nowandgen.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/cropped-now-and-gen_logo-1-32x32.png mom hacks Archives - now & gen https://nowandgen.com/tag/mom-hacks/ 32 32 A Guide to Brushing Up on Life Skills https://nowandgen.com/2020/10/28/a-guide-to-brushing-up-on-life-skills/ https://nowandgen.com/2020/10/28/a-guide-to-brushing-up-on-life-skills/#comments Wed, 28 Oct 2020 17:52:33 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=5973 Read an excerpt from The Little Book of Life Skills and find out how to give yourself the perfect blowout, prepare for a workout, and prep for cooking dinner.

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2020/10/28/a-guide-to-brushing-up-on-life-skills/feed/ 3 My Guide To Hacking The Holidays With Mastercard On File https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/#comments Sun, 23 Dec 2018 20:08:15 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=3424 You know that person who has all their Christmas cards sent, gifts bought and presents wrapped to perfection under the tree by the first week of December? Um, yeah…that is NOT me. I wish it were. I so want to be that person who doesn’t procrastinate and gets the holiday prep done way ahead of schedule, but every year the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas feel shorter and shorter. I’m always scrambling to get it all done, despite my best intentions. One thing I am good at: Improvisation. Life with three kids under six is anything but predictable and I try to approach the holidays with a flexible mindset. Accepting that my best-laid plans might fall apart from the outset puts less strain on everyone. And it makes it easier to roll with the chaos and come up with a plan b (or c) when things don’t go as expected. I also keep my Mastercard saved in all of my favorite apps that help me “mom-hack” life. Sounds like a small thing, but being able to check items off my to-do list and solve unexpected problems with the click of a button can be huge—especially in a week where all […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/12/23/my-guide-to-hacking-the-holidays-with-mastercard-on-file/feed/ 2 Scary-Easy Halloween Recipes https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/26/scary-easy-halloween-recipes/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/26/scary-easy-halloween-recipes/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2018 06:00:39 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=2884 I love the idea of a DIY Halloween party, of Martha Stewart-ing every last detail of my kids’ favorite holiday. But the sad truth is: I’m kinda terrible at it. I can admire a curated Pinterest board of perfectly decorated spider cupcakes and handmade costumes as much as the next mom, but “craftsy” is not a word I’d use to describe myself. Unfortunately for me, my kids are begging for all things Halloween-themed right now… I decided to try out a couple of seemingly easy DIY Halloween recipes that I thought even a craftily challenged mom like myself could pull off. Well, as you’ll see, my results wouldn’t exactly make anyone’s Pinterest board. The snacks still made my kids’ day though, which is really the most important thing. Shep and I had the best time playing in the kitchen together—and laughing my missteps. I love that these moments with my kids never fail to remind me what the holidays are really about. If you’d like to give them a go, the “recipes” don’t require a lot of tools. All you need are a couple of cookie cutters, and you’re ready to go. And I even added my own little “Not-So-Pro […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/26/scary-easy-halloween-recipes/feed/ 6 My Secrets To Self-Care https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/23/my-secrets-to-self-care/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/23/my-secrets-to-self-care/#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2018 19:06:12 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=2863 “Self care” is a buzzword that people toss around a lot these days—and for good reason. While it’s never easy to find “me” time, everything feels different when I do. I am happier, I’m more focused, I’m a better mom, a better friend and I’m a better wife. To me, “self-care” equals self-worth. Investing in ourselves builds self-esteem and confidence—and it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as we think. Small, simple steps each day can lead to surprisingly big changes in the way we feel. Here are my favorite, affordable ways to practice self-care. What does self-care look like to you? Getting Lit: I share my monthly Lit Lists with you guys because reading has always been a big part of my life and I try to read for at least 30 minutes a day. Tip: If you don’t think you have the time, try reaching for a book the next time you’re itching for your smartphone. (I was surprised by how much more reading time I had when I stopped religiously scrolling my social media feeds!) Whether you’re reading for an escape or a way to stay informed, flipping through the pages of a book always feels like […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/23/my-secrets-to-self-care/feed/ 8 Happy Hour: Fall for This Spiked Mulled Cider https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/19/happy-hour-fall-for-this-spiked-mulled-apple-cider/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/19/happy-hour-fall-for-this-spiked-mulled-apple-cider/#comments Fri, 19 Oct 2018 20:39:37 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=2819 Nothing says fall like apples—especially mulled apple cider spiked with bourbon. This is my go-to autumn cocktail. It’s insanely easy to make, perfect for big gatherings and its warm spices make my house smell ahh-mazing. We’re having a bunch of families over before we commence trick-or-treating this year and I’m already planning to have a pot of this stuff on hand. Simply heat up the apple cider in a slow cooker or stockpot with the spices. All the kids can drink it as is and the grown-ups can add a little kick to their mug as needed. Pro tip (er, confession): We sometimes take one to-go in a coffee thermos for a cozy Trick-or-Treat roadie. It’s good way to stay warm—responsibly, of course!—as we trek from house to house.   Kentucky Mulled Cider Ingredients: Apple cider Dash of cinnamon Dash of nutmeg 1¼ oz of your favorite bourbon Cinnamon stick or star anise pod Orange peel strip Warm the apple cider over low heat, stirring in the cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour the bourbon into your favorite cup, then top with the warm spiced cider. Add a cinnamon stick or star anise pod. Twist the orange peel strip to release its […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/10/19/happy-hour-fall-for-this-spiked-mulled-apple-cider/feed/ 13 Workout Gear for Every Sweat Session https://nowandgen.com/2018/09/27/workout-gear-for-every-sweat-session/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/09/27/workout-gear-for-every-sweat-session/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2018 03:28:55 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=2629 If you’ve read Now & Gen for a while, you know that one of my favorite ways to blow off steam is breaking a sweat. But a workout doesn’t necessarily even have to mean hitting the gym: Carving out some time for physical activity can mean a brisk walk outside with my husband, a yoga class to clear my mind or even chasing around after the kids on our bikes. After I’ve had a good workout, my stress levels are way down and I instantly feel better. Because it’s okay to take some time for yourself doing something you love to do, and the rush of endorphins I get helps me to focus on my family and work and everything else I have going on outside the gym. Because exercise is such an important part of my life, I’ve pulled together some of my favorite new workout gear. What’s your favorite way to break a sweat? Let me know in the comments below! For Outdoor Play: Outdoor Voices Exercise Dress This dress is like a second skin, so I throw it on just about anytime I’m running outside to play catch or kick around a soccer ball with the kids. […]

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]]> https://nowandgen.com/2018/09/27/workout-gear-for-every-sweat-session/feed/ 7 Quick Family Meals for Busy Parents: Blue Apron’s Meal Delivery Service to Save the Day! https://nowandgen.com/2018/02/13/blue-apron-save-day/ https://nowandgen.com/2018/02/13/blue-apron-save-day/#comments Tue, 13 Feb 2018 00:05:03 +0000 https://nowandgen.com/?p=1598 Listen up, busy bees… I’m partnering up with Blue Apron to give your kitchens something exciting! When you are as busy as I am, sometimes the simplest tasks can be difficult to do. (There are days when I forget to wash my face…yes, it happens!). The hardest part of being on-the-go? Skimping on dinner. I truly love to cook, and being able to make a healthy meal brings me such joy, but lately, it has been hard to dine “homemade.” Spending time at the grocery store and scouring mouthwatering recipes online are often out of the reach of my schedule. So, cue Blue Apron, the meal delivery service that has absolutely, 100% saved my dinner game. I first heard about this service through friends who’ve been on their Blue Apron kicks for several years now, and all they’ve ever done is rave about it. How does it work? Every week, Blue Apron sends a box of fresh ingredients and recipe cards to make a delicious meal for two or four people in under an hour. The days of crumpled grocery lists and endless market lines are no longer! Blue Apron means no more takeout–a blessing for our tummies and our […]

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