Nostalgia alert! It’s time to go back in time and pay some serious homage to your fave Thursday night “friends.” Beauty brand Makeup Revolution just added to its already can’t-miss line of Friends themed products!
The Revolution x Friends line now includes eye shadow palettes based on your fave characters, lipstick kits, sheet masks, a Lobster mirror and even a Joey Ichiban Lipstick for Men.
Each eye shadow palette ($12) comes with nine shades, all with notable names that feature the boys. The Ross palette features the My Sandwich, Leather Pants, Break, White Teeth, Dinosaur, Fossil, Juice Box, Keyboard and Unagi shadows.
The Joey includes Joey (of course), Dr. Drake, Mary Angela, Nap Partner, Trifle, Turkey, Bamboozled, Tribbiani and JR. Chandler’s palette’s shadows include Hello Mr. Bing, Tulsa, Bigger Boat, Hypnosis, The Box, Cups, Eddie, Jack and Erica. As if the three new palettes aren’t enough, you can also nab the I’ll Be There for You 18-piece shadow set ($18).
The boys don’t get all the fun in this collection. The new lip kits ($12) are named after the girls, with a Rachel, Monica and Phoebe. Check out the full line of Revolution x Friends beauty buys at Ulta online and in stores nationwide, or online from Makeup Revolution.
Many toddlers have speech delays. But sometimes, a speech delay is a symptom of something bigger—like autism.
Back in the late 1990s when my first-born son, Lucas, was diagnosed with autism, the rate was 1 in 500. Today autism is diagnosed in approximately 1 in 50 children. And 1 in every 6 children in the US is diagnosed with a developmental disorder including autism, ADHD, speech disorders, and learning disabilities.
Symptoms of these developmental disorders can look similar in very young children. So if you’re concerned about delays in a toddler, you are not alone.
Lucas started showing signs of autism shortly after his first birthday and was eventually diagnosed with autism the day before he turned three in 1999. Since then, I transformed from a confused parent to a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, online course creator, and best-selling author of two books including my latest: Turn Autism Around: An Action Guide for Parents of Young Children with Early Signs of Autism.
While I can’t diagnose autism, I have extensive training and experience in looking for early signs of autism versus “just” a speech delay in young children. And no matter what the diagnosis is or might be in the future, there is a lot you can do starting today to help catch your child up as much as possible.
Here are some skills and deficits to consider when trying to determine if it might be autism:
Speech Delays
Children with speech delays and those who have a diagnosis of autism have delays with expressive language or talking. For babies, they may not babble and reach their arms up to indicate they want to be held. By 12 or 18 months of age, toddlers might not use words or they might label numbers and letters but not say more functional words such as mama or juice. And for preschoolers, they may not talk in two-and three-word phrases and eventually in sentences.
Receptive Language Delays
Children who are delayed with talking can also be delayed with understanding language or have a receptive language delay. If a child isn’t talking as much as is expected but also doesn’t follow simple directions to touch their head or get their shoes, it’s probably a mixed expressive-receptive language delay which is more concerning to professionals who diagnose autism.
Pointing
I never realized how important pointing was, but it’s a critical gesture. By about 18 months of age, children should be pointing with their index finger for things that they want like juice or a toy and also pointing to get your attention to look in the sky, for example, when an airplane flies overhead.
Play & Imitation
In addition to looking at pointing and language skills, it’s also important to assess play and imitation skills. Does your child play with a variety of toys or is he focused on one object or toy? Is your child’s play repetitive? For instance, does your child spend a long time stacking blocks, spinning things, or lining up objects over and over? And finally, since young children learn language and play skills through imitation, we need to assess imitation skills. If these imitation skills are delayed or absent, this could be a sign of autism.
The Good News
Regardless if your child is delayed only in expressive language or if he is already diagnosed with severe autism, you as a parent can learn to detect and treat delays and help your child to catch up as much as possible.
In my book, I share the 4-step child-friendly system I’ve developed over the last two decades based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior. My goal is to empower parents to learn proven strategies to help their children talk or talk more, decrease tantrums and improve sleep, eating, and potty training. You can also use the strategies in the book to teach pointing, imitation, play, and social skills.
Now that you know the early warning signs of autism and you also know that a roadmap is available, it’s time to start turning things around for your child. There’s no need to wait, worry, or panic. You have the power to change the trajectory of your child’s life, starting today!
Dr. Mary Barbera is a mom to a son with autism and is also a behavior analyst and best-selling author. In her latest book, Turn Autism Around, Mary teaches parents how to use simple but proven strategies to increase language and decrease tantrums in children with autism or speech delays.
It’s challenging enough to get the meals you loved before the pandemic. And, if your family, or members of your family are vegetarian or vegan, it may seem next to impossible. The good news is that several local restaurants are offering both vegetarian and vegan dishes for delivery or pickup! Before you decide on your next dinner, read on to find out more.
photo: via pexels
Tiny Moreso
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Tiny Moreso stepped their efforts up and started offering meals for pickup and delivery. They have an amazing menue which features smoothie kids, vegan cheesecake, vegan bowls and so much more. Check out the website to find out the rules and delivery days and times.
This lovely little spot is offering free juice delivery to all of Portland. As if we needed another reason to love them! Order up their cold-pressed juices, vegan cheeses, gluten-free granola, and nut milks to keep your family nourished and healthy through these trying times! Even the non-vegans in the family will love them.
If you love supporting woman-owned, Portland-based businesses, then you’ll want to get your breakfast from this awesome eatery. It specializes in artisan vegan donuts and ice creams, made from scratch with local, fresh and sometimes usual ingredients. We think you’ll love their strawberry rhubarb fritter, salted tahini donut and the pineapple pizza (it’s sweet and savory with fresh pineapple glaze, tomato chutney, Brazil nut parmesan, and red pepper flakes.). Or indulge in their salted vanilla bean ice cream.
They say that eating one of their bowls is like eating a hug. We do not disagree. One of the most nourishing dishes in town, all bowls are nut, gluten, wheat, hydrogenated oil and guilt free and come with brown rice, black and red beans, avocado, cilantro, black olives, Tillamook cheddar, sour cream, salsa and Tali Sauce. Be careful, they are addictive! They come in Bambino or Big Bowl sizes and you can order them either fully loaded (vegetarian) or veganized! The NW 23rd, Hawthorne, North Portland, and Hollywood locations are open for takeout. And families can also order bowls for delivery through Caviar and bike couriers.
Who doesn’t love a tasty grilled cheese sandwich? This vegan grilled cheese food cart located in the parking lot of Jet Black Coffee Company, is accepting online and call-in orders curbside pickup. We suggest The Teddy with it’s three cheeses all melted on toast. If you want more, try The Jon with basil ricotta, smoked provolone, grilled mushrooms and potato chips!
This local favorite is open for orders with limited hours: 1 to 9 p.m. You can choose from a variety of pies with fun names like the Chalupa Batman, El’ Guapo, and Brother Wilton. There is also a variety of salads to choose from to accompany your slice. Good news, they have options just for kids too!
Every year the grocery tallies the best and brightest products voted on by local customers and this year’s 12th edition has it all. From repeat winners to newbies on the block, keep reading to see the hottest goodies you won’t want to miss.
Imagine walking down the grocery aisle and seeing your child’s artwork on the shelves. Now Juicy Juice is offering a way to make that come true. The Happy Artist Contest gives kids the chance to see their drawings on juice packs nationwide.
To participate, parents can submit their child’s drawing of what makes them 100% happy through Feb. 28. Visit JuicyJuice.com/HappyArtist to download and print the contest design template
“This year more than ever, it’s important for moms and dads to have activities at their fingertips while many are continuing to spend time close to home,” said Ilene Bergenfeld, Chief Marketing Officer at Harvest Hill Beverage Company. “Taking time to reflect on what makes us 100% happy adds another layer of fun to a simple at-home activity, like drawing, and promotes kids’ creative thinking in a new, artistic way.”
A panel of judges will collaborate and select the winners based on criteria including design and technique, originality and consistency with the 100% happy theme. Winners will be announced on March 15. Participants can visit JuicyJuice.com for official rules and regulations.
Four grand prize winners will have the chance to see their artwork featured on Juicy Juice packs and receive a $500 gift card to go towards art supplies and empowering creativity at home. An additional ten first prize winners will receive a $200 gift card to upgrade their at-home art materials. Some tips for little artists’ parents to know:
Stay inside the lines – the template is sized accordingly to Juicy Juice’s packaging.
Markers, crayons, colored pencils are all accepted, and the more color the better!
Artists of any ability and skill level are welcome to participate.
Judging is based on two age group categories: 2 – 6 and 7 – 10.
For more inspiration and ideas for staying engaged and entertained while at home, follow Juicy Juice on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The pandemic has brought about some unique shopping trends this year, and while sales of toilet paper may have calmed down slightly, Instacart has shared some other trends that continue to thrive.
In a new report, the grocery delivery company has found that Americans are prepping for the winter months by stocking up on pantry, freezer, home supply staples, vitamins, supplements and of course, disinfectants. All in all, the trends are not surprising given the impending flu season and America’s battle with the coronavirus.
Instacart Insights have demonstrated that people are looking for immune boosting products, with searches for products like “Vitamin D” and “Emergen-C” skyrocketing from 2019. Ironically, searches for over-the-counter medicine has dropped by 35 percent from last year. Instacart credits the likely surge of pandemic stockpiling as the culprit, with many American’s having a well-stocked medicine cabinet and no need for more products.
In a new twist, Pine-Sol sales have increased by 98%, likely due to the EPA approving the product as a COVID-19 disinfectant. So what’s the deal with toilet paper? Instacart reports that TP is once again seeing surge in searches, meaning folks are concerned of a shortage and craving a stockpile again.
And finally, searches for products like chicken broth, frozen veggies, oatmeal, juice, and crackers are trending upwards as we head into colder months. Are these indicators of a fear as we settle into the pandemic even further, or just preparation for chilly nights and flu season? We’ll have to wait and see!
Are are looking for that last sip of summer before everything is pumpkin spice flavored/ Starbucks is now offering two new vibrant green drinks, the Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage and the Star Drink. Both are joining the permanent menu at locations across the U. S. after a successful launch in Canada earlier this year.
New Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage
The Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage is a tropical combination of starfruit flavored juice and real kiwi pieces, hand-shaken with ice. With less than 100 calories in a Grande (16 fl. oz. beverage), the Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers joins the Starbucks Refreshers platform, alongside customer-favorites Strawberry Açaí Starbucks Refreshers, Very Berry Hibiscus Starbucks Refreshers and Mango Dragonfruit Starbucks Refreshers.
New Star Drink
The Star Drink adds coconutmilk to our new Kiwi Starfruit Starbucks Refreshers Beverage for a creamy and refreshing sip that’s under 200 calories in a Grande (16 fl. oz. beverage). Now on the permanent menu alongside other creamy customer favorites like the Pink Drink, Violet Drink and Dragon Drink.
Customers can use the Starbucks App to find a store nearby, order ahead and have contactless payment. And for those who want their favorite Starbucks drinks and food without leaving home there is always Starbucks Delivers.
Another way to enjoy the final moments of the summer season is with a new, colorful cold cup or tumbler. Now through August 24, customers can enjoy 30% off their purchase of summer-inspired drinkware and merchandise. To learn more about the new Starbucks food and beverage menu items available in U.S. stores, visit www.starbucks.com/menu/featured.
Summertime means lemonade. Unfortunately due to social distancing guidelines, lemonade stands across the country are closed. To help the smallest of small businesses, kids’ lemonade stands, Country Time is launching the Littlest Bailout Relief Fund, a fund to send stimulus checks to kids who had to close their lemonade stands due to COVID-19.
“The small business government bailouts helped some not-so-small companies and Country Time hopes to help a real small business near and dear to us – lemonade stands”
The Country Time Bailout Relief Fund will send stimulus checks to help kids preserve the values of lemonade stands, honest work and entrepreneurship, while putting a little juice back into the economy. For a chance to receive Country Time Bailout Relief funds, simply visit www.countrytimebailout.com and apply for a bailout check. Check your email to find out if you have been randomly selected to receive a bailout, which will come in the form of a commemorative check in the mail and a prepaid gift card by email.
country-time-giving-money-kids-lemonade-stands-closedand can be saved, or better yet, spent to help invest in the local economy.
“The small business government bailouts helped some not-so-small companies and Country Time hopes to help a real small business near and dear to us – lemonade stands,” says Andrew Deckert of Country Time, “Country Time has a history of helping lemonade stands when they are in trouble, like stepping in to pay for permit fees and fines, and this year is no different. Due to social distancing guidelines, lemonade stands aren’t what they used to be, and we want to help kids foster their entrepreneurial spirit by offering a small relief to those who can’t operate their lemonade stands this summer.”
The Littlest Bailout comes after Country Time launched Legal-Ade in 2018, which helped kids across the country pay permit fees and fines on their lemonade stands due to outdated permit laws. Legal-Ade prompted legislation in several states across the country, including Colorado and Texas, to legalize lemonade stands by excluding them from businesses that need a permit to operate. This year, Country Time will continue helping kids and their lemonade stands to ensure even the smallest of businesses can keep their entrepreneurial dreams alive. So, when life gives you social distancing, make lemonade.
Mother’s Day is this weekend! If you’ve found yourself on the homestretch without a gift in hand, then you’ll want to keep reading. From homemade cards and artistic activities to buildable bouquets, these last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas will save the day.
If you want to make Mother’s Day extra memorable, you can’t go wrong with a homemade card! Since we know moms go gaga for all things heartfelt and handmade, we’ve rounded up the easiest, cutest DIY cards that kids can whip up themselves. Click here for 22 ideas that are sure to make Mom smile.
Build a Bouquet That Lasts a Lifetime
LEGOLAND Resort
Brought to you by a Master Model Builder, Tim Sams shows kids the how-to on building a flower for Mother’s Day! Kids will use LEGO bricks and can can be combined with other LEGO flowers. No need to add water, this bouquet will last for years to come. Head over the the LEGOLAND website to get the tutorial on this Mother's Day activity, and be sure to check out the rest of the Building Challenge website, too!
As part of its ongoing initiative to help families create Magic Moments at home, Disney is also sharing new activities––and a special Mother’s Day one you won’t want to miss. shopDisney’s Magic Moments Activities page is offeringf a new Disney Coupons download! The freebie includes 10 unique coupons featuring your favorite Disney characters, like Olaf, Belle and Mickey Mouse. You can find all the details here.
Send a Mother's Day Secret Message
CMOM
Create your Mother’s Day card by printing out and filling in our template, or use the step by step instructions to design your own! Check out how to set up your own card here.
It’s the perfect time to help your kiddos make a craft to show Mom how much they love her. We’ve rounded up a list of easy paper crafts that kids can make themselves, from tissue paper flowers to patterned notebooks.
Tender, moist and delicious cupcakes with hidden veggies. Perfect for a morning birthday party or anytime you want to sneak in some extra veggies! They will never know…not to mention that ALL natural colored light and airy whipped frosting. What?!
Makes 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
Cupcakes:
1 cup sorghum flour
¼ cup potato starch (not the same as potato flour)
¼ cup tapioca starch (same as tapioca flour)
1 ½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
3 ounces vegan dark chocolate (85% dark or more)
½ cup coconut butter (room temperature)
1 ½ cups date paste
½ cup full fat coconut milk mixed with 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar (makes a vegan buttermilk)
½ cup finely grated zucchini
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Purple Whipped Frosting:
2 tablespoons very cold date paste
top cream layer of 1 can full fat coconut milk (stored in refrigerator for 2-3 days or freezer for 2-3 hours)
1-2 tablespoons juice from frozen blueberries (depending on how dark you want it)
Note from the chef:I made many trials to get the consistency I wanted with these cupcakes, using a variety of flours that would make them nut free but still use a flour with some health benefits, along with being very soft, fluffy and moist. The measuring method I used was to spoon the flours into the measuring container then even it out with a knife. If you pack in the flour you may get a different result. Also, take note that the ingredients for the frosting, except the blueberry juice, are also in the cupcake recipe. Just measure out enough for both when measuring those ingredients. You can buy coconut butter or make it yourself by purely blending unsweetened, preferably not dehydrated, shredded or flaked coconut in a food processor or blender. It takes a while but will eventually turn into smooth coconut butter. There are many sources for directions online. The coconut milk I used was the Thai Kitchen brand. Although it has some guar gum in it, which isn’t my favorite, it is high in fat and creamier than most other brands out there. Make sure the coconut milk and date paste are very cold for the whipped frosting. The very cold date paste helps maintain the structure of the frosting.
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix together coconut milk and vinegar to allow it to settle into a buttermilk and set aside. Make date paste if you haven’t, put 2 tablespoons in the freezer to get very cold for the frosting.
2. Combine flours, baking soda and salt in a bowl and set aside. Make sure you break up any clumps, using a whisk works well.
3. In a small bowl melt the dark chocolate with the coconut butter, making sure to melt slowly so you don’t burn it, and mix well. If using the microwave, melt for 30 seconds, then in 10 second increments until fully melted. It took me about 45 seconds. Once melted, add it with the date paste into a large bowl and using a stand or hand mixer, whip until mixed well. Add in “buttermilk,” zucchini and vanilla extract and whip again.
4. Using the paddle attachment on your stand mixer or a spoon, mix in dry ingredients putting in half first, then the rest. Make sure everything is combined well.
5. Place large spoonfuls of the batter into muffin tins lined with baking cups. Fill to just below the top of the cup. I use foil baking cups as they don’t stick like paper does. I also smoothed the batter down on the top by using a moistened finger, this helps them rise evenly as they bake.
6. Bake at 350 for 21 minutes. Depending on your oven, your baking time may vary by a minute or two. Start checking them at 17 minutes and take out when the tops begin to get firm and have a spring to the touch. Let cool in the muffin tins for about 10 minutes. Once cool to the touch, remove and continue cooling on racks until completely cool, about an hour.
7. While cupcakes are baking, take about ½ cup frozen blueberries and defrost enough to be able to squeeze the juice out of them. You still want them cold, if they are warm it will affect the structure of the frosting. If you accidentally get them too warm, just put the juice in the freezer to get cold before putting it in the frosting. Make frosting by placing all ingredients into a large bowl and whipping well using stand or hand mixer. Keep whipping until light and fluffy. The frosting will come out best if both the coconut cream and date paste are very cold. A few hours in the freezer works best. You want it just before it freezes.
8. After cupcakes are cooled, put frosting in a plastic bag, cut off a bit of the corner and squeeze out to frost each cupcake. Enjoy! It’s best to frost right before you eat them because the frosting will soften if it’s too warm outside. If storing, store in the fridge to maintain the frosting.
Sophia DeSantis is the author of Veggies Don’t Bite, a vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free food blog targeted to all types of eaters. She is the mom of two beautiful boys and wife to an amazing husband. Her and her family live a vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free life 90% of the time because she believes that the stress of having to be perfect shouldn’t overpower the benefits that their healthy lifestyle brings. Through her website, she hopes to reach anybody interested in making a positive health change in their life.
