Month: December 2016

How “Your Alternate Me” Came to Be

I wrote this book to help my 7-year-old self.   Really.   If I’m being completely honest, I have to admit that at that age I was an emotional eggshell, my psyche easily prone to cracking under any form of criticism or adversity. A few examples I vividly remember that very year:   – Breaking my classmate’s pencil in half in a fit of overly-dramatic retaliation for teasing me about having a crush on a girl (which was 100% true)…only to find out he had borrowed said pencil from our teacher.   – Being overwhelmed by frustration caused by procrastination (that was caused by perfectionism) in organizing my thoughts to complete an otherwise straight-forward book report.   – In spite of testing into the highest-level math group, feeling like a...

Why I’d Rather Get Mauled by a Bear than Get a Bear at the Mall (theoretically)

During the holiday rush, I was asked what I have against shopping malls. “What are you, some kind of commie?” “You have something against capitalism?!” “Don’t you know that malls are what make the world go round?!” My answers: 1) Stay on topic 2) Sort of, but we’re talking about my aversion to MALLS 3) Isn’t that taught in seventh grade science? So let’s examine my mall issues, shall we? I’m not against buying/selling/trading or eating greasy hot dogs on a stick for that matter. Sure, I prefer to buy my Steve Madden platforms online, but that’s just laziness, not fear. Malls are fine. Overpriced, but fine. I don’t even mind the occasional “Excuse me but would you like to sign up for Cricket and receive a fr...

The Ambition Interviews: You Go, Girl!

The Atlantic has debuted The Ambition Interviews, a fascinating– relatable– new series that explores the diverging paths of women’s ambitions after they leave college through first person accounts. The series of resulting essays paints a picture of the variety of paths taken by nearly 40 women from the same sorority who graduated from Northwestern in 1993; women who by all measures had the means, smarts, etc. to “make it.” Nearly 25 years after they graduated, the group breaks roughly into thirds: one group of women who prioritized career, and to do so had their partners take on more of the childcare; a second group who balanced work and family, and as a result always feels the struggle; and a third who were mostly stay at home moms.   The authors’ most strikin...

Funny Confessions of a Jewish Child at Christmas

With the chocolate money festival (Hanukkah) upon us, it is time to reminisce about growing up in northern Jew Jersey.  Back in the 70’s Hanukkah was a burgeoning holiday for jealous Jewish children begging their parents for presents.  My father reiterated time and again how Hanukkah was not traditionally a gift giving holiday and the rise in commercialism was merely a competition against Christmas in which our family would not participate.  I took that to mean he was cheap.   One night when I was in fourth grade, my father mumbled a prayer in what I believed to be fake Hebrew over the electric menorah in our kitchen.  He then handed me a small wrapped present.  My nagging and crying about being a deprived Jewish child had paid off!  My first Rubix cube w...

Denver New Year’s Eve Fireworks, Parties, and Fun

Here are some great ideas for celebrating New Year’s Eve from Visit Denver.  Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Celebrations NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS IN DENVER WHEN: Dec. 31, 2016 (9 p.m. and midnight) WHERE: Downtown Denver The sky will once again sparkle over the 16th Street Mall at the close of 2016 with the New Year’s Eve Fireworks Downtown. The two spectacular fireworks shows will occur at 9 p.m. and midnight. For the best viewpoints, stand along the 16th Street Mall. Costumed entertainers will interact with crowds between shows, including magicians, mascots, balloon artists, stilt walkers, comedians and more. Please note, between 8 p.m. and 1 a.m., RTD Light Rail trains will not cross the 16th Street Mall and mall ride shuttles will stop t...

Puerto Rican Eggnog Non-alcoholic “Coquito” Recipe: A must for coconut lovers!

A couple of years ago,  Today show anchor Natalie Morales toasted her favorite Puerto Rican tradition: Coquito. A popular drink in her native country, she described it as a “coconut version of eggnog.” I love eggnog as much of the next person but anything with coconut is that much better. After researching several recipes, I found common ingredients of evaporated milk, unsweetened condensed milk, cream of coconut, coconut milk, cinnamon and rum. Since we’re non-drinkers in my family, I made a few adjustments for a nonalcoholic version and my heavens, Coquito really is heavenly and will become a staple for us during the holiday season. And every other day we have cause to celebrate. Enjoy! Puerto Rican Eggnog Non-alcoholic “Coquito” Recipe ¼ ...

Four Traditional Latke Recipes for your Hanukkah Celebrations

East Side Kosher Deli is Denver’s premier kosher establishment, featuring a full grocery store, take-out deli, butcher shop, bakery and sit-down restaurant. This holiday season they are offering everything for your Hanukkah needs: candles, dreidels, candy, and toys, as well as fresh daily sufganiot, authentic cookies, and homemade latkes. Today East Side Kosher Deli shares with us a variety of latke flavors, a traditional eat for this time of year.  Latkes or potato pancakes, are a crispy and yummy reminder of the Hanukkah tale. The story is that when the Jewish warriors made their way into the desecrated Temple, they found only enough oil to light the eternal flame for one day. By miracle, the flame burned for the eight full days. It is because of ...

Family takes popular Christmas video cards to next level by giving away a car

Micah and Whitney Slade’s family first created a video Christmas card in 2011 and received more than 92,000 views on YouTube.   This fun family tradition has continued for six years and videos have included food fights and an underwater music video. But the Slade family has taken it one step further and they have added an element of service for someone in need. This year, they are giving away a 2016 Nissan Versa could go to someone you love. http://www.sladechristmasvideo.com Check-out their darling videos from years past. 2015 2012   2011  

13 fun things to do in Denver this week

It’s Christmastime in the city. Don’t miss these holiday celebrations including Zoo Lights, A Christmas Carol, Polar Express and more.  Winter Break at the Denver Art Museum  Dec 20 2016 – Jan 8 2017  This Winter, warm up at the Denver Art Museum and spend time with the whole family. The Costume Studio, Create-n-Take stations and the Family Activity Cart will be open daily from December 20 to January 8 throughout the museum complex. Enjoy family friendly theater on select dates at 11 a.m. during special performances of Art Emergency 2: Code Redder. Denver Pavilions’ Holiday Carousel  Dec 9 – 23  Create Memories for years to come at the Denver Pavilions’ beautiful downtown holiday carousel. Cost is $3 per ride or FREE with voucher. Portion of proceeds be...

A Charlie Brown Christmas [Tree]

Don’t miss 7 Best Christmas Tree Farms in Denver and this darling Prezzy Colorado State Travel Souvenir Ornament to go with it!  Like so much in life, maybe you don’t pick your Christmas tree — it picks you. I’m not sure why our evergreen reached out and grabbed us during our tree-cutting excursion in Park County a couple of weeks ago. At the time, I was certain of the answer. My husband and I were standing just outside the truck, buttoning, zipping and tying up our kids, when that first slap of icy wind stung our faces. Sometimes, just going to the neighborhood market with a 3-year-old and 2-year-old is enough to induce aisle-rattling meltdowns. It should have been apparent to us, then, that taking them out in a ground blizzard could spark some sort of toddler ...

Talking with Children and Caregivers about Consent

Learning about boundaries and consent is a process that takes place over many years. By starting the conversation early, your children have more time to internalize body-safety rules and practice setting boundaries. And likewise, by talking with caregivers and family members about boundaries, you can model for your child, and the adults in their lives, what consent looks like and that it matters. Talking about consent will help your children have safe and healthy relationships throughout their lives. This article has three parts and can be accessed in it’s entirety on the Parenting Safe Children blog. 1. Giving Children Choice Around Affection. Read now. 2. Talking with Children about Boundaries. Read now. 3. Talking with Teens about Consent. Read now. What Does Consent Loo...

20 Things to Do in Winter in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains

1. Go Sledding at Hidden Valley This onetime ski resort inside Rocky Mountain National Park remains open as a sledding paradise. Kids (and adults!) love sliding down the old bunny hill on a sled or snow tube (rentals available in Estes Park). A warming hut revives frozen toes on weekends. 2. Watch Winter Wildlife in RMNP The quiet season is a wonderful time to spot elk, which come down from the high country and congregate in park meadows and the town of Estes Park. Head over to the west side’s Kawuneeche Valley to look for giant moose picking their way through the snow, and scan the cliffs on Fall River Road for bighorn sheep. 3. Go Cross-country Skiing Step into a pair of backcountry Nordic skis and break your own trails in the park—the west side has deeper snow and flat, ski-friendly val...

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