Katie Couric’s job is safe; in fact, news reporters everywhere have nothing to fear from me. Anchorwomen like Stephanie Grady make TV appearances look so easy, when they are anything but, as I found out in a live taping of Beauty Must-Haves for Busy Moms On-The-Go on WXXA-TV FOX23 News.

It was over so fast, faster than I could process exactly what I was saying. My debut on live TV went better than expected, but I still flubbed a few lines and totally missed saying everything I meant to say. Maybe if I was a seasoned and talented reporter, I could have said it all. Instead, I’m sharing my working script.

Best Beauty Finds for Moms On-the-Go from Head-to-Toe

Parenting is a 24/7 job. Often, it seems that there are not enough hours in the day for most moms to get things done; especially if it pertains to themselves rather than their kids. Typical days are filled with carpools to school, extracurricular sports, music lessons, helping with homework, dinner and bedtime—but where is the time devoted to pampering yourself?

With this in mind, here are a few new items that can simplify, as well as beautify any stressed mom from head-to-toe! Think of them as “must-haves” for any mom craving some “me time” without a lot of actual time on their hands.

Hair: Salon Grafix Healthy Hair Nutrition

This revolutionary new hair care line eliminates the need for sulfate-based shampoos. Rather than stripping your hair of the natural oils it needs to be healthy, the Conditioning Cleanser uses a non-lathering botanical formula to gently cleanse hair while providing it with the optimal amount of moisture.

Add in the Intensive Hair Repair Masque for a weekly moisture boost when hair is extra stressed and you have successfully replaced about five products from your typical hair care routine! Both products retail for $8.49 and can be purchased at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid as well as a large number of other mass merchants. www.healthyhairnutrition.com

Xlear Spry Mints and Gum

With the constant hustle and bustle of parenting, moms can forget the simplest of tasks, like eating right or even brushing your teeth three times a day. For those days, let Xlear give you a quick way to freshen your breath while also promoting good dental hygiene!

Not only do these convenient breath-fresheners have fewer calories and less effect on blood sugar than mints or gum made with sucrose, but they also have the added benefit of inhibiting the creation of acid in the mouth. Popping a piece in your mouth after every meal or snack will provide maximum protection to your teeth from tooth decay, in addition to freshening your breath. Spry Mints and Gums are even safe for children to eat, so sharing won’t be an issue! These healthy morsels retail for between $8.95 and $9.75, and are available for purchase online at www.xlear.com or at Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe and other select retailers nationwide.

Locally available at Honest Weight Food Co-Op.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream

A mother’s work is never done. When running after your kids and trying to keep up with the rest of your busy life, skin care can definitely take a backseat. Rather than stockpiling products to deal with cracking and drying for each body part, why not solve the issue with one?

Yu-Be’s unique glycerin-based moisturizing cream is enriched with Vitamin E, Vitamin B2 and Camphor; creating the ultimate relief for super dry skin. Along with its hydrating and soothing effects, this lotion also stimulates blood circulation to improve the overall health of your skin. Worried about finding a product that is safe for yourself and your kids? Yu-Be prides itself on providing products that are safe for the whole family! Yu-Be Moisturizing Cream retails $ 16 (1.25 oz. tube) or $25 (2.75 oz. jar) and can be purchased at www.yu-be.com and nationwide at Sephora. http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P213540&categoryId=B70

Note – Yu-Be is a miracle-worker. It’s the first product I’ve found that repairs my cracked heels, and it did it within two-days use. 

BabyGanic’s “Cover-Up Kisses” SPF 20 Lip Balm

Let’s face it; your lips aren’t exactly in pristine condition. Over time, lips can easily crack and flake due to dehydration, aging and the environment. Typical chap sticks can only treat these issues temporarily and contain less than appealing ingredients. Instead of a quick fix, arm yourself with a balm protects your pucker from the elements without those pesky parabens, phlathates and sulfates.

BabyGanics’ “Cover-Up Kisses” SPF 20 Lip Balm even comes in orange cream and apple berry flavors, creating a tasty way to keep your and your kids lips kissably soft. These .15 oz. sticks retail for $4.99 and are available for purchase in stores such as Babies ‘R Us, Buy Buy Baby · http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12293413

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lip Color

The last thing on a mother’s mind is reapplying lip color every time they take a sip of their coffee or after covering their kid with kisses. Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lip Color allows you to glide on your color and look gorgeous all day long!

The micro-flex formula stays on for 24-hours with no crumbling, caking, fading, feathering or transfer of color. Simply apply the liquid color to your clean, bare lips and allow a full two minutes to dry, than apply the ultra-conditioning balm to seal in the softness. It comes in 30 long-lasting shades allowing any woman to find the right color for any occasion; whether it’s running to the grocery store or a date night with your husband. This long lasting lip color retails for $9.99 and can be found at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid and other select retailers nationwide and online at Amazon.com. www.maybelline.com.

Note – The Maybelline Super Stay 24 Lip Color was a last minute addition from my cosmetics case as the original product that I had planned to talk about was deemed not glamorous enough. The classic plum lip color (with a nourishing seal of lip balm) is as glamorous as I get.

To see what I actually said about these beauty products, watch the video clip online at Beauty Must-Haves for Busy Moms On-The-Go.

What is it about graffiti that gets people all hot and bothered? When I told friends that I planned to introduce my kids to street art on a long-ago visit to New York City, more than one mom thought I was crazy for suggesting that it’s anything other than an urban blight, no better than discarded garbage clogging gutters.

Never mind that graffiti is an ancient art form that has been around longer than most civilizations; 9,000 year-old stenciled hand prints can still be seen at Cueva de las Manos in Argentina, while engraved names embellish more than a few ancient Egyptian temple.

Graffiti Is Communication

My kids’ introduction to graffiti started out innocently enough, On a visit to the Communications Exhibit at the Liberty Science Center, we found that graffiti is included as one of the many forms of  “self-expression that enables that which makes us human, as it is a form of communication, which lets us share information, wisdom, hopes and even dreams.”

It’s fascinating to see the many ways that people communicate; the exhibit includes displays on: Chinese calligraphy, Incan Knot Numbers, Codes, Rebuses, and many more.  You can discover connections between environment and writing, explore the origins of language, or the biology of communication.  At the exhibit’s end, there’s even a large display covering digital communication, including a Citizen Media blogging kiosk. But quickly bypassing all the other educational displays, my daughter headed straight to the graffiti wall where she used digital “spray paint” to leave a “tag.”

Graffiti captured her imagination in way that no other method of communication achieved. That’s its power.

We learned that there is a wide variety of graffiti styles:

• Tags – a writer’s coded identity, usually created with one color, these were used to mark territory, and are now often used as signatures.
• Throw-ups – More complex and unique than tags, they may include bubble letters, more colors, or other styles.
• Wheatpaste – A mixture of flour and water is used to adhere posters to wall.
• Pieces – Large paintings, often with 3D effects and more than three colors.

Afterwards, my daughter was gung-ho to look for graffiti in New York City, but it wasn’t easy finding outstanding pieces.  At the time, there weren’t any museums featuring graffiti art, although a Keith Haring exhibit is now on display at the Brooklyn Museum through July 8th and his “Crack is Wack’ Mural is visible year-round on the upper end of Harlem River Drive. But I was able to share online photo galleries of Graffiti Art from all over the world that helped us understand that street art looks very different region to region, and even artist to artist.

Animosity Toward Graffiti

What drives the animosity toward graffiti? Obi-Mom Kenobi says that, “As a nation, we have canonized the concept of private property. I know I would (instinctively?) be outraged if someone tagged my home, car or privately-owned business building.” Amy Jussel, of Shaping Youth, who knows what it’s like to “see, hear, and live all sides of this debate, daily” has a measured response to the conceptualization of graffiti as art:

As poetic as it may sound to have an artistic presence that lingers on in ‘daring’ bravado…it’s not so sexy when it equates to the young kids asking inquisitively, ‘mommy, is this playground still safe?’ or ‘what does F*** mean?’ ya know?

Personally, I think it is the freedom of expression, the fact that graffiti is not governed by rules and regulations, that draws my daughter and I. Anyone can create Graffiti, although not all will produce a “piece.” Just don’t tag my car.

Where to find graffiti In New York City:

Levy’s Unique New York Tours – Learn the history and role street art from graffiti to galleries on customized walking tours of New York City.

‘Crack Is Wack’ Mural – Located in the Crack Is Wack Playground on Second Avenue, 127th Street, and Harlem River Drive, within Harlem River Park, this Graffiti Art painted on a handball court has endured over twenty years.

5 Pointz – A warehouse turned artist studios, The Institute of Higher Burnin’, is an outdoor museum featuring the art of famous and novice graffiti artists. See Long Island City Art Tour for directions and dining advice.

Graffiti Online:

• Factory Fresh – The art gallery associated with the Bushwick Art Park is now closed, but the blog shows photos of the revolving street exhibit.
• Wooster Collective – Showcasing graffiti from around the world.
• Miami Graffiti - Images of graffiti in Miami, links up to resources around the world.
• Art Crimes – Graffiti images from around the world.
• Graffiti Creator – Flash application that allows you to create graffiti-style logos.
• Graffiti Playdo – Wield a digital spray can in a game pitting Graffiti artists.

Go See It!

Girls and their dolls. That’s a special relationship; even the most adventurous tomboys and independent teenagers are not immune. But to see the love of a doll multiplied a dozen times over; well, that’s a treat.

On a somewhat soggy weekday evening, a group of moms and daughters gathered at Quackenbush Square for an American Girl Garden Tour of downtown Albany, NY, awarded the winners of a giveaway run on both Albany Kid Family Travel and Saratoga Mama courtesy of  Albany Aqua Ducks and Trolley Tours. Although Albany Aqua Ducks also runs an amphibious tour, we had elected to do the trolley tour – a good choice I think given the unpredictable weather and our treasured companions – but no two tours are exactly the same. Albany Aqua Duck’s Maeve McEneny tailors the American Girl tour to the story of the dolls present, but with over a dozen girls present, there was an equal number of dolls and their histories.

My daughter’s favorite American Girl doll, Kit Kittredge, inspired a story about Eleanor Roosevelt who, in addition to her personal accomplishments as a humanitarian, is credited for encouraging her husband, Franklin D. Roosevelt, to run for Governor of New York; thus commencing an illustrious political career. And as we turned the corner on the Entertainment Row anchored by the Palace Theater and the Times Union Center, Maeve shared recent stories of movie filming in downtown Albany inspired by Rebecca Rubin, the doll who wanted to be an actress.

Many moms cheered silently when Maeve pulled out photos of Suzy Homemaker and Rosie the Riveter. Not for the images themselves, but for the idea that any girl can now choose to be all of that and more. And then we went to the tea party at the mansion.

We had elected to bypass walking in the gardens at Washington Park due to the weather, but when we arrived at Ten Broeck Mansion we were rewarded by the vision of loveliness that is the front gardens of the 213-year-old home. Our girls were delighted to see the roses and irises in bloom, and for one pint-sized cherub at least, the boxwoods presented an inviting maze.

Inside, we eagerly followed Wendy Burch, Executive Director of the Albany County Historical Association, on a tour of the premises. It’s always a pleasure to see how classic décor stands the test of time, and I wasn’t the only mom oohing and aahing over the kitchen cupboards and bathroom marble. But it was the details – personal items carefully placed to suggest that the inhabitants might return at any moment – that truly captured the imagination.

And then there was the tea party. Golden chairs had been set for mothers and girls, and their dolls, in the formal dining room. And an assortment of cookies accompanied pink lemonade – much better than tea!

What a delightful experience. The entire tour was completed in just over an hour (by choice as this was a school night.) The girls learned a little bit of about history and women’s issues while enjoyed a very special time with their mothers and dolls.

And even I, the mother of a very independent sixteen-year-old, had a chance to share a pleasant outing with my daughter and her doll. Sweet!

Go See It!

On our recent trip out to Boston we made time for a stop at the Museum of Science.

Inside the Blue Wing of the Boston Museum of Science

Originally established as the Boston Society of Natural History in 1830, the modern MoS has over 500 interactive exhibits and over 100 animals. It started as a place where men who traveled the world could share ideas and display the trophies of their travels. For 100 years the MoS went through changes in exhibition style as well as facilities. After World War II it moved to Science Park, and the name changed to the Boston Museum of Science. The Charles Hayden Planetarium opened in 1958.

Today the MoS boasts a Van de Graaff generator, designed by Dr. Robert J. Van de Graaff himself, that is the largest in the world. It is also home to the domed Mugar Omni IMAX theater, as well as a unique high definition 3D cinema, a butterfly garden, and a full-motion simulator. These special shows and exhibits do have an extra cost above that of the museum entrance fee.

We opted for the more traditional side of the museum, starting with the Audiokinetic Sculpture in the entrance:

Audiokinetic Sculpture

Then we turned right into the Blue Wing, where the exhibits start with Mathematics:

Putting math into motion

One of our favorites was the giant Moebius strip. To prove it has only one side, the MoS put a little track on it, with a moving arrow. You can just see the arrow as it comes around the bend, in the upper right hand corner of this picture:

Moebius strip and track

We were lucky enough to see Geckos: Tails to Toepads, which ran from January 22 to May 06, 2012. The next temporary exhibit will be Lost Egypt: Ancient Secrets, Modern Science and will opens Sunday, May 27, 2012.

The Geckos tended to blend in with the background

Up on the top floor we had fun exploring light and sound:

This is your brain on music

Science in the Park shows how to find science in familiar settings, and is a great place to let the kids explore while the parents rest:

Physics Fun at Science in the Park

At the end of our day, the kids were ready to sit down and unwind with the optical illusions in Seeing is Deceiving:

Mesmerized by optical illusions

Go See It!

The easiest way to get to Boston’s Museum of Science is also the easiest way around Boston: the MBTA put in Science Park/West End station on the Green Line back in 1956, and it’s right across the street from the MoS entrance. If you are going by car, Science Park is right off of I-93, Exit 26 (Storrow Dr./North Station). The Museum provides on-site parking for up to 850 vehicles. Charges are hourly, but you won’t pay more than $18.25 for the day.

Plan a trip to Boston:

• Up Close and Personal with the Fish at New England Aquarium
• Cruising Boston Harbor with Boston’s Best Cruises
• Travel Tips: How to Get Around Boston
• Fun in Cambridge MA: Glass Flowers at Harvard Museum of Natural History
• Hotel review: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Cambridge MA

Disclosure: I received free entrance to the Boston Museum of Science for the purpose of this review. As always, my opinions are mine alone.

Planning a getaway? Wherever you’re heading, here are 5 tips to save you money.

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Sagarmāthā, the modern Nepali name for Mount Everest, is a Sanskrit word meaning “Head of the Sky”.

Sagarmāthā National Park covers 443 square miles, over two-thirds of which are barren land.  The terrain has been made rugged and steep from the rivers and glaciers that criss cross the park. Since the elevation ranges from 9,334 feet at the lowest point of the park to 29,029 at Mount Everest’s summit, there are four distinct climate zones, changing with rising altitude. The first is a forested zone; the second alpine scrub, or subalpine, where most tree growth is horizontal. Third is the alpine tundra, so called because it has better drainage than the arctic tundra, and last is the arctic zone.

Home to the park entrance and the Nepalese army company charged with protecting the park, Namche Bazaar is considered the unofficial Sherpa capital. The only was to get around is by foot or yak cart. Every Saturday Sherpas come from all surrounding valleys to the open air market. Namche Bazaar has a good selection of both restaurants and lodgings, but is famous for its bakeries.

Like many International Parks, Sagarmāthā Park is also a World Heritage Site. It is an area of many holy places, and is homeland to approximately 2,500 Sherpas. Most are Tibetan Buddhists and make their living through agriculture or trade. Most Sherpas can also speak English as well as Sherpa and Tibetan, and many are fluent in German, French and Japanese.

Taboche and Khumbu Valley, Sagarmāthā National Park, 2007

With 767 square miles of water and 129 square miles of land, Dadohae Haesang is the largest National Park in South Korea. Within Dadohae Marine Park lies Hondo Island, a Natural Preserve since 1965.

Finless Porpoise at Miyajima Aquarium, Japan

The climate of Dadohae Haesang is very warm, and supports a wide variety of species including the Finless Porpoise. This marine mammal is less than three feet in length, has a black body, and no dorsal fin. This unique porpoise prefers shallow waters close to shore, and usually is found alone or as a mother/calf pair.

Dadohae has about five hundreds islands, with more than 600 miles of coastline. There are 11 inhabited islands, including Hondo Island. Close to 99 of the uninhabited islands have their individual legends. Maebawi, or Hawk rock, is consider to be a symbol of safety. Legend says a hawk once saved a fisherman from a female water demon. When the man awoke the next morning, he found himself on Maebawi.

There are seven main hiking routes that can be completed within the day in Dadohae Haesang: Heuksando Island, Bogildo Island, Goheung Singeum Beach, Wando Gugyedeung, Hyangilam Temple, Balpo Beach, and Hongdo Island. Other courses can take two days. The National Park offices provide two information centers and four campsites, as well as numerous ranger stations. There are also a number of hotels within the park.

Elephant Rock on Hongdo Island

For more on Korea, check out this other great Albany Kid article:

Travel to Korea to See a Great Cool King Named Sejong and his Tomb

Rocks hang in the air and lemurs leap from peak to peak in Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park and the Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve.

Tsingy de Bemaraha rock formation

In 1990 Tsingy de Bemaraha became a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its incredibly unique geography. The 257 sq miles on the southern end later became a Madagascar National Park, while the 329 sq miles in the north remains under strict protections. Tsingy de Bemaraha can be loosely translated as where one cannot walk barefoot; Tsingy is the local word for the limestone formations that have been eroded by harsh rains and groundwater. Underground, water and the roots of the many mangrove trees have created caverns filled with water.

Within each of the pointed peaks are separate ecosystems: one at the base, another along the slope, and a third at the summit. Within each section live different species of plants and animals, similar to the different species that inhabit the layers of a rain forest. Dense Mangrove forests exist at the base of the Tsingy, and the Hanambolo River winds through their midst, the Hanambolo River Gorge being on the southern edge of the reserve.

As many of the lemurs and birds that live here are unique to the Tsingy, almost all are rare and endangered.

Decken's Sifaka

Palm trees, naturally warmed water, bathing beauties…not what you may expect in Israel, but here it is in Gan HaShlosha National Park. Time magazine named Gan HaShlosha as one of the most beautiful parks in the world; some even believe it was once the Garden of Eden.

Gan HaShlosha means “Park of the three” in Hebrew, but this park is also known by it’s Arabic name, Sahne, or “the hot”. The water in these pools, created by widening the Amal Stream, maintains a year round temperature of 82 degrees Fahrenheit. The pools are surrounded by lush green lawns.

Also on the park grounds is The Museum of Regional and Mediterranean Archaeology. Here can be found rare Greek tools as well as artifacts found in Israel, Egypt and Persia and a unique look at the Etruscans. Of further interest is the madafeh, or traditional Arab hospitality room, adjacent to an ancient water mill. The mill has been restored and is once again working.

Lastly, the park holds a bit of modern history: a model Tel Amal Tower and Stockade. The original was built over one night in 1936, when Jewish pioneers built it despite a British Mandate against settlement. Visitors can climb the tower, which provides a view of the entire park, and view a short film about living during the time of the Arab revolt.

עברית: Gan ha-Shlosha Israel

Brooklyn’s most charming ambassador greeted us with with a practiced showmanship, acrobatic hip hop moves, and a resounding fish-scented cheer.

Osborne, New York Aquarium’s star performer, is one of several athletic dancers busting a move in the Sea Lion Celebration at the Aquatheater.  This entertaining show is fun for the whole family, even the crustiest curmudgeon, while presenting an important conservation message.

Go See It!

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