Now, if you are following me on instagram, then you know that I am guilty of over-instagramming (is that a word?) my kids. And if you aren’t following me on Instagram, take a minute to go do so now, please. So, this list has been created for you as much as it has for me to help me diversify my instagram updates. But, who am I kidding…I know I will continue to instagram the wholly mole outta my kids cause they are just too darn cute!

Instagram is in the top 3 for social networks I enjoy and find pleasurable. Yes, you can  still ‘do business’ on Instagram, but it is also one of the more personal networks – not alot of spam, not alot of people pushing something with an agenda to serve. Even when an Instagram update is blog/review/sponsor related it is at least interesting because it is visual. I know many a people have taken to instagram quicker than Twitter because hey, for most people a stream of images is much more engaging than a stream of words, links and hashtag (hash what? Talk of Twitter, also in my top 3, for another time).

Snapshot of my instagram feed

So without further ado, here is my list of 28 things that you can instagram, when you are running out of ideas.

1. A tasty dish you ate using InstaFood
2. An exotic cocktail you drank
3. A dessert treat you want to eat
4. What clothes you wore that day
5. What shoes you wore that day
6. A great hair day
7. A bad hair day
8. The weather with InstaWeather
9. The view from your work at home office
10. The view from your city office
11. A selfie in the mirror at the gym
12. A selfie with your significant other
13. Your favorite walking spot
14. #BabyMugging
    

    #babymugging with my 5 year old. Loads of fun

15. Selfie trying something new
16. A room that needs organizing
17. A room after you organized it
18. A craft you made
19. Words of wisdom with tweegram
20. Repost other people’s awesome instagrams
21. The readout from a gym machine
22. A selfie post workout
23. What’s on your computer screen
24. Your thrifty finds
25. The tops of people’s heads from a live show
26. Your awesome  nail art
27. Your nail art gone bad
28. The sunrise
29. A sunset
30. Shop finds and ask for votes
31. A page from the book/magazine you are reading

Ok, so those are the photo ideas, you still have to make the photos and the words you add to them interesting.

What’s some of your favorite instagram apps and what do you like to instagram about?

You can leave your instagram name in the comments if we aren’t already following each other!

DUMBO is also clearly a great vantage point to catch some of the best views back into Manhattan from between the larger than life Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges.

Can you see the One World Trade Center in the background?

Hope off the F train at York and have a look at the map once you exit to help guide you on your way. We usually head straight down Jay Street to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. But sometimes we stop in at the Brooklyn Roasting Company for steamed maple milk for the kiddos and a coffee, so totally worth it. Pro tip: look out for Brooklyn Roasting Company decals on cafe windows all over the city, that’s your key to finding great (and affordable) coffee beyond the place that starts with “Star” and ends with “Bucks”.

Brooklyn Bridge Park

Moms love the fact that their is a gated playground that is fun for both toddlers and older kids. Their is also a big sprawling area of green grass, yes green grass in the city! The best part is that dogs are not allowed. Sorry pooches! I love one dog as much as the other, but when you’ve got a 19 month old who wants to pet every dog as well as crawl around on hands and knees, its nice to know that a) she is safe from irresponsible dog owners and b) she won’t put her hand in dog poop! Dogs are not forgotten thoough, there is a pretty lively looking dog run just as you enter the park.

Jane’s Carousel

As you look straight ahead to Manhattan, you can’t miss Jane’s Carousel, the glass encased home to a beautiful refurbished carousel on the edge of the water. Dig out  $2 and join the kids for a ride. The horses on the outside seem to be stationary which is perfect for the littlies. I was able to stand alongside Little Miss and not have to worry about the up and down motion. While on the inside track, the horses seemed to go up and down, Perfect for 5 year old Mr P. Attendants make the rounds beforehand making sure that all kids are seat belted in. All in all a very enjoyable $6 (we didn’t pay for our 19 month old daughter).

Blue Wall

Don’t forget to head to the ‘blue wall’ in DUMBO. This beautifully painted wall is the backdrop to many professional photographers as well as amateur. We goofed around, including grabbing this photo of Mr P cracking the poos about something or other – I look none too impressed! All of DUMBO with its cobblestone roads, outdoor art installations and big bridges is a photographer’s dream. Make sure to stop and look at the concrete walls as you walk down some of the main streets like Water, Main, Front and Bridge. At the moment, there are pieces from the “Everyday Superheroes” exhibit showcasing everyday Latinos the way their families see them: superheroes working to send money back to their relatives in Latin America. You have to see Latino/US Cotidiano to understand it – brilliant!

Besides the ability to walk around this fab neighborhood and not see that many cars, but still feel the buzz of a big city, it is also nice to discover smaller personally owned boutiques and cafes. Pack a lunch or be prepared to stand in line for well ove an hour and half for pizza at Grimaldi’s that can only be purchased by the pie or if the weather is brilliant on a Sunday, to engage in a little light shoving at Smorgasburg in the Tobacco Warehouse from 100′s of vendors serving up food from around the world. Their are a dozen places where the food is good and about a dozen more where it is meh.

DUMBO is definitely a nice stop for the entire family – Mom and Dad feel uber cool hanging out with other cool mom and dads soaking up New York’s art and always interesting people. The kids enjoy the cobblestone roads, the views and water as far as their little eyes can see, but most of all rolling around on green grass!

Visit the Brooklyn Bridge Park website for more information on free activities all through the summer including outdoor yoga, history tours, concerts and movies under the sky.

If you’d like to see more of Brooklyn on a sunny day try these outings too:

• Crossing the Brooklyn Bridge with kids
• 3 free way to see the Statue of Liberty in Brooklyn
• And though not in Brooklyn, visiting the High Line in Manhattan’s West Side with kids is another fantastic outdoor space’

This post is linked up at The Traveling Praters Best of the USA #bestoftheUSA

Even after having Mr P nearly 6 years ago, I still found myself in the hospital wishing I had brought a few extra items to make my hospital stay after the arrival of Little Miss 19 months ago a little bit more tolerable. After all, as the mom you have just given birth to this precious new life – spent hours one way or another getting this baby safely out. Your body is tired, but at the same time you are responsible for this little beings introduction to this whole new world on the outside.

As a mom, it is easy to effortlessly take care of others…but when it comes to myself…not always so much. I did try to pack a bag that would have all the little incidentals to make life easier, but I know I forgot a few. One of the most surprising items I woud never have thought of needing (but I did), was a stool softener. When I had my son in New Zealand, things got moving easy-breezy after the labor. With my daughter just a little over a year and a half ago when I had her in New York, I remember scoffing at the nurse when she said to buzz her once I was ready for my first “time” in the bathroom. Pffft, whatever for? Well, I am glad I did.

What you need to know about DulcoEase® Pink™ Stool Softener:

• It works with your body by drawing water into the bowel, making the stool softer, and producing a bowel movement in 12 to 72 hours.
• I was advised in hospital on the best stool softener for me. Please check with your doctor before trial/use of the product especially if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. 
• Prevents and Relieves constipation, stimulant free, comfortable relief

I asked the moms in the Mama Goes BAM Facebook community what must be included in the bag you take to the hospital before you deliver baby. Their were some that I hadn’t thought of, lots of clever ideas, and of course ideas for items for others – read on, having stuff for others ultimately still makes new mom’s life easier

• Comfortable nightgown for after the birth
• lip balm
• A basket with neat little goodies for the nurses. Your present equals extra awesome care
• slippers
• camera
• warm socks
• cell phone charger
• nursing bra

Right now you can download a money saving coupon for $1.50 off select DulcoEase® Pink™ Stool Softener products. And to find out more about the new DulcoEase® Pink™ the #1 OBGYN recommended ingredient*  and what other new moms have on their list, visit Moms Talk DulcoEase or the DulcoEase® Website.

*among stool softener ingredients.

Every new mother’s toolkit should include DulcoEase® Pink™, the #1 OB/GYN recommended ingredient* for going #2. So if you are pregnant or breast feeding, ask your doctor if you should think Pink. Find savings on DulcoEase® Pink™ at www.MomsTalkDulcoEase.com!

*Among stool softener ingredients

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of DulcoEase® Pink™. The opinions and text are all mine.

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Did you know that June 14th is National Strawberry Shortcake Day? Well it is! I decided to try my hand at a different and easy twist on an old fave to get you in the mood for the holiday. Not only did I want this Strawberry shortcake recipe to be easy, but I also wanted it to be healthy, well at least attempt to be So rather than using whipped cream, I used Greek Yogurt (hmm, hmm, good!) and then jazzed up the flavor with Lemonade flavored Crystal Light. As my first attempt with push-pops, I was pleasantly surprised with the tasty results!

I know this recipe is a winner because Mr P gobbled it up between a few “yummies” and “hmmms”. He eats pretty much anything I put in front of him, but rarely does he take the time to say that something tastes really good!

In a survey taken by Wakefield Research for Driscoll’s berries, 60% of those surveyed agreed that Strawberry Shortcake should be the official dessert of summer.

I hope you enjoy the recipe, and let me know in the comments….

What other flavor combinations could work well with Strawberry Shortcake?

Check out How to Make Lemonade Strawberry Shortcake PushPops by Ghada Vanderpool on Snapguide.

Pitbull aka Mr Worldwide aka the voice of Bufo from the movie Epic and Me!

- Image courtesy of fellow blogger Jenn at Momma D and Da Boyz

I was lucky enough to be transported to the magical land of tiny people who live in the forest at a screening of Epic thanks to The Moms. Armando “Pitbull” Pérez was on hand to introduce the movie, talk about living your dreams and to tell all the kids in the audience to listen to their moms!

I really enjoyed the 3D movie Epic  as did 5 year old Mr P. For him to really get into a movie their has to be either lots of adventure, comedy or a combination of both. Epic had a lot of adventure and twists and turns, the comedy came largely thanks to Mub (Aziz Ansari) and Grub (Chris O’Dowd) the slimy  slug duo that played a big part in the movie.

Waiting for the 3D excitement of Epic

It is hard to explain the enchanting world of tiny people that live in the forest right outside the home of an eccentric scientist. When his daughter’s mom (his ex-wife) passes away, their daughter MK comes to live with him. Like everyone else, she doee not believe his tales of tracking tiny people who move at the speed of light. I’d be giving too much away if I said too much more, but let’s just say MK becomes central to connecting her Dad’s world with the world of the tiny people. Brave Leafman protect the forest while Mandrake and his Boggan try to run it. 

With stunning visuals and an original storyline, this movie is a great one for the whole family.

Pitbull with his alter ego Bufo

disclosure: I received complimentary tickets to this movie thanks to The Moms. But as always all opinions are 100% my own.

This is a partner post from freelance blogger Alexandre Duval who writes about travel and lifestyle, among other things.

Travelling, even when you are alone, always calls for some preparation. Of course, the thoroughness of the planning highly depends on the destination as well as the kind of trip you are about to take. Yet, travelling with kids, no matter the destination, definitely is a kind of trip in itself! It actually is a kind of trip for which you have to pay even more attention in the preparation process because your little loved ones are counting on you! Here are seven things you have to think about when leaving the hotel for a full day of summer sightseeing with your kids.

Snack

Being on vacation usually means that you are off work: you surely do not want those precious days of discoveries and relaxation to be disturbed by uncontrolled cravings that can actually be taken care of quite easily. You know your kids are probably going to get hungry at some point anyways, so why not secretly carry their favorite little snacks… and some candy? After all, everyone is on vacation! It is easier (and cheaper!) to plan a few little snacks than to go from one store to another in order to find what will soothe your kids’ stomach.

Sunscreen

This may look like an obvious tip, but bringing sunscreen along with you is absolutely essential. It will never be repeated enough! Sometimes when we visit an urban area, we tend to apply sunscreen just before leaving the hotel as if the fact that we will not be sunbathing on a beach magically diminished the strength of sunrays. Yet, frequently putting sunscreen on is quite important even in the city: the little areas of shade here and there do not save you from protecting yourself and your kids against the sun! And think about bringing a small cloth to clean off your hands after you apply sunscreen on your kids’ skin: that way, you’ll avoid the unpleasant sensation that your hands are crazy greasy even when there is no bathroom near by!

Spare Clothes

The idea here is not to bring your entire luggage with you for a single day of walking in the city: it is rather to bring just the minimum so that your kids will want to keep visiting regardless of the little messes that occur. A spare comfortable t-shirt or an extra pair of bermuda shorts, for instance, will allow you to rapidly fix the situation if your kids spill their soft drink or get all dirty with the melting chocolate ice cream cone you just bought them…

A Towel

Although a towel could be incredibly useful in the case your kid accidently fell in an urban pond or in a fountain (I saw that happen twice the other day, so it does happen!), a towel is also more than useful when you make a stop at a park. Such an item indeed is your best friend if you plan to make a picnic or if your kids are really tired and would like to take a quick nap before you start another round of visiting.

Games

As an adult, you would like to stop somewhere, sit down and have coffee but your kids find it boring just to be sitting down at a café after they finished their juice? If you thought about bringing one or two kids’ games along with you when you left the hotel in the morning, then your problem will be solved. Whether it is a 52-card deck or a PlayStation Portable, carrying your kids’ favorite games in your backpack could allow you to rejoice in that much needed moment of rest.

Water Bottles

When we visit a city, it is quite easy to just start buying bottled water here and there to quench the whole family’s thirst. Yet, this way of doing things is far from being thrifty… and eco-friendly! Therefore, you ought to think about carrying one or two reusable water bottles that you constantly fill up throughout the day when you come across a drinking fountain or stop at the restaurant. That way, your kids’ immediate needs will be met – and that is quite important on the summer’s warmest days – because you always have some water at hand!

Adhesive Bandages

You know it only too well: walking all day long on sidewalks made of concrete and stopping at a park where your kids will probably want to run around for a while greatly improve the chances of seeing your kids scratch their knees, elbows or wrists. In order to minimize the tears and cries that usually result from a fall, you ought to carry just a few adhesive bandages and a small tube of antibacterial ointment. That way, your kids will feel that they are treated just as good as when they are at home and a feeling of security will probably ensue.

I like my smile, Mr BAM likes my arms...I think I like my arms too now!

I have a love-hate relationship with my smile. Sometimes I think I look like a horse, too gummy and too teethy (if that is a word). I think it has something to do with my upbringing. In our house, my Caribbean parents reprimanded “Don  skin up ya teeth!” For some reason in the islands, when you laugh and smile too brightly, you’re up to something, scheming…like a hyena. I’m going to make a crazy generalization here (cause I know it’s mostly true), watch a person who has been heavily influenced by Caribbean beliefs and you will notice that they cover their mouth when they laugh. I, for the longest time have rearranged the way I smile to make sure that I am not showing too much teeth, or too much gum – oh, it was a painful exercise. And if I smiled what I thought was too big in a picture, I automatically hated the picture. Meanwhile, others have told me what a beautiful smile I have. So, I started listening to people who told me that my smile lights up a room and now….

I luuuurrve my smile!

Below is exhibit A of “skinning up ya teeth”. I did this very freely just this past weekend!

Me on the right skinning up my teeth (cause I love my smile) with my sister and Mr BAM

Loving my smile some more

It was suggested that if we were having trouble with this exercise we should ask someone else what they liked about us. I asked my husband what physical trait he likes about me. At first he said “Their are many. I need context”. So in an effort to keep it PG for the blog, he settled on my arms. He has always liked my arms. He gifts me necklaces and tops based on what they will do to further enhance my arms. He said that since Shaklee my arms are becoming more defined. He loves to see the curves and the proportion of my fine wrists and long fingers.

My husband loves my strong, skinny arms.

I have to admit, I’ve noticed the definition coming in to and it’s definitely a part of my body I want to keep working on.

So lovely readers, tell me what physical or personal trait do you love about YOU?

This month I faced a few more challenges, and though I still had a loss I am a bit disappointed in my lack of willpower as I gave in to too many dinners out and other temptations. In the video, I talk all about how I feel I did this past month.

The nicest thing about this month is that I started to get compliments on my physique, my husband said I was definitely showing more definition in my arms. My sister that I haven’t seen since Christmas said she noticed the changes in my body – from smaller boobs (I’m down a cup size!) to a slimming in my face. I have to admit, I’ve noticed the change in my face as well.

I still can’t believe that I have lost 15.8 lbs in 3 months. I’m looking forward to the next (and final!) 3 months and seeing what my body can accomplish.  In my next post, I hope to share what’s swirling around in my head about what the end goal in this whole program looks like.

Is my tummy getting flatter in these pictures or am I dreaming?

As always, remember to follow along with me and the other Shaklee bloggers using the hashtag #Shakleeblogger on Twitter (@OMGhada) and Instagram (@ghadav).

I need your help to keep me motivated for the next 3 months!

Share your most motivational, kick up the butt words of wisdom, please

I love to travel, but no matter where I end up I love being close to sandy beaches and cool blue water. Even living in New York, I've managed to settle just 15 minutes by subway from iconic Coney Island with it's iconic fair, white sand beach and wavy waters. So when we go on vacation, we often have these same needs in mind – blue water and fun ideas for everyone in the family from 18 months to 40 years old.

Aruba travel can help you plan all that you can do on this one happy isalnd – including where to find the island's hidden gems and beaches, shopping spots, where to enjoy the nightlife and other cultural activities. You can visit the Aruba 2013 calendar to pinpoint all the events happening when you plan to visit.

Aruba would be a great family destination with outdoor activities for the littlies that us big kids can enjoy as well. Some highlights are Arikok National Park, Ayo rock formations and Indian caves – sounds like the makings of a perfect adventure for my 5 year old Mr P!

Aruba also seems like a piece of paradise similar to my experiences in other Carribean islands  - self driving tours, resort lined turquoise water on the West, and sunset cruises and sails. It's difficult to find one happy island that has it all, but Aruba just might fit the blll. 

I've experienced one other Carribean Carnival in my lifetime and Aruba's Carnival sounds like a MUST attend event! Starting on November 11 at 11:11 am, their are contests, jump-ups and parades so huge they shut down Aruba's two citiies while they are running over the weekend. Sounds like November would be a great time to go and get away from North America's colder temps, don't you think?

If you are thinking of visiting Aruba, find out more about the area, including deals and tips at the Aruba website. 

What part of Aruba is calling your name?

I read somewhere that feet are the hardest working parts of our bodies. They hold us all day and carry us from point A to B quite often not in the most supportive shoes. I try my best to have comfy shoes as I do so much walking from day-to-day. But on top of normal every walking, I am also a runner. Boy oh boy do my feet take a pounding!

When I get the chance…You know in between kid wrangling, running, sleeping, keeping house, myself and husband sane, nothing is more relaxing and satisfying than taking care of my feet. Tree Hut has a range of Certified organic products that I'd love to try, particularly the Tree Hut foot scrub and the Tree Hut foot cream. I imagine that the 2 combined would give my feet the much needed pampering they require.

Besides being paraben free, both products have the tingly addition of peppermint oil and the skin repairing properties of organic shea butter. I am a big fan of shea butter, as it is really smooth, non-greasy way of adding moisture to dry skin. Made in the USA, the Tree Hut Foot cream also contains the anti-aging properties of natural Aragan and Rose Hip oils. 

Can you imagine scrubbing your feet with real sugar to exfoliate dead skin for smoother feet? Taking care of my feet would be my top reason for going with Tree Hut, but they also have a Tree Hut hand cream with some of the same properties of the Foot cream. The best part of taking care of your feet is when you slip them back into your shoes and they feel light as air.

If you are looking for a paraben free product, not tested on animals, find out more about Tree Hut and make sure to like Tree Hut on Facebook and follow Tree Hut on Twitter. Tree Hut products can be found nationwide at Walmart.

Which Tree Hut product would you love to try?