Archives for August 2015

My Inspiration: September-St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer and Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Aug 31, 2015

What inspires you to make a difference? I am always inspired whenever there is an opportunity to support a great CAUSE! If you need a reason to lace up your running or walking footwear, mark your calendars in September!

Are you familiar with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital? When I think of St. Jude I only associated the institution with research for childhood cancer. After participating in this awareness campaign, I learned that St. Jude has one of the largest sickle cell disease programs in the country with more than 800 patients. St. Jude was the first institution to cure sickle cell disease with a bone marrow transplant in the 1980s. During my first pregnancy, I remember my OB/GYN ordered my blood work and suggested the blood screen for the sickle cell trait. I am not a carrier of the trait however I learned a very close friend carries the trait. It made me realize those affected are closer than we may realize. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder affecting red blood cells that can cause anemia, pain, organ damage and even death. The disease affects one in 500 African-Americans and some people of Hispanic, Mediterranean and Native American descent.

St. Jude and Sickle Cell Disease

On June 19th, 2008, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a resolution to recognize sickle cell disease as a public health concern. From this assembly, June 19th is now World Sickle Cell Day and September is designated as Sickle Cell Awareness month. In 2011, St. Jude led a national study that showed the same drug used to treat adults with sickle cell disease was effective with infants and toddlers. The drug, hydroxyurea reduced the number of hospitalizations and alleviated other symptoms in younger patients. St. Jude received the first grant for sickle cell disease research before the hospital was opened. Another significant highlight for St. Jude was developing a nationally recognized program for teenagers to assist with managing the disease as they transition to adulthood and non-pediatric healthcare professionals.

If you are familiar with BET’s Sunday Best you know finalist Latice Crawford. On Friday, June 19th, Latice Crawford, performed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Crawford, who carries the sickle cell trait, sang her latest single “Look at Yourself Again” for patients and staff. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has one of the largest sickle cell disease programs in the country.

photo credit: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provides families with services at no cost for treatments, travel, housing and food. Please visit the link to learn more about St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

HOW CAN YOU HELP TO RAISE MONEY FOR THIS AMAZING RESEARCH INSTITUION? September is Sickle Cell Awareness month and Childhood Cancer Awareness month, there are 58 St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer events across the US during the month of September.

How do you encourage your friends and family to get involved? There are 2 reasons to encourage family and friends to get involved 1) inspired to raise money for this amazing research institution 2) a fun way to engage family and friends in a fitness activity for a worthy cause!!! Get involved and register for an event in your respective area! St. Jude Walk/Run to End Childhood Cancer

If you are in Pennsylvania, there are 3 events:
Capital City Mall, Camp Hill, PA – September 26
Philadelphia Zoo, Philadelphia, PA – September 19
Frick Park, Pittsburgh, PA – September 26

Drop me an email cocoamommy@gmail.com if you decide to join an event in your area!

Single Mom Chronicles: 10 Reasons I Need A Momcation

Aug 31, 2015

Can You Guess Where?

It’s been 6 years since my last solo vacation
In need of a peaceful night’s sleep without raising my voice above 50 decibel because it’s bedtime!
Time for someone to cook my meals and I can actually chew in peace!
I can go in the bathroom, close the door and enjoy a 30 minute shower!
No alarm clocks set to 5:30 AM!
Sleeping in, just because!!!
Sitting on a chaise lounge by the pool or reading a book on the beach and listening to the ocean.
Enjoying my own thoughts without interruption.
Having a glass of wine with a relaxing lunch or dinner.
I DESERVE IT!!!!

Can you guess where? The palm trees may be a hint.

DIY Blog Series: How I Fixed Teen’s Bed?

Aug 26, 2015

My new go to place for my DIY/Ms. Fix-It for odd jobs in the apartment, The Home Depot. The teen’s bed fell down a few months ago and I tried to fix it countless times with no luck. For some reason the wood support attached to the bed frame snapped in half. This caused the box spring to collapse to the floor. My first attempt to reinforce the wood screws and use the same supports, FAILED!

On my second trip to the lumber section of the store I decided to go with pine and not plywood. After figuring out I could use a 1″ wide x 4ft long piece of pine. The associate cut the slab into 3 sections. I discarded the existing supports and attached 2 of the 3 pine sections to the bed frame. My first attempt, FAILED! I used wood screws that were too short. Now back to The Home Depot to get longer wood screws, 1 1/4″ and 1 1/2″.

One thing I learned is don’t over think what tools are required. The screws only required a screwdriver not my power drill.

It pays to invest in a tool kit. I found this one at IKEA for $10 and these are the best wood screws. The size I used only requires a screwdriver.

Why I Started Blogging in My Words?

Aug 21, 2015

Why I Started Blogging?

While I was laid off I started scouring the internet for work from home opportunities, this is when I discovered an entire community of BLOGGERS at Mom Bloggers Club. This is how I met Jen Lawrence at JenOni Our last meet up was at BlogHer15 in July. We initially met( IRL) 5 years ago at a blogging event in PA. Twitter was my first introduction to a social media platform and the rest, as they say, is HISTORY!
It is a form of THERAPY! As a parent and single mom, I quickly realized I was not alone with my challenges and experiences.
I discovered it was a way to connect with MOMS around the globe.
It is a PHENOMENAL platform to share my ideas, thoughts, experiences and challenges.
I OWN MY CREATIVITY!

My Kid’s Chronicles: 3rd Grade School Supply Haul

Aug 20, 2015

3rd Grade School Supplies

Why did this year of school supply shopping bring so much STRESS!!!! Initially, I wanted to shop online to save time and what I thought was money. The school makes it easy by providing the school supply list for each grade. I took the list and went online to really do some comparison shopping. I started with STAPLES and even without a few of the items such as 2 boxes of tissues and plastic folders, my total was $66.00. Next up was AMAZON and some of the items were impossible to find individually there were a lot of items offered in bulk such as the marble composition books, spiral notebooks, plastic folders, tissues and disinfecting wipes for a total of $55(with items missing). Lastly, I went to TARGET (with the intention of picking up at the local store) and that was a quick peruse of the site because a lot of the items were SOLD OUT!

3rd grade School Supplies
• One 1-inch 3-Ring Binder
• 2 Marble Composition Books
• 1 Set of Crayons or Colored Pencils
• 1 Divider – Avery – 5 Tab – White – Big Tab Write On
• 2 Dry Erase Markers
• 3 Erasers
• 1 Set Multiplication Flash Cards
• 1 Folder – Plastic & Pocket – Blue
• 1 Folder – Plastic & Pocket – Green
• 1 Folder – Plastic & Pocket – Orange
• 1 Folder – Plastic & Pocket – Red
• 1 Folder – Plastic & Pocket – Yellow
• 1 Folder – Plastic Pocket & Prong – Red
• 4 Glue Sticks
• 1 Hole Reinforcements – Qty 200 – Avery
• 1 Set of Washable Markers
• 2 Spiral Notebooks
• 4 Dozen Ticonderoga #2 Pencils
• 1 Hand Held Pencil Sharpener
• 1 School Box – 5 x 8 x 2 – Plastic – Clear
• 1 Pair Kids Scissors
• 4 Packs Post It – 3 x 3
• 2 Boxes Tissues
• 1 Container Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
• 1 Ziploc Bags Quart Size (Boy)
• 1 Ziploc Bags Gallon Size (Girl)

I never bothered to even total because I am such a ONE STOP SHOPPER! On Tuesday, me and my 3rd grader headed to FIVE BELOW and managed to find the majority of her items. Unfortunately, I had to go next door to STAPLES to pick up some items missing at FIVE BELOW.

Two stores later and would you believe I still need to go to TARGET for an orange plastic folder, tissues, and disinfecting wipes as I know they are priced better than STAPLES and there is a chance I can use my CARTWHEEL!

Last year I used these labels to personalize the supplies.

Single Mom Chronicles: DIY Blog Series – Window Treatments Hardware

Aug 19, 2015

Why I no longer feel compelled to hire a HANDYMAN? I have resolved to be a HANDYWOMAN for all my odd jobs that only require a few accessible tools and easy directions!!!!

I waited for over a month to install my IKEA window treatment hardware. Why? I thought the job required hiring someone and spending money to be done right.

Well guess what? I was wrong after driving to my local HOME DEPOT I purchased a Ryobi power drill and step stool for $50.00. The Gorilla Ladder was a great buy and eliminates the need for a heavy, bulky ladder. If you are between 5′-6′ in height the 2nd step gives you an 8′ reach. It folds easily which makes it great for storage.

A Ryobi power drill comes with a tool bag. Drills bits are not included with the drill so you will have to purchase drill bits separately.

In addition to purchasing the drill bits I also purchased a kit with a mask, safety googles and ear plugs. The total purchase was about $11. These items were purchased from LOEWS.

The overall job took me less than 2 hours to install hardware on four windows.

My Kid’s Chronicles: Philly Summer Visits- Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University

Aug 13, 2015

The kids and I took a trip to the city to check out the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University. The institution is filled with so much history on the institution from the beginning thru today. Who knew this gem of history and exploration was in our backyard? My only pet peeve with trying to do anything downtown Philly during the week is parking. There is a flat rate on Saturday and Sunday however during the week I was unable to find anything for less than $25. On street parking is $7.50 if you’re lucky enough to find a designated space.

We arrived at 3:00 and the museum closes at 4:30 so we had an hour or so to cover three floors. The first exhibit was the butterfly exhibit and it was nice entering the area. The room is kept at a certain temperature so it feels really tropical. Butterflies are great at camouflaging themselves so the guides will identify where they are located on the foliage. This museum has the largest moth in the world which was really cool to see. Some of the butterflies are flying around and will land on you so don’t be alarmed!!!!! It was nice to see animals that are indigenous to the geography.

Next we went up to the 2nd floor for the African Hall so see animal exhibits filled with animals that are indigenous to the continent of Africa. On the 3rd floor are live animals reptiles, spiders, beetles, a bee hive that funnels bees from outside, digging area for shark teeth depending on the day kids are able to pet the animals. While we were there a guide came out with a small guinea pig. Don’t worry there is sanitizer on the way out!

Lastly, we were able to walk through the dinosaur exhibit in the rear there is an area where kids can learn how fossils are extracted from earth. On the second level of the dinosaur exhibit kids can dig for fossils with a tool and googles.

DIY Blog Series-Decor:How to Use Vinyl Decals to Accent Walls

Aug 12, 2015

Since I am in an apartment and not a fan of painting. I discovered a way to add character to the walls throughout my apartment. If you don’t know I LOVE, LOVE inspirational quotes and sayings. I found these vinyl decals at Amazon and will definitely help to put a smile on your face and brighten the mood in your living space.

This is by far a simple way to accent any wall in a room. I found all of these decals at Amazon. The decals are easy to apply and remove if necessary. Tools required is minimal. I did them by hand without measuring with placement lines. All the decals come with simple instructions so it is really a breeze!

The other great part is all of these decals below are available at Amazon. Can you tell I love Amazon? You can visit my Amazon store, CocoaMommy Luvs Amazon Deals to find a great selection for your living space.

My Kid’s Chronicles: MamaBear App for Teen’s Phone- I Asked – You Mad?

Aug 10, 2015

You mad? Every time I say this to my teen he gets so upset. Then he has to remind me “mom you’re not cool”! In honor of his favorite artist!

When I looked at the list of brands attending Blogher15, I knew I had to meet the folks behind the MamaBear app. This app is long overdue for my son. I gave him an ultimatum with the app. Basically I told him either you download the app or the phone gets turned off until further notice. Honestly I think leniency has ruled with my teen since he received a cell phone. What really surprised me is my mobile carrier has no feature to offer tracking. The only thing TMobile does offer is to block incoming and outgoing calls(911 is permitted) at specific blocks of time. The downside is the blocks of time are predetermined by TMobile. As a parent this makes no sense to me because I want the option of choosing the time slots myself. My teen has turned into a night owl with his gadgets so I would love to have more control on the blocks of time. MamaBear has saved the day!

After the app is downloaded on each phone, you add each child and you can set location alerts ( home, other locations(school, bff’s house, etc) as well as any restricted locations), social media alerts(which means they must give you their username and password), driving alerts (if you have licensed drivers in your home, it will send an alert if they are going over the speed limit). For the social media alerts, it will alert with new friends, followers, tags/@mentions and photos and you can even get alerts on restricted words(you have to create the list of words).

Each child is assigned a color code so the alerts are individualized on your phone. The app is free to set up however if you want to see the details of the alerts you have to do a monthly subscription. I paid three months which was $14.99 which is $5.00 per month.

Now the teen was smart enough to let me know he deleted the app to free up space on his phone. I was happy to inform him either the app goes back on or you will no longer have a phone. I do not give up easily so I will keep you posted on the app vs. phone saga!!!!

Cooking and Baking By Me: Quick Pizza-Great Meal Idea

Aug 10, 2015

I have a confession to make – I need to put down the CARBS!!!!!! I am such a lover of any type of bread, potatoes (any way you can imagine) and oh my cheese grits!!!!! Just pure evil for those who are ab conscious!!

I wish there was a way to just click my heels and the fat around my middle would just melt. Ok, back to reality! I am determined to start in my KITCHEN to help the FAT disappear!!!! I am really PUMPED!!!!

On my weekly trip to the supermarket I decided to be a little creative with selecting a quick meal for myself. I decided to use a whole wheat pita(I convinced myself this was better than the white pita) to create a meal that was not half bad.

Honestly, it is a great meal for either lunch or dinner. Today it hit the spot after my weight training and cardio workout! I still get my carbohydrate but with a whole wheat pita instead of white flour pizza dough. I only buy marinara sauce because there is no high fructose corn syrup.

Quick Pizza

1Whole Wheat Pita
1/4 cup of marinara sauce
1/2 tsp of EVOO
1/4 cup of baby spinach
1/4 tsp of garlic (dependent on your preference)
1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese
1 plum tomato, sliced

Preheat broiler. Saute the spinach in olive oil and add garlic for about 3 minutes. Add the marinara sauce to whole wheat pita. Next add the sautéed spinach, top with mozzarella cheese and sliced tomato. Bake for 3-5 minutes until cheese melts. (Keep a close eye on it to avoid burning) Add a dash of parmesan cheese and enjoy!

I am a fan of spinach but feel free to use your favorite green veggies!!!! This is also a great meal for kids and they can help out with adding their favorite toppings.

Happy Eating!!!!!