MomsTown Oct 2020

OCTOBER 2020 | ISSUE 2

San Elijo Hills

Coastal Mom Gives Comfort How to Turn Dough into Cash Getting Kids Comfy with Masks Local Parents Start a Sweet Venture Mom Creates Playful Business

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

San Elijo Hills OCTOBER 2020 | ISSUE 2

Comfort Cub

The Comfort Issue October 2020 4 5 6 13 14

Comforting Broken Hearts Comfort Silkie Getting Kids Comfy with Masks Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole Spiced Pumpkin Carrot

Cheesecake Cupcakes 16 How to Turn Dough Into Cash CONTRIBUTORS

FOUNDERS & EDITORIAL DIRECTORS Mary Goulet & Heather Reider PUBLISHER Inspired Media, Inc. GRAPHIC DESIGN Paula Bichsel - Maine St. Media © COPYRIGHT MOMSTOWN 2020 MomsTown • Fall 2020

17 Local Parents Start a

20 23 26 28 30 31

Sweet Business MomsTown 365 Kitchen & Bath Upgrades A Family Budget Affair Mom Creates a Family Business Casting Call Letter from the Editors

Reproduction or duplication of any part herein requires written permission from Publisher (Inspired Media, Inc.). All information herein is correct to the best of the Publisher’s knowledge as of publication date. Corrections should be forwarded to Publisher at Printingandmail@gmail.com.

Paid advertisements or advertorials herein are not endorsed or recommended by Publisher; therefore, Publisher shall not be held liable for business practices of advertisers. Publisher not liable for images or content accepted in good faith.

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Coastal Mom Gives Comfort MARCELLA’S STORY In 1999 I became pregnant with my fourth child. We were elated!

However, when I was six months along, doctors told my husband and I that our baby had a life-limiting disease and if we were lucky enough to make it to term, he would most likely die during the birth. The bestcase scenario was that he would be born alive but would die shortly thereafter.

Blessedly, on April 11, 1999, we gave birth to our beautiful baby boy, George. Shortly after birth, he died peacefully in my arms. It was incredibly hard, but we felt so blessed to have been able to hold him, kiss him, hug him, look into his big blue eyes, and tell him that we loved him.

During my grief process I experienced acute aching in my heart and a real physical aching in my arms. During this time, I learned about Takotsubo Syndrome, or Broken Heart Syndrome, a physical condition often brought about due to extreme emotional loss. I discovered that holding a weighted potted plant my father handed to me helped ease my physical pain. It was a miracle.

I​n an effort to reach out to those in similar situations, we invented The Comfort Cub, a specially weighted therapeutic teddy bear. Over time, we have discovered the healing abilities of the Comfort Cub go beyond the loss of an infant. We now help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one including the loss of a beloved pet who has become part of the family.

If you would like to support the work of Marcella Johnson and The Comfort Cub, please consider making a donation. Visit https://www.The ComfortCub.org

The heartache that ignited an organization now helps others cope with extreme emotional loss

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To learn more about Marcella’s tips for moms who want to make a positive impact in the world, visit MomsTown.com

MomsTown • Fall 2020

Jeanelle’s Family Business

Q

What inspired you to create your

company or project?

A: I was a mompreneur before it was a word. Comfort is not only what I do but, who I am. I became intrigued by the power of comfort to create biological and psychological changes within the body. I was inspired to become an innovator and educator in the Science of Comfort and a pioneer in comfort therapies.

Q

What diff erence do you hope to

make in the world?

A: To bring comfort through our products, our words, and our actions. To help others to be comfort strong when life is uncertain and stressful. Our products are specifically used to soothe babies in the NICU, cancer patients, autistic children, cancer patients, birthing moms, and to reduce anxiety and increase healing.

Q

What tips do you have for other

mom creators?

Choose what you are passionate about and be the best at it.

Be smart, educate yourself.

Remember people are more important than projects. Family first.

Be a dreamer and be a planner.

Don’t give up.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

Q

What are you creating or what

have you created?

A: Comfort Silkie offers over sixty soothing products for all ages. We manufacture in Carlsbad, California and make products that add luxurious softness to home and life.

Q

What has been the greatest

achievement specific to your company?

A: Seeing our company in national media, winning the JPMA Award, and being featured on Good Morning America are nice accomplishments. However, my greatest achievement is knowing our products make a difference in people’s lives and are loved by two generations.

Q

What has been the greatest

obstacle you’ ve faced?

A: We began the baby comfort market with our original products and became the inspiration for a zillion knockoffs. Comfort Silkie patented the first little security blanket and first swaddler blanket. It’s a painful experience protect patents. A buyer at a major department store copied our line. Their deep pockets ran us into court and they took 75% of our market. It was devastating. We had to ask ourselves, “what do we do now?” We decided to create a lifestyle company and focus on raising our children.

To learn more visit http://ComfortSilkie.com 5

Getting Kids Comfy with Masks SHANNON’S STORY Shannon McDonald is busy. She has two young kids, a busy law practice and she just published her first children’s book, “Remember to Smile!” The book reminds us it’s important, even during a pandemic, to find joy, be silly and laugh!

Q

What inspired you to write the book?

A: Like many parents, I struggle trying to explain the pandemic to my children and the new realities that have come with it. I thought a fun book could make the whole idea of wearing masks a little more fun and a lot less scary.

Q

What diff erence do you hope your book will make?

A: Proceeds from the book benefit the Covid19 Relief Fund for Teachers and Students. I also hope the book will create more smiles :)

Q

What has been the greatest obstacle you’ ve faced with this project?

A: Once you create something there is a sense of accomplishment. However, the next phase is just starting, and that is trying to get others to believe in and want what you have created. Day- by-day, I do what I can to get the book out there. It’s not easy.

Q

What has been the greatest achievement specific to writing and publishing the book?

A: Finishing it! HaHa!

Q

What tips do you have for other mom creators?

1) Know your purpose. Know why you’re doing something and feel good about it.

2) Get good advice/guidance when you do not know something. It’ll be worth it.

3) Be prepared and open to having a plan B, C and even D!

To pick up a copy, visit RemembertoSmile.org.

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

Located in the heart of San Elijo Hills, we are walking distance from San Elijo Middle School as well as San Elijo Elementary School. Many of our tutors came up through these very schools! Speaking of our tutors... they range from extremely intelligent high school and college students (that are required to carry a 4.0 or higher GPA), as well as credentialed teachers! We offer tutors with BIG personalities, and quiet ones too. We believe in matching student and tutor’s interests and personalities as much as subject help they’ll acquire. Our tutors are happy to visit your student at our center, in your home, or virtually!

We are owned and operated by a local, veteran family. This means several things for you and your students. First, we are thankful and supportive of all active and retired military families! We offer discounts for all military families, and even bigger discounts for any families with an actively deployed parent. Second, since we’re not a big corporation or chain tutoring center... we run our center like a home, not a cold corporation simply turning students in and out for cash. We are invested in your children’s success... academically and in life! Lastly, this is our community, too. Our own children attend the local schools, and might even share classes with your children. There’s a sense of pride and commitment to be able to give back to the community you love.

K–12th Grades AP Courses Foreign Languages College Prep In Person or Virtually

One-on-one Sessions Small Groups / Pods All Day Distant Learning Help COVID-19 Precautions

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

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“OK, Karen.”

K

Where Entrepreneur Meets Advocate

arens get a bad rap these days, so we thought we’d shine a light on a good one. We met up with Clean Beauty Advocate, Karen Friend Smith–entrepreneur and long-time resident–to learn more about the clean beauty movement and how it’s making waves from San Diego to Sacramento.

So, what ’s your story?

I have been a serial entrepreneur from the moment I graduated from college. I love starting businesses and helping other small businesses succeed. This passion is what led me to build a publishing company here in San Diego that created community newspapers and magazines (a lot like this one) for many years.

There are so many great stories behind every local business.

How did you get involved in advocacy and the clean beauty movement?

About six years ago, someone came to me to advertise her new business with Beautycounter–a clean beauty brand based out of Santa Monica. The company name said it all. They were ‘countering’ the beauty industry by increasing awareness about harmful ingredients and how what we put on our skin matters for our health.

This caught my eye because I had been on a health journey myself. My husband and two daughters had recently made some major changes in our

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lifestyle–starting with our food (shifting away from processed foods to more whole foods).

From there, we moved into changing our cleaning products. Reducing the plastic in our house. Using glass for food storage. Swapping out our cookware for cleaner options.

But, at the time, I had never stopped to think about our personal care products–like skincare, lotions, makeup, deodorant, haircare. Learning about Beautycounter started me down that rabbit hole. As a mother of two girls, I started to realize we used more products than I thought.

Turns out the average woman uses about 12 products every day and this translates into well over 100 different chemicals.

I was really shocked to see how many harmful ingredients are in these products–ingredients that are directly linked to infertility, endocrine issues, allergies and cancer. I had no idea we hadn’t updated legislation on ingredient safety for these products here in the U.S. since 1938! Needless to say, the more I learned, the more I had to get involved–not only in sharing this information with others so they can choose safer products, but also helping advocate for change.

California Bills Signal Nationwide Change Last summer, I had the opportunity to join Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Women’s Voices for the Earth, Black Women

for Wellness and Beautycounter in Sacramento to lobby for a bill that would provide more transparency and empower consumers to choose safer products.

After multiple attempts, it has been exciting to see the progress made since then.

Two bills just passed here in California–the Safer Fragrance bill (SB 312) and the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (AB 2762). These bills are the biggest step forward in this industry in over 80 years!

And, even though these are California laws, they affect more than just residents here. Companies are not going to want to make two versions of the same product. So, they will likely default to making the one that is allowed in California–which means safer products in all 50 states.

Does Advocacy Really Work?

Advocacy is key! I’ve witnessed it the last few years. We are making big strides and the industry is taking notice. Beautycounter was named the Most Innovative Beauty Brand of the Year by Fast Company in 2020, the #1 Trending Beauty Brand in 2018 by Refinery 29, has been featured in everything from Forbes to Vogue to the New York Times and has won multiple product awards from Allure, Glamour and Cosmopolitan, among others.

It’s been so fulfilling to be part of meaningful change–building a business that is both financially rewarding and has such significant social impact. We are growing fast and looking for more voices to add to our movement.

If you’ve thought about starting your own business or maybe just a side hustle, Beautycounter is a great place to make that happen. There’s tremendous opportunity and flexibility for anyone who wants to jump in and get involved. Reach out and I’ll get some information to you.

Want to Learn More?

Start by choosing safer products.

Local Umbrella Media is partnering with Beautycounter to support the clean beauty movement and to help you make some clean swaps. Visit us at https:// www.beautycounter.com/bradweber to get 10% off your first order and to learn more about how to get involved.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

COVID & HALLOWEEN

Unique ways to celebrate Halloween, even if it’s not in-person Halloween celebrations will be different in 2020. A global pandemic has made activities like trick-or-treating risky, and many parents figure to keep kids home this Halloween.

It may be hard to envision a Halloween without kids getting together as they go from house to house in search of candy. But celebrants should know that there’s still fun to be had this Halloween, even if that fun is not in-person with fellow vampires, witches and pirates.

This Halloween can be as unique as celebrants are willing to make it. The following are some fun ways to celebrate a Halloween that may feature little in-person interactions with other costumed ghouls and goblins.

• Get dressed up for video chats. While social distancing measures may discourage large gatherings, such measures aren’t discouraging people from wearing costumes this Halloween. Parents can organize a group Zoom call with their children’s classmates, encouraging everyone on the call, including other moms and dads, to wear their costumes.

• Create a Halloween candy hunt. Take a cue from Easter celebrations and organize a Halloween candy hunt in the backyard. Kids can get dressed up and search the property for all the usual spoils of Halloween. Parents of school-aged children can even add a twist by making the Halloween candy search a scavenger hunt, complete with clues and candies hidden in decorative scarecrows and jack-o’-lanterns.

• Throw a hospital hero-themed Halloween party. Traditional Halloween masks don’t typically cover up noses or mouths, which renders them ineffective protection against COVID-19. A party that both honors local hospital workers while celebrating the work they do can make for a fun way to get together this Halloween. Organizers can encourage participants to dress up as doctors, nurses, orderlies, and other hospital workers, making sure each attendee wears a mask that covers their nose and mouth and fits snugly onto their face. Each attendee also can provide a small donation that can go toward purchasing meals for local hospital workers.

• Bake your own Halloween treats. If kids won’t be

MomsTown • Fall 2020

going door-to-door this Halloween, parents can organize holiday-themed baking sessions to whip up some homemade treats for youngsters. Encourage participants to decorate baked goods with Halloween colors and imagery, and then drop off the finished products at each other’s homes. Treats can then be opened and enjoyed over a Zoom call that includes all participants.

Halloween celebrations may be different this year, but they can still be fun for everyone.

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Entertain in Style

(Family Features) It’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you are expecting guests in your home. Your family and friends know and might love your style, but it can be important to spice things up now and again to impress your visitors. Factors such as lights, music and food can affect your guests experience in your home.

To remain stylish and keep your party going, consider these tips for fun and festive home entertaining.

Back to Basics.

Staying organized is key while entertaining guests in your home. Try to plan out every detail before the big event, which can allow things to go more smoothly on the big day. As you think out your plan ahead of time, making lists can be a helpful way to stay organized and ensure you get everything done. List out your guests, what needs to be picked up from the store and possible decorations you

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might need to buy or craft yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s important to have a plan in place before you start putting things together.

Think about Theme.

There are numerous ways your style can be shown while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or theme-related food dishes. One way to show your theme is through decorations. Placing them throughout your home can give the party some life and help guests get into the overall theme of the party.

Light up the Party.

Transforming your home can be made simpler by changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood. Other ideas include using candles, lamps or even hanging lanterns if you are entertaining outside. Make sure it’s bright enough so everyone can see, but dimmed enough to set the mood for the evening’s events.

Set the Mood with Music.

Pick music that matches your theme and inspires that same feel throughout the house. If you’re going for a fun, energetic atmosphere, try something with a quick tempo, such as pop. If you’re wanting to relax, go for subtler, soothing tones. Try making your playlist before you entertain and listen to it a few times through, that way you can know what to expect and how guests will react to your music selections.

Enjoy it.

Through all the anxiety and stress of entertainment planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself during the time guests are in your home. Some guests will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and remember to be present in the moment.

Find more entertainment tips at eLivingToday.com.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

MomsTown • Fall 2020

RECIPES

Puff Pastry & Spinach Appetizer

Spanakopita Puffs

If you have not tried Spanakopita, you’re in for a treat! Spanakopita is a savory Greek pie made of crispy layers of phyllo dough and a filling of spinach and feta cheese. This is so much easier to make than you might think.

Recipe adapted from Milk Means More 1 package puff pastry sheets 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 small onion, diced 10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 4 ounces light cream cheese, softened 2 eggs, divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup crumbled garlic and herb feta cheese 1 tablespoon cold water Heat oven to 375 F. Thaw folded pastries 15 minutes. Once thawed, unfold sheets to thaw out flat.

In large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onions and saute 3-5 minutes, or until tender and translucent.

Stir spinach into softened onions. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, until water from spinach evaporates and spinach is mostly dry. Transfer spinach mixture to large bowl.

In small bowl, blend cream cheese with one egg, salt and pepper until smooth.

Fold cream cheese mixture into spinach mixture to combine. Stir in feta cheese and set aside.

Line baking pans with parchment paper or silicone baking mats.

On floured surface, roll one sheet puff pastry out to 10-by-12-inch rectangle.

Cut sheet in half lengthwise then again widthwise to form four 5-by-6-inch rectangles. Place rectangles on prepared baking sheets.

Place spoonful of filling onto center of each cut pastry. Whisk remaining egg with cold water to create egg wash. Lightly brush egg wash around perimeter edges of each pastry square.

Pick up short side of pastry and fold over filling toward other short side. Press edges to seal before crimping with fork. Repeat with remaining pastries.

Brush small amount of egg wash over top of each pastry. Cut small slits on top of each pastry to allow filling to vent steam while cooking.

Bake 25-30 minutes, or until pastries are evenly browned on top.

Transfer pastries to wire rack. Cool 8-10 minutes before serving.

For more appetizer ideas, visit Culinary.net.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

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RECIPES

Plantain Crusted Salmon

Plantain Crusted Salmon Fillets

Prep time: 15 minutes Total time: 30 minutes Servings: 4 Nonstick cooking spray 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon cumin 4 salmon fillets (6 ounces each), skin on 1/4 teaspoon salt, plus additional, to taste, divided 1 DOLE® Plantain, green or half ripe 2 Dole Green Onions, thinly sliced 1/2 tablespoon grated lime peel Preheat oven to 425 F. Line baking sheet with foil; spray with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

Combine cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, garlic and cumin; set aside.

Arrange salmon fillets on prepared baking sheet. Season with salt, to taste. Spread about 1 tablespoon cilantro mixture on top of each salmon fillet to cover.

Using box grater, peel and grate plantain. Place grated plantain in bowl with green onions, lime peel and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss to combine. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup plantain mixture on top of each salmon fillet, gently pressing to adhere. Spray plantain crust with nonstick cooking spray.

Bake 15 minutes, or until salmon is opaque and plantain crust is lightly browned.

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(Family Features) If you’re looking to spice up your mealtime routines, especially during those busy school nights, you might consider plantains as a replacement for often-used recipe staples like potatoes.

Plantains are a fruit grown around the world that cooks and eats more like a vegetable. Members of the banana family, they’re starchier and lower in sugar, meaning they’re still green when ripe.

As an additional benefit, plantains can be used at every stage of ripeness. They can be boiled like a potato when green; prepared in sauces and soups, air-fried or roasted as snacks when yellow; or baked in desserts and sweet recipes when black or spotted.

Find more ways to enjoy plantains and other fresh fruits and vegetables in family recipes at dole.com.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

RECIPES

Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole

Cheesy Baked Potato Casserole

5 pounds red potatoes, cubed 1 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled 1 pound cheddar cheese, cubed 16 ounces shredded cheddar cheese 1 yellow onion, chopped 1 cup mayonnaise 8 ounces sour cream 1 tablespoon minced chives 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Heat oven to 325 F. In large bowl, combine potatoes and bacon.

In separate large bowl, combine cheese, onion, mayonnaise, sour cream, chives, salt and pepper. Add to potato and bacon mixture until combined.

Pour into 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bake 50-60 minutes until browned and bubbly.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

(Culinary.net) ’Tis the season for comfort foods, and this recipe with crumbled bacon and cubed potatoes smothered in melted cheddar cheese is sure to satisfy.

Find more meal ideas at Culinary.net.

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RECIPES

Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes

Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes Serves: 12 1 box (14 ounces) pumpkin quick bread, divided 1 cup carrots, shredded 3 eggs, divided 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup golden raisins 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoons sugar 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 cup pecans, chopped 3 tablespoons butter, softened Heat oven to 350 F. Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.

In large bowl, stir 1/2 pumpkin quick bread package, carrots, 1 egg, milk, raisins and oil until blended. Fill each cupcake liner 3/4 full.

In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, remaining eggs, sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Spoon cream cheese mixture over cupcake batter.

In medium bowl, use fork to combine remaining bread package mix, pecans and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle evenly over cream cheese in each cup.

Bake 25 minutes. Cool completely on wire rack.

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(Culinary.net) Pumpkin is the flavor of the season when fall comes around, especially when used in heartwarming desserts and sweet treats the whole family can enjoy.

This autumn, when your loved ones start searching the kitchen for sweets, you can turn to Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Cheesecake Cupcakes for a tasty handheld way to appease those festive cravings.

Combining pumpkin quick bread with a handful of household ingredients, this easy recipe makes it simple to serve up traditional tastes in a matter of minutes.

Plus, with kid-friendly instructions that call for minimal complicated tasks, the whole family can enjoy creating these cupcake masterpieces together as a celebration of moments spent together.

Find more seasonal desserts at Culinary.net.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

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family recipe? Wed love to share it in MAGAZINE

Send Your

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Recipe & Photo to Recipes@MomsTown.com

MomsTown • Fall 2020

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How to Turn Dough into Cash

D

o you have a great recipe that you’ve been dreaming of turning into a business? If so, the cottage food industry just might be the answer to your dreams.

What is Cottage Food?

A Cottage Food business is a business operated by a person who produces or packages non-potentially hazardous food in a home kitchen.

In the past several years, lawmakers in states across the country have enacted new or improved cottage food laws, making it legal to start a cottage food operation.

The result: A new local cottage food economy is emerging.

Welcome to the Cottage Food Revolution!

If you’re new to the term Cottage Food you’re not alone. Most people have probably never heard of it. But times, they are a’changin’.

The revolution in California started in the home kitchen of Mark Stambler. Mark is the award-winning bread baker who had to close down his home-based bakery because, at the time, baking bread at home and selling it to the public was illegal in the Golden State.

When state lawmaker, Mike Gatto heard

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about Mark’s rise and fall, he gave him a call and said he wanted to help. Together the two took the fight to Sacramento.

Definition of Cottage Food Cottage food is turning homemade food into homespun business. Simply put, cottage food is homemade for sale; it can be produced in a home kitchen and sold to the public. Cottage foods are not required to be prepared in a commercial kitchen. They are considered “non-potentially hazardous” foods and, therefore, pose a low risk to people’s health.

Cottage food operations are allowed to produce certain non-potentially hazardous foods. These are foods that do not support the rapid growth of bacteria that would make people sick when held outside of refrigeration temperatures.

-California Department of Public Health Making & Selling Cottage Food In most states, Cottage Food Operators (CFO) must sell direct-to-consumer. You make it; you sell it to the customer. Usually, a CFO will sell their product from their house, farm, a farmers’ market or a similar location.

According to the USDA, there were 8,713 farmers markets listed in USDA’s National

Farmers Market Directory. This is a 0.21 percent increase from 2016.

In addition to the increasing number of farmers’ markets, a lineup of new laws taking effect across the nation is fueling the cottage food industry. The new and revised cottage food laws are making it easier and more affordable for home cooks to start businesses from their home kitchens.

Cottage Food Laws The Cottage Food Industry is state regulated, meaning each state has its own set of rules and regulations when it comes to selling food made in a home kitchen. Before launching a cottage food business, it’s important to understand the Cottage Food Laws in your state.

The new Cottage Food Laws are creating new local industries, and new opportunities for moms, retirees, immigrants, full-time and part-time workers with a dream and surprisingly, the earliest of adopters are entrepreneurial-minded-millennials who have a passion for sustainable local food. To learn more about who’s getting into cottage food and cottage food laws, head on over to MomsTown.com and check out our section on “Start Your Kitchens!”

MomsTown • Fall 2020

Local Parents Start a Sweet Business Chocolatiers, Sandra Bedoya and David Mejia, are finding success one “nibble” at a time. The local parents started Nibble Chocolate from their small apartment kitchen and are now taking a big bite out of the beanto-bar chocolate business.

Bean-to-Bar Chocolate Bean-to-bar means chocolate artisans process the cocoa beans inhouse, roasting the beans, grinding the nibs into a smooth paste, mixing in sugar and other ingredients and tempering the chocolate. The end product is a wrapped chocolate bar.

The US bean-to-bar chocolate business is worth an estimated $75m-to-$100m.

-Vreeland & Associates Sandra and David started the business while craving chocolate and trying to find a healthy option. The ingredients in commercially produced chocolate caused them to lose their appetites. They started making their own chocolate from scratch and decided to test their product at a farmers’ market. They sold out! Quickly, the production spilled beyond their home kitchen. They now operate a small chocolate factory. Every “Nibble” is still made by hand.

Growing a Quality Business Quality and ethically sourced ingredients are important to Sandra and David. They take pride in working directly with the farmers that provide them with cocoa beans. The Brazilian farmer pays workers above-average wages. The Dominican Republic beans are certified direct trade. The Madagascar farmer provides education and shelter to workers. The Peruvian beans come from a co-op that has won international awards. To learn more visit Nibble.com.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

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How to Start a Candy Company California’s new gold rush just might be a sugar rush. The Homemade Food Act of California now makes it legal to start a candy company from home. If you’re thinking about starting a candy business, here are some tips to help you stake your claim in the candy industry.

6 Sweet Tips

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1. Get sweet on business plans. Sink your sweet tooth into it and create a plan for success.

2. Raise the chocolate bar. Learn all you can about your craft and the candy industry. One great resource is the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

3. Sticky-to-It. Be willing to persevere through the sweet and sour times. Creating a business around a great product and a great purpose enhances your chance of success.

4. Crush the Competition. Get to know what your competition is doing, both on a national level and at the local street market. Buy their products. Evaluate their ingredients, packaging and marketing.

5. Kisses for your customers. Be thankful for every sale and grateful for every customer.

6. Wrappers Matter. Keep this in mind when creating your logo, packaging materials and label. Even though your label might read, “ Made in a home kitchen,” it doesn’ t mean it should look unprofessional.

To learn more about starting a food business from home, visit MomsTown.com.

MomsTown • Fall 2020

Podcasts & Pickles

Podcasts are like pickles.

There’s one for everyone. There are even podcasts about pickles and a podcast titled, “Pickle.”

We’re not kidding! https://www.npr.org/ podcasts/568966439/pickle The podcasting industry is exploding. Podcasters are talking and people are listening. It’s also a great time to be a mom creator and if you’ve been thinking about hooking up the microphone and pushing the record button, we have a few quick tips.

3 Tips for Starting a Podcast Choose the Right Topic for You. It’s important to choose a topic that truly interests you.

It’s easy to start a podcast. The tricky part is sticking with it.

By choosing a subject you’re passionate about, you’ll find it a heck of a lot easier to maintain your enthusiasm for booking MomsTown • Fall 2020

guests, recording content and marketing your show.

Set Realistic Expectations. If you’re considering starting a podcast as a way to supplement your income (or be your main source of income) then you need to know it’s the rare podcast that actually puts profits in the pockets of podcasters. It is possible, however, to make money through podcasting.

It’s All about the Sound! If you’re serious about creating a quality podcast, you should consider making a small investment in quality equipment. A good microphone, a set of headphones and a recording system can make a world of difference.

To learn more about the equipment we use and the ways we have monetized our MomsTown podcast, head on over to MomsTown.com and visit our podcasting page.

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The Daily Podcast for Mom Creators Launching January 2021

MomsTown 365 is a daily 10 minute podcast dedicated to shining a light on Mom Creators! MomsTown 365 will deliver an inspiring story of a different mom creator every day. Moms create families, friendships, communities and awareness. We also create businesses, non-profits, traditions, food, art, events and all kinds of beautiful and wonderful things.

If you have a story you’d like to share or you know a mom creator, we want to hear from you. The show is launching January 1, 2021. January will be here before we know it! We are scheduling interviews now. Tell us your story. Share your tips and your inspiration! Head on over to MomsTown.com and fill out the MomsTown 365 Podcast contact form.

Also, be sure to sign up for the MomsTown Newsletter to get the latest show updates.

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

REACH YOUR GOALS!

Get Out of Your Comfort Zone

By Betsy Rosenfeld Vargas | Harper’s Bazaar Go-To Life Coach If you’ve been dealing with a bit of the doldrums or feel like you’ve slipped into a slump, you’re not alone. The blahs can be beaten. Here are three simple steps to getting unstuck and putting yourself on a path to emotional prosperity.

Bye-Bye Social Media As painful as it might be, consider taking Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or whatever your app of choice may be, off your phone.

At best it’s a major waste of your precious time, and at worst, social media facilitates the very human, and very unhelpful, fear-based tendency to compare the inside of our lives to the outside of others. This inevitably leaves us disappointed in ourselves, our situations and that doesn’t help anyone move forward.

Keep it Small!

When we set goals too lofty or vague— i.e. I want to be skinny—and we don’t reach them immediately, it’s easy to say, “Oh well I failed, let’s eat some donuts!”

Instead, identify actionable small goals such as walking 10,000 steps three times this week and keep protein bars on hand in case that craving sneaks up on you. These are winnable targets which will propel you to take on greater challenges on your way to your big goal!

And note, small goals might not seem like a big deal, but all we can control is the here and now. Feel confident in knowing that every small win helps lead to success.

See Your Awesomeness!

Look back on times when you really did something amazing; whether it was the birth of a child, that time you enjoyed a promotion or won an award.

A small accomplishment, like working out even when you didn’t feel up to it, is also a reason to pat yourself on the back.

Write down your achievements, type them into the notes on your phone or post it on your wall as reminder to self, “I’ve done hard things in the past and I can do overcome challenges again.”

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ASAP Moms Town Ad - Final.pdf 1 9/30/2020 6:52:08 AM

ASAP Moms Town Ad - Final.pdf 1 9/30/2020 6:52:08 AM

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

On-Trend Kitchen and Bath Upgrades

(Family Features) Kitchens and bathrooms remain among the top picks for homeowners looking to upgrade and they typically provide a high return on investment.

If you’re considering a renovation project for either in-demand space, consider some of these on-trend ideas from Doug King, CR, MBA, owner of King Contracting, Inc. and president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Kitchen Bigger functional spaces. When it comes to physical space, a popular choice is removing or relocating walls to make the room larger.

This added space can be instrumental in adding an island or peninsula for bar seating. Other features like icemakers, tall wine refrigerators and walk-in pantries are high on the frequent request list.

Clever storage. Making the most of storage space has always been a top desire.

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Drawer organizers are in high demand, along with pull-out waste baskets that hide recycling bins within. Another popular approach is large base cabinets with pivoting shelving mechanisms for storing large items like mixers and other taller countertop appliances.

Feature-rich appliances. Appliance manufacturers are adding all kinds of bells and whistles, and those features are increasingly attractive to homeowners. Upper-end appliances are becoming more mainstream as homeowners discover features the more expensive models offer for ease of use and comfort.

Bathroom Spa-like setting. One long-term trend that is still in top demand for the master bath is design that mimics a serene spa. This plays out in cooler colors like white, blues and grays. Glass tiles are taking on a bigger role with many homeowners using them as artistic focal points in showers or

opting for pebble-like tiles that spill from walls onto the floor.

Upscale practicality. Little touches that may have once gone unnoticed are now trending as opportunities to add elements of style. For example, curbless showers with offset lineal drains are preferred to traditional centered circular versions. Similarly, homeowners are upping the ante with lighting such as fixtures integrated with fans and mirrors, and even below floating vanities for ambient light at night.

A splash of tech. Whether it’s used to control smart features or simply add entertainment like TV or soothing music, technology has a permanent place on the list of bathroom trends. The available features make it easy to make a full escape from the daily grind of life.

Find more inspiration and trending ideas for your next home improvement project at remodelingdoneright.com.

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6 Curb Appeal Tricks To Attract Buyers

By Lisa Marie Conklin hikesterson/Getty Images Curb appeal: It’s the makeor-break first impression of your home. It either beckons a second look or turns buyers off entirely. Make your curb appeal so irresistible, buyers will be clamoring to know what’s inside.

1. Keep the yard green and pristine The lawn is one of the first things buyers notice, whether they are pulling up to the curb or looking at an online listing.

When it’s lush and green, it creates a favorable impression.

2. Mind your driveway and

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walkway Hose down the driveway and walkway before showing your home or taking photos.

You might be inclined to overlook the driveway and front walk—how much can you really do to make concrete look good? But, truth be told, these areas are like the red carpet of curb appeal: They lead buyers to the main event, the inside of your home.

3. Flaunt your nighttime appeal Prospective buyers might be driving by after dark see what your house looks like at night. Turn on the charm with a warm glow from exterior

lighting.

4. Don’ t forget the garage The garage is a key component in curb appeal, too, especially if it’s attached to the house. But how do you spruce up this often-dull space?

Paint the garage door the same color as the trim on the house.

5. Replace outdoor accents and give your landscaping some love A shabby doormat, dingy house numbers, and a rusty old mailbox are hardly deal breakers, but they do leave a stale impression. If your outdoor accents have seen better days, replace them.

Make sure your landscaping looks lush and prune overgrown shrubs and trees.

6. Give your front door a face-lift If you’re going to spend money on one thing to add curb appeal, make it a new door. If there isn’t room in the budget, rejuvenate your existing door with a fresh coat of paint and hardware.

A fresh pop of color in red, yellow, or blue can bring life to your house immediately and catches people’s eyes as well loved and cared for and thought about. A home that’s been cared for stands out.

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Five Reasons to Sell Now If you’re in the market to sell you home but you assumed you should write off this summer’s home-selling season as a lost cause, we have good news! Here are a few reasons why the market could actually be moving strongly in your favor:

Buyer Demand is Back!

The real estate market is already seeing strong signs of a rebound, according to the National Association of Realtors pending home sales shot up 43%–the highest month-overmonth jump since 2001, when the index began.

Inventory Remains Low

Yet amid this glut of home buyers, the number of homes for sale to actually meet this pent-up demand is at an all-time low.

Home Prices are Up

With demand for homes up and inventory down, the conditions are perfect for home sellers to get higher prices.

Buyers’ Needs Have Changed

Home offices, more privacy, outdoor spaces and just more room in general are becoming more and more important to homeowners.

Mortgage Rates are Low

Another factor pushing home buyers to shop are the lower mortgage interest rates.

Need additional information?

Contact Ilana Huff

760-917-8833 • Ilana@huffteam.com • Realtor DRE#01395813

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A Family Budget Affair

We work, cook, clean, take care of the kids and then there’s the budget! To take the bore out of the budget chore, here are some tips to put some fun in the family finances.

• • • •

Make it a family affair Call a family meeting and get everyone involved.

Set money goals. Make the goals a team effort.

Find ways to save. Brainstorm together. Talk to your kids about the cost of utilities. Show them the savings from doing simple things like turning lights off or taking shorter showers.

• Make the budget visual • Get a whiteboard or large poster board and make the budget big and colorful.

• Keep a tally of your progress toward the goal so everyone can see it.

• Write ‘shout outs’ when someone contributes to the fund or does something that helps the family save money.

• Show how much money you save when you eat at home rather than going out • Stay in communication with your spouse • Of course, you can’t involve the kids in every aspect of the family finances. Together with your spouse, do the following: • Go over your bank statements.

• Set spending limits for categories like groceries and entertainment.

• Write down short and long-term financial goals.

When it comes to family budgeting, if everyone works together, you can problem solve when things don’t go as planned and celebrate when you hit those goals.

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

Try a New Way to Travel

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

(Family Features) Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, families are still finding ways to make the most of unusual schedules to plan a getaway.

With more flexible work and school arrangements, many families are embracing the idea of a “flexcation,” an emerging travel trend where families rent vacation homes later in August, September and October, consider staying longer to mix work and play, and often get better value in high-demand locales.

If you’re ready for a break, consider these reasons to take a flexcation.

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Save money and avoid crowds. Prices for vacation rentals typically drop during shoulder season, the time period after Labor Day and before the holiday travel season. For example, you can find drops of at least 20% in average nightly rates for vacation homes in popular destinations.

See familiar places in new ways. Traveling during a different time of year lets you see favorite destinations from a different perspective.

Stay longer. With the ability to work remotely or complete online assignments anywhere there’s a Wi-Fi con-

nection, there’s no need to cut a weekend trip short to get back in time for class or punch the clock on Monday morning.

Enjoy a change of scenery. According to a study from New York University, people feel happier when they have more variety in their daily routines, such as going to novel places and having a wider array of experiences.

Before you go, be sure to research how COVID-19 might affect your travel plans.

For more tips on planning your next trip, visit vrbo.com.

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A Mom Creates a Playful Business

Lindsey Wood is a new mom and a licensed Pediatric Occupational Therapist and now an entrepreneur as well. Here’s the start of her inspiring story.

Q: What are you creating or what have you created?

A: I am in the pre-launch phase of a subscription box for kids I’ve curated as a licensed pediatric occupational therapist. There are specific tools and toys for sensory and motor development.

Designed for children with sensory processing, mental health, and developmental differences, but fun for all children! The tools are geared toward children diagnosed with autism, attention deficits, anxiety, emotional and 28

behavioral disorders and developmental delays.

Q: What inspired you to create your company or project?

A: My passion has always been working with children. Being able to see children engage in activities that are meaningful to them; play, movement activities, social interactions and learning,

inspires me.

Q: What diff erence do you hope to make in your family and in your community?

A: I hope to help my community and eventually communities throughout the nation by providing children with tools/toys that aid with self-regulation and motor skill building. My goal is to

make it easier and stress-free for parents, teachers, and therapists who work with children to find the right tools to use, and it gets delivered to their doorstep.

Q: What tips do you have for other mom creators?

Make sure to spend quality time with your family Work hard, play harder If you have an idea, just go for it.

Taking that first step is the beginning of creating your dreams!

Q: What has been the greatest achievement specific to your company or project?

A: My greatest achievement thus far is creating a licensed business and finding the right network of toy vendors to provide tools/toys for DeveloPLAY. I’ve researched a lot and I’m finally in the position to be ready to launch the business.

Q: What has been the greatest obstacle you’ve faced and/or had to overcome?

A. Starting the business! I know how to play with children and provide therapeutic interventions for children, but I didn’t know the first thing to starting a business.

To find out more about DeveloPLAY visit http://EatPlayLoveOT.com MomsTown • Fall 2020

What’s Your Your What’s Dream Job? Job? Dream

On the MomsTown Podcast we hear from a lot of moms in search of their dream job or business. If that sounds like you, here are some tips on how to identify that dream career: Identify the Natural You. One way to identify the Natural You is to look back to when you were a young girl. Did you enjoy writing, art or science projects? Our younger selves can tell us a lot about our natural passions.

Create a List of Hobbies. If you’re having trouble remembering (because when you’re a mom, sometimes memory is in short supply), ask your mom, dad, or siblings what you loved as a child. List your current hobbies as well.

Journal It. Start writing. A pen and paper can get ideas flowing.

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Draft a Personal Mission Statement. You can start with answering a few questions. What are my personal goals? What are my business goals? What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? What am I willing to sacrifice?

What am I hoping to gain?

Don’t wait. Start today by removing any obstacles that stand in your way. Don’t let negative self-talk or pessimism stand between you and your dream job. But it’s going to take more than just believing your idea will be profitable.

It’ll take action.

We’d love to hear about your dream and your journey. If you’re just getting started or are already enjoying that dream job, send an email to Podcast@MomsTown.com.

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G N I T S CA CALL! The Mary & Heather Show The Podcast for Mom Podcasters Casting Call!

If you’re a mom dreaming of starting a podcast or interested in growing your podcast, we invite you to connect with us today. We are looking for 100 mom podcasters interested in joining us on a very unique and exciting podcast journey.

We’re about to announce an incredible new venture dedicated to helping you build an amazing podcast; a podcast that connects with your audience and makes you money.

We have advertisers standing by just

waiting for your podcast and content.

It’s okay if you’re just in the ideation phase. We’re looking for moms who want to get started and moms who are already podcasting. We will be releasing details on our new show, The Mary & Heather Show, The Podcast for Mom Podcasters.

We look forward to helping you build the podcast of your dreams.

The Mary & Heather Show is all about supporting your dream of starting, scaling and monetizing your podcast.

We’ve been podcasting since 2004.

We’ve made all kinds of mistakes.

We’ve also made money in a variety of ways from our podcast. We share our strategies and we are excited to share our recipe for success. We’re also looking forward to sharing your story.

We want to shine a light on you!

So, don’t hesitate. Get your invitation!

When you join our waitlist you will receive details on the next steps!

This is going to be incredible! We can’t wait to hear from you!

Warmly,

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MomsTown • Fall 2020

Welcome to MomsTown!

We are Heather and Mary, the founders of MomsTown.

We are proud to introduce the premier edition of MomsTown, San Elijo Hills. MomsTown is brought to you, compliments of your local realtor, Ilana Huff and The Huff Team. We are thrilled to be working with Ilana and her team as we work to shine a light on moms, families and communities.

MomsTown is dedicated to celebrating mom creators.

We know moms are creative. Moms create families, communities, art, culture, business, food, traditions and so much more. We believe inspiration is good for a mom’s soul. Our community of writers is dedicated to shining a light on the different ways moms bring their inspiration and creativity to life and sharing their advice and tips along the way.

Beyond creativity, we also know moms are an economic powerhouse. In fact, according to “Forbes,” recent studies suggest moms make 85% of all household purchasing decisions and represent $2.4 trillion in annual spending power. Moms, more often than not, are the ones who decide what groceries go in the pantry, what car is parked in the driveway and even the house attached to that driveway.

MomsTown honors the creativity of moms, appreciates their influence and looks forward to sharing their inspiring stories.

Please feel free to connect and reach out if you’re a mom creator, know a mom walking on the creative side, or want to connect with our rapidly growing community and network.

In addition to sharing your stories in MomsTown, we also look forward to sharing your great recipes, tips, tricks, shortcuts and breakthroughs on the MomsTown 365, The Daily Podcast for Mom Creators. MomsTown 365 is officially launching on January 1, 2021.

We are interested in hearing your stories.

For more information on how to share your ideas, suggestions and great stories go to MomsTown.com. When you get a moment, sign up for the MomsTown Newsletter. We will be sending show updates and all kinds of fun opportunities and treats for moms.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Warmly, Mary and Heather

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We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!

We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!

We have clients in escrow! We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!We have clients in escrow!

San Elijo Hills