MomsTown NEWS - JUL 2022

JUL 2022 | VOL III

HOW

Mom

MADE IT pg 12

POWER UP YOUR MORNING

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CULTIVATE PROSPERITY ENTERTAIN WITH FLAIR

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SUMMER RECIPES

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!

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MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

Letter from momstown!

The stories, inspiration, tips and recipes in this newspaper are all made possible because Ilana Huff and The Huff Team share an unwavering commitment to the families in this community.

Please be sure to reach out to her, or if you see her around town, let her know how much she is appreciated.

Finally, please also feel free to reach out to us. Send us your story suggestions and ideas! We’d love to hear about what you’d like to see in MomsTown.

Contact us at Heather@MomsTown.com and/or Mary@MomsTown.com Warmly,

Heather & Mary

We are bursting with gratitude and absolutely ecstatic to be sharing with you the return of MomsTown! We want to thank Ilana Huff and The Huff Team for partnering with us to bring MomsTown back to you. We believe moms are the pulse of the family, the community and the economy. We all want a strong and healthy pulse. That’s why MomsTown is committed to inspiring and promoting you and other local moms.

C oming this fall!

So, without further adieu…

Our cover story this month features the namesake of a Grandma who sparked an idea for two local moms. Bette was a grandmother who loved life. As you’ll read in How Mom Made It!, Bette's inspiration lives on. Bette’s granddaughter, and her friend, launched a coastal lifestyle brand. It’s simply called Bette. They started with an idea, a let’s do this! attitude, a few spicy margaritas and a small garage pop-up boutique.

Today, Bette is a nationwide brand. The founders, Hillary and Chris, share with us the story behind Bette and tips for other moms dreaming of starting something new.

From dreaming to gardening our soul’s desires, Vanessa Elle Wilde, shares her tips on how to cultivate an environment of inevitable prosperity. It starts with your unique desires and your one-of-a-kind blueprint. It’s an inspirational read, indeed!

If you’re looking for fresh inspiration, MomsTown is dishing with local mom, Dasha Hervey. Dasha shares with us her flair for entertaining friends and family. Dasha brings us fun and playful designing tips to make even casual get togethers something special. Oh, and her mouthwatering Watermelon Margarita Mimosa is definitely inspiring us to raise a glass!

The mimosa, however, is only the starter! This month’s recipes bring the sizzle to summer. There’s a perfectly grilled steak, a fruity summer salsa and budget-friendly family recipes that will dazzle your table and your tastebuds. Plus, we’re delivering a crunchy salad and a scrumptious salmon recipe featuring grapes- they’re great!

MomsTown is excited to announce the launch of its latest podcast featuring the creativity and ingenuity of moms.

MOMSTOWN PRESENTS: How Mom Made It! Stories, Expert Tips & Secret Little Gems for Success If you, or someone you know, would be a great guest, please share!

SEND GUEST SUGGESTIONS & TOPIC IDEAS TO: Heather@MomsTown.com OR Mary@MomsTown.com TUNE INTO MOMSTOWN’S FLAGSHIP SHOW: MomsTown365 — Go to MomsTown.com

LOCAL UMBRELLA MEDIA publication San Diego CA

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Reproduction or duplication of any part herein requires written permission from Publisher (Inspired Media, Inc).

All information herein is correct to the best of 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 or MomsTown, Inc. not liable for images or content accepted in good faith.

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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A POWERFUL

morning routine AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS TO HAVE A DAILY PLANNER TO KEEP TRACK OF OUR APPOINTMENTS, ERRANDS AND TO-DO LISTS, IT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A MORNING ROUTINE THAT PUTS US IN THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND, ENERGY, POSITIVITY, AND SELF-ESTEEM. BELOW IS A LIST OF ACTIVITIES THAT WILL HELP GROUND US AND SUPERCHARGE OUR DAY.

BREATHE: Start the day with mindful awareness of your breathing. We understand a lot of us like to hold our stomachs in (ha ha); however, deep belly breathing helps to relieve stress, calm us down and renew our mood. Try this exercise, the 4-7-8, also known as “relaxing breath,” which involves breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds. It’s hard to “think” while doing this exercise, which is a good thing!

A GRATITUDE LIST: Starting your day with a list of people you love and what you are grateful for in your Success is nothing life, creates a humble yet empowered attitude. It is also very effective to read our gratitude list when we more than a few become disappointed or let down. It reminds us to simple disciplines, count our many blessings in life, and then we know practiced every day. that, this too shall pass.

—Jim Robin

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Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

—Melody Beattie

POSITIVE READING: Wherever two or moms are gathered is a natural support group. With that said, to be there for others we need have a few items in our emotional tool box. So, to stay on the sunny side of the street it’s helpful to have at our finger tips positive quotes, affirmations, perhaps a mantra, and of course, self-help books that interest us. We just need something to snap us out of any negativity so we can stay positive. Positive words positively matter.

EXERCISE: Along with mindful breathing, exercise gets our blood flowing and charges up our endorphins for that, “I can do it!” attitude. So, hit the beach for a walk, go for a jog or take a hike with a friend. Getting outdoors can invigorate us and inspire creative juices and inspiration. It always feels good to get outside and out of our head.

MUSIC: Put together a powerful morning routine playlist. Choose several songs that you know will uplift you, music that you know will change your state if you’re feeling a lack of energy, or facing something unpleasant that day, or you’re just darn tired. Playing a favorite song that lifts your mood will inspire you and give you the juice you need to know, “I’ve got this!”

POSITIVE FRIENDS: Take an assessment of the people you typically spend time with. Do you feel good around them and they tend to bring out the best version of yourself? Conversely, do you encourage them and highlight their best qualities? It makes a difference in our level of joy if we can surround ourselves with like-minded and optimistic friends.

Taking care of ourselves is taking care of the ones we love.

And that’s a powerful thought to start every morning!

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MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

kasahairstudio.com SUMMER PROMOS

for first time clients

Stop by and pick up some of your favorite salon products right in Town Square We carry Davines, Unite, Reff and more popular top rated products!

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Ilana Huff 760-917-8833

ilana@huffteam.com

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Top Rated Agent | Local Area Expert

Office located in the heart of San Elijo Hills

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see reviews and more at huffteam.com

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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6foods

WITH IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS FOR INFANTS

At nearly all hours of the day, parents of infants have a lot to think about, including being conscious of what their little ones are eating. From birth and beyond, proper nutrition is fundamental for continued health.

►Zinc: supports immune function and overall growth. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, approximately half (54%) of United States infants fed human milk have inadequate zinc intake.

In fact, according to the World Health Organization, optimal feeding during the first three years of life is important for its role in reducing the risk of chronic disease and promoting regular mental and physical development. When it comes to healthy eating for infants, ensuring nutritional needs are met with a variety of foods while also regularly offering new and different flavors is key.

FISH

Consider these sources of important nutrients recommended by the experts at Plum Organics: ORANGE FRUITS & VEGETABLES Offering a combination of mildly sweet and savory flavors, orange fruits and vegetables including butternut squash, pumpkin, carrot and sweet potato provide multiple important nutrients. They’re great sources of beta-carotene, which is a carotenoid that’s converted into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is essential for a robust immune system, healthy skin and optimal vision in dim light. Additionally, these fruits and veggies provide potassium that helps maintain the body’s fluid balance and in turn is important in controlling blood pressure.

MEAT, POULTRY, EGGS, BEANS & LEGUMES This group of foods provides savory flavors for baby to enjoy along with a multitude of important nutrients including: ► Choline: plays an important role in metabolism and early brain development. ► Protein: essential for growth and development as well as optimal functioning of the body. ► Iron: supports brain development, immune function and overall growth. By around 6 months of age, babies’ iron stores built up in utero are typically depleted, which is why they need to start consuming food sources of iron around that age. In fact, according to “The Journal of Nutrition,” 20% of babies between 6-12 months are at risk for iron deficiency. During infancy, it’s encouraged to offer babies foods like Plum Organics’ Carrot, Sweet Potato, Corn, Pea & Chicken Baby Food Pouches that make it easy and convenient to prioritize iron-rich protein foods and savory flavors.

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Along with providing nutrients like protein and choline, fish (such as salmon, arctic char, steelhead trout and sardines) also offers interesting new flavors for babies. Plus, fish contains DHA, an essential fatty acid important for eye and brain development during infancy, as well as vitamin D, an essential nutrient that supports healthy bones and teeth.

BROCCOLI, CAULIFLOWER & SPINACH Along with the introduction of slightly bitter flavors, veggies like these also provide vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that’s of particular importance during infancy because it helps the body better absorb non-heme iron from plant foods. When feeding your baby iron-rich foods like beans, whole grains, nuts or seeds in infant-safe forms, pair them with a fruit or vegetable high in vitamin C for optimal iron absorption.

WHOLE GRAINS Amaranth, barley, quinoa and iron-fortified cereals offer nutty, mildly sweet and savory flavors as well as dietary benefits including iron, zinc, protein and potassium, plus dietary fiber that helps support digestive health and healthy bowel function.

Consider an option like Plum Organics’ Banana, Zucchini and Amaranth Baby Food Pouches that make it easy to expose babies to the flavor and experience of nutrient-rich whole grains.

This type of exposure helps increase the likelihood that they’ll continue to accept whole grains and benefit from the nutrients they offer as they grow into toddlerhood.

COCONUT CREAM & YOGURT Mild, slightly sweet flavors like coconut cream and full-fat Greek yogurt also provide fats essential for overall growth and neurological development. Plus, fat is an important source of energy for on-the-go infants.

To find more information and convenient foods that give infants the nutrients they need, visit plumorganics.com.

(Article courtesy of Family Features)

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

5 steps

TO DETOXIFY YOUR BODY NATURALLY

As you prepare your mind and body for the warmer months, you may be interested in detoxification as a way of cleansing and eliminating toxins. A typical detoxification period may include fasting and a strict diet combined with light, appropriate exercise.

According to Ayurvedic practices, an ancient Indian science focused on whole-body healing and health optimization, it may be beneficial to detoxify.

Consider these steps toward detoxification from the experts at Buddha Teas: AIM FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Before considering the specifics of daily routines and phases of detoxification, it’s important to focus your lifestyle around healthy practices. For example, aim to minimize stress by participating in uplifting activities such as mindful walking, meditation, spending time in nature or other hobbies that put you at ease. Remember to rest both your mind and body, and get an appropriate amount of sleep each night.

PREPARATION PHASE Take 3-7 days to prepare your body for detoxification. The start of your journey should involve the elimination or drastic reduction of caffeine, tobacco, alcohol and recreational drugs.

Another important aspect of the active phase is liquid intake.

Drink hot water with lemon juice in the morning. Throughout the day, consider a hot tea with bitter herbs like Buddha Teas’ Detox Dharma Blend. This delicious option consists of carefully chosen herbs and spices that come together to help eliminate toxins. Other effective hot teas include nettle leaf, dandelion root and dandelion leaf.

CREATE A MORNING ROUTINE To stay on track during the active phase, it is helpful to create routines, starting with your morning wake-up call. After brushing your teeth and other daily to-dos, try relaxing techniques like sipping 8-16 ounces of hot water with lemon juice, self-massaging, taking a warm or hot shower or bath, gently exercising and combining these activities with an appropriate active phase morning meal.

As your active phase comes to a close, slowly reintroduce foods like dairy, wheat, soy, meat and fish. Continue activities like gentle yoga, walking, tai chi and qi gong then rejuvenate your body with hot beverages like turmeric ginger tea, chaga tea and mushroom tea.

Learn more about detoxification and its benefits at www.BuddhaTeas.com.

ACTIVE CLEANSING PHASE During the 7-14-day active phase, it’s important to create and follow a singular diet of kitchari, which consists of mung beans, basmati rice, spices and vegetables. As a complete protein that’s easy to digest, kitchari helps reset your digestive system while restoring digestive fire and supporting the elimination of toxins. If you’re looking for a place to start, consider trying a few different recipes online, or purchase from a natural foods store.

If kitchari isn’t right for you, opt for oatmeal in the morning and steamed vegetables or vegetable soup with basmati rice for lunch and dinner. Be conscious of portion control; eat enough for satisfaction without overeating. Aim to finish your evening meal 2-4 hours before sunset.

(Article courtesy of Family Features)

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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how to cultivate an environment of

inevitable Prosperity

3 PRACTICAL STEPS TO CREATING A FRUITFUL & ABUNDANT LIFE

Did you know a lemon seed contains everything it needs to blossom into a flowering, fruitful tree? One tiny seed carries the entire blueprint for everything it is designed to produce! Think about this for a minute. If we are a part of nature and work within the laws of nature, you can already see the significance of this lemon seed and its blueprint.

The lemon seed doesn’t try to be an apple or a plum or a banana. It doesn’t wonder or worry about how it will become a lemon tree. It flows through each stage of the process trusting it will become what it was always designed to become - a flowering, fruitful, abundant lemon tree.

So, what does this tiny lemon seed have to do with you cultivating an environment of inevitable prosperity? Well, absolutely everything! Because the wisdom of the lemon seed is the proverbial missing piece to producing the life you really want.

What if you held a blueprint within that contained everything you needed to produce a wildly juicy and abundant life? And what if instead of looking outward for proof of your power to manifest your deepest desires, you turned your focus inward, to that tiny little seed? What if instead of fighting or resisting or denying who you are, you gave yourself permission to honor your deepest desires held within that tiny little seed?

And you acted on those desires in courageous, playful ways?

VANESSA ELLE WILDE

02 Direction Once you honor and accept your deepest desires, the second step is to direct your mind in ways that produce vitality, solutions and possibilities. Weed out anything that is stifling. Have you ever weeded a garden? The easiest way to weed is to soak and soften the ground, then gently lift the weeds up and away. Similarly, when you till the mind with curiosity and love, you’re more likely to create a lasting inner environment that is truly nourishing.

If you’re ready to play, explore and discover the blueprint within, follow this three step practice to cultivate an environment of inevitable prosperity:

01 Desire Do you have a deep desire for prosperity, freedom, joy, love, travel, passion, success? If so, you contain everything you need within to fulfill that desire. Step one is to dig deep and uncover your deepest desires. Imagine you had only 6 months to live (bleak, I know but often the question that helps us tap into what we truly want). How would you spend your time? What would you want to experience?

What do you wish you’d done earlier? Make a note of what comes through as you explore these questions. Be honest. You don’t have to share these desires with anyone just yet. Simply get to the heart of what it is you really want to experience.

03 Doing Doing speaks to practical, consistent, joyful action: earning a new skill, accepting an opportunity, raising capital for your passion project, asking for help, marketing your product. It’s not about pushing or forcing, but rather doing all necessary things with the skill and thoughtfulness of a gentle gardener.

As you imagine yourself, a seedling, remember you have the power within you to cultivate your inner prosperity and blossom in all ways by practicing these three simple steps.

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Prosperity is a mindset. It is your expectation. Expect to expand your wealth, wealth of knowledge, relationships, income, and wisdom —Anonymous

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If you want greater prosperity in your life, start forming a vacuum to receive it. —Catherine Ponder

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ABOUT VANESSA Over the past year, I have been exploring the wonder and wisdom of fruit, and creating a playful and daring way for women in business to cultivate a life and business that produces the experiences they deeply desire.

To learn more, connect with me vanessa@yesliving.com

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

5 tips

TO STRETCH YOUR SUMMER TRAVEL BUDGET

SUMMER’S HERE! IF YOUR FAMILY IS PLANNING TO SET OUT FOR AN ADVENTURE ON THE ROADWAYS, RUNWAYS OR WATERWAYS, COST WILL BE A FACTOR. MANY OF THE NATION’S LEADING TRAVEL EXPERTS ARE PREDICTING A SURGE IN TRAVEL THIS SUMMER. IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT AFTER MONTHS OF RESTRICTIONS, WE ARE ALL READY FOR SOME MUCH-NEEDED REST AND RECREATION. WHILE POPULAR DESTINATIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE OPEN AND WELCOMING VISITORS, THE UPTICK IN TRAFFIC COMBINED WITH HIGHER PRICES MAY TRANSLATE INTO MORE EXPENSIVE TRAVEL. If you’re planning a trip this summer, learn how to incorporate some smart spending strategies with these tips from the financial experts at Credit One Bank: BE FLEXIBLE ON TRAVEL DATES AND DESTINATIONS Unless your travel is tied to a specific event or occasion, try searching with flexible dates to find the best available rates.

Similarly, if you know you want to get away but you’re not particular about where, try looking for destinations offering special promotions or deals for travel during certain timeframes.

CONSIDER TRIP INTERRUPTION & CANCELLATION POLICIES Planning for the unexpected can help protect you if a trip needs to end early or be canceled altogether. Unless you have travel insurance, you’re likely to lose money on non-refundable expenses such as flights, event tickets or tours; however, some travel companies or your credit card provider may cover reimbursement for certain prepaid expenses. Look into what options are available before you travel to avoid extra headaches when the unexpected occurs during a trip.

GET REWARDED NO MATTER HOW YOU TRAVEL Using your credit card rewards to offset travel costs is a smart strategy, but not everyone wants or needs perks like miles or points that are exclusive to use with a single travel partner. With point-based travel reward cards, like the Credit One Bank Wander Card, the more places you visit, the more rewards you reap along the way that can be redeemed for future experiences, statement credits, gift cards and more.

That means no matter what hotel chain you stay at, car rental agency you select or airline you fly with — or as you mix and match to get the best deals – everyday adventurers have opportunities to earn up to five times the rewards points for doing things they love.

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

COME UP WITH A REALISTIC BUDGET When you’re planning a trip, it’s easy to focus on the big-ticket expenses like airfare and hotel rooms. The reality is, when you add up all the smaller expenses, you may spend significantly more than you realize. To plan a more accurate budget, be sure you account for expenses like dining out at restaurants, paying for fuel at the pump and tickets to attractions and events. Don’t forget fees that add up, too, like tips for housekeeping, checked bags, Wi-Fi access, parking and souvenirs.

RESEARCH & BOOK FREE & DISCOUNTED ATTRACTIONS Some attractions offer discounts for purchasing tickets in advance online, age-based discounts or free admission at certain times or dates, so be sure to look into any attractions you hope to visit ahead of time. If you’re a travel rewards credit card holder, start your search by looking into your redemption options. If your card offers flexible options by booking through a specific partner site or dedicated travel platform, you might be able to redeem points or make your spending dollars go further toward earning more rewards for the cost of experiences, entertainment and other expenses while you travel.

Find more ways to make your money work for you at CreditOneBank.com/articles (Article courtesy of Family Features)

1 Start with a list

When we go shopping without a list, we end up with way more in our cart than we bargained for. It’s the same with packing. Packing your suitcase with a list at hand will keep you from stuffing too much into your bag.

2 The right suitcase

Take a look at that list and then decide what size you think you’ll need. It’s possible that a carry-on might suffice.

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quick tips

FOR PACKING

5 Roll tightly

It’s an old military trick. Lay the items flat, then roll them tightly.

This method saves space and a ctually saves items from wrinkling.

3 Spinners save shoulders 6 Orgazanize toiletries Carry-ons with wheels that spin around and easily move to adapt to your every movement. Having a great carry-on takes the load off your purse and your back.

4 Numbers & colors

It might seem like a day in kindergarten, but focusing on numbers and colors works. Decide how many tops you’ll need, bottoms, undergarments, bathing suits and shoes. Then choosing a color theme for the trip will help mix and match for different looks and save on space in the suitcase.

ahead of time

Keep travel sizes of your favorite items in a toiletries bag. Keeping these items always together helps you grab-and-go

7 Pack your fun side!

Remember, vacations are meant to relax, recharge and reconnect.

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HOW MOM MADE IT Local Moms Bet on Bette!

Local moms, Hillary Boyd & Chris Castellani, are spicing up summer with beachy glamour!

This month, MomsTown is thrilled to share the story of how Hillary and Chris took an inspired idea, started small and launched their coastal lifestyle brand nationwide.

Their brand is Bette.

This is their story: MOMSTOWN: What type of business is Bette?

HILLARY & CHRIS: Bette is a coastal lifestyle brand with Southern California roots founded by two Encinitas local moms, Chris Castellani & Hillary Boyd. We make colorful, easy-towear beach cover ups, caftans and accessories. Every style is designed to make you feel carefree, confident and glamourous.

MOMSTOWN: What sparked the idea to start Bette?

HILLARY & CHRIS: Our love of the beach and the casual coastal lifestyle brought us together back in 2016 when we met in a kindergarten classroom as our first-borns were starting school. Living in a coastal town, we spent many beach days watching our kids play in the surf and enjoying countless San Diego sunsets — we LOVE a good sunset! We are both driven “type A” people and often discussed the idea of starting our own business together. We went through so many different ideas (over so many spicy margaritas) and then in 2018, while we were schlepping our kids to and from the beach, we started dreaming up a cute lifestyle brand that embodied the

beauty of living on the coast. Colorful patterns, easy to wear styles and lightweight fibers that bring a little glamour and elegance, without being too serious. But what would we call it?

We wanted to come up with a name that had meaning. Bette was Hillary's grandmother's name. Bette believed in living the good life.

She loved vacations, relaxing, connecting and just having fun with her family and friends.

Bette believed in balance. She saw the humor in things and allowed herself to have fun!! This resonated with us so much — we are all Bette (or can be). So hit pause and breathe deep.

Look around to see the beautiful colors and feel the breeze. Just like you do on vacation, take a moment to soak it all in every day. And so Bette began.

Although we both have over 20 years of experience in sales and marketing, this was our first shot at building our own brand. We met with anyone who offered to give us advice and tried to soak in as much information as possible. We didn't quite know where to start, so our first photoshoot was at our local beach and we hired our babysitters to model for us — they were such good sports (and beautiful too!).

We've been lucky to have amazingly supportive and talented friends to help us out along the way to build the brand we envisioned.

MOMSTOWN: What gives you the greatest joy with regard to running your own business?

HILLARY & CHRIS: We love a moment where we see a Bette “in the wild” — like at Cardiff beach on a woman (we’d never met before) just strolling down the beach. Or one of our

cute clutches sitting beside someone feels good that other women enjoy wh

Another fun part of owning our own b smart and amazing women in our com supportive of each other, so intelligen be a part of such an incredible group day.

MO grea bou

HIL cert to o ing how the of it

MO whe and

Amalie Maxi Coverup in Marigold 12

Amalie Coverup in Berry

Santa Barbara Handbag in Berry MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

HIL the sec goin they We

mentum, selling to boutiques across the country, when all of a sudden all of the orders were canceled. But like most small businesses, we held on tight and waited it out until the world slowly opened back up.

We were very fortunate to be able to continue to sell online and we had already built an amazing group of loyal customers who really supported us through the tough times of COVID. MOMSTOWN: What gets you through the tough times?

at one of our favorite restaurants. It hat we make as much as we do.

business is connecting with all of the mmunity. Everyone is so incredibly nt and inspiring. We feel very lucky to that we continue to learn from every

OMSTOWN: What brings on the atest headache(s) in running your utique?

LLARY & CHRIS: Well COVID has tainly brought the largest challenges our business. Delays in manufacturhave caused us to miss deadlines; wever, we’ve been able to pivot, like rest of the world, and make the most t.

OMSTOWN: Was there ever a moment en you wanted to throw in the kimono d give up?

LLARY & CHRIS: Ha! Yes, the day world shut down definitely had us cond guessing ourselves. Who was ng to want to wear resort wear when y were locked down in their homes?! had really just started to gain mo-

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

HILLARY & CHRIS: Of course owning your own business has its daily challenges, but the community of amazing women around us really keeps us going. There are so many women here that are good examples of hard work and success. Juggling mom-life and a business is hard and we have to depend on each other a lot to get it all done.

We are lucky enough that we can reach out to other female entrepreneurs to help us figure out a problem or just brainstorm. It would be nearly impossible to try to start a business on your own without the help of people who have been through it before. We try to learn as much as we can and always help out another business owner whenever we have the chance.

MOMSTOWN: You offer an online shop, and you also operate a pop-up in Hillary’s garage?

HILLARY & CHRIS: Yes, you can always shop Bette online at ShopBette.com any day or night and we ship for free anywhere in the U.S.! We are also sold in boutiques across the country from California to Florida all the way up to Martha’s Vineyard. You can shop locally at Paint in Encinitas, MSorelle in Encinitas and the Spa at La Costa. Once a month in the summer we do a trunk show at La Costa as well. Occasionally, we’ll do a special locals-only sale at Hillary’s house. You have to sign up for our emails to know when the next locals-only event will be. To get on the list, go to ShopBette.com.

MOMSTOWN: A lot of moms dream of starting a pop-up or running a boutique. What advice would you offer a mom dreaming of starting her own pop-up/shop?

HILLARY & CHRIS: The hardest part is the first step.

There are so many excuses as to why you can’t do something or that the time isn’t right, but truthfully once you take that first step and believe in yourself, you’ve gotten past the hardest part. Your idea doesn’t have to be perfect from the start and learn to make adjustments quickly. The biggest advantage to being a small business owner is that you can make decisions and act on them quickly, instead of waiting on a team of people for approval.

Towel Coverup

MOMSTOWN: What summer fashion tips would you like to share with us?

HILLARY & CHRIS: Color, color, color! Have some fun this summer and add lots of color to your look. We have a saying — “I’m nicer when I like my outfit” — it’s on all of our hang tags because it’s true! Wearing that perfect shade of pink to give you a healthy glow, or a blue that makes your eyes pop just makes us feel more confident and brings a big smile to our faces. It makes you feel good and when you feel good about yourself you are a happier person.

Positano Caftan in Navy with Turquoise Tassel

MOMSTOWN: Anything else you’d like us to know?

HILLARY & CHRIS: Bette isn't just a lifestyle brand, it's a way of life. We love the sand in our toes, the breeze in our hair, big belly laughs, time with people we love, a good spicy margarita, life in San Diego and never taking ourselves too seriously.

We try to embody this feeling in everything we do.

Sangria Jute Bag

Website: ShopBette.com Contact: Chris Castellani Hours of Operation: 24/7 shop online anytime you want!

Towel Coverup 13

Dream Job

WHAT'S YOUR

Mary & Heather at MomsTown are always encouraging moms to identify their dream jobs.

Here are five key steps to finding the right pursuit:

1

Identify the Natural You

This is getting to the essence of your identity. The Natural You has talents that come easily. One way to identify the Natural You is to look back to when you were a young girl. What did you love to do? Were you a dancer? Did you play music? Did you love animals? Were you a tomboy or into any kind of sport? Did you find yourself absorbed in books, or did you love to go places? Did you love having things organized? Did you love researching and learning new things? Did you love nature? Were you driven to help others?

?

3 Be true & passionate

about the Natural You Listen to your intuition.

4 Journal it all Start writing. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone back to the beginning, back to our initial writings. We have a small library of composition books, easel pads, and Microsoft Word files. Within in our library are hundreds of hours of ideas, quickly or painstakingly jotted down. If it wasn’t for our journaling, this book might never have happened.

5 Don't wait!

Start today by removing any obstacles that stand in your way. The first obstacle might be uncertainty-doubting your own belief in yourself or your ideas.

Find what it is you love Don’t let negative self-talk and pessimism stand between you to do — Write it down and your dream job. If money, Write down a list of all your child- time, and others are standing in your way, then start finding ways hood hobbies. If you’re having to carve out time, convince othtrouble remembering (because ers of your idea, and the money when you’re a mom, sometimes will come. But you have to do memory is in short supply), ask your mom, dad, or siblings what more than just believe your idea will be profitable. You have to you loved as a child. When we start taking action. Today. went in search of our natural selves, we found that we’ve always loved to talk and to write.

We like to talk to each other, and we like to talk to other people as well. We like to write about our experiences and other people’s experience.

2

Get started by answering the the questions provided here to get a handle on where you are in your life right now in regard to starting or growing a home-based business.

a

Do you have an idea for a business athat makes you so excited you can barely sleep?

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit, or do you prefer to have someone tell you what to do?

Do you have the physical and emotional stamina required to run a business?

Can you weave your business into your day?

How decisive are you?

How organized are you?

Whatever we focus on, expands . . .

"

Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.

—Lydia M. Child

14

"

Find something you're passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it.

—Julia Child

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

UPGRADE YOUR HOME Downgrade Energy Usage

7 efficient

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The best home upgrades not only make spaces more livable and energy-efficient but are also cost-effective. Making energy-efficient improvements is a savvy way to save money on utility bills, curb energy usage and add to the house’s value.

Consider a variety of home improvement projects, both big and small, that can reduce the financial burden of maintaining your home throughout the year and improve energy efficiency.

ADD INSULATION A cost-effective way to save on heating and cooling bills is adding a layer of insulation in the attic where heat loss is typically greatest due to hot air rising. While many newer homes are adequately insulated, those that are several decades old (or older) may benefit from an upgrade in not only the attic but other common problem areas where air can escape such as basements, crawl spaces, fireplaces and ductwork.

SEAL DOORS AND WINDOWS Windows and doors are common culprits for energy loss. While a complete replacement of doors and windows can be pricey, adding exterior caulk and weather stripping to fill in gaps where air can escape around these openings can make a noticeable difference for a fraction of the cost and make it cheaper to heat and cool your home.

INSTALL SKYLIGHTS Skylights are a cost-effective option for transforming any room in the home with natural light while also delivering energy-saving benefits.

For example, Sun Tunnel Skylights from Velux can be installed in as little as 90 minutes and funnel natural light from the roof through the attic and into the room below with an aesthetic that resembles recessed lighting. Customizable with six diffuser film styles to complement interior design, the skylights can make a home more energy-efficient by reducing reliance on artificial lighting. An optional daylight controller makes it easy for homeowners to adjust natural light entering a room, and a solar nightlight provides a moon-like guiding light at night. Installed with the solar nightlight, the skylights qualify for a 26% federal tax credit on solar property.

INSTALL A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT A programmable thermostat is an efficient way to control the climate inside your home, and those with smart technology take programming to a whole new level. Today’s smart thermostats not only let homeowners control temperatures from their smart devices while on-the-go but can also learn daily habits and adjust the temperature accordingly with no other manual adjustments necessary. In addition, some utility companies offer incentives like money back at the end of the year for installing a smart thermostat because the energy savings are so substantial.

REPLACE APPLIANCES Because appliances like refrigerators and ovens, among others, are major energy users, investing in more efficient models provides both cost and energy savings. Additionally, homes more than 15 years old could benefit from updates to the air conditioner or heater as systems 15-20 years old or older may be candidates for replacement as they’re inefficient by today’s standards.

ADD CEILING FANS In comparison to running your air conditioner consistently, the cost of running a ceiling fan (or several) is significantly less. Particularly on days that may not require cooling the entire house completely, fans can provide a gentle breeze and circulate air in the spaces you use most often. Simply adjust the switch to the counterclockwise position to ensure it’s pushing air downward during warmer months.

For more information and home improvement ideas, visit whyskylights.com/livelighter.

ADD REFLECTIVE WINDOW FILM When the sun shines through windows, it can heat up the home’s interior quickly and trigger the air conditioner to turn on. Window coverings, such as blackout curtains, can help, but adding low-e reflective window film to your windowpanes, particularly southern-facing ones, can provide an additional shield from the sun’s hot rays and reduce energy costs.

(Article courtesy of Family Features) MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

15

3fun

WAYS TO KEEP KIDS LEARNING DURING THE SUMMER

LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN & FAMILY IN THIS DIGITAL AGE WITH THESE TIPS: With school out, summertime brings long, carefree days of play and fun.

It can be easy to forget how much children learn through play, but they have a natural sense of curiosity. With a little thought and a few supplies, summer is a perfect opportunity to revitalize their innate love of learning that may be a bit squashed after a year of academic pressures, tests and schedules.

“At this time of year, we often hear families express concern about children losing academic skills during summer break,” said Sue-Ann Lively from KinderCare’s education team. “The pressure to add academic learning to summer can lead to increased anxiety, which isn’t helpful for parents or children. Children retain what they learned best when they’re engaged and interested in what they’re doing. As we head into summer, think about the skills your child learned during the school year and how you could incorporate those skills into activities your child enjoys doing.”

Consider these three tips to help your family incorporate learning classroom concepts in summer fun and nurture your children’s love of learning through real-life applications.

1 BUILD ON CLASSROOM SKILLS

Practicing writing may not be at the top of your children’s summer activities lists; however, writing might be more appealing if it led to something fun, like a card or letter from a relative or friend. By encouraging your children to write to pen pals, they will not only practice their literacy skills by writing letters and reading replies, but also work on important executive function skills by learning to manage anticipation while waiting for a response. Even children who are too young to write can participate by drawing pictures and dictating the captions to family members.

2 GO OUTSIDE

A walk around the neighborhood can turn into an opportunity to build STEM skills by observing changes over time. As you and your children walk, ask questions, make predictions and discuss what you see. This way, you’ll be forming hypotheses and analyzing your results, just like scientists.

3 FIND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES IN REGULAR ACITIVITIES Cooking provides a variety of opportunities to work on math skills. For younger children, that could mean getting two carrots and one apple for a recipe. For children who are learning fractions and multiplication, that might mean figuring out how much of an ingredient to add — “The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of flour. We’re doubling the recipe, so how much flour do we need?”

Board games are another opportunity to build academic skills, like math and literacy; executive function skills, like waiting for their turn; and social skills, such as being a gracious winner.

Read with your children daily and help them find opportunities to practice reading skills, such as reading signs aloud at the park or reading books out loud to other family members.

For more ideas to help children learn through play, visit kindercare.com

protecting

children

IN A DIGITAL AGE

Keeping a watchful eye on your kids requires an increasing level of tech savvy many parents find intimidating. Not only are your kids vulnerable to bad actors online, but your family’s personal information could be at risk as well.

LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN AND FAMILY IN THIS DIGITAL AGE WITH THESE TIPS: ELEMENTARY-AGE CHILDREN • Encourage open communication. Have conversations about what your kids see and do online and talk with them about potential dangers. Avoid lecturing in favor of an open exchange of information.

• Make their inherent interest in privacy work in your favor. Kids in this age group, particularly toward the middle school years, understand the concept of privacy and value it immensely. Use that context to help them understand what goes online is there to stay. Talk about what kinds of information should always be kept private, including identifying details like addresses and social security numbers.

• Stay on Alert. Not all apps are completely safe (even the ones you can access from trusted stores) and not all filters are foolproof. Keep close tabs on what your kids are downloading by reading comments and reviews, and regularly monitoring what kind of content they see.

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL KIDS • Continue talking about privacy. You can never have too many conversations about privacy. What seems like harmless sharing on social media can be quite revealing. Frequent posts about visits to a favorite store or restaurant can allow a predator to begin tracking behavior patterns that make your child a target. It’s also important for kids to understand how their privacy settings work. For example, settings that allow exposure to friends of friends make their visibility to strangers much broader than they may realize.

• Help manage their online reputation. Behaviors that once resulted in a day or two of hallway chatter can now live forever. Documenting mischief online is only fun until it spills over into real life and everyone sees those mistakes in full color – including future employers.

• Be clear about your position on bullying. From the safe distance of a screen, it’s easier for kids (and adults) to say things they’d never say in person. Teach your kids to handle problems constructively offline and avoid engaging in attacks on others through social media, email and other platforms.

TALK TO YOUR COLLEGE STUDENTS, TOO. Reinforce the risks (college students can be prey for identity theft & worse). Coach on smart practices (virus protection, updating software, avoiding scams and backing up data).

Looking for more practical advice for everyday family matters? Visit eLivingtoday.com 16

(Article courtesy of Family Features) MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

5tips

FOR GARDENING WITH KIDS

After months of cool weather, the first hint of spring will likely have the whole family eager to dive into outdoor activities.

This year, as you begin tackling the garden, find ways to get the youngest family members in on the action, too.

LEARN HOW TO PROTECT YOUR CHILDREN & FAMILY IN THIS DIGITAL AGE WITH THESE TIPS: Not only is gardening an activity you can enjoy together, there are numerous ways to incorporate age-appropriate, teachable moments from counting and colors to responsible care of living things.

CREATING A POSITIVE FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH GARDENING CAN START WITH THIS SIMPLE ADVICE:

1 DEDICATE A SPOT FOR A JUNIOR GARDEN

This allows you to instill a sense of pride and ownership in the little gardener while protecting your own garden areas from ambitious young hands.

2 PROVIDE APPROPRIATE TOOLS IN CHILD SIZES

Just as you would teach a child the finer points of baseball using a bat and glove, demonstrate the joys of gardening with tools such as a rake, hoe and trowel, all of which can be found in sizes more manageable for little helpers.

SIMPLE TO ATTRACT HUMMINGBIRDS TO YOUR YARD

tips

Throughout the warmer months, many backyards play host to a variety of birds, including hummingbirds. When you see flowers and trees begin to bud and bloom and other migrating birds, like warblers, that’s nature’s way of letting you know it’s time to ready your yard for hummingbirds It’s enchanting watching hummingbirds – named for the humming sound of their fast-flapping wings – as their tiny size and speed make them natural wonders. Hummingbirds can fly 25-30 miles per hour, flapping their wings an estimated 70 times per second. They fly in every direction, even backwards, which only hummers can do, and float majestically in midair.

The birds get their brilliant color from the iridescence in the arrangement of their feathers, not color pigment. They have the fastest metabolism of any animal on Earth, burning 1-2 times their body weight in food daily. Hummingbirds draw nectar from its source into their mouths, lapping it up ALMOST 12 TIMES PER SECOND. To increase your chances of observing these petite powerhouses at home, consider these tips from the experts at Cole’s Wild Bird Products: Be conscious of beneficial insects. Hummingbirds rely on insects, which provide essential protein, to complement the nectar they crave.

To attract insects, try placing rotting fruit near feeders and leave it until insects arrive for hummers’ easy eats.

Leave spiderwebs alone. Hummingbirds use spiderwebs as construction material to hold their nests together and pluck insects caught in the webbing.

3 LET THE KIDS CHOOSE WHAT TO PLANT

Whether flowers or food plants, allow children to make their own decisions (within reason) about what they would like to grow. This can help them engage in the magic of watching items they selected emerge from the ground and grow into their finished forms.

4 EXPOSE TO UNFAMILIAR PLANTS THAT ENTICE

Entice the senses with appealing smells and flavors. Herbs such as chives, mint and basil are good choices, or consider edible flowers such as pansies or violets.

5 SET AN EXAMPLE FOR YOUR CHILD

Encourage imitation by giving regular and proper care to your own garden.

Remember to bring the lesson full circle by enjoying the bounty of your garden together, whether it’s a small hand-cut bouquet or a meal featuring your child’s fresh-grown produce.

Find more tips for gardening with your kids at eLivingtoday.com

Offer a water mister. Hummingbirds adore bathing; a mister gives them the fine spray they prefer. Once soaked, they’re off to find a preening perch.

Provide tiny perches. Leave small, sturdy, bare branches for hummingbirds, to perch on for rest, preening and hunting. Perches provide vantage points to see danger and launching pads to swiftly pounce on insects. Once hummingbirds find a favorite perch, they’ll use it repeatedly.

Hang hummingbird feeders first. Feeders are one of the most effective ways to consistently entice and encourage hummingbirds to come visit.

However, not all feeders are created equal. For example, Cole’s Hummer High Rise Feeder is scientifically designed with elevated perches to make hummingbirds feel safe and comfortable, which encourages their consistent return.

Although hummingbird feeders can attract bees and ants, this feeder is uniquely designed to keep pests at bay. It doesn’t drip, so large bees can’t get to the nectar, and it has a built-in ant moat to keep ants away from nectar when filled with plain water. Since birds drink from the moat, never use any repellents or additives.

Hummingbirds are territorial and not likely to share feeders, so hang multiple feeders far enough apart to attract more birds. To ensure a steady stream of birds, hang feeders in the shade to avoid fermentation of sugar-based liquids, check feeders bi-weekly to keep food fresh and clean feeders as needed with one part white vinegar to four parts water.

Plant flowers. Trumpet honeysuckle, bee balm and sage plants are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and provide rich nectar.

Hummingbirds consume 1 1/2 times their body weight daily, eating every 10-15 minutes and visiting 1,000-2,000 flowers per day.

Choose the right nectar. Not all nectar is alike, and hummingbirds can taste the difference. Almost all commercial nectars contain one sugar source – sucrose – because it’s cheaper to make. However, real flower nectar contains three sugar sources – sucrose, fructose and glucose – in varying amounts depending on the flower.

Researched and designed to attract the greatest variety of hummingbirds, Cole’s Nature’s Garden is a nutrient-rich nectar that combines all three types of organically sourced sugars and closely mimics the sugar ratios they favor and provides a healthier, all-natural alternative to table sugar.

Don’t forget, hummingbirds have memories like elephants; once they discover your hummer-friendly habitat, they’ll come back every year if there’s a reliable food source. Learn more at coleswildbird.com.

(Article courtesy of Family Features) MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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Summertime & the Livin'is Easy

by Dasha Hervey

Sea and Pine Interior Design seaandpine.com

DASHA HERVEY

OPEN THE DOORS & LET’S START ENTERTAINING! We know our guests are the most important part of our outdoor entertaining, so comfortable seating is a must. I love the low-slung Kinney chairs from CB2. Casual yet elegant, ideal for a morning coffee, a no fuss brunch or evening cocktails. They pair perfectly with a garden stool, are transitional in style and work with almost any décor.

Watermelon Peppercorn Margarita Mimosa CB2 Kinney Chair

1 to 2 cups fresh-pressed watermelon juice ¾ cup silver tequila

SIMPLE BASICS:

2 tablespoons Grand Marnier, Cointreau, or triple sec

1. Ambient Lighting — Candles placed in unique vessels are a simple go-to solution. Use a variety of sizes that don’t match to take the formality out of the space. Thrift stores are a treasure trove of options.

Juice of 1-2 limes (depending on how juicy they are)

2. Foliage — Greenery in low vases interspersed with votive candles provide a natural, non-fussy organic feel.

Texas Privet is an easy go-to.

It’s in bloom and grows in most of our neighborhoods.

Peppercorn infused simple syrup to taste 1 bottle of chilled prosecco or cava To make peppercorn-infused simple syrup, combine 1 cup of sugar, 1cup of water and 1-2 teaspoons of whole peppercorns in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the mixture comes to a boil, let the peppercorns steep in the syrup until completely cooled. Strain into a jar. Will keep up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Need more glamour, tuck in flowers such as white roses, hydrangeas, or gardenias. They reflect evening light and will complement any setting. For a more Cha-ChaCha look, hit Bazaar Del Mundo in Old Town for handmade paper flowers that come in every color under the sun.

3. Glassware — Toss your plastic in the recycling bin.

Good glassware is classy, reusable and can create a conversation piece that lends to the cocktails served.

Combine the fresh-pressed watermelon juice, tequila, triple sec (or Grand Marnier or Cointreau) and lime juice in a pitcher and add simple syrup to taste.

Fill 4 chilled Champagne flutes halfway with the margarita and top off with the chilled prosecco or cava.

I’m obsessed with these beautifully etched champagne glasses made from recycled glass from The Little Market. (Proceeds empower underrepresented artisans in Mexico and allow employees to work in a creative venue while sustaining an income).

The Little Market

Champagne is hard to resist, but you might want to impress your guests with the mouthwatering mimosa recipe we've provided here— Cheers!

To make a non-alcoholic version, replace the tequila, triple sec with San Pellegrino Aranciata and the prosecco with sparkling water.

Dasha's Designer Tip

If you’re shopping and it doesn’t make your heart leap, leave it on the shelf. This bit of emotional insurance can prevent buyer’s remorse down the road.

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MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

Kick off Summer with a BANG! Fresh Summer Salsa w/Citrus Mango & Pineapple adapted from becomingness.com

WITH EXCITING SUMMER EVENTS LIKE BASEBALL, SUNBATHING AND BARBECUES FILLING SOCIAL CALENDARS, COMES A WHOLE NEW ARRAY OF FRESH, SUNNY DAY SNACKS JUST WAITING TO BE DEVOURED.

ingredients

to prepare

1 1/4 cup fresh pineapple, diced

In large bowl, combine pineapple, mango, tomato, onion, jalapeño, coriander, lime juice, lemon juice and salt and pepper, to taste. With rubber spatula, mix all ingredients together.

1 1/4 cup fresh mango, diced 2 tomatoes 1/2 red onion, diced 1 jalapeño, finely chopped 1 tablespoon coriander 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice sea salt, to taste fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Serve with tortilla chips.

If you’re in the mood for something sweet with a hint of spice, try this Citrus, Mango and Pineapple Salsa, featuring fresh, fruity flavors from pineapple, mango, lemon and lime plus a surprising bite of jalapeño. It’s the perfect balance of sweet and zesty.

tortilla chips, for serving

This light, warm weather appetizer is perfect for pool parties or dining al fresco. A fresh twist on traditional salsa, this recipe will have people lining up for a second scoop to help beat the heat.

ingredients

to prepare

Enjoy it with tortilla chips or as a topping on your favorite tacos to add a little sweetness to a traditionally savory meal.

Filet Mignon w/Bleu Cheese Chive Butter for more grilling inspiration visit OmahaSteaks.com

Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired.

Bleu Cheese Chive Butter

BLEU CHEESE CHIVE BUTTER: In medium bowl, use rubber spatula to fold and incorporate butter, bleu 4 ounces unsalted butter, cubed cheese, chives, salt/pepper. NEXT: Section 18 inches of plastic wrap and place bleu cheese chive butter about 4 ounces bleu cheese 6 inches above bottom. Take bottom portion of plastic 1 tablespoon fresh chives, minced wrap and place over bleu cheese chive butter then shape butter into 1 - 1/2-inCH cylinder.

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper Filet Mignon 2 Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Filet Mignons Omaha Steaks Private Reserve Rub

Try this Filet Mignon with Bleu Cheese Chive Butter recipe from Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose.

Piña Colada Sweetpotato Ice Pops visit ncsweetpotatoes.com for more summer recipe ideas

Thick, tender filet mignon is grilled then topped with cool, creamy, homemade butter — ts perfect summer sidekick.

ingredients

to prepare

1/2 cup coconut cream

In food processor or high-speed blender, mix coconut cream, sweetpotato, pineapple, honey and lime juice.

Transfer batter to freezer molds. Place in freezer 3-4 hours.

3/4 cup diced pineapple 2 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lime juice coconut flakes (optional)

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

FILET MIGNON: Bring filet mignons to room temp (approx. 20 minutes); pat dry, season both sides with rub, to taste. Prepare grill for 500 F direct heat.

Firing up the grill and watching tender cuts sizzle on the grates means a mouthwatering meal is on the way, but don’t forget about the dressings and toppings that make summertime dinners truly delicious.

3/4 cup mashed and cooked sweetpotato

Sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber along with a “sweet” flavor without the added sugar.

Continue to roll butter in plastic; pinch ends of plastic wrap while rolling to tighten cylinder. Once size and tightness are achieved, tie off loose ends of plastic wrap and chill in fridge 1-2 hours, until blue cheese chive butter is chilled and firm.

Top with coconut flakes, if desired.

Whether you spend your summer afternoons sitting by the pool, splashing in the shallow end or just soaking up the sun’s rays, part of the fun is beating the heat with a cool, refreshing snack. The experience can be even more rewarding when the tasty treat is homemade.

Cool down with these kid-friendly Piña Colada Sweetpotato Ice Pops, a tropical-inspired dessert made with coconut cream, sweetpotatoes, fresh pineapple, lime juice and honey.

19

Making Healthy easy w/GRAPES Crunchy Salad Pizza on Cauliflower Crust GrapesFromCalifornia.com

AN ADDED BENEFIT OF GRAPES: WHILE NATURALLY HYDRATING AND DELIVERING BENEFICIAL ANTIOXIDANTS AND OTHER POLYPHENOLS, GRAPES ALSO OFFER MORE: THEY MAY HELP SUPPORT HEALTHY SKIN EVEN WHEN EXPOSED TO UV LIGHT. IN A STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, SUBJECTS CONSUMING 2 1/4 CUPS OF GRAPES EVERY DAY FOR TWO WEEKS SHOWED INCREASED RESISTANCE TO SUNBURN AND REDUCED MARKERS OF UV DAMAGE IN SKIN CELLS.

ingredients

to prepare

1 frozen cauliflower pizza crust (11 oz)

Heat oven to 400 F. Place frozen crust on large, parchment-lined baking sheet and brush top lightly with 2 teaspoons olive oil. Bake until crust is lightly golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to cutting board and cut into quarters.

1 tablespoon, plus 4 teaspoons, extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 med carrots, peeled/ trimmed 1 med fennel bulb, quartered and trimmed 1 med yellow bell pepper, halved and trimmed 1/2 med red onion

Using mandolin, peeler or large, sharp knife and cutting board, thinly slice carrots, fennel, bell pepper and onion.

Transfer to mixing bowl and add grapes and 1/2 cup chickpeas. Add parsley, pesto and 1 tablespoon olive oil; toss well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Using fork, coarsely mash remaining chickpeas and

16 black California grapes, halved remaining oil; spread among pieces of crust. Mound

grape-vegetable mixture on top. Dot with goat cheese 1 cup canned or cooked chickpeas, drained and rinsed, divided and serve.

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons pesto

If you’re like many Americans who put a priority on well-being, choosing simple yet healthy snacks and ingredients is an easy first step. For example, grapes are a popular and convenient fruit that can also be an ally in wellness, offering an abundance of health benefits that can help you get (and stay) on the right track.

Crunchy Salad Pizza on Cauliflower Crust is a simple way to get your fruits and veggies in a fun, tasty recipe.

salt & pepper to taste

Roasted Salmon & Grapes w/Pistachios

ingredients

to prepare

4 wild sockeye or coho salmon fillets (about 5 oz each)

Heat oven to 400 F. Lightly oil shallow, 9-by-13-inch baking dish.

1 oz fresh goat cheese, crumbled

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided salt, to taste freshly ground black pepper 1/3 cup dry white wine 1 cup green California grapes 1/4 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios, coarsely chopped 2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian parsley 5 oz baby spinach 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced A perfect dish for family dinners or inviting guests for a meal, it offers antioxidants and other polyphenols from grapes along with healthy omega-3 fats from fish.

Warm Spiced Chickpeas & Couscous w/Grapes

In large bowl, toss spinach, onion, remaining oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, to taste; toss again and divide among four plates.

Place fish on top of greens. Spoon roasted grapes around fish.

ingredients 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil freshly ground black pepper 1 small onion, chopped

4 cups lightly packed baby arugula

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

lemon wedges

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional, to taste, divided

to prepare

1 cup Israeli pearl couscous 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 1/2 cups water 1 can (15 oz) no-salt-added chickpeas, drained 1 cup red California grapes, halved

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Roast salmon 7 minutes for medium-rare; 8 minutes for medium.

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar As an easy, versatile ingredient that can be used in a wide variety of recipes, grapes offer delicious taste, texture and color – plus a healthy boost – that make them an appealing addition to snacks and meals. Grapes also help support heart, brain, colon and skin health.

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

Ideal vegetarian meal. This easy-to-make dish includes 8 grams of fiber to help support colon health.

Pat fish dry and place skin side down in pan. Brush fillets lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste. Pour wine in pan, scatter grapes around and sprinkle pistachios and parsley on fish.

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

In large saucepan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and allspice; cook, stirring, until onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add couscous and stir 1 minute to toast lightly. Add turmeric and water; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until couscous is tender, about 15 minutes.

Stir chickpeas, grapes and cilantro into couscous then season with salt and pepper, to taste. Transfer couscous-grape mixture to large bowl, add arugula and toss well. Serve warm or at room temperature with lemon wedges.

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

Family-friendly meals It can be hard to ignore the rising costs of food, gas and other basic household items. Many families are especially feeling the burden of inflation at the grocery store.

Make the most of your hardearned dollars and stretch them a little further at the supermarket while putting delicious, nutritious meals on the table with these cost-saving tips from Healthy Family Project, and by looking for the Produce for Kids logo in your local produce department.

These produce companies give back to local communities and support nutrition education and information sharing.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR BUDGET WITH THESE FAMILY-FRIENDLY MEALS. MAKE YOUR HARD-EARNED DOLLARS STRETCH A LITTLE FURTHER AT THE SUPERMARKET AND PUT DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS MEALS ON THE TABLE WITH THESE COST-SAVING TIPS FROM HEALTHY FAMILY PROJECT AND BY LOOKING FOR THE PRODUCE FOR KIDS LOGO IN YOUR LOCAL PRODUCE DEPARTMENT.

PLAN YOUR MEALS Making a plan for what meals will be on the menu each week can help you identify ingredients you can use in multiple recipes and save money by not adding items you may not use to your grocery list. Once your meals are planned and you head to the store, stick to your list to avoid unnecessary spending.

KEEP INGREDIENT LISTS SHORT Quick and easy meals the entire family can enjoy are often accompanied by shorter ingredient lists.

For example, the recipes for Grilled Peach Flatbread with Goat Cheese and Mixed Berry Pizza with Oatmeal Coconut Crust both require 15 ingredients or less and OPT FOR IN-SEASON PRODUCE can be on the table in half an hour, Typically, fresh fruits and vegetables giving you more time to spend cost more when out of season since with those who matter most. they’re not as readily available. Buying in-season produce also helps ensure you get better tasting fruits and veggies.

Mixed Berry Pizza w/Oatmeal healthyfamilyproject.com Coconut Crust

RECIPES AND TIPS FOR SAVING ON GROCERY BILLS AT HEALTHYFAMILYPROJECT.COM

ingredients

to prepare

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350 F.

1 1/2 cups rolled oats

In mixing bowl, mix egg, rolled oats, coconut, flour, brown sugar, butter, 1/4 cup honey, cinnamon, vanilla and salt until incorporated.

1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 1/4 cup honey, plus additional for drizzling, divided 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1pinch salt 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt This red, white & blue refreshing summer treat will even hook the kids! Quick & delicious.

DISCOVER MORE FAMILY-FOCUSED

Evenly spread mixture in greased springform pan and bake 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove pan from oven and cool.

In bowl, mix Greek yogurt with lemon juice.

Once oatmeal crust is fully cooked, use spatula to spread lemon-yogurt mixture on top.

Top with sliced strawberries, blackberries and blueberries. Drizzle with additional honey.

This refreshing treat can be on the table within 30 minutes — yes please!

1/2 lemon, juice only 3 strawberries, sliced 1/4 cup blueberries & blackberries

Grilled Peach Flatbread w/Goat Cheese

ingredients

to prepare

2 large naan or flatbreads

Preheat grill or grill pan.

2 fresh peaches, sliced

Grill naan until softened and lightly grilled.

1/4cup goat cheese crumbles 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Place peach slices on grill and sear about 1 minute per side.

1 tablespoon olive oil

Using pastry brush, spread olive oil onto naan.

fresh arugula (optional)

Top naan with goat cheese and peaches.

WOW! Only

6 ingredients &

1 is OPTIONAL!

Place back on grill over low heat, cover and cook 3-5 minutes.

Add fresh arugula, if desired Drizzle with balsamic vinegar before slicing and serving.

This delicious and light twist on flatbread pizza is a refreshing change that's sure to delight family & guests alike.

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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!

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!

Ilana Huff 760-917-8833

ilana@huffteam.com

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!

Top Rated Agent | Local Area Expert

Office located in the heart of San Elijo Hills

I am here to help!

1215 SAN ELIJO RD.

REALTOR® DRE#01395813

see reviews and more at huffteam.com

MOMSTOWN • JUL 2022

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PLEASE SEND STORY IDEAS TO HEATHER@MOMSTOWN OR MARY@MOMSTOWN.COM

RECORD BREAKING HIGHEST FLOOR PL AN SALE

RECORD BREAKING HIGHEST SALE EVER

RECORD BREAKING HIGHEST FLOOR PL AN SALE

SAN ELIJO HILLS / WESTCLIFFE

SAN ELIJO HILLS / CRESTVIEW

SAN ELIJO HILLS / THE ESTATES

3 B E D + O F F I C E + LO F T // 2 . 5 B AT H // 3 , 6 0 4 S Q F T

4 B E D + LO F T // 3 B AT H // 2 , 8 6 3 S Q F T

4 B E D + R E T R E AT+ LO F T // 3 B AT H // 5 , 0 2 5 S Q F T

SOLD FOR $2,585,000

SOLD FOR $1,700,000

SOLD FOR $3,025,000

1 4 6 0 K I N G S P O R T WAY

1005 BRIGHTWOOD DRIVE

1056 QUARTZ COURT