Mortgage Apple Cakes
We’ve talked before about Bake Me a Wish, the New York bakery that ships its fresh cakes overnight and donates a portion of its proceeds to needy causes.
The Mortgage Cake is a moist apple cake that’s topped with rich butter cream and cream cheese frosting. The recipe is by Angela Logan, a New Jersey woman who baked and sold apple cakes locally to collect enough to make mortgage payments to save her home in 2009.
Since then, Ms. Logan’s home has been paid off, and her story and her delicious cakes received national attention. Today, Bake Me a Wish continues to sell the cakes, where proceeds will go to help others who are in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure by supporting GreenPath Debt Solutions, a nationwide non-profit consumer credit counseling service.
Wanchai Ferry Surprise: My Blog Spark Dinner
A few weeks ago, I was invited, as a member of My Blog Spark, to a dinner at Myers + Chang in Boston. It was supposed to be a thank you dinner for members of the network, and I was allowed one guest. Since my kids were going to be at my parents house for [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Wanchai Ferry Surprise: My Blog Spark Dinner
Support for Animals Affected by the Gulf Oil Spill
It’s great news that it looks like BP has finally capped the oil spill. But it’ll be years before we know the full measure of the damage that the last few months of constant gushing oil has done to the environment and the wildlife in the Gulf Coast area. And human nature being what it is, pretty soon everyone will forget about it. Don’t think so? Remember how everyone vowed that they would never forget the Nashville Floods? Or the Earthquake in Haiti? Or Hurricane Katrina? Or September 11, 2001? Certainly those who lives were torn apart by these events never forgot, but sadly for too many of us, out of sight means out of mind.
Seeing pictures of oil-soaked animals may tug at our heartstrings, but there are much more serious ramifications to those pictures than our emotional response. It will be years before we understand the full impact that this disaster has had on the ecosystem and wildlife. And when the newspapers and cable news stations stop showing us the pictures and go on to the next celebrity scandal of the day, there will be a handful of organization working tirelessly day and night to try to bring the devastated region back to some sense of normalcy.
The Pelican Pins
and Recycled Pelican Night Light
pictured above are great ways to always remember the devastated Gulf region. The Pelican Pins are handmade in New Orleans. The exquisite design includes Louisiana’s state bird, the pelican, carved of nickel, with a miniature brass fish and a bronze wing that’s made up of Louisiana’s Fleur-de-Lis. Proceeds to will go to help the National Wildlife Federation and The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and just as importantly, your wearing it can help keep it in the forefront of peoples’ minds.
The nightlight was designed by husband and wife team Vawn and Mike Gray; 10% of proceeds will benefit Tri-State Bird Rescue and Research.
A Greener, Better, Manual Toothbrush
I’ve been using an electric toothbrush lately, but with so much travel, I’ve also been using a manual brush. I just don’t find it practical to travel with my electric. If you use a manual toothbrush as directed, you’ll actually find two things – one, they need to be tossed and replaced frequently, and two, [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
A Greener, Better, Manual Toothbrush
Getting a Great Workout With Mitch Gaylord’s Melt It Off
I’ll be honest. When I was initially approached to review Olympian Mitch Gaylord’s new workout system, Melt It Off!, I kind of assumed it would be easy. After all, it only uses a 2 lb medicine ball, and after ChaLEAN Extreme? Two lbs is NOTHING. The system includes a DVD with several workouts and a [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Getting a Great Workout With Mitch Gaylord’s Melt It Off
Eliminating Plastic Snack and Sandwich Bags with ReUsies
If I think about the number of plastic snack and sandwich bags my family has already gone through, it’s a sad thought. And, my kids haven’t even entered kindergarten yet. So, we’ve been trying to find more green and eco-friendly ways to keep those bags out of our lunch boxes, and have been very happy [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Eliminating Plastic Snack and Sandwich Bags with ReUsies
Road (and Boat) Tripping to Martha’s Vineyard
Last week, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit Martha’s Vineyard while celebrating our 10 year anniversary. Even though I was born in Massachusetts, grew up in Rhode Island, and now live in Massachusetts, I’d never actually been to Martha’s Vineyard. So, we were definitely there to explore the island. I wasn’t sure [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Road (and Boat) Tripping to Martha’s Vineyard
Saving Money When Vacationing in Orlando
Vacationing in Orlando can be expensive, especially with theme park admissions, souvenirs, and other necessities. Walmart, which has five locations in the greater Orlando area, has low prices on a variety of items that you’ll definitely need while on vacation. Walmart is a great resource for discounted park and event tickets, including the first-ever Walmart [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Saving Money When Vacationing in Orlando
New Crayola Chalkboard Floor Puzzles
My children are absolutely obsessed with puzzles, and can sit for the longest time just putting them together meticulously. They also love writing and drawing, so when we had the chance to review the newest Crayola Chalkboard Floor Puzzles I was sure they’d absolutely love them. The puzzles, which are available in three different designs [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
New Crayola Chalkboard Floor Puzzles
Doing Good in Boston with 77Kids
Have you heard of 77Kids? (I hadn’t). 77Kids is a brand by American Eagle Outfitters for children, with clothing for sizes 0-14. We haven’t got a store here in Boston yet, but 77Kids is opening up some stores around the country, and is celebrating with Do Good Day, a celebration of Paying It Forward in [...]
Post from: Mom’s Favorite Stuff
Doing Good in Boston with 77Kids