Lucky Lil' Darlings Casting Calls!!

Lucky Lil’ Darlings Goes on Tour!

We are looking for experienced, dependable, college-educated (or currently in school) sitters to join

our family care solutions company, specializing in placements for:

· Babysitting · Nannying · Vacation/Weekend Help · Event staffing

· Pet-sitting · Tutoring · House-sitting · Mentoring

We will be touring the tri-state area and beyond! LLD will be stopping at the following cities (note schedule is subject to change).

For each city we will host a Sitter Meet & Greet:

6-8pm Wed, Sept. 14^th: Local 61 @ 61 Bergen St Brooklyn, NY

6-8pm Tues, Sept 20^th: Slattery’s Midtown @ 8 E 36^th St NYC

6-8pm Wed, Sept. 21^st: Nicky’s Pizzeria 144 Chatsworth Ave Larchmont, NY

6-8pm Thurs, Sept. 22^nd: Capriccio Café 189 Bedford St Stamford, CT

6-8pm Mon, Sept. 26^th: Panera Bread 310 Washington Ave Hoboken, NJ

12-2pm Wed, Sept 28^th: Hampton Coffee Company 869 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, Long Island, NY

12-2pm Thurs, Sept. 29^th: Witches Brew Coffee Shop (near Hofstra University) 311 Hempstead Tpke, West Hempstead, NY

All applicants should bring a resume, list of at least three references and copies of all certifications. For more info and for schedule updates visit www.luckylildarlings.blogspot.com

For more information on Lucky Lil’ Darlings visit www.luckylildarlings.com

To RSVP please email info@luckylildarlings.com

Eating Healthy

This week we really wanted to look into the phenomenon that has been sweeping the nation. Eating Healthy! We interviewed one of our favorite mothers of four who also happens to be a health consultant know as Nutrimommy by her dedicated followers on her blog. See what Anne has to say about eating healthy!

LLD: We love how creative you are in making fruits and vegetables into tasty treats that your four children love, and are extremely healthy. Can you give our moms out there some tips on making healthy, easy-to-make snacks for the little ones? Or even, what is one of your favorite healthy snacks to make for your kids?

Anne: Focus on vegetables as snacks. One of our favorites is the peanut butter cucumber caterpillar, but even plain cut carrots, celery and pepper to dip in hummus or black bean spread is simple, easy and tasty.

LLD: More often than we like, we’re learning about new foods or ingredients that could cause health problems. We all want to keep our families healthy, but when does it stop! In your opinion, what are the most important things to avoid in a healthy diet?

Anne: Avoid anything processed. By eliminating processed foods, you will avoid all preservatives, coloring and artificial sweeteners without having to ciphon through lists of which are or are not especially hazardous. They are all bad and none stand up to completely fresh foods with a few packaged but not processed items, like puffed corn thins, rice cakes or a very plain chip.

LLD: Many parents think that it would be very hard to follow a primarily vegan diet with growing children that are already picky eaters. You say so honestly in your blog that life does get in the way sometimes, and you can’t always avoid animal products or milk or butter. Do you have some advice for parents that want to try a more vegetarian or vegan diet but aren’t sure how to bring their kids on board?

Anne: Mostly, make it delicious and involve children in the shopping and cooking processes. My children love to chop, grind and blend so they are more amenable to the end result. They are also really involved in which farms we buy food from and they have developed a general understanding of what grows when and where. And, do not forget to make the food visually appealing. After all, first impressions matter.

LLD: We were fascinated by your blog from May 1st of this year about genetically modified corn. With the recent health revolution sweeping the nation, more people are concerned about what is going into their food. For those of you that don’t know, agribusiness today is inserting a BT toxin, or synthetic bug spray, into corn so that it has its own bug repellent. But what happens once you eat this corn with the bug spray in it? No one knows! The FDA is not researching or testing the effects of these genetically modified substitutes, but there are many claims that this is harmful to the human body, and additionally to the environment. Could you comment on the suspected health problems associated with genetically modified foods, and how important it is to find natural fruits and vegetables to feed your family?

Anne: While the claims against genetically modified foods include many illnesses from cancer and superviruses to infertility, the risk of fatal food allergies is one of the most studies and flagrant examples of the downside of GMOs. Bringing cod fish genes into potatoes or brazil nut into soy has clearly caused death and a rash of odd soy allergies heretofore unseen. http://www.nutrimommy.com/search/label/GM%20foods

LLD: When shopping for organic foods, it can get overwhelming visiting a Whole Foods where there are aisles and aisles of various brands and “all-natural” claims on packaging. How do you know where to start and when is it worth paying the extra couple dollars for the organic label?

Anne: Sometimes the organic label is meaningless. At your local farm stand you can always ask about growing practices and you will find many fruits and vegetables are unsprayed, sprayed with only organic products or very lightly sprayed unlike large agribusiness produce. In the packaged food realm, it is best to lean organic whenever possible, for snacks and crackers, and be especially diligent when the product has corn or soy. There is a whole profitable and growing market of organic junk food which should be avoided based on fat, salt and sugar content regardless of the source of the food. It is preferable to aim for sprouted nuts or raw snacks like kale chips rather than oily chips and floury crackers regardless of the organic label.

Thanks for all the great advice Anne! Check our her blog at http://www.nutrimommy.com/.

Don't forget to follow us on twitter @LuckyLilDarling and "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LuckyLilDarlings

Keep your skin safe this summer!

With summer in full swing, we really need to make sure we’re keeping our skin, and more importantly, the kids’, safe from the harsh rays of the sun while we’re out and about at the beach, park, or playing outside on the jungle gym. While reading through the Big City Moms Parenting Center, we stumbled across a really interesting article by a skin care expert. Take a couple minutes to read through the facts and advice that we think is so so important this time of year!

Did you know the skin of a newborn baby can be five times thinner than an adult’s? We had no idea! Because the skin is still developing at this stage in a baby’s life, it is not able to produce enough melanin (or our natural form of sun protection), and therefore is much more susceptible to sun damage. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents try to keep children younger than 6 months out of the sun completely. If you don’t have some article of clothing to cover as much of the skin as possible, parents can apply small amounts of sun screen to the face and other areas of the body. These days, companies have even created clothing that has built in UV protection! My Swim Baby has a ton of cute UV Protection Clothing on their website. We love this iPlay Tie Rash Guard & Swim Diaper! Visit My Baby Swim at www.myswimbaby.com!

Now when it comes time to pick a sunscreen, there are several things to keep in mind. First, you should decide if you want to go with the more typical, chemical sunscreens, or something more natural. With natural sunscreens, you’re keeping the chemicals to a minimum and still keeping your kids’ skin safe. Mineral-based sunscreens are a little different than chemical ones because the sunscreen creates a reflective layer on the surface of the skin, whereas with chemical sunscreens the ingredients work within the cells to prevent sun damage. After picking which type of sunscreen is for you and the kids make sure you select a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. The U.S. FDA does not require sunscreens to guard against UVA rays! Crazy, we know. Most experts suggest picking a sunscreen with an SPF higher than 35, which protects for 97% - 98% of harmful UV rays, but you can always go higher!

If you have a second, visit the Big City Moms website at bigcitymoms.com. You can learn about so many great events for families going on in the New York Area. Also, if you want more sun-safe information, the American Academy of Pediatrics at www.aap.org has tons of information!

Don’t forget to “Like” our new Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LuckyLilDarlings

and

Follow us on Twitter @luckylildarling.

Now, go have some fun in the sun!

Three fun and tasty things to do with a watermelon!

During a hot summer afternoon, slicing into a nicely chilled watermelon sounds like paradise! Disney’s Family Fun website has found some fun and creative ways to eat this delicious fruit.

Make a Melon Manor

First, scoop out all of the delicious fruit of the watermelon and place them in a bowl. We like to use a melon baller and turn the watermelon into a bowl of delicious bite-size treats! Second, after you have the melon rind; slice off one end so you have a flat bottom to set your future house on. Third, start carving! Cut out windows and a door with a small knife. If you’re a pumpkin-carving champion, try adding some designs! Lastly, grab some toothpicks and add a door, the roof from the end you sliced off before and even some landscaping if you’re feeling ambitious.
Your kids will have a blast playing with this cute little house!

Cut out some watermelon cookies!

Watermelon cookies? That’s right! All you need is a watermelon, vanilla Greek yogurt, and some sprinkles. First, slice your juicy watermelon into 1 inch slabs as big as you can make them. Second, let your kids take over! Give them some fun cookie cutters so they can make shapes out of the watermelon slices. Last, smear on some delicious Greek yogurt and some sprinkles for decoration. It’s a tasty and healthy snack, and you don’t even have to turn on the oven!
These could also be a great addition to a summer barbeque or dinner party. Your friends will be amazed at your creativity, and how delicious they are!

Mix it up with a Watermelon Banana Split

With watermelon, berries, bananas, granola, and whipped cream… your kids will love this fruity snack! First, cut a banana in half and place in no a plate. Second, scoop out a couple of watermelon balls to place on top with an ice cream scoop to make them extra-big. Last, squeeze a little whipped cream on top, sprinkle some berries and granola, and you’re good to go!

You can even make this delicious treat dairy free by skipping out on the whip cream!

We hope you’re as excited as we are to bust out these yummy watermelon tricks and treats! For more fun cooking ideas visit http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/

Don’t forget to follow us @Luckylildarling, and “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Lucky-Lil-Darlings/231817833497521

We all know that swimsuit season can be one of the most dreaded times of the year… scratch that it IS the most dreaded time of the year. BUT we’ve found some great advice from Bradyley Bayou, fashion designer and author of “The Science of Sexy”. Bayou has dressed a-list celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Eva Longoria, Salma Hayek, Felicity Huffman, Kiera Knightly, and many others! He has great tips for moms of every shape and size on finding the perfect swimsuit for your body type. Check out some of Bayou’s comments on how these sexy celebs have found a swimsuit that works perfectly with their shape.

We think these tips are great! Make sure you “Like” Bradley’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bradley-Bayou/140435025223 and follow him on Twitter @BradleyBayou.

SHORT LEGS OR TORSO: such as Julianne Hough
Choose a suit with a high-cut leg. There are really interesting one-pieces out there now with cut outs—pick one where the leg is exposed as much as possible. Boy-cut shorts are not for you.

STOMACH AREA: KE$HA
Do pick either a high-waisted bikini or a one-piece that will pull you in. Don't pick
a low-rise bikini!

SMALL BUST: just like AnnaLynne McCord
You can go as skimpy as you like up top, but choose suits that have their prints or embellishments on the top rather than the bottom, like ruffles or beading.

BIG BUST: Sophia Vergara
Choose a suit with support—either a bra-shaped or halter top with underwire will work best for you. Choose a darker color on top with a brighter color or print on the bottom. You can choose a bikini or full-piece depending on your midsection, and with either type of suit make sure any embellishments are on the lower half to balance your bustline.

NO WASTE: Sarah Hyland
Choose a one-piece with a V-neck, as plunging as you feel comfortable with a belted waist, preferably in a contrasting or bright color.

LONG BODY example: Miranda Kerr
Tankinis or a one-piece will work well on you—any top with an empire waistline. If you want to do a two-piece just make sure you minimize the distance between your top and bottom. For example, a shorter tankini is okay if paired with a high-waisted bottom.

While your logged on, make sure you “Like” Lucky L’il Darlings new Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucky-Lil-Darlings/231817833497521 and our Twitter @LuckyLilDarling.

TGIF!

We hope everyone is ready for an amazing 4th of July! Lucky L’il Darlings has put together our own little list of the Top 5 Family Fun things to do this holiday.

1. Have some fun in the sun! Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack in the Hamptons is perfect place to spend the day with the kids. The beach there has wide open spaces so your little ones won’t be throwing sand on your neighbor’s blanket when they are trying to dig a hole to China – giving you a little time to sit back and relax. Maybe even read a book! Be sure to check if you need a parking pass before you head out, parking is difficult to say the least! And we all know there’s nothing like driving around in circles with your kids in the back screaming to get out and play in the sun. If you’re looking for a little seaside help, Lucky L’il Darlings babysitters will be in the Hamptons this weekend, ready to help out and make your weekend that much better.

2. Go fly a kite at the Long Island Children’s Museum in Garden City! Who needs to buy a kite when you can just make one! From 2:30 pm – 4:30 pm learn how to make your own kite, for FREE. Use your creativity and make your kite come alive in the sky. This is a great activity for parents and kids!

3. Bring the whole family out for a day of fun at Belmont Park Race Track! Sunday, July 3rd from 1-4 pm in Elmont on Long Island, the Family Fun Day will feature face painting, a petting zoo and fun carnival games. What a fun way to spend an afternoon with the kids!

4. Chow down at one of New York’s best Crawfish Boils! For all you seafood lovers that want to try a Southern-Style Crawfish Boil, The Village Pourhouse on the corner of 11th street and 3rd avenue in NYC is the place to be. For $40 per person, you can enjoy 2 crawfish baskets, unlimited Southern Chicken Sliders, Potato Salad, Corn-on the Cob and other sides. This deal is open from 6 pm – 8 pm on July 4th, giving you plenty of time to catch the fireworks afterwards. To buy tickets check out this website: http://downtownnyc.villagepourhouse.com/?p=events&i=2.

5. Go see the best fireworks in town! Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks never ceases to amaze us. This year on July 4th, beginning at approximately 9 p.m., Macy's will have fireworks being released from six barges in the Hudson River. This year's theme is The Gift of Freedom marking the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty, as well as the 235th birthday of the United States. The music will be performed in sync with the fireworks and you can tune in on 1010 WINS to listen.

We hope you like some of these fun ideas for this 4th of July Weekend. We wish you the best weekend ever. Have fun and be safe!

Hey Dads! Check this out!

Hey all you hard working Dads out there. Did you know the “stress about balancing careers and caregiving is no longer just a woman’s issue”? An article in today’s New York Post discusses the growing stress being placed on the working Dads of today. Brad Harrington, the director of Boston College’s Center for Work and Family, is a working father himself and explains in the article that Dads are increasingly dealing with the same work vs. family conflict as Moms have been for the past couple decades. Harrington also helped write a report about this subject entitled “The New Dad: Caring, Committed and Conflicted”. Based on a survey of nearly 1,000 working Dads, the report paints the picture of how modern Dads are struggling to be both hands-on fathers and the hard working breadwinners. The article also touches upon issues such as work flexibility programs and how Dads are less likely to participate because of perceived expectations of their companies and management, and how many employers may have a way too outdated perception of what today’s working Dads are like.

Who knew that Dads were just as stressed about balancing work and family as Moms are! To read more visit: http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/jobs/male_call_or5IMz3zJeHKu7svlocWNN#.Tgjj0wlqIf4.email.

We’ll we are here to support you Dads! Keep on being the best Dads you can be, and when you need help, just give us a holler!