This was supposed to be the ideal summer, full of family outings, gardening, and day trips…that’s what I had hoped for anyway. Instead, it’s turned into a miserable time, sidelined by an awful injury, unable to do anything but cry, complain and feel sorry for myself.

Yours truly was cleaning out a closet on June 20 when I had an accident and severely hurt my right hand. Cause: Dropping a heavy box. Effect: An ER visit, multiple follow-up appointments, weeks of lingering pain from my fingertips all the way up to my shoulder, and an inability to function. (I couldn’t drive, write, type, cook, tie shoes, etc.)

Needless to say, it’s been complete chaos over here! All of my normal activities like couponing, grocery shopping, meal planning, blogging, errands, cleaning, just day-to-day living, has been a challenge.

The only things I could do comfortably were watch TV or read with a book/magazine propped up on a tray. I was bored, but it did give me a lot of unexpected time to think about my life, my priorities and scheduling. When you’re forced to slow down, it allows you to see more clearly. I didn’t realize how frantic the pace had been before, nor did I admit that I needed to make changes. Now, I get it and I’m willing to do it.

Not being able to blog or use social media felt really strange. I love blogging so much, being able to share ideas, discuss current events and interact with others. Even though I was MIA, numerous readers went out of their way to email or leave comments. A huge thanks to everyone for being so kind and caring. Marianne, especially, has been a true blessing, sending me daily eCards. Instead of my entire audience drying up when I couldn’t work, which I feared, the opposite happened, with incredible support and compassion sent my way.

So that’s what I’ve been up to. At this point, my hand still hurts, but I’m splint-free and I can type in short spurts. Expect to see regular posts going forward, provided I continue to improve. My enthusiasm is high, my functioning is low, but this blog will keep on going, no matter what!

Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial start of Summer. The sun is shining, the temperature is rising and everyone wants to be outside.

We are celebrating with a beach vacation this year, and I am so excited. (We arrived on Thursday and will stay until Monday night.) Squishing my toes in the sand, smelling the salty air and eating alfresco is such a joy!

Some of our meals, of course, will be eaten in restaurants, but I also like to have picnics. The cooler is packed with only water—no more soda—and healthy food. One category I’m happy to leave off the list is a huge amount of disposable products. Don’t ask me why, but we go through so many plastic utensils and paper towels when traveling.

Swapping single-use for reusable doesn’t have to be a pain. There are high quality natural alternatives that are plant based like Bambu.

Made from eco-friendly bamboo that’s certified organic and renewable, they offer a full range of home goods and dinnerware (some of it is even compostable). Each item is FDA-approved, food safe, chemical and pesticide free, has no bleach, dye or glue, yet is still sturdy and attractive.

With many places looking to reduce—or even outright ban—plastic straws, it’s worth looking for something less toxic. I have tried stainless steel straws before, and while they’re ok, I wasn’t overly impressed. Bambu straws, however, are really cool and can last for a long time, with proper use (a cleaning brush is part of the set). According to my mother-in-law, who is a stroke survivor, the jumbo size is perfect for fingers that have trouble gripping.

The cutting boards, which double as serving trays, are fantastic for sandwiches and I really liked the large serving spoons for salads. The kids went crazy over the sporks—probably because they’re mini—and used them to scoop up fresh berries. The travel utensils come with a pouch—very handy. (They call it Grubware; I call it awesome.)

The only downside to bamboo is that it requires a bit more care. It can’t go in the dishwasher, can’t be in the microwave, and shouldn’t be soaked overnight in water. It was, however, very quick to soap and rinse, so long as I didn’t let it sit.

The cost for Bambu home goods is very reasonable—most are under $20.00 each. I recommend purchasing the finishing oil because it nourishes the bamboo and makes it last longer.

By cutting down on disposables, we can protect the planet, ensuring that beach vacations will be an option for future generations, too. And that is something we should all support.

Connect with Bambu through their website where you’ll find more information, tons of customers reviews, and the entire product line available for sale.

Disclosure: I received these items for review. Thanks to Bambu for being so generous. I truly enjoyed everything I sampled!

One of the most important—but often overlooked—aspects of blogging is making good connections. Blogging, whether it’s for a living or as a hobby, tends to be isolating. While I love to write, I also love to be social, so I attend every in-person opportunity that I’m able to. 

WOW Influencers is a new series of events created by Moms Meet that connects wellness and eco-friendly brands with established mom bloggers. They recently came to Boston and I was so fortunate to receive an invite. 

Unlike huge conferences that are attended by thousands, WOW events are intentionally small. This allows much more time to actually form relationships—both with other bloggers and with brands, in a relaxed setting. 

We started out by checking in, picking up our name tags, grabbing drinks and getting acquainted. Ladies from every corner of New England were in attendance. (Many I know from other events, but there were some new faces, too.)

Since food is a huge part of what Moms Meet does, we were treated to a cooking demo, conducted by celebrity Chef Gerard. We learned how to increase our fiber without sacrificing flavor. The kale salad and lemon meringue he prepared was delicious. 

After that, it was time to network. If you’ve ever been to speed dating, it was a similar experience. We requested appointments in advance, so it ran smoothly. Meetings were quick but informative, with business cards/contact info traded. 

I was pleasantly surprised to discover that everyone was open to working with the Kosher community and most of the products were already Kosher compliant, along with other certifications (vegan, organic, gluten free, cruelty free, etc.)

I accomplished my goal and talked to reps from every amazing brand that was present:

• Mary’s Gone Crackers
• Regular Girl
• The Jojoba Company
• Weldon
• Wildscape
• Farmwise
• WooBamboo
• TinkerActive
• Wild Planet

In between meetings, I continued to feast on the best food and drank a ton of seltzer. All of the bloggers I chatted with were genuinely nice and helpful. Nobody was excluded (even the shy ones). We discussed our blogs, families, hobbies, and backgrounds. Such incredible diversity in the crowd.

At the end of the day, instead of being drained, I felt invigorated. (Some blogging events are crazy-intense, leaving you exhausted and overwhelmed. Not this one.)

We were treated to the most amazing goody bags that were filled to the brim with food, beauty products, supplements, coupons, hygiene items, books and service vouchers. (Yep, we were spoiled like royalty.)

Everyone promised to stay in touch and planned to reunite at the Moms Meet WOW Summit. This two-day event is open for all moms—not just bloggers. The Summit is held annually in a different location; 2019 will be in Arlington, Texas. (I’ve attended two previous Summits and really enjoyed both.)

Register now if you’re interested. Moms benefit from talking to other moms, and it’s also a great place to network, socialize and expand your blog. Let me know if you’re attending. I’d love to meet you there!

Health, wellness, organic food, recycling, green products, creating a better and safer environment for ourselves and our families. If you agree that ALL of those things are meaningful, you should join me at ShiftCon 2019 – an eco-wellness influencer event.

What is ShiftCon? Their mission statement explains it best: “ShiftCon was born out of the idea that together we can create a profound impact on the world around us. We can literally shift the way we eat, raise our families and our impact on the environment. That shift has begun, and now it’s time to come together and leverage our collective voice. ShiftCon was created to give wellness and eco-friendly influencers a place to network, share ideas, learn from experts, empower one another and organize their efforts into social change.”

Sounds pretty cool, huh? As someone who has attended three ShiftCon events, I can assure you that it’s awesome in person. Not only can you network with other bloggers and influencers, you’ll get to interact with sponsors and speakers who are incredible. 

Last year’s conference (2018) was headlined by Ed Begley Jr. Most recognize him as an actor, but Ed is also deeply committed to environmental issues. (Remember She-Devil with Roseanne and Meryl Streep? I love that movie!) His speech was great and being able to meet him up close, talk together and take a picture was even better. (Yes, I was a little star-struck, but he was so friendly.)

2019’s conference will feature Alysia Reiner who is an actress, activist, and writer, that you’ll recognize from Orange is the New Black.

ShiftCon will be held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Buckhead (Atlanta, GA), October 3-5, 2019. 

Attendees will experience:

• Professional workshops
• An exhibitor hall with over 50 brands
• Networking with hundreds of peers
• Top-notch speakers
• Fitness events 
• Goodie bags 
• Delicious meals and drinks (organic, vegan, keto, etc.)

This event sells out every single time it’s hosted, so don’t wait to sign up. Register Here and be part of the change you want to see in the world!