a chocolate a day keeps the doctor away!

Hey all you chocolate lovers! that's hot! thursday is all about healthy chocolate. I'm sure it's not news to you that dark chocolate is good for you. Even those of you who prefer milk chocolate, can more than likely be persuaded to switch over to the dark side. Here are some facts that you may or may not know of the positive effects of adding Dark chocolate to your diet.

Dark chocolate is great for

Lowering high blood pressure
Fighting disease with high amounts of antioxidants
Fighting gum disease
Helping you lose weight because it's a natural appetite suppressant
Helping you sleep better

And the list goes on...

Out of the many brands out there for healthy dark chocolate, Xocai is one of the best. Made with only the best of ingredients, you really notice the creamy and rich texture without a strong bitter aftertaste. Xocai also offers a variety of products that make it easy to eat your chocolate each day, like you need a reason!

After trying this chocolate for about 4 days I was sleeping great and I was satisfied with smaller amounts of chocolate and sweets in general. My personal favorite was the Omega bar with bits of sweet crunchy orange pieces in a creamy dark chocolate bar. It's satisfying for a snack on the run, or even as a light meal. I wasn't hungry after and I had plenty of energy. Give some healthy chocolate a try today and see if it makes a difference in your life, either way it's a win-win situation if you're a chocolate lover. --LeShan

Hostess with the Mostess--a most complete guide to entertaining

I don't even remember how I came across this site but I'm so glad I did! Hostess with the Mostess is a perfect fit for our wonderful web wednesday, as it's a truly wonderful guide for all things entertaining. Claiming to be the "'go-to' guide for everyone from the first-time hostess to the seasoned party guru," Hostess with the Mostesss (or HWTM) is that and so much more.

Hostess with the Mostess helps you throw "celebrations with a modern twist." The site provides "party themes that are clever, contemporary and out of the ordinary - then help[s] you recreate them yourself with detailed how-to's, where-to-buy's, tips, and advice." You'll find an extensive list of party themes for bridal showers, baby showers, holiday parties and other special occasions. And for those who need to brush up on their entertaining skills (and even for those who already have mad party skills), check out Entertaining 101 for decorating ideas, real-life parties, and feature articles. The site also offers fabulous finds, great gift ideas, recipes, and "yummy reads."

If you've got space on your Google homepage or reader, add the Hostess with the Mostess blog to your feeds. You'll get daily updates on party planning, the perfect tools for entertaining, and even surprise giveaways! I love to entertain but rarely have the time, energy, or clean home to do so, but that doesn't stop me from loving Hostess with the Mostess. Someday I'll be that hostess but until then I'll have to personally test out all the yummy recipes so I'm ready to go when it's party time. ;) --Emily

I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends. --Nancie J. Carmody

e.l.f. (eyes lips face)--simple & luxurious cosmetics on a budget

Today's fashion trend tuesday is for all you makeup junkies, makeup aficionados, and everyone in between. What woman doesn't want "simple, luxurious, problem-solution tools that allow you to showcase and believe in your unique, personal beauty" without breaking the bank? My sister-in-law recently introduced me to e.l.f. cosmetics, a company whose philosophy is "beauty comes from within" and whose goal is "to enable every woman to look and feel her personal best through the perfect blend of both the inner and outer person."

And somehow the company helps women achieve their personal best with seriously value-priced cosmetics. I'm talking $1 for brightening eye color and $1 for their plumping lip glaze. That's $1 without one or even two zeros behind it liked you'd find at Nordstrom or Macy's. From what my sister-in-law says the low-budget price does NOT mean low quality. She raves about her lip glosses and eye shadows. She has yet to be disappointed with anything she's purchased, and at those prices you can afford to try anything! They've got bronzers, concealers, nail polish, eyeliners, mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, mineral makeup and all kinds of makeup brushes and tools.

At e.l.f. you can set up your own beauty profile to see recommended products and specific looks created just for you. Or check out the beauty blogs and beauty secrets for the latest beauty buzz and tips. Still hesitant to try (seriously? at only $1 for most products?) check out e.l.f.'s recent press: CNBC, CNN, Style, O (Oprah's mag), Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Cosmo, In Style, and Seventeen to name just a few. With springtime here and summer around the corner it's time to update your color palette. With e.l.f. cosmetics you can do all the updating you want and still afford a new outfit to go with your new color! --Emily

Now What Baby & Whatever Hollywood update

Today's mompreneur monday highlights an up-and-coming blog, Now What Baby. Started by a mom eager to share "ideas for what to buy, organize, entertain now that you have a child in your life," Now What Baby offers a refreshing take on the typical product review (and I'm not just saying that because Melissa recently reviewed our "sharp shooter" onesie).

Whenever possible Melissa includes a video of her or one of her kids reviewing a product. For example, her "Have You Visited Studio Cherie?" review includes a video of her using Studio Cherie's compact travel bag/pad. And her fabulous review of georgie tees includes a fun slide show of her son striking poses in his new "sharp shooter" tee. Though not all of her reviews include a slide show or video they all make for an enjoyable read. If you love product reviews, add Now What Baby to your required reading list--along with Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish, of course!

And now for an important update! The girls from Whatever Hollywood have made it to YouTube's Top 10! YAY! We originally posted about these beautiful and talented women back in March when they were still in YouTube's Sketchies2 Top 20. Now they're in the Top 10 and We need our vote once again! This time around the girls were required to do a sketch themed around "living the dream," which incorporated the word "indubitably."

I think they did a fabulous job, but you can check it out for yourself by following their easy-to-vote instructions on their homepage. You can vote once a day, so take a minute and support your fellow female entrepreneurs. For some of us, this may be the only vote that counts this year! LOL --Emily

soup that says "muy bueno!"

You'll love this soup as it's great during the cold winter months to warm your insides, and it's great to have during the hot summer with the extras that you can add like cool, creamy avocado and sour cream. It's definitely hearty enough to eat for a meal by itself and makes plenty for leftovers.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 T olive oil

2 tsp dried oregano

2 T chili powder

1 28-oz crushed tomatoes

1 10-oz chicken broth

1 1/4 c water

1 can whole corn

1 can white hominy

1 4-oz can chopped green chili peppers

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed

1/4 c fresh cilantro, chopped

2 boneless chicken breasts, cooked and cubed

Optional:

Tortilla chips or Frito's

Sliced avocado

Shredded jack or cheddar cheese

Chopped green onion

Sour cream

In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic in oil until soft. Stir in chili powder, oregano, tomatoes, broth and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-15 min. Stir in corn, hominy, chiles, beans, cilantro and chicken. Simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Ladle soup into individual serving bowls and top with chips, avocado, cheese, sour cream and green onion.

Here's a thought for our Food For Thought Friday:

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish he didn't trust me so much." -Mother Teresa

TGIF! Have a great weekend from the girls at georgie tees! --LeShan

Patricia Ann Designs has you--and that car seat--covered

I've seen a lot of infant car seat covers but none have tickled my fancy as much as the one I reviewed from Patricia Ann Designs. In my review "Cover your seat in couture" back in April of last year I featured Patricia Ann Designs' reversible pink & chocolate hibiscus cover and stated it would "be the envy of all other moms"--and I was right. Okay, so envy is a strong word but I have received countless compliments on my daughter's stylish car seat cover. So for this week's that's hot! thursday I wanted tell our readers about the car seat cover that still turns heads wherever I go.

Actually this baby has more going for it than style. It's survived being soaked through after I failed to change a diaper during a long drive to Phoenix, and then survived a thorough washing and drying. It's held up remarkably well and still looks brand new after eight months of use. I love how the hibiscus print coordinates with the pink gingham, and I really love the oversized canopy (at least it seems bigger than the one the car seat originally came with). Plus the cover is gently padded for comfort, includes two coordinating seatbelt covers, and a well placed interior pocket for a small toy, pacifier, or in my case Kleenex or car keys!

Patricia Ann Designs' flair for stylish yet functional products extends beyond infant and toddler car seat covers to include shopping cart covers, blankets, bibs, burpcloths, changing pads, and even Moses baskets. And if you're little one is more "blue" than "pink" you'll love the Treasure Island and California Dreamin' collections. Patricia Ann Designs definitely has you covered! --Emily

Instructables--your online show & tell

Today's wonderful web wednesday features a website for all the DIYers out there. Instructables, which calls itself "The World's Biggest Show & Tell," is a site where people who are passionate about everything from art to kids to pets to technology can "share what they do and how they do it."

For example, on today's homepage you can learn how to build a 72-volt electric motorcycle, build a whiskey still, or create handbags using Ikea fabrics. Besides great how-to's Instructables offers links to a variety of contests such as T-shirt Hacks and the Green Science Fair for a Better Planet, (all with prizes), a community blog, and groups for people with related interests (hydroponics, anyone?).

If you've been missing the ol' kindergarten show-and-tell days and are dying to share your knowledge of recycling plastic bags into yarn, then Instructables is the site for you! Now every day can be show and tell...and it's about time! --Emily

cool in the shades

Don't you just love the sun! Even if you have to slather on the sunscreen, there's no denying that time in the sun can cheer up the senses. So for all you sun worshipers today's fashion trend tuesday is all about the shades. Because there are so many styles that are fashionable, picking the right style for you is really about what will flatter your face. Here are some tips to help you find the right pair, depending on your face shape.

1. Round face- Picking a square shape or one with geometric or rectangular shape will help offset the roundness of your face and make it appear longer.

2. Oval face- You get to pick pretty much what ever style you like, because oval works well with all shapes.

3. Heart shaped- You will look best with up-swept, cat-eye shaped glasses. Any lens that is wider on top than the bottom will help balance a wider forehead and narrow chin.

4. Square face- Choosing a round lens will look great as it will flatter your face by adding softness to the strong angles. Also, cat-eye, oval, or rimless sunglasses will soften your features.

5. Long and narrow face- Oversized round frames will help shorten your long features and soften by adding width.--LeShan

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focusing on the "mom" in "mompreneur"

Usually I would have a new post rarin' and ready to go the night before but instead I spent last night watching The Game Plan with my family. (I have to confess I love The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson!) When I first headed downstairs to watch the movie thoughts of all I had yet to accomplish filled my mind and threatened to distract me from enjoying the moment, but I pushed those aside and reminded myself blog posts and product reviews could wait until the morning. And nothing was more important than spending time with the fam. Sure, it was just a movie but it had been a long time since Mom had joined everyone in the newly finished home theater, a favorite family hangout.

I do have a point and it does have to do with our mompreneur monday feature. Look at the word "mompreneur" and you'll notice what comes first. It is not "entrepremom" and I think that's for a very good reason. Those of us who balance motherhood and business ownership often need to remind ourselves being a mom is our most important "job." I am guiltier than most of making time for the computer but not for my kids. And I have found when "mom" follows behind "entrepreneur" everyone, including Mom, suffers. It's only when we focus on what really matters (our family) that everything falls into place. It may mean a few later-than-we'd-like nights but it's worth it if our family feels like they are placed far above our email Inbox on our list of priorities.

As much as I enjoy georgie tees and Boutique Cafe (I'd go nuts without these outlets) I'd hate to wake up someday and realize I'd missed out on enjoying my family. If you're like me and need to be reminded now and then to put family first, let this be your reminder. Today put "mom" first and "entrepreneur" second; you might be surprised how happier everyone is--including Mom. --Emily

Update: Vicki has a fabulous post on her blog Simply Vicki. Take a minute for another reminder about what's most important and read Parenting is Unrewarding? It's a minute--or two--very well spent.

add some spice to your life!

For today's food for thought friday, you'll enjoy this great recipe that's full of flavor and spice and everything nice (healthy). It serves enough to feed a crowd or have plenty for leftovers.

Chinese Barbecued Baby Drumsticks

3 lbs Chicken drumsticks

1/3 C Soy sauce

3 Tbsp. Sugar

2 Garlic pods, crushed

1/2 C Strong chicken broth

Fresh ground pepper

3 Tbsp. Brown sugar

3 Tbsp. vinegar

1 tsp. Ground ginger

Discard the skin from the drumsticks. Mix all ingredients together then add chicken. Marinate in the fridge for about 2 hours, turning if necessary to cover all pieces. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered in a shallow pan with marinade, for approximately 1 hour. Turn once and baste 2-3 times.

*Serve with Stir Fry Vegetables and Rice.

Chinese Proverb:

"To be truly happy and contented, you must let go of what it means to be happy or content."(Confucius) --LeShan

open your mouth and say 'Ah Goo'

Because that's hot! thursday is brand-spankin' new we are still in the process of organizing our product review lineup. Once in a while we'll review something that might not be the latest children's product or celebrity fave but is definitely a must-have for us. And with all the writing I've done for Boutique Cafe's Daily Dish, I'll be highlighting products I've reviewed in the past that I'm still very much in love with--products I still use and swear by. Today's that's hot! thursday is just that, a past Daily Dish review I can't live without!

I originally reviewed Ah Goo Baby's Plush Pad in August, 2007. When they announced the addition of new designs to their lineup I was happy to have them back on the Daily Dish this past February. The Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad combines stylish boutique fabric and a super soft center fabric (both water resistant and washable) with a high-density memory foam pillow covered in a water resistant taslin fabric. It's this high-density memory foam that sets the Plush Pad apart from other diaper changing pads. It not only provides excellent cushion but soothes your baby's pressure points. And its generous size protects baby from those who-knows-who-or-what-was-there-last baby changing stations in the restroom.

We've used our Ah Goo Baby Plush Pad for months as a second changing station on top of our hope chest. The memory foam is more than enough padding for the solid wood underneath and the washable feature has come in handy quite a few times. Even after washing and drying, the Plush Pad's patent-pending design rolls up easily and compactly for travel. We've taken it on vacation where we've used it on an extra-long bathroom counter, and it would be the perfect addition to Grandma's house. (Grandma would no longer worry about her bedspread or newly cleaned carpet; of course if she's cleaning the carpet before your visit she's pretty new at this Grandma thing...)

With its baby-friendly design and mom-friendly fabrics, Ah Goo Baby's Plush Pad is truly a must-have for anyone still doing the diaper thing. The only decision to make is which style to buy. --Emily

how to what?

Hey, we're all super moms and we know EVERYTHING, but sometimes we still have questions about how to do things. HowToDoThings.com is perfect in finding information about anything from family, finance, career, fashion, gardening, grooming your pets, and pretty much anything else you can think of.

With feature articles like tips on how to drive long distances. Which is great because with warmer weather usually comes more vacation time. Even if your not driving they have tips on traveling by airplane, cruise, train, or... maybe a hot air balloon? (Okay that might be pushing it), but they think of pretty much everything.

Find fun facts! For example, last month they featured articles about coffee in tribute to Caffeine Awareness Month (I had no idea there was a whole month devoted to caffeine!) Did you know that used coffee grounds are great for compost? They can be used as mulch, and the dark color heats up the ground and adds nutrients to the soil as they break down. Also, it works as a great deterrent to pests like slugs and snails that don't like the gritty texture and smell. If your not a coffee drinker there are ways to find some, such as local coffee shops, or work.

So learn something new everyday, whether you are looking for an answer to a question or you're just curious, this site is sure to offer you something helpful and fun.--LeShan