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Del Mar Opening Day-It's All About the Hats!

Del Mar where the surf meets the turf!  Opening day was last week.  It's a day to see and be seen and it's all about the hats!  Here's mine.  I love hats, but I never wear them, so it was fun to dress up for a day.   I didn't have time to shop so I picked this one up the day before with the kids.  While I didn't have much time to put effort into my hat selection take a look at some of these!

Do you notice a theme here?  No one could hold up their own heads. I could never do it.  But thanks ladies for putting on a great show.  You looked fabulous!  Here's the grand prize winner who played off where the surf meets the turf theme literally!

There were 46,588 people there setting an all-time Opening Day record.  It was fun to be a part of the excitement, but we ran out of steam around 6pm before the last races and ending up coming home to put our kids to sleep.  Family weekends are on Saturday and Sunday. The fun continues through Sept 7th.

The Zen Mom Redesign!

Here's a sneak peek at The Zen Mom's new look.  For the last few months I have been working on my blog's relaunch. But it's not just the design that will be evolving, but The Zen Mom's mission.

I started The Zen Mom, as a new mom 3 years ago as a way to share with others resources I found and what I learned from my experiences. Now as a mother of 2,  I realize being a Zen Mom is not just about finding and trying to do what’s best for your children and your family, but also about continuing to nurture your mind and soul.   It’s about your journey as a mom, but not forgetting your journey as a woman.

I will continue to share information, reviews and giveaways, but I will also be adding videos, more photos and new posts filled with stories of inspiration, food, travel and a behind the scenes look at my TV life.

Stay tuned.  I hope to relaunch next week!

Zenspiration: "The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short"

 I just finished reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I don't know why this one quote made such an impact on me.  "The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short."  There were many points in the book that inspired me, but this one in particular made me cry.   I've heard it before.  People telling you to cherish the moments with your kids because soon they will be all grown up, but this time it was different. 

Reading those words was like putting a mirror on my life and someone was telling me, "How dare you wish away the day!"  For the past few weeks I have been very focused on work.  Not just when I'm working, but even on days when I'm at home.  I've been feeling overwhelmed with everything I want to do for my kids, for the house, for my career, for myself.  There just doesn't seem to be enough time to fit it all in, so I multi-task.   Sure I can watch the kids, fold laundry and check my e-mail at the same time!   I've just been trying to get through the day, so I can check off my to do lists.  I try to do it all, when in reality I'm cheating myself of being in the moment.

Reading this quote, made me feel guilty and sad that I have been trying to rush through the day. Hurry up and get dressed so we can have breakfast, hurry up and eat so we can get out of the house, hurry up and take one kid to preschool so I can focus on the other one, hurry up and put them down for a nap so I can have a break to work, hurry up and go to bed so I can take care of other things.

 It also reminded me of what I was missing.

Tonight after dinner I didn't wash the dishes right away.  I sat with my two kids as they played joyfully.   When I put my 19 month old daughter to bed I held her in my arms and danced around the room first.  She smiled at me lovingly and giggled.  Then I went downstairs where my 3 year old son was watching Barney.  Usually I use this precious TV time to check my e-mail before I give him a bath, but tonight I sat next to him and cuddled as we sang the "I love you song" together.

Not every night ends this peaceful and zen.  There are "those" days that you are just trying to get through.

"The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short"  reminded me hit the "pause" button and appreciate the moment before it passes.  Here's a video that captures the thought.  Grab a tissue.

The Zen Mom on Momversation!

I'm excited to join Momversation as a panelist.  It's a video web series where real women share their stories. It's a place to connect, share and join in fun, enlightening and even controversial conversations.  Check it out!

Here's my first video on "What's your craziest family travel mishap?"  We all have one?  I'd love to hear your story.

Quick No Bake Fourth of July Cakes!

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!  What are your plans?  Are you headed out to a bar-b-que or hosting one?  If you're like me, you probably want to keep it simple. Here's my shortcut to a festive Fourth of July dessert if you don't have time to bake.  

Ingredients:

               -Red and Blue Berries

                           (boysenberries, blueberries/strawberries or raspberries)

               -Any cake

                           (Pound cake, Angel Food Cake, Cheesecake)

               -Whipcream/Frosting or Sourcream (if you're using cheesecake)

Here are some examples of flag cakes.  The first one is more professional looking.  Use pound cake/angel food cake slices, put them in the pan, then spread a thin layer of whip cream/frosting.  Lay out the blueberries in a square in the left corner.  Then put on the red berries in stripes (raspberries shown in 2 rows, but you can also use strawberries in one row). Then use whipcream in a can for the stripe design in between the berries and the stars.

  

If you want to make it even easier you can try this design. Just spread the whip cream and lay out the blueberries in the corner and use sliced strawberries for stripes.

If you like the red and white theme for Fourth of July, but think a flag cake is a little too much, then you can go for this design! I like using a frozen cheesecake covering it with a layer of sourcream, then topping it with fresh berries in this circular design.  If you are using angel food cake you can also cut it in half and put a layer of whip cream in the middle, then put the top back on, spread more whip cream on top and then cover with berries.

Low fat/Gluten free option-Don't use cake at all.   Follow the first or second design.  Substitute the cake with banana slices.

Tips-If your using whip cream make sure you don't leave it out too long before you serve it or it may melt.

Happy Weekend!

Cool Travel Bib-Bibagogo Giveaway!

See my daughter getting all messy while eating on vacation?  Well, that cute strawberry shortcake design is not her dress, it's actually a bib!   It's called a Bibagogo.  

                                        

What's cool about it is that the bib has 3 hidden pockets in back (includes 2 washcloths and a spoon)and it all rolls up easy for traveling.  No more digging around the bottom of the diaper bag!   I didn't use the washcloths, but they were nice to have. You can tuck away anything you want in the pockets.

I've tried a lot of bibs before, but what I really like about the Bibagogo is that it combines a lot of the features I need in one.  It doesn't stain.  I just wipe it off or rinse it and it's ready to go again.   It's long and has a catch pocket-so no more messy bottoms.  Also, it has snaps instead of velcro so my kids can't rip them off.   And they're really cute!  Bibagogo is offering the Blue Rainboot Design to TZM readers for today's giveaway. 

To enter the giveaway for the Blue Rainboot Bibagogo:

1. Subscribe to The Zen Mom or let us know you are already a subscriber with a comment below.

2. Follow us on Twitter, tweet about it, and tells us you did with a comment below or tweet which Bibagogo is your favorite.

Giveaway ends on Monday, July 4th midnight PST.  Good Luck!