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Every year around Mother’s Day, a huge fuss is made for Moms. You know, make sure Mom has time to put her feet up, send her flowers, go out to eat so she doesn’t have to cook, give Mom some time to herself, and so on and so on. Don’t get me wrong, as a Mom myself I definitely agree that Moms are deserving of all of these things and more! I’ve just found that not nearly as much of a fuss is made for Dad’s on Father’s Day, and I think there should be!

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Growing up, I always looked different than everyone else. I was the only redheaded, pale-skinned, freckled-faced kid in my class in elementary school. In high school, I think there were maybe 3 redheads in my graduating class. While I don’t remember ever wanting to dye my hair or change anything about my appearance, I do remember wishing that I could blend in a little bit more.

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The summer before my twins started Junior Kindergarten, we decided to send them to a couple of week-long day camps to introduce them to the β€œfull day” experience. Leading up to it, I hadn’t really thought about food and as the day approached, I realized that for the first time I needed to plan and pack enough food for a morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack. It felt daunting, but I learned a lot over the season. So whether you’re packing lunches for the first time, or have been packing them for a while and are in a total rut for ideas, check out my tips below for camp lunch packing success!

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May is Celiac Disease Awareness Month. Celiac Disease (CD) is an autoimmune disease which includes an allergy to gluten. If someone has CD, then it is essential they follow a strict gluten-free diet. Gluten is a form of protein found in wheat, barley, rye, triticale, and many other grains. It is also found in many condiments via addition of grains such as most soy sauces, BBQ sauces, and salad dressings. Even trace amounts of gluten can evoke a negative reaction. Individuals have usually had less than optimal vitamin and mineral absorption prior to diagnosis so it is always good to have a proper assessment done and determine if any supplements are advised to help with any deficiencies. In terms of food preparation, here are a few tips to keep your home Gluten Free if a family member is diagnosed with CD.