Health & Beauty
Meet Sara Deren…!
If you (or your child) loves camp, Sara Deren is someone you should know. When she married into the world of camp (her husband Jon is a camp lifer – and director), she fell hard for the experience it gave to children. While camps have existed for decades, Sara recognized the need for camp for grieving children (to experience camp and to support each other), and founded Experience Camp, which currently provides a FREE week of sleep-away camp to 1500+ kids nationwide who have lost a parent or sibling. In Westport, the annual Day of Champions Event (a local color war for families to support Experience Camps) is highly revered, and this year’s event will be on Sunday, 5/19! Mom of three kids (and two chickens), Sara loves traveling with her family, wishes she were better at karaoke, and has showed so many in our community – and far beyond our borders – that heroes truly live among us.
Meet a Mom – Country Singer Sarahbeth Taite!
This week’s Meet a Mom interview is with rising country star and former American Idol standout Sarahbeth Taite! With the support of her parents, Sarahbeth signed her first record deal at just 14, and drove herself to Nashville at age 17. But it wasn’t until five years later, in 2020, when she put an old single, Long Way, onto TikTok—and garnered 9 million streams of the video and a #1 spot on iTunes, that she started to receive national attention. Since then, she’s performed in front of Katy Perry and other celebrity judges on American Idol, signed with DA Music, and welcomed her first child with her husband , a daughter named Isla (1).
Sprinkle Matzah Toffee Recipe!
As far as matzah-based desserts go, variations on matzah toffee are one of the most popular. This version, shared by Shannon Sarna, author of Modern Jewish Baking: Challah, Babka, Bagels & More, is made effortlessly festive by the addition of rainbow sprinkles. “My kids love matzah toffee because it’s sweet, crunchy and we have fun adding lots of toppings,” says Shannon. During Passover she also loves turning matzah into “layered” cakes, like matzah tiramisu, or a matzah funfetti cake, layered with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Meet a Mom – Shazi Visram of Healthy Baby!
Mom of two and entrepreneur Shazi Visram first turned the baby industry upside down with the Happy Baby food brand, and now, is doing the same with her HealthyBaby product line.
All of the products are EWG Verified Safe. Their diapers and diaper cream, prenatal vitamins, deodorant, baby balm and cream, lundry detergent, shampoo and even home cleaning products each bear this official stamp of safety that will save busy moms hours researching the best products for their families.
Prioritizing Your Mental Health
Hartford HealthCare Medical Group has several primary care physicians throughout Fairfield County who are welcoming new patients now. Whether you’d like to be seen in-person or virtually, our teams provide you easy access to the care you need, when you need It. Visit our website to easily schedule an appointment online at our Fairfield, Bridgeport, Milford, Oxford, Stamford, Stratford or Westport offices.
Tween Skincare Solution in 3 Steps with Dr. Marnie Nussbaum
If you were hoping the tween skincare obsession was going to slow down, experts say it’s just wishful thinking. A now $8 billion industry according to CNBC, spending on skincare is skyrocketing thanks to Generation Alpha – kids who were born in 2010 or after. While we’ve been inundated with warnings about skincare’s active ingredients and the horrible side effects on young skin, it is possible to say “yes!” to our daughters’ love of skincare. Dr. Marnie Nussbaum, NYC-based Board Certified Dermatologist and mom of two, assures us there are plenty of safe options—but you need to know what to look for.
24 Questions Teens Should Ask Doctors (from the Experts at Connecticut Children’s)
We all work hard to empower our kids to speak up when the time is right. By the time your child enters their teenage years, they should be getting ready to take charge of their own health. The more confident they feel speaking up at doctor’s visits, the better. It gives their doctor more information to support them through adolescence – and sets your child up for healthy behaviors later in life too. How can you empower your teen to get more involved at doctor’s visits? Here are tips, with help from Connecticut Children’s psychologists Lauren Ayr-Volta, PhD, and Siddika Mulchan, PsyD.
Fibroids 101 with System Vice Chair of Women’s Health Services, Dr. Elizabeth Lucal of Nuvance Health
Fibroids are very common and can make life tough, from heavy periods to constant bloating. Read everything you need to know about fibroids from Elizabeth Lucal, MD, Vice Chair of Women’s Health Services, at Nuvance Health.
Taking the Toxic out of Achievement Culture for our Kids!
Childhood can feel like a pressure cooker with parents pushing kids too far in academics and sports. Author Jennifer B. Wallace urges parents to take a different approach to ensure kids’ success.
Meet Deb Mogelof!
How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? I have 2 daughters – ages 15 and 13. We’ve been in Westport 15 years. How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? There has been a huge...
Help Your Child Manage Insomnia
Anxiety can disrupt a healthy sleep cycle. Here’s advice from the Anxiety Institute on what you can do for your child.
Meet Alla Vash-Margita, M.D.,Chief of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital
Read our interview with Alla Vash-Margita, M.D.,Chief of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology at Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, who recently launched a specialized Adolescent Gynecology and Endocrinology Program, which helps the many young women at risk for or dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Meet Dana Murphy
Meet Dr. Dana Murphy, a New Canaan mom of three who is board-certified in both Internal Medicine and Obesity Medicine. After practicing in a traditional primary care setting for over 13 years, Dr. Murphy recently joined forces with Dr. Larry Leibowitz at Matrix Personalized Medicine and is currently enrolling new patients in her concierge practice.
Healthy Baby – Why our Moms are Loving these Products!
As new moms and then as second or third-time moms welcoming more babies, nothing is more important to us than keeping our babies happy and safe. That’s why we are thrilled to share all about a growing baby brand that is completely shaking things up (for the better): HealthyBaby. Founded by mom of two Shazi Visram, who created the industry-changing HappyBaby food brand, HealthyBaby is on a mission to protect babies while encouraging developmental support.
3 Cold Remedies that Can do More Harm than Good
From Vitamin C supplements to hot toddies, some of the most popular #coldremedies might be causing more harm than good. Have no fear! Hartford HealthCare Medical Group gets to the bottom of why these remedies probably aren’t the superheroes we think they are. Discover the truth in our latest blog post featuring Dr. Rosario Giacomini, a family medicine provider in Westport!
Join us for a Mom’s Night Out Thursday, February 1st!
With the dark nights and cold, dreary weather, we could all use a MOMS NIGHT OUT! Check out Embrace Orthodontics’ NEW spacious, beautiful and bright office, and meet local mom and orthodontist, Dr. Emily, THIS Thursday, February 1st anytime from 7PM-930PM at 24 Imperial Ave in Westport! Enjoy a MAGICIAN, apps, and delicious tequila cocktails with the hottest new tequila from Lebron James! Friends welcome!
5 Pregnancy Apps You’ll Love
*This story originally appeared on the Local Moms Network. If there’s one thing pregnant moms aren’t lacking in this high-speed, digital life, it’s information. What we once trusted to Google search is now available in detail – and with much more reliability and accuracy – through a medley of apps. Yet the options at our fingertips can even get overwhelming, until now. We’ve narrowed down our top 5 pregnancy apps that will actually help you stay informed, connected and organized throughout your pregnancy and beyond – so you can focus on what matters most: nurturing yourself and your growing baby.
Meet Olivia
Local mom of one little girl (with a son on the way!), Olivia always knew she wanted to be a divorce lawyer, and has worked at Ferro & Battey, LLC since finishing law school over eight years ago! Olivia loves Westport, and has been amazed by how outgoing, warm and inviting people she has met have been, and is thrilled to be a part of this community. Olivia loves ice cream, any true crime related podcast, lazy mornings watching TV in bed (a rarity now as a mom!), and hopes to one day visit India and ride in a hot air balloon! Olivia is a morning person (always has been), and enjoys nothing more than hugging her daughter after a long day at work! Westport is lucky to have another rockstar momma in the community!
Paris Hilton’s Mom Era: 6 Reasons We’re Loving It
Paris Hilton is currently promoting her show Paris in Love, which airs on Peacock, and chronicles her self-proclaimed “Mom Era”…and what an era it is. Just over two years ago, in November 2021, she married venture capitalist Carter Reum, and quickly welcomed son Phoenix (born in January 2023) and daughter London (whose birth was announced at Thanksgiving, both via surrogate. It’s certainly a different Paris than OG fans from the 90s and ‘00s remember; nights out with pals like Britney Spears and the Greek shipping heir boyfriend of the month are now replaced by nights in with a nanny and Carter, aside from the occasional work trip. And Millennial and Gen-X moms are totally here for it. Here’s why:
2024 Health and Wellness Guide!
IT’S HERE! Your 2024 Health & Wellness Guide! If you are looking to kick off the New Year right, check out some of these amazing local businesses offering great meal delivery services, fitness offerings, reset options and more! Wishing everyone a Happy & Healthy new year!