Health & Beauty
Did COVID cause a rise in Divorces?
Did COVID cause a rise in divorces? The answer is: It is hard to define It. Carole Orland of Broder, Orland, Murray & DeMattie share some thoughts on the way COVID has impacted families these last two years..
Weeknight Recipe – Sweet Potato Black Bean Tacos!
If you’re dealing with a picky-eating situation in your home, tacos can be a lifesaver. They’re one of the most easily customizable meals, so every taste, dietary restriction or other variation can be made without creating a totally separate meal. Babies and young toddlers can be served mashed ingredient components, while older kids can assemble their own tacos from bowls of ingredients. Fillings can be made ahead of time so weeknight dinners come together in just a few minutes. We love this version with sweet potatoes and black beans from Tik Tok Star, recipe developer, mom of two and Contributor for The Local Moms Network, Kathleen Ashmore.
OMG – The Granola Girls Saved the Day!
For anyone who has been following WestportMoms since we launched in January, 2017, you might remember that our very FIRST "Meet a Mom" feature was with Dana Noorily and Julie Mountain of The Granola Bar Westport! As regular customers, we have enjoyed every moment of...
5 Ways to Cook Healthy on Hectic Summer Days
Slow days of summer? Not in my house! I am the mom to five boys, ages 10-18 (my “walking stomachs”), I work full time as Whole30’s Coaching Program Manager, and I run my blog Whole Food For 7 part time. Yes, summer is (wonderfully) less scheduled – yet it also feels scattered as I try to keep my boys entertained, prepare for or recover from various trips, enjoy holidays and friends…and of course, keep everyone fed. As a busy mom, I need recipes that are tasty and easy, which is why I started Whole Food for 7 – a free place I create and share no-fuss, gluten- and dairy-free family recipes that are easy, delicious, and nutritious.
Meet Latha
It’s amazing how many interesting people live and work in this community! Meet Dr. Latha, an amazing internal medicine doctor heading up Westport Medical Wellness Center, a new membership-based practice focused on customized, quality care! Having grown up in this area, Dr. Latha is moving back with her family from DC and can’t wait to settle in! Though medicine – and being a healer – has always been in her blood, Dr. Latha loves writing (she still writes short stories in her free time!), traveling, and understanding people and what they need. Dr. Latha loves broccoli=), almost any drink with elderflower and in another life would be able to sing! Westport is so lucky to have her coming back to the area, and we are excited to share more from her in the months ahead!
Looking for something fun and educational for your teen?
Looking for something fun and educational for your teen? Merkaz Community High School for Judaic Studies is coming to Fairfield County this Fall! Give your teen the gift of Jewish community with fun classes and time to see old friends and make new ones. Merkaz is a weekly educational program open to all Jewish Teens grades 8-12.
Meet Bill Taibe
For anyone in Westport, the restaurants Don Memo, The Whelk, and Kawa Ni are all known for having exceptional food, offering fun atmospheres, and being often impossible to get into! Dad of two boys – Bill Taibe – is the master behind all three, and though an introvert himself, he has loved creating social experiences with amazing food for the people in his community. Bill has been a restauranteur in Westport for 12 years, beginning his journey with the beloved Le Farm, and he hasn’t stopped since. In his spare time, Bill has loved coaching his sons’ sports teams (though they are both grown now!), family hikes with their dogs leading the way, and skiing as much as possible! Bill shares how quickly his kids have grown up, but how they continue to inspire him, and encourages all the dads (and parents) out there to enjoy all the moments along the way! For over a decade now (many thanks to Bill and his team), the Westport food scene has been elevated to a whole new level, and we couldn’t be more grateful he chose to call our community his home! Thank you Bill- we appreciate YOU so very much!
Best Outdoor Toys for Summer!
Summer is here and if you’re looking to upgrade your backyard fun, we have you covered! In our roundup of Best Outdoor Toys of Summer, we look beyond the usual swing set and share toys that will keep your kids outside and off screens for hours—and make your backyard playdate central.
Meet the Founder of Gatsby Chocolate!
If you’re a chocolate lover but not so sweet on extra calories, you’ll definitely want to know about our newest find, @gatsbychocolate! Founded by Doug Bouton, the cofounder of Halo Top ice cream, Gatsby Chocolate is the lowest-calorie chocolate you can buy. We spoke to Doug, a Dad of three young kids, about his newest venture, fatherhood and more. Link in bio for all the details – and use code LOCALMOMS50 for 50% off your first purchase!
If Everyone But Your Child Has Their COVID-19 Vaccine, Is Summer Travel Safe for Your Family?
Summer is around the corner and after a long two years, we are all ready for some travel – and a change of scenery! Many of the adults and older teens and kids are fully vaccinated, but what if your younger child is still waiting on their COVID-19 vaccine? We were lucky enough to get guidance from Connecticut Children’s infectious disease expert John R. Schreiber, MD, MPH, which hopefully will help before and as you make any upcoming summer plans!
Meet the Founders: QUADJOBS!
Have you ever just needed an extra hand – and fast? This is a rhetorical question, of course – all Moms can use an extra hand sometime, and the busiest life moments seem to happen with little notice! That’s why we LOVE QuadJobs, a company founded by two Moms, Andra Newman and Betsy O’Reilly.
25 ideas for Summer Activities the Whole Family Can Enjoy!
Here’s a fun idea from our partner Mosquito Squad to get outside and enjoy your backyard this summer! We give you Backyard Bingo! Download their free bingo card here, and get 25 ideas for summer activities that the whole family can enjoy. Raise the stakes by giving a prize to the first person in the family to cross off five of the following activities in a row! Still need help from the Squad this summer? Call them at 203-989-0054 and mention Local Moms for a special discount.
Meet the Dad behind Get Joy, Dog Food
When Tom Arrix’s dog Cooper was diagnosed with lymphoma, he searched for ways to help him live a longer and better life. By changing his diet with the help of vet nutritionists and veterinarians, Cooper lived for almost two more happy years. Now, Tom (a Darien-based Dad to four kids and two dogs) has a growing dog food and wellness business, Get Joy, that helps dogs everywhere live healthier and better lives. We spoke to the former Facebook executive in this week’s Meet a Dad interview, about this amazing brand. Head to link in bio to learn more and use code MOMSNETWORK for 20% off through July.
Meet Erika – Parent Coach and Educator
As we continue to grapple with the senseless tragedy in Uvalde, Texas – in additon to the truly crazy two years we’ve had, for many of us, parenting only seems to get harder, and we all could use some additional support, Meet Erika – a trained Parent Coach and Educator – who works with families (namely parents) to guide them to feel more present, confident, and connected to their kids. After being a school counselor for many years, Erika discovered that her true passion was working with parents, and she’s never looked back! Erika is a first generation American, who in another life might have had her own talk show. She loves sushi (Oko is a favorite!), family nights on the beach, and can not survive without sufficient sleep! As another school year nears the end, we are grateful for people like Erika who help us navigate these unchartered waters day after day!
Summer Fun With Coastal Orthopedics & How To Avoid Injuries!
School is almost out for summer which means that your kids will have unlimited time for fun (within the boundaries you’ve set). The Coastal Orthopedics team always encourages your children to get outside, get active, and most importantly have fun! There are so many summer activities to choose from such as going on bike rides, playing on the playground, swimming, riding a skateboard and so much more. While it can seem like all fun and games, we advise that you take some precautions first!
Insider Tips on Making a Jewelry Investment with Nicole HD Jewelry
At NicoleHD Jewelry, their mission is to make high quality fine jewelry accessible to everyone. Founder Nicole Hendelman-Dersovitz comes from a family of jewelers and has rocked the jewelry industry for over 3 decades – so you can trust she knows that when buying fine jewelry, you want to choose pieces that are timeless and hold their value. Learn more about Nicole and her background in our last post! That’s why she personally curates each collection of our 14k and 18k gold and diamond everyday fine jewelry to ensure the highest quality and craftsmanship. Here are a few of her insider tips on making a jewelry investment.
How to check for Ticks on Pets!
Stay informed and call Mosquito Squad today for help staying protected in your own backyard. Did you know that May is Lyme Disease Awareness month? Here we offers some resources and tips related to this tick-borne illness, and start protecting yourself now by implementing our 6 Cs of tick control.
Meet Nikki!
While many people in our community know and rave about “Dr. Nikki” from Village Pediatrics, what many may not realize is that she recently established – and is now the CEO of Westport Medical and Wellness Center, a membership-based care model where patients pay a flat fee directly for unlimited access to primary and preventative services. The wellness center is the result of Nikki’s belief that a better adult primary care model was needed in our community! Nikki’s passion for taking care of others started as a young child, and her love for travel most recently enabled her to spend time in Africa helping people there, a lifelong dream of hers. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her three children, in another life she might have been a writer, and fun fact – her real first name is Carol! Nikki has now started four unique medical practices over her career, and continues to find ways to provide kids (and now adults) with the health and wellness support they need. Westport is so lucky to have Nikki – and we look forward to all that’s ahead!
Meet our Mother Daughter Dynamic Duo – Kerri & Ali!
For many years now, Kerri Rosenthal has been disrupting the art world – and winning over the Westport community – with her unique paintings full of vibrant color, but many may not know she runs her business side by side with her daughter, Ali! After having her children, Kerri was itching to go back to work, and was inspired by some art she saw at a restaurant to begin painting again. After creating her first small collection, clients began buying art off the walls of her home, and strangers began commissioning pieces. Shortly after graduating and spending some time in the fashion industry, Ali joined her mom, and they have watched their business explode with a foundation of mutual respect, and love for colors and creating beautiful spaces. Just six years after opening the Kerri Rosenthal concept shop, the business has expanded into a mix of Retail/ Ecomm, Trade, Wholesale and Interiors. Together with Ali, they get to create, enjoy time together, and value family time more than anything. Their recent collaboration with Roberta Roller Rabbit (where their art was on PJs) sold out across all channels in under an hour, showing how truly beloved their work has become! This Mother’s Day, we wanted to share their story, and hope you enjoy learning more about this dynamic duo!
Your 5 Most Pressing Diaper Questions, Answered!
Choosing the right diaper for your family can feel like a daunting task— We asked you to share your most pressing questions on Instagram, then tapped the experts at our personal favorite diaper brand, Coterie, to help us make sense of it all.