Mom in the City

I have written in the past about life lists/life menus – things that I want to have/do/be. Since I’m still alive, I have time to work on my goal of writing a book. I’m not quite ready to do a full book yet. However, as a stepping stone, I am excited that I will be compensated for being one of the contributing authors for the National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) “Be Out There” summer e-book. (Yay!) It will be fun to move “published e-book author” from the “to do” to the “somewhat done” list.

Anyway, I will be writing about “Outdoor Time in Everyday Life”. Fitting outdoor time into my family’s day to day activities is a must…especially since I have two energetic young sons! Walking to school each day is the first thing that popped into my head. Not only is it one of my favorite parts of the day to connect with the boys before our days really begin, but my sons tend to talk more freely about what is going on in their little minds and hearts while we are doing something active like walking.

The e-book will be launched later this summer. Personally, I am looking forward to learning some new and different solutions for getting outdoors with my kids this summer from it. Since my husband Reggie is a teacher and will be off from work this summer, we will have plenty of time to explore. If you have any ideas that you think I should include in my section about fitting outdoor time into your everyday life, then please share them in the “Comments” section or by sending me an email at kcoleman@mominthecity.com. (Meanwhile, you can find plenty of ideas regarding how to enjoy being outside with your family on the NWF “Be Out There” website. Enjoy!)

0 comments

Recently, my family attended a Coney Island Fun Day as guests of the Alliance for Coney Island and the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium. The day began with a reception at the New York Aquarium. The breakfast, which included crafts and other family activities, was catered by Tom’s Coney Island. Members of the Alliance for Coney Island also discussed how they were committed to transforming Coney Island and shared some of the upcoming planned projects. Personally, I was inspired to learn about the area’s generational family focus. For example, there are 3rd and 4th generations of family owned businesses such as the (93 years old!) Deno’s Wonder Wheel. We also learned about the summer camp programs at the Aquarium during the breakfast.

Later, we were treated to a special performance by three sea lions at the Aquarium’s Aquatheater. Prior to the sea lions coming out, we were made aware of the impact of Hurricane Sandy on their habitat. (They were temporarily displaced for about seven months.) My family was so excited to see the sea lions. My daughter yelled from joy when they came out!

After the show, we were invited to enjoy the rides at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Amusement Park and Luna Park. I especially appreciated the fact that there were a variety of rides – from tame teacup rides to more adventurous roller coasters – for the entire family to enjoy. One of my family’s favorite activities of the day was the carousel ride. I grew up in Brooklyn, so I was eager to introduce my family to the ride that I had loved as a child. Fortunately, they enjoyed riding the bright horses as the music played and we shared many laughs.

Of course we couldn’t end our special day without eating Coney Island’s Nathan’s Famous hot dogs and cheese fries. We ate our lunch on the boardwalk as we overlooked the water. As my family left the park, we looked at each other and agreed that the day was definitely a family FUN day. We definitely plan on making a return family visit to Coney Island and suggest that you make it one of your top family summer destinations too!

0 comments

Have you seen the new CBS show “The American Baking Competition” that is hosted by Jeff Foxworthy? I met (and ate the cooking of) Marcela Valladolid, one of the judges of the show, back in 2010. While I haven’t tasted her baking, she sure can cook!

If you haven’t caught the show yet, you can see clips on the American Baking Competition site http://www.cbs.com/shows/american-baking-competition/. Recently, I was invited to interview Marcela by my good friend Beth. Although, I wasn’t able to attend, I was able to ask a question. Read what Marcela had to say…

My question: If you were participating in the show, what would be your “signature bake” (the baking recipe that is her specialty)?

Marcela’s answer: There are a few but you gotta know that it would have to be something Mexican. The most popular recipe I’ve had in my career and the most requested is called the triple threat flan, which is half traditional chocolate cake or sponge, and half vanilla flan with caramel on the top. You make the traditional chocolate cake batter, pour it into a greased pan and take the traditional flan batter, pour it into the same pan, and it appears to marbleize and all mix but because of the different densities of the batter, when you pop it in the oven they separate. So when you pull it out of the oven and you flip it, you have beautiful white flan custard on the top and the bottom half is perfectly baked chocolate cake. In every bite you get rich creamy light delicate vanilla flan at the same time you get that wonderful sweet chocolate.

Hmmm….what would your signature bake be? Personally, I have a “Not too sweet” sweet potato pie that is especially popular…

You can watch The American Baking Competition on Wednesdays 8/7c.

0 comments

I’m a big fan of dads so I love to shop for Father’s Day gifts. I am definitely of the “give them what they want, not what you want to give them” camp when it comes to gift giving. As such, below are eight gift ideas (at various price points) that most dads would love to receive. Be certain to read until the end so that you enter to a great accessory set (wallet and sunglasses) for a dad that you love. Good luck!

Less than $50

1. Sports Illustrated magazine subscription: I get my husband Reggie a subscription to this magazine every year. (Honestly, it’s just as much for me as it is for him. They have some of the best writers overall and their human interest stories are so inspiring!) $39 for 1 year/56 issues via my Amazon affiliate partner

2. OtterBox Defender: This is the first year that Reggie has an iPhone. He loves it. If the men in your life also value their phones, then help them to protect their little treasures with this top rated smartphone cover. $29.40 down from $49.99 via my Amazon affiliate partner


3. Brooks Brothers Men’s Pajamas: NYC’s Brooks Brothers is my favorite place to get pajamas when my father-in-law requests them as a gift. Initially, this pick was going to be in the “less than $100” category, but they are currently on sale online at Brooks Brothers. $49.25 down from $98.50

Less than $100

*4. Stewart Stand Stainless Steel Wallets: I am not sure if the men in your life are excited about MAN OF STEEL that is opening this week, but mine are. While dads might not “technically” be superheroes/men of steel, they can at least have a stylish, stainless steel wallet! From $35 to $95 via my Amazon affiliate partner

5. Baseball game tickets: Local Father’s Day events are always great options. On Father’s Day, NYC area families can see the NY Mets play versus the Chicago Cubs. Family pack tickets (which include a game ticket plus refreshments) begin at $23 per ticket/approximately $100 for a family of four.

Less than $200


6. A grill: I was “hypothetically” asking my friends over on Facebook which type of grill to gift a dad. Both charcoal and gas grills have supporters. Ultimately, it depends on what type of grill the recipient prefers. Since my husband Reggie has his heart set on a charcoal grill, I “would” get him a Weber One-Touch Gold Kettle Grill. I “would” also get the Weber Rapidfire Chimney Starter so that he would not have to use lighter fluid to quickly light the charcoal. The grill is currently on sale for $149 down from $159 and the starter is $14.99 down from $19.99 via my Amazon affiliate partner. (The Big Green Egg brand grills are also highly recommended.)

*7. Under Armour Sunglasses: If you want some durable sunglasses for the active dads in your life, Under Armour offers a variety of attractive, protective styles. From $80 to $150 via my Amazon affiliate partner

8. Return to Tiffany™ oval tag key ring in sterling silver: In keeping with the men’s accessories theme, I just had to include this personal favorite. When I was dating Reggie, I gave him a Tiffany’s keychain so that he would remember me every time that he used his keys. We will be celebrating our 11th anniversary on Saturday, June 15th so it worked! ☺ $125 via the Tiffany website

If there is a fashionable father in your life, then you will enjoy this giveaway. It includes an Under Armour Sunglasses and a Stewart Stand Wallet. To enter to win, simply let me know what you would give the dad(s) in your life for Father’s Day if money was not a consideration. Leave your answer in the “Comments” section below by noon on Friday, June 14th.

For an additional entry, you can tweet “I entered to win a $200 #fathersday #giveaway on @mominthecity” Good luck!

(Giveaway rules)

23 comments