The Leisureville Alarm - Meet the Author

Last week I reviewed nationally acclaimed and New York Times reviewed book, Leisureville. In today’s podcast I have an interview with the book’s author Andrew Blechman.

A former Los Angeles Times reporter, Andrew Blechman conducted the most in-depth research into the retirement community boom in America. These aren’t just small, benign communities dotting the landscape here and there…some will approach over 100,000 and they are big business for developers. One more thing…children are not allowed (not without special permission and a pass and they better not be there beyond 30 days over the course of the YEAR).

Most importantly we have to ask what message will this leave for the youth of today and tomorrow? How will they feel to be excluded in this way and what will that mean for us as we grow old? Will they continue to support our pension and old age benefits system?

This is a podcast for everyone to listen to and as Andrew points out, especially moms!

Tags: Featured, Podcast, Community, Leisureville, Moms, New York Times

A Contest for your Senses

UPDATE: **WE HAVE A WINNER**

The winner of this beautiful Scentsy package is Arika Liddiard. Arika said in her comments that between toddlers and new babies, her home’s dirty diaper quotient is calling out for Scentsy’s safe and sweet smelling sensations. Congratulations Arika and thank you to Laurie Ayers of Scentsy for sponsoring July’s contest!

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There is something about a scented room that just makes me feel so wonderful! Whether it’s a fresh floral scent in the summer or a warm, festive vanilla aroma at Christmas time, a beautifully scented room can really make my day.

It’s no wonder I was so excited about promoting this month’s contest give-away!

The “hottest new things in scented candles” are the safe, long lasting wickless candles from Scentsy. Scentsy Director, Laurie Ayers, has kindly offered to give-away a beautiful $40 Scentsy package to one of our New Urban Mom subscribers.

The $40 package includes:

• One Electric Wickless Candle Warmer
• One 6-cubed Candle Bar
• Priority Shipping

Please feel free to click on the graphic above to learn more about Scentsy. To enter the contest:

1. Post a comment below.
2. If you’d like to double your chances of winning, subscribe to the New Urban Mom list. All subscribers are entered into this contest so you’ll get a second chance at winning by posting AND subscribing. See the subscription box in the top right hand corner of this page (and every page on this site).

That’s it! I’ll pull out a winning entry at the end of July.

Good luck!

Tags: Contest, Featured, contest, moms, scents, win

Hard to Go Vegan on July 4th Weekend

I’ve been thinking about it and I’m not really certain that I can go vegan…yet. I’m pretty convinced by the argument that our modern means of keeping animals for slaughter and the slaughtering process itself contributes to our ill health and harms the environment. Hopefully with all this attention there will be an increasing effort to make the slaughtering process a more humane and eco-friendly necessity in our lives.

So while I’m a luke-warm meat eater (most of the year), come the July 4th weekend (well any major summer barbecue weekend) I become a very enthusiastic carnivore.

Across the nation as we gather in our communities to celebrate our love of country and neighbor there will be a few consistent elements drawing people together. Flags, music, fireworks, and…barbecued meat! Neighbors, children, grandparents–the whole, great cross section of your community will be gathered in parks to celebrate our nationhood together.

It helps to have the sweet smell of your favorite meats cooking. It’s an image and experience we cherish throughout our lives. Food cooked really well, outdoors for all the senses to enjoy.

So for those of you that are vegetarian or vegan my hats off to you. I’m sure you’re having as much fun as the next person during your July 4th holiday festivities.

I will think of you as I lick my fingers clean!

BBQ Ribs Southern Style:

4lbs country style pork ribs (trim the fat)

4 tbsp. lemon juice

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tsp. all purpose flour

3/4 cup Jack Daniels (or to taste)

1/2 ground mustard seeds

4 tbsp. Worcestshire sauce

1 1/2 tsp. Hot Sauce of your choice

Marinate ribs: place in a baking dish. Stir together lemon juice and flour until it is smooth. Add all other ingredients. Spread mixture over the ribs - make sure you turn over ribs to coat well. Marinate for 2 hours.

Grill: Place your marinated ribs over medium to hot coals and grill for about 1 hour. Mmmm!

Tags: Featured, Holidays, New Urbanism, barbecue, community, kids, moms