Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By GalTime Parenting Pro Michele Borba, Ed.D.

Is all her homework getting done?

Mid-year is when parents alike have a good idea about how their kids are doing in school - which subjects are hard or easy and how they like their teachers.

This is also a time of year when parents often overlook a few important aspects of their children's school experience that can greatly impact learning success.

That's why now is the ideal time to do a mid-year check up with your child's progress, identify potential problems and resolve them so you make the remainder of your child's school year go far smoother and not be caught off-guard. Here are a few items to check and solutions if you see a problem.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS DIP

Classes often get harder now. Older kids may have switched classes or teachers. High stakes testing is approaching. Teachers will decide if your child will be promoted, retained or recommended for special placement. And all of those issues can greatly impact your child's learning success.

By Danielle Miller, GalTime.com
Is how you look a product of what you eat?

There are many skin treatments advertised today, especially during winter, when skin tends to be especially high-maintenance. Some products claim to soften skin and give you a youthful glow, some claim to erase wrinkles. But what if you could help improve the way you look simply by watching what you eat and drink? According to health and nutrition experts, it is possible to look younger by eating specific foods and avoiding others.

Peggy Kotsopoulos, nutritionist and author of Must Have Been Something I Ate, recommends eating certain foods on a regular basis to attain a more youthful complexion:

• Red grapes, Black currants, and Goji berries (or wolfberries)

"These fruits contain Polyphenols, antioxidants with amazing health benefits," advises Kotsopoulos "Goji berries are one of the most beautifying fruits around. Start adding this superfood to your diet and watch the transformation begin! Goji berries are among the highest

By Jane Greer, PhD for GalTime.com

Shrink Wrap
Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston's family and close friends, including A-listers from the world of music and film, are getting set to say goodbye to the pop diva at a private wake today in Newark, NJ before a star-studded funeral tomorrow at her childhood church. This, as her fans have had a week to come to terms with the fact that Houston, considered by many to be THE voice of a generation, is gone.

Even though we watched Whitney Houston deal with her personal struggles over the years, which included an unhealthy, abusive marriage to Bobby Brown and alcohol and drug addiction, the news of her death was shocking to many of us.

It has been reported that someone in her entourage found her unconscious body submerged in the bathtub in her hotel room in Beverly Hills shortly before she was supposed to perform at a pre-Grammy party held by her mentor Clive Davis.

Perhaps, despite the fact that it was brewing for some time, we didn't see it coming

By GalTime Teen Expert Jennifer A. Powell-Lunder, Psy.D.

How we behave in front of our children matters! As a child psychologist I can tell you that the recent study regarding the perils of spanking published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal is really not that surprising. The take-away message we are left with is one of affirmation and empowerment as parents. How we behave in the presence of our children matters. As parents we are their superheroes. If we model negative or aggressive behaviors they will and do follow our lead.

So, how should parents discipline their children? Research indicates that the parenting style most associated with positive outcomes is one which sets limits and boundaries but promotes discussion, negotiation and understanding. The key to positive parenting is consistency. Translation: do not say it unless you can and will follow through.

Related: Are You Always the Bad Guy When it Comes to Discipline?

The most effective way to set up rules with your kids is to make it a family

By Fitness Guru Andy Berman for GalTime.com

Do you have an excuse to NOT work out?One of the things that I love about my work is that I get a first-hand glimpse into how people think. I am a trainer first, an observer second, and a student of human behavior third. And, I have started to understand how people think about their lives and priorities and why. I am going to let you into my life for a few minutes by sharing some of the most commonly used phrases about "why I can't work out". Bare with me as I review in no particular order...

1. I have a spouse and kids to take care of when I get home -I can't possibly find time to fit in working out. My family needs me."Does this sound familiar?" Ironically, these are the very reasons why you need to make time to take care of yourself. You see, your family needs you to be healthy and energized.
And, they don't benefit from having you drink caffeinated beverages all day long.

2."I skip lunch so that I can get work done and get home to my family earlier." Well,

By Financially Smitten's Lora Sasiela for GalTime.com

Use your phone to manage your money!Oh, how I love technology, especially when it comes to money management. As one of life's necessary evils, anything that streamlines it is a plus in my book.

It's becoming increasingly true that "there's an app for that." And when it comes to finances this is indeed the case. There are more money management mobile phone apps than you can shake a stick at. So the question is: How many of these apps does one really need?

Well, I have narrowed down the list for you. As a money coach and personal finance blogger, I know how important it is to keep in close contact with our financial lives, but I'm also a huge advocate of ease, simplicity and efficiency. Leveraging the power of one's mobile phone is an excellent way to accomplish this.

I am going to share the top three apps you need to be a success at managing your money on the go. The ones I've chosen capitalize on the "mobile" feature, meaning having the information,

By Beauty Expert Kerri Winick, GalTime.com

Diba Car Laa, $79This Spring, cork has our hearts and soles! (After all, when Christian Loboutin, Manolo Blahnik, and Oscar de la Renta all design cork shoes, it's hard not to fall in love!)

Cork has always been a hot choice for the warmer months, but this year, designers are really stepping it up! From wedges and chunky heels to flats and sandals, cork shoes have an earthy, 70s inspired vibe that's perfectly paired with Spring's colorful ankle pants, peplums, and florals.

Here are some styles to feast your eyes on, courtesy of GalTime and Shoes.com.

'Wicked' Wicker

Related: How to Avoid the High Heel Hangover

Wedges
















MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS Ariana Wedge, $150

Flip-Flops
















Bernardo Natural Cork Matrix, $103.55

Strappy Wedges
















Lucky Brand Miller2, $79

Related: Trend We Love: Chunky Heels

Flats
















Annie Cybil, $39.99

Nude Heels
















Sam Edelman Mabel, $140

Add a Punch of Color
















Franco Sarto Zabrina, $99

More from GalTime:

• Celeb Wardrobe on a "Regular" Gal's Budget
• Neon Brights Sizzle for Spring