Blog Posts by GALTime.com

By Mary Schwager, GalTime.com Consumer Watchdog

recycleCompanies know that using eye catching, environmentally friendly sounding marketing claims makes them attractive to consumers. But how do you know if that earth friendly lingo is true? When it comes to green claims, there's some big news that's hot off the presses: The Federal Trade Commission just released its updated "Green Guide." Now if a business promotes something as "green" what that means can no longer be a "gray" area.

Uncle Sam's consumer watchdog agency warns companies now better be able to prove any green claims with scientific evidence! If a product has some seal or stamp of approval on it, the certifying organization better be real and there better be data to back it up.

Related: From Cleaners to Lotions, Going Green Starts in the Backyard

What's that mean for you? It's the first time the FTC updated its green guidelines in 20 years, so this is a pretty big deal. The rules are not laws, but having this new

Read More »from Understanding the New 'Green' Guide

By Jenny Tiegs, GalTime.com

Tale of Two Mommies via Amazon
October is National Book Month, a great opportunity to explore titles that will bring your library to life with diversity, tolerance and some new storylines that address the topic of same-sex couples.

It is very likely that your child will have a classmate, friend, family member that has two moms or two dads. Or as a parent in a same sex relationship, it's powerful to not only have these books on your personal library's shelves, but in your child's classroom in as well.

Talk to your child's teacher about incorporating these titles to make all children feel represented, reflected and respected in the stories read in class.

Since "family" is a common curriculum theme taught to elementary-aged children, it's a chance to include these titles as part of what makes up all types of families.

Related: Talking To Your Kids About Sexual Orientation

Dr. Jeff Sapp, a professor at California University, adds, "Most early children's books with variant

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By Everything Fashion Melanie Pace for GalTime.com

McQ - Alexander McQueen Chunky Sweater, $1,085What's fall without pumpkin-everything, crisp, falling leaves, and cozy sweaters?

Yes, sweaters are a cold-weather staple. But that doesn't mean they need to look over-the-top bulky and blah.

Here are five styles that will keep you looking cool through winter.

The Chunky Knit: Chunky sweaters are always a fall favorite, but this season they're just a little more interesting. Turtlenecks, asymmetrical shapes, cropped, chunky sweaters and even details such as leather and neon are showing up on store shelves. The chunky knit is a must because it will keep you warm without having to wear a heavy coat, so its important to pick a unique style that speaks for itself. o pick a unique style that speaks for itself.

REISS

















REISS T-Shirt - Mits Chunky Rib, $210

The Sweater Dress: Sweater dresses are hitting the streets rapidly. Add a pair of textured tights, a leather jacket, and a pair of over-the-knee boots and

Read More »from 5 Sweater Styles to Cozy Up To

By GalTime's Recipe Superstar, Camilla Saulsbury

Greek Pasta Casserole This makes a HUGE casserole. It freezes very well, too; cut into individual portions and freeze in heavy duty quart-size freezer bags for quick lunches and future dinners.

Enlightened Filling:
1 pound multigrain penne
2 pounds lean ground beef (*see below for vegetarian options)
2 medium onions, chopped
1/2 cup red wine
1 and 1/3 cups good-quality marinara sauce
1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 and 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt

Lighter Parmesan Bechamel:
3 cups low-fat milk (I used 1%)
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Related: Mom's Chicken and Broccoli Pasta

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water for 3 minutes fewer than specified on box (~8 minutes). Drain; set aside.

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By Nici Perrault, GalTime.com

Freebies!

We are all guilty of looking for ways to beat the system and save our hard-earned cash by looking for free stuff. No matter if it's a tiny spoonful of ice cream or a 2 oz bottle of perfume, anything free is always welcome.

Unfortunately, many people do not know of places where they can take advantage of free samples, and no one wants to awkwardly ask and be told "No." Below is a list of 10 places where you can find freebies and walk out with something more than you what you paid for.

Places that Offer Free Samples:

1. Sephora.com - You can pick three free samples and add them to your online shopping basket. Options include perfume samples, including brands such as Marc Jacobs and Georgio Armani. You can also grab special moisturizing and hydrating serums and exfoliating washes to test what they will do to your skin!

2. Nordstrom Beauty - Nordstrom Beauty hosts Free Sample Saturdays. Every Saturday they offer a new

Read More »from 10 Places to Find Freebies

By Tara Weng, GalTime.com

Let your kids join in on the next yoga session!

Yoga as a form of non-aerobic exercise has long since outgrown the designation of "trend."

It's estimated that over 10 million Americans practice the poses which incorporate breathing, flexibility, strength and balance.

And it's not just for adults.

In fact, yoga is a safe and fun exercise for kids as well.

Lynne Beiger, owner and founder of the yoga studios Back Bay Yoga and Soul Yoga in Boston recommends and explains the following five poses kids can do. Adults don't hang back--these are moves you and your kids can do together.

Beiger points out that yoga is not only good for the body but the mind as well--which can really help kids relax and focus.

1: Cat/Cow pose: This is a type of 'warmup' pose for the whole spinal column. Kids love it because it's fun, easy and effective.

Related: Yoga: 7 Ways to Practice for Less

Cat/Cow Pose

2: Downward dog: One of the most widely recognized poses, kids at any age can learn this. One of

Read More »from 5 Yoga Poses You Can Do with Your Kids

By Jenny Isenman for GalTime.com

Move out of my way! Before having children, I had no idea how much of a control freak I actually was.

Yes, I always had the anxiety-ridden, irrational part, but even that grew tenfold. My husband and I lived in an apartment in NYC, where he was able to mask his inability to do simple household things like change light bulbs, hang pictures... and use a screwdriver.

We had people to do that. Yes, the maintenance men were my BFFs. Give them a small tip and they were caulking or hammering away.

Then we had kids and moved to the 'burbs, where I realized that not only was my hubby not the type to do stuff around the house, I was not the type to delegate. My anxieties and need for perfection made his work seem incomprehensibly inferior (the cause of many an argument).

So, I took on everything around the house: The hooking up of all electronics, hanging of pictures, putting together of furniture from Ikea, toys assembly, fixing loose drawers etc.

In case I

Read More »from Confessions of an Irrational, Control-Freak Mom

By Home Styling Expert Katie Meyers for GalTime.com

candylicious Halloween vaseHalloween is all about buying candy, creating costumes, and filling your house with spooktacular décor. But setting the scene for ghouls and goblins doesn't have to be scary!

By using these budget-friendly ideas, you'll be surprised at how easily you can set a hair-raising scene for Halloween.

1. Incorporate iconic Halloween candy. Not only is candy corn an easy and inexpensive way to add a festive punch of color to your home, but you can also find it almost anywhere this time of year!

Fill a glass-cylinder vase three quarters of the way with your favorite treat, and top with a white votive candle.

Or, pick up candy corn votive candles like the ones below for only $1, and create a centerpiece by grouping them together on a black tray in the center of your table.

Pier 1 Candy Corn Votive, $1.

2. What's old is new again for Halloween. Dig up old items and bring them back to life as décor for

Read More »from Six Spooktacular (and Cheap) Ways to Decorate for Halloween