My Favorite Recent Articles from Some of My Favorite Content Producers

I've got some amazing talent lined up on my favorites list, but now and then, an article really stands out and either changes the way I live my life or the way I think about things. Sometimes I see an article that is just amazingly helpful or that really follows along with what I believe. Here is a list of some of my favorite content recently seen on my favorites list.

Natural Mosquito and Insect Repellent for Kids by Lyn Lomasi is fantastic! I have been looking for a natural mosquito repellent for years. None of the conventional types are safe for either adults or children, so I turned to natural insect repellents. My unfortunate problem there was that I couldn't find one that worked. I searched store after store. After reading Lyn's article, I learned how simple it could be. I only needed one ingredient and it's very easy to find. Check out her article if you're looking for an awesome natural insect repellent that really works!

Go Green at Playtime: Earth-Conscious Activities for Moms and Tots by Kelly Herdrich is a wonderful reminder that we can green any aspect of our lives, not just our car and household cleaners. With the high levels of lead, phthalates, and other toxins in plastic children's toys, it's no wonder the overall health of our country is declining every year. Check out some of these awesome natural toys for your tots. I'm an especially big fan of Melissa & Doug toys. They are non-toxic, made of wood, and very affordable.

Best Green Gardening Practices by Sheri Fresonke Harper outlines a few great tips for gardeners and homeowners for little ways in which they can make a big environmental impact. If you don't have time to overhaul your entire yard right away, start by taking one or two of these tips at a time.

Lights and Explosion in the Night Sky Over Hampton Roads by Charlotte Kuchinsky is an exciting mystery that is yet to be solved. When searching through stories to read, I inevitably end up clicking on some curious unsolved mystery. After all, who doesn't like a little Twilight Zone in their day? Thanks for the update, Charlotte!

The Perfect Hairstyle for Wavy Hair by Jody Morse was so helpful. As someone who has wavy hair, I can attest to the fact that it is very difficult to find a hairstyle that is attractive without either trying to straighten or curl your hair. This is definitely one 'do you don't want to be born with if you like looking fabulous. Mahalo for the hairstyle help, Jody!

Summer Birthday Party Safety Tips for Parents by Pam Gaulin is an excellent reminder that planning a birthday party for kids isn't all fun and games (no pun intended). If you are planning on getting a big group of kids together, you are pretty much asking for trouble. Check out this article on how to be sure your child has a safe and accident-free birthday party.

Homemade and Online Gift Ideas for the Twilight Fan by Sonya Covert is a breath of fresh air for some of us. Teens are incredibly hard to shop for. With the sudden popularity of both DIY gifts and the new Twilight series, it's easy to see that a handmade gift of this sort would be a real hit with any fan of the books or the movie. Good thinking, Sonya!

Where There is a Wife...There Is a Life :) by Saikat Kumar Dutta is as charming as it is romantic. Have a quick read and take a little time out to enjoy the happiness that love brings. I am constantly in awe of the love this guy feels for his sweetheart. Thanks for sharing with us, Saikat!

Go as Green as You Can Affordably and Easily by Suzanne Bennett shows us that, contrary to popular belief, it isn't at all expensive to go green in your home. In fact, if you are doing it correctly, green living is far less expensive than using all of those overpriced toxic chemicals. Improve your health and the environment and save money at the same time!

Family Cloth: Not a Sustainable, Hygeinic Alternative to Toilet Paper by Juniper Russo Tarascio is fascinating. For those of you who have never heard of "family cloth," it's opting to use reusable and washable cloth wipes instead of toilet paper. Grossed out? So was the author! Find out why family cloth, like a few other "green" options, may not actually be as green as some say.

Recognizing the Signs of an Unhappy Marriage by Jaipi Sixbear offers many great tips on finding out if your partner is thinking of cheating or if your marriage is on its way downhill. If you think you and your partner may be having problems, just remember that therapy can go a long way to helping the both of you find out how to fix things.

Bad Last Minute Gifts by Loraine Alkire is an excellent heads up to those who completely don't get the idea of gift giving. It isn't about just getting something and at the last minute, you may be desperate enough to grab something you think is "tried and true" but may actually be a flop. Check out this list of what to avoid.

Nestle's Aggressive Marketing Kills Babies in Third World Countries by Magdalena Rebel is a frightening look into the real problem that Nestle is causing in countries around the world. If you have not yet heard about the Nestle Boycott, have a look at this and you may just decide that you want to stand up for the rights of families falling victim to them as well.