As spring blooms around you with longer and warmer days, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a little vacation…in your own hometown. Sometimes all it takes is a little outside help and inspiration to make us see our same old world in a whole new way.

A great way to get a fresh perspective on your town is with walking tour. Most major cities offer tours based on a variety of topics, including location, history, special interest, and local color. When we lived in New York City, we took a tour of the filming locations of popular movies with Gotham Walking Tours. A quick search online, or even a call to your city’s tourism office or Chamber of Commerce, will provide you with many more guided tour options in your town or a major city nearby.

If you’re interested in exploring your world on your own, try a self-guided itinerary or even a podcast. Frommer’s Travel Guides offers free walking tour itineraries on their website for cities all over the world. You can also download audio tours to your mP3 player from a number of different sites. AudioSnacks offers tours of cities and sites across the globe, many of them for free. You can get a private audio tour of the Boston Public Garden or the Wyoming Pioneer Museum for free. For about $10 you could download their tours of Downtown Denver or even Downtown Disney. Don’t forget to check out the Web site of your local travel and tourism board, too. Texas Tourism, for example, offers free downloadable audio tours of the major cities around the state, including San Antonio, Corpus Christi and Fort Worth.

So while that much-needed vacation may still be months away, it’s the perfect time to recharge with a little exploration of your own backyard. Who knows? Without the hassles of planning, packing, unpacking, driving or flying, it just might be the perfect destination.

Have other tips for becoming a tourist in your own hometown? Let us know!

photos istockphoto

So, let’s dream small. The key is finding moments of renewal in our everyday lives that can help sustain us until our flight leaves for Bora Bora…or at least until the weekend.

Here are just a few ideas for how to fit some small, simple pleasures into your life – each for less than $10.

Pick 7 new songs from iTunes (at $1.29 each), or an entire album for $9.99, and enjoy them on a quiet morning walk.

Brew a really good cup of tea, and take 15 minutes to enjoy it. Try Sour Cherry Serenade Black Tea from Teavana ($6.00) or The Republic of Tea’s Ginger Peach Black Full Leaf Tea ($9.50).

The next time you’re at the mall, stop by a body care shop like Bath & Body Works or L’Occitane. Enjoy a little browsing, and then spend $10 on a delicious smelling body or hand lotion. Sometimes the simple act of smoothing on a fantastic lotion can give a lift to your whole afternoon.

Swing by your neighborhood drugstore and pick up a couple of great nail colors for a spring DIY mani/pedi. You could get OPI’s “Miami Beet” or “Meet Me on the Star Ferry” for less than half the price of a salon pedicure.

Take 10 minutes to grab 10 perfectly useful or happily useless items from the $1 bins at Target. A recent trip found bunny ears, grow-it-yourself strawberry plants, scented body scrub, a jump rope and fruit flavored lip balm – all for $1 each!

Stop at the floral department of your grocery store and spend $10 on fresh flowers. Even an inexpensive mixed bouquet can be separated into several small arrangements for your desk, bedside table or bathroom vanity.

Go to Barnes & Noble and pick up two magazines and enjoy them with a cup of coffee at the café.

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, but they are the enemy of our budget. Browse for some jewelry that is fun, fashionable, and, most importantly, affordable. Something like the Seed Bead Hoop earrings from Old Navy ($8.50), or the Leaf Dangle Earrings from Laila Rowe ($10).

Buy an inexpensive frame from a home goods store, like the Structure Glass Frame from CB2 ($9.95), then use it to frame a photo or image that makes you happy. It might be photos of your husband, children, friends or pet. Or maybe a gorgeous destination you’ve visited or dreamed of visiting. You could even use a quote that speaks to you. Put it on your desk or bedside table and swap out the image regularly.

Head to your favorite bookstore and pick up a lovely sketch book or journal, like the Butterflies Bound Journal from Barnes & Noble ($8.99). Then take five minutes a day and record five things you’re thankful for, the funny things your kids say, or more creative ideas for fitting simple pleasures into your life.

Where do you find simple pleasures for under $10?

We live in a multi-tasking world. It is impossible for us to do one thing at a time. Why accomplish only one thing, when we could tackle two or three things at once? I frequently find myself typing on my BlackBerry, listening to music, stirring a pot, pouring milk, averting disaster and conquering the world all at the same time. We drive while chatting on the phone, scanning the radio, handing snacks to our kids in the backseat, and yelling at the moron ahead of us on the highway. It’s a miracle we can fall asleep at night. If we could find a way to simultaneously sleep and send email, potty train our toddler, walk our dog and cure cancer, we would.

With my lofty goals and New Year’s resolutions already lying in tatters behind me, my newfound goal for the year is to embrace uni-tasking; to take a breath and take the time to be fully present in a moment, at least occasionally. I have no illusions about doing this constantly. I mean, please, let’s be realistic. If I can’t fold laundry and check my email while watching Yo Gabba Gabba with my son, when would anything get done?

Now I know none of us need another item on our "to do" list, so let’s find the built-in moments to breathe. Here are just a few of my ideas on how to uni-task this summer. Let me know what other ideas you have!

• - Take a breath and just wait while your coffee brews or your water boils.
• - Enjoy the free moment to sit and wait while your computer boots up.
• - Have breakfast or dinner with your kids and just talk with them.
• - Calmly wait in line at the grocery store, without counting the number of items in the person’s basket in front of you.
• - Catch up with your spouse at the end of the day – no TV, no phone, no email, no BlackBerry.
  – Do part of your next workout without your book, magazine or headphones.
• - Once a week, just eat lunch without doing anything else. Really enjoy it, without checking Facebook, paying bills, or making a grocery list.

photo istockphoto.com

I am outnumbered in house full of boys. We are all trucks, cars, trains, balls and wrestling all the time. Even my one year old is a pro at zooming cars around the carpet making appropriate “car noises.” How do they learn that stuff so fast? Anyway, when my older son turned 2 last year we went with a construction theme, complete with construction hats, traffic cones and a bulldozer piñata. I wanted to do something fun and different for his cake, so after doing a little looking online, came up with the Dump Truck cake.

I took a large plastic dump truck that we already had, and lined the bed of the truck with aluminum foil. I then baked about 3 dozen chocolate cupcakes. Now, I’m a huge fan of making your own cake – I like knowing exactly what’s going into what I’m making. But I happily used boxed chocolate cake mix for this (partly because it was easy, and partly because I was 7 months pregnant at the time).

Once the cupcakes were baked and cooled, I began building a “pile of dirt” in the bed of the dump truck with chocolate cupcakes, sans wrappers. Once I had a good pile several layers high, I poured chocolate ganache over the top (recipe to follow), and then covered the entire pile with crushed Oreo cookies to complete the Dirt-In-A-Dump-Truck Cake.

It was a simple solution to the annual what-to-do-for-my-kid’s-birthday-party dilemma, and ended up being a huge wow for not a lot of work.

Chocolate Ganache

1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped, or semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat the cream in a pot until steaming, but not boiling. Place the chocolate in a medium bowl, pour on the hot cream and stir until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth. Allow to cool slightly and thicken before pouring over cupcakes.

Anyone else have stories about thinking outside the cake box?

When it comes to “greening” my life, I often feel overwhelmed by all the things I’m not doing. Sure, we recycle, use CFL lightbulbs, and watch our water usage. But we don’t compost, have a rain barrel or buy all organic. The thing I have to remember is even the small changes count. So here are a few tips – both large and small – for making your kitchen a bit greener.

• Use cloth napkins and dishtowels instead of relying on paper towels and napkins. I’ll admit, this is a hard one for me – with small children, paper towels are a life saver. But it’s definitely a change worth trying.

• Eat local. Buying food from local producers helps support your local farm community, gives you fresher produce and ingredients, and helps avoid added pollution caused by long distance shipping. Check out www.localharvest.org for a Farmer’s Market or CSA in your area.

• Use glass containers. They are a safer choice than plastic and don’t end up in landfills like aluminum foil and plastic wrap.

• Install a faucet aerator. Available at any hardware store, this is a cheap and easy way to reduce your water usage without affecting your water pressure.

• Go fish! We all know that fish is important component of a healthy diet, but there is a lot of confusion about sustainability and harmful mercury levels. Check out www.montereybayaquarium.org for a list of fish and seafood that is both safe and sustainable.

• Keep potted plants, such as herbs or lettuce, in the kitchen – they help clear the air by filtering carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen, and also provide a quick hit of flavor while cooking.

• Clear out your cleaners. Though tossing out all your standard cleaners is wasteful, try replacing them once they’re gone with their green counterpart. Plus, you’d be amazed at how effective some kitchen staples like baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice are at scrubbing and cleaning.

• Most of us are used to taking our own reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. Why not go one step further and skip the plastic produce bags, opting for cotton bags instead, like these washable bags from Oh, Little Rabbit. (pictured)

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation or update, consider some of the following green ideas:

• Look for Energy Star rated appliances to replace your old refrigerator or dishwasher, thus helping to reduce emissions and save you money on your electricity bill.

• If painting your kitchen, opt for paint with low or no-VOC’s (Volatile Organic Compounds). According to TLC’s website, “typical household paint contains up to 10,000 chemicals, of which 300 are known toxins and 150 have been linked to cancer. Although VOC levels are highest during and soon after painting, they continue seeping out for several years. In fact, only 50 percent of the VOCs may be released in the first year.” Good reasons to avoid using them in your home!

• Look for green flooring options like wood, cork or linoleum. In fact, cork, a relative newcomer in flooring, is a great option to consider. It’s soft underfoot, and unlike oak or maple which take 30 years to grow back, cork regenerates in only 9 years.

• Consider both donating and purchasing your appliances and building supplies from Habitat for Humanity. Habitat’s ReStore resale outlets sell reusable and surplus building materials to the public, including items like furniture, home accessories, building materials and appliances. Check www.habitat.org/restores for a location near you.

As soon as you find out you’re pregnant, something as basic and elemental as eating suddenly becomes a complex list of do’s and don’ts. With each of my two pregnancies I felt like I was navigating a mine field of what I could eat, what I couldn’t eat, what I should eat, and what I actually felt like eating. It’s enough to make an exhausted, nauseous, hormonal gal crazy. Thankfully the brilliant folks at the Mayo Clinic help boil it down to a few important nutrients and some of the best ways to get them.

Pregnancy diet: Essential nutrients when you’re eating for two
There’s no magic formula for a healthy pregnancy diet. In fact, during pregnancy the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein. However, a few nutrients in a pregnancy diet deserve special attention. Here’s what tops the list.

Folate and folic acid — Prevent birth defects
Folate is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects, serious abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord. Lack of folate in a pregnancy diet also may increase the risk of preterm delivery. The synthetic form of folate found in supplements and fortified foods is known as folic acid.

How much you need: 800 micrograms of folate or folic acid before conception and 1,000 micrograms a day during pregnancy.
Good sources: Fortified cereals are great sources of folic acid. Leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, and dried beans and peas are good sources of naturally occurring folate.

Food	Serving size	Folic acid content
Cereal	3/4 cup (15 to 45 grams) 100 percent fortified ready-to-eat cereal	400 micrograms
Spinach	1/2 cup (90 grams) boiled spinach	100 micrograms
Beans	1/2 cup (88 grams) boiled Great Northern beans	90 micrograms
Asparagus	4 boiled spears	85 micrograms
Peanuts	1 ounce (28 grams) dry roasted	40 micrograms
Oranges	1 small orange	30 micrograms

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 2007
In addition to making healthy food choices, taking a daily prenatal vitamin — ideally starting three months before conception — can help ensure you’re getting enough of this essential nutrient.

Calcium — Strengthen bones
You and your baby need calcium for strong bones and teeth. Calcium also helps your circulatory, muscular and nervous systems run normally. If there’s not enough calcium in your pregnancy diet, the calcium your baby needs will be taken from your bones.

How much you need: 1,000 milligrams a day. Pregnant teenagers need 1,300 milligrams a day.
Good sources: Dairy products are the richest sources of calcium. Many fruit juices and breakfast cereals are fortified with calcium, too.

Food	Serving size	Calcium content
Yogurt	8 ounces (227 grams) plain, low-fat yogurt	415 milligrams
Milk	1 cup (245 grams) skim milk	306 milligrams
Cheese	1 1/2 ounces (43 grams) part-skim mozzarella cheese	275 milligrams
Juice	6 ounces (186 grams) calcium-fortified orange juice	200 to 260 milligrams
Salmon	3 ounces (85 grams) canned pink salmon with bones	181 milligrams
Spinach	1/2 cup (90 grams) cooked spinach	120 milligrams
Cereal	1 cup (20 to 60 grams) calcium-fortified ready-to-eat cereal	100 to 1,000 milligrams

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 2007

Protein — Promote growth
Protein is crucial for your baby’s growth, especially during the second and third trimesters.

How much you need: 71 grams a day.
Good sources: Lean meat, poultry, fish and eggs are great sources of protein. Other options include dried beans and peas, tofu, dairy products and peanut butter.

Food	Serving size	Protein content
Poultry	3 ounces (85 grams) chicken breast	27.6 grams
Fish	3 ounces (85 grams) salmon	21.6 grams
Cottage cheese	1 cup (210 grams) low-fat cottage cheese	28 grams
Milk	1 cup (245 grams) skim milk	8.3 grams
Peanut butter	2 tablespoons (32 grams) creamy peanut butter	8 grams
Eggs	1 large hard-boiled egg	6.3 grams

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 2007

Iron — Prevent anemia
Your body uses iron to make hemoglobin, a protein in the red blood cells that carries oxygen to your tissues. During pregnancy your blood volume expands to accommodate changes in your body and help your baby make his or her entire blood supply. As a result, your need for iron nearly doubles.

If you don’t get enough iron, you may become fatigued and more susceptible to infections. The risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight also may be higher.

How much you need: 27 milligrams of iron a day.
Good sources: Lean red meat, poultry and fish are good

Food	Serving size	Iron content
Cereal	3/4 cup (24 grams) 100 percent iron-fortified ready-to-eat cereal	18 milligrams
Beans	1 cup (256 grams) boiled kidney beans	5.2 milligrams
Spinach	1/2 cup (90 grams) boiled spinach	3.2 milligrams
Meat	3 ounces (85 grams) beef tenderloin	3 milligrams
Poultry	3 1/2 ounces (100 grams) dark turkey	2.3 milligrams

Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 2007
Prenatal vitamins typically contain iron. In some cases, your health care provider may recommend a separate iron supplement.

The iron from animal products, such as meat, is most easily absorbed. To enhance the absorption of iron from plant sources and supplements, pair them with a food or drink high in vitamin C — such as orange juice, tomato juice or strawberries.

Supplements — Ask your health care provider
Even if you eat healthfully every day, you may miss out on key nutrients. Taking a daily prenatal vitamin — ideally starting three months before conception — can help fill any gaps. Your health care provider may recommend special supplements if you follow a strict vegetarian diet or have a chronic health condition. If you’re considering taking an herbal supplement during pregnancy, check with your health care provider first.

photo healthline.com

– The easiest brunch plan is to make it potluck. Recruit your guests to help supply pastries, juice, cinnamon rolls or fruit salad.

– Instead of heating and serving and enormous ham – often an Easter tradition – buy a smaller spiral cut ham and pile several slices in biscuits as small finger sandwiches.

– As an unexpected side dish make a tossed caprese salad. Combine grape tomatoes, bocconcini mozzarella (small balls of fresh mozzarella), shredded or chopped fresh basil, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.

– Champagne mimosas are always a brunch staple. But if you’re looking for something a little different, skip the champagne and check out the sparkling juice options at your local grocery store. For instance, my local grocery store stocks bottles of sparkling blood orange juice, sparkling pomegranate juice, and sparkling mango juice. Served in champagne flutes, it’s an elegant and affordable option.

– Use up all those brightly colored hard boiled eggs with a platter of deviled eggs. They’re a crowd pleaser and can be easily made the day before. If you’re looking for a twist on the standard ingredients, why not try this recipe for Crab and Celery Deviled Eggs, courtesy of, believe it or not, DeviledEggs.com.  Click here to download recipe.

- Finally, I’ll pass along a dish that has become an Easter tradition in our house – Baked Garlic Cheese Grits.  Click here to download recipe.

What dishes are a part of your Easter tradition?

photo elaneymedia.com

 - one:  State shaped cutting board from AHeirloom

- two:  Monogrammed Cake Plate and Punch Bowl from Williams-Sonoma

- three:  Cast Iron Skillet from Bed Bath & Beyond

- four:  Cuisinart Immersion Blender from Broadway Panhandler

- five:  How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman

- six:  Le Crueset Dutch oven from Williams-Sonoma

- seven:  Milk Bottle Measuring cups from Anthropologie

- eight:  3-Piece Spring Potluck Baker Set from Crate & Barrel

- nine:  Floral Italian Wine Glasses from Fishs Eddy

- ten:  Colorful Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker from Sur la Table

Last year, in a desperate attempt to speed the exit of winter and hasten spring, I bought a great new cookbook, Raising the Salad Bar, by Catherine Walthers. This gorgeous book is filled with fresh and fantastic new salad ideas. It is the perfect antidote to both the winter blues and your “same-old same-old” salad dilemma. The book includes chapters on chicken salads, main course meat salads, and seafood salads. There are also potato salads, pasta salads and bean salads. There’s even an entire chapter on salad dressings. If you’ve never tried making your own salad dressing, let me encourage you to give it a shot. You will find it’s incredibly simple, absolutely delicious, and far superior to anything you can buy in a bottle.

Try this fresh salad as a starter or even a light lunch.  Click here to download recipe.

photo momadvice.com

Low Country Boil is one of the quintessential dishes of the region, and descends directly from the Gullah people. DreamCharleston.com says, “Low Country Shrimp Boil is the epitome of the Charleston’s cuisine. Any visitor to the area will notice the sight of shrimp boats off the coast hauling in the day’s catch. Low Country Boil, also known affectionately as Frogmore Stew, features a kettle filled with boiling water, fresh shrimp, corn on the cob, kielbasa sausage, potatoes, Tabasco sauce, black pepper, and the distinctive Old Bay Seasoning…When all of the ingredients are cooked to perfection, the water is drained off and the feast begins.”

As the days get longer, Low Country Boil is the perfect dish to feed a crowd on a warm spring evening.

Click here to download recipe.

Every time I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying this simple yet hearty meal, the tables have been lined with newspaper and the cook has basically dumped the contents of the pot (after draining) in the center of the table, and everyone digs in. Paper plates are a must, and clean up is a breeze!

photo realsimple.com