A shrug of the shoulders, a long, awkward pause, exaggerated sighing and rolling eyes–all typical of a middle school student. But without open communication between parents and children, peer pressure and substance abuse will ensure your kids need more than an...
Recent Articles
Weathering a Love/Hate Relationship (with my bangs)
With Valentine’s Day this week, I’ve been thinking about a love/hate relationship I have…with my bangs. Come on…you know you’ve been in this same relationship at some point in your life. For me, it started back in the 70s, when as a young girl I absolutely HAD to have...
Owning Your Health, the Key to Serenity
“Own your health” is the relatively new catchphrase in the natural health industry. What does it mean? Simply put, you can’t get healthy until you want to get healthy. It also means that you take an active roll in staying healthy. Here is a clear example of someone...
What’s Hiding Inside Your Kitchen Cupboards?
If you open your kitchen cupboards to a mess of baking materials, spilled cereal, measuring cups and, wait, what is that...? It's time to organize! Use these tips to get your cupboards in top shape. You'll save time in the kitchen, and you'll purge your cooking area...
Romantic Nails for Valentine’s Day
Cracked nails and flaky cuticles have no place on Valentine's Day, but there's no need to make an expensive manicure appointment at the last minute when you can do it yourself at home. Try a French Manicure on for size; Paris is the city of love, after all. You'll...
Advocating One Job at a Time
Empty shop windows, scarcely trodden side streets, and defeated, jobless families are icons of Michigan's economic turmoil as of late. But Norton Shores native Amanda Shunta never had plans to leave West Michigan; instead she's making plans to improve it. As the Vice...
Who Moved my Gouda?
If you’ve ever read the book “Who Moved My Cheese?” then you know what I’m communicating. The book is all about change, and how important it is to adapt to it. Change is inevitable in life. Some people can handle it better than others, but not many people welcome it...
Four Parties in One
If you have several friends who live close together, throw a progression party! Each house has its own theme, and serves an appetizer and drink. Try these real-life ideas from a West Michigan Woman staffer's 2012 New Year's Eve. At the first house, the theme was wine...
Valentine’s Day Not Just for Lovers
Don't have a date for Valentine's Day? Make plans to attend "In the Heat of Passion: Femmes Fatal" murder mystery event at San Chez on Friday, February 10 at 7 p.m. San Chez and MP Talent Management Group collaborated on the event that includes a full-course tapas...
Instant Cure for Childhood Boredom
"Mom! Mom! Mom! MOM!!!! I'm bored." When is the last time you heard that? Is it happening right now? Before you shut yourself in the closet to escape, create a "bored jar," and curb your children's restlessness. A bored jar can be made of anything, a large mason jar,...