The 10 things you need to know about College Essays

By Daniella Emrani

First you’re stuck in traffic- driving to basketball games, karate lessons, and art classes, and before you know it, the whirlwind of college applications is looming over you. Whether your inbox is inundated with emails from college counselors or your Instagram feed starts suggesting the names of test prep companies for the SAT and ACT, this reality is inevitable. If you’re suddenly putting extra pressure on your child, tossing and turning at night because you feel responsible for their future, or scouring the internet to compare acceptance rates, you are NOT alone.

And then- it happens. You remember that beyond the grades, clubs, and extensive extracurriculars that you assumed would suffice, these schools will be judging a college essay. In mere moments, they will decide whether to continue reading or to throw the essay your child labored tirelessly over back into the applicant pile. (more…)

The Health Benefits of Regular Massage Therapy

By Patty Parvizi

It might be difficult to find times of calm and relaxation in today’s world.

However, did you know that getting regular massages can be your key to living a longer, happier life?

Whether you’re dealing with physical discomfort, emotional stress or simply seeking an overall improvement in your health and well- being, regular massages can work wonders for you.

Stress Reduction
One of the most immediate and widely recognized benefits of massage therapy is its ability to reduce stress. Massage triggers the release of endorphins, your body’s natural feel-good hormones, which help combat the effects of stress and anxiety. (more…)

Your Children’s Fitness is at the Heart of Building Life Skills

Kids build resilience, determination and confidence through fitness.

By Korey Kalman

Korey KalmanLos Angeles is a bustling city, full of dreamers, artists, entrepreneurs, and relevant to my professional career, many children looking for avenues to channel their boundless energy. It was from this perspective that I founded the Got Game Camp, a popular LA summer day camp catering to kids aged 4-14, and placing fitness at the heart of building life skills.

One of our many mottos at Got Game has been: “competition builds confidence.” But what does competition have to do with fitness, you might ask? Everything. (more…)

Thanksgiving delicata squash galette

By Virginie Degryse
Virginie DegryseThis is so tasty, super festive and right on point for the Holiday season. Plus it is so easy to make since we are using store bought dough.

Ingredients

  • 1 pie dough (store bought, thawed)
  • 1 small delicata squash
  • 1 large yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée
  • 1/4 cup of ricotta cheese
  • 4-5 sage leaves
  • 1/4 cup of pine nuts
  • 2-3 tbsp of olive oil

Directions
Preheat the oven at 400F. Place the pie dough on a lined baking sheet and reserve in the fridge.

Wash, cut in 2 lengthwise and remove the seeds from the delicata squash. Slice it in 1/2 inch has moon. Toss with 1 tbsp of olive oil, some salt and pepper and roast for 10-15 minutes in the oven. (more…)

How to navigate these difficult times?

By Elizabeth D. Winkler
College is a time of curiosity, discovering your values, and cultivating your direction in adult life. I have had the honor of working deeply with college women over the years facing stress, anxiety, as well as a multitude of traumatic experiences. The pandemic brought a whole new level of anxiety and a mental health crisis to campuses nationally. Currently many students and families are experiencing deep fear for their safety due to the War in Israel. Many have asked how do we navigate these incredibly difficult times? Fortunately, even in the face of fear, we have timeless tools to navigate the fear we hear, see and feel.

I’m here, as a mental health professional, a mother of Jewish children, and as a human with hope that we can find ways to, as my dear friend and mentor davidji says, transform the world by transforming ourselves. As a psychotherapist and meditation teacher I am always focused on how to heal. How can we transform at this time of intense energy, and overwhelming fear? I always look to the healing and teachings that have endured thousands of years of turmoil, pain and devastation. (more…)

Feminists for Palestine?

Moms, please read and share with your daughters.

By Eve Barlow
I have struggled with something all week. Well that’s a lie. I knew the whole time I advocated alongside the global feminist movement this past decade that the day would come when I’d feel made to be an outcast by my commitment to fighting for Jewish survival and the rights of all women, including Jews. I did it anyway because I’m a feminist and I care about women’s right. I was compelled to do the right thing.

The demographic of person I have by-and-large muted, blocked or simply unfollowed from my feeds since the war between Israel and Hamas began are the woke millennial moms. Believe it or not, the woke millennial moms have become the biggest propaganda pushers for Hamas. There was a point last week when I thought perhaps the woke millennial moms might be the end of civilization. I mean, they do know that if Hamas/ISIS/Iran win this thing, then liberation in America looks like us all skipping our college educations and wearing hijabs, right? How the hell did this happen? (more…)

5 Fun Things to do in LA for Halloween

  1. Carved, located in the Descanso Gardens’ returns Oct. 7-31. A family-friendly event with its popular pumpkin house, hay maze, glow-in-the-dark face painting, live pumpkin carving and special Day of the Dead installation. Price: $20-38. Descansogardens.org
  2. Night of the Jack, located at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas returns Sept. 30 through Oct. 31. An immersive, family-friendly event featuring thousands of hand-carved pumpkins and immersive scenes along the nearly mile-long walking trail, the annual all-ages event also offers food, drinks, and sweet treats from L.A.’s best food trucks and a full bar for the adults. Price: $29.99 – $44.99. Nightsofthejack.com
  3. (more…)

Cheesecloth Lollipop Ghosts

By Rochelle Perry

My first craft is inspired by those lollipop ghosts from childhood. But instead of using tissue paper, use that cheesecloth!

Materials:
• White cheesecloth
• Lollipop (I used what I had on hand – dum dums.
• Scissors
• Yarn (or ribbon)
• Sequins
• Hot glue

Instructions:

(more…)

How to Raise Confidence and Self Love in Our Girls

Bring your daughters, friends and educators to the Shero’s Rise Summit Oct. 14

Local nonprofit, Shero’s Rise, is bringing together students, parents and educators to change the narrative for women and girls in our community! We invite you to join us on October 14th for our first ever Shero’s Summit : “The Butterfly Effect” – the idea that small things can have a big impact on large, complex systems.

The Summit will allow you to be a part of the conversation on how data regarding women and girls impacts you personally, what meaningful change matters most to you, and how you can help be a part of the solution for the women and girls in our lives. (more…)

5 Things My Parents Did Right

Curious Cardinals Forbes 30 under 30 founder shares insightful parenting strategies that formed who she is today.

By Audrey Wisch

Audrey WischAs the 22-year-old founder and CEO of Curious Cardinals, I spend most of my time with parents and their kids. Since I was in their kids’ shoes not too long ago, parents often ask me “what did your parents do right?”

No one is perfect. I’m not and nor are my parents. But I attribute much of the personal fulfillment I feel in life to lessons learned from my parents. And as parents, what more do you want than to ensure your offspring feel fulfillment in life?!

Here are a few lessons from my mom and dad that profoundly shaped my path: (more…)