Family Finds: 60% Off Group Classes or Private Sessions at Turning Point Pilates

$30 for 3 Mat Pilates Classes or $50 for 2 Private Pilates Sessions at Turning Point Pilates

Men, women, young, old … EVERYONE can benefit from Pilates.

It improves strength, flexibility, and balance, plus tones and builds long, lean muscles without bulk. Pilates improves posture, strives for uniform muscle development, increases oxygenation of blood, and energizes through robust movement and robust breath. It improves the way your body feels and looks. Perhaps best of all, Pilates makes your body less prone to injury. We like the sound of that!

>For only $50, you can get 2 private 55-minute sessions with top-notch instructors who will help sculpt and strengthen your whole body. It’s like having your own personal Hollywood trainer — for just $25 a session. Or, if you prefer group classes, you can sign up for 3 55-minute Mat Classes for just $30 … that’s just $10 per class!

Owner Robin Solo says that men over 35 are becoming big Pilates converts right now. They’ve had an “aha” moment that they’re not 25 anymore, and they’re inflexible and keep injuring themselves. More and more girlfriends and wives are encouraging their partners to try Pilates and purchasing them sessions. (Father’s Day gift, anyone?). According to Solo, moms, moms-to-be, and even the elderly seek out Pilates to achieve a level of health and fitness that we all strive for, no matter what our age or gender. Movement heals, vitalizes and empowers. Get in peak mental and physical shape at Turning Point Pilates now.

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$25 for All-Day Pass to Go Kart World

$10 for $20 at Marla’s Café in Venice 

$70 for 4 Fine Arts Class at Mission: Renaissance ($140 Value)

50% Off Cardboard Toys & More at CreativeToyShop.com

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Family Finds: $15 for $30 Worth of Toys at CreativeToyShop.com

50% Off Cardboard Toys & More at CreativeToyShop.com

As parents, we’re always looking for ways to spark our kids’ creativity. But so many of the toys we buy them get thrown to the wayside after a few days, and end up in a landfill soon thereafter. It’s a major bummer! The toys from Creative Toyshop — such as Calafant cardboard toys — are different. Mother of two Martina McConnon, owner of Creative Toyshop, says, “I came across the Calafant cardboard toys when I was looking for fun activities to do at our children’s birthday parties. We started out building the Large Fairy Castle and really enjoyed painting, creating wallpaper and decorating. The best part was that we did it as a family and worked as a team. Each of my kids had good ideas and was free to incorporate them into the project. When we were done, they started playing with the castle with the dolls that we already had.” When your child outgrows a cardboard toy, you won’t have a bulky plastic structure sitting in your home that will end up in a landfill somewhere. You can either unfold the pieces and keep them or recycle them with the rest of your paper or cardboard recyclables. Good for the environment … good for you!

Creative Toyshop is a boutique online toy store that offers unique, creative, educational and eco-friendly toys, games, and other children’s items. When the Martina’s two children entered preschool, she found there was a real lack of unique and creative toys. She wanted to offer families fun toys and games that encouraged children to think for themselves, express their creativity, and, at the same time, not harm the environment. She found the perfect fit in Calafant cardboard toys and Young Learners games — both amazing lines that children adore. We also love the School Years keepsake album for recording precious milestones and accomplishments. Both parent and child can fill each expandable pocket — there’s one for every year from kindergarten to 12th grade — with photos, report cards, art projects, and other mementos. Other unique products include Bootscoot balance bikes and Lunchskins eco-friendly lunch bags.

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$59 for Portrait Shoot and 16 x 20 Canvas from Stuart Townsley ($700 value!) 

$25 for All-Day Pass to Go Kart World

$10 for $20 at Marla’s Café in Venice 

$70 for 4 Fine Arts Class at Mission: Renaissance ($140 Value) 

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Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Corn Muffins

There are a few gluten-free recipes I go to when I know people are coming over; banana bread, dark chocolate chip cookies, and vegan chocolate cake. I can make them in my sleep or awake in 10 minutes flat (not counting baking time).

lemon zestI have a new recipe to add to that list and it is delightful. I used to make these Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Corn Muffins for the Mar Vista Farmers’ Market and they are pretty to look at as well as flavorful and filling. They are not only gluten-free, but dairy free. If you don’t do soy, just substitute milk plus a ½ teaspoon vanilla for the soy milk.

Gluten-Free Lemon Blueberry Corn Muffins
1 ½ cup gluten free flour*
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons Xantham Gum
¼ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons lemon zest
½ cup canola oil
1 cup vanilla soy milk
4 beaten eggs
1 cup frozen wild blueberries

Preheat oven to 350. Spray muffin pan with canola oil spray.

In a large bowl sift together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, xantham gum, salt, sugar, and lemon zest. Stir in the canola oil, milk, and beaten eggs until combined. Stir in the blueberries.

Pour mixture into the prepared pan and bake for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

If you’d like a more lemony taste or if you want the muffins to look fancy for your guests, drizzle a lemon glaze on top. 

*Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix from the Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy

6 cups white rice flour
2 cups potato starch
1 cup tapioca flour
Store leftover flour in an airtight container
 

View From Venice Beach

Authorities didn’t expect dangerous waves on LA beaches this morning, but closed most of them just the same. Here’s a surfer in the water at Venice Beach. A helicopter was flying overhead telling him and a handful of other surfers to get out of the water.

Daily Hot Guy

My serial entrepreneur friend just launched an Iphone app that is going to take the ladysphere by storm. It’s called Daily Hot Guy. Don’t worry, it’s not porn it’s just really beautiful pictures of attractive men sent daily to your iphone.

It’s genius and I think you need it. I wrote a post profiling one of the Daily Hot Guys. Here’s an excerpt:

He cooks, dances, builds things, and he’s nice to the ladies. In Francesco Mino, you have it all in one delightful package.

The 30-year-old actor is originally from Sicily, Italy and his accent will make your knees weak. And your stomach rumble.

“Food makes me happy,” he said. Read More

Family Finds: Half-Off at Marla's Café in Venice

$10 for $20 at Marla’s Café in Venice

After 20 years as a professional caterer and party planner, Marla Barreira is now serving her delicious fusion of American, Latin, Asian and Portuguese cuisines at Marla’s Café. The full menu is offered for both lunch and dinner with daily specials that almost always include one of Marla’s special recipe home-made soups. The menu includes small bites, sandwiches, wraps, salads, pizza and pastas and a variety of delicious entrees with choices of sides. (Entrees start at $10.98 before discount.) Desserts include Marla’s famous cookies, brownies and pecan squares. Treat yourself to some deliciousness at Marla’s Café, where your taste buds are in for a treat.

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$12 for $25 to Spend on Dinner Fare at Jack N’Jills Too

$25 for $50 Toward Juno Baby Merchandise and DVDs 

$59 for Portrait Shoot and 16 x 20 Canvas from Stuart Townsley ($700 value!)

$25 for All-Day Pass to Go Kart World

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Say No to Positive Thinking

There are some things I never, ever do. I never spank my children, I never eat cauliflower, and I never say anything genuinely positive about my life. You would never hear me say, “I look fantastic!” or “This day is going to be great!!!”

I’m more Eeyore than Pooh, more Han Solo than Luke Skywalker. So when I wrote a post about turning 40 I hesitated on writing the phrase, “I feel really good.” But I did feel really good. For about 5 minutes.

In the month since I decided to become a positive person I have;

  • 1.    Puked at Disney’s California Adventure from stomach flu
  • 2.    Injured my leg running while training for the LA Marathon
  • 3.    Contracted a cold that is still lingering

I know it’s ridiculous to think that saying that “I feel really good” would make me feel really bad, but I have to wonder. I also wonder if it has something to do with the “bad karma” moment I had with the friend I had convinced to run the marathon with me.

She injured her leg a couple of weeks before I injured mine. I gave her a lot of advice, but one thing I told her keeps coming back to me. Come marathon day, I said, just run through the pain. It’ll be fine. If the injury gets worse, “Who cares?” At least you finished a marathon.

Now my leg is hurt and I know first-hand how running on it is not an option, I feel like an ass for even suggesting it.

But somehow we both have to finish the marathon. So tonight I’m going to meet her at the physical therapist’s office and hopefully we’ll both be well enough to run on race day. She will never forgive herself if she doesn’t finish and I feel the same. I’m running for charity now and must finish!

So this is officially the end of my positive streak. I can honestly say, I’m not feeling too good.

Family : 50% Off All-Day Wristband to Go Kart World

$25 for All-Day Pass to Go Kart World

Is the merry-go-round not fast enough for your little speed demon? Then take him to Go Kart World, where you’ll get an all-day pass for just $25! With six different tracks to choose from, Go Kart World is one-stop shopping (or driving!) for a whole lot of thrill. From their newest double decker track, to the Mini Indy Track, to the Bumper Car Track, perfect for the ‘lil racers, your kids will finally get to put the pedal to the medal and drive they way they wish YOU would. Go Kart World is literally LA’s amusement park on wheels!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$20 for $40 to Spend at Little Rockstar Children’s Salon

$12 for $25 to Spend on Dinner Fare at Jack N’Jills Too

$25 for $50 Toward Juno Baby Merchandise and DVDs 

$59 for Portrait Shoot and 16 x 20 Canvas from Stuart Townsley ($700 value!) 

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Family Finds: 92% off Portrait Shoot from Stuart Townsley

$59 for Portrait Shoot and 16 x 20 Canvas from Stuart Townsley $700 value!)

If you’re like the rest of us, all your good intentions to bring your camera and mark the moments have fallen by the wayside.  Sure that first kid might have 400 pictures of his first tooth, but it’s hard to keep up that pace. Relax and let a professional capture some real LA memories around town with a deal today that gets you a whopping $700 in products and services for only $49.

Enter Stuart Townsley and a sitting with this unique professional with an artist’s eye. Stuart’s work has been featured in magazines and on VH1’s “My Big Fat Fabulous Wedding” in addition to being a favorite of many LA families. His combination of traditional portraits with funky, fast, artsy images matches the speed of your kids – moving, playing, laughing – and manages to capture the fantastic but fleeting moments of childhood. But don’t take our word for it, check out his reviews on both Google and Yelp where EVERY SINGLE REVIEWER HAS GIVEN HIM 5 STARS!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$7 for $15 to Spend at TravelKiddy.com

$20 for $40 to Spend at Little Rockstar Children’s Salon

$12 for $25 to Spend on Dinner Fare at Jack N’Jills Too

$25 for $50 Toward Juno Baby Merchandise and DVDs

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Family Finds: Half-Off Juno Baby CDs, DVDs, and Books

$25 for $50 Toward Juno Baby Merchandise and DVDs

Music tames the beast within – anyone with a child can tell you that. But don’t trust your old heavy metal mix tapes to do the job. Try the Emmy Award-winning Juno Baby series with DVDs and CDs intended to enliven young children musically and inspire them creatively. Your $25 voucher buys $50 worth of their inspirational, engaging and fun products which promote learning through beautiful, original, orchestral music. And for every product sold, Juno Baby will donate a music education DVD to a child in need!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$5 for Open Play at Kid Concepts USA ($10 value)

$20 for $40 to Spend at ChickLingo.com 

$7 for $15 to Spend at TravelKiddy.com

$20 for $40 to Spend at Little Rockstar Children’s Salon 

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