Ahhhhhhhhhhhhchoooooo, sniffle, sniffle sniffle!  Oh no, the dreaded cold and flue season is upon us!  Both colds, sickness and just generally runny noses from playing outside are everywhere!  And of course this means your nose gets dry and crusty from constantly wiping to keep that faucet under control!  And if it is the kids, forget about trying to wipe with a tissue!  Well problem solved!  Cape Cod Mommies is proud to be in our 2nd quarter of being a Saline Ambassador, which means we have tons of Boogie Wipes!!!! 

In honor of the season of Giving, Cape Cod Mommies is happy to announce we are giving away a Boogie Wipes prize pack to a lucky mom!  Contest opens tonight at midnight and will go thru 11:59pm on Tuesday December 18, 2012. 

Local Fundraiser to support: Academy of Early Learning and  Animal Rescue League - Brewster Event runs: Dec 1 - Dec 29th.  

BY GIVING A LITTLE YOU WILL HELP OUT A LOT! Donations will support Academy of Early Learning and  Animal Rescue League - Brewster. A donation in the amount of $5.00 can be left with a completed Donation Form. A snowflake decorated by the children from AEL with your pets name will be hung up as a way to say THANK YOU! Academy of Early Learning in Hyannis was established in 1978 and is dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the individuality of each child.   Animal Rescue League Cape Cod branch is equipped with a stable and paddock to accommodate large animals as well as serving as an animal housing and adoption center  for small animals. Please help make a difference in our community, by contributing to give our children an advantage through an early start in education and providing the much needed care for animals that are waiting to be adopted.

If you have questions, or would like to make a larger donation, please contact Sara Provos at 617-957-4970 or via email at sprovos25@comcast.net The children and animals sincerely thank you for your time and continued support! Cash and Checks accepted:  please make checks payable to: Academy of Early Learning Every child and pet is like a snowflake.  Each sparkles in a different way—some are playful, some refined. But, unlike fragile snowflakes that fade when the sun appears, children and our pets grow even more beautiful with every passing year.

Advisor Heidi Ingram:

We take alot of road trips this time of year due to the holidays and stopping and getting fast food is at times unavoidable.  If we do end up stopping what are some healthier choices to get?

Typically, fast food is low in nutrition and high in trans fat, saturated fat, sodium and calories..for example, a single meal of a Double Whopper with cheese, a medium order of fries and an apple pie from Burger King contains more saturated fat than the American Heart Association recommends we consume in two days!! Moderation is key.    It's OK to indulge a craving for French fries every now and then, but to stay healthy you can't make it a regular habit.  Finding a healthy, well-balancd meal in most fast food restaurants can be a challenge, but there are always choices you can make that are healthier than others.  

Use common sense guidelines to help you make your meal healthier.  For example , a seemingly healthy salad can be diet-minefield when smothered in high-fat dressing and fried toppings, so choose a salad with fresh veggies, grilled toppings, and a lighter dressing.  Portion control is also important, as many fast food 
restautants serve enough food for several meals in the quise of a single serving.

Tips for making healthier choices at fast food restaurants
 ·       Make careful menu selections- pay attention to the descriptions on the menu.  Dishes labeled deep-fried, pan-fried , basted, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy, scalloped, Alfredo, au graton,or in cream sauce are usually high in calories, unhealthy fats, or sodium.  Order items with more vegetables and choose leaner meats

 ·       Drink water with your meal -Soda is a huge source of hidden calories. One 32-oz Big Gulp of regular cola packs about 425 calories, which can quickly gulp up a big portion of your daily calorie intake. Try adding a little lemon to your water or ordering unsweetened iced tea

 ·       "Undress" your food.  When choosing items be aware of calorie - and fat packed salad dressings, spreads, cheese, sour cream, etc.  For example, ask for a grilled chicken sandwich withour the mayonnaise. you can ask for a packet of ketchup or mustard and add it yourself controlling how much you put on your sandwich

 ·       Special order.  Many menu items would be healthy if it weren't for the way they were prepared. Ask for your main dishes to be served without the sauces.  Ask for olive oil and vinegar for your salads or order the dressing "on the side" and spoon only a small amount on at a time.  If your food is fried or cooked in oil or butter, ask to have it broiled or steamed.


·       Eat mindfully.  Pay attention to what you eat an savor each bite.  Chew your food more thoroughly and avoid eating on the run.  Being mindful also means stopping before you are full. It takes time for your body to register that you have eaten.  Mindful eating relaxes you, so you digest better, and makes you feel more
satisfied. 

Tips for what to AVOID at fast food restaurants

 ·       Supersized portions.  An average fast food meal can run to 1000 calories or more, so choose a smaller portion size, order a side salad instead of fries, and don't supersize anything. At a typical restaurant, a single serving provides enough for two meals. Take half home or divide the portion with a dining partner.

 ·       Salt.  Fast food restaurant food tends to be very high in sodium, a major contributer to high blood pressure.  Don't add insult to injury by adding more salt.

 ·       Bacon.  It's always tempting to add bacon to sandwiches and salads for extra flavor, but bacon has very few nutrients and is high in fat and calories.  Instead, try ordering extra pickles, onions, lettuce, tomatoes, or mustard to add flavor without the fat

 ·       Buffets - even seemingly healthy ones like salad bars.  You'll likely overeat to get your money's worth. If you do choose buffet dining, opt for fresh fruits, salads with olive oil& vinegar or low-fat dressings, broiled entrees, and steamed vegetables.  Resist the temptation make sure you are hungry before going back for more.

Less healthy choice                                       
 
Double-patty hamburger with cheese, mayo, special sauce, and bacon. Fried chicken sandwich, Fried fish
sandwich, Salad with toppings such as bacon, cheese, and ranch dressing, Breakfast burrito with steak, French fries, milkshake, Chicken"nuggets" or tenders, Adding cheese, extra mayo, any special
sauces

Healthier choices

Regular, single-patty hamburger without mayo or cheese, grilled chicken sandwich, Veggie burger, Garden salad with grilled chicken and low-fat dressing, Egg on a muffin, Baked potato or a side salad, Yogurt parafait, Grilled chicken strips, limiting cheese, mayo, and special sauces.

Here's what individuals and families need to know about tax changes for 2012.

From personal deductions to tax credits and educational expenses, many of the tax changes relating to individuals remain in effect through 2012 and are the result of tax provisions that were either modified or extended by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010 that became law on December 17, 2010.

Personal Exemptions
The personal and dependent exemption for tax year 2012 is $3,800, up $100 from 2011.

Standard Deductions
In 2012 the standard deduction for married couples filing a joint return is $11,900, up $300 from 2011 and for singles and married individuals filing separately it's $5,950, up $150. For heads of household the deduction is $8,700, up $200 from 2011. 

The additional standard deduction for blind people and senior citizens in 2012 is unchanged from 2011, remaining at $1,150 for married individuals and $1,450 for singles and heads of household. 

Income Tax Rates
Due to inflation, tax-bracket thresholds will increase for every filing status. For example, the taxable-income threshold separating the 15-percent bracket from the 25-percent bracket is $70,700 for a married couple filing a joint return, up from $69,000 in 2011.

 Estate and Gift Taxes
The recent overhaul of estate and gift taxes means that there is an exemption of $5.12 million per individual for estate, gift and generation-skipping taxes, with a top rate of 35%. The annual exclusion for gifts remains at $13,000.

Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT)
AMT exemption amounts for 2012 have reverted to 2000 levels and will remain significantly lower than in 2011 unless Congress takes action before year-end: $33,750 for single and head of household fliers, $45,000 for married people filing jointly and for qualifying widows or widowers, and $22,500 for married people filing separately. 

 Marriage Penalty Relief
For 2012, the basic standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly is $11,900, up $300 from 2011. 

Pease and PEP (Personal Exemption Phaseout)
Pease (limitations on itemized deductions) and PEP (personal exemption phase-out) limitations do not
apply for 2012, but like many other tax  provisions, are set to expire at the end of the year. 

 Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
FSA (Flexible Spending Arrangements) are limited to $2,500 per year starting in 2013 and indexed to
inflation after that and applies only to salary reduction contributions under a health FSA. However, IRS guidance issued this year recognizes that the term "taxable year" refers to the plan year of the cafeteria plan, which is typically the period during which salary reduction elections are made.

Specifically, in the case of a plan providing a grace period (which may be up to two months and 15 days), unused salary reduction contributions to the health FSA for plan years beginning in 2012 or later that are carried over into the grace period for that plan year will not count against the $2,500 limit for the subsequent plan year.

Further, the IRS is providing relief for certain salary reduction contributions exceeding the $2,500 limit that are due to a reasonable mistake and not willful neglect and that are corrected by the employer. 

 Long Term Capital Gains
In 2012, long-term gains for assets held at least one year are taxed at a flat rate of 15% for taxpayers above the 25% tax bracket. For taxpayers in lower tax brackets, the long-term capital gains rate is 0%.
  
Individuals - Tax Credits
Adoption Credit
In 2012 a refundable credit of up to $12,650 is available for qualified adoption expenses for each eligible child. The available adoption credit begins to phase out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) in excess of $189,710 and is completely phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income of $229,710 or more.
 
Child and Dependent Care Credit
If you pay someone to take care of your dependent (defined as being under the age of 13 at the end of the tax year or incapable of self-care) in order to work or look for work, you may qualify for a credit of up to $1,050 or 35 percent of $3,000 of eligible expenses.

For two or more qualifying dependents, you can claim up to 35 percent of $6,000 (or $2,100) of eligible expenses. For higher income earners the credit percentage is reduced, but not below 20 percent, regardless of the amount of adjusted gross income. 

Child Tax Credit
The $1,000 child tax credit has been extended through 2012 as well. A portion of the credit may be refundable, which means that you can claim the amount you are owed, even if you have no tax liability for the year. The credit is phased out for those with higher incomes. 

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
For tax year 2012, the maximum earned income tax credit (EITC) for low and moderate income workers and working families rises to $5,891, up from $5,751 in 2011. The maximum income limit for the EITC rises to $50,270 (up from $49,078 in 2011). The credit varies by family size, filing status and other factors, with the maximum credit going to joint filers with three or more qualifying children.
 
Individuals - Education Expenses 
 
Coverdell Education Savings Account
You can contribute up to $2,000 a year to Coverdell savings accounts in 2012. These accounts can be used to offset the cost of elementary and secondary education, as well as post-secondary education. 

American Opportunity Tax Credit
For 2012, the maximum Hope Scholarship Credit that can be used to offset certain higher education expenses is $2,500, although it is phased out beginning at $160,000 adjusted gross income for joint filers and $80,000 for other filers. 

Employer Provided Educational Assistance
Through 2012, you, as an employee, can exclude up to $5,250 of qualifying post-secondary and graduate education expenses that are reimbursed by your employer. 

 Lifetime Learning Credit
A credit of up to $2,000 is available for an unlimited number of years for certain costs of post-secondary or graduate courses or courses to acquire or improve your job skills. For 2012, The modified adjusted gross income threshold at which the lifetime learning credit begins to phase out is $104,000 for joint filers, up from $102,000, and $52,000 for singles and heads of household, up from $51,000.

Student Loan Interest
For 2012 (same as 2011), the $2,500 maximum student loan interest deduction for interest paid on student loans is not limited to interest paid during the first 60 months of repayment. The deduction begins to phase out for married taxpayers filing joint returns at $125,000, and phases out completely at $155,000, an increase of $5,000 from the phase out limits for tax year 2011. For single taxpayers, the phase out ranges
remain at the 2011 levels.

Individuals - Retirement
Contribution Limits
For 2012, the elective deferral (contribution) limit for employees who participate in 401(k), 403(b), most 457 plans, and the federal government's Thrift Savings Plan is increased from $16,500 to $17,000. For persons age 50 or older in 2012, the limit is $22,500 (up from $22,000 in 2011). Contribution limits for SIMPLE plans remain at $11,500 for persons under age 50 and $14,000 for persons age 50 or older in 2012. The maximum compensation used to determine contributions increases to $250,000.

Saver's Credit
In 2012, the AGI limit for the saver's credit (also known as the retirement savings contributions credit) for low-and moderate-income workers is $57,500 for married couples filing jointly, $43,125 for heads of household, and $28,750 for married individuals filing separately and for singles.

Please contact us if you need help understanding which deductions and tax credits you are entitled to. We are always available to assist you.  You can email us at info@dellapostacpa.com or reach out office at 508-540-3683  Or you can comment below!

Cape Cod Mommies was recently given an opportunity to check out Hot Mama Designs! I love the uniqueness of the jewelry and of course we are all about family, moms and kids on this site!  These would make great gifts or great hints for hubby's to get you for the holidays! 

Shannon Sunderland & Sahra Cahoon form the dynamic duo of Hot Mama Designs.  Hot Mama Designs rejoices in celebrating motherhood, family and the one-of-a-kind feeling of the handmade object. Their inspiring  designs are created to tell stories and celebrate life. Celebrate Family ~  Celebrate Motherhood ~ Celebrate You!

We rejoice in the art of metalsmithing!  As artists we are intrigued by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which is (loosely translated) the beauty of things that are unpretentious and unconventional. In our mass-produced world, our jewelry celebrates the one-of-a-kind feeling of the  handmade object.

Our Readers Get 20% any order of $100 or more.   Promo Code: mamalove226  #mamajewelry

By: Meghan

Fellow Cape Cod Mommies, I know we’ve just met and all, but if we’re going to be friends than I need to be truthful with you – I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. Maybe even a little over-emotional (though my husband might just call that a normal day). You might say, “No, no, you’re fine! Look at you, totally pulled together!” Well that just proves we’ve never actually met. Fact of the matter is, I’ve spent the entire past week trying not to cry at the drop of a hat. Hormones? Probably. Holidaystress? Sure. The truth? My eldest child is turning five.

I know, I know, it’s a wonderful thing to have a five year old. Birthdays are to be celebrated, children are to
be celebrated. Yes, yes, I agree. But there’s something about that big number “Five” that makes things get real, really fast. My baby girl is becoming a big kid. 
 
She surprises me daily with her thoughtfulness and the range of her emotions. Her honesty thrills me and the weight of her feelings knocks me over. I see her meeting challenges, and pushing herself on to new goals. I also see her dealing with her failures and goals unmet. And let me tell you something, mamas, she’s doing a lot better job dealing with her difficulties than I am. 
 
I see the hard knocks that come as friendships change, when feelings get hurt, when wishes don’t come true. And my heart breaks. I remember the pain of childhood hurts, and the last thing I want is for my baby to feel them too. As she turns five, I want to wrap her in a bubble and keep her safe from those hurts. I know too that her problems will be bigger now as she gets bigger and her world grows as she enters school. Gone are the days that my kisses can solve all her problems. And I grieve for the loss of being able to make everything better. Okay, now I’m crying again. Give  me a minute, I’m going to go research “child sized bubbles” on Amazon. They have those, right? Ok, they don’t have those, I totally checked. 

So I guess this means I need to start dealing with what we call “big emotions” in my house. To celebrate my sweet daughter’s fifth birthday, I am making the following pledges to her and to myself:

1.) I will stop trying to be a perfect mother. I don’t need to be a perfect mother. Perfect mothers aren’t real, and I’m pretty sure my kids would rather have a real mom than a not real mom. So there you go. Also, I read
somewhere the other day that not being a perfect parent is a gift to your kids because then when they have children they aren’t constantly trying to live up to this perfect parent ideal. See, I’m doing it for her!

2.) Accept that my daughter is going to feel pain as she explores the world. Know that I will not be able to fix it all, but that’s okay. I will still be here to hold her and kiss her and let her know that there will always be at
least one safe harbor for her in the world, no matter what storms she faces. And maybe I will eventually find a grown up sized bubble that we can both go in and roll down a hill, wheeeee! Which brings me to number 3.

3.) We are going to have more fun. Year number 5 is going to be about fun, for the both of us. Rolling down hills in bubbles? Yes. Desperately cleaning the house before the next playdate? No. Time to start accepting that my house will always be a mess, but you know what, we’ll be busy getting grass stains on our pants, nail polish on our toes, and whatever the heck else Miss Five Years Old wants to do that day and I’m to excited about that to waste energy feeling guilty about messes. So I’m letting it go. Not that I’m going to do less cleaning, I’m just going to stop feeling guilty about whatever hasn’t gotten done that day. Don’t worry, I’ll still shove the dirty undies in the closet when you come over.

In the meantime, we have a party to plan! So this smart, sassy, gorgeous, funny, fast as the wind, nearly five year old and I have some decorating to do.

So tell me mamas, how was Year 5 for you? Did you deal well with it or were you a hysterical mess like me? Which birthday has been toughest for you? Let me know your coping strategies and how you celebrated. We’ll get through this together!

Who hasn't read the Polar Express yet?  I can remember as a young child snuggling up with my siblings and close to my parents, as my father read the book aloud year after year.  It was ALWAYS one of my favorite Christmas stories.  As a child I believed the story was all about Santa, but now as an adult I know better.

The story is about having hope, faith and a belief in something despite what others may think.  As adults we often feel the pressure of the holiday season and the stores and media are only too happy to oblige by feeding into the consumer frenzy.  Now that I have my own child, I see the holiday as something more magical and it brings me back to my own young days of innocence.  This year is the first year my child can really begin to experience Christmas.  He exclaimed with delight when we put up the tree and every night when we drive home he comments how beautiful all the lights are everywhere.  To relive the Christmas experience with a child is something that is truly magical and I am

Next week we will be taking him aboard the Polar Express on the Cape Cod Railroad and we are looking forward to the adventure!  We will be blogging about our adventure after so stay tuned!  Have you been yet, we'd love to hear about your experience too!

To celebrate the magical season of giving and of hope, we are giving away 4 Coach Tickets aboard the Polar Express!  Giveaway ends Tuesday night December 11, 2012 at 11:59pm so you have time to book your tickets!! 

Touch:  One of the most important and life affirming actions we can take, every day.

And simultaneously, one of the most important things we can give and receive each day.

How many times did you experience touch today?  One?  Three?  Ten times?  (Hint:  If you feel great, it was probably enough.)

When was the last time you held someone’s hand?

When was the last time you touched someone without fear, anxiety or doubt?  When was the last time you felt the warmth of someone else’s touch without guilt, shame, regret, despair or another negative emotion?

If you’ve gone longer than one week or even one day without healthy, healing touch, it’s time to change that and start THRIVING.

Do you need a hug?

Why not give your Self a big hug?  Embracing your Self physically is a great start toward getting and giving regular gifts of healing touch.

Touch is one of the most important elements we all need to help us THRIVE, an act that involves far more than mere survival.

 BTW, touch does not have to be sexual to be healing and effective.  =)

Even if you live alone, you can always give your Self a big hug!

Here’s an alternative challenge:  Give the gift of touch by giving out free hugs!

(Side benefit of giving free hugs:  You rock your confidence muscle each time!  Please practice this choice responsibly; set and state your boundaries clearly; and always remain in a busy, well-lit, public space.)

Even if the only touch you can manage today is to shake your own hand or give your Self a scalp massage, give it a try.  I am sure it will make you smile.


*Pamela earned her Certified Professional Coach (CPC) credential  from Fowler-Wainwright International and her BA in English Literature from Georgetown  University. She has been writing and teaching professionally for over 20 years but continues to learn and improve her talents, gifts and skills  with experience and training. Her unique background includes PR and marketing  for the US Army and a natural wood finishes manufacturer (both in Germany), translations from German to English for a global retailer, choreography and dance instruction for  theater, plus English language training for foreign executives. Pamela has written travel articles, a regular column on cultural differences, book reviews, guest blog posts, her own weekly blog and eZine and she speaks frequently at live events, on radio and TV. Pamela is a featured coach on the Expert Panels of Kristen Howe’s www.LawofAttractionKey.com and Kerry Swetmon’s www.LifeBusinessGrowth.com. In addition, Pamela is on  the Speakers Bureau of B.I.G. Women’s   Network
in Massachusetts. Helping others increase their  confidence is Pamela’s passion because she learned the hard way how important  confidence really is for success in life. She wants to spare you the hard, dark  journey she took and set you on a bright, happy path as quickly as  possible!

To learn more and schedule your own complimentary SPARK Session, contact Pamela  today.

Fish tacos are a fun and nutritional meal for kids!  Tacos always seem to be a kid favorite however it can be a very, very messy meal.  Fish is also a great source of protein and healthy omegas!

We tried these last week in our house and it was a quick, easy meal to make plus the Tiny Toddler finished all of it!  You can use any type of fish you wish, however I would recommend either Flounder or Salmon.

Flounder is a light fish and low in Saturated Fat. It is also good source of Vitamin D,  Niacin, Vitamin B6 Phosphorus and Potassium, and a very good source of Protein, Vitamin B12 and Selenium.

Salmon is low in Sodium. It is also a good source of Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid and  Phosphorus, and a very good source of Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12  and Selenium.

Just three blogs into my blogging experience, I have had fun letting the themes and topics flow in an organized sort of way.  In fact, my December, January and February themes were already organized in some compartment of my brain.  I like organization.  

In the early hours of Friday of last week, the church I have called home for most of my life burned to the ground by the strike of an arsonist. 

In many ways, the thoughts in my mind seem like the flakes in a snow globe that has just had a good shake.  If anyone were to check my credentials on the “about” page of my website, it would seem like I should have at least a few very wise things to blog about today regarding;  trauma reactions, how to help children process these types of events, wise eyes when it comes to looking for risk factors for violent acts………you name it. But the snow globe settles in
its own time.

I would NOT ordinarily speak about my faith in a public-professional blog, and it might only come up in my professional practice or role as consultant and educator if I am counseling someone who has told me they are of faith and wish it to be a part of their process, or if I am consulting with or educating a faith group.

As the snow globe settles, and, in this holiday season and birth of a new year, I share this.  We are given a great command to Love One Another.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  John 13:34

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22:36-40

I hear many times over, “I am not of the Christian faith, but we go to church because the teachings of morals are sound and good for our children.” 

So here is just some interesting trivia…….

Popular sayings that just happen to come from the Bible

Am I my brother’s keeper?

Apple of My Eye

At Wits’ End

Coat of Many Colors

Drop in a Bucket

Eat, Drink, Be Merry

Eye for an Eye

Rise and Shine

Hard-hearted

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Powers that Be

Skin of My Teeth

Woe is Me

Writing on the Wall

They are referenced here.  
http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Christianity/Bible/Bible-Quotes-and-Common-Sayings.aspx?b=1

 Others
 
Golden Rule

A sign of the times

Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath.

 Double-edged sword

 A wolf in sheep’s clothing

All things must pass

My brother’s keeper

 At his wits end

And many more…………

As you and your family enjoy the festivities of the holiday season, let your hearts be filled with love.  Though many family dysfunctions are “in your face” during the holiday season, because many feel obliged to spend time with those whom they may at other times just avoid, if at all possible, let your hearts be filled with love.  Seek strength and support from those you know you can trust. Know your limits and when it is time to say goodbye.  Hug, when you feel like shrugging away.  Make eye contact and extend kind and loving words to others.
 
~Tracy