As head chef of their household, most Moms could use a few tricks up their sleeves. No picky eater is too tough for the somewhat underhanded but just-plain-smart tricks in The Sneaky Chef: Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals. Missy Chase Lapine (aka. Sneaky Chef reveals her magic in a practical cookbook/game plan for getting your family to eat the good-for-you stuff.

The book offers simple solutions — like hiding spinach in brownies (yes, really! — that you can use right now to make your family healthier, without radically changing your lifestyle and without a fight. Unlike most nutrition books, The Sneaky Chef recognizes that moms live in the real world where kids eat sugar, junk food, and pizza, but armed with these clever recipes, you’ll learn to hide “super foods” (like sweet potatoes and spinach in the stuff your family will eat, boosting the nutritional value so their bodies will get the nourishment they really need. read more

A mother has very few moments to herself, so in the spirit of making each one count, here are some ideas for making a spa experience out of your daily shower, that is if you’re lucky enough to get one alone.

	Banded Sateen Shower Curtain. Luxurious cotton pique with gorgeous blue bands of cotton sateen, which remind us of a panoramic ocean view — just right for adding a little scenery to your bathroom. $79 at restorationhardware.com.
	Pollenex Luxurious Pouring Rain Showerhead. Extra-large, 8-inch showerhead mimics the puddle-hopping downpours of childhood. The efficient design saves 2-1/2 gallons of water per minute, which is good since you’ll be tempted to shower longer. $37 at amazon.com.
	Stone Bath Mat. The smooth pebbles on this distinctive mat are simply gorgeous and have an alluring zen appeal that will immediately transform an ordinary bathroom into a spa sanctuary. $59 at vivaterra.com
	Almond Shower Oil. Indulge with this unique shower oil that creates a satin-like foam and leaves behind a heavenly almond aroma. $22 at loccitane.com.
	Sisal Smoothing Mitten. This sisal mitten is an all-natural alternative to nylon sponges. Woven from the dried leaves of an Agave, Sisal has a rough texture that will leave you super-smooth and soft. $9.50 at bathbybettijo.com.