Ya Don't Say

I honestly think if the karate moms knew I eavesdropped on them that they'd be okay with it. They'd probably like the attention even though they create plenty all by themselves. They can take a minor problem like running out of soy milk to a whole new level. One mom could not believe she wasn't able make her morning smoothie due to her soy milk going bad. Eww, who needs to talk about this for 20 minutes? They do. First, they analyze soy milk and what it takes to spoil it. Then they discuss soy smoothies and the nutritional value and how the sugar in the fruit is balanced out by the soy. Most of their kids don't appreciate the work it takes to make a smoothie, but the all buy straws and seek flavors their precious spawn will enjoy. They will do almost anything to get their kids to eat fresh fruit. One mom's son will not eat any fruits or vegetables ever, nor does he like meat. This mother is so sick of making buttered noodles it's not even funny. Of course, every other member of this group had the perfect answer to this problem. Whereas a feeding tube is out of the question, most moms were interested in learning how to sneak vegetables into their kids through their meals. One plan was to add mashed cauliflower into mashed potatoes. My mother would have never gone to this trouble. When I was growing up you ate what was put on your plate, end of discussion. Today the options, service and mother guilt seem endless. Mother's guilt, oi vey, that's a whole other show.

She buzz words

• Corn stalks
• Hay bales
• Scarecrows
• Apple Cider

Right now she could be

• Picking apples
• Bagging groceries
• Filling a prescriptions
• Choreographing a dance number for a high school production

She travel

Here are some tips to make air travel easier:

• Airline VIP lounges are not for members only.
• Some offer one-day passes. It could be nice to have access to the internet, snacks, and drinks in a cushy environment during an extended layover.
• Infant strollers and car seats should be taken straight to the gate. Airlines should take these items and store or pack them without a fee.
• Most airlines offer a large discount on day-of- business-class grades.
• The newest cheap fare site can be found here www.FareCompare.com.

She Holiday

Better Homes and Gardens' 100 Days of Holidays E-Letter is delivered daily with recipes, decorating, and gift ideas. It is available now thru Christmas. Sign up at www.BHG.com/100days.

She tip

Disposable juice boxes may be convenient, but after adding up the cost per year, she could save a lot of money by using a refillable container. A little more work, but worth it.

She can't get enough social networking sites

So here are more:

• www.Ming.com
• www.Change.org (connect to non-profits)
• www.Goodreads.com (for book lovers)
• www.Kaboodle.com (shopping)
• www.Sportsmates.com (sports fans)
• www.CafeMoms.com (moms and coffee)
• www.LivingSocial.com
• www.Dopplr.com (features international travel)
• www.DailyBooth.com (like Twitter but with pictures)

She travel

Now's the time many start to book "unaccompanied minor" flights for their kids for the holidays. Whether they are visiting a parent, another friend, or a relative, it's going to cost extra-almost as much as another round-trip ticket-to assure their safety while flying alone. Airlines don't allow kids under 5 to fly alone. For children older than that, most companies have their own different restrictions. Southwest offers kids 12 and over the options of flying as adults, or they can purchase a service that gives then an unaccompanied minor treatment. This status makes sure a flight attendant helps them with all their travel needs (although this doesn't necessarily provide a constant chaperone). Some parents prefer this security; who wants their kid wandering around LAX, looking for their connecting flight? Some flights won't allow a minor to fly their redeye flight or the last connecting flight of the day for safety reasons. Just checking a child in for their flight requires numerous forms and identification. Retrieving them from their flight is also time consuming, all again in the name of safety.

She questions

• How much primping is okay in public: lipstick, eye shadow, foundation?
• How green is her home; her workplace?
• If she is undercharged at a store or restaurant, does she tell the waiter or salesperson to correct the mistake?

Per Travel and Leisure magazine, here are five top cities for travel eats

Big name eatery:

• New York
• Chicago
• New Orleans
• Las Vegas
• Los Angeles

Cafes/coffee:

• New Orleans
• Seattle
• Portland, Oregon
• New York
• San Francisco

Ethnic foods:

• New York
• New Orleans
• Chicago
• San Francisco
• San Antonio

She fact

• Teens text an average of 1,742 messages a month.
• Does she have rules about texting?
• How many texts does she send a month?

Ways she can save

• She can slash her grocery bill by purchasing a filter for her faucet, instead of buying weekly cases of water bottles.
• Remember, in-season produce costs less than out-of-season.
• She can save on shoes with a trip to her local shoe repair; replacing soles on shoes can extend their life and eliminate the need for a new pair (unless they are fabulous and affordable).
• About 65 percent of all clothes that are dry cleaned could be washed at home.
• Shop the online "clearance" bins.
• If available, use a store's free in-house personal shopper and specifically ask for the deals.

She fact

For 2010, 9 out of the top-10 vehicles in the government's fuel economy rankings are hybrids.

• Get more She Prep at www.ShePrep.com