Summer is right around the corner -– time to ship the kids off! If you’re exploring summer camp options, keep these questions in mind to help you find the best one for your child.

Are they too young?
Shipping your kid off to overnight camp for a few weeks might sound like a great idea, but are they too young? Kids get homesick -– particularly those kids younger than 8 or 9. Therefore, you should consider a day camp at the YMCA for younger kids and only overnight sleep-a-way camp for the older ones.

Do you have the spare cash?
Overnight camp can cost thousands of dollars, depending on the type of camp and the duration. Some specialty camps are definitely worth every penny if your child is learning different skills or engaging in a number of activities. Consider day camp or just a one week session of overnight camp if you are low on funds.

What programs/activities is your child interested in?
Horseback riding camp sounds awesome – unless your kid is scared of horses. And tennis camp is a terrific idea, but only if your child is interested in picking up a racket. Talk to your child and find out what type of programs and activities they’d like. A traditional, general interest camp with some sports, water activities, hiking and other outdoor events is a safe bet.

Check out CampQuest to find recommendations for a specific summer camp. At no cost, they will send you a customized list of overnight camps and programs that meet your requirements. Then those camps will send you their videos, brochures and other information to review.

Image: Morgue File

Have fun in the sun this summer and still look good by following these simple summer beauty tips.

Lighten up on the makeup.
You don’t need to wear as much makeup in the summertime as you do in the cooler weather. Put aside your foundation and instead reach for a tinted moisturizer or bronzer instead. One of my favorite tinted moisturizers is from Laura Mercier. It’s lightweight and contains SPF 20 for sun and anti-aging protection.

Cool down your cosmetics.
Store your lipstick, eye pencils and even your body splash in the refrigerator in the summer. There’s nothing worse than trying to apply a melted lipstick. You can keep your lip color in tip-top shape by storing it in the refrigerator. Also, keep your eye pencils from smudging and help the color last longer by putting them in the fridge too.

Waterproof it!
Of course, everyone knows you should use waterproof mascara if you are heading to the beach or pool. But many other cosmetics come in waterproof or sweatproof formulas, including foundation, moisturizer, blush and more.

Prep your skin.
To help your makeup last longer in the summer heat and humidity, you need to prep your skin. Use a light, oil-free moisturize and allow it dry completely before adding any powder or foundation. Use an eye shadow primer, such as bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer from Bare Escentuals. It will extend the wear of your eyeshadow and help avoid creasing. Don’t use cream eye shadow or cheek color in the summer – creams fade much faster than powder formulas.

Look hot in metallics.
For a summer party, add a little glamour to your makeup by using pearlescent eye shadow in soft metallics. Don’t go for an overly glittery look, but do choose cosmetics with some extra shine to them. Gold and silver shadows look fantastic on glowing summer skin. Use gold shadow if you have a warm skintone with yellow undertones, or opt for silver if your skin has cool, pink based undertones.

Skin protection is essential.
I just want to stress the importance of wearing sunscreen in the summer. Skin cancer is a high price to pay just to look good. Don’t bake your body at the beach, pool or tanning salon. Always wear sunscreen and look for makeup products that contain SPF. If you want to get that summer glow without risking exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, apply a bronzing powder to the places the skin natural hits your face – forward, nose, cheeks and chin. Select a color that is just a shade or two darker than your skin for a more natural look.

Image: istockphoto

This delicious dish features glazed cod with a unique salad of charred red onions, California nectarines and radish.

Cod with Nectarine Salad

Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients:

Olive Oil / Chive Drizzle

• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 1 inch cube lemon flesh, skin and pith removed
• 1/2 cup snipped chives
• 1 shallot, minced

Fish Marinade

• 1 cup mirin
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 1/2 cups miso paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

Charred Onions

• 3 medium red onions
• Splash red wine vinegar
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Grilled Fish

• 4 (8-oz.) black cod fillets
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/2 cup peach preserves
• 1/4 cup water

Nectarine Salad

6 medium California nectarines, peeled and pitted and sliced
24 small round red radishes, quartered
1/2 cup Italian parsley leaves
1 cup baby arugula
Juice from 1 lemon
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Chopped chives (garnish)

Directions:

Whisk together olive oil/chive drizzle ingredients and set aside. To prepare fish marinade, cook mirin and wine in a small saucepan over medium heat until reduced by half; stir in miso paste and water with a wooden spoon until dissolved. Increase heat to high and add sugar. Cook, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved. Add chile powders and let cool completely. Place fish and marinade in a glass dish; cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Just before cooking fish, peel onions, leaving the base intact; cut each into 6 wedges. Lightly toss with vinegar and oil in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat and cook until nicely charred; place back in bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let stand for 10 minutes to soften; set aside. Remove fish from marinade and blot dry with paper towels. Coat with oil and cook on a well-cleaned and oiled grill over medium heat until well-marked and tender on one side. Transfer to a piece of heavy-duty foil placed over indirect heat. Cook for about 13 minutes.

While fish is cooking, stir together preserves and water and press through a fine-mesh sieve; brush mixture over fish and cook for 2 minutes more. Brush peach preserve mixture over nectarine slices and grill until well-marked and tender.

To serve, toss all salad ingredients together in a large bowl with grilled onions and nectarines. Place equal amounts onto 4 serving plates and top with fish. Drizzle with olive oil/chive mixture and sprinkle with chives.

Recipe developed by Chef Adam Perry Lang, Daisy May’s BBQ in New York City for the California Tree Fruit Agreement.

Photo: © Courtesy of the California Fruit Agreement

Everyone can look great, no matter their body type, by choosing the right clothes. Jeans are a wardrobe essential and can be worn just about anywhere. When shopping for jeans, keep in mind your body type in order to hide minor figure flaws and accentuate the positive. Follow these to tips to learn how to choose the best jeans for your body type.

Plus-Size
Don’t hide in baggy jeans. Contrary to what you might think, oversized clothes won’t disguise your weight. In fact, they’ll make you look heavier. Instead of baggy jeans, select relaxed fit, which give you the extra room you need without being too loose. Avoid jeans with small pockets; they’ll make your butt look bigger. Dark wash or black jeans are a great choice and will make you look thinner.

Tall and thin
If you are tall and lean, select skinny jeans because they give some extra attention to hips and thighs. This will give the illusion of a more curvy figure. Choose jeans with rear pockets that are low to make your butt look higher and rounder. Lighter wash jeans also will make you look a little heavier.

Short-waisted
If you are short-waisted or apple shaped (carrying your weight near your waistline), avoid high-waisted pants at all cost. Instead, select low-rise jeans to help elongate the look of your torso. Bootcut or flared jeans will also look good because they draw the attention away from your waist.

Petite
Katie Holmes made cuffed boyfriend jeans popular in the last year, but these aren’t for short women. If you are under 5’4, these jeans will make you look even shorter. Instead choose a pair of bootcut jeans, which will give you a longer, leaner look.

Pear shapes
If you carry your weight in your hips and thighs and have smaller upper body, then you should wear dark wash jeans. Look for pants that draw attention downward and away from problem areas — flared jeans and cuff jeans are great examples.  Partner your jeans with a unique top with an interesting neckline to help balance out your figure. Avoid halter necklines, however, because they will accentuate your small shoulders.

Everyone
The 5-pocket classic or bootcut jeans look good on almost anyone. Look for jeans with a small percentage of spandex for a little stretch. When trying on jeans, make sure to look in the mirror from all angles, including the rear. Bend, twist, sit, squat and do everything you might do in your jeans to make sure they fit properly. Remember, you shouldn’t have to lay down to get your jeans on and your thong shouldn’t show when you sit down.

Capri jeans and trouser jeans are popular this year, as are colored denim jeans. We love the look of the MICHAEL Michael Kors Color Skinny Jeans, $80 at Nordstrom. They come in fabulous shades like hot pink, tile blue and the iris purple pictured here.

Though definitely a cliché, it’s true that being a mom is a full-time job (with overtime). Add multiple kids and/or a career outside the home to the equation, and you have the recipe for an extremely wiped out mommy. Here’s a list of 10 ways to help tired moms survive the day.

Remember to Eat
“Skipping meals literally starves the body – it’s like running the car on empty,” explained Marlene Merritt, founder of the Merritt Wellness Center to CNN.com.

Drink Up
A wide variety of liquids can have you on your toes again in no time – from Monster Energy Drinks to 5-hour Energy to your favorite coffee at Starbucks.

Breathe Deeply
Real Simple teaches us that stress leads to a failure to breathe deeply, and a failure to breathe deeply leads to fatigue. So fill those lungs.

Take a Cold Shower
Put down the kiddos for a second and hop in the shower. Keep the water cold and feel the energy rush.

Power Nap
Studies have shown that even a nap as short as 30 minutes can have a profound effect with regard to staying energetic and mentally sharp.

Move It
Whether it’s a brisk walk around your house or a quick yoga session, getting the blood flowing will provide an instant energy rush.

Break It Up
“If you take short breaks throughout the day, you will have more overall accomplishments,” says Jon Gordon, an energy consultant, to WebMD.

Meditate
Learn how to meditate and you’ll learn how to remain calm and focused during stressful times.

More Massages, Please
If you can’t coax your partner to give you a massage, spring for a professional. You can even have a masseuse come to your office to relieve midday stress, tired muscles, aches, and pains.

Sleep On It
Prevention is the best medicine. Remove distractions to maximize the sleep you get at night. If that includes your spouse, we give you permission to ignore him or her.

Image: istockphoto