Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Molly Deschenes, mother of almost two, craft blogger, and think tank/grant writing expert. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Molly Deschenes, craft blogger & think tank/grant writing expert

Christine: Welcome, Molly! You were nominated for this feature given your devotion to mamahood and crafting, but I understand that you also have an interesting professional history so why don’t we start at the beginning? You used to work in foreign policy; what did you do for work and where did your travels take you?

Molly: Before I moved back to the Boston area to start a family, I worked primarily for public policy research institutes ("think tanks") and focused on foreign policy issues. I was an International Relations and Spanish major at Tufts University. My first "real" job out of college, after a stint teaching English as a foreign language in Spain, was at a think tank in Washington DC called the American Enterprise Institute. That job brought me to most of the European Union capitals, the Balkans (including some time in Kosovo just after the war), as well as the Middle East. I worked as a staff assistant and was organizing conferences and fact-finding missions in those places of the world.

Next, I took a job with an organization called Freedom House and was based in Budapest, Hungary. I managed a grant program that funded think tanks throughout Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). I traveled throughout CEE promoting the grant program and meeting with scholars who were working to help their countries as they dealt with the many social and political issues that come with making a transition from a communist country to a democracy. The most memorable experience from that job was being able to travel to Serbia to meet with grantees just after Slobodan Milo¹eviæ fell from power. My most recent position abroad was as an Executive Director at the Aspen Insitute Berlin. I worked on programming, did some research, and wrote grant proposal to help fund my project. When the NATO summit was in Prague, we were invited by then President Vaclav Havel to organize a parallel conference for luminaries such as Madeleine Albright, who spent many years championing the cause of NATO expansion, but who were no longer working in an official capacity and would not be able to participate in the official summit. It was thrilling to work with foreign policy officials who operated at such a high level.

Christine: You eventually decided to settle in the Boston area and change fields; what do you do for work now?

Molly: I currently work for a small liberal arts college in the Boston area as a Corporate and Foundations Development Officer. The long and short of it is that I write grant proposals to raise funding to support the college. In most of my previous jobs, I had written several successful grant proposals. When I moved to Boston, I decided to focus on that aspect of my employment experience while looking for a job. I am the product of a strong liberal arts education and believe in the power of a liberal arts approach, so it is nice to work for a cause in which I believe.

Christine: You’re also the mom of a toddler son and are expecting #2 this year - congratulations! Where were you were at professionally when you became a mom? How did you handle maternity leave and return to work? Was your work environment supportive of your role as a new mom?

Molly: Thanks Christine. We are very excited to become a family of four. When I became a mom almost two years ago, I was in my current position. I took a three-month maternity leave and then returned to work again full time. Typical work weeks in higher education are 35 hours, so it is nice not to have the pressure of a 40 plus hour-a-week job. Also, my commute is only fifteen minutes and my husband works even closer to home, so we are able to pick up our kiddo from daycare and zip back to the house in no time. The transition back to work was both easy and difficult. The easy part was that, once I was in the office, I often found myself thinking, "Wow. This is a lot easier than being at home!" The hard part, of course, was sending my baby off to be cared for by another woman. For me, this blow was softened because our son's daycare provider was recommended to us by a friend and he is now in a wonderful environment. Also, he is in daycare Monday-Thursday and my husband is home with him for most of the day on Fridays. My employer was supportive of my new role as a mother and my direct supervisor, in particular, was fantastic as I made the transition back to work.

Christine: I know your son is young, but given your travel experience, how do you feel about traveling with your kids and giving them access to international experiences? Do you have your sights set on a first international adventure?

Molly: We have taken our son all over New England as well as a few long weekends in New York city, but we haven't gone international with him yet. However, when the time is right, my husband and I would love to take our children on many trips abroad. There is no better way to understand cultures that are foreign to us than to spend time in other countries. My top choice would be to take a trip to Granada, Spain where I lived just after I graduated from Tufts. It is a magical city and I would be sure to rent a flat in the old neighborhood that looks out on the famous Moorish palace, the Alhambra. Next on the list would be a small island in Croatia called Hvar. Finally, since I haven't been there myself, I would love to travel with my family to any of the countries in Asia.

Christine: Let’s move on to your blog, apple cyder, which you started in January 2008. What inspired the blog’s name? And have you found the blog to be an effective platform for keeping in touch with loved ones? Do you have any other expectations of it - fame, fortune, or otherwise?

Molly: My husband's grandparents used to run a cyder mill in our mutual hometown and my husband worked at the mill when he was young. Now he presses cyder on a much smaller scale for family and friends in our back yard. It's just a hobby now, but it’s an important part of our family history. Incidentally, my grandfather's family used to own a milk company called Herlihy's Milk, but the blog name apple cyder is much cuter than "milk."

I originally started the blog because I was feeling badly about bombarding my family and friends with a million photos of my kid using a format like Shutterfly or Snapfish. I decided that it would be better to post just one or two of the best recent photos and, since I enjoy writing, add a little commentary. Then I incorporated a little show-and-tell of my sewing and craft projects and all of the sudden people outside of my original circle of friends starting reading. The first comment I received from an outsider really surprised me. I thought, "Why on earth would anyone besides my family and friends be interested in this?" I actually don't find the blog to be a super effective platform for staying in touch. I say this because I have many friends who don't use it as a back and forth. Rather, they read it and feel like they don't need to contact me because they already know what I have been up to! Having said that, there are some folks who do say hello and react to blog posts, so it does work both ways.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

As far as expectations go, I really don't aspire to be the next Heather Bailey. Crafting is fun for me. If I had to do it, I think I would enjoy it a lot less. I've had inquiries about whether I have plans to open an online shop. It’s an interesting idea, but I am a fairly slow crafter and tend to make things a little complicated for myself. It's in my nature. If I tried to sell my creations, I'd have to charge a great deal per item to make it worthwhile. For now, I will stick to torturing my family and friends with handmade gifts! Though I must say, it would be nice to have the hobby that I love become a part of my professional life. A pipe dream would be to open a drop-in crafting studio/lounge like Spark Craft Studios in Porter Square, but that is not something I am pursuing.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: Your nominator writes, “Molly posts lovely photos of her gorgeous craft projects, and writes tutorials for the craft-challenged folks like me out there. Reading her blog is always refreshing and inspiring.” What serves as the inspiration for your craft projects? Gift needs? Specific fabrics? Random inspiration? Do you have any formal sewing training?

Molly: Most of my creativity springs from the desire to give the perfect gift. I am not sure how often my efforts are met with success, but I love trying. I am also inspired by other craft bloggers as well as my everyday surroundings and experiences. Fabric is another huge source of inspiration. Sometimes I see a certain fabric and know that it will make a beautiful quilt, bag, set of cloth napkins, what have you. Then, I think of a person who I think would appreciate it. Necessity is another important source of inspiration. The night before we went on a recent beach vacation I realized that I couldn't find my son's belt and that our beach bag was in rough shape. I sewed up an over-sized beach bag and two new belts before I went to bed that evening. I think I learned a bit about sewing in a home economics class in high school, but my true mentor is my mother. She is a lifelong sewer and still uses the same machine she had as a teenager. Two of my sisters have also taken on the craft. The best is when we are able to get together on a project, though with my sisters living in Utah and Hawaii, that doesn't happen much these days.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: As a designer and avid crafter myself, it truly was a pleasure to troll through your blog to look at your projects; do you have a particular favorite? What is your favorite type of project, and what is an unexplored craft medium you’d love to experiment with?

Molly: Thanks! One of my favorite projects is a set of personalized fabric napkin rings with matching napkins that I made for my mom. I like this gift because she chose the fabric, it fits in with the decor of her dining set perfectly and I know it will get lots of use.

In general, my favorite type of project is quilting. I love choosing fabric combinations and creating something with a particular person in mind. Another favorite project is one that is not on the blog yet. I am making a quilt for my son for his second birthday. I am making it by hand using a method called English paper piecing and will be sewing countless one-inch hexagons together. The plan is to create a modern take on the traditional hexagon quilt. This project is time consuming, but I love that I can carry all of the supplies in my purse and work on it whenever I find myself with a spare fifteen minutes. I can also work on it in the evening in the living room and have a conversation with my husband. I can't do that when I am using my sewing machine, so it is a very nice change of pace. I adored the big girl quilt that you made for your daughter, by the way.

Christine: Where are your favorite places to get supplies, fabrics, etc.? And do you have any favorite craft references for folks who might want to take up crafting but need a little guidance?

Molly: This is a difficult question because there are so many places to shop, especially when you factor in the online community. Hands down, my favorite local bricks and mortar shop is Franklin Mill Store in Franklin, MA. They have a great selection of both quilter's cotton and home decor weight fabrics plus all the notions you could ever want. Their home decor fabric remnant table is incredible and they also have a great children's toy section. The sisters that run the store have excellent taste and are very saavy buyers. Quilt Home and Sew, Mama, Sew! are two online shops that I really like. And for Japanese prints, I like to shop online at Fabric Tales. I could go on and on about great places to buy fabric, but I will stop at that.

If I had to choose just one craft blog to use as a reference, I think it would be Amy Karol's blog called Angry Chicken. She has been blogging for a while so there is a lot of great content in her archives and she is full of excellent ideas. Sew Mama Sew's blog is another go-to spot. As a rule, whenever I am trying to figure out how to do something I have never tried before, I always include the word "blog" in my web search because I find that the crafty blogging community abounds with excellent online tutorials that you can try -- at no cost.

[Click image to go directly to craft post]

Christine: I love to sew but I find that it can be challenging to do so around my very curious daughter, who essentially wants to take over my sewing machine to make tiny handbags for all of her dolls. Where do you fit in your craft time, and do you have dedicated space for it?

Molly: I am a nighttime crafter. Nothing much gets created until my son has gone to bed. If I have a deadline, I will work on projects during the day on weekends, but I prefer that my craft time not interfere with the time I spend with my family. I do not have a dedicated space. I pull my supplies out of a closet and work at the dining room table. If I am following on-line tutorial to complete a project, I set up shop next to the computer and work in our office/playroom. I am really not chomping at the bit to have a dedicated space because I like to be able to talk to husband while I work. While it would be nice to be able to leave a project-in-progress out on a table, rather than have to pack it away before it is finished, I think I would feel isolated in a room that was dedicated to crafting. Besides, I wouldn't be able to bore my husband as frequently as I normally do, asking him what he thinks of my silly creations!

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Molly: My favorite thing about being a Boston mama really has nothing to do with the city of Boston at all. It is great to be close to my family after having spent a good deal of my professional life abroad. It is such a blessing to have all of the grandparents, plus a bunch of aunts and uncles, so present and active in our family life. The support they give us is indispensable. Family aside, I love Boston for its fantastic location. We are a 25-minute drive outside of the city, can zip to the beaches of Cape Cod in the summer, and have easy access to the ski mountains in New Hampshire and Vermont during the winter months.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Boston Mamas Rock!; Home; Local
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Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips on managing breastfeeding when returning to work:

“For a new mom, returning to work can be stressful, and the thought of continuing breastfeeding can seem like an overwhelming task. But with advanced planning and the support of your family and workplace, it’s possible to combine breastfeeding and working, and it will benefit all parties in several ways.

Breastfeeding Benefits:

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for the first year of a child’s life. The longer babies are breastfed, the greater the health benefits for both mom and baby. Breastfeeding also subsequently is good for the employer since it tends to reduce parent absence due to baby illness. The AAP notes that breastfeeding reduces the occurrence of the following illnesses in babies: ear infections, diarrhea, infections, pneumonia, SIDS, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and meningitis.

Here are some basics on breastmilk expression and bottle feeding in anticipation of returning to work (see also my articles on breastfeeding basics, breastmilk pump option articles 1 and 2, and BPA and baby bottles):

Pumping & Storing:

There is no need to start pumping or giving bottles during your baby’s first three weeks. Milk expression can occur sometime during the third week so that you can begin giving the baby a bottle by week four. To express milk effectively, it is extremely important to have a good quality breast pump. Breast pumps can be rented through the hospital or purchased at a retail store. It is not always necessary to use a hospital grade breast pump. An electric pump that allows you to collect milk from both breasts simultaneously is a great choice. Many of these pumps come in discreet carry bags with collection bottles and ice packs for easy transport.
Begin by pumping your breasts twice per day, once in the early morning and once in the early afternoon, about 30 minutes after you breastfeed your baby. It is normal to get very little milk when you first start pumping. What you are doing by pumping is building a little bit of milk storage, getting used to pumping, and increasing your milk supply. It is important to pump at the same time each day and be consistent in your pumping schedule, since you are programming your body to make a little more milk. Even if you pump and no milk comes out you are sending signals to your body to make more milk. An increase in milk production will be noticed in 3 – 5 days on average.

Immediately after pumping or expressing, breastmilk can sit out or be stored at room temperature for about 4-6 hours. When refrigerating freshly expressed breastmilk, it is safe to store for an average of 6 days. If you plan on freezing your breastmilk, note that the guidelines on storing the milk in the freezer vary depending on the type of freezer you have and the temperature. On average, frozen breastmilk can be stored for 3-4 months in a self-contained refrigerator freezer unit. Deep frozen milk (at 0 degrees F or -19C) can last for 6-12 months. Be sure NOT to store breastmilk in the freezer door compartments because the temperature is too variable. Finally, when ready to use frozen breastmilk, if you have thawed your breastmilk at room temperature or under running water, use the stored breastmilk within 4 hours, whereas if you are thawing breastmilk in the refrigerator, use the stored breastmilk within 24 hours. It’s also important to note that you should NEVER refreeze thawed breastmilk. Whatever isn’t used within the above time parameters must be discarded. (Temperature and storage method information was derived from Medela.)

Planning Your Return to Work:

To avoid feeling overwhelmed when returning to work, find ways to ease in slowly. For example, start your job midweek so you will only be away from your baby for two or three days instead of five, or begin working half instead of full days to help ease the transition.

When you are away from your baby, the general rule is that you should pump your breasts once for each missed feeding. Typically, this works out to three 15-minute pumping sessions for a 9-hour workday. If you cannot pump enough at work, then you may need to pump right after you breastfeed your baby in the morning (before you leave for work), and to work in a similar routine at the end of the work day once you reconnect with your baby. Also, to help maintain an adequate milk supply, it is recommended to exclusively breastfeed your baby on the weekends and when you are home with the baby, especially during the night, given that nighttime breastfeeding boosts milk supply.

Breastfeeding while working outside of the home is a rewarding endeavor with many benefits for both mom and baby. However, if these benefits come at a cost, such as a mother who is physically or emotionally drained, then it may be time to revise the game plan a bit. Talking to other breastfeeding moms, consulting with a lactation specialist, staying open minded, and remembering that every instance that you have breastfed your baby to date has been beneficial can help alleviate some of the stress you may feel as a new mom back to work. Being patient, flexible, and giving yourself time to adjust will ultimately make both mom and baby happy.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Mama in the Workplace
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Today, Jules shares a recipe to get your salmon mojo running:

“Salmon is my favorite food (see another recipe here), and because it’s a sturdy fish, it really can stand up to both bold and subtle flavors. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids (which are good for the cardiovascular system), this recipe is simple in flavors but packs a punch with its fresh herb mojo and accompanying radicchio salad.

Salmon with Herb Mojo & Radicchio Salad

Salmon with Herb Mojo:

[Click photo thumbnail to enlarge image]

This weekend’s deluge made two things clear: the childhood joy of puddle stomping is timeless, and your kid can stay out and stomp a whole lot longer with the right gear. And for the ultimate in cuteness and quality, check out Hatley’s sweet array of coordinated kid’s raincoats and rain boots. This raingear effectively shields little ones from the elements, while incorporating super comfy details, such as cushy padded boot insoles and a cozy terry cotton lining in the coat. You may be ready to come inside well before your kid, but you’ll be glad to have the cabin fever burnt off in the puddles instead of in your living room.

Want to win a Hatley raincoat + boot set*? Here’s how:

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Coochicoos features the ultra chic Swedese tree coat rack. One Chic Mama highlights the scrapbooking partnership between Hostess with the Mostess and How Fast They Grow. Car & Caboodle offers a mom-centered review on the popular Toyota Sienna and Honda Odyssey minivans. And you could win a pair of Robeez at MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Gifts & Paper; Home; Travel
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The forecast is putting a wrench in this weekend's outdoor events, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday, when Boston GreenFest 2008 will condense it’s original three-day festival into a Sunday jam packed with green goodness. This free event at City Hall Plaza will showcase eco-tech innovations, information on how to incorporate green practices into daily life, and music, dancing, food, and activities for kids.

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Fun Outdoors; Local
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If your house is anything like ours, you log a lot of hours reading books to your kid. And come tomorrow through Sunday (9/26 – 9/28), talented storytellers and musicians will tell the tales for you at the 24th Annual Three Apples Storytelling Festival in historic Bedford. The festival includes free and ticketed events geared toward all ages and will run rain or shine; see location details at the Three Apples site.

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Today, Kristin recommends craniosacral therapy for kiddie constipation relief:

“If you told me 20 years ago - in my riot girl days of bartending, dancing for two companies, traveling through Europe, etc., etc. that one of the main conversations in my life would be about poop, I would have laughed hysterically in your face. And now, here I am, deeply entrenched in poop (or lack thereof) talk.

When my second kid, Jacoby, was born, he seemed to be sporting a bit of a San Tropez tan. In other words, jaundice. Luckily, unlike my first child Robert, he did not need the endless amounts of light therapy that helped Robert heal faster. What he did need was a never-ending supply of breast milk. And with all this nursing came diaper after diaper of poop. It was non-stop for about two weeks. I think we plowed through a case of 96 diapers in about a week. And the color...well, it was kind of nuclear green. I would change him and BLAM, in the middle of it all, Jake would be flexing and grunting away as I rushed to get another diaper under his tush to catch it. Then one day, it all came to a screeching halt. No more cute grunting, no more changing diaper after diaper, and no more sharing with my husband the lurid details. After about a week I came to realize, our son was constipated.

Constipated! What to do? I have heard some scary stories from parents about the lengths they have gone to help relieve their child, but personally, "manual extraction" was just not going to happen. So, we tried everything else. We started with the usual prune juice. That worked for a few days but then, nothing. From there we switched to apple juice, with the same results. Then massage, olive oil, mineral oil, you name it. The doctor believed that his system was just immature and that in time, especially when he started solids, things would get moving, so to speak. But my baby was suffering with serious gas and cramping. So I turned to more drastic measures: suppositories and medication in a bottle once a night.

Now here's the thing with suppositories. Not only are they a drag to "install," but your baby can get used to them. We only turned to them if there was no action after 4 days or so. Then there was the laxative prescribed by our doctor. We were to give him one small dose in a bottle of breast milk or formula prior to bedtime, which also worked for a short period of time before Jacoby developed immunity to that as well. Basically, we were stuck between a rock and a hard place. More drugs? Move on to testing? Now what? After careful consideration, my husband and I decided to take this matter to an organic place. Holistic care.

Enter miracle worker Barbara May, a truly gifted massage and craniosacral therapist at Partners in Healing in Arlington. I explained what was going on with our son and she immediately recommended a craniosacral adjustment for him. I knew what this type of bodywork entailed because I had received numerous adjustments when I was a dancer. In layman's terms, during craniosacral you lie on a table in a very relaxed environment; the room is usually dimly lit and quiet. The therapist places his or her hands in a variety of spots on your body and very gently "moves things around." It's just light touch and does not hurt AT ALL. When you are finished, you feel great. That's it. (For the non-layman’s version, read the full description here.) Anyhow, after discussing the situation with Barbara, I made an appointment for Jake, hoping this was the answer.

We arrived at her office on Mass. Ave. in Arlington, where Barbara had her table dressed in fresh sheets and the lights were dimmed. It was very quiet. She took a few minutes to just observe Jake and allow him to get used to the idea that this stranger was going to be handling him for the next 30 minutes or so. She is a very soft-spoken woman, so he warmed up to her right away. Barbara informed me that there was no need for me to undress him, so I kept him in his snugly pajamas. I laid him on his back and Barbara got to work. She placed one hand primarily under his tush while the other hand remained on the lower abdomen and pelvic area. At first, Jake was a little hesitant and let out a whine here and there. So I made him a bottle and was able to feed him throughout the session. This seemed to calm him down. At one point I thought he was going to fall asleep as she cupped his head in her hands. Then, as Barbara moved her hands back to Jake's stomach, he quickly opened his eyes, and turned bright red. Pushing and grunting with all his might, he made the biggest BM of his life. Then he smiled and relaxed. I changed his diaper, then Barbara continued on for about 40 minutes and Jake pooped again! I couldn't believe it; twice in a matter of 50 minutes. Before I knew it, the session was over, and it only cost me $50! Barbara said he might need one more session but that it was highly unlikely. And she was right.

Since our visit two months ago, Jake has been going every day, ever since. In the first few days following the session he actually went a lot (about 3 times a day), catching up I suppose. It is a huge relief to have him back on track and comfortable and I am a firm believer in this practice; it truly did work for us.

If you visit Barbara, tell her Kristin sent you for the poop reliever special. She'll know who I am!”

Barbara May at Partners in Healing, 1025 Mass. Ave., Arlington; Tel: 781-641-3911

Image credit: Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy Association of North America

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Diapers & Potty; Eco Living; Local
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I’m the type of person who, for special events, is willing to let my feet bleed for the perfect (looking) pair of shoes, but on a daily basis, the reality is that I need stylish comfort, whether I’m hoofing it to meetings or running errands or hitting the playground with Laurel. And happily, the comfort shoe industry is stepping it up to meet the needs of style and comfort conscious women.

Clarks is well known as a comfort brand and they’re hard at work on merging comfort with more trendy styling. I had the opportunity to check out some shoes from their fall lookbook, and will report on two favorite picks, both fitting the requirements of cute and comfortable.

Suitable for work or to dress up jeans, I think the Indigo by Clarks Amaze shoe (shown above) is a great fall pick. This pretty Mary Jane pump is ladylike in silhouette but gets a dose of saucy treatment via croc print contrasting. Functionally, it’s an impressively comfortable pump, thanks to the cushioned footbed and the 2-inch heels that are wide enough to provide good support. Amazingly, there was no break in period whatsoever. Another plus is that the shoes are styled to look as if they have metal closures, but actually fasten via Velcro, which makes these shoes about as easy to get in and out of as your kid’s shoes. The Amaze is available at Piperlime (love them for free shipping!) in maple leather and black leather, and at the Indigo site also in black suede and café bordo suede.

My second pick – the Privo by Clarks Hammock – is great for on the go mom comfort. These slip ons are sporty in look due to the shape and decorative perforations and stitching, and they’re lightweight, flexible, and are constructed using a shock-absorbing textured insole for extra comfort. These shoes are nice to help your casual look appear, well, less casual (definitely opt for these shoes over your grubby sneakers!). The Hammock is available at Piperlime in black and pewter, and at the Privo by Clarks site also in dark brown and navy.

In general I think Clarks is making great strides in the fashion meets function arena. I’d love to see them continue to evolve to move beyond their traditionally sporty/conservative styling to incorporate brighter colors, prints, and fun baubles and embellishments, while retaining their ultra comfortable infrastructure.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be
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I’ll admit that I’ve long been a circus skeptic, given my spectacle-free growing up and my assumptions about animal treatment. But what with Laurel’s desire to see animals and acrobats, and with the Ringling Bros. soon to roll into town, I decided to revisit the circus idea. The images of said animals and acrobats are indeed reminiscent of the posters from my childhood, but I was, in contrast, really happy to read up on Ringling’s animal care practices and their commitment to preservation (which includes the establishment of a $5 million center for elephant conservation). Ringling will show in Manchester, NH and Portland, ME Oct. 2-5 and in Boston Oct. 8-13, the latter series of which will offer Laurel and me the chance to form some childhood memories in tandem.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Boston show*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Ringling” in the subject by midnight Tuesday, Sept. 30.

*The winner will receive a set of 4 tickets to their choice of any of the Boston dates/times: Wednesday Oct. 8 (7pm), Thursday Oct. 9 (7pm), Friday Oct. 10 (7pm), Saturday Oct. 11 (11am, 3pm, 7pm), Sunday Oct. 12 (11am, 3pm, 7pm), and Monday Oct. 13 (12pm, 4pm).

**And for those who wish to buy tickets now, visit the Ringling Bros. website, type in your zip code, select your show date, and enter the coupon code MCC for a 20% discount on the Boston shows listed above!

UPDATE 10/05/08: We have another discount code to share: for the Monday, October 13th Columbus Day Boston shows, save $10 per ticket. Use the coupon code MOM when ordering your tickets at the Ringling Bros. website.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they're entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents, authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Marjorie Druker, mother of one and chef/co-owner of the New England Soup Factory. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!

Marjorie Druker, Chef & Co-Owner, New England Soup Factory

Christine: Tell us a bit about your background Marjorie. You’re a chef and co-founded the New England Soup Factory with your husband Paul in 1995. What was the path that led you to your current profession?

Marjorie: I have been cooking professionally since I was 17 years old. I started out working in Newton’s first gourmet shop named Nibbles in 1981 and instantly fell in love with the idea of Gourmet To Go. Over the years I worked at many of these types of stores that specialized in prepared foods. I had the opportunity to work for many interesting concepts that emphasized ethnic cooking, rotisserie chicken, homemade pasta making, whole foods, and lots of catering. I also attended Johnson and Wales Culinary School, which gave me the foundation and the tools to pursue a life in the food service industry. It’s not just a career for me but a way of life.

Christine: At NESF you’re committed to creating healthy comfort food. Have you found it challenging to work around the fatty creams and high sodium content prevalent in many traditional soups? What are some of your best fat/salt cooking workarounds?

Marjorie: I am committed to serving food that is of the highest quality and flavor. Incorporating whole grains, legumes, dried beans, and lots of fresh vegetables is my everyday approach. You will find cream in some of our soups but they are all stock based soups and cream is the last ingredient we add and it’s just a touch to create a great smooth feel. Salt is an essential ingredients in bringing out flavor and balance in a way that brightens the soup.

Christine: Tell us some of your favorite soups for fall.

Marjorie: Fall is the best time of year for wonderful ingredients like mushrooms, sweet potatoes, squashes, and pumpkins. During the fall you will find wild mushroom barley and butternut, apple, and sage. One of our most popular flavors is sweet potato chicken barley. It’s my daughter Emily’s favorite soup because it’s like pumped up chicken soup with bits of barley and sweet and creamy sweet potatoes.

Christine: You work alongside your husband; what are the best and most challenging parts of that arrangement?

Marjorie: My husband Paul is my closest friend and confidante. We have worked side by side since the day we met. Our professors in college used to call us peanut butter and jelly because we were stuck to each other. When I was at home for Emily’s first few years I would miss him terribly while he was at work. The food service profession demands many hours and we did not get to spend as much time together as we liked. I love working with him but sometimes we talk about the business too much and we need to shut it off once in a while.

Christine: My understanding is that your daughter was very young when you and your husband founded NESF. What were your best strategies for getting your business off the ground with a toddler in tow?

Marjorie: Emily had just turned three when we opened New England Soup Factory. When I look back on what I did to get opened and started I can’t believe that I did it. First, I found a day care situation that made me feel completely comfortable. I wanted Emily to have a warm, loving, and safe place to come to everyday. I found that in a place called Gan Yeladim, which translates into “garden of children” in Hebrew. That was the most important thing for me and I was blessed that this school was everything and more than I wished for. I did not have enough money to pay for day care so we took our tax refund check from the government and invested it into day care so that I could get out of the house and back to work. It was a tremendous comfort for me in knowing that my child would be well cared for. I did not take a paycheck for the first two years and instead used what I would have made and paid for day care. It never bothered me because it was not about the money; it was about following my passion for food and starting my own business.

Christine: Your cookbook, New England Soup Factory Cookbook just came out last year, but I’m curious - are there plans for a follow up? Would you ever consider writing a cookbook about a different food genre other than soup?

Marjorie: Writing the New England Soup Factory Cookbook was one of the most rich and rewarding experiences I have ever had. It became more than just a cookbook filled with recipes. It’s a story about my life in food and the people that shared it with me over the years. For the reader that has never met me before, they will feel as though they know me after reading the book. It was pure joy for me and I hope to write another book with even more recipes of New England Soup Factory favorites that were not included in the first book.

Christine: You have two locations, in Brookline and Newton. Are you mulling further expansion, in Massachusetts, or beyond?

Marjorie: We have been so fortunate to have locations in neighborhoods where the community is so in tune to what we do. They are the best people to feed because they love to try new and inventive things. They are progressive and have wonderful palates. We also have a franchise in Salem, Massachusetts that has been operating for close to three years. We make all of their soup as well as ours. We also sell soup to Dine Boston in Boston’s Logan Airport in Terminal E. We are always looking at ways to grow our business but we want to make sure that we make sound decisions that are in the best interests of our customers and the business.

Christine: I’m always curious about chefs and what they do for cooking around home. Who preps dinner? Does your daughter enjoy cooking?

Marjorie: I am the chef de cuisine in our house. I love cooking and when I cook at home my kitchen is my place to be. I have a great herb garden that provides me with a wide array of fresh herbs. My pantry is stocked with ingredients that allow me to be creative and playful with my family’s meals. Ingredients just thrill me! Emily does not really enjoy cooking but she sure enjoys eating it! She knows her food and she knows good food from bad but she does not enjoy cooking in the kitchen with me. It totally bores her and she is always quick to tell me that she never wants to be a chef. That’s OK because I just want her to find a profession that drives her and makes her happy and complete. I love the fact that I love what I do and I wish the same for Emily.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. When you’re not testing recipes and running your business, tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind.

Marjorie: Summertime is the only time of year when we have some time off. When we do, we pack up a huge gourmet picnic and go fishing for the day. We take a boat out into the waters of Scituate and enjoy the warmth of the sun and the relaxation it provides. It’s the one quiet space where we can be alone in peace and just have time to ourselves. When we catch fish we bring it home to cook with our fresh herbs and our neighbor David’s heirloom tomatoes and we make something delicious and fruitful.

Christine: And finally, what’s your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?

Marjorie: The best thing about being a Boston mama is that you can enjoy the pleasures of raising a family and enjoying a fulfilling career at the same time. I am most grateful that Emily has been raised in a community that has taught her to understand and appreciate all people from all walks of life. She has an open mind and an open heart that will be guide her as she finds her own path in life.

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Boston Mamas Rock!; Food & Drink; For Grownups; Local
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Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice provides inspiration for homemade tomato sauce:

“Back in January I wrote about how it’s not that much more time consuming to make your child’s favorite recipes from scratch rather than buying them in a packet. And it’s much healthier too. And while it’s not exactly quicker to make tomato sauce than to open a jar of the stuff, you can make a large amount and freeze it in batches, then simply pop the sauce out of its container under hot water and defrost either in a ceramic bowl in the microwave, or heat it up in a saucepan and add the cooked pasta directly to the sauce.

Some kids love tomatoes raw, but others find them too acidic. In the below tomato sauce recipe, the acidity of the tomato is countered by the addition of carrot and basil. This can make all the difference to your child’s tomato experience. And while it’s true that when you cook tomatoes you lose some of their vitamin C, you gain in much greater amounts an antioxidant called lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red color. Antioxidants protect the body from cell and tissue damage, and lycopene is specifically known for decreasing the risk of heart disease.

Homemade Tomato Sauce

I always recommend checking the farmers' markets for seasonal produce; buy local and you will taste the difference! Make a big batch and freeze the sauce in 4 oz containers.

Ingredients:

I’m a huge fan of all things independent, and especially love discovering indie bakeries. And yesterday, while visiting the Franklin Park Zoo – on what ended up being daddy giraffe Beau’s birthday – Laurel and I were thrilled to sample the generosity of West Roxbury’s Sugar Bakery, which donated 1500 cupcakes (seriously!) for the party. Moist, delicious, and piled high and beautifully with fabulous buttercream, these confections offered a sweet finish to a lovely morning of animal education and appreciation.

Sugar Bakery, 1884 Centre St., West Roxbury; Tel: 617-327-8427

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local
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Today, Heather reviews the hybrid diapering system gDiapers. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to win a gDiapers Starter Kit!

“I’m all about convenience, which at times is in direct conflict with my efforts to raise an eco-friendly family. I confess to using disposable diapers on my triplets, and this decision was based solely on convenience. At 19 months we go through about 21 diapers a day (about 7,665 diapers a year) and I continue to struggle with our contribution to the nation’s landfills.

I recently learned about and tried gDiapers, an earth friendly alternative to cloth and disposable diapers. This hybrid diapering system is part cloth and part disposable, flushable, or compostable. The little g pants are the outer washable, cotton cover that comes in a variety of fabulous colors. The Velcro fastens in the back to make it more difficult for tiny hands to undo the diapers. A washable, breathable, waterproof, nylon liner snaps in, and a disposable, plastic-free, chlorine-free, wood pulp insert does the rest.

As for the flushable diaper inserts, to flush, compost, or toss is a personal choice, all of which work with this diapering system. Personally, tossing is our preferred option; it’s easy and convenient. The inserts are plastic-free and will break down, unlike plastic-rich disposable diapers, which will sit in landfills for up to 500 years.

As for the other options, flushing is an excellent method in that it puts poop where it belongs, cuts down on the smelly diaper pail factor, and, once the contents of the flushable arrive at the wastewater treatment plant, valuable nutrients can be recovered and turned into bio-solids, which are then used for fertilizer. Flushing is a process though, and requires some work (see the video instructions available on the gDiapers website); plus, we have low flow tanks, so our toilets don’t easily support this method of disposing. Finally, composting wet inserts (not BM ones) offers beneficial nutrients for garden soil and the refills break down in 50-150 days.

On testing, I found that it was best to have a system in place and recommend having a few diapers put together in advance for those messy situations and moments where speed is essential. Changing wet diapers was easy; simply replace the insert and go. And if you have any questions, the gDiapers website and customer service line (yes, I did call them) are superb!

Bottom line (no pun intended): I found gDiapers easier to use than cloth diapers but a bit more work than disposables. We were thrilled that they passed our ‘leak test’ and the little g pants are so cute that you can let your little one run around in just the diaper! The initial investment and inserts are a bit more expensive than disposable diapers but the cost is justifiable against the eco-friendliness of the system.

If you’re looking for a diapering solution that’s convenient and eco-friendly, I recommend trying gDipaers. They offer a starter kit, which comes with two pairs of little g pants, 10 flushable diaper refills, and a Handy User's Guide (H.U.G.) to help you with the finer points of gDiapering.”

Now, want to win a gDiapers Starter Kit?

And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Clever Parents shares 10 tips to help you clean without “dirtying” the air. And you could win: a Rosetti bag over at One Chic Mama, a $125 shopping spree from PictureMyPurse.com at MomFinds, and 101 Dalmations DVDs at Classy Mommy.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 Sep 2008 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Fashion; For Babies & Kids; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be;