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

The Bump offers tips for surviving teething, including teether recommendations and a tracking chart. One Chic Mama shares her interview on tips to keep busy moms fashionable. Moms’ Buzz invites readers to have their questions about the peanut butter recall alert addressed. And you could win a $150 Bare Necessities shopping spree from MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Fashion; Feeding & Nursing; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be
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Here’s a play date that will appeal to kids and grown ups alike. Tomorrow, Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art will host a special family event, Windows Inside/Out. From 10am – 4pm, families are invited to enjoy Ugo Rondinone’s rainbow colored mirrored window installation (think visual color and shape sorting for the kids), a window craft project, and a light, color, and movement show (12 & 2 pm). Museum admission is free for two adults per family when accompanying a child 12 and under (children admitted free).

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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A couple of weeks ago Laurel and I attended a super fun cooking class at the Museum of Science and I have been meaning to post about the divine clementine clafoutis that was served. If you’re similarly overrun with peak season clementines, consider trying this fabulous, simple recipe. I plan on making it this weekend for brunch dessert.

Clementines from Spain Clafoutis
Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

Today, Jules reviews The Spoiled Mama, a collection of deliciously composed (and named!) organic body products for the whole family. Read on for Jules’ review of The Spoiled Mama's pregnancy and postpartum products, as well as to learn how to win a gift box from The Spoiled Mama:

“If the products weren’t so great, I might simply buy them for the lovely gift box they come in. I’m referring to The Spoiled Mama’s pregnancy and postpartum products, which are utterly charming, practical, delicious, and - best of all - organic (and vegan too). It’s hard not to love a company whose product treats you like royalty, and who is committed to the environment via recycled and recyclable packaging material, all natural ingredients, and wind-powered servers.

The Spoiled Mama offers a range of products for the whole family, and for anyone who has a penchant for rubs, lotions, oils, teas, baths, and other beautifying products, the product line is sure to please. With classic oils and butters for feet and round bellies (and their stretch marks), the line has lots of creative options to choose from for women with anxiety, aching feet, stretch marks, and scary skin. Also, for many pregnant women, strong smells are a danger zone, but these products are subtle and safe for mama and baby.

In addition to products focusing on belly love, I absolutely love the charming names of each product; for example Fix that Sucker Nipstick and the Breast Little Gift Box Ever for nursing moms, and Sitzing Pretty soak for moms very newly postpartum. This collection obviously was created by a woman (a registered nurse, in fact) and made for women.

One of the unique traits of this collection is that it includes items for baby and for daddy, too. From Sweet Cheeks Finishing Creme for baby to Unnecessary Roughness lotion for dad, the line brings consistent whimsy and care to all members of your growing family.

Finally, I love that there are plenty of lovely and affordable gift options in their Under $20 line. The Best of Bump Box I received was only two nights away from being gifted to my pregnant best friend. But once I opened the creams and oils, it was clear that I would be keeping this goodness all to myself. And as for my friend, I know she’ll love the box I’m sending her just as much as I love mine!”

Now, want to win a gift box from The Spoiled Mama*? Here’s how:

Today, Evadne shares her family's love for the Stella & Sam sibling book series:

“I spend a lot of time reading with my children (ages 4 and almost 2 years) and so have a special appreciation for books that are well written and beautifully illustrated. One of our favorite series follows the adventures of a fiery little redhead named Stella, and her more cerebral younger brother, Sam.

Together, Stella and Sam explore the wonders in the world that surround them - the forest, the sea, the sky, the snow. In each story, carefree Stella exuberantly leads the charge while Sam cautiously hangs back to contemplate and question. When Sam experiences his first snowfall in Stella, Queen of the Snow, for example, he asks, "Can you eat a snowflake?" As the older and wiser sibling, Stella naturally knows all and confidently answers, "Polar bears do - they eat snowflakes for breakfast." Their exchanges make perfect sense to the young and make for delightful reading for the young at heart.

I also love that Stella's responses to Sam always serve to reassure and encourage him to join her in the experience - and, in the end, he always does. Illustrated in stunning watercolors by Canadian-born author Marie-Louise Gay, these books truly celebrate the innocence of childhood and sweetness of sibling relationship.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Family Issues; For Babies & Kids
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Today, Suz offers tips for getting started with sign language:

“Learning to sign with your baby can be a fun and empowering experience for the whole family. Signing provides a way to bond while offering precious insight into your baby's wants and needs before they can verbalize, which for us has resulted in fewer tantrums and guessing games as to what our child needs. Here are some tips we have learned from various professionals, and tools we have used. Signing works wonderfully for both differently-abled and typical children.

1. Look for classes. Start by calling your local YMCA, community hospital, or early intervention center. Many of these places offer great "baby and mommy" signing classes, materials (videos, books, tips), etc. that can get you off to a good start.

2. Find learning material. Libraries also have great resources, including children's books that include sign language. Evan and I also have learned a lot of signs form the Baby Signing Time series. And ASLPro.com also offers a great video dictionary that shows you how to do a particular sign if you are stuck or are looking for seasonal words, such as "easter bunny" or "snow."

3. Start slow. Focus on 1 to 2 signs at a time, and start with common activities or items. Good starters include words such as “eat,” “more,” “drink,” “diaper,” and “dog.”

4. Be consistent. Model the sign and the spoken word together (i.e., say "more" while showing the sign for "more") as consistently as you can. This will help build your baby's language comprehension, and encourage him or her to use the spoken word rather than the sign when they are able.

5. Make signing fun. Encourage siblings, cousins, friends, and caregivers to learn a few signs too. Evan loves when others can sign with him, and I can tell he feels empowered by the interaction.

6. Be patient. It can take some time before your baby may initiate a sign on his or her own, but be patient and it will come (plus, baby no doubt is having fun watching you!) Evan was 10-months-old before he initiated his first sign, and it was worth the wait!

7. Remember that it’s just like verbal learning. Similar to how a child’s first words aren’t perfectly articulated, don't be surprised if your child's sign is not exactly the same as the official sign. It is a great start and will often mold into the more commonly used sign with practice.

We started signing with our son Evan when he was 4-months-old, and now at 2.5 years, he has over 105 signs and can sign sentences such as, "I have to go potty, please," or "I need a drink." He is a very happy, confident and expressive boy, and I give a lot of credit to the signing. And as his mama, it feels wonderful knowing exactly what he needs.”

Image credit: Free Stained Glass Patterns

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Development & Behavior
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Let’s face it. Adorably chic baby goods are easy to find in abundance, but – as I’ve found when shopping for my 4-year-old – stylish offerings tend to be less reliably available for the pre-school to pre-tween set. And that’s why I dig Eleven shoes. Designed specifically for 3-8 year-olds, this collection translates a sporty, chic aesthetic while totally delivering in the comfort department. I especially love the vintage inspired Josef trainers. These cool big kid kicks feature flexible construction, a deliciously comfy, cushioned insole, sturdy rubber soles for great traction, and convenient Velcro closures for easy and independent usage. Your little one no doubt will want to walk, skip, and run many miles in these beautifully constructed shoes.

Want to win a pair of Eleven shoes*? Here’s how:

This post is a bit oddly juxtaposed to the previous, but I'm late on a friend's request to share my go-to chocolate pudding recipe and decided to do so here for all to enjoy. The recipe is from Lori Longbotham’s lovely Luscious Chocolate Desserts. Below is my revised recipe that includes a couple of minor time-saving shortcuts (to the already super easy recipe) + ingredient modifications. The latter are based on personal preference, but they do – via reduced milk fat and added fruit – make this dessert somewhat less bad for you while still being divine. Enjoy!

My Favorite Chocolate Pudding

Original recipe from Luscious Chocolate Desserts (Serves 4)

Ingredients

Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice reviews Tufts University nutritionist/psychiatrist Susan Roberts’ The Instinct Diet, a resource for learning how to identify your food instincts, establish good eating habits, and manage weight loss healthily. Read of for Sara’s review, as well as to learn how to win a copy of this book.

“Most authors of books about weight loss start out by saying, ‘I am not a diet doctor’. So by way of introducing myself, let me say I am a diet doctor, and I’ve been studying the science of nutrition and weight loss for more than 20 years.”

This is a confidence inspiring statement if ever I read one! And throughout The Instinct Diet this confidence and authenticity never wavers from page to page: Dr. Susan Roberts has written an incredibly well researched, scientifically based, yet down to earth and insightful book about how to establish good eating habits and lose – and keep off – weight healthily.

I first came across Dr. Roberts a few years back when I read Feeding Your Child for Lifelong Health (a book that quickly became my bible!). In it, Roberts explains the science of nutrition and how it affects children’s bodies (and how they are different from adult bodies in terms of nutritional needs) and also - and crucially - the psychology and behaviors around eating, which helps explain problems such as finicky eating and fussiness in young children. As a professor of nutrition and psychiatry, Roberts is uniquely positioned to tell us not only what children should be eating, but also how and why they eat like they do. With The Instinct Diet Roberts turns her attention to adults.

Roberts’ main point about weight loss (and where other diet books fail us) is that weight needs to come off and stay off. So many other fad diets help people lose a lot of weight early on, but the weight eventually returns since the diet plans are short-term in outlook. Her longer-term approach is geared towards achieving healthy and permanent weight loss.

Roberts first conveys the importance of understanding what makes us eat (and therefore overeat), by helping readers identify which of 5 food instincts they most give in to: Hunger (the need to feel full), Availability (eating food simply because it is there), Calorie Density (our love for fattening food), Familiarity (the comfort of comfort food), and Variety (our attraction to variety and the tendency to eat more when presented with more choices). She then offers strategies to help manage instincts (even such simple things as tapping your forehead or brushing your teeth!), and concrete tips for changing up daily routines to reduce cravings. The second half of the book is dedicated to menu plans and recipes that reflect Roberts’ extensive research into nutritional science: meal plans that are designed to suppress hunger and comprise a variety of foods to help manage food instincts. She addresses the reality that most people don’t shop healthily and few cook at all from scratch, and strives to make the process easier for readers via recipes and a “Savvy Shopper Supermarket Directory” (a map of how most supermarkets are laid out) with product recommendations.

For me, the beauty of this book is that it is honest, realistic, and nutritious too. Following The Instinct Diet means changing eating habits that have been developed over many years, and Roberts takes on this daunting task head on with strategies that are both scientific and practical. And armed with this knowledge we can, hopefully, have the power to change.

Now, want to win a copy of The Instinct Diet?

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

Visit MomFinds to enter to win a Perfect Spa bath set from Chloe & Jane. Moms’ Buzz is calling all moms of daughters entering puberty to participate in a poll. And The Bump addresses basic questions and concerns about trying to conceive.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Tweens & Teens
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If the performing arts have eluded you since becoming a parent, consider this lead: the American Repertory Theatre hosts a program called Breakfast at the A.R.T., a reduced rate show well suited for those who find it challenging to get out of the house for evening shows. Next Thursday (Jan. 29) the Breakfast at the A.R.T. show will be Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. Tickets include a breakfast reception at 9:30am (with yummy treats provided by Nashoba Brook Bakery), followed by the 10am show.

Want to win a pair of tickets to the Jan. 29 Breakfast at the A.R.T. show? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Seagull” in the subject by midnight Monday, January 26.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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It’s been a crazy, crazy week, but apparently there’s always time to surf. Here’s what caught my eye around the web this week, in my 2nd edition of Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

For parents who don’t have the time to cook and puree baby food from scratch, organic jarred food is a blessing. And our next installment of Giveaway Goodness is well suited to the need to offer baby a varied palette. Now through the end of March, Earth’s Best is hosting a Celebrate the Firsts receipt redemption program where parents can send in receipts and receive coupons and goodies in exchange (as well as automatic entry to win products from Earth’s Best and Fisher-Price). And to celebrate baby’s first foods with you, we're giving away a First Foods Gift Pack loaded with 4 jars each of 8 varieties of Earth’s Best baby food + other goodies! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway (by Jan. 25) to enter to win.

Rules:

My husband recently returned from 10 days in Mexico, and while I realize that many families are split up for far longer stretches, this was a big deal for us. Prior to Jon’s departure, I prepped myself by revisiting and gleaning ideas from the coping with separation collective editorial that I posted last spring. And below are additional tips that proved useful for making it through the separation:

Does your child have a tendency to look at life through somewhat darkened lenses? Today, Tracy offers a review of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, a book for parents of kids who tend towards negative thinking. Read on for Tracy’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of this book!

“When I was offered the opportunity to review Tamar E. Chansky’s Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking, I couldn’t pass it up. My oldest child definitely tends toward negative thinking, and this can have him – and sometimes the rest of us – feeling pretty down. I was out of ideas, and hoped that this book would inspire some new coping strategies.

My first reaction to this book, however, was one of increased worry. The book begins by describing why negative thinking is something to target in young children. But the reality is that while negative thinking is a risk factor for depression, it is only one of many. Once I remembered this fact, and reminded myself that my child has many more protective factors against depression, I read on to learn more. And I’m glad I kept reading because the message is inherently positive.

The most reassuring message from this book is that children who tend to think negatively don’t actually want to feel bad about things. It’s as if their default is set differently, and helping them work past that first stop is the key to freeing them. Chansky offers many tips, strategies, scripts, and activities for a variety of ages in an easy to understand format, even if they’re not always easy to implement. Personally, the most difficult part of working with my child is finding the right combination of talking, timing, and trying things out.

For example, at my son’s age (7), most emotions are felt rather intensely, and a negative one is no exception. It doesn’t work for our family to target the thinking in the moment; he often needs quite a bit of time to calm down to the point that any message will get through. Subsequently, one of my biggest growth experiences as a parent has been to learn that I don’t have to feel responsible for preventing him from viewing a situation negatively, but that I can be his best ally in working past that initial reaction. For the most part, this mindset is helping both of us, but it is hard work. It’s tiring, and it’s painful to see your child feel bad about things. I am happy to report, however, that by using some of the strategies in Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking we are seeing a change and now have a common language to use that can help.

My only con about the book is the organization of the first few chapters. I wish that the book hadn’t been set up to initially make me more worried about an already stressful situation. While I know that childhood depression is on the rise, all the stats and figures freaked me out (and I’m a psychologist!). However, Chansky’s opening chapters certainly helped me identify the particular “negative style” my child has, and I think from there, the cognitive and emotional consequence of thinking negatively could help flesh out the picture for the average parent. Reading about how to identify if your child has depression could end the introduction section, because I do think it’s important information.

Overall, I think this book is a useful addition to a parenting library if you’ve got a child who has difficulty seeing past their difficulties. You just might be able to lighten their lenses from gray to rose-colored with a little bit of perseverance.”

Now, want to be 1 of 2 winners to receive a copy of Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking*? Here’s how:

Pursuant to my previous post on local inauguration celebrations, here are some ideas for celebrating history at home with your family, excerpted from the energetic and ever informative Andrea Astrachan of Stop & Shop. These ideas would do well implemented not just today but through the remainder of the week or month. I know I could use the history refresher (last bullet point):

From Andrea:

Barack talk clearly abounds in our house; yesterday at a restaurant, Laurel saw Obama’s image flash across a TV screen and said, “Mommy, it’s Barack Obama! He’s going to be our new president!” And there’s no shortage of places to celebrate in solidarity today. Some of the spots where you can view and celebrate the inauguration include Harvard Square (10am – 2pm), Boston’s Old State House (10am – 12pm), the JFK library and museum (9am - 5pm), and the Boston Children’s Museum (11am – 2pm).

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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The more immersed I become in the blogosphere, the more impressed I am by the volume of useful and entertaining content out there. I’ve been meaning to start a personal link roundup for some time, so here it is, the first edition of Love These Links!, where I’ll share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that have caught my eye, and that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

If you haven’t yet had a chance to introduce your kids to the Museum of Fine Arts, consider doing so during this Monday's holiday (January 19). Admission to the MFA will be free in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in addition to the regular exhibits, the MLK Jr. Day Open House will include music, short films, a poetry slam, and family art activities.

Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston; Tel: 617-267-9300

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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I used to have a love-hate relationship with laundry, but these days it’s all love thanks to Soapnuts (which I first learned about via Daily Grommet). Harvested from fruit trees in India, Indonesia, and Nepal, these natural little nuggets contain the cleaning substance saponin. Simply drop a few soapnuts in the washbag, add essential or fragrance oil (optional), and toss in the laundry. These nuts not only get the job done, but also last several loads, are biodegradable, and are packaged minimally, making them a truly awesome eco-find. And did I mention how fabulous it is to no longer heft giant laundry detergent jugs around?

Want to be 1 of 2 winners to receive a Soapnuts starter kit*? Here’s how:

I’ve recently had my mind on ice skating (in fact, just this morning I posted at Pop Discourse about the lack of buzz over the impending national figure skating championships), and similarly, Laurel has been asking to hit the ice. Fortunately, my talented friend Melissa Massello (founder of the excellent budget lifestyle resource Shoestring Magazine) stepped right up with advice on local, affordable rink time. Thanks, Melissa!

“Growing up in the Boston area, and through my undergrad years at UNH, I was a competitive singles and synchronized figure skater, so whenever New Year's resolutions to get back in shape inevitably roll around, I always head to the rink (my preferred physical torture of choice).

As an adult, however, I'm hesitant to spend the ridiculous prime time ice fees that I spent (or, racked up for my poor mom) in my youth, which can range anywhere from $12 to $30 per 45 minutes of "freestyle" time, which allows for a limited number of people on the ice - usually less than 20 - compared to public skating, where they'll allow up to 100 people on the ice at a time.

Luckily, after college I began volunteering as a coach for group skating lessons at the chain of Massachusetts ice skating rinks owned by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation, so when I need a freestyle or fitness fix, I know exactly where to find the bargains while avoiding the crowds. In addition to rinks all across Massachusetts, there are many spanning the city and immediate suburbs that offer weekday open ice or public skating for an hour, and the rinks offering time between 9 to 5 - while most people are at work - are great for serious skaters or moms with young kids who might cringe at big crowds. My favorite rink of all is the Steriti Rink on Commercial Street in the North End.

Monday through Friday until March, they offer open ice time from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., never with more than a dozen people. It costs $3 per person for the hour (when they remember to collect money, that is), the ice is in great shape, and the Steriti rink has the most beautiful views of the Charlestown and Zakim bridges, the Navy Yard and its slew of sailboats, and Boston Harbor. Plus, the Steriti Rink also has indoor bocce ball courts, so you can see all the smiling old men from the neighborhood playing bocce (or petanque, for the French) each time you circle that end of the rink. For a low-cost date night with the hubby, you can also join the crowds on Friday nights from 6:30 to 7:30 for the same price, then hit up one of the North End's famous pizza joints, like Pizzeria Regina or Nebo, both of which are only three blocks away, or head to the Frog Pond on Boston Common, also owned by the DCR, if you're willing to brace for the weather.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Local; Sports & Fitness
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I’m always looking for ways to improve our green living practices, and was pleased to see Bon Appétit’s February 2009 feature on 50 easy ways to eat green. Among the tips related to shopping, cooking, and consuming, I particularly enjoyed – and have put into practice - the practical yet ridiculously easy ones, such as #2 (boil once, cook twice), #7 (don’t open that door), #11 (become a human food processor), and #40 (stop whistling). And of course, how can you go wrong with tip #1 (eat more chocolate)?

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Solutions
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Only good things can come from getting kids kitchen savvy, and this Saturday, Jan. 17 (10:30am – noon) former Food Network host Ceci Carmichael will teach a free cooking class at Boston’s Museum of Science. Focusing on kid-friendly, easy dishes incorporating fresh, seasonal produce, the Clementine-infused menu will include fruit skewers, chicken tortillas with salsa and sour cream, and clafoutis. The event is open to the public but RSVPs (by Jan. 15) are required; click here for details and to RSVP. Added bonus: attendees will receive free admission to the museum following the class.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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It’s amazing how quickly kids go from having chubby, inexperienced baby paws to incredibly nimble little fingers. And if you’ve got an avid builder in the house, check out K’NEX. Designed for builders 7 and up, the amusement park construction sets (I especially like the Ferris Wheel; shown) conjure visions of summertime fun while allowing kids to hone their spatial orientation prowess. Jon also was impressed that – unlike the less polished erector sets of his childhood - the K'NEX rods and connectors snap together perfectly and are completely forgiving when you need to take them apart. These sets even include little motors, so your child can set the structure in motion once complete.

Want to be 1 of 3 winners to receive a K’NEX construction set*? Here’s how:

Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares a way to conjure visions of Mexico this winter:

“It’s always a sudden shock to return home from vacation and be thrust back into the throes of laundry, grocery shopping, meal preparation, shuttling children, scooping pet poop, and paying bills. It's enough to make me turn around and drive right back to the airport. But I’m taking comfort in the serene memories of our recent visit to Club Med, Ixtapa; a trip replete with lavish meal buffets filled with fresh produce and seafood, tropical drinks, and family fun. The fresh corn tortillas and guacamole are especially missed; here’s a recipe for making them at home with your kids.

Home Made Corn Tortillas
Makes 16

The Boston area’s many indoor learning and activity spaces are a boon during these winter months, and for families north of the city, this coming Saturday (Jan. 17) kids can meet Max of Max and Ruby at the Children’s Museum of NH in Dover. The event is part of the Books Alive! children’s literacy program, and amidst Max and Ruby story times, families can meet Max between 10am – 3pm, take part in bunny-inspired creative activities, and explore the rest of the museum’s offerings.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to the Max the Bunny event*? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com with “Max” in the subject by noon Wednesday, January 14.

Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington Street, Dover, NH; Tel: 603-742-2002

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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And now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

One Chic Mama provides tips for shopping your own closet to create budget-friendly wardrobe updates. The Bump’s fitness expert Tracey Mallett offers a workout plan to help ease some of the aches and pains of pregnancy. And you could win a SmartShopper electronic grocery list organizer at MomFinds.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Gadgets; Home; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Solutions
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I love the celebration and energy associated with the turning of a year, and tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 10) you and your family can learn how a different culture rings it in via the Japanese New Year festival at the Peabody Essex Museum. The program starts at 11:30am and includes live performances, crafts, and storytelling. Access to the celebration is included with museum admission; kids 16 and under are admitted free.

Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St, Salem; Tel: 978-745-9500

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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I love how resourceful moms are. This tip comes courtesy of my girlfriend Heidi:

“So everyone (or many of us) get gnarly feet in the winter months, and I am always in search of the miracle product that will soften my feet. I recently cleaned out my “mother drawer” and began using my Lansinoh lanolin breast cream on my feet, and voila - cracked heels and rough toes be gone! Four days of use and it’s like having a new pair of feet! A fun way to repurpose if you’re not planning on breastfeeding for a while.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (20) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health; Feeding & Nursing
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In all my years studying human perception it was all about the eyes and ears, with touch coming in a distant third. And now there’s a children’s book that captures these and another important sense – smell – through the nose of a real life rescue dog. Told simply and illustrated in elegant brush strokes, Mo Smells Red follows the color smelling nose of Mo as he experiences different objects in the world. And via cut out pages that reveal press-able objects (each with a nontoxic scent-dispensing packet underneath), little ones can join Mo in smelling strawberries, roses, and other red delights. Clearly, the sense of smell is powerful; it’s not uncommon to find Laurel with her nose - literally - in this book.

Want to be 1 of 3 winners to receive Mo goodies*? Here’s how:

Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today’s interview with Jules Pieri, mother of three and founder of Daily Grommet, a website dedicated to telling the true stories behind fresh finds. Then nominate yourself or a friend!

Jules Pieri, Founder, Daily Grommet

Christine: Welcome, Jules! I’ve had the pleasure of meeting you in person and look forward to learning more about you and sharing your story with our readers via this e-interview. You founded a website called Daily Grommet, which we’ll get to in a minute, but can you first share a bit about your background? What path were you on prior to Daily Grommet?

Jules: I started life as a happy little industrial designer. Eventually, dealing with the “suits” convinced me I could do even more for the cause of good design if I knew more about business. Now I’m told I was the first designer to get a Harvard MBA! After that I had lots of great gigs working on consumer products and brands, like Keds and Playskool. I even worked in France and Ireland. Just prior to Daily Grommet I was the President of Ziggs.com, a social network for professionals.

Christine: At Daily Grommet your mission is to tell the story behind cool products. What inspired you to launch Daily Grommet and why are you so committed to telling the story behind various finds?

Jules: It still shocks me that products show up on store shelves totally naked and unarmed. Meaning that their stories don’t get told. People love to know the inspiration behind a product, or why a customer loves a product. The folks who create great products are real heroes to me and I want to shout it from the rooftops. The proliferation of social media and video finally make it possible to tell those stories powerfully and efficiently. When you give people a good story, and they can see the passion behind a product, they gladly share it.

Christine: What would you say is the most unusual product that’s crossed your doorstep? What’s your favorite little known find to date?

Jules: I guess the most unusual is Laundry Tree’s Soapnuts. They are these homely little brown nuts that grow in India, Indonesia, and Nepal, get dried, and actually clean your laundry when you deploy three or four of them in a little linen bag. Eco-friendly, cost-effective, and hypoallergenic. What a winning combination. However, Christine, asking me my favorite Grommet is like asking me to choose among my children. But I do admit to a particular soft spot for anything truly inventive. And craft.

Christine: Your site is so pretty and streamlined (i.e., devoid of glaring ads), and you don’t get paid to feature products. So without giving away your secrets, how does this business work? Or is Daily Grommet a passion project (in the sense of not being revenue-driven)?

Jules: Thanks for the compliment! You are right, we don’t get paid to feature a product…that would corrupt us immediately. But we do, when practical, commit to buying inventory and actually selling our Grommets. So in that way we have a really classic e-commerce model. It’s unusual, though, in that we only sell a given Grommet for 24 hours and then after that we pass our customers straight on to the supplier. But we do try to make it really quick and reliable to buy directly from us. And fun too…we like to ship a surprise or two along with our Grommets.

Christine: I’ve had the pleasure of meeting several members of your team and truly have been amazed by how passionate and friendly everyone is. Did you handpick your staff from prior personal or professional connections? In creating a business from scratch, how have you managed to achieve such a great interpersonal office dynamic?

Jules: Wow! This question absolutely tickles me. I have been thinking about it for two straight days. I did indeed know three of our team members before, from school or work. But the rest of the team (we have nine) came our way more recently. As for creating an appealing office culture, I think you do begin, and end, with the people you bring in the door. In our case, I guess my co-founders and I share the belief that being “nice” or “friendly” is totally compatible with being effective, passionate, and high achieving. Why not? Only Hollywood believes you have to be a bitch to get things done.

Christine: Your team collectively has 21 children. What strengths and weaknesses come from being a business run by a group of busy (possibly sleep deprived) parents?

Jules: Well I bet any of your readers could answer this one. My partner Deb always says, “If you want something done well, ask a busy person.” My experience is that parents who juggle paid work, and children, figure out how to be amazingly efficient. I love that. As for weaknesses, I guess there can be a bit of a “spotty zone” in our office in the late afternoon when one or many of us is fulfilling family obligations. But we make up for it by cranking hard in the earlier parts of the day, and we can be very productive together in our jammies, working from our homes in the evening.

Christine: So many moms wrestle with the work on and off ramping situation. Tell us more about your kids and how their arrival intersected with your career. Where were you at professionally when they arrived? Did you take time off? How did parenthood change the way you functioned professionally?

Jules: Without wanting to sound like a battle-weary, battle axe, Christine, I really have tried it all when it comes to work-family balance. Full-time, part-time, and no-time work. I had my first child at age 29, three years post MBA. I now have three teenage sons. I worked part-time until the birth of number three. I had demanding executive jobs and I felt lucky to have them, but also pretty darned stretched. When you work part-time you are hammered at home and hammered at work, never giving either situation enough. But that was the right solution for me for many, many years. After my third child arrived I cried “Uncle” for two years and did only volunteer work. Then I ramped back into part-time before finally getting back into full-time when my oldest was 16. I’ve been full-time for four years now. Now that I am in such a demanding professional situation, I am very grateful for those years when I invested so much time in my children. It’s like a bank account I draw on now that I need it.

The only thing I know for sure is that no solution works permanently, and that every one of them feels a little bad. And a little good. Getting used to that tension took me many, many years. It is so easy to assume that the woman down the street has it all figured out. I am quite sure no one does.

The other way this shaped me is that I am open minded about work arrangements and very determined to make Grommet a success so that I can tell a story about how unconventional career paths can be very effective.

Christine: What has been the most challenging thing about being an independent mamapreneur, juggling the high demands of a new business with family life? Do you have any nuggets of wisdom for aspiring mamapreneurs?

Jules: I have to admit that waiting until my sons were teenagers makes this venture a heck of a lot easier than if I had done it earlier. So my real admiration is reserved for mothers of younger children. Now that is hard—to found a company and raise small children. I guess the biggest piece of advice I have is to take your business seriously. Get household help, as much as you can afford. Rent office space as soon as it makes sense. If you want to do something big, plan for it, assume it, get funding. If you are in a phase where small makes sense, just bide your time until big makes sense and don’t feel an ounce of guilt over it.

Christine: We’ve talked all business up to now. Tell us about the favorite things you do to unwind or any hidden/unusual talents you may have.

Jules: My favorite therapy is baking—pies, cookies, cakes. And I love any kind of mindless handcraft activity that yields a beautiful result. You can see that in the Daily Grommet business cards, which require hand assembly. This labor-intensive design is really an indulgence of my own quirk in that area. I also love to hike and be outdoors. I started to learn to rock climb this year, until my partner-in-crime moved to Singapore. I am looking for a climbing partner to go to the Boston Rock Gym with me on Tuesdays. I hope you can help me find one with this interview.

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

Jules: I grew up in Detroit. I love the Motor City people. No attitude, whatsoever. And they really can dance! But you can’t beat Boston for access to just about anything. For instance, we are going to the ICA this afternoon, there is a fab Argentinean restaurant in the next town, and we could be at the ocean in 25 minutes today, if we wanted to.

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

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Boston Mamas Rock!; Gifts & Paper; Home; Local
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Today, Sharon offers inspiration and local recommendations for DIY crafting:

“I have always loathed the holidays for their sheer commercialism, and this year I spent a lot of time reflecting on giving, and how to infuse meaning into the gifts for the little ones in my life. Through the journey, I discovered a new side of myself and some really excellent local craft stores.

In the past I’ve found myself adept at paper crafts, but haven’t experimented with fabric or yarn. But for some reason, I was inspired to make dollies (with no set pattern; click thumbnail above to enlarge image) and scarves and headed out to two local Arlington craft supply stores (Fabric Corner and Play Time) for the doll supplies, and Wild and Woolly in Lexington for the yarn.

These forays truly were like walking into another world. An appropriate food analogy would be walking into a farm stand or fish purveyor rather than going to a restaurant. Having to pick each color and textile was like picking up a piece of fruit, smelling fish for freshness, or testing the quality of olive oil to make sure that it was exactly right for what I was cooking. It was amazing and overwhelming, yet made me think of each gift recipient even more mindfully. And at each of these places, I was impressed by the warmth and general good natured-ness of employees and owners alike.

At Fabric Corner, I was totally overwhelmed when I walked in but immediately was put at ease by the owner, who definitely could tell I was a newbie and told me to take my time and not worry about asking questions. He also engaged me in a conversation about each of the fabrics I had chosen and why he picked them. Impressive. At Play Time, it was heartening to see older women and tweens working side by side, sorting and stacking and helping busy shoppers. And Wild and Woolly was amazing because I got this sense that fads can come and go but there was something stable and necessary and alluring about working with yarn. It was inspiring to hear shoppers talking about the sweaters they had knit (and were wearing).

As I said, I moved forward without patterns and that creative freedom was great in the sense that I didn't have to worry about whether I was following steps correctly. And as I finished crafting each scarf and doll, I felt more creative and moved by the idea that a part of me was captured by each uneven stitch or knit.

I have to admit that amidst what typically is a very toy-centric holiday, as the kids opened their presents on Christmas Day, I grew a little nervous that my handmade presents would not be well received. But they were; scarves were draped immediately and the dollies either were named right away and/or cuddled into the crook of an arm for the rest of the day. This for me was the beginning of a new way to love during the holidays and through the year. I can't wait to decide on my next project.”

Today, Kate offers inspiration for the creation and nurturing of traditions; here, with a favorite family cookie recipe:

"With the 2008 holidays now behind us, I am reflecting on one moment in the past few weeks that was especially special for me: baking holiday cookies for my father with the help and company of my toddler daughter.

My father's family came to the United States from Germany in the 19th-century and brought with them a recipe for cookies called Butter Gebachans. Made from a base of butter and ground almonds and lots and lots of flour, the cookies are less sweet and more spicy - cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are all included in generous portions - than the average American holiday cookie. They have a nice flavor and texture, though, and have a solid consistency that allows them to stand up to delicate cookie cutters. A wash of egg yolk and milk at the very end gives them a lovely golden color, and they always make the house smell nice while baking.

The specific details are unimportant; the point is that my father loves these cookies. Loves them like childhood. Loves them the way we love anything that reminds us of home and comfort and parents many years gone. I first started making the cookies for him when I was an early teenager, and I have continued to do so each year, sometimes with more and less grace. They're effortful to make and roll and cut and bake, and I've been guilty over the years of complaining about it - complaining about the work and the mess and the fact that it felt like an unwanted obligation.

This year, however, I decided to approach it differently, and to embrace the project as a way both to show and honor my love for my father - in a year in which we had decided to forgo purchased gifts all together - and to bring my daughter into the mix as a fun way to pass the tradition along. Doing so made for a much more satisfying experience, and also taught me a little something about making the holidays what you want them to be without shutting out the wishes of others. Best wishes to everyone for a great 2009, and for the creation and nurturing of traditions both old and new."

Butter Gebachans*

My general style philosophy is to dress simply and accessorize fabulously, with cool chunky or layered necklaces being one of my favorite go-to accent pieces. And if you’re looking for unique jewelry that will complete your outfit and likely make for a conversation piece, check out eNVe Designs. Crafted by Boston area mom Ngan Vuong (strangely enough, another fellow psychology Ph.D. turned artist), eNVe’s pieces either translate classic elegance (via pearls and silver) or funky and modern (via mixed metals and stones). An extra bonus is that her signature necklaces are designed to be worn in multiple ways (photo examples are shown on the site), allowing you to get great mileage out of each piece.

Want to win a gorgeous eNVe Designs necklace? Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Jan. 8 to enter to win!

Rules:

If you’re looking to purge baby and toddler items post-holiday, consider getting it done this week to help with Room to Grow’s large-scale donation drive to support local families in need. Through Saturday, January 10th, you can drop off new and nearly new baby and toddler items (click here for donation specifications) at Room to Grow (Boston), Isis Maternity (Brookline, Arlington, Needham, Boston), Petit Bateau (Boston), and Rugged Bear (Sudbury, Wellesley, Chestnut Hill).

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Jan 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Local; Outreach
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To be perfectly honest, I’m struggling a bit to get back into the swing of things after two weeks of weird schedules, too many cookies, and holiday chaos (despite my best attempts to keep the holidays stress-free). Inspired by some year in review type posts by some of my blog peeps (thanks Musings of a Housewife and Motherhood Uncensored!), on this day back to business I was inspired to peruse the Boston Mamas archives and look back on 2008 and forward to 2009. I am grateful to all of you for tuning in and wish you a Happy New Year!

In addition to being extremely proud of the varied and rich content that my contributing writers and I have assembled on this blog, here are some of my favorite site developments and posts (in loose chronological order):