I’ve palpably felt the heat of fireworks in the blogosphere lately, no doubt due at least in part to reactions to a certain family reality show, the tension that can come from stratifying moms via accolades, general mommy war matters, and this whole business with the Federal Trade Commission and mom blogs. Here are some links that caught my eye around the web this week per 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!

Today, Jules shares a great recipe for weekend grilling:

“For me, there's nothing better than a hearty salad for dinner, especially in the summertime. Recently, my husband and I went a little crazy at the market, purchasing enough herbs and vegetables to last two weeks. And since herbs and vegetables taste best when freshly harvested, I set out to create a dinner salad where I could use much of what I purchased that day. For me, it was a meal, but my hungry husband paired his salad with grilled steak, which he nestled on the grill right next to these versatile veggies.

Grilled Salad with Herb Vinaigrette

Serves 4

Thankfully for those eager to celebrate green living alongside great music, the skies are supposed to clear for this Saturday's EarthFest at the Hatch Shell in Boston. In its 16th year, 92.9’s EarthFest is a free, family friendly festival that will feature an impressive line up of live music and a host of eco-minded displays, exhibits, and food and product samples. EarthFest also will include Kids’ Planet, an expanded interactive area offering family-friendly entertainment, activities, and healthy treats.

Posted by Christine Koh on 28 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Fun Outdoors; Local

On chilly, raw days like today, I gravitate towards Asian comfort foods, and this weather reminded me that I’ve been meaning to post about my favorite way to prepare tofu. Don’t scowl; it really tastes fantastic! The original inspiration came from Susanna Foo’s Pan-Seared Tofu with Scallions & Ginger in Chinese Cuisine, though I have simplified the recipe to reduce the ingredient list (I’m currently obsessed with creating dishes out of 6 or less ingredients), and also added an extra step (flour dredging) that adds awesomeness to the taste and texture.

Christine's Simple Pan Seared Tofu

Today, Paige reviews her 3-year-old's favorite new wheels. Read on for her review, as well as to learn how to win a Mini Kick scooter!

“My three-year-old has tried to keep up with his scooter-fanatic five-year-old brother ever since he could stand on two feet, but he has never quite gotten the hang of "scootering" and usually ends up frustrated, unsuccessfully trying to ride it like a bike. Not so with the Mini Kick, a three-wheeled scooter suitable for 2-5 year-olds (the Maxi Kick is designed for 6-12 year-olds). The Mini's smaller profile fits him perfectly, and after just a couple of minutes of trying it out, he was racing his brother all over the driveway.

Unlike many of the scooters we've tried (we get a lot of hand-me-downs), the Mini has a steering system based on the rider shifting his or her weight, rather than turning a post, which appeared to feel much more natural for him. And the polyurethane wheels make the ride incredibly smooth (and quiet!). Best of all, because it's so small, my older son has absolutely zero interest in it – and any toy that creates one fewer squabble among brothers gets high marks from me!”

Image credit: Paige's son in a posed shot; rest assured he wears a helmet when he's scootering.

Now, want to win an orange Mini Kick scooter? Here’s how:

Yesterday we enjoyed a fabulous BBQ with friends, and amidst the plates and piles of food, one simple yet elegant dish stood out as my favorite. A modern twist on traditional (sometimes unfortunately soupy) coleslaw, Bon Appétit’s Grilled Red and Green Cabbage Slaw is perfect for summer: quick and easy to prepare and requiring minimal cleanup thanks to use of the grill. My friend Nooshi made this dish especially pretty by arranging the slaw in a square dish, alternating the red and green cabbage in striped sections, then drizzling the dressing over top. Simply divine, and high in fiber too!

For other cruciferous vegetable recipes, see Michelle’s recipe for fluffy brussels sprouts and Sara’s cauliflower recipes for the whole family.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Home; Recipes

Today, Kate recommends a visit to the new and fabulous Mattapan Branch Library:

“We're in a period where everything seems to be going in the wrong direction. Crime is up, the economy is down, and government seems unable to understand let alone meet the needs of the people it is supposed to guide and serve. In the midst of all of this, something new and good has appeared in Boston: the Boston Public Library has recently opened the latest addition to its system of neighborhood branches, a new multiservice library in the neighborhood of Mattapan.

Mattapan has long been served by libraries - the Mattapan Library Association was founded in 1849 - and the Mattapan Branch Library carries on the tradition by being not only an architectural gem but a fully modern facility that is intended to both respond to and shape the desire for information on the part of its patrons. Located on Blue Hill Avenue - the scarred and storied thoroughfare of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan - the library is just north of Mattapan Square.

Suffused with natural light and colors and filled with a sense of peace, the library offers a full adult collection as well as a computer room, a community room, and a special collection of French materials. Best of all for families, the library has a wonderful Children's Room, with soft carpets, lots of kid-level shelving, charming purple seating, private bathrooms, and an experienced staff.

The Mattapan Branch Library is everything a neighborhood library should be: both of the neighborhood and its people, but also offering the implicit suggestion that life can be better, richer, fuller with the fellowship of books and music and lectures and reflection.”

Mattapan Branch Library, 1350 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan; 617-298-9218

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local

Last night I visited WGBH for a preview of FRONTLINE’s Digital Nation – an upcoming documentary that will explore how the Web and digital media are changing the way we think, work, learn, and interact - and a discussion with the documentary’s producer, Rachel Dretzin. The preview and discussion were truly thought provoking and I found that some of Dretzin’s opening comments really touched a nerve. She referred to her dominant emotion around the current digital age as anxiety, with a feeling that people are “drowning in a sea of emails and text messages.” She also expressed her disdain over realizing that her kids “reach for technology to fill an empty space.”

I can relate. Though it’s early yet (I think, with Laurel being 4) I do have concerns about how to navigate the digital waters with her in the future. I am, in fact, drowning in - and am highly anxious about the state of - my overflowing inbox. And I am utterly guilty of reaching for my Blackberry to fill even the briefest of empty spaces, such as when Laurel goes to use the potty, or Jon walks the trash and recycling out to the curb. Truly, I’d be better off meditating for those 30 seconds.

We heard about some of the negatives of the digital age (e.g., a teenager who found it more complicated to erase an ex-girlfriend from his digital than real life) and the benefits (e.g., an inner city school that is showing a significant decrease in violence and increase in academic performance through use of technology). Yet despite the positives, and my own reliance on technology, I found myself fretting over the negatives. As a parent and former neuroscientist turned graphic designer and triple blogger who actively utilizes social media (indeed tweeting periodically through the presentation), I was having trouble reconciling all of the awesomeness of the digital age with the images of kids staring at laptops, or the carpal tunnel pain shooting through my right arm.

Specifically, as a parent, I want my daughter to be active and engaged with the real world through everyday activities (e.g., parks, art projects, etc.). As a writer, editor, and designer, I’ve been feeling increasing concern about my own tech time, and have been trying to counterbalance it with exercise, or by doing something necessary and active (e.g., a walk to the mailbox) instead of checking Facebook and Twitter in moments of boredom or procrastination. And as a former academic who spent 10 years dedicated to studying human perception and action, I have serious concerns about the long term effects of the digital age given that humans simply did not evolve to spend this much time hunched over keyboards or mobile devices.

Clearly, I’ve got some issues around all of this, and no doubt other folks do too. And if you want to air them, you actually can. Rather fittingly, the way Dretzin and her colleagues are assembling Digital Nation is very different from traditional documentary making, where the crew shoots and creates the documentary in a vacuum of sorts. Instead, editorial segments are available for viewing online and users are welcome to provide feedback and also share their own story. The ultimate goal being that the user input will help shape the final product. Really, really cool stuff. One of the positives of the digital age, in fact.

Following the meeting, fellow attendees Angela (Mommy Bytes) and Christy (More Than Mommy) also pointed me to FRONTLINE’s Growing Up Online, which Angela described as mind blowing and Christy as, “a very powerful statement about how some kids use the Internet to define themselves, connect with each other, communicate, and even rebel.” I’m bracing myself to view the segment, and then I’m going to go do some counterbalancing yoga with Laurel.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues; Pre & Postnatal Services; Tweens & Teens

If you’re looking to stroll off some grill fare and support community efforts this weekend, check out one (or all) of these traditional family friendly festivals: Enjoy magicians, jugglers, musicians, and more at the Faneuil Hall Street Performer Festival (May 23 - 25; 11am - 10pm). Newburyport Spring Fest (May 24 & 25; 10am - 5pm) will feature music, art, fine crafts, and food. And Lexington hosts Discovery Day on (May 23; 10am - 3pm) with live entertainment, food, and shopping.

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local

In anticipation of all those great Memorial Day sales, consider these quick summer fashion fixes from Sarah:

“The good thing about summer clothing is that we don’t need so many layers. The bad thing about summer clothing is that we can’t hide under so many layers. And as busy moms everywhere can attest, occasionally we have some bits and pieces we’d like to hide under some layers. Fortunately, this season’s trends offer a number of quick fixes, no matter the trouble spot:

Don’t like your arms? Then the full sleeve is for you. Choose a top with a scoop-neck to draw attention to your neck and collarbones, and opt for soft fullness over your upper arms. These styles are available in short or ¾ sleeve for warmer days, or the full-on boho style for cool nights. Great with jeans or a slim skirt.

Haven’t had time to whittle your middle? Thank heaven for the empire waist. With a band that hugs your ribcage at the smallest part of your torso then floats away over the rest of you, this style of blouse, sleeveless top or dress has the added advantage of making your legs look a mile long. Team with Bermuda shorts or a denim skirt. Or go all the way with a super-chic maxi dress. (Busty girls, beware: too-floaty empire tops make you look prego!)

Are you a hippy chick? You’ll love the wide-leg pants that are everywhere this season in cottons and linens. By wearing pants that fit in the hip and then fall straight to the hems (as opposed to boot-cut, flare, or skinny-leg cuts), you’ll streamline your lower half. Balance this relaxed fit with a slim knit or princess-seamed top. Great with gladiator sandals or ballet flats.

Really not ready for summer? If you have trouble picking one of the above areas to camouflage first, I recommend a tunic. This ancient staple is back, and is a die-hard, drop-dead, sharp-dressed go-to. The mandarin collar and v-front elongate your neck, and embellishments draw attention to your face. The sleek cut skims over your torso without clinging, and flares to a hem just enough to flatter your hips. Perfect for day or night, with shorts or pants, or alone as a mini-dress with tan legs and metallic sandals, Tory Burch has hit on a gold mine, but you can find great examples at any price. I’m hooked.

Don’t forget to emphasize your positives while camouflaging your trouble spots! if you don’t like your tummy, show off your great legs! Draw attention from your full hips to your toned shoulders. Make people forget how petite you are by wearing a v-neck top that shows off your great décolletage. And a smiling face, despite the heat (or the screaming toddler at your feet), is the most flattering accessory of all.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 21 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (8) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be

One thing readers periodically have asked me for is discussion forum and social networking capability on this site. But as much as I’ve always loved the idea, it’s something that simply has been out of my time and technological reach given that I run Boston Mamas on my own and wear several other professional hats. So, I’m thrilled to announce that I have partnered with the cool folks over at Momlogic to create a Boston Mamas community page where you can connect with other moms, query for advice, and talk amongst yourselves, as it were. So come over and join us (and feel free to friend me). I look forward to chatting with you there!

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)

I have a new attitude about swimsuit season this year, but no matter where you are with your confidence, it’s always nice to have a coverup to get you poolside or to the beach. And this year, I’m looking forward to stepping out in Lands’ End’s woven tunic coverup in ivory. Airy yet classy, the coverup’s tunic neckline makes for easy donning and removal, the 100% cotton construction is comfy, and the detailing (including pockets, handy for room key and phone) makes the garment pretty enough for a breezy post-swim lunch or ice cream outing.

Now, want to win a $100 gift card to Lands’ End? Check out the rules below to enter to win (by Monday, May 25):

Rules:

I believe in the power of positive intention; even so, I couldn’t help but stand amazed when Jon and I began mentally willing an independent Mexican restaurant into the vicinity and it actually materialized. For families in striking distance of the Medford-Somerville-Arlington axis, the family friendly, authentic, affordable, trans fat free Emiliano'Z Mexican Grill is worth a visit.

Emiliano'Z is a welcome addition to a modest commercial block on Boston Avenue, a short walk from the intersection of Route 16. Its two rooms are brightly painted and decorated and the staff is friendly, creating a general vibe that is casual, yet warm and welcoming.

We’ve visited Emiliano'Z regularly since its very first day of business in late 2008. In those early months we felt both grateful for the yummy food and worried about the fact that we often were the only people there. But business has picked up slowly but surely and this past weekend was the first visit where we couldn’t get a seat right away (note to self and others: they host parties).

Emiliano'Z offers an affordable menu of traditional favorites (e.g., flautas, quesadillas, tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and combo plates), periodic specials, and yummy desserts (a nice, mild rice pudding, a surprising carrot cake with pineapple rings baked into it, and classic flan) and we’ve been really happy with everything we have tasted to date. Jon has sampled a wide variety of items, and favors their chicken burrito and steak enchiladas, and I used to be similarly adventurous until I tried and fell in love with the Emiliano'Z Favorite Burrito (pictured below). Perfect for the diner who wishes to have a smattering of everything, this burrito is stuffed with steak, chicken, potatoes, rice, guacamole, cheese, and pico de gallo. It’s almost embarrassing to admit that I have eaten this same burrito once a week for the last 5 months, but it is what it is...which is AWESOME.

For obvious reasons, we’ve also really appreciated the family friendliness of Emiliano'Z. They have always been happy to accommodate Laurel’s tastes and now – like mom – she has a favorite burrito of her own (beans, cheese, rice, and avocado – no red stuff whatsoever, please). Whether we dine in or take out, we’re utterly grateful that Emiliano'Z appeared so quickly after we started wishing for it.

Emiliano'z Mexican Grill, 123-125 Boston Avenue, Medford; 781-646-8226

Posted by Christine Koh on 19 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Local

Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares tips for hosting a cooking party for kids:

“If your family is like ours, you’ve been to more play gym birthday parties than you can count. It’s understandably easy to gravitate towards the familiar, but what about considering a different and perhaps less expensive type of party, where kids can learn, be creative, and have fun all at the same time? Cooking parties are gaining popularity, and for good reason. Almost anyone who has cooked with kids can attest that kids who help in the kitchen are better eaters and are more enthusiastic about trying new foods. And if dinnertime is a challenge in your house, you will be up for anything that will improve the mood at your table!

Here are some tips to help you host a cooking party for kids:

Today, Kate offers a recommendation for safer (non-stinky!) nail polish:

“I've never been a big makeup person - and certainly never wore the stuff as a tween or adolescent - but I've always enjoyed painting my nails. And though I rarely have the time or extra money for a mani-pedi any more, I was reminded of the fun of colorful fingers by my toddler daughter's recent request for me to paint her nails.

One of my daughter’s best preschool friends has come to school with bright pink fingers, and my moments of hesitation - was she too young? would this lead to requests for tattoos? - quickly passed with the thought that this would be a fun activity. But how to find a nail polish that didn't smell like a chemical plant and leave one feeling slightly woozy? Suncoat Products has just the solution. A Canadian cosmetics company that offers a range of chemical-free or chemical-light beauty products, Suncoat sells 33 colors of water-based nail polish that truly work, look good, and don't stink up the room. I picked Cotton Candy - a light, shimmery pink - for my little one, but Suncoat offers colors like purples and golds that will appeal to older and more sophisticated tastes. For when you next want pretty nails without the chemical smell, check out Suncoat.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Bath, Beauty & Health

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of being in on an amazing call with finance expert Suze Orman, who provided sage advice on everything from women in business, to student loans, to saving for your child’s education, to home and personal finances. Call sponsor Avon (who brought Suze Orman on board as a personal finance advisor to their representatives) generously followed up the call by providing me with a goodie bag valued at approximately $125 to gift to a lucky reader. Read on to learn how to enter to win the Avon gift bag!

Today, Sheri offers great tips for encouraging math moments in everyday experiences:

“Mathematical experiences are all around us in everyday situations that we don’t even realize, and it’s important to tap into these hidden experiences with our kids. Research shows that developing and encouraging math skills and problem solving at home provides children an advantage in school, as they now are asked at a very early age to understand number sense. Here are some easy and tangible ways to encourage “math talk” in everyday experiences. The truth is that the math opportunities are already there - you just have to notice them and grab the moment to share them with your child.

Cooking. Cooking provides more math thinking than one would expect. Reading a recipe and discussing the fractional measurements exposes kids to the idea that fractions represent smaller parts of a whole. Measuring gives children concrete opportunities to have hands on practice with math language of more than or less than as you point out that a recipe asks for a ½ cup flour and ¾ cup sugar (there is more sugar than flour). Talk about the time it takes to cook and let your child program the timer and become the reporter of how much time is left before it is done.

Shopping. Going to a store is one of the best math experiences to expose your child to the idea of money, more than/less than, and adding with decimals. Not that we expect young children to be adding decimals but it is the math talk that is important. Rounding monetary amounts to the nearest whole dollar, talking about comparing amounts and values, and making change all occur while shopping.

A trip to the park. If you’re like me you spend many, many hours at the local park and playground. This outing can provide plenty of opportunities to notice and name geometric ideas. Playground structures are replete with geometry. Noticing and naming shapes, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, exposes your child to the language that they will be seeing for years to come in school. Using vocabulary terms such as angle, height, and shape terms encourages your child to notice them naturally.

Household chores. Yes, even chores can foster mathematical thinking. Laundry provides an excellent opportunity to encourage sorting by attributes of color, item, size, or material. Having your child count and sort the clean socks into matching pairs teaches one-to-one correspondence, counting by two’s, and matching like objects by similar attributes. Setting the table teaches problem solving as your child needs to think about how many people there are and how many forks, knives, and spoons they need to get to give everyone an equal number. Even organizing a bookshelf by size of book (i.e., small to large) promotes analytic thinking.

These are just a handful of math moment ideas - among hundreds! - that occur in everyday experiences and promote math thinking and problem solving skills. Taking advantage of them and being conscious of them takes some effort but is worth the time. Your child will be better ready for the challenges of mathematical thinking in school, and the bonus is that these interactions offer a fun and natural way to bond with your child.”

Image credit: Chalkboard Sets from Oriental Trading

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues

I’m a huge proponent of finding and celebrating the green in urban spaces, and this Sunday (May 17, 2-4pm) families are invited to explore the Somerville Community Growing Center and learn about urban birds through games, activities, crafts, and interactive bird and animal songs with the Pixie Sticks. The event is free and open to the public.

At the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Avenue, Somerville; 617-666-2969

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local

I’ll be the first to admit that cleaning is not among my top priorities these days, but hand me new eco-friendly cleaning products and I'll roll my sleeves right up to start scrubbing, hoping upon hope to discover that the eco stuff can live up to the non eco stuff. And this was, in fact, the case when I got my hands on Scotch-Brite’s Greener Clean line. Made from natural materials (e.g., bamboo, agave, corn) and packaged responsibly, this collection of scrubbers, soap pads, soft sponges, and washable cleaning cloths (the latter two of which are excellent for reducing paper towel use) perform just as effectively as their less environmentally friendly counterparts. At reasonable price points, it’s a no-brainer to go with green. And it might just inspire you to clean more.

Want to win a collection of Scotch-Brite Greener Clean goodies? Here’s how:

Weather being what it has been, I definitely find myself thinking about the weekend, well, not too long after the week starts. And this Sunday (May 17) our friends at Hill House will host their 3rd annual Backyard Dash at Fiedler Field on the Esplanade. The day will include races for grown-ups and kiddos (registration required), and a community picnic and kids festival. Also cool: on Monday the 18th, participating Charles Street businesses will offer special Day After the Dash deals and discounts for those wearing a Backyard Dash bracelet or medal.

Editor’s Note: Hill House also offers summer camp programs for kids ages 3 – 12. On May 21 parents are invited to meet camp directors, ask questions about the upcoming season, and register for programs at the Hill House Summer Camp Open House.

Hill House, 127 Mt. Vernon Street, Boston; 617-227-5838

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Childcare & Education; Fun Outdoors; Local

On Laurel’s first birthday my friend Anne gave us art supplies and a box of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers and said, “These erasers will save your life.” Remarkably, whether it’s due to Laurel’s nature or our vigilance, the product sat untouched under our sink the last couple of years. It wasn’t until after a recent play date where we needed to break out the magic erasers to cope with a major bout of pencil + red crayon wall scribbling.

Unfortunately, the scribbles were all over Jon’s office walls (adjacent to the playroom) and I felt pretty crummy about this, given that he was out during the play date and some of the older kids were up in the playroom unattended while the parents kept an eye on the toddlers downstairs. As soon as I saw him futilely attempting to remove the pencil scribbles with a rubber eraser, I ran for the magic erasers and they were, in fact, magical - not only completely removing the scribbles, but also removing other fingerprints and smudges that haven’t budged with water and washcloth, and that I’ve been too afraid to approach with a household cleaner, lest it muck up the paint.

However, as an eco-gal who otherwise only has natural/organic cleaning products under the sink, I was suspicious. The product appears innocuous (plain white foam sponge) yet it's ridiculously effective and also disintegrates during use (they describe this on the packaging), leaving a little chalky residue on the fingers. So I reached back to the post I wrote following Seventh Generation & the Environmental Working Group’s panel on chemicals and kids to find the link for the Department of Health & Human Services Household Products Database. I also did some additional snooping around online.

In a nutshell, according to the DHHS listing (2003) and one from the Consumer Product Information Database (2007), the magic erasers are considered non-toxic (though of course, as with any other household products, you shouldn't eat it or let your kids eat it...). I also learned from Snopes.com and About.com Urban Legends that previous rumors (largely propagated via e-mail spam) about product banning of, and formaldehyde in, the product are false.

Despite all of this, I’m still a critical consumer; it’s hard for me to not understand the technology of why this sponge is so effective (beyond it being described as having “water-activated micro-scrubbers that reach into the grooves of the surface to lift and remove dirt around your home with water alone”). I’ll keep an eye out for additional safety information, but meanwhile, armed with the information above, I’ll use this product in instances where my natural products can’t cut it, and also with a pair of gloves on (just in case). Plus, I figure that sparing use of this mysterious magic eraser certainly is less environmentally impacting than repainting defiled walls.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (5) | Filed in Eco Living; Home; Solutions

Today, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares information on vitamin D supplements for breastfed babies:

A lot of breastfeeding moms ask me whether their baby needs a vitamin D supplement. The answer is yes; the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children receive 400 IU a day of vitamin D, beginning within the first few days of life. This is double the previous 2003 recommendation of 200 IU per day. The change follows data from new clinical trials, and the historical precedence of safely giving 400 IU per day to the pediatric population.

Importantly, clinical data show that 400 IU of vitamin D a day will prevent and treat rickets. (Adequate vitamin D through childhood also may help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, and in adults vitamin D may help prevent infections, autoimmune diseases, cancer, and diabetes.) Rickets continues to be reported in the United States in infants and adolescents and is preventable with adequate vitamin D, but dietary sources of vitamin D are limited and it is difficult to determine a safe amount of sunlight exposure to synthesize vitamin D per individual.

The greatest risk for rickets is in exclusively breastfed infants who do not receive vitamin D supplements.

The AAP report recommends:

"Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants. However, because of vitamin D deficiencies in the maternal diet, which affect the vitamin D in mother’s milk, it is important that breastfed infants receive supplements of vitamin D…Until it is determined what the vitamin D requirements of the lactating mother-infant dyad are, we must ensure that the breastfeeding infant receives an adequate supply of vitamin D through a supplement of 400 IU per day." - Carol Wagner, MD, member of the AAP section on Breastfeeding Executive Committee

Specifically, the new recommendations suggest that:

If you’re like us and live amidst a landslide of kiddie artwork, here’s a clever solution to preserve and share those heartstring-tugging gems. Locally based Artimus Art compresses your child’s artwork into a hardcover book and web gallery (optional add-ons include DVDs and canvas prints). Simply choose your package, return the artwork in the collection box they send, and Artimus scans, corrects, and transforms the art for you. The book makes for a lovely keepsake, but what's especially cool is that you can share the web gallery with loved ones. Because, really, why keep all of that creative cuteness to yourself?

For our next installment of Giveaway Goodness, Artimus Art generously is offering one lucky reader their Red Wagon package. Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by May 14 (noon) to enter to win.

Rules:

As an independent blogger who pours countless hours of love into Boston Mamas, it’s both humbling and gratifying to occasionally get a shout out for the work. And on Friday, I learned that I was selected as one of the “power pack” bloggers on Nielsen's Power Moms 50 List and that Boston Mamas was nominated by Nickelodeon's Parents Connect for best parenting blog in Boston. It takes just a second to vote and I would be so appreciative if you would cast your vote for BostonMamas.com. You can even vote daily until July 15 if you feel so inclined (note easy access button in left column...).

Also, it goes without saying that these accolades would be meaningless without you. Thank you for your readership, friendship, and support. I love our little community here!

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Web (Admin)

Today, parent educator Hetti Wohlgemuth shares tips for coping with parent preferences:

“Parent preferences happen, even in the best of households. One sunny spring morning my husband took our then 3-year-old daughter tricycling. She soon fell off her tricycle and cried and cried. When Bob tried to help her (and all the way home) she cried, "Mommy! Mommy!" Today, it's Bob who gets the homemade Father's Day cards, the birthday phone calls, and the adoring looks from our daughters while I get, "Moooomm, you're not wearing that are you?" and " Moooomm, you're so embarrassing!"

There's good and bad news regarding parent preferences. The good news? Parent preferences swing back and forth sooner than you can say, 'Mommy's home.' The bad news? The preferences swing back and forth - fast. However, parent preferences are not so awful and actually make good sense. All relationships - marriages, friendships, teacher/student, and parent/child - go through upswings and downswings. The preferences are normal and not something to get hung up on, unless they start to determine family life for far too long or too dramatically. Here are some tips to cope:

Don't allow the preferences to control you. Always remain the adult. Preferences become toxic when the less preferred parent gets angry, resentful, retaliatory, or feels downtrodden, and then reacts emotionally due to those feelings. Keep in mind that it is a passing phase.

Keep age in mind. As a new parent, it can hurt when your baby or toddler rejects you for the other parent. But remember that this behavior is age appropriate. Related to this and the previous point, when my daughter Jessie didn't want Bob to comfort her (in the opening example), he might have become frustrated or angry. He didn't. Her behavior was age appropriate for a 3-year-old.

Preferences are not about who loves who more. Preferences may be about who spends time with who more. They may be about primary attachments, security, gender identification, or manipulation. In times of stress, a baby may glom on to the parent with whom they spent the whole day. It's not a love preference; it's a stress preference. And when a daughter who loves clomping around in her mom's party shoes reacts with delight (and maybe ignores the other parent) when Mom returns home all dressed up with fancy shoes on, it's not a love preference, it's gender identification.

Keep your cool. As with many parenting situations, it’s best to try to remain calm in parent preference scenarios. Every so often, a child may see the impact of their temporary parent preference and enjoy the power of it all. That affords a child too much control and this sort of manipulation will not work well for any member of the family.

Remember that parent preferences are hard on both parents. They truly are. The temporarily preferred parent looks forward to breaks in a long day. And when no break feels in reach because baby is in one of her "phases," it's frustrating. The antidote is to take a break anyway. All will benefit. A few extra non-essential tears may just alter what needs to be altered. As for the less preferred parent, it is helpful to reframe the concept of "rejection." The preference is (as previously stated but bears repetition) about security, parental roles, or time spent. And that's a fine mantra to repeat as needed.

Never give up. Babies get tired, sick, and stressed and in those times it's best not to fight the preference, but a parent should never give up. There are always ways to break into a child/parent preference and it's essential to look for those inroads. For example, look for activities the child enjoys where the less preferred parent can be the point person. During one of Jessie’s "mommy" stages, she particularly enjoyed puzzles, breakfast out, and bath time. These three likes worked well for Bob and so they bonded over these particular times.”

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Development & Behavior; Family Issues

It was evident when I recently asked moms what they would love to have happen on Mother’s Day that relaxed time with family is a top priority. And tomorrow (May 9), you can do just that at Family Play Day on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway. The event will kick off at 10am with the official unveiling of the Mothers’ Walk Wall. Following will be an afternoon of free family activities including live entertainment, crafts, and youth fitness activities. Bring a picnic lunch or enjoy local restaurant fare; the tented event is rain or shine.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local

Growing up, people often commented (somewhat inappropriately it occurs to me...) that I didn’t look like either of my parents (in the way my six siblings distinctly do). But I’ve always definitely felt like my mother’s daughter, so I couldn’t resist participating in the Parent Bloggers Network’s Mother’s Day Blog Blast in partnership with the Celebrity Hand Me Down charity auction. PBN is asking bloggers what they think their mothers handed down to them, and I decided to make this post a family effort, canvassing Jon and Laurel for their thoughts, and following with my own. I hope this weekend will offer you some time to reflect on and celebrate motherhood.

Here’s what Jon and Laurel had to say regarding how my mother and I are similar:

1. Jon: “You’re both great cooks and like to take control of the kitchen.” (I’ll take both parts of this statement as a compliment.)

2. Jon: “You’re both short.” (I have no idea what he’s talking about; I have a good 6 inches on my mom.)

3. Laurel: “You both lay the table very neat and know how to neaten up the room.”

4. Jon: “You both like to arrange flowers.” (My mom has taken classes; I have not, but I've daydreamed about working at Winston Flowers.)

5. Laurel: “You both like to hold hands and squeeze me a lot.”

6. Jon: “You’re both frugal and generous at the same time; meaning, you’re not wasteful – you both get ridiculously excited about a good produce sale – yet you both are willing to give generously of time, money, and things - material or otherwise - to people you care about.”

7. Jon: “You both have always been extremely dedicated to your husbands despite periodically questionable behavior.”

Clearly, I inherited my domestic tendencies from my mom; she even taught me to sew and knit (well before the DIY revolution, when it wasn't exactly cool for teenagers to be doing such things). I still don’t go the distances that she has (she used to iron sheets and my father’s boxers) but there are clear parallels.

However, beyond these domestic matters, I think I inherited my mother’s spirit of resourcefulness. Our growing up was challenging for many reasons, and not only did she seem utterly unflappable through it all - ready to take on any challenge - but she always remained remarkably positive through all of the struggles.

My life has not involved the intense circumstances of my mother’s life: she arrived to the US not speaking a word of English, learned the language quickly and trained to become a nurse, forged businesses with my father, birthed 7 children in an 11-year time frame, and became primary caretaker for two sets of elderly parents. Yet it occurs to me that I have approached my own challenges – e.g., working 60-70 hour weeks over summer and winter breaks to pay my way through college, battling my insecurities (not to mention copious amounts of NIH red tape) to finish my Ph.D. and postdoctoral fellowship, navigating my way through a career 180, figuring out how to exist within the tangled pressures of modern motherhood, and, most recently, preparing to embark on new and uncertain transitions with Jon – always truly believing, like my mother, that if you put up a good fight and are resourceful with what you've got, things will work out somehow.

Yes, sometimes I get annoyed when my mother gives me a hard time about the dishes in my sink, or the state of my skin, or why I have only delivered one grandchild. But these are small potatoes; I’m grateful to my mother for all of the gifts she has given me, and on all of the above, I know that she’s still truly in a league of her own.

Image: an excessive Koh-hosted buffet.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues

Regular readers know that I’m an avid supporter of the March of Dimes and I thus want to share two Mother's Day retail partnerships that benefit the MoD. In the vein of traditionally pretty and appreciated gifts, Red Envelope is donating 10% of the proceeds of each mother’s love necklace sold to the MoD, and ProFlowers is donating $10 on every Mother’s Day flower order to the MoD. Alternatively, if you’re not interesting in gifting “stuff” this year, please consider making a gift in honor of mom to the Boston March for Babies. I would be ever so grateful for your support!

Also, I have a Red Envelope mother’s love necklace that I would like to gift to a reader. To enter to win the necklace:

I’m well aware that my passion for preserving and sharing memories – via photos, videos, and on paper – is related to the fact that I have very little documentation of my own childhood (other than school photos, I have about a dozen baby pictures, all shot on the same day). And as someone who relies on technology (both for work and said memory preservation) yet desires simple spaces and clean lines, I’ve long felt defeated by the battle of cords and cables. So it’s no wonder that I am totally in love with the ridiculously easy to use, blissfully cord-free Flip camcorder.

I first heard about the Flip from my vlogging (i.e., video blogging) friends, but it wasn’t until the media day with Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto that I had a chance to see one in person (and that’s stretching it - I basically was snooping over another reporter’s shoulder as she set up her Flip and tripod). My interest was piqued when I saw how compact the unit was so I connected with Flip and they were kind enough to send me a unit to evaluate. The following are my impressions on basics and usability, tuned from a parenting perspective:

THE BASICS

Models: Flip offers four models – the Flip MinoHD, Flip Mino, Flip UltraHD, and Flip Ultra. Essentially, they offer what the former academic in me would refer to as a 2 x 2 factorial design with 2 sizes (Mino vs. Ultra) x 2 quality levels (HD or not). Flip offers a handy spec sheet so you can see the technical differences side by side, but generally they boil down to differences in unit size, amount of internal memory, and resolution. (Also, the Mino models are customizable whereas the Ultra models are not.) I’ll report specifically about my experience testing the Flip MinoHD, which is the smallest option with the highest internal memory and resolution.

Size: It’s one thing to read the size specs but it’s another thing to hold the MinoHD in your hand. I truly was taken aback when I opened the box. The MinoHD is smaller than my Blackberry Curve, and not that much bigger than the small voice recorder I take on interviews. I initially found that it was both awesome to have such a small, lightweight camcorder, and also a tad nerve wracking to worry about losing it. But I got over the latter issue once I decided on how to incorporate the MinoHD into my system of gadgets that I tote with me.

Carry case: Like most moms, I tend to have a lot of (random, sometimes leaky) things rumbling around in my bag at any given moment, so with the Flip in the (included) soft carry bag, I always tuck it into an existing zippered pocket in whatever bag I’m using. However, I still would prefer a sturdy case, particularly if I’m carrying the Flip in a jacket pocket. Flip does offer cute wool pouches and soft pouches with a key ring but I think it would be great – particularly for the accident prone or the parent set that totes leaky bottles and sippy cups – if they would make a sturdy, waterproof, yet stylish carry case to protect the unit.

USABILITY DETAILS

Out of box usability: One of the fantastic things about the Flip is that it truly is ready to use out of the box. I tend not to have the patience for reading directions and I basically didn’t have to to get rolling with the Flip.

Recording and viewing controls: The Flip’s recording and viewing controls are simple and intuitive. The power button is on one side and the USB release (more on that in a minute) on the other. The recording controls on the back of the unit (under the viewfinder) are very straightforward. The recording button is red and what I especially like is that the touch screen button icons cleverly light up depending on whether you are viewing or recording. For example, in view mode the play/pause, trash, forward, and backward buttons light up. Then once you hit the red button to record, only the + and – buttons that you need for zooming light up. This feature is especially handy when you’re recording in low light situations.

Screen size: One of the things that took a little getting used to was the screen size. Obviously, the screen size is small - the MinoHD is just under 2 x 4 inches! My reference point, however, is my Sony Cybershot DSC-T9 digital camera (which also shoots video…more on that in a second), which has a generous 2 x 1.5 inch viewfinder. Once I started shooting more regularly with the Flip, however, I got used to the smaller screen size.

Recording conditions: One of my concerns about the Flip was lighting, given that one of my vlogging friends said that when she shoots footage for her blog, sometimes she needs to set up external lights. I wasn’t wild about the idea of needing external lighting so I was particularly curious to test performance with the HD, since the HD models feature ultra low-light sensitivity (>1.4 V/lux-sec), compared to very high sensitivity (>2.0 V/lux-sec) on the non-HD models. I have shot in a variety of conditions: indoors and outdoors during day light (optimal, obviously), indoors at night with the lights on, and also in darkened spaces (aquarium, live shows). In all cases the video translates impressively well. Obviously for really dark conditions (e.g., aquarium, live shows) the video only really works well if the object of interest is illuminated by a light source (e.g., shark tank, lights on an ice rink), but otherwise, there has been no need for external lighting in basic shooting conditions.

COMPUTER INTERFACE

Blissfully cord free: Given said disdain for all of the cords and cables in my life, one of my favorite thing about the Flip is that it is blissfully cord free. Simply slide the Flip switch to flip out the USB then plug it in to your computer to recharge and view, edit, and share videos.

Organization and editing: Once the Flip software launches (no download is needed, it’s all built into the Flip!) you can view, organize, delete, and edit (trim ends off of) videos. You can leave videos on the camcorder or save them to your computer (you get 60 or 120 minutes of storage on the Flip camcorder depending on model).

Sharing videos: Now, here’s what absolutely sold me on the Flip (and is why I’ve been yabbling about the device to all of my friends). As I mentioned earlier, my Sony Cybershot shoots pictures and video. And though I’ve been bad about it lately, I generally have a routine of sharing photos via an online photo gallery or by just sending 1 or 2 photos through email. However, videos are another issue entirely. I have shot a lot of fantastic videos since Laurel was born but my family and friends have seen almost none of them due to the fact that the files are too giant to squeeze through an email. If I want to share the videos I have to burn the videos to a CD, then package the CD, then get myself to the post office to mail them. Considering that I haven’t even gotten around to sharing my Christmas photos, you can imagine the likelihood that I’ll get around to burning video CDs. It’s just never going to happen.

But I digress. So, the thing about the Flip is that they make sharing ridiculously easy. No burning of CDs required. You can upload videos to online services (e.g., YouTube) or your blog, or share videos via Flip’s sharing service (either as a straight up video or embedded in one of their greeting card templates). For the latter, at the main control window simply select the video you want to share, enter the emails (and a message if you like) and once the email transfers, the recipient receives a private online invitation to view the video on Flip’s website. The interface is utterly brilliant and is truly fantastic for families who want to keep in touch with family and friends in far away places.

Creating from videos: Finally, the Flip software also allows you to create movies by ordering a series of clips and setting them to music, create snapshots from video clips, or create DVDs.

SUMMARY

In short, the Flip is a fantastic solution for parents who: a) love preserving memories; b) want to share videos with family and friends; and c) desire a streamlined and super easy way to do both of the above. Deciding on which model to get is really a matter of personal preference and budget. The Flip Mino and Flip MinoHD are awesomely petite (great for those of us who like to carry small bags) but the reality is that the Flip Ultra and Flip UltraHD are still pretty small – about a quarter inch longer on both dimensions, though almost twice the width of the Mino models. I personally would recommend going with one of the HD models because of the better light sensitivity and resolution, but I suspect it’s a matter of super awesome (HD) vs. awesome (non-HD).

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Gadgets; Home; Solutions

Today, Kate shares how she chose to celebrate her awakening to motherhood:

“The first two years of motherhood were unexpectedly hard for me. I say unexpected because I had sailed through pregnancy and fully expected motherhood to be an enhancement to an already full and happy life, not a fundamental or in some ways jarring change. It sounds naive to write that now, but at the time I was caught totally unprepared for the nagging sense of sadness, emotional disequilibrium, and whispering worry that I was an inadequate and insufficiently loving mother.

I'll never really know whether I had a diagnosable case of postpartum depression or else was merely staggered by an unfamiliar and lengthy adjustment to parenting, but there's no question that the process of bonding with my daughter and learning to relax and trust myself as a mother took much longer than I would have ever dreamed or wanted. As the fog finally began to lift and I began to embrace the joys of motherhood more than resist its inconveniences, I felt an urge to do something public - something visual - to celebrate my awakening to parenting.

I considered an elegant piercing or a tattoo of my daughter's name or birth date, but ultimately rejected both out of squeamishness and a lurking sense that they would look ridiculous when I'm sitting around the bingo table in forty years. So I decided instead to buy a small sterling charm of my daughter's first initial, to wear on a chain around my neck as a reminder to myself of everything that mothering is, has been, and will be in my life. My path to living fully as a mother has been a different one than the one I often see in books and magazines, but I've come to a place that feels good and true for me and I wish the same for every mother out there. With Mother's Day approaching, I hope that we all have a way to celebrate that sparkles for us and our children.”

Image credit: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti letter pendant

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues; Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Pregnancy & Postpartum

Before it gets too hot to turn on your oven, try this bread recipe from Tracy:

“There are few memories of my grandmother better than those of making bread with her when I was a young girl. Even in the heat of summer she could be found kneading pristine white dough into impossibly smooth, elastic, round balls and baking with the back door wide open. But as fond as I am of these memories, the reality is that I don’t have the time or patience to deal with multiple knead sessions. Luckily, a friend passed along a great “no-knead” bread recipe that satisfies my love for fresh baked bread.

Whenever I make this bread I pull out my grandmother’s battered old flour bin and her bread tins (which I inherited when she passed away). The original recipe calls for all white flour, but I have divided it between all-purpose and whole wheat, which works just fine. (My friend loves using multigrain bread flour from the Whole Foods bulk bins.) The result is a wonderful loaf that is a perfect accompaniment to soups, stews, or toasting. The other nice thing is that this recipe yields 4 loaves; you can freeze excess baked loaves until you’re ready to eat them.

Easy No-Knead Crusty Bread

I’ve raved previously about Dropps’ lightweight, eco-friendly, and effective ultra concentrated detergent capsules, and now Dropps offers Dropps Baby, a variety of their original detergent formulated to be super gentle for sensitive baby skin. And the folks at Dropps well know that parents need to run a lot of laundry; for our next installment of Giveaway Goodness, Dropps generously is offering one lucky reader a one-year supply of Dropps Baby eco-friendly laundry detergent! Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by May 7 (noon) to enter to win.

Rules:

As I mentioned in March, ever since experiencing BlogHer Boston, I’ve been super excited to attend the big BlogHer meeting in Chicago this summer. And I’m enormously grateful to have not one (Boston-based firm 360 Public Relations, which I announced in March), but two companies sponsoring my trip. Thank you, Stonyfield Farm, for acting as my secondary sponsor for BlogHer Chicago! Please read on to learn about Stonyfield's impressive environmental initiatives, and a yummy but lesser known organic product they offer.

Most parents know about Stonyfield yogurts (as a baby, Laurel went berserk over their creamy full fat plain yogurt), but they also are tremendously committed to the environment. I was really impressed when I learned about their efforts and wanted to share them here:

Stonyfield works to educate consumers by producing yogurt lids with environmental and educational messages, and they recently created YoTube, which offers mini-documentaries that explore what it means to be organic.

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And on the product end:

Stonyfield has a new product: Oikos Organic apparently is the only nationally distributed organic Greek yogurt on the market today. Greek yogurt is thicker in texture than regular yogurt because the whey (liquid) is strained off; the process makes the yogurt naturally richer in protein and lower in carbohydrates compared to regular yogurt. Oikos is certified organic, made with milk from farms that don’t use toxic persistent chemicals and fertilizers, antibiotics, or synthetic growth hormones, and it is free of artificial flavors, colors, or sweeteners. Flavors include plain, blueberry, honey, vanilla, and strawberry. Yummy!

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Thank you for your BlogHer Chicago '09 sponsorship!

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing; Web (Admin)

Laurel owns a stack of Dr. Seuss books; notably enduring both for their timeless rhymes and the fact that they were – passed down from my in-laws – the very same copies Jon enjoyed as a child. And for kids who similarly love The Cat in the Hat, this coming Saturday (May 9; 10am – 3pm), families can enjoy Dr. Seuss stories, Seuss-inspired activities, and a visit with The Cat in the Hat at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. The Seuss event is included in the museum's admission price.

Want to win a 4-pack of tickets to CMNH to enjoy the Dr. Seuss event? Simply email contests@bostonmamas.com (with “Dr. Seuss” in the subject) by midnight Tuesday, May 5.

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

Image credit: Children’s Museum of New Hampshire

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids; Fun Indoors; Local

Folks, I don’t like to beg, but in this special case, I will. PLEASE consider making a donation - $5, $10, more if you have the means - to Team Boston Mamas for the March for Babies in Boston on May 9. Thank you!

I also wanted to share that I’m continuing my commitment to the March of Dimes beyond the walk. I recently signed on as a March of Dimes Mom and will donate one post per month to educating women about pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and newborn topics. Please feel free to email me if there are any specific topics you’d like me to cover.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Good Deeds; Local; Outreach; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Web (Admin)

I’m honored to be among a handful of moms that Teleflora is featuring in advance of Mother’s Day. Check out the interview – I'm their Modern Mom – and also the other lovely moms they’re featuring. Also, Teleflora kindly offered to send me their Mother’s Day Butterfly Bouquet, but since I’m fortunate to receive flowers regularly from Jon, I thought I’d instead offer the bouquet to one of my awesome readers (enjoy it for yourself or send it to your mom!). To enter to win the bouquet (standard size), simply leave a comment below (by midnight 5/4) about something you’d love to have happen on Mother’s Day this year.

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 May 2009 | Permalink | Comments (238) | Filed in Gifts & Paper; Home; Web (Admin)