Hands down, my best investment this year has been my DSLR and 50mm lens; having a great camera has inspired me to learn a new craft and take more photos of my loved ones. (Also, my camera/lens is known amongst my friends as the "hot camera" since everyone looks utterly fantastic photographed through it.) And so it's no wonder that I've been keen on protecting my investment. I adore the beautiful women's DSLR handbags currently on the market, but they do feel a bit permanent for someone who likes to switch bags as frequently as I do. So I recently decided to create a little bag (a camera cozy as it were) to tote my DSLR in bag du jour, and I'm honored that my DSLR camera cozy tutorial is now featured on the lovely Craft website. Enjoy!

Posted by Christine Koh on 30 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Home; Solutions
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Today, PPLM Parent Education Program Manager Amy Cody shares a review of Start Talking. Read on for Amy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Start Talking:

Start Talking is an engaging resource for mothers and daughters to help open the door to better communication about a variety of topics ranging from periods and sex to self-esteem and dating. According to authors Mary Jo Rapini (mother of two daughters, psychotherapist, and feature consultant on TLC's Big Medicine) and Janine Sherman (mother of two daughters, teen health expert, and OB/GYN nurse practitioner), the best time to talk to your teen daughter about sex and her body is right now. Starting at the age of 8 or 9, moms must begin having these conversations. They stress that by opening up now mothers can turn "the talk" into an ongoing conversation, and become a trusted resource for their daughters.

Teens today, more than ever, face a myriad of issues involving sex, sexuality, and body image. They need education, guidance, and support to make the right decisions at the right times. Between the internet, television, and grocery aisle tabloid magazines, Sherman says that tweens' and teens' primary sources of information about the female body is distorted at best, and potentially harmful at worst. Start Talking supports mothers in helping their daughters feel good about themselves and their bodies by helping to frame the conversation in a larger dialogue about health.

The book offers chapters on understanding menstruation, routine female health care, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), birth control, self-esteem and body image, eating disorders, and psychological health. The authors offer informative diagrams of how to do a breast self-exam and reproductive anatomy, sample conversation starters and "Table Talk" role plays on a variety of topics, and answers to 113 "typical" questions about teen health that they have heard through their own practices. In addition, the book includes an informative glossary of sexual health terms and a useful annotated bibliography of books, organizations, websites, and hotlines.

From my perspective as a sexuality educator who has presented workshops on sexual health to youth and their parents, I'd like to mention one note of disappointment in this book. I feel that Sherman and Rapini have missed an important opportunity to address the topic of sexual orientation in adolescents. The book tends to be heterosexist, with mention only of "boyfriend issues" in the glossary and references only to heterosexual attractions. According to the 2007 MA High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 9.2% of all students described themselves as gay, lesbian, or bisexual and/or reported same-sex sexual contact. All adolescents, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserve their parents' unconditional love, support, and acceptance and need appropriate factual information to make healthier, safer and better-informed decisions about their bodies and sexual health.

Now, want to be one of two winners to receive a copy of Start Talking? Here's how:

Rules:

Last week I had the pleasure of being in on a joint blogger interview with the talented (and adorable) Nate Berkus. I met Nate in NYC this past summer and he is gracious, down to earth, and truly inspiring in his passions. Nate is doing a series of "Nate's Crate" shows (through which he delivers surprises) that I want to check out, and it was fun to glean some of his wisdom last week -- we covered everything from simple holiday solutions to affordable décor ideas to paying it forward. I'm now super inspired as Jon and I march forward on some interior design plans (both because of the baby and because it's simply taken us a long time to get around to settling since moving into our home over two years ago). Here were some of my favorite tips/takeaways from the interview:

Linda Sellers of LindaSellers.com: Do you have any great ideas for inexpensive hostess gifts to take to holiday parties?

Nate Berkus: Absolutely. In fact, I'm listing them on my website, and [this month and next] we have segments about great hostess gifts, great holiday gifts, all under $20, under $10. [Instead of gifting the customary bottle of wine] I prefer to give gifts that actually can be used all year round and that are practical...whether that's a beautiful vase that comes in a great package for under $20 or...these [beautiful endangered animal] notebooks from Japan. And the covers are so great I've actually removed the covers and framed them in white frames with white mattings from IKEA. [Another idea is to take] a vintage piece of silver...that you find for a good price at an antiques mall or a yard sale or estate sale...go to the trophy store in your town and have someone's monogram put on it. So, it's all about really thoughtful gifts and things that aren't just for the holidays, but things for under $20 [or so] that are the same price as a bottle of wine, but that last forever.

Teresa Anderson of Blissfully Domestic: I'm a mother of five, and a grandmother to seven, and all my children live far away from me...so each month I like to send them a little gift in the mail. And I usually like to do it for something that they can use in their homes because they're all college graduates and don't have much money. Do you have any suggestions on what I could pack up and send to them that would be something worthwhile for in their homes?

Nate Berkus:What a great thing to do. I wish my mom would do that. One of the most meaningful things to send are old photos of your kids -- whether it's them with you, them with the whole family, or just them with their siblings...go to Kinko's or FedEx or something and turn them into a black and white or antique looking sepia or something like that, and then Michael's sells pre-framed mats, or pre-cut matting that fits in really inexpensive frames. And I love the idea of them assembl[ing] a gallery wall in their home, whether they [go] contemporary with white frames and white mats or a little more traditional with wood frames and linen mats. And write a note on the back of the actual frame. My mom did it for me once and I still have that in my house and I just think it's the coolest thing that any mom can do when their kids are starting to assemble their own homes. And the other thing is, start a library for them. If they're interested in different topics, go to vintage shops and thrift stores and book stores and start a library for them. And you can print out book plates that you can design on your computer and glue to the inside cover that just says, you know, "From the library of blank, Love, Mom," with the date on it. I think that every home should have a library; everyone's interested in something, whether it's fashion or flowers or travel or cars or boats or whatever it is. But I think that that's also a gift that just really lasts forever.

Emily Johnston of Material Girls Blog: What are your favorite holiday gift ideas for the interior design enthusiast?

Nate Berkus: One I mentioned earlier is that I love the idea of putting a new monogram on old pieces. I kind of am obsessed with it right now. So the idea of a flea market tureen or silver plate and going to the trophy store and having a monogram put on that, I think is really, really cool. And I think that vintage design books with a customer bookplate that you print out on your computer...I don't think there's a more sophisticated gift than that.

Linda Sellers of LindaSellers.com: If you had only a few bucks to spend on clothes for holiday parties what would you be on the lookout for?

Nate Berkus: My uniform lately has been just a sport coat and button-down shirt and pocket square or a thin tie. And I've never believed in having tons and tons of stuff, but having a few really good pieces. So for me, it's just always about a nice cut jacket, and even if it is from T.J. Maxx or something like that; you can take it to the local tailor and have it fit like it's custom.

Erin Renzas of iVillage: Do you have any tips or tricks for how you can make your home festive and maybe unconventionally interesting without spending a fortune for the holiday season?

Nate Berkus: I actually don't think decorations have to go all over the house. If you have a family tradition of decorating for the holidays and it does [go all over the house], that's great. But for me, I think a little goes a really long way and one of the things that I think is really cool is to take all those glass vases that we all have under our kitchen sinks from the florist -- and if you don't have them, they're really cheap to find at thrift stores and stuff. And I love just taking a big group of them, 8, 10, 12 of them, and either putting them on the table on the entry and filling them with ornaments, all in two colors, like gold and silver or white and gold or white and bronze or whatever it is in different sizes, and then just greenery. You can also just put greenery inside the vases and one candle and you're done. And it works on an entry table or a dining room sideboard or the mantle.

Katja Presnal of Skimbaco Lifestyle: How can you do holiday décor for $200 in two hours? Like, if you had to go to one store or try to get everything together really quickly and you have a $200 budget, what would you do?

Nate Berkus: You have to go to the dollar store and you have to spend part of your budget on candles and votives and votive containers, and then you have to go to the florist or the grocery store and buy greens and a few dozen colorful flowers, whether they're roses or whatever really looks good. And I love the idea of using your juice glasses or cut glass glasses, whatever you have glassware-wise, dropping votives in those, spreading those throughout the house; using of them as well for small vases and doing tightly packed floral arrangements. And mixing those in throughout your décor I think is one of the quickest and easiest ways of doing that, using what you already have. And the other tip would be to buy gift wrap that is in a pattern that you love and cut it into use for placemats and -- or even a table runner.

Erin Renzas of iVillage: What are some quick tips or fun things that you can do that make guests feel really welcome or special at your home?

Nate Berkus: I'm actually in the middle of producing a show about that topic. To me it's really all about showing somebody that you've anticipated their arrival and you don't have to go overboard. It can be making their favorite dish or putting your favorite read that you know they're going to love on their nightstand with a printed note inside that says, "I just finished this book and I know you're going to love it, so enjoy this before you go to sleep every night." A new set of white towels folded on the end of the bed in the guest room is always a big win with a new bar of soap tied with a ribbon. [Also] fresh flowers, even if it's three or four stems in a tiny vase on the nightstand or a bottle of water sitting on the nightstand. Those are the kinds of touches that I think are so appreciated. And one of the other things I like to do when people are coming: I'll print out pictures of them and use them in tiny frames from the dollar store as place cards around the table, or even menus typed out on the computer for a special dinner, or it can be meatloaf. It doesn't matter, but it's so great to put their name at the top and then have the menu of what you're serving for a holiday meal printed out, sitting on everyone's plate. People like to see their name written and people like to see photos of themselves in other people's homes. I don't know why we do, but it always makes us feel really, really welcome. And so those are the kinds of things that don't take a tremendous amount of time, but send that message loud and clear that we've been looking forward to someone's arrival.

Christine Koh of Boston Mamas: I'm in the process of mulling over some redecoration of major rooms, and [though] I'm a graphic designer and have a real strong vision with that, when it comes to interior design I get a little bit deer in the headlights overwhelmed. When you are starting to think about a room [do you first find] the perfect central piece of furniture, or do you just approach it completely holistically and try to go for a vibe?

Nate Berkus: You know, it's sort of a mix. You need somewhere to sit and that's the first place -- or somewhere to eat...so I tend to buy the major pieces first. The truth is, the internet is the most unbelievable source...my company does 85% of its interiors online and the search for the perfect dining table or the perfect coffee table has become something that you can do, you know, when the kids go down for a nap...gone are the days where you have to be the weekend warrior and load everybody in the car and [take] a 4-year-old through the furniture showroom. But [while] I do start with the major pieces, I also stop and think, "What is the story that this room needs to tell? Who am I? If this room could speak, what would it say?" Would it say, "I'm a comfortable place filled with family photos and kid-proof coffee tables, and it's a no-coaster zone, and I'm not going to panic when somebody's got a popsicle in their hand," or does the story of this room need to be, "This is a room for the adults to entertain when the kids are sleeping, and this is my space that I'm carving out in my home to have as a refuge from my day-to-day chaos." So, start a bit more philosophically and ask yourself, what do you really want? If the room could talk, what would it say to you? Then you start deciding, maybe there should be a wall of framed family photos here. Maybe there should be a bookcase in this room...[and a] floor lamp and chair and an ottoman next to a wall of books where I can relax, or bring my laptop. So, I tend to start always with the purpose, and then I buy the major pieces and build from there.

Beth Anderson of Chic Gallery Magazine: If one was going to make an investment, what's a timeless purchase for your starter home?

Nate Berkus: I think there are a few, actually. And I think the most timeless is a beautifully well-made simply upholstered sofa. Don't go for a trend. Don't go for pattern. Don't go for color. Do it in linen or in leather or in cotton duck -- something that's just durable and is going to stand the test of time, and the style that works with whatever you evolve to be, as far as your sort of design personality as the years go on. Second to that, a vintage or antique chest of drawers will last forever. You can use it in the bedroom, in the dining room as a side board, in the entry. And also a beautiful mirror is something that is really hard to get tired of.

Emily Johnston of Material Girls Blog: I live in a teeny tiny cottage in Dallas and it's about 1000 square feet and I was wondering, what are your favorite design tricks for really small spaces?

Nate Berkus: The first one is actually what not to do, and it's not to use small scale furniture in a small space, which I know is kind of counterintuitive. I just don't believe in apartment sized or small scaled things. Because I think the mistake that people make is, they buy the apartment sized sofa and they buy the tiny scaled chairs or the table that really just fits two people and no one's comfortable. So, I'd rather sacrifice and have a real grown up, adult size sofa and maybe a pair of small slipper chairs or dining chairs used as extra seating in the living room than have everything be diminutive in scale. The other thing is, I love the idea of using large scaled artwork on the wall instead of lots of little things. You do have to measure, obviously, because the worst part of design is when you buy something that doesn't work. But, you know, if you've got the dimensions of your room and you lay out everything on the floor with painter's tape or draw out a floor plan, I think more is more and real scale is always better.

Linda Sellers of LindaSellers.com: I'm always looking for decorating shortcuts. Duct tape and pipe cleaners are some of my best friends, but what is your favorite decorating shortcut?

Nate Berkus: My favorite all-time decorating shortcut is to use bedding -- like bed sheets in a pattern and spray starch, and if you submerge the sheet in spray starch -- if you spray the wall and spray the sheet until it's totally saturated -- you can literally smooth it out on a [drywall or plaster] wall. And when the starch dries the sheet sticks and you can trim the edges with a razor and add grosgrain ribbon or ribbon around the borders, or whatever you want to do. But, you can literally upholster an entire room of white walls with a beautiful pattern sheet or set of patterned sheets. And when you're tired of it, or if you move, if you're renting, it peels off without leaving a mark on the wall. It's like a miracle. I've shown it [on TV] and the instructions are on my website.

Beth Anderson of Chic Gallery Magazine: What is your number one tip for personalizing your living space?

Nate Berkus: Books and framed photos. I've never seen a well-designed room without either.

Beth Anderson of Chic Gallery Magazine: On a tight budget, what is the single most important thing [to] look for to update home décor?

Nate Berkus: If you really want to have a beautiful room on a budget you have to do some leg work. Go to Goodwill and thrift stores and buy dresses or old cashmere sweaters or beautiful printed shirts, and turn them into pillows. Another tip is to update your lampshades. You can go to Target and get a new lampshade that will completely change the look of your existing lamp. And another tip is to paint the inside of the lampshades a soft color -- pale blue, pale pink, pale gray, which changes the whole feeling once the light is on. Then adding a collection of pottery in an accent color -- all the same or like a rainbow of greens, for instance -- on your mantle that you can find for under $5, $10 a piece if you go to a few different thrift stores and yard sales and inexpensive antiques malls is another great way of adding huge impact for not a lot of money. But, it takes effort to live beautifully and not spend a lot of money on it.

Teresa Anderson of Blissfully Domestic: What are some creative ways to display and store books?

Nate Berkus: I think a bookcase is probably one of the single most important investments anyone can make in their home, and I think the thing about it is that there needs to be a space in your home that showcases what you love and what you collect...mixing books in with decorative boxes and pottery and framed photos. I view every bookshelf as an opportunity to design something really spectacular. And I try and look at each shelf as a store display. Like what would be the great balance? Some books on the side with a decorative object, with a pair of vases, with a framed photo leaning on the back. And I don't do bookcases all in one second. I take my time and let them evolve. You can find really inexpensive options for shelving at unfinished furniture places...and have them painted or wall paper the back. I think that that's really one of the things that brings rooms to life, especially if you're a booklover like I am.

Christine Koh of Boston Mamas: I have a 6-year-old daughter and I'm pregnant with a second. I was curious if you had any quick tips to share on...the concept of getting kids who are farther apart in age to share [a room]?

Nate Berkus: Well, I think it really has to do primarily with the actual space that you're sharing, or intending to share. And if there's a way to carve out [separate spaces] in the room...I mean, obviously a baby is not going to be sort of tracking that, but as your second child gets older I think it's important for everybody just to have an area, whether that's a dresser or they each have their own side of the bed.

Christine Koh of Boston Mamas: I was thinking of a canopy for her, to create a little private area.

Nate Berkus: That could be really cool. We actually just put that on the show. You know, Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony's nursery had two canopies over each crib, and we recreated that using a canopy rod which was on Overstock.com for under $30 and bed sheets that we sewed and created rod pockets -- king size bed sheets that we cut in half. And then, you could even hang above the headboard images or frame [your daughter's] artwork, or something that feels really personal for that area of the room.

Angela England of Untrained Housewife: I have three boys and one girl so I have children that are sharing a bedroom. What tips or design ideas or storage ideas do you have for kids who share a bedroom where each has kind of their own space, but then obviously there's common areas?

Nate Berkus: We're putting that exact information on our website. We did one [show] for a young boy who has to share a room with his 6-year old sister, so that really needed to be divided within the same space and we used something called a tension wall. And then we did it again [for a to-be-aired show] for two twin sisters who have completely different styles. One's a tomboy and one likes girly-girly, and so we built out a whole part of the show talking about how to decorate for those two distinct styles in the same space.

Angela England of Untrained Housewife: What are your tips for kid friendly and parent friendly common room design?

Nate Berkus: I think it's really about unconventional storage solutions, whether it's decorative baskets that are arranged as trunks or coffee tables -- they need to be sturdy, they need to have wire involved in their construction. You can use them as extra seating, but toys can go inside. And I'm always very conscious of little fingers being slammed in heavy things. So I like the idea of being able to organize a space that has storage options that kids can access themselves without getting hurt. But my fantasy room for that is really what goes up on the wall that they can't wreck. Whether it's a wall of different framed objects mixed with images, mixed with artwork, whatever -- sort of tells the story of your family and who you are, that's always a safe place to decorate with children. And then I see a very durable sectional or sofa and really cool accent pieces that already have age and patina to them so that, you know, when bananas gets smashed into the top of the side table or the vintage trunk you use as a side table, whatever it might be, it's not a crisis.

Beth Anderson of Chic Gallery Magazine: My home is full of furniture passed down from previous generations. I don't feel that it all fits my style -- do you suggest I try to update these pieces or just get rid of them?

Nate Berkus: Definitely update. One of the first things I do when I'm hired to design a space for somebody is take inventory of what they already have [for] repurposing and reusing. And, you know, adding a coat of paint and new hardware on a chest of drawers, or painting the frame of a vintage looking chair a bright color and recovering something or making a slip cover for it -- to me those are the things that add layers to a room. It's very hard to have a beautiful space when everything is new. In fact, I would say it's almost impossible. I've never been a fan of very modern interiors -- even though I think there's great modern design out there, I always mix it in with pieces that have patina and have some history and age and meaning, because otherwise I think that it's a real miss design-wise, and also the room just never feels right. And if you aren't lucky enough to have things from Grandma, then it's time to hit the flea markets and the yard sales and the estate sales to start building a collection of things that come from different periods and different times.

Teresa Anderson of Blissfully Domestic: [When my children come home] for Christmas, I like to keep my decorations fresh and new, but the kids still want to see the traditional old decorations that we had as they were growing up. How do I keep everything fresh and new looking, but yet still bring out the traditional things that they are used to?

Nate Berkus: You could create an area in your home that is more designed for you around the holidays. Whether it's a pair of vases on a chest with just greenery or something like that, but I have to say, when the traditions last that long and the kids anticipate that...I mean, my stepmom still has my stocking from when I was a kid and it still goes up on the mantle. I don't think that there's anything that beats that. The point of decorations is to welcome the ones we love. And to make the home more festive and if they're telling you that that's what they look forward to, I would deliver.

Teresa Anderson of Blissfully Domestic: I love to go to flea markets and secondhand stores and so a lot of my home is those items. At what point is it too much? Do you stop at one point and say, "I need to bring in some new items." Or is it okay to always use trash to treasure types of items?

Nate Berkus: I think it's okay to use it a lot. I would say 80% of a room can be that way, but there's something about sitting on a new, well made sofa or a pair of new club chairs. I tend to buy new upholstery because there's something about the comfort factor that might be hard to replicate when you're shopping all secondhand, but you can design an entire room with secondhand around a new sofa. Or if you have a sofa already, adding a pair of really comfortable chairs or a beautiful new bookcase filled with all of your secondhand finds creates a really nice tension in the space.

Duong Sheahan of Live Healthier and Happier: As a mom with a daughter going off to college next fall, we've already been talking about decorating; we toured this past summer and I forgot how small the dorm rooms were. What are some ways we can budget for decorations for her dorm and where [should we] shop?

Nate Berkus: Online is probably the best place to comparison shop, but the truth is, she doesn't need a ton. Some pre-fab drapery panels and a rod would be great. New bedding, a couple of foldable chairs, a bath caddy, and maybe a couple of organizational pieces that she can put on the back of the door for her shoes and belts, etc. But, you know, I think that's it; when I left for school, I took my framed photos of my friends and family and my mom got me new sheets and a new comforter and then that was really it and the rest I kind of figured out as I needed.

Katja Presnal of Skimbaco Lifestyle: Do you have some favorite places to buy home décor items in New York City?

Nate Berkus: Yes, there's a place called Showplace Antiques on 25th Street that's incredible. It's a multi dealer antiques mall. It's best on the weekends. And there's also the 26th Street Flea Market which is right across the street between 6th and 7th Avenues on 26th Street. Really, it's not to be missed. And then go to Williamsburg in Brooklyn -- I can't remember the name of the main street but it's a real pocket of up and coming home designers and interior shops that I love to go to.

Laurie Turk of Tip Junkie: I think your Nate's Crate shows are such a phenomenal idea because we want something that's easy and quick as far as service. How do you hope that people will emulate Nate's Crate?

Nate Berkus: My hope would be that people take a look around, especially at this time of the year, and think about what they can do to surprise somebody in their own life that needs something. What's incredible about having a television show is that the gestures that I make can be big, but big gestures aren't the only things that matter. And lending somebody a hand or picking up somebody's grocery bill for the week or knowing that you have a girlfriend who's totally overwhelmed and needs an hour to herself and offering that time -- all of these things are what makes us into a real community. And so I hope it inspires people to do what they can in their town and among the people that they can impact.

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Decor & Furniture; Gifts & Paper; Holidays; Home; Solutions; Winter
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Yesterday on BabyCenter's Momformation blog I guest posted on seven ways to stay fit during pregnancy (or really, any time!). Whether you're pregnant or looking to get rolling with a fitness plan, I hope you'll check it out. Also, a note on running (per a discovery I made after submitting the article to BabyCenter). I wrote off regular runs a few weeks ago (~20 weeks) because longer runs weren't feeling comfortable anymore. However, I recently discovered that doing intervals feels fantastic. So, I'll alternate walking and running (e.g., 5 minutes walking/3 minutes running) for ~3 miles. It feels great to sweat and get the heart rate up and so far has felt completely comfortable. And it seems like a fitting nod to how I started running in the first place, via the Couch to 5K program.

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Pregnancy & Postpartum; Sports & Fitness
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Amy via the Boston Mamas Facebook page:

Hey Boston Mamas, It's me again! The "new to Boston" mama you helped out before with great toddler-friendly activities. Well, I have another question! This is our first year staying here for Thanksgiving and I am wondering if you know of any Thanksgiving Day parades or activities like that? (Again, we live in Watertown.) I know this [past] weekend [was] the lighting of the tree at Faneuil Hall...any more activities like that (Thanksgiving or Christmas) would be appreciated!

Dear Amy,

Thanks for writing in again; I'm always happy to entertain questions from readers! Here are some ideas to enjoy your first Thanksgiving in Boston and get into the holiday spirit.

Today, Carole Arsenault of Boston Baby Nurses shares information on the flu shot for pregnant women and babies, and staying healthy during flu season:

My clients often ask me whether the flu shot is safe for pregnant women and babies. And the answer is yes; in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu shots (not nasal spray) for all women who are pregnant during the flu season (November - February). The CDC also recommends the flu shot for primary infant caregivers and babies over 6 months of age. The nasal spray is recommended and effective for children two years of age and older.

The extra stress on a woman's heart and lungs during pregnancy can affect her immune system and make her more susceptible to getting the flu. And since getting the flu could cause complications such as a serious respiratory infection or pneumonia, it's vital to have that defense. Getting the flu shot should protect you and your baby from the flu for about six months.

In addition to getting the flu shot, here are a few ways you can reduce your family's risk of exposure:

If you didn't have a chance to watch episode 4 of Life.Style live on Thursday, please check it out! It was a fantastic episode, in which Paige Lewin of Mudroom Boston shared easy and inexpensive tips for holiday décor and tabletops, Jane Maynard of This Week for Dinner offered fantastic recipes for traditional side dishes, twist-on-traditional side dishes, and perfect-for-potluck dishes, and Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans shared great ideas for toys to keep babies, toddlers, and older kids entertained while traveling. Check out the segment to see additional images, video, and inspiration, but as promised, for easy reference below I link up recipes and leads shared by my guests. Enjoy!

Décor inspiration points shared by Paige Lewin:

DIY thumbtack wreath
Paper Source Thanksgiving wreath
Garnet Hill wood curl wreath
West Elm Pom Pom Throw
L.L. Bean Washable Wool Throw
Etsy Peace pillow
Seasonal floral arrangements
Table fabrics
Mini-wreath seat markers

Recipes shared by Jane Maynard:

Mashed Potatoes
Stuffing
Cranberry Slush
Cranberry Orange Sauce
Sweet Potato Souffle
Corn Souffle
Broccoli Casserole

Travel toys and gear recommended by Sheri Gurock (we couldn't cover everything in the segment so I listed everything below):

FOR BABIES AND TODDLERS:

Multisensory & Compact
Freddie the Firefly
Babyville Photo Album
Edushape Young Maestro
Babyville Pull Musical Toy
Touch N Discover Book
Small World Toys IQ Baby Zoom Zoom Vehicles
Whoozit Whoohoo

Manipulatives
Spring-A-Ling bead maze
Happyland Sunflower School Bus
Skwish Classic
Little Chubbies Cars

Handy In Transit
Sunny Stroll Arch
Sophie The Giraffe
Skwinkle
Tiny Love Take Along Mobile
Three Ring Circus Teethers
ZoLi Gummy Stick
Squirt Spoon
A Day In Fantasyland

Books
Swing! Scanimation Book
Kid O Animal Homes Wooden Book

Sleep/Cuddly Things
Sleep Sheep On The Go
Skip Hop Treetop Friends Hug And Hide Owl Toy

Keeping Things Clean
Travel Pack Toy Cleaning Wipes

FOR OLDER KIDS:

Crafts
Alex Color a Flower Bag
Faber-Castell Do Art Travel Easel
Create Pop Up Books
Alex Markers To Go

Great For Transit
Travel Bingo
Splash Art

Building/Imaginative Play
Magna-Tiles
Automoblox Minis
Schleich Animals

Stretch Those Legs
Green Toys Green Jump Rope

Games
Ruckus
Set Game
Blue Orange Spot It!
Thomas Great Discovery Card Game

Cuddling On The Go
Zoobie Pets Tama The Tortoise

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Books & Entertainment; Decor & Furniture; Feeding & Nursing; For Babies & Kids; Gear; Holidays; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Local; Recipes; Retail; Thanksgiving; Travel; Web (Admin)
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jenny via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I'm pregnant with my first child and would love to find a prenatal yoga class in Harvard Square or Watertown. Do you know of any good classes/instructors? Thanks!

Dear Jenny,

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I'm so happy to hear that you are considering prenatal yoga. I'm 23 weeks pregnant and have been enjoying continuing my yoga practice as a pregnant person. And the terrific thing is that yoga is one of the forms of exercise that you can do all the way through to the end of your pregnancy.

Now, I haven't tried any local prenatal classes since I engage in my own practice at home, but I do have some thoughts to share:

1. Via the Boston Mamas mamampreneur network, I know of Yoga With Sara. If you check out her site, you'll see that Sara teaches pre and postnatal classes at a variety of locations in the Boston area.

2. I checked in with three of my sisters; all active yogis and two of them teach yoga in the Boston area. My sister Jennifer (a fantastic massage therapist) reported, "Clients of mine who go to the Isis Maternity [now Isis Parenting] at the Prudential seem to be pretty satisfied." My sister Kyoung shared, "I was going to take this class just to try it out...why not give Genevieve a try? She comes to my Sunday morning class, is a mom, and a yoga instructor." And in Watertown, my sister Sharon recommended Inner Strength for its "great teachers" (they offer prenatal yoga) and she also suggested checking out Down Under Yoga in Newtonville.

3. I recently learned about the OMBE Integrative Health Center in the Back Bay. I haven't had a chance to check it out yet, but they offer prenatal yoga classes among other services.

4. I also queried about favorite prenatal yoga spots via Facebook and Twitter. Here's what I heard from the community:

Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Sarah via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I'd love recommendations for chapter books for boys; we've bled dry Captain Underpants, Stink, the Magic Treehouse series, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Since so many kids' book writers seem to be women, there is a preponderance of girl stories. HELP ME! I have two avid readers who don't want Ramona or Junie B. Jones. What to do???

Dear Sarah,

Fantastic question! As the mother of a girl, I certainly benefit from all of those women writers, and I also understand why you need some inspiration on books for your boys. Here are some thoughts:

1. If you haven't yet explored Ruth Stiles Gannett's trilogy of chapter books about Elmer and his dragon friend, you should. These are actually my favorite of Laurel's chapter books (so, moms of girls, you should get these books too!).

2. I sent a quick e-mail to my lovely friend Gabrielle of Design Mom (she's a mother of six so, you know, she reads a lot of books with her kids!). She also said that the Elmer and the dragon series is her "very favorite." She also recommended the Time Warp Trio books for an older audience.

3. I floated out a query about chapter books for boys on Twitter and received a wonderful response (thank you people of Twitter)! Here were the recommendations that came in. Many of these authors have multiple books so I just linked up an example book or the first in a series. Note that I didn't link up the books you mentioned already depleting or recommendations for wee ones. Also note that I have not read/vetted all of these books myself so be sure to read the book descriptions to see if they would be right for your boys.

From @mactavish: "Catwings - first book"

From @SusanW:"Diary of a Wimpy Kid; Harry Potter (1&2), Percy Jackson (1&2), Stink (Judy Moody's brother), Superfudge (classic Judy Blume)."

From @DBcompanymom: "Phantom Tollbooth, Harry Potter, Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, The Doom Machine to name a few."

From @PaprikaPink: "Indian in the Cupboard series."

From @SSConservatory: "Some of our guys like Harry Potter, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jack and Annie (younger), to name a few."

From @AngelaWLaFon: "Oldies but goodies like Boxcar Kids and Hardy Boys. For beginner's the Arthur series chapter books by Marc Brown are worthy."

From @CapstonePub: "Try Jake Maddox books. And DC Super Heroes!"

From @J_keating: "Big Nate; Diary of a Wimpy Kid. My 7 yr old loves them!"

From @BravingBPS: "The Percy Jackson series! We're on book 2. My son is 4 & it's a little scary at times, but he refuses all other bedtime books."

From @bettyflocooks: "Superfudge by Judy Blume"

From @Sane_ishMom: "My boys love Diary of a Wimpy Kid and 39 Clues"

From @MauraCrabassMcG: "Early elementary: Time Warp Trio and Magic Treehouse series. Later: Artemis Fowl & Charlie Bone books. Matt Christopher is hit too."

From @soccermom434: "Magic Tree House and Warriors. Diary of a Wimpy Kid"

From @mootpoynt: "Here Be Monsters, the How to Train Your Dragon series, The Watsons Go to Birmingham, Hatchet, the Big Nate books; a young adult book called Touching Spirit Bear. Books by Rick Riordan, Jerry Spinelli & Andrew Clements...of the 3, Riordan and Spinelli lean more toward upper elementary. My son keeps re-reading all Riordan's books as he waits for sequels. They're fabulous. For fun and goofy stories, Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Megan McDonald's Stink series transitioned my son to chapter books. Truly, Brian Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabret is dazzling. When I taught 3rd grade, EVERY kid devoured it... even kids who didn't typically read for fun. It was the first "magical" connection my son had to a long chapter book. Another series that my son & many of his friends enjoy: 39 Clues. Interesting multimedia tie-ins, geography & intrigue. Also, a quick and delicious series (though a bit spooky): The Spiderwick Chronicles. And author Jon Scieszka has an organization called Guys Read with good recommendations."

These recommendations ought to keep your boys busy! Thanks again for writing in Sarah, and I'm super grateful to everyone who shared their recommendations!

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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I'm not sure what my problem is, but I'm having the hardest time wrapping my brain around the fact that Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday!) is next week. If you also need help getting in the holiday spirit, and/or want to pick up some awesome tips and inspiration, tune in to Life.Style with Christine Koh tomorrow at 1pm EST. I'll have three wonderful guests on to share fantastically easy and chic holiday décor and table setting ideas, great Thanksgiving recipes (spanning traditional, less traditional, and perfect-for-potluck), and awesome picks for travel toys for kids and babies (to burn those hours in the car or on a plane or train next week). You're welcome to call in or tweet questions during the live episode, or e-mail me a question in advance to pose to the experts.

And of course feel free to e-mail me if you have questions or if there are topics you'd love to see me cover!

Image credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 17 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Decor & Furniture; Holidays; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Recipes; Thanksgiving; Web (Admin)
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One of the best gifts I have ever come up with was back when I was in graduate school. For my mother's 60th birthday I enlisted my six siblings to go in on a big gift: a custom designed mother's ring to replace her wedding ring that had been lost (um, thrown out a moving car window by a toddler) many years before. (I wanted to go with custom because everything I saw ready-made on the market looked tacky, plus we needed something that could be styled awesomely to accommodate seven stones.) I've subsequently always loved the idea of mother's jewelry, but for those of us in our childbearing years, many of the options seem so, well, permanent. Which is one of the reasons I fell in love with Luna & Stella's pretty birthstone stacking rings. Read on to learn more about Luna & Stella, as well as how to win a $50 gift certificate to pick out something pretty of your own!

When Luna & Stella shared their collection of birthstone jewelry with me, I immediately gravitated towards the stacking rings. Though delicate and pretty as a single ring, these moon inspired rings create truly lovely impact once stacked. When I was pregnant with Laurel I was superstitious about doing anything too much in advance of her birth, but for many reasons, this time around is different. And seeing Laurel and her sister's birthstones nestled together (not to mention now feeling the baby's very active kicks) makes me feel happy and celebratory, and eager to see how the sisters will get along.

As I mentioned, one of the things I love about these rings as mother's jewelery is that you can add to them. Because even though Jon thinks I'm completely crazy, since I've been experiencing yet another lovely pregnancy, and after all the heartache and confusion I experienced in the three years of uncertainty leading up to learning I was pregnant again, when I discovered that my ovaries weren't, in fact, dead, my first thought was, "This is amazing! I wonder if we should have a third child?"

That, of course, remains to be seen. But at any rate, if we do have a third child, it'll be a cinch to add another moon to my ring stack. And if not, I'm utterly grateful for what we have in the now.

Now, want to win a $50 gift certificate to Luna & Stella? Here's how:

Rules:

Laurel's reading took flight last year in kindergarten, and with it she developed a love for chapter books. And while the novelty of seeing her curled up reading independently on the sofa under a blanket has not worn off on me, we still love cuddling up and reading together. On the latter, though I appreciated the series' gentle age appropriateness, I admittedly was hugely relieved when Laurel got over her obsession with the formulaic (as in, I literally would fall asleep reading the books out loud) Rainbow Magic books, and moved on to something Jon and I also find entertaining: Ivy + Bean.

My friend Nicola introduced us to Annie Barrows' Ivy + Bean characters via the gift of book 1, and after rereading that book several times, we've gradually acquired and enjoyed books 2 and 3. Ivy and Bean are a plucky and seemingly mismatched pair, and through the telling of their imaginative and quirky adventures, Barrows manages to infuse humor that's palatable for both kids and grownups, and capture the mischievous yet ultimately well meaning spirit of elementary school students perfectly. The other night as Laurel and I were chuckling over one of the books, I asked her why she thought Ivy and Bean were so funny and she paused, giggled, then hit the nail right on the head: "Well, Bean is so funny and Ivy is so focused but somehow they manage to be friends!"

Apparently there are seven books in the series; the boxed sets are a bargain compared to buying the books individually. Boxed set 1 includes books 1-3 and I plan on picking up boxed set 2 (books 4-6) for Laurel for Christmas. Perhaps by the time we finish reading and rereading the first 6 books, book 7 will have have company in a third boxed set. Here's to hoping!

Posted by Christine Koh on 15 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Babies & Kids
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Welcome to Boston Mamas Rock! -- where I share the voices of fabulous local mamas from all walks of life. Read on for today's interview with Joanna Silverman, a mother of one and the educator and holistic health counselor behind Nourishing the Peas and the Pod. Read on to learn about Joanna's wonderful work with moms and kids. Then go ahead and nominate a fabulous fellow mama!

Joanna Silverman, educator and holistic health counselor

Christine: Joanna, welcome! As a proponent of self care and a holistic living approach, I was so fascinated to learn about your work. You're an educator, holistic health counselor, and mother of one. Tell us about the path that led you to this line of work.

Joanna: It would be hard for me to pinpoint one thing that led me to this line of work. A few years ago, I experienced my own health crisis that forced me to make many changes in my life, the most significant being diet and lifestyle choices. Early on in my teaching career I became concerned with the lack of focus on our children's overall well being as it relates to their behavior, performance, and health. For example, as educators we are taught how to maintain a child's attention. However, educational strategies are only one spoke on a wheel. A child's diet, sleep, and lifestyle are equally as important. When I began to make the necessary changes I needed to make in my own life I had a direct experience with how these things could impact a person's overall well being. I had more energy, attention, and focus. At this point I began to think how different my student's lives would be if we supported children in this way. I had the experience in education, but not in the health aspect. So, I decided to study food and health at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Once I completed that course of study I developed Nourishing the Peas and the Pod. Because of this business I am able to support parents in their efforts to provide the best for their children in all areas of life.

Christine: On your website, it indicates that "The journey of motherhood made [you] realize the importance and need of supporting mothers and their children." Do you recall a particular moment where this perspective came into focus for you?

Joanna: Great question! Again this is a hard one to pinpoint. I think it probably hit me as soon as I had Ella. I was so tired and overwhelmed. A major frustration for me was the level of advice or judgment given by others. I think all mothers have gone through a time when their parenting choices were judged by someone, whether it was a grandparent, friend, professional, or stranger walking down the street. It is really difficult to be a parent and when you are judged it feels even harder. Often the fear of our parenting choices being judged causes us to be silent about our choices, struggles, and concerns. How much better could we parent if we felt truly supported? Motherhood is wonderful, but it can also be hard -- I think we need to be honest about the hard parts too! I always felt so much better when someone would acknowledge the hard parts. I was lucky enough to have someone in my life I could call when things were really hard, but I am not sure everyone has that. Also, as parents we are bombarded with so much information, that we often lose what is innately in us, our own intuition, values, and parenting styles. I respect that mothers have their own intelligence and understanding about their children. So, one of my major goals is to support mothers in finding their own voice about their child's needs.

Christine: You note that being a parent can be isolating and overwhelming and that families are often at a loss of where to turn to for support. What are the most typical reasons why families will come to your practice?

Joanna: Families come to my practice for a variety of different needs. The most typical reason a new mother comes to my practice is for support with starting solid foods. Most mothers want to feed their children well, but it is really difficult to do in a society that works directly against this from advertising to food choices. For example, most children's first food is a processed, fortified baby cereal. We as a culture have adopted this as being the first food to start, but I don't necessarily think this is the best first food. It can cause digestive discomfort and is bland tasting. A better approach is to start with a real food, full of flavor, such as a pureed sweet potato mixed with breast milk or formula.

Parents of older children are concerned about their children's school performance (ADHD), weight gain, or overall health. Most have tried to have conversations with medical professionals but have come up empty handed. It's not that doctors don't want to help, it is just that they do not have the time or experience to truly support a parent who has a child that refuses to eat any food that is not white, for example. Many parents come to my practice knowing that some of their child's struggles with food are having a direct impact on their health, but don't know why. I educate both the parent and the child on the importance of a good diet. Again, as a culture we down play the importance food plays in our lives. Food is fuel for the brain. If a child is eating a diet that contains little to no fruits, vegetables, and whole grains there will be a direct impact on their overall health. The effect may not be clear initially, but at some point a restricted diet will impact one or more areas of the child's overall health.

Christine: Can you tell us more about the services you offer? Let's start with the pod. What types of issues can moms get your help with?

Joanna: I work with women in all stages of motherhood from pregnancy to mothers of teenagers. I offer a post and prenatal program, either a six month program or a single two hour consult. The program focuses on the needs of the individual, but typically entails a focus on foods that support both the mother and baby both before and after birth. Preparing for the transition of becoming a mother for the first time is also a major component of the program. I also offer a six month mother's wellness program, a mother's wellness group which I love, and several workshops geared to the needs of women.

Christine: I'm fascinated by your six-month counseling program. Have you found it challenging for busy moms to commit? What are the types of issues you often work through in a six-month program?

Joanna: I offer a six month health counseling program for mothers which entails meeting/talking twice a month and email support throughout the entire program. What I love most about working with mothers is I know once they begin to experience the differences they feel while eating a whole food diet, prioritizing their needs, and increasing their activity level, they become invested in doing the same for their children. It is hard to know the importance of something until you have experienced it yourself. So, I have worked with mothers who want to eat better, lose weight, and improve their health because of underlying health conditions like thyroid or MS, and also for their overall happiness. Often times through our work together we will uncover a certain food or even a life choice that is having a negative impact on their energy level or causing digestive problems. Initially, six months seems like a long time, but in order to make real changes time and commitment is required. Some women want to continue their program beyond the six months depending on their needs.

Christine: I imagine you have a lot of clients in looking for help with the peas -- and especially how to feed them. Indeed, your nominator wrote that she has worked with you both on encouraging healthy eating and also behavioral issues. Do you have some top advice for parents who are completely frustrated with picky eating?

Joanna: Well the first thing I tell all the parents about picky eating is that "picky eating" is a pervasive problem in our society, so they are not alone! After saying that, I tell them the the only person in control of what, when, and how much is eaten is the child! The good news is that we as parents are in control of what food options we make available to our children. The best thing for a parent to do is to end the battle over eating because the child will always win! Sometimes it is just a simple as changing the eating relationship between the parent and the child that increases a child's willingness to try new foods. Pressuring our children to eat is a habit most parents can admit to. Some children respond well to this approach (although it is not a habit I recommend), but most respond negatively. Think back to when you were a child, how did it feel when you were not allowed to leave the table until you ate all your dinner? Usually my number one objective is to give the child back control of their eating. Control means saying you're not hungry, or rejecting certain food. It also means noticing how you feel after you eat certain food, being able to communicate your likes and dislikes (knowing you don't like mushy food), and feeling good about eating. Feeling in control and making connections to your likes and dislikes regarding food often empowers children to try new foods.

Christine: Your website says that in six weeks you can help change the habits of picky eaters. That's pretty impressive given that I've seen parents struggle long and hard on this issue. How are you able to get such fast results?

Joanna: Well in fairness I should include an * to that statement. The families that see the best results are those that are willing to be consistent with the plan. I have worked with some families who do not see these results because of difficulty letting go of old habits, or lack of consistent follow through. The true success of the program really depends on the commitment of the family to implement the plan. Also, I do an initial intake with families to determine their needs. On a rare occasion I have referred them to a feeding specialist or for a feeding evaluation because the child needs are beyond my expertise.

Once I have done the initial intake, I develop a plan that is catered to the needs of the child and the family. The plan typically comes in phases and looks different for every family. For example, phase one may be just having the child keep food on his/her plate or having the child sit at the dinner table with non-preferred food present. Phase two may be the introduction of trying new foods. There are so many dynamics to each case; however, with most families changes are seen within 4-6 weeks. It typically takes longer for the child to willingly incorporate a variety of new foods into their food repertoire. But it does happen with patience and commitment. Food issues have typically been a struggle for some time and it takes time to change old habits for both the parents and the child.

Christine: I'm curious about your thoughts about the rise in allergies in kids. What have you seen on the allergy spectrum in your practice? Have you found any natural measures that have helped kids work through allergy issues?

Joanna: The allergy question is a tricky one. Some people believe we have seen an increase in allergies and sensitivities because of our overprotection from illness. For example, the use of antibacterial gel and the number of vaccinations our children get so early in life. Basically, our immune system is meant to respond to germs. If there are not enough germs to react to because we fight them before we encounter them our immune system becomes hypersensitive or over-responsive to other things, such as food. However, I don't feel like we can blame one snowflake for an avalanche. We need to consider other factors like diet and environment. The typical American diet consists of processed food containing preservatives and additives. It is next to impossible to find a product that does not contain soy, whether it is soy lecithin or soy bean oil. Our bodies were not built to function with so many artificial flavors and preservatives. The use of pesticides also impacts our health. The purpose of a pesticide is to kill life, ingesting them into our bodies has an impact on our life over time. Also, the number of chemicals we are exposed to in our environment from car air-fresheners, off gassing of new furniture and cars, to cleaners we use in our home and on our bodies, directly challenge the body's immune system. There are 82,000+ chemicals used for various reasons in our society, many of these chemicals have never been tested for their safety. All of these things contribute to allergies in my opinion. My advice to support the immune system and help prevent allergies is to eat organic, whole foods whenever possible, and to minimize exposure to chemicals by choosing safer cleaning products.

In my practice I have worked with many picky eaters who have allergies. Often times because children with allergies are on restricted diets, they become picky about their food. I have also worked with a number of children who have food sensitivities which can cause a host of problems from eczema to attention/behavioral problems. Removing sensitivities or allergens from a child's diet can have profound effects on their health. For example, I worked with one child who suffered from severe eczema. Once we removed soy and dairy from his diet and increased his intake of EFA's, his skin completely cleared up.

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

Joanna: Without sounding like I am writing a singles ad, I enjoy reading, spending time with my daughter and husband, having meaningful conversations with a good friend, going for walks, cooking, and sneaking in a yoga practice from time to time. I have no hidden talents -- I wish I did!

Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate her to be featured!

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Boston Mamas Rock!; Local; Pre & Postnatal Services
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Thanks to Kate's recommendation, it looks like life list item #6 ("learn to sew a piece of clothing, i.e., something that doesn't only involve right angles") is within my grasp:

I never really got on the Martha Stewart bandwagon so I didn't suffer disappointment about the whole tax-evasion/time-in-prison thing. When I decided to take up sewing last year, however, a favorite blog led me to an announcement about Martha's new compendium on fabric arts, so I decided to give her a try. And wow, was I ever impressed.

Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Sewing and Fabrics Crafts is a gorgeous and easy to understand guide to sewing (machine and hand), embroidery, quilting, appliqué, and fabric printing. The book is everything that you would expect from Martha -- thorough, inspiring, and beautifully and elegantly produced -- but it is also accessible, encouraging, friendly, and noticeably devoid of projects that are crazy-complicated.

In a step-by-step way, the books takes you through each of the featured crafts, providing solid explanations of the basics coupled with directions for a few sample projects. The photographs are all gorgeous, with colors that pop off the page and ideas that make you want to pull out your sewing machine and give them all a try right there and then. The book comes complete with a CD-ROM of additional patterns and templates, as well as a handy guide to different fabric types. I plan to slowly work my way through all of the projects in the book and hope that -- by the time I'm finished -- Martha will have produced a similar compendium for knitting and fiber crafts.

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Gifts & Paper; Home
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Goodness. In the complete chaos that was last month, I forgot to share a series of articles I wrote for CBS Boston. The process offered fun fodder for reflection on Boston awesomeness for families and I hope you enjoy and find the articles useful. I share my favorite recommendations for: cool spots to photograph your kids, family friendly restaurants that are truly great for kids and foodie parents alike, awesome art studios for kids, out of the box birthday party ideas, and ideas for indoor and outdoor winter fun (because oh my word can you believe next month is December?).

Image credit: Boston Harbor Hotel

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Food & Drink; Fun Indoors; Fun Outdoors; Kid's Parties; Local
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Liz via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I want to take my daughter somewhere warm and fun (beach/pool) in February and was thinking about a cruise or Miami or somewhere without breaking the bank. I'm having trouble finding places that promote things to do with your kids. Everywhere seems to think I'll want to put her in kids camp all day long. I want to do things with her. Any advice/suggestions?

Dear Liz,

Thanks for writing in, and for turning my mind towards warm, beachy thoughts! When I received your query, I immediately thought of my talented friend Roxanna, a local mother of three boys and Miami native who pens the awesome blog Everyday Treats. Roxanna kindly agreed to write a guest post to offer some ideas about visiting Miami with kids. (Thanks, Roxanna!)

I may be a little (OK, maybe a lot) biased, but Miami in February is a perfect place to vacation with your kids. It's warm and just exotic enough to make it an adventure. And with many direct flights from Boston, it's an easy to get to destination as well. Here are some recommendations for fun stuff to do with kids in Miami:

BEACH/WATER TIME

The main thing to know about Miami Beach is that the entire strip is open to the public. We love to set our umbrellas on the beach by the Delano Hotel, so the kids can explore the hotel's orchard garden while we buy drinks at the pool bar. A great kid-friendly resort is the Loews South Beach.

Lots of hotels in the art deco district have amazing pools. Here are a few of the most famous: Delano South Beach Hotel, The National Hotel, and The Raleigh (this pool was made famous by Esther Williams!).

However, the atmosphere on South Beach is not exactly relaxing. If you're looking for a low-key beach, I recommend you do what the locals do and go to Crandon Park in Key Biscayne. It's an easy drive from Miami.

Miami only has one waterpark, but it's a good one! Grapeland Water Park features designs by Brazilian/Miami artist Romero Britto and is a lot of fun.

ANIMALS

If your kids love animals, then you're in luck! Miami is positively teeming with family-friendly places where the kids can get up close and personal with animals. Check out: Jungle Island, Miami Seaquarium, and Zoo Miami.

MUSEUMS

Too much outdoor time? Escape the heat at the Miami Children's Museum or the Miami Science Museum.

I hope you have a great time in Miami!

Image credit: Miami Beach Hotel

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 10 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Dear Boston Mamas; Travel; Web (Admin)
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Today, Lindsey recommends a game that her kids have been rocking. Read on for Lindsey's review, as well as to learn how to win a gift certificate to Creative Toyshop:

My family loves games so I was happy to test out Eat Your Words with the kids for Boston Mamas. We cracked open the game one night before bedtime; my kids were very excited by the game's bright colors, adorable alligator, and child-friendly 3D setup. We played in teams, my husband and 5-year-old son against my 8-year-old daughter and me. My only complaint about this game is that while it says 5+ I think it's better for 7 and up. My son was a bit baffled by the idea of spelling words, particularly because the tiles are in lower case and he is still learning his upper case letters.

However, my daughter -- a voracious reader and writer -- was thrilled. The simplicity of the rules (advance one lily pad at a time, playing either both teams at the same time or individually depending on where the spinner lands) allowed her imagination to flourish when it came to spelling words. She moved letters around, trying out various words, and the way she manipulated the little square tiles reminding me very much of Scrabble.

A couple of details of how you play the game -- particularly the fact that if you lose a round you have to put your letters into the alligator's mouth -- confused me a bit. This might be designed to keep younger children interested, which is fine, but I didn't understand the purpose. No matter -- my kids have continued to play the game and my daughter even exclaimed that she'd love to play it on a play date with a friend. So with the caveat that I'd recommend it for kids 7 and up (or for kids who are comfortable with upper and lower case letters and are working on spelling), I highly recommend Eat Your Words to encourage young wordsmiths.

Now, want to win a $15 gift certificate to Creative Toyshop? Here's how:

Rules:

As someone who practices yoga regularly at home, I am -- unfortunately -- frequently reminded of my negligence in the vacuuming and sweeping department. And realistically, I just don't imagine improving on either of these chores once our baby arrives in March. So that's why I dig Oshi Mat. Currently available in four super cute styles, these recyclable foam mats are cushy, eco-friendly, bacteria resistant, easy to clean, and simple to tote (lightweight tote bag included). Instead of fretting about the fuzzies on one's rug, the inevitable and unidentifiable floor bits at mommy and me classes, and/or the pet hair on the rug at the in-laws, you can simply enjoy rocking tummy time with your baby. And who knows -- maybe these chic mats will even lift your spirits during those frequent diaper changes; I'm certainly going to give it a try.

Posted by Christine Koh on 8 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Diapers & Potty; Eco Living; Gear
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On Thursday's episode of Life.Style I interviewed Tracey Clark, founder of Shutter Sisters and editor of the amazing book Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters' Guide to Shooting from the Heart. The publishers of Expressive Photography sent me a copy of the book to peruse in advance of the show and I cannot recommend it enough, whether as a gift to yourself or a loved one. Whether you're a novice, amateur, or professional photographer, Expressive Photography is replete with inspiring imagery and practical tips and tricks on approach, perspective, composition, lighting, details, and processing for different types of photos (e.g., landscape, portraits, still life, etc.). When I created my life list last month, #5 was "Remember to take photos of my family on the first day of each month." This book is providing immense inspiration to move forward with this project.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups; Gifts & Paper; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Web (Admin)
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Wow, I truly cannot get over the awesomeness of episode 3 of Life.Style -- not because of me, but thanks to the amazing guests I had on the show! In this episode, I share an exclusive interview with pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene, who shares advice on how to teach kids to love real food, and then interview talented photographers Tracey Clark, Karen Walrond, and Casey Mullins -- who all offer fantastic tips for shooting great photographs (whether with a point and shoot or DSLR), as well as insightful critiques on amateur shots. It was such a terrific show that I'm thinking of doing a follow up on choosing photography gear as well as great ways to output your photos (e.g., for gifts or home artwork). If you've got specific ideas/questions in these areas, drop me a line!

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Books & Entertainment; Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing; For Grownups; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Solutions; Web (Admin)
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Thanks to Kate, for reminding me of the joy and mindfulness involved in bread making via Artisan Breads Every Day:

At restaurants, I'm the person who always devours the basket of bread -- dipped in olive oil or smeared with butter -- before the appetizers come. And then, if I'm feeling bold (or particularly hungry), I ask for the basket to be refilled. That whole no-carb/low-carb/bread-is-evil trend? Not for me. I love bread and bread loves me and I've embarked this past year on an effort to learn how to make bread -- really good bread, bakery-quality bread -- at home.

I'm a baker and I've made lots of quick breads and even a few yeast breads in my life, but I've never before made a bread that you would confuse with something that you might find in your restaurant bread basket. I've tried several different methods and several different cookbooks on my recent journey, and I'm here to tell you that I've found the best one: Peter Reinhart's Artisan Breads Every Day. I can't claim that every loaf I've made is flawless, but I can claim that every loaf has been a pleasure to knead, shape, bake, and eat, and that I've been inspired to keep pushing forward -- into pretzels and bagels and even crackers (crackers!) -- because I love the way Reinhart's different doughs feel in my hands.

Reinhart's recipes are clear and flexible and they respect the reader without requiring elaborate techniques involving buckets and thermometers and strange baking pans and the metric system. Reinhart is a baker and an instructor and a founding member of the artisanal bread movement, and his Artisan Breads Every Day is a wonderful book. Try it out and fill your own bread basket.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups
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Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from CM via e-mail:

Dear Boston Mamas, I'm about halfway through my pregnancy and am in desperate need of maternity clothes, but I hate the thought of spending tons of money on clothes I'll only wear for a few months. Any sources of reasonably priced maternity clothes in the area that you'd recommend? Thanks!

Dear CM,

I hear you! (I'm currently 21 weeks.) Here are my recommendations for approaching maternity clothes shopping on a budget:

1. Take inventory of what you have. Don't give up on your closet! Look for long stretchy tees, cardigans, and knit dresses that still fit during the second trimester. Having taken this approach, I've found that the only area where I really need maternity right now is pants. Point being, don't feel panicked that you need to buy everything right this minute. In the next couple of months you'll need maternity tops and dresses, but perhaps you can spread the spending out a bit.

2. Identify the necessities. Following point #1, you probably are in most dire need of pants to accommodate the belly, and perhaps items such as tights and leggings and a couple of work tops (e.g., to replace button downs or other fitted tops that no longer fit). Think about what you need most -- for example, are you working in an office? Things like black dress pants will probably be staples and thus items you might want to splurge a little more on (more on that below). Make a shopping list to keep you on task and avoid the overwhelm factor.

3. Hit up your friends. One thing I wouldn't be shy about is asking mom friends (or community parent lists to which you subscribe) for loaners. As it turns out, many of my friends are d.o.n.e. DONE in the baby department and have generously offered me lots of baby gear (handy, since I donated most of our wee things when I assumed my ovaries were dead). Borrowing maternity wear from friends can be a bit more challenging since your pool of options will diminish due to varying sizes and due date seasons, but even if you can score a few hand me downs from one or two friends, that will be a boon.

4. Start with bargain maternity shopping. Old Navy and Target are good places to start when shopping for new budget maternity wear. However, I definitely recommend shopping online -- buy everything that looks good to you, try it on at home, and return whatever doesn't work to the store (i.e., the credit card bill will only be painful at first). I recommend online shopping because: a) it's way easier, and b) I was just at Old Navy the other day and the in-store inventory was abysmal compared to the online offerings.

5. Consider maternity consignment. Another budget option is maternity consignment. Some consignment stores offer small maternity collections (call Second Time Around to see if any of their locations currently stock maternity; another option to check is The Little Fox at the Fox Library in Arlington). For better odds, a shop that I learned about this year but haven't had a chance to check out is Mighty Aphrodite in Salem. This store is entirely maternity consignment; it totally looks worth a drive northward (there are also some other baby/kid stores in that same area to sweeten the pot) -- I hope to head there when I hit the third trimester.

6. Shop sales at the pricier stores. Particularly if you need work/special event clothing, I recommend keeping an eye on the sale sections at the more expensive maternity shops. Ann Taylor Loft has more work/event oriented clothes; the price points are definitely higher than Target and Old Navy but periodically they run crazy good sales. Also, I picked up some great maternity dresses when I was pregnant with Laurel from A Pea in the Pod on Newbury Street -- all sale rack, marked down to totally reasonable prices (seriously, in one case $200 marked down to $40).

7. Consider a splurge or two. Now, I know the focus here is bargains, but if there are items that you know will be maternity wear workhorses for you, I would consider a splurge or two. My girlfriend Heidi passed along a fantastic pair of A Pea in the Pod black stretchy dress maternity pants. Miraculously, they feel as comfortable as jammie pants but there is no giant maternity panel -- so they fit now in transition, will sit under the belly as I get bigger, and do not fall off! Heidi said she spent a small fortune on those pants but clearly the quality was worth it -- the pants lasted her through many wears during two pregnancies and now I've already worn them several times for work events.

8. A note about coats. After posting this photo of a beautiful new (non-maternity) fall coat I bought (just in time to not be able to button up), I had several friends tell me to not bother investing in a maternity winter coat. In general, I consider coats a major expense -- and one that I tend to languish over considerably -- and was simply planning on wearing my regular winter coat this season with a big cozy scarf. Those emails reinforced that approach! However, of course, if you have a friend who wants to hand you down a maternity coat, by all means, enjoy buttoning it up!

I hope these tips are helpful! Good luck with your maternity shopping and if you find any other great leads, please comment back in!

Image credit: Mighty Aphrodite

Have a question for Christine? Drop her a line! And of course feel free to comment in if you have recommendations beyond those made above.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (7) | Filed in Fashion; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Local; Mama in the Workplace; Pregnancy & Postpartum; Retail
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Do you -- like me -- enjoy taking pictures but want to take your photography to the next level of awesome? Then tune in to Life.Style with Christine Koh tomorrow at 1pm EST! In addition to sharing some fantastic interview footage with renowned pediatrician Dr. Alan Greene (we chat about teaching kids to love real food), I interview three talented photographers who will share great tips on how to rock your camera, whether it's a point and shoot or a DSLR. You're welcome to call in or tweet questions during the live episode, or e-mail me a question in advance to pose to the experts. And if you have a photo you'd like some advice/constructive criticism on, send it to me today at editor@bostonmamas.com.

And of course feel free to e-mail me if you have questions or if there are topics you'd love to see me cover!

Image credit: Shutter Sisters simply autumn

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Eco Living; Feeding & Nursing; Gadgets; Home; Life.Style with Christine Koh; Solutions; Web (Admin)
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Jon, Laurel, and I just returned from voting, parting ways with the load of brownies Laurel and I baked for the Election Day bake sale at her school-turned-polling-station, and an unexpected celebratory family diner breakfast. (Laurel turned out to be a fine helper at the polls, instructing me to fill in my ovals more cleanly...) The polls are open until 8pm tonight and I urge you all to get out there and vote today. If you plug in your address at the Secretary of the Commonwealth Elections Division site, it's super easy to find your polling location and also see a preview of the ballot in advance of making your marks.

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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On Friday I had a super fun time visiting Laurel's classroom as the Mystery Guest, during which time parents can read stories or introduce the kids to their profession or hobbies. Given that most of my work (writing, editing, graphic design) and recreational (e.g., baking, sewing, learning to play mandolin, etc.) endeavors aren't exactly conducive to in-class demos, I decided to teach the kids yoga. I started by telling the kids what I do for work and then explained that because I spend so much time at my computer, it's important to be active too. And that yoga is a great way to calm down while strengthening the body if you're feeling restless or cranky (hint, hint). I thought it would be fun to share the poses I did with the kids, should you and/or your kids need a little calming and strengthening during the day. Enjoy!

Now, first, I should disclose that I'm not a licensed yoga practitioner; however, I've been practicing for several years, currently practice yoga 2-3 times a week, and am one of those people who -- whether it's swim strokes, dance choreography, or running form -- likes to get the mechanics just right. So I felt confident in my ability to demonstrate poses and decided to pick a series of poses that would mix stretching, strength, and balance, and be fun for the kids. I also sought to identify a few poses with animal names (since, you know, kids respond to making animal noises). Since readers might vary in their familiarity with yoga, below I link up to Yoga Journal's helpful pose pictures and descriptions so you can get the full details. Otherwise, I make notes on how I proceeded with the kids.

First I explained some yoga basics to the kids: that practicing yoga is great because it stretches and strengthens your body at the same time, helps us coordinate breath to movement (and how that can help make poses easier and make you more calm), and that you can always take each pose to the most basic form and do what is comfortable for you. I also explained that as with any physical activity, it's important to start and end yoga with warm up and cool down stretches to prevent injury, and that in between we'd do some poses for strength and balance. Then I led them through:

1. Mountain pose -- we took 5 deep breaths here. It was amazing how quiet the room got!

2. On an inhale we then lifted our arms up to the sky then exhaled to chair pose. The kids were hilarious -- they all started groaning about feeling the burn.

3. We stood back up (inhale), then folded in half to standing forward bend (exhale).

4. Then I had them rise a bit into standing half forward bend (inhale) then fold back in half again (exhale).

**We came back up to standing and repeated this stretch sequence 4 more times; I called out the breaths with each position as we went.

5. Then, I led the kids through 5 repetitions of cat and cow - and so commenced lots of meowing and mooing.

6. From a neutral spine position, then we inhaled deeply, then exhaled as we pressed up into downward dog -- the kids loved it, especially since many were familiar with the pose.

7 (sequence). Now for a lot of wobbling and giggling. From downward dog, I had them bring one foot between their hands into a lunge, then led them through Warrior I, Warrior II, reverse warrior (turning the front palm up and leaning back so the front arm points up to the sky), then side angle. Lots of happy groaning here -- the kids loved the side stretching!

I then brought them into a wide-legged forward bend and explained that whatever you do to one side of the body you must do to the other. So from the wide legged bend we switched sides and went through the warrior sequence again. I had them take a couple of breaths in each pose.

8. I next taught them tree pose -- many of the kids were familiar with this pose and really loved it. We spent several breaths here -- first with the palms pressed together in front of the heart while gaining balance, and then, if they wanted, while pressing their arms to the sky to extend the branches. We then repeated tree pose on the opposite leg.

At this point, I could have ended and gone into final stretches, but we had a little extra time and of course when I asked the kids if they were up for a couple of challenging poses they all said, "YES!!!!!!!!!!" So I taught them:

9. Warrior III -- using airplane or Superman terminology stuck with them here.

10. And from Warrior III, dancer's pose. We repeated these two balance positions on the opposite side.

11. And then we did triangle pose on each side.

12. And finally, camel pose. Commence lots of camel noises of questionable accuracy.

For cool down/restorative stretching, I took them through:

13. Child's pose -- 5 breaths here.

14. Seated forward bend -- 5 breaths here.

15. Easy pose -- 5 breaths here.

It was awesome! It was so fun to encourage movement and the kids had a great time. I heard later from some parent friends that kids were showing off their new moves at home. I hope you enjoy these poses on your own or with your kids!

Image credit: Lotuspad yoga mats

Posted by Christine Koh on 1 Nov 2010 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Sports & Fitness
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