My friend Cynthia is, like me, minimalist when it comes to baby stuff, so I took the following gear recommendation to heart: "I had a thought during my 3 am feeding that you might be interested in...I've found the itzbeen to be the most helpful item of baby gear so far this go-round. A single-mom friend turned me on to it, because she knew she would be insanely sleep-deprived and not able to be charting even the most basic info. It really helps me keep track of feeding often by day and it's encouraging to know she's going 2-3 hours at a time at night. It also helps me remember which boob I'm on." Go forth and collect data mamas.

Posted by Christine Koh on 31 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Gear
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Hello everyone -- I hope you have fantastically relaxing plans for the Memorial Day long weekend! We're going to be staying local and keeping it low key since June will be a bit crazy, but at the very least, yummy food and fun and games with Laurel and Violet are on the docket. (Admittedly, hopefully we'll also chip away a bit at some household to do's.) Meanwhile, I thought I'd share 12 bits of web awesomeness to entertain you over the long weekend. Enjoy!

1. I love when the power of social media proves awesome in a battle between an independent artist and retail giant. (I just bought this I Heart Massachusetts necklace to show my support.)

2. Karen was the perfect person to interview and photograph Molly Ringwald.

3. Wait, didn't I just post yesterday about how I wanted to make pita pizzas?

4. If you dig knitting, you probably want to check out this knit-tastic blog tour (including yarn chat, free patterns, giveaways, etc.).

5. I like maxi dresses because they're effortless, you don't have to shave your legs, and they make even vertically challenged people like me look tall.

6. I really need to tend to the lawn (er...the weeds) this weekend. Here are some tips on maintaining a chemical-free lawn.

7. And speaking of non-toxic, this weekend I'll be adding to my shopping list some of the top recommended sunscreens via the EWG Skin Deep Suncreens 2011 site. (They also offer top picks for lip balms, moisturizers, and makeup with SPF.)

8. This DIY floating shelving video by the adorable Erin Loechner basically makes me want to bust out some tools this weekend.

9. My friend Melissa always has her finger on the coolness pulse in Boston.

10. Sarah was right, music is the oxygen of life for the musician. (Also, this post made me cry.)

11. She had me at peanut butter chocolate frosting.

12. This style post caught my eye since orange is Laurel's favorite color.

Image credit: tru.che handmade

Posted by Christine Koh on 27 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Arts & Crafts; Bath, Beauty & Health; Decor & Furniture; Eco Living; Fashion; Feeding & Nursing; For Mamas & Mamas-to-be; Home; Local; Recipes
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As a foodie and person who is hugely grateful that our family manages to convene for dinner almost every night, it's been fun to be part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation. The series has covered a range of topics such as odd eating habits, involving kids at mealtime, funny dinner moments, meal planning, what dinner means to family, and table manners (you can check out all of these video conversations at the Ragú® Facebook page). And now that it really feels as if the warm weather is here (and Memorial Day is coming up!), my mind is turning to summer food inspiration.

Specifically, I'm curious about what changes for your family food-wise with the change in season and how you adjust with your kids. For example, if pasta and pizza are the only things your kids will eat, what do you feed them when the weather gets hot? Or if you're a big grill fan, do you have fantastic recipes beyond the standard burger and dog, or awesome options for vegetarians? Here are a few things I'm planning on trying this summer; I'd love to hear your ideas as well!

Grilled pizza. Pizza is clearly a winner with kids and this summer I'm going to try bringing the pizza outside. Our foodie friends Andrew and Nooshi served grilled pizzas to us last summer and they used large, thin pita bread as the crust. The pizzas were a huge hit with the kids and grownups.

Veggie burgers. Laurel has never been much of a burger and dogs fan and probably will be even less inclined towards them given her new commitment to eating more vegetarian. So I'm on the hunt for a really great veggie burger recipe -- do share if you have one!

Grilled veggie packets. We enjoyed a summer meal with friends where they placed veggies in foil (simply drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper) and grilled the packets. The results were fantastic and it felt like opening a little present. I'm especially excited to try this once our CSA veggies start up and hope the unusual presentation will entice Laurel into trying new veggies.

Fish on the grill. I've never tried fish on the grill but I think this will be the summer to do it. I've seen recipes where you need to use a grill rack (so the fillets don't crumble and fall through the grill slats) or I'll try the foil package technique with thin fillets.

So, do you have any fantastic recipes to share, or tried and true summer foods that your kids will eat (other than ice cream...)? Please share below in the comments!

Also, my fellow Mom's the Word on Dinner panelists are also ruminating about food this week; check out what Audrey McClelland, Caroline Murphy, Daphne Brogdon, Kim Tracy Prince, Mindy Roberts, Vickie Howell, Trisha Haas, and Whitney Moss are chatting about!

Image credit: Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 26 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Family Issues; Feeding & Nursing
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Today, Carole Arsenault of Boston Baby Nurses shares tips to help dads bond:

The 21st century has ushered in countless dads who, from day one, jump right into their roles as fathers. But even though the societal role has evolved beautifully, that doesn't mean all the day-to-day details come naturally. Of course this can be the case with moms too, but women tend to have had at least some experience with babies, whether it's having played with dolls as a child, babysitting as a teen, or having friends and colleagues with babies. It can be a challenge for new fathers to sort out what to do in those first few newborn weeks and months, especially if mom is breastfeeding. But there are plenty of ways for dad to get involved beyond running errands, picking up slack on chores and handing over the baby for feeding. Here are just a few:

Stay connected: It can be tough for dads to return to work when his new family is at home together. In order to get in on the bonding, Dad should call, email, or text to check in during the day to see how everyone is doing. (And if Mom has time, she could send a photo of baby his way.)

Change diapers: Right from the beginning parents should alternate diaper changes. Not only is it fair, it's just another opportunity for bonding, speaking softly, or singing to baby -- baby will learn to find comfort in the sound of Dad's voice.

Give baths: A lot of moms I've worked with have handed the bath time ritual completely to dads and it's not a bad idea! At the very least, Dad should take part in bathing, as it will help baby get used to and feel comforted by Dad's unique touch. Bathing a newborn can be intimidating at first, but after a few gentle practice rounds, it'll be second nature and yet another way to connect.

Read books: I cannot emphasize this enough -- it's never too early to start reading with your baby. It's a wonderful way for dads to interact intimately at this early stage when there aren't a lot of options for playtime. It'll also help instill a lifetime love of reading. You don't even have to read baby books at first -- just cuddle up together and read anything you like!

Wear baby: One of the reasons babies are so comforted by their moms is because they have physically felt their movement rhythms for nine months and once born, instantly gravitate toward their smell and feeling. Dad can help develop a similar sense of comfort by wearing baby in a carrier. They don't have to be going anywhere necessarily, just walking or dancing gently around the house will do. The same goes for holding and cuddling with baby -- this will allow baby to come to know and love the feeling and scent that is Dad.

Image credit: Dynamite Imagery / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 25 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Family Issues
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The Boston Common Frog Pond typically is associated with skating and swimming, but this spring the beautiful setting is being put to other mindful and creative uses. For the next several Thursdays (9-10:30am), start your day off right with free yoga classes (small worldly enough, taught by one of my sisters!) -- all levels are welcome and advanced registration is not required. And on Saturday, June 4 (10am-2pm), engage your creative spirit through a free flower arranging workshop (and take home your creation) at the Frog Pond Garden Party. Advance reservations are encouraged. So lovely, no?

Posted by Christine Koh on 24 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Let's face it: pumping probably doesn't top any mom's Fun Stuff To Do Today list. And pumping used to be doubly un-fun when Laurel was a baby because our efforts with the bottle were so unsuccessful (our fault -- we started introducing the bottle way too late) and I had to sit there and watch the minutes tick by (no doubt thinking about how the milk would probably go to waste) while I held the gear in place. Well, no more. Thanks to the Simple Wishes bustier (which I picked up at Isis Parenting on the recommendation of my friends Cindy and Liz), pumping has turned from single focused chore to multitasking opportunity.

The Simple Wishes bustier features two openings to easily slide in your pump attachments; the attachments are held snug via adjustable Velcro in the back (particularly handy for accommodating the freakish size fluctuation that comes with the early weeks of nursing) and a zipper down the front. I've written columns, checked e-mail, edited manuscripts, tweaked design projects, and flipped the pages of InStyle while pumping. My pumping sessions zip by in a flash (I got even faster with the whole operation once I realized I could simply put the bustier on over my regular nursing bras -- flaps open of course), and I finish feeling extra accomplished for having gotten a few things done while banking milk. I truly can't believe I lived without this bustier when I pumped the first time around, especially since I had to pump a lot more back then (since I was away from Laurel more, working at the lab/hospital).

And oh yes...we didn't make the same mistake this time and started introducing the bottle at three weeks (instead of, um, three months). So not only is pumping easier thanks to the bustier, but Jon and Laurel (and other relatives and our babysitter) are having fun feeding Violet and my schedule isn't constrained around three-hour feeding windows. Talk about simple wishes fulfilled.

Posted by Christine Koh on 23 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Gear
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I recently saw Jennifer of Savoring the Thyme post about her family's Meatless May and it reminded me of something I wanted to share. A couple of months ago, Laurel became very concerned about animals -- or rather, human consumption of them. She asked whether we could help the environment and the animals and start eating vegetarian one week per month. We tried it and found it surprisingly easy, and that the experiment rendered other benefits.

Though organized about lots of things, Jon and I tend to be lax when it comes to menu planning. But when we committed to Laurel's vegetarian week, we decided to create a menu for the week to help us stick to the plan. Here's a sample week:

Sunday: Vegetable lasagna (It's nice to do something on Sunday that will create leftovers for the week; I used this awesome lasagna recipe but substituted roasted eggplant, zucchini, and yellow squash for the chicken.)

Monday: Bean and cheese and/or vegetable quesadillas

Tuesday: Pan seared tofu, brown rice, scallion pancakes, and assorted veggies

Wednesday: Breakfast as dinner (eggs, pancakes, what have you...)

Thursday: Magic spinach pie

Friday: Take out or dine out (pizza, burritos, sushi, etc...just make sure it's meat free!)

Saturday: FREE CHOICE (e.g., leftovers or something easy like veggie burgers)

As I said, it was remarkably easy to make it through the week eating vegetarian. But also cool? We have found that this experiment has lead to decreased meat consumption in other (non-vegetarian week) weeks, lower grocery bills (since we're buying less meat and fish), and better menu planning overall (we now plot our weekly menus on these chalkboard circles in our kitchen). So what do you think? Would you consider trying vegetarian week?

Image credit: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Posted by Christine Koh on 22 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (4) | Filed in Home; Recipes; Solutions
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I know I'm not the only one eager for the sun to break through, and tomorrow -- for EarthFest -- would make for especially welcome timing. In its 18th year, this free Hatch Shell event will feature national and local music acts (starting at noon) as well as eco-friendly products and environmental non-profits. EarthFest also will feature an interactive family area -- Kid's Planet -- starting at 10am. In addition to kid friendly activities and displays, the family friendly musical lineup will include RhymeZwell, Vanessa Trien & the Jumping Monkeys, Little Groove, and one of my personal favorites: Dan Zanes & Friends.

Posted by Christine Koh on 20 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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Some of my happiest high school memories are musical in nature -- I made wonderful friends and played in fantastic venues such as Symphony Hall as a violinist on the competitive circuit. Not surprisingly, I'm a fan of the BSO and the Pops, the latter of which opened its season last week. And if you and your kids would like to enjoy the musical brilliance that frames many memorable movies, the Pops will present three performances of Hooray for Hollywood next week, during which esteemed composer and conductor John Williams (yes, the John Williams of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter fame, among many other films) will lead the Pops in shining a light on famous cinematic villains and heroes. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the Boston Pops are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to Hooray for Hollywood*! It'll make for a bit of a late school night but will be well worth it! Here's how to enter to win:

Rules:

My mother-in-law never runs dry of fun ideas for things to do with Laurel, and during a recent visit, she came up with a brilliant way to get my little homebody outside. She proposed a "penny walk" (apparently something she had learned at camp as a child), where you take a penny and at every corner, flip the coin to decide whether to go straight or take a turn (if at an intersection you could opt for left or right). Laurel was so excited about this idea and before they departed, she decided to also turn the walk into a nature scavenger hunt and constructed the below tally chart (click image below to enlarge). It's a lovely activity when it's nice out, but also would be fun in the rain this week -- no doubt accompanied by a little puddle jumping.

What a fun way to get your kids outside and also work in some lessons about nature observation, counting, and probability, no?

Image credit (of penny): Wikipedia

Posted by Christine Koh on 18 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Development & Behavior
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I've written before that Eli and Sheri Gurock of Magic Beans are some of the busiest (and kindest) people around, so I was impressed to hear about an amazing expo they're bringing to Boston on May 31. Debuting at the Seaport Hotel, the Drool Baby Expo offers expecting, new, and seasoned parents (or anyone else who digs cool baby stuff) the opportunity to check out the latest in baby gear, partake in refreshments and complimentary spa services, engage in demos, workshops, and consultations, and enjoy giveaways, freebies, and discounts (plus, all attendees will receive an awesome gift bag). And how cool is this? The kind folks at Magic Beans are offering one of you awesome readers a pair of VIP tickets to Drool*! Below is how to enter to win, plus additional insider info on why you want to buy a ticket even if you don't win. I'll be drooling over things for Violet at Drool, so please come say hello if you see me!

Rules:

Ever since Laurel became upwardly mobile, I couldn't help but notice the proliferation of Crocs on kids, but Laurel never showed much interest (save the collecting potential of jibbitz) due to her desire for all things girly. And apparently it's amazing what a flower cut out and the right colors can do. I recently received a pair of Crocs Chameleons Shirley Girls to test out with Laurel and she pretty much wore them for three days straight out of the box. Comfortable (Laurel immediately tore down the sidewalk as soon as she put them on) and girly, the additional hit feature of these shoes is that they change color in the sun. Initially white, within seconds of sun exposure on Friday, Laurel's shoes turned violet (which she of course loves, given our little Violet). And even during the weekend's overcast weather, we found that the shoes still turned color, just not as deep.

Available in styles and colors to suit boys and girls, Crocs Chameleons are limited edition and just debuted on Friday, so if you're looking for comfy, breathable, beach and park happy shoes that also happen to perform magic tricks, hop on over to Crocs and get a pair before they run out!

Posted by Christine Koh on 16 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fashion; For Little Ones
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Today, Jennifer shares some great local theatres where you can get your musical fix on a budget:

The first time my parents took me to a musical, I was blown away. My dad surprised us with season tickets to a local theatre and we saw everything from Annie to South Pacific that year. I was in elementary school at the time and boy, nothing I'd seen up to that point compared to the glorious lights, music, costumes, and magic that is live theatre!

My kids are still a bit young for most shows, but I have started to scout out some great local theatres for the years ahead. Broadway shows are amazing, but not all of us have the time or budget to head into Boston for a high-priced show, especially with young kids who may or may not be able to sit through a nearly 3-hour performance. But with so many wonderful community theatres nearby, there's a way to get your musical fix on a budget. Here are a few that I've found so far:

The Reagle Music Theatre in Waltham offers a Christmas show (my kids loved it) that is a fantastic local version of the Radio City Music Hall show. And their version of Annie last year was stellar (Sally Struthers makes for one fab Mrs. Hannigan!).

We've also visited the very cool North Shore Music Theatre. It's got a great "theatre in the round" set up that gives even more life to the wonderful lighting, costumes, acting, and singing. This year you can catch My Fair Lady, Tarzan, The King and I, Footloose, and Legally Blonde.

I saw a lovely version of Singing in the Rain last spring (tough to pull off at a community theatre!) at Emerson Umbrella Theatre in Concord; last month they put on a production of Ragtime.

In this day and age of over scheduling and way too much digital stuff, it's wonderful to take a step back in time and enjoy the live theatre, whether for the kids or just the grown-ups!

Posted by Christine Koh on 14 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (7) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local
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I hope the rain holds off this weekend because ever since our recent overnight to Maine (where Laurel flew her first kite last summer), I've been thinking about kites. And tomorrow (May 14, 12-4pm) is the Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival, where families can fly kites (BYOK; they'll also be giving away kites to the first 50 attendees) and/or "rent" bikes for free. Meanwhile, I'm browsing Into the Wind, which offers a crazy selection of kites. I especially like that they break out sections for beginner and kids kites (read: easy to fly models). And in the show kite department, this air guitar kite is out of my budget but totally cool, no?

Posted by Christine Koh on 13 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (3) | Filed in Art Supplies & Toys; Fun Outdoors; Local
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Though Laurel has been more experimental with vegetables since we embarked on our CSA journey last year, green vegetables (save cucumbers) remain a sticking point. Until recently, when my sister Jenn brought over a spinach pie and Laurel shocked me by both offering to try it (usually I have to ask) and loving it. So of course I was eager to find an easy recipe to take advantage of this new love. And I found it in Nick Stellino's Mediterranean Flavors (notably also the source of this moussaka recipe Laurel loves).

The thing that struck me about the pie Jenn brought was that there was no crust, given that the spinach pie recipes I have tried in the past all had a bottom crust. The Stellino recipe instead features a puff pastry top. I made Stellino's recipe as below and it was promptly devoured. The second time around I skipped the puff pastry (I didn't have any on hand, plus, the frozen puff pastry I bought for the first attempt seemed really expensive) and though the pie lost height (you could resolve that by making it in a smaller pan), it was just as good and we enjoyed it on toasted pieces of crusty bread. Delicious. And also promptly devoured.

This pie is perfect; it's easy to knock together and is now a guaranteed way of getting green veggies into Laurel. Enjoy!

Nick Stellino's Spinach and Cheese Pie
Steps abridged and annotated below by Christine Koh

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

2 10-oz packages frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed to remove excess moisture
1 cup ricotta cheese
1.5 cups (3/4 lb) crumbled feta cheese
1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
3 eggs
1 sheet frozen puff pastry

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Heat olive oil on high heat in a pan. Add onion and cook one minute, then add garlic and spices (I skipped the red pepper flakes and didn't really measure the other spices -- just estimated by sprinkling direct from the containers -- and it worked out fine). Cook 2-3 minutes until the onion begins to brown. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and stir in the spinach, three cheeses, and 2 of the eggs. Spread evenly into prepared baking dish.

2. Roll out puff pastry on a lightly floured board until large enough to cover the pie. Lay on top of the spinach pie filling, tucking edges if there is excess. Lightly score top into 8 squares, taking care not to cut all the way through. Beat remaining egg and brush over top of the puff pastry.

3. Cover pan with foil and bake 30 minutes. Increase temperature to 425 degrees, remove foil, and bake for additional 15 min. Cool 15 minutes and serve.

**When I skipped the puff pastry the second time around, I simply baked the pie uncovered for about 35 or so minutes at 400 degrees. The top didn't get brown and crispy (as you would see with a lasagna for example), but I could see the bottom (through the glass dish) getting light brown so I pulled it out.

Image credits: 1 -- Simon Howden / FreeDigitalPhotos.net; 2 -- Christine Koh

Posted by Christine Koh on 12 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing; Home; Recipes
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Today, Kate shares a great local spot for sweet and savory treats, and a cookbook that will allow you to recreate tasty treats at home:

One of the many great things about living in the Boston area is getting to enjoy Joanne Chang's wonderful Flour Bakery + Cafe. Chang is a pastry chef and entrepreneur, and a devotee of all things baked and frosted and all-around yummy. Each of the three locations of Flour (Cambridge, Fort Point, the South End) is a happy haven in which to sit, relax, and enjoy a range of sandwiches, salads, and lots and lots of baked goods. Chang is committed to using real foods and fresh ingredients -- none of your pre-packaged, over-oily muffins and scones here -- and to helping people to learn how to bake well at home.

Monthly classes are offered at the Fort Point location on topics such as sticky buns, brioche, cupcakes, brownies, and working with puff pastry. Additionally, Chang recently released Flour: Spectacular Recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe, which offers recipes for many of the best treats available at the bakeries. I've already tried out the macaroons and the peanut butter cookies, and can vouch for both. Check out Joanne Chang and Flour for a tasty treat.

Editor's Note: Kate and I met up for lunch at Flour while I was super pregnant. I basically wanted to eat about six of the grilled tofu and roasted vegetable sandwiches, and clearly need to visit again with Jon, Laurel, and Violet soon!

Posted by Christine Koh on 11 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; Food & Drink; For Grownups; Local
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Spring always brings up discussions about the life cycle with Laurel, and this week there's a unique show in town that celebrates a "nature treasure" (as Laurel likes to call them) not to be taken for granted. Running today through Sunday, May 15, Farfalle (Butterflies) debuts in Boston courtesy of the Italian theatre company Compagnia TPO. This hour long show traces the life cycle of a butterfly through a multisensory theatre experience in which kids can join the actors in bringing the show to life via a digital carpet that illuminates on touch. And how cool is this? The kind folks at the Celebrity Series of Boston are offering one of you awesome readers a 4-pack of tickets to Farfalle*! Here's how to enter to win:

Rules:

I love Katherine Center's writing, so it was such a treat to meet her last year at Mom 2.0 Summit. She is warm, welcoming, lovely, and creative, and probably the only person (aside from Laurel) who I have allowed to mark up my person (she painted the word "awesomeness" on my arm during our first meeting). For today's four favorites guest post (sadly, the last in the series!), I asked Katherine to share four favorite books -- books that are excellent in quality yet easy enough to absorb while in the trenches of nursing and sleep deprivation.

From Katherine:

What I didn't expect about becoming a mom was how much it would change what I wanted to read.

I could have predicted that it would mean reading less, at least at first, in the thick of things. And I could have predicted that I'd want books that weren't too challenging for my exhausted eyes -- and body, and brain.

But what really changed was what I was willing to read about.

Because now, as a mom, there are a lot of places I just don't want to go. I don't do nihilism anymore, for example. Or ennui. I don't want to read about people who get kidnapped, beaten, or chopped into tiny pieces.

For a while, I thought this made me a wimp. But then I decided that I don't want to read about hopeless things right now because I'm working so hard to go in the other direction. Raising children is an inherently hopeful activity. You have to believe that there's a chance, at least, that things will be okay. You have to believe that people can rise above their struggles and become wiser for them. You have to believe in the power of human kindness and connection.

That's not to say that I want to read false, cotton-candy versions of life, either. I just want the hope to outweigh the despair.

With that in mind, here are five recommendations for reading for moms. Books that won't hurt your eyes or your brain, that will make you laugh, and that will possibly even say something true enough to inspire you.

1. Persuasion by Jane Austen. Delicious, page-turning, romantic, and smart. Nobody beats Jane Austen for insights about womanhood, and this book will take you to a place both nothing -- and also exactly -- like your life.

2. Naked by David Sedaris. David Sedaris is the king of making you laugh, cringe, and cry all at once. He is bitterly funny and unceasingly honest. Naked features essays about his visit to a nudist colony.

3. A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. In this, my favorite of all his books, out-of-shape Bryson decides to hike the Appalachian Trail with an even-more-out-of-shape old high school pal. It's funny as hell -- and informative, too -- but the heart of the book lies in the relationship between the two friends as they try to rise above their limitations.

4. The Big Love by Sarah Dunn. Chick-lit as it ought to be -- funny, fast, sharp and spare. Sarah Dunn can really write.

5. Operating Instructions by Anne Lamott. A book all moms should read. Lamott is brutally honest about the joys and agonies of life with a baby. There's nothing more comforting than other moms who can tell it like it is.

Fantastic recommendations, no? I sent Jon to The Book Rack with this list and he came back with A Walk in the Woods, which I promptly devoured (Bryson is a smart and very, very funny writer), and I can't wait to read the rest of Katherine's recommendations. And of course I also think you should read Katherine's books: The Bright Side of Disaster, Everyone Is Beautiful, and Get Lucky. You can also follow Katherine on Twitter at @katherinecenter.

Posted by Christine Koh on 9 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (2) | Filed in Books & Entertainment; For Grownups
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It was a momentous week, and one that left me -- and many others -- with complicated emotions and reactions regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden. This week Mindy Roberts, Susan Carraretto, and I discussed what kind of message we're sending to our children if we rejoice over Bin Laden's death, whether we feel safer now that he is gone, and how to talk about these issues with our kids. The video is embedded below and you can weigh in on the conversation here or over at Momversation. I'm curious to hear how you are processing these weighty issues with your kids.

Posted by Christine Koh on 7 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Family Issues; Momversation; Web (Admin)
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Hello everyone! Tomorrow is the March for Babies in Boston and I would be super appreciative if you would make a donation to Team Boston Mamas & Friends (or you could donate to my personal page if you like). Truly, no gift is too small! Thanks so much in advance for your support, and also to fellow team members Kerrie, Kami of The Fence, Angela of Mommy Bytes, Sonia of My Little Pakora, and Liz of Goddess in Progress for their footsteps and fundraising efforts! If you'd like to join us last minute for the walk, drop me a line at editor@bostonmamas.com!

Posted by Christine Koh on 6 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (1) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Good Deeds; Local; Web (Admin)
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Few things cute overload me like baby animals, and if you're of a similar persuasion and would like to enjoy Mother's Day with your own little critters in tow, you can celebrate Mama's Day at the Franklin Park and Stone Zoos this Sunday, May 8. Moms will enjoy free admission throughout the day, and the first 100 moms to arrive at each zoo will receive a goodie bag, the contents of which includes items from some of the local, awesome mom-owned businesses listed in the Boston Mamas mamapreneur network! Both zoos will also honor their celebrity animal moms, including gorilla Kiki with her 5-month-old baby Kambiri at Franklin Park Zoo, and emperor tamarin Snoopy and her baby Wally at Stone Zoo.

Posted by Christine Koh on 5 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Outdoors; Local
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It is with immense sadness that I share that yesterday, contributing writer Sarah Feather died following her spirited battle with cancer. Sarah not only offered fashion and lifestyle inspiration here at Boston Mamas and elsewhere, but for the last couple of years she has documented her journey with cancer at The Carcinista with impressive wit and candor. Sarah is survived by her husband Ed, sons Whit and Avery, and countless friends and family who undoubtedly will always remain in awe of her spirit, humor, and impeccable sense of style.

I still have not fully wrapped my brain around the fact that Sarah will not live to a ripe old age; she should have made it to 40 (and far, far beyond that). In her honor and for your own awareness, please read and share her post on knowing the signs of ovarian cancer, and listen to and share her recent podcast interview regarding her journey with cancer and decision to cease treatment in order to regain quality of life with her friends and family. Donations in Sarah's honor may be directed to Natick-based Ovations for the Cure and First Descents in Colorado.

Sarah, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for all of the gifts you have shared with so many.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (6) | Filed in Web (Admin)
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Having received clearance yesterday from my midwife, just this morning I got back on the fitness wagon with a short (yet shockingly sweaty) yoga practice. And if you're looking to cash in some Mother's Day self care time via fitness, consider heading to Equinox Back Bay on Saturday (May 7). During this free event (you can also check out and share the details via Facebook), enjoy group fitness classes (how awesome does barre burn sound?), mom-focused seminars (including a talk by Boston Mamas contributor Carole Arsenault, who recently published a fantastic book), complimentary spa services, refreshments, and giveaways. You can even bring your little one for a playdate at the Kid's Club (reservation required). Namaste, mama.

Posted by Christine Koh on 4 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Beauty, Fitness & Wellness; Fun Indoors; Local
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Last month, I actually had to ask someone when Mother's Day was, which seemed comically fitting. However, once informed, I was thrilled to connect with several local establishments who are hosting fun Mother's Day events. I'll be sharing these events over the next few days, and first up is a pick for moms who love to engage in a little retail therapy. This Thursday (May 5), moms around the country will enjoy a collective night out via Mom's Nite Out, and I'm pleased to partner again this year with participating Mom's Nite Out site, the Atrium Mall. In addition to hitting favorite stores (I could use a visit to Anthropologie, J. Crew, and LOFT now that I'm done with maternity clothes...), at this event (4-7pm) attendees can peruse fashion, beauty, health, and home design tables, and pick up or enter to win various goodies and prizes.

Posted by Christine Koh on 3 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Fun Indoors; Local; Retail
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One of the experiences that helped me break out of my blogging "cave" was my first in real life blog event -- the Disney mom blog mixer. And among the lovely women in attendance was Jo-Lynne of Musings of a Housewife. Jo-Lynne and I share a number of passions -- design, fashion, food -- and given that she writes a lot about her journey with whole foods, for today's four favorites guest post, I asked Jo-Lynne if she could share four easy family meals. As in, easy enough to assemble while slinging a baby, because sadly, there does come a time when the visitors bearing casseroles and take out dries up.

From Jo-Lynne:

Christine is one of my "oldest" blogging buddies; we met in the spring of 2007 at the very first Disney Mom Blogger Mixer, and we've been friends ever since. I was honored when she asked me to guest post while she's on maternity leave.

Since we share a passion for real food and organic eating and living, we thought it might be fun if I share four healthy and easy family meals. These meals are so easy that you could make them with a baby on your hip and a toddler hanging on your leg, although I certainly wouldn't recommend that. Some of these do require veggie prep, but you can always do that part earlier in the day, while the kids are napping, or even before work in the morning so it's all ready to throw together come dinnertime.

Meal #1: Philly Sausage and Peppers (pictured above)

This recipe is so simple. Just buy some good quality sweet Italian sausage links (I get mine from a local farmer when I can) and then all you need is onions, garlic, red and green peppers, and red or white wine -- whatever you have on hand for drinking is fine. Other than that, you just need some dried oregano and basil and some butter or lard for cooking and you're good to go.

Meal #2: Shepherd's Pie

This is the meal for the meat-and-potatoes family. You make mashed potatoes, and while they're boiling, brown some ground beef and whatever veggies float your boat -- we used onion and carrot. You can always throw in a frozen bag of organic peas and carrots, and most people include corn, but something about corn mixed with ground beef gives me the willies so I omitted that. Then you add salt and pepper, Worcestershire, and beef broth (homemade is best, but you can always pick up a carton at the store). When that's all happy, spread it into a casserole dish, top with the mashed taters, and bake till golden brown on top. This is a fabulous and easy one dish meal, and it reheats well too so it's great for taking to a friend who is sick or, you know, having a baby.

Meal #3: Chicken Enchiladas

These are another longtime family favorite. If you have cooked chicken meat on hand, then you can have this meal made and in the oven in 10 minutes. You will need two hands, however, because this recipe requires rolling enchiladas, so it's a good time to put baby in a sling or bouncy seat.

Just mix cooked chicken and salsa together in a bowl, then dip flour tortillas (I like to use whole wheat tortillas to up the nutrition factor) in heavy cream and fill each one with some of the chicken/salsa mixture. Roll 'em up and put 'em in a pan. Next, top with lots of shredded colby/jack cheese. (I buy it in blocks and grate it in the food processor because buying bags of grated cheese is kinda nasty. Did you ever look at the ingredients? They have all kinds of fillers in there to keep it from sticking together.) But whichever method you choose, spread the cheese on top and pour more cream over that and pop it in the oven for about 30 minutes. Serve it with a side salad or raw cut-up veggies if the kids prefer, and you'll have an easy nutritious dinner on the table in less than 45 minutes. Don't let the heavy cream scare you; fat is your friend. Just get the good stuff that isn't ultra-pasteurized.

Meal #4: Leek and Asparagus Frittata

And finally, a vegetarian meal for those who are so inclined. We're not big into vegetarian meals (I'm rather fond of my meat) but I do have a few up my sleeve for when we are low on meat or we're trying to save a few pennies.

I love eggs, what can I say. Eggs are one of the easiest, cheapest, and healthiest foods you can eat. (Don't let the bad press fool ya. Eggs are good for you. I promise.) And the nice thing about a frittata is, you can add whatever you like to it. This is one of our favorites, but I have several versions I make. This recipe is great for early springtime, when you can get locally grown asparagus. Warning: the asparagus growing season is very short. I advise you to buy locally grown asparagus any time you see it. There are always a couple of weeks every spring that we eat it almost daily. The fontina cheese makes it special and you won't even miss the meat

I hope I've inspired you with some easy yet wholesome meals the whole family will enjoy!

All I can say is YUM. If you're not yet reading Musings of a Housewife, definitely give Jo-Lynne a read. You can also follow Jo-Lynne on Twitter at @JoLynneS.

Images 1-3 via Musings of a Housewife; image 4 by Lisa Hubbard

Posted by Christine Koh on 2 May 2011 | Permalink | Comments (0) | Filed in Feeding & Nursing
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