Dear Boston Mamas: Awesome Backpacks
Today's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from @Rhoosting via Twitter:
Dear Christine, What are your recommendations for the best, hip backpacks for toddlers? I'm sure others would appreciate your thoughts, given that back to school season is upon us.
Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Awesome Backpacks" »
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I have been a fan of 
Oh, bottles. How I wish I had introduced you earlier to Laurel (we didn't get around to it until she was three months old, by which point she was set in her nursing ways and refused other feeding options). And thus, to new mom friends, I recommend that bottles are introduced once baby has the hang of breastfeeding, in order to allow mom the occasional walk or haircut without panicking about baby's hunger level. Not surprisingly, I always recommend BPA-free plastic or glass bottles (
I have always advocated for the airline mantra, "Put on your own oxygen mask first before helping others" when it comes to parenting, and expecting and newly delivered moms are especially in need of some time to put themselves first. Whether you want to get some self care goodies for yourself or a mom friend, check out 
Oh the irony of sleep: parents love it and long for more and kids resist it. Either way, pretty bedding helps create a welcoming environment (and yes, I've used cool bedding to make Laurel's bed more enticing for sleep). Whether you're looking for bedding sets, or need a top to bottom room makeover (furniture, décor, etc.), check out 
In the last few years, it's been fantastic to watch the evolution of cloth diapering (we cloth diapered Laurel in her first six months with traditional diapers, liners, and covers that were a tad challenging to keep in place with our squirmy one). And it's especially fantastic that there are stores such as Somerville-based 
Few household chores overwhelm parents like laundry; indeed, I will confess to poor folding practices (I hang everything or toss clothes haphazardly in drawers) and ironing (I avoid it at all costs). And whether you need dry cleaning services, or want to treat yourself to or make wash and fold services part of your routine, check out 
I love when I visit a new website that is easy to navigate and loaded with cool eco-finds and learn that it is based locally. Such was the case with 
During my recent quest for non-tchotchke awesomeness for Jon's birthday, I was thrilled to discover 
The bold and cheerful clothing of Swedish outfitter 
I'm a major proponent of tchotchke-free gifting and one of my favorite gifts to give is soap; it's useful, one can never have enough of it, and it can look like little works of art. Jon and I have a tradition of soap gifting around his birthday and this year I wanted to try some new brands. Following a query on 
As much as I love shopping for pretty new things for Laurel, I'm also keen on finding pretty used things for her, given my eco and 
As the parent of an avid crafter, one of my favorite things about the green movement has been the emergence of eco-friendly art supplies. And I adore the prettily (and of course responsibly) packaged wares of 
I've been standing on my green soap box for over a decade, and it's been truly gratifying to see green living embraced in a mainstream way in the last several years. I'm thus honored to be part of a similarly impassioned group of 
Today, 
I've long been a proponent of 
Today, 
When I was training for 
When the warm weather returned, so did my voracious appetite for salads and cold things such as hummus and tabbouleh. We've been consuming vast quantities of these foods (I especially like hummus because it reminds me to eat carrots) and I soon found myself disgruntled by the volume of plastic containers we were acquiring. We reuse them all for storing leftovers or Laurel's craft supplies or other odds and ends, but we definitely don't need more of them. So I decided to start making more of these small container items from scratch. I'm still tweaking my tabbouleh recipe and will share that when I land on just the right blend; meanwhile, if you have a food processor, hummus is ridiculously easy to make.
When Laurel started kindergarten in the fall, one transition we faced was that of being a one car family in which Jon needed the car most weekdays for his new job. The walk home from school seemed a bit long for Laurel (0.8 miles) but I was bolstered by: a) 
This week when I was at the park with Laurel and some of her friends, out of nowhere, they got the idea to clean up the park. Gleefully, they ran around picking up trash, announcing their finds, and depositing the items next to me -- almost as if they knew I had this post on my editorial calendar. Today's Be 
And 
When I was a kid, yard work always seemed onerous because all we did was remove stuff -- weeds, leaves, cut grass, etc. But oh the joy of adding. In alignment with Earth Day, today's 
One of the things I adore about Boston is that green space is so easily accessible. And whether you reside here or elsewhere, I hope you'll take the time to enjoy today's 
Given that I spent the majority of my childhood free time toy-free and playing outside, I have always been concerned about curbing material excess in Laurel's life, and aware of how important it is for her (and us) to be active outdoors. I thus was happy and honored to be invited to be part of the National Wildlife Federation's Founding Mothers, a group of women writers who will work to mobilize families outdoors in partnership with the NWF's 
Here are some lovely links that caught my eye this week around the web. Clearly I've got DIY projects (and travel) on my mind. I love this pretty 
Last weekend Laurel and I had a fantastic time at the 
If you are -- like me -- a total commitment-phobe when it comes to childproofing (I opted to drive myself crazy being hypervigilant rather than installing anything with screws or adhesive), I've got a chic and sleek answer for you: 
Before it gets too hot to turn on your oven, try these cookies from Sarah Magid, recommended by 
Today's 
Given how passionate I am about 
In the vein of spring cleaning, here's a new use for old spices. Instead of simply trashing stale spices, line them up on the counter with a bowl, mixing spoon, measuring spoons, and spray bottle (less messy, plus adds longevity to the project), then let your kid go to town. The more variety (color, smell, shapes, e.g., cardamom pods) the better. Laurel loves pretend playing that she's making a stew or science experiment, we get entertainment mileage by repurposing a household item that we'd otherwise toss, and if you're feeling particularly pedagogical, you can build in some 
Already longing for your next vacation? Today, 
Though I always remember my reusable totes when I hit the grocery store, produce bags are another story. I save plastic produce bags with the best intentions, but they never make it back to the store with me. Solution? The pretty, fabric trimmed, cinch-top produce bags by 
As the mom of a sock-resistant child in a “no shoes” house (a rule stemming from my Asian upbringing and immense distaste for increased need to vacuum), slippers are a must. And if you want cute slippers for kids and grownups, check out 
I’m all about useful, meaningful, and green goods, and one of my favorite finds for the school-aged set (and their parents) comes from 
Looking to take dress up play to a fun, new, and eco-friendly level? Today, 
April Paffrath is one of the most devoted foodies I know. No taste is too simple, no ingredient too humble. And when you read her writing, you can tell how much she relishes preparing, tasting, and writing about food. April is a regular contributor here on Boston Mamas, but today I'm thrilled to introduce her via her voice on 
It's no secret that I’m a bit obsessed with kids wearing properly fitting, comfy shoes. And what I dig about 
Though I’m not worried about aging per se, at some point during the last decade I started listening to my mother’s advice to stop sunning and start taking better care of my skin. I’ve heard a lot of people extol the virtues of Arbonne (including a few girlfriends with lovely, creamy skin...), but it wasn’t until late in the summer that I started using 
I’ve always been a fan of the diaper bag that doesn’t look like a diaper bag, and if you share that aesthetic, you’ll no doubt dig the modern simplicity of 
Whether her nails are exposed during summer or concealed by socks and mittens during winter, Laurel loves having her nails painted; she typically wants at least four colors in one sitting. Subsequently, I only use non-toxic products and am a fan of 
I have long been a fan of 
Despite my clean approach to food, I still periodically long for – but abstain from – classic (i.e., preservative laden) childhood confections. So I was more than a little intrigued to learn about 
Davis Square’s bargain retail profile recently kicked it up a notch with the addition of 
Like most parents, I periodically lament over packing lunch and snack, especially when we’re low on fresh produce. Having a stash of 
If you’re looking for ways to improve the eco-friendliness of your diapering routine, consider the bamboo baby wipes and diaper rash ointment by locally operated 
Today, 
Today, guest contributor Robin shares a review of cloth diapering covers and doublers from 
My mom and I never discussed birds, bees, or any other metaphorical critters, so it’s not surprising that I was completely unprepared when my period started. I’m thus committed to educating Laurel 
Yesterday I was honored to speak about 
For those who desire organic play dough but don’t have the time or interest to 
Today, 
Today, 
As an eco-geek who truly believes that every little environmental effort counts, I also can’t help but stand in awe and admiration of those who take eco-activism to a new level of awesomeness. And as you outfit your family for fall footwear, consider supporting 
When it comes to toys, I always opt for wood over plastic, both for eco reasons and because I admire those who do woodcraft on any scale. And if you’re looking for unique wooden baby toys, consider 
I’m forgetful about plenty of things these days, but one thing I’m reliably mindful about is recycling and toting my reusable bags to market. And if you need to stock up on eco-wares, check out 
I love the comfort of cotton but often times want something with a little more pop than a basic tee. And if you dig fine prints with a touch of urban edginess, check out 
This may sound a little odd, but having diapered Laurel with basic rectangular 
Crafts and toys typically occupy separate real estate in stores and playrooms, but 
Today, 
One of the things I love about weekends is restoring a sense of order to our home after a busy (typically rather untidy) week. And purging is one of my favorite mechanisms to achieve said order. Appropriately then, for the first installment of my new 
Once again there’s no shortage of festivals this weekend; consider these family friendly picks to suit a variety of interests and locations. On Saturday: 
Today, 
Today, 
Every so often Jon one-ups me in the kitchen, which leaves me both a tad surprised (read: vaguely jealous) and utterly grateful that he knows how to cook and bake. And this past weekend, he decided to make banana bread with Laurel and it was way better than my standard recipe. The loaf was gobbled up within a day and Laurel and I repeated the recipe yesterday, instead opting to make muffins - the advantages being plenty of awesome crustiness, faster baking time (handy for summertime baking), and improved portion control.
Today, 
Thankfully for those eager to celebrate green living alongside great music, the skies are supposed to clear for this Saturday's 
I’ll be the first to admit that cleaning is not among my top priorities these days, but hand me new eco-friendly cleaning products and I'll roll my sleeves right up to start scrubbing, hoping upon hope to discover that the eco stuff can live up to the non eco stuff. And this was, in fact, the case when I got my hands on 
On Laurel’s first birthday my friend Anne gave us art supplies and a box of 
I’ve 
One of my favorite time and energy savers these days is store-bought rotisserie chicken. I don’t need to remember to prep and bake it (perfect, since there’s no way I’m turning the oven on today…), my kitchen is saved from pan dripping smoke, and the chicken is ridiculously versatile. Today, I’m sharing our latest favorite usage of rotisserie chicken: fast and fantastically yummy chicken pesto salad.
Happy Earth Day everyone! Wherever you are with your green practices, I hope you’ll consider making a green change today, whether it’s 
If you love the ease of boxed cake mixes and desire all natural ingredients, fear not - you can have your cake and eat it too. Today, 
As someone who likes things to be just so (yet periodically frets about permanence), I can’t help but love 
Laurel used to paint voraciously as a toddler, but in the last year or so she has tended towards passing up her paintbrushes for other tools; that is, until she discovered 
Whether you’re just starting to explore or already are immersed in green initiatives, no doubt there's plenty to learn at 
Today, 
Detangling Laurel’s hair can be one of the most challenging parts of our morning routine; she has very fine hair that’s prone to bird nesting in the back overnight, and chopping off length (short of a buzz cut...) doesn’t solve the problem. So I set out on a mission to identify effective natural and organic kids hair detanglers. Read on for my report, which also includes some discount shopping codes and a Goody giveaway!
I’m constantly looking for ways to streamline or repurpose around the house; here’s a lovely way to give old plant pots new life. This project was inspired by: a) plant clippings we already had rooted (plus more overgrown plants that needed grooming); b) yet another snow day where we were looking for something to do; and c) a tired collection of empty plant pots. Laurel and I decided to paint one of our old pots to make a creative, earth-friendly gift for a loved one. Here's the how-to:
This weekend we met friends for lunch in Wellesley, at what possibly is one of the most family friendly restaurants I’ve been to in some time – 
During this seemingly endless winter, why not think green thoughts? And tomorrow (Thurs., March 5), you can think and learn green at 
Now that our 
If you’re like me, and periodically (accidentally) make off with another kid’s lunchbox at school pickup, check out 
I adore clever green solutions, and here’s a fabulously chic pick to encourage shopping local. 
If there’s one lesson I've learned from my mom, it’s that it’s never too early to start caring for your skin. And today we offer a little something for the daddies who read this site (yes, daddies apparently read this site) and/or the women who like to gift them. 
Despite the glorious weather of the last couple of days, no doubt there’s more winter in store. Today, 
In an ideal world, I’d make everything from scratch, but often – not surprisingly – time is an issue. But the one thing I never, ever compromise on is granola. Store bought granola has never suited me (too sweet, not clumpy enough, skimpy on nuts and fruit, etc.), and the good news is that granola is super easy to make at home. I made 
Given that Laurel was born in the Year of the Monkey, I've always had a soft spot for simian styled products. So it’s no wonder that I adore 
Today, 
For parents who don’t have the time to cook and puree baby food from scratch, organic jarred food is a blessing. And our next installment of Giveaway Goodness is well suited to the need to offer baby a varied palette. Now through the end of March, Earth’s Best is hosting a 
I used to have a love-hate relationship with laundry, but these days it’s all love thanks to 
I’m always looking for ways to improve our green living practices, and was pleased to see Bon Appétit’s February 2009 feature on 
Laurel’s life is captured in many ways, but when I want to take a walk down memory lane I invariably gravitate towards her baby book (handmade by an artist friend) above the scores of digital photos and videos. If you’re looking for a similarly beautiful, tactile, and practical way to record memories, check out 
Short on time this holiday season? Today, 
Got an eco-minded mama to gift this holiday season? The limited edition 
Does your kiddo have sensitive skin? Today, 
Laurel has an insatiable appetite for arts and crafts, and as she's grown more dexterous we’ve had fun experimenting with more complex projects. If you’re also looking to explore beyond crayon and paper parameters, check out 
In these challenging economic and environmental times, consider 
Given that Laurel - much like mom - gets insanely grumpy when she’s hungry, I always try to tote a snack when we’re on the go. So I was thrilled to learn about 
Welcome to 
As much as I love summer, I’m always relieved when fall arrives and I no longer need to slather Laurel in sunscreen. The task is completely necessary, but nobody enjoys it. Even after summer, though, skin protection is important and I love the nifty little shortcut that 
Today, 
One of my favorite things about fall is the return of snuggly jammies, and 
We've long been fans of cloth – whether in the form of diapers, napkins, or handkerchiefs – so it’s no surprise that I love the concept of 
On Tuesday I attended Seventh Generation & the Environmental Working Group’s 
Whenever I see Laurel’s stack of bland, misshapen, undersized receiving blankets, I wonder how we survived her swaddling months. It’s no wonder those busy feet kept busting out of her burrito, and I certainly would have enjoyed prettier patterns. Luckily, for moms looking to swaddle in style there’s 
Here’s an event that eco-parents will want to try to attend: on Tuesday, Oct. 14 (6-7:30pm), 
The forecast is putting a wrench in this weekend's outdoor events, but let’s keep our fingers crossed for good weather on Sunday, when 
Today, 
Today, 
Whether through books, toys, clothing, or gear, I’m always on the lookout for cool kid’s products that will inspire conversations about – or simply reflect the beauty of – diverse cultures. And 
Today,