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December 14, 2011

The Perfect Dress Style (Nursing or Not)

ralph-lauren-dresses-thumb.jpgWhen Laurel was a baby, one of my rookie nursing mom mistakes was attending a wedding in a regular dress -- meaning, one with an inflexible neckline and a side zipper that basically made it impossible to nurse without undressing. So when I started looking for nursing-friendly dresses to wear to a couple of weddings this year, after being completely underwhelmed by the nursing cocktail dress market, I was thrilled to land on the perfect style -- a dress that looks fabulous, nursing or not.

Continue reading "The Perfect Dress Style (Nursing or Not)" »

December 6, 2011

Dinnertime Stumbling Blocks

mealtime.jpgI'm part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation so I've been thinking a lot about mealtime (even more than usual!). Recent conversation on the program's Facebook page has focused on dinnertime mojo and quick meals, and these conversation threads have reminded me that meals are decidedly un-Zen for so many families. Indeed, with two busy parents, a chatty 7-year-old, and a sippy cup banging 8-month-old at our table, meals are not always the most relaxed. This all got me thinking about some of the typical stumbling blocks we face and how we try to address them. I hope the below thoughts are helpful, and I'd love to hear if you have other challenges at the dinner table and what you do to mitigate them!

Continue reading "Dinnertime Stumbling Blocks" »

October 27, 2011

Just Label It

groceries.jpgI've been an avid label reader for well over a decade so it's been disturbing to learn about the US's lack of regulation when it comes to ingredient disclosure. I shared about this in 2008 regarding cleaning and personal care products and now I'm sharing about lack of disclosure and the food industry. Please read my post at the Stonyfield blog and take action to protect your loved ones via Just Label It's 8 steps (they're simple and doable, I promise!). And if you want to learn more, Stonyfield is hosting a free webinar on GMOs November 1 at 12pm EST.

Image credit: Just Label It

October 11, 2011

Wicked Easy Vegetarian Chili

harmony-valley-chili.jpgIn my ongoing quest to find protein-rich vegetarian meals for kids, I picked up a package of Harmony Valley vegetarian hamburger mix at Whole Foods and knocked together a batch of vegetarian chili yesterday for a gathering with friends. Though I've always found the make-vegetarian-food-look-like-meat thing a little odd, now I get it. Especially when you need help transitioning someone from non-vegetarian to vegetarian eating. This chili was a huge hit -- Laurel loved it and the grown up guests were clamoring too. Here's the how-to:

Continue reading "Wicked Easy Vegetarian Chili" »

October 6, 2011

Vegetarian Meals for Kids

vegetables.jpgIn May, I wrote about Laurel encouraging us to start up vegetarian week every month. Since that time, she's increasingly gone off meat and this summer decided to become a vegetarian. We're not a huge meat eating family to start with, but I know that being a vegetarian has challenged her at times, particularly when she's thought about tuna melts, moussaka, and my chicken tenders. And it's not quite as simple as just putting a salad in front of her, because even though Laurel consumes a lot more veggies than she used to, veggies are more of an accompaniment than the main attraction for her. And some easy options -- such as falafel and hummus -- haven't been received favorably.

Continue reading "Vegetarian Meals for Kids" »

September 28, 2011

Just Say No to Burnt Veggies

beaba-babycook.jpgWhen Violet recently turned 6 months we embarked on the solid food journey. And it's been 10 days notable for cute firsts (first cereal! first yams! first pears!), not the least of which was testing the Béaba Babycook. While I tend to forego lots of baby gear as unnecessary, if you are interested in -- or intimidated by the prospect of -- making baby food, you must consider acquiring this amazing tool. Read on for my thoughts about the Babycook, as well as to learn how to win a Béaba Babycook and multiportion food storage unit!

Continue reading "Just Say No to Burnt Veggies" »

September 27, 2011

12 Small Acts

stonyfield.jpgLast week I had the pleasure of hearing Robyn O'Brien speak at a lunch hosted by Stonyfield -- coincidentally enough, on the same day my post about nine small acts that can lead to big change went live on Stonyfield's blog. Given that small acts were top of mind for me, and following O'Brien sharing that prior to her transition to organic living she was as a neon-colored-yogurt/chemical-laden-chicken-nugget-slinging mom, I asked her about her family's first food steps. She shared the following excellent advice:

Continue reading "12 Small Acts" »

September 21, 2011

Feeding Families on a Budget

pasta.jpgWhether or not extreme couponing is your thing, grocery budgeting is top of mind for most families. As part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program, I recently chatted with Daphne Brogdon and Caroline Murphy about tips for feeding families on a budget. I've embedded the video below for your viewing pleasure (it's just over two minutes long) and would love to hear your clever tips for scoring at the grocery store, either below in the comments or over at the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page.

Continue reading "Feeding Families on a Budget " »

July 31, 2011

14 Posts For Breastfeeding Moms

world-breastfeeding-week.jpgI know many, many moms who have experienced breastfeeding woes, so I feel gratitude every day that nursing has worked out so easily and so well for me and my girls. In honor of tomorrow's kick off of World Breastfeeding Week, I wanted to share a roundup of 14 helpful posts (including one that's actually handy post-nursing) for breastfeeding moms; most are from my feeding and nursing archive, of which there are many more articles if you wish to peruse! Whether you've nursed your baby for one day or one or more years, you've given your baby a great gift. Go mamas!

Continue reading "14 Posts For Breastfeeding Moms" »

July 20, 2011

5 Ways to Diffuse Mealtime Battles

forks.jpgThrough the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series I'm part of via Momversation, it's become clear that dinnertime often involves either battles or bonding for families; to that effect, you can check out a recent video and conversation on how dinner is best characterized in your house. Meanwhile, this conversation thread got me thinking and I wanted to share 5 ways to diffuse mealtime battles. These strategies have been really effective for us and I hope they are helpful to you! If you have other tips, feel free to share in the comments here or over at the video post.

Continue reading "5 Ways to Diffuse Mealtime Battles" »

July 19, 2011

Dear Boston Mamas: Nursing & Pumping

medela-pump.jpgToday's Dear Boston Mamas question comes from Jen via Facebook:

Hi Christine, I just had my third little boy. He is a joy. Although I successfully breast-fed my first two sons, I was not successful in getting my second son to use a bottle (which led me to be resentful towards the end), so I have taken your advice and started my baby on a bottle at three weeks. I was wondering about how often you pump and provide bottles to keep up your supply and still be able to nurse? I've forgotten how I managed with my first son.

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Nursing & Pumping" »

June 28, 2011

Summer Dinner Strategies

picnic-plastic.jpgThe school year is finally over and one of my favorite things about the transition to summer involves food -- no more school lunches to pack and far less rushing around in relation to meals in general. But that doesn't mean meals -- particular dinnertime -- are easy...there's still the planning and the making and the inspiring kids to come to the table and eat something other than popsicles. As part of the Mom's the Word on Dinner conversation series via Momversation, last month I wrote and asked about summer food inspiration. Today I'm curious about summer dinner strategies. Here are a few things that we're doing differently (or planning on) around dinnertime now that summer is here. I'd love to hear about your summer dinner strategies as well!

Continue reading "Summer Dinner Strategies" »

May 31, 2011

Keeping Track with Itzbeen

itzbeen.jpegMy 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.

May 27, 2011

12 Bits of Web Awesomeness

i-heart-massachusetts.jpgHello 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!

Continue reading "12 Bits of Web Awesomeness" »

May 26, 2011

Summer Food Inspiration

bbq.jpgAs 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.

Continue reading "Summer Food Inspiration" »

May 23, 2011

Simple Wishes Fulfilled

simple-wishes-bustier.jpgLet'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.

Continue reading "Simple Wishes Fulfilled" »

May 12, 2011

Magic Spinach Pie

spinach.jpgThough 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).

Continue reading "Magic Spinach Pie" »

May 2, 2011

Four Easy Family Meals

jo-lynne-meal1.jpgOne 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.

Continue reading "Four Easy Family Meals" »

April 26, 2011

Best Homemade Baby Food

best-homemade-baby-food.jpgWhether it's craft projects or food, I have always loved making things from scratch. And one thing I suspect the voracious Violet will appreciate in the coming year is homemade baby food. I was a pureeing fiend when Laurel was a baby, but this go around I'm even more excited about experimenting with baby food because I'll be able to draw inspiration from both the locally grown bounty of our CSA, and the remarkably good looking recipes in The Best Homemade Baby Food on the Planet.

Continue reading "Best Homemade Baby Food" »

April 11, 2011

What Dinner Means for Families

momversation-ragu-2.jpgIt's been fun to see the family and food dialogue that has transpired as part of Momversation and Ragú®'s Mom's the Word on Dinner Program. Today, my second video with the project just launched -- in it, Whitney Moss, Kim Tracy Prince, and I discuss what dinner means for families. I've embedded the video below (it's just over three minutes long) for your viewing pleasure. I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to hop over to the Ragú® Sauce Facebook page if you want to share your thoughts on mealtimes and family.

Continue reading "What Dinner Means for Families" »

April 6, 2011

The Baby Nurse Bible

baby-nurse-bible.jpgCarole Arsenault of Boston Baby Nurses has been sharing her wisdom as a regular contributing here at Boston Mamas for over two years, so when she told me she was writing a book, I was thrilled. And Carole's book -- The Baby Nurse Bible -- does not disappoint. In fact, given the sea of information parents typically are overwhelmed by, this book is particularly refreshing in the tangibility of scope (it's just over 300 pages) while covering an impressive amount of information.

Continue reading "The Baby Nurse Bible" »

April 3, 2011

The Cleaner Plate Club

cleaner-plate-club.jpgToday, Kate shares a recommendation to help cope with picky eating:

Like many parents, I periodically wind up locked in conflict with my 5-year-old about whether or not she will eat the food I put in front of her. I know this is a poor parenting strategy, but also know that there were few things I hated more as a child than being made to sit at the table until I swallowed down whatever despised leafy green my parents insisted upon. To this day I have a limited vegetable repertoire, and wonder how much of this dates to my early, agonized relationship with said leafy greens. Dealing with picky eating is particularly frustrating given my sense of responsibility to help my daughter learn how to eat well, and the irksome knowledge that if I cave, she will contentedly eat potato chips until there's nothing left but the greasy, salty bag. What's a parent to do?

Continue reading "The Cleaner Plate Club" »

March 14, 2011

Involving Kids at Mealtime

momversation-ragu-1.jpgI was truly honored when Momversation invited me to become part of this amazing group of panelists, and one of the projects I'm working with them on involves fostering dialogue around family and food, a subject about which I'm super passionate. I'll be participating in a series of these food chats through the remainder of this year; the project is sponsored by Ragú® (who I was thrilled to learn makes organic products, btw), and my first video with the lovely Whitney Moss and Mindy Roberts focuses on tips around involving kids at mealtimes. I've embedded the video below (it's just under three and a half minutes) for your viewing pleasure -- enjoy!

Continue reading "Involving Kids at Mealtime" »

March 5, 2011

Healthy Eating & Cooking With Kids

life-style-episode-14.jpgWhat a fantastic episode of Life.Style this week! I chatted about healthy eating and cooking with kids with Carrie Vitt (author of Deliciously Organic) and Michelle Stern (author of The Whole Family Cookbook). We covered everything from easy and healthy family friendly recipes, to resources for sourcing organic and finding recipe inspiration, to encouraging kids to eat vegetables, to getting out of food ruts, to tips and tools for cooking with kids. Check out the episode for full commentary and inspiration. And for easy reference, below are links that were shared during the interview. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Healthy Eating & Cooking With Kids" »

March 4, 2011

Calcium Tips & Tricks

stonyfield-parfait.jpgLast week while I was in hibernation, my latest Stonyfield Farm column went live and I wanted to share it with you all. Particularly given that I'm not a milk drinker (and whether by example or preference, neither is Laurel), I'm always looking for ways to infuse calcium into my family's diet. So, hop on over and check out my tips and tricks for getting more calcium into your diet. Both sweet and savory recipe recommendations are included. Enjoy!

March 3, 2011

Bravo, Bravado

bravado-nursing-tank.jpgA couple of months ago, after (probably too) many weeks of winging it with my regular clothes, I finally came to terms with the fact that I needed maternity tops. It also quickly became painfully (literally) clear that I needed new bras too. Read on for my thoughts on three of Bravado's maternity/nursing bra offerings, as well as to learn how to win a Bravado nursing bra or tank!

Continue reading "Bravo, Bravado" »

March 1, 2011

Sugar, Schools, & All Things Coke

life-style-episode-13.jpgOne exception to my mini-internet hibernation last week was filming Life.Style and it was a fantastic episode, during which I chatted about sugar, obesity, soda in schools, corporate responsibility, and all things Coke with local journalist Michael Blanding, author of The Coke Machine. It was a truly fascinating conversation; check out the episode for full commentary and inspiration. And for easy reference, below are links that were shared during the interview. Enjoy!

Continue reading "Sugar, Schools, & All Things Coke" »

December 21, 2010

Healthy Holiday Eating Tips

stonyfield-healthy-holiday-eating.jpgI've long been a fan of Stonyfield Farm; theirs was Laurel's very first yogurt (oh how that baby went crazy over the creamy full fat yogurt!) and Laurel and I are big fans of the Oikos caramel yogurt. And through Boston Mamas I've had the pleasure of learning about the evolution of their brand (how cool is it that their multipack cups are made from plants?), interfacing with CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg, and benefiting from their sponsorship. And now I'm thrilled to announce that I have joined Stonyfield's amazing team of contributors to write periodically about green and healthful living. My first post just went live, in which I share tips for eating healthy during the holidays -- important both because I'm pregnant and also since I find it especially important to model good eating habits for kids at this time of year. Enjoy the post, and of course feel free to share any other great tips you employ during this decadent season!

December 7, 2010

Delicious Divvies...For Everyone!

divvies-cookbook.jpgToday, Tracy shares a review of The Divvies Bakery Cookbook: No Nuts. No Eggs. No Dairy. Just Delicious! Read on for Tracy's review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a copy of the cookbook:

I recently had the chance to test out the new Divvies cookbook. I've previously reviewed Divvies products, and our family loved them. Well, Divvies founder and mom-of-a-food-allergic-child Lori Sandler has released a cookbook sharing her well-loved recipes, and a few more, so everyone can enjoy Divvies.

Continue reading "Delicious Divvies...For Everyone!" »

November 20, 2010

Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions

life-style-episode-4.jpgIf 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!

Continue reading "Life.Style Thanksgiving Solutions" »

November 6, 2010

Life.Style Feeding Baby + Photography

life-style-episode-3.jpgWow, 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!

November 3, 2010

Learn To Take Amazing Pictures

shutter-sisters.jpgDo 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.

Continue reading "Learn To Take Amazing Pictures" »

October 30, 2010

Life.Style Halloween + Real Food

life-style-episode-2.jpgHi folks, if you missed episode 2 of Life.Style with Christine Koh, I highly encourage you check it out. In addition to covering some great Halloween food and craft ideas, most of the episode was devoted to eating real food. I interviewed three fantastic guests: Meagan Francis (a mother of 5 from Michigan), who shared great tips for feeding a large family on a budget when natural/organic options are not abundant, Greer Bautz (a mother of 2 from Maryland), who offered tips for getting the most bang for your buck at Whole Foods, and April Paffrath (a mother of 1 from Cambridge), who shared ideas for sourcing local food through the year. I also give a sneak peek into the fantastic show I have planned for next week. Enjoy!

October 27, 2010

Eat Real Food

tomatoes.jpgI'm super excited about tomorrow's episode of Life.Style with Christine Koh! As follow up to last week's Halloween costume coverage, I'll chat fabulous and easy Halloween food and crafts in the first segment. And for the remainder of the show, inspired by this call to action, I'll interview three fantastic guests re: tips and tricks for eating real food on a budget (in one case, a family of seven!) and sourcing local throughout the year. So tune in at 1pm EST; you're also welcome to call in or tweet questions during the live episode!

Continue reading "Eat Real Food" »

October 20, 2010

Life.Style Launch!

life-style-with-christine-koh.jpgMy dad used to tell me that I should be a lawyer, diplomat, or talk show host since, well, I love to talk with people. And as it turns out, tomorrow I'll take a step closer to the talk show host thing. I'm thrilled to announce that starting tomorrow, I'll host a weekly live talk video show (like talk radio, but streaming live on the web...apparently you can also tune in via iPhone or iPad) called Life.Style with Christine Koh via The Pulse Network. My goal for the show is to share and connect with people around living well, stylishly, happily, and practically -- I'll cover topics such as green living, parenting, pregnancy, holidays and celebrations, art and design, crafts, and food. Basically anything and everything!

Continue reading "Life.Style Launch!" »

October 7, 2010

Call to Action: Corn Sugar, Campaigns, & Consumerism In General

grain.jpgA few weeks ago I admittedly got pretty riled up when I heard about the Corn Refiners Association's (CRA) petition to change the name high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to corn sugar. The CRA claims that the goal is to eliminate confusion for consumers, but the US food system cynic in me immediately figured it was a ploy to change the now-well-publicized, mouthful-of-a-name HFCS to something easier to read. Because, you know, one thing pro natural food people like me will urge people to do is buy foods where you can actually read the ingredient label.

Continue reading "Call to Action: Corn Sugar, Campaigns, & Consumerism In General" »

September 11, 2010

Weekend Reading

tomatillos.jpgFollowing a busy summer and lovely Labor Day weekend celebrating Laurel's birthday, it's been fun to get caught up on blog reading. Here are some links that caught my eye this week, and that I curated over at BlissReads: a wonderful tutorial on how to make tomatillo enchiladas (via Girl's Gone Child), a chic roundup of boots for wide calves (via The Stir), six favorite breastfeeding resources (via Rookie Moms), a cute roundup of necklace tees for girls (via Lil Sugar), and a beginning quilting tutorial (via Make and Takes). Enjoy!

August 18, 2010

Dear Boston Mamas: Handling Formula Obsessed Relatives

baby-bottle.jpgNow, the second of two Dear Boston Mamas questions from Susan via e-mail:

Dear Christine, My mother-in-law is obsessed with feeding everyone, and apparently this includes the baby! She keeps pressuring me to use formula even though I keep telling her that I am breastfeeding. She will not relent and got to the point where she actually did bring me formula. It makes me feel incredibly unsupported with breastfeeding and I am going to lose my cool soon. She knows I go back to work soon and now asks every week what kind of formula we plan to use. This is just one item that I really do not want her to provide and she won't lay off. Any advice on how to handle a formula obsessed MIL?

Continue reading "Dear Boston Mamas: Handling Formula Obsessed Relatives" »

July 26, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: BornFree

born-free.jpgOh, 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 (silicone sleeves enable easy usage with glass), and you can pick up these and other eco-friendly baby goods such as sippy and straw cups, pacifiers, and teethers at BornFree. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, BornFree generously is gifting two lucky winners each with a glass bottle gift set ($44.99 value). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Tuesday, July 27, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: BornFree" »

July 23, 2010

Birthday Giveaway: Earth Mama Angel Baby

earth-mama-angel-baby.jpgI 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 Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics. Offering a range of natural self care products to cover the various stages of care that expecting and newly delivered moms need, I especially like the ease and assembly of their gift sets. And as part of my Boston Mamas Fourth Birthday Giveaway Series, Earth Mama Angel Baby Organics generously is gifting two lucky winners with their choice of either the pregnancy pampering, breastfeeding support, C-section healing, or postpartum recovery kit ($39.95-$49.95 each). Simply check out the rules below and leave a comment on this giveaway by Sunday, July 25, to enter to win.

Continue reading "Birthday Giveaway: Earth Mama Angel Baby" »

July 20, 2010

Kid-Friendly Zucchini

zucchini.jpgThe other week we received some zucchini from our CSA share and I immediately wanted to make these fritter-like zucchini rounds my mom used to make. I called my mom and she recommended using savory pancake batter instead of an egg wash (my original guess). I used my tried and true scallion pancake recipe and it worked amazingly; the centers of the zucchini became deliciously creamy while the edges remained firm -- a fine contrast to the salty deliciousness of the batter. I didn't think Laurel would touch these zucchini rounds because of her stance that zucchini is "disgusting!" but she gobbled about six rounds right off the griddle and came back for more later. Here's the easy how-to:

Continue reading "Kid-Friendly Zucchini" »

May 24, 2010

Pass Me The [me] & goji

me-and-goji.jpgToday, Sarah recommends [me] & goji's custom organic cereal. Read on for Sarah's review, as well as to learn how to be one of three winners to receive a [me] & goji gift certificate:

I'm a cereal-a-holic. My family ate it every weekday for breakfast growing up, under the strict nutritional guidelines of my mom: one box of "junk cereal" per month, otherwise everything else had to be healthy (i.e., of the granola or raisin bran variety). In college, I discovered the art of mixing at the row of cereal dispensers (the mixes sometimes were of questionable nutritional value), and now, in my own kitchen, I continue the same mixing ritual (admittedly sometimes adding a sprinkle of "junk" to the healthy) for myself and my kids.

Continue reading "Pass Me The [me] & goji" »

April 2, 2010

A is for Applesauce

applesauce.jpegToday, Michelle Stern of What's Cooking shares her killer applesauce recipe:

One of the Mommy & Me cooking classes I teach is called Eating the Alphabet: From Apples to Zucchini, and I figured I couldn't go wrong starting with something familiar but undeniably delicious: applesauce. Kids love it. Grownups love it. And it's insanely good when made from scratch. I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Continue reading "A is for Applesauce" »

March 14, 2010

For the Love of Peanut Butter

peanut-butter.jpgToday, a peanut butter primer from Jules, because as she and I agree, a day without peanut butter is a day without joy:

I LOVE peanut butter. I mean, really, really love it. I remember joking to my husband when I was pregnant for the first time that if our son had a peanut allergy, we might have to house him elsewhere. I eat peanut butter with sweet things, savory things, salty things...fish, chocolate, noodles, and most often, off a big kitchen spoon right out of the jar.

Continue reading "For the Love of Peanut Butter" »

March 10, 2010

Letting Go in the Kitchen

laurel-cooking.jpgLaurel and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen together and I continually remind myself to let go of perfection and control so she can really experience the cooking and baking processes. And it’s paid off. Check out my guest post for Michelle Stern’s What’s Cooking with YOUR Kids series, where I share how letting Laurel take charge in the kitchen resulted in a fine meal (and some time for me on the couch!). Enjoy!

December 23, 2009

Awesomely Eco Lunch Kits

citizen-pip-soup-to-nuts.jpgI’m all about useful, meaningful, and green goods, and one of my favorite finds for the school-aged set (and their parents) comes from Citizenpip. Offering an awesomely comprehensive way to green lunchtime (no lead, BPA, PVC, or phthalates here), the soup to nuts kit includes an insulated lunch bag, stainless steel water bottle, insulated food jar, four food containers of varying sizes, a fork + spoon set, and a set of cloth napkins; simply mix and match the containers depending on your child’s lunch desires. Laurel adores the bright colors and all of the cute little containers of her Yum lunchbox, and I love the modern styling, functionality, and peace of mind knowing that I’m packing a safe, waste-free lunch every day.

Now, want to win a lunch kit from Citizenpip? Here’s how (entry closes Dec. 31):

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December 21, 2009

Cool Construction Cutlery

flying-peas-construction-cutlery.gifToday, Jules shares her (or rather, her son’s) raves for the cool construction cutlery from Flying Peas (utensils are available in yellow as shown and also in pink). Read on for Jules’s review, as well as to learn how to win a construction cutlery set for your little one (entry closes midnight, December 28).

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December 11, 2009

Simplifying The Holidays: CSA 101

siena-farms.jpgApril 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 Wicked Tasty Harvest. For the eleventh installment of my Simplifying the Holidays guest blog series, April shares a highly impacting way to simplify your holidays and beyond: by thinking about local foods and considering a CSA. Included is a primer on local foods and CSAs, as well as a fantastic guide to CSAs in the Boston area.

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November 10, 2009

Snack Revolution

revolution-foods-mashups.pngLike most parents, I periodically lament over packing lunch and snack, especially when we’re low on fresh produce. Having a stash of Revolution Foods snacks on hand subsequently has bailed me out on more than one occasion. These organic snacks and sandwich fixings are happily free of trans fats, high fructose syrup, and other nasties, and Laurel especially digs the Grammy Sammy (whole grains + yogurt) and Jammy Sammy (whole grains + fruit spread) snack squares and squeezable fruit Mashups. And I love how easily these pieces can round out her lunchbox; both items make for an excellent snack or seem treat-like enough to pass for dessert (though admittedly, we’re those parents who don’t include dessert at lunch time), and there’s no need for utensils. Extra cool: Revolution Foods donates 3% of purchases to help feed kids in under-served schools.

Now, want to be one of three winners to receive a Revolution Foods Lunchbox Simplicity Sampler? Here's how:

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October 27, 2009

Halloween Candy Alternatives

halloween.jpgAs a foodie, eco-geek, and mom of a kid apparently prone to cavities, Halloween causes me some angst. I don’t want to deprive Laurel and the neighborhood kids of candy but I don't like buying the preservative laden junk; I want to purchase good stuff (e.g., organic, fair trade) and candy alternatives without breaking the bank and/or getting my house toilet papered. I queried folks on Facebook and Twitter yesterday and got some great feedback. Below are some ideas from the community on alternatives to offer instead of – or in addition to – traditional candy. See also handy back editorial including Michelle’s tips for greening your Halloween and Tracy’s tips for promoting an allergy friendly Halloween.

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October 26, 2009

Petit Appetit

petit-appetit.jpgToday, April shares a review (and some amazing results!) from Petit Appetit: Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: Easy, Organic Snacks, Beverages, and Party Foods for Kids of All Ages:

“What to have for snack? It's the eternal culinary question for a parent who wants choices that are fun, tasty, and reasonably healthy. What about lunch, little gatherings, and festive moments that call for creative bites, drinks, and goodies? It's easy to run out of ideas and get stuck in a rut of cheese sticks, juice boxes, and yogurt tubes.

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October 19, 2009

Eco-Friendly Lunch & Snack Sacks

snack-taxi.jpgToday, April shares her two favorite plastic bag alternatives: snackTAXIs and Lunch Skins. Read on for more information about these fabulously stylish and eco-friendly lunch and snack packing solutions, as well as to learn how to win a trio of snackTAXI and Lunch Skins products (entry closes at midnight, October 21):

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October 5, 2009

Stoked About STOKKE

stokke-tripp-trapp.jpgWhen first tasked to buy baby gear, it can be challenging to navigate the options; in particular the tradeoff between investing in more expensive long term solutions vs. inexpensive short term solutions. I tend to gravitate towards the former, and am particularly drawn to items (e.g., our convertible crib) that can convert and accommodate kids as they grow. And for those mulling high chair options, I highly recommend you take a look at the STOKKE TRIPP TRAPP high chair.

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September 21, 2009

Mermaid Munchies

mermaid-cookbook.jpgLaurel has been enamored with mermaids ever since spending time at "mermaid cove" with her friend Lucy during our summer vacation in Maine. Barbara Beery’s Mermaid Cookbook - gifted to Laurel by her aunt Stephanie – subsequently has been a big hit. I give this book props for its spiral binding, easy recipes, beautiful photos (accompanying every recipe), and inclusion of “real food” recipes (i.e., those using fruits and veggies, not just sweets). Lovely for mermaid-themed play dates or parties, the book also helps set a mermaid mood any time of day, as we did this weekend, testing out the Swirling Mermaid Smoothies, Treasure Island Trail Mix, Sea Crunch Bagel Crisps, and Triton’s Tuna Fish Sandwiches. Each recipe allowed Laurel to help out in the kitchen, and all of the results were yummy.

September 18, 2009

Small Acts & Good Food

YoBabyMeals.pngYesterday I was honored to speak about organic living alongside Stonyfield Farm CE-Yo Gary Hirshberg at a media event for YoBaby Meals at the Boston Children's Museum. And I couldn’t stop thinking about two things: 1) how small acts truly can lead to big changes; and 2) that grownups deserve good food too. I’ll address each of these issues in turn. And at the conclusion, you can learn how to win one of two Stonyfield Farm goodie bags to help you get your organic mojo running.

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July 28, 2009

Carrots For Baby

carrots.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips for introducing carrots to your baby:

"Carrots are a wonderful source of Vitamin A and are abundant at the farmer’s markets right now. Babies obviously need their carrots cooked and mushed up (I recommend steaming over boiling, to retain more vitamins) and once they get their teeth, most young children prefer carrots raw, either plain or dipped in hummus or yogurt based dips.

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July 13, 2009

Chocolate Tofu Pie…For Real

silken-tofu.jpgThis past weekend our friend Rhoda introduced us to a dessert that impressively satisfied everyone’s sweet tooth while accommodating her lactose intolerance. Admittedly, though I adore tofu (it’s in the genes), as an avid classic baker I was a tad skeptical about tofu dessert, but this Easy Chocolate Tofu Pie truly surprised me. Essentially a chocolate pudding pie, the filling was smooth, rich, and chocolate-y, and the graham cracker crust offered a classic contrast; I also served strawberries on the side. Even Laurel – who consumed tofu by the handfuls as a toddler but no longer will touch it in cube form – gobbled her serving (even knowing it was tofu based).

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July 7, 2009

Six or Less Summer Menu

kitchen.jpgI’m always striving for simplicity in life and this approach definitely translates to how I operate in the kitchen. For my second monthly column as Minimalist Mama at Shoestring Magazine, I share a super easy "six or less" summer menu (dishes each comprising six or less ingredients) that will satisfy kids and grownups throughout the summer. Enjoy!

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Calcium Through Bone Broths

soup-tureen.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice shares tips and recipes to bump up calcium intake for the whole family:

“Many children are lactose intolerant and therefore cannot get calcium from milk products. Apart from calcium supplements recommended by your pediatrician, bone broths (aka. stock) are a good way to get calcium – be it beef, lamb, or chicken broth. Broth is a nutritious base for hot or cold soups, or braised meat or vegetable dishes that require liquid be added to them. It also gives dishes a deeper flavor than simply adding water.

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June 9, 2009

Sippy Cup Solution

thermos-foogo.jpgToday, Kristin shares her favorite sippy cup solution:

“In an ideal world, sippy cups should: a) hold liquids; b) not leak; and c) keep beverages cold and bacteria-free. Unfortunately, during my first son’s early years, I struggled to find a cup that performed all of these functions well. I thus was thrilled to (re)discover Thermos (yes, the makers of my metal Peanuts lunchbox with Thermos bottle!) and their awesome sippy, straw, and grown up cups.

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June 3, 2009

Playtex Goes Baby

playtex-ventaire.jpgToday, Jules reports on her and her son’s testing of a series of Playtex baby products, including their BPA-free bottles, BPA-free bottle liners, and pacifiers. Read on for Jules’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of two winners to receive a collection of BPA-free Playtex bottles!

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June 1, 2009

HomeFree Treats

Home-Free-Gift-Basket.jpgToday, Tracy reports on HomeFree Treats, a great source for allergen-free, organic goodies and ingredients. Read on for Tracy's review of some HomeFree goodies and their allergen-free cookbook, as well as to learn how to win a HomeFree organic cookie sampler pack!

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May 19, 2009

Cooking Parties for Kids

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

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

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

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May 12, 2009

Vitamin D Supplements & Breastfeeding

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

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

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May 4, 2009

Thank You, Stonyfield!

I'm Going to BlogHer '09As I mentioned in March, ever since experiencing BlogHer Boston, I’ve been super excited to attend the big BlogHer meeting in Chicago this summer. And I’m enormously grateful to have not one (Boston-based firm 360 Public Relations, which I announced in March), but two companies sponsoring my trip. Thank you, Stonyfield Farm, for acting as my secondary sponsor for BlogHer Chicago! Please read on to learn about Stonyfield's impressive environmental initiatives, and a yummy but lesser known organic product they offer.

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April 28, 2009

Fast & Yummy Chicken Pesto Salad

basil.jpgOne 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.

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April 23, 2009

Get Cooking

sam-stern-get-cooking.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice reviews teen chef Sam Stern’s new cookbook, Get Cooking. Read on for Sara’s review, as well as to learn how to be one of 5 winners to receive a copy of Get Cooking!

"Sam Stern is a British teen celebrity chef who is now – amazingly – on his third cookbook. The premise of his latest cookbook - Get Cooking - is simple: get up and get cooking. Cleverly, Sam got eight friends to inspire with the contents, resulting in eight chapters based around ingredients that teenagers really love: cheese, pasta, chocolate, potatoes, and so on.

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April 21, 2009

Let Them Eat Naturally Nora's

naturally-nora.bmpIf 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, Kristin reviews Naturally Nora’s all natural collection of boxed cake and frosting mixes. Read on for Kristin’s review, as well as to learn how to win a year’s supply of Naturally Nora cake + frosting mixes!

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April 13, 2009

Negotiating Sugar Battles

sugar.jpgI know that I’m extremely lucky that Laurel generally is a happy and agreeable kid who isn't prone to meltdowns. But last week, after a fabulous day spent in the Public Garden, followed by lunch at the Au Bon Pain on Boylston Street, the rest of the day was tainted by the crisis that broke out over a giant Easter basket full of candy - strategically positioned at the Au Bon Pain checkout.

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April 6, 2009

Managing Mealtime Power Struggles

salad.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking shares tips for keeping the peace during meals:

Parents often ask me how to handle family mealtime power struggles. First, remember that you are not alone if mealtimes = stress/whining/arguing/negotiating in your house. Here are some simple ways to get mealtimes back on track:

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March 25, 2009

Food Explorer Passport

foodpassport1.jpgToday, April offers a cool idea to inspire kids to try new foods:

My daughter has interesting tastes in food. She is my child in so many ways, but in the food adventure sort of way, not so much. I was dying to try everything as a child...just because. I wanted to try it all, and I often did. My daughter? Well, she has her favorites and she'd like to stick to them, thankyouverymuch. Luckily for us, her favorite foods are black beans, broccoli, and pasta. Not a bad triad of vitamins, protein and fiber. But try to get an apple in the girl? A grape? A suspect vegetable? It all produces a gag reflex that upsets the stomach of everyone around. Even the promise of a treat for sampling everything on her plate cannot tempt her. She'll decide to go without.

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March 18, 2009

Biting During Breastfeeding

babyteeth.JPGToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips for coping with biting during breastfeeding:

“Ouch! Although a teething baby does occasionally bite the breast, it doesn’t mean that s/he needs to be weaned right away. The biting should be temporary, especially if baby has been nursing effectively up to this point. Here are some tips to help manage biting during breastfeeding:

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March 13, 2009

Love These Links!

heartlinks.jpgIt’s been a busy (and rather spicy) week in the mom blogosphere. Here’s what caught my eye around the web – including marketing ideas for mom bloggers and PR folks, the power of online solidarity for fitness, and the latest in mom guilt and nursing wars - per Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

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February 18, 2009

Veggie Celebration

cuckooboo.jpgAfter months (okay, years) of trying to play it cool over Laurel’s veggie intake (i.e., putting them on her plate but not forcing her to eat them), she finally is rewarding our patience – now consuming veggies she previously refused to touch and at least trying everything. So no wonder I want to celebrate, and a super cute way to do so is via the produce-inspired tees at indie boutique CuckooBoo. Available in a variety of onesie and tee styles, these lovingly handcrafted appliqués look especially cool when stitched on an unusual contrast tee (such as the carrot on striped tee; shown). CuckooBoo also offers other kids’ accessories with a sweet, vintage aesthetic.

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Cauliflower For All

cauliflower.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on cauliflower, including yummy recipes for the whole family:

“Cauliflower is a cruciferous vegetable, which means it comes from the same family as cabbage, broccoli, and kale, but it lacks green chlorophyll because its leaves shield the white florets from the sun. There now are many studies that have shown that cruciferous vegetables can help combat lung, colon, breast, ovarian, and bladder cancer.

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January 30, 2009

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_92.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

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

January 22, 2009

Love These Links!

heartlinks.jpgIt’s been a crazy, crazy week, but apparently there’s always time to surf. Here’s what caught my eye around the web this week, in my 2nd edition of Love These Links!, where I share clever, resourceful, thought provoking, and/or hilarious links that I think would be of interest to the fabulous readers who peruse Boston Mamas. Enjoy!

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Giveaway Goodness: Earth’s Best

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

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January 8, 2009

Repurposing Breast Cream

lansinoh.jpgI love how resourceful moms are. This tip comes courtesy of my girlfriend Heidi:

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

December 10, 2008

Celiac Tips

celiac.jpgToday, Mary shares food tips and resource leads for managing Celiac Disease:

“A year ago, my biggest concern when grocery shopping was scanning the aisles for the best sales, but once our daughter was diagnosed with Celiac Disease - the autoimmune disorder caused by a reaction to gluten protein found in wheat, barley, and rye (see basic Celiac facts at the end of this post) - my priority turned towards reading labels and looking for the presence of wheat, barley, or rye in our groceries.

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December 4, 2008

Rooting for Rutabagas

rutabaga.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice makes a case for the humble rutabaga:

“Rutabagas are in season, and as you skim by the pile of these humble root vegetables in your grocery store’s produce section, you may be curious to learn more about this lesser-eaten vegetable, which is known as a ‘swede’ in England due to its popularity in Scandinavian countries.

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November 25, 2008

Picky, Picky!

veggies.jpgToday, Tracy shares strategies for coping with picky eating. Read on for her tips, and feel free to share others that have worked for your family.

“If there’s one issue that can unite and divide parents, it’s picky eating. I have lost count of the number of conversations I have had with other parents about how to manage this ubiquitous tendency.

Continue reading "Picky, Picky!" »

November 20, 2008

C-Section Recovery Tips

bed.jpgToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses shares tips for C-section recovery:

“One out of every three infants born in Massachusetts in 2006 was delivered by caesarean section, according to a state report released on February 13, 2008. This increase can be attributed to many factors, such as advanced maternal age, increases in obesity and diabetes, obstetrician’s fear of lawsuits, and parental desire to schedule the delivery to plan around older children. Whether you have a planned or unexpected C-section, here are some practical tips to aid your recovery post-surgery.

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November 19, 2008

Bring on the Brown Rice

brownrice.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on brown rice:

“Brown rice is healthier than white rice so it’s good to start your kids early on it. Brown rice is brown because the grain is wrapped with a layer of bran that is stripped away when rendering white rice. So, white rice is just starch, while brown rice is the starch plus fiber from the bran. Brown rice tastes nuttier than white rice, and also takes longer to cook.

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November 13, 2008

Top Travel Tips

airplane.jpgThe busiest travel holiday of the year is fast approaching, and today Mary and Kate share useful tips on flying with kids and babies (also provided is a useful archive link from me). Feel free to comment in if you have additional ideas to share!

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October 30, 2008

Smashies Snacks

smashies.jpgGiven 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 Smashies, a wonderfully convenient and healthful organic fruit snack that provides a welcome alternative to carb-heavy snacks. Parent, kid, and earth friendly, these applesauce packs (more flavors are forthcoming) are mess and utensil free thanks to the slurp spout, and once your child has squeezed out every last drop, the packaging - the lining of which is BPA-free - is recyclable.

Want to win a 10-pack of Smashies? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Smashies Snacks" »

October 23, 2008

Got Milk?

milk.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on moo juice:

Milk is on my mind at the moment, because: 1) the fall edition my Little Lettice newsletter focuses on milk, and 2) I just signed up with a raw milk buying club where milk straight from pasture-fed dairies around Boston is delivered to a pick up point near my home. Here’s a primer on milk and ways to incorporate it into food for the family.

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October 22, 2008

Green Your Halloween

greenhalloween.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers tips for improving the health of your Halloween festivities:

“I have a confession to make. I am one of those moms. I cringe at the thought of high fructose corn syrup entering the bodies of my two children. It's not that high fructose corn syrup is much worse for their bodies than ordinary sugar. But to me, it is a sign that the food that it's in is a man-made laboratory concoction. Don't get me wrong. I love a good hunk of chocolate or a bowl of ice cream as much as the next person. But I aim to indulge in sugar-laden treats that are made from real food. And even then, I try to do so only on occasion.

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October 20, 2008

Tricky Treating

jackolantern.jpgToday, Tracy shares Halloween tips for parents, friends, and neighbors of kids with allergies:

“One of the biggest bug-a-boos for families dealing with food allergies is Halloween. When a holiday is specifically targeted at kids, and the whole point is to collect as much candy as possible, what are parents and their food allergic kid to do? Here are some of the ideas we have found useful over the years, and how they are changing as our children get older.

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October 10, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_80.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Car & Caboodle shares their top 10 things to do while pumping, inspired by the hands-free Medela Freestyle Pump. Clever Parents shares Dr. Greene’s top parenting dos and don’ts. Coochicoos offers leads for inspiration and instruction to making your own Halloween costumes. The Bump shares their new baby countdown tools.

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September 30, 2008

Back to Work & Breastfeeding

breastfeeding.jpgToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers tips on managing breastfeeding when returning to work:

“For a new mom, returning to work can be stressful, and the thought of continuing breastfeeding can seem like an overwhelming task. But with advanced planning and the support of your family and workplace, it’s possible to combine breastfeeding and working, and it will benefit all parties in several ways.

Continue reading "Back to Work & Breastfeeding" »

August 22, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_74.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Moms’ Buzz offers tips for spending less when shopping for back to school necessities. Clever Parents features clever ideas for healthy school lunches. Modern Mom announces the launch of their mom groups, where you can meet other moms at exclusive Moms Night Out events, play dates, and more. In honor of Breastfeeding Awareness Month, One Chic Mama features two pumping solutions. And you could win a $100 giggle shopping spree at MomFinds.

August 21, 2008

Lunch Lures

schoollunch.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers healthy back to school lunch tips:

“During a family fishing expedition one summer, despite our best efforts, we were unable to catch anything, even though the boat next to us was reeling in fish every time we looked. Clearly, there was something we weren't doing right. As a man from the next boat yelled over to us, "What kind of bait are you using?" a crazy thought entered into my mind: Feeding children is a lot like fishing – you have to have the right lure, or they won't bite.

Continue reading "Lunch Lures" »

July 8, 2008

Birthday Giveaway: FruitaBü

fruitabu.jpgThere’s no denying the abundance that is summer’s fresh fruit, but if you’re looking to tote a healthy, drip-free fruit snack, FruitaBü is a fine option for kids and grownups alike. Today, FruitaBü contributes to our online birthday party with a Sploooshers & Twirls Gift Pack, including 3 boxes each of their organic unwrap and unroll Fruit Twirls and their squeeze tube Sploooshers. Simply check out the rules after the jump and leave a comment on this product to enter to win.

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July 2, 2008

Breastfeeding Basics

breastfeeding.jpgToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers breastfeeding basics for baby’s first two weeks:

“Many women read several breastfeeding books and take at least one breastfeeding class during their pregnancy. However, once baby arrives many women forget some important basic information, especially as it relates to the newborn’s first two weeks of life. Here are breastfeeding basics to keep in mind during the first two weeks.

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June 16, 2008

That Nitrate Thing

carrots.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on “that nitrate thing” - the issue of when it's safe to present vegetables such as spinach and carrots to babies. Sara also includes a spinach, zucchini, and potato recipe for babies and toddlers.

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June 13, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_65.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Weekend reading: Car & Caboodle highlights a feature on learning to improve your gas economy. Clever Parents encourages readers to support Ella’s Miracle Fund, and/or attend the Ella’s Miracle Fundraising Event in Raleigh, NC. Coochicoos reports that the Beaba Babycook has hit the US market, but is not BPA-free.

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June 3, 2008

Playtex Embrace

playtex.jpgDuring a recent interview with About.com’s breastfeeding expert Melissa Nagin, I was excited to learn about the Playtex Embrace Double Pump - a hospital grade breast pump that retails around $170 (a relative bargain in the pump domain). Playtex was kind enough to provide the Embrace to our pregnancy and postpartum expert Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses for evaluation. Read on for Carole’s thoughts on the pump:

Continue reading "Playtex Embrace" »

June 2, 2008

Whole Grain Goodness

worldofgrains.jpgLike most kids I know, Laurel will – with trial-to-trial consistency scientists could only dream of – systematically select crunchy carb over veggie snacks. And while I (optimistically) continue to present the veggies, I also keep an eye peeled for snack options with nutritional content above that of cheese crackers. Enter, World of Grains. These natural, high fiber snacks are packed with a blend of whole grains (including all important flax) and come in 5 yummy flavors. Suitable for kids and grown-ups any time of day, I’ve found that including a few of these snack gems in Laurel’s lunch box provides a treat that’s nutrient-dense and spares her teachers a typical dessert-induced sugar rush before nap time.

Want to be one of two winners to receive 5 cartons of World of Grains snacks*? Here’s how:

Continue reading "Whole Grain Goodness" »

May 14, 2008

The Toddler Café

toddlercafe.jpgAre you ready to venture beyond typical toddler fare? Today, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a review of The Toddler Café: Fast, Healthy, and Fun Ways to Feed Even the Pickiest Eater. Michelle also includes one of her family's favorite recipes from the cookbook - Treasure Triangles - which are sure to suit both sweet and savory cravings.

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April 16, 2008

The Little Seed That Could

flax.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on flax seed:

“In my last post I wrote about the importance of eating a good breakfast, and how protein can help children concentrate through the morning at school. Another nutrient that helps mental health and the ability to focus is omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA). Egg yolks and fish contain this essential fatty acid, which is another reason why they make excellent breakfast items. However, for a couple of my kids, eating too many eggs can cause constipation, and eggs do contain a fair amount of cholesterol. A good solution I have discovered is flax seed.

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April 8, 2008

First Juice

firstjuice.jpgMost kids seem to say ‘yay’ to sugar and mess and ‘nay’ to veggies, but here’s a nifty way to cut down on the former and increase the latter, at least in the drink department. First Juice is a new line of organic, sippy top fruit/vegetable juices (apple + carrot, banana + carrot) that are cut with purified water and fortified with calcium and vitamins A, C, and D. The end result is a more mild drink (43-49% juice) that will still give your kid the juice experience, minus the sugar rush.

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April 7, 2008

Let Them Eat Cake!

cherrybrook.jpgHappily, gone are the days where kids and adults with allergies are left out at treat time. Today, Tracy reports on her testing sessions of the allergy-friendly Cherrybrook Kitchen baking mix line. Read on for her review, and also to learn how to win a gift basket of goodies from Cherrybrook Kitchen!

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April 4, 2008

The Dad Factor

nagin.jpgLast week I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Melissa Kotlen Nagin, a certified lactation consultant and About.com’s Breastfeeding Guide. In particular, Melissa and I connected to talk about the dad (or partner) factor when it comes to breastfeeding. We had a fabulous time chatting; read on for highlights from the interview (a Boston Mamas first!), where we cover role shifts, dad/partner involvement, pumping, nighttime feeding, baby nurses, co-sleeping, bottle feeding battles, postpartum depression, the supermom syndrome, and re-lactation:

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April 1, 2008

Tips for Preemie Care

babyfeet.JPGToday, Heather shares tips for surviving the nerve wracking early months of preemie care:

“Pregnant with triplets, we knew that our babies would be born premature. Studies have shown that babies born from one to three weeks early have a greater risk of breathing and feeding problems, trouble maintaining their body temperature, greater rates of jaundice, and problems with brain development. I was among the fortunate to carry to 35 weeks (considered full term for triplets). Our trio came into this world weighing 5.9, 4.11, and 3.13 pounds.

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March 31, 2008

Supportive Solution

cuddoozle.jpgCongrats to our very fabulous food and fitness writer Jules, who welcomed son, Will, last month. Mom and baby are doing well and today Jules recommends a supportive solution for nursing moms: the Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow. Read on for Jules's review, as well as to learn how to win a Cuddoozle Nursing Pillow!

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March 13, 2008

Leftover Lessons

leftovers.jpgToday, Jules offers creative ideas for livening up leftovers:

“My husband and I recently realized we were in a food crisis. I love to cook and he loves to eat, but neither of us is too hot on leftovers; we were wasting too much. I just have this thing about them - I don’t enjoy them and am marginally freaked out by them. In reality, I know that anything I cook or eat fresh is good for another 3 days (beyond that, leftovers really do begin to collect bacteria). So I decided that what I needed to do was come up with creative ways to use leftovers for another entire meal. It turns out I do like leftovers…so long as they’re served in a totally different way than the night before.

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March 10, 2008

The Big Breakfast

eggs.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers ideas to fuel the family:

“I realize that bagels are popular and convenient (at Whole Foods I often see babies chewing on bagels as big as their heads...), but the truth is, they aren’t terribly nutritious. The below ideas may lack the on-the-go convenience of bagels, but getting a good start on the day is well worth the extra 10-15 minutes.

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February 22, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_50.jpgAnd now for our weekly dose of web highlights from some of our stylish blog partners:

Cool goods: Coochicoos showcases a light for little kids who love spaceships. Classy Mommy gives her stamp of approval to Born Free’s BPA-free bottles. Clever Parents finds Fabkins fabulous. Car & Caboodle features the new Maxi Cosi Priori convertible car seat. And Healthy Bump reviews Belly Bars.

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February 20, 2008

First Foods For Baby

greenbeans.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a guide to first foods for baby:

“What food is ‘allowed’ at 6 months? Within the limits of age appropriateness, what actually works? And what about the weirder vegetables like rutabaga? Here I present the basics on introducing veggies, fruits, protein, and spices - drawn from external resources, my experience in the baby food industry, not to mention having fed my own four babies!

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February 14, 2008

BPA & Baby Bottles

adiri.jpgToday, Carole Arsenault of Newborn Nurses offers a handy guide on BPA and baby bottles:

“BPA (Bisphenol A) is an industrial chemical found in polycarbonate plastic. These plastics are used in many baby products including bottles. The latest research links BPA to possible health problems in humans. Those most vulnerable to the negative effects are infants and young children.

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February 11, 2008

Divvie It Up, Please!

divvies.bmpI remember being devastated in 1st grade when I learned that one of my best friends was allergic to chocolate and peanut butter. After missing out on all those classroom birthday cupcakes (always with an accepting smile), I can only hope that wherever he is, he knows about Divvies, purveyor of treats to be enjoyed by those with (or without!) life threatening allergies. Read on for Tracy’s review, and also to learn how to be one of 2 winners to receive a gift box assortment of Divvies gourmet popcorn, cookies, and candy!

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February 6, 2008

Kids in the Kitchen

woodenspoon.jpgToday, Michelle Stern of What’s Cooking offers a guide for involving kids in the kitchen:

“Since I teach cooking classes for children, people ask me all the time about what their kids can really do in the kitchen. They find it hard to believe that their toddler can actually help, without causing complete chaos. The following guide highlights some of the age-appropriate cooking skills that children typically can handle. Of course, use your discretion depending on how much experience your child has had experimenting in the kitchen.

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February 5, 2008

Mama’s Milk

mamasmilk.jpgLaurel has long been a breastfeeding advocate (she avidly nursed for a year, and loves asking questions about nursing or seeing other babies feed), so it’s no wonder she's a fan of Michael Elsohn Ross’s new Mama's Milk. With gentle rhyming text and cozy illustrations, Mama’s Milk realistically and tastefully depicts how humans and animals nurse their offspring. Each picture labels mom and baby animal pairs (e.g., platypus & puggles) and the book concludes with additional nursing facts to accompany each page. A great pick for moms looking for a way to explain breastfeeding to an older sibling, we also dig that this book is offered in a Spanish/English edition.

Want to be one of five winners to receive a copy of Mama’s Milk? Here’s how:

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January 25, 2008

Weekly Web Roundup

webroundup_46.jpgWeekend Reading: Car & Caboodle features an LA dad who tells of his road to becoming a minivan owner. Healthy Bump chats with former nanny Deborah Smith, who offers advice on how to search for a nanny. Moms’ Buzz offers 10 tips to help parents encourage children to eat right and maintain a healthy weight. Clever Parents highlights an easy, cheesy cauliflower pasta recipe from Rachael Ray. Coochicoos features the ultimate Batman home theater set up.

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January 15, 2008

Pump Primer

pump.jpgI’m thrilled to welcome new guest contributor Carole Arsenault! Carole, a certified childbirth educator and lactation consultant, is the founder of locally based Newborn Nurses. Carole will provide content on pregnancy and postpartum issues, and her first "pump primer" contribution today demystifies the various options available for expressing breast milk:

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January 9, 2008

Tips for Change

cheese.jpgToday, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice encourages healthier eating for kids in 2008 (and beyond!). She shares 10 tips for change, and a couple of recipes for kid favorites that can be knocked together easily, and without all the salt and preservatives of typical processed goods:

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December 17, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast IV

breakfast4.gifFollowing installments I, II, and III, here’s the final segment in our squeezing in breakfast series with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward. Here are 15 breakfast ideas from Elizabeth:

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December 12, 2007

Silikids

silikids.jpgNever has the importance of glassware been made more apparent than when I sniffed the inside of one of Laurel’s older (but clean) milk cups and the plastic stank. The glass revolution has gained another advocate, and especially so now that I know about Silikids, purveyor of modern baby/toddler products that, by virtue of their silicone construction, are hygienic, hypoallergenic, and dishwasher, washer/dryer, freezer, and microwave friendly. Their chicly colored Siliskins are made to fit 4 and 8 oz Evenflo glass bottles and help improve grip and add a layer of padding for the occasional drop, while cleverly still showing the contents of the bottle via the translucent material and cute circle cut outs.

Want to win a Silikids product? Here’s how:

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December 10, 2007

Squeezing in Breakfast III

breakfast3.gifFollowing installments I and II, here’s part III of our series with nutrition expert Elizabeth Ward, featuring tips and menu ideas to help parents squeeze in breakfast:

“Pancakes, eggs and bacon not tempting your family’s taste buds or hectic schedule? Non-traditional breakfasts and even last night’s leftovers like chicken or a whole wheat dinner roll spread with peanut butter pack the nutrients your family needs to get the day started right. Getting fuel in the morning is important as research shows eating breakfast every day contributes to increased attention and performance at work and school. Here are a few non-traditional breakfast ideas:

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