Smooth Operator

Hamilton Beach Single-Serve Blender

Almost every day I enjoy a protein shake made by this handy little gadget.  I usually drink one for breakfast or lunch or as a mid-afternoon snack (the recipe I like is below).  I LOVE this blender because it is powerful enough to crush frozen berries or ice, has a removable canister that can be used as your cup, has measurements on the side and the cord wraps around the base for convenient storage. 

The best thing about this blender is that it is super cheap (I got mine at Wal-mart for about $15).  I did a little search online and found that Target.com has it on sale for $13.60right now and it ships free!  This is a great Christmas gift idea and would be helpful for those "I promise to eat healthy" New Year Resolutions that we all try to keep :)

My Smoothie Recipe

1 cup of frozen mixed berries (if you have a Costco near you my favorite mix is the Rader Farms frozen mixed berries)
6 to 8 ounces of soy milk (I prefer WestSoy organic unsweetened plain because there is less sugar in it than other brands)
1 to 2 ounces of 100% juice (I usually just put a splash of orange juice or apricot juice...whatever I have on hand)
2 scoops of Trader Joe's Trader Darwin's Soy Protein Powder (great ingredients at an incredible price!)

Optional Add Ins That I Like

One or two healthy handfuls of fresh baby spinach (I promise you can't taste it!)
One tablespoon of peanut butter (I know it may sound crazy but if I'm drinking the smoothie as a meal replacer or am really needing a little more protein I stick this in there...my girls and I actually like the taste of it!)

Blend it all up for about a minute, stick in a straw and enjoy!

One Handy Tip:  If you are in a hurry in the morning and want to make this as fast as possible, measure out the berries, protein powder and spinach into sandwich baggies and freeze.  When you are ready for a smoothie grab a bag, pour it in the blender with your wet ingredients and in 1 to 2 minutes you will have a healthy, filling breakfast!

If the Shoe Fits...Buy it in Every Color!

Minnetonka Kilty Kids

AND

Minnetonka Kilty Womens or Kristin Womens

Last year I was looking for a slip on shoe that my daughter could wear during the colder fall and winter months to preschool.  While tennis shoes are the most practical they just don't go with all of her clothes.  I came across the Minnetonka Kilty for kids on Amazon at a decent price (less than $30) so I decided to give them a try.  They worked perfectly!  They fit well, they were comfortable, they were super cute with pants, leggings and dresses and she could even wear them with socks if it was really cold.  I, of course, had to have a pair for myself so we had matching Minnetonka Kiltys in brown (really a reddish or orange brown).

When we moved this summer one box was lost in the move...the one box that had all of my boots and fall/winter shoes in it.  Needless to say, I was devastated, but I picked myself up and tried to decide what out of that box I could not live without.  I immediately thought of my Minnetonkas so I went to Rack Room Shoes and picked up a second pair, this time I tried the Kristin in a light tan color (just in case the box turned up so I would have two different pairs!).  The Kristin is a bit of a more feminine shoe and the only problem I have had is a little rubbing on my heel that sometimes requires a band-aid...I didn't have this with the Kilty.

PROS:
-great for little boys, little girls and moms
-quick on and off (great for busy school mornings!)
-inexpensive ($35 or less on Amazon with free shipping)
-a wide variety of colors
-holds up very well; even with lots of running and playground play
-can be worn with socks if really cold
-very comfortable

CONS:
-the laces can come untied often so I superglued my kid's
-the Kristin rubs a little on the heel of one of my feet (this might just be my foot!)

Just "Go" to Sleep!

Regalo My Cot Portable Travel Bed

I first purchased this cot when our oldest was staying at a friends house during the day while I worked; it was her nap time cot. As time went on it evolved into the cot that we would take along when we stayed in hotels or spent a few nights with family. We have also used it as a fun little treat during movie time on gloomy days...the cot, popcorn and a fuzzy blanket make a little kid very happy.  Some people take it to the beach (if I were to do that I would buy a dedicated 'beach' one because of sand in crevices!). We now own two of these (one for each of our children) and take them on just about every road trip we embark on.

PROS:
-folds and unfolds very easily
-comes with a storage bag
-lightweight
-sturdy
-comfortable
-comes with a washable fitted sheet
-CHEAP! we paid less than $25 for each of these on Amazon.com or Walmart.com

CONS:
-the only con that I have found thus far is that one of the cots flattened down too far somehow and the girls could feel the support bars...I'm sure one or both of them caused this by jumping on it! At the price it was easy to replace so problem solved.

Pack It Up

 

Brookstone Quilted Rolling Organizer

We travel...a lot.  We have family in many different states and try to get out as much as possible.  In August of this year I made a trip with my girls (ages 2 and 4 at the time) from Virginia to visit my parents in Texas.  This trip required two airplanes and a change in gate at the last minute which caused me a lot of frustration, sweat and a numb arm as I carried my carry-on tote and 2 year old while dragging my 4 year old onto a train and across multiple terminals.  When we reached the new terminal we walked past Brookstone and the beautiful, convenient, well-organized gear drew me in.  Within 15 minutes I had a lovely carry-on organizer with wheels and life was instantly easier!

We own a few pieces of luggage but this by far has been our best purchase. It fits well under the airplane seat and opens nicely so it is very easy to access on a flight.  It is durable and the compartments are spacious and well organized.

Here is what I fit in mine on that trip to Texas:

- Change of clothes for 2 year old (you never know what will happen on a flight!)
-DVD player and DVDs
-coloring books and crayons
-wipes container
-bottle of water
-snacks
-airplane boxes for the girls filled with goodies (I will blog about these later...got the idea from a friend; basically bait boxes filled with fun treats)
-socks for cold feet on the plane
-a magazine for me
-my Nook

Since that trip I have used the bag on every road trip we have taken.  I even went away for a weekend by myself for a meeting and this was the only piece of luggage I needed.  This is huge for someone who has a ton of makeup and hair stuff!

Christmas is coming and I highly recommend you put this beauty on your list.  I paid $99 for it on sale but I know Brookstone is running some promos right now (like spend $99 and get $5 off plus free shipping plus $20 of Brookstone bucks which would be great to use for gifts for others).  The site is showing that it is out of stock so I would check your nearest Brookstone store or call the Customer Service number on their site for details.  If you are a mom and you do any sort of traveling whatsoever with your children then this organizer is definitely something you will appreciate!

So, What's for Dinner?

Everyday Food Magazine by Martha Stewart

When we got married almost ten years ago Heath was the chef in the relationship.  Since he was quite amazing in the kitchen I decided I would learn to bake.  The relationship worked out well, he cooked as a stress reliever from his medical school studies and I had a great time baking a variety of things as I studied my way through physical therapy school.  Then life got harder, our first child came and we moved a few states away for Heath to start residency.  It was time for me to assume my full role as homemaker and take over the chef's hat. 

Shortly after moving in, my sister sent me a housewarming gift of a subscription to the Everyday Food magazine by Martha Stewart.  While I had a number of cookbooks in my arsenal I must say that this magazine taught me more about quick, easy, tasty, healthy cooking than I ever could have found in a cookbook.

PROS:
1.  Learn lots of little tips and techniques for flavorful cooking
2.  Minimal ingredients per recipe and a lot of them use staples found in a well stocked pantry
3.  Delicious meals (we haven't really had anything we absolutely did not like!)
4.  Our kids eat the meals!
5.  Kids can help with meal prep; this magazine really taught Eva (our oldest) a lot about cooking
6.  New issues every 1-2 months with fresh new ideas

CONS:
1.  It is a subscription (BUT you can buy one issue for a higher price at your local grocery store check out to see if you like it before you subscribe)
2.  Some of the recipes would be difficult to modify for kids with certain allergies (dairy or egg mainly) but there are a lot of recipes in each issue that don't use those ingredients
3.  It is great that the recipes use a variety of vegetables and fresh foods but the negative to this is that you have to go to the grocery store at least once a week if not more often to get ingredients

Bon appetit!

I Scream, You Scream

Ultimate Ice Cream (it's vegan, too, but you can't tell...I promise!)

I had a list of a couple of things that I wanted to blog about tonight but after trying this recipe, I had to move this to the top of the list!

This is just about the easiest dessert I have ever made and the greatest thing is that it can be made with ingredients that most people already have in their homes.  I found the original recipe on Pinterest (it was from this site:  http://www.neverhomemaker.com/2010/06/ultimate-vegan-ice-cream.html) so you can check it out there but I made one minor adjustment and added some vanilla.  It is A-MAZING!

Ingredients:
2 Bananas, chopped in 'coins' and frozen
1 Handful Chocolate Chips
2 Tablespoons Peanut Butter
1 Teaspoon Vanilla

THAT IS IT!  Here's what you do:
1.  Put the frozen banana coins in a blender or food processor (I used my mini Cuisinart that I blogged about a few months ago and it worked perfectly); chop into pea sized or smaller bits
2.  Add a handful of chocolate chips, 2 tbsp. peanut butter and 1 tsp. vanilla
3.  Continue to blend until smooth, airy and creamy; add more peanut butter as needed

This is one of the most delicious homemade desserts I have ever made and I have done quite a bit of baking over the years!  It is ridiculously easy and so good for you.  My kids and husband devoured this healthy treat which made me, and them, very happy! 

Hanging Up

Hanging Up

I am slightly obsessed with organizing.  I love to rearrange the pantry, the refrigerator, my desk, the kids toys, my closet and on and on.  I also love to organize other people's houses and, since my mom isn't too much of an organizer herself, I love visiting them and spending some time cleaning out her cabinets and drawers. 

I think I have always been a fan of organization but my true obsession began when my husband and I made our first cross country move with an 8 month old.  We had SO much stuff that I believe I was permanently scarred and vowed to never move again.  My organization went into overdrive and I spent hours throwing things away, recycling and making trip after trip to Goodwill.

My desire to never move again was relatively short lived and four years after our move to North Carolina we had to pack up and head north.  Thankfully this move was only for a year but, unfortunately, we tremendously downsized.  In the move we lost a number of rooms...and a number of closets.  For a girl who loves clothes and shoes, this was a nightmare.  I made a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond and found a few things that would help me out.

1.  The Wonder Hanger by Hampton Direct:  LOVE!  I prefer the metal kind over the plastic kind but both work well.  This handy little contraption does what it is supposed to do; it maximizes closet space and allows clothes to hang nice and neatly.  I use it for my tops, dresses and skirts and for my husband's shirts.

2.  Skirt Hanger by Real Simple:  I love how this hanger is covered with felt and neatly clips onto skirts and pants without leaving marks.  It feels sturdy and has a great price tag (less than $8).

Both of these items can be found at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  Make sure you take your 20% off coupons because you will want to get a bunch of them!

Take Good Care of My Baby

Take Good Care of My Baby


I am always on the hunt for the best products to use for my children; not only because one of my children is highly sensitive but because it just makes sense to me to nurture and care for them as best I can, inside and out.

I came across this product a few years ago and was intrigued but never purchased for some reason.  On a recent visit home my mom had a bottle of Angel Baby Shampoo & Body Wash on hand for my sister's kids so I tried it on my girls.  It foams really nicely, lathers well in their hair and rinses easily.  My more sensitive child has always had dry, frizzy hair but this product made her hair instantly beautiful and shiny the next day.  I was sold!

PROS:  Read the info below, you will be impressed; decently priced (I paid $8 on amazon.com); smells great and cleans very well

From the manufacturer's website:
 • Certified by Oregon Tilth: NSF/ANSI 305 Certified Contains Organic Oils
• No petrochemicals, petroleum or petroleum byproducts
• No “fragrance” or parfum, 1,4-Dioxane, formaldehyde, or phthalates
• No sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), cocomidopropyl betaine or other synthetic foaming agents or surfactants
• No artificial preservatives, parabens, phenoxyethanol, Quaternium-15 etc.
• No artificial emulsifiers

CONS:  Can be difficult to find depending on where you live (check Babies R Us, Whole Foods, Vitamin Shoppe or the product's website at www.earthmamaangelbaby.com to order or to find stores near you)

NOTE:  While the bottle does mention to be careful with eyes as this is not 'tear-free', my children have not had any issues with eye burning or irritation.

A Stiff Upper Lip

Sally Hansen Creme Hair Remover Kit

I am 100% Greek.  While I love everything about my heritage (the beautiful country, the culture, the food, the language, etc.) I do not love the unwanted beauty flaws that often come with it.  I have waxed, I have bleached and I have threaded.  I've even tried other cream hair removers but this one by far is the easiest to apply, the fastest to get results and the most effective.  Want to know another way that I know it's the real deal?  I recently found out that my fashionista Yiayia (grandmother in Greek) who is totally 'in-the-know' about the latest in beauty products has been using it for years :)

PROS:
- easy to apply
- works quickly (4-8 minutes)
- painless
- pleasant smell

CONS:
- not as long lasting as other methods of hair removal (this method will keep you fuzz-free for 1 to 3 weeks depending on the texture and amount of hair you need to remove)

I'll Meet You at the Top of the Coconut Tree

Coconut Oil

Over the past few years I have worked toward steering my family in the direction of healthier eating using wholesome ingredients and minimizing as much processed food in our diets as possible.  A while back my husband introduced me to coconut oil and it has now become a staple in our pantry.  I use it almost every day to cook scrambled eggs, as a substitute for butter in cookies and other baked goods, to brown meat and much more.  It has a mild flavor that isn't overly "coconut-y", my kids love it!

The benefits of coconut oil are still being researched by the FDA and other sources.  Some claim the following potential benefits:

- prevent, or possibly even reverse, the signs of Alzheimer's

- promote weight loss

- maintain healthy cholesterol levels

- improve hair and skin texture

- increase immunity

- improve digestion and metabolism

In addition to those listed above, there are a number of other speculated benefits to a diet which includes coconut oil.  I can't speak to the validity of these claims but I know for my family I would much rather use coconut oil than margarine, butter, vegetable, canola or corn oils. I still, being of Greek descent, use olive oil as well of course :)

One note, if you do introduce coconut oil into your diet make sure it is virgin and unrefined.  We purchase ours from either Amazon.com or Vitacost.com (using www.eBates.com for cash back and www.retailmenot.com coupon codes for the latter website!).

A Sweet Treat

Zoku Quick Pop Maker


Last Christmas Heath's grandmother asked what present she could get for the girls.  Considering they have way too many toys as it is I asked Eva if she had any NON-toy ideas.  She had a brilliant suggestion stating that she "wanted a popsicle maker".  I don't think she even knew that such a thing existed but, indeed, there are magical contraptions that make cool, sweet treats in minutes.

On Christmas morning the girls opened their gift from "Biznona" (Great Grandmother in Italian) and squealed in delight to see the colorful pictures of "ice pops", as they now call them, all over the box.  We tore the box open, read the instructions and, after freezing for 24 hours, we had fun making our own creations with juices and fruits.

This little, cold box makes 3 popsicles at once and can freeze up to 9 popsicles at a time before it needs to go back in the freezer.  It takes 10 minutes to whip up a healthy, yummy dessert for the kids.  You can freeze any fruit inside the Quick Pop maker but, lately, I have stuck to using a variety of juices and milks.  Here is what we have tried:
- apple juice
- orange juice
- acai berry juice
- pink lemonade
- Silk Fruit & Protein soymilk
- So Delicious Cultured Coconut Milk, strawberry flavor

The possibilities are endless...I'm thinking chocolate soymilk would be pretty yummy!

PROS: 
-Virtually no clean-up
-Drip trays on the popsicles
-You can use a wide variety of milks, juices and fruits (there is a Zoku recipe book that you can purchase separately that has some pretty impressive ideas for fresh ingredients)
-Much cheaper to make then buying boxes of popsicles
-Ready in only 10 minutes, we store the base in the freezer so we can have popsicles any time of day
-Healthy dessert option (especially if you take the time to slice up fruit to stick in them)

CONS:
-Only makes three at a time so if we have a couple of friends over they have to wait for two 10 minute sessions for their popsicles to be ready
-The Zoku maker is at the high end of the popsicle makers ($50) but there are less expensive options at Target, Wal-Mart and Amazon.com

Water, Water Everywhere...

Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter

...but not a drop to drink.  For my highly sensitive 2 1/2 year old this phrase is painfully oh so true.  Zoe has a number of food allergies and sensitivities and after much trial and error we narrowed down that one of her major irritants is chlorine.  The discovery of this led us to early potty training (at about 20 months) due to bleeding diaper rash associated with the chlorine content of diapers and the poor breathe-ability of diapers (even the chlorine-free brands). 

Another 'ah ha' moment came when we realized the water in our house had a disgustingly high amount of chlorine in it...more than that of a swimming pool!  Once we learned of this we researched water filtration systems and decided on the RainSoft EC4 whole house water filtration system.  If you are curious about this system I highly suggest you request a demo...you will be shocked.

Now, I understand that water must be treated for it to be 'drinkable'.  There are many bugs and nasties that can grow in water and that we dump in water ourselves (ex. fertilizers).  I just wish there were a more natural way to remedy this issue than pouring in boatloads of chemicals.  If you haven't already, I suggest you take some time to research the effect of prolonged exposure to chlorine in household water.  Aside from skin dryness and irritation, there are a whole host of problems linked to chlorinated water including irritation of mucous membranes, possible artery damage, link to melanoma and other cancers, fertility problems, etc. Without sounding too much like an 'Erin Brokovich', I want you to be aware of what is in the water being consumed by you and your family.

The RainSoft EC4 filter works like a charm but since we are away from home for a year I needed to find a more cost-effective way to filter the water that Zoe will be using.  I researched faucet mounted systems and found the Culligan FM-15A Level 3 Faucet Filter on amazon.com.  I paid about $13 for this little gadget and figured if it didn't work perfectly then I wasn't out too much cash.  It got great reviews so I figured what the heck.  It arrived about a week after I ordered it and I immediately installed it on our kitchen faucet.  Earlier that day I picked up a water test kit made by AquaChem at Wal-Mart.  This kit comes in a little blue box in the pool supply section and costs about $6; it was actually the same kit I used when I was a lifeguard in college so I was familiar with the test.

It took about 3 minutes to install the filter, very easy.  With the filter in place you can choose to have unfiltered water (great for tasks like watering the plants or rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher) or filtered water by pulling a little knob.  I first used the AquaChem test kit to test the unfiltered water.  The ideal chlorine level for a swimming pool is about 1.5 ppm...the unfiltered water had 3.0 ppm, twice that of what should be in a swimming pool!  Then came the real test, the filtered water.  Amazingly the filtered water had 0.0 ppm of chlorine...every little bit was removed, hallelujah!  We then installed the same filter on Zoe's bathroom sink and taught her how to pull the knob when she needs filtered water to brush her teeth or wash her hands.  What a relief it was to find this little contraption for not a lot of dough!

I highly recommend you purchase the AquaChem (or equivalent) water test kit from Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot, Lowe's or any hardware or pool supply store.  Check out your water...then get your Culligan FM-15A filter right away :)

It's Essential

JJ Cole Essentials Blanket


I registered for this 'blanket' five years ago when I was pregnant with our first child.  We have used it every spring for picnics and summer at the beach since then, washed it multiple times, crammed it into the car or stroller and it still looks brand new.  I feel that everybody, whether they have children or not, should own one.  It is lightly padded, the surface wipes clean, it's machine washable, it folds very easily, and it is inexpensive.  I highly recommend this handy little contraption!

PROS:  It's machine washable, it's cheap...$25 on Amazon and eligible for free Super Saver Shipping!, it's spacious (5' x 5'), it folds very easily into a messenger bag with an outer pocket for storing magazines, books, wipes, diapers, etc., and it comes in a variety of colors

CONS:  Not a one!

You're Glowing!

Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Moisturizer

It's that awful time of year when the sun is coming out, the days are getting warmer and bathing suit season is just weeks away...the thought of which makes me cringe. After months of cold weather and warm, comforting food I don't feel quite ready to put a swimsuit on and my pale skin doesn't make it any easier. To ease the transition I thought I would give Jergens Natural Glow Revitalizing Moisturizer a try.

I've used this product for about three weeks now and am seeing a difference in my skin tone. My biggest concern was that I would turn orange and that hasn't happened at all; my skin looks even and is just a shade or two darker. Since I didn't want an unnatural color, I chose the lotion for Fair to Medium even though I have olive skin. It looks very natural to me and I won't start this season with blindingly white legs!

PROS: Looks natural, inexpensive (less than $6), wonderful smell, easy to apply

CONS: None yet!

Lather, Rinse, Repeat

Suave Professionals Shampoo and Conditioner (Volumizing with Aloe and Ginseng)

For 10 years I swore by Biolage shampoo and conditioner. I loved their 'Color Care' formula even though I didn't color my hair, it just seemed to work well for me. I loved the smell and when I could find the liters on sale 2 for $20 it was quite a deal. Then, all of a sudden one day it stopped cleaning as well and my hair felt heavy and limp. I researched a little and found that they changed the formula (not sure if there is truth to this) so I decided I should step out of the box and try something new. I posted on Facebook to see if anyone could recommend a good drugstore shampoo and a number of people recommended the Suave Professionals line (comparable to Aveda).

So, off I went to the store and found the shampoo and conditioner for $1.84 each! Can't beat that. I tried them the next day and instantly I could tell a difference! My hair felt very clean and it had more body than it had had in a while. I thought maybe it was a fluke since I switched brands so when I ran out of the first bottle I tried Dove shampoo and conditioner...this didn't work quite as well. So, back to Suave I went, and I love it! Try it for yourself, you will be surprised!

Star Power

Kenson Kids "I Can Do It" Reward and Responsibility Chart

Eva didn't have terrible twos...she had terrible threes. No form of discipline seemed to work; she just didn't care. At three years old she wasn't really involved in too many things so I couldn't take much away from her. At the end of my rope I would often talk to my girlfriends about how to manage this stubborn, strong-willed, independent toddler; one of them suggested a star chart. I looked online and didn't want to invest too much into a form of behavior modification that may or may not work so I decided on the Kenson Kids "I Can Do It" chart. It got great reviews and the price was right ($19.99 with free shipping). So, we gave it a try.

The chart arrived with a number of actions (ex. "No Mean Words", "Go to Bed and Stay in Bed", "No Whining", "No Harming Others") and a number of blank tiles to add your own behaviors (at this time one of mine is "Be a Good Listener"). The tiles have velcro backs to adhere to the chart and there are 45 stars included as well. I printed my own rewards and let my girls choose one reward after they achieve their star goal (15 stars each). The rewards I printed are ("Go Out for a Treat", "Buy a Book", "Get a New Outfit or Pajamas", "Money for my Piggy Bank", "Movie Night with Mom and Dad"). I allow the girls to choose their one reward and then take it out of the drawing...otherwise they would choose "Go Out for a Treat" every week!

The chart worked magnificently for our problematic three year old. She is now four and a half and shares her chart with her two year old sister who is just as excited to use the chart. It has been wonderful for our family; the girls get so excited to earn their stars at the end of the day...and are equally as upset when they lose stars for bad behaviors. Let's just hope this star power doesn't wear off any time soon!

http://www.amazon.com/Kenson-Kids-Reward-Responsibility-Chart/dp/B001BX0BF4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331505609&sr=8-1

Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookies---YUM!

Healthy and Delicious Vegan Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Having a child with dairy and egg allergies has taught me so much about substituting while cooking and baking. Now that it is Lent and a time of strict fasting in the Greek Orthodox faith, cooking and baking this way is even more useful. These cookies are delicious and filled with things that are so healthy and tasty!

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 cups wheat flour or white-wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup coconut oil (instead of butter)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 Ener-G Egg Replacer "eggs" (this is a powder sold in a box in the baking section of Whole Foods)

Scant 1/4 cup applesauce

2 cups Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a large bowl beat coconut oil, white sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until blended
3. Add the two servings of Ener-G Egg Replacer and the applesauce; beat until combined
4. Beat in flour, baking soda and salt until combined
5. Stir in chocolate chips

Roll dough into balls about 1 1/2" in diameter and place about 2 inches apart on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown

Cool on wire racks

You're My Hero

www.flattenme.com

Last year I saw a little blurb in one of my parenting magazines advertising www.flattenme.com. When you visit this website you can create a variety of books inserting the face of your loved one (husband, wife, son, daughter, niece, nephew, Godson, etc.). Since Father's Day was around the corner I made a book called "My Super Daddy" and inserted Heath's picture.

The girls absolutely flipped over it...as did Heath :) The book portrays Heath swinging with gorillas, climbing tall towers, playing games with large animals and more. Even though we have read the book dozens of times both of our girls are still in awe that their dad could be such an incredible super hero!

This is a great gift idea for pretty much anyone on your list (there are even baby board books!). Check it out: www.flattenme.com

Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep

Moonlight Slumber Starlight Support All Foam Crib Mattress

We found this mattress based on the recommendation of the boutique where we purchased our crib and custom bedding. I didn't realize what I great thing we happened upon until a while later. This mattress is worth every penny! It is now almost 5 years old and looks brand new. There are so many benefits of this little mattress, here they are:

-Completely antimicrobial (vinyl covering for easy cleaning)
-Welded seams
-Hypoallergenic
-Premium ticking
-Cornered edges
-2 levels of firmness (flip the mattress to the softer side after first birthday)
-Internal fire barrier
-Lifetime warranty
-Exceeds all current and planned Federal standards of fire safety

Honestly, the only negative thing I can find about this mattress is that it is about $200 but if you are buying for your first baby (or grandbaby!) then you will get a lot of use out of it. Hands down the best crib mattress for your sweet baby in my opinion!

A Virtual Filing Cabinet

Dropbox

This is a genius idea that allows you to access your documents and photos from all of your computers, laptops, phones and even the Dropbox website (in case your computer crashes or you are on a computer that doesn't have the Dropbox download).

Go to www.dropbox.com from any PC or Mac and download Dropbox for free. Once you have it downloaded all you do is drag the file you want to access into the Dropbox icon on your computer screen so you can access it from the places I listed above. Examples of things you might want to put in your Dropbox include:

- itineraries
- pics of your kids
- documents with your usernames and passwords
- your budget (if you, like me, like to work on it on different computers in your house or at work and at home)
- documents you have completed at home that you need for work and vice versa

This is a great, free program that is very user friendly. Wish I would have thought of it!

MacGyver Would Be Proud

Snapware Rectangle Food Storage Container -- CAR TRASH CAN!

Another point for Pinterest. I saw this handy little idea on there and it solved my messy driver side door problems forever! A food storage container with a small (4 gallon or less) trash can liner inside makes a perfect vehicle trash can. I picked up my handy little container for under $8 after coupon at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I found the mini trash bags at Target and my attempts at a cleaner car were underway.

With a 4 year old and a 2 year old and lots of time in the car running from preschool, to dance class, to Greek school, to the library, to music class (and, as you all know from experience, the list goes on) we generate quite a bit of garbage. I used to stuff it in my driver's side door and empty it when I would get gas. Now I just open the storage container, dump the contents (or the whole bag if there are sticky items in there) and that's it!

NOTE: I highly recommend a food container that has a "door" on top so that you don't have to take the whole lid off to throw something away while driving...the "door" makes it much safer and more convenient.

My Cup Runneth Over

LilyPadz Reusable Silicone Nursing Pads (Starter Kit)

I breastfed both of my children, each for one year. While breastfeeding is easier and more convenient than bottle feeding there are still a number of drawbacks and having a wet t-shirt contest in the middle of Target because you heard some baby crying is not an enjoyable experience. Most mothers who nursed their children can tell you that next to requiring oxygen to breathe, you probably need some sort of pad to absorb leakage.

With my first child I tried a number of disposable nursing pads and really liked the Lansinoh pads the best. They were very absorbent, large and relatively inexpensive. Having said that, there were still times when I needed something discrete. Tight shirts over large, swollen, milk-filled breasts were not so attractive when the outline of your nursing pad is clearly visible. My cousin's wife (props to Alison!) told me about LilyPadz. These little babies are silicone, molded shells that gently adhere to the surface of your breast creating a seal that reduces leakage and appear invisible under clothing.

PROS: Reusable (just hand wash and let dry), easy on/easy off, invisible under clothing, can be worn without a bra if desired

CONS: The product claims to stop leakage by putting gentle pressure on the nipple BUT if you are a leaker like me, don't be surprised if you still have some leakage in the cup from time to time (however, when I would like in the cup it always stayed inside the silicone, it never leaked out onto my shirt)

Bat an Eye

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Mascara

My mom called me the other day and said, "OK, I have a product for you to try and blog about...CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara". I had to laugh because I actually told her about this product last year :) So, since she brought it up, I decided I should probably blog about it!

This is by far my favorite mascara for so many reasons. Here they are:

1. It does what it says...it volumizes, it lengthens
2. It doesn't flake
3. It doesn't clump
4. It comes in a variety of colors and a new waterproof formula
5. It's cheap (compared to department store brands)
6. It's easy to find (sold in all grocery and drug stores)

What more could you want? I honestly can't think of one negative about this mascara, you just have to try it for yourself!

A Penny Saved...

TIP: Baseball Card Holder as Coupon Organizer

I have been an on again, off again, on again 'coupon-er'. I love the idea of coupons but we buy so many fresh things (fruits, vegetables, meats, etc.) for which many circulating coupons don't apply. Recently I re-subscribed to the Sunday paper and have been saving coupons for beauty products, household supplies, cleaning products, etc. The way that I keep my coupons organized is in handy baseball card holder sleeves. I use a Sharpie marker to write the product on the sleeve "ex. Paper Towels" and stick my coupons in the appropriate slots. It has worked very well and I've gotten quite a few comments from fellow shoppers about how they have to try this method, too!

You can purchase the sleeves at hobby stores, online, Target or Wal-Mart (I believe Wal-Mart has a 35 pack for $5.77). Once you have your sleeves just stick them in a 3 ring binder, label each slot with a Sharpie marker and that's it. I keep my binder in the car and on Sunday or Monday I put my new coupons in it. It works for me...hope it will work for you!

It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere

Menage a Trois California Red Wine

About three years ago when we moved to North Carolina we went to a party at a friend's house. They had a number of bottles of Menage a Trois and, being the wine lover that I am, I couldn't resist trying a glass. It was so smooth and full and easy to drink and since that time it has become the 'house red' in our house. The price tag is great (less than $10/bottle) and it appeals to most crowds. My mom tried it while visiting us and she had my dad buy her a couple of cases when they returned home. When my mother-in-law (who, by the way, works in a winery) visited she tried it and enjoyed it enough to buy a bottle when she returned home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!


Here is a little excerpt from the Menage a Trois website:

Even if red wine is not your speed, give our Ménage à Trois Red a try. This wine exposes the fresh, ripe, jam-like fruit that is the calling card of California wine. Ménage à Trois Red brings together three strange bedfellows.

On top we've got Zinfandel, a saucy tease that brings blackberry and raspberry jam to the relationship. Merlot, with its generous mouth feel and red fruits, fits perfectly in the middle. The rich flavors and firm tannins of Cabernet Sauvignon make it the ideal.

Eat Up!

Super Baby Food by Ruth Yaron

My older sister told me about this book when our first child was 8 weeks old. We were visiting her and her family in Lubbock, Texas and I read her copy from cover to cover in 2 days. Upon returning home I immediately purchased a copy for myself and now, 4 years later, I still reference it when I need some food tips!

Super Baby Food is a wonderful tool to have when trying to figure out what foods to introduce to your baby and when to introduce them. It gives ideas for each month and is full of tips and recipes that are so handy. Both of my girls have been amazing eaters from their first bites of solid food and I truly credit this book for that. They eat a wide variety of healthy foods that most kids turn their noses up at...my oldest begs for broccoli and my youngest can't get enough avocado! If you or anyone you know has a newborn they need this book!

PROS: Very quick read, chapters are broken down by developmental age, great money-saving tips and tricks, variety of recipes, helpful hints for feeding toddlers and older children

CONS: No-one distributes a copy to you when your baby is born :)

Do Your Best and Forget the Rest

P90X

As I have mentioned before, I love a good workout. I used to teach spinning classes and was the manager of a gym in college and had since then always belonged to a gym. Running, weight lifting, power yoga, Bikram yoga, spinning and even water aerobics (while pregnant) were some of the activities I enjoyed doing almost daily...until I had my second child. With a toddler, a newborn and a husband working very long days and nights I just didn't have time to get to the gym. But, my postpartum body and overtired 'mommy' mind craved exercise...that's when we searched CraigsList and found a set of P90X videos for dirt cheap. It was worth a shot. Needless to say, we loved it, we saw results, we cancelled our gym memberships.

Heath and I started the videos in the evenings when Zoe was about 5 weeks old; we would get the girls down and head to the basement for an hour of torture. I had never been so sore in all my life. The great thing was, I continued to be sore week after week as I worked out different body parts each day. The workouts are fun, sometimes brutal, and always produced results.

P90X is a commitment. It is hard and, if you aren't accustomed to working out I strongly suggest you work up to these videos and modify, modify, modify. No-one that I know could start these videos and do them perfectly from day one...you will take breaks, you will skip sections, you will laugh (or cry!) at how hard it is but as you work your way through you will master the exercises and you will feel SO good and SO proud of yourself.

So, as 2012 is upon us, I thought it only appropriate to start the year with a workout video. We all have New Year's Resolutions that at some time or another focus around our health and wellness. This year, I am vowing to get more sleep, eat more healthfully, and start another round of P90X. Here's to a happy, healthy and wholesome 2012!