My liberating photo shoot experience...

Yes a photo shoot that was liberating and empowering, even after two babies. Go figure.

http://www.yummymummyclub.ca/say_cheese

Beech Nut Tummy Trays...a review

Since my daughter Isabella started on table food I haven't bought or been tempted to buy anything prepackaged but I admit I got sucked into the Beech Nut No Junk Promise! marketing shtick and last week I picked up a Tomato Risotto Let's Grow! Tummy Trays to try out on my daughter Isabella. I was curious what can I say? And the cover made the meal look so yummy. [another reason never to go food shopping while hungry]

I mean they make it sound so exciting...

"Stylish trays make is easy to serve your little ones - even the picky eaters! These meals have lots of vegetables in them and have less than 50% of the sodium most other toddler meals. Let’s Grow! Tummy Trays come in 6 delicious flavours."

Note: Yeah sometimes this mommy is super lazy and if a 30sec zap in the microwave will sustain a little 14 month old girl for one meal from time to time...I'm all up for it....

Yeah about that.

I'm no expert Foodie/food critic/food snob by any stretch of the imagination [celery and peanut butter has been my go-to meal staple for years] BUT...

Perhaps the fine folks at Beech Nut should have consulted a chef with some culinary experience or even a short order cook at some random local dive diner down the street from their headquarters to see if what they were marketing as 'risotto' was actually in fact risotto. [just saying]

1. No Italian I know would ever put that much sauce in a risotto...it was like drinking a can of thick tomato juice...seriously there was way too much for the pasta to sauce ratio...it was like a soup tomato disaster.

2. Risotto uses Arborio rice. Not sure what fake rice shaped pasta they are trying to pass off as Arborio rice but because it is so evidently not Arborio rice, then your end product is therefore in fact not risotto...

3. And given comment # 1 & # 2...one can only imagine how it tasted...yeah that bad. After two bites Isabella spit it all out and threw the stylish tray on the floor. So I was left with a dirty red floor and a still hungry Isabella.

So today I ended making my own homemade, would make my Mamma proud, vegetable risotto...and both my kids loved it and devoured it. So well deserved **high five** to me.

Now I'm the first one to admit that there are days where I am all for convenience because sometimes thinking about what to cook for a can-be-fussy-all-I-want-is-Cheerios-and-fish crackers 14 month old is the last thing you want to do but this toddler food line is one I'll be passing on.

But totally serves me right. My mom always told me to stick to making it from scratch. I hate it when she's right. That and I could never stomach the Nonna styled guilt trip she would lay on me if she ever found out I was feeding her precious Isabella, risotto from a green tray that you pluck in the microwave. Let the hand waving and loud Italian talking begin.

So I had my 'life with kids' lesson for the week...sometimes easy isn't always good when it comes to the convenience of kiddie food.

***now to be fair to the people at Beech Nut, I haven't purchased the other Tummy Trays in this toddler food line but I'm a one shot deal kind of girl but send me some free samples and I'd be happy to try the rest.***

Homemade non toxic playdoh...

Playdoh recipe from my friend Silvana...daycare provider approved...and if a kid decides to eat it...it's all good....gross but OK...

-----

Microwavable Playdoh

2 cups flour

1/2 cup salt

4 tsp cream of tarter

2 cups boiling water

2 tsp oil

food colouring or package of Kool Aid for colour

1. mix dry ingredients in large microwaveable bowl

2. in a separate bowl mix together oil, water and choice of colour
3. pour wet into dry and stir

4. microwave on high for 30 seconds , stir and repeat two or three times

** you may still need to add some flour to the mix while you roll it. It will get softer and less sticky as it cools down.**

Enjoy!

One Flaw In Women....

Send to me by from friend Nadia....had to pass along...because it speaks to the truth...
-------------------

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.
They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.
They smile when they want to scream.
They sing when they want to cry.
They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.
They fight for what they believe in.
They stand up to injustice.
They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.
They go without so their family can have.
They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.
They love unconditionally.
They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.
They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.
Their hearts break when a friend dies.
They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.
They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.
Women come in all shapes, sizes and colours.
They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.
The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.
They have compassion and ideas.
They give moral support to their family and friends.
Women have vital things to say and everything to give.
HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN, IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Fabulous art course for women....

There is a fantastic creative arts and supply shop store in Ottawa called A Fine Mess.

It is a place that thrives on one simple philosophy: We believe that you can Live life to the fullest, unleash your creative potential and Laugh amongst friends. There is always more to Learn from others and that’s why we love what we do!

I was browsing there adult programs that they offer and came across one that completely peaked my interest.

I think it is a great gift for a women to give to herself and to all the women in her life.

The course is called Body Art Journal.

Here is how the course is described on the website:

The goal of this class is to have a group of women come together to create beautiful art while celebrating their unique bodies, bumps and sags; to laugh and feel comfortable in their own skin.
In this 6 week course you will create an art journal that will celebrate your body, and begin to tell the tale of your journey to self love.

You will build and construct an art journal and fill it with colorful paint, pen doodles, image transfers, and personal journaling.

Each class will also have a group discussion on a topic related to body image and self esteem.

Love it.

Here is the contact information:

3191 Strandherd Drive, Unit 104
phone: 613-825-0053

e-mail: info@afinemess.ca

A newborn's conversation with God....

This was sent to me from a friend.....beautiful.

A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?'

God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.'

The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.'

God said, 'Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy.'

Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?'

God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.'

'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?'

God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.'

'Who will protect me?'

God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life.

'But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.'

God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.'

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name.'

God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Emily Giffin: Something Blue

Emily Giffin is a great literary escape for mummies out there.

Being a mummy days are filled with dirty diapers, 3 year old style tantrums, crying fits, teething dramas....really I could go on....

And in between this mummy life I found myself needing an escape, and seeing that a trip to an exclusive beach resort and drinking pomantinis all day is on hold for the time being, I figured that a good read would do the trick.

'Something Blue' was the ticket. It's a quick and easy read that I managed between naps and I can't wait to read the other two books by Emily Giffin.

If you're looking for a story that you can get into easily and momentarily live vicariously through someone else...trials and tribulations included.

It's light-hearted and funny...as all chick-lit books are, but this one resonates more that the others...a definite must summer read.

If you are a new mummy it's a great getaway from the routine of naps, diapers changes and feedings!

Mother's Day 2009....

It's less than 24 hours away from Mother's Day 2009 I decided to take some time to reflect on Motherhood thus far...

I'm just a little over three years into the gig and I'm still learning on the job everyday and working the kinks out as they come up...and there are a lot of kinks...some of it you expect and some stuff falls under the 'boggles the mind' category.

You're always looking for answers in Motherland but you don't necessarily find them or at least the ones that provide the quick fix that at times you are so desperate to find. It's a lot about improvisation and fly by the seat of your pants methodology.

I've read all the parenting articles and read my way through a book or two. And so far the best advice I've gotten is from the tried and true...other parents. I mean if anyone knows what you're going through it's another parent.

Every day is an adventure. Every day is a study in human development and interaction. Every day is a lesson in being selfless and what it means to love and be loved.

Every day is an experience, good and bad. I'm still working on the bad days....those tantrum, crying, yelling filled days from a very wanna be independent, strong willed 3 year old. You pick your battles for the day...some things you led slide and others you lay down the law....Mommy style. Some days the time out chair works and other days not so much. What works for one family doesn't mean it will work for the family next door...it's all about experimenting and trying different things. Every child is unique...it's all about finding the right balance.

Ahhhh yes...balance...that's a juggling act that I'll be working on for a long time...getting my ass in gear and being organized all while having two little ones who constantly need your undivided attention is the hardest thing I've had to do....

I question my parenting abilities every now and then...sometimes it can be overwhelming but those days pale in comparison to most days...when you look at your kids and know that everything you ever wanted is right in front of you and that things are really going to be OK.

I've leaned to work on patience...and just breathing and enjoying the moments for what they are...the toys can be put back tomorrow and the laundry room will one day sit empty of dirty clothes....but for today...is it really that dire?

I've learned that something as simple as sitting and reading to my two children can be one of the most satisfying things that I could ever do...who knew that a so simple an act could be so rewarding...for both my kids and myself.

I've learned that the words...'Mommy I love you so much'...are the most beautiful of six words to ever be spoken....and the hugs and kisses that follow are the true icing on the cake.

And with all that said here are two things that I know will never ever get answered:

1. WHY is it that every time my 3 year old son wears a brand new pair of PJs he wets the bed....?

No really it's like clockwork...it even happened when he was in diapers....seriously he's going to wear his current stock of PJs until they are mere shreds of material....because there is nothing I like more than changing and washing sheets at 2:30AM....and even better when it's in Mommy & Daddy's bed on Mommy's side....

2. Fish Crackers....oh Pepperidge Farm you are a blessing and curse all rolled into one...you got my little 1 year old daughter to actually like eating non pureed food with you crunchy fish cracker goodness but no she thinks it counts as an actual food group....breakfast, lunch and dinner....hmmm perhaps the makers of Fish Crackers can create a full veggie, fruit, protein styled cracker...she'll be eating an entire well balanced meal in the form of a cracker....Pepperidge Farm call me....

So to all the Mommies out there....enjoy the day for what it is....a day of reflection in what the world of Motherland is all about.

Happy Mother's Day.