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The Anticipation List

turnitupmom — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:52:34 +0000

In the past, I’ve dreaded winter. It’s long, dark, and cold, so for someone who loves gardening, sun, and the outdoors, winter is my arch nemesis. Each year, I approach it with disdain. I’m tired of waging war. I always lose.

In the spirit of anticipation at Steady Mom, I’ve decided to create an Anticipation List, a list of things that I’m looking forward to this year (thus far). Here’s a start:

Seeing a Broadway show in NYC (date night coming soon!)
Taking my daughter to her first live performance of Elmo at Madison Square Garden
Finishing the book, The Art of Racing in the Rain
Trying new recipes from American’s Test Kitchen Best of 2009
Biking along new trails on Long Island
Holding my nephew, Hudson, for the first time (due in March)
Taking some organic gardening classes through the NYBG
Building an 8 x 8 raised vegetable garden
Receiving my heirloom vegetable seeds in the mail
Discovering if my composting efforts really did work
Seeing extended family at my cousin’s wedding in Bar Harbor, ME
Picking up my daughter from her first day of preschool (Her teacher taught me!)
Teaching the little one how to ride a tricycle

I have a lot to look forward to this year, and this list is just the beginning. I don’t need to put on my boxing gloves. Winter happens. But while I feel trapped inside, I can step back and daydream about all that is to come- new experiences, new growth, new life. Thank you, winter, for the gift of anticipation. I’m not going down easily this time.

What is on your Anticipation List for 2010?

This post is a part of the Moms’ 30-Minute Blog Challenge at Steady Mom.

Wild About Wild Dill (Giveaway)

turnitupmom — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 18:51:38 +0000

This holiday season, if you’ve made a commitment to buying from a eco-conscious company that cares, then you’ll go WILD over Wild Dill! Wild Dill’s products nurture curiosity and wonder for everything that is natural and wild. Now that’s something we can all feel good about! They carry only natural, organic, fair trade, made in the USA/Europe, or recycled clothing, toys, bedding and furniture for babies and toddlers.

Wild Dill offers a wonderful collection of toys made in the USA, including three of my favorite manufacturers, Green Toys, Maple Landmark, and Roy Toy.

Lately, my daughter has been playing with the ImagiPLAY African Safari. It is constructed fairly in Asia and is made with plantation grown, chemical free rubberwood (a renewable and sustainable resource), and child safe paints. Just as their name suggests, ImagiPLAY’s toys inspire the imagination. Here’s how:

One of my daughter’s favorite books is Hug, by Jez Alborough. It’s an award-winning picture book about a chimp named Bobo, who is searching throughout the jungle for a hug. What’s so cool is that my daughter has started to act out this story using the African Safari pieces. It’s so much fun to see her make the literature connections and to engage in dramatic play.

I need to tell you about a couple of other items at Wild Dill that I’m loving, in part because I’m so happy to support the makers of these products:

Kenana Knitter Critters are hand-knitted by a group of women crafters in the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. These items are made from locally grown hand-spun sheep wool and dyed with all natural plants from their garden. When you purchase one of these delightful fair trade animals and dolls, you directly impact the income, status, and life of these Kenyan women and their families.

Pastel Toys are “special toys by special people.” They are made by a non-denominational, non-profit community of developmentally disabled adults in Western Galilee. I have no doubt that you will love these high quality collectible toys made of all natural materials and lead-free, water-based pastel paints. What talent!

Wild Dill also carries bamboo fabric, soy fiber, fair trade and organic clothing, bedding, toys, and gifts. Read HERE about why organic, fair, and natural matters.

And now . . .for the giveaway! Wild Dill has generously offered one turnitupmom reader a $35 gift certificate for anything in their store! Here’s how to win:

1. Visit Wild Dill, and then leave a comment on this post, telling me what you’d like to purchase with your gift certificate.

2. If you’d like to earn extra entries, you can Facebook, twitter, or blog about Wild Dill and this giveaway. Then come back and, in a separate comment, tell me how you’ve spread the word!

On Friday, October 30th, 8 p.m. EST, one winner will be randomly selected by Random.org. You must be a U.S. resident (18+) to enter. Good luck!

Congratulations, #8, Amanda! I hope your kids love their new puzzles!

The Lunchbox Bunch: Back to School Eats and Giveaway

turnitupmom — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 01:15:32 +0000

We’ve chatted about how to pack lunches but not about the actual food that goes into our stomachs everyday. Well, I’ve done my research, and I’m here to bring you some yummy, creative recipes from Kathy Patalsky, an author, artist, self-taught chef, kids health advocate, and creator of the healthy kids brand, The Lunchbox Bunch. Kathy specializes in cuisine that is vegan, organic, and seasonal. Her blog Healthy. Happy. Life. is choc full of recipes, wellness tips, super foods, and more!

Kathy’s latest month-long series, “Back to School” Series: Eats for Kids (of all ages), offers delicious recipes for the whole family. Here are a few of my favorite brain-boosters:

1. Honor Roll Breakfasts

Pop Quiz Toast Ups
Pluot and Plum Perfect Parfait
Kiwi Cherry Almond Oatmeal
Oatmeal Bake Tiki Squares

2. Study and After School Snacks

Kitchen Sink Granola Bars
Micro Veggie Cream Cheese
Snack Smoothies
Tomato-Free Mango Bruschetta

3. Lunchbox Showstoppers

Bullseye Spiral Wraps
Vegan Chick’n Pesto
Superfruit Spread: ABC Sandwich
Lemon-Peppered California Pasta Salad

4. Kids in the Kitchen

Rainbow Wraps
Trail Mix Sprinkle Cracker Snack
Giant Soft Sidewalk Pretzels
Creature Creations

5. Sweet Treats for Grade A Kids

Just Almond and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chai-Berry Short Cup
Peanut Brown Butter Cookies
Zesty Lemon Custard Bars

There is MORE to this series! Visit Healthy. Happy. Life. on September 1st, 3rd, & 7th for Sports Snacks, Study Time Sippers, and Labor Day Pizza Party ideas.

And now, it’s Giveaway time! Here’s how to win a toddler tee, bag, and book from The Lunchbox Bunch, a wacky crew of fruits and veggies with unique personalities:

1. Explore Kathy’s blog, Healthy. Happy. Life., and then leave a comment on this post, telling me one thing you’ve learned from her site or one recipe you’d like to try.

2. If you’d like to earn extra entries, you can Facebook, twitter, or blog about The Lunchbox Bunch and this giveaway. Then come back and, in a separate comment, tell me how you’ve spread the word!

On Monday, September 14, 8 p.m. EST, one winner will be randomly selected by Random.org. You must be a U.S. resident (18+) to enter. Good luck!

Congratulations, #47, Charlotte! You are our winner!

Strawberry Picking

turnitupmom — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:34:33 +0000

Last Saturday, we hopped in the big bad Subaru and headed out to the “country” for some strawberry pickin’. It started out like this: Daddy lead the way to an untouched patch of ripe, juicy strawberries. Two little feet followed close behind.

Then, we parked ourselves in a section of one aisle (notice the overalls are blue and white). We squatted down and inspected the berries, plucking the bright juicy fruits from their vines and plopping them into our basket. Well, sort of.

Note to self: Ripe strawberries are unwrapped candies to a toddler. Delayed gratification has no place in a field of fresh fruit.

The brim of her hat says, “Life is Good.” I mean, really, does it get any better than this?

Click HERE for a pick-your-own farm near you! Some even follow organic farming methods.

Avocados: The Forgotten Fruit

turnitupmom — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:49:09 +0000

Looking for something different to feed your growing baby or picky toddler? Try avocados, the forgotten fruit (at least by Gerber). Here’s what I love about incorporating avocados into your child’s diet: They are loaded with unsaturated good fats, vitamins, and minerals for growing bodies and strong bones. Here are a few ways I’ve incorporated avocados into my daughter’s diet:

Create an avocado and pear puree (to add a little sweetness)
Blend avocado and plain whole milk yogurt
Mash avocado with chicken (creamy consistency helps the chicken go down easily)
Spread homemade guacamole (made from avocados) on your child’s favorite cracker for a nutritious on-the-go snack.

Avocados are the “cool kids” when it comes to fresh produce. There is actually a site devoted to them: The Amazing Avocado. (After all, this is the internet.) You can visit for some meal planning ideas for the whole family: main dishes, side dishes, salads, and more!

Photo shared by Raw Food Nation.

Go Green Expo NYC

turnitupmom — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:03:00 +0000

Go Green. Go Recycle. Go sustainable. Go solar powered. Go this, go that. It’s everywhere. This weekend I checked out the Go Green Expo in NYC, and I’m back to share some of the highlights!

Did you know that Alka Seltzer cleans toilets? Or that lemon and hydrogen peroxide are natural alternatives to bleach? Featured speaker, Julie Edelman of The Accidental Housewife, put an interesting spin on being green. Here’s the good news: It’s about “being green enough,” she said. ”Light green.” Okay, I can do that. Edelman offered some practical, fun advice on greening your cleaning. I particularly liked her Alka Seltzer jingle: “Plop, plop. Fizz, fizz. Away will go the poop and whizz.”

LittleChickieWear had adorable 100% organic cotton onesies and tees:

IAGmedia displayed DVDs, CDs, books, and more that teach kids about caring for our environment. Let’s Go Chipper: Into the Great Outdoors was an iParenting Media Award Winner!

Good Food Gardens displayed a live outdoor garden system that supports healthy, eco-conscious living. I WANT ONE! These gardens promote family cooperation and interdependency. And with access to their own fresh produce, children develop healthy habits for life . . .love it!

SodaStream distributed free samples for soda and sparkling water lovers. It was a delicious alternative to the bottles and cans “that are suffocating our planet.” In fact, the average American consumes 600 cans or bottles of soda and sparkling water each year. SodaStream boasts less sugar and sugar-free options . . .with fizz. Santa, please add this to my list!

Baby Food: The Courage to Make Your Own

turnitupmom — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 10:33:00 +0000

Expectant mothers have great intentions . . .that die. Reality sets in, and hectic lives necessitate actions you vowed never to take, like feeding your child that strangely orange mac & cheese from a box. You know what I’m talkin’ ’bout!

In the beginning, while I wasn’t about to boycott the jarred stuff, I had a desire to experiment with homemade baby meals. I was surprised by how quick and easy they were to prepare with my trusty old blender, (Forget the expensive Beaba Babycook from Williams-Sonoma.) and I found a real sense of purpose- to raise a happy, healthy baby with an adventurous little palette.

It’s comforting to know that there are alternatives to mass-produced food. Once I garnered the confidence to make my own, I knew that my daughter was gobbling up the freshest, most nutrient-rich foods possible. “The jarring process necessitates the use of very high heat under pressure, much more than you can generate when cooking at home. Unfortunately, many vitamins are destroyed by heat,” says Lisa Barnes, founder of Petit Appetit, a cooking service for infants and toddlers in Northern California, and the author of The Petit Appetit Cookbook. I never would have blended black beans and yogurt if it wasn’t for Barnes.

I recently stumbled upon a great website: NurtureBaby, founded by loving mother, Christen Babb. This site provides healthy, budget-sensitive, simple recipes for busy mommies. Take a minute and stop by.

As a new mom, it’s empowering to know that you can make conscious decisions that will impact your child’s health and well-being. And yes, sometimes that means packing jarred food. I love this motto: You do the best you can in every situation, and your best always changes. And when all else fails, trust your gut, and your tastebuds.

Go Green: The Top 10 Fruits and Veggies to Buy Organic

turnitupmom — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:13:00 +0000

If you’re like me, and find that buying all organic puts a drain on your wallet, here is a list of produce that is mostly likely to contain high levels of pesticides:

Peaches
Apples
Sweet Bell Peppers
Celery
Nectarines
Strawberries
Cherries
Lettuce
Imported Grapes
Pears

(Information developed by the Environmental Working Group)