Support For Moms

Cooking with Herbs

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:58:28 +0000

You need to add fresh herbs to any dish and it can be you plant them or you pick them up at a store. It can take an ordinary dish and turn it into an great meal. It helps the flavor of the foods but there are some additional benefits as well. They have found that a herb does more for you. They have antioxidants that help you to fight off certain diseases such as cancer and heart disease. There are health benefits when you use herbs. When you use herbs, you use 3 times compared what you would use in the dry formula. You can store them in your refrigerator in open plastic bag.

When you are ready to use them, you need to wash them. You should pat them dry or use a salad spinner. As you are about to use them, you should place them in water and swish them around. You should repeat the process when you use them again. You can cut annual herbs about four inches tall and they will regrow at a later time. You should not take off more than a third of the plant for perennials.

You should mince herbs into tiny pieces if you use them for cooking. You need to cut them with a pair of scissors when you speed cut them. If you are using a food processor, you can turn them into paste. You can add herbs direct to any recipe, towards the end, and it will preserve their flavor. Breads and batters, you will have to add herbs at the beginning of the cooking instead of the end. Herbs maintain their quality of freshness, when they are frozen, for two to six months. There is an easy method when you use your herbs. Wash and pat dry them with paper towels, wrap a few of the sprigs in a freezer wrap, place them in a bag, freeze them and you can use these with cooked dishes. You should label them in individual packages and store them in a large containers, when they are frozen.

You should experiment with these methods and determine your way that you prefer. You don’t need to spend a lot of time on this.

Too Lenient?

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:06:20 +0000

Are American parents too lenient with their kids these days? That’s what many experts are debating lately, and they aren’t just talking about those moms and dads who fail to discipline their tots when they go running amok in the supermarkets — it’s a whole host of other faults researchers are finding with modern parents, and their effects on the kids and the future of the entire country could be devastating. One reason is that students in other countries, especially in countries considered to be “in competition” with the U.S. in terms of education, are given greater responsibilities at younger ages than are American kids. They are held to higher standards, are coddled less, and their parents do not automatically defend all of their actions when contested by other adults in positions of authority. In American culture, parents are much more likely to be hostile towards police, teachers, doctors, and any other professionals who have anything less than perfect to say about their little angels, and it’s turning our kids into underachieving narcisists, according to some.

So, what are we doing so wrong? Why is the general consensus that we are a bit too lenient and have lost our children’s respect? Let’s take a look:

Nutritious Food

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 20:19:18 +0000

Being a busy mom is never easy, and we all know that all moms are busy moms. There’s scheduling, taking care of the kids and pets, and keeping up with endless piles of laundry to consider. But above all the other concerns for moms who answered a recent survey, the one that looms largest on the busy mom radar is the question of how to insure they are feeding their kids nutritious, safe meals. Often, the ingredients most typically encountered in supermarkets are not the best foods for us. So how can you be sure the food you are feeding your family is packed with nutrition instead of additives or GMOs?

Here is a helpful infographic that will reveal some startling facts about the foods we eat, and show you how to get real food onto the table instead of the Frankenfoods that have become so convenient and easy to find over the past 40 years. After reading this, you might want to change your grocery list a bit.

Relaxation for Busy Moms

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:58:10 +0000

Most moms tend to stay extremely busy over the course of one day. I know for my family mornings are hectic trying to get everyone ready and out the door. In the afternoons I put on my taxi driver hat and chauffeur the kids to hobbies and sporting events. Then in the evenings during homework time, I am not only a tutor but a chef as well. Now please do not get me wrong, I love being able to be there for my children and wear all of my many hats. Cooking and cleaning and driving around just come with the mom territory, but I do need my time to unwind and relax just like anyone else. That time for me is usually when the kids are off to bed and I have a few minutes to spare before my own bedtime. So, how do I relax?

Bath Time. Obviously there are few things more relaxing than a nice long and warm bath. About once a month when I am in need of serious de-stressing, I draw a bath and just unwind. My favorite bubble bath is by Deep Steep. It’s organic lavender and chamomile, and it will relax you by just opening up the bottle.
Organic Supplements. Last year a good friend of mine was having trouble calming down at the end of her long days. Someone suggested to her that she take an organic aid for relaxation called blue lotus extract. I use this on nights were I am still buzzing around from the day’s happenings and I cannot seem to shut off my mind.
Daddy Days. In the evenings when the family is all home we love spending time together. Sometimes though the kids and my husband take Daddy Days in order to have fun just them. We first came up with this plan for my own sanity, but it has grown into something that he and the kids really cherish.
Sweating. My favorite stress relief actually takes place after I drop the kiddos off at school. I love going by the gym and sweating. Getting in a good workout does wonders for the mind and body. I first started this with a close friend. We would walk in the park every morning, and when we wanted to kick it up and notch we decided to join a gym together.

There is no sense in not taking some time for yourself. Your days as a mom are spent caring for and doing so much for others. Take some time each day–even if it is just a little–to relax. You will notice a change, and it will be for the better.

Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 18:07:44 +0000

David Share, vice chairman of the Michigan State Medical Society, believes that diet is more important than exercise in combating childhood obesity.

“Hands down — it’s about what you eat,” he said.

Meals provided in schools must meet federal requirements set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National School Lunch Program. This is true for all states, but decisions about exact food choices and preparation methods are made by local school boards, according to USDA officials.

Michigan’s overweight and obese numbers in children are higher than the national average. Somewhere around 18 percent of Michigan youth ages 10-17 are overweight, while only about 15 percent in the same age group are overweight nationwide. Furthermore, about 12 percent of these students are identified as obese, compared to the roughly 16 percent nationwide obesity rate, according to a survey conducted in 2007.

What can be done to fight childhood obesity and help our children, no matter what state we live in, to make healthier choices about eating? The following infographic points to a number of issues that may be making it tough for kids to fight the urge to eat foods that lead to weight problems. Let’s take a look:

Social Parenting

Tue, 26 Jul 2011 19:05:55 +0000

For kids, social media is now as much a natural part of socializing and learning as the neighborhood playground once was. There is no going back. Many parents of young children already know well the growing pains associated with finding ways to keep themselves in front of their children when it comes to social networking. Parents have a responsibility to be there, both virtually and actually, as their children grow up in the information age; they have to address everything that goes with the territory from privacy and safety to setting reasonable limits and knowing when to back off.

One of the best things you can teach a child about social media is that some sites are protected and private (well, to a certain degree anyway) while others are very public. You might compare a closed, safe site to someone’s own room, where they can go inside and close the door behind them and enjoy privacy. Other sites would be compared to being outside in the front yard, or in a store at the Mall, where everything you do can be easily observed by others, and where people you don’t know can be potentially dangerous and are best avoided.

“A number of social media sites for children restrict them to posting only a selection of pre-approved phrases,” said Simon Dearth. “This prevents them letting out personally identifying information. You should always explore sites yourself first though, because that’s not the default setting for all children’s sites. Many of them require you to activate those controls first.”

Parents should be involved in their kids’ online social lives, just as they are in their “real” lives. Depending on your child’s age and his or her level of maturity, your degree of involvement will change over time. This is natural. If you begin your social parenting with a positive and healthy attitude early in your child’s life, when you are entitled to his or her usernames and passwords, those children are going to be far less likely to shut you out when they are old enough to go it alone. When teenagers and young adults feel comfortable with their parents’ level of trust in them, they keep their parents on their friends lists, and are less likely to hide posts from them, or to be ashamed of their parental affiliation in “public.”

Direct TV Packages

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 18:25:58 +0000

Being home during the daytime throughout the week is something that a lot of people do not get to do because of work schedules, but there are many who might work inside the home or have different schedules that can do so. Some of the best television programming happens to take place during the day on the network channels. Daytime television shows are informative and fun. So, why miss out. If you are home during the day, turn on your television to catch some of these shows, and if you cannot be home, set your DVR that is often available with all direct tv packages.

The Rachael Ray show is one that comes on during the day and the host is the one and only fabulous chef and fun girl, Rachael Ray. On the show she has fashion segments, makeovers, advice on everything from healthy eating to shoes. Often times, celebrities will come on to talk with her too. The show is an hour long, and the last segment of the show is a cooking segment where Rachael cooks up a quick and delicious looking recipe that you can easily recreate at home.

The Doctors is another daytime show that is great to watch. On this daytime series, a panel of four doctors, all from different fields, answers some of the most asked medical questions. They even address hot topics when it comes to the industry like plastic surgery. Also, no topic goes uncovered. Embarrassing issues and even some unknown medical issues are discussed. It is quite an interesting show to keep up with.

So, don’t miss out on all that daytime television offers. You can keep up with trends and topics from all sorts of people’s perspectives, and even hear about news stories and more. Celebrities also frequent daytime television shows to promote their new projects and what not. Be sure that you will be able to catch your favorites on television no matter what time of day it happens to be.

Potty Training Humor

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:16:31 +0000

Are you in the midst of potty training? Then if you’re anything like me, you need a couple extra deep breaths, and a less stubborn child.

While browsing the internet the other day, I came across this little poem. It was written by a potty training dad in New Jersey named Andrew Sprung. He wrote:

Night Owl

Our youngest son has perfected
His timing with his potty:
The minute he’s tucked into bed
He has to you-know-whattee.

He keeps a pile of books
Beside his plastic throne,
And cover-to-cover he pores them all over
As long as we leave him alone.

One night we forgot he was there
(He never tells us he’s done).
We all went to bed and he sat there and “read”
Until a quarter to one.

I thought it was absolutely precious, and had to share. I can just imagine the little guy happy as a clam with his books.

I’ve been potty training our youngest, Abbie, for about 3 weeks now. While, I’ve never been inclined to rhyme lines and write poetry, I do have a pretty funny story to share with all of you.

My mother came down for a visit last week, and we decided to go out to brunch on Sunday. We were enjoying our lunch when little Abbie tugged on my shirt and said, “Momma, I need to pee pee.”

I was amazed. We were only 3 weeks in, and I couldn’t believe she was already alerting me when she knew she had to potty. I picked her up immediately and we rushed back to the bathroom. As we entered the bathroom, an older woman entered into the only stall in the bathroom. I begged Abbie to hold it, if she could. I explained that it would be our turn very soon.

The bathroom was silent except for Abbie’s mumbles about Allied Sat and random things in the bathroom. All of a sudden, the older lady started to tinkle. Abbie looked at me in utter shock.

“Momma! She’s doing it!” Abbie exclaimed.

“Shhhhhh.” I begged her.

As the older lady exited the stall, Abbie looked up at her and said, “You did it! Good job!”

The older lady and I just started laughing.

You see, this is what we say to Abbie when she’s pottying. We always say, “You’re doing it! Good job!”, and then when she finishes, we say, “You did it! Good job!”

It was such a cute moment, although slightly mortifying. The older lady just thought it was precious.

I would love to hear about your potty training stories!

A Mom’s Thoughts: Casey Anthony Trial

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:15:56 +0000

If you’ve been watching the Casey Anthony you have probably felt the following emotions:

Anger
Sadness
Frustration
Confusion
Appalled

As I watch the trial, I find myself screaming at the television. Is it just me, or does it feel like no one is telling the truth?

See, I’m not sure who is guilty or innocent, and I am so confused my the testimonies, that it’s hard to point a finger in one direction or the other. However, here is what I do know: No one is being honest.

I think the trial was held far too long after little Caylee’s death. I believe that the amount of time that has elapsed has allowed the family to grieve and move on. Therefore, at this point, any remorse they may have for involvement in the case has faded. Their sadness of losing Caylee has numbed, and they simply want to go back to their normal lives. States cable internet bundles reps.

I think that if the trial had been held immediately after finding Caylee’s remains, I believe that the remorse would have been so deep that someone in the family would have come forward with information that would make the evidence more conclusive. However, now Casey’s parents are done protecting little Caylee, and in an attempt to salvage their family, are protecting their daughter – if she is in fact guilty.

I just hope that someone in the family starts to tell the truth, and stops protecting the individual who is responsible for the death of Caylee. Either that, or I hope that the jury has enough evidence to make a ruling against someone.

I think we need to remember who the victim here is. A little girl lost her life far too soon due to the wrecklessness of an entire family. Directv knows she wasn’t abducted, which means someone in the family was irresponsible with her well being. It’s just a matter of finding out which family member is responsible.

Best Bed Time CDs

Wed, 15 Sep 2010 13:15:24 +0000

If your children are anything like mine, then they love music. My kids listen to music in the car, at home, and at bed time. Lately, I’ve been swooping up bed time CDs here and there. I bought 3 bedtime CDs last week that I absolutely adore, and I wanted to share them with my readers. So, here are reviews of 3 bedtime CDs that I think are deserving of the adjective “best”.

Bedtime With the Beatles

Not only will your kids adore this CD, but so will you! It features Beatle’s favorites like, “In My Life” and “Michelle.” All of the songs are composed using beautiful string instruments like harps, soothing guitars, and violins. So, I know what you’re thinking: “This sounds kind of corny,” but trust me, it’s not! It’s a beautiful album with soothing songs. The best part about this CD? It comes with lyrics. If you’re a mother who loves to sing to their children, this CD is perfect for curling up in a rocking chair and singing to baby. You have no one to sing over. It’s just you, the soft instrumentals, and a relaxed baby.

Lullaby by Jewel

Having been a child of the 90s, I grew up enthralled with Jewel. “Pieces of You” was one of the first CDs I ever purchased, and I’ve seen Jewel in concert more times than I can count. This review may be a little skewed due to the fact that I am Jewel’s biggest fan, but I encourage you to purchase this CD for your kids. Firstly, Jewel’s voice is so soothing and relaxing. She has a sweetness and innocence in her voice that is cannot be replicated by any other artist today. Secondly, many of the songs on the album are written by Jewel. This makes them originals that you haven’t heard a thousand times over on some other lullaby CD. Thirdly, the album is simply. It’s just Jewel and her guitar. This creates a very soothing sound, that is sure to put any fussy baby at ease.

Miracle by Celine Dion

Celine Dion can be kind of corny to me, so I was a bit hesitant to pick up this CD, however, a friend of mine has raved about it since she got it for Christmas. I like this album a lot, and I feel like Celine did a great job of “softening” her voice to make it more soothing. My little Gracie loves to lay in bed at night and sing “Brahm’s Lullaby” along with Celine. This CD has a great variety of classics and new songs. I’m also a sucker for multilingual music, so I really enjoy the sprinkle of French here and there. I highly recommend this album as well! Also, your Network Satellite TV provider may have a lullaby channel that can help you discover new CDs for baby.