Make Your Own Cool Treats at Home

When it's hot outside, the perfect way to cool off and treat yourself at the same time is to indulge a bowl of ice cream. Kids love it, adults too! There are so many flavors to choose from, the possibilities are endless; Chocolate with crushed Oreos; Green Tea with fresh mint; Vanilla with Heath Bar. You can get even more adventurous when you make your ice cream yourself. This great ice cream maker from Crate and Barrel helps make it easy to make your own. It'll be fun to see what flavors you and the kids can come up with, and then the crazy toppings will just finish it off. I know my family's going to churn up some homemade peach ice cream to celebrate the Fourth, just before we head down to the beach to watch the fireworks. Top that off with some homemade caramel sauce (or just a good sauce from a jar) and we'll celebrating in style!

Quick Serve Kids

After founding a magazine for fast-food industry executives, Lea Davis had a lot of experience and knowledge about what goes in the industry of fast-food. After having a baby, she realized that some of what fast-food restaurants have to offer children is not exactly a balanced meal. So she started a blog and set about finding healthy choices that our kids could indulge in when we're busy or on the road, and feel good about. Enter Quick Serve Kids. Lea helps to keep us posted on what fast-food chains are doing to please us moms and keep our Quicksies happy too!

A Few Summertime Favorites

The older I get, and the less time I have, the more I appreciate the little things throughout my day that are special. Like lighting a good, scented candle, splashing my face with a wonderful cleanser, or adding a bit of shimmer to some part of my body. So here are are few more of my favorite things that give me a little lift during the day:

I love these wonderfully fragrant votives from Trapp. They have a pure scent that is uplifting, and you can smell then even when they're not lit. Great for the kitchen to give you a sense of calm as you prepare dinner, as well as in the bedroom, the bathroom... Available from Scents & Sprays. And at $3.50 a pop, they're a cheap little indulgence. My favorite is tuberose.

A great new facial scrub I have recently discovered is the Tea Tree Oil Facial Scrub from The Body Shop. It's wonderful scent is refreshing and wakes me up every time I use it. It's gentle and can be used on normal, oily or blemished skin. It exfoliates and removes excess oil, and will leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

Another favorite lately is the great new bronzing book from Laura Mercier. It is a compact little kit complete with a mirror that includes illuminating powders, lip gloss and eye colors that are all in a wondeful sun-kissed palette of colors. Did I mention I like to sparkle and glow? It's a quick and easy way to feel pretty. And this bronzing book is small enough to fit in your purse or your make-up bag without taking up too much room. Add some tinted moisturizer and mascara and you're set for the summer!

A Gentle Reminder

We all need to be reminded from time to time to do a breast self-exam. It's not usually something at the top of my list, or something I look forward to, but it is something that can potentially give us an early indication if there are signs of breast cancer.

Feel Your Boobies is out educate women and to raise awareness of the importance of breast self-exams through it's cool clothing, accessories, cards, etc. They develop products that get people talking about breast exams and breast cancer. And then they donate a portion of their proceeds to breast cancer research. Sounds like a win-win to me.

Holistic Moms Network

You use cloth diapers. You breastfeed your baby. You eat organic foods. You choose not to vaccinate your child. Then you find out you are surrounded by other moms who don't understand your choices and you feel alienated. Where do you turn to find support from other moms who share your views? Holistic Moms Network is a good place to start.

As a mother whose choices lean more to the holistic side, I was intrigued by what Holistic Moms Network offered - a community of moms who were doing what they could to be the "best parents possible". At the meeting I attended, I found a lot of moms like me who wanted to nurture their children while empowering themselves. When asked what our most un-holistic vices were, the top 3 answers were refined sugar consumption, shopping at Target and going to Starbucks. So I was happy to find that this group was full of women who were like me. I eat organic, I breastfed and plan to again, my husband and I are very interested in "green" building for our next home. Yet we also enjoy shopping at Target, having the occasional cup of joe from Starbucks (we mostly support our locally owned coffeehouses) and baking is a passionate hobby of mine, something that I occasionally attempt without sugar, but mostly with. I also found a group of moms who were very non-judgmental, and there to learn, to grow and to support each other. And when you're working at the hardest job there is (parenting), you can use all the extra support you can get.

There are chapters of HMN all over the country, so if you go to the website you can find the closest one to you.

Are You a Hot Mama? Yes, You Are!

Why does it seem that embracing your inner hot mama came so easily BC (before children), but now it seems like it takes a small miracle just to even think about it? Ufortunately, with all the joy a child brings into our lives, the first things to go out the window after pregnancy are sex and intimacy, often leaving the primary relationship struggling. With all the raging hormone, body changes, sleep deprivation and kid demands, it can be tough for moms to even think about sex, or taking time out to be intimate with their partner. Moms often find themselves so submerged in being a "mommy" that they lose their sense of themselves as women. When women feel like there's "no me", they don't feel sexy at all.

Yet when we've carried our babies for 40 weeks, breast-fed and been denied a full-night's sleep, it becomes hard to want to share our bodies and our time. There's just no energy left for it. This can create guilt for moms, while dads feel rejected, and the once close couple now becomes distant. The solution sounds simple enough, but often is not: Take time out for yourself; Reconnect with your partner; Communicate your needs and desires. The challenge isn't to stay the same person you were BC, but to evolve into the woman you've become, embracing your new self and keeping your sources of self vital within motherhood.

Betty Londergain, author of "I'm Too Sexy for My Volvo", says, "It's not just about trying to get your figure back, it's really about keeping the best part of who you are." "A lot of being a mom is about putting someone else's needs above your own. That major self-denial and erasing of self is easy to step into and is, in fact, encouraged (by society)."

Author Heidi Raykeil's "Confessions of a Naughty Mommy: How I Found My Lost Libido" uses sex drive as a metaphor for reclaiming identity. "Taking care of your own needs is essential for healthy sexuality," she said. "It's not like if you find your libido, then everything is OK. If you stop taking time for yourself, then it goes again."

Heidi has been overwhelmed by readers' positive responses and thank you e-mails. She explains that "I thought I was the only one who didn't want to have sex". When her husband didn't get why, she couldn't articulate it any better than, "I'm too tired." It took her a whole book to explain.

Jessica Denay, author of "The Hot Mom's Handbook" says "Moms feel guilty doing something for themselves, but I argue that it makes you a better mom. You feel balanced and centered." She says that being a mom is about being confident and empowered. It's a mindset.

You're already a hot mama, sometimes it just takes a while to find her. But it's worth it!

Source: News & Observer

A Pretty Summer Skirt - Two Ways

With summer officially here and all those fun activities in progress, what I've found I need most are great pieces of clothing that I can mix and match, and pull on in a second knowing that they will fit nicely and look great. This skirt from Gap.com is perfect for doing just that! It has a smocked waistband that is flattering and will allow for ease of movement (great when you're picking up kids and running around), and the best part is that it's reversible! Throw on a neutral top, and if you happen to spill some ice cream, just pop in the restroom, turn it around, and no one is the wiser. They'll just think that "hmmm...something's different". It's also great to pack for a quick trip to the beach or an overnight at a romantic getaway. You can get two great looks from the same skirt without taking up a lot of room. And that sounds like a great idea!

Under the Covers

With kids around, you have to be careful about the bedding you choose. Turn your head for a second and they take the first chance to jump on the bed (of course, mommy & daddy's bed is more fun than their own), chocolate milk in hand. So while having a silk duvet cover is nice, it's not always practical. You need something that can stand the wear and tear of little feet, and can be washed a zillion times to remove said chocolate milk, plus dog fur, cat hair and the occasional diaper leakage. Enter Target.

Target has a new line of bedding called the "Contemporary Collection" that's not located in the regular bedding section. I think I discovered it near the placemats and dish towels. A set contains a duvet cover with some intriguing designs (note the au courant floral shadow print) and pillow shams in a solid color. Target also has some great throw pillows, bolsters, quilts, sheet sets and much more. Their line of children's bedding, their "DYR" - Do Your Room - collection contains some fun, funky combinations and each set comes with sheets, a comforter and a pillow sham. And the prices are great!

I have to say, as a mother and a consumer with an eye for style, that I have been pretty impressed with Target's home collection. They have some good designs for bedding that are rather hip, durable, and inexpensive. So you can treat yourself to new bedding without breaking the bank. Which is good because with young ones around, you may be treating yourself more often than you expected!

Chic Mama Home Style

Welcome to Chic Mama Home Style! Our Friday posts will now feature style tips for the home, for busy moms like you. I realize that style is such a personal thing, and that it comes through not only in our personal fashion choices, but in our choices for our surroundings as well. So I now dedicate Fridays to things that make our home life easier, more welcoming and comfortable while still being fashionable.

Drink to Your Health

Ahhh...summertime, and the living is easy. Well, maybe not if you're living in North Carolina where it is already quite hot AND humid. I have a feeling we're in for a long, hot summer. Not the best thing for a pregnant mama, huh? Guess I'll be lazing by the pool a lot, and trying to keep cool. And sipping lots of tall, cool drinks. Of course, I do still like my hot drinks, especially in the morning. And I've heard that hot foods/drinks make a person sweat, which in turn, cools them off. Spicy foods have the same effect.

I recently came across some interesting statistics for daily guidelines for beverages to help keep you healthy, just in case you were wondering how much is too much of your favorite flavor of Izze soda (I like the clementine and the blackberry the best). Researchers at the University of North Carolina have determined that the following amounts of beverages are considered healthy:

1/ Water, - at least 4 servings daily. Of course, if you're trying to lose weight, detox your body or keep your skin looking really good, consuming 8 or more is recommended.

2/ Unsweetened coffee and tea (hot or iced) - Up to eight servings a day of tea and up to four cups of Joe (yes, this number really surprised me!)

3/ Non-fat or 1-percent milk, or soy milk - Up to two servings.

4/ Diet beverages with sugar substitutes - Up to four servings.

5/ 100-percent fruit or vegetable juice and sports drinks - Up to one serving.

6/ Soft drinks and fruit punch - One serving or less.

Now the study doesn't list what the serving sizes are, but I can imagine they're around 6 oz. or so. Don't quote me on that. Cheers!

Get Red-y to Help By Painting Your Nails

Painting your nails seems like such a luxury sometimes. You steal a little time away to sneak off to a quiet corner and you come back with freshly painted toes and nails. It's a nice little pick-me-up when you're at the pool and you glance down to see that you're feet look pretty in your new flip-flops because they're that great shade of red, especially the wine-red shade of Red-y to Help from OPI.

Now you can do more with your nail polish than give yourself a lift. You can give the Red Cross a lift too. With every bottle of the limited edition Red-y to Help that you purchase from OPI, they'll donate $1 of the $7.50 price to the American Red Cross to help celebrate OPI's 125th anniversary. It features OPI's exclusive new pro-wide brush so you're sure to have smooth, even looking coats of polish. So look for the display where you buy OPI and feel good knowing that just by indulging yourself you're really helping someone out.

Let the Kids Treat Mom to Lunch

In celebration of the first day of summer on June 21st, Panera Bread is providing a Today I'm Taking Mom to Lunch at Panera Bread Coupon, inviting kids to take Mom to lunch to thank her for all her hard work! They're also spreading the word about their revamped kids' menu, featuring more natural and organic offerings coupled with White Whole Grain Bread. Along with squeezable organic yogurt, organic milk, chocolate milk or apple juice, come the added benefits of a healthy lunch. So mom (or dad), take the day off from making lunch and let your kids treat you!

Source: Quick Serve Kids

Recycled Billboards as Hip New Bags

Have you ever wondered whatever happens to the millions of billboards that are created each year? When it's time for them to come down, Vy and Elle snatch them up and use them to make the coolest bags. Ranging from a diaper-bag complete with changing pad and zippered pouch, to handbags and wallets, this line has a style that suits your needs.

Vy and Elle (a play on the word vinyl) was founded in 2002 by two eco-conscious women who wanted to create a hip product as well as a strong social awareness of the environment. The bags are extremely durable, with straps made from seat-belt webbing. After carrying one for over a year, I can attest to their durability, as well as their popularity. People love these bags, and when I tell them what they're made of, they love them even more.


The Vy & Elle philosophy includes the vision of renewal through reclaimed resources, with the goal to educate through recycling, contribute through community involvement, and assist businesses and customers in making more environmentally conscious choices. Their preparation process involves community outreach programs, which include youth, and programs within schools. These opportunities allow Vy and Elle to give back to communities in new ways. And they recycle all of their scraps into garden hoses and flooring by working with other manufacturers. Wow. That's a lot more than just a great bag!

Happy Father's Day!

Plum Good

You've got it all. A great husband, a great career, a great life. And now is the perfect time for you to think about having children. Except that, oh, you're 35 or older. How will this affect your pregnancy?

If you're like many women, you're waiting until later in life to have children. Enter Plum Magazine, the first magazine dedicated to childbearing women 35 and up. Plum realizes that women who have children beyond the age of 35 have different needs, and they work hard to address those needs. With topics ranging from the Top 10 Pregnancy Concerns for women 35+, to prenatal testing, to nutrition and fertility issues, Plum does a nice job of covering a diverse range of topics. The spring/summer issue has some insightful interviews with a variety of moms and moms-to-be who waited until after age 35 to give birth or adopt, and how having children affected their lives at this age.

As a pregnant 35+ woman, I highly recommend this magazine. It's chock full of informative articles created in partnership with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. It also features some nice maternity fashions (and uses real pregnant models as opposed to non-pregnant ones with fake bellies strapped to their tummies). Visually, it's a nice read, and I found many of the topics to be very pertinent, with the articles being well written and easy to read.

Getting a copy of Plum, though, can prove a challenge. Plum magazine is distributed exclusively through members of The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Complementary copies are available at ob/gyn offices nationwide. You can also purchase a copy from Plum Magazine for 7.95 plus 3.95 shipping and handling. (sorry, the above link doesn't connect you but the one on their website will). A little pricey for a magazine, but less than the cost of most books out there, and very up-to-the-minute in their advice. Check it out!

Have Better Skin

Do you love the skin you're in? Some of us do, some of us are not quite so lucky. While you may not have time for a regular skincare regimen, there are little things you can work into your day to help achieve better looking skin. A few of these are as simple as eating more vitamin rich foods.

Ground flaxseeds are an excellent source of omega-three fatty acids, which promote good skin health. Fish contains oils that help nourish your skin and add luster and softness to your complexion. Vitamin A is essential for healthy skin, and you can get more by snacking on dark orange (carrots, sweet potatoes, winter squash) and dark green (broccoli, spinach, kale) vegetables. Vitamin E helps promote great skin, and is plentiful in hazelnuts and almonds, which make a great snack.

Exercise helps to increase blood flow and keeps your complexion glowing. It also makes you sweat, which pulls toxins out of your pores. Follow up each workout with a shower so those toxins are eliminated.

Washing your face daily in the morning and at night to cleanse any bacteria, dirt and oil, will help to prevent breakouts and keep skin clear. Follow up with a good moisturizer to keep skin supple and help prevent wrinkles.

The best advice I can give by far is to stay out of the sun. Sun can damage skin prematurely, adding wrinkles and years to your face, as well as increasing your risk for skin cancer. If you must be in the sun (and it's hard to avoid this time of year), make sure you wear suncreen. And a hat.

After the kids have all gone to bed and you have a quiet moment to relax, here's a quick recipe for an easy moisturizing mask that will make your skin feel wonderful:

Moisture Mask
Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Smooth over face and throat. Leave on for 10 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Get Lucky!

Lucky Accessories, that is. Created by the very talented Kiona Wilson, Lucky Accessories is a great line chock full of lovelies that will brighten your day.

One Chic Mama spoke to Kiona about what trends are hot this season. Some things she mentioned are lockets and lace, especially vintage or vintage inspired. And we moms love lockets! They're perfect to keep pics of our little ones close by, and these are some of the most stylish lockets I've seen in a while.

Natural fibers and string used as part of the jewelry also seem to be emerging as polular trends, as well as lots of natural & sea related components such as shell.

These necklaces will definitely help to spice up your summer wardrobe.

Kiona mentions that her best sellers this season are any multi-color styles, because they seem to go with everything, as well as her "little reminders" group. This is a great way to keep yourself focused during a frazzled day. Just glance in your reflection and see the words "listen" or "laugh" and you remember that yes, these are important. Kiona says that when she designs jewelry she concentrates on creating things she herself (a mom, too) would wear, as well as keeping what's in style in mind. A lot of her designs appear timeless since they're not dictated by trends.

We think she's got a good thing going. Keep it up, Kiona!

For 20% off your order use code CHICMAMA06

Happy Birthday Dear Daughter!

Today our dear daughter turns 3!
Happy Birthday to you!



Photo: Elizabeth Galecke Photography

Be A Savvy Online Shopper

Ok, so you need a new camera in time for your summer vacation. Where are you going to turn? If you're like many people, you'll shop online. What better way to compare prices, warranties and features? You can see many competing vendors who carry the same product, all at the touch of a button (sure beats running from store to store, especially with little ones in tow).

Here are a few pointers for getting the most bang for your buck when shopping online:

First of all, compare products at Froogle . Simply type in what it is you're looking for and Froogle will pull up all the merchants that sell it. You can search products by price, too. Another site that does this is Pricegrabber. These guys make it easy to comparison shop.

An interesting blog to check out is Woot! for electronics-related product reviews. Today they've reviewed a laser level that would be perfect for Father's Day (it says sold out, but I bet you can find others on the web).



Haven't yet booked your summer vacation? If you'd like to save a few dollars, being flexible on your departure and return times and days and traveling off-season can help keep the price down. Shopping around to get the best deal can as well. Here are a few sites that will help you do just that: Travelocity, Kyak, Mobissimo, Orbitz and Expedia. When booking, purchase airline tickets, hotel and rental car all from one source. You can get a better discount and it saves you the hassle of having to book with different sources.

The Coolest Flip-Flops

"Oooh...those are cool shoes." Rarely do I utter that to MY mother (who is a grandmother, but she's still very stylish). But that's exactly what I said to her yesterday when she picked my toddler up for a mini-vacation away from home. "But they're just rubber flip-flops," she said. Nevermind that, they're the coolest rubber flip-flops I've seen in a while. These cool flip flops are Havaianas from DogFunk.com and come with pretty flowers (or fruit, or even camouflage). Havaianas are made in South America, and their ultra-high quality is due to a top-secret rubber recipe that makes the sandals soft as marshmallows, light, and highly durable. Plus, they're just fun to wear! And they also come in kids' and men's sizes so the whole family can wear their Havaianas to the beach, the pool, or just out and about this summer.

Everyday Indulgences

A good cup of coffee (well, half-caf); good-quality dark chocolate (even better with the coffee); slathering on lotion that smells oh-so-good; and sparkly eye make-up. These are some of my favorite things, and just a few of the little treats that help to get me through the day. Just taking a few moments to treat myself to something indulgent gives me a great sense of pleasure and I feel renewed. Especially now that I'm 5 months pregnant and my energy level is not what it used to be. It takes a little extra just to get me going after one of my mid-afternoon siestas (toddler willing). But sometimes that's all it takes and I'm rarin' to go! And these little treats can be indulged in on-the-go, or you can take the time to savor them when you can. Either way, they work for me!

This great custom blended moisturizing lotion from Aveda is simply delicious on your skin! It comes blended to your specifications, so you get to have a say in how it smells. It feels good going on and the scent will help invigorate you. If you don't want a custom blend, the rosemary-mint lotion (try the conditioner for extra punch in the shower) is amazing as well. The mint leaves you a little tingly and the rosemary is just enough to wake up your senses without overpowering you.

Nothing makes me feel more indulged than a few bites of really good quality dark chocolate. These organic bars from Dagoba are some of my favorites. I like the dark chocolate semi-sweet bar, but the mon-cherri with sun-dried cherries and vanilla is decadent too.

I've always loved glitter, ever since I was young. So I'm always on the search for cool make-up that has a little sparkle to it. It's just got that added kick, that magical touch that makes me think of fairies and princesses. So my favorite new make-up is a little treat I just discovered from Sephora. It's from their very own Piink collection and is a duo of liquid eyeshadows filled with sparkles called the Sexii Kit. I don't know about sexy, but it sure is fun to have glittery eyelids! From the moment I put it on, I feel a bit like a girl again, and that something magical is about to happen. Plus my daughter gets a kick out of seeing my "sparkly eyes". It's a fun way to make any day special.

Aiken' for a New Bag

Here’s the scenario: you are at the park with your daughter and another mom walks past you carrying the coolest bag you’ve seen in a long time. You must have it! Where did she get it? Why from Holly Aiken of course!

Anyone who already owns one of Holly's designs hears this quite often. And for good reason. Her bags are not only stylish, but they come in a great color palette, a variety of shapes and sizes (including a great diaper bag complete with matching changing pad), and are very durable. Holly creates uncomplicated bags using distinctive, indestructible materials. Made from waterproof vinyl, these bags are tough! They can survive a leaky sippy cup full of chocolate milk - just wipe them out and you're set.

Each creation is handmade in the USA and constructed with precision and care to withstand even the most yucky surprise. And for the month of June, shipping is FREE. It doesn't get much better than that!

Clever Parents - a great new site

We recently discovered a site we love called Clever Parents and was created by a local Raleigh, NC couple and is filled with some great information on all things parents need to know, from safety tips to fun activities for the kids. They have a group of great contributing editors to help create a site chock full of useful hints, tips and information.

And this week they have a feature about my children's line of clothing, Mary Michele Apparel & Design. Everything is on sale for 20% off, and we're offering free shipping through the month of June. Take a peek!

Summer Essentials

Ahhh... the last week of school for the kids and then summer's off and running. Let the birthday parties, cookouts, pool parties and vacations begin! With all the activity, and the warmer weather, it can be a little more challenging to look our best. We're hot, our face is "glowing" from the humidity, and we're just too busy to slow down long enough to take part in our normal beauty routine. If you're anything like me, you'll run from a birthday party, to a play date, grab lunch, then start packing a picnic dinner so you can hit the greenway for an early evening bike ride with the family, or to the local park to eat while listening to some live music and letting the kids run around. Whew! Well, here are a few essentials that will help keep you looking your best despite all the activity - and the heat! (Since I'm pregnant this summer, I'm going to try to slow down the pace a bit and spend more time relaxing).

Try this great Therapeutic Conditioning Balm- Strawberry Creme from elf. It's great to keep in your purse and to give your lips a boost when out in the sun all day, and it has just a hint of color. Perfect for when you need something light. And if you use the code BROW through June 16th, you'll get a FREE tweezer, tweezer brush, and wet brow mascara with $25+ purchase.


To get you through from the beach to the park, you need a great pair of shoes that can do double-duty. These great flip-flops
Kenneth Cole Reaction - Back Flip (Blue) - Women's
are rubber and come in some pretty, vibrant summer colors.

One of my summer stand-bys is a good beach mat that will give us a nice, dry place to sit while at the park, the beach or by the pool. One that's waterproof is a must, just in case there was a summer shower just before you go to see that concert at the park.




And when you're on the go, these great neoprene totes from www.uncommongoods.com will help keep your salads and sandwiches from changing temperatures and from being too jostled around. They can also hold your sunscreen, your cell phone and other essentials.



Now just don't forget the sunscreen and the camera!

A Good Snack is Hard to Find

Why can it be so hard to find a good snack? We all get hungry between meals, and it's good for our metabolism and our energy level if we eat something that will satisfy us as well as provide some healthy nutrients, without packing a ton of fat and calories. Here are a few suggestions for all us Chic Mamas as well as our little ones.

One of my favorites is to make a loaf of *whole-grain banana bread and slice it up. The slices can be pre-bagged and frozen, then grabbed quickly on-the-go. Or when you have time, pop a slice in the toaster and spread it with cream cheese for some added protein and creaminess. Add a glass of milk or juice to round it out.

If you want something with a good cheese flavor, try Late July's organic cheddar crackers. They're bite sized and full of healthy stuff. I take a box of these with me to the pool and my 3-year old gobbles them up while I get changed. I love them, too!

Frozen green grapes are a treat that I save for when the temperature gets hot. These yummy goodies really pack a lot of punch, and will help cool you off. Save these for yourselves or for the older kids if they're whole. You can slice the grapes for the younger kids.

Like yogurt? Who doesn't, with all the great choices these days. If you buy the Stoneyfield Farm Yo-Baby for your kids, try one for yourself when you're craving something creamy. Yes, it's made with whole-milk. But it packs fewer calories than whole-milk ice cream, and the 4 oz. size gives you enough of a taste without going overboard. My fave is the blueberry.

When you're craving chocolate, try a Lara Bar. I recently discovered these delicious treats at Whole Foods Market and love the chocolate coconut chew. Plus, they're made with some raw ingredients so you get some great beneficial enzymes. Love these!

Hope you enjoy the recipe below - it's for my version of my mom's wonderful banana bread. Bon Appetit!

*Banana Bread

2 cups whole wheat flour
1/4 cup wheat germ or ground flax seed
dash of salt
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon. vanilla
1 1/2 cups mashed bananas
1/4 cup oil
1/2 cup honey or turbinado sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Mix all dry ingredients in medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Mix all wet ingredients and add to dry, stirring to combine. Stir in nuts. For muffins bake for 20 minutes at 350. For a loaf, bake 1 hour.

A Few Good Reads

If you're like me, you're usually way too busy chasing the kids to even think about reading very often. Yet this time of year, I get ambitious and have grandiose thoughts of poring over a good book while sipping a tall, cool drink (dream on!) Yet I do somehow manage to get through at least a couple of books while on trips to the beach - especially moms' weekends away - and just before bed. It may sometimes be only a couple of pages at a time, but if it's a really good book and I get pulled it, I'll read it at every opportunity I get.

Also, with the upcoming birth of our baby in October, I look forward to the opportunity to read while nursing. During the first few weeks (after getting the hang of it) of nursing my daughter, I was able to plow through books like wildfire. After marveling at her sweet little face for a while, I'd get in a chapter or two at each sitting. So I'm stocking up now! Feel free to offer your suggestions!



My first recommendation is for Ruth Reichl's "Garlic and Sapphires". I read that book in about 2 days (or so it seemed) because I couldn't wait to read what happened next. She's a great writer, and as the current editor for Gourmet Magazine, she writes about a subject that I love - food, whether it's cooking, eating or just thinking about eating, she does it in a way that's very entertaining. And it's a true story, so even better. I don't think someone could have come up with some of the things she writes about - like her mother's look for an evening out (stars on her eyelids? Really?) I highly recommend this one, whether you're a foodie or not!



Another interesting book is Liz Perle's "Money, A Memoir". A little sobering, but it's her story of coming to terms with her perception of money and how that has affected her life, her views and how she treats it. She interviewed countless women and found some surprising results with how women as a whole treat money. It can be an entertaining read, or a self-help book depending on your perspective. At the very least, it will give you some insight as to why you think the way you do about such a powerful thing - money.



Then there's the "Nanny Diaries" by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus, which can be both entertaining and a little unsettling. If you haven't read this already, you should. This adventure follows the nanny, "Nan" and her 4-year old charge through their jam-packed days of activities in Manhattan, while the Park Avenue mommy has her own schedule to keep.



And my last recommendation is for "The Devil Wears Prada", by Lauren Weisberger. Now, I have to admit that I haven't actually read this one but with the release of the movie very shortly, it's on my list. The review on Amamzon.com reads: It's a killer title: The Devil Wears Prada. And it's killer material: author Lauren Weisberger did a stint as assistant to Anna Wintour, the all-powerful editor of Vogue magazine. Now she's written a book, and this is its theme: narrator Andrea Sachs goes to work for Miranda Priestly, the all-powerful editor of Runway magazine. Turns out Miranda is quite the bossyboots. That's pretty much the extent of the novel, but it's plenty. Miranda's behavior is so insanely over-the-top that it's a gas to see what she'll do next, and to try to guess which incidents were culled from the real-life antics of the woman who's been called Anna "Nuclear" Wintour. For instance, when Miranda goes to Paris for the collections, Andrea receives a call back at the New York office (where, incidentally, she's not allowed to leave her desk to eat or go to the bathroom, lest her boss should call). Miranda bellows over the line: "I am standing in the pouring rain on the rue de Rivoli and my driver has vanished. Vanished! Find him immediately!"

Happy Reading!

Coffeehouse Moms

Have you noticed that the hot new hang-out for moms has become the coffeehouse? I know I have. Seems every time I go to one of my two faves in town (Helios and Third Place) I usually run into at least a couple of mom friends, with their kids in tow. And it was one of our first outings (other than the doctor's office) soon after having our first child. My husband and I ventured to our local coffeehouse in need of some time away from home, a caffeine fix, and some social interaction. My first mommy's group even met at a local coffeehouse every Friday morning to share stories of sleepless nights, seek advice and to bond with other moms going through the same phase of life. This ended once the kids were old enough to start mother's morning out.

I've noticed that whenever I schedule a meeting with someone, it's at a coffeehouse. One of my first choices for lunch is a coffeehouse. It's where I take my daughter when daddy needs some downtime and we've already been to the park. It's our home away from home. A comfortable, relaxed place to sit and savor a nice cup of tea and a scone in the afternoon. A place to meet up with friends to get your day started on weekend mornings. A gathering place for people you get to know and who become friends over time.

And what better place than the coffeehouse to bring moms together? They're a real community center, a point of reference, a gathering place and so much more. Grown ups can indulge in a potent drink, kids can get milk or cocoa, it's a cheap date and you can stay as long as you like. Plus, if it's kid-friendly and has a play area, toys, books, etc. - even better! Do you have a favorite coffeehouse?

Restore Your Energy

It happens to the best of us. We pack our days full of work, family activities, and chores around the house. We think we can do it all, and then, zap! Our energy is suddenly gone about mid-afternoon, and we barely make it through to dinner, bath-time, and getting the kids all tucked in before we are just ready to collapse.

Did you know there are little things you can do throughout your day that can boost your energy? Just making some small changes can fuel your supply so that you accomplish all you set out to - and still have energy for more. Expectant moms, that goes for us too - to a certain extent. That baby we're making is still draining away a lot of our energy supply, but we can increase it at least a little bit.

To restore your energy, here are a few suggestions that will help power up your day:

1/Makeover your diet - this doesn't need to be a radical overhaul, but some subtle changes here can produce a dramatic effect. Start by eating a healthy breakfast that includes some protein (such as eggs or peanut butter) with some whole grains. Whole grains are digested more slowly by your body and won't send you crashing mid-mid-morning. Protein sticks to your ribs, and keeps you filling fuller longer, with more energy. And have a fruit smoothie (made with yogurt, fresh fruit and ice cubes) in place of the coffee. Or if you must have coffee, switch to half-caf or decaf. The caffeine gives you a big jolt, then lets you down so you begin to feel tired sooner. Then you reach for another cup, and just repeat the cycle...

Also, having smaller, healthy meals throughout the day instead of letting yourself get to the point of starving can keep your energy level running smoothly. Fuel up on fresh veggies, low-fat cheese and crackers, cottage cheese and fruit. Steer clear of sugar-laden treats. These elevate your mood briefly, then send you crashing later. Plus, there's no real nutritional value in them. Make your calories count!

2/ Get some exercise - whether it's running around with the kids or taking a yoga class, do something to move your body! This will create more energy and keep you fit in the process. Plus, when you exercise earlier in the day, it generally helps you sleep better at night.

3/ Take a break - building in some transition time between appointments and commitments helps eliminate the feeling of being rushed throughout the day. Having some silence throughout the day will help give your adrenal systen a rest and help prompt cognitive function. It will also help you have time to focus on the task at hand, listen to the birds singing, take a few deep breaths, and then feel ready to move to the next thing.

4/Relax! Stop pushing yourself and take some time to rest (you need it more than you think you do!) Taking an afternoon nap or sleeping in on weekends can help replenish your body's energy (take turns with your spouse to that you both feel revived). I know what you're thinking about this one - yeah, right! It doesn't have to happen everyday, but if you can squeeze it in every so often it will give you a boost. Try to get the kids on board with you and you'll all benefit.

5/ Make a list - What energizes you? Identify 5 things that can restore your energy. Notice what gives you energy and what zaps it as you move through your day. Then try to incorporate more of what helps you restore your energy, and cut back on what zaps it, or, if possible, eliminate it altogether.

Just a little effort can help you to maximize your energy and move through your day with ease. Just go easy on yourself. If you take time to listen to your body, it will tell you just what you need!