Mommy Lifesaver: Mom Agenda Calendar

Hi Everybody!!!

Let the 7 day countdown to school begin...yay!

So I posted a picture on my Instagram a week ago and I've been getting inquiries ever since. I posted a picture of my MomAgenda Calendar I use for the school year. Yes, I have an iPhone, but I'm a little old school when it comes to paper calendars. I have a bit of an organization obsession and these date calendars fill every void I need to helping me clearly organize my family's activities throughout the year. It breaks down my month and week, as well as having line items for each member of your family (including your husband) and a space for whats for dinner that evening!

MomAgenda Home Office Edition

A calendar after my own heart (see My Meal Calendar), I was introduced to it just after my first baby was born. I've been using them every since and as low as $32/calendar, its worth every penny to keep me sane. I'm a visual person so instead of having to grab my phone and jot down a "to do" one day at a time, I can open my gorgeous Mom Agenda Calendar and see what I have going on that whole week!

Since posting, I've already had many people say they've already ordered one! You won't regret it...and please feel free to share the love of family organization and tell your fellow moms. We're trying to make this crazy world an easier place to navigate one tip & trick at a time!

Enter your email address on momagenda.com and receive 10% off your first order. Cheers to an organized and successful school year!

Mommy Lifesaver: Momme Meals "Go Chews"

Yay! So exciting....

Here is a BRAND NEW Mommy Lifesaver I wish I had had back in pregnancy, nursing, new mama stage! They're called Go Chews and they just arrived on my doorstep from a dear friend asking me to check them out. I have to say it was love at first bite! Coming off a new mama visit myself of a girlfriend who just had her first baby I only wish I had these in hand to let her have at 'em. They're delicious!

momme meals: http://mommemeals.com/

When approached with the idea of being a food taster for the better of all mommy's out there I sure wasn't going to pass that up - I'm not too picky. And although not too picky when it comes to food - I want good food, fresh food, tasty food, satisfying food. Satisfying being the most important because as any mama out there would say, we are never sitting down, always on the go and needing something to starve off cravings while driving carpool, running errands, etc. These bite size chews are a new (and healthier) take on a granola bar or lara bar type food. Their ingredients are simple and whole, organic and local. Providing essential vitamins and minerals all new mamas or moms-to-be need in order to help their nursing or pregnant selves. Now, with all of that being said, there is nothing wrong with noshing on these small treats at anytime..or even giving to your kids!

They're philosophy* is simple:  

• Work with only the freshest, seasonal most nutritionally dense ingredients
• Support agricultural sustainability by sourcing locally when possible
• Incorporate only organic and all-natural ingredients (100% non-GMO)
• Review each of our recipes with a registered dietician
• Provide foods you can trust for you and your family

I love real food that is portable and Go Chews are just that! Throw them in your gym bag, diaper bag, or purse to make sure you're always helping yourself get the best (and all natural) ingredients you possibly can while on the go. I really hope you all enjoy them as much as I do. I would highly recommend them to any nursing mother or mom-to-be out there. Why not wrap them up for your new mommy friend as a hospital treat - a little mommy to mommy push present!

Find them at your local health store market or order online in as easy as 1-2-3!

COUPON CODE: MOMMYLIFESAVER for 15% off your order

*provided by mommemeals.com

Kid DIY: Reusable Lunchbox Napkins

So I'm not necessarily the craftiest of moms, but I do try and "save the environment" whenever I can. I have been using reusable grocery bags for years and have even dabbled with Lunchskins (although I don't think they hold sandwiches well). So when I came across this post on Pinterest from 100 Days of Real Food I knew I had to immediately surrender and make these! 

Photo courtesy of 100 Days of Real Food

Reusable lunch sized napkins for your kids lunchboxes - genius! Day after day I had put a new napkin in each of my girls lunchboxes without thinking twice. Napkins are cheap so whats the real harm? Well the fact that they were even rarely used was the problem. I was throwing away barely touched napkins every single day. Again, you might be thinking this is a bit ridiculous, but honestly I have felt so much better ever since implementing this at the beginning of the school year. I purchased about 6 plain white cocktail napkins from amazon.com for about $5.00 and my oldest daughter and I tie dyed them ourselves and although I still continue to buy paper napkins for use while at home, everyday they now get a fun napkin in their lunch which I can easily wash alongside their clothes. 

Its really as simple as that and a step in the right direction of cutting costs and helping the environment - one pink napkin at a time!

Back to School Cookbook: Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes

Images provided by Stephanie Cornais of Mama & Baby Love

The idea that I'm already uttering the words "back to school" in the first week of August gives me the chills...but for very good reason! I'll spare you my spiel on how much I sincerely love Stephanie Cornais of Mama & Baby Love who I came across via her website some time ago. I find her intriguing, intelligent, and genuine about all things family and food - two of the most important things to me - nourishing my family inside and out.

She had written Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes and I immediately went online to buy it, to then read it cover to cover in one sitting. I started planning my families meals instantly based on her recommendations. I was already a pretty good meal planner myself, but I'm sure you can relate to the weekly set of standard (and sometimes dull) meals. Stephanie's recipes are 95% grain-free, gluten-free and dairy free. And although I don't follow one strict rule of diet - except healthy variety - I think its important to take food seriously and make sure you're feeding your kids the best they can possibly have. Putting her recipes in my family's repertoire has brought more variety and clean nutrition into their lives and has allowed me peace of mind.

So, back to her "back to school" recipes! Think Harvest Pork Roast, Beef Stew, and Tex Mex Chicken. This book has everything you need - shopping lists, simple step by step directions, and even labels for your freezer bags. It leaves nothing to the imagination and enables you to meal prep in no time and have a delicious and healthy dinner on the table in minutes during those crazy school weeks of carpool, sports schedules, and homework.  Allow yourself that extra time in the evenings with your family and not worry so much about preparing that gourmet meal at 6 o'clock at night during the "witching hour" of tantrums and chaos.

The best part of Stephanie's strategy is in the title of her book - Back to School: Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes - in which all your dinner prep requires on that day is pulling your frozen prepped meal from the freezer and placing it in your slow cooker in the morning. Done. That's it. Its ready when you are. What more can I say about it but, ENJOY!

Mommy Lifesaver #6: Crap-Baskets

Speaking of Pinterest, have you ever heard of Crap-Baskets? I'm not sure who really coined the term, but I find it 100% fitting. The baskets, which are placed on your main staircase, are to contain all the crap that your kids (or husband) leave around.

Each one of my kids has a designated basket - with a cute little tag & their name on it - that contains any of their stuff that they need to go from the main floor to their rooms. My kids are little so I help alot in pointing them in the right direction when it comes to cleaning up and keeping things neat. I hope that these baskets remain a part of our organization through the point in time at which they can carry them up the stairs themselves, empty them in their rooms, and put their own damn things away :) Added benefit - they look much prettier than piles of toys, shoes, etc. sitting on my stairs which are the main focus when you walk into my house. As most of you know with kids, they never seem to contain their junk in just one place. This has been a process I implemented almost 2 years ago and I've been happy with it ever since!

If crap-baskets aren't your thing, I encourage you to find something that works for you...especially if it means your kids will be able to carry on the responsibility of cleaning up after themselves some day!

Summer Make-up Must Have: Matifier

Do you ever find yourself with an "exceptional glow" (aka super shiny) during those hot summer months? A few years ago I discovered this amazing matifier by Lancome and I've been using it ever since. Literally, I think I'm still using the same bottle - but don't tell the beauty experts. It still works as well as the day I bought it. I don't use it everyday, but save it for those special occasions or nights out on the town to make sure my make-up stays in place.

After I apply my make-up, I basically put a pea size amount on my finger and dot it on my forehead, nose, and cheeks...then gently rub in. And thats it! It keeps your face at a lovely glow and not so much a sweaty mess. You can even re-apply your make-up, as needed, throughout the night over the matifier. Genius, huh? I think so!

I promise you'll love it! Check it out!

Dear Friend

You know how when you were little you used to blurt out everything you felt to other kids- you're my best friend, you're the best, your shoes are so pretty, I love your sparkly skirt, and so on. Why don't we do that more as grown ups? Wouldn't you feel good receiving a compliment everyday - whether it be your hair, your shoes, your helpfulness, your generosity, etc. I always think to tell people how much they mean to me and how wonderful I think they are and then it slips my mind more quickly than it enters it. Why is that? My friends mean the world to me and there is nothing more I want than to let them know that. As you get older (or at least I've noticed myself), you appreciate life a bit more and all it has to offer. You try not and take things for granted as you realize life can easily pass you by. Its an inevitable part of life that you begin to attend more births and more funerals - it hopefully enables you to embrace your own life and be compassionate to those going through tough times (knowing one day you'll be there too).

Besides family, friends are your backbone in life (or at least they are mine). As you get older the friendships change, but always remain so close to your heart. I would like to tell each friend just how much I love them....and you know who you are!

This is just a small sampling of my dear friends. 

Dear Friend,

When I see you, I hug you. I'm excited to see you and I love you. Even when I can't be with you often, I love you. We met in this life for a reason and that reason stands true to this day. Every person has a purpose and I'm lucky to have you. When I'm happy, I think of you. When I'm sad, I think of you. You are important to me - always. I don't want life to pass me by before I can tell you again how much you mean to me. You make me laugh when we're having fun, you pick me up when I am down and you support me when I am hurt. Just because we don't see each other as much as we used to, doesn't mean I still don't love you. You do, and always will, mean so much to me. We met in childhood, in a sports camp, in high school, in college, at work, and through mutual friends- you're so special to me and I mean that! One day I will find the courage to individually express my sincerest gratitude for your friendship. But for right now, this will have to do. You know who you are - you're my true friend!

With love,

Kristen xoxo

My Make-Up Favorites

You may have noticed the banner on the right side of my blog page about My Makeup Favorites. If not, this post is for you! Like most girls, I've loved to experiment with different make up throughout the years. Some have done well for me as others have failed miserably. There is nothing better than a good drug store find, but there is also something fun about going to the pricey beauty counter and getting some new face powder to brighten your day (or your complexion).  Below are a few of my beauty favs - some of which I've used since high school. They're just that good!

As for beauty, here are a few of my weekday Favorites 

• Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer (nude) or Urban Decay Naked Skin BB Broad Spectrum Cream SPF 20*
• Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer (sand)
• Rimmel London Stay Matte Powder (sandstorm)
• Bare Minerals Ready Bronzer (bronze)
• Laura Mericier Eye Basics Primer (linen)
• Bare Minerals Eyeshadow Palette in The Truth or Cover Girl Shimmering Sands
• Lancome Definicils Mascara (black) or Maybelline Falsies (black)

With these staples (now that I type it out it seems like a lot, but its really not considering you use very little of each item) - I can "be presentable" in about 5 minutes and go. More importantly, feel like myself and a little more put together. Gone are the days where I can go without make-up, unfortunately. With these few items above, I know I can put them on and feel refreshed and ready for the day!

*Updated as of 3/26/2014

What are your make-up favorites? Do share...Enjoy!

My Favorite Skin Care Products

As with my hair care product selection, my skin care regimen has changed over the years - as it should with everyone as they age. The problem with skin care is you have to really be careful about what you put on your skin. What you choose when you're 15 can come back to bite you in the ass in you're 20's and 30's if you're not careful. Your skin is so important and can say so much about how well you take care of yourself.

First and foremost, hydration...hydration...hydration. It is something I'm very guilty of, and work so hard at each day to get in my intended about of water. A good rule of thumb for an active person to staying hydrated is to drink your body weight in ounces. The warm lemon water in the morning has helped tremendously!

OK, back to the fun stuff. I have combination and dehydrated skin so my typical routine goes:


Morning
CervVe Hydrating Wash*
Cadaulie Vinosource S.O.S. Thirst Quenching Serum
CerVe AM Facial Moustierizing Lotion*
Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream





Evening
Neova Radiant Skin Cleasner Facewash*
CerVe PM Facial Mousterizing Lotion*
ROC Retinnol Correction Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
Dermalogica Overnight Clearing Gel

*My dermatologist recommended these a couple of years ago and I've never turned back. These products have saved my skin!

As for the Cadaulie Serum I don't know how I ever lived without this. It is an amazing product I stumbled upon about a year or so ago. It soaks right up in your skin leaving a clean slate for your moisturizer to go on evenly and allowing your make-up to settle nicely on your face.

So this was a fun project - I recruited some of my gorgeous and insightful girlfriends (aka beauty consultants) to give me their take on favorite skin care products and here's what they said:

Ashleigh Says:
Neutrogena Deep Clean Cream Cleanser
Dermalogica Daily Face Wash
Olay Professional Pro-X Advanced Cleansing System 
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Synchronized Complex
Neutrogena SkinClearing Blemish Concealer

Beth Says:
Olay Regenerist Facewash
Loreal Youth Code
Balm Concealer
Lumene Vitamin C Beads

Bridget Says:

I love any and all Dermalogica products:

-Active Moist

-Skin Smoothing Cream

-Overnight Clearing Gel

-Dermal Clay Cleanser

Blue Mercury's M-61 Fast Blast Vitamin C Facial Mask

Kate Says:

Dove soap & Aveeno Moisterizer

CeraVe Lotion

Aquafor for Eyes & Nose

Baking Soda + Dove Soap = Perfect Exfoliator

Lisa Says:

Philosophy When Hope Is Not Enough Firming Serum

Philosophy Turbo Booster C Powder

MD Forte II Facial Cream

CeraVe Lotion

Kiehl's Rosa Arctica Eye Cream or Clinique's All About Eyes (I do love this stuff too!!)

All of these ladies couldn't be more unique and more beautiful. It just goes to show you that there are so many products out there and even all of us, good friends, don't have to use the same products. Not all skin types are created equal. We all use what works for us. That is the most important lesson you learn as you age - don't follow the fads. I will add that we all agreed on one thing - wear your SPF daily!! In the meantime, find what works for your skin and what will nourish it for the future and go from there!

Mommy Lifesaver #5: Good Nite Lite

Like most parents, I have had trouble with my children waking up at all hours of the night. The worst offender being around 5am when they think its morning and time for breakfast. Thats just way too early for me! After a few nights in her new big girl bed, my daughter Grace (2 1/2 at the time) had realized that when she woke up she could get out of bed to come see mommy and daddy. Although very self-sufficient, waking up at 5am was not mine or my husbands idea of a good start time to the day. And frankly, Grace was still tired too. Still being so little, the thought of teaching her to tell time was out of the question - thats when I found the Good Nite Lite. Its one of the greatest mommy lifesavers I have ever purchased...and I still stand by it to this day!

Out of package. Not plugged in.

The Good Nite Lite is a small plug in night light for your child with no digital time to read on it. It has a combination of a Sun & Moon on the face and when its night time the moon lights up in blue and when its morning the sun lights up in yellow. The parent sets the timer - so we did 7pm night time and 7am morning time. This was my kids schedule so it worked great for us (tweak it to your own routine) and we did this up until she could read a digital clock. We then passed it on to my now 3 year old....and it worked like a charm.

I have recommend it to numerous parents over the years and I don't know anyone that was disappointed.  Obviously, your child is going to go through phases of sickness, nightmares or bathroom accidents that will cause their sleep to be disrupted, but I have found that this night light has saved us some valuable sleep time - on both the child and parent end. I urge every parent out there to check it out...you might just gain a few extra moments of sleep!

Mommy Lifesaver #3: Pinterest

Happy Friday!

Just like Facebook at one point, Pinterest was something that took me a while to catch on to. I thought it was just another social media site trying to get your personal information for their greater use. I had never actually seen the site before and here I was a stay-at-home mom of 2 little girls (at the time) and was attending birthday party after birthday party of all these creative - and extravagant - ideas. I always thought I was creative when it came to my kids parties, but this was on a whole different level. It peaked my interest and within days - I was HOOKED! Pinterest has become not only one of my favorite online sites, but a mommy lifesaver as well.

I already liked to cook, plan parties, shop, and eat well, but this gave me a forum to "pin" everything in one place so I could go back and refer to quickly and easily. Almost everything I have pinned, I have gone back and utilized or will soon in the future. Its a virtual pin board of all of your thoughts and ideas- sort of mommy inspiration.  I do have boards which are pure fantasy - expensive clothes, shoes, and home decorating ideas - but then I have boards which save me so much time and have helped streamline my mommy processes - kid activities, recipes, and organization techniques. Its genius!

Making these for my kids for our Disney Trip

Love these containers - but the labels are super cute!

I get asked this recipe ALL the time. Its so simple.

Anyway, I'm sure Pinterest isn't new to anyone here, but I wanted to share how much its helped me as a mom. Here are a few things I have learned from Pinterest:

1. Recipes don't have to be extravagant to be delicious.
2. Healthy meals can be some of your simplest meals.
3. I have learned how to cut out many steps of my cooking processes.
4. Words of inspiration are good for your peace of mind.
5. Living in a dream world of mansions and scenic backyards is perfectly fine.
6. Someday I will tackle everything on my Organization Obsession board. Its a goal!
7. Having a vision board is important for conquering those goals.
8. Teachers these days get the best gifts, unlike what we grew up giving them. Sorry.
9. My style would be really good if I had the money and time to shop more!
10. As a whole, Pinterest helps you think outside the box, which really is a good thing ;)

I don't see Pinterest as intimidating, I see it as a learning tool to improve on what I already know and to simplify my current lifestyle. To follow me on Pinterest, click here! Happy Pinning!!

My Favorite Hair Care Products

Seen as how I color my hair (shocker, right??) and don't have much time to pull myself together on a daily basis, I need tried and true products that actually work. I have very fine hair so its taken me a while to adapt to products that didn't weigh my hair down. I also have to wash my hair everyday, even though you're not supposed to. These items below are products I have now used for a few years that work for me. I have spent countless dollars on products that do not work - from high end shampoos to serums that turned my hair green. As much as advertisers try to get you, you have to do what works for your hair type. This is what I've found works for me!
                                
               
Here are some of my favorite hair products that I couldn't live without:

• Loreal Color Vive Shampoo & Conditioner: Purchased at your local drugstore it is the BEST around!
• Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment: A rich, velvety balm that dramatically helps repair damaged hair in minutes.
• Kerastase Sublimateur Jour: Provides Instant light-weight nourishment. Fiber is protected against frizz and dryness. Does not leave hair greasy.
• Kerastase Cristalliste Lumiere Liquide: Shine perfecting serum for free flowing hair (aka "stray hairs"). Apply only to ends for a seamless look and shine.
• Kenra Root Lifting Spray: Volumizer for maximum body & style support. This stuff is amazing.
• Tigi BedHead Masterpiece Shine Hairspray: Massive shine, serious hold hairspray. Even smells like strawberries!

Because I already color and wash my hair daily, I don't like blow drying my hair everyday for damage purposes. As I mentioned above, my hair is very fine so it also takes me close to 45 min to blow dry my hair. For this reason, I tend to wear my hair pulled back during most of the week and then blow dry it on the weekends. I'm running around so much during the week and often at the gym, that there really is no reason for me to apply product and do my hair all the time. These products above I can guarantee will stick with me for a very long time and I can promise you you'll love them too!

All of the above products can be found online, at your local drugstore, or hair salon. Good Luck!

Costco Food Finds - Healthy Style

Although I can't stress enough the important of fresh food, farm food, and real food - there is also an element of buying in bulk that can really help out a family on a budget. With that being said, I still have a hard time getting out of there without spending over $200! Recently I decided to take on the warehouse store we go to - Costco - and scope out some healthier items you and your family can purchase to have on hand for those quick and healthy family meals.

What you have to keep in mind with any warehouse store is that even though they sell fruits and vegetables, you have no idea how long ago they were picked, packaged, and driven to that store to then sit on a shelf to be purchased. However, buying fruits and vegetables anywhere is better than not buying them at all!

Some of the healthier items I purchase for my family are:

100 Calorie Popcorn Packs- Perfect kid snack and friends love it too.
Almond Butter - Great buy! Use on sand which bread, apples, celery, etc
Amy's Lentil Soup - Perfect Fall/Winter lunch.
Avocados - Make homemade guacamole, slice up on salads, dice for kids or mash for babies.
Black/Navy/Kidney Beans - My kids love beans. Eat plain, with rice, in chili/tacos instead of meat.
Brown Rice & Quinoa Quick Packs - A one minute side dish to any meal.
Cheerios - When you have toddlers this is a staple.
Chobioni Greek Yogurt - Plain, add granola or fresh fruit, add to smoothies, etc.
Craisons - Put on salads, or a go-to snack at our house is "goldfish & cranberries".
Fresh Fish - not as fresh as I would like, but great for larger anticipated dinner needs.
Frozen Fruit - Smoothies!!
Frozen Perdue Chicken - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Frozen Salmon - Easy single servings you can thaw in hours and have for dinner.
Hummus - Buy the small individual packs for school/snacks.
Hot Sauce - My husband puts this on everything.
Kashi Go Lean Cereal - My whole family loves plain or with Almond Milk.
Lemons - Put in water, squeeze on salads, slice on fish, etc.
Macaroni & Cheese - Annie's Homegrown is a staple in my pantry.
Olive Oil & Balsamic Vinegar - Great for sautes or salad dressings.
Organic Crushed Tomatoes - Homemade spaghetti sauce!
Organic Diced Tomatoes - Mexican dishes, chili, sauces, etc.
Organic Eggs - Need I say more.
Organic Jelly - I prefer all natural, but you can't beat the price per ounce.
Organic Tomato Sauce - Make your own enchilada sauce, add to ground beef or chili.
Organic Tortilla Chips - What is Mexican night dinner without tortilla chips?
Pretzels - Another bulk item I always have on hand. I try not to have chips in the house.
Red/Yellow Onions - Saute, grill, or roast. We add onions to everything!
Spices - Buying spices in bulk saves a ton of money!
Sweet Potatoes - Dice and bake or slice up like "fries" which is a favorite in our house.
Tunafish - Try mixing it with brown spicy mustard instead of mayo.
Veggie Straws - School snacks or take on the go.
Walnuts/Almonds/Pine Nuts - Buying in bulk saves money. Eat plain as a snack or add to salads.
Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread - By far one of the best deals going. We go through alot of bread.
Whole Carrots - So much better tasting than baby carrots...its worth peeling your own.
Whole Grain Pasta - Good for any last minute dinner.


We all know I'm not a fan of fast food, so I'd rather make a semi-homemade meal with the help of a box or a can than run through a drive-thru anyday! Good luck with your finds - these are just some of my family's favorites. Happy shopping!

Mommy Lifesaver #2: Silicone Yogurt Tubes

You are going to LOVE me after reading this! These are my new favorite kid kitchen essential and I have no doubt I'll be purchasing more come summer time. I feel like I'm digging myself into a whole with everything I don't buy for my kids, but I honestly want them to always have the best, if possible.

I don't buy popsicles or freeze pops and don't always feel right about the yogurt tubes because they are loaded with sugar. I will purchase Go-Gurt Yogurt during summer and freeze for an easy and cool snack at the beach or pool, but they really are no nutritional value and I know that. And then I found these on one of my favorite blogs - 100 Days of Real Food -which I'm SUPER excited about! They're made by Norpro and you can find them on Amazon.

I bought a 4-Pack a few weeks ago and have been filling them with organic yogurt and freezing them for the kids - and myself. I have served frozen (like a popsicle) and have put it in the fridge or lunchbox to thaw for a cool treat later in the day. You can fill with yogurt and berries, applesauce, or even all natural juice too! I will definitely be purchasing a second set and I would certainly recommend larger families doing the same because they need to freeze overnight - perfect for hot summertime, pool, beach, & roadtrips!

These are going to be a staple in my house this Spring/Summer and I'm sure you're going to fall in love with them too!

Norpro Silicone Ice Pop Maker Set

Create your own pop treats. Easy to push up with this cleaver design. Lid holds in ingredients before they freeze and keeps pops secure in ice chest for picnics and BBQ's. Fill seal freeze and enjoy. Create treats using juices, purees, yogurt, soda, ice cream, pudding, applesauce, gelatin, fruit, berries, candies, chocolate, carmel, whipped cream and sprinkles! Set of 4. Made of flexible silicone: BPA free

Barnes and Noble: Hidden Gem!

Who knew?!

I used to take my oldest daughter on fun "field trips" and play outings when she was little. She got all the fun stuff - playgroups, music classes, Little Gyms, etc. The more kids I had, the less I seemed to do. It became easier to have friends over, go to parks and playgrounds, or simply stay home. After this dreary winter I became determined to get my kids involved in more activities. We started gymnastics and decided to head back out there during the week to discover new fun places - one of which was Barnes & Noble. Now, we used to hit up story times at the local bookstore often throughout the years, but in time they became a big turn off. They were too crowded, noisy, the kids were distracted, and one time the instructor even seemed to get a bit annoyed. That was it for me! 

My little man with his Legos.

A week or so ago, both my girls were in school so I took my little man on an outing to Barnes & Noble in Bethesda - "Wow!" is all I could think. It was beautiful! It was so child friendly and very welcoming to kids of a variety of ages. It was also quiet and a great place for me to relax while watching my sweet boy roam and play. Even better, there is a Starbucks on the third floor ;)

 Barnes and Noble Bethesda

If you get a chance to visit your local bookstore- check out their child play area or their weekly story time for kids. You might be surprised at what you find....I was!

For a Barnes and Noble near you, check out: Barnes & Noble.com

Why I Love Trader Joes

Let me count the ways....

Its a simple store, with simple products, with simple ingredients. Need I say more. It doesn't have all of the marketing gimmicks all commercial grocery chains have. They're products are inexpensive, wonderful and absolutely delicious. I can always find so many organic and real food options that I feel good nourishing my family. I have yet to find a product at TJs that we don't love!

A peak into my grocery cart.

Some of our family favorite TJ selections are:

• Organic Tortilla Chips & Pretzels
• All Natural Peanut Butter
• No Sugar Added Strawberry Jelly
• Brown Rice Medley
• Organic Whole Milk
• No rSBT Whipped Cream Cheese
• Earth Balance Butter
• Organic Shredded Cheddar Cheese
• Organic String Cheddar Cheese
• Organic Chicken Sausages
• Organic Ground Beef
• All Natural Fruit Bars/Cereal Bars/Lara Bars
• No Sugar Added Waffles/Oatmeal/Cereals
• No Sugar Added Raisins/Cranberries/Other Dried Fruits
• Whole Wheat and Fresh Breads/Tortillas/Buns
• Frozen Organic Fruits & Veggies
• Fresh Organic Fruits & Veggies
• No rSBT Vanilla Ice Cream
• Green Drink Powder
• ...the list could go on

Friends used to always ask me how I can do all my shopping at TJs and not have to go to a conventional market. Besides my paper and cleaning products, I can truly get all my family's shopping done there. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Trader Joes. It has been my go-to grocery for the last 7 years and I highly recommend it to any of you!

For more information on Trader Joes, go to: http://www.traderjoes.com/

To find a Trader Joes near you: http://www.traderjoes.com/stores/index.asp

My Family's Fridge Essentials

As with my list of Pantry Essentials, this list is what works for my family...although I hope it can work for yours too! Life is busy so having an organized and well stocked refrigerator can make meal planning and prep much easier. As always, you have to stock it with what your family enjoys - yet adding a few new items every once in a while won't kill you.

Swapping out ingredients can also be beneficial to your health. If you always eat salad, for example, replace spinach lettuce for romaine lettuce, walnuts for croutons, or even dried cranberries for prepackaged shredded carrots. Each one of these simple swaps adds nutrients to your diet making it much more valuable to your overall health.

I also highly recommend swapping out any butter substitute for the real thing - plain old fashioned butter. Using it sparingly, its a great addition for flavor to any meal or meal prep. I do have one exception - Earth Balance Buttery Spread - which you can read about more in detail through the link. Its a great topping for your morning toast, breads, or bagels. We don't require a ton of spreadable butter in our house, but I always have Earth Balance on hand for those times when its needed.  Otherwise I use real butter for everything.

(my fridge looks exceptionally small from this angle)

• Organic Milk - Hormone free milk is worth every penny of your family's health. Enough said.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk - its delicious and you can add it to oatmeal, cereal, or coffee.
• Organic Eggs - scrambled, hard boiled, sunny side up. You name it- they're good for you!
• Greek Yogurt - Delicious for a meal or snack. Add granola, flax seed, or berries for added nutrition.
• All Natural Peanut Butter - Refer to my PB post :)
• Hummus - We LOVE hummus so I buy it in bulk. Its on my to-do list to start making my own.
• Earth Balance Spread - see above link.
• Butter - Organic, grass fed real butter.
• Cream Cheese - Organic, if possible. I haven't been able to escape the cream cheese craze yet.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese - Trader Joes has a great hormone free brand.
• Soft Tortillas - Also purchased from Trader Joes. Quesadillas are a big staple in our house.
• Salsa - Easy addition to any Mexican dish or salad.
• Spinach Lettuce - Salad or smoothie base and good fiber source. Plus my kids love salad. (yeah!)
• Onions & Sweet Potatoes (and other seasonal veggies)- Buy veggies that work for you. Whether you roast, bake, or grill - they're great as side dish to any meal!
• Organic Whole Carrots - Take the time to peel and cut your own carrots. The flavor is outstanding and they actually contain the vitamins and nutrients you need (as opposed to baby carrots).
• Berries (and other seasonal fruits) - I think 50% of our food budget goes to fruit. We eat them up alone, in smoothies, on yogurt...anywhere! Plus they're a great source of vitamins and antioxidants.

When you open the door to my fridge you will always see a ready made (by me) salad, washed and cut up fruit, hard boiled eggs, and Tupperware of cooked salmon. These four items fuel my family throughout the week and in between meals. I have found that having these items ready-made enables healthier choices in the spur of the moment and require no work for mom :) Again, it is important to figure out what items are important to your family and then you can begin making healthier tweaks from there. One step at a time will get you to your goal of a healthier lifestyle.

I can almost guarantee you that there is a vegetable or fruit out there you haven't tried that will soon be your new favorite!

Mommy Lifesaver #1: My Meal Calendar

I have to laugh because I never thought my "simple" meal calendar would cause such a craze. I get asked alot about how I stay so organized when it comes to planning family meals. Truth is, organization and planning ahead help me with my week. I've always planned ahead when it comes to meals because although I believe its important to use what you already have on hand, I'm notorious for missing that one ingredient essential to the meal.

Anyway, a few years back I purchased this white board calendar from Pottery Barn to schedule my family's activities and meals. It helps me visualize our nutrition and it keeps me liable for what I put on the dinner table. I believe in variety for children so they can learn to try new things and get their palette's building new flavors. I'm also realistic that most little ones just want macaroni & cheese (we have that too!). Its not always about them though. We, as the adult, have to make the decision for them as to what we feel is good for them and you also must take into account what else they've eaten throughout the day. If the plan is to have pasta or homemade pizza for dinner I try to make lunch that day a bit lighter. Or I'll make sure that morning they have a smoothie so they've already gotten their power packed nutrient meal for the day. Its really not as complicated as it sounds...I promise. It kind of flows now for me because we've been doing it for so long.

There is no set plan to how I pull my meal calendar together each month. I think of the season, whats available at the market, or just what I'm in the mood for that week. I know what days we have sports activities going on in the evening or what nights my husband has meetings set so I know lighter or easier meals are planned for those nights.

I want to also note I don't always plan the sides exactly, I just happen to know what I stock my pantry with and what my fmaily likes paired with each meal. I try to throw in seasonal veggies in here and there and always serve cut up fresh fruit in the kitchen while I'm prepping dinner - if they're so starving, they can eat that while they wait!

Here is a sneak peak of our March calendar:

At the beginning of each month I sit down and plan my meals. It only takes me about 20 min. I first note what meats and veggies I might already have on hand or in my freezer. The first week is always determined by that. All my meals are shown in green. Forgive me that its so hard to read, I promise I'll learn how to take proper photos one day!

Please note everything is organic and homemade as possible. We try to incorporate any leftovers in next days lunch or dinner - a simple way is to throw any leftover meat onto a delicious seasonal salad!

Week 1
S-Chicken Tacos with black beans, guacamole and brown rice
M-Chicken Salads with black beans and rice
T-Salmon and Wild Rice with spinach salad
W-Greek Take out (we happen to be picking up food for an ill family member so I decided to treat my family with they're favorite take out too- Greek!
Th-Spaghetti and Salad
F-Hamburgers and Sweet Potato Fries with Fruit
S-Leftovers

Week 2
S-Grilled Steak & Veggies with Rice or Quinoa
M-Steak Salad w/ balsalmic vinegarette
T-Salmon and rice with salad
W-Leftovers (which will probably consist of Salmon, frozen veggies and organic macaroni & cheese)
Th-Tacos/Quesadillas with black beans, guacamole and brown rice
F-Pulled pork sliders and sweet potato fries with fruit
S-Pizza (We have a birthday party that evening)

Week 3
S-Grilled hamburgers & hot dogs with salad and fruit.
M-Marinated chicken with macaroni & cheese and salad
T- Salmon and rice with salad
W-Spaghetti and salad
Th-Leftovers (which will probably be salmon and salad or fish sticks for the kids)
F-Homemade pizza
S-TBD Dinner out (We don't eat out much at all, but we like to treat the kids every once in a while)

Week 4
S-Chicken & Grilled Veggies
M-Veggie Subs with potato fries
T-Salmon & rice with salad
W-Leftovers
Th-Tacos/Quesadillas with black beans, guacamole and brown rice
F-Hamburgers and baked potatoes with fruit
S-Homemade pizza

...and thats it! Again, because I have been doing this for so long I know what my kids like (or what I want them to eat). There is also a method to my madness  It typically flows like this - We like to grill on Sundays, chicken on Mondays, Salmon on Tuesdays, Leftovers on Wednesdays, Mexican on Thursdays and homemade Pizza on Fridays. But as you can see I do switch it up a bit for variety or based on certain activities we have that week. I really urge you to try it!

For the sake of sounding completely anal, I do intend to implement a weekly breakfast calendar soon too! My kids are starting to become picky in the mornings (and not wanting the same things as each other) so I think a calendar will solve this problem and save us some valuable time. I'll keep you posted!

Mommy's Lifesavers

Throughout this blog I will periodically be posting items (lifesavers) that I could not live without. These items will be anything from a new baby product, to a new kitchen item, or even my new iPhone (its changed my life in more ways than I have time to explain...but I'm sure I'll try!). 

I hope you find these tips to be useful to you and feel free to share your tips with me - I always welcome ways to make my life easier. xo