When I was in third grade, my best friend Jenny had a note from her mom in her lunchbox every day. Nothing that would win a Pulitzer Prize, but just a simple sentiment like “I love you” or “Have a great day.” Maybe this token made up for the fact that Jenny’s lunchbox reeked of hard-boiled egg, but I have to admit I sometimes envied those sweet gestures. Remembering this one day last year, I discreetly tucked a note into my daughter’s lunchbox–nothing mushy or meant to embarrass her, but it didn’t go over very well. “Why did you write to me?,” she asked me later that afternoon. “I don’t know,” I responded. “Besides, didn’t you tell me one of your friends gets a note [&hellip
Feeding the Little Walnuts Archive
Last night’s dinner was nothing short of a miracle. After nearly a year of repeatedly putting roast chicken on my 4-year-old’s dinner plate, she actually picked up a wing and bit into it…without freaking out. Granted she only took a bite, but at least she finally gave it a try without bursting in hysterics (her older sister can vouch for the sincerity of my word choice). For those of you who have picky eaters (and I’m guessing that’s most of us, at one time or another), it’s extremely easy to lose hope of your child ever consuming healthy nutrients that are not in liquid form. And if you refuse to be one of those parents who makes a separate meal for your fussy non-foodie, then [&hellip
How many Cheerios and Goldfish do you think your toddler has consumed? One look at the backseat of your minivan, and you can answer with certainty: A LOT! You may not realize it, but even little kids get tired of eating the same snack foods over and over (in fact, multiple mini boxes of raisins have been blamed on many a meltdown…we kid you not). If you’ve been noticing that your little one has turning up her adorable nose at her favorite snack food, it’s time to break out of that rut and try something new–and nutritious. We’re finding ourselves going ga-ga over Little Duck Organics’ Tiny Fruits. This assortment of 100-percent organic dried fruits are especially tasty, not to mention healthy. There’s no sugar [&hellip
Congratulations! You just had a new baby and you’ve been invited to your cousin’s wedding, all in the same week. But before you hastily turn down the invitation (who wants to get all dressed up when you’re not exactly feeling like your absolute best?), consider the new line of postpartum body ware from Ameda Intimates. Their collection of nursing bras and camisoles are especially forgiving, offering you sleek coverage for special occasions, while keeping you comfortable all the while. Made from a flexible microfiber, they are lightly absorbent, so you can dance the night away (if you’re up for it) without feeling sticky. Dual side knit panels won’t cut into your skin, allowing you to move about freely, while the special drop-cup design provides easy [&hellip
In today’s mail, the Old Navy back-to-school catalog arrived. It wasn’t the first one we received, and it isn’t even August yet. Seems hints of backpacks, lunchboxes and all things back-to-school are happening earlier and earlier this year. If you haven’t already gotten a jump yet on school supply shopping, allow us to whet your appetite with some items that are making a name for themselves–literally. Makaboo lets kids design and personalize their own lunchboxes, backpacks and other cool-for-school accessories. Simply select an item, and then choose from one of over 30 colors, a font for your name and favorite icon (take your pick of 100 different pictures!). You’re good to go! We think Makaboo will be a big hit this September, especially for kids [&hellip
I never breastfed my daughters, but from what my mom friends tell me, latching on isn’t the only challenge they faced. Once their baby was happily fed, moms still have to contend with that uncomfortable feeling of …well, for lack of a better word, fullness. And for those who had to endure severe breast pain, they were really in need of some relief. Enter Lansinoh Thera Pearl, 3-in-1 breast therapy. At first glance, these purple bead-filled gel sacs look too cool to be tucked away in a nursing bra. But looks aside, they offer tremendous benefits. Toss them in the freezer for a couple of hours, and they help relieve engorged breasts. If you’re suffering from clogged milk ducts, pop Thera Pearl in the microwave [&hellip
The second week of summer vacation, and the snack choices have already lost their allure. If you’re already finding yourself looking for a healthy alternative to Goldfish that doesn’t warrant sighs of boredom, have we got the snack for you! Plum Organics’ Fruit & Veggies Shredz have the great taste of fruit without the high fructose corn syrup. After a week of ho-hum crackers and other portable snack foods, we were ready to give these delectable treats a try…and believe me, you didn’t need to twist the arms of my 8- and 4-year-old testers! Not ones to shrug off a fresh peach or watermelon slice, I knew these kids would be tough critics when it came to judging the fruit-taste authenticity. But after just a [&hellip
I’m not sure why I remember the odd things that I do from being a new mom, but one particular memory stands out: my daughter’s nursery being littered with formula-stained bottles that I had forgotten to put in the dishwasher. It didn’t happen every day, mind you, but every so often, I would finish an early morning feeding and return to my bedroom in a half-asleep stupor with the bottle left behind (it’s a wonder I remembered to turn out the light in the nursery!). Blame it on mommy brain, if you will, but seeing that used bottle really irked me. What time exactly had I been in her room, anyway? If you’re equally hard on yourself as a new mom who’s trying to keep [&hellip
Because my 8-year-old can read me like a book, I try to surprise her every now and then. Bath before dinner, OJ in a fluted glass (yeah, that one’s reserved for special occasions)…my changes in routine may be subtle, but they throw her for a loop every now and then. And since packing lunches have definitely hit a case of the doldrums by this late in the school year, I thought I might fool her with a small lunchbox treat that was bound to make her think she had mistakenly opened a classmate’s bag. Yesterday, I packed her sandwich in a Wexy Munch & Lunch Bag. Unlike ordinary zipper-locked baggies, these disposable bags are BPA-free, biodegradable and made from 100-percent recyclable materials. How’s that for [&hellip
During a recent walk on the boardwalk at our local beach, I happened to notice a woman sitting on a bench, her stroller parked nearby. A large blanket was draped across her upper body, which surprised me, given the warmth of the morning sun. But after doing a double-take and realizing that the stroller was empty, I then saw that it was her baby who was underneath that blanket and that she was simply breastfeeding her child…except it appeared anything but simple. She continued to shift her body weight and adjust herself and her baby as she nursed. Even while joggers, walkers and other passersby went about their business, it was clear that this woman did not want any onlookers (such as myself) to pay [&hellip