In case you haven't noticed, I'm on hiatus.

I'm taking a break from mommy blogging...you know to be a mom and because I have a relatively new job and am laser focused. The blog was de-prioritized to the bottom of the pile. I'll be back soon. Just saying hello to my constinuents. Hi.

COMING SOON...a review with before and after photos of a 3 month test of Latisse. It's working! I'm batting my Bambi lashes as I type. Also, Obagi might be getting a run for its money by a new skincare line I am obsessing about called Vivite. More on that too.

Farmers arrested for planing hemp on DEA lawn :)

Radical. My brother and owner of Livity Outernational, Isaac Nichelson, and his pals are getting National media attention this morning due to their activism. Read the whole article on the Huffington Post or read Vote Hemp's press release here...and then pass it on.

Farmers, Hemp Industry Leaders Arrested for Planting Industrial Hemp at DEA Headquarters in Act of Civil Disobedience

Continued Blockade of State Industrial Hemp Programs Violates Common Sense as well as Obama's Presidential Directive to Federal Agencies to Respect States' Rights

WASHINGTON, DC — At approximately 10:00 AM this morning, North Dakota farmer Wayne Hauge, Vermont farmer Will Allen, and fed up American entrepreneurs, who have dedicated their livelihoods to developing and marketing healthy, environmentally-friendly hemp products, for the first time turned to public civil disobedience with the planting of industrial hemp seed at DEA headquarters (700 Army Navy Dr Arlington, VA 22202) to protest the ban on hemp farming in the United States. Even though the U.S. is the largest market for hemp products in the world, and industrial hemp is farmed throughout Europe, Asia and Canada, not a single American farmer has the right to grow the versatile crop which is used for food, clothing, body care, paper, building materials, auto paneling and more.

Hoping to focus the attention of the Obama Administration on halting DEA interference, North Dakota Farmer Wayne Hauge; Founder of Cedar Circle Organic Farm in Vermont Will Allen; Hemp Industries Association (HIA) President Steve Levine; Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps President David Bronner; Vote Hemp Communications Director Adam Eidinger and Founder of Livity Outernational Hemp Clothing, Issac Nichelson were arrested while digging up the DEA's lawn to plant industrial hemp seed imported from Canada. At this time, they are currently being held in Arlington County jail and are awaiting charges. They are expected to be released later this afternoon and will be available for interviews upon release. The six protesters planted hemp seeds with ceremonial chrome shovels engraved with:

Hemp Planting Oct. 2009 ~ DEA Headquarters ~ American Farmers Shall Grow Hemp Again Reefer Madness Will Be Buried

Mr. Hauge is licensed by North Dakota to cultivate and process non-drug industrial hemp, just as Canadian farmers across the border have done profitably for over ten years supplying the booming U.S. market. However, the DEA refuses to distinguish non-drug industrial hemp cultivars grown for millennia for seed and fiber and has unconstitutionally blocked all state hemp programs such as North Dakota's. Mr. Hauge, along with North Dakota State Rep. David Monson, sued the DEA in the U.S. District Court of North Dakota in 2007, and the case is currently before the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. "In recent years there has been strong growth in demand for hemp in the U.S., but the American farmer is being left out while Canadian, European and Chinese farmers fill the void created by outdated federal policy," said fourth-generation farmer Hauge. "When hemp is legalized, land grant universities across the nation will develop cultivars suitable to different growing regions to enhance yield and explore innovative uses such as cellulosic ethanol."

Pictures and video of the action for free and unrestricted use, along with hemp farming footage and background information are available upon request in hardcopy and online. An HIA produced video of the action will also be posted, after 6:00 PM on 10/13 at: www.votehemp.com/DEAhempplanting.html



In the back drop of the spectacle at DEA headquarters, dozens of hemp business owners in town attending the HIA convention over the weekend fanned out across Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers in support of hemp legislation introduced by Representatives Ron Paul (R-TX) and Barney Frank (D-MA) that would permit states to cultivate non-drug industrial hemp under state industrial hemp programs. Nine states have such programs, but their implementation has been blocked by DEA bureaucratic intransigence. This spring, however, President Obama instructed federal agencies to respect state laws in a presidential directive on federal pre-emption:

"Executive departments and agencies should be mindful that in our federal system, the citizens of the several States have distinctive circumstances and values, and that in many instances it is appropriate for them to apply to themselves rules and principles that reflect these circumstances and values. As Justice Brandeis explained more than 70 years ago, 'it is one of the happy incidents of the federal system that a single courageous state may, if its citizens choose, serve as a laboratory and try novel social and economic experiments without risk to the rest of the country.'"Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Presidential-Memorandum-Regarding-Preemption/

Vote Hemp and the HIA are dedicated to a free market for low-THC industrial hemp and to changes in current policy to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow this agricultural crop. Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps President and Vote Hemp Director David Bronner stated: "Dr. Bronner's has grown into the leading natural soap brand in the U.S. since incorporating hemp oil in 1999, due in significant part to the unsurpassed smoothness it gives our soaps. As an American business, we want to give our money to American farmers and save on import and freight costs. In this difficult economy, we can no longer indulge the DEA's self-serving hemp hysteria."

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Vote Hemp is a national, single-issue, nonprofit organization dedicated to the acceptance of and free market for low-THC industrial hemp and to changes in current law to allow U.S. farmers to once again grow this agricultural crop. More information about hemp legislation and the crop's many uses may be found at http://www.votehemp.com/ or http://www.hempindustries.org/. BETA SP or DVD Video News Releases featuring footage of hemp farming in other countries are available upon request by contacting Adam Eidinger at 202-744-2671.

100 Best Companies for Working Mothers

Working Mother magazine recently published their annual list of the 100 best companies for working mothers. It's inspiring and encouraging to read about some of the benefits these companies offer their employees. Reading about Lego made me want to pack up my family and relocate. But, what I really wanted to point out is that not a single advertising agency or agency holding company made the list. Quelle surprise. There were a handful of consulting firms, which is a similarly demanding environment, so it CAN be done. Don't get me wrong, I am pleased and even impressed with the benefits my new company offers me, but then again I've worked for an agency my entire adult life, so I don't have much to compare it to. Here's to hoping that my industry steps it up a notch in the next decade.

Mii amo destination spa: The week in review

I am home now and reflecting on my glorious spa vacation. The week exceeded all expectations. I envisioned a week of spa bliss, but I had no idea just how healing the week would be. It was quite possibly one of the best things I could have done for my health. I would highly recommend Mii amo to anyone. I am certain I will return again as soon as I can. If you are looking for a boot-camp weight loss spa, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a week to decompress, detox and re-balance your dosha...while exercising as much (or as little) as you'd like and eating extraordinarily healthy gourmet spa cuisine...then this IS the place for you. It's not as strict as some spas...no set menus or calorie counts, alcohol is permitted, there are televisions in the rooms, etc. Basically it is up to you to customize your experience base on your personal goals. It's impossible not to leave feeling refreshed and healthy. I actually did lose a couple of pounds without trying, but that wasn't the focus for me. I certainly did not exercise like a maniac or anything. Let me summarize an average day for you.

Morning: Wake up around 6 am (time zone!) and wander to the cafe in either my workout clothes or my robe depending on my schedule. Choose from a wide variety of delicious dishes on the menu. Mmmm. The berry parfait with homemade granola is delish...so is the egg white omelet. Typically I would find my new friend, Eileen, also at breakfast and would sit with her. We would discuss our "grueling" schedule for the day...hiking, spa treatments, the pool, more spa treatments, more pool, etc...rough life. Around 730 am we would depart for the daily hike. There were many exercise options to choose from (yoga, pilates, the gym, zumba, etc), but by far my favorite was hiking the red rocks. It was a great workout and a wonderful way to see the sights and start the day. My favorite guide was John Meyers, who also teaches tennis at the spa and has an independant hiking and touring company. He was very knowledgeable about the terrain, wildlife, flora & fauna, and just a good guy. Eileen and I really enjoyed his company. The hike was a couple of hours and we were back at the spa by 9:45 ish. I would slip into my suit and head to the pool for a smoothie and relaxation while waiting for my first spa treatment. The smoothies were delicious...Michael-Michelle makes a mean smoothie. I loved the Chocolate Maca smoothie with a scoop of peanut butter. Doesn't exactly sound healthy does it? Mmmm. Usually around 11 am I would head up for my first spa treatment of the day. I typically had some kind of a scrub or facial during the day and saved the massage for after dinner.

Afternoon: Back to my room to change out of my robe and into my swimsuit again. I lived in my swimsuit and cover-up all week. I'd settle back into my cushy lounge chair for the afternoon, taking a dip here and there, reading, eating lunch, etc. The lunch menu was my favorite. I loved the salads...the nicoise, greek gyro (my fav!), caesar w/ grilled salmon, cobb, etc. The food was so good that it was hard to believe the calorie counts listed. I was never hungry. Occasionally I would wander back to my room to make a call or walk over to the boutique to browse, but would always end up back in my original position on the lounge chair, in the shade, surrounded by red rock scenery. Bliss. Some days I would have a spa treatment or other session in the afternoon. I had an Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultation with Leslee one day. She is awesome. I found out my dosha type is split between Pitta & Vata and was given tips for keeping my particular dosha type in balance. It was very helpful and insightful. I am certain even a cynic would find the information to be helpful / useful. There are sessions on managing stress, getting better sleep, makeup application, aura color readings, and so on. Again, you customize your schedule based on your own personal goals and interests. No pressure to do anything at all.

Evening: I would eat dinner fairly early everyday because I was usually headed to the spa for an evening treatment. Dinner is delicious...all 3 courses. Towards the end of the week I found myself only having soup and salad because I just was not hungry for a larger meal. It's impossible to go wrong with the menu. Again, hard to believe the calorie counts! It's intelligent cuisine with portion control...so so delicious! The desserts were awesome. My favorites were the trio of organic chocolates and the chocolate chip cheesecake. Doesn't sound that healthy, but it is! The cheese cake was made with cottage cheese. So good! After dinner was usually an evening spa treatment...a massage or other relaxing treatment. I loved the jojoba butter wrap, the milk & honey bath and the Thai massage. ALL of the treatments were amazing, but those were some of the highlights. Then it was back to my room for relaxation and sleep. Even returning to my room each night was a treat! The evening turn-down service included a gift each night...a journal, pillow spray, rock, sage, tea, etc. They would also turn on a meditation sounds CD that created a relaxing atmosphere.

Rinse, repeat.

And that is pretty much how I lived for 7 straight days of bliss at Mii amo. It was worth every single penny. I left feeling like a million bucks...incredibly balanced, refreshed and truly living in the moment, with a few new friends to boot. I'll be back!!

Mii Amo Destination Spa: Midweek update - heaven on earth!

WOW. This place is wonderful. I'm not even sure where to begin. The last few days have included hiking, yoga, stretching, meditation, lounging by pool, eating delicious food, making new friends, having my astrological chart done (amazing), hot cinnamon facial, jojoba butter wrap, watsu massage (strange but very enjoyable), smoothies, daily wheat grass shots, and so on. I could write a blog post on each thing I've done. It truly is heaven on earth here. I thought I might be lonely or even bored here, but that is just not possible. The 3 other women here are wonderful people and we've had a great time together. We just really clicked. Guess we got lucky. Time is flying. I feel amazing and totally relaxed.

The surprising highlight so far was having my astrological chart done. I'd always thought I was a Taurus with a Leo rising, but as it turns out the precise time of my birth makes me a Taurus with a Cancer rising and moon in Leo...so stubborn,tough exterior, but sensitive and emotional, creative, motherly at home and work, high standards, very visual and particular, can be hurtful verbally, hard working, surround myself with beautiful people and things, etc. Ha. She had my number! I know not everyone believes in this stuff...my hubby scoffed when I told him...but I just eat it up. Total believer. I've even decided to have the kids' charts done as well. Some highlights from the reading...she said another child actually is NOT in the stars for us. It would evidently disrupt the family dynamic and cause some problems with my sensitive Cancer babies. Also, she said I'm moving away from a long period of workaholism and will be much more focused on relationships. Hmm. Guess I'll have to change the name of my blog. ;)

Today is my detox today. I have a lymphatic drainage massage, herbal detox wrap and a lymphatic facial. Curious to see what the result is on my digestive system. Yikes. Anyway, love love love it here.

Mii Amo Destination Spa in Sedona - I'm here!

Soooo...I'm in Sedona at a spa for a week. Just checked in yesterday. This fleeting break from work is quickly closing in on me so I decided to give myself the ultimate treat. Selfish? Perhaps. Well-deserved, absolutely!! Moms rarely get time alone and rarely do anything for themselves! This is the ultimate treat. My wonderful hubby is home with the kids for the week. He's a gem. So anyhoo, I thought I would write about my stay while here. Check back for updates, mom.

Yesterday - arrived at the spa around 130 pm. WOW. The spa is nestled in Boynton Canyon with the most incredible views. It's insane. The photo on this page is the view from my patio. It rivals the natural beauty of Big Sur, which is my favorite place on the planet. From every window you can see the massive red rock formations. The destination spa, Mii Amo, is part of the larger resort, Enchantment. Mii Amo is separate from the rest of the hotel and there are only 16 casitas here. I will spend a week getting pampered from head-to-toe, exercising, hiking, attending lectures, meditating, and eating gourmet spa cuisine. Heaven.

So I spent the majority of yesterday just getting situated. Upon arrival I was personally greeted at the car by a spa employee who placed beads around my neck to welcome me. Totally cheesy and new agey, but I'm eating it up. She showed me to my room, which is beautiful indeed. But, it's the mind-blowing views of the red rocks that make it special. In my room I received several gifts from the spa...a tote bag, water bottle, robe, journal and a scroll with the days "intentions" written down. I'll be living in this robe for the next week. We even dine in our robes. I spent some time by the pool waiting for my orientation and welcome dinner with the other guests. I had a shot of wheat grass and a very healthy snack while I reviewed my schedule for the week...5 different types of massage, facials, my astrological chart, aura soma color reading, body treatments and scrubs, Ayurvedic lifestyle counseling, and so on. I could get seriously used to this.

As it turns out there are only 4 guests staying at the spa this week. Most of the people here are from the resort and just using the facilities for the day. I met the other guests over dinner....a newly retired teacher from Pittsburgh and her daughter who is turning 30 this week, a high-powered Merrill Lynch executive from NYC that is visiting the spa for her 10th time...and then me. That's it. Talk about personal service and attention. The staff to guest ratio must be 10/1!

The day ended with a massage and then sleep, which I didn't get much of. I was awake at 4 am due to the time change. I'm not too worried about it though. I'll squeeze in a nap by the pool later today.

What does one do when their child puts a foreign object in their nose?

So I've been neglecting the blog lately. But, I have a good excuse. I'm taking a bit of time off from my workaholic ways...a sabbatical if you will...and lapping up every last fleeting moment of it. Anyway, I was all geared up for what appeared to be a perfect day of leisure. No meetings, kids in school and with the babysitter, sunny and warm, not a care in the world. I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee when I get a call from my son's Montessori school. What's that you say? Alistair has stuck a bead the size of a pinky nail up his nose? Well...there goes my day...

I promptly go to retrieve my little darling from school. Bear in mind this is only his first week back at school. When I arrive he is quite happily sitting in the office with the school administrator. He smiling and looks content. Oh good, maybe my day isn't shot after all. He seems fine. But I wonder, what exactly does one do when their kid sticks a foreign object up their nose? Would he swallow it? Would he cough it up? Would he poop it out? I reach out to my mama Google group first and foremost. Everyone, including the two doctors on the list, agrees he needs to be seen immediately by a doctor to have it removed. But what about me? What about my day of leisure? Visions of my rigorous daytime telly schedule quickly escape my grasp with every passing moment. Sigh.

I call my pediatrician. She says he needs to go to Urgent Care where they will have the proper instrument for removal. She advises me to try putting some black pepper in his nose to make him sneeze. Umm okay. I test it out on myself first. No sneezing, but definite burning in the nostril and again in the throat...but I am desperate. He bawls, naturally. I turn on cartoons and gave him a cookie. I stall some more. No luck. FINALLY he sneezes...4-6 times in an hour. But no sign of the bead. If I pull his nostril open I can just barely see it. We do a lot of nose blowing, but again no luck. I get out the tweezers. He becomes hysterical. They are a bit sharp after all. I might stab his brain. FINE we'll go to urgent care.

He's kicking and screaming, literally. It takes all of my weight to get him strapped into his car seat. He asks no less than 100 times what they will use to remove the bead. I don't know. He's hysterical the whole 15 minute drive. I'm about to lose my shit. It's just a mother f-ing bead. Won't he just shit the thing out? How dare this plastic bead ruin my precious day of leisure.

We arrive. It's a 3 hour wait and there are suspicious people wearing masks in the waiting room. Great, swine flu. F*ck this. We're going to the drugstore to get some tweezers and bribery material in the form of M&Ms. We end up purchasing the most expensive pair of tweezers in the store. They have a small light on them. Alistair is terrified, but intrigued by the prospect of candy. He enjoys the process of selecting the tweezers. The whole way home we talk about how it will go down. He will lay very still and watch cartoons, while mommy attempts to remove a bead from his nose (without stabbing him in the brain). He will be rewarded with M&Ms. He verifies, several times, that the tweezers have a light and are "soft". I say yes. I lie. We arrive back home and begin to walk into the house. I explain how I want him to blow his nose again to work the bead down farther. He fakes a nose blow to show me how he'll do it. He laughs...then screams. It's a scream of joy.

Wait a minute. What's that in his hand?? It's the mother f-ing bead! It popped out before we even made it back to the house. And it's gold. Of course it is gold. Gives "digging for gold" and "the golden egg" new meaning. Naturally it's gold. Five hours of sneezing, blowing, stalling, pondering...and there it is...a perfect, gold plastic bead.

So that's that. Part of me that is slightly disappointed I didn't get to use the fancy new tweezers and attempt removal. Sick.

So much for day of leisure.

SIGG - quick update

Just a quick update on the SIGG liner & BPA saga. Since my original blog post they decided to broadcast their voluntary exchange program on their site. It's clear they are eager to gain back the trust of their loyal followers.

Anyway, a helpful tip for you, if you are too lazy to go to the post office like me, you can return your water bottle to a SIGG retailer instead of mailing it back. I brought all three of mine to Whole Foods and they just swapped them out for new ones...even though I did not purchase them there. It took about 30 seconds, no questions asked. You might want to call ahead if it is a smaller retailer, but I know for sure that Whole Foods will take them back.

SIGG water bottles & BPA - jerks.

Oy. This just pisses me off to no end. SIGG mislead consumers regarding the liner of their aluminum water bottles, which were said to be a BPA-free (evidently the older bottles are not). I bought two kid's water bottles 2 years ago...shelled out 40 bucks for 2 bottles. Grrrrr. Evidently they quietly replaced the liner last summer with a BPA-free version. You can read more about it on the Z Recommends blog. Jerks. When will companies learn that honesty is the best policy?

Anyway, SIGG will replace your bottle if indeed it does have the old liner. You can check to see which liner you have and then email
liners@mysigg.com. They will email you a form to fill out and a label to use when you return your bottle. It's interesting that they are not broadcasting their intent to replace old bottles, but luckily they are very responsive to consumers that ask.

The company is saying the old liner doesn't leach the BPA that it contains. That may be true, but it's irrelevant. I purchased the bottles specifically to move away from other vessels containing BPA...and I paid a lot of money. I even bought them as gifts for many people. This reeeeaaallly bugs me. I don't know about you, but I'll be having all 3 of our bottles replaced.

Recipes for Kids: Whole wheat apple muffins...

This is what you do with leftover apples I've decided...what bananas are to banana bread. This particular recipe from Smitten Kitchen turned out amazing. I didn't have buttermilk so I used 6 oz. plain greek yogurt instead. They are delicious and incredibly moist (I hate that word). Will test them out on the kids later, but I already know they'll be a winner. The crunchy brown sugar on the top is key...just like she says. Mmmmmmm.....

Update 10/11/09: I've made this recipe a few times now. Everyone loves them. Seriously, these are SO good. I've been using 2 cups wheat flour instead of one of each and have continued using plain greek yogurt instead of buttermilk. Also, 20 minutes in the oven is just enough. BEST MUFFINS EVER.
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Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Adapted from King Arthur Flour

These dark, crazy moist muffins will keep well for several days, and the brown sugar on top, should you not skimp on it like I did, adds a crunchy touch, perfect for those of you who know that the lid is the best part.

Yield: They said 12, I got 18

1 cup (4 ounces) whole wheat flour
1 cup (4 1/4 ounces) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup (8 ounces) buttermilk or yogurt
2 large apples, peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Grease and flour 18 muffin cups and set aside.

Mix together the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, and set aside. In a separate bowl, cream the butter and add the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy. Add the egg and mix well; stop once to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl.Mix in the buttermilk gently. (If you over-mix, the buttermilk will cause the mixture to curdle.) Stir in the dry ingredients and fold in the apple chunks.

Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, sprinkling the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar on top. Bake for 10 minutes, turn the heat down to 400°F, and bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the tin, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Confessions of a new mommy...

This email below was sent to my mama Google Group from a friend who wishes to remain anonymous (but gave me permission to post of course). It's an incredibly honest (and hilarious) account of new mommyhood. It's also a perfect example of why moms so desperately need the perspective and support of other moms. It really does take a village. I heart my online mommy group. I felt so alone and isolated as a new mother, which is why I started the group to begin with. When I read this I could practically conjur up the raw feelings I had 4 yrs ago. This will make you laugh out loud...even though it should make you cry. Enjoy.

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Hi everyone, I’ve been prompted for an update. And to be honest, I could use some words of wisdom, or at least words of humor for a few life situations I’ve got going on out here. First, I must say [my son] is 3 months old and I am just in love with him! I love being a mama and can’t wait for his next smile, coo, or attempt at rolling over. I also think my husband has really been finding his own way with fatherhood. It took him a few moths to get used to, but he has really been growing into the role. But who wants to hear about how wonderful motherhood is? I would rather hear about the frustration, embarrassment, and awkward moments of mommyhood. Those make me laugh, they help me put things in perspective. I have plenty not so great moments, but when brought into the right light, they are funny and get me through the day. For instance...my husband, my boobs, and my clothes that now seem only appropriate for a mini person.

First off....I love my husband. He is creative, inventive, smart, and really just a great person. That said I hate him about 25% of each day. Nobody really told me how the relationship between my husband and I would change after a baby. Sure people said “a baby changes everything”, but that hardly covers the nature of the changes. Sometimes I look at him and I plot ways to kill him in his sleep so that it might go undetected. I’ve watched a lot of CSI and Law and Order, so I feel this is something I have a shot at accomplishing. Then I usually feel so guilty I give him a big hug and kiss, praying that that will disguise my treachery. These feelings amplify at predictable times of the day. For instance in the middle of the night when [my son] has decided it’s a disco party in the bedroom..because really...who needs sleep? I will ask [my husband], “could you change his diaper?” (you can’t, after all, party in a wet diaper). I usually get a grunt for a response followed 10 minutes later by a groggy and slightly annoyed, “Do you want me to change him?” This is spoken with a heavy dose of “how could a good mother let her baby fuss for so long?”, and is peppered with thoughts like “you are closer to the crib”. WTF, did you not just hear me? YES I want you to change him. Other moments when I plot his destruction are when I clean his clothes off the bathroom floor (again), put his breakfast dishes in the dishwasher (I keep telling him there is no f-ing dish fairy in the house), hear him slurp his coffee, or when his snoring wakes me (isn’t caring for an infant enough sleep interruption?). Wait, how many babies did I have? I could have sworn the Dr. told me it was a single birth. Again, I really do love my husband. I only plot his death periodically. We are working on making things better. Someone please support me on this one!! Did your relationship change? Am I a crazy, murderous wife to be? I will say I know we are both to blame, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has some secret plots against me. But not to kill me...he is much to kind and gentle for such thoughts.

On to the boob situation. Under clothes they look awesome. But let me drop some truth on the new curves I grew. They swell, hurt, leak, only fit in unattractive nursing bras, and are pulled on by these little jaws that hurt like hell! Not to mention the massive let down I have that feels like a tidal wave is forcing it’s way out my nipples! (I’m working with a lactation consultant to lessen production). At times I feel like a dairy cow. I’ll never forget the first time after a hot shower I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror only to be confronted by bowling balls squirting milk down my stomach. So much for the shower. Or how about the time I squirted my poor, unsuspecting baby in the eye. He howled and I slightly giggled at the the beads of milk clinging to his eyelashes. How could [my husband] find that attractive? I’m not sure, but he does. And, that brings on other feelings in me. I love that he finds me attractive post-baby. Now I just need to find me attractive. The best thing I do for myself is to make sure I shower and put my face on everyday.

On a more serious note. [My son] starts daycare in two weeks. I’ve been off work since early May. Now the new school year is starting and I have to go back to work. Help!!! I feel like the worst mother in the world sending my infant off to be cared for by strangers. I have overwhelming feelings of self loathing and am completely convinced he will grow to hate me because of his feelings of abandonment all related to day care. Tell me it’s ok! Tell me he will still love me and that being a working mom is hard, but that it feels wonderful to have a job, life, commitments and responsibilities outside the home. I need to hear it. I sure hope I’m normal with all these feelings. I have so many more silly life things I’ve developed due to being a mommy. I don’t go on upside down roller coasters; I stare down irresponsible drivers making the road unsafe for my child; I check and comment on the color of baby’s poop; I only wear tops that can be pulled up or down with ease for plenty of nipple exposure; I have started a dangerous habit of online shopping. That’s my update. Any words of wisdom? Humor? Reassurance that most new moms find their partners annoying at times? :)

CAUTION: Dora the Explorer "Singing Sensation!" will make you want to do very bad things...like poke out your eyeballs.

Try as I might to get my kids to pick a movie that I might want to watch like Wallace & Gromit, or something old school like The Last Unicorn, most times we end up walking out of the video store with something hideous. It's been Scooby Doo a lot lately, which I can handle, even though it pisses me off that Warner Brother's ruined the series...changed the song, gave Velma a boob job and made Daphne look like a tranny. But, that's a topic for another day. Last week, begrudgingly, I let the kids get Dora the Explorer Singing Sensation!. That little bitch's whiney voice is like nails on a chalk board, but I was in a hurry. So much of a hurry that I didn't realize the DVD was a collection of sing-a-long songs. Please, I beg you, heed my warning...DO NOT EVER RENT (or god forbid buy) this DVD. I can't go into the details...partially because I am lazy...and partially because I never want to re-live it again. Just trust me on this one. Yes, Dora has a way of filling me with hatred and rage. But, I did love this SNL spoof...

We love the Skuut balance bike!!

If you haven't yet purchased your preschooler's first bike, with training wheels, don't do it. Go for a balance bike instead. They are awesome! Your kid will go from walking the bike ungracefully to cruising at top speeds and even turning corners with his/her legs tucked...balancing...without training wheels.

Sure training wheels are convenient, but do they prolong the learning process? I'm no expert, but here's one example: Our neighbor got a real bike with training wheels for her 3rd (maybe even 2nd) birthday. She's been riding that bike for ages and it was working well as a form of slow, but steady transportation. (I should note that she was also the envy of the neighborhood....every kid in a 3 block radius is/was jealous of that purple bike...including my son.) But, it wasn't until her baby sister got a balance bike very recently that she learned to master her own big girl bike without training wheels. Seriously, this 4.5 yr old went from mastering the balance bike to pedaling down the street on her bike without training wheels...in a matter of weeks. Amazing.

If you google balance bikes you'll see several brands. I highly recommend the Skuut bike. The Skuut is essentially a knock-off of the German LikeABike, which costs over 300 bucks (gimme a f-ing break!). The Skuut is equally well made (IMHO), same sturdy birchwood, well-designed and costs around $80 bucks on Amazon. My son got this bike from his Grandma a year ago for his 3rd birthday. He wasn't interested at the time so it sat collecting dust for a year. We nearly bought bike with training wheels for his 4th birthday this year, but decided to dust off the balance bike instead. He instantly took to it, which leads me to believe that it is perfect for 3.5 to 4 yr olds (3...a tad too young). I am happy to report that he has successfully mastered balancing on two wheels. He can cruise around corners, down hills, legs straight out, legs tucked in...he loves it! It won't be long now until he has a pedal bike without training wheels. Major milestone.

If your kid does not take to a bike without pedals at first...try and try again. It's worth it!

Guest Post: Cheap wine taste test!

Moms are rad. One of my friends took one for the team and tested 10 different $5 Red Wines in order to bring to you a pre-screened list of drinkable, cheap wine. Check her out online at LaPlanderson.com. Thank you Jeanne, for Workaholic Mama's very first guest post!
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$5 Red Wine – Nectar of the Moms

For some moms, enjoying wine is a natural extension of great homemaking – a nice dinner is made even lovelier with just the right varietal bottled just the right year. For others, wine is Parenting Gatorade. Quite simply, mommy’s not going to make it through potty training without it.

As profiles go I fit both categories, but I’ve come up against a dilemma in recent tough economic times. Given that my 7-month old daughter is clearly a genius destined to go Ivy League, how can I find a wine cheap enough to help me build the college savings fund, while respectable enough to keep me from feeling like a sad-ass mommy wino while I enjoy a glass in front of America’s Next Top Model?

So, on behalf of frugal wine-loving moms everywhere, I decided to pursue a quest for a decent, no, GOOD everyday bottle of $5 red wine. Here are my completely subjective results:

Pick Some Up:

Egri Bikaver “Bulls Blood” 2005 (Trader Joes) – The first sip was pretty unimpressive – just an oaky, berry-tinged merlot with a touch of pepper. But then I read the legend behind the wine. Story goes that back in the 16th century, Hungarian soldiers in the town of Eger were given shitloads of wine by the locals to boost their “strength”in battle against the Turkish army. Meanwhile, someone spread a rumor among the Turks that the Hungarians drank bull’s blood. So when the crazy-ass drunk Hungarian soldiers blitzed them with mouths dripping and body armor splattered in wine the Turks pissed themselves and surrendered immediately. Cool, right? I found myself swayed. Suddenly this wine is FIERCE and BOLD.

Vendage Cabernet Sauvignon (Major Supermarkets) - I really didn’t want to try this wine. But I read recently Vendage is trying to improve their quality image because they feel their wine has been under-appreciated in the marketplace. It even won some award. So I gave it a mercy glass. It wasn’t that bad. Little cherry, some light oak. Blah. Despite a recent redesign the label is still an embarrassment, but the wine is drinkable. I suppose it’s a decent laundry wine. Hide the bottle from your neighbors, and have a glass as you air-dry the bras and revel in the glamour of homemaking.

Panilonco Merlot/Malbec 2007 (Trader Joes) – I was told by a wine-loving friend that the only way to get a decent red for $5 is to go with an Argentinean Malbec. (After he snorted and cackled at me for even trying.) This bottle supports his theory. Not bad. Light flavor of figs, cherries, berries, with a short, dry finish. Totally sippable. I bet you could even get away with bringing this to a party. The label is presentable, and it’s even stamped with a (bullshit) award seal. Just flash it quickly at the hostess as you walk in, and bury it in the back of the bar.

Gaetano D’Aquino’a Sangiovese di Toscana 2007 (Trader Joes) – Classic, medium-bodied red. Very much like a Chianti with a slight hint of vanilla in the nose. I’d definitely keep a bottle of this on hand for pizza night. Or for days when your 7-month old baby is teething, skips her nap and wants to cling to your body for 5 hours straight.

Villa Cerrina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 (Trader Joes) – The flavor in this bottle was thin, with touches of blackberry and currant. It was okay, but not great for drinking alone. (That’s “alone” as in without food, not “alone” as in when your kid is napping and your husband is still at work. Which by the way, does not make me an alcoholic, no matter what that judgy AA website says.) I’d make sure to serve it with something zingy. Like a pasta with spicy sausage. Yum.

Put it Down:

2008 Tres Pinos (Trader Joes) – This blend is by far the safest, most general mass-market wine I’ve ever tasted. Bland, buttery, fruity, watery and completely inoffensive. It reminded me of when grocery chains, before they got wise to the private labeling concept, used to offer their generic products in a plain white label with simple block type describing their contents. This bottle should have come that way. With a plain white label and a big blue “WINE” on the front. Would have been more honest.

Zarafa Pinotage 2008 (Trader Joes) – I’m going to confess that by the time I got to this bottle, I was pretty schnockered. We had our dear friends Mike and Emily over for dinner and this was bottle 3 for the evening. In the morning my notes read: “Aroma: Dirt mixed with a little ass. Flavor: Nasty mushrooms. Finish: Hacky. Label: What’s with the god-damned giraffe?!!?!! ” I remember Mike commenting, “Five bucks, huh? It tastes like $4.75 to me.” His face was contorted at the time. Sadly, I think we finished the bottle anyway.

Fisheye (Major Supermarkets) – I once heard a wine expert on NPR say you shouldn’t trust a wine with an animal on the label. The theory is, the cuter the critter, the more the wine maker is hiding. Being that the fish on this label is a rather hideous perch, I thought I was in the clear. Then I tasted it. The touch of rotting fish on the palate quickly reminded me to never again question anything I hear on NPR.

Sainte Croix Syrah Merlot (Trader Joes) – In college I dated a guy who had an old nasty light green washcloth hanging from a peg in his shower. It smelled like sweat, aged mildew and a faint hint of acne cleansing wipes. I got a smidge of that in the nose of this wine. Not good.

Le Grotte Reggiano Lambrusco, Rosso Dolce (Soft Red Wine) 2008 (Trader Joes) - It’s pretty clear this is Jesus Juice. You know, the wine Michael Jackson served little kids before they all went to bed and he “tucked them in”? It’s a touch sparkly, but dark as blood and sweet as cherry koolaid. This is the only wine I couldn’t choke down. I poured it out over my back deck so as to protect my daughter from even being drawn to the smell.

So there you go, ladies. Break away from the Barefoot. There are better $5 options out there. I’ve even heard tell of a little-known box wine that could, gasp, actually be… good. Whoa! Could it be? Because I’m such a selfless giver, I may just have to try a glass and let you know how it goes.

Special thanks to Kate Adams for introducing me to the term “Parenting Gatorade.” If ever I’ve been tempted to steal credit for coining a term, boy oh boy, this would be the one.

DO IT: Camping with toddlers & preschoolers...

My camping trip over the 4th of July weekend goes against everything my mother ever taught me. My family is outdoorsy. When I was a kid we hiked for miles to camp and boiled water to drink…we went backpacking…we drove for 20 hours to Death Valley and camped for a week in 115 F heat…we went bicycle touring/camping in Europe. We did not “camp” in an RV and never at a campground with paved roads and electricity…let alone bathrooms (except in Europe!). But, tent camping with tiny kids seemed a bit too daunting and most likely NOT relaxing...or maybe I'm just a wimp. Enter Jellystone, a campground close to home with plenty of facilities...oh, and and a rental RV. Long story short: It turned out to be a MAJOR hit with so many firsts for the kids I cannot even count (fishing, s’mores, camping, campfire, water slides, etc). So here I am typing this…suddenly a proponent of RV camping with kids. I was literally so worried about what my mother might think that I could not bare to tell her about the RV prior. (She found out via Facebook- ha). In retrospect that was silly. Afterall, it's a house on wheels. It's genius. I have no shame. Even a total camping novice (ahem, wimp) can do it.


Pros of renting an RV

• Bigtime novelty for the kids
• Can pack it up right from your house
• Amenities: Bathroom, beds, electricity, kitchen, running water, AC, etc
• A quiet place for the kids to sleep while mom and dad get drunk by the campfire
• Mosquito-free zone

Cons of renting an RV

• It’s not exactly cheap…around the same price as staying in a moderate hotel. We paid around 165 per day for a “Standard RV” from Cruise America (call around for quotes) plus mileage and gas. We were able to negotiate one day free...always ask for a deal!
  
• It’s not fun to drive…similar to driving a U-Haul
• Picking up and dropping off was a royal pain – took forever and place was a bit grubby
  
• Hefty cleaning fee if you don’t return it sparkling clean

Campgrounds

If you have little kids you should consider a KOA or Jellystone campground. Cheesy, absolutely…fun, yes! There is just no possibility of boredom for kids. The Jellystone campground we stayed at in Caledonia, Wisconsin had a pool, WIFI, a water park, playground, outdoor movie theater w/ old Yogi Bear cartoons and movies every night, game room, giant bouncy pillow (think bouncy house), ice cream parlor, snack bar, store, golf cart rentals, etc. I know I know…it’s a bit absurd…but we had a blast. More importantly, the kids had a blast and are STILL talking about it.

Word to the wise…don’t forget booze and the portable DVD player. 

New moms & depression...

A friend sent me a link to this article from the Huffington Post...really great advice for new mothers. No one likes to talk about this kind of stuff, but it's sooo important no matter how strong you are. We're only human after all.

12 Depression Busters for New Moms
by Therese Borchard

It's supposed to be the most exciting time of your life ... and everyone is telling you how lucky you are to have a beautiful baby, but all you can do is cry. You're pretty sure none of your new-mom friends are feeling this way. But they might be. Because 15 to 20 percent of new moms, about 1 million women in the US each year, experience some form of postpartum depression.

Truth be told, my baby days were the most difficult and painful hours of my life. I was a hormonal and stress train wreck. Looking back now -- my youngest is five -- I see that a few alterations in my lifestyle might have helped matters. I'll share them with you, so that you don't have to feel so bad ... or, you know, all alone. Read more.

Budget cutting tips for families...

A couple weeks ago I sent a note to my mom network about budget trimming, which resulted in a 60 email thread on the topic. I am not particularly frugal, actually not at all, but I am trying to turn over a new leaf. I blame my father for my exceedingly expensive taste. But, I'm making some smaller changes here and there…baby steps. Here's a laundry list of tips I received from my friends...email me with more and I will add them!

General

• Track every expense to see where you are overspending.
• Use free tools like http://www.mint.com if you are not already using budgeting software
• Adopt a cash-only policy and have an allowance
• Set aside cash in envelopes for the week...for groceries, eating out, etc. You can only use what you actually have
• Have a separate spending money account that you replenish weekly
  
• Cut up credit cards (or un-memorize the numbers in my case…yikes)
• Negotiate EVERYTHING down
• Refinance to take advantage of the historically low rates
  

Shopping

• Sell baby / kid clothes at a resale shop…just for store credit to buy items for your own kids
• Have a garage sale!
  
• Stay out of the stores
• Stay off the internet (hahahaha)
• Shop at garage sales…a goldmine for toys and kids clothing especially
  
• Hand-me-downs!
• Stock up on kids birthday presents when you see a great sale - like books
  
• Switch from department store cosmetics and salon hair products to drugstore stuff

Ditch bad habits, like…

• Daily coffee shop visit
  
• Buying water
• Smoking
• Buying lunch
• Bars
• Cabs
• Driving to work and paying for parking

Booze

• Bring a flask to the bar (love this - although I never make it out to the bars these days)
• Pre-game before heading out to the bar
• Wine in a box…even a juice box (Target wine juice boxes...genius and great for drinking in public...ha!)
• $5.00 wine from Trader Joes (stay tuned for a post specifically on this from a guest author)
• Put unfinished bottle of red wine in the fridge to preserve it, then heat a glass for 12-18 seconds in the microwave
  

Food

• Coupons – read the mailers you usually toss, start reading the frugal mom blogs, etc. Literally save thousands a year
• Grow a garden
• Plan the week’s meals in advance and eat at home, but allow one take out or eat-out night per week (on a budget)
• Buy meat on sale and freeze
• Make the coffee at home
• Get off your high horse and stop shopping at Whole Foods
• Aldi, Save-a-Lot, Ultra Foods & Trader Joes (for the fancy stuff)
• Farmer's market for fruits and veggies
  
• Shop from a grocery list and do not stray from the items on the list
• Avoid grocery shopping at Target, where there are so many other temptations (sigh)
• Stop buying bulk...this is probably going to be the opposite advice of what you think. Yes you save some money per item, but do you really need to tie up your cash to have 25 AA batteries in your cupboard from Costco when 4 from Target will do?
• Shop more often…buy just what you need for meals
• Use the food you already have in your cupboard

Utilities

• Ditch the land line and try VoIP or just mobile
• Bundle services
• Call and threaten to cancel cable service (have another offer in front of you to cite) and re-negotiate your rates
• Cut cable and Netflix during the summer
• Cut cable all together and watch on the internet
• Try Dish Network instead of Comcast – shop around in general
• Turn off the lights!
• Adjust thermostat to turn off when you are not there
• Adjust temp by 1 degree to save costs while at home
  

Travel

• Have a “staycation”
• Take road trips instead…airfare adds up with kids!
• For lodging try vacation rentals where you can cook meals instead of eating out. http://www.vrbo.com is a great resource, but never pay list price…negotiate! I just saved 800 bucks off a beach house weekly rental rate.
• Call the hotel directly and negotiate – it really works vs. doing it all online! I recently got 50% off the lowest rate for a luxury hotel in Napa by just calling and asking for the rate I got 5 yrs ago at the same hotel.
  
• Lower your standards a tad (ha)
  

Insurance

• Review and shop for new rates once a year
• Change deductibles on homeowners and auto
• Place jewelry that you do not wear (that is insured) in a safe deposit box and cancel the separate insurance coverage

That's all I got for now... Email me with more!

Saturday morning, a retrospective by A. Johnson

Here are some photos taken by my 4 yr old on Saturday morning...and an interview with the artist himself (thanks for the idea, Alma!).

Saturday morning, a retrospective

What is your name?
A-L-I-S-T-A-I-R (spells it first), Alistair

What do you do for a living?
Uh, I stay for the whole night at my house.

And what do you do for the whole night?
I play and eat and go to bed. But, sometimes I can't sleep, so I like to play.

So, what inspired you to take the photographs?
Uuuuh, because I like to and I looooooove photographers.

What are favorite subjects?
Arts and crafts and painting and coloring

No, I mean what do you like to take pictures of?
I like to take pictures of myself of these things and old stuff and Audrey and uh, this (holds up transformer)

What made you want to start taking photos?
Uh, because I want to and I like to.

Who is your favorite person to photograph?
YOU!!

Good answer. Who else?
Brody (Terretta) and Scooby Doo

Haha.
Haha

What's your favorite color?
Red

Since when, I thought you liked green?
Green is not my favorite color anymore. Green is for girls. GGGG. geeeee.

Would you like to be a photographer when you grow up?
I want to be a tow truck driver or a crane driver.

So you want to work in manual labor? I'm glad you're aiming high.
Yes, and I am going to get good at water skiing.

Water skiing?
Yea, that's my favorite cool move.

Interesting.

You smell kinda stinky. Do you have to poop?
What? Farties? (makes fart noises). Go to sleep mommy! What else do you like mommy? What do want to be when you grow up, a fireman or a tow truck driver?
Neither! A lady of leisure I suppose.

And I'm gonna be a crane driver and I'm gonna go vroom vroom and pick you up.

Okay so I'll be a lady of leisure and you'll pick me up in the crane?
Yes

haha, ok.

Where does dad work?
Illinois, in North America

Yes, that's right. Doing what?
Making money

Uh huh. I see. Where do I work?
Chicago

What do I do?
You make money, silly!

Make money doing what?
Make money with a cash machine

I wish I could make money with a cash machine! Ha. What do I do when I sit in my office?
You work on your computer and talk on the phone.

Pretty much, yes.

You smell like you need to take a poo. Go poop. And then go to bed!
Okay! Okay!

Undergarments every woman should own...

Everyday is a constant battle to keep everything in it's proper place...if you know what I mean. Until I save up for that boob lift (I'm not joking), I will continue to rely on the proper undergarments to keep everything nicely tucked and lifted. If you haven't discovered these things already you need to invest right away...especially if you are adjusting to your new post-baby body. Not cheap, but so so worth it.

1. Spanx Hide & Sleek Criss Cross Cami: This is the most genius discovery I have made since having the kids. I own 4 of these already and wear them almost daily. They are long and smooth out the entire mid-section, back...and give the girls a nice lift as well. This version of the cami is vastly improved from the original version...which was not long enough and created a mono-boob look. If you are preggo you should buy one of these to wear home from the hospital. The criss-cross is great for breast feeding and it'll hold your Jell-o tummy in a bit.
2. Wacoal Top Solution Bra: If you have lifeless, saggy, post-baby boobs, this bra is the holy grail. It's pretty much just a T Shirt bra...but it has a small amount of padding on the top of the bra vs. the bottom. I have not even looked at another bra since I made this discovery. The pic in this post illustrates the way this bra works.
   
3. Donna Karan Perfect Body Collection Mid-Thigh Brief: There is really nothing worse than VPL (visible panty line) or even worse VCCA (visible cottage cheese ass). The boy short is such a perfect solution for under dresses and skirts. It's hard to imagine what life was like before the modern-day, comfortable girdle. I like these so better than Spanx Power Panties (etc). The fabric is silkier under clothes and they provide better support. Also, the waist is a tiny bit higher, but not too high like some styles today.
   
4. Sassybax Underwire Bralette: This is my weekend bra. It comes in a racerback version, with our without underwire...and somehow it smooths out back bulge and trims the waist a bit. I just discovered this one and will order another very soon.
5. Miraclesuit "Sonatina": I looooove this swimsuit, which means I am getting old. Miraclesuits are for old ladies, I know, but this one is actually quite glam (only in black) and is super flattering. Pair it with big sunglasses, natch.
   

So that's it for now. A few things to make you feel a few pounds lighter...which is always a good thing. If any of you have any that you love, please let me know so I can try them out!

Please note: Everything I mentioned I bought myself...no freebies for this one...written out of pure love for great undergarments.

Huggies Pure & Natural - a surprising winner

I'm full of things to say about diapering in general. It's frightening how I can go on and on and on about this topic. The excitement of my life is just staggering, isn't it? Anyhoo - I wanted to provide an update on the Huggies Pure & Natural diapers. I purchased a pack to test and I have to eat my words. They are a surprising winner. No rash in sight on my baby's highly allergic booty. Gasp! In fact, I keep falling off the cloth diapering wagon (god, what a boring wagon!) due to the discovery. I find myself reaching for these disposibles instead of the cloth more than I would like to admit. Bad girl. I'm not a cloth quitter though...not yet anyway. But, now that the hives have cleared up it does make it harder not to return to the dark side.

FuzziBunz vs. BumGenius

The nice people from FuzziBunz sent me some cloth diapers to test as a follow-up to my blog post on cloth diapering. I've been using them for a few weeks now and have decided that both brands have their pros and cons...and both are relatively equal in terms of overall quality. I am sure there are many technical differences between the two, but for me it really came down to one thing...the snaps.

Pros of FuzziBunz

• Softer materials than BumGenius
• Adjustable leg elastic on the one-size diaper make for a great fit
  
• Snaps are ultra durable

Cons of FuzziBunz

• Snaps add a layer of complexity
  

Bottom Line: While the FuzziBunz were softer and the snaps arguably longer-lasting, I prefer the velcro closure of the BumGenius. As a busy working mom I found the snaps to be a tiny bit more complicated to use, while the velcro on the BumGenius is similar to using a disposible diaper. If FuzziBunz sold a velcro closure model they would be the clear winner due to the softer fabrics and adjustable leg fit. After testing both models from each brand, my favorite diaper for overall convenience is the BumGenius All-In-One cloth diaper. I love that the insert is sewn into the diaper, so there is no need to pre-stuff diapers after laundering. Combine that feature with the velcro closure and you have the most convenient cloth diaper.

Proud of my city: Chicago first US City to ban BPA

This is an awesome first step. Now only if they'd ban BPA (bisphenol A) full stop vs. just in baby bottles and sippy cups. The same stuff is in a lot of plastic products still..It lines aluminum cans, powdered formula cans, and is in some plastic toys. But still, I'm very happy about this. Go Chicago!!! Now I wonder...does this extend to all of Cook County and Chicagoland in general? They are not going to enforce it really, but it does send a message indeed. Hoping a few more cities and states follow suit.

Chicago BPA Ban: Chicago bans sale of baby bottles, sippy cups with dangerous chemical

Bisphenol A has been linked to diabetes, cancer and other illnesses

By Michael Hawthorne and Dan Mihalopoulos | Tribune reporter
May 14, 2009

With retailers and manufacturers already phasing out use of BPA, the unanimous vote is largely symbolic. But it adds the city to a growing list of states and countries moving to eliminate the chemical from household products, especially those made for infants and children.

Minnesota adopted a similar ban last week, and lawmakers in Illinois and several other states are considering their own measures.

Chicago's action puts it at odds with the U.S Food and Drug Administration, which insists that the small amount of BPA in containers isn't dangerous. Industry officials cited the FDA's position when they tried to block the city's measure this week.

But scientists increasingly are concerned that constant exposure to the chemical is harmful, even at low doses leaching from plastic. BPA has been found in 93 percent of Americans tested, with the highest levels in the youngest infants.

Responding to public pressure, many retailers, including Wal-Mart Toys "R" Us and CVS already have vowed to stop selling bottles and containers made with BPA. Some manufacturers, including the nation's leading baby-bottle makers, also have started to market products labeled as "BPA-free."

For that reason, the strength of Chicago's action may be mostly in the message it sends. But its backers noted that it calls on the Daley administration to enforce the ban and disputed that most makers of baby bottles have voluntarily stopped using BPA.

"The FDA continues to be recalcitrant and very slow about taking any action on BPA," said Ald. Manny Flores (1st), who co-sponsored the Chicago measure with Ald. Edward Burke (14th).

BPA was developed as a synthetic hormone more than a century ago. Starting in the 1950s, industry adopted it to make hard, clear plastic and secured an FDA ruling that it was safe for use in food and drink containers.

Chicago's ordinance bans the sale after 2010 of any empty food or drink container containing BPA that is intended for use by children less than 3 years old. Burke and Flores pushed the measure through after backing down from a more aggressive version that would have outlawed nearly any product for children that was made with the chemical.

Still, the chemical industry fought hard to thwart the scaled-back ban, including hiring former Ald. Terry Gabinski (32nd) to lobby against it. The American Chemistry Council trade group responded with a written statement that called Wednesday's vote "unwarranted."

"We have and will continue to develop scientific data to inform credible, transparent scientific assessments of BPA so that the public can have the confidence it deserves in the safety of these products," it read.

When the FDA ruled last summer that BPA is safe, it ignored advice from its scientific advisory board that urged the agency to rely on more than two studies financed by the chemical industry. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that entire sections of the FDA's decision were written by manufacturers with a financial stake in BPA.

Hundreds of other studies have linked the chemical to breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other health problems. The harmful effects appear to start early in life, when small doses of BPA, a synthetic estrogen, subtly wreak havoc on the developing bodies of fetuses and young children.

"The science is very clear: We can't say this chemical is safe," said Laura Vandenberg, a developmental biologist at Tufts University who has been studying BPA.

Canada last year became the first country to ban BPA in baby bottles. A more sweeping measure introduced last month in Congress would prohibit the sale of all food and drink containers made with the chemical.

Mayor Richard Daley, who had declined to take a position on the Chicago ordinance, said he doubted that city officials would have to enforce it.

"It just sends a message out," Daley said. "Companies are not going to violate it."

Burke and other supporters compared the BPA ban to a city ordinance adopted in the early 1970s outlawing phosphate detergents, which had been blamed for foul-smelling algae blooms that choked lakes and rivers.

But the Tribune reported in 2007 that dishwasher soap made with phosphates still dominated supermarket shelves across the city. State lawmakers later stepped in and banned all but trace amounts of the chemicals in detergents as of summer 2010.

Time to get off the bottle crack.

We clearly have a problem. Our youngest will be 2 in July and yet we cannot seem to get her off the bottle crack. But let me be clear...this is not HER problem...it's OUR problem. Of course as a brand new mom I had my oldest switched to a sippy cup not a day later than 12 months, under doctor's orders of course. It's amazing how much more relaxed we are as parents the second time around. We're less eager for her to progress to the next stage of development because she's our BABY and we like it that way. It would have been so easy to get her off the bottle months ago. She likes sippy/straw cups okay even...I mean not as much as a bottle...but it still would have been easy. But no, MY BABY still deserves a bottle. She does only have it at night (okay some early mornings too), but it is so hard to quit cold turkey. My hubby is the worst offender. He loves to snuggle with her and spoil her with a bottle. He has a hard time saying no when she asks for it. I feel like we need someone from outside to come in and have an intervention with us, the parents, and throw all the bottles away. We need to join bottle crack anonymous. I guess we're past the phase of admitting we have a problem. Now if only we could get to the phase where we actually want to quit...not there yet. But she's gonna be TWO soon and now talks in complete sentences. "I want a bottle, Mommy, NOW!" Sigh.

Recipes for Picky Eaters: Spinach Brownies

Yes, spinach, and no not another herb (this one's for the kiddies!). This is a great recipe for kids that do not eat enough veggies. I even like this one and end up eating one-a-day until they are gone.

Ingredients: boxed brownie mix (21 oz), 3 eggs, 10 oz box frozen spinach, 1/3 cup juice (any), 1/4 cup canola or veggie oil, frosting (optional - any variety)

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Coat 9x13 pan with cooking spray.
• Drain the liquid from a thawed box of frozen spinach.
• Mix spinach, vegetable oil and juice in blender or food processor.
• In a large bowl, combine brownie mix, 3 eggs, and the spinach mixture. Stir until well blended.
  
• Spread batter in pan and bake 40 minutes.

It is absolutely crucial that brownies are completely cool before eating...otherwise you can taste the spinach - blech. I frost them with store-bought fudge frosting to make them extra yummy. The end result is a brownie that even adults can tolerate...with an added healthy punch. Try them out and let me know what you think...

Motherhood is kicking my ass too.

I LOVE this art piece by Danielle Gustafson-Sundell from Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago. My dear friend had her son pose with the piece, which I think is hilarious.

Keepin' it real - blogging & authenticity

If you know me you know I am honest...sometimes to a fault...and that I speak my mind. You always know where you stand with me. I feel compelled to state as plain as day that I plan to carry this authenticity through to my blog. I believe bloggers should be transparent about perks and pay associated with posts. If I am reviewing a product on my blog, it's because I want to and not because someone is giving me free product or paying me to do so. I will fully disclose the source of the product I am reviewing...whether I purchased it or whether it was given to me. Blogging and authenticity is going to be a hot topic this year, as blogging becomes even more pervasive and as marketers try to capitalize more and more on the trend. It's a trend I am following and plan to regularly post about.

General Mills recently launched MyBlogSpark as a way to recruit and connect with bloggers (particularly moms). A friend asked me if I had signed up and I immediately said "no way...totally plan to keep it authentic". But, I changed my mind. I am going to sign up specifically because blogging and authenticity is of specific interest to me. I want insight into the tactics marketers are using to connect with people like me. I will be totally transparent about my participation in MyBlogSpark and will still continue to only post about topics that are of interest to me. Stay tuned. I've got my investigative hat on!

Huggies Pure & Natural diapers...greenwashing?

So...Huggies has introduced an "all natural" diaper, Huggies Pure & Simple. I'm immediately skeptical as a mom and marketer. Everyone's jumping on the "natural" bandwagon and it takes a savvy consumer to sift through the marketing BS. I am going to guess this is greenwashing. Don't get me wrong though, I will definitely try these diapers. My girl has super sensitive skin and we recently switched to cloth, but I still use disposables when on the go and am still looking for a disposable that does not cause hives. I have literally tried ALL the "natural" or "green" dipes and none of them pass muster on my two year old's highly particular booty. Almost all of them contain gels for absorption, which are likely the cause of the hive reaction we get...and yet they all are marketed as hypo-allergenic, which of course dilutes the authenticity of the word in general. Anyone with allergies knows you can't trust hypo-allergenic labeling. Will these be any different? I will let you know. Loved this break-down of the Kimberly-Clark press release from daddytypes.com.

What also bugs me immediately is the price...they are NOT cheap at $43.79 a case (ouch!). I hate that "natural" is not available to the masses due to the price barrier. I get why the niche diaper brands cost more...but why can't Huggies offer "natural" at a price we can all afford? Seems unfair. They are offering a free sample but the samples only seem to come in small sizes. Also unfair. ;)

Who wants to place a bet on when Target will come out with generic "natural" diapers and generic Organic formula? I bet they will be the first...and I bet it within the year.

We're a worry wart nation!

People spend a whole lot of time worrying about things that are out of their control (myself included). There is tremendous anxiety and obsessive focus placed on things like terrorism, swine flu (or other flavor-of-the-month pandemics), flying and so on. The truth is that we have a better chance of getting struck by lightening than most of these things. Yet people generally have no problem jumping behind the wheel of their car and speeding down the freeway (car accidents - a top killer in the USA) on a daily basis, or shoving a french fry in their mouth (heart disease - #1 killer). Naturally, the obsession and worry extends into parenting as well. (BTW- I'm not immune to this. I am a worry wart too). Here's a great article from Salon.com that sums it up nicely. I could not agree more with this refreshing point of view.

Stop worrying about your children!
Kids today are just as safe as they were in the '70s, says "Free-Range Kids" author Lenore Skenazy, and what's really distressing is an alarmist culture that refuses to let them grow up.

Ode to my own mama...

Becoming a mother myself has truly made me appreciate my mom. Sure it's cliche and sure I don't always show my appreciation the way I should. (The truth is that I turn into a 13 year old brat around her...old habits die hard). But, I admire my mom more than she could ever possibly know. She's the original workaholic mama and taught me everything I know. She raised three wonderful kids as a single working mother on a social worker's income(!!). She's a saint and she somehow managed to get it right in every possible way...probably because core to her parenting was unrelenting love. She always says "you will not ever know true love until you have children", which is SO true. But, I never truly understood her love for us until I had my own babies. Truly amazing. Sometimes when I am having one of those helpless, desperate housewife kind of days I think of my mom and her amazing strength, independence, her youthful spirit (and appearance!) and her ability to always look at the bright side of life. If I am even half the mother she was/is to me than I have succeeded in life. Happy Birthday and Mother's Day, Mama! xoxo

Source of swine flu identified...

Disney World with toddlers and preschoolers is actually fun!

I'm just gonna come right out and say it. The kids and I have been to Disney World twice already this year and had a BLAST both times. On the surface this would lead one to believe that I am one of those Disney freaks...you know the kind that might wear an over-sized Disney sweatshirt with matching Mickey shorts, white tennis shoes and white Mickey socks, right? Umm, no. I will admit that my standards for "fun" have definitely changed in the past 4 yrs since becoming a mom. Fun no longer involves drinking with tortured hipsters at dive bars. For the most part I would categorize that in the "annoying" category. Fun DOES involve adventures with my kids that take on many forms...mostly mundane backyard adventures. Never in a million years would I have thought regular trips to Disney World would have been in the cards for my family. No way.

It was a lucky fluke that we ended up going twice already. The first trip was a vacation planned on a last minute whim...and the second was a trip for work where the kids and my mother tagged along. (Lucky little brats.) As an adult with no kids, it's an awful place full of annoying tourists, long lines and screaming children. As a parent with kids in tow, it's fantastic family vacation spot. Given the unusual circumstance of visiting twice in such a short amount of time I have learned a few things about taking little ones. I thought I'd make a list for ya'all...

1. Do your research

• AllEars.net has a lot of great unofficial information, reviews, tips, etc.
• The Disney World website is also good resource for photos and information, but their site is in desperate need of a redesign. The vacation booking engine is a user experience nightmare and is also very buggy and slow. It's easier to just call. MAKE SURE you ask for the specials because they won't just offer them up.
• The Disney Mom's Panel Advice forum is an invaluable source of information. There is nothing better than first-hand advice from other parents.
• Guidebooks: I purchased (and borrowed) a few and found Fodor's Walt Disney World for Kids 2009 guide book to be the most helpful...but they are all similar. You only need one.
  

2. Where to stay

• There are millions of places to stay in Orlando and it's entirely personal. I had the opportunity to stay at a Disney property and really enjoyed the convenience. If you plan to do other things in Orlando you might want to stay off-site and rent a car. With young kids or toddlers it's nice to stay on-site and not worry about cars. That way you don't need to bring carseats.
  
• If you have young kids you'll spend the majority of your time at the Magic Kingdom. If you have kids that need to nap you might want to consider staying a Disney World property that is accessible via the monorail for easy access. These include The Contemporary, The Polynesion and The Grand Floridian. I can't speak for all of these, but we personally loved The Contemporary.
• You can pretty much skip Epcot if you have really little kids...unless you are there for a whole week and have the time.
  
• If you need more room you might want to consider The Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort...but you'll need to rent a golf cart to get around...and the atmosphere is not for everyone because it is less "Disney". I loved it and it's a short boat ride away from the Magic Kingdom. It's also less expensive than other options and the cabins have kitchens and BBQs...which is also a big money-saver.
  
• If you don't need to race back for naps, then any of the other properties are fine too. There are options for all budgets. For work I stayed at the Yacht Club and I must admit the pool was dreamy for kids. We could have spent all day there and the kids would have been content.
  

3. Food

• You don't need the Disney dining plan unless you want to eat 4000 calories per day.
• You should make reservations in advance if you are traveling during the busy season. BUT, I think they over-emphasize advance reservations as a way to get you to spend money at their rip-off, sit-down restaurants.
  
• You'll save A LOT of money by eating some meals in your room, eating at counter-service places for most lunches and dinner and choosing wisely when it comes to the sit-down restaurants.
• The buffets are hideously over-priced (if you are not on the dining plan) and also very mediocre (quelle surprise). Note: The breakfast buffet at The Crystal Palace inside the Magic Kingdom was decent...but again, pricey.
  
• Your kids might be terrified by dining with the characters (mine were).
  
• If you don't have a room with a kitchen, make sure you have a fridge and request a microwave too.
  
• Bring snacks, microwaveable mac n' cheese, peanut butter & jelly, fruit cups, etc. I packed a whole suitcase of food both trips.
  
• One of the best places to eat is The Contemporary Cafe at The Contemporary hotel. You order from kiosks and there are many surprisingly delish salad and sandwich options that are made fresh when you order. It's easy to go there even if you are not staying at the hotel...just a quick monorail trip from the Magic Kingdom, which runs right through the center of the hotel. It's calmer than most, away from the crowds, cheap, has lots of options for kids and parents, and best of all you can get alcoholic beverages from the bar next door. This place is a hidden gem.

4. Other Misc Tips

• Entry Prices: Ticket costs for multiple days (or even one day) are through the roof. Remember that kids age 3 and under are free. The truth is that they don't ask for a birth certificate for proof. Nuff said. Buffet food for kids under 3 is also free. Just make sure to give them the "correct" ages of your kids when you make your room reservation and your dining reservations.
  
• For the Paranoid: These disposable ID bracelets from My Precious Kid are great for piece of mind. If you have a wanderer toddler you might also consider the Eddie Bauer Harness Buddy
  
• Strollers: If you have 2 kids and 2 adults, bring 2 strollers so you can split up. Even a 4 yr old that does not usually ride in a stroller will be exhausted. The rental strollers are really expensive. Cheapo umbrella strollers are fine.
• Valuables: Leave your wallet in the safe in your room. I recommend putting your mobile phone, your money, your Disney pass and your camera in a small camera case (or similar) that stays on your body at all times. This is possibly the most important tip I have for parents. That way you won't have to lug a backpack with you on all the rides and you can just leave it in the parked stroller.
• Mobile Phone: DO NOT forget your phone. It comes in handy if you get separated from the other adult traveling with you.
• Parades: Skip em...they are a nightmare from a crowd perspective, not to mention just downright creepy. It's the perfect time to hit the rides.
• Childcare: The hotels all offer private babysitters, but many also offer a daycare setting for kids over age 4, called Kid's Nite Out.
• Rides: If you are with 2 adults and small kids take advantage of Disney's Baby Swap policy, which allows adults to ride the coasters too. Essentially you ask a "cast member" (puke) that is working the ride and they take you to the front of the line where each adult can take turns riding the ride while the other adult watches the kid(s).
• Take it Slow: The guide books suggest making schedules, starting at the back of the park and all kinds of other things. Screw that. Just go at your own pace and do what feels natural for you and your family. Forcing a schedule in my opinion causes stress and disappointment. Your unpredictable toddler won't be able to adhere.
  
• Disney Fever: You might find yourself considering purchases that under circumstances you would NEVER consider. Watch yourself. I spoiled my kids rotten with crap. It was fun, but the bill at the end of the trip was NOT fun.
  

Feel free to contact me with any specific questions. Happy to provide advice, as always. Have a magical day...ugh.