7 a.m.
"Mommy? Is it a school day or an adventure day?"
"It's a school day, honey. And I have to go to work."
"NOOOO! I HATE SCHOOL! It's no fun. WAAAHH!"
5 p.m.
"Come on, sweetie. It's time to go home."
"NOOOOO! I LOVE SCHOOL! Here are some things I made for you, and I want to stay with my friends, and I found a worm on the playground today, and I love him, and can I bring him home, PLEEASE?"
"No."
"WAAAAHHH!"
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Writing about preventing cervical cancer this week at BlogHer.
Although my scientific training has inspired a general interest in knowing how things work, every so often something mysteriously magical presents itself to me and I just don’t bother asking questions. Oopsy Daisy! High Chair Hair Care no rinse shampoo is just such a thing. This all natural, plant based concoction pumps from the bottle foamy like styling mousse – minus the nasty detergents or propellants – and all you need to do is work the shampoo through your child’s hair, towel dry (sometimes I even skip this step), and comb out for clean, yummy smelling results. It’s the perfect post-meal clean up solution when your child’s hair is peppered with sticky bits but a full tubby isn’t necessary.
Want to win Oopsy Daisy! no rinse goodies*? Here’s how:
*The winner will receive a bottle each of Oopsy Daisy! High Chair Hair Care and No Bath Bubble Bath.
Today, Tracy shares a way for kids to get their knightly fill in an educational, non-violent manner:
"Both of my boys have become obsessed with all things 'knight' at about the age of 4. They request everything from costumes, to videos, to books on these heroic and chivalrous men. When Gabriel was this age, it was difficult to find fictional stories that didn’t contain too much violence, or focus on battles and slaying enemies.
Then, I found Sir Cumference. A series of math adventure books by Cindy Neuschwander and Wayne Geehan, these tales captured the minds and imaginations of my two boys for as long as their obsessions have lasted. Sir Cumference and his family (Lady Di of Ameter, and son Radius) face challenges that involve mathematical problems for them to solve. In the first book we read (Sir Cumference and the First Round Table), Sir Cumference was called upon by King Arthur to help find a solution for a table that would prevent shouting, talking amongst themselves, and cramped corners for the band of 12 knights who served him. He consults his intelligent wife, and ta-da! The first Round Table was born! Math concepts in this book include the basic measurements of a circle: circumference (named after you know who), diameter, and radius, in addition to an introduction to shapes in general.
Other titles to enjoy are: Sir Cumference and the Sword in the Cone , Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland, Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi, and Sir Cumference and the Isle of Immeter. Each story contains a math concept learned through a knightly challenge. Parents will enjoy reading these stories since they are more likely to pick up on the puns and wordplay inherent in every tale. My favorites? King Arthur’s heir (who finds the sword in the cone) becomes King Vertex the Line-Hearted, and the sword he finds is called Edgecalibur. I still chuckle at the clever, yet subtle changes to make things consistent with math lingo.
Do the boys, at age 4-7, actually acquire the math lessons? I’m not sure. Some of the concepts are certainly above their heads at this point. The books do, however, show all the signs of favorites, such as repeated requests for readings, bringing the same book to show and tell 5 times in a row, flopping open automatically to the most favored page, and tape on the spots where pages are turned again and again. And, it’s pretty neat to see your child dress up as his favorite knight and go searching the house for clues hidden in 'triangular prisms.'"
In addition to popsicles and plenty of park time, one of Laurel’s favorite things about summer is the ability to cover herself (and me, and anyone else who will let her) with temporary tattoos. The tattoos usually don’t go with a given outfit, but now it’s possible to coordinate a trendy look with andy&bella’s tees with tatts. This line includes a series of intricately designed vintage tattoo-style images printed on super comfy 100% cotton tees (sizes 2 – 12) and coordinating temporary tattoos. Refill tattoos can be reordered, and until the end of August, shirts will ship with a complimentary variety pack of tattoos. In short, it’ll be a cinch to give your kid their summer tattoo fill in style.
Want to win an andy&bella tee/tatt set*? Here’s how:
*The winner will receive an andy&bella tee/tatt set of their choice (subject to availability).
Earlier this month Jon and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary, an event that served as the impetus for finally booking a sitter after what’s seemed like about 8 years. And the outing – to luscious Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge – was just what the doctor ordered after a crazy spring, during which I realized I was taking care of everything around me except my marriage.
If you love fine fare and are looking to reconnect with your partner or head out for a festive evening with friends, definitely visit Cuchi Cuchi. Glamourously designed in vivid colors and vintage décor, and with a staff outfitted in saucy retro attire that immediately made me want to hit the nearby Garment District for a fabulous feathered hat, Cuchi Cuchi immediately transports via their aesthetics.
Their food and drink then follow through to deliver the complete experience. Similar in concept to Dali Restaurant’s tapas, but different in that the menu is international, Cuchi Cuchi’s “straight-up” or “small plates” are meant to be ordered in multiples and shared. Particular favorites from our meal included the fried artichoke hearts (delicately crispy on the outside and oozing with gorgonzola, pistachios, and basil; I would knock back a dozen of those suckers if I thought it would be remotely reasonable for my health…), seafood-filled avocado (a refreshing combination of lobster, shrimp, scallops, octopus, crabmeat, and salsa in an avocado half), and the duck a l'orange crepes (subtle at first taste, then deliciously rich with a fresh citrus and fennel edge). We also were completely satisfied by offerings from the full bar and dessert menu (specifically, their tiramisu and chocolate cake).
In a nutshell, the evening was decadent and lovely, save the irony of a couple and their screaming toddler being seated right behind me about 10 minutes into the meal. Devoted readers will know that I’m all about introducing kids to restaurants, but I think the venue ought to be fair to where a kid is at developmentally. Meaning, I considered the toddler’s screeches (escalated when one parent put a hand over the kid’s mouth to try to get him to be quiet) completely age appropriate - just not appropriate for a notably romantic, special occasion restaurant like Cuchi Cuchi.
On the other hand, as someone who is notoriously lame about hiring sitters, maybe this was that couple’s romantic evening out. And ultimately, the staff handled the situation beautifully, offering kind words to the couple and distraction to the child. And as the cocktails settled in and the happy din of the restaurant escalated, the truth was, the grown-ups all became just as noisy as the child.
Cuchi Cuchi, 795 Main Street, Cambridge; Tel: 617-864-2929
I had this post all composed yesterday, but then a bunch of stuff happened, and I ended up having to shut down my computer without saving it. I'm kind of bummed, because that post was better than this one, or at least more sappy. It wasn't done, though, and there is no fast way to write a post about seven years of marriage.
Yesterday was my anniversary. Today is my parent's anniversary. Happy anniversary, Ma and Pa!
Seven years ago, my husband and I stood on a white sand beach in St. Pete Beach, Florida, and exchanged vows. We were 27. At the time, that seemed old to be getting married. (I live in the Midwest, remember.) Now, I can't believe anyone let me DRIVE at age 27, let alone get married. My generation gets married older, has babies older. My parents got married when they were near the same age, but for their generation, they were OLD. Funny how times change. Maybe by the time the little angel grows up, kids'll be getting married right out of high school again - why not, when you can download your college degree onto your iPod?
I remember when we first got married, after a weekend spent driving to Iowa and back (there were many more of them then than there are now), we'd have to each go our separate ways for a few hours on Sunday night. Too much togetherness. We got on each other's nerves. That doesn't really happen as often now, and I think it's because we've had to learn not to annoy each other, because with the little angel around, we have to be together more often. There is no more running off to the gym or sinking into an entire afternoon of napping and sports on TV when we're feeling pissy. There is no more avoidance. We've learned to make adjustments so coexisting is easier. We've learned to step out of the way in the bathroom proactively instead of bumping into each other and swearing.
There have definitely been some hard times, recent hard times, but the hard times overcome make the relationship sweeter. I knew when I married my husband that he was funny and smart and strong and kind, but I didn't realize he would be so resilient, so handy, and so comforting.
Yesterday I had a bad day. There was a bad conversation, followed by a big dose of stress and a bunch of things left unaccomplished. I started leaking tears on the way out of work. S. and The Editor Across the Aisle sent me home instead of to a birthday happy hour that I wasn't supposed to attend anyway, because I was supposed to go home for my anniversary dinner, but I was feeling guilty about missing the birthday and feeling guilty about the bad conversation and not getting my beloved a fabulous anniversary gift even though we said we weren't going to and did I mention I'm always a little upset about things during the ides of the month?
So I drove home. Made a few calls. Cut off my beloved to take a call from my best friend, who I know is better at listening to me vent than Beloved is (he is great, but he IS a man). By the time I got home, I thought he'd be pissed, because instead of being in a great and loving mood on our anniversary, I was strung out and stressed. I pulled in to see him and the little angel getting out of the car, carrying roses.
Seven years ago, he would've been pissed. Yesterday, he recognized that I was just having a bad day and in need of a little pick-me-up. Of course, I melted, and felt bad that I hadn't gotten him anything.
"Ha ha," he said. "I won." And he walked outside to light the grill.
Seven years. Some itchy, some not. Getting better all the time.
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Julie won the Build-a-Bear gift card giveaway and you can enter to win free Lee Jeans capris or pedal pushers at Surrender, Dorothy: Reviews.
Welcome to the 2nd installment of Boston Mamas Rock! – where we’re giving a voice to fabulous local mamas, whether they be entrepreneurs, avid volunteers, stay at home moms, moms who have closet talents (e.g., community theatre, juggling, what have you…), authors, media professionals, politicians, professors, etc. Read on for today’s interview with Janie Katz-Christy, the Director of Green Streets Initiative. Then go ahead and nominate yourself or a friend!
Janie Katz-Christy, Director, Green Streets Initiative
Christine: Tell us a little bit about yourself Janie. Have you always been a green advocate? Did you have an alternate path before launching Green Streets Initiative? Or is this a side venture in addition to parenting and other pursuits?
Janie: Thanks for asking, and encouraging me to think about this. I am an architect and have always been drawn both to ways of living lightly on the land and to having vibrant and livable cities and towns. As an architect, I studied, worked with, and taught about "passive solar" design. I have also worked as a gardener. I see Green Streets' effort as design, too, but on a much larger and more ephemeral level than architects typically deal with. And I think transportation is such a great area to address, because it's so easy to change and is such a win/win proposition. In terms of money, there's no cost, really, just savings.
I've been interested in bicycling since I was a teenager, after my mother (a New Jersey mama!) encouraged me to go on a six-week bike trip throughout New England when I was 13. I then did the same kind of hostelling trip in France and Switzerland at 15, and loved traveling by bike. In college in Ann Arbor, MI, it was a convenient and fun way to get around. Luckily, when I met my husband, Sam Christy, we discovered that we both loved biking as a form of everyday transportation as well as travel. When we had our second child, we had the tricycle pictured below built. I had found it frustrating that I was driving to take them to their exercise classes! The trike has been through many incarnations, from carrying a newborn in a click-in baby seat to having each of the kids on the trailer bike on back, to now being used for gardening. We've had it now for about 8 years, and it’s now our “car” since we gave up our one car last fall. And I should say that although I felt a bit deprived at first – ironically I was the holdout in our family – it’s been very liberating to be car-free.
Christine: Tell me more about the Walk/Ride Days on the last Friday of every month. What does "go, and wear, green," mean exactly? Do you have to wear the Walk/Ride shirt to participate?
Janie: The idea behind Walk/Ride Days is to have a citywide celebration that encourages people to use alternative transportation. We find that people feel more comfortable with trying new ways of transportation when it is part of a group effort and when it seems fun. Once they experience a new, more active way to get around, they often do so many times throughout the month. When we say "go green" and "wear green" it is simply means traveling without using a car (even just reducing use of cars by carpooling or walking a little!) and wearing something green. The "something green" does not have to be a Green Streets t-shirt, it can be anything! Just as long as it's green.
Green Streets started as a way to make the streets safer for cyclists, let others experience the fun of getting around by bike and other green means, build community, and reduce pollution.
Christine: I think it's marvelous that the Cambridge initiative has expanded to Somerville and Medford, and I see that you are spreading into Boston and Portland, Maine. Is there currently formal activity underway for expansion to other towns? Which ones? Are you finding that this growth is happening most prevalently in a particular way (e.g., being approached by a community member vs. directly contacting someone you know to be a coordinator)?
Janie: We are always looking for places to expand Green Streets to, but there is not a formal recruitment process currently underway. A large portion of the expansion is people in other towns contacting us and saying, "We want to get this going in our town. What can we do?" We have been lucky that Green Streets speaks for itself and is exciting and interesting to many people. We have seen that the strongest programs occur when there are community stakeholders taking an active interest in Green Streets. We are a small organization and so it helps when people in the community are willing to really take ownership of it. Some other communities that are working on getting the program up and running are Lexington and Belmont, and another city in Maine.
Christine: Publicity stunts are a popular way to get buzz going with a grassroots campaign like Green Streets. Have there been any particularly hilarious ones that Green Streets coordinators have launched? If so, can we check them out on YouTube?
Janie: I don't know that we have any "hilarious" publicity stunts. I did bike with Mayor Simmons of Cambridge on the back of my tandem bike on the coldest Walk/Ride Day in history last February. She was so proud of doing it that she took me to her next meeting and introduced me all around! Green Streets has also been involved in parades and festivals, from the Honk! Festival to some at schools. For last month's Walk/Ride Day last Friday, there was a police-escorted bike train that went from North Cambridge to central Cambridge to east Cambridge. People all over the city told us they saw it! Also Cambridge Montessori School recently held a beautiful "go green parade" complete with a conference bike (8 cyclists all pedaling while sitting in a circle, but going in one direction), lots of music, and popsicles! It was a great venue, where our children’s’ reflective vests sold like hotcakes!
People have stilted, unicycled, hula-hooped, scootered, skipped, jogged, and pogo-sticked to their destinations on Walk/Ride Days!
Christine: I love that your initiative encourages exercise. When I was a kid my elementary school was just within the bus belt so we walked the mile in each direction to and from school every day. These days I feel like more kids get driven to school -- is that true? What's your sense on the walk vs. car trend to school these days?
Janie: I agree that more kids are driven to school today than was true when most adults were growing up. I see it everyday when I bike or walk my kids to school. I think that it is due to multiple factors. Unfortunately many people feel that we are not living in a world where it is safe for children to walk to and from school on their own, and you can't argue with a parent that is simply concerned for the safety of their child. Many people also feel that driving is the fastest way to get from one place to another, even when they spend 5 minutes at a stoplight. That's one reason for the Walk/Ride Days - it provides an opportunity and a reason for people to try out walking, biking, or public transportation and will hopefully ease any concerns they previously held regarding alternative transportation.
Christine: Do you have an opinion on which towns are the most pedestrian/bike/stroller-friendly? And which towns need improvement? On the latter, how can folks in the community encourage improvement of pedestrian/bike/stroller-ability in their towns?
Janie: All communities have areas that are conducive to pedestrians and bikes and areas that are more of a challenge. The bike path through Somerville, Cambridge, and Arlington is great, but it presents its own set of challenges. When riding on it, you encounter everything from pedestrians to pets. You can't always tell where a dog is going to run or where a person is going to walk. Some bicyclists would prefer to ride on the road with cars rather than on a path where you have to navigate around the unexpected. In starting Green Streets, we hoped to build a market and a community of people who could request better service on many fronts - biking, pedestrian, and mass transit.
Christine: You're a mom of three. How do you juggle the demands of your work with parenting?
Janie: Good question. It helps to have friends and family who can help. And it's also great that my kids and husband are really into Green Streets. They all help to spread the word about it and are patient and involved when we are at weekend or evening events. The kids enjoy the evening meetings at our house when they can hang out with kids of other coordinators or volunteers. I know that the kids like being part of the Green Streets movement. But sometimes I do have to shop, cook, garden, play with my kids, pay bills, etc. It's hard to stop working on Green Streets because I find it so exciting, yet an almost infinitely huge project.
Having help from other Green Streets volunteers also gives me a break, and is a huge source of hands on and emotional help. Certainly, many hands make light(er!) work and a lot more fun. We've received small grants that have enabled Green Streets to hire a two wonderful interns over the past year who have been a joy to work with, and who have enabled me to better balance my life. Both of these young women are wise beyond their years, and bring wonderful perspectives to Green Streets.
I work on Green Streets more than full time, though my hours are very flexible - I sometimes work in the early hours of the morning or late at night, and pretty much constantly talk about it wherever I go. I do consciously have to turn myself "off" sometimes, just to be a regular person.
Christine: I can only assume your kids "get" the green revolution. Do you have any favorite simple tips to share with our readers on how to get kids involved in green practices?
Janie: It is amazing how much kids really grasp green practices, including in this case, green transportation. Can you imagine a child who would be opposed to the idea of riding their bike/scooter or rollerblading everywhere they need to go? When you describe to the kids the environmental impact of driving, they get it and want to do something about it. We have found that often, once the children try an active, green means of getting to school, they won't let their parents go any other way. Buses, biking, scootering, and walking are all fun for kids. Including other kids in your trip also helps. Also, combinations are great - taking scooters on buses can be a quick way to get where you need to go. Our kids are sometimes as fast on scooters as we are on bicycles.
In fact, all of what we are doing at Green Streets is for the kids. Having schools involved means that my children's friends and contemporaries are trying out the kinds of transportation that we use on a regular basis. It's always great that other kids love Green Streets. My children are proud to be part of it -- though sometimes they'd like me to not stop so long to talk about it with strangers constantly!
Christine: OK, so I Google'd you and see that you've done a little family opera -- playing everything from an ant to an alien! Do you have formal music training? Are there any other hidden talents we ought to know about?
Janie: No, and no! The only hidden talent I might have is that I love planning and having parties... which is one of the reasons we created this monthly celebration!
Christine: And finally, what's your favorite thing about being a Boston mama?
Janie: Boston is a wonderful city to live in. I love it every time I cross or go along the Charles River, I love that rural areas like Lincoln and Concord are so nearby - and MBTA accessible! I love the mass transit options here, and I love that it feels like a big small town.
Unlike bicycling where, as long as there is a road you can ride, pedestrian safety is reliant on sidewalks. If you know of or live in an area that does not have adequate sidewalks and ramps, you can contact your city counselor or alderman and let them know. Or you can go to the city planning/development office and offer your suggestions.
Know a fabulous local mama? Nominate yourself or someone else to be featured!
Today, Sara Cabot of Little Lettice offers a primer on “that nitrate thing” - the issue of when it's safe to present vegetables such as spinach and carrots to babies. Sara also includes a spinach, zucchini, and potato recipe for babies and toddlers.
“Carrots, beets, and spinach are some of the first veggies to be in season on our Massachusetts farms. When cooked lightly or steamed, these veggies can be very palatable and delicious for our young children. They’re full of great vitamins as well!
However, moms with young babies just starting out on baby food ask me all the time about “that nitrate thing” with these vegetables. What these moms mean is something called blue baby syndrome, which can be caused by nitrates being turned into nitrites in the baby’s stomach. I never knew about this when my kids were babies, and so it never stopped me from giving them carrots at 6-7 months and broccoli and spinach around 8 months. But we are so unsure of our food systems nowadays – spinach scares, tomato scares – that we consumers have to find out the facts for ourselves. This is what I found out:
1. The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) states, “Because the intake of naturally occurring nitrates from foods such as green beans, carrots, squash, spinach, and beets can be as high as or higher than that from well water, these foods should be avoided before 3 months of age."
At around the age of 3 months your baby starts to produce more hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which fights the bacteria that turns nitrates into the potentially damaging nitrites. In the US, we don’t even start to give our babies solids until 4-6 months so we should be OK. However, because nitrate levels specifically in spinach can increase depending on storage, the AAP recommends 8 months as the age to give children spinach. For best results, cook spinach right away or freeze.
2. Nitrates occur naturally in the soil. But nitrates also occur in artificial fertilizers that are used (unregulated) to promote plant growth. Nitrates are also present in our drinking water.
3. This problem with nitrates in vegetables such as spinach and carrots is not an issue with organic food that does not use the nitrate-dense, artificial fertilizers that farmers add to their crops. Don’t forget, these ‘conventional’ farmers are not regulated in terms of how much and how often they can fertilize. So if in doubt, buy organic. Even better, buy organic and local.
4. Nitrate poisoning is very rare; when it does occur it is usually traced back to ground water contamination.
5. Commercial baby food companies may “screen” for nitrates, but they don’t have to and they don’t remove them.
My advice to moms is this: Please don’t let all this concern stop you from giving these important leafy green and vitamin A rich veggies to your kids. You can feel secure giving your babies these veggies organically. Just follow the correct stages: i.e., carrots around 7 months, broccoli and spinach around 8 months.
For more information about when to give what, see my previous post on First Foods For Baby.
SPINACH, ZUCCHINI, & POTATO RECIPE
Suitable for babies 8 months and up
Ingredients
1. Heat oil and fry onion gently until softened; add potato and zucchini and stir. Add vegetable stock. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add chopped spinach and stir. Simmer until veggies are soft but still bright green (don’t over cook to olive green color).
3. Puree in a food processor and serve. Freeze leftovers in covered ice cube trays or 4 oz. containers.
Variations
Image credit: FreeFoto.com
Looking for a natural craft dough, but don’t have the time to make it from scratch? Then check out the fabulous eco-dough by green art supplier Eco-Kids. This sculpting dough differs from the commercial stuff in several ways. It’s hand crafted using all natural ingredients, resistant to drying out, richly colored using plant, fruit, and vegetable extracts, packaged in 100% compostable containers, and softer in texture, making it easier for little hands to handle. We also dig that Eco-Kids makes gluten, soy, or dairy free eco-dough to order depending on your child’s dietary needs.
Want to win an Eco-Dough Gift Bag*? Here’s how:
*The winner will receive an Eco-Dough Gift Bag, which includes 5 tubs of eco-dough, a bamboo rolling pin, and a reusable flour sack!
