Motherhood - Page 55 of 60 - ON THE EDGE w/ missstephanieb

Win Free Stuff from Spuni: Giveaway

September 11, 2013

Who doesn’t love to win free stuff? Every now and then we come across an awesome product that we LOVE to give some away! (because if it helps, this mom, it should help you, too!)

If you read back, we got to attend the Spuni Launch event this summer, and Maximo was introduced to a new, clean way of eating. Yes, BELIEVE it. (they didn’t even pay us to say that!) All opinions are our own, and we, well, this mom whose house is remotely cleaner of pureed sweet potatoes, thinks you should give the Spuni a try yourself. You can read my full review of the Spuni here, but as a summary – it’s been revolutionary in our meal times! The way the spoon is designed, it really does help the baby keep the food IN their mouth instead of all over their face – resulting in a better eating experience of all of us.

If you’re just starting out on solid foods, I highly recommend that you give this spoon a try, and you can enter to WIN one of FOUR Spuni Spoon Packs that I am giving away! (you can even enter everyday to win because, you know, I want to give you lots of chances!)

Win Free Stuff from Spuni: Giveaway

Learn more about Spuni here: www.spuni.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

End of Summer – Maximo’s Ode to Corn

September 4, 2013

We’re still a little in denial that it is the end of summer. When did fall creep right in? No real complaints, fall is my FAVORITE time of year – however, were the F did summer go???? In true Maximo fashion, we felt it was necessary to have a summer sendoff with an ode-to-corn: Maximo’s favorite vegetable of the summer – and possibly all time. This post is purely to embarrass him once he reaches 13 years old.

If he could write a poem I think it would go like this (I think best read out-loud with Eddie Money’s I Think I’m In Love song playing in the background. Click here for added effect):

End of Summer: Maximo’s Ode to Corn

Oh Corn, you’re so delicious, I love to eat you even when I am not bored.

And waive you around like a warrior sword.

I like to sit on my mom to eat it too.

Oh corn, as long as you’re around I can never be blue!

I like to eat you after I destroy mom’s TV stand.

I like to eat you looking out the window while I stand.

I like to eat you on the floor in front of the fridge door.

Oh corn, why do you have to leave at the end of summer, I just want to eat more!

End of Summer.

NO High Fructose Corn Syrup – Easier Than You Think

August 27, 2013

I am in such a love/hate relationship with food right now. It’s not for losing weight, this time it’s for trying to eat REAL food. No HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup), NO GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms), No BVO (Brominated Vegetable Oil aka CANCER), no Hormones, no chemicals – no —– PHEW! I fell like I am writing a chapter for a science fiction novel. But I am not. Sadly, that’s just an average day at the grocery store.

I know you laugh and make fun of me for being so ‘organic,’ since I never used to be – but I am just having a hard time understanding why it is SO HARD TO FIND AND EAT REAL FOOD THESE DAYS.

Yes, I grew up on a farm. We ate real butter, milk and eggs. Our cows were happy and our Amish neighbor’s had ‘happy chickens.’ But back then, that just meant they clucked and pecked in the front yard all day. The cows grazed in the fields and were chill. I mean, there really wasn’t any other way to ‘harvest them.’

So when Diana, http://www.ladydeelg.com, asked me to take this 2-day challenge of no HFCS, I totally agreed to see how I could also eliminate this from my diet.

Results of my 2-day No High Fructose Corn Syrup Challenge:

I am proud and amazed to say – I didn’t eat anything – without even changing my food habits! We as a family have come a long way since Maximo was born – that we really HAVE cut a lot of junk from our diets, so much – that I didn’t even realize how well we were eating until I watched what I was eating. So here is my daily routine, so you too can easily cut HFCS form your diet as well, and maybe not even notice!

Breakfast:

Hidden HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup):

Maple Syrup. Give it up. Or go tap a maple tree and eat it right out of the bucket. That stuff is like HFCS SLUDGE on your pancakes.

Margarine. What is it anyways? A bunch of man-made chemicals and ‘oils.’ Gross. Why is HFCS in it anyways??? Why is sugar in butter? Natural Butter is already sweet! It’s easy to find organic “real” butter in the stores – and I usually go for the no salt added while I’m at it. Anything that screams “I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S NOT BUTTER!” should be tied up and dropped off in the middle of the ocean. I mean, what’s so BAD about butter that we had to go and create some nasty chemicals in place of it to begin with???

Cereal. Just walk away from the cereal and say no. There is absolutely nothing nutritious in cereal – including HFCS (ummm say what?), artificial dyes and sugar sugar sugar. If you want something sweet, just go for the real thing – fruit!

Yogurt. Yeah I hate to break it to you – but all those yogurts that you think are ‘good for you’ only taste sooooooo good because they’re loaded in HFCS and sugar.

Simple Solution?

1. Fruit. Maximo loves pancakes – if I don’t make them myself, we get the Organic Silver-dollar pancakes from Trader Joe’s. Delicious. Sometimes we have banana pancakes, sometimes we have peach, or strawberry or even fig. Yes FIGS! Maximo loves them. Trader Joe’s is awesome for fresh, natural fruits – no sugar added, no HFCS added.

2. REAL Yogurt. So how can you get your yogurt fix? Not all yogurts have HFCS – lots of organic or Greek Yogurts are natural – BUT you have to read the labels to be sure! And I agree, plain Greek Yogurt might not taste delicious on it’s own – but add some honey, sliced almonds and fruit and you have a party in your mouth.

3. Eggs. Real, cage-free eggs. Add lots of fun stuff to them for protein. Maximo loves spinach and tomatoes. In fact, we add Spinach to almost everything we eat – probably at least once a day! Scrambled eggs with spinach, pasta with sauteed spinach, a smoothie – you can’t even taste it and you’re getting so many nutrients its redic that it’s so simple.

Bonus – Listen up people – don’t be afraid of whole milk and real butter. I have actually lost weight since switching from skim milk and margarine. Why? Because it tastes so good – you don’t need as much – and it’s rich and creamy without adding anything like sugar to your coffee and pancakes. So you actually eat LESS as well. Who would’ve thought real food actually made sense?

LUNCH:

HIDDEN High Fructose Corn Syrup:

Mayonaise. Another gross item. It’s full of lots of fake oils, HFCS and other delicious chemicals to just ruin your day.

Salad Dressing. You think you’re being all healthy with that salad until you slop on all those delicious fake ingredients and toxic chemicals.

SHOCKER ALERT: Nature Valley Granola Bars. So much for being ‘natural’ – with HFCS??? UGH! Is anything safe anymore???

Simple Solutions?

1. How do we eat salads? We make our own dressing – using olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice (and salt and pepper). Claudio actually started this one – his family does it a lot and coming from Pittsburgh where Ranch is a food group, it was a difficult change – but now I LOVE it – I think it just tastes fresh and lets the flavors of the food you’re eating shine through.

2. Opt for real granola – like Bear Naked, or from your local organic eatery. They always have fresh homemade granola. Which also goes great with fresh organic yogurt and fruit. Yum. Or make your own – I mean, dry out some fruits, get some oats, some raisins – let your inner Pinterest Goddess shine through.

3. Hummus. Max LOVES hummus – like, right by the spoonful – and it’s just CHICKPEAS! I also opt to use it instead of mayo a lot of the time on sandwiches. Give it a try!

Secret: You know where I like to get my granola? IKEA. YEP -those Sweeds have some serious delicious, fresh granola with lots of nuts and fruits and deliciousness to jazz up your plain REAL yogurt.

Another Secret: BTW – the granola bars at Trader Joe’s don’t have HFCS as an ingredient. Boom. You’re welcome. (they use Brown Rice Syrup which is better, yet has been rumored to have trances of Arsenic. I mean, sigh, I guess it’s the better of the two evils – but if you really want to be safe – cut out mass produced granola bars completely).

DINNER:

HIDDEN High Fructose Corn Syrup:

Marinades and Sauces. So you went and bought organic chicken, lots of spinach and then dump some sort of pre-made Sweet and Sour Sauce all over it. Fail. You might as well go and take a bath in HFCS now.

SODA: I mean if you really thing drinking something that is black and fizzy and can dissolve PENNIES is safe – just stop reading.

MAC AND CHEESE. Sigh. My favorite food. I could probably eat it everyday. But those boxes of Kraft and easy mac? Yep – LOADED WITH HFCS. But have no fear – there is HFCS FREE options (see below).- I mean, remember you can always make your own too – try my Spaghetti Squash Mac and Cheese Recipe!

THE NUMBER ONE HARDEST THING FOR ME TO GIVE UP: KETCHUP. I come from Pittsburgh. We LIVE for ketchup so when I found out how bad it really is for you, it was HEART BREAKING!

Ok – so I have to draw the line somewhere. I can’t ALWAYS give up my ketchup and being a Pittsburgher, I just CAN”T eat that organic stuff. Sooooo while I didn’t eat any ketchup for this challenge, I will have a little here and there.

But that’s where I say – IN MODERATION. I am not saying well, okay go ahead and eat HFCS – just not every day. I am saying, if there is ONE thing you just can’t give up – it’s okay to have a little here and there. As long as you are AWARE what’s in it – and you avoid it in everything else you eat.

Simple Solutions?

1. Homemade sauces. Have you ever made your own spaghetti sauce? SO EASY! REALLY! Just chop up a few tomatoes, garlic, butter, water (and any other veggies you want!) and place in a sautee pan. Another version? Crazy water – I haven’t wrote up my own recipe yet (now I’m inspired!) but click here to see how to switch up your dinner tonight!

2. Carbonated Naturally Flavored Waters from La Criox. I LOVE LA CROIX. It comes in tons of flavors and there is nothing artificial or gross in it – just water, carbonated with natural fruit flavors – NOT juice. Not sugar. Real fruit.

Trust me, you’ll be addicted to the coconut. And the cranberry, and the peach —— read my blog about it here.

3. Annie’s Homegrown. I LOVE Annie’s – it’s REAL CHEESE ONLY! They pride themselves on being organic and not using artificial colors or – you guessed it – HFCS. So you can finally have your MAC AND CHEESE AND EAT IT TOO! Oh, and they make cheddar bunnies (say NO to Goldfish crackers!) and trust me they are WAY BETTER! I usually end up eating more than Maximo… 🙂

Trader Joe’s – Your Knight in Shining Armor

Now, I can’t say that EVERYTHING in the store is HFCS free cause I haven’t eaten EVERYTHING in the store- BUT a lot of their items are. I recommend shopping here because:

1 – it’s SUPER affordable. You can get a bag of ORGANIC spinach for $1.99 (in NYC!)

2 – pretty much everything is organic so it makes your life a lot easier (but be careful – not everything – so don’t go wild, still be aware).

3 – check out this photo. Here I am making cookies – you can see the Blondie’s Brownie Mix – is actually WOW real ingredients! The butter is real, the eggs are ‘cage free’ the milk is organic – viola! So don’t think it’s IMPOSSIBLE to cut out FOOD altogether – just the BAD THINGS IN FOOD- you don’t have to give up delicious treats either – these cookies are ALL NATURAL and taste delicious.They’re so good in fact (and affordable) it makes you wonder why companies put HFCS in food in the first place?

Things that make you go hmmmmmmmm…..

BreastFeeding: Pulitzer Prize Worthy

August 14, 2013

Being a mom is F-ING hard. And society doesn’t make it any easier. In a country where there is zero required maternity leave by companies, formula and baby clothes cost more than a weekend getaway – in FRANCE, and people shun you for breastfeeding in public, it’s a wonder how we have any family values left! Ok – if many of you didn’t see all the posts and hoopla over last week’s BreastFeeding week – I thought I would give it one more. I never really wrote about when i was actually breastfeeding because back then I had like, zero time to sit in front of a computer. Now that I have perfected motherhood to the best of my abilities, I feel like I should share a few secrets I learned along the way. And to help future moms out there to feel a little better about it, and those who AREN’T moms – have a little heart and a look inside the life of a mom.

Why BreastFeeding is Pulitzer-Prize Worthy

1. Breastfeeding is F-ING Hard. And it’s a choice. Some moms choose it, some moms choose not to – and some moms just can’t do it and the choice is made for them. Being a mom is REALLY F-ING HARD on them. I was lucky enough to be able to breastfeed, but some of my friends weren’t and it was sad to watch how much they were plagued with guilt of being less of a mom because they weren’t able to do it. I myself didn’t even realize how hard it was for them to watch me be able to do it with so much ease in front of them. I took for granted how lucky I was that I was able to provide Maximo with the natural nourishment he needed. So next time you see a lady breastfeeding in public – THINK a minute before you judge her. Or you might see a lady with a bottle? Don’t assume she doesn’t WANT to breastfeed.

The best moms are the moms who are TRYING to be the best moms they can be – but they don’t think they are.

So lay off making them feel worse. If you can look at titties bouncing on the football field cheerleaders on Sunday Night Football, I don’t want to hear all this crap about how it’s offensive to see a mom feeding in public. GET. OVER. IT. Look the other way, or go home and TiVO the Victoria’s Secret Holiday Fashion Show, since, you know, you won’t see ANY boobs there.

2. Did I mention Breastfeeding is F-ING HARD? It’s a full-time-job. It’s a job I am glad I did, but was also the HARDEST job I ever did. You are on demand

: Can you find the baby breastfeeding in this pic?

Can you find the baby breastfeeding in this pic?

every 2 hours – so forget about sleep, going out to dinner, or even jetting off to the grocery store without your little person in store. So you wonder why you see all these women breastfeeding in public? IT”S BECAUSE THEY F-ING DESERVE IT. That woman hasn’t seen daylight in two weeks, and she finally was able to squeeze in a shower and have lunch with a friend so FOR THE LOVE OF GOD let the poor woman eat (and her baby too).

3. Breastfeeding is Embarrassing Ok – so you decide to skip out for lunch WITHOUT the little guy. Maybe you just weren’t ready to feed in public or maybe you just really want to get out for a few hours without the mini me, or maybe you’re heading somewhere that kids aren’t welcome. Regardless, I GUARANTEE there isn’t a nice quiet space for you to pump. Oh yeah – if you DON’T have a kid, you have a pump. And pumps are loud. There is NOTHING MORE AWESOME than a machine squeezing my boob while standing up next to an old woman doing her business in a small smelly bathroom in NYC.

Oh yes there is – being in Heinz Stadium at the Steelers game with 50 gamillion drunks running around going – what is that SOUND?!?! As I pump and hold up the bathroom line before kickoff. Not to mention the huge manly bouncer telling you your purse is too big to take in, so you have to announce, LOUDLY, that is it, yes indeed, a breast pump.

4. Breastfeeding Takes Courage. The next time you judge a woman feeding in public – think about how SHE feels. You really think she wants you trying to catch a peek at her doing something that she would rather be private between her and her baby? Do you know how HARD it was for her to WANT to do it in public? I remember how hard it was for me. I just couldn’t do it – I would wait for Maximo to fall asleep and literally RUN out the door to eat somewhere, fingers crossed, that he didn’t wake until I was done eating. If not – I would run out to the car for privacy. Then Jamie came up to visit – and said, what are you going to do for the next 6 months? a YEAR? Fuck. She was right. So, right on schedule, Maximo woke up, and I had my first experience right then and there. And guess what? NO ONE EVEN LOOKED UP. No one cared. This is NYC, right, but I mean, choose your locations – if you know it won’t be as scary to attempt it in the middle of Manhattan, so be it.

Just two moms enjoying lunch with our babies – and breastfeeding in public!

5. There is a Positive Side! As I mentioned – after that first time – I started to feed anywhere. It was liberating! I could finally get out and about again – and guess what – if Max was hungry – we could just stop right there! No trying to find a restaurant to eat, or find something healthy for the kiddies – no, breastfeeding is so convenient because it’s right there with you everywhere you go.

So highlights:

– I breastfed in Central Park

– I breastfed in Lincoln Square ( I even had a lady come up to me and thank me for breastfeeding in public here! That made me feel so much better! So don’t be afraid to tell a mom – HEY! GOOD FOR YOU! Unless you look really creepy while doing it….)

– I breastfed at a business meeting with Senior Vice Presidents of a Fortune 500 Company on Park Avenue. Yep. And they were both men.

– I pumped in the Steeler Stadium

– I pumped in between meetings at clients offices

– I breastfed at clients offices.

– And I even breastfed at Christmas dinner, Thanksgiving, birthday parties, brunch with the girls AND with all my Zetas at Race for the Cure in Central Park with millions of people. Guess what – they were all there to support boobs too.

Am I crazy?! At some of these situations, yes, but as a sleep-deprived mom, my only concern was to make sure Maximo was happy. And healthy. I sacrificed my pride, my shame, my anxiety and fears, possibly a job, to be able to be – A MOM. And guess what – I am still here to talk about it. I wasn’t shunned, jailed or fired.

So – to sum it all up. Ladies – stop judging other ladies for their choices. We need to support each other to be strong and survive. If you’re afraid – yes you can. If you can’t – don’t beat yourself up about it. Just living today is hard enough without others trying to remind us how hard it is – so Moms – just so you know – if you’re reading this and you’re scared to feed in public, or your upset that you can’t breastfeed, just know that you feeling like that MAKES YOU THE BEST MOM. Take it from one who knows. And seriously, if you’re in NYC and you need someone to come with you to hold-your-hand – Maximo and I are always up for a luncheon!

Mac and Cheese Recipes (Spaghetti Squash) – Top 15 Summer Garden Recipes on Mom It Forward

August 9, 2013

I.Love.Food. Especially Mac and Cheese. So when I tell you that Mom It Forward added one of my mac and cheese recipes (with spaghetti squash of course!) to their Top 15 Summer Garden Recipes – I was so proud.

My gram would be so proud. After all, it was her that taught me how to bake and cook on the farm. And I’ve come a long ways from the first time I tried to bake chocolate chip cookies myself and forget eggs and they tasted, like, well – let’s just say we fed them to the deer! haha.

So here is the link again to my Infamous Spagehtti Squash Mac and Cheese Recipes –

*** MIX IT UP.

Yesterday, instead I used some shredded parm cheese and butter, then added bacon and sauteed spinach, corn and tomatoes with garlic and olive oil. Simple and delicious. Even manly enough for Geoff with bacon.

Live it up my friends!

Football is in the Air!

August 7, 2013

FINALLY. It’s that time of year. That time when all the boys (and ladies, excuse me) finally stop complaining about all of my posts on breastfeeding and peeing in public and actually READ my blog. (Note – I HAVE actually taken and used a breast pump in Heinz Field!) Yes boys and girls, we’re talking about football season.

Or – STEELER SEASON, as one may refer to it in Pittsburgh. You may not have realized it by reading by blog yet, but I bleed BLACK AND GOLD. Steeler Season is like Christmas to us Yinzers. It comes once a year, and we start counting down the days about 2 months in advance. We can’t sleep the night before the season opener, and we blow our entire paychecks on the first tailgate. Honestly, I think we might take Steeler Season more seriously than Christmas. Or any Holiday. Because it IS a holiday.

You just don’t have a choice to NOT be a Steelers fan growing up within a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh. Well you can, but then you risk wearing the scarlet letter around town. One a few people I know dare to rebel against the black and gold, and even they are relatively quiet on game days (except Geoff, yes Geoff, we KNOW you’re not a Steeler fan. Sigh). So, when I was a kid and got to stay up late watching super bowls – it was a right of passage!

By the time you hit the 1st grade you know your ABC’s, can count to ten, and can name all 6 years the Steelers won the Superbowl.

So are you really surprised to hear my Highlighted Moments In Football:

– I used to bartend for Ben Roethlisberger, Heinz Ward and the entire defensive end in a VIP room in the (may it RIP) infamous Hi Tops. That’s all I’ll say.

– Yes, Sports Illustrated and the NY Times tried to get dirt on Ben during the whole rape saga by harassing me since I was their private bartender, until I would finally say something. Literally, they called me like 4 times a day until I got on the phone. However, you can see how ‘credible the article is’ by seeing that they called me a ‘waitress.’ I guess this guy really did his fact-checking! (Tisk Tisk NY Times!)

– I can school pretty much any guy on football stats and could host PTI. (if you don’t know what PTI is, please hand over your manhood).

– I can’t remember the last year I didn’t attend at least ONE Steeler game, even though I live in NYC.

– Once a season, we visit travel to at least ONE away game. Be it Cincinnati, Baltimore, Kansas City, Arizona or NYC!

Yinzers in Kansas City

Ravens/Steelers Season Opener in Baltimore, 2011

Steelers/Giants at Met Stadium in NYC, 2012

– I have also traveled to the far ends of the earth – and STILL found The Steelers. Including Nevis and Belize.

Steelers Banner hanging in Sunny’s beach bar in Nevis.

Go Steelers! Spotted in a tiny bar in Belize City, Belize.

– I have been in an all-girls Fantasy Football league for 3 years. And ALMOST won the championships except Tony Romo failed with that bum leg injury.

That’s right. an ALL-GIRLS Fantasy Football team. In fact it’s called “Every Man’s Fantasy League.” Seems appropriate. Oh, did I hear a snicker? I would DARE you to try and go up against these ladies. There is more strategy, back-stabbing, smack talk, player stealing, conspiracy and espionage than in Russian and North Korean combined.

So anyways, enough bragging – ok one more. I am actually SUCH a big fan, the NFL picked ME to go to the SuperBowl. #TrueStory.

SuperBowl in Indianapolis 2012 (Maximo too!)

My point of everything is – my blog is about my 3 passions – Football Food, and Motherhood. Well, and writing. I always wanted to be a writer and here I am!

So what are you passionate about? Can you name it? Can you sum it all up into one tiny blog post? Do you get to live it everyday?

Share your story, link and your passions below! I’d love to hear what you love as much as I do!

The Bucket List – What’s Holding You Back?

August 4, 2013

In my twenties, I am pretty sure I was invincible.

I hate to admit it (earmuffs Maximo! don’t read this and think it’s OKAY for you to do it!), but I partied hard with celebrities and athletes (shhhh!), would drive too fast, didn’t wear a SEAT BELT! (do not attempt. I got yelled at MANY times), nor a helmet on a motorcycle (I can STILL hear Jamie yelling at me. She’s a trauma nurse.) Didn’t we all push the limits sometimes? Don’t we all have a bucket list? (you know that list of things you really want to do before you die but think you never will).

So why oh why once we become parents do we fear anything and everything in the world?! Just a car trip to target has me on red-alert. Every driver on the road is a threat to my precious cargo. Maximo spitting up a little water throws claudio into full blow anxiety tizzy just to find a paper towel.

One of my friends and clients, Dr. Ramtin Kassir, recently went fire-walking and wrote this great story around it. He said,

“The firewalk to me was much more than walking on hot coals, it was symbolic of the fires we walk through in our lives, a metaphor for breaking through limiting beliefs and what you think you can’t accomplish.”

It made me think – when did I start limiting myself in life, just because I am a mother?

Now – I am not telling you to go get black out drunk and race your car through Manhattan like Johnny Knoxville, but maybe you should revisit some of those things on your bucket list. For me? That meant finally going Zip Lining in Puerto Rico.

I have wanted to go for YEARS. And the last time we were in Puerto Rico, well, Claudio was a little under the weather. haha. And then I was pregnant. I never really thought I’d ever go. Then I read Dr. Kassir’s post and though – well, just because I am a mom now doesn’t mean I can’t LIVE anymore! Ironically, we were to head to Puerto Rico for Claudio’s fraternity, Phi Iota Alpha, convention. Coincidence?

Checking off Zip Lining In Puerto Rico on my Bucket List

I am not going to lie – weaving through the narrow windy roads up the mountains into the deep jungle of Puerto Rico gave me doubts. Thank GOD we have a group of about 15 ppl so I couldn’t bitch out. UM PLEASE. Like I am going to be the only GIRL AND the only ONE to NOT go???

Besides. I had a reputation to keep. I have always been known to be a little ‘bad ass.’ Right, Geoff? haha.

So here I was. Me, some nylon and Mother Nature in the raw. Me vs. the mountain. Then I saw Machi get stuck 150 yards out, just dangling over the mile-high cliff until one of the workers jumped out to get him. UM WHAT THE FFFFFFFFF*()$#()*$()@{# AM I DOING?????

But – Dr. Kassir was right. It’s letting go. Challenging yourself to know you can do things you never thought you could. It makes you a stronger person. You believe in yourself again. And as a mom, I believe you need that. You need to remind yourself of your strength, and determination and capability to achieve anything. I mean, you’re RAISING A HUMAN BEING. What in the world is more challenging than that?? Maybe even having children is on your bucket list.

Fire walking and zip lining are for the birds.

So as Dr. Kassir said, ‘What’s Holding You Back?’

Baby Food for the Novice Mom – The Spuni Spoon

July 30, 2013

Having a baby really effs up your living chi. I used to waste money and time shopping at Home Goods for useless knick knacks (yeah, laugh you KNOW you get sucked in too). Now my home is innovative with baby food splatter all over my kitchen counter walls. My fancy hard-wood floors are now fluffy carpeting, littered with Cheerios and bananas.

Sometimes I just leave all the Cheerios for Maximo to find the next day like a baby treasure hunt. Yep! Watch that crunch on the floor when you’re visiting.

The worst though? Trying to feed Maximo and keep it off the carpet. Sometimes I feel like Dexter and need to drape the entire room in plastic wrap just to eat breakfast. Have you tried to clean dried baby food out of a carpet? Yeah – just wait.

The Spuni Launch Event

Now that Maximo is Mr. New York, he gets invited to all these super cool events in the city. At least at this age he’s not embarrassed to have his mom in tow. So last week we ventured into TriBecA for the Spuni Launch Event at the New York Kids Club. I am always intrigued to see what cool new products they have invented for moms – we’ve come a long way since they used to feed me out of a tin can.

So we started chatting with Jessica, the Director of Business Development at Spuni, and she walked us over to try out this infamous new spoon that is revolutionizing the way babies eat. Maximo NEVER says no to food, so of course he was ‘eating up’ the attention to try this new spoon. My first reaction? AMAZINGLY CLEAN EATING. Usually Maximo has food spread all over his face like a paint canvas. Not. this. time. We attracted quite the crowd to watch in awe – and I must say – spoonful after spoonful of sweet potatoes, Maximo remained amazing clean.

Baby Food for the Novice Mom

They didn’t pay me to write any of this – I just thought it was pretty freaking amazing that my 1 year old could have a ‘cleaner’ eating experience that I wanted to spread the news, especially if you live in a carpeted home like me!

We attempted the Spuni at home, and it did the same thing – clean! It wasn’t just a magic trick! Now, can they help me keep Maximo clean eating watermelon with his hands???

To see all the photos from the event and learn more about Spuni – visit their Facebook page.

So if you want to order one of these cool new little spoons, you can from their website – www.spuni.com

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Win Money and Prizes in the MommyNearest #SummerChallenge

July 16, 2013

Spreading the exciting news that today Mommy Nearest is launching a summer-long contest called the Mommy Nearest Summer Challenge. Now you can chill by the pool, learn about new kid-friendly places in your neighborhood and win money and prizes online!

Win Money and Prizes Online!

The top individual prize is $1,000 cash (umm, yeah!). Some of the other prizes include iPad minis, free kids classes at Gymboree and Wee Ones Club, free babysitting services by Urban Sitter and even free apartment cleanings courtesy of MyClean. You can play along and get rewarded for the things that you do on the app — like add a favorite kid-friendly restaurant or rate other places.

Just because you’re not IN NYC doesn’t mean you won’t be! Download it now WHILE IT’S STILL FREE!

Mommy Nearest is also giving a whopping $5,000 to the Mommy Group that earns the most points as a team. So that means once you log in – JOIN THE ASTORIA PARENTS! GROUP! Not only will you meet other cool moms in the ‘hood, you can help us raise some serious cash to build something awesome for our kids! (and our kids kids, and so on!) IT’S TIME TO MAKE HISTORY ASTORIA! Did I mention you can win money and prizes online yourself?

Here’s how to play the Mommy Nearest Summer Challenge: Visit www.mommynearest.com/invite/StephanieB

Winners will be announced shortly after Labor Day, so start playing today.

If you’re not using Mommy Nearest yet, it’s a free mobile app that helps parents find child-friendly resources on-the-go. The places listed on the app are rated and reviewed by other moms, including me! I literally use the app every day I am in the city – especially when I need a quick kid-friendly place to stop to eat with Maximo in tow, or for an emergency changing table!

Just to remind you, I’m an #ExpertMom for Mommy Nearest! You can read all of my blog posts on the Mommy Nearest blog here.

Enjoy the #SummerChallenge!

Mini Easy Pie Recipes = Mini Martha Stewart

June 28, 2013

It’s kind of funny that I follow up my blog on minding your sugar with a sweet treat recipe – BUT if you look – it’s all NATURAL sugars 🙂 no added sugar at ALL! 🙂 Just an nice easy pie recipe.

I think the best recipes always come from cleaning out your fridge. You have all these left over ingredients and don’t know what do to with them, but you definitely don’t want to throw them away. And the best time to get creative? Right before I go on a vacation – and end up cooking a feast the day before I leave.WARNING: NEVER GOOD FOR THE BIKINI. So try to limit yourself to ONLY ONE meal or dish.

I had made my famous homemade chicken pie and had some leftover dough. I ALWAYS save the scraps – you can create some really tasty little treats with it. Then I saw I had bought brie to use in cinnamon sugar tortillas, but Claudio had ate them all. haha. so I thought – ok let’s make little mini brie pies with the leftover dough instead! My aunt and gram will read this recipe and be proud – ALMOST just like we used to make them on the farm back when I was little – only these like me back then, are miniature sized.

Easy Pie Recipes: Brie and Peach Pies with Honey and Almonds

1. Roll-out the pieces of dough into little circles about the size of a doughnut. Place them directly into your cupcake pans. (Push them into to create a nice pie/dish for the contents.

2. Add a quarter-size piece of brie. Enough to fill the bottom.

3. Add your fruit and toppings. This time I used peaches, honey and almonds, but use whatever fruit is in season! Strawberries, blueberries – bananas and Nutella (Maximo’s favorite!) – the ideas are endless!

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Or until the brie is melted and the crust has browned.

5. Cool for a few minutes so you don’t burn your mouth, but serve immediately to enjoy while the brie is still melted.

YUM – A LICIOUS. and easy peasy. Easy pie recipes at your service.

Win Free Stuff from Spuni: Giveaway

End of Summer: Maximo’s Ode to Corn

Results of my 2-day No High Fructose Corn Syrup Challenge:

Breakfast:

Hidden HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup):

Simple Solution?

LUNCH:

HIDDEN High Fructose Corn Syrup:

Simple Solutions?

DINNER:

HIDDEN High Fructose Corn Syrup:

Simple Solutions?

Why BreastFeeding is Pulitzer-Prize Worthy

The best moms are the moms who are TRYING to be the best moms they can be – but they don’t think they are.

So are you really surprised to hear my Highlighted Moments In Football:

So what are you passionate about? Can you name it? Can you sum it all up into one tiny blog post? Do you get to live it everyday?

“The firewalk to me was much more than walking on hot coals, it was symbolic of the fires we walk through in our lives, a metaphor for breaking through limiting beliefs and what you think you can’t accomplish.”

Checking off Zip Lining In Puerto Rico on my Bucket List

The Spuni Launch Event

Baby Food for the Novice Mom

So if you want to order one of these cool new little spoons, you can from their website – www.spuni.com

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Easy Pie Recipes: Brie and Peach Pies with Honey and Almonds

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