THE MAMA CHRONICLES

Taking Back Dinner

The mango salsa pictured above looks delicious and unassuming, right? Then why did my six year old ask "what's that gross stuff on my dish"  last night? Dinner was simply pan-seared salmon with said salsa, steamed asparagus, carrots and rice. Honestly, I thought the salmon would be the fight—as usual. Being the fickle creatures they're programmed to be, it was the refreshing, zingy mango salsa that she judged with just one look.

I knew full-well that my protein choice might be met with a frown but decided as long as I paired it with a starch and veggie she liked, at least her tummy would be full for bedtime. To my surprise, the salmon went over well, and she wolfed down the rice and carrots. I'll give her a pass on the asparagus—even though this is the season to eat it in NYC.

And therein lies the trick to shedding your short order chef's whites. Don't expect kids to love everything you make, but do make sure there's at least a few things on the menu they will. Studies show that it can take upwards of a dozen introductions before children take to a new food. And if they don't even after all those attempts? Respect their opinion but don't scratch it off your shopping list. You won't like all their friends as they grow, so it's just practice for tolerance on both your parts.

MANGO SALSA

Makes 1 1/2 cups

Prep this salsa first so the flavors have time to marinate while you finish cooking the rest of the meal.

1 whole mango, diced fine

1 small red onion, chopped fine

1 clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons chopped fresh cilantro

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

fresh squeezed juice of one lime

Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

1/2 teaspoon minced jalapeno, optional

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; mix well using a spoon or rubber spatula. Let "marinate" on countertop for 30 minutes. May also be made one day in advance and stored, covered, in the refrigerator.

It's All Happening

 
My little blog that could got the attention of the PR folks at the MWW Group. Little did I know when I went to an event for the launch of 1-800-Flowers Spot a Mom campaign that I'd be spotted myself as a Foodie Mom just one month later. If you haven't check out Julie Mulligan's blog, then take a look (I'll wait for you to peek and come back).

It gets better. Tomorrow I'm joining CEO Jim McCann, President Chris McCann and Julie to ring the opening NASDAQ bell. I'm honored beyond words. Not for just the sweet recognition, but because 1-800-Flowers is a family run business. Everyone involved is a genuinely nice person and it feels good to surrounded by such people. If you've been wondering what to you can do to make your own mama feel special, look no further. Flowers run a close seconds to diamonds as a girl's best friend. Use type in this promotion code: SPOTAMOM at the checkout for a 15% savings on your order.

How Grey is your Garden?

The Mr. and I finally caught up with HBO's Grey Gardens this weekend. What an amazing perspective it offered from the chaotic splendor of the original documentary. It also left me feeling both sad and grateful. Aside from the obvious mental fragility of both the Edies, they were victims of their times. Abandoned by their husband, father, sons and brothers, they just weren't made for those times. Imagine had their story started a few decades later? The idea that a woman's only way of providing for herself was to find a suitable husband makes me quiver.

I recently did an interview with The Mad Mom for a Momlogic piece. I said it there and I'll say it here. The work balance, or lack of, often drives me crazy. But, I make sure to remind myself that it's all on my terms. I can choose to go back to an office job any day (if there's anything left in this economy). I choose freedom. Freedom to be with my kids. Freedom to have a career. Freedom to be me. Thank you to all the women who made it possible throughout history. It's still a work in progress but I couldn't be who I am today without their struggles and perseverance.

Kids in the Kitchen

 

Cooking with kids themed cookbooks has been a hot trend for a while, but we all know the dirty truth. Kids, no matter how great an eater they start out, hit culinary crossroad. You can only make so many broccoli trees in a sea in a forest of mashed potatoes before you accept that one day their palates will come to their senses.  Here are two reads I suggest to get you through the "dark ages". Read my review of them at SheKnows.

I Heart Mom

Did you notice those pink flowers are in a colander? And that pitcher is actually an herb plant. Do you know a Foodie Mom?

It's never too early to start thinking about Mother's Day (don't worry you have time—it's May 10th this year). It will always be a special day for me since both my girls were born on Mother's Day (five years apart mind you, so yes, lightening can strike twice). I remember as a teenager, I couldn't afford a delivered arrangement so I made my own and paid the kid next door a dollar to do the deed. Mom was delighted by the surprise and my ingenuity for not letting budget stand in my way.

Last week, I got a sneak peek at the new 1-800-Flowers Spot a Mom campaign. We come from every walk of life and have personalities as diverse as snowflakes. With that in mind, their floral and lifestyle team have put together a really beautiful array of affordable arrangements.

Full disclosure: I got some neat swag from this event, and want to let you know that up front (BTW: the Cheryl & Co. cookies were a delicious surprise). But, this isn't a sponsored post. I get lots of free stuff my day job but I only recommend things I'd actually pony up the bucks for myself. Take a look at these other cool gift ideas, and while you're at enter 1-800-Flowers Spotlight a Mom contest for the chance to give one lucky lady a luxury vacation.

Katja over at Skimbaco Lifestyle had a nice post on this event too. So check it out for some interesting details on this family-run company. Katja was also featured on Julie Mulligan's blog (she made that awesome flower-covered show below).

On The Go Mom                                                Red Carpet Mom

                            Gardening Mom

The Unimaginable

I feel paralyzed. Instead of prepping for my meeting shortly, I'm blogging because I don't know any other way to get rid of this feeling. Sadness. Dread. Grief. I'm choking back tears as I type. None of my "real world" friends knew Maddie. Heck, I didn't know Maddie until I heard through the Silicon Valley Moms grapevine that she had passed away. Maddie was the daughter of a fellow mom blogger over at LA Moms Blog. One look at the piercing blue eyes and two-tooth smile is enough to melt your heart. My own 11-month old has that same sparkle in her eyes and glimmer of teeth.

VRP is different, though. She was born on time and healthy. Maddie was born 11 weeks premature and spent 68 days in the hospital before going home. Her parents, Heather and Mike Spohr, have been in and out of the hospital since then. That is until last night when Maddie lost her fight.

There has been an outpouring of cyber support for Maddie's parents. I'd link to Heather's blog but it's down, likely due to the flood of people trying to let her know she's got a friend. So, while those moms on Oprah are busy complaining, I'm going to take a moment today to really appreciate my kids and hope my worst fears never, ever materialize. Yes, motherhood is tough. Yes, you lose a part of yourself the moment you have children. But, you also gain so much and once it's gone I imagine it leaves a permanent hole in your heart.

Heather was supposed to participate in the March of Dimes walk later this month. I hope my donation might help another mom from ever having to deal with this terrible pain. Here's a link to Heather's walk page if you'd like to help too.

UPDATE: This is from Meghan's blog, A Mom Two Boys.

A PayPal Account has been set up to assist Heather and Mike with any upcoming expenses. You can donate by sending money, via PayPal to formaddie@hotmomreviews.com. All money received will go directly to them to be used at their discretion.

Magically Delicious?

photo by Karen Hanrahan as posted on Best of Mother Earth

I wonder how many people will believe McDonald's 100% pure beef claim after learning this picture is of one of their own hamburgers from 1996. Yes, that's right—it's a 12 year old hamburger that looks just like one you'd purchase today. The photographer, Karen Hanrahan is a Wellness Educator and Nutrional Counselor. Hanrahan displays this "prop" along side fresh-bought burgers (the only time you will ever hear me utter fresh and McDonald's in the same sentence) to show how it has preserved itself for more than a decade. She simply stores it in a tupperware-like container. Hanrahan sums it up best "Ladies, Gentleman, and children alike - this is a chemical food. There is absolutely no nutrition here".

A few years back my dear uncle was babysitting my then 3 year old daughter. He knew I was a foodie, farmer's market, granola-munching mama, and still he took my most precious cargo to Burger King for lunch. My reaction was akin to someone giving my child gasoline. I told him I'd rather her starve than eat that "food". I actually told my daughter to scream for help if anyone every took her into a Mc-anything-like "restaurant" again. Perhaps I acted extreme and yes, I kow there's the chance she'll live off the stuff during her college years in some act of rebellion. It's just not going to happen on my watch.

Give Me a Break

Spring break is days away. Looking for some fun over the ten day break or just a quick getaway on the weekend? Friend and fellow mom, Alison Lowenstein has just the remedy in her new book City Weekends: Greatest Escapes and Weekend Getaways In and Around New York City. I missed her party at BookCourt in Carroll Gardens this week (forgot my wallet and had to wait for the Mr. to rescue me from doing restaurant dishes and pay the check—I'm convinced the afterbirth was really my brain).

Sowing the Seeds

photo by Liliya Zakharchenko

The recession has me worried for many reasons. Yes, there are concerns about making the mortgage, saving for college and hoping we can continue to pay the $1,000 a month for family insurance. That's right folks, it's no typo—my husband and I are both freelancers and it costs close to a grand to insure a family of four in the Big Apple. But I digress, or do I? My real concern during these tough economic times is what will happen to the momentum local farming gained in recent years. It's a well documented fact that diet and health go hand in hand.

I've already seen the difference in my shopping habits. I opt for organic milk at Trader Joe's over the Ronnybrook or Milk Thistle at the Greenmarket. We go through a gallon plus a week between my dairy queen daughter and recipe testing—that's a savings of $6 to $8 alone. The Environmental Working Group's dirty dozen list has helped me navigate which fruits and veggies are an organic or farmer's market must (apples, peaches, strawberries, lettuce). I hope the First Lady's new plans for a White House vegetable garden signal the much needed change this country needs in its respect and value for the food we eat. I also hope it makes food free of pesticides, harmful chemicals and antibiotics more affordable. Should we be willing to spend a little more for that insurance. Yes, but as a twitter friend said recently "the answer can't just be pay more".

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Media and Motherhood

A mother's work is never done doesn't begin to explain it. Should we all be concerned about Nickelodeon putting ratings and fear of lawsuits first? Yes. Help get Chris Brown off the ballot. Until then, tune out and let the kids watch some non-Nick DVDs. Here's what other moms are saying over at ABCnews.com.