v 4 issue 16: Mommy and Me

She want to be just like Mom and we have found some fantastic items that you both will love!


Cover by Kristin Cook










1 Tangerine, pink, and clay play together nicely in these coordinating Mom/daughter aprons. With the entertaining season upon us, what better way to inspire the little helper within to come out and lend a helping hand. We love the twist Progeny Inc. puts on the old apron classics.

2 A beautiful gift for Moms and babies would be a matching pair of bracelets from Emmie Kate. Emmie Kate offers a number of gorgeous sterling silver bracelets in baby, child, and adult sizes. Pick from a number of quality pre-designed pieces or add a personalized engraving for a special keepsake piece.

3 Happiness is in the air at peacelovemom.com! Matching pink tees help show the collective relationship between happy Moms and babies. Super soft on skin and super high on the cuteness scale.

4 Whether you are lucky enough to live in a warm weather climate year round or you need some new duds for a vacation, this is the perfect matching pair for Moms and little girls. Visit MommaOm to pick up these one-of-a-kind bikinis, full of funk and flair. The Flor di Cherry designs mix up vibrant hues of red and blue with natural tones of cream and brown for a well-balanced color palette.
Enter Code:Tots for 20% off your total purchase

5 EMTanner Designs has done it again. This time they've come up with some great new Mommy and Me designs. Spunky fonts and simply sweet designs are aplenty at this fabulous shop! Check it out.

6 Ultra-luxurious comfort is all yours at Max Daniel Co. These swanky soft blankets and throws are favorites of the stars, and we can see why. The prints are spectacular and the softness is exquisite. We are particularly fond of the snow leopard print, but any one will surely tickle the fancy of the girls in the family!

7 Now, well-loved dolls and stuffed animals can also enjoy the benefits of baby wearing! SlingEZee makes a doll-sized sling for children to emulate Mom's caring carrying. New and improved, these slings have an increased ability to adjust and extra padded comfort.


This weeks mom tips
Holiday Green tip #1:

Holiday Green tip #1:
No-Waste Gift Wrapping
1. Canvas shopping bags make great gift bags for any gift. Two gifts for one!
Clairebella Bellabags are 100% cotton and have plenty of room for even the largest of gifts.
2. For the sewing enthusiast, wrap a gift in a fabric remnant and tie it with a piece of lace or ribbon.
3. Any kitchen gift can be wrapped in a colorful dish towel. Kitchen utensils can pop out of an oven mitt.
4.Place home-baked cookies in a reusable tin box or a decorated oatmeal box.
5. Wrap tools for a gardener in the pocket of an apron, planter, or bucket.
6. Search for interesting old boxes that can be used as decorative packages.
7. For a reader, wrap a book in a reusable canvas shopping sack.

Holiday Green tip #2: When it comes to trees, you have plenty of beautiful options. With live trees you can have a tree to enjoy year-round. Ask your local nursery which trees grow best in your area. Artificial Christmas trees are cost effective and they can be reused year after year. Cut trees are beautiful. But be sure to have yours composted instead of sending it to a landfill.

Financial Tip: Watch the grocery sales fliers and stock up on necessary items. You can often find turkey, ham, stuffing, nuts, canned pumpkin etc. at exceptionally low prices this time of year. Calculate what you will need and stock up while it is on sale.

Time Saving Tip: Wrap as you go. Don’t put all of your wrapping off until the last minute. As you pick things up, go ahead and wrap them as soon as you get a chance. It helps to have a dedicated wrapping area set aside that is well-stocked with all the essentials – wrapping paper, scissors, gift tags, tape, etc. Note: You may want to keep a list of what you bought and for whom so that you will not forget what you wrapped.


How to deal with a picky eater during the holidays
It's exciting when your toddler starts eating solid foods. You get to introduce her to lots of new things. There will be foods she likes and ones that she doesn't. But many toddlers develop an aversion to new foods or only want to eat one certain food at every meal. This often happens around the infamous "terrible twos." Some parents fear that their child will not get proper nutrition if they are picky eaters.

What many parents don't realize is that toddlers do not need to eat as much as you might think. Growth slows down around two years of age, often resulting in a decrease in appetite. So your active two year old might fill up with just a few bites.

A lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet is also a source of concern for lots of parents. These food groups are trouble spots for many toddlers, and they do contain lots of healthy nutrients. But as long as the child is growing normally, there is usually no need to worry.

Make mealtime pleasant with conversational topics that engage your child. When food is appetizing and conversation is fun, children will be more likely to eat which means less tension on the child and parents.

Take comfort in the fact that picky eating is usually a phase that your child will outgrow.

This Thanksgiving add a few unique items to the menu that you are certain your picky eater will enjoy. This way everyone is eating and happy. Now that is something to be thankful for!

Most children love bread. Why not try Sweet Potato Biscuits. I have a feeling even your picky eater will enjoy these as well as the rest of your guests (see recipe below).

Doesn’t everyone love macaroni and cheese? Why not serve it as a side dish with your Holiday dinner. You can stick with your child’s favorite brand or a homemade version.

Sweet Potato Biscuits
Makes 16 biscuits

Ingredients:
2 to 3 medium sweet potatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

Heat oven to 400. Scrub sweet potatoes, prick them in several places with a fork, and microwave them until tender, at least 10 minutes. Carefully slice them in half, scoop the hot flesh from the skins, and add to a mixing bowl along with the butter. Using an electric mixer, whip together potatoes and butter until well combined, about 2 minutes. Beat in sugars, salt, and spices. Let the mixture cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile stir together flour and baking powder in a medium bowl with a fork. Add flour mixture to potato mixture and use the fork to combine well. You may have to knead the dough by hand a bit at the end. On a floured surface, roll out or pat the dough into an 8-by-8-inch square about 3/4 inch thick. With a sharp knife or square biscuit cutter dipped in flour, cut out 2-inch square biscuits. (Making them square means you can use all the dough in one go, rather than rerolling it.)

Place the dough squares 2 inches apart on a baking sheet that has been greased or lined with parchment. Bake until they're golden brown on the bottom and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Recipe source: wondertime.com