Momathon Blog

Momathon Fave: Children's Author Lauren Child

"Always remember: It's the worry you haven't even thought to worry about that should worry you the most."

--Lauren Child, Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now

I am a worrier. I can relate to fictional worrier Clarice Bean created by children's novelist Lauren Child.  Some how in the middle of the night my worries become enormous. When I wake up these same worries seem kind of ridiculous, but still troublesome. As a kid even the tiniest thing can make a big impression and create troubles.

Probably because I am a writer I like to hear stories about writing by other writers. Here's an audio clip about writing children's books moms (and kids) will enjoy.

Find out how as “Clarice Bean” author Lauren Child talks about her career on NPR.

A Perfect Travel Cookie: Spanish Anise Cookies

You never know what you might happen when your kids say they need help with homework. Sometimes it's long division or pre-calc. Or maybe writing an essay on Thomas Jefferson. Or a paper mache volcano.

And sometimes it's food. These are the projects I like...as long as it doesn't involve frying anything. A recent donut-making episode for a Social Studies project would have been simpler if I have just stopped at Dunkin' Donuts.

Today my son made a Spanish cookie for a Spanish class. I give him an A for effort and an A+ for presentation/taste. And I give him an A++ for finding a great recipe for cookies that travel well--in the car or via mail.

Here is the recipe:

2 cups four

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 cup margarine

2 eggs, well-beaten

approx. 1/8 to 1/4 tsp anise extract

Preheat oven to 375

Blend dry ingredients, cut in margarine until particles are size of large peas. Stir in eggs and anise extract. Mix thoroughly with hands or use a heavy-duty mixer. When mixed, divide into two parts. Using 1/2 dough at a time, roll 1/4" thick on a lightly foured board. Cut into sticks, approx. 4 x 12". (You can also cut into squares.) Place on ungreased baking sheet. Brush with melted margarine. Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly brown on edges. Makes 3 dozen or so sticks/squares.

Delicioso!

wowOwow! Liz Smith and The Women on the Web

I admit I am a news junkie. My less boring side enjoys reading gossip columns and opinion pieces. This week Liz Smith, gossip's grande dame, was bumped from The New York Post due to bad economic times. Despite her age, 86, she managed to find an even better spot for writing her column in on one of my online faves wowOwow, the Women on the Web site she co-founded.

As the site promotes, the diva of dish will be "delivering daily dish as it breaks in real time." One more reason I love the web. 

If you want to read about people in business or the arts, celebrities and just interesting new trends, check out her column. Her column is addictive. She's dishy without ever being mean. And she has everyone's cell phone number.

According to Joni Evans at wowOwow, "Liz has raised more than $20 million in the fight against illiteracy and more millions in the fight against AIDS. Other causes close to her heart include The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City, The New York Landmarks Conservancy, The Police Athletic League and The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders."

You can read more about her career in the NY Times article, Liz Smith Bids City’s Tabloids Goodbye.

Today is Spay Day USA

Approximately one cat or dog is euthanized every eight seconds in U.S. shelters. That's about four million cats and dogs who die each year just because they are homeless. 

Spaying and neutering is the only 100% effective method of birth control for dogs and cats that reduces the vast numbers of animals that are put down in shelters because they are homeless. 

The 15th annual Spay Day USA is today, February 24th, 2009. The Doris Day Animal Foundation came up with Spay Day USA to promote spaying dogs and cats. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) also sponsors this day.

Vet clinics across the country are offering low-cost spay and neuter services today to help those who need assistance with paying for the procedures.

In tough economic times like now, more and more "foreclosure pets" are being surrendered in to animal shelters or abandoned on the street. 

How can you help? Support the HSUS and other animal welfare programs that educate people on how important it is to spay or neuter pets. For tips on how you can take action, check out this link: Spay Day USA | The Humane Society of the United States

I am always amazed when I meet pet owners who have not spayed or neutered their pets. They have a variety of reasons--they're too busy...it's too expensive... or they think spaying/neutering will change their pet's personality in a negative way.  (The good news is low cost procedures are available and spaying/neutering will not harm the psyche of your pet.) Unfortunately, these same pet owners usually don't think their dog or cat will accidentally get pregnant (or be the unexpected new father).  And they obviously haven't considered how many homeless pets end up dying prematurely because of pet overpopulation. Building awareness about pet overpopulation is just one reason why Spay Day USA is important. Today or tomorrow or the next day is the perfect time to remind pet owners to spay and neuter.

Geeky Mom: Lego iPod Speaker

No one is ever too old for Legos in my opinion. That's why the mini Lego-like brick speaker that you attach to your iPod seems like the perfect solution to sharing your tunes with the universe. The Lego speakers with two tiny speakers hidden behind the the cross-shaped holes are really only powerful enough to entertain a small universe like your room. Speakers run off the iPod's power so no batteries are required. (The speakers do not work with first generation iPhones or the the second generation iPod touch or the iPod shuffle.) 

$25

For product details check out fredflare.com.

Giggling Baby Quads Video--Too Cute!

Hope you are having a happy Friday. If you aren't smiling already, watch the adorable baby quads giggling with their mom in the YouTube video below.

Watch more YouTube videos on AOL Video

Circling the Grocery

Looking for an simple way to eat healthy and stick to your diet? Push your cart around the periphery of the grocery first and you'll end up buying more healthy food in the produce section, fresh meats, and dairy items. By circling the store first you aren't tempted by the chips and other processed packaged snack foods featured in the center of the store.

What if your favorite veggies or fruits aren't in season? Hit the freezer section next and you will find frozen veggies and fruits which are flash frozen at peak ripeness, plus the nutritional value is preserved. I keep frozen strawberries or blueberries on hand for adding to yogurt or cereal. A great snack for kids. Plus the frozen variety can be cheaper than fresh. 

Looking for something new to try. Check out the frozen edamame, baby soybeans. Just a 1/2 cup of shelled edamame is great for increasing fiber, protein, and vitamins in your diet. Thaw the edamame in the fridge for a quick low-cal snack. 

Word of Mom @ Cookie

If you've read my blog before, then you know I'm a big fan of Cookie magazine. 

Moms are an opinionated group and Cookie values your opinions. Thats why the editors at Cookie want you to help determine which products should receive the Cookies' Word of Mom Readers' Choice seal of approval. Cookie wants you to tell them what you like...your favorite foods for kids, beauty products, stores, etc. In appreciation for telling the folks at Cookie your product picks, they will enter you into a sweepstakes to win a 3-night stay for 4 at the Inn of Spanish Garden in beautiful sunny Santa Barbara, California.

How to vote: 

The Word of Mom Sweepstakes begins at 12:01 a.m. ET on 1/06/09 and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on 6/02/09, when all votes must be received. To enter, visit Word of Mom and complete the online survey. 

If you want to see the Word of Mom product winners for 2008, click on this link:

Word of Mom 2008 Winners: Cookiemag.com

No School Today: Too Cool Science Experiments Video Clip

Looking for a fun show to watch with the kids on President's Day? Check out the amazing science experiments on the video clip from the Rachael Ray Show. Rachael and science whiz Dr. Rob Bell of the Australian kids' show SCOPE team up for some very cool experiments. Imagine making instant ice cream with super cold liquid nitrogen! (Don't try this one at home.) In one experiment Rachel walks on water.

If your kids like Nickelodeon's hit show True Jackson, VP, then they will love watching Rachel interview the show's star Keke Palmer. Check out the interview here.

Have fun. Now I have to make lunch for my kids. Rachael's recipe today for Big Spicy Mac sounds very tempting. 

Bon Appetit!

Snowy Valentine's Day

Make a Smilebox greeting

Pet Safety Tips on Valentine's Day

The ASPCA reminds us humans that many treats we give our sweethearts on Valentine's Day are NOT good for your pet. Each year at Valentine's Day, the ASPCA poison control experts see a rise in cases--many involving chocolate and lilies. (Lilies are potentially fatal to cats.)

Check the ASPCA links below for food, drinks and plants to keep away from your pet.

People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets

chocolate, coffee, caffeine

alcohol

avocado

macadamia nuts

grapes and raisins

yeast dough

raw/undercooked meat, eggs and bones

the sweetener Xylitol

onions, garlic, chives

milk

17 Common Poisonous Plants

Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

Moms Make a Difference: Buy Pampers and Help Eliminate Tetanus

Every three minutes a newborn baby dies because of tetanus and this is a completely preventable death. Most of us have been immunized against tetanus, but for many in developing countries tetanus is deadly. And tetanus can be contracted during childbirth. That's why tetanus vaccines are so important to prevent maternal and neonatal tetanus.

Pampers and UNICEF team up to help eliminate tetanus in the 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign. You can help protect women and their babies against tetanus each time you purchase a specially marked pack of Pampers. For just pennies a vaccine, these desperately needed tetanus vaccines save lives. For each pack of specially marked Pampers diapers sold, Proctor and Gamble will donate the cost of one tetanus vaccine to UNICEF. The 1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign has generated funding for more than 45 million vaccines since the beginning of 2008 according to ABC News.

When UNICEF vaccinates moms who are pregnant, then the moms pass that vaccine onto their unborn child so that the child will be protected against tetanus until they are old enough to be vaccinated. Now moms everywhere can work together to help other moms who need to be vaccinated. 

Actress Selma Hayek teams up with Pampers and UNICEF  to help build awareness of the  1 Pack = 1 Vaccine campaign. 

This NightLine segment above covers Hayek's visit to devastated Sierra Leone.

Actress Salma Hayek travels to the african nation of Sierra Leone with UNICEF and Pampers. 

Official List of Brands NOT Affected by Recall

I admit when I first heard about the latest peanut list I wondered who would look at it because we already have a searchable recall list. Then I remembered how I gave my son a snack bar with peanuts and he asked me if I was sure it was okay. I told him I couldn't find it on the recall list so it must be okay. Because my son is going to be a lawyer in ten years he knew this wasn't a good argument.

What if my eyes were tired of reading the fine print and I missed the snack bar on the DO NOT EAT THIS list?

Moms with kids old enough to frame an argument better than Denny and Alan on Boston Legal, have no fear. Now we have a list to satisfy even the young lawyer wannabes living at your house: American Peanut Council's List of Brands NOT Affected by FDA Recall

Just remember to check back every few days to see if the list changes as they get more information.

If you would like to look for the RECALLED items, just check out this link for a searchable list compiled by the FDA that gives all the recalled peanut butter and other peanut containing products.

Sleeping More Helps Women Lose Weight

Moms are sleep deprived. It's a fact of life. I don't need a research study to tell me that sleep is good. It's obvious, I just feel better when I get 7-8 hours of sleep. I graze more on junk food when I'm tired. And why not, I'm tired and cranky. 

Can a sleep makeover really help moms lose weight?

Researchers say getting enough zzz's will help you lose weight. According to an article in Glamour Magazine sleep and medical experts Michael Breus, Ph.D, and Steven Lamm, M.D., studied the sleep patterns of women of varying weights. Those that got at least 7.5 hours of sleep a night were able to lose weight. Although subjects of the study were asked not to change other habits and patterns, because of the extra sleep they felt more energized and able to be active.

Now if the researchers could just tell me how to squeeze in a few extra winks a night. Maybe the women in the study lost weight because they worked extra hard to get everything done each day just to get into bed on time.

New Rubik Puzzle: The Rubik 360

In the age of iPod apps and Xbox games, can a puzzle that requires no electricity or batteries build a cult following like it's popular predecessor?

Some of us have been waiting nearly 30 years for the second generation of the Rubik's Cube that was invented back in 1974. Guess it takes a while to make a new version of this puzzle. The sculptor/engineer/architect and inventor of the original Cube, Erno Rubik, 64, says he has a new puzzle called the Rubik 360 that will go on sale in August.

"The 360 is one of the most innovative and exciting puzzles we've developed since the cube, adopting elements of my original design, challenging the solver to use skill, dexterity and logic," says Rubik according to the Herald Sun.

Looking forward to it already. Watch out Eric Akkersdijk, the Rubik Cube world champion who completed the puzzle in a speedy 7.08 seconds. A new crop of Rubik fanatics is waiting to challenge the speed record for the 360.

Not sure if Eric needs to worry about Graham Parker, 45, of England. Evidently Parker finished his Rubik Cube after 26 years.

After a Crazy Week

My father sent me the link to the "What a Wonderful World" video. So sweet. Not sure how the deer and cat in this video met each other, but it goes to show how we all just need to be friends.

I see trees of green, red roses too.
I see them bloom, for me and you. 
And I think to myself... what a wonderful world. 
I see skies of blue, and clouds of white. 
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night 
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world...

--Louis Armstrong, What a Wonderful Life Lyrics

Okey-Dokey: Kids Can Cook Gnocchi

Who knew gnocchi was so simple to make? It's the perfect meal to make with the kids. Only five ingredients! Potatoes, egg yolks, flour, salt & pepper. I'm loving this delicious dinner recipe that won't cost a fortune. Gnocchi is a great alternative to pasta and it's easier to make than mashed potatoes.

You can watch Amanda Freitag, executive chef of The Harrison in NYC, create a yummy meal with gnocchi that your kids will love to help you make in the TODAY show video clip below. (You can see the super simple gnocchi recipe at this link.)

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Recycle Your Jeans and Help Homeless Teens

One in three homeless people in America are under the age of eighteen. Now you can donate your jeans for charities that help homeless teens. Just clean out your closet and recycle your jeans.

DoSomething.org and Aeropostale team up in the national campaign Teens For Jeans so you can donate your jeans and help homeless teens. Last year teens helped them collect over 125,000 pairs.

It's simple to help out. Just drop off any pair of your teen's gently worn jeans to any Aeropostale store between January 26th and February 22nd and Aeropostale will donate the jeans to a local homeless shelter or charity.

To say thanks for your donation, Aeropostale will give you an additional 25% off your next pair of jeans.

Find out how you and your kids can get involved, just check out the Aeropostale Teens For Jeans Take Action Guide.

Gossip Girl star Chace Crawford wants you to clean out your closet and do something to help homeless teens.