Momathon Blog

Ski bum mum on the weekend

A good day on the mountain starts with some carbs...

 

And a cuppa joe...

 

Nothing makes a ski day like sunshine and kids

 

And when you are tired, just follow the signs...

 

  

Photo credits: 1.  Sauce Supreme, 2. Alex-s', 3&4  Luna Blue Studio

Why this Geeky Mom may wait to buy the iPad

 

It's easy to fall in love with an iPad. It was love at first sight for me, the Geeky Mom. Admittedly, we have one of those awkward long distance relationships. I am hoping the two of us will get closer, but for now I adore my iPad from afar. The only problem with my tablet affair is that I keep noticing flaws.

 

iPad Cons: 

--No flash. Flash is the Adobe software plugin that handles video and animation on the web. So this means no Hulu and other web video sites do not work. (If you looked closely you would see that even the NYT app that was hyped in the intro was missing the Flash plugin icon.) This omission is not a complete disaster because alternatives are available in other browsers for video streaming including YouTube and Vimeo which use H.264 for video streaming. 

--No multitasking. The iPad is supposed to be better than a laptop or a smart phone at browsing the web, reading and writing email, watching movies, reading a book, and listening to music. BUT the iPad can only do one thing at a time. Multitasking is a big energy hog and by leaving this out of the iPad, the iPad has a super long battery life--10 hours.

--No textbooks. Yet. The iPad has an iBooks feature that makes reading digital books just like reading paper books. However, the intro to the iPad did not mention a partnership with textbook publishers. The good news is that it does offer a full-color Kindle-killer app for many other books.

--No cameras (No still camera, video cam, or webcam). Although I can't imagine using a device this size as a general use camera, I would have liked a front facing camera for web conferencing, etc. Geeky moms probably know more about gaming apps than they wish to admit, but they also know about talking on the laptop using Skype webcam calls. Moms love to see amazing connections built when kids video chat with Gramma and Grampa hundreds of miles away. And how would moms away from home on a business trip survive without video chats with their kids?

--No TV subscriptions (and no way to hook up to HD monitor via HDMI). I was hoping I could subscribe to TV programming just like a subscribing to print media. Didn't hear anyone at Apple mention this at the intro. Rumor has it that Disney will be a key player in TV and film distribution.

--No USB port. The good news is there is a way to work around this via the dock connector including the camera connection kit for photos.

--No GPS on Wi-Fi models. 3G iPads come with assisted GPS.

10 reasons why this Geeky Mom loves the iPad

 

First of all, it only took me about 5 minutes to get over the name iPad. Yes, it does bring to mind all those feminine hygiene products that we giggled about when we were teens. I'm a grown-up now--at least most of the time--so I am moving on and thinking less about wings and more about apps.

The official Geeky Mom (that's me) list of iPad pros (list of cons coming tomorrow).

Pros:

--Size. Apple delivers a miracle: The iPad is compact but big. Except for the fact it won't fit easily in a purse or pocket, I love the size. The specs: 9.7 inch display (imagine your favorite video playing here), 0.5 inches thick, and weighs only 1.5 pounds. Some will complain that the iPad is still too heavy. Not such a big deal to us moms who lug around kids and pets and backpacks and groceries more than we want to admit. And don't even ask how much my purse weighs.

--Multi-touch. The multi-touch display screen acts like an iPhone and iPod. Familiar is good. After all, who takes the time to read the tech manual? This gadget is easy to use right out of the box. My kids think this feature makes all those games even cooler.

--Apps. Apps. Apps. Runs nearly 140,000 apps found at the app store. Even runs your favorite iPhone/iPod apps and you can sync them!

--iWork runs on iPad. I love Pages, a classy document creator with oh-so-cool templates and formatting on my laptop. I see one problem because the iPad lacks the multi-tasking cut and paste feature.

--Price. I was surprised by the relatively low $499 price for the basic 16GB model that uses Wi-Fi. Seems reasonable for a professional, but not really affordable for kids and teens who REALLY love gadgets. A Wi-Fi only 32GB model @ $599, a 64GB model @ $699. The Wi-Fi and 3G enabled iPad has 3 options: 16GB @ $629, a 32GB @ $729, and the fully loaded 64GB @ $829.

--3G. I admit it, I am a 3G snob. Wi-Fi is great--really great--but it isn't everywhere, yet. I know thinking I must have 3G is irrational. The 3G feature is either a decadent tech luxury or one more vice I should cut from my diet. You decide. A deal with AT&T gives iPad users 250 MB of data a month for $14.99... I'm warning you: Don't give your preteen/teens this option. The unlimited data go-ahead-and-surf-the-web-24/7-and-send-a-million-texts-a-day plan is $29.99.

--iBooks. I love books and I really love books with photos and lots of color. No, I am not talking about books for toddlers. I love photo-rich cookbooks, decorating books, travel books and--kids cover your eyes--I love textbooks. I watched the books feature on the introductory videos. Love the hi-res, LED-backlit screen with COLOR. However I read on the blogs and tweets that the iPad was introduced in a dim room. So how does it perform in normal light or sunlight? We'll see. Also, I didn't hear much talk about textbooks. I am crossing my fingers. Textbooks on the iPad is a dealbreaker in the decision to purchase an iPad for my high schooler.

--10 hour battery life while watching videos. And a month of standby. The critics are complaining that the battery is not removable. Not a big deal for me. Having a spare battery would just mean more to lug around.

--News. The intuitive NYT app is so much better on the larger iPad display. I was hoping more newspapers and magazines would be on board too. I can wait patiently for more digital news editions, but I hope they hurry.

--iPad keyboard. Of course you can use the virtual keyboard on the screen. But I also like the fact you can also use a standard sized keyboard with a soon to be released keyboard dock that lets you type and charge at the same time.

 

Today's bit o' sunshine

 

 
 (image: New York Times and Little Miss Sunshine)

Can a dairy girl survive lactose intolerance?

 

I'm midwest girl at heart. I love milk. I love love love cheese. Pretty much anything dairy is on my yummy list. So what can a dairy gal do to survive lactose intolerance?

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Most people with lactose intolerance can enjoy some milk products without symptoms." 

That's good news, not only because I love the taste of dairy products, but because milk and other dairy foods provide essential nutrients, such as calcium, vitamins A and D, riboflavin and phosphorus. 

How can you minimize the symptoms of lactose intolerance? Drinking less milk more often works for some people. Or you can try limiting drinking milk to only at meal times because this slows down the digestive process. If you still experience problems, you can try lactose-reduced or lactose-free products. Some people like soy milk, nondairy creamers, or rice milk. I prefer lactose-free milk like Lactaid. 

Not all dairy is created equal. Check out the lactose content before your indulge. Hard cheeses like cheddar or Swiss tend to have lower lactose content. Yogurt and other cultured milk products can have lower lactose levels because during the culturing process the yogurt may produce the enzyme that breaks down lactose. However not all yogurts are made the same way. Some yogurt products have milk added after the culturing process.

Lactose can be hidden in non dairy products. Yikes! I learned this the hard way. Lactose can be added to prepared foods. Check the label's ingredient list for 

• whey
• milk 
• milk powder 
• ingredients that may contain milk byproducts
• malted milk
• butter milk
• dry milk solids
• lactose

Check the ingredients list for lactose in prepared foods including: 

• cereal
• instant soups
• baking mixes
• salad dressings
• milk chocolate

Gotta love the healthy calcium alternatives. Calcium rich foods that don't include lactose:

• broccoli
• leafy greens
• almonds
• oranges
• canned salmon
• calcium fortified products, such as bread, juice

For more information on brands of foods you might like to try, check out the Joy Bauer's Food Cures article featured on the TODAY Show.

Are you lactose intolerant? I am not a medical specialist or dietician, this article is posted here to provide ideas that will get you thinking about the options. Please check with your medical professional first for professional guidance with lactose intolerance.

(Image above of "pink milk, from the pinkcows, from pinkland" by  from PR'eyes')

So many reasons why I love Paris are found in the new book "Paris: Made by Hand"

Pia Jane Bijkerk is an internationally acclaimed stylist, photographer and author specializing in interiors, still life & food.  Her first book titled Paris: Made by Hand is available now. The photos in her book are so lovely. I want to live in her book! Time to book a flight to visit this city again.

Here is what Pia has to say about her new book on her blog:

"This is a book for lovers of all things handmade, the chic and unique, and of course Paris. In this book I take you off the tourist streets of this incredible city in search of Parisian artisans whose work is truly inspirational, and secreted studio boutiques filled with exquisite Parisian handmade treasures. I’ve been collecting these special addresses in my stylist’s little black book over the past couple of years and now with great delight, share them all with you in Paris: Made by Hand. Expect to see this fine city in a whole new light…"

Web comics for dog lovers: Dog Eat Doug

 

While you drink your cuppa joe, check out Dog eat Doug and get your daily dose of canine humor by comic strip artist Brian Anderson. Web comic features the antics of Sophie the chocolate Lab and a baby named Doug. 

(Image from Dog eat Doug web comics.)

It's so Etsy: Mary J. Maalouf Designs

 

Rich vibrant fabric can turn something ordinary into something amazing. Maybe that's why I love shopping for fabric. Today through the recommendation of a friend I discovered the wonderful fabrics by Mary J Maalouf. Mary is a designer who creates beautiful fabrics and makes lovely bags and cases available at her Etsy store. Mary also shares information about her craft in her blog (see image below).

 

 

Do I really need a CookVook?

 

The $9.99 price tag is my excuse for not downloading the Woman's Day Cookvook: Healthy Eating for Everyday Living iPhone app. According to WD, the CookVook provides healthy recipes in an "elegant, fun and easy to use application." Sounds like an interesting app, but this app only contains 45 recipes including Chicken Tortilla Soup and Cioppino. 

What makes it a cookvook? Video. It contain a how-to video for each recipe including a video that explains how to clean a leeks. (That video actually sounds useful in my quest to keep the germs out of my kitchen.) The CookVook is based on their hardcover book, The Woman's Day Cookbook for Healthy Living. If I was really bored, missing home-cooked meals and sitting in an airport terminal, then maybe this would be fun. But the CookVook's small cooking repertoire doesn't seem very practical when I am searching for new and interesting recipes. 

Another option...
Last year WD introduced their first iPhone app called the Cooking Assistant which is FREE. This app contains thousands of simple recipes tested by the cooks at WD. And it has a cool cooking time calculator and a shopping list feature so you can import the ingredients from a recipe into a shopping list feature. 

Bon Appetit from the Geeky Mom at Momathon.

Apple keeps teasing us... The announcement of the announcement.

 

The amazing Apple graphic above is from the invitation to the announcement event. Sigh... Geeky mom (me, the one who downloads Kindle files on her iPhone) was not sent an invitation. 

Not sure how long Apple will be able to build on the suspense before more details leak out. Apple has me curious about a number of things. Any ideas about the price? Will the tablet really be able to "hasten the extinction of paper?" And which movie/tv show will have the first product placement? I can see all the nerdy spies on CHUCK using the tablet. Or maybe Tina Fey on the 30 ROCK.

Here's the latest news about the tablet, according to the NYTimes.com Bits blog:

"Apple sent e-mail invitations to journalists Monday morning for a 'special event' to be held next Wednesday in San Francisco. 'Come see our latest creation,' the message says.

"Unless you’ve been living on another, Internet-deprived planet for the last year or so, you’ve probably got a pretty good idea what this is likely to be: the unveiling of Apple’s long-awaited, breathlessly hyped tablet computer. The device promises to hasten the extinction of paper, solidify Apple’s advantages in the mobile computing market, cure hunger and finally broker a peace between Jay and Conan."

Because I am so geeky...

"The Apple tablet is almost here. We hear. Actually, we're hearing a whole lot lately. With this exhaustive guide to every tablet rumor, we've got the clearest picture of the Apple tablet yet," according to sources at the tech blog gizmodo.com.

Geeky mom (me) really, really wants this gadget. I better start saving. Estimated costs run from $700 to $1000. Oh, but it is so cool.

Un-fried fries recipe

 

Gotta love a nutritionist who thinks up a yummy recipe for healthy fries! Joy Bauer, a nutritionist and a contributor at the TODAY show, seems to be always looking for unique ways to keep our kids happy with healthy food choices. Joy's Un-fried Fries recipe using sweet potatoes or white potatoes looks yummy and easy. 

I haven't tried Joy's exact recipe yet, but for years I have made my own version which is almost the same. Here's what I do: These healthy fries are not fried so this recipe puts the oven to work. Just preheat the oven to 400. Wash and scrub 2-3 white or sweet potatoes. Coat a baking sheet with an oil spray such as Pam Spray. Cut the potatoes into skinny potato wedges or strips and place them in a single layer on the baking sheet. Now you get to be creative. In my recipe I spray a light covering of more oil spray on the potatoes in a neutral flavor, but you can get creative with oil spray flavorings. Next add a spice--salt, pepper, or sweet flavorings like cinnamon (for sweet potatoes). Bake fries for about 20 minutes depending on the size of your fries. To make them crispy on all sides, remember to flip them halfway through the baking cycle. In Joy's recipe she recommends placing the fries under the broiler for a few minutes at the end to make them extra crispy, but this step is not necessary.

Click on the image below to watch the TODAY Show how-to video for making Un-fried Fries using white or sweet potatoes. 

 

Click on the image above to go to the TODAY show video. 

(Oh so cute image of the heart-shaped potato at the top of the page by lovelypetal)

Don't bother me now, I'm watching CHUCK

Why do I love CHUCK? He's a nice guy. He wears his heart on his sleeve. He's a nerd. He's a spy. He is a hero you can love. He admits his fears, but somehow he saves the day. And maybe best of all, even though he is a super hero, he loves normal.

Watch the latest episodes about my favorite nerd spy CHUCK online played by Zachary Levi. Or you can just tune in on Mondays, 8/7c on NBC. Tonight's episode: Chuck vs. Operation Awesome.

The TV series "Chuck" is about an "average computer-whiz-next-door" who has amazing powers because he has the greatest spy secrets encoded in his brain. Unbelievable? Yes. But it is so much fun.
 

Teen lit: Boys, Girls & Other Hazardous Material

If you are a fan of Rosalind Wiseman's NYT nonfiction bestseller Queen Bees & Wannabees, check out her new YA novel Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials, all about friendship, betrayal, and how far some will go to be accepted.

Wiseman's first book inspired the movie Mean Girls, co-written with Tina Fey. According to Fey, Wiseman's YA novel is a must read: "Rosalind Wiseman once again writes with humor, compassion and accuracy about the high school experience.You can't put this book down... or it will talk about you while you're out of the room." 

Here is what the blog Strollerderby had to say: "Centered around teenaged Charlie Healey’s attempts to escape one high school clique only to find the next stumbling block is boys . . . and frenemies who can’t be left behind . . . it’s a refreshing change from the recent trend in YA fare - a la Twilight."

Other blog posts about this book:

• Boys Girls And Other Hazardous Materials | Strollerderby
• Stacked: Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
• Pirate Penguin's Reads: Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials by Rosalind Wiseman
• Abby (the) Librarian: Book Review: Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials
• Boys, Girls and Other Hazardous Materials (Hardcover) by Rosalind Wiseman - Reviews, Discussion, Bookclubs, Lists
• The Compulsive Reader: Cover Comments: Boys, Girls, and Other Hazardous Materials

Waterproof TV for shower and other gadgets

  
 
(Photos via www.themarthablog.com)

Of course I love the new WATERPROOF! TV for your shower, the super thin laptops, and the Skype enabled video phone, but as a mom with messy kids I REALLY love this Cyber Clean gadget that cleans dust and crumbs from keyboards. WOW! (Thanks to Martha Stewart for featuring it in her blog today.)

Check out many of the gadgets at The Martha Blog: The hottest technology and coolest gadgets at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

Ways to help Haiti now

When disaster strikes, we reach out to help our family, neighbors, and even strangers. 

On January 12th, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit outside the capital of Haiti causing widespread destruction to homes, schools, hospitals, roads and more. Relief efforts are ongoing, and we can help out by donating. Now.

President Clinton is the UN's Special Envoy to Haiti and the Clinton Presidential Center has details on many relief efforts including: The Clinton Foundation, The American Red Cross International Response Fund, UNICEF and more at this link: Haiti Earthquake Relief.

You can also go directly to the relief organizations:

• Clinton Foundation

• Donate online at www.clintonfoundation.org/haitirelief to help provide immediate relief and long-term support to earthquake survivors. Text "HAITI" to 20222 and $10 will be donated to relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.

• • American Red Cross International Response Fund

  Donation link

• • International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

  Donation link

• • Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund

  Donation link

• • Partners in Health

  Donation link

• • UNICEF

  Donation link

• • UN World Food Programme

  Donation link

New reading apps for kids

According to Craig Morgan Teicher at Media Bistro's eBookNewser:

"Learning A-Z, makers of preK-6 educational resources, and Language Technologies, the company behind Readsmart, have announced a partnership to bring 120 preK-6 reading apps to the Apple App Store for use on the iPhone and iPod Touch."

According to a Learning A-Z press release, the new apps will be available at iTunes by searching for the keywords Learning A-Z or Reading A-Z. I wasn't able to find the apps following their directions, but I did find reading apps using the keyword "LAZ." A few of the LAZ titles you can check out include the free apps "Making Pizza" and "Discovering Dinosaurs."

Create a family photos wall

 

Looking for tips on creating family wall of memories? Whether you are looking for a unified look or an eclectic mix of different frames, the Pottery Barn wall solutions video takes you through the design process step by step. I have already tried out some of their DIY tips for hanging pictures and they really work. I love the photo above. Not sure if I can duplicate this look, but it's worth trying. First I need to find some more family photos and buy new frames too. 

(Photo: Pottery Barn)

What makes you smile?

 

What makes you truly happy? My answer to that question has always been activities that are rewarding but also involve some work--like taking a vacation with my family, working on a writing assignment, or completing a home renovation project. But according to Gretchen Rubin, mother of two and the author of the The Happiness Project and a blogger, starting your day with small accomplishments such as making your bed can make a big difference. Will something so simple really make me happier? If you are like me, then the idea of only doing a small chore to improve your happiness quotient sounds almost too good to be true. However, I'm up for the challenge and I'm going to try it out for the next month. 

Curious about other ways to find happiness? Join Rubin's The Year of Happiness Challenge. Each month she proposes an area of life to tackle, and over the next month she'll suggest manageable resolutions to boost your happiness. 

2009 was a very good year in the kitchen

If you like lists and you like to cook, then check out the top ten recipes (plus five runners-up) according to the LA Times.

1. Rice noodles with Chinese chives, shrimp and pork (banh pho xao he)
2. Quinoa salad with shiitakes, fennel and cashews
3. Pizza Margherita
4. Sizzling shrimp with garlic and hot pepper
5. Neapolitan-style ragu
6. Orange-flavored shortcakes with strawberries and cream
7. White-chocolate bread pudding with whiskey caramel sauce
8. Bell pepper and corn slaw
9. Potato gratin with caramelized onions and prosciutto
10. Julienne's graham cracker chewy bars

The five runners-up recipes available here.

Blogs that make you smile: The City Sage

Blogger Anne Sage is a city girl who "craves good old-fashioned country mud now and again. Check out her blog The City Sage. Her California based blog features seasonally-themed styling, musings on fashion and interior design collections, and book reviews. Have fun reading.

 

Baby panda makes media debut... So cute!

 

Five-month-old giant panda cub, Yun Zi, made his media debut this week at the San Diego Zoo. Click here to see the adorable zoo video and check out the San Diego Zoo's PandaCam.

Tame those resolutions and live a little

Have you already broken all your resolutions for 2010? Don't worry. Breaking a few rules does not spell disaster. According to surgeon Dr. Susan Love and psychologist Dr. Alice Domar, authors of the new book Live a Little!, perfection should not be the goal. Learning to relax and live a little in 2010 just might improve your life.  Setting unrealistic goals that require following every health rule all the time only sets us up for failure. In fact, the authors say perfect health is a myth and a healthy middle ground is better suited for our busy lives. The book's dose of realism in a world filled with hype about healthy habits is perhaps the best medicine of all.

Read an excerpt from their book here.

 

Teen blogger gets inside scoop on fashion world

While most teens are just reading blogs, thirteen year-old Tavi Gevinson of Chicago writes the popular Style Rookie fashion blog. I love her fresh approach to style and fashion. According to Tavi, "Real style is just being unique and taking inspiration and the clothes from all different places."

 

 

Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy selected Tavi to be featured in their Rodarte collection launch for Target. She stars in a behind-the-scenes video about the Target Rodarte fashion line.

According to an article in StarTribune.com, this self-described dork, is turning heads and demanding attention from designers with her opinions on style:

"Her runway critiques were so thoughtful that people assumed she was a fake. Then, she took time off from school to attend New York Fashion Week in September, chaperoned by her father, getting her picture snapped as she sat front row at shows. The same month, she landed on the cover of Pop magazine and was featured in the pages of Love magazine, interviewed by Pixie Geldof. In November, she sat with the Mulleavys, designer Hedi Slimane and Pop editor Dasha Zhukova at the Museum of Contemporary Art's 25th anniversary gala in Los Angeles. The blogger wore a borrowed Rodarte dress and sweater so expensive they are out of reach for most designer customers."