Momathon Blog

Daily doodle: yoga

"The yoga mat is a good place to turn when talk therapy and antidepressants aren't enough. ~ Amy Weintraub

For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

 

Doodle: Chris Olson © 2010.

New evidence that breastfeeding improves health

 

Does breastfeeding improve the overall health of a baby? It depends on who you ask.

Babies "who derive all their nutrition from breast milk during their first six months of life are less prone to a host of common infections" according to a new study in Greece. The topic of health benefits and breastfeeding has been studied before, but many different factors can change the results depending on the environment, healthcare, etc. This new study includes data on how breastfeeding affects the overall health of children who also have access to high-quality health care. Emmanouil Galanakis from the department of pediatrics at the University of Crete in Heraklion, Greece is the lead researcher of the study that was published in the Sept. 28 online edition of the Archives of Disease in Childhood. 

Scientists are not in agreement on whether or not antibodies can enter the body via breastfeeding. In fact, this new Greek study contradicts a Canadian 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) by Dr. Michael Kramer at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. In the 2009 study, the authors concluded, "no demonstrable beneficial or adverse long-term effects on child health or exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months."

What did the new Greek study determine? According to the Archives of Disease in Childhood, out of the 1,000 babies in the study, only 91 children ended up being exclusively breast-fed for a full six months, and they experienced fewer infections.

Do nutritional and immunological benefits rooted in the antibodies found in mothers' milk make a difference in a babies health? Yes, according to the Greek research, but only if the baby is exclusively fed breastmilk. The study found partial breast-feeding did not offer the same kind of protection.

Details on the Greek study according to the US Department of Health and Human Services:

• Study examined feeding patterns and infection rates among nearly 1,000 Greek infants from birth to 1 year of age.
• Babies in the study had received their routine vaccinations and all were deemed to have access to high-quality health care.
• Infection incidence was tracked at the one-, three-, six-, nine- and 12-month marks.
• At the 1-month mark, a little more than 60 percent of the mothers breast-fed their infants to some degree, but only about 25 percent did so exclusively.
• The longer a baby was breast-fed exclusively, the lower the child's risk for infection and the fewer visits to the doctor.
• Infections studied in the research included respiratory and urinary infections, ear infections (otitis media), stomach upsets (gastroenteritis), conjunctivitis and thrush.

Study author Fani Ladomenou, of the University of Crete in Heraklion, Greecethe writes in Archives of Disease in Childhood: 

"Exclusive breastfeeding helps protect infants against common infections and lessens the frequency and severity of infectious episodes not only in developing countries but also in communities with adequate vaccination coverage and healthcare standards."

For more information on the health benefits of brestfeeding and the recent study, check out:

• BBC News - Breastfeeding 'prevents baby infections,' research suggests
• Archives of Disease in Childhood - BMJ Journals
• More evidence that breastfeeding is good for babies - Los Angeles Times
• Breastfeeding wards off baby infections - UK Net Guide
• WomensHealth.gov
• Breastfeeding May Cut Infection Risk for Babies: WebMD.com

For more healthy living posts, check out Momathon's health & wellness.

Special mommy hugs to the wonderful photographer of the photo above: Gabi_Menashe

Daily Doodle: Scribbles

Doodling is a great stress reliever. Scribbling clears my head of negative thoughts. Try it after a long day of more "useful" activities.

DOODLE FUN WITH KIDS

Doodle with your kids too! Younger kids love it, but even older kids have fun. Start out by doodling a crazy shape like the one above. Use a dark marker or pen. Next ask your kids to fill in shapes with a variety of colors. This is a great "quiet" time activity to do in church or while waiting for an appointment.

For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

Doodle: Chris Olson © 2010.

DIY Chalkboard Wall

 

Fun and functional, chalkboard paint turns a boring wall into a durable and washable chalkboard masterpiece. Check out Benjamin Moore's Studio Finishes Chalkboard (307) paint. 
(Photos: Apartment Therapy, TheNest.com)

DIY chalkboard ideas:

• Calendar: paint a large grid for a monthly or weekly calendar
• Kitchen updates: shopping lists, phone messages, recipes
• Creative space: for kids AND adults

See the directions to make a chalkboard wall below.

Busy Mom Recipe: Raspberry Tiramisu

 

 

Only 7 delicious ingredients and 3 steps to make Raspberry Tiramsu! Sometimes called "heaven in your mouth," this refreshing Italian dessert is as much fun to eat as it is to say: tih-ruh-mee-SOO. The raspberry version in this post is easy enough to make with the kids. Dorie Greenspan has a quick recipe for this layered treat at Parade.com. Try out this easy recipe with your family. Directions below.

Daily doodle: cat on my head

Adopting a cat who was not afraid of heights seemed like a good idea...

For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

Shelter dog of the week: Romo [UPDATED]

 

Romo is a 5-month-old German Shepherd mix with lots of personality. He wants to play, play, play. He would make the perfect addition to an active family. He has survived a very tough life as an abandoned puppy. Now is ready to find a forever home. 

Adoption information is available at the Petfinder adoption link for Romo. He is living in a shelter in Colorado.

 

 

 

BLOG UPDATE:

Great news. Romo was adopted. Thanks for all or your support. His sister, Molly is still looking for a home. 

BLOG UPDATE:

Great news! Romo was adopted. A BIG thank you to everyone for spreading the word and for your support. Sending special Mommy Hugs to all!

His sister Molly was also left in the same abandoned home for a week before being rescued. She is still looking for a forever home. See photo below.

 

Molly's adoption information.

 

Daily doodle: car make-up artist

An example of why make-up should never be applied while driving.
For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010.

FAQ: Similac Infant Formula Recall 2010

 
 

Yesterday certain brands of Abbott's Similac Brand Powder Infant Formulas in cans and plastic containers were recalled because they "did not meet its quality standards" due to the potential contamination by the presence of the small common beetle or their larvae according to a FDA press release. The contaminated containers could potentially cause stomach ache and digestion problems. Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall.

Similac powders formula in plastic tubs vs. cans

Plastic tubs: All powders in a plastic tub are being recalled according to a Abbot spokesperson speaking on CNN about the recall. This is not the same information given in their initial press release about the recall in which they told consumers to use their Similac powder infant formula lookup to check if the lot number is in the recall list. Evidently, all the plastic tub lot numbers are on the recall list. Unfortunately the Similac recall lookup website has been overloaded by consumer traffic and it loads very slowly. 

Similac has also provided a 59-page hPDF with a complete list of recalled Similac formulas. The FDA has a searchable Similac Infant Formula List.

Cans: If you  have a Similac powder in a can, use the website to look up to see if that specific can lot number is on the recall list. The specific contaminated products are offered in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.

(Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall. )

Was the formula sold in the U.S.?

The Abbott plant involved is in Sturgis, Michigan, and the recall involves up to 5 million Similac-brand powder formulas sold in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and some Caribbean countries. 

The specific contaminated products are offered in plastic containers and in 8-oz, 12.4 oz., and 12.9 oz cans.

According to the FDA: "At least 12 of the recalled products were provided to families through the federal government’s Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) health and nutrition program."

Is the contaminated formula a health danger?

The FDA released this safety warning: 

"Possibility of the presence of a small common beetle in the product. The FDA has determined that while the formula containing these beetles poses no immediate health risk, there is a possibility that infants who consume formula containing the beetles or their larvae, could experience symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort and refusal to eat as a result of small insect parts irritating the GI tract."

Health warnings and safety alerts by the FDA for Similac recall:

"If symptoms are noted and persist for more than a few days, a physician should be consulted. Products with affected lot numbers should be returned to Abbott at no cost to the consumer." 

How to check if your formula is on the recall list:

• Find the lot number on your containers.
• Go to Similac powder infant formula lookup, and type in their lot number to determine if their product is affected.
• Or call (800) 986-8850, however the wait time can be very long.
• Similac has also provided a 59-page PDF with a complete list of recalled Similac formulas.
• The FDA has a searchable Infant Formula Products List.

The Similac website is loading very slowly. Also, all Similac powder formula in a plastic tub is being recalled so you do not have to use Similac website. (Note:  Liquid Similac formulas are not part of the voluntary recall.)

 

How to find Similac lot numbers on cans and plastic tubs according to the FDA.

 

For more information:

• Similac Powder Infant Formula Recall Lookup.
• FDA press release: Abbott Voluntarily Recalls Certain Similac® Brand Powder Infant Formulas That Did Not Meet Its Quality Standards
• SFDA Safety Alerts: Similac Powder Infant Formulas: Recall
• Abbott Nutrition: Similac powder infant formula recall
• CBS News: Similac Recall 2010: How to Keep Your Kids Safe
• Huffington Post: Similac Recall: Beetles Concern Prompts Infant Formula To Be Recalled

Cooking with kids: Ribbon Candy

 

Linda V. of Brisbane, Australia loves baking, decorating cakes and cookies, and party planning. Just reading her blog Bubble and Sweet makes my mouth water. Her recent blog post all about making Marshmallow Ribbon Candy is now on my new recipes to try list. Besides creating food in the yummiest colors, your kids will love to help out because making the candy is like an oh-so-cool (and edible) science experiment right in your kitchen. 

I think this recipe is a great one to try with older kids, but an adult should be supervising because you end up making a VERY HOT marshmallow lava bowl in the microwave.

To make the ribbon candy, you first need to make the marshmallow fondant. Just four ingredients:

• sugar
• marshmallows
• Crisco
• water

For the complete recipe, check out Linda's Marshmallow Fondant Recipe online. After you make the fondant, follow her directions for coloring the fondant and rolling out the Marshmallow Ribbon Candy.

For more recipes for moms and kids, check out Momathon food and recipes.

Daily doodle: peace

For more doodles by me, check out Momathon's daily doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

It's so Etsy: Down2Earth handmade jewelry

   

I have two relatives with birthdays coming up and I'm thinking of buying them each a piece of hand-hammered and hand-stamped jewelry created by Michell Mathis, an Etsy artist and mother of two. The handmade jewelry is available at down2earthjewelry at Etsy. All jewelry is made of natural and vintage materials and gift packaged in an earthy brown box made of 100% recycled materials.

For more beautiful handmade items at Etsy, check out Momathon's Etsy faves.

Photo above is a screenshot of the Mathis online Etsy store, down2earthjewelry. Sending a special shout out to my best bud and a craft guru, Kathy, who introduced me to this jewelry. 

Daily doodle: small brown dog

I believe dogs smile and this pup's smile melts my heart. She looks like the perfect family pet :)

For more doodles by me, click on Momathon's daily doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Tips for planning birthday parties

Thanks to the talented graphic designer, mom of 6, and blogger Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom, I now have two more websites with DIY party planning advice. Follow Gabrielle on Twitter: @designmom.

Two party planning blogs:

Sara's Party Perfect is a blog by Sara Hicks Malone, a graphic designer, illustrator, and mom. She is a former art director for Martha Stewart Baby and Kids magazines. She includes party ideas for kids and grown-ups.

 

 

Hip Hip Hooray! daily blog is all about little kids and big celebrations. Blog includes party tips, resources and inspiration. Follow the Hip Hip Hooray! blog on Twitter: @hoorayblog

 

Find more party tips, craft ideas, and fun projects on my blog at Momathon DIY. 

Daily doodle: Giraffe

I like giraffes because they hold their heads up high.

Fun giraffe facts:

• A giraffe can look into a second-story window.
• A giraffe's 6-foot neck weighs about 600 pounds and yet a giraffe has only seven neck vertebrae just like people.
• Even though the front legs of a giraffe look longer, their front and back legs are the same length--about six feet in length.
• Giraffes have big hearts: a giraffe heart weighs about 25 pounds.
• Giraffe lungs are big too, they can hold about 12 gallons of air.
• The giraffe loves Acacia leaves and they eat about 75 pounds of tree leaves a day.

For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

10 new hip words for you (endorsed by the New Oxford American Dictionary)

The list of new words added to the New Oxford American Dictionary is probably a mile long. The editors at the Oxford University Press blog included a sampling of the additions here.

You probably already know what BFF and bromance mean. Here are a few of my faves from the OUP blog's list that are a bit more unusual: 

1. carbon credit n. a permit that allows a country or organization to produce a certain amount of carbon emissions and that can be traded if the full allowance is not used. 
2. cloud computing n. the practice of using a network of remote servers hosted on the Internet to store, manage, and process data, rather than a local server or a personal computer.
3. eggcorn n. a word or phrase that results from a mishearing or misinterpretation of another, an element of the original being substituted for one that sounds very similar or identical (e.g., tow the line instead of toe the line). – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: with reference to a misinterpretation of acorn.
4. homeshoring n. the practice of transferring employment that was previously carried out in a company’s office or factory to employees’ homes. – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: on the pattern of offshoring.
5. parkour (also parcour) n. the activity or sport of running through an area, typically in an urban environment, using acrobatic techniques to negotiate obstacles. – ORIGIN early 21st cent.: French, alteration of parcours ‘route, course.’
6. paywall n. (on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.
7. tag cloud n. a visual depiction of the word content of a website, or of user-generated tags attached to online content, typically using color and font size to represent the prominence or frequency of the words or tags depicted.
8. tramp stamp n. informal a tattoo on a woman’s lower back.
9. truthiness n. informal the quality of seeming or being felt to be true, even if not necessarily true. – ORIGIN early 19th cent. (in the sense ‘truthfulness’): coined in the modern sense by US humorist Stephen Colbert (1964–).
10. zombie bank n. informal a financial institution that is insolvent but that continues to operate through government support.

A couple of new phrases

be all that informal be very attractive or good: he thinks he’s all that—yeah, God’s gift.

my bad informal used to acknowledge responsibility for a mistake: Sorry about the confusion. It’s my bad.

like herding cats informal used to refer to a difficult or impossible task, typically an attempt to organize a group of people: controlling the members of this expedition is like herding cats.

cop to accept or admit to: there are a lot of people who don’t cop to their past.

what’s not to like? informal used as a rhetorical expression of approval or satisfaction: cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and mountain views—what’s not to like?

For more posts about writing, check out Momathon and writers.

A dog is a loyal friend forever

As you know, I am a dog lover. I'm also passionate about adopting shelter dogs. If you are interested in finding a special forever friend, go to your local Humane Society or other animal shelter. I'm sure you will meet a brand new best friend.

For more pet-friendly posts, click on Momathon dogs and cats.

Busy mom meals: Easy Mac and Cheese recipe

Makes 4-6 servings

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Bake time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups medium shell macaroni

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese* (use pre-shredded cheese by Kraft to save time)

1/2 cup of parmesan cheese (or try Swiss, mozzarella, etc.)

15 oz. can of diced tomatoes, drain

2 tsp oregano (optional)

*Note: Feel free to add more cheese if you want a cheesier mac and cheese.

Preheat oven to 350 F. Cook macaroni according to directions on package. Drain macaroni. Spray cooking spray in 13 x 9 casserole dish or lasagna pan. Add cooked macaroni to pan. Stir in drained tomatoes. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Gently stir in cheese so pasta is coated with cheese. Bake until bubbling, about 30 minutes.

For more recipes for busy moms, check out Momathon food and recipes.

Daily doodle: Julia

Illustration: Chris Olson c 2010

6 reasons burglars love Facebook and Twitter updates

 

It's human nature to enjoy telling our friends about our trips, but telling our friends on Facebook or follows on Twitter when we leave home is also great news to burglars. Here's why:

1. Writing updates about your travel plans that includes the dates you leave and return is just like putting a huge sign up in your front yard announcing: "No one is home now--please rob this house.
2. You might think you know your friends on Facebook or follows on Twitter, but a British insurance firm studied the issue and determined that very few social media users in the study made the effort to screen the individuals they have on their list of friends. 13% of Facebook users and 92% of Twitter users in the study accepted friend requests or follows without checking up on the source.
3. Each time you post picture a picture that shows your house interior or features possessions--cars, computers, cameras, TVs, jewelry, and even pets--you allow those unscrupulous friends or follows check out what they might want to steal.
4. Photo location features tell everyone the exact location of your house or location of other places you visit. Smartphones love creating geotags in photos. Unless you turn OFF this feature when you take and post a photo on social media, the photo geotags store location-based data in the form of latitude and longitude for anyone to see. The tricky part is the fact you might not notice the location is listed, but smart burglars do! Adam Savage, host of the popular science program "MythBusters," posted a picture on Twitter of his automobile parked in front of his house and said he was leaving for work. By giving this Twitter update, he let his fans know much more than that he drove a Toyota Land Cruiser.
5. Location services such as Foursquare tell anyone who is one of your friends or follows when you are not home. And if you are not home, burglars know they are free to rob your house. 
6. Photo geotags can give away your address, but there is one more way your address is available to burglars: Whenever your friends visit you and "check in" with their smart phone to update their status--they are giving away your exact address.

Staying connected is the appeal of social media. Staying safe means waiting to share your travel plans until you get home! 

For more information on smart use of social media, check out Momathon's tips on Facebook, Twitter, and social media

Photo above: Millicent bystander.

Shelter dog of the week: Miya

 

 

Miya is a super friendly dog despite the fact she has had a hard life. She is only 2 years old. She would be a wonderful addition to any family. Miya is a shepherd, an active breed, and she needs regular exercise. Miya is smart and has already learned a few tricks at her shelter, but she needs more training. Miya is up-to-date with routine shots and is spayed. She is living at an amazing animal rescue in Colorado. For more information on adopting her, click on this link.

The fact she allowed me to dress her up with an octopus toy for this photo says a great deal about her friendly personality. If a dog can have a good sense of humor, then Miya has it!

As you know, I am an animal lover. For more pet-friendly posts, click on Momathon dogs and cats.

It's So Etsy: Honey Drop Earrings

 

These honey drop earrings look delish! Etsy jewlelry designer Nanette Bevan says it best: my earrings "look as though amber honey is slipping off a spoon, just catching the light." 

The handmade glass drops measure 30 x 10 mm. The entire earring from the arc of the sterling ear wire to the bottom of the luscious drop measures 47 mm. $28. Bevan has more delectible earrings and other jewelry in her Etsy shop.

 

 

Bevan is a member of the Creative Glass Guild of Etsy (CGGE) www.cgge.org. For more about her jewelry visit her blog: Nanette Bevan. 

For more of my handmade favorites, check out Momathon loves Etsy.

5 bad fast food meals kids love

Even though I don't think I frequent fast food places, the evidence of stopping once in a while for fries or a burger is clear: Before my kids could read a picture book, they could "read" the Burger King logo sign. 

Sigh. We all know eating healthy meals and snacks is best, but many of us still crave a fresh salad with a gallon of dressing or a sugary fruit smoothie. Nutrition, it turns out, is not always easy to recognize.

Recently Dr. Susan Albers, a psychologist who specializes in eating issues and body image concerns, made a list of foods kids should avoid in Huffington Post. According to Albers, a recent study by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM) examined fast food favorites for kids that are popular because they are heavily marketed. Turns out the nutritional content on these meals is less than favorable. Surprise. Surprise. Kids love junk. And I'm guessing that anything labeled a "Happy Meal" sounds good to a six-year-old.

According to Albers article, here are the five worst fast food kids meals (using data from PCRM's study):

Worst
McDonald's Mighty Kids Meal: Double Cheeseburger, French fries, and chocolate milk. 840 calories, 37 grams of fat

2nd Worst
Wendy's Kids Meal: Chicken Sandwich, French fries and chocolate Frosty. 770 calories, 34 grams of fat.

3rd Worst
KFC Kids Meal: Popcorn chicken, potato wedges, string cheese and soda. 800 calories, 1,800 milligrams of sodium.

4th Worst
A&W Kids Meal: Cheeseburger, French fries and soda. 780 calories, 9 grams of saturated fat.

5th Worst
Burger King's BK Kids: Breakfast muffin sandwich meal. 95 milligrams of cholesterol (exceeds the Institute of Medicine's limit on sodium intake.)

For more information on healthy eating habits, check out the Momathon health & wellness news.

Chocoholic alert: Grow your own chocolate mint plant

 

Mmmm, chocolate. I love the taste. I love the aroma. In fact just breathing in the scent of a freshly baked chocolate cake or cookie sometimes gets me over the cravings--at least for a minute or two.

Thanks to the hardy chocolate mint plant, now you can have your own chocolate factory on a windowsill or front porch with partial sun. I love the peppermint patty flavor and scent. Use the plant to add flavoring to many drinks and foods--just add the washed leaves to tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cakes, cookies, etc. I've even heard of cooks adding it as a secret ingredient in pesto. This versatile herb adds a zippy chocolate-peppermint flavor to icings for cakes and cookies. Even if you don't want to eat the leaves, the plant is a perfect all-natural aroma therapy herb.

The chocolate mint plant grows quickly and needs a large pot so it does not become root bound. Also, be careful not to burn the plant by exposing it to full sun. If you want to create new plants, the mint propagates easily from cuttings. 

For more gardening ideas, check out Momathon gardens.

Daily doodle: little red dog

I grew up with two dachshunds in my family. Both of them could zig and zag through an obstacle course of living room furniture as fast as a bunny rabbit weaves between the trees. For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

A fun, sassy read: Someone Will Be With You Shortly

Lisa makes me smile wherever she is--on the pages of O, The Magazine; or hosting her show on Oprah Radio; or in her new book Someone Will Be with You Shortly. According to Harper Studio, in her new book: 

Kogan grapples with issues big (her 7-year-old daughter, Julia, and the 8,000 miles that separate them from Julia's father) and small (her recent apartment renovation, which consisted of turning over the sofa cushions, and then realizing that they looked better the other way) with the self-deprecating humor-and deep appreciation for what really matters-that have made her so beloved by her legions of fans. 

I know Lisa lives in NYC, but I wish someone could clone her and she could move in next door to me.

Lisa Kogan's book is available in paperback for $11.11 at Amazon.com. Or get the Kindle version at $9.99.

For more great reads, check out my reading list on Momathon books.

Stories behind the wedding dresses

There is something divine about the dress you pick out for your wedding. Each dress tells a story. Memories of selecting a wedding dress are as unique as the bride. 

I found a simple and affordable cotton dress at Laura Ashley for my wedding years ago. My favorite part of the dress was the subtle floral pattern woven into the fabric. The dress had quite an adventure on the way to my wedding. First, the dress was shipped from London to Minneapolis. Unfortunately the dress arrived two sizes too big and there was a last-minute rush to make alterations at two separate tailors. On my wedding day my dress looked perfect and I felt wonderful!

  

 

Laura Ashley no longer makes wedding dresses, so I guess mine is vintage. I found a lovely blog post on Nibs about the LA Bridal collection circa 1983--my wedding dress was created several years later.

I am always curious to hear the stories behind the dresses women pick. TODAY Show hosts Meredith, Ann, Natalie and Kathie Lee reflect on what they wore to their nuptials in this TODAY Show video clip.

Do you dream of being a wedding planner? The annual TODAY Show Wedding feature allows viewers to vote on practically everything for a special couple's wedding--rings, reception, cake, wedding dress, and honeymoon. This year's lucky and adorable wedding couple is Jeremy and Melissa. The theme of the 11th annual TODAY Show wedding is Modern Love. The couple will be married live on the Plaza on September 30th on the TODAY Show.

You can vote for your favorite dress for the TODAY Show wedding couple, Jeremy and Melissa at TodayShow.com.

I like all of the dresses, but my favorite is: 

 

  According to the TODAY Show wedding experts:

"The Lela Rose wedding dress is feminine and romantic in a gorgeous blush color, which is a modern twist on a traditional gown silhouette. It is a textured silk gazar draped gown with a gorgeous bustled back detail, and the modified A-line skirt is flattering for all figures. Add a chainmail beaded belt to give the gown an extra wow factor for the reception."

For more on TODAY Show weddings, click on Modern.Love. For more thoughts by me on weddings, check out Momathon weddings.

Quick Recipe: Tomato and lemon fettuccine

 

 

Tomato and lemon fettuccine

1 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes

3/4 lb fresh fettucine (spinach or egg fettuccine)

2 lemons 

1 cup heavy cream

1/4 tsp salt

black pepper

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. 
• In a smaller saucepan, mix together the cream, salt and pepper.
• Wash the lemon and then remove the rind from lemons in long strips using a vegetable peeler. Cut strips into thin strips. Set aside to use as a topping.
• Wash the tomatoes and slice in half. Set aside.
• Squeeze the juice from the lemons, strain the juice, and pour into the saucepan with the cream mixture. (You can also use pre-packaged lemon juice that equals 2 lemons.)
• Bring the creamy mixture to a boil for one minute and then reduce heat to simmer.
• Cook the fettuccine in the boiling water until barely done. This takes about 3-8 minutes depending on the freshness of the pasta. Drain the pasta. Toss the pasta with the cream sauce.
• Divide the pasta into 4 to 6 portions. Top each pasta portion with tomato halves, strips of julienned lemon rind, and freshly ground pepper.

Bon Appetit!

For more recipes, click on Momathon recipes.

(Fettuccine photo by me.)

Daily doodle: Homecoming dance

School has been in session for a few weeks here already. Hard to believe the big dance is right around the corner. For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Love notes

Time to savor the remaining warm summer nights and do some star gazing.For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Daily doodle: Small dog with big bone

Dogs have always been important members of my family. If only I could get them to put their toys away.For more doodles by me, click on Momathon doodles.

Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

Easy dinners with only 5 ingredients

 

Fast meals in my house must also involve no-fuss grocery shopping. That's why I love the meal ideas by nutritionist Robin Miller author of Robin Rescues Dinner and host of the "Quick Fix Meals" show on the Food Network.

Check out the TODAY Show video below featuring Robin Miller. In the video she shares two recipes for easy-to-make dinners using five ingredients that are under 500 calories.

Robin's recipes 

Bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin with roasted pineapple

• 1 pork tenderloin (about 1-1 1/4 pounds)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 6 slices center-cut (lean) pork bacon
• 4-6 cored and peeled pineapple rounds (fresh or canned in juice)

(Complete lasagne recipe at the link above)

Lasagne rolls with herbed cheese recipe 

• 12 uncooked lasagna noodles
• 1 cup soft herbed cheese (such as Boursin or Alouette)
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups prepared tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

(Complete lasagne recipe at the link above)

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For more recipes, click on Momathon recipes.

It's so Etsy: Angel Kiss Organic Coffee

 

 

Perfect for iced coffees or hot in a mug, Angel Kiss organic coffee is a delicious mix of caramel pecan, butter rum, vanilla notes and a touch of cinnamon. Coffee orders are available ground or whole bean. Perfect for gift giving. You can even add a custom label. Each order comes with a simple recipe for making your own Lattes at home too. $11.45

Angel Kiss flavored coffee beans available at katherynmd's online store at Etsy.com--your place to buy and sell all things handmade.

Daily doodle: red chair

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Illustration: Chris Olson © 2010

 

New study says media is the leading sex educator for kids

  

Finding out what your kids watch on TV or on the internet could be as important to your kids' health and wellness as making sure they wear bike helmets. 

According to an article published in the September issue of the Journal of Pediatrics, teens and younger children are learning about sex from the media and the message can be dangerous.

Parents might feel hesitant to talk to their kids about sex. However, when parents shy away from talking to their kids, by default then the parents are encouraging their kids to learn about sex from  less reliable sources such as the internet, TV, and movies.  

The content in the videos, shows, or music content is not the only place where kids hear sexually explicit messages. Major advertising campaigns for products including erectile dysfunction drugs constantly play during daytime and primetime TV.

Here are some of main findings of the study according to healthfinder.gov:

• 70% of teen shows contain sexual content 
• Less than 10% of the sexual content in these shows talk about the consequences of sex such as contracting an STD 
• U.S leads the western world in teen pregnancy rates
• One in four American teens have an STD.
• U.S. children spend seven hours and more a day watching or listening to media that may include sexually explicit content-- music, movies, television shows, magazines and the Internet.

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