Eight out of ten BirminghamMoms probably share the same goal this year: Eat more deliberately, making healthier choices for optimal energy and weight control. The funny thing is, most of us probably know what to do. We just have a terrible time actually doing it.
The first step experts always recommend is a food diary. My friend Natalie told me about The Daily Plate last fall when she began using it to track what she ate. She loved that it had exact nutritional information for all sorts of brand name dishes (from frozen to restaurant servings as well as approximations for homemade). Best of all, basic access is free. You can click an icon to add each glass of water you drink daily, view a pie chart of your calorie breakdown, and add comments to you diary to track your food's effect on your mood and energy level. Natalie said tracking her food intake had made her much more aware of what she was eating, and I personally witnessed her decline the fabulous lasagna at Costa's in favor of the salmon, even then eating only half her breadstick. I marveled at her self control as I sopped my bread in the herb infused oil.
The Daily Plate recently partnered with the Livestrong Foundation. Now the site also offers recipes, alternative food suggestions, the ability to join affinity groups (such as Moms Unite, Tall Chicks Unite, 5'2" or Less, the 50 to Lose Club, just to name a few) and opportunity to take a "dare" to walk every day, drink less caffeine, etc. I have found that tracking my intake really does make me mindful about choosing a banana, say, rather than a cookie for a snack. I know I'll also be enjoying the lasagna with a bit more appreciation next time.
BirminghamMom tip: Now is a great season for making lifestyle changes since so many fellow Alabamians are participating in Scale Back Alabama. Check out additional resources recommended on the Scale Back Alabama site.
I once came across a magazine article about a Mom who never called her kids' household tasks "chores" but instead referred to them as "skills". This seemed a very politically correct and positive way to spin the business of acquiring these "skills," which I myself had honed for many weary years. In short, I realized Mom would never be liberated unless the kids were apprenticed to learn how to clean. Thus, once they came of age to operate basic household equipment, the lessons began. You can help your growing kids develop these skills as well.
- Give them roles that spark their imagination. "Garbage Sack Santa Claus" encouraged our kids to assume the job of collecting the full trash liners from wastecans in the bathrooms and bedrooms and consolidate them into the big trash bin. They understood the image of Santa carrying the his toy sack (in retrospect, maybe the Garbage Grinch would have been more appropriate).
- "Park Sweeper" got started when we noticed how fascinated the kids were with the attendants at Disneyworld, Alabama Adventure, and even the Galleria. They thought the dustpan on a stick was so cool that they would literally stop eating to watch an attendant sweep up a fry three tables away. Seeing a home version of these dustpans with handles in Bed, Bath and Beyond, I took a chance and bought one. Sure enough, it was a hit. Now the new has worn off of this trick dustpan, but that's all part of the plan. Our hope is that they get sick enough of the dustpan to prepare themselves for another profession.
- Swiffer mop - What toy can even compare to the Swiffer? It has buttons! It sprays! It even has a sort of diaper to change. Moms, you're crazy if you don't put this amazing gadget to work in the hands of your eager and able kids. Our moms had to wring mops and tote buckets of water, but now we are delivered from these messy hazards.
Your fella wouldn't admit it, but with the lawn mower stored away and the grill in winter mode, he has time free for other productive pursuits. Although the modern caveman spends winter watching one ballgame after another, challenge him to work on the indoor mini-projects that were neglected during warmer months (after all, has grocery shopping or preparing dinner gone dormant for you? Didn't think so).
Winter is also a great time for reading. A recent discussion among girlfriends prompted the unscientific conclusion that it is generally the man of the house who reads the least in the family. We moms head up the trips to the library, help the kids make selections for the Scholastic book order, and get caught up in a good novel ourselves from time to time (though that's often a luxury reserved for the summer beach trip).
Although we women frequently encounter the latest reading materials, through shopping if nothing else, men generally don't have the same exposure to reading messages. Unless a guy visits the library or goes to a bookstore, chances are he will only stumble upon current bestsellers at an airport convenience store. And unlike women, who are comfortable browsing until they find something that strikes their interest, most men seek books the same way they shop: On a mission, with a singular goal in mind. They are more interested in reading a particular title than reading for its own sake. Think about how this applies to your own son. One day when you're not prodding him to pick his five book quota at the library, will he be motivated to read?
This site addresses the reading dilemma. Guys Read recommends books that speak to guys at any age, from very young to adult. While some titles are classics with broad appeal like the Harry Potter series or Lemony Snickett, many were obviously written with the target age group in mind. After the Captain Underpants Series, which my son adored, I find it no surpirse that The Day My Butt Went Psycho is a compelling title on the Guys Read site. Don't let that scare you,though; one of the points made by the Guys Read founder is that a lot of what boys enjoy reading isn't recognized as "real reading," which discourages their efforts.
Of course, this is not to discredit the many excellent male readers out there. In fairness, it is hard to find time to read when you're commuting to work, helping support a family, going to practices and ballgames, and handling a honey-do list. But if you don't have to worry so much about groceries, dinner, or yardwork, and you now have a great list of titles to choose from, why not give up some Finebaum time and open a book?
There was a time, pre-kids, when a bottle of asprin and a roll of Tums were all our household needed in the way of medicines. The seasonal cold would occasionally warrant a trip to the drugstore for cough medicine - back when you could buy it directly off the shelf - and we could contain it all in the kitchen junk drawer along with the few batteries we needed for the television remote and the flashlight (ah, the battery needs were so simple then).
Then the daycare years began and suddenly every bug that got into the classroom had to run its course among our whole family. The drug cabinet became more sophisticated overnight; now we needed both adult and child versions of each medicine, then junior dosages along with a multitude of prescriptions in every dispensible manner: drops, creams, solutions and syrups. Boo-boos also required bandages, preferably of the cartoon character variety.
Clearly the kitchen junk drawer was no longer an option. Besides the sheer volume of medications, a new factor to consider was accessibility. Meds had to be well out of reach of the children but easily accessible to the parents. As every BirmimghamMom knows, she is most likely to be searching for a fever reducer between one and three a.m. (There is also a temporarily berserk moment at 7:15 a.m. when a sleep-deprived mom wonders whether she can tuck a couple of Tylenol melts into her kid's cheeks and still send them to school...but she usually snaps out of it.)
These little three-drawer units have kept the family stash organized through every fever virus, ear infection, and episode of poison ivy. They are around $8 at Target or Wal-Mart and are deep enough to hold a full-size bottle of pain reliever, cough syrup, or an aerosol can such as Dermoplast or Solarcaine. Each drawer can be fully removed so Mom can take the entire "fever" drawer to the bedside to take a temp and administer medicine or take the "bandage" drawer to the fallen victim to clean and dress the wound.
The drawers can be put back in place just as easily and are top-drawer dishwasher safe if something spills. Obviously they must be placed out of reach of the kids - on a high shelf in a linen closet, for example - and any serious prescription medications should be kept in a more secure place. Labels for each drawer make finding the appropriate medication much easier and will ease your mind incase a babysitter were to call needing a medicine or bandage for your child before you can get home.
Be sure to store a thermometer with the fever reducer and the antibacterial spray or ointment with the bandages. Consider keeping the kids' bandage drawer separate from the regular bandage drawer so you'll know when you need more cartoon bandages and Dad (or your 12-year-old) can avoid the indignity of having to leave the house in a Dora the Explorer bandage.
If you entertain other families with children, one dilemma you are bound to face is how to keep the kids occupied so the adults can talk and enjoy themesleves. At minimum, you probably have a dining table for the kids and pull out all the operational toys you can find for after dinner entertainment. Here is an ingenious way to feed the kids and keep them occupied at the same time.
This idea comes from Pizzeria Uno where we recently dined during a famiy vacation. The kids ordered "make your own pizzas" and they were a huge hit that has also been as successful at home.
Flatbread is a perfect pizza base because it fits on a standard plate and is available at any grocery (one package contains 6 eight-inch flatbreads and costs around $2). Provide a flatbread for each kid and portion out pizza sauce and shredded cheese for each person in side/fruit bowls (these hold about 1/3 of a cup) as well as a few pepperoni slices in a pinch bowl.
Let the kids take their time assembling their masterpieces before you place each pizza in a 400 degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Bake them directly on the rack for a crispy crust; bake on a stone or cookie sheet for a softer crust. We've found the kids can't wait to see how their pizza turns out and they have a strong appetite for a dish they make themselves. (Pizzeria Uno had the kids write their names on a popsicle stick they baked alongside the pizza, but we've never had trouble distinguishing who made which pizza based on the pepperoni designs.)
Yes, this meal takes supervision, but is easier than creating a second kids' menu, describing each item to the kiddos, then having you or the guest moms help plate and serve. These ingredients are uniform to prepare, universally liked, and easily customized for the kids who, for example, only want cheese on their pizzas. In fact, a make-your-own pizza buffet would work for almost any age - including adults - but is especially well suited for company among kids who may not be as well acquainted as the parents. The time they spend preparing, comparing, and eating their pizzas is time you parents can be enjoying your grown-up meal and conversation.
You've been knocking yourself out to decorate the house, mail the cards, keep the elves in line, and nurture family traditions for lifelong memories. That's a lot to manage.
Moms, its time for us to be lazy on some small things so we can reserve our energy for the big things that really matter this time of year. Pizza and pancakes are almost staples in households with children, and here are some clever products that could save you some hassle.
Freschetta PizzAmore: This line of frozen pizzas now comes pre-cut. Honestly, this didn't register with me at all as I was stocking up based on a promotional price at the store. However, I saw the genius of pre-cut after I pulled it out of the oven to serve. There was
- no searching for the pizza wheel,
- no utensil needed for serving or eating,
- no disproportionate slices (is anyone developing a laser-guided pizza cutter already?),
- no bickering over the "biggest slice"
In fact, this pizza even comes with its own cooking tray so it can be successfully enjoyed with nothing more than some paper towels for serving and clean up. It couldn't have been easier. And though during busy times I might eat shoe leather if it was easy to heat and serve, the pizza was actually good.
Pancakes from a can? Yes, think pancake batter in a Readi-Whip can. This Batter Blaster was just a novelty to me when I first saw it in Publix for $4.99. You can make pancakes from a box of mix for less per serving, but this is some good stuff to have around.
- Cook a batch of pancakes with only a pan and a pancake turner - no measuring cups, bowls, spatulas, etc.
- Picky eater? Make ONLY ONE pancake with no batter left over - the rest of you can have your scrambled eggs
- Aspiring young cooks can make their own pancakes with your supervision; the can is easy to handle
- Midnight craving for Mom? Make a few pancakes and leave no evidence - just clean the pan like it never happened
- Even easier for Dad to handle Saturday morning breakfast while you sleep in (add pre-cooked, microwavable bacon and they have no excuse to disturb you! no excuse!)
Finally, despite the unnatural feeling of pancake batter in an aerosol can, this product is actuallly certified organic. You may be asking why anyone would choose this can over a box of frozen pancakes and it's a good question. If you sometimes tire of the uniformity of frozen pancakes and like the idea of controlling for size (plate-size or silver dollar?) and shape (Mickey Mouse heads, letters?) yourself, Batter Blaster lets you do just that.
Save your energy for your family's special meal and take some shortcuts on the rest. And have yourself a lazy little Christmas now.
Although you may have visualized carefully selecting, wrapping, and offering the Perfectly Appropriate Gift to your recipient, it may be necessary to give up this fantasy for now. Maybe time has run out, other daily crises have taken over, or you just plain don't know where to start. BirminghamMom.com's gift card directory may help you out of a jam and regain some precious time for yourself.
One of these stores (Publix, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Walmart) is bound to be on a street near you. Although this list is not exhaustive and is changing all the time, it will give you a good place to start. Check the list to see which store carries the gift cards that fit your needs.
Of course, all offer gift cards for their own stores. Note that the only other retailer WalMart carries is its sister store (brother store?), Sam's. Also, unless the gift card is for an on-line store, double check to be sure the recipient has a location near him or her. A Boston Market gift card would be useful to a recipient in Atlanta but there are no Boston Market locations near Birmingham (be similarly careful with cinema gift cards also).
No doubt you've noticed those tubs labeled "Two Bite Brownies" that menace you near the grocery check out line. One of the appealing things about anything labeled "two bite" is the implication that you would be satisfied with only two bites, which of course is not true. You will simply eat more of them, effectively making them "some multiple of two" bite brownies.
You may not have realized that your favorite family size brownie mix yields the perfect amount of batter for 24 two-bite brownies. Any mix that yields a 9 x 13 pan of brownies will fill 24 small muffin cups, exactly the size of the two-bite versions. (You can also use a mix for an 8 x 8 pan to yield one dozen small muffin-size brownies). By preparing brownies in muffin cups rather than a square pan, you have several advantages:
- Brownies cook uniformly rather than chewy in the center of the pan, dry on the edges
- Perfect portions (before accounting for second helpings, of course)
- No need for utensils to cut, serve, or eat
- No crumbles or uneven cuts; less handling in general
- For versions with icing on top, spin the top of the brownie in a bowl of icing before serving to frost
Small brownies are perfect to take for treats at the office or at school. Mixes have come a long way; there are scores of basic to gourmet mixes that offer consistent, reliable results for hardly more than the cost of the raw ingredients themselves. If you insist on homemade, you can still knock yourself out with your favorite recipe and bake in muffin cups for easier handling and serving. We busy BirminghamMoms will take the help we can get.
The real retail warriors are chomping at the bit to get out into the bedlam and find the best deals after Christmas. If you are a keen shopper, you can set yourself up for next year at a fraction of the regular price. Here are some items to watch:
Serving Pieces - hold out until they're drastically reduced. Next year you can pile a platter with cookies and leave the platter for your host...fill a small serving bowl with peppermints for your out-of town guest to take...etc.
Decorations - If you are the trendy type and know you'll want a change next year, keep an eye out for overstocks and especially ornament sets you can place in glass cylinders, bowls, etc. According to Inc. magazine, some of the big colors for next season will be fuschia, steel gray, and teal blue.
Holiday greeting cards - Of course photo insert cards will be reduced, so grab these now at substantial savings. However, keep an eye out for small cards that can be used as gift enclosures or even gift tags for next year. Small cards are perfect to include with hostess gifts or treats for neighbors/mail carrier, etc., and they dress up the simplest bag. The gift tag shown here was repurposed from cards that were 75% off last year.
While we're on the subject of cards, make the effort to look at greeting cards in new ways. This framed "Santa serernity prayer" is actually a greeting card from a box I purchased for $3 on clearance at Books-A-Million . It never fails to get a chuckle and I had 9 more cards to send to friends. If you see a card that makes you smile, think about whether you would enjoy it in a frame as part of your decorations. Most cards come in standard sizes and a simple black frame is only a couple of bucks.
Tablecloths - You can rack up on tablecloths and table runners after the holidays at places like Stein Mart, HomeGoods, and Target. Anything red is subject to markdown even if there is nothing related to the holidays in the pattern. Single napkins make great liners for breadbaskets and can be had for a under a dollar.
Papergoods - Paper plates and napkins will be on clearance. I've found you can always use beverage napkins, especially in the more neutral colors and prints like golds, browns and grays. They are just as useful in other seasons and no one will recognize them as holiday leftovers.
Happy bargain hunting! You'll be ready to hit the season wide open next year.
If you are kicking yourself for procrastinating on teacher gifts, take heart. Stores knew you would arrive at this moment and are happy to help you out. Maybe this last minute dash for a gift will help you empathize with your panicked spouse who is searching for your gift right now (if not waiting until December 24th). You will understand why he opted for the fragrance gift set again - it was wrapped and it was easy.
Here are some options for teacher gifts around town:
- A'mano in Mountain Brook Village has one of the largest selections of pre-wrapped gifts that include holiday spreaders and dip plates, ornaments, snacks and filled cookie jars. Most of them are in the $20 and up price range, so if you have several to buy for, consider your budget first.
- Restoration Hardware has pre-wrapped silver ornaments for around $10
- Swoozie's has several choices in holiday ware, although not all selections are pre-wrapped (they will gladly wrap, of course)
- Stein Mart has polka-dot insulated cups and MP3 cases monogrammed with a single initial. Colors are green or pink and these are reduced (around $10) but the selection is dwindling.
- Wrapsody in Patton Creek is having buy-one, get-one sales on much of its holiday-themed merchandise. The specials change frequently - examples of specials have included ornaments, green-and-red items, holiday things with polka dots, etc. - and they have a full staff expediting wrapping to get you on your way
If your child's teacher has been in her profession for several years, you can be sure she has already amassed a collection of mugs and figurines and may have more lotions and creams than she can use. Consider a gift card, which she can use as she pleases for herself or perhaps her family. Give it with a cute, related object and the card will seem more personal.
- Barnes & Noble - Of course most teachers enjoy reading but consider what else she can fine here: stationery supplies, lap desks, music, or some quiet time in the cafe. Give with a fun bookmark
- Panerra Bread - She gets 30 minutes to wolf down her meal every day and then she has to make sure her student helpers have wiped down the table before lining up. Is that a relaxing lunch? With a Panerra card she can have a soup and sandwich to herself while she's out shopping or grab a box of bagels for weekend breakfast. Give with a bottle of Jones soda (sold in Panerra) tied with a ribbon
- Movie Gift Card - Rave sells gift cards at the box office (usually opens after noon) but this is an errand for your lunch break or before the matinee lines begin at 4 p.m. Blockbuster cards are also available in gift card kiosks at stores like Walgreens. Give with a big box of Goobers or a theater-size bucket of popcorn
Finally, one of the best gift cards for the teachers on your list might be the gift of reading for every young child in Jefferson County. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has partnered with the Junior League of Birmingham to provide an age-appropriate book each month to children residing in Jefferson County from birth to age five. The minimum donation is $10 and an acknowledgement will be sent to your child's teacher. What a great way to honor your child's teacher and benefit our own community!
Whatever you do, don't neglect to include a note thanking your teacher(s) for their efforts. If your child is old enough to write, insist that he/she write a note as well. Appreciation is the most meaningful part of any gift and all of us need encouragement and the reassurance that our work is valued. This is especially true for the educators and caregivers who wash hands, provide tissues, inspire and instruct our kids every day.
