First Haircut

Thweet Potatoes.

Here is an easy and fun twist on sweet potatoes if your little ones aren't exactly running to the fridge to get their second helping.

Boil and puree as many sweet potatoes as you like (food processor works best) mix with whole milk, a little butter and some brown sugar. store in fridge. when you are ready to serve mix with nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt. Whip together and serve.

A sweet little treat with the consistency of yogurt but added nutrients of wonderful sweet potatoes. Who's foolin' who now.

I want to wear this tonight.

Museum Junkies

We have been on a roll this winter doing our part to explore our great city. Here are some (kid-friendly of course) places to check out if you haven't already done so.

Modern Wing of the Art Institute --Great kids-room stocked with Mac's and kids computer games, great books and giant foam blocks. Johnny loved climbing around the blocks while Sofia played on the computer.

Shedd Aquarium --If you take the time to go, pay the extra money and see FANTASEA. Very much worth it though more of a theatrical production than their previous shows.

The Garfield Park Conservatory --Amazing way to feel some warmth and humidity as you breath in the oxygen from thousands of exotic plants. This place can't help but bring peace to your day. And it's FREE.

The Children's Museum at Navy Pier --I have to admit. I was slightly terrified to spend the afternoon at Navy Pier with two little kids. I have to say it was a pretty pleasurable day..maybe thanks to Lindsay and Jodee who joined in on the fun. There were so many places to relax and exhibits to explore- some of the rooms almost felt private. Also, lots of designated areas for babies to crawl around and mammas to gab..though I imagine on busy day it might be kind of a nightmare.

Next Week..I will fill you in our visit to the Museum of Science and Industry and I might even disclose my affinity/weakness for museum gift shops.

BAND PRACTICE

No, you don't have to eat starch again tonight, Dear.

In my quest to stop feeding my children some version of noodles everyday I have come up with an easy, healthy alternative. If you are feeling really brave you could even have your child help you.

Personal Pizza

8" whole wheat crust (I think Boboli? makes a good one)

rub a little olive oil around with the back of a spoon

pizza sauce (or make your own with pureed organic tomatoes and paste)

sprinkle on some cheese of your liking

fresh basil

fresh mozzarella slices

mushrooms

or any other vegetable you like that will melt into cheese and get into your child without them knowing!

cook for 8-10 minutes at 400 and voila! homemade personal kids pizza.

Sofia especially loves watching it cook in the oven with the light on knowing it is her little creation. Very proud she is!

Done and Done

I've been feeling slightly inundated with information lately..ALL kinds of information. I know some of this could be avoided if I didn't have such an insatiable appetite for the news BUT what i'm getting at is..it dawned on me the other day as I was reading my 549th article on sensible eating (I think this one had something to do with the harmful effects of bromine interacting with the thyroid thus blocking our iodine supply hence causing one to roll over and die) that virtually everything we ingest these days comes with a frightening disclaimer which could lead to..well..sickness or death. yikes, it was even scary writing it. It's especially bothersome now that I am a parent. I am constantly challenging myself to buy local, organic, hormone-free foods for my children, and keep their little bodies clean (but not too clean because even that could compromise their immune system) and expose them to all things beautiful and pure in this world. And just when you think you are doing a pretty darn good job another article comes along warning if don't wash your strawberries properly you could ingest a rare chemical (found mainly in the strawberries from California) and well, become a walking toxic mess. Obviously all of this information is scary, especially when your career choice has become to raise another human being. But at the same time. I'm done. I'm done. I'm done. I can't let it consume us. And here is why..

Because life is a crap-shot. Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. All we can do is be the best version of our self we can be- everyday. Of course knowledge is power but at the same time, so it balance..and over the past few years I have become slightly lopsided with this new "food movement."

SO. I vow to spend more time throwing my kids up in the air and letting them finger paint the refrigerator and less time reading about bromides. In the meantime, I will continue to eat from the earth, speak the truth, laugh with my children and look people in the eye. And always, always, always rinse our fruit!