Mommies Magazine

Review: Get Organized Now Easy Organizer

Posted on 13. Jan, 2009 by Nanette.

It’s still very early into the new year and no doubt you’ve got lots to do ahead of you this year. I certainly do.  No matter who you are mom, entrepreneur, business woman, work at home mom, stay at home mom, parent, single or married, you’ve got tasks to take care of and information to keep straight.   So how do you prepare for it all and get and keep yourself organized?

This may be your answer: The Get Organized Now! Easy Organizer by Maria Gracia  Here let me have just a minute of your time and I’ll tell you about it.

Get Organized Now! Easy Organizer is a system that will organize all of your information! It is easy-to-use, comprehensive, organized and low-priced! You will find forms, checklists, logs, and information sheets for…

• Family, friends, and associates
• Goals and planning
• Personal growth and reflection
• Home garden and auto
• Inventory
• Food and shopping
• Health, exercise, and medical
• And more!

It’s not just a planner. It’s much, much more! Loaded with over 200 pages of easy-to-use tools to help you get organized now! Conveniently organized into 15 tabbed sections. 3-ring binder included. Large 8 1/2″ x 11″ format.

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Football Brats

Posted on 01. Jan, 2009 by Nanette.

Now here’s one your favorite football fans will love. These are great to make for a tailgate party. Mix all your ingredients together, grab the grill, and be on your way. Watch out, they’ll be such a hit that you’ll be asked to double the quantity next time around.

What You Need:

8 bratwursts
1 (12 oz) can of beer
1 onion, chopped
2 TBSP vegetable oil
1 lb sauerkraut, drained well
2 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
8 (10 in) tortillas
8 TBSP Dijon mustard
8 slices smoked Swiss cheese

How to Make It:

Pour the beer into a large pan and place on medium high heat. Add the bratwurst and bring to a rapid boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 15 minutes.

Remove from the heat and allow the bratwurst to lie in the beer until cooled.

Place the vegetable oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat. Add the onion and cook 6 minutes or until just beginning to brown. Stir in the sauerkraut, sugar, salt and red pepper flakes and cook 5 more minutes.

Heat the grill to medium high temperature.

Place the bratwurst on the grill and cook 8 minutes, turning often to cook all sides.

Spread some of the sauerkraut mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Place two halves of the bratwurst on top of the sauerkraut. Spread the bratwurst with the mustard and add a slice of cheese. Fold the tortilla over the cheese and fold the bottom and tops in to close.

Over medium heat grill the tortilla 3 minutes per side until toasted and the cheese is melted.

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Consider This Before Buying A Digital Picture Frame

Posted on 19. Dec, 2008 by Nanette.

Digital picutre frames are indeed all the rage right now and they do make wonderful gifts but which one is right for your recipient?  There are some things to consider before you just head out and buy them and ship them off to family and friends.  Originally back in 2000 when digital picutre frames came on the scene an internet connection was requried since new photos would have to be downloaded each night.  It required you to upload your photos to a website and then download them to the digital picutre frame.  So, when you choose a gift such as this to give there are some things you should keep in mind.

* How computer savvy is your recipient? As some frames have wi-fi, will the recipient know how to work with it?

* Most digital frames offer multiple memory card formats so no matter what type of digital camera you have, you should be able to use the picture frame assuming your recipient has a digital camera.  Some people haven’t joined the digital revolution just yet so keep that in mind.

* Playback is another item to consider.  Do you simply want photos to show or are you interested in other options such as video and music?

* The size of the images is also an important factor to consider.  Why would you want a digital frame with an image screen so small that you can’t really enjoy viewing the photographs in the first place. This is where price and value become an issue.  It all depends to on where you plan on keeping the frame.  On a desk something small might work but on the other hand there is a possibility it may be on a wall across the room you’d need to find a larger one so that the images could be enjoyed from a further distance.

* Price.  Again if you are looking for a quality frame large enough to be enjoyed from more than an arms length be prepared for a higher price tag.

* What is the display of photos dependent on?  Is an internet connection requried or does it contain internal memory? and if so what is it’s capacity?

Shop around for deals, look online and at sales in circulars you may find just what you are looking for at a price you are willing to pay with a knowledge of exactly what you are looking for.  Don’t forget when shopping for digital frames keep in mind the cost, it’s features and where it’s intended location may be from it’s viewer.

photo credit: laihiu

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Homemade SnowGlobes

Posted on 18. Dec, 2008 by Nanette.

There was a time when you would go to a tourist attraction, shop or museum and you’d see these great little snow globes you could buy.  In fact, it used to be a favorite item to collect.  Snow globes were a great way to remember those special locations you visited plus it was nice to be reminded of cooler weather during those hotter months.

Today, sadly it’s rare to find snow globes as they have lost their popularity as a momento of your travels.  You can find a few here and there if you look hard enough.  My daughter spots them and just has to shake them up to watch the snow or glitter sparkle in the water.  Why not take those emptied baby food jars and bring a part of the past back to today and share them with your family and friends. And it’s a great project to do with your kids.  They will be loved treasured gifts for loved ones since they were made with love.

Making your own snowglobes don’t take much but a few items and some time.  Here’s a list of the items you’ll need:

* A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (baby food jars are great for this).

* Distilled water or water that has been boiled and allowed to cool.

* Glycerin (Look for it in most drug stores, craft stores or craft departments).

* White or silver glitter.  Make sure the glitter you choose isn’t too fine or it won’t look like snow falling as it will be too fine.

* A dmall waterproof ornament or toy.

* Clear silicone sealant.  (NOTE: Only adults should handle the sealant. Don’t allow children to work with the sealant.)

* A small plastic lid such as a film canister lid or florist’s clay to elevate the ornament inside the jar.

* Decorative ribbon or fabric to cover the lid.

Instructions:

Wash and dry the baby food jar and lid to be sure they’re completely clean.

Build up some clay or attach the film canister lid inside the lid of the jar.  Attach the ornament, toy, or other miniature to it, building up the base so you can easily see the figurine.  To make sure the toy is at the right height prior to putting anything else in the jar, put the lid on the empty jar and visually check it to make sure it is a a height you are happy with.

Add cold water to the jar, leaving at least ½ inch at the top.  Sprinkle glitter into the jar, approximately ½ teaspoon for the medium to large baby food jars.  Add ½ teaspoon of glycerin so the glitter will float rather than just fall.

Line the inside of the lid with silicone sealant and then screw the lid down as hard as you can.  This should make the seal waterproof.  Run a bead of silicone around the outer edge of the lid and let dry overnight, lid side up.

You can make a wooden base for the globe if you like.  If not, decorate the lid with the fabric or ribbon of your choice by hot gluing it to the lid.  Allow your globe to completely dry, then give it a shake and enjoy the snow fall.

photo credit: A Girl And Her Camera

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Babies Love Boxes, Build on It!

Posted on 17. Dec, 2008 by Nanette.

If you are a veteran parent shall we say, you learned this early on I’m sure, but if you are a new parent and shopping for your baby’s first Christmas you just might be enlighted a bit.  Read on.

What most new parents find out, once our babies are old enough to sit up and play, is that they usually love the boxes the toys we bought them came in more than the toys themselves.

Curious, what is it about boxes that just grab and hold babies attention?  It may be that they are large, easy to hold and manipulate, as well as being light so if they are dropped they won’t hurt the baby. 

If your baby is a box lover, use that knowledge to help and encourage imaginative play rather than be discouraged.  Although your baby’s sense of imaginative play won’t actually fully develop until he or she is a bit older that doesn’t mean you can’t begin now to encourage that type of play.  Creative play.  Or simply help them develop eye hand coordination by helping them learn how to and practice stacking.  Small, empty cardboard boxes are perfect and lightweight enough not to hurt if anyone happens to knock over the pile.

Another great option is pretend food used for play kitchens.  The items are smaller than normal foods therefore they are easier for your little one to hold.  Just be sure there is nothing small enough that could cause a choking hazzard and they are safe for your child to put into their mouths as that’s probably the first thing they will do.

With babies, it seems that simple is best.  They really don’t need to have lots of toys that flash and make noises at them.  They will likely make toys of their own using boxes or pots and pans as musical intruments as they get older. But for now, let them play with a few good boxes and most of the times they will be just fine.

photo credit: Larsz

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Teaching Kids to Help Out Around the House

Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by Nanette.

Lately my kids have been wanting more and more items it seems.  So, I figured it was about time they started working for the items they want.  I’m ususally the one to take care of most of the matters at home as I’m sure you are too. I guess we moms just do that naturally but it’s time for me to take a step back and let my family help out too.

My kids are old enough to help out with chores and be rewarded for them.  They are also learning about money in school so it ties in nicely with their current learning as well as teach them responsibility.  Usually you’ll find that the younger they are the more willing they are to lend mommy a helping hand but it gets a little tougher as they get a little older.

For children as young as two or three helping mommy or daddy out is a fun way to spend time with mommy and daddy so it’s the perfect time to begin teaching them to do their part in helping the family run smoothly.  Giving children tasks that are age appropriate will increase their desire to help out.  If you give a two or three year old a task that they can’t easily perform they will simply get frustrated and not want to help out.

Right now we are working on taking care of the laundry in our house.  My kids are doing a great job at sorting the laundry by colors, putting everything including the laundry soap (which I prepare for them and supervise) into the washer.  Once the wash is done it’s time to remove everythign fromt he washer and get it into the dryer.  This is where they learn to work together.  Brother is taller and can reach into the washer to get the clothes out and he hands them to sister who puts then into the dryer.  After the drying is done it’s time again to take everything out and once mommy folds or hangs it, it’s their responsibility to take the items and put them all where they belong. 

Not only does this teach them responsibility, and give them an understanding of how much work mommy does, it also teaches them to work togheter to accomplish their goal.  The financial reward they get is no where near the value they are learning now that will continue on in their lives long after the financial reward is spent.

Start with something small and reward your kids.  Mine I have a goal they want to reach and that is incentive in itself.  Here are just a few things you can consider trying with your kids to get them started with or without a reward.

During these winter months toddlers can be responsible for their winter articles such as gloves and hats.  Make it their “job” to make sure their gloves are in their coat pockets when not in use so they don’t get lost.

Early school aged children can help carry bags into the house. PUtting groceries away is a favorite task in our house. Taking the trash out (with some help) to the trash can is another easy task a young child can tend to.

A family pet is everyone’s responsibility: walking him, taking him out when he/she needs a trip outside, bathing and feeding your pet.

Teens may be a little more verbal about not wanting to do chores but remind them along with responsiblities comes rewards.

Personally, I think one of the most important things we can teach our children is how to be responsible, self-caring adults and the earlier we begin teaching our kids how to be responsible the better. And to encourage continued help, be sure the tasks you assign your children are age appropriate.

photo credit: zordroyd

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The Effects of Stress on Your Health

Posted on 15. Dec, 2008 by Nanette.

Yes, it’s true everyone has stress in their life whether it be financial, physical ailments, family stress, work stress, time constraints we all have some sort of stress in our lives.  But how we cope with the stresses in our lives can impact our health in adverse ways if we don’t cope with them correctly.

Moms, as much as we may think we are invincible and even want to believe that we really are we aren’t.  If we don’t learn to cope with stress in a healthful way then it can affect our physical health.  So, first we much come to terms with the fact that we aren’t invincible and we don’t have to be.  We don’t have to do it ALL.

If you come home from a long work day to a pile of dirty dishes, laundry piled up, or some other household task that hasn’t been cared for what happens?  Chances are the first person who even mentions the mess is going to get an earful.  Not only that but your body reacts as well, you blood pressure rises, a headache may ensue, or you may just feel like your stomach is in knots.  Sure you can take an asprin for your headache or an antacid for your now upset stomach but it isn’t the answer.  A pill isn’t going to make things right. In fact, it may do just the opposite.

A pill may seem to make things better for that instance but what is it really doing to your body?  Too much pain medication can actually cause irritation to your digestive system and that in turn will just cause more stress.  Are you coping with your stress in an unhealthy way?

Do you eat when you are stressed?  What do you head for when you are stressing out?  Chances are it isn’t something healthy.  Most people head for the unhealthy comfort foods such as chocolate and other sweets.  Doing so can be extremely dangerous as it can lead to such things as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.  These are dangerous illnesses that can lead to even more dangerous health situations such as stroke or heart disease.  You are a mom, and your kids need you around for as long as you can be, therefore unhealthy habits such as these would lead you in the opposite directions. A road you don’t want to go down.

Take some time to look past the mess of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich attempt your little one made and go cuddle with him on the couch instead and kiss away all the jelly spots on his little face and just really enjoy being a mom and leave the stress behind with the mess you can clean up later.  I kind of doubt it’s going anywhere.

Learn to leave work stress at work and out of your home life. Spend more time cuddling with those you love and cope with life’s stresses in a manner that will make sure you will be around for your little for years to come.

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