Mommies Making a Difference has relocated

Hello All,

Mommies Making a Difference has relocated and revamped itself. We're still making a difference but with a Greener and more Global View. We'll still bring you all the goodies you've come to expect regarding home, health and family. Our new focus will be more consistent posts with more well rounded topics regarding choices you can make and products you can choose that not only benefit you and your family but also benefit the Environment and our Earth.

From now on look for our new brand "All Ways Green Living" and find us at www.allwaysgreenliving.com or on Facebook. Just click here or search "All Ways Green Living" in your Facebook search and be sure to like us when you get there.

We hope to see you all there and look forward to a Greener tomorrow.

Buy Nothing Day

We in the US toss out a tremendous amount of packaging and food. We see it going into the garbage, but how often do we think of the forests, farmland, and fossil fuels that are wasted just to wrap presents, carry groceries or transport drinking water for a moment, before becoming the mountainous landfills and the vast islands of plastic floating in the oceans that are our long-term legacy? (Organic Consumers Association)

Buy Nothing Day is November 26 2010 in North America, November 27 internationally.

Brunch recipes

Thank you to everyone who inspired me to once again post on my blog site. Following are a couple of recipes from the Cherubs party. By the way, for those of you who normally follow my blog, these recipes are not my normal, healthful recipes, but they are delicious.

Mini crust-free quiche

2 cups shredded swiss cheese (I used low fat)

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup low fat mayonnaise (or 1/2 cup plain yogurt plus 2 tsp lemon juice)

2 eggs or 1 egg and 2 egg whites

2 T flour (I used whole wheat)

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp pepper

additional ingredients can include chopped meat, mushrooms, onions, etc. I used chopped turkey, mushrooms and green onions.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.

2. Combine cheese, half and half, mayonnaise, eggs, flour, salt and pepper in blender or food processor and blend until well blended.

3. Fill each cup with 1 1/2 tablespoonful of meat, mushrooms, etc. Pour equal amounts of egg mixture in each cup. Bake 22 minutes or until quiches are just golden.

Chicken Strudel

chicken stock

6 boneless, skinless breasts

6 cups spinach leaves (or other cooking green)

3 T olive oil

1 1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/3 cup chopped fresh dill

2 cups lowfat feta cheese

5 ounces shredded lowfat jack cheese

3 eggs

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 tsp coriander

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

3/4 cup chopped toasted walnuts

salt and pepper

12 sheets filo pastry

1/3 cup melted butter

1. To make the filling, cover chicken breasts with chicken stock and poach 8-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through, let cool and chop or shred chicken.

2. Wash spinach, leave the water clinging to it and stir over medium heat until wilted. Drain well, squeeze dry.

3. Heat the oil and saute onions until soft (about 5 mins).

4. In a bowl combine chicken, spinach, dill, feta, jack cheese, eggs, nutmeg, coriander, cayenne and walnuts. Stir until well combined, then season wiht salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

To assemble strudels, brush a sheet of filo with melted butter; place another sheet on top and spread with butter, repeat two more times (four sheets total). Place a thin row of the chicken mixture at one end, tuck ends, and roll up.

Transfer to baking sheets and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. Let rest at least 10 minutes, cut with a serrated knife.

Enjoy!!

I want to volunteer but...

Do you ever say to yourself, "I'd love to volunteer, but I don't know where to start."

Well, there are ways that you can help your community that are fun, you can do them with or without your kids, and you don't have to make a huge commitment.

If you have time to volunteer, try:

Read to children at the local library. Some libraries have a program to teach adults to read also.

Walk animals at the animal shelter.

Deliver meals to elderly or disabled people. Contact Meals on Wheels.

Pick a cause that's important to you. Whether it's cancer, homeless, animals, education, children or seniors; there are several reputable places that can offer you an opportunity.

Visit your favorite place to take your kids and ask them about volunteer opportunities.

Some of our favorites are:

Relay for Life (hosted by The American Cancer Society)

American Red Cross (homeless, disaster victims and more)

SPCA

Volunteer.gov (various opportunities)

Meals on Wheels

CASA (Court appointed special advocates for children)

Change 4 Kids (provides school supplies for children)

You can make a difference even spending a small amount of time volunteering.

Another tip for getting your kids to eat healthful food

All kids love macaroni and cheese, right? My daughter is so picky, she will only eat the right shape noodle with the right color sauce (bright orange). I have tried several different brands of mac & cheese to get the best one nutritionally for my kids, but I end up going back to the old standby after she refuses to eat them. What's the point in serving it if she won't eat it? It's not something I would choose for dinner.

I did come up with a little trick though. When making macaroni and cheese, instead of using butter, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup cooked sweet potato. It went completely undetected by both of our kids. It blends in with the neon orange sauce and it's smooth enough to blend in without being chunky. Every little bit helps, right?

Favorite chocolate cupcakes

We did a chocolate cupcake taste test and here's our favorite. It's a dark chocolate flavor, so if you're a fan of dark chocolate, this could be your cupcake.

Ingredients

10 Tablespoons butter - cut into cubes

1/2 Cup cocoa powder

3 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 Cup flour

2 eggs

3/4 Cup sugar

1&1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 Cup milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter, cocoa powder and chocolate in a double boiler until smooth. Let cool.

In separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In another separate bowl, mix together eggs, sugar, vanilla and salt. Whisk in cool chocolate mixture.

Stir in flour mixture and milk in two alternate batches.

Fill lined muffin cups 2/3 full and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool slightly in muffin pans, then let cool completely on wire racks. These are good with frosting or without. We used a buttercream frosting and raspberries on the top.

YUM!

Staying safe

Let's face it. Moms are usually focused on one thing... their kids. Don't forget to keep yourself and your children safe by being aware of your surroundings at all times. Here are some ways to help you stay safe.

When you're in a parking lot, be alert. Know who's around you. Get the kids in and go. Also, always keep your purse on you or in your car. Don't leave it in the grocery cart while you put in the kids. It's a quick, easy target.

On vacation, wear your purse across your body or keep your money in a purse that attached to your body. Don't pull your money out in public. If you know you'll be spending $5 for a coffee at a street vendor, keep the money in a separate place.

While driving, keep your doors locked. Speaking of locked doors, keep your doors at home locked too. This keeps little ones in and strangers out. If you are driving and see a note on your windshield, or even if someone bumps into you, make sure you're in a safe place before you get out of your car. Drive to a well-lit, populated area before getting out to check - especially if your kids are in the car.

Don't be paranoid, just be alert. Criminals tend to steer clear of alert, confident people. Don't make yourself look like a target.

Environmentally safe way to unclog a drain

We all get them, clogged drains. There's an easy and environmentally safe way to unclog them.

Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda in the drain.

Pour in 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover hole with a plug or rag.

Wait 30 minutes and pour hot water down the drain.

All clear! For stubborn clogs, you may have to repeat the process.

Another yummy recipe

This time of year usually consists of warm, comfort food, but there are some days when you just want a light, crispy salad to remind you of spring and summer. I found one that my family loves and thought I would share it with all of you.

Beet & Carrot Salad

1 large beet

3 carrots

1T Dijon mustard

1T agave (or you can use maple syrup)

1 orange

1 lemon

cilantro (optional)

salt and pepper

Shred or julienne the beet and carrots. Mix the Dijon, agave, juice and zest from half of the orange and lemon, and salt and pepper. Pour over beets and carrots and mix. Chop cilantro and mix into the salad. Serve by itself or over a bed of greens.

Enjoy!

Easy meal that kids love

If you're like me, you're always looking for something quick and easy that your kids will actually eat. Try buying a whole grain loaf of artisan bread.

Slice the bread and spread a small amount of dijon on each piece.

Add ingredients that you'd like your kids to eat (I topped mine with shredded brocolli, ground flax seeds and turkey).

Then sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and bake at 375 for 5 minutes.

Serve with a salad and you have a quick, easy meal that is healthy and the family will love.

Recycle Christmas Cards

Now that the new year is here, we'll all be taking down our Christmas decorations. When taking down your cards, don't throw them away - send them to:

St. Jude's Ranch

Recycled Card Program

100 St. Jude's Street

Boulder City, NV 89005

St. Jude's Ranch is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, nurturing home and therapeutic residential treatment for abused, abandoned and neglected children.

At St. Jude's Ranch, the children remove the fronts of old Christmas cards and place new backs on them. They sell the cards to raise funds for the ranch. Cards are accepted until February 28, 2010

Resolution time - make it last

This is the time of year when we all start thinking about our New Year's resolution. This year make one that will really stick.

The first thing to think about is what you really want to change. Don't make it too broad. Choose something specific but attainable.

Instead of saying "I'll lose weight," choose "I'll walk 30 more minutes per week." Or maybe "I'll only eat dessert on weekends."

Instead of saying, "I'll save more money," decide to cut back on one coffee at the coffee shop and save that money. Have a special place to put the money and actually put in the $3 it would have cost you to buy the coffee.

If you want to keep in touch with friends or family, choose to make one call or write one letter or email per week.

Whatever your resolution is, take it in small steps and chances are you won't be kicking yourself by February 1.

One of my resolution is to post one blog each week. You can help me by making comments or sharing stories.

Happy New Year!

Green Christmas Shopping

To make your holiday a little more green, there are easy ways to make a difference when shopping.

Buy gifts made in the U.S.A. This is easier than it seems. Some of our favorite companies include Turner Toys, Green Toys, Fractiles and Slinky. Surprisingly, there are still many toys made in the U.S. You can also find clothing made in the U.S.A. Try American Apparel.com for basics like T-shirts, The Cat's Pajamas for pjs, Michael Stars for clothing, or go on a website like Nordstrom.com and type in USA in the search.

Make sure toys are PVC free. PVC is dangerous for your child's health and for the environment. When possible, opt for wooden toys without toxic paints or stains.

When buying bath or body products, be diligent. There are so many fantastic bath and body items made here and many of them are also organic. Try California Baby (not just for babies) and John Masters Organics (they even have a dog shampoo called "Dogpoo").

It's still early. Take some time and you'll make a positive impact on the environment while making a lasting impact on your loved ones.

Raising healthy children

We all want to raise healthy children. The question is, where do we start?

1. Fuel your child. A body uses food as fuel. Not all fuels are equal. Fill your child's day with healthy meals and snacks to keep their bodies running at its best. Try to cut out sugar where you can, and get plenty of fruits and vegetables in their system. Whole grains also give long lasting energy. Check product labels. Go back to basics. A good way to get healthy snacks in your kids is to have them always handy. At the beginning of each week, cut up fruits and vegetables and put them in a container in the refrigerator. Make this the "free" container. When your child needs a snack, let them pick something from the container.

2. Get moving with them. When you take your kids to the park, play with them. Your children want to play with you. They want to know that you want to play with them. It will help get you healthier and help your kids' self esteem.

3. Don’t overschedule their day. We go from school to soccer to karate. You know how it goes. Remember kids need routine, but they also need down time. They need time to be creative and time to relax. Even when their day is filled with fun things to do, it's stressful to be scheduled from morning to night. Don’t do this to your kids. Children need a break too. Make sure there is some down time during the day to just relax. Also, let them be in control of parts of the day. Let them decide sometimes what to wear, where to go, what to eat. It will help them become more creative, independent thinkers. You may also need to teach them how to relax. Let them have some quiet time each day to read, take a nap, or just be alone with their thoughts.

4. Don't be afraid to be silly. Children are naturally silly and love to see you giggle with them.

Try some silly activities they're sure to love. Act like animals. Choose an animal and act out their personalities. Have tickle time, dancing time, running time. Throw out your inhibitions and laugh! Once you get started, you may find it hard to stop.

5. Limit media time. Kids have so many media options now. There's TV, computer, Wi, cell phones, text messaging and more. Make meal times media free. Have meals as a family as often as possible. Also, turn off all media 30 minutes before bed. As great as all this media is, it can be extremely stressful also.

6. Above all, make sure they know you love them. Tell them every day why they are special.

Recipe of the week

We will start posting a seasonal recipe of the week. Hopefully you will be able to sit down and enjoy it with your family. This will help you use some seasonal things that you can buy locally.

Enjoy!

This week's recipe : Cauliflower Bake

Bechamel sauce

1 1/2 C milk

3 T butter

2 1/2 T flour

sea salt

nutmeg

Cauliflower mixture

1 head cauliflower

2 eggs

3 T butter

1 C grated parmesan

1/2 t salt

1/4 t pepper

1/4 C breadcrumbs

For sauce: Combine milk, butter and flour in saucepan; bring to a boil, then simmer and cook, stirring constanly until sauce is very thick (about 15 mins). Season to taste with salt and nutmeg. Remove from heat.

For casserole:

Steam cauliflower until tender, let cool. When cauliflower is cool, remove all excess moisture. Finely chop cauliflower or blend. Beat eggs in a large bowl, add sauce and mix. Stir in cauliflower.

Spray olive oil spray on the inside of a 2 quart baking dish, pour in bread crumbs to coat the dish. Put cauliflower mixture into dish and bake for 40-45 minutes. Let cool to unmold.

Time to tune up your furnace

Now that the cold weather is knocking at our door, it's time to get your furnace tuned up. If you have an electric furnace, you could save 335 pounds of carbon per year; 252 for gas according to The Green Book. This will also save you money on your electric bill and help to keep your house cleaner. To find a qualified company near you, just go online and type in heating and air conditioning and your city. You should get some search results or at least yellow pages.

In addition, for each degree you turn down your thermostat, you save about 1 percent on your heating costs and carbon emissions generated by your furnace. Think about turning your heater down at night, and when you're not home, turn it off completely.

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a fun holiday for both kids and adults. Make sure it's a safe one by following some simple safety tips.

-have small children trick-or-treat only accompanied by an adult.

- if older children go trick-or-treating, make sure you know their route and what time they'll be back.

- make sure children know not to eat any candy until it's been inspected by an adult at home. In addition, give your children a good meal before they leave to help them resist the temptation to eat their candy before they get back.

- carry flashlights, glow sticks, or put reflective tape on costumes.

- use face makeup rather than masks, which can obscure vision.

- make sure children know never to enter a house or car for a treat.

- confine the family pet and make sure they have on a collar.

Happy Halloween.

Car wash tip

As you know, you can save time and water by taking your car to the car wash. However when you take your car in, please remember to check your child's car seat before you leave. Occasionally when cleaning your back seat, your child's car seat can come unlatched from the car whether it attaches with a seatbelt or lower latch connectors.

Age appropriate chores for children

We sometimes wonder, should our kids be doing chores? Or if they are, should they be doing more or fewer chores? We all want to raise responsible adults, right? So when is it too early to start chores, and what is appropriate?

Children 2-3 years can start chores. Most kids this age will actually be excited to help out around the house. For this age group, appropriate chores might include:

Dusting with help

Putting laundry in hamper

Help making their bed

Put dishes in the sink (or on the counter)

Pick up toys and books

Kids 4-6 years old are still usually excited about learning new skills (chores included) and can help by:

Helping put away groceries

Help clearing or setting the table

Watering garden

Help feeding pets

Putting away toys

Somewhere around 7 or 8, your child might start to be a little less enthusiastic about doing chores, but they'll have a greater sense of independence. Allowance may help with getting them to do their chores. They can:

Make their bed

Clean their room

Take out the trash

Fold and put away laundry

At age 9-12, preteens can handle increased responsibility. They can handle more difficult chores.

Load/empty dishwasher

Operate washer/dryer

Help wash car

Rake or sweep leaves

Set table

Vacuum

As our kids reach their teens, they're capable of most chores. Although it may be a little more difficult to get them to help out at this age, both because of their busy schedules and their willingness (or unwillingness) to help, chores should be a required thing for teens. In addition to everything listed above, some ideas are:

Mow the lawn

Shovel snow

Wash the car (especially if they're using it)

Clean their own room entirely

Prepare meals

Starting chores at any age helps our kids become responsible and really able to grasp what it's like to run a household. It also helps lighten the parents' load as kids get older.

The trouble with the American Diet

Check out this article in the New York Times.

Op-Ed Contributor - Big Food vs. Big Insurance - NYTimes.com

If you haven't already, please educate yourself on healthful habits for your family.