The Flying Dad

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The food available at the farmer’s market is similar to what you usually see in the stores, but also different. You can usually find more obscure stuff. For example, when I can find them, I love to purchase brussels sprouts on the stalk. I also love that there is a much wider variety of single items. I love the citrus guy who has 5 different types of oranges. There is the mushroom stand that has the basic brown mushrooms, all the way to exotic chanterelles and porcinis. There is a fantastic tomato stand in the summer that has at least 6 or 7 varieties of heirlooms, in all colors of the rainbow.

The selection of foods is of course, amazing. However, it’s not like a supermarket at all. In general, you won’t find foods that are boxed. You won’t find veggies that are out of season. You won’t find much in the junk food department either. Going to the farmer’s market is not just grocery shopping, it’s an entire experience. It’s outdoors. You can see the product under natural light. Some of the same people who weigh your produce and take your money are the same people that grow the food. Pretty much every stand offers samples of their products, which comes in handy when buying fruit.

Some of the vendors are pretty entertaining too, like the sausage guy at my market with his cheesy pitch: “One you try, you cannot deny, don’t walk by, don’t be shy!” We also have a guy who sells awesome peaches in the summer, and he has this great pitch–after he weighs your fruit, he’ll always throw in a few extra pieces if you bring the total up to an even dollar amount. He’s slick, but you don’t mind because he has a very vivacious personality. Then there are the cattle ranchers with the grass-fed beef that always wear huge cowboy hats. Call me crazy, but I like this zaniness. You won’t find that kind of personality at your local grocery store.

What’s also fascinating about the farmer’s market is the economics of it. In most cases, you’re supporting the local economy because most of the farmers that show up are only a few hours away at the most. Washington Apples are delicious and famous, but they’re pretty far away. I’ve got a lady at my market who produces some beautiful and tasty apples, and she’s right here in California. It’s also interesting because you are cutting out the middle-person. So much of the food we buy goes from a farm to a distributor to a store. Why not just buy from the farm directly? In addition to the financial benefit, you also get a time benefit–your food is actually more fresh when purchased directly.

Of course, there tend to be some environmental benefits as well. Food that is produced locally has to travel a shorter distance, requiring less fuel. Many of the vendors also specialize in producing organic fruits and vegetables, which of course eliminate the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, some of which are toxic. Because organic farming is more challenging, there is a general emphasis on being closer to the growing process, and nurturing the food more closely. This sort of extra effort produces food of excellent quality. Tasting one of my apple lady’s apples next to a supermarket-bought apple was an awakening experience.

I’ve been trying to purchase more food from my farmer’s market, although I do recognize that it isn’t always practical. Regardless, I know that every week, I have access to the freshest, most delicious produce available in my area. If you enjoy the best food that you can get, why not check out your local farmer’s market? A great resource for finding a market in your area is Local Harvest.

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Kseniya Simonova - 'Ukraine's Got Talent' Winner

Enjoy!: Kseniya Simonova

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The architecture!

The cultural sites!

The food!

The shopping!

And of course, the people! All truly amazing. Though, if you’d told me three or four months ago that you were going to Hong Kong I would’ve merely feigned polite enthusiasm. Due solely to my own naivety, Hong Kong was not even on my radar as a top vacation destination until the invitation to travel with a friend (and her parents who were born and raised in Hong Kong!) presented itself. The more I read up and heard firsthand from friends who’d visited, I realized this was truly an opportunity of a lifetime.

Before I go into the highlights of my trip, first things first: preparation and packing. I’m a bit of a Type-A planner and enjoy making lists and checking things off. A little peek at my list of to-dos for international travel:

• Double-check your passport’s expiration date. Some countries require a passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months of your stay. (Hong Kong is one of them.)
• Check if any Visas are required for your stay. (Not necessary for my 9-day stay.)
• To avoid any unnecessary freezing of funds, call your ATM and credit companies ahead of time to alert them that you will be using your cards abroad. They will ask you to confirm your destination(s) and approximate travel dates.
• Make at least one copy of your important travel documents, atm, and credit cards (front and back). You’ll want these with you but store them separately from the originals
• Jot down a list of items you plan on taking that require electricity. For example, my list included: hair straightener (hair dryer was available at the hotel), digital camera charger, iPhone/pod charger, and my friend was bringing her laptop, so I also looked into that, too. Armed with my list, I visited my local Sterns Travel Shop, but you can use any travel store. The sales rep was very knowledgeable and helpful; she showed me exactly what I needed – and what I did not. Turns out I only needed a plug and was told sternly to leave the hair straightener at home. Apparently in Hong Kong they get too hot even with a transformer and can burn your hair. They’ve also been known to short-circuit entire hotels!
• If you plan on phoning home or making calls during your trip you’ve got several options. In Hong Kong carriers provide open access and you can use your phone purchased in the US quite easily – as long as you’re okay with the roaming charges. Depending on how  much calling you plan on, a calling card or changing out your phone’s sim card for a local one might serve your pocketbook better. Our group had both the local sim cards and some brought their phones but left them on Airplane Mode to block any unnecessary data downloads and incoming calls. I actually found it quite liberating to be phone- and internet-free while roaming Hong Kong.
• Immunizations – turns out Hong Kong didn’t require any, but with the large crowds of people, H1N1 isn’t a bad idea.
• Prescriptions – from my experience, pharmacies will fill prescriptions that expire while abroad ahead of time.
• If you’re like me and like to take a lot of photos and videos, bring an extra memory card and battery for your camera (and carry them around with you!) – or a USB cord to upload your photos directly to your laptop.
• In preparation for my 14+ hour flights there and back I brought a really comfy eye mask, ear plugs, and Advil PM.
• Packing for 8 days of touring:

-I visited my local Container Store and picked up these: 1 hanging multipocket cosmetic bag

and several leak-proof travel-size bottles and jars. (They work really well.)

• Wet Ones and Purell Hand Sanitizer

• I took quite a few items (old running shoes, older socks, tees, etc.) with the intention of tossing them at the end of the trip to create room for my new purchases. I realize it’s a bit wasteful so depending on your vacation destination, if you can find someone who can use them, great!

That’s it for me. Have you got any travel tips to share?

P.S. Check back later for some highlights from my Hong Kong trip!

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Dior

Aurelie Bidermann

Day Birger Mikkelsen

I still prefer the Bebe au Lait ones though. I love that our girls always have them on, it helps us feel connected. A very good friend of ours sent me these images of her kids wearing the bracelets – she says the kids are thrilled to match with Mom and Dads accessories.

Family Ties

Family Ties

Family Ties

Together, when apart…I love friendship bracelets!

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With all of these claims, it’s no wonder why green tea has aroused the interest of so many people in the medical community, and of course, people who are interested in maintaining their health. I have slightly different circumstances, however. I simply like the taste of green tea, and enjoy a little caffeine in the morning. Because of this, I have begun transitioning from coffee consumption to tea consumption. I still drink about two cups of coffee in the morning, but by 10 AM, I am usually only drinking tea.

Here’s what I like about it:

• The flavor: Green tea has a very refreshing taste. It’s slightly grassy, slightly floral, slightly sweet, and is amazingly thirst-quenching.
• The effect: Green tea does contain caffeine, although the effects are a bit different from coffee. To me, green tea seems more mellow, and less buzzy than coffee. It still produces an alertness like coffee, but seems a little less frenetic.
• Health benefits: Well, to be honest, I don’t know if green tea really does make you healthier, but the medical studies do seem to promote this claim. I can’t complain!
• It’s refreshing: Coffee is always such an intense drink. It has a strong flavor and is more viscous than water. Tea on the other hand seems to quench my thirst better, tastes and feels lighter, and doesn’t taste terrible when it gets cold.
• The ritual: It’s always fun to scoop up some fresh tea and put in in the infuser. I pour some warm water on top and watch the water slowly change to that yellowish-green color.

Another thing that I enjoy about green tea is that much like coffee, there are many different varieties from different parts of the world. Chinese and Japanese green teas offer their own unique flavors and aromas. In addition, there are many green teas available with added flavors such as citrus and pomegranate. Some green teas even contain flowers such as rose, jasmine, lavender or hibiscus. Drinking these teas is a small luxury that can be enjoyed every day.

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My husband Jason and I were headed to New York for the weekend. We were leaving our 2-year-old son and 5-month-old nursing daughter in the capable hands of Susie, our life-saving baby sitter. I packed all the cute clothes I could fit into and headed for the airport. I felt so relaxed, sitting in the terminal, reading a magazine. We boarded our plane and took our seats. Then I remembered.

“Oh no! Jason, I forgot the pump.” Not just my pump. THE pump. The miraculous little machine that gathers those drops of gold to be frozen for baby. The pump that let mommy go out with her friends last Thursday night. The pump that gives a few extra hours of sleep when early-rising Dad takes a feeding. The pump that enables a nursing mom to take a weekend getaway to New York. THE pump. And we had just begun our six-hour flight.

I was more than mildly uncomfortable by the time we reached the eastern seaboard. I informed Jason that our first order of business was to find a breast pump. He dropped our luggage and me at the hotel and took off in a taxi. I raced to our room and jumped in the shower, seeking relief. When I began to prune, I got out and waited.

And waited. And waited. After about an hour and a half, my very visibly frazzled husband returned.

“Did you get the pump?”

“Not exactly.”

He opened a brown paper bag, inside which was a manual pump. As I frantically fumbled with the pump, he relayed his adventure of multiple taxi rides to three different “grocery/drug” stores, all with vendors amused by his predicament, but none of whom actually carried a breast pump. He found this manual pump on his fourth try.

Medela Manual Breast Pump

For those of you who have not used a manual breast pump, it is not quite the experience of an electric. The comparison in Barbie’s “The Princess and the Pauper” movie comes to mind: Princess Anneliese has her breakfast brought to her on a silver platter in bed, while her look-alike Erika must retrieve the eggs from the chicken coop for herself. On the upside, I was building strong biceps.

I somehow survived New York City with my manual pump. And when I returned home, I immediately purchased the Medella Pump In Style Advanced, upgrading from my single handheld electic to the double-pumping pump with two phase expression. Although it is primarily advertised as the pump for the working mother, I’d argue that it is the pump for every mother. We are all working, and at least at this one thing, it would be nice to be able to work a little less.

Medella Pump In Style Advanced

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At this point in my parenting career, I’m ready to purge. I can’t wait until the baby outgrows the infant car seat, so I can FINALLY give it away. I can’t wait until she’s too big for the swing, so it can cease being part of my family room furniture. As I opened my gifts, I thought, “there can’t possibly be anything this baby needs.” How wrong I was.

So, here in reverse order is my top ten:  all new items that I discovered on this, my fourth and final child. How did I ever live without…

10. Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddles
These blankets are fabulous. Lightweight, 100% cotton muslin, breathable, soft. I love the size (47” x 47”) and the fact that they wash so well. They can be used for absolutely everything: blanket, swaddle, stroller or car seat cover and your baby’s new best friend. Cute prints and sold in packs of four, two or individually.

http://www.adenandanais.com/

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddles

9. The Miracle Blanket
I was never big on the swaddling. After several weeks my babies always broke free of the swaddle and seemed more comfortable. The miracle blanket changed my mind. This blanket is wonderful. Baby slept like a champ and I became a swaddle advocate.

http://www.miracleblanket.com/

8. Primo Bath Seat
I inherited this seat from a friend. It sits inside your bathtub – perfect for my daughter to share bath time with her siblings. Baby lays back and is ready to be bathed. I’ve wrestled with filling and then spilling the little tubs. Wondered if my baby was actually getting clean lying on a “do not put in the washing machine” bath pillow. The Primo finally got it right.

http://www.primobaby.com/

7. Bebe au Lait hooded bath towel
Like the bath seat, I’ve tried it all in the towel department. This one is my favorite. Soft, perfect size for baby and washes really well. Love the trim.

www.bebeaulait.com

6. Cute Socks
I always thought these were overrated, but when I see her little ballet slipper feet or pink Mary Janes, I smile.

http://www.trumpette.com/

Trumpette Socks

5. Carter’s sleep sacks
These are like sleeping bags for infants. My baby sleeps in one every night. They are so soft, they keep baby warm and comfortable and they eliminate the need for any sort of heavy blanket. My seven-year-old son asked if he could have one – I laughed at the image as I told him that he might have trouble walking.

www.carters.com

4. Layering & Lovies
My girlfriend has a sleep coach (something I never thought I needed, but probably would have helped!). Over the course of several conversations, I’ve accumulated the Cliff’s notes version of the coach’s ideas. Top of the list for a good sleeper are layering and lovies. Layer your baby: a onesie, pajamas and a sleep sack, depending on temperature. And a lovey or some sort of soft toy that baby can play with, snuggle, chew on safely and finally sleep with. My baby wears layers day and night now and loves to see Bun-Bun, her little pink bunny lovey, at nap and nighttime.

http://www.angeldear.net/

3. Built Bag
These neoprene totes are perfect for baby bottles, baby food and even snacks for mom. Easy to clean, they come in bright, bold colors and fun patterns and prints. Beyond the baby years they can be used for school lunches.

http://www.builtny.com/

2. The Bumbo

A friend gave me her bumbo with play tray. I had seen this when my third child was a baby, but she seemed happy enough in our old bouncy chair, so I skipped it. Not this time around. This seat is great. Made from one piece of foam, it is soft, durable and so easy to clean. Aptly, its full name is the Bumbo Baby Sitter. Just one more place to safely put baby when you need both hands.

http://www.bumboshop.com

1. The Hooter Hider
Number one on my list: the Hooter Hider. This is the only item I actually asked for. I had seen them, but never tried one, and now I can’t believe I waited so long. They are perfect for nursing. I use it as a sun shade with the Baby Bijorn, a lightweight blanket, a cover for the car seat when she’s sleeping, an emergency burp cloth. I’m never without it – and you shouldn’t be either!

www.bebeaulait.com

Hooter Hider in Nest

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I have made several different soups out of several ingredients. I think after these attempts, I have the process down. Here goes…

Most vegetable soups involve a fairly simple process: Cook your ingredients, run them through a food processor (or use a stick blender), then put your finishing touches on them. It is really hard to mess a soup up, so give this method a try!

Here’s how I would make some broccoli soup:

Ingredients:

• Broccoli
• Onions (Or Shallots..Or both!)
• Garlic (Why not?)
• Chicken broth or stock
• Salt, pepper
• Butter or olive oil
• Bread
• Sour cream
• Chives

You may have noticed that I don’t usually include exact quantities for the ingredients in my recipes…because I don’t know! I rely on my intuition (taste buds) to tell me how much to put of everything. In the above example, I start with my main ingredient (broccoli), and adjust all of my other ingredients to that.

Preparation:

1. Chop up broccoli, onions, shallots, garlic and cook until soft. My preferred method is steaming.
2. Transfer steamed vegetables to a pan, and saute in butter or olive oil for a few minutes
3. Add some chicken broth or stock to a blender or food processor, then add cooked vegetables.
4. Blend for a minute or two until smooth.
5. Begin warming some chicken stock in a pot. Don’t use too much, otherwise your soup will be watery, and you’ll have to simmer until the extra liquid cooks off.
6. Add the blended vegetable pulp to the warm chicken broth
7. Stir continuously, watch the thickness. If it’s too thick, add more stock, if it’s too thin, keep stirring it until it is a better consistency. It’s OK if it is thinner than you’d like at this point, because you’ll want to simmer the soup for a little while before it’s ready.
8. Add salt and pepper (or anything else you’d like) at this point. Take it easy with adding stuff…You can always add more, but you can never take anything out. Add a little, taste. Add more, taste. And so on…
9. You can serve your soup at this point if you’d like, or you can pour it through a colander or chinois to achieve extra smoothness. The thick pulp that collects can be blended again then added back to the soup. This is the trick to ultra-smooth soups.
10. For a little extra fanciness, cut up your bread into cubes, and toss with some olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, then place the cubes in a toaster oven. Toast the croutons until golden brown, set aside.
11. Pour the soup into a bowl. Add a dollop of sour cream in the center. Add your homemade croutons, then sprinkle with chopped chives.
12. Serve!

Other soups I’ve made that are similar to this one include cauliflower/curry, broccoli/cauliflower, brussels sprout/bacon, brussels sprout/parmesean, and butternut squash. Experiment with your favorite ingredients…you’ll be amazed at how easy it is, plus be wowed by the great taste of homemade soup.

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A challenging day for most of us.

With memories still fresh of sleeping in, fun and exciting activities, or even just relaxation, getting out of bed on Monday morning is especially tough. Most people, however, have developed their own special routines. Let’s take a look…

There seem to be two different philosophies regarding Monday morning routines. There is the “Start off with a bang” tactic, and then there is the “Ease into the week” approach.

The “start off with a bang” people tend to put a lot of energy in to their Mondays. They may start off with a workout or a written to-do list, or even a hearty breakfast. The goal is to start with a bang, and let that energy drive you throughout the week. There is no time to waste, no time to sit still. You have your list, and the goal is to act upon it with gusto.

Pros:

• Get a lot done quickly

Cons:

• Difficult to get going initially
• Sometimes the energy is hard to maintain throughout the day

On the other hand, you have the ease crowd. These are the folks who recognize that Monday is a day to get re-oriented and make baby steps to full productivity. You might take some time to reflect on what you’d like to do this week, or look to other sources for inspiration. Instead of insisting on knocking out the toughest tasks immediately, the ease in to the week crowd might spend some time on social media or news sites getting information or networking.

Pros:

• Less stressful

Cons:

• Easy to be unproductive
• Time can get away from you

Whatever routine more closely resembles your life, one thing you’ll probably have in common with the other routine is the consumption of some sort of caffeinated product. Or, maybe not. Whatever your Monday morning routine is, the most important thing is that it works for you, and you’re better off because of it. If you’re finding yourself having a hard time getting in to your week, maybe it’s time to examine how you work on Monday, and come up with a new routine…you’ll love yourself for it.

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