Monthly Archives: July 2012

How to Cook Better at Home for Moms

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Contemporary wisdom advises that meals cooked at home are healthier and more economical than fast foods, but who has less time to spare than busy mothers do? Cooking is uncharted territory for many moms, but the act of preparing well-balanced meals shouldn’t have to serve as one more stressor. Cooking is a learned ability that anyone can acquire, and it’s a habit that even the most harried of moms can master with five easy hints.

Start simply.

Start with recipes calling for a limited number of ingredients that are readily obtained at a local supermarket. If a recipe mentions an unfamiliar verb or adjective, skip that recipe for now; expertise comes only with practice.

Improvise.

Does a recipe call for a teaspoon of cayenne pepper, when two dashes of hot sauce might work just as well? No recipe is written in stone. Scour the pantry, and don’t be afraid to be creative. For example, unflavored Greek yogurt makes an excellent stand-in for sour cream, and honey is an alternative to sugar.

Read others’ reviews.

Unless it’s a great-grandmother’s time-tested tome, don’t bother with a recipe that has no online reviews. Avoid recipes with negative reviews; delicious as they may sound, these will often turn out as disappointingly as their reviewers warned they would.

Improve upon the basics.

Don’t be ashamed about using pre-packaged starters. Can boxed rice be enhanced by a few freshly sautéed vegetables? Can boxed pasta be made innumerably better by the addition of beef, chicken or pork? The answer is yes, to the tune of several hours saved.

Plan ahead.

Create a meal schedule for the entire week, and consider preparation times. Chop meats or vegetables while the kids are napping, or spend a few minutes during commercial breaks in a favorite show. Preparation time adds up, but it’s very manageable when planned in advance. It also helps to budget meals during the week so that you can save not only time but money.

Invest in a slow cooker; these are time-saving miracles, as anyone who has ever owned one can attest. Complete preparatory work the night before, place the ingredients in the morning, and come home to a savory, fully-cooked meal in the evening.

Cooking isn’t rocket science. If it’s a science at all, it’s one that can be mastered by following directions and by using a bit of creativity. Start small, think big, and eat well.

Good gift ideas for baby showers

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A good baby shower gift is one that is both appreciated by mother and baby. Below is a list of gift ideas that will be sure to be crowd pleasers at the next baby soirée you attend.
Diaper Cakes- This sculptural stack of diapers looks like a three tear cake but packs a lot of punch when it comes to the cute and practical gift idea. You can never have too many diapers with newborn.

Clothes- Baby clothes are always appreciated, but rather than getting newborn outfit, which the mother probably already has enough of, get an outfit for a 6 month old. Babies grow fast and sooner than later, those adorable onsies will be too small. Just keep in mind the child’s age in accordance to the season. For example, if it’s a July Baby it will be 6 months old in January. So even though it might seem odd, it is very practical to bring a jacket for 6 month to a baby shower in July. (and you might find one on sale!)
Anything off the registry- Baby registries are pretty common for expecting mothers. Rest assured that if you buy something off a baby registry, no matter how basic or boring it seems, the mother will be happy. Even if she doesn’t end up needing it, often there will be a no hassle return policy associated with a registry.

Big Ticket Items- If at all possible, pool your money with family members or friends and get one large gift like a stroller, crib, bedding, breast pump or glider chair. The honest truth is that there are only a few “necessary” baby items, and they are all expensive.
Gifts for mom- Create a small gift basket just for mom. Fill it with items she may have gone without for the past 9 months like a bottle of wine or a cute new top. Something that would be helpful for mom would be great too like a nursing bra. This would be helpful for day to day of a mother.
Skip these gifts- The following gifts are either too impractical or too common. No matter how cute, pass these by in the store.

Piggy Bank, Baby Jewelry, Picture Frames, Stuffed Animals, Bath Toys, Baby Bibles
Whatever gift you choose to bring to a baby shower, know that it will be one of the most enthusiastic gift openings you will ever be a part of as people squeal with delight when each tiny package is unveiled and excitement builds for baby’s arrival.