February 29, 2008

New to this concept of green living?  Are you playing with the idea of having your entire family go green?  I know that for many people, going green is a big transition to a very different lifestyle…. But how exactly do you go green when you don’t even know where to start?

The Green Parent: A Kid-Friendly Guide to Environmentally-Friendly Living by Jenn Savedge is an amazing resource for parents who are looking to tackle parenthood using an environmentally friendly approach.  There are plenty of tips and tricks included that will educate you and open your eyes to all the different ways that you can promote an eco-friendly (and money-saving) lifestyle within your family. 

I was delighted with all the new things I learned just from reading this book… such as Savedge’s recommendation to skip on “free range” chicken due to the ambiguous definition of what “free range” actually entails, as well as other labels green parents should either look for or be wary of.  Personally, I was surprised to find that according to a study done by a University in Germany, a dishwasher uses less energy, water and soap than what one would use when washing by hand.  Interesting, huh?  Savedge even includes recipes for creating your own homemade and eco-friendly disinfectants, cleansers, even face paint!  The recipes are simple and easy to make, not to mention easy on the wallet, so I know that many mamas will find these portions of the book to be very helpful.  Savedge even includes fun and educational activities within each section that parents can do with their children to help foster a deeper appreciation of the environment and its resources as well as an understanding of green living.

Savedge successfully put together a resource that is oh so helpful and oh so informative, with eye opening facts, figures and interviews that’ll get you pumped about going green and aware of the positive impact that doing so will have on the world, your community, your family and your bank account.   It’s a fun and interesting read that’ll definitely give you the knowledge necessary to become a green family!  There is just so much valuable information in The Green Parent, and Savedge has included it all there to help parents learn about leading an environmentally friendly life and how to teach their children to do the same. 

Jenn Savedge also has a wonderful blog, appropriately titled The Green Parent (www.thegreenparent.com), that she regularly updates it with fresh information, tips and tricks about living green for parents and children.  Basically, the book provides you with a base of knowledge.  After reading The Green Parent, sites and blogs such as Savedge’s make great pitstops during your webventures to find out all about what is fresh and new in the green community.  Also, check out her blog to enter The 2008 Green Parent Awards for a chance to win some great prizes!

The Green Parent will be released in April of 2008.  Preorder it at Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble.

Technorati Tags: The Green Parent, Jenn Savedge, thegreenparent.com, organic, green, recycle, recycling, environment, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly

Book Reviews, Eco-Friendly, Education, Living Green 2 Comments

February 29, 2008

The latest from the R.W. Knudsen family of products are the Sensible Sippers juice boxes, which are available in four delicious flavors: banana, apple, mixed berry and fruit punch.  As you can see, Sensible Sippers come in flavors that are reputed to be children’s favorites!

Sensible Sippers are healthy, all natural and organic juices that come in portions perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.  By all natural, I mean all natural.  No added sugar.  No preservatives.  No fake flavor.  That definitely means they are, plain and simple, as healthy as healthy can get without eating the actual fruits off the vine.  Sensible Sippers are certified organic by the USDA, and each juice box contains only 30 calories.  Each box contains 50% filtered water and 50% all natural and organic juice, so they’re thirst-quenching but are not going to fill your little one’s belly with too much sugar.  I know personally I often feel the need to dilute littleQ’s juices with some bottled water, and Sensible Sippers eliminates the need for me to do this.  Although these juices are diluted, they still pack enough flavor and sweetness for your child to keep asking for more.

Oh, and do you remember the Berenstain Bears?  I remember that some of the first books I read on my own when I was a little girl were from the Berenstain Bears series.  Anyway, Sensible Sippers are packaged with fun illustrations of the Berenstain Bears, so if your child is already familiar with those characters, it’ll be a breeze introducing these juices (which she’ll love anyway, once she tastes them!)

littleQ’s favorite flavor was the mixed berry juice.  I personally loved the banana juice, and I must say it was the first time ever that I had banana juice.  It’s so yummy!  My cousin felt that the banana juice was a little too sour, and that may be the reason why littleQ wasn’t so keen on it, but in my opinion it tasted just like a banana, only in a refreshing liquid form.  The apple juice tasted fresher than your average apply juicy, and though it’s diluted, it still packed some great flavor.  The fruit punch was definitely yummy… how can you go wrong with fruit punch?

Sensible Sippers are super healthy and nutritious, and even if you’re not all gung-ho about nutrition and organic foods, this is great choice for any mom looking for a satisfying, thirst-quenching and of course, yummy juice drink for her child.

Sensible Sippers are definitely worth trying, and right now you can even download a coupon that’s worth $1 off an 8 pack of these delicious drinks.  Check out the Knudsen Juices site to learn more about Sensible Sippers, get a coupon, and even download some great Berenstain Bears coloring pages.

Technorati Tags: juice, organic, toddler, baby, preschool, knudsen, berenstain bears, juice box, organic, healthy, all natural, certified organic, organic juice, coupon

Eco-Friendly, Reviews, Yummy Food No comments

February 27, 2008

The Toddler Cookbookby Annabel Karmel is full of easy to follow recipes using easy to find ingredients, many of which you’ll probably already have stocked in your pantry or fridge, that you can create with your toddler or preschool aged child’s help.  Together, an entire meal can be prepared, from appetizer to dessert, using the recipes provided.

The recipes are quick and utilize easy measurements that make cooking a great way for your little one to learn and understand mathematical concepts (measurement, numbers and timeline sequence).  The introduction goes through some basic cooking concepts, facts and safety tips; and the cookbook also shows what tools may be needed.  Karmel’s wording throughout the entire cookbook also makes it easy for little ones to understand and follow along.  The fun photos throughout the book show each step in every recipe and these are great for encouraging kids to get involved, because the photos will give them that “Hey!  I can do that too!” attitude.

I felt that most of the recipes were appropriate  for doing with older toddlers (3 years) and preschoolers, but it may be too much to hope that a rowdy little just-turned-2 year old will have the patience to do anything but stir batter for as long as 10 seconds (if you’re lucky, that is) .  It all depends on your little monster angel, though.  Depending on your child, she may be able to take on more responsibility over cooking the dish or meal(always under your supervision, of course!).

littleQ and I (okay, so mostly “I”) prepared 3 different recipes from The Toddler Cookbook,and each one was delicious!  littleQ loved the Chicken Dippers the best, and I loved the Mini Banana Muffins.

The chicken dippers recipe was nice and easy.  The marinade called for buttermilk, and  I actually had accidentally grabbed a container of cultured buttermilk, but if anything that only added to the flavor.  I thought this recipe was cute because it uses crushed potato chips as part of the crunchy outer coating.  I used Baked Lays – cheddar and sour cream flavor- and it turned out so scrumptious with a hint of that cheddar cheesiness!

Karmel also included recipes for two different dips, and I made the Maple Mustard Mayo, which tastes like honey mustard, and it was too yummy!

As you can see from the photo, I created this recipe for Chicken Satay Skewers minus the skewers.  Well, my supermarket was out of skewers (why? I have no idea).  I really enjoyed this recipe.  The chicken came out super flavorful, so if you can marinate your chicken breasts for longer than ten minutes (I marinated for about 24 hours) that will definitely add to the flavor.  Oh, and make sure you pound the chicken breasts nice and thin so they’ll cook up quickly and you won’t have to leave them under the broiler and risk having dry chicken for dinner.

The sauce for the Chicken Satay Skewers was quite delicious.  I altered it slightly, adding more coconut milk than called for, using smooth peanut butter instead of crunchy, skipping the sweet chili sauce and opting for sweet and sour sauce instead… oh, I also added about a tablespoon of curry powder to the sauce.  Yep… all in all the chicken plus my slightly modified version of the sauce paired with white rice made a delicious meal.

Although this recipe called for the use of mini-muffin pans, I did end up using just one regular muffin pan, which was fine, though you must definitely keep in mind that each individual muffin doesn’t need too much batter (so that you’ll have enough to fill all the cups).  Silly me, I forgot to buy cinnamon, so I substituted that with crushed cloves.  As per Karmel’s tip, I added banana slices to the top of each muffin before I popped it into the oven.  Mmmm.  I just have to say that I loved these muffins!

These muffins are made using whole wheat flour and brown sugar, which is a big plus in the nutrition department, and the muffins came out moist, soft and delicious.  I wrapped the ones we didn’t gobble down that day in saran wrap and they were still as yummy 5 days later.

Followed verbatim, the recipes are definitely delicious, but every recipe is easily customizable to better suit your family’s tastes.  The recipes found in this book are the type that will placate the picky eater, and they’re quick, nutritious alternatives to fast food.  

The Toddler Cookbookdefinitely contains great recipes that are simple and easy enough to do with a young child but still manage to pack in great flavor in a healthy way.  If you know that your little one can handle certain delegated duties around the kitchen, then definitely get this cookbook, because cooking together is a great way to bond and when you’re eating the meal together, your child will have a feeling of accomplishment and be proud knowing that she helped create the wonderful meal!

Buy the Toddler Cookbook at Amazon.com.

Technorati Tags: toddler cookbook, kid’s cookbook, children’s cookbook, cookbook, toddler friendly recipes, recipes, kid’s recipes, children’s recipes, cooking, baking

Book Reviews, Yummy Food 1 Comment

February 25, 2008

It’s easy to skimp on the good, nutritious breakfast that we all need to start our days off right.  That’s why Breakfast Breaks are so perfect for kids (and adults) who would otherwise skip breakfast: they’re good-to-go packs, each with a perfect portion of cereal (just add milk!) , a yummy and nutritious snack (such as a granola bar) and a juice box.  There are 4 cereal choices: Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch, so you know there’s an option for everyone in the family.

I think these are perfect even for families who aren’t in a rush every morning.  The portable convenience of these little packs are great for streamlining the breakfast process, whether you’re sitting together at the breakfast nook each morning or if breakfast is a mad dash during the drive to school or work.  These are also great to take when going out with your little one. 

I find that Breakfast Breaks are amazing for distracting a cranky toddler (like littleQ when there’s no more chocolate soy milk when he wants some).. because hey, what toddler doesn’t like cheerios or any other easy to pick up cereal to snack on?  Plus, the juice box provided is made of 100% REAL juice, and not just sugary flavored water.  To top it all off, each pack comes with a spoon, a napkin and a wet-nap, which just seals the deal on just how convenient Breakfast Breaks are.  These are also a great alternative to a heavy lunch at school or at work, no matter what age you are.   If you’re at the office, just borrow a bit of milk from the coffee station for your cereal (sssh! lol).

Anyway, parents of school aged children should take note of all the resources and research available that points to the significant positive effect that eating breakfast has on not only children’s health (lesser chance of obesity) but their academic progress as well.  Studies repeatedly show that children who consume breakfast usually score better on tests and do better in school.

After you check out the links that point to all the good eating breakfast can do for a school-aged child, you’ll be more than convinced that Breakfast Breaks are great for more than just the convenience– they’re great for keeping your child on track: with their health and academically.

Plus, enter the Breakfast Breaks and Jonas Brothers contest for a chance to be in a commercial, a chance to a win tickets to a Jonas Brothers concert, and more.  Enter on the Breakfast Breaks site until June 30, 2008.

Technorati Tags: breakfast breaks, breakfast, children, child, academic, obesity, school performance, cereal, juice, breakfast pack, pre-packed breakfast

Reviews, Yummy Food 1 Comment

February 23, 2008

******This contest has been extended to March 29, 2008!

Regionz Kidz is offering MamaDivas.com readers a 10% discount with the code PKSpring08! (This promo is good until June 30, 2008)

Want to learn more about Regionz Kidz and their wonderful t-shirts and products that celebrate diversity and unity?  Check out the review, complete with photos of littleQ rockin’ their goods!

Definitely go on over to check out this online boutique, because Regionz Kidz is sponsoring a giveaway here on MamaDivas.com, and the prize is a super soft, super funky t-shirt for one reader’s very lucky little one!  The winner will receive one baby/toddler tee in red and white with her choice of design.

So how do you enter?

1. Go to RegionzKidz.com and browse their selection of t-shirts and designs.
2. Leave a comment here and tell me what your favorite design was, and what color and size combination you would most likely order that in.
3. You can earn a second entry by mentioning this contest in a post on your blog.  MAKE SURE IT PINGS BACK or mention in your comment that you’ve done so or it won’t count!  You MUST follow #1 and #2 in order to be eligible for the second entry.

This contest is open to anyone who has a US shipping address, and the deadline for entries is 11:59pm EST on Friday, March 9, 2008.  This contest has been extended to March 29, 2008! The winner will be posted and notified by March 11, 2008.  Everyone who earns a 2nd entry via #3 will get a special mention in the post announcing the winner.  Good luck!

Technorati Tags: baby clothes, infant clothes, toddler clothes, funky baby clothes, funky, clothes, infant, toddler, Regionz Kidz, diversity, culture, international, unity

Clothing Reviews, Giveaways 8 Comments

February 19, 2008

These days it’s all about having chic, eye-catching baby announcements and shower and birthday invitations with aesthetically pleasing layouts and color schemes, whether it be a spin on a more traditional design, or a completely fresh and chic color and shape concoction.  Plus, we mama divas want all the style and pizzazz for the best price we can get!

Little Ladybug Designs offers customized invitations and announcements (as well as other services including custom video montages… more on those a little later) that are beautifully designed and will definitely invite comments from recipients as to how well it complements and coordinates with the beautiful photo(s) of your little one.  The designs available range from the cutesy to modern clean lined designs to funky polka dotted designs, so there is of course something for every taste.

Pssst!  Visit Little Ladybug Designs via any link within this post and throughout MamaDivas.com or via the link www.littleladybugdesigns.com/?code=mamadivas.com and receive 10% off your order! (Promotion ends June 30, 2008)  That’s in ADDITION to the 10% discount you automatically receive when you buy 4 or more sets!

Every order of invitations, announcements and thank you cards are professionally printed, either on professional photo paper or on high quality heavyweight card stock.  The included envelopes can be printed with your return address if you choose, or you can order return address labels (which are great to order by themselves as well) that match your announcements, thank you cards and invitations.  In addition, a professional basic touch-up including a black and white or sepia color conversion is included for all applicable orders.  Their very reasonable prices start at $35 for a set of 25 4″x6″ announcements printed on professional photo paper.

I received samples from Kim, the friendly proprietress of Little Ladybug Designs, and I was impressed by the quality.  The designs translated perfectly onto the professional matte photo paper, which was thick and strong and perfect for archiving and display; and you can be sure these would hold up to even the most demanding of postal service routes.  The colors were just as vibrant and the designs just as engaging (if not more so!) as they appear on your computer screen.  I loved both designs I was sent, but I especially love the Blue Dots and Stripes Baby Boy Adoption and Birth Announcement… hey, maybe it’s because I’m the proud mama of just one little boy– everything “baby” related is boy-centric in my life!

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Little Ladybug Designs also offers photo and video montages on DVD, which are customized with your photos, video clips and more.  This is definitely an amazing way to document special occasions, milestones, and, well, life.  These make beautiful presents, and will definitely be appreciated for years to come.

In addition, they also offer special customized keepsakes for purchase, again, all at very reasonable prices: 8″x10″ Announcement Enlargements, photo keychains and photo magnets.

I’d also like to let you know about a special event going on at Little Ladybug Designs:

Little Ladybug Designs is hosting a Virtual Baby Shower March 27th-29th you are invited!

An adoptive mother to be, who was  picked by a contest, is being showered with baby gifts from numerous sponsors such as Saving Times, Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc, Essential Family Living, Dot Tot Boutique, Sweet Baby Smiles, Oh My Baby, Chic Pockets, The Wish Place and more. 

Not only is the mother being showered with gifts but all of the guests who attend this Virtual Baby shower get the chance to win these same prizes! Simply visit Little Ladybug Designs on March 27th-29th, visit the party page, enjoy games, entertainment, baby tips, music and more, then sign the guest book after taking a peek at all the great prizes that are offered. And of course, Little Ladybug Designs is offering a free card set for the adoptive mother to be and free return address labels for a guest, and free shipping (insurance not included) for EVERYONE! What a fun way to congratulate new mommies who just adopted their little one! Little Ladybug Designs is still accepting sponsors, so if you are interested in participating in this great event and receiving additional exposure for your company, simply contact Little Ladybug Designs at info@littleladybugdesigns.com to get all the details required to be a sponsor. (Please mention that you found out about this sponsorship opp through Kristina from MamaDivas.com!)

Visit Little Ladybug Designs today to peruse the selection of beautiful, high quality announcements, invitations, return address labels and more, and to take advantage of the 10% discount being offered to MamaDivas.com readers!

Technorati Tags: baby announcements, baby shower invitations, birthday invitations, baby, infant, toddler, adoption announcements, customized, personalized, video montages, thank you cards, new mother, mom, mommy, mama, virtual baby shower

Reviews 1 Comment

February 17, 2008

Regionz Kidz offers a selection of t-shirts for babies, toddlers and their mamas that celebrate the unity and diversity of all the cultures here in the US and all over the world with unique and funky caricature designs that feature babies from all different ethnic backgrounds.  The super cute cartoon babies that grace Regionz Kidz products (from their tees to their flash cards and books for kids) were created especially for the online boutique by Hollywood graphic artist and illustrator Jeff West.  Regionz Kidz even offers a completely customized tee for you or your little one, featuring a totally unique illustration based on photos that you provide as well as your comments about your little one’s temperament and personality.

I love the message behind Regionz Kidz products… the designs are cool, unique and represent pride, unification and tolerance for different cultural backgrounds.  The cartoon babies that represent each different ethnicity are über cute, and you can choose from a variety of backgrounds/settings (13 in all) to really give your little one’s tee a personalized touch.  littleQ’s cartoon baby is set in the city, sitting atop a taxi, and it’s just so cute!  The design is so funky and hip.  In his Regionz Kidz tee and pair of dark khakis, he looks mighty sharp.  Oh, and he loves the design!  He smiled as soon as he looked down and saw the caricature, pointed to his chest and squealed “Baby!” so delightedly.  That’s definitely one point in Regionz Kidz’s favor, as littleQ doesn’t usually take such interest in his apparel (except for shoes… littleQ can’t get enough of putting his various pairs on and then off and then stomping around).

Another thing that’s super cool is that mamas can get t-shirts that match their baby’s.  Like the infant/toddler tees, these shirts come in 4 choices for the sleeve and piping trim (black, red, pink and light blue).

Regionz Kids also offers flashcards, games and children’s books, all featuring the cute cartoon baby illustrations and all geared towards instilling a love of reading as well as promoting other educational skills, as well as helping you to teach your child to embrace other ethnicities and cultures.  I’m thinking we’ll soon be adding to our library of children’s books!

Judging from his reaction, littleQ’s given his mark of approval for Regionz Kidz, and so have I.  The designs are unique and fun, and the overall concept of Regionz Kidz is something exciting, something you don’t see all too often, and I recommend Regionz Kidz for anyone who’s looking for a baby/toddler tee that’s got a unique design and sends a message of unity and tolerance.

Technorati Tags: baby, infant, unique baby clothes, toddler, clothes, fashion, baby clothes, infant clothes, toddler clothes, unity, diversity, tolerance, Regionz Kidz, cartoon, caricature, customized baby clothes, customized toddler clothes, international, culture, ethnicity

Uncategorized No comments

February 16, 2008

Just like the organic product market, the mineral makeup market has grown tremendously in recent years.  Personally, I hadn’t really had a chance to try mineral makeup, with the exception of Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil, which I would just use to set the foundation I’ve been using for the past 7 years: MAC Studio Tech (I use the color NW25). I would have to say that part of the reason why I’ve been so “ehh” about trying mineral makeup is due to the general price tag of such cosmetics in conjunction with the fact that I haven’t really used it, so, well, I wasn’t really sure if I’d like it or not.

Recently, I had the pleasure of trying mineral makeup from Beauty from the Earth.  Their growing collection is made of great quality, all natural ingredients, and their products are affordable, too!  Crystal, the owner, states that her motivation when she and her husband started Beauty from the Earth, was to be able to provide great quality mineral makeup at an affordable price without forcing their customers to subscribe to monthly/bi-monthly makeup subscriptions, and you’ll see that is exactly what they’ve succeeded in doing.

To prep my face, I made sure to moisturize well, as I know that due to the very nature of mineral makeup (all powdery, duh, lol), without properly moisturizing, your face won’t get the flawless, airbrushed look you’re striving for; without properly moisturizing, you may instead end up with a powdery, blotchy and altogether dry look.  I personally use Cetaphil fragrance free moisturizing lotion, as it is simple and unadulterated, and works perfectly for all over moisturizing, and especially on your face when using a mineral foundation.

Before I applied the foundation, I tapped my kabuki brush a few times to make sure it was free of any extra powder left over from the last time I used it.  To get the perfect shade for my skin tone,  I actually ended up mixing together the Medium (#19) and Warm Honey (#105) shades.   Don’t worry, if you’ve never used mineral makeup before, mixing together shades like that is totally normal and, well, expected, especially if you’re looking to get a shade that matches you PERFECTLY!  Beauty from the Earth even gives customers the option to order a completely customized blend of up to 4 different shades.

One thing that you should always remember when applying mineral makeup is, that less is more, and that you should basically apply everything just one layer at a time, to avoid overdoing it the first time and having to start all over again from scratch!  I say this, just because in my opinion, if you apply too much mineral foundation, eye shadow or blush the first time, it’s a pain to correct it without washing your entire face to begin on a “blank canvas” once again.

 Beauty from the Earth mineral makeup definitely feels a lot lighter on my face than my MAC Studio Tech foundation/powder, and still provides the same even, airbrushed look and texture.  The multi-purpose minerals are very versatile, and like all loose pigment powder , these can be worn dry or wet.  Beauty from the Earth multi-purpose minerals definitely hold their own against more expensive pigment powders, and are great for both subtle and bold applications.  I personally prefer the former, as I don’t like to go too heavy on the makeup.

Out of the multi-purpose minerals I tried, my favorites were the Honey and the Amber (#129).  Yes… I like tan and brown tones, and that reflects in my choices of clothing (as you can tell from the photos) and home furnishings as well.

Whether you’re new to the mineral makeup movement or you’re a mineral makeup vet, you will be more than satisfied with Beauty from the Earth makeup, and part of that feeling will come from the knowledge that you’re paying less for high quality products that come in a wide selection of colors and are sold by a mama diva who’s passionate about her company!

Visit Beauty from the Earth today for all your mineral makeup needs.

Technorati Tags: mineral makeup, beauty from the earth, makeup, cosmetics, all natural

Eco-Friendly, Reviews 4 Comments

February 11, 2008

First off, I want to tell you that by going to www.YoplaitKids.com, you can score a coupon good for a free package of Yoplait Kids yogurt.

Yoplait Kids yogurt is a delicious and very healthy snack in sizes and flavors perfect for your toddler.  littleQ prefers the yogurt in a bottle over the yogurt in a cup, but he definitely loves the flavor and texture of Yoplait Kids.  littleQ isn’t a very picky eater, but when it comes to yogurt, he can be pretty discriminating.  For example, he absolutely loves loves loves any Vanilla flavored yogurt, but he usually balks at fruity varieties besides Peach… though not so with Yoplait Kids.

He absolutely loved the Peach and Strawberry-Banana flavors of the yogurt in a cup, and he loved the Mixed Berry yogurt drink even more so!  Diego of Go Diego Go graced the packaging of these particular flavors, but really, I think that had little to do with his lack of reluctance to eat Yoplait Kids.  It’s nowhere near as sour as regular fruity yogurts are (the reason why littleQ usually dislikes fruity flavored yogurt), and Yoplait Kids yogurt is just sweet enough, and nowhere close to being too sweet.  In fact, according to the website, Yoplait Kids contains 25% less sugar than the average amount contained in leading kids’ yogurt varieties.

The servings come in the perfect sizes just for toddlers, so that there’s less chance of a mess and less chance of waste.  Needless to say, Yoplait Kids is chock full of vitamins, calcium and protein… and even contains DHA to aid in brain development.

Yoplait Kids comes in 7 different varieties with a total of 9 different flavors, so even if you’ve got a super-picky little angel, there’s still a flavor for her.  Trust me, if my anti-strawberry yogurt monster angel decided that Yoplait Kids Strawberry-Banana is for him, then chances are your child will find a flavor that she enjoys as well.

{Psst!  Don’t forget to check out the site for a coupon good for a free package of Yoplait Kids!}

Technorati Tags: yogurt, kids, yogurt drink, healthy, food, yummy, toddler, baby, child, children, yoplait, yoplait kids

Deals & Discounts, Yummy Food 1 Comment

February 9, 2008

I admit it. 

When I became pregnant with littleQ, I was torn… torn between the utter joy of being a mother and between the reality that my college education would have to be 1)put on hold, and then, quite inevitably, 2)stretched out over the next 10 years (yep, 10 years for 4 year degree).  Last year, I had to forgo a very, very generous academic scholarship at a wonderful university that I would be hard-pressed to qualify for any longer. 

At this point, I’m still torn.  I started working full time outside of the home about 1 month ago, and quite frankly, if my husband (who is, at this point, set in his chosen career) and I were not able to coordinate our schedules with my mother’s (who takes care of littleQ when we are unable to), then I would not have begun working outside of the home at all.  After two years of being littleQ’s sole caregiver, I’m quite reluctant to let anyone outside of my family care for him (plus it costs an arm and a leg for daycare around here!).  To make a long story short, I’ve had to make some tough decisions regarding my education and future career when I became pregnant.

My story is definitely not such a unique one, and if you’ve ever felt disconnected from what seems like the only two options their are when you’re a woman (a feminist or a housewife.. because sometimes we’re made to feel like those are the only two choices), then it’s time to check out FeministHousewives.com.

FeministHousewives.com features resources, articles, and even a community for anyone and everyone who feels torn between the desire to uphold feminist ideals while still being a wonderful housewife and/or stay at home mother.

And if you’re confused about all of these references to feminism, like, “do I have to not shave my legs or something?” then I invite you to read the following excerpt from the FAQs of the site:

What is a Feminist? What is Feminism?

1.
the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.

2.
(sometimes initial capital letter) an organized movement for the attainment of such rights for women.

3.
feminine character.

A Feminist is not a man-hater as many assume. A man-hater may certainly be a Feminist, but a Feminist is not always a man-hater. Assuming that the man-hating is a key feature of Feminism is like saying that all dogs have spots because Dalmatians are dogs and they have spots.

As far as the site goes, I think it’s a great resource.  One thing that I think would be nice to see is if all the features were consolidated on one site.  At this time, the community is hosted on Ning, and all the other features of FeministHousewives.com are located on the domain.  This isn’t a big deal though, and I’ve seen many sites utilize Ning in the same fashion: an integral part of the website that just happens to be hosted on the Ning server.  Also, I’m convinced that redesigning the site and placing all the content under one site or using a CMS like drupal, phpnuke or WordPress and incorporating a blog/update journal would certainly be advantageous, but the way Erin, the webmistress, has the navigation set up on both the main site and in the community site, it’s really not necessary to change anything.

FeministHousewives.com – for feminists struggling to make sense of domestic life.

Technorati Tags: feminist, feminism, housewife, housewives, stay at home mom, work at home mom, wahm, sahm, resource, community, motherhood, mom, mommy, mama

WWW No comments