Posts filed under 'Books'
Hot off the griddle!
I just nabbed a copy of Bean Appétit: Hip and Healthy Ways to Have Fun with Food, and can’t wait to put it to work in the kitchen with my kiddos.
Dynamic duo Shannon Payette Seip and Kelly Parthen—co-owners of Bean Sprouts Cafe and Cooking School, a kid friendly restaurant serving healthy fare to Madison, WI, families—have filled their book with fun, fun, fun. What grown-up cookbook has instructions that tell you to spin in a circle three times before beginning or to waddle like a penguin around the table or shake your hips while the blender’s a whirling?
The book’s design is bright and colorful, filled with a mix of illustration and engaging “food as art” photography kids will love perusing. The recipe instructions are easy for families to follow together, and feature ingredients lists that are reasonable in length and with easily attainable items. Though they run the gamut from breakfast to snacks to outdoor eats and sweet bites, recipes are organized in clever new ways—food fun for a wintry day, book-themed eats, making music and munchies.
The book’s overriding philosophy: Encourage kids to “play” with their food, and you’ll instill a lifelong interest in preparing delicious healthy foods. It’s good for kid giggles, and frustrated parents. Because they’re engaged in the process and having so much fun prepping food in the kitchen, that should translate to fun at the table for mom and dad, as the kids gobble up the new yummy recipes they’ve helped make—perhaps out of foods their tastebuds had previously rejected. Amen to that.
I also dig the cookbook’s fun extras: questions to inspire table talk, games, crafts, and factoids, like favorite pizza toppings, birthday treats, and table manners from around the world. It’s also got handy conversion charts and tips, on top of its just plain good ideas.
So, get cookin’ with your kids. Pick up your copy at a bookstore near you, or order online.
Our Mom Appeal kudos go out to these two busy and creative mompreneurs, who have got the mojo thing going on! Successful cafe and cooking classes, now the fab cookbook, and also a cooking show that’s in the works! Whew! I don’t know how they do it!
—Mama Kate
March 3rd, 2010
So, what is Mama Jess—one of MomAppeal’s original founders—up to these days, besides chasing around her busy 4 year old? Exploring one of the best careers you’ve probably never heard of! She’s launched a virtual assistance business from her Madison, WI, home. We’re proud to say that Jessica Maes is fast becoming a guru and has just published a book on the subject, Exploring A Career As A Virtual Assistant and she is currently on virtual tour to promote it!
The book is drawn from Jessica’s own experiences as a virtual assistant, as well as the class she’s taught on the subject via the University of Wisconsin’s Minicourse department. A virtual assistant provides professional administrative, technical, or other specialized assistance to other businesses from a remote location, such as a home office; most have previous administrative experience. The book explores the industry, examples of successful practices, and how to make the leap toward starting your own Virtual Assistant practice.
If you’re looking for an outlet for your skills, one that allows you flexibility a busy mom needs, or maybe looking for a new career, then read a free sample from Jessica’s book by clicking here; to purchase in downloadable eBook format or hard copy, click here. To celebrate the book’s launch, Jessica has a few goodies to offer us. The first is a 20% discount off the purchase of the book. Simply use the promo code THANKYOU during check out.
Also, as part of this tour stop, Jessica is available to us today to answer your burning questions about the Virtual Assistance industry! Post your question by leaving a Comment below. Jessica will respond in the Comments section so be sure to check back!
The second goody from Jessica is that one lucky MomAppeal reader will receive a free copy of the eBook version of the book! To be eligible to win, you simply need to post a question about virtual assistance in the comments section of this post. She’ll choose the winner at random and announce here in a couple of days.
Kudos Mama Jess!
—Mama Kate + Mama Jen
August 3rd, 2009
Tattling. Nose picking. Noncompliance. Back talk. That’s what’s going on in my house these days. And, well, if I’ve had enough sleep the night before, none of these are too big a deal. But, I’ve also run out of ideas for handling them. Yes, my 2-1/2— and 4-year-old have outwitted me again.
Frankly, sometimes I don’t get why they do what they do. The tattling, for instance. Do you really need to report on every little thing or possible almost-gonna-happen transgression your little brother is doing? Yes, she does. Betsy Brown Braun, author of “Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents,” has filled me in: My daughter needs to make clear to me that she knows the rules, even if her little bro doesn’t. My new response — in lieu of the lengthy explanations I am known to dole out (another Braun tip: Get to the point): “Oh. That’s not something I need to know. I only need to know about emergencies, which are X, Y and Z.”
Braun has just the right amount of humor to stir in with her guide to handling those perplexing moments our kids throw at us. She’s got some good experience to bolster her advice: mom to triplets (!), teacher, preschool director, child development specialist. So, she’s seen it all in terms of kid behavior. Braun broaches other bigger topics, too: Sex, babies, death, divorce, and disasters. But, most simply, the book is reinforcement of the things you always knew, and is just a good reminder for those of us who are taxed and tired, but too weary to look at situations from a new perspective or in need of new techniques for the day-to-day situations and issues. Don’t give in to whining. Don’t argue with them. Tolerate but don’t indulge tantrums (or, as friends of mine like to say, “Don’t negotiate with a terrorist.”). Different ages, different limits. Diversionary tactics.
I also appreciate her suggestions instilling a sense of their own accomplishment into your child — instead of always seeking someone else’s approval; remembering that discipline is about teaching the limits that lead to self-discipline; I also like (need!) the “end of discussion” techniques — I never knew a 4 year old could belabor something so long and attack it from so many angles just get her way — and the compliance without counting techniques.
My husband rolls his eyes at these kinds of reads. And truly, you should take from any parenting book only what works for your family or fits with your philosophies. But, after being home with the kids all day, I often feel I’ve run the gauntlet of my techniques. This book is the breath of fresh air that will keep my from having mommy moments.
— Mama Kate
April 19th, 2009
Preggers or not, winter is the perfect time for nesting. You know, tackling those old projects that have been hiding in some dark closet corner. Author and uncluttering expert Donna Smallin has filled The One-Minute Organizer with great tips. It’s helped me start whipping things into order.
The book’s design is perfect for busy moms — or busy anyones. Each page offers a tip or two, and some details, but doesn’t overwhelm. Read a snippet over your morning coffee or other sparing peaceful moments of the day, and then schedule a few minutes a day to tackle a project, or a portion of it. Plus, it’s small — tucks into your diaper bag for reading on the run.
It’s organized into two main sections: Getting Organized and Staying Organized. Within each you’ll learn how to clear out clutter, deal with all that paper, arrange spaces, and how to strategize to get things done and keep them in order — including how to organize your to-do lists and schedules. If you need more details, you might check out Smallin’s larger title, Organizing Plain & Simple (hey, she’s also got books on cleaning, and uncluttering your mind and life!).
This book has helped me organized my out-of-control recipe files (for years, hundreds of them were crammed loosely into folders). I actually now use them; before I could never find them in the mess. I know where all the owner’s manuals are, and my closets and drawers are accessible, thanks to Smallin’s suggestions.
The beauty of the book’s premise is that, if you tackle getting organized just one minute at a time, it becomes do-able, not daunting. Whew, it feels good to get it together.
— Mama Kate
November 18th, 2008
Shannon Payette Seip and Adrienne Hedger couldn’t have phrased it better when using that line to title their hilarious book about breastfeeding.
When If These Boobs Could Talk landed into my hands, I opened it to take a peek, thinking I would read it in a bit, and….I couldn’t put it down. If you are breastfeeding, are going to breastfeed, or have breastfed your children, every page will speak to you like your ultra-funny girlfriend and have you laughing out-loud!
I love how the book starts with a nice little letter for you to read to your boobs before your baby is born because “it’s only fair to warn your boobs about the changes ahead.” At the end of the book, it suggests ways you can have a “Boob Retirement Party” once your foray into breastfeeding is over—–invite your breast pump and create a slideshow to the tune ”I’ve Had the Time of My Life”…..heeheeee!
The book has side-splitting and inventive illustrations such as ”The Ideal Rocker,” which is a rocking chair set up for the many hours you will need to breastfeed. It thoughtfully includes a button you can push to convert it to a toilet in emergencies amongst other wonderful things I wish my rocker had!
This book is a great, easy read with advice on how to console a rejected breast, alternative uses for nursing pads, reminders of your breast’s super powers and how to find your inner hottie while you feel like a dairy cow.
There are also quizzes like “Who hasn’t seen your boobs?”, great doodling activities, games and trivia to pump yourself up with!
This book is the perfect shower gift, gift to a new mom, or gift to your own breastfeeding self. We all know that laughter is something we most need when we’re up for a late night feeding!
By the way, the book is sized nice and small—perfect for your one free hand to hold and read while your baby feeds!
Mama Jen
April 3rd, 2008
