Costume Countdown

Four weeks ago: a ghost. Three weeks ago: a horse. Two weeks ago and holding strong for two weeks solid: Snow White (contingent on Matt and I dressing up as dwarfs). But this week, as the costume countdown comes to a close with just five days left until trick-or-treating, I asked Ella, “Are you going to be Snow White for Halloween?” To my dismay, the answer was no.

She’s back to horse.

I don’t have a horse costume. I have a Snow White costume.

A child’s right to choose becomes every parent’s nightmare as the clock tick-tocks toward the witching hour – and we may have a “witching hour” of our own sort if Ella in fact chooses to be a horse and refuses to wear her Disney Princess costume. I know all too well that it’s a girl’s prerogative to change her mind, but when it comes to Halloween, this mummy’s going to go mad if I have to come up with a last-minute costume change. Luckily, Jaisa is still too little to make up her own mind. She’ll be a puppy by default, since that’s what Ella was three years ago. I know I won’t be able to get away with this for much longer, so I’m thankful that I only have one wishy-washy girl to deal with this year.

Aside from our latest costume conundrum, the girls and I have been having a “spooktacular” time getting ready for Halloween. We had our annual viewing of The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We visited our favorite apple orchard and picked out pumpkins. We carved jack-o-lanterns and even roasted the seeds (which I normally don't take the time to do). We did a trial-run with our costumes and attended a special Halloween event held at our local zoo. We frolicked in the leaves. We’ve also been making treats like crazy ghouls—chocolate covered pretzel rods with orange and black sprinkles, pumpkin-shaped brownies for Ella to take to school, and we’re planning to make Halloween cereal balls yet, if time allows. If you’re still searching for something fun-n-festive to do with your kids, try out this recipe!

Halloween Cereal Balls

¼ cup margarine or butter

1 pkg (10 oz) marshmallows

2 Tbls orange-flavored gelatin

6 cups crisp rice cereal

½ cup candy corn

Combine margarine and marshmallows in 2-quart bowl. Microwave uncovered 2 ½-3 minutes or until marshmallows are puffed. Add orange gelatin; mix until combined. Stir in cereal until well coated. Mix in candy corn. Cool enough to handle. With buttered hands, form mixture into 24 balls. Place on waxed paper until cool. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap for storage.

Keeping it Safe

One thing I’m reminded as trick-or-treating approaches, is costume safety. Whatever Ella decides to be, I have to make sure she’ll be able to get around easily and comfortably, or the trip becomes a frightful nightmare for Matt and I. Some tips I recommend:

• Make sure the costume fits right and doesn’t cause a trip hazard.

• Dress for the weather—even if coats have to cover up parts of the costume.

• Leave the magic wand at home—or you’ll be the one carrying it.

• Stay visible—if trick-or-treating in the dark, put your child in reflective clothing and let her carry a glow stick or flashlight.

• Provide a backup mode of transportation—bring a stroller or wagon for tired little legs.

• Use makeup instead of a mask—kids get too hot and can’t breathe well with masks.

• No eating without inspection—check your kids’ candy before they start gorging themselves on it. Stick to wrapped candy and things they can easily chew and aren't choking hazards. Keep the hard candy and gum for yourself.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, whatever you’re little goblins decide to be!

Superfoods to the Rescue!

It dawned on me the other day as I was downing a handful of dry cereal while getting the girls their breakfast that I’ve really been eating lousy lately. Since obtaining my new role as full-time, stay-at-home mom (I’ll save the details of that story for another time)—with its 24/7 diaper duty, preschool meltdown mending, sibling squabble stopping, and clingy-toddler, one-legged Olympic house cleaning—I realized that my life has become so consumed with the day-to-day tasks of my latest gig that I forget to eat healthy meals. Instead I do what most of us hurried moms do and grab the leftovers from the girls’ plates or pick grab-n-go foods as I fly out the door to get Ella to school on time. (With a 12:30pm start-time, we still manage to be almost-late most days....no kidding. It's sad.)

I’ve been neglecting my healthy eating habits and I’m not proud of it. This realization brought me back to an article I wrote once about superfoods. These powerhouses from nature, which are packed with mega doses of health-protective antioxidants, vitamins and minerals—surprise!—are actually convenient enough to fit into my most jam-packed day. Now that I’ve starting choosing a handful of blueberries over a handful of cheese nips for an afternoon snack I'm beginning to feel so much better. Superfoods like these have secret powers any Super Mom would love—to lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer, and even improve your mood!

This time of year, there are an abundance of choices out there to enjoy and experiment with in your favorite recipes. High on my list right now are beans, broccoli, pumpkin, walnuts, yogurt, and who could forget….dark chocolate. Screw diamonds. Chocolate is a girl’s best friend in my book. It makes the superfoods list because it’s loaded with antioxidants and helps to lower blood pressure. No wonder I feel so much calmer after a sweet indulgence! Experts say, the darker the better for lower sugar and fat content. Aim for 60% or higher cocoa content to reap the most benefit and less guilt.

Remember my teaser for America’s Healthiest Cookie? It’s loaded with superfood goodness, is super healthy and, SERIOUSLY super yummy (kid-tested, mother-approved). I got it from one of my favorite websites, health.com. Next time you have a sweet tooth, whip up a batch! You won’t be sorry.

Chocolate Chunk and Walnut Oatmeal Cookies
6 Tbls unsalted butter
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup whole-wheat flour
¾ tsp baking soda
1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
½ tsp salt
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
½ cup chopped walnuts
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, add brown sugar; stir until smooth. Combine flour, baking soda, oats and salt in medium bowl. Combine butter mixture with the dry ingredients, and add egg, lightly beaten, and vanilla. Fold in walnuts and chocolate, coarsely chopped. Mix well and spoon by tablespoonfuls onto lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 12 minutes or until tops are dry to the touch. Makes about 32 cookies.

Want More Recipes?
Check out other mouth-watering, superfood-infused recipes like the oatmeal pancakes with wild blueberry sauce. Not only will you be pleasantly satisfied, you’ll be helping improve your health in a single bound. Eat to your health’s content!

When Push Comes To Shove

I remember the day like it was yesterday… Jaisa was about three months old. I was sitting on the floor in our living room holding her while Matt and I just finished reprimanding Ella for misbehaving—the details of that are not as clear. Ella, still a bit upset that she got in trouble, walked over and hit me. I was shocked. Especially since I was still holding Jaisa, and up to that point Ella had been an extra careful big sister around our new family addition.

Mystified by her reaction, I asked Ella, “Why did you hit Mama?” not expecting an actual explanation. Again, she was only three and still had trouble articulating her feelings. But what came out of her mouth next resounded loud and clear.

“I want to put the baby back in your belly,” Ella mumbled.

At first, I thought I was hearing things. I was speechless. For one, I couldn’t believe she was actually able to tell me WHY she hit me. Secondly, I couldn’t believe her reason. But, I figured if she was being so candid I might as well probe further.

“Why would you want me to put Jaisa back in my belly, Honey?”

Ella was quiet for minute, as if determining if she should actually tell me the truth or not. And then, out it came.

“I want you to play with me,” she said.

Two words: Heart. Breaking.

I’m sure many of you who’ve had a second child can recall how challenging it was in the beginning, especially for the oldest child to adjust. Our story was no different. Ella was our baby. We did everything together. She never had to share our time with someone else. So her latest outburst of defiance made me stop and think. Since Jaisa had been born (about 3 months ago at that point), when WAS the last time Ella and I really played together, just the two of us? Sadly, I couldn’t pinpoint a date. Ella’s matter-of-fact reaction was a wake-up call. I needed to make time and give her the attention she was missing.

Those first few months were dicey for all of us. But we made sure we devoted more one-on-one time to Ella and helped her feel included as we brought up baby. Getting clean diapers and bottles became her thing and she loved to help us out. We also made a point to not always refer to Ella as “the big sister” because we all knew she was so much more than that.

As a sentimental side note: Nothing can take away a mother’s love for her firstborn. But to answer a common question, once that second child comes around, you really do magically produce more than enough love for both children.

It’s not over till it’s over…
Now that Jaisa is mobile, she loves playing with Ella, and the feeling is mutual. Ella often asks for Jaisa to come play in her room, which I find precious. What amazes me is how protective Ella can be of her little sister—making sure all the tiny toys are well out of Jaisa’s reach and letting me and Matt hear it if we ever forget to close a baby gate.

Lately though, we’ve seen a bit of that behavior from Jaisa’s infant days creep back. One minute Ella is pleasant as can be, then (BAM!) out of the blue, she’ll push Jaisa in mid-walk, or tackle her to the ground, pull her, and just plain be rough. We harp on her constantly, and maybe that’s the problem. Is she acting out to get attention? I wish I knew. Now when I ask why she pushed her sister, she’s not quite as articulate as she was a year ago.

Is this a sign of things to come? I can only hope that these latest shenanigans are just a phase and the two sisters will grow up to be the best of friends. I want for them the closeness I always imagined having a sister would bring—braiding each other’s hair, sharing clothes, talking about boys and hopes and dreams. You know…all that good stuff you see on TV.

Whatever happens, Jaisa’s not going to be one year old and helpless forever. Fast forward three years and Ella better sleep with one eye open.


Have any tips on how you handle your children’s sibling rivalry? I’d love to hear them!

Autumn Comforts Call For Apple Crisp

One of the things I love about fall is the amazing comfort foods….and the blessing to eat them. Why is it suddenly okay to not feel so guilty about such things this time of year? Well, we Mid-westerns gotta stay warm somehow! It’s time to add on a few layers for winter.

I joke, but once that autumn chill is in the air, it definitely brings cravings for all things warm, sweet, rich and creamy. The body wants what it wants!

One of my absolute favorite fall-time desserts is apple crisp. I’m sure you’ve all had a version or two of it at one time or another—maybe your mom’s special recipe or one passed down for generations. The latest blend of delectable apples, brown sugar, oatmeal and cinnamon I’ve had the pleasure to devour was a recipe that came from my friend Micaela and it may very well be the recipe I pass down for generations to come. It’s hands-down the best darn apple crisp I’ve ever tasted! It has not just one, but two delicious layers of crust—one on top and one on the bottom—which, in my opinion, is this recipe’s ultimate attraction.

Serve it at your next gathering and I can assure you, there won’t be a crumb to spare.

Here’s how it’s done:

Crust:
2 ½ cups flour
2 ¼ cups brown sugar
1 ¼ cups butter (softened)
2 ¼ cups oatmeal
2 ½ tsp cinnamon

Mix till crumbly.

Filling:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
2 Tbl corn starch or flour
1 tsp vanilla

Cook till clear. Then add 5 cups of cut-up apples.

Press ½ crust mixture into a greased 9"x13” pan. Cover crust with the filling. Top with remaining crust mixture and pat lightly. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Try it and let me know what you think!

Coming soon, I have an amazing cookie recipe to share. It's been touted as America's Healthiest Cookie, but I can attest that it tastes anything but. Stay tuned!

To Fall, With Love

Ahhhh… Fall, why have you kept me waiting so long?

I love everything about you—the cool, crisp air you blow through my hair, how you make me smile just looking at your vivid beauty—the blazing oranges… bold, fiery reds… sunbursts of yellow and gold… You’re absolutely breathtaking. I want to embrace everything about you. It’s amazing what energy you give me as I breathe in the intoxicating smells of crumbling leaves, fireplaces ablaze, apples ripe and juicy, your comforting casseroles, chili, apple crisp and cinnamon stirred cider. Your natural sounds of crunching leaves and geese honking overhead provide the perfectly calming background melodies to my afternoon walks. The days of endless entertainment you bestow upon us...the festivals, visits to apple orchards and pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, wine tasting, hay rides and bonfires… I’m forever thankful for your presence and wish you’d stay awhile longer. I don’t mean to disrespect, but tell Old Man Winter to stick it. It’s you I want, Fall, for just a month or two longer.

There are a lot of reason people like living in Wisconsin – the Badgers, the Packers, the cheese, the brats, the beer, family, good farmland, good schools, good paper, hard workers and friendly faces. For me, I suppose it’s a combination of all of those, but it’s the change of seasons, (and family of course) that keep me grounded here. Truth be told, as much as I bash winter, I’d miss it if I didn’t have it. But, seriously, why must you stick around so long? If you haven’t gathered from my ode to autumn, it’s the season I love most of all. Always have. It’s a time of year I look forward to with giddy anticipation after a hot, humid summer. And it’s a time I forget how much I’ve missed when that first cool breeze kisses my nose.

For my family, the month of October kicks off all kinds of fall-time fun. Ella has constantly been asking when she can jump into a pile of leaves. Our trees are still fully loaded so we have a few more weeks to go. But that little girl was so desperate for a frolic the other day that she took out her little rake and scrounged up every fallen leaf she could find and made one very pathetic heap. She didn’t care. She jumped right in with a huge smile on her face and threw those 20 or so leaves up in the air with the pure joy that autumn brings.

Jaisa is still taking it all in. We went for a walk on the Fox River Trail yesterday and I kept putting freshly fallen leaves in the tray on her stroller. She got all excited and started patriotically waving them about like little flags. It’s quite possible that both my girls got it bad for fall just like their mom.

In the weeks ahead, the family and I will be discussing (and hopefully deciding on) Halloween costumes, picking out pumpkins, visiting our absolute favorite apple orchard (it’s not just apples, folks), creating mountains of Halloween crafts, gorging ourselves on caramel apples and candy, and of course later giving thanks for every last bit of it.

Fall, I’m so crushing on you right now.

Got a favorite season? What are some of your favorite traditions?