Local Farmer's Fruits and Vegtables

For all of us Chicagolanders, a friend passed along to me a great way to receive our produce and help the local economy.  The Market Basket Program is a group of 300 local farmers who are distributing their produce via Growing Power, a national non-profit organization.  The program runs on a weekly basis and allows us to participate in a week by week enrollment.  You simply let them know on the Monday of the week if you would like the produce, and then pick it up on Friday.  There are three different options ranging from $9 - $28.  The pick up location is Ta-Ze Olives and Oils in Nordstrom building on Michigan Ave (which is one of my favorite stores).  Below is the link and happy shopping!  

www.growingpower.org/market_baskets.htm

Sick Baby = Sick Momma

One of the joys of parenthood is the endless love that your child gives to you.  Yes, that includes runny noses, coughs, and oh so much more.  It was been five months in my home in which one of the three of us has been sick at one point and time.  We are pretty sure that this time our little girl gave us the flu for this round.  As I think back to when she first arrived and I was nursing, there was not a lot to help with my cold.  If you are preggers or nursing try zinc tablets or Zicam (always as your doctor first).  Those helped me tons.  If you are past that stage, like me, my husband tries to tell me that Moonshine and honey will fix everything.  I am sticking to Nyquil!  So, here's to all of us mom's and dad's who are surviving the winter and hoping for Spring to come a bit early this year!

Swing Vote -- Rent it!

One of my husband and I's favorite past times these days, is to rent DVD's from our favorite place-- the Red Box.   If you have not heard of it, you should look into franchising it ASAP.  This is a lovely box that sits outside of grocery stores, etc and you can rent DVD's for a $1 a night...watch out Blockbuster.  This evening we watched Swing Vote with Kevin Costner.  In lieu of the excitement that has surrounded the presidency and the youth's new interest in politics, this is a moving movie.  It is not a Democratic or Republican stance, but more of a let's get excited again with America and where we can go.  So, if you have a buck and want a good show, rent Swing Vote!

Lower your phone bill....seriously

For some reason, every month, it seemed that my phone bill had gotten higher and higher.  No matter how much I didn't use it.  It had gotten to the point that we had thought about canceling our home line and just go all cell phone (which is an excellent idea, but our security system is through our land line).  I had called and spoke with many people and AT&T and never seemed to walk away with what I wanted.  Over the weekend my husband was surfing the net and found a wonderful offer on AT&T's homepage.  It allowed us to combine all phones, Internet, and Direct TV.  So, he called.  To his dismay the person on the other line told us that this was for "new customers" only.  His amazing response was, "what about me?"  "I have been a loyal customer for over six years, does that mean anything?"  The lady on the other end paused and said yes it does.  She then transferred him to customer service.  There we were able to lower our bill by over $50 a month.  Now, we did not get the deal that was advertised, but were able to lower our bill by something.  So if you have about an hour to deal with your phone company, I highly recommend you call.  A customer is a customer, and they need us!  Happy dialing.

Walnut Crusted Tilapia

While I do not have the time to go out, fish for my own fish, do whatever it is that they do next, etc., etc., etc like the fabulous Martha Stewart.  I do have an easy recipe that I got from the Family Circle magazine this month (yes, I do love that magazine but not as much as US Weekly).  I hope you enjoy and remember the "official" new doctor's orders is that you should be having at least two servings of fish a week, and no fish sticks do not count!

Makes 4 servings Prep time is 15 min

Bake at 425 for 15 min

3/4 C chopped walnuts

1 T light mayo

3T Dijon mustard

4 tilapia fillets

1 t dried basil

1/4 t salt

1/4 t pepper

Mix the walnuts, mayo, and mustard together.  Coat the fish, then sprinkle on top the basil, salt, and pepper.  Bake on a greased pan for 15 min at 425.  Done and done!

Welcome!

Hello all,

In my former work career I was a media buyer for an ad agency here in Chicago.  There is where I first came to learn the term "Mommy Maven."  During our brain storming sessions for a new client pitch, I found out that that term was exactly who I was as a mom and the mom strive to be.  It is a mom that does not just say "okay" because someone told her, but rather researches, asks why, and then makes decisions on her own.  She is a women who loves fashion, trends, and is a hard worker.  She loves her family and wants to do what is best.  I am hoping to help through the things that I find, learn, and through others who share to help us "Mommy Mavens" get a little bit more sanity in our daily routines.  Please find a brief write up of the categories that I want to bring to you.  I hope you all enjoy!  

Oh Mrs. Martha!  - One of my favorite people is Martha Stewart.  I know that she is incredibly over the top on several things, but that fact that she brings life to the "home maker" and let's people understand that things can be a bit more complicated than a box of Hamburger Helper (not that we do not have that in our home:) ), is okay.  Here I will be sharing recipes that have worked and are easy, cleaning tips, and things about our home to help us get better organized.

Frugal-tastic! - I have officially proclaimed myself as cheap.  Hopefully not in a bad way, but in a way that makes me say, let's think about the future, not only my child's but my husband and I's retirement.  What can we do differently to help make that a better picture.  We all know about the economy today, so let's as I also like to refer to myself "Household Engineer" take a hold of our fiances, create a budget, and still have fun.

Do This, No Do that - As I go to play group every week, it has come to be one of my favorite parts of the week.  Not only is it a time for me to have "adult" conversations, but a time for all of us to share and learn things that are going on.  It never fails that even if all of our children have the exact same thing, not one doctor will tell us the same advice, even if they are from the same office.  Which is quite maddening at the least.  Here I will share with you advice that we have gotten from our doctors and our own experiences.

Oh! Good Grannies - This is one of my favorite sayings that I got from my college roommate.  It applies to so many different situations, and in that moment it can help to make it some what laughable.  This will be where I pile all of the random thoughts that I could not seem to find a fit in the different categories.