Inspired by some beautiful farmers market brocoli and cauliflower, I decided to come up with a fun recipe that might inspire Sophia to eat some veggies. As I have mentioned before, Sophia will not always eat plain veggies (I think many babies and kids are like this) so I keep trying to find ways to include veggies mixed with other food. Generally, this seems to work pretty well. She really liked these broccoli cauliflower coins, especially because she could feed them to herself.

Broccoli and Cauliflower are super veggies. They are high in vitamin C (which helps in iron absorption), contain folic acid, potassium, fiber and have large amounts of vitamin K and A.

Organic Broccoli Cauliflower Coins

Ingredients

• 3/4 Cup of Mixed Organic Broccoli and Organic Cauliflower (you can use just broccoli if you prefer)
• 1/3 Cup of Grated Organic Cheddar Cheese
• 2 Organic Eggs
• 2 TBSP Organic Ground Flax (Optional)
• 1/4 Cup of Organic Breadcrumbs (I like to use Italian for more flavor)
• 1 TBSP of Organic Parsley
• 1/2 TSP Pepper
• 1/2 TSP Salt

When Fall arrives and all the neighborhood kids head back to school, and the leaves start to change (well at least on the few trees that aren’t palm trees), and the air gets a bit crisper, I always think about changing things like my door wreath and my dining table centerpiece to something more earthy, cozy and well, Fall-like. In researching new ideas I came across the “Message in a tree” from Better Homes and Gardens and thought it would be a great idea especially for those homes with kids headed back to school. Instead of hanging notes of thanks to your house guests though, hang notes of love, appreciation and encouragement for your kids as they venture back into the world of math, reading and social engagements at school. What better treat is there as they head off to school to see a new note of encouragement, or when they arrive home from a long day to find a note telling them they rock? Let them take it with them or leave it there for the whole family to see….maybe even put a few up for your hubbie!

Of course I recommend using real leaves and twigs that have already fallen vs the faux version mentioned in the article…and try placing these in a silver pitcher or glass vase you already have in your china cabinet…no need to get something new!  If you use a glass vase fill the inside with chestnuts or acorns to fill the space and keep the branches in place while adding a true woodsy, fall feel!

is no walk in the park. Most toddlers have a very strong opinion on what they like and dont like, and whether they let you know by simply letting the food fall out of their mouths, or by throwing it across the room, getting good nutritious meals in their little tummies gets harder and harder every day! I often turn to my all time favorite cookbooks for infant/toddlers- Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook by Lizzie Vann(you should be able to find this in your local book store- I have this linked to Amazon so you can see the cover and read some reviews). Here are a few fun facts and recipes from the book…

Potatoes- These guys are high in fiber, rich in Vitamins B and C as well as potassium and can be served in many ways to cater to your little one’s taste buds! I personally like mashing them with a little milk, butter and parmesian cheese then adding some peas and ground turkey for a wholesome meal. You can also bake it, then add a lentil soup as a topping or side dish. Just make sure you keep the skins on while you boil or bake to maximize nutrition, and always always choose organic!

Parsley- “is very rich in vitamins A and C as well as iron, calcium, and potassium”- Organic Baby and Toddler Cookbook.

Try adding it to your dinner recipes including chicken, pasta, even couscous.

ROASTED LIMA BEAN GRATIN

Lima beans will make a creamy, white puree which will trick your little one into thinking they are eating something other than vegetables…this recipe adds vegetables for taste and texture. It’s a great dish when the weather starts turning colder…and is rich in iron, vitamin B, fiber, protein and potassium.

Makes- 2 child size servings

Great- for vegetarians or those intolerant to gluten or trying to minimize gluten in their diet

Stores- for 24 hours in the fridge or 1 week in the freezer

Prep time- 15 minutes

Cook time- 20 minutes

INGREDIENTS

1 tsp vegetable oil

1 small leek, finely chopped

1/2 small carrot, grated

1/2 tsp crushed garlic

2 tbsp canned or cooked lima beans, rinsed and drained

2/3 cups water or stock

1 tsp finely chopped parsley, thyme or basic

1/4 red pepper, finely chopped

1 tomato, cut into thing rings

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350

Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the leek and carrot and fry gently for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and lima beans and cook, stirring occasionally for another 5 minutes. Add the water or sock and herbs.

Puree the mixture in a blender, then pour into an ovenproof dish and mix in the red pepper. Arrange the tomato rings on top. Mix the cheese with the breadcrumbs, and sprinkle over the top. Bake in the oven until golden brown and bubbling hot, about 20 minutes.

I recently was introduced to a GORGEOUS paper line called Cartolina Cards, available at places such as Anthropologie, Paper Source, ABC Carpet,  modernpapergoods.com and more, and it was love at first sight!  The combination of the multicultural theme of each design, the brilliant use of color, and the subtle tribute to femininity is what got me hooked initially…of course it wouldn’t be true love if they weren’t printed in an earth friendly way though…so when I read that all “All our cards are printed on recycled paper that comes with the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. The FSC represents products produced from well-managed forests, controlled sources and recycled wood. Our cards are printed with vegetable based inks and our printer was named Most Environmentally Progresive Printer in Canada for the last 5 years at the Environmental Printing Awards.”, I knew we were a match made in heaven.

Here are some of my favorites…

If you are anything like me, you wait all year for summer to come around. It’s my favorite season because I LOVE to be outside and I love entertaining! Dinner parties under the light of paper lanterns are complete bliss for me…until the clean up! I have always struggled with what tableware to use outdoors- paper is simply not stylish enough and just wont cut it for any dinner party, plastic and melomine bring a bit more style and color to the table but with a heavy impact on the environment, and classic dinnerware simply is too heavy and too much work when it comes to cleanup. So you can imagine my excitement when I came accross this amazing line of dinnerware that is disposable, biodegradable and totally modern! The company is VerTerra and the product is made from fallen leaves and water, that’s it…just 2 ingredients!  ”They’re non-toxic, biodegradable, compostable, durable, lightweight, convenient and downright stylish.”

VerTerra Dinnerware

VerTerra

These plates are simple, clean and modern and will allow for the food to do all the talking! I do recommend adding color to the table through bright linens (table cloth or placemat) and colorful glasses if you have them. I love to keep the centerpieces low and simple with a few hurricane candles thrown in the mix for ambiance. Here are some pics of options to help sass up your outdoor dinner party!

Layer up bright table cloths and runners to create vibrant color combinations!- Photo courtesy of Real Simple

Mix and match bright colored glassware to liven up the table -Photo courtesy of Anthropologie

Use your own garden flowers and glasses for centerpieces

Dress up hurricanes with rocks, flowers or shells- photo courtesy of the young bride's guide

Finding a hostess gift that is not only stylish and affordable, but packaged right and made of natural goodies is no simple task…until now. I recently came across this gorgeous site, Woodsprite.com, for organic soaps and skin care as well as soy aromatherapy. Now usually when I come to these sites I am pretty skeptical about what I am going to find because the  products and the overall brand are typically a bit too, well, shall we say earthy? Not this one, it offers beautiful products wrapped up in high end packaging, and it’s all perfectly affordable. Here are some of my favorite options for hostess and thank you gifts…

By now most people have heard the amazing story behind Tom’s Shoes…which goes a bit something like this…

“In 2006 an American traveler, Blake Mycoskie, befriended children in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS Shoes, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Blake returned to Argentina with a group of family, friends and staff later that year with 10,000 pairs of shoes made possible by caring TOMS customers.

TOMS Shoes was founded on a simple premise: With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. One for One. Using the purchasing power of individuals to benefit the greater good is what we’re all about. The TOMS One for One business model transforms our customers into benefactors, which allows us to grow a truly sustainable business rather than depending on fundraising for support.”

Metallic Classics $54

The navy striped wedge $69

Newport Cordones in red stripe $69

Linen Classic in light blue $48

Whenever my wardrobe seems to be getting tired, or I just need a bit of personality added to my everyday skinny jeans and ribbed tank, I go for my collection of chunky, bright and playful vintage jewelry to spice things up. I have always loved vintage jewelry for it’s insanely bold colors, it’s unique personality and it’s ability to completely enhance any old outfit. And since it’s vintage, I can feel good about the price as well as the recycled life that it has lead. You can find vintage anywhere from flea markets and thrift stores to high end estate jewelry dealers. I personally love scouring the amazing flea markets in LA for my more casual vintage jewelry, but have also found amazing higher end treasures in some of the best vintage clothing shops in southern CA. In fact, I even found and wore vintage (Chanel) earrings for my wedding (I got the gorgeous gems at The Paper Bag Princess in Beverly Hills)…I was obsessed with ensuring that my wedding day attire, dress included, could never be duplicated or worn by another…and the earrings were the perfect fit!

Vintage Chanel Earrings for my wedding

Here are some of my favorite pieces on the web right now…

Etsy necklace- $34

Robin's Egg Blue Wingback Earrings- $55

Pearl and Peridot Rhinestone Ring- $24

70's bangle by Kenneth J Lane- $80

Vintage Fresh Water Pearl & Gold Metal Cocktail Ring $40

For more vintage jewelry online check out these fabulous sites…

http://www.veryvintage.com/

http://www.riceandbeansvintage.com/vintagedesignerjewelry.html

www.etsy.com

http://www.michellesvintagejewelry.com/index.html

Clearly I am a huge foodie…this is not my first post on what foods I find the most tasty, the most effective and the most healthy. And so my love affair with fresh new ideas for meals a mommy will love continues with what I call Breakfast Brilliance. Last time I posted about breakfast it was centered around that fabulous thing we call oatmeal. And while I still hold oatmeal at the top of my fabulous food list, I have a new option for you morning mommies. Try this gorgeous concoction for a protein filled, sweet tasting, organic treat…

Start with an organic whole wheat english muffin, toast it then spread it with crunchy organic peanut butter and top it off with sliced organic strawberries. Yep, that’s it…basically an “unpreserved” PB and J! This quick treat is as yummy as it is gorgeous! (and it will keep you nice and full till lunch thanks to the peanut butter).

Yes its possible and I intend to prove it through this blog from here on out…
I know it seems like maintaining a sense of style while schlepping your lil one to and from the park, or to music class, or school or swimming lessons or the grocery store, or soccer practice…(you get the idea) seems like a waist of time or simply too much work. And I know too, that choosing to make a salad for lunch instead of eating a few o your lil guy’s chicken nuggets or string cheese seems like it would take an impossible amount of self control and there is no way on this green earth that you could do it everyday…trust me, I know! It aint a cake walk, (but then again neither is being a parent) but I think it’s completely doable and totally necessary! We are strong, beautiful women who deserve the confidence and second looks that we got just a few years back.

I have always (well, at least since high school when I FINALLY got out of a uniform and had permanent free dress) loved fashion, and over the years have developed my own sense of style that in a way, defines me. If I had to describe “my style”, I guess I would say its a large scoop of the 60’s, mixed with a tablespoon of beachy comfort, an topped off with a pinch of glamour. What in the world does that look like, you ask? Here’s a picture of one of my favorite dresses…I have worn it to weddings, out to dinner, when pregnant, when slim- its an amazing dress that captures the essence of my style in a nutshell. (and no, that is not me in the picture!)

So…you have a glimpse into my style, now how do I qualify as healthy? Well, I do a few things that keep my mind and body feeling fresh and alert and sometimes even toned. 1. I run. First thing in the morning after I feed my little guy his oatmeal and fruit- we hit the strand in Manhattan Beach and I run. Sometimes its 2 miles, sometimes it’s 7…depends on how I feel that day. Sometimes it’s just walking at a brisk pace- but unless there is rain, we are out and about by 9am. Then, on the way home, I reward myself with a Latte or Iced Coffee…everyone deserves a treat after working hard! 2. I eat almost exclusively organic food…and I say almost exclusively because there are a few fruits and veggies or dried goods that do not need to be organic (things like avocados, broccoli, pasta etc), and because I LOVE to eat out on the weekends- and lets face it, not all restaurants serve local, organic foods! 3. I drink tons of water, then a touch of red wine. That’s right, I look forward to my glass of wine each night as I wind down the day and enjoy a homecooked meal. Afterall, like I said before, everyone deserves a treat after working hard…and after a long day of being a mom and business owner, I like to enjoy a treat of red wine.

So is it possible to be stylish, healthy AND a mom? I think so. I think it’s critically important to hold on to the things that made you proud, made you confident, made you who you are before you were pregnant and before you were a mommy. Of course, now that you are a master of parenthood and your life is richer, fuller and more meaningful, things are a bit different and some priorities have changed (lets face it, blow drying your hair takes a distant second to feeding your baby or getting some much needed laundry done)…but keeping yourself feeling great will only bring more happiness and life to your home. I hope that sharing my tips and tricks through this blog will bring you inspiration and new ideas on how to keep your style and your health in fabulous shape! Afterall, you have already taken on the greatest challenge of all- being a parent, the rest is easy…