Charlotte's Mom

Free advice for moms, entrepreneurs, and mompreneurs!

2011-05-24T13:21:00.001-07:00

I'm excited to announce that I've been invited to write the new online weekly advice column "Ask the Mompreneur" for The Charlotte Observer, the city's largest daily publication. Check it out!

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/1173

Holy cow, that was a fast two years!

2010-09-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it has been over six months since my last post. This year has all been a blur and here we are in September. Post-Labor Day.

And my little Charlotte is turning two tomorrow and starting nursery school. Wow. I've been on the verge of tears today and I don't know when I got so sentimental. All I know for sure is that I'm bracing myself to get through the morning of getting myself ready (physically, if not emotionally), getting her ready, dropping her off. It will all be so new.

I don't have to pack a lunch until next week, as this first week is "easing in" time with just 90 minutes of class time to help her acclimate. But what about me? Where do I go to acclimate? Is 9 AM too early to start drinking on a Wednesday? Because I'm going to be a little shaky after letting her go for the first time.

Mom Blog: Preschool Slot Machine

2010-02-02T11:33:00.001-08:00

Quick update - I've decided to pull the lever 4 times on the preschool slot machine. $100 per spin is a lot steeper than I play in Vegas and the odds seem worse, but here goes. I've already submitted applications to Trinity Presbyterian and Sharon United Methodist and will also submit to Myers Park Baptist and Providence United Methodist.

Providence UMC is so sought after that there's a "registration hotline" that you call on February 5th to find out if there are any non-member spaces left. All I can say is wish me luck!

Mom Blog: Update on Sleep Plan

2010-01-31T08:29:00.000-08:00

Charlotte slept all the way through the night last night for the first time in a month! Finally, she had a good 12 hour stretch from 8 PM to 8:30 AM this morning and we are thrilled. It looks like our list of "interventions" is starting to work.

We added on additional tweak, which is that she only gets 1 hour to nap during the afternoon, and has to to be up by 2:30 PM. We found that even a 90 minute nap was too much and she'd be up all night, bouncing off the walls with energy.

Now I understand why my husband spent his childhood being shuttled from activity to activity. He must have been the same ball of sugar-powered fire as my darling daughter.

Mom Blog: My toddler stopped sleeping!

2010-01-28T11:04:00.001-08:00

It all started with a runny nose, then teething pain, and now seems to be a full blown anti-sleep phase! My little angel used to be a championship sleeper, snoozing for about 13 hours straight each night, plus a 2 hour afternoon nap. Now, she's being really picky about what she'll eat (it changes every day) and I think partly because she's not getting enough calories during the day, is waking 1 to 3 times a night for a diaper and a bottle. She also doesn't nap at all on some days.

Here's my current list of actions to try to get her back on schedule. Any additional ideas?

- More milk, less water
- More exercise
- Cotton PJs (so she doesn't get too hot)
- 72 thermostat (her room is several degrees cooler than the thermostat)
- 45 percent humidity
- Earlier waking, up by 8;30 AM
- Shorter nap, up by 3 PM
- Later bedtime, bath at 7:30 PM

Monday Mom Blog: My 1-year old has a "safety school"

2010-01-25T17:29:00.000-08:00

Those of you without kids may not realize this, but we are knee-deep in preschool application season! That's right, those early February deadlines are looming to secure a spot in toddler class at your local church for the Fall term that starts in September 2010.

I started by inquiring at the church where hubby and I just started new member classes, but found out that we won't be considered members for the purpose of preschool until the following year. And like with many of the good church programs in the Queen City, our "non-member" application doesn't have a snowball's chance. One friend told me she had gotten lucky in winning the lottery for the single open spot at her daughter's preschool out of 90 competing applications.

I have a list of good preschools and will need to turn that into a spreadsheet so that I can decide how many non-refundable $100 applications fees we are willing to spend. Luckily, there was one school that sounded downright eager of the business when I spoke to them over the phone, so that's our "safety school."

All this to play in a sandbox on Monday and Wednesday mornings, sheesh!

Chicken and Dumplings Italiano

2010-01-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

It's been cold and wet everywhere so here's a quick comfort food recipe.

Step 1: Buy a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket (or CostCo).

Step 2: Make this great, easy side dish.

Start by boiling a 4-serving package of gnocchi according to directions (I used the ones from Trader Joe's).

Meanwhile, saute half a package of diced pancetta, or some chopped bacon in a skillet until starting to crisp. Then add half a package of frozen chopped spinach and a generous pinch of salt. Once the spinach is hot, add a couple/three tablespoons of olive oil to the pan. Drain the gnocchi and add to the pancetta and spinach mixture. Continuing cooking over medium high heat until the gnocchi have soaked up some of the flavor and oil from the pan and have barely began to brown.

Step 3: Plate with the chicken and finish with a spoonful of Parmesan over the top.

Mom Blog: What if you knew you could NOT screw it up?

2010-01-19T17:17:00.000-08:00

I've been pondering an interesting idea the last few days that I wanted to share with you. What if you knew for sure, like the voice of God spoke to you, that your kid was going to be A-OK? That they were going to turn out healthy, happy, the works. How would you parent? And more importantly, is "parent" really a verb now?

This question is a variation on a question that I have found illuminating in the past. When I was trying to decide between two jobs, I happened to hear a speech where the speaker asked, "What would you do if you weren't afraid?" And instantly I knew that I would accept the new job instead of staying where I was comfortable.

Since my recent post on Charlotte's slow speech development, this thought popped into my head and it really hit me like a ton of bricks. What would it be like to be a mom without fear? No more constant worry about what she's eating, or not eating, or wearing, or not wearing, or learning, or not learning. No more keeping track of how much Sesame Street she gets, or how often Food Network is on in the background.

I've been experimenting with this new way of being, just waking up and "pretending" that all the little decisions of the day aren't so momentous after all. Cutting myself slack. Enjoying myself in the process of taking care of my daughter. Quieting the loud voice of "should" so that I can hear the moment that's happening. Setting aside the pile of child rearing books by my nightstand.

Honestly, I don't know how long I can keep it up, but imagining that she's going to be fine and have a wonderful life no matter what I do - feed her french fries, skip the baby enrichment classes - well, it's intoxicating.

Friday Food Blog: PF Chang's Review

2010-01-16T10:08:00.001-08:00

PF Changs was bustling by 6:30 PM last night. Luckily, we arrived shortly after 6:00 PM and were seated immediately. Here's a quick round-up of what I had:

Wonton soup - The broth was yummy with nice, fresh veggies, but the wontons themselves seemed to have no filling whatsoever.

Spicy Chang's chicken - Steve always, but always, orders this. PF Chang's version of this Chinese American favorite is nice because they use large chunks of white meat and keep the breading to a reasonable amount. I suspect that the Orange Chicken sold in the freezer section at CostCo comes from the same source, in case you're looking for a fry-it-yourself fix sometime (or don't have a babysitter).

Garlic snap peas - This is usually a great veggie on the side, but last night there was way too much white pepper, yuck.

Mini-dessert - Steve and I ordered shot glasses of "The Great Wall of Chocolate" and "Marshmallow Smores." While the flavors were pretty standard, both the portion size and $2 price tag were perfect! Be careful of the graham cracker layer in the smores; it's more like dust than crumbs and if you're not careful you could wind up inhaling a bit.

Good service, very noisy, full bar.

Wednesday Wine Blog - Is Wine an Asset Class?

2010-01-14T10:11:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to my executive coaching client who sent me an article on wine from, get this, The Journal of Financial Planning. Titled, "Wine: The Illiquid Liquid Investment Asset," it was published last month by a couple of Certified Financial Planners from BB&T Wealth Management.

Apparently, the Europeans have been investing in wine for a long time, but this "alternative investment" is just now gaining popularity in the US as a hedge against the stock market, since the price of expensive wine doesn't trend along with the fortunes of the Fortune 500. Money managers refer to this as having a low "beta."

Europeans also seem to have cornered the market on what's considered "investment-grade" wine, as 90% of what's purchased as an appreciating asset is French red Bordeaux... and most of that is going to be first and second growth designations from the Classification of 1855. So, in case you were wondering, it's no use stocking up on Yellowtail at the Teeter! If you're going to build an investment wine portfolio, the world pretty much begins and ends with Lafite Rothschild, Latour, Margaux, Haut-Brion, and Mouton Rothschild.

One interesting exception is the use of a wine fund. I had never heard of these before, but apparently they function much like a mutual fund, but with the underlying hard asset being wine. These are relatively new inventions with short track records. I was also given pause when the authors describe the Europe and Cayman Island based wine funds as "lightly regulated." This must be code for "don't blame us if you wake up naked in a dumpster," right?

While providing a very decent overview of proper long-term storage and other boring minutiae, the best sentence lies in the conclusion, "One potential area of further study is strategic consumption as a way of driving up the price of remaining bottles." Uh, okay dudes, let's get right on that!

Mom Blog Follow-Up

2010-01-14T10:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks again to all my friends who have offered their perspective and wisdom on my daughter's slightly delayed speech (16-months and mostly just "mama" and "dada"). I have taken a deep breath and decided to relax!

I'll touch base with her pediatrician at her 18-month check-up, but in the meantime, I'm going to just enjoy my baby and her pointing and grunting. I'm sure I'll look back and wonder why I wasted a moment obsessing about her development when I should have just been savoring every moment.

Monday Mom Blog: My kid won't talk!

2010-01-11T10:41:00.000-08:00

Charlotte is 16-months old now and still mostly grunts and points. She says "Mama" and "Dada" and she can correctly identify her nose, her head, her ear, and her favorite dog pull toy. But she is far from speaking the 10-20 words that are the norm for her age.

She is also still missing her right front tooth, and looks like a jack-o-lantern when she smiles.

What's up with my kid???

She seems healthy and happy, and is pretty clear about what she wants (not sure where she gets that from). Am I worrying too much? I know a lot of boys are late talkers, but does anyone know of another girl who was late to talk?

Friday Food Tip: Braised Collard Greens

2010-01-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Since you might have a new year's resolution about eating healthy, I thought I'd share this simple recipe for braised collard greens.

Prep your bunch of fresh collards by rinsing the leaves, then tearing out the middle rib of each leaf, which is tough. Then roughly chop the leaves. I find this easiest to do by rolling up several at a time, like a giant basil chiffonade.

Then, using your largest skillet with a lid or a large Dutch oven, caramelize a sliced onion (Vidalia if you have it) in bacon fat (or 3 slices of bacon, chopped). Add a couple pinches of kosher salt. Once the onion is nice and browned, add the greens and turn to cover in the fat. You'll have lots of volume at first, but the collards will cook down a lot.

After the greens have started to wilt, add a cup of chicken broth and a few tablespoons of vinegar (apple cider if you have it), then cover and let braise over low heat. After about 15 minutes, check for tenderness and seasoning, and add some (freshly ground) black pepper to taste. Add a half cup of water and re-cover if they need a few more minutes.

This slightly bitter, slightly sweet side dish pairs well with a rich main course. We had this last night with ribs and mac 'n cheese, yum!

Save money on beauty in 2010

2010-01-07T12:25:00.000-08:00

I'm a long-time devotee of Paula Begoun, aka The Cosmetics Cop. She reviews beauty products across all price ranges and here's her list of Best Drug Store Products. Her website is http://www.cosmeticscop.com.

10 Best Drugstore Skin Care Products

* Neutrogena One Step Gentle Cleanser ($7.49 for 5.2 ounces)

Notes: Very good gentle cleanser that feels silky and completely removes all makeup; often stocked with Neutrogena makeup, not their skin care.

* Olay Foaming Face Wash for Sensitive Skin ($4.49 for 6.78 ounces)

Notes: Very good fragrance-free water soluble cleanser for all skin types.

* Eurcerin Calming Body Wash Daily Shower Oil ($7.99 for 8.4 ounces)

Notes: An excellent moisturizing body wash for winter-dry skin or eczema. Fragrance-free.

* Olay Quench Body Lotion Active Hydration Formula w/ Green Tea ($9.99 for 11.8 ounces)

Notes: Hands-down, one of the best body lotions anywhere due to its exemplary formula. It doesn’t leave skin greasy, either. Make sure you purchase the Green Tea formula, as it is the most state-of-the-art among the Quench moisturizers.

* CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion ($12.99 for 12 ounces)

Notes: Another top body lotion owing to its sophisticated formula that’s fragrance-free and great for dry, sensitive skin.

* Alpha Hydrox Oil-Free Formula ($11.99 for 1.7 ounces)

Notes: A fragrance-free, lightweight, pH-correct AHA product with 10% glycolic acid.

* Olay Complete Ageless Skin Renewing UV Lotion SPF 20 ($24.99 for 2.5 ounces)

Notes: There are few state-of-the-art daytime moisturizers with sunscreen at the drugstore. Although pricey, this certainly qualifies as a brilliant formula that competes with considerably more expensive SPF-rated facial moisturizers from the department store.

* Physicians Formula Sun Shield for Faces Extra Sensitive Skin SPF 25 ($8.95 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A gentle, mineral-based sunscreen that’s also fragrance-free. Great for rosacea-affected skin.

* Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream, Night ($13.99 for 1.4 ounces)

Notes: A very good nighttime moisturizer with retinol and antioxidants. Also fragrance-free. And yes, this is still being made even though Neutrogena offers similar products on their Ageless line.

* Stridex Power Pads ($6.99 for 28 pads)

Notes: One of the only benzoyl peroxide/anti-acne products at the drugstore that doesn’t contain needless irritants.

10 Best Drugstore Makeup Products

* L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup SPF 17 ($10.95)

Notes: Beautiful liquid foundation with broad-spectrum sun protection and a great range of mostly neutral shades for fair to dark skin tones.

* L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Powder ($10.95)

Notes: Everything a great pressed powder should be, at a very reasonable price plus beautiful shades

* Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector ($7.09)

Notes: A long-wearing, crease-free liquid concealer on one end, subtle highlighter on the other. Ideal!

* Cover Girl TruBlend Liquid Makeup ($9.39)

Notes: One of CG’s best foundations without sunscreen, it looks amazingly skin-like and lasts.

* Revlon Cream Blush ($9.79)

Notes: An excellent cream-to-powder blush that gives skin a lit-from-within glow.

* Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow ($6.75)

Notes: Smartly-coordinated sets with a smooth texture, good color payoff, and true matte finish.

* Cover Girl Outlast Smoothwear All-Day Eyeliner ($6.99)

Notes: A very good eye pencil with impressive longevity. Doesn’t need sharpening.

* Maybelline Define-A-Brow Eyebrow Pencil ($5.49)

Notes: No sharpening plus a smooth, soft application and flattering colors make this brow pencil a must-try.

* Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara or Lash Blast Length ($8.99)

Notes: Lash Blast in the orange tube gives ample thickness and length, while the one in the yellow tube provides less thickness but makes lashes inordinately long. Both are impressive.

* Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick ($4.99)

Notes: An inexpensive creamy lipstick that provides rich color and a finish that’s not overly slippery. Great shades, too.

10 Best Drugstore Hair-Care Products

* Aveeno Nourish + Volumize Shampoo ($6.99 for 10.5 ounces)

Notes: Great shampoo that’s nearly identical to Aveeno’s Nourish + Moisture Shampoo. Both are good for normal to dry hair that’s slightly coarse, curly, or thick.

* Garnier Fructis Body Boost Fortifying Shampoo ($3.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Excellent shampoo for all hair types, but especially good for fine hair.

* JASON Natural Fragrance Free Daily Shampoo ($9.79 for 16 ounces)

Notes: Although this contains a fragrant plant extract, the scent is subtle and doesn’t change the fact that this is a very good gentle shampoo for all hair types.

* Garnier Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioning Cream ($3.99 for 10.2 ounces)

Notes: A standard, but good leave-in conditioner for dry hair that’s comparable to much costlier products from Kerastase (Garnier and Kerastatse are owned by L’Oreal).

* TRESemme Instant Heat Tamer Styling Spray ($4.75 for 8 ounces)

Notes: Good lightweight, spray-on conditioner for those with fine or thin hair.

* Pantene Nature Fusion Moisture Balance Conditioner ($4.99 for 12.6 ounces)

Notes: Every Pantene conditioner is great (and they’re all similar) but this one has a subtle scent that doesn’t overpower. Use sparingly on fine or thin hair, lavishly on thick, coarse hair.

* L’Oreal Vive Pro Nutri Gloss Conditioner, for Medium to Long Hair That’s Curly/Wavy ($4.99 for 13 ounces)

Notes: Ignore the long/curly/wavy hair claim; this is a great conditioner for normal to dry hair of any thickness.

* Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Humidity Hairspray, Ultra Strong ($3.99 for 8.25 ounces)

Notes: This won’t completely shield hair from humidity and its hold isn’t ultra strong, but it works great as a finishing spray for all hair types.

* Pantene Curl Defining Spray Gel, Extra Strong Hold ($4.99 for 6.5 ounces)

Notes: A well-formulated styling spray for all hair types. Alcohol-free and loaded with helpful conditioning agents. Benefits curly or straight hair, especially if it is fine or thin.

* Dove Frizz Control Therapy Taming Cream for Rebellious, Unmanageable Hair ($4.99 for 4 ounces)

Notes: A great styling/straightening cream that also works to tame frizzies and add shine. Versatile, but too thin for those with very thick or coarse hair, who’d do better with a silicone serum or pomade, of which there are plenty of good ones available.

Mommy Question: Is it really because I took her out into the cold?

2010-01-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

I need your opinion! Charlotte has a runny nose and watery eyes and my nanny, who seems to hail from the same school of thought as my mom, thinks that it's because we went outdoors yesterday. Now mind you, 1) she was dressed warmly and only outside between the car and the library door and then again between the car and the mall. 2) Aren't we all agreed that colds are caused by viruses?

Then again, maybe (my) mom knows best. Should the baby be on lock down until it's back into the 50's? I simply don't know the rules for living in this thing called "winter."

Happy New Year!

2010-01-05T11:05:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone is looking forward to a wonderful new decade. What is it about rolling over the odometer that gets us all excited? Anything that ends in a zero just seems to have more significance, serving as a reminder to take stock.

Today, I am 35 and the mother of a 1-year old (she'll be 16 months on Friday!). When I was 25, I was consulting Strunk and White on matters of style. Today, I just need to make up my mind how many hyphens to use in "1-year old."

At 25, I was a management consultant for PricewaterhouseCoopers and on the road Monday through Friday. Today, I work 3 days a week for myself and my husband, mostly from home.

At 25, I was confused by office politics. Today, I'm a little more savvy, but have realized that my own business suits me better than a big company.

At 25, I was in the final throes of a relationship that I began at 16. At 35, I'm married to a wonderful man who is my best friend and a great dad.

Cheers to the future and the next 10!

Blog Hiatus - This Blog Will Return in January

2009-10-13T20:18:00.000-07:00

Here we go with the shameless excuses....

As many of you know, I've been working a cool consulting gig that started in September and will conclude in December, after which I'll be back to selling websites for Limelight Solutions (www.limelightsolutions.com) and doing my coaching with private and executive clients over the phone. In the meantime, this blog will go on hiatus, returning in January 2010. So TTFN, and see you back here in a few months time!

Monday Mom Bonus Blog: Swine Flu Info from Dr. Sears

2009-10-05T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to some good info on flu vaccines:

http://www.askdrsears.com/thevaccinebook/2009/09/four-swine-flu-vaccines-approved-by-fda.asp

Our family won't be getting any shots. We're just doing a lot of prevention.

Monday Mom Blog: Britax Marathon Carseat

2009-10-05T17:03:00.000-07:00

Baby Charlotte is 13-months old and today I ordered her big girl car seat, a Britax Marathon in "Allie," with pink polka dots! It should arrive in a day or two from Amazon, and then I'll have to decide when to finally make the switch from rear facing to front facing.

We're already past the recommended minimums of 1 year and 20 pounds, but they say the longer you can keep them rear facing, the better. And of course this makes perfect sense when you think about distributing the force in the event of a crash. But she is starting to hate the car and if she's anything like me, she's getting pretty car sick staring at a headrest. She's also about to hit the 22 pound weight limit on her Graco.

What remains to be seen is if this will stop the drama when we go on longer car rides. I'll keep you posted, but I'm sure glad that Grandma and Grandpa (who live 5 hours away) are coming to our place for Thanksgiving!

Wednesday Wine Blog: Wine Certifications

2009-09-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Last Thursday night I started the Wine and Spirits Education Trust's Intermediate certification course at Johnson and Wales University (best known for their College of Culinary Arts) here in Charlotte. The WSET, CMS (Court of Master Sommeliers), and SWE (Society of Wine Educators) are the three biggies in the field of wine certifications and it is possible that I'll have certificates from all three by the end of the year!

I passed my Introductory course exam from CMS back in 2007 and apparently it is considered harder than the WSET Intermediate class I'm currently taking. Additionally, the SWE is offering their Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) exam in Charlotte on November 17, which I'm also considering. The WSET Intermediate is classroom instruction, the SWE exam is just an exam for which you study on your own, and the CMS falls somewhere in the middle with 2 days of whirlwind instruction and a really hard test.

So why do all this? Why not just drink and be merry? Initially, I probably couldn't have told you why, other than I'm a recovering over-achiever who really misses taking multiple-choice tests. Sick, I know. But now I'm starting to think that I'd like to start doing some teaching in addition to writing this weekly wine blog.

Last Christmas I did a corporate event for a friend of mine where I poured and spoke on sparkling wines from around the world. That time, I got "paid" with a lovely massage at the spa where the client appreciate event was being held. (Incidentally, if you are in need of large-scale janitorial or facilities maintenance services, check out Servicon, Inc. They really know how to treat their customers!)

Point being, that I had a great time and would love to do more events like that in a year. So if all goes well, come the new year I'll be able to sign this blog, "Jennie Wong, CSW." Stay tuned!

Monday Mom Tip: Sippy Cup Results

2009-09-28T17:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all the moms who responded to my poll on sippy cups. Here's what I learned:

- Thumbs up for Playtex sippy cups (including their insulated one).

- IKEA has great prices on open cups for kids. Only $2 bucks for a pack of 6 little, plastic cups. Same price for 6-packs of kid bowls, plates, and utensil sets too. Also, check Target or try Dixie cups.

- Cups with reusable straws will require special pipe-cleaner type brushes. (This is no biggie for me, as we already have tiny little brushes from our Dr. Brown bottles.)

- Thumbs down on kid’s sport bottles, valve-less sippy cups, and disposable straws for environmental reasons.

And one last great tip: Practice drinking out of an open cup during bathtime!

I appreciate the collective wisdom and will report progress soon.

Monday Mom Blog: Vote on sippy cups!

2009-09-21T14:28:00.000-07:00

Charlotte is about to complete the transition to (organic whole) cow's milk and I need advice on cups! I'm currently using the "Take and Toss" sippy cups, but would like to teach her to use a regular cup and maybe a straw. I plan to buy some plastic kid cups from IKEA next weekend but would love your comments on:

- Best sippy cups
- Best straw cups
- Best regular cups with no top at all

And tips on teaching her how to drink from all of the above!

Friday Food Tip: Five Guys better than In-n-Out?

2009-09-19T09:38:00.000-07:00

Cast your vote! Is the East Coast chain Five Guys better than the West Coast chain In-n-Out? I think Five Guys has better fries, but In-n-Out has the off-menu "animal style" option that I still miss. Who out there has tried both and an opinion on this one?

Wednesday Wine Tip: Cristalino Brut Rose Cava

2009-09-16T14:26:00.000-07:00

There's nothing I like more than pink bubbly, but in the case of Cristalino Cava, I prefer the regular Brut to the Brut Rose. Both are amazing values at around 8 bucks a bottle, depending on where you live and shop, but the Rose's cherry notes seem slightly artificial and the wine lacks freshness overall.

Stick with the original on this one, and you can't go wrong!

Monday Mom Tip: Grandmas Rock!

2009-09-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

As much as you "know" that your mom loves you, I never really, truly understood what that meant until I had a baby. Suddenly, all the crazy stuff my mom used to do (and still does) made sense to me. She doesn't care if she looks like a complete nut, she doesn't care if she makes us mad, she absolutely has to do and say what she thinks is best for us. Holding my baby girl in my arms, I suddenly got it.

For the next couple of weeks, my mom will be staying with us, having flown across the country for Charlotte's first birthday. I'm looking forward to picking up more recipes to share, wisdom to ponder, and nights out with my hubby thanks to the free babysitting that we're usually too cheap to pay for. Nothing beats grandma!

Friday Food Tip: Vietnamese Sandwiches at the Chinese Market

2009-09-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Quick tip for sandwich connoisseurs. Check out the Vietnamese sandwiches, or bahn mi, at Zen International Market and Tea. Zen is located at 10225 Park Rd, next to Tin Tin restaurant. Place your order as you walk in (I can recommend the #1 with assorted cold cuts), then wander around the store a bit as they make it.

So what is a Vietnamese sandwich? It all starts with a wide French baguette (insert history lesson here) served warm and with a shatteringly crispy crust. It is filled with a couple of different kinds of cold cuts (or other type of meat), and sometimes a little pate, then topped with pickled carrots, fresh cucumber, cilantro, and hot peppers. Of course, they are happy to leave off anything you don't like. But eaten all together, it makes for a unique and craveable treat that is crunchy, salty, tangy, spicy, and fresh all at the same time.

It also happens to be both wallet and figure-friendly. There's no mayo or cheese and all of the bahn mi are priced at just $3.50.

Wednesday Wine Tip - 1999 Chateau d'Yquem

2009-09-09T18:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you who love dessert wines, Chateau d'Yquem is the holy grail. Sorta like Johnnie Walker Blue for the Scotch lover. I've always wanted to try some Yquem and tonight I seized my chance. For $25, I got a 2 oz tasting pour at Yn, a little wine bar tucked behind 131 Main in Dilworth.

The first sniff was intriguing, but then the wine failed to live up to its name. At first I suspected the nitrogen storage for the open bottle, but then when I came home and Googled the vintage, I realized that 1999 was an inferior year.

American wine drinkers like myself rarely study our vintage charts because when it comes to sunny California wines, we don't have to! Every year is a good year when grapes attain near-perfect ripeness. Anyway, lesson learned.

The following tasting notes are from www.thewinedoctor.com:

Chateau d’Yquem (Sauternes) 1999: Above average temperatures. Storms in July. Harvest began September 24th with intermittent rain. A moderately pale lemon-gold. A simple nose; just some candied fruit. Somebody overlooked the need for botrytis in this vintage. Sweet palate, moderate concentration, but no great depth. Lacks botrytis character and the complexity that would ensue. Good finish and length though. Now it is apparent why this vintage was released at such a low price, but perhaps it will develop in bottle. 14.5+/20 (November 2004)

Happy Birthday Charlotte!

2009-09-08T09:07:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that my little baby girl is 1-year old today. I wish I could rewind and enjoy all those wonderful baby moments all over again. Rolling over, sitting up, mashed bananas, the first cold, the first laugh, the first tooth. I remember all the unisex clothes she wore her first 3 months because we didn't know if she was going to be a boy or a girl! Thank goodness for the videos.

I know she'll be walking soon and onto the wonders of toddlerhood, but part of me would like to have her just like this for a little longer, because it is all going by too fast.

Friday Food Tip - Phantastic Pho!

2009-09-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm very happy to report that I've phound some great pho here in the Queen City. Ben Thành at 4900 Central Ave. has a generous portion of thinly sliced rare beef, rice noodles, and spiced broth served with all the usual fixings on the side of basil, cilantro, bean sprouts, and lime wedges.

http://charlottehappenings.creativeloafing.com/gbase/BestOf/BestOfAwards?Award=oid%3A196097

Wednesday Update - Not Ready for Art Class

2009-09-02T20:09:00.001-07:00

I took Charlotte to Noah's Art today to try out the toddler art class. It did not go well. She basically fell off furniture and ate paint the whole time. She was very crabby by the end. Oh well, I'll try again in January!

Monday Mom Tip: Mommy Groups

2009-08-31T10:58:00.000-07:00

I recently joined a Meet Up group called New Moms of South Charlotte and have gone to a few of their events and joined their fantasy football league (Mama Loves Football on ESPN). I've also tried to create my own little group of Mandarin-speaking moms in Charlotte. This is a much smaller group, as you can imagine. I'll report on my efforts to connect with other moms in the coming months, in the hopes that I'll make some good friends for myself and Chuck Boo.

It is challenging to meet moms who

A) live near you,
B) have kids the same age,
C) are on the same working/ stay at home/ working part-time schedule, and
D) that you connect with

But I remain optimistic! I'm also starting Charlotte at Noah's Art with Wednesday morning toddler art classes, so maybe I'll meet some moms that way.

Wish me luck.

Friday Food Tip: Asian Beef Salad

2009-08-28T06:13:00.000-07:00

This was a delicious and diet-friendly dinner. Leave me a comment and let me know how you like it!

Asian Beef Salad for Two

(All amounts are approximate, feel free to just eyeball it.)

To make the marinade/dressing:

2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon pressed garlic
1 tablespoon fish sauce (optional)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 or 2 pinches of red pepper flakes
3 or 4 dashes of hot sauce

Whisk together.

To make the beef salad:

1 tablespoon canola oil
1 box of mushrooms, in thick slices
4 large celery ribs, diced
1 pound of NY strip, thinly sliced (freeze for 10 minutes to make it easier)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 head of butter lettuce

In a large saute pan over high heat, saute the mushrooms in the oil with a generous pinch of salt. Once mushrooms have started to brown, add the celery and two tablespoons of marinade. When the celery is tender, but still crisp, remove veggies to a separate bowl.

Toss the beef slices in the remaining marinade to coat, then in the same hot pan, sear the beef to your desired doneness. Add the veggies back to the pan and combine with the beef, then serve over a bed of butter lettuce. The mixture should be very saucy from the combined juices of the meat, veg, and marinade, making a tasty warm dressing for the greens.

Enjoy!

Wednesday Wine Tip: CostCo Sauvignon Blanc

2009-08-26T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Kirkland Ti Point Sauvignon Blanc sold by CostCo comes from the Marlborough region of New Zealand and retails for around $10 bucks, depending on your location. This is a great buy, comparing favorably to the roughly 50% more expensive Kim Crawford. This wine is heavier in body than most bargain Sauv Blanc and has a lush mouthfeel. Lots of tropical fruit both on the nose and palate, especially pineapple. I get a little melon, while others get citrus notes like grapefruit and tangerine. I agree with other reviewers about the nice acidity and slightly mineral finish. This is one to drink this weekend!

Monday Mom Tip: The Happiest Toddler on the Block

2009-08-24T10:25:00.000-07:00

First, a quick update. The first tooth is in! Oddly enough, it is the upper left canine.

Last week, hubby and I watched The Happiest Toddler on the Block DVD in preparation for Charlotte turning one-year old and transitioning into her toddler phase. We haven't had any recognizable tantrums yet, but I wanted to be up to speed on the proper procedure.

The DVD was very helpful and offered some surprising and counter-intuitive tips. Its basic premise is that we have to meet toddlers where they are, both in terms of their overall primitive developmental phase, as well as their emotional crisis state. So when a toddler is upset, we have to keep our words simple and use short phrases. We also have to show we really empathize with their feelings in that moment, before we try to lead them to a resolution.

The DVD is available via Netflix, so you may want to trying renting it versus buying it. And for parents like us who had a good experience with The Happiest Baby on the Block, the follow-on disc should be an easy sell.

Movie Review - Julie and Julia

2009-08-21T21:41:00.000-07:00

Tonight I had French food, drank French bubbly, ate French pastry, and watched French cookery. Yes, it was the obligatory, albeit belated, trip to see Julie and Julia, the true story of the woman who wrote Mastering the Art of French Cooking and the woman who blogged about it decades later.

My lovely companion and I started our evening at Cafe Monte (6700 Fairview), having been duly warned not to go to this movie hungry. We ordered a bottle of Bouvet Rose, a Brut sparkler from the Loire Valley (a place which my sister says I'm obsessed with). At $32, it was well priced at between 2 to 3 times retail and drank as well as many a bottle at twice the price. The food that followed was serviceable, but felt dumbed-down, lacking sharp edges and memorable flavors.

But the movie was a revelation. I think I smiled the whole time, except for when I wanted to cry, and I mean that in a good way. As a fan of films from the 40's and 50's, I particularly enjoyed the life and food-affirming message of the film, free of romantic and dietary cynicism. This is a move where butter is good! Husbands are good! Hard work and success are good!

And most of all, love is good. This is a movie where love is celebrated and presented as a simple fact between two people, be they friends, sisters, or even two people who never meet like Julie and Julia.

Friday Food Tip: More Great Restaurants!

2009-08-21T07:33:00.001-07:00

Here are two great places to eat in Charlotte, one old and one new.

Dragonfly (5110 Park Road at Selwyn Ave.) is an excellent Chinese restaurant! And since I'm Chinese from one of the largest Chinese suburbs in the country (Monterey Park, CA), I know whereof I speak. Since it is right across the street from our house, we tried it right after moving here in March and have had take out from there several times since. It is always good and really hits the spot when I get a bit homesick.

Most recently, I had the Black Bean Chicken which was spicy and fully of tender slices of white meat and fresh peppers and onions. Steve always gets the General Chicken or Orange Chicken, aka the White Man Special. I also love the noodle soups, like Mei Fun with Pork. Portions are generous, so you can feed 4 for under 20 dollars, or 2 with lots of leftovers.

A new place that has been open for just 1 month is Fran's Filling Station (2410 Park Road). We've only been for lunch, but I was impressed by the gourmet food at Panera Bread prices. Steve and I had the No. 3 sandwich, a hot turkey and brie with thinly sliced apples and apricot sauce. The farmer's market salad of the day was an amazing white bean and carrot salad with dill, olive oil, and cumin. At 8 bucks each, which includes your side, these sandwiches are going into heavy rotation for our business day lunches.

We plan to go for dinner ASAP, as that menu is loaded with foodie delights. I won't give you the whole list, but I'm just gonna say three words. Bacon. Wrapped. Tater-tots.

Friday Food Tip: Amelie's French Bakery

2009-08-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

There are a lot of things that I enjoy making at home. But it is hard to compete with a really good bakery when it comes to breads, croissants, sticky buns, tarts, petite fours, and eclairs. Why even try? Enter Amelie's, a French Bakery. This mouth-watering institution is located at 2424 N. Davidson.

I went there for the first time after a girl's night out and bought a ham and Gruyère baguette sandwich, a couple of croissants, a milk chocolate passion fruit cup, a pistachio macaroon, chocolate cinnamon macaroon, a chocolate peanut butter 5-layer petite four, a cinnamon raisin sticky bun, and an eclair. Self-control, thy name is Jennie Wong.

To make a long story short, I was back less than 48-hours later. This time, after a 4-miler with the Charlotte Runners group, I brought home some tomato crab bisque, a ham and Gruyère tartine, a pate sandwich, a salted caramel brownie, pecan sticky bun, and mini lemon raspberry tart.

What can I say? Places like Amelie's (which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) make Charlotte a nice place to live!

Wednesday Wine Tip: Creative Champagne Cocktails

2009-08-12T12:05:00.000-07:00

An acquaintance of mine, Maria Hunt, is coming out with a new book on August 25th called "The Bubbly Bar." I love her recipes and think her ideas are always inspiring! You can pre-order on Amazon now:

http://www.amazon.com/Bubbly-Bar-Champagne-Sparkling-Cocktails/dp/0307406474

Monday Mom Tip: Probiotics Rule!

2009-08-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Probiotics are the "good" bacteria that normally colonize the gut and which can boost immunity and help you stay regular. They are great for babies and can be found in yogurt and special products such as Happy Baby's Happy Bellies Cereal (see my post from May 12, 2009). Even babies with colic have shown a better response to probiotics than to simethicone.

Probiotics are also good for mommies! A daily probiotic supplement might be worth considering given that it can do everything from reduce hay fever to belly fat after pregnancy. And who doesn't need help with belly fat after pregnancy?

http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20090507/probiotics-cut-belly-fat-after-pregnancy

Friday Food Tip: Palate Profiles

2009-08-07T08:10:00.000-07:00

What is your palate profile? What is the palate profile of your dinner guest? And most importantly, what the heck is a palate profile?

There are three different types of palates - non-tasters, tasters, and super-tasters. Tasters are the middle 50% of the population, non-tasters are the least sensitive 25%, and super-tasters are the most sensitive 25%, but women are far more likely to be super-tasters.

So what does all this mean? Well, non-tasters like myself have a high tolerance and low sensitivity to flavors, so we tend to seek out greater intensity in our food. My sister and I both fall into this category and seek out things like the intense garlic paste at Zankou Chicken and spicy ramen challenge at Orochon, which is probably more pain than pleasure. Super-tasters are just the opposite. These sensitive souls are easily overloaded by bitterness, spice, and acid.

So if you're cooking for a non-taster, feel free to turn up the heat, add a squeeze of lemon, and pile on the veggies! But if you're cooking for a super-taster, go for more subtle and familiar flavors. A super-taster will love you for serving them meat and potatoes and a soft, fruity Pinot Noir.

Wednesday Wine Tip: Please Protect Your Heart

2009-08-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Today I received sad news regarding the death of Blake Snyder. Blake was a screenwriter, teacher, author, mentor, and friend to many. I had the good fortune to take a workshop with Blake a few years ago. Although he sold many, many scripts, the only one that made it all the way to the silver screen was that immortal classic "Stop, or My Mom Will Shoot!" starring Sylvester Stallone and Estelle Getty. He, and his great good humor, will be missed.

Blake died of a sudden heart attack, which brings me to today's tip. Drink wine. Just do it. Do it in moderation, but do it regularly. It's good for the heart. Of course, keep in mind, we are talking about one 5-ounce glass for a woman and two of those for a man.

Here's a study by the Medical University of South Carolina, released just last year.

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20080307/heart-health-perks-for-new-drinkers

In addition to the alcohol and other chemicals in wine which may have salutary effects on heart health, also consider that a small, daily glass of wine with your dinner helps you to relax, slow down, and socialize. And it is those things which may prove to be the most powerful heart benefits of all.

Writer's Groups

2009-08-04T07:58:00.000-07:00

Question for the day: Should poets be allowed membership in writers groups? I lean towards "no." Nothing against poets, but I find it like having a mime in a clown group. I mean sure, they wear the same make-up, but you know the other clowns are secretly rolling their eyes.

Monday Mom Tip: Lessons from My (Almost) One-Year Old

2009-08-03T10:44:00.000-07:00

I'm usually so busy trying to teach my baby (things like lions go "Roar!"), that I don't always notice the important things that she's teaching me. So here's my on-going list for all you big people out there.

Charlotte's Way
1. Eat some fruit every day; it helps you stay regular.
2. A consistent bedtime will keep you from getting crabby.
3. Just because you are sitting down, it doesn't mean you can't dance.
4. Stay close to the people you love.
5. No one can really make you do anything.
6. A nice, ripe avocado is good to eat.
7. Do your best to communicate what you want, even if you're not always understood.
8. You can never have too many good books.
9. Make time to listen to music every day.
10. Don't watch more than 1 hour of TV a day.
11. Don't worry if you haven't hit the same milestones as other people your age.
12. Mom is often right.
13. Make a play date with a friend at least once a week.
14. Take a walk when the weather is nice.
15. Falling is a part of learning new things.
16. It's ok to cry when you're upset.
17. Take off your shoes when you get home.
18. Don't wear clothes that are too tight.
19. How much a toy costs has nothing to do with how much fun it is.

Charlotte Update

2009-07-31T18:55:00.000-07:00

Just a quickie - Today my little Boo-Boo took her first assisted steps and then ate some Vaseline.

Friday Food Tip: Dishes that Cut Down on Dishes

2009-07-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

For the busy cook, or simply the cook that hates washing up after, I recommend oven-safe dishes. They are awesome! The link below is simply one example of dinnerware that can go up to 350-degrees.

Quick side dish: Wash and trim a bunch of asparagus. On your oven-safe dinner plate, given them a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of (preferably kosher) salt. Toss with your fingers until coated then pop into a 300-degree oven for about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your asparagus. Then just use a trivet to serve from the same dish!

Variations include a little garlic powder and/or a spritz of lemon or white wine.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11378791&whse=BC&Ne=4000000&eCat=BC|89|56626|62571&N=4019022&Mo=1&pos=1&No=1&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&cat=62571&Ns=P_Price|1||P_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&ec=BC-EC10599-Cat56626&topnav=

Wednesday Wine Tip: A Nice, Cold Glass of Red?

2009-07-29T10:15:00.000-07:00

Here come the dog days of August and all I want is a nice, cold glass of... red? Yes! You can take a break from whites and roses and ice down a lighter, softer red wine as the French do. Traditionally, you'll see red wines from Beaujolais (a region of Burgundy that specializes in the Gamay grape) and the Loire Valley served chilled, especially in the summertime... although my sister and I were served a refreshing bottle of Bourgueils in Paris when we visited in October.

When looking for a bottle of Beaujolais to stick in the bucket, try to find one of the 10 cru Beaujolais that represent the best of the region.

- Brouilly
- Chénas
- Chiroubles
- Cote de Brouilly
- Fleurie
- Juliénas
- Morgon
- Moulin à Vent
- Régnié
- Saint Amour

And when looking for a cool red from the Loire Valley, try to find a Chinon or red Sancerres, or any Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir in the same light style.

Mike Steinberger recommends serving these wines between 50 and 60 degrees, which means about half an hour in the fridge.

Impotence is No Barrier to Love, or What I Learned from The Bachelorette

2009-07-28T11:26:00.000-07:00

Oh Kypton and your carefully couched language! What could be more romantic than your constant assurances that you're "getting there?" Your faint praise of "someone like you," and your laid back hopes that "it all works out" are hardly the stuff of little girls' dreams. But in the end, nothing really says "I'm not that into you" like a blue suit with brown shoes.

Jennifer - I owe you sushi!

Monday Mom Tip: Where Do You End and I Begin?

2009-07-27T10:41:00.000-07:00

Being a wife and mother involves a lot of "other" focus. What does the baby need? How does she feel? Why is she unhappy? Is she hungry, thirsty, tired, bored; what does she want?

And all this can easily segue into our marriage and other relationships as well. Why is my husband grumpy? How can I get him to be healthier, to eat better, to exercise, to floss? How can I fix things (the economy, job market, real estate prices) to make him happier and less stressed?

These impulses are usually loving and come from a place of caring, concern, and nurturing. But when these thoughts start to make me stressed out and unhappy, I like to remind myself of my own wholeness. I like to remember that I am a self-contained entity and while I may choose to try to influence another adult, I am really only in control of myself and my own happiness. And I recently came across a poem by Kahlil Gibran to use as a beautiful reminder.

Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.

Fill each others cup, but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.

Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping;
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.

And stand together yet not too near together;
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,

And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each others shadow.

Friday Food Tip: Tuscan Bread Salad with Seared Shrimp

2009-07-23T18:59:00.000-07:00

Steve went out tonight, so I whipped up a little supper for one that turned out so well, I thought I'd share it with everyone!

- Marinate some peeled shrimp in olive oil with a generous dash of no-salt seasoning. I used the organic one from CostCo, but you could also substitute white pepper. Sear in a hot pan until opaque.

- Slice some crusty bread into croutons. I used a couple leftover dinner rolls. Toss with a drizzle of olive oil and bake until crunchy.

- Press one large clove of garlic and dice a ripe tomato (or two depending on the size). I used a large heirloom tomato from the farmer's market.

- Chiffonade (cut into thin ribbons) several basil leaves.

- Toss everything together with a sprinkle of kosher salt.

The juice from the tomato should soften the toasted croutons and the raw garlic should marry beautifully with the anise flavor of the basil.

I opened a bottle of 2008 Domaine Houchart Cotes du Provence Rose (an affordable, super-light quaffer with refreshing acidity) and settled in to watch 30 Rock.

Cheers! And remember, dining alone can be delicious.

If You're Happy and You Know It

2009-07-23T10:51:00.001-07:00

Quick Update: Charlotte learned to clap her hands today! She started clapping her hands while in her high chair during breakfast this morning. It's the first time I've ever seen it. Ten months old and she can throw a ball and clap her hands. I'm such a proud mommy!

Wednesday Wine Tip: The Best Wine Pairing is Sometimes a Beer

2009-07-22T11:51:00.001-07:00

I have a good friend who is a frequent guest at my table but doesn't care for wine. He has inspired me to think more and learn more about pairing food with beer. It's a well-timed expansion of my drinking habits, since beer can be (but is not always) a more economical choice of libation.

So as I venture forth into this new vista of epicurean exploration, I'll keep you posted on any delicious discoveries I might make. But for today, I want to share an oldie but a goodie. Belgian lambic.

Lambic beers are brewed in a specific region in Belgium and are fermented solely with wild yeasts. Fruit lambics are a popular type of this beer and Lindemans Framboise is a widely available raspberry version. (They also make a non-fruit lambic, their Gueuze Cuvée René.) If you've ever looked at those wine-bottle sized beers wrapped in foil on the shelf at Trader Joe's and wondered why you would ever buy one, my answer in one word is CHOCOLATE.

Sweet, American desserts like chocolate cake have always posed a challenge for pairing with wine. Sure, super-dark chocolate can go beautifully with certain wines, but what about an old-fashioned milk chocolate layer cake? This is where you want to walk past the wine aisle and check out the beer section. Next time, I might try the Pomme (apple) with a cheese course or the Peche (peach) with cheesecake!

Monday Mom Tip: Bar Soap

2009-07-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Cleaning up seems to be a big part of the mom job description (change diaper, wash hands, repeat), but what's the best way? Bar or liquid soap? Maybe you've never given it much thought, but there are actually some good reasons to stick with the old fashioned bar.

1 - It's cheaper. 'Nuff said.

2 - Plastic waste. According to www.terribennett.com, "Liquid soap containers add up to more than two million pounds of plastic trash each year." Bar soap typically comes in a recyclable cardboard box that's much friendlier to the environment.

3 - Energy consumption. Because bar soap is more concentrated, it requires less energy to ship. After all, a good part of the gasoline used to deliver liquid soap is spent shipping the part that is water. Also, it is all too easy to waste liquid soap since the average squirt contains more than you need, with the excess washing down the drain and into our waterways.

4 - Antibacterial resistance. It can be a challenge to find a liquid soap that's NOT antibacterial at your local supermarket, but relatively easy to find a bar of soap without tricolsan, the key ingredient that has contributed to the alarming rise of resistant strains of bacterial often referred to as "super-bugs." And study after study has shown that plain soap and water work just as well as antibacterial products, without the unintended consequences for public health.

While you may still use liquid soap in some areas of your house, be sure to refill from larger, bulk containers to reduce cost and packaging. And consider replacing at least one of your current liquid soap dispensers with a nice soap dish and an old fashioned bar.

Friday Food Tip: How to Open a Banana

2009-07-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to my cousin Mark Chin for posting this tip on Facebook! You'll never peel a banana the same way again.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBJV56WUDng&feature=player_embedded

Wednesday Wine Tip: Anything imported by Eric Solomon

2009-07-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Steve and I were out with my in-laws last weekend for Restaurant Week and we found 2 Eric Solomon wines on the set menu at Andrew Blair's. They were both exceptionally tasty and today when I looked up their prices by the bottle, I was blown away by what good values they are!

* Gramona, Gran Cuvee (Spanish Cava, Penedes)- Online retailer Wine Library has this for $16 bucks a bottle.
* Calvet-Thunevin, Cuvee Constance (Roussillon Grenache and Carignan)- Wine Library has this on sale for $15.

So that's my tip for the week - think importer! When you find something you really like, that really lights up your palate, make a note of who the importer is so you can try their other offerings. Much like a favorite clothing designer, it's all about fit. Once you find an importer whose taste is similar to yours, you have a handy shortcut to your next great wine discovery.

Here's a handy wallet-sized cheat sheet from Mike Steinberger, the wine critic for Slate. Eric Solomon, a local Charlotte resident and Food and Wine magazine's Top US Importer 2007, is listed under "Spain/France."

http://www.slate.com/id/2217879/

Packing List

2009-06-23T17:51:00.001-07:00

I've never traveled with a baby before, so your comments are appreciated! I know about feeding her on take off and landing to help her ears, but other tips are most welcome.

Packing list

Carry on
Bjorn carrier
Travel pillow
Hoodie
Diaper bag (usual stuff plus refill wipes, extra diapers, formula, and bottles)
New toys
Books (The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Where is Baby’s Belly Button)
Purse
Netbook and charger
Cell phone charger
Baby snacks
Book

Gear
Stroller (local source)
Car seat (local source)
Pack ‘n Play (local source)
Booster w tray (local source)
High chair cover
Hot Sling
Inflatable changing pad

Baby Clothes
Dresses
Panties
Creepers
Shorts
Tees
Swimsuit
Shoes
Hats
Hair clips
Sunglasses
PJs (short and long sleeve onsies)

Bed supplies
Blanket
Gloworm

Bath supplies
Baby wash
Hairbrush
Lotion (share w mommy)
Sunscreen (share w mommy)

Feeding supplies
Happy Bellies probiotic oatmeal
Happy Bellies veggie puffs
Mum Mums baby crackers
Earth’s Best teething biscuits
Bottle brushes
Spoons
Bibs (I love grandma, eating, regular)

Toys & books
Books (Where Is series and I Spy Alphabet)
Old toys

Misc
Nail clippers
Baby Tylenol

Purchase at the airport
Bottled water
Apple juice

Purchase upon arrival
Diapers
Wipes
Formula
Apple juice
Baby food

Mommy’s list
Nuvi GPS and charger
Clothes
Toiletries

Homeward Bound

2009-06-22T20:27:00.000-07:00

Three days 'till LA! I can't wait for my trip home to see my peeps. I'm trying to balance making tons of plans with my desire to hang out at my folks house and just watch my mom dote on baby Charlotte with no where to be.

Livermush is the New SPAM

2009-06-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Last night our friends Michael and Melanie told me about a Southern regional "poor man's pate" called livermush. That's right, pig liver, head parts, and cornmeal. It is typically fried up for breakfast and served with eggs and grits. I'm scared and fascinated all at the same time.

So here's the new addition to my grocery list:

http://www.neesesausage.com/products/default.htm

I'll report back as soon as I've tried it!

Carolina Creepy Crawlies, Part 2

2009-06-17T17:40:00.000-07:00

I took the dogs out for a twilight walk as usual tonight. Suddenly, I thought I might be having some kind of episode, as I started seeing stars out of the corner of my eye. Since I was breathing normally and hadn't been hit on the head, I sought another explanation. That's when I realized I was seeing something in real life for the first time... fireflies.

All along my walk, there were these hovering, glowing, enchanting bugs. Turns out, their bio-luminescence is a mating call. Of course! What else can make you light up like that, other than love?

At Long Last, Window Shades

2009-06-15T20:03:00.000-07:00

Just a quick update before bed - we finally have window shades! After 3 months of living in this house with only temporary shades in the bedrooms and bathrooms, we now finally have our Hunter Douglas blackout cellular shades in every room.

The color looks great and the "top down, bottom up" mechanisms are perfect. The inside mountings allow us to keep the great look of the moldings too. The only downside is that I think maybe I should have gone with the blackout liners only on the second floor, but we're going to live with it for a few days before we decide.

Walk through video coming soon!

Baby Schedule

2009-06-14T19:19:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep a baby on a schedule is like trying to keep a fish on a bicycle. My apologies to Gloria Steinem.

Charlotte has always been a good sleeper and a good eater, so up until recently, I never worried much about exactly when she did those things. But the last couple of months, I've felt the need for greater predictability in both our lives. In consultation with our nanny Kenia, and based on the fact that Charlotte will barely concede to take one nap a day, much less two, we came up with the following.

Charlotte's Schedule

8:30 AM - Wake up, breakfast
10:30 AM - Snack
12:00 Noon - Lunch
12:30 PM - Bottle and nap
3:00 PM - Wake up (if not sooner), snack
6:00 PM - Dinner
7:00 PM - Bath, bottle, and bed

This is what we're trying to adhere to. Wish me luck this week! The hardest part is putting her down and walking away when it is nap time. On Friday, she cried for almost 30 minutes before exhausting herself. But I know that at 9 months old, she can handle a little more structure and I hope that by the end of the week, she'll be happy with the rhythm of her baby days.

What Wine Goes with Meat?

2009-06-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to Chima, an upscale Brazilian steakhouse here in Charlotte. If you're not familiar with the genre, which is similar to other chains such as Fogo de Chao, it is rodizio service which means the meat comes to you. At the flip of a card, you will be accosted by servers each wielding a large skewer of meat.

In one sitting, I consumed sirloin, filet mignon, beef ribs (my favorite), ribeye, flank steak, pork tenderloin, pork ribs, lamb, lamb chops, swordfish (just a bite), and sausage. That's right, eleven different cuts or types of protein.

So what to drink when you're planning to eat an entire phylum? I decided, "When in South America..." and chose an Argentinian red to go with the Brazilian buffet. The Terrazas Malbec was $10 a glass (about a 400% mark-up) and proved an excellent pan-protein partner. Accessible with medium tannins, the wine showed generous red fruits with a hint of peppery spice on the finish. There was enough acidity to stand up to not only the bacon-wrapped filet mignon, but also the unctuous beef ribs.

The lesson? When faced with the perennial challenge of ordering one bottle for many plates, consider an affordable Malbec from the Mendoza region that can be enjoyed young.

Salud!

Why Smell the Cork?

2009-06-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Having recently submitted a 1 minute video application to win A Really Goode Job

(vote for me by clicking here: http://www.areallygoodejob.com/video-view.aspx?vid=MNl05HELZ1E),

I was invited to guest blog on a related site

http://goodelife.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/bringing-the-wine-home-a-blog-carnival-for-all-murphy-goode-hopefuls/

Of the three questions I have to choose from, I've decided to address "Why Smell the Cork?" because I think this is a great example of a wine snobbery myth that must be exploded! I'll save my impassioned plea for screwtops for another day.

Since I'm a busy mom with dinner to get on the table (thyme stuffed mushrooms and whole grain mac 'n cheese with the 2008 Cono Sur Pinot Noir tonight!), I'll try to do this in a Twitter-appropriate length.

- Check cork condition, not odor. Dry or brittle = bad seal & possible problem. “Corked” wine refers to contamination by TCA mold or similar.

Now you know. If you see anyone sniffing a cork, they are merely enacting a ritual and not really verifying the correctness of the wine. If you are presented with a cork by a sommelier, simply give it a squeeze. If it is firm and springy, then the seal on your wine was good. If it crumbles, you may have a problem. You still have to taste the wine to see if you get off odors, often described as wet cardboard or damp basement. This type of fault may have nothing to do with the much maligned cork, and may have originated in an oak barrel or elsewhere.

Cheers!

Netflix for Toys

2009-06-09T17:33:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share some mommy info on a cool company called Baby Plays.

http://www.babyplays.com/

This is basically Netflix for toys, and I really love their program. I'm on their cheapest plan for $27 a month, for which I get 5 toys that I can exchange every 2 months. Just like Netflix, you manage your queue online, selecting age appropriate toys, then they send them to your house.

The toys are all organically sanitized and wrapped in plastic. Most come assembled and all come with batteries installed. After 1 or 2 months (right as the batteries get low!), depending on your plan, you just put them back in the box they came in, use the provided shipping tape and label and drop them off at your nearest FedEx Kinkos. A few business days later, your new box arrives!

I love Baby Plays because it solves 3 key problems:

1 - Storage. What do you do with all the toys your kid has outgrown?
2 - Environment. This saves a lot on packaging, plastic, energy, and landfill space.
3 - Mistakes. If Charlotte really loves a toy, I can keep the one Baby Plays sent me for an additional charge, or go out and buy it new. And if she doesn't love a toy, no big deal and minimal money wasted.

Of course, I still spend money on board books and some toys for the permanent collection, but a heck of a lot less than I would otherwise! Here are some of the toys that came in her most recent shipment.

http://www.amazon.com/Tolo-89675-Musical-Concerto/dp/B0002I6ORI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Infantino-1502009-Giggle-Ball/dp/B00005BTWU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1244594529&sr=1-3

http://www.amazon.com/VTech-80-61320-Vtech-Move-Crawl/dp/B000231EX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1244594552&sr=1-1

Food Budget Results for Week 1

2009-06-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

We almost made our budget for the 5-day week, exceeding our $100 target by only $4. The hard part is that I'm still trying to keep us eating mostly organic. The easy part is that I'm not counting food for the baby.

This week's challenge is to spend only $100 for the full 7-day week. I'll be going out solo for dinner with friends on Thursday night, which is the one splurge meal I'm going to exclude from the tally. Wish me luck!

Taste of Charlotte

2009-06-06T19:09:00.000-07:00

Today, Steve and I took the baby to A Taste of Charlotte. Twenty bucks got us 15 tokens, which we then exchanged for sweet and savory treats from a selection of booths set up along Tryon Street in downtown (or is it uptown?) Charlotte.

Soul Roll - 2 tokens
Pulled Pork Slider - 3 tokens
Banana Pudding - 2 tokens
Beer (Harp) - 4 tokens
Blooming Apple with Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Candy Sprinkles - 3 tokens
French Macaroon - 1 token

The Soul Roll (and slider and pudding) came from the Mert's Heart and Soul booth and was the previous year's winner for Best Appetizer. Basically a pork and collards egg roll, it was unique, tasty, and a welcome reminder that we need to make the drive North to eat there more often!

The Macaroon came from Amelie's bakery (a repeat winner for Best Dessert) and was the authentic french version, not the coconut type Americans are more familiar with. I picked the orange flavor and this puffy sandwich cookie took me right back to Laduree in Paris.

Overall, a fun time, if a bit too crowded for a stroller.

Turkey Enchiladas in Green Sauce

2009-06-04T19:40:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 red onion, diced
4 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 pound ground turkey (85% lean)
1 cup of salsa
8 medium flour tortillas
1 jar tomatillo salsa
1 bag shredded cheese, mexican blend
Olive oil
Kosher salt

To make the enchilada filling start by sauteing the onion in some olive oil over medium heat with several generous pinches of kosher salt. Once the onion has softened, add the garlic and continue cooking until fragrant. Add turkey and and increase heat to medium high. Brown turkey slightly, then add the salsa. Taste the filling to see if it needs any additional salt, then set aside to cool.

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Form enchiladas by rolling filling in tortillas and placing in an oiled 9x13 pan with seamsides down. Spoon tomatillo salsa over and cover with shredded cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until hot and melty.

Budget Challenge

2009-06-03T16:57:00.000-07:00

As things are starting to get settled down from our big move, we've decided it is time to start BUDGETING! This week, our challenge is to spend less than $100 on food (not counting the baby, just me and Steve), including groceries and eating out.

Today's total = $20 at Earth Fare, which is the NC equivalent of Whole Foods (i.e. expensive). Organic red onion, garlic, double fiber bread, hearts of romaine, plain 2% greek yogurt, and 4 ounces of Stilton.

Luckily, the chair massage comes out of another column!

Sitting and Crawling

2009-06-02T16:59:00.000-07:00

This week marks another milestone in baby Charlotte's development. She can now sit all by herself! And we also think we've seen the first signs of crawling.

From her back, she rolls onto her front, then pushes up with her arms. From that position, she gets onto all fours and rocks back and forth until she's able to sit back. Then she laughs, being very pleased with herself! I'll try to post some video soon.

I'm still sick with this stupid cold, but hope to feel better tomorrow.

Carolina Creepy Crawlies

2009-05-28T16:49:00.000-07:00

I think I have adjusted to North Carolina in many ways. I no longer assume there will be heavy traffic. I no longer make restaurant reservations or buy movie tickets in advance. I assume sweet tea will served wherever I dine. But the one thing I don't think I'm ever going to get used to is the bugs.

At first it was the canker worms, or inchworms, that fell on me from the trees overhead when I would go for a run or walk the dogs. Then it was the mosquitoes that feasted on my lower legs. There was the spider that charged Charlotte during Kindermusik class. Soon there will be June bugs, followed by Palmetto bugs, and basically 10 more months of new friends to meet at unexpected and inopportune times.

And tonight, it was our first tick.

I was sitting on the couch petting Teensie when I felt something stuck in her fur on her belly. At first, I thought it was just a burr and tried to pull it out. Then I realized it was pretty hard and stuck pretty firmly to be a burr. So I looked more closely. The photo shows what I saw.

I barked at Steve to hand me a tissue and then look up how to remove a tick (he had his laptop open, as usual), while I wrestled with the little monster. It wasn't easy, and required quite a bit of yanking of Teensie's hair, but I was able to pull the tick off. Then I immediately went downstairs to order a 3 month supply of Frontline. We had been using Advantage which only kills fleas. My mistake!

As of the time of this posting, I am still itching all over from the bugs and ticks that are assaulting my imagination. Yuck!

Disposable or Cloth?

2009-05-27T10:54:00.001-07:00

I'm not talking about diapers. Turns out, the question of disposable or cloth extends to include the question of pads and tampons. I never knew re-usable pads existed until a couple of weeks ago when I was browsing the aisles at my local Earth Fare (Charlotte's answer to Whole Foods).

I was surprised and fascinated to see a box of Glad Rags, a washable set of pads for that time of the month, on the supermarket shelf. As you know, I've been making a concerted effort to reduce the amount of trash that my family generates so I figured, "What the hell?" and decided to give them a try.

The Glad Rags site (www.gladrags.com) makes a compelling environmental argument:

If you menstruate 340 times in your lifetime, using 20 disposables per period, that amounts to 6800 pads or tampons thrown away. Now consider all the women using disposables in the world. If 500 million women use disposables throughout their lifetime, that number totals 3.4 trillion pads or tampons disposed of. Not only is landfill space taken up, but these materials cannot be reused and are no longer part of the resources available to us.

A disposable is used once - a GladRag is used 100+ times.

Then, of course, there's all that packaging, (wrappers, boxes, applicators) that are also thrown away, all the garbage bags used, all the diesel fuel used to truck those products to the stores week in and week out.

Using reusables for even a portion of your cycle makes a difference!

Skipping to the chase - I tried it, I washed it, I liked it enough to buy a few more. I would encourage every woman to consider this option as a part of their arsenal. Glad Rags are not going to totally replace traditional pads and tampons for most women, but we shouldn't let an "all or nothing" mentality stop us from reducing our trash output where we can. At a minimum, these are a great choice for nighttime on your lighter days. And for someone like me who has mostly light days, it even passed the White Shorts Test.

Star Trek Reset (Spoilers)

2009-05-25T17:30:00.000-07:00

When you remake an iconic television show (and isn't that what everyone is doing these days?), casting comes front and center in the audience's mind. Does this actor convey the spirit of the original, or do they fall short? Here's my final tally:

Kirk - Chris Pine is an inspired choice. This relative unknown, who starred in last year's indie release about the California wine industry, Bottle Shock, borrows just enough from the Shatner School of Swaggery Acting to keep the humor from descending into camp.

Spock - Much of the storyline revolves around Zachary Quinto's Spock, which is, at best, serviceable. His ear prosthetics do most of the acting and he basically proves that Vulcans were the first to discover Botox.

Bones - The worst performance of the bunch. Karl Urban almost de-thrones Keanu Reeves as the world's most scene-wrecking actor. Everyone else is in a decent action adventure flick, but this guy is stuck in a bad SNL sketch for the whole movie.

Uhura - Zoe Saldana's early ballet training is highlighted in her elegant carriage, lending a just right note of dignity to what could have been a cheesecake role.

Scotty - What can I say? I love Simon Pegg and have ever since Run Fatboy Run. He's the UK's answer to our Steve Carell, a beleaguered everyman turned leading man, and his arrival gives the second act a much needed boost out of death by exposition.

Sulu - Harold from Harold & Kumar (John Cho) gets to kick some Romulan butt in a highly illogical sword battle in a world of pulsed energy weapons.

Chekov - The most underwritten of the characters... but perhaps equal screen time overall when you consider Anton Yelchin is also in Terminator Salvation.

The verdict? If you're a Trekkie (or monogamous with one), go see it. It is fun, fantasy, and probably foundational for the sequels to come in this new incarnation of Roddenberry's deathless franchise.

Strawberry Hazelnut Ice Cream

2009-05-22T19:15:00.001-07:00

Had a successful afternoon of experimentation. I hope you'll enjoy my latest original creation!

2 cups heavy cream
1 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
4 tablespoons Frangelico (or other hazelnut liqueur
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups strawberries, sliced
1/4 brown sugar (scant)
Salt

Equipment: Ice cream maker

Whisk cream, milk, Frangelico, and vanilla extract with sugar and a pinch of salt until dissolved. Pour into ice cream maker and process (about 20 minutes in my Cuisinart brand). Meanwhile, macerate strawberries and brown sugar with a pinch of salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat (I used a potato masher for this). Remove from heat once sugar is dissolved and strawberries have fallen apart, then chill.

Fold strawberry mixture into the ice cream base, then cover and place in freezer to harden. Serve with additional fresh strawberries.

Anniversary BBQ

2009-05-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

Had a very nice anniversary with Steve yesterday. I gave him a card that said "We have everything... because we have each other." He gave me a card that said "Happy anniversary from the one who wears the pants in the family... to the one to tells him which pants to wear." So funny!

Then we chowed down on some great BBQ from a local joint called Mac's Speed Shop. Last time we tried to eat there, there were so many motorcycles in the parking lot we had to go somewhere else. So this time, I sent Steve for take out. It was delicious and a carnivore's delight. The small combo platter included pulled pork, pork ribs, BBQ chicken, and brisket. Including a side of mac 'n cheese and slaw, it only cost $16!

I hate the bugs here in North Carolina, but I love the prices :-)

Straight Idol

2009-05-21T11:04:00.000-07:00

When Kris Allen won American Idol last night, no one seemed more surprised than Kris himself. In a moment of Joe Biden-esque candor, he stammered, "Adam deserves this." You gotta love live television, folks.

So Kris won and, more importantly, Adam lost. I think we can all agree that Adam was objectively the better singer. By far. His range, control, and charisma spawned countless comparisons to Robert Plant, Steve Tyler, Freddy Mercury, and to my ear, Geddy Lee. The New York Times even compared Adam to Elvis versus Kris's Pat Boone.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/19/arts/television/19idol.html

So why? Inevitably there will be questions as to whether or not America was ready for a gay Idol. A black president perhaps exhausted the progressive inclinations of our nation for a while. But I think there are some other non-homophobia-related reasons for Adam's loss.

First among these reasons would be complacency. My husband and I were Adam fans, but did not feel he needed our votes since he seemed to have the competition well in hand. And by the judges' comments, they concurred, virtually crowning him one night too early. Second, Adam did not have a great final. Yes, he was superior over the course of the season, but version of "No Boundaries" gave the best argument for why one might prefer a Kris Allen version. Third, and this is coming from an avid karaoke enthusiast, sometimes people just want something tow which they can sing along.

And finally, nothing shows a person's true colors better than defeat, so check out this gracious interview with runner-up Lambert. Stay classy, San Diego!

http://tv.yahoo.com/american-idol/show/34934/news/urn:newsml:eonlinekristen.com:20090521:TV-b67e6bcc2eb2f302066690967c62f629__ER:1

Correction about Brita Pitchers

2009-05-20T06:43:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine wrote to Brita to ask about the BPA issue and it turns out that Brita claims that their pitchers do not contain BPA. I guess the crux of the matter is that the Brita pitchers are not recyclable like other hard, clear plastics marked with a "7." The text of the company's reply is below.

In the meantime, I'm going to try to decrease my consumption of canned beverages and canned food, especially for acidic stuff like soda and tomatoes. It's back to glass bottles and jars whenever possible!

"Thank you for contacting us. The pitcher lids and filter housings are made of Polypropylene plastic. The reservoirs and pitchers are made either from NAS (a Styrene based plastic) or SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile). The soft-touch handles are made from an elastomer called Santoprene (not to be confused with Latex or Neoprene). Our products do not contain any bisphenol A and are all tested by the NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) for safety and wetted contact. Unfortunately the pitcher materials are not recyclable, and therefore do not have a plastic number. Please contact us at any time if you have additional questions. Again, thank you for contacting us. Sincerely, Shelley P"

http://www.simplesteps.org/content/view/159/41/

A Better Baby Sunscreen

2009-05-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine has been dealing with some skin problems in her 4-month old. As she has been eliminating possible causes, she thinks she has hit on the culprit - the sunscreen.

Many people are not aware of the difference between chemical and non-chemical sunscreens, but this distinction is important not only for babies but also for adults and for the environment. Non-chemical sunscreens physically block UV rays and use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, or a combination of the two. Chemical sunscreens, which comprise the majority of the market, absorb UV rays and contain active ingredients such as Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Octyl Methoxycinnamate.

The problem with chemical sunscreens is not only are they more likely to irritate the skin (which is why you'll often find non-chemical sunscreen labeled for sensitive skin), they also wreak havoc on the environment and on our bodies. The amount of sunscreen that is washing down our drains and off our bodies at the beach is going into the ocean and killing coral reefs and turning male fish into female fish. And in humans, chemical sunscreen ingredients have been linked to babies with low birth weight, hormone disruption, cellular damage and even allergies and cancer.

The underlying reason for these impacts is that these ingredients mimic estrogen.

So what should we do as mommies and good citizens of the planet? Easy! Just start looking for sunscreens that exclusively list titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as active ingredients. I recently bought California Baby No Fragrance SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion for Charlotte and have started using Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion, SPF 60+ on my own skin.

There's plenty of evidence that these are better products anyway, as they do a better job of blocking UVAs, which are the aging and cancer causing rays. Don't worry about "missing out" on all the sky-high SPFsthat are on the shelves... those triple-digit ratings only refer to the level of UVB protection.

Sources:

http://www.thegreenguide.com/greenguide/buying-guide/sunscreen/environmental_impact

http://www.paulaschoice.com/product/pure-mineral-sunscreen-spf-15/sun-care

http://www.ehponline.org/members/2008/10966/10966.pdf

http://www.webmd.com/skin-beauty/news/20080708/8-burning-questions-about-sunscreens

http://www.earthshare.org/2009/05/sunscreen-risks.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/if-your-suntan-oil-can-change-the-sex-of-fish-what-can-do-it-to-you-524081.html

Fantasy Series I Have Loved

2009-05-18T12:35:00.001-07:00

Magic. Dragons. Swords. If you think those are the key ingredients for a rip-roaring good read, then try these:

The Farseer Trilogy, by Robin Hobb

A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R.R. Martin

The Belgariad, by David Eddings

The Chronicles of Amber, by Roger Zelazny

The Obsidian Trilogy, by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

The Codex Alera, by Jim Butcher

The Camulod Chronicles, by Jack Whyte

The Ender Books, by Orson Scott Card

Incarnations of Immortality, by Piers Anthony

Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson

The Mists of Avalon, by Marion Zimmer Bradley

And of course, Harry Potter! Although I felt the final installment did not do justice to the series and was the weakest of the seven books.

Avoid BPA and Still Save the Environment

2009-05-17T22:03:00.001-07:00

I spoke to my sister tonight and she told me she had just bought a Brita filter, which is a decision I applaud! Drinking filtered water, instead of bottled, is a great way to save the planet by decreasing our reliance of "disposable" containers and packaging. However, I advised her to place the top half of the Brita into a glass pitcher, instead of using the carafe that it came with.

I know my mommy friends are probably aware of the recent news about the dangers of BPA, a chemical found in hard clear plastics, but for those of you who have not read about it, here's a quick summary:

- Cancer, heart disease, diabetes...

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/us/14plastic.html?hp

- Miscarriages, neurological defects (and corruption at the FDA)...

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchdogreports/45228647.html

- Even use with cold beverages is not safe...

http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/45228652.html

- Minnesota taking matters into their own hands at the state level....

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2009/05/08/Minnesota-bans-BPA-from-bottles/UPI-79201241829275/

The good news is that a lot of manufacturers are coming out with BPA-free products. And not just baby bottles, but also grown-up products like this:

http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-BPA-Free-Better-Bottle-Classic/dp/B001PKV6HK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1242623342&sr=8-3

I know that my white plastic Brita top sits slightly askew on top of my glass pitcher, but it's the best solution I've been able to come up with so far and it works just fine. Also, I've been decreasing my consumption of canned food, since BPA is used in the lining of all cans.

To your health!

Wishing for a Nice Comfortable Rut

2009-05-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Things have been changing so fast lately, last night I found myself wishing an old wish. I would love someday to complain about being in a rut. What is that like anyway? What's it like to reply to the question, "What's new with you?" with the truthful answer, "Not much?"

I thrive on routine and am trying to establish a new one. I fantasize about a boring existence punctuated by bowling night and Netflix night.

Of course I know that part of that went out the window with Charlotte's arrival. She wakes up at a different time every day. I don't know why, since we've been putting her to bed at the same time every night. But I do know that she is going to be a source of constant change. I just wish she was the only source of constant change!

Grey's Finale

2009-05-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

If you haven't watched the 2-hour season finale yet, stop reading here.

OK. First question, what was Cristina saying "Yes" to? "Yes, I'll be your girlfriend?" "Yes, I'll wait for you to get back from Iraq?" "Yes, I'm willing to give you another chance in my now ceiling fan-free bedroom?" Or even, "Yes, I'll come to Iraq with you?"

Second question. Am I the only one left unsatisfied by the Post-It ceremony? Uh, I was willing to settle for City Hall, but after 100 episodes, I don't even get THAT much? That makes me grumpy.

As a matter of fact, I felt the whole finale lacked the emotional payoff I was expecting. Except for Izzie. I love that George was the one standing there, waiting for her, when the elevator doors opened. It felt full-circle and very complete. Because in the end, after all the loving and losing, you have your friends.

Attention All Mommies

2009-05-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Happy Bellies cereal with probiotics by Happy Baby is good stuff! I don't want to speak too soon, but it seems to be helping with Charlotte's constipation (see my recent blog entry "P is for Poop").

http://www.happybabyfood.com/Oatmeal.html

I heard about this from another mommy at My Gym. Speaking of which, I haven't been in two weeks due to swine flu. But I think that I will go next Monday, assuming no new cases in the Carolinas.

Cosmopolitan Recipe

2009-05-12T09:51:00.000-07:00

Steve and I had a fun time last night entertaining our friends from Crosland, a large residential and commercial real estate development and management company. They are one of our longest standing customers and moving back to Charlotte gives us an opportunity to hang out in person with this great group of folks!

We were celebrating the launch of their new website www.CroslandLiving.com, which Limelight Solutions built for them. It took a little doing, but now the site is up and looks great. So we had the Marketing team over for apps and Crosland Cosmopolitans.

Here's the recipe, which makes 7 and 1/2 cups (or 15 four-ounce cocktails):

4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups vodka
1 cup orange liqueur (Cointreau or Patron Citronge)
Half cup of freshly squeezed lime juice

Shake with ice and serve in traditional martini glasses. For a more economical version, you can substitute Triple Sec for the orange liqueur.

For an extra-special touch, I garnished the drinks with the letter "C" stamped out of slices of Asian pear with a plastic cookie cutter. Since the Crosland logo is a red circle with a white "C" in the middle, the red drink and white pear made for a fun play on their corporate identity.

Triple Whammy

2009-05-11T12:19:00.001-07:00

Today has not been a day of good news. First, our eagerly awaited window shades showed up, but the installer discovered that they were all wrong. Each and every one of the shades delivered by Hunter Douglas was about 1 inch too wide, i.e. the difference between an inside mount (which they should have been) and an outside mount.

Second, our nanny returned to work her regular shift today, but told us she needed to go back to Florida to be with her family for two more weeks.

Third, and most expensively, we got a call from our property manager with news of yet another leak. This one has ruined the carpet in the family room so we'll need to fix the leak and replace that flooring. Steve and I have decided that if there are any more leaks, we'll need to bite the bullet and reroute all of the pipes to the tune of over $10,000, since at this point, we are in danger of losing our renters entirely. Let's just say it is good thing I don't have a voodoo doll of the builder for Sale Ave.

39 Minutes

2009-05-09T07:24:00.001-07:00

Just finished the Girls On The Run 5K in Latta Park and I did it in 39 minutes! That's a 21 minute improvement over my last 5K, haha. Considering how little time I had to prepare, this result is definitely a testament to interval training. And for those of you who know me well, you know hard it comes for me, so whoo-hoo!

It was a great event for elementary school age girls, but not a great race. The course was narrow and there were tons of little girls, strollers, and toddlers being pulled in wagons. Family members were stepping into lanes to take pictures, girls were running while holding hands, and I generally had to weave in and out the whole race.

On the up side, it was wonderful to see so many girls out and being active in a festive atmosphere. Watching little kids run is an important reminder of what it should feel like -- fun!

My personal best, from back in 2006, was 33:20, so I'd like to meet and exceed that by the end of the year. But with the heat and humidity, I don't think I'll be racing again until fall. I have my eye on a September race, right before I turn 35.

Sadness

2009-05-08T08:26:00.000-07:00

Charlotte's nanny is a very nice lady and sadly is going through a family crisis at the moment. Her mom, who lives in Florida, seems to be in the final stages of brain cancer. So she has taken an open ended leave to go be with her mom and to support her dad and the rest of the family as they go through this terrible ordeal.

That leaves Steve and I tag-teaming Charlotte and wondering when she might return, but at the same time hoping for the best for her mom. May God be with them.

God Willing and the Creek Don't Rise

2009-05-06T10:03:00.001-07:00

We have this cute little brook that runs through our backyard called Little Sugar Creek. On most days it's just a trickle. But yesterday Charlotte had a huge thunderstorm that dumped several inches of rain in about an hour, triggering flash flood warnings throughout the state.

Our backyard completely flooded and the water was just a few feet from coming into the basement of our house. Crazy!

Hello Minivan!

2009-05-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Steve and I picked out our new minivan yesterday. We're getting a Honda Odyssey EX-L with the DVD player for Charlotte. Even Steve is a little bit excited. Personally, I'm looking forward to having more cargo room for our CostCo runs and not having to sit on the backseat hump when we're with Herb and Carolyn.

I know that lots of people are anti-minivan and buy SUVs as their baby-mobiles, but (aesthetics aside) here are some very good reasons to go minivan versus SUV.

- SUVs are generally truck-based so car-based minivans have a smoother ride and better gas mileage.
- SUVs have a higher ground clearance which has several drawbacks (especially considering 90% of SUV drivers never take their vehicles off-road). These include larger blind spots when backing up, greater rollover risk, less convenient in and out, and less cargo capacity.
- Minivans are generally safer in a crash and designed with car seats in mind.

A clear winner for us, we're hoping to take delivery at the end of the week!

The 12 Minute Mile

2009-05-04T09:49:00.000-07:00

I ran a mile today without stopping! And I did it in under 12 minutes (treadmill incline 2%).

Countdown to 5K

2009-05-03T18:41:00.001-07:00

Just 4 training days left until my 5K on the 9th, yikes! Friday, the 8th will be a carbo-load and rest day. So all I have left is Monday through Thursday.

This is a problem because I still can't run a mile without stopping. I think I need to start 2-a-days. I need to do a short interval workout in the morning to recruit those fast twitch muscle fibers (I must have SOME, right?) and then a slow, "Jennie Shuffle" run later in the day.

At this point, I'd be happy to slow jog the first and third miles, and walk in between. One comfort is knowing that at least I'll better my last 5K time, which was 60 minutes. That's right, just like the TV show. I walked that one exactly 2 months after giving birth.

All advice and encouragement is appreciated!

Bad Plumber

2009-05-02T09:23:00.000-07:00

As our house in Woodland Hills was being rented out, it suddenly sprang a leak. So, our first call was to our home warranty company, who then sent out a plumber. This plumber has not succeeded in fixing the leak, keeps discovering more leaks, and is telling us that because our house was built in a weird way that he will have to reroute pipes all over the place to the tune of several thousand dollars. On top of all of that, he seems very shady (e.g. demanding immediate payment, pressuring us to forgo an estimate, threatening us with delays if we seek other bids).

So as of yesterday, we pulled the plug on this guy. What a jerk. Now our property management company is going to bring in their guy, whom they recommend highly. Let's all keep our fingers crossed that he will be able to fix these darn leaks, and soon!

Our renters were supposed to move in yesterday. I'm sure they are not happy, but we've been doing everything we can. And we are definitely going to call Fidelity Home Warranty to complain about the first guy.

Harley Baby

2009-05-01T07:17:00.000-07:00

Steve and I took Charlotte over to the Trausches last night for a nice evening of grilling out and playing with their toys. Here's a shot of my little darling on Chris's hog.

And here's a shot of my other little darling on Chris's Boozer Cruiser.

Baby Weight

2009-04-30T18:40:00.000-07:00

Baby Charlotte will be 8 months old next week, which officially ends my grace period for losing the baby weight. And since the city Charlotte is so family oriented, I feel I am constantly seeing itty-bitty size 2 mommies with babies that are several months younger than mine.

So the plan is:
- weigh-in every day
- workout 5 days a week
- eat 1500 calories a day (back to the food scale and diet log!)

Curry House Cravings

2009-04-29T12:24:00.000-07:00

One of the many things I miss about LA is the Japanese curry. Japanese curry is similar to, but definitely not the same as, Indian curry. I think it is less pungent, but with an equal range of spiciness. It is ladled on top of a chicken or pork cutlet, might have potatoes and carrots, and is served with Japanese/Chinese style rice.

I was addicted to Curry House in LA and would have to get a fix at least every couple of months. But now that I'm in North Carolina, such things are hard to come by. But I was able to find Golden Curry at the local Harris Teeter, so decided to try making my own last night. Here's what I learned.

Next time, I'm going to pound my own meat. Ok, that sounds really dirty. I tried using the "thin-sliced" chicken breasts straight out of the package, but they are never all the same thickness. Also, I tried to get away with regular breadcrumbs, but you really do need the panko. Finally, I like my curry really spicy and even the "Hot" variety didn't do it for me last night, so I'll need to goose up the pain factor with some cayenne. Next time, I want my eyelids to sweat!

P is for Poop

2009-04-28T11:45:00.001-07:00

Who knew that rice cereal, applesauce, bananas, and carrots could make your baby so constipated? Apparently, for baby Charlotte, this was the equivalent of feeding her rubber cement. She was backed up the whole weekend!

The poor little Boo-Boo was crying in pain each time she tried to go, and I was very worried. We tried prunes and apple juice (apparently the juice as the opposite effect as the sauce), but it was well past that point. So in the end (no pun intended), we had to use a glycerin suppository on Monday morning and another one in the afternoon to get things moving again.

So for all the new moms out there, remember "P" is for Poop. Prunes and plums, peaches and apricots, pears and peas are all good for softer stools.

http://www.drgreene.com/21_118.html

Rhubarb in the Suburbs

2009-04-26T19:54:00.000-07:00

When this blog becomes a bestselling book, that will be the title, "Rhubarb in the Suburbs."

Tonight's experiment, "Rhubarb x hybridum 'Valentine.'" Commonly found in the company of strawberries and apples, and sometimes other fruits such as orange, banana, peach, and always accompanied by a good deal of sugar. Strawberry rhubarb pie, apple rhubarb cobbler, even rhubarb simple syrup for mixing in cocktails. So when I saw in the Charlotte Observer that it was in season, I decided to get some and try to make an easy ice cream topping. After all, pie filling-type stuff is always good on top of ice cream; it's just a la mode in reverse!

So I got 3 stalks of pre-trimmed rhubarb at Harris Teeter. I trimmed them again, peeled them like celery, and diced them small. I boiled them with some apple juice, orange juice, a third cup of sugar, and a pinch of salt. This yielded a soft pink soup, as the pieces completed disintegrated while the syrup was reducing. It was pretty inoffensive over ice cream, but that's not saying much. By itself, it had a funny smell and aftertaste, and was a lot of trouble to prepare.

Then it hit me. Rhubarb isn't ever used by itself because it doesn't taste very good. It's main contribution to a dish is probably the beautiful ruby color. Doh!

Onto the next seasonal item!

Baby Bronx Cheer

2009-04-25T09:58:00.000-07:00

Charlotte has this cute habit of blowing raspberries all the time. Or should I say, she used to have this cute habit. Now that she's eating baby food, this cute habit is a complete nightmare. She did it for the first time this week when I was feeding her peas. And while I was wearing a white t-shirt.

Note to self: Coordinate baby's food with mom's outfit.

Renters, Finally

2009-04-24T09:49:00.000-07:00

We received the good news on Wednesday, we finally have renters! Steve and I are going to Happy Hour with our friends tonight to celebrate.

It definitely took longer than we thought, a full 2 months. There was the out-of-state renter who was interested right off the bat, but whose "overnight" envelopes never arrived. And then there was the renter with the tattoos, iffy credit, and sword collection who went from gung-ho to flake in 48 hours. It took repainting, carpet cleaning, and two price reductions ($3800 to $3500 to $3300), but it is finally done. And we are greatly relieved.

Now we just have to finish dealing with the plumbing problem that popped up last week. Seemingly out of nowhere, a pipe buried deep under the house started leaking water from multiple spots. Now they think it was all due to a pressure regulator that went bad. After digging through over 2 feet of solid concrete, calling a specialist leak locator, and ripping out a bunch of drywall, we are now hoping to have everything repaired before our renters move in on May 1. Then it'll be all over but the shouting (i.e. the insurance paperwork).

Wild Mushroom Risotto

2009-04-22T10:04:00.000-07:00

Last night I made a wild mushroom variation on my risotto recipe. I've been eying the big tub of dried mixed mushrooms at CostCo for quite some time now and finally brought them home Monday. By Tuesday afternoon I was rehydrating them in hot water.

I used 1.5 ounces of dried mushrooms (the box says 1 oz dried equals 4 oz rehydrated, but I wanted to have extra). After soaking them, I chopped them up and sauteed them in butter and olive oil with some baby portabellas. Salt, black pepper, and some white wine too. Once my risotto was ready, I mixed in about half the mushroom ragout, and ended up eating more mushrooms on the side; they were so good!

I served the risotto with a green salad and rotisserie chicken, both also from CostCo :-)

Here Comes Solid Food

2009-04-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

Quick milestone update: Charlotte is now eating "solid" food! Kenia was able to get her to eat a pear puree, so we are off to the races.

http://www.happybabyfood.com/SweetPotatoPear.html

I'm Back!

2009-04-20T07:20:00.000-07:00

Charlotte's nanny Kenia officially starts today! She came for an afternoon last week, so we were able to all get acquainted and get a lot of the initial orientation stuff out of the way.

So far, so good. Baby-Nanny relations got off to a good start, as they both seem to like each other pretty well. Also, Kenia is great at neatly folding things, which makes my little anal-retentive heart just sing!