FunBites!

So if any of you have spent some time on Pinterest lately (and I am willing to bet my left arm that you have....), chances are you have seen dozens of pins of carefully crafted bento-style lunch containers containing gallery-worthy, piece of art sandwiches, carved fruit statues, and tiny nature-scenes built only of hummus and pita bread. It really is quite impressive...and frankly has me a little stressed out about the coming days when I have to send my kiddos off to school with such high standards to live up to.  I mean, everyone makes lunches like that for their kids EVERY day right??

Ha! Well, we all know how different reality can be from Pinterest-life, but today I am so excited to introduce you all to a product that may make those crafty lunch boxes just a little more within reach...and elevates you just a wee bit closer to rockstar mama status.

Enter, FunBites....pure bite-sized, mealtime magic! FunBites was created by super-mama Bobbie Rhoads when she and her hubby discovered that their younger daughter was less-than-willing to try new foods. In fact, she was downright picky! They tried every trick in the book and what seemed to work best was cutting their daughter's food into tiny, bite-sized, fun shapes. Awesome that it worked, but oh so very time-consuming. And what busy family has time for that?

Thus, FunBites was born! Each FunBites pack includes a high performance curved blade cutter  (don't worry, it is just sharp enough to cut through soft foods like bread or fruit....it is plastic and not metal....not dangerous for little fingers) that quickly creates small bites and a matching popper top that pops out food instantly so hands are clean, food is untouched.  Currently, they come in two shapes and colors....versatile cubes and geometric shapes that come together in a heart shape. Bright green and bright pink....colors all kids love! FunBites is 100% made in the USA, is of course, BPA free, Mom invented, and completely dishwasher safe. What is not to love about that??

So craft away those school lunches super mama...and be sure to show those other mamas in the drop-off lane....no pressure! FunBites just made it a whole lot easier!
 

This is definitely one of the Things We Love! Be sure to check them out today at: www.funbites.com

Still not a match my dear....

If there are any of you out there that can look me in the eye and honestly tell me that you LOVE playing Memory with your pre-schooler, I will award you free baby food for life (well...maybe not really...we gotta eat too you know).

But seriously...the game is borderline torture amongst adults (because parties in our house ALWAYS include a little Memory tourney....you know you wish you could hang with us on a wild Saturday night) but factor in an indecisive pre-schooler to the mix and it kinda drives one to want to drink. For each flip of the cards my daughter makes, I could easily make a dozen. My patience starts to wear thin somewhere around the time she turns the umbrella and the birthday cake over together for the 8th time in a row....still an umbrella and a birthday cake Sweet-Pea. Still not a match....

I will say, she is supremely honest when she plays the game. No lifting the corner and peeking underneath for her...although sometimes I wish she did. And the victory dance that she does (literally) when she does finally find the mate for the umbrella card (on the 11th try....), is absolutely priceless! So priceless in fact, that I often break my "kids have to learn to lose" mentality when we play this one just so I can see her raise-the-roof while  doing some form of river dancing once again. Totally worth it.

Don't get me wrong, I know these days will pass by far too quickly and I will yearn for the days when Sweet R actually wanted to sit down and spend some quality time with me, so I try to appreciate them for all they are worth. But for the love of all that is sweet my dear, can you try to be a bit more decisive with your card flipping? Your beloved short-attention span mama would sincerely appreciate it.

Happy Weekend All!

Recipe: Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

If you have kiddos, or have ever been a kiddo, chances are, a chicken nugget or two have crossed your lips....or landed someplace in the dark depths between your car-seats....don't ask. There is pretty much no denying that they are super yummy and in general, are a crowd pleaser with the kiddos. Unfortunately, there is also no denying that the typical fast-food stereotypes also apply to these tasty morsels. Sure, they may be slightly better for you and your littles than that greasy burger monstrosity, but they still have their issues.

So, today, I am super excited to share with you a best-of-all-worlds recipe that was shared with us by one of our readers, the Blohm family in Phoenix, AZ. With all the yumminess and none of the yuckiness of their processed predecessors, you and your family can feel good about bringing these babies to the table! Behold....Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets!! Nom, nom, nom....

Healthy Baked Chicken Nuggets

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Gina at Skinnytaste (www.skinnytaste.com)

 

When to Introduce: These are going to be for those self-feeders in your family. Sure, you can always stick them in a food processor for those still eating purees, but, you may just lose the fun of the whole nugget-ness that way. Totally your call!  If you have concerns, always be sure to consult a pediatrician.

 

Why we Love It:  All of the fun and even more of the YUM! These easy to eat nuggets are packed with lean protein and are not fried even for a second. They are juicy and perfect for dipping...and we all know kids LOVE to dip!

 

Ingredients: 

16 oz (2 large) skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into even bit sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 tsp olive oil
6 tbsp whole wheat Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
2 tbsp panko
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
olive oil spray

 

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray. 

3. Put the olive oil in one bowl and the breadcrumbs, panko and parmesan cheese in another.
4. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then put in the bowl with the olive oil and mix well so the olive oil evenly coats all of the chicken.
5. Put a few chunks of chicken at a time into the breadcrumb mixture to coat, then on the baking sheet. 

6. Lightly spray the top with olive oil spray then bake 8 - 10 minutes. 

7. Turn over then cook another 4 - 5 minutes or until cooked though.

 

Servings: This will make 4 average servings (about 1 cup each)!

Bloomers Play and Learn

So, I hear that the new "hip/cool/trendy" think to say these days is, "I am obsessed with _________." Well, today, I am re-upping my hip/cool/trendy badge and declaring that I am totally obsessed with today's Working Girl Wednesday business! Having almost 4 years of mama hood under my belt at this point, I have been to my fair share of mommy-and-me classes. For the most part, we always have a good time at them and it is 30-60 minutes of quality time.

When I first met today's Working Girl, Holly, I just knew that she was something special. The sparkle in her eye when she talks about "edu-taining" children is priceless and the enthusiasm with which she sings her kid-friendly, silly songs in class in simply unparalleled.  (And, I might add, she is a talented vocalist as well....)

Spend five minutes with Miss Holly, and try not to crack a smile...I dare ya! It is physically impossible....she simply radiates joy and the kiddos that she is teaching along the way, simply eat it up!

Without further ado, it is my pleasure to introduce this week's Working Girl, Holly Moran!

Tell us about your business...

"I have the best job in the world.....I edu-tain kids! I've developed a one of a kind program that inspires education through play and I have the honor of sharing it with Valley moms!"

 

What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"My background is mainly in theater, performance, and of course.....DANCE! Once I became a mommy I became passionate about early childhood development. Combine the two and viola - Bloomers was born :)"

 

What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"I was in charge of story times at a ‘mommy and me’ group that met at a church. The smiles on the moms' faces and the barrage of hugs from the kiddos told me I was on to something good."

 

 What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"I hold a 'kids only' version of Bloomers at a preschool/daycare and I'm honored to say that they are so happy with my program that they've asked me to help train their teaching staff. I also have recorded some of my original songs onto a CD that moms rave about :)"

 

 How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"Anything worth doing will require both patience and persistence. Also, word of mouth referrals are priceless."

 

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"Next I imagine I'll seek out more opportunities in different preschool settings. I'd also love to get involved in some philanthropy events at local hospitals and shelters."

 

Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"Teaching Zumba at various LA Fitness locations, at local family events around town, or volunteering in the nursery of my church."

 

 If we were to run into you at a cocktail party, what would be your "party trick"?

"I have a wicked break dancing handstand thingy I can do :)"

 

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

"What do you get when you goose a ghost? A handful of sheet :)"

 

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18 year-old self?

"Life is a journey. Take each day as it comes and enjoy the ride!"

Inspired? Want to learn more about Bloomers Play and Learn? Check out their website at: http://bloomersplayplace.com/

Pacific Baby Thermal Bottle GIVEAWAY!!!

A few weeks ago, we featured the Pacific Baby 3-in-1 Thermal Bottle on The Stuff We Love Tuesday! The response was great and it seems as though many of your share my own feelings....your kiddos will be lucky if this one ever reaches them! I think it may just have to use it for myself!!

The good folks over at Pacific Baby were kind enough to provide us with a few of these to give away to our loyal fans!!  Pssst...that's YOU!

 

This week, we will be giving away the first one! If you don't win this time, stay tuned! We will have another!!

 

So, go ahead and enter....then show off your new baby swag to all your friends! Nothing more fun than new baby swag right? Unless of course, it is FREE baby swag!!

Wanna get in on the giveaway?? It's simple and you can earn up to 5 entries with the simple steps below! Contest runs until midnight 4/26/13 and winner will be selected at random and announced on our Facebook page!!!

Here is how you can earn your 5 entries:

1. "Like" our Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know! If you already "like" us, Thank You, please leave a comment below letting us know that and you can have an entry too! 
2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know that you did so!
3. Become a follower of the blog!! To do so, simply click "Join This Site" in the right hand toolbar and become a member....that way you never miss out on the Yumminess! Oh, and be sure to leave a comment below letting us know you did so! If you are already a follower, just leave us a comment letting us know that you already follow us!
4. Follow us on Pinterest! We are always posting great recipes and fun kiddo stuff that we adore! You can follow us from the "Pinterest" tab at the top of our FB page, or you  can look us up by our username "atfirstbite". Then, you guessed it, leave a comment here letting us know!
5. Visit the Pacific Baby Facebook page and give them a "Like" as well! Gotta show some love to the people making this all possible! And of course...leave a comment here letting us know you did!

Recipe: Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken

Every once in a while, I like to reach out to you all....my fantabulous fans for inspiration on my weekly. Recently, I asked what you all were cooking up in your kitchens and my mouth was WATERING with all the Yumminess. So, over the next few weeks, I want to share some of the awesomeness that you all were so kind to pass my way. After all, I am a food pusher you know...

Today's recipe came to me via one of our fan families in Portland, OR....The Fabian Family! With two-under-two in their busy home, they are constantly looking for quick, easy-to-prep, kiddo-pleasing, healthy meals that they can enjoy under the usual chaos of a house with two littles. This one fills all those requirements for sure.....

Crock pot Santa Fe Chicken

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Gina at Skinnytaste (www.skinnytaste.com)

 

When to Introduce: As early as 6-9 months - if you have a blender that is! This meal can honestly be enjoyed by every member of the family. For the brand new eaters, you can run it through a blender or food processor and thin as needed for a complete, protein packed meal. For self-feeders, the soft chicken, corn and black beans are easy to handle and easy to smash with those new teeth. And for the big kids/adults, enjoy it right out of the crock pot! Remember, you can always vary the level of spices you add to meet your family's preference. If you have concerns, always be sure to consult a pediatrician.

 

Why we Love It:  See above!! No really, this is a dish that everyone will enjoy. The chicken and beans provide a great source of lean protein and fiber that little systems need and the crowd-pleasing corn, will make it appealing for those who lean toward the "picky" side of the fence! Oh yeah, did I mention that it's made in the crock pot....love it!

 

Ingredients: 

24 oz (1 1/2) lbs chicken breast
14.4 oz can diced tomatoes with mild green chilies
15 oz can black beans
8 oz frozen corn
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
14.4 oz can fat free chicken broth
3 scallions, chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper (to taste)
salt to taste

 

Directions: 

 1. Combine chicken broth, beans, corn, tomatoes, cilantro, scallions, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne pepper and salt in the crock pot. 

2. Season chicken breast with salt and lay on top.  
3. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. 

4. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. 

5. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. 

6. Adjust salt and seasoning to taste.  

7. Serve over rice or tortillas and your favorite toppings.

 

Servings: This will make 8 generous servings (about 1 cup each)! And I bet the left-overs would be especially yummy the next day too!! Happy Crock-Potting!!

Aimee Martin Consulting

A little while back, I had the pleasure of meeting a woman who is just one of those people. You know, the ones who are brilliant, outgoing, crafty, AND a super mama. Yep, she is one of those....and she is awesome with a capital A! With an eye for the creative and a mind for problem solving, today's Working Girl has put those skills, well, to work, for her quite nicely!

Miss Martin has started not one, but TWO businesses. The first was a creative outlet full of designer baby wares that she created herself to keep stylish mamas stylish.  Along the path on entreprenuership, she developed the second, which is her current professional focus. Aimee Martin Consulting seeks to help other business owners become "known". Troubleshooting marketing woes and navigating the social media matrix for business owners looking to make their break!

Let's allow her to tell you all about it. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Aimee....

Tell us about your business...

"Business & Marketing Problem Solving. While what I do looks a lot like a marketing agency, I don't claim to be one. I act as a problem solver, helping business owners resolve issues and reach new milestones. From simple projects like rewriting/redesigning a brochure, to launching a new product or website, I act as creative director and project manger. Adding creative capital where I can, and finding partners for specialized skill sets as needed."

What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"I was a VP of Marketing for a regional bank. While I enjoyed my co-workers and exposure to the creative people in the marketing industry, banks aren't really known for taking risks, or cutting edge style. I've enjoyed the freedom of working with different brands and tastes."

What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"Like many businesses, the bank I was with went through a restructuring and downsizing in 2010, it coincided with a case of Shingles, a pregnancy loss and the birth of my first child. It was a stressful, busy, sad and joyous 12 months. I actually didn't decided to start a business. I decided to stay home with my baby. After several months I was fortunate that my growing restlessness at home (love my daughter, but being at home full time doesn't suit all personalities) was met with needs from past contacts. I started getting small freelance offers, and put my toes in the water one project at a time."

What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"Walking away from a business venture. Sounds crazy right? While I was slowing taking on more freelance marketing work, I was also starting a soft goods business, specializing in baby products. From design to materials sourcing and sewing, I was doing it all. I reached out to a consultant to help create logos and improve my sewing, designs etc. My husband and I set aside a small "nest" for me to invest in this business (all funds I had made freelancing). As the nest shrunk, I struggled with what to do. Invest more? Raise capital? Take on investors? I created a pro-forma, talked to patent experts, and amazingly, a family member offered to support the project for partial ownership. But the decision to move forward never seemed right. I sat on it for months. Ultimately, I noticed that my consulting business soared while I put the other project on the back burner. I increased my consulting business by more than 100% over 3 months. Because I wasn't distracted, and I was doing something that relied on my core competencies. It was a hard lesson to learn. But invaluable. Do what you are good at. What comes naturally. It will still require work, discipline, effort (read late nights) but the rewards will be worth it."

How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"See above!"

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"Maintain...and...balance. I'm working to creating balance between my work and home lives, while also maintaining balance at work between building a pipeline of future work and completing current projects. It is a daily battle. I've spent the last 6 months building a pipeline of business, and I'm very blessed that I wake up each day worried I won't have enough hours in the day to complete my work and home tasks."

Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"The days we are home together, I try to get out of the house with my little one. Some days that means the park or zoo, other days that means visiting neighbors with the wagon or favorite toy of the day in tow."

If we were to run into you at a cocktail party, what would be your "party trick"?

"After 7 years of marriage to an airline employee, I tend to default back to discussions about travel and favorite vacation spots. The opportunities are fewer and farther between than they once were, but a girl can dream...."

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

"What do John The Baptist and Winnie The Pooh have in common? The same middle name....lame.....eh. It is cuter if you are holding a glass of wine and can give a sheepish smile".

If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18 year-old self?

"Dump the boy. He just isn't that into you. Turns out, that applies to friends, jobs, clients, etc. Good advice, but hard to learn from the inside out."

Inspired? Want to learn more? Check her out at: aimeedmartin.com

Look for the helpers....

On days like today, words evade me. In the relatively short time that this blog has been up and running, two such tragedies have occurred here on American soil. Two times, I have had to tear myself away from the news so as not to inundate my children with images of horror that are all too real.

Today, my heart broke silently as Sweet R says to me...."Don't look at it mama. A very bad person did a very bad thing...."

She's 3...she shouldn't have such phrasing ready in her innocent little mind. 

That said, I don't believe in sheltering my children from reality. Instead, I attempt to explain such unexplainable acts in terms that are not quite so scary. I grasp at ways to color this world in a way much brighter than I view it following events such as those that transpired today.

Today I turn to an old childhood friend of mine for his wisdom....

Well said Mr. Rogers. Well said....

Our thoughts are with everyone in the great city of Boston today and all of those whose lives will be forever changed by the horrific events of today. May you find peace in the everyday beauty of life that still surrounds you.

2,857 Tabs...All. The. Time.

I am not one to share these e cards all the time, but this one struck a chord.

This.....exactly this....

There are times that my husband grabs my laptop before I have had the chance to close down at least 1,424 of the open tabs and he just shakes his head. They say women are the great multi-taskers of the world. That's a nice way to put it.....

When we lie down at night, I swear it takes exactly 17.2 seconds until I hear muffled snores from the other side of the bed. In 17.2 seconds, I managed only to partially prioritize the next 34 things I am going to think about before I am able to shut off my brain for the evening.  Mind you, not all of those 34 to-do items are deep, game-changing, ideas. Ranging from: "Did I close the garage door tonight?" to "What are we going to do when our daughter wants to date the rocker dude next door (she is 3 right now...)?" And other deep thoughts such as: "I wonder if that DIY tutorial on Pinterest on how to convert 3 paper towel rolls and a piece of  moldy plywood into a fabulous Pottery Barn knockoff is really legit." to "How badly do I want to do the whole newborn thing again?"

And that is only the first 47 seconds worth....In yoga, they call it "Chitta Vritti", Sanskrit for "Mind Chatter" and when I practice, I have one hell of a time quieting it. I am the one who is surprisingly bendy, but does not look at all relaxed no matter how long I listed to the sounds of birds singing in the rain forest surrounded by lavender scented candles. A little high strung? Maybe. I admit that. But I think the answer is more along the lines of the fact that I was born with lucky XX chromosome.

Can anyone else relate to this? Is it a blessing or a curse? Has anyone out there figured out a good way to tune out the Chitta Vritti? Do share....lord knows we could use some ideas!

Nutwhats

I enjoy food. I just do. That is a big reason behind why I do what I do and my passion behind family nutrition. I have been fortunate enough to come into contact with several others who share my passion, and like me, have stepped away from common "corporate America" type career paths to pursue their love for all things yummy. By nature, I love those people. And likewise, I typically love their wares. Call us crazy, but a happy tummy makes for happy entrepreneurs.

Miss Lisa Rast is just one of those people I love by association. With a professional background in engineering and passion for life in the kitchen (and some figure skating here and there), Lisa took that flying leap of faith into small business life and started Arizona based, Nutwhats. A funny name for a seriously awesome product...and the story behind it is pretty cool too.

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Lisa....

Tell us about your business...

"At Nutwhats our ‘free form’ unadulterated buttery nuggets are hand-crafted using only top-notch measures. Without skimping — fresh, premium ingredients and not a bit of preservatives are the rule. Flavors are magnificently unexpected. Appearance is delightfully quirky. And the taste? Unmistakable."

 

What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"I have a background in engineering but a childhood love of figure skating and cooking brought me back to the ice to teach competitive ice skating and into the kitchen to play around with recipes."

 

What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"Being able to build a business that will hopefully live on generation after generation".

 

What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"Being featured in Oprah's blog on Oprah.com"

 

How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"There is no easy road. My hours are pretty much 24/7 and owning a food type business is far from being glamorous as one might think watching the foodnetwork."

 

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"I am currently working on getting Nutwhats on to shelves of gourmet retailers.....Ajs, Wholefoods, and small gourmet shops."

 

Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"Watching my kiddos playing tennis"

 

If we were to run into you at a cocktail party, what would be your "party trick"?

"Being asleep in a chair still holding my wine glass with out spilling a drop. A definite sign that I work too much! LOL"

 

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

"Hmmm.....I've never been good at telling jokes but I can do a few impressions".

 

 If you could go back in time, what would you tell your 18 year-old self?

"Enjoy life!"

Inspired? Want to learn more about Nutwhats? Check out their website at: www.nutwhats.com

5 Surprising Foods Your Kids Just May LOVE!

(I originally wrote and  published this post on April 8th, 2013 on West Valley Mom's Blog - www.westvalleymomsblog.com )

When it comes to mealtime for our little ones, there is one rule that many of us (myself included) have to remind ourselves of on a regular basis: Just because we do not like a food doesn’t mean that our little ones will feel the same way! In fact, experts suggest that it takes a young child an average of seven tries of a particular food (in seven separate feedings), to make a “final” judgement as to whether or not they like a particular taste. And even beyond that, we all know that the preferences of our little ones often change with the wind. Those crackers they couldn’t get enough of yesterday, just may be the bain of their existence today. Ahh….they sure do keep us on our toes don’t they?

In my almost 4 years of mama-hood, I have made it a point to offer my littles tastes of just about everything that we adults eat at mealtime. That part is easy. What can be a bit more difficult is remembering to offer them tastes of foods that we may not typically include on our “favorites” list. Foods that maybe we have an aversion to or simply have always THOUGHT we wouldn’t like. This is where I have had a few surprises along the way…foods I thought there was no way my kiddos would eat, let alone ask for again down the road. Turns out, when we present foods to our kids without bias, they make their own judgments and sometimes, the verdict just may surprise you. Many of them are typically on the “yuck” list for kiddos, but all are packed with nutritional goodness, and when prepared correctly and presented in a positive light, they may just be asking for more!

Here are a few to try that have surprised me along the way:

1. Lima Beans – Yup….probably my personal least favorite legume, but my kiddos LOVE them….frozen. Weird? Maybe, but they eat them like candy and I call that a win!

2. Beets – You will for sure have to pop the little ones in the bath after a meal of these puppies, but the fun color and easy to eat consistency, makes for a winning combo.

3. Brussels Sprouts – Hop on Pinterest any time and you are sure to find numerous recipes for these beauties…don;t let your own childhood hatred for them stand in your way. Try them…and share them. I bet your opinion just may be changed!

4. Cauliflower – From tots, to poppers, to pizza crusts, this is one versatile veggie and it is a favorite in our house!!

5 . Shellfish – Obviously, make sure your little one is age-appropriate before trying this one, but peeling, cracking, and shucking is FUN for the wee ones. Yes, be prepared to help and for mealtime to take a while, but you just may have some great photo ops!

The moral of the story: When it comes to feeding your little ones and setting them off on the right foot for proper nutrition, be sure to check your own food biases at the door. It can be tough for sure. But feeding my little ones had broadened my own palate along the way and opened my eyes to new flavors I never thought I would love. Just another surprise on this little journey we call parenthood!

Back by popular demand: Squooshi Refillable Food Pouch GIVEAWAY!!!

Yes, you read it correctly.....we have ANOTHER Squooshi GIVEAWAY!!!! Wa Hoo!!

A few months ago, we featured the Squooshi Refillable Food Pouches on The Stuff We Love Tuesday! You all fell just as head-over-heels in love with its cuteness as I did! Which means you all have excellent taste! Kudos to you! The perfect combination of function, convenience, and irresistable adorableness is a WIN all around. And now you can WIN too!! The good folks over at Squooshi were kind enough to provide us with a 4 pack of Squooshies to give away to our loyal fans!!

Pssst...that's YOU!

 

So, go ahead and enter....then show off your new baby swag to all your friends! Nothing more fun than new baby swag right? Unless of course, it is FREE baby swag!!

Wanna get in on the giveaway?? It's simple and you can earn up to 5 entries with the simple steps below! Contest runs until midnight 4/12/13 and winner will be selected at random and announced on our Facebook page!!!

Here is how you can earn your 5 entries:

1. "Like" our Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know! If you already "like" us, Thank You, please leave a comment below letting us know that and you can have an entry too! 
2. Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and leave a comment below letting us know that you did so!
3. Become a follower of the blog!! To do so, simply click "Join This Site" in the right hand toolbar and become a member....that way you never miss out on the Yumminess! Oh, and be sure to leave a comment below letting us know you did so! If you are already a follower, just leave us a comment letting us know that you already follow us!
4. Follow us on Pinterest! We are always posting great recipes and fun kiddo stuff that we adore! You can follow us from the "Pinterest" tab at the top of our FB page, or you  can look us up by our username "atfirstbite". Then, you guessed it, leave a comment here letting us know!
5. Visit the Squooshi Facebook page and give them a "Like" as well! Gotta show some love to the people making this all possible! And of course...leave a comment here letting us know you did!

Recipe: Lemon Yogurt

The weather is warming up (in most parts of the country) and one of the signature tastes of the season is refreshing Lemon. There is just something about the tangy, yet sweet, taste of citrus that cools the palate and evokes relaxation. After all, isn't sitting on a warm porch sipping lemonade about as iconic as you can get when it comes to summertime?

In my days thus far, I have stumbled upon very, very few little ones that can turn up their tiny noses at yogurt. It seems to be a fan favorite and serves as a perfect compliment to a main dish, a snack, or even as a full meal on those tough teething days (been there....). So, today, we share with you a delightfully simple recipe that combines these two treats and is sure to make your taste buds do a little dance as well.

Lemon Yogurt

 

Mama Chef Extraordinaire: Erika at Squooshi (www.squooshi.com)

 

When to Introduce: As early as 6-9 months! Be sure to select ingredients that are age appropriate for your little one. Goat versus Cow milk yogurt, honey versus agave for sweetener etc. Remember, do not give infants under one year of age honey! If you have concerns, always be sure to consult a pediatrician.

 

Why we Love It:  It is delightfully refreshing and quiets those sweet-loving taste buds just enough when a craving hits. Yogurt is packed with calcium and protein and provides a more complete nutritional combo than one may expect. And, it is ridiculously simple to prepare. What is there not to love about this dish?

 

Ingredients: 

approx 1/2 cup yogurt
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice, plus a little more to your taste
1/4 tsp local honey (or other age-appropriate sweetener)

 

Directions: 

  1. Place ingredients in bowl and stir.

2. Enjoy!

 

Servings: This will make about 1/2 cup of  Yumminess! The math is simple on this one, so feel free to double, triple, or octuple (not sure if that is a word)....

Jakob's Ladder

For some of us, our journey to small business ownership is inspired by something that we have learned along the way....a specific skill or service that we can provide that will help others in their everyday lives. For some, it is inspired by a need....a new product that is dreamt up as a way of solving a problem. For others, their business is quite simply a "calling." It is something that they have been inspired to do due to the circumstances they find themselves surrounded by.

For Michelle, owner of Jakob's Ladder, her business stems from more than her passion for creating and crafting. It stems from her dream of providing her young son with the resources and therapies that he needs in order to overcome several medical conditions. Her business is truly one from the heart and one that is sure to leave you just as inspired as it has left me.

Without further ado, I introduce you all to Michelle....

Tell us about your business...

"Jakob's Ladder is my small "sew at home" business I run to help make extra money to help cover my son's therapy and other needs. He has a rare kidney disorder and Autism."

 

What did you do in your past life...before you launched your business?

"Before becoming a stay at home mom to Jakob and starting Jakob's Ladder, I was in Property Management. I am still hold a valid, up to date real estate salespersons license in Michigan."

 

What made you decide to take the leap into being a business owner?

"Staying home to care for Jakob and his needs was an easy choice, but bills (especially medical, therapy, medications, etc) pile up very quickly for a single income family!"

 

What has been your greatest professional success to date?

"I have saved enough from the business to successfully pay off a couple of big therapy bills, held a fun auction that only included all handmade items, and helping to pay for some of the other day to day needs for my little guy makes me feel like I'm successful :)"

 

How about the biggest "lesson learned"?

"We as women can do anything we set our minds to! Setting goals and working hard to focus on them and achieve them is key. I'm also not one for giving up on a challenge. Ever, lol!"

 

What is next on the horizon for your business?

"Would love to do some actual craft/vendor fairs. Business up till now has been almost totally online!"

 

Where can we find you when you are not being Super Business Owner Woman??

"Mostly here at home, caring for the coolest 4 year old boy I know!"

 

If we were to run into you at a cocktail party, what would be your "party trick"?

"Whipping out the mini sewing kit from my purse and fixing any wardrobe malfunction that came my way!"

 

 

When someone asks you to tell a joke, what is your "go-to" one-liner?

"People usually tell ME the jokes--I have a sense of humor and love to laugh but not a ton of one-liners in my repertoire :)"

 

If you could go back in time,

 what would you tell your 18 year-old self?

"Don't rush. Time goes by so very fast! Take the time to enjoy, see, hear, taste, and learn from every moment that you can!"

Inspired by this story? Want to learn more? Be sure to visit Jakob's Ladder at: http://hyenacart.com/stores/JakobsLadder/

A little of this...a little of that....

I am tired. Still....

What a weekend this was in our house! A great, wonderful, super fun weekend....but whew....

2 birthday parties, a bachelorette weekend, a neighborhood block party, a family brunch.....the list goes on. And all within a 48 hour period. Don't get me wrong, I am not complaining. Just, as I said before, tired.

As I sit here with a large caffeinated beverage in hand and some blisters on my toes from my "those-heels-didn't-seem-so-high-before-I-had-kiddos" shoes, I am reminded on what a tremendous balancing act motherhood (especially young motherhood) is. Now that most of my friends have kiddos (or kiddos on the way) we are all struggling with how to keep one foot (well, at least a toe) in the young-fun-trendy scene, while still trying to soak in all-things-mama and be the super mama that Pinterest makes us feel we need to be. I was struck with a minor panic attack when I realized that yoga pants and a tank top probably weren't adequate attire of a fun night out with the ladies in Old Town Scottsdale.  I used to be somewhat trendy...not so much these days. But that's OK....my kiddos don't care. (But I will say that when one of the most fashionable/trendy/child-less ladies at the party complimented my top, my week was MADE!)

I was among the first of my girlfriends to take the plunge into parenthood and let me tell you, I still haven't mastered the balancing/juggling/circus act it requires to strike such a tenuous balance. But I suppose maybe that is why we were meant to do this whole thing when we are young(ish...). Lord knows if I tried this exact scenario again in just about 15 years, I may have sustained a more serious injury when I fell out of said-too-tall-now-heels while chasing my toddler down the stairs with a half-eaten banana before I headed out on Friday night.

But I am gonna go ahead and give myself (and all you other juggling mamas out there) at little pat on the back for taking a little bit of this and a little bit of that in your life, and making it look GOOD (well....at least believable....that is all we can ask for right). From muscling my way through a few Jell-o shots to baking fresh strawberry muffins to share in a basket (I will let you guess which weekend event corresponds with which of those achievements), I managed to look fun and domestic in one period. And I am going to call that a success in my book!

Here's to many more such weekends! Cheers (with a perfectly created, gallery-worthy Pinterest-inspired adult beverage of course)!