After covering our Mominatrix event in February, Kim wondered how she could help us grow Moms Going Out and get even more moms to enjoy our events. We were delighted to bring her on board, and we’re excited to work together as we develop our programs for fall 2010 and winter/spring 2011. Watch this space.

Don’t miss this on the big screen, and if you’re around, join us on Wednesday May 12 for a private screening at the Coolidge Theater in partnership with The Stork Fund and Magic Beans. Tickets are $12, and include the movie ticket, snacks and wine, plus a post-film conversation with a nurse educator. Register now!

After donning our fancy aprons, we separated into two groups. The cake masters and the cupcake designers. The cake masters learned tricks of the trade: how to smooth out the frosting, eliminate evil crumbs, and design spectacular borders on the most simple of bases. NOT as easy as it seems. Scissors on cake? Full disclosure, master baker John had to fix mine not once, twice, but THREE times. Very messy froster, me. Very patient man, he.

Over on the cupcake side, mamas were creating fanciful creatures from colorful mounds of frosting. Squeeze, release. Big circle, little circle. One petal, two petal. Shrieks of laughter rang out as attempts were made to recreate the beautiful cupcake art prepared in 2 seconds by our talented instructor. Making a pig out of frosting looks easy when she does it. Who knew that a leaf tip made pig’s ears? Who knew that there even WAS a leaf tip? Pigs, cows, penguins, and flowers of all shapes and sizes appeared (well, if you squinted at mine, a pig appeared) as we played with gobs of frosting. Tongues to noses, eyes focused, we manhandled frosting like nobody’s business. Amazingly good fun.

And then, we all came together, like two layers of a perfect Party Favors cake (couldn’t resist). Perched around tables with our newly iced cakes, we begin the project of decorating them. No more cupcake practice for us! John made it easy by creating a water scene for everyone to begin, and then we were off with our imaginations. Duck ponds, oceans, frog ponds complete with lily pads came together as we used our newfound skills (and John’s help) to create our masterpieces.

I will never use “piece of cake” to describe an easy task again. Our efforts were met with hilarity and giggles (could have been the wine, too) as we realized how much fun we were having, and how although unleashing our inner cake artist was amazing, it might be better to leave important cakes to the pros at Party Favors. We give three cheers to all of the staff at Party Favors for creating such a fabulous event. We’ll be practicing, and eagerly awaiting our next tutorial…

It has come to my attention that one of the biggest obstacles faced by harried, or even not so harried moms today is the snack habit. Kids need snacks. Feed them, and they stop crying. They smile, they play happily. Moms love to give snacks. And we try to make them healthy. Which is great. Peanut butter on apples, string cheese and whole grain crackers, goldfish, pretzels, Pirate Booty (mmmm), yogurt…

So then, the happy child eats 4 goldfish and moves along. Mom finishes goldfish, which is fine. An hour later, time for lunch. Mac n cheese, chicken (ok, mine are soy)nuggets, pasta, pasta, pasta, pb&j. And some fruit and carrots. Child finishes 3 bites of mac n cheese and moves on, mom finishes mac n cheese, pb and j, and, oh, might as well get rid of that half of a cookie. Can’t throw that out. And now it’s time for MOM’S lunch. Because she didn’t really eat lunch and doesn’t feel satisfied with the bowl of macncheese.

I know you’ve seen it. I know you’ve been there. I certainly have. What smart moms are now asking me is how do I snack and eat healthfully throughout the day while also adhering to my mini eater’s schedule as well? Grazing is an art form, and unless you’re a cow (come on, people, no self deprecation please)horse, or other professional grazer, you’re probably not as savvy about the choices you can make for yourself.

Grazing takes planning. What I suggest is finding some go-to snacks to enjoy at set times throughout the day. Ideas? Sure. Try hummus and baby carrots; low sodium cottage cheese mixed with basil, chives, and garlic, with snap peas and cherry tomatoes; 4 graham crackers with 1 tbsp peanut or almond butter; a cup of low sodium tomato soup ( I like Pacific Foods or Imagine), sprinkled with parm cheese; a Baby Bell cheese wheel; a lowfat greek yogurt(2/3 c) with 1/4 c berries; 1/2 cup shelled edamame, or do the full on pod-it is fun to eat and takes a bit of time-hard to overeat that way!

If you are with your child all day, then make yourselves a schedule. Eat first thing in the morning. Make BOTH of your breakfasts. Try oatmeal; make 3/4 cup, top with berries or a banana, and give your child 1/4 of the end product. Or Cheerios. 1 cup for you, 1/2 cup for kids. Slice an orange, and hand over a couple of pieces to happy baby. Or if they’re not at orange stage, try a banana. The point is to make one breakfast, eat yours, and let your child eat theirs. Clean up, and move on. Snack time, 3 hrs later. Have your snacks (see above)prepared, and when you before you put out the goldfish, eat a carrot. And only put out 10 goldfish at a time. Lunch time, same thing. It’s all about being prepared.

Dinner time can be problematic, because at this point, you probably need a little adult interaction. And kids sometimes have a habit of not letting adults talk to each other. Or do anything that doesn’t directly involve them. So you have two options. Option one: Feed the kids early on, and have a small salad with them. Bath, pjs, then dinner with a functioning, mentally alert adult, OR (sometimes even better!)a nice meal to yourself.

Option two: Attempt to make ONE dinner, for everyone. In a shocking turn of events, one day, out of the blue, my 5 year old asked for broccoli. After picking myself up off of the floor, I scrambled to steam enough broccoli for a small army. Even more shocking, she ATE it! And so did my 14 month old. With gusto. Not so much my 3 year old, but she is on a hunger strike these days anyhow. So I said to myself, I’m going to give “real” dinners a try. I made grilled chicken, brown rice, and broccoli for 3 days straight. That’s it. And everyone (except the 3 year old)ate. Then I ventured to turkey burgers and sweet potato “fries” (they’re still “fries” if you smother them in ketchup, according to my kids). And salad. The kids eat the carrots and broccoli and corn, and we take everything else. The kids are eating great foods, I’m eating good food, and I’m not eating FOUR different meals, picking as I go along.

Lest you think that my life is a perfect dream, that little stint only lasted a week. Back to Annie’s mac n cheese. But it got me in the habit of only eating MY dinner. And the kids still eat the veggies. And rice. Working on the tofu-not there yet.

End lesson here: Remember who YOU are eating for. It’s you and only you. Eat for yourself. Prepare good snacks so you never reach the stage of unbearable hunger, where nothing tastes so good as 3 handfuls of goldfish, including the ones dropped on the floor. Try out your snacks with the kids, too. They may surprise you. But in the end, remember that before you were “mom”, you made your choices based solely on how they would affect you. You can still do that. It’s ok. And you may find that as a bonus, you feel stronger, healthier, more energized and alert. Which how every woman should feel, mom or not.

Through it all, my headquarters for inspiration and equipment is Party Favors, a Brookline outpost for all things party-related. I lived in Brookline for an unfortunate number of years before discovering that Party Favors was also a nationally acclaimed bakery, but once I’d tasted one of their sublime cupcakes, I was hooked. Over time, I’ve developed a friendship with Mary Lynn and John Pergantis, the owners of Party Favors.

When we started Moms Going Out, I asked John if he would consider doing a masterclass inside his kitchen. I was thrilled when he agreed. And yes, maybe it’s because I’ve always wanted to take a formal class (I never have), and I think John is a genius with a piping bag. But I’m not the only one, and with only 12 slots available (ahem, 11), I think this is going to be a quick sell-out.

Join us on Monday 3/22 at 7pm for Moms Going Out: Have Your Cake (and eat it too). Registration is $40, which includes the workshop, materials, refreshments and a cake you’ll decorate and bring home. Register now.

Moms Going Out: Seduction Junction will take place on February 9 at 7pm. We’re hosted by the pastry geniuses at Finale Desserts, where they know a thing or two about the aphrodisiac commonly known as chocolate. Aided and abetted by sommelier Kate Webber, we’ll enjoy a tasting of chocolate deliciousness paired with an assortment of wines. Then, we’ll hear from the Mominatrix herself, with everything from practical tips about discreet sex toys to conquering the post-partum body blahs to easy ways to spice things up. Come and hear all the things you need to know (but were afraid to ask because the answers would probably make you blush).

Kristen will be selling her book and autographing copies during the event. We have limited space and registration is just $5. That’s amore!

Register now

As a fitness professional, we see January as our biggest month. It’s THE month. The one where everyone vows to get in shape for good. Lose those last 10 lbs, get abs of steel, and eat only organic, clean foods for the rest of their lives. Sigh. And by February, we see all of those passionate people fade away, caught up in a web of real life, chocolate hearts, and comfort foods.

The thing is, that’s what they should have been focusing on the whole time! Real life. Instead of setting yourself up with unreasonable goals, how about taking it one day at a time, making mini goals as you go along. Real life gets in the way, unless you are a 22 year old independently wealthy person with endless time on your hands. And even that has it’s own pitfalls as well. (I mean, I assume it does:))

This year, instead of setting yourself up for those inevitable downfalls, set yourself up for happiness every day. Make the most of what you have. You know that you want to look good, feel good, and live a vibrant life. So attempt that every day. Do what makes you feel good, both inside and out. Writing the goals down when you get up may be an option. And then going back at the end of the day to see what actually happened can be an exercise in resilience and optimism. Didn’t make it to the gym because you were inundated with work? Wow, you were a FORCE to be reckoned with at work, then. Ate a bag of m&ms? Great. Boosted your serotonin levels for the day…and left you with the knowledge that perhaps a bag of m&ms is not the greatest idea if you don’t want a huge stomachache. Next time, you’ll get the smaller portion and enjoy it just as much.

Make the effort to create manageable goals. Having trouble fitting in fruit? Don’t aim for 5 servings a day right away. Try one banana, or a glass of orange juice. See if you can do that for a few days. It may, just may, seem easier after that, so you’ll think about having both the banana and the orange juice the next couple of days. Find a way to combine them that you enjoy-fruit smoothie, anyone? And so on.

Fitness goals? Many people make running a marathon a goal. Amazing aspirations. Fabulous goals. Does that mean you go out and run 10 miles in one day? Absolutely not. Find a plan that makes sense, think about your time, schedule, and options. And then run for 20 minutes one day. Approach the big goals with a series of smaller ones. It works on all planes.

The best way to conquer those goals is to get some help. Find someone who specializes in your goal field, and ask them the best way to go about it. Pretty much guaranteed that every expert will tell you to go slowly for lasting results. It’s harder that way, but the effects will last a lifetime.

Resolving to live my life one day at a time, now that’s something I can strive for. I think you can, too.

After indulging our sense of taste and experiencing the visual delights of Magic Beans, it was more than a pleasure to experience the soothing lotions and scrubs from Melt. Somehow, they managed to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere in the midst of crazy shopping. How do they do that?? Wonderful, handmade products that made us feel warm and fuzzy, that’s how. Their wide array of yummy scents, silky lotions, and gentle scrubs made the tensions of the day slip away. We can’t wait to see more of them. And oh, we will…we’re doing a special event in January with Melt on January 17th! Mark the date…it’s a tropical getaway soiree, right here on Harvard Street. More on that later.

But the BEST part of the evening? The friendships renewed and/or created were amazing. The joy was palpable. And we collected hundreds of articles of clothing, toys, books, and basic necessities for our partner charity, Cradles to Crayons. The fact that one child who was without basics may now enjoy the simple acts of being warm and clean-something we so often take for granted-made my heart swell with happiness. I’m pretty sure we all felt that way. Remember, Cradles to Crayons isn’t just for the holidays. They are always looking for help in any way possible-from giving the most basic of necessities, to helping out in their Quincy Giving Factory. Visit them online at www.cradlestocrayons.org

It was, all in all, a wonderful evening full of sensory delights, friendship and fun, giving and receiving. Exactly what the holiday spirit should represent. We wish you a happy, healthy holiday season, and look forward to more fun in the new year! Bring on 2010…we’re ready to enjoy every “mom”ent.

It gets a bit harder to get outside during these chillier months, but hey-there’s no snow on the ground, so take advantage of the last beautiful bit of foliage and dry ground to take a power walk along the Charles, or through the Arboretum. And remember-most of the animals at the Zoo seem to love fall, so make a fun afternoon of visiting the lions and tigers and monkeys, oh my!

Boundless energy? What better way to harness that energy than through DANCING?? And singing, of course! Our favorite rock star, Vanessa Trien, with her band of Jumping Monkeys, will be performing TWO TIMES in November!! It’s as though she planned this just for us! Kids singing and dancing for an hour with their rock star idol? C’mon-it doesn’t get any better than that. She’ll be performing in Arlington on the following dates:

Saturday, November 7, 10:30 am
Regent Theatre, Arlington, MA
7 Medford Street, Arlington, MA
FULL BAND SHOW, including Music Together’s own Sharon Simon and Julie Winslow!
We’re so happy to have a chance to return to this wonderful theatre’s children’s series. Please tell your friends!
For more info about the show or to order tickets online, visit http://regenttheatre.com/events/ff_trien.htm
Or call (781) 646-4849 for the box office. $10 adults, $8 kids and seniors

Saturday, November 21, 10:30 am
“Concert and Cupcakes!”
Brattle Theater, Harvard Square, Cambridge
40 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
Vanessa will be joined by Sharon Simon and Julie Winslow for an intimate morning of movin’, groovin’ kids music, followed by cupcakes and decorating supplies at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education next door!
This event is being presented by the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. You can purchase tickets for just our show, OR a “Concert and Cupcakes” combination (yum!). Visit www.ccae.org or call (617) 547-6789 for more info and to purchase tickets online. $8 adults and kids.

For complete show information, and to purchase Vanessa’s children’s CDs (”Carnival Day” and “Hot Air Balloon”), please visit www.vanessatrien.com.

For those of you who won’t be able to make these shows, don’t fret. She’ll do more.

So let’s check out some additional events. Holidays are coming, which means holiday shopping is upon us! Why not take advantage of some of the amazing works being displayed and sold at the Brookline Arts Center during their Holiday Craft Fair. It runs from December 3 through 20. On December 9th, they will be having a special holiday shopping event just for preschoolers and parents. So sweet. Give them a call at 617-566-5715 for more information.

On Sunday, November 15th, 2009 join Reach Out and Read at the Seaport Hotel in Boston for the sixth annual Read and Romp event. Read and Romp is a unique family event which allows children to travel through the pages of some of their favorite storybooks. Activity booths, games, and arts and crafts based on such family favorites as “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie,” “Frog and Toad,” and “Runaway Bunny” are designed to provide hours of fun for children and their families. Along with interactive storybook stations, there will be a buffet lunch with children’s musical entertainment, and a visit from storybook characters like Clifford, the Big Red Dog. The event runs from 10:30a.m.- 2:00 p.m. Enjoy this great day with your family, and help ROR continue to prepare children for success in school. Tickets to the event are $50 each and include lunch, a gift bag, a fun-filled day of activities for children and more! For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.readandromp.o

For more fun activites, check out the public libraries for storytimes, or head over to the Clayroom on Beacon St. to craft your own holiday gifts. Nothing sweeter than a homemade platter from the kids. The Puppet Showplace Theater on Station St. in Brookline Village also has some great shows this month, mostly for kids ages 4 and up.

Have more fun suggestions? Let us know. We’d love to spread the news…

But not us!! Instead of throwing in the towel, let’s look at some options for late fall fitness. Sunlight, and consequently vitamin d, are key components to healthy living for us northerners. So get out midday with your stroller and a friend, and power up some hills. You should be finding it a bit hard to chat midway through the workout-this means that you are working at the proper intensity level. Find a park and challenge yourself to do some step-ups on benches, squats, pushups, and planks with intervals of jumping jacks or high knee jogging in between (yes, those can be made low impact-drop me a line and I’ll explain all of the details). Enjoy the crisp air, sunshine, and the endorphin rush as you finish the workout. Your mood, energy level, and fitness level will all reap the benefits of a simple power walk in the autumn air.

Sometimes, it’s a bit more challenging to get out midday, be it work, weather, or logistics. Find a gym with childcare and get yourself in there. Shameless plug forthcoming: for those of you in the Brookline area, PEAPOD FITNESS has moved into Bodyscapes Fitness on Beacon Street in Coolidge Corner. They provide fitness training for moms to be, new moms, seasoned moms, or even those who are thinking about being moms. Bring your baby in for some quality time with little playmates-they have a wonderful space with professional babysitting services-or bring them into class. Plus, they have a garage for those “simply must drive” days. Check out www.ppodfitness.com for more info.

Just can’t make it to the gym? Bring the gym to you. Carve out a small space in your home, and dance the day away. Or follow along to a fitness dvd. Or FIT-TV. It has been proven that fitness improves not only physical health, but 20 minutes a day is enough to boost your mood, increase energy levels, and keep you feeling strong and empowered all day. If THAT’S not enough, think of fitness as a weapon to combat the calorie creep of the holidays. Start the New Year feeling healthy and strong. Start your fitness routine NOW. And resolve to do OTHER things when the clock strikes 12.