New Contest!

Green and Clean Mommy has posted a new contest. She is holding a raffle for 2 BPA free sippy cups. There is also a list of several BPA free sipppy cups included. The highlight of my day was when I saw a cup that I used to buy for my daughter on the list and I didn't even realize it was BPA free! Click on the button to the left to check out the blog.

Dining Green

Last nigth after eating an oh so delicious hibatchi dinner and walking around Pier Village, Justin, a couple of friend's and I decided to stop in a restaurant/bar for a couple of cocktails before heading home. Don't worry just water with lemon for me.
I was enjoying myself but was just the slightest bit board being the only completely sober one so my eyes starting roaming around as my thoughts drifted to what my next blog would be about. Wouldn't you know that my next topic was right in front of me! On the door along with all the restaurant's other accolades was a sticker exactly like the button to the left of this blog! It was boasting that the restaurant that I was now in was a member of the Green restaurant Association. Naturally this peaked my interst becuaw I have never hear of this association before. As soon as I got home my fingers started typing away and before long I found the site!
What is Green Restaurant Association you ask? It is a non-profit, national environmental organization founded in 1990. Its mission is to "help restaurants and customers become more environmentally sustainable in ways that are convenient and cost effective". The components that make up this organization include: research, environmental consulting, education, public relations and marketing, community organizing and consumer activism. It also happens to be the world's largest database of environmental solutions for the restaurant industry.
There are a number of restaurants in the U.S. and Canada that are currently members. In order for a restaurant to be a memeber they must:

• use a comprehensive recycling system for all products that are accepted by local recycling companies
• be free of polysterene foam (styrofoam)
• commit to completing 4 environmental steps per year of member ship(refer to environmental guidelines on the site)
• complete at least one environmental step after joining the GRA

I have yet to do more research about this organization than to read its brief overview but the concept at least sound very interesting to me. After spending years in the restaurant buisness while in college, I know how much waste is produced by just one restaurant. By getting more restaurants invloved with this organization or one like it I'm sure a considerable impact would be made towards helping our environment. If you or someone you know is in the restaurant field it couldn't hurt to check this site out even if just to get some ideas on how to make your place a little more green.

Unfortunately there are currently only 3 restaurants who are members of the GRA in New Jersey. They are. . .

• McLoone's at Favorites Fords, New Jersey
• McLoone's Rum Runner SeaBright, New JErsey
• McLoone's Pier House Pier Village Long Branch, New Jersey

Sand Between My Toes

I like to think of myself as a pretty crafty mom. This has resulted in me having a crafty kid. Together I'm pretty much open to giving any kind of artsy/crafty project or toy a try. Play Dough, finger paints, glue, you name it and it is allowed in my house under supervision (I may be crafty but I also like a nice home). Well , I finally found one item that has been banned from my home indefinitely. The product you ask? MOON SAND!!!!!!!!

I bought two Moon Sand kits for my daughter's birthday. It was advertised as clean, non-staining, non-sticking moldable sand that would never dry out. After nearly 3 months of sitting on the shelf waiting for a quiet day to try something new I decided to give it a whirl. The advertisement was correct in saying that it would never stain, stick or dry but the stuff doesn't hold together real well and it gets everywhere! It is much finer than regular beach sand and is nearly impossible to clean up. We used it in my kitchen. Of course some of it landed on the ground. I've since swept, mopped and vacuumed but it is still on the ground haunting me! Every time I walk into my kitchen bare foot I can feel it crunching under my toes. Worse yet, I sat on the couch last night and could feel its irritating grittiness there too (not sure how it got there but I'm thinking it grew legs and ran).

I'm so against Moon Sand that I actually saw a woman in the toy aisle of Target (yes I am a self proclaimed Targetaholic) and warned her of the dreadful stuff. She thanked me a took off in the opposite direction. I'm not sure if this is because she thought I was a crazy loon or because she was in a hurry but whatever the case I did her favor. If after reading this blog you are still inclined to give Moon Sand a whirl I wish you the best of luck. My recommendation however would be to stick to Play Dough or go outside and use some real sand!

Wordless Wednesday

Do Your Homework!

I was going through some old pics last night and came across these pics of our Newfie puppy's first trip to the local dog beach taken last year. They brought back so many fond memories that I couln't choose just one. Sadly, Murphy was diagnosed with terminal cancer about 7 weeks ago and had to be put to sleep. He was only 15 months old. If anyone can learn anything from my mistake it is that you NEED to do as much homework as humanly possible when looking for a reputable breeder. Long story short, I thought I did but she has been less than proffesional about the whole situation. Just one more reason that our next pup will more than likely come from a shelter!

Tasty Tuesday - Confetti Corn Cakes

This recipe is from a Weight Watchers recipe book that I own. It is labeled as a side dish but my family often eats them as a meal with a side salad or soup. If you are on weight watchers 2 cakes are equal to 4 points! Enjoy.

Confetti Corn Cakes
Makes 6 servings
Ingredients:
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp. dry basil
1/4tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp ground pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/3 cups fat-free buttermilk
1(7 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/3 cup chopped red bell pepper
2 scallions, finely chopped
1 cup nonfat sour cream

1. Combine the cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, basil, baking soda, and ground pepper in a large bowl. Combine the eggs and buttermilk in another bowl. Stir the egg mixture just until blended. Stir in the corn, bell pepper and scallions.

2. Spray a nonstick skillet or griddle w/ nonstick spray; set over med. heat until a drop of water sizzles. Pour the batter by 1/4 cup measures into the skillet. Cook just until bubbles begin to appear at the edges of the corn cakes, 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook 2 minutes longer. Repeat with the remaining batter, making a total of 12 corn cakes. Serve with sour cream.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

This weekend I learned that my little girl is not the sole member of our family to say the most embarrasing things at the worst times. I wish that I could blame the latest feux pas on my husband, unfortunately it was me! We were at a friend's house for a first birthday party filled with all of their friends and family. One of the many children there was an adorable little boy about 7-8 years old. He had a unique name that I've only heard once or twice before but generally thought of as a feminine name. His family was from a culture that I do not know much about so I just figured that in their culture it was a masculine name. Throughout the party Madison followed this little boy all over the place and whenever he was not in sight Madison would ask "Where did the little boy go?". I thought it was so cute that she had her first little crush that I went up to the host and asked him who the little boy belonged to because Madison had such a crush on him. Bad Move!!!!!!!! The host's response was, "That is my niece" (I wanted to melt into the carpet and never again reappear). Our friend (the host) could not have been more gracious and then went on to explain why I could have made a mistake. His niece has always been as he described "a tom boy". She always preferred to climb trees and play sports over baby dolls and house. Her boyish tendencies went much further than just being a tom boy though. She insists on having her hair cut very short and only wearing clothes from the boy department. She has also referred to herself as a boy. Once before a party our friends took her shopping for an outfit. She left the store with a plaid shirt and corduroy pants.



Could this be a stage that she is going through? Absolutely! I'm not a psychiatrist or a person that knows this child very well so I'm not saying that it is anyhting more than that. However, between the whole pregnant man thing, having a family member recently out himself as a transvestite and now this it made me want to learn more about Gender Identity Disorder. The definition of Gender Identity Disorder from Psychology Today is the "strong, persistant feelings of indentification with the opposite gender and discomfort with one's own assigned sex". This disorder does currently have diagnosis criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV) although some people in the transgender community are trying to have the criteria removed from the manual. To learn more about Gender Identity Disorder check out Gender Identity Disorder Sanctuary or "Born with the Wrong Body"