"Faux Dough" - A Healthy Cure for a Sweet Tooth

Oh cookie dough, how I love thee. You may be one of my most favorite treats in the world. But let's be real. You're a jerk... you make me fat.

As a self-proclaimed sweets junky, I feel it is my duty as a Mom to start researching healthy alternatives to junk food that I can serve to Lea. A while back, I pinned a recipe for a healthy, sugar-free cookie dough dip on my "healthy foods" board on Pinterest. Like the majority of the other recipes I pin, I planned on making it one day when I had time.... pssshhhh. Time? Really??

This cookie dough dip recipe*  (that includes chickpeas and pitted dates) intrigued me. So, I finally decided to make the time to create this strange little concoction to see if it really lived up to all the hype it was receiving on the web. If there's anyone else in this world with a bigger sweet tooth than me, its Lea, so I let her be the judge. Here she is taking the first taste. Clearly, she was a fan

Now let's not get it twisted cookie dough lovers, the dip alone is not the same as eating a big scoop of raw cookie dough. BUT, if you're trying to be healthy and are open to trying new things... its not a bad substitution. Instead of cookie dough, I found the dip to be more like a chocolate chip hummus. Chocolate chips = good. Hummus = good. All in all, success.

Just to be sure I wasn't tricking my taste buds into liking it... I brought the dip to work to share with my co-workers. Three out of three employees agree that its really good! One ate the dip on carrot slices, while I ate mine on apples. Even my co-worker who is the pickiest of the picky eaters said she liked it. She had her's atop a Nature Valley bar. (I still haven't told her what's in it lol. Surprise, Chantrice!)

Other options for dipping: graham crackers, pretzels, animal crackers, any type of fruit.

If anyone else tries this recipe, please let me know if you like it, and if you make any modifications to the ingredients! There is another version of this recipe that does not include dates, its just not sugar-free. Still pretty healthy though! Here's the link.

Thanks Chocolate Covered Katie for this unique and healthy recipe!

* Substituted oil for nut butter.

New York State of Mind

My husband ROCKS.

For Valentine's Day, he surprised me with a weekend getaway to New York. This was my first vacation sans Lea, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hesitant about leaving her, even if it was only for three days. That's the longest I've EVER been away from her. I was so afraid she'd take her first steps or learn a new word while I was gone... So with my fingers crossed that no major milestones would be missed, Lain and I set off for a romantical, grown-up weekend in the city that doesn't sleep.

We did SO much in just two days. We perused Time Square, went to a comedy show, got massages, rode the subway, visited Rockefeller Center, took a carriage ride through Central Park, ate some seriously good and authentic Italian food and of course visited FAO Schwarz to buy a couple gifts for Lea. My sweet hubby was so incredibly patient with me, and did all the girly things I wanted to do like visit Carrie Bradshaw's doorstep, shop at H&M and my new favorite, Century 21, and of course we had to get ice cream at Serendipity. (Hour and a half wait no less... Lain = super patient.) We had such a blast, and my favorite part was just walking around the city with the hubs as we both explored someplace new for the first time. It was a vacation I'll never forget. Thank you Lain for such an awesome surprise!

Serendipity

Rockefeller Center

Subway

FAO Schwarz

Dash!

Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment

Oh, and we made it back home just in time to take Miss Muffin to her very first Mardi Gras parade. Although she was a little under the weather, I think she liked it :) Its hard to believe that last Mardi Gras day was the day she came home after 64 days in the hospital. Very special milestone in this family today :)

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! <3

Celebrating in a Winter One-derland

Photos by Nancie Clement. Thanks Mom for capturing such a special day!

The big O-N-E.

My sweet Lea is one. ONE! I can't believe it. I am so proud of her.

Baby girl currently weighs 17 pounds. She dances and bobs her head any time music is playing. She's got some serious rhythm for being such a little person.

She is now crawling, and is well on her way to walking. She has one top tooth cutting through, as well as one bottom. That's not too fun, but she's a trooper.

She really likes cows. Plastic ones, stuffed animals... not sure why, but she really likes them. She also loves being outside and pressing buttons on the remote control.

We've now started using the "No," word, as she is now opening every cabinet she finds. She looks back at us with a big grin, and I am working on training myself not to laugh. It's so hard!

She now wants a taste of EVERYTHING I eat... and hounds me until I give it to her. And that cupcake in the photos below... she ate the WHOLE thing. She's got a sweet tooth like her momma.

She is a light that my family needed this past Christmas, as my Paw Paw is battling dementia and was moved into a home right before the holidays. Her sparkling blue eyes and sweet smile can turn a bad day into a good one in a split second. She has kept many people's spirits up during the past few months.

She makes me laugh 100 times a day, and has completely changed my life for the better. God, thank you for blessing me with the perfect child. I am so in love.

Happy birthday my sweet girl.

World Prematurity Day: How You Can Help

November is Prematurity Awareness Month, and November 17 marks World Prematurity Day. Did you know that in the United States, 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely? World-wide, an estimated 13 million babies are born too soon. With statistic like these, chances are you will know somebody who delivers a premature baby in your lifetime. It may be a family member, or a friend of a friend. Maybe its one of your Facebook acquaintances or a co-worker. No matter who it is, I can almost guarantee that the parents are dealing with feelings of fear and helplessness. But as helpless as these parents may feel, I can assure you that as a friend, family member, aquaintance or even a complete stranger, there is something that YOU can do to help preemie parents in their time of need. Below are some suggestions:

Cook meals that can be frozen and reheated. Parents that have a child in the NICU literally have not a moment to spare, as most of their free time is spent at the hospital. Being able to come home late, heat up dinner and crash makes life a little easier. Any household chores you can do for a family with a preemie is great too, whether its cutting their grass or doing a load of laundry.

If the family has other children, offer to babysit. Lain and I did not have to worry about this issue, as Lea was our first. But I can only imagine that having other children with one in the hospital can make you absolutely nuts; especially since children are not allowed to visit the NICU.

Be supportive, but not overly positive. Although the phrase "It's going to be okay," seems to be the go-to saying to make a preemie parent feel better, I can attest to the fact that this phrase always sent a tinge of frustration through me. You don't really know that all will be okay, although we know that is what you hope for. Instead, I'd suggest something like, "Hey, this situation sucks, but I want you to know that you have my support, and that I've been praying for God to keep your baby healthy." Acknowledging what the parents are going through and their fears for their baby, and praying that their fears are lifted is the most helpful thing you can do.

Do your homework. The more knowledgeable you are about prematurity, the more you can easily communicate with and understand when a preemie parent gives an update. There are tons of fabulous resources for you to learn more about preemies. Click here for a list of resources.

Let us vent. Sometimes, as preemie parents, we'll just want to talk. cry. yell. whatever... Just be there to listen, even if we repeat ourselves. Believe me, it helps.

Inquire about visitation. If the parents want visitors, make sure to plan your visit in advance. Just "showing up" can take away valuable time that the parents are spending with their child, as no more than two people are allowed in the NICU at a time. Don't forget, while our baby may be tiny, we are still very proud parents, and we want to show our little bundle off just like any other parent... we just need a head's up!

If you can knit, sew or just like to shop, you can donate preemie clothing, hats and booties to your local NICU, and the nurses will give them out. I will never forget one day walking in to see Lea, my eyes swollen and red, my heart heavy.... and finding two beautiful, doll-sized dresses that had been hand made by a very generous seamstress. Trying those dresses on my girl was a step towards normalacy. It completely brightened my day, and I remember leaving with a smile on my face.

 Gifts, cards and words of encouragement are always welcome. When Lea was in the NICU, we had loads of support from friends and family. Gifts were literally left at our doorstep for Lea. Its funny how a tiny pair of shoes, or a sweet picture frame can really lift your spirits as a preemie parent. And even more-so, knowing that people care helps you feel a little less isolated. Anything that lets the parents know that they have your support helps!

Send a NICU care package. Hand sanitizer and moisturizer, snacks for long hospital visits, restaurant gift cards, journals, and disposable cameras to be left at the baby's bedside are all great suggestions to include in your package.

Let us be germ freaks. Yes, germ freaks. If we ask if your hands are clean, don't be offended. And if you're a smoker, don't be surprised if you're not invited for a visit. We are looking out for what is best for our child -- you understand.

If you are a preemie parent, use the knowledge and wisdom gained during your baby's stay in the NICU to help others. I have been blessed to meet some amazing preemie mothers through my experience. There is no better feeling than being able to relate to another preemie parent; we share a very special bond.

And lastly, simply pray. Prayer is a biggie. Praying for these families is probably the most beneficial act you can do for them. God has His way of bringing comfort to those in distress.

So if ever you find yourself able to help out a parent of a premature baby, I hope you find this list helpful. Know that any small gesture is greatly appreciated and never forgotten.

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, 
one for helping yourself, the other for helping others."
- Audrey Hepburn

Giveaway! - Personalized Graphic Plaque

Thanks to my crack-like addiction to pinterest.com, I have been inspired to get crafty. Below are a few projects I've been working on lately. These are graphic plaques... made with my own graphics and a block of wood.

Lea's footprints

Now the fun part... here's the chance for you to win one of these bad boys... with your own quote, baby's footprints, or anything else you'd like to see on a 5 x 7 wooden plaque. It will be completely customized for you. And instead of just opening up this contest for preemie parents, I'm going to include ALL parents.

How to Enter

 Step 1:
"Like" us on facebook or become a follower of our blog. If you've already done this, move on to step 2.

Step 2:
Preemie Parents - Comment with a quote, bible verse or any bit of advice that either helped you get through the NICU experience, or is currently helping you cope.

All Other Parents - Comment with your parenting "mantra," or a saying that you've heard that applies to your parenting style.

PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS, OR A LINK TO YOUR FACEBOOK ACCOUNT SO THAT I CAN GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU IF YOU WIN. (If you don't want to leave your contact info, just be sure to check back on November 4th to see if you've won.)

ALSO, BE SURE TO MENTION IF YOU ARE A PREEMIE PARENT, SO I CAN DIFFERENTIATE WHEN IT COMES TIME TO CHOOSE A WINNER IN EACH CATEGORY.

Step 3:
I will randomly pick one preemie parent and one non-preemie parent winner. Once your design is finalized and your plaque is produced, I'll ship it to you. Good luck!

WINNERS ANNOUNCED NOVEMBER 4, 2011.
*********************************************************************
And the winners are...

 

#2 - Shawnte (Preemie Momma) & #5 - Elizabeth
Congrats ladies!

28 Acts of Kindness :)

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.

~Amelia Earhart

 I recently came across a blog entry where a Mom chose to do 35 random(ish) acts of kindness for her 35th birthday. Genius! So for my 28th birthday this year, I planned to do the same.

Now I know this is a blog for Lea, but believe me, this all ties together. I have decided that in order to ensure that she grows up to be a loving, compassionate and contributing member of society, I must lead by example. I want to be the best role model I can be for my girl, so I dedicated myself to committing these 28 random (and some not so random) acts of kindness by the time my birthday came.

Aside from setting a good example, I also wanted a way to show God how thankful I am for all that he has blessed me with. What better way to show my thanks to Him than to do a few good deeds for His children? So with that... I set out to do some good. Below are my 28 acts of kindness:

1. Mailed a handwritten note of gratitude to someone that has touched my life.

2. Donated blood. Student nurse = OUCH.

3. Left a large tip for my server at a restaurant. We could tell it was his first day, bless his heart. He was hustling... he totally deserved it.

4. Left a stack of books I was done reading at a coffee shop for customers to read.

5. Left some quarters in a vending machine for a thirsty passer-by.

6. Left a gift card outside of a coffee house for someone to find and purchase them-self a cup of coffee.

7. Brought some home-made cookies to my co-workers. Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies to be exact. YUM!

8. Paid for the person behind me in the drive-thru. I actually got to watch this one go down in my rear-view mirror, and it was really fun seeing the guy smile as the woman handed him my "Random act of Kindness" card and told him his meal (and his friend's meal) was paid for. He waved at me with a big grin... it was too cute. 

Lea and our new tree.

9. Planted a tree in our front yard. Yes, this counts! Trees help control the climate, filter the air and help to beautify the Earth. Therefore planting a tree is my way of giving back to the environment AND my community. Thanks to my sweet hubby for doing the majority of the work! Lea loves her tree -- I think she's going to be a botanist when she grows up.

10. Created a T-shirt design (free of charge) for a group walking in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. 

11. Pledged a donation for a child participating in a Boosterthon Fun Run. The Fun Run helps to raise money for the child's school while teaching students about fitness, leadership and character.

12. Gave away a $25 coupon at Gymboree to a woman in the check-out line. I cannot STAND to waste a good coupon, so this act might have been just as satisfying to me as it was for the woman I gave the coupon to. (hehe) She had a pile of clothes, and walked away with a bill $25 less that it would have been :) Side note: Yesterday as I was standing in line to check out at Victoria's Secret, a woman handed me a $10 off coupon she wasn't using. Tell me karma's not real!

13. Gave away a massage appointment to someone who could use it more than I could.

14. A day of no road rage / riding people's butts / honking. Yes, I admit it. I can be quite the agressive driver. However, I have made a valiant effort in driving more cautiously and less aggressively. The ride to and from work has become much more pleasant because of it. Plus, I don't want Lea picking up on that habit.

15. Brought sweets to the fire department. They were very thankful, and Lea even got to sit in the fire truck.

16. Cleaned out my closet and donated a bunch of clothes, shoes and purses to Goodwill.

17. Smiled at people. How simple, right? This act of kindness is awesome, because it instantly changes a person's mood. Lea is really good about smiling at everyone she passes, and she is already learning that giving a smile will more than likely get one in return.

18. Adopted a soldier. Adoptaussoldier.org is an awesome website, where they link you up with a soldier stationed overseas. I mailed my soldier a care package filled with everything from soap to socks to double-stuffed oreos, as well as a thank you card expressing my gratitude for his service to our country. I definitely plan to continue to send care packages until he is home. Also, the website recently had an influx of soldiers sign up, so if you are interested in adopting a soldier, now's the time!

19. / 20. Got my truck washed by a group of kids raising money for their church. They did such a great job, I also donated some extra funds for a round of snowballs.

21. Gave a meal to a homeless person.

22. Brought a bucket of candy and popcorn to the nurses on the Labor and Delivery floor where I delivered. When Lea was in the hospital, we constantly brought treats to our NICU nurses... but I neglected to ever bring anything to the nurses that took care of me after my delivery. Here's making up for lost time! 

23. Made a donation to help fund a surgery for a dog that had been rescued from an abusive home. (All of the money has been raised, and he'll have the surgery he needs to begin a new chapter in his life with a new, loving owner.) 

24. Brought a bag full of baby food and formula to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

25. Dropped off some dog/cat treats and a ton of plastic grocery bags for "poop-scoopin" at ARNO (Animal Rescue of New Orleans).

As you can imagine, doing 28 random/non-random acts of kindness takes a lot of thought, and as I neared number 28, it got harder and harder to think of kind things I could do. I kept my eyes open for opportunities... but I saw none, so I prayed. I asked God that if there were someone is this world who could use my help in any way, to please guide me to them.

I'm not sure why I still get surprised when God answers one of my prayers in such a blatant and obvious way... I know He hears me, and I have full faith is His actions, but when I ask, and he delivers almost immediately, it never ceases to amaze me.

On the same day that I prayed for someone to help, I got a facebook message from a friend who has a friend who is soon going to be delivering a preemie at the very same hospital Lea stayed, and that she could use someone to talk to that's been through the same thing. If there is one thing I KNOW I can do in this world, it is to give support to a preemie mother in need. So with that, my number 26 was cake.

26. Befriended a fellow preemie mother-to-be. 

27. Donated to Kidd's Kids. This is something I regretfully have never done until now. For those of you who are not Kidd Kraddick listeners, Kidd and his team take a large group of chronically and terminally ill children and their families to Disney World every year, all expenses paid. The trip is funded mostly by listener donations. To find out more about Kidd's Kids, click here.

And finally...

28. My final act will have to wait until this coming Saturday, but Lain, Lea and I will be participating in "Skip for Tripp 5k run/walk," benefiting Tripp Roth. Most people I know are well aware of Tripp's story, but if you're not, you must go here to learn about this miraculous boy and his saint of a mother. And let me just say, acts of kindness aside, I would do anything, at any time if it meant I was doing something to help that sweet little drummer boy.

So there it is: 28 acts of kindness for my 28th birthday.

And to my Lea, I look forward to the day that we can read this blog entry together and plan your very first acts of kindness adventure. I love you, and thank you for making me want to be the best person I can be.

My sweet family 10-9-11

To download a FREE printable sheet of the Random Acts of Kindness tags I made and attached to my gifts, please click here!