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SuperBoy listens to classical music primarily. Why? I wrote about it here, but to reiterate briefly: 1) Science. Studies on mice (albeit, not people) have demonstrated that the neurons in little forming brains develop in a more orderly fashion when exposed constantly to classical music, versus pop/silence, versus the very detrimental rock/heavy metal which actually showed a distortion of neurological development in mice necropsies. Wow. Your child’s brain is this delicate sponge that’s developing every second. In the first year of life, the brain grows more than any other time. Sheer growth, sheer added and changing. So that’s one scientific reason. But say you don’t believe those studies translate to people. Okay, try some of these other ones out. 2) Beauty. Developing a sense of beauty and depth of wonder are universal parenting goals, right? Would you rather your child know the words to a hip hop song replete with questionable pejorative phrases that are misogynistic? Or would you prefer she recognize Vivaldi’s Four Seasons? Or know the words to a great aria from one of the great operas? Okay, so maybe she won’t do it in Italian, but she can sure hum along! Classical music is more beautiful and uplifting in my opinion than pop, oldies, rap, metal, or even classic rock. 3) Knowledge and identifiability of instruments. Listening to classical music of all kinds, not that bad elevator stuff or dental office reruns, encourages and enables children to identify specific instruments that aren’t present in other forms…
Read MoreWhen little SuperBoy hit the big 1 and we knew we’d have an intimate close friend/family BBQ, I began my search for a healthy first birthday cake recipe for him. As he hasn’t had any sugar or white flour to date, why start now? It took a little digging around on the internet, but I found this great site and followed its recipe with some modifications. Wholesome Baby Food Momtastic. 1) Recipe. a. 3 medium sized carrots, peeled and sliced or 2 1/2 cups of any size carrot sliced b. 1 + 1/2 cup organic apple juice concentrate — put in a small pot together over the stove and bring to a boil for 15 minutes or until carrots appear to be softened, then puree in Vitamix or with hand blender or in blender of whatever sort. We love our Vitamix! Keep aside. Blend in a medium bowl: c. 1/2 cup veggie oil d. 2 farmer fresh eggs e. 1 teaspoon vanilla (I love vanilla so I always add a little more) f. 3/4 cup applesauce (had to pull this out of the freezer as I made applesauce over the winter) In a separate bowl mix together: g. 2 cups whole wheat flour h. 1/2 cup wheat germ (which I have handy because we add it to James’ food on a regular basis) i. 2 Tablespoons baking powder (not soda, mind you) j. 1 Tablespoon of cinnamon Now add the wet and dry mixes together, and fold in the…
Read MoreWe planted mega basil plants this year, as discussed in my Spring into Gardening article, and wow are we reaping the benefits! I harvested three cups of large delicious basil leaves on Friday, and planned on making pesto sauce for our Pizza Fridays tradition. Of course the day eluded my attempts to make the dough in time so instead we had pasta with pesto sauce. Little Sweet Pea enjoyed the pasta (sans pesto) while AA and I stuffed ourselves with pesto. Here’s a variation on the theme of an Alice Water’s recipe that’s simple, easy, and delish. (If you aren’t familiar with Alice Waters, my cuisine hero!!!!, get familiar here.) 1) Ingredients. Basil leaves, as fresh as possible. We tripled the batch, but you really only need a cupful (pre-cutting or washing). Pine nuts, or brazil nuts, or a nut that’s oily. 1/4 cup of these in their whole form. Parmesan cheese. Save your tastebuds and don’t get the pre-grated as it’s just so much better if you grate it yourself just before use. 1/4 cup grated. Garlic clove. The real deal is best, and not the Spice World pre-diced stuff in a jar, or dried/jarred garlic in any form. 1 clove. Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Use the best stuff you can as it really makes a difference on the flavor. About a cup. Salt. A pinch. We use kosher salt or sea salt most often when cooking (flavor!). Just five ingredients and a pinch of salt and you’re all set.…
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I’ve written quite a bit on breastfeeding, starting with some basic thoughts, latching techniques, nipple pain, duration of early nursing sessions, and nursing from the get-go. But now that my little boy is just over 12 months old, and we still breastfeed. So what’s the norm now? This post is not aimed at a criticism of mother who don’t breastfeed, or stop at age one. Every mother has to figure out what’s best for her and her child, and no scientist, doctor, or other mother can judge that decision. Below are the factors that I’ve weighed when figuring out what’s best for my Little Sweet Pea and our family. 1) Health benefits. Dr. Sears discusses the health benefits to extended breastfeeding. He puts it so well. The following is a lengthy excerpt from his website regarding breastfeeding beyond one year of age: Science is on your side. I have read many medical journals with articles proving the long-term health benefits of breastfeeding. The incidence of many illnesses, both childhood and adult, are lowered by breastfeeding — diabetes, heart disease, and central nervous system degenerative disorders (such as multiple sclerosis) to name a few. The most fascinating studies show that the longer and more frequently a mom nurses her baby, the smarter her child is likely to become. The brain grows more during the first two years of life than any other time, nearly tripling in size from birth to two years of age. It’s clearly a crucial time for brain development, and…
Read MoreHaving a baby is the best event of my life, in particular because it is not a static moment wherein an event occurs, but rather a transcendental perpetual new existence that is forever changing, developing, and growing. When SuperBoy was born I could not have believed how profoundly our lives would change, inside and out. Looking back on this last year, here are five specific ways in which our lives have changed. 1) Selflessness. Much like our beloved dog pictured here, Nina, we as parents have learned to put ourselves second to SuperBoy’s needs, desires, and irrationalities. I’m sure Nina didn’t think she’d ever be anyone’s pony 🙂 Nor did I think that I’d ever be capable of getting over my own needs, desires, and irrationalities in order to care for him. Whether it be the first few months of poor sleep, continual nursing, and rapid diaper-making, or the middle months of toppling over and teething, or these latter months of this first year consisting of crawling, getting into everything, and asking for extra soothing at nap times, it’s all pushed me to give more. More than I knew I had to give, or could give! Same goes for AA who is a devoted dad despite working a very full-time (sometimes over-time) job in a difficult career. 2) A whole new love. He has increased my capacity for love. Not only insofar as how much I love him (infinitely much) but also how much my love has increased for my…
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