For N we used MailBaby. The meal registry really did make things easier. The registrants got an email asking them to sign up for a day and choose a meal. We could see what others were bringing – it really did up the competitive factor – plus it meant N didn’t get four spaghetti dinners. Her address, contact info and likes and dislikes were all laid out. N got an email each day saying who was bringing what, and we got reminder emails that we’d promised a meal too. It meant P, who arranged it all, just spent about 20 minutes organizing the info and hey presto, it was done.

For H her friend C arranged everything. Because I recently had to go without my computer for a few weeks while it was in the shop some of the emails went AWOL. I had to ask her twice to send their likes and dislikes, plus I didn’t have their address or phone # and the dates were all up in the air. I’m guessing organizing it has taken C a lot more time and backing and forthing with people.

The thing is, when you already have kids, it’s actually quite hard to make a meal for another family in the sense of finding time to make it, to take it by etc.  So anything that makes that easier has got to be good.

MealBaby probably had added appeal to me because I suggest a “food shower” in Healthy Mum, Happy Baby, so I’m already on that train anyhow. Plus I’m all for anything that saves time.

Now if they could just combine MealBaby’s registry with SpringPad’s organizational and menu tools that would be something special!

Toxic pollutants kill up to 25,000 Canadians annually: B.C. study

This line in particular freaked me out, “There are many contaminants individuals simply can’t avoid. They’re invisible. We can’t see them. We can’t smell them. We can’t taste them.”

So does that mean I should just give up on feeding my kid’s organic food whenever possible and trying to weed out their more toxic looking toys? I think I’ll keep working from the every little bit helps point of view, but still, it’s kind of depressing.

Health Canada: Vitamin D & Health 

Of course, if you’re not able to get enough sleep what with waking babies and early-rising toddlers etc. don’t stress too much, that also makes you gain weight around your waist, the place it’s most increases your risk of illnesses like diabetes, heart disease etc.

Sometimes it’s hard to know what a girl’s to do…

A friend, who shall remain nameless, expounded this theory today. It is her take of why most mums with young kids are having too much sex, while most dads of young kids aren’t having enough. She feels it’s the age-old story of using sex for power. “I’m worn out,” she said, “I’m exhausted and no one in my house is doing what I ask, and I’m not getting what I need from my husband, so I’m not giving him what he needs, well, probably what we need. It’s not something I do consciously  but I’d probably be into sex 24-hours-a-day if I felt like he was listening to me, or understood how I feel.” A caveat – she was having a terrible morning that started at 5:30 am and her marriage is quite possibly one of the strongest I know – but I got what she meant.

Okay other mothers? What’s your take on this, who’s getting it (or not!) at your house?

Hence my going on about The Balanced Mom and Breaking the Good Mom Myth. We can’t take care of our little ones if we don’t take care of ourselves! Another great book I was reminded about last night is the Three Martini Playdate – one of my favourite chapters is titled along the lines of Children’s Music, Why? Although I’d never have discovered Elizabeth Mitchell if it wasn’t for Madeleine. . .

As a family physician who has been delivering babies for twenty-five years, I have no hesitation in recommending this well-researched book to my patients - Healthy Mum, Happy Baby should attract an appreciative audience.
Dr. Janet Green

And on the the back is a quote from Ann Douglas (quite possibly my favourite pregnancy and parenting guru – and she’s Canadian!):

Baby’s getting fed thanks to your on-board milk factory, but what about you? It’s hard to come up with meal ideas let alone healthy meal ideas when you’re living in the new mum zone. Fortunately, you’ve got Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit on your side, ready to help you come up with menus that are easy to prepare with a baby on the breast. She’s got the recipe for breastfeeding success!

Ann Douglas, author of Mealtime Solutions for your Baby, Toddler and Preschooler

Thank you Janet & Ann!

Andrew’s thrilled because now he can start using the book as a cookbook instead of pulling 8×11″ unformatted print outs of the recipes out from a ratty old folder in amongst our cookbooks.

And if you’re trying to get more oily cold water fish into your diet, here are some links to some delicious sounding ways to prepare salmon:

• Roasted Salmon with Maple Glaze from the Mayo Clinic’s Healthy Recipe section
• Monte Cristo Salmon Sandwich from Dr. Weil’s Healthy Kitchen section
• Serving suggestions for Wild Salmon from Whole Foods

Hint: All these sites have heaps of great health information and Whole Foods has a great section on maternal health and feeding kids as well. Speaking of Whole Foods if anyone knows when the Cambie location will be opening up please let me know, my pocketbook will shrink but my tummy will be happy!