amushro

Simple Swaps with Silk to Get All the Benefits of Almond Milk

June 16, 2014 by amushro

#SilkAlmondBlends #CollectiveBias

Friends, can we get real for a minute here? This was a long, long, loooooong winter, but warmer weather has finally prevailed and the sunshine on my face has reminded me why summer is my favorite season. However, my waistline is still reminding me of the extra baggage from winter. Since summer means I spend the majority of my days at the pool or beach playing life guard and sand castle engineer with my kids, some small changes needed to happen in my diet immediately. So I’ve dusted off the running shoes and started thinking about small choices in what I eat and drink. Recently, I’ve been reading a lot about the benefits of almond milk, and since I’m the one making all of the meals and snacks in the house, I thought a few simple swaps with Silk Almond Milk Blends would help not only me but my whole family. The trick is, would they notice the difference?

A few years ago I started the search for dairy free alternatives because I was nursing my son and he was lactose intolerant. Since he couldn’t have dairy, neither could I. After a number of trials, I found that Silk Almond Milk had flavors that were really yummy and worked for me. Recently Silk has added a number of flavors and varieties that I knew would make my simple swaps really easy. So when at my local Safeway, I grabbed Silk Almond Coconut Blend and Silk Almondmilk Protein + Fiber to start my new mission.

First I started the swaps with my beloved coffee. Now, I take coffee very seriously. In the morning, the inner dialogue in my head is “I could stay in bed and sleep a little more OR I could get up and get coffee.” Guess what, coffee always wins.

The verdict: delicious! Mamma gets her coffee plus an extra boost of protein and fiber to help me feel fuller longer and more calcium to keep these bones strong. I like it!

I was easily converted, but would my kids who, dare I say, need their chocolate milk in the morning more than I need coffee. So this morning I swapped out their regular milk with the Silk Almondmilk with Protein+ Fiber, added a touch of chocolate, and sat back to watch

“We ‘ve secretly replaced her normal chocolate milk with Silk Almond Milk and a splash of chocolate. Let’s see if she can tell the difference.”

And her reaction: “I like it, Mommy!”

Folks, this is BIG in this house, HUGE. Right now I’m giving myself a high-five for this success! If your kids are like mine, they like what they like and anything else is suspect. So if I can add some extra fiber, protein, and calcium into their diet without them missing their favorites, I’m going to do it! How about Silk Almondmilk Protein + Fiber and cereal? Look at this, happy cereal eaters!

Because I’ve been cooking with coconut oil lately and love the sweet taste, I knew that the Silk Almond Coconut Blend would be really yummy in waffles (and it was!). Now, I’m thinking of all of our favorite recipes that I can easily make the swap and make a difference in our diet. We are headed to the beach today but I’ve packed smoothies that I made with Silk Almond Coconut Blend as a special treat. So it’s sun, sand, and Silk for us today!

Seriously, does it get any better than summer?

A Parking Spot Only A Parent Could Love

June 11, 2014 by amushro

Because kids tend to eat food and inevitably that food will run out, you’re gonna need to go back to the grocery store at some point. Sigh, here we go again.

Even though you swore you would NEVER be the mother that feeds her kids while shopping, by the time the cashier is asking you “paper or plastic,” 40% of your food has already been nibbled or sampled by the tiny humans in your cart. Just surviving the grocery store with kids in tow is hard enough, and if you’ve successfully navigated the Big Bad Grocery Store, the parking lot should be a piece of cake. But we know that’s not the case. So let me make your trip to grab some grub a little easier with…

The parking spot deemed for “new and expectant moms” seems like a gem in the jungle known as the grocery store parking lot, but that light dims out for most of us pretty quickly when we are no longer expectant or new at this gig. Oh yes, there are moms that push the limits and lay claim to this spot even when they no longer look like they should be in the delivery room or are carting the infant carrier that weights 10 times the infant inside. I’m looking at you lady with the teenagers!

While I cannot even begin to imagine the trials and tribulations you are going through with your hormonal, eye rolling, One Direction lovin’ babe on the brink of puberty, unless you are going to strap that tween into an Ergo and wear her through the store, get out of that spot.

But for those of us whose time has passed in the coveted spot near the door but still have to deal with the wide load, double car cart, come on over to my side and let me show you my “sweet spot.”

Sometimes I can hear my Dad barking at me “Don’t park next to the cart corral because some idiot is going to hit you.” Well, Dad, I’m sure those cart wielding idiots will do a lot less damage to my car than my children do weekly to my sanity while grocery shopping.

Dings and dents are aplenty on my sweet ride but it’s no skin off my back because I was able to easily load up the kids and rush to the deli section where free samples of cheese and ham will keep the kids entertained just long enough for me to sprint through the bread and milk aisle.

Grocery shopping is hard enough with kids, your parking spot shouldn’t be. So enjoy my sweet spot. Unless I’m at the store. In that case…beat it!

How to Create the Perfect Father’s Day Date Night With Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

June 9, 2014 by amushro

#JackRyanBluRay #CollectiveBias

If you read my blog you’re probably thinking “That gal is a hoot! I bet she is so much fun to live with!” and if you think that, friends, I’d say you have excellent taste, but you would be wrong. I’m a bit of a pill to deal with day-in-and-day-out; however, I’m married to a real gem that tolerates all my “quirks”. When it’s movie night around here, I usually take charge of the remote and force him to tolerate the newest romantic comedy. When takeout is on the menu for dinner, he never complains when I pick because I’m not a fan of his favorites. While my kids have been constructing their Father’s Day crafts for their dear ol’ dad, I’ve got something better planned and I’m going to share with you the perfect way to plan a Father’s Day date night with a little help from Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit

It seems like our busy lives have made it impossible to sneak in a date night, so a lot of our date nights happen at home. I get some quality time with that adorable boy I married so long ago and we don’t have to have to pay for a babysitter. But this time, I want to make it all about my guy for Father’s Day because he’s pretty awesome, always take out the trash, and doesn’t mind that I never reciprocate backrubs (see, I told you I’m a pill)

So my husband is a HUGE fan of Lebanese food, but I’m not. His mom slaves away in the kitchen to make the family recipes he loves, and I’ve assured her this can be her special treat for him (because I don’t want to make it). But, for this Father’s Day date night, I’m grabbing Lebanese take out, and I’ve got all of his favorites.

And now it’s time for the movie! Before I picked up movie snacks at Walmart, I grabbed their exclusive Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit combo pack. Because my husband loves Jack Ryan movies, now he gets to enjoy the latest installment of the film plus The Italian Job and $15 off sports tickets through Ticketmaster all of $12.98! One low price and I get to watch Chris Pine as Jack Ryan–yes…just yes.

You have to hurry to Walmart to get this combo pack and the $15 from Ticketmaster because this offer is only good from 6/10-6/14.

I know my husband is going to be thrilled with the homemade crafts the kids will present him on Father’s Day, but I’m pretty sure he loved our date night too. After all, the big guy totally deserves a special day, he makes awesome forts, he’s a rock star dad, and he makes my life a whole lot easier.

Batman and a Whale Made Me Cry

May 29, 2014 by amushro

“You know, this is all your fault,” I announce to my husband while standing in line at the Crocs store. His arms are full of wiggly kids trying to knock down rows of colorful displays while I balance the rubber shoes that will serve as proper pool and beach footwear this summer in my arms. Rather than respond, he simply raises one eyebrow at me. It’s as if he already knows what I will say.

“You know,” I repeat for effect, “This is all your fault. You gave me defective babies. These ones keep growing.”

He rolls his eyes at me and catches my daughter’s quick hand before she swats down an orange sandal display. He’s used to her quick and destructive moves just like he’s used to my emotional musings over our babies not quite being babies anymore.

The thing about kids is that no matter how nicely we ask, even with sprinkles and gummy bears on top, they just keep growing, and emotional nutcases, raises hand slowly, like myself, are left wondering how to embrace the inevitable.

Today the onset of this emotional roller coaster was all because of Batman and a whale.

My little man has always had an eye for sea creatures. For years it’s been shirts with sharks, books about turtles, fish coloring books, whale stuffed animal, jelly fish puzzles. If there was a sea creature on it, we probably own it. When we decorated his “big boy room” it had to be sharks. Lots and lots of sharks.

When my mom went on a minishopping spree for the kids, his only request: sea creature shirts.

So given the chance to pick a few decorations for his summer Crocs, he headed over to the wall full of “jibbitz” (tiny clips added to your Crocs to personalize them). Assuming he would grab two sharks like last year, I watched as he carefully studied the rows and rows of clips and selected the two he would proudly display this summer. Batman and a whale

Batman and a whale. What a perfect metaphor for where he is right now. Not a baby but not quite a big kid. Teetering on the thing big kids like and the thing he’s loved since he was a baby. Batman and a whale.

He’s a mixture of Super Hero “shooting” webs at his sister and leaping tall buildings in a single bound, and a tiny oceanographer that rattles off facts about orcas and has a plastic puffer fish in his pocket.

As the youngest on his t-ball team, the times when I see that he is four and the others six is usually when they are on the bench waiting for their turn up to bat. The older boys sing taunting songs and yell “FOUL” when a batter hits a little short. While my guy just seems thrilled to be outside in the sunshine and sitting on the bench with older boys.

It’s when I see all of his friends turning five around him and I take deep sighs of relief because we still have a few more months until he blows out five candles.

It’s when he wants to hold my face, cover me in kisses, and squeeze me with hugs because he loves me so much, but if looks could kill I would be dead when I mindlessly tried to wipe ketchup off his face in front of his t-ball team. “Mommy, stop. I’ve gotta go with my team.”

It’s the preschool graduation that is both ridiculous and heart wrenching when they dress him up in a tiny cap and gown. Deep breaths….don’t let out a sob in front of everyone…..

It’s my boy choosing Batman and a whale and me trying not to marvel at the chubby toddler hands that have morphed into little boy hands. It’s those big hands and huge feet that sort of make him look like a puppy that still has a lot of growing to do.

So today, I’m embracing and feeling ALL THE FEELINGS for Batman and a whale and for the very long road ahead of me and for these defective babies that just keep growing. So for today, I’ll let my irrational mommy emotions seep out just a bit.

Just for today. Tomorrow I’ll be good.

That is unless my daughter decides to grow up on me too. Then all bets are off.

The Gauntlet: Conquering the Inflatable Revisted

May 20, 2014 by amushro

If you are new to this parenting gig let me share a little something with you: there will be a time when your entire weekend is spent attending other children’s birthday parties. Don’t fight it. Just go with it, friends. Currently we are knee deep in preschool classmates birthday parties, but I’m cool with it because I get pizza and cake too.

Being at a birthday party at the local bouncy house and watching my son run wild through the inflatables made me think of a time when I would be holding my breath and praying for the party to be over. Oh what a difference a year makes. So if you missed it the first time, let’s revisit…

The Gauntlet: Conquering the Inflatable

The blaring music hurts your ears and you have to scream to talk to the person next to you. The bright lights are flashing strobes that make you dizzy when you walk, and some girl is crying in the corner. No, this isn’t a scene from a trendy club on a Friday night; this is a four-year-old’s birthday party at a bouncy house, and if the ambiance isn’t enough to make you feel a little trippy, the effects from the party will.

Our first visit to this assault-on-your-senses-birthday-party-venue happened when I was über pregnant with my daughter and my wasn’t even two years old. I was ecstatic to sit for a few hours while my son bounced his little self into a birthday party induced coma. I was completly content watching my little guy scamper off into one inflatable contraption after another, but it was an ominous one called “The Gauntlet” that should’ve come with a warning

The Gauntlet was different from the rock walls or round bouncers he happily bounded across because once a kid climbed into a little tube, you couldn’t see them until they reemerged sliding down a huge incline. Honestly, you would have better luck sending your kid into a crack house hoping they coming out with less baggage and trauma.

Once my boy disappeared into the tubes of The Gauntlet, I started talking to another party-goers dad. After a few minutes faint cries started to rise above LAMFO’s Party Rock Anthem.

Do you hear something?

When the cries got louder, I realized it was my boy!! Because I was the size of a whale, climbing in and rescuing him wasn’t an option so I sent the dad I was chatting with to fish him out.

Emerging from the bright blue tubes was a terrified, tear-stained boy that simply wanted out of bouncy house hell. Every corner was packed with more inflatables, too many kids, and ear thumping bass music made it impossible to find a quiet spot to just sit and chill for a few minutes. Party fail for my boy.

Every time we received a birthday invitation to that bouncy house, I sent up a silent prayer he wouldn’t remember getting stuck or would be big enough to conquer the Mount Everest of inflatables.

At the next few parties I kept a close eye on him and put up a mom sized roadblock in front of The Gauntlet. This plan worked until I had to wrangle two kids solo at a party and they both took off in different directions.

I chased after the little one because she was likely to start a pint-sized revolt and overtake the cake table. It was like déjà vu: the music and lights were so bright and loud, someone was probably sent into a seizure, and behind all the ruckus were faint, panicked cries. He was stuck in the dam Gauntlet again. Crap…

This time he knew to get out the way he entered, but the damage was done. I covered him in kisses and told him he was so brave and so smart for getting out when he was stuck. I even offered to join him in The Gauntlet so he knew he could make it through unscathed, but he wanted no parts of that solution or most of the party.

Two weeks later, his best buddy had his party at the same venue, and I was fully prepared to bring a pair of scissors. You know, in case The Gauntlet looked at me the wrong way. The party was in full swing when he booked it over to The Gauntlet. I panicked, but this time something pretty awesome happened. He conquered The Gauntlet all on his own. His face when he came sliding down to the bottom: priceless. I imagine this is what a Heisman Trophy Winner’s mom feels like. OK, that’s a bit much (not really, it’s totally what they feel). My pal caught this photo of my boy and I celebrating his success.

He ran through The Gauntlet so many times, he was exhausted and needed a break.

Maybe getting stuck in an inflatable isn’t the worst thing that can happen to your kid, but when they overcome a fear, now that’s pretty rad.

The Washington Monument, Earthquakes, and Me!

May 13, 2014 by amushro

After three years of being closed, the Washington Monument has finally reopened and tourist everywhere can cheer “Hooray!” and “Let me take a selfie!” The earthquake that hit the DC metro almost three years ago shook up the monument enough that renovations were needed to fix the cracks. However, the timing of this reopening couldn’t be more perfect since my reading in Listen to Your Mother was inspired by my poor parenting skills during that earthquake. Since the videos from Listen to Your Mother Washington DC won’t be available until July (big sad face), here is what I read during this amazing show where I was honored to be in the presence of some of the most fantastic women I have ever met! So until the videos are ready, enjoy my parenting fail as Emergency Mom

Emergency Mom

We’ve all seen the stories of mothers that react in times of peril and can perform super human feats when their children need them the most. Like the petite mother that morphs into the Incredible Hulk and lifts up her Honda Odyssey to free her toddler that is trapped underneath, or the woman who truly becomes faster than a speeding bullet and can outrun a wild animal ready to pounce on her child. When I see stories like this I often think, “Man, I really hope a lion never chases one of my kids,” because the truth is, I suck in emergencies.

It’s good to know what your strengths are. Mine: Beverly Hills 90210 trivia, playing for hours at the playground with my kids, and drinking wine.

It’s also good to know what you suck at. For me: housekeeping, self-control around chocolate, and emergencies.

When you have two kids under two years old, you sort of go into survival mode, and one key factor of surviving is getting the kids to nap at the same time. At first I thought this was an urban legend maintained by exhausted mothers hoping for some rest of their own. Since sleep is essential for things like playing Candy Land 300 times a day and nursing your baby 300 times a day, I held out hope that I too would enjoy two children on the same nap schedule. After months of thwarted efforts by the tiny humans in my care, the napping Gods smiled down upon me and one day a beautiful thing happened, a miracle even: my infant and my toddler were sleeping soundly AT THE SAME TIME!

When I heard their soft snores and the sounds of their white noise machines playing in unison, I danced down the hall to my bedroom and performed what can only be described as a perfect swan dive into my bed. It was time for Mamma to nap!

As soon as my weary head hit that pillow, I knew something wasn’t right. Is that ceiling fan swinging back and forth? Was I delusional from lack of sleep? Was this it? Had I really dropped my basket?

When a picture frame slid off the wall and crashed on the floor, I realized I wasn’t losing my mind. This was an EARTHQUAKE!

Are you kidding me? An earthquake? I’m originally from Pittsburgh; what the hell do I know about earthquakes? Snow that starts on Halloween and ends on Easter, yes. The world shaking around you, no.

Jumping out of bed, I scrambled to scoop both sleeping kids out of their beds, but I tripped and fell over my dog who was planning her own escape. Wait, aren’t dogs supposed to be man’s best friend and warn their masters of impending disasters? “Traitor,” I yelled as she fled to safer ground and left me in her dust.

Within seconds, I had rushed into two small bedrooms, one pink and one blue, and scooped up two sleeping, now awake and puzzled, children. While performing my best balancing act with one child on each hip, I started to pace the hall because, quite frankly, I didn’t know what to do next. What did we learn in elementary school during disaster drills? Is it earthquake stand in a doorway or is it earthquake head for the basement. Doorway, basement, doorway, basement?

Instead of deciding, I just ran in circles crying with both kids staring wide-eyed at their frazzled and sobbing mother.

And then as quickly as it had started, it was done. There was no need for the basement or the doorway, the earthquake was over,

With my babies still clutched to my sides, I dropped to the floor and all three of us wept and wept. I cried because I was terrified and shaken that I wasn’t able to jump into action when my kids needed to me to. I cried because I love my kids more than life itself and if one hair on their heads had been harmed because I couldn’t do my job as their mamma, I would die a thousand deaths. And I cried because I was so tired and a God dam earthquake hit the DC metro during naptime.

When we were all cried out, I carried my son and daughter downstairs. I plopped them in front of the TV. I stood in front of the pantry and ate half a jar of peanut butter right out of the container. I Goggled “what do you do in an earthquake” (the answer was doorway), and then I started to gain a little perspective. We all made it out of our first earthquake unscathed (except the beloved nap). And while my follow through could use a little work, my first instincts were right—to protect my kids.

So Mother Nature, give it your best shot and try it again.

But between mother to mother, can you not do it during naptime?

What Should I Get My Wife For Mother’s Day? Let Me Help You

May 9, 2014 by amushro

I used to be a huge fan of my birthday and make my loved ones celebrate it for days and days. Then I became a mother and realized that birthdays really don’t take a lot of work. You know, all you have to do is be born to get that day as your own. However, Mother’s Day is a different story. I earned this day. I earn this holiday EVERY SINGLE DAY. And since I’ve earned this day, I am going to make sure my day and your day are fabulous. Check me out on What the Flicka? and my list of things your husband should be buying you for Mother’s Day. (Click right here!) When you are done reading and sharing this list with him. Tell me what you want this Mother’s Day!

How Teachers Really Learn & Your Chance to #ThankaTeacher

May 7, 2014 by amushro

The funny thing about going to school to become a teacher is that you assume everything you need to know will be learned in those valuable education classes. I took Educational Psychology; surely I understand the mind and motivation of my students. In my literature classes, I gobbled up every classic that my students would ever read. And, without a doubt, discipline would never be an issue because I knew how to create detailed lesson plans and used the latest teaching trends to keep students engaged and on task. But in reality, the most valuable lessons I learned about being a teaching, becoming teacher, and what a teacher truly means to her students came from watching a great teacher in action.

With all of my education classes behind me, I was ready to teach. The only thing between me and my own classroom was student teaching. I had my school assignment, my mentor teacher, and my amazing lesson plans in hand. Just give me those kids and let do my stuff!

And then I presented my first lesson, and it failed miserably.

The kids weren’t interested. Everything was over their heads or boring them to tears. A few boys in the back of the class were far more interested in throwing things at each other. A group of girls in the front were doodling hearts and flowers all over their handouts. And if it that class lasted five more minutes, I would have been in tears.

Feeling defeated and deflated, I turned to my mentor teacher, Mrs. Christ, and said “I’m not sure what happened. I thought I had everything I needed.”

With absolute patience and a kind smile, she put her arm around me and suggested we take another look at my lesson. She gave me positive feedback and some places to make changes, but more importantly she gave me insight to my students. In all of my fancy lesson planning, I forgot all about my students.

“These kids work really well in a group and these kids don’t. Let’s change these groups.”

“This is a great idea, but it’s too advanced for the students. Let’s think about how we can break it down and introduce it to them.”

“Sometimes you have the kids time to think. Don’t rush them. They”ll get it”

“You can do this. You can do this!”

In the weeks that followed, I did a lot more listening and watching. I watched Mrs. Christ interact with her students. How she encouraged the ones that were struggling. A pat on the back for the kids on the right track. And a stern look from across the room could quiet the rowdiest of kids. She could bring the quietest student into the conversation and made sure each child felt like an important part of her class. I watched the kids traipse into her room at lunchtime for help and sometimes just for a chat. I saw how she interacted with them inside the class and outside of class. This is where my real learning took place.

Clearly I learned a lot from my education classes, but the most valuable lessons I learned where watching Mrs. Christ work her magic with her students. For the time in her class and for her patience, kindness, and everything she taught me without even realizing, I am truly thankful.

So what about you? Do you have a teacher that you loved or made a difference in your life? Check out this video from Kronos, explaining why we need to #ThankATeacher, and then go enter the Rafflecopter at the bottom to win a $50 Amex gift card for yourself and a $100 Staples gift card for your favorite teacher.

“What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.” – Karl Menninger

I couldn’t agree more and couldn’t be more thankful for my time with Mrs. Christ.

So be sure to enter the giveaway and #ThankaTeacher by giving them an amazing gift!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****This post is sponsored by Kronos Incorporated, but my love and appreciation for teachers is 100% my own! *****

Well Hey There. You New Around Here?

May 1, 2014 by amushro

Well hey there, friend. Are you new around here? Did you wander on over after reading my post on Scary Mommy? Great, I like you already! We love new people over here at Questionable Choices in Parenting. Let me give you a quick tour:

I’m Amanda: Candy Land loser, Diet Coke addict, human tissue, yoga pants enthusiast, eyebrow over tweezer and even when I’m all dressed up and out at a Cher concert, I still find pacifiers in my pockets

My son who grosses me out daily with weird boy stuff

And my daughter who doesn’t take kindly to others trying to steal her thunder

And my husband who can fall asleep in less than three seconds no matter where he is. Really, it’s a gift…

So stop and stay awhile! I’ve put some of my recent funny posts on the first page so you can enjoy some of my crazy. If you like what you see, subscribe to my blog (just add your email address over there on the left), or find me on Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, or Instagram

Also, if you live in the DC metro area, come and see me in the Listen to Your Mother Show this Sunday, May 5. If you come, I’ll give you a HUGE hug, but if that freaks you out I will settle for a fist bump.