Family Potluck - Mommy Soup

Egglings

So cute & creative!  Egglings...crack & grow.  A unique and fun Easter/Spring gift!

Jennifer Louden

Jennifer Louden
Martha Stewart Body & Soul mag / xm radio / comfort books / podcasts

Lillian Vernon - Free Shipping

MarthaDex

Do you have a bunch of back issues of Martha Stewart Living, but have no idea where to look for the special recipe or project that you want to prepare/make?  Check out the MarthaDex...yes, someone has painstakingly indexed all of the MSL back issues from 1991 to 2005.  Included in the search as well are Martha's Everyday Food as well as other popular Martha Stewart Omnimedia issues.  It appears the index hasn't been added to since mid-2005, but you will still find lots of references to what you are looking for in the back issues.  You might even save yourself a few paper cuts in the process!  Happy searching!

Laptop Lunches

Looking for some ideas to perk up your little ones lunches?  I bumped into this website called Vegan Lunchbox where Jennifershmoo posts daily pictures of her little "shmoo's" lunches, outlines what is in the box and even gives reports on how the lunch went over!  If you like what you saw on the menu, you'll probably like the Shmooed Food Recipes and the Erik's Diner podcast.  I'm not a vegan, but found many helpful ideas to spruce up lunchtime and/or get out of a rut.

After looking at Jennifer's tasty lunch pictures, you are probably going to wonder where she got the nifty lunchbox, well she got them at Laptop Lunches.  From their site, "Laptop Lunches are American-style bento boxes designed to help families pack nutritious, environment-friendly lunches for school, work, and travel. Our sustainable lunch containers--which come with a book of healthy lunch ideas and lunchmaking recipes--are reusable, recyclable, and dishwasher safe. And all of our lunchboxes are lead-free".

Check out their Lunch Ideas column which features articles about nutrition, picky eaters and the art of lunchmaking.

Carry-A-Tune

Does your hubby or kids sound like they need to be voted off American Idol...is your dog singing the blues?  Here is a fun gift to help them perfect their voice with interactive software by Carry-A-Tune Technologies...it's called SingingCoach.

I actually saw an ad on TV...yes one of the cheesy ones...and I thought it would be a nice and unique gift for my husband.  No, he doesn't make the dog howl...he actually has a nice singing voice, I thought he might have some fun with it...especially playing around with it with my daughter.  They also have SingingCoach Kidz for kids 6 & up.

I usually don't do the "as seen on TV" thing (except for my Smart Spin...love it!), however, I just saw a little write-up in RealSimple Magazine and if it is good enough for them, it's good enough for me!

FlipClips

Photo: FlipClips.com

Here is a neat idea for a gift, remember the old fashioned flip books that would "play" a short cartoon for you as you would flip through the book?  I'm not sure what they officially called...maybe someone can give me the name in a comment...but FlipClips has created a flip book made from your own videos.  Upload a short video of 30 seconds or less and for about 9 bucks you'll get a business card-size flip book to show off or give to that special someone.  There are other sizes available as well.

What's Up With Your Belly? Seriously!!

Okay, you have just delivered OR maybe it's been a while...and you are wondering what's up with your belly?!? As the old saying goes, it didn't get there overnight, so it's not going to disappear overnight either. And everyone is different. Some women lose it fast, some slow and some never.

The overall goal is to tighten your tummy back up...since it has been stretched beyond all recognition of its former self. Here are some general tips to win the Battle of the Bulge:

1. Look 5 pounds slimmer without losing an ounce or doing a single crunch. Does that statement pique your interest? If so, the secret to a flatter belly may lie in how you hold yourself. Now repeat after me...back straight, head up, tummy in!!

2. Find out what Health Type you are. Through extensive consumer surveys, the health and wellness research firm, Natural Marketing Institute, found that Americans typify five distinct health personalities. Find out what club you belong to...The Eat Drink and Be Merrys, The Health Seekers, The Magic Bullets, The Why Bothers or The Foodies. Or maybe better yet - you might have a split personality!! If you want to take things an extra step, you can find out your Exercise Style to find out what best suits your personality.

3. If you aren't breastfeeding, take a look at what you are eating. Now that your baby is on the outside, you don't have the same needs for calories. Again, this may take a little while. Your mind may still be saying yes, but if you give in, you might as well say "get on my hips tortilla!".

4. Work out! Better yet, build a support system and find a friend. With each other's encouragement and help, you can work out together and say goodbye to flabby abs and tone your tummy. With some work, hopefully both of you will be showing a little belly (literally!) in no time - Good Luck!!

Additional Information:
According to a BabyCenter poll, almost 60% of women who responded said breastfeeding helped them lose weight after pregnancy.  Hundreds of comments have been left addressing this poll.

More Reading for New Moms:
Belly, Back and Bottom - Your Postpartum Restoration Plan
Fitting Exercise into Your Busy Schedule
Exercising with Your Baby Indoors

Send E-Cards

If it's between quickly sending out an e-card or not sending a card at all, opt for the e-card.  The recipient will know you are thinking of them.  Here are some sites to choose from:

Amazon.com's e-Cards - you can also attach an electronic gift certificate to your e-card.  Gift and card one-stop-shop solution!

Jacquie Lawson - her e-cards are mini-movies and nicely done.  You pay less than $10 for a year's worth of e-cards.

Cruising Through the Holidays

FlyLady Marla Cilley is on a mission to help people rid CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome) from their lives.  Each year she puts her members on a Cruise Through the Holidays which includes special missions to make the holiday season actually fun vs. stressful.  This means everything done for the holidays by December 1st!

This year, she has daily tips segments on NBC's KBIR (out of Knoxville, TN).  Mommy Soup will be listing these video segments as they become available.  With a membership of over 250,000, there is always room for another FlyBaby (a.k.a. someone starting on the road to a clutter-free home & life).

Marla is also the author of her very popular book, Sink Reflections.

Introductions (video)
Cruise Through the Holidays Primer
How to Cut CHAOS in the Home

Cruising Missions (video)
#1 - Oct 17 Mon - Clean & Fling
#2 - Oct 18 Tue - Plan & Play - Control Journal
#3 - Oct 19 Wed - Anti-Procrastination Day - Gather Holiday Supplies
#4 - Oct 20 Thu - Errand Day - Buying Needed Supplies
#5 - Oct 21 Fri - Holiday Budget

Sink Reflections: Get Your Home & Life in Order & Shine that Sink!
Saving Dinner: Bring Your Family Back to the Table
Sidetracked Home Executives: From Pigpen to Paradise
Saving Dinner the Low Carb Way