EXPERT BLOGS - Mindful Mama

Jet Setter

Traveling with a baby or toddler is an experience to be prepared for! The days of packing a few outfits and a magazine for the plane ride are a thing of the past. The following products are some of Mindful Mama’s favorites for you and your little...

Posted to Explore by Sarah Kraft on 03-11-2010

Filed under: explore, travel with baby, stuffed animal7575, baby carrier, Zoobies, bath products, Guava Family, traveling, jet setter, Maclaren, Noli & Nali, portable crib

Gnocchi-n-Cheese

Celebrate St. Patty's Day with gnocchi (spinach mixed with ricotta cheese brings a festive green to the table!). It's a fun recipe to make and eat as a family, and gnocchi lends itself to seasonal adaptations that will delight any young chef!...

Posted to Nourish by Sarah Kraft on 03-10-2010

Filed under: Nourish, spinach, recipe, St. Patty's Day, cheese, sticky fingers cooking, gnocchi

Healthy Meets Tasty

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be boring! There are plenty of foods available that will please a kiddo’s palate while keeping your conscience clean. Following are some of Mindful Mama’s favorites: Creating your own pizza with family...

Posted to Nourish by Sarah Kraft on 03-10-2010

Filed under: Nourish, nutrition, pizza, health food, sorbet, pita chips, fat-free, Rustic Crust, Stacy's, gluten-free-free, nutrition bars, Ciao Bella, Can Do Kids

Eco (Spring) Cleaning

Take a cue from Mother Nature! Spring is the perfect time to start anew. Purge the dirt and clutter for a fresh beginning. It will not only polish your home, but will make you feel better, too! The following products are must-haves for mindful mamas tackling...

Posted to Flourish by Sarah Kraft on 03-09-2010

Filed under: flourish_sub2, home_sub4, eco-cleaning products, environmentally-sound cleaning products, Aura Cacia, Reduce, thrive, spring cleaning, Grandma's Secret Spot Remover, Twist

Green Start Books: One Tree

Aspiring greenie? Green Start’s board books not only cover sustainability issues — they are made from 98 percent recycled materials and printed with soy-based ink. "One Tree" teaches kids how trees grow, how they change throughout...

Posted to Trendspotter by Sarah Kraft on 03-09-2010

Filed under: trendspotter, environment, home_sub2, book, environmental lessons, One Tree, recycled materials, green start

Daylight-Saving Time: Preparing Baby

On Sunday, March 14, clocks will be set forward one hour. With the time change quickly approaching, you may be wondering how to transition baby or toddler without upsetting their sleep routine. Help your child spring forward beginning Tuesday, March 9...

Posted to Explore by Sarah Kraft on 03-08-2010

Filed under: explore, explore_sub1, home_right3, daylight-saving time, adjusting sleep schedule

A Better Brown Bag

While packing a school lunch is a healthy, economical alternative to sending kids with lunch money, the plastic baggies and paper sacks could use an overhaul. Kids will be proud to tote homemade lunches to school with these environmentally sound (not...

Posted to Nourish by Sarah Kraft on 03-05-2010

Filed under: Nourish_Sub1, Nourish, school lunch, home_sub4, eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, Kids Konserve, Boon, sack lunch, Kleen Kanteen, Yubo, eco-friendly sack lunch, Inc.

Potty Training Perfection

Potty training is a major milestone for toddler and parents. Tot can now proclaim “big-kid status” and mom can toss diapers to the wayside — after success has been achieved. Despite its benefits, potty training is a long journey, so...

Posted to Flourish by Sarah Kraft on 03-03-2010

Filed under: flourish, flourish_sub5, Boon, potty training, Jelly Belly, Better For Babies, Inc., Growing Up Green

Bubble Bauble

Jewelry is a little pleasure that I can’t seem to get enough of. I (used to) love to wander around boutiques and search online for handmade finds. Now that I spend my shopping time searching for kid stuff, I rarely indulge in my own simple pleasures...

Posted to Trendspotter by Sarah Kraft on 03-02-2010

Filed under: trendspotter, jewelry, Jewel Street Designs, recycled materials, environmentally-friendly, ring

Backyard Bash

Spring hasn’t sprung — quite yet — but there’s no time like the present to prepare! Warmer weather means backyard activities are no longer red-nosed, fingers-frozen occasions. Mindful Mama has selected our favorite outdoor play...

Posted to Explore by Sarah Kraft on 03-01-2010

Filed under: explore, explore_sub4, sunscreen, Mustela, toys, Child to Cherish, Melissa & Doug, backyard, Italtrike

Tot Tableware

Mealtime can be challenging when kids are involved. Getting them to eat enough of the right foods, keeping them engaged — and keeping dinner off the floor — what’s a mama to do? Having the right tableware for a toddler is a great place...

Posted to Adorn by Sarah Kraft on 02-26-2010

Filed under: adorn_main, Dandelion, platter, utensil, Innobaby, Silikids, Evenflo

Pamper Yourself

Being a mom is a full-time job. You’re constantly giving your all to your children, and most likely not giving as much to yourself. It’s important to indulge and take care of you, too! The following products will provide ample (and quick!...

Posted to Adorn by Sarah Kraft on 02-23-2010

Filed under: adorn, adorn_sub1, The Joy of Soap, pamper, shampoo, Alba, EO Products, body scrub, Noah's Naturals, lip balm, skin care, shaving soap, body care

A Quick — and Easy Change

There are some days that I just hate my diaper bag. I despise how big it is and how it stores so much, yet I can't find anything, especially in the middle of one of "those" diaper changes. So, I was thrilled when I received my Patemm Pad...

Posted to Trendspotter by Sarah Kraft on 02-23-2010

Filed under: trendspotter, diaper wipes, diaper bag, diaper change, Patemm Pad

Room With A View

Providing a posh space for your little one is not only fun for you, but also beneficial to babies and children, as it stimulates their senses and ignites their tiny minds. Get creative and bring the view inside with Mindful Mama's must-have décor...

Posted to Adorn by Sarah Kraft on 02-21-2010

Filed under: adorn_sub2, baby, children, mobile, Mod Green Pod, Wallables, fabric, decor, art, Lex Modern, decorate, room, nursery, Petit Collage

Boba Designer Challenge: Win $500

Spoonflower is teaming up with the folks from NAP, Inc., to offer you a chance to create the new fabric design for the Boba Baby Carrier , a soft-structured baby carrier made from organic cotton. NAP, Inc. is preparing for the release of the new Boba...

Posted to Contests by Sarah Kraft on 02-17-2010

Filed under: contest, Boba, designer challenge, NAP, win, Inc.

Filled With Great Stuff(ing)

The “stuff” in Lana Organic toys comes from organic cotton fields in Turkey, and is part of a local production initiative that supports fair-pay pricing. The materials are gathered and sent to crafty mamas, who sew these darling animals together...

Posted to Trendspotter by Sarah Kraft on 02-16-2010

Filed under: trendspotter, toys, adorn, Lana Organics, stuffed animal

Zippity-Doo-Dah

The brilliant folks at LeapFrog have done it again. They’ve taken the attention-grabbing, unarguably entertaining concept of the video game and made it educational and active! Zippity features beloved Disney characters (Mickey, Goofy, Tigger, and...

Posted to Trendspotter by Sarah Kraft on 02-05-2010

Filed under: trendspotter, video game, learning, zippity, leapfrog

Sweet Treats

Whether you’re trying to eat well, lose weight or simply keep that New Year’s resolution, it’s important to treat yourself once in a while. Mindful Mama sought out yummy morsels that will satisfy a sweet tooth but won’t compromise...