Parents Choosing More Unusual Baby Names Now

Jeanna Bryner
LiveScience Managing Editor

"The researchers suspect the uptick of unusual baby names could be a sign of a change in culture from one that applauded fitting in to today's emphasis on being unique and standing out. When taken too far, however, this individualism could also lead to narcissism, according to study researcher Jean Twenge, of San Diego State University."

"I think it is an indication of our culture becoming more narcissistic," Twenge said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/livescience/20100224/sc_livescience/parentschoosingmoreunusualbabynamesnow

LA Kids Consignment SALE!!!!

This is one of the BEST and BIGGEST Consignment Sales in LA. !!!! Don't miss it! They only accept things that are "Like New or New." For a few hundred dollars you can walk away with an entire years supply for the baby or child. With this economy, this is a great way to go. You will also be supporting a Mommy Entrepreneur who started it!

http://lakidsconsignment.com/

NEXT SALE: SPRING 2010
March 19 - 9am-5pm
March 20 - 9am-5pm
March 21 - 9am-2pm 50% off many items!

Location (same as Fall 09)
7733 Hayvenhurst Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91406

Preschool PANIC!!!

IS PRESCHOOL IN LOS ANGELES HARDER TO GET INTO THEN COLLEGE?????

Take it from me, if you just had a baby and live in the (WEST) Los Angeles area....PUT HIM/HER on some lists NOW!!! DO NOT WAIT! The last thing most think of when they first have a child is ...what PRESCHOOL they will be going to. It seems so far in the future. IT'S NOT!! (My son was on a couple lists since he was 3 mths old and did not get in.)

• Go to a website like SAVVYSOURCE.com to check out preschools in your area
• Join a Moms Club so you ask the moms that already have kids in preschool what they think
• Go to CityMommy.com and post questions or research preschools there
• If the school is "Religious" find out about joining the whatever it is, church, temple etc...Most want you to be a "registered" member for AT LEAST a year. (Many of the schools that are at a "Religious Facility" actually have NO RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION but they accept "MEMBERS and SIBLINGS" first.
• If your child has a JANUARY FEBRUARY birthday they may miss the CUTOFF to start in the fall in there 2's. Check with the specific school.
• CHECK about having to be POTTY TRAINED???? Some schools make you take a break if your child is not totally potty trained and then you get asked to leave,....no refund.
• Most of the time, preschools will offer your child an afternoon spot which is usually somewhere between 12-4ish because the morning spots are all taken.....if your child is napping then you might have a problem. (Mine naps, at age 3, for 2-3 hours between 12:30-3.) I feel he would be a wreck if he had to give this up but...he's also VERY active in the morning and all children are differnet. I cherish his sleep for health reasons as well as my SANITY!!! :)

(I will post my reasearch in the next few days :)

Ellie Krieger - Mixed Berry Cobbler (Healthy Style)

This cobbler is really tasty and satisfies my sweet tooth without so much sugar. The berries are also really good for you as well. My husband had this with a scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
which made it all that better for him. :)

Recipe courtesy of http://FoodNetwork.com
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/healthy-appetite-with-ellie-krieger-/mixed-berry-cobbler-recipe/index.html

Ingredients
For the Filling:

Cooking spray
2 (12-ounce) bags frozen mixed berries, thawed (about 6 cups) (I buy these at Trader Joe's $2.99/each. Put them in a strainer overnight so the extra juice leaks out. This helps a lot when cooking with FROZEN berries to avoid the MUSHINESS factor.)
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour (I used WW Pastry Flour)
1/4 cup sugar (I used more Stevia here as well and less sugar)
1 orange, zest finely grated (about 2 teaspoons)
For the topping:
1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon sugar, divided (I used a packet of Stevia with 1T Raw Sugar)
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/3 cup lowfat buttermilk
2 tablespoons canola oil

Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Coat an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, toss the berries with whole wheat flour, sugar and zest. Transfer the berry mixture to the baking dish and set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut in the butter using 2 knives or a pastry cutter until many small pebble-sized pieces are formed.

In a small bowl or pitcher, whisk together the buttermilk and oil. Add the buttermilk-oil mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until just moistened. Do not over mix. Drop the batter onto the fruit forming 6 mounds. Sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of sugar. Bake for 30 minutes, until fruit is bubbly and top is golden. Let stand for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Yield 6 servings, serving size 3/4 cup

The Canadian Tenors on Oprah!!

The Canadian Tenors are singing at the opening ceremony for the Olympics. They are sooo good!!! This is on Oprah when Celine Dion, one of their most favorite performers, surprises them on stage.
I try to expose my 3 yr old son to many types of music and instruments. He was absolutely glued to the tv when these guys came on. He started rocking back and forth and naming the instruments...sooo cute!! (I also told him that he too could be on an "Oprah like" show someday.... skies the limit for him and his dreams. :)

Got a COLD?? Try Homeopathic Cold Care

I walked into VP Health a couple months ago with the onset of a sore throat and cold/flu symptoms. The sales lady recommended Umcka and told me many of the staff use it and it seems to really work. Hmmm...I'm thinking, if the people that work there use it and get great results,... it must work!! (There's always a slight doubt when I buy homeopathic products as to their effectiveness.)

Bottom line, THIS REALLY WORKED FOR ME!!!

Right when I feel a sore throat coming, I start taking it. (I also gargle with warm salt water and use my Netti pot.)

Here's to fighting a cold with no drugs.

**You can buy this at VP Health, Whole Foods, and VITACOST.com