by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Apr 16, 2022 | Holidays and Special Events
In honor of Mother's Day and to give you some ideas for the new mom (and not so new mom as well), I put together 25 gifts a new mom will love. Most of these links will bring you to a page with lots of choices. I have included a few specific recommendations as well. (post contains affiliate links).
25 Gifts A New Mom Will Love
(For the Kitchen)
- Kitchen Utensil Set -This is an inexpensive way to buy a combination of essential kitchen tools such as a can opener, pizza cutter, knife sharpener, tea strainer, spatulas, slotted spoons, pasta forks, wire whisks, and more. Buying a holder for the saves drawer space and makes it more convenient to access the tools when you need them.
- Cutting Board Set -Ideally cutting boards should be separated by type of food. In food service, health code regulations require a red board for meat, a green board for vegetables, a blue board for seafood, and a white for other all purpose uses such as cutting bread.
- Set of knives – Everyone can use a good set of knives. The link will give you lots of ideas.
- Spice Rack Organizer – If your mom already has spices in stock, then this will be a helpful organization tool.
- Food Storage Container Set – Practical gift. There are stackable options available which make storage easier, especially in tight spaces.
- Hand Immersion Blender – I love to use my KitchenAid hand immersion blender for my smoothies in the morning and to puree vegetables and soups. This will make it super easy to make fresh, pureed baby food as well. It's portable, easy to clean, and perfect for small recipes and quick work. I just recently bought the KitchenAid one because my other one stopped working. This one works better and does more. For example, I wasn't able to puree anything hot in the other blender because it would splatter everywhere. This blender has a closed container so you don't have that problem.
- Hand or Stand Mixer – Everyone needs one of these. The Kitchen Aid mixers are cool because there are attachments you can add. For example, I just bought my husband a slicer grater attachment for our anniversary, and he loves it. It's super fast and easy to grate cheese and shred carrots, potatoes and other vegetables. He hasn't used the slicer yet, but it will be perfect for slicing potatoes for potatoes au gratin. You can also dry your own bread and make bread crumbs with it.
- Mixing Bowl Set– Mixers usually come with at least one. However, different size mixing bowls are really handy to have in the kitchen. For example, when I bake banana bread, I use a separate bowl for the wet ingredients, and two bowls to prepare the dry ingredients.
- Bakeware Set – Metal Bakeware sets usually consist of muffin pans, cookie sheets, a loaf pan, and cake pans. Other bakeware sets are glass or stoneware. One of my favorite bakeware sets is the French White CorningWare round and oval set with lids. One of the reasons I like it is because it's so pretty. You can take the item straight from the oven and serve it. Also, CorningWare is so easy to clean! It stays white forever. In addition, this set has never chipped despite years of use.
- Instant Pot or Crock Pot – I love using a crock pot because I usually have more energy in the morning. Plus, the obvious, you can leave it and not worry about it, and you have dinner ready at night. I recently received an Instant Pot and I love it even more! We have used it to make cranberry sauce, rice, roast beef, and pinto beans, just to name a few dishes. Our rice cooker just stopped working. So the timing was perfect. White rice cooks in less than 15 minutes and tastes just as delicious. Make sure that if you buy the Instant Pot, you buy the one with the pressure cooker setting, because they don't all have this option.
- Instant Pot Accessory Kit – If mom already has an Instant Pot, there are lots of useful accessories that will make Instant Pot even more versatile.
- Magnetic Safety Locks – These are handy for keeping little ones out of the cupboards.
- Kitchen Shears – An absolutely essential item. Uses include opening food packages, cutting meat into smaller pieces, trimming fruit, cutting cooked spaghetti, and more.
- Kitchen Timer – No one can have too many kitchen timers!
- Cooking Thermometer – This includes thermometers for measuring candy temperatures. Candy often requires very specific temperatures to turn out correctly. Also meat thermometers are important for making sure your meats are cooked to the proper temperature and thus are safe to eat.
- Wooden Spoons Set – Wooden spoons are inexpensive and they protect your pots and pans from scratching.
- Kitchen Towel Set – One can't have too many kitchen towels. Seasonal is one way to go if your mom already owns “plenty” of towels.
- A Good Basic Cookbook – My favorite basic cookbooks are by Betty Crocker and Better Homes and Gardens.
- Tongs – I used the thin grab tongs growing up. I was in heaven once I discovered the clam grabbing tongs. They are much more effective at picking up meats and such.
- Pizza Pan – Having a pizza pan in-house will make it easier to throw in a quick pizza on a busy night, or you can use it for your homemade pizzas.
- Pie Holder – (Or cake holder). Pie and cake holders are designed to keep your pies and cakes fresh. Many types are available for carrying out of the house for a party or get-together as well.
- Spice Set – If the new mom is just starting out, you can purchase a spice set with the actual spices included.
- Breakfast Sandwich Maker – This little gadget is just one example of many convenient gadgets available today, including waffle irons, panini makers, simple griddles for making pancakes, indoor barbecues, etc.
- Coffee Machine – A good coffee machine will last a long time. And new moms often need the extra caffeine to get through the day.
- Standing Blender – For making larger recipe smoothies and shakes, pureeing vegetables and more.
So, there you have it. 25 gifts a new mom will love. This is just a few ideas I found to help you with your shopping for the new mom in your life. If you found this list helpful, please share it with your friends. 🙂
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Mar 16, 2022 | Holidays and Special Events
WHO WAS SAINT PATRICK?
As a protestant, I'm ashamed to say that I have never heard about St. Patrick in church. Maybe somewhere he was discussed, however, I don't remember learning about him in church in the 30+ years I've been a Christian. I researched him on my own when my son was younger. So, I am familiar with his life. However, today, I decided to revisit his story because St. Patrick's Day is this month. So, who was Saint Patrick anyway? A brief biography follows.
St. Patrick was a Christian missionary who lived in the late 4th-Early 5th Century.
He is considered the “Patron Saint” of Ireland. In the strictest sense, a “Patron Saint” is someone who is supposed to be a heavenly guide or protector of a particular group of people and/or a particular geographic region. In this case, Ireland.
Perhaps this is why the Protestant church is hesitant to discuss him as we don't believe in praying to saints. However, you don't have to pray to Patrick to genuinely appreciate him and what he represented. If you read his “Confessions,” which are his own words, you will find that he was a very humble man who did not consider himself anywhere near holy. Also, he spoke straight out of the Bible.
As a role model, Patrick is a good example of how a Christian (true believer) should view himself. His words remind us of how a true believer should trust in and rely on God as our source of strength and comfort.
When Patrick was 16 years old, he was kidnapped by pirates from his home in Great Britain.
He was taken as a slave to Ireland where he took care of animals. In his confessions Patrick discusses how he believed he was being corrected by God when he was kidnapped and that the Lord used the experiences of hunger and deprivation as a means to bring him to knowledge of the true God.
Patrick had a dream during the six-year period before he escaped and returned to his home in Great Britain. In the dream, God spoke to Patrick and he was converted. He states that before this experience, he had heard of the truths and laws, but did not apply them to himself. His conversion opened his eyes to his own sinfulness and need for God.
Patrick Heads Back to His Hometown
While working with the animals in Ireland, Patrick had a dream. In the dream, God revealed to him that he would be going back home on a ship. And that’s just what happened. He escaped and found the ship. However, at first, the crew of the ship wouldn’t allow him to board. As a result, Patrick went to where he was staying and prayed. A short time later, the crew came looking for him and said he could come along with them on the ship.
While on the voyage home, part of which was on land, he and his comrades were starving and losing faith. Patrick prayed to God and, shortly thereafter, they came upon a herd of pigs. Patrick saw this as an answer to prayer and as an opportunity to witness to the people he was travelling with. The meat from the pigs sustained them, along with wild honey, until they arrived at their destination. Patrick states in his “Confession” that he did not eat the wild honey.
Patrick's Spiritual Battle
Patrick discusses that during this trip, while sleeping one night, Satan attacked him and he had a giant boulder on top of him. Apparently, he overcame this, though it is not clear exactly how, because he made it home in one piece.
When he returned to his home, his parents were so happy to see him that they begged him to never leave again. However, he felt led by God to return to Ireland to witness to the people who did not know the true God.
He did not immediately leave, and according to his “Confession,” sometime later he was accused of a sin that he had previously committed before becoming a Christian. He states that he had already confessed to this sin before being accused, and that he did not understand why the person he confessed to shared the information with others in the church.
Regardless of why, Patrick believed that this was the method God used to correct him to push him to do what he had been called to do: “Go to Ireland and preach the gospel.” Many people became Christians because of Patrick’s missionary work in Ireland.
Was St. Patrick a Christian Martyr?
Patrick was not martyred in the traditional sense. That is, he was not executed. However, based on his “Confession,” he was persecuted by the leadership of the church in Britain, probably because they were offended by his pointed discussions of our sinfulness and need for repentance.
Very similar to the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, the leadership was offended by him and wanted to shut him up by accusing him of sin in order to delegitimize him. God used this persecution to send Patrick where He wanted him to go: Ireland. (Matthew 15:12)
The Legend of the Shamrock
While in Ireland, Patrick followed God’s leading and “drove out the snakes” (snake is symbolic of Satan). The Legend of the Shamrock, which is often connected with the driving out of snakes, refers to the 3-leaf clover, which Patrick used to represent the 3 persons of the Holy Trinity. The “driving out of snakes” and the “the shamrock” are often connected in stories.
It is not clear how Patrick died, but many sources say he died around 461 AD.
In addition to this short article, I have created a fun “Who was St. Patrick” Activity Pack for your kids.
I included the delicious recipes we created for “Kid-Friendly Reuben Sandwiches and Baked Sweet Potato Fries as well.” So don't miss out!
See also:
Who was Nicholas of Myra? Activity Pack
St. Patrick's Day Recipe Cards
Venturing with God to Congo – A Missionary Story
Religious Freedom and the Church
Free “Wings of Fire” Novel Study Guide
10 Surprising Facts about St. Valentine
References
The Confession of St. Patrick
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Dec 8, 2021 | Holidays and Special Events, Homeschooling
DRAWING HAS ENDED
Enter the Christmas Blessings Drawing Below.
No purchase necessary. Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited by law. **Open to US/Canada residents only.** This giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or associated by Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. By entering this giveaway, you agree to release Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, Woman to Woman Ministries, and all participating bloggers of all liability. Contest ends at 12:01am EST on December 13, 2021. Winning entry will be verified. Winner is randomly chosen by Rafflecopter and will be emailed.
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by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Nov 16, 2020 | Holidays and Special Events
I can't let Black Friday pass by without offering some of my beautiful Christmas cards with envelope template FREE to my readers. All cards have bible verses on the back.
(Post contains affiliate links).
I love to encourage people to be more healthy. But I also know that the practical day-to-day world of homeschooling involves getting schoolwork done, even when the holidays are here.
During the Christmas season, dealing with the excitement of the holidays can make focusing on school more difficult. This is a perfect time to do art AND send Christmas cards out to the important people in your life. These beautiful high resolution Christmas cards can be printed and sent to friends and family without leaving your house. As long as you have a printer, scissors and paper, you can make envelopes to go with the cards in this freebie.
Learning how to make envelopes is not only fun, it gives you the opportunity to learn a new skill. Printing envelopes at home saves money too!
Create Your Own Envelopes
Yes, you CAN create your own envelopes for your Christmas cards. 🙂 It's super easy. All you have to do is find an envelope that fits the card you want to mail (it can be used). Open up the envelope and trace it onto paper. Then cut, paste, and you have a handmade envelope!
The cards I've created should fit A6 sized envelopes. Which you can purchase as well.
If you prefer, and you have an envelope in your house that's the right size, you can carefully open it up and use that as a template as well.
You can use any color or pattern of paper you prefer!
NOTE: MAKE SURE THE ENVELOPES ARE AT LEAST 4 1/4″ X 6 1/4,” AS ENVELOPE SIZES VARY EVEN BETWEEN GIVEN SIZES.
Grab the FREE Christmas cards here.
NEW for 2019 – Super Bundle of Bookmarks and Cute Cards
If you like to read and want some Christmas bookmarks, click here.
5 Ways to Prevent Holiday Weight Gain
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Nov 13, 2020 | Food Allergies and Special Diets, Holidays and Special Events
6 Tips to Get Picky Kids to Eat Vegetables on Thanksgiving
My son has sensory issues with food and has since birth. As a result, I have discovered that forcing him to eat foods he can’t tolerate OR waiting until he is hungry enough to eat the foods he hates doesn’t work. Instead, I have found ways to encourage him to at least eat more of a variety of foods than he may otherwise eat.
Here are 6 Tips to Get Picky Kids to Eat Vegetables on Thanksgiving. (Post may contain affiliate links).
1. Serve at least one favorite vegetable (or fruit, if she doesn’t like veggies) as part of the meal.
For example, my son likes broccoli the best, but he also likes carrots. Since carrots (and fresh green beans) are part of our traditional Thanksgiving meal, we won’t have to serve anything extra for him.
2. Serve combination foods separately, if you can.
For example, my son is not willing to eat most combination foods. By serving the parts of mixed dishes separately, I can encourage him to eat more variety.
This year for Thanksgiving I discovered a salad that I know everyone except my son will like. The reason I’m going to serve this salad is:
- It’s healthy
- The recipe has several foods he likes–if they are served separately
- It looks delicious!
I’m planning to serve each food ingredient in a separate bowl. I will also offer another salad dressing as an option (one that I know more than one person likes, if possible). This won’t require more work because when preparing a salad, I chop everything up separately. The only extra work will be cleaning the dishes.
If you’re having special company this Thanksgiving, and you decide to serve this salad or something similar, you could put the dressing on the table in a cute salad dressing bottle and place the salad ingredients on fancy dishes. Most young children will eat the lettuce, apples, and cheese. If they don’t have an aversion to nuts, like my son does, the pecans will probably appeal to them as well (especially if you caramelize them*). If all they eat is the lettuce, apples and cheese, you’ve gotten two servings of veggies and fruit into their cute little bodies! The pecans are rich sources of magnesium and essential fats. So, if they eat the pecans, even better.
As a bonus, the little ones can pick up these foods with their hands, which I know toddlers love to do!*
3. Encourage your child try at least one new vegetable, fruit or other food that she didn’t like previously.
One taste is enough.
For example, we have green beans every year. They are southern style and have salt pork and onions in them.
Okay, so problem number one, it’s a combo food.
Problem number two, it’s not a preferred vegetable.
Problem number 3, he doesn’t really care for green beans.
So, this year my challenge is for him to put one green bean on a plate (just the green bean) and take a small taste. Then if he likes it, he can have more. If not, that's okay. Praise him for being willing to put the food on the plates.
4. Make sure your child is hungry by the time you serve the meal.
Snacking all day long will obviously dampen anyone’s appetite, especially someone with a smaller stomach, like kids. Food always tastes better when you’re hungry. So, if possible, no eating/snacking for AT LEAST 2 hours prior to the main meal. This should help in the enthusiasm department.
5. Try not to worry too much if your child doesn’t want to eat much on Thanksgiving.
It’s a special day, and there are probably a lot of other things going on that are much more interesting than eating. Kid’s usually eat less when they’re having fun and are around new or non-routine people.
6. Put small amounts of each food they will be eating on the plate.
Sometimes an overfull plate can overwhelm the child and cause them to lose interest in eating at all. They can always ask for more!
GOING ELSEWHERE?
If possible, talk to the host ahead of time to get an idea of what will be served. That way you can create strategies ahead, especially if your child has sensory issues with or allergies/intolerances to food.
Pick something you know your child will like and serve it along with the other dishes served, so that it doesn’t appear like you are serving something special just for your child. For example, even if it is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, make enough to share, and put it out there with the other dishes.
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Click here for the article, “Why a Zinc Deficiency may be Contributing to your kid's pickiness.”
DON'T FORGET I HAVE FREE FALL/AUTUMN THEMED PRINTABLE BOOKMARKS AVAILABLE FOR MY READERS!
ALSO, IF YOU SUSPECT MILK ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE, CLICK HERE FOR MY FREE INFORMATION BOOKLET.
Read about Homeschooling Dietitian Mom here.
*Click here for the salad recipe.
Thanksgiving is the best time of year to think on what we are thankful for.
If you need some inspiration and encouragement, click here for awesome and inspiring Mother (and other) Quotes, complemented by beautiful images.
Other Articles by Homeschooling Dietitian Mom:
What Attracts Kids to Fast Food?
High Protein Meals
3 Superfoods that Are Really Healthy
by Deborah Hanyon, MPH, RDN, ACE-CHC | Jun 5, 2020 | Holidays and Special Events
Of course I had to come up with some awesome Father's Day gift ideas for you to get your gift-giving creative juices flowing. And who better to help me with that than my hubby? (Post contains affiliate links).
I mean, if my husband doesn't know what a man wants for Father's Day, who does, right?
So, I put him to work…
And let me tell you, this was no small task for him. He is not, what you would call, “typewriter inclined,” if you know what I mean. He's the “hunting and pecking” kind of typist. Plus, he really had no clue how to use affiliate links before this little project. But guess what? He does now! =) LOL
So, here are some awesome gift ideas for Father's Day that any man will be happy to have.
You will notice that many of these are “cooking” connected. For example barbecue accessories and such. This is because it goes with our theme here on Homeschooling Dietitian Mom. However, my hubby couldn't resist adding a few other gadgets to his list.
In fact, he hasn't said it, but I'm pretty sure this is HIS Father's Day wish list! HA!!
Awesome Father's Day Gift Ideas
- Men’s Flannel Long Sleeved Shirt – Flannel shirts come in handy on cold days. Plus, they look really nice and are versatile. For example, they can be worn alone or layered, and are great for camping in the wilderness.
- Karoad Black License Plate Frames – This is what is needed to keep the license plate from curling up. Men think stuff like this is important.
- Beam Electronics Universal Smartphone Car Air Vent Mount Holder Cradle for iPhone – If your dad is anything like my husband, he likes having his phone propped up while in the car. Especially if you are using GPS. My husband chose this one because he has an iPhone 7, and because the price was right.
- Portable Outdoor Backpacking Camping Stove – My husband knows about cooking gear, so you can trust that this is a goody. It is so portable it doesn't even look like a stove. This stove would be great for a hiker or anyone else who's going to be outside for an extended period time, including fishermen. Especially, if they don't like eating cold food or they want to eat their catch right then and there.
- WORSPODAY Survival Gear Kit – These are always good to have when you are out in the wilderness.
More Awesome Father's Day Gift Ideas
Free Printable Father's Day Cards
10 Effortless Snack Ideas for Preschoolers
25 Gifts a New Mom Will Love
Subscriber Only Freebie Page
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