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Calling All Red Sox Kids!

Who is ready to think spring?! We are big Red Sox fans in our house and have lived through the highs and lows of this great team. It’s time to get excited about the new season and I’m excited to share with you some of the family friendly initiatives the Red Sox organization is putting in place at Fenway for the 2015 season.

Red Sox Moms media

I’m part of a new team, the Red Sox Moms. We will be sharing with you the special events happening at the ballpark and around the city of Boston during the baseball season. If you have ever taken young kids to a ball game, you know you need more than just the game to hold their attention! This year there will lots of exciting new experiences for families to enjoy, starting from the minute they enter the park.

Gate K: The New Kids Entrance!

Enter Fenway Park through Gate K (by Gate B at Ipswich) and be welcomed with live entertainment, balloon artists, kids activities and more. Kids can get a Passports Reward book at the beginning of the season and collect stamps and prizes throughout the season. As a parent, I’m really happy to know the staff in this area is specially trained to work with kids and keep things fun!

Wally’s Clubhouse

The new Wally’s Clubhouse will be open for nearly every game from the 3rd inning on. Just as your kids start to get a little restless, you now have a safe place to bring them to stretch their less and let out a little energy. Think of toddler-friendly climbing zones, story tellers, animals shows and more. Wally will be there of course since he is often the main attraction for the little ones. Did you know you Wally has his own Facebook page now? Plus, concessions ($5 kids meal and beer for the parents) and large televisions so parents still get to enjoy the game experience. Oh, and don’t forget the air conditioning!

Little fan ready for the game. (source)

Little fan ready for the game. (source)

Need Diapers?

Did you know that you can grab diapers in any size from ALL customer service outlets in the park? No need to trek all the way to the First Aid station when you are in a pinch. They also carry sunscreen and wipes too!

Affordable Tickets

The best news about the Red Sox campaign to renew a love of baseball in kids is their commitment to offering 25,000 free tickets to the newest members of Red Sox nation. Sign up your kids (ages 14 and under) and they each get a free ticket. Make it a family event and head in together to experience America’s favorite pastime.

Sign-up-for-Red-Sox-Nation

Plus–there will be $9 high school and college tickets available for every game. These will be for kids ages 15 and up. I love this idea, as a Boston College grad I would have loved to catch a game for that price when I was in school!

In addition to these new initiatives, there will also be special days for kids with Peanut Allergies, Autism and the Red Sox continues its partnership with the Jimmy Fund. When I recently met with the behind-the-scenes team at Fenway Park, I was impressed with the Red Sox Foundation. This is the charitable arm of the organization and they are rebuilding 10 Little League parks throughout Boston, plus sponsoring both baseball and softball teams. They are committed to enriching the community and I’m excited to learn more about how they are giving back to the people of Greater Boston.

Don’t miss out! Join in the fun this summer and claim your kid’s free tickets to a Red Sox game. If you have any suggestions or ideas on how to make Fenway even better for families, let me know and I’ll pass along the info. See you at the game!

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Making a Local Difference with Champions for Kids

This post is sponsored by CFK and The Motherhood.  All opinions are my own.

This winter has been a tough one for local charities. Bad weather in Boston has affected the amount of donations happening in our area. When I got the opportunity to partner with Champions for Kids to purchase donations for children, I choose Circle of Hope, a local Needham organization. They serve the Greater Boston Community Exchange  and work with 12 different organizations, many of which help children.

Circle of Hope has had to cancel some of their deliveries this winter. When I reached out to them and asked what children need it amazed me how simple it was.

Underwear.

Yes. Something so simple as underwear is what children struggling are in need of. I took my children to a local Walmart to purchase as much underwear and healthy snacks as we could. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about why making charitable donations is important.

Teach kids early about making charitable donations

 

SIMPLE Giving is a Champions for Kids program that provides shoppers with opportunities to donate items to children in their local communities. From February 18 to March 4, customers at more than 3,800 participating Walmart stores can purchase and donate snacks and breakfast items for children.

In addition, Champions for Kids, General Mills, Kellogg’s, Emerald and Kettle Chips will provide 13 awards, totaling $45,000, to school districts and participating youth-based organizations based on the total number of donated items collected in each store.

Teaching kids charitable giving

The kids picked out healthy snack and breakfast items, along with their favorite characters on both boys and girl’s underwear. We kept it really simple and didn’t get distracted with negotiating buying items for them too. It’s was all going to charity and so the message was clear to them.

 

As we come out of winter’s grip, I ask you to them about how to talk to your children about giving back to your community. No matter what time of year, there are always organizations in need. I’m so happy we were able to help Circle of Hope and fill some of their needs.

 

Disclosure: I partnered with The Motherhood and was compensated for my time coordinating the donations. I am very happy to be able to have this type of opportunity to give back to my community. See more stories of keeping donations in the community here #SnacksforStudents

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Holiday Shopping Stroll in Wellesley’s Linden Square

The magic of the holiday season can get lost when we stress about buying gifts. As we get caught up in the frenzy of generosity, it can be a challenge to slow down and find meaningful gifts. This week I had the opportunity to stroll through the variety of shops in Wellesley’s Linden Square. What a delight it was to talk to shop owners, get some personal attention and NOT fight for parking. Plus there is even a holiday gift guide to help figure out those holes on your list.

I had shopped Linden Square before, but usually it was due to a trip to Roche Brothers or The Cottage Restaurant. (best birthday brunch ever there!) On the shopping stroll, I got to check out a bunch of stores I had never been into, plus some old favorites.

Roosters: Upscale men’s grooming center. I could see my husband visiting here and really appreciate that Roosters is open on Sundays. For the holidays, check out their father and son package. They are also located in MA on Tremont Street in Boston and also in Lynnfield.

Shop Linden Square

Salon Maleah: a salon that focuses on hair only, with some excellent colorists. I loved getting my hair done into the “holiday twist.” The stylist taught us the bobby pins should be positioned so the bumpy side is against the scalp. Turns out I’ve been using them wrong my whole life! Salon Maleah is offering a holiday blow dry bundle special for the holidays!
Magic Beans shopping Linen Square
Magic Beans: toy store and so much more. I used to shop Magic Beans when I was first having babies and relied on some of their stroller experts to help me find the right ones. I really thought of it as a store for infants and toddler needs. I was happy to discover Magic Beans has a huge assortment of games for kids up to age 14!  They have GoldieBlox for ages 4-12, depending on the kit. Board games, building sets, arts and crafts and classic Brio trains. I got a crash course on the holiday hot list and hope to share some ideas if you are still in shopping mode! Don’t forget they offer gift wrap year round too.
 Shop Linden Square Shop Linden Square
Kenzie: the place to shop when your daughter doesn’t want to shop a “kids” store. They offer a tween line, but now added a women’s line due to popular demand. What started as baby and kids clothing 28 yrs ago in Coolidge Corner has turned into a focused assortment for girls ages 7-14. I really enjoyed this store and look forward to bringing Madison there when she is a little older. The holiday dress assortment was just lovely, and the sportswear was full of pop colors and fun silhouettes. (p.s. Kenzie is carrying the skiwear line Bogner if you are in the market!)
Shop Linden Square
Step to the next store over and you will find yourself in Tiny Hanger. Clothes, adorable shoes (oh, the shoes) and select toys for kids, infant through 6x. For the special little ones on your holiday shopping list, you can find some unique gift items that both mom and kids will enjoy.
Shop Linden Square
Sara Campbell: my surprise favorite shop. I always love a good assortment of cashmere for the holidays in a rainbow of colors and Sara Campbell delivered. From their versatile ruanas, to a beautiful pullover, there are plenty of gift options for that wow factor under the tree. Aside from the cashmere, my favorite item there was the charcoal grey scarf trimmed with rabbit fur. Just gorgeous.
Shop Linden Square at Bonsoir
Bonsoir: time to make your home shine for the holidays. There was a lot of beautiful, and delicate items in the store. Thankfully the staff at Bonsoir showed me some kid-proof ideas for holiday decorating. Two new fabrics for dressing the table are coated cloth and the French Green Sweet. Spilled drinks will be your enemy no more. Dress it up with a rhinestone runner and your table is good to go.
Bella Sante: Lovely spa for all your relaxation needs. Need to give your husband a gift idea? Try the 5 Elements Treatment. Two hours of bliss. Sign me up. Plus you can get $25 spa dollars to spend on products for every $200 gift card.
Shop Linden Square
Tobey Grey: 13 denim lines for your shopping pleasure. They even have denim for your guy! Tobey Grey had some fun holiday tops too if you haven’t picked on out for parties this month.
Have you shopped Wellesley’s Linden Square? Happy holiday shopping!
Disclosure: I attended a media shopping event to help facilitate this story. All opinions shared here are my own. 
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Buy Your Next Vegetable Arrangement Local

Crudite Creation for your next party

A few months ago I was at a local dinner event and I saw this pretty vegetable arrangement. It was eye-catching and you could tell it was really fresh. I remember grabbing the card and saving it for a future event. Fast forward to this month and I had the opportunity to try out Crudite Creations, a Newton based company owned by Lauren Brooks. She graciously offered an arrangement I could share with other moms headed to our first kindergarten mom social. {I think I’m still in denial that Madison is going to kindergarten.} 

crudite creation flowers

My favorite part of getting the artful vegetable arrangement was seeing my kids reaction. I had to fend them off as they were ready to taste test each cute “flower.” Getting kids excited about eating new veggies is always a plus in my book. The arrangement also came with hummus and french onion dip. The ranch dip is also a big hit with kids too.

crudite creation as a centerpiece

 

Got a summer party to plan in the Boston area? Skip the flowers and order a centerpiece you can eat too! I love how pretty the arrangement was once it was set up at the party. Plus it’s a great way to encourage some healthy eating choices.

Thank you to Crudite Creation for the arrangement, it was delicious! All opinions shared here are my own. Shop local!

 

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What’s in a Stonyfield Yogurt Pearl?

The yummy new Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls! #girlswithpearls

Today we were delighted with a personal delivery of the new Stonyfield Frozen Yogurt Pearls. They are part dessert and part the coolest thing in food technology. And they were delicious! Just ask how quickly Madison was wishing for a second one.

The frozen yogurt is encased in an edible skin, kind of like a grape. Except these skins are different flavors…strawberry, coconut, and yummy banana. Wiki Foods, a Cambridge based company, developed the technology to work with Stonyfield’s yogurt bonbon treat. Consider the treat to be Wikilicious!

stonyfield frozen yogurt pearls boston

What’s even cooler is the packaging. It is going to be plastic free. The wrapper is actually made from a wood by-product. Ultimately, the marketing team would love to see them sold alongside the gelato at Whole Food dessert bars, totally package free. At only 20 calories a pop, it’s a sweet treat that won’t tip the scales.

As of March 21st, you can find the new Pearls in four Boston area Whole Foods. For more details there is a great Boston Globe article sharing some additional details.

All opinions shared about Stonyfield and the new Frozen Yogurt Pearls are my own, or my kids. 😉

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Finding balance between Kindergarten preparation and encouraging creativity

As we get ready to send our daughter to Kindergarten next year, I’ve partnered with Bright Horizons Early Education and Preschool to share some thoughts on kindergarten readiness.  Bright Horizons is hosting their annual Kindergarten Prep and Preschool Showcase events around the Boston area the week of January 27th.

Promoting Creativity for Pre-K learners

Although it’s hard to believe, our oldest child will start kindergarten next year. She turns five in just two weeks and I feel this tug to get her ready for kindergarten, while also pushing her to play more without any structure. I went to a lecture recently about the demise of kid’s imagination and creative thinking skills, all because of the toys and media we let into their childhood. It was eye-opening. Now it’s changing my thoughts on how we play, and how I can encourage creativity while still making sure she is prepared for the demands of kindergarten.

Counting Activity Pre-K

The idea of getting my daughter ready for kindergarten through play really makes sense to me. When I searched Pinterest for kindergarten preparation, I found tons of wonderful activities. Math, writing, story telling all play a part of learning new skills, but can also encourage creativity. When I spoke with J.J. Lynch, the director from the Sudbury Bright Horizons, she shared a great activity that is popular in their Kindergarten Prep classroom. Let them draw a picture in a notebook, then pass the book to an adult and have them write down everything the child says about the story. It’s a great way for them to connect the creativity of drawing with the skills of writing and reading.

sock puppet diy

Making a sock puppet is a great way to encourage creative thinking. Source

The lecture I went to was run by Dr. Susan Linn, who is a co-founder of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. She worked with Mister Rogers, so you know she is a good egg. She wrote the book: The Case for Make-Believe: Saving Play in a Commercialized World. I loved her message of what kids need in order to foster their creativity:

  • Time
  • Space
  • Silence
  • Inspiration

Good toys are 90% child driven. Most toys on the market are not. As I walked through my house the morning after the lecture, I felt less excited about the talking toys, and those with a predetermined identity. Where are the toys that are gender neutral? Maybe we need some sock puppets in our home. When we give children a branded toy (say Princess Sophia) then we have already given them the toy’s identity, the script and have drastically reduced their need to be creative. Even coloring books fall into this realm of reducing our children’s opportunity for creativity.

Finding the right balance is what is most important. Letting the kids play to learn is a part of childhood that we as parents need to protect. The influence of T.V. and branded characters is a whole new world to navigate. There are some helpful tips and tools on the Coalition for Commercial Free Childhood’s website.  {Their TOADY awards are crazy.}

Bright Horizons will be hosting their annual Kindergarten Prep and Preschool Showcase event, which is an opportunity for rising preschool and Kindergarten Prep aged families to engage with the teachers and educate them around the curriculum for the program that their child will soon be entering. The kids are invited and dinner is included. It’s a great way for the whole family to get an idea of how Bright Horizons teaches kids to get ready for Kindergarten. I appreciated learning about their approach to educate the “whole” child, not just the academic side of learning. They have preschool locations all over Massachusetts and you can find the schedule of events by location here. 

Image Source

This is a sponsored post by Bright Horizons but all the stories and opinions shared here are my own.

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HEIRLOOM TOMATO SALAD: FLOUR TOO COOKBOOK GIVEAWAY

As the summer nears its end, the gorgeous tomatoes of the season are ready for your table. We have in our garden San Marzano plums, Brandywines and striped romas, just to name a few. There is no better flavored tomato than one just picked from outside the back door. I was recently given a copy of Flour, Too from my friends at Stonyfield. Both companies appreciate seasonal eating, and I was able to find a delicious recipe to enjoy my tomatoes with, Heirloom Tomato Salad.

Heirloom Tomato Salad

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Salad
Keyword: Tomato

Ingredients

  • 4-6 ripe heirloom tomatoes
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup basil leaves shredded

Instructions

  • Slice tomatoes 1/2" thick and spread out on a platter.
  • Sprinkle tomatoes with salt, cheese and basil.
  • Mix vinegar and olive oil together to create a dressing. Pour over tomatoes just before serving.
Tried this recipe?Mention @emilyroachwellness or tag #erwellness!

Want your own copy of the Flour, Too cookbook? Bring the delights of this amazing Boston bakery into your kitchen. Just leave a comment with your favorite summer recipe. Contest is open until August 28th at midnight. (US residents only)

If you are ever in Boston or Cambridge, put Flour bakery on your list of must visit eateries. I was amazed to learn they sell over a thousand cookies a day. I’ve been to Flour once before and loved the relaxed neighborhood vibe of the South End location. When Stonyfield offered me a signed copy of the cookbook as a member of their Clean Plate Club team, I was so excited. Cookbooks are usually my bedtime reading of choice. If you are interested in the cookbook, you can also purchase it from Amazon. (affiliate link)

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Highlights of the Boston Drool Baby Expo

Magic Beans Drool Baby Expo

Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Drool Baby Expo organized by Magic Beans for the second year in a row. It’s an event highlighting the latest baby gear, clothes, trends, local companies and more. Since we are having our third baby fairly soon, we don’t need too much stuff at this stage of parenting. I did find myself excited by a couple of new items that would be worthwhile for a new mom or a third time mom.

Blooming Baby Bath

Adorable Blooming Baby Bath. I don’t love our current plastic tub because of space issues so I may give this one a try.

4-moms-mamaroo-classic-silver

4moms mamaRoo swing is very cool and I loved the movement choices. A great upgrade from the traditional swing options.

Purely Pears Boston Baby Food

Loved the display from Purely Pears highlighting what fresh baby food should look like.

I did see a number of items that are cute and fun from a novelty perspective, but really not worth the investment if you are creating your priority list of baby needs. A fancy labor gown is really not necessary. Trust me when I say your outfit is the last thing you will be thinking about during delivery. My old boss gave me a great tip once, pack a beautiful pashmina or scarf. Add that around you for some pre/post baby pictures to give your pictures a little more color. Otherwise, just let the focus be on that new little baby.

Also, if anyone is thinking about buying a stroller that requires two hands to fold it, don’t do it. I made this mistake with my first stroller purchase and  just wish I knew how often I would only have one hand free to fold down a stroller. The stroller was expensive and works well, but I tried to avoid folding it and bringing it in the car, ever. The great part of being at the expo is being able to try out all these strollers yourselves and have the brand expert answer all your questions. You can find lots of other stroller experts at your local Magic Beans store as well.

Disclosure: I attended the Drool Baby event to offer media coverage, which covered the cost of my ticket. All opinions expressed here are my own.

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A Smoothie Throw-down at Whole Foods

Smoothie Summit RandomRecycling

Ever since we received a Blendtec blender, smoothies have become a regular part of our day. Sometimes it becomes a meal replacement on busy days, other times it’s the perfect snack in the afternoon to hold us over till dinner. The kids get to pick their color and we go from there.

Everyone started artfully arranging their ingredients. I just went straight to the blender.

Everyone started artfully arranging their ingredients. I just went straight to the blender.

Last week I attended a “Smoothie Summit” at Whole Foods Fresh Pond in Cambridge. A group of local Boston bloggers got together to share and test out some smoothie recipes. The results were amazing!

Green Smoothie RandomRecycling.com

My drink of choice is one called the Green Machine. I love the balance in flavors I get when I blend spinach with fruits. When I have a smoothie without spinach, I often find it too sweet now.

Green Machine Smoothie RandomRecycling.com

A Smoothie Throw-down at Whole Foods

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Course: Smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup guava juice
  • 1 cup Stonyfield Greek Yogurt
  • 2 bananas
  • 1 navel orange peel and cut into quarters
  • 1 apple cut into quarters but not peeled
  • 2 cups spinach
  • 1 cup frozen mango

Instructions

  • Add everything into a blender in the order above.
  • Blend on smoothie setting until desired consistency.
  • Serve immediately.
Tried this recipe?Mention @emilyroachwellness or tag #erwellness!

As our group of bloggers recipes come online, I’ll share them here as well. Thank you Whole Foods for hosting us, it was a wonderful experience to test out some healthy recipes. There were a lot of new ingredients tossed into those smoothies that may find their way into my kitchen too.

Boston Social Media Peeps

 

Leah’s Spring Egg Cream Smoothie Recipe

I had a great time hanging out with Lori from Groovy Green Livin, Sharon from ViolaCay, Julia from It’s Not Like a Cat, Sharon from umommy and KidNosh, Jessica from Don’t Mind the Mess, Isra The Frugalette, Niri of Mommy Niri, Leah from Oh Baby Boston, and Jean The Shopping Queen.

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Give the Gift of Experience Instead of Stuff

Experience Gift Ideas for Kids

Both of my kids have birthdays shortly after the Christmas holidays. For anyone else in the same boat, you may share my hesitation to see any new toys come into the house. As we are committed to decluttering our home, one option that needs more attention is giving the gift of an experience, instead of another item from a store. Whether your kids are 2 or 20, there are so many options for them to enjoy that are outside the box.

Here are some of my favorite experience gifts for kids.

  • Trip to a show
  • Children’s museum visit, or a specialty museum that ties into your kid’s favorite hobby
  • Visit the zoo or aquarium
  • Spend the day at a local theme park
  • Let your child pick their favorite restaurant for a special birthday dinner
  • Attend a concert
  • Spend the day in the city, be a tourist even if you don’t live that far away
  • Sporting event. From basketball games to a gymnastics tour, there are many different options.
  • Movie tickets
  • Tour a local farm or orchard
  • Cooking or art classes
  • A session of classes: music, sports, dance, etc.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live! Boston

Giving the gift of experiences is also a great suggestion for the grandparents and extended family looking to do something special for a birthday or holiday. We recently took a trip as a family to see the Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! event in Boston. It was just a delight to watch the kids get excited for the show. They danced, twirled, clapped and laughed the entire time. It made me realize that we are at the point where the kids are old enough to enjoy these type of experiences together now. (Although JJ is still saying “Loud” and covering his ears when Madison starts talking about the show!) I consider it a success when both Mom and Dad are happy coming out of the show and the kids are both singing on the car ride home.

As one of my readers said, “Making memories is better then a toy that will be obsolete sooner, then later.”

What are some other experience gifts you would add to this list?

Disclosure: We attended the Yo Gabba Gabba! LIVE!: Get the Sillies Out! event to help facilitate this review and story. It in no way influenced my opinions shared here. I’m sharing this with the Tuesday Baby Link Up , Frugal Days and Your Green Resource.

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