This is what UltimateMama fed her children (ages one and three) for dinner:

Three year old: Lemon Sole, Steamed Sweet Potatoes with Smart Balance spread, Broccoli (she didn't eat much of it tonight), applesauce, breadsticks, milk, water 

One year old: Lemon Sole, Steamed Sweet Potatoes, peas, applesauce, thin slice of whole wheat bread, strawberries, milk, water 

UltimateMama loves to make Lemon Sole. Do not be afraid, it is simple!

 Easy Baked Lemon Sole recipe:

Heat oven to 420-425 degrees. Sprinkle olive oil in a large glass baking dish.  Place Lemon Sole on top of the olive oil, Put 6-12 cherry tomatoes halved on top of the fish.  Add 1/4 cup of lemon juice on top of the fish. Bake Lemon Sole for 20-25 minutes (covered in foil if you wish).

This is what UltimateMama fed her kids (ages one and three) today for lunch:

Three year old:  Hamburger (broiled ground chuck), Guacamole and Gluten-free Rice Crackers, pineapple, Stoneyfield Farm organic Peach yogurt, milk, water

One year old: Hamburger (broiled ground chuck), Guacamole and Gluten-free Rice Crackers, blueberries, Stoneyfield Farm organic Plain whole-milk yogurt, milk, water

Guacamole is a great way to get nutrients into your child's body!  Quick and Easy Guacamole recipe as follows:

Quick and Easy Guacamole Recipe

Combine three-four peeled, pitted and mashed avocados with five diced cherry tomatoes (or 1/3 of one large tomato, a small onion chopped finely, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon of cilantro. Mix it all together and serve immediately. Enjoy!

Quick and Easy Hamburger Recipe

Make 4-6 small patties from 1/4 to 1/2 pound of ground chuck. Broil on each side for 4-5 minutes.

This is what UltimateMama fed her children (ages one and three) for breakfast today:

3 year old: whole wheat toast with Polaner Fruit Spread, apple slices with peanut butter (peeled), strawberries, milk, water 

1 year old: plain whole wheat toast, cubed Mild New York Cheddar cheese, strawberries, milk, water 

Feeding kids in a nutritious manner does not have to be time-consuming. UltimateMama does not see anything wrong with taking short cuts when it comes to feeding your child.

From bagged baby carrots to pre-cut fruit to frozen vegetables, you can feed your child heartily and nutritiously in a matter of minutes.  UltimateMama believes that using such short cuts is better than ordering food out for delivery or getting take out.

Think about it – do you really know what makes take-out broccoli from your local Chinese restaurant or delivered broccoli rabe from your local Italian restaurant taste so good?  Probably not. If you are not preparing the food yourself you really don’t know the “extra” ingredients/spices that may be added – sugar, salt, etc.

Snacktime or mealtime with kids does not have to be stressful!

Whether your child needs an afterschool snack or a meal, you should always have in mind what you will prepare and serve.  Take it from UltimateMama, you do not want to fall victim to the taunts of a hungry child who scream that you are not giving them food fast enough.

UltimateMama usually organizes snacks in little containers so she can just grab and take them with her when she leaves her home.  UltimateMama even lets the child choose what sort of snack she craves. Give them two choices – cheese stick or crackers; strawberries or cucumbers, dried apples or goldfish crackers. 

For meals, UlimateMama tries to prepare and portion out the food the night before (for lunch and dinner).  All she has to do is heat and serve.  A little time spent in advance is well worth it in the end.

UltimateMama never thought of herself as the type who would ever dress her children as a "mini-me" or like herself.  However, she realizes she is falling into that trap.  After perusing her oldest child's closet this weekend she realized that she was creating a "mini-me" – at least in terms of apparel.  From khaki cords to Patagonia fleece jackets to Speedo bathing suits to Keen footwear, UltimateMama discovered that her daughter's wardrobe matches her own.  Call it yearning for comfort, call it aiming for classic style, but whatever you call it mommy and daughter are twins.

For look alike khaki cords for girls check out Hanna Andersson comfort cords ($16 now from $38).

UltimateMama wants to give you all a heads up on something — most day camp and spring/summer class schedules are out now and registration has begun!  UltimateMama's three favorite words are "early enrollment discount" and she's seeing those words all over the place – from soccer to language classes to various day camps. 

Plan your child's schedule now for the following reasons:

1. You can get "early enrollment discounts"

2. Your child can get the days/times that work best for your family's schedule

3. Classes and camps are most likely not yet booked

4. You will be able to sleep better at night knowing that your child will be active and happy this summer!

UltimateMama encourages your nanny or babysitter candidate to bring a resume and list of references with them to the first nanny interview.  If the nanny candidate does not have a formal resume make sure you ask her for references from the last three (or more) families she worked for as a nanny.  Ask the nanny candidate for specifics such as names, phone numbers, duration of job, and why the job ended.  If the nanny candidate hesitates then you may want to delve into why they are not forthcoming about references. 

If you are considering the candidate then call these references and ask them some questions that you have prepared.  You will find that many families are very open when it comes to the delicate subject of childcare.  Some references may even offer to meet you face to face to answer any questions you may have about the nanny.

Do not interrupt the references when they are speaking.  By allowing them to talk freely you may learn more than you even thought you would.  If something they say is unclear than ask for clarification.  If something they say is unsettling to you then make sure to ask the other references similar questions about the nanny to find out if they give you the same response. 

You may consider asking the family references the following questions: 

– how many children did the nanny watch?

– what were the ages of the children the nanny cared for (when the job began and ended)?

– how many hours and which hours the nanny worked?

– was the nanny punctual?

– describe the nanny’s personality or general mood?

– what was the nanny’s daily routine with the child (children)?

– what are some of the nanny’s positive characteristics or traits?

– what are some of the nanny’s negative characteristics or traits?

– what was the duration of employment?

– is there anything that I should know about the nanny (positive or negative) that I did not ask?

– would you re-hire the nanny?

– would you recommend the nanny for employment?

– why did the job end?

The last question is very important because you will get an idea of who ended the relationship—the nanny or the family.  Some nannies enjoy change and do not stay with the same family for long durations.  Perhaps the family moved to another location and it was no longer convenient for the nanny to commute.  Maybe the children got older and their childcare needs changed.  Of course there could have been an incident that led to the nanny’s departure and uncovering that is critical.

Now you all know that UltimateMama loves to get deals on children's items.  However, one must always know when to pass something up.  Something may be a "bargain" for a reason (bad construction, ill-fitting, unfavorable color, etc.) and is not a "deal" at any price.  Just because something is on sale does not mean you must buy it for your child. 

UltimateMama always loves watching Stacy London of TLC's "What Not to Wear" tear apart those who head straight for the sale racks and buy items just because they seem "cheap" in price.  Sometimes, these so-called "bargain" items make those who wear them look "cheap".  

UltimateMama defines a deal as getting something for her child at a steep discount that she would have paid full price for anyway. If you would have never purchased the item at full price then it is not a bargain at any price.

Be careful of the following "bargains" with children's clothing and accessories:

– 2 words:  Dry Clean

– Anything missing buttons

– Anything that needs hemming

– Color fading

– Buying bathing suits for the following year (unless your kids swim all year long you may want to avoid buying bathing suits on summer clearance racks because it is hard to guesstimate your child's size)

– Buying snow boots or sandals for the following year (same issue with estimating shoe size—pretty hard to do)

– Licensed apparel (your son may love Diego now but be over him in three months; same hold true with your daughter and Snow White)

UltimateMama just found out about an emergency milk relief program that is seeking donor breast milk*.  Of course, you do have to be pre-screened.

If baby can’t get mommy’s milk and caretakers do not have access to clean water (for formula mixing) then safe donor breast milk is an excellent option.

To donate your breast milk to Haiti now or for more information please check out the following sites:

International Breast Milk Project

Human Milk Banking Association of North America or HMBANA

And for those non-lactating folks out there you can always make a monetary donation.

Red Cross

* Disclaimer:  UltimateMama never had an over-abundant supply of milk in her nursing days and has never donated breast milk.  However, if you want to let it all flow out for a good cause then BRAVO to you.