LilSugar

McDonald's: Serving Burgers and Families For 50 Years

LilSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 09:00:10 -0700

Many children have gazed up at Mickey D's famous golden arches on their way in to grab a burger, chicken nuggets, french fries or a sundae with their parents. Today the company celebrates its 50th anniversary. Who doesn't remember sitting on the swivel chairs with school friends and biting into the crunchy sliced pickle that was always perfectly centered in the sandwich? McDonald's aptly titled Happy Meals put a smile on tots' faces while their moms and pops noshed on a Big Mac or Filet-O-Fish. Sometimes even Ronald McDonald or the Hamburgler made an appearance and then it was time to hit the brightly colored playground that was attached to the establishment. Children were so smitten with the fast food joint that they threw their birthday parties there but is the love affair with drive through and paper wrapped entrees a thing of the past? To see why I ask, read more.

As a parent raising two youngsters in a foodie city, I've never taken them to McDonald's. Fast food isn't really in the cards when we consider our meal options. For about the same price we would dole out at a pull up window, we can pick up burritos made with fresh ingredients from a local taqueria, Middle Eastern pita sandwiches or Thai noodles. I wouldn't pitch a fit if a friend or family member took my children to a fast food joint, but for reasons of nutrition and taste - it isn't my preference.

What are your thoughts on feeding kids fast food?

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Quiz: Fast Food Kiddie Nation

babysugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:36:27 -0700

Parents working overtime often find themselves in the drive–through lane of fast food restaurants. After a long day in front of the computer and bath time on the horizon, chicken nuggets, french fries, and soda are tempting. America's waistband is expanding, and the wee ones aren't exempt. A new study conducted by the Center for Science in the Public Interest found that 93 percent of 1,474 possible choices at 13 fast food chains exceeded the amount of calories that the Institute of Medicine recommends children aged four through eight consume in a meal. Take my fast food test to see if you know your facts. You may be less than happy with the meal's results.
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McMoms Tell It Like It Is

YumSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 08:01:31 -0700

Not so surprisingly, a recent survey states that 90% of moms think it's important that fast-food restaurants provide info about the food they're serving. What is surprising is that McDonald's heard their concerns and is inviting moms to go behind the counter in order to discover how the food is prepared. Their new "Moms' Quality Correspondents" are planning on meeting with McDonald's chefs, nutritionists, suppliers, execs, and more. They'll also be able to check out new products and supplier facilities.

The interesting thing about all of this? The McMoms will be blogging about their experience (well, sort of, I'm sure McD's will have some sway in what they say since it's hosted on their site). However, as Susan Forsell, McDonald's VP of US Quality Systems stated:

"These are real moms, with real opinions and real questions about the
food they are feeding their families.

It will be interesting to see where they go, and what they discover, but something tells me if something goes wrong, that won't show up in the journal.

Source: PR Newswire

You Know You're a Mother When: Date Night Preparation

babysugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 13:25:26 -0700

Remember when a "date" used to get a woman all hot and bothered? Before hitting the town, she'd take a long shower, deep condition her hair and shave her legs. Maybe even blow out her hair and flat iron it for a sleek look. After lotioning up and spritzing herself with her favorite perfume, she'd apply makeup like the MAC artist showed her at the mall. Then she'd slip into her tightest pair of denims and a slim fitting top that showed off her best curves. When she walked out the door with her man, she felt like a million bucks.

Fast forward three years and that same dolled up babe has got a different idea for "date" night. Now a mother to an infant, she only has time to strip out of her baby food splatted tee and hop in the shower for a quick rinse. After jumping out of her 60-second blast, she realizes she forgot to shave her pits, which haven't seen the likes of a razor in days. A quick application of soap to the underarms, a swift blade down the flesh and she's ready for deodorant and her wet pony tail. She grabs a comfortable pair of leggings and a billowy blouse that reveals nothing of her muffin top or hairy legs. She slaps on a bit of lip gloss and reaches for her bag, which doubles as a diaper bag and rushes to open the door for the babysitter. Not wanting to waste a second of her precious date night time, she and her man head to their favorite restaurant only now she feels like two million bucks with her beau in tow and her wee one sleeping soundly at home.

Are You a Better Person When Pregnant?

babysugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 09:00:40 -0700

I admit it. I watched Lindsay Lohan's new movie, Labor Pains. As a woman faking a pregnancy, she supported her antics by saying, "I'm a better person when I'm pregnant." It got me thinking - was I a better person while pregnant? I didn't drink and it's been eons since I lit up a cigarette. I attended prenatal yoga and swim classes, drove more cautiously and tried to keep a cool temper in an effort not to stress my unborn baby. I even gave up fast food and dined on fruits and vegetables to up my nutrient intake. Many hormonal mamas-to-be are notoriously known for their devilish moments - a fate from which I was not immune. Pregnancy caused me to be more conscientious, but I'm not sure if it made me a better person. How about you?

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Did Your Pregnant Belly Get Bigger by the End of the Day?

LilSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 05:00:00 -0700

Does a stomach really grow this fast? More than halfway through my third pregnancy, I'm noticing something I didn't while expecting my daughter and son -belly expansion by the hour! The other day I woke up barely looking like I was with child, but by the time I went to bed - it seemed like I was nine months along. This continues to happen on a daily basis and other mamas have told me they experienced the same thing whether it is due to food, beverage, water retention or the impending babe's movements. Did you notice this daily stretch?

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"Wee"kend Getaway: Nantucket Island

LilSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 13:00:09 -0700

An island getaway that offers parents and wee ones an opportunity to soak up the sun and enjoy a few days of leisure? Sign me up!

Located just 30 miles off the coast of Cape Cod, getting to Nantucket, which means the faraway island in the language of the Wampanoag tribe, is half the fun. While small planes – and a few commercial airliners – travel there, arriving by slow or high-speed ferry from Hyannis helps put the body and the mind in vacation mode as parents and their offspring approach the 19th century whaling village.

With nary a traffic light, fast-food restaurant or Starbucks in sight, Nantucket offers families plenty of adventure along its beautiful beaches.

What could be better for families than the aptly-named Children's Beach. Located right in the island’s harbor, this beach is known for its shallow waters, playground, casual restaurant and lifeguard. Concerts and puppet shows are performed right in the beach’s bandstand.
Jetties Beach, about a mile from town, provides access to rentable watersport equipment, including kayaks, windsurfing boards and Sunfish.

For non-beach activities, read more.

The Whaling Museum can teach families about life in the former whaling village. Complete with a 46-foot sperm whale skeleton, a whaleboat and a discovery room where kids can rummage though sea captains' chests is a perfect break from the sun.
Take an afternoon boat ride 15-25 miles offshore on a whale watching tour. Tour goers are guaranteed to spot a Humpback, Finback and Minke Whale while learning about conservation efforts.
Take a nostalgic cruise through Nantucket Harbor on an afternoon ice cream cruise that shows off the harbor’s famous sights while serving kids the best ice cream on island.
Lil pirates will be begging to go on the Pirate Adventure cruise, a sunset sail on a 31-foot sloop where tots put on their pirate hats, shoot the cannon and go on a treasure hunt around the wharf.
Nantucket’s five paved paths offer plenty of bike riding terrain that can take families past the Siaconset fishing village’s beautiful cottages and past unbelievable ocean-front mansions.

Mural Meal: Prehistoric Dino Dinner

babysugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0700

The only food I sometimes have trouble getting my daughter to eat is meat. But, she'll always go for chicken nuggets. Barring fast food from her diet, I discovered a seemingly good option in the frozen section aisle of my grocery store. The Yummy Dino Buddies are all white meat nuggets with Omega 3 value. Better yet, I knew I could create another masterpiece with the prehistoric figures.

To see what I used for this mural meal, read more.

Ingredients:

Four dinosaur nuggets
Black beans
Zucchini
Honey
Marshmallows
Optional: Whoppers and ketchup

Cooking the food:

Drain the can of black beans and rinse.
Slice zucchinis in long strips and cut in half. Saute with a pat of butter and garlic salt.
Bake dinosaur nuggets for 12 minutes at 425.

Placing the goodies on the plate:

First lay out the beans on the plate.
Next, create some sort of vegetation with the zucchini; a tree, bushes or what have you.
Place the dinosaurs a top the beans.
Use the honey to make a sun in the corner. Kids love dipping nuggets in honey. If you prefer, substitute ketchup.
For the treat, use marshmallows to make clouds in the sky.

I have a few candied eggs left over from Easter so I placed on the plate as an added bonus. It gave me the opportunity to teach her a lesson about dinosaur eggs over dinner.

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Want to Pick Your Babe's Gender? Try These Tricks

babysugar — Fri, 01 May 2009 07:00:43 -0700

A mother of two boys may decide to give it her all with one last pregnancy in hopes of fulfilling her life long dream of having a daughter to keep her company on shopping trips and spa days. Parents desperate to determine the gender of their baby often turn to old wives tales hoping to see the family jewels during an ultrasound. Some of these ideas sound ridiculous while others have an ounce of logical reasoning behind them. To see what some of the myths are, just read more.

Girls:

Timing: Plan ahead. The female sperm are said to live longer and swim slower so having sex a few days before ovulation may be beneficial as only the strong, I mean girls, survive.
Positioning: Since lady sperm can last longer, the goal is to get the goods to the egg without deep penetration as the boys will try to beat her out.
Diet: Consume foods and drinks rich in acid to raise the mama's Ph as boy sperm cannot tolerate the high levels.

Boys:

Timing: Since the male sperm are faster, parents aiming for a boy should try to have sex on the day of or day after ovulation occurs. These guys are straight and to the point and want to swim as fast as they can to get to that egg.
Positioning: Give the lil boy swimmers a head start by placing them as close to their destination as possible. Positions that offer deep release are preferable for boys.
Drinks: It has been said that drinking coffee will get those lil boys amped up for a swim to the promised land.
Diet: Some believe a high Ph level in the mother can kill off the boy sperm. Families trying to have a son sometimes monitor their diets and use douche solutions to lower the acidic level in the breeding ground.

Does any of this make sense? The girl sperm like to lollygag and take their time, perhaps primping and gossiping along the way. The boys want to get the job done as quickly as possible. In the end, there is no full proof way of picking a child's gender, but it can certainly be fun trying!
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Lil Links: Dunk Your Cookies in Milk at a Sweet Baby Shower

LilSugar — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:00:48 -0800

Milk and cookies baby shower - Cookie
Tommy Hilfiger and wife expecting baby - Celebrity Baby Blog
Gabrielle Reece and her blonde beauties - Celebrity Baby Scoop
Baby's first haircut - Fit Pregnancy
The pitfalls of working at home with kids - The Poop
Do your kids do chores like the Obama kids? - Parent Dish
How to start a college fund - Alpha Mom
Healthiest fast food restaurant picks - Health
Kids who watch rated R movies more likely to smoke - CafeMom
How do you talk to your kids about death? - Momversation
Weigh in on the great sleep debate! - Inhabitots
Probiotics: good or bad for kids? - The Mommy Files