Family

Within The Peace

Within The Peace

As moms of newborns, toddlers,and tots, we all know the value of a little peace and quiet. Here are five things that you can do FOR YOURSELF to enjoy those little moments of quietness that just doesn't come often enough! Notice I emphasize for yourself, that is because we tend to spend ALL of those peaceful moments doing things for others such as: cleaning, cooking, phone calls, you know! While those things are important and should be done, be sure not to use all of those little moments on others...your sanity is important to the household too!

1. Read: yes, catching up on your novels, autobiographies, poetry, or any other genre of literature is a nice way to get away from those hectic moments. In addition to paperback and hardcover novels, sitting down and enjoying a nice audio book along with a cup of warm tea would be just as divine don't you think?

Does Motherhood Make You Creative?

How do you define creativity within your life as a mom? Leave a comment!

I sewed a pillow in seventh grade Home Economics class and didn't think about even glancing at a needle and thread since. I couldn't even tell you where the nearest craft store was in any of the three states I lived in the past twenty-nine years. But somewhere between my daughter's first kick in the womb and her first birthday, I got a sudden yearning to create.

Don't get me wrong, I have written for most of my life. In fact, I was that little girl who always walked around with a journal and proudly recited my own poetry. But I never felt the deep inclination to knit or to sew until I became a mother.

Mama Tips 1-2-3: T.V, Motivation & Teaching!

Mama Tips 1-2-3: T.V, Motivation & Teaching!

1. Kids & Motivation: So, I think it is safe to say that we all have reasons and many time rewards for what we do on a day to day basis. Whether its keeping your home clean or working towards your business goals, there is in the end a reward from your work. This same principle goes with kids. Many times we tell our children to do something simply because “we said so”, and don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for that, but kids & teens are just as motivated by rewards for their actions as we are. With all that said, don't be afraid to offer your kids a small allowance for doing their chores, especially smaller children, it can be as small as 10 cents for making up their bed, or $1 for keeping their room clean the entire week. Use their allowance payments a chance to teach them valuable rules when it comes to: work, motivation, rewards, and necessities!

2.

Kirikou: African Animation

Kirikou

If you are growing tired of the repetitive episodes of Caillou, the Backyardigans, or Spongebob, then you might try taking a break from the traditional cartoons of the states and embracing the adventures and tales of Kirikou.

Milo & Milk: Girl Chic

Milo and Milk

If you have a little goddess, then you are sure to love the Milo and Milk collection! I think their fall collection is simply adorable just as much as all of the incredibly cute kids that they have modeling them all. Their collection fits girls ages 2-6 years old and can either be purchased directly from their website or through these children boutiques. Be sure to check their site with every season, as they have some of the most cutest summer collections!

Milo and Milk

Ogekko Baby: Culturally Cute!

Ogekko

I recently ran across this super cute etsy shop called Ogekko, which specializes in handmade baby clothes made with African inspired fabrics and prints! Oh how I wish I had a little girl...as I would adorn her in several of their sundresses and baby bloomers! In consideration of these pieces being handmade, I think that the prices (many for $25-30) is quite affordable! She also carries a selection of clothes for boys as well as for the moms! So, if you have a little one, especially a girl, then head on over to Ogekko!

Ogekko

The Resolution Will Not Be Televised

CNN: Black In America

Baby Style: Ghana Inspired

These baby bonnets from joyceclaire are so adorable! These would be so cute on your favorite baby girl along with a sweet bright and summery sundress! It can be quite hard sometimes to find baby clothing that is culturally inspired and stylish as well, that is if you do not sew, so for all those with little tots, please do share your favorite shops when shopping for the little ones!

Ghanaian Bonnets

Ice Cream [home made fun]

Homemade Ice Cream

I have been waiting for the longest to post this, and since summertime is pretty much here, I figured now is the perfect time to share this fun and summery recipe! I must say that I was a bit skeptical about this recipe, because the way in which you make this little treat is by using zip lock bags...yep, that's it, well, and of course some rock salt and lots and lots of ice.

Network News: Mama Edition!

Network News: Mama Edition

No Less Than A Woman!

No Less Than a Woman

Roll Call: Tifi

Roll Call is where we hand pick some of our favorite women of color who blog that is setting the example of what “You Make It Beautiful” really means. From crafty ladies to holistic mamas, to poetic writers, life inspiration and more, we will share them all on the Roll Call!

Roll Call: Tifi

Who We Love: Tifi Blogs, Dee

Why We Love Her: Her passion for books and reading, her creative and motherly spirit, her photos which are filled with motherhood, family outings and some lovely little crafty adventures(which we adore), and her appreciation of vintage pieces and thrifting!

Our Favorite Posts:

A Mommy Moment

Sailboat Chic

Scenes from Summer

Mama Tips 1-2-3: Plan, Dream, Play!

Mama Tips 1-2-3: Plan, Dream, Play!

1. Cooking Ideas: A great idea to keep your ideas flowing in the kitchen is to collect menus from some of your favorite restaurants and keep them in a 3 ring binder. No this is not to order take-out, but it offers up a great way to come up with meal ideas. I use to-go menus all the time to come up with our meals. Best of all, you can get a similar if not the same taste for half the price.

The Journey of Henry Box Brown

The Journey of Heny Box Brown: Karyn Parsons: SweetBlackberry

Mama Tips 1-2-3: Planning: Shopping: Imagination

Mama Tips 1-2-3: Planning: Shopping: Imagination

1. Grocery Shopping: Do you ever find yourself rambling in the kitchen thinking “what am I going to cook for dinner today”? Or how about that time of the week or month when it is time to do the heavy grocery shopping and you just get tired thinking about it all. A great way to ease the pain and rush of grocery shopping & meal planning for your family is to have pre-made grocery lists. Many times I find myself writing out grocery lists that contain the same exact things that I bought at my last trip to the market. So, having a pre-made list with all of your essentials will save you a lot of time & energy. Just keep some extra space for new ingredients needed for your current menu.

Pop: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood

Pop: A Celebration of Black Fatherhood

"In 51 visually stunning, emotionally compelling portraits, acclaimed photographer Carol Ross presents a hopeful, heartwarming, and caring view of black fatherhood in the United States. In an era that pays little positive attention to black fathers, Ross' inspirational perspective on the relationships between black men and their children is vitally important—and long overdue.

Mama Tips 1-2-3

We will be sharing with our fellow mommies three mama tips every week! From health tips, to cooking, to playtime, and more. We will cover it all! This week we give tips on tidying up, serving up the veggies, and we share a fun and creative way to spend family time together!

Constant Cleaning: Do you ever find yourself constantly picking up random toys, socks, and other “droppings” from play that you discover from your little ones? Then create a “Lost & Found” basket that acts sort of like a catch all place for things that need to be put away. This works great when you need to clean up in a hurry, or if you just want to tidy up a bit. Then when you have the time, grab your basket or baskets and return everything to their rightful owner...or better yet have the kids do it!

Having problems feeding the kids the veggies? Use some fresh or frozen fruit like mango, pineapple, strawberries,and banana, and mix in some fresh spinach leaves. Add some sweetened almond milk(or unsweetened almond milk with a dash of honey), and you've got yourself a treat that they will love and full of nutrients.

Mama Inspired: Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen

Nixon calls her mother her best friend. "She will annoy the crap out of me and she can drive me crazy but she's the closest person to me, and I love her … more than anything." -Vivian Nixon

Don't you just love this photo of Debbie Allen and her daughter Vivian Nixon! You can feel the love and proudness beaming from Debbie. Her daughter Vivian is a true natural beauty and she is up to some fabulous things with her Broadway career, and in the footsteps of her mother, she has also received professional training from Washington's Kirov Academy of Ballet, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and of course the dance studio ran by her mother in Culver City.

This brings us to question, what do you cherish most about being a mother and what are some things that you will always keep close to you as far as memories and experiences between you and your daughter or son? What would you hope your child(ren) will say about you when asked?

Prenatal: Yoga & Bellydance

Make It Baby!

Baby Food

Store bought baby food is laced with all sorts of preservatives and many times added sugars and other ingredients that you may not want your baby to have. So if you have a blender or a juicer, then why not make your own baby food & fruit juices. The little ones deserve freshness too! Veggies and fruits are super easy to make into baby food. Simply take some fresh greens beans, or peas, or broccoli florets, or carrots and steam them until soft and tender (keep the water for thinning mixture after puree), then puree them in your blender, strain it through a strainer, and voila! You've got yourself a jar of fresh baby food. There is no need to ad any salt or sugars for taste, as babies taste buds have not developed yet, and the freshness of the veggies and fruit will taste just dandy to them.

Click here to read up on how to store your baby food once prepared.

Mama Tea

Mama Tea

Moms will need extra nutrition, and this tea is a staple in my herbal and doula practice. Clients love it, as do the midwives and family members. Make this by the gallon. It is rich in nervines, vitamins and minerals. Mom, family and care providers can drink this throughout the day, hot or cold.







YOU ROCK! Mamma Tea and Infusion 2 parts chamomile flower (Matricaria recutita) 2 parts hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa) 1 part rose petal (Rosa spp.) 1/8 part lavender flower (Lavendula officinalis) 1/4 part rose hips (Rosa canina) 3 parts lemon balm leaf (Melissa officinalis)

What To Do: Bed Time?

Bed Time

Many of us moms have been there...you tell your little one that it is bed time and they put up a rumble, then they quiet down, and you tuck them in, give them a kiss on the fore-head, and gently say good-night. Whew! You are feelin' good and ready to enjoy your few minutes thats left in the night for relaxation. Next thing you know you hear toys rattling, games being turned on, and the sounds of imagination playing in the background. You go in and they say, “but I'm” not sleepy”. This repeats itself another time, and then they finally fall off to sleep. But by now, your few minutes of relaxation has been used up by the night-time play, and you're frustrated, cranky, and tired.

What to do? How do you handle bed-time with your toddler or your older kids for that matter? Share your experiences, tips, and advice with other mothers!

Keep A Look Out: Black Family Channel

Black Family Channel

News has it that the cable network The Black Family Channel will be moving to broadband soon! Making it free to all those with broadband connections.

Started by attorney Willie E. Gary, baseball legend Cecil Fielder, four-time heavyweight boxing champ Evander Holyfield, Marlon Jackson of the Jackson Five, and broadcast television veteran Alvin James; The Black Family Channel is America’s only minority owned and operated cable network committed to providing responsible programming for the entire family. They even have a show called “Souled Out” which is co-hosted by the fabulous Janelle Monae! The show examines the suggestive language, and subliminal messages depicted in all genres of music videos, and discuss the content, creativity and controversy surrounding today’s hip hop, R&B, pop and rock music videos. They also have a great line up for kids as well.

 
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