Non-Raw Sushi Menu for Mamas-to-Be

Giving up certain foods during pregnancy is not easy. I gave up caffeine – for a short while – but I haven’t been able to give up soft cheeses, entirely, and giving up sushi has been a real challenge, especially when my 6 1/2 year old son asks if we can have sushi for dinner.

I asked the people over at Harney Sushi my favorite sushi venues in all of San Diego) if they could put together a safe list of menu items that pregnant women can enjoy and they happily obliged.

“Since there hasn’t been any outside research on this, we prefer not to call it the “pregnancy safe list” but rather the ‘Non Raw Sushi List,’ says Harney Sushi chef, Ian Kadane.

• Hippie Roll (vegetarian) – Tempura sweet potato, shitake mushroom, avocado, cucumber and topped with tempura flakes.
• Emily Roll (vegetarian) – Cucumber, yama gobo, sprouts and topped with avo.
• Veggie Roll (vegetarian) – Fresh cucumber, avocado, radish sprouts and yama gobo.
• Cucumber or Avocado Maki (vegetarian)
• California Roll – Crab salad, cucumber and fresh avocado.
• Flaming Lip Roll – Tempura cali roll with cream cheese. Topped with spicy mayo and jalapeno slices.
• Tater Todds – Halibut wrapped around rice balls, topped with spicy mayo. Baked until golden and topped with eel sauce.
• Miso Harney Roll – Eel, cream cheese and avocado. Then tempura fried perfection. Covered in eel sauce and sesame seeds.
• Shrimp Tempura Roll – Two jumpo tempura Tiger shrimp, avocado, cucumber, crab salad. Topped with eel sauce. (Ask for no masago)
• Soft Shell Crab Roll - Soft shell crab, crab salad, fresh avocado, cucumber. Topped with ponzu sauce. (Ask for no masago)

For those who want to play it safe, Kadane recommends strict vegetarian items. Items containing cooked fish or tempura also make great alternatives. “For pregnant women who miss the taste of sushi, this craving can often be satiated with the flavors of rice, seaweed, ginger, wasabi and various condiments rather than raw fish. Even something simple like a cucumber maki can satisfy the sushi craving.”

Kadane also encourages customers to sit at the sushi bar, especially if they have special needs. He personally likes to make baked rolls (which do not appear on the regular menu) for pregnant women.

While I haven’t had a chance to check out this special menu just yet, I cannot wait to sample each and every one of the suggested items.

What is/was the hardest thing for you to give up during pregnancy? Be honest. I’m also really looking forward to enjoying a cold beer with my sushi rolls.

Good things come to those who wait.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Boobs and Bliss

If you own a smart phone, you probably have a few games that keep you occupied while in the waiting room or keep your kids busy when they’re bored.

I admit that I have a few too many for my son and I to choose from although some have become downright addicting. Add to that the online games that occupy too much of our time and it’s hard to justify downloading yet another app that’s simply for entertainment.

Until now.

The newest game that I’m addicted to is called Bliss. It’s challenging and helpful, as you receive blissful advice before entering each level.

You can download Bliss for your iPhone, Android, or Blackberry. It’s not that easy (try it, and see for yourself) to earn Bliss Codes, but once you do, you can enter it at the Bliss Donation website and the mobile gaming company will donate money to the Beautiful Day Foundation, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to raising awareness and providing breast cancer education to young women across the globe.

Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, you’ll be seeing pink everywhere and if you haven’t already done something to get a head start on this month’s cause, which affects every one of us, downloading this game is a very easy way to get involved.

Other ways to support this great cause include purchasing some items from the Beautiful Day Foundation clothing line, or sponsoring my dear friend Mel as she gets ready for the San Diego 3-Day (Walk) for the Cure. There are many ways you can support and honor National Breast Cancer Awareness month and those who have been affected first-hand cannot thank you enough for it.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Good Vibrations

I’m always thrilled when local companies find me – through my site – and want to partner me with me in a way that benefits both of us.

When the husband and wife team from Good Vibrations Family Chiropractic contacted me a few months back, I was thrilled. Here’s a company that is in the health & well-being field and whose primary focus is the family. They work with children and even young infants and toddlers as well as adults here in San Diego. Drs. Stacey and Joe Merlo have one child with a second on the way.

It wasn’t until my son started to visibly show signs of discomfort in his neck that I thought to contact them about being seen as a client. The timing couldn’t have been more appropriate for me either, as my back started to become sore with the extra pregnancy weight around that same time.

We made an appointment and met with Dr. Joe Merlo who is wonderful to work with. What I love most about him and Good Vibrations (after years of experience with different chiropractors in different offices) is that their office feels more like home. It’s very welcoming, the furniture and decor is bright and fun and doesn’t seem sterile or much like a doctor’s office at all. He also approaches his clients with a personal touch, hugging me after each session and leaving me with a question or thought to ponder over after I walk out the door.

Before my initial visit, I was asked to fill out some paperwork. Pretty standard for any first-time health visits. Although the questions asked were a bit different. I was asked to list 5 things or ways in which I would personally start working towards a healthier lifestyle and it was a great reminder about all those New Year’s resolutions we make to ourselves that get forgotten before summer even hits.

Here’s my list, which Dr. Joe now has as well so he can continue to support me and keep me on track for a healthier pregnancy:

1. Walking – As a runner, it’s been hard for me to literally slow down now that I’m pregnant. Each time I get my shoes tied and head out for a 2 mile walk, I get frustrated that I can’t pick up my feet and take off like I used to do. I need to remind myself that this time (during pregnancy) is all about slowing down in many ways and I would love to get out and walk more often, but perhaps at smaller distances (1 mile every other day would be ideal).
2. Meditation - Speaking of slowing down, my mind has been racing with everything that’s going on in my world. I used to meditate often and find myself better able to sleep and function throughout the day when I do. My intention is to meditate for just a few minutes before bed each night and slow down my mind which can get the best of me at times.
3. Yoga - I love yoga. I remember doing yoga poses with my mom in the early 80s and got back into it during my pregnancy with my son nearly seven years ago. It was a great way to keep in shape during my pregnancy but after being away from it for so long, I nearly forgot how beneficial it truly is. Just yesterday, I took my first pre-natal yoga class during this pregnancy and cannot wait to go back again next week.
4. Writing – This is huge for me – and for most of you reading this. There was a time when I was posting something here every single day and lately I haven’t been inspired or motivated or even very enthusiastic about keeping up to date with what’s going on. That has to change. It keeps me sane (somewhat) so expect to hear from me more often. Those of you who know how to reach me should pester me if you don’t.
5. Sleep – We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is great for so many reasons but having a consistent schedule is just as important. With this pregnancy, I have such a varied sleep schedule that I’ll nap during the day and then have a difficult time getting to sleep that night. So then I stay up late and sleep in the next morning only to find that the pattern begins all over again and there’s no routine or hours that I keep that are consistent. This also has changed now that my son has started school. I go to bed when he does, wake up early to get his lunch ready and start my day – pushing away the urge to nap so that I can get to bed at a reasonable time. Coffee helps. Trust me. But implementing the other four things I listed above help just as much.

All five of these are things I should be implementing in my life on a regular basis. I’m just so grateful that Dr. Joe is holding me accountable for them. And now that they’re here, in writing, I encourage you to share 5 things that you can do or plan on doing to optimize your overall health. Please leave a comment here, or link to a blog post that you’ve created with your list.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Where the surf meets the turf

I love going out with my girlfriends and fellow San Diego bloggers! We don’t do it often enough, but usually, while we’re out snapping photos, tweeting and laughing so loud people actually Shh! us (at a LIVE outdoor event, seriously), we get asked – once or twice – “Who’s birthday is it?” or “What’s the occasion?” because it appears, to the average person, that us ladies don’t really get out all that much.

Let’s just say that us moms don’t really get out all that much. Considering that our “job” is a 24/7 gig, getting out once a month with just the ladies can be, well, exhausting but worthwhile, and yet often a struggle to squeeze into our schedule. Some moms weren’t able to join us last night since issues with the sitter fell through at the last-minute, or didn’t take place at all. We missed you ladies!

Photo courtesy of @Jen_eration_X

Those of us who did make it to the Mom’s Night Out event yesterday at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club spoke, briefly, about our recent parenting challenges or issues that happened during the week that we were happy to step away from.

One of us is in the process of moving, a few are going through renovation hell, and while others are counting down the days until school starts again, there are those who hold bittersweet feelings about their kids leaving for college. One of us (raising hand) is halfway through her pregnancy and another is going to be a Grandma for the first time in just a few months.

While all of these stages that we’re going through are emotional and challenging in their own way, getting to have a Mom’s Night Out last night was the highlight of the week for each of us. Being treated to a VIP tour of the Paddock, petting the horses and mingling with the jockeys was a pretty cool experience. Sitting at the Stretch Run Grill, one of the track side restaurants, and being so close to the turf as the races flew by was exhilarating and of course, standing at the Winner’s Circle after a few races was beyond awesome, not to mention the VIP admission to the Super Diamond concert that took place after the races came to an end.

Photo courtesy of @Jen_eration_X

I’ve been to the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club before, on several occasions, and each time I’ve gone the experience has been different. I took my son and my mom to a Family Day event on the infield, where we spent most of the time eating and watching my son play on the kiddie activities. I’ve sat in the shaded seats cheering for my horses among fans who were just as eager to win some cash and last night, for the first time, I got to experience a different atmosphere since we were able to eat, drink and be merry while still rooting for the winning horses.

The ladies I went with definitely made the night what it was, but having a new perspective on the races made me even more excited to head back to the track, with my husband and my son or with whomever can join me – where the turf meets the surf, one of Southern California’s must-experience venues.

Follow the Del Mar Racing staff for updates, event highlights and photos and join their fan page on Facebook.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Broken Promises

Promises 2 Kids was founded nearly 30 years ago here in San Diego. The primary goal of this organization is to break the cycle of abuse and neglect and to provide San Diego County’s foster children with the tools, opportunities, and guidance they need to live a happy, healthy life.

I was invited to visit the Polinsky Children’s Center earlier this week, along with a few other bloggers from our area. The Polinsky Center is just one of the many programs behind Promises 2 Kids. The Polinsky Children’s Center is the only emergency facility in San Diego for abused or neglected children.

Viewing the facility and seeing many of the staff and children on campus was a touching experience, to say the least. Children are brought in due to abuse or neglect, and many end up staying in the foster care system for some time before they are adopted or before coming adults.

Promises 2 Kids also provides support to local child welfare agencies, and organizes and hosts an annual symposium and ongoing trainings for law enforcement, social workers and other first responders.

There are many ways to help Promises 2 Kids but if you are looking for a unique way to celebrate summer and raise money for a great cause, check out the private dinner and concert featuring Pat Benetar, taking place in La Jolla on June 2nd.

Donations are always welcome and are greatly appreciated.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

What the Fudge!

I scream, You scream! We all scream for ice cream!

Growing up, I have fond memories of enjoying ice cream treats with my family – it was a special dessert that we enjoyed quite often and I continue the tradition with my son who is just as big of an ice cream fan as I am.

When I was asked to participate in the Lovin’ Scoopful promotion, I was thrilled. I look forward to hosting an Ice Cream Social here in San Diego and share the story and mission behind the company!

This line up of flavors :

• Caramel Chocolate Crispy Treat- Uses creamy vanilla with chocolate covered crispy rice pieces, and then swirl in a thick caramel ribbon.
• Oh My Blueberry Pie- Uses swirled blueberry ribbon into churned light blueberry ice cream and then mixed in sugar coated pie crust pieces.
• Super Duper Peanut Butter Cup- Uses churned light peanut butter ice cream loaded with mini peanut butter cups and slathered in a thick fudge ribbon.
• Mintalicious- Uses green mint flavor by mixing in mint filled milk chocolate hearts along with the chocolate chips.
• Cozy Vanilla- Made with all natural bourbon vanilla extract.
• Out of this World Chocolate- Uses exotic rich chocolate.
• So Good Cookies and Cream- Uses milk chocolate and cookies & cream churned light ice cream.
• Caramel Chocolate Heaven- Churned light caramel ice cream is packed with caramel filled chocolate cups and slathered in a thick fudge ribbon.
• Yummy Cake & Cookie Dough- Uses cake batter mixed in chunks of chocolate and heaps of chocolate chip cookie dough.
• What the Fudge!- Made exotically rich ‘Out of This World’ chocolate smothered with fudge.
• Baba’s Butter Pecan Brittle- Uses butter pecan brittle bits.
• Mad About Mud Pie- Made with coffee, cookies and cream, almonds and fudge.
• Rockin’ Raspberry Cheesecake- Made with raspberries and cheesecake bits.

Launched in 2008, Lovin’ Scoopful ice cream has half the fat and 1/3 fewer calories than other premium ice creams. It’s also made from milk and cream of cows not treated with rBST.

Lovin’ Scoopful is committed to donate 25% of its profits ($50,000 minimum annually) to Special Olympics and other causes. The Special Olympics was founded by Maria Shriver’s late mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, in 1962 and this family business is just one way to honor and raise awareness for this great cause.

Maria Shriver is the Creative Director behind Lovin’ Scoopful and has been involved with each step of the developmental process, from coming up with the flavors and names to helping in the design of the logo and quality of the ice cream itself.

Learn more about Lovin’ Scoopful, search for a store near you where you can purchase the ice cream and stay tuned for an awesome giveaway. You can also “like” them on Facebook or follow them on Twitter.

Please share in the comment section which flavor – you can only pick one – you are most excited to try! A Lovin’ Scoopful Prize Pack could be yours (one random winner will be selected after the ice cream social takes place).

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Dining Details Challenges You to Start a Food Revolution in your Kitchen

Change is good. Change is necessary. Change is not easy.

Last week, several San Diego bloggers whom I call friends, gathered around Theresa‘s kitchen table and watched as Chef Mom Julie Frans of Dining Details cooked five amazing meals for us and explained how certain ingredients should be cut from our diets in order to improve our overall health. She provided us with a great deal of information that I am still trying to digest.

While I enjoyed everything she created in the kitchen and loved the tastes and smells of the foods on my plate, I still left that night feeling a bit overwhelmed.

I don’t call myself a cook and since my ‘healthy meals’ usually take place at restaurants or consist of prepared foods from Trader Joe’s that I can heat up and enjoy, there is definitely a lot more for me to learn.

From Julie’s suggestions, I added Almond Milk, lentils and Sea Salt to my shopping cart this week, along with the organic chicken and fruits & veggies that I normally pick up.

I definitely want to learn more about what Julie mentioned about creating a diet that is the perfect pH balance. Switching from table salt (that contains bleach and other chemicals) to sea salt was an easy step to make and knowing which foods to avoid is always a great reminder (corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, processed foods, MSG, artificial sweeteners, colors & flavors, margarine/butter substitutes).

Baby steps. I’ve made some small changes this week and I’m studying the recipes found on the Dining Details website to determine which menu I’ll prepare for Mr. Right next time he’s here. He’s a foodie and a great cook so perhaps I’ll have him select a recipe to cook for with me. These recipes are sounding pretty amazing right about now (and I’m not even hungry):

• Eggplant and Kalamata Risotto
• Stuffed Poblano Peppers
• Lemon Asparagus Risotto with Truffle Oil
• Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini
• Butternut Squash Leek Soup

I could always use Dining Details to prepare a Romantic Dinner for Two if I end up being too intimidated by the idea of cooking a gourmet meal on my own.

For those of you who are not in San Diego and still want to enjoy the amazing foods Julie and her staff create, I highly recommend the recipe section of the Dining Details website. The categories in the recipe section include Kid-Friendly Cooking, Something Sweet, Sauces/Dressings/Salsas, Soups/Salads, Hors D Hoerves, and Gluten Free recipes.

In addition to the wonderful resources they provide, Dining Details also provides personal chef services and caters small, intimate dinners for couples or for weddings and corporate events. They also host cooking demonstrations, in their kitchen or your own.

Chickpeas, their school lunch program, provides family dinners, baby food and educates parents and caregivers on healthy cooking.

If you have seen commercials for Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution (premiering this Friday on ABC), you’ll understand the need to start teaching your children, from a young age, the importance of healthy eating, nutritional choices that will help extend their life and why these subtle changes need to take place. Now.

Dining Details is owned by a local couple here in San Diego. They will be welcoming their second child later this year. Become a Fan of Dining Details Facebook, or follow Julie or Robbie on Twitter.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

An Educated Choice

If you’re visiting this site because you recently read about Happy Healthy Hip Parenting at An Educated Choice, welcome! It may or may not be everything you expected, but a sense of humor is certainly required! This blog is where I de-stress, where I come to share, complain, entertain and inspire. There is an amazing group of educated, delightful, generous and funny individuals in the on-line community and I’m glad you’re here to be a part of it.

While I focus on my clients when I’m sitting down with them, everything they share with me is confidential. Many parents, single parents in particular, are going through an extraordinarily hard time right now. I should know. I’ve been juggling many things and wearing many hats since becoming a single mom over three years ago.

Our son is now in Kindergarten. He goes to a premiere independent school in La Jolla and both his dad and I are devoted to giving him the best education there is, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Redirecting Children’s Behavior is a program that I recommend to any and all families looking for ways to reduce the stress in their lives and in their relationships. Trust me, it works.

Thank you for stopping by, continuing to read, and supporting me through the journey. I hope I can do the same for you.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Home is where your mom is

I’m not a native Californian, but I’ve lived here long enough to realize that Christmas is not quite the same without the snow and cold that I grew up with and long for this time of year.

My family, friends and even Mr. Right are all in Minnesota, where I was born and raised. Around the holidays, I start to miss them even more than usual. Seasonal depression, winter blues – whatever you call it, I’ve got it.

This year, I’ll be taking my son “home,” for a quick 3-day weekend. We’ll be able to spend just enough time with his cousins, aunt & uncle, and grandparents before getting on a plane to come back here.

Family traditions, winter vacations and holiday celebrations take on a whole new meaning with kids. I’m excited to create new memories with my son and help shape our holidays into something completely our own.

Many people move away from home, for jobs, college, work or other reasons. Even though I’ve lived in San Diego for ten years now, I still consider St. Paul my home.

Where do you call home?

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Single Dads wanted

Now is the time to get a little excited….SingleDad.com is past the stages of development and is now looking to cast 3 to 4 additional fathers for their TV Reality show by December 4, 2009! We need your help finding the “perfect fit”.

Here is what we are looking for:

• Dads residing anywhere in the Greater Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Diego Counties.
• Any type of fatherhood situation that is in the early stages of transitioning to being a single parent.
• Fathers never married with children, newly divorced with children or widowed fathers raising their children.
• To qualify, single dads must have at least 50% custody of their children.
• Any lifestyle, color or ethnicity.
• Men ages 45 or less are preferred.

We will cast 3 to 4 “transitioning” fathers and their children to join an existing group of 2 fathers who have already transitioned into single parenting. This “Dads Club” will require a person with a dynamic personality and openness to sharing the challenges of life as a single parent within the Dads Club and on camera.

To be considered, please send the following to rj@singledad.com. We must cast by December 4th , so don’t delay!

1. Picture of dad and kids (please include names and ages)
2. Brief summary of current custody status
3. Contact info (city of residence, email and phone number)
4. All correspondence sent by e-mail only to: rj@singledad.com

Please pass this along to anyone who you think might be interested.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home