Sunset Circus is back by popular demand with new, never-before-seen Juggling and Aerial Acts! A circus for audiences of all ages, Sunset Circus is a family you’ve just met but you’ve known forever. Featuring circus artists from Cirque du Soleil, Big Apple Circus, and beyond, SUNSET CIRCUS features a sensational cast of seven circus artists, including aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, and comedians who will bring audiences laughter, awe, and perhaps a tear. This unique theatrical circus experience presents innovative circus acts interwoven with characters who would be at home in your own backyard, entertaining everyone from kids to parents and grandparents.

The performance is one-hour long and is appropriate for all ages.

When: March 22 and May 3, 2026 at 11 am and 2 pm

Where: Marlene Meyerson JCC
334 Amsterdam Ave., at 76th Street, NYC

Price: $40 and up

To purchase tickets click here.

Photos by Maike Schultz

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty-five years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 19, 16 and 13.

• Take Gorgeous Photos with the Kodak PIXPRO AZ421 Camera
• The Big Apple Circus is Coming to Town (+ Coupon and Giveaway) – Ends 10/2
• Giveaway: Big Apple Circus Tickets – Ends 5/15
• Big Apple Circus Luminocity Review
• Don’t Miss Big Apple Circus’ The Grand Tour

The post Don’t Miss: Sunset Circus by Parallel Exit appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

So the last time I spoke about paying for college, I had one child who was graduating. Now that child is a freshman in college and my middle child is a senior in high school. As my middle kid gets their college acceptances, paying for that kid to go to college is heavily on my mind. Our costs are going to double! One thing that gives me comfort is that we have NY529 plans. But there’s another way that things can be made easier for paying for college and beyond: UGMA accounts, which stands for Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, and it’s a type of custodial account (meaning it’s managed by an adult on behalf of a minor). I’ve mentioned this before and here’s why opening UGMA accounts are a smart strategy when you have two kids in college and expenses are doubling. I did write a blog post about UGMA accounts two years ago, but this post will give you even more information.

Facing not one, but 2 college tuitions is definitely daunting. Next fall, we’ll be paying double what we paid this year. Add in non-educational expenses like:

• Transportation
• Healthcare expenses (prescriptions, medical devices, etc)
• Dorm furnishings (including bedding, organization, laundry baskets, etc…
• Clothes including new winter boots, winter jacket, college swag, extracurricular activities
• Snacks and money to go off campus for social activities

My middle child will need to fly back and forth to their university and my oldest sometimes takes the bus to NYC (but the price of that is at least $70 roundtrip now). My kids may want to go abroad to study also! Planning for these expenses helps. We also want to make sure our kids will thrive after graduation.

The main benefit of an UGMA compared to another account like a 529 is that once your child reaches the legal age of being considered an adult in your state, they can use UGMA funds for any purpose. A 529 is limited to educational expenses only or you’ll get hit with taxes and penalties. My oldest could use his UGMA account to pay for his first apartment or car, which you cannot do with a 529.

Anyone can contribute to UGMA accounts, including grandparents or other relatives. These contributions come from after-tax dollars. A UGMA account is handled differently than a (UTMA) Trust account, there are less restrictions. You should research which one is better for your child.

Related Posts:

The post Opening UGMA Accounts: A Smart Strategy When You Have 2 Kids in College and Expenses Are Doubling appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Headlined by seasoned magicians Jim Vines (from Penn & Teller’s “fool Us”) and Carl Mercurio, this family-friendly show is the perfect cross-generational activity that’s got something for everyone – from young school-aged kids, to teenagers to grandparents.

My 13 year-old son (who gets bored by most things these days) and I were dazzled by the cool magic tricks and the magicians’ chemistry and charisma.

The most impressive trick for me was the mind-reading trick. The magicians asked the audience to think of a random number. Somehow, the number I thought of ended up being the number which was written down! They did the trick again with another number, but I was so preoccupied with trying to figure out how they did it the first time, that I lost my focus. I also loved another interactive trick: the card trick. Every member of the audience received four playing cards and, without giving too much away, let’s just say that we were very impressed!

The magicians used family-appropriate humor and the entire show was entertaining from start to finish. It’s the perfect family event this winter!

The performance, which is recommended for ages 5 to adult, is one-hour long and takes place at a comedy club, so you are sitting at tables, as opposed to theater seats. You can purchase food and drink, if you wish. Photography and videography is permitted.

Tip: Arrive early to get the best seats up front. Also, Before the show begins, a magician will walk around the audience and perform really cool magic tricks. And be sure to stay after for photo ops with the magicians!

Below are special holiday performances for December. (After the holidays, the show will resume regular performances through March 2026.)

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2PM
Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 11AM
Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 1PM
Monday, December 22, 2025 at 2PM
Saturday, December 27, 2025 at 2PM
Sunday, December 28, 2025 at 2PM
Monday, December 29, 2025 at 2PM
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 2PM

Where: Broadway Comedy Club
318 West 53rd St., NYC

Price: $25 per person (plus tax)

To purchase tickets click here.

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty-five years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 18, 16 and 13.

The post Don’t Miss: Broadway Magic Hour appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Francis Patrelle’s holiday classic returns for its 29th season! Enjoy a magical tour of 1895 New York City with Dances Patrelle. The journey begins with a Christmas Eve party at Gracie Mansion attended by dignitaries from around the world – including new police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt. There will be a battle with life-sized mice, a midnight skate on the ponds of Central Park, and a sleigh-ride to the Grand Conservatory of the Bronx Botanical Gardens in time for a beautiful sunrise buffet of sweets, hosted by the Sugar-Plum Fairy.

Where: The Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Ave., NYC

When: Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Friday, December 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM & 5:00 PM

Price: $80 per ticket

To purchase tickets click here.

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty -five years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 18, 16 and 13.

The post Don’t Miss: the Yorkville Nutcracker by Dances Patrelle this Holiday Season! appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Fidelis Care offers mobile StreetSide vehicles, local community offices, and community events to bring care closer to home. They also partner with local gardens (like the Bed-Stuy Farm through GrowNYC), nonprofits, schools, and community organizations to promote health and wellness across New York State, focusing on improving maternal health, behavioral health, as well as urban and rural health.

I remember talking to parents of my students’ who didn’t go for routine screenings for their kids or for themselves because they didn’t know that they should. Many of them didn’t have access to regular medical care, they would just go to the Emergency Room when they absolutely needed to (either with an accident or a severe illness). As a mom to a kid with Type 1 Diabetes, my kid goes to his endocrinologist every 3 months to make sure things are okay. I don’t know what we would have done if we didn’t have health insurance to cover the visits and all the medical supplies (including insulin, CGM monitor, and insulin pumps).

Fidelis Care New York is the only statewide health plan, accessible to all, regardless of income, background, or zip code.
Learn more at: https://www.fideliscare.org/

This is a sponsored post. As always, all opinions are completely my own.

The post Fidelis Care Launches “Here for Your Health” to Support the Well-Being of New Yorkers appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

My son did a Gap Year in Israel last year (September to mid May), so this wasn’t our first time for him being away. I dealt with missing him like crazy, but he did stay in constant communication. It helped. Technology does make missing someone easier, because you can do video calls, in addition to regular calls and texts. What’s App is the best thing ever. He had fantastic experiences and met wonderful people. We knew our child wasn’t ready last year to start college so this was a good decision.

My son came back in Mid May and then basically slept late, gamed on his computer, and saw friends. After a family vacation, he started working for the next 6 weeks as an aide in a kitchen in a school through a program NYC has for kids 14-21 called SYEP (Student Youth Employment Program). He was never late (he started at 7 AM) and it was a positive experience for him. The supervisor loved him. He worked hard and made a little money to boot. Success!

Then the countdown to college started. I frantically started figuring out what we needed to buy for him and made tons of lists. He didn’t care as much – do teenage boys really care what their bedding looks like and if it matches the rug you buy? Not my kid. He picked out a set in blue and called it a day. He looked at one poster from a 90’s rock band and announced that his wall decor was done. I joined facebook groups about dorm packing and called on my girlfriends for advice. I sent my mom to Aldi to pick up dorm items for me (she lives right near a good one in Carle Place, Long Island and while I’m working full time, I was worried the items would be gone). I ordered A LOT of Amazon. I went to Target and Walmart. I made sure to get a LOT of storage. My kid just kept on gaming and going to work.

I drew the line at packing his clothes. I bought the famous “moving” bags (IKEA dupes). I got a pack of 6 and figured I’d need more. He packed 2 of those with clothes. He didn’t think about packing any sweatshirts/rain jackets/ warm fleece jackets. So I packed those. I reminded him to pack his hiking boots. He forgot them. I’m not even sure if he took his winter jacket. Then I reminded myself that these weren’t huge problems and he didn’t need the boots or heavy jacket yet. He was only going 2 hours away and while it’s closer than the other colleges he applied to, it’s still not a hop, skip and a jump.

And then the move in day finally arrived. The night before he left, I organized everything and made my son help me. I drove him crazy by making him take his insulin pods out of the boxes and pack them neatly in the plastic top drawer (if you are a regular reader you know my son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes 8 years ago and while it’s been a roller coaster, since his growth slowed down, it’s been better). We took a lot of his supplies so he could manage himself, plus a small cooler of insulin. We had been in touch with the school’s FANTASTIC Disability Resource Department and we were told we could ask for an extra fridge to hold his insulin as it wasn’t fair to his roommate to have a ton of insulin in the fridge, taking up room.

Move in Day
I had everything ready to go the night before. We left on time and only hit a touch of traffic, it was raining, but it stopped when we reached the college’s exit. We drove onto the campus at 10AM, which was when we were supposed to get there. The campus was ready for us and we saw lot of staff in the school t-shirts directing us where to go. We were told to check in and then we could move my son’s stuff in. We pulled up to the dorm. We saw HUGE lines to get in. It was just past 10AM, so we figured it might take 30 minutes or so, or maybe 45 minutes. But NOPE.

We stood on line outside for 2 hours just to check in. The line barely moved. The families that had been able to check in already were waiting outside for 1-2 hours to get their stuff upstairs. It did help that the staff was very nice, but clearly something was going on. Our easy move in was now full of drama. No one told us what was happened. Luckily the rain had stopped once we got to the college.

We finally got into the building around 2 hours later. Check in literally took 5 minutes (which was really puzzling). We had to go upstairs and fill out the room condition form. The room was clean, but there were clear signs of damage on the walls in a few places. When we finally got my son’s stuff and went into the building, the elevator had broken. So walking up two flights of stairs it was! The student athletes who had helped with move in were gone by the time we able to move in. As my husband and son carried bags up to the 3rd floor, one of the staff members helped (again, the staff was so nice). 

We did try to stay positive, as this clearly was not the staff’s fault. It took us around 2 hours to set up my son’s side of the room. I had bought a rubber mallet to move his bed up the 4 rungs to raise it, but the bed rails wouldn’t budge. I found a helpful janitor who put in a work order to get that done. The room was so small that when his roommate showed up there wasn’t room for them to come in. We put away bags that were now empty and consolidated items so they could come in. I made the bed, wrestling with his mattress topper, bed bug mattress encasement, sheets, pillows and comforter.
Once we set up and were all sweaty, we went to eat off campus. I didn’t get the beautifully decorated dorm photo. Life went on.

We had wanted to go to the college bookstore to buy college SWAG. However, by the time we got off campus and ate, it was time to get home (we knew we were going to hit traffic anyway). A trip that should take 1 hour and 45 minutes was now going to take two and a half hours. So I didn’t get the T-shirt with the college name on it. As my husband and I both took the day off to move him in, the day was now over.

We figured it may be chaotic, but this was over the top. We still love this college and know we made the right decision to send him. I ordered some posters from Amazon that he liked and he put them up. It made his side of the room look better. I spoke to a bunch of other parents from the school (yeah for Facebook Groups) and we were the only dorm that had this issue. That did make me feel a little better.

However, perspective- my kid has a good school to go to and is happy and healthy. Hopefully our drop off for our middle kid next year will go a little smoother. We do love the school my son chose (if you go on social media, you can see where he is). But I still want the damn T-shirt I promised myself.

Related posts

Why We’re Not Worried About Saving for College

The Ultimate Shopping List for College Essentials

The post My First Kid Went to College (and I Didn’t Even Get a Lousy T-shirt) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I recently came back from a trip to San Francisco, where for 3 glorious days, I had some R & R with my husband, before I covered the PBS Annual Meeting started. We played tourist and had a wonderful time.

But one thing I didn’t have to worry about was my purse. I tested out Travelon’s Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag and knew things were much more secure.

I prefer cross body bags, because I can walk around lighter and with just the essentials. But I worry about being a target of theft, a determined thief can slash straps and panels. However, after I saw Travelon’s products, I thought their bags would be perfect for worry-free traveling. Plus, I knew my credit cards were safe inside (there’s RFID blocking card and passport slots).

Note – this is not a high fashion bag, it’s a black nylon-ish bag from Travelon’s classic line. However, the size, body length, and functionality was perfect. I would love to see this design in a slightly fancier fabric, with the exact same size, dimensions and features.

I am very picky about cross body length and the Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder bag was able to extend to a comfy length. And since this mini shoulder bag is perfect for traveling, it’s going to be my travel handbag. But if I was going to be running around a touristy area, I would definitely use this for the day.

How it actually worked: 

I did keep the front compartment locked and it did ease my mind that I could do that. I felt safer. With this bag, that’s where you should keep any valuables. It’s not completely sealed shut, you can slip a finger in, but not your whole hand.

I liked the flap on the outside of the bag. I kept my MAC compact and lipstick in that compartment.

On the other side of the bag, there’s another zippered compartment. I kept gum and my extra mobile battery.

Thank you to Travelon for providing the Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag for review. 

Travel Safety Tips, courtesy of Travelon

-Tourist spots, public transportation stations and restaurants are notorious hangouts for pickpockets and thieves. Always be aware of your surroundings. Be wary of sudden crowds or commotions around you,  these are often designed to catch you off guard.  

-Pickpockets often work in teams where one member diverts your attention elsewhere while the second member picks your pocket.

-Keep a small amount of cash in your pocket and avoid showing large sums of money in public. Use an anti-theft bag like Travelon or an undercover waist pack to keep your money secure.

-Every summer day around 100 tourists will be victimized near Rome’s Spanish Steps, the Coliseum, and the Vatican.

What travel safety tips would you add to this list?

Since this review posted, I’ve switched to Travelon’s Classic North South Crossbody Bag, which has more room AND space for a small water bottle. I use it for travel and every day and find it’s the perfect bag for me!

My middle kid always refuses to carry any kind of bag, but before they went on their semester abroad last spring, I convinced them to try the Travelon Essentials North South Bag and they keep using it.

Buy on Amazon.

The post Have Safer Travels with Travelon Classic Anti-Theft Mini Shoulder Bag appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

So your kid is going to college. Are you ready? Are they ready? While we can’t help you feel better about your kid taking this huge life step, we can help you with packing for their dorm life. It’s definitely an adjustment to sharing a small room with a stranger who could become a close friend.
Add in shared bathrooms, going to the dining hall for meals, attending classes – it’s a lot of change.

We’ve created the ultimate college dorm checklist to make shopping simpler. Whether your kid is a freshman, transfer or just going back for another year, these must-haves will set you up for a successful year.

Pro Packing for College Tip: Most dorm rooms are small and shared, so stick to essentials that are compact, multi-functional, and easy to organize.

Bed Essentials

You’ll spend a lot of time in your bed—it’s your sleep zone, study space, and chill-out corner. Comfort is key! Pick soft fabrics and make sure you are comfy!

• Twin XL Sheet Set – Soft & Breathable
• Mattress Topper – Ultra Soft Twin XL size: Viscose Made from Bamboo Pillow Top Mattress Pad for Back Pain Relief – Naturally Cooling for Hot Sleepers, Green
• Bedsure Pillows (Set of 2): Soft Bed Pillows for Sleeping 2 Pack, Fluffy and Supportive, Hotel Quality, Original Down Alternative Filling for Side
• Soft, Lightweight Down-Alternative All-Season Comforter and Bedding Set, Pinch Pleat, Twin/TwinXL
• Reading Pillow (Husband): Supportive back-rest cushion, Oeko-Tex Certified
• Under-Bed Storage Bins
• Bed-in-a-Bag Set
• Fan – we love Woozoo! Spend the money on a good fan like the Iris Woozoo fans.
• FanShelfie Adjustable Fan Holder for Dorm Room

Now to take all this up to college? Wash your items and then use a vacuum storage bag to hold and compress these bulky items so they’ll fit in your car.

Here’s a 15 pack of vacuum storage bags with a pump included, you can use the included pump (But I used my new Shark Ninja Upright Vacuum to suck the air out of it and it was really quick).

Kitchen and Snacks

We love our snacks and treats, right? While you may be able to use a mini-fridge and microwave in your room, as well as a K Cup Coffeemaker, make sure to check your college’s housing rules. At my son’s school, you cannot have an air fryer, a hot pot electric kettle, a student owned microfridges or refrigerators larger than 3 cubic feet, portable ranges (like those little one burner plug ins that you see in cooking videos), griddles, toaster, toaster ovens, rice cookers, George Foreman Grills, popcorn makers, fondue pots/fountains, electric pots/pans/woks, Coffee makers/electric kettles with exposed heating elements, hot plates, crock pots, Instant Pots, and other electronic pressure cookers, etc.

But you can get:

Mini Keurig Coffee Maker Sure, this may not satisfy all your caffeine cravings for early morning classes or late night study sessions, but it will sure help.
Simply, Doritos & Cheetos Mix Variety Pack
Compact Mini Fridge with Freezer (just make sure your school allows you to bring your own).
Reusable Utensil Set with Case
Rubbermaid TakeAlongs Food Storage Containers – my niece actually suggested this, for when you want to take food from the dining hall.
Glass Food Storage Containers with Airtight Snap Locking Lids BPA Free
Snack Organizer Tray (aka Snackle Box)
Snack Box Variety Pack (40 Count) Candy Gift Basket
Frito Lay Baked & Popped Mix Variety Pack, (Pack of 40)

Laundry & Cleaning Supplies

Even if laundry isn’t your favorite chore, you’ll need to keep things clean.

• Pop-Up Laundry Hamper with Handles
• Laundry Sheets – leave the bulky bottles of detergent at home
• Stain Remover Stick
• Compact Vacuum or Handheld Dustbuster
• Disinfecting Wipes – Bulk Pack
• Swiffer Sweep & Mop Deluxe 2-in-1 Floor Mopping and Sweeping Kit

Organization & Storage

Maximize every inch of space with smart storage.

• Over-the-Door Hanging Organizer
• Plastic Storage Drawer Cart with Wheels
• Desk Drawer Organizer Set
• Collapsible Storage Cubes
• Bedside Caddy with Pockets

Tech & Electronics

Make sure your dorm is wired for success and convenience.

• Surge Protector Power Strip with USB Ports
• Clip-On Reading Light for Desk or Bed
• Noise-Canceling Headphones – I like these SONY ones.
• Bluetooth Speaker

Bathroom & Toiletries

With shared bathrooms, portability and hygiene are a must.

• Shower Caddy – Quick Dry & Portable
• Flip-Flops for the Shower
• Towel Set – Quick-Dry & Soft
• Toiletry Bag with Hanging Hook
• Robe – Lightweight and Cozy
• Odor Eliminator – you remember that your kid will be sharing bathrooms. Make it less stinky.

Desk Supplies & Study Aids

Make your study space inviting and efficient.

• Adjustable Desk Lamp with USB Port
• Laptop Stand – Ergonomic & Foldable
• Weekly Dry Erase Planner for Wall
• Sticky Notes, Highlighters & Pens Set

Comfort & Personal Touches

Make your dorm room feel like home.

• String Lights with Clips for Photos
• Comfy pizza throw blanket
• Sprinkle Donut Throw Pillow

Final Checklist

Twin XL Bedding
Storage & Organization
Laundry Supplies
Cleaning Tools
Tech Accessories
Kitchen Essentials
Bathroom Supplies
Study Tools
Personal Touches

Ready to Shop?

Save or print this list, or better yet—create an Amazon wishlist and start checking things off!

Bonus Tip: Make sure to reach out to your roommate so you don’t end up with two mini fridges or six lamps.

Here is a link to my Amazon Storefront, with all these suggestions in one easy place!

Want to join Prime? College students, this one’s for you. Students or 18-24 year olds can enjoy Prime as well as an extra 5% cash back on eligible purchases and monthly perks. Plus, it’s $0 for the first 6 months. Go here to sign up.

Don’t forget about ordering some groceries for those late night study sessions!

The post The Ultimate Shopping List for College Dorm Essentials appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

An eternal love that defies all expectations. Reimagined by an international team of creative minds together with Hong Kong Ballet’s Choreographer-in-Residence HU Song Wei Ricky and MAI Jingwen, “The Butterfly Lovers” is a legendary Chinese folktale about humble scholar Liang Shanbo and aristocratic heiress Zhu Yingtai, who disguises herself as a boy in order to study at a prestigious academy. From innocently meeting as students and forging a strong, immediate bond to dangerously rebelling against centuries-old forces that threaten to keep them apart, the lovers face unexpected challenges at every turn, as secrets are revealed and a shocking family betrayal ultimately seals their fate.

This multi-award-winning production includes stunning sets and costumes and a sweeping original score that bring to life a world with traditional and modern elements.

When: Friday 8/22/25 at 7:30pm
Saturday 8/23/25 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday 8/24/25 at 2pm

Where: David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC

To purchase tickets here or at the box office. Prices start at $39

Photos courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty -five years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 18, 16 and 12.

• King Kong on Broadway: It’s Not a Show, It’s an Experience! (+ Discount Code)
• What’s New For Netflix in 2016 & My Trip to LA
• Family Jazz Party With WeBop! of “Jazz at Lincoln Center”
• A Visit to the Columns, The Museum of the Pike County Historical Society
• Upcoming Show: 2014 Spring Performance at Ballet Academy East

The post Don’t Miss: Hong Kong Ballet at Lincoln Center appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Start with the luggage! I usually try to pack carry-on only, but this was a 16-day trip, with stops in 3 countries: Hungary, Israel and Spain) and visiting two of my kids who are studying in Israel — so we needed a bigger suitcase to take. Carry-on just wasn’t going to cut it as we were going to be away for too long, plus we just had to bring too much stuff to bring to the kids. We took large suitcases, plus travel backpacks. These links are from Amazon Prime – and I highly recommend these products!

Sturdy Luggage

Make sure you have the sturdy suitcase whether it’s carry-on or for checked baggage. We’ve had the same large and medium checked bags that was bought from our wedding registry. Knowing those didn’t have much life left in them, we sent them with my middle kid when they went overseas in January. So my husband and I bought up two large hard shell suitcases and while they were big, they were ideal for us. We spent around $100 for each one and were happy with how they performed on their trip. We were prepared to spend more if we needed to. Here are some choices similar to what we had.

Amazon Basics 30″ Hardside Large Checked Luggage, Hardshell Suitcase With Wheels

DELSEY PARIS Helium Aero Hardside Expandable Luggage with Spinner Wheels, Brick Red, 29 Inch

Hanging Toiletry Bag and Silicone Bottles for Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash/Serums/Moisturizer

Using a hanging toiletry bag was a game changer! I hung it up in the bathroom on a hook and using the clear zipped pockets, I could get to anything I needed instantly. And yes, I get the larger size as I’m an overpacker.
I like the shampoo I use at home and bought some soft silicone bottles for my shampoo and conditioner. It’s a good thing that I did because in Israel I couldn’t find travel sizes of shampoo and conditioner. I had stuck an extra travel size shampoo in my toiletry bag and I had to dip into that. In the hotel in Israel, they had small bottles that we could use, but it was shampoo+conditioner+body wash and I’m not a 3-in-1 person. I like my shampoo, conditioner, and body wash separate, thank you very much! After all these years on this earth, I know what works for my hair and a 3-in-1 does not.

I also bought travel sizes of my favorite hair care items – which is the Color Wow Dream Coat Spray, Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Set, and a travel sized hair spray.

Need to do Laundry?

Sink Suds to the rescue! I bought an 8-pack of Sink Suds from Amazon. The packets will wash around 3-5 items and they include a sink stopper. It made it so easy to do my laundry in the hotel room sink. Because you may not know where you can hang wet clothes in your hotel room, get a retractable travel clothesline.

Sink Suds with Drain Stopper (pack of 8)

Beach Vacay?
Microfiber towels are your friend. I picked up this 2 pack of Beach-sized Microfiber Towels and they were wonderful.

Microfiber Beach Towels

Make Up/Skincare Musts

You’re going to want to keep things compact, so get a travel sized makeup brush set (it’s genius), and your favorite skin care items in travel sizes.

I love all things CeraVe, so getting minis was a no brainer.

Travel Pillow

While I have a travel neck pillow, I chose to get a small roll up memory foam pillow for sleeping in hotel rooms. This one folds up small and was perfect when our pillow situation just didn’t work for me. What a neck saver!

Travel Backpack

This is the second travel backpack from Matein that I bought for myself (a mouse destroyed my first one). I love it. Tons of room and it’s so sturdy.

Reusable Water Bottle

I wanted a small water bottle that would fit at least 10 ounces and be lightweight. This one fit 11 ounces and fit into my Travelon Crossbody’s water bottle pocket. It’s stainless steel, insulated vacuum, leak proof and kept my water cold as I traveled.

Compact Mirror with LED Light

I got this cute small compact mirror with an LED Light for doing my eye makeup/eyebrow plucking maintenance. It has 1x/10x magnifying power, it’s rechargeable and still pretty small at 3.5in.

Tech Needs

I use a USB-C charger, but my husband and kids use lightning cables/USB 2.0. Sometimes when I travel I need a USB-C to USB 2.0 cable and sometimes I need USB-C to USB-C. Instead of carrying 25 cables around, this Multi USB Charging Adapter Cable Kit can convert your cable to what you need. It’s small and easily fit into my crossbody bag without adding weight. Genius.

Air Tags

This helped us find out luggage when our two big suitcases stayed in Zurich as we almost missed our connection to Budapest. Air Tags are a must and helped our piece of mind. I was able to call the Swiss Air office at the Budapest Airport and tell them that my luggage was in their office.

Power Banks

I always have at least 2-3 power banks on me. This is one of my favorites – Anker MagGo Power Bank, Qi2 Certified 15W Ultra-Fast MagSafe-Compatible Portable Charger, 10,000mAh Battery Pack with Smart Display & Foldable Stand, For iPhone 16/15/14/13.

Travel Adapters

If you are traveling overseas, then you need a universal travel adaptor. They can break pretty easily, so my advice is to have 2 with you. Get the kind that can have your cables to plug right into it so you can use the adaptor for something else, like your Cpap machine! I like this one – TESSAN Universal Travel Adapter, International Power Adapter 5.6A 28W 3 USB C 2 USB A Ports, Travel Worldwide Plug Adaptor, Outlet Wall Charger for Europe. I noticed that in Scandinavia, the travel adaptor was a little harder to get into the outlet, it was easier to use in Hungary, Israel and Spain.

Get Your Reading Time In

Sure, you can read on your iPhone, but when you’re traveling, a kindle is lightweight and great for getting those pages in. You’ll need Kindle Unlimited and you and your e-books can be very happy together.

Sign up for Amazon Prime. If you are ages 18-24, sign up for Prime here and get 5% cash back for a limited time.

The post Packing for an International Trip? These International Travel Must Haves Deserve a Spot in Your Suitcase appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Foolproof Matzoh Balls

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Recipe: Foolproof Matzoh Balls for Passover

Want to make foolproof matzoh balls? This recipe is adapted from Streits' Original Matzoh Ball Recipe (yes, the one on the back of the old box).

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Jewish

Prep Time 1 hour hour

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Total Time 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Nancy Johnson Horn from http://www.themamamaven.com

Ingredients

• 4 eggs beaten
• 1 cup unsalted matzoh meal
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup melted margarine you can use canola or vegetable oil, I used Smart Balance Baking Sticks melted in the microwave
• 1 teaspoon salt I usually add salt to the soup before I eat it
• Pinch of black pepper

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Beat eggs in a bowl.
  
• Add water, margarine/oil, salt and pepper to the beaten eggs.
  
• Mix well. Add matzoh meal and stir.
  
• Refrigerate at least one hour.
• Form into balls (you're going to have to wash your hands extra well and form with your hands) and drop into pot soup or boiling water.
• Cook 20 minutes.
• Makes 16 to 20 small matzoh balls.
• 
• You can put them right into a soup or store them in the fridge for a couple of days before adding to soup.
• 

Matzo Tacos

Print

Recipe: Matzoh Tacos AKA "Macos"

Super simple, super easy Passover dinner choice! Go beyond Matzo Pizza!

Course Passover Friendly Main Dish

Cuisine Jewish

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Nancy Johnson Horn

Ingredients

• 1 can refried Pinto Beans we like Old El Paso's Refried Pinto Beans - you can also take a can of black beans, heat up slightly and puree when it cools.
• 1 box matzoh usually adults will eat two pieces of matzoh, kids may eat 1/2 a piece
• Sour Cream we use low fat
• Mashed Avocado or guacamole
• Salsa any strength you want, kids may prefer a mild version
• Shredded regular or reduced fat cheddar cheese or a Mexican style blend
• Extra Add-ons:
• Tomatoes
• Shredded lettuce
• Mushrooms sauteed

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Toast pieces of matzoh in oven for 5 minutes (just keep an eye on it).
  
• Spoon on beans and sprinkle cheese, bake for 5 minutes.
  
• For my super picky kids, we kept it pretty simple - beans, cheese, matzoh.
• 
• My husband and I like toppings, so we piled on the tomatoes, guac, salsa and sour cream. And it was delicious!
• 

Matzoh Pizza

Print

Matzoh Pizza

The secret is to toast the matzoh before you add the sauce and cheese.

Course Entree

Cuisine Jewish - Passover

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 minutes minutes

Total Time 11 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Nancy Johnson Horn, The Mama Maven Blog

Ingredients

• Matzoh
• Tomato Sauce
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Oregano

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Take a sheet of Matzoh.
• Toast in toaster oven or 350 degree oven for a few minutes.
• Add tomato sauce
• Add shredded mozzarella
• Add a little oregano
• Add the toppings of your choice.
• Toast for 5-6 minutes or until melted.
• Kids will eat around 1 whole sheet of matzoh pizza, adults 2- 3 whole matzoh sheets.

The post Passover’s Coming — Foolproof Matzoh Balls, Matzoh Tacos & Matzoh Pizza Recipes appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Joining TDF in this partnership to forge a lifelong relationship with the arts for the next generation are the hit Broadway musicals Hell’s Kitchen and SIX along with the New York City Public Schools Arts Office. In addition to the free TDF Membership, every student who signs up can enter a drawing to win up to two free tickets to see Hell’s Kitchen at the Shubert Theatre or SIX at the Lena Horne Theatre on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 7 p.m. At those performances, the full houses will be offered to graduating seniors and their guests. Earlier that day, there will be a graduation party by the red steps of TDF’s Times Square TKTS Booth, which will include music, an opportunity to take graduation photos, and other fun activities.

If you are a NYC senior, head over here to sign up. To prove eligibility, students will be asked to provide their NYC DOE Student ID number (OSIS number). To learn more about this program, go to tdf.org/gradgift.

TDF’s Graduation Gift launched last year in partnership with Hell’s Kitchen and the New York City Public Schools Arts Office and provided free TDF Memberships to more than 2,200 graduates.

Ali is a 17-year-old girl full of fire–searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. How she finds them is a New York City coming-of-age story you’ve never felt before–Hell’s Kitchen, a new musical from 16-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys, whose songs and experiences growing up in NY inspire a story made for Broadway.

Rebellious and stifled by an overprotective single mother, Ali is lost until she meets her mentor: a neighbor who opens her heart and mind to the power of the piano. Set to the rhythm of the ‘90s, Hell’s Kitchen is a love story between a mother and daughter. It’s about finding yourself, your purpose, and the community that lifts you. Come remember where dreams begin.

The “powerhouse cast” (Variety) is led by Tony Award nominee Brandon Victor Dixon, Tony Award winner Kecia Lewis, Phillip Johnson Richardson, Jessica Vosk, and Tony Award winner Maleah Joi Moon. Hell’s Kitchen is directed by four-time Tony Award nominee Michael Greif, with choreography by Tony Award nominee Camille A. Brown, a book by Pulitzer Prize finalist Kristoffer Diaz, and the music of Keys, featuring new songs and her greatest hits.

Hell’s Kitchen began performances on Thursday, March 28, 2024 and opened on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Broadway’s Shubert Theatre (225 West 44^th Street). Tickets for Hell’s Kitchen are available at HellsKitchen.com and Telecharge.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Shubert Theatre box office.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix 500 years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This original musical by Tony Award winners Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

SIX is the winner of 23 awards including the 2022 Tony Award for Best Original Score (Music and Lyrics) and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Musical. The New York Times says SIX “TOTALLY RULES!” (Critic’s Pick) and The Washington Post hails SIX as “Exactly the kind of energizing, inspirational illumination this town aches for!”

SIX is currently running on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre (256 West 47th Street). Tickets are available at www.SixOnBroadway.com.

Founded in 1968, TDF (formerly known as Theatre Development Fund) is a not-for-profit service organization dedicated to sharing the power of the performing arts with everyone. TDF’s mission is to engage a broad and diverse audience by removing the financial, physical, and invisible barriers to participation in the performing arts. TDF’s initiatives include the TKTS by TDF Discount Booths; TDF Memberships; the TDF Costume Collection; and TDF Accessibility, Education, and Public Engagement Programs. Those Programs include open captioned, audio described, and ASL-interpreted performances; Autism Friendly Performances; the Veterans Theatregoing Program; school programs serving more than 11,000 NYC public school students annually; and partnerships with over 150 NYC community organizations serving 18,000 people in the tristate area. TDF envisions a world where the transformative experience of attending live theatre and dance is essential, relevant, accessible, and inspirational.

So, if you have a graduating senior from a NYC Public or Charter school, tell them that TDF Offers Free 1 Year Memberships to All Graduating NYC Seniors and to head here to sign up! Theatre is such an amazing thing!

Head over to tdf.org.

We were not compensated for this post.

The post TDF Offers Free 1 Year Memberships to All Graduating NYC Seniors appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Breast Pumps have seriously gone down in size since my kids were born and some of them are so much smaller! So it makes sense finding a stylish tote or backpack (include a cooler too) that you can use. You simply remove your pump from the carrier it came with and slip it into your bag. My Medela pump fit perfectly, and they say that if you remove the divider in the bag that it will also hold Hygeia or Ameda pumps.

You want to look for totes and backpacks that have a lot of pockets, are easy to wipe clean and will fit your pump as well as a cooler.

Here’s what we found:

CURMIO Breast Pump Bag Backpack Compatible for Spectra S1, S2, Medela, Pumping Tote with Compartment for Cooler Bag, with Padded Laptop Sleeve. This backpack is cute as well as functional. Main compartment is spacious enough for pump accessaries. (Bag only, not including the breast pump and cooler bag)
Dimensions are 14″ x 9″ x 17.7″. The bottom compartment with a front open flap fits for most major Breast Pumps and cooler bag. Extra pockets can hold tissues, bottles, umbrellas, key, wallet, phone or other baby items.
The top of this bag can be opened fully, which is easy access to items inside. A padded pocket for Laptop is ideal for working breastfeeding mothers.
The padded handle and adjustable shoulder strap with back breathable padded pad make it convenient and comfortable to transport your baby items and work stuffs from work to home.
Made of high grade and water-resistant nylon fabric, it keeps clean easily. The front pocket for pumps is collapsible when not in use to transfer this pump bag to diaper bag, travel bag, daily backpack or for other uses.

Fasrom Wearable Breast Pump Tote Bag Compatible with Medela Pump in Style and Accessories, Pumping Bag with 15.6” Laptop Sleeve for Work Moms to Carry Pump Parts. This comes in black and pink and is so super cute!
Features include:
Generously sized: Dimensions 15.35 x 7.5x 11.8 inches. There’s a large padded interior pocket compatible with Medela* Pump in Style. Thick cushioned sleeve can accommodate 15.6″ laptop, tablet and more. (But remember, that’s when the bag is empty! ie: NOT includes breast pump and accessories.
This pumping bag has a well organization system to sort all the breast pump parts. Designed with a separated zipper pocket(7.28 x 6.69 x 6.3 inches) to store small breastmilk cooler bag (NOT included). Many different sized pockets, pouches and compartments inside and outside help to keep baby bottles, breast shields, power cords and your daily essentials in their own place.
The lightweight pump tote makes it easy to carry pump accessories back and forth wherever you go. Reinforced shoulder straps provide most convenient way for commuting. The back luggage strap helps to fix your tote on suitcase when traveling.
Made of long-lasting, easy-to-clean nylon material with high quality stitching for long term use. Padded lining all around the bag helps to protect your devices from bumps and scratches and keep them in good condition.

How about a backpack with vegan leather? Marzelie Vegan Leather Breast Pump Bag with prep mat, compatible with Spectra S1 S2 may be a good option. No one will even suspect that this is holding your breast pump!

And of course you can’t forget bags by Sara Wells. The company makes so many cool breast pump bags that stylish moms love!

Sarah Wells “Maddy Caddy Breast Pump Bag Stroller Caddy – Insulated Neoprene – Luggage Sleeve – Adjustable Pockets – Crossbody (Purple)

Features:
Ultimate Versatility: The Maddy Caddy seamlessly transforms from a pump bag to a diaper bag, travel bag, or stroller caddy—whatever mama’s day demands.
Machine-Washable Magic: Made with soft yet durable materials, it’s easy to clean and built to last. Toss it in the wash and keep it looking fresh. No joke…it’s machine washable. However, please air dry and open all zippers to let it dry out.
Insulated compartments keep milk chilled for hours. Pair with a milk chiller like Ceres Chill for extended cooling time on the go.
The built-in photo pocket lets you keep your loved ones close, adding a sweet reminder of why you do what you do.
It offers adjustable backpack straps, stroller straps, and a luggage sleeve ensure you’re ready to roll no matter where life takes you.

The post Stylish Breast Pump Totes and Backpacks for the Mama on the Go appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

1. Birthstone Stud Earrings

Birthstone stud earrings are such a classic gift! Your friends who love the zodiac would definitely be into these! For my recent birthday, I decided to treat myself and order a pair of garnet birthstone stud earrings to honor my mother and my daughter’s birthstone (they are both Capricorns). My birthstone is London Blue Topaz and I think I will get the birthstone stud earrings for myself next year.

2. Personalized Birth Chart Print

If your zodiac loving friend For the astrology enthusiast who knows their moon, sun, and rising signs, a personalized Custom Birth Chart Wall Art is a unique way to honor their cosmic identity. These customized watercolor prints by artist Michelle Bold add a personal and decorative touch to any space. We’re fans!

3. Astrology-Themed Candles

Candles infused with scents tailored to each zodiac sign make for a cozy and customized gift. These zodiac candles come with descriptions of traits and energies associated with the sign, plus delicious scents. Plus they’ll make you laugh!

4. Zodiac-Inspired Journals

Journaling is a great way for astrology lovers to reflect on their journeys and figure out their goals. A zodiac-themed journal featuring their sign or celestial motifs is both practical and thoughtful. Check out these cute zodiac journals by Sabrina Dinucci (We Love Divine on Instagram).

5. Astrology Books

From beginner guides to in-depth explorations of natal charts, astrology books are perfect for friends who want to expand their astrological knowledge. This book, the Guided Astrology Workbook by Stefanie Caponi will definitely spark interest in learning more about astrology!

6. Astrology-Themed Apparel

Fashionable zodiac-themed clothing like t-shirts, hoodies, or even socks lets them wear their sign with pride. Look for designs that match their personality – subtle or bold. T-shirts can be great to wear with jeans or a long maxi skirt (remember to wear your birthstone stud earrings with it!)

7. Zodiac Mug

Who wouldn’t love a super cute and practical mug, especially when it’s personalized with their zodiac sign? This Zodiac Sign Ceramic Mug is perfect for their morning coffee or tea or for something warm before bed.

Bonus Tip: Create a Zodiac Gift Basket

Combine a few of these items to create a personalized zodiac gift basket. For example, pair a crystal set, candle, mug, and journal for a thoughtful bundle that’s out of this world.

No matter what you choose, your zodiac-loving friends will appreciate the thoughtfulness of a gift that aligns with their astrological vibes. Happy gifting! These are the best gifts for zodiac fans!

Which gift is your favorite?

Related Posts

• Busy Parents’ Guide to Hannukah
• Birth Story: Benjamin 9/28/2005
• Unique Gift Idea: Personalized Growth Charts from I See Me

The post The Best Gifts for Zodiac Fans appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

We all know we need fruits and veggies, but even as a fruit and veggie lover, I find myself struggling to get my daily share. Imagine being a really picky kid and it becomes even worse! Imagine having three kids and a husband that are picky eaters (yes, that’s my life). Even if I serve a rainbow of veggies, there are still issues. My daughter (who’s now a pescatarian) doesn’t like certain veggies, my youngest child who has to approve every single thing on his plate and my oldest child has Type 1 Diabetes. My oldest child was my original picky eater but started changing as he got older. Now with his Type 1 Diabetes, he can eat anything he wants as long as we know the carbohydrate count for it and I’m trying to make sure he eats as many healthy foods as possible. He’s the healthiest eater in our house, but I still have to bargain to get him to eat all his vegetables! My little one – he’s just so super picky now. It’s maddening! So what can you do to get your kids to stop being so picky with veggie eating? Here are 10 simple tips to get your kids to eat their veggies.

1. Get kids involved with your family’s meals.

Either plan out meals for the family or take them shopping with you. I took my younger kids food shopping and we decided to make salmon and veggies skewers for our dinner. You can also open the grocery app or website you use and have them help you plan. They need to know that a meal includes planning a main, a veggie, and some kind of a whole grain.

2. Kids can do meal prep.

Even smaller kids can washing veggies and do simple meal prep. My 10 -year-old loves washing veggies for our dinner. I’m teaching my daughter to cut veggies (with my supervision). She’s even helping with mean planning and the meal prep when I need her to. I just bought this cutting board set and think you may like it too – https://amzn.to/3oBg23B

3. Teach cooking skills.
Show them how to break lettuce up or how to make a simple salad dressing. Plus, it helps with bonding. You can also buy kid-safe knives that really cut!

4. Salads Don’t Need to be Boring
Make salads as a side dish or as a starter nightly! Salads can be a lot of fun. Throw in veggies that they like and add some other veggies that they may have declined to try before. It can even be a simple salad with romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, and cucumbers. I usually grab one of my biggest metal mixing bowls and throw everything in it. I like these on Amazon (they have lids).

Or you can go really crazy and throw in practically everything in your fridge. I took my simple salad and the next night I added strawberries and sliced almonds. My family absolutely loved this. 

Add a low-fat dressing or a choice of dressings to give them even more control over their salad. My kids tend to go towards ranch and caesar dressings, while I love a balsamic vinaigrette. You can even make a quick dressing from scratch.

5. Let kids set the table and hand out beverages.
They can put out utensils and fill shallow water glasses. They can also put dishes of veggies on the table – hey, it may help to spark interest!

6. Set out raw veggies as snacks while kids are hungrier.
I do this often – I’ll set out carrots and hummus or cucumbers with ranch dip while I’m making dinner. If kids are starving, this gets them to snack on veggies. Even if your kids are helping you make dinner, while the food is cooking, they can hang out at the table and snack on veggies. Sometimes I even ask my kids to do this. I sometimes serve the veggies on a big platter or a cutting board with these little pyrex bowls for hummus or ranch dressing.

7. Encourage kids to try new meals.
Even if they take one bite, experts say that it takes kids up to 10 times before they like a new food. I try to make a lot of soups, because they contain tons of veggies and kids won’t realize it. My family’s chicken soup recipe is great for that.

8. Model good eating behaviors.
Pile your plate high with veggies and dig in. While I have been trying to lose weight, I don’t discuss it with my kids, I show them how healthy I eat and I also don’t criticize my body in front of them.

9. Is there a non-negotiable veggie?
I try not to have many “rules”, but I do insist that my kids have to have at least one vegetable at dinner. Most of the time I will give them a choice (like cucumbers or broccoli), but it needs to be eaten. My little guy dislikes onions and will find the smallest speck in a meal. My middle one dislikes any cooked peppers (so I always make sure to serve them some raw red pepper).

10. Relax and regroup if it doesn’t work!
If your kids see you getting upset over them not eating their veggies, it’s not going to change anything. I’ve sneaked veggies into their food when they aren’t looking and I’ve decided that’s not how I want to parent. So, I’ve decided not to stress. My kids may never love eating veggies like I do, but I can model veggie- loving behavior and in the meantime, I make sure I give my family a good multivitamin and make sure my husband and I take one too. 

Here’s my Rainbow Layered Salad Recipe – which is a great way to encourage veggie eating!

https://www.themamamaven.com/layered-rainbow-salad-platter-great-for-picky-eaters/

First Pin Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay 

Related Posts:

BUY:

Kid-Safe Knives

The post 10 Simple Tips to Get Your Kids to Eat Their Veggies appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

In my many years of mom experience, with my 3 kids — each one reacted differently to cup transitioning. My first child was finally transitioned from his bottle at 22 months. We just didn’t think about it until my brother in law, a dentist said that it could affect his teeth. My son, who was almost 2 at the time, did not want to use a cup –  he wanted his babas back. Finally I had to just keep saying no and give him a cup and it took a weeks to stick (and was a nightmare). Plus we went through so many cups to find the perfect ones.

My second child picked it up easily at around 13-14 months. She saw her big brother using a cup (peer pressure is a wonderful thing!) My third child, who was breastfed until 13 1/2 months had a rough time. He would take one bottle a day until we weaned at 13 1/2 months and then I gave him bottles more often (mistake). When I’d give him a cup, he’d look at me and drop it off the high chair. Then I tried a straw cup and it surprisingly worked instantly (I also gave it to him when he was hungry!).

Remember this doesn’t mean you have to stop giving your toddler breastmilk! Just transition the breastmilk from bottle to cup.

Here are some tips to help:

1. Start as early as possible: While most people don’t think about it (with a baby you’ve got enough to deal with), you can introduce a cup as early as 6 months of age. But most parents, including myself, introduce a cup between 12-24 months of age.  Don’t stress if your child looks at you like you’re an alien and bats the cup away. Keep the cup in your cabinets and pull it out every few days or weeks so they get used to seeing it.

2. Let them play around with it: You may want to restrict cup time to when they’re in their high chair or feeding booster seat.  But keep offering the cup during mealtimes.

3. What can you put in the cup? You can give them expressed breast milk, water, formula, or whole milk (if they’re over 12 months). If you choose to offer juice, water it down. We love WebMD’s tips from Atlanta pediatrician Jennifer Shu, MD, co-author, with Dr. Laura Jana, of Heading Home With Your Newborn and Food Fights, “Start weaning baby by skipping a bottle feeding every five to seven days and Give your little one the liquids he likes best in the sippy cup and the ones he likes least in his bottle.”

4. Don’t let your children keep toting bottles or sippy cups around. Dr. Susan Sorenson explains the reason why in an article on BabyCenter, “Every time he takes a drink, natural bacteria in his mouth feed on these sugars and attack the teeth for 20 minutes. If he’s taking sips from a bottle every few minutes for an hour, his teeth are exposed to the sugars for at least 80 minutes. Over time, that causes tooth decay.”

3. Change up the Bedtime Bottle Routines. Some babies use bottles as security objects, like during a bedtime routine (like drinking their bottle as you read to them in the glider in their room). Just modify the routine, by using a cup of milk, but make sure to add toothbrushing in. Milk contains sugars,  which will cause tooth decay, by brushing their teeth, you’ll prevent that. Bring in your baby’s toothbrush and baby/toddler toothpaste (flouride-free) in the room with you and you brush their teeth gently after their bottle, before you put them into their crib.

4. Keep cups out of the crib, unless they contain water. Between 12-24 months, children decrease waking up at night, so going bottle free may be much easier.

5. Straw cup Vs. Sippy? If your child keeps refusing the sippy cup, before you get totally frustrated –  try a straw cup. My oldest child and my youngest child preferred them to sippy cups.  You also may have to go through several brands and types (soft spout, one handle, two handles…)

If your child keeps resisting any cup, Dr. Shu in the WebMD article recommends, “let him get into the groove of eating solid foods before trying again. Some children naturally lose interest in the baby bottle or breast once they’re eating three solid meals most days.”

How is your child doing with transitioning to a cup?

Cups we like:

Playtex Baby Sipsters Stage 3 Spill-Proof, Leak-Proof, Insulated Toddler Straw Sippy Cups – Milk and Water, 9 Oz, 2 Count

Playtex Baby Sipsters Stage 2 Hard Spout Cups, Green/Pink, Blue/Lavender, 9 Oz, 2 Count – Spill-Proof and Leak-Proof

WeeSprout 2-in-1 Drinking Cups for Kids, Durable Stainless Steel Tumbler for Smoothies, Silicone Straws with Stoppers, Premium Plastic Twist Lids, Easy-Grip Sleeves, Set of 4 Dishwasher Safe Kid Cups

Munchkin Cool Cat Sippy Cup for Toddlers, Stainless Steel Straw Cup, 8 Ounce, Blue

• Tips for Transitioning Your Child to a Toddler Bed
• My Toddler Fell Holding a Sippy Cup and Injured his Mouth #toddlers #pediatricER
• Why We love the Joovy Dood Sippy Cup
• Update: My Toddler’s Mouth Injury & Our Visit to the Pediatric Dentist
• Four Must-Haves for Back-To-School

The post Transitioning Your Baby To a Cup appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

I recently saw this abridged performance and loved being able to understand the libretto. The jaw-dropping set design and dazzling performances were, of course, outstanding, but the costumes and puppets stole the show, and for a very good reason. The opera’s costume designer is Julie Taymor, who co-designed the puppets with Michael Curry. If the name Julie Taymor, who is also the opera’s director, sounds familiar, it’s probably because she has won Tony Awards (and many other awards) for the direction and costume design of the Broadway musical The Lion King.

Indeed, the one-of-a-kind look of the costumes and the unique puppets is something you have to see in person to appreciate. With dazzling colors and elaborate details, the performance was nothing short of breathtaking, with each scene bringing new stunning visuals on stage.

Together with the music (the Queen of the Night’s Aria is a showstopper) by the splendid performers and chorus, this opera is a must-see this holiday season.

The Magic Flute is playing until January 4th, 2025 in the following performances:

Tuesday, Dec. 17 at 7:30pm
Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7:30pm
Friday, Dec. 20 at 8:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 21 at 1:00pm
Tuesday, Dec. 24 at 12:00pm
Thursday, Dec. 26 at 7:30pm
Friday, Dec. 27 at 7:30pm
Saturday, Dec. 28 at 12:00pm
Saturday, Dec. 28 at 6:00pm
Sunday, Dec. 29 at 2:00pm
Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7:00pm
Friday, Jan. 3 at 7:30pm
Saturday, Jan. 4 at 12:00pm
The Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center is located between 62nd and 65th Streets and Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.

Price is $35 and up. To purchase tickets click here.

Photos by Richard Termine

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 17, 15 and 12.

The post Don’t Miss: A Kid-Friendly Version of The Magic Flute at The Metropolitan Opera appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Francis Patrelle’s Holiday Classic, “The Yorkville Nutcracker,” returns for its 28th Season!
Enjoy a magical tour of 1895 New York City with Dances Patrelle. Your journey begins with a Christmas Eve party at Gracie Mansion attended by dignitaries from around the world – including our new police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt. Thrill as you behold a battle with life-sized mice! Then go for a bracing midnight skate on the ponds of Cental Park. Finally, take a sleigh-ride to the Grand Conservatory of the Bronx Botanical Gardens in time for a beautiful sunrise buffet of sweets, hosted by the Sugar-Plum Fairy. New York City Ballet’s Miriam Miller and Tyler Angle lead the Dances Patrelle cast in this magical and whirlwind seasonal confection, with rich delights for ballet lovers of every age. Approximately two hours long.

When:  Thursday, December 19 at 7pm
Friday, December 20 at 7pm
Saturday, December 21 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, December 22 at noon and 5pm

Where: The Gerald W. Lynch Theater at John Jay College
524 West 59th Street, between 10th & 11th Avenues, NYC

Price: $80 per person.

To purchase tickets please click here.

Photos by Eduardo Patino

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs, including The Huffington Post. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 17, 15 and 12.

The post Don’t Miss: The Yorkville Nutcracker by Dances Patrelle This Holiday Season appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The Details

There are 190 miniature twinkling, plant-based replicas of famous NYC landmarks. Remember that unless there is a sign saying it’s okay, don’t touch the trains. Unfortunately kids keep doing that and it derails the trains – however, the employees keep an eye on this and we saw them fixing multiple trains. There are several trains that kids can touch – most are located outside before you go into the main area.

Check out our video!

There is Stroller Parking

There is stroller parking, as no strollers are allowed inside. If you have a tiny one, either carry them or take a fabric baby carrier with you. The Holiday Train show is too crowded and the pathways are much too narrow to let a stroller through. Your stroller is also a great place to stash your jackets, as the Haupt Conservatory is very warm for the plants that are inside.

Your railroad obsessed kids will be thrilled, plus there are lots of places to run around outside. Hit the nearby snack bar for some sweet treats and hot cocoa after you go! The snack bar is to the right of the NYBG Shop, which is filled with souvenirs, toys and even Santa from on Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 21–December 31, 2024.

Make sure to bundle up and bring your family to the Holiday Train Show! Now through January 20st. Plan your visit at NYBG.org and make sure to get your tickets in advance on their website as the Holiday Train Show sells out. We recommend taking public transportation as parking may be tough at times. 

Prices for the Holiday Train Show with Grounds Access
Adults are $39
Seniors are $35
Students are $35 (School ID necessary)
Kids (2-12) are $27
Kids under 2 are free.

If you don’t want to go to the Holiday Train Show, prices are much less for NYC residents (but they will check at the Haupt Conservatory to make sure you have tickets for the Holiday Train Show.

Membership

If you want to get into the Holiday Train show for free, we recommend becoming a member. Family memberships are $155 and if you are a family of 5 like we are, you will spend more than that anyway. Memberships pay for themselves usually pay for themselves even if you visit 2x a year.

Santa and Elf Photos

If you are looking to take Santa photos, head over to the NYBG Shop on Tuesdays & Thursdays, November 21–December 31, 2024.
https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/photos-with-santa-at-nybg-shop/

Adults Only

After dark, the roving Train Conductors welcome you to Holiday Train Nights, and set you on your journey through the warm glow of the Holiday Train Show. You’ll enjoy the colorful lighting, have a sweet or savory treat, along with a cocktail and sing along to holiday classics and Christmas pop favorites sung by performers in our Locomotive Lounge.

Holiday Train Show

November 16, 2024–January 20, 2025 from 10AM to 6PM at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.

Holiday Train Nights
Adults 21+: November 23, 29, 30; December 7, 13, 14; January 4, 11, & 18
All Ages: December 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, & 28
More info: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/holiday-train-nights/

Get more information: https://www.nybg.org/event/holiday-train-show-2024/plan-your-visit/

Essential Info:
Strollers. Strollers are allowed throughout the Garden grounds with the exception of the Haupt Conservatory, where the Holiday Train Show takes place. Stroller parking is available.
Accessibility. Most key areas of the Garden are wheelchair accessible, including all of the Holiday Train Show. Wheelchairs are available to borrow free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at the Visitor Center and Mosholu Entrance. An ID must be left with a Visitor Experience representative. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own mobility devices for Garden navigation. Accessible lifts are located in the Haupt Conservatory and at the entrance to the Mertz Library Building. Use our online accessibility guide to plan your visit or pick up an accessibility guide at an entry gate.
Travel light. NYBG does not offer bag or coat-check facilities.
Photography. You are welcome to take personal, non-flash photography. Tripods, monopods, easels, selfie sticks, and lighting equipment are not permitted in the Haupt Conservatory. Check their Visitor Guidelines for more information about photography at the Garden.

Make sure to discover the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden! It’s definitely a Mama Maven Must!

All photos and videos were taken by Nancy Horn for The Mama Maven Blog© and are copyrighted. Please ask for permission before using or linking to this post.

The post Visiting the Holiday Train Show at the NY Botanical Garden appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The holidays are around the corner and before you head to the airport to visit relatives or drive upstate to go skiing be sure to add a new tradition: the gorgeous and hysterical ballet of Peter and the Wolf. Why hysterical? Because fashion designer and TV personality Isaac Mizrahi will narrate the famous Prokofiev story – to which he has written a libretto. I have seen this production over the past several years and it just gets more and more clever each time.

Show Dates and Times

Friday, December 6, 2024 6:30 pm
Saturday, December 7, 2024 11:00 am
Saturday, December 7, 2024 1:00 pm
Saturday, December 7, 2024 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024 1:00 pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024 2:30 pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024 4:00 pm

Where: Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Peter B. Lewis Theater
1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street)
New York, NY 10128
Enter via ramp at 5th Ave and 88th St.

Price: $20 per person and up; Everyone needs a ticket regardless of age.

Click here to purchase tickets or call the box office (212) 423-3575

Photos by Robert Altman

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

——————————————————————————————————–

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 17, 15 and 12.

The post Don’t Miss: Peter & The Wolf with Narration by Isaac Mizrahi appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Our Town is such a show, with minimal sets, requiring the audience to use their imagination and – more importantly – focus on what the actors are saying.

I recently saw a production of it on Broadway which gave this timeless, classic show a new twist.

The 1938 Thornton Wilder Pulitzer prize-winning play features a cast of 28, which includes Jim Parsons and Katie Holmes, who both gave a stunning performance. It is directed by Kenny Leon, who won a Tony for “A Raisin in the Sun.”

In this modernized production, which emphasizes diversity, Leon chose to include actors of multiple races, as well as a deaf actor.

One of the unique aspects of the show was that two scents emanated from the stage: the scent of heliotrope early in the show and, later, bacon, during the breakfast scene.

I loved that the play is allegorical and has a universal message that is simple, and yet so powerful: the importance of being present in the moment. In a fast-paced world where our attention is constantly diverted from one thing to another, I found it refreshing.

That, along with a gorgeous, superbly-performed production, makes the show a must-see. 

The show is 1 hour and 40 minutes long, with no intermission. It is currently playing at the Ethel Barrymore Theater at 243 47th Street and closes on January 19, 2025.

Click here to learn more and to purchase tickets. Go see Our Town on Broadway – A Classic Play With a Twist!

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 17, 15 and 12.

Starring Jim Parsons, OUR TOWN returns to Broadway for the first time in
over 20 years. Hailed by Edward Albee as “the greatest American play ever
written,” Thornton Wilder‘s Pulitzer Prize-winning classic will shine in a
momentous new production. Directed by Kenny Leon, this is an OUR
TOWN for our time.
In Wilder’s timeless tale of a small town, a stage manager narrates the daily
lives of its locals, depicts a childhood friendship turn into marriage, and sets
the stage for magnificent truths of what it means to be alive.
OUR TOWN features a cast of 28 actors, including Parsons, Katie Holmes,
Zoey Deutch, Ephraim Sykes, Billy Eugene Jones, Richard Thomas,
Michelle Wilson, Julie Halston and Donald Webber, Jr.
The show is one hour and 40 minutes long and plays at Broadway’s
Barrymore Theatre on 47th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue.

The post Our Town on Broadway – A Classic Play With a Twist  appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

For our next protein ice cream, I knew I had to make a brownie batter ice cream. I’m a new affiliate of Clean Simple Eats and have been incorporating their protein powder into my life on my health journey. I chose Clean Simple Eats protein powder for a reason. With 20g of protein in each serving, it’s is made with all-natural ingredients, and a digestive enzyme blend. I am sensitive to dairy and this doesn’t hurt my stomach (win/win for me). It’s terrific for building muscle and post-workout recovery. Note: It does contain coconut (tree nut) and soy. Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMi), a delicious and healthy dessert option uses only 3 ingredients: a packet of Brownie Batter Protein powder, nonfat milk and sugar free chocolate pudding mix.

Ingredients:

1 packet of Clean Simple Eats Brownie Batter protein powder
2 cups nonfat milk
1/2 package of Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding Mix
Note: If you don’t want to use the sugar free chocolate pudding, you can sub in guar gum powder (1/4 teaspoon) and use 2-3 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa and 1 tablespoon of Monkfruit sweetener.

Instructions:

Prepare the mix for your Ninja CREAMI: Mix all the ingredients – the milk, brownie batter protein powder and half of the sugar free chocolate pudding packet. Blend until smooth with your immersion blender – tI use the BELLA Immersion Hand Blender, Portable Mixer with Whisk Attachment.
Chill the Mixture: Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for about 18-24 hours. I usually just put it in the freezer overnight.
Assemble the Ninja CREAMI: Once your mixture has been frozen for 18-24 hours, assemble the Ninja CREAMI machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Run your Ninja CREAMI: Make your ice cream in your Ninja CREAMI. I used the Lite Ice Cream setting (has 4 cycles). I ran it again on mix it 2 more times until it was smooth.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your Ninja CREAMI Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream!

Feel free to adjust the sweetness level according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious and protein-packed ice cream treat!

Print

Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMi)

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Low Calorie

Keyword ice cream, Ninja CREAMi, ninja CREAMi Ice Cream, protein ice cream

Author Nancy M Horn

Equipment

• 1 Ninja CREAMi Deluxe 11-in-1 Ice Cream Maker

Ingredients

• 1 packet of Clean Simple Eats Brownie Batter protein powder
• 2 cups nonfat milk
• 1/2 package of Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding Mix

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Prepare the mix for your Ninja CREAMI: Mix all the ingredients – the milk, brownie batter protein powder and half of the sugar free chocolate pudding packet.
• Blend until smooth with your immersion blender – I use the BELLA Immersion Hand Blender, Portable Mixer with Whisk Attachment.
• Chill the Mixture: Place the mixture in the refrigerator to chill for about 18-24 hours. I usually just put it in the freezer overnight.
• Assemble the Ninja CREAMI: Once your mixture has been frozen for 18-24 hours, assemble the Ninja CREAMI machine according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Run your Ninja CREAMI: Make your ice cream in your Ninja CREAMI.
• I used the Lite Ice Cream setting (has 4 cycles). I ran it again on mix it 2 more times until it was smooth.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy your Ninja CREAMI Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream!
• Feel free to adjust the sweetness level according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your delicious and protein-packed ice cream treat!

Tips and Variations:

• Note: If you don’t want to use the sugar free chocolate pudding, you can sub in guar gum powder (1/4 teaspoon) and use 2-3 teaspoons of unsweetened cocoa and 1 tablespoon of Monkfruit sweetener.
• If you want to use nut milk, just add a little less (like 1 3/4’s cup)
• You can also add a tablespoon of peanut butter or nut butter or 1 capful of chocolate mint flavoring.

Why use the Ninja CREAMi?

1. Control Over Ingredients: When you make your own low-fat ice cream, you have complete control over the ingredients. You can choose high-quality, wholesome ingredients, and avoid artificial additives, preservatives, and excessive sugars commonly found in store-bought options. There are people who do say that non-fat milk doesn’t make delicious ice cream, but I disagree with that.
2. Healthier Option: By using non-fat or ow-fat ingredients and possibly incorporating protein powder or other nutritious additives, you can create a healthier alternative to traditional ice cream. This allows you to indulge in your favorite frozen treats without compromising your health goals.
3. Customization: Making your own ice cream allows you to customize the flavors to your liking. Whether you prefer classic vanilla or want to experiment with unique flavor combinations, the possibilities are endless. Plus, you can adjust the sweetness level and texture to suit your taste preferences. I tend to make either a vanilla-based, a chocolate-based or a strawberry-based flavor.
4. Cost-Effective: While investing in a Ninja CREAMI machine may require an initial investment, making your own low-fat ice cream can ultimately save you money in the long run. You can make large batches at a fraction of the cost of store-bought options, especially if you frequently enjoy frozen treats. I find that it’s a lot less money than buying ice cream at the store and I enjoy it more because I can control what I put in it.
5. Freshness: Homemade ice cream is fresher compared to store-bought varieties, as it doesn’t contain stabilizers or other additives designed to prolong shelf life. Enjoying freshly churned ice cream from your Ninja CREAMI ensures maximum flavor and quality.
6. Fun and Creative: Making low-fat ice cream in your Ninja CREAMI can be a fun and creative activity for the whole family. Get creative with flavor combinations, toppings, and mix-ins to create unique and delicious frozen treats that everyone will love.
7. Satisfaction of Accomplishment: There’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with making your own ice cream from scratch. Whether you’re a novice or experienced home cook, mastering the art of low-fat ice cream making with your Ninja CREAMI can be incredibly rewarding.

We hope you enjoy this Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMi), which is a delicious and healthy dessert option.

Clean Simple Seats Discount Code:
Use code: SQUAD10 for 10% off your order

Buy:

Ninja CREAMI Deluxe 11 in 1 Ice Cream Maker

BELLA Immersion Hand Blender, Portable Mixer with Whisk Attachment 

Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetner

Notfat Milk

Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding Mix

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Almond Milk

Peanut Butter

Almond Butter

Chocolate Mint Flavoring

Related Posts

• Craving Something Sweet, But You Don’t Want to Derail Your Weight Loss?
• Last-Minute Holiday Gift Idea: The Ninja Cooking System – Perfect for the Busy Mom!
• Non-Dairy Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMi Recipe)
• Peach Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMI, Nonfat)
• Ninja CREAMI Low Fat Chocolate Ice Cream

The post Brownie Batter Protein Ice Cream (Ninja CREAMi) appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

This blog post is in partnership with Responsival. As always, all opinions are my own.

If you’ve read my blog before, you know that we have opened 529 plans to help pay for college for all 3 of our kids. It helped us to be prepared for the rising costs of college. Today I want to talk about something related – setting up a UGMA Account. UGMA stands for Uniform Gifts to Minors Act, and way to save money for your kiddo’s future (beyond college). We all want to do the best we can for our children and help them to set up their future. In this post, we’re going to talk about the benefits of setting up a UGMA account for your kids!

I remember graduating college and my parents telling me that they had an account with some extra money for me, which I then used to buy a fancy computer that cost more than what I was making at my first real job. If I was as fiscally smart then as I now, I would have taken that money and either invested it or used it to be able to start a fund so I could eventually buy a house. That was a UGMA accounts! And I bought a freakin computer! As my 18 year old would say, “Stupid, stupid).”

Unlike 529 plans, which can only be used for educational expenses, a UGMA account is a legal way to put money or assets (like stocks or bonds) aside for your offspring. It’s a type of custodial account (meaning it’s managed by an adult on behalf of a minor). Since minors cannot enter into contracts, a UGMA account follows a state statute’s terms, so it can be simpler to set up and a wonderful idea to start their after college life.

Now that my oldest has graduated high school and is taking a Gap Year in Israel, the next account that we set up for him will be a UGMA account. Frankly, we should have opened it earlier. For my oldest, we want to help him plan for his future and start saving for life’s bigger expenses, like a home and a car (although he’s not driving yet and he will be away at college once he gets back). I hope to teach him that he does really need to think financially about his future, because I didn’t – but my husband did and bought an apartment in his mid-twenties. Clearly that

After you open a UGMA account, when your kids are old enough to access it, encourage your kids to think bigger (no, this cannot go towards a tattoo!). Encourage your now older kids to do some research with you and taking the money in that UGMA account and opening a new account to save up to buy a home can be a terrific first step in establishing independence post college.

I admit I didn’t think about moving out of my parent’s house at 22, my salary at first real job, at the Food Network was really tiny. I didn’t look forward into the future and think of what I wanted. I lived at home and then rented for years after I moved out. Putting that money towards a mortgage would have been a lot smarter. We’re raising our kids now to be financially more responsible and opening a UGMA Account, alongside their 529 plans just makes cents (see, a pun!).

No Tattoos or Alpacas

UGMA accounts give your child a head start. Keep in mind that you may need to pay some taxes on UGMA accounts. You can start small with the UGMA account (make sure you check out the benefits) and by the time your kids are old enough, they will thank you for helping to shape their financial future. Setting up a UGMA account for your kids can secure their future beyond college. And no, pet alpacas aren’t a good idea either.

Related Posts

• Easy Ways To Save Your Family Money
• Why We’re Not Worrying About Saving For College
• Start a NY529 College Savings Plan for Your Kids With As Little as $25

The post Beyond 529s: UGMA Accounts Can Help Your Child’s Financial Future appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

As the back-to-school season approaches, families are gearing up for the annual shopping spree. From notebooks and backpacks to laptops and clothing, the list seems endless. However, with some strategic planning, you can turn this shopping season into an opportunity to earn cash back, making your expenses work for you. Here’s how to maximize cash back during your back-to-school shopping.

1. Leverage Cash Back Credit Cards

One of the easiest ways to earn cash back is by using a credit card that offers cash back rewards. Many credit cards offer higher cash back percentages on specific categories, like office supplies or department stores, which are perfect for back-to-school shopping. Some cards even offer special promotions during the back-to-school season, increasing your cash back potential.

Pro Tip: Use a card that aligns with your shopping habits. For instance, if you do a lot of online shopping, choose a card that offers extra cash back on online purchases.

2. Shop Through Cash Back Portals

Cash back portals are online platforms that partner with retailers to offer a percentage of your purchase back as cash. By accessing your favorite stores through these portals, you can stack cash back rewards on top of any credit card rewards you’re already earning.

Popular Cash Back Portals:

• Rakuten: Offers cash back at a wide range of retailers, including those popular for back-to-school shopping like Target, Walmart, and Staples. Sign up here and get credit for referring your friends.
• TopCashback: Known for offering some of the highest cash back rates across various categories.

Pro Tip: Before making any online purchase, check multiple cash back portals to see which one offers the highest rate for your chosen retailer.

3. Take Advantage of Store Loyalty Programs

Many stores offer loyalty programs that reward you with points or cash back for every purchase. Sign up for these programs at stores where you plan to do a significant amount of your shopping. Often, these points can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases or even converted into cash back.

Pro Tip: Combine store loyalty programs with cash back credit cards and portals to maximize your savings. For instance, if you’re buying school supplies at Office Depot, use your loyalty account, shop through a cash back portal, and pay with a cash back credit card.

4. Look for Back-to-School Sales and Promotions

During the back-to-school season, many retailers offer special promotions, such as increased cash back rates, bonus points, or significant discounts on school essentials. Keep an eye out for these deals, which are often advertised online or through retailer newsletters.

Pro Tip: Sign up for email alerts from your favorite retailers to be the first to know about exclusive sales and cash back offers.

5. Use Apps for Additional Savings

There are several apps available that offer cash back on everyday purchases, including groceries, clothing, and school supplies. Apps like Ibotta, Receipt Hog, Honey Rewards and Fetch Rewards allow you to scan your receipts to earn cash back on select items.

• If you sign up and get started with my referral code ‘qpwfhmo’, we’ll both get cash! Sign up at → https://ibotta.onelink.me/iUfE/1005cd3f?friend_code=qpwfhmo
  
• Receipt Hog pays you to upload receipts, take surveys, and more! Download and enter code smav5822 to earn a special bonus when you upload your first receipt.
  https://app.receipthog.com/r/smav5822
  
• Meet Fetch. It’s the app I use to turn my shopping receipts into free gift cards. It also gives me personalized offers for my favorite brands, stores and restaurants. Very easy, super fun.
  There are monthly point challenges with friends, exciting sweepstakes and free points up for grabs every day.
  Sign up for free with my referral code (8VUE8N) and we’ll each earn points when you snap your first receipt.
  See you in the app.
  https://referral.fetch.com/vvv3/referralemail?code=8VUE8N
  
• Honey finds & applies coupon codes at checkout FOR YOU so you can get back to wasting time on : https://www.joinhoney.com/ref/burlnj&from=twt

Pro Tip: Stack these app rewards with other forms of cash back. For example, use your cash back credit card to purchase school supplies, then scan your receipt with Ibotta for additional savings.

6. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Another way to earn cash back is by purchasing discounted gift cards to stores you plan to shop at. Websites like GCX offer gift cards at a discount, allowing you to save money upfront. Use these gift cards along with cash back portals and credit cards for triple savings.
Join GCX and get $5 to spend on any discounted gift card you want! https://gcx.raise.com/gcx-rewards/NANCYJ8273

Pro Tip: Always check the terms and conditions of discounted gift cards to ensure they are valid for the items you plan to purchase.

7. Timing is Everything

Consider timing your purchases to coincide with tax-free weekends, where applicable. Many states in the U.S. offer tax-free holidays on back-to-school items, allowing you to save even more. Combine this with cash back offers for the ultimate savings boost.

Pro Tip: Plan your shopping list in advance and be ready to make purchases during these limited-time events to maximize your cash back potential.

Final Thoughts

Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to be a financial burden. By using these strategies, you can earn cash back and make your money work harder for you. Whether you’re buying online or in-store, there are plenty of opportunities to stack rewards and stretch your budget. Happy shopping, and here’s to a rewarding school year!

The post Smart Shopping for Back-to-School: Maximize Cash Back appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

The musical tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life, as he looks back while getting ready for one of his biggest concerts in the early 90s.

My husband and I had a blast singing along to his biggest hits and were blown away by the massive talent of the entire cast.

The musical is appropriate for kids of all ages, as it does not focus on some of the darker sides of Michael Jackson’s life, but rather touch upon some issues in a somewhat lighter way that is appropriate for this type of a show.

MJ The Musical is currently playing at the Neil Simon Theater in New York, as well as all across the country as part of the national tour. Click here for more information and tickets.

I was not compensated for this post. I received tickets.

Senior Reviewer Maytal Wichman is a PR consultant and freelance writer and has written for several blogs. She has been living in the New York City area for over twenty years and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature as well as a Law Degree. Maytal is a mom to three kids, ages 17, 15 and 11.

The post Experience the Magic of MJ The Musical on Broadway appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs large wild caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed or minced
• 1 medium onion, chopped (my kids like tiny specs of onions, but your kids may be able to handle bigger pieces)
• 2 jars marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup dry white wine (optional)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
• 12 oz (340g) spaghetti or your favorite pasta (we usually default to whole wheat)
• Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

Prepare the Shrimp:
Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Sauté the Shrimp:
In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter. Then sauté the shrimp until it turns from opaque to pink. This should only take a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Set it aside.

Cook the Sauce:
Pour in the marinara sauce. If you’re using white wine, add it now. This will enhance the flavor of the sauce with a touch of acidity and depth. Add the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.

Combine and Serve:
Stir in the fresh parsley and basil into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Garnish and Enjoy:
Serve the shrimp marinara hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil and parsley if desired.

Tips and Information:

• Shrimp Selection: Fresh or frozen shrimp can be used for this recipe. If using frozen shrimp, make sure they are fully thawed before cooking. Shrimp are available in various sizes; for this recipe, large shrimp are preferable, but medium can also work.
• Tomatoes: Crushed tomatoes provide a perfect balance of texture and flavor for the sauce. You can also use whole peeled tomatoes and crush them yourself for a chunkier texture.
• Wine: The addition of dry white wine adds a subtle complexity to the sauce. If you prefer not to use wine, you can substitute with chicken or vegetable broth.
• Herbs: Fresh herbs like basil and parsley enhance the freshness of the dish. Dried herbs are used for a more concentrated flavor during cooking, while fresh herbs are added at the end for their bright, fresh notes.
• Pasta: Spaghetti is a classic choice for shrimp marinara, but other pasta shapes like linguine or fettuccine work well too. The key is to use a pasta that can hold the sauce effectively. We prefer whole wheat pasta in my house, especially spaghetti, so that’s what I usually serve it with.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve shrimp marinara with a side of garlic bread or a simple green salad. This helps balance the meal and adds some variety to the texture and flavor.
• Nutritional Information: This dish is a great source of protein from the shrimp and provides vitamins and antioxidants from the tomatoes and herbs. Using whole-grain pasta can increase the fiber content.

By following this recipe, you’ll create a delicious and satisfying shrimp marinara that’s perfect for a family dinner or an elegant meal to impress your guests. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and the rich aroma of this classic Italian dish!

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

BUY:
11-Inch All-in-One Nonstick Cast Pan, 4.4-Quart Capacity
or
Cook N Home 4-Piece 8 Quart Multipots, Stainless Steel Pasta Cooker Steamer

Olive Oil
Wild Caught Shrimp
Oregano
Red Pepper Flakes
Marinara Sauce
Dry White Cooking Wine
Fresh Parsley
Fresh Basil
Parmesan

Print

Shrimp Marinara

Delicious Shrimp Marinara is a terrific recipe for busy weeknights when you want something fresh on the table in 30 minutes.

Course Dinner Entree

Cuisine American, Italian

Keyword air fryer shrimp, easy weeknight dinners, shrimp marinara, shrimp pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author Nancy M Horn

Equipment

• 1 Nonstick Cast Pan, 4.4-Quart Capacity,
• 1 4-Piece 8 Quart Pasta Pot with Stainless Steel Pasta Cooker Steamer

Ingredients

• 2 lbs large wild caught shrimp peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic crushed or minced
• 1 medium onion chopped (my kids like tiny specs of onions, but your kids may be able to handle bigger pieces)
• 2 jars marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup dry white wine optional
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for heat
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
• 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped or 1 teaspoon dried
• 12 oz spaghetti or your favorite pasta (we usually default to whole wheat)
• Grated Parmesan cheese for serving

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Prepare the Shrimp:
• Start by rinsing the shrimp under cold water, then pat them dry with paper towels. Season the shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.
• Cook the Pasta:
• In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
• Sauté the Shrimp:
• In a large skillet or sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, and cook until the onion is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the garlic as it can turn bitter. Then sauté the shrimp until it turns from opaque to pink. This should only take a few minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough and rubbery. Set it aside.
• Cook the Sauce:
• Pour in the marinara sauce. If you’re using white wine, add it now. This will enhance the flavor of the sauce with a touch of acidity and depth. Add the oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly
• Combine and Serve:
• Stir in the fresh parsley and basil into the sauce. Add the cooked pasta to the pan, tossing to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little bit of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
• Garnish and Enjoy:
• Serve the shrimp marinara hot, topped with grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish with additional fresh basil and parsley if desired.

• Instant Pot Turkey Chili (7 WW SP Blue)
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• Shrimp & Broccoli over Rice Noodles (Gluten Free)
• Air Fryer Grilled Shrimp Bowls with Veggies and Rice
• Easy Weeknight Dinner: Ginger Garlic Shrimp and Red Pepper Pasta

The post Shrimp Marinara appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

Who’s an eggplant fan? If you love breaded eggplant but want some guilt-free snacking, enjoy these crispy, flavor-packed Air Fryer Eggplant Fries with Marinara Dipping Sauce. In this recipe, we’ll showcase a recipe that’s not only delicious but also incredibly easy to make. Whether you’re a culinary enthusiast looking to experiment or simply craving a satisfying snack, join us on a journey to discover the perfect balance of crunch and taste, all while redefining your snack game with this delightful twist on a classic favorite.

Air Fryer Eggplant Fries with Marinara Dipping Sauce are a delicious treat and is easily whipped up. It’s perfect for a side dish, snack, or the main event.

Ingredients:

For Fries:
1 large eggplant
1 cup breadcrumbs (or panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness)
2 eggs, beaten
Olive Oil non-propellant cooking spray

For Marinara Dipping Sauce

Marinara sauce ( I like this brand or this brand)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (add more if you really like parmesan)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

Preheat your Air Fryer to 425°F (218°C).

Peel and slice the eggplant into fry-shaped pieces, about 1/2 inch thick.

In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.

In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs.

Dip each eggplant fry into the beaten eggs, shaking off any excess, then coat it evenly in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process until all the eggplant fries are coated.

Lightly spray the Air Fryer tray or basket with a non propellant cooking spray or oil mister to prevent sticking. Place the coated eggplant fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.

Cook the eggplant fries in the Air Fryer for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, or until they are golden brown and crispy.

While the eggplant fries are cooking, heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Add in spices and parmesan cheese.

Once the eggplant fries are done, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.

Serve the crispy eggplant fries immediately with the warm marinara sauce for dipping.

Tips and Variations:

• For added flavor, sprinkle the cooked eggplant fries with additional grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs before serving.
• Feel free to customize the seasoning blend with your favorite herbs and spices, such as thyme, basil, or red pepper flakes. Whatever spices you like!
• If you prefer a smoother texture, you can blend the marinara sauce until smooth before heating it.
• Experiment with different dipping sauces, such as garlic aioli, tzatziki, or spicy mayo, for a unique twist on this classic appetizer.

Enjoy your crispy air fryer eggplant fries with marinara sauce as a delicious and healthier alternative to traditional French fries!

Print

Eggplant Fries with Marinara Dipping Sauce

Course Appetiser, Appetizer or Kids Meal, Entree, Entree or Side Dish, Kid Friendly, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Air Fryer, air fryer eggplant fries, air fryer fries, eggplant, eggplant fries, Fries

Author Nancy M Horn

Equipment

• Air Fryer

Ingredients

• For Fries:
• 1 large eggplant
• 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness
• 2 eggs beaten
• Olive Oil non-propellant cooking spray
• For Marinara Dipping Sauce
• Marinara sauce I like this brand or this brand
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese add more if you really like parmesan
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika optional
• Salt and pepper to taste

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

• Preheat your Air Fryer to 425°F (218°C).
• Peel and slice the eggplant into fry-shaped pieces, about 1/2 inch thick.
• In a shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. Mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
• In another shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
• Dip each eggplant fry into the beaten eggs, shaking off any excess, then coat it evenly in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat this process until all the eggplant fries are coated.
• Lightly spray the Air Fryer tray or basket with a non propellant cooking spray or oil mister to prevent sticking. Place the coated eggplant fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching each other.
• Cook the eggplant fries in the Air Fryer for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• While the eggplant fries are cooking, heat the marinara sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. Add in spices and parmesan cheese.
• Once the eggplant fries are done, remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.
• Serve the crispy eggplant fries immediately with the warm marinara sauce for dipping.

BUY on Amazon:

Marinara Sauce
Garlic Powder
Air Fryer
Cooking Spray
Oregano
Smoked Paprika
Parmesan Cheese

Love air fryer cooking? Grab my new e-book on Amazon! The Starter Air Fryer Cookbook is for new air fryer chefs – home cooks, students, singles, families – basically anyone who has an air fryer. These recipes, by Nancy Horn of The Mama Maven Blog and edited by Raquel Perazzo, are easy and absolutely delicious.

Related Posts

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• Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Rounds (Gluten Free)
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• Meatless Monday: Lasagna with Tofu Crumbles and Eggplant
• Crispy Matzoh Meal Pancakes Recipe

https://www.instacart.com/store/partner_recipes?recipeSourceUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themamamaven.com%2Fair-fryer-eggplant-fries-with-marinara-dipping-sauce%2F&aff_id=4692&offer_id=1&content_id=94255a5e-b371-4fb9-a054-4bce9fbc8918&utm_source=instacart_growth_partnerships&utm_medium=affiliate_recipe_unknown

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]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/air-fryer-eggplant-fries-with-marinara-dipping-sauce/feed/ 2 https://www.themamamaven.com/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-no-spoiler-review/ https://www.themamamaven.com/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-no-spoiler-review/#respond Tue, 02 Apr 2024 01:16:21 +0000 https://www.themamamaven.com/?p=82858 By B. Horn Godzilla x Kong: New Empire comes three years after Kong and Godzilla’s first interaction in the Monsterverse (Godzilla versus Kong). The film continues the story of the Monsterverse, expanding its universe’s scope and lore to new depths (literally). The film contains a lot more comedic moments than some of the previous Monsterverse...

Read More »

The post Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire No Spoiler Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

]]> By B. Horn

Godzilla x Kong: New Empire comes three years after Kong and Godzilla’s first interaction in the Monsterverse (Godzilla versus Kong). The film continues the story of the Monsterverse, expanding its universe’s scope and lore to new depths (literally). The film contains a lot more comedic moments than some of the previous Monsterverse films but it compensates with a lot of cool action. Many of the fights are enhanced by the set pieces as every location is affected by the clashes, and every impact is felt. This is a Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire No Spoiler Review. So, read on!

In short, I think the film did what it set up to do very well, have the Titans engage in massively epic fights while having a nicely executed story woven between the action. While the human plot is alright the fights are what everyone came for. I personally love the addition of wrestling moves into the fights making the clashes more realistic as every movement seems grounded in some way. The impacts of every attack can be felt in the locations as I mentioned earlier paired with the dynamic fighting proves that the monsterverse still has it when it comes to kaiju fights. In short, the film is very fun and enjoyable and continues the story of a solid cinematic universe.

Godzilla x Kong: New Empire comes three years after Kong and Godzilla’s first interaction in the Monsterverse (Godzilla versus Kong). The film continues the story of the Monsterverse, expanding its universe’s scope and lore to new depths (literally). The film contains a lot more comedic moments than some of the previous Monsterverse films but it compensates with a lot of cool action. Many of the fights are enhanced by the set pieces as every location is affected by the clashes, and every impact is felt.

In short, I think the film did what it set up to do very well, have the Titans engage in massively epic fights while having a nicely executed story woven between the action. While the human plot is alright the fights are what everyone came for. I personally love the addition of wrestling moves into the fights making the clashes more realistic as every movement seems grounded in some way. The impacts of every attack can be felt in the locations as I mentioned earlier paired with the dynamic fighting proves that the monsterverse still has it when it comes to kaiju fights. In short, the film is very fun and enjoyable and continues the story of a solid cinematic universe. 4.5/5 stars 

The movie stars Brian Tyree Henry, Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall and more. Directed by Adam Wingard.

Official Trailer:

See it only in theaters now:

https://www.godzillaxkongmovie.com/

Photos and video courtesy of Warner Brothers.

The post Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire No Spoiler Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/godzilla-x-kong-the-new-empire-no-spoiler-review/feed/ 0 https://www.themamamaven.com/gourmia-french-door-digital-air-fryer-oven-review-giveaway/ https://www.themamamaven.com/gourmia-french-door-digital-air-fryer-oven-review-giveaway/#comments Mon, 11 Mar 2024 21:31:15 +0000 https://www.themamamaven.com/?p=82796 I recently tested out the Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven, and it has completely transformed my air fryer use. This is an upgrade to the latest air fryer I had been using and I love this sleek and versatile appliance. With the two large racks and the French Door Design, it really does...

Read More »

The post Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

]]> I recently tested out the Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven, and it has completely transformed my air fryer use. This is an upgrade to the latest air fryer I had been using and I love this sleek and versatile appliance. With the two large racks and the French Door Design, it really does make air fryer cooking easier. It comes with many cooking options and digital precision.

Design and Build Quality: As I mentioned, the French door design is a game changer. It makes it so much easier. Just pull one side open and the other side opens as well. The stainless steel exterior is also cool looking and it’s easy to wipe down to keep clean. The digital controls on the front panel are intuitive and user-friendly.

Cooking Performance: The Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven truly does a great job in its cooking capabilities. The powerful air circulation system ensures that food is cooked evenly and to perfection. Whether I’m air frying, baking, roasting, or toasting, the results are consistently impressive. I made a delicious piece of salmon recently and I was surprised how well it worked when I hit the seafood button. However, to properly toast a piece of bread, you will need to adjust the settings. Hit the toast button and turn the temp to 4, for a perfectly toasted slice. The adjustable temperature and time settings did help me customize each cooking session according to my preferences. So far I’ve made a lemon dill salmon and roasted green beans.

Versatility: The Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven comes with a baking tray, crumb tray, and air fry basket. This appliance can handle it all. The French door design also allows for simultaneous cooking on multiple racks, making it a time-saving solution for busy households.

Ease of Cleaning: Cleaning up after cooking can be a hassle, but the Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven makes the process painless. The non-stick interior coating makes it easy to wipe away any residue, and the removable crumb tray ensures that any crumbs or spills are caught and can be easily disposed of. The accessories are dishwasher safe, further simplifying the cleaning process.

Features:

• Fits an entire 12’’ pizza, 6 slices of toast, or a whole chicken
• “Set it and forget it” with 19 One-Touch Cooking Presets (and yes, these work well)
• Touchscreen makes it easy to adjust time and temperature
• Large window lets you monitor what you’re cooking
• Single-pull French doors open with the pull of one handle
• Capacity: 24L
• Watts: 1700

Conclusion: The Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven is a winner in terms of design, performance, and versatility. It has become a go-to appliance in my kitchen, allowing me to prep delicious and healthy meals easily. If you are a newbie air fryer owner or a seasoned one, this is a great choice.

Love air fryer cooking? Grab my new e-book on Amazon! The Starter Air Fryer Cookbook is for new air fryer chefs – home cooks, students, singles, families – basically anyone who has an air fryer. These recipes, by Nancy Horn of The Mama Maven Blog and edited by Raquel Perazzo, are easy and absolutely delicious.

Thank you to Gourmia for providing a sample. All opinions are my own. There are affiliate links in this post.

• Air Fryer Lemon Dill Salmon
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The post Gourmia French Door Digital Air Fryer Oven Review appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

]]> https://www.themamamaven.com/gourmia-french-door-digital-air-fryer-oven-review-giveaway/feed/ 20 https://www.themamamaven.com/volunteering-in-israel-with-sar-el/ Sun, 07 Jan 2024 22:34:47 +0000 https://www.themamamaven.com/?p=82310 After the horrific massacre that took place in Israel on October 7th, like many Jews I felt staggered and lost. My family had given what we could financially, to charities in Israel, but I still felt helpless to help Israel in its war against Hamas.

The post Volunteering in Israel with Sar-El appeared first on The Mama Maven Blog.

]]> By Eric Horn, Mr. Mama Maven

Out of the window of the airplane I saw a massive plume of smoke rising from the ground in Gaza. It smoldered above the blanket of clouds, at the far horizon, almost emphasizing that this would be a very different trip. I was on my way to go volunteering in Israel with Sar-El.

After the horrific massacre that took place in Israel on October 7^th, like many Jews I felt staggered and lost. My family had given what we could financially, to charities in Israel, but I still felt helpless to help Israel in its war against Hamas. Reading the news and staying informed did not contribute directly. I wanted to do something more substantial. Then I remembered I had volunteered for the Sar-El program in Israel years ago. In that program, volunteers are assigned to an army base where they provide logistical support to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). I immediately signed up for Sar-El and several weeks later I was on a plane about to land.

I have spent more time in Israel than any other country outside of the United States. I first visited with my immediate family, for my older brother’s Bar Mitzvah when I was 11. I spent a semester abroad at Ben Gurion University in Beer Sheva. Then I returned on the World Union of Jewish Students program and lived and worked in Israel for almost three years. My last visit, before volunteering for Sar-El, was for my oldest son’s Bar Mitzvah. 

I didn’t know what to expect for this trip. Although I have lived in Tel Aviv during a spate of terrorist attacks from Hamas in the mid to late 90’s, including one that I narrowly missed by five minutes, I have never been to Israel during an actual war. However, while the airport had far fewer people than usual, things did not seem to be that far out of the ordinary after I disembarked. 

As I rode in a taxi, I saw an incredible amount of development, with cranes everywhere. There was even more construction going on than what I saw five years before during the Bar Mitzvah trip. I found it amazing how much Israel had continued to develop and not only the addition of high buildings, but also numerous parks and transportation infrastructure. It wasn’t just sprawl. It was extremely well planned and gorgeous. 

Inevitably my conversation with the cab driver went from how beautiful everything looked to current affairs with the war. He said things had been relatively quiet in the center of the country after facing many days with sirens driving them to bomb shelters due to rockets fired by Hamas. The normalcy that had returned to the country during this lull took me by surprise. There were people in the restaurants and bars, and even hanging out on the beach. I was expecting to have a very quiet or even unsettled stay in Tel Aviv the first weekend, but it was enjoyable. I spent the weekend walking along the boardwalk by the sea and strolling to parks and cafes. However, I was aware that this calm could be broken at any moment. I kept my phone handy so that I could hear alerts from the Tzofar app (apple version and android version) that would inform me if there are missiles or drones in the area. During the weekend there were frequent reports of attacks from Gaza and Lebanon on the border communities, but the central region remained quiet. Just because it was relatively quiet in the center of the country, I definitely do not want to make light of this as there were still tens of thousands of Israelis displaced from these communities.

That Sunday, I returned to the airport to register for my Sar-El assignment. There was a lot more activity that day. While Sar-El usually has 2-3 dozen people at a time, almost 300 people were registering that weekend. As I would soon learn, they came from all over the world. From numerous countries in South American and Europe; across the United States and Canada; as well as South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. While most of the volunteers were Jewish, there were many non-Jews who wanted to give their support during the war. 

I was assigned to work on an assembly line, helping pack rations for the soldiers in Gaza. Each box that we filled would feed four soldiers. We arrived in the warehouse to a standing ovation from the Israelis working at the facility. It took us by surprise. On several occasions we were told how much it meant to the Israelis to have fellow Jews and non-Jews drop what they were doing and travel from around the world to help them. We also were fortunate to have Israelis come to the assembly line to help pack the rations. Twice we had groups of high school students come. We were also joined by lovely a group of ladies from Rosh Ha Ayin who had volunteered every Tuesday since the outbreak of war. Another group that joined us were from El Al’s human resources department. It was delightful getting to know all of these people and we listened to music and sang as we worked.

I also worked on a food packaging assembly line at another base, preparing gluten free rations, and at a third base packaged apparel and body armor. The work at the third base included organizing and packaging cold weather clothing, socks, and combat boots. It also involved going through protective body armor for knees, shoulders, and elbows; discarding equipment that was no longer usable and re-packaging the rest to be sent back to the front.

During the first week, there were two sirens my immediate area. The first was while I was on base. We were instructed that we had a minute and a half to reach the bomb shelters after the sirens began sounding. This is plenty of time to walk briskly but without going too fast to reach shelter. The second siren sounded while we were on the bus. Since there was not a shelter readily available, we stood against a wall as cover. On both occasions the IDF used its Iron Dome missile defense system and shot down the rockets. The second time I could actually see one of the Iron Dome missiles flying through the sky and we saw the numerous clouds of smoke where Iron Dome’s missiles struck down Hamas’ rockets.

Sar-El volunteers usually eat all their meals and sleep in the barracks of the base. However, due to the war, there was not enough room for all of the army reservists to sleep on the base. Therefore, Sar-El volunteers were housed off base and were bused in and out of the base. We were given breakfast and dinner at this location and lunch on base. I must say that the army food was surprisingly good, and one base even had delicious babka and ruggelah for dessert.

During the evenings we had activities. The most touching activity involved everyone telling the group who they are, where they came from, and why they came. Although some of the details varied, in the end, we were drawn from the corners of the world to help the Jewish people and the Jewish state in its time of need.

Even though we could only offer modest help, we were able to contribute. I think our presence meant as much to the Israelis as the work we did, and I think just being able to help did a lot of good for our souls. I enjoyed volunteering in Israel with Sar-El.

Get more info about Sar El at https://www.sar-el.org.

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