1. Baby Bedding – Our baby bedding was really the focal point of our nursery.  My mother-in-law first asked us which color scheme and theme we wanted.  We gave her some ideas, and she found an absolutely adorable, modern pink and chocolate baby bedding theme.  From that point on, all of our baby blankets, mattress sheets, cushions, and nursery items all complimented our adorable baby bedding.  It’s a wonderful way to kick start the nursery
2. Pregnancy Pillow – My Boppy pillow offered me ultimate sleep comfort throughout my pregnancy and several months afterwards.  With a beach ball-sized belly, I could no longer rest on my back.  I couldn’t sleep without the Boppy in my arms and in between my legs.  The “S” shape of the Boppy also made it simple to use as a breastfeeding cushion.  It was truly a sleep necessity.
3. Diaper Genie – If you don’t already know, you will incur a massive amount of stinky diapers for a couple years.  The odor can linger like rotten cheese!  The Diaper Genie is essential to keep the smell under control.  It is easy to change and keeps the nursery smelling clean and odorless.
4. Baby Sling/Backpack – Holding your little one skin to skin is a precious way to bond.  However, when you need your hands free to take care of things, put your baby in a sling or backpack.  I prefer a front backpack so baby is snug against me and can listen to my heartbeat.  Since my daughter always wanted to be held, the backpack was the best way for me to get things done.
5. Sleep Sheep – It took us quite some time to show our daughter when sleep time was.  We created a routine to turn out the lights, feed, swaddle and play calming white noise.  The Sleep Sheep is a cuddly animal which plays calming sounds such as ocean waves, rain, whale calls and babbling brooks.  Our daughter recognized the sounds and it quickly put her to sleep.  We took it everywhere we went.
6. First-Aid Kit – There are many first-aid kits for babies that include everything for emergencies.  We actually have two that we keep in the bedroom and car.  It’s something you don’t want to need to use, but something you cannot be without.
7. Bouncy Seat – When you need to break away to do laundry or dishes, a bouncy seat is an awesome way to keep your baby safe and entertained.  It’s a great way to work your baby’s leg muscles to prepare for walking, and super fun for the baby.  There are many built-in toys that are great for your baby’s development.

These items have been the most helpful and memorable of the baby shower presents we received.  Whether you decide to get baby crib bedding or a Diaper Genie, choose something that will make it much easier for the parent-to-be.  Having a baby is more than a full-time job, it’s an incredible life change.

The post 7 Useful Baby Shower Gifts appeared first on Portland Mama.

Being outdoors, there is not much you can control.  You can’t control how the air smells, or the car that drives down the road, or the particular person nearby who is sick.  Sure, you make every attempt to keep your baby away from hazards, but you take the chance every time baby is outdoors.  What you can control is keeping your baby’s nursery safe, sanitary and totally free from dangerous toxins.

Cleaning

Keeping your nursery clean is crucial to providing a safe environment for your baby.  Make sure you regularly clean the carpets using a vacuum that has a HEPA filter.  This filter will help get rid of the majority of harmful pathogens, allergies, dust particles, pet dander and more.  According to a 2002 U.S. Geological Survey, 80% of cleaning solutions leave behind a residue which may include antibiotics, synthetic hormones, pesticides, etc.  That is a sad exchange for germ-free surfaces!  These chemicals can be very harmful if ingested or inhaled and can have an effect on the development of your baby’s immune system.  Go to the store and get yourself some non-toxic cleaning products.  They are just as effective and smell significantly better.  You can also try home remedy cleaning solutions that are tremendously less costly and free of toxic residue.

Crib Bedding

Your crib bedding is the last thing your little one sees before bedtime and the first thing your newborn sees once he/she wakes up.  You newborn will spend about 2/3rds of the time resting in the crib, so choosing safe baby crib sets and taking proper care of it should be one of your top priorities.  Mattresses containing wool or latex can trigger allergies, so try buying an organic mattress or allow a regular baby mattress to air out for at least one month prior to bringing baby home.  Buying organic baby bedding and clothes are also an ideal alternative.  Organic baby bedding is free from chemical finishing agents that are used to preserve the material.  Choose baby bedding which is 100% certified organic cotton so it is soft, comfortable and breathable.  Make sure to wash all items using fragrance-free detergent and no fabric softener.

Painting

Painting your nursery walls is a good way to create a nice ambiance for your nursery.  Make sure not to paint while your pregnant and also use paint that has no or low volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  This goes the same for sealers and finishers for furniture.  Buying unfinished furnishings is even better, but realistically, buying new furniture is not always feasible.  Again, give your nursery several months to air out before bringing baby home.  An air purifier with HEPA filter is also valuable in eliminating allergens, dust particles, asthma inducers, chemicals, biological contaminants and so on.

Take proactive measures to guarantee your baby’s nursery is safe and free from toxins.  I would recommend preparing and sanitizing your nursery several months before baby is due to ensure all possible contaminants are eliminated.  You may not be able to control outside variables from imposing harmful agents, but you can definitely control turning your nursery into a safe sanctuary for your newborn.  Taking eco-friendly precautions is not only safer for your treasured little one, but mother nature will thank you for it.

The post How To Keep Your Nursery Clean, Safe and Free From Toxins appeared first on Portland Mama.

This recipe is one that I usually have all the ingredients on hand, or almost all. So when I don’t know what to fix for dinner, pasta is usually the answer.

This particular recipe calls for Italian Sausage but you could also use ground chicken, turkey or hamburger. Whatever you have.

If you don’t have fresh basil, use dried instead.

It uses canned tomatoes and I always have a few cans of those in the pantry.

I used penne pasta but any size or shape will do.

You can really just make it up as you go along. It’s hard to go wrong!

So what’s your favorite Go To meal for Fall?

Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta

Printable Recipe

1 lb. mild Italian Sausage

2 – 3 Tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 tsp fresh basil, sliced (reserve some to garnish with) or use 2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

3 cans (15 oz.) diced tomatoes

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

1 1/2 C cream

1 box penne pasta

Brown the sausage . Cook pasta according to the box. Heat olive oil in a pan and add garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Saute until garlic is soft. Add in tomatoes and cream. Stir until it begins to thicken. Add sausage back in and then pour over pasta. If it seems to thick just thin it with some additional cream. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and more fresh basil.

The post Creamy Tomato and Sausage Pasta appeared first on Portland Mama.

Today’s recipe is one of those quick and easy recipes and also a kid favorite – chicken and noodles.

The chicken can be marinaded up to 24 hours ahead of time but if you are like I am, and usually forget, it is fine to throw it in the marinade while you are chopping up the carrots.

The night I made it I only added carrots and onions because that’s all I had but it would be great with some broccoli, snow peas or any other vegetable you might have in the refrigerator. And it would look a lot prettier with a little green added in!

I threw a handful of chopped cashews on top of mine because I like the texture and crunch it gives the dish but it’s not a necessity.

The yakisoba noodles are usually found in the produce section of the grocery store, near where the wonton wrappers and that type of thing is. They usually come vacuum sealed.

Do you have a favorite go to meal that’s quick and easy to fix during the holidays.

Chicken Yakisoba Noodles

Printable Recipe

1/2 C soy sauce

1/2 C water

1/2 C sugar

6 Tbsp sesame oil, divided

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp minced ginger

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

4 (7 oz.9 pkg. yakisoba noodles, uncooked

1 carrot, peeled and finely julienned or chopped

1 onion, finely chopped

sesame seeds, chopped nuts or sliced green onions for garnish

In a medium bowl, mix together soy sauce, water, sugar, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, garlic and ginger.

Place the chicken in a plastic bag and add 6 Tbsp of the soy sauce mixture; close bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours. Reserve remaining soy sauce mixture for cooking noodles.

Remove the noodles from the package and gently separate. Reserve seasoning packets for another use.

In large skillet or wok over high heat, heat 2 Tbsp sesame oil. Add carrot and onion; saute until almost brown. Reduce heat to medium and add noodles. Stir fry 5-6 minutes or until they begin to stick to the pan. Add the reserved soy sauce mixture and stir fry for 3-5 minutes longer. Meanwhile, in a separate skillet, heat remaining 2 Tbsp sesame oil. Saute the chicken until cooked through.

The post Chicken Yakisoba Noodles appeared first on Portland Mama.

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