Leafy Green Recipe #001

Kale and Ricotta Salata Bruschetta
by Ashley Lukens

Leafy Green vegetables like Kale, Swiss Chard, Mustard Greens, or Collards are a vital part of your family's diet.They are good sources of many vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy, such as vitamins A, C, and K, folate, iron and calcium. They are also great sources of fiber. Research suggests that the nutrients found in dark green vegetables may prevent certain types of cancers and promote heart health. It is recommended that we eat 3 cups of dark green vegetables per week, or about ½ a cup every day.

Hawaii's climate is well suited for growing leafy greens year round, and buying these locally grown greens are better for the environment, great for Hawaii's local economy, and easy on your wallet. Ma'o Farms, for example, features serveral varieties at their KCC Farmers market stand:

• Mizuna and Mustard Greens
• Tat Soi and Pak Choy
• Collard Greens
• Kale - Red Russian, Lacinato (Toscano), Blue Curly
• Swiss Chard - Rainbow, Fordhook, Ruby

For such an important part of our diet, and such an integral part of Hawaii's local agriculture, leafy greens remain difficult to prepare, particularly in ways that are palatable to the whole family. This leafy green recipe series is an attempt to offer quick, easy and delicious ways to integrate leafy greens into your diet and your cooking repetoire. The specific recipe is inspired by Town Restaurant, that always has delicious locally grown food on their menu (including bruschetta) and a Wilted Greens Recipe I found on the Food Network website. I made it tonight and it was DELISH!

Ingredients

• 1 Olive baguette
• 1 large bunch Kale
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 yellow onion, peeled and thinly sliced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 ounces ricotta salata cheese

Directions
Slice Olive bread into this slices, drizzle with olive oil and broil until crisp. Set aside.
Wash the greens, but do not dry. Trim the large stems and coarsely chop. Set aside.
Warm 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat.
Add the onions and garlic and saute for 4 minutes.
Add the greens, vegetable broth, soy sauce, and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the greens have wilted and become tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Transfer the cooked greens to a serving bowl and crumble the ricotta salata cheese over the top. Mix and pile atop toasted Olive Bread slices.

Precycle: Think before you need to recycle

These days, everyone talks about recycling from consumables such as plastic bottles and clothes to building homes with reclaimed woods and making artwork out of trash.

But how about considering the act to precycle?

To precycle basically means to take action to reduce your trash and consumption before you reach the need to recycle.

Some easy ways to precycle include:

Buy foods in bulk.
For added points, you can also reuse a plastic bag or container for pouring your cereal, rice, grains, nuts, and trail mixes at the store. Don’t forget to bring your own reusable grocery bag too.

Frequent your local library
Instead of buying books all the time, consider going to your neighborhood library to borrow your next few reads. If you need to clean out your shelves and recycle, the library is a good place to donate second-hand books.

Limit or avoid junk mail
There are services available to get off mailing lists that sell your name and address to more mailing lists. Also sign up for e-mail newsletters and messages from businesses and favorite organizations.

Bring your own take-out containers
Whenever you eat out and need to pack those leftovers, don't ask for a "doggie bag." Get in the habit of bringing your own containers. You waste less food and create less trash.

Carry your own chopsticks or utensils
Disposable chopsticks and plasticware not only are items waiting to become trash but the energy and natural resources required to manufacture them are enormous.

While recycling is better than doing nothing, it still requires a great deal of resources to do. By taking a thoughtful step not to use something in the first place -- especially disposable items -- can sometimes make even a greater difference than trying to recycle or repurpose an item later. (LL)

Dana Pinho: through the eyes of her sons...

What celebrity mom or historical/political figure are they most like and why?
Our mom is like Jenny McCarthy. Jenny McCarthy took challenging circumstances that her family experienced and used it to educate and empower other families. She took her sons diagnosis of Autism and fought endlessly until she found ways to help alieviate his struggles. Her steadfast dedication and love for her son affected many in great ways.

While Jenny McCarthy experienced autism, our mom experienced prematurity. All of us were born premature, varying from 25-34 weeks. Each time, our mom was there right by our side. Even through news that would have crumbled the resolve of the average woman, she always stood strong and never waivered. She would not accept no for an answer when it came to our wellbeing. Even through months and months of hospitalization, she still came nearly every day to see us. Even when we were to sick to be held or touched, she would come just to look at us and tell us that she was there.

Even through our struggles with prematurity, our mom finds ways to give back. She makes sure we know that the March of Dimes helps babies that were born like us and encourages us to donate a part of our allowance to them. She really tries to get people to support the March of Dimes March for Babies and their other efforts to raise funds for sick and premature babies. She tells us it's so that one day no family will have to go through what our family has gone through.

Our mom is a shiny lip gloss, mascara, bright-pink cape wearing super mom, just like Jenny McCarthy.

What would their family say makes them the best mom ever?
Our mom is the best mom because she is perfectly imperfect. Sometimes she forgets to brush her teeth (and hair), but she always carries a toothbrush and toothpaste in her bag so that when she remembers she won't have morning breath. That's a great thing, too, because sometimes we forget and at least we can borrow hers. Once in a while she lets us eat popcorn and kaki mochi for lunch, but she always puts in furikaki (because we need our veggies, too!) When we're sick and accidentally vomit on the carpet or on the bed because we thought we weren't going to be sick, she always checks to make sure we are okay before magically making the stink and smell dissapear.

In all seriousness, our mom is incredible. She has sacrificed so much, asked for so little, gives more than what everyone expects, is loyal to a fault and loves so freely. When she found out she was pregnant with our twin brothers she went on a quest to give them a fighting chance at making it as closest to term as possible. She gave up her favorite foods and drinks because they weren't good for pregnant woman to have, good-bye to her favorite fish and caffinated drinks she so loved and hello to organic and local grown produce! She eliminated as much stress as possible and added exercise to her day to provide the most perfect environment for her growing babies.

When our twin brothers were born prematurely at 26 weeks despite all of our moms efforts to keep them in as long as possible, she did everything she could to provide the best for them. She pumped breastmilk every two hours around the clock for over 3 months because preemies have risks for an intestinal disorder called NEC and breast milk is the best prevention for NEC. She pushed for them to co-bed as soon as possible because it was good for growth. Even when doctors told her that she wouldn't be able to breastfeed her twins until many months later, at 30 weeks she realized that one twin had signs of being ready to nurse and fought to do so. Surprising the doctors and nurses, our tiny two and a half pound brother nursed for 7 minutes and never took a step back since then. When 2 months later she stopped producing as much milk, she consulted every professional she could reach in order to find out how to keep up production of milk to feed twins. Though many doctors said that most moms can't and won't make enough milk to successful exclusively feed twins, she managed to find someone to help and has managed to provide them with breast milk till this day.

Then through December and January one of our twin brothers was hospitalized. Our mom made this incredibly stressful situation as easy as it could be on our family. She allowed us to learn about our brothers condition and participate in his care, so that his equpitment at home would not be as intimdating for us. She allowed us to see that he was the same brother we had, he just had a few extra "accessories" now. During this time our baby brother refused feedings by everyone but our mom, so when she should have been celebrating the holidays she instead spent weeks driving back and forth from our home to the hospital in order to feed both of our twins (since one would only breastfeed and the other had never had a bottle before). Some days she spent hours driving back and forth from the hospital to our home (sometimes five or six times a day), or waiting in the parking lot of the hospital for hours because one of our twin brothers was not allowed to visit and he still needed to eat. Our mom still manages to spend time with us all and provide our brother with the medical care he needs, most of the time single handedly. When he was discharged, even though our schedule still is booked with our twin brother's medical appointments we still get to do fun things.

Our mom does everything she can to better us as a family. She has done everything from adding better foods to our diet and showing us why local, organic produce is the best for us (we even tried to grow okra) to allowing us to participate in making our twin brothers baby food (our favorite is applesauce because we eat it too). She gives us enough room to grown, but enough guidance to keep us grounded. She loves us so much, but allows us to make our own mistakes.

Why should they be Hawaii's Next Hot Mama?
Our mom is Hawaii's Next Hot Mama because she is the mom that everyone would die for. She manages to mix cookies while carrying both of our twin brothers. She manages to make tofu taste like steak. Our mom rocks because even when she has challenging days with our little brother, we still get time with her alone. OUr mom is the best because she still manages to be humble and has incredible amounts of love despite going through so much.

Presenting Hawaii's Next Hot Mama!

Hot Mama Maternity and Baby aWEARness are proud to announce Hawaii's Next Hot Mama: Dana Pinho!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just like so many of the nominees, Dana is an amazing woman who's positive energy, perseverance and ability to be a mother, friend, wife and community leader gracefully encompasses what being a Hot Mama is. Along with being of an awe-inspiring, energetic and creative mother and wife, Dana maintains her positive attitude and still has what it takes to put on a pair of stilettos and walk proudly into a room full of strangers. As if being a mother of four isn't challenging enough Dana is working on starting a non-profit to assist other mothers who share some of the struggles Dana has faced.

Dana, proud mother of four was nominated by two of her sons, Kris and Kyler Younge, with the assistance of their dad Chris.

Here are some highlights:

"Our mom is the best mom because she is perfectly imperfect. She has sacrificed so much, asked for so little, gives more than what everyone expects, is loyal to a fault and loves so freely. She took her sons diagnosis of Autism and fought endlessly until she found ways to help alleviate his struggles. Our twin brothers were born prematurely at 26 weeks and despite all of our mom's efforts to keep them in as long as possible, she did everything she could to provide the best for them. She pumped breast milk every two hours around the clock for over 3 months because preemies have risks for an intestinal disorder called NEC and breast milk is the best prevention for NEC. Our mom made this incredibly stressful situation as easy as it could be on our family. She is the best because she still manages to be humble and has incredible amounts of love despite going through so much."

"Our mom does everything she can to better us as a family. She has done everything from adding better foods to our diet and showing us why local, organic produce is the best for us (we even tried to grow okra) to allowing us to participate in making our twin brothers baby food (our favorite is applesauce because we eat it too). She gives us enough room to grown, but enough guidance to keep us grounded. She loves us so much, but allows us to make our own mistakes."

When asked what motherhood meant to her, Dana offered the following wise words:

"I'm reminded daily that someone's someplace begging for the opportunities I have. Being Mom to my boys, including one with "special needs" and another who's "medically fragile," has been that: the greatest opportunity. My unique family has taken every stereotypical mold of motherhood and flung it out the window, allowing me to experience beautiful off-the-beaten-road paths like encouraging them to break glass ceilings society has placed above them and to see such pride when they succeed!! Motherhood meant, occasionally, heartache and happiness were synonymous. It's digging up every ounce of fight when there's none left. It's meant loving myself at my best, and more importantly, my worst. It means recognizing my importance...I may be raising the next President, cancer-curing doctor or simply a gentlemen. I see my child teased, but know that hugs and affirmations of how loved he is are much stronger than ignorance. I perform uncomfortable medical procedures on my baby, but know my touch is still the most comforting thing in his world. Simply, I am the luckiest girl because motherhood means I get to be here for my boys, especially through tough times...because some don't even get that."

As the face of Hot Mama Maternity and Baby aWEARness, Dana will enjoy an entire day of pampering at Allure Spa & Salon, followed by a professional photoshoot with Island Style Images. Once Dana has picked out her favorite shots, we will begin featuring Danain all of our advertising and community outreach materials. The contest has introduced so many wonderful women into our lives, we are going to begin hosting several fun Hot Mama inspired events to continue to recognize, appreciate and most importantly unite all the soulful, driven beautiful women on this island. Please stay tuned as we work out the details of our growing Hot Mama Network!

We hope that you will continue to be a part of our Baby aWEARness/Hot Mama family. We will make sure to keep you in the loop on special events and as always, you are always welcome to stop by to say hello, seek advise, check out the new products and classes we have to offer, or simply just to get out of the house! We are always looking for ideas on new classes to host, products to carry or any other ideas you may have.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for being a part of this wonderful celebration. We have enjoyed hosting this contest and being truly have been inspired by all of the heartfelt stories we received. Tune in to Hawaii News Now on Tuesday morning March 2 at 8:15 am to see a special segment on Dana as she officially accepts her role as Hawaii's Next Hot Mama.

Solving The Breastpump Mystery

When: Sunday, February 21st at 3pm
Led by: Pat Bilyk*
Cost: $20/person or $35/couple

Have you ever asked yourself....

*Do I really need a breastpump?
*What is the best breastpump for me?
*How do I know the best breastpump for my
specific situation?
*How do I use a breastpump?

This class is for you.

Join Pat Bilyk*, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) as she shares her expertise on the "hows" and "whys" of the breastpumps presently on the market.


*Pat Bilyk is an IBCLC, masters prepared nurse who has practiced in Hawaii
for 27 years. Her experiences have been as a Lactation Consultant at Kapiolani and Kaiser Medical Centers, Executive Director at Hawaii Mother's Milk, Sales Rep for Medela and a Lactation Consultant in her own
business-Healthy New Beginnings.

Elimination Communication/Infant Potty Training

Elimination Communication (EC)
a.k.a. Infant Potty Training, Natural Infant Hygiene

Interested: Join us for a FREE workshop this Sunday, February 21 at 1pm

What is EC?
EC is communicating with your baby about their elimination needs, just as you communicate with your baby about other needs such as hunger or sleep. Babies are born with the instinct not to soil themselves and parents can assist them with elimination by learning their cues and baby’s natural rhythms. EC is gentle, non-coercive communication and does not rely on rewards/punishment. While early potty training is not the goal of EC, it often results in children being potty trained at a younger age or at least without the struggles some parents have when they need to “untrain” their older child from diapers. Ideally, EC is started early in infancy before baby becomes mobile. EC can be practiced on a full-time, part-time or occasional basis.

Hawaii is an ideal place to practice EC. Baby can stay comfortably warm wearing just a diaper, underwear or nothing at all. This makes it easier to quickly potty your baby or observe their cues and elimination patterns. Many houses have hardwood, bamboo or tile floors making it easy to handle “misses.”

Benefits of EC
• Babies fuss and cry less when their elimination needs are addressed. The need to pee, poop, or relieve gas can cause fussiness or colicky behavior in some babies. EC can provide instant relief!
• No diaper rash from sitting in a soiled or wet diaper.
• Great way for parents and caregivers to bond with baby (especially dads).
• Parents are in tune with baby’s rhythms and can identify digestive or urinary problems early.
• Saves money! Less diapers to buy and/or wash.
• Less disposable diapers end up in a landfill.
• Human waste goes into the toilet where it can be safely processed.
• Reduces struggles associated with conventional potty training.
• Respectful of baby’s needs and developmental stages.

Helpful Tools for EC
• Infant size potty, potty bowl or other vessel for elimination.
• Cloth diapers make it easier to practice EC, but disposables can work. Some parents use training pants or infant sized underwear.
• Baby sling – wearing your baby makes it easier to pick up on their elimination cues.
• Cleaning solution and wipes for misses.
• Baby leg warmers, crotch-less pants or other clothing that makes pottying easier.

The Month of February is all about Hearts

As another Valentine's day is upon us, we are reminded to pay tribute to our Sweethearts, but how about the REAL Hearts?? Did you know that February 5th was “WEAR Red Day” in recognition of support in the fight against Heart disease that American Heart Association promotes

Heart disease is the leading cause of death of women in the United States. The American Heart Association reports that in the United States 1 in 4 women die of heart disease each year. The U.S Department of Health also reports that in 2004, 60% of all women who died due to heart disease and not cancer, which is what most people believe.

To honor the fight against heart disease, I would like to share the findings of a recent breastfeeding study that showed a reduction of heart disease in the mother and baby.
The research found that women, who reported a lifetime history of breastfeeding for 12 months or more, were less likely to have postmenopausal cardiovascular disease.
Prolonged lactation of at least 12 months has been shown to improve a woman’s glucose level, reduce metabolic disorder, obesity, hypertension and diabetes.
This information is significant because the women who were studied had at least 30 years since they last breastfed and the protection was still prevalent. The importance of this information transcends all women regardless of age, parity, socioeconomic background, and education.

The American Heart Association reports in their Scientific Sessions of 2007 that children who are breastfed "are less likely to have certain cardiovascular disease risk factors in adulthood then their formula fed counterparts". It appears that children who are breastfed have lower BMI (Body Mass Index) and a higher amount of the "good cholesterol". This good cholesterol helps protect breastfed children as adults from cardiovascular disease.

So for the rest of this month continue to WEAR RED in support of the fight to reduce heart disease in women and children by educating them on the importance of breastfeeding.

Lets Talk Toys with Julliet Lowe

Welcome to the land of "make believe." This is a wonderful age (between 2 to 5 years old) where children love to pretend. We had a mom walk into the store a while ago with her son dressed up like a fireman. He truly was a fireman in that costume.Those of us with daughters know all about the "princess" world and it never fails to amaze me how kids can imitate with instant accuracy.This type of creative play involves both growth and development and changes daily.

Baby aWEARness provides toys that stimulates this stage of play. Your little aspiring chef will have loads of fun preparing a healthy stir fry one day and prepare a yummy sushi meal the next. Everyday can be your birthday with our Melissa and Doug cake set.


We have building blocks that "becomes" scenes for villages.. or where your little ones imagination can turn them into boats or telephones.

Firetrucks, Dump trucks, Excavators, Trains, all provide hours of fun! These vehicles made out of natural beechwood with rubber tires have knobs to move for steering which makes it's function all the more cool!

Until the next, Let's Talk Toys..Happy Play time!

-Julliet Lowe

Swaddles Galore!

One of the best ways to keep your newborn feeling cozy and secure is with a swaddle blanket. Swaddling can enhance peaceful sleeping for baby and soothe them from their crying, especially because the very nature of swaddling mimics the warmth and comfort of being inside mama's belly.

Aden + Anais features an adorable line of cotton muslin swaddles, gentle on baby's skin but durable for everyday use. Each set comes with four generously sized blankets, each with a distinct pattern. Once the swaddling phase is over, Aden + Anais swaddles are perfect for using as stroller covers, burp cloths, changing table sheet, or anything else!

Swaddle blankets are the perfect baby shower gift. Stop by Hot Mama/Baby Awearness to pick up a set or two. (LL)

How to Swaddle Your Baby:

Step 1

Lay the swaddle in a diamond shape and fold the top corner down to form a triangle. Place your baby in the center of the folded area with baby's head just above the fold of the swaddle. Ensure that baby's shoulders are still below the fold.

Step 2

Place baby's right arm slightly bent at the elbow flat against her body. Take the left side of the swaddle and bring it across baby's chest. Ensure their arm is securely under the fabric. Tuck the edge of the swaddle under her body to ensure a secure swaddle.

Step 3

Fold the bottom of the swaddle up and over baby's feet

Step 4

Finally, place baby's left arm slightly bent at the elbow against her body, take the right side of the swaddle and bring it across baby's chest. Tuck the excess fabric underneath baby to secure the swaddle.