Red's Disney Small World 1st Birthday Party

Free Printouts for my small world decor at the end of this post! 

We had Red's first birthday party last weekend. I decided to take advantage of the fact that he was still so small that I could pick the theme. Originally, I didn't plan on having a party, but in the end figured he would only turn one once. I knew we wanted to have the party outside. We picked a park that was close by. This really cut back on decoration cost. it was also nice because I didn't feel the need to entertain the children that attended.

Since my budget was tight for decor , and with the lack of cute small world themed merchandise out there, I decided to do what I do best. Make my own. at the end of this blog, I'll provide a free printout of the small world tags I made and used.

Here's what we used to decorate.

1. The poster pictures were a nice statement touch. My dad printed small world pictures that I found online, and glued them to poster board. It was windy out, so this helped keep them from blowing away. These made nice centerpieces for the two large tables we had.

2. The mini pinatas are from target and were actually hand-me-downs from another party my brother in law had in December. I decided to reuse them because they were so cute. Not to mention the Mexico section in the actual small world ride is fairly lengthy.

3. Randomly around the tables, I put these little boats I had made. This is were the tags came in. I made the boats, and used a toothpick to tape the cutouts onto them. On the other side of the clock face is a cutout of the world, but you cant see that in the picture.

4. The favors I kept simple. I dont care for plastic toys, especially crummy ones that tend to come in packs for party favors. Instead I made a home mad jam, and put my own labels on them. I reused old baby food jars I had saved.  The recipe I used was very simple, and had no added sugar, just honey. I think the parents enjoyed these more than the kids! I also had little bags of animal crackers available to go with the jelly.

5. Next was the cake decor. I really wanted to make a homemade cake, but with the week we had had that wasn't going to happen (next year)! I ended up buying a pre made sheet cake and just adding my own decorations. I printed a picture of a Mary Blair castle and placed that on the cake. I printed it on card stock to make it heavier and folded the sides to give it dimension. I was held up with toothpicks. The animal figurines were vintage candle holders from Red's grandma.

6. Alas I sewed the place mats and the gift and cake table map mat. This was my favorite decor piece at the party. I bought this panel of fabric that looked like a kid friendly world map. I bought it before Red was born and finally found good use for it. now, its hanging in his room. I simply hemmed the sides, and put it on the table. Unfortunately gifts were covering it by the end!

I think Red enjoyed the party, he took a long nice nap afterwards witch was like a birthday gift to me! His little mickey hat was also on point.

Free printable small world decor pics!
Links below (all images are jpegs and are sized standard 8.5x11 printer paper)

1. Small world clock face
2. Small world castle
3. Globe
4. Mary Blair cake topper castle

Enjoy!

Excersing and Motherhood, a Yogi Story

When we think of yoga, we often picture a perfect scenario where one is deep in thought, while holding a perfect back bend. Lets not forget the tranquil music, and possibly a scenic background, like the ocean or a beautiful garden.

Now Ill explain what a typical yoga session looks like for me. 

After finishing a page full of notes, I realize my back is aching from hunching over my desk so much. I decide I could really go for a yoga session. I'm lucky that Red is still taking a nap, so I decide to take advantage of the moment. I am wearing nothing but a t shirt and underwear and decided it will do. I open the patio door for some fresh air before I begin. I can here music and people talking from all over the complex where I live. I pull out my mat, and start my video. Two minutes in Red wakes up and I run to grab him and bring him into the living room with me. The cat is laying in the middle of my mat and I continue my workout working around him. Eventually he starts playing with my toes and grabbing at my feet. I smile and press forward. All of a sudden I feel something hit the back of my leg. Red is pushing his baby walker right into me. I reroute him to go between my legs, as they are spread. All is peaceful for a moment besides Red's happy cries and the noise outside. I move into half moon pose and I hear clawing at the patio door. The cat has moved from my mat and decided he wants to go outside. I pause, and let him out so he can stare at the birds flying by. I retreat back to my mat and continue. Minutes later Red grabs at my feet and decides that I have ignored him enough and that he is hungry. This is what a fifteen minute yoga session looks like for me. 

I used to plan my yoga sessions. I would wait until Red went to bed, then I would put on my work out clothes, clean my mat, put on tranquil music, and begin. What ended up happening was fewer yoga sessions, and myself becoming stressed because of lack of exercise and guilt of not getting said exercise. 

To make it worse the cycle would repeat. I eventually thought out there had to be a way to get the workout I wanted and needed.

Here's what I figured out. 

1) Ten minutes of exercise is better than none.   

A lot of my dvd's I use when I practice yoga (this applies to whatever form of workout you prefer) have many mini sessions on them. Whether I can do one or three, I always feel better in the end. 

2) If you feel like moving, move! 

When I want to exercise the most is after I cook a meal, after finishing some school work, or maybe had a stressful phone call. There are so many scenarios like this, and I realized that I wanted to move after, shake it off, and feel a bit refreshed. Just listening to my body, rather than planing really help make even the mini work out sessions go even further. 

3) No need to always need to look the part

I realized that as much as I love my work out attire it isn't necessary to get the job done, especially if im home. It can be a time waster, and a hassle. If you know your time is short, take advantage of the moment and try not worry about the details.

4) Exercises shouldn't be a task, make it an enjoyment 

I used to get upset when I couldn't completely feel my "inner peace." I realized that when I didn't have expectations, I enjoyed myself so much more. 

Being a mother, career women, wife, or all of the above is hard enough. But somethings we just need to be our best selves and exercise is one of them. I hope these tips help you make the most of your time. I choose yoga, and even if I cant have the most professional sessions, in the end I get what I need. A good workout and a smile. 

Vegan Potatoes and Veggie Casserole

I've been in the mood for comfort food and began searching for a good vegan alternative to a pot pie or a casserole. Every recipe I came across used heavy creams, frozen ingredients, or cans (yuck!).  Its took a good half day to come up with something, but in the end I did get my "pot pie". Red seemed to really like it to.

Recipe: 

(Serves 8 to 12)

Filling:
6 Small to medium sized potatoes
Half bunch of Asparagus
4 Large carrots
1/2 Red onion
3 Garlic Cloves
Salt
Olive oil
2 cups Hearty Vegetable broth
1 1/2 Cups flour
Soy milk (non dairy milk)

Biscuit Topping: 
2 Cups flour
1/2 Fresh squeezed Lemon
1 Tbsp Baking powder
1/2 Tsp Baking soda
1 Cup Soy milk (non dairy milk)
4 Tbsp Earth balance butter
Salt

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit

With a bit of oil, dice potatoes and saute them for about ten to fifteen minutes. Remove from heat and put potatoes in a large bowl. Dice vegetables and saute for another ten to fifteen minutes on low to medium heat. add vegetables to the bowl with the potatoes. In another pan (or just clean your old one) set your burner to medium heat, add vegetable broth and soy milk. Once your liquids are hot add flour in slowy and stir. Mix for about another ten minutes until thick. Mix in with the potatoes and veggies. Spread into your baking pan and set aside.

In a new bowl add flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Stir. Next add soy milk, butter, and lemon. mix thoroughly with your hands until nice and thick. Spread across the top of your potatoes and veggies. It may not cover the full top, but spread thinly because it will thicken and be more than enough!

Bake for ten to twenty minutes or until biscuit top is a light brown.

Let cool and enjoy!

Vegan Cilantro Dressing

Sometimes I still get cravings for something "creamy" and this dressing real does the trick without the richness. Its super easy and can be made in minutes. I love this on salads and in burritos. My recipes calls for lemon that you can leave out or use less if you dont like strong bitterness. Also if you prefer your dressing less thick, you can always add more water than I do.

Recipe

(serves two)

• 1 avocado
• Quarter bunch of cilantro
• 2 Tbsps olive oil
• 1/2 Squeezed fresh lemon
• 1/4 Cup water
• 1 garlic clove
• Dash of salt and pepper

Puree in food processor and enjoy! 

Vegan Baby Banana & Oat Cookies

Vegan Baby Banana and Oat Cookies

Finding baby friendly vegan recipes can be a challenge. Looking at labels constantly is tiring, and if your like me, eventually you just resort to making things yourself. Red LOVES these cookies. This recipe is very simple to make and requires little baking time. These cookies are so soft and make the perfect finger food.

Recipe: 

1 cup oats (blended in a food processor)

3 Bananas 

1 tsp Cinnamon  

2 tbsp Coconut oil

1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar 

3/4 tsp Baking soda 

1/2 tsp Vanilla extract 

Pinch of salt (optional)

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit

- Bake for 10-11 minutes 

- Cookies should be slightly brown on bottom and chewy when done.

Let cool and enjoy!