Zenspiration: "The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short"

 I just finished reading the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin and I don't know why this one quote made such an impact on me.  "The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short."  There were many points in the book that inspired me, but this one in particular made me cry.   I've heard it before.  People telling you to cherish the moments with your kids because soon they will be all grown up, but this time it was different. 

Reading those words was like putting a mirror on my life and someone was telling me, "How dare you wish away the day!"  For the past few weeks I have been very focused on work.  Not just when I'm working, but even on days when I'm at home.  I've been feeling overwhelmed with everything I want to do for my kids, for the house, for my career, for myself.  There just doesn't seem to be enough time to fit it all in, so I multi-task.   Sure I can watch the kids, fold laundry and check my e-mail at the same time!   I've just been trying to get through the day, so I can check off my to do lists.  I try to do it all, when in reality I'm cheating myself of being in the moment.

Reading this quote, made me feel guilty and sad that I have been trying to rush through the day. Hurry up and get dressed so we can have breakfast, hurry up and eat so we can get out of the house, hurry up and take one kid to preschool so I can focus on the other one, hurry up and put them down for a nap so I can have a break to work, hurry up and go to bed so I can take care of other things.

 It also reminded me of what I was missing.

Tonight after dinner I didn't wash the dishes right away.  I sat with my two kids as they played joyfully.   When I put my 19 month old daughter to bed I held her in my arms and danced around the room first.  She smiled at me lovingly and giggled.  Then I went downstairs where my 3 year old son was watching Barney.  Usually I use this precious TV time to check my e-mail before I give him a bath, but tonight I sat next to him and cuddled as we sang the "I love you song" together.

Not every night ends this peaceful and zen.  There are "those" days that you are just trying to get through.

"The Days Are Long, But The Years Are Short"  reminded me hit the "pause" button and appreciate the moment before it passes.  Here's a video that captures the thought.  Grab a tissue.

The Zen Mom on Momversation!

I'm excited to join Momversation as a panelist.  It's a video web series where real women share their stories. It's a place to connect, share and join in fun, enlightening and even controversial conversations.  Check it out!

Here's my first video on "What's your craziest family travel mishap?"  We all have one?  I'd love to hear your story.

Quick No Bake Fourth of July Cakes!

Happy Fourth of July Weekend!  What are your plans?  Are you headed out to a bar-b-que or hosting one?  If you're like me, you probably want to keep it simple. Here's my shortcut to a festive Fourth of July dessert if you don't have time to bake.  

Ingredients:

               -Red and Blue Berries

                           (boysenberries, blueberries/strawberries or raspberries)

               -Any cake

                           (Pound cake, Angel Food Cake, Cheesecake)

               -Whipcream/Frosting or Sourcream (if you're using cheesecake)

Here are some examples of flag cakes.  The first one is more professional looking.  Use pound cake/angel food cake slices, put them in the pan, then spread a thin layer of whip cream/frosting.  Lay out the blueberries in a square in the left corner.  Then put on the red berries in stripes (raspberries shown in 2 rows, but you can also use strawberries in one row). Then use whipcream in a can for the stripe design in between the berries and the stars.

  

If you want to make it even easier you can try this design. Just spread the whip cream and lay out the blueberries in the corner and use sliced strawberries for stripes.

If you like the red and white theme for Fourth of July, but think a flag cake is a little too much, then you can go for this design! I like using a frozen cheesecake covering it with a layer of sourcream, then topping it with fresh berries in this circular design.  If you are using angel food cake you can also cut it in half and put a layer of whip cream in the middle, then put the top back on, spread more whip cream on top and then cover with berries.

Low fat/Gluten free option-Don't use cake at all.   Follow the first or second design.  Substitute the cake with banana slices.

Tips-If your using whip cream make sure you don't leave it out too long before you serve it or it may melt.

Happy Weekend!

Cool Travel Bib-Bibagogo Giveaway!

See my daughter getting all messy while eating on vacation?  Well, that cute strawberry shortcake design is not her dress, it's actually a bib!   It's called a Bibagogo.  

                                        

What's cool about it is that the bib has 3 hidden pockets in back (includes 2 washcloths and a spoon)and it all rolls up easy for traveling.  No more digging around the bottom of the diaper bag!   I didn't use the washcloths, but they were nice to have. You can tuck away anything you want in the pockets.

I've tried a lot of bibs before, but what I really like about the Bibagogo is that it combines a lot of the features I need in one.  It doesn't stain.  I just wipe it off or rinse it and it's ready to go again.   It's long and has a catch pocket-so no more messy bottoms.  Also, it has snaps instead of velcro so my kids can't rip them off.   And they're really cute!  Bibagogo is offering the Blue Rainboot Design to TZM readers for today's giveaway. 

To enter the giveaway for the Blue Rainboot Bibagogo:

1. Subscribe to The Zen Mom or let us know you are already a subscriber with a comment below.

2. Follow us on Twitter, tweet about it, and tells us you did with a comment below or tweet which Bibagogo is your favorite.

Giveaway ends on Monday, July 4th midnight PST.  Good Luck!

20,000 Britax Strollers Recalled

If you have a Britax B-Nimble Stroller you need to check the model numbers.  The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary recall because of risk of brake failure. 

An audible click heard when the brake pedal is pressed can give a false impression that the brake is fully engaged when it is not. When the brake is not engaged, the stroller can move unexpectedly posing a risk of injury to the child. Britax has received seven reports of the brake not being fully engaged. No injuries have been reported.

This recall involves B-Nimble umbrella strollers manufactured on or after August 1, 2010.

Here are the model numbers U311771, U311773, U311775 and U311780.

The date of manufacture labels and model numbers can be found on the lower frame/tube on either the left or the right side. The strollers were sold in a variety of colors including black and silver, Cowmooflage (black and white), green and red.

Britax says you should stop using the stroller and call them for information and to request a replacement.  If you do use it you need to make sure the brake is fully engaged.

Contact Numbers

Firm's Recall Hotline: (888) 427-4829
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

 For additional information, contact Britax toll-free at (888) 427-4829 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and, or visit the firm's website atwww.britaxusa.com

Zenspiration: What I Learned Traveling With 2 Kids!

"Traveling with kids is a lot like life- it may not always be easy getting where you want to go, but what really matters is what you do when you do when you get there!"  -TheZenMom

Traveling with children is not always a very zen experience, but what you and your family get out of it may be.  Our cross country trip to visit family in Ithaca ended with a 3 hour flight delay, a missed connection in Newark, an overtired crying 3 year old, a 17 month old that threw up on me just as I finished strapping her to me in the Baby Bjorn as we were disembarking, and lost luggage.  There were more crazy travel tales,  but what I'd like to share with you is what I learned from our family vacation.

No matter how light you plan to travel there's always too much stuff!

    

After a red-eye a luggage cart doubles as a bed! :)

Even if your daughter looked like this just seconds before, she can still throw up on you!

Here's some useful information:
-If you have a toddler, bring a DVD player
-Always bring a baby carrier so you can have as many hands free as possible.
-Bring small toys and to make the "wow" factor last longer, wrap them up so it takes them longer to open it.
-Bring a change of clothes for the kids and for you.  I'm glad I had one or I would have smelled like throw up.  If your child is potty trained bring even more underwear and bottoms.
-If you bring a carry-on, also carry a foldable bag with it so you take all your must have's out if they make you check your bag.
-Always have food, but don't feed them too much or it may backfire.

Now for the Zen part.
Once the travel day passed and we were able to be with family, I learned it's good to get out of the routine and for me and my kids to experience new places, new people, even if it means having to shlep them and all our stuff cross country and that they didn't sleep on the red-eye.

We went to Eco Village Ithaca for my sister in law's high school graduation and brother in law's coming of age ceremony.  Upstate New York is very different than California and it was great to see my kids play in a community where toys are shared right outside your front door,  where there are waterfalls nearby and where my son can pick strawberries from an organic garden.

                                       

Most importantly, always appreciate the moment.  With all the packing, nap schedules, etc.  I forgot why we were there in the first place to be with family.

But one of the most important lessons I didn't learn until I returned home, it was the wisdom that came from my 15 year old brother in law's coming of age ceremony.   I was too busy juggling the two kids at the time to notice what he had written down as his values and beliefs.

It is today's zenspiration and I'd like to share it with you.

Be honest, no matter how difficult it may be, and no matter how much discomfort or consequences it may bring to you.

Be fair to all people and living things.

Respect all living things in order to be more respected, avoid creating enemies, help others feel valued, and set an example for others.

Be thoughtful of what you say. Your words can be a force for good or for creating harm.

Be confident in yourself, and show your confidence in others.

Be loyal to the people you love.

Know your goals and make them come true. Be aware of what's motivating you.

Be strong in your loving; don't let fear guide you.

Be awake to life in the present moment. Appreciate the process as much as the goal. Enjoy the little things. Be aware of what you're thinking and feeling.

Live your life in harmony with all of these values and beliefs.

What are your values and beliefs?  With our busy lives, it's so hard to even finish a thought sometimes. Take some time and and write yours down.  In the meantime,  happy travels this summer.

Zen Letters: A Letter To My Dad-Happy Father's Day!

I hope you had a great Father's Day celebrating the wonderful men in your life!  This year I had dinner with my husband and kids, but didn't get to hang out with my Father, but I did wish him a Happy Father's Day.

I'm starting a new TZM series called "Zen Letters". I'm starting the first one with a tribute to my Father.

Dear Baba (father in Chinese),

Now that I am a parent myself it makes me reflect on all your sacrifices and what it took for you and mom to raise a family.   You were in your 20's, still learning English, moving to a place for new opportunities.  You left your family, friends and the security of what you knew for a new country, a new culture and a new life. Then I was born. To make ends meet you had to give up some of your dreams, and ended up working long hours in a Chinese restaurant to make sure I would accomplish my dreams.  You were learning how to fit in a new culture, and at the same time learning how to be a Dad.

Then your little baby started to grow up and had a mind of her own.  Sorry for questioning, "Why we couldn't be more American?"  Thank you for making me speak Chinese.  Now I am fluent and can teach my children.  Thank you for making me authentic Chinese meals and not just getting pizza and McDonalds like I asked.  Now I can cook too!

As a teen-ager, thank you for setting boundaries and making me work for what I wanted.  Even if that meant I had to work to pay for car insurance and drive to parties in the "family wagon."

Thank you for your help to put me thru college and the freedom to be myself in college. After graduation, thank your for giving me the support to move back home when I was still looking for a job. When I made it back to Los Angeles, as a news reporter, thank you for not only trying to watch all my newscasts, but taping them for me and saving them in the cabinet.

I appreciate all that you have gone through and everything you have done for me many times silently.  Now that I am a mother I realize the sacrifices of a parent and I thank you.
Happy Father's Day!
Love,
Wan Wan (My Chinese name)

Who are you grateful for and have you had a chance to share your Zen Letter?