This recipe is like a family heirloom that’s being passed down from generation to generation. My mom and her friends used to keep a stash of Bourbon Slush in their freezers for impromptu get togethers in the summer. And, now, this is my go-to drink for parties, no matter what the weather. It’s always been known as Bourbon Slush but I have often substituted whiskey and it tastes delicious, too!

Bourbon Slush Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tea bags*
• 1 cup boiling water
• 1 cup sugar
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1 6 oz can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 cup bourbon (or whiskey)

Preparation

Make tea with boiling water. (*If you use a Keurig, prepare two cups of tea using 2 K-Cups and then add enough water to reach the 4 1/2 cup total in the recipe.) Add all other ingredients. Stir until sugar is dissolved and freeze.

Use a freezer-friendly bowl with a lid (I use a Stainless Bowl from Williams-Sonoma) and the slush will remain fresh all summer long. However, I highly doubt it will take you that long to enjoy it all.

Serve in a margarita glass with a maraschino cherry garnish. Or if you’re a lightweight like my mom, scoop some slush into a high ball glass and fill with 7-UP.

Makes 1 1/2 quarts.

Photography by Catherine Murton for The Shopping Mama

1. Calphalon 5-in-1 Removable Plate Grill (store.calphalon.com, $130). This versatile kitchen gadget will be your best friend in the kitchen from breakfast through dinner. The easy-to-use plate grill cooks 5 ways with Calpahlon quality and reliability. We love that it looks great in your, to boot.

2. Timex Elevated Classics Dress Watch (timex.com, $58). We are busy mamas with places to go, things to do and people to see. Timex, the iconic American watch brand, has classic watches to help us keep time during busy days. We love this Classics Dress Watch for its versatility and dependability, making it perfect for every day style. Get more details in the Spring 2013 Timex review on Baby Loving Mama.

3. Muck Boot Company Breezy Cool Boot (muckbootcompany.com, $80). This all purpose boot from Muck has lots of features that make it perfect for busy moms: signature lining to keep feet cool in warm weather, thoughtful materials (think: light weight, waterproof), and casual style. From the garden to school pickup, Muck Boot has your feet covered.

4. Leather ARC Notebook & Accessories (staples.com $50). Did we mention we have a lot of things to do? The brilliant ARC system has everything to help keep even the busiest of mamas organized. The lovely leather books are completely customizable to fit your needs, but we definitely love basics like calendar, task pads (for grocery lists) and tabs and pockets (for receipts). See more in our Organize with Flair and Staples ARC Notebook Organizer review.

5. Get Uncommon $50 Gift Card (getuncommon.com). Our iPhones are an extension of us, and we use them all.the.time. so they should look the part and be a reflection of us. Get Uncommon offers an amazing assortment of iProduct cases, including the darling custom cases where you can upload a photo of your kids or a piece of their artwork. Order by May 2 to receive by Mother’s Day!

Win! A Mom Around Town Prize Package worth over $400!

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Thanks to our amazing sponsors for providing samples and giveaway prizes. Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for prize fulfillment. Giveaway ends May 15, 2013. US residents only.

1. Mom’s Baking for Friends Basket (tatesbakeshop.com $59). Satisfy your sweet tooth with this tasty gift basket! You’ll enjoy a lemon tea loaf, buttery-rich shortbread squares, an individual coffee cake, a box of crispy chocolate chip cookies and copy of Baking for Friends, a cookbook with over 120 delicious recipes. Yum! Buy a basket for Mother’s Day and you can save 20% on a purchase with discount code “mom13” through May 12th.

2. Shawl Collar Terry Luxury Robe (turkishtowelcompany.com, $89). Wrap yourself up in luxury and comfort with this amazingly soft terry robe. These Turkish terry bathrobes are made to 5 star hotel standards and will make you feel like you are relaxing at the finest hotel or your favorite spa! They are seriously so soft, you’ll never want to get dressed! Now available in regular, xlarge and xxlarge sizes.

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Win! Amazing Treat Yourself Giveaway Package worth over $350!

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Thanks to our amazing sponsors for providing samples and giveaway prizes. Please allow 4 – 6 weeks for prize fulfillment. Giveaway ends May 15, 2013. US residents only.

Café Vanilla is anything but plain; it’s sweet and has a depth of vanilla flavor. And at less than 10 mg of caffeine per serving, it’s safe to drink after the kids go to bed and mom finally gets to relax. And for breastfeeding moms who try to stay away from caffeine, this can be a nice alternative to herbal teas and decaf coffee. (A normal cup of Arabica coffee contains 100-150 mg of caffeine, for reference.)

Café Caramel is light and not overpowering, yet still very sweet. It contains about 20 mg of caffeine per serving, but that’s still not a whole lot when compared to coffee. These products contain both milk and coffee, with the majority of the beverage being milk-based.

While some of the ingredients in the beverages caused me to raise my eyebrows (modified food starch and artificial sweeteners and flavors for starters), I am a firm believer in occasionally indulging in something a little naughty when Mama needs some relaxation and “me time.” And the ingredients are likely no different than a comparable beverage at Starbucks, yet Café Escapes cost a fraction of the price and can be conveniently brewed at home. What’s not to love?

Café Escapes is available in six indulgent varieties, including:

• Café Caramel
• Café Vanilla
• Chai Latte
• Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa
• Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa
• Café Mocha

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The ability to brew at home in your Keurig makes these drinks a convenient luxury. And at just 73 cents per cup ($17.49 for a pack of 24), you can save more than a few pennies when compared to visiting your local coffeehouse.

Or Not to Buy… You need a Keurig (K-cup or Vue) in order to brew the Café Escapes line of hot beverages. Health conscious consumers may be turned off by some of the ingredients in the beverages.

Shop! Café Escapes can be purchased directly from Café Escapes ($17.49) or from our affiliate Amazon ($17.69).

Win! A Sampler Pack of Café Escapes!

Five lucky readers will be selected at random to receive a sampler pack of Café Vanilla and Café Caramel K-cups.

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The mOmma cup line is designed for babies starting at 6 months and older and each cup features a distinctive round shape. The cups are weighted at the bottom to help them stay upright, allowing them to rock back and forth rather than tip over. The shape is also perfect for uncoordinated baby and toddler hands. One of the best features of the mOmma cup system is that the tops are interchangeable so it can grow with your child. The Developmental Drink Set (pictured right) converts from a the NaturalWave nipple to the Spillproof Cup for babies to the Straw Cup for toddlers.

Available with or without handles, the Spillproof Cup has a new and improved spillproof technology. The soft spout separates from the neck of the cup for easy cleaning, and there are no small pieces or vents to look after. We also love that it comes with a top to keep the spout clean.

We are still using one of the original Straw Cup samples we received two and a half years ago so we’re happy to add the improved version to our collection. As you turn the straw top, the straw folds inside to keep it covered and clean while on the go. This In & Out Straw System also prevents spills and drips.

And, of course, all mOmma products are dishwasher-safe and BPA- and phthalate-free. If you prefer to hand wash, mOmma has an awesome round brush that is perfect for cleaning the unique shape of their cup.

At 12 months, Max still prefers to use the Spillproof Cup over the Straw Cup and can manipulate and drink by himself with or without the handles. We liked the cups when we were first introduced but they’re even better now.

Shop! mOmma Cups are now available at select Target stores nationwide. A good selection of mOmma feeding products is also available online at Target.com. For full information on where to purchase, visit mOmma. Keep up with all the latest from mOmma on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks to Lasinoh/mOmma for providing samples.

Here are some results from the study that I found interesting:

• Out of the 539 moms who introduced solids too early, 1 in 10 gave solids to their infant before 4 weeks of age. This can likely be attributed to the well-meant but misguided recommendations of grandmothers and older generations. We’ve learned a lot about infant nutrition in the last half-century, and the guidelines for introducing solids have evolved greatly.
• Participants in the study tended to be older, more educated, and had a higher income than the average mom. “Mothers of lower socioeconomic status are at a higher risk of early solid food introduction,” the study says.
• Formula-fed babies were about twice as likely to be given solids before the recommended 6 months of age when compared to exclusively breastfed babies.
• Over 50% of moms who introduced solids before 4-6 months said their child’s pediatrician recommended doing so. This is likely linked to pediatricians attending medical school when it was commonplace to introduce solids earlier, and not being educated on the current guidelines for introducing solids. It’s hard to question your child’s doctor – after all, most moms haven’t attended medical school – but if something doesn’t seem right or doesn’t jive with what you’ve read or heard, ask questions and get a second opinion. You are your child’s best advocate!

How can you tell if your baby is ready to start solids? Some good rules of thumb are that your baby can sit on his own (reclining high chairs are completely unnecessary), opens her mouth for food and swallows it, and shows an interest in bringing food to his mouth. Many moms nowadays (myself included) use the Baby-Led Weaning method of introducing solids, as it requires the child to show a true readiness and interest in solid foods and lets him gradually increase his intake at his own pace. And remember, just because the AAP recommends waiting until 6 months to introduce solids doesn’t mean that it’s the magic age for your child. Talk with your baby’s pediatrician and pay attention to your baby’s cues or lack thereof.

When did you start solids with your baby? Would you do anything differently if you could do it all over again?

Photo Credit: OneidaCountryPublicHealth.org

We offer details on both products in our Bumbo Booster Seat review and Bumbo Step Stool review, but here are the basic things you should know about each.

The Bumbo Booster is made of a soft, lightweight material that is comfortable for little bottoms and easy to clean. It includes attachment straps to secure it to almost any chair and a harness strap to keep your child secure.

The Bumbo Step Stool is also lightweight and easy to move around the house for use wherever you need it. It’s ideal for potty training support, but with a 110 pound weight limit it’s useful for years. The non-slip bottom with extended base helps prevent tipping.

Win! A Bumbo Prize Package including both the Bumbo Booster Seat and Bumbo Step Stool!

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Thanks to Bumbo/TOMY for providing the giveaway prizes. Each household is only eligible to win 3 TOMY products, via blog reviews and online giveaways, each calendar year. Only one entrant per household per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. 

Both my big kids are still in five point harness car seats in the car and both my big kids still sit on booster seats at the dining room table. Just when they were growing tall enough to reach the table, we moved, and without a separate eating area, we had to ditch our small kitchen table for our more formal dining room set. We eat on the table for every meal. The kids don’t seem to realize the nice wood and leather chairs mean they should always sit up straight with elbows off the table. Frankly, I’d settle for them sitting still for the duration of a meal. But I digress…

The point is we’re loving the Booster Seat from Bumbo.

Bumbo Booster

The Bumboo Booster Seat is made from the same low-density foam material as the Bumbo Floor Seat, which means it’s soft, lightweight and easy to clean.  The seat is contoured and provides about 3 inches of extra height to put your little one closer to the action at the table.

The Booster has straps which set it apart from similar products. The attachment straps go around the back of the chair and the bottom of the chair to keep the Booster in place. The 3-point harness strap keeps your child secure. The straps make this a perfect first booster seat for toddlers transitioning out of a high chair.

Shop! The Bumbo Booster Seat is available in four colors (blue, red, green and brown) for $40 from retailers including our affiliate Amazon.

Thanks to Bumbo for providing a sample.

I’ve finally embraced the fact that I am the sugar gestapo in my house.  Well, maybe I’m not that bad – I do let Charlie have cake at birthday parties and special treats on occasion.  I must admit, though, that big holidays invoke a sort of anxiety within me and it all comes down to one thing: sugar.  Halloween, Christmas, Easter…they all come with bags, tins, and baskets full of nothing but sweet stuff, most of which is made with processed junk and sweeteners like high fructose corn syrup. I breathed a sign of relief, this year, when NatureBox asked me to try out their Easter Box of sweet treats that are all made without the dreaded HFCS and include only all natural ingredients.

NatureBox

NatureBox is a national provider of healthy snacks, distributing its own brand of nutritionist-curated foods to address the exploding demand for healthier choices in the $64B snack food market. NatureBox takes the guesswork out of healthy snacking for its customers and offers them new discoveries every month with healthy snack products that can be difficult to find in retail stores. With a mission to address the obesity epidemic in America, the Silicon Valley based, e-commerce company was co-founded in January, 2012, by two college friends, Ken Chen and Gautam Gupta, who struggled with obesity throughout his childhood.  For every box delivered to its customers, NatureBox makes a donation to Feeding America, the nation’s leading anti-hunger organization. In its first year of operation, NatureBox donated 50,000 meals to help feed the millions of Americans who go hungry every day. 

Sweet, healthy, tasty and socially conscious?  It’s a miracle!

We opened our box after dinner one night to find a quick dessert-like treat.  First, I was overwhelmed by how much was actually in there!  Seven reasonably-sized pouches were packed with different snacks.  I was most excited to see that a good number of them were made without any gluten (although a word of warning to anyone with severe gluten intolerance – the fine print on the pouches does day that products are made in a facility where wheat is processed.  Same for nuts and soy).  All of the products were HFCS-free and the ingredients lists were impressively wholesome.  I especially enjoyed the Blueberry Almond Bites, as did Charlie.  The puffed rice and almonds gave a great crunch while the blueberry naturally sweetened the whole bite.  My husband raved about the Cashew Power Clusters, which were just sweet enough to make you feel like you were indulging in something sinful like a candy bar.  The Peanut Butter Nom Noms and All Natural Yogurt Pretzels felt like old comforts – the Nom Noms were like the ultimate peanut butter cookie, soft and chewy.  The Wild Berry Bunch and the Sunshine chips (think Terra Chips, but with green beans too!) would be perfect to throw in a diaper bag for an emergency snack while out and about on a Saturday.

But the topper of all the items in this box was the bag of Whole Wheat Raspberry Figgy Bars.  If you could imagine a fig newton but with even more flavor, and even less junk, this would be it. I could have had a box just full of these and been happy, but all of the items were delicious.  The Easter Box allowed us to have a guilt-free sample of each item, with the comfort of knowing that we were indulging in food that was made with quality ingredients.  And the added bonus is that the company has an innovative business structure, a dedication to the fighting obesity, and a commitment to eliminating hunger in the U.S.  Supporting a business like this just makes those figgy bars taste even better!

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… The snack box, that can be ordered to arrive at your doorstep in time for the Easter bunny will feature 7 items curated by a nutritionist and sourced from local growers and independent food suppliers across the U.S.  The total cost with shipping is $24.95.  Every snack included in the box is free of high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, flavors, and colors.  Need I say more?

Or Not to Buy… If you are strictly gluten free or do not eat any added sugars, this might not work for you, but it’s a great middle ground if you are looking for sweet but well-made.

Shop!  You can go right to the NatureBox website to order your Easter Box for just $24.95 plus shipping.  You can also sign up to get a monthly box of healthy snacks delivered right to your door for just $19.95/month.  (The monthly box contains 5 packs of snacks, while the Easter Box has 7.) 

 Thanks to NatureBox for providing a sample.

Parmigiano Reggiano has become one of my favorite ways to add a savory bite to food, but admittedly, my love for it started with the standard grocery store version that was known as “parmesan.”  Other kids put ketchup on everything, I liked to cover food with parmesan.  Eggs, pasta, broccoli, salad – they all got “parmesan’d” if I was at the table.

Another way the cheese of all cheeses showed up in my regular diet as a kid was through the infamous pseudo-italian dish of breaded chicken smothered in cheese and sauce known as Chicken Parmesan.  On the rare occasions that we ate out as a family, we usually visited a local Italian joint called Marco Polo, where my dad would never even crack the menu because he knew he’d be ordering his usual.  When my mother passed away, my brother and I were both still living nearby, so we started have a family dinner every week at Marco Polo.  It got to a point where our regular waitress would only bother to give menus to us kids, and a dish of chicken parmesan would automatically appear in front of my dad.  It was his source of comfort – the way to keep at least one thing the way it had always been.

Eventually, I moved to the city and my brother went away to college and the weekly dinners fizzled out.  But one day, I found myself sitting in my new Brooklyn apartment missing my family terribly.  Something made me head down the street to the grocery store and soon enough I was walking around in search of ingredients to make my own “upgraded” version of chicken parm.  Boneless, skinless breasts went into my cart, along with panko breading, eggs, and the ingredients for a quick homemade red sauce.  But the cheese was the final piece.  I knew there had to be something better than the grated stuff that was in the pasta aisle.  I grabbed a hunk of parmigiano reggiano and grated it into the chicken breading and also sprinkled some on top of the sauced and cooked cutlets before throwing them in the oven for the final cook.  Much like it did for my dad, the final product took me back to a place of comfort while also reflecting the new adulthood I was experiencing as a young woman in New York.  For the record, my dad couldn’t understand why I would want to change a recipe that he considered perfect, but acknowledged that my mother probably would have been impressed.

Whole Foods Market Celebrates Parmigiano Reggiano

When Whole Foods Market asked me to participate in their ParmCrack Challenge by developing a parmigiano reggiano recipe that used this special ingredient in a unique way, I knew I wanted to create something that captured the comfort I find in the occasional food indulgence, while also celebrating the awesome savory-ness of this cheese.  I also wanted to try to incorporate the sweet-and-tangy flavor of some pickled peaches that I canned over the summer.  My usual way of consuming pickled peaches is with a big bowl of vanilla ice cream, but I wondered if maybe an ice cream that mirrored the sugary-but-also-bitter flavor of the peaches would work.  And oh did it.  I will warn that this combo of flavors is not for the faint of heart, but the honey used to sweeten the cream base really brings out the smokier flavors of the cheese and minimizes the sharpness.

If you are also a lover of the parmigiano, visit your local Whole Foods Market on Saturday, March 9 at 2 p.m. CST as they try to re-claim the Guinness World Record for “Most Wheels of Parmigiano Cheese Wheels Cracked Simultaneously.”

Parmigiano Reggiano Ice Cream with Pickled Peaches Recipe

Note: I used pickled peaches that I made and canned over the summer, but you can find a great recipe for a quick (and sweet) pickle here.

• 2 cups organic heavy cream
• 1 cup organic whole milk
• 4 oz fresh parmigiano reggiano cheese, shredded
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 eggs
• 2 egg yolks

1. Put the milk, heavy cream, cheese, and nutmeg in a sauce pan and turn the burner onto a medium-low heat. As it heats, whisk in the honey. Make sure it completely dissolves and continue to whisk until the cheese has melted in.

2. Once everything is all blended, pour the base into a bowl and allow to cool for 10 minutes.

3. While the base is cooling, get your eggs ready so they have some time to come up to room temp.

4. Carefully whisk the eggs into the base and then put it all back into the saucepan. Turn the burner on again, to a low heat. (You might want to wash out the bowl you’ve just emptied to use later on.)

5. Cook over low heat, constantly whisking until the mixture starts to get bulkier, but if clumps form you’ve cooked it too much.

6. Pour the mixture through a very fine mesh strainer. You might even want to line a strainer with cheese cloth. The key is to get the cheese solids out to prevent the finished product from being too grainy. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to cool for no less than 2 hours.

7. Remove the mix from the fridge, put it into an ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Put the semi-frozen mixture into a freezer-friendly container and store as you would any other ice cream. I use a KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment and always have to “cure” ice cream in the freezer after spinning it, in order to get the texture I want.

8. When the ice cream is frozen to your desired level of density, load it into a bowl, scoop on a heap of pickled peaches, get ready for some pursed lips, and enjoy!