Month: February 2011

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Gluten-Free Banana Bread

After I wasn’t able to make my son’s birthday cake last week, I made his second favorite baked good: gluten-free banana bread.

This is one of my favorite recipes and one that I tweaked a few times to get just right. It doesn’t hurt that it’s really easy.

Gluten-Free Banana Bread
1 ½ cup gf flour mix *
½ cup brown rice flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 ½ teaspoons xantham gum
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
2 beaten eggs
1 ½ cups mashed bananas (5)
1 cup sugar
½ cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350. Spray an 8 x 4x 2 1/2 bread pan with canola oil.
Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, xantham bum, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, mash bananas. Then add beaten eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil. Mix until combined. Make a hole in dry mixture and pour in wet ingredients. Mix until combined. Should be lumpy. Bake for 55 minutes or until the a knife inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

*Basic Gluten-Free Flour Mix from the Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy

6 cups white rice flour
2 cups potato starch
1 cup tapioca flour
Store leftover flour in an airtight container

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Family Finds: Half-Off Gently Used Designer Kids' Clothes at Kidstock

Headline: $6 for $12 Worth of Merchandise at Kidstock ($12 value)

Someone once said that, “A baby is born with a need to be loved, and never outgrows it.” What they do outgrow, however, are their clothes! If you’re looking for gently used name-brand and designer clothes at major bargain prices, look no further than Kidstock —  a resale company that knows how hard it is to dress ever-growing kids on a budget. Aside from wardrobe staples, Kidstock also sells seasonal merchandise such as snow/ski clothing, swimsuits, and coats/sweaters. Merchandise is continually updated, sometimes hourly, so there’s always a reason to come back. Resale is a great way to save money and to recycle.  Bring in your gently used items, and you could even receive store credit. Get more for your money at Kidstock, and outfit your kid in style. Remember, resale is the ultimate in recycling!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$7 for 1 Adult and 1 Child’s Admission to The Autry Museum at Griffith Park

Half-Off 4 Hot Dogs and Large Fries at Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom ($18 Value) 

$60 for Parent-and-Me Skiing or Snowboarding Lessons at Virtual Snow LA ($320 Value)

This is a sponsored post

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Garmin Forefunner

In a few weeks, the LA Marathon will have come and gone and then I promise to stop talking about running (or talking about running to Help a Mother Out).

But before I do, I want to share with you the most amazing gadget I’ve ever had. It’s the Garmin Forerunner 305. I mocked my husband for loving his Ipad, but I now I understand. The Garmin GPS and Heart Monitor is awesome. It’s an exercise watch that calculates how fast you’re running, how many miles you’ve run, and at what pace you’re running at. For instance, yesterday I ran to a friend’s house and it took me 45 minutes to run 4.21 miles. I ran between a 9 minute and a 11.5 minute mile. And it has a heart monitor so I can keep track of my heart rate while I’m running.

I’ve wanted one for a long time, but couldn’t justify spending the money. But a couple of weeks ago, I turned 40 and my friends all chipped in and bought the Garmin for me. I’ve never had a more thoughtful gift. Not only do I love gadgets, but I love giant watches. And, of course, I love my wonderful friends.

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Time for Mom

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Thanks to Crystal Light for sponsoring this post. To learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight.

Finding time for myself is not easy these days, which is why I’m so glad that I’m training for the LA Marathon.

It doesn’t seem like running 4, 10, 20 miles counts as time to yourself, but it really does. I’m a work at home mom and for me that means that work never stops and neither does being a parent. If there’s a spare minute, I’m at the computer or putting in a load of laundry. Because I don’t have a set schedule, I have to work in time for me and I oftentimes feel guilty when I do.

But when I’m out on the road, I can’t feel that guilt. I have to make this time for myself because if I don’t, I’ll be hurting on the next long run. Or worse, I won’t be able to complete the marathon. And, not only that, I signed up to run for the non-profit Help a Mother Out on Crowdrise. So not only am I running for me, but hundreds of babies who need diapers.

I get so much out of this time. I don’t take my phone with me when I go jogging, just my Ipod. Four times a week for 30 minutes to an hour, I have uninterrupted time to myself. I listen to podcasts, music, or my own thoughts. How often does that happen? I can actually pick a song to listen to without my kids yelling, “I hate this song, turn it off, ahhhhh!” or “Why is that lady saying that she’s gotta shake her ass?”

And when I’m running I don’t feel like a chubby middle-aged mom. I’m Sydney Bristow, or Diana Prince or me at 19. It’s liberating to run like a kid or a crazy person. And it’s fun to be outside or in a gym.

Running can be hard on your body, I’ll admit, but it could be worse. When I don’t exercise, my body aches. My hips, knees, ankles just don’t feel as good as when I’m exercising. It’s not just my body that feels good. If I’m in a bad mood and I go on a run, I almost always feel at least a little bit better when I get back.

And when I feel good, when I have time to take care of myself, I’m a much better mom.

Here are some tips to help get you to make time for yourself and exercise:

1)    Sign up for an event – a marathon, a 10K, or a walk can really help get you motivated to start a routine.

2)    Join a group –  Meetup.com has walking groups or if you sign up for a marathon or bike ride through Team in Training, they train you along the way. If you live in LA, see my post for CBS about how to start running in Los Angeles.

3)    Make it an adventure – Map out a new walk, run, or hike every time you leave your house.

4)    Pick an activity that’s fun for you –  If running isn’t your thing, try swimming, walking, biking, yoga, pilates, bar workouts or any other sport that works for you. Check out your local YMCA to find out what it offers.

Remember, visit http://www.facebook.com/crystallight to learn more about how Crystal Light can flavor your day with 30 refreshing flavors. I was selected and paid for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

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Family Finds: 81% off Parent-and-Me Skiing or Snowboarding Lesson

$60 for Parent-and-Me Skiing or Snowboarding Lessons at Virtual Snow LA ($320 Value)

Get your family up and running for a day on the slopes with a ski or snowboarding lesson at Virtual Snow in Santa Monica, Orange County, or at Mt. High. You and your child can hop on state-of-the-art, side-by-side simulators and learn to ride, master cool tricks, and more for just $60.  Lessons are available for tots, kids, and adults, from beginners to intermediates, and are also perfect for those recovering from sports injuries. They even have virtual simulators for babies age 1 and up! Virtual Snow was founded by two-time World Ski Champion Bob Salerno, who’s been training for races on simulators since 1975. Try a Virtual Snow Parent-and-Me lesson, and you’ll be shredding together in no time!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$4 for $8 Worth of Food and Drink at Sandbag’s Gourmet Sandwiches in Westwood

$10 for $20 to Spend on Kids’ Dress-Up Outfits at Abigail’s Avenue [link:

$7 for 1 Adult and 1 Child’s Admission to The Autry Museum at Griffith Park

Half-Off 4 Hot Dogs and Large Fries at Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom ($18 Value) 

This is a sponsored post

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A Family Weekend

I didn’t realize how overscheduled my kids were until the last 2 days when we had nothing to do. We had a ridiculous amount of activity on Friday when I made 3 quiches plus kid food and had a rainy day birthday party for my son. Saturday, we had a basketball game, inlaws in town, and a night out for mom. Too much!

But Sunday and Monday, we had nothing planned. My kids played basketball and baseball in the backyard, rode their bikes. Yesterday, we tried to get them to do something out of the house, but they wouldn’t have it. They were so happy to do nothing.

The one thing we did do was have movie night Sunday and Monday. We watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. So much fun. Okay, Temple of Doom was probably a little much for my younger son, but it was so nice to be together and watch a movie we all wanted to see. I mean, I really liked Despicable Me, but I wouldn’t have gone to see that on my own.

I don’t know how it happened that these days of just relaxing as a family are so rare. There’s sports, birthday parties, friends, and after school activities. It’s gotten to be crazy. I never thought we would be one of those over scheduled families but we definitely are.

But this weekend made me take a step back and see that my kids and my husband and I need a little downtime. A little time to just be together.

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MomsLA, CBS, Crowdrise, and the LA Marathon

Have you had a chance to check out MomsLA.com? It is quite fantastic. MomsLA is the site founded by me, Sarah Auerswald, and Elise Crane Derby for the parents of Los Angeles to find out what moms are talking about.

So far, we’ve had posts about medical marijuana, Jamie Oliver and his attempts to get into the Los Angeles Unified School District schools, love and marriage, and Jane Harman leaving office. We have a little bit of everything and I would love it if you would check us out.

Also, I have a post up on CBS Local Los Angeles about romantic restaurants to take your very special someone on your anniversary. If you’re looking for some bargains in Westwood/Century City, I’m writing about local deals for Patch.com. 

All of these things are happening while I train for the LA Marathon and raise money for Help A Mother Out on Crowdrise. Crowdrise is Edward Norton’s fundraising site where anyone can start a project to raise money for a non profit. I chose Help a Mother Out because they do such great work for families. So if you’re interested in helping some local moms who are struggling to get diapers for their babies, check out my Crowdrise site. 

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Family Finds: More Than Half-Off of Two Tickets to Autry Museum

$7 for 1 Adult and 1 Child’s Admission to The Autry Museum at Griffith Park

Experience the wild, wild West with your children at a museum rich in history and culture for only $7! Purchase this deal and you will receive 1 adult and 1 child’s admission to The Autry Museum located in LA’s famous Griffith Park. You and your child can explore a museum housing more than 500,000 pieces of art and artifacts, with access to incredibly engaging kids’ programs which are free with museum admission. From art workshops, story times, and hands-on history activities, like panning for Gold, the Autry Museum is a fun and interactive museum for children of all ages. Giddyup to experience this great deal today!

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:
$15 for $30 Worth of Products from TwinSisters.com

$1 for $9 to Spend at Sillybandz.com 

$4 for $8 Worth of Food and Drink at Sandbag’s Gourmet Sandwiches in Westwood

$10 for $20 to Spend on Kids’ Dress-Up Outfits at Abigail’s Avenue

This is a sponsored post

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Breaking Tradition

If I had my way this post would be about baking a delicious cake for my son’s 7th birthday, but unfortunately it’s not. He did not want a homemade cake for his very special day. Excuse me while I choke back sobs.

It’s our thing. Or I kind of hoped it would be. We make the cake together. We buy the decorations for the cake. We’ve had a few disasters along the way, but still, good times.

But the lure of the store-bought ice cream cake was too much. He had just experienced the wonder of the Baskin Robbins Ice Cream Cake at the last birthday party he went to. I offered to make a homemade ice cream cake. He came back with a very well thought out answer. “It would be too expensive to make it yourself. We’d actually be saving money if we bought one.” Umm, not true, but I loved that he knew me well enough to know that I’m so cheap I would put aside a family tradition to save a few bucks.

I thought I would make one and try to pass it off for Baskin Robbins, but logistics got in the way. I looked in the freezer and realized I would need to clean out the freezer to make room for the cake.

So I caved. I will, however, get to do a little baking for the moms who bring their kids over for our small birthday party. I’m making 3 different quiches; gluten-free spinach and bacon, green chile and jack heese, and mushroom and Fontina cheese. I’ll post pictures later. 

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Family Finds: Half-Off Sandbag's Gourmet Sandwiches

$4 for $8 Worth of Food and Drink at Sandbag’s Gourmet Sandwiches in Westwood

A satisfying lunch for $4? We like the sound of that! At Sandbag’s Gourmet Sandwiches, you can get a delicious sandwich, salad, or wrap for a reasonable price. Plus, all sandwiches come with a complimentary cookie to satisfy your sweet tooth!

27-year-old owner Eric Cho is dedicated to providing delectable food at fair prices. They have a massive selection of both cold and grilled specialty sandwiches. Most of the 31 sandwiches on the menu are $6.95 (before discount), and selections include BLT, Navajo Chicken, and Sandbag’s Veggie. Their cheese steak is also to die for. They even have a “create your own” option if you want them to make it your way. There are eight yummy salads to choose from (starting at $5.95 before discount), including the Veggie Salad and Grilled Oriental Chicken salad. They also offer combos that include a half-sandwich, side salad or chips, and fountain drink for just $6.95 before discount. Kids’ meals include peanut butter and jelly sandwich or grilled cheese for just $3.70 before discount. Now that’s a deal! Treat yourself to a bargain lunch at Sandbag’s and delight your taste buds.

Other great deals in your area expiring soon:

$89 for a Party Your Kids Your Party Will Never Forget! 

$35 for One Ticket for a Mimosa Cruise from Corks Away ($78 Value) 

$15 for $30 Worth of Products from TwinSisters.com

$1 for $9 to Spend at Sillybandz.com 

This is a sponsored post

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Gluten-Free in Disney's California Adventure

Sometimes, it’s the little things that can make you happy. Last weekend my husband and I took the kids to Disneyland for my 7-year-old’s birthday. The first night we had dinner at the Grand Californian Hotel’s Storytellers Café. My husband had done some research and found that the restaurant had a gluten-free menu that included a hamburger and fries.

This might not sound that exciting, but my husband has  Celiac Disease and can’t have wheat, barley, or rye. So no hamburger bun and, sometimes, no fries. But the Storyteller Café, and a few other spots in Disneyland and California Adventure, have an actual gluten-free burger with a gluten-free bun. Many restaurants will make a burger with no bun to make it gluten-free, but it’s not the same. And fries are tricky. Some are beer battered (barley and wheat) or have wheat as a filler (annoying).

gluten free burger at disneyland
gluten free burger at disneyland

The rest of the trip did not go so well for me, but I was happy to know that my husband was able to get something that he really wanted to eat. Yep, the little things. It was his first burger with a bun in a restaurant in 10 years. And the bun was actually good. The fries were sautéed in olive oil and they were much better than your average restaurant fries.