Make your internet searches count! By using Goodsearch as your primary search engine and selecting Mommies Network (Charlotte, NC) as your charity, you will donate a penny to
us for each search you make!
BaltimoreMommies is always looking for guest bloggers. CLICK HERE to check out our guidelines.
Welcome to BaltimoreMommies!
As part of The Mommies Network, BaltimoreMommies.com is a free community for moms in Baltimore, Howard, Eastern Carroll and Anne Arundel Counties, Maryland. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? BaltimoreMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families.
Register today to access our discussion
forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private. BaltimoreMommies Blog
Please join us for a day of food and fun at the annual Baltimore Mommies Birthday Party!
This is our biggest event of the year where we get to meet fellow mommies and their families, enjoy the beautiful weather, and watch our children have a ton of fun together.
There will be food, crafts, games, a cake decorating contest, photographs, and a playground for the kiddos. There are also going to be countless amazing raffle prizes, some worth almost 200 dollars!
Don't forget to bring your donations for the Bea Gaddy Center, as this is one of our annual opportunities to give back to our own community.
For more information about where and when this will take place this weekend, please go to our calendar or check out the discussion in the forums.
I hope that all of the Baltimore Mommies in our community get the chance to feel extra special and appreciated for living one of the hardest and most rewarding jobs out there.
One of the best things about living in the Baltimore area is its proximity to so many unique and beautiful attractions. I was able to visit one such place on a weekend away with my family this spring. We went down to Ocean City and spent a quiet night on the beach during the peaceful lull of the off-season, and then we took the opportunity to explore the tranquil Assateague Island, just a 15 minute drive away.
Assateague has an informative little visitor center with helpful rangers and detailed guides to the geography and activities available on the island. The main feature of the island, of course, is the wild horses. Though it isn't clear how the horses first came to the island, they seem to have been there since the 17th century and are strong, wild, animals, surviving the extreme summer heat, mosquitos, and limited and salty vegetation that the island offers. It really is pretty amazing to see what we commonly think of as domestic animals in a more natural environment where they form their own herds and make their own way. The main thing to remember is that they are, indeed, wild, and should be treated as such or both their wildness and your safety are at risk.
A visit to Assateague Island could definitely be made into a long day trip, but the island offers many nice campsites that are frequented by the wild horses and other natural critters native to the area, so it is worth staying a little longer if you can. Bikes, kayaks, canoes, and other forms of leisurely transport make for a fun way to explore the surroundings. There are also several nice beaches for swimming and playing.
If you would like to find out more about the island you can find lots of information on their WEBSITE.
Superfood Friday! This recipe is chock full of delicious and satisfying "superfoods" that will nourish your body, and that you can feel good about feeding to your whole family. I am lucky in that neither my husband nor my 2 1/2 year old daughter are picky eaters, so they met this dinner with great enthusiasm and both gave it two thumbs up! I found the recipe on THIS blog and look forward to browsing through more of their recipes.
Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Quinoa
Ingredients: 1/2 cup dry quinoa 1 medium yam, peeled and cut into about 1/2" cubes 1 tsp cumin 1/2 a red bell pepper, diced 1 shallot or 1/2 a small onion, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced (I used jarred garlic to make things easier) few pinches cayenne pepper, to taste 1 tbsp pure maple syrup (I used pure, organic, Blue Agave Syrup instead) juice of 1/2 a lemon handful of cilantro leaves, chopped
In a small pot with a lid, combine the quinoa with a cup of water and sprinkle of kosher salt. Bring to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, until the water is absorbed, approximately 10 minutes. Taste for doneness by checking to see if there is a little pop when you bite into it. Cover and remove heat and let continue to steam until ready for the next step.
While the quinoa cooks, heat a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a large, nonstick pan. When hot, add the yam cubes, sprinkle them with the cumin, and sauté until browned on all sides, about 10 minutes.
Next, add the red pepper, shallot, and garlic, tossing through and allowing to cook until softened, another 5 or 10 minutes. Season with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and cayenne pepper, and taste one of the larger yam chunks for doneness. If it's tender, add the cooked quinoa to the pan along with the maple (or Agave) syrup, lemon juice, and cilantro. Stir thoroughly to combine.
This recipe served as a light dinner for two adults and one toddler in our house. You could also serve it as a delicious side.
