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Gabrielle Blair’s Alt Design Summit Wrap-Up

Gabrielle Blair’s Alt Design Summit Wrap-Up

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The “Kirtsy Girls” – Gabrielle Blair, Laura Mayes, Laurie Sandwick and Sarah Bryden-Brown – led an inspiring live Talk in The Motherhood on the BEST of the Alt Design Summit, the premier conference for design and lifestyle bloggers.  Here are the top “Aha Moments” from Alt Summit from the Talk:

 

“For me, it was listening to Pinterest founder, Ben Silbermann’s, keynote address, and realizing just how much work and thought went into Pinterest.  The AHA! was just me accepting the fact that really cool things require really hard work.” – Gabrielle Blair

 

“Some bloggers said Pinterest is their #1 driver of traffic.” – mkofoed, member of The Motherhood

 

“People really thought hard about how to make an impression with their (business) cards, and it was so worth it. Not only are these cards memorable, but they give you a great jumping off point for conversation with someone you’ve just met. “Oh wow – I love your card!”  We did a roundup of great cards on Kirtsy.” – Laurie Smithwick

 

“An awesome tip: Use Prezi for your presentations!”  – Laura Mayes

 

“Collaboration. Original Content. Work Hard. Value Your Work. Be Smart about Legal Issues.” – Leslie, Lights and Letters

 

“I was amazed at how much of Alt was on Instagram. An iPhone is really a must-have accessory at Alt (and so many white ones!) and Instagram just does such a great job of making every photo look special.” – Laurie Smithwick

 

“Someone asked me once why people talked so much about what to wear to Alt Summit, and I told them I think it’s because that’s how design-y people honor each other — we pay attention to the details.” – Gabrielle Blair

 

“Alt makes me believe anything is possible because so many people are so passionate about what they want to achieve. The next big thing as I saw it was collaboration.” – Sarah Bryden-Brown

 

“Alt is ABSOLUTELY a breeding ground for ideas. I never come home from Alt without BIG plans for BIG new things in my life. As Sarah said last year, if Alt were a city, I would give anything to live there all the time.  There would be no end to the creating, and to do so surrounded by love and support, would be incredible.”  –  Laurie Smithwick

 

“It’s really inspirational. So no matter what you’re working on …. in any profession, you can be inspired. In one session, I sat next to a gentleman who was probably in his 70s…he’s never blogged….he’s an architect who comes every year for creative inspiration and discussions.” – Laura Mayes.

 

Thank you fabulous Kirtsy girls and The Motherhood for a GREAT conversation!  We’re off to do some creating!

 

Visit our wonderful panelists here:

Kirtsy

Gabrielle – Design Mom

Laura – Blog con Queso

Laurie – Leap Design

Sarah – Blogstar

Slow Cooker Game Day Recipes with George Duran

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The biggest football day of the year is coming up this Sunday – and as celebrity chef George Duran told a group of bloggers in The Motherhood during our latest Cooking Connections virtual cooking class, “The combination of winter, family, friends and football makes me crave warm, comforting foods.”

 

To that end, George demonstrated a yummy, delish, easy-to-prepare slow cooker recipe from Cooking Connections sponsor ReadySetEat.com on live feed video – Fiesta Chicken with Rice and Beans. This and other slow cooker recipes from Ready Set Eat can be made up to two days in advance.

 

“I’ve served this recipe before, and what I do is warm tortillas up, spoon some of it inside the tortillas, and add cheese and sour cream.  I’ve even made enchiladas with this,” George said.

 

“Loving the versatility of this recipe… great ways to please everybody!” said Yoly of Cuponeando.

 

http://youtu.be/fJz2jXypf30

 

Using the Slow Cooker: Easy from Start to Finish

 

“It’s called slow cooking, but for me it’s really saving time – you can dump it all in there and then you can go about your daily life and come back and it’s all there for you,” George Duran noted.

 

“I love cooking in the slow cooker overnight….no cooking the next day!” agreed Johanna of Momma Cuisine.

 

Believe it or not, clean-up can be a cinch, too.  While slow cooker liners are one solution that works well, George Duran pointed out that they aren’t really necessary. He recommended saving money and spraying your slow cooker with PAM spray instead. Use PAM before adding ingredients, and the slow cooker washes out easily.

 

“Love PAM spray – makes clean up sooooo easy!” said Migdalia of Latina on a Mission. “I always have one in the cupboard.”

 

Canned v. Fresh Ingredients

 

“I like using canned ingredients for slow cookers,” George recommended. “They have a richer taste.  With fresher ingredients, they’ll get mushy and you’ll lose a lot of the nutrients. If you’re going to add fresh ingredients, it’s important to add them at the very end.”

 

“I use canned tomatoes [like Hunt’s] all the time, saves me time and they are delicious!” said Silvia of Mama Latina Tips. “I always have at least 8 cans in my pantry.”

 

“I like to keep fresh stuff for more as a garnish or addition AFTER I’m done cooking in the slow cooker,” added Robyn of Robyn’s Online World. “So I put the slow cooked item on the plate THEN add the fresh items – really perks things up!”

 

Putting Raw Meat in the Slow Cooker

 

Sarah of Sarah’s Cucina Bella asked George if she could put raw beef, particularly for chili, straight into a slow cooker rather than cooking it ahead of time. “Yes,” George answered, “but if you sear the food first, the searing caramelizes the outside and makes sure all the juices remain inside.  It adds a lot of flavor to the dish.  Try sauteing beef before adding to the slow cooker.”

 

“I recently discovered searing and it makes a huge difference,” agreed Shari of Earth Mother Just Means I’m Dusty.

 

Here’s a tasty Spicy Beef and Bean Chili recipe from Ready Set Eat. And if you prefer your beef on a bun, try these Shredded Beef Sandwiches.

 

“I don’t bother buying expensive cuts of meat for the slow cooker because it gets so fork tender and shreds anyway,” added Johanna of Momma Cuisine. “I find the slow cooker is perfect for making inexpensive meat taste so yummy!”

 

And when it comes to food safety, George noted that you should “make sure it’s cooking at at least 165 degrees, so you know the meat is cooking all the way through.

 

Making Stock

 

George said of the slow cooker, “I think it’s one of the best tools to make stock [using vegetables, flavorings, chicken].  Always strain it through a fine sieve, and you’ll have the most delicious, flavorful stock ever.  Throw away whatever’s left over – as it cooks for that long time, a lot of the nutrients of those vegetables are completely removed.  All of those nutrients are in the stock.”

 

“Never thought to use it for stock. Brilliant!” said Melanie of The Coupon Goddess.

 

What Not to Put in a Slow Cooker

 

There are many foods the slow cooker cooks well, stock being one of them. On the flip side, Silvia of Mama Latina Tips wanted to know if there was anything to avoid.

 

“Fish doesn’t slow cook very well,” replied George. “A lot of seafood that is very delicate – don’t cook it in the slow cooker until the very end.  But squid and octopus are tougher and need a long time to cook, and that is perfect for the slow cooker.”

 

Choosing a Slow Cooker

 

Bottom line: “The brand of slow cooker does not matter,” advised George, “as long as you’re happy with the design, the size and options like being able to remove the pot from the cooker. Some have timers on them, and other bells and whistles, but slow cookers are one of the least expensive culinary tools out there. And more importantly, it doesn’t need to be expensive.”

 

George bought his combination pressure cooker/slow cooker here. “It works as both a pressure cooker and slow cooker and can sear as well.  It’s one of my favorite gadgets,” he said.

 

“Cook’s Illustrated has their reviews of slow cookers on their site – I really like their reviews – very scientific,” suggested Robyn of Robyn’s Online World.

 

Going Outside the Slow Cooker Box

 

Shari of Earth Mother Just Means I’m Dusty noted that no matter what she tries cooking in the slow cooker, it always ends up tasting stewed. “What can I do?” she asked George.

 

He advised, “Start experimenting with different types of ingredients. Ginger or lemongrass can add a whole different experience to what you’re cooking. I’ve heard of people baking cakes in their slow cooker as well.”

 

“This is a favorite slow cooker cake recipe: Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Surprise Cake,” recommended Sarah of Sarah’s Cucina Bella.

 

“If you’re looking for new ideas, a friend of mine who uses her slow cooker all the time swears by this cookbook, ‘The Art of the Slow Cooker,'” said John of Stay at Stove Dad.

 

And Liz of Thoughts of a Mommy asked if George could recommend Asian-style cuisine for the slow cooker. “Asian-Style Shredded Pork Wraps on Ready Set Eat,” he said. “It is absolutely delicious. I guarantee you’re going to absolutely love it.”

 

You can find other tasty recipes for Game Day – or for quick and simple meals – on Ready Set Eat!

 

Thanks George Duran, co-hosts, and our amazing sponsors ReadySetEat.com and ConAgra Foods!

 

Johanna, Momma Cuisine

John, Stay at Stove Dad

Liz, Thoughts of a Mommy

Melanie, The Coupon Goddess

Migdalia, Latina on a Mission

Robyn, Robyn’s Online World

Sarah, Sarah’s Cucina Bella

Shari, Earth Mother Just Means I’m Dusty

Silvia, Mama Latina Tips

Yoly, Cuponeando

Talking Sex, Drugs and Grief with Your Kids

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Many of us studiously avoid discussing tough topics like sex, drugs, alcohol and grief with our kids. Or cringe when they actually come up.

 

But as Dr. Deborah Gilboa of Ask Dr. G told us during a live chat in The Motherhood today, “Our kids can learn about these things from us and their environment, or just from their environment. That is a great argument to talk even when you’d rather not.”

 

Struggling to figure out where to begin and how to approach any or all of these issues? You’re not alone. Here’s some great advice from the chat that might help!

 

Remember Why It’s Important

 

“I cannot say how important it is for your first child who comes of ‘age’ to have correct info b/c often they disseminate little bits and pieces to your younger ones,” Rachel Blaufeld of Back ‘n Groove Mom pointed out.

 

“In my experience, people’s opinions are often formed based on the first way they learned information,” Brandie added. “So I wanted to be the first to talk to my kids about these big topics because I didn’t want them to have negative opinions about these topics.”

 

Be Informed

 

Beforehand, make sure you have enough information to approach at least a few basic questions your kids are likely to ask.

 

“I have found that when I ask my [online] community what they would do I get a lot of feedback that is helpful,” said Jessica Torres of My Time As Mom.

 

Brett Martin of This Mama Loves Her Bargains turns to “my family, friends and Google. Pediatrician too. And I am 10000% ok with telling my children, ‘I am not sure the best way to answer that, so let me find out some more information and I will answer you as soon as I can.'”

 

Remember to be patient and keep your cool, no matter what you might hear about your kids’ friends.  “Telling your kids that someone else is making bad decisions (especially a friend of theirs) can drive a big wedge. Leading them through some ‘what ifs’ can work to better effect,” said Dr. G.

 

Start Talking

 

You finally muster the nerve to bring up a cringe-worthy topic. How to keep your kid from fleeing in embarrassment?

 

Rachel of Back ‘n Groove Mom advised, “I find that a distraction always helps – chatting while throwing a ball or doing a chore together – something to take the pressure off.”

 

Brandie added, “I just say straight up, ‘look, I know this embarrassing. Truthfully it’s a bit embarrassing for me too! But it’s important and so we need to talk about it. And if you need to giggle a few times to get rid of the tension, go for it!'”

 

Talking About Sex

 

It’s the topic most of the group agreed they dread most. Reasons cited for flinching away from The Sex Talk included privacy concerns to embarrassment to the uncomfortable realization that our kids aren’t so little anymore.

 

Preparation can help. “Especially for the topics when we have specific values that we want to pass along, choosing a few words that we hope will come to mind for our children on these topics can really help,” said Dr. G. “Like for Sex I want my kids to think ‘Caution, commitment, communication.'”

 

She added, “As the mom of boys (and a doctor to MANY) I talk to them about giving up that DNA and being responsible for it and connected to the mom for 18 more years. To girls I ask concrete questions about their reasons for having sex.”

 

And it’s not just about pregnancy – the group agreed that around age 12 or 13, we should talk STDs with kids, too. “I think the thing that is so important about the sex talk is to remember that as kids get older to include info on STDs,” pointed out Rachel of Back ‘n Groove Mom. “Sex can be as deadly or damaging as drugs.”

 

Talking About Drugs and Alcohol

 

When it comes to drugs, alcohol and partying, keep your own past out of it.  Your kids don’t need to know absolutely everything.

 

“It sends a mixed message when you say, ‘I did it, but you shouldn’t.’ Sometimes a little white lie is ok,” said Stefanie Mullen of Ooph.com. “I don’t really want to say to my kids, ‘I drank in high school and I even drove. I survived, but you may not.’ I instead say, ‘this is what can happen if you do it. I had a friend who did this and she went to jail.’ There is something in telling them that I did it that I fear gives them a pass to do it themselves.”

 

Talking About Grief and Death

 

“Most families address [death] when it enters their lives,” said Dr. G. “If you are worried that your kids are getting old enough that you should begin to discuss it, you can use the death of a well-known person or someone in a bible story or a family member that died some time ago.”

 

For kids who have experienced death and grief first-hand, “I spend a lot of time talking to my kids about the sadness for the people who are left here, and how it’s ok to miss them and it’s absolutely ok to be sad,” said Brett of This Mama Loves Her Bargains.

 

“There are many kinds of grief–including death. The thing is, most people will have to deal with some type of grief that is totally unexpected,” Deborah pointed out. “Having smaller chats about grief and death is so helpful. We always took our even small children to funeral homes and hospitals.”

 

Robin suggested a resource from Mister Rogers that might help, called “Talking With Young Children About Death.”

 

Breathe deep and dive in!  Now it’s time to prepare yourself and open the lines of communication with your kids. 

 

Dr. G offers a free downloadable tool for helping parents prepare for tough conversations.

Brett Martin, This Mama Loves Her Bargains

Jessica Torres, My Time As Mom

Melissa Brodsky, Smart Savvy Social

Mysti Reutlinger, author, writer, mom

Rachel Blaufeld, Back ‘n Groove Mom

Stephanie Mullen, Ooph.com

 

Sending All Our Love to Audrey and Matt

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Our dear friend Audrey McClelland needs our thoughts and prayers. Her husband Matt was rushed into emergency surgery yesterday to remove a tumor on his bowel. We love Audrey and her family so much and wish so much we could wrap our arms around her right now. We’re sending prayers and warm, loving, healing thoughts non-stop.

Here is Audrey sharing a message about Matt:

Raising Authentic Girls

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It’s a question every mother of a daughter is familiar with, and one that many of us still struggle with, even as adults: how can we empower our girls to embrace the best parts of their authentic selves? Deal with mean girls? Squash insecurities?

 

Rachel Simmons, founder of the Girls Leadership Institute, joined us in The Motherhood to talk about helping our daughters navigate the often treacherous waters of growing up female. Rounding out the discussion panel were Emily of Mommin’ It Up!, Jill of The Diaper Diaries, Molly of GO MOM!, and Jenna of A Mom’s Balancing Act.

 

Below, some of the highlights from our conversation:

 

Mean Girls in the Media

 

Annabeth asked how others deal with all the mainstream TV shows and movies that make mean-girl type behavior seem normal and acceptable.

 

One option, identified by Jill of The Diaper Diaries, was to severely limit exposure to TV and media: “Probably to an extreme, but I don’t apologize for it. There is very little quality programming aimed at youth. I would rather be a “mean mom” than have a mean girl.”

 

Others allow the programming to be watched, but all agreed that we need to use “teachable moments,” talking with our girls and helping them reflect on behavior they see on TV and whether it’s acceptable.

 

Where the Boys Are

 

Temysmom identified a situation in which a girl who has a lot of friends who are boys (as distinct from “boyfriends”) can find herself the target of other girls’ jealousy. Molly of GO MOM! acknowledged the importance of “teaching my daughter to know when something isn’t about her, but it’s the other person’s issue…that, I’m not looking forward to… (it’s) complicated even for grown-ups who just want to get along.”

 

Dr. G wondered if having older brothers helps with girls’ confidence at this age. Molly of GO MOM! acknowledged that it might, noting that older brothers can be both supportive and protective, particularly if there’s an age gap.

 

Rachel Simmons was asked, “If you could teach boys one lesson about girl culture and how to change it, what would that be?” Her thoughtful response was, “I would teach them about the pressures of masculinity and how it affects the way they interact with girls. That way, they could not only help girls, but understand the role society plays in shaping some of their behavior.”

 

Unholy Trinities and Other Hazards of Girlhood

 

Jenna and several moms observed that, even into adulthood, groups of three girls or women can be complicated, with someone often feeling left out.

 

Rachel Simmons offered that “some things you can do with your daughter include letting her know that it’s not her fault, and that it’s hard for everyone in threes…” She noted that role playing with our daughters can be really helpful in teaching them to articulate their feelings and needs.

 

Emily of Mommin’ It Up pondered whether we send messages to girls that mean-girl drama is a self-fulfilling prophecy or a way of life. Several people agreed, that through portrayals in the media, and sometimes our own behavior (like gossip), we do.

 

Rachel had this to say: “We live in a culture that doesn’t take female aggression as seriously as male aggression. There are many reasons for that – in part, it makes women appear less threatening, and it also makes it harder to take them seriously.”

 

And when you find out your daughter IS the mean girl? Molly of GO MOM! counseled, “Go straight to the source ~ kids aren’t inherently mean so I’d want to do all I could to find out what kind of situation could provoke that kind of response.”

 

Jenna of A Mom’s Balancing Act added, “We’d definitely be discussing how we treat others and the way she would want to be treated. Also taking a look at who she is hanging around, as well as what other factors might be contributing to her behavior.”

 

Sandy M. asked the panel at what age girls outgrow mean-girl behavior, if ever. Rachel cited recent research that suggests that mean-girl behavior is “like any other behavior your child displays: if you don’t weigh in and say “no,” the tacit message is, “go right ahead.”

 

One reason why we have so many aggressive girls is that mothers don’t always take it seriously when their daughters start saying things like, “You can’t come to my birthday party if you don’t give me that toy.” Rachel Simmons allowed that for some girls, being mean is a developmental phase that they do outgrow.

 

The Struggle All Girls Have

 

Emily McKhann wondered if there were particular themes that consistently arise in Girls Leadership Institute gatherings. Rachel Simmons responded that, in girls around second and third grade,”they are just coming into the sophistication of group divisions and how that can be manipulated both to deal with (their) own feelings and raise (their) social status.”

 

She went on to say, “One struggle girls — indeed, all women, have — is that no matter how carefully you try to assert yourself, people think you are being ‘mean.’ This has been observed in women who ask for pay raises, and girls who try to lead. I also think another issue that plagues girls’ leadership is that so many girls are taught to be friends with everyone. It is the one relationship they are told is primary. That makes it awfully hard to have colleagues, subordinates, etc. — and therefore challenging to have to invoke leadership skills. If you’re supposed to be liked by all, how can you assert yourself? That’s why I think it’s so crucial for girls to learn early that not everything is personal, and not everyone is your friend — and that’s okay!”

 

That, I think, is a lesson all daughters could stand to learn. Even (or especially) when they have daughters of their own.

 

More Good Reads on Empowering Girls:

 

Rachel’s website: http://www.rachelsimmons.com/

 

Molly: Why Are Girls (And Women) So Mean? http://www.gomominc.com/why-are-girls-and-women-so-mean

 

Emily: On Raising Daughters
http://momminitup.com/daughters/on-raising-girls/

 

Jill: Mean Girls Suck
http://thediaperdiaries.net/mean-girls-suck/

 

Jenna: Raising Confident Daughters
http://www.momsbalancingact.com/2012/01/raising-confident-daughters-live-talk.html

 

Packaging Girlhood by Sharon Lamb and Lyn Mikel Brown: http://www.packaginggirlhood.com/index.html

 

Enlightened Sexism by Susan Douglas: http://www.susanjdouglas.com/

 

 

Making Tech Work For You with Carley from Digitwirl

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With gadgets galore and thousands upon thousands of apps to choose from, it can be tough to know where to start when it comes to tech that makes your life easier.

 

“I tend to feel so overwhelmed by the amount of app choices that I neglect to download the ones I need!” said Holly at The Culture Mom.

 

That’s where the awesome Carley Knobloch of Digitwirl, along with a team of tech-savvy bloggers, can help. They dispensed advice and recommendations for apps of all kinds during a highly useful live chat in The Motherhood today.

 

http://youtu.be/v6P2T_kHaIM

 

By category, here are their favorites!

 

Entering the World of Apps

 

“I agree with Carley to focus first on what you actually need a specific app for. General organization? Grocery lists? Calendaring? And then go from there,” recommended Jeana Tahnk, Tech writer for Parenting, Cool Mom Tech, Mashable and others.

 

“You could really start with the basics and begin using all the native software: Calendar, Reminders … also apps like ZipList to solve the grocery list problem (i.e., not remembering to take it with you to the store!)” said Carley.

 

Sarah Kimmel at Technology for Moms provided a brief list of must-have apps for newbies:

 

Google for calendar
Toodledo for tasks
Grocery IQ for shopping
Evernote for keeping notes

 

Time Savers

 

Said Sarah at Technology for Moms, “I love using ToodleDo.com for my to do list. Recurring tasks, organized into folders, synced with every device I own.”

 

“One of the browser extensions I’m most addicted to is Read It Later. Every day I see so many articles I want to read, but don’t have time to do it right then and there,” said Betsy Cadel at Gray Matter Matters. “I press the ‘Read it Later’ button on my tool bar and read it when I have time.”

 

When it comes to managing Twitter for your blog or business, “LOVE Hootsuite! And Buffer is my new favorite for scheduling tweets!” said Carley of Digitwirl.

 

“Yelp. I use it so often to find new places to go when I meet up with friends,” suggested Betsy of Gray Matter Matters.

 

Organizers

 

“I manage our family calendar on Google and grocery shop with GroceryIQ,” said Grace Duffy of Splash Creative Media and Formerly Gracie.

 

“I’m a big fan of Cozi for calendaring since I can access it via the web, iPhone, Droid, Blackberry, etc. and it works with Outlook and Gmail,” said TechSavvyMama. “So easy to have everything in one place and updating in real time!”

 

“A few great apps for organization are Intuition, Paperless, Evernote,” suggested Jeana. “TeuxDeux is a very simple app (and website) for making lists as well.”

 

“I LOVE Notability,” added MJ Tam. “I write notes with my iPad pen and it records sounds too. It converts my notes in PDFs or however I want to convert it so I can share.”

 

Babysitters

 

“In terms of finding great sitters, I’ve heard SitterCity is great,” said Betsy at Gray Matter Matters.

 

“Have you seen SitterScout? It texts all of your sitters at once and helps organize who is coming, when. Brilliant!” replied Grace of Formerly Gracie.

 

Finders

 

“I love AroundMe for the quick ‘where’s the nearest pharmacy’ type questions,” said Carley of Digitwirl.

 

Recorders

 

“Another app I use a lot is Dragon Dictation (free),” said Jeana. “It’s like having a personal stenographer with you at all times!”

 

“If you use Evernote‘s voice record, you can have it transcribe your voice notes as well,” added Carley of Digitwirl.

 

For real paper “recording” needs, “I LOVE our HP Photosmart Premium printer – we can print before we even get home and then it’s waiting there for us – gotta love wireless printing!” said Sarah Burns, mompreneur and writer at The Ohana Mama.

 

Money Managers

 

For overall budgeting and tracking, “Mint.com all the way!” said Grace of Formerly Gracie. “Pulls in all of my accounts, sets up budgets based on expenses, and reminds you when bills are due.”

 

“Expensify is great when dealing with bills/receipts and working with a couple of people together,” said MJ Tam.

 

“Manilla is great for keeping all bills in one place,” added Jeana.

 

“NeatReceipts and the Neat scanning software is also great for when you’re scanning receipts for an expense report — or just for personal stuff. And TONS of other uses too,” said Carley of Digitwirl.  “Also loving Lemon — a receipt tracker.”

 

Unclutterers

 

“Some of you have asked about going paperless: We’ve done some research at Digitwirl and here are a few simple tips,” said Carley:

 

 

She added, “I also love the Doxie scanner — you don’t even need a computer to scan while you’re on the go… and the new Doxie is WIRELESS… you don’t even have to connect it EVER!”

 

There is MUCH MORE in the conversation – be sure to read the whole thing! And visit Carley and our other tech savvy friends on their sites:

 

Carley Knobloch, Digitwirl,@digitwirl @carleyknobloch

Betsy Cadel, Gray Matter Matters, @graymatterbc

Sarah Kimmel, Technology for Moms, @tech4moms

Sarah Burns, The Ohana Mama, @theohanamama

Jeana Tahnk, tech writer, @jeanatahnk

Grace Duffy, Formerly Gracie, @graceduffy