Sunday, March 30, 2008

La Cuna Makes a Difference

Before my daughter was born, a friend from our church made us a cradle. It was a beautiful design. Made entirely of wood, it swung gently and quietly in our bedroom at night as I lay sleepily in bed and pushed it with my hand. It even came with a little wooden lock to stop it from rocking if need be. I carefully measured and sewed little bumper pads to line the inside and made a soft slip cover for the mattress.

My point it that a lot of love and work went into making that little cradle, which now sits in my daughter's room and holds all of her dolls. And that little cradle served its purpose well by giving my daughter a warm, soft, quiet, and secure place to sleep and grow.

So I think the word, La Cuna (Spanish for cradle), is the perfect name for a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide safety, shelter and love to Latino children who desperately need all of these and more.

Established in 2003, La Cuna is based in San Diego and has placed over 50 Latino children in foster homes since receiving its license in 2005. Its goals include identifying, recruiting, and training stable Latino or mixed-race couples to become foster parents. The organization believes that Hispanic children who are placed in foster homes with the same culture and language are better able to cope with and overcome the difficult circumstances that landed them there in the first place. It also allows these children (newborns to 5 year olds) to find the right love, support, and bonding that is essential during these critical developmental years.

Potential foster parents undergo an extensive training program and are asked to make a commitment to the foster child placed in their care. Foster children do much better when placed in a single, stable home rather than being shuffled around to two, three or more.


Rachel Humphreys is the founder and director of La Cuna. She states that "94% of our children have remained in a La Cuna home until they were reunified with their family or adopted. These children have avoided typical multiple home placements that threaten their ability to bond and thrive."


On average each placement costs the organization about $10,000. But the cost is worth it if it keeps the children from becoming a statistic. According to the Children's Advocacy Center, more often than not, foster children become caught up in the vicious cycle of homelessness and abuse with 50% becoming homeless within 2 years of leaving the system. These outcomes result "in significant long-term implications for the state due to incarceration, welfare, homelessness, etc." In California, the cost of incarcerating a person for one year is approximately $80,000.


Of course, the ultimate goal is the reunification of foster children with their birth parents, who may take the opportunity to try and regain custody of their children - provided that they can improve their lives (and/or parenting skills) enough to offer a secure and stable home environment. Around 65% of La Cuna placed children are reunited with their parents or immediate family members (i.e., grandparents.) The other 35% are adopted by their foster parents.


If you live in the San Diego area and would like to learn more about becoming a foster parent, please check out their web site here.


Or if you would simply like to donate money, baby items, or time, click here.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Dresses Carried by CWDKids Reflecting Latino Patterns

You cannot imagine how excited I was to see that C W D Kids has this beautiful little dress for sale right now! Called the Fiesta Dress by Flapdoodles, it is so pretty with the colorful smocking around the front and back. But my favorite part is the delicate embroidery along the hem. Maybe I should buy one for my daughter this year and bigger sizes for each year after that? Hmmm.

They also have a Mayan inspired dress set that is equally gorgeous with smocking along the shoulders and waist and more intricate embroidery above the hem. It is a tunic style dress in shades of lime, pink and orange (unfortunately not on sale, but worth every penny!)

And they have a fun watermelon collection by Young Colors, of which my favorite is the Watermelon Tiered Dress. The pinks and greens go together nicely, while the ruffled skirt and drawstring neck give it a peasant-dress feeling.

To view these and more, click here.

Company Kids Bedding

Company Kids has this gorgeous bedding for girls on their web site. It is called Crazy Daisy and is a handcrafted quilt covered in vibrant flowers and butterflies. The colors are bold and bright and sassy...exactly what las niñas like and should have.
They also have a collection of bold, striped bedding for boys. Technically, it is called "Rugby Stripe and Vintage Solid," - Pftht! But to me the pattern looks a lot like some of the Mexican blankets my abuelita used to have. They have a variety of color combos to choose from. My personal favorite is the Classic Navy.

To take a peek at these and other products by Company Kids, click here.


Thursday, March 27, 2008

Avocado Beauty Recipes

For centuries, the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas have used avocados in their beauty regimens. The fruit is rich in vitamins A, D, E, potassium, sulfur and chlorine (to name a few - see previous post for more benefits) and has deep penetrating and rejuvinating effects for the skin.

If you google "avocado beauty recipes," you will discover ton of sites with facial and hair beauty recipes that utilize this "green gold." Below I have listed a few of my favorite sites along with a recipe from each.




Cucumber Avocado Facial Mask
(from 1001beautysecrets.com)
½ cup chopped cucumber
½ cup chopped avocado
1 egg white
2 tsp. powdered milk

In a blender combine all of the ingredients until they form a smooth, paste-like consistency. You can apply the mask immediately or refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Apply 2 tablespoons of the cucumber avocado mask to your face and neck in circular upward motions. Leave the mask on for 30 minutes, or until dry. To remove the mask simply rinse your face and neck with warm water, followed by a cold water rinse. Finally, pat dry your face and neck.



California Avocado Moisturizer
(from pioneerthinking.com
)


The inside of the avocado peel is actually valuable. The precious oil hidden away in the peel of the avocado is also a wonderful facial moisturizer. To be technical, the oil contains a humectant, a substance that holds moisture. Using gentle upward strokes, lightly massage your face with the inside of the peel. Let the oil residue remain on your skin for about 15 minutes. At that time you may either leave the oil on your skin and go to sleep or, if you intend to put on make-up, wash your face gently with three or four rinses of tepid water and pat dry. The oil will be invisible but it is there, ready to hold your foundation or powder in place for hours.



Shiny Soft Hair Treatment
(from care2.com's green living section)

In a small bowl, mash and combine:


1 avocado (1/2 for shorter hair)
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon olive oil

Apply to hair and allow to remain 30 minutes or longer, then shampoo and condition as usual. Amazingly silky, shiny, soft hair!


All Natural Beauty also has a section on Homemade Beauty Recipes that I like.

All of these web sites have additional recipes that you might enjoy, so why not do it right and set aside a night when you can grab some amigas and give each other natural beauty makeovers? We all need a little spa-time in our lives!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

An Avocado Day!

Today was an avocado day for me. Rich and exciting and yummy. No matter the situation, they always make me happy. Wish I had had some to eat today. And to celebrate today's bounty, I am passing along some great recipes. But before I do, let us contemplate the many wonderful qualitites an aguacate has...

...more than 25 essential nutrients that our bodies need, including folic acid, Vitamin E, Potassium, B vitamins and fiber, and protein not normally found in fruit.

...phytonutrients that are thought to prevent many chronic diseases

...phytochemicals such as lutein, glutathione and beta-sitosterol.

..."nutrient boosting" qualities because it allows the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit.

...both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat and (again) potassium which help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

And now to the recipes! Both tops ones were taken from http://www.avocado.org/ and they have lots more, Amigas!

California Avocado Zucchini Soup
(picture above © Courtesy of California Avocado Commission)

Ingredients
4 Cups fat free chicken broth, divide in half
1 med. onion, finely chopped
4 green onions, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
½ tsp salt or to taste
¼ tsp ground black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Cups zucchini, thinly sliced
2 large ripe California avocados, seeded, peeled and chopped

Directions
In large pot with lid, heat 1 cup broth, onion, green onions, garlic, salt, pepper and nutmeg.
When boiling, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
Stir occasionally.
Add remaining broth and zucchini and bring to a boil.
Cover and reduce heat to low.
Cook for 20 minutes.
Remove lid and allow to cool slightly.
In food processor, puree zucchini, broth and avocado in batches.
Return to pan and warm gently.
Serve in soup bowls and garnish to taste.


Chilled California Avocado-Cucumber with Thai Basil and Mint Soup

Ingredients
5 California avocados, diced
1 ½ quarts Buttermilk
1 (1 lb.) Kirby (hot house) cucumber, peeled
24 Thai basil leaves
24 Mint leaves
1 tsp Salt (or to taste)
1 ½ oz Finely diced red onion
3 oz Roma tomoato, seeded and diced
1 oz Green onion, thinly sliced
12 Thai basil flowers, with leaves

Directions
Puree avocado with next 5 ingredients; cover and chill at least 3 hours to marry flavors. Reserve.
Shortly before service: Fold together red onion, tomato, and green onion.
Per Order:
Pour 1 cup soup into a serving bowl; garnish with 2 tablespoons onion mixture and 1 basil flower.
Serves 12, yields 3 quarts.


My "If All Else Fails" Recipe
(I got this one out of Women's Day Mag last year)

Throw 2 ripe avocados, 1 1/2 cups of buttermilk and chicken broth, 1 seeded jalapeño (optional), 1/2 cup cilantro, tsp ground cumin, and 1/2 tsp salt into a blender and blend until smooth. Garnish with extra slices of avocado.
Mmmmmmmmmmm.....

My next post will include some wonderful beauty recipes that use aguacates as the main ingredient.

Hasta mañana, Chicas!

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Pregnant Latinas at Risk?

¡Ay, la comida! As a Latina, much of my life has centered around food. My great-grandmother, mi 'buelita, actually owned her own restaurant in Dallas. Granted, that was before I was born, but probably 80% or more of my childhood meals were made by her. I was spoiled with strong, rich dishes that cannot be replicated now that she has passed away. I have spent many of my adult years prowling through suspect hole-in-the-walls and fine, uppity restaurants trying to find the same culinary masterpieces she used to create. I have not been successful.

Now that I am so far from my hometown, I have distinct moments of withdrawl in which I feel like I'd give my youngest child for a plate of gallina y fiambre (just kidding, y'all.) Sadly, I never developed the patience and love for cooking that my 'buelita had. Even if I had, I know that I could never have figured out her secret recipes. (I am told that my grandmother actually has all of them written down and stored in a secret hiding spot that she refuses to share with the rest of us.)

I know that I am not the only Latina who indulges in family recipes or seeks out traditional dishes. And, unfortunately, this propensity can have a negative impact for pregnant Latinas.

I enjoy reading the newsletter that the North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation publishes. It's called Maternidad Latina: Promoting Child and Maternal Health. Their Jan/Feb issue focused on the topic of listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating foods contaminated with the listeria bacteria. This bacteria can be found in foods like deli meats, soft cheeses and anything made with unprocessed milk. Pregnant women and their unborn children are one of the main groups of people affected.

Unfortunately, pregnant Latinas (especially first generationers) are at very high risk for contracting the bacteria, because soft cheeses - like the quesos frescos pictured above - are a popular and traditional ingredient for many of our Latin American dishes. Some Latinas even think that these homemade quesos and raw milks are healthier. And many Latinas haven't ever heard of listeriosis - Hey! To be honest, I hadn't either until I was pregnant with my kids. And even then, my OB/Gyn only told me to stay away from deli meats.

Sadly, this lack of knowledge can have some really bad consequences. The bacteria can cause some very serious complications for pregnant women, including premature delivery, miscarriage, stillbirth, and severe health problems for newborns.

The best thing you can do if you are pregnant, is to avoid unpasteurized dairy products and deli meats. And, of course, cooking food thoroughly and maintaining a clean area for food preparation are important as well.

So if you have a sister, cousin, daughter or amiga that is expecting un bebé, help spread the message and tell her about this post.

If you'd like read more Maternidad Latina issues, click here.

For more information on listeriosis and pregnancy, click here.

Para información en Español, click aqui.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Zesty Gourmet, Anyone?

I haven't posted on beauty products for a while now, so I thought I'd feature a little something just for mamás. If you are looking for a little pick-me-up on those days that are hard to get out of bed, check out this super shop I found on etsy.

Oliba has some wonderful products for sale, including soaps, body scrubs, lotions and milk baths. Their products are handmade of all-natural ingredients and most use 100% pure organic olive oil as a base. Even better, there is no animal testing on any of their products. They are beautifully packaged so they would make great gifts. But I just like looking at the pictures. Who would have thought that soap would look so sabroso and luscious?

I think the Spanish Lime and Apricot Seed Soap might be just what the doctor prescribes for tired mamis. Oliba describes this soap as "zesty" and "BURSTING with energy." If that's the case, then this is exactly what I need - I think I'm all zested out! The Apricot seeds provide a gentle exfoliation while the fresh squeezed lemon scent delights your senses and works up into a rich lather. It makes me want to go soak in the tub just thinking about it!

But - ay chihuahua! - I think her Cocoa and Mint Whip Soap (shown above) would definitely have to be on my list of sinful indulgences. Made with real cocoa and a splash of spearmint, this gourmet bar looks and sounds good enough to eat, and the thought of just rubbing it on my skin is positively decadent! Who knew that the antioxidants in the chocolate are great for protecting the skin from the sun, pollution and free-radicals? Or that the caffeine helps to calm and soothe the skin? I wonder what would happen if I just rubbed chocolate pudding all over me? Who am I kidding...that pudding would be eaten so fast, my lips wouldn't even benefit. Just my hips.

They also have some yummy baby products. Their Buttermilk Baby Soap contains wheat germ oil, olive oil, and avocado oil - which provide gentle cleansing and are great for keeping baby's (or mami's!) skin nice and soft. And their Buttermilk Baby Gentle Milk Bath is made with real organic buttermilk and soy milk, which are rich in fats and emollients.

What are you waiting for? Get over there and take a look at Oliba's etsy shop! You can find them by clicking here.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

The Montessori Way...

Have you been thinking about enrolling your child in a Montessori school? Or maybe just looking for a way to enhance your child's home education? Perhaps you've heard the word Montessori, but don't know anything about it. Well, Amigas, having been a Montessori child myself, I am going to focus on this topic today in a rather long post.
I would just like to say that while I do champion Montessori education, there are a few concepts that I personally do not necessarily agree with, and perhaps you might not either. But overall, the concept and design is a wonderful tool for creating independent, self-disciplined and self-confident children. I apologize if there is any incorrect information in this post and welcome you to comment or correct any mistakes you see.
First of all, the Montessori Method is a comprehensive educational approach based on the observation of children's needs in a variety of cultures all around the world. Dr. Maria Montessori developed the method based on her experiences with children in different cultures. It is based on the premise that all children naturally develop heightened sensitivities, interests and abilities at different stages of their development.
The concepts center around the "Prepared Environment" in which children can work on activities of their own choice and at their own pace, as well as the "Materials" which are arranged in an orderly manner.

There is a great Squidoo Lens called "Montessori Education" with a description of Montessori concepts and theories, resources for parents (such as where you can buy materials, ideas for snacks, songs, and books. You can find it here.

If you'd like to to buy or check out any books on this topic, I have created a comprehensive list here.

There are quite a few blogs on this subject, but my favorite is Montessori by Hand. Written by Meg McElwee, a teacher in...I think it is Chihuahua, Mexico? Somewhere close to the border. The photo above is taken from her blog, which is a beautiful mix of her life in Mexico, the crafts that she seems to create so effortlessly (and quickly), and the Montessori method. She also has an excellent children's book list for Montessori-minded parents.


If you are looking for a comprehensive web site, the North American Montessori Teachers' Association has many resources available for both teachers and parents.


And if you are looking for basic material kits that complement the different areas of study (ie, language, science, math, practical life and sensorial) the Early Learning Materials GROUP has an on-line store with a wide variety of products to help you create the right learning situations. They also offer complimentary telephone support to their customers, so if you have any questions or would like help determining what materials fit your budget, you can just pick up the phone and give them a call.


Okay. I hope you have found all this information helpful. The concepts of Montessori really are a wonderful gift that you can give your children.


¡Un abrazo a todos!

Latin Baby's Etsy Store

Did you know that Latin Baby also has an etsy store? We've been on there for a while now, but I have recently added a few new items. Some of the products in the store are at discounted prices as a little "perk" for etsy shoppers. You won't find these products at the same price on our official web site. Most of the items featured are by the Latina artists that we support through our site, but a few are Latin Baby designs (aka me!)

In other news, I have some exciting additions coming to Latin Baby in the next couple of months. I hope you'll keep us bookmarked and check back to see our new products. I'll certainly keep you all updated.

There may even be some more give-aways on the blog to celebrate...

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Have a Romantic Spanish Weekend

A quick post as I am busy preparing for the arrival of family tomorrow. They'll be here for the weekend, so probably no posting until next week sometime. But maybe this little video from my favorite Spanish guitar player, John Clarke, will last you until then...



Tuesday, March 11, 2008

A Wonderful Discovery and New Favorite...


Okay, Amigas...I am pretty excited about this next artist and her products. I stumbled upon the CATbox Art Studio by accident while I was surfing etsy, and woohoo!

Cathy Ashworth is the artist behind the studio. Based out of LA, she produces a lot of Latino art and takes most of her inspiration from Dia de los Muertos and Frida Kahlo. She creates art on everything from mirrors to necklaces, greeting cards, calendars and more. I was especially excited about the little pocket mirrors that come with their own velvet pouch, like the ones shown here. Don't you think they would be a great gift for Mother's Day?

Frida is such a tragic figure, but somehow Cathy (aka Cat) infuses her with so much warmth - which is not a term I typically use to describe Frida. That signature monobrow (which I have occasionally found to be unnatural and even ugly in some artwork) is transformed into something so beautiful. As you can see from the collage, Cathy does paint non-Frida subjects, as well. And all together, I have a very difficult time choosing a favorite. I tried sending my mother some links to the pieces that I liked "best" and wound up sending her an email filled with so many links that she might as well have just gone to the web site itself and just looked at everything.

I think what really draws me to Cathy's artwork is the way she uses color. Her pieces are bold and rich and sassy. I'll chalk it up to the Latina in me, but I just can't get enough color. You know that scene in Fools Rush In where Matthew Perry arrives home to discover that Salma Hayek's family painted their house every color in the rainbow? That's me. Or it would be, except that my husband and I are still renting a house in town. Hmmm. Maybe my husband knows me too well.

At anyrate, if you would like to check out Cathy's wonderful website (and I know you do,) you can do so here. You can also purchase some of her products at her etsy boutique.

I would also highly recommend you visit her blog, Chaos in a CATbox. It features many of her most recently finished artwork and has some great links.

(Please keep in mind that all of Cathy's artwork is officially registered with the Copyright Office in DC.)

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Ellaroo Rebozo Wraps Now Available!

Yippee! I am so happy to announce that our rebozo baby carriers from Ellaroo have arrived and are finally for sale at Latin Baby. We have 5 different styles and the colors are super! It is really nice to carry another line of products that supports Latino artisans. All of the Ellaroo Wraps are handwoven by a cooperative of weavers in Guatemala and are 100% cotton.
I am excited about these products for a number of reasons...

1) I so firmly believe in promoting positive, healthy parenting and as many of you know, I am a strong supporter of the practice of attachment parenting. Babywearing is an important aspect of this method of child rearing and I am happy to be able to offer our customers this new product.

2)We are really focusing this year on expanding the number of brands that we carry to make sure we are a one-stop shopping center for Latino families. We added our new layette at the beginning of the year and have now added the baby carriers, too.

3)By covering our basis and offering products for families at different stages, we have seen a jump in our gift registry, which makes me so happy that we are offering the products that you all want.

We have a lot of changes and additions coming to the company. Several projects are in the works with other companies and hopefully will see fruition this year (maybe by the end of the summer!) We are really working hard on our customer service, so please don't hesitate to contact us if you'd like to see us offer a particular product, or even just to let us know what you think of the store. Many of the products and designs we now carry are the result of customer requests. We are listening, Amigas! And we LOVE to hear from you!

If you haven't had a chance to sign up as a Preferred Member (a free subscription), hurry and do so. You can click here for a description of benefits.

Wishing you all a lovely week. ¡Un abrazo a todos!

~Monica

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Fashion Deals....

Upa! It suddenly occurred to me that I have not posted on any fashion topics for a while. Naturally, my first impulse is to check out Motherwear to see what they have on sale and... BINGO! They have tons of great items for you ladies to check out, though I've narrowed my choices down to two.

The first is this super "On the Go Dress" that is on sale for only 18.95!!! (Normally priced at $59.00) I love this dress because it is simple, sexy, flattering and never likely to go out of fashion. It can be worn while nursing or even if you are not. A great addition to any mamá's wardrobe.

Motherwear also has a bunch of nursing bras on sale. However, I think the one I like best is the "Wrap 'N Snap" nursing bra from La Leche League. I adore the print and it looks SO comfy. I wish that I had known about these when I was nursing my kids. What the hay - I may just go ahead and buy one anyway!

To check out these yummy products, visit Motherwear's site here.





Thursday, March 6, 2008

Bilingual Learning is FUN!!!

I am told that when I was born, Spanish was the first language I spoke. My great-grandmother on my mother's side was from San Luis Potosí, and my father and all of his family is from Spain. But given time and circumstance, as is so often the case with second, third and fourth generations, English quickly took dominance.

I so desperately want my children to grow up to be bilingual, but I have to admit that as this crazy fourth/second generation Latina, I often forget to speak Spanish with my kids. ¡Qué vergüenza! It doesn't help that my husband doesn't speak a bit of Spanish. And it has gotten worse since we moved away from friends and family over a year ago to a teeny, tiny town in NC where very few Hispanics live. (Fortunately, my husband's company often brings in interns from other countries, including those in Central and South America. You can't imagine my joy upon meeting these people. They must think I am some crack-pot from all the desperate affection I lavish upon them. But that's another story...)

As I have mentioned before, it galls me to know that my children sometimes learn more Spanish watching the occasional children's show, but relieves me at the same time. Which leads me to my next review!

Professor Pocket has been such a delight to learn about. They have the neatest bilingual audio CD that teaches children Spanish in a fun way by seamlessly weaving together English and Spanish words in songs and stories. They don't bombard us with boring vocabulary exercises. I have often heard that learning a foreign language is much easier when you are a child because you learn language differently. When we are older, it is just memorization. But as a child, we learn the meanings of words by the way they are used and a bunch of other ways.

Professor Pocket's debut CD is called "Our Silly Farm Adventure" and their second CD is due out in May. Their album features three lovable and sometimes silly characters - Professor Pocket (of course), Desi the Dinosaur and Chico the Chicken.

Nathalie Simmons Jorge and Paula Jorge Guglielmino are the creators of Professor Pocket. These sisters-in-law decided to join forces in 2005 to create an educational tool that was both fun for kids and adults. I think they have succeeded.

If you'd like to order a CD or hear some audio clips from their debut album, click here.

Their website gives a lot of information about their product, bilingual education, and also features a page just for children with different games on it. They even have a link to this great article about the advantages of raising bilingual children which I am including here.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

It's your right!!!


WOW! I just saw the greatest story on ABC evening news (can I just ask...is there a Charles Gibson fan club? 'Cause I want in!) talking about the huge number of Latinos turning out to vote! YEA!!! They were saying that in one county in southern TX, where the Latino turn out is usually only about 15% has had record numbers with OVER 60% turning out so far! HURRAH! I was jumping up and down in my living room, hands over my head like Sylvester Stallone, shouting and trying not to cry with joy and pride in my peeps.

So, brief but sweet...I don't care who you vote for (well, actually, I do, but I refuse to get on my political soap box with anyone other than my family), just GET OUT THERE AND VOTE, SISTERS! It's your right as a citizen and as a person to have a say in who you think deserves to lead your country.

So GO, GO, GO, GO!!!!!

Sunday, March 2, 2008

Families in Need Receive Luxury Treatment....

I spent a few days this past week weeding through all the toys and clothes that my kids have outgrown. Most were delegated to the "gently used/donation" pile (but I must admit that I snuck a few straight into the trash or scrap cloths bin, since I would have been ashamed to donate worn out, holey clothing to those in need.)

For the most part, mis niños were sweet enough to help me bag everything to take to our local GCF (there was some occasional bursts of sudden interest in a particular toy.) But after donating the items, I felt mixture of pride over the generous act, hope that the action had contributed to my daughter's education on the topic of thinking of those less fortunate, and relief that I had helped to declutter some of my house!

The first two emotions lead me to the topic of this post. A couple weeks ago, I was excited to read about the Baby Day Luxe program. It is the superbisimo idea by Carol Schiller, owner of Baby Chaleco. Inspired when she was asked to participate in the baby give-away suite at the Golden Globes, Carol decided to team up with Paige Collins - manager of the Providence Regina House - to create a Hollywood-style give-away bash benefitting lower income families.

Regina House is a clothing and food bank that distributes donated items to less fortunate families in the Seattle area. Their regular Baby Day is during the first Saturday of each month and gives out items such as formula, diapers, baby food and clothing.

So this past January, Carol and Paige launched Baby Day Luxe and timed this charity event to coincide with the Golden Globes. Carol approached several of her contacts in the baby business to contribute products, and by the time January rolled around, eight baby companies had signed on. This time, along with the usual necessities, clients of the Providence Regina House received luxurious baby products including, organic baby blankets, footwear, bibs, pacifiers and more.

Baby Day Luxe was a huge success (see picture above) and is now planned as an annual event with ideas for expanding to the East Coast. I for one an looking forward to donating Latin Baby products to next year's event.

So, Amigas, I have to ask...what about ya'll? Is it time to do some Spring Cleaning? Why not spend this next weekend cleaning out your house by gathering all your gently-used clothing and whatnots? Then make a group outing of it and take your stuff to your local clothing bank or community shelter. It is an excellent opportunity for helping out those less fortunate than you and a fantastico way to teach your children the values of compassion, generosity, selflessness and even recycling!
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