New Products for Latino Toddlers

If you haven't visited the Latin Baby boutique lately, head on over there and check out a few of our newest products!

For all you mamás of toddlers, check out our two newest T-shirt designs.
If you have a rambunctious little boy in your life, why not get him a tee that sums it up? "Chiquito...pero picoso!"
And for those sweet little nenas, don't miss our adorable tee: "Chiquita Bonita"
Both shirts are embroidered and come in sizes: 2T. 4T. and 6T.

For more details, click here.

To commemorate the historic event of our first Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, Latin Baby has come out with a limited edition bib, "Wise Latina in Training." The bib comes with the words printed in hot pink, except for the word "wise" which is embroidered in a sagacious purple.

To see this and our other bib styles, click here.

We also have the most beautiful sweaters from Peru in our shop. Handmade, each sweater is a one-of-a-kind piece that your child will love and cherish. With hand-appliquéd images of nature and wildlife, your child will be delighted to wear one of these beautiful sweaters!Each style is available in one size only.

For a closer look at all three styles, please click here.

Sam's Club Giveaway Winners

Woops! Not Friday morning, but at least it's still Friday!

So looking at the posts, the winners of the one-day pass to Sam's club are: Yoly, Julie, Denise, @AMO78 and Carolyn G!

And thanks to Random.org, the winner of the $25 gift certificate is: Stacy!

Congrats to all of you! If you don't mind sending me a mailing address to admin [at] latinbabyusa \dot/ com, we'll get those sent off.

And don't forget to clip, clip, clip away those Box Tops and send 'em in to your child's school!
Thanks for participating, everyone!

~Monica

Sam's Club Giveaway Benefiting Box Tops for Education

We’ve been reading about how schools all over the country have been suffering economic difficulties. Some have closed their doors, while others limp along using outdated equipment and with a shortage of teachers. Bilingual programs especially have struggled, many of them cut completely from schools due to lack of funding.

But there is one great way that you can help your school.

Twelve years ago, General Mills launched Box Tops for Education in California on Big G cereals like Cheerios®, Total®, Lucky Charms® and other family favorites. Since then, the number of participating products has grown by leaps and bounds. To date, Box Tops has helped America's schools earn over $250 million. Your school can earn up to $60,000 every year! Check out these easy ways to earn:

♥ You can clip 10¢ Box Tops coupons from hundreds of your favorite products such as Cheerios®, Betty Crocker®, Juicy Juice®, Ziploc®, Kleenex®, Hefty® and more!

♥ At the Box Tops Marketplace, you can shop at over 70 online stores like Oriental Trading Co., Office Depot and Lands' End. A percentage of purchases goes back to your school!

♥ You can earn cash for your school just by buying the books that you love! Begin your shopping at the Box Tops Reading Room to earn up to 6% on purchases made at Barnes & Noble.

♥ My Class Essentials is a new way to help classrooms get the learning tools and supplies students need while earning 2% cash back for your school with every purchase.

To make the process even more enjoyable for young children, you can print a collection worksheet for your niños to color and fill with Box Tops you clip, or help them make their very own collection container.

And to make mamás happy, the BoxTops4Education web site has a whole page of coupons for participating products that you can print off.

This year, Box Tops for Education and Sam’s Club are lending a hand with their BIG CLIP campaign. From now through September 4th, you can get more Box Top coupons on your favorite back-to-school brands at Sam’s Club to maximize the earnings for your school. In addition, BT4E is giving away 1 million Bonus Box Tops for America’s schools! You can also enter The Big Clip sweepstakes for a chance to win the Grand Prize of 500,000 Bonus Box Tops or one of two first prizes of 250,000 Bonus Box Tops.

Participating brands include: Cheerios, Ziploc containers & sandwich bags, Honey Nut Cheerios, Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookies, Fiber One Oats & Chocolate Bars, Nature Valley Bars, Scott Paper Towels, Huggies Baby Wipes and Kleenex Facial Tissues. For a complete look of Box Top products, click here.

Overall, what a great program! I do think they are missing a great opportunity, though by not marketing to Latinos. They should publish portions of their web site and box tops in Spanish!

THE GIVEAWAY:

To help your children’s school, Sam’s Club and Box Tops for Education are giving me FIVE one-day passes and one $25 Sam’s Club gift card. The first five readers to leave me a comment about their favorite product participating in the Box Top program will win a one-day pass and one of you will win the gift card!

The deadline is this Thursday, August 27th at 11:59 pm EST. I’ll announce the winners Friday morning.

¡Buenas suerte!

*Provided courtesy of MyBlogSpark.

Inspiring Latinos You Should Know

As a Latina mom, it upsets me that history books rarely discuss Latinos who have had an impact on our society. In fact, when I set out to research this for my own children, I was surprised at how many I knew nothing about. I have talked a number of times on this blog about the crisis that young Latinos and Latinas are experiencing in this country. They are in desperate need of inspiration and guidance. They are bombarded daily by media images that insist that Latinas must be sexy and wanton, which conflicts with their family’s more conservative values. One of the major factors identified in the success of young Latinas is their relationship with their mother: Latinitas with mamís that listen – even if they don’t agree – are far more likely to succeed and grow up to be healthy and happy adults.

A recent study by researchers at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill has shown that "Latino adolescents in the U.S. who maintain ties to their culture of origin are more likely to develop healthy behaviors than their peers who do not. Latino adolescents with strong awareness of their family’s culture reported higher self esteem, fewer social problems and less hopelessness, aggression and substance abuse."

So the question is: How do we engender in our children a respect and pride for our culture? Wow. This could take a LONG time to discuss. I think that it is never too early to show our children the beauty of our Latino culture. Exposing them to the elements of our heritage includes the language, food, dance, music, and HISTORY. Which brings me to the point of this particular post: It is so important to give our children role models with whom they can relate. There are so many inspirational Latinos out there that I could start an entire blog simply featuring them. (Hmmmm….) But for now, I thought I would share with you some of the stories and on-line resources for learning more about significant figures in our cultures. Here are a few that I thought would be great to get you started on the track of exposing your children to positive Latino role models. Some are well known, while others are not. But either way, their stories are moving and inspiring.

Gabriela Mistral - The Chilean born poet who began teaching at the young age of 15 and subsequently traveled all over the world in an effort to improve schools. She was inspired by her travels and wrote many stories during this time. Gabriela Mistral is her nom de plume. She was actually born Lucila de María del Perpetuo Socorro Godoy Alcayaga – Whew! Mistral is a wonderful role model for young children because she was so passionate about learning and writing. She is noted for the many contributions she made to the education system of Latin America. Mistral finally received the recognition she so richly deserved in 1945 when she became the first Latin American writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. A prolific writer, she published more than 30 collections of poetry during her lifetime.
My Name is Gabriela/Me llamo Gabriela: The Life of Gabriela Mistral/la vida de Gabriela Mistral by Monica Brown
Nobel Prize Biographies

Poet Seers: Gabriela Mistral

César Chávez –Mexican American farm worker and founder of the United Farm Workers. This civil rights activist fought for the rights of migrant workers, including better pay and safer working conditions. He is noted for his nonviolent outlook and protests including strikes, pickets, fasting and a 300+ mile march. Though he never earned more than 5,000 a year in his life, he is remembered by millions for his determination to bring recognition and dignity to farm workers.
For more information about César Chávez, check out these books & websites:
Cesar: Si, Se Puede! / Yes, We Can! by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez by Kathleen Krull

The Fight in the Fields: Cesar Chavez and the Farmworkers Movement by Susan Ferriss and Ricardo Sandoval
The Cesar E Chavez Foundation

Las Culturas: The Story of Cesar Chavez

Celia Cruz – Cuban "Queen of Salsa." Originally studied to become a literature teacher, only to interrupt her studies to pursue singing opportunities that eventually led to stardom. She has become beloved by generations all over the world for her operatic voice, flamboyant costumes and intimate relation to the music of Salsa.
For more information about Celia Cruz, check out these books & websites:

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa by Veronica Chambers

My Name is Celia/Me llamo Celia: The Life of Celia Cruz/la vida de Celia Cruz by Monica Brown

Celia: Mi Vida (Spanish Edition) by Celia Cruz and Ana Cristina Reymundo
Biggest Stars: Celia Cruz

Roberto Clemente – Puerto Rican baseball legend who transcended his reputation as a professional athlete to humanitarian and philanthropist. He is remembered for his efforts towards the recognition of his fellow Latino baseball players and for helping people in need across the United States and Central America. Clemente also held free baseball clinics for children in his homeland and created programs to help disadvantaged youth develop athletic skills and prevent illegal drug use. Clemente died in a plane crash while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
For more information about Roberto Clemente, check out these books & websites:
Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente
American Experience: Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates by Jonah Winter

Back-to-School Season Made Easy with ViveMejor

As the "back to school" frenzy begins, many Hispanic mothers find themselves trying to reorganize their family's day-to-day schedule to accommodate an ever-changing agenda. Gone are those leisurely days of summer, replaced by a more hectic morning and evening routine. During this busy season, mothers are encouraged not to let the added responsibilities get the best of them with help from Vivemejor.com, the one-stop lifestyle resource. The site offers Latinas valuable tips and advice, from both celebrity stylist Leonardo Rocco and Chef Marcela Valladolid, on how to manage the back-to-school season while still taking care of their families and themselves!

According to Rocco, no matter how hectic the back to school days get, it is still important to take time out for personal care, as it is an important part of stress management. To help busy Latinas manage stress during this time of the year, Rocco shares his top three personal care tips here:

1. "Turn your own bathroom into a place of rest and relaxation. Start by setting the ambiance by using some of your favorite scented candles which give soft lighting and create a pleasant environment. I also recommend using a body wash with an exfoliating agent, such as Caress(R)Evenly Gorgeous(TM) Body Wash & Beauty Bar with burnt brown sugar and karite butter, to gently message and exfoliate your skin in the tub. Exfoliation can increase circulation and have a calming effect to help you alleviate the stress of the day."

2. "Get enough sleep! Feeling tired and lack of sleep can cause you to drag and feel irritable, which can increase stress. It can also cause skin to look puffy and take on a wrinkled appearance, so make sure to prioritize a good night's sleep to stay well-rested and keep your skin looking youthful and radiant."

3. "To make sure all your personal care needs are covered throughout the day, I recommend putting together a portable 'beauty kit' to store in your car or office desk. There are some essentials all women should keep in this kit: a toothbrush, travel toothpaste, a mirror, comb, and lip gloss. It should also include one of my personal favorites this season, the new Degree(R) Women Fine Fragrance Collection, which has both an antiperspirant/deodorant and a body mist available in three amazing scents, so women can have one fine fragrance infused throughout their day."

After a busy day, the evening approaches and children return home to tackle numerous homework assignments while mom sets off to prepare dinner. According to Marcela, it is more important than ever to spend time with your kids during the start of the school year to learn about their new teachers, upcoming projects and overall excitement. With these easy and useful cooking tips, Latina moms will be able to cut down on the amount of time they spend preparing dinner and dedicate that time to sharing with their families around the table!

1. "When trying to come up with a quick meal idea that is both delicious and filling for the entire family, I encourage Latinas to also think nutritiously. Considerer whipping up a hearty bowl of spaghetti, which on average takes about 10 minutes to prepare! The carbohydrates in the pasta will give your family energy, and by using my favorite, Ragu(R) Old World Style(R) Smooth Pasta Sauce, you'll be giving your loved ones a full serving of veggies in every 1/2 cup of sauce!" Wash it all down with a cold glass of milk to complete your meal with healthy dose of vitamin D and calcium.

2. "Experimentation in the kitchen is a great way of surprising your family with new and exciting meals. To try new dishes, but without wasting time during the 'testing' phase, I recommend going to a reliable source, such as a trusted friend or website, so you can be certain that the recipes have already been tested to perfection. You'll get the chance to try something new, without wasting time with recipe trial and error!"

3. "Rice is a tried-and-true staple of the Hispanic meal. It can be served as the main dish or as a side to any vegetable or meat. To transform your rice from good to great in just seconds, I recommend using Knorr(R) Caldo con Sabor de Pollo. It gives your rice that delicious chicken broth flavor, without having to spend the hours it takes to actually make the broth."

This is just a taste of all the great information that can be found on Vivemejor.com, the one-stop lifestyle resource for Latinas to find valuable tips and recommendations on how to manage the back-to-school season, while still taking care of their families and themselves. For even more recipes, beauty tips, money-saving coupons and samples, don't forget to visit http://www.vivemejor.com!/

Latino Baby Shower Cake Toppers

Over the last couple of years, we have repeatedly received requests for cake toppers. After doing some research on-line, we were terribly disappointed to find that very few Latino-themed cake toppers were available for purchase. Most of the ones we found were of Dora and Diego or Maya and Miguel. Cute, but a little too casual and lacking in the beauty and elegance that this momentous occasion deserves.

So it is with greatest pleasure that I now announce that Latino baby shower cake toppers are now available at Latin Baby! These handmade ceramic figurines are a beautiful way to decorate your cake or as a centerpiece to your table. The perfect regalito for any mami-to-be, these figurines also make a wonderful keepsake for mamá to treasure.

To check out our complete line, visit the Latin Baby boutique here.

The Latin Baby Book Club is a Great Resource for Bilingual Families

In case you haven't heard, Mi Cielito Lindo's sister blog, the Latin Baby Book Club is celebrating its 1st anniversary by giving away fabulous prizes all week. You still have one chance left to enter to win one (or ALL!) of them. Prizes include an adult T-shirt by the wonderful company, MotherTongues; bilingual books for children; learning Spanish sets by Let's Play in Spanish; and even a $50.00 gift certificate to Latin Baby, our parent company!

The LBBC is a wonderful resource for all families that are trying to raise bilingual children. We review bilingual-bicultural books and music for children of all ages, and even a few for parents, too! Over ten talented bloggers have contributed reviews, author/illustrator interviews, information on local events, videos and more.

So head over there ASAP to enter for your chance to win!