Just popping in to say hello on this fine Thursday morning!
Fruit Stickers
Here’s a tip for the week: I despise the stickers on fruit. Every time I reach for an apple, pear or orange to wash I have to remove the sticker and then never know what to do with it so it ends up on my shirt which means it’s probably stuck to my butt later in the day. I dawned on me one day that I could take the stickers off in bulk right when I get home from the grocery store. Brilliant!! It takes me 2 minutes to get them all off and then my fruit sits pretty in the bowl.
Survivor
OMG are you watching!!? The tribal councils this season have been insane. Last week’s especially. I was on the edge of my couch. Not all Survivors are great from the get-go but this one has been. I feel so sorry for Spencer and his luck. He’s one of my favs.
Lucky Charms
General Mills sent me a box of Lucky Charms for St. Patrick’s Day. They used to be one of my very favorite cereals, and guess what – they still are. I enjoyed some for snacks or dessert. The marshmallows are still the best. Real food? Ehh. Real good? Yup. PS. Did you see what Jessica did with Lucky Charms!?
Y’all, I am SO behind the times. Instagram is my very favorite form of social media (follow me @Katheats!) Pinterest became really exciting around the time I had Mazen. Obviously there was no time to peruse gorgeous boards of organized houses or mile-high pie back then. But I’m realizing that I need to get on it, so I’m making a commitment to pin a few things everyday. I need your help getting me started! What is your favorite way to use Pinterest?
Here are some of the boards I created:
KERF – real food + healthy living
Soul Food – all the amazing desserts Pinterest is famous for
House-spiration – gorgeous spaces and decor
Entertaining – because we all need some fresh ideas for dinner parties
Organizing – my favorite board!
I’ve been pinning for a week and am enjoying taking a few minutes each day to get inspired!
Sickness
My gosh. Since Mazen was born I have gotten sick SO MUCH! I got one of the worst colds of my life when we were in Florida in March, and it lasted for a solid 10 days. Then as soon as I was feeling better I got The Worst Sore Throat Ever. That’s all it was – a terrible sore throat. Swallowing was awful and I had to drink a lot of smoothies and take a lot of Advil. I slept terrible for a week. I guess it was just a virus?
I always wash my hands when I’ve been out and return home, and we’ve gotten a lot better at doing the same with Mazen now that he can stand on a step-stool and wash them at the sink. But do you know the one thing that I think might be responsible for all the colds? My PHONE. Yup, I wash my hands all the time but I don’t wash my phone and it’s with me all the time out and about. I need to get some good anti-bac wipes and start making that a regular practice. How do you clean your phone?
Spring Shopping
Coveting…
This sweet dress // Pretty in palms // Eyelet shorts // Linen shorts
And for the babe…
Baby blazer (!!) // Buttondown // Sunglasses // Sweet summer jammies
Running + Biking
I used to pride myself on how little I drove my car. But this winter (with a baby) my car became an everyday thing. With the snow covering the sidewalks and the freezing weather (plus my gym bag and diaper bag) it was just easier 
to drive the 1 mile trip to the gym than walk. But now that spring is here, we are committed to walking again. It’s logistically a bigger deal, but there’s no reason I shouldn’t walk! My old motto used to be: “If it’s walkable I must walk.”
I miss running. Since I have so many great indoor classes at the gym and an active toddler I haven’t been running nearly as much as I used to. Or BIKING – my long, lost bike is under the back porch getting rusty. I miss it, but I just don’t have many opportunities to bike. We are too nervous to bike with Mazen on the back with traffic. I’m looking forward to the day when my (hopefully two) kids will want to go ride their bikes with me. Maybe when they are teenagers we can start biking for transportation again : ) Instead of biking, these days we just walk…when it’s warm.
PS. Matt still walks to work everyday.
Rebekah {aCricketSang} says
I used to bike to work everyday, and miss it so much. Now I’m stuck with a long commute and New Jersey traffic 🙁 But I hope to eventually settle down in a place where I can!
foodandfarm says
Interesting about the colds! I blame my phone too, but do you have ideas as to why so much since you have had a baby?
KathEats says
I’m using my phone a lot more and out and about more. I used to work at the computer a lot of the day.
Celeste says
Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer on a cotton ball or paper towel! I’m sure someone will say I’m ruining my phone but I’ve been doing that for years.
Kate @ Indulgent Wellness says
Oh good, I’m not the only one still watching Survivor after all these years;-) and it looks like things are going to get even crazier next week once the paranoia sets in! Lately my favorite Pinterest searches have been for indoor games and crafts for Hailey. Hopefully now that the weather is nicer, those will just be rainy day ideas! Now…off to clean my phone. Ew.
Lisa C. says
Babies and toddlers get a lot of little bugs. It just goes along with their developing immune systems. One perk of pushing 40? A lot less sniffles!
Oh, and I have never understood Lucky Charms love. The marshmallows give me the chills…like biting chalk! I do realize I am probably the only person on the planet that feels this way. 😉
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Clorox wipes for the phone and thanks for reminding me I need to do a wipedown! 🙂
Last week’s tribal council was AWESOME and I’m gonna have to agree to disagree on Spencer. I can’t wait until that twerp leaves! LOL I’m not really a fan of anyone though. I think the Mr and I are rooting for Woo but not terribly invested in this season. It could get knocked off the DVR and I probably wouldn’t miss it.
KathEats says
Yeah Spencer has had some annoying moments, but I feel like he’s the underdog. I’m not so much a fan of Kass anymore, and I didn’t like what Woo did on last night’s episode at all. Maybe LJ or Jeremiah will end up on top?!
Ashley says
I’m rooting for LJ!
jill says
Hi! Great pins in your home-theme Pinterest board. Your KERF board seems to link to your homepage, though, instead of a Pinterest site. You’ve been busy!
We live in the middle of nowhere, so I can’t claim that I use my bike to accomplish anything other than training for triathlons, or just getting out for a solo ride for an hour. My husband and I take turns hanging with our two boys so one of us can get out on the roads. We’re in Eastern Canada and now that the snow is (hopefully!) finally gone, and the salt on the roads is almost gone as well (I don’t know about where you live but our roads get salted to the point where nobody wants to ride their bikes until the rain has washed every last bit of it away, to avoid corrosion), we’re excited to get off the bike trainer and onto the actual road.
I bet Mazen would love a ride on the back if you were able to find some less crowded roads. It’s nerve-wracking, though, even without traffic. I always fear my own clumsiness and the possibility of falling over. Maybe a chariot for the little dude is the way to go…
p.s. That blazer for Mazen is really cute! We tend to dress our 15 month old in soft pants and onesies (…still…), but I think baby “grown up” clothes can be adorable.
KathEats says
Thanks I fixed the link!
Even in my best biking days I didn’t do much road cycling. I’m just too nervous around high speed cars. Around town is much more comfortable for me. I’d love to rent a chariot at the beach or somewhere with wide sidewalks when we travel and see what Mazen thinks!
Celeste says
I’d also suggest a forward seat. We used one since our boy was 1, and it’s a game changer. He can’t have anything with him like he could in a trailer and I can’t take anything with me that doesn’t fit in a back pack, but he loves it – I don’t block his view and I can constantly talk to him which is reassuring.
Melissa @ HerGreenLife says
I second Celeste’s suggestion. I’ve used an IBert front seat with my little guy since he was just shy of a year, and we both love it; the continuous interaction while we get to where we’re going is amazing. Sadly, he’ll outgrow it before his third birthday (he’s big for his age). We’re buying a longtail cargo bike, so he’ll sit behind me soon. (We have a trailer, but I never was crazy about that option.)
The fact that I was comfortable being part of traffic of my bicycle before I had my son definitely helped, but it’s not too late to gain that confidence (and have a lot of fun on the bike with Mazen), Kath.
In addition to being a cycling mama, I am also a [traffic] cycling instructor, and I’d be happy to answer any questions you or your readers have.
http://hergreenlife.com/tag/biking-with-baby/
KathEats says
Thanks for sharing your site!
Jackie says
Happy almost weekend indeed!
Kelsey says
Lucky Charms have saved me during my (current, 31 weeks) pregnancy. I’ve been doing cooksmarts for a few months, but even through the second trimester a little lingering nausea meant that I would cook smartly, serve my husband, pretend to eat some fish…. and then eat Charms.
Carolyn says
I was totally LOLing at the fruit sticker thing! I never know what to do with mine either. I usually just end up sticking them on my dish towel or on the side of the sink. Peeling them off all at once is a great idea! But what do you do with them then? I think I’d just end up with a bigger pile on my dish towel! lol
As for phone germs, once a week or so I put some rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and swipe my phone. Now I have read that this isn’t a good idea for touch screens, but I’ve been doing it for years and so far so good.
LOVE Lucky Charms!
KathEats says
You just throw them all in the trash! Lol.
Sars says
Carolyn, do you really not know what to do with the fruit stickers once you’ve taken them off, or are you just making fun?
Laura@SneakersandSpatulas says
I use Pinterest for finding new recipes, I have found so many that way!
Bonnie Brown says
WOW
Never thought about the germs that could be on my phone… very interesting!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
oh my gosh, pinterest is by far my favorite website. I use it a lot for fashion inspiration, quotes, recipes and then just pretty things that make me happy. I have to say I’m pretty proud of my boards!
KathEats says
I will check them out!
Emily @ Life on Food says
It seems like everyone I know has been sick since March. I think it was all the gross weather.
KathEats says
Me too – all my friends. Maybe it’s just been a harsh winter in more ways than one!
Grace says
I clean my phone everyday when I get home from work with an alcohol pad. I bought a box of like 400 of them from Walmart for $3 and I leave them right where I drop my stuff when I come in the house. They are much cheaper than Clorox wipes and are less wet. BUT I do have a screen protector and an Otterbox with an additional screen protector on my phone. Apparently you aren’t supposed to put alcohol on your screen…according to Apple:)
KathEats says
That’s a great recommendation. Are they designed for electronics or just generic alcohol wipes?
Grace says
They are just generic alcohol wipes you can buy them near the diabetic supplies!
Shel@PeachyPalate says
Pinterest…not sure what I ever did without it in terms of meal inspiration!!! Also love pinning workouts and inspirational quotes! Before you know it Mazen will be cycling alongside you!
Sarah (SHU) says
Loooove the gap dresses!! I had been eyeing the floral one 🙂
jen_alluisi says
RealSimple just had some great tips in a recent issue about cleaning your electronics, including good products to do so:
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/technology/how-clean-keyboard-00100000120370/index.html
KathEats says
Great tips!
Elizabeth {Positively Healthy} says
I use to bike and walk to work every day, I loved it! Genius idea about the fruit stickers, they drive me nuts as well! 🙂
Ali says
I clean my phone almost daily with plain rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad – I feel like it’s a must living in NYC! I actually take it out of the case, wipe down the front, sides, back and especially the case itself. Think about where it goes when it’s not in your hands, too – like cupholders, etc. It’s also good to do this for skin cleanliness-purposes, too!
KathEats says
Good practice! I need to get on this.
Kelly says
I was just poppping in to suggest rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball, too. I do it a couple of times a week and am horrified at how much dirt (and germs) comes off. It’s icky. I also think that car keys have to be very dirty too. We go in and out of stores, and grab our car keys without thinking. I have often thought to clean the little black part and door opener, but thought that may be going a bit too far!
Nicole says
Ugh, baby colds…just a reality of having a little one I guess. We rarely got sick before our son was born! It doesn’t matter how much you wash your hands or clean your phone when you have a toddler who loves to slobber all over your face. The cold is a small price to pay. 🙂
P.S…You might want to disclose your non-Amazon affiliate links (ShopStyle, etc.)! I know people get so spun up about that stuff.
KathEats says
Updated my sidebar to include a more general description. Thanks for the reminder.
Hillary | Nutrition Nut on the Run says
I always take off all the fruit stickers when I get home, too.
Joni says
I wipe down my phone with Seventh Generation wipes! With a little one always reaching for my phone now, I got worried with just how many germs were on it 😉 I actually put a reminder in our Cozi app to do it every Sunday night!!
Jenna says
Is it considered bad etiquette or sneaky to include popsugar referral links without disclosure? I think so and I feel it is taking advantage of your readers’ goodwill.
KathEats says
I don’t think it’s sneaky because nothing given to me for free – those are the relationships that must be disclosed when written about. I’ve talked with professionals about affiliate links and so long as there is a notice on the website (on my sidebar) that some are links it’s click at your own risk.
Becky says
Those stickers drive my husband insane. He goes through & takes them all off.
Pinterest – I find myself pinning ideas for different writing projects I’m working, sometimes house or garden projects and definitely things for the girl. I tend to come & go on there in spits & spurts. On my secret boards, I pin ideas for projects I’m working on that I’m not quite ready to unleash yet.
Walking – I used to walk everywhere! It wasn’t just the winter that did me in, it was parenthood. I still try to walk as much as I can when I can, but in terms of getting everything done I need to in a timely manner, well, walking just doesn’t always cut it. I do walk up to IY at least once a week for supplies and I’ve been seen walking to Barracks Road & back in the mornings for necessities like beer, wine & milk with my little old lady cart. This neighborhood (and city) has too many hills for Edie girl to consider biking anywhere. Poor thing already has to walk up hill to school both ways, she refuses to cycle it.
KathEats says
Haha I can imagine you with your old lady cart!! Yeah, time is my problem too. I’m getting better now that spring is here though!
Kavi says
Kath, I use alcohol pads to clean my phone. I wasn’t getting sick, but I would occasionally get random breakouts on my right cheek (the side I use to talk on the phone); after cleaning my phone, my skin was back to normal!
Eliza says
How about a fashion & beauty board on pinterest? These are some of my favorite posts!
KathEats says
I’ve gotten really into beauty lately – good idea : )
Courtney says
I love getting fashion ideas from Pinterest. My Style Inspiration board has the most pins out of all my boards. I find an outfit I like, and then use that as inspiration to create outfits out of what I have in my own closet. I could get lost for hours browsing on Pinterest! Lol!
Tracy says
My biggest use for pinterest is to save recipes in categories (slow cook, kid-friendly, workout fuel, etc). Second most used board is gift ideas! I love having a place to store future gift ideas for friends/family! I also use it for house decorating ideas, cute outfits and quotes.
The Gap has some really cute stuff right now!! I was just in there yesterday. So fun for spring!
Tracy says
ps This was a really fun post! 🙂
Tragic Sandwich says
I used to bike to and from the bus stop, but that hasn’t been feasible since I had Baguette. I really miss it.
And I love Lucky Charms. Also Fruity Pebbles. Maybe once a year or two, I buy a box as an indulgence. But I have so many other routine indulgences that I need to work on before my next box!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit says
I’m big with IG, too, I love it and it’s so easy! I’m trying to utilize Pinterest more often now though, as well.
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
When I lived in a smaller town I was able to walk everywhere. Now I live a little outside of the “main town” and have to drive everyyyywhere! I miss being able to walk and I love that Matt walks to work everyday!
Courtney says
Hi Kath! Your phone is not the culprit of your sickness– while phones are covered with germs, they’re your OWN germs, and since you wash your hands frequently, your phone is not likely to harbor bacteria that is causing you to be ill. I think the more likely reason for why you’ve been sick is that Mazen’s immune system is still developing, and since he’s more suseptible and you’re his mother, you catch it too!
I just tell you this to warn you or anyone else against buying wipes to wipe down your phone– it’s unnecessary, produces unnecessary trash & waste, and the more antibacterial products you use….the less likely your body is going to respond to antibiotics when you are TRULY sick and in need of them!
KathEats says
But what about when I’m out and touch a grocery shopping cart and then my phone in the grocery store? Those are other people’s germs.
I definitely think some of this is all the hugging, kissing, sharing food and nose wiping I do too.
eliza says
re: peeling off the fruit stickers – you do realize that those serve a purpose, right? It’s to let the cashier know what to ring. Really not that helpful to peel it off before being rung up, unless you like being charged the wrong price or waiting longer in line for the cashier to look up each individual piece….
KathEats says
Yeah, but I peel them off when I get home!! When I’m unpacking my produce.
nancy says
I clean my phone all the time. I either use tiny alcohol wipes or an all surface antibac spray on a tissue. I have a screen protector so it doesn’t worry me much. I’m much more concerned about the germs.
When my kiddos were little they knew they needed to head straight to the bathroom as soon as we got home from being anywhere. I would hold them and help them wash their hands and when they were big enough to stand on the step stool they could wash their hands on their own. It was a good practice then and I still remind them now as teenagers that they need to wash their hands as soon as they walk in the door from school. Gotta keep out as many germs as we can.
Molly says
I love browsing the T.V., Music, and Books boards to find new book recommendations. Pinterest should wise up and have a board for just books!! 😉
Also, I have two recipe boards…”recipes I want to try” and “recipes I tried and loved.” If I try a recipe and don’t like it, then I delete the pin. If I like the recipe, I move it from the “want to try” to the “tried and loved.”
Nancy says
Re tip for wiping phone: I do it at the gym when I wipe off my machine. I figure if I’m going to already be wiping the machine, it won’t hurt to do a quick swipe of my phone just before that. 1 (free) wipe for two purposes. I suppose this would only work though if you use your phone for music or have it with you at the gym.
Carolyn says
FYI: Target has a VERY similar baby blazer (and matching pants) and that line of clothing was B1GO 50% off when I was in there yesterday.
KathEats says
Oh cute! I need to go up there : )
Emily says
I got an email from stich fix the other day that said that if you create a fashion board on your pinterest your stitch fix style consultant can use it for inspiration. I thought that was so neat!
KathEats says
I need to get on that! I have another fix in the works : )
Maggie says
I just started wiping down my phone/laptop/remote control with rubbing alcohol a few times a week. I guess I didn’t consider it could be bad for the touchscreen..oh well! Hah 🙂
Goretti Tada says
Here’s how we clean our iPhones.
Step 1: Buy a small spray bottle from the travel section at a Target. Ours is green…our favorite color.
Step 2: Fill it 1/4 with rubbing alcohol .
Step 3: Fill the rest of the bottle with filtered water.
Step 4: Spray your phone a few times, front and back and wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
Step 4: Dry off with a separate microfiber cloth.
Ratio would be 1:4 (alcohol to water)
Works like magic! You can also use this alcohol solution to clean your eye glasses and iPads.
KathEats says
Like!!
Lindsay says
I loved this check-in post;) My tip for Pinterest: Go through the drop menu and select “popular” I always find something fun on that page! I bike frequently as well, but I could be doing a lot better, especially to my yoga class, which is pretty close to where I live, thanks for the reminder/inspiration!
KathEats says
Good tip on the popular stuff!
Amanda says
Pinterest is amazing! I planned our Christmas party this year off of Pinterest ideas. I get all my culinary and fashion inspiration from there too. You tried Stitch Fix, I remember. I go there to find out what other people are getting in their boxes each month, since lots of bloggers post their Stitch Fix finds on there. Pinterest is amazing, but a total time suck. Although, when I was a first time new mom, holding my baby or feeding in the middle of the night was when I did all my internet browsing and blogroll reading.
KathEats says
Good idea to look at the other stitch fix posts too!
Sarah says
Ditto here about the fruit stickers. So annoying when you go to take a picture because the apples you got look so gorgeously juicy and you need it for a post, only to realise when you upload it that there’s a bunch of stickers lurking!
KathEats says
#foodbloggerproblems 🙂
Stephanie says
I have a bike seat that goes on the front of my bike called the ibert safetseat that I LOVE. My son is 2 now but we’ve used it since he was just over 1. I was nervous about balancing but I find it very easy and it’s won a bunch of safety awards. Add in the fact that it has a steering wheel for my son drive and it’s a home run!
robin says
when my oldest started school man did I get sick. She faired better then I did that first year but whatever was going around the school I caught it.
Heather @ The Soulful Spoon says
Fun post Kathy!:) Thanks for sharing all this with us:) I always go to soft foods like oatmeal and smoothies most of the time anyway, but especially if I’m sick. I need to redo my Pinterest board, so thanks for the reminder and for sharing yours with us:)
Sara says
the little blazer would be so cute on Mazen! Also, changing your toothbrush after every time you are sick is something that might help too. Happy Pinning!
Amelia @ Eating Made Easy says
Fruit stickers are the WORST. I hate how the pear ones always take off a little bit of pear skin, too.
I clean my phone about once a week with rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball. Not sure if this will prevent more sicknesses but it certainly disinfects!
Sally says
I’m not sure if this is something that you have any control over but I thought I’d mention it just in case. At the end of your post just above the comments there is an ‘Ad by Federated Media’ which is actually a video ad for McDonald’s McCafe. Now I know this wouldn’t be something that you would promote on your blog so I thought if you had any say in what ads are displayed on your blog you might want to know.
I’m not sure if it makes any difference but I’m in Australia.
Heather says
My Husband cleans my phone ( and his and the kids) every time I bring it in from outside with alcohol.
At first I though he was nuts, but I rarely get sick (even with 4 kids and a husband in healthcare around sick people all day) so maybe you are onto something with the phone!
Liz says
I am loving Survivor this season too! And Spencer is one of my favorites too, though he’ll have to work hard to stick around! I’m just happy for a season with no alums, redemption island, etc. I feel like it’s back to “true” Survivor, which I love!
Christine says
Just realized Chrome is not updating with your most recent post(s)? If I view using Firefox your latest post if available.
KathEats says
Ack. Thanks!
Sam says
In addition to rubbing down your phone, do the same with other commonly used items: laptop/keyboard, remote control, fridge handle, steering wheel in your car.
simple green moms says
I have gotten sick a lot more since having a little one and i think its due to lack of sleep/rest! just my observation tho =)
Melanie says
I’ve been Pinterest-ing since late 2010, and my one main tip is: if you think you’re going to go deeply into a particular subject (food, for me), be sure to categorize out your different boards based on how you’ll want to peruse/search stuff later. Sounds obvious, but I didn’t do that and as of early 2014 wound up with a food board containing over 2K+ recipes/dishes….kind of hard to browse! I spent almost an entire Sunday sorting them out by type of dish. Holy TEDIOUS.
Enjoy!
http://www.pinterest.com/therealmellieg/
Anneke says
I like to use pinterest for things I want to keep, but don’t want to print out. Craft patterns, recipes that look interesing, and mostly, it’s a running list of books I want to read (and when I read them, I take them off the board.)
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves says
Lucky Charms is most definitely one of my favorite cereals still! I kinda want to buy a box just for snacks and desserts too. The marshmallows rule all.
I clean my phone with anti-bac house wipes actually, but I haven’t done it very recently. I definitely should though! I can’t even think about all the germs that are on there right now.
I always think of you when I face the decision of driving or walking. You’ve inspired me to take more steps! 🙂
JosephineTomato says
You could save up your stickers and send them here to help create amazing artwork: http://stickermanproduceart.wordpress.com/produce-art/
KathEats says
wow that is impressive!!