Mother’s Day is approaching, and this year, instead of the tried-and-true gifts of flowers, perfume or new pajamas, show mom how much she is truly appreciated by giving her presents that offer her a break, allowing her to indulge in some much-needed time for herself.
Consider these ideas for not only Mother’s Day, but any time you want to give mom something extra special:
* Clean as a Whistle: Contact a local housekeeping service and sign up for one, or several, weekly sessions. Mom now has a few extra hours each week to focus on her other passions and interests - without having to worry about the house being sparkling clean.
* Get Fit: With a family’s busy schedule, many times it can be a challenge for mom to find an extra few hours each week to sneak in a workout. Instead, bring the gym to her! Many personal trainers make house calls. Or, vow to watch the kids two evenings a week so she can take a class at the gym, or hit the hiking trails with her friends.
* No-Fuss, Chef-Prepared Dinners: With the average person spending at least 10 hours weekly preparing and cooking dinner, all moms could definitely use a break in the kitchen! Home Bistro (www.homebistro.com) home-delivers chef-prepared meals - such as raspberry grilled chicken, pomegranate glazed sea scallops or slow-braised beef short ribs. Not only is the food as moist, delicious and fresh as any home-cooked meal, but preparation is easy, with dinner being ready in about 15 minutes.
* A Day Out: Surprise mom with a day out to do whatever she wishes. If she loves the theater, surprise her with a matinee performance followed by an early dinner at a local hot spot. If she would rather shop, contact her favorite store for a personal shopping appointment, many times offered free of charge. If pampering is her preference, then give her a spa package to indulge in a massage or facial.
* Try Something New: Whether she wants to learn how to make jewelry, how to cook ethnic cuisine or learn about photography, enroll mom in a class that allows her to explore a new passion. Inexpensive, one-time classes are offered at a variety of locations - from local cooking schools, to community college campuses, to craft stores.
Still need more ideas on what to get mom? Enter to win one week’s worth of free dinners for a family of four (an approximately $400 value). To enter, visit www.homebistro.com/mother by Sunday, May 11.
Courtesy of Family Features
A natural approach to treating that special lady on Mother's Day
When spring comes, you can’t help but appreciate the wonders of Mother Nature. So it’s fitting that spring also brings a time to appreciate mothers.
Why not celebrate Mom and Mother Nature with a natural Mother’s Day?
Organic, green, and fair trade products are becoming more popular, so it won’t be hard to find something to please mom.
* Treat mom to breakfast in bed. Serve waffles, French toast, scones or coffeecake as breakfast-in-bed. Top them with delicious, flavored butter pats made from organic butter. Certified organic butter, like the butter from Organic Valley, is produced by family farmers without antibiotics, synthetic hormones or pesticides. The animals are raised humanely and given certified organic feed, and pastures are also certified organic.
* Getting mom organic flowers ensures that the blooms you give haven’t been treated with pesticides. Choosing locally grown flowers or potted plants - over those shipped from another state or country--supports local producers while reducing transportation costs and emissions.
* Mom deserves to be pampered. So how about a natural spa treatment at a local salon? You can also put together a gift basket made up of lotions, soaps and scents with organic ingredients.
* Fair trade clothing and jewelry comes from artisans all over the world. Mom gets a beautiful gift, and the artisans get paid a fair wage.
* Put mom’s breakfast on a tray made from bamboo, a fast-replenishing grass, along with a pretty soy candle and organic cotton napkin.
So take care of your mom and Mother Nature by celebrating Mother’s Day the natural way.
Give dad a clue on Mother's Day
Dad, want a lovely way to surprise mom on Mother’s Day? You and the kids bake her a batch of blueberry muffins for breakfast in bed.
Here’s the set-up: First, let Mom sleep in on Mother’s Day.
Next, get the kids breakfast, then everyone pitches in to whip up a batch of Very Berry Muffins for Mom.
They start with blueberry muffin mix—the mix makes baking a snap—and finish with orange zest (the grated peel of orange skin) and fresh or frozen raspberries. Let the kids help with the mixing and stirring.
Pour the batter into Wilton’s Silly-Feet! Silicone Baking Cups (there’s even a batter fill line so you’ll know just how much batter to put in each cup) and bake. Silicone makes it easy to pop out the individual muffins, and Silly-Feet! give everyone a giggle.
They make a colorful and fun way to serve the muffins. Mom will love photos of you and the kids anchored to the muffins with zany Fun Pixs?.
Serve it all up to Mom with love and a smile. She’ll be thrilled.
For other ideas on how to surprise Mom, visit www.wilton.com.
Wilton Products:
Silly-Feet! Silicone Baking Cups
Add-A-Message Fun Pix®
Recipe and photo courtesy of Wilton Industries, Inc.
Add-A-Message Fun Pix is a registered trademark of Wilton Industries, Inc.
Courtesy of Family Features
Very Berry Muffins for Mom
Recipe Courtesy of Wilton Industries, Inc.
Makes six muffins
1 package (7-8.5 oz.) blueberry muffin mix
Ingredients to prepare muffin mix
½ teaspoon grated orange zest
½ cup fresh or frozen raspberries (do not thaw berries if frozen)
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray Silly-Feet! Silicone Baking Cups with vegetable pan spray or line standard muffin pan with baking liners.
In large bowl, blend muffin mix with ingredients needed to prepare mix; mixture will be slightly lumpy. Gently stir in orange zest and raspberries; spoon into prepared baking cups.
Bake 18-22 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in baking cups. Serve warm or at room temperature. Insert Fun Pix with pictures and serve.