We love anything sustainable, and are looking forward to visiting Jordandal Farms—which practices sustainably in Argyle, WI—for this year’s “A Day on the Farm.”
It’s sponsored by REAP Food Group—Research, Education, Action and Policy on Food Group, focused on building a regional food system that is healthful, just, and both environmentally and economically sustainable.
The day features a farm tour, kids activities, oohing over baby farm animals, and getting up to speed about Jordandal’s sustainable practices with the farm’s owners. A farm-fresh picnic-style meal will be served up by some of Madison’s finest chefs Madison Club, Restaurant Magnus, Dayton Street Grill, and Tornado Steak House.
Here’s what else you should know about REAP: The organization is all about making local farm-to-table connections easy, supports small family farms, and also organizes the Farms to Schools program (YAY! Keeping it fresh by connecting our local farmers with our schools’ food needs), and the excellent “Food for Thought Festival,” Burgers and Brew, and Pie Palooza, among other events, in Madison each year. Check those out — and don’t miss the organization’s local coupon book.
Come to the Capital Brewery on Sunday, June 6th from 2p-6pm to enjoy great music by Natty Nation, Capital Brewery’s brews, fun kid’s activities and amazing Ethiopian food —all while supporting Clinic at a Time, a wonderful grassroots organization that helps the people of Ethiopia!
“The goal of the organization is to improve the quality of health care for the poor and the underprivileged communities in the Province of Gojjam, located in northwestern Ethiopia. They do this by collecting and providing medical supplies; helping to improve existing public health care facilities; helping to build new facilities; and providing health care-related information and education to health care workers and the community.Working from her home – with no paid staff and virtually no “overhead” costs – Mulu is able to commit 100 percent of the donations collected for CAAT toward improving health conditions in Gojjam.
Everyone working with CAAT is doing so on a volunteer basis. And because of her lifelong ties to the community, Mulu can work directly with regional government authorities, civic organizations and community volunteers there.”
“CAAT is truly a unique organization. Because of Mulu’s personal connections to people in the region – and because of CAAT’s lack of “bureaucratic red tape” and expenses for office space and employees that that larger organizations must cover – donations to CAAT will have an immediate and direct impact on the health care needs of the region.”
I will post a reminder about this great event and will see you there!!! *If you cannot make it to the event, but want to make a donation, please visit Clinic At a Time. There is such a great need…I have seen it firsthand…
On a side note, Mama Jen is taking a break from MomAppeal for awhile because I find myself wanting the extra family time… I struggled with this decision, but it is the best thing for me right now…The fabulous Mama Kate plans to keep things going and would love to hear from you if you have a fab find or important event that you want people to know about!
We just got word of a course you may find of interest—especially if you’re thinking of returning to work, or are rethinking your career. Read on—here’s the description as it was provided to us:
Career Re-invention for Moms
Do you dream of starting a new career, working from home, launching your own business or going back to school to train in a new field? Does taking a leap of faith and going after it seem too scary? If so, this class is for you. We will focus on taking small, manageable steps to build a bridge toward your dream. Topics include bringing your new career into focus, gathering support, and developing practical, effective strategies to move forward.
Location: Waunakee Village Center, 333 S. Madison St.
Dates: Tuesdays, April 20-May 25
Childcare is available.
Time: 10 a.m.-11 a.m.
Room: B
Cost: $57.50 (Waunakee Resident)
$67.50 (Non-resident)
REGISTER ONLINE: You’ll receive immediate confirmation via e-mail. The service is made possible through registration services from Active.com, a web registration company for sports and recreation. There is a non-refundable processing fee which covers Active.com’s processing costs. This is the only fee associated with the service.
By Telephone: Call 850-5992.
By Fax: 850-5994 – Credit card payment information must accompany fax registration or it will not be processed.
In Person: At the Village Center, 333 S. Madison Street, Monday – Friday, 5:30am– 9pm, Saturday 7am - 5pm or Sunday 12:00pm - 5:00pm
Instructor’s Bio:
Laura Lane is a freelance writer, who covers parenting and psychology topics. She has a special interest in career development for moms and enjoys writing profiles of successful entrepreneurs. Her two children keep her on her toes and provide plenty of real life experiences for her writing and teaching.
I have been hearing about Wildtree for a while now, but, until recently, I haven’t given it a try. Mo Tiedeman, a wonderful MomAppeal reader helped me to learn more about it and try some of the amazing food options they have. Wildtree offers healthy meals for families and has offerings that allow for allergies to be considered. This was exciting for Mama Kate and I for personal reasons. My father has Celiac disease and Mama Kate’s son has a severe nut allergy—quick and easy food that is healthy(no hydrogenated oils, no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives, no additives…) and comes with options that are available to her son and my father? Fantastic!!!
In fact—all of the products are peanut free. Last year, Wildtree decided to go tree nut free as well. Peanut allergies are a very serious thing to those dealing with them, and being a pantry line that is peanut free AND preservative free is the cornerstone of how Wildtree was built. Wildtree oversees the entire production of everything in the line. The idea for a pantry line that was additive free and peanut free was due to necessity.
Company founder, Leslie Montie, had a child with a severe allergy to peanuts, along with other severe food allergies. She also had a daughter with with diabetes, as well as some other afflictions in her family that caused her to really struggle to find easily prepared meals at dinner time. In addition to raising a family, she had the added stress of food allergies that would literally be deathly to her children. So, she did what she had to. She created her own line of pantry staples based on the type of food her kids wanted to be eating but could not. Word about her preservative free line spread through friends and neighbors, and before she knew it, she was selling her blends at local craft fairs until recently, when there was such a demand for these products that the idea of going nationwide through direct sales was born.
And that’s where Wildtree is now. After trying a number of their items…the Wheat Flax Beer Bread and Butter Flavored Grape-seed oil being favorites, I am a fan. Homemade bread with dinner in about 25 minutes…all of which was in the oven–insane?? My family was amazed!! I adore the fact that this line is nut free and does have some gluten free options!
Mamas who are fighting the nut and gluten beasts in their households just got a leg up!
One way for you to try the Wildtree items is by attending Mo’s ” Wildtree Martini’s and Manicures” (MARTINIS!!!!), February 5, from 5-8 at the Horizon Apartment Clubhouse, 360 Prairie Way Boulevard, Verona. Those that mention they saw this post on MadisonMomAppeal will receive the following promotion—make any bundle purchase and you will receive the following 3 full sized bonus items:
Wildtree Whole Wheat Flax Seed Beer Bread—my FAVE
Wildtree Garlic and Herb BlendWildtree
Just Like Mom’s Meatloaf
If you are interested in more information or want to order online –which you can do if parties aren’t your bag! Mo’s contact information and website is below!
My favorite music venue in town, High Noon Saloon , is having it’s 5th Annual kid’s day this Saturday, January 23rd. David Landau will be performing and that is more than exciting for us!
David Landau, who once was a first grade teacher in Verona, has such a way with the kids. He is uber-silly and involves the kids in the songs whenever he can. My daughter acts similarly to how the girls screamed for the Beatles in the 60s. She just loves him! She wants his signature, wants pictures with him, wants to sing with him…he is that magical! His lyrics are infectious too… trust me, Old Ford Truck and Icky Sticky Bubble Gum will be welcome little additions to the songs that get stuck in your head…
If you are looking for some escape from the winter blahs with your family tomorrow, you can rock out at either the noon show or 2:00 show at one of Madison’s most amazing music venues with one of it’s most amazing children’s entertainer!
This Tuesday, December 15th, from 10am-11am, come to Bean Sprouts for our co-hosted Coffee Talk—which includes FREE COFFEE and a chance to chat with one of Madison’s most artistic and talented photographers, Tara Kuhlow.Tara will share tips on how to best photograph your family, how to get great holiday shots and answer any photo taking questions you may have! Check out her website….um..yeah…you’ll want to get some tips from her…wonderful relaxed style!Tara will also take some candid photos of your little ones if you’d like and you can see these shots and purchase them if you’d like to on her website shortly afterwards!Also…there will be a drawing where the first prize winner gets a FREE PHOTO SESSION with Tara (a $200 value)!! Second and third place winners will also get $50 off of a photo session. Getting artistic pictures of your family starts to look pretty accessible!I have to add that we (Bean Sprouts and MomAppeal) have been doing these events for a while now and they are so much fun…totally casual, caffeinated and a great way to get your yourself and your kids out of the house and meeting some great moms! If you haven’t checked one of our Coffee Talks out, come out this Tuesday from 10am-11. There is a wonderful area for kids to play while you get your chat on as well as healthy snacks and drinks!See you there! Mama JenP.S. Please exuse this crazy wraparound style text…I have a new computer and am having some formatting issues
Per the suggestion of a mom friend of mine, I checked out the indie family musician Justin Roberts. So glad I did!! The music is so imaginative and well written. Tons of energy, and catchy tunes! Madison is getting a Justin Roberts concert at The Majestic Theater this Sunday, November 22nd at 3pm. Doors open at 2pm and tickets are $13 or $44 for Family 4-pack!! If you are looking for fun for the whole family, check this guy out! If you can’t make it, pick up some of his music! It is wonderful!!! Photo Courtesy of Todd Rosenberg Photography. Mama Jen
Still wearing that cardigan from 1989, or do your jeans have a comfortable 12 inch zipper? Maybe you’re not in that category, but your wardrobe needs some freshening. Throw out the scrunchies and join us for our own special “What Not to Wear” featuring boutique owner, Patricia Shoppe & personal shopper Bonnie Raimy! Get fresh ideas for your wardrobe and get advice on what may or may not be good on you! There will be complimentary goodie bags filled with gift certificates and samples to help you find your inner hottie. Now, who doesn’t want that??? New fashion ideas? Personal Shopper? Sign me up!
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20th 10-11am Sip free coffee as part of our Coffee Talk series every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Kids are welcome!
Yes, we can tell you how to get, how to get tix to Sesame Street Live! A lucky madisonmomappeal reader can win TWO FREE TICKETS (see below), and all madisonmomappeal readers can use the discount code ERNIE to save $3 off tickets!
If your kids are gaga about Elmo, or Sesame Street in general, you won’t want to miss “1-2-3 Imagine! With Elmo & Friends,” a family-friendly show that hits Madison, Wisconsin, November 13-15, 2009, at the Alliant Energy Center.
The show promises high-energy fun in big-stage musical format. Characters sing and dance—keeping you all entertained—as they adventure on the high seas and in the African rainforest, and even meet an octopus with the blues. There’s a nice message in it all: Kids can be anyone, do anything and go anywhere, just by using the power of their imaginations.
The show is 90 minutes long, and includes audience participation and a 15-minute intermissions (aka potty break!). Performances are:
- Friday Nov. 13 @ 7 pm
- Saturday Nov. 14 @ 10:30 am & 2pm
- Sunday Nov. 15 @ 1 pm & 4:30 pm
Order tickets ($13-$21) by calling 800.745.3000. If you’d like to attend with a group of 10 or more, discounts are available by calling 608.267.3995.
Now, for those FREE tickets: If you’d like a shot at winning a voucher for two free tix to the Madison, WI, show, please submit a comment below, with your name and contact info. We’ll draw a winner at random next Friday, October 30, and announce on madisonmomappeal.com! The voucher will be mailed to the winner.
Even though my kids are not yet school age, as a foodie who’s into eating locally grown organics, and healthy living in general, I’m a little worried about what their hot lunch options will be once they hit grade school. This mama might just be packing lunches for the next 20 years.
The movie—billed as part exposé, part how-to—highlights the grassroots movement by moms Amy Kalafa and Susan Rubin, who wanted more focus on what kids eat in school lunches, and their quest to get healthy, tasty, real food into the cafeterias.
Check out the organization Rubin founded, in her exasperation regarding school food: www.betterschoolfood.org. You also, like me, may want to sign the Slow Food USA petition telling Congress to provide America’s children with real food at school. Click here to add your name: http://slowfoodusa.org/timeforlunch.
helping to build new facilities; and providing health care-related information and education to health care workers and the community.
