Several months ago, I was approached to do a book review for a children’s book called What Does it Mean to be Global? by Rana DiOrio. As an activist for equality, I was thrilled to be part of this book and its special way of illustrating to our children that we are all equal, regardless of where we are from.

Ms. DiOrio has recently published another book for children titled, “What Does it Mean to be Present?” that shows children (and parents!) the difference in their lives when they are “in the moment” instead of mentally preparing for the next event, vegged out in front of a computer/TV/hand-held screen, or doing too many things at once. It teaches them to fully appreciate the world in which they live, and the beauty surrounding them.

As an Internet Mom (there are days when I am more proud of that title than others), I can certainly say that I am not always present. I am always thinking of different projects, housework, finances, scheduling, food and any number of different things that keep me from enjoying special moments with my children, and my time to myself. What Does it Mean to be Present reminds me that even when there are dozens or hundreds of plates spinning in the air, I have the ability to turn off my own brain and just enjoy the place I am in, in that moment. Its an important reminder for adults and its definitely something that children can and should be taught to do, as well. On the HippyMom Forum, we try to encourage all of our members to be more present in their lives, knowing especially how the Internet can affect the space-time continuum, leaving us with little knowledge of where our time went as we Google.

Rana DiOrio was born in Providence, RI and grew up in a colorful Italian-American family. Her curiosity about the world began in kindergarten, while studying Western access to China and, obviously, panda bears! She has written her way through life – as a student, a lawyer, an investment banker, a private equity investor – and now as an author of children’s picture books and owner of Little Pickle Press.

Rana’s inspiration for writing What Does It Mean To Be Present? was noticing that her young children were often focused on the future or the past and her desire to help them to understand the value of being present, which she is still learning herself.

Her interests include reading nonfiction, dreaming, effecting positive change, and, of course, practicing yoga. She lives in Belvedere, California with her husband and their three Little Pickles.

If the book isn’t amazing enough, there is also a Grand Prize Giveaway on the Book Blog Tour, AND HippyMom readers are entitled to two books of their choice plus one free poster of their choice for $29.95 just by using the code, “HIPPYMOM” during checkout from Little Pickle Press! Check it out!

Posted under Articles, review

About an UnValentine’s Day movie!

I had all intentions of going to see Valentine’s Day, you know the one with an all star cast that does the Valentine’s Day thing (duh!). Well, I decided not to be cliché and write an article about an UnValentine’s Day movie.
A little bit of information from moi first. I went out the other day and bought a series of books as my “Valentine’s Day” present because I wasn’t sure if SO remembered Valentine’s Day. I spent $50 on the Percy Jackson series. Yes, I know it’s a kids’ series that kids should be reading. Shut up! You know both Harry Potter and Twilight are both geared towards young kids so there! Anyways, I got them knowing that I would more than likely see the movie. So, that’s my UnValentine’s Day movie. I went and seen Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and I must say that I was I NOT disappointed. Please, do not read forward if you don’t want to hear about the movie.

The Percy Jackson series is centered around, yep, Percy Jackson who is a demi-god. Half human and half god. It’s all about Greek mythology, which I LOVE! Well, so far I’ve reached chapter 7 of the first book, Lightning Thief and I can tell you, obviously enough, that the movie left out a bunch of things even for only reading 7 chapters so far. However, like I said the movie does not disappoint. There’s action, sword fighting, chase scenes, scary scenes (I watched one mother take her what look like 5 year olds and left the theatre),and there’s even love scenes. There really is something for everyone.

The movie starts out at Percy’s high school and introduces the fact that he has dyslexia and that he doesn’t do very well in school because of this and his ADHD. However, he is able to stay under water for 7 minutes without coming up for air. Now, at this point you can definitely tell which Greek god is his father. (Duh! Poseidon, for those who hadn’t guessed that this point) A little history: Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades all sons of Kronus are the main three gods. Zeus in god of the sky, thunder and lightning etc. Poseidon is the god of water and Hades is the god of the underworld and death. For more information go here.

Well, as school comes to a close and Percy goes home we meet his mother and Gabe. Gabe, the stepfather, is a douche and I will refer to him as such for the rest of this article. Douche is a real horrible man who is very disrespectful to his wife, Percy’s mom, and we later find out why she remains with douche for as long as she has. Fast forward to the next day and they are on a field trip to the Metro museum of Art. A teacher turns into a fury and tries to attack him muttering about stealing Zeus’s lightning. In comes Mr. Brunner played by the ever sexy Pierce Brosnan and his best friend Grover who ends up his protector and (ahem satyr) when he decides to take off his pants a few scenes later. Fast forward again and his mother disappears into thin air by a minotaur and Percy destroys the minotaur with its’ own horn. Percy wakes up three days later, and starts talking about this awful dream where his mother has disappears, he defeated a minotaur and his best friend is a goat and kinda chuckles when he looks up to see Grover walking around without his pants, again. He realizes this is not a dream and he is at a summer camp called Half blood. Grover starts showing Percy around where they see Mr. Brunner who has “a horse’s ass” or otherwise known as a centaur. Percy starts training and they have a “capture the flag” event which he ends up kicking his love interest, Annabeth’s, butt. Annabeth, who happens to be the daughter of Athena, goddess of war and wisdom. He then realizes that the water, any water, heals his wounds. Later, he will find out that he can manipulate water as well. As they are all celebrating Hades comes outta their bonfire and tells Percy if he doesn’t give up the lightning he’d kill Percy’s mother for sure. That night he sets out on the quest to find his mother. Annabeth and Grover decides to go with him, much to his dismay. They go to Luke, son of Hermes, for information about getting to and out of the underworld. Luke gives them a map to find three pearls, which will help them get out of the underworld, as well as a couple things for their journey. One, a pair of shoes that help them fly and two a shield.

First stop on their journey, is a a remote place in NJ where they are confronted by Medusa, played by Uma Thurman, who turns people to stone when they look into her eyes. They end up beheading her and taking her head with them “for future use”. They find the first pearl on a bracelet on her wrist. Next stop on their journey is good ol Nashville, Tennessee where the parthenon is. It didn’t take them long to figure out where this pearl was. It’s on the statue of Athena’s crown. Easy peasy, they think. So they wait til closing time, knock out a few of the night crew and on their way. They use the flying shoes and Percy grabs it. Little do they know that the night crew is actually the Hydra and apparently Percy didn’t pay much attention in Mr. Brunner’s class and starts cutting off their heads. As the heads grow back, double time, he loses the pearl but regains it when he starts to manipulate the water from the water fountains and start to drown the Hydra. Then, Grover, at a genius moment unwraps Medusa’s head and points her at the Hydra and turn them to stone. Phew! They got outta that mess. Later on at the hotel they find out that Percy is wanted for the disappearance of his mother because Douche tells reporters and police that Percy took her and he has a history of drugs and alcohol abuse. So they get the heck outta dodge and the final place on their pearl journey is none other than Sin City, Las Vegas.
Did I mention there’s a deadline. Oh, right they have until the Summer Solstice or there will be a war between Poseidon and Zeus. So, of course, they get sidetracked while in Vegas by some lotus flowers which makes for a pretty trippy 3 days for the three kids. I was beginning to wonder why the casino would let three kids gamble.. and I almost went apeshit because I didn’t think this scene really belonged in the movie well until they explained the Lotus flowers being a trap. Then they grab the pearl which of course is on the roulette table and hijacked a car and flew outta the casino, well not literally, but you get the point. So, one last time they look at the map for it to tell them where the entrance to the Underworld is and of course I totally knew before it came on the map! None other there Hollywood!!! Bahawaahahah! Okay, now that that’s outta my system. One more thing I forgot to mention… his dyslexia and adhd is not really problems at all. The adhd allows him to be impulsive and good at fighting people and the dyslexia isn’t really dyslexia at all. He just reads Ancient Greek better than English. Go Figure.

So they head for the Hollywood sign with only a few hours left til midnight. They finally get to Hades’ palace and is greeted by a few hellhounds. Is that even Greek! Bahaha! Anyways, Persephone shows up and calls away the dogs and Grover starts getting his flirt on. Persephone is played by the always fabulous and beautiful Rosario Dawson. She shows them to Hades quarters and expects there to be an exchange. When Percy finally admits that he “doesn’t have” the lightning after he sees that his mom is still alive. He throws his stuff on the ground including the shield that Luke had given him and something starts to light up within the shield. Of course, the lightning was in that damn thing the whole damn time. Well, Hades picks it up while Percy and his mother has this great reunion. He tells Persephone to call the hounds and open the gates and feed the crew to the souls. So Persephone does so and starts kissin’ up to Hades. Hades, obviously thinking with his penis, is caught off guard when Persephone stills the lightning and strikes him. Muttering about only get some time to herself out of the Underworld and all that changing if he becomes the main god after Poseidon and Zeus fights it out and she’ll never be allowed out she hands over the lightning to Percy.

At this point they are ready to go and realize they only have 3 pearls. Damn. So, they argue for a moment about who stays behind and Grover wants to because he has the hots for Persephone. So the rest of the crew gets to the Empire State Building (which is where the entrance to Olympus is) and they greeted by Luke. (Are you caught up, Luke is the Lightning thief) Luke and Percy square off and Percy is getting his butt kicked and finally manipulates some more water and defeats Luke in record time. Then Percy, his mom, and Annabeth set off for Olympus by way of a very fast elevator. So, Percy and Annabeth get to meet their parents and Zeus and get the lightning back to Zeus so there isn’t any war. All is well and Percy’s only request from Zeus is to bring Grover back from the Underworld and he obliges. And they all lived happily ever after… until the next quest!

YAY! Happy ending for a great UnValentine’s day movie!!! Seriously, go out and see this movie on the big screen, it’s definitely worth the bucks. Happy Valentine’s day to all you happy-go-lucky people out there!

Posted under Articles, review

As a mother of two, two and under, convenience is at the top of my list. I need food, play, sleep supplies easy to access and just as easy to put away. The only thing that is better than convenience is if it is convenient and stylish. Gypsy Jewels has a little piece of something that I am pleased to say, fits my needs stylishly.

Their nursing clips are beautiful. The sample I tried out was a lovely dark green and black piece of bead work that I would have been happy to wear as a necklace. As a nursing clip it also made life a little easier in that it fit in my pocket, didn’t need laundered after wrestling my little boobie monster and attached to what ever material was handy when it came time to feed.

Given the length and size/griping power of the clips, I would say that this product would be an excellent gift for a nursing mother to be. My infant is 10 months old, so the length was a tad short for the never ending game of peek-a-boo he loves to play, but was perfect for modesty’s sake. Similarly, the clips are as dainty as the chain, keeping the look very high end, but for an older child who likes to be in charge they held up fairly well to a receiving blanket but let go of a heavier weight blanket.

Given the look and easy portability of Gypsy Jewels’ nursing clips, I’m planning on purchasing a few for baby gifts and whole heartedly recommend that anyone who is in search of a stylish nursing clip do the same. ~ Monica B.

The nursing clips may also be worn as a necklace when not nursing – just clip them like a choker and let the length slide down your back, as shown. You can also use them in your hair!

Gypsy Jewels have also added  “Buddy Blankets” to their shop which compliment the nursing clips. Buddy Blankets can be used as a nursing cover and are also the perfect size for a car seat blanket and for a baby/child to carry around and love up.

Juliea at GypsyJewels has a special offer for the HippyMoms (and our faithful audience!): she will reimburse shipping and handling if you mention this blog in your checkout notes!

Go and heart Gypsy Jewels on Etsy and “fan” them on Facebook! Happy Nursing!

Posted under review

I received a box the other day, from what appeared to be a major online retailer. I remember thinking, “Wow, the Little Pickle Press book is coming from [that place]? How cool for them!”

If you haven’t heard of Little Pickle Press, you aren’t alone. They’re new. Spring of 2009 new. But, I don’t think that should stop you from reading further about the publisher (ripped directly from their “About Us” page):

Little Pickle Press LLC (“LPP”) is a 21st Century publisher of high quality, high impact media for children. Founded in Spring 2009, LPP brings a fresh approach to an industry in need of change.

We cultivate partnerships with our artists a little differently than other publishers by sharing more control, rights, limelight, and royalties with them. We publish and promote our family of authors, illustrators, and their works through a breadth of services, which we believe yields the finest crop of new talent and distinctive products for our formative audience of children.

We also do our printing and distributing a little differently than other publishers. We print on only recycled paper, use soy inks, and ship in green packaging predominately direct to our customers to minimize the harmful impact on the environment. Think of it as growing a cucumber, without pesticides and fertilizers, then selling that cucumber at the local farmer’s market.

Finally, we support children a little differently than other publishers…we not only make it our mission to provide healthy, wholesome, exciting books, e-books, and other media for “little pickles,” we also donate 10% of all book purchases to non profit partners dedicated to helping children in great need.

Our new way of publishing may cost us a bit more, but we know it’s worth it to support our family of artists, to protect our environment, and most importantly, to enrich our “little pickles.”

I opened the box, pulled out some recycled packaging (hooray!) and a children’s book titled What Does It Mean To Be Global? by Rana DiOrio and Illustrated by Chris Hill. The whole “don’t judge a book by its cover” idea definitely does not apply to this book. The artwork on the cover is beautifully reflective of artwork many parents have come to appreciate in children’s books.

Before showing the book to my own kids, I had to test it for “quality assurance,” kind of like I play with test their toys before I let them play. There is no simple way to say how fantastic this book is. Its fantastic in its message, its answer about what “global” means. It shows children of all race, color, religion and gender playing side by side and explains how wonderful it is to have such diversity, and that it is a good thing to be able to not only learn about other cultures, but to have friends who are different than what “we” may be used to. Simply speaking, its a handbook for peace, written for children, and I feel a bit honored to have a copy.

My four-year-old twins loved the book. They’re big into pointing out girls and boys right now, so all of the different children were a big hit for them. My nine-year-old was really impressed with the story, the illustrations, and especially, the animals. He may be slightly older than the demographic, but he liked it, regardless. After we had read it twice, I asked him, “are you global?” and he paused, smiled, and said, “yes!”

That’s all I needed to know

Living in the Washington, D.C., area, I am happy that my children will grow up to experience the different cultures around us, its one of the reasons I want to stay here. This book reflects that spirit, beautifully: a spirit of community and appreciation for our similarities and differences. If that was not enough, ten percent of the purchase price of the book (not just the profit!) will be donated to the Starlight Children’s Foundation.

Go buy this book, donate it to your library, send it to friends and keep a copy for yourself. While you’re at it, go and become a fan of Little Pickle Press on Facebook.

Posted under review

The Joy of Living 
Unlocking the Secret and Science of Happiness
Written by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

This is the newest book I’m reading, the author weaves together the principles of Tibetan Buddhism, neuroscience, and quantum physics in a way that will forever change the way we understand the human experience.

This is a great book and if your into meditation or want to try it for the first time; this tells you so much about how the brain works during meditation.

One chapter discusses how you breathe and the simplest method is counting your inhalations and exhalations. Count the first inhalation and exhalation as (1), buidling until you reach seven. Then start the process over again. Eventually, you can begin to accumulate even higher numbers of inhalations and exhalations. This small process is meditating and you can do this even in public because no one will notice you, they will just see you breathing and appear to be looking at something.

By doing this your placing your attention on the passage of air air through your nostrils or in the sensatin of air filling and eiting your lungs. Using your breath in this way is obviously a physical sensation, except without realizing it your changing your awareness and will be bringing a sense of calm to your brain.          

So, when your feeling stress take a minute or two and focus your brain on your breath. As you begin to build on this form of meditation you can add a mantra to the exercise.

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche is a Tubetan Buddhist masters trained outside of Tibet. If you like to see more of his teachings you can visit his foundations website www.mingyur.org

Posted under review