Make your internet searches count! By using Goodsearch as your primary search engine and selecting Mommies Network (Charlotte, NC) as your charity, you will donate a penny to
us for each search you make!
AtlantaAreaMommies is always looking for guest bloggers. CLICK HERE to check out our guidelines.
Welcome to AtlantaAreaMommies!
As part of The Mommies Network, AtlantaAreaMommies.com is a free community for moms in Atlanta and surrounding areas (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Paulding, Cherokee, and Bartow counties), Georgia. We realize that all moms need local support -- and who can't use another friend? AtlantaAreaMommies.com offers a simple way to connect with local moms for friendship, support and fun. Members meet on our private discussion forums to share information on everything from where to get the best haircut to tips on transitioning to a "big kid" bed. Each month, we also offer many face-to-face events for our members, their children and their families.
Register today to access our discussion
forums, events calendar and more! It's free and we'll keep your info secure and private. AtlantaAreaMommies Blog
We chat online in a private forum ? discussing everything from the best photographers to the worst temper tantrums and all that lies between ? and meet up regularly at member-driven events around town. Whether it's a late-night commiseration about a crying baby (there are 4 a.m. posts to prove it) or a Moms' Night Out, AtlantaAreaMommies provides what our members need, when and how they need it.
Click here to go directly to our calendar, and stay up-to-date on all our events scheduled for this week.
Mommy, Look at That Dog! You and your children are enjoying a sunny afternoon at the park when they suddenly say, ?Mommy, look at that dog! Let?s go see him!? This innocent request could turn emotionally and physically harmful for your children if your children don?t know the proper manners for meeting a new dog.
What do you need to know? Bonnie Buchanan, owner of Bon-Clyde Training Center in Sanford, NC and professional dog trainer offers some advice.
?Dogs need to be treated like human strangers,? says Bonnie. Parents should observe the owner and the dog?s body language. Does the dog look relaxed or nervous? Does the owner have control over the dog? Bonnie also notes that ?it?s also important to remember that dogs react differently to adults and to children. Children often make faster and jerkier movements that can make a dog nervous. For a dog that hasn?t been ?kidsocialized?, children can be threatening.?
Here are a few tips to keep your next encounter with a four-legged friend a positive one: - The number one rule: Never stare a dog in the eyes. A dog interprets staring as an attempt to be dominant and this can cause a negative reaction from the dog. - Always ask the owner?s permission before you approach the dog. -Slowly lift the back of your hand for the dog to sniff. - Scratch under the chin first. Never pet the top of the head because this is a sign of dominance. - Keep your voice soft. - If a dog runs up to you, then remain calm, don?t run or scream.
The dog?s owner may not be aware of the dog?s behavior, so watch for these signs and don?t approach a dog if he is doing any of the following: - Staring at you intensely - Tipped forward on the front feet - Ears pressed against the head These are all signs of aggression and it is best to stay away. If you have any doubt about the dog or owner, then avoid them. Dog bites are 100 percent preventable.
What can you do if your child loves dogs, but you don?t want to make one part of your family just yet? Here are a few suggestions: - Training Centers like Bon-Clyde offer a variety of classes and seminars open to the public to observe. - Attend fundraisers or dog festivals - Attend local dog shows
What can you do if your child is scared of dogs? - Find a Therapy Dog volunteer dog. Therapy Dogs are used in nursing homes and hospitals and have undergone special training to be gentle and calm. - Encourage the dog owner?s to tell your child something special about the dog. - Ask if your child and the dog can ?shake hands?.
It is important to remember that dogs will be dogs and even the most well trained dog can have a bad day. Dogs have personalities as unpredictable and complex as humans. It is these personalities that make dogs irresistible to adults and children.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup I've been wanting to post this recipe for a while now. I considered creating a new blog for recipes, but I can't even keep up with this one, so I'll post my few random recipes here instead! I love cooking and baking. If I had to choose one, I'd probably choose to bake, however, because I love cake and cookies! But cooking is enjoyable as well. I usually find a recipe that interests me and then change it as I see fit. Some of my favorite recipe sites are from Food Network, MyRecipes (Southern Living and Cooking Light), and random food blogs around the Web and on Pinterest. I also have a ton of cookbooks. If I remember correctly, my Creamy Tomato Basil Soup recipe is inspired by two or three different recipes from around the Web: Ina Garten's Roasted Tomato Basil Soup, as well as from this blog, originally found on Pinterest! I think there might have been an original Weight Watchers recipe for inspiration, as well! This is a Weight Watchers?friendly recipe, as it is only 1 points-plus for 1 cup! Also, this recipe makes a lot of soup! Go big or go home right? Well, be prepared to freeze some, or just cut the recipe in half if you don't have a lot of soup eaters in your family. With my own spin and twist, here it is! I do plan to enter it in a contest one day. How the heck do I copyright this recipe?!
Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 2-3 medium leeks, chopped (white parts only) 3-4 medium garlic cloves, chopped 2 teaspoons dried thyme Salt and pepper to taste 6-ounce can tomato paste 12-ounce can tomato sauce 4 26-ounce cans whole tomatoes 8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 26-ounce cans diced tomatoes 2 bay leaves Fresh chopped basil (1/2 cup or to taste) 2 12-ounce cans fat-free evaporated milk 1 teaspoon baking soda
Instructions Heat olive oil over medium heat in a VERY LARGE POT: professional chef right here, baby! Add chopped leeks, and saute until soft, about 5?10 minutes. Add chopped garlic, and saute a few more minutes. Add cans of whole tomatoes, thyme, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down, about 10?15 minutes. Add broth, bring to boil, and reduce to simmer, cover, and let cook 15?20 minutes. Remove from heat, and remove bay leaves. With an immersion blender, blend until smooth. If using a food processor or regular blender, let cool completely before pureeing mixture to avoid burns. Add soup back to pot if needed. Add cans of diced tomatoes, and bring to boil. Reduce to simmer, and let cook, uncovered, until soup reduces some?professional chef strikes again?anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours or longer! Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add a teaspoon of baking soda before adding the evaporated milk to avoid curdling. Simmer to heat milk through. Remove from heat. Add as much, or as little, basil as you like. I LOOOVE the taste of basil, so I add A LOT! I have used both fresh, chopped basil, as well as a tube of chopped, fresh basil herb blend by Gourmet Garden. I used half the tube! I've added the tubed basil before adding the milk as well?whatever floats your boat!
Big pot
And that's it! Feel free to garnish with additional thyme or basil. Serve immediately, or refrigerate/freeze until ready to eat! Enjoy!
My yummy soup
Next month, I may try out a new French onion soup recipe! Yum, yum! ? Brianne (bribugg13)Recipe originally posted Jan. 9, 2012, at Brianne's personal blog, Momma Needs Coffee!
We chat online in a private forum ? discussing everything from the best photographers to the worst temper tantrums and all that lies between ? and meet up regularly at member-driven events around town. Whether it's a late-night commiseration about a crying baby (there are 4 a.m. posts to prove it) or a Moms' Night Out, AtlantaAreaMommies provides what our members need, when and how they need it.
Click here to go directly to our calendar, and stay up-to-date on all our events scheduled for this week.
You already know how great AtlantaAreaMommies is. Now it's time to share the news and help us grow! Put on your favorite AAM shirt and join us for a fun-filled day. Volunteer positions are still available; see the calendar for details.
