Toddler by Jennifer Margulis (A Review and Giveaway!)

There are plenty of books available to new parents, with more advice than you could possibly know what to do with. (Photo source) There are also plenty of books on being a new parent that act like a nice friend who comes along and says, "It's okay, you're normal, I do that too. New babies make us do strange things." 

But once you get past the baby stage, forget it. There are a lot of books on how to potty train, how to get your toddler to stop undressing in public, how to this, how to that. But no books on the toddler stage that exist just to make you feel normal.

Maybe the idea is that either once your kid is a toddler you already have this kid-raising thing figured out, or maybe it's that once you get to the toddler stage, it's too late.... There's no advice for you. But, still, it would be nice to have a friend just come along and tell you you're normal, right? 

Enter, Toddler: Real-Life Stories of Those Fickle, Irrational, Urgent, Tiny People We Love by Jennifer Margulis. This book is a collection of stories from parents either just like us or not so like us who are simply existing with their tiny people. It's a wonderful conglomeration of stories that will make you laugh, cry, and comfort you by letting you know that you're just like everyone else--and so is your toddler.

I seriously could not put this book down, while at the same time I didn't want to finish it because I didn't want it to end! I wish the stories went on and on. Brian would make fun of me that whenever we would (FINALLY!) get our toddler to bed, I would want to read a book about other peoples' toddlers! And yes, maybe that sounds crazy, but it was so comforting to read others' experiences and the stories really helped me put things in perspective. 

Read what others have to say about "Toddler."

For any anyone who has experienced the tribulations and triumphs of toddlerhood, I highly recommend this book. It would make a wonderful shower gift or "birth day" gift for any mother. Get yourself or someone you love a copy, or if you're feeling lucky, enter the giveaway below! A very special thanks to Jennifer Margulis for providing copies of this wonderful book to TWO lucky readers. Best of luck!

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If this books sounds interesting, or you've ready it and already loved it, be sure and check out these other wonderful books by Jennifer Margulis. Click the image to read about them:

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The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby & Child Care (Review and Giveaway)

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

Most people have that one book. That one book that changed their life forever. For me, that book is Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon Morell. This should deservedly be called a chef d'oeuvre. It is a masterpiece, a work of art, an in-depth science, history, and anthropology lesson all rolled into one. It is all those things as well as an excellent cookbook. I have been independently studying nutrition for over six years now as a result of discovering this book.

See it on Amazon.

My one complaint about Morell's book? When I became pregnant there was not a large section on pregnancy and postpartum care. Therefore, you can imagine my excitement when I learned that Morell was writing a second book just on baby and child care. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it.

Yet, The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care was not anything like I had expected. I expected a book similar to Nourishing Traditions but specifically geared to babies. I expected an awesome cookbook that also contained lots of other information. That's not what this book is at all. There are barely even any recipes. This book took me by surprise, but in a very, very good way. 

This book takes you by the hand and helps guide you through parenting choices that exist all the way starting with preconception to adulthood--including covering controversial topics like vaccines, autism, and birth control. This book is steeped in the philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, which whether or not you agree with his philosophy provides fascinating food for thought. This book is incredibly well-researched. It contains an impressive amount of references for every chapter and study cited as well as helpful "further reading" suggestions.

The Nourishing Traditions Book of Baby and Child Care covers a vast array of information and will most likely take any reader a while to digest. I would highly recommend buying it before you are pregnant so you can contemplate more of the information, but reading it and having it on hand for any stage of parenthood will be helpful. I plan on keeping mine handy to reference for at least the next 17 years....

For any parent, or couple looking to get pregnant, that is an excellent book to read together before you conceive or add to your family. In this book Morell spends a good amount of time talking about the importance of the fertility diet for both parents, as well as foods for optimal fetal development and healthy pregnancy for mother and baby.



Morell goes step-by-step through every newborn intervention (including cord clamping eye drops, shots, circumsision, etc.) a parent will encounter in a conventional birth setting and talks about each one in what I found to be a very balanced, rational manner. In the next section of her book, Morell examines the controversial vaccination debate with a clear head and lots of helpful information. She does not pass judgment on a parent's decision, and instead concludes this section by providing helpful tips for those looking to vaccinate on schedule, minimally, or not at all. 

Next, Morrell steps into the world of new motherhood and addresses issues regarding lactation and provides tips and solutions to common problems. She provides support emotionally as well as practically through her recipe for homemade formula. She then examines other issues surrounding new babies including the importance of touch, how to decide what diapers to use, how to deal with rashes, thoughts on sleeping arrangement and SIDS as well as much more. 



This book goes beyond just baby care and addresses issues that arise when raising children of all ages. Morell examines optimal nutrition for kids at different stages of development, talks about the importance of play for brain development, and addresses the controversial issues of child spacing and birth control, as well as providing solutions for dealing with the common illnesses of childhood, addresses the all too common issues of allergies, asthma and eczema and the tragic increase in neurological disorders in children and young adults

And after all of this, the book has recipes. 

As I stated previously, I would highly recommend couples read this book together before getting pregnant. But, it will make a wonderful addition to your home no matter what stage your family is at even if you have toddlers, teens, or adult children. I wish every home had a copy of this book. 

I plan on keeping mine around for a long time... that is, provided I can remember who I have loaned it to... 

You can help support the blog and buy the book on Amazon here. Or, if you are feeling lucky, you can enter the giveaway below. A big thank you to Sally Fallon Morell herself for giving away a copy of her book to one lucky reader. 

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Wanting to learn more about how to nourish your growing family? 

Here are a few more books I highly recommend:

See it on Amazon.

Real Food for Mother and Baby: The Fertility Diet, Eating for Two and Baby's First Foods was written by Nina Planck, well-known author of the revolutionary book, Real Food. Planck wrote Mother and Baby as a response to the lack of helpful information available for mothers looking to raise healthy babies. This book is simple, straight-forward and full of information. Planck's lays out her vast knowledge in an approachable manner with a large dose of down-to-earth humor. (Read my full review of Planck's book here.)

See it on Amazon.

Beautiful Babies: Nutrition for Fertility, Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Baby's First Foods was written by Kristen Michaelis author of the popular blog Food Renegade. Michaelis explains the problems with modern nutrition , but provides simple solutions. This book also contains wonderful recipes and simple shopping guidelines for any experience or financial level. (Read my full review of Michaelis' book here.)

See it on Amazon.

Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon is a veritable tome. This book belongs in every home. The knowledge that Fallon presents is life-changing. This book is incredibly well-researched. Fallon dispels the myth that a low-fat diet is healthy, instead arguing that traditional animal fats and cholesterol are vital nutrients for us, for our children, and for our children's children.

See it on Amazon.

Super Nutrition for Babies: The Right Way to Feed Your Baby for Optimal Health written by Katherine Erlich (M.D.) and Kelly Genzlinger (C.N.C/C.M.T.A) goes a step beyond the aforementioned books and provides a step-by-step approach to nutrition for every stage of a child's development. The authors present their information in a digestible manner without being overwhelming. This is the sort of book a parent will want to keep around to use as a reference throughout babies first two years. (Read my full review of this book here.)

(Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning, if you shop after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!) 

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Hunting for Chanterelles (a Lesson in Motherhood)

Be sure and check out our GIVEAWAY while you're here.

Brian and I had been so excited about him finally having a day off from working on the farm. We had the whole day planned: we would wake up in the morning, just our little family, have a nice big breakfast of hot coffee, sausage, eggs, farm-fresh melon, and buttered toast. Then we would bundle up and head out into the woods to hunt some delicious mushrooms which we would then eat for lunch.  

Well, none of that happened just like that. 

We did wake up together. We did have a nice, though somewhat chaotic breakfast- despite my having to deal with a cranky toddler, an un-caffeinated husband, and a cold, outdoor kitchen meant for warmer weather. After breakfast, we drove a little ways down the road to a trail where a friend had told us we would find chanterelles. 

Our journey into the woods started out fine. Athena seemed to enjoy the fresh air and Brian and I always love going for nature hikes. At first, we didn't see any mushrooms, though we were looking attentively. 

I had been chanterelle-hunting only one other time with a friend who really knew what she was doing. Without her there, I was feeling as if perhaps I didn't have the skills it took to be a mushroom hunter. 

And then I saw it. My first, very own, found-all-by-myself chanterelle. It was hiding amongst the twigs and pine needles. 

My very own gold of the woods. It was very small, but it was mine. 

I am sure anyone who has foraged before can relate to the joy I felt at that moment. It's a wonderful feeling that can't be compared.        

After finding my tiny mushroom, we continued our hunt with some additional success on the mushroom end, but unbeknownst to us Athena had decided she was done for the day. She refused to walk on her own two feet at all and insisted on being carried. And by insist I mean if we tried to put her down she would bring her feet up to her head and hold them there (a pose I call the "clamshell"), rather then let her feet touch the ground which she found so offensive. 

In addition, she enjoyed actually finding the mushrooms just as much as Brian or I, but the concept of having to put them in the basket... that was like highway robbery in her book. 

She had also recently discovered slugs and thought every single little twig on the ground was one. And she seemed to believe these "slugs" wanted to eat her. Yes, our child who has spend half her life playing in dirt on a farm, is afraid of pine needles and twigs. Because she thinks they're slugs...

Our happy little family time quickly turned into a stressful, not-so-fun time of trying to minimize her crankiness, without completely loosing our cool. 

So we decided to leave the woods. We hadn't harvested anywhere near an amount of mushrooms to make anything worthwhile for lunch. But, we realized that our plans needed to change. For her sake, and therefore for ours. Brian hiked her back to the car, and I carried our measly looking basket of mushrooms and tried to take a few deep breaths.

There will always be more mushrooms to hunt next year.

Looking for books on Mushroom Hunting? 

These are two we use and love: All That the Rain Promises and More: A Hip Pocket Guide to Western Mushrooms. Written by David Arora, this book is perfect for taking along with you on your forest hikes. It fits right into a large pocket or small bag and contains helpful and quick referencing information on lots of mushrooms. Mushrooms Demystified, also written by David Arora, is a much larger book that contains TONS of information. Too large to take with you on a hike, it is perfect for keeping at home and using as a reference guide.

(Note: this post contains affiliate links. Meaning if you shop on Amazon after clicking on one, you just might be helping to support my blogging endeavors. Thank you!) 

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