Behind the Scenes

Hi Mamas! I wanted to let you know about a new feature on our blog. Each month I will be posting about 2 or 3 different San Diego Mamas who are not only great mothers, but business owners, blog writers and trend setters. Learn about what they do, why they do it, and what they love about San Diego (with a few insider tips thrown in).

Do you know someone who should be featured - or do you want to be featured yourself? Send me an email!

Check back next week for our first mama interview!

San Diego Favorite: Pat & Oscar's House Dressing

It's no secret that Pat & Oscar's is a favorite among San Diego families...good food, lots of it, and not a lot of money. The perfect combination for any family!

Well, did you know you can have a bit of Pat & Oscar's every night? Now you can find Pat & Oscar's House Dressing at Costco! A little lemony, a little garlicky, a little vinegary...and just the right amounts of each.

I like to pour a little on cucumbers for a dinner appetizer, or mix it with salad greens and grilled chicken and stuff everything into a tortilla for a yummy light dinner, or just dip veggies in it.

This might be just what you needed to get your kids to eat their vegetables...

Calendar Pick of the Week

Help keep America's Finest City in tip-top shape during the 23rd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day. San Diego Coastkeepr and I Love A Clean San Diego are partnering with the California Coastal Commission for this annual event.

Who:Calling all San Diego Mamas and their families, friend and neighbors.

What:Register for the biggest volunteer event in San Diego County and play a role in keeping our ocean, coastlines and waterways clean and free of debris Help restore our beaches and waterways, and learn how individual action can make a tremendous difference to our natural resources.

When: Saturday, September 15th

Where: Register online at http://www.cleanupday.org. Choose a cleanup site near you and become an "environmental steward in your community."

Why: Because were Mamas and we want a clean San Diego for our kids.

Celebrate Grandparents Day!

Sunday, September 9 is National Grandparent's Day. According to the official website, http://www.grandparents-day.com, " National Grandparents Day originated with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely elderly in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisom and heritage their grandparents could provide."

Grandparents Day was made official by Jimmy Carter in 1978, and it was proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated annually on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

I personally never celebrated Grandparents day growing up, but now that I have a baby, and my own parents are grandparents, it seems fitting to celebrate the important role they are in her life.

Here are just a few simple ideas to celebrate:

• Visit them, of course! Let them play and enjoy their grandchildren.
• Have your children color them a picture, or write them a letter if they are able.
• Video your grandparents talking about their lives.
• Send new photos of their grandchildren to them.
• Visit the Escondido Children's Museum where Grandparents get half off admission this week.

Or, help grandparents everywhere by participating in the Walk of Ages - ElderHelp Annual Walk, at the NTC Promenade in Point Loma.

Who: Everyone - bring your grandparents for a great day of fun and exercise!

What: The ElderHelp Annual Walk of Ages
The 1 & 3 mile courses weave through the charm of Liberty Station on Point Loma’s historic Naval Training Center. Games and exhibits for the whole family will round out the fun to provide children and adults alike an opportunity to engage in activities designed to entertain and enlighten.

When: Saturday, September 8, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM, NTC Promenade

Where: NTC Promenade, Point Loma

Why: Proceeds from Walk of Ages benefit ElderHelp of San Diego whose purpose is to provide the elderly with the assistance they need to remain in their own homes and neighborhoods.

Visit ElderHelp of San Diego to register, and for more information!

San Diego Favorites - Henry's Farmers Market Granola

I shop at Henry's every week, without fail. I buy all the good produce Henry's is known for, and the breads, and the yummy Italian soda, and the great kettle cooked chips. But, there is one reason I go back to Henry's every week...the bulk granola!

You can buy as much as you would like, it's always fresh, and with at least 10 different flavors, there is something for everyone in your family.


My favorites include the french vanilla granola, the low-fat strawberry raspberry granola and the honey almond granola. There are many flavors I haven't tried yet, and they are always introducing new flavors, like the new ginger snap flavor.

I eat my granola everyday for breakfast with some of Henry's low-fat vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit. And I often finish my day with a bowl of vanilla ice cream and granola.

That's the beauty of granola - it can brighten both ends of your day!

For a Henry's Farmer's Market near you visit, www.henrysmarkets.com

SanDiegoMama Giveaways!

Where can you go to win 2 children's sleeping bags from Artistic Sensations, a gift certificate to QuoteTheWalls.com, and children's travel gear from Madallie? SanDiegoMama.com of course!

Check out our current SanDiegoMama Giveaways.

Calendar Pick of the Week

Who: San Diego Mamas!
What: Mom's Breakfast Club.
Invite your friends! All our welcome to share in this hour to relax while the kids are taken care of by capable museum staff. www.escondidochildrensmuseum.org
When: Thursday, September, 6, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Where: Escondido Children's Museum
Why: Because sometimes Mamas need a timeout too.