My aunt Sheila recently invited the ladies of our family over for a tamale party.  When she married a Mexican-American man more than 20 years ago, she dove right in to her husband’s culture.  Over the years she has learned quite a few authentic Mexican recipes from her mother-in-law Joan, and we were all so […]

While were on the tiny Mexican island of Isla Mujeres last month I was a big fan of all the fresh local foods. Super creamy avocados, bright orange mangoes, and coconut water poured straight from a sun-warmed coconut – every bite was such a treat.  I am excited for the return of Chicago’s farmers’ markets […]

This article is the first in a new series, “Homemade Mother of the Week.” If you know a woman who is thoughtfully sharing her passion for the planet,  families or the well-being of others, please nominate her for this special recognition.  Send an email with all the details to maureen@homemademothering.com When my son was born […]

We recently took a lovely trip to a small island off the coast of Mexico.  With warm temperatures, sunny skies and soft sandy beaches, I was in heaven. The only issue? I couldn’t really relax. With two little ones it takes a mom about 12 seconds to realize that mom doesn’t get a vacation, and […]

I was recently asked to take a look at Bare by Solo, an “eco-forward” line of single-use plates and cups from the popular Solo brand.   As a Homemade Mother, I just do not buy disposable plates and cups, and I am especially wary of mixing food with plastic.  So, my first instinct upon receiving the […]

My friend Sarah over at PersonalFaves.com welcomed a new baby girl the other day.  She now has a boy and a girl, too, so I know our families will have lots of fun together watching our kids grow up.  Finding friends in this big city can be tough, so I am so grateful to have […]

My baby boy turned one last week.  I am in utter disbelief.  How can my little man already be old enough to clap, jump, say “mama” and “da!”, climb on to everything and hold up one finger to let us all know how old he is?!  I think one of the hardest parts about being […]

Sometimes I feel like the luckiest wife in the world.  Not only is my husband extremely smart, unbelievably driven, completely hilarious and adorably genuine, but he knows how to mix really good drinks.  His cosmopolitans are my absolute favorite, and coming in at a close second are his mojitos. The other night he mixed up […]

If you’ve got some extra time while you wait in line to check-out at the grocery store, flip through this month’s issue of Redbook Magazine.  Some of my tips and tricks for living on a budget are featured on page 138.  Living in a big city, we have to make every dollar count, and so […]

I am always tinkering with homemade ways to clean my home.  I don’t like the expense and chemical overload associated with conventional cleaners, so more often than not I turn to old-fashioned staples like white vinegar and baking soda to get a job done. For a while now I’ve wanted to make a homemade cleaner […]