Super Mama of the Month - October

Super Mama of the Month

Where we feature dope mamas doing big things in their community. 

This month we’re featuring Verónica Sánchez of Los Angeles, California. She is a mom to two young daughters and as a local business owner, she not only strives hard to show her girls that nothing is impossible, but that you can help your community while doing it. 

Verónica owns a local McDonald’s franchise in Downtown L.A. and recently partnered with the Downtown Women’s Center to give a second chance to women in need. Quick fact: An estimated 36% of the homeless population in L.A. is Hispanic, and 31% of that population is also female, often with family or children living with them. There is no easy solution to when it comes to these situations, but Verónica believes that through her franchise, she was given the opportunity to help her community. 

In the last few months, Verónica has hired seven women from the center and plans for this number to continue growing. These women are excelling in their positions and Verónica hopes to inspire other local businesses to help combat homelessness by giving a second chance to those who are committed to working hard and changing their lives. 

Q + A with Verónica Sánchez

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family, and what’s keeping you busy these days. 

I am married, and together with my husband, Charlie and I have two daughters, Isabella, age 4, and Adelina, age 2, in October. Together, my parents, brother, sister, and I run our organization, of 27 McDonald's locations throughout Los Angeles, High Desert, and San Diego. When I am not in the restaurants, I love to spend time with my family. My husband and I love taking our girls to the park or finding fun things to do around Los Angeles. 

How did you start this partnership with the Downtown Women's Center and what is your mission? 

As a McDonald's owner-operator, we are always looking for ways we can help the community. When McDonald's first mentioned the Downtown Women's Center as a possible employment partnership, I jumped at the opportunity. Growing up in Los Angeles and seeing this homelessness crisis every day, I knew I needed to do something to help. This partnership just seemed to be so perfect for so many different reasons, starting with the fact that our McDonald's location is the closest to the center. The Downtown Women's Center does amazing work, and I am just happy to be a part of this partnership. 

What do you see as the future of this partnership? 

I am hoping to continue to hire women from the Downtown Women's Center and help them get a second chance. Our mistakes should not define us, and all of us deserve a second chance. I couldn't be prouder to be a part of this great partnership. I am very grateful that McDonald's allows owner-operators to be a part of programs such as these, not many brands would take the chance. 

What’s one message of encouragement that you’d like to share with women who are currently at a crossroads in their life? 

Just keep going, do not give up, I firmly believe that we are all tested, but we can overcome anything. Women are so powerful; we can do pretty much anything. To take the time to reflect on where you want to be in life. Having a vision is a powerful thing, creating a vision board or writing in a journal where you see yourself can help keep you stay focused. You never know how strong you are until there is no other choice. 

How can other businesses or volunteers get involved?

Contacting the Downtown Women's center would be the best start. The center has a day program where you can feed the women of skid row. They also have programs where they train women and help them re-enter the workforce. You can donate clothes, or your time to help prepare meals. There are so many ways businesses and volunteers can make an impact on these women's lives. 

To volunteer at the Downtown Women’s Center, visit their volunteer page.

Do you know a Super Mama (or mamacita!) who should be nominated as Super Mama of the Month? Email hello@supermamas.com and you could be featured!

My Fall Organization Goals

I can’t believe summer is over guys. It went by super quick! We had so much fun and created so many amazing memories as a family this year, but personally, one of the biggest highlights of my summer was how much organization I got done around the house. I finally got to declutter the girls’ closet, sorted all of their clothes and donated a bunch along with toys and books.  I also finally got around to organizing my laundry closet and made sure all of my Tide Pods were stored high enough so the girls wouldn’t reach them.  

I realized what a difference those small changes have made in my house, not only visually but safety wise for the kids. After watching this Safe Kid Worldwide Video, it clicked in my head that most of the time we don’t realize how many dangerous things they have at their reach of their hands and how fast they can get to them! With that in mind, I decided to create a new organization list for me to accomplish this fall with small goals that I’m hoping will make a big difference in my house, and I wanted to share it with you so that you might get inspired and join me in making our #TidySafeCasa juntas! We can do this Super Mamas! 

My Home Office / Working Space

Living with three kids who take over every space available leaves me with limited space for myself.  My office (actually only my work desk) has become one of the few places where it can be all me. This is where I work from when I’m at home, where I pay my bills, where I organize myself, etc., but this is also the place where all of “mommy’s things “ are and I have seen that the girls can easily grab my stapler, scissors, letter opener, sharpies etc. This will be my top priority to organize in a safer way so the girls won’t be able to get their little hands where they don’t belong! 

My Car

I jumped on the minivan train a while ago and we love it so much we practically can live in it.  However, that means that you will find all sorts of things in there from shoes, super old food (yuck!), tiny toys stuck in between the seats, old crafts and more.  I’ve been thinking of making a permanent space for a mini hand-held vacuum and a portable trashcan inside the car. I also bought some back-seat organizers on our last trip and plan on installing them permanently so they can safely put their toys and crafts in there, that way they won’t leave everything on the floor and potentially end up on their mouth! (I’ve been doing my homework, guys!) 

My Yard

When I first bought our home, I was super excited about just opening our front door and letting the kids run wild and free, but it turns out they still need a lot supervision because they will always find the one thing they are not supposed to touch, eat, or climb.  Things like the leaf blower, water hose, gardening tools or even some of the weeds that grow without us noticing might be dangerous for them.  This is going to probably be a weekend (maybe two) project because I’m sure they are going to also want to play while we clean up.  But I’ll figure out a way to make it work! 

Holiday Decorations

Holiday season is just around the corner and I must confess that every year I end up over buying decorations: one, because I forget what I have, and two, because my husband is the one that stores it all and doesn’t always realize how delicate most of them are. They get damaged or even worse, broken, which is a big No-No when you are opening boxes with over-excited little kiddos who stick their little hands in without hesitation. So this year I am planning to sort them out, separate them by holiday (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas) and take pictures of the items with my mini polaroid so I can tape them outside the plastic containers. I have done that with my shoe boxes and it saves so much time!  

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I am already super excited to complete this list! Every time I check one thing off, it gives me so much satisfaction that all things are finally falling into place within my home.  I know that not all of us get excited with organization, believe me, this is not my jam either, but what I have realized is that when we tackle small chunks at a time, it becomes easier and easier.  I’m excited to see what I can come up for the winter season once I’m done with this list! 

If you want more information on what some risks around your home could be, check out what Safe Kids WorldWide and Tide put together and see if you can spot the risks! 

How to Make Mango Micheladas

Fall may have started, but we’re not ready for summer to be over! We’re holding on to the last bit of summer heat by making delicious mango micheladas with Keitt mangoes from Melissa’s Produce and everyone’s favorite I Love Michelada mix. Here’s a step by step guide on how to make our famous micheladas and keep that warm summer feeling all year round.

Step 1

Rim your ice cold glass with lime and tajin from your I Love Micheladas mix. You can purchase it at your local Northgate or Vallarta Market, or online at ILoveMicheladas.com.

TIP: Don’t have any limes? Use a little michelada mix to rim the glass!

Step 2

Cut up the Keitt mangoes and add them to your ice cold glass. Keitt mangoes have a lemony tang with hints of honey, so it’s a perfect match to our miche mix.

TRICK: If you want to add ice to your michelada, try freezing pieces of mango with water or michelada mix in an ice mold.

Step 3

Add 3oz. of michelada mix to your glass and top off with your favorite mango beer. We love Latitude 33 Mangoveza, but any beer will do the trick.

You can also find a step-by-step video on our IGTV! Follow us on Instagram at @_supermamas. To purchase your own Keitt mangoes, check out Melissas.com.

A Night to Remember: Opening Night at Mama Rabbit

It’s here! Mama Rabbit is officially open at the Park MGM Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. This bar features Las Vegas’ largest collection of mezcal and tequila, all hand-picked by our Super Mama, Bricia Lopez. Mama Rabbit gets its name from Mayahuel, the goddess of agave and fertility, and the mother of 400 rabbits that she nourished with mezcal and tequila.

With a huge double-sided bar, multiple rooms, live entertainment and art by Okuda San Miguel, you’ll never want to leave this bar. Opening night was hosted by Mario Lopez, featured music from G-Squared and Shalvoy, and guest bartender Patricia Estrada. Check out the slideshow above and gallery below with images from opening night, and be sure to visit Mama Rabbit Bar next time you’re in Las Vegas!

To learn more about Mama Rabbit, visit drinkmamarabbitlv.com and follow their Instagram at @drinkmamarabbit.

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Hatch Chiles: Roasting, Recipes and More with Melissa's Produce

Team Super Mamas has a thing for chile 🌶️. This past weekend, Melissa’s Produce invited us to join their event team for a live Hatch Chile Roasting at a local Northgate Market. Hatch green chiles are similar to Anaheim Chile that we know and love, but instead are specific to Hatch Valley in Southern New Mexico, so we jumped on the opportunity to experience this live chile roasting.

We arrived at Northgate Market in Long Beach, California to a large group of people waiting for their hatch chiles to be roasted. We knew it was a big deal, but not like this! Chile lovers had been standing in line since 6AM that morning to purchase their boxes of chiles for the year. Many people purchase in bulk and then freeze a portion to last them to next season.

Lacy and Peter with Melissa’s Produce welcomed us and not only explained the roasting process but also helped us choose our own chiles. Then they walked us through the market and showed us all the great products customers could purchase - anything from fresh chiles to dried and powder hatch chile, plus hatch chile polenta, tortillas, bolillo con queso y rajas de chile hatch (so incredible 🤤), hatch chile muffins and pan de elote. Even the hot bar had items like macaroni & cheese with chiles, chicken & hatch chile tamales and ceviche with hatch chile. The combinations were endless and each Northgate Market has a variety of fresh hatch chile items that are available for purchase.

We also spoke with Fernando, the head buyer of hatch chiles for Melissa’s Produce, who gave us some fun facts about the veggie. He told us one thing to remember about hatch chile season is that it’s over almost as fast as it arrives, and harvesting really depends on weather conditions. A storm or cooler weather could roll in for two to three weeks, like it did this year, and could delay the maturity of the chiles.

• The hotter the weather patterns prior to hatch chile season, the hotter the chiles will be.

• Mild chiles are longer, hotter chiles are a bit shorter and the lumbre, or fire, chiles are the shortest.

• At the end of the season, the chiles get ripe, turn red and get a sweeter flavor. Around Labor Day, the chiles are the most mature, have thicker wall (perfect for chile rellenos) and tend to be spiciest.

• 50% of the crop is to sell fresh chiles and 50% is for processing - salsas, powder, frozen - but it’s definitely not as good as fresh hatch chile!

There are two weeks left of Hatch Chile season and you have a few more opportunities to join Melissa’s Produce for a live roasting! Join the Melissa’s Produce team on Saturday, September 7th at the following locations. The events start at 7AM and run until 2PM or until chiles run out.

Locations

Northgate Market La Habra

1305 W. Whittier Blvd. La Habra, CA 90631

(562) 691-8032

Northgate Market Vista

1150 E. Vista Way Vista, CA 92084

(760) 724-4900

Don’t forget to check out your local Northgate Market for more delicious hatch chile items and if you’ve already purchased your chiles for the season, you can find delicious recipes like Hatch Chile Deviled Eggs, Roasted Hatch Chile Mc n’ Cheese, Hatch Chile Apple Pie and more at Melissas.com.

Major thanks to Melissa’s Produce for the invite!

Celebrating 50 Years on the Moon with McDonalds, NASA & Peanuts

When you were young, there was nothing like going to McDonald’s and getting a Happy Meal. That iconic red box with deliciously salty fries, a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets, and the toy of the month from the coolest new movie or tv show. Now you’re an adult and there’s nothing like seeing your child’s face light up when you hand them that Happy Meal box with the same great food, but also healthier side options like apple slices and yogurt and better drinks like milk, apple juice or water.

Team Super Mamas had the opportunity to share this feeling with our little ones this week when McDonald’s invited us to an exclusive lunch at Ronald McDonald House in Los Angeles, California. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, McDonald’s is partnering with Peanuts and NASA to on a limited run of Happy Meals featuring Snoopy and Woodstock books that celebrate astronauts and space exploration.

Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House were invited to attend the lunch. Paul Propster, story architect for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, gave a live reading of one of the new Snoopy and Woodstock books that are available in Happy Meals now through September 3rd, 2019. The children were invited to ask questions throughout the reading about the constellations featured in the book like the Little Dipper, Hydra and Orion.

Paul also gave a presentation about JPL headquarters in Pasadena, California and about all things space exploration. We learned that JPL is bigger than Disneyland and also talked about the Juno spacecraft that traveled to Jupiter. The space craft was launched to take images of the planet and to gather data about how the planet formed. Did you know it launched in 2011 and took 5 years to reach Jupiter?? Paul also taught us about Marsquakes, which are very similar to earthquakes but look a little different that what we’re used to in California. You can watch a video about marsquakes here.

At the end of the session, all the guests were invited to enjoy their Happy Meals and talk to Paul one-on-one, where he shared cool NASA stickers and mini solar system poster with even more space facts. Many of the children asked for autographs too! It was a sweet ending to a fun lunch.

You can visit McDonalds now through September 3rd to collect your Snoop & Woodstock books, and from September 4 - 16, 2019, Happy Meals will feature Astronaut Snoopy STEM action toys designed to help inspire kids to play with science through fun.

To learn more about Ronald McDonald House Charities, please visit https://www.rmhc.org.

5 Easy Steps To Planning a Party

It happens to all of us. We volunteer to throw a party for our kid’s birthday, sister’s baby shower, or an end of summer party. We have all these great ideas and plan an extravagant party our heads for weeks but then get busy with work, projects, family and you feel like you have so much time and then BAM - all of a sudden, the party is next weekend and EVERYONE has RSVP’ed yes but you have nothing planned. 

Lucky for us, fellow super mama Evelyn Jimenez of Harlow Planning has plenty of experience in event planning. You know all the great photo ops and activations at our Super Mamas Social and Vision Board Posada? Evelyn is the person who makes that happen. She believes in us and brings all of our ideas to life, and believes in you too! Below she lists out all the steps to plan a flawless event in ONE day. 

Super Mamas Social 2019

How to Plan a Party in One Day

Step 1: Intention, guests, and budgets. Is it your mom’s 55th birthday or el bautizo de tu nieto and all the Tias, Tios and cousins are coming? Maybe you’re throwing a cumbia party 😉 for your family & friends or a banquet for your kid’s sports team. Also consider that your budget is a starting point and you should leave a little wiggle room in case of emergencies!

Step 2: Event design. Now it’s time to make it look pretty! Create a visual for your party with a mood board on Pinterest, collages or photos. Use this as inspiration to begin reaching out to vendors regarding food, decor, and more. You can do so much with a great balloon installation (we love @lotuspartyco), flowers and plants. 

It’s also important to walk the layout of the event space - you could even create a rendering of the floor plan to know exactly where everything needs to go. Does the bar look better by the pool? Or maybe you need signage to direct guests to the bathroom. Maybe even invest in a walking measuring tape, like the one Evelyn was gifted. 😂

Step 3: Work with vendors. Creating lasting relationships with your vendors is extremely important. It takes a bit of research to decide which vendors are for you, but you’ll begin to learn when it’s better to rent certain items over buying them or vice versa. 

Gaining this knowledge & developing these relationships helps in the long run, especially if you throw parties often like Evelyn. And with this knowledge, you begin to learn more about what things cost from tables and chairs to buffet spreads or entertainment. Evelyn says, “I don’t believe in overpaying or underpaying. Everyone should earn a fair amount and do good work.”

Step 4: Logistics. With all the details figured out, now you can plan for the day of the event, including timelines and staffing. Decide if you need to hire a clean up crew and make a schedule of vendor arrival times. Communication with everyone who is part of the production is crucial as this is the team who will bring your party to life. Make sure you have clearly communicated exactly what you want so things go as planned.

Step 5: Day of Event. “That’s the day where I work my effing ass off,” says Evelyn. It’s a lot of running around and making sure everything goes as planned with vendors and staff, checking in on guests and the little things in between. 

Congratulations!

You’ve just planned your first party! Evelyn notes that the rewarding feeling of seeing it all come to life and seeing that you achieved this vision, “[is] one of the best parts of my job; that I feel accomplished once all these weddings and parties have happened.” Remember that no matter what happens during the planning stages or the event, the goal is to have a good time. As long as you have good food, good drinks and good music (which you can plan in one day!), you’ve got a great party planned. 

Interested in having Evelyn plan your wedding or next event? Check out her events on Instagram at @harlowplanning.

Paulina's #TidySafeCasa: Home Safety with Tide

It’s been a little over two years since we moved into our new home, and from day one I’ve had a list of small projects that for one reason or another I haven’t been able to accomplish, from our laundry space to the girls’ room (which two of my girls share), to even putting our family pictures up on the wall! I know, that mom life is a real struggle.  

Now that baby Zixta is not a baby anymore but a full-blown toddler I realized that I need to put all my efforts into those small projects because they will make my house a lot safer for her.  There are things that I never considered a priority before and sometimes we don’t think of them as being unsafe, but after booboos and tears I updated my list and wanted to share it with you. 

Kid’s room

Over Packed Drawers and Closets: Sabina, my middle child, has a lot of hand-me-downs from Krista, the oldest, clothes that she is gifted and all the “cute” clothes I buy from time to time.  Before I knew it, the drawers were over packed and she was constantly pushing in the shirts and her little fingers got stuck a few times (ouch!).  I would say the best solution is to go through the clothes at least every 2 months and take out whatever doesn’t fit, are too old or she doesn’t use and, like in my case, store them in the attic for the next child or simply donate them! Sabina even had space left in her drawers and closet after I did this. 

Legos: This one is more for my safety than the girls, I mean, have you ever stepped on a lego before? That pain is very similar to labor in my head so I have a special box with a lid for it, especially because of Zixta who is a toddler and can easily swallow some of those tiny pieces.

Teddy bears and toys: How many of your kids drag those poor plush toys through the floor and dirt and are full of yogurt and juice and I don’t know what else? Yuck! There are so many germs stuck in those toys that can cause our babies to get sick. I put them in the washing machine, throw in a Tide Pod, set it and voila! I also fill up the tub and put some sanitizer and dump the toys there for a while, then let them dry out and that does the trick. 

Laundry Space

Talking about the Tide Pods, I always make sure all laundry products, as well as cleaning products are safely closed and placed out of the reach of the girls. A lot of the packages look bright and fun and can catch the little ones’ attention. 

Hangers: They seem innocent but my baby grabbed a few at once and scratched her face with them. I store or hang mine high up now when I’m not using them.

Bathroom / Vanity Area: Another thing we don’t really think about much is our beauty products, such as cleansers, lotions, and even make up. Yes, a lot of the products we use are organic and natural but we still wouldn’t eat or drink them, right? Babies and toddlers on the other hand will put everything in their mouth, so I decided to store all of those even higher than before.  Even our beloved essential oils, they might not be toxic but if you put a drop of oregano oil in your mouth it will burn!  I have a special bag where I keep mine so the baby doesn’t get to them. 

Kitchen and Living Room: As the girls grow, they become more independent and this means that sometimes they are able to get snacks from the fridge on their own. I’m making sure to regularly check the expiration date on foods as well, kids don’t really read them and this can be a problem if the kids eat something that already went bad.  

When having babies around, it’s also good to check on loose wires because if they are anything like mine they love to chew on them! 

All these are small things that we rarely think about but super important, most of these ideas I got from the Tide “Bingo Board”, it’s a fun way to play along while making our home a #TidySafeCasa!! 

For more information please visit SafeKids.org.

5 Things You Can Do at Home to Practice Bilingualism

Whether you’re a native spanish speaker or trying to learn a new language with your family, it can be hard to practice your newfound vocabulary at home. Some children are lucky to have parents or grandparents who speak Spanish to them daily, or maybe they attend a dual immersion school where they can practice with their teachers and classmates. But what happens after hours, when the children are watching TV in English and parents also feel more natural (and honestly, sometimes easier 🤷🏽‍♀️) conversing in English? 

We recently interviewed Lizet Alvarez, founder of Chiqui Social, an interactive language school and event space in Culver City, California, about the best ways to practice spanish at home with your chiquitos. 

1. Add it to your daily routine. Choose a time of day to practice your new language. Whether you’re having Spanish-only mornings like Bricia’s family, making the car ride to school bilingual, or dedicating story time to bilingual or Spanish-only books, making it part of your routine helps children practice on a regular basis.

2. Watch their favorite shows and movies in Spanish. If you allow screen time in your home, switch the language settings to Spanish. Watch it in real time with your kids and use this time to converse with them about the show in Spanish only. 

3. Pretend you forgot the word in Spanish. Sometimes you speak to the kids in Spanish but they respond in English. Get them to respond correctly by pretending you forgot the next word and asking them for help. For example, maybe dinner time is for Spanish speaking only. “Me pasas una … napkin?” Your little ones can guess what word you’re searching for, but in Spanish only.

4. Build their vocabulary with subscription based services. Lizet loves Rockalingua, a music based Spanish learning program for children and beginners. It uses repetition to help students develop the four basic skills of communication - reading, writing, listening and speaking. She also recommends The Cultured Kid, an online language program with videos, worksheets, flashcards and more that the whole family will enjoy. It also offers other languages besides Spanish, including French, Mandarin, and English.

5. Choose a word of the day. While you go through your morning routine before work and school, choose a Spanish word that everyone must use that day. When everyone returns home, they have to share how they used the word. Sometimes the kids don’t have a chance to use the word during their day, so you can get them to practice it with you in that moment.

BONUS TIP: Lizet has a hack for getting them to practice their Spanish no matter what. When you ask them what happened at school today but they don’t want to share (“Nothing,” is a favorite answer 😒), she says to ask your child who cried at school today. It works almost every time and gets the conversation started!

Remember, it’s easy for children to be easily frustrated when learning something for the first time, but patience and not shaming them when they make mistakes goes a long way. Lizet reminds us, “If you can make the connection and you enjoy the process, that’s what makes you a good teacher [for your kids].”

How do you practice Spanish with your kids? Tell us in the comments below!

Super Mamás Social 19’ - What to Expect

Hi Ladies! We are SUPER excited for you to join us at this year’s #SuperMamasSocial. Our Super Mamás team has been working extremely hard to bring you all the experience of a lifetime and make this year’s better than the last 3 years! Here’s a sneak peak of what to expect and help you plan your day: 

Your Day

Once you arrive, drop off your stroller and hand your “keys” off with Tot Squad for a complimentary detailing service and stroll into the rest of the weekend sparkly clean! Then head right next door to ERGO’s Baby Shop to borrow a brand new carrier for you to enjoy the Social hands-free and shop your favorite carrier to take home

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION! Our entrance will be filled with fabulous photo opps, so dress to impress because you’ll obviously have to do it for the ‘gram!

via GIPHY

Head to Melissa’s Produce Food Court for a delicious lunch for the entire family. What’s on the menu? Shredded Chicken Sandwich, Roasted Vegetable Gyro with a fresh Couscous salad & a mini Chicken Burrito with a Fruit Salad for the Kids. Yum!

Got a sweet tooth? Enjoy either (OR ALL) a churro from Churro Service, Paleta from Gourmeletas, cotton candy from Twisted Cotton Candy, delicious cookies from Sugar Crush Sweets or a complimentary I Love Michelada at our Sweets Row.

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It’s Mother’s Day weekend so don’t forget to shop for either yourself or your fellow mamá. Shop your exclusive Jefa earrings with Hija de Tu Madre, your favorite bilingual children’s book with Lil Libros, calming CBD oil with Pureza Wellness, beautiful handmade clothes by Avi + Emi’s Closet and your favorite merch from Mitu’s Barrio Shop with FIERCE by mitu.

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IG posting, IG story’ing and Snapchatting take a lot from your battery- be sure to keep that phone charged at AT&T’s charging truck

Calling all Super Papás! Put your putting skills to use at Suja’s Super Papás mini-golf area and enjoy delicious cold pressed juices, snow cones & snap customizable polaroids

McDonald’s Flower Mart is now open! Create beautiful flower arrangements, color Mother’s Day cards and enjoy delicious crisp apples & parfaits

Schedule your appointment to get your har braided by On Location Glow, nails done with Cha Cha Covers x Orly and a lip treatment by Besos at our Self-Care Teepees.

There is no such thing as too many pics, especially at FIERCE by mitú’s 1982 VW photo bus. Snap away, ladies!

Head to the Macy’s x Clarins GLOW ZONE for a customized skin care regimen for glowing skin, make-up touch ups, spritz of ANGEL Croisiere fragrance and steps to a perfect matte lip with Macy’s Beauty Advisors

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Hop into the Lil Libros la vecindad’s photo opp and color your hearts out at Delta’s interactive coloring wall

We’re also introducing our Super Mamá Playground, an 1100 square ft. soft play area for all the little tots in our lives! Plus, McCafe will be serving up delicious hot coffee for all you mamás as you mingle with all your new amigas

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With so many great activities, make sure to be present in the moment. This day is for YOU! Enjoy this as much as you can! Have a question? Visit our FAQ page here.

What is a mentally strong parent?

“Raising mentally strong kids who are equipped to take on real-world challenges requires parents to give up the unhealthy — yet popular — parenting practices that are robbing kids of mental strength.” - Amy Morin, Forbes

With so many parenting tips, advice, opinions, etc., it’s hard to find your groove when it comes to parenthood. What works for you and YOUR familia may not work for someone else’s, and that’s totally OK! However, one thing that is very important across the spectrum is raising not only a healthy, well-rounded and kind child; we should also focus on raising mentally and emotionally strong children. Some tips from the article we found are very helpful in pinpointing how we, as parents, might fall into habits that are not beneficial to our children. What does a mentally strong parent do?:

• They Don’t Confuse Discipline With Punishment

• They Don’t Prevent Their Child From Making Mistakes

• They Don’t Let Their Child Avoid Responsibility

And other gems!

This Forbes article lists 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do. We don’t usually like Do/Don’t Do articles but this one is pretty powerful. Take a read and let us know what you think!

Official profile of Showtime Networks.

Does Your Child Have Anxiety?

“My Daughter Is Not a Brat- She Has Anxiety” - Colleen Wildenhaus,

Yahoo! Lifestyle

We asked the Super Mamas how they work through anxiety with their kids

Did you know that 40 million American adults, as well as 1 in 8 children, have anxiety? We found these great articles that touch on children with anxiety that we’re sure some of you mamas will relate to. Take a look and let us know what you think about this topic! Read, comment, SHARE!

Question for Bricia - “How do you work with your child when he’s anxious?”

“When he’s anxious, I try to calm myself first and teach him breathing techniques. We’ve even tried a meditation app.”

Question for Paulina - “How do you manage your 3 (THREE!) girls when they get anxious?”

“I’m teaching them to breathe. I tell them ‘slow down and breathe’ as well as using some apps like Calm. It’s hard though. Soothing music helps; warm baths; essential oils.”

How do you mamas calm an anxious or worrisome child?

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Meet the dairy nutritionist and farmer making sure milk is a part of your family

For dairy nutritionist Rosemarie Burgos milk isn’t just a part of her family—it’s a family legacy. As a third-generation dairy farmer and second-generation dairy nutritionist, Rosemarie is the person making sure that dairy cows receive the best nutrition by meticulously testing and evaluating everything cows eat so that they produce the very best milk. It’s a job that requires long hours and lots of travel but it’s her passion, and it takes her all over the US and even overseas. The youngest of 5, Rosemarie was Daddy’s little girl, but she quickly realized that her dad had a busy schedule and in order to spend time with him she’d have to go to work with him. She learned so much from her father that by the time she graduated from high school she was ready to follow in his footsteps. She got her BS in Dairy Science as well as a Master’s and PhD in Animal Science and Nutrition. She’s been running a dairy with her Dad and doing nutrition work ever since.

Rosemarie joined the Leche, amor por lo verdadero campaign, so she could speak frankly about her love for the real things that matter to her: her cows, the farm, her family, and the pride of nourishing families in the community. Because with the amount of science that goes into keeping cows in a state of optimal health, it’s surprising that so much misinformation about milk exists. Rosemarie says that it stems from the opinions of people who don’t have any understanding of what is done on a dairy. As a scientist, as a dairy expert, and as a mother, Rosemarie loves when people ask her questions so she can explain from her firsthand experience what they do in the farm every single day. Here are a few of the myths she thinks should be put to rest:

Myth: “There are antibiotics in milk”

Rosemarie Fact: “The number one myth is that there are antibiotics in milk and that is absolutely false. Every tank that leaves the dairy is tested for antibiotics and it’s a pass-or-fail thing. If there is any sign of antibiotics, the milk gets dumped and the dairyman gets fined. There’s zero tolerance for antibiotics in your milk. It’s not even an option.”

Myth: “Milk is bad for you”

Rosemarie Fact: “Milk provides 9 essential nutrients, 8g of high-quality protein in every 8 oz serving. It’s the top food source for calcium, potassium and vitamin D, critical nutrients for kids’ growth. Milk is a wholesome food and delicious by nature. What else can I say?”

Myth: “Dairy cows are abused”

Rosemarie Fact: “It doesn't make sense that people don’t think we care for our cows. I mean even from a business standpoint it doesn't make sense to have animals you don’t care for because then they wouldn’t be happy or produce milk. We love and care for our animals, we want happy cows*.”

*She calls the cows her “girls” which is so cute.

Myth: “Dairy cows are unhealthy”

Rosemarie Fact: “I think if humans were fed like cows we wouldn’t have an obesity problem. We literally go out and test every feed and seed on the dairy. We know how much fiber, protein, vitamins & minerals they’re getting. A dairy can have anywhere from 3 to 20 diets based on how their cows are grouped, the ages they have, and where they’re at in life. It’s really well managed.”

Since milk is a staple in the all of the Super Mamá kitchens, we think it’s amazing that someone like Rosemarie is out there personally making sure it meets all of the nutrition standards as well as the mom standard of deliciousness. Wondering how to incorporate more milk into your cooking? We’ve got the right mama for the job! Check out Chef Claudette Zepeda’s enfrijoladas recipe at fuertesconleche.com and you can tune into her conversation with Paulina and Bricia on Episode 177. You can also stop by her Restaurant El Jardín if you’re in San Diego!

Delta x Super Mamas Social 19 Flyaway

Pack your bags ladies! One of you is coming to L.A.! We’ve teamed up with our friends at Delta Airlines to give one lucky out-of-state winner the opportunity to come to this years Social… on them!

The Prize

• Two Delta Vouchers ($1,000 value)

• Two night Hotel in Downtown LA

• 1 Super Mama Swag Ticket

• 1 Super Papa Ticket (or) 1 Super Mamas GA ticket

How to Enter

1. Post an IG story sharing what you see when you look in the mirror. A hardworking mama? A true hustler? A kind and caring confident woman? We want to know!

2. Tag us @_supermamas, @delta & @aeromexico & use #contest #EquipoNonstop

3. You may enter up to 5x a day

Moms from Northern CA or other parts of the state that would require a plane ride can enter too!

We can’t wait to hear from you all! & keep in mind, contest is open until April 19th and your account must be public. Full rules below!

Thank you to our wonderful partner Delta. Now let’s get to posting, sisters!

Super Mamas Social x Delta Giveaway 2019 Terms & Conditions

Terms and conditions of entry and competition rules relating to the Super Mamas Social (“SMS”) are organized by The Super Mamas Sisters LLC (“SMS LLC”) By submitting an entry for the Super Mamas Social x Delta Giveaway (“Entry and/or Entries”), each person submitting an Entry (“Entrant”) accepts these Terms & Conditions.

The Super Mamas Social x  Delta Giveaway is March 11, 2019 to April 14, 2019.

1. Submission of Eligible Entries:

   1. Entry must be submitted via the Super Mamas Instagram call to action.   

   2. Any Entries including members of your “immediate family,” may be the only identifiable individuals shown or referenced by name in an entry and all identifiable individuals appearing in an entry must have provided their consent (or the parent/legal guardian of the minors have provided consent) for submission of an Entry and use of such Entry as contemplated in these Terms. In SMS LLCs sole discretion, anyone referenced by name or shown in an entry (or the parent/legal guardian of any minors) may be required to execute and return consent forms / releases confirming the representations, warranties and grants of rights contemplated in the Terms & Conditions.

   3. Entrant must be 21 years or older as of January 30, 2019 and must be residents of the United States.

1. Entry Criteria:

   1. Entry must be (i) original to the entrant; (ii) contain nothing that is obscene, derogatory or defamatory; and (iii) not contain anything that infringes the rights of a third party.

   2. Entrant must agree to share a social post about Delta’s Socio SkyBonus program if selected to participate in the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway.  

   3. Entrants must use @delta @aeromexico and #EquipoNonStop and #Contest.

   4. Entrants must post on ‘public’ viewing settings on Instagram.

1. Judging of the Entries

   1. Entries will be judged by a panel that in the Super Mama's sole discretion has the appropriate qualifications to judge the Entries.

   2. Judges shall consider all Entries on the basis of the criteria explained in Sections 1 and 2.

   3. Judging will take place between April 15, 2019 to April 18, 2019.

1. Entries Results

   1. Winner will be notified via a direct message to their personal Instagram account on or near April 19, 2019.

   2. Winner will be announced via a blog post on SuperMamas.com and on Super Mamas social media channels.

1. Prizes:  

   1. Winning entry will receive a choice of either U.S. Domestic round-trip airfare for two (2) or a $400 Delta flight voucher. Hotel accommodations will be covered by the SMS LLC.

   2. Travel vouchers can be used for travel on a Delta-marketed flight and are redeemed at www.delta.com/viewterms. Vouchers will be issued in an increment of $400 for a total of one (1) voucher. Vouchers are valid one year from the date of issue. Booking is based on flight availability. Winner is responsible for taxes and fees upon booking.

   3. No transfer, assignment, cash redemption or substitution of prize is permitted, except by SMS LLC due to prize availability and then with prize of equal or greater value. Prize Winner is responsible for all taxes on prize, as well as the cost of wireless service and any other costs and expenses associated with acceptance and use of prize not specified as included in the prize.

1. License to use Entries

   1. All submissions become the property of Super Mamas LLC & Delta, and can be used in advertising or otherwise for the sole purpose of promotion and marketing of the Super Mamas Social and the  Socios SkyBonus Program without any compensation to entrants.

   2. Winner agrees to permit SMS LLC and Sponsor to use her or his name, voice, photo, or likeness for reasonable promotional and marketing purposes related to the Super Mamas Social for up to one year after the end of the Super Mamas Social 2019.

1. Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway Sponsor: Delta and Aeromexico

   1. Delta and Aeromexico will not be held liable or responsible for the execution of the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway.

1. General Conditions:

   1. By entering, you agree to indemnify, release, discharge and hold SMS LLC, Delta and Aeromexico, and their respective affiliated and parent companies, and related entities including officers, directors, employees, licensees and assignees of each; advertising and promotion agencies from all claims or damages arising out of your participation in the Super Mamas x Delta Giveaway Entry submission and competition and/or acceptance, ownership or use of any prize.

   2. If for any reason any portion of the competition is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the competition.

   3. SMS LLC and Sponsor reserve the right at their sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the competition, to disqualify any individual who tampers with any entry process, and to award prizes among eligible entries not affected by the problem.

Big City Moms BIGGEST BABY SHOWER EVER!

Paulina's baby shower was lit but

Big City Moms' Biggest Baby Shower Ever

might take the cake!

We have a pair of tickets to give away to The Biggest Baby Shower Ever - Los Angeles at the Skirball Center on March 6th from 5:30pm-9:30pm. Expecting? Just had a baby? The Biggest Baby Shower Ever is the country’s largest and original event series for expecting and new parents. Don’t miss out on testing the latest gear, learning from the experts, meeting other new and soon-to-be parents in your area, and going home with the latest products on the market. Baby gear, experts, shopping, seminars and of course, giveaways and goodies!

How to enter: Upload your funniest (Facebook-friendly!) baby shower photo on our Facebook Super Mamas community page One winner will be chosen at random on March 1st and given a code to redeem a pair of tickets on the Big City Moms website. We will contact you via Facebook direct message.

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Good luck!

Valentine's Day Churros & Milk with LECHE!

Churros for Valentine’s Day? WHY NOT? Change it up this year - go the extra mile and be a Super Mamá! Cookies are great, but churros are better! Not only will you create a lasting memory, you’ll blow away any other Valentine’s Day treat your child receives. Yes, we are so extra! Bricia’s churro masa se aguado (became watery because Paulina gave the masa ojo) but by following this step-by-step guide, you can create this memorable treat at home:

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups of water

• 2 long sticks of cinnamon

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 2 cups all purpose flour

• 2 oz queso fresco

• ¼ cup milk

• 2 eggs

• Vegetable oil, for frying

• ½ cup of sugar and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, for rolling

Step 1

In a large saucepan, bring water and cinnamon sticks to a boil.  After the water comes to a boil, discard cinnamon. Add salt and butter and cook under medium heat until melted.

Remove the saucepan from heat and add flour all at once, stirring vigorously. Continue stirring stirring until the flour is fully incorporated and it becomes a smooth ball.  Allow the mixture to cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes.

Step 2 - secret ingredients!

Add queso fresco and milk, stirring to incorporate.  Add the eggs, one at a time, and stir until the dough is nice and smooth.  The dough must be thick, and not runny - almost a chewy, hard texture.

Step 3

Heat 4 to 5 inches of oil in large Dutch oven or deep-fat fryer until it registers 325 degrees on a deep-fat thermometer.

Step 4

Put some of the dough into a piping bag with a star tip. Holding piping bag a few inches above oil (taking care not to get too close to oil to avoid getting burned), pipe out strips of dough, cutting off 4-inch lengths with a knife or scissors. Cook as many as will fit comfortably at once, turning as they brown, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Drain on paper towels for 30 seconds and then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Enjoy immediately - IF Paulina didn’t give the churros ojo!

For more recipes, visit Fuertesconleche.com

How to talk to your young daughters about "down there" cleanliness

“Our generation needs to break the taboo of complete silence or even shame when it comes to anything related to genitals and cleanliness.” - Rocio Navarro

Wow, that was a heavy intro! In one of our recent episodes, water healer Rocio Navarro discusses her practice of vaginal steaming and touches on vaginal cleanliness. We had such a good conversation and we would like you to think about how you’re talking to your girls about this.

As we already know, Paulina has 3 young girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) - so that’s A LOT of vagina talk. What do you say? “Wash your colita”, “lavate bien la cola”? HOW do we go about this sensitive subject?! During our episode with Rocio, Paulina asked about tips. Rocio mentioned that it is very important to teach our young girls to be comfortable saying the word vagina. The more comfortable you are, the more comfortable your children will be with themselves.

The importance of hygiene is something that needs to be taught to the little ones from a very young age. Apart from washing hands, face, hair etc., kids need to be taught to keep their genital areas clean too. This becomes specifically important for kids between the age group of 6 to 11 years, as their private areas begin to develop and some young girls may begin their menstrual cycles as they reach puberty. Kids become shy as they go through the growing years - we’ve all been there! “Cierra la puerta!” or “tapate la cola, no seas cochina!” were (and still are, unfortunately) sayings heard in many Latino homes around the world. If your child isn’t comfortable talking about genital cleaning, it’s important to start explaining about overall hygiene and not specifically “down there” hygiene. It’ll make the conversation less awkward or uncomfortable for you and your child.

Some tips are:

• Make sure we get the point across that everyone, boys and girls, need to wear clean underwear every day.

• Cotton underwear are the best for both little girls AND adult women. Cotton underwear allows our vaginal area to breathe and is less likely to breed unhealthy bacteria.

• Washing the outside labial area is most important since our vaginas are self-cleaning so we don’t have to go “inside.”

• Washing from front to back is important too, so harmful bacteria from the colita area isn’t spread to the urethra area. If you’ve never had a urinary tract infection, BLESS YOUR STARS! There are many ways you can use your family love language to talk to your girls (and boys) about keeping clean.

How do YOU talk to your children about this touchy subject?

Post C-Section Essentials

With the C-section rate in the U.S. being 1 in 3 women, it’s important for moms to understand that although all births are unique and special, the recovery from a C-section is a little different than recovering from a vaginal birth. Whether you’re scheduling a C-section or preparing yourself in case you need one, we’ve compiled 10 great essentials to help you or a loved one recover in comfort.

1. UpSpring C-Panty C-Section Underwear for Recovery support

   Designed especially for C-section recovery by a medical team and moms who went through the procedure. No uncomfortable binding waistband across your midsection like traditional panties and no hooks, bands or Velcro.

2. Trendyline Women Postpartum Girdle Belly Band

   Effectively tightens and flattens your postpartum belly, provides great back support which is especially helpful after a C-section. Adjustable closure for easy wearing to keep your belly secure.

3. Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm for C-Section Scars and Stretch Marks

   Effective herbal balm for C-section scars, stretch marks, and even minor burns. 100% natural ingredients traditionally used to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Vegan and dermatologist tested.

4. Always Radiant Feminine Pads (or any pads you prefer)

   Just because you didn’t give birth vaginally doesn’t mean you’re not going to bleed after birth. Always feminine pads helps you get the best protection by tailoring your pad to fit your flow and panty size. Always Radiant Overnight Pads absorb 10X their weight and feel light so you hardly notice they are there with 8-hour protection and odor control.

5. Advil (or your choice pain reliever - check with your Dr. first!)

   Number 1 Selling pain reliever, safe and effective tough pain relief. Stops pain at the incision site.

6. Colace Regular Strength Stool Softener (check with your Dr. first!)

   Occasional constipation relief for new moms. It allows for gentle relief from occasional constipation. This is a trick no one talks about!

7. Lansinoh Nursing Pads

   Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, the Stay Dry Lansinoh Nursing Pads have a quilted, honeycomb lining and a unique breathable waterproof layer protection for any post-birth leaks.

8. Kindred Bravely Emmaline Maternity & Nursing Robe

   This pregnancy robe is perfect for resting with your baby and late-night breastfeeding sessions. Its versatile design allows for easy transition during all phases of motherhood: pregnancy, postpartum, and beyond!

9. Ekouaer Women's Nursing Nightgown

   Front double layers wrap with elastic ruched trimmed design for easy and discreet breast feeding. Loose irregular hem design, perfect both during and after pregnancy.

10. Rest!

    This goes without saying but it’s so so important! Rest, ask for help, create your tribe and enjoy your baby!
    

    
    

A financially savvy Latina's Top Money Podcasts

Whether you’re saving for a house, retirement or simply trying to get your finances right, you may feel confused, alone and simply like you don’t know where to start! We’ve all been there and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. This week’s guest, Natalie Torres- Haddad, AKA Financially Savvy Latina, has some great tips for being your own financially savvy woman! She shared with us her top 6 favorite money and finances podcast - besides her own! Listen to episode 179 on your own time and get inspired to invest in your financial future!

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1. Her Money Matters - Money Confidence Coach, Jen Hemphill goes on a money journey each week helping you make your money simple and easy to master. She brings practical and simple money insights and showcases women like you who share their real life stories.

2. Stacking Benjamins - Stacking Benjamins is a magazine-style podcast. While each episode is just over an hour long, rarely will a segment run longer than 10 -15 minutes. Joe Saul-Sehy & his co-host OG discuss finances in a casual, yet factual conversational way that makes learning about finances almost fun!

3. Real Estate Investor Goddesses - In the Real Estate Investor Goddesses Podcast, Monick Halm interviews women who are rocking it in real estate investment and we discuss real estate, pleasure, investing, money mindset, and whatever else comes to mind.

4. Young Smart Money - YSM is a business podcast that allows you to hear from today's top young entrepreneurs on their experiences, their journey, and digging for actionable information for you to apply to your own life and your businesses.

5. Make Money Your Honey - Amanda Abella is a full-time brand ambassador, an online business coach, and a millennial money expert. She’s a young Latina trying to secure her bag, just like you!

6. Renegade Millionaire - From prosperous entrepreneurs to high profile CEOs, the nation’s top trailblazers in business and entertainment are sitting down to share their secrets with Winnie Sun.

Now that you have the tools to get started, what are you waiting for? Subscribe to these podcasts and take notes! 2019 is the year to secure the bag!

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Our Day in San Diego with MILK!

When we think about what really matters in our lives, there’s no surprise that the first thing we think of is our loved ones. As Super Mamás enters another year, we’ve made the conscious decision to step back and smell the roses or in this case, taste the leche. We were so excited when we were asked to take part in a partnership with MILK, because not only is MILK a staple in our homes but the message is something that is very important to us as women, as mothers, and as business owners --- Amor por lo verdadero (love for what’s real). Being your true self takes backbone, and what’s better than milk to build strong bones?! It has been our determination to stay true to our roots and be who we are that has opened doors for us, it has allowed the Super Mamás community to thrive!

This partnership resonated with our Super Mamás tribe as messages from moms flooded our social media when we posted about MILK. We asked our followers what childhood memories they had that involved milk and the responses were both hilarious and heartfelt. From cereal con platano to licuados to rompope for the holidays, Latinos incorporate milk in tons of recipes! Made from scratch or purchased from your favorite corner panaderia, milk is the foundation of so many of our favorite dishes and pastries.

We’ve been trying to take Super Mamás on the road for a while and this trip to San Diego came at just the right time. We were so glad that MILK helped us bring together our families, a special guest we had on the show, and our listeners all at the same time! We loaded up our stuff (yes, Paulina had more than one bag), our sister Liz, our friend Jennifer, and hit the road.

The first thing that we realized when we arrived at El Jardín was the power of our words and the way we speak is what will truly nourish us into reality. Claudette Zepeda Wilkins was a guest on the Super Mamás podcast episode 101 back in 2017. The chef mom hustler extraordinaire, talked to us about her super mamá journey as well as the challenges she faces being a woman in the restaurant business. Who would have guessed that only a year later she would be realizing her dream of opening her own restaurant. It’s been incredible to see the seeds of all her hard work taking root and how she’s created a sisterhood in her kitchen.

El Jardín is a beautiful display of both Mexican culinary art and Claudette’s own homage to the women in our lives that carry and preserve these traditions. We got to see the gorgeous space for ourselves and have a conversation led by Despierta América’s Ana Patricia Gámez that included dairy nutritionist and farm owner Rosemarie Burgos, Claudette and us of course! Then there was the food, which was so delicious. Claudette recreated the classic Mexican comfort food enfrijoladas with her personal twist, making sure that milk was the main ingredient. You’d be surprised to know just how many of our favorite dishes have milk in them!

Since we were already in San Diego we decided to have a last-minute Super Mamás meetup at Holy Matcha. We shared our excitement about MILK with our tribe of mamás which sparked a conversation about how they incorporated milk into their daily lives in their own way. We were able to connect with so many super mamás and it reminded us just how important it is to have spaces and people who nourish our most authentic selves, our verdadera selves-- because that’s what really matters.