We have our first holiday giveway winner! L. won the Haba Toy Bambini Caterpillar Dice from her wishlist! We will be drawing again soon so make sure you create a registry or wishlist soon! (Read about our giveaway below.)

-Sheri

The holiday season is here and Franklin Goose is in the giving mood! From now until Christmas we are going to be granting wishes.
We are going to do random drawings giving away an item on someone’s wishlist or registry! That is right, if you create or currently have a wishlist or a baby registry you have the chance to get one of your items as a gift. (If you are one of the winners we would love to have you write to us and tell us why you wanted the item you won so we can post it on our blog!)
It is easy to create a registry or wishlist, start here.
Please make sure to pass this along to your friends and family so they have a chance to win too!

Jenn Villaveces is a WAHM. She makes these adorable organic onesies and tees for children. Recently I interviewed Jenn to learn more about her and her company Boutique Lucky Stars. Here is our interview:

1. How did you get started making clothes? I got started a few about 5 years ago making burp cloths and baby blankets. Then, I got bored and needed something new…so, decided to delve into clothing.  I like change and love a challenge.

2. Why do use organic materials? Well the way I think about it is if it’s available and it’s affordable, then what’s the excuse?  Organic is safer for you and your family and better for the earth.  Everyone wins!

3. How long have you been sewing? I grew up in a large, craft loving family.  Holidays were so much fun and always involved some sort of craft challenge.  There was always a theme and each family unit had to submit their own creation.  Some were beautiful, some outrageous, some had us rolling on the ground with laughter.  Everyone was quite the crafter.  My grandmother also handmade her children’s clothing (all TEN of them!) and my mother made her own clothes growing up in her teen age years and would swap designs with her sisters.  With me, it all started in my twenties when I was pregnant with my first baby.  Bye bye college degree in finance (although it has come in handy)…I guess sewing is in my blood!

4. How do you come up with your designs? My children are my inspiration.  I find fabric that I love and create a design that they love!

5. Is this a full time job for you? Yes, although my first full time job is mommy of two beauties.

6. Have you always wanted to own your own business? My childhood dream was to be dancing on stage in some big city with a major ballet company.  Never did I imagine this would be my calling, however I knew I wanted to do something on my own eventually.  I have found great balance by working out of my home so that I am available for my family whenever they need me, doing something I love!

7. Did you find it difficult to get started running your own business? At times I think if I had a partner it would lessen the load.  Or to have someone to ask – “Hey, what do you think about…?”  But in the end, I am proud that I can say I did it all on my own.

8. What are your goals for the future of your company? This summer I plan on expanding my line to include accessorries and girlie twirl skirts.

I was reading the Tree Hugging Family blog this morning and discovered something  I think is worth sharing.

The Department of Energy has a blog! Yes, they do. It is really helpful, easy to use, and interesting to read. There are ideas for saving energy, like sealing up holes around your electrical outlets. Cool gadgets to ask for for Christmas that are energy friendly, like solar panels and cells for your house. Plus information about clean energy.

There is also a link to this site, from the EPA, for energy star tips. This site has room by room ideas you can use to help save energy in your home.

I can’t help but feel like the government is a little cooler now.

-Sheri

All around me people are talking about traditions for the holiday season. There are so many things that mean a lot to us and give us a feeling of comfort and warmth. For me one of these traditions was my dad reading The Night Before Christmas to us on Christmas eve. Another one is the red and white cookies my mom made that rolled together to form candy canes. Some years when we were in charge of helping they would be a little brown on the edges, but still beautiful and tasty.

There are so many beautiful things we teach our children everyday without even realizing it. Unfortunately there are also some bad habits we pass down as well. According to the obesity statistics we are defnitely handing our children terrible eating traditions/habits.

As we look at our own eating habits and what triggers unhealthy eating it gives rise to the question of what our children are learning. I know it is difficult in a fast paced society to take the time to make dinner or to pack lunches but there are a lot of healthy eating habits/traditions we can start without much effort.

Can you create some different comfort food for your family this winter that is healthier?

For instance, instead of fast food french fries, try sweet potato fries.

To make them peel the organic sweet potatoes, and then cut them into “fries” or wedges. I put mine in a bowl and toss with organic extra-virgin olive oil, rosemary, thyme and kosher salt. You can also use organic garlic and pepper. Stir the fries until they are coated with the oil and herbs. Place on a cookie sheet in the oven, preheated to 425 degrees, and bake. Turn once. They should take about 25 minutes to cook, but each person has a “crispiness” they prefer. The more you turn, and the thinner your slices, the crispier your fries will be.  Remove from the oven when they are cooked to your preference and serve.

(Another variation would be to use a little brown sugar or maple syrup instead, for a sweeter treat.)

This doesn’t take long to do and really encourages your body to start craving different types of food.

This is a great time of year to take a few extra minutes and create some new eating traditions in your family.

Do you have any ideas for healthy comfort food recipes? What are your family eating traditions?

-Sheri