Mother's Day Guide to Dining and Gifts

MOtHeR’S daY Dining & Gift Guide

a blank slate media / litmor publications special section • may 1, 2015

32 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Shop smart for Mother's Day Come spring, shoppers often ask, "What gift should Iget Mom for Mother's Day?" How do people transform the sentiments they have for their mother into gifts that represent love and devotion? Buying a Mother's Day gift is no easy task, especially for those who wait until the last minute to do their shopping.

Beginning early can ease the pressure of Mother's Day shopping.

Research gift options at least a month prior so that you can read reviews on products and services to guarantee quality. You also want to make sure the gift will arrive on time if you will be ordering your gift online. Here are other ways to shop in a smart manner. * Do some sleuthing.

Play detective and take inventory of what Mom likes to do the most. If you ask your mother what she wants, she will likely

brush off the question and tell you nothing. It is up to you to do the investigative work. Pay attention to conversations and see if there is anything she mentions wanting to try or something around the house that may need updating.

Practical gifts are less likely to end up unopened in the basement or attic.

• Check expiration dates. Gift certificates and cards for particular stores or services are popular come Mother's Day. But it is essential to check expiration dates on the certificates or find gifts, as there is a good chance Mom will put off pampering herself and you would not want the gift to expire before she has a chance to use it. In compliance with the law, chain restaurant gift cards don't expire for at least five years from purchase. Those might be your safest bet.

• Verify a business.

Although Mom may love

a cute boutique that just opened, verify the business before buying a gift card from it. An unpredictable economy has made it even harder for new businesses to succeed, and you don't Mom to be stuck with a worthless gift card should the new business not thrive. If she really likes a particular new business, take her on a shopping spree at the store instead.

• Skip the chocolate overload. Flowers and chocolates are traditional Mother's Day gifts. However, calorie-conscious women may not want to be faced with the temptation of a warehouse-sized box of chocolate treats. If Mom truly loves chocolate, treat her to a gourmet piece or two, but don't make that your main gift.

• Avoid "final sale" items. It can be tempting to peruse the deepdiscount rack at Mom's favorite store when retailers cut prices on items in

anticipation of a new season. However, these sales may come with restrictions on returns or exchanges.

Unless you know Mom will like what you pick out, avoid the "final sale" racks in favor of items that can be returned or exchanged.

• Ask for a price match. In an effort to keep a loyal customer base, many stores will price match against competitors' ads. Therefore, if you feel more comfortable at a certain store, print out the advertised price and bring it to your favorite store.

There's a good chance they will give you the item for the same price. This works particularly well for tech gifts that typically go on sale in the days leading up to a holiday or special event.

There are different ways to make shopping for Mother's Day gifts a little easier and guarantee the best experience for Mom as well.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

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34 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

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Famous Quotes for Mother’s Day Mother’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world. Many countries and cultures choose to celebrate Mother’s Day in March, April or May. Though the Mother’s Day many people know today dates back a little more than a century, historians note that ancient Romans kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of the Gods. In addition, Europe has several traditions aimed at honoring mothers that date back quite a while.

One of the traditions associated with the current Mother’s Day is to give Mom a gift. Some people only give their own mothers and wives gifts, while others extend their generosity to sisters with children, mothers-in-law and even grandmothers. Chances are, over the years Mom’s gifts have run the gamut, from a homemade treasure kids made in elementary school to jewelry from hubby to breakfast in bed. For those who want to add a literary tilt to their Mother’s Day gift this year, consider including any of the following motherly quotes when preparing a gift Mom won’t soon forget.

• “Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother.” - Lin Yutang, Chinese writer • “I remember my mother’s prayers

and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life.” - Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States of America • “Youth fades; love droops; the leaves of friendship fall; A mother’s secret hope outlives them all.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes, American author • “A man loves his sweetheart the most, his wife the best, but his mother the longest.” - Irish proverb • “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does.

That’s his.” - Oscar Wilde, Irish poet • “If I was damned of body and soul, I know whose prayers would make me whole, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine.” - Rudyard Kipling, in his poem “Mother O’ Mine” • “The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness.” - Honore de Balzac, French playwright • “The future destiny of a child is always the work of the mother.” - Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France • “The God to whom little boys say their prayers has a face very like their mothers’.” - James Matthew Barrie, Scottish author

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36 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

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38 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Mother’s Day Minus Mom

Celebrate Mom! Treat Her To Some Sparkle

Mother’s Day is supposed to be a happy occasion wherein individuals honor their mothers and other special women with gifts and tokens of appreciation. But for the men and women who have lost their mothers, this holiday can be everything from bittersweet to painful. Honoring Mom takes on new meaning.

Any holiday can be particularly difficult to enjoy when a loved one passes away.

However, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day -dates on the calendar specific to a special person in one’s life -- can be even more trying, especially if the loss is still fresh.

Individuals who have lost their mothers may experience Mother’s Day in myriad ways. Some may choose to ignore the day, preferring to keep busy and not acknowledge that Mother’s Day is taking place.

Others may pour over memories of their mother, looking at old photos or videos.

Some may make a trip to a cemetery or special place of reflection. Certain people prefer to be alone, while others want to be in the comfort of a group. The way the holiday is spent is entirely up to the person and the way he or she feels the most comfortable.

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In fact, it can be downright challenging to wade through the rows of greeting cards at every store and watch scores of commercials on television reminding one not to forget to pick up something special for one’s mother.

If a person is looking for a way to celebrate Mom after she has passed on, here are a few ideas.

• Remember a good time had with Mom and then capture those happy feelings.

• Donate to a charity or do something special that Mom would have appreciated.

• Plant a tree or plant in her honor in the yard.

• Watch a video or look through pictures of Mom and remember all of the good times had together.

• If you are a mother, relish in the day with the kids and other family. Your Mom would want you to.

• Wear a white carnation to symbolize that you have lost your mother.

• Gather together with siblings or friends who have lost their mothers and spend the day together.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide ADVERTORIAL

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40 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Celebrating more than moms on Mother’s Day Every spring individuals celebrate their mothers on Mother’s Day. It has evolved from a day to honor mothers to one that recognizes all special women.

Therefore, if there is a woman in one’s life who isn’t a biological mother -- but special nonetheless -- Mother’s Day can be a time to tell her how much she is appreciated.

There are many reasons a person may want to honor a woman that is not his or her mother. Perhaps the person’s own mother has passed away or is not prominent in this individual’s life. Maybe there is a grandmother or aunt with whom one is especially close. There may be a teacher

or mentor that has touched the life of a person in a special way.

Although Mother’s Day is built around giving thanks to Mom, it’s certainly acceptable to thank women in addition to dear old Mom. Furthermore, one needn’t wait until a specific day in May to honor a notable woman. This can be done all year long with certain gestures and sentiments.

For those who are celebrating all women on Mother’s Day, here are some ways to set the day apart.

• Create a handmade card with personalized sentiments that reflect the unique relationship with this special

woman. This can mean more than a prepurchased card that may not offer the right words.

• Find out her interests and spend a day doing entirely what she wants to do.

It doesn’t necessarily have to take place on Mother’s Day. A trip to a museum or a day at the park -- whatever it may be -- can be a nice outing.

• Treat her to a special dinner. Ask about favorite foods and create a meal at home. If dining out is a must, choose a day other than Mother’s Day to avoid the crowds and have intimate moments with just the two of you, especially if you are also honoring your own mother on

Mother’s Day. • Find something you both enjoy and then go and do that. Maybe you met up due to a hobby or interest. Remember the first day you met and reminisce by heading to that place for a celebration.

• Have an extended family fiesta.

Host a Mother’s Day party at home and single out all the special women in attendance. Serve cocktails and enjoy the time spent together.

Mother’s Day is a special time of the year to honor not only a person’s mom but also any other notable woman in his or her life. The holiday can be customized any way a person sees fit.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

Remember Mom for Mother’s Day!

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42 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Memorable Mother’s Day breakfast recipes fr e nch toast br e a d p u d d ing Ingredients:

B Y LISA M E SSI N G E R Having trouble deciding whether to give your mom breakfast, brunch, dinner or dessert for Mother’s Day? When you step into the heat of the kitchen to prepare that stunning homemade feast, take the heat off of yourself by presenting Mom with a memorable combination of multiple meals.

Not only will this probably trump anything any ambitious sibling of yours has attempted but also it might possibly even outshine most meals you might have treated Mom to in a restaurant, had you gone that route.

Globetrotting Cooking Channel series star Jeffrey Saad, for instance, lets you in on an Asian-inspired secret

that should have Mom raving right through next year. In his debut cookbook, “Jeffrey Saad’s Global Kitchen,” he creates a super-spiced (sweet and spicy) hoisin-glazed steak served alongside fried eggs with yolks still runny enough to further sauce the meat.

Haley Fox and Lauren Fox, the sisters who helm the famous Alice’s Tea Cup in New York City and wrote a cookbook by the same name, note, breakfast? Dessert?

Who cares about labels when you taste the results?

Their standout French toast bread pudding is perked up with a flavored tea-infused pudding base. Let Mom start her morning with this sweet treat and she’ll undoubtedly be sweet on you all day long.

Reserve Now for Mother’s Day

• 6 eggs • 1 cup heavy cream • 1 cup sugar • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon • 1 loaf brioche (or challah, if needed as substitute), cut into 8 (3/4-inch thick) slices Butter, for the pan Pudding base: • 1/4 cup heavy cream • 1 tablespoon apricot-flavored or brandy-flavored tea leaves • 4 1/2 large egg yolks • 1/2 of 1 large beaten egg • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract To serve (optional): Maple syrup Creme anglaise Fruit coulis Confectioners’ sugar Berries and/or slices of fresh fruit Yields 8 servings.

directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, orange and lemon juices and cinnamon. Whisk the mixture until it is smooth and combine, but do not overbeat it. Place each slice of bread into the mixture, and let it absorb the liquid thoroughly.

Set the soaked bread aside on a plate.

Place a griddle or a large frying pan over medium heat and coat it with butter. When the griddle is hot, cook each slice of bread until it is nicely golden on both sides, keeping the heat at a level that allows the bread to cook through evenly, without burning the egg mixture. As they are cooked, set the slices aside on a plate.

While the bread is cooking, make the pudding base: Bring the heavy cream to a simmer in a small saucepan and then remove it from the heat. Place the tea leaves in a tea strainer and steep them in the cream for 3 minutes (or simply put the loose tea in the cream, steep for 3 minutes and then strain carefully). Discard the tea leaves and reserve the tea-flavored cream.

In a medium bowl, combine the egg yolks, beaten egg and sugar and whisk to combine. Add a little of the egg mixture to the tea-flavored cream and continuing to whisk, gradually add the remaining egg mixture until it’s fully combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Set the pudding base aside.

When all the bread has been cooked on the griddle, cut the slices into 1-by-1-inch squares.

Pour the pudding base evenly into 8 ramekins (see note); they will be about onefourth full. And then lay in the bread squares (the bread may extend above the edge of the ramekins). Place the ramekins on a large baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden and crispy and the liquid is bubbling.

To serve: Drizzle maple syrup, creme anglaise, fruit coulis and/or confectioners’ sugar as well as berries and/or slices of fresh fruit on top.

Note: Ramekins should be 2-inch-deep oven-safe glass or other similarly sized ovensafe glass bowls, such as creme brulee dishes.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

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44 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

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Unique Gift Ideas for Mother’s Day

Whether she’s still hard at work raising children or her kids have grown up and now have children of their own, Mom deserves our best efforts come Mother’s Day. And while traditional gifts like flowers and chocolate might make for thoughtful Mother’s Day gifts, those who want to go the extra mile for Mom this year can consider the following unique gift ideas.

• Concert tickets: Many adults recall the days of their youth when Mom would relax while listening to some of her favorite music on a lazy summer afternoon. Why not take a stroll down Memory Lane and take Mom to see one of her favorite acts in concert?

Even if you have outgrown Mom’s musical tastes, she will still appreciate the chance to spend an evening out on the town with her kids and some good music.

• Theater tickets: If Mom is a fan of live theater then nothing will elicit

a bigger smile than tickets to a Broadway show she has had her eyes on.

• Parts unknown: Moms who love to travel and experience other cultures would certainly appreciate a trip abroad or a domestic getaway to a region of the country they have yet to explore. Before booking any such trips, speak to your Mom and ask if there’s anywhere in particular she’d like to go.

Such trips can be expensive, so adults might want to speak to their siblings and finance such an excursion together.

• Spa treatment: If Mom is still as active as ever, then a day of pampering at a nearby spa is sure to please.

Many luxury spas offer packages, especially around Mother’s Day, that make a full-on spa treatment a more affordable gift. Men and women can even accompany Mom on her trip and reap the rewards of being such a thoughtful son or daughter.

News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

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46 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Potluck’s Back — Let’s Eat! Call it a sign of the times or just plain good luck for those of us yearning to swap fast food fare for some tasty home cooking. Potluck gatherings are back and one of this year’s hottest trends in entertaining.

Why not treat the special women in your life to a Mother’s Day potuck dinner?

Although these communal “luck of the pot” meals (where everyone brings their favorite dish) hearken back to the late 19th century, they found their footing in the mid-1950’s when it seemed like every mom in the neighborhood was filling casserole dishes for church socials and family get-togethers.

“There are three primary reasons driving the return of potluck -- our schedules, the economy and childhood memories,” says Chef Jeff Gillis, www.CelebratingHome.com. “We live such fast-paced lives that divvying up the cooking makes home entertaining more realistic than putting all of the burden on the hostess. Making one dish instead of several also helps stretch the budget -- something we’re all looking to do these days. And, let’s face it -- after years of dashing through the drive-thru, wouldn’t you like to sit down to some home-cooked food, even if it’s only once a week?”

Got potluck fever but not a clue what to do? Here are four tips that’ll make your next gathering both tasty and stylish, plus,

a family-fave recipe that’ll put your home on the map as potluck heaven.

Organize Participants Divide the meal by categories so guests will have a balance of appetizers, entrees, sides and desserts from which to choose.

Cooks needn’t commit to a specific recipe but it’s helpful to know up-front that a well-rounded meal is in the making.

Agree on Advance Prep All dishes should be cooked prior to arrival so only a quick re-heating is required.

Everything should also hit your doorstep ready for presentation to avoid last minute searches for serving bowls and platters.

Choose Easy-Fix, Crowd-Pleasing Recipes To appeal to guests varying tastes, save the exotic for later and dust off mom’s (or grandma’s) cookbook. Traditional potluck dishes like casseroles, chili, soup, bread, and cakes are always popular and easy to make.

Dress Up the Table Remember the special tablecloth mom used for Sunday dinner? Create some memories for your own family with a pretty fabric tablecloth, cloth napkins (pretty and eco-friendly!) and some candles. A few minutes is all it takes to create a festive look that’ll make guests feel honored to have gathered around your table.

Why not try this delicious recipe:

Bean Pot Beef Stew This twist on an American favorite yields a hearty, flavorful entree that takes less prep time because it slow cooks in the oven in a bean pot.

Ingredients: 1 lb. round steak, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped fine 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes 6 cups beef broth (or stock) 11/2 teaspoons dried thyme 3 bay leaves 2 cups potatoes, cubed 1 cup celery, diced 1 cup carrots, diced Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Rub steak with olive oil and coat with salt and pepper.

Let steak sit at room temperature in bean pot while preparing all other vegetables. Chop and dice everything, then add to bean pot. Add beef broth (or stock), thyme, bay leaves, diced tomatoes and salt and pepper. Cover and bake in 375 F oven for 3 to 4 hours until meat is tender. *Recipe courtesy of www.CelebratingHome.com

A slow cooker (like Celebrating Home's Venetian Home Spice Bean Pot shown here) is potluck perfect. It's sized to feed a crowd and to go from kitchen to table without missing a stylish beat. Photo courtesy of www.CelebratingHome.com

RESERVE NOW FOR MOTHER’S DAY! Lobster Tail Dinner

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Choice of: Ceasar Salad or Mixed Green Salad Twin Lobster Tails (served with drawn butter) Served with Pasta Marinara, Garlic & Oil or Potato & Vegetable Coffee or Tea Tiramisu & Biscotti

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Tuesday: Meat Lasagna - $14..95 Wednesday: Spaghetti & Meatballs - $14.95 Thursday: Eggplant Parmigiana - $15.95

SERVING FROM OUR REGULAR MENU ON MOTHER’S DAY… Starting at 1 PM RISTORANTE

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

Finding a Birth Parent Mother’s Day can be bittersweet for a person who has been adopted. He or she may be very close with adopted parents but always harbor questions and “what ifs” about birth parents. Searching for a birth parent doesn’t negate the love one feels for adoptive parents. Oftentimes, it just serves to answer questions about heredity and satisfy curiosity.

Between 120,000 and 150,000 children are adopted in the U.S. every year, according to The National Center for State Courts. There are typically more people willing to adopt than available children, which is largely the result of prospective parents’ desire to adopt an infant.

There are no concrete statistics regarding how many adopted children seek out their birth fathers and mothers. However, many are curious about why they were given up for adoption and if there are any family medical issues they should know about.

Depending on the type of adoption that took place, it may be possible for individuals to research and find birth parents.

In an open adoption, personal information between the birth family and the adoptive family is often exchanged.

This means that they can contact each other. Some choose to keep in touch or leave the window of opportunity open for future contact.

In a closed adoption, the adoption process is all confidential. The adoptive family does not know the identity of the parents giving up the baby, nor does the

birth family know much about who will be adopting the child. The birth family often prefers to remain anonymous and may decline to be sought out even if the adopted child is actively seeking him or her.

For those who want to begin the process of finding a birth parent, first it is helpful to know some information.

This can include the names of the birth parents and the state where the adoption took place. If adoptive parents are helpful, they may be able to provide some record of this information, which can be taken to a social worker. Investigations can also be done online. Some adoptive agencies offer information for a fee.

It’s important for the adoptee to remember that a birth parent’s reaction is a definite unknown. He or she may have given the child away because of inability to care for a baby. In other circumstances, a child simply may not have been wanted. Once the birth parent is contacted, it could be a happy reunion or a disappointing experience, expecially if he or she doesn’t want to meet.

There are many reasons adopted children search for birth parents. Some need medical information that can be helpful or potentially life-saving. Others want to know about their heritage or ethnicity. Still others simply want to know what a parent was like or what he or she looks like. Before the research process begins, adoptees need to hope for the best but expect the worst. Plus, they shouldn’t alienate their adoptive parents in the process.

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glennbradford.com 279 Main Street, Port Washington, NY~516-767-1600 Many adopted children eventually desire finding their birth parents.

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47

48 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

Give the gift of green for Mother’s Day

Mom may appreciate chocolate or flowers. But for children who want to offer her something a little more special -- especially for their eco-conscious moms -- there are a number of different gift options to make Mom's big day as eco-friendly as it is enjoyable.

An eco-friendly gift for Mom is a gift that keeps on giving. When you jot down your gift idea list, think about adding these "green" gifts.

• Make a basket of gardening gear.

Garden plants and supplies are perhaps the greenest gifts to give Mom. Plants are so plentiful and varied that there are bound to be ideal flowers or greenery for every mother's tastes. Compile different gardening essentials, such as seeds or seedlings, organic soil mix, mulch, all-natural compost, and a few different planting containers. You can also include gardening gloves and ergonomic tools made of recycled materials. Finish the gift with the inclusion of a book that describes different garden designs and gives tips for beginners.

• Dine at a local restaurant. Many families take Mom out for a meal on her special day. To make the experience ecofriendly, select among restaurants that

MAKE YOUR MOM FEEL BETTER THIS MOTHER’S DAY

“The Treatment You Need, the Care You Deserve”

are close to home in the area. Explore the possibilities of restaurants that may serve foods made with local, organic ingredients. If you cannot find such a restaurant, do not worry, just choose a local establishment to conserve fuel.

• Pay for a car tune-up. Improving the gas mileage on Mom's car is one gift that can be environmentally friendly. According to the United States Department of Energy, keeping a car in shape can help save money and improve fuel economy.

Fixing a serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor, can improve Mom's gas mileage by as much as 40 percent. Also, be sure to have her car tires properly inflated. She can be losing gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 psi drop in all four tires. Getting an oil change with the recommended grade of motor oil is another gas mileage improvement measure.

• Purchase eco-friendly kitchen items.

It may be a major faux pas to give Mom an appliance or a new vacuum for Mother's Day. However, if your mother is an avid cook or baker, she may appreciate some new mixing bowls or utensils made from recycled materials. If Mom is the consum-

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mate entertainer, get her new glass tumblers and sipping straws made from recycled glass. They are perfect for serving cocktails and outdoor entertaining.

• Pamper mom with organic products.

What mom doesn't enjoy a little pampering from time to time? You can treat your mother to a spa experience at home by assembling a basket full of organic shampoo, conditioner, massage oils, bath salts, and any other organic spa items you can find.

• Select organic fruits and flowers.

Companies like www.organicbouquet. com can assemble a bouquet made from responsibly grown flowers or even a wreath for a wall or door. They also have food gifts, from organic fruits to nuts.

• Spend the day outdoors. Most moms cherish any gift from their children, whether lavish or simple. A nice, eco-friendly gift is to spend time together.

Research local parks or hiking trails and plan a day where you both commune with nature. Or even head to the seaside for a relaxing day. Explore the landscape and be on the lookout for birds and washed up treasure from the sea. Plan to finish the day with a homemade, picnic lunch.

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News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015 • Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide

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49

50 Mother’s Day Dining & Gift Guide • News Times Newspapers, Friday, May 1, 2015

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