India is my picky eater.  She just doesn’t do veggies.  This is the only way I can get her to eat anything green. Spinach in the smoothie.  I swear . . . it’s like magic.  They never notice.  It’s also an easy way to get flax seed in.  Because my girl is not about to eat a fish-oil supplement.  But a sweet, slushie drink?  That she will do. Last year, a couple of our readers at Mama Manifesto asked us to post some smoothie recipes beyond the typical . . .

What I Want You to Know is a series of reader submissions.  It is an attempt to allow people to tell their personal stories, in the hopes of bringing greater compassion to the unique issues each of us face. If you would like to submit a story to this series, click here. Today’s guest post is by an anonymous reader. My name is Sarah. I am 33 and single. I will be 34 in a few months. This was not my plan. My plan was to meet my husband in college, get married at 25, have my first child at . . .

I saw a play recently called In Mother Words, and it was a series of vignettes about motherhood.  One of the short stories was about a mom who had a biological son and a daughter adopted from China, and she expressed her annoyance at how many people, upon meeting her family, eye her children and ask, “So how do they get along?” I found this portion of the play (and this character’s sassy response to those questions) particularly hilarious because I get that question all the time. And . . .

A purchase of Punjammis (sari-inspired pajamas) gives financial empowerment to women who are redeeming their lives from the sex trade in India.  (My daughter and I got to be models for their latest campaign. Fortunately this gig went better than the last time she tried modeling).  This company was founded by friends of mine and I love what they are doing for women in India.  I also love their cozy pajamas and I think you will, too.   A new CD of Lullabies from The . . .

I had a really interesting day today – one of those surreal days where I laugh at the strange perks of this mommy-blogging phenomenon.  I got to go to Fox Studios in LA to meet with several people in their marketing team and Corby from Different Drummer PR.  It was just myself and my friend Carlos Whittaker (who is an amazing blogger and also the dad in that famous single ladies video).  We got to preview some of the new features on the latest Narnia movie Dawn Treader, which I am . . .

The story I’m about to share is gag-worthy.  In fact, if you are pregnant, in the middle of your lunch, or just plain queasy, I’m giving you fair warning. First, a little background.  JAFTA WILL EAT ANYTHING.  He is my little foodie.  He loves sushi.  He doctors his beans and rice with five kinds of spices.  He likes hot sauce on everything.  It’s great having a kid so willing to try new foods, but before you get too jealous of me, let me disclose that I also . . .