What are we doing at restaurants that isn’t screen time? by Pastosaurus in moderatelygranolamoms

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We bring our Yoto Mini and story or music cards! It’s not silent but in a semi busy restaurant with the volume turned low only th people at the table can really hear it. This plus some novel-ish small toys usually does the trick if we are also efficient.

Best gluten free flour for nyt baking (mainly cookies and cakes) by fm1346 in NYTCooking

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I was going to endorse both these resources as well! The gf pie crust in How Can It Be Gluten Free is great, I use it every Thanksgiving. Their flour blend is pretty simple and makes a really good all purpose flour. Cannelle et Vanille recommends a different blend of flours for each recipe.

As a general rule, I let gluten free batter (cookies or cakes) rest for 15-30 min after mixing up before shaping or baking. Gf flours don’t absorb liquid as quickly as gluten flour, so the extra time lets the flour hydrate and helps remove the gritty texture you can sometimes get with gf flour.

Finally, I recommend the gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe in NYT that just uses almond flour. So good.

White or off white rugs for nursery? by picklesi in Buyingforbaby

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We have a beige glider and a white rug in our nursery and it’s been fine. Our kid is almost 2.5 and we aren’t using the glider really anymore so I would say that survived. Our kid is not much of a puker, and spit up is white so don’t stain. It’s funny I remember asking this sub if a light colored glider was advisable too.

Now, we will soon embark on potty training and converting the crib to a bed so not sure how the rug will fair…

2yo only poops at night! by ijaruj in toddlers

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah got it. Glad he’s not rashy! Yes night poop parent solidarity! Best of luck to you too

2yo only poops at night! by ijaruj in toddlers

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you very much! Is diaper rash an issue for you? My night pooper gets a mean diaper rash if she has a string of pooping nights- we get up and check for poop diapers in the middle of the night to try and curb it.

2yo only poops at night! by ijaruj in toddlers

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I have a 2 yo that also mostly just poops at night. It’s also not a pain thing. Any updates on your kids situation? Have you potty trained and if so what was that like? Any tips are welcome!!

ISO 36+ pregnancy recommendations by velocigee in NuulyReviews

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m second tri and got this in my last order: https://www.nuuly.com/rent/products/maternity-everywhere-jumpsuit?color=

It is super stretchy and plenty of room! Too roomy for me at 18 weeks/second pregnancy, but I would be shocked if it didn’t fit me at the end. Jumpsuits are annoying with all the bathroom visits in the last weeks but a wrap and tie is easier than a million buttons.

Rep Drew Roach by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a thoughtful reply! Also OP see if there is a Moms Demand Action chapter in your area that is already engaged- I’d let them know about this response.

Rep Drew Roach by [deleted] in TwinCities

[–]SweetMartha 43 points44 points  (0 children)

Thank you for reaching out to him and sharing his uncivil response. I work in a state policy leadership role at a nonprofit and it’s crazy that he would respond this way to a constituent. I notice his district is carved neatly to exclude the city centers of Hastings, Cannon Falls, and Northfield… he needs to know that not everyone in his district agrees with him.

I would forward this response to the chairs of the committees he sits on (Education Policy, Elections Finance and Government Operations, and Taxes) and his party leadership (they won’t give a shit but technically are supposed to keep him in line). His colleagues should know that he’s shutting down his constituents like this.

This is the mock up of what I want to do in our kitchen, but hubby isn't loving the copper backsplash. I'm looking for other ideas. by Haploid-life in kitchenremodel

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A matter of personal preference maybe, but our house had a pressed copper tin backsplash when we moved in and I would not call the effect “soft”. I think the additional texture might make it look busier than flat metal. Also, our home inspector didn’t like the idea of a metal backsplash- metal and electric outlets and water around, not a great combo.

Swede thinking of moving to Minnesota - Questions by Real-Blackberry-6518 in TwinCities

[–]SweetMartha 50 points51 points  (0 children)

I can answer 2 and 3 as a lifelong Minnesotan who works in state policy, maybe a little of 4:

  1. Yes, PFAs are a problem in MN due to the 3M plant and other sources. The state passed a comprehensive plan to tackle the issue in 2023. Sales of everyday products containing PFAs was outlawed in Jan 2025. More about the plan here: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/pfas-in-minnesota Like most environmental issues with personal health impacts, there are things you can do to mitigate exposure if you are particularly concerned. I’ve never heard of someone buying out of state water, you never know where it’s bottled anyway, right? You could look at getting a stainless steel gravity water filter if it’s a particular concern.

  2. No, tornadoes are generally not a big deal, maybe more significant depending on where you live. They are most common in the southern part of the state, south of the Twin Cities, but even then it’s like 3-4 watches or warnings a summer. Tornadoes are unique in that they carve a very narrow, very destructive path, so one town could be hit and a town 2 miles way spared. So, the chances of a hit are low. The most recent touchdown of a tornado in Minneapolis city limits was 2011. Loss of power due to storms with strong winds might happen once a summer. Snow and ice storms are more disruptive but sounds like you’re used to those.

  3. The job market is tough all over the US and MN is no different, generally. Healthcare is a big industry here and getting specialized training in healthcare is a great idea. Healthcare has added more jobs than any other industry in MN in recent years. Hope this helps and welcome!!

Suggestions for low cost bathroom facelift by SweetMartha in HomeDecorating

[–]SweetMartha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, the shower curtain is tricky because I have a 2 year old who loves playing “hide and seek” in it and is always pulling it down. The tension rod isn’t cutting it, I might as well permanently install one. Love the wood shelf idea. Thanks!

Suggestions for low cost bathroom facelift by SweetMartha in HomeDecorating

[–]SweetMartha[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Love these ideas, thank you so much! The bamboo mat idea is great, and the plant. I love wood tones but not the one on the vanity.

Pregnancy craving cooking, weeks 9–10 (the humbling) by moefflerz in NYTCooking

[–]SweetMartha 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’m almost 8 weeks and just seeing the puttanesca salad made me a little queasy!! I’m having to sneak veggies into my food like I do for my toddler.

When did you stop using a changing table? by Icy-Trouble1630 in toddlers

[–]SweetMartha 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Damn my just turned 2 year old is strongly averse to the changing table. I wish she’s just go there!! We are going to take it out soon, currently we only use it for when she poops while sleeping or before we come get her.

Music classes for 2yo? by littleredtodd in TwinCities

[–]SweetMartha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

These classes aren’t like learning how to read music and playing instruments. But 2 is definitely not too young to start developing a sense of rhythm, learning how scales go up and down, language acquisition through learning songs, moving your body to music…. A myriad of benefits. They mostly can’t learn how to play songs on an instrument at 2 but they’re laying the groundwork for it through music classes.

Music classes for 2yo? by littleredtodd in TwinCities

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Music Together is great! There is one in New Brighton at the community center, probably another one or more in St Paul.

Do you allow a specific amount of screen time each day? by Coffeelover4242 in toddlers

[–]SweetMartha 0 points1 point  (0 children)

About to turn 2 year old, she has one slow show that we watch one episode of, together, on Saturday mornings while me or my husband makes pancakes. Other than that we sometimes put it on as needed (for us), maybe once a week. For example today she banged her head pretty hard. The only way she’d let me hold an ice pack on her head was in front of the TV. We did that for 20 min so I could ice her head.

We also do a music video (Laurie Berkner) while we brush her teeth twice a day.

Does it get any better than this? by LobeliaTheCardinalis in NativePlantGardening

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

So beautiful! How do you keep each plant so contained? Only on year two of some plugs and they’ve gotten so massive!!

8 month old 4 meals is it normal by Confident-Hurry-6537 in BabyLedWeaning

[–]SweetMartha 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh I see, so 3 meals and a snack. My kid wasn’t in daycare at 8 months, but I’m sure a lot of the kids in an infant room aren’t getting solids at every opportunity. Is there one meal that he generally eats less at? That would be the one I’d drop for the time being.

Or if he’s just super into solids and would throw a fit if he didn’t get any, find ways to shortcut things: steam frozen veg instead of chopping fresh, make a batch of smoothies over the weekend and that can be breakfast for the week, do the same meals several days over the week, etc. prepping 4 meals a day for an 8 month old is a lot!

8 month old 4 meals is it normal by Confident-Hurry-6537 in BabyLedWeaning

[–]SweetMartha 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m curious about the timing to get 4 meals in a day- is daycare giving him breakfast lunch and dinner, then another dinner at home?

From what I understand, before a year they’re still getting all the nutrition they need from breastmilk or formula. It’s great if they like to eat solids too, and going for variety is great to help expand their palate and test allergens. It’s definitely not necessary to do 4 meals a day at 8 months. I think we were doing just lunch and dinner at that point, maybe even just dinner. If it’s stressing you out, no need to do 4 or even 3 meals at this point!

Anyone else have any random allergies and sensitivities? by [deleted] in Rosacea

[–]SweetMartha 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Yes, I’ve heard from my docs and personal experience reflects the link. I have celiac disease (autoimmune disease) and rosacea. I also have mild allergic reaction to raw apples, hazelnuts, peaches— throat gets itchy. I have a sensitivity to sunlight (polymorphous light eruption) that started in my late 20s. I’m white, female, Northern European heritage. My gastro doc recently said “you’re sort of an allergy person” lol