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The Stork Bag Recipes: Yummy and Colorful Fruit Pizza

The Stork Bag Recipes: Yummy and Colorful Fruit Pizza

How could you not love this easy, colorful recipe that puts a fun twist on pizza.

Check out this yummy recipe straight from the kitchen of The Stork Bag Founder, Ericka Perry.

What you need:

2 Cans of Pillsbury Grands Homestyle Biscuits (Not sponsored) They fluff really well and taste extra yummy with the cream cheese and fruit.

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese (Softened)

1 tsp. of lemon juice

1 1/2 Tbsp of White {Cane} Sugar

Kiwis Peeled and sliced

1 1/2 Strawberries rinsed, dried and sliced in halves

1 Cup of Blueberries (rinsed and dried)

1 Cup of Raspberries (rinsed and dried)

*or substitute similar fruits to make your own yummy creation!

Directions:

Step 1: Remove biscuits from cans and set aside in a bowl at room temperature.

Step 2: Place softened cream cheese in mixing bowl, add lemon juice and mix on medium until well blended. Set cream cheese and lemon juice mixture aside.

Step 3: Remove biscuits from bowl and place on lightly greased flat surface. Next you’ll want to mold the biscuits together and flatten until the biscuits are in a rounded pizza dough like form. Place your biscuit “pizza dough” on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 13-17 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and cool for 15 minutes.

Step 4:  Spread your cream cheese mixture over the entire cooled biscuit crust.

Step 5: Place all of your fruit on top of the cream cheese and sprinkle with sugar. Place completed Fruit Pizza in the refrigerator to cool for 1 hour.

Step 6: Enjoy!

We hope that you enjoy this yummy treat!

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Review: The Power Of A Positive Mom

The Stork Bag - Review The Power of a Positive Mom

*This article from our archives was written by The Stork Bag founder Ericka Perry.*

Hi mommas, this is an unsponsored, ‘in a nutshell’ review of one of my latest reads, The Power of a Positive Mom by Karol Ladd. I received this book as a gift and I have to say, I love it.

The breakdown of the book is great for busy moms, as it gives you 7 different principles broken down into separate sections. I totally don’t want to give away the wisdom within this book but I will say that the power of mommy’s actions and thoughts directly impact that of the child and families. One part of this book that was my favorite was having an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’. This section of the book speaks about ‘Creating a Thankful Environment’ where the author uses real life examples to illustrate the meaning and importance behind this. Karol also writes about gratitude being contagious and how we shape our children’s attitudes by implementing a consistent attitude of gratitude.

This book also explains the importance of ‘Harmony With Hubby’ and ‘The Power of Strong Relationships’. The breakdown of this section within the book provides ‘Fire Builder’ tips, which help with ideas to keep the flame going in your marriage. Exemplifying strong relationship skills is key to leading by example for your children. When children see the positive impact that having strong relationships can have on life, they are more inclined to want these types of relationships as well. This is incredibly beneficial to the social development of your children.

‘Living Lesson Books’ is also one of my favorite parts of The Power of a Positive Mom; it illustrates how our actions speak louder than words. I think as parents it is important for us to not only tell our children what is right and what is wrong, but to also show them this through our actions. Our children are watching us even when we don’t realize it, and as parents we have the responsibility of shaping another person for this world.

The Power of a Positive Mom is a great read for every mother.

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Made By Mom: 5 Reasons You Should Buy More Products From Mompreneurs!

Made By Mom: 5 Reasons You Should Buy More Products From Mompreneurs!

*This post from our archives was written by The Stork Bag’s founder, Ericka Perry.*

Okay, okay, so I’m a mompreneur which probably clouds my judgement, but hear me out. In a world fueled by innovation and technology it has become easier to start businesses, and with websites like Etsy, and The Stork Bag, it makes turning your passion into profit seamless. I could think of way more than 5 reasons you should buy more mom products but I’ve decided to state my case a bit more concisely with these top five reasons:

Continue reading Made By Mom: 5 Reasons You Should Buy More Products From Mompreneurs!
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Tips For Expecting Mothers With Toddlers

Tips For Expecting Mothers With Toddlers

*This guest blog was contributed by Dee Styles*

I’m scribbling and crossing out as I try to write my article for The Stork Bag – it’s a bit difficult to concentrate now as an expecting mother. And my 2 year old toddler isn’t helping at all, with her constant questioning; “Mommy what is this? Mommy what is that?”

One of the hardest parts of writing these blogs is finding the right topic, which my fellow moms will find fun and insightful. I was just about to grab my hair and start tearing it out, when I thought to myself, “exactly!” I’m going to write about how to get by as an expecting mother with a toddler! My hubby and I are expecting our second baby and we are super excited (well he is more excited than I am since I’m the one going through the discomforts that come with pregnancy!).


It’s been an adventurous journey so far, taking care of my toddler (a super hyper active 2 year old girl), my hubby and myself, plus the little one in me. Trust me, it’s no joke -sometimes I wonder how moms with twins get by!


But it’s not all bad, and below are some tips to make your journey through this phase a little more comfy.

  • First, you need to have a good support system.  Surround yourself with friends and family you can trust and that can cater to your needs or help you out when you really need them – especially on short notice. Maybe having a parent or sibling on standy if you need someone to watch your toddler for a few hours so that you can have a (much needed) break.
  • Second, talk to your toddler about the coming baby, prepare them mentally, and try engage them in DIY activities such as crafts. Fostering independence in your child will benefit both of you
  • Third, when you forget to take care of yourself (as we mothers tend to do every once in a while), remember the little one inside you. For their sake, you need to ensure that you are healthy and fit.

Try to eat a balanced meal each time whenever possible: infuse green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumber, and fruits into your everyday meal plan. If you are a busy mom like me and you run around and driving a lot, it helps to have a water bottle or smoothie, along with a protein bar to take with you on the go.


Carry healthy snacks around like apples, dried fruits, nuts or a healthy sandwich. As the pregnancy progresses, I’ve discovered that I burn more energy quickly while catering to my toddler and the little one inside of me seems to want food more often than usual (especially when I am out!). Rather than get hungry and stop for some unhealthy fast food, I go to my pre-packed healthny snacks. Best of all, I can share these with my toddler if they are long.

Waking up in the morning has become a major chore as I am getting closer to my 3rd trimester and preparing my toddler for daycare every morning is always easier when I plan ahead the night before. I sort out her backpack with a change of clothes, ensure she has her snack and lunch for the next day available the night before, so all I have to do in the morning is warm it up and package it.  I also sort out her clothing for the day the night before. Being a fashion oriented mom, I’m kind of particular about what my kid wears to school.  

p.s. Remember to look after yourself! I can’t stress this enough. If I feel the need to rest I don’t push it. I found out the hard way during my first pregnancy that high blood pressure in pregnancy is not good for you or your baby. Relax, and take the time for some self-care.


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7 FREE and Fun Family Activities

The Stork bag - 7 free and fun famly activities - family at the park

With colder weather, it’s easy for cabin fever to kick in if we stay cooped up in the house too long. With that scary notion in mind, we’ve come up with 7 fun activities to keep your family busy without costing you a dime! Check them out:

Museums: Yep, believe it or not, some museums have free days or times for families to come and visit during the winter months. Although many of them have specific free times, this is still a great outing for the entire family. Pack a lunch and head out to your local museum!

Parks: I know, I know the park is outside but hear me out. In many of the colder states public schools allow the kids to play outside for recess anytime the temperature is above 32 so bundled those babes up and head out to your community park for some good old’ fashion fun. Pair your outdoor fun with some yummy hot cocoa and you’ve got yourself a free fun day!

Gyms: Have a gym membership? Bring the kiddos along for a family work out. Many families don’t think about this but imagine the fun games you could come up with by mixing your workout routine with some dance breaks!

Home Movie Night: Who knew the family room could be converted into a movie theater? Pop up some popcorn, grab some juice boxes and pull out that Halloween candy (I can’t be the only one still holding on to 3-month old candy)! With so many video streaming services and on demand movie access, you’re sure to find a movie that the whole family would love! This actvitiy is fun, free and convenient!

Rec Center/YMCA: This community gem is a gold mine for fun and free family adventure! From a friendly game of basketball to a little swimming time, there is all sort of fun to be had. Plan ahead and check out your local recreation center’s event calendar before you leave to avoid any disappointment.

Sightseeing: Pack everyone in the car and head over to the next town for some sightseeing. Live in or near a large city? Even better, there’s always so much to see in new or big cities. Even venturing to your local downtown area would be a treat; all the antique shops and old diners make for a good history lesson. Don’t forget to pack the snacks!

Your Local Library: This gem has so much free fun hidden away at your local library! From allowing the kiddos to pick out their very own book with their very own library card, to enjoying story time, arts and crafts and even movie time, the list goes on and on! Many local libraries have an event calendar as well with upcoming events they have, which are usually free of charge. The adventures tucked away at the library are endless and a true gem for the entire family.

These are just some of the great activities that you family can have for fun, and free – if you’ve got others, we’d love to hear about them!

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Adventures of Motherhood: Planning (Shared By A Mommy of 3 Under 3!)

The Stork Bag - Adventures Of Motherhood: Planning?!–Shared By A Mommy Of 3 Under 3!

*We hope you enjoy this guest blog from The Stork Bag Archives.*

Planning. Yep, you read it right! This mom of three under three had plans and NOTHING was going to keep me from them. The snow had us house bound for the last three days but I was determined to have the last say. We were breaking free from the house and I had my mind set on a day of outside fun and adventure for me and my kiddos. I was determined to plan a fun day for myself and my young children.

The night before I had done some browsing on the Internet to find a few things we could do the next day. I found an indoor hands museum for kids and right next to it, a new ice cream parlor with all the fixings that had just been built. Plus, on the way home, we would stop off at the Dollar Tree so the kids could pick out a new toy. BINGO! There you have it! My plans were totally awesome and sure to get me “oohs” and “aahhs” from my kiddos. As a matter of fact, these plans would deem me the best mom on the planet. Darn it, I should get a star on boardwalk after all the time I put into scheduling the day. (I know I’m a bit dramatic but bear with me!). I bathed the kids and picked out their clothes the night before and laid them down to bed by 8:30.

“This mama was on a roll and quite honestly, I was proud of myself. Adventure, here we come!”

 

My alarm went off by 8:00AM and I was determined to be out of the house by ten in order for us to arrive at the museum by 11. As I’m scrambling to get the kids dressed so they can eat breakfast, I heard my husband yell, “Hey honey, can you make me a breakfast sandwich really quick? I’m running behind to get out the door for work.” Breakfast Sandwich? Breakfast Sandwich? It wasn’t what I had factored into my morning 2 hour timeline but it would only take about 5 minutes or so to fry an egg and bacon right? So why not! I hurried up and dressed the kids and sat them down for breakfast while I got started on hubby’s sandwich. “Mommy my hair!” my two year old Chloe reminded me. She’s a princess in every sense of the word and has to look her best at all times. “Ok Chloe. Eat your breakfast first and mommy will do your hair,” I reminded her. I managed to get all the kids seated for breakfast as well as make my husbands breakfast.

“I checked the clock – 8:45AM. I’m still doing OK.”

Once I helped get hubby out of the door, I went to the back and grabbed the brush and comb to get started on Chloe’s hair. When I called for her to come here, she answered, “I coming Mommy! I ate all my food!” Well folks, that was an understatement. She ate all her food and apparently her shirt did too! There were bananas and milk all over her face, hair and clothes. This could not have happened at a worse time! I rushed to get her cleaned up, changed her clothes and got her hair squeezed into two ponytails. Her hair wasn’t particularly a work of art, but hey, it would have to do. The clock read 9:15AM. We were cutting it close but we could still make it!

As I got the kids ready with their hats and coats on, I realized I didn’t have my wallet on me. Where the heck could it be? I searched the house up and down and couldn’t find it anywhere! After 18 minutes of searching, I finally located it under the couch. As I got ready to place my 11 month old in her car seat, this putrid smell filled the room. What is that awful smell?! I went from kid to kid investigating the source of the smell and quickly realized the baby had a blow out that went all the way up her back. It had seeped out of her clothes and into her carseat. Welp, there goes our plans. I undressed the kids from their coats and got the baby cleaned up.

“I felt deflated and defeated.”

The kids were sad when I told them we weren’t going to be able to go because I had to run Haven’s car seat cover through the wash and we wouldn’t make it in time. I managed to find some ice cream we had had in the freezer and 4 measly maraschino cherries in the refrigerator. To spice things up a little more, I rummaged through the cabinet to find some sprinkles from the kids Christmas party 3 months back and let them use those as well (don’t judge me!). After we got our sundaes situated, I popped some popcorn, and we all nuzzled in front of the TV to watch Tangled. I felt awful – as if I had let them down. Here I was with these big lavish plans to get them out of the house, and they all fell flat, leaving us bound to the house again.

Right before I was about to sneak to the bathroom to privately sulk, my son Josiah turned to me with his ice cream mustache smile and said, “Mommy I happy! This is so much fun!” Those words penetrated every frustration I had had in that moment and completely melted them away. At the end of the day that was my main purpose, wasn’t it? Here I was upset about my plans falling through. I was so upset that I almost let the possibility of creating amazing moments with my kids at home slip by. Whether at a fancy new ice cream parlor, or at home eating ice cream sundaes with Christmas sprinkles from months before, the things that mattered most to my kids were that we were together and creating another memory.

“I quickly learned to be easier on myself and give space for the unexpected things to happen.”

Plans don’t always go as planned and that’s ok. Sometimes we have to make the best of the current situation we are presented with. Don’t let the disappointments of what could have been steal the joys of what is. The kids and I had a cozy afternoon together and I was so grateful to be able to still spend that quality time with them at home. The day turned out amazing… better than if I had planned it myself.

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5 Secrets To Becoming A Successful Mompreneur … #3 Is Perfect

5 Secrets To Becoming A Successful ‘Mompreneur’ - Hustle Like a Mom

Welcome! This marks our first blog entry for thestorkbag.com – we’re super excited to share this with you! We always enjoy sharing learning tips and resources, especially so far as being an entrepreneur and a mom, so we’ve put together a few tips on becoming a successful mompreneur. You might currently be a mompreneur, or aspiring to be one; you may just be looking to improve transition careers and transform your family’s life.

As mothers, we face all sorts of demands on our time, along with family obligations. Adding the work of being an entrepreneur on top of all of this can seem overhwleming. It means facing many challenges, but the rewards can be well worth it!

Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Write Those Goals Down! Would you hop in the car and go on a road trip to a place you’ve never been without a GPS or map? No, so why would you venture into such a huge life decision without direction? Launching a business is a significant undertaking. Writing down your short and long term goals can make it much easier to decide on the strategy to take to achieve those goals. This may not be a BIG secret to some of you but just simply writing a list is the easy part: sticking with it, strategizing correctly to get to your goals and pivoting as needed is key.

Persistence! Firmly continue, even when you encounter difficulty. No explanation nis eeded for this one. The secret is to find out what your driving force is. What will keep you going when sales stop coming in consistently? What will keep you going when everything seems to be going wrong? If you’re driven solely by the money, you should pause and take some time to reconsider your motivations. Find your inspiration and recall that each time you want to quit – but always be sure to temper this with a realistic view about the risks of failure.

Share. There’s more than enough for you, your competitor and your community. The secret? Being an entrepreneur is NOT all about me, me, me. It is about connections, genuine connections. Share without oversharing.

Teamwork Makes The Dream Work! The secret: not everyone will make a good teammate: find the ones that you can trust and who aren’t afraid to use their voice.  You need go-getters on your team, especially in the beginning. You’ll encounter enough “yes men” as your success progresses.

Be Different. If social media is saturated with a plethora entrepreneurs in a particular field you want venture into, what are you going to do to stand out? What makes your brand more unique than theirs? The secret: have a unique story. Perfect your value proposition and illustrate it as best you can to your audience. Take it and own it.

This list certainly isn’t exhaustive, but we’re sure that it can help you get started. And remember, you don’t have to go it alone! There are many great learning resources for female entrepreneurs. The Stork Bag members are eligible for exclusive perks on female leadership courses from our learning partners at Sylibi.com.

Do you have questions or comments? Simply e-mail hello@thestorkbag.com.

-The Stork Bag Team