Monday, November 30, 2009

Giving Baby Shower Party Favors

After you have conceptualized and prepared for the party, never forget to prepare a small token to thank your guests for coming.

These baby shower party favors need not be expensive. These may be simple things that can be ordered in bulk, and then personalized for the celebration.

When you are choosing baby shower party favors, make sure that you have also considered the theme of the baby shower. As much as possible, have the party favor coordinate with the baby shower theme.

If your theme has something to do about fairy tales, cartoon characters, animals or toys, your baby shower favors may be a miniature version of these toys.

If you haven't selected a theme or would like to have a baby shower favor that is not very much related to the theme, here are some ideas.

* Chocolates and Cookies

If you have some baking skills, this is the recommended baby shower party favor. These do not cost much if you bake them yourself. Placing an order for these is also an option, however, that may take a considerable part of your budget.

You can have chocolates and cookies personalized by shaping them into baby item shapes. You can have rattle-, baby shoes-, book-, or teddy bear-shaped pastries.

You can wraps these in fancy papers of foils and tie these in blue or pink ribbons.

* Soaps

These are becoming popular baby shower party favors. You can choose fragrant soaps and wrap them in decorative papers, or place them in decorative gift boxes or bags.

You can also make homemade soaps and shape them into baby-related items. Or you can also purchase regular soap bars and carve them into baby shapes. Just make sure the soaps are hard enough that these won't crack when you start carving them.

* Picture frames

This are one of the most popular baby shower party favors. If the baby shower party is done are the baby is delivered, you can also include your baby's picture in the frame. The picture frames can be in small sizes that can be purchased at low prices.

* Figurines

Instead of picture frames, figurines are also good options. You can choose figurines that represent your theme. Angel, teddy bear and baby figurines are also popular.

* Candles

Candles as baby shower party favors are usually colored blue or pink. You may also opt to have fragrant candles. Candles can be purchased in bulk or you can also make your own candles. This even allows you to personalize the color, size, shape and fragrance.

Some candles can also come in reusable glass candleholders that also serve as decorative items.

These are just some of the options for baby shower party favors. Surely, you can think of more option or personalize these to fit your chosen theme.

Nevertheless, whatever baby shower party favor you have chosen, make sure that you have included thank you note on the baby shower party favor. The thank you note should include the date, the name of the baby (or the parent's names), and a message of thanks.

It is better if a special poem was composed to be included in the thank you note. Also, you can just choose free poems online and have these printed together with the thank you note.

With these, you can let your guests know how much you have appreciated their presence in celebrating your baby's birth.
Information about the Author:
Learn about spotting during pregnancy and chinese pregnancy calendar at the Pregnancy Facts site.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Tips on Planning a Baby Shower

What comes to mind after hearing the four magical words, "We're having a baby?" A baby shower, of course. Organizing a party with the expectant parents' closest friends and family members is the perfect way of expressing "Congratulations," or "We're happy for you," or "Best wishes."

Aimed at further boosting the parents-to-be's excitement for the future member of their family, the baby shower is usually hosted by a close friend or relative, at any time during the last months of the pregnancy.

Just like any other party, a baby shower requires careful planning to ensure that it will go as smoothly as possible, and be memorable for everyone. Although there are no rules cast in stone in preparing for a baby shower, there are some helpful tips to follow to help the host organize every aspect of the event.

1) Decide on the location.

Most baby showers are held at the parent-to-be's house, since the expectant mother's health needs to be considered. It is recommended for small, intimate parties, with only the closest friends and family members. Guests also tend to be more comfortable if the party's setting is at home.

If the expectant parents love the outdoors, a barbecue party at their garden, or a local park may also be an option. Naturally, the weather must be considered - baby shower does not literally mean soaking the guests in the rain.

For less complications, the host may reserve a secluded area in a restaurant or bar. It may be more costly, but at least the decoration, food and drinks, as well as the post-party cleanup will already be taken care of.

2) Choose the party's theme.

For easier decoration ideas, a theme may be decided upon. Consider the expectant parents' favorite movies or hangouts. Another option is to decorate the party site by re-creating the place where they had their honeymoon, such as a cruise ship, or Paris-inspired café.

Since the party will also be a celebration of the future baby, a childish atmosphere may also be considered. Choose cartoon characters, bright colors, and other designs depending on the baby's gender.

3) Finalize the menu.

The party's menu will depend upon the time of the event. In most baby showers, the host serves finger food, pastries and other baked goods for convenience. However, if the event will be held during lunch or dinner time, heavier meals will naturally be served. Alcoholic drinks may also be prepared, depending on the guests' preference.

4) Design a fun program.

Contrary to what most people believe, a baby shower is not only limited to mingling around, gift giving, eating and drinking. Fun games may also be included, such as charades, or those which will bring back the guests' childhood memories. Remember that the main point is to make sure everyone will have a good time, and various games will surely liven up the event.

5) Create the guest list and send out invitations.

Prepare a list of the expectant parents' closest friends and family members. Make sure to seek their approval before sending out invitations, to avoid any embarrassing mistakes later. Bear in mind that it's the parents' event, and not the host's, so their choice of people should matter the most.

Ready-made baby shower invitations are readily available in gift shops and craft stores. However, homemade invitations may also be used to provide the host's personal touch.

Send out invitations out two to four weeks before the party to give time for the guests to fix their schedule. Baby shower invitations follow the same format as any other invitation - it indicates the date, time, place, attire preferred, gift registry, if any, the host's contact numbers for RSVP. Just to be organized, prepare a final list of attendees a few days before the baby shower.
Information about the Author:
Want to find out about pregnancy after miscarriage and pregnancy facts? Get tips from the Pregnancy Facts website.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The Scourge Of The Pregorexics

Gone are the days when being pregnant was an excuse to eat for two. Women that had spent much of their lives on diets gave themselves over to the brooding and nesting instinct and allowed themselves to sit back and nurture the new life growing inside of them. Of course, there were those who did this in the extreme and became excessively overweight to the point of endangering their offspring, but in general it was considered a good thing to put your feet up and put on a couple of stone.

The tables have turned in the other direction now. In woman's quest to have everything, the perfect post baby body has entered at the top of the wish list and women are now pushing themselves into gruelling exercise regimes throughout their pregnancies in their bid to look immaculate after childbirth and to keep up with standards set by celebrities that come equipped with personal trainers and chefs.

How, and just as importantly why, would women want to put themselves through this during pregnancy right at a time when they should be absorbing all the nutrients they can get? When they should be making the most of any rest time they can get would they be out pounding the pavements in a bid to stay a certain way? Is it vanity or an attempt to keep themselves fit and healthy for childbirth and beyond? Women have managed for many years to come through childbirth without a fitness plan leading up to D day.

This new phenomena has even been given the name pregorexia - a take on the eating disorder of anorexia but for pregnant women. Markers that you are pregorexic are your proud boasts that you do not 'look pregnant from behind' and that you can still fit into your pre-pregnancy jeans until at least six or seven months.

Of course, there are some naturally slim women who will look this way whilst pregnant because of their genes but if it is not natural then it shouldn't be forced.
Babies will very rarely suffer because a woman's body is very adept at leeching all the nutrients it needs to send to the baby but go through childbirth and see what it takes out of you. With not enough reserves your energy levels will be at an all time low, right when you are having to get up for midnight feeds.

As well as gruelling exercise regimes, these mothers are literally starving themselves to ensure they don't gain too much weight during pregnancy. One of the main food groups they cut out is dairy because of its high fat content but this is just crazy. Calcium is needed by mother and baby more now than at any time in their lives and to deprive either party is sheer craziness.

Red meat is also something that women need during pregnancy for its high iron content. Pregnant women need, on average, fifty per cent more iron than the average woman and without it they will become anaemic which can lead to all sorts of problems when it comes to the birth itself where blood loss is likely to occur.

Extreme dieting and too much exercise during pregnancy can lead to low birth weight babies. Low birth weight is linked to heart disease, depression and poor growth and cognitive problems in later life.

Staying as active as you previously were whilst you are pregnant is a good thing to keep up to ensure you don't lose any of your flexibility and to aid with childbirth but a diet that is rich in essential nutrients is absolutely vital for a healthy mother and baby.
Information about the Author:
Health expert Catherine Harvey looks at what makes a woman go to extremes during pregnancy to keep her figure. To find out more please visit www.babychanneltv.com/

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Find Out When You Can Expect Your Little Baby

Having a positive pregnancy test is just a beginning of an exciting journey. Not all women get to have babies in their lifetime. And you need to prepare for the coming of your little angel.

Now, before you get carried away with excitement, you need to know when the baby is coming. Your doctor can give you more accurate information of when your baby is due. However, it won't hurt you if you get some advance information through the use of a pregnancy due date calendar. To do this, just find a pregnancy due date calendar or a weekly pregnancy calendar to help you determine when you are expected to have your baby. Don't hesitate of finding out yourselves, because there is really no rule that says that you cannot use a pregnancy due date calendar to satisfy your curiosity.

The Benefits If You Know Your Due Date

If you hesitate to find out about due date, then you should consider these benefits:

1. You can arrange a career plan

If you are working for a company, then you should talk with your boss about taking a maternity leave. This is where the due date comes to play. By knowing your due date you can consult with your boss easily. With this information your boss then can arrange someone to fulfil your position while you are gone.

2. You now when you should prepare your baby's goods

There's a period where you can hardly move you body as your baby is growing big. But there's also a period in the beginning of your pregnancy where you should not move a lot because your infant is not stable yet. You want to start preparing baby goods in between. This is where you need to know you due date.

3. Help your husband help you

If your husband is working and you want him to help you during the delivery phase, you need to inform him about your due date. Otherwise, he cannot arrange a working plan so that he could leave the office to help you deliver.

How To Use A Pregnancy Due Date Calendar

It is not as difficult as you might think to be able to use a pregnancy due date calendar. You don't need to be an expert of pregnancy. Just read the instructions on the due date calendar and follow them carefully. If you are familiar with your menstrual cycle, it will be easier for you to get some accurate information from your pregnancy due date calendar.

It is best if you record when the last time you had your menstrual period was. But if you forgot it, you can try to recall it. Start by remember the week when you had your period and then figure out the date from there. Most women ovulate or become fertile 2 weeks after their first day of menstruation. If you had unprotected sexual contact with your partner two weeks after your first day of menstruation then that is most probably the time when you got pregnant.

Now, if you cannot remember when exactly was your first day of menstruation the month before you found out that you are pregnant, don't sweat it. The pregnancy due date calendar can still help you determine when your baby is due, even though you cannot pinpoint the exact time when you probably got pregnant.

Finding a Professional Opinion

Using a pregnancy due date calendar can help you determine when your baby is due. However, there is really no substitute for a profession opinion on the matter. NO, you should not skip that visit to the doctor. Always remember that your doctor knows more about pregnancy than you do so you should still seek professional opinion regarding the matter and not just rely on the things that you read in books and in the internet. Bear in mind that every pregnancy is unique in itself and should not be treated lightly.
Information about the Author:
Discover more pregnancy information that can help you enjoy your pregnancy period at www.pregnancyhowto.com

Friday, November 20, 2009

Stretch Mark Removal Without Surgery

There are many things to consider before you buy any stretch mark removal product. It is vital to gain an firm understanding on how these unsightly stripes which appear on your skin happen in the first place.

Don't assume that only pregnant women can have stretch marks. These marks affect teenagers as well especially when they go through puberty. Stretch marks can be seen on people who put on or lose a lot of weight in a short period of time. These marks are commonly found at stomach, hip, buttocks, thighs, arms, and breast.

When women are expecting a child, the breasts and the abdomens are the most affected area. This is due to the imbalance of the hormones in women's bodies. These changes weaken the skin's structure in the pelvis to ease the birth of the child when the time comes. When the structural elements such as collagen becomes weak, then you will see the formation of stretch marks.

Stretch marks or striae gravidarum become apparent when the skin cannot handle too much pulling and stretching. The skin can only stretch or pull so much. Usually, you can stretch your skin within reasonable limits without causing any tear because the skin is fairly elastic. But if you stretch your skin beyond a certain limit, the body may not produce enough collagen to prevent tearing and this will cause the unwelcomed lines to develop.

Usually the color of the stretch marks is reddish or purplish when they first begin to develop. The lines may appear to be indented. The texture of the marks is not the same as the ones surrounding the marks. The stretched area is more transparent. You can see small blood vessels in the affected skin.

After awhile, the blood vessels shrink and the purplish color then gradually change to white. The white color shows that the fat under the skin is becoming transparent. Luckily, the colors of these ugly stripes often become lighter and almost vanish as time passes by.

In most cases, light skinned women tend to have pinkish stretch marks. But dark skinned women such as African American usually have stretch marks that are lighter and more clearer than the adjacent skin.

Body-builders are not spared from stretch marks because their skin experience rapid changes from the activity of by body-building repeated sets. Stretch marks also may develop if you apply steroid-containing skin creams or ointments for more than a few weeks, or consume high doses of oral corticosteroids for long periods.

A good stretch mark removal cream should help in transferring the skin enhancing ingredient to the dermal layer. This is to promote more collagen and elastin to be produced. By replacing new collagen and elastin, the resiliency of the firmness of the skin can be renewed. This will help to prevent future stretch marks.

Stretch mark removal creams should come with potent antioxidant substances that can slow down the degeneration of the skin's support network. If the manufacturer add moisturizing oils such as palm, coconut, and olive oils that are rich with nutrients, your skin can be more elastic. This allows you to stretch your skin without leaving any marks behind. Not only should the cream work during pregnancy but also after pregnancy. This is beneficial when the skin returns to its usual shape. By improving the elasticity, you can prevent the skin from sagging significantly and developing ugly lines.
Information about the Author:
Trilastin SR is an effective stretch mark removal cream. Discover the essential components in Trislatin SR review that are found in healthy skin. Find out how it can prevent and remove stretch marks through cell regeneration at www.stretchmarksbuster.com/trilastin-sr-review.php

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Becoming a traditional or gestational surrogate mother and helping another couple complete their family is a wonderful and joyous process. Most healthy women who have had relatively easy pregnancies can qualify to become a surrogate mother, so long as they themselves are already mothers.

One of the nicest things for a new mum about preparing for a new baby is buying the baby wear. Of course, there are lots of practicalities to consider; the cot, the pram, the car seat, all need attending to with utmost care. The right size, the right design, the right colour, these are all aspects that new parents will want to consider.

However, there is nothing that turns a mum to goo quite like handling that baby wear. Maybe it's true what they say about pregnancy making your brain shrink, or maybe it's simply nature's way of making sure the human baby is well covered and kept warm and alive. Whatever it is, it works. The skinny woman in Mothercare inhaling deeply the aroma of tiny baby gros will be experiencing early pregnancy. The larger, obviously pregnant woman holding the baby gros to her stomach is not trying them for size but trying to gauge how this baby is going to fit into them. More to the point, if it fits in this baby wear, how the heck is she going to get it out of her!

Women pour over baby wear and allocate it as much importance as a man over the football results. The colour has to be right and mixed with a good degree of pure, innocent white and above all, baby wear must be made of cotton, organic if possible, to ensure that no irritation occurs.

Baby vests come in multi packs but each one has to be removed from the packaging in the mothers softer moments. It must be unfolded and smoothed out, sniffed and then returned either to it's packaging ready to be re-sniffed at a later date, or if the pregnancy is advanced, it will be folded and put into a drawer. Putting the baby wear away is a novelty, ladies, trust me, give it a few years and you'll be moaning that you're the only person who knows how to put clothes away and if you have a boy, his future wife will still be doing it for him.

Baby gros also come in multi packs and some of these, normally the white ones, will be purchased by those parents who have been through this before and realise that you can get through a dozen of these beauties in a very small space of time. Of course, new mums and subsequent mums will still buy those cute, iddy, biddy, little baby gros that have sweet slogans or pictures on. A few of these are essential items in the baby closet.

Socks were always my thing. The first item of clothing all my babies had were little tiny white socks. They look like dolls socks and are produced with that same ability that adult socks come with of being able to separate from each other, never to be reunited. So, be warned, buy many socks. In the baby shop sock section (and that's not easy to say with a shrunken brain) you will come across cute looking little shoes. They are meant to imitate adult shoes, usually in the form of moccasins, trainers or slippers. Don't bother. They never stay on and if you can get them on, they always look like handicapped shoes.

Bibs will come in handy, for as long as you can be bothered to mess about with them, bendy baby screaming in one hand while you grapple with the fastenings of a bib and leak breast milk over his/her head - believe me, the novelty wears off and a clean tea towel wedged under the chin will do just as nicely.

I guess I'm saying the important thing is for women to get the basics but don't fuss too much. Once your baby is under a blanket or covered in puke, they all look the same whether that baby gro cost you 3 pounds at Primarks or 224 pounds from Dolce and Gabbanna. And for the men, never underestimate the smell of baby wear. If you want permission to go to the pub, just wave a new baby gro under her nose and she'll be putty in your hands.
Information about the Author:
Baby care expert Catherine Harvey looks at the bare neccessities in baby wear for new and subsequent mums. To find out more please visit www.justgaga.co.uk/

Sunday, November 15, 2009

A Woman Must Have Children to Be a Surrogate Mother

Becoming a traditional or gestational surrogate mother and helping another couple complete their family is a wonderful and joyous process. Most healthy women who have had relatively easy pregnancies can qualify to become a surrogate mother, so long as they themselves are already mothers.

Every woman who is being considered as a surrogate mother must have had at least one healthy live birth. This rule is extremely important, and a childless woman will not be considered for surrogacy. There are three main reasons for this.

1.Proven pregnancies
Surrogacy is extremely expensive for the intended parents. They must pay for all of the expenses of the pregnancy in addition to the fertility treatments, lawyers fees, agencies, and surrogate's fees. These fees can run into the tens of thousands of dollars, if not more.

A woman who has not previously given birth is an unknown risk. She could have infertility problems of her own that she has not realized yet. She could have trouble carrying the child. Because of this expense and the fact that nothing is known about this woman's ability to carry and deliver children, no intended parent, surrogacy agency, or IVF clinic is willing to take that chance.

2.Unsure emotions
A woman who has not previously given birth may find herself dealing with unexpected emotions when it comes time to deliver and relinquish the surrogate baby. These emotions may happen even with a self-confident woman who has no desire to parent a child anytime soon.

That is not to say that the woman would have any legal ability to keep the child, but it could prove to be a very upsetting situation for both the surrogate mother and her intended parents. Women who already have their own children are able to go home to those children.

Sometimes surrogates are upset, unexpectedly, when it comes time for the birth of the baby. But those with children of their own are able to receive comfort with this fact.

3.Anything can happen
Not only does a woman who is considering becoming a surrogate mother need to have her own children, she also needs to be completely done with her family. She should not desire to have any more children in the future.

A surrogate pregnancy is just like any other pregnancy. Occasionally, something may happen that will cause the surrogate mother to be unable to ever carry another child.

This is a sad situation when it happens to a surrogate mother who has completed her family. It is horribly tragic if it happens to one who is not finished having her own children. It has happened more than once that a surrogate mother has turned into an intended mother, needing the help of another surrogate to complete her family at a later date.

For a woman who has never given birth before, to be unable to ever carry your own children due to the fact that you decided to help another family first, this can be devastating. Even if the woman is not planning ever to have her own children, time has a way of changing one's mind.

Though wanting to become a surrogate mother for another couple is a noble and generous thing to do, a woman must have her own children first. It is simply a bad idea to do otherwise.
Information about the Author:
Rayven Perkins is an author and two-time surrogate mother. To find out more information on surrogacy or how to become a traditional or gestational surrogate mother, please see her site www.information-on-surrogacy.com/health-requirements.html

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Celebrity Baby Trend: Twins

Age-related hormonal changes in women may cause more than one egg to be released at a time, which boosts the odds of conceiving fraternal twins. Also, older women are more likely to take fertility drugs or use other fertility technologies like in vitro fertilization to conceive. A family history of twins also makes multiples more likely. For more information on age-related hormones and other risks of pregnancy read Women’s Health, Fitness and Shape magazines.

Fraternal or non-identical twins are the most common. Fraternal twins biologically occur when two separate eggs are fertilized by two different sperm. This results in each twin having his or her own placenta and amniotic sac. Genetically fraternal twins are no more alike each other than any other siblings and can be two girls, two boys or a boy and a girl.

Identical twins biologically occur when one fertilized egg splits and develops into two fetuses. These fetuses may share a placenta but usually has separate amniotic sacs. Identical twins are genetically identical.

Recently a handful of celebrities have given birth to twins: Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts and Marcia Cross. Actress-model Rebecca Romijn and her husband actor Jerry O’Connell just announced in People magazine they are expecting twins in the winter; Lisa Marie Presley also just announced she is expecting twins. Other celebrities who are parents are twins are Denzel Washington, Sean Combs and Cybill Shepherd. President and Mrs. Bush are the parents of twin daughters Barbara and Jenna Bush.

Currently the most famous or sought-after celebrity twins are the newborn Jolie-Pitt twins Vivienne and Knox, born in France this summer. People magazine recently paid a reported $15 million to publish exclusive first photos of these twins.

There are and have always been many famous twins in Hollywood. Often television and film production companies hire twin babies and children to share one role of a child character. The production companies do this so that child-labor laws, which require children to work shorter hours than adults, will not slow down production. Famously, twins Erin and Diane Murphy shared the role of “Tabitha” on the 1960s fantasy sitcom “Bewitched,” Lindsay and Sydney Greenbush shared the role of “Carrie” on the 1970s drama “Little House on the Prairie” and twins Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen shared the role of “Michelle” on the 1980s sitcom “Full House.” Many twins including the Olsens and Tia and Tamara Mowry have starred as twins in family movies and television shows.

Sometimes only one twin is famous. Some examples of this situation are race car driver Mario Andretti (brother Aldo), actress Scarlett Johanssson (brother Hunter), model Gisele Bundchen (fraternal sister Patricia), actor Vin Diesel (Paul), singer Alanis Morissette (Wade) and actress Jill Hennessy (Jacqueline). For more famous twins read People Magazine, People En Espanol, Star magazine and In Touch Weekly.

Every year in Twinsburg, Ohio the city celebrates “Twin Days” in celebration of twins. For the upcoming 2008 event, which will be the 33rd annual Twin Days, event planners are hoping for 3,000 sets of twins.

In a comedic nod to twins, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito paired up as twins in the 1988 movie called Twins. In another spin on twins, Disney's "The Parent Trap" used only one actress to portray twins. In the original release Haley Mills filled both roles while the re-make featured Lindsay Lohan.

For more movies and television shows about twins or featuring twins read Entertainment Weekly, People magazine and O The Oprah Magazine.
Information about the Author:
For more on celebrity twins visit, www.magazines.com/ncom/mag?id=4173667023075&subject=0015 Jessica Vandelay is a free-lance writer in New York City.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Recipes For You Baby Shower

A baby shower is a kind of party that celebrates and welcomes a new member to the family. In this tradition, expectant parents usually receive gifts or money for their expected child, which, in a way, supports the parents by helping them get the things that they need for their baby (or the things that they may not be able to afford).

Baby showers are generally held in the later stages of pregnancy (in the last 2 months, for instance). There are, however, certain cultural beliefs that make people purposefully wait for the baby to arrive before having a baby shower. Adoptive parents, at times, wait until after the adoption is final and the baby has arrived in their home.

Baby showers are generally organized by close friends, relatives, or co-workers of the expectant parents (because baby showers center on gift-giving, it is considered inappropriate for a family member to host such events).

In its early form, baby showers were held exclusively for mothers-to-be, and only women were invited to attend the party. In addition, baby showers were traditionally held only for the first child. Today, however, many people arrange baby showers for both parents, and they can now be also arranged for every succeeding children (even children who have been adopted).

Activities in a baby shower typically include games, special activies, presents, and, most especially, food.

Below are some of the most common baby shower recipes:

· Pizza Sandwiches

Pizza sauce (can be store-bought or homemade) Cottage cheese (lowfat) English muffins Parmesan cheese

1. Mix 2-3 tbsp of pizza sauce with 2-3 tbsp of cottage cheese.

2. Spread the mixture onto one half of the English muffin.

3. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

4. Broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve.

· Creamy Tomato Soup

1 tsp vegetable oil 1 can tomato soup (condensed) Milk 1 tbsp basil Mozarella or croutons (for toppings)

1. Heat vegetable oil in a medium saucepan.

2. Add the tomato soup.

3. Add milk (approximately the same amount as that of the tomato soup).

4. Add basil and cook slowly on low heat (do not boil).

5. Top with a sprinkling of shredded mozzarella and croutons. Serve.

· Cheese Balls

1/2 lb cheese (cheddar or grated) 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 pack cream cheese 4 oz Tabasco sauce 2 tsp onion Chopped nuts 2 tsp catsup or chili sauce

1. Mix all ingredients together using a mixer or a food processor (the cheese should be at room temperature).

2. Empty mixed ingredients on small bowls lined with plastic wrap.

3. Refrigerate overnight.

4. To serve, remove wrap and sprinkle with nuts. Serve with assorted crackers.

· Chicken Puffs

4 tbsp butter 1/2 cup boiling water 1/2 cup flour 2 eggs 1/2 cup shredded cheese 2 cups cooked chicken 2 tbsp olives 2 tbsp wine 1/4 cup mayonnaise

1. Melt butter in boiling water.

2. Add flour.

3. Stir vigorously until mixture forms a ball.

4. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

5. Add egg and beat briskly until smooth.

6. Stir in cheese.

7. Scoop 1 tsp dough into a greased baking sheet.

8. Preheat oven to 400°F.

9. Bake the puffs for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and split.

10. Combine the remaining ingredients with the finely chopped cooked chicken, pimiento, and olives.

11. Fill each puff with 2 tsp of the mixture. Serve.

There are just some of the baby shower recipes, there are numerous others to choose from - from sandwiches and finger foods, to snacks and dips and sweets - appetizing, yet simple and very easy to prepare.
Information about the Author:
Read about early signs of pregnancy and pregnancy calendar at the Pregnancy Facts website.