Category Archives: Food and Drink

Escape to An Eco Friendly Picnic

Eco-Friendly, Food and Drink, Guest post: TheFind.com, New posts, , , ,

picnic
Escape the frenzy of the city for a relaxing picnic on a grassy knoll, sandy beach or urban parkscape. Gather your friends, some fine food and toss a blanket on the lawn or picnic table. No need to throw away plastic utensils and plates, there are lots of earth friendly and fair trade options for dining alfresco in style. With many options for fair trade picnic totes choose one that suits your family’s style. We love the large Simple Peace “Tigmi” basket totes. They’re hand-woven by a fair trade artisan cooperative in Morocco. Store your food in recycled plastic food storage containers that can be recycled again after several uses as #5 plastic. Reusable picnic plates are best for preventing landfill. Serve your famous secret family recipe potato salad on colorful Zak recycled confetti melamine plates along with natural bamboo utensils. Bamboo utensils are reusable, durable and made from a renewable resource.

  • Zak Recycled Confetti Melamine Divided Plates, $7.95 at Bibelotshops.com
  • Simple Peace Tigmi Fair Trade handwoven basket tote bags, $60.00 at WorldofGood.com
  • Natural Bamboo Utensil Set, Natural Bamboo Utensil Set, $2.99 at GetnGreen.com
  • Recycled Plastic Food Storage Containers – Set of 2, $9.95 at TheRainforestsite.com

WAT-AAH!

Age 7-10, Ages 10-13, Food and Drink, , , , ,
Watahh Do kids ever WANT to drink water?  When WAT-AAH!'s available mine do.  That could be because we don't have juice in our fridge very often, so the options are water and milk.  But, 9 times out of 10, both of my kids chose milk – pre WAT-AAH!. 

When I put WAT-AAH! in the fridge in cluster of milk, regular bottled water, and apple juice, Sebastian chose WAT-AAH!.  The first time he chose WAT-AAH!, he said it was out of curiosity but he enjoyed it.  I caught his enjoyment on video but for some reason I can't get some of my videos to upload onto my new computer.  Just a little while later he chose WAT-AAH! again, over apple juice.  When I asked why he chose WAT-AAH! over the apple juice, he said it was "because the bottle is cool and looks fun".   I asked him about the lack of flavor and if he felt like his thirst was quenched and he replied with a simple "It's water mom.  Water doesn't have flavor and I'm not thirsty right now, I just drank some water". That was a bit of a smart-alic answer but he was being truthful.  It is in fact water, and after drinking about 1/3rd of the bottle of WAT-AHH! he wasn't thirst anymore.

There are currently four 'flavors' (unflavored) of WAT-AHH!; Brain, Body, Energy, and Bones.  You can learn more about WAT-AHH! here.

Kids Central Kitchen baking mixes – review, coupon, and giveaway

Educational Toys, Food and Drink, Fun stuff for parents, , , , , ,

Kidscentralkitchen_flapjacksPlaying with kids can be a chore for parents.  Kids play by their own rules and often with toys that are missing pieces which gets very frustrating for me.  If you are looking for something more structured, fun, and educational to do with your young kids, look no further than Kids Central Kitchen.  My kids LOVE to help me cook and love the end result even more.

  • Kids Central Kitchen has 7 different baking mixes including Flap Jacks, Propellar Energy Bars (my favorite), and Brownies. 
  • You provide minimal ingredients, mostly water, milk, oil, and/or yogurt and the rest is in the baking mix. 
  • These baking mixes provide an easy, fun way for older kids to work on basic skills like measuring and reading.
  • Simple yes, full of yummy delicious flavor.. yes!

You'll also find kitchen utensils, bakeware, and baking supplies at Kids Central Kitchen and while you're there check out the Kids Baking Party in a Box!

WEBSITE

COUPON CODE: MOMMY15 – get 15% off your order (expires 12/31/09)

GIVEAWAY: One lucky reader will win a $25 Kids Central Kitchen gift certificate!
Leave a comment below telling me what color the BIG mixing bowl on the Kids Central Kitchen homepage is and your email address will be entered in the giveaway drawing!  GET TWO ENTRIES when you tell me a short story about a funny cooking experience you've had in the comments area below.

Vermont Nut Free Chocolates

Food and Drink, Holiday, , , , ,


StpatricksdayvermontIt's a little late to enjoy Vermont Nut Free Chocolate's St. Patrick's Day treats but there are plenty of other reasons to order and indulge in a special nut-free chocolaty treat. There's Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and there's tomorrow! All great times for chocolate!

Vermont Nut Free Chocolates sent a box of St. Patrick's Day chocolate coins, miniature chocolates, and Leprechaun Pops and I gave Sebastian one of each this morning. What's really funny is that I had already sent him to school and I forgot it was St. Patrick's Day! He didn't wear green, and I didn't give him a special St. Patrick's Day treat! I felt so bad. I grabbed a green sweater from Sebastian's closet, and one of each of the St. Patrick's Day treats from Vermont Nut Free Chocolates, jumped in the car and made a fool of myself at the school's reception desk when I told them that I needed to give Sebastian a green sweater and some chocolate! I know all four of the women behind the desk thought I was crazy. What's worse is that one was the school counselor. I'm sure she thinks I'm crazy!


VermontchocoeaseterVermont Nut Free Chocolates are handmade, gourmet quality candies, that provide children withpeanut and tree nut allergies a way to safely enjoy chocolate treats.They’re also a great alternative for classroom parties in peanut-free schoolsor day care centers.

Here are some fun Vermont Nut Free Chocolates facts:

  • There's a fun chocolate tool set for little guys and dads
  • You can buy chocolate for baking including chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and unsweetened baking chocolate
  • A litter of 9 chocolate pigs is only $3.25!
  • Perfect for class treats
  • And yes, they sell Truffles!

Treats can be ordered from the company’s web site, http://www.vermontnutfree.com/

Smashies – organic fruit sauces for kids

Feeding - baby & kids, Food and Drink

SmashiesWhat do you get when you smash organic apples, don’t add high fructose corn syrup or sugar, and then put the smashed fruit into an environment friendly re-sealable pouch?  Smashies organic fruit sauce!

These are such a great idea and are are sure to be very appreciated by parents. These single serving fruit sauce pouches are just the right size to put in your child’s lunch box.  Got errands to run?  Grab and pack a couple of Smashies in your diaper bag so your toddler (and you) will have something to snack on while you’re out.  No more greasy chips, or chocolate candies that are going to melt all over your child’s (or your..I’m just saying..) fingers. 

Smashies are kosher, gluten-free, and BPA free so there’s no guilt involved in giving your kids this delicious snack.  My kids think it’s so cool to squeeze the fruit sauce out of the pouch just like they would with a juice pouch.  Madelyn, two years old, was pretty surprised when she tried a Smashie for the first time.  I think she expected juice to come out and not fruit sauce!

Smashies are available in one flavor now with three more to come by year’s and three more next year.   

Try Smashies!  Just pay shipping & handling and you will get Smashies free until they hit store shelves.

Website: Smashies