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1st Bday: Zak! and Baggino

March 1, 2010 By 61 Comments

baggino learners bib cupcake 1st Bday: Zak! and BagginoFavorite Foods: noodles, berries, cucumbers, pancakes, anything sweet.

Favorite Drinks: breastmilk (she usually only nurses once during the day…but is still an avid nurser at night).

-Or- water…in a sippy cup.

Cute Mealtime Mannerism: Saying num-num-num-num as she eats.

Not-So-Cute Mealtime Mannerism: Tipping her sippy cup upside down or throwing it on the ground.

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Here are a few mealtime-related products that may be of interest to YOUR new eater…

Screen shot 2010 02 28 at 9.08.25 PM 150x106 1st Bday: Zak! and BagginoLearner’s Bibs by Baggino

See that bib on my beauty up above? Whoever created it is pretty brilliant. It features long sleeves and extra-long front coverage…AND it’s super cute. I particularly like that it’s free of branded cartoon characters and that it is made with bright terry cloth. It’s durable and can double as a smock for crafts and cooking!

thumbnail.asp 150x130 1st Bday: Zak! and Baggino

8 oz. Sippy Cup with Flo-Control by Zak!

The cup is easy to hold and the lid screws on nice and tight. The spout is soft and squishy – great for teething babies. And the color/design is appealing.

thumbnail 1.asp 72x150 1st Bday: Zak! and BagginoAlso by Zak, be sure to take a peek at this adorable broccoli and carrot flatware set. Ideal for small hands, the spoon and fork are fun and encourage healthful eating. My 11-month-old uses her hands to eat tiny bits of food off of her tray so we don’t have much use for flatware yet.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Sippy Cup ($4.99) + 2pc Flatware Set ($4.99) by Zak!. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, March 9th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a product for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #3 Marcela. Congratulations!

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Kid-Friendly Restaurant: Souper Salad

February 11, 2010 By 53 Comments

We don’t eat out often. With two small children, it’s easier (and healthier and cheaper and more peaceful) to eat at home.

That said, I can see that changing as our kids grow older because our 3-year-old gets so excited about going to restaurants…and she is so easy to take too (no need to worry about nursing, potty-training, or meltdowns). I imagine it will get even easier as the years go by…

A few weeks ago, we went to Souper Salad in Chandler, AZ…and we had a very pleasant experience:

Overview

souper salad chandler Kid Friendly Restaurant: Souper SaladSouper Salad is a national franchise chain that operates restaurants in 13 states. It’s an all-you-can eat soup and salad buffet “where bread is baked fresh, all day, every day; where all vegetables are cut by hand; where soup is always made from scratch.”

For approximately $6/person (prices vary from state-to-state), you can enjoy an extensive salad bar, fresh fruit, homemade soups, breads and muffins, a baked potato bar, pizza, a taco bar, and desserts.

If you have special dietary needs, feel free to ask for a Gluten-Free Menu and/or a Vegetarian/Vegan Menu when you arrive.

For Kids

little girl at souper salad Kid Friendly Restaurant: Souper SaladKids (ages 4-10) eat for $3.49, Monday-Saturday…and littler ones (ages 0-3) eat FREE all day, every day. Sundays are Kids Fun Day at all Souper Salad locations, meaning that kids eat for $2.49. Upon arrival, kids are greeted with a placemat to color (with nutrition tidbits and pics of fruits and vegetables), crayons, and their very own tray.

Menu offerings are incredibly versatile so every kid is bound to find menu items their happy with – everything from broccoli cheese soup and pepperoni pizza to fresh melons and chocolate pudding. Our 3-year-old was satisfied with her huge salad. As she munched and sipped her apple juice, she happily remarked, “I love vegetables!”

Of course, she was equally delighted by the free ice cream bar (with rainbow sprinkles!).

For Babies

baby at souper salad Kid Friendly Restaurant: Souper SaladBabies are also welcome in this cheerful, colorful environment. It’s clean and friendly…and, if your baby is just starting solid foods, you’ll find a large selection of healthful “smashable” and finger food options to choose from (sweet potatoes, sliced peaches, beans, noodles, cantaloupe, etc.).

My Suggestion for Souper Salad

  • Add more ice cream bar toppings. I suggest: crumbled Reeses, toffee chips, and m&ms. Did I mention crumbled Reeses?

Summary

Souper Salad is SOUPAH DOUPAH for families! The menu offerings are versatile, healthy, fresh, and delicious. The atmosphere is clean and inviting and undeniably kid-friendly. And the price is right. We’ll definitely be going back!

YOUR TURN: What is your favorite family-friendly restaurant? If you have been to Souper Salad in the past, what was your experience like?

Screen shot 2010 02 11 at 8.45.34 PM 150x45 Kid Friendly Restaurant: Souper SaladWIN IT! One winner will receive lunch/dinner for four at Souper Salad (any US location). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Friday, February 19th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received a complimentary meal for me and my family for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #8 Christine Jensen. Congratulations!

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Make Someone’s Day — Give…Dinner

February 8, 2010 By 7 Comments

When a friend is experiencing tough times or times of change, it’s often hard to know what you can do to help.

For example, when a friend has…

  • a miscarriage
  • a baby
  • a child in the hospital
  • a job loss
  • a death in the family
  • morning sickness
  • migraines
  • just moved

Sometimes it’s best to go back to the basics and deliver a meal. Food can mean so much when a person is sad, sick, or smack-dab in the middle of something new (even if that something is a good thing).

One way to be prepared to give meals to friends and neighbors in times of need is to keep a few extra dishes in your freezer. Enchiladas. Lasagna. Berry Cobbler. Etc.

Screen shot 2010 02 08 at 8.10.35 PM 150x124 Make Someones Day Give...DinnerNot sure where to start?

Hot By 6 is an Oregon-based, mom-owned company that is committed to helping people spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their families.

Essentially, Hot By 6 is a database of budget-friendly recipes (searchable by course, category, dietary preferences, and ethnicity) that can all be made ahead and frozen. Currently, there are 12 recipes in the Breakfast category, 15 recipes in the lunch category, and 100+ recipes in the dinner category…plus ideas for desserts, side dishes, marinades, soups/stews, and appetizers.

Once you have created your menu plan, you can easily print out a grocery list, assembly instructions, and labels.

If you want to create meals WITH your friends, there’s a whole separate “group” functionality. Essentially, the site gives you everything that you need to create a Super Suppers or Dream Dinners in your own house.

The service is $6/month and is a great resource to help you get inspired with new recipe ideas for your family.

My suggestions for the company would be to:

  1. Add bigger and better quality photos of the recipes.
  2. Offer more recipes that incorporate whole and organic foods.
  3. “Beef up” the breakfast, lunch, and dessert categories (not necessarily with beef recipes, just more recipes…capiche?).

Summary: Hot By 6 is an innovative concept…well-suited for busy parents looking for a new way of getting hot, nutritious meals on the table.

HOT2001001 Make Someones Day Give...DinnerTRY IT! Hot By 6 is offering all Metropolitan Mama readers one FREE month! You can try it and see if you like it. Take the recipes and the system for a “test drive,” if you will. Just enter promo code “metromama” when you create an account. You have one week to sign up – promo code expires 2/15/2010.

***Please note that you will be asked to enter your credit card information. Your account will be automatically renewed at the end of 30 days unless you cancel it.

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BEST OF 2009: Kitchen

January 4, 2010 By 536 Comments

chicken enchiladas place setting BEST OF 2009: KitchenReady for four of my favorite recipes from this past year? Here you go…

I reviewed my fair share of kitchen/food-related products this past year and quite a few of them were really wonderful, but I narrowed down my picks to three OUTSTANDING, AMAZING, YOU-WON’T-REGRET-BUYING-THEM products.

Here goes…

index 01 BEST OF 2009: KitchenSpringform Pan and Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan by Pampered Chef

If you like baking, then surely you’ve heard of Pampered Chef. Have you tried the company’s products? If not, you really should take a second look at what the brand has to offer. These two bakeware items, in particular, stand out as being top of the line.

1542 h BEST OF 2009: KitchenFirst up to the plate, Pampered Chef’s Springform Pan ($25.50). My cheesecake is pretty much famous, thanks to this ingenious pan. It comes out looking truly spectacular…and tasting even better. It’s rich and decadent and oh-so-creamy. You don’t have to worry about your cheesecake sticking to the edges of the pan because the outer “walls” of the pan slide away with ease to reveal your cheesecake (or pie) masterpiece.

1606 h BEST OF 2009: KitchenSecondly, Pampered Chef’s Deluxe Mini-Muffin Pan ($16) is truly fabulous. It’s shiny and 100% stick-free. My 3-year-old and I absolutely love making miniature muffins because they’re so fun to eat + serve…and this pan makes that task a dream. The little muffins just pop right out of there. You can create 24 muffins in a snap…anything from blueberry and pumpkin to maple walnut to chocolate chip.

picture 11 BEST OF 2009: KitchenDream Dinners

I went to Dream Dinners exactly one week before I delivered my second baby – and it ended up being one of the best things that I did to “prepare” for my baby’s arrival.

If you’re unfamiliar with Dream Dinners, it’s a meal-assembly place that allows you to “assemble fresh, delicious dinners for your family to store in your freezer…and then serve in the weeks ahead.”

private session group BEST OF 2009: KitchenSelect great menu options, according to the whims and preferences of you family. Make St. Louis Smokehouse Ribs, Buffalo Chicken Stuffed French Bread, Citrus Marinated Steaks, or other delicious recipes (the menu changes monthly).

The Dream Dinners that I visited was spotless and organized. The ingredients were fresh. The owners were friendly and courteous. And I had…FUN. Best of all, at the end of the session, I had 12 amazing meals in my freezer – ready to be grilled, baked, or stir-fryed on any night of the week.

Unfortunately, the nearest DD to me is about 45 minutes away. Despite the distance, I DO plan to go back. Not as often as I would like, mind you. But spending a few hours preparing meals without having to grocery shop, chop onions, think up meal ideas, etc. was absolutely priceless.

TWlogo BEST OF 2009: KitchenSplash-Proof Super-Fast Thermapen by ThermoWorks

Do you have trouble getting your meat exactly right on the grill? Tim likes his steak on the medium-rare side. He says red meat is supposed to be red (or at least pink) when you cut it open. I, on the other hand, like my meat “Well Done”…or “overcooked,” as Tim calls it. I want it to be brown, through and through.

Screen shot 2010 01 04 at 11.31.10 PM 122x150 BEST OF 2009: KitchenThese days, our steaks are served just the way we like them…thanks to the ultra-handy, super speedy Thermapen by ThermoWorks. The tiny device will give you a reading in 3 seconds. Just pierce your meat and a temperature will appear in large, easy-to-read letters. Your chicken, hamburgers, steak, and ribs will be cooked safely and tastily – just the way you like.

Retailing for $96, it will last you a long time and save you the headache of cutting open your steak with a kitchen knife and fork.

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WIN IT! One winner will receive ALL of the above-listed products:

ESTIMATED RETAIL VALUE OF PRIZE PACK: $213!

To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, January 12th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

FOR A SECOND ENTRY: Blog, Tweet, or Facebook about my Best of 2009 series (or about this giveaway)…and leave a second comment telling me that you did.

*UPDATE* The winner is #254 zmama. Congratulations!

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Starting Solids {a giveaway}

December 21, 2009 By 76 Comments

In my last post, I shared my top “truths” for introducing solids to baby.

In this post, I’m happy to be giving away two products to help you feed your baby (4-12 months).

7023 280 150x91 Starting Solids {a giveaway}Burpy Bibs (2-pack; $19.95) by aden + anais

Aden + Anais, creators of the world’s best swaddling blanket (in my opinion), recently debuted Burpy Bibs – soft, absorbent muslin cloths that can be used as either a bib or burp cloth. The ultra-chic bibs cover quite a bit of area over your baby and can be fastened with a simple snap around the neck.

Available in 9 different modern color/design combinations, the bibs definitely beat the miniature kind 3-packs that are sold at Target and Walmart. My only critique is that I wish the bibs had a catch-all pocket at that bottom, but – other than that – I think they’re wonderful (see: photo of my baby wearing her aden + anais bib).

Neither of my babies were big spitter-uppers so I didn’t use it in its burp cloth function, but I do think they would be ideal for that purpose because they are thick and large enough to actually cover your shoulder.

70baby cubes 150x120 Starting Solids {a giveaway}Baby Cubes (set of 8 cube containers and lids, plus storage tray = $9.99)

While I don’t puree baby food very regularly, I do like using Baby Cubes when I do. I simply prepare my baby food (it’s easy peasy, I promise), place in the cubes, and freeze. Then, when I’m ready to feed my baby, I pop out one cube, stick it in the microwave, and – voila! – a healthy meal in minutes!

The cubes are BPA-free, Phthalates-free, dishwasher-safe, microwave-safe, and freezer-safe. Plus, they’re affordable at $9.99/tray.

WIN IT! One winner will receive a 2-pack of Burby Bibs ($19.99) by aden + anais and two sets of Baby Cubes (~$9.99 each). To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Tuesday, December 29th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

* I received product samples for review purposes.

*UPDATE* The winner is #6 Michele. Congratulations!

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Starting Solids : how we do it

December 21, 2009 By 14 Comments

This is what we had for dinner last night – eggs, potatoes, and freshly-peeled oranges (oh, and I drank a cup of grapefruit juice…I love the stuff) :

eggs and potatoes Starting Solids : how we do it

This is what our 9-month-old had for dinner last night (it’s the exact same thing that we ate…in teeny tiny bites that she fed to herself):

baby eating solids Starting Solids : how we do it

I view the current baby-feeding advice with a hefty dose of skepticism and a little bit of amusement. Why-oh-why, I wonder, do babies need to have rice cereal and then oat cereal and then pureed vegetables and then pureed fruits, in that order, only introducing 1 food at a time? Heavens to Betsy (I don’t know what that expression means exactly and I never say it in real life, but it seemed appropriate here)! That is too strict for my tastes (or my babies tastes, for that matter).

When it comes to baby food, here are the general “truths” that I adhere to:

  • Breastfeeding is the optimal form of nutrition for my baby and has everything that my baby needs for the first 6+ months of life.
  • When my baby begins to express interest in food by grabbing at foods and/or protesting vocally (yes, babies do “protest,” even before they can talk), I will begin mashing, pureeing, or cutting OUR FOOD into manageable bites.
  • As soon as my baby is ready, allowing her to feed herself is the best and least frustrating way to proceed (although, NOT the least messy…I hate to break it to ya.). That said, I much prefer cleaning up a little extra mess to zooming smashed peas into my baby’s mouth bite-by-bite on a plastic spoon.
  • Variety in a baby’s diet is healthy and good. All rice cereal and no enchiladas make for a very boring menu.
  • The BEST foods for baby are the *same* foods that are best for the rest of the family: organic, fresh, “raw” foods – fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.

There you have it. I generally don’t pay much attention to serving sizes and I very rarely buy any food from the baby aisle (too expensive, sort-of yucky, and not as healthy as what I typically prepare). When I do buy jarred baby food, I buy “plain” fruits or vegetables (pears, peaches, carrots, sweet potatoes, etc.) because they are generally pretty tasty and very healthy – and our 3-year-old loves ‘em too.

When my baby is just starting out and getting the hang of things, my favorite foods to offer are avocados and bananas because they are easy to mash and cooking isn’t necessary. From there, I begin offering little bits of whatever we are eating (pasta, pizza, breads, fruits, veggies, pancakes, whatever). I do hold off on the non-water drinks (juice, milk, etc.) and desserts though for at least the first year.

Actually, I take back the desserts part. I must admit that I gave my baby the teeniest tiniest taste of ice cream today. First-time mommies everywhere are gasping with horror! I was the same way. Not one teeny, tiny morsel of cake or ice cream touched my older daughter’s lips until her first birthday party. With our littlest, however, I figure – eh, a little sugar never hurt anyone (especially in the ittiest bittiest amount).

YOUR TURN: How do YOU introduce solids to your baby?

Filed Under: Babies, Breastfeeding, Food Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Martha Stewart says I’m a thoughtful hostess

September 19, 2009 By 161 Comments

Entertaining is an intimidating word.

When I read it, I think of this:

la102906 1207 holly l 120x149 Martha Stewart says Im a thoughtful hostess

And her:

marthas m 120x150 Martha Stewart says Im a thoughtful hostess

But I’m not exactly wearing a blazer over here, nor do I have a hair stylist or a make-up artist or a mansion or an afternoon without a child in my arms.

In fact, the real truth is that I am usually scrambling at the last minute before guests arrive – hair up, flip flops on, a baby on my hip (or on my back), a preschooler “helping” me set the table with strawberry street dishes and sippy cups.

But you know what? That is okay.

I have been to pretty, pretty dinner parties before and the atmosphere has been cold despite all of the pomp and pageantry.

Likewise, I have eaten scrambled eggs on paper plates and felt totally at ease.

The heart matters more than anything. That warm smile. The glittering eyes. The encouraging words. The laughter. The life. The pulse of real friendship and genuine concern that throbs in a house where love is evident.

As such, I try not to stress too much about the details when guests come over. We plan simple meals – that usually involve the grill:

  • Barbecue chicken
  • Thai Curry chicken
  • Soy & Brown Sugar Salmon
  • Beef Kabobs with blue cheese dressing

And we use these excellent tools to make the process even easier…:

tpen gallery g 300x232 Martha Stewart says Im a thoughtful hostessThermapen ($74) by ThermoWorks

Available in 9 different colors, the Thermapen is a five-star rated meat thermometer. The fold-away probe reads temperatures in less than 4 seconds (instantly, really). We appreciate the fact that the device is compact and that the display screen is easy-to-read. With the Thermapen, we never worry about undercooked or overcooked meats.

Here’s a little temperature “cheat sheet” for your reference:

Screen shot 2009 09 19 at 9.52.50 PM 300x158 Martha Stewart says Im a thoughtful hostess

bbq skewer fruit additional 150x112 Martha Stewart says Im a thoughtful hostessSuper Skewers by Grill Time, LLC

Grill Time creates a variety of skewers for beef, poultry, veggies, and fruit. All of the skewers are non-stick and stainless steel. You can get short skewers or long ones, thicker ones or thinner ones. In fact, you can even have custom skewers designed to your specifications. Our favorite ones were the fruit skewers (even for beef kabobs!) because they are the perfect size for an individual serving and they’re super easy to “thread.”

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I should close by saying that I do TRY to make my home cozy, clean, and pleasing to the eye – even if I can’t set out matchy-matchy placemats and place cards (aren’t place cards kind of old-fashioned anyway?). Apparently, I’m doing okay, though, because I just took the “What Kind of Hostess Are You?” quiz on marthastewart.com and…my “result” said: “You are undoubtedly a thoughtful hostess.” And we all know those quizzes are exceptionally accurate. Right?!?

YOUR TURN: How often do you entertain?

WIN IT! One winner will receive a Thermapen ($74) by ThermoWorks and four skewers of choice from Grill Time, LLC. A second winner will receive four skewers of choice from Grill Time, LLC. To enter, leave any topic-related comment on this post prior to Sunday, September 27th at 11:59 p.m. (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

*UPDATE* The winner of the Thermapen and 4 skewers is #22 Kalani. The winner of the 4 skewers is #43 Pamela Callahan. Congratulations!

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