Home Los Angeles Food: Best Food Carts for Kids By lara burnapJune 24, 2011 Search more like this food truckgrilled cheesecoconut watercotton candydairy freefrench toastfresh bakedgluten freegrass fed beefice creammac and cheesestrawberry bananaveganwhipped cream Read next Family Restaurants 14 Coffee Subscriptions Every Parent Should Try Family Restaurants 31 Super Easy (& Nutritious) Breakfasts for Hectic Mornings Family Restaurants Food & Grocery Delivery Services to Try Now Family Restaurants 22 Black-Owned Orange County Family Businesses We Love Family Restaurants Krispy Kreme Has a Limited Edition Mars Doughnut & It’s Out of This World Food trucks are all the rage for ravenous Angelenos and just because you have kids in tow doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the game. We’ve found a few that are sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. And even if they shy away from the munchies, your hungry tyke will love the adventure of pulling up a curbside seat at lunchtime. Shake things up by trying out one of the following trucks. Most trucks tweet or post their locations in Los Angeles on their Facebook pages or websites, so tracking them down is as easy as clicking a link. Nothing says lunch like a gooey cheese sandwich and you can’t go wrong with The Grilled Cheese truck. In addition to grown-up concoctions—a Brie Melt on peppercorn bread and the Veggie Melt with shaved fennel—the grilled cheese connoisseurs serve up simple sandwiches with your choice of American, Cheddar, Gruyere and even Habanero Jack on French or wheat bread. There’s also mac ‘n cheese, chili and other options as well. Moms can also add smoked turkey, sliced tomatoes, avocados and other toppings to the sandwiches. Oh, and did we mention the dessert melts? Choose from goodies like Nutella and cinnamon apples or just dig into the S’Mores melt. Burgers are an easy pick for a meal out with the kids. Patty Wagon Burgers are made from 100% grass fed beef and everything is organic, sustainable and locally sourced, so you can dive in without guilt. Our favorite part is that they have mini burgers, perfect for little hands. Choose from The Classic or stretch their taste buds by ordering up a few different minis like the La Vie en Rose with caramelized onions and melted gruyere or Patty Wagon Patty Melt with cheese and grilled onions on rye bread. Round out the meal with homemade French fries. Another great option is Crepes Bonaparte. Choose from breakfast crepes stuffed with ham, bacon, eggs and cheddar, savory ones with chicken, mozzarella, and pesto to spicier bites like the Southwestern which packs chipotle chicken, cheddar, grilled onions and peppers in the crepe. And of course, there are plenty of sweet options to indulge in, from classics like butter and sugar to strawberry, banana and whipped cream delights. Best of all, Crepes Bonaparte offers the option of whole wheat and gluten-free batters in addition to the regular white flour crepe. A great pick for breakfast is the Buttermilk Truck with its mouth-watering menu of items like Hawaiian Bread Cinnamon French Toast Sticks, tiny buttermilk pancake bites with rotating monthly flavors (the red velvet is sinfully good), homemade donuts and flaky buttermilk biscuits, and fresh baked pastries. . And yes, treats abound when it comes to food trucks, for cool ice cream flavors Lake Street Creamery is divine, with its unique flavors like donut and pancake breakfast. Get Shaved is a perfect summer day fix with tons of flavors from standbys like banana, grape, lemon and strawberry to lilikoi, lychee, cotton candy and pink lemonade. French fry lovers will dig Fry Smith with its handcut fries served plain or in combos like Chili Cheese Fries or for adventurous kids (maybe?!) there are the Raja Fries topped with steak, poblano chilies, and jack cheese. Standing apart from all this gluttony is the Organic Oasis, a completely solar powered truck serving vegan smoothies made with coconut water, and without processed sugar, gluten and entirely dairy free. See? Food trucking can be good for you and the environment, too! —Lara Burnap Search more like this food truckgrilled cheesecoconut watercotton candydairy freefrench toastfresh bakedgluten freegrass fed beefice creammac and cheesestrawberry bananaveganwhipped cream
Home Los Angeles’ Favorite Lunch Spots with Kids By lara burnapMay 31, 2011 Search more like this arts and craftsfrench toastgoat cheesemac and cheesemom dateplay areasocial clubvideo gamesplaypizzakidlunchcheesefood Read next Family Restaurants 14 Coffee Subscriptions Every Parent Should Try Family Restaurants 31 Super Easy (& Nutritious) Breakfasts for Hectic Mornings Family Restaurants Food & Grocery Delivery Services to Try Now Family Restaurants 22 Black-Owned Orange County Family Businesses We Love Family Restaurants Krispy Kreme Has a Limited Edition Mars Doughnut & It’s Out of This World You want lunch but your high-energy tot isn’t likely to sit primly a la Suri Cruise at Chateau Marmont. So for the rest of us mere mortals, finding a place where your fun-loving kiddo can work up a hunger and you can squeeze in some time with your best mom-date is a must. And a spot that offers a space to play and lunch is just the ticket. Luckily, Los Angeles boasts a few nifty places, and no, we’re not talking Chuck E Cheese (not that there’s anything wrong with skeeball and pizza!). These locations just might help you regain your sanity, at least for an hour or so. Treehouse Social Club (weekdays 10:00 am – 3:00 pm; open play $9, food $5-10 per person) is a favorite of celebrities like Nicole Richie, who recently threw her daughter Harlow’s birthday at this chic Robertson Boulevard spot. But beyond the celeb-kudos, it’s a beautiful and fun space centered on a giant tree house and has plenty of space for kids to work out their crazies before settling down to eat. And did we mention the food is delicious? There’s selection for the kids like cinnamon French toast and polka dot pancakes while caregivers can dine on omelet’s and breakfast burritos. Lunch choices include homemade mac ‘n cheese, mini corndogs and quesadillas for the kids while adults can munch on the Treehouse Salad (a tasty mix of turkey bacon, goat cheese, pecans and pears) or a curry chicken panini. Best of all, the kids are tucked into a safely enclosed space where they can run wild while mom and her BFF can catch up…for a minute anyway. Giggles and Hugs (hours vary with location; $9 per child, food $5-12 per person) has two locations, one in Brentwood (where Jennifer Garner has been spotted with her girls) and in Century City. The menu is homestyle in nature with pizza, pasta, hamburgers and salads, all of which are quite good. Best of all, the play space is large with plenty of things for kids to do from arts and crafts to jungle gyms and slides. The dining is on either side of the play area so you can keep an eye on the kiddos while getting some time to reconnect with your husband, friends, or maybe just some time with your iPhone. In fact, there is a floor monitor that keeps the kids in line so you can actually carry on a conversation, imagine that! Parents with older children may want to check out Kids Castle USA (no admission, menu $25-50, hours vary) in Burbank which boasts 15,000 square feet of games and activities, including non-violent video games, a photo booth and even a small ride. Most importantly, it’s a kids’ zone where they can run, play and be wild. Pizza, hamburgers, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders and such are on the menu. Did we miss your favorite spot to nosh while your kids get to play? Let us know where you go in the comments below! —Lara Burnap Search more like this arts and craftsfrench toastgoat cheesemac and cheesemom dateplay areasocial clubvideo gamesplaypizzakidlunchcheesefood
Home Take The Kids Out to the Ball Game! By lara burnapMay 23, 2011 Search more like this baseballhigh schoolmeet upmiddle schoolleaguegamestadiumdogdozencloversunscreenwinpopcornchoose Read next Outdoor Fun 100 Outdoor Adventures to Do before Your Kids Turn 10 Outdoor Fun 35 Amazing Hikes Every Kid Should Take at Least Once Outdoor Fun Hit the Trail with These Hiking Boots Designed Just for Kids Outdoor Fun Why Caring About the Earth Really Matters Outdoor Fun 17 Incredible Fall Hikes You Should Do at Least Once Nothing says summer like rooting for the home team! Whether you’re looking to watch the pros hit a homer or catch the up and comers honing their skills in the outfield, there are plenty of diamonds to catch a game. Batter up! Slather on the sunscreen and head out to Dodger Stadium to catch a game with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Peanuts, popcorn and Dodger Dogs are the name of the game while watching your favorite players as they take on their opponents. With more than 50 games to play, you’re sure to find a day that fits your schedule. Not a National League fan? Then head down to Orange County to the home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Catch Kendrick in action as he tries to keep the Angels on a winning streak. The Inland Empire 66ers play at Arrowhead Credit Union Park in San Bernardino, it’s the perfect place to spot the next Derek Jeter. Be sure to check out the special entertainment, for example, they sponsor dog days when you can bring your dog to the ballpark! For a low key atmosphere, check out the local teams hitting in the Los Angeles Baseball League. Offering divisions based on ability and ages ranging from 18 to 45 and up, there is something for everyone. With 21 games from March to early September for each team and a variety of locations around town, it’s a homerun. Half the fun is choosing the team for which you want to cheer; maybe it’s the Sherman Oaks Stallions or the LA Colt 45s or The Mudskippers, Sherman Oaks As, or Aqua Dolce Reds. Stadium locations are throughout LA, from LA Valley College to South Pasadena High School. And of course, don’t forget about the little leaguers. There are half a dozen or so teams playing in the Los Angeles area from Venice to Downtown. The West Los Angeles Little League tees up at a field off Sepulveda near UCLA and boasts nearly two dozen teams with ages from 5 to 18. The North Venice League offers everything from tee ball to five-pitch to major and minor teams. Other teams include the Beverly Hills League, Ladera Little League, and the Malibu Little League among many others. Some fields where the teams meet up include Santa Monica’s Clover Park, the Beverly Hills adjacent La Cienega Park, Culver Marina Field, Culver City High School, West L.A.’s Webster Middle School and Malibu’s Little League Park. Lastly, for some plain old fun at the ballpark log onto the Los Angeles’ Department of Parks and Recreation and take a look at the adult and kids baseball league schedules. Or just mosey on down to your local diamond and see what’s happening! —Lara Burnap Search more like this baseballhigh schoolmeet upmiddle schoolleaguegamestadiumdogdozencloversunscreenwinpopcornchoose
Home CleanBeeBaby Rescues Car Seats, Strollers, and More! By lara burnapApril 18, 2011 Search more like this car seatsbaby gearstrollercleaningcleaning servicecarsteamseatapple juicebassinetvomitservicetreatmentrescue Read next 42 Things Every Family Should Do Together This Winter Why Having a Baby in Winter Is the Best (According to Us) Get Your Little Chefs Cooking in These 9 Adorable Play Kitchens 18 Holiday Garlands You Can Make with the Kids The 41 Best Christmas & Holiday Books for Kids Ugh. Your stroller just got the leaky diaper treatment. And that car seat? Well, it’s never been the same since the little miss got car sick. Fret no more, or should we say, stink no more, as CleanBeeBaby will come to your rescue and clean your baby gear! CEO & Founder Jennifer Beall started the company as a project in Kellogg Grad School and is now bringing her quick and handy cleaning service to life here in Los Angeles. One quick phone call and Beall’s team will arrive at your home ready to quick steam car seats and strollers or any other items you need freshened up. It’s a perfect fix for that stroller or play yard that’s been stored away in anticipation of another child. And they do the messy work as well, cleaning up vomit, poop and that lovely paste of apple juice and O’s that adheres to every surface! CleanBeeBaby uses the organic line Babyganics as their primary cleaning agent, though it’s the steam that does most of the hard work getting out the germs, goo and grime. In addition, CleanBeeBaby offers stroller repairs and tune-ups, with Bugaboo as their specialty. They are a trained Bugaboo team and their staff will replace broken parts and do a tune-up (check the brakes, grease hinges and more.). They will also help you switch it from bassinet to seat mode, so all of your Bugaboo biz can be taken care of in one go. Check their website to schedule an appointment at a location near you. Prices range from $19-$90 depending on the service. —Lara Burnap Search more like this car seatsbaby gearstrollercleaningcleaning servicecarsteamseatapple juicebassinetvomitservicetreatmentrescue
Home Custom Mommy Bling from Planet Jill Designs By lara burnapApril 4, 2011 Search more like this second childjewelryplanetcharmbeamnecklacemarriageswingphotographerswitchproudstundecidespent Read next Things to Do 31 Wintery Activities for Families in December Things to Do All the Best Ways to Foster Your Child’s Love of Animals Things to Do It’s Official, Vacations Are Better With Kids (According to This Survey) Things to Do The Best Ice Cream Shops in Every State (Plus D.C.) Things to Do These Are the Best Spots for Summer Staycations, According to New Study As proud moms, we love nothing more than showing off our beautiful children. And Planet Jill Jewelry allows moms to show off their beaming babies in style. Started nine years ago by Studio City’s Jill Schiff, her stunning necklaces, bracelets and key chains feature black and white photos of your beloved family members. When Schiff and her husband had their second child, she started looking for a tasteful piece of mommy jewelry, but couldn’t find a thing she liked. A long-time photographer, she decided to create her own piece. To her surprise, Schiff found herself awash in compliments. And that’s how Planet Jill was born. Customer favorites in the vintage-inspired line include the two-piece monogram locket and her line of bangle bracelets with a swinging charm. Jill’s personal favorite is the 2-in-1 necklace, which she spent a great deal of time and thought creating. Clients can wear it with or without the photo charm, for added versatility, and best of all, moms can order as many photo charms as they desire and switch them out as often as they like. But Schiff claims as her biggest accomplishments an amazing marriage and her two daughters, now ages 12 and 15. “We both work in flexible situations allowing us to team out the parenting very evenly,” says Jill. “Our daughters will get involved in helping us too which makes it fun. They give my husband “notes” on his screenwriting and tell me what they think of my jewelry designs.” If you’d like to own your piece of Planet Jill Jewelry, enter the code PJTRI20 for 20% off now through May 31, 2011. —Lara Burnap Search more like this second childjewelryplanetcharmbeamnecklacemarriageswingphotographerswitchproudstundecidespent