ML Interest Tag: cool

A Cooling Pad for Hot Stroller Rides

by writerredtri

Balmy summer days go hand in hand with long walks. But when sunny and pleasant turns steamy and hot, we worry about our little ones getting overheated in their stroller seats. A new product — the Geleeo cooling pad — solves that problem. It’s like the ice packs you put in lunch boxes, but for baby bums.


The inventor, Helene Xu, noticed her toddler daughter was cranky and sometimes even developed a heat rash after riding in her stroller on hot days, so she looked around for cooling products to use but found nothing that she felt really worked. (Ice packs? Too much planning ahead, and besides, they melt fast.) A determined Xu then embarked on the years of research that led her to a type of gel that would stay cool without refrigeration — a product that she thought would be perfect if it could be put to use keeping kids comfortable in their strollers.

The result is Geleeo, a reversible, gel-filled cooling pad that fits all major stroller seats. The gel’s main ingredient is water, and Geleeo has been tested for safety and complies with all U.S. regulations. If it’s less than 86 degrees outside, just install the remarkably heavy but plush-feeling Geleeo in your stroller seat, add child, and go — it stays cool without refrigeration. When it’s hotter than 86 degrees, refrigerate the pad for an hour or two before you embark on your wheeled adventure.

Get ready for one chill summer.

To buy Geleeo, which retails for $50, go to Amazon.com or check out these retailers. And for more info, click here.

What do you think of this new innovation? Let us know in the Comments!

— Amalie Drury

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Homemade Chicken Fingers

by writerredtri

Kids love chicken fingers and they just can’t get enough. Why? Because they’re tasty and easy to eat. No utensils needed, just a good grip and a saucy dip to enjoy these crispy delights. This recipe is a great way to transform those boring bags of frozen strips into a healthy meal that both you and your kids will enjoy.

Ingredients:
2 large eggs
3 slices whole wheat bread, or gluten free bread
1/3 cup raw sunflower seeds preferably, but roasted with no salt works fine too.
1/4 cup ground flax seed meal
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds, untoasted or toasted
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Place a metal cooling rack (like you use for cooling baked goods) onto a baking sheet.  Set aside.  (I like to use the cooling rack so that the chicken fingers don’t become mushy on the bottom, but it’s completely optional.)

2. Add eggs to a shallow baking dish or bowl.  Beat well with a fork. Set aside.

3. Place bread, flax seed meal, sunflower seeds, paprika, salt, and pepper into the bowl of a food processor.  Process for about 1 minute, or until small crumbs form.  Place crumbs into a shallow baking dish or large plate.  Set aside.

3. Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry with paper towels.  Slice chicken into strips, about 1″ thick.

4. Set up your breading station:  Starting from left to right place the chicken strips, then the beaten eggs.  Next to that place the breadcrumbs, then last should be your baking sheet.

5. Working with 3-4 chicken strips at a time, place the chicken in the egg.  Let the egg drip off back into the bowl, then place the chicken strips on top of the bread crumb mixture.  Light roll the strips to coat on all sides.  Place the chicken strips on the rack on the baking sheet.  Repeat until all the strips are done.  You can use your hands to pat the bread crumbs onto the chicken strips if necessary.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is done.  Let cool slightly then serve.

Susan Schuman is a working mom with two small kids and a hungry husband. She writes Our Family Eats to share ideas for fun, wholesome meals that anyone can fit into their hectic schedule.  You can connect with Susan on Twitter @ourfamilyeats.

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20 Cool Ways to Beat the Heat

by Erin Lem

Sometimes it’s too darn hot to head outside.  Sure, the kids are dying to hit the playground, head to the beach or just run around the back yard.  But now that the cooling cover of June gloom is a mere memory and the dog days of August push the temps to a sweltering 90 plus degrees, you just want to hibernate at home with the AC cranked high and an iced coffee in hand.  Unfortunately, the kids aren’t on board with that plan (unless you let them watch umpteen hours of TV, and you’re not on board with that plan). So go with the flow, embrace the temps and beat the heat with your kids. Here are 20 ideas to combat the rising temps, L.A. mama style.

1. We’ve got two words for you: ice cream. We like it low tech, at Peddler’s Creamery, high tech at Ice Cream Lab, and pretty much any way you churn it.

2. Get back to nature with one of these family-friendly watering holes. Mother Nature keeps the water shockingly cold and refreshing.

3. If you’d rather stick close to home this weekend, here are 10 totally cool (and innovative) ways to beat the heat right in your own backyard.

4. When it’s this hot outside cooking is the last thing you want to do, right? So on your way home from one of these cooling places, pick up dinner without even leaving your car, never mind heating up your house.

5. Hit the beach! These are our favorite spots with kids, and if you’re bringing the family pooch, be sure to check out these pet AND family friendly stretches of sand.

6. Say hello to your best friend: air conditioning. Head indoors to the biggest hands-on science museum on the West Coast.  And did we mention that it’s free?!

7. You’ve hit up Malibu, know Santa Monica like the back of your hand, but have you spent time in Manhattan Beach lately? Head to this idyllic beachside town for some indoor and outdoor family fun.

8. Relax and indulge: get a mommy and me mani/pedi at one of these cool shops.

9. Beat the heat with a trip to a local popsicle shop, which is all the rage when it comes to delicious and healthy treats.

10. Franklin Canyon has shady spots to explore, whether you walk around duck pond, hike down by the lake, or explore indoors at the Nature Center.

11. You want your kids to experience aquatic life but lathering them up with sunscreen and hauling everyone to the coast is just too much. Sound familiar? Spend some time in an indoor marine environment instead at one of these totally awesome aquariums where fish, marine life, and touch tanks abound.

12. Catch a breeze with a spin on a carousel.

13. Cannon ball!  Dive into one of these community pools to cool off.

14. If you really want to ditch the sun, visit an indoor play space where the only sweating you’ll be doing is from all the play.

15. Get crafty with 10 easy DIY crafts that keep you busy at home.

16.  Not the crafty type?  No problem: Make Meaning will serve up any craft you can dream up.  No muss, no fuss, just air-conditioned, busy bee bliss.

17.  Plan a day trip to Anacapa Island.  The breezes from the boat ride will cool you off both coming and going.

18.  Kids are just like us – when it gets too hot to play, they like to sit in the cool, dark movie theater too.  So head to the El Capitan for a showing of Planes in 3D.  Got a tiny tot?  Tuesdays at 10:00 am the movie plays in 2D with the lights on low and the sounds taken down a notch.

19.  Take the kids to the Cube for an indoor LEGO Castle Adventure.

20.  Sick of the same old museums?  Try the Police Historical Society Museum in Highland Park.  You’re little one will love playing cops and robbers in the lock up. And then nearby Galco’s Soda Pop Stop has bubbly cool treats from bygone eras.

Share the love! What’s your go-to activity for staying cool in the stifling Los Angeles heat? Let us know below.

Photos credit: Sommy Rhee, Meghan Rose, Jolie Loeb, and Jennifer Wolfe

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4 Spicy Seasonal Sausages That Won’t Weigh You Down

by scott wardell

Visions of sausage might bring muscly macho men and meat-hangovers to mind, but there are lots of light, summery links showing up on the menus of sausage-makers around town. All of these suggestions are made on the premises with a refreshing, seasonal spin. In other words, everyone is invited to this sausage party.

Pig and Pie‘s banh mi sausage sandwich
At this quaint 24th Street newcomer, chef-owner Nate Overstreet takes a housemade garlic- and pepper-infused pork sausage and then gives it the traditional Vietnamese banh mi treatment. It’s layered on a baguette with a slab of chicken liver pate, pickled daikon radish, thinly sliced carrots, jalapeno, cucumber, cliantro, and a swizzle of Sriracha.

Bluestem Brasserie‘s Berbere spiced lamb sausages
These surprisingly elegant sausages are seasoned with the traditional Ethiopian berbere spice–a mixture of chiles, paprika, cinnamon, cardamom, and a handful of other spices and herbs. The vibrantly flavored meat is delicately adorned with watercress salad, cooling mint yogurt sauce and a healthy dollop of pureed eggplant on the side.

Finish the mouth-watering list over at 7×7 by clicking here.

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at 7×7, a site that keeps you up on the best of SF. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a fantastic Date Night idea each week. Be sure to check out their blog for hourly doses of the best of SF.

photo credit: chowbacca

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5 Fun Things to Do After School

by writerredtri

Back-to-school hasn’t been easy on any of us. Well, any of us who were left behind, that is. So even though our trips to museums and parks have slowed down, we’re still trying to fill our afternoons with fun. Here are a few ideas of ways to make the most of your post-school time with little ones.

Build a Chalk Track/City– Breathe new life into scooters, bikes and plasma cars by building a road system on your driveway or street with sidewalk chalk. If your little ones are speed demons, time them on the track and see who can complete the course fastest. If racing isn’t their thing, give them a list of “errands” to run and let them explore the imaginary city. Hint: Create your masterpiece while the kids are at school to maximize play time.

Water Balloonball– Even my little major leaguers get tired of the same old ball sports. While it’s still hot, enjoy cooling off with a twist. Head out for a game of baseball, but toss water balloons instead of balls—then even a miss is a hit. Just beware of the grass getting too slippery. Hint: Prep the water balloons while the kids are at school to maximize play time.

Hand Over the Camera– Turn an ordinary afternoon into something special by giving your kiddo a camera. Just doing the same old thing becomes fascinating when they get to decide what to capture. And you’ll be amazed how different the world looks through their eyes. (Big took the picture above—along with some really unflattering ones of me—while playing with his stomp rocket.)

Send ‘Em Hunting– Before the kids get home, set up clues around the house/yard that lead them to a special snack. You can bring the treasure hunt theme to life with goodies like Pirate’s Booty and chocolate coins.

Make a Rainbow– Go on a walk around the neighborhood and try to collect an object for each color of the rainbow. To make things a bit more challenging, have them look for objects that start with each letter of the alphabet instead.

What are some of your family’s favorite afternoon activities?

Amy Heinz uses her words to tame her three kids, as well as share ideas and funny parenting moments at her slice-of-life blog, Using Our Words.

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