The Parents’ Choice Foundation has released its 2020 selections for the best toys of the year. The list of 50 includes puzzles, toys and games that inspire creativity and fun for kids of all ages.
Making the list is one of Red Tricycle’s favorites, Fat Brain Toys. This year, three activities took home the silver awards and make the perfect gift ideas this holiday season. Keep scrolling to check them out.
Dimpl Digits
Great for littles, this squishy silicone toy is fun for kids to touch, push and pop. Each dimpl comes with numerals and words for one through 10 and comes with Spanish on the other side.
After ten long months of being pregnant with my first child Henry, I literally could not wait to meet him.
Actually, I don’t know if it was that I couldn’t wait to meet him or that I couldn’t wait for him to evacuate the premises.
I am not a good pregnant person. I gain a ton of weight, swell up kind of like the Hulk and complain ALL.DAY.LONG about the fact that I am angry, hot, sweaty and have somehow busted out four pairs of flip flops in one week.
This is a “sort of” apology to my husband for having to endure my pregnancy madness twice. But am I really THAT sorry? No. I grew a human in my uterus. I CREATED LIFE! I have C-section scars and stretch marks. I will never be able to wear a bathing suit from Target ever again.
Anyway, my labor with Henry was pretty much a disaster. I was induced because of my crazy swollenness. I was checked into the hospital at 1 a.m. and started pushing around 2:30 p.m. After three hours of pushing, it was decided that I would need a C-section because the baby was too big.
I remember it being three hours of pushing because the TV over the nurse’s head had the show Friends on. I watched six episodes, including the one where Joey wore the maternity pants to Thanksgiving.
I was wheeled into the OR and had my sweet boy surgically removed from my body. Luckily, I had skipped the C-section part of my birthing class and still to this day don’t know exactly what they do to get the baby out. I know it has something to do with removing organs and scissors and other gross things I don’t want to think about.
Fifteen minutes later, they showed me my screaming baby boy and carried him over to the warmer. I remember thinking, holy sh*t, that kid was living inside of me and he is massive. A whopping nine pounds, two ounces.
I fell in love with that face. I thought he was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen in my entire life. I sent pictures of him to practically every contact in my phone. They all replied back with an, “Awww congratulations, he’s beautiful. He looks just like you and/or Logan.”
But here’s the deal. Looking back at pictures, Henry looked like a potato. He was SUPER yellow because of his jaundice and his head was shaped like a cone from three hours of pushing. He didn’t look like me or Logan. He just looked like a tiny little newborn alien.
Disclaimer: I love my children with all my heart. They are adorable and precious and I would step in front of a train for them. But looking back, they were not cute newborns. Judge me all you want.
When Simon was born, I had the expectation that he would come out looking like a tiny yellow potato. Instead, he came out looking like a fat little pissed-off potato. I remember the intense frown on his face when they held him up for me to see him. It was adorable. And I was in love all over again.
But once again, this fat little pissed-off potato looked nothing like me or my husband. Looking back at pictures, I realize that he looked a lot like his older brother. Which led me to the fact that all newborns look like potatoes.
The next time you visit a nursery in the hospital, see if you can pick out which baby is yours just by looking at the faces of all the newborns. I bet you money that you can’t because THEY ALL LOOK LIKE POTATOES!
I know we are supposed to have some sort of crazy bond with our child and I did feel that in my heart. I also felt it in my lungs because I could breathe again. But you could give me a lineup of newborn babies and as long as they weren’t an oddball with a crazy amount of hair, I honestly don’t know if I’d be able to pick Henry or Simon out.
Does this make me a bad mom? I don’t think so. My little potatoes have grown in the most adorable, handsome little boys ever.
So the next time some tells you that your newborn is beautiful, soak it all in, because in a few years you will look back and realize they looked just like every other kid in the hospital.
I am a full time working mom with two little boys, Henry and Simon. I write about real life and real life gets messy. Contributor for Motherly, HuffPost Parents, Scary Mommy, Today Parents, Love What Matters and Her View From Home.
Are you trying to sneak more veggies into your little one’s diet? Campbell Soup Company just introduced Prego+, a new plant-based pasta sauce. The new platform includes a line of Prego+ Plant Protein and a line of Prego+ Hidden Super Veggies. Both offer the same great taste and texture families know and love from Prego, now with added goodness.
The team was inspired by ongoing consumer demand for more protein and the persistent challenge of getting picky eaters to eat more vegetables. Prego+ Plant Protein offers 4 grams of protein from peas; its Meatless Meat variety includes soy crumbles and is the first vegan meat sauce from the Prego brand. Prego+ Hidden Super Veggies offers a smooth blend of six super veggies, including: sweet potato, carrot, cauliflower, butternut squash, spinach and roasted red pepper. All varieties are designed to look and taste like the Prego families love.
“With the surge in popularity of plant-based diets, we were inspired to create Prego+ to offer more options,” said Diane George, Senior Marketing Manager, Prego, “Now more than ever parents are looking for quick and simple ways to get more nourishment into their families’ diets. Prego+ offers a new way to do that, making life a little easier for families amidst a new normal.”
The new varieties include:
Prego+ Plant Protein Italian Tomato Sauce
– Traditional
– Meatless Meat
– Roasted Garlic & Herb
Prego+ Hidden Super Veggies Italian Tomato Sauce
– Traditional
– Flavored with Meat
– Roasted Garlic and Herb
Prego+ has a suggested retail price of $2.99 per 24-ounce jar and is currently rolling out to retailers nationwide. Both new sauce lines provide a good source of fiber, are low in fat and saturated fat and free of artificial colors and MSG. For more information on Prego®and Prego+, please visit prego.com.
Check your fridge and freezer. Lakeside Refrigerated Services, a Swedesboro, N.J. establishment, is recalling approximately 42,922 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today. The raw ground beef items were produced on Jun. 1, 2020.
The following products are subject to recall:
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P-53298-82.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES” and a use or freeze by date of June 27, 2020 and lot code P-53934-28.
3-lb. vacuum packages containing three 1 lb. pieces of “MARKETSIDE BUTCHER ORGANIC GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF 93% LEAN / 7% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53929-70.
1-lb. tray packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53944-10.
4-lb. tray packages containing 10 ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 80% LEAN / 20% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/25/20 and lot code P53937-45.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing four ¼ lb. pieces of “THOMAS FARMS GRASS-FED GROUND BEEF PATTIES 85% LEAN / 15% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 06/27/20 and lot code P53935-25.
1-lb. vacuum packages containing “VALUE PACK FRESH GROUND BEEF 76% LEAN / 24% FAT” and a use or freeze by date of 07/01/20 and lot code P53930-18.
The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 46841” inside the USDA mark of inspection. These items were shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered during routine FSIS testing. There have been no confirmed reports of adverse reactions due to consumption of these products.
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider. E. coli O157:H7 is a potentially deadly bacterium that can cause dehydration, bloody diarrhea and abdominal cramps 2–8 days (3–4 days, on average) after exposure to the organism. While most people recover within a week, some develop a type of kidney failure called hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults. It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output. Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately.
FSIS is concerned that some products may be in consumers’ refrigerators or freezers. Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
FSIS routinely conducts recall effectiveness checks to verify recalling firms notify their customers of the recall and that steps are taken to make certain that the product is no longer available to consumers. When available, the retail distribution list(s) will be posted on the FSIS website at www.fsis.usda.gov/recalls.
FSIS advises all consumers to safely prepare their raw meat products, including fresh and frozen, and only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160°F. The only way to confirm that ground beef is cooked to a temperature high enough to kill harmful bacteria is to use a food thermometer that measures internal temperature, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/safetempchart.
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact the Lakeside Processing Center Call Center at (856) 832-3881.
Consumers with food safety questions can call the toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or live chat via Ask USDA from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday. Consumers can also browse food safety messages at Ask USDA or send a question via email to MPHotline@usda.gov. For consumers that need to report a problem with a meat, poultry, or egg product, the online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at https://foodcomplaint.fsis.usda.gov/eCCF/.
“C” is for cookie. And if that isn’t enough to make your little monster’s tummy rumble, along come “CCC” — chocolate chip cookies! Chicago does the indulgence justice, because we have kid-friendly bakeries and restaurants that make delicious, from-scratch versions of the treats—from cookies as big as your head to infused deliciousness. You’re never far from your next fix. Here is where we get ours.
Beatrix is the Beyonce of restaurants. It does it all, from breakfast to lunch, brunch to dessert. One of the best ways for families to experience Beatrix is via its coffee and pastry bar, which is a full-fledged bakery inside the restaurant. The selection offers an overwhelming array of muffins, breads, cakes, scones and more. Something Beatrix does exceptionally well is cookies, particularly the chocolate chunk cookie. These large, saucer-sized indulgences achieve the perfect middle ground of crispy along the exterior and soft in the center. Each bite of this thick cookie gives way to a pleasant doughy chew, brimming with fudge-y melted chocolate.
5 locations in River North, Streeterville, Loop, Fulton Market & Oak Brook; Online: beatrixrestaurants.com
Big.Fat.Cookie makes chocolate chip cookies so delicious looking, it's almost a shame to eat them. Almost. They are made in very small batches with an insane amount of attention to detail—they weigh each cookie and add individual chocolate chips to be sure they're made to perfection. You can find them at retail stores throughout the city or place an order for pickup at their location on Hooker. Pick-up days are Wed.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
A bakery that prides itself on classic American confections is bound to excel in the chocolate chip cookie department. Such is the case at Bake in Bucktown. This adorable, nostalgic Americana bakeshop peddles all the sweets that childhood dreams are made of, including exemplary chocolate chip cookies. Like the menu and motif at Bake, these cookies are pure classics, likely the closest you’ll come to mom-made cookies in Chicago, rich with notes of butter, sugar and smooth chocolate morsels.
Oh Carol, you temptress. Based in Highland Park, Carol’s Cookies has gotten a cult following for its football-sized cookies. (We're exaggerating a bit on the size—but barely.) With a big shipping business and wholesale business, Carol’s Cookies are not hard to come by, making it all too easy to binge on sugar and ruin appetites for dinner. The brown sugary chocolate chip cookies are the embodiment of indulgence, not only in sheer heft, but in the astounding richness compacted into every single nook and cranny.
Check website for retail locations & order online at carolscookies.com
Sweet Shot Cookies specializes in infused cookies and cookie cakes. Their homemade gooey-infused cookies can be filled with anything from marshmallow fluff to dark chocolate ganache—you name it, they infuse it. They can be ordered pre-filled or if you're a DIY'er, they can be delivered with a syringe of flavor so you can inject it yourself with as much filling as you'd like. Now, that is our kind of DIY!
Got a chocolate chip cookie pregnancy crave? Up at all hours tending to a newbie in the house? Insomnia has you covered. Most of their locations deliver until 1 a.m. so you can indulge your sweet tooth.
Defloured makes their chocolate chip cookies so mouth-wateringly amazing that you'd never know it's gluten-free. In fact, their entire menu is gluten-free. That's right, we didn't forget about the folks who steer clear of gluten, but want a cookie that isn't dry for once!
I have struggled to manage a healthy weight all my life. As a kid and into my teen years, I was always a bit chunkier than my peers, something that continued into adulthood. I’ve always been envious of other women with slim figures that seem to take minimal effort to maintain. The only time I can really remember being truly svelte was in college, mostly due to my obsession with dance classes and step aerobics, and lack of time to eat due to my busy schedule.
Things radically changed in my early 40s when I had a baby. Not only did my son weigh 10-and-a half pounds at birth, but I was also labeled a borderline diabetic during my pregnancy. Even though some of the weight temporarily came off during breastfeeding, it kept creeping up to the point where buttoning up my pants had become a real struggle. I would gasp when I saw my reflection and think, “Is that really me?”
Well into middle age, I knew it was time to take action, and not only for vanity’s sake. My health was in question, as I was diagnosed with high blood pressure for the first time in my life. I also knew from past attempts at dieting that this wasn’t going to be easy. After all, I have a raging sweet tooth and a deep abiding love of carbohydrates, which went along with my tendency to be inconsistent in making good food choices.
I needed professional guidance, and frankly a bit of a kick in the rear. In January, I turned to a medical weight loss clinic for help.
Feeling both excited and nervous to get going, I was greeted with a smile and warm welcome at my meeting. A diet counselor took me into a private room and gave me a packet containing in-depth guides to what I can and cannot eat, all based on the Keto diet.
In a nutshell, the Keto diet consists of foods that are low carb, high fat, and high protein. It sounds ironic that high-fat foods like bacon, cheese, and full-fat cream are part of the plan, but my diet counselor explained high-fat foods function as an appetite suppressant to keep you fuller for a longer period of time. All I heard wasthat I could eat bacon on this diet. Maybe it’s not so bad after all.
I quickly figured out that there were some “tricks” to making the Keto diet work for me:
1. Cooking is Key. If you don’t like to cook and rely a lot on take-out or pre-prepared meals, Keto may not be the diet for you. Carbs hide everywhere in our food, so the only way to really ensure that your food is low carb/high protein/high fat as possible is to make it yourself. Fortunately, there are a plethora of Keto recipes online; I’ve discovered that many of them are quite easy and relatively fast to make. One of my favorite is Creamy Tuscan Garlic Chicken served over zucchini noodles, with a side salad. If you have kids, they will most likely enjoy your Keto dishes if there’s a small number of carbs (like noodles) added to their meals.
2. If You Love Sugar, Let Yourself Have Treats. Even though many Keto diet experts would disagree with my rationale, I knew that I needed to find a way to satisfy my sweet tooth. By making my own baked goods using carb-friendly ingredients such as almond flour and monk fruit sweetener, I could make Keto-friendly treats.
3. Make Yourself Accountable. My plan required me to attend weekly weigh-in and nutrition counseling sessions at their offices. Reporting kept me honest and focused. If you are doing Keto on your own, create your own accountability strategy. It could be weighing yourself at home, or having a diet buddy on the same plan with whom you check in regularly.
4. Engage in Mild to Moderate Exercise. With Keto, you end up eating a smaller number of calories, so doing high impact exercise in addition to dieting is too much for many people. In fact, some experts recommend sticking to low impact exercise, especially for the first few weeks as your body adjusts. I take a daily brisk walk, but going swimming or doing yoga would be appropriate as well.
5. Track Your Food…Or Really, Your Carbs. Eating the right amount of carbs, protein, and fat required on Keto, while tracking calories, has it challenges. I used a daily food tracking app to keep me honest and informed.
While it may sound crazy to be able to eat items like bacon, there is a dose of healthy vegetables thrown into the mix, and foods like traditional bread and crackers are decidedly off the table, but it’s surprising how varied a Keto diet can be if you put a little work and thought into it.
After 30 days, I had lost a total of nearly 11 pounds, and my body fat percentage dropped by nearly 2 percent. With these kinds of results, I am decidedly motivated to keep going until I’m back to my pre-baby weight. I can’t wait to catch myself in a reflection of a glass or a mirror, and think, “Is that really me?” And then happily answer, “Yes, it is!”
I had the incredible fortune of becoming a mom later in life, long after I expected I would. I live with a silly and awesome boy, a great hubby and a stubborn adorable dog. Life is sweet, but even better when I get to write about it.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but even if it wasn’t, who can resist fluffy pancakes drenched in maple syrup sitting next to two perfectly fried eggs? Of course, finding a good breakfast restaurant in Seattle that isn’t a usual run-of-the-mill chain restaurant can be hard enough, let alone one that caters to families and can put up with squirmy kids (not yours, of course!). Don’t worry! We’ve done the hard work for you. Here are some of the best locally-owned places for breakfast in Seattle.
Everyone raves about Geraldine’s pleasant atmosphere. What’s not to love with the bright colors, the airy space and the movie posters on the walls? Your kids will definitely want to eat at the counter, so this might make for a great space to take one child for a special morning out with mom or dad. This popular spot consistently gets rave reviews for its breakfast menu, and especially the French Toast. Breakfast is so important here that it's served all day long! From the simple House-Made Granola to Geraldine’s Casserole (full of pork sausage, hash browns and pepper jack cheese), there is something for everyone. Your kids might even want to break with tradition and go with the Peanut Butter & Jelly with Fries.
For families who are late risers or prefer to eat breakfast for lunch, Fat’s is your place. The New Orleans-influenced restaurant serves breakfast every day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here, you can enjoy the traditional Fat’s Breakfast, which includes two eggs, three sausage links or four slices of bacon, breakfast potatoes or grits and a waffle or a biscuit, but we suggest going for the Fried Chicken and Waffle plate where you can add a side of three eggs for $3. The chicken here is incredible. Your kids might like the Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Sandwich or split a plate with you … if you think you can share. Note: Fat’s is closed on Mondays.
Fat’s Chicken and Waffles 2726 E. Cherry St. Seattle, WA 98122 206-602-6863 Online: fatschickenandwaffles.com
This unassuming restaurant surprises everyone who gives it a try. It’s a small place, and chances are great that you’ll have to wait for a table on the weekends, but it’s totally worth it. Featuring over 50 breakfast items, the Bacon Breakfast Café will please everyone in the family with everything from vegetarian dishes to the incredible Bacon Omelette. The service here is quick and friendly, and the prices are reasonable too. The kids’ menu features dishes ranging from $2.99-$3.99 and includes Texas French Toast and a variety of pancake choices including chocolate chip, blueberry and banana. Rumor has it that they are hoping to expand. Let’s hope so.
3943 116th St. NE Suite 113 Marysville, WA 98072 360.548.3252 Online: baconbreakfastcafe.com
Brunch is a big deal at Portage Bay Café. It's served all day, seven days a week at the Portage Bay Ballard and 65th Street locations. The other spots serve brunch all day on the weekends and until 11:30 a.m. during the week. What’s the big fuss? Well, for some, it’s the huge Breakfast Bar topping buffet. Here’s the deal—you order from a select list of items, and then you can load up from a huge selection of seasonal fruit, nuts and whipped cream. You can share with your kids, or they can order from their own menu, which includes scrambled eggs, French toast and pancakes. The menu also features plenty of other breakfast favorites.
900 N.E. 65th St. Seattle, WA 98115 206-529-3252
4130 Roosevelt Way N.E. Seattle, WA 98105 206-547-8230
If you like biscuits bigger than your head (and who doesn’t?), then you have got to experience B3 in Lynnwood. This unique restaurant offers upscale choices you won’t find at other restaurants alongside many favorite breakfast staples. Here you can enjoy Fried Chicken and Brioche French Toast, Lemon Ricotta Blueberry Pancakes or Gluten-Free Seeded Cinnamon Raisin French Toast. The young ones will just about die if they don’t get the Mickey Mouse pancakes with bacon or sausage and fruit.
4027 196th St. SW Lynnwood, WA 98036 425-672-3666 Online: b3wa.com
Located in Pike Place Market, this eatery first opened in 1976 and was originally called The United Metropolitan Improved Crumpet Baking & Punctual Delivery Company, but according to the founder Gary Lasater, “customers just nodded and smiled and called us The Crumpet Shop.” Either way, your family will enjoy these English griddle cakes which are cooked, then toasted and then topped with either sweet or savory toppings. Enjoy with a fresh espresso or freshly brewed cup of whole leaf tea.
The Crumpet Shop 1503 1st Ave. Seattle, WA 98117 Online: thecrumpetshop.com
Glo’s considers itself as “an original coffee shop,” but a quick glance at their website of the photos posted on Yelp say otherwise. Since 1987, Gloreen Raineri has been serving up warmth and hospitality with her delicious breakfast combinations. The different variations of Glo’s Eggs Benedict is the restaurant’s pride and joy, but “honorable mentions also go to our home-style corned beef hash, fresh-made buttermilk biscuits and creamy vegetarian mushroom gravy,” she says on her website. Your kid might enjoy a One Egg Breakfast (with hash browns and toast) or a Belgian Waffle topped with fruit (ask for a to-go box to take the rest home!) They are popular, so expect a wait on the weekends, but they will offer you a cup of coffee while you wait.
Glo’s 1621 East Olive Way Seattle, WA 98102 Online: gloscafe.com
With a name like Chace’s Pancake Corral, you have a pretty good idea of what you are going to find here. Nothing fancy, this Bellevue hangout has been a favorite of the locals since it opened in 1958, and not much has changed over the years. They are still serving up their famous pancakes (buttermilk, Swedish, Banana and potato) and waffles (pecan, strawberry, chocolate and sour cream) to the applause of many. What kid would refuse a plate of dollar-sized pancakes? If it is good enough for Seattle Mariners’ Felix Hernandez, it is good enough for us!
Chace’s Pancake Corral 1606 Bellevue Way SE Bellevue, WA 98004 Online: facebook.com/Pancake-Corral 425-454-8888
“We make a concerted effort to offer your child as wholesome a meal as they are likely to eat in a restaurant setting,” says 5 Spot. “Please note that we develop and offer a seasonal menu item on our children's menu, so they too can enjoy our seasonal picks as well!” 5 Spot isn't kidding. They offer a pretty extensive kid’s menu, including fun items like the 5 Spot Waffle Stomper, Eaton-Wright Ham Scram and Better’N Mom’s Oatmeal. Serving breakfast all day, parents might enjoy items like the Red Flannel Hash, Pan Rumbles or settle in for a Fat Cat’s Head Cinnamon Roll. Of course, you’ll find a lot of traditional breakfast faves as well here.
5 Spot 1502 Queen Anne Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109 206-285-7768 Online: chowfoods.com/5-spot
Located in a historic building in historic Edmonds, you’ll find the beautiful and popular bistro, Chanterelle. While the service and food are top notch, the prices are a lot more affordable than you would expect. Mom and dad will appreciate the breakfast choices like the Crab Avocado Omelette, the Portobello Benedict and the Orange Cornmeal Waffle as well as the freshly made Orange Cranberry Muffins and Sour Cream Walnut Coffee Cake. Fresh espresso beverages are available in addition to the regular Joe too. The kids' menu features mix-and-match items such as Cinnamon-Raisin French Toast, Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Muffins and more. Located just three blocks away from Puget Sound, consider taking a short walk after eating.
316 Main St. Edmonds, WA 98020 425-774-0650 Online: chanterellewa.com
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service recently announced a recall of over 2,000 pounds of Amity Packing Company raw ground beef products due to the possibility of contamination with extraneous materials. Representatives from Pre Brands, LLC did not immediately return Red Tricycle’s request for comment.
If you think you might have the recalled beef, read on for important information.
#Recall: Amity Packing Company Inc. Recalls Raw Ground Beef Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination https://t.co/pkJqBSrHPu
— USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service (@USDAFoodSafety) January 25, 2020
Recalled Product Description: Ground Beef
The recall includes one-pound vacuum-packed “Pre 95% LEAN/5% FAT GROUND BEEF” products produced on Jan. 6, 2020 that bear the establishment number “EST. 6916” and the lot code “0060.”
The products were shipped to retailers in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Why the Beef Was Recalled
Pre Brands received two complaints, citing that the customers found clear, thin pliable plastic in the ground beef products. As of now there are no injuries or illnesses as a result of the recalled beef.
How to Tell If Your Beef Was Recalled
Check your fridge and freezer for the recalled beef. Look for the lot code “0060” and case code “11402” on the product label. The label also includes the use/freeze by date “01/31/2020.” The establishment code “EST. 6916” is printed on the right, front side of the beef’s packaging.
What Consumers Can Do
If you have the recalled product, don’t eat it. Throw the beef out or bring it back to the place of purchase. You can also contact Pre Brands at 1-844-773-3663 with questions about the recall.
What are the best foods to feed your baby? If you’re not sure which products meet your kiddo’s needs, provide top nutritional benefits or the right USDA-Certified organic options, RAVE Reviews has answers.
RAVE Reviews recently compiled a list of the healthiest baby foods, with categories such as the Best USDA-Certified Organic Baby Foods and the Best Stage 3 Baby Foods.
Chosen with criteria such as veggie content, the presence of artificial colors/sweeteners, fat content, protein content, non-GMO or not, levels of pesticides, heavy metals, certified organic (or not) and the presence of dangerous contaminants, RAVE Reviews picked these winners:
Serenity Kids Baby Food (Austin, Texas)
Beech-Nut Organic Baby Food, Stage 2 (Amsterdam, New York)
Once Upon A Farm Organic Stage 3 (Berkeley, California)
Ella’s Organic Kitchen (Union County, New Jersey)
Amara Organic Baby Food (San Francisco, California)
Fresh Bellies Vegan Baby Food (White Plains, New York)
Happy Tot Organic (New York City, New York)
Sprout Organic (Montvale, New Jersey)
First Choice Organic Baby Food
Gerber’s Purees 2nd Veggie and Fruit (Florham Park, New Jersey)
Eleri Miller, Marketing Coordinator for RAVE Reviews, said in a press release, “Deciding what to feed your children is so important, but it can also be so complicated.” Miller went on to add, “This ranking is designed to cut through the overblown marketing claims and questionable science so that parents can easily figure out what baby food they should be buying.”
The study, which used mice as models of the body’s behavior, looked at the effects of physical activity on obese and non-obese mothers. More specifically, the researchers explored how obesity and exercises affected placental function during pregnancy and the birth size of the infant mice.
Two groups of pregnant mice were fed different diets—one high-fat and one low-fat. The two groups were divided again, making a total of four groups. Subgroups (two for each of the main groups) were split into mice that exercised and mice that didn’t exercise.
What did the researchers find? Exercise during pregnancy improved placental function and reduced the risk of larger babies at birth. Even though this specific study used mice, the results may also apply to humans. According to senior study author, Professor Min Du, “Understanding how maternal exercise might help prevent offspring from becoming obese or developing metabolic diseases will help us best guide mothers so they can ensure their babies are as healthy as possible.”
