Ready for some new ideas for snacks for your kids? It can be easy to get into a rut, and unfortunately, most of the snacks marketed to kids aren’t the healthiest. In fact, 80% of kids’ snacks and products have added sugar and most have deceptive claims on the packaging. They may say “whole grain” or “made with fruit” or “rich in calcium,” making parents think they are getting something with added nutritional value, whereas many of these are highly processed and full of hidden sugars or sweeteners and other unwanted ingredients such as refined seed oils or artificial colors. These include many brands of granola bars, crackers, chips, yogurts, and fruit snacks.
The sugar in these products adds up fast, and just one or two seemingly healthy products can put kids over their suggested daily limit for added sugar. For example, one granola bar can easily have 12 grams or three teaspoons of added sugar, which is half of the general daily maximum recommended for children ages 2-18. And most kids do not feel as if they have been given dessert if they have a granola bar, but essentially that is what many brands are!
An overly sweet diet can impact children from head to toe and cause risk for many health issues, including those that develop slowly and silently over time, such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, systemic inflammation, and eventual cognitive decline. In the short term, kids who have more sugar are more likely to struggle to concentrate and to be moodier and more fatigued. Reducing sugar in daily snacks can make a big difference in children’s overall health.
Easy Snacks to Make at Home
Involving kids in preparing easy snacks is a great way to encourage them to accept new, healthy options. Here are a few ideas:
1. Cucumber slices with Japanese Furikake Seasoning: Washing a cucumber and helping to slice it into rounds is something that even toddlers can assist with. We love to dip cucumber in Japanese Furikake seasoning, which is a mix of seaweed flakes, sesame seeds, and sea salt. Look for a brand that does not have added sugar or MSG in it. Kids love this because it gives the cucumber a great crunch and added flavor.
2. Watermelon Pops: Another very easy idea is to cut a watermelon into rectangular pieces, retaining the rind on to use as a handle, and freeze it on parchment paper into one-ingredient ice pops. While kids may be too young to cut the watermelon safely, they can help arrange it on the parchment for freezing. These are so refreshing and fun to eat on a hot day.
3. No-Bake Chocolate Sesame Squares: For something sweet, that is also plant-based and high fiber, try these treats out. They are full of chocolatey flavor and, in addition to being free from added sugar, they also happen to be gluten-free and dairy-free for anyone with those needs. This is a very easy recipe (here are the full details) where you just put everything in a food processor and then flatten it into a baking dish. Even young kids can help measure the ingredients, add them to the processor, operate it with adult supervision, and help press the mix into the dish.
3. Crispy Chickpea Snacks: These seasoned, roasted chickpeas are flavorful and a great alternative to chips or crackers. They are high in fiber, keep kids satisfied, and are also easy to make and affordable. You can modify the seasonings based on what your family likes. We especially love the garam masala version, and the Italian version with rosemary and oregano is also amazing. Kids can help drain the canned chickpeas, dry them with a dish towel, baste them with olive oil, and sprinkle them with the spices before roasting.
Healthier Options for Snacks You Can Buy
We know that making your own snacks isn’t always possible, and it’s helpful to know which ready-made products you can rely on that use good ingredients and your kids will like.
For non-perishable options, here are some products we like:
Instead of potato chips or popcorn that contains added sugar and/or refined seed oils, try popcorn like Lesser Evil Himalayan Gold or Terra Chips made with plantains and cooked in coconut oil.
Protein snacks such as New Primal Meat Sticks or Babybel cheese are also convenient and do not contain added sugars.
With these ideas, you can keep up with your children’s snack appetites, involve them in the kitchen, and keep them healthier at the same time.
Dr. Michael Goran, Ph.D. and Dr. Emily Ventura, Ph.D. are co-authors of the pioneering new book, SUGARPROOF: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar That Are Putting Your Child’s Health at Risk and What You Can Do (Avery/Penguin Random House). To purchase the book and for more ideas and recipes, check out the website and our Instagram page.
Dr. Michael Goran, Ph.D. and Dr. Emily Ventura, Ph.D. are co-authors of pioneering new book, SUGARPROOF: The Hidden Dangers of Sugar That Are Putting Your Child’s Health at Risk and What You Can Do (Avery/Penguin Random House). To purchase the book or for more information, visit www.sugarproofkids.com
With a return to normal slowly becoming a reality, American’s shopping patterns are telling a unique story. It’s no secret that over the past year, everyone’s shopping habits changed drastically, but the biggest indicator that we are turning a corner comes from one place: pudding.
Instacart’s Pudding Pack Index is “an index for normalcy through the lens of groceries.” Apparently, typical lunchbox items that include pudding, fruit snacks and granola bars and how often they are being purchased serves as an indicator of just how “normal” things are. Keep reading to see how.
Instacart has broken the pandemic down into categories and compares how the sales of certain items coincided with normalcy.
April 2020: Sales for items in the index dropped 48% lower than pre-pandemic base levels.
Jun. 2020-Feb. 2021: Sales climbed to 20% below the pre-pandemic baseline
Mar.-Apr. 2021: The index climbed to the highest rate since the start of the pandemic.
May 2021: Index is just over 9% below the “normal” pre-pandemic rate.
The Pudding Pack Index serves as a barometer a return of normal, and we well on our way. “Parent or not — you should pay attention to the Pudding Pack Index,” says Laurentia Romaniuk, Instacart’s Trends Expert and Senior Product Manager. “When parents are adding pudding packs to their cart, it means they’re also starting to head back to the office, drop their kids off at school, and take vacations. Parents represent a cross-section of American culture on every level and when life is normal for parents, it’s normal for almost everyone else, too.”
The pandemic may have put a damper on in-person housewarming parties, but you can still celebrate the big milestone with a memorable gift. We came up with the very best housewarming gift ideas, appropriate for all seasons and ages—many of them splurges that your friends and family will undoubtedly appreciate. Scroll down for the best housewarming gifts that they’ll actually appreciate and use.
Best Housewarming Gifts for the Kitchen
Smithey Dutch Oven
Smithey just released what will undoubtedly be a timeless classic—and we won’t blame you if you gift one to yourself. Smithey’s brand-new 3.5 quart dutch oven is naturally non-stick and easy to clean. We can attest that their products will never stain or chip and are engineered to maintain an even, consistent heat whether you’re making stew, soup or even boxed mac and cheese (guilty). It looks so gorgeous that you’ll want to leave it out on your stovetop to admire.
Give their meals new life with quality spices from The Spice House. Bursting with flavor in jars that they'll actually want to proudly display (and not hide in the spice cabinet), The Spice House spices are fit for everyone, from the beginner cook to the seasoned chef. We love their curated gift boxes, which come in a variety of sets like their Cinnamon Variety Set, Cocoa Collection, Barbecue Collection and much more. Can't decide? Opt for the Bestsellers Collection that includes a mix of seasonings, salts and rubs they can use from fish to steak.
From Fisher-Price to Disney, charcuterie boards are making a comeback. We love this Epicurean Chef’s Cutting Board, which is oversized and perfect for charcuterie, snacks or daily use. One side is flat, while the other features a perimeter well perfect for catching juices or extra crumbs.
If your friends and family like to cook, gift them 12-year aged Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil with Black Truffle, both decadent enough to use when pretending it’s 2019 and you’re out at a restaurant.
The appliance everyone always dreams about, but never wants to splurge on, this cold press juicer from Omega is the thing to help a friend kick off their healthy journey this year. It's quiet, easy to clean and has a sleek design that will save counter space.
Change can be hard so get the kids something personal to make their new home special (or at least occupy them while their parents unpack). These custom-made name crayons fit the bill.
Ensure their weekend brunch in the new abode is anything but ordinary. Whiskware's Pancake Art Kit comes with everything you need to take your breakfast game to the next level. Each kit comes with a batter mixer, art bottle and two pancake shapers to make mornings with the fam as fun as can be.
Who knew 2020 would be the year of hand washing? Ensure they don’t run out of soap with L’Occitane’s Lavender Cleansing Hand Wash. Snag the larger refill while you’re at it—you know they’ll use it!
Buy now and don't forget to stock them up with refills here.
Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden
The self-watering Mason Jar Indoor Herb Garden is not only a great way to bring life into an indoor space, but you can also choose between Organic Geneovese Basil, Organic Cilantro, Non-GMO Common Mint, Organic Greek Oregano, Organic Flat Leaf Parsley and Organic Sage when purchasing.
Chances are their new house will have bare walls. Help your friends and family decorate with a housewarming gift from Artifact Uprising, a printing service our Head of Editorial religiously uses yearly for her family’s photos. We love these modern metal frames, which you can customize in both color and frame size. Insider tip: for more Artifact Uprising ideas, click here for our top picks.
This Australia-based brand features hand-loomed beach towels, home towels and throws. Soft, machine washable and oh-so-cozy, these will ensure everyone is comfy cozy in their new house.
glassybaby’s hand-blown glass pieces are eye-catching and distinctive. Choose from drinking glasses, low-ball drinking glasses or traditional votives. $3 from the sale of every glassybaby is donated to their foundations, which provides hope and healing to people, animals and the planet.
Whether you’re looking for a trio of plants or one big parlor palm or want to let the recipient choose her own, Bloomscape delivers the right plant directly to your door. Choose your plant online: you can filter by collection, light needs, care level, pet friendly and more. Plus they offer 24-hour advice from the Plant Mom to help you choose and maintain the perfect indoor plant for your space. You can also choose the color of the pot when ordering.
Jenny Pennywood is a textile studio based in San Francisco, CA and founded by fine artist/painter Jen Garrido. You’ll flip for her original artwork and gorgeous textiles—we especially love her screen-printed everyday napkins.
We love to gift one of the plant-based candles from Grow Fragrance as they offer calming scents without the toxins that typically come in scented candles. Choose from three vessels that will blend into any decor, and then go for scents like Amber Santal and Pear Cider.
Launched in 2018, Trade Coffee is uniting coffee lovers and top roasters to offer over 400 roasted to order blends. Since you may not know how your friends or family take their coffee, Trade Coffee takes out the guesswork. The gift recipient will take the company's coffee quiz to get matched with the best brew for their palette and enjoy tons of picks for both cold and hot brew. Use code REDTRI for 30% Off + Free Shipping to get a great discount when starting your subscription.
We’re obsessed with this Bay Area-based farm, which delivers some of the most delicious food items straight to your door. Choose from seasonal produce, dried fruit, granola, cookies, pastries, preserves and more (we’ve pretty much tried it all) to send as a housewarming gift. After the stress of moving, these treats will be oh-so-appreciated.
What started in the East Village in 2008, Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar has now blossomed into a bakery with a cult following. And good news for those who want to gift these decadent delights: they ship nationwide! Popular goodies like Milk Bar Pie (aka Crack Pie), Classic Birthday Cake or Cake Truffles will not disappoint.
There's nothing that parents appreciate more than coffee you can make and drink fast. That's where Explorer Cold Brew comes in. Super concentrated coffee is poured over ice with your choice of water or creamer to make it just the way you like it. You can even choose the level of caffeine you need from No Caf to Extra Caf (for those Mondays we know so well). Explorer uses the chemical-free Swiss water process for it's Low Caf and No Caf options so you can feel good about drinking it. The starter pack ($20) makes a great housewarming gift for parents who have had little to no rest.
—Erin Lem, Amber Guetebier, Gabby Cullen and Kate Loweth
Looking for something different to give your sweetheart? Welch’s Fruit Snacks launched a Mixed Fruit Valentine’s Day Heart for the 2021 season. There’s two options for gifting this limited-edition offering — in store or online.
The Mixed Fruit Valentine’s Day Heart ($5) is bursting with flavor, just like the classic Welch’s Fruit Snacks you already know and love.
This limited-edition heart is available at CVS and Walgreens. Each box features a “To/From” signable panel making these the perfect gift for any Valentine.
You can also purchase The Mixed Fruit Valentine’s Day Heart on Amazon. Place your order and have it shipped directly to your Valentine. The best part? It’s completely customizable. At checkout simply enter your custom message and their favorite fruit snacks with your personal note will arrive on their doorstep.
Despite parents having a love/hate relationship with the family Elf on the Shelf, kids just can’t seem to get enough of the mischievous little guy. On a recent visit to Target.com, our editors found a bit of a gem: Elf on the Shelf Fruit Snacks!
The 22-pouch box retails for $3.99 and is made by Kellogg’s. Each pouch comes with shape that include a reindeer, gift, puppy, Christmas tree, an elf and what we can only guess is a wolf.
Elf on the Shelf fruit snacks are made with real fruit puree and are gluten and fat free. You can grab a box for $3.99 at Target.
This Halloween may be different this year so why not try something new? Sun-Maid wants to help parents out by offering new better-for-you snacks to enjoy or hand out. Just in time for Halloween they are revealing a whole new alternative to candy treats.
New Peanut Butter Yogurt Covered Raisins
After the success of popular Yogurt Covered Raisin mashups like Strawberry and Vanilla and Chocolate and Vanilla, Sun-Maid reveals its latest raisin recipe flavor: Peanut Butter. Peanut Butter is perfect for the Yogurt Covered Raisin and pairs for two new products: Chocolate and Peanut Butter Yogurt Covered Raisins and PB&J Yogurt Covered Raisins. These new combinations are the first new Yogurt Covered Raisin offerings of 2020 and create 10 kid-friendly flavors in Sun-Maid’s mix of Yogurt Covered Raisin options. Sun-Maid Yogurt Covered Raisins are non-GMO and always made with natural flavors.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter: The chocolate and peanut butter combination is made with whole fruit with a raisin at the core, surrounded by a creamy mix of rich chocolate and nutty peanut butter. Inspired by the peanut butter cup, the new release comes just in time for Halloween when the popular flavor combination sweeps shelves.
PB&J: The classic marriage makes its way to whole fruit with a familiar flavor for kids and parents. Made with strawberry – PB&J Yogurt Covered Raisins pack a sweet and savory punch and a welcome alternative to or complement for the traditional sandwich.
Sour Raisin Snacks, Yogurt Covered Raisins in Glow-in-the-Dark Packaging
Adding even more inspiration for spirited fun, Sun-Maid is releasing limited edition, glow-in-the-dark packaging in Sour Raisin Snacks and Yogurt Covered Raisin variety packs. The Halloween-themed Sour Raisin Snacks come in 24 fun size pouches with 12 Strawberry and 12 Blue Raspberry flavors. The Sun-Maid Yogurt Covered Raisin snacks for Halloween are available in an 18-fun-sized pouch box including Chocolate and Vanilla covered raisins. Available via Walmart.com and Amazon.com, the packages feature bats that glow after being held up to a UV or smartphone light.
Sun-Maid Sour Raisin Snacks are fruit snacks the way nature intended – they taste like sour candy but are whole fruit. Taking the raisin up a level, Sun-Maid uses golden raisins and simply adds a little sour pucker of natural fruit flavoring. No added sugar, and northing artificial – these treats provide an entirely new flavor experience. Sour Raisin Snacks come in four flavors for other tastes – including Watermelon and Mixed Berry in addition to Strawberry and Blue Raspberry.
Before I became a mom, I swore that I would have a child who ate everything, and I would never be “one of those moms” who serves chicken nuggets and grilled cheese sandwiches on repeat. As a registered dietitian, I knew how important a healthy, varied diet is to supporting a child’s growing body and mind. Pre-children, when I watched moms struggling to get their kids to eat anything but fruit snacks, I would wonder why it was so hard to get kids to enjoy nourishing foods. They should gleefully eat everything that is offered to them and be excited to try new foods, right?
Once I became a mom, I finally understood that the struggle is real. Kids can be challenging when it comes to eating a variety of good-for-you foods. When my daughter was a toddler, she chowed down on foods like asparagus and sweet potatoes without complaint. But as she got older, she formed her own opinion and loudly voiced her displeasure when I dared to feed her a green vegetable or whole-grain pasta. Slowly but surely, I started getting into the chicken nuggets/grilled cheese rotation and knew that something had to change.
Kids need nutrients like omega 3s, choline, and calcium for a variety of health reasons. I knew that if I put on my dietitian and mom hat at the same time, I could create some solutions that would help my daughter eat and enjoy nutrient-rich foods without protest. Here are three tips that worked in my house and may work in yours too!
1. Try Smart Swaps.
Kids who eat seafood can reap some amazing benefits, including better performance in school, better quality sleep, and improved immune response. But getting kids to voluntarily eat seafood can sometimes feel like pulling teeth. And good luck trying to motivate your little one to finish up her fish fillet to boost her IQ or help support strong bones. Somehow that doesn’t resonate with young children. Despite my best efforts, my daughter refused to eat any seafood until I started swapping out ground beef for a mild fish like farmed salmon in classic kid-friendly recipes like tacos.
Here’s why this worked. She loves tacos! By choosing a fish with a mild flavor and smooth texture, it blended in with the familiar taco toppings and didn’t overwhelm her. When introducing seafood, the key is to serve it as an ingredient in a dish, not plain. I choose farmed salmon from Chile because it contains no antibiotics or mercury and is affordable. Also, farmed salmon tends to have higher levels of brain-boosting omega 3 fatty acids compared to other fish varieties. Whether I use it frozen or fresh, my daughter will eat it on a hamburger bun, in tacos, as a quesadilla filling, and even added to scrambled eggs. She is happy to eat foods that are similar to her “regular” foods, and mama is happy that she is getting a boost of healthy fats, protein, and hard-to-find vitamins, like vitamin D.
2. Invest in an Air Fryer.
I will admit that I am a sucker for new kitchen toys, and an air-fryer did not disappoint. Like many kids (and adults), my daughter tends to prefer fried foods over baked and grilled. Who can blame her? That satisfying crunch of a French fry or fried chicken nugget is hard to beat. But living off of fried foods isn’t good for anyone, especially kids.
Air fryers are a magical appliance that makes food taste fried without being submerged in fat. Don’t ask me how it works, but it works. I love to use the air fryer to introduce new vegetables and meats to my family. So far, the air fryer has successfully added pork chops, green beans, butternut squash, and zucchini to the (growing) list of foods that everyone will eat.
Using an air fryer, I am able to serve up crunchy “fries” using russet and sweet potatoes, as well as sliced carrots, green beans, and even pickles. Serving them with a dip like a homemade ranch or ketchup adds to the pleasure because kids love dipping food into sauces. My daughter happily crunches away on carrot “fries”, and I have less mom-guilt knowing that my daughter is getting some important nutrients into her growing body.
3. Make Food Fun.
My daughter loves to have a “party platter” for lunch or dinner. I love that it involves little-to-no cooking and is a great vehicle for trying new foods and customizing with nutrients she may be lacking. For example, if I’m trying to boost her dairy intake, there might be a Greek yogurt-based dip or a cheese stick on the platter. If she needs more protein and healthy fat, peanut butter on whole-grain crackers or rolled up turkey slices often make an appearance. My rule of thumb is one fruit, one veggie, a whole grain, and a protein, served with a glass of milk. The trick is to always include one component that is a less familiar food to encourage variety. Here are some of our favorite combos:
Whole-grain crackers, turkey roll-ups, red bell pepper slices, hummus, and apple slices
Toothpick “skewers” with grape tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, cucumber slices with homemade ranch dressing, and whole-grain pretzels.
Fresh pineapple chunks with vanilla yogurt dip, peanut butter cracker sandwiches, and baby carrots
There is something inherently fun about the snack or “party” platters and it is the perfect solution for busy weeknights!
Getting kids to eat a balanced diet is a challenge that even registered dietitians experience. Instead of admitting defeat and investing in a Costco-sized box of mac and cheese, testing out some out-of-the-box kitchen hacks can help your child meet important nutrition needs with little stress and frustration. It may take some trial-and-error, but you will surely find a way to get key nutrients into your child’s diet with a little creativity and know-how.
Lauren Manaker is an award-winning registered dietitian, lactation counselor and author. Lauren's work has been featured in numerous publications and demostrates her committment to sharing evidence-based nutrition guidance that simplifies healthy eating. When she is not writing, Lauren can be found boating with her husband, daughter and rescue pup on the waters of Charleston, SC.
From solving the city’s hunger crisis to leading a peace movement for kids, we’ve found some of San Diego’s biggest helpers at spreading kindness and providing much needed essentials and services to the community––and they all happen to be parents. Read on to learn about San Diego moms and dads who are making a difference––and see how you can join their movement.
Julie Rais Ellis is the mother of two and the founder of Rais Case, which started as a bags and accessories collection and has since expanded and grown into a movement. She's passionate about designing the highest quality products that cultivate community and culture around locally handmade goods. The Rais Case team pivoted when Covid-19 struck and they began to utilize their local manufacturing resources to create high quality face masks and bandanas. Shifting production to high quality face masks felt like the perfect way to help out a community that was struggling to find them. Ellis explains, We quickly realized we couldn’t keep up with the demand our wonderful Rais Case community requested. As a solution, we reached out to our handbag production partners to see if they could make our face masks. Because we are an USA made brand with local manufacturers, we could train our handbag cut & sew team in person, get them materials and get into production immediately. We had online orders and direct orders from many San Diego based corporations wanting to equip their frontline employees with face masks. We also wanted to help the front line workers in need of masks and implemented a donation campaign. Our goal was to donate masks to medical workers including doctors, nurses, and staff. We have donated masks to emergency rooms, diagnostic pathology labs, pediatricians, infectious disease departments to name a few. Customer purchases directly supported our ongoing efforts to donate masks to those on front lines. We are proud to have sent thousands of masks to hospitals and medical clinics locally and across the nation.
Ellis offers, Our relationship with our community is where magic happens. Our co-op shop doors are open 7 days a week. This is where you can find a curated collection of local handmade goods as well as our Do It Yourself table. The DIY table is designed for customers to create personalized leather goods from our scrap leather (appointments now required).
Our mission is simple but focused. It is to make quality goods that create community & support well-being.
Passion 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Desperate Situations) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charity dealing with handicapped, neglected, abandoned, abused and underprivileged children of any race, color and creed as well as children in acute, life-threatening, emergency situations in the United States.
Founders, Charles and Linda Van Kessler, have a passion for kids – their kids, other people’s kids, kids that are hurting, kids that are “special” – any kid! That’s why they created Passion 4 K.I.D.S.
With economic hardship, families unraveling, serious childhood illnesses in epidemic proportions, etc., Passion 4 K.I.D.S.’ mission is to focus on children in the United States that need help. These precious little ones have been given very heavy burdens to bear, through no fault of their own – some with life-threatening illnesses, some with abusive homes, some with life-altering accidents caused by others’ irresponsible actions. Each one deserves our best efforts because each one counts.
Charles and Linda reflect, “We hope we can be an example of two very ordinary people – no prior experience in setting up a non-profit, middle class with few resources, helping with situations we previously knew nothing about – who stepped out of our comfort zone to let God interrupt our life with a purpose and mission we are passionate about, yet totally inadequate in our own strength to accomplish. We have learned over and over when God gives the vision, He gives the provision.”
Connect: Passion 4 K.I.D.S invites you to join them on their God-given journey of trying to make a difference – one child at a time! Donate here. There are no salaries taken out of any of your donations. 100% of all donations go directly to the children’s needs
Dana Williams & All the SuperParents Behind Feeding San Diego
Dana Williams is the Director of Marketing & Communications for Feeding San Diego and the mom of two young girls, Charley (10) and London (7). Dana was inspired to join Feeding San Diego because she didn’t feel that it was right that one in eight people in San Diego County face hunger, including one in six children, when more than 40% of all food produced in the country is wasted.
Feeding San Diego is a hunger-relief organization on a mission to connect every person facing hunger with nutritious meals by maximizing food rescue. The organization provides more than 26 million meals to the community every year and 97% of that food is rescued. By diverting more than 25 million pounds of high-quality food from going into the landfill, Feeding San Diego is helping to avert more than 23,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent from going into the atmosphere each year (comparable to taking 5000 cars off the road).
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Feeding San Diego has seen a 50% increase in need for food assistance and many people are accessing their services for the first time. From March 14 to July 31, Feeding San Diego provided more than 12.8 million meals to the community, an increase of 43% compared to the same period the year prior. The downturn caused by the pandemic has exasperated the hunger crisis in San Diego, requiring Feeding San Diego to step in to provide emergency services to assist those affected, in addition to the hundreds of regular food distributions they already host across the county.
While it has been a challenge working full-time for a hunger-relief organization during a pandemic with two young children at home, Dana knows the work she is doing is making a difference in the lives of those facing hunger while also helping the planet.
Feeding San Diego is fueled by the hard work and dedication of so many parents. Also on the organization's media team, Allison Glader has two young sons. Additionally, the Director of Programs, Dana Henderson recently had a baby, the Director of Development Ali Colbran has a one year-old and the Facilities Manager, Clint Dooley has young children too, just to name a few staff members. Further, Feeding San Diego has more than 14,000 volunteers who support their efforts each year, and many of them are parents who bring in their children to help sort produce, etc.
Connect: To learn more about Feeding San Diego, to find food, or to discover ways you can help address the hunger crisis in San Diego County, go to feedingsandiego.org.
Serving the San Diego community has taken on a new meaning for local business owners and parents of two young boys, Marie and Jaime Brawn, operators of local catering company Root Cellar Catering and cafe/market Homestead Solana Beach. In the midst of keeping their own concepts afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Brawns and their partners The Burt Family Foundation created +BOX, a collaborative initiative providing essential nutrition to K-12 families in their local school districts, free of charge.
+Box provides weekly boxes of healthy meal kits with groceries and essential items to create a meal for a family of four. Since early April 2020, more than 1,800 +BOX kits have been distributed, side by side with the existing school lunch meal programs. +Box began a partnership with the Encinitas School District bringing the meal kit boxes to their pick up locations for families on the reduced lunch program. As the school year ended and the need for access to healthy meals grew +Box added both the Carlsbad and Solana Beach school districts to their distribution.
The + Box model is also zero waste, with unsold produce from Homestead’s market and provisions placed in the boxes. With the hope to grow +Box into a 1:1 charity, such as the Tom’s model, where for every box purchased a family will receive a box, the Brawns along with the Burt Family Foundation are seeking to grow +Box to more districts and help more families in need.
More than just a dance studio, Lovely Leaps is a movement of its own. Studio founders Lisa and Ricky McCabe started Lovely Leaps when their daughter was just five months old. Lisa's goal as a dance instructor is to offer a whole child approach to help grow kids' (ages 10 months-10 years) confidence and comfort in their own bodies. She believes dance should focus on fun instead of perfection and she stresses inclusion. The love of dance is what will take your child to the next level, not perfection or the way they look.
Lovely Leaps Dance Studio is keeping the rhythm alive through free virtual classes and the dream that one day these classes might connect kids across the country and all over the world. Lisa McCabe offers, "We have been so blessed during this season, we have virtually taught over 1000 students and had a socially distant in-person dance camp! The future of Lovely Leaps is our fun themed virtual classes, and when it’s safe we can’t wait to open our studio doors back up."
You can find Lovely Leaps' virtual studio on their website along with their free virtual classes on Thursdays. They hope to open the doors of their San Marcos and Solana Beach studio locations as soon as possible, allowing only 5 kids in a class at a time.
Steven James was passionate about art, anime, comic books, and video games growing up. Now, he creates special licensed graphics on skateboards, accessories, and apparel. His company Finesse encourages youth to follow their dreams and supports talented skaters from coast-to-coast. Finesse offers special skateboard collections featuring licensed and non-licensed graphics from anime, video game and comic book properties. Art is directed, designed and illustrated by Steven James. The Collection can be found online and at fine retailers worldwide. Pressed out of San Diego, California, Finesse Skateboards are built to last and great for all skill levels.
James tells Red Tricycle, "We have monthly skate sessions at skateparks around San Diego County. We encourage local skaters at these parks to follow their dreams and passions in life. God has a plan for us all, on and off the skateboard. We give out free skateboards, skateboard equipment, fruit, snacks, water and Tech Decks to youth in need at Skateparks and Schools."
Connect: Support Finesse Decks so they can continue to make a difference in the lives of San Diego youth. See the Finesse deck collection here.
Cat Kom started Studio SWEAT onDemand’s Youth Channel to help get kids excited about health and fitness. But once COVID-19 hit, and most of us found ourselves stuck at home, Cat realized just how necessary it was to have workouts designed for kids, teens and even some parents can do with their toddlers! These classes were filmed before the pandemic hit, and many were filmed with local kids at Y’s right here in San Diego.
Cat tells Red Tricycle,
"Keeping our kids active is so important these days. With all of the rules and mandates constantly changing, children need a consistent and constructive way to release their energy and stay positive, while things like team sports and after-school activities are put on hold. We are thrilled to be able to support our community, and kids around the nation in this way. And as for the parents’ sanity, our brick-and-mortar studio is still teaching outdoor classes, to give those moms and dads a much needed break while staying fit, getting out of the house, and engaging in their local community.
And, for those looking to work out from home, Studio SWEAT onDemand’s library of streaming workouts is the perfect way for anyone to stay fit in the comfort and safety of their living rooms. Members can sign up for an All Access Pass, which gives them full access to our huge onDemand workouts, from rejuvenating Bedtime Yoga to calorie-crushing High Intensity Bootcamps.
We’ve also partnered with local YMCAs to help them offer our streaming fitness service free of charge to their members––to lift their spirits, keep them healthy, and deliver the experience of real group fitness classes they know and love."
Kristen Lucas founded The Well Community for Women with a mission we can all appreciate: to serve families in San Diego with affordable workspace and to host events for women with childcare always included. The Well's community events for all include business workshops, paint nights, health and wellness seminars, fitness classes, and after-school classes for kids (hope to resume one day soon)! This fall The Well will have a small distance learning class for school-aged kids available Mon.-Fri. so moms can come for a few hours and get work done or meet a friend and have help with the new virtual learning.
Paying it Forward: The Well has businesses that are community partners as well as private donors who help underwrite all of this to keep prices low and so they can offer scholarships to women/kids in need and to eight other nonprofits they partner with. Lucas says, "Ultimately, our goal is to encourage and serve women in our community in their businesses and lives!"
Connect: Learn how you can partner with The Well to provide their resources including workspace, support groups, kid’s programs and special events to women in need for free.
Carol Areas/Word Rocks Project
Carol Areas/Word Rocks Project
Carol Areas, creator of the Word Rocks Project tells Red Tricycle, "Almost ten years ago, my only son had the idea to paint rocks with positive words and, in his own words, "spread them all over the city to make people happy. That’s how The Word Rocks Project was born."
Areas adds, "He is now 19 years old, being challenged by his first college years as a young man diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. We have continued to spread joy this way for the past nine years. With all the recent changes in the world, I see my Craft with a Purpose Workshop for kids taking a long-term leave.
To keep things rolling, I created my Art+Kindness box. In a world that can always use more art and kindness, my brand new box exists to spread some magic around. In fact, it’s a mission that I've been doing for the past ten years and that now is available for you to do as well! With 10 items, from rocks to clay rainbows, from postcards to felt birds, my Art + Kindness box has the goal to help you spread kindness & magic through art abandonment.
Send a box to a kid to help them start to understand the idea of compassion and kindness through art being abandoned to bring joy––or to have something special in hand to give it to a teacher or a friend. Buy a box to spread the love in your community and make it a special place for your neighbors. Planning a trip? Make it extra special by leaving bits of joy wherever you go.
My goal is simple: connect many, inspire & empower others to join us in creating a kinder world.
By ordering a box, besides supporting my kindness projects, above all, you are making this world a better place through art + kindness."
Connect: Email Carol to order a box at: wordrocks.me@gmail.com. The Art + Kindness box is $29.99 + $8.30 (flat rate for small box).
Jill McManigal is the mother of two and co-founder of Kids for Peace, an organization that aims to uplift the world through love and action. Their mission is to "empower kids to create peace through hands-on service, global friendships and thoughtful acts of kindness. Our vision is a safe and peaceful world where all people respect and care for each other and our planet. Kids for Peace serves as a model and inspiration for creating this reality with children leading the way, not only for today, but for generations to come."
Connect: Your kids (grades 2-8) can join Club Kids for Peace, a weekly virtual after school program. Here they'll connect with peers and learn how to open their minds and hearts for the greater good.
Our allergy-friendly fruit snack guide features 11 fruit snacks with 9 of them that are top 8 free!
Dedicated Facilities: Allergens Vary
YumEarth Organic Fruit Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Sesame, Gluten Contains: No Top 8 IncludesPrecautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Shellfish Allergen Statement
YumEarth Organic Tropical Fruit Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Sesame, Gluten Contains: No Top 8 Includes Precautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: Peanut, Tree Nut, Egg, Shellfish Allergen Statement
Tasty Organic Fruit Snacks, Super Fruit Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Gluten Contains: No Top 8 IncludesPrecautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: Top 8
AriZona Real Fruit Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Gluten Contains: No Top 8 IncludesPrecautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated Allergen Statement
Betty Crocker Scooby Doo Fruit Flavored Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8, Gluten Contains: No Top 8
Includes Precautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
Kellogg’s Fruity Snacks Mixed Berry Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8 (except coconut), Gluten Contains: Coconut Includes Precautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: None Stated
Black Forest Juicy Burst Mixed Fruit Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8 (except coconut), Gluten Contains: Coconut IncludesPrecautionary Label: This product was manufactured in a facility where milk, eggs, almonds, coconut, peanuts and soy are used in the production of other products. Facility Dedicated Free From: None stated Allergen Statement
Welch’s Mixed Fruit Snacks Ingredients Do Not Contain: Top 8 (except coconut), Gluten Contains: Coconut Includes Precautionary Label: None Facility Dedicated Free From: None stated Allergen Statement
Spokin is a modern platform and app connecting people managing food allergies to resources including food, restaurants, hotels and more. Users have personalized experiences based on allergies & location. With 55,000+ reviews across 79 countries, Spokin helps the allergy community share and connect. The Spokin iOS app is free on iTunes.
When you’ve got a kid with allergies, Halloween is a unique challenge of its own. Navigating through piles of candy that your kiddo may or may not be allergic to is not the easiest task, which is why we’ve put together a list of candies and treats that skip some of the most common allergens, like tree nuts, gluten, soy and dairy. We hope it comes in handy both when buying candy and going through your little one’s haul, but remember: always check the ingredients list and manufacturing practices before letting your littles dive in!
Enjoy Life Chocolate Minis
Enjoy Life, a leading allergen-free food manufacturer, has released their latest treat—Halloween Chocolate Minis. Choose from dark chocolate, ricemilk chocolate, ricemilk crunch and a variety pack. All of the chocolate is free of the top eight allergens and is gluten-free.
Halloween can be tough for kids with food allergies. That's where free2b comes in. Their line of sun cups and mint cups are top 12 allergen-free, and free from artificial flavors, colors, sweeteners, preservatives, hydrogenated oils, palm oil and carrageenan, as well. The entire line is Non-GMO Project Verified, Certified Gluten-Free, Certified Vegan, Kosher Pareve and Fair Trade Certified.
Our kid tasters particularly loved the consistency of the filling in both the sunflower and mint options. Buy them in two packs or in Halloween-themed single packs for trick-or-treaters. You can purchase them online or at a store near you.
Black Forest Organic Trick or Treat Mix
Made with real fruit juice and simple ingredients, trick-or-treaters will go wild for this tasty mix from Black Forest Organic. It’s got a nice variety of lollipops, gummies and fruit chews, and they’re all gluten-free and nut-free.
Allergy-friendly food company SAFE + FAIR has an awesome line of kid-approved treats, including Abby’s Cookies and Remy’s Grahams. The treats are nut-free (and made in a nut-free facility), non-GMO and made with whole grains, so you’ll feel good about handing them out to the little ghouls at your doorstep. SAFE + FAIR even donates 3% of proceeds to the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University.
This cult-favorite brand carries a range of delish vegan and paleo chocolate bars in flavors so good, you won’t even want to give them away. Try the cashew butter and raspberry jelly, the crunchy mint or the almond butter and puffed quinoa. All of the bars are free from dairy, palm oils, emulsifiers, soy lecithin, gluten, refined sugar, cane sugar and sugar alcohols, but note that some flavors contain nuts.
Made from organic fruit juice and cane sugar, these sweet beans are free of over 10 allergens, including tree nuts, soy, casein, sesame and more. And, they recently released a new multi-pack—just in time for the big night!
Your kid can finally dig into a "peanut" butter cup, a "snickers" bar and "milk" chocolate on Halloween! These individually wrapped treats are milk free, nut free, gluten free and wheat free. They are also vegan, processed in an allergen-free environment and taste great.
Partake makes cookies in three flavors: a yummy (and slightly spiced) carrot oat, sweet potato millet and a wholesome sprouted grain chocolate chip. Thought up by a mom who struggled to find a tasty, allergen-free snack for her own kiddo, each box of cookies is filled with veggies, fruits, and grains, and is free of top allergens, including tree nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat and more. Gluten-free and non-GMO Project verified, there’s nothing but goodness left in these sweet snacks.
Kids love Dum Dums for the more than 15 different flavors, while parents love the price! Free of the top eight allergens, and made in an allergen-free facility, these suckers are always a good bet. Be sure to look for the newest flavor—pineapple!
This year Welch's Fruit Snacks has a Halloweeny box and pouch with custom holiday-themed fun shapes that include a bat, a spooky witch, haunted castle, and pumpkin. These guys are completely peanut & tree nut free (and also made in an allergen-free/isolated environment) and perfect for trick or treating, lunchbox treats or parties. The fruity, beloved treats will balance out the overflowing chocolate and candy options for you and your gang.
Even though these classic treats are free of the top eight allergens and are produced and labeled in compliance with FDA Good Manufacturing Practices, kiddos with severe allergies still might want to skip 'em. But, if they get the green light from parents, we found a great combo bag that offers both Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish.
Annually a top pick: the name says it all. Lovingly made in small batches in Vermont, mail-order customers keep coming back for these incredibly delicious chocolates, creamy fudge, and every other candy you can think of! How about jelly beans? Check! Gummy Bears, crunchy-chewy Pretzel Caramel Bark? You know it. Everything is made in a tree-nut free facility (gluten/wheat, soy, eggs and dairy products are processed here, however), and worry-free seasonal candies can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.
Turn up the heat with these delectable, shiny, soft, allergy-free hearts. Zinged up with spicy real cinnamon oil and bursting with flavor, they're a throwback to the old-school cinnamon hearts from our own childhood. These little red guys are; "Hot! Hot! Hot!", and for calmer palates Gimbals' also has a complete line of other candies. Gimbal's candies are peanut-free, tree nut-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and egg-free and also include gourmet & sour jelly beans, Sour Lovers, Cherry Lovers, and black-as-Halloween-night Licorice Scotties.
Another one of the candy bunch you've already heard of, but did you know Smarties are free of all Top 8 allergens? These have been dubbed "America's Favorite Candy Roll" since 1949 and Smarties Candy Company has even been featured on the Food Network's "Unwrapped" television show with a fancy-schmancy factory tour so they're about as legit as candy gets. Allergy-free, gluten-free and completely vegan. Timeless.
So now you've met some of the new kids on the allergy-free block. Well: look no farther because here's a very familiar face! More than just Juicy Fruit or Spearmint gum, Lifesavers are delightfully allergy-free, the Gummy Life Savers and Creme Savers, too. Skittles & Starburst, oh my! Add Altoids to the allergy safe list, as well, and they're also gluten-free. So find the rainbow, taste the rainbow, and even ride the rainbow of favorite fruit flavors all while remaining allergy safe - and you can find these tasty treats absolutely everywhere.
If dark chocolate is your thing, look no further than PASCHA Chocolate's original assertive, tasty bars. This allergen-free organic chocolate is just right for baking and is such a great addition to recipes it will take your culinary skills to a whole new level (even if the Martha Stewart gene skipped you!). How about kitchen fun on an afternoon that won’t cause any bad reactions? Mail-order chocolate chips can get whipped up into sweet batters for cookies and bars, and whole or mini-bars can be nibbled any old time without allergy-worry—so get cookin' and take a walk on the Dark Side!
