Atlanta has a strong Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, and the many Atlanta Asian American-owned businesses that cater to families include toy stores, restaurants, bookstores, photography studios, florists, art installations, and more. To check out the vast array of unique, eclectic and downright irresistible AAPI-owned businesses in Atlanta, keep reading.
Located in Duluth, Georgia, Hello Rainbow Toys thoughtfully curates a collection of toys and learning resources for the children you love. Opened in November 2018, owner Trang Tran has been passionated about sourcing the best products for children that you can’t find at large retailers for years. After being a museum store buyer for over 10 years, she decided to open her own toy store.
How to Support: Shop the store, or call for a well-curated, very knowledgeable personal shopper to guide you through the process of picking the perfect present for the little in your life.
3550 W Lawrenceville St. Ste. 330 Duluth, GA 30096 470-268-4114
Established in 2017, this Atlanta-based bookstore houses curated wares from China and Taiwan. Tucked away among Chinese and bilingual books, you'll find imported teas and tea sets, Chinese calligraphy materials, stationery and gift items. The store is found nestled among the stores and restaurants of Chinatown, Atlanta and aims to cultivate an awareness of Chinese culture and to preserve and maintain the Chinese community in Atlanta.
How to Support: In addition to shopping the store, be on the lookout for special events, like last month's Tea Culture Workshop.
5391 New Peachtree Rd. Chamblee, GA 30341 (770) 451-5171
Co-founder of the National Association of Professional Child Photographers (NAPCP) and Park Studios (a natural light studio and creative space), and founder of Alice Park Photography and Creativity Camp, Alice is a passionate entrepreneur, creative and industry influencer of more than 15 years.
How to Support: Join Alice Park and her talented team of photographers for an exclusive photographic event celebrating motherhood in April, and be on the lookout for her other photography events throughout the year (or book a private session with her). Your ticket includes a 10 minute mini-session and special treats for you and your children.
Located at Buckhead Village, Pinker Times is a floral shop and art installation pop-up that features two floral art installations, unique bouquets and arrangements for purchase and a choose-your-own flower bar. Founded by artist Skye Lin, the ethereal floral design studio offers unique florals, including amaranthus, dahlias, peonies and more inside a 1200-square-foot space. The space features a minimalistic aesthetic with pink walls and delicately arranged flowers throughout. A new offering at the store is the “Forever Flower Bar,” a dried flower wall where guests can choose by the stem. In addition, Pinker Times houses two of Skye’s installations: a floating arrangement styled with dried stems and a second, newer exhibition featuring a field of pink grasses embodying Lin’s personal representation of “pinker times” – a happy time, place or feeling that is cherished.
How to Support: Swing by to create your own bouquet from seasonal flowers, or reach out to Pinker Times for your special event floral needs. They do everything from weddings to baby showers, and anything in between. Or just pay the storefront a visit. Pinker Times is an art installation dedicated to anyone who could use a little beauty away from the noise.
Inspired by the hawker markets on the streets of Asia, PH’EAST is an Asian-focused food hall that brings a Far East Street Feast to The Battery Atlanta. Guests are able to sample foods from Japan, China, Laos and the Pacific Islands—prepared by best-in-category chefs and restaurateurs.PH’EAST offers beverages, meals or quick snacks – all to be savored at communal indoor seating or on the covered patio. Food stalls include 26 Thai, Poke Burri, Lifting Noodles Ramen, Fan T’Asia, Kung Fu Tea and Taps, among others. PH’EAST can seat 80 people outside on the 1,500 square foot covered patio, or 90 people inside which is designed to make you feel like you’re walking through an alleyway in Japan or China.
How to Support: Whether you're in the mood for bubble tea or beer, head to PH'EAST for food options to satisfy every craving. Add to the food some live music and outdoor dining, and you've got yourself a dream date, with or without your kiddos.
Daughter of the esteemed Charlie and Nan Niyomkul of Nan Thai Fine Dining fame, Dee Dee is a powerhouse by her own right. Creating Tuk Tuk Thai Food Loft in Brookwood Hills and now Chai-Yo in Buckhead, her upscale Thai concepts have innovated right through the pandemic. Offering family style meals to go, outdoor dining with live music, and considerable contributions towards ending food insecurity, Dee Dee is at the helm of a growing and thriving component of the Atlanta restaurant scene.
Peiru Kim graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in business in 1996, then worked for a real estate development company for more than 15 years before purchasing her first Sugarcoat location in 2010. Since then, it's grown to six locations with two more set to open in the upcoming months. And it goes far beyond the typical nail salon, offering a beautiful environment and seats that make the guest feel like they're sitting on their own thrones.
How to Support: Do yourself a solid and book an appointment today, and don't forget to take your mini-me! They have Miss Priss packages for guests ages 10 & under.
Hea Won and her husband, Charles Harris opened the first ever storefront of Eleven TLC—a wellness co. offering adaptogenic teas, lattes, caffeine (TLC) and vegan soft serve ice cream—at Ponce City Market in January 2021 and is now open in Buckhead at Lenox Mall. With health and wellness top of mind, Eleven TLC uses ethically sourced, organic ingredients and consults experts in a variety of fields (mixologists, functional medicine practitioners, doctors and recipe developers) to carefully concoct recipes that provide true health benefits for the consumer. Hea Won and her husband strongly believe in using organic, clean ingredients even when it’s not the most convenient choice.
How to Support: Located in Ponce City Market and Lenox Mall, Eleven TLC is a great choice for refueling your body for the BeltLine or perhaps some retail therapy. And parents, listen up! They recommend a Super-Powered Matcha for hours of calm, clear-headed energy. Don't everyone run there at once.
Butcher & Brew is an American gastro sports bar with two locations. The original location is in the soul of Alpharetta’s Historic Downtown District and the second location is at Halcyon in Forsyth County. Originally opened in 2016 by restaurateur Louis Soon, the restaurant serves an eclectic and extensive collection of craft beers paired with bold and tasty twists on sandwiches, bowls and shareable fare. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, and the food program is led by Culinary Director Andy Long. Butcher & Brew has been featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Eater Atlantaand Atlanta Magazine. Butcher & Brew is part of Maven Restaurant Group, which also includes neighboring South Main Kitchen, Lapeer Seafood Market and the newly opened Mow’s Chinese Kitchen.
How to Support: Grab a table early in the evening so your kids can get plenty of greenspace time in before din-din (and you can enjoy a cold one) at the Downtown Alpharetta location. And, starting Feb. 1, kids eat free! Spend $20 and earn 1 free kids meal Mon.-Thurs. from 4-6 p.m.
Lazy Betty is a modern and innovative restaurant inspired by its community and guided by exquisite ingredients and a thoughtful approach where every part contributes to the whole. Executive Chef/Partner Ron Hsu and Chef de Cuisine/Partner Aaron Phillips helm the kitchen, creating bright and well-executed tasting menus. Named a 2020 James Beard Award semifinalist for “Best New Restaurant,” Lazy Betty was awarded three-star reviews from both The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (here) and Atlanta Magazine (here), and it was also named “Best New Restaurant" by Atlanta Magazine (here) and “Restaurant of the Year” by Eater Atlanta (here).
How to Support: Save Lazy Betty for a date night, but go ahead and book a sitter, stat.
1530 Dekalb Ave. NE Atlanta, GA 404-975-3692
L&M Market
Sunghee Kim, who runs L&M Market in Midtown with her husband, has created a neighborhood convenience store with a "bodega" vibe. Expect a good selection of household items, snacks, and groceries, plus a standout selection of beer and wine.
How to Support: Stop by L&M Market before heading to Piedmont Park this weekend (or next, or whenever). You'll be able to put together an easy picnic in no time.
If your feet need some TLC, then the only place you need to head is to Sole Spa. You'll find foot and body reflexology, massage, and acupressure in an urban oasis with organic oils and an array of relaxing aromatherapy. In short, this place is the bomb. Go. you won't regret it.
It seems like I’ve been gardening all my life. And teaching children the skills and love for gardening are what brings me joy in the gardening world. If you can see their huge smiles and excitement as they watch their plants grow, then you know you have instilled a love for nature. I still remember as a young child, my parents would bring me out to their backyard to help plant pumpkin seeds. I then graduated to planting tree saplings to learning how to transplant, divide plants, and propagate.
While not every child desires to learn about plants, most of them do however enjoy being outdoors and digging their fingers in the soil. There are health benefits to growing your own garden or planting your own food. You get to be outside in fresh air, you decide on what you want to grow, you can see pollinators visit your garden, and you can enjoy the bounty of your fresh fruits and vegetables! And there are many easy-to-grow plants for children no matter their skill level. And with spring just around the corner, now is the best time to prepare for your spring planting. If you like to start with seeds, get them ready as most seeds take about 7-10 days to sprout and then 2-3 months for the plants to be fully grown. If you can’t wait for the seeds to sprout and transplant, then seedlings or small established plants might be a better choice.
Below are 10 ways of getting your child interested in growing their own garden. These are fairly easy steps and you can start small with just a few plants.
1. Start off with easy to grow plants. Beans, beets, carrots, peas, radishes, and tomatoes are all easy beginner plants. Buy organic seeds or seedlings whenever possible as these are edible plants. Peas, tomatoes, and carrots can be easily grown in planters too.
2. Enlist them in the garden design. Decide on whether you want to grow in a planter or directly in the ground. Planters are great for beginners or if you have a small space. Pick planters that have good drainage holes.
3. Make it personal by planting a favorite flower. Check out planting seasons and plant their favorite flower or birth flower.
4. Study the full life cycle of a seed. Most seeds take about 7-10 days to sprout. Seedlings are usually about 2-3 inches tall and can be planted directly into the ground or in a planter that can accommodate the size of a fully grown plant. Growing from seeds is particularly fun because your child can track the growth of the seed as it germinates into a seedling!
5. Take your child to a garden center. Walk around the garden center to see what’s in season and get inspiration. Talk to a horticulturist while there to get some insider tips on growing a bountiful garden! And while you’re there, pick up some plants to take home.
6. Purchase basic garden tools. Buy thick gloves, garden spade, garden hand trowel, a small rake, garden shears, and a watering can. Get either child-size tools or smaller adult sizes so they’ll grow with your child.
7. Go on a nature walk at a local park or arboretum. This will inspire both you and your child to appreciate and discover various plants. Oftentimes arboretums will sell native plants so they’re great for your little ones to choose for themselves.
8. Create a plant journal. Depending on the age of your child, you can have them start a plant journal where they can draw or cut out pictures of what they’re planting. Then record the start date of planting and the growth period. This also helps develop good recording skills for future planting and gardening techniques.
9. Grow specific plants for pollinators. Great plants to grow for butterflies and bees are native flowers or all-inclusive plants such as herbs, sunflowers, and daisies. Pollinators help increase the growth of your own plants as well as help them pollinate other plants. I love growing Milkweed for our Monarch butterflies during springtime. These unique and beautiful pollinators are instantly attracted to this specific plant and you’ll get to watch the cute little caterpillars too!
10. Plant a hummingbird habitat garden. Once in a while, I will grow plants that hummingbirds love right in front of my front door. It’s so delightful to hear their little wings flap as they drink the nectar from my plants. Hummingbird plants include Butterfly Bush, Trumpet Vine, and Honeysuckles. Just think of anything in a tubular flower shape where their long beaks can fit into the flowers. Instill the love of gardening and being in nature when your child is young. Teach them basic gardening skills and they’ll soon want to grow a garden for you! Happy gardening!
I am a mom first and foremost. I might not be a supermom, but I am constantly learning and growing.Topics I stand with are parenting, the environment, and living a healthy and happy lifestyle. I work at an elementary school and I have 30 years experience in the health industry.
Collectively, we must continue to raise our voices and educate our kids about the importance of being anti-racist and standing for justice. Another way to directly make a positive impact is to shop with intention, put your money in a meaningful place and support Black-owned businesses in our community and beyond. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite Black-owned businesses in San Diego. From skateboards that double as works of art and America’s #1 black-owned vegan cookie company, to an extraordinary banana pudding from a generations-old secret recipe, a coffee shop that fosters community and a lovely dance studio––read on to learn about amazing businesses owned by exceptional, creative, inventive people.
When one thinks of San Diego's best donuts, Nomad Donut's globally inspired donuts made daily from scratch top the list. Owner and co-founder of Nomad Donuts, Brad Keiller, opened the super popular shop in North Park in 2014. The shop also serves delicious bagels and coffee as well as a wide range of vegan donuts in blissful flavors like vegan lemon poppy seed with caramel drizzle. Go treat your tastebuds today and support this locally owned business.
A trio of sisters, Martiza, Sativa, and Kaya founded Dirt Don't Hurt in 2017. These conscientious moms have six kids between them and during their pregnancies, they started to become more aware of what ingredients were in their personal care and cleaning products. Their line Dirt Don't Hurt was born when they decided to create the safe and natural beauty products they were looking for. Their plant-based products are 100% vegan and cruelty-free and include skincare and oral care. Try their popular All-Natural Activated Charcoal Tooth Powder.
Enjoy southern dishes with a twist at Shotcaller Street Soul Food. From bread pudding and BBQ Brisket melts to a mind-boggling variety of loaded mac 'n' cheese bowls, this is comfort food galore. The truly adventurous should try their new spin on the burrito: the Soulritto, which is a burrito stuffed with mac n’ cheese, collard greens, tater tots and meat, chicken or fish. Owners Ron Suel and RaVae Smith also own Suckerfree and Streetcar Merchants if you're in the mood for more creative southern cuisine.
Here's the scoop: San Diego State alum AJ Williams purchased wildly popular ice cream shop Hammond’s in the fall of 2019. Treat yourself to an ice cream flight (you can even get a flight of 32!) boasting multiple scoops, because you'll be hard-pressed to choose between over 300 handmade flavors including Chocolate Coconut Macadamia Nut, Lilikoi Sorbet, Peanut Butter and Guava Jelly. Vegan options are available too!
Po'Boys, swamp fries, gumbo, jambalaya and so much more southern comfort food await you at Liberty Public Market's Cane Patch Kitchen. Don't forget to order their homemade Creole delicacy beignets. Additionally, their apple pie recipe has been handcrafted and passed down since 1912, so you know it's got to be good. This restaurant's delicious dishes are compliments of owner Tony Smalls and Ebony Broadway’s family recipes which all date back to the early 1900s. Go grab a good, old-fashioned meal.
CurlyKids and their sister brand CurlyChic are black-owned, family-operated out of San Diego, and women-led. The products are available at Target, Walmart, Sally Beauty, Kroger and independent beauty supply stores throughout Southern California and the world!
Maya was looking for the perfect vegan cookie: crispy-on-the-outside and gooey-on-the-inside. Unable to find it, she created a cookie recipe herself. Soon, she was a local celebrity with moms and kids––which inspired her to open Maya’s Cookies. Voted San Diego's Best Vegan Baked Goods in 2017 and 2018, Maya's decadent cookie flavors range from chocolate chip and caramel pecan to funfetti and gluten-free s’ mores. You’ll love them all! Maya's Cookies is now America's #1 Black-owned vegan cookie company.
Steven and Rod James founded a quintessential SoCal business with Finesse, a skate and lifestyle company. 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. Finesse encourages youth to follow their dreams and supports talented skaters from coast to coast. Check out the collection online and order an epic deck today. Kids will be especially fond of the Sonic Hedgehog Rings Deck! Follow Finesse on Instagram to get a glimpse of Steven drawing his amazing deck designs.
You'll go absolutely bananas for this pudding! Stop by and order up an aptly named extraordinary banana pudding from this recently opened shop. It's the only banana pudding shop in the United States. San Diego native Toran Grays opened this sweet spot in honor of his late great-grandmother's banana pudding recipe. It had been her dream to open a pudding place, and now Gray has brought her dream to life. He wants everyone to enjoy this "American staple" that makes him think of being a kid again whenever he eats it. Made with the finest ingredients, your sweet tooth will be more than satisfied. You’ll also find other creative pudding flavors including pistachio, red velvet, chocolate banana, and butterscotch. Even more, try the banana pudding taco! Additionally, there are gluten-free flavors that change daily.
You must check out their newest flavor, banana cheesecake, which just launched in January. Also, stop by any day between 4 pm - 6 pm for happy hour and receive $2 off any size pudding!
Lovely Leaps dance studio teaches love of movement and inclusion one leap at a time. Lovely Leaps owner Lisa McCabe, an African American engineer turned dance instructor, focuses on making dance fun and developing key motor skills for kids ages 10 months - 10 years by growing their confidence and comfort in their own bodies. 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 kids blossom. She believes dance should focus on fun instead of perfection and she stresses inclusion. The Lovely Leaps team makes sure each child feels seen, heard, and loved in their dance journey.
The studio currently offers both virtual and in-person classes. Click here for class schedules.
301 E Grand Ave., Escondido, CA 92025 760-539-2543 Online: lovelyleaps.com
Craving deep-fried powdered sugar goodness? Order-up beignets at AJ’s food truck. Then, it’s time for a cajun meal. Our faves include the Holy Trinity Slider with smok’d pulled pork and a mac’n saucy cheese on butta’ bread or the Creole chicken bites and mac'n cheese (good for the kiddos!). AJ's food truck pops-up in different spots from 4S Ranch to the Gaslamp neighborhood, and they start delivery soon. Check the website and order today!
This is a great way to get half-pints to drink their veggies (without evening knowing it!) Head out to Blendees in East County or order for delivery to your door (via Doordash). Blendees strives to create quality blends with max health benefits by drinking fruit, veggies, herbs and roots! Plus, they taste delicious. Even more, add-in an Acacia split and you're healthy and happy.
1297 East Main St. El Cajon, CA 92021 Online: blendees.com
Derrick Banks is the owner of Freshly Faded Barber + Shop in San Diego. He has been cutting hair professionally since 2005 and specializes in fades of any type on any hair texture. He started his shop out of necessity because there wasn’t a shop in San Diego to let him grow into the person he was becoming. He wanted to accurately display the diversity of African-American culture and provide positive representation of that same culture on a platform that is approachable and welcoming. The goal has always been to change the community one haircut at a time. When you step into the shop, they fully immerse you in Art, Music, Incense, Philosophical conversations, and dope haircuts–– which is only a portion of what they do. Schedule an appointment online today!
2850 El Cajon Blvd. San Diego, CA 92104 Online: freshlyfaded.com
In their own words, Cafe X is "more than just coffee, it's a movement to promote healing and communal wealth-building for communities of color inside a sacred space through activism and artivism, in a natural and respectful way, one cup at a time." This worker-owned coffee and co-op seeks to provide a welcoming space for people to learn from each other. In addition to serving up delicious coffee and drinks, Cafe X is built upon an ideology of the ripple effect and its co-owners Cynthia Ajani and Khea Pollard hope to make waves of positive change in the community via thoughtful collaborations.
7220 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92115 619-537-6632 Online: byanybeans.org
Looking for a plumber? Look no further than AC Plumbing Construction, which was voted the #1 plumbing service in Carlsbad. Their certified and trained plumbers are available 24 hours a day for all of your plumbing and AC needs. They even offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
Puzzle Pieces Marketing is a marketing agency that works primarily with nonprofits, but also mission-driven businesses. President, Angel Mason Broadus, is an active volunteer in the community as well as a Steering Committee Member, Women United of the United Way of San Diego County and Marketing Committee Chair of the Boys & Girls Club of San Diego. Puzzle Pieces Marketing currently represents Volunteers of America, which provides supportive housing to families with children, as well as The Ballington Academy Charter Schools.
San Diego’s first chicken and waffle restaurant, Rhythm & Waffle is located in Pacific Beach. They now offer order and pick up so it's an easy weeknight dinner option for families bustling between sports. Try the famous Chicken and Waffle Sandwich which is fried chicken between a delicious Belgian waffle topped with cheese and bacon. Click here for the full menu.
Getting the news that you’re expecting is instant motivation to commit to a health and wellness routine. Those mama-bear instincts immediately kick in, and the desire to care for your growing baby is fierce and unwavering. While the intention for a healthy pregnancy is clear, discovering the best ways to stay on track isn’t always easy. We’ve rounded up 9 important tips for a healthy pregnancy.
photo: iStock
1. Get a dental cleaning. Your pearly whites might not be the first thing you think of when you’re creating a health plan for your pregnancy, but the increased hormones during pregnancy can affect your body’s response to plaque (the layer of bacteria on your teeth). Maintaining good dental hygiene at home and visiting your dentist while pregnant is extremely important.
Research has found a link between gum disease in pregnant women and premature birth with low birth weight. So make sure that both your teeth and your gums get extra care and attention while you’re expecting. Don’t forget to let your dentist or any other specialist you see while pregnant know you’re expecting.
2. Get proper nutrition. When you’re pregnant, you’re not just eating for two—you’re also consuming the vitamins and minerals for two! Focus on consuming nutrient-rich foods like fresh fruits and veggies, and consider supplementing your nutrition with a prenatal vitamin.
3. Avoid hyperpigmentation with broad-spectrum mineral sunscreen. The “mask of pregnancy,” clinically known as melasma, is a condition experienced by anywhere from 50% to 75% of women. It’s a specific form of hyperpigmentation that is most commonly associated with pregnancy. While you may have heard that it’s triggered by the increase in estrogen that happens when pregnant, you might not know that the condition is exasperated by sun exposure. That’s why it’s more important than ever to incorporate sunscreen into your daily routine while growing your bump.
Choosing the right sunscreen is also important. The FDA says that there’s enough current evidence to conclude that titanium dioxide and zinc oxide—ingredients that are used in mineral sunscreen products—don’t warrant the same health concerns as chemical sunscreen ingredients such as oxybenzone. So, to be safe, stick to mineral-based sun blockers while pregnant.
photo: iStock
4. Eat small meals throughout the day to avoid heartburn. Those pesky pregnancy hormones are disrupting things again by causing the lower esophageal sphincter (the muscular valve between the stomach and esophagus) to relax, allowing stomach acids to flow back up into the esophagus. This means that more than half of all pregnant women will experience heartburn.
Luckily, there are ways to combat heartburn before it hits. Doctors recommend eating several small meals each day (try one of these nourishing bowls) rather than large ones. Avoid fried, spicy or rich (fatty) foods, and try not to lie down directly after eating.
5. Stay hydrated with filtered water to reduce exposure to toxins. Don’t leave home without your water bottle! You’ll need more water than the average person, since water plays an important role in the healthy development of your baby. To play it extra safe, drink filtered water when possible to avoid lead, microorganisms, bacteria and other toxins. 6. Focus on pelvic mobility exercise to avoid diastasis recti. It’s tricky to say and even trickier to deal with: diastasis recti, a condition many women suffer from as a result of pregnancy in which the abdominal muscles separate. Before you hit the panic button, there are a few things you can do while pregnant, as well as moves you can do postpartum, to help avoid this from happening. Focus on pelvic mobility exercises, such as pelvic tilts, pelvic circles and bridges. When paired with correct breathing, these build a better relationship between your abdominals and your pelvic floor muscles. Check out exercises programs, like those at Every Mother, for a more complete guide on how to keep your core strong during and after pregnancy.
photo: iStock
7. Eat ginger on a regular basis. Ginger, considered to be a super food because of its numerous health benefits, is especially powerful for pregnant women. It helps boost blood circulation, relieves nausea from morning sickness and can help keep blood-glucose levels in check.
8. Start a journaling ritual. If you don’t already have a journaling routine, start one during your pregnancy. The nine-plus months leading up to the arrival of your baby can be overwhelming, and this ritual can help you acknowledge and process whatever you may be feeling. It’s also a great strategy for better understanding how your diet, daily activities and skin routine affect your health. By documenting your patterns, you can develop a system that works best for you and your body.
9. Maintain your healthy habits as much as possible. The easiest thing to do while pregnant is to maintain the healthy habits you already have. The old adage about eating for two may sound great, but your body does not need double the calories. Guidelines vary, so talk to your health care provider about what they recommend for you during each trimester. If you’re used to a workout schedule, try and keep it, even if you need to adjust the specific exercises. And most importantly, always listen to your body; it’s your most powerful guide!
The battle began in the yard with small chunks of hardened mud—”mud rocks” as coined by my boys. They were running around pelting each other. What’s fun without a little danger? Sure, it was just small bits of mud they threw, but the bits were growing by the second, radioactively, soon-to-be baseball-sized. You know the game? In our house, we call it “Until Someone Gets Hurt.”
“I know they’re just small mud rocks,” I shouted as the boys whipped by. “But did you know that if you drop a penny from the top of the Empire State Building and it lands on someone’s head, it will kill them? Small, hard things can be dangerous.”
“Really?” they each stopped mid-throw and responded in unison. At the time, I didn’t know if the penny thing was true or a myth, but it worked. The white flags flapped in the wind. Mud war: CEASED.
According to an article in the University of California’s Greater Good magazine, “Research has shown curiosity to be associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well-being.”
But what about the benefit of disarming children in a ferocious mud fight? Or in any fight I dare ask?
“Wow” moments are naturally followed by a pause. Often this pause is exactly what our kids need to reorient from an argument or dysregulation. Sharing something interesting is also a way of giving to your child, whereas asking them to “take deep breaths,” another effective calming mechanism, is a request and could be interpreted as a burden. You’ve probably heard from your kiddo, “I don’t wanna take deep breaths!” But have you ever heard, “Don’t teach me anything I find exciting and interesting!”?
Finally, learning together connects people in “micro moments of love” says Barbara Fredrickson in the Harvard Business Review’s article, “We Learn More When We Learn Together.” She goes on to say that this type of high-quality connection creates appreciation and openness to others, and even can make us feel more alive in the moment.
The science backs it up. According to the article, “What Happens To Your Brain When You Learn Something New” on Oprah.com, “Novel experiences give you a rush of the reward chemical dopamine.” On top of it, learning something cool or interesting often evokes awe. Oxytocin is released when we experience awe, and with it a rush of warm, fuzzy feelings. These chemical jolts of positivity might explain why even when children are at their most unruly, if you sling some captivating knowledge at them, they likely won’t be able to resist stopping, listening and learning. Children are curious little creatures after all.
The Patented Formula for the Knowledge Attack
Kids boycotting broccoli? Kids arguing over which movie to watch on movie night? Kids refusing to do a chore? Ensnare them in the information booby trap.
Start with science. Putting something in scientific terms is like shooting your kid with a tranquilizer gun. Did you know, child, research shows that doing chores can make you live longer? (It’s true—researchers have discovered that people enjoy the same health benefits whether they go to the gym, walk to work or do household chores, and performing 30 minutes of any kind of physical activity five days a week could slash your risk of death from any cause by 28 percent.)
For those unschooled in science, just tell your kid anything they don’t already know. History is always compelling. People used to HANG towels to dry on a clothesline using something called ‘clothespins’! Alternatively,there’s the “Fun Fact” route.96% of kids complain about chores, but they still do them. You can find anything on Google. And let me stress that it doesn’t even matter if your facts are false, as was the case with my penny falling from the Empire State Building story. (My son later looked it up and the penny can’t gather enough velocity to do any real harm.) You can always correct any falsehood afterward when your children aren’t breaking your eardrums or skating on the edge of doom.
And if all else fails, hurl some unfamiliar vocabulary at them. Even that can stop them in their whiney tracks. Chores improve your self-reliance. Don’t know what ‘self-reliance’ is, child? Well, let me tell you while you fold the dang towels.
Lastly, I will have you know that the information snare works even when your kids aren’t fighting you or themselves. Sharing some interesting information with your kid is the perfect segue into bigger, deeper conversations. Hooking children with some good, juicy fun facts, history, and science is actually the basis for The Biggies Conversation Cards, which delve into meaningful topics in a fun way.
Curiosity is your child’s Achilles heel. Try out “The Knowledge Attack” on your own brood today. And watch your kids crumble under your informative wiles.
After losing a brother to suicide, Devin Tomiak was driven to understand youth resiliency. Her personal mission to strengthen her relationship with her children, develop their emotional intelligence, and improve the communication skills of her whole family led her to create The Biggies Conversation Cards for elementary-aged kids.
Starting to introduce solid food to your baby is a rite of passage that can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. While this rite of passage can certainly make for a cute Instagrammable pic when your little one has its face covered in pureed goodness, it can also cause some stress when parents are deciding which foods are safe choices.
As a pediatric registered dietitian, I have seen my fair share of parents who stick to the old-school pureed fruits and veggies as first foods out of fear of feeding babies “the wrong thing.” But there are so many foods that are safe (and recommended) to be a part of a baby’s early diet that offer a slew of health benefits.
No matter whether you are team baby led weaning, team puree, or you are somewhere in the middle, these five foods can be fantastic additions to your little one’s plate when they are being exposed to the wonderful world of food.
1. Chicken
Feeding your baby chicken during its early years is one of the best things you can do for its overall health. Besides being an excellent source of high-quality protein that can help support baby’s growth and development, both dark and white meat chicken contains vitamin B12 and choline, which together may promote brain development in children and help the nervous system function properly.
Lean proteins like chicken are important first foods for infants and toddlers (0-2 years old) as sources of iron, zinc, protein, choline, and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Choline is a nutrient that pregnant or lactating women don’t get enough of but is critical for a child’s normal brain development—and chicken has it! In fact, choline plays a role in good health throughout the lifespan. Young children need choline for continued brain development and recent research is even shedding light on the role of choline in impacting mood and preserving cognitive function into adulthood.
To offer chicken to a baby, simply puree it with some liquid (something like no-salt-added chicken broth or even breast milk) or serve up soft pieces of the meat for the baby led weaning crowd.
2. Peanuts
Imagine no longer having to worry about a young child developing an allergy to peanuts. While there is no magic bullet to prevent peanut allergy in every child in the world, there is a simple step that caregivers can take to help significantly reduce the risk, and that is feeding the infant peanut foods early and often.
Yes, it may sound scary to give your child a food that is a common allergen. But data shows that those fed peanut products later in life have a 10-fold increase in peanut allergy prevalence when compared with those who eat peanut products early and often. Specifically, eating peanut foods early and regularly (2 grams three times per week) reduced the risk of peanut allergy by more than 80 percent, compared to peanut avoidance.
When feeding babies peanuts, choking hazards need to be monitored. Offering your baby a bowl of shelled whole peanuts is obviously a no-go. Instead, add peanut butter to pureed dishes or offer up a soft piece of toast with a thin shmear of creamy natural PB.
3. Salmon
Since baby’s brain is continuing to grow and develop, offering up key nutrients that support this organ’s health is essential. And DHA omega-3 fatty acid is one nutrient that can have a profound impact on baby’s brain.
Feeding your baby salmon early will fuel it with this healthy fat in a natural way. Just watch out for the bones!
4. Yogurt
Babies should not drink cow’s milk until they are one year old. But dairy foods like yogurt can be a satisfying and yummy choice for little ones once they start eating solids. Yogurt will offer up some important nutrients like calcium and protein to support their growth in a natural way.
When considering which yogurts to feed your baby, skip the options that have added sugars and artificial colors. Instead, opt for plain, full-fat Greek yogurt, which is the most appropriate choice for this age group.
5. Eggs
Guidance on whether eggs should be introduced to little ones has taken a 180-degree turn from old-school recommendations. Eggs are recommended as a first food for a slew of reasons. In fact, the recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans specifically calls out eggs as an important first food for babies once they are developmentally ready to start eating solid foods.
First, similar to peanuts, eating eggs early (typically around 4-6 months of age) and often may reduce the risk of baby developing an egg allergy—good news for caregivers and babies alike.
In fact, a recent analysis showed that early introduction of eggs was effective in preventing the development of food allergy in specific groups of infants at high risk of developing food allergy. Plus, the early introduction of potentially allergenic foods into the diets of the non-high-risk infants was not associated with any increased risk of food allergy.
Plus, eggs provide eight essential nutrients and varying amounts of all the nutrients listed by the American Academy of Pediatrics as essential for brain development—including choline and high-quality protein.
Babies can enjoy eggs that are scrambled, pureed with some breast milk, or even cooked a-la an omelet and cut into easy-to-grab strips. Just make sure the eggs are fully cooked before they are enjoyed.
Starting Solids With Choices Beyond Fruits & Veggies
Feeding your baby should not be a cause for angst, and being armed with a list of foods that are “dietitian-approved” can help you navigate this exciting stage. Of course, feeding your baby old favorites like carrots and sweet potatoes that are packed with nutrients will be well-received by little palates and are a totally safe and smart choice. And along with the tried-and-true fruits and veggies, offering up these important first food choices can help your kiddo start out their feeding journey on the right foot.
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.
One of the most valuable things you can give is your time. Those who volunteer not just benefit those who receive the help, they’re benefiting themselves as well.
As a parent, you want to instill values into your children. An excellent way to do this is by volunteering with them. There are so many ways to get involved, whether it be in your local community or beyond.
Below, are all the reasons you should volunteer with your child, no matter what their age.
1. It builds relationships. Volunteering allows you to bond in a new way with your kids. Most volunteer opportunities are surrounded by teamwork, meaning you and your children can work together on a project.
Additionally, volunteering gets everyone out and into a new environment. You and your children get to explore that together. Plus, volunteering might be a new activity for you both to enjoy. Your children will value the time they get to spend with you just as much as you will love spending time with them.
2. It teaches social skills. Another reason to volunteer with your children is that you can help them build their social skills. Volunteers come from all walks of life. There may be some older adults there or even kids around your child’s age. When they’re able to meet new friends, they can engage with them over this similar activity.
They can learn how to better interact with others, boosting their confidence and helping them interact even outside of the volunteering group. Social skills are necessary for success, so by volunteering with your kids, you can offer that to them.
3. It expands friendships. Once you and your child work on social skills through volunteering, you can expand your friendships, too. Your child will no doubt make new friends through volunteering. This might be other volunteers or even people within your community that you’re helping.
Your child will make friends, and you can go and meet their parents to create friendships as well. This will help expand their friend group. They may make new friends of different ages, races and backgrounds. Every time you go back to volunteer again, you and your children will be able to spend time with your friends!
4. It offers a sense of community. Volunteering with your children also offers a sense of community. When children are exposed to the news through various media outlets, it can be difficult for them to distinguish what it might mean to be part of a community. They see things from throughout the world but may not have an idea of their own community, especially if there aren’t any children’s programs available to them.
When you take them to volunteer, they have the opportunity to ground themselves in the community. They can feel as though they’re making a difference in their corner of the world. When you go alongside them to volunteer, they’ll see that you also care about your community. Your children can learn about the people and places that have helped shape them. It’s easy to get caught up in your daily lives, but volunteering helps ground you both.
5. It inspires gratitude & empathy. It can be challenging to teach your young children about gratitude and empathy. However, volunteering can ease that challenge. Some volunteer projects may have you and your children working with those less fortunate than you. Your children will learn to be grateful for what they have. After a day of volunteering, have a conversation with your child about what they noticed about the people you helped.
Gratitude is something that is cultivated, and your children will experience that firsthand. Empathy is also something your children can learn through volunteering. Children often have a sense of wanting to help others. Once they see the impact they’re making on others in their community, it will further inspire them to continue volunteering throughout their lives.
6. It provides meaningful family time. With the busy lives that you and your children have, volunteering offers a chance to slow down. When you’re volunteering, you’re not on any sort of schedule. You go to offer your help, whether that be physical labor or just talking with others. Volunteering as a family allows you to spend meaningful time with one another.
After a day of volunteering, you can go home and discuss everything you did. This allows you to have meaningful conversations that go beyond your day-to-day lives. This world is full of distractions, but volunteering enables you to go without distractions and be in the moment.
7. It provides great health benefits. Finally, volunteering provides excellent health benefits for both you and your children. Screens are a huge part of most children’s lives. A child tends to be in front of a screen for 7.5 hours every day, which can be detrimental to their health. This means their days are spent either sitting or staying in one place for an extended period.
Volunteering offers an opportunity to get children—and parents—away from the screen and outside. Volunteer opportunities often take place outdoors where you’re on your feet or at least moving around.
The next time you have a free day or weekend, use it to volunteer. Find a local project you and your child can participate in to better the community. You’ll enjoy getting to spend time with your child, and you’ll love seeing the impact you’ve made.
Kara Reynolds is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Momish Magazine. A mom of four and matriarch to her big blended family, Kara wants nothing more than to normalize differences in family structures. She enjoys peeing alone, pancakes, and pinot noir - but not at the same time.
Moms know how to get things done, and that’s especially true for getting their kiddos to eat. When we can’t get our own picky eaters to finish their plate, we can rely on fab mom inventors who have crafted sneaky smoothie blends, gourmet baby food and plant-based kid-friendly foods. Keep scrolling to see some of our fave mom inventors who are ruling the kitchen.
Healthy Guts: Sour Lemon Beverage Co.
Mom to four kids, Callen was finding it hard to get her kids to reap the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar. The traditional taste of the immune boosting drink just wasn't kid-friendly––yet. So in the Spring of 2018 she set out to make a tasty version that was free from artificial ingredients and sugar. After just a few weeks, she finally whipped up a pitcher of ACV lemonade that passed the test! Great for both kids and adults, Sour Lemon Beverage Co.'s ACV concentrates reduce cravings, enhance your body's natural detox process and improve gut health. Made with organic ingredients, there's a flavor for everyone, like Pink Lemonade and Cherry Limeade.
Longtime friends Zein Mangalji, Staci Belew, and Maryl Georgi each come from an entrepreneurial background. The idea for Clarified Living came to Zein one day as she realized she wanted to create as many moments as possible with family, and how her childhood was seasoned with memories that involved her mother's cooking with ghee. So together she set out with her mom, Farida Mangalji, to craft a version with higher quality, consistency and variety. The two found the perfect recipe and started production in Houston. Now the team is busy creating unique flavors that include Jalapeño, Garlic Ghee and Cinnamon/Vanilla Ghee and educating consumers about the health benefits of ghee.
Kabrita was founded by moms and is led by a small team, making this goat milk-based line one of our favorite go-tos! Goat milk is naturally easier to digest than cow's milk, has a mild taste, and is rich in crucial nutrients! Kabrita offers baby formula, snacks, and toddler nutrition formula. Curious if Kabrita is right for your family? Try a free sample!
Mẹ’s Way, authentic Huế-style chili sauces are small-batch, carefully crafted and 100% mom-invented. Founder Chau Tonnu, a first-generation Vietnamese America and mom to a 7-year-old daughter herself, created a product from a recipe that has been passed down in her family from three generations of mothers to daughters. Choose from regular or vegetarian.
When Emily Groden's daughter was born in 2018, she wanted to have easy and healthy food options. When she couldn't find a good option for mini waffles on the market, she set out to make her own clean version that contained no refined sugars or preservatives. The Harvard-educated lawyer soon found herself making a huge career change into the waffle business! Evergreen Waffles are made with 100 percent whole wheat and flavored with real fruits, vegetables, nuts and spices. Each Evergreen variety contains 12 ingredients or less and makes for a quick breakfast or snack, anytime during the day.
You know your baby’s developing new skills every moment of every day. Support her growth with nutritious food that is customized to her stage of brain development. Launched in Sept. 2019, Cerebelly does just that. Founded by Dr. Teresa Purzner, neurosurgeon and mom of three, think of Cerebelly as neuroscience meets nutritional science. As baby’s brain develops, it needs specific nutrients to grow and reach its full potential. Cerebelly’s formulas are customized to the baby’s stage of development, and they’re yummy to boot (it was the first food our Editorial Director’s baby actually gobbled down).
Simply tell Cerebelly about your kiddo’s age and what they’re up to, Cerebelly recommends products to fit her stage of development and they deliver the food straight to your door. The organic blends include combos like black bean/sweet potato, carrot/chickpea, sweet potato/mango and white bean/pumpkin/apple. We’re impressed with taste of the food and felt confident we were feeding our baby nutrients he actually needed to grow and thrive. Bonus: Cerebelly recently expanded to Target!
When mom Beth Porter and her seven-year-old daughter went vegan, they struggled to find meals that were packed with nutrients but still tasted good. After experimenting in her kitchen, Porter developed the perfect amount of organic fruits, nuts, and seeds that resulted in frozen ready-to-eat organic spoonable smoothies. Sweet Nothings was born! Now, the delicious cups are available for purchase online, in 1,500 grocery stores across 10 states and include flavors like Strawberry, Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Coffee and Blueberry Beet.
Ashi Jelinek was at the beach with her three-year-old when she realized that the only options for beverages were packed with sugar. After that day, she set out to create a healthy kids drink that had tons of nutrients and zero sugar. KidsLuv launched in 2017, and now the brand sells their vitamin enhanced beverages that are vegan and contain Vitamins A,B,C and more! Jelinek's products are now sold at over 2,000 locations and at Thrive Market and Amazon.
Australian mom, Antoinette Jackson grew up with a deep respect for sustainable living and respecting nature on her family's rural farm. After touring the world, she settled with her husband and children in Chiang Mai, a mountainous area of Thailand. To help find per place in the Thai culture and combat the feelings of depression from the loss of a few friends, Jackson founded SuperBee Wax Wraps in 2016. Gleaning the process from her paternal grandmother, the eco-friendly product replaces plastic wrap in the kitchen. It's naturally antibacterial and handmade in Thailand by women in the mountains, providing jobs in the community and a sense of empowerment.
As a child, Linda York didn't entertain an interest or love for veggies. It wasn't until she became an adult and mom that she finally started to enjoy them. When she became a grandmother, she saw her grandkids express a waning interest in all things green, and she knew that bribery wasn't the way to help them become adventurous eaters. That's where the idea for "eat-able" stickers came in: using a kids love for stickers as a way to make fruits and veggies exciting. York created StickyLickits, all natural, food-based edible stickers that contain no sugars or dyes. After years of testing, StickyLickits now has their own original characters and licensed Nickelodeon and Sesame Street options, too! Kids just lick, stick to fruits and veggies and eat StickyLickits: healthy eating accomplished!
In 2008, Registered Dietician Katie Thomson became a mom. After becoming fed up by what she found for baby food options, she set out to create a better solution for parents. She met her future business partner Kendall Glynn at their children's elementary school where they worked together in volunteer roles at the school over the next few years. They created Square Baby® as a solution to feeding kiddos. Their program offers handmade meals made with whole, organic foods and the Square Meal System,™ which is made up of balanced meals with organic veggies, fruits, whole or sprouted grains, and various protein sources. Parents can rest easy knowing that meals have half the sugar and twice the protein and healthy fats as most pouches. Square Baby is also the fresh baby food company that offers a comprehensive allergen introduction option for each of the Top 8 Allergens.
As a new mom, Betsy Fore's main goal was making sure her son ate healthier early in life. With a decade of experience as an inventor, product founder and CEO, she and cofounder Sofia Laurell decided that the world needed more healthy, flavorful and textured food options for little eaters and Tiny Organics was born! The company's products helps introduce babies and toddlers to their first 100 flavors that will build adventurous eaters, are all 100 percent organic, fresh-frozen, plant based and built on essential fruits and vegetables.
Ready-to-Eat Meals for the Entire Fam: Nurture Life
When her son started eating solids, Jennifer Chow started making all of his meals from scratch. When he started eating foods beyond the easy-to-make purees, she found she was spending hours making "mini adult meals," like many of her friends. Wanting to avoid fast and frozen foods and provide fresh, nutritious meals Chow and her co-founder Steve created Nurture Life. The company provides freshly made and ready-to-eat meals that are balanced and made from antibiotic-free meats, whole grains and organic produce. Parents can choose from baby, toddler, kid, teen and adult meal options which are then made from scratch, delivered to your door and ready to eat in two minutes or less.
Lynn Lasher grew up in a home of entrepreneurs so when she lost her job one year, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Founded on the premise that when something is "homemade," it tastes better, Lasher started Somebody's Mother, with her first product inspired by her mom's own chocolate sauce. Now, almost 15 years later, Somebody's Mother sells a variety of dessert sauces, with every lid sharing a quote about mothering or parenting. Lasher says of her business, "I started Somebody’s Mother’s in April 2005 to teach my 3 children how to start a business and, more importantly, how to take matters into their own hands and to assume responsibility for their own financial well being."
As a registered dietitian, Lisa Mastela was overwhelmed by amount of nutritional needs that need to be met while pregnant and how on earth she was going to fit them all in. While a smoothie lover, she found it even more challenging to get all the ingredients she needed safely into the blender (an ER-worthy carrot situation really set things back) while navigating the kitchen with a belly. She set out to "help other soon-to-be mamas meet their baby’s nutritional needs and nurture their pregnancy symptoms in an easy, fast, and delicious way.” Bumpin Blends offers total customization based on your taste preference, dietary restriction and food aversions. In addition, customers have access to a Nutritionist around the clock via text message! Smoothie cubes come in 22 blends that support 22 symptoms, including morning sickness, heartburn and fatigue.
In 2012, Alison Cayne founded Haven's Kitchen, a cooking school, cafe and event space all in one. Mom to five kids, Cayne set out to make cooking at home more fun––and delicious. In 2018, she launched Haven's Kitchen Sauces, globally-inspired sauces with all natural ingredients inspired by recipes from her student's favorite classes. Now the mompreneur's products are available at over 300 locations, including Whole Foods Market.
Plant-Based Meals That Actually Taste Great: Splendid Spoon
Splendid Spoon was founded by Nicole Centeno, a mom who realized how difficult it was to attain a healthy-minded lifestyle with a 9-5 job and demands of family life. With Splendid Spoon, she’s made it her mission to make vegan plant-based meals accessible, nutritious and a daily habit that’ll power your day (no need to reach for that protein bar to get you through the mid-morning hangries) through a food subscription box. All meals come ready-to-eat, which is ideal for families on-the-go or new moms who may not have the energy to even boil water for pasta. Bonus: as of Jan. 2020 all of Splendid Spoon’s packaging is 100% recyclable.
Chef Kathy Fang, new mom and two-time CHOPPED champion, just launched Bon Petit, an innovative, freeze-dried, gourmet baby food line designed to provide busy parents a solution to feeding their children healthful, nutritionally rich, balanced meals. If you have ever traveled with a baby, you know what it's like to have to lug around tons of tiny jars of baby food. Bon Petit solves this problem as the baby food comes in freeze-dried packs that are liquid free, shelf stable and TSA compliant. They include whole food-based ingredients with protein, complex carbs, fiber and more. With options like Under the Sardinian Sea which contains Wild Dover Sole, Italian butter bean, oregano, tomato, olive oil and basil, tiny palates will be awakened.
Eat Your Veggies for Dessert: Peekaboo Organic Ice Cream
With flavors like mint chocolate chunk, cotton candy and strawberry, you may think that a scoop of Peekaboo Organic Ice Cream is just another sweet treat. But like most moms, founder Jessica Levison had a few tricks up her sleeve when she developed this line of ice cream that features secret spinach, cauliflower, beets and carrots in every bite. As a mom of picky eaters, Jessica knew first-hand what a struggle it was to get kids to eat enough vegetables. She put her ice cream skills to good use as the owner of Miami's Serendipity Creamery and developed this line of ice cream with hidden veggies. Look for it at a grocery store near you!
Necessity Is the Mother of Invention: Real Food Blends
When Julie Bombacino, an Indiana mom of two, found out that her six-month-old baby boy would need a feeding tube, she didn’t just sit idle. She began researching and discovered quickly that nearly half a million people in the U.S. alone rely on feeding tubes. The tube formulas made her son very sick, and Bombacino knew there had to be a better way. She began to experiment with real foods, pureeing things like carrots, chicken and sweet potatoes, to put in his tube. It wasn’t long before AJ stopped vomiting and began to improve. That’s when Bombacino knew she could not only help her son, but thousands of people like him, and Real Food Blends was born. Designed for people with a feeding tube, Real Food Blends comes in six flavors and each one has just five to eight ingredients. There are no preservatives, corn syrup, dairy, soy or nuts. Not only is it made and manufactured in the U.S., but it is also covered by home health companies and insurance companies.
Eating the Best at Any Age: Harlow's Harvest and FarmBox Direct
Ashley Tyrner, founder of Farmbox Direct, and her 8-year old daughter Harlow, CEO of Harlow’s Harvest, are bringing families together through food. Farmbox Direct is a door-to-door service that brings the freshest vegetables and fruits directly from organic farms. Harlow, a self-proclaimed vegan since she was two years old, wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and pass on what she has learned to bring the same quality product as FarmBox Direct to other kids in the hopes of them taking better control of their nutrition. She founded Harlow’s Harvest with Ashley so that parents and kids can make cooking together fun, interactive and educational. Harlow’s Harvest is a monthly subscription box that comes with recipe cards, a science project, background on the dish your child would be making and an online game they can play that is connected to that month’s theme.
Bonafide Provisions was founded in 2011 by Sharon Brown, mom and clinical nutritionist who used bone broth to heal her son’s chronic illness. After her son suffered through years of sinus infections, ear infections and respiratory infections that resulted in numerous rounds of antibiotics, Sharon knew there had to be another way to heal him. That's where Bonafide Provisions was born. Sharon started making bone broth in her home and it is now available to purchase online. Bone broth is rich in minerals, collagen, gelatin, amino acids and other nutrients which detoxifies the body and heals the gut and joints.
If you want to feed your baby the best, but time isn't on your side (we hear ya, Mom!), turn to Once Upon a Farm. Their organic, cold-pressed blends are designed to enhance kiddo's nutrition and expand her palate without YOU having to shop, chop, blend and puree. The ingredient list is simple (never anything artificial or processed). In fact, many of the ingredients are sourced from farms the company knows and trusts. If Once Upon a Farm's mission sounds familiar, you might have heard of this beloved brand from Co-Founder and Chief Brand Office, Jennifer Garner. Garner, along with mom Cassandra Curtis, Co-Founder and Chief Innovation Officer, are bringing farm fresh baby and kid food to high chairs everywhere. These two moms are making it their mission to become a leader in the organic family food space, fighting for and supporting efforts to drive positive social change and food justice for families.
Lauren Jupiter and Jordan Gaspar started AccelFoods to help smaller innovative food startups make it to mainstream, with a specific mission—insure a healthier future of food. They raised the $40M venture fund in just four years and have helped over 30 brands like Kidfresh (all-natural kids meals with hidden veggies), Rethink Water (kid-friendly flavored boxed water), and Brami (plant-based protein snacks) grow their businesses. Not only are these moms inventors and entrepreneurs, but they’re also helping other moms find success as well.
In 1998, Gail Elvidge co-founded Vermont Nut Free Chocolates after her son was diagnosed with a life-threatening nut allergy. It was difficult for her to find nut-free baking products, chocolates, sweets, and products, so she and her husband Mark started the company to help families like theirs! What started as a small chocolate company in Vermont, has grown to nearly 40 employees, offering products like trail mix, gift baskets, fudge, truffles, baking essentials, hot cocoa, and much more. The company is proud to offer 100% peanut and tree nut free gourmet chocolates and products for those with or without allergies to enjoy.
When Dietician Dr. Michelle Davenport became a first-time mom she wanted to find (and make) easy, simple meals for her new eater that were big on nutrition and hadn’t sat on a shelf for months (or years). So, she co-founded Raised Real, a subscription-based meal service designed specifically for growing babes featuring organic baby food. The company uses superfoods and nutritional expertise to create each recipe—each one integrates fruits, veggies and micronutrients that are crucial for a child’s early development. They are delivered in pre-portioned, ready-to-steam packages that cost less than $5 per meal. You can opt to have meals delivered every two or four weeks, and you can skip or cancel at anytime.
Portland pools are finally opening up again and you want to make sure your little fish is ready to swim. Along with keeping your kids safe in the water, teaching your child to swim can have significant long term health benefits including strengthening their hearts, lungs, and respiratory systems. Fortunately, the Portland area offers lessons for all ages and we’ve rounded up some of the best spots to enroll. Read on to find out more.
All seven of Portland Parks and Recreation outdoor public pools and the five indoor pools will open on Tuesday, June 22 and swim lessons will begin! The number of classes that we are able to offer will be limited this summer so you'll want to sign up as early as possible. All classes are 30 minutes long and offered Monday through Friday for one week. Lesson sessions will run run between June 28 and July 25, and July 26 and August 29. PP&R will implement elevated cleaning procedures in an effort to stay COVID-safe. All patrons over the age of 5 will be required to wear a mask when not in the swimming pool.
At Children of the Sea you will find a creative water world where the pool is the classroom and learning is fun for everyone! They believe that every child can learn to love and respect the water. They use lots of stimulation, positive reinforcement, practice and patience, and hands on instruction to help kids master skills while having a blast. Their facility is open seven days a week and is appropriate for kids as young as 4 months. They offer small class sizes with certified instructors and classes take place once a week. Children of the Sea is located near Washington Square Mall and is welcoming of all families! If your child is ready to learn how to swim browse through their swim programs to find a class that is perfect for your little one. Please note: classes are offered to families who previously signed up first. There is a wait list for classes that are already full,
Swimbabes is Oregon’s first swimming school offering classes to kids ages newborn to 6 years. At Swimbabes they believe the earlier a child is introduced to water the easier is it to teach them to swim. They have SynchroBabies™ class options for the tiniest of the babes. Infants and young babies are taught submersion, back floating, and breath control. For those a bit older there’s the SynchroTots™ and Basic Water Awareness classes. These classes are designed for babies 7 months old to 3 years old. This offering has a focus on water comfort, assisted back floating, breath holding, and teaching the parent how to assist their child in the water.
10552 SE 52nd Ave., Milwaukie 503-786-6250 Online: swimbabes.net
Cascade Athletics Club
Cascade Athletics Club has two locations in the Portland area that are currently offering swim lessons: Gresham and Vancouver. They have been teaching swimming lessons for over 30 years and continue to provide small class sizes and individual attention. The Kids Aquatics Programs have excellent teacher to student ratios that allow instructors to give lots of personal feedback. For beginner levels the classes have a max of 5 kids in a class. As the levels increase class sizes can have up to 8 kids. If your child needs more individualized attention private sessions are also available though there may be a wait list at this time. Check the full schedule of classes here. You can find pricing options here.
Gresham: 19201 SE Division St., Gresham 503-665-4142 Vancouver: 16096 SE 15th St., Vancouver 360-597-1100 Online: cascadeac.com
Farber Swim School
This cool swim spot has two location in Portland. They offer Baby and Me classes as well as private and semi private classes for children three-years and older. The classes last approximately 30 minutes and occur at the same time, on the same day with the same teacher each week! These lessons are for children and adults of any background, experience, or ability level and customized to your child's needs! For semi-private classes, you can bring up to three children or siblings to learn together. You'll find a list of prices here. Note: while in the lobby areas children five and older will be required to wear masks.
Healthy, homemade popsicles are a cool treat and a clever way to up your child’s intake of fruits and veggies. Keep them in the freezer for hot days, teething pain, sniffles and any other time your child can use a boost. Make extra; you’re going to want some too!
If you can't travel to Disneyland for a Dole Whip, these Vitamin C-rich popsicles are the next best thing. These pops from One Lovely Life are made with just two ingredients: diced pineapple and coconut milk, but you can add a sweetener like maple syrup or honey if you'd like (avoid honey for babes under age 1).
If you're introducing your child to nuts, these filling and flavorful popsicles are a great way to let them snack on almond butter in a baby-friendly form. Blended with yogurt and blueberries, they offer a nutritional boost along with kid-friendly flavors. Head to The View from Great Island for the recipe.
Superfoods for your super babe! Made with just blueberries, pomegranates and Greek yogurt, these super cute popsicles from Gimme Some Oven are tangy, creamy and sweet. Freeze them in Dixie cups to get this baby-friendly shape.
This fruit-sweetened frozen novelty is packed with protein and calcium. Mix them with your favorite berries (fresh or frozen) to create this picture-perfect, yummy treat. This recipe from Mama Papa Bubba uses medjool dates for sweetness, instead of honey, so it's safe for kids under a year old.
Babies get their daily dose of vegetables with these colorful popsicles. The Kids Activities Blog shares recipes such as Berry Red Veggie, Orange Carrot Mango and Lime Green Popsicles (spoiler: this one includes iron-rich spinach!).
These popsicles are full of calcium and vitamins, thanks to the yogurt, veggies and fruits. Kristin from Live Simply has created three popsicle recipes: Orange Delight (carrots, strawberry, mango), Green Dinosaur (spinach, bananas, pineapple) and Tickle-Me-Red (beets, strawberry, banana). If your child is under age one, swap out the honey for maple syrup.
Taste the rainbow with these beautiful frozen treats. There's prep work involved to blend and then layer smoothies in each of the rainbow colors, so save this one for a special occasion like a birthday or holiday. Get the recipe at The First Year Blog.
Here's a tasty treat for breastfed babes that also provides instant teething relief. Pour pumped breast milk into the cap of a pacifier (1 to 2 ounces per cap), then insert pacifier and freeze for 3-4 hours.
Strawberry & Yogurt Popsicles
Consider this a baby-fied version of the summer favorite strawberries with whipped cream. Full-fat vanilla yogurt replaces cream in this version and adds a little extra sweetness. Head to Pint Sized Baker for the recipe.
This green machine combines peas, spinach, Greek yogurt, banana and chia seeds for a powerhouse snack that includes vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, manganese and fiber. Head to My Fussy Eater for the recipe.
Kale has many health benefits, including a high amount of fiber that can aid your little one's digestion. Super Healthy Kids blends the greens with frozen berries to sweeten them up.
Hello, Wonderful shares four popsicle recipes that are sure to please your baby’s budding palette. Pro tip: To save on prep time, buy cold-pressed veggie juices to mix with your favorite frozen fruits.
It’s as easy at sounds, and endlessly customizable. Freeze your babe's favorite fruits for a treat they're sure to love. Slice larger fruits like pineapple and watermelon into long pieces. Keep smaller fruits like strawberries, mangoes, raspberries and bananas whole. Avoid dense fruits like whole grapes that could pose a choking hazard. If you’re feeling fancy, insert a popsicle stick into the bottom of the fruit so it’s easier for baby (or you) to hold. Freeze for 3-4 hours, and then enjoy.