Why is a raven like a writing desk, anyway? “Because they both have quills, of course!” Mad Hatter Day (10/6) is the perfect time to celebrate all things topsy-turvy in honor of the show-stealer from Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. Tumble down the rabbit hole to throw your own twisted tea party with everything from sparkly teas to tempting cookies. Check out the easy recipes below to get inspired.
— Susie Foresman
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Traveling with small children can make you feel more like a sherpa on Mount Everest than the jet-setting goddess you were before you became a mom. Between remembering to pack extra diapers, your toddler’s favorite lovey and strollers galore, it can feel overwhelming just getting to your destination. It’s no wonder that rental car agencies and other travel companies offer car seat rentals for families who would rather not lug one more thing through the airport.
With the holiday season approaching, many of us have planned trips to see family or vacations during time off school and work. If you’re traveling by car, then your child’s car seat is likely making the trip as well. But if not, it can be tempting to just rent a car seat at your destination.
But before you give in to this temptation, take note that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children use only new car seats due to the risks associated with used car seats. It can be difficult to tell from visual inspection whether a car seat has been involved in a crash or subject to a manufacturer recall.
There is also no guarantee your car seat rental will be in good condition. According to a Consumer Reports study, safety technicians examined car seats available from several large rental car agencies and found many were expired, had broken parts or were missing labels or infant carrier bases. And even if your car seat rental is in working order, there is no way to assure it will not be covered in crumbs, spills or unknown stains.
The bottom line? Car seat safety is not worth sacrificing for convenience.
Your best bet is to purchase an affordable, no-frills car seat at your destination or bring one with you. With devices such as the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go or Go-Go Babyz Travelmate, you can convert your car seat into a stroller. And, if your child is at least 4 years old, you can leave their everyday car seat behind and pack a small, travel-friendly booster seat like the BubbleBum.
Traveling with small children is no small feat, but with a little planning, you can ensure you keep your little ones safe throughout your journey.
I’m a Northern Virginia-based freelance writer, attorney and mom of two little ones. I have an eye for trends and a passion for words. My days are often spent stepping on LEGO bricks and relying on caffeine as a sleep substitute.
Get ready to experience the best part of your favorite summer fair—in your kitchen! That’s right, State Fair Oreos exist, and they’re every bit the fried fabulousness you’d expect.
If you missed the state (or county) fair this summer, don’t stress. You still have a chance to get the deep-fried goodness that is the State Fair Oreo.
Photo: Courtesy of Walmart
Yep, the iconic cookie brand introduced yet another in a long series of must-gave flavors. Oh, but this time it’s in the freezer section. If you’re a fan of sweet, sweet carnival fare, you probably already know that your can Deep Fried Twinkies (also in the freezer section). Well now you can add Oreos to the list of at-home fair foods.
So where can you get the Oreo State Fair Cookie? For right now, these little gems are available at Walmart for $3.98. They’re available in vanilla or chocolate crunch coatings, giving you the option to indulge in your favorite flavor.
Not only are these ooey gooey chocolatey treats the essence of yum, but they’re super-easy to make. Forget about actually having to deep fry them. These way too tempting treats are microwavable.
—Erica Loop
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There really is a secret about why we love Trader Joe’s so much and it’s actually quite simple. Yes, we adore the unique selection of international foods, one of a kind TJ products—and don’t even get us started on the amazing prices.
But the actual secret is that Trader’s has us figured out from start to finish, and that includes providing us an optimal shopping experience––even in the frozen food aisles. Those open-top, doorless freezers? Yeah, they make you want to buy all the things.
Trader Joe’s freezer setup differs in almost every way to traditional grocery stores. While “regular” supermarkets tend to isolate their frozen foods from the rest of the store and hide them in oversized freezers with tight closing doors, TJ’s uses coffin cases that are open, keep the aisle chilly (but not freezing), and mixes frozen food with tempting suggestions like chocolate-covered raspberry sticks and JoJo’s.
As it turns out, peering through the tall glass doors of conventional freezers creates a barrier-like feeling that causes consumers to want to just get in and get out. On the contrary, Trader Joe’s frozen food aisle is warm (literally) and welcoming. The pairing of frozen and non-frozen goods gives shoppers that “treasure hunt” feeling, where we actually want to linger and find new products.
And it appears that Trader Joe’s is on to something. In a comment to NPR, a company spokesperson stated that frozen food sales are performing well. Judging by our recent shopping carts, we can see why.
––Karly Wood
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Cupcakes might not be as trendy as they were a few years ago, but for kids this tasty treat never goes out of style. And who are we kidding, single serving cake is always in with parents too. With so many tempting bakeries across LA, there is plenty of delicious cupcake goodness to go around. Flip through our faves to discover cupcake ATMs, sinfully sweet treats and basics for babies!
What’s your family’s go-to spot for cupcakes? Share your favorites in the comments.
—Shahrzad Warkentin
Take a popular fairy tale (one involving a very tempting gingerbread house). Adapt it for the stage, giving every character a fun new twist (like a witch that sings show tunes). Add new music created by one of the nation’s most influential kindie rock artists (Justin Roberts … perhaps you’ve heard of him?). Put this all together and what do you get? Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat, a world premiere by Emerald City Theatre and Broadway in Chicago. It runs through January 4, 2015, and will be this winter’s big hit.
The Not-Too-Scary Story
You know the plot: Siblings Hansel and Gretel lose their mother and classmates and go in search of them deep within The Forbidden Forest. When they come across a candy house (and the witch who lives there), their bond and beliefs are put to the test until love saves the day. The show is for ages 4-12. With the younger set in mind, Emerald City Theatre has toned down the scary details — aka: there’s no shoving witches into fiery-hot ovens — and beefed up the fun. Imagine a wise-cracking witch that is played by a man. And a duck that quacks out witty one-liners for comedic relief. That’s not to mention irresistible Justin Roberts songs that will make you wiggle and jiggle in your seat.
The Music
This is the first-ever musical scoring by the Chicago-based Grammy nominee, who worked with nationally produced playwright Ernie Nolan to bring it all to life. Justin usually writes power-pop kids’ songs, as well as soothing lullabies. But for Hansel and Gretel, he tried a few new styles. “There are American songbook-type songs … which was fun because I am a huge Frank Sinatra fan and love the early musicals written by Cole Porter and George Gershwin,” says Roberts.
The actors are also the musicians, plus there’s a band on stage (named The Grimm Brothers Band, naturally). As the story unfolds, characters play various instruments, including piano, bass, drums, electric and acoustic guitar, cello, violin, glockenspiel, ukelele and mandolin. The adventure bounces between everything from big Broadway-style numbers to ’70s soft rock. And, true to Roberts’ form, they’re all songs you won’t easily shake from your head.
Moments You’ll Love
Your kiddo’s eyes will light up from the very beginning, as the musical opens with a song called “This Place.” Villages are talking about how their town has changed since the king disappeared, and their chorus is a strong, melodic reminiscing about the former beauty of the town. There’s also no forgetting everybody’s favorite scene in which Hansel and Gretel drop breadcrumbs to find their way home as they meander through the Forbidden Forest. Of course, there’s a song to match it; “Crumb by Crumb” is a climactic number that’s happier than you’d expect.
To reveal the ending or tell more would give away too much about this musical’s magic. Best you see it for yourself — before all the seats get gobbled up!
Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat
On thru Jan. 4, 2014
Ages: 4-12
Tickets: $29
Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place
175 E. Chestnut St.
Downtown
Online: broadwayinchicago.com
What show are you flipping out about this season? Let us know in the Comments!
— Kelly Aiglon
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photos: Johnny Knight
Don’t think cold and snow yet: You can still swing, slide and climb your way through fall. Especially now that there’s a brand new park and playground to explore. The Chicago Park District has just opened Park 574 in the near West Community area, just five minutes from Garfield Park Conservatory. The destination park has a rolling landscape and lots (we mean lots) of bells and whistles.
The Lay of the Land
Park 574 sits on the previously vacant 2.27-acre site adjacent to the Chicago Housing Authority’s (CHA) Rockwell Gardens development. The new park was part of a land exchange with the CHA in 2008. It’s a stomping ground for neighborhood kids and has lures you don’t find at the average park (a zip line, a 22-foot-long slide), making it worth the trip if you are coming from other parts of town.
Features like stepping-tone stools are great for the preschool crowd. There are also plenty of challenging pieces of play equipment, including multiple climbing features, pommel horses and rings. The topography itself stands out — kids can pad safely across rubberized soft surfacing that goes on an incline. Trot to the top for sweeping views of the playscape below before whizzing down the mega-slide. The slide is wide enough for grownups to tackle and, we admit, it’s tempting.
Around the Playground
Once you’ve gotten your monkey business taken care of, explore the park’s one-mile walking trail that has multiple fitness equipment stations along the way. There’s also a natural stone spray feature and a large open lawn area that can be used for concerts, picnics and other park activities.
If you’re looking for year ’round activities, drop by nearby Skinner Park for after-school programs, a gymnasium, open basketball and badminton nights, and an indoor swimming pool where you can take lessons.
Will you drop by this new park? What other local parks do you love? Let us know in the Comments!
Park 574
Open daily, 6 a.m.-11 p.m.
2540 W. Jackson Blvd.
Garfield Park
312-746-5560
Online: chicagoparkdistrict.com
— Kelly Aiglon
Whether it is your week for share-a-snack at school, or you are looking to tide over tiny tummies until dinner—snack attacks can leave you starved for ideas. If your crew craves something more creative than a bag of goldfish, satisfy small stomachs with a playful presentation. Here are eight simple solutions that take snacks from drab to fab—and might even introduce some new flavors to the mix.
We are hungry for your “feed” back! What do you serve for snack? Tell us below!
–Phebe Wahl
Photos courtesy of The Nourishing Home, Desiree Nielsen, Flower Patch Farm Girl, Leanne Bakes, The Weekend Homemaker, and Zoku
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“Come with me and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination…” What if a crazy candy store, worthy of Willy Wonka himself were to open up smack dab in the middle of Los Angeles? It’s happened! Hollywood really is a place where dreams come true, especially if you are a kiddo (or grown-up, for that matter) with a serious sweet tooth, and your dreams come in every flavor and color of the rainbow and contain a LOT of sugar. It’s Sweet!, the newest and most ridiculously fun colossal candy store the world has ever seen.
Yucky and Sticky & Lolli’s – Oh, My!
Enter the store via musical piano key-stair steps, step on the Nestle Crunch Bar on the floor that crackles as you walk, race yourself against the Ferrari powered “World’s Fastest Gumball Machine,” sample candy at every turn, and see candy and sweets you never dreamed existed! Wander through room after room of specialty sweets: there’s Yucky (the gnarliest, nastiest and oh-so-awesomely awful candy – it even comes served in urinals and full of bugs!), Stay Puft (everything marshmallow). Rick O’Lish (licorice), Lollywood (lollipops in all shapes and sizes, of course), As If (pampered princess candy), Route 66 (a history of candy in America) and more. But if you’re in a hurry, these are the 3 rooms that you positively can not miss:
Indulge Your Sweet Tooth
You can’t be surrounded by all this candy and not take a taste! They have a way that makes it easy to taste as you explore. In addition to offering lots of taste tests of the fresh candies they’re making, you can also get a Sweet! Candy Card. It’s a refillable card that works like cash but makes it easier for you to try the tasting machines (cool spots in the store that offer bites of candy from around the world), bulk candy, interactive games (like the World’s Fastest Gumball Machine), the Chocolate Lab, and other candy and goodies throughout the store. It’s a fun way to give bigger kids a way to pick and manage their own treat tasting – when the card is used up, they’re done!
Sweet Fast Facts
Sweet! is over 30,000 square feet of candy that has:
(And they do birthday parties, too!)
Getting Here and Parking Here
Sweet! validates for any purchases over .02¢, so parking is $2 for up to 2 hours. Or skip parking altogether, and take the Metro, getting off at the Hollywood & Highland stop.
Sweet! Hollywood at Hollywood & Highland
6801 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 201, Los Angeles
Phone: 323-809-4380
Hours: Sunday – Thursday from 10:00 am – 9:00 pm; Friday & Saturday from
10:00 am – 10:00 pm.
Online: www.sweetlosangeles.com
Too tempting, or must-visit? What does your family think about the new ultimate sweet emporium?
All images courtesy of Sweet! Hollywood and Meghan Rose.
For a camping trip that combines NorCal roughing it with a dose of Bay Area-style indulgence, we’re big fans of the Anderson Valley. Located northwest of Healdsburg, and east of Mendocino (about a 2.5-to-3-hour drive from the Bay Area), this wine-growing region along the Navarro River provides a respite from the fog found at the socked-in coast, but mornings amongst big the trees are still cool and shaded.
WHAT TO DO:
A must-stop for those with kids is the Philo Apple Farm, located just before the entrance to Hendy Woods. Even if there’s no one manning the stand in front, feel free to wander the grounds, visiting with the resident hens, roosters, ponies and more, and meandering along the orchard’s rows. Year-round you can pick up delicious apple juice, jams, and chutneys, and in the fall you can stock up on varieties of heirloom apples that’ll ruin you on Red Delicious forever. You may also want to inquire about the cabins for rent available at the farm for your next getaway: the stylish A-frames boast big bathrooms, queen beds, and expansive orchard and valley views.
Parentals, we know that a good glass of wine in front of the campfire at the end of a long day of hiking can be the best muscle relaxant, so we recommend you make a stop at one of the local wineries for a tour, tasting, and to pick up a bottle of grapey goodness for yourselves (leave the apple juice for the kiddies). Though this region is most famed for its pinot noirs, there are also some great gewurtzraminer and muscat grapes grown up here as well. Toulouse winery is kid- and dog-friendly, and offers up a sampling of interesting wines, including muscat, vin gris, and of course the pinots. Husch and Navarro also offer room for kids to roam and a family-friendly atmosphere while you sip, and Goldeneye has a more formal, sit-down pinot tasting, with nibbles for pairing (Just keep your littles out of the tempting fountain).
WHAT TO EAT:
Stop in the town of Boonville on the way up north. This former one-horse town is still teeny and quaint, but recent changes include downtown tasting rooms, a spiffed-up hotel (with a family suite), and several places to grab good grub.
If you’re looking for a sit-down meal, the Boonville Hotel’s restaurant offers up fresh and seasonal choices on a family-style, prix fixe menu. Check the website for the daily specials like local rabbit with creamy polenta, or roast Fulton Farms chicken.’
The tiny Mosswood Market offers up satisfying café fare, like soups and sandwiches, in a casual setting. Either eat in, or grab stuff for a picnic in one of the parks or the nearby Anderson Valley Brewing Company.
For camping supplies, sandwiches and more, Boonville General Store has a tempting deli case and plenty of Anderson Valley beers by the bottle.
—Sarah Bossenbroek
credit: photo by Avi Hesterman
