ML Interest Tag: warm

Funniest Parenting Tweets of the Week: Apr. 5, 2019

by Karly Wood

This week we’re living our best life with kids: navigating Spring Break, trying to keep enough snacks in stock and all the other things that come with raising tiny humans. If you’re in the trenches and need a mini-break, kick back with our roundup of funny tweets and know that you’re not in it alone!

 

1. No, no you do not.

2. SNACKS.

3. Truth.

4. 🙄

5. Can’t be greedy!

6. Because, kids.

7. #dadlife

8. Goals.

9. The truth about game night:

10. When you don’t want to go to school…

––Karly Wood

photo: Ryan McGuire via Gratisography; composite by Karly Wood for Red Tricycle

 

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Ridiculously Easy Ways to Make Time for Self Care

By Amy Miller

Photo: Pixabay

We all have those days. Find the other shoe. Wipe the toddler’s nose. Read a book for the 102nd time. Coffee got warmed up four times and you were never in any room, including the bathroom, by yourself. Some me time can be difficult to come by. But it’s so important.

Your family needs you. And you need to take care of yourself. We hear this all the time. But somehow we have chunks of time where it slips our minds.We get so consumed with being a parent we aren’t even sure what to do when we have a moment to ourselves.

So here is a friendly little reminder to take some time to recharge.

And while you’re doing that try these things to get the most out of those precious moments of time to yourself.

Read and Write

Find what inspires you whether it’s Brene Brown or a romance novel and get lost in the pages for a few minutes. Or take a few moments to write down your thoughts. Consider keeping a gratitude journal to keep track of things that make you happy. Research has shown that putting pen to paper relieves stress, slows down our thinking and helps alleviate anxiety. And who couldn’t use some stress relief?

Skip Social Media

The people in your newsfeed are not invited for your me time. So ignore the pings, resist the urge to scroll and focus on yourself. Consider your goals for the rest of the day and think about things that have gone right lately. You can watch your friend’s kid learning to walk later.

Meditation Apps

Social media might be out. But there are some amazing apps designed specifically for relieving stress and anxiety. These apps give you quick and easy guidance with relaxation tracks and check-ins about your mood. They’re perfect for regrouping, refreshing and motivating you to get back to your day.

Create

Research shows that creativity and play are just as important to our health as rest. Maybe knitting or scrapbooks aren’t your thing. Even something like creating a google photo album or editing the latest picture of your little can make you feel creative and accomplished.

Exercise

You had to know exercise would make this list. And of course it does because it’s so important. It doesn’t have to be a hot yoga class. A walk around the block can energize you and clear your head.

Think of your me time like a power nap. Just like naps, even if you don’t have time for 90 minutes you can make the most of the 20 you have. Treat me time the same way. When you find a moment use your time wisely, make the most of it, focus on yourself and recharge.

Your family will thank you.

I am a teacher turned work at home mama to two boys (June 2013 & July 2016.) When I'm not writing I'm playing with my kids or catching some time with my husband. Parenting is the most exhausting, rewarding, confusing and inspiring job I've had. And I wouldn't change any of it.

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What’s for Dinner? Vegetarian Fried Rice

by Susie Foresman

photo: Slow Sundays

Fried rice is our favorite way to use up leftover rice and veggies, and this kid-approved version from Slow Sundays is definitely a winner. You can switch up the ingredients based on what you have on hand, making it the perfect “clean-out-the-fridge” dinner.

Ingredients
Vegetable oil
2 tbsp ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
4 spring onions, finely sliced, plus extra to scatter on top
1 zucchini, finely diced
1 bunch bok choy or Chinese greens, finely chopped
1 corn cob, kernels cut off
A generous handful of broccoli (florets and stalk), finely chopped
3 cups leftover white rice
2 tbsp fish sauce
2.5 tbsp oyster sauce
Sesame oil
4 eggs, fried
Sriracha (chili sauce), sesame seeds and soy sauce to serve

Method
1. Heat vegetable oil in a wok over medium – high heat and add the ginger, garlic and spring onions. Fry gently until soft and golden.

2. Add your vegetables and continue to stir-fry over medium heat until cooked through. I turn the heat up high towards the end of the cooking time so some of the vegetables have nice crispy edges.

3. Add the rice to the wok and mix through the vegetables well, breaking it up as you go.

4. When rice is warmed through, add the fish sauce and oyster sauce and continue to heat until rice is nice and hot. Drizzle over some sesame oil.

5. To serve, top each bowl of rice with a fried egg, sesame seeds, fresh spring onions, soy sauce and chili sauce (optional).

What do you think of this meal idea from Slow Sundays? 

Our thanks go to Jo of Slow Sundays for sharing this recipe with us. Be sure to visit her blog to find more easy-to-make meals that even picky kids will love.

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Healthy Nachos

by Susie Foresman

Who said nachos have to be bad for you? This recipe from Rani Hansen of You Totally Got This proves otherwise. They’re a great way to sneak extra veggies into your kids’ diet, but they also feel like a special treat.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups corn chips
½ cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Pinch chili powder (or more if you like it hot)
1 small red onion
2 cups canned corn kernels
1 cup canned black beans
½ avocado
Fresh cilantro to garnish
1 long red chili to garnish (optional)
¼ cup yogurt (regular or coconut) or sour cream to serve

Method
1. Turn on your broiler.

2. Dice the avocado and red onion, and thinly slice the chili (if using). Set aside.

3. Add the crushed tomatoes, cumin, paprika, garlic powder and chili powder to a small saucepan and place on the stove over medium heat, stirring for 2 minutes or until warmed through.

4. Take the saucepan off the heat and set aside.

5. Place the corn chips in the bottom of a small shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cheese. Place under the broiler until the cheese has melted. This will only take a minute, so keep your eyes peeled.

6. Remove the tray from the grill and top the melted cheese with the nacho sauce before layering on the chopped red onion, corn and black beans. Place the tray back into the oven for 5 minutes or until the ingredients are warmed through.

7. Remove your nachos from the oven and top with avocado, cilantro and chopped chili (if using). Serve with yogurt or sour cream.

Rani Hansen shares lots more healthy recipes like this one on her blog, You Totally Got This. Head to her site to find more kid-approved meals that’ll come together in half an hour or less.

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Your Eco-Chic Cotton Tote Bags May Not Be As Environmentally Friendly As You Think

by Red Tricycle

Photo: lisaclarke via Flickr

Right when we thought we’re saving the planet by switching from plastic bags to canvas or cotton tote bags, a study on grocery carrier bags conducted by the UK’s Environment Agency proves us wrong. Retailers started pushing tote bags as early as 2007 to promote sustainability, on the assumption that reusing the same bag can help curb customers’ carbon footprints. Some stores include a five or ten cent fee per plastic bag you use, just so we can be more environmentally conscious.

According to the study, the conventional plastic bags you see at grocery stores are made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and have the smallest per-use environmental impact. Cotton and canvas tote bags, by contrast, exhibited the highest and most severe global-warming potential by far since they require more resources (such as CO2) to produce and distribute. It said reusing a single plastic bag three times has the same environmental impact as using a cotton tote bag 393 times. Eek.

But what about the all those plastic bags in the oceans?

“The impact was considerably larger in categories such as acidification and aquatic & terrestrial ecotoxicity due to the energy used to produce cotton yarn and the fertilizers used during the growth of the cotton,” the study says. Yeah, leaching sucks.

To read more about this topic, check out Noah Dillon’s, of The Atlantic, take on this.

Are you on team plastic bag or team tote bag? Let us know in the comments below.

 

 

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Soups On! PDX’s Hottest Soup Carts for Comfort Food on the Go

by Kelley Gardiner

Soup, soup, beautiful soup. When it comes to food carts, PDX is king and soup is no exception. From steamy ramen to Hungarian mushroom to classic tomato, Portland’s array of soup carts offer fast, filling meals for on-the-go families. And with added bonuses like grilled sandwiches and even mac ‘n’ cheese, there’s always something for the littles while you get your soup on. Read on to discover where to get your next belly-warming cup of comfort.

photo: Trina W. via Yelp

Portland Soup Company
The recipes change with the seasons, to reflect what’s available as well as what might sound good. In summer, you might find a gazpacho. In winter, Hungarian mushroom. Any time of year, there are usually three choices, and one of them is a classic tomato soup. If junior isn’t having it, there’s always mac and cheese to fall back on. Open during the week for lunch only.

1941 SW 4th Ave.
Portland
503-987-0217
Online: portlandsoup.com

photo: Noemi M. via Yelp

Umai 
Warm, belly-filling ramen is all the rage in Portland right now, with new restaurants opening all the time. Umai serves up their Umai Ramen (Shio, Shoyu or Miso base), or a vegetarian version featuring eggplant instead of pork shoulder. Be prepared to slurp your noodles near the cart, or pay $.50 for to go containers. This cart is serious about sustainability. (Note: This cart closed for vacation until Sep.23. Check the website for details.)

SE 33rd at Hawthorne (Behind the Hazel Room)
503-502-4428
Online: umaipdx.com

photo: Julie H. via Yelp

Hapa 
More ramen comes streaming out the window at Hapa. Choose traditional Shoyu Ramen or a more modern Tonkotsu style, then settle down for people-watching at the popular Tidbit Food cart pod.

SE Division St. & SE 28th Pl.
503-560-0393
Online: hapapdx.com

photo: treeny t. via Yelp

Savor Soup House
Savor Soup House has four soups that rotate on a weekly basis. For example, on a recent Thursday, you could get tomato with fennel and orange, sweet potato kale & coconut, pulled pork pozole and a borscht. In fact, you can get that popular tomato soup any day of the week, and it’s served with croutons and parmesan. Mmmm. Vegans, vegetarians and gluten-free eaters can find a suitable option every day, too.

1003 SW Alder St.
503-548-7652
Online: savorsouphouse.com

photo: Joshua C. via Yelp

Chowdah
This cart normally has three soups on: a seasonal, a veggie, and of course, the namesake New England clam chowder. Word is that they don’t skimp on the clams, either. Soups to go are available, as well as grilled cheese sandwiches. They also make one of the best Philly cheesesteaks with homemade cheese sauce. If you’re a meat-eater, get one.

7316 N. Lombard St.
503-867-2475
Online: facebook.com/chowdahpdx

Spoons
Spoons serves up soups, salads, and wraps to the hungry downtown lunch crowd. You’ll always find vegetarian or gluten-free options, and all cups and bowls are served with rustic Italian bread. A recent Friday menu offered Tuscan tomato, Hungarian mushroom, New England clam chowder and pepper & corn with smoked pork. Hungry yet?

SW 5th and Stark
503-522-3576
Online: facebook.com/SpoonsOn5th

photo: Michael S. via Yelp

Grilled Cheese Grill
Okay, it’s not exactly a soup cart, but what goes better with a bowl of tomato soup than a grilled cheese sandwich? Besides, you can get a plain ol’ grilled cheese or a cup of tomato soup for just $2.50. That’s tough to beat when you’re out and about. At the Alberta location, your kids will clamor to eat inside the retro school bus, retrofitted with tables and seats.

SW 10th and Alder
NE 11th & Alberta
Online: grilledcheesegrill.com

What’s your favorite tummy-warming soup from a cart? Let us know in the comments!

—Kelley Gardiner

featured photo: Jessica R via Yelp

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92-Year-Old Meets Her New Great Grand-Daughter

by rtfrankiekatafias

Photo Courtesy: User: Fishtails on Reddit

Having a baby is a milestone not just for parents, but for the rest of the family too. Who can forget the feeling of revealing your newborn for the first time?

This moment, captured during the first meeting of 92-year-old great grandma Millie Martin and two-day-old Penelope, has parents everywhere issuing a collective “awww!!!”

The photo was taken over the weekend, just one month following the passing of Millie’s husband and WWII veteran, Dean. Thanks to user Fishtails on Reddit, the image has warmed the hearts of many surfing the web.

For kids, parents, grandparents and great grandparents alike, Millie and Penelope are a reminder of the magic between the oldest generation and the newest.

Did you capture any magical first meetings on camera? We’d love to see them! #redtricycle on Facebook and Instagram.

— Francesca Katafias

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Some Like it Lux: Bacara con Kiddos

by jolie loeb

Before vacations were defined by beds made of Legos or bow-tied mice roaming a cruise ship, they were a thing of relaxation and recalibration. So when you crave a little luxury for your getaway, head north, just past Santa Barbara, to the Bacara Resort & Spa. With nature walks and a stunning butterfly preserve, there’s enough here to keep both the kids and your indulgent side satisfied.

Settle In Somewhere Beyond the Sea
Salted air, sand-scaped sunsets, that smooth Spanish architecture and those Santa Ynez vistas; nobody is immune to Santa Barbara’s charms. Once the young ones get a whiff of those Eucalyptus breezes, a glance at that infinity pool, and a walk amongst the butterflies they’ll forget all about amusement parks.  That the resort is amazing and dreamy is a given, but that such elegance offers up nearby fun for the kids is a wonder. Shoes off, sand between the toes, and let the monarchs lead the way. 

When Backyard Equals Beach 
When you can see the sea from your room, your first stop has to be taking the tykes to the tide. Hiking trails range from the toddler friendly to the serious runner.  The Beach Run is just about a mile long and laden with bunnies and ocean views—perfect for nature newbies just getting their hiking toes wet. The Nature Loop Run is somewhere between 2.5 and 3 miles, and is moderately challenging for bigger kids, and The Santa Barbara Shores Run, somewhere between 4 and 5 miles, is for the seriously savvy sand and sea queen or king (or Mama who wants to get up and sweat while everyone else swims or catches cartoons).

By Paddle, By Surfboard, By Horseback, By Bike
Bacara Land & Sea Adventures makes any outdoor adventure possible. Hourly rentals, group lessons, family bike tours all at the ready. Bacara, while painstakingly easy on the eyes, is not just a pretty face. They fully capitalize on their captivating surroundings and all ages are welcome. Stand up and paddle, sit down and kayak. It’s all there, beach horseback riding to family mountain biking. Penchant for paragliding? Yes, you may. The sea, the sun, the sand’s provided. Signing up is all that’s left.  Talking to the friendly concierge to arrange whatever adventure you like for just you or the whole fam.

Meet the Monarchs
When you’re done dabbling in the sea, it’s time to move off the property.  Perhaps the best-kept Bacara adjacent secret resides just about a mile away. Rent bikes or hop in the car and head down the block to the The Coronado Butterfly Preserve and Goleta Butterfly Grove. Have your cameras ready! Look up, and see thousands of butterflies dangling in their habitat. No, those aren’t leaves, though they may look it at first glance. Peak time to catch this stunning sight is December through February, so now is the time to go.  The monarchs are like our kids and love the sunshine, so they’re easiest to spot in the middle of the day.

photo credit: Michael R Perry via Creative Commons

The Bistro: Coastal Cuisine With a Side of Breathtaking
The beach and the butterflies ate up your first day (or two of vacation).  So next morning, wake up to a relaxing brunch.  Al fresco all year long, your table at The Bistro has a stunning view of Santa Barbara panorama anchoring the coast. But the real beauty of dining at The Bistro is not just the soundtrack of the seagulls or the panorama of the Pacific; it’s the built-in magic of having a grass lanai table side. In parenting land, that translates to coffee refills.  It means that when they’re done eating and you’re aching for more caffeine, you don’t have to accede to their wishes to avoid a meltdown. They can run up and down the hill to their hearts content, and you can kick back with as much Joe as your central nervous system can handle, while watching them Jack and Jill a few yards away.

Do You Speak Chumash?
They’re all warmed up from relaying on the lanai, you’re warmed from the rare joy of relaxing with a third, fourth (maybe fifth?) coffee. You’re all ready to do something.  Easy as pie: straight from the Bistro, take the resort’s Chumash Nature Trail. The path is legibly marked with ancient intel on Mother Nature’s raw and ravishing gifts (who knew we owed the wonders of baby powder to Rosa Californica?), read, skip, jaunt, and end up back at the ocean. Bacara’s private beach, in fact.

So Close, Yet So Bacara
Just off the 101, a virtual Riviera awaits, and with the butterflies fluttering in the winter months, it’s one spot where off season is even more spectacular, giving you a great reason for a mid-winter weekend getaway. And it’s secretly kid friendly: Bacara doesn’t advertise their kids meals (but they have them) or kids clubs (but they run them seasonally; call when booking to inquire), and they provide a beautiful backdrop for a seriously serene and scenically sensational family getaway. When Bacara beckons, make your way towards the Monarchs. They’re just hanging out, waiting to put wings on your memories.

Bacara Resort & Spa
8301 Hollister Ave.
Goleta, Ca 93117
Phone: 855-968-0100
Online: bacararesort.com

Where do you escape to where luxury and kid-friendliness collide? Let us know!

-written and photographed by Jolie Loeb

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Date Night: Where to Enjoy Hot Chocolate in Seattle

by Erin Lem

Use the cold weather to your romantic advantage and sample Seattle’s five finest hot chocolate spots. These decadent beverages go far beyond the kitchen microwave and pre-mixed packet, warming the senses with rich, unique flavors that quickly remind us why chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac. From hand-ground cocoa powder to Mexican red chile in the mix, these intoxicating drinks are not your average cup.

CAFÉ PRESSE

Straight from Paris, the rich, silky chocolat chaud is made with 71 percent origin unico (single origin) solid chocolate, French Cacao Barry cacao, half milk and half cream. Served Parisian style with fresh whipped cream on the side. $5/8 ounces. Capitol Hill, 1117 12th Ave.; 206.709.7674

CHOCOLOPOLIS

Infused with red chiles and spices, the milk in the spicy dark drinking chocolate is steamed to melt the slightly sweet 55 percent solid Guittard chocolate in this warm, thick treat with a kick. $4.50/8 ounces. Queen Anne, 1527 Queen Anne Ave. N; 206.282.0776

To read the entire article, click here.

This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.

 

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