From money envelopes to dragons, here are the best Chinese New Year crafts for preschoolers and beyond
We’re squealing with excitement over the upcoming Lunar New Year. This family-centric celebration starts on the first day of the new moon on the Lunar Calendar, and we’ve searched high and low for ways to involve the whole crew. From paper lanterns and red envelopes to lunar calendars and more, find your favorite Chinese New Year crafts to celebrate the Year of the Dragon. We’ve also got fun dragon crafts for kids!
Make this amazing dragon craft with the simplest materials. Tissue paper, pom poms, a toilet paper tube, glue, and googly eyes are all you need for this craft, but let your kiddo be creative and use whatever they’d like.
Light up your new year with these simple sparkle Chinese lanterns made from colored paper, jewel stickers, tape, and glue. Put them up in pairs, but remember—four is an unlucky number! If your little crafter is on a roll, eight lanterns strung together are lucky and bring wealth. Heidi over at Happiness is Homemade gives us the how-to-do.
Your little reveler can bring good luck and have fun creating this paper dragon craft. It's easy to make with things from around the house: paper, paint, a rolling pin, bubble wrap, and googly eyes. Psst ... this can be an afternoon activity if you make a really big dragon! Get the step-by-step at No Time for Flashcards.
Since the Chinese Calendar is based on the lunar calendar with each month beginning on the first day of the new moon, have your little ones fill out the different phases to see where the New Year's month begins. You’ll need a calendar, circle stickers, and scissors. Find a quick tutorial, here.
Tangerines and oranges symbolize good luck and wealth for the new year. Your little moon can bring this bright and vibrant happy color into the house with this cute Chinese New Year craft by Chelsey at Buggy and Buddy. It’s easy to make with colored paper, brown yarn, scissors, and glue.
What tot can resist those red envelopes? Usually filled with money (of even denominations) and given out at the celebratory dinners, if you have time, you and your crew can make these little envelopes and decorate them too. We love the version from Sue over at First Palette because it comes with a printable template!
Lunar New Year is also known as the Spring Festival, so what better way to celebrate than by letting your little artist finger-paint cherry blossoms on Chinese fans? Just grab some colored paper, a black pen, paint, and tape. The instructions can be found over at In the Playroom.
Your little scribes may not be ready to master Chinese characters, but you can still introduce them to the art of calligraphy. Once you've gathered the basic supplies of a pen, ink, and paper, you can follow Rachelle Doorley's guide over at Tinkerlab.
Get musical by making a Chinese-inspired gong, like this one from Kid World Citizen. You can even experiment with different pan sizes for different types of sounds.
Let littles get hands-on Chinese New Year-style exploring in this sensory bin. First, color the rice red to bring good luck (A quick how-to at Little Bins for Little Hands). Then add chopsticks, old Chinese coins, teacups, spoons, Lunar New Year sayings, red envelopes, and our favorite, a Buddha. Be sure to supervise toddlers while they enjoy this fun experience.
These hostess gift ideas will make them feel so appreciated
Whether you’re heading to a holiday party or invited for a weekend visit, you’ll want to make sure you don’t show up empty-handed. Hostess gifts may be a little old-fashioned, but that’s because they really are a classic move that will never go out of style. Thanking your hostess (or host, of course) for their hospitality and any work they’ve put into making you, their guest, feel welcome, is always considerate. Although the sentiment has never gotten old, the gift itself changes from decade to decade. So, you’ll need some hostess gift ideas, especially with the upcoming holiday season.
These carefully curated gifts will please any hosts, even your hard-to-shop-for-sister-in-law. They’ll be welcome additions to their home, pantry, and every day, plus many of them actually make their next event that much easier to put together. Scroll down for our favorite hostess gift ideas for 2023.
TBH Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
TBH Vineyards
A bottle of wine is always a good idea when it comes to a hostess gift. This wonderful Pinot Noir is made from 100% estate-grown organic grapes from Small Vines on the Sonoma Coast and is a full-bodied wine with hints of cherries, a floral scent, and a lovely lingering flavor.
Goat milk is known for its moisturizing qualities. We love gifting this soap and lotion set especially since its fragrance-free and includes a counter caddy.
Glassware with a city map in 22-carat gold leaf is sure to endear your host to you even when your kid locks themselves in the bathroom in the middle of the party. Choose from 22 popular cities.
San Francisco mom Samira Khoshnood created Superstitchous while on maternity leave after the birth of her first child. We love gifting these cozy blankets to pretty much anyone. Especially with a variety of charming prints and sizes, you can't go wrong.
Made of long-lasting soy wax and hand-poured in California, these are a chic-meets-cheeky offering. There are a bunch of different single and bundle options to fit your favorite hostess's personality.
The perfect gift wrap for that bouquet of flowers you can grab on your way over; use a recycled jar, a can or a simple vase and make it dressy. Coated paper stock in lots of different color choices.
A perfect trio of cheese from one of the country's best cheesemakers. Includes a decadent triple cream Mt Tam, funky and buttery Red Hawk, and versatile aged Wagon Wheel.
Filter out sulfites with this simple wine filter and say goodbye to wine headaches. Simply add one to each glass you pour and in 3 minutes, you'll have a clean-tasting filtered glass of your favorite grapes.
—Kate Loweth, Amber Guetebier, Gabby Cullen, & Kate Cartia
All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our shopping editors.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.
I had been divorced for a couple of years when my former husband called with a surprise. Thankfully, it wasn’t the type of surprise he delivered the night he sat me at the table and told me he had been unfaithful for more than a decade and was leaving me for someone he met in Las Vegas.
No, this surprise had to do with our 12-year-old son. He said he was taking him to China for a vacation. I got that feeling you get when you walk in on a conversation, and everyone is laughing and looking at you like you know what they’re talking about.
China?
How had this come about? I searched my memory for some mention of anything remotely Chinese on my son’s wish list. Had the two of them been to see the First Emperor’s Terracotta Warriors on display at the Field Museum? Or taken a school field trip to Chinatown that I didn’t know about?
The only connection I could come up with was my son’s collection of Pokemon cards, but those are Japanese.
“Um… that would be cool, I guess,” I said, still processing the random nature of his declaration. By the time I gathered my thoughts enough to pose some questions and concerns, he announced that he had bought tickets to travel during a school week and over days that were technically mine on the parenting schedule.
“I can’t change it,” he said. “If I do, I’ll have to pay $1,000 and I know you don’t want that.”
What I didn’t want was to be told what to think or how to feel. An immediate, familiar pressure gripped my chest as I recalled all the activities and decisions that had already occurred behind my back. That he would plan something so extravagant for our son without discussing it with me felt too unfair. I was already struggling with the realities of co-parenting our three children, still getting used to the myriad ways a divorced mom must learn to let go as she is eased out of her job.
After college, I worked as a secretary in London for a few months and learned that, rather than firing people, workers are “made redundant.” It means the same thing but sounds so much nicer. I’ve been made redundant as a mother—no longer needed or useful in all the ways I once was.
This shows up in small ways:
Tell me about your science project. “I don’t want to talk about it. I told dad all about it.”
Want to see the new Marvel movie? “Sorry, mom, we saw it with dad.”
Guess what? I got pizza for dinner! (A chorus of groans.) “We had pizza two nights in a row with dad!”
And in big ways, like feeling helpless and broken during that stretch when my daughter called, in tears, begging to come home every time she was at her dad’s. Or having no words of comfort when my boys expressed their anger about their dad’s girlfriend moving in.
All of those impotent moments were triggered again by the thought of my son flying halfway around the world without me. I imagined him sleep-deprived and anxious from the long flight, wandering lost in a crowded street market, even starving, thanks to his finicky diet.
Overprotective? Maybe. But once your trust in someone is so completely shattered, how do you patch enough of it together to cover some areas and not others? I believe my kids’ dad is, as a parent, loving and devoted. But I believed that about him as a husband, too, and I was wrong.
I don’t blame myself for being guarded. I believe that any mother who has ever experienced betrayal would likely volunteer to go through it again rather than see her kids suffer a similar disappointment. At the same time, I have to be careful not to color my kids’ experiences with my disappointments. For me, this meant smiling while I packed a suitcase and waved bon voyage to my baby. It also meant feeling genuine happiness when my baby returned unscathed, unperturbed and a little more worldly.
Yes, I have learned some wonderful lessons on this road back from betrayal.
Here are the big ones.
Respond rather than react.
One of the best decisions I made early in the divorce process was to treat negotiations as business agreements and relegate them to emails rather than phone calls. That way, I can take my time and formulate a clear-headed answer on my timeline. Reacting equals losing power. Responding equals reclaiming power.
Have your facts straight.
In the case of the China trip, I assumed that my son couldn’t be taken out of the country without my permission. But when I checked our parenting agreement, I saw that my former husband only needed written permission from me for the first 24 months following the divorce. Wow. That shocked me, but there it was, in black and white.
Gathering the facts gave me time to gather my thoughts enough to get clear about my objections and whether they were ones I had a right to make. As galling as it is to have to follow rules with a rule-breaker who broke your heart, do it anyway.
Come from a “well-fed” place.
This is the juicy center, the meat inside the sandwich. Everything revolves around my ability to get quiet, tune in and take responsibility for my inner world. What are my motivations? Is this about me or my kids? Am I fighting for the sake of fighting? Am I settling an old score? Am I bored, lonely or craving drama? I need to look at whether I’m feeding myself what I need rather than entering into a “hungry” exchange with my former husband.
Of course, life, in its perfection, always provides us with opportunities to practice these skills. I had another chance when our daughter turned 13 and her dad decided it was her turn for an extravagant trip—to Thailand. This time I was prepared.
Tammy Letherer is an author, writing coach and blogger. She holds a degree in Journalism from Indiana University and has enjoyed a long, varied professional writing career. She is the author of a memoir, The Buddha at My Table (release date October 2018) and a novel, Hello Loved Ones. She lives in Chicago with her children.
Red Tricycle and Tinybeans stand against the systemic racism towards Asian Americans, as well as all people of color. We strive to uplift our neighbors, friends, co-workers, and fellow humans in the fight for justice, and one way to do that is to support small businesses and to support local businesses. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and we are highlighting some amazing Asian American owned businesses in San Diego you’ll love. From delicious Thai food and delectable ice cream and donuts to stylish clothing and adorable room decor, read on for where to dine and shop!
Paige's Pocket offers stylish and comfortable pocket tees, hats, accessories and stickers for adults and kids. All of their pockets are handmade and totally unique. We love the Mom's Dress Paige's pocket tee. You select from a wide variety of pockets and then choose the color tee you'd like the pocket to adorn. Bonus: For every shirt sold, Paige’s Pocket contributes $5 to the National Parks Foundation.
Your kids will be delighted by the charming array of products found at the A Simple One shop. We love their light switch decals that instantly brighten a room with whimsy as well as their door signs, wooden memory games, glass mugs and money envelopes. Support this local business today by purchasing your next gift from them.
Once you dine at Thai-eatery Plumeria in Encinitas, it will surely become a favorite and you'll find yourself returning time and time again for their delicious noodle dishes, soups, curries––basically everything on the menu! Owner Pimwara Thongchua also runs Asian Bistro in Hillcrest as well as Park Boulevard's Plumeria location. Plumeria's menu is vegan and vegetarian with plenty of gluten-free options. You won't miss the meat. They offer mock duck, mock chicken, mock fish and tofu in their dishes. You'll certainly find the fresh, healthy, vibrant and delectable food addictive!
Founded by Terence Lioe and Desiree Le, Cauldron Ice Cream started out of a garage in Orange County in 2014 and has since expanded to multiple locations in SoCal as well as to Dallas, TX and Toronto. These scoops of heaven are magical concoctions, just as the name of the shop implies. Cauldron Ice Cream, a.k.a. Home of the OG Puffle Cone, pairs innovation and tradition to create the creamiest ice cream using liquid nitrogen and a sweet, creamy base. They rotate their dreamy flavors monthly, so each visit promises something new.
Cheers to R3fresh on Convoy Street! Here you can build your own superfood bowls and drink amazing juices and smoothies from their juice bar and specialty espresso/coffee drinks from their coffee bar. We like to start the day with their "Fire" juice which is a blend of Pineapple, Ginger, Apple, Carrot, Celery and Turmeric.
Jai Wurfbain created his 100% plant-based and absolutely divine Buddha Sauce to pair with the wildly popular salad & grain bowls he sells at SoCal farmers markets. His signature raw vegetable salad has a tasty bed of grains that really makes the salad a nice filling nutritious meal that is brimming with protein, fiber, anti-oxidants and minerals. It's a healthy base for the raw vegetables and life that the Buddha Sauce bring to the party in a bowl. Catch up with Jai on Instagram to learn recipes for healthy eating and to see where you can find him and the delicious products he's working to create next! Find him at the Vista and Leucadia farmer's markets and try a bowl and buy a jar of Buddha Sauce. You'll feel enlightened!
Common Theory Public House is co-owned by childhood friends Cris Liang and Joon Lee. This gastropub on Convoy Street serves up great food and quality craft beers. Regarding their vision for this bar/restaurant, they offer, "the symbiotic culture clash of our Korean-Chinese-Mexican-American background genuinely showcases itself in Common Theory’s ambiance, food, and drinks; demonstrating one common story of many of what it means to be Californian." Stop in to check out their rotating beer list and amazing range of food. We love their Buffalo Cauliflower appetizer and Pretzel Bread Pudding for dessert.
Treat yourself to Thai rolled ice cream and mochi donuts as the ultimate treat. Bing Haus donuts are made fresh, in-house daily in an assortment of rotating flavors they post on Instagram daily. We love their Black Sesame rolled ice cream which comes with a black sesame base with honey, mochi, and sesame toppings. They also offer coffee and tea drinks, soft-serve and Patbingsoo Shaved Ice.
Order up what food travel host and chef Andrew Zimmern voted the best ramen in the country! The noodles, which use wheat imported straight from Hokkaido, Japan are what set Menya Ultra apart. They are made fresh daily and combined with a super creamy, flavorful broth. The Tonkotsu Ajitama Ramen is a popular choice here. Kids will also dig the fried gyoza and edamame on the menu. Find Menya Ultra in three locations across San Diego, including their brand new Hillcrest location.
Owner of Iceskimo Robert Yang sets his ice cream and Taiwanese-inspired shaved ice or snow apart from the rest! Iceskimo's offerings are handcrafted in small batches using all natural, pure ingredients. They do not use powders, syrups or artificial sweeteners. Their Taiwanese artisan “snow” is shaved off large cylinders in ribbons so pretty they resemble peonies. Flavors are available in classic and vegan flavors with an abundance of topping, affogato and drizzle choices. With three locations in San Diego, you're sure to find an Iceskimo near you.
Over two thousand years ago the Buddha observed that “cravings” were the source of most of our suffering. (And he was pretty wise… like a Buddha, in fact!)
Basically, cravings cause us to chase after pleasure in material things, but this habit always ends in frustration and suffering, as the happiness they offer is fleeting and ungraspable.
I was recently reminded of this as we loaded a mini-van full of toys to donate to the Salvation Army in a struggle to declutter.
These toys were an archive of must-have toys from Christmases past, and most didn’t get much love after the New Year.
In fact, our kids had a bad habit of getting a “pleasure-hangover” after the last toy was opened on Christmas morning. Their moods seemed to sink after the cravings and anticipation turned into discontent, often before we could clean up the wrapping paper.
So, after a number of these unsatisfying Christmases, we got wiser. We stopped spending hundreds of dollars on “things,” and don’t even participate in the commercial bacchanal that is “Black Friday.” (ugh!)
So, what do we do instead?
Now we get the kids an experience
Our big gift to the kids usually centers around an event, and includes a night in a hotel. Since we’re a train ride from NYC, there’s no shortage of options for family travel, but certainly anywhere fun and exciting will do.
For the last two Christmases we’ve been on a Hamilton (the Musical) kick, so trips to Williamsburg and Philadelphia were a lot of fun. One year it was a long-weekend trip to Florida after we found cheap, last-minute airfare.
This year? Not sure yet. Maybe (half-price) tickets to Aladdin on Broadway, and a night in the city?
We usually make a photo book of our annual adventure, so that’s fun to bring back the memories years later.
Anyway, what I’m trying to say is that we’re all so much happier not dumping “stuff” on each other on Christmas day. We all feel lighter, and there’s a lot less anxiety.
The True Meaning of Christmas
“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about…”
Yes, I think Linus was onto something back in 1965.
We’ve all heard that “money can’t buy happiness,” but we’re also told ad nauseam every day that it can.
How? Well, in the form of advertising and social media, of course.
In fact, a recent study shows that we can be bombarded with ads of some sort up to 5,000 times a day. This exposure to advertising is like steroids for our cravings, and that is really bad.
Ugh! If he weren’t so enlightened, Buddha would be so depressed.
Proof that Toys Don’t Buy Happiness (Ah, hah!)
I’m happy to give you proof that “things” don’t equal happiness. Wrap your brain around this statistic:
American children make up less than 4% of the world’s population, but own 50% of the world’s toys!
You’d think that as the richest country with the most toys, we’d at least be on the list of the 10 happiest countries, but we’re not.
However, we do top the charts in anxiety and obesity, and debt, so maybe we want to stop trying to satisfy our cravings with “things.”
This obsession with consumption seems to be a human sickness, maybe leftover from our ancient hunter-gatherer DNA? Kind of makes you think that the Buddha was right all along.
Here’s a small way to fight back…
Give An Experience this Christmas!
So, I hope that you consider lightening up on the toys this Christmas. Maybe a Broadway show isn’t in your budget this year, but no problem; it’s the quality time together that matters.
If you have any ideas of non-material gift substitutes, leave a comment below!
I'm Missy, a mother of three and a middle school drama teacher at a private school. I'm obsessed with my Vizsla (dog), traveling, and the musical Hamilton. I also enjoy writing and sharing fun parenting stories, which is what brought me here.
You were born on a Saturday morning in Philadelphia. It was early, and the January sun was shining. It wasn’t like it was in the movies. There was no rush of activity or newborn screams. The room was calm and you came out—your eyes wide open, taking in the world around you. You barely made a sound; daddy likes to say you were like a wise Buddha.
Those early months seem so far away, another lifetime ago. But there are things, feelings, that stand out so clearly in my mind, I can almost put myself right back there again. The feel of your body on my chest, how much you hated taking baths, nursing you in your glider with my eyes sealed shut so I would hopefully be able to fall back to sleep again. But what I remember most is how I felt like you were mine.
There you were, a brand new person with a brand new personality, and yet, I felt so connected to you—your laugh, your tiny feet—that I felt like a piece of me was embedded in you. In a way that was unfair to you. You weren’t mine to own, but you were my first, the one we had placed so much hope in after our first devastating pregnancy. I couldn’t help it.
12 years. New houses, new siblings, new pets, new schools. All of it tumbles by. Days I wish I could freeze time and days that feel like they will never end. Much of you is still like you were on that cold January morning when we first met. But now you are taller than me. You laugh at YouTube videos that I just don’t “get” and speak in code with your brother and friends about “Fortnight kills.”
One minute you have it all together, and I stop in my tracks as I catch a glimpse of the man you will one day be. The next minute you’re being so annoying and fighting like a toddler with your siblings. It’s normal, I get it. But it’s so weird.
In 6 weeks you will finish elementary school. It’s time. You tower above the first graders in the car line. This milestone moves you one step closer to independence, one step closer to the kind of person you want to be. I’m trying to hold on to these last weeks– the three of you all in the same school for the last time. While a piece of me is sad, most of me is so excited for what lies ahead—for all you will get to experience, the endless opportunities and choices waiting out there just for you.
And one day, it will be you in that hospital room. You will hold your newborn child and feel like he is all yours. Believing that baby belongs to you is what makes those first few exhausting weeks and months so magical.
But now, 12 years later, I’ll tell you the truth: the most beautiful thing is that you do not belong to me.
You are here, on your own journey, walking a path that I can help you navigate, but one that we won’t share for long.
I’m lucky that for this brief time we can still travel together before our paths diverge. When they do, the most I can hope for is that I’ve equipped you with a strong, steady compass to guide you on your way.
I'm Missy, a mother of three and a middle school drama teacher at a private school. I'm obsessed with my Vizsla (dog), traveling, and the musical Hamilton. I also enjoy writing and sharing fun parenting stories, which is what brought me here.
Food is such an amazing source of comfort and nourishment––and cooking or baking together and sharing meals as a family can be a treasured part of time spent together at home. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up delicious recipes from some our favorite local chefs and founders of San Diego based food brands. Read on for easy recipes for dinner and lunch as well as yummy snacks, breakfast, and a Disneyland dessert!
Katie Farina of Katie's Healing Kitchen has a recipe that provides a bright start to every day or can be a filling snack or even a healthy dessert! Whip up her Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie Bowl topped with raw chocolate sauce to bring a smile to the face of everyone in your family. Katie offers an array of amazing cooking classes at San Diego's Wine Vault & Bistro, so when life goes back to normal, be sure to treat yourself to a class. In the meantime, you can order her cookbook, Katie's Healing Kitchen, Healthy, Plant-Based Recipes for Every Kitchen, to bring Katie's delightful recipes to your home kitchen.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Smoothie Bowl: Katie offers, "This delicious breakfast bowl is the perfect way to start your day when you want to enjoy the decadent flavor combination of chocolate and strawberries in a healthy way!"
YIELD: 2 Servings
Ingredients:
-2 cups unsweetened plain or vanilla non-dairy vegan yogurt (like coconut or cashew)
-1 peeled and frozen banana, cut into chunks, thawed 15 minutes
-Thaw frozen banana and strawberries for 15 minutes at room temperature.
-Make Raw Chocolate Sauce (see recipe below)
-Blend yogurt, banana, and strawberries in a blender or food processor until smooth, adding a splash of water or non-dairy milk if a thinner consistency is desired.
-Sweeten to taste with maple syrup
-Divide mixture between two bowls. Top with desired garnishes and drizzle over raw chocolate sauce.
Chef's Tips: Leftover chocolate sauce can be stored in a plastic squeeze bottle in the refrigerator. It will harden when refrigerated, but to re-liquify it, simply place the bottle in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.
Raw Chocolate Sauce: Katie says, "This is the quickest, easiest, and healthiest way to get a quick chocolate fix. It's perfect drizzled over desserts. Leftovers can be made into a raw chocolate bark. Simply pour onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for about 20 minutes. Break apart and enjoy, or store in the freezer for a chocolate emergency."
YIELD: 1 Cup
Ingredients:
-1/2 cup raw cacao powder
-1/2 cup maple syrup, at room temperature
-1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
-pinch of salt
Whisk all ingredients together until smooth.
Chef's Tips: The coconut oil has to be completely melted and the maple syrup at room temperature for this to be the best consistency sauce.
Jai Wurfbain created his 100% plant-based and absolutely divine Buddha Sauce to pair with the wildly popular salad & grain bowls he sells at SoCal farmers markets.
His signature raw vegetable salad has a tasty bed of grains that really makes the salad a nice filling nutritious meal that is brimming with protein, fiber, anti-oxidants and minerals. It's a healthy base for the raw vegetables and life that the Buddha Sauce bring to the party in a bowl.
The gluten-free ancient grains he uses consist of quinoa, millet, pinto beans and red rice. He cooks the Pintos separately and mixes them into the other ingredients at the end. This mix can be cooked in bulk and can be added to any meal. They can be frozen and reheated easily without loss of taste or texture. Beautifully versatile and delicious, warmed up or cold.
Veggie Salad & Grains with Buddha Sauce
1 cup of Millet 1/2 cup of Quinoa 1/2 cup of red rice 4 cups of water 1 tbsp of coconut oil 1 tsp of salt
Use a rice cooker to cook these for 15 minutes. If you don't have a rice cooker, you may need to add a little water to a regular pot which you bring to a boil (covered), and then reduce to a low simmer for a further 10 minutes after which you can turn the heat off and then let the pot rest for another 15 minutes.
Cook 2 cups of pinto beans separately which, after draining, add to the cooked grains.
Top the grains with any assortment of raw veggies and even some nuts you have on hand and that your family enjoys. Next, drizzle Buddha Sauce on top, which elevates the entire meal to a truly enlightened next level!
Next you can make Jolic's delightful, healthy and filling Berry Yogurt Parfait using your Love, Granola. Kids will think this nutritional snack is a dessert, and they will love helping you make it (or can even make it themselves), so it's a winner all around!
Berry Yogurt Parfait
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of yogurt
- 2 cups of Love, Granola
- 2 cups of fresh or frozen berries
- 1 banana
Directions:
In a bowl or glass, scoop 1/4 c. of granola. Layer 1/4 c. of fruit, and then 1/4 c. of yogurt. Repeat. Enjoy!
Notes: Have fun creating new flavors with different fruits, flavors of yogurt, nuts/seeds, and of course, Love, Granola!
Love, Granola is offering a 15% off promo code to Red Tricycle readers: (RedTricycle15) that's good until May 1.
Follow, shop or contact Love, Granola via the links below:
Think you have to wait until Disneyland reopens to sink your teeth into their delicious Churro Toffee? Think again! Disney blogger Jenny Flake of Disney Hungry has graced us all with her copycat recipe of this swoon-worthy treat! Her Churro Toffee Disneyland Copycat recipe instructions are detailed on her website Picky Palate. There's also a video at the end of the post detailing the process further.
Be sure to follow Jenny on her wildly popular Instagram account, Disney Hungry, for all the latest and most tantalizing news on all of the epic food that's offered at Disneyland Parks. Her Instagram feed is a feast for the eyes and good for the soul!
Eggplant Meatballs with Marinara Sauce/Melissa d'Arabian
Melissa d'Arabian
Did you catch our interview with local celeb chef Melissa d'Arabian? Be sure to check it out to learn about all her fave culinary delights in San Diego. Then make this yummy dinner with your family. Kids love shaping meatballs––and their hands are the perfect size to do so!
Melissa says, "Who says meatballs have to have meat? After being roasted in the oven, the eggplant takes on a meaty, hearty flavor that is an excellent foundation for “meatballs.” In addition, I flavor them with the traditional basil, garlic, and bread crumbs (whole wheat, in this case). I do have one other unusual twist up my sleeve, though: I add some smashed white beans for texture and an extra boost of protein. Pair these meatballs with your favorite marinara sauce and I bet no one will even know the difference!"
1 large eggplant (about 12 ounces) 1 large egg, lightly beaten ½ cup cooked white beans, such as cannellini or navy (homemade, page 00; or rinsed, if canned), smashed with a fork 1 large garlic clove, very finely chopped or pressed through a garlic press ½ cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves or flat-leaf parsley ½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for sprinkling (optional) ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 cup whole wheat panko-style bread crumbs Olive oil mister or nonstick pan spray 2 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place the eggplant on top. Use a fork to prick the eggplant 4 times, then place the eggplant in the oven and roast it until it has completely collapsed and a paring knife easily slips into the center, 40 to 50 minutes. Cool the eggplant for 20 minutes. Leave the oven on.
2. Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scoop out the flesh (discard the skin). Place the roasted eggplant in a medium bowl and stir in the egg and beans. Add the garlic, basil, ½ cup Parmesan cheese, the salt, and pepper and stir to combine, then mix in the bread crumbs.
3. Again, line the rimmed baking sheet with a clean sheet of aluminum foil and lightly mist it with spray. Shape the eggplant mixture into balls about the size of a golf ball (you should get about 16). Place them on the prepared baking sheet and lightly mist the top of the balls with spray. Bake the eggplant balls until they are golden-brown and firm, about 20 minutes.
4. While the meatballs cook, warm the marinara sauce in a small saucepan. Remove the meatballs from the oven, sprinkle with a little extra Parmesan, and serve with the marinara sauce.
Per Serving: Calories 304 / Protein 14g / Dietary Fiber 10g / Sugars 14g / Total Fat 11g
Miss your visits to the USS Midway Museum? Now you can savor a piece of the Museum's history at home by baking up a batch of USS Midway Chocolate Chip Cookies to eat chocolate chip cookies like the USS Midway sailors used to eat! Use this recipe that dates back to 1945.
1 lb. butter, cream well
2 cups granulated sugar & 2 cups brown sugar: add both to butter and cream together
2 eggs, 2 tsp. vanilla: add both to mixture
2 tsp. baking soda, 1.5 tsp. salt, 4 cups and 8 tbs. flour: combine these and then add to the mixture
1 bag chocolate chips (large): stir into batter
Spoon onto sheet and bake in preheated over at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.
Pho Ca Dao Owner Duke Huynh shared a recipe for a tofu soup, and included a twist of adding eggs to the broth for more nutrients.
Canh Cải Bẹ Xanh or Mustard Green Firm Tofu Soup/Recipe from Duke Huynh of Pho Ca Dao
Serves 2 as a main or 6 as part of a meal of many dishes
100g/1 cup cubed fresh tofu
2-cm/1-inch piece of fresh ginger, julienned
1 spring onion/scallion thinly sliced
1 vegetable stock cube
Dash of cooking oil
A pinch of sea salt
A pinch of black pepper
A pinch of sugar
300g/10.5 oz. Chinese mustard greens, chopped
Bring 1 litre/4 cups of water to the boil in a saucepan. Add tofu, ginger, spring onion/scallion, stock cube, oil, salt, pepper and sugar. When ready to serve the soup, add the Chinese mustard greens to the pan and bring to a boil again. Serve hot by itself as a main meal or with an array of other dishes and rice.
*A little twist I do at home before serving, while it’s still on the stove, break 2-3 eggs and stir into the soup (this will make the soup look more like egg drop soup, but much more healthy).
Rustic Apple Tart Recipe from Roanna Canete of The Gluten Free Baking Co.
2 Tablespoons sugar (Coconut or date sugar are great alternatives)
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Preheat oven to 400F. Take 2 apples, and decide if you like them peeled or not (if so, peel them now.) Thinly slice them (or use a mandolin) about ¼ inch thick. Combine slices plus lemon juice and sugar. Stir to coat all apples, and set aside.
Crust:
215 grams oats or oat flour (if you are celiac these MUST say gluten free on the packaging)
2 Tablespoons sugar (Coconut or date sugar are great alternatives)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup coconut oil
If using whole oats, place in food processor and grind into flour. Combine all crust ingredients, using either your hands or a spatula. If the dough seems too crumbly, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until it feels right. It needs to reach a doughy consistency, but not too sticky.
To assemble the tart:
Using a piece of parchment paper, press out the dough into a 9.5 inch square with your hands. Move the crust with its parchment paper onto a baking sheet. Take your apples, and starting at one end, arrange them in an attractive pattern over the top of the tart. If there is liquid left in the apple bowl, drizzle it over the tart. Bake 25 minutes at 400F. Using a fork, pierce the apples to see if they are soft. If so, remove from oven. If not, add a few extra minutes.
Options for serving:
Find your favorite jam, and combine 2 tablespoons jam to 2 teaspoons water. Drizzle over tart.
Combine 1 tablespoon sugar + 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle lightly over tart.
If you’re tired of the same old restaurants or just want to experience something different for a change, it’s time to hit up some dim sum spots. (For the uninitiated: Dim sum is a Chinese selection of small dishes like dumplings and rolls that is usually picked straight from a cart that’s wheeled around by the servers.) It’s the perfect kid’s meal: portions are small, there’s a huge variety of flavors and ingredients, and you (usually) see exactly what you’re going to get. Whether you’re looking to introduce your kids to some new flavors, or just want to experience a fun Chinese breakfast or brunch meal, we’ve picked out some of our favorite NYC dim sum spots for you!
No dim sum list is complete without a mention of the Nom Wah Tea Parlor. Nom Wah is a classic spot that dates back to 1920, and it hasn't changed much since. It is not a typical dim sum experience as food is selected from a menu with pictures instead of a cart, but this just means a less hectic pace and a diner-like atmosphere that's welcoming to families. Be prepared to wait a bit as Nom Wah is well-known and therefore gets pretty crowded on weekends with tourists and other families; weekday mornings are much calmer if you can manage it.
13 Doyers St. Chinatown Online: nomwah.com 212-962-6047
If you're a newcomer to dim sum, Dim Sum Go-Go is a good place to start. This two-floor spot in Chatham Square has a more laid-back feel than traditional dim sum places, with a slower-paced atmosphere and friendly staff. Unlike many other restaurants that offer dim sum in the mornings only, Dim Sum Go-Go has dim sum all day long, so you can have shrimp dumplings and fish balls for dinner if you want. The prices are a bit higher and the selection smaller than your typical dim sum fare, but it's a good place to start if traditional spaces seem too hectic or intimidating.
You haven't truly experienced dim sum until you've been to a cart-delivered food spot. Jing Fong is not a beginner-friendly restaurant but if you've had dim sum before this is an excellent place to experience the hectic, wonderful mess that is authentic dim sum. The giant 2nd floor banquet hall holds an impressive amount of people, and food is delivered by carts wheeled around by servers. Know before you go: the earlier you arrive, the fresher the food will be; servers can be aggressive—be firm about what you want and don't want; you aren't limited to the carts, and servers will bring you specific dishes if you ask for them (if they are available). The restaurant is not friendly to babies or younger kids due to its sheer size and noise-level, but older kids will get a kick out of the bustle and the huge variety of food to choose from.
20 Elizabeth St. Chinatown Online: jingfongny.com 212-964-5256
Despite being a newcomer to the area, Hong Kong-based Tim Ho Wan has a solid reputation as a dim sum spot. Space is a bit tight in this popular East Village spot so snagging a booth seat is recommended if you're visiting as a family. The space is accomodating to kids: there are plenty of high chairs to go around, as well as changing tables in the bathrooms and stroller parking. Although this spot gets crowded, you won't have to wait in a line outside: just leave your number to receive a text message when it's time to head over.
85 4th Ave. East Village Online: timhowanusa.com 212-228-2800
If you don't quite feel ready to take on the traditional dim sum banquet, Dim Sum VIP offers a quieter experience for families to enjoy. Dishes are chosen from a menu and made to order, and the smaller space has a much calmer atmosphere. This restaurant's strength is in presentation: every dish looks beautiful and delicious before you even bite into it. Be sure to try the piggy buns, a sweet and adorable treat for the kids. The spot has also been known to hand out seasonal buns and treats, like cute pumpkin-themed buns for Halloween.
For a truly kid-friendly experience, give Red Egg a visit. Dishes here are also chosen from a menu, served by friendly staff who make you and your kids feel welcome—and helpfully work around any allergies your family might have. Plenty of high chairs are available as well, and mirrors and fun decor give the area a spacious and festive mood.
202 Centre St. Little Italy Online: redeggnyc.com 212-966-1123
"Kosher" and "vegetarian" are not typically words you'd associate with a Chinatown restaurant, so Buddha Bodai seems pretty out of place smack dab in the middle of Chinatown. But by all accounts this dim sum spot is a delicious alternative for families with certain food restrictions. Every dish is 100% vegetarian (and often vegan) and kosher, with a few gluten-free selections as well, and the taste is a close approximation to the real deal. Try the spare ribs or any of their other dim sum fare for a meal infused with vegetables, tofu, and a slightly healthier version of other favorites.
You don't have to head out to Chinatown to experience authentic dim sum—the East Harbor Seafood Palace has you covered right in Brooklyn. The space boasts a bustling atmosphere and cart-delivered dishes. Fresh fish is picked right out of the large tanks by the kitchen, which are also great for the kids to marvel at. Dim sum is served from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (if visiting on a weekend be prepared for a wait).
Although Nan Xiang Xiao Long Bao serves dim sum all day, they are more like a traditional restaurant than the other places on this list. Food is served off a menu, while the atmosphere is lively and family-friendly (expect many kids on weekends). Baby seats and delicious food are available aplenty, but staff is also kid-conscious, seating children by the wall to keep them safe from passing servers carrying hot food. If you visit for the dim sum, it's highly recommended that you also give the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes a go. (Our quick and dirty on eating soup dumplings: the soup is inside the dumplings. Don't get burned! Bite a small hole into the side of the dumpling and carefully suck out the soup. Enjoy the burst of deliciousness. Repeat.) This spot is cash only, so come prepared!
38-12 Prince St. Flushing 718-321-3838
What’s your favorite spot for dim sum with the kids? Chime in in the comments!
Whether your little is yet to make an appearance, is no longer so little, or anywhere in between, there’s a yoga studio in Chicago that will leave them feeling a bit more zen. Read on to plan your yogi-in-training’s next date with the mat.
For Expecting Mamas
You’re probably already familiar with the benefits of prenatal yoga, but head to Sweet Pea’s Studio, Chicago’s first family yoga center, where moms are treated to so much more than a yoga class. Whether you choose to attend childbirth classes, book a massage or drop-in on a breastfeeding clinic, this studio is sure to help you find a tribe and be the best mama you can be!
Sweet Pea’s Studio
3717 N. Ravenswood Ave. #214
Lakeview
773-248-9642
Online: sweetpeasstudio.com
For Bouncing Babies
If you’re looking for an activity that will benefit you and your baby, head to Cocoon Care for their Baby and Me Yoga Class or any other post-natal class, because your little is welcome to join! In the Baby and Me Yoga Class, not only will you build your own strength, but you’ll also build a bond with your bundle of joy.
Cocoon Care
409 W. Huron, Suite 100
Near North Side
312-265 0615
Online:cocooncare.com
For Terrific Toddlers
You might think your toddler can’t do yoga because sitting still is just so difficult, but check out the schedule from Buddha Belly Kid’s Yoga for classes to keep toddler’s entertained and grounded. These classes nurture toddler’s natural desire to move and play, while focusing on poses that help them relax. Private lessons are available for kids of all ages.
For a Crowd
If you want to give yoga a whirl with the whole family in tow, head to Tula’s Family Yoga on Sundays at 3:30 p.m. Families up to 4 people can participate in the class that includes breathing exercises, dancing, story time and relaxation for only $12.
Gratitude Yoga also offers a family class that welcomes young and less young. On Saturdays at 12:30 p.m. the all-ages class introduces your crew to relaxation techniques like meditation and journaling, while having fun!
For School Age Kiddos
By the time your littles are in school, they can make decisions on their own regarding health and well being. Encourage them to check out Yogakids at Ahimsa Yoga Studio on Oak Park where they’ll learn techniques that encourage self-control, maturity and well-being, while maintaining a focus on good times!
Ahimsa Yoga Studio
441 South Blvd.
Oak Park
844-295-0922
Online: Ahimsayogastudios.com
photo: Bloom Yoga
For Everyone
At the accessible Bloom Yoga Studio, they make it their mission to have something for all ages and stages of yoga practice. From prenatal yoga to story time yoga to teen yoga, Bloom Yoga Studio can support your family through all of life’s stages. Check out their programs to help your kids develop lifelong healthy habits.
Bloom Yoga Studio
4663 N. Rockwell
Ravenswood
773-463-9642
Online: bloomyogastudio.com
Share your favorite place to practice yoga with your littles in the Comments below.
There’s nothing like a frosty glass of lemonade to cool off tiny tastebuds in the summertime. Make it an occasion for fun with a sweet straw perfect for sipping. From sleek and modern to totally silly, scroll down to see a few adorable additions that’ll make whatever they’re serving from the sidewalk stand seem extra special.
A Family Favorite
These straws actually prevent juice acids from doing a number on those pearly whites. They fit together to make a longer straw and the silicon material won’t bend or break while being tested by a teething tot. Easy cleaning and bright colors make these a cool tool for families.
Sleek and Modern
Sleek and shiny, stainless steel straws cool down while the kids sip away. These eco-friendly straws don’t rust, they’re easy to clean and they fit mason jars as well as tot-friendly cups, so they can go from the tiny table to your dinner table all in the same day.
Make it Tropical
Let the littles drop a few bamboo straws into fresh-squeezed glasses of lemonade and you can almost imagine you’re on a beach somewhere. Just try to resist the urge to spread out your beach towel in the backyard sandbox.
Drink Divers
Finally, it’s okay to blow bubbles in your glass! Made from durable, food-safe plastic, drink divers from Fred & Friends make a perfect addition to a backyard lemonade party. Or, any party really.
Classic Stripes
Make a glass of lemonade even sweeter with a classic striped straw. Let them choose from a rainbow assortment, there’s not a sour one among the bunch. We like the paper versions scooped out over at Shop Sweet Lulu.
Just for Fun
More fun than functional, the Silly Straw Glasses are a good gag gift for your gigglers. Wrap around various body parts and then race to see who can slurp up lemonade the fastest!
See-thru Straw
If you like the idea of being able to see what’s hanging out in a straw when the the sipping’s done, you’ll dig this glass beauty from Strawsome. At just 7” and bent for drinking ease, you can rest assured they’ll stay put in all those kid-sized servings being poured outside. Made of (sturdy) glass, these are best left to your older kiddos.
Perfect for a Party
When planning a pink lemonade party, no regular straw will do. Add a little pop with a sweet sign from Etsy store Cupcake Express. In addition to the the straw flags, the digital package also includes several other printable party designs that are just pinky.
Cold Colors
These BPA-free straws are designed for drinking Boba, but they’ll work just as well with lemonade. We love that the colors change with cold or hot temps, just like those mood rings you used to wear as a kid.
STEM Straws
They’ll be so busy building their best straw you might have to remind them to stop and take a sip! 44 dishwasher safe pieces will keep little hands busy; your backyard besties will want to spend an entire day making and re-making the most wackiest versions possible.
