With a preschooler and toddler at home, it seems like someone in my house is always sick. My girls are exposed to a million germs a day between school and all of their activities. No amount of hand washing can spare us completely.

As a busy mom, I have no time for sick days that render me useless to my girls! When the sniffles strike (again and again and again) I have a secret weapon. This cold-busting wellness tea is super intense but if you drink the whole pot you will wake up the next morning feeling like a new person!

This tea is loaded with vitamin C from all the citrus, anti-inflammatories from the ginger, and turmeric while the dash of cayenne gives this tea a real kick.

Cold-Busting Wellness Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1 orange

  • 1 lemon

  • 1 grapefruit

  • 1 lime

  • 1 cup water

  • 1 T cinnamon

  • 1 T turmeric

  • 1 tsp cayenne

  • Several pieces of fresh ginger (the more the better!)

  • Raw honey (optional)

Directions:

  1. Juice the orange, lemon, grapefruit and lime.
  2. Add the citrus juices, water, cinnamon, turmeric, cayenne and fresh ginger to a pot and heat on medium-low heat for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Sweeten to taste with raw honey and drink.
  4. It is best to drink the entire pot if possible to maximize results and hopefully keep your home cold-free this cold and flu season.

 

Featured image: Kira auf der Heide via Unsplash

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I am a born and bred New Yorker trying to balance life as a mom of two, writer, wellness coach and fitness enthusiast. If I'm not chasing my girls at the playground, you’ll find me shopping the farmer’s market, checking out the latest boutique fiitness craze or blogging for mercer+green.

Now that you’ve carved those jack-o-lanterns to the delight of your little punkins’ be sure to hold on to the seeds! This easy recipe that you can adapt to your family’s tastes (spice lovers or not) is packed with nutrition too. Sprinkle a few on salads and pack them in lunches! Read on for the how-to.

Ingredients:

2 cups pumpkin seeds (fresh from a carving pumpkin)

tsp. chili powder (optional)

1 lime, cut in half and squeezed

1 tablespoon olive oil

Pinch of Cayenne Powder (optional)

Directions:

1) Wash pumpkin seeds well in water. Dry them with a paper towel.

2) Put spices, oil, and lime juice on the seeds and mix well.

3) Spread the seeds on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F. for 10-14 minutes, or until crispy, dry, and fragrant.

Recipe adapted from pumpkinrecipes.org

 

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Your kiddo’s fave snack cracker is getting a very grown-up upgrade. Goldfish recently teamed up with Frank’s RedHot for a spectacularly spicy can’t-miss collab!

Forget about nabbing your tot’s leftover Goldfish after they leave a teeny tiny pile left on their snack-time plate. Now there’s a version that’s made just for you.

photo courtesy of Pepperidge Farms

The classic snack and the beloved hot sauce brand are now one! Even though you may know Frank’s RedHot as the condiment you slather over chicken wings or dip everything from celery sticks to bread sticks in, the vinegar-y, cayenne-spiked sauce is now amping up the already unforgettable flavor of the fish-shaped crackers.

Janda Lukin, Chief Marketing Officer, Campbell Snacks, said in a press release, “We learned that adults are big fans of Goldfish and it’s an appetite we’ve never fully satisfied.” Lukin continued, “‘Hot’ is the #1 most requested Goldfish flavor across social, so we wanted to bring the heat with an unexpected partnership between Goldfish and Frank’s that fans will love.”

Jill Pratt, Chief Marketing Excellence Officer, for McCormick, added, “At Frank’s we are always looking for new ways for our fans to enjoy our hot sauce. This limited-edition Goldfish flavor brings a spicy bite to a nostalgic everyday snack. We hope that consumers enjoy this partnership between our two iconic brands for a fun experience that is sure to wake up your taste buds.”

Goldfish Frank’s RedHot crackers are available for a limited time starting this May! Look for the spicy snacks at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.49 per 6.6 ounce bag.

—Erica Loop

 

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Start your day with a hot mug of coffee and Ree Drummond. The Pioneer Woman, in partnership with Zavida Coffee Roasters, has launched a brand-new, premium coffee line.

The Pioneer Woman

“Mornings come very early on our ranch,” Drummond said. “Coffee is one of my favorite things about rising and shining, and I love to sip it all day. My coffee line with Zavida Coffee Roasters includes both high-quality coffee beans and single-serve cups in both flavored and non-flavored blends that I think you will absolutely love!” 

The Pioneer Woman

The Pioneer Woman line includes premium ground coffee beans and single-serve cups featuring three non-flavored blends: Up & At ‘Em (Breakfast Roast), Saddle Up (Medium Roast), and Giddy Up (Dark Roast).

The line also includes a range of flavored blends, carefully developed by Drummond, and inspired by her popular recipes. Flavored blends include: 

  • Hazelnut Vanilla: This coffee blend celebrates all things hazelnut with added vanilla flavor.
  • Cinnamon Rolls: Inspired by Ree’s mom’s legendary cinnamon roll recipe.
  • Toffee Crème Brûlee: This indulgent blend celebrates Ree’s favorite dessert: Crème Brûlée.
  • Caramel Fudge Brownie: Ree loves layered caramel fudge brownies so much, it inspired this blend.
  • Pecan Pie: Pecan pie is the ultimate dessert in the Drummond family. This coffee blend is like pecan pie in a cup, with the same custardy goodness you’d expect. 
  • French Vanilla: A cup of French vanilla coffee is hard to beat, and it’s a staple in Ree’s coffee rotation. 
  • Pumpkin Spice: The pumpkin spice flavors are amped up in this seasonal blend, and just a sip makes you feel happy.
  • Spicy Cowgirl (Coming Soon): Ree’s signature spicy coffee drink made with notes of chocolate, cinnamon, chile, and cayenne now turned into beans to enjoy at home.

The Pioneer Woman

“At Zavida, we’re all about great tasting coffee – and we’re excited to bring our passion for combining the world’s best coffees with unique flavors to the Pioneer Woman brand. Our team crafted these blends to be enjoyed both hot and cold-brewed, so Ree’s fans can indulge in her favorite treats one steamy (or iced) cup at a time,” said Charles Litterst, Chairman at Zavida Coffee Roasters. 

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Zavida Coffee Roasters to bring The Pioneer Woman Coffee to retailers nationwide,” said Jeffrey Cohen, co-chairman at Earthbound. “This partnership marks the continued expansion in an important category for the brand, food, to bring the most popular flavors from Ree’s recipes into her fans’ homes.” 

The Pioneer Woman coffee single serve cups are currently available for purchase online at Walmart, Amazon and Zavida.com. Ground beans will be available for purchase in late Spring 2021. The coffee line will be at retailers nationwide later this year.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of The Pioneer Woman

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Move over tacos, there’s a new spicy food in town. A donut is now heating up the charts to reach the peak of spicy superiority. Dunkin’ has baked up one of the most surprising treats ever to rise from its kitchens, the new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut.

Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut

A deliciously daring donut that delivers the heat with every bite, the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut is a classic yeast donut ring, topped with a strawberry flavored icing that features a bold blend of cayenne and ghost pepper, and finished with red sanding sugar for a sizzling look. The Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut will be on the menu for only a few hot minutes, available beginning today for a limited time at participating Dunkin’ restaurants nationwide until December.

As the hottest choice to help unveil Dunkin’s new sweet and spicy donut variety, who better than the expert in hot foods, and host of Complex Networks’ hit First We Feast series Hot Ones, Sean Evans? In a special episode debuting on Oct. 19, for the first time in Hot Ones history Sean will be in the hotseat, challenging himself to answer hard-hitting questions while trying Dunkin’s new Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut, complemented by a variety of hot sauces ranging from sweet to scalding from the show’s famous arsenal.

America can enjoy Dunkin’s #SpicySide on Twitter this month as well, with brand posts demonstrating a decidedly fiery attitude with hot takes and even a burn or two. Dunkin’ is also encouraging fans to show their own spicy side by surprising their friends with the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut and capturing and posting the reactions on social media using #DunkinSpicySide.

“Halloween looks a little different this year, and so do our donuts. While our classic bakery offering has plenty of crave-worthy treats, we’re excited to show our spicy side with a donut that packs a touch of heat with something sweet and can be enjoyed any time of day,” according to Jill Nelson, Vice President, Marketing Strategy at Dunkin’. “With our scary-good lineup of the Spicy Ghost Pepper Donut, Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits and fan-favorite Spider Donut, Dunkin’ is here to help our guests keep their Halloween spirit alive this season.”

Halloween DIY kits

Create a new Halloween tradition with Dunkin’. Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits will feature plain yeast or Old Fashioned cake donuts, with pre-packaged icing in orange, white, and black varieties, and three sprinkle blends. The Halloween DIY Dunkin’ Donut Decorating Kits are available for purchase in two sizes, small (4-count donuts) and large (9-count donuts).

Spider Donut

Also, the creepy-crawly Spider Donut is back on Dunkin’ menus. This frightfully delicious Spider Donut features a classic ring donut with orange icing, topped with a glazed chocolate MUNCHKINS donut hole treat, chocolate drizzle for the spider legs, and white icing for the eyes to create the sweet eight-legged donut creature.

This year’s Halloween lineup will haunt participating Dunkin’ restaurants for a limited time only, while supplies last.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Dunkin’

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Kyra’s Bake Shop just won a Totally Awesome Award for being the “Sweetest Cake Shop” in Portland. We recently spoke to the owner, Kyra Bussanich, about her experience as a business owner, the best advice she has ever received and more. Hear what she had to say below!

 

Red Tricycle: Your community recently voted you “Sweetest Cake Shop in Portland” – what do your customers value most about your business?
Kyra Bussanich: We strive to offer flavorful treats that are absolutely delicious—and happen to be gluten-free! We really like to balance the exotic with the familiar, so there is something to appeal to EVERYONE (and for those who have food allergies, we have plenty of options!)

RT: What do you want people to know about your business that they don’t already know?
KB: EVERYTHING is made from scratch, from our soups and salad dressing to our ice cream, breads and jams.

RT: How did your business get started and what was the motivation?
KB:
I was super sick when I was in my teens and early 20s. I was eventually diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, but none of the meds made a lick of difference in how I felt. I got fed up with always feeling terrible (I spent MONTHS curled up on the couch, too sick to do anything). When the doctors wanted to take out the most diseased portions of my intestines, I finally put my foot down and started exploring a gluten-free lifestyle, if only to reduce the inflammation enough that I WOULD respond to the meds. Within a year, I was completely off all my medications, which meant no more chemotox infusions, no more blood panels to make sure my brain and liver functions were still normal…and best of all, no more pain! I started getting my life back, and that’s when I realized that there wasn’t anything out there that was both gluten-free and a treat. I eventually grew tired of always having to sit apart at holidays and birthday celebrations because I couldn’t have that slice of Thanksgiving pie, or birthday cake. Feeling excluded is no fun, so I set out to change that, for me, and for anyone else out there who has dietary restrictions. My primary goal, though, wasn’t to create a line of gluten-free recipes; it was to create absolutely delicious pastries and savories that ANYONE would be happy to eat, and they would just happen to be gluten-free (or GF, DF; etc).

RT: Tell us, what do you start your morning with: 1. coffee 2. tea 3. mimosa 4. water 5. all of the above.
KB: Coffee with cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, and heavy whipping cream.

RT: What is the most awesome thing a customer has ever done for you?
KB: Dropped off a flat of fresh Bing Cherries for me to play with! (I made paleo pop tarts!)

RT: What is your biggest pet peeve as a business owner?
KB: When people forget that mom and pop shops have to do things a little differently than the huge box chains. We don\’t get the same price breaks on ingredients, and we often are pouring our heart and soul into the business, just trying to find a way where we can both nourish our guests and take good care of them, but also be able to take care of our staff.

RT: How do you keep your stress levels down?
KB: I love to dance!

RT: What’s your secret superhero power as a business owner?
KB: I have a phenomenal memory and can recognize and remember our guests a year after I first meet them!

RT: Tell us, what is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received (as a parent or business owner)?
KB: Remember your WHY. The thing that made you want to start your business is the same thing that will keep you going when you\’re feeling stressed out or overwhelmed. You just have to remember.

RT: How about the worst piece of advice you’ve ever received?
KB: Be quick to fire. I don’t ever like to just write people off. Many times, there is a reason for why they act the way they do, and a little caring and sympathy can go a long way to solving challenges.

RT: Is there a special offer you’d like to include for Red Tricycle readers?
KB: Let me talk to my team and see what we can do!

 

Check out their website here

 

photo credit: Modern Moments Designs and Courtney Jade Photography 

 

Finding new lunch snacks to surprise your kiddos with is always a challenge, but these homemade snacks will totally make their days while also supporting local businesses. And who knows—you might just end up buying a few for your own brown bag, too!

Sunfire Girls
Don’t let the word “chips” scare you—the Sunfire Girls sell dehydrated, not baked or fried, kale chips, which are loaded with Vitamins B and C to help maintain nutritional value. Bonus: the dressings they toss the chips in come in flavors like Ancho Chile and Coconut Lime and are all vegan and raw. Handmade in Chevy Chase.

Online: sunfiregirls.com

Number 1 Sons
Instead of using vinegar as their pickling agent, Number 1 Sons puts their cucumbers into a barrel with salt, water and spices. Not only are the pickles tasty, they are a natural probiotic, which helps your kid’s digestive system by replenishing the natural flora inside the belly. This year, their cucumbers came from Spring Valley and Bigg Riggs in West Virginia. In addition to their many pickle varieties, they have other types of fermented foods such as kimchi and kraut. You can find their stand at farmers markets in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. Handmade in Lyon Park. 

Online: number1sons.com

Michele’s Granola
Your kids better watch out—once you taste this granola, you might want it all for yourself. Michele’s Granola is handmade from 100% organic whole grains, and comes in five regular flavors as well as seasonal varietals (did someone say Pumpkin Spice?). You can buy bags of the granola online, or from farmers markets or stores near you.Handmade in Timonium, Md.

Online: michelesgranola.com

Teeny Pies
If you’re looking for a sweet treat to surprise your kids with but don’t want to actually spend hours baking your own, Teeny Pies is a great alternative. This little company specializes in artisan sweet and savory pies, which come in 4” ‘teeny pies, as well as 9” regular pies for the sweet varieties. They use locally sourced produce, and a family recipe for the whole wheat crust. These pies can be ordered online and picked up at several farmers markets, as well as delivered (for 5 or more pies). Handmade in NoMa. 

Online: teenypies.com

2 Armadillos
Not only does 2 Armadillos, a crispy chickpea maker, have the best name ever, but their snacks are vegan, all natural, and sugar and gluten free. They do all the work for you, putting their four flavors—Rosemary, Spicy Cayenne, Tomato Basil, and Cinnamon Toast (yum!)—into 32 lunch-ready 1 oz. snack packs. Use their online locator to find a store near you, or order online for $5 shipping. Handmade in NoMa.

Online: 2armadillos.com

PollyStyle
Though everything on PollyStyle’s artisanal snack menu looks delicious, the graham crackers are already a proven hit with the under-10 set. With just a bit of local honey and cinnamon, your kids will love the sweetness of these biscuits, and you’ll love the price: $6.75 for a dozen. You can find PollyStyle snacks at stores near you or online (we see you adding that curried cashew brittle to your cart!). Handmade near Rock Creek Park.

Online: pollystyle.com

Have you tasted any delicious, locally-made snacks? Dish in the comments section below. 

—Kelly Ann Jacobson

Photos courtesy of Sunfire Girls via Facebook, Number 1 Sons via Facebook, Michele’s Granola via Facebook, Teeny Pies via Facebook, 2 Armadillos via Facebook, crimfants via Flickr

We’re firm believers in the importance of a hearty breakfast. After all, how else will our little rascals stay fueled on all their daily adventures? For those mornings when plain old cereal won’t cut it, you need this super delicious and filling Chiles Rellenos Breakfast Strata. Karen of Kitchen Treaty says this strata is great for holiday mornings since it can be prepared the night before and refrigerated. That way while you’re busy trying to squeeze in some last minute prep work, you don’t have to worry about whipping up something for your guests to eat. Even better? Karen has options for a meat-lovers version and a half-and-half for whatever your little eaters prefer.

Ingredients
2 5-ounce cans whole green chilies (mild)
1 1/2 c shredded cheddar cheese
1 c shredded monterey jack cheese
6 eggs
2 c whole milk
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp smoked paprika (plus a little more for sprinkling on top)
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
8 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed

Method
1. In a medium bowl, toss together the cheddar and monterey jack cheese. Set aside.

2. In another medium bowl, beat the eggs, milk, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper until thoroughly combined.

3. Lay the chilies on a cutting board and cut them in half.

4. Grease an 8″ x 8″ baking pan with butter or non-stick cooking spray.

5. Lay half the chilies flat in the bottom of the baking dish (about 6 chili halves). Lay four slices of bread over the chiles. Pour half the egg mixture over the top of the bread and chilies. Top with half the cheese. Repeat layers: chilies, bread, eggs, and cheese. Sprinkle evenly with a few quick dashes of smoked paprika.

6. Uncover and bake at 325 degrees for 40 – 50 minutes, until the strata is puffy, golden, and no longer jiggles in the middle.

For a chorizo-packed version, check out the recipe here.

recipe and photo courtesy of Karen at Kitchen Treaty

Combining a vegetarian diet with that of a carnivorous eater, Karen of Kitchen Treaty seeks to bridge the gap between two discerning palates and create delicious home cooked meals that satisfy everyone in her family. Her dishes are often prepared as “one dish two ways.” With a catalog of recipes that run the gamut from full-on veggie to nothing-but-meat, Karen chronicles her adventures in the kitchen on her food blog, Kitchen Treaty