Gotta eat them all! OREO has a new collab with Pokémon and it’s extra sweet for gaming fans. The limited edition cookies feature 16 unique Pokémon designs and the familiar classic taste of the chocolate and creme.
Perfect for parties or elevating an after school snack, each pack gives you a chance to find all 16, including a super rare Pokémon (like Mew). But just like in the game, some of the Pokémon are a lot harder to find than others. With a random assortment in each package, you might have to buy more than one to find your favorites!
You can pre-order to cookies now on Oreo’s official website, or look for them in nationwide retailers starting September 13, while supplies last. The real question: how will you document your catches before you consume them?
If you live in the LA area, you’ll definitely want to visit the Venice Beach Boardwalk in the next couple weeks. The brands have installed an art installation that features a Pikachu made of more than 8,000 3D replicas of the limited-edition cookies!
Trick or Treat! What do parents (ahem, we mean kids) really want in their plastic pumpkins this year? The National Confectioners Association took on this hard-hitting question and the results were a bit surprising!
In an online survey of 1,500 adults, the NCA found that chocolate was the favorite Halloween treat, followed closely by gummy candy. The twist might be the third place option, candy corn! Although the orange and white treat gets mixed reviews in public, Americans still want to see it in the mix.
You also might not have guessed that there are varied opinions on how to consume candy corn. While over half of respondents (52%) eat the whole piece at once, 31% start at the narrow white and and 17% start at the wider yellow end.
Last year’s Halloween was anything but traditional, but 93% of young parents said they’ll celebrate Halloween this year. An additional 80% said they’ll trick or treat, which (mostly) fell by the wayside in 2020. And if your kids do trick or treat, they’ll be in luck—79% of Americans said they’ll fill the candy bowl on October 31.
The classic Rice Krispies treat is hard to beat. Unless it’s chocolate. Or strawberry.
This summer, you can have them all, thanks to the return of a fan-favorite flavor and a new Neapolitan-Inspired pack!
photo: Kellogg’s
You’ll soon be able to snag Strawberry Rice Krispies treats, packed with fruit-flavored marshmallow deliciousness. They’ll retail at $3.39 for an eight count box and $5.49 for a bigger box of 16.
And if you can’t make up your mind about your favorite flavor, a new addition to the Rice Krispies line will be a no-brainer. The Neapolitan ice cream-inspired variety pack features the original flavor, chocolate and strawberry, all in convenient mini squares. A 64 count box will retail for $10.79. Both the strawberry and Neapolitan packs will be at retailers nationwide by the end of May.
It’s up to you on how to consume these delicious new flavors, but we recommend smooshing the three mini squares together for maximum enjoyment. Ice cream is optional!
In a dream world, you’d get paid to be a mom. And if you did, new data from Salary.com finds that you’d be making a fair market salary of $184,820, based on an average of 106 (!) hours of work a week. Of course, that doesn’t take hazard pay or retirement into account.
Those hours worked are up from 96.5 hours a week pre-pandemic and 75% of moms report putting in even more time––117 hours a week to be exact. With the additional burden of schooling and working at home, the most time-consuming and expanded roles reported were Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Operating Officer (the role that makes sure everyone else is following the plan).
For the past two decades, Salary.com has surveyed tens of thousands of stay-at-home moms and working moms to determine the value of the job if it was paid fairly. Moms report their work profile across 20+ roles that make up the most time-consuming tasks from chauffeur, to CFO, to cook and more. Salary.com analyzes the hours spent and assigns an hourly wage rate to each role.
“In a year like no other, moms went to extraordinary lengths to keep things together on the home front, working, on average, 15.1 hours per day, seven days a week,” said Mary Crogan, Vice President of Marketing at Salary.com. “That’s an incredible workload, and one that encompasses everything from C-level responsibilities, to help desk manager, to teacher. It’s fitting that their salary value continues to rise, nearing the upper echelons of Corporate America.”
Of course, mom life doesn’t actually bring in a paycheck because no amount of money could compensate when the work you do is invaluable. But the next time someone downplays your role in the household, just remember you can tie a dollar amount to your hard work—and there’s data to prove it.
One of the biggest questions that have come up with the recent hate crimes against the AAPI community is how to raise anti-racist kids. While there is no one right way to do it, there are a plethora of ways to model inclusivity and teach kids the importance of diversity.
Have Frequent Honest Conversations With Your Kids
From a young, impressionable age, educate your kids about diversity and inclusion by having frequent conversations that recognize and celebrate differences. Many parents are surprised at how helpful simply talking about diversity and inclusion can be, and how non-judgemental kids really are. Just last week, I was talking to my 10-year-old about different minority groups and I was blown away. He said he doesn’t care what skin color someone is, where someone lives, what gender they identify with or who they love as long as they were kind, fun, and a good friend. It’s truly that simple. We are born without judgment. Hate and bigotry is something we are taught or modeled, so it really comes down to setting a good example.
Help Your Kids Process Their Feelings
Much like you would process an internal family conflict, a disappointing event at school, or a bad grade, it’s important for parents to help kids process what they are seeing in the media. You don’t want to shield your kids from the outside world, but parents should take time to process what is going on in the world, e.g the #StopAsianHate movement. Watch your responses and physical reactions to media pieces, as your kids see and hear everything. Ask your kids how they are feeling with everything going on.
Experience Different Cultures
In an ideal world, we would be able to travel the world to immerse ourselves in different cultures but it isn’t always financially possible. I have been having my older son pick different influential people in history from the “Who Is” series and present lessons on them to me. This puts them in a teacher role and you in a student role. We also go on Amazon Explore to virtually travel to different parts of the world to learn about their traditions with a live interactive one-on-one guide.
Be Mindful Of What You Consume
Model inclusivity as a parent by consuming art, movies, music, and more from a variety of different cultures. In my family, we watch documentaries and then talk about what we learned as a family. We also role-play and discuss stereotypes whenever possible. View these as opportunities to have a more open dialogue with your child and to talk about your own family’s rich history, their journey to America, and the traditions you maintain to this day.
Highlight the Beauty in Diversity
Pay attention to how you communicate with and about others. As an Asian, I get asked most often…”Where are you from?” The simple answer is here. I was born and raised in Orange County. So when you ask where I am from, I am from here. You might also be wondering what my ethnicity is but that is a different question. I am an American, the daughter of immigrants from India and Indonesia (Chinese). Teaching your child the difference between ethnicity and nationality is a great place to start, and sharing details of your own family history can help inspire your kids to see the beauty in diversity.
Model Speaking Up & Out
This past year there has been so much hate and violence toward Black people, Asians, and other minorities in this country. As a first-generation American, I grew up being taught not to speak out against injustices, but to keep silent. To move on. To say things only within our home. I think we are the generation that is changing that. We have to change that. Innocent Asian people are being attacked because of how they look and bigotry, and my heart is broken. I always think that could have been my Mom or my Dad, and that is not ok. All these lives that have been affected by Asian hate…they are someone’s Mom, Dad, grandparent, sibling just going about their lives before being harassed or violently attacked. As a parent, show your child how to speak up and out when faced with injustice.
Proudly Eat Foods From Different Cultures
I remember never wanting to bring leftovers to school for lunch because they were “smelly”, so I opted for something more socially-acceptable. I ate my Kimchi at home, I wouldn’t let my mom make Indian curry if friends were coming over, and my husband has been the only guy I ever let see my 99 Ranch Market purchases. I love everything from the seaweed crackers, mae ploy sauce and jackfruit to the pickled daikon radish, boba ice cream, sticky rice dessert, and fresh noodles. It has taken me a long time to be proud of my heritage and present it to the outside world. I suggest parents eat their favorite foods proudly and introduce their kids to foods from different cultures early on. When they are old enough, you could also sign them up for cooking lessons so they can learn how to make things like dumplings or curry. If you want your kids to embrace diversity, start in the kitchen.
I know the majority of people in this country don’t hate Asians but the recent attacks have hit hard and close to home. I’m not always sure how to stop it or how to be a part of the solution, but I do want to keep the conversation going because change is imperative. I’m here to lend a voice, to have a conversation, and to create a better world for our kids. I want a world where my boys can be proud to be 1/2 Asian and celebrate their culture. Life is hard as it is…the color of our skin shouldn’t be one of the aspects making it harder. After all, we are a country of immigrants.
Veena mom of 2 boys (Max and Eddie), is a former Miss California and currently works on TV as an expert in the parenting, lifestyle, beauty and fashion space, You may have seen her on The Doctors, Ktla, Extra and FabFitFun TV and more. Veena currently resides in Boulder with her family.
Snak King Corporation has issued a voluntary recall of 9-ounce bags of Trader Joe’s Restaurant Style White Corn Tortilla Chips due to a potential of an undeclared milk allergen. Those with a milk allergy or sensitivity could have a series reaction if they consume the product.
Currently there have been no reports of any illnesses, but read on to see all the details.
photo: U.S. Food & Drug Administration
The recalled chips come in a 9 ounce flexible package and were sold Trader Joe’s stores in AL, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DC, DE, ID, KS, LA, MD, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OK, OR, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA. Sell by dates include 8/9/21, 8/10/21 and 8/11/21.
If you’ve purchased a recalled product, do not eat and return it to Trader Joe’s for a full refund. If you have questions, you can contact Trader Joe’s Mon. through Fri. from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m PST at 626-363-7711.
I don’t know where normal worry begins or ends because the anxiety takes of over like an uncontrollable monster that steals every ounce of rational thought.
All parents worry and parents with special needs children, or medically complex children even more so.
Our children are so vulnerable and that makes us vulnerable too.
I worry about what will happen to my daughter if I die. If anyone will love her, understand her, and connect with her the way I do.
I know she will be cared for and I know she will be loved but she needs so much more.
I worry about her getting sick or hurt as she is unable to communicate this with us. When she is sick I have to fight the panic that can consume me.
I worry about someone mistreating her or worse—how will I know?
The worry can eat away at you.
I wonder why this happened to her and what she would be like if she wasn’t affected by this.
Would she be as happy, as sweet and lovable? Would she bring light and joy to everyone the way she does now?
I wonder why I was blessed with this beautiful soul to take care of, this sweet and sassy, smart and silly girl, who is full of innocence and love.
I wonder what kind of person I would be without her.
I wonder what she thinks, how she feels, what it’s like to be her—is she truly happy?
I wonder if she knows how much I love her, deep in my soul, a connection like no other.
I wonder if she knows how proud I am for every single accomplishment, no matter how small because I know how much work it is for her and how hard she had to dig for them. That my heart could burst with every new word that I thought I would never hear, every hug or kiss that I didn’t think I would ever receive.
I wonder if she knows I would take all her struggles, confusion, and pain as my own and carry them for her if I could.
I wonder what she will surprise me with next because she never ceases to amaze me. The worry as a special needs mom, a mom in general, and for me as a person will never stop. I have learned however to find happiness and peace in the here and now. To find the humor in every situation and to appreciate the beauty this life has bought me.
Kim McIsaac , is a blogger at autism adventures with Alyssa . She resides in Massachusetts with her husband and four children . She advocates and passionate about spreading autism awareness and educating and inspiring others . She likes to write , spend time with her family and loves the beach .
It’s time to clean out your fridge. Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is recalling approximately 4,200 pounds of pork sausage product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically thin blue rubber, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The raw, pork sausage item was produced on December 17, 2020. The recall involves 1-lb. chubs containing “Bob Evans Italian Sausage” with lot code 0352 and a “USE/FRZ BY” date of “JAN 31 21” represented on the label. The products subject to recall bear establishment number “EST. 6785” printed directly above the “USE/FRZ BY” date. These items were shipped to retail locations in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The problem was discovered when Bob Evans notified FSIS that they received consumer complaints.
Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
Consumers who have purchased these products are urged not to consume them. These products should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase..
Consumers and members of the media with questions about the recall can contact Alison Emery, Director of Communications, Bob Evans Farms Inc. at 614-778-1886 or alison.emery@bobevansfoods.com.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Agriculture/Featured photo: Edwin Jaulani from Pexels
Adopting a child into your family is an incredibly emotional process that requires a great deal of time. There will undoubtedly be days where you question your aptitude, which is yet another reason why the proceedings are so extensive. The truth is, adoption is not black and white. Many grey areas can play into each situation that can easily take a toll on adoptive parents if they have not done their due diligence. While it will be well worth the effort once you have a baby in your arms, it is essential to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Here are a few ways you can develop your mindset and get your life ready for adoption.
Research Agencies
The first step in adopting a child is to find an agency in your area that aligns with your needs. There are many options to choose from, all of which do things a little differently. Take your time in discovering the distinctions between your possibilities to help narrow down your list. You may even make a list of pros and cons to tangibly see what you are working with and what each alternative offers. This is a huge decision, so it doesn’t hurt to speak with all of your final choices to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Take Advantage of Resources
Once you have finalized a decision about your adoption agency, they should provide you with many resources to assist you in coming to terms with the next steps. These resources may include information about financial assistance, adoption training and more about the approval process. Because you took your time in finding a trustworthy agency that works well with your family, it will be a no-brainer to follow up with every recommendation that will encourage a smooth transition.
Talk with Your Family
It can be nerve-wracking to talk with your close friends and family about your decision to adopt, but it is crucial to have a strong support system while you endure this process. It takes a village to adopt a child. Everyone from the birth mother to the friends of the adoptive parents plays a role in the process, and you will need to have someone (or a whole group of someones) to depend on and trust with your emotions. If you already have kids at home, it is imperative to talk with them about what adoption means and how it may differ from their expectations of getting a sibling—adoption is unique because it gives you the means to gain a child overnight!
Practice Patience
Before you walk into an adoption situation, you know it will be time-consuming. Still, it is hard to fathom how much a setback along the way can affect you until you are in the moment. There is no shame in seeking pre-adoption counseling (actually, it’s recommended) to guide you through the process. It is also beneficial to join an adoption support group to talk with other families who can relate to your feelings. This type of support gives you a place to freely speak about your troubles with people who can provide sound advice based on experience. It is challenging to manage your emotions during such a volatile time. Having individuals to rely on who have felt your pain is a great way to deal with the difficult days and keep an optimistic mindset.
Ready the Home
As a part of your home study, a social worker will visit your place to ensure a suitable living situation for the adoptive child. As you move further along in the process, you will need to start thinking about sleeping arrangements, clothing, and food preparation for your newest addition. Some situations can provide more information in terms of the sex of the child and other needs, but you don’t want to be worried about making these changes as the delivery date approaches. Your agency will also help you with things around your home and offer remedies for any challenges that arise.
Hire a Lawyer
It is recommended to hire an adoption attorney to help finalize the adoption and handle the legal side of things with the courts. You are better off letting a professional take the reigns on the legality of your adoption to ensure everything is completed in a timely manner and to avoid any major issues going forward. It is smart to take every avenue possible to make certain every detail is handled by the book and in the best interest of your child.
Families who choose to adopt are giving a second chance to a child who may not have gotten the best first try. While adoption is by no means an easy undertaking, there is nothing quite like the feeling of expanding your family in such an honorable way. You may be surprised by how your choice to adopt will give you a fresh perspective on life, even more so when you take the steps to make it easier on your family.
I am a mom of three children and I love to write in my free time. I have loved to write about my trials and success of being a mom as well as the different tips, tricks and hacks I've learned for raising kids.
Check your freezers. Nestlé Prepared Foods is recalling approximately 762,615 pounds of frozen pepperoni hot pockets product that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically pieces of glass and hard plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced.
The frozen not-ready-to-eat (NRTE) pepperoni hot pockets product was produced from Nov. 13, 2020 through Nov. 16, 2020. The product has a shelf life of 14 months.
54-oz carton packages containing 12 “Nestlé Hot Pockets Brand Sandwiches: Premium Pepperoni Made With pork Chicken & Beef Pizza Garlic Buttery Crust with a Best Before Feb. 2022 date and lot codes 0318544624, 0319544614, 0320544614, and 0321544614.
The product subject to recall bears establishment number “EST. 7721A” inside the USDA mark of inspection. The product was shipped to retail locations nationwide.
The problem was discovered when the firm received four consumer complaints of extraneous material in the pepperoni hot pocket product. The firm has received one report of a minor oral injury associated with consumption of this product. FSIS has received no additional reports of injury or illness from consumption of this product. Anyone concerned about an injury or illness should contact a healthcare provider.
FSIS is concerned that some product may be frozen and in consumers’ freezers. Consumers who have purchased this product are urged not to consume it. This product should be thrown away or returned to the place of purchase.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact Nestlé consumer services at (800) 350-5016.
—Jennifer Swartvagher
Featured photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service
