ML Interest Tag: kale

9 Nostalgic Photo Booths in NYC to Strike a Pose

by Ilyssa Smith

Keep this list of the best photo booths in New York and Brooklyn where you can strike a pose with the kids, the old-fashioned way

There’s just something about an old-fashioned photo booth. Despite it feeling a little archaic in the age of the cell phone, it’s hard to pass on the opportunity to step behind the velvet curtain to snap a few fun-filled photos. Nowadays, believe it or not, there are still some traditional photo booths in New York—and a select few still use film. (What?!) For an alternative to the formal family portrait, cram into one of these little photo booth “studios” and let the magic happen! Want more nostalgic fun around New York? Head to NYC’s family-friendly arcades! Or for some old-school New York fun, try these “vanishing New York” spots! 

Where to Find Classic Photo Booths in NYC

1. The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel is an NYC gem any time of the day. Grab a meal, a quick coffee (they serve Stumptown afterall), or enjoy its free lobby WIFI to get some work done, all while your kids enjoy the legendary photo booth. Located in the Flatiron District, this spot is also fun to go grab drinks and dinner without the kids as well!

850 Broadway
Flatiron District
Online: acehotel.com

2. DeKalb Market Hall at City Point

There are many reasons to visit the downtown Brooklyn mall of City Point (the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater, Trader Joe’s, McNally Jackson bookstore, etc.). Yet another is DeKalb Market Hall, a food hall featuring vendors selling bites and beverages of all kinds. There is also a photo booth here, found right at the foot of the escalators. It’s $5 for a strip, and you can share to your social accounts right from the booth if you want.

445 Albee Square W.
Fulton Mall
Downtown Brooklyn
Online: citypointbrooklyn.com

3. Kiehl’s

The folks at Kiehl’s want you to capture how radiant their products make your skin look right in store. Head to the brand’s Meatpacking District location to capture your picture-perfect complexions.

400 W. 14th St.
Meatpacking District
Online: kiehls.com

4. UNIQLO Fifth Ave.

Shopping and taking pictures sounds like a match made in heaven, especially when you have the kids with you. (It’s a good way to keep them from getting bored.) We guess that’s what UNIQLO had in mind when it installed a photo booth inside its massive 89,000-square-foot flagship store on Fifth Ave. Take note!: It’s free for a strip of four pictures. (You will no doubt “pay” for the snaps with the purchase of some of the brand’s duds.) Also good to know: there’s a Starbucks inside the store and cell phone charging stations, so you could stay a while…

666 5th Ave.
Midtown
Online: uniqlo.com

photo booth fun in NYC

5. 7B Horseshoe Bar

This spot goes by three names: “The Horseshoe Bar”, “Vazac’s”, and “7B”. On the outside it looks like a classic Lower East Side dive bar, because, well, it is. But it’s got more than that going for it on the inside. With a bar that’s actually shaped like a horseshoe, major LES cred and grittiness, this place has also made cameos in major films like the The Godfather II, Crocodile Dundee, and The Verdict. Its latest star turn? In the incredible, dimension-bending Netflix series, Russian Doll.

108 Avenue B (at E 7th St.)
Lower East Side
Online: facebook.com/7bHorseshoeBarAkaVazacs

6. The Smith

Getting your kids ready to enjoy brunch at The Smith is as easy as “1, 2, cheese!” the restaurant’s Midtown, East Village, Lincoln Square, and NoMad locations all have photo booths for you to enjoy, with some located in the basement by the restrooms, and some, like in NoMad, actually in the restroom.

Various Locations
Online: thesmithrestaurant.com

7. Joe & The Juice

Is your face photo-ready thanks to kale and beet smoothies? If so, stop by Joe & The Juice to grab some healthy grub and snap a few photos in its photo booth (near the back of the shop). This is one of the more spacious juice/café spots in NYC, so feel free to bring the kids and stay a while.

67 Spring St. (btwn Crosby & Lafayette St.)
Soho
Online: joejuice.com

8. M&M World New York Store

The M&M store is the ideal spot for kids to explore the magical world of chocolate and document it all with a photo booth keepsake. The three floors of M&M themed candy and gifts is sure to keep both adults and children occupied, but after you’ve got your chocolate fix be sure to head to the photo booth on the 2nd floor and take home some snaps to remember the outing!

1600 Broadway
Times Square
Online: mmsworld.com

9.  Bubby’s Tribeca

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and pies! Oh my! More than two decades ago Bubby’s started off by baking pies, and now it’s a full-fledged restaurant with a couple of locations around the city. (Note: they serve some of the best pancakes in the city.) But head to the one on Hudson Street for a little bit of top model action to take some pics. 

120 Hudson St.
Tribeca
Online: bubbys.com

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The Best Pizza in NYC: Where to Go & What to Order

by Mimi O'Connor

Pizza is always a good idea—here our favorite places to go around New York with the kids whether its for a slice or a whole pizza pie

What’s the best pizza in NYC? That, of course, is a matter of opinion, preference, and hot debate. But in the battle of the best pizza places in NYC, some slices and pies continually come out on top. We’ve rounded up our picks for the best pizza in NYC, including newcomers, old school favorites, spots in Little Italy, Brooklyn, and beyond. Tourists and locals alike flock to DiFara’s to stand on the long awaited line. When you think an original pizza isn’t possible, you meet Paulie Gee’s and your tastebuds are blown away by the creativity. After a square pie instead of round? Rizzo’s all the way. Looking for a great NYC pizza delivery option? Lots of these pizzerias will come to you. (One final note: In many cases, you need to buy a whole pizza, but that’s not so bad.)

Or maybe you are in search of the best pizza in . . . the world? That title goes to Una Pizza Napoletana, which was named the best pizza in the world from Top 50 Pizza—a world-wide guide to the best pizza. They’re only open Thurs.-Sun. from 5 p.m. until the dough is sold out—and we imagine it’s going to get a lot busier now. Dig in!

Una Pizza Napoletana
This is actually the sixth iteration of chef Anthony Mangieri’s pizzeria. Since the beginning of Una, the focus has been on the naturally-leavened, wood-fired pizzas. Complemented with a few appetizers and made-daily ice cream and seasonal sorbetto, families will enjoy sitting in the dining room surrounded by one-of-a-kind pieces of art while watching cooks work the dough by hand and carefully bake only three pizzas at a time in the oven.

175 Orchard St.
Lower East Side, Manhattan
Online: unapizza.com

DiFara Pizza
One of the tell-tale signs of great pizza in New York City is the lines, and DiFara Pizza has them. In fact, many trek to the original location in the Midwood section of Brooklyn to get the full experience. Since 1965 Domenico DeMarco has been personally hand-crafting legendary pies that draw crowds and high praise from native New Yorkers and culinary luminaries. Anthony Bourdain, for one, was a big fan. Expect waits, and to pay for the experience (a slice is $5, a pie is $30), but know that many people say the delicious pizza is worth it.

108 South St.
South Street Seaport, Manhattan

100 Lincoln Ave.
Staten Island

1424 Ave. J.
Midwood, Brooklyn

Online: difarapizzany.com

Roberta’s
Although Roberta’s is a youngster compared to many of the other establishments on this list (it opened in Bushwick in 2008), many people have declared its pies as the best pizza in NYC. The ultra hip restaurant crafts wood-fired pizza both classic and inspired with the freshest of ingredients, and its tasting menu restaurant Blanca was awarded two Michelin stars. People love the Bee Sting pizza, made with tomatoes, mozzarella, soppressata, chili, basil, and honey. If you’re lucky enough to live in the surrounding area of Bushwick, Bed-Stuy, or East Williamsburg, they’ll deliver to you from 11 a.m.-11 p.m., seven days a week. Out of the area? You can order some frozen ones online to have on hand whenever the craving hits.

261 Moore St.
Bushwick, Brooklyn

6 Grand St.
Domino Park, Brooklyn

240 Fort Pond Rd.
Montauk

Online: robertaspizza.com

Related: The Best NYC Restaurants Where You Can Let the Kids Run Wild

Paulie Gee’s
Looking for extreme creativity in a pizza? Look no further than Paulie Gee’s, which attracts quirky crowds with its original combinations. They offer nearly two dozen varieties, including an Edith’s Pastrami Reuben that contains swiss, sauerkraut, pastrami, caraway seeds, and Russian dressing. Favorites include A Whiter Shade of Kale (fresh mozzarella and nut-free kale pesto) and the Monte Cristo, with mild gouda, sliced Canadian bacon, and a pure maple syrup drizzle. They also do vegan pizza here, but you must dine in at the Greenpoint Avenue location. Need pizza to go? The Slice Shop at 110 Franklin Street offers pick up.

Paulie Gee’s is known for its creative (and delicious) pizzas and the crowds they attract. Examples include A Whiter Shade of Kale (fresh mozzarella and nut-free kale pesto) and the Monte Cristo, with mild gouda, sliced Canadian bacon, and a pure maple syrup drizzle. Need pizza delivery? The pizzeria offers classic pies from a delivery and takeout-only location (via Caviar) at 110 Franklin Street, also in Greenpoint.

60 Greenpoint Ave.
Williamsburg, Brooklyn

110 Franklin St.
Greenpoint, Brooklyn

Online: pauliegee.com

L&B Spumoni Gardens
Home to a Sicilian square slice with chewy dough, cheese on the bottom, and sweet sauce on top, this Gravesend institution was founded in 1939 by Ludovico Barbati—who rightfully claims that making pizza is an art. You can also get round pies here, as well as the namesake spumoni, a molded gelato, typically made with three flavors and candied fruits and nuts. Can’t make it to Gravesend? The popular restaurant is opening a location in Dumbo, coming soon.

2725 86th St.
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Online: spumonigardens.com

Rizzo’s Fine Pizza
Rizzo’s is the home of the “Original Thin Crust Square” pizza, a Sicilian pizza made with just cheese and sauce—no toppings). The establishment has also been family-owned and operated for more than 60 years. They now also turn out ultra-thin Neopolitan pies and specialty pizzas as well.

30-13 Steinway St.
Astoria, Queens
Online: rizzosfinepizza.com

Related: Chow, Baby! Where to Eat Brunch With Kids in NYC

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWwb3CFPBkj/?hidecaption=true

John’s of Bleecker Street
Famous for its comfortable, old-school ambiance, the charm of John’s is in its tile floors, tin ceilings, and wooden booths etched with the names of customers. Fun fact: this pizza joint was actually established in 1929 on Sullivan Street, until founder John Sasso lost his lease and dismantled the coal-fired brick oven of his shop and moved it to the restaurant’s current location. You can’t get a slice here (pies only), but the zesty sauce and charred crust will make you want to eat a whole pizza here anyway. John’s does take credit cards and also offers pizza delivery.

278 Bleecker St.
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
Online: johnsbrickovenpizza.com

Joe’s Pizza
Another Greenwich Village staple that tops the charts for unbeatable taste is Joe’s, named after Naples-born Joe Pozzuoli, who still owns and operates the restaurant since it opened in 1975. It only accepts phone orders at its original location on 7 Carmine St., but it’s expanded to several spots across Manhattan with a Brooklyn location in Williamsburg. A classic pie starts at $24. Bring cash, and expect standing room only!

Various location s across Manhattan and Brooklyn
Online: joespizzanyc.com

Prince Street Pizza
Not far from Little Italy and NYC pizza royalty Lombardi’s, Prince Street Pizza is known for delicious pizza (the Spicy Spring Pie, with fra diavolo sauce, spicy pepperoni, and fresh mozzarella is a favorite), late nights (they are open until 4 a.m. on Friday and Saturday), and pepperoni cooked into cup-shaped perfection, perfect for holding drops of savory oil. Need pizza delivery downtown? Prince Street Pizza is the way to go. Round pies start at $22, but order ahead to avoid the long line!

27 Prince St.
Nolita, Manhattan
Online: princestreetpizzanyc.com

Don Antonio
No list of the best pizza places in NYC would be complete without midtown restaurant Don Antonio. Established by partners Roberto Caporuscio (owner of the popular Kesté Pizza & Vino), and Antonio Starita, the third-generation owner of one Naples’ oldest and most revered pizzerias, Don Antonio’s reigns have been passed down to Roberto’s daughter, Giorgia Caporuscio, whose culinary experience is leading to what many believe is “La Mecca” of pizza. This spot serves more than 40 classic and creative takes on pizza—including vegan and gluten-free—made in the Neapolitan tradition. The pies are wood-fired and the mozzarella is made in-house. Many people say the lightly fried pizza, the “Montanara Starita,” is a must.

309 W. 50th St.
Hell’s Kitchen, Manhattan
Online: donantoniopizza.com

—additional reporting by Wai Sze Zara

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8 Trader Joe’s Meal Hacks to Try Now (Dinner in 15 or Less!)

by Allison Sutcliffe

Trader Joe’s is to you what the LEGO store is to your kids. A land of possibility that both delights and overwhelms. That’s why we’ve found eight simple dinner recipes to help you navigate Trader Joe’s landscape. From a five-minute meal even your Insta-pot can’t recreate to a fortified version of everyone’s favorite Mandarin Orange Chicken, these dishes will keep you warm and sane when the snow flies.

Tortellini Soup with Kale & Sausage

Gabby Cullen

Wondering how to use up all that kale sitting in your bin? This simple stew-like recipe is perfect for cold winter nights, and the kids love it! Simply saute white onion and the sliced up sausage in a bit of olive oil until the onion is soft and the sausage has browned. Add the chicken stock or broth and bring to a boil. Then, add the tortellini and reduce heat to a simmer for about four minutes. Finally, toss in the chopped kale, let it wilt and then top with parmesan cheese. 

Warm Winter Salad

dinner hacks, trader joe's, healthy family recipes

This easily assembled winter salad takes advantage of the fruits (and veggies!) of the season. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish but can double as a side just as easily. The trick? The warm vinaigrette dressing you whip up ahead of time and pour over a package of Trader Joe’s Cruciferous Crunch bagged salad mix to soften it up. Top the now slightly wilted salad with sliced yellow beets, edamame and pomegranate seeds that all come prepped and ready to go. Then throw on your favorite winter citrus (we’re partial to grapefruit) before serving. This dish hits all the healthy notes!

Chicken Alfredo with Linguine and Broccoli

Gabby Cullen

Give your go-to alfredo sauce a seasonal boost with this new harvest version that's made with lots of cheese, cream and plenty of fall flavors. Simply warm up the sauce on low with ready-made chicken strips, toss it with a bag of linguine and add some steamed broccoli on the side. Dinner is done! 

Classic Fondue

dinner hacks, trader joe's, healthy family recipes

Trader Joe’s is on a mission to bring fondue back. We’re loving it because busy parents can throw this cheesy meal together faster than your Insta-pot can say “ready, set, go!” Simply heat a container of Trader Jacques’ La Fondue (made with three savory kinds of cheese) in the microwave for about five minutes. Let it sit for one or two more, and then bring it straight to the table (psst … no dishes or special cookware are part of this easy-peasy meal’s appeal), where you can have fresh fruit, veggie, and French bread pieces waiting. The only thing that would make this meal better is a matching container of chocolate fondue for dessert!

Butternut Squash Soup

Bring your best winter soup game with this lighting-quick meal that’ll warm your mini crew up from the inside. It starts with a box of Trader Joe’s butternut squash soup heated through on the stove. It finishes with all kinds of scrumptious, seasonal toppings your little chefs will love to toss into this healthy soup base (We’re digging dried cranberries, sour cream, and pumpkin seeds, but green onions, almonds, and goat cheese might be just as good!). Cater your topping choices so everyone in the fam gets to ladle up a bowl of their favorite flavors. Pair it with a box of Raisin Rosemary Crisps, and you’ve got the easiest, tastiest soup you’ve ever made.

Fortified Mandarin Orange Chicken

You know your little foodie will gobble this one up no matter what the season. So why not turn it into a filling dish that meets your kiddo’s daily veggie requirement too? It’s easy to beef it up with winter greens like broccoli, peas and green peppers. Follow SOP for stovetop prep when you’re cooking the chicken and sauce. Throw in chunky green peppers and broccoli florets for the last few minutes, and cover your saucepan so they steam a bit, and then swirl in a handful frozen green peas just before you serve. Your little chef won’t know what hit her!

Individual Pizza Pies

dinner hacks, trader joe's, healthy family recipes

Pizza is always a hit in your house, but deciding on toppings is where you hit a snag. Overcome the great pizza debate by making simple individual pies for your half-pint and better half this winter. Use Trader Joe’s frozen naan bread, covered with your favorite pizza sauce to start. Then let everyone pile their must-have toppings onto pre-shredded mozzarella. Mushrooms, olives, pineapple, pepperoni. It’s all fair game here. It takes about 5-7 minutes in a preheated 400-degree oven to turn the cheese nice and bubbly. That’s when you know they’re ready to bring to the table!

Winter Rice Bowl

dinner hacks, trader joe's, healthy family recipes

You’ve been looking for an excuse to try Trader Joe’s new Everything But the Bagel seasoning, so we came up with one for you. Make it the primary flavor of this simple winter rice bowl that combines seasonal squash and broccoli with Trader Joe’s precooked, frozen chicken. Cook the chicken, squash zig zags and broccoli on their own (psst ... it’s easy to throw a personal spin on this bowl by subbing your seasonal faves in lieu of ours). Then zap the three-minute miracle bag of TJ's Organic Brown Rice in the microwave before tossing it into a bowl. Top the rice with fixings and then get down to seasoning it to your liking. Serve it mixed together or leave the separate parts atop the rice.

 

 

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12 Superfood Recipes That’ll Help Keep Kids Healthy

by Abigail Matsumoto

Ready to snuff out the sniffles? If you’re looking for a way to fight off those nasty colds and flu viruses, the food you eat is a good place to start. These kid-friendly recipes pack a punch with superfood ingredients that help prevent illness before it happens. And with recipes like chocolate chia seed pudding— these are the ones that will stick with you through the cold season and beyond.

Superfood Breakfast Bars 2
photo: A Healthy Life for Me

Oatmeal Superfood Breakfast Bars
Here are the superfood stats on these breakfast bars from A Healthy Life for Me: The oats contain an immune and cholesterol-boosting fiber called beta-glucan. The pumpkin seeds are packed with protein, magnesium, potassium and zinc. And the bananas and blueberries offer a few vitamin bonuses. Plus, they’re pretty to look at and easy to whip up. Get the recipe here.

Carrot Orange Juice
photo: My Fussy Eater

Carrot Orange Juice
Orange juice is a classic cold fighter because it contains a whole lot of vitamin C, which studies have shown can cut a cold’s duration by about a day if it’s taken at the first sign of illness. This O.J drink from My Fussy Eater also features carrots, which provide immune-boosting antioxidants and vitamins. For an extra antioxidant kick, you can also add ginger— a natural antihistamine and decongestant. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash & Sweet Potato Soup
photo: Life Made Sweeter

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Soup
Oh, good gourd! This soup from Life Made Sweeter scores major points both for its use of the slow cooker (easy dinner for the win!) and the star ingredients: butternut squash and sweet potato. These superfoods are packed with things like potassium, fiber, and omega 3s. Their orange hue also means that they’re rich in carotenoids that boost bone health and fight asthma.

Roasted Edamame 3 Ways
photo: Beauty & the Beard

Roasted Edamame 3 Ways
Edamame (a.k.a soybeans) isn’t just a Japanese restaurant staple. It’s also a fiber and protein powerhouse and its nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants do wonders for the immune system. That’s why we love these soy-tastic edamame snacks from Beauty & the Beard. They’re simple to make and have a big flavor and health payoff.

photo: Julia’s Album

Parmesan Zucchini and Garlic Pasta
Sure, pasta is a well-known kid-pleaser. But this dish from Julia’s Album has even more going for it thanks to its hefty dose of garlic. In addition to being a good source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C, garlic contains allicin, an amino acid that produces antioxidants when it’s broken down. That means that this easy four-ingredient dish is also superfood-rich.

photo: Out of the Box Food

Kid-Approved Kale and Walnut Pesto
Pesto with a superfood, kid-approved twist? Yes, please! Out of the Box Food sets up kale as the main green ingredient of the sauce you know and love. This leafy veggie provides lots of vitamins and minerals (like folate, vitamin C, and calcium) that give little immune systems a super boost. You only need minimal time and ingredients to make this pesto, so the only question is: what will you put it on?

photo: Averie Cooks

Kiwi Agua Fresca
Psst! Did you know that kiwis are antioxidant all-stars? They actually offer more vitamin C than an equivalent amount of orange, more potassium than the same amount of bananas, and are low in sugar. All of that, plus additional nutrients found in kiwis, adds up to serious perks for the immune system. Averie Cooks has a great idea for a refreshing kiwi drink that’s naturally sweet and easy to make.

photo: A Dash of Butter

Frozen Blueberry Yogurt Bark
Here’s the deal with Greek yogurt: it contains probiotics that help the body replenish good bacteria and lower the risk of upper respiratory tract infections. It’s also yummy, especially when paired with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich blueberries. For an easy team up of the two, Dash of Butter has you covered with this pretty-as-a-picture snack.

photo: Crème de la Crumb

Red Pepper Hummus
Good news for hummus lovers! Crème de la Crumb takes your favorite dip and gives it a big health benefit boost in the form of red peppers. These veggies contain high levels of cold-fighting vitamin C, which means you can supplement a morning glass of O.J with an after-school hummus snack. For bonus points, dunk bell pepper strips instead of chips.

 

photo: Minimalist Baker

Overnight Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding
It looks like a decadent dessert and it tastes as good as one, too, but this pudding has secret agent superfood powers. Both chia seeds and cacao powder are loaded with immune-boosting antioxidants that can help fight the common cold and flu. Minimalist Baker combines both to create a dreamy creamy treat.

Easy Salmon and Potato Foil Packets
photo: Averie Cooks

Easy Salmon and Potato Foil Packets
The immune info on salmon is that it’s a great source of vitamin D and omega-3s, nutrients that help immune cells function and boost overall immune system strength. And you don’t have to get fancy to add more salmon to your dinner table. Averie Cooks has a great idea for easy-peasy salmon foil packets that also include citrus-y vitamin C.

Secret Veggie Green Rice
photo: My Fussy Eater

Secret Veggie Green Rice
Go green! This rice is a true triple threat, with spinach, avocado, and cauliflower as its main ingredients. Together, these superfoods provide glutathione (a powerful antioxidant that helps fight off infection), along with vitamins A, C and E. The credit for this colorful and healthy concoction goes to My Fussy Eater, who guarantees that it’s super easy to make, too.

photo: One Lovely Life

Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie

This mega superfood smoothie is not only packed with healthy ingredients and no added sugar—but it’s also delicious. Thanks to this recipe from Emily over at One Lovely Life, your kids will be asking for seconds without realizing just how nutritious it really is. That’s a win/win.

—Abigail Matsumoto

Featured image: Denis Tuksar via Unsplash

 

RELATED STORIES: 

16 of the BEST Vitamin C Recipes to Beat the Common Cold

Kale, White Bean & Sausage Soup

Get Your Vitamins: 13 Recipes for Kid-Friendly (& Healthy!) Popsicles

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The Top Foodie Baby Names for Your Future Chef

by Sarah Shebek

Foodie families take note! The list of the most popular food and drink baby names is here and goes all the way back to 2000. If you’re ready to gain some sweet inspiration for a future child, these names prove there are never too many Olives or Clementines to go around.

Exante examined name trends for kids born in the U.S. and the U.K. to compile a report on Foodie Baby Names. The research found that more baby girls (76,893) were named after food and drink than boys (16,533). The top name for both boys and girls? Sage (16,219 girls and 7,953 boys). And the full top 10:

  1. Sage
  2. Olive
  3. Rosemary
  4. Juniper
  5. Brandy
  6. Kale
  7. Clementine
  8. Honey
  9. Margarita
  10. Saffron

If you’re looking for something a little more unique, Exante also reported on some obscure choices. The most unusual names included Ice, Merlot, Chilli, Mocha, Barley and Plum. Will those names age like a fine wine? Too soon to tell!

—Sarah Shebek

Featured image courtesy of Pixabay 

 

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Kale, White Bean & Sausage Soup

by writerredtri

bean-soup

When it’s cold outside you turn to soup. The next time you need to warm up make this Kale, White Bean & Sausage Soup that comes to us from Simran and Stacie at a Little Yumminess. The versatile and easy soup rocks the veggies and serves 12-14, which means there’s almost always leftovers to slurp up the next day.

Kale, White Bean & Sausage Soup adapted from Frances Mayes from Everyday in Tuscany (Zuppa di Cavolo Nero, Cannellini e Salsicce)

Serves 12 to 14 (half it if required)

Ingredients
2 Italian sausages, skins removed and meat crumbled
4 tbsps olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 quarts chicken stock
6 thyme sprigs
1 bunch of dinosaur kale
4 cups cooked cannellini beans (dried beans best but I often use canned)

Method
1. Saute the crumbled sausage in the olive oil till browned and remove from pan.
2. In the same pan, saute the onions, thyme and garlic until softened
3. Add the chicken stock to a big pot. Bring to a boil and add the kale and cover and simmer for 15 minutes
4. Add the cooked sausage and beans and simmer for another 15 minutes
5. Ta Da!

This is a guest post from our friends Simran and Stacie at a Little Yumminess. Photo courtesy of Little Yumminess. Be sure to visit their blog for more fab, kid-friendly recipes!

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Here Are the “Dirty Dozen” Fruits & Veggies for 2021

by Karly Wood

The Environmental Working Group, a non-partisan health and environmental watchdog group, released its Dirty Dozen List for 2021. The annual roundup of non-organic produce tests for high levels of pesticides that include chemicals to keep away rodents, insects, and mold.

This year, the study found that nearly 70 percent of non-organic produce sampled tested positive for pesticides. Here is the EWG’s breakdown of the 12 “dirtiest” produce for 2021.

12. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a the cusp of moving out of the dirty dozen, but at this point still contain residues that result in a cause for concern. When in doubt, go organic.

11. Celery

Celery slipped out of the top 10 of the dirty dozen but still contains enough residue to steer you towards organic.

10. Bell & Hot Peppers

Bell and hot peppers haven’t been tested in years and the result was finding they had the most pesticides detected––115 to be exact.

9. Pears

We don’t know the exact amount, but pears were found by the EWG to contain enough pesticide residues to warrant a spot as number nine.

8. Peaches

Peaches are number eight but they were found to contain at least two pesticide residues in over 90 percent of those sampled.

7. Cherries

Coming in at number seven, more than 90 percent of non-organic cherries were found to have residues of two or more pesticides.

6. Grapes

Not a ton of data was shared about the pesticides found on grapes, but the fact that it’s number six on the list has us steering clear of the non-organic kind.

5. Apples

When you switch to organic apples you’ll be avoiding tons of pesticides. Apples were found to contain at least two types.

4. Nectarines

Nectarines come in at four, with more than 90 percent of samples testing positive for two or more pesticides.

3. Kale

A single sample of kale was found to have up to 20 different pesticides, one of which is DCPA a possible human carcinogen.

2. Spinach

Runner-up in the dirty dozen, sampled spinach had 1.8 times as much pesticide residue as any other crop tested. In addition, this leafy green was in the group for testing positive for two or more pesticides.

1. Strawberries

In no surprise, strawberries stayed at number one for the sixth year in a row. Ninety percent of the total samples had at least one pesticide, while 30 percent had residues of 10 or more pesticides.

There’s no question when it comes to strawberries: pay a few extra bucks and buy organic, so you can eat your berries with confidence that you are eating pesticide-free!

Related: The Easiest Way to Get Your Kids to Eat Vegetables, According to Science

What You Can Do

To keep your family out of harm’s way, it’s imperative to shop organic when it comes to the Dirty Dozen list for fruits and vegetables. If you can’t buy organic (and even if you do), you should always wash your produce thoroughly before cutting, peeling, cooking, or consuming.

Head to the Environmental Working Group’s website to download your own Produce Shopper’s Guide for 2021.

 

 

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Starbucks’ New Winter Menu Is Totally Nuts

by Jennifer Swartvagher

New year, new winter menu. Starbucks just launched their new offerings to help customers kick off 2021 feeling their best. Starting today, customers can enjoy the new Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew, Pistachio Latte, Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites, and Earth Cake Pop as well as celebrate the return of the Honey Almondmilk Flat White and Red Velvet Loaf. 

 

Honey Almondmilk Cold Brew

honey almondmilk cold brew

Cold coffee and cold beverages continue to be a hot trend at Starbucks. This non-dairy beverage is made with slow-steeped Starbucks Cold Brew, combined with honey and then topped with almondmilk for a creamy finish.

 

Pistachio Latte

pistachio latte

Sweet flavors of pistachio pairs with Starbucks Signature Espresso and steamed milk and then finished with a salted brown buttery topping for a cozy beverage crafted to comfort. The Pistachio Latte can also be ordered as a blended beverage or iced.

 

Honey Almondmilk Flat White

Honey almondmilk flat white

This flat white pairs almondmilk and Starbucks Blonde espresso with honey, making a perfect amount of creamy, nutty sweetness. Customers looking for more non-dairy milk choices will be happy to know that this tasty treat is part of Starbucks permanent menu.

 

Kale and Portabella Mushroom Sous Vide Egg Bites

egg bites

These new egg bites feature delicious chopped kale and portabella mushrooms delicately folded into cage-free eggs with Monterey Jack cheese and cooked using the French “sous vide” technique. Joining the menu permanently, this delightful high-protein breakfast has 15 grams of protein and is under 250 calories.

 

Earth Cake Pop

Earth cake pop

Rich chocolate cake, dipped in a blue chocolaty icing and finished with green and white sprinkles to resemble the earth, a globe of goodness.

 

Red Velvet Loaf

red velvet loaf

Delicious vanilla cake swirled with classic red velvet cake and topped with a white chocolaty icing—a sweet spot of red velvety-yum.

 

Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffee

Starbucks reserve

If you are looking for new ways to enjoy your Starbucks from home, there are a few new Starbucks Reserve Whole Bean Coffees to discover this winter. These exceptional coffees have been hand-selected from family farms around the world and are roasted daily at Starbucks Reserve Roasteries.

  • Starbucks Reserve Guatemala Huehuetenango is rich and elegant with notes of candied orange, dark chocolate, and graham cracker.  
  • Starbucks Reserve Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu features delicate floral aromas and sparkling acidity with raspberry and tangerine notes.  

Customers can use the Starbucks app to find a store near them that carries the Starbucks Reserve whole bean coffees.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

All photos courtesy of Starbucks

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The #1 Safety Tip All Parents Should Know

By Ken Swearengen

As a first responder, I’ve come across my fair share of heartbreaking scenes: people losing homes to fires, teenage suicides, messy car accidents, and elderly patients who have had to go to the hospital alone because of COVID restrictions. As a father I count myself lucky I haven’t had to come across any pediatric patients yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.

As an Emergency Medical Technician in training, we learn to prepare for the worst, and that includes treating children whose lives are in danger. So when any of my friends ask for first time parenting advice, I always tell them the same thing:

The best thing you can do as a new parent is to take an infant and child first aid and CPR course.

My wife and I took one offered by the local community college once before my daughter was born and again right before my son was born. We were fortunate enough with my daughter to never need the skills that we learned, but my son was another story.

As a tactile child, he very much liked to explore his world by putting everything and anything in his mouth. He’s also one of those kids who likes to chipmunk food in their cheeks while they play.

First, it was a piece of leaf. Then it was part of a cracker, a chunk of chicken, a crispy piece of kale, and—just a few weeks ago—a piece of half-chewed sandwich.

Every time our first aid training kicked in. Five quick back slaps and the food came right out. And if that didn’t work, I knew exactly what I’d need to do next—five abdominal thrusts—to keep my son breathing and safe. 911 is a wonderful invention of modern civilization but when minutes count the best thing you can rely on is being prepared for the worst.

If you’re in the US, the American Red Cross and American Heart Association (AHA) both offer Infant and Child First Aid and CPR classes in just about every town and sometimes even online. They can generally be completed in about 6-to-8 hours.

You can find Red Cross classes here and AHA classes here.

As a parent, you already know how wonderful—and stressful—kids can be. Take the time to reduce some of that stress by learning how to help save them from their wonderfully curious selves.

By day I'm a father of two wonderful young kids as well as a software developer with a regular mid-life crisis. By night I'm a volunteer firefighter and EMT-in-training. As a former philosopher I'm particularly passionate about helping others lead a happy and healthy life through self-reflection.

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All the Disgusting Candy Cane Flavors You Can Buy This Year

by Karly Wood

The holidays are all about enjoying plenty of seasonal treats, but not everything comes packed with sugar. If you’re into the more savory side of life, you’ll love Archie McPhee’s collection of weird candy canes.

With ten flavors to choose from, you can enjoy the salty seasonings of unique offerings that include ham, ketchup, clam and pizza. Oh, but there’s more! Keep scrolling to see them all.

Kale

Ketchup

Mac & Cheese

Mushroom

Bacon

Pickle

Clam

Pizza

Ham

Pho

You can shop the entire collection at Archie McPhee, where each box is $6.50 and comes with six candy canes each.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Archie McPhee

 

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