ML Interest Tag: lactose-free

13 Store-Bought Breakfasts That Make Mornings a Cinch

by Erin Lem

Mornings are busy. These breakfast options for kids can help.

Whoever said breakfast is the most important meal of the day never encountered a squirmy toddler or a picky eater. To help fill those bellies first thing in the morning, we discovered a slew of delicious store-bought breakfast ideas that you’ll feel good giving to your kids and they’ll actually eat without putting up a fight. These easy breakfast ideas for kids go beyond just filling them up; they also multitask with good-for-them ingredients that you’ll appreciate (and they’ll never notice!). From new dairy-free yogurts to grab-and-go waffles, scroll down for easy breakfast ideas for kids ideas that’ll become staples in your morning routine.

GoGo squeeZ Morning smoothieZ

Made with whole milk yogurt, fruit, and oats in portable, BPA-free squeeze pouches, these shelf-stable (no fridge required!) smoothies are an excellent source of calcium, too.

GoGo squeeZ Morning smoothieZ—Buy Here!

Evergreen Waffles

Evergreen

Eating healthy food should be delicious! Evergreen Waffles not only packs tons of nutrient but it's completely void of fillers. The frozen breakfast is made with 100 percent whole wheat, flavored by spices, nuts, vegetables and fruits and is free from refined sugar, dairy, or preservatives. Kids will love the current flavors: Peanut Butter & Banana, Zucchini & Carrot, Mixed Berry & Almond and Chocolate Chip & Matcha.

Evergreen Waffles—Buy Here!

Quaker Oats Dinosaur Eggs Instant Oatmeal

Amazon

Quaker Oats is getting creative, launching new flavors that kids won't be able to turn down. Every bowl of Dinosaur Eggs Oatmeal reveals hidden dino eggs as they stir!

Quaker Oats Dinosaur Eggs Instant Oatmeal—Buy Here!

Noosa Whole Milk Vanilla Bean Yogurt

Walmart

Picky eaters will love Noosa's Whole Milk Vanilla Bean Yogurt. Made with live and active cultures, kiddos can mix in fresh fruit, granola, or a little sprinkle of cinnamon to make it their own. Also a great lunchbox option!

Noosa Whole Milk Vanilla Bean Yogurt—Buy Here!

This Saves Lives GranolaPop

Amazon

Your kids will love starting off their morning routine with this option from This Saves Lives. The GranolaPop is perfect for snacking or breakfast with fun flavors like Rainbow Sprinkles, Chocolate and Cinnamon Sugar. You can feel good about serving these to your kids each morning as each serving contains a full serving of fruits and vegetables, and all flavors are totally safe-for-school. 

This Saves Lives GranolaPop—Buy Here!

Homestyle Breakfast Sandwiches from Brazi Bites

The first single-serve, gluten-free breakfast sandwich to hit the market, Brazi Bites' Homestyle Breakfast Sandwiches feature simple, clean ingredients like cage-free eggs and nitrate-free bacon, sandwiched between toasty slices of warm gluten-free bread for a delicious and satisfying homestyle taste that’s ready in minutes in the microwave! 

Homestyle Breakfast Sandwiches from Brazi Bites—Buy Here!

Oats Overnight

Who doesn't love breakfast on the go? Oats Overnight makes morning meal prep a breeze: just mix your packet with milk, store in the fridge and enjoy spoon-free in the morning. Each flavor is gluten free, made with 100% whole grain oats, 20 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber. Try out brand new flavors every month, in addition to classics like Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana, Strawberries & Cream and Mocha Dream.

Oats Overnight—Buy Here!

Catalina Crunch Cereals

No spoon or milk required! Delicious, low-carb cereals are made with the highest quality, all-natural ingredients available and contain a blend of seven Plant Proteins and Fibers that are designed to keep you full longer. Gluten- and grain-free, vegan, zero sugar, Non-GMO, and have 9g of fiber per serving. Choose from Fruity, Chocolate Peanut Butter, (newest flavors), and other delicious options you can snack on all day long. Kids will love these, and so will you!

Catalina Crunch Cereals—Buy Here!

KIND Granola

If you already love KIND products, you'll want to check out their granola! They're delicious, plus they're full of fiber and protein, so they'll be able to stay fueled all morning long.

KIND Granola—Buy Here!

Bear Naked Premium Protein Granola

As parents we’re always looking for healthy ways to add protein to our kids’ diets. Shake up your routine with Bear Naked Premium Protein Granola. Each serving dishes out 10 grams of protein. Choose from flavors including Oatmeal Cookie Crunch and Peanut Butter Toffee Crunch.

Bear Naked Premium Protein Granola—Buy Here!

AYO Almond Yogurt

Breakfast with an interesting story, anyone? Turn to AYO Yogurt—this Almond Yogurt is made from organic, sun-grown California almonds at the Billings family ranch, a fourth-generation family farm. Each yogurt is dairy-free and nutrient-rich with flavors that include blueberry, strawberry, vanilla and peach. Find AYO in health stores and if you’re in California they’re sold at Ralphs. 

AYO Almond Yogurt—Buy Here!

Siggi’s Plant-based [Non] Dairy Yogurts

We’re huge fans of siggi’s and were thrilled to learn that they recently launched a line of plant-based [Non] Dairy yogurts. Choose from five flavors: mango, mixed berry, vanilla and cinnamon, raspberry and strawberry. Like the original siggi’s their products include 40% less sugar than other leading yogurt alternatives and 3x more protein. For those allergic to dairy or are looking for a traditional yogurt alternative, we highly recommend this line (our kids were fans!).

Siggi’s Plant-based [Non] Dairy Yogurts—Buy Here!

gr8nola

Start your day with gr8nola—dish it out to little hands to practice hand/eye coordination or sprinkle on yogurt for the older kids. gr8nola features only 5 grams of non-refined sugar and all natural ingredients like organic coconut oil, whole grain oats, coconut flakes and sunflower seeds. The brand promises that all flavors (think: Black Coco Chia, Cinnamon Chai and Golden Spice) are GMO-free and contains no soy, dairy or refined sugars.

gr8nola—Buy Here!

—Erin Lem, Karly Wood, 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.

All images courtesy of retailers.

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Where to Get Good Pizza in Dallas

by Jill Robbins

These crowd-pleasing Dallas pizza places are sure to satisfy everyone’s cravings

Say “Texas food” and your mind probably jumps to BBQ, Tex-Mex, or chicken fried steak. Although those are all solid choices, Texas is no slouch when it comes to great pies. Anyone who’s ever had a picky kid or struggled to find something that makes everyone in the family happy knows the solution is always (well, at least usually) pizza.

Many of the Dallas-based pizza parlors that are featured in this list offer unique and even upscale topping combos that might not appeal to all kids, but have no fear: You can get a basic cheese and pepperoni pizza just about anywhere. In fact, most of the best places to get pizza in Dallas also serve some pasta or other Italian options even if someone in your group is shockingly not wanting ‘za. What’s more, many have bars or serve beer and wine—a good “grownup drink” might be exactly what Mom and Dad are looking for.

Insider Tip: Kids’ menus are mentioned if the pizza place has a dedicated menu for children. Otherwise, order off the regular menu for all.

Cane Rosso
These 14-inch pizzas are prepared in the Neopolitan style and are cooked in less than 90 seconds in a 900-degree oven. There’s a robust selection of gourmet pizzas divided into “red” and “white” sections as well as build-your-own and gluten-free crust options. The pies have fun names (ahem, Jabroni) that might not be 100-percent appropriate for little ears.

Cane Rosso’s kid’s menu is geared toward younger palates, offering familiar cheese and pepperoni pizzas and pasta with butter, parmesan, or tomato sauce. There’s also a separate brunch menu with non-pizza delights such as breakfast tacos and chicken and waffles. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Various locations across the Dallas Fort Worth metro area, with menus that vary by location.
Online: canerosso.com

Serious Pizza
When a pizza place makes 30-inch pies you can hardly fit in your car, you know there’s no playing around. Serious Pizza prides itself on being outrageous and having outrageously good pizza. Kids (especially kids with serious appetites) will find the idea of having a giant slice of pizza to be super fun.

Specialty and build-your-own pizzas come in three sizes: large (18-inch), extra large (24-inch), and seriously large (30-inch). The list of specialty pizzas is pretty standard: buffalo chicken, Margherita, Philly cheesesteak, and other favorites. There are four vegetarian specialty pizzas, including one made with Beyond Sausage. Note: Serious Pizza does not accept cash.

2807 Elm St.
Dallas, TX

2728 W. 7th St.
Fort Worth, TX

2971 S. Hwy 161
Grand Prairie, TX
Online: seriouspizza.com

Old Hag’s
Old Hag’s Pizza is named for the owner’s mother, Becky, at her request. This spot has a huge variety of pizza crusts—including gluten-free—and toppings, and guests can choose from spicy or mild pizza sauce. They offer New York-style and pan-style pizzas.

There’s a lid for every pot here. From gourmet combinations like spinach, walnuts, and Gorgonzola to more traditional meat and cheese pizzas, if there’s not something that appeals to you on the menu, you can build your own. They also serve fully vegan pizza.

1315 W. Davis St.
Dallas, TX

359 Lake Park Rd.
Lewisville, TX
Online: oldhagspizza.com

Campisi’s
Campisi’s pizzas come in three sizes—small, medium, and large—with a robust list of toppings for building your own pizza. There’s also a small menu of specialty pizzas that includes a Greek pizza with olives and feta and a BBQ chicken pizza topped with red onions and ranch. The kid’s menu has a variety of simple pastas, individual pizzas, and chicken fingers.

Fun fact: Campisi’s claims to be not only Texas’ first pizzeria but that Texas’ first pizza was made in their original Mockingbird Lane location. True or not, Campisi’s and its “OG Texas pizza” deserves a spot on your list of Dallas places to get pizza.

Various locations across the Dallas Fort Worth metro area, with menus that vary by location.
Online: campisis.us

Related: 20 Must-Do Fall Family Activities in Dallas

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Zalat
No matter what you like on your pizza, starting with Zalat’s housemade crust and marinara sauce gives you a great foundation. From there, choose old standbys like cheese and pepperoni or step it up with something more adventurous, like Nashville hot chicken and pickles or the Sweet Revenge, topped with bacon jam and hot honey.

Zalat’s pizzas come in two sizes: 14-inch large and 18-inch giant. They offer gluten-free crusts and vegan cheese options. All crusts are fully vegan.

Various locations across the Dallas Fort Worth metro area, with menus that vary by location.
Online: zalatpizza.com

Yonker’s Pizza
The motto of Yonker’s Pizza is: “Born in Yonkers. Perfected in Dallas.” These New York-style pizzas are made with hand-tossed dough. Although they mainly offer 18-inch pizzas, there are several options for 10-inch specialty pies if you want something a little more elevated. The Story City Pizza is topped with ricotta, truffle oil, pepperoni, and Italian sausage. The Great Bambino, topped with meatballs, Italian beef, hamburger, Italian sausage, and pepperoni, is a must for any true meat lover. Cauliflower crust is available on request at no extra charge.

8421 Westchester Dr.
Dallas, TX
Online: yonkerspizzaco.com

Fireside Pies
If your crew is game for more adventurous pizzas, Fireside Pies just might be your place. In addition to build your own pizza with standard toppings, Fireside’s menu includes unique pies such as burrata pesto and lamb sausage. The current menu lists a Hatch taco pie, available for a limited time. (Hatch chili pepper season is usually short, from early August to mid-October.) Gluten-free and cauliflower crusts are available for an upcharge.

Fireside Pies also has a weekend brunch menu that includes brioche French toast and bacon and avocado frittata.

2820 N. Henderson Ave.
Dallas, TX

6750 Abrams Rd.
Dallas, TX

1285 S. Main St.
Grapevine, TX
Online: firesidepies.com

Greenville Avenue Pizza Co.
Greenville Avenue Pizza Co. is all about “slaying” the pizza experience. One of the most unique things about Greenville Avenue Pizza Co. is the wide availability of pizza by the slice and the many options for calzones. Also, their menu includes a build-your-own section with several creative options for drizzles and sauces, cheeses, and seasonings as well as veggies and protein options. Their choices of toppings include hot honey, pesto, feta, gouda, and several other things you don’t typically see on a pizza menu. There’s also a robust selection of Pizza Slayer Classics, with a preset mix of toppings. Because most topping choices are atypical, read the menu carefully beforehand to make sure this is the right pizza place for your little eaters.

1923 Greenville Ave.
Dallas, TX
Online: gapc.co

Eno’s Pizza Tavern
Eno’s signature pizzas feature a list of interesting combos such as the Pineapple Fresca (pineapple, arugula, parmesan, jalapeno, and country ham) and the Central Pie (bacon, goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, and rosemary). They offer gluten-free crusts for an upcharge of $6.50.

You can also order an iPie Your Way, which is a plain mozzarella and tomato pizza with a list of add-ons. The add-ons are priced in tiers with toppings like vegetables and herbs on the lower end and premium meats (Texas beef and boar meatballs) and premium cheeses (feta and fresh mozzarella) being pricier.

407 N. Bishop Ave.
Dallas, TX

215 S. Bois D’Arc St.
Forney, TX

3111 Olympus Blvd.
Coppell, TX
Online: enospizza.com

DL Mack’s
While DL Mack’s doesn’t tout itself as a pizza place, Chicago-style cracker crust pizza is one of their specialties, and it’s so good that it deserves a place on this list. Specialty pizzas include The Caprese (Campari tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, and balsamic glaze) and the Harry Caray Special (pepperoni, fresh jalapenos, and spicy ranch), plus a handful of other choices.

6501 Hillcrest Ave.
Dallas, TX

10720 Preston Rd.
Dallas, TX
Online: dlmacks.com

BellaTrino
Wood-fired Neapolitan pizza is the specialty at BellaTrino. Their pizzas run from the classic (pepperoni with fresh mozzarella and Margherita) to the inventive (pancetta with candied figs.) Although the ‘za selection is relatively small, there are other Italian classics (pasta dishes, calzones, and salads) to make up for it.

920 S Harwood St.
Dallas, TX
Online: bellatrinopizzeria.com

Related: Dallas Pumpkin Patches You Are Going to Want to Visit Every Year

Pie Tap
The Pie Tap’s pizza dough is made from naturally fermented dough—no commercial yeast and no sugar added. A wide variety of kid-pleasing pies are available, including three meatless pizza options and delightfully unique toppings like house-made fennel sausage. The dedicated kids’ menu includes familiar fare such as cheese and pepperoni pizza, chicken strips, and macaroni and cheese. Gluten-friendly pizzas are available for $4 extra.

The Pie Tap also has a dedicated weekend brunch menu, serving dishes such as chicken and biscuits and goat cheese and, egg white omelet made with Texas goat cheese.

1212 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX

2708 N. Henderson Ave.
Dallas, TX

1900 Preston Rd.
Plano, TX

5100 Belt Line Rd.
Dallas, TX
Online: pie-tap.com

Delucca’s
Big appetite? Come to Delucca’s, which serves their pizza gaucho style—meaning, various pizzas and other dishes are circulated throughout the dining room and guests take whatever looks good to them. If you’ve ever dined at a Brazilian steakhouse, it’s the same concept, only with pizza. You’ll pay a fixed price for as much pizza as you can hold.

The online menu lists the types of pizzas (and dessert pizzas, too!) you can expect to find. Although there is a classic pepperoni and a four cheese, most of the pizzas run toward the gourmet and elevated: Garlic picanha and chicken tikka masala are some of the varieties you’re likely to find. Most pizzas and other dishes can be made vegetarian, lactose-free, or gluten-free upon request.

1628 Oak Lawn Ave.
Dallas, TX

3010 S. Hulen St.
Fort Worth, TX

8240 Preston Rd.
Plano, TX

2001 W Southlake Blvd.
Southlake, TX
Online: delucca.com

Louie’s
The Chicago-style thin crust pizza at Louie’s is a carefully guarded secret, as is the housemade sauce. Pizzas are available in small (12-inch) and large (13-inch) and are reasonably priced. There are no on-menu specialty pizzas at Louie’s. Instead, the available toppings and their respective prices are listed on the menu, so guests can order what they want. Although pizza is just a small part of Louie’s menu—there are a plethora of other food options—it’s what Louie’s is best known for.

1839 N. Henderson Ave.
Dallas, TX
Online: louiesdallas.com

i Fratelli
The motto of this robust Texas chain is “never trust a round pizza.” Not quite oval, not quite square, and definitely not round, these pizzas have been one of the most beloved Texas pizza joints for more than 30 years.

i Fratelli’s current menu includes six specialty pizzas and options to build your own. Popular pies include the Staff Special (grilled chicken, artichokes, and Roma tomatoes) and the Carne Classico, which has all the meats, including Canadian bacon, meatballs, and Italian sausage.

Various locations throughout Texas with most in the Dallas Fort Worth metro area. The published menu is the same across all i Fratelli’s locations.
Online: ifratellipizza.com

 

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22 Desserts You Need to Try Tonight

by Gabby Cullen

Hot days call for cold treats, and there’s no time like the present to swap out your go-to Otter Pops for a new dessert that’s perfect for kids. From delicious frozen cookie dough bites to oat-milk chip ice cream, we’ve found a few new products to infuse a little fun into your llife. Keep reading to see them all.

Click here to save this list on Pinterest.

Home Dough

It's pretty much everyone's dream to have frozen cookie dough ready to pop in the oven for a warm treat. Home Dough totally gets that convenience is key and delivers in the taste category as well. With Home Dough, fresh-baked, better-than-homemade cookies are always just ten minutes away. Choose from Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal Toffee, or Molasses Ginger Spice, all made from tried and true, mom-approved recipes and the same simple ingredients you’d find in your cupboard. They even come in gluten-free varieties! We suggest you order up a variety pack and try them today! 

$18 for 8 cookie balls, $48 for a 24-ball variety pack. Available here. 

Enlightened Sundae Cones

Sundae cones are what summer is made of and Enlightened is here to bring this favorite treat to your home with less sugar than regular cones. You'll get a crunchy cone filled with frozen Green yogurt or light ice cream and topped with nuts and chocolate. A final surprise? The chocolate-filled tip is there for your last bite. Order them online or find them at a store near you. 

Killer Creamery's Sammies

courtesy Killer Creamery

For a treat that doesn't have a lot of sugar but tons of taste, we love the new Sammies from Killer Creamery. Offered in chocolate or vanilla ice cream with the classic cookie outside, with only 120 calories, no added sugar and only two to three net carbs, you'll feel just fine having one after dinner! 

Available at stores nationwide, $5.99 - $6.99 for six. 

Bubbies Vegan Mochi & Cookie Dough Bites

Bubbie's

Two new options from Bubbies will get you starting the summer off right.

  • The irresistible combination of ice cream wrapped in a decadent chocolate chip cookie dough is easy to eat—and even easier to enjoy! Like all Bubbies products, the Cookie Dough Bites are made with all-natural ingredients, are Certified Gluten-Free, Kosher dairy, no rBST, and Non-GMO!
  • Those looking to add a vegan treat to their dessert lineup will love these new additions to Bubbies mochi repertoire. You'll find mango, chocolate and strawberry vegan mochi that enrobe the non-dairy frozen dessert in perfectly sweetened mochi dough. 

Available here

Daiya’s Dessert Bars

Daiya’s Dessert Bars make for the perfect treat for a hot day. These indulgent, chocolate-dipped, frozen dessert bars are completely plant-based and so tasty, parents will want to keep them for themselves!

Get them here. 

Nubocha

If you want indulgent taste without the guilt, Nubocha is here for you. This low-sugar, non-dairy gelato brand was co-founded by famed Italian chocolatier Gianluca Franzoni, and it is reimagining gelato with health and wellness in mind.

Its low-sugar, dairy-free recipes consist of just three main ingredients: premium varietals of nuts or cacao, pure spring water, and allulose, a rare, zero calorie sugar found naturally in foods like raisins, figs and maple syrup. The simplicity of Nubocha’s recipes and its unique use of spring water as a base, allow each thoughtfully sourced ingredient to shine, offering a healthier, flavorful gelato with no added sugar and less than 350 calories per pint. 

Order here

Beckon Ice Cream Cups

Beckon Ice Cream’s lactose-free ice cream is the perfect cold dessert for your summer gatherings. They just released perfectly-sized snack cups in flavors vanilla (with rainbow sprinkles in the lid), dark chocolate (with brownie chunks in the lid) and mint chip. These portable cups are a great option to bring in your cooler for your next park picnic. 

Shop online or find Beckon in a store near you. 

ReThink Ice Cream

If you love ice cream but it doesn't necessarily love you, ReThink has you covered. All of ReThink’s ice cream flavors are made with A2/A2 Dairy to be extra digestible. They're diabetic-friendly, Keto, gluten-dree, lactose-free, and made with all-natural ingredients including collagen, prebiotic fiber, and green tea extract for antioxidants.

We sampled the current flavors of Vanilla Supreme, Chocolate Majesty, Mint with Chocolate Flakes, Chocolate with Almond Butter, Coffee Hazelnut, Lemon Poppy Seed, Cardamom Pistachio, Almond with Chocolate Flakes, and Black Cherry Vanilla. Chocolate Majesty stood out as the kid favorite while Lemon Poppy Seed was much loved by the adults. 

Find ReThink at a store near you. 

Must Love

Attention, your new summer obsession is here! Check out Must Love—a new non-dairy, GMO-free, plant-based ice cream that will be the perfect addition to your freezer stash. Must Love is now available at Sprouts and select Whole Foods stores, with wider distribution ahead! Must Love offers two different bases: bananas and oat milk. The banana base is made with only bananas, coconut milk and dates while the oat milk base with only oat milk, coconut milk and dates. Cashew Cookie Dough is a kid favorite and Choco Choco Chip is for all you chocolate lovers out there. 

Coconut Bliss Cups of Joy

If you are looking for a plant-based frozen dessert to add to your freezer this summer, you definitely need to try Coconut Bliss. The brand’s first ever single serve ice cream indulgence, Cups of Joy, are perfect for kids (and their parents) looking for a convenient and delicious plant-based treat. The cups are available in two flavors, Dark Chocolate and Madagascan Vanilla Bean. The four-pack retails for $8.99.  

Want a little hands-on fun for your family's dessert? Coconut Bliss’s at-home ice cream machine, the Bliss Maker™, brings their convenient plant-based scoops directly to your home. Order up the bundle and you'll also get ice cream mix that's ready to pop in the machine! 

N!CK's Swedish Style Light Ice Cream

Amazon's #1 ice cream N!CK's Swedish Style Light Ice Cream has expanded its vegan line to include four new flavors that you're going to love: Vanilj Bean, Strawbär Kräm, Hazelnöt Fudge and Peanöt Butter Fudge.

Perfect for your summer sundae party, these flavors are joining the line up that tastes and melts just like dairy, but is still lactose and animal-free thanks to Perfect Day technology. Perfect Day’s real milk protein is made without animals, so kids can enjoy the real taste, texture, and nutrition of dairy—but produced sustainably and without the downsides of factory farming, lactose, hormones, or antibiotics. A dessert that you can feel good serving your family! 

Buy them at nicks.com

Simply Indulgent from Outshine®

Your fave Outshine bars are getting some new flavors! Made with fresh milk for that creamy goodness, each bar contains five grams of protein, 25% less sugar than regular frozen dairy bars and four delicious flavor choices. Enjoy Strawberry and Mango, which are made with real fruit, in addition to Chocolate and Coffee, which offers 20mg of caffeine!

Available at retailers nationwide starting Spring of 2021.

Turkey Hill's 2021 Lineup

Get ready to sit down and cool off with Turkey Hill's new line of novelties that include 16 products like Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches, Fruit & Cream Bars and Layered Sundae Cups. With flavors that include Caramel Brownie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Peanut Butter, Choco Mint Chip, Coconut, Orange and Strawberry Lemonade there is something for everyone.

You can find all the new products at retailers nationwide.

So Delicious Dairy Free Light Frozen Desserts

So Delicious Dairy Free has just launched its brand new Light Frozen Desserts! Each pint is less than 330 calories and they are certified gluten-free, vegan action certified and non-GMO Project Verified. Current flavors include Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, Strawberry, Cocoa Chip, Mint Chip and Tiramisu.

Available in grocery stores nationwide for a suggested retail price of $5.49 per pint.

Popsicle Fruit Twisters

Popsicle's newest sweet treat combines real fruit and milk. The twisty popsicle has a surprise fruit filling and is just 70 calories each. Enjoy two fresh flavors that include Strawberry, Blueberry & Vanilla Swirl and Peach, Raspberry & Vanilla Swirl.

Available at Target for $4.99

Mochidoki Mochi Ice Cream

Mochidoki

Talk about the perfect bite! These mochi-covered ice cream bites from Mochidoki are a new favorite summer treat with kid- and parent-approved flavors like vanilla chip, Thai tea, mango and salted caramel. At just 80 calories a piece, they are full of quality, natural and non-GMO ingredients, and are less messy than typical ice cream treats. They are currently available for purchase at their NYC stores and can be shipped to 26 states plus D.C. (with more to come). 

Purchase yours here. 

Sweet Nothings Frozen Smoothie Cups

Each one of these 3.5 ozs cups is filled with healthy ingredients like chia and flax seeds and organic fruits. There are no artificial flavors, they are dairy and gluten-free and they come frozen, so each one is perfect for a snack at any time. Chocolate and strawberry were our favorite flavors! 

Available at eatsweetnothings.com, $3.99 a cup for 12. 

Gelato Boy Limited Release

What's better than gelato delivered to your front door? New gelato flavors created each month and delivered to your front door! Each month has a theme based on the season, or collaborations or whatever strikes their fancy. Think watermelon, banana split, root beer float and more. 

Available at gelatoboy.com, $12.

Organic Ice Wands from DeeBee's Organics

DeeBee's Organics

Kids will flip over these Organic Ice Wands featuring Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen 2 and the plant-based Organic SuperFruit Freezies that were released from DeeBee's just in time for the summer heat. DeeBee's Organics shelf-stable freezies are made from premium organic fruits with zero added artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives and are allergen-free of nuts, dairy, fish, wheat and soy. You can feel good serving them every afternoon this summer!

Get yours here and here. 

Chloe’s Oatmilk Pops

Officially the first oat milk pop available, Chloe’s Pops come in three tasty flavors: Mint Chip, Salted Caramel and Raspberry Chip. All three flavors are dairy-free, plant-based, Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten-free and made without any artificial ingredients. Also, these oat milk pops are free of the top eight allergens. 

Click here to see where they're available near you.

Talenti Coconut Chocolate Cookie

courtesy Talenti

Inspired by a coconut macaron, this flavor from Talenti is not just a non-dairy alternative, but it’s got layers of goodness, including real coconuts, chocolate cookies and a non-dairy hot fudge swirl. 

Available at Target, $4.69.

Chloe’s Marvel Pops

courtesy Chloe's Pops

Another fun treat from Chloe’s is their Marvel Pops! Inspired by Marvel Universe, these fruit popsicles are made with just three ingredients: fruit juice, cane sugar and water! Perfect for a backyard treat, these new pops are free of the top eight allergens.

Click here to see where they're available near you. 

—Gabby Cullen with Kate Loweth

 

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26 Easy Popsicles to Make at Home Today

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Coolest Ice Cream Shops You Can Visit Now  

by Annette Benedetti

This summer, Portland showed us how hot it can get! And while we seem to have made it through the record-breaking temps, our city is certainly staying warm. There’s no better way to stay cool than with a sweet scoop of ice cream. These awesome shops serve up some of the best ice cream, gelato, froyo, and sorbet in the city. You’ll want to try them all before the temps start to drop again.

Sugarpine Drive-In:There's nothing sweeter than getting your soft serve cone from a retro drive-through after a day on the Sandy River. Located in Troutdale, Sugarpine serves up great lunches, but it's the cones that'll make you beg for more. Go for the Larch Mountain, a chocolate and vanilla swirl topped with crumbled brown butter blondies, blueberry lavender sauce, and homemade pine nut honeycomb crunch. Also, they serve froze (frozen rose) popsicles. 

1208 East Historical Columbia River Hwy.
Troutdale, OR 
Online: sugarpinedrivein.com

Fifty Licks: Fifty Licks started as a food cart then swiftly moved into the spotlight at their two locations (both currently open for takeout). Quality ingredients mixed into a custard base means flavors like Hood Strawberry or Toasted Milk shine through. The vegan options are coconut-based and will not disappoint anyone, like the turmeric-yellow Golden Milk or the Mango Sticky Rice.

Multiple locations
Online: fifty-licks.com

Salt and Straw: Portland’s ice cream craze basically kicked off with this shop and their curious flavors--you can find their shops flung far in LA, San Francisco, Miami, Seattle, and even Disneyland (yep). Closer to home, it’s still massively popular. The one good thing about 2020 is that you can now skip those heinous lines by ordering online ahead of time for pickup (or delivery!). They keep a list of favorites like strawberry and balsamic, olive oil, and sea salt and caramel, but their monthly rotating flavors are surprisingly unique, but crazy good— like goat cheese marionberry habanero. 

Multiple locations
Online: saltandstraw.com

Pinolo Gelato: Founded by a native Italian, Pinolo Gelato lets ice cream’s European cousin shine. Gelato is mostly made without eggs--because it has less fat and is also served slightly warmer than ice cream, it’s argued to be more flavorful. Take a Roman holiday with classic flavors like chocolate, stracciatella or pistachio, or enjoy the seasonal rotation like almond fig. They also serve Cafe Umbria espresso. 

3707 SE Division
Online: pinologelato.com

Ruby Jewel: Delicious ice cream, sandwiched between two thick cookies. It’s the dessert for when you can’t decide if you want ice cream or baked goods, and nobody in Portland does it like Ruby Jewel. Try the Double Chocolate and Peanut Butter, or the Lemon and Honey Lavender, or test out a new flavor! The four store locations are town are open for business this summer, and perfect for your warm-weather breaks. 

Multiple locations
Online: rubyjewel.com

Cloud City Ice Cream: This gem in the Woodstock neighborhood of Southeast Portland has been impressing kids of all ages since 2011, using natural and local ingredients to serve up a prolific menu of dairy and non-dairy scoops, sundaes, and shakes. They’ve simplified their menu to the classics (like Golddigger with chocolate ice cream and peanut butter ripple, or the honey lavender), and are offering scoops and pints to go. As it says on their door, everything is made with equal parts love and magic.

4525 SE Woodstock Blvd.
Portland
Online: cloudcityicecream.com

Eb and Bean: The froyo from Eb and Bean has taken the city by storm the last few years. The swirling cones of goodness come in fantastic flavors (dairy or non-dairy, without artificial sweeteners, flavors, preservatives, or corn syrup). It’s then topped with seasonal, all-natural goodies, many from local Oregon companies. They have three locations around town, making it the perfect spot for families wherever they may live. 

Multiple locations
Online: ebandbean.com

 

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Explore West Portal-landia

by Mireille Schwartz

Slices of $6 toast got you down? Then head over to West Portal, a quirky little SF hood with a charming main drag and an old school vibe (you can still score a bagel and cream cheese at Noah’s for a mere $2.75). With a bookstore, a jaw-dropping indoor play space and a whooping 26 restaurants, there is plenty for the family to explore. Bordered by Forest Hill on one side and the tony St. Francis Wood neighborhood on the other, West Portal seems like a sleepy little suburb of SF, but it’s actually closer than you think: From downtown SF, jump on Muni’s K, L or M line and you are in the heart of it all in less than 15 minutes.

Play

West Portal Playground
This top notch playground is colorful, clean and entertaining for both younger and older kiddos. There’s a darling train structure, swinging decks, beautiful turrets to climb, bridges, tunnels, swings, sand, slides, and an impressive picnic area. Bring the soccer ball to kick around on the large grassy area, or drop in to one of the many classes and activities hosted here: Tot Gym, Tot Picasso, Tot Time, Youth Indoor Games, and a chess club. During Summer months there are camps that offer various activities such as crafts, sports, field trips, and special events, and during the school year there’s homework assistance as well as literacy After-School programs. There’s also a swanky remodeled Clubhouse you can rent out for birthday parties.

131 Lenox Way
San Francisco, Ca
415-753-7038
Online: sfrecpark.org

 

Explore

Peek-a-Boo Factory
If your tykes have energy to burn, this is the indoor playground for you. The best part about this play space is that it’s drop-in friendly and has no membership fees. It’s $10 bucks for the first little one, $8 for each additional and socks-only (so you may want to choose your footwear wisely). There’s an enclosed baby area with a groovy funhouse style mirror and little musical toys for your toddler rock and roll around, as well as a chill play nook with a train table, books, and Legos. The piece de resistance, however, is the 4-level Junior Play Area which is padded enough for lots of climbing, tumbling, and general crashing around. Psst: there’s WiFi, coffee, and even a jumbotron-style TV for parents. Controlled mayhem at its best!

2 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-702-6638
Online: peekaboofactory.com/

ArtWorks Fine Art Studio
ArtWorks is a place for everyone, with drawing and painting fine art classes for kids of all ages. The philosophy here is a non-competitive environment where toddlers on up to teens can find their niche in the art world. There’s ongoing enrollment year-round for their stellar classes, and a super fun Summer Camp program. Parents are invited to schedule a Free Introductory Class as long as you make an appointment in advance. Even cooler, all the students enjoy having their work shown for public view at at the studio twice a year (through the display program, 120 students are represented each month, so  your little Picasso and Manet can showcase their work, too!).

360 West Portal Ave., Ste. E
San Francisco, Ca
415-759-5757
Online: artworksfineartstudio.com

Bookshop West Portal
After parking yourself and your stroller along the comfy built-in benches out front, head on into this independent bookstore with a massive selection. The legendary Story Times are a must here. First, browse the kid-friendly stacks of children’s lit & Young Adult (we even found “Bukowski for Kids”!), then hang around for their weekly Wednesday morning 10:30 a.m. reading event for babies and toddlers, featuring interactive songs and finger puppet plays.

80 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-564-8080
Online: bookshopwestportal.com

Pacific Wushu Martial Arts
Whether your tyke is new to karate or a mini-seasoned pro, you’ll find the perfect class for your family. Hubby & wife team Phillip Wong and Zhang Hong Mei teach a full curriculum of challenging, educational and fun classes in the Chinese martial arts. There are both group as well as private class options including including Contemporary Wushu, Tai Ji Quan, Bagua, and San Shou styles. Call or email ahead for a schedule of their programs, which feature a dizzying array of basic punches, kicks, and jumps that will all increasing fitness, flexibility, control, and self-confidence for your little one.

33 Vicente St. (between West Portal Ave. & Santa Clara Ave.)
San Francisco, Ca
415-841-8848
Online: pacificwushu.com

Ambassador Toys
Guaranteed to bring back great childhood memories, this local toy store carries both favorites from the past plus everything cool your kids will like—Old school to new school. Ambassador also houses a huge supply of educational and creative “How-To Build” kits, board games, puppets, dolls, and science items galore.

186 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-759-8697
Online: ambassadortoys.com

CinéArts at the Empire
On the rainiest day, sometimes a family film is the perfect plan. Head over to this Cinemark movie theater to dry off. The small theaters means that there’s no bad seat in the house (The chairs are also super comfy). There are three screens and the feel is intimate, almost like watching a movie at home. They show both blockbusters and independent movies so Disney fans and art-house fanatics will both find something they like.

85 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-661-2539
Online: cinemark.com

Eats & Treats

Squat & Gobble
Want a gluten-free crepe? Or one filled with three kinds of cheese and topped with Marinara sauce? Here at the breakfast crepe destination you can have them any way you’d like them. One of five SF locations, the West Portal joint suffered a massive fire, but has since reopened its doors with a full remodel. You can have breakfast all day and night (or inversely a burger in the early morn), and the anything-goes menu means your entire brood is sure to leave full-bellied and satisfied, and ready for a neighborhood stroll.

1 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-665-9900
Online: squatandgobble.com

El Toreador Restaurant
The line out front is a giveaway: This restaurant is a popular, trendy and delicious spot for the local yokels. Heck, they’ve been around West Portal since back when your parents were hip back in 1957. The arty Dia de Los Muertos interior is pure funky, festive SF, and the Mexican style comfort food won’t let your gang down. Order their signature Spinach Enchiladas—just don’t tell your tykes you’re sneaking in the veggies until they’ve licked their plates clean.

50 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-566-8104
Online: eltoreadorsf.com

Mozzarella di Buffala
A perfect mashup of Italian and  Brazillian food. What? Yep, you read that correctly. This joint is equal parts Pizzeria and Brazillian Cafe, and a staple of the robust West Portal community for over 20 years. Owner Pedro Galetti blends the two cuisines and cultures beautifully, and there are even plentiful gluten-free and lactose-free options for food allergic diners. Any way you slice it, with their cornmeal crust pizza will guarantee happy diner all around. Or take a walk in the wilder side and try Brazil’s authentic Bife Acebulado —that’s a New York Strip with beans, rice and greens. Yum.

69 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-661-8900
Online: dibufala.com/

Manor Coffee Shop
This quaint little American diner boasts both history (its been around since the ’50s) and hot plates that will keep your family coming back for more. Word on the street is to try the Corned Beef Hash (many say it’s the best in the City) and coffee and the classic breakfast dishes are a win. If your gang is looking for a quick bite in a retro style setting with warm friendly service then stop on by.

Insider Tip: As cool as the old cash register is, it only takes cash so remember to fill your wallet (there’s an ATM down the street if you’re in a pinch).

321 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-661-2468
Online: facebook.com/pages/Manor-Coffee-Shop/142098042553094

Shaw’s
Remember Lemonheads? Bring that sweet tooth over to Shaw’s, not only is it a neighborhood fave, it’s also San Francisco’s oldest candy shop, established in 1931. At one time it was a chain with 50 locations around the Bay Area, now there’s just one left: this is it (and the original location). Colorful jars of Salt Water taffy line an entire wall and Pez and dispensers and Jelly Belly beans the other (a Dentist’s delight!). If you’re in the mood for the cold stuff instead, there’s scoops of local Mitchell’s Ice Cream to satisfy any craving.

50 West Portal Ave.
San Francisco, Ca
415-566-8104
Online: shawssf.com

How do you explore West Portal-landia? Tell us in the comments below! 

 

—Mireille Schwartz

In descending order, photos courtesy of Torbakhopper (Flickr), Rick “Mexican” (Flickr) all others Mikol (Flickr)

 

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Chill Out at the Bay Area’s Greatest Frozen Yogurt Shops

by writerredtri

Everywhere we look, the 80s are back in style–but luckily, we haven’t seen any legwarmers yet! These days our tastes are (thankfully) a bit more refined, and one 80s fad we’re happy to get behind is the frozen yogurt one. Get your sweet fix with gourmet flavors like watermelon or açai and a multitude of toppings at one of the several hundred froyo shops in the Bay Area. And with health benefits like probiotics, calcium, potassium, among others, picking up a cup of frozen yogurt is guilt-free and family-friendly. Here’s a short list of our favorite spots to beat the heat with a tasty treat this summer.

photo courtesy of Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt’s Facebook

BEST Self-Serve
Kids will love the interactive experience at Nubi Yogurt where you can create your own swirl and sprinkle your own toppings. This is the perfect place to let the family go wild yogurt-style. Nubi has a ton of yogurt flavors, ranging from classics like plain tart to gourmet tastes like banana cream pie and Greek black cherry. When concocting your cup of froyo, just remember that they charge by the ounce. Feel free to stay a while–most locations offer free wireless internet and satellite radio.

Locations: Two in San Francisco, one in Milbrae, San Leandro, Stockton, San Jose, and San Mateo.

BEST Organic
At Blush Organic Frozen Yogurt, you can feel good about your frozen treat knowing that the dairy ingredients used do not include rBGH growth hormones, antibiotics, or chemicals and pesticides that hurt the environment. We like Blush for their wide array of seasonal flavors (think pina colada and pumpkin) and because the more you eat, the more you get! Eight visits will get you an original yogurt with two toppings if you use their loyalty card.

Locations: Dublin, Walnut Creek, Burlingame, Milpitas, and San Francisco.

photo courtesy of Pinkberry’s Facebook

BEST Gourmet
Fraîche Yogurt also uses organic milk from local dairy Clover to produce its European-style fresh yogurt that is also turned into their dessert-style frozen yogurt. Take the kids for breakfast and order the fresh yogurt or steel-cut oatmeal (and a cup of local Blue Bottle coffee for you!), or after dinner for the fat-free valrhona chocolate frozen yogurt. As for the vegans out there, Fraîche also offers a fat-free and lactose-free soy frozen yogurt. The low-fat options don’t skip a beat in flavor or consistency, proving their “sinfully delicious, outrageously healthy” motto true.

Locations: One in San Francisco and two in Palo Alto.

BEST Import
The international frozen yogurt empire Pinkberry is often credited with reviving the froyo fad when it launched in 2005 by a two-woman team that merged a passion for frozen desserts and design at their innovative spaces. Many shops have copied their style, from the toppings bar to the colorful mod furniture. Try the original at their Silicon Valley locations or the next time you fly out of SFO. Or better yet, hire Pinkberry to cater Junior’s birthday with his own private swirl party–they will come to you with all the yogurt and fixings!

Locations: Palo Alto, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, San Ramon, SFO Airport and four more locations in San Jose.

photo courtesy of clogozm on Flickr

BEST Reader Suggestion
Yogofina wins our reader suggestion award! With 27 toppings, including 12 fresh fruit selections to choose from, you can’t go wrong. We were told to try the peach, mango, and original, but heck, they all look tasty! With 11 locations throughout the East Bay, from Danville to Castro Valley to Modesto, folks there don’t have to go far to find some Froyo goodness.   – submitted by Kristiana Tom.

We want to hear from you! Where do you get your frozen yogurt fix?

— Sarah K. Choi

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