Part sweet and part savory, this stir-fry dish is a cinch to make and will please any kid’s picky palate
Inspired by her husband’s love of chicken wings, Kari of GI 365 created this Honey Garlic Chicken stir-fry recipe that features the same sweet and savory flavors of her hubby’s favorite dish. Your kids will love the flavor combination, and you’ll love that making this healthy meal only takes 30 minutes. It’s a win-win.
Serves 4
Ingredients for Honey Garlic Chicken:
Sauce:
⅓ cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
1 Tablespoon organic cornstarch
⅓ cup honey
Stir-Fry:
1 medium onion, diced ½”
1½ pounds broccoli, stems peeled
1 pound chicken thighs, cut into 1″ cubes
2 Tablespoons avocado oil, (or olive oil)
¼ cup water
3 cloves garlic, minced
Method:
1. Start by mixing the soy sauce and cornstarch together until the cornstarch dissolves. Add the honey to the soy sauce mixture, but you don’t need to combine them (this happens in the pan).
2. Thinly slice the peeled broccoli stems, cut the florets into 1″ pieces, and set the broccoli aside with the onion.
3. Preheat a large skillet over high heat.
4. When the pan is almost smoking, add 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil and the chicken cubes. Sauté for about 2 minutes to brown before turning the chicken cubes, and cooking until golden brown and done in the center. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the remaining 1 Tablespoon of avocado oil to the pan. Add the onion and broccoli, and cook stirring every 30 seconds for 3-5 minutes or until the onions begin to soften and the broccoli turns bright green but is still crisp.
6. Add the ¼ cup of water to the pan, cover with a lid, and simmer for 3 minutes until the water has mostly evaporated and the broccoli is just tender.
7. Add the sautéed chicken, minced garlic, and the sauce into the skillet.
8. Stir to incorporate the honey, and simmer for 1-2 minutes to thicken the sauce. Serve immediately.
Yes, it is possible to experience peace, tranquility, and calm on a family outing
Watch your entire family zen out before your eyes during a visit to the historic Portland Japanese Garden in Washington Park. A must-see for locals and tourists alike, the Japanese Garden is made up of eight unique, smaller gardens and is renowned for being one of the most authentic Japanese Gardens outside of Japan. Plus, it’s only a stone’s throw away from many of Portland’s other family-friendly spots like the Oregon Zoo, International Rose Test Garden, and the World Forestry Center. Make a day of it, pack a picnic, and get ready to learn, explore, and discover all sorts of new things right in your own backyard.
Tyler Quinn
Step Back in Time
Designed in 1963, the grounds now encompasses 12 acres with eight separate garden styles. Leisurely explore each one while taking in a spectacular view of Mt. Hood. From the lush, vivid greens of the Strolling Pond Garden to the stark, empty space (or ma) of the Sand and Stone Garden, each style highlights unique aspects of Japanese garden design. Be sure to check out the Kashintei Tea House in the Tea Garden, which is where you will often find tea demonstrations and gatherings.
Jonathan Ley
Garden Highlights
The Japanese Garden sprawls and sways into five verdant gardens: Flat Garden, Tea Garden, Strolling Pond, Sand & Stone Garden and Natural Garden. Spending time in each will give your crew a real sense of how mighty this place is. Everything has a reason and a there’s a reason for everything. Legions of volunteers work tirelessly to make this spot the pristine venue for all that it is; how incredible is their collective attention to detail.
Your kids will love trekking into the Japanese Garden. It’s an uphill trail of twists and turns, ready to set imaginations soaring. Once you arrive prepare to take in its splendor. Set the young amblers towards temples, a poetry stone, koi ponds, and gorgeous bridges. Keep those eyes peeled for whimsical statues, colorful flags, and symbolic artifacts at every turn.
Water is everywhere. You’ll see waterfalls, ponds, and water features throughout the grounds. Also abundant is stone. Stone pathways and steps, stone statues and monuments, and stone lion dogs are but some of the many interpretations. Nothing is without thought and purpose here.
James Florio
Festivals & Celebrations at the Portland Japanese Garden
Be sure to stop by the immersive Cultural Center where you can learn more about traditional Japanese arts, enjoy seasonal activities, and watch demonstrations and performances. Sit in on a flower arranging demonstration, try your hand at ink painting, or bang your hearts out at a Taiko workshop.
There are also a variety of Japanese celebrations observed at the Japanese Garden—from Hina Matsuri (Doll’s Day) in March to O-Tsukimi, the Moon Viewing Festival at the end of September. Be sure to check the website before booking a ticket to see what’s going on that day.
You can also check out the Zagunis Castle Wall—an authentic, Japanese medieval-style castle wall built using traditional hand tools. Pretty cool, right?
Know Before You Go:
1. It’s a circular journey around the garden, but it is not always stroller friendly. If you’re bringing babies or just-walkers, try a carrier. New walkers may struggle with the stone paths, boardwalks without railings, and uneven steps.
2. There are also plenty of off-limit spots to visitors, and the garden is a tranquil environment, so go when your kiddos are fresh and mellow.
3. No outside food or drink is allowed inside the garden, so snack it up before you arrive.
4. If you’re thinking of turning the garden into your own photo shoot, remember there is a $10 tripod fee.
Looking for a shaded, active family adventure that’s as bearable in Atlanta’s sweltering summer months as it is beautiful on a colorful fall day? Give these paved paths a spin! Gear up your crew in their helmets and pop them on to a cargo bike for the family adventure you all are craving right about now.
Chastain Park Trail
iStock
The Spin: Ride your bikes on a 3-mile paved path that loops the golf course and baseball fields at Chastain Park. There are two steep hills and a couple of long rises, so if your kiddos are beginners, you might want to skip this one.
Before Peeling Out: There are bathrooms located near the baseball fields and tennis courts, and there's an epic playground just across the street that also has bathrooms.
Find It: Parking can be found at the playground or in the ball field parking lots. You can also snag a space on the street. Jump on the trail at any point of the 3-mile path. It's nearly all along the perimeter of the park, so easy to find.
The Spin: This flat, 2-mile trail is perfect for young bikers and parents pushing strollers.
Before Peeling Out: This is a shorter path and you'll encounter many pedestrians, so go during non-peak times to avoid the bobbing-and-weaving. Mornings, you'll find it filled with strollers and little kids.
Find It: In Marietta next to Roswell Rd., this path connects to many neighborhoods in the area. And it has a playground!
The Spin: If you're going for distance, you'll find it on this 19-mile on-street and dedicated trail path that trades your sweat equity for a great view of Atlanta. Don't try to tackle it all at once, because there are awesome stopping points along the way, including Stone Mountain Village, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, and Downtown Decatur.
Before Peeling Out: Check this path out on a map and plan a section of it to do at a time. Because of the distance and portions of this being on-street, we suggest saving this one for your older and more advanced cyclers.
Find It: The path begins at Piedmont Ave. in Downtown Atlanta and ends at the loop around Stone Mountain. You could reverse it, of course, of select a section that suits your crew's abilities.
Centennial Olympic Park Dr. and John Portman Blvd. Online:pathfoundation.org
Arabia Mountain Trail
The Spin: The Arabia Mountain trail stretches 30 miles through the Arabia Mountain National Heritage site, and takes you past exposed granite, Arabia Mountain, and lakes.
Before Peeling Out: Check out the Arabia Mountain website to see what events are being held when you're looking to go. You may want to plan a pit stop, or avoid some traffic.
Find It: Park at the Panola Mountain State Park Nature Center in Stockbridge for another highlight of your day, if you have time. Other parking is available along the trail.
The Spin: The Silver Comet stretches 60 miles from Smyrna all the way to Alabama (with or without the banjo on your knee) and is a converted railway line—extremely flat, paved, and offers numerous places to funnel on and off.
Before Peeling Out: You will find a rest hut equipped with a bathroom and water fountain roughly every couple of miles, and you can expect to see rushing streams, railway bridges, carved-out rock, golf courses, and farmland along the way. Picnic at one of the benches, nature paths (2.4 miles in is a favorite with remnants of an old mill), or resting spots along the trail, but be sure to bring your own.
Find It:The Mavell Road Trailhead is the start of the Silver Comet Trail, at mile marker 0. It has nice restrooms, paved parking and picnic tables.
The Spin: While the BeltLine continues to evolve, the Eastside Trail, which conveniently connects popular destinations like Piedmont Park, Virginia Highland, Poncey-Highland, Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward, still reigns supreme over the massive undertaking.
Before Peeling Out: A mecca of food choices for little ones is just a small bike ride away from the trail at nearly any given point, so picnicking is just one option. And, since it's just under two and a half miles long, you'll go at more a "smell the roses" pace—ideal for tikes on tires—than Tour du France.
Find It: The Eastside Trail is 2.2 miles from 10th Street (tip of Piedmont Park) and Monroe Drive to Inman Park and the Old Fourth Ward. The entrance is on Monroe Drive across from the Park Tavern Restaurant.
The Spin: If you and your mini-me are into wildlife, head to the Big Creek Greenway for blue heron, deer, ducks and geese along the eight mile bike trail. Meander through Alpharetta, Roswell, Milton, and Johns Creek along streams and marshes.
Before Peeling Out: The trail is comprised of North and South trails, and they are now connected. The North Trail is partially made up of raised boardwalk. The rest of the trail is nearly all paved. Flooding does occur in many of the adjacent marshes, so be sure to check the status of the trail before you go.
Find It: A good starting point is Big Creek Park in Roswell.
The Spin: If you've got preschool and younger peddlers in tow, the Northside Trail is where the party is. Only one mile in length (one direction), it connects two sizable playgrounds (Ardmore Park and Tanyard Creek Park), runs the length of a football-sized green space, meanders under an elevated train track, and moseys by the Bobby Jones Golf Course (Balls! Balls everywhere!).
Before Peeling Out: If your kiddos aren't huge fans of dogs, steer clear of the Tanyard Creek Greenspace, where fur balls frequently run free. Otherwise, enjoy the bridges, the trains, the tunnel that runs underneath Collier Road, and the playgrounds.
Find It: The Northside Trail t's into the west side of Ardmore Road midway between Collier Road and 28th Street. Parking is available along the neighborhood streets.
The Spin: We all know Callaway Gardens has the beloved butterfly sanctuary, a historical village, beaches, seasonal concerts, a world-class hotel and spa amenities, but did you know it has one of the most kid-friendly bike paths in all of Georgia? This 10-mile-wide level paved surface meanders through the beautiful scenery and on the outskirts of picturesque lakes.
Before Peeling Out: Getting on and off the trail is a snap, thanks to its multiple entry points and well-positioned back racks. To use the bike path you must pay the not-so-nominal entry fee for every individual entering the Gardens (children under 5 are free), so plan to arrive early and take full advantage of the attractions along the way. Rent your wheels there (if you arrive early enough before they run out) or bring your own.
Find It: Pine Mountain is a solid day trip from Atlanta, but definitely doable. Feeling frisky? Check out the nearby Wild Animal Safari before heading home.
I’ll be there for you—again! FRIENDS: THE REUNION is coming to HBO Max on Thurs., May 27 and the original cast will return to the OG soundstage, Stage 24 on the Warner Bros. Studio Lot. It’s a real-life, unscripted celebration of one of the most popular shows of all time and also boasts a wealth of special guests.
Keep your eyes peeled for David Beckham, Justin Bieber, BTS, James Corden, Cindy Crawford, Lady Gaga, Mindy Kaling and more! HBO Max dropped a teaser today and we’re already clearing our calendars and prepping our popcorn.
Friends is one of TV’s most loved series and one of the highest-rated shows in its original 10-season network run. It won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series as well as Emmy Awards for Jennifer Aniston and Lisa Kudrow. The plot centers around a close-knit group of friends living in the Big Apple siblings Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox), along with friends Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), Phoebe Buffay (Lisa Kudrow), Joey Tribbiani (Matt LeBlanc) and Rachel Green (Jennifer Aniston).
The reunion is in celebration of the first anniversary of HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s direct-to-consumer platform. It brings together content from HBO, Warner Bros., DC, Cartoon Network, Turner Classic Movies and more. HBO Max plans to launch in 60 additional markets this year, including Latin America and upgrades in Europe.
Tune in on Thur. May 27 to catch up with your favorite pals.
—Sarah Shebek
Video courtesy of HBO Max and WarnerMedia. Featured image courtesy of Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.com
Ice cream brand Serendipity Brands has just partnered with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and for the best reason: ice cream! The super-premium dessert company is bringing four new pints that are all inspired by your favorite series and movies.
Get ready to dig into Friends Central Perk Almond Fudge, The Goonies Sloth and Chunk Rocky Rooooaad, Caddyshack Gopher Trax and A Christmas Story Oh Fudge! Peppermint Cookie Fudge Sundae. The Friends pint is in the permanent Serendipity lineup, while The Goonies, CaddyShack and A Christmas Story will be limited-time releases.
Sal Pesce, president and COO of Serendipity Brands says “Friends is a pop culture classic that we couldn’t be more thrilled to create a special flavor for! Our Central Perk Almond Fudge flavor is nostalgia in a pint that makes you feel like you’re with your six best friends indulging in a sweet treat at a coffee shop.”
So what exactly are the tasty flavors? Friends Central Perk Almond Fudge pint is made with chocolate covered almonds and fudge swirls that creates a mocha almond fudge ice cream. You can already binge on the Friends ice cream which is available at select retailers and on serendipitybrands.com for $5.99 each, but keep your eyes peeled for the other three later this year.
Tell the truth. Have you solved the Rubik’s Cube or are you guilty of peeling the stickers off? Tomorrow, on National Puzzle Day, @rubiksofficial is going live on TikTok with Rubik’s ambassadors Joshua and Wendy.
Some people can solve the Rubik’s Cube in just a few twists and turns. It’s almost magical to watch. Others take their time, carefully planning their moves. Working at solving the Rubik’s Cube is the perfect way to pass the time, especially during the pandemic. Puzzles have been flying off shelves and have helped kids and adults improve their mood and lower stress levels.
Today, Jan. 29, log into TikTok and go to @rubiks official at 1 p.m. ET. You will be able to watch Wendy build a mystery Rubik’s Cube Mosaic. Wendy and Joshua will also be discussing how the Rubik’s Cube has kept them occupied and engaged through the lockdown.
If you’re lucky, you may have seen a welcome sign on your last Costco run. It appears that after a months-long hiatus, Costco is bringing back its fan favorite churros!
Instagram account @costcobuys spotted signage at a Huntington Beach, California Costco that shows a twisted churro “coming soon” with a new price tag of $1.49. Before you get too riled up about the $.50 price hike, the new cinnamon and sugar treat is actually bigger than its predecessor––and now has butter on it.
If you remember, Costco announced back in August 2020 that they would be testing out an updated Churro recipe and many warehouses saw the old version removed from the food court menu. There’s no official word yet on which locations will get the new treat, nor when.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled on your next Costco run!
Need a cool dessert that doubles as an activity? Turn to these frozen chocolate bananas. Opt to make them exactly like the recipe below or sub in sprinkles or other toppings in place of the pecan halves. Either way, this deceptively simple dessert will be a hit.
Ingredients
2 large bananas, peeled
4 popsicle sticks
1 c milk chocolate chips
3/4 c pecan halves, finely chopped
Method
1. Cut each banana in half, and insert popsicle sticks into bottoms of each half. Freeze bananas for 1 hour until solid.
2. Place chocolate in a small microwave-proof bowl and heat on medium heat for 15 seconds at a time until well melted and smooth. (You can also use a double boiler to melt the chocolate down if you have one.)
3. Dip the frozen bananas in chocolate so they are completely coated, then generously roll in chopped nuts. Serve immediately or re-freeze for a few hours later.
Note: You can fashion a working double boiler by using a small pot of water and a Pyrex bowl.
Break into Ryan’s World Mystery Spy Vault to discover a hidden treasure—or 10! Kids crack the code to discover 10 surprises, including articulated figures, build-your-own vehicles, spy gear, and more. There are three boxes inside of the vault and each contains clues on how to open the next. Open the first box by peeling the maze. Hidden inside, kids will find their Spy Crew, which will help them with the rest of their mission.
The Toy Insider is the go-to source for product information and the latest news about children's toys, tech, and entertainment. Its team of toy experts publishes two annual gift guides—one for summer and one for holiday—and reviews toys 365 days a year on thetoyinsider.com, a trusted resource for parents.
Janie and Jack is getting you ready for the holidays! After last year’s fab collection, the children’s clothing retailer just launched a second holiday collab with stylist, CEO, and mom, Rachel Zoe.
The two-collection collaboration launches with Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection. Available starting Nov. 9, the line is packed with glam styles that emulate Zoe’s signature style, including several pieces that match her women’s collection for that perfect mommy and me photo opp.
The Rachel Zoe x Janie and Jack Exclusive Party Collection has pops of gold, faux-fur and jacquard suits, dresses, headbands, metallic leather shirts, grey suits, cream dinner jackets and black tuxedo pants. The 30-piece capsule is available in sizes 6-12 months to 12 years, with prices ranging from $19.50-$169.00.
You can shop the line at at select Janie and Jack stores (NYC, LA, Newport Beach, CA) and online at janieandjack.com. Keep your eyes peeled for the second part of the collaboration, a Resort Collection that launches on Dec. 7.
Finally, Rachel Zoe will help kick off Janie and Jack’s Holiday Program with a styling video that includes tips for families getting ready for holiday photos. The program also has an interactive calendar that will inspire families this holiday season with special at-home activities.
