Are you struggling to get your kids to eat veggies? Playing with the textures and the shapes is a wonderful opportunity to pick the curiosity and the interest of your child.
1. Experiment with Textures. It’s always a good idea to start by mixing a new veggie in a soup. Soups are the easiest way to sneak in a new flavor and give the kids some time to get used to it. Some kids will prefer mashed food for more texture. Both options allow you to mix any new veggie with other ingredients or seasonings that your kids already love.
2. Experiment with Shapes. When your child is ready to try a new veggie, you can serve it raw and play with shapes. Try them whole, sliced, shaved, diced, or in sticks. Some accessories will make it even easier and fun to get creative by making fun shapes: Try a special-shaped food cutter or a crinkle cutter available in the kitchen section of most home stores. These fun accessories are also a great way to involve the kids in the preparation and get them more likely to eat! Choose a dip like hummus or cream cheese, and you’re all set. Even if your child already likes veggies, it’s good for them to vary the way you prepare and serve that food. It will prevent them from getting bored and will train them to embrace variety in their food choices.
Here are 8 easy ways to serve one same veggie to your children while introducing them to variety!
Are you ready to experiment new ways to serve your kid’s favorite food? See what other parents are doing by exploring all the lunch ideas on Teuko.com with the food of your choice. Don’t forget to check out our selection of top 3 accessories that will help your child make eating lunch easier and more fun.
Teuko is the first platform that empowers families to simplify lunch packing. Using Teuko, they can find and share kid-approved lunchbox ideas, recipes, and tips, all in one place. Teuko is transforming the lunch packing experience by boosting inspiration and motivation week after week.
Prepping that back-to-school style isn’t just about the threads. A new haircut or hairstyle can be a great way to start the school year off on the right foot. From classic cuts to trendy styles, we’ve rounded up our favorite kids’ hairstyles and haircuts for kids to inspire your tykes (and you!) to update their tresses.
If you've got a kid who can pull off bangs, go for it! You can trim them up in between cuts, and she'll stand out in a crowd. Be sure to snag a proper pair of scissors that are designed for trimming hair.
Buzz Cut
Quite possibly the easiest haircut of all time, if you don't want to worry about styling anyone's hairdo before hurrying out the door, the buzz cut is your answer. Do you have the right trimmer?
For curly haired-kiddos, this is a perfect length. It'll still have plenty of volume, and it won't be too hard to maintain. Be sure to use plenty of detangler or a leave-in conditioner when dealing with sensitive little heads.
With shaved sides and long hair in the middle, a mohawk is a great way to make a statement on the first day. But, be warned, you'll need to be ready to style it every day, so this style is best for product-savvy parents.
Textured
Amanda Urabe
This cut gives straight hair definition and is a great get-up-and-go do.
Layered
Amanda Kitano
Add a little flair to shoulder-length hair with some defining layers. This one might take a daily blow-out to maintain the style, so be sure you have a good hairdryer on hand.
Not all boy haircuts have to be short. Side bangs and layers make this longer look manageable. A little bit of gel to keep it contained, and he's ready to go!
Side Shaved
Kelly Brook Chang
Rock this trendy look that’s both awesome and makes it easy to get hair done in the morning rush.
Tame those curly tresses with a neat fade. The kids will score cuteness points for matching back-to-school hairdos like this duo. Don't forget the curl treatment before styling!
Kids’ Hairstyles
Side Ponytail
istock
With Stranger Things being a huge hit out this summer, it's no wonder everything '80s is totally "in." In that vein, give the classic ponytail a makeover by switching to a side version! Be sure to stock up on plenty of scrunchies to complete the look.
If your mini fashionista desperately wants her hair to match her outfit, why not meet halfway with just a streak or two. This hair chalk set comes with 10 different colors!
Keep natural or curly hair up and out of the way with this fast and easy style. Just add moisturizer and pull it up with a scrunchie.
Panda Buns
Shahrzad Warkentin
This cute up-do is a great way to keep long hair out of the way. Simply make two high ponytails then twist them and wrap them into buns. Secure in place with hairbands or bobby pins.
Since going to the local barbershop is still not allowed where we live in Michigan, it fell upon us to figure out the best way to shave my son Dominic’s beard and mustache. Typically, Dominic goes to our local barbershop to get his haircut and his barber (Vince) also takes about 30 seconds to shave his beard and mustache.
This August, it will be five years that Dominic has been going to Vince. That in itself is a huge milestone as anyone with a child or adult with sensory sensitivities knows. Anyway, earlier in the week my hubby, Lauren, and I had all noticed that Dominic’s facial hair definitely needed some assistance. I mentioned to Lauren that I needed to find a “social story” about getting a shave. Before I had a chance to find one, she took it upon herself to find one and print it out, it had both an electric shaver, shaving cream and razor stories!That meant so much to me, because she didn’t have to do that, she wanted to!
I showed the social story to Dominic and said with tons of enthusiasm, “We are going to shave!” He responded with a resounding “no.” I just kind of casually left the social story out on the kitchen table and more than once, I caught him taking a look at it. Since he showed some level of interest, the hubby and I discussed it last night and decided that today would be the day!! I wasn’t sure what time the big shaving session would be but after we did a family walk (a new quarantine activity) and the frozen pizza in the oven for lunch was almost done, I heard my husband say something like, “Daddy is going to shave and then it’s going to be your turn!”
When I rounded the corner to the bathroom, my husband was making his best effort to shave Dominic’s facial hair. It didn’t appear to be working because either Dominic has too much facial hair or the electric razor, which I am guessing is at least 50 years old, just couldn’t handle it. The noise was really starting to bother Dominic too and he put on his headphones. When my husband went upstairs to get the shaving cream and a razor, I told Dominic what we were going to try next. My husband put some shaving cream on Dominic’s face and he actually laughed!!
The hubby also got some shaving cream on Dominic’s lips which I wiped off. It took longer with the shaving cream and razor, but Dominic handled it like a pro!!! Lauren, the hubby, and I kept telling Dominic how great he looked and Lauren made the comment that it was a “group” effort to get Dominic shaved.
A few hours after the shaving session, I asked Dominic what he preferred, the electric shaver or the shaving cream and razor combo. He said the shaving cream/razor combo. I asked Dominic why he preferred the shaving cream and the razor and he said it was because the electric razor is “too loud.”
Either way, I don’t know if we would have had the same fabulous results if it weren’t for all of us coming together as a group to achieve the ultimate goal!
I am a stepmom to one and a mom to two. I have been a stay-at-home mom for almost 24 years. Grew up in Maryland and have lived in Michigan since 2001 when my husband got a job here. My 15-year old son has special needs.
No two Disney Princesses have the same style and dressing up like a princess means rocking your own style too. Pink’s daughter, Willow, got a Disney princess makeover and it rocks!
The family was visiting Disney Parks recently when Willow had a princess makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Proud mama, Pink showed off her new do in an Instagram post. “Bibbity Bobbity Boo. #mypunkrockprincess,” the caption reads.
Willow’s hair is pulled up into the perfect princess bun, revealing her hair shaved short underneath. In a second post, Willow, shows off her dress and makeover with the perfect princess pose next to her younger brother, Jameson, who is dressed up as an adorable Woody.
Pink is never one to stay inside the box and her daughter is clearly following in her rocking footsteps. Willow has already sported plenty of unique looks, including blue hair, so it should come as no surprise that her princess look is equally one of a kind.
Being a mom means that you will often find yourself in some frustrating situations. The question is: how will you react? When one mom discovered that her kids had shaved their heads she handled it in the most amazing way.
Mom of three Stephanie Plucknette was only out of the room for less than 10 minutes when all hell broke loose. In the span of eight minutes her kids managed to get a hold of electric clippers and give each other haircuts. You can imagine the feeling when Plucknette walked in and discovered what had happened.
Her oldest, five-year-old Teddy was playing barber to his younger siblings Eloise, three, and Fred, two. “When I walked into the kitchen, Teddy was standing there with clippers in his hands. He was a little proud at first,” she told BuzzFeed.
Plucknette was obviously shocked by the situation, as you can see in the video. She initially posted her reaction to her Instagram stories. With grace and positivity, she assures the kids that it’s just hair and it will grow back. “We’ll make it work, OK? We’ll make it work,” she says.
Plucknette’s brother later shared her video on Twitter with her permission and it quickly went viral racking up over 8 million views. The viral reaction initially worried Plucknette, “These are my kids and you can’t take this stuff back,” she said. “I am private. This is fun, but I also want to be protective over my children.”
Fortunately the reactions from viewers have been positive and supportive with many giving her praise over how she kept her cool and empathizing over the challenges of motherhood. One commenter summed it up well, “She’s an amazing mom. the way she handled it, the way she spoke to her children and still reassured them that they were beautiful. Mom of the year award goes to her.”
Instead of stressing over your own hot grill during your next party, imagine throwing a swell soiree without lifting a finger food-wise. What is this miracle fix you ask? It has four wheels and dishes out food and desserts like it’s their business (cause it is). Here are our favorite food trucks in Los Angeles that are not only family-friendly but will bring their delicious food to you.
Face it, you can never go wrong with great tasting hot dogs at your babe's event. And Let's Be Frank serves up some of the yummiest (and healthiest) grub in town with their delicious grass-fed beef frank dogs, family-farmed heritage brats, free-range turkey dogs and even veggie dogs for those meatless minis. Parents will love that all beef is free of nitrates, nitrites, hormones, and antibiotics. And kids will dig choosing from an assortment of old-school sodas and drinks full of fizzy fun. The signature Let's Be Frank full-size trailer is available for parties year round, but if you're looking to save some space, their whimsical grill cart is an adorable option too.
Cost: The minimum for full-service catering for the MINI tabletop cart starts at $495 plus tax and tip and for the bigger carts or trucks, it's $895 plus tax and tip.
Mangia! Mangia Mangia! This food truck is a pasta-lovers paradise that encompasses only handmade-pasta and sauces. The seasonal menu uses the "best ingredients from Italy and Southern California, locally sourced organic vegetables, cage-free eggs, and free-range meats from California farms paired with Italian flour, olive oils, and truffles." The under-ten-set will love the Bucatini and Meatballs, Bolognese, and Pesto pastas.
Cost: Barring high-end items like truffle and smoked salmon, pricing is in three tiers: $18/person for just pasta, $20 per person for pasta, salad or dessert and $22 per person for pasta, salad, and dessert. There's tax, and 18% gratuity added plus a $350 truck fee for parties under 100.
It's every kid's wildest dream to have an ice cream truck pull up to their party. (Score one for mom and dad!) The Coolhaus Truck provides a single-serving dessert activity that's super engaging for little ones as they customize flavors and cookies to create their own special ice cream sandwiches. The mini sammies are easy-peasy to eat, and edible wrappers mean no muss, no fuss and can be personalized for the event. Coolhaus can even create a custom flavor ice cream for the fest's fabulous guest of honor. To ensure that tikes with allergies get to share in all the scrumptious fun, sorbet and gluten-free options are available as well.
Cost: Call Coolhaus for specific information on pricing.
A love of grilled cheese is practically built into a child's DNA, so The Grilled Cheese Truck is a perfect choice for your party. But this ain't your mama's grilled cheese – it's a truly inventive take on the old-time favorite. Little ones will do backflips over the Cheesy Mac and Rib, as well as the S'mores Melt with Nutella, toasted marshmallows and graham crackers on brioche bread (shown above). Party menus can be customized to fit a kiddo's age and tastes, while still ensuring adults have plenty of options to keep their more advanced palates happy. Full vegan menus are available as well.
Cost: Minimum pricing depends on the day of the week and time of year. Typically, the truck serves for a two-hour minimum but can work with you based on your specific needs.
When you have a bunch of small-fry sweet fanatics on your hand, the Get Shaved Truck is definitely a refreshing party option. Kids will smile ear to ear as they devour a colorful mixture of Hawaiian style shave ice, dreamy ice cream and sweetened condensed milk poured over top. Several catering packages are available, including a basic shave ice package with 30 fabulous flavors to choose from or you can go all out with the whole menu and guests not only get a choice of shave ice but ice cream sandwiches as well.
Cost: Call Get Shaved's catering department for specific information on pricing depending on your party size. They highly recommend booking at least three months in advance of your event.
For a meal that feels fancy without hours of prep work, you’ve got to try this genius recipe from Queen of My Kitchen. Mozzarella, tomato and basil is a winning combination, and with the help of your crock pot, it couldn’t be easier to get this dish on the table.
Ingredients 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, 2 lbs. total 1 8.5-ounce jar of olive oil packed sun-dried tomatoes (halves or julienne cut) 4 mozzarella sticks (also known as string cheese) 1 ounce fresh basil 1 14-ounce can of quartered artichoke hearts, drained 1 lemon, cut into wedges ½ cup shaved Parmesan or Asiago cheese
Method 1. Using a fillet knife carefully slice each chicken breast through the middle to make 6 thin cutlets. Place them in a shallow casserole dish and empty the entire jar of sun-dried tomatoes on top. Let the chicken marinate for at least 2-3 hours, preferably overnight.
2. Lay the cutlets flat (reserve the marinade) and place 2-3 basil leaves on top of each. Place a mozzarella stick (trim them to fit) in the middle of each cutlet and, starting at the thicker end, roll it up and secure with a toothpick.
3. Place the cutlets in a slow cooker and pour all of the sun-dried tomatoes, with the olive oil marinade, on top. Follow with the artichoke hearts.
4. Cook on high for 1½ to 2 hours or on low for 3 to 3½ hours.
5. Transfer to a serving dish and remove the toothpicks. Garnish with the remaining basil (chop if desired) and lemon wedges. Serve with Parmesan or Asiago cheese.
This recipe and photo come courtesy of Mona at Queen of My Kitchen. Be sure to visit her site, where you’ll find more family-friendly recipes that are as delicious as they are healthy.
There isn’t much that San Franciscans love more than quirky desserts with an international cult following, and the latest sweet treat to drop in the Bay is no exception. Powder Shaved Snow, which just opened on Divisadero, serves the light, creamy and slightly magical icy delight from Taiwan in a few only-in-SF flavors.
It’s Snowing in San Francisco! It’s not ice cream, it’s not shaved ice…it’s shaved snow! After one bite, you will know you’ve never tried anything like it before. This creamy, melt-on-your-tongue treat is made by freezing filtered water and Three Twins dairy ice in flavors like strawberry, Blue Bottle Vietnamese coffee and black sesame and then shaving it into thin ribbons the consistency of freshly fallen snow. The generously filled cups look like a serious sugar bomb, but thanks to the infusion of plenty of water and air, this dessert is much lighter than a traditional scoop of ice cream.
Dress Up Your Blizzard There are a dozen gourmet toppings to dress your dessert, from traditional “glazes” in strawberry, chocolate and milk flavors to flakes of Tcho chocolate, toasted almonds and even mochi chunks. We suggest ordering one of their S’nome Picks—tried and true recipes such as the Valencia (Horchata snow topped with milk glaze, cinnamon sugar, toasted almonds and echo chocolate) or the Bob (Strawberry snow with strawberry glaze, fresh strawberries and sprinkles).
Plan Your Next Snow Day Hot days combined with a hot new opening (Powder opened the last week in September) resulted in a couple weeks of long lines and sold out flavors. But we imagine as the weather cools, getting your own scoop of snow will be a little less of an adventure. either way, we suggest stopping by earlier in the day (they open at noon) to ensure you get to pick from the full range of flavors. The line moves rather quickly, but it can take up to 10 minutes to get your dessert, as each cup is made to order and the shaving process is far more complicated than your average scoop. The shop in small, so beside one bench that serves as a spot for waiting for your snow, it’s best to find a seat outside on the spacious parklet, where there are tables and chairs and plenty of sunshine. Looking for snow on the go? You can also find them at Off the Grid’s Presidio Picnic.
260 Divisadero St.
San Francisco, Ca
Hours: noon-10 p.m., closed Mondays Online:powdershavedsnow.com
Have you tried shaved snow? Tell us your favorite flavor combo in the comments below!
Even the most Times Square-averse parent descends into the belly of the beast every so often; The Lion King, the New Victory Theater, 5,000 movie theaters all live there. And eating in the Square presents its challenges: the area’s restaurants skew both pricey and, well, mall-esque. What’s a hungry NYC family to do post show, movie or Ripley’s? Head to this groovy new food hall that’s affordable, fun and anything but Olive Garden.
What is It?
Brand spanking new, City Kitchen is described as “an urban style food market” by its creators. Connected both literally and figuratively to the new Times Square hotel Row NYC, the venture showcases curated menus from nine New York City eateries of myriad cuisines as well as specialty seasonal vendors. (The concept behind City Kitchen is to bring authentic, quality NYC-bred food from farther-flung eateries that visitors, or even locals, might not know about or get to.)
What can I eat there?
We’re not talking Nathan’s or Junior’s. Similar to the popular Brooklyn foodie court Smorgasburg, City Kitchen serves up tasty bites for the slightly more sophisticated palate. (Don’t worry: the kids will still love it.) Among the eateries represented: Bed Stuy/Flatiron’s Dough Doughnuts, famous for its dulce de leche creation; Gabriela’s Mexican on the Upper West Side; Luke’s Lobster, Whitman’s, which serves burgers and cheesesteaks, and Kuro Obi by Ippudo, a new concept cooking up ramen bowls developed exclusively for City Kitchen.
Seasonal treats include shaved snow from Wooly’s (top the novel dessert with everything from Cap’n Crunch to chocolate drizzle to Pocky Sticks) and sweet and savory pretzels from Sigmund’s.
The Scene
In addition to serving some tempting bites (we had a hard time deciding, but opted for a soft taco from Gabriela’s and a Nutella doughnut from Dough) City Kitchen is a pleasant space to be in. The interior features white subway tile, marble, reclaimed wood and striking Italian glass modern chandeliers. Floor-to-ceiling windows on two sides of the space let light in and provide great street views from the second floor; fixed metal and leather stools along the periphery give customers a place to sit, eat and people watch.
Don’t Miss This
If you do make it to City Kitchen, be sure to walk down the long hallway past the elevator. Not only will you find large tables with more seating, you’ll be transported to what feels like another world; it is, in fact, the cavernous lobby and bar space of self-described art-driven hotel Row NYC. Yes, you can eat your food there, because City Kitchen is part of Row NYC, and no, we won’t show you a picture — a little surprise is always a good thing.
City Kitchen at Row NYC
700 8th Avenue at 44th St.
Times Square
Online: citykitchen.rownyc.com
Have you paid City Kitchen a visit? Tell us what you tried!
