Cameron enjoys toast – peanut butter toast, french toast – but sometimes you need a change. So when I was at Trader Joe’s recently I picked up some of their whole wheat “British muffins” (English muffins) and some tasty toppings.
I’ve been toasting them lightly and putting hummus on (per my pediatrician’s recommendation), or some peanut butter and honey. I was even thinking of Apple or Pumpkin butter (though I haven’t gotten to those yet). Another mom also told me that her toddler loves the cinnamon raisin British muffins. Next time, I’ll give those a try!
Another mom was telling me about her daughter’s love of Trader Joe’s Freeze Dried Mangoes, so I went and picked some up a few weeks ago. I was pleased to see that there were no other ingredients besides “mangoes” in this treat! They have the consistency of Astronaut Ice Cream (if that means anything to you guys?!) Anyways last Friday I was at Trader Joe’s again and I noticed this time they had a lot more freeze dried fruit options – I picked up some blueberries, bananas, and strawberries in edition to the mangoes. Healthy treats with a long shelf life – not too shabby!
Yum Yum, Gimmie Some!
What are your favorite toddler and baby snacks from Trader Joe’s? Leave a comment and share with us!
Usually when Cameron and I go out for lunch we end up at 67 Burger. I can’t deny that we both LOVE their food! Plus the staff is always so friendly. But mom and baby can not live on sweet potato fries and burgers alone, so I was in search of somewhere new. Celia, mom to Claire and fellow Brooklyn blogger (check out her site, Chic Squirt) recommended that I try Il Porto (37 Washington Ave Brooklyn, NY). I admit my husband and I order pizza delivery from there all the time, but I had never actually been to the restaurant.
Under the BQE and to Il Porto we go!
So, Cameron and I ventured over there one afternoon to check out the scene. They had plenty of room for my stroller, and also had a few high chairs. The wait staff was very friendly and made Cameron and I feel welcome. I ordered the gnocchi right away (per Celia’s recommendation). I also got some bread for Cameron to snack on. The pasta came quickly – and it was SO good! Cameron was suspicious at first (as always) but once he saw me enjoying it, he gave it a try. Success!
Cameron waits for his gnocchi. Also pictured Skip Hop Plate
So Fort Greene and Clinton Hill mommies (and daddies) if you are looking for something yummy for lunch, try Il Porto – and try the gnocchi – it’s perfect finger food for baby, and mighty tasty for you!
Want more info on Il Porto? Check out this Lunchtime with Tillie review from Clinton Hill Blog.
Cameron and I braved the snow and made a recent trip back to Washington, DC. Of course, while we were there we went to the Wilson Aquatic Center (3 times!) I learned a few new things I wanted to share.
Let's get this show on the road!
1)Babies are now required to wear swimsuits and swim diapers. We found this out the first day from one of the lifeguards. He allowed us to stay, but said we should get one for next time. We were able to find an ugly, but affordable swimsuit at Feline’s Basement in Mazza Gallerie. Problem solved!
2)The Women’s locker room – which has warmer showers than the family locker room, and is much bigger, and has a swim suit dryer – also has a diaper changing station. So if you feel more comfortable in there (I like it better, personally) try taking your little one to that locker room instead.
3)Be sure to bring lots of Quarters for the meters outside. If you don’t have any, you can park at the lot that services Whole Foods. If you get your ticket stamped it saves you a few bucks.
4)While getting my ticket stamped in Whole Foods (due to all the snow we couldn’t park on the street at a meter) I also got Cameron some lunch. They have a great salad bar, hot food bar, and soups. Cameron ate some squash soup, fresh mozzarella balls, peas, white beans, and pesto chicken salad. Yum! Upstairs they have a place you can sit and eat, which has 2 high chairs. Unfortunately I didn’t have my phone with me – so no pics – but believe me when I say, there are lots of choices for mom and baby, and plenty of seating too!
I just wanted to spread the word about an upcoming mom’s night out that was posted on Parents Around the Hill (PATH).
When: Thursday, Feb 25th from 8-11
Where: Chez Lola which is at 387 Myrtle Ave (next to the gas station on Vanderbuilt)
Please RSVP to: Tracy Joerss tamcdonagh AT yahoo DOT com
Members of Parents Around the Hill can see more on the Events Page.
I know hard it is to get moms to commit and organize everyone – so please do RSVP if you think you might go! You know you deserve a night out, and a cocktail or two, so secure yourself a babysitter or husband type, and I’ll see you there!
FYI for those of you who don’t know Parents Around the Hill is a ning (s0cial networking type-site) that brings together families from Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, and Bed-Stuy. If you want to learn more about them before joining the ning, you can check out their public site at ParentsAroundtheHill.com
I am so fortunate to know a lot of moms who share with me their ideas and advice. This post is based in their experiences, as well as information gained from the Fort Greene Babies Yahoo Group and Parents Around the Hill (PATH). I haven’t checked out all these places myself – so I can’t speak to every one of them personally – but my mom friends haven’t steered me wrong yet. The reason I have decided to post about them before being able to check them all out is I am guessing that a lot of you are starting to feel a little desperate with all this snow and cold weather – I know I am! So here are some ideas of places to take your baby in the Fort Greene / Clinton Hill area:
The Booklyn Flea – The Flea has moved indoors for the winter months. It’s new home is at One Hanson Place on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 5pm. The Flea is on the main floor and lower level. According to one mom, the lower level has food options, and the upper level is where the sales go on. She said the lower level is a great place to take kids and let them roam around, and that there is space for strollers. So if you are looking for a weekend activity – check out the indoor Flea!
Story time at Greenlight Bookstore – Greenlight Bookstore is located at 686 Fulton Street and has a free story time on Saturday mornings at 10:30 AM. Check it out for more weekend fun.
Playgroup at Brooklyn Junior – Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon there is a free playgroup at Brooklyn Junior (150 Clinton Ave – corner of Myrtle) from 3:15-6. Please email info@brooklynjunior.com if you would like to go. Children of all ages are welcome.
The Clinton Hill Library – Not only does Clinton Hill Library (380 Washington Ave) have a great and free Reading for Babies program on Tuesdays at 10:45 and 11:30, but I’ve also been told it’s a great place to take your kid to let them roam around even when no scheduled activities are going on.
Chuck E Cheese – Now this one, I never would have thought of! Last Thursday a few of us were hanging out at Der Schwarze Kölner and one of the moms said that she had just been at Chuck E Cheese with her baby (he is an early walker). She said that it was her nanny who had originally suggested it, and although she was skeptical – it turned out to be a great place for him to roam around, and it was free (since they aren’t playing any games). Chuck E. Cheese is located in the Atlantic Terminal Mall.
Der Schwarze Kölner aka the Beer Garden – As I mentioned above I’ve been going to the Beer Garden (710 Fulton Street) with Cameron and some other moms + babies. It is a great winter option – and they are so welcoming and nice! Read more about Der Schwarze Kölner at this other post I wrote a few days ago.
If you have other ideas to share, please leave a comment!
I am pretty sensitive about bringing Cameron to a bar… after all, there are plenty of people who aren’t on board with the idea, and I don’t want to be one of “those moms” who are getting dirty looks from across the room… but so many moms had told me that Der Schwarze Kölner (710 Fulton Street, Fort Greene/Brooklyn) was really child friendly, and my bi weekly playgroup needed a place to go. So last Thursday afternoon, that’s where we ended up. And thank goodness we did!
Beers for the moms
Snack time for the babies
We descended upon Der Schwarze Kölner at 4, just as they opened. As I walked in, the place smelled of just being cleaned, and was totally empty. The wait staff was extremely welcoming, and gave my group a big area in the corner. There was plenty of area of stroller parking. I brought a few toys for the kids to play with, and so did the other moms. The moms had beers, the babies had brats (Cameron practically housed an entire one by himself) and some cheddar bunnies. It was a total success! I have to admit I’m not 100% on board for taking Cameron out to a bar in the evening (besides, it’s way past his bedtime) but in the afternoon when no one else is there? I don’t see the harm in taking advantage of a great, clean space… while the moms can hang out, and the babies have fun too.
The other day I was hosting a playgroup at my house and one of the moms broke out some Snapea Crisps. The babies were in a frenzy! Cameron was double fisting them! I knew I had to find these Snapea Crisps, and fast. Fresh Direct came to my rescue, as usual. I ordered 2 bags right off the bat!
Yummy Yummy in Cameron's Tummy
Now, I know these aren’t the healthiest snacks on the planet (I think the Fig Newtons are a lot better) although the first ingredient is “peas.” But, sometimes it’s good to have a sure fire winner in your arsenal.
Recently a mom told me that her daughter loved to snack on fig newtons and that that her pediatrician had recommended them as a healthy snack. I went on Fresh Direct looking for them, and I was happy to find that they had 100% whole grain Fig Newton Minis. They come in little packages, which I keep in my diaper bag. Cameron really loves them! I did a little research on figs, and I learned that they are indeed good for you.
A tasty treat mom approves of
Here’s some of what I found out:
The mineral content of figs closely resembles that of human milk
Figs are rich in both vitamins A, B1, B2 and calcium, iron, phosphorus, manganese, sodium potassium and chlorine
Figs are high in vitamin B, that is essential in the intestine regulation, the fig has a similar function in our bodies as cereals do;
Dried figs are rich in fibre, potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron
The fig is oxidant, laxative, diuretic, digestible and a blood cleanser
Figs excellent for the liver
Sounds good to me! Snack on, Cameron – snack on!
Today I decided to make some banana bread because I had lots of super-ripe bananas, and I didn’t think Cameron would get to them all before it was too late. I searched online for banana bread recipes and I found one that used apple sauce too (I happened to have some that I bought at the Fort Greene farmer’s market). Here’s the recipe I used, which I adapted a little bit from this one I originally found on Cooks.com (I reduced the amount of sugar, added more banana, a few spics, and omitted the nuts).
Banana Applesauce Bread
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
pinch of salt
2 c. flour
4 ripe bananas (mashed)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. applesauce
Cream sugar and oil. Add eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt and beat well. Add in the mashed bananas and applesauce. Add flour and baking soda, and mix until just combined. Bake in greased loaf pan, 350 degrees, 1 hour. Or if you want to use small loaf pans, or muffin tins, just bake it for less time – when a knife inserted into the bread comes out clean, it is done. Also, you will notice it pulling away from the edges of the pan slightly.
FYI – you could probably use whole wheat flour, although I would recommend doing a 1/2 and 1/2 with whole wheat and regular flour. Using 100% whole wheat flour might make the bread crumbly and hard for baby to pick up.
I hope your baby (and you) enjoy it!
