mommy’s comfort food

 Cooking With the Walnut, Feeding the Little Walnuts
Oct 192011
 

To your average kid, milk and cookies is the ideal cure for the rainy day blues. Sinking one’s teeth into a chocolate chip-studded little number, washed down by a tall glass of ice-cold milk, can be just the thing to erase the pain of a forgotten library book or a silly spat with a friend. For grown-ups like me, my idea of comfort food at 3 p.m. doesn’t stray so far from the kid version, but I do like to think that my taste is a bit more refined than the store-bought variety (no offense, Keebler Elf). I admit that I’m not a tremendous connoisseur when it comes to cookies and other baked goods, so when I do choose to indulge, it needs to be the good stuff. Well, I think that I have finally found heaven in a bakery bag: homemade cookies from bakeshop. When I dove into a bag on this wet, dreary fall afternoon, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but the packaging alone piqued my appetite. Freshly baked cookies beckoned at me through the see-through window of a brown bag tied with–what else–bakery string (I relish details!). As I waited for my tea kettle to boil, I perused the back of the bag containing lemon butter cookies: nothing but all-fresh ingredients and a stamped date to let me know when they had been baked (2 days ago! I’d better get snacking…). With a steaming mug of tea in hand, I was ready to experiment. Suffice it to say I don’t know which part of me loved these mouthwatering cookies more: my salivary glands or my very satisfied tummy. They are unbelievably delectable with just the right amount of sweetness. Because every bag of bakeshop cookies is handmade in small batches, they taste like they just came out of the oven.  On top of the lemon butter cookies, there are plenty of other varieties–from waffle cookies to whoopie pies–along with brownies, marshmallows and sea salt caramels. And don’t even get us started on the Cookie of the Month club. We may just have to send that one to ourselves…Take that, rainy day!

In a Nutshell: With goodies from bakeshop, you can now say the words “cookies” and “grown-up” in the same sentence. And, if your kids play nice, maybe you’ll even share some with them.

take me to your eater

 Cooking With the Walnut, Feeding the Little Walnuts
Oct 032011
 

My 7-year-old came home from the school the other day, raving about a fellow second grader’s in-class birthday party. “Mom, guess what everyone got?,” she enthused, salivating as she managed to get the words out. “Their own smoothie! Isn’t that awesome?” Yes, if you feel you can’t quite keep up with the Joneses when it comes to birthday celebrations for the kiddies, now you can really feel like your Mom of the Year award should be plucked down off the mantel. C’mon now, do you still bake those Duncan Hines brownies for class birthdays or, worse yet, pick up Munchkins on the way home from the office? For shame! Regardless of whether you work or stay at home with your kids, every mom likes to feel like a superhero in her kid’s eyes when it comes to their birthday. I say, if you can make your own culinary creation stand out from the masses, then go for it. I’m no whiz in the kitchen, but I do like to add a personal touch to whatever I’m cooking or baking. It’s why we love the new Edible Icing Cupcake Toppers from Hello Hanna. They come in thin sheets of decorative, gluten-free designs (safe for classmates with food allergies) that peel off and press right on. Just bake and frost your signature cupcakes like usual, and add these as a fun way to top things off. They come in plenty of designs and styles to appeal to everyone from princess-loving preschoolers, to robot enthusiasts of any age. So fun and festive. Plus, you get to add a candle and let the birthday kid make a wish. With a smoothie? Not so much…

In a Nutshell: Punch up ho-hum birthday treats with ever-so-memorable cupcake toppers that will have the kids vying for seconds.

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mmm-meow

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Aug 152011
 

Cats and kids are somewhat alike. Although from two entirely different species, each loves to nibble and gaze on multiple meals throughout the day. Our resident kitty is known to visit her food bowl no less than 4-5 times a day, much like my 2 kiddies who relish small snacks from morning til dessert. We’re not surprised then that Hello Kitty continues to be all the rage among girls big and small, and for this school year, she’s a big hit when it comes to lunchtime. The Hello Kitty 2-Tier Bento Container will have fussy eaters purring with contentment, since it keeps different foods separate in their own space (you know how particular girls can be about their stuff). They fit together easily and are easy to clean, making mealtime a snap. And because this bento container is durable, it’s designed to withstand lots and lots of lunches…maybe even nine lives’ worth.

In a Nutshell: Hello Kitty welcomes lunchtime with a delightful new companion that keeps food contained and kitties satisified.

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thirst quencher

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut
Aug 112011
 

There’s nothing more refreshing than a cold drink on a hot summer’s day…especially when you’ve been outdoors for hours. My 7-year-old takes a water bottle with her to camp everyday, but after so many refills, she craves something with a bit more flavor. Rather than load her down with sugary juice or lemonade, we thought we’d give coconut water, the latest fad in the beverage world, a try. But this isn’t just any coconut water, mind you. O.N.E. Kids Coconut Water with Fruit Juice is specially designed for finicky taste buds who need to rehydrate after a long day at play. Flavored with natural juices and no added sugar, this drink is packed with potassium and electrolytes to replenish growing bodies. We decided to put O.N.E. Kids to the test during a long, sweltering week at camp. The results? One happy camper. “It wasn’t so sweet, but it tasted really good and that made me want to drink more,” said our resident tester. Available in a medley of fruity flavors like apple, fruit punch, raspberry lemonade and orange, O.N.E. Kids Coconut Water with Fruit Juice is one drink your kids will go nuts for.

In a Nutshell: When lemonade and plain old H2O have had their day in the sun, switch over to this delicious, healthy beverage of choice.

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what’s for dinner?

 Cooking With the Walnut, Feeding the Little Walnuts
Jul 292011
 

It’s the age-old question for moms across the world–and one that never seems to produce a satisfactory response unless it’s “pizza,” “Chinese” or some form of take-out. Some nights, it takes all the strength you can muster just to open up a can of soup or microwave a frozen dinner. But when a sandwich just won’t cut the mustard in your house (as is the case in mine!), it’s time to scour the cupboard and rummage up whatever staple can be made into a meal. That’s when childhood comfort foods like Chef Boyardee come in handy. Believe it or not, a can of this stuff is a starter ingredient for an entirely new bunch of dinnertime recipes like Taco-roni, Ravioli Lasagna (shown here) and Cheeseburger-roni. To help you get started in the kitchen, The Talking Walnut is offering a Chef Boyardee giveaway: a lunchbag containing 2 cans of Beefaroni and recipe cards (valued at $15). We will select one random winner between now and 5 p.m. EST on August 1, 2011. Enter now to win. Bon appetit!

In a Nutshell: A kiddie food favorite is all grown-up with a handful of new recipes. Hats off to the Chef!

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u.f.o. baby

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, Gear for Baby Walnuts, The Healthy Walnut, The Traveling Walnuts
Jul 282011
 

Last week, I took my 2 girls out for a bite at a kid-friendly restaurant near our home. My husband had evening plans and we were in the midst of a heat wave, so it seemed like a fine idea. I forgot how much 2 little girls can talk (both at the same time, mind you), but with a glass of Chardonnay, a bread basket full of warm pretzel sticks and coloring books for the little ladies, I was well-armed. While nibbling on our appetizer, I couldn’t help but notice a toddler at a nearby table who was having a ball. Much to his mother’s horror, he dipped every fry several times in ketchup before aiming them towards his mouth. Naturally, he missed his target more than once and before long, the table space in front of him looked like a war zone after a bloody battle. Keeping kids occupied before their food arrives is one thing; keeping them and the table relatively clean is quite another. The Neatnik Saucer is one mom’s solution to this dilemma. Having become increasingly frustrated about cleanliness while eating out with her new baby, she designed this portable product that is a high chair cover and baby playmat in one. The saucer comes in two parts: a chair liner that fits inside a standard restaurant high chair and a lightweight tray that fits over and suction cups to the table, giving your child a clean, secure play to eat, color and enjoy her meal. We favor the saucer’s extended sides that prevent food or small toys from dropping onto the floor–how many times can you play pick-up after all?–and that it wipes clean and folds up easily. I’m guessing the mom we saw at dinner would have benefited from the Neatnik Saucer; those fries fast became Unidentified Flying Objects.

In a Nutshell: Less messy mealtimes are on the menu with this on-the-go feeding accessory. This is one saucer that’s out of this world.

 

 

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complete coverage

 Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut
Jun 272011
 

How many adorable baby outfits have been ruined by strained peas that didn’t quite make it into your little one’s mouth? Don’t blame your finicky eater–or your less-than-stellar spoon-feeding skills. It’s those bibs that don’t exactly cover as much terrain they should. We’re partial to DaBib, a generously sized catch-all bib that keeps baby food off your baby, especially when it doesn’t quite make it into her tightly closed mouth. What makes this bib different from your basic ones is its soft collar that catches leaks and drips before they become a stain. The stay-put collar also prevents your little one from trying to yank the bib off over her head…and you know what that’s like. DaBib comes in two styles: DaHugs, a terrycloth bib for infants, and DaGiggles, a waterproof model for babies who have started eating solid food. With both versions, you’re sure to be prepared for strained peas…and beyond.

In a Nutshell: A bib that looks pretty and keeps your baby’s food off her pretty dress? We’re sold.

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baby shower flower power

 Diapering for Walnuts, Feeding the Little Walnuts, The Accessorized Walnut, The Pregnant Walnut
Jun 082011
 

When it comes to gift-giving, I’m a stickler for presentation. I always notice a package smartly wrapped with a satin bow that looks like it belongs in a young girl’s hair, or a gift bag that’s fashionably stuffed with crinkle cut shredded paper (how very eco-friendly). So when you’re sitting ringside at a baby shower, as so many of us are at some point, you tend to zero in on the presents that stand out from the rest of the pack. What better way is there to select such a gift than one whose wrapping cleverly disguises its contents until further investigation? One present that really piques our interest is the Baby Bunch, a surefire companion to the ever-popular diaper cake. Nestled inside a floral presentation box is a carefully concealed bouquet whose flowers are actually made up of baby clothing! Imagine the “oohs” and “ahhs” that will fill the room as your family and friends pass around this adorable assortment of soft good essentials. Each Medium Baby Bunch contains one bib, one hat, one T-shirt, two Onesies and two pairs of socks–all fashioned from 100-percent cotton. We love that every piece of clothing is styled as a flower bud surrounded by fabric leaves and rosebuds, though we would have loved the addition of some baby’s breath, naturally. Nevertheless, the Baby Bunch is one gift that warrants all the attention and fussing it gets…much like that new baby herself.

In a Nutshell: When you’re tired of giving the same old Onesie and bib combo, consider this innovative baby gift, destined to be the talk of the  shower.

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hot dog!

 Cooking With the Walnut, Feeding the Little Walnuts
May 312011
 

Memorial Day weekend just can’t be complete without a good, old fashioned BBQ. Whether you played chef in your own backyard or were a guest at a friend’s or family’s gathering this weekend, you hopefully enjoyed what will be the first of many meals centered around the grill. And if there’s ever an American staple during a summertime feast, it’s the hotdog. We can’t seem to go to a ballgame without sampling one, and it’s always a favorite among the kiddies. In the spirit of the season, The Talking Walnut is holding a Hebrew National giveaway this week. We’ll be awarding 2 lucky winners 4 sets of coupons, each good for a free package of hot dogs. It’s a great excuse to stock up on plenty of dogs to get you through those impromptu, “it’s too hot to kick indoors, let’s grill” nights, or for any BBQ you have planned over the next few months. To whet your appetite, here’s a delish recipe for franks and beans that you can bring to a potluck dinner.

In a Nutshell: Fire up the grill and enter to win these tasty dogs by e-mailing The Talking Walnut. Don’t forget the mustard and relish!

 

 

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warm and waiting

 Feeding the Little Walnuts
May 022011
 

I remember the sound like it was only yesterday: the siren call of my daughter, crying out for a feeding in the wee hours of the morning. Even though it’s been nearly 3 years since she was born, the body doesn’t forget; I can still be on my feet in seconds, having been awaken from a deep slumber by a sleepless child. One thing I’d love to be able to forget, however, is the experience of warming a bottle of formula until it was just the right temperature. It felt like forever, especially to a little person who has no understanding of time and can only express her growing frustration. Well, that waiting can finally come to an end for today’s bottle-drinking babies. A revolutionary new drinking system is vowing to provide almost instantaneous gratification to hungry little tots everywhere. Enter yoomi, a rechargeable self-warming bottle that heats breast milk and formula to an ideal feeding temperature. It works with a special warming chamber, powered by a non-toxic gel that’s sealed inside a leak-proof chamber. One push of the chamber’s button activates the warmer, and the gel begins flowing to warm the chamber (to 86-90 degrees). Within 60 seconds, the bottle is ready for feeding and the system can remain warm for up to 1 hour. Once it’s ready to recharge, simply remove the warming unit and place in a pot of boiling water for approximately 25 minutes. When the activation button turns orange, you’re ready to use your yoomi once again. (Yoomi is rechargeable up to 100 times.) It sure beats bottle-warming the old fashioned way.

In a Nutshell: Don’t leave your little lady-in-waiting in a state of despair. Nighttime feeding can go a whole lot faster with this self-warming bottle system that lets you get back to bed for those precious zzz’s.

**If you purchase yoomi, drop a line to The Talking Walnut and let us know what you think: does it make bottle-feeding a breeze?**

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