With all the barbeques, picnics, and entertaining we do all summer long, this Asian Pasta salad is sure to be a hit wherever you take it. It can easily be doubled for big crowds, and is quick and easy to prepare.
This peanut basil pesto is terrific on pasta or meat and super simple to make. Your kids can join in the fun of blending the ingredients. (Don’t forget the chef hats!)
Ingredients:
½ cup peanuts, toasted
3 garlic cloves, chopped
4 cups packed basil leaves
⅓ cup olive oil
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Place cooled toasted peanuts and garlic in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely ground. Don’t pulse too much or you’ll have peanut butter. Add basil leaves and pulse until combined and finely chopped and a puree begins to form.
2. With machine running, slowly drizzle in oil until combined. Add 2 tbsp (25 mL) more oil if you would like pesto a bit saucier. Turn into a bowl and stir in Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste. Delicious as a pasta sauce or a sandwich or pizza spread. Makes about 1 cup (250 mL).
We’ve all been there. Our intentions were amazing, we remembered the ice packs, lotion and pail. And then the snacks got ‘invaded’ by sand. Or the sandwiches got soggy. Yuck. Here are a few of our sand and sog-proof healthy snack ideas to help keep the kids happy and full while they enjoy the beach. We like things that don’t require a plate and cutlery – ‘hand snacks’. Here are our top Sandproof Healthy Snack Ideas for the Beach.
1. Hummus with carrot sticks, pita chips
2. Peanut butter and celery (or apples)
3. Make your own trail mix: our favorites include almonds, raisins, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, Goldfish crackers, dry cereal
4. Veggie & fruit kabobs-skewer some cucumber, broccoli with strawberries, peach slices, etc.
5. Our homemade granola bars
6. Yogurt tubes
7. Frozen grapes – a great way to ward off dehydration
8. Popcorn
9. Burritos: stuff your favorite tortillas with beans (canned or homemade) add some salsa, cheese, and maybe some scrambled eggs
10. Cheese cubes
11. Dried edamame
12. Hard boiled eggs
13. Homemade muffins
14. Hot Corn on the Cob: Cut off one end (husks still on) and microwave for 4 minutes on high. Wrap in tinfoil.15. Quinoa Turkey Meatballs
16. Pre-cut carrot sticks
17. Frozen jumbo shrimp and a bottle of seafood cocktail for dipping
18. Frozen bottles of water to keep everything cold – drink as they thaw
19. Mini-bagel sandwiches so they don’t get soggy
20. Pretzels!
There is an ancient Jewish saying that ‘with each child, the world begins anew’. Jewish mysticism regards an individual’s name as connected to their essential self. Boys are given their Jewish or Hebrew name as part of the Bris Ceremony. The name given may be Hebrew, Yiddish or a combination of both. Choosing a Hebrew name for a baby is a serious responsibility as it charts a course for the body and soul of the individual and may well determine his or her future. No pressure, though.
Baby Names. Unique or Traditional? Family Name or Celebrity? Religious? What if it rhymes with a bad word…? The stress of choosing a name for your baby can be harder to deal with than worrying about whether to ask for an epidural. Will your family be insulted if you don’t include one of their names? What if you choose cousin Alan’s name instead of your father’s? How many times have you considered having a third child just to make sure every side of the family is appeased in the name game? Relax. This is your baby.
Every child loves bubbles. Here is a simple recipe for endless hours of summer fun!
Ever come back from a great holiday only to discover that you’re not in any of the photos? You might be a great shutterfly, but after the effort of packing and finding the perfect travel outfits, you shouldn’t be an invisible face in the photographic memories of your trips. Disney Resorts’ Disney’s Photopass Program make it easy for you by hiring their own professional photographers in and around the parks with the Disney’s Photopass program. At many of the famous sights and locations with great vistas, you can get snapped by a pro. Ask for a free photopass, get as many photos as you want added via scanner throughout your day, and pop online later to see which ones you would like to order. (And you don’t have to look like a tourist with a huge camera around your neck all day.) Disney’s Photopass program allows you to finally be in the family pictures, too!
Severe heat can inhibit the safety of babies and children. With global temperatures on a slow march upwards, heat waves such as this are unfortunately likely to become more frequent than their previous once-in-a-lifetime occurence. Some people adore the heat, but babies and children as well as pets and elderly relatives are vulnerable to heat strokes, dehydration and other serious heat-related ailments. Here are some tips on surviving the heat.
You will change more than 20,000 diapers in the first year. AAgh. Why not make it as easy a job as possible? The newest must-have nursery item is the Bobee Diaper and Wipes Dispenser is wall-mounted and comes with multi-coloured stickers so that it fits into any decor. Wipes in the bottom and diapers in the top. (Both are grabbable with just one hand). Tres chic. The bright dots are also a great visual distraction for young babies!
www.onsgear.com
We’re giving away the Bobee as well as a supply of other newborn essentials valued at $110. To enter, comment on this post with your favourite way for UrbanMommies to interact with you. Newsletter? Pinterest? Facebook? Twitter? RSS? or through our website. Thanks and good luck. Deadline: June 1, 2012.
If you can only afford to purchase a few key items, stick with the essentials. You are going to be wearing these pieces for the next few months, so go for quality over quantity. (e.g. a great pair of jeans will be worn more times than you can count).
- Choose pants that have either an expandable cotton/lycra front panel, or an adjustable waistline. These will provide you with comfort as your belly grows, and maintain a good fit.
- Dress up your basic black pants with a trendy top, a dressy blazer or shrug.
- Accessorize your wardrobe. Be creative, and have some fun. You can change your look by simply adding a stack of chunky bracelets, dangly earrings, or a long beaded necklace to update your look.
- Most of you will “live” in your maternity clothes, and we encourage you to buy clothing that reflects your personal style and taste so you can feel like yourself and enjoy your changing body.