The colorful kitchen-themed window display at Barefoot Books in Porter square stopped me in my tracks while I was walking past the store on Monday afternoon. The bright and cheerful arrangement of child-friendly tools was designed to highlight the Kids’ Kitchen Recipe Deck. Included in this new deck are 40 whimsically illustrated recipes which are categorized to introduce children to the five main food groups. In addition to the recipes being a genius way to orient kids to the basics of cooking and preparing food, the cards will also educate your little chef on the ins and outs of essential vitamins and minerals and wow them with fun food facts. All of the recipes are vegetarian and include an array of dishes from Mellow Yellow Rice to Mean Green Guacamole. I’m positive even the pickiest of little eaters will be able to find an acceptable meal in this must-have deck.
Kids
I recently purchased the Say Please Tea Set for a sweet little girl in my life who just happened to have celebrated her first birthday last month. Unfortunately I haven’t been able to coordinate my schedule with her mommy to give it to her just yet but I can’t wait to see Emily play with it. On the downside though I think I’m driving our cats crazy. Each time I walk by the box I press the button so that the teapot bursts into song. I can’t help myself. It’s just so pastel and pretty!
I dare you to resist the urge to burst into songs from The Little Mermaid after you dress your adorable little girl or boy in this bright and cheerful lobster outfit. Perhaps the early exposure to seafood will also curb any chance that your baby will develop into a picky non-seafood eater. If you’re still looking for a costume of your own to go along with your bouncing crustacean might I suggest a stick of butter. Or is that too dark?
Even if you aren’t dressing up like a hamburger this year I still think this unique Fancy Ketchup trick-or-treat tote is a great accompaniment to any foodie costume. Who needs pumpkins when you can carry all of your Junior Mints home in a felt sack made to look like a condiment? And you’re guaranteed not to have any moments of confusion when all of the neighborhood kids get together to compare candy. Your bag will not only be practical and cute, but you’ll also standout in the crowd. You don’t want to be like everyone else do you?
I don’t usually advocate things of the “slice and bake” nature but all bets are off when said cookies are stamped with adorable grinning pumpkins. Admittedly, they don’t taste as good as homemade, but kids will absolutely gobble up a plate of these treats without any questions asked. Plus there’s very little clean-up and you’ll feel comfortable allowing them to help you bake this quick dessert. Besides, everyone knows that ready-to-bake cookies are the gateway to a life long love of baking at home. First you unwrap and slice and before you know it you’re obsessed with the idea of making puff pastry from scratch.
Hosting a Halloween get together this year? Then why not whip us a dish that will impress your friend’s stomachs with this holiday themed pasta. Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Salad, or even a healthy noodle soup will all give your spooky day an added bonus. So whether you decided to spoon up a creepy array of spider webs or the more mysterious black cats and paw prints I’m sure your fellow foodies will appreciate the subtle treat you’re providing for them.
Who doesn’t love Macaroni and Cheese? It’s the ultimate comfort food and now your child can be a walking/talking reminder to all your neighbors of this favorite dinner dish. After they toss some Junior Mints into little Sally’s trick-or-treat sac I bet Mr. Wilson’s next move will be straight for the Kraft Blue Box, or if he’s a little more ambitious a cheese grater. If this costume came in adult sizes I would so wear it, if only for the goofy noodle hat.
I can’t think of a better way to kick-off Halloween than with a creepy edible Haunted House project. Whether you live with children, parents, or roommates, everyone in your home will enjoy this whimsical kit. Make a mess, make a masterpiece, or simply dig into the candy corn. Everything you need to create a scary seasonal centerpiece is included from jet black icing to jack-o-lanterns. You’ll have to break out the Ouija board though if you want any real spirits to inhabit your gingerbread house. The dearly departed are sold separately.
The first movie I ever bought for myself was The Little Mermaid with $20 that I received from a kindly relative on my 9th birthday. To that end I’ll forever associate mermaids with birthdays and other celebrations and I’m sure your little party princess will relish having the same opportunity. This precious kit can effortlessly serve as your theme party’s jumping off point and will undoubtedly yield dressed up cupcakes that will be the hit of the pre-teen set. Best of all everyone can pick a cupcake that “looks like” herself as these mermaids sport an array of luscious locks.
If your co-workers are notorious for stealing your pens, paper clips, and even your lunch on occasion then these too cute for words Gummy Bear Eraser/Sharpener combos simply don’t stand a chance. I suggest you buy a dozen and dole them out to your klepto cube-mates before they swipe your prized possession. You’ll make friends and possibly curb office crime. You’re such a good minion! Obviously you deserve a raise.
