Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Washington, DC

Tuesday List: Favorite Farmers? Markets

by Leticia

June 16, 2009

If you read yesterday’s post, you know we love summer for farmers’ markets.  The farm fresh produce, ability to support local farmers, and instant gratification are some of the things we love about spending a morning at the market.  Don’t forget to try to get there early and be sure to bring plenty of cash and a reusable bag or two to haul home your goodies!

Here’s a list of some of my favorite farmers’ markets in the DC Metro Area:

Downtown Silver Spring- If you arrive before 9 am on Saturday mornings, you will find shoppers walking from stall to stall scoping out the day’s offerings.  When the clock hits 9, the sound of the ringing bell signifies the opening of the market and patrons make a dash for the things that look the best.  This is a great place to get all the things you need for a weekend since you can pick up missing ingredients for your meal at the nearby Whole Foods or grab a bite to eat at the many adjacent restaurants if you want to save your produce for dinner.  Saturdays, 9-1 pm.

Dupont Circle- This is one of DC’s standout farmer’s markets because of the many vendors and the fact that it is located in the heart of the city.  Don’t miss Dolcezza Gelato & Sorbet which is made with fresh organic ingredients and is to die for! Sundays, 9 am- 1 pm.

Takoma Park- This family friendly market is always full of strollers and dogs on the perimeter of the market. Sometimes Banjo Man, Frank Cassel, is there to provide entertainment if you don’t want to frequent the stalls for the many samples.  Despite always being busy, there is always a great selection of produce, plants, and baked goods especially if you arrive early.  And this market now accepts credit cards so you never have to fear running out of cash!  Sundays, 10-2 pm

Eastern Market in Capitol Hill- It was truly tragic when the historic Eastern Market building burned down a couple of years ago but the market is back and is as popular as ever.  I find that we can make a day of a trip to Eastern Market between shopping for ingredients for our week’s meals and browsing the craft stalls and flea market.  With over 175 exhibitors on the weekend, it is a great place to go!  Saturdays and Sundays, 9-4 pm.

Crossroads Farmers’ Market in Langley Park- Located at the intersection of New Hampshire Avenue and University Boulevard in Maryland, this farmers’ market is on my list to visit.  Everyone tells me that it is spectacular because of the international produce that is offered.  The Washington Post reports that you can find sugar cane and other ingredients that appeal to local immigrant families while The Gazette wrote of treasures like okra, habaneros, and cassava.  Wednesdays, 3- 7pm rain or shine.

 

For comprehensive list of all farmers’ markets in the DC Metro area, click on the links below for listings with locations, dates, and times:

 

• Maryland- Use the links on the top of the page to find farmers’ markets in your county.
• Virginia
• Washington, D.C.

 

 

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Tuesday List: Bethesda Dinner Time Destinations

by Leticia

May 12, 2009

As I mentioned yesterday, Bethesda has an impressive list of restaurants that can delight foodie parents and are also places where moms and dads can feel comfortable taking their children for a nice meal that won’t break the bank.  After all, sometimes it is nice to use real linens and practice proper table manners while educating your offspring children about why they have two forks.

 

Bethesda Row has a high concentration of restaurants in a small area that makes it easy to decide where to go when hunger strikes.  I love the abundance of ethnic restaurants and being able to dine al fresco with my family.

 

Here are some of our favorites:

 

For American food with a bistro feel, you can’t go wrong with Café Deluxe.* Choose from traditional comfort foods and innovative fare in this bistro style restaurant.  A favorite of ours even before we had children, we now appreciate their kids menu which features classics like spaghetti, mac and cheese, pizza, chicken fingers, buttered penne, and cheese quesadillas.  Don’t forget to order a kid’s ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce for a bargain $2.95.  If you like Café Deluxe, you also might want to try Mon Ami Gabi* and Le Pain Quoitidien.*

 

For Asian food, right in Bethesda Row you can’t go wrong with local chain Tara Thai for classic dishes like Penang curry and Pad Thai or the variety from Raku* which helps to satisfy a family who wants a little sushi with their   But if you want something a little different, cross Arlington Road where you will find Penang.  Penang serves Malaysian food which I can only describe as being a delicious combination of Chinese, Thai, and Indian.  Pan fried noodles with bean sprouts and spiced with a little curry is what you will find in their Mee Goreng.  Our kids like getting the Roti Canai- a pancake made up of many flaky layers that is served with a mild curry sauce with potato and chicken.  We’ve been eating at Penang for years and have never had a bad meal!  The next Asian restaurant in Bethesda we want to try is Green Papaya for Vietnamese.

 

We love Indian food but tend to prefer buffet lunches rather than selecting dishes from the menu.  Delhi Dhaba* serves a buffet lunch all week long and rotates the dishes so no trip is ever the same.  Our children love to feast on naan, cubes of paneer (cheese), and enjoy tandoori chicken.  We prefer to eat outside as much as possible so our rice lovers help to feed the hungry birds rather than make a mess on the restaurant’s floor.

 

We are big fans of Middle Eastern Food.  We frequent Lebanese Taverna’s Cafes and a recent trip to the new Lebanese Taverna* restaurant did not disappoint.  While some of the dishes are the same on both the café and restaurant menus, the restaurant offers an impressive selection of mezze.  A trio of vegetarian, meat, and seafood mezza served as a great substitution for a main dish and provided a tasty variety to my husband’s Ouzi- chunks of stewed lamb on a bed of spiced rice with almonds and pine nuts accompanied by a thick yogurt salad.  I love that the kids’ menu includes the shawarma we love but in the form as a pizza topping on their pita pizzas.  Our kids devoured their chicken shawarma pita pizza and next time we are getting an order of kafta burgers for them too!  If you like Lebanese Taverna, head to the other side of the block to eat at Levante’s.  They have classic entrees like moussaka and pasticcios but I like their Turkish Pides (pizza boats) and the Adana sandwich.

 

If you haven’t already stuffed yourself, don’t forget dessert!  There are many choices on Bethesda Row including:

 

• Cacao Fine European Chocolates and Pastries- This tiny shop features stunning desserts by a world reknowned pastry chef, Jacques Poulain.  You can’t go wrong with a single artisanal chocolate or sculptural pastry in a to go box.
• Dolcezza Gelato- If your family can’t decide what to get for dessert, Dolcezza Gelato not only serves delectable gelato made in small batches.  I read a rave review about Dolcezza from Georgetown and DC farmer’s markets long before its Bethesda location opened and must say that their hand crafted gelato made with the freshest ingredients is worth every penny!
• Fancy Cakes by Leslie- If you love a good cupcake, you must stop and browse at Fancy Cakes by Leslie.  Moist cupcakes are topped with melt in your mouth buttercream and then decorated with a fondant flower, butterfly, or heart and sprinkled with edible glitter.  A rich and delicious way to end your meal! 
• Gifford’s Ice Cream serves up the classic scoop on a cake or sugar cone and mouth-watering sundaes.  This Montgomery County institution never disappoints!

 

Bethesda Row is west of Wisconsin Avenue, between Bradley Boulevard and Old Georgetown Road.  Click here for directions.

 

Come back on Friday for a list of the best places to run in Bethesda to work out those pre and post meal wiggles.

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Weekend Getaway: Charlottesville, Virginia

by Leticia

April 13, 2009

If you are craving to get away from the Beltway, politics, and enjoy some different scenery, head a couple hours south to Charlottesville.  Charlottesville is known as the home of the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Monroe’s Ash Lawn Highland, and Michie Tavern.   While it best known as a college town that is filled with history, Charlottesville is also a family friendly place with plenty of fabulous food and room to run that makes a wonderful weekend getaway or even a day trip. 

Here’s a quick guide of some things to do when in the Charlottesville area:

 

Room to Run:

• Right around UVAs Rotunda is a wide expanse of grass perfect for a game of Frisbee, bubble blowing, kite flying, or just plain roaming.  Off to the sides of the grass are some fabulous old trees with low branches that are just right for climbing. 
• At the end of the Downtown Mall by the Visitor’s Center is a large amphitheater with a large stage.  Our kids loved running up and down the aisles, between the chairs, and up the ramp to the stage.
• There are also numerous parks in Charlottesville.  For the locations and details about the city parks, click here. 

 

Things to See:

• If you want to integrate a little history lesson into your visit to Charlottesville, head to Monticello.  Home to Thomas Jefferson, Monticello boasts many amenities that make it family friendly.  Skilled guides tell you everything you need to know about President Jefferson’s home in 30 minutes, which is the perfect length for those 6 and under.   Make sure to allocate plenty of time for roaming the grounds and gardens.  Monticello also boasts a brand new visitor’s center complete with a café, hands-on Griffin Discovery Room for children, and family restrooms.  For a list of family friendly activities at Monticello, come back tomorrow when I cover it as a Tuesday List topic.
• The Virginia Discovery Museum is the perfect place for the 10 and under set.  With plenty of hands on exhibits to delight kids, wallet friendly admission ($4 per person), and in and out privileges, this is a must do.  For rates and hours, click here.  Also know that the first Sunday of the month is pay-as-you-wish day! 
• Right in front of the Discovery Museum is a great chalk wall for channeling your inner artist and a 1920 push carousel.  The scaled down carousel is more like a merry go round because parents have to push their kids but it is a fun free ride that our kids didn’t want to leave!

 

Cheap Must Eats:

• On the Downtown Mall, stop at Christian’s Pizza whose tasty flavor combinations on the most crisp crust remind me of true New York pizza. 
• On the back side of the Downtown Mall is The Flat (closed Sundays and Mondays) which serves huge sweet and savory crepes.  My pick is the ham, brie, and apples but you can choose one of their flavor combinations or create your own. 
• Located in the shopping area known as the Corner (across the street from the Rotunda) Arch’s frozen yogurt serves up delicious flavor combinations.   
• For snacks and other restaurants, stop anywhere on 29 which you took into Charlottesville to find Whole Foods, Kroger’s Grocery, Giant, and lots of restaurants.

 

 

 

 

 

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Weekend Update

by Beth Hoffman

April 09, 2009

Here are a few kid-friendly events coming up this weekend.

Easter Egg-stravaganza at Woodrow Wilson House - Saturday, April 11 from 1-3 PM.  It seems President Wilson used to enjoy standing at the South Portico of the White House and watching the Easter egg-roll on the White House lawn.  To honor that tradition, the Wilson House is holding their first annual egg-roll in the garden.  Admission is pricey, $25 for adults and $10 for children over 2, but if you missed the ticket for the White House egg-roll (like most of us did), it might be a good substitute.  The Wilson House is located at 2340 S Street, NW.

National Cherry Blossom Festival Fireworks Show - Saturday, April 11 from 8:30-9:00 PM.  The last hurrah of this year's Cherry Blossom Festival starts with a three hour festival (stating at 5:00 PM), includes musical performances, kid craft activities, and food from local restaurants.  Rain or Shine at the Southwest Waterfront, 7th Street and Maine Ave, SW.

Washington Nationals Home Opener - Monday, April 13 at 3:05 PM, Tuesday, April 14 and Wednesday, April 15 at 7:05 PM.  Take them out to the ballpark before the heat and humidity of summer arrive.  The Nats are playing the Phillies in a three-game home stand to open the season.  For the little ones, check out the Kids Page of the Nationals website for kid-friendly information about the mascot, baseball, and chances for kids to get out and run the bases after select Sunday games.  Nationals Park is located at 1500 S. Capital Street, SE.  Green Line to Navy Yard or park at RFK and take the shuttle.  Read more...

Savvy Guest Gina von Esmarch Explains Why Cooking At Home is the New Chic

by Leticia

April 06, 2009

Today's Savvy Guest is Gina von Esmarch.  Gina was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and is a fourth generation San Franciscian, whose family has successfully run one of the City’s oldest fine dining restaurants at Fisherman’s Wharf -- Alioto’s #8, founded in 1925.  Gina is also a mom whose new cookbook, Taste This!, has quickly become one of my favorite go-to guides for meal planning in our home.  (Click here to read my review!) Today Gina is here to share why cooking at home is the new chic during these difficult economic times.

There is nothing like a good recession to bring out the fighting cook in the American home kitchen. This is not to imply that our economic situation (AKA recession) is by any means, ‘good’ but as Americans we are told time and time again that we L-O-V-E a big challenge, ergo – a good recession = a big recession = a big challenge.

The simple economics of it all are that people seem to be trying to find ways to cut back on their food budgets during these times. As people embrace the challenge of the recession, dining at home is once again chic. It was even rumored in a women’s magazine that the recession might help us lose weight because we would categorically spend less money on expensively packaged processed junk foods like cookies, chips and cakes. While I don’t know that I can throw my flag down and say that agree 100%, I can tell you that I agree that if people prepare more foods from home there will be a healthy upside – perhaps even stealth health benefits (def: stealth health is the term for people who want to eat healthy but don’t want to be reminded of it). I am a believer that the population that cooks more, consumes less calories, intakes less salt and may turn this prediction into reality.

So how do we get the most out of our limited available time to maximize our effort and food dollars to recover from this economic hangover? I do have a few recipes up my sleeve that may help get your fight and/or creative juices flowing in the spirit of the Credit Crunch Healthy – Economic Hangover thread.

Let’s take chicken as an example. With either home roasted or store purchased roasted (could even be boiled) chicken, you can make numerous recipes that make eating at home both fun and delicious without taking a lot of time. No one I know wants to eat the same leftovers again the next night so I would suggest that if that is your plan that you skip a night between when you eat your leftovers the first time and when you repeat them. I’ve known many self proclaimed “I don’t DO leftover types,” and well I can be honest and tell you that I have tricked many of them into eating leftovers, because like all things American, we like presentation and packaging. Here are a few recipe ideas from Taste This! that can be incorporated to make chicken dishes that don’t feel like repeats –

-       Pulled Chickey (can be turkey or chicken) Tacos

-       Greek Chicken Salad

-       Divine Chicken Curry

These are three totally different dishes, all of which could be made with shredded chicken but one dish is tacos, the next a salad and the third a casserole. With planning you could buy all of the ingredients at once and keep it on hand and depending on how much company you have over or how many people you are serving, you could make two or three of these dishes to keep on hand. If you DO like leftovers, make all three!

I like to plan my meals for the week by allowing myself a few nights to take it easy and visit with my family so I will often do a meal plan that allows me to cook two nights in a row and then take the next two nights off. Perhaps I can share that strategy with you next time. Until then, remember to keep it fresh and save those dollars for that special night out or an upcoming celebration. Stay-cations are all the rage why not coin Eat-overs (inviting guests to dinner) as the next stage of our Phrase-O-Lution.

Gina now lives North of the Golden Gate Bridge with her husband, two children and dog. To get a copy of her book, Taste This!, go to www.bowllicker.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday List: Harmless Fun for April Fools' Day

by Leticia

March 31, 2009

Tomorrow is April 1, otherwise known as April’s Fools’ Day.  Do you enjoy being the prankster, planning jokes on  your children, or will you be more likely to get pranked by them tomorrow?  Jenny Meade from Being Savvy Kansas City was a jokester.  She and her brother loved getting into shenanigans on April Fool’s Day.  Today she shares some of her favorite ways of getting into the spirit of the day.

 

As a kid, my brother and I played lots of April Fools’ Day jokes on my mother. We taped the kitchen sink sprayer handle down so it would come on when she turned on the faucet. We left fake plastic cat poop in her vanity chair. We changed the time on her alarm clock.

 

You can see why she tells me she's glad I have a couple of little monsters of my own to contend with.

 

But there are certainly fun and silly ways to make April Fools’ Day a good time with your little ones, all the while reinforcing that this is the silly way, not the right way:

 

1. Wear mismatched socks or shoes to school - or shirts or pants on backwards
2. Do silly hair styles - crazy pigtails for or faux-hawks for boys
3. Add a couple of drops of food coloring to the milk in their breakfast cereal -blue, red, green!
4. Have them think of a silly story to tell or write for their teacher at school (an email to the teacher ahead of time is probably a good idea, too)
5. Serve dinner backwards - dessert first, then the entree (make it a favorite dinner so you'll know they'll eat it even after the promise of dessert is already gone)

 

So you may not want to give your kids any ideas for future jokes they can play on you. But since I'm already probably doomed in that way, I might as well get in on the fun, right?

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Savvy Guest Tips on Healthy and Easy Snacking from Giant Food's Andrea Astrachan

by Leticia

March 30, 2009

Today’s Savvy Guest is Andrea Astrachan, Consumer Advisor for Giant Food.  Andrea is a regular on Being Savvy Washington DC because of her wonderful food advice for families.  As much as we try to provide well balanced meals throughout the day, it can be hard to have the right snacks on hand when you are constantly on the go.  Today Andrea shares ideas on ways you can provide your little ones with healthy food options that are perfect for busy parents like yourself!

It’s not always easy to provide your kids with healthy meals and snacks when you are busy and on the go.  It can also be difficult to provide nutritious, but kid-friendly snacks when your kids are at school. Nutritious snacks are especially important during school days because they improve concentration and provide energy needed for physical activity. Below, I have provided some suggestions for quick and nutritious snacks kids will love. You can throw these in a baggy for school lunches, or toss a handful of snacks into a small or large pre-used yogurt container for a quick car snack.

 

• Child-size fruits that are easy for small hands (clementines and grapes are great)
• Nuts, raisins and dried fruit- 100-calorie snack packs of dried fruits are a perfect size!
• String cheese
• Nonfat and low-fat yogurt and yogurt drinks
• Applesauce and fruit cups
• Whole-wheat pretzels
• Popcorn
• Baby carrots or cut veggies
• Pudding and gelatin

 

And great news for those of us carefully watching our budgets! Giant Food also recently introduced new products from Nature’s Promise, its line of natural and organic foods priced less than other brands. Here are some new products that make great snacks:

 

• Organic Cranberry Honey Snack Bars
• Organic Fat Free Yogurt
• Organic Chipotle Salsa (serve with Nature’s Promise tortilla chips)
• All natural Pita Chips (in Sea Salt, Parmesan & Herb and Cinnamon flavors)

 

Click here for more information on Nature’s Promise.

 

 

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Tuesday List: Best Places to Picnic

by Leticia

March 24, 2009

With the weather turning warmer, our thoughts turn from being inside to spending as much time as humanly possible outside.  One thing we love to do is to picnic.  On the weekends we take our cooler stuffed with food with us on outings for an al fresco lunch.  Picnics are great not only because we are spending more time outside but the crumbs that drive me crazy at the kitchen table help the local ecosystem.

 

Here are our favorite places to picnic:

 

National Zoo (DC)- We’ve picnicked all over the Zoo.  Outside the Bird House, in the giant meadow between the Ape House and Reptile Discovery Center, on Lion and Tiger Hill, while watching the seals, and off the path leading behind the Ape House.  In our opinion, there aren’t any truly bad places to picnic at the zoo and often times our picnic location is determined by when hunger strikes!   

 

Smithsonian Castle (DC)- Behind the Smithsonian Castle is a picnic oasis.  Bubbling fountains, beautifully manicured grounds, shady trees, and benches make this a perfect spot to grab a bite between museums.  And it’s not too far from the carousel in case a post-lunch carousel ride is in order.

 

Wheaton Regional Park(Wheaton, MD)- With plenty of room to run, tons of climbing structures, the miniature train, and carousel, Wheaton Regional Park becomes not just a picnic spot but a day trip.  With plenty of parking, you can keep your lunch in the car until the kids are worn out and need a bite to eat before it is off to play again.

 

Gravelly Point Park (end of National Airport runway)- What can be better than eating lunch while watching boats on the river, an endless stream of bicycles, and planes take off or land overhead during your picnic?  Gravelly Point Park has free parking and endless entertainment.  There’s also lots of grass so on a windy day, it makes a great place to fly a kite.

 

Butler’s Orchard (Germantown, MD)- When summer comes and we head out berry picking, we supplement our berry eating with an actual lunch.  While shade can sometimes be hard to find, we like eating our lunch between the boysenberry bushes or down by the farm stand under the shady trees you pass as you drive in.

 

Great Falls (the Maryland side)- Something about being surrounded by water always makes it seem much cooler at Great Falls, even in the hot steamy summer months.  We like to go for walks and pack lunch in a backpack so we can eat whenever we get hungry.  A rock usually does just fine as a seat or if you’d like, there are picnic tables by the Visitor Center.  If you don’t pack a lunch or grab something on your way, you can always get a bite to eat at the snack bar between the months of March and November.

 

Quiet Waters Park (Anne Arundel County, MD)- For a day trip away from the city, head to Quiet Waters Park, just south of Annapolis.  There you can easily spend the day between playing on the playground, visiting the gardens, or renting a canoe or kayak for a couple of hours.  With all that activity, you have to eat and luckily, there are plenty of places to do so.

 

Federal Hill Park (Baltimore)- Whenever we are in Baltimore, we love to head to Cross Street Market to select our eats among a variety of different food stalls (sushi and the fried chicken are my faves!) before heading to Federal Hill Park.  The park overlooks the Harbor on one side and off in the distance you can see a huge white mountain of salt not too far away from the large Domino Sugar sign and plant.  The fenced in area with the playground is dog-free and has a climbing structure, plenty of grass, and swings that are hugely popular.  And sometimes it is just fun to lie in the grass and watch the huge flag blow in the breeze overhead.

 

 

 

 

 

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Cookology Cooking Classes for Kids

by Beth Hoffman

March 12, 2009

On my way from here to there yesterday, I ran into Dulles Town Center Mall in search of Easter outfits for the kids and noticed a slightly out of place looking storefront called Cookology .  A few minutes of googling later, and I am in love with this place where I have, admittedly, never been.  It bills itself as a "recreational culinary school" and offers cooking classes for all age groups.  There's a Mommy and Me series for 3-5 year olds, classes for 4-6 year olds, 5-8 year olds, tweens and teens.  They offer adult classes too, along with wine and beer tastings and an ettiquette class dubbed "The Art of Mingling." 

The place seems to be brand new and I am hoping the schedule will fill out with some weekend classes for working parents or those who don't want to try to make rainbow cupcakes with their baby in a backpack or howling from his stroller.  But the concept, at least, looks fabulous.  The kid classes last an hour and cost $25, which seemed expensive to me until I thought about them supplying all the materials and all the clean up.  If you had ever seen how far my three year old can scatter a cup of flour, you would agree that was totally reasonable.  Each class focuses on one food, and most of the little kid classes deal with treats, but there are also classes focused on fruits instead of sugar.

Sounds like fun, and we will be checking it out soon.   Read more...

Savvy Guests Share 5 Basic Boosts for Busy Parents From Two Spicy Moms

by Leticia

March 09, 2009

I know, I know, being a parent is tough.  We're so focused on taking care of our children that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves.  Nutrition-wise, we often take the quick and easy way out -- a cookie here, a bag of chips there, a cup of coffee for breakfast, half of our children's mac-n-cheese at dinnertime .  I'm as guilty as anyone.  But what's a busy parent to do?

Today's guest posters, Bonnie Johnson and Deanna Segrave-Daly, serve up five great ways parents can maintain a healthy lifestyle even in the midst of all the childhood chaos.  As registered dieticians, they know the ins and outs of good nutrition.  Even more important, they are moms who understand that our busy, crazy schedules means we need quick, manageable solutions – and all the help we can get.

Kick Up Your Heels - Don't make exercise a daunting chore. Have a 20-minute dance party with the kids. Everyone gets to pick one song. Try out different rhythms or steps like hula, cha-cha, the twist or the oldie-but-goodie chicken dance.

Faster Fruits- Often, we are so focused on getting our children to eat healthy, we forget about ourselves (sound familiar?) And most of us need to at least double our daily dose of fruit. So, instead of trying to count that strawberry cheesecake as a serving, try:

 

• 1/2 cup applesauce - Add a dash of cinnamon and/or nutmeg
•  1 can of trim® Juice drink - New from Tree Top, one can counts as a 1/2 cup of fruit serving and comes in yum flavors like Mango Peach and Strawberry Kiwi)
•  1/4 cup dried fruit - Try tossed into cereal, over a salad or eaten on the go

 

Satiety is the new buzzword in healthy eating-it's that feeling of satisfaction after a meal or snack. It makes sense - if you are satisfied longer, you won't scarf down those extra calories you really don't need (like the remnants of junior's PB&J.) Fiber has great satiating power.  Shoot for getting more fiber by choosing cereals with five grams or more fiber per serving, tossing a can of beans into a pasta dish, having a small bowl of popcorn  or enjoying a single serve can of trim® which has three grams of fiber per serving.

Get Some Extra Zs - That's sounds dreamy but how do you get your head on the pillow when  you are multitasking long after the kids are in bed? Research shows that a good night sleep can reduce stress, improve your memory and even increase your success at weight loss. While experts recommend at least 8 hours a night, start by going to bed just 15 minutes early. Do that every night for a month - and see how you feel (and if you can up it another 15 minutes.) And yes, this is one of Deanna's New Year's resolutions.

Cover Your Bases - As dietitians, we recommend getting your vitamins and minerals from food first. But as moms, we know you can't have it all. Add a basic multivitamin to your morning routine just to be sure. But remember, it's called a supplement because it SUPPLEMENTS your diet (rather than replaces food) - and really, we're all about keeping as much tasty and healthy food in your diet as possible!)
 

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Definitely Taste This!

by Leticia

March 06, 2009

Simple tasty food with fresh ingredients is the mantra in our house so I’m always on the lookout for wonderful new cookbooks that will meet my criteria.  One new cookbook I adore is Taste This!  Author Gina Von Esmarch’s new book is filled with delicious easy to follow recipes whose everyday ingredients are probably pantry staples.

I love that none of the ingredient lists for Gina’s 65 recipes are long.  Being able to assemble my ingredients quickly makes it easy for the kids and me to cook up something delectable and fresh even when we are short on time. 

We love popping the Parmesan Crisps in the oven to accompany a pot of soup like the Hearty Black Bean Soup made the day before.  We keep frozen raw shrimp on hand so we can put together Gina’s Shrimp Scampi as an emergency dinner.  Next on our list to try is the Italian Picnic Chicken which comes highly recommended by Being Savvy Newark City Editor, Vanessa.  

I enjoy thumbing through Taste This!  The layout is very friendly with the recipes on the right side and a gorgeous picture of the dish on the left.  The pictures certainly are fun for my children to see and serve as great visuals for the finished product. 

Other great features of Taste This! include:

 

• guide to bring good flavors back to the table
• short ingredient lists using every day ingredients
• simple and easy to follow cooking techniques
• ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time to spend preparing but want to make something nice for their guests/family
• many make ahead recipes and pantry dishes
• inspiration for working individuals and parents who don’t know much about cooking but want to try to expand their cooking knowledge

 

So if you are looking for a wonderful cookbook full of family friendly meals that you can make quickly even with help from your little ones, I highly recommend Taste This! 

Win your own copy of Taste This!  Click on over to Jersey Bites to enter to win one of two copies being given away!

 

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99 Things To Do in DC

by Leticia

February 24, 2009

In no particular order, here’s a list of 99 things to do in the DC Metro Area with a child before they grow up:

1. Head out the night before and brave the elements to obtain coveted tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll
2. Witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms at the Jefferson Memorial at their peak 
3. Go kayaking at Mason Neck State Park in Virginia since it is a great place to spot a bald eagle 
4. Step back in time and go on a canal boat ride in Great Falls or Georgetown 
5. After dinner and a bath, take your PJ-clad child on a tour of the Monuments at night
6. Appreciate the grandeur of the interior space of the National Building Museum then head to the Building Zone to satisfy your child’s inner Bob the Builder 
7. Play at Turtle Park and don’t miss Turtle Park Day  
8. Attend a performance at Glen Echo Puppet Theater 
9. Catch a show at Glen Echo Adventure Theater, DC’s longest running children’s theater 
10. Take a spin on the Glen Echo Carousel and witness the amazing Wurlitzer band organ 
11. Witness air acrobatics at Bealeton Airport Flying Circus 
12. Choose a local farm, bring your own containers, and an appetite to spend a couple hours berry picking
13. Introduce your child to the wonders of live performances at Wolf Trap Theater in the Woods 
14. Attend afternoon high tea at Strathmore Mansion 
15. Witness the power of water at Great Falls
16. Take a seat at the end of the runway at National Airport’s Gravelly Point and watch airplanes zoom overhead 
17. Explore all areas of the National Zoo, including the naked mole rats
18. Feed the koi at the National Arboretum
19. Ponder what George Washington used to think about while sitting on his back porch on Mount Vernon high above the Potomac River 
20. Ride the train and feed the trash pig (a trash can that talks when you throw garbage in it) at Cabin John Park 
21. Throw rocks in Rock Creek
22. Hike part of the Billy Goat Trail 
23. Spend time in the woods just exploring
24. Go camping at a local campground for the weekend
25. Bike the Monuments and the sights of The Mall
26. Go to Sky Meadows State Park for Astronomy Day or a Saturday Star Party
27. Let a butterfly land on you at the Wings of Fancy exhibit at Brookside Gardens 
28. Attend the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival to witness sheep shearing, partake in the fabulous lamb sold at the concession stands, and be dazzled by all the beautiful hand knit items for sale by vendors 
29. Experience the plethora of fried goods, carnival rides, and animals at a County fair
30. Have a hands on learning day at Port Discovery 
31. Go train crazy at the B&O Railroad Museum 
32. Go plane crazy at the College Park Aviation Museum 
33. Have a cultural experience at an Embassy
34. Ride a restored DC trolley car at the National Capital Trolley Museum 
35. Hunt for shark teeth at Calvert Cliffs State Park 
36. Hum The Star Spangled Banner while paying tribute to the inspiration for our National Anthem during a visit to Fort McHenry 
37. Step back in time to 1771 at Claude Moore Historical Farm 
38. Attend Claude Moore Historical Farm’s Market Fair offered three weekends a year 
39. Engage in hands on science at Discovery Creek Children’s Museum 
40. Enjoy more hands on science fun at the Maryland Science Center 
41. Stare in awe at the most amazing stained glass rosettes at the National Cathedral 
42. Stare in awe at sheets of uncut money at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing 
43. Stare in awe as you take in the scenery from the top of the Washington Monument 
44. Explore every corner of the 2 acre Clemyjontri Park 
45. Procure tickets to an afternoon performance of Cirque du Soleil and witness acrobatics like you’ve never seen before 
46. Cruise the Potomac
47. Attend Art-o-Matic, the free art festival featuring paintings, sculpture, photography, music, theater, poetry, dance and workshops 
48. Visit Cunningham Falls
49. Attend the lighting of the National Christmas Tree
50. Visit the bonfire on the Ellipse during the holidays
51. Catch Vienna based kid rock band, Rocknoceros, in concert for music the whole family will enjoy
52. Join up with Stroller Strides for a great workout and fun scenery and songs for your kiddo
53. Attend the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
54. Marvel at Jim Henson’s creations, First Ladies gowns, and the ruby slippers at the Museum of American History
55. Give your child unrestricted access to the hose one hot humid summer afternoon
56. Go swimming at an indoor pool in the middle of winter
57. Cool off at an ice skating rink during the summer
58. Be a pirate for a day 
59. Visit Meadowlark Gardens 
60. Begin to culture a love of art with a visit to the National Portrait Gallery or National Gallery 
61. Catch a summer movie outside under the stars at the Strathmore Film Fest or Screen on the Green
62. Practice using chop sticks at dim sum 
63. Go fishing 
64. Root for the home team at an O’s or Nat’s game
65. Pretend to be a rocket scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center 
66. Go apple picking
67. Take advantage of Free for All Fridays classes at the Roundhouse Theater 
68. See the sights in the snow
69. Visit rescued owls and experience the cave slide at Meadowside Nature Center
70. Enjoy the spectacle of a Chinese New Year’s parade
71. Root for the Ravens or the Redskins either live or on TV
72. Have a SmartTrip card and know how to swipe it to ride the Metro
73. Know which Metro station is closest to home
74. Marvel at the sculptures in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden
75. Seen the inspiration for the Star Spangled Banner at the Museum of American History
76. Witnessed the grandeur of the space shuttle at Udvar Hazy
77. Indulge in a hot dog at Ben’s Chili Bowl
78. Visit all the monuments on the National Mall
79. Write a letter and mail it from the National Postal Museum
80. Visit Roosevelt Island 
81. Walk among the dinosaurs or visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
82. Visit the butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History
83. Have an ice cream themed birthday party and create your own flavor of ice cream at Moorenko’s
84. Go spelunking at Luray Caverns 
85. Rock out with your kids while sipping coffee at Jammin’ Java 
86. Go on a tour of the White House with tickets from your local Member of Congress
87. Visit an aquarium- either in Baltimore or the one right here in DC!
88. Cool off at Deep Creek Lake
89. Test furniture at IKEA until you get a craving for meatballs and lingonberry sauce
90. Visit a lighthouse
91. Practice espionage at the International Spy Museum
92. Go fly a kite at the Smithsonian Kite Festival on the Washington Monument grounds 
93. Gaze at the stars at the Rock Creek Planetarium 
94. Enjoy a free summer concert at Carter Barron Amphitheater 
95. Watch the tennis pros practice for free before competing in the Legg Mason Tennis Classic
96. Become one with nature at the Audobon Nature Fair 
97. Ogle at sailboats at the United States Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in Annapolis
98. Walk in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure 
99. Watch 4th of July fireworks on the National Mall
100. Spend a whole day doing what your child wants to do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday List: 100 Things to Do Before Kindergarten

by Leticia

January 27, 2009

As a mom of a child who will be a kindergartner this fall, the thought of kindergarten readiness can be daunting. As a former first grade teacher, I often think of the skills that my students entered my classroom with having learned or not learned in kindergarten. It is true that kindergarten is becoming increasingly academic but the chances are if you read to your child, talk to them about the  Read more...

Book Review: Showdown at the Food Pyramid by Rex Barron

by Beth Hoffman

January 09, 2009

My preschooler isn't much of an eater, and never has been. She could live happily on pasta, crackers and grapes and has mastered a look of abject horror that she breaks out whenever someone suggests that she sample a food outside her comfort zone. In looking for ways to gently help her expand her dining repertoire, I recently picked up a copy of Showdown at the Food Pyramid by Rex Barron.  Read more...

Spicing up Early Literacy

by Beth Hoffman

December 09, 2008

I don't know about you, but I have a heck of a time keeping a three year old and a nine month old entertained long enough to get dinner on the table every night. At least I did, until I turned my spice rack over to the kids. Now, my spice rack is really a low shelf in a cabinet, so when I need to get dinner started I just open up the door and point the kids in that direction. The baby  Read more...

Teddy Bear Tea at the Ritz Carlton Pentagon City

by Beth Hoffman

December 04, 2008

Last week, I went with my three-year-old, my mom, my mother-in-law, my sister-in-law and my niece to tea at the Ritz Carlton in Pentagon City. And it was lovely. The kids got kid-friendly finger sandwiches and pots of hot chocolate, the adults could choose sandwiches and sweets or scones (I went with the scones, but the sandwiches and sweets tray looked yummy) and got their own pots of tea.  Read more...

Savvy Guest: Funfit's Celia Kibler discusses Keeping Your Family Healthy Through Winter...Easy as 1-2-3

by Leticia

November 05, 2008

Today's Savvy Guest is Celia Kibler, Founder and President of Funfit Inc. and The Funfit Family Fitness Center. Funfit is a fabulous place to take classes, hold a birthday party, head to for open gym so your kids can let off some steam, or drop off your children for kids' only parties so you can have a"date night." Both of my children are graduates of Funfit classes and long for the day that  Read more...

Eat like a Grownup: Great American Restaurants

by Beth Hoffman

October 16, 2008

We don't do it often now that we have two kids to wrangle, but my husband and I both like to eat out. However, we don't usually care for the standard "kid-friendly" places. (Also, I would like to formally inform restaurateurs that offering crayons and a paper menu is nice and all, but they entertain your average three year old for roughly ninety seconds.) There are some grown-up  Read more...

Today is Family Dinner Day

by Leticia

September 22, 2008

Today is Family Dinner Day , a national initiative started by The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Research has consistently found that families that dine together have children who are less likely to smoke, drink, or use drugs. CASA says that 'substance abuse can strike any family regardless of ethnicity, affluence, age or gender the parental  Read more...

Savvy Guest: Giant Foods' Andrea Astrachan helps you Think Outside the Lunchbox

by Leticia

September 17, 2008

Today's Being Savvy Washington DC guest post comes from Andrea Astrachan. Andrea is a busy mom who lives in the DC Metro Area and is also a consumer advisor for Giant Food . Today Andrea shares some tips to inspire parents to think of different lunch solutions for school. School bells around the country are ringing, signaling the end of summer and the start of the new school year. Once again  Read more...

Cooking Classes for Budding Chefs at Young Chefs Academy

by Leticia

August 18, 2008

I love to cook and my children do too. Little Miss Techie is getting quite good at cracking eggs and when Captain Computer hears the sound of our KitchenAid mixer, he comes from whatever remote corner of the house he is playing in to come and help. My love of cooking and background in teaching always made me dream of starting a cooking school for kids. I never got farther than the dream but if I  Read more...

Savvy Pick: Favorite Being Savvy Posts from Around the Country (Part 2)

by Leticia

August 01, 2008

Yesterday I covered the first 10 Being Savvy sites from across the country and picked my favorite post by my fellow City Editors. Today I'm back to give you more! the best of the rest. My favorite posts by my fellow Being Savvy City Editors include parenting anecdotes that we can all relate to, tips for exploring their cities with your children, and fabulous activities for your 2-6 year old that  Read more...

Dinner Table Destinations: Mexico

by Leticia

July 22, 2008

As a native Californian, I love good Mexican food and with the wealth of cultures in our area, it isn't hard to find the necessary ingredients to conjure up some delicious South of the Border grub that the whole family will enjoy. I think Mexican food is some of the most kid friendly fare around. Hand held treats like tortas (Mexican sandwiches), burritos, quesadillas, and flautas are perfect  Read more...

The Educational Value of Cooking

by Leticia

May 23, 2008

We love to cook in our house. The sound of the mixer stops our toddler dead in his tracks and causes him to carry a chair over to the counter to help. Our preschooler used to love watching us make anything that needed to be flipped over (pancakes, French toast, grilled cheese) and had a little dance that we called the Flip It Over Dance. Now she and her brother spend hours in their pretend  Read more...