A Child Grows In Brooklyn

Children's Flatware that is Fun

I am always so disappointed to find such a small collection of non-Disneyfied, non-commercial flatware out there for kids. If I do find flatware that isn't commercial, then it is super expensive. So, I have been scouring the internet for some smart choices that aren't just about design, but actually work well.  Here is what I found:

My personal favorite is the kids fork and spoon made by Bambu. I bought this set awhile ago and love it.  The fork really spears and the spoon truly scoops. Plus I love that they aren't plastic, but100% organically-grown bamboo with food-safe wood oil. $8.00 from Branch.com. These are for children 9+ months.

This is the most expensive of the bunch, but sure can take the beatings of use.  This set of flatware has cute animals on it- monkeys, giraffes, elephants, etc. It is stainless steel so cleans easily and is lightweight. Be careful though, the knife has a serrated blade. The place setting includes a spoon, cereal/soup spoon, fork and knife. Set of four, one of each piece for $34.95 Get it here at Williams Sonoma.

I think these puppet utensils are so much fun. This flatware can be bought in any color scheme you want- and they all interlock for easy travel and table setup. They are designed in Italy and called "Trebimbi Puppets Flatware". You can get them at in a set of three at www.babygeared.com for $23 in any color you see in the photo.

I love these Bender Utensils by Boon. These utensils are adaptable and were designed to make the transition to regular utensils easier. You can position the adjustable end to the angle to accommodate the child’s grip. As motor skills develop, adjust little by little, until straightened. You can get them at www.babygeared.com for $6 each. For children 9+ months.

Modware (the orange and white utensils) are for toddlers who are not quite ready for adult flatware.  They have soft, rubbery handles and arebdishwasher safe.You can get them at www.babygeared.com for $5 each.

Lastly, I like these Dinnersaurs Utensils. These are for kids aged 3+, who aren't quite ready for adult utensils. They are cool looking and ergonomically designed to fit well in a child's hand.  You can buy them at Kangarooboo.com for $12.50 for the set.

The Moxie Spot

Yesterday, Birch and I spent the day at The Moxie Spot. It isn't new anymore, it opened this fall, but I have waited to write about it until I had tried it out a few times. I have been there three times and can offer my honest opinion.

Our family has gone only on Saturday and Sunday mornings and all three times it has been very quiet. You enter through the front door which is Wonka-like with three sized openings: one of adults, one for children and one for tiny tiny chickens or teacup dogs.  (SEE PHOTO) The kids get a complete kick out of it. Upon entering, you encounter a series of handles, knobs, cranks and slots- your first clue that this was a former hardware store. The kids love all the hardware and pipes that they can twist and feel.  The rest of the decor is equally unusual: maps, globes, trunks, exotic prints, animal images and flat screens with BBC's "Blue Planet" and old Bugs Bunny cartoons playing. Everything about this place harkens back to times where exploration was full of wonder and travel was an adventure, not an annoyance. It is equally fun for adults and children to examine the pictures and foreign objects. 

You order your food downstairs at a cafeteria-type area that I'm not crazy about. It is in discordance with the considered downstairs decor.  However, the breakfast fare is fine: I have ordered both oatmeal, pancakes and eggs and have been satisfied with it all.  They give you a number and you walk upstairs to even more seating. Upstairs is the best.

It is warm with yellow painted walls, wooden floors and colorful lamps suspended from the ceiling. There is a separate activity room in the back that has a nice-sized table with paper, crayons and markers.  There are dollhouses, trunks full of paper bricks and tubs of sea animals, trucks and legos. It is all neatly kept and organized. Upstairs the adults can eat and keep an eye on their children playing. It makes for one of the most restful eating experiences I have had with children and other families. Part of it is due to the fact that the environment is calm and the children don't seem to grab each other's toys since there are so many available. Most of it is due to the helpers who are stationed in the activity room. They play with your child, help them turn on the computers and find appropriate material for them, locate books of interest for your child and just be a sitter for a bit. Yesterday the owner, Nate, spent a lot of time playing with me and Birch. It was nice to have a foil to play with and he was genuinely interested in helping the kids find the right toys to furnish their imagination.

While I was there a family of four came in: the parents read their enormous books while their kids played foozball, another group of six let their kids play with Nate and enjoyed an adult conversation for over 45 minutes! (Glorious!) Birch and I hung out there for a few hours. I left a big tip as they don't charge for your play time and honestly, it is completely worth it.

It is all well done. I'm just not sure why the Moxie Spot isn't more occupied....it has  a right to be. The Moxie Spot has storytimes three times a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Check our Google calendar for details and times. They also offer Kids Yoga, Downtown Babies (music), Kids Music Underground with John Carlin, and Summer Camp that starts this week. They also rent out for private parties (for kids and adults!)

The Moxie Spot: 81-83 Atlantic Ave  at Hicks Street   Brooklyn, NY 11201   Phone: (718) 923-9710    2, 3; 4, 5; M; R at Borough Hall

Hours:Daily 8am-9:30pm                        

Different Kinds of Formula and What is the Best?

When you give birth in a hospital, the nurses send you home with oodles of formula...and even more coupons for formula for the future.  Even if you plan on ONLY nursing, you might find that the formula comes in handy if your milk production lowers or it is an emergency. I was tempted to give the formula and the coupons away, but found they came in handy just for those reasons. Formula is really expensive and it is worth knowing what is the right kind for your child.

There are over 20 different kinds of formula out there. Parenting Magazine's contributing editor, Claire McCarthy, MD, did a good job of explaining the differences in the types of formula- so I thought I would summarize her findings here.

Do check out my post about formula containers and the serious concern over them. It has been noted that the lining of the cans contain bispehnol A. 

Soy- this is made from soy protein instead of cow's milk-based protein.  It is meant for babies with cow's milk allergies or lactose intolerance and kids' raised as strict vegetarians.  Most kid's with cow's milk allergies are allergic to soy as well.  True lactose intolerance is almost nonexistent this early. Most doctors now skip soy for hydrolysate.

Hydrolysate- this is made from cow's milk proteins that are broken down to make the formula easier to digest.  This is meant for children with food alleries or lactose intolerance.  This formula is very expensive and costs almost twice as much as regular formula.  There are only 2 percent of babies with milk allergies and with digestive problems- so make sure your child really is before switching to either soy or hydrolysate.

Organic- free of pesticides, growth hormones and antibiotics. 

Rice Starch- rich starch is added to thicken the formula.  It is made for babies with severe spitup who need help with keep formula down to get enough calories.  This is meant for very few babies- alternatives to rice starch formula would be: using more formula to less water or antacids. 

Preterm- this contains more more of the nutrients premies need.

Toddler- this formula has more calcium and other nutrients.  This is meant for picky eaters who are 9 to 24 months old who aren't getting enough nutrients from food.  Very few kids should actually use this.  Picky eaters may just get worse if they're not encouraged to keep trying solids.  Pediasure might be a better option if your child is over 1 year old. Pediasure has more nutrients than toddler formula.

Probiotic- this formula has helpful bacteria to strengthen the gut and immune system.  It is meant for babies who are suffering from diarrhea. 

Who Wants to Eat Vegetables?

Apparently, not Birch. Unless that is, they are hidden, pureed or baked into another dish. I had a play date yesterday and when I pulled out three (yes, three!) jars of baby food spinach and potatoes for his dinner veggies, my friend gasped, "you're still giving him BABY FOOD??" Um, yes. The thing is Birch loves pureed baby food vegetables. He calls it soup, so we pretend it is too.  I also make a batch of spinach/swiss chard and fruit purees every week and those seem to go down easily too. But not diced carrots, brussel sprouts, colorful green beans or....any bite-sized vegetable.

So, when I read this simple recipe from "Real Simple Family", I knew I had to give it a try. I am sure I am not alone in the battle for my child to eat veggies (Jessica Seinfeld's book bet on that!), so here is the recipe. I am hoping it helps some others of you too.

Looks like: chip dip
secret identity: broccoli

One 14 oz bag frozen broccoli, thawed (though I don't see why you wouldn't just get fresh broccoli)
One cup low-fat cottage cheese (again, if this is for a kid, I would just get 2% or whole cottage cheese)
Kosher sat
One 5 oz package pita chips
Puree the broccoli, cottage cheese and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a food processor until smooth. Serve with the pita chips.

By the way, this photo is from another broccoli dip- not the one above. The one above won't look this smooth, it will be chunkier.

Some Nutrition Thoughts

I have nutrition on my brain tonight as I feel loaded down after consuming bbq ribs (and some fries that Birch forced on me). I vow to eat better tomorrow! Perhaps I might cook this "skinny" chicken pot pie recipe (courtesy of www.americanbaby.com).

Chicken pot pie has 484 calories and 29 grams of fat (!) per serving.  This version has 250 calories and 5 grams of fat per serving.

In a pie pan, combine 10 oz. frozen mixed vegetables, 1 cut-up cooked breast and 1 can condensed reduced fat cream of mushroom soup.  In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup low-fat biscuit mix with 1/2 cup milk. Pour on top of the filling in the pan.  Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 4 servings.

Or maybe I might try this new slurpable fruit from e4b. These 100% fruit purees have no additives or preservatives.  They have 5 different kinds and you can buy a case of 10 (each case includes 2 of each flavor) for $38, free shipping. This looks like a great "fix" instead of those Swedish Fish I buy at every kiosk I pass!

Finger Foods STRIKE!

This question came in from RK, a reader as a comment from an earlier post about finger foods. Can anyone help her??

I have a baby that's nearly 10 months old and he won't eat *any* finger foods. Is this normal? What are the best introductory finger foods? He just gags if he has to chew anything. thanks!

RK, here is my 2 cents: I wouldn't worry as long as your baby seems to have a continued healthy weight gain and appears to be thriving otherwise.  As one person told me, it can take up to 25 tries for a baby to accept a food, and not because he doesn't like it, but because he is trying to get used to it.  I found this from Ellyn Satter's book, "Child of Mine". This book is about feeding and is really helpful and calming.
"Children are far more willing to participate in this (feeding) if they feel they have control over it. If you wait to start solids until your child is developmentally ready, and if you give your child the opportunity to progress gradually and at his own pace from soft foods to thicker and then more solid foods, he will feel far more in control and be more cooperative.....when your baby is ready, he will eat."\

GOOD LUCK!

A Natural Way to Decorate Cookies

I know that the major sugar holidays are over: Halloween, Christmas, Valentines- but wait! St. Patrick's Day and Easter are coming up! It might be interesting to try out these "natural" decorating colors for your sweets this spring. It seems very cool- you get a  pack of 3 vegetable colorants that you mix to make your own colors. See photo on left for the yummiest color palette. It sure looks like Easter candy to me!

Ingredients: Blue: glycerin, deionized water, red cabbage. Red: beet juice, citric acid. Yellow: glycerin, deionized water, turmeric, sodium hydroxide.

You can buy the decorating colors at the Natural Candy Store. They also have other products to decorate naturally: snowflakes, sprinkles, balls and flakes.  But the real reason I found the company was that I was looking for natural gummy bears and swedish fish- my two greatest indulgences. They have the gummy bears, now I just need to put a plea in for them to start making the swedish fish!

Finger Foods For A Baby

A reader Lea wrote in asking what other good finger foods are out there besides puffs and cheerios. She has an 8 month old. Thanks for the great question Lauren. Here is a list of some foods that have worked for Birch. Readers, feel free to chime in with your favorites. Just click on "comments" below the post and list yours. Thanks!

• I love cutting up bits of tofu and sauteing them in a pan with sesame oil and soy sauce or cooking the tofu in tamari and garlic
• Laughing Cow cheese (the original flavor as it has all of the fat) and let him/her suck on that
• Cooked carrots cut into pieces
• Sweet potato that I cut up and put on a cookie sheet with olive oil and a teensy bit of salt to make sweet potato fries
• Broccoli florets (well-cooked and torn into little pieces)
• Pieces of pear
• Cheetah Chomps by EnviroKidz
• Rigatoni whole wheat pasta
• Healthy Times teething biscuits
• chunks of banana
• bits of pancake or french toast (minus the maple syrup- too messy!)
• frozen peas cooked to be very soft- and then you can mash them up
• blueberries
• cooked bits of chicken
• frozen waffles
• Minestrone soup drained to make it less messy
• Kidney beans, white beans
• String cheese

In general, a lot of parents just cut up or mash what they make for themselves- it can force you to eat a wider variety of foods too that way!

Yogurt For Kids with Sugar?

We are a yogurt household. Even with our tiny refrigerator our top shelf is full of yogurt: soy yogurt for Papa Tree, Stonyfield Fat Free for me, Ronnybrook drinkable yogurt for Birch and sometimes YoBaby too. The drinkable yogurts are fast, easy and portable. What I didn't realize is that these prepackaged baby yogurts are hopped up on sugar.
I am reading the book, "What To Eat" by Marion Nestle. Nestle has received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the James Beard Foundation (the food world's highest honor) and she teaches nutrition at NYU.  Seems to me she is a reliable source. Here is what she says on the subject:
"Sugars constitute 55 percent of the 80 calories in Go-Gurt (Yoplait's "kid-friendly slurpable yogurt in a tube"), 67 percent of the 90 calories in Danimals Drinkable (Danon's version of kid yogurt) and 68 percent of the 170 calories in Danimals XL. Even in Stonyfield's YoBaby organic yogurts, marketed for infants and toddlers, 53 percent of the 120 calories come from added sugars.  Some of Stonyfield's yogurts for older kids appear berry-flavored, but they have no fruit at all; their sweetness comes from juice concentrate and sugars, of course, and their color comes from beet juice.  Stonyfield may be organic, but it is Big Yogurt: Group Danone (Danon Yogurt) owns 85 percent of the company.
I favor the plain, unadorned kind (of yogurt), especially when it is made from organic milk. I choose the level of fat depending on how I intend to eat the yogurt. The nonfat version, for example, tastes just fine when mixed with foods of other flavors, raw or cooked. If I want fruit, I'll add my own, fresh or frozen, and avoid the heavy sugars, fruitless juice concentrates....If I want it sweeter, I'll toss in my own teaspoonful or two of sugar. No matter how much I add, it will be a lot less than what is added commercially."

I had to look at a comparison of YoBaby and Ronnybrook as these are the two brands we buy. I just assumed that Ronnybrook wouldn't use as much sugar and relied on the quality of their buttermilk to make the yogurt for their great taste. Not a chance. When I compared the two: Ronnybrook at 8 oz has 25 grams of sugar, YoBaby at 8 oz has 32 grams of sugar. Yes, Ronnybrook has less....but not much less. How disappointing.

Peach Yogurt Drink

No Knead Bread

My mom used to make this bread. She would put it in our overheated bathroom for the day so it could rise. We had to step over the pan in order to get to the toilet but we never complained as it was the most delicious bread in the world. However, I am not posting "Mom's recipe" as she doesn't really have it written down, but rather one from The Kitchn: a good site on all things to do with food. (Thanks Sarah Kate and the folks at the Kitchn)
(Quicker) No-Knead Bread
makes 1 loaf
3 cups bread flour
3/4 teaspoon regular yeast (not instant)
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups water

Mix all the ingredients in the morning before you go to work. This should take about 3 minutes and leave you with a thick, slightly goopy dough. Mark Bittman calls it "shaggy." Cover with a towel or some plastic wrap and leave it in the warmest spot in your kitchen. It should get a 6 to 8-hour rise.

When you come home from work lightly mist a counter or baking sheet with spray oil and turn dough out on it. Shape it roughly into a ball, mist with oil again, and cover with a towel or plastic wrap. Let proof for about an hour, or however long you have. (You can also proof your dough a little faster in the microwave!)

Heat the oven to 450°F. Put a cast iron or metal pot in the oven to heat. When the dough has doubled in size, put it in the pan. You may have to pour it, pry it off the baking sheet, or just roll it in - the dough is very wet. Don't worry if it looks a mess. Cover the pot with a lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for another 15 minutes to let it brown.

You can be really sure that the bread is done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the side of the loaf reads 210-220°F.