Whining 'N Dining

Toddler Test Kitchen: Applegate Farms Organic Nitrate-Free Ham

We all know that luncheon meats are a staple of American diets. Salty, cured meat really IS delicious and, of course, that's why the lil' tykes like it, too. However, cured meat comes chalk full of nitrates.

During my recent hunt for nitrate-free ham, I came across Applegate Farms Uncured Black Forest Ham at Gelson's this week. Here is the link for the nutritional information.

As always, the big question with meat is will picky whine 'n dine girl like it? Why yes, she did! So now it has been added to the lunch rotation.

Want to find Applegate Farms products near you? Click here for the store locater.

Ways to Save At the Grocery Store

Need to cut down that grocery bill? Here are a few links to help us pare down our grocery lists during this recession.

Lord knows I need the help as I am largely an impulse buyer! I'm trying the mantra of my depression-era grandmother who says, "Use it up, wear it out. Make it do or do without." As I mentioned in a previous post, I'm trying to PLAN AHEAD by menu planning so that I use up every morsel of food that we buy.

• 10 Ten Tips to Save Money at the Grocery from Sugar Saavy.
•  Grocery Shopping Tips from Mom Advice.
• Healthy food on a tight budget: Most economical protein.
• The Family Grocery Budget
• An interesting e-booklet on How to feed a family of 4 for less than $200 per month.

Now go forth and SAVE!

Peanut Butter Recall: What Products Are Affected?

Concerned about this whole peanut butter recall thing? Well, you aren't alone. I gave my almost 3-yr. old a LARABAR yesterday that is now on the recall list. Gulp. Looks like we seem to be in clear so far.

That got me wondering....what else is on the FDA peanut butter product recall list?? I thought you parents might be interested in seeing the list for yourself, so you can rid your pantry of the offending items.

Click here to see the current recall list. For future updates, see the FDA's Access Database for food recall.

Try This: Mini-Burgers

It's not just the kids that love mini foods. Grown ups really dig them, too. The slider (mini-burger) craze has been sweeping the nation and has landed on many a menu as an appetizer or small plate at trendy restaurants.

I must admit that I love it when my dad gets excited about a new culinary find. (He's actually quite good at finding the latest kitchen gadgets). And I'll give him full credit here for discovering the Mini-Burger Press at Williams Sonoma.

Ever since he bought the press, sliders have been one of his go-to dinners for entertaining friends and family on game days, beach party weekends, etc. And that's what we did on the 4th of July -- picked up a load of hamburger meat from Costco, a large package of Hawaiian rolls (of course, you can find these at your local grocery store, too) and whala....mini-burgers to celebrate our nation's b-day. Delicious and a cost-efficient way to feed a lot of people. But most importantly, it's something that both kids and adults alike can enjoy!
 

Try This: Lifestream Buckwheat Gluten Free Wildberry Waffles

I call myself a conisseur of frozen waffles these days, so I have tried many many brands, different flavors, etc. That said, I must say that the Lifestream Buckwheat Gluten Free Wildberry Waffles are one of the best that I've tasted. Cripsy and flavorful right out of the toaster. Did I mention that they ARE gluten free?!!! For all of you anti-glutites looking for new breakfast ideas, here you are...

The good people at Nature's Path (the same who make my favorite Organic Pumpkin Flax Plus granola) bring you these delicious waffles. You can find them at Whole Foods or Bristol Farms.

Try This: Chocolate Cool Whip

OMG, did you know that Kraft has recently introduced Chocolate Cool Whip?? Yummmmmy. That sounds really delicious on this unseasonably hot LA day.  Just think of eating that on top of some fresh strawberries. Actually, this picture of a Chocolate Heavenly Layer Pie sounds even better.

The word on the street is that you can purchase Chocolate Cool Whip at Ralph's (at least in LA). Well, maybe not my local Ralph's since I just returned from a trip there and no dice. Sad. So, check it out and please let me know if discover a tub. I'll be oh so envious.

Try This: 100% Whole Grain Fig Newtons

Seems like everyone is jumping on the whole grain bandwagon these days and Nabisco is no exception. They have recently released "100% Whole Grain" Fig Newtons, so the delicious healthy-ish snack just got even better. Click here for the nutrition information.

So, don't forget the Newton on your next grocery trip.  A great addition for school lunches or on-the-go snacks for your family! Fig Newtons are a great snack for older babies / toddlers. Although I've never tried it, I hear that they can help keep a tot regular (a frustrating challenge for many a parent).

Oh, and did you know that there's actually a Fig Newton Dance? Well, two of them really. Here are the links if you are bored and want to check it out:
1) Old Commercial -- Fig Newton Dance
2) Fig Newton Dance

Kid-Friendly Seafood

Fish these days....you never know which kind are the bad ones and which ones are good. Sheesh! As if we didn't have enough to remember. And of course, we continue to hear the experts clamoring for us to serve fish to our families a few times per week. So, how are we, as parents, supposed to remember good from bad in the sea?

You can imagine my excitement when I stumbled across the site, Kid-Safe Seafood. The folks at Kid-Safe Seafood, a collaboration between chef, pediatricians and seafood experts, provide you with a list of the safest fish to eat when, fascinating facts and recipes.

Now you can feel better and avoid making any "fishy" decisions. Ha!

Supermarket Guru

I am sucker for discovering new grocery finds. I can be downright obsessive about it. A grocery stalker, if you will.

While doing some mindless web surfing today, I came across Phil Lempert's "Supermarket Guru" on every mommy's favorite site iVillage.com. Each week, Phil reviews different grocery items and scores them based on taste, value, ingredients and nutrition. The higher the score, the better the product. So, check it out today or at least before your next grocery trip!

The New Year's I-Want-To-Eat-Healthier Grocery List

If you're like me, then you are trying to get you and your family on track for a healthier 2008. And you just might appreciate visiting Deborah Stern's Super Healthy Shopping List at WellMom.com. Stern, a Los Angeles-based nutritionist and personal trainer, is letting her pantry secrets out of the bag. You see, Deborah regularly stocks the fridges and pantries of her high-brow clients in a program called "The Pampered Chef." 

Unfortunately, a healthy pantry fairy is not in my current budget so I'll be sticking to her list until I'm making the big bucks.