Whining and Dining

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.

Whole Foods Paradise

We may have found paradise in the new Whole Foods Pasadena. Fellow foodies, this is your mecca. It's  a department store for gourmet, healthy food.

Pasadena Whole Foods
Originally uploaded by getofab

It is two floors with a fancy escalator for your cart, too. I mean, wow. It is really, really impressive. The prepared foods section is absolutely unreal. You can find just about anything you want from homemade donuts to rice pudding to lasagna. There's an Asian Express counter turning out noodle bowls and sushi. And a Meditteranean "Cucina" serving brick oven pizzas, other Italina favorites and Greek dishes. There's a chocolate bar and a desert bar with a variety of piping hot cobblers, decadent cheesecake and chocolate-covered strawberries. Also, I picked up some roasted cinnamon almonds from the nut "Roaster" bar. The best part, a wine and tapas bar.

Try coming here for breakfast. Not only will you beat the crazy masses, but you'll also be able to sample all of the delicious baked goods. You should see the pastry stand. There is much to choose from! The ham and cheese stuffed croissants were about the best I've had in a long time. Nothing like a buttery croissant! The Allegria coffee bar delivers a rich and bold cup of Joe. And then, there's the breakfast bar with a variety of egg dishes, breakfast potatoes, sausage, bacon and creme brulee French Toast.

For the busy, working parents, check out the "Short-Order Chef" section downstairs by the produce. You can grab veggies pre-cooked, which will speed your dinner prep exponentially.

Go soon, but go early!!!

Whole Foods Market

465 South Arroyo Parkway

Pasadena, CA 91105

Phone: 626.204.2266

Fax: 626.204.2277

Fish for Mama

This is for all of you mamas out there. You've heard it once, you've heard it a gizillion times....eat fish while you are pregnant (the good kind that is, not the mercury kind --swordfish, shark, tilefish). I don't know about you, but fish was the LAST thing I wanted to eat while pregnant. It was enough to make my stomach churn. Ugh.

Well, here the experts are hitting us yet again with the news of the benefits of fish while trying to get pregnant, pregnant or nursing.**Do check with your doctor regarding how many servings of fish you should have each week. There seems to be a bit of controversary in this area.

To help facilitate your fish consumption, I'm on the hunt for the best quality fish in town. Here's a list of places to find the freshest in town:

Santa Monica Seafood -  Everything is excellent here!! 1205 Colorado Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90404 (310)393-5244

154 E. 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (949)574-2685

Fish King - 722 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206 818-244-2161

Pacific Fresh Fish Company - 700 E 6th Street Los Angeles, CA  90021 (213) 623-6220

Whole Foods

Hollywood Farmers' Market fish monger - Hollywood btw. Ivar & Selma Ave., every Sunday 8:00 - 1:00

Trader Joe's - great for frozen fish / shellfish, limited fresh fish selection. Great for white fish - tilapia / orange roughy.

Costco - great salmon (but must be really hungry as it comes in large quantities / great for freezing, though), halibut

Know of other places for fish?? Please let us know!!