Gluten-Free Conversion Guide

Source: Sofia Reino

Happy Valentine's Day!

Made with love by my lil' 2-year-old!

Real Definition of Inclusion

Source: Citizens for Inclusive Thinking

Cheers to Inclusion!

"Everybody's a Genius but If You Judge a Fish By Its Ability to Climb a Tree, It Will Live Its Whole Life Believing It Is Stupid" - Albert Einstein

Source: Citizens for Inclusive Thinking

Story of Stuff

The Story of Stuff is a very well made movie with a detailed explanation of how we create, use and dispose "stuff". And how corporations externalize costs.

As consumers, we play a big role. Watch this video and understand how we can all help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GorqroigqM&feature=share&list=SP77CE8943362CB9B0

Source: Story of Stuff

Shame on Stonyfield

I'm soooo mad at Stonyfield for changing its yogurt formula, adding tons of sugar. My kids love Stonyfield yogurt, but 35 grams of sugar in a single serving is totally unacceptable! I called its customer service, and the answer: "it was not selling well, so we had to add sugar based on consumer research." But....it's still branded as healthy and organic. 

Maddening....

Source: Stonyfield 

Brilliant DIY Pinguins

Just saw this at Life is aRT....brilliant!!

Source: Life is aRT

Dangerous Flame Retardants Reported in Baby Cribs

Bad news reported by the Chicago Tribune. Three popular brands of baby mattresses that were marketed in recent months to families and day care centers contained toxic flame retardants linked to increased cancer risk, according to laboratory tests conducted for the Chicago Tribune.

One member of that family of chemicals, known collectively as chlorinated tris, was removed from children's pajamas over cancer concerns a generation ago.

Please click here for more information

Dish Art

I just saw this picture on Facebook, from Life Is aRT... lovely! I wish I were that creative. 
I wonder if this would work with my picky eater. Gotta give it a try, at a minimum we'll have loads of fun!

Source: Life Is aRT

RECALL ALERT: 800,000 Fisher-Price Baby Sleepers for possible Mold

"The government is warning consumers to inspect Fisher-Price Newborn Rock 'N Play Sleepers due to risk of exposure to mold for infants who use them.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said Tuesday that its warning applies to 800,000 infant recliner seats, called sleepers, that were sold at stores nationwide and online since September 2009, with prices ranging between $50 and $85. The seats, designed for babies up to 25 pounds, feature a soft plastic seat held in a tubular metal rocking frame. The product has a removable fabric cover.

Mold can develop between the removable seat cushion and the hard plastic frame if the sleeper remains wet or is infrequently cleaned, the agency said. Mold is associated with respiratory illnesses and other infections, the warning said. Fisher-Price has received 600 reports of mold and 16 infants have been treated for respiratory issues, coughs and hives after they were in the Fisher-Price sleepers.

The agency said consumers should check for dark brown, gray or black spots that can indicate the presence of mold under the removable seat cushion. If mold is found, they are advised to immediately stop using the product and to contact Fisher-Price for cleaning instructions or further assistance.

Units currently in retail stores are not affected by the warning, but mold growth can occur after use of the infant sleepers."

Sources: AP and msnbc

Top Flavor: Chicken Tikka Masala

I love Indian food. The spices are loaded with flavor and antioxidant ingredients. Check out this recipe. It's a great and healthy way to expand kids' taste buds. Yes, it's a lot of work, but totally worth it!

Chicken Tikka Masala
Servings: 4 portions

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken, cut in 1 inch cubes

Marinade

• 1 cup plain yogurt
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 piece minced ginger (1-inch long)
• 6 bamboo skewers (6-inch long)
•  

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Small jalapeno, minced (optional)
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garam masala (buy in Indian market)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounce tomato sauce (you can make a marinade or buy it)
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

Soak bamboo skewers in water.

Thread chicken on skewers, and marinate (in the refrigerator) for an hour or so.

Discard marinade.

For sauce, melt butter on medium heat.

Add garlic & jalapeno; cook 1 minute.

Stir in coriander, cumin, paprika, garam masala & salt. Add the tomato sauce. Simmer 15 minutes.

Stir in cream; simmer to thicken- about 5 minutes.

Grill or broil chicken, turning occasionally, to cook through- about 8 minutes.

Remove chicken from skewers; add to sauce.

Simmer 5 minutes.

Garnish with cilantro Serve with basmati rice, naan or pita bread.

Source: food.com