My Strange Family

Things I Love: Birthdays

kristrange — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:41:56 +0000

Happy Birthday to my husband and the father of my son.
We both love you today and everyday!

Filed under: Birthday, Things I Love Tagged: Baby H., Family, Husband, Photo

Toddler Meals: Chicken and Lentils with Vegetables

kristrange — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 01:48:25 +0000

My son has been a good eater since we started introducing solids to him, always asking for more and rarely rejecting foods. So where most moms battles are just trying to get their toddler to eat anything healthy my battle is what to cook for Baby H each week to keep him interested. I want to cook meals that give his palate flavor variations and new tastes. Always trying to find easy and nutritionally balanced recipes to prepare that he will eat and love! Last week at our weekly play date the question about toddler meals came up so I decided to write up the easy recipe that I make for Baby H usually once a week.

Chicken and Lentils with Vegetables

Ingredients:
Handful of Lentils (I use green lentils but whatever you have is fine)
Chicken Broth 8oz individual portion
1 Boneless Chicken Breast chunked
Assortment of chopped up vegetables 2 handfuls worth.
This week I used: Broccoli, Capsicum, Carrots, Cauliflower, Garlic, Kale,
Onion, Squash, Zucchini
Handful of Sweet Potato or Potato chunked

I think you are getting the idea with the ingredients. It is almost like a pantry meal (whatever you have will work) sometimes I use fresh and sometimes I use frozen.

Directions:
1. Place lentils in a sauté pan, pour in chicken broth, let sit for 20 min.
2. Put chunked chicken, vegetable assortment and potatoes into the sauté pan.
3. Cover pan and cook on medium/high heat for 20 min (until the broth is evaporated and chicken cooked.

“Voila” it is done!

It makes about 4 servings and great for the whole family or saves to serve to your toddler throughout the week. If your kid still needs the pieces chopped up smaller I use a hand mixer to blend all of the ingredients together.

What are your go-to easy meals that you cook for your toddler?

Filed under: Cooking, Food, Toddler Meals Tagged: Chicken, easy, Healthy, Lentils, Meals, Toddler, Vegetable

Baby H. Walking at the Park

kristrange — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 01:27:02 +0000

Filed under: Be a Tourist in Your City, Life, Video Tagged: 2nd Year, Baby H., NYC, Park, Union Square, Walking, YouTube

Hidden Gems: Shopping for Kids in NYC

kristrange — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:51:51 +0000

When shopping for Baby H. I love it when I find out the stores I already shop at also have cute and unique items for him. Here are some not so hidden adult stores that I’ve found in NYC that surprisingly carry great items for your kids.

1. Marimekko- Flatiron. 200 Fifth Avenue. New York NY 10011

Marimekko is a Finish textile and clothing company that was established in 1951. They are known for brightly-colored, high-quality printed fabrics simply styled into clothing, accessories and home furnishings. I own an amazing dress and an asymmetrical shirt from Marimekko and have a list a mile long of dishes and handbags that I want to purchase next. However, the best thing about this store is hidden in the back, the children’s section with the cutest little dresses, onsies, socks, dish sets etc. They also have some Finish books and toys (not for sale) but great for the kids to look at while you shop for yourself.

2. MUJI- Time Square, Chelsea, SoHo NYC

Muji is a Japanese retail company that was established in 1980. They are known for Mujirushi (no-brand) Ryohin (quality goods) with a minimalist recycled design. The products range from stationary, clothing, household and consumer goods. My go-to everyday socks and scarf are from Muji and all new moms should have one of the Shrink Wrap T-Shirts in their diaper bag for that unexpected spit up or mess when out of the home. After you are done shopping for yourself Muji has some great arts and craft gifts for the kids. My favorites are the cardboard 3D animal puzzles (giraffe, elephant and owl), wooden city in a bag block sets (New York, Tokyo, London and Paris) and the DIY cardboard child chair.

3. J&R Music and Computer World- FiDi 23 Park Row. New York NY 10038

J&R is a family owned electronics store that began as a small vinyl LP music store in 1971. J&R now dominates the entire block of Park Row between Ann and Beekman Street. Whether browsing or shopping for electronics J&R is not to be missed by locals and tourists alike. The best park is J&R is opening a new department J&R Jr. for all your baby/kid shopping needs! J&R Jr. is selling Strollers, Car seats, Toys and kid focused electronics. The Grand Opening of J&R Jr. is Feb 11th-12th and there is going to be free musical performances from the biggest names in children’s music, balloons, food, photos and more. I am most excited for Laurie Berkner’s performance on Feb 11th at 1:30pm (who does not love the “Dinosaur Marching” song?) Besides the grand opening Kidstravaganza MoonSoup is setting up classes and open play in the great on-site space available. Make sure to check it out!

4. ABC Carpet & Home- Flatiron 888 Broadway. New York NY 10003

ABC Carpet & Home since 1897 has a boutique feel but it is six floors of fantastic design and is the most impeccable furniture department store in all of NYC. Yes, the prices are high but when you have no design focus (or skill like me) just spend an afternoon here and you will become inspired. Our bed, library chair, hutch, rugs, and sheets are all from ABC! Once you have a baby you must visit “Little One” baby & kids located on the third floor in the far back corner down some stairs (if you blink you could miss it)! You want a $700 birdcage for the nursery? They sell one here. A Dewll Studio shop with everything that Dwell has to offer. Baby H. has Matteo Bambino gray crib sheets, Anne-Claire Petit hand made animals, and a vintage Schoenhut toy piano on his wish list.

5. Treasure & Bond- SoHo 350 West Broadway. New York NY 10013

Check out my previous post Retail and Philanthropy in SoHo NYC to learn more about Treasure & Bond.

Do you know of any other hidden gems in NYC? I would love to check them out!

Filed under: Be a Tourist in Your City, Shopping Tagged: ABC, Baby, Kid's, NYC, Shopping, Toys

Wordless Wednesday: Playing With My Tegu Blocks

kristrange — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:10:17 +0000

Filed under: Wordless Wednesday Tagged: Baby H., Open Ended Toys, Photo, Tegu, Toys, Wordless Wednesday