Category: How-To

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Donate Halloween Candy

Posted on by biglittlebites

When our first child, Lola, was two we were so excited to dress her up in costume for what felt like the first Halloween she could participate in. Would we go door to door with a two year old and collect a bunch of candy? It didn’t really feel like it made any sense. At two years old, we were focused on real, whole foods to nourish her developing brain and body, and she didn’t know the difference with junk food anyway. Really, she had the rest of her life to eat candy and her developing toddler years didn’t feel like the right time to start.

We ended up parading her to one or two neighbor homes, for our own fun, before we wound up back home on our front porch passing out candy. Hey, want to know something? Passing out candy was so much more fun! Lola sat on that stoop, eagerly waiting for people to come by. Each time she’d spy kids approaching, she would excitedly whisper to us “the people are coming!”  It was so much fun to see everyone’s costumes and Lola thought it was fun to stick candy into everyones bag for them.

Fast forward a few years, to Lola at 5 years old with a couple of little sisters in the mix. She was now old enough to understand and appreciate the fun of trick or treating, but in our opinion, still too young to need to plow through an entire basket of candy. This is when we basically began conversations about moderation with processed and refined foods. We talked (and still do) about how it’s ok to eat these foods once in a while, why we make healthy choices and how to balance it all. I have always found that when we take the time to explain why we set the limits we do, as parents, our kids are more apt to go with it because they understand the reasoning behind it. 

What to Do with Too Much Halloween Candy

We did some thinking. Should we just buy the candy from them and toss it in the garbage? That seemed so wasteful. At the same time, we work so hard to educate them about healthy choices and why it’s important to choose foods that nourish their growing bodies that it just doesn’t align for us to feast on a basket of candies made up from artificial ingredients, flavorings, food dyes and other ingredients which have a harmful effect.  My husband and I came up with an idea! We decided together, on a new tradition.  From now on, we would donate the candy to our troops overseas, but we wouldn’t force the kids to do it – we would give them the opportunity to want to do it! 

Where to Donate Halloween Candy

You may have heard of people sending care packages overseas to our troops. I did a little research and was excited to discover Operation Gratitude. When Halloween candy is sent to them, it’s included in care packages sent overseas to American troops. You simply fill out their online donation form, and then receive an email with further instruction on how to ship your package.  In 2018 alone, over 264,000 care packages were sent! We decided to go for it… but how would we get the kids on board? 

Convincing Your Kids to Donate Candy

Here’s the deal, while Halloween candy offers nothing in the way of health, we don’t want to deny them trying or eating things they see other kids eating. We also don’t want to say, “hey, you just had all this fun collecting as much candy as you could and now we expect you to give it all away!” This is where some good ol’ fashioned bribery and deal-making come into play.

We give the kids two choices, and they choose whichever they want:

  • Keep all of your candy: it’s all yours, but for the sake of portion control – it won’t be available to eat all at once, or even at free will. It will be kept out of sight, and you may ask when you would like a piece.
  • Donate your candy to the troops: our service men and women are living overseas and are unable to participate in Halloween. You may pick 3 full size candy bars, or 5 fun size candies, to keep for yourself, and donate the rest. We will also give you $__ to spend how your like. Everyone benefits: our soldiers will be excited to receive candy in the mail as a surprise, and you get to go pick out a toy or craft which you can play with forever – whereas once you eat candy, it’s gone. 

Every year, leading up to Halloween, our kids anticipate this deal and say “I think this year I’m going to keep my candy.” Yet every year, after trick or treating, when they dump all their candy out to sort and we discuss the choices – they ALWAYS go for the money and making someone else’s day. It’s a great opportunity as parents to discuss the importance of giving back and making others feel cared for and thought of. A big part of the fun, is making personalized letters from the kids, to add to the care package – they love doing this part, and were so excited to receive thank you letters for their candy! 

Once they choose the option to donate, sorting becomes a fun task of deciding which pieces of candy they will keep for themselves. If they have some full-size candy bars, they can choose 3 total, if they are choosing fun size candy packages, they can choose 5 total. Figure out a number you’re comfortable with that suits your childs age. When the girls were toddlers, I would tell the they can choose 3 fun size candy packages, and it’s just evolved over time and with their age. I want it to be fair for them, but also a chance for them to consider giving to others instead of focusing solely on their own wants and needs. We began with $5 per child in the beginning, and are now up to $20, but the number can be anything  you feel comfortable with. 

Happy Halloween!

How to Make Pumpkin Purée

Posted on by biglittlebites

Learn how to roast a pumpkin with these simple steps, and conquer Fall the natural way, like the little baddie you are! 

Kicking the can and giving this homemade pumpkin puree recipe a try, puts the power of healthy living back in your hands. Before you know it, you’ll have loads of your own pumpkin purée for PSL (pumpkin spice latte, duh), pumpkin banana bread, pumpkin pasta, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin soup, pumpkin-anything! Really, the pumpkin-possibilities are endless and I want to hear what recipe you can’t wait to make with it, in the comments below!

What Kind of Pumpkin Do You Use?

Making your own pumpkin puree is actually super easy and totally worth the effort. Next time you’re at the grocery store, take a minute to seek out the little orange pie pumpkins, also known as sugar pumpkins. Beginning in early October, you can find this variety of pumpkin  near other seasonal squash in the produce section. Pie pumpkins are much smaller, more pleasantly flavored and contain more pulp than their larger more standout sibling the Jack-O-Lantern or carving pumpkin. Choose a pie pumpkin that is firm and without blemishes. 

Roasting a pie pumpkin takes only 10-15 minutes of preparation time and 45 minutes of uninterruped time in the oven. Scroll down, to see my 7 detailed steps on everything from how to prepare pie pumpkins for roasting to achieving the smooth puree of everyones Fall food dreams. 

I like to have 2 or 3 pie pumpkins roasting at the same time, to make a large batch all at once. After pureeing the pulp in the last step, I measure out 1 cup of pumpkin puree at a time, into individual freezer-safe storage bags to keep in the freezer for future grab-and-go use. While roasting a pie pumpkin is more time consuming than opening a can, making puree in bulk by roasting multiple pumpkins at a time, makes it easier and quicker for the next use.

Is Canned Pumpkin Good for You?

While economical and affordable, unfortunately canned foods are a big enough risk to your health that it’s worth investing dollars into fresh food.

There are multiple schools of thought on whether canned foods are less nutritious than fresh foods, but I’m not getting into that today. What is most concerning to me, are the health risks associated with eating canned foods.

The canning process involves heating the can at high temperatures in order to prevent harmful bacteria from growing, and to keep the food from spoiling. Let’s consider what components of the can, are being heated and leaching into the food in the process.

What are Food Cans Made of?

In order to prevent food leaching, food cans are commonly coated with a plastic lining called bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical associated with hormonal imbalances and health risks like heart disease, birth defects, diabetes and even cancer. Ironically, these linings meant to safeguard our food, have been proven in studies to migrate from the lining of the can, into the food.

I know what you’re thinking. “I’ll just buy BPA-free cans.” The issue here is, BPA-free cans are still being lined with a replacement which is simply  another type of plastic coating. We should not be eating plastic. It should be noted, that there is only one company making the extra effort and taking on the additional expense, of avoiding epoxy liners: Eden Foods. A pioneer for BPA-free can liners, they use a baked-on enamel coating derived from plants and resins.

The cans themselves, made from aluminum or steel, are also a health risk. Aluminum is a naturally occurring mineral in our environment, but many of us are exposed to it most unnaturally, through the way we cook, the foods we consume and even through things we put in or on our body. Aluminum can be found in canned foods, cookware and aluminum foil (obvious, I know), processed and whole foods including baby food, medications like antacids and buffered aspirin, vaccines, baking powder, emulsifiers and anti-caking agents, ceramics, pigments, paints, paper, deodorant and heat resistant fibers, among other items. 

Aluminum is a known toxin to our bodies, however there is much debate on what levels are considered safe. We do know that aluminum toxicity presents as neurological disorders, brain disease, nervous system disorders like memory loss, bone abnormalities and respiratory problems. 

10 years ago, pregnant with our first child, I made a promise to stop purchasing canned foods, and I’ve never looked back or missed it! Making your own pumpkin puree is easy enough to accomplish during the next episode of Succession (is anyone else watching that?) and you won’t even feel the minutes pass!

How to Make Pumpkin Puree

1) Buy a pie pumpkin! Those regular, big, Halloween pumpkins are not what you want to cook with and won’t taste as yummy.

2) Hold the pumpkin steady on it’s side,  and use a big knife to cut the stem off the top. This will result in a safe, flat surface to turn your pumpkin onto before slicing it in half down the middle.

3) Stand the pumpkin up on the cut end. Using a sharp knife and firm, steady pressure, slice it in half down the middle. 

4) Use a large metal spoon to scoop out all of the seeds and fibers from inside each half. I like to put everything into a strainer, so I can sort through and pick out the seeds to roast (rinse them and allow to dry; coat them in olive oil and Real Salt, roast at 200 degrees for 40 min)

5) Set your pumpkin halves on top of a parchment paper-lined or oiled pan, to prevent sticking. Brush the inside and rim of the pumpkin halves with extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkle some Real Salt.

pie pumpkins face down on a baking sheet for roasting

6) Roast at 400 degrees farenheit for about 45 minutes.

7) Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the pumpkin halves to cool completely. Scoop out the entire fleshy interior with a large spoon and purée in a food processor to get a smooth consistency. 

* Fresh pumpkin puree stores well in the fridge for up to one week and for months in the freezer*

How to Travel with Kids

Posted on by biglittlebites

I don’t know about you, but I just hate feeling stuck in the house with four kids all day when there’s so much to explore in the world! I’m always looking for our next adventure – whether a day trip or an extended vacation. It’s healthy for all of us to get out into the world to explore, and the kids learn so much from each trip!

My husband travels a lot for work, so if the kids and I want to go somewhere, we are usually on our own. Instead of feeling intimidated about traveling with four kids by myself, I pack the car up and off we go! In fact, our first born and I took 22 flights together in her first year of life! Nowadays, my preferred mode of transport is by automobile (because lets be honest… multiple heavy car seats, wiggly kids, we are never on time to get out the door, etc…). Over the last 10 years, I have actually used all major modes of transportation with kids, and I’ve learned TONS of tips and tricks along the way that I want to share with you. Regardless of your preferred mode, there is something helpful for everyone!

silly mom in the driver seat, playfully sticking out her tongue while child goofs off in the backseat

Healthy Travel Snacks for Kids

* When you click on my favorite product links, I earn a tiny commission from qualifying purchases, at no cost to you*

Because I am so passionate about healthy living, it only makes sense that my post start with clean travel snacks! Find a balance between sweet and savory, so you don’t end up with sugared up kids, and the highs and lows that come with it! Here are some of our favorite travel foods to pack in your bag or cooler:

Crunch + Salt + Savory

Sweet

  • Apples
  • Clementines
  • Banana chips (we find these at Trader Joe’s by the nuts – check ingredients to make sure they aren’t enhanced with added sugar)
  • Dried mango (unsweetened and unsulphured)
  • MadeGood granola
  • Go Macro bars (for the parents!)
  • Dark chocolate (I always look for a variety free of soy lechitan or natural flavors, and with minimal ingredients)
  • Hail Merry tart (sweet potato or meyer lemon)

Note: If you’re traveling by car, scroll down to read about how to contain the mess from food.

How to Occupy Kids While Traveling

Wondering how to keep babies, toddlers and kids occupied during extended travel? Every parent worries about how to prevent their baby from crying on the airplane, or how to keep them from fighting or yelling during a road trip when you need to focus on the road… and I have the trick for you! Below, you’ll find plenty of busy activities and toys that are mostly cheap and easy with minimal DIY. The key here is, to keep these activities hidden until you’re well into your trip. When moods start to melt, you will have a game-changing distraction with presents to open and brand-new toys to explore!

Baby and Kids Busy Activities for Trips

  • Felt Busy Boards: Pick up some felt and glue from a craft store, use your husbands cardboard from his dry cleaned shirts, and make felt boards! I use blue felt to cover the whole board (this is the sky), then I cut out a long piece for the grass at the bottom, with a zig zag shape on one of the edges (blades of grass?). Next, I make some clouds (white felt), birds (any color, cut a basic bird-flying shape), a sun (yellow), moon (white or gray), square for a house (any color), triangle for the roof (I like red), a chimney (brown), windows (a white or black frame), a door (any color) and some trees and flowers! Store all pieces and board in a gallon size freezer bag
  • Dollar Store First Aid Kit: one per child (these are small square containers with alchohol wipes and bandaids inside – so make sure you bring a doll they can “fix” up!)
  • Dollar Store Handheld Mirror: (can use dry erase markers on it, or a baby can just look at themselves!)
  • Dollar Store Mini White Board: find the small white boards and some dry erase markers (I get the kind with the eraser on the cap, if you see them)
  • Dollar Store Pencil Bag + Lanyard: Look in the education aisle for the pencil pouches that have three holes on one side to punch into a 3-ring binder. Attach the lanyard to the pencil bag through one of those holes. Children can store their crayons inside the pencil bag, and then wear it around their neck. Now they have easy access, and they don’t drop them to the car floor!
  • Portable Travel Tray:  these trays are one of the greatest investments you can make for convenient travel! Simply strap the tray around your child or their seat, and they will have a secure surface to rest snacks, water, arts and crafts, etc. 
  • Dollar Store Coloring Books
  • Dollar Store Glow-in-the-Dark Wands: these make night travel even more fun! PSA: beware of the necklaces and bracelets with little ones – we had one burst open in my toddlers mouth once.
  • Dollar Store Mini Flashlights: Great for stops during a nighttime road trip, but could be dangerous while driving.
  • Dollar Store Foam Alphabet Puzzle: I find these in the education aisle at a dollar store, and they are fantastic busy toys for little kids. The letters are large enough that they don’t pose a choking hazard, and the foam construction makes it easy for toddlers to press the letters into the foam board with cutouts in their shape.
  • Melissa & Doug Sticker Pads: At under $5 each, these are great for providing ours of hand-eye coordination and learning fun through creativity!
  • Melissa & Doug Water Coloring Pads: These water pad books are reusable and I linked a set with a travel theme! I love that you fill a pen with plain water and it shows up as different colors when they press it to the pad! No mess!
  • Dollar Store Pipe Cleaners and Plastic Beads: This is a great activity for hand-eye coordination. Little toddler fingers can use plastic pony beads in various colors, to “string” along the fuzzy pipe cleaners. 
  • DIY Fine Motor Skills Toy: Usually at a dollar store, you can find the snack containers with the silicone lids that have an opening in the middle for fingers to press through; you’re going to also buy a package of the colorful 1 inch pom pom balls from the dollar store craft area to put into this container. Babies 18 months+ will love reaching in and out for the poms (just keep an open eye out, so they don’t try to eat them!)
  • Dollar Store Kids Press-On Nails: For kids 5+
  • Dollar Store Stickers + Index Cards: The index cards are just a fun spot to stick stickers!
  • Dollar Store Educational Activity Books for PreK +
  • Amazon Kid Kindles, iPads or DVD Players: I love that the Amazon Kindle is under $100. We keep ours stored away and only bring them out for travel.
  • iPod shuffles: iPod shuffles are hard to find now, but a search on eBay will yield results. I prefer shuffles to iPod Touch or an iPhone, because I like that they can’t go on the internet and potentially access something they shouldn’t be. We also have plenty of years ahead, to get into smart phone technology and social media, and I’m not starting now! I load up shuffles with their favorite songs, some of my favorite songs spanning decades, as well as books on tape.

Now divide up your finds into dollar store gift bags, making one bag for each child. I strive to fill their bags with the same, or similar content, so that there will be nothing to fight over. Tape or staple the bag shut at the top, so they can’t peek! They will LOVE the anticipation and annoy the heck out of you (“pleeeeeaaaaase can I open it now?!) but if you make them wait until departure, it’ll keep them busy for most of the trip and will be totally worth all that whining. They’ll be so full of joy!

 

Tips for How to Travel with Kids by Plane, Train or Automobile  

With a little preparation the week before, you too, can travel stress-free with your child or multiple children. Being prepared with items you may need to prevent diaper blowouts, hunger and meltdowns is really half the battle! Read through these bulleted lists to get my tips on how to prepare, what to pack and what you need to know for departure day. Save the lists, print them out or screenshot them on our phone!

Navigating the Airport with Kids

I primarily travel solo with my children, so that’s the perspective here, however these tips can help anyone. 

Before we get into the nitty gritty, I want to share a morsel of advice I received when traveling with my first baby, only 6 weeks old at the time. I made it on board the airplane, settled into my seat, followed all of my own tips and was as prepared as I could be. Halfway to our destination, baby began crying and I couldn’t figure out what she needed. I checked her diaper, I tried nursing her, I tried removing her from the baby carrier and swaddle… she was taking a long time to settle down and I was sweating bullets, imagining all the passengers nearby who must be annoyed with my crying baby and think I’m a bad mom for not getting her to stop. The airline stewardess saw my distress and came over to me. She leaned down low, looked me straight in the eyes while baby wailed in our ears, and said: “Look around. Every single person on this plane was once a baby and all babies cry.” She is totally right! Please take that quote with you and remember it, should you ever find yourself in my same position (which you will at some point, because you’re a parent traveling with kids!)

The Week Before

  • Bringing your Car Seats: Get a carseat bag for each carseat so you can check those heavy lugs as soon as you get to the airport! I linked my favorite brand for a travel car seat bag, which I have used for years with multiple carseats and for tons of travel with great success! For heavy car seats, or those with sensitive backs, I highly recommend utilizing a folding travel luggage cart. Using bungee cords, you secure your carseat right to the luggage cart, to get it through the airport if you’re not checking it. It folds up easily to store in the overhead compartment on takeoff. 
  • Toddler Safety for On Board: I love the FAA-approved harnesses that can be attached to the seatbelt on the plane to increase the safety of the lap belt. Bonus feature: holds your “runner” down.
  • Stock your Diaper Bag: If traveling with a baby, make sure your diaper bag is stocked with two spare onesies, an extra top for yourself, or layers (in case of a diaper blowout), one diaper for each hour of travel time, a full package of wipes and diaper disposal bags, two muslin swaddles as well as your typical diaper bag essentials. If your baby needs white noise to be soothed, rest assured the sound of the engine will likely lull baby right to sleep. 
  • Carrying Baby: If you don’t already have one, purchase a baby carrier and bring it with you. Keep your arms and hands free to get through the airport, while keeping baby feeling safe, snug and away from germs. I linked an amazing brand for you, because doctors and chiropractors agree that to prevent hip dysplasia in infants, it’s best for baby to be in a sitting position on their bottom, rather than their weight sitting directly on top of their hips (like a popular brand).

At the Airport

  • Check in Curbside: the best $10 you’ll ever spend, is to tip the curbside guys to check your luggage and car seats prior to entering the airport (note: moms with lap babies sometimes have to go inside to check in – but just ask when you pull up!) Checking in curbside, leaves you more handsfree to manage your children in the airport.
  • Wear and Cover the Baby: Strap baby into a baby carrier;  Wearing baby, keeps baby in a safe spot while you maneuver detaching car seats from the car. To prevent germs, drape one of the muslin swaddles from your diaper bag, over your shoulder and babys head. Leave a little opening under your chin so you can look down and see baby. Muslin is very lightweight and its open weave allows for airflow, making it breathable and reducing the risk of overheating.
  • Packing up the Carseat Travel Bag:  Once you get their carseat packed into the bag, you’ll notice you have extra space inside there. Since baby gear checks for FREE, go ahead and stuff whatever else you don’t immediately need with you, into the bag – extra packs of diapers, wipes, heavy coats, whatever you don’t want weighing you down during travel. No one will tell you that you can’t do that, so you might as well make the most of it!
  • Getting from Curbside to Security: Keep wearing baby in the carrier, but unfold your stroller. Place your diaper bag (which is undoubtedly heavy) into the seat of the stroller, along with other carry-on items you may have and wheel it  right up to security.
  • Getting Through Security: You are allowed to leave baby in your carrier – the security officer will just need to do an additional step of swiping your hands. This makes it easier to hang onto other children that may be traveling with you, and also to leave baby undisturbed in case they are nursing or sleeping.  If you’re concerned about radiation, you can request to skip the x-ray machine and be patted down instead. If the officer seems annoyed, remember it’s their job to keep everyone safe, and it’s your baby and body – do what feels right to you.
  • Getting a Stroller through Security: The stroller will need to be screened, and security won’t let you just simply push it through the x-ray machine. Empty the contents of the stroller and place them in a bin to go on the belt separately. Fold up your stroller and hoist it right onto the x-ray machine belt. If you’re traveling alone, someone in line with you will likely offer to help you with this step – there are still good people out there! I’ve done at least 100 flights with 1, 2 or 3 kids and I’ve never had to lift my stroller myself, while wearing a baby.
  • After Security: Unfold the stroller, load it back up with your stuff and resume pushing it through the airport to your gate.
  • Arriving to your Gate: Upon arrival to your gate, immediately ask the gate agent for a stroller tag. He or she will show you how to tag your stroller and where to place it once it’s boarding time (either at the entry for the jet bridge, or at the end of the jet bridge before you get on the plane). I like to discuss this with the gate agent early on, so that I am prepared before lines form at the desk.
  • Close to Boarding Time: Find a bathroom nearby and do one last diaper change and potty break for all.

On Board the Airplane

  • Boarding: Great news, parents with kids get priority boarding! Getting on board early, gives you a chance to get each child situated in their seat, and to get yourself situated.
  • Wearing Baby On Board: Flight attendants typically won’t let you wear baby once you’re sitting in your plane seat. You’ll have to remove baby from the carrier for takeoff, and place him/her on your lap once your seatbelt is secure. Once up in the air, I like to get baby back into the carrier for a nice, snug napping spot, easy nursing and some hands-free time to read a book or magazine (unless you’re traveling with other kids – then this hands-free time does not exist. Haha!)
  • Preventing Germs: If you or your child is sitting next to a stranger, aim your air vent to point down in between your child and them. This can create an airflow barrier, in case they cough or sneeze. If you’re traveling with a baby and a stranger is next to you, try to keep baby covered with the muslin swaddle blanket as much as you can and especially while nursing and during babys nap. I also bring along a baggie of Seventh Generation Disinfectant wipes to wipe down surfaces around us. These wipes kill 99.99% of germs and are non-toxic, so baby won’t come into contact with harmful ingredients found in other brands disinfectant wipes. 
  • Taxing for Takeoff: When your plane makes it way to the strip to take off, you’ll want to be ready to breastfeed or bottle feed. Saving milk for takeoff is very important because it helps keep babys ears clear during ascent. Bonus – baby will probably then fall asleep. Nurse or bottle feed while the plane is landing as well, for the same reason.
  • Changing Diapers On Board: Don’t wait for a diaper blowout once on board! Make a conscious habit to change baby’s diaper every hour or two of the trip, to avoid explosions. Are you traveling with multiple kids and by yourself? Take all of them with you to the restroom and leave the restroom door open while you change baby’s diaper – this way you can keep track of everyone. Don’t worry what others might think – keeping an eye on your littles is the most important thing! Sometimes, there are no changing tables in the airplane bathroom. In this case, you’ll have to get creative with changing baby’s diaper in your seat. Don’t get caught up in fretting about the smell – it’s a shame there aren’t changing tables on every plane and it’s not your fault! I keep disposable diaper bags on hand so I can tie up that poopy diaper pretty fast and minimize smell impact.
  • Food and Drink Service: When the snack cart comes around, choose to hydrate your littles with water and skip the juices and soda. They won’t feel good putting that in their body while in an airplane up in the air, and you won’t feel good when they’re bouncing off the walls from a sugar rush. Same goes for snacks – try to choose peanuts or pretzels over the sugary cookie. Even better, if you have stocked your bag with some of the healthy snacks, mentioned above!
  • Traveling Internationally While Breastfeeding: I really should do an entire post about this! Whether traveling with or without your baby, bring a hand pump as a back-up to your electronic pump. Trust me, I blew up my Medela pump while overseas trying to use a converter. It was a sad, sad day! If you’re traveling without baby, set alarms on your phone to alert you to pump every 2-3 hours so your supply stays strong and in tact. I turn off my ring, switch to vibrate and place the phone under one of my thighs so that it won’t fall if I’m sleeping and I will feel it. 

Train Travel with Kids

  • What Time to Arrive: Check online ahead of time, to find out whether your train station has a manned building with waiting room, or is curbside only. Make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes early, so you have time to ask someone working the station, or a friendly stranger, to help you get your car seats on board when the train arrives. The train stops and goes all within a very short span of time and you have to be prepared to move fast! I also use this extra time, to fold up the stroller and line up all of our gear on the platform so that I’m ready to move fast when the train arrives.
  • Avoiding Germs: Pack a zipper baggie of Seventh Generation Disinfectant wipes to wipe down surfaces around you and the kids. These wipes kill 99.99% of germs and are non-toxic, so baby won’t come into contact with harmful ingredients found in other brands disinfectant wipes. 
  • Bring a Washable Blanket or Tablecloth: When you step on board, look for the seats near the restrooms that have the extra space with handicap access. If they are available, this is a great space to set up shop with your kids. You’ll have a couple of seats, as well as ample floor space for picnics, naps or playtime. Set up your blanket on the floor so the kids can sit and spread out. I find this to be much easier than trying to corral kids to sit in seats for the entire trip.
  • Restrooms: Being that the handicap area is usually located near the bathroom, you’ll be less stressed getting kids to and from the bathroom in a timely manner. Be sure to change babys diaper every hour or two, to avoid a major blowout up their back.
  • Food Car: Utilize the food car, to change scenery a bit at meal times, or for when you need a table to play a game on or color.
  • Preparing for Arrival: When you know you are a half hour out from your stop – start gathering up all of your items, get your carseats and other bags down from where they were stowed, and have everything lined up near the door you’ll be exiting from. Let the attendant know that you may need some help disembarking with all that gear. This will make your departure from the train so much easier!

Road Trips with Kids

Now what about road trips? We have gone as far as 19 hour drives, but more often do 5-10 hour drives – most of these tips work for any span of time!

What to Pack in the Car, the Night Before

In order to contain the mess when you travel with food and kids, you’ll want to pack a few items into your vehicle the night before:

  • Grocery Bags: I either keep one grocery bag for garbage collection up front in the passenger seat, or set up a paper grocery bag beneath each car seat that the kids can toss garbage into themselves.
  • Bibs: for littlest ones.
  • Entertaining Mirror for Baby: I love this Brica baby mirror which comes with a remote to operate it from the front seat. It lights up and makes music with a push of a button on the remote, and you can turn it on to create a distraction when baby gets fussy.
  • White Noise for Baby: Does your baby need white noise to soothe? Sometimes cracking a window on the highway is enough, but other times you may need something that’s more familiar if you’re using a white noise machine at home. I’ve used this affordable, portable white noise machine that clips right onto babies car seat and has a built-in timer. It’s battery-operated, so no outlet required. 
  • Roll of Paper Towel: You’ll need them to clean up messes.
  • Dollar Store Snack Containers: Since they are only $1, I don’t feel too bad if they get gross and I toss them out.
  • Reusable water bottles: So you can refill with fresh water along the way.
  • Set up the DVD Players: If your car doesn’t have built-in DVD players, don’t worry! Portable DVD players made for car travel, typically have a velcro strap to secure them to the back of the headrests. Make sure you have all of the cords you need and get them set up in the car.
  • Library DVDs: To keep their interest, borrow some DVD’s from the library for free. Many libraries offer renewal online, for longer trips!
  • Parent Supplies: Set yourself up in the front seat, with sunglasses, water, wipes + diapers (for baby, not for you), grown-up snacks, toll booth change, headphones and whatever else you think you’ll need within reach.
  • Download Useful Road-Trip Apps: I’ve used these apps to avoid accidents, cops and even to plan my route: Waze and inRoute. 
  • Plot your Stops: Find a picnic area with a playground along your route to stop for a packed picnic lunch and run around on warm days, or try Chick Fil A’s indoor playground on cooler days. Hoping to keep it healthy on the road trip? Look for a Panera Bread which has decent enough, healthy choices for a drive-through option.
  • For Overnight Trips: Plan what hotels you want to stop at ahead of time, so you have somewhere safe and comfortable to park overnight. I try to research the towns on my route that look like they time up correctly with when we need to stop – so I know whether it’s an area I’ll feel safe in and I can see what hotels they have available.

Morning of Departure

  • Bathroom: Have all the kids do a potty break before buckling in, and do one last diaper change for baby. Toddlers will argue they don’t have to go – make it non-negotiable and do your best to encourage them. I’m not against bribery in this instance, haha! 
  • Communicate the Food and Bathroom Travel Plan to the Kids: Let your kids, ages 3 years old +, know what the plan is for stopping for potty breaks, and continuously remind them to only sip their water, so they learn to pace themselves. Mine will guzzle a full bottle of water from the get-go if I don’t remind them that our first stop won’t be for 3 hours. Decide what works for you, but this will impact how many times you end up stopping for the restroom. If you’ve got someone that is only recently potting trained or still working on perfecting using the potty… put a diaper on them, and forget the potty training during the trip. You’ll be glad you did!
  • Set the Kids Up for Fun: Keep the surprise bags up front and out of reach, so you can pace them and pull out new surprises when the mood warrants a change. Set up everyone in their carseat with their lap tray buckled on. Hand them their electronic devices with headphones, and their pencil pouch lanyards, so they have easy access once you depart.
  • Garbage Prep: Place paper grocery bags beneath each carseat to catch garbage. 

What to Do on Departure

  • Headphones: Make sure your headphones are handy. If the kids are watching a movie in the back, you can be listening to a podcast, music or audio book. This helps you stay sane through the drive and not lose your cool to the background noise of Caillou’s whiney voice. 
  • Departure Time for a Day Trip: Leave early enough that you beat work traffic (6 or 7 am) or late enough that you avoid the traffic (9 or 10am). Try to plan your timing so that you can make it to where you’re going in one day, if possible.
  • Departure Time for Long Trips: Leave at a time that gets you to your first hotel overnight before 10pm. I try not to stop much later than that, because it’s hard waking up sleepy kids and getting them to cooperate to get out of the car. Also, once they are up, good luck getting them settled back down to sleep!
  • Nursing? I carry a hand pump in my bag for situations where I want to keep driving and stay on a time schedule, but still need to get more milk for baby. I’ve tried a few different brands, and the Medela hand pump is easiest for me to use and has never failed me. I won’t come right out and suggest pumping while driving, and passing bottles back…

How to Prep Tempeh for Recipes

Posted on by biglittlebites

What is Tempeh?

Tempeh. Does it seem mysterious? Daunting? Intimidating to try? Tempeh is a rectangular shaped cooked patty, made from cultured fermented whole soybeans and is the shining star of soy-based meat alternatives. Why does it shine so bright? Because, tempeh is:

  • Very minimally processed, especially compared to it’s relative: tofu
  • Uses the whole soybean
  • Fermentation = probiotics
  • Substantial nutritional value
  • Works to lower your bad cholesterol
  • Lots of calcium
  • High protein
  • Great source of vitamin K, among many other vitamins
  • Great nutty flavor
  • Easy to use, no pressing required
  • Great texture, not spongy

Where to Buy Tempeh

In years past, tempeh was tough to find and I would have to go to specialty health stores to purchase it. Today, you can find tempeh in the refrigerated vegan section of most common grocery stores. Tempeh is packaged as a rectangular or square shaped patty, double wrapped in plastic. You may notice some brands add grains or seeds to the tempeh as well. Tempeh may have black spotting on it, but this is normal and doesn’t mean it’s gone “bad.”

thin sliced tempeh in a glass dish

What Makes Tempeh Different from Tofu?

Tempeh has a firm texture and earthy, nutty flavor which completely contrasts tofus spongy, moist, mild flavor. Don’t let this intimidate you, because while tempeh is different, it also is similar in that it absorbs whatever flavor you marinate it in. Unlike tofu, you don’t need to press moisture out, but with a simple 10 minute boil, you can eliminate any bitter flavor to better prepare it for marinade. 

Nutrition

Being that tempeh is made with fermented whole soybean, it offers more nutritional benefits than tofu. Tempeh is higher in protein, fiber, B vitamins and the minerals copper, iron, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium

Just one cup of tempeh provides 33 grams of protein (with all 9 essential amino acids) and 19 grams of healthy, plant-based fat that can lower bad cholesterol over time, 0 grams of sugar and 23 milligrams of sodium. This combination of protein and healthy fats keeps you feeling full longer, because it takes longer for your body to digest. This same one cup serving also provides 20% of your daily iron, which is equivalent to eating a 3 ounce steak. 

One cup of tofu contains 20 grams of protein, 19 g of fat, 10 grams of sugar, 788 milligrams of sodium. The most important differentiator in nutrition, comes from tempeh being fermented. Read on!

Fermentation

Tempeh is made from whole, cooked soybeans, and  fermented with the help of a fungus called Rhizomes oligosporus, for several days at low temperatures. Due to this natural process of fermentation, tempeh has beneficial prebiotic and probiotic effects on gut bacteria.  

Tofu you buy in the store or consume in most restaurants, is not natural and is actually a highly processed food. Tofu is made by heating and curdling soy milk (as opposed to whole, fermented soybean) and then industrally processed with a chemical coagulating substance. Unfermented soy contains unhealthy anti nutrients, and is high in phytic acid, similar to  legumes and beans which haven’t been sprouted.

Texture

Tempeh is firm, dry and grainy compared to tofus smooth, silky texture.  

How to Prep Tempeh for Recipes:

It’s not required to prepare tempeh this way, but I always do. While tempehs unique, natural, nutty flavor is delicious – it can have a slightly bitter taste that simmering takes away. 

1) Unwrap tempeh from it’s vacuum packaging.

2) Slice in half, if it’s rectangular shaped, to make two square shaped patties.

3) Fill a small pot with water and bring it to a boil.

4) Carefully add tempeh halves to boiling water and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 10 minutes.

5) Remove tempeh from pot and allow to cool. Slice each half in half again, but long-ways this time, making the patty thinner. Leave the tempeh in slices, cut it into little cubes, or crumble it.

Marinating Tempeh

Simmering makes the tempeh softer, and ready to absorb flavors of the  marinade you use. 

When the tempeh has cooled, simply add it to your marinade of choice and allow to soak in the flavors for at least two hours. Marinades can be the same as anything you would use for meat, poultry or fish. 

Now that it’s prepped, you can grill, bake, roast, stir fry, sauté or crumble it like ground beef.

sliced tempeh cooking in a skillet

Here are some of my favorite ways to eat tempeh: 

Chipotle Lime Tempeh Tacos with Avocado Crema

Bahn Mi Pockets

Vegan Chicken Salad