For the record...my 22 other blog readers missed the chance to have the blessing of a McCormick & Schmick gift card.....must have been a busy week or we have a bunch of non-meat-eatin' girls reading the blog lately.
I'm just sayin'...
And the winnner is......Jennie!
Jennie, email me at intheknownorthwest@gmail.com with your address and I'll have the certificate mailed to you.
Congratulations and many blessings for your first week of school (I snuck a peek at your blog) and have a great date night with your Hubs!
Friday, August 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
First Ever ITKNW Giveaway!
That certainly got your attention!
As you know, Julia Robert's newest movie Eat, Pray, Love*** just opened last week in theaters. I know the book was wildly popular (thanks to Oprah) , so I'm sure the movie will draw a few chickadees out of their homes for some much needed girl time.
As luck would have it, McCormick & Schmick's is running their Reel-to-Reel special from now until September 30th where any diner who purchases a dinner entree has the option to add one movie ticket to their dinner bill for $5.00. Skip the box office hassle and enjoy a discounted movie ticket.
So, here is where you come in.
In The Know Northwest is having its first ever giveaway! A $25 McCormick & Schmick’s dining certificate has been offered to help one of the ITKNW faithful readers plan their dinner-and-a-movie night out.
Leave a comment with your favorite restaurant to visit when you need to escape it all and a winner will be randomly chosen Friday morning at 10 am.
Need more details about participating theaters? Click here.
***In The Know Northwest has no said opinions about Eat, Pray, Love. I'm not touchin' that with a ten-foot pole. I'm just here to bring the gift certificate goods.
As you know, Julia Robert's newest movie Eat, Pray, Love*** just opened last week in theaters. I know the book was wildly popular (thanks to Oprah) , so I'm sure the movie will draw a few chickadees out of their homes for some much needed girl time.
As luck would have it, McCormick & Schmick's is running their Reel-to-Reel special from now until September 30th where any diner who purchases a dinner entree has the option to add one movie ticket to their dinner bill for $5.00. Skip the box office hassle and enjoy a discounted movie ticket.
So, here is where you come in.
In The Know Northwest is having its first ever giveaway! A $25 McCormick & Schmick’s dining certificate has been offered to help one of the ITKNW faithful readers plan their dinner-and-a-movie night out.
Leave a comment with your favorite restaurant to visit when you need to escape it all and a winner will be randomly chosen Friday morning at 10 am.
Need more details about participating theaters? Click here.
***In The Know Northwest has no said opinions about Eat, Pray, Love. I'm not touchin' that with a ten-foot pole. I'm just here to bring the gift certificate goods.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Disney Pin Trading Party at EJ's
The "Unofficial" Disney Pin Trading Event at EJ's
Saturday, August 14th 11:30 - 1:30
Bring your family, friends and Disney Trading Pins to EJ's for the "Unofficial" Disney Pin Trading event this Saturday. This is not a Disney sponsored event, just a bunch of Disney Pin Traders getting together to swap pins, stories and enjoy a delicious lunch while doing so.
Tell the cashier that you are there to participate in the Disney Pin Trading event and receive a 15% discount off your meal.
They will have special tables set up for you. You don't need to stay the entire 2 hours, come and go as your schedule permits.
Saturday, August 14th 11:30 - 1:30
Bring your family, friends and Disney Trading Pins to EJ's for the "Unofficial" Disney Pin Trading event this Saturday. This is not a Disney sponsored event, just a bunch of Disney Pin Traders getting together to swap pins, stories and enjoy a delicious lunch while doing so.
Tell the cashier that you are there to participate in the Disney Pin Trading event and receive a 15% discount off your meal.
They will have special tables set up for you. You don't need to stay the entire 2 hours, come and go as your schedule permits.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Packing a Lunch
Packing lunches are a lot like shopping for jeans or choosing a Mexican restaurant....everyone likes different things.
I recently read the article below, and thought it might give us a little jump start as we begin this daily regime in just under 2 weeks. You'll notice this teacher/mom prefers natural foods...no trans fats, nitrates, extra sugar, etc. Whatever your preferences, a lot of option are listed.
Packing a Lunch: Healthy Food to Go
There are two philosophies in packing kids’ lunches:
1. Let kids help so that they have some agency, some choice in the process. That will encourage them to eat what has been packed, and Mom is more informed about what they like.
2. Pack kids’ lunches yourself. Then you are in charge not only of what is packed, but portion sizes. Sometimes this is important, but I would tend toward the first philosophy unless you have a strong reason to go with number 2.
Many parents find great success in making a list of foods with the child(ren), organizing it by category (main dish, vegetables, fruits, snacks, fun foods, etc) and allowing the child(ren) to choose an item from each list for the day’s lunch. If this is too complicated for you (for example, the more kids you have, the less they probably get to choose because you must streamline the packing process!), may I highly recommend this policy:
Whatever goes to school, comes back home, unless you have eaten it.
I always told my students to take home whatever they didn’t eat, “So that moms and dads know what you like, what you don’t like, and how hungry you were today.“ (Broken record teacher line right there, were you feelin’ it?) I explained that taking home the half sandwich you didn’t like because it had mustard on it and you hate mustard is a very effective way of communicating, almost like writing a note. Sometimes I even told kids to write notes about dislikes and put them into the lunchboxes! Do explain this concept to your kids; it’s a great way to stay in control even when you’re out of control because you’re not there. :)
Ideas for healthy school lunches lunch
If you’ve been struck with “lunch-packing block” in the past (you know, like writers’ block, except you can’t think of anything creative to pack instead), it is my fervent hope that you will find some new ideas on these lists that get you packin’ once again.
Healthy, Packable Foods for School Lunches
(and others who eat away from home)
* Cut veggies with dip
o Veggie ideas: cherry tomatoes, carrots, pea pods, cucumbers, cauliflower or broccoli spears, celery, fresh green beans, colored peppers,
o Dip ideas: hummus, homemade yogurt dip or yogurt cheese dip, ranch dressing, even ketchup if it’ll get them to eat their veggies!
* Apples and natural peanut butter (kids love to dip!)
* Frozen peas
* Homemade yogurt (with frozen fruit and/or granola in it)
* Fresh fruit, whole or cut depending on the child
o Bananas, oranges, apples, pears, plums, melon, grapes, cherries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines…try to stick with what is more or less in season and watch the Dirty Dozen list.
* Dried fruit
* Homemade whole grain muffins/quick breads
* Hard-boiled egg with salt and pepper (cut in half is easier to handle)
* Sandwiches (on 100% whole grain bread or homemade):how to pack nutritious lunch healthy
o Natural peanut butter and raw honey
o PB and jelly (I made honey-sweetened freezer jam this year; just be sure to watch the ingredients for high-fructose corn syrup if you buy it)
o PB and banana
o PB and pickle
o Leftover roast chicken or turkey
o Egg salad, chicken salad, or tuna salad
o Cream cheese and jelly
o PB and cream cheese
o Son’s new favorite: cream cheese with strawberry slices and raw honey
o BLT
o Bean spreads (search for recipes that used mashed beans as a sandwich spread – a great way to get protein in without breaking the bank or dealing with lunchmeat nitrites/nitrates)
o Try making a wrap to switch it up, but watch the tortilla ingredients for trans fats. I make my own homemade tortillas.
* Cheese and whole grain crackers
* Cottage cheese with various mix-ins
* Homemade “lunchables” – a reader idea from Llama Momma – stack crackers, cheese slices, and meat slices for the child to assemble with apple slices and cream cheese dip.
* Leftovers that can handle the “thermos” treatment:
o Homemade soups
o Homemade mac-n-cheese
o Many casseroles
o Spaghetti and other pasta dishes
o Stir fry with brown rice
o Of course, heat on the stove before packing in the thermos. Not that I would use the microwave anyway, but mic’d food just doesn’t hold the heat long enough, no matter what.
* Potato salad
* Cold bean salad (same idea as above – you know me and beans!)
* Leftover homemade whole wheat pizza
* Homemade granola bars
* Homemade applesauce or storebought natural (no sugar) applesauce. Add cinnamon for your kids to sweeten it up a little without adding a sweetener. My kids also like cinnamon-applesauce stirred into their yogurt.
Convenience packaging options:
* Natural applesauce single cups
* Goldfish crackers, only the “Made with Whole Grain” version
* Pretzels, as long as there isn’t HFCS or trans fats in the ingredients
* Boxed cereal and milk
* Canned fruit cups
* Store granola bars…but be wise about reading ingredients
* Plain yogurt with fruit in it or organic yogurt cups
* Pita bread and hummus
* Lunchmeat, as an occasional thing unless you get nitrate-free meats
* string cheese and real cheese slices (pre-sliced)
Remember the goal....
The purpose of lunch is to provide the person with brain food and energy for the rest of the day. Learning happens all day long at school, and it’s so important that kids don’t have a “brain drain” between the hours of 1-3:00 because their lunch didn’t provide them the fuel they needed. Many kids also need energy for after-school sports or playtime. It’s okay to constantly remind your kids that good food makes you feel good, think better and get stronger.
And here are a few more links you might want to glance at:
Creative School Lunches
12 Course Lunch for Preschoolers
Gingham Lunch Card Notes
I recently read the article below, and thought it might give us a little jump start as we begin this daily regime in just under 2 weeks. You'll notice this teacher/mom prefers natural foods...no trans fats, nitrates, extra sugar, etc. Whatever your preferences, a lot of option are listed.
Packing a Lunch: Healthy Food to Go
There are two philosophies in packing kids’ lunches:
1. Let kids help so that they have some agency, some choice in the process. That will encourage them to eat what has been packed, and Mom is more informed about what they like.
2. Pack kids’ lunches yourself. Then you are in charge not only of what is packed, but portion sizes. Sometimes this is important, but I would tend toward the first philosophy unless you have a strong reason to go with number 2.
Many parents find great success in making a list of foods with the child(ren), organizing it by category (main dish, vegetables, fruits, snacks, fun foods, etc) and allowing the child(ren) to choose an item from each list for the day’s lunch. If this is too complicated for you (for example, the more kids you have, the less they probably get to choose because you must streamline the packing process!), may I highly recommend this policy:
Whatever goes to school, comes back home, unless you have eaten it.
I always told my students to take home whatever they didn’t eat, “So that moms and dads know what you like, what you don’t like, and how hungry you were today.“ (Broken record teacher line right there, were you feelin’ it?) I explained that taking home the half sandwich you didn’t like because it had mustard on it and you hate mustard is a very effective way of communicating, almost like writing a note. Sometimes I even told kids to write notes about dislikes and put them into the lunchboxes! Do explain this concept to your kids; it’s a great way to stay in control even when you’re out of control because you’re not there. :)
Ideas for healthy school lunches lunch
If you’ve been struck with “lunch-packing block” in the past (you know, like writers’ block, except you can’t think of anything creative to pack instead), it is my fervent hope that you will find some new ideas on these lists that get you packin’ once again.
Healthy, Packable Foods for School Lunches
(and others who eat away from home)
* Cut veggies with dip
o Veggie ideas: cherry tomatoes, carrots, pea pods, cucumbers, cauliflower or broccoli spears, celery, fresh green beans, colored peppers,
o Dip ideas: hummus, homemade yogurt dip or yogurt cheese dip, ranch dressing, even ketchup if it’ll get them to eat their veggies!
* Apples and natural peanut butter (kids love to dip!)
* Frozen peas
* Homemade yogurt (with frozen fruit and/or granola in it)
* Fresh fruit, whole or cut depending on the child
o Bananas, oranges, apples, pears, plums, melon, grapes, cherries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines…try to stick with what is more or less in season and watch the Dirty Dozen list.
* Dried fruit
* Homemade whole grain muffins/quick breads
* Hard-boiled egg with salt and pepper (cut in half is easier to handle)
* Sandwiches (on 100% whole grain bread or homemade):how to pack nutritious lunch healthy
o Natural peanut butter and raw honey
o PB and jelly (I made honey-sweetened freezer jam this year; just be sure to watch the ingredients for high-fructose corn syrup if you buy it)
o PB and banana
o PB and pickle
o Leftover roast chicken or turkey
o Egg salad, chicken salad, or tuna salad
o Cream cheese and jelly
o PB and cream cheese
o Son’s new favorite: cream cheese with strawberry slices and raw honey
o BLT
o Bean spreads (search for recipes that used mashed beans as a sandwich spread – a great way to get protein in without breaking the bank or dealing with lunchmeat nitrites/nitrates)
o Try making a wrap to switch it up, but watch the tortilla ingredients for trans fats. I make my own homemade tortillas.
* Cheese and whole grain crackers
* Cottage cheese with various mix-ins
* Homemade “lunchables” – a reader idea from Llama Momma – stack crackers, cheese slices, and meat slices for the child to assemble with apple slices and cream cheese dip.
* Leftovers that can handle the “thermos” treatment:
o Homemade soups
o Homemade mac-n-cheese
o Many casseroles
o Spaghetti and other pasta dishes
o Stir fry with brown rice
o Of course, heat on the stove before packing in the thermos. Not that I would use the microwave anyway, but mic’d food just doesn’t hold the heat long enough, no matter what.
* Potato salad
* Cold bean salad (same idea as above – you know me and beans!)
* Leftover homemade whole wheat pizza
* Homemade granola bars
* Homemade applesauce or storebought natural (no sugar) applesauce. Add cinnamon for your kids to sweeten it up a little without adding a sweetener. My kids also like cinnamon-applesauce stirred into their yogurt.
Convenience packaging options:
* Natural applesauce single cups
* Goldfish crackers, only the “Made with Whole Grain” version
* Pretzels, as long as there isn’t HFCS or trans fats in the ingredients
* Boxed cereal and milk
* Canned fruit cups
* Store granola bars…but be wise about reading ingredients
* Plain yogurt with fruit in it or organic yogurt cups
* Pita bread and hummus
* Lunchmeat, as an occasional thing unless you get nitrate-free meats
* string cheese and real cheese slices (pre-sliced)
Remember the goal....
The purpose of lunch is to provide the person with brain food and energy for the rest of the day. Learning happens all day long at school, and it’s so important that kids don’t have a “brain drain” between the hours of 1-3:00 because their lunch didn’t provide them the fuel they needed. Many kids also need energy for after-school sports or playtime. It’s okay to constantly remind your kids that good food makes you feel good, think better and get stronger.
And here are a few more links you might want to glance at:
Creative School Lunches
12 Course Lunch for Preschoolers
Gingham Lunch Card Notes
Monday, August 9, 2010
Chilly Milly's Snow Cones
Summertime is making plans to pack her bags and leave us in 2 weeks.
Dern.
I almost feel like she already has one foot out the door as football practice begins tonight and hence begins my what-to-do-for-dinner-when-dinner-is-at-8pm situation. But that is a post for another day.
Although Cypress is saturated with ice cream shops and wine bars, you do not see many snow cone options.
Chilly Millys has come to town!
She has a little red trailer at the corner of Grant and N. Eldridge and she boasts of New Orleans Style snow cones. We caught her right at closing time yesterday and will most certainly find ourselves holding onto summer a bit longer by visiting her again in the coming weeks.
Give her a try!
She is open 1 pm- 7 pm Tuesday - Saturday and 12pm - 5 pm on Sundays.
Chilly Milly Snow Cones
13750 N. Eldridge
Cypress, TX 77429
Dern.
I almost feel like she already has one foot out the door as football practice begins tonight and hence begins my what-to-do-for-dinner-when-dinner-is-at-8pm situation. But that is a post for another day.
Although Cypress is saturated with ice cream shops and wine bars, you do not see many snow cone options.
Chilly Millys has come to town!
She has a little red trailer at the corner of Grant and N. Eldridge and she boasts of New Orleans Style snow cones. We caught her right at closing time yesterday and will most certainly find ourselves holding onto summer a bit longer by visiting her again in the coming weeks.
Give her a try!
She is open 1 pm- 7 pm Tuesday - Saturday and 12pm - 5 pm on Sundays.
Chilly Milly Snow Cones
13750 N. Eldridge
Cypress, TX 77429
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Painting With A Twist Summer Camp
2+ weeks more of summer....how 'bout squeezing in one more camp?
Painting with a Twist is offering a kids camp next week.
Each child ages 6+ will participate in taking a 2-hour painting class. After the class we will enjoy mini cupcakes, snacks and lemonade!
Where: 12344 Barker Cypress Rd. Suite 200
Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 256-8383
When: 9:00am - 12:00pm on 8/9/2010
Price per person $35.00
Need more information? Click here for more details.
Painting with a Twist is offering a kids camp next week.
Each child ages 6+ will participate in taking a 2-hour painting class. After the class we will enjoy mini cupcakes, snacks and lemonade!
Where: 12344 Barker Cypress Rd. Suite 200
Cypress, TX 77429
(281) 256-8383
When: 9:00am - 12:00pm on 8/9/2010
Price per person $35.00
Need more information? Click here for more details.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Happy Birthday Whataburger!
If you know me well, you know my youngest loves him some ketchup. We were thrilled to find a shirt on a recent vacation that summed him up...it says "I put ketchup on my ketchup".
True dat
And there is no better ketchup in all the land that rivals the ketchup at Whataburger. I am talking taste and the cute little tubs. You know the ones that you just rip the top off and have instant dipping potential instead of having to open endless packets to yield 1 measly teaspoon of ketchup.
Tell me I am not alone here.
So, anyhoo....today from 5-8pm, if you show up at any Whataburger wearing orange, you will be greatly rewarded with a whataburger in celebration of their 60th birthday.
And do not forget to stash some of that yummy ketchup in your purse for late.
Not saying I have ever done that...
Finally, a good reason for my oldest to wear that hideous burnt orange shirt he loves so dearly. Yes, he still loves the Horns.
Mercy, me
True dat
And there is no better ketchup in all the land that rivals the ketchup at Whataburger. I am talking taste and the cute little tubs. You know the ones that you just rip the top off and have instant dipping potential instead of having to open endless packets to yield 1 measly teaspoon of ketchup.
Tell me I am not alone here.
So, anyhoo....today from 5-8pm, if you show up at any Whataburger wearing orange, you will be greatly rewarded with a whataburger in celebration of their 60th birthday.
And do not forget to stash some of that yummy ketchup in your purse for late.
Not saying I have ever done that...
Finally, a good reason for my oldest to wear that hideous burnt orange shirt he loves so dearly. Yes, he still loves the Horns.
Mercy, me
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