The Sili Squeeze
When Kristin Ahmer couldn’t find an easy way to feed her children pureed foods and smoothies, she decided to create her own patent-pending spill-proof design that keeps food in their mouths and not all over their clothes or surroundings. By combining the best attributes of a bottle and a disposable food pouch, Ahmer came up with the Sili Squeeze: a reusable pouch (made from 100% food grade silicone) that can be filled with purée, smoothies, and any ready-made snack like yogurt or applesauce. Read more 
The GoStak
The GoStak is an innovative – simple, portable, and versatile – way to take along favorite snacks, small items, and supplements when on the go. BPA-free, the standard GoStak consists of four different sized jars (that are interchangeable) with a choice of nine vibrant color lids. Connect the jars with the Twist n’Lock (patent pending) system for convenience and easy portability. Freezer and dishwasher-safe, the GoStak is sleek and compact, making it easy to transport as much or as little as desired, with an easy to grasp top handle. Read more
How To Make Cupcakes Meri Meri
Most cupcake bakers have two goals: to use the freshest and finest ingredients available to make the most delicious treats but there are also the bakers that have a third goal: to make their cupcakes especially pleasing to the eye by using liners and decorations. Presentation and packaging are very important and for the novice home baker, there is a company that provides a variety of unique baking products designed to add a touch of whimsy and beauty to your next cupcake project whether it be for a traditional birthday party or to celebrate the first day of summer. Read more
Top Ten Family Games, Part 2
Computers, i-pads, and i-pods have diminished the popularity of board games but sitting down with family and friends to play a game is still one of the all-American after dinner activities in our home, especially in the summer when we have no access to a television and intermittent access to the internet. Everyone has their preferences but we all agree that taking the time to sit down and play the game isn’t just about the game, it’s about sharing time together, talking, laughing, and having fun. Below are a few games bound to bring laughter and fun to your family: Read more
Top Ten Family Games, Part 1
Family activities are important ways to spend time together and although a family member or two may be reluctant to play a game that’s not on a screen, the attitude usually changes once the game gets underway, especially if television and the internet are not options In our home and especially during the summer after dinner, we gather around a big circular table and often play one of the following games: Read more
Rethinking the Lunch Box and Thermos
Every so often, a product is redesigned in such an innovative way that people reconsider its use. There was the brown paper bag for lunch which led to the iconic lunch box and thermos – all of which were staples in our society for those who wanted to bring lunch from home. When my daughter announced she was going vegan and would be preparing her own lunch to bring to school, she quickly realized the challenges of not only making fresh tasting food but of transporting and storing it so that the food looked and tasted just as good as when she first made it. The preparation was relatively easy; the transporting wasn’t which is how we found Black + Blum – a company that makes innovative and functional soup carriers, salad boxes, and meal holders, bags, and utensils. Read more
ROAD ID
One sunny day while walking my corgi, Daisy my friend, Nancy (whose corgi, Molly is Daisy’s BFF) told me I needed to get a ROAD ID bracelet like her husband, Lamar’s: a purple band that looked like a fashionable ID bracelet. For those who participate in outdoor sports and activities, the ROAD ID is an important accessory for both men, women and children because it speaks for the wearer in the event of an accident. Read more
France Luxe Hair Barrettes
One beautiful hair barrette is sometimes the perfect accessory and few companies make high quality barrettes as beautiful and functional as France Luxe. The company has been manufacturing hair ornaments – barrettes, combs, ponytail holders, sticks, jaws, bobby pins, and headbands – for more than a century at their factories located near Geneva, Switzerland.
High quality hair barrettes are scarce in the United States – most tend to break rather easily – which makes France Luxe barrettes stand out as they seldom break (I have some that are 20 years old and work just as well as the day I bought them) and there are no gobs of glue on the back holding the clasp onto the hairpiece. Stylish, colorful, and exquisite in design and function, France Luxe barrettes are timeless. Read more
The Big Face Collection
T-shirts have never taken up much space in my closet, despite its immense popularity in this country. In fact, I can count on one hand how many t-shirts I own. It’s not that I have a blanket aversion to t-shirts (although my daughter claims I do), it’s just so rare that I find a t-shirt that I like – the exception being the Big Face t-shirt collection by The Mountain. The Big Face t-shirt collection is best described as three-dimensional animal faces on a t-shirt that look so real, they appear to pop out at anyone that looks at them. So, when I saw the guinea pig t-shirt, I had to have it since I am somewhat known as a guinea pig when it comes to tasting food. Read more
The Joy of Chocolate Sprinkles
Sprinkles – the sweet candy topping used on ice cream, frozen yogurt, cookies, cakes, donuts, and even bread – are called many different names throughout the world. In the United States and especially in the northeast, we refer to sprinkles as “jimmies.” In England, they are called “hundreds and thousands” and in Holland, sprinkles are called “hagelslag.” The French call sprinkles “decoratifs” meaning “decorations” or “nonpareils” meaning “without parallel” or “vermicelles.” Whatever you call this sweet confection, chocolate sprinkles are a delicious treat that shouldn’t be abandoned in adulthood. Read more
Paddock Post 