Family Fun in NY This Weekend

I don't intentionally mean to forget my east coasters so I wanted to share a few fun things that are going on this weekend - from free events to fun shows.  Wish I could be there - fall in New York is one of my favorite times of the year (minus the cold, of course!)

SATURDAY
11am:  If you're up on the Upper East on Saturday, then you want to check out the free Bari Koral Family Rock Concert at Barnes & Noble on 86th and Lexington.  Bari is slated as the "IT girl in kids/family music".  (Watch out, Laurie Berkner!)

All day:  Check out the Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden.  Now, why does this sound exciting?  The NYBG has constructed 140 landmarks made entirely out of plant-based materials such as twigs, acorns, and berries where trains zip by recognizable attractions such as the Brooklyn Bridge and the Status of Liberty.  Ticket prices vary and must be purchased in advance. 

SUNDAY
1pm:  It's an all-encompassing holiday show!  Go see the "Three Bears Holiday Bash", which is a marionette show at the Central Park Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre.  There's singing and dancing (of the puppets!) and they cover Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas in their version of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears".  Tickets:  $8 - adults; $5 - children under 12.

All day:  It's finally okay to play with your food at this gallery, as it's the "Canstruction 19th Annual NYC Competition" at the World Financial Center Courtyard Gallery.  This annual competition is hosted by the Society for Design Administration and you will be able to check out artistic structures created by leading architecture and engineering pros - and it's all made up of canned food!  Even you can contribute by bringing in your own can of food.  After a winner is decided, all cans will be donated to City Harvest.  A great competition for a great cause.  Admission:  FREE

It's All In The Christmas Bag

It's often challenging to find ways to be eco-friendly and resourceful around the holidays.  Recycle, re-use are words that are sometimes put away because we receive and give so many gifts during the season but we have the answer to your problems.  This year, why not try our amazingly cute Holiday Sacks.  These bags, made by Cocoon Couture, come in a variety of options with hand embroidered critters - from a dove to a reindeer.  Each decorative bag is made with 100% cotton yarn dyed stripe or polished cotton.

So, give away and re-give away that perfect gift this holiday season!  Check out our latest fashions of holiday sacks.

Dream Dove Red

Swinging Santa Blue

Little Reindeer Mint

What to Prepare for Baby's First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the best time of the year to bring family and friends together. It can be a little difficult figuring out what to feed your baby, when you want them to try everything. I discovered these great recipes from the blog, Wholesome Baby Food, where you can create traditional dishes that are baby friendly. I have even included a tofu recipe for those vegetarians out there. I do want to stress how important it is to buy local and organic - we need to support our small, local farms who help provide us with the best produce, pesticide-free!

Enjoy and have an amazing Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Baby Food
*For babies 4 to 6 months old and for babies 6 to 8 months old

Mix ingredients only once your baby has had them separately and you have checked for allergies.

Squishy Squashy Sweet Potatoes
Take a small scoop of that baked acorn or butternut squash and mash in some sweet potatoes.

Orange and White Potatoes
Take a small scoop of (pre-seasoned) white mashed potatoes and blend in some sweet potatoes.

Baby's Apple Pie
If you will be offering your baby cereal at Thanksgiving, make him a Baby Apple Pie - mix some applesauce together with oatmeal or rice cereal.

Baby's Sweet Potato Apple Pie
Mix in some sweet potatoes and applesauce with oatmeal or rice cereal.

Pumpkin Pie
Baby Pumpkin Pie is easy, simply blend pumpkin puree together with oatmeal or rice *

*For babies 8 to 10 months

Spicy Squash
Dish up some of the Thanksgiving squash and add some cinnamon and/or nutmeg to baby's squash.

Green & White Potatoes
Green beans and mashed potatoes are a staple of many Thanksgiving meals, for your baby, make a blend of white potatoes and green beans.

Baby's Turkey Dinner
Serve your baby a yummy Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner mélange.

1 slice of Turkey
applesauce
sweet potato
squash

Blend all of the above Thanksgiving food together for a yummy meal.

If your baby is eating finger foods, simply cut the turkey into small pieces and arrange in baby's dish with the squash, sweet potato and applesauce.

Tofu Dinner
If you will be offering your baby tofu at the Thanksgiving Dinner table, you can make your baby's tofu meal fitting and festive too. Blend or dice the tofu into manageable bites and blend with squash or sweet potato for a yummy meal; add some applesauce to extra yum.

You can also arrange the tofu bites in baby's dish with squash, white potato and another veggie like carrots or green beans.

Sweet Potato Pie
Mix sweet potato, yogurt, cereal and a dash of cinnamon then top with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O's and mix well.

For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Sweet Potato Pie.

Apple Pie
Combine cereal, yogurt and applesauce together adding a dash of cinnamon, top with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O's and mix well. For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Apple Pie.

Pumpkin Pie
Combine pumpkin puree together with cereal and yogurt and then add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg. Top this yummy mix with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O's and mix well.

For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Pumpkin Pie.