droolicious : dining

Food Face – It’s Okay To Play With Your Food - UPDATE

SunnyChanel — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:30:00 GMT

Who doesn’t like to play with their food? And to play with your breakfast, lunch and/or dinner in a style ala Willy Wooly, well then like turns to a great big love. The Food Face plate is coming soon to bring oodles of fun to mealtime. Peas, beans, noodles, and pert any other entrée can dress up this basic face.

This plate, which was originally spotted by our own Aaron Burgess here, is made from hotel quality high-fire ceramics and totally food safe and will go for $9.99. Want your own Food Face, yeah me too. But we'll have to wait. These plates, which were originally slated for a mid April release, will finally be available in mid May, like next week! You can go here and sign up for an email to be notified when it's ready to ship. Patience, it's a virtue.

Lego My Dinner

JeanneSager — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 16:30:00 GMT

You told your kids not to play with their food, but no one ever said anything about their fork and spoon.

Have your adult conversation uninterrupted while they play with the Snack & Stack Take Along Utensils from Fred Flare. Not technically Lego (that's a trademarked name), the silicone block handles of the fork, spoon and butter knife fit together just like the real thing for building fun that doesn't embarrass the adults.

And if you happen to grab them and have a go, just tell the waiter you were stacking them up to stow in your bag . . . at least you weren't caught pouring salt in the butter.

Get them from Fred Flare for $20 a set.

First Look: Mutsy Easygrow

Nicole Feliciano — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 18:30:00 GMT

Sitting pretty in a new seating option from Mutsy.

You’ve got the cool stroller, the hip diaper bag and the trendy kiddie clothes. What are you doing with the clunky plastic highchair in your kitchen?

Mutsy has a new child seat called the Easygrow ($199.99) that works with contemporary interiors. The Easygrow is available in four modern colorways: dark gray, green, orange and white. This clean, sleek chair looks appropriate and weighs a mere 16 pounds.

On a practical note, the seat will work from about 6 months until your child hits the ‘tween years (about 100 lbs.). For tots, use the eating tray and bumper bar. When your baby grows, the Easygrow scoots right up to the table at mealtime. You’ll also appreciate that all materials are stain proof and washable. Bon Appetit!

Droolicious Shopping Guide: Peg Perego High Chairs

Nicole Feliciano — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:15:00 GMT

Peg Perego’s high chairs won’t guarantee a five-star dining experience, but they will speed along clean up and offer your tot a cozy launching pad for his peas.

Peg Perego hopes to take the battle out of feeding your kids. Three times a day you’ll try to get an assortment of fruits, vegetables, grains and protein into your baby’s belly. Sometimes your diner will be less than cooperative. Having the right seating can make a world of difference.

Peg Perego has a trio of dining options. The latest entry is the Tatamia ($350). In addition to being a trendy looking high chair, this souped up model does triple duty. The Tatamia quickly converts from high chair to recliner to swing (for more details, see Droolicious post).

And since babies come in all different shapes and sizes, Peg Perego has outfitted the seat with nine heights. Like all Peg products, this one is designed to be easy to maintain. The fabric is easy to wipe down as are all the plastic parts and durable wheels make it simple to maneuver in and out of the kitchen.

Pro: Even a newborn can use this seat thanks to the full recline option.
Cons: At 31 pounds and 34” wide, it is the bulkiest model.
Best For: Parents hoping to skip buying a swing and bouncy seat.

Prima Pappa Diner: Double tray model with fun, bubble print padded seat. ($222)

Pro: Cheery design livens up the kitchen.
Con: Mind the gap! Parents complain the tray isn’t close enough to baby allowing food to collect in baby’s lap.
Best For: Small spaces; the chair is a mere 22” wide and 19 lbs.

Prima Pappa Best: Adjustable footrest and backrest make this a deluxe dining chair. ($264.99)

Pro: Tray stores on chair's back legs to save counter space.
Con: Parents report pinching their fingers when folding up the seat.
Best For: Families looking for a full-feature chair.

Ikea Introduces a New High Chair — And It Folds!

Heather Kuldell — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:30:00 GMT

To buy a high chair or not to buy a high chair: This question depends on a complex matrix of space, aesthetics, function and of course, price. Blargh, the price. Even basic high chairs can be shockingly expensive with rare exceptions like long-time Droolicious favorite, the Ikea Antilop High Chair. Now, Ikea has come out with the Spoling High Chair for only $39.99. The frame of the chair is made of powder-coated steel, and the seat is a removable, machine-washable polyester. There isn’t a tray, but the chair does fold up for easy storage. So the answer to the question? To buy.

The Coolest Lunchbox EVER - Made by Oots

SunnyChanel — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:30:00 GMT

Seriously, this is the coolest lunchbox…ever. Made by Oots has just released this “new take on an American classic” for you and your kid’s lunches. In the ‘deluxe’ version of the box, there are four small and one large clear easy to open containers to separate out all the elements of your little ones lunch (perfect for those who don’t like their food to touch!). The containers fit perfectly in the box, making lunch an orderly affair. The box closes with an elastic strap which doubles as a holder for a water bottle or whatever vessel you opt to keep your liquids in.

And it’s kid safe! All the materials that they used to make this wonder are BPA-free, phthalate-free polypropylene and safety tested for lead.

There is one drawback, you’ll be so jealous of your kid’s lunchbox, you’ll have to get one for yourself.

For more info or to buy one click here. $35 for Standard Lunchbox, $45 for the Deluxe Lunchbox that includes the super handy containers.

Avoid Crayon Chaos

SunnyChanel — Thu, 29 May 2008 15:42:00 GMT

The other day we were on a flight back from Disneyland (the happiest place on earth) and as part of our in-flight entertainment we stocked up on a variety of coloring books for our kid. I presented my little one with her new pirate activity book and she was extremely excited to start marking up the lily white pages. I managed to dig out a yellow, blue and brown crayon from the depths of our diaper bag. All was fine and good until she wanted to color his pants. Red. They had to be red. She repeated over and over red, red, red, rojo, red. When she throws in a little Spanish we know she means business. Thing is, in the chaos that is her diaper bag I couldn’t find a red crayon anywhere, a tip of black, a half of green but the free range crayons swam around the bottom of her bag like a lost school of fish. Now I wish I had spotted the Dine.n.Doodle Roll-n-Go Crayons set before we set sail. This crayon keeper will hold 16 regular crayons or 8 big crayons and keep them organized, contained and all in one piece and will hopefully keep the peace when your budding artist demands their favorite hue. $9.00

A New Slant on Cup Drinking: Meet Doidy

Mir — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:01:00 GMT

Don't attempt to adjust your monitor! There's nothing distorted about the picture above; that's the Doidy Cup, developed in the UK as a trainer cup suitable for even the very young. The two handles are a no-brainer, of course, but the slanted design makes it easier to drink from without spiling. Doidy makes the transition from breast or bottle to an open cup much easier, as well as giving everyone at the table something to talk about.

Imported to the US and available from Smart Baby Mall. ($7.90 each in a variety of colors.)

Halo Cups Stand Up to Being Bumped

Mir — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 23:00:00 GMT

There was a period of time in my life when I joked that you knew the meal was done when my son knocked over his milk. Little kids are clumsy, and you can keep 'em in sippy cups forever or you can put up with the mess. Or -- you can pick up some Halo cups. Small, lightweight, and stackable, they also have a wrap-around handle that creates the trademarked wider base. They're a lot harder to tip over than normal cups, which means you may save yourself from a few puddles. $4.25 apiece at Amazon.

Be Party People with These Fred Chopsticks

Mir — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 21:04:00 GMT

Everyone can dig in with this pack of half-a-dozen party people chopsticks, and the best part is that -- although the single-piece construction mens they're easy for little hands to manage -- they're suitable for all ages. Pack a pair in Junior's lunchbox and watch him become an instant cafeteria celebrity. Set them out at dinner and watch even your pickiest eater try a few morsels. (Well, maybe not, but hope springs eternal.) $12 at Amazon for the set of six.

Stelton Rebel Diningware Designed for Kids' Manners

Mir — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:05:00 GMT

Norwegian designer Johan Verde designed the pieces of the Rebel collection around the way that small children actually eat. The porcelain mug and bowl and stainless steel spoon have gorgeous, modern lines, of course, but they also work well in little hands, and the bowl has a double-rim design to accommodate dropped food. It's art that works, and it's priced accordingly: Visit Snoform to pick up the spoon ($25), mug ($30), and bowl ($50).

Sanctus Mundo's Green Frogs Dine in a Life Without Plastic

Mir — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 14:02:00 GMT

Looking for more plastic-free diningware for the kids, but not ready to sacrifice the kid feel? Check out this green frog set from Life Without Plastic ($39.95 USD or CAD). The outside is (sturdy and safe) AS plastic decorated with friendly frogs, but all of the eating surfaces are stainless steel.

Sadly, the set isn't dishwasher safe, so I'll be passing unless a maid is included in the box....

Green Baby: Urushi Dish Set from Life Without Plastic

Mir — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 21:04:00 GMT

Traditional Japanese urushi lacquerware is wood treated with several coats of lacquer from the urushi tree, which is extremely durable. According to the site: "It is waterproof, resists strong acids and high temperature. It almost smells like honey." I'm not sure about dishes that smell like honey, but I do know they're stunning to behold and not yet shown to cause cancer. Also, looking at them makes me want to go hug a tree. Get the 5-piece child's set for $89.95 (USD or CAD) from Life Without Plastic.

Attention Elephant Fans: Petit Jour Elmer Dish Set

Mir — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 17:01:00 GMT

Elmer is a patchwork elephant. While your toddler will likely still throw most of his food on the floor while eating from this Elmer dish set from Petit Jour ($38 at Tiddley Widdley), he's likely to be a lot more cheerful while doing so. I mean, how could he not be?

Uni Jr. Dining Sets for Takeout Night

Mir — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 18:04:00 GMT

My children have become enamored of chopsticks (will, in fact, try any food with them), but needless to say, their skills need a bit of work. There's all sorts of kiddie chopsticks out there, but these sets by Uni Jr. give 'em the whole place setting built around those chopsticks. $13.99 at Amazon get you the plate, bowl, sticks, and chopstick buddy; choose pink, blue or orange.

Droolworthy: Rabbit Toes Personalized Plates

Mir — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 17:03:00 GMT

I love the idea of a personalized plate as a special gift for a child (particularly one with an unusual name), but so often the choices are so over-the-top cutesy I cannot imagine anyone over the age of five finding them attractive. These Rabbit Toes plates (from Jessica Rust Designs) have utterly charmed me -- choose from a large cake plate ($65) or four dessert plates ($75 for the set). The delicate fairies or fun construction vehicles patterns circle the rims along with a distinct but tasteful personalization, rendering these designs usable for years to come.

Every Meal's a Work of Art with the Skip Hop Palette Plate

Mir — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:05:00 GMT

It's probably the average toddler's refusal to eat much of anything that makes us parents so invested in finding just the right diningware for them; maybe if we had the right dishes, they'd eat! Skip Hop's new Palette Plate ($28) comes as close to perfection as anything I've seen (our recent Babble Best notwithstanding; this wasn't out yet when that was written). Designed for the way most toddlers graze -- a little of this, a little of that -- it's both eye-catching and functional. The bottom and handy drink pad have no-slip grip, and the included lids mean you can save any rejected food for the next meal.

Just don't come crying to us when Junior goes all Jackson Pollock with his yogurt.

Personalize It: InchBug BumpyName Orbit Labels

Mir — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 17:02:00 GMT

If only there was one easy way to label baby's bottle, your toddler's sippy cup, junior's lunch thermos, your travel mug.... Oh, wait! There is! Reminiscent of those plastic livestrong bracelets and all of the resultant knock-offs, these BumpyName Orbit Labels from InchBug will easily slip on (and stay on) just about any drink or round container. They're dishwasher-safe and reusable, and unlike stickers and permanent marker, they won't tear or fade. Order a set of four from InchBug for $11.95.

Rock the Retro: Liberty Garage Captain Rocket Dinnerware

Mir — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 11:02:00 GMT

If you're looking for a dinner set with a yesteryear feel, look no further than this Captain Rocket ensemble from Liberty Garage. Our intrepid spaceman looks a bit like Opie, no? Whether that means anything to your junior astronaut or not, he'll enjoy having his own rocket-themed dishes. Set of plate, spoon and silverware available for $21 at In The Treetop.

Lazy Chocolate Milk Fiend? Get a Hog Wild Moo Mixer!

Mir — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 21:02:00 GMT

I have absolutely no idea why we're the most obese nation in the world, do you? I mean, if my kid loves chocolate milk but cannot be bothered to expend the two calories needed to stir it himself, I say it's logical to shell out $12.90 (at Amazon) for this Moo Mixer by Hog Wild. Battery operated mixing means my little darling can continue sitting there like the useless lump the good lord intended him to be.

Green Baby: Bambu Eating Utensils

Mir — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 12:03:00 GMT

Not only are this fork and spoon set by Bambu made of (surprise!) organically-grown bamboo, they're specially sized for little hands. And they'll go perfectly with your coconut cups and palm leaf plates. While you dine on nuts and berries. What?

$7 for the set at Branch.

Chic & Clean Coveralls for Full-Contact Dining

Mir — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 17:04:00 GMT

Silly me, I thought this was as far as a bib could go in terms of keeping baby clean during meals. But that was before I came across these Chic & Clean coveralls from Chic Tots. True, at $32 they're not exactly cheap, but they're about as easy to don as a conventional bib (split back and legs go on easily) and would keep even the Tasmanian Devil clean underneath the PUL-coated cotton. They're mildew, stain and waterproof, and available in a variety of designs. (Pssst! You could also use 'em as art smocks.)

Eat, Drink and Be Within Reach: Sip 'N Snak

Mir — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 17:02:00 GMT

It doesn't have any bells or whistles, no artist signatures or fancy decorations; it's just form following function with resultant perfection. The Sip 'N Snak (reduced to $5.02 at Baby Planet Boutique) is a spill-proof cup attached to a snack container with just the right size opening for little fingers. The whole shebang is dishwasher safe and even comes with a strap to attach it to your stroller -- no more cups thrown overboard at the mall.

Cool Off with Mac And Cool Dish

Mir — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:29:00 GMT

One of my kids used to sit at the table screaming "FOOF IT! FOOF IT!" (my cue to commence blowing on hot food) until it was cold enough to suit her royal palate. I don't miss those days. Had I had this Mac & Cool quick cooling dish -- fill it with water, freeze, and hot food placed inside it cools to kid-friendly temperature in no time -- dinner might've been more harmonious.

$5.95 apiece or 2 for $10 at Burdick Baby.

Don't Squeeze Your Dwink

Mir — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 15:58:00 GMT

When my kids were little they always squeezed juice boxes (that then exploded all over the place) no matter how many times I told them not to. So I can certainly see the appeal of these Dwink juice box holders ($5 at The Polkadot Platypus).

I just sort of wish they hadn't given them such a goofy name. I mean, weally.