Popsicle Molds and Ice Cream Sandwich Mold

It's always nice when you can make your own popsicles for a hot day. It has been hotter than ever lately. I think last week it was about 104 here. When I make ice pops I usually just mix juice (apple is a favorite) and water or a few different juices.

Tovolo Rocket Pop Molds Set of Six - $8.99 at Wrapables.com

I also love these for making ice cream sandwiches:

Farm Ice Cream Sandwich Molds for set of 3 - $11.99 at Target.com

This stainless steel top ice pop mold is great for making ice pops with fruit inside:

Norpro Stainless Steel Lid Icepop Maker - $14.99 at Target.com

The Wean Machine

I thought we were ahead of the game with the Beaba BabyCook. Seems like a great little device but we've recently heard about "The Wean Machine". The Wean Machine is a portable baby food maker. It includes a spoon and aims to help save time and money. It's easily sterilized and top shelf dishwasher safe. For best results, the makers of wean machine suggest using soft ripe fruits and well cooked vegetables. The Wean Machine is made in the UK but is available for purchase in the US. Created by a busy mom, Tilly Beazeley. I love her web site because she also lists a bunch of recipes.

The Wean Machine - $24.95 at wrapables.com in the US

Would you use one of these?

The Goodbyn LunchBox

Have to say that I really love this lunch box. We were just talking about bento boxes the other day and how great they are for compartmentalizing stuff. I have a minor obsession with disposable storage containers. Particularly those that are small for storing things like dips or mixing up my special trail mix. I bring a tiny tupperware cup with yogurt dip or hummus and pack some carrots along the side and have a healthy snack. Problem is that the disposable tupperware method isn't exactly environmentally conscious and I really am trying to get better about waste.
I discovered this lunchbox and while it seems to be geared towards children, I think it's great for adults too. The Goodbyn has 5 areas for storing snacks and one area in the middle for storing an 8.5 ounce bottle that comes with every order. The makers of Goodbyn also say that their container keeps tastes and moisture separate so your sandwich doesn't taste like your cookie and vice verse. Each Goodbyn comes with three sheets of stickers so that you can decorate your own box. I also love that it's dishwasher safe. Goodbyn is manufactured in the USA.

Goodbyn is available in red/orange, blue, green and pink and each is $29.95

Boxes are PBA and Phthalate free and are also recyclable

Life's a Picnic

I recently saw these picnic bags by Flee Bags in a magazine and thought that they were a great thing to have. They are made out of oil cloth which is easy to wipe off and can keep things cool when used along with an ice pack or two. I have a heavy plastic cooler and I also have a lighter one that I use for trips to the beach, etc. Just thought these were cute and loved the side compartments. The coolers measure: 16.5x9.5x11

Berries Blue Large Cooler by Flee Bags - $58 at fleebags.com

Glen Plaid Large Cooler - $58 at fleebags.com

Berries Pink Large Cooler - $58 at fleebags.com

S'mores Maker

For the past month, I rented a home in Newport, Rhode Island. I took a couple of long weekends and went up and it was great! One weekend a bunch of girls in my family came and we toasted s'mores. Not the old fashioned way over a bonfire but rather with a s'mores maker I was given a year or two ago. I had never used it before and when I brought it out everyone loved it! S'more's always make me happy and remind me of the fires we used to have at my Grandparents house. Such a simple dessert and I just wanted to share it with you all:

Dylan's Candy Bar in New York sells the maker and it can also be used for making fondue or as an ice cream sundae station.

S'mores Maker "3-in-1 Dessert Station - $45 at Dylanscandybar.com

Yogurt Parfait

I don't have pictures to share but yesterday I had the most amazing breakfast! We had a meeting in our New York office and my manager ordered the following: yogurt, granola, diced pineapple, diced cantaloupe, diced honeydew melon, and a mix of berries (this was for a big group). You made a layer of yogurt and then placed some granola on top of that and then topped off your creation with berries and fruit. I have not been the biggest fan of yogurt but it's great for protein and I absolutely loved this little meal. I think this is a great thing to serve at a brunch because you can make a great presentation and it's so simple to put together. Just thought I would share! Do you like parfaits?

Whole Foods Market Recipes

My mother and I love Whole Foods. I'm obsessed. A couple months ago I discovered that they had a section for recipes posted on their site and it is amazing! They have all sorts of ideas for those with food allergies, desserts, sea food, pasta and more. I tried the recipe for salmon encrusted with almond meal and it was delicious and so easy!
I also have the Whole Foods Cookbook which is nice but I can't say that I use it all the time. I'd rather print our recipes that I like and put them in my own recipe book.

Chicbabyrose Cupcake Toppers

I love these little cupcake toppers. Actually, I love this etsy store. These toppers are great for kids birthday parties and in some cases parties like a bachelorette or bridal shower.

Set of 12 ballerina cupcake toppers - $7.95 by chicbabyrose on etsy.com

Baby Girl Shower Cupcake Toppers - Set of 12 for $7.95 at chicbabyrose on etsy.com

Great for Bachelorette Parties!

Retro Women Cupcake Toppers - $7.95 for set of 12 (2 of each variety) by chicbabyrose on etsy.com

Cooking Sets

So yesterday, I showed you the little cooking kits...you can also just pick up a box of brownies or cookie mix. Today, I wanted to show you the cooking sets that GrowingCooks has to offer.

Kit includes: 6 cookie cutters, 5 plastic measuring spoons, 2 wooden spoons, plastic spatula, wooden spatula, metal whisk and a mini wooden rolling pin.

Growing Cooks Basic Chef Set - $6.95 per set at GrowingCooks.com

Kit Includes spatula, wire whisk, wooden spoon and rubber spatula

Growing Cooks Utensil Set - $7.95 at GrowingKits.com

Set includes a six cup mini non stick baking pan, 200 baking cups, an icing decorator with six interchangeable tips, 4 recipes

Growing Cooks cupcake Decorating Kit - $16.95 per set at GrowingCooks.com

Kids Cooking Kits

I think these cooking kits are great! Tomorrow I'll feature the sets to go along with them. I always used to buy little gifts like this for the girls that I babysat for and they loved it!

Kit makes pizza dough and sauce. Each mix makes 4-5 mini pizzas.

Pizza Kit by Growing Cooks - $7.95 at GrowingCooks.com

Growing Cooks Snickerdoodle Kit - $7.95 at Growingcooks.com

Kit comes with caramel mix, 8 sticks, and a bag of chocolate sprinkles
Growing Cooks Caramel Apple Kit - $7.95 at GrowingCooks.com