v 2 issue 11: Editors Picks

Our current issue includes our favorite picks from 2008. These products are of high quality, along with being stylish and of excellent value.



Cover by Shannon Stewart








1 These fun two-in-one dresses are a favorite of Tinseltown's little girls. These comfy, soft, reversible and twirly dresses have been seen on Jasmine Anthony (TV actress) and Apple Martin (Paltrow's daughter). Pick one of their designs or design your own at TwirlyGirlShop.com.

2 For little miss prep, the coordinating backpacks, wristlets and wallets at Amies Circle are a fun way to tote around her favorite things. Prices range from just $12 to $25.

3 Karito Kid dolls embrace the ethnicity of our world by teaching about Earth's varying cultures. Each 21" poseable doll celebrates beauty through ethnic features and comes with a chapter book & scrapbook detailing the country of the doll's origin. Be sure to activate your doll on the site for a 3% charitable donation.

4 Tattoo fans alike will appreciate this COOL signature Ed Hardy "Snake & Tattoo" Tee. The front has decorative art,the back has Ed Hardy's signature. Trivia note- Hardy pioneered the pop-culture tattoo-as-art space decades before the worldwide boom in tattoo art. This tee is available at Kitsel.com in toddler through size 8 - No needles required.

5 For those concerned about the carbon footprint but also desire a stylish flair we recommend energy cargos at GreenEdge Kids. Designed with quality, form and function in mind, these pants are created with heavyweight hemp/organic cotton fabric which make them extra durable and are also wrinkle resistant. Dyed with low impact dyes in subtle colors and water-based screen printed graphics. We also love that they are made in the USA.
Enter code: kidstrends15 for $15 off any order of $50 or more.

6 Calling all super hero's! With the I Am My Own Hero Cape & Mask, your child's imagination will soar and lead to many daily adventures. Available in 7 different colors (for both boys and girls). Personalize with their initial and select color and trim size. $49, Bodemi.com.

7 Hand-crafted, and made of eco-friendly rubberwood...this is a toy with integrity. Not only is it safe, but also multi-faceted. Flip the Tiger puzzle over and you have a whole new puzzle in a flash. Stand it up and you have a decorative piece of art. Nothing like a piece of artwork that makes you think! We think the company name says it all – Imagiplay.

8 Indulge yourself with a PediCare Spa Pedicure Gift Set from woodspritesoap.com. This set includes everything you need to keep your feet smooth and soft. Comes with Cool Your Heels Soothing Spa Foot Soak, Tea Tree & Peppermint Exfoliating Foot Scrub, and the Overnight Sensation Organic Foot Butter. Do it at home and do it organically- for less than a trip to the spa.

9 Your little girl will look stunning in this crocheted vintage style hat with pink ribbon rose. This hat stretches to fit heads 18 months up to 9 years old. Visit Petite Fleur Designs for this beauty as well as other elegant hair accessories.


Our favorite Mom tips:
Time Saving Tip:
Save time by having your grocery list sent directly to your cell phone with Cozi, a free family organizer. Cozi helps busy families manage schedules, appointments, shopping and communications from wherever you are — the kitchen, car, office or even the grocery store. Learn more at www.cozi.com

Cleaning Tip: Before hanging shower curtains, soak in salt water solutions to prevent mildew.

Green Tip #1:
Turning off and unplugging electrical appliances when they are not in use will save a surprising amount of energy. Many appliances enter “passive standby” mode when they are turned off, which allows the appliances to start up quickly when switched on. Other appliances continuously use energy to power clock displays. According to Energy Star, as much as 40 percent of the energy used to power appliances is consumed while they are turned off. Unplugging appliances will help avoid this energy waste.

Green Tip #2: Formaldehyde may be present in plywood & particleboard, and in some drapery & upholstery materials, so check for warnings before you buy.

Organizing Tip:
Purchase baskets/bins for the hall closet and label them for each family member. This way you can put everyone’s hats, mittens, bags etc in their basket for later picking up or just to keep the closet organized.

Financial Tip:
Do as mom would do...turn down the thermostat by two degrees, repair those leaky faucets, use light bulbs that consume less power, clean heating and air vents regularly, and make sure that doors and windows are airtight. You will save a bundle following these rules.


Recipes from our readers:
Coconut-Frushi

Ingredients
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup uncooked sushi rice or other short-grain rice
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup light coconut milk
Dash of salt

Cooking spray
10 orange sections
20 fresh raspberries
1 (6-ounce) carton vanilla fat-free yogurt

Preparation
Bring water and rice to a boil in a medium saucepan. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until water is almost absorbed. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, 15 minutes.
Place rice in a large bowl. Add sugar, coconut milk, and salt, stirring gently until well combined. Cover and let stand 20 minutes.

Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Divide rice mixture into 20 equal portions, shaping each into a ball (about 1 rounded tablespoon each). Lightly press each rice ball into an oval between palms; place ovals on a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Top each of 10 ovals with 1 orange section, and press gently to adhere. Top each of the remaining 10 ovals with 2 raspberries. Cover and chill frushi until ready to serve. Serve with yogurt for dipping.

Makes 5 servings (serving size: 4 frushi pieces and about 2 1/2 tablespoons yogurt)

Submitted by TTW reader Emily
Source: Cooking Light


Whole wheat banana chip muffins

1 c. ripe mashed bananas
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. butter or shortening, melted
1 c. whole wheat flour
3/4 c. flour
3/4 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix bananas, eggs and butter. Combine dry ingredients with above.
Fill greased muffin tins 3/4 full.
Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, Cook mini muffins for 10 minutes.
Can freeze. Yield: 1 dozen large or 2 dozen minis.

I like to bake 3 batches at once and freeze in large bags for quick and easy on the go breakfast.

Submitted by TTW reader Alex


Old Fashion Suckers

Ingredients
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup water
1 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 tsp pure peppermint extract (or another flavor of choice)
gel-paste food coloring of your choice

In preparation grease both a baking sheet (rimmed) and a metal spatula. In a sauce pan bring sugar, corn syrup, and water to a boil over medium-high heat-stirring till you reach a boil. Allow the mixture boil now without stirring. You will need to bring the mixture to 304 degrees on your candy thermometer-about 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and add lemon and your flavoring extract. Stir and then pour onto prepared pan. Fold mixture into itself from all sides using spatula until the mixture starts to turn a little opaque.

Wearing rubber gloves, you will need to pull candy-as soon as it's cools enough to handle-although it will remain hot. Pull to about 8-10 inches, twist and fold back into itself. Take a small ball and drop food coloring in-you will need to continue to fold and twist both pieces until the candy mixture begins to whiten. Just a minute or two.

Lengthen both pieces about a foot and twist into each other. Twist from one end and use scissor to cut the length you desire. Wrap around candy sticks.

Submitted by TTW reader Joy


Kentucky Egg Nog

4 egg yolks
8 cups milk
2/3 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
Heat until simmering, set aside to cool. Once room temp, refrigerate.

While the above is cooking, mix:
4 egg whites
6 Tbs. sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1.2 tsp. nutmeg
2 tsp. vanilla
Combine well and chill. Shake or stir several times before adding to milk
mixture. When all ingredients have chilled for several hours, mix the egg
white mixture with the milk mixture. Serve chilled.

I use skim milk (or almond milk), organic sugar and real or 'pure' vanilla. I also go a little heavier on the cinnamon and nutmeg. I think it tastes better.

You may add Kentucky Bourbon to your liking.

Submitted by TTW reader MaryAnne, NH