Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Rich & Creamy Oatmeal with Blueberries & Walnuts

Rich & Creamy Oatmeal with Blueberries and Walnuts
Prep Time: 2 minutes Ready In: 7 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes Servings: 4
"From the Weight Watchers in 20 minutes Book"
INGREDIENTS:
3 cups Water
2 cups quick-cooking (not instant) oats
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:
1. 1. . Combine the water, oats, sugar & cinnamon in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
2. 2 Remove the saucepan from the heat & stir in the milk until combined. Fold in the whipped topping & blueberries; sprinkle with the walnuts.
3. Serving size 1 cup

If you're doing weight watchers, POINTS = 5

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Halloween Weekend ~ Bay Area Events!

San Carlos ~ Goblin Walk
Friday 10/29 4-5:30
FREE, target ages kids 7 & under
All kids must be accompanied by a parent/adult
1) wear costumes 2) pick up trick or treat bag @ dwtwn park or fr volunteers 3) trick or treat at businesses displaying the "Goblin Stop" Sign!

BELMONT: Saturday 10/30 Trick or Treat on Twin Pines Lane
20 Twin Pines Lane, Belmont 94002 / 650.595.7441
6-8 pm
Cost: $5 - $15
Includes carnival games, trick or treat and more fun in the Haunted House!

Redwood City
10/30 Halloween Carnival at Redwood Parents Nursery School
10am-2pm Face painting, monster maze, bbq, raffle and so much more! On-site playground for kids with wiggles!
3997 Jefferson Avenue

San Francisco
10/30-10/31 Boo at the Zoo!
Free with Admission, 10am-4pm

10/28-10/31 Supernatural Fest @ CA Academy of Sciences
See Site for day-specific details

Menlo Park:
10/30 Halloween Hoopla 11:45-3 Join in on the parade & carnival!

10/31 Halloween Concert & Book Reading - See Andy Z!
Menlo Park Library, 600 Alma St
Free! 10:30 am - 3pm

Foster City
10/30 Halloween Festival
650 Shell Blvd.
Free! 11am-3pm
Magic Show, Costumes, Games!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Today's Afternoon Adventure 4-5pm


Story time at The Reading Bug in San Carlos...let your little ones explore and pick out a pumpkin book!

Graco Recalls 2 million Strollers!

Check here for information from the CPSC

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Culinary Class with Chef Steve Cortez ~ A Great Date Night!

Last night I ventured out with the Hubbs for a long overdue date night minus our Tiny Tot. My husband LOVES BBQ, especially Ribs so I thought it might be fun to change up the RomCom/Dinner Date Night and take a Culinary Class. If you are like us you have a very busy schedule and have trouble committing to even a 6 week course much less a full semester offering. I love a 1 night class, show up, learn something new and no pressure with homework etc.

We took Chef Steve Cortez's BBQ Sauce & Rubs class and I could not have been happier. Chef Steve has a warm and engaging approach, nothing like Hell's Kitchen. I am not a great cook and lack what I like to call "Kitchen Confidence" and even I found it to be a great atmosphere. We all received a packet of 5 Sauces/Rubs and were all able to participate in not only preparing them but trying them on chicken, ribs, potato wedges & corn on the cob. DELICIOUS! I have fallen in love with one of his sauce recipes and will be ditching my former BBQ Flame Hi Life as I have a new light in my own kitchen. Post the recipe you ask? Not a chance, it's my new secret. You'll have to take Chef Steve's class to find out for yourself!!

See his Fall 2010 Culinary Class Offerings through RWC Park & Rec
Chef Steve also teaches at Sur La Table and CSM but if you are looking for "bang for your buck" definitely go with a Park & Rec Program close to home!
Chef Steve also offers private parties where you and your friends can enjoy a class in your own space - what a luxury!
cortez_sc@yahoo.com



Story Time @ Woodside Library

I took my little man out for an adventure today to story time at Woodside library. We usually attend the story time in San Carlos but fell off the wagon with their "summer break". (Isn't that when kids should really pick up the reading....silly I say, summer break!)

I was not prepared for Woodside's ultra tiny library and story time area. We arrived 2 minutes late and there was absolutely NO parking. To my surprise Woodside has also put up NO PARKING signs on the street. I slinked over to the elementary school (across the street) hoping I wouldn't be ticketed for the 1/2 hour I was at the library.

Once inside my little guy was overwhelmed by the Mom/Tot crowd squeezed into the tiny story space. He was not interested in sitting with the crowd and instead found some baskets o'books and a couple toys in the next row over :) Like Mother Like Son I say...I am not a fan of crowds.

I found the Story/Song Leaders to be engaging and cute with the kids. I was also relieved to find that they could sing on key the majority of the time!!

It can be frustrating that my toddler would rather pull all the DVDs (especially Thomas the Train) off the shelf and play with the scarce toys than read or sing along but I take comfort in knowing I'm exposing him to age appropriate music, other tots his age and ACCESS to new books.

To my relief on the way out I found a handout on parking offering the following alternatives:
*Visitor parking in front of Woodside Elementary
*Visitor parking in front of Woodside Elementary Tennis Courts
*Parking in front of and beside the Woodside Parent's Nursery School
*Front parking at Woodside Village Church

No Ticket For Me!




Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Holbrook-Palmer Park ~ Review

Recently I took my little man out to Holbrook-Palmer Park to check out the play area and I was also just curious how beautiful it is as I've been hearing lots of talk about weddings out there...

Let me start by saying that it is a beautiful and expansive park for this residential area. The playground is great for little train lovers like my little guy as it is designed as a multi-car train complete with an atherton "station". What is also fun is that the actual Caltrain runs close by (the trains are a couple of blocks from the park entrance) and the kids can see and hear the big choo choo.

With that said, the Caltrain noise is a HUGE drawback to ANY wedding, especially an outdoor ceremony or dinner here. Who wants that noise rolling through, especially for a fee of $4,000? Are you kidding me?! Brides-to-be if you are looking for a local park venue you are better off checking out the Pulgas Water Temple ($200 ceremony fee) or Huddart Park where I have attended beautiful weddings without any train noise!

If Holbrook-Palmer is a sentimental favorite you could have your engagement session photographed here. Check out Cuevas Photography and Kate Baldi Photography.