Ham and Broccoli Swirls - Kid Style

I love cooking with the kids when I can find recipes with tasks that are safe and manageable for them. Sometimes recipes call for too much mixing over the stove or lots of chopping with sharp knives. And we all know how that can turn out when youngsters are involved. I prefer to keep all their digits and allow them to remain free of 3rd degree burns so I limit their activity to prep work they can do at the kitchen table.

I found an old cookbook the other day with some fun appetizer recipes that gave the kids the chance to do more than just one step so I let my son choose one to try. He chose the Ham and Broccoli Swirl. You can find the recipe here.

The recipe as-is is do-able, but the slicing step was difficult to accomplish. They had no trouble rolling out the pastry sheet and spreading the cream cheese, and adding the toppings was fun and manageable. And rolling it into the "jelly roll" was only moderately challenging. The hard part was slicing these guys. I'm an average cook and while I am pretty agile with a knife, slicing that bad boy into 32 pieces just wasn't going to happen. When you press down with the knife the whole thing smushes and the contents completely fall out of the swirl. The pictures in the book look nice, but ours just weren't destined to turn out that way. Our second biggest challenge was that little sister wouldn't stop eating the partially frozen broccoli.

Instead, we sliced thicker pieces (we got 9 out of it) and ate it as an accompaniment to baked potato soup in lieu of bread. Dip them in the soup and they are pretty fantastic. Also, my kids didn't like the taste of the cream cheese so much so we've made a few alterations to the recipe:

Roll the pastry sheet as described then sprinkle with shredded cheddar or swiss. Add the broccoli and ham. Roll as directed. Slice into 10 pieces and place evenly spaced on baking sheet, or leave whole and bake until browned and cheese is melted, let cool, then slice into 10 pieces.

Enjoy!

Mother's Beach Marina Del Rey

As a writer, I get to take my family with me to do my research now and then. For my current project, I am exploring neighborhoods in Los Angeles County, and we are lucky enough to stumble upon some fun locations that we never would have found otherwise. This past weekend, we found Mother's Beach in Marina Del Rey. The sandy beach sits just behind The Cheesecake Factory and offers views of the Marina, volleyball courts, calm waters for splashing and a super fun playground complete with a pirate ship.

There is a self-pay parking lot next door to the Cheesecake Factory where you can pull in, pay for your time there at the machine, and place a ticket on the dashboard. The machine accepts cash and debit/credit cards. If we lived closer, this would be a great spot for family dinner night, then head out to the beach for play time.

Mother's Beach Marina Del Rey is located at 4101 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, CA 90292
For more information call (310) 578-0478

They Might Love A Dance Party!

You might know them from one of their adult albums or from the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme song - either way, They Might Be Giants will get you moving. They've released more than ten albums, four of them for children. Their first family-friendly album was No! and was mostly recorded to provide music for Malcolm in the Middle. Since then they've released the Grammy winning Here Come the 123s, Here Come the ABCs, and the Grammy nominated CD/DVD set Here Comes Science. Their tunes are educational and super fun to listen to.

As the weather cools down and gets a little soggy (or icy, depending on where you live), us parents start looking for indoor activities that keep kids entertained and provide some physical fitness. Have a dance party to get kids moving, and with tunes like Photosynthesis, Fake Believe, and The Secret Life of Six, they'll also be learning about letters, numbers, science and more.

Playing with your kids doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Just turn on the music and have fun together!

 

 

Fullerton Arboretum

When I took the kids to the Fullerton Arboretum, I didn't go with soaring expectations. I went because it looked spacious and I wanted to explore a new nature center-type location. So when I was greeted with a gorgeous waterfall that pooled into a stream that swept quickly through a shady Woodlands Collection that included buckeye, cedar, juniper, pine, bamboo and countless other specimens, I was ecstatic. You can only imagine my excitement when I found the redwoods. A perfect bench sat quietly overlooking the stream as it rushed over shiny pebbles. The kids played stream-side on the banks and tried to pick the seashells out of the packed mud.

The parking lot was nearly full when we arrived, but there was rarely another group within speaking distance. Even with the occasional passerby, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. I noticed a few other groups with children lingering by the pond and the lake watching the ducks, turtles, tadpoles and fish - someone asked about feeding the ducks but signs are clearly posted here that feeding the wildlife is not allowed. We made our own lakeside stop and the ducks and turtles quickly approached. I'm sure they were hoping for a treat but they were not aggressive with us and seemed to be content just hanging out with the kids.

In addition to the Woodlands Collection you can explore the Desert Collection, the Mediterranean Collection and the gardens. You'll find a beautiful arbor draped with wisteria, a community garden area, a rare fruit garden and a children's garden complete with a hollow tree stump replica for play, a giant watering can and shovel, and my personal favorite, the gourd arbor. I've never seen anything quite like it and I must say, I felt like a kid again walking through that magical hall of gourds.

Fullerton Arboretum is definitely worth a trip. Parking and admission are free but there is a donation station at the entrance that suggests $3 per person. Please consider the suggested donation so this amazing place can keep its doors open to the public. Also, the Arboretum offers classes for adults and children like Yoga in the Garden, Thursdays in the Kitchen, and Arts in the Garden. Visit the Classes and Programs section and the Calendar of Events for more information.

If you go: Take plenty of water and wear sunblock. There's plenty of shade, but lots of sunny, open space as well. Pack a lunch or a substantial snack supply. There's a lot to explore here so you may want to stay a while. Almost all trails are dirt and stroller accessible. There are clean restrooms at the nature center, but there are no changing tables, so bring a blanket for changes on the grass. Please dispose of trash properly so others can enjoy this beautiful location.

Fullerton Arboretum is open daily from 8:00 to 4:30.

 

100 Years of Natural History

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles opened its doors 100 years ago. On June 9th, they'll reopen their doors for their Centennial Celebration showcasing updated favorite exhibits and new and exciting features both indoors and out. The 63-foot fin whale skeleton now hangs mid dive from the glass cube housing the new Otis Booth Pavilion, complete with a sound system that sends out whale calls at different frequencies and thousands of programmable LED lights to simulate waves, shadows and other undersea images. Three and a half acres of the Museum lawn have been transformed into walking paths and nature gardens for learning and interactivity. Listen to water move through tree cells at the Listening Tree, explore soil, compost and roots in the Get Dirty Zone and see plant and bug life in action at the Living Wall. The dioramas and many other popular exhibits are still intact, but thanks to generous time and money, nearly 60% of the museum has benefited from the renovations. In 1913, the Natural History Museum was a very different place than it is today. The inclusion of updated technology and new exhibits that explore the growth and evolution of the city of Los Angeles make this Centennial Celebration a milestone not to be missed. The Museum will be closed on June 8th in preparation for Sunday's celebration.

For more information follow the link below to visit the Natural History Museum's website.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 763-DINO

The Front Lawn, pre-renovation.

PlaySpaces eBook: FREE Downloads through April 26th!

PlaySpaces: 20 of OC's Best Places to Play and Explore with Kids is full of fun and educational locations that offer families the opportunity to create great memories together. From hiking the trails at Bolsa Chica to fishing in the lakes at Mile Square and Ralph B. Clark to getting to know the animals at Centennial Farm, you'll find something here.

Each location features all the important know-before-you-go information: parking fees, restrooms, stroller accessibility and more!

 

Are you new to the Southern California area, a new parent looking for someplace to enjoy an afternoon out in the fresh air, or an experienced parent looking to find a new favorite hangout for you and the kids? PlaySpaces has something for everyone.

Download your FREE copy today to your smart phone, Kindle, tablet or PC! Click on the picture below, or the link above for your free download.