GoodyBlog

Plug of the Week: Trident Xtra Care Gum

I’m not big into gum, mostly because it only tastes good for a few seconds after I start chewing. After that, I might as well be chomping on Silly Putty. Still, when a pack of Trident’s new Xtra Care gum arrived in the mail one day, I figured I’d give it a shot. The selling point is that it contains Recaldent, a form of calcium derived from milk that supposedly strengthens tooth enamel. I’ll let my dentist be the judge of that, but I’d chew it just for the flavor—it lasts way much longer than any gum I’ve ever tried.  Seriously, I was stunned. If anything can break my raging addiction to Altoids, this is it.

Springtime Ice Cream Flower Pots

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is one of my favorite food blogs. Ree, the hostess of the joint, is the unpretentious master chef for her rancher husband and her hungry kids. Her site is, coincidently, the home of my favorite guilty pleasure sandwich. Just the thought of that sandwich makes my lizard brain revert back to Neanderthal times. Grrrrrrrr. ME HUNGRY!

This month, she came up with the feminine foil to those manly steak sandwiches: Springy Flower Pot Desserts. No, that ain't dirt—that's Oreo deliciousness. And under that chocolatey soil lays layers of ice cream and pound cake.

It's an elegant-looking dessert, but it's very simple to put together. It's the perfect dessert for a daughter's spring-time birthday party. (And at the very least, this recipe has to be better than Ree's Ethyl Merman impersonation.)

Yay for Yoplait!

Free is one of my favorite words. If it's one of yours, too, you'll love this offer. Until May 31st parents can go to yoplaitkids.com and request a coupon for a free six pack of Yoplait Kids drink-able or spoon-able yogurt. Mmm. The fact that it won't cost you a thing? Even yummier.

(Sorry to burst anyone's bubble, but the coupons can't be redeemed in California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota or Tennessee.)

...We All Scream For Free Ice Cream!!

It's my favorite day of the year... Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry's!!! Participating Ben & Jerry's scoop shops around the world will be giving out free cones, no strings attached. I'm currently mapping out my plan of attack so that I can hit up as many scoop shops as possible after work...While you're there, wish them happy birthday-- Ben & Jerry's is turning 30!

Random fact: In 2007 Ben & Jerry’s Scoop Shops gave away more than 1 million free cones worldwide. For you to consume that many scoops, you’d have to eat more than 416 ice cream cones each hour for every day of your life if you lived to be 100! Anyone up for the challenge (and inevitable ice cream headache?)

Cupcakes to DIY for!

Parents food stylist Karen Tack just released a "faaabulous" how-to book called Hello, Cupcake! Irresistibly Playful Creations Anyone Can Make. GoodyBloggers GoodyVloggers Taryn, Amanda K., and I crashed the recent launch party with a camera to check out the book, chat with her about the art of dessert, and learn how to make some of the cutest cupcakes ever–well, everyone's except mine...thanks again, guys.

   

Be In Parents: Spill Your Lunchbox-Packing Tips

If you pack a school lunch for your kid, you’re a pro by this time of year. We bet you have a tip or two up your sleeve that you could share with newbie moms who are sending their first kid off to school this fall. Dish your best ideas for what to pack and how to do it in the comments and your tip could end up in Parents! (Don't worry we'll give you the heads' up if your idea makes it.)

Photo via.

Buggin' Out Over a Spoon

I know you're wondering, "Is that a bug or a spoon?" Well, it's all both of these things and more: It's a Beetle Spoon!

The spoon looks like a big ol' bug, but unfold the wings and it's a spoon. (There's even a spork model!) The wing-handles of the spoon are soft and comfortable to use. It comes with a sturdy travel case that fits nicely into any lunch box.

Anyone with an 80s toy obsession will flip over this wonderful spoon. There's nothing quite like eating pudding with a cousin of the  Insecticons. Although this is supposed to be for my soon-to-be-born daughter's future lunches, I think I'm keeping it for myself.

What Could Be Happier Than Rainbow Jello?

It might be because it's 70 degrees and gorgeously sunny here in New York, but this rainbow Jello looks so refreshing and yummy. (It also looks impressive but doesn't seem too hard to make—perfect.) Find out how to whip up your own springtime-tastic treat at Do Better.

via yokiddo.

Happy Birthday!

Ahhhhh, birthday parties! (Do you hear a sigh of joy or perhaps a frazzled, pull-your- hair-out scream?) These events welcome both the joys and the anxieties of being a parent. But don't fret; we're here to help.

Check out the May issue of Parents that hit the news stands yesterday for 87 new birthday party ideas (yes, we actually counted). We give you everything from party themes to party planning do's and don't's to the coolest cake pans you'll ever see, so you won't be left twirling in circles, begging Calgon to take you away. And of course we would never leave you without the ever-important time line that will help keep your candles and cupcakes in a row.

Now you can breathe a sigh of relief. Party planning just got a little easier.

Cupcake(!) Waltz

I just couldn't resist the cuteness.

via gawker