Gadget Guide: Are We There Yet? Top 10 Gadgets for Battling Backseat Boredom
Why is it that less than 7 minutes into any road trip you hear those dreaded words, “Mommy, I’m bored!”? Before you plug in a movie (or lose your mind), try these gadgets to battle backseat boredom!
Top 10 Gadgets for Battling Backseat Boredom
#1: Lap Desk – Think of it as a gadget to support other gadgets because whether it’s a puzzle or good old fashioned pen and paper, it’s a lot easier to use with a horizontal surface. Check out the MyDesk or Smart-E-Lapdesk from LapGear.com.
#2: A Journal – Perfect for sketching, writing down interesting places you visited or simply tracking how many red trucks passed when counting cars to earn ice cream at the next rest stop.
#3: Skip Hop Bento Bag – Okay, technically it’s a diaper bag, but it has the ultimate tool for battling backseat boredom: snacks! Cleverly built into the bottom of the bag, the Bento bag has a handy cooler bag complete with its own made-to-fit reusable ice pack and 3 pint-sized containers.
#4: Story Cubes – It’s a tiny box containing 9 picture cubes with the idea that you roll the cubes and make up a story (on your own or as a group) based on the images that are face up. Think of it as a storytelling icebreaker for kids.
#5: Magnetic Design Kits – No crayons or paper required for creative fun. All you need is the magnet case with the interchangeable backgrounds and the magnets. The kits range from space explorer to ballerina dress-up and EVERYTHING in between.
#6: Shape-by-Shape by ThinkFun – It’s not as easy as it looks to match the oddly shaped tiles to the picture card, but it does keep kids quiet as they try to figure out the puzzle. We love that the picture cards store in the bottom of the tile tray so no parts go missing enroute!
#7: Audio Books – iTunes and Audible carry tons of books for kids of all ages – from The Magic School Bus to Lord of the Rings. It’s the perfect substitute for the now standard mode of travel – plug in a movie and drive (plus it’s nice to listen as a family).
#8: Tablet or iPad – It’s amazing how much entertainment you can pack into these portable devices – from Monopoly to Mary Poppins to Matching Games. It makes you wonder how you ever traveled without one (for the kids, that is).
#9: Lug Nap Sac Travel Pillow/Blanket – How many times did your mother tell you, “If you go to sleep, we will be there faster!” It’s true that travel time goes much quicker (for everyone) if the kids are sleeping and this all-in-one travel blanket pillow is just what you need!
#10: Your Imagination – Gadgets are great, but sometimes what a road trip really needs is a rousing game of “Hey Cow!” or “I Imagine”. See our list of favorite road trip games for more creative travel games for kids!
Gadget Guide: Bling for Your Bicycle – Top 10 Gizmos to Glam Up Your Bike
Want to add a little bling to your bicycle? These are just a few of our favorite gizmos to glam up your bike. Warning: do not attempt to use all of them at once!
Top 10 Gizmos to Glam Up Your Bike
#1: The Bouncy Seat – You simply cannot appreciate a leisurely bike ride without what we affectionately call a “bouncy” seat. A fresh take on the spring seats of days gone by, bouncy seats are wide, squishy and of course, just a wee bit bouncy! Our favorite is the Electra Spring Seat because when it comes to leisure riding, they know what they’re talking about!
#2: Hand-Painted Bells – Arguably the gemstone of your bicycle, your bell deserves a little extra bling. That’s why we adore dringdring! The original, hand-painted bells range from cupcakes to “This bike is my car” designs – all brightly colored and beautifully painted.
#3: Sparkle and Shine – What is a blinged-out bicycle without stickers? From flowers to kitty cats to the traditional lightning bolt, Fun Reflector stickers are both fun and functional, adding to your visibility with their reflective design.
#4: Handlebar Basket – We love the Electra Quick Release baskets because they offer traditional looks with the modern convenience of a quick release for ease of use. Plus the sturdy mounting systems means you won’t damage your shiny new paint job in the name of carrying extra doo-dads around with you.
#5: Faux Fur Leopard Grips – What is not to love about faux fur leopard grips? Okay, so furry leopard print may not be your thing. Thankfully Electra has a range of styles and designs to suit everyone!
#6: Charming Spokes – So if you want to turn your wheels into spinning rainbows (and you know you do), what you need is bicycle spoke charms. A word of caution: if you find extra noise annoying, this isn’t the bicycle bling for you!
#7: Handlebar Streamers – How can 7-year-old girls be wrong? Sparkly, rainbow-colored streamers are fun, especially when they feature twirly flowers that spin when you go fast.
#8: Flower Flair – For the same reason we find the little flower in the new Beetle adorable, we love the Electra handlebar flowers! Choices include sunflowers, daisies, roses, and our favorite, the chrysanthemums!
#9: Custom Frame Bag – Tired of boring black frame bags? Us too! That’s why we got really excited when we discovered Revelate Designs – a company that makes custom frame bags in any size, any shape, but most importantly, any color!
#10: Hot Wheels – What’s a custom bicycle without custom wheels? Try customizing your hub, spoke, and rim colors for extra bling! We’re partial to the silver because it’s so shiny!
Gadget Guide: Outdoor Adventures With Kids – Top 10 Gadgets to Gear Up for the Great Outdoors
Nothing creates a lifetime of memories like the simple pleasure of roasting marshmallows over an open fire or poking a stick in the mud to see what’s beneath all that gooey goodness.
Just because you’re ‘roughing it’ doesn’t mean you need to go without creature comforts. Our top picks for the gadgets that make the great outdoors a little easier to bear (pun intended)!
Top 10 Gadgets to Gear Up for the Great Outdoors
#1: Safety First – If hiking conjures up visions of your toddler teetering off the edge of a cliff, get LittleLife Toddler Run-About Daypack. It’s just big enough to fit a few kid hiking essentials, but more importantly, it includes a detachable safety strap and top grab handle for those times when the trail gets a little rough.
#2: Fun with Food – Half the fun of camping and backpacking is eating out of weird and wonderful containers. Our favorites for fun with food are the pint-size Spork (spoon + fork = spork) from Light My Fire and the Squishy Bowl by Guyot Designs (doesn’t the name say it all?).
#3: Sun Safety – Fun in the sun isn’t fun without sun safety! That’s why we love the NoZone sun protective clothing – because no matter what you are doing, they’ve got you covered (literally)! For sun hats, our vote goes to Outdoor Research because their lightweight designs offer SPF 30 and are suitable for water sports.
#4: Camp Comfort – The hit of the camping party is always (hands-down), the hammock! Depending on your comfort level preferences, hammock choices range from lightweight nylon to traditional cottage woven rope styles.
#5: Stay Hydrated – One of the biggest risks when playing outside in the summer is dehydration. That’s why our must-haves include hydration systems! We love the Camelbak Mini MULE hydration backpack for the sheer novelty that has kids sipping all day and the Platypus Plus Bottle for converting any backpack into a hydration backpack. Warning: stay close to bathrooms until the kids get the hang of taking a break from sipping!
#6: Futuristic Flashlights – Imagine how much fun you would have had as a kid with a flashlight that attached to your head. Yeah, exactly. Middle of the night trips to the outhouse aren’t so bad with one of these little gizmos. Our favorite is Petzl Tikkina 2 because it comes in a rainbow of colors and it’s super simple to use!
#7: Posh Pillows – If you have a car and are going car camping, just bring your own pillow, but if you are stuffing it in a backpack and trekking anywhere, you may want to pack this little treat along (for the kids, of course)! Thermarest Compressible Pillow…ahh….backpacking bliss.
#8: Just in Case of Rain – Because rain happens (even when the weatherman says there’s no chance). We recommend the Columbia Sportswear Rainy Day Poncho because it’s easy to slip on over anything (including a backpack)!
#9: Daypacks and Backpacks – If your idea of fun is heading off into the wilderness with nothing but a pack on your back, check out the Osprey line of backpacks for kids. What we like about them is that they aren’t just scaled-down versions of adult packs, but backpacks that are specifically designed for kids (and to grow with kids).
#10: Snacks and Pocket Food – Let’s face it – if it can survive in your pocket, chances are it contains something you don’t really want to feed your kids. That’s why our top pick goes to Kettle Valley Fruit Snacks because they are 100% real fruit!
Dinner Dash: Quick and Easy Recipes – Fun Fiesta Nachos
Nachos for dinner? Why not? Add black beans and chicken to give it a nutritional boost and turn a football favorite into a simple way to change up the same old, same old dinner routine.
Ingredients:
Nacho chips
Jalapeno peppers
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Salsa
Black beans, rinsed and drained
Onion, diced
Diced chicken, cooked (optional)
Directions:
Spread nacho chips on a cookie sheet. Add chopped jalapeno peppers, black beans, onions and chicken.
Mix the shredded cheese and salsa before putting it on the chips. Every chip had the exact right combination of salsa and cheese (without the chips getting soggy).
Broil the nachos on low until the cheese is melted and the nachos are starting to brown.
Gadget Guide: Battling Backyard Boredom? Top 10 Outdoor Games for Family Fun
Dreading the backyard boredom this summer? Try one of our top 10 outdoor games for family fun!
Top 10 Outdoor Games for Family Fun
#1: The Campfire Classics – Remember the joy of throwing things at other things? That’s right – we’re talking about Horseshoe, and Lawn Darts. Thankfully these campfire classics include more modern safety features. How did we ever survive our childhood?
#2: Bocce Ball – Similar to Lawn Bowling, the objective is to place the ball closest to a smaller ball, called a Pallino. If you are playing with kids, forget playing within the confines of a purpose-built Bocce court and let the game wander around the yard.
#3: Badminton – There’s a reason Badminton comes on every camping trip – it’s just so easy to string up the lightweight net almost anywhere! Grab two rackets and a handful of birdies and you are ready to play!
#4: Hopscotch – Chalk plus sidewalk equals hours of jumping fun. If that doesn’t hold their attention, challenge them to make tricky obstacle courses to hop around!
#5: Giant Pick-Up Sticks – Just like regular Pick-Up Sticks, only much, much bigger! To play, let the sticks fall in a pile and take turns picking up sticks for points without disturbing the remaining sticks. The person with the most points wins.
#6: Tetherball – Think of it as Volleyball on a stick. The objective is to get the ball around your opponent until the tether is completely wrapped around the pole. Opponents volley the ball back and forth until a point is scored.
#7: Hula Hoops – We love them for their flexible fun. Yes, you can try your hand (err your tummy) at swirling them around, but you can also use them to start a circus, build an obstacle course or play any number of imaginative games.
#8: Croquet – Sometimes setting up a ball obstacle course is as much fun as chasing them through it with the little mallet. Fun and portable – that’s why we love it!
#9: Trac Ball – Ever wonder what those ball catchers than look like an elongated ice cream scoop were called? Well now you know! The objective is to throw and catch the ball with the basket-like catcher, using your wrist to curve and swerve the ball.
#10: Usborne 50 Things to Do on Holiday – Can’t think of what to do? Pull out a card and follow the instructions. Games range from Beach Bowling to Hotter or Colder.
Blissful Breakfasts: Lazy Morning Recipes – Frittata Steve
Nothing beats a lazy weekend morning (especially when Dad does the cooking). Thanks to my loving husband for sharing his secret recipe (named after him).
Instructions
Take 2 medium baked potatoes chopped into half inch cubes. I usually don’t have left over baked potatoes so I usually cook them in the microwave.
Dice one medium yellow onion
Dice on red pepper
Heat 3 tbsp good olive oil in a 10″ frying pan on medium heat. Fry onions with one tbsp white sugar until the onions start to brown. Add peppers and continue to cook until the peppers are softened. Reduce heat to medium low.
In a second (deep) frying pan cook 6 slices of bacon.
Add 1 tsp minced garlic to the onion pepper mixture – stir
Add potatoes to the onion, pepper, garlic mixture – stir
Once the bacon is cooked, remove the bacon from the pan, chop and add to the onion, pepper, garlic, potato mixture. Continue to cook on medium low until the flavours combine.
Wash the deep frying pan (or use another pan, but I only have two good frying pans)
Use cooking spray on the freshly washed deep frying pan and put over medium low heat.
Turn on oven to broil (low)
Beat six eggs and three tbsp milk. Add egg and milk mixture to deep frying pan. Increase heat to medium.
After one minute the bottom of the egg mixture will have set up enough to add the onion, pepper, garlic, potato, bacon mixture. (there is no way to know this, but trust me for now).
Add the onion, pepper, garlic, potato, bacon mixture to the egg mixture. The solid mixture should raise the egg level until the two levels are about the same.
Each pan can accomodate a specific amount of frittata and the ratio of egg to solids will need to be adjusted. If as you are adding the onion, pepper, garlic, potato mixture the mixture starts to pile up above the egg level stop adding the mixture and adjust the solids volume for next time.
Cook the egg and mixture until the edges of the egg begin to look cooked and somewhat dry. The centre will still be still quite runny at this time.
Transfer the pan to the oven and watch the frittata rise (somewhat) and watch the egg change from appearing runny to appearing cooked.
Remove the pan from the oven (screaming if you have forgotten to use an oven mitt). Add grated cheese. Return the pan to the oven and broil until the cheese is melted.
Remove the pan from the oven and proudly announce that Frittata Steve is ready.
Gadget Guide: Because Accidents Happen – Top 10 Doo-Dads to Keep Your Gadgets Safe
Because we drop them, bump them and dump them…
Let’s face it – our beloved gadgets and electronic doo-dads take a lot of ‘tough love’. From protective covers to travel cases, these are our favorites for keeping the devices we use daily safe!
Top 10 Doo-Dads to Keep Your Gadgets Safe
#1: Invisible Shield by Zagg – The ‘Superman’ of protective screen covers, the Invisible Shield by Zagg has screen covers for almost every SmartPhone, tablet, e-Reader and digital camera. If it has a screen, Zagg has you (err…it) covered.
#2: Kate Spade Covers for iPhone and iTouch – What can we say? They’re pretty, they’re bouncy (kinda) and perfect for the devices we tend to drop. Pick from one of several signature Kate Spade designs.
#3: Mickey Mouse Neoprene SmartPhone Case – When all you want to carry is your SmartPhone, your pal Mickey has you covered with this ultra cute neoprene case! In a pinch, it doubles as your girls’ night out clutch for mommy!
#4: Zagg Unlimited Expression Skins – What better way to protect your gadgets than with pictures of your loved ones? Or perhaps that vacation photo of the quiet beach? Zagg makes it happen on their patented scratch-proof film!
#5: InCase Deluxe Travel Kit – Pack everything you need to travel with your iPhone, iPod or iTouch in this super durable case because the Deluxe Travel Kit features that thing we love best: pockets!
#6: Speck SeeThru Case – This form-fitting case for your MacBook is like lipstick with sunscreen – so pretty that it’s hard to believe it’s designed to protect. But protect it does from all those nasty scratches and bumps!
#7: Targus Laptop Backpack – Protect for your laptop AND your back! Yes, we love all the protective features for your laptop like the double foam padding and scratch-resistant lining, but we REALLY love the cushioned back panel and contoured shoulder straps for you!
#8: Pelican Case – Virtually indestructible, if you are taking your device somewhere wild and rugged, you need this water resistant, crushproof, and dust proof case (and yes, they have a case for just about anything you would want to protect including memory cards).
#9: KeySkin Keyboard Cover – You know all those icky things you drop on your keyboard? Food bits, staples, spills and (yuck) your germs? This handy dandy cover has you (well) covered! Easy to clean with just a damp sponge.
#10: CaseLogic – Did you know your trusted friend for storing your roadtrip CD collection made laptop cases? They do and they feature the same rugged construction as their CD cases.
Great from the Grill: Recipes for Backyard Barbecuing – BBQ Chicken (Beer Can Style)
Beer butt chicken is a family favorite and so easy it has become a weekly feature during the grilling season.
Recipe
Turn on one side of your grill to approximately medium. Grill temperature should be between 450 and 500F.
Take one whole roasting chicken.
Rinse the chicken.
Dry the chicken. Realize you don’t have a good spot to put the rinsed and dried chicken. Put the chicken on the counter. Wash your hands.
Get out a cutting board and place the cutting board on a clean part of the counter.
Put the chicken on the cutting board. Wash your hands and the chickeny counter.
Pick which of your hands will be the clean hand and which hand will be the dirty hand.
Pick up the chicken with the dirty hand. Pick up the beer with the clean hand.
Place the beer can on the cutting board.
Attempt to place the chicken on the beer can with your clean hand only. If you can just keep one hand clean a lot of hand washing is prevented. Realize that this is impossible and use both hands. Marvel at how perfectly the beer can fits in the chicken. Wash your hands.
Open both the olive oil and the spice rub container. Congratulate yourself on your foresight.
Lightly oil the chicken with your dirty hand.
Add spice rub with your dirty hand. We use Montreal Chicken Spice, but are looking for something less salty. Congratulate yourself on how none of the olive oil or spice rub ended up on the counter. Wash your hands.
Carry cutting board and beer butt chicken to the grill. Realize you are going to have to grab the chicken one more time. Place the chicken on the unheated side of the grill using the legs of the chicken to balance the chicken. Now you realize that you have two chickeny hands and have to close the grill.
Close the grill, open the door to the house, wash your hands, set a timer 90 minutes, wash your cutting board, wash your door knob, wash your grill handle.
After 90 minutes the chicken should be cooked perfectly. Please check for doneness with a meat thermometer.
Place your cutting board in a lasagna pan and take to the grill. Remove the chicken from the grill and place on the cutting board in the lasagna pan. Remove the beer can from the chicken using a fork.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes covered in foil. Cut up the chicken. Congratulate yourself that all the juice from the chicken has been contained in the lasagna pan.
Please note that if you plan ahead a bit several of the hand washing episodes can be avoided.
Easy Peasy Recipeezys: Spaghetti Blow On My Knees (aka Bolgonese)
A yummy kid-friendly recipe that is always a hit at our house is Spaghetti Bolognese. But since Bolognese is a tough word even for the most articulate 4-yearold to pronounce, we changed the name to the much simpler “Spaghetti Blow on My Knees”!
Spaghetti Blow on My Knees
Ingredients:
1 package (454 grams) of spaghetti (preferably whole grain)*
1 small onion, chopped
1 Teaspoon Olive Oil (or other cooking oil)
1 pound ground beef (regular, lean or extra lean)
1 jar pasta sauce (a little less if you want your sauce to be more thick)
2 tablespoons cream cheese*
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (optional)
Directions:
In a large skillet, heat up olive oil and stir in onions. Cook onions until transparent.
Add ground beef and cook on medium-high heat until browned and cooked through.
Stir in pasta sauce and cream cheese. Bring to a boil to melt the cream cheese and reduce heat.
Let simmer on low for about 10-15 minutes stirring occasionally.
While sauce is simmering, cook spaghetti according to package directions.
Top spaghetti with sauce and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
* Use whole grain spaghetti for added nutrition
** Herb & Garlic cream cheese adds more zip to the sauce then regular cream cheese or you can add a teaspoon of ready-made pesto for even more flavor!
The BEST Android Apps – Top 10 Best Android Apps for Boosting Productivity
What are the BEST Android apps for boosting productivity? We asked our experts, we asked our readers and this is what they picked as the best Android apps!
Top 10 Best Android Apps for Boosting Productivity
Best Android App #1: Awesome Drop – Need access to your files on to go? It’s simple with this handy dandy drag and drop app that syncs files with your phone. To use, just upload files to the web and drag and drop onto your phone! The best part: no account required!
Best Android App #2: Thinking Space Pro – The perfect mind mapping too for on-the-go brainstorming! Use it to plan projects, capture your ideas, organize your task list or take meeting notes. The Pro version eliminates those pesky ads and includes enhanced features like tags to allow for easy sorting and filing.
Best Android App #3: DropBox – Take photos, videos and documents with you anywhere! Anything you save to your Dropbox will automatically save to all your computers AND your Android! Built-in lock codes mean if you lose your phone, your files are safe!
Best Android App #4: Easy Tether – Dread getting stuck without a wifi connection? Then it’s worth it to splurge on the one-time fee to get set up with Easy Tether and never be without connectivity again.
Best Android App #5: Remember The Milk – Hate it when you are just around the corner from one of the stops on your to-do list and you FORGET? Never forget the milk (or anything else) with this task management system that includes alerts for nearby task locations! Smart!
Best Android App #6: join.me Viewer – Attend online meetings from ‘virtually’ anywhere with the Join.me mobile viewer. View screens and collaborate in real time – all from your Android phone!
Best Android App #7: Everdroid – Your favorite Evernote idea organizer for the Android! Quick start functionality means you can tap and start typing and Everdroid saves it directly to Evernote!
Best Android App #8: Where’s My Droid – Ever lose your phone only to remember that calling it is futile because you left it on silent mode? One quick text with an attention word and your switches from silent mode, turns the volume up and starts ringing. A different attention word gets the GPS location of your missing phone. Genius.
Best Android App #9: TimeClock – Time Track – Track billable hours and transfer the data via a custom CSV file with this simple-to-use time tracking app for the Android.
Best Android App #10: SwiftKey Keyboard – Type faster with this clever little app that learns what you type.
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