Misc.

‘¡CUBA!’ Opens at the American Museum of Natural History

November 22, 2016

This past Friday, my kids and I were able to get a sneak peek of the American Museum of Natural History’s newest exhibition, ¡CUBA! While they were pretty unfamiliar with the country, I was excited to learn about the place where millions of people call home and is less than 100 miles from Florida’s shores. And I was in for some surprises!

If you think Cuba is all about cigars and sandwiches, think again. The can’t-miss exhibit showcases the island’s incredibly rich culture and awe-inspiring biodiversity.

Visitors are immersed in all things Cuba immediately upon entering the space. From the country’s iconic pastel-colored vintage cars to its mouth-watering cuisine, the exhibition explores the island nation’s traditions, history, unique nature and promising future.

The exhibit opens with life-sized portraits of modern Cubans paired with excerpts from interviews, offering a chorus of voices from the area and abroad, young and old, urban and rural, pragmatic and optimistic. This inspiring display sets the tone for the entire exhibition.

Modeled after a winding boulevard, the main space serves as a striking replica of Cuban street life. With a bicycle and fruit stand in the middle of the floor, a place of worship, cigar shop and a common store surround the area. There are also detailed native dishes such as rice and beans on display so visitors can really get an up-close-and-personal look into the lives of Cubans and their food. The grub looked so good and real, my son wanted to take a bite!

As you walk further into the exhibit, guests are treated to amazing, bright and bold posters created by contemporary Cuban artists, which were commissioned to advertise plays, films, festivals, and concerts from the past decade. This section of the exhibit also has an interactive component where visitors can choose sculptures, paintings or performance art to be projected on the wall. My daughter found that to be a really cool element.

Courtesy of AMNH

Being the largest island nation in the Caribbean (it’s comprised of over 4,000 islands and keys), Cuba is home to 11 million people whose roots can be traced to indigenous people, Spanish colonists, African slaves, and immigrants from the Philippines, China, Europe, the Canary Islands, Jamaica and Haiti.

Cuba’s widespread diversity amongst its citizens isn’t where the diversification stops; it also boasts a wide-ranging variety of endemic plants and species.

Courtesy of AMNH

The spacious exhibit also showcases ancient animals that once roamed the area in caves and wetlands, as well as those who still reside throughout the island today. From owls to alligators, the creatures on display are so extraordinarily life-like, my daughter was convinced they were real! I assured her that they were simply replicas, but she was steadfast in her observation. Those intricate fine points are what make the exhibition so impressive.

Courtesy of AMNH

“We really want to surprise our visitors with details about Cuba that they’ve never thought about before, with Cuba! co-curator Chris Raxworthy, curator-in-charge of the American Museum of Natural History’s Department of Herpetology,” said in a release.

“We hope this exhibition relays an understanding of who the people of Cuba are, how the island nation is biologically unique, how it is connected to the world, and what it’s like to live in Cuba now.”

If their goal was to create a space where Cuba was exquisitely brought to life and visitors could get a glimpse into what the island nation is all about, mission accomplished.

Courtesy of AMNH

¡Cuba! is open now through August 13, 2017. Click here for more information.

Are you planning to visit the exhibition? What’s your favorite museum and why?

Category: Arts and Entertainment, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Quinoa Pilaf: This Crowd-Pleasing Side Dish Will Become a Thanksgiving Staple

November 17, 2016

With Thanksgiving just a week away, it’s time to get your classic recipes together and if you’re feeling adventurous, gather up a few new ones too.

Why settle for serving the same familiar fare for what will probably be your family’s biggest feast of the year? Instead, treat them to some delicious new side dishes that will keep them digging in and coming back for seconds. Plus, it’ll give you an excuse to tap into your inner Top Chef.

This year, I’m stepping outside of my cooking comfort zone by preparing a surprisingly satisfying quinoa and dried cranberries dish. While attending Stoneridge Orchards‘ fall tasting last month, I was introduced to the recipe and was blown away by the texture, taste and most of all the simplicity of the dish’s preparation.

Stoneridge Orchards Dried Cranberries available here, $4.19

Lisa Adams, a New York City-based personal chef and blogger, demonstrated how to make the grain-centric meal in just a few steps. The combination of quinoa, dried cranberries, cilantro, pumpkin seeds resulted in a delightfully savory, restaurant-worthy dish—perfect for the vegetarians and vegans at the table.

Who knows? If it’s a success, maybe it’ll become a side dish staple on my Thanksgiving menu!

If you’re feeling inspired, check out the recipe below:

QUINOA CRANBERRY PILAF

(serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable broth
2 cups dried quinoa
1/2 cup Stoneridge Orchards dried cranberries
1/4 finely chopped parsley
1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
4 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
salt and pepper

Directions:

Start by bringing the broth to a boil, add dry quinoa and stir to remove clumps.
Bring back to boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Stir and add a little more broth if it is drying out too quickly. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes.
Remove from heat, and fluff with a fork separating the grains.
Add in remaining ingredients, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Tip: If your family prefers different nuts or herbs, they can be swapped out for almonds or pine nuts, basil or dill. If dried cranberries aren’t your fave, cherries, blueberries or even dried peaches will do.

Are you preparing a big Thanksgiving meal or will your family partake in a potluck?

Category: Food, Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 1 Comment

BGG Visits ABC’s ‘The Chew’

November 3, 2016

Last month, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a taping of “The Chew.”

Thanks to the folks at ABC, I not only had the pleasure of watching Carla Hall, Daphne Oz, Clinton Kelly and Michael Symon (Mario Batali was out of town) live in action, but I also got a sneak peek into the place where all the delicious magic happens: the test kitchen.

While backstage, I learned a few secrets like how they modify the recipes and sometimes share a kitchen with another popular ABC show, “The View!”

To my delight, one of segments highlighted the bourgeoning culinary scene in Rhode Island. I was excited because I had visited the state for the first time earlier this year and was eager to learn more.

Well, in case you didn’t know, The Ocean State has some pretty awesome cuisine, especially seafood—it is along the Atlantic coastline after all. Carla, who is not only the show’s co-host, but also a chef and restaurateur took a trip to explore the state’s notable culinary locations. Her travels led her to the Ocean House in Watch Hill, Newport’s Stoneacre Pantry and training programs at Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts in Providence.

The segment gave us audience members and viewers at home a taste of some of the best that Rhode Island’s food scene has to offer. From farm-to-table to pond-to-plate, the segment highlighted the region’s bountiful locally grown produce and locally raised raised proteins—showcasing the state as an emerging culinary powerhouse.

Rhode Island might be small, but it packs a major punch when it comes to the culinary world. Home to one of the most coveted culinary schools in the country, the aforementioned Johnson & Wales University’s College of Culinary Arts – the region has produced scores of dietitians, nutritionists and food service professionals and of course, chefs including a couple James Beard winners.

When I visited in April, I had the pleasure of checking out a local Cranston restaurant called Bistro 22, and my salmon entree was tasty and the service was topnotch.

If you’re already on the east coast in NYC, Boston or DC, why not take a fun road trip or hop on a train to get yourself acquainted with the quaint, but vast foodie destination?

Treat yourself to a walk-up shack for some on-the-go grub or if you’re feeling fancy, opt for one of the many fine-dining experiences that the area boasts.

No matter what your palate preference, you’re sure to find something that will satisfy your tastebuds.

Check out these upcoming food events to inspire a visit:

•Nov. 4-13: Newport Restaurant Week
• Jan. 15-28, 2017: Providence Restaurant Week

Have you ever visited Rhode Island?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc. | 1 Comment

Hayneedle Makes Online Shopping Easy

October 14, 2016

Adulting can be difficult, but add in that extra layer of being a parent and it can become even more challenging. Case in point: finding children’s furniture that complements adult living spaces. Ok, not the most trying problem, but still a dilemma.

Not many understand the decorating woes parents face the moment little people invade their apartments. Thankfully, e-commerce site Hayneedle has been the answer to accommodating my children without compromising our home’s style and overall design aesthetic.

Since my daughter was three years old, she’s eaten her breakfast, lunch and dinner at a pink Dora the Explorer desk. Fast-forward four years and she’s still using it—but now my toddler son is joining her at the table. To say this super bright and ultra-girly piece is a standout (not in a good way) would be an understatement—hence, my search for a gender-neutral table for the both of them.

KidKraft Aspen Table and Chair Set available here, $65

Like many New York apartments, our place is small—so, finding a table and chair set that would be sufficient without taking up too much space wasn’t easy. Hayneedle took the guesswork out of hunting for the perfect piece. Admittedly, I wasn’t familiar with the site prior to my purchase—but, better late than never, right? Although the Nebraska-based retailer offers a wide variety of items from kitchen gadgets to toddler toys, you’re guaranteed to find something to meet your needs. The site is simple and easy to navigate. Plus, the precise search options help eliminate the feeling of looking for items like a needle in a haystack.

After briefly surfing the site, I landed on the set of my dreams: a two-chair natural from. It arrived fast, within a few days and was easy to assemble (at least it seemed that way from the couch!). And of course, the natural wood blends in well with our living room. Now my kids can both sit comfortably and enjoy a meal in style.

Have you ever shopped on Hayneedle.com? What’s your favorite one-stop-shop online retailer?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc. | Leave a Comment

Giving Back this Back-to-School Season

August 30, 2016

If your child hasn’t already returned to class, the countdown to back-to-school is now in full swing.

Shopping for crayons, Post-It notes, pocket folders and everything else in between can be a fun experience for kids and parents alike. Unfortunately, not every family can afford to provide their child with the proper supplies needed to succeed at school.

That’s why for the past 16 years, the Office Depot Foundation has been giving back-to-school sackpacks to those in need. Through the company’s National Backpack Program, colorful drawstrings bags are filled with basic essentials to ensure that all students have a thriving school year. Each one includes a zippered pouch containing a pen, pencil, pencil sharpener, eraser, six-inch ruler and four crayons. Plus, none of the sackpacks have any of the company’s branding or logos—an added bonus!

Since 2001, the program has donated over 4 million backpacks and sackpacks to children across the country. And they couldn’t be successful without other organizations’ assistance with getting the bags into the hands of students. This year, they’ve donated 200,000 sackpacks to nonprofit organizations, schools and agencies across the United States and internationally.

When it comes to shopping for school and office supplies, we have many choices – but when we can support a business that gives back, it makes that choice less difficult.

Disclosure: I was given several sackpacks, which I plan to donate to my daughter’s school—hopefully helping a child in need.

For more information about the National Backpack Program, please visit the Office Depot Foundation’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officedepotfoundation.

How do you give back during back-to-school season?

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

On the Hook: Family Fishing with Macy’s + Prospect Park Alliance

August 29, 2016

Growing up in Chicago, fishing wasn’t something that my family did.

Amusement parks, zoos and backyard BBQs were our summer activities of choice. But, even for a city girl like me, I’ve always wanted to go fishing.

Thanks to Macy’s, a couple of weeks ago I was able to cross the leisure sport off my bucket list!

The brand invited my family and me to an afternoon of fishing at The Lake Brooklyn’s Prospect Park. The pop-up catch-and-release class was a media-only event to celebrate the company’s partnership with the Prospect Park Alliance.

Since my husband had never gone fishing either, it was the perfect opportunity for us to learn the ins and outs of fishing as a family. The instructor showed us how to bait and hook, as well as provided us with tips on the best ways to catch an unsuspecting pumpkinseed sunfish or largemouth bass. My 6-year-old daughter and nearly 3-year-old son were excited because in their minds, they were going to catch “Nemo” and release him back into the ocean. After an hour or so of applying all of the tips and tricks the instructor gave us, we eventually decided to call it quits.

Although we were unsuccessful in finding “Nemo,” it was a wonderful family bonding moment that I’ll forever cherish. And now that I know that Prospect Park Alliance offers fishing, we’ll be sure to flex our fishing skills again next summer!

If you’re in the Brooklyn area, click here to see if they’re offering classes before summer’s end.

Have you and your family ever gone fishing? If so, please share any strategic tips!

Category: Gumbo Mix, Misc., Parenting, Travel & Lifestyle, Wellness | Leave a Comment

The Moodsters: Teaching Preschoolers All About Emotions

August 24, 2016

Dealing with everyday emotions as adults can be difficult, but for children and toddlers, it can be even trickier.

Thankfully The Moodsters, an educational line of toys and books designed to teach preschoolers about emotional intelligence makes learning about their feelings fun.

Through engaging storytelling—love, fear, sadness, anger and happiness are all personified via friendly characters that go on a quest to help discover and navigate the ups and downs of emotions.

Founded by Denise Daniels, an award-winning broadcast journalist and parenting and child development expert, The Moodsters are the perfect back-to-school gifts for your preschooler.

My almost 3-year-old son adores these books and accompanying toys. He enjoys pointing to each character and muttering their roles: “scary, happy, angry…” The books are really helping him understand the range of his emotions—and we moms know that their moods can change in a millisecond!