Cambridge Foodie Blog

Practical Car Seat Options For Your Baby Registry

Parenting

baby-car-seat-shopping

Bring a new life into this world can be quite expensive. Of course you want to shower them with the best of everything they need, but most of the time this is not feasible. Money is often tight and credit cards end up getting maxed out. This is where creating a baby registry can really benefit your family. This will let you pick out the things that would most like for your new child and let others help you out. Similar to a wedding registry, this is a great way to give family and friends an opportunity to get you the items that want and need for your baby.

Child car seats are often one of the more expensive necessities that new parents must have. This is a terrific item to add to your registry, but if you are one of those that feel a little guilty about adding the most costly items to your registry, there are plenty of quality seats that won’t break the bank. Below are a few of the more practical safety seats that will keep your child protected and be something that you will enjoy using as a parent.

Car Seat Options

Evenflo Symphony DLX

This is an all in one seat which means that instead of having to get a separate infant, convertible, and booster seat you can get one seat that does it all. This is a real money saver over the course of your child’s early years. It is completely adjustable and it can be customized to properly fit your child as they grow.

The Evenflo Symphony DLX is a great mid-range option for parents that has plenty of safety and comfort features to ensure your baby is content and secure. With patented side impact technology, this model passes all the safety requirements to make this more than a suitable option for your car. The best feature of this seat is that it is extremely easy to install. Designed with parents in mind, the DLX can snap into place in just a matter of seconds. It also comes with cushioned materials and has two cup holders to keep its passenger happy.

This is an excellent safety seat that gets very good feedback from owners so you can be confident that you are getting a quality child seat that should last for years to come.

Graco 4Ever Convertible Car Seat

This is another top notch all in one seat. This model comes with an outstanding 10 year lifespan and it is well designed to stand up to years of wear and tear. It is easy to clean, also has two cup holders, and passes all of the important safety standards required of child seats. This is also a mid-range model that won’t be too much of a burden to anyone wishing to get you something from your registry list.

Graco Size4Me 65

This model does not have the complete versatility of the previous seats on our list as it does not have booster seat capabilities. You will have to be a separate booster seat after your child outgrows this one, but that won’t be for a few years. This is a dedicated convertible car seat and it is recommended for children up to 65 lbs. It does however, get excellent reviews and at this price point it provides superior value.

It has all of the safety features that you will want in a child seat, as well as being easy to clean and pretty easy to install. It has comfy materials and one integrated cup holder which is always a plus. This is a very good budget option.

Diono Rainier

If you wish to add something to your list that is a little bit of a higher end model then the Rainier is an excellent choice. This is a top quality all in one seat that is suitable for children up 120 lbs. This may be the only seat that you will ever need as it can also accommodate children as small as 5 lbs.

It is tall, well built, sturdy, an kids love riding in it. Advanced safety features also make this one of the more desirable car seats that is on a lot of parents wish list. Diono has made quite a name for themselves with their line of seats and have an excellent reputation with owners. Feedback from parents is really impressive and the Rainier is one of their most popular models. It does come with a higher price tag, but sometimes you have to put items on your registry that you may not normally afford. There is nothing wrong with adding something a little more expensive, especially when it comes to child safety.

More Ideas

Fortunately, there are a whole host of convertible car seats from which to choose from. It can actually get a little overwhelming so a little research can go a long way. We suggest reading some of the latest child seat reviews like those found on MommaTraumaBlog.com to help you narrow down the list and find the best rated options. This way to can find car seats with a proven reputation for quality that are in a price range that you feel comfortable adding to your registry.

Letting Others Help

Sometimes we let pride get in the way of letting others help us out. If you are one of those that may feel a little guilty about making a registry you shouldn’t. Babies can be expensive and friends and family usually will jump at the chance to help you out when given the chance. Hopefully some of these more budget friendly convertible car seats will ease your mind a little bit and let you take advantage of the generosity of your loved ones.

Top Performing Masticating Juicers For Your Kitchen

Juicing

top-masticating-juicers-2016

Masticating juicers have several advantages over their centrifugal counterparts that make them more appealing. This is a slightly slower method of juicing but the added time produces some added benefits that pays off for those who are patient. Higher juice yield, especially with leafy foods such as kale, wheatgrass, and spinach is something that sets this type of juicer apart. Better juice quality, less noise, and less oxidation are some other aspects of masticating juice extractors that users rave about.

If you have never tried juicing then getting one of these types of juicers is a terrific way to ensure that you get the most out of the fresh produce you drop into the machine. This is a more expensive initial investment, but your health and pocketbook will get reward long term. Below are some of the top selling masticating models available today.

Omega NC800 HDS

This is a relatively new model introduced by Omega but it is already the best rated masticating juicer on the market. With two main improvements the NC800 has raised the bar for all juicing machines in general. Some of the key features include:

  • A wider feed chute, which is typically only seen on centrifugal juicers up to this point, lets you drop larger sized pieces of fruits and vegetables without having to cut them up. This really reduces the overall prep time of juicing and is a great advantage of this model.
  • A new, adjustable end cap lets you customize the amount of pressure depending on the hardness of the food you are juicing. This helps improve your juicing efficiency.
  • Quiet juicing at only 80 RPM. Juice in peace without having to worry about waking the entire block.
  • 15 year warranty means that your investment is protected.

Omega VSJ843

This is also a newer model that comes in two differently shaped versions. The “R” is rounded while the “Q” is square in shape. The VSJ843 is an upright masticating juicer that is designed to maximize your counter space while delivering the benefits of juicing with a masticating method juicer.

  • Whisper quiet operation. This is perhaps the lowest noise producing juicer of any kind that you can buy. If you have sensitive ears then this is the one model for you.
  • Excellent juice quality. Juicing leafy greens is a breeze and you get very good juice yield.
  • Very easy to clean with the juice spout. Just close the tap after you are finished, pour in some water, let it run for a few minutes, and reopen the tap. It is designed to clean itself in this fashion.
  • Modern design that is unique. This the perfect compliment to any kitchen counter top with its sleek and modern styling.

Kuvings Whole Slow Juicer

This is another vertical juicer that stands apart from the competition with some innovative design.

  • This is the first upright masticating juicer to feature a wide feed chute. While it is important not to overstuff the machine or try to jam in too much at once, this improvement is something that owners really love. It is big enough to drop in whole apples and larger sized vegetables and fruits.
  • This is also a relative quiet machine. If you like to juice early in the morning or late at night and you are concerned about waking others, this is an excellent option for you.

Tribest Slowstar

This is a truly bold and eyecatching machine that will be the center of attention in your home. This is also an upright machine that will probably save you the most space.

  • Operates at only 43 RPM which is significantly lower than most masticating juice extractors. This helps produce a truly quiet juicing experience.
  • Great juice yield and quality. Less heat is introduced into your glass of juice which protects all of the nutrients.
  • Has a mincing and grinding attachment which makes it the only upright masticator to have this option. Offers greater versatility and overall value.

Omega 8006 Nutrition Center

This model has a been around for years and it continues to go strong to this day. This is one of Omega’s best selling masticating designs.

  • 15 year warranty which is the longest of any juicer available. This juicer has a proven track record for reliable performance and this warranty is nice to have even if you will probably never have to use it.
  • Comes with various attachments that let you do more than just juicing. You can make baby food, extrude pasta, or make home made peanut butter. This is where the “nutrition center” moniker comes from.
  • With the introduction of newer models with wider feed chutes means that this model has seen some slight price drops that make it an even bigger value. If you are looking to save a little then there is no reason to not go with the 8006.

If you don’t like to use appliances that make a lot of noise, you want the highest juice yield possible, or you want to make a lot of juice at once and store it for a few days, then you will want to get yourself a masticating juicing machine. These juicers are the most efficient and produce the highest quality juice when compared to centrifugal models. If you are not worried about being in a hurry, then this is the direction that you will want to go in your kitchen.

Quick, Simple & Healthy Toaster Oven Recipes

Healthy Eating

toaster-oven-cooking

Cooking with toaster oven may seem elementary, but this is one kitchen appliance that can really elevate the meals that you cook at home. For a lot of people using their conventional sized oven can be a real chore. It can also use up a fair amount of time and energy. Having a countertop oven in your kitchen is a great way to make cooking a lot more efficient and fun.

As you will see below, you can make so much more than just toast. If you happen to get one with all of the bells and whistles that offer you advanced cooking technology, then you should be able to completely replace your full sized oven except for only bigger meals. There are tons of fantastic recipes out there, but here are just a few recipes to get you started that you can pull of in a toaster oven that will delight the entire family.

Mini Breakfast Pizza

We all know how having a pizza for breakfast can turn a rather dull morning into a great start to your day. Thanks to your toaster oven, you can prepare one in not more than 10 minutes. Here is a quick recipe for a four servings.

You will need four eggs, Oregano leaves (dried) 1/2 cup of Italian cheese blend, 2 English muffins, and a 1/3 cup pizza sauce.

Directions:

Preheat your toaster oven to 450 degrees, then coat a skillet with cooking spray: ensure you heat over medium heat until hot. Gently pour in eggs across the pan with an inverted turner to form a soft curd. Pull, Lift and fold the eggs until thickened. Remove from heat and do not stir constantly. Spread the pizza sauce on muffin halves, top with eggs and the Italian cheese and place on a baking sheet. Place your pizza in your toaster oven and let it cook until you see the cheese melting. This should take not more than 2 minutes. Sprinkle with oregano and you now can enjoy your delicious mini breakfast pizza with your family.

Toaster Oven Bacon

Bacon, everyone knows how to cook it, just fry, right? But, not everyone knows how to do it right with a toaster oven. Here is a little help.

You will need a bacon, of course, four slices at least for one serving, baking sheet, aluminum foil, and tong.

Directions:

One terrible mistake those who claims to know how to prepare the bacon on toaster oven makes is preheating it, well I won’t advise that. Starting with a cold oven ensures that your bacon cooks slowly and evenly in good temperature.

Get your baking sheet and put a foil upon it. Prepare the bacon and put in the toaster oven when cold. Close the door of your oven and adjust the temperature to around 400 degrees then check the color of the bacon after around 20 minutes. If it turns brown then it’s ready if it isn’t it means that you need to increase the temperature if that’s possible in your toaster oven.

Baked Oatmeal

To many, baked oatmeal is a morning must, since it provides nutrients and fiber that our bodies require. All you need is few minutes in your toaster oven, and you have a wonderful and healthy breakfast.

You will need a bay leaf, 1 cup of rolled oats, raisins ( 2 tablespoons), a tablespoon of almonds and cinnamon, sugar and salt.

Directions:

Boil salted water and the bay leaf in a small saucepan after preheating your toaster oven to around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. When water boils, add your oatmeal and turn it to a medium low mode. Add the raisins and toasted nuts to the oats, and then pour the mix into two ramekins. Top with cinnamon and sugar and bake for few minutes 20 minutes at most. You should not be ready to enjoy your baked oatmeal breakfast!

Toaster Oven Meatloaf (with chili)

Many people like a toaster oven meatloaf but do not how to prepare it right. Here what you need to make a delicious toaster oven meatloaf. You will need a 1/2 cup of milk, sandwich bread( white)ground round, onion and garlic, chili sauce, 1/4 glaze and ketchup, two lightly beaten eggs coarse sugar and brown sugar.

Directions:

Preheat the toaster oven to 350 degrees F and with the rack at the bottom. Pour milk over sandwich bread until soaked then add pork, ground round, onion garlic, chili/ pepper parsley salt and the lightly beaten eggs in the bowl. Mix them completely but not to the point where your meatloaf will be dense. Bake for at least 50 minutes and let it rest for 5 minutes after removing from your toaster oven. You can spread two tablespoons on top and return to the toaster oven for another few minutes.

These are just a few basic recipes to get you started. Any recipe that you have that requires the use of an oven can be cooked in a toaster oven. If you do not yet own one of these fabulous small kitchen appliances then you can check out the toaster oven ratings on Gouverneur Times to find an oven perfect for your kitchen.

Check out the video below of more great examples that you can prepare in a countertop oven.