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 to help you narrow down the list and find the best 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.

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 GouverneurTimes 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.

Retire Your Cutting Board And Get A Food Processor

Cooking

top-food-processors

If you still use a knife to handle all of your food prep work in the kitchen, then it is finally time to move into the modern age and take advantage of today’s technology. You wouldn’t use an outhouse if you have indoor plumbing available, nor would you operate on candlelight when you have electricity running throughout your house. So why would you continue to use your cutting board when food processors can handle the same work, and more?

Advantages Of Today’s Food Processor

The modern food processor offers chefs of any skill level numerous benefits that make it one of the more indispensable small appliances that belong in every kitchen.

Safety

If you are unsure of your knife skills then why would you continue to risk the well being of your fingertips when you don’t have to? One of the advantages to using a food processor is that you can safely chop, mince, dice, and slice all of the hard vegetables that may have given you problems. You no longer have to reach for a band-aid and you can save your hands from accidental slips of the knife.

Speed

The boring, labor intensive food prep tasks like chopping, mixing, or dicing can be quickly done with a simple push of a button. If you cook for a lot of people then you know that large recipes can drain a lot of time in the preparation phase. You can speed up this process with a food processor and get back to more important things like socializing and eating.

Easy to Use

Today’s food processors are also simple to use, usually with just a couple of buttons to operate. They have various cutting disks to handle any chore and they clean up fast. Dishwasher safe parts make them a breeze to wash. The entire process from start to finish is pretty hassle-free.

Top Food Processors Worth Considering

Below are three of the highest rated food processors that can benefit you tremendously in your kitchen. They have various starting price points to accommodate any type of budget.

Cuisinart DLC-10 Pro

This is a true classic. Cuisinart has long been the leader when it comes to the food processor, and this model is their most reliable version. It may not offer a lot as far as modern styling, but its performance in the kitchen is second to none.

With a powerful motor, stainless steel cutting discs, and a nearly indestructible bowl, the DLC-10 can manage big or small cooking chores with reliable ease. This model is a true workhorse designed for those that do a lot of work making homemade meals.

Breville BFP800XL

This is an ultra-modern machine designed for serious chefs that need a powerful and technologically advanced appliance for their countertop. This is the most expensive model on our list at around $350, so it is not going to be ideal for most folks. While it is a lot to spend on a food processor, it does offer excellent performance and versatility. Its sleek styling, LCD display screen and backlit buttons bring the food processor into the 21st century.

Cuisinart DLC-2007N

This is more of your basic food processor which features a 7 cup capacity bowl. This is great for small families or those just cooking for themselves. No extra bells and whistles, just straight food processing power and dependability. This is the least expensive model of the three at somewhere south of $100. For its power and performance this machine offers owners superb value in the kitchen.

Don’t Forget The Onions

We saved the biggest advantage until last, and that is you will no longer have to deal with the pain of chopping onions. All of the machines above will save you from the horrific experience of having tears running down your face as you try and rush through trying to get the perfect dice on your onions. You simple drop them into the food processor, hit a button, and rejoice with dry eyes.

Cooking can be an extremely rewarding exercise as you prepare fresh ingredients for your family and friends. Enjoying a home cooked meal that is healthy and delicious is something that really brings a family together. The less you have to work, and the safer that you can achieve this goal, the better your food will taste. Do your kitchen a favor and go out and upgrade to a food processor. Save the knife for carving a pumpkin.