I LOVE CHEESE!

All kinds of cheese.

What goes better with a good cheese? Some would say a good wine, but since I don't drink, I would say a GOOD CRACKER!

Apparently, a good cracker is harder to find than a good chesse.

But, I did it!

I found one.

Keebler has a line of crackers called Wheatables. They are good, but it's the Wheatables Nut Crisps Toasted Pecan (and because I'm from the South I'm saying Pee-Can). 

They are soooo good. Mo and B loooooove them just as much as I do. There is a hint of sweetness to them.

Lately we've been dipping them in cream cheese and drizzling honey on them. Ok, that probably sounds gross, but it's great.

And since it's a new product, they are on sale everywhere! I just bought 3 boxes today. 

So, go nutty with this yummy cracker.

As a mom, I try to make the holidays fun for the kids.

I want them to enjoy childhood and the innocence and fun of being a kid.

So, when the Fourth of July started rolling around, I started thinking about a fun family tradition.

Fireworks came to mind, but then I remembered I have an insane, rough and tough 5 year old and a curious 1 year old. Matches, fire, and explosions are probably not the best thing for us to be experimenting with in the backyard.

Baking is fun and easy. Sugar is a key ingredient, and it requires minimal use of knives and a hot oven. Maybe Morris will be game.

The "Flag Cake" seemed like a very appropriate recipe for celebrating the Fourth. It's a recipe from Ina Garten (The Barefoot Contessa on the Food Network). I love her style of classic elegance. I was ready to take it on.

Before I proceed I must warn you that I have a cooking dysfunction. I am "recipe intolerant." This means that no matter what the recipe says, I never follow it completely. I don't know why. But for some reason, butter, cream cheese, and sugar always seem to make their way into everything I cook (even if it's mac and cheese).Since these were already in the recipe, it seemed like a winner.

This recipe was for a very large cake. Immediately I strayed from Ina's instructions. I cut the recipe in half to make a smaller version. Well, I sort of threw in extra butter, sugar, and vanilla. As for the icing, I used the same ingredients, but again I did my own thing as far as the portions go.

I also changed the flag "toppings". She used blueberries and raspberries. I used blackberries and strawberries. Subtle differences to accommodate my picky palette.

Nonetheless, it turned out great. The cake has pretty thick texture similar to a pound cake. I made the traditional cream cheese icing (the same one I use for Hummingbird Cake, Red Velvet, and Carrot Cake).

I had fun making and eating it with the boys. We will definitely add it to our 4th of July family traditions.

And just for added fun, we lit candles and sang happy birthday to America.

Taxes are due Thursday, April 15, there are a few places trying to help ease the stress.

-- FREE COFFEE AND TREATS

CINNABON: Get two free bite-sized cupcakes from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at participating mall locations as part of "Tax Day Bites!" Flavors include Chocolate Passion, 24-Carrot Cake, Vanilla Bliss and Cinnacake Classic.

MAGGIEMOO'S: Get one free slice of ice cream pizza -- ice cream with red frosting to look like sauce and white chocolate to look like cheese -- at participating locations from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

STARBUCKS: Get free brewed coffee all day Thursday if you bring your own mug, a promotion the cafe chain says is friendly to the environment as well as taxpayers.

-- DISCOUNTED MEALS

BOSTON MARKET: For a "last-minute tax break" -- one free meal for each one you buy Thursday through Sunday -- show this coupon: http://bit.ly/d1YlRO

IHOP: Expanding on the tax deduction parents get for kids, the restaurant chain is offering free dinner for one child age 12 or younger with each adult meal purchased 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. all month long.

MCCORMICK & SCHMICK'S: The seafood restaurant is offering $10.40 dinner and drink specials in the bar on Thursday -- a nod to the 1040 tax form. Bar guests who come in April 15 also receive a $10.40 gift certificate for a later visit. And professional tax preparers, who may have to work right until the midnight deadline Thursday, get their freebie Friday: dessert on the house plus a $10.40 certificate if they show a business card.

P.F. CHANG'S: Get 15 percent off food purchases for dine-in or take-out, excluding alcohol and happy hour food and beverages.

-- STRESS RELIEF

HYDROMASSAGE: Get a free massage Thursday through Sunday at participating locations. The mall-based massage chain suggests calling ahead to book an appointment. Find a location athttp://www.hydromassage.com/taxday.

I've mentioned before how much I love the book "Eat This, Not That! For Kids!" by David Zinczenko. 

It's an easy read with great nutritional info and food alternatives. The book understands that kids are kids and want chicken nuggets, sweet cereal, and McDonald's. The best part is that it offers the best places/choices for these things and doesn't try to force feed your kid green leafy veggies.

One good tidbit is The 20 Worst Kids' Foods in America. I giggled a little when I realized 3 of the top 4 things had been consumed by me at some point. Lets see how you fare:

4. WORST DRINK:

Baskin-Robbins' Heath Shake 990 calories, 46 g fat, 113 g sugar

It has 73 ingredients and almost as many calories as 5 Heath bars. 

Honestly, I've had this probably 4 times. Heath is my favorite candy bar, and this shake is damn good! However, I'm glad the boys are content with a single scoop or sorbet.

3. WORST CHINESE ENTREE:

P.F Changs's Chicken Lo Mein 1,198 calories, 67 g fat

There is more fat in this dish than 5 chocolate Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Wow, I just had both last week! And so did the boys. Bad mom.

2. WORST APPETIZER:

T.G.I. Friday's Potato Skins (1/2 order) 1,430 calories

This contains 80% of a 9-year old's daily caloric intake.

I really thought this was a healthy choice because it's a potato, right?

1. WORST KIDS' MEAL IN AMERICA

Chili's Pepper Pals' Country Fried Chicken Crispers with ranch dressing and homestyle fries

1.110 calories, 82 g fat, 1.980 mg sodium, 56 g carbs

I think this one is self explanatory. 

I am proud to say me or the boys have never had this (probably only because we don't have Chili's here, but at least I know not to get it...or at least not to eat all the fries)

So, how did you do?

I am a sucker for: shopping and supporting a good cause.

Mo's school had a fundraiser selling lunchskins.

I had no idea what they were, but bought quite a few just to support the school.

Boy, did I get lucky! These things are amazing. They are reusable cloth pouches designed for sandwhiches and snacks. They are made in the USA, dishwasher safe, kid and adult friendly designs, and help to replace the use of plastic baggies.

But, my favorite thing about lunchskins is that they are designed by a team of 3 Hot Mamas. These moms are beautiful, smart, and making money off of me.

They have other great environment conscious items and do fundraisers for schools. Check them out.

People always ask me if I eat anything besides sweets. Not usually.

But, when I do, it's probably pizza.

Rachel Ray's magazine "Every Day with Rachel Ray" did a frozen pizza taste test and here are their findings (as well as my 2 cents, of course).

BEST OVERALL

American Flatbread Cheese and Herb

I've never had it, but it sounds so good. Of course as my luck would have it, they aren't in stores in California. 

BEST CHEESE

Wolfgang Puck All-Natural Margherita

I've had this one...pretty good.

BEST PEPPERONI

Tombstone Pepperoni

I don't eat pepperoni. Gross.

BEST VEGETABLE

DiGiorno Rising Crust Spinach, Mushroom & Garlic

I've never had DiGiorno, and I don't like mushrooms. Guess I could just pick them off.

BEST SAUSAGE

Home Run Inn Deep Dish Sausage

I don't eat sausage and I haven't heard of this brand.

BEST CRUST

Amy's Kitchen 3-Cheese Pizza with Cornmeal Crust

BEST ODDBALL

California Pizza Kitchen BBQ Chicken

LOVE this one! All the CPK frozen pizzas are pretty good. They taste almost as good as the fresh baked ones in the restaurant.

I must admit that although I'm sure these are all great, my favorite frozen pizza did not make the cut. I love me a 99 cent Jeno's cheese pizza. Nothing like it! Soooo good. Take note Rachel Ray magazine people.

When I was a little girl I LOVED going to the dentist.

But, it wasn't just for the "happy gas" I got every time I got a filling.

Nope, after every dentist visit, I got to go the the bakery next door, Willie's German Bakery.

As a parent, I have somewhat mastered the art of "creative negotiation" with the the kids. So, I can appreciate my parent's efforts of rewarding me with a trip to the bakery after enduring the dentist.

Although now, I'm wondering about the possible correlation of my having a cavity upon EVERY dental visit and my frequenting the bakery next door.

So, when I found Big Sugar Bakeshop, a great bakery in my neighborhood, it brought back so many of those joyous memories.

I take Morris and Bronson there far too often, but it's usually more for my own culinary pleasure.

I'm a cupcake fiend, so I am head over heels for the Hummingbird cupcake. It's an old Southern classic with bananas, nuts, pineapple, and cream cheese icing. YUM. The double coconut is dripping with moist sweet coconut, and the Boston Cream Pie has just the right amount of everything.

Another guilty pleasure are their bars. Pecan pie, lemon, and 7 layers are all regulars in my stomach. Morris loves their cookies. They always taste fresh out of the oven, and the ice cream cone shaped sugar cookies are almost too cute to eat. ALMOST!

The Big Sugar fun doesn't stop at their excellent sweets. Their prices are soooooo reasonable. I never feel guilty for eating or spending money there.

BUT, here's the kicker: The main factor that brings me back again and again and again and again is their SERVICE!!!!! Yes, they have great customer service.

They are always happy to see me, even with Morris and Bronson in tow about to tear the door off the hinges with my over sized B.O.B stroller. They greet me and the boys with a smile each time and never get an attitude as we curiously (and slowly) look over every dessert on display as if we have never been in there. They treat me the same when I'm wearing my sweats as they do when I'm wearing my Chanel. And that says a lot for an eatery in Los Angeles.

If you're ever in my hood, stop by Big Sugar. Your tummy and dentist will thank you.

Oh, P.S- They always have free samples. I know you guys are like me, and I would have had you hooked at free samples!!!!!!

I must really love you guys.

I went deep into the trenches for ya'll.

Got Milk? hosted a great event at bld, a great hip LA restaurant.

I was forced into sampling over 10 different milkshakes and an onslaught of homemade pastries.

The theme was "What a Milkshake Says About Your Personality."

This was up Mo's alley, so I figured I'd earn some cool points and take him.

I had more fun than he did.

He ended up playing with a slinky the whole time.

What on Earth was my kid doing???!!!

So much for my trusty assistant.

It was my mission to try all the milkshake flavors so I could report accurately to you guys.

The result of my milkshake/personality test:

Salted Caramel: For a person who is sassy and sweet.

Really? ME, sassy? Obviously, sweet, but sassy? NEVER!

Ironically, this is the absolute last one I tasted. I avoided it because I hate salt and thought it would be gross. It wasn't. It was much better than gross. It was great.

I want one now.

It is very rare that I come across something edible that can be enjoyed by me, Bronson, AND Mo.

But recently I found something that can be eaten with pleasure by baby, preschooler, mom, and grandma.

Trader Joe's Pear Sauce.

It has only 6 ingredients: Bartlett pears, water, pear juice concentrate, lime juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, natural flavor. I'm not a label nut (who has time to read that crap?) but it makes me feel somewhat like a responsible mom when I'm giving the kids (and myself) something with a little nutritional substance.

The best thing about this stuff is the the texture. You know how applesauce is so mushy and slimy? The pear sauce has texture and tiny bits of pear, so there is no confusion as to if you're drinking it or eating it.

When I worked in a nursing home, I would get so grossed out whenever I saw applesauce. The patients ate it like they were drinking soup. It was so watery and gross. I developed an aversion to it. 

My only complaint about the pear sauce is that there are only 4 containers per pack. Seriously, this stuff is so good, I ate 2 cups without even blinking, and even dipped into the cup the boys were sharing. Me and Mo were were fighting over the last cup. Poor little Bronson didn't even stand a chance. We just ignored his grunts and grimes for more like he were asking for a diaper change.

Yes, Trader Joe's pear sauce is definitely a winner. Go get it before I beat you to it.

I love holidays, celebrations, and sweets.

Any chance of celebrating something, I'm on board.

You bought a new lawn mower? Let's go out to dinner!

The new paint job on you car has survived another year? This calls for cupcakes!

You finished reading the novel you started 6 months ago? Gelatto on me!

So, when I heard about National Ice Cream Day I couldn't wait to figure out a celebration.

There seemed to be one logical choice. I packed up the kids and headed to milk.

Milk is the brainchild of Bret Thompson, formerly of The Patina Group.

Milk is a cafe, bakeshop, and ice cream parlor rolled into one glorious location. There is something (or many things) for everyone. The kids LOVED it!

Morris got their Citrus Vanilla Float- blood orange sorbet, lime sorbet, vanilla bean ice cream, and creme soda.

I had a breakfast sandwhich, Red Velvet cupcake, Ooey Gooey double chocolate cookie, and Black Cherry Float (I got a little caught up in the moment).

Bronson had a little of everything. He's our human 13 month old garbage disposal.

Everything was amazing.

We will definitely go back. And I'm not waiting until the next National Ice Cream Day.

Bronson can attest to the yumminess of the cupcake

Got Milk?