Bugaboo owners rejoice! Little Lunalu, a new UK-based online children’s clothing company, has designed the cutest foot muffs you ever did see!! They cost approximately $95 ($16 for US shipping) and ship all over the world. Little Lunalu is currently selling the foot muffs in 5 different designs: camouflage, houndstooth, ivory stripe, paisley, and star. Oh, and did I mention that it comes with a matching canopy? Obsessed.

New Yorkers are so lucky that they can have practically anything delivered day or night – even groceries! This week, with a little more time on my hands, I decided to try one of the recipes from Fresh Direct, grocery delivery heaven. I was blown away by how good it was and just HAD to share it with you! It is so quick and easy and a really great change from traditional raita. It’s also a great snack to just have in the fridge or perfect for entertaining.

Apple Walnut Raita

From “One Spice, Two Spice” by Floyd Cardoz and Jane Daniels Lear

Apples and walnuts are common ingredients in Kashmir. This raita is delicious with pork or poultry.

Raitas are best served chilled, so refrigerate them after they are made for at least an hour. That way the flavors will have time to bloom and deepen. Before serving, taste your raita and adjust the seasoning so that the dish is rounded and well-balanced. — don’t be afraid to add another pinch of salt, for instance, or jack up the heat with a bit more cayenne.

Makes 3 cups

1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 teaspoon sugar, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups grated peeled apples, such as Empire, MacIntosh, or Gala
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon chopped mild to moderately hot fresh green chile
About 20 mint leaves, cut into very thin strips (about 1 tablespoon)
1 1/2 cups plain whole-milk or low-fat yogurt
1/8 teaspoon chaat masala (optional)
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Melt the butter in a small heavy skillet over moderately low heat and add the walnuts, 1/4 teaspoon sugar, cayenne, and a pinch of salt. Toast the walnuts, stirring to coat with the butter and spices, for about two minutes, until the nuts are fragrant and browned. Drain the nuts on paper towels and chop them.
Stir the apples, lime juice, chile and mint together in a small bowl.
In a larger bowl, whisk the yogurt to lighten it. Stir in the apple mixture, chaat masala, walnuts, and salt and pepper to taste. Cover the raita and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 3 days.
Taste the raita and adjust the seasonings if necessary before serving.

Serve it up with some warm whole-wheat pita and ENJOY!

Twas the day before Christmas, when all through the city,
The ornaments and decorations sure looked pretty.
The sun was out, the sky was clear,
Mommy and baby set out for places with holiday cheer.

They started at FAO Schwarz and were tempted by the toys,
The over-sized piano, the stuffed bears, oh boy.
Then department store window displays, what fun,
Each more elaborate than the previous one.

On to Rock Center to see its gargantuan tree,
My how baby would have shouted with glee!
But along the way, before the tree he did meet,
From all the hullabaloo he fell fast, fast asleep.

Do it again tomorrow, well they just might,
Happy holidays to all and to all a good night.

Today, my 16 month-old son, enjoyed his very first Harlem snowfall. He woke up to our beautiful Hamilton Heights neighborhood covered in SNOW! Right away, he learned to say “no”, his version of “snow”. Would you like to go out in the snow, Caleb? “No”, he retorted!
We wrapped him up in his snow suit and took to the streets. It was time to explore this Harlem wonderland!

We made our way to a nearby park.

We sized up the snow. Hmmm this stuff is interesting… And cold!

We huddled together to keep warm…

We admired City College’s Tudor-style campus built in 1847 and wondered what Harlem looked like then.


We took in some of the glorious churches.

We walked along Convent Avenue, one of THE most stunning blocks in all of New York.

We stopped to say hello to a neighborhood dog who also was enjoying the snow.

We admired the still-fresh snow as we made our way back home.

Reminded why we moved to Harlem, we came in from the “no”, ready for some hot cocoa!

I was thrilled to be a part of the launch of “The Gift of San Antonio – 15 Days of Holiday Gifting”, tonight at Tolache Mexican Bistro, in midtown Manhattan. With flowing and picante (ay! caramba!) margaritas, fantastic food (think guacamole, ceviche, and churros), and an amazing all-female mariachi band, we were charmed, San Antonio-style. The event was to kick off The San Antonio Visitors and Convention Bureau’s “15 Days of Holiday Gifting” where they will be giving away trips to San Antonio and local style gifts. Tomorrow, San Antonio will be the main attraction on Good Morning America as they unveil their first holiday window for 2009 in Times Square. Fittingly named “Pride, Passion, and Pinatas”, San Antonio’s window, designed by Jill Giles, will highlight the city’s deep culture and ethnic pride. The major of San Antonio along with the all-female mariachi, Mariachi Las Altenas, will be along for the festivities. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting San Antonio’s young (35) and charming major this evening, Julian Castro. I was honored that he took the time to speak with me and tell me about the brand new performing arts center they are building to draw more arts and culture to their great city. I also had the pleasure of speaking with Scott White the head of the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau about kid-friendly things to do in San Antonio. I learned about The River Walk, The Institute of Ethnic Culture, Sea World, The Children’s Museum, and of course The Alamo! Right then and there I decided we need to take a family trip to San Antonio! I was surprised to hear that San Antonio is now America’s 7th largest city. With it’s walking streets and deep cultural roots, San Antonio seems like a great place to explore with kids! Now that’s what I call a learning vacation.