Topeak Baby Seat Review

We LOVE our Topeak Baby Seat.  It has gotten so much use, and has actually been in two falls (both at 0 mph) with the rider getting slightly bruised and the baby with no visible marks.  The seat is rated to 48.5 pounds, and I am sure we will get there, as the 42 pound older child of ours still LOVES riding in it (he relegates his younger brother to the trailer most of the time, which is fine by me, as the whole load feels lighter when he is up top).  It adjusts sizes easily, and is even easy to swap kids in it on the road.

We chose the Topeak because I already had a Topeak rack and all of their stuff is interchangeable and slides on and off (I had a bag and DH had a computer case).  We wanted a seat that would be easy to change mid-ride (so one of us could ride our son there and the other could ride him home- when we just had one).  I was also interested in the "roll bar" aspect of it-- supposedly the higher top acts as a roll bar of sorts (yes, you must put your child in a helmet at all times).  I wanted a rear instead of a front seat so that my riding wouldn't be infringed upon, and so that my body would break wind and debris for the baby.

Here it is, with the now 4-year old when he was 10 months old, getting the straps set right for its maiden voyage.

After having used it for three years now, it has been all that we wanted. It is safe, easy to use, and comfortable for rider and child.  It is easy to put on and off the bike.  It is easy to get the kid in and out, though we never raise the front bar to do so.  The foot straps for the child are secure, and we use them with the older child but not the baby.  It can be quite annoying to be riding along and have a foot in your hamstring (or elsewhere!).

With the rear seat, a drawback is that the seat takes up all of your storage.  I ended up getting a clip-on front handlebar bag and not carrying anything extra, and wrapping my lock around my seat post.  I have also gone shopping and locked my goodies to the back of the baby seat and had them flop along on the way home, but this has been quite rare.  It only just recently occurred to me that I should sew a bag for the back that attaches to the baby seat, or panniers that are half as wide and fit under the seat and attach to the rack.  The lack of storage is quite annoying.  So annoying, in fact, that we are looking into proper cargo bikes.

All in all, we have gotten so much use out of this seat and highly recommend it.


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Cookie Cutter Chipatis

 

We are still making chipatis, but just came to a new twist on them.  We make them-- but instead of just rolling them out, we roll them, and then they get cookie cuttered into different shapes, then they get cooked! Yum (plus entertainment)!

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Burly Bee Trailer Review

We have been biking along with the Burly Bee behind us for a while now, and I haven't done a review.  Yipes.

So-- overall-- I like it a lot-- it solved a problem for us for less than $300 (it gave me my bike back, essentially, after having a second child).  It has some drawbacks, but it also has a lot of strong points. I am so happy we found it, but it is getting heavy as my load is gaining weight, and it's getting a bit cramped for him back there.  Also, a new(er) issue is that both kids want the baby seat, and neither wants to sit all the way back there in the trailer where they can't talk to Mom.

Pros:

• Can ride your regular bike with two or three kids (one on baby seat and one or two in trailer)

• Has a roll cage so the kid/s don't necessarily need to wear a helmet (please use your own judgement here and look into local laws)

• Bug screen keeps debris away in nice weather, and rain screen keeps kid/s dry (although the mud from the bike tires flies onto the rain screen)

• love how it folds and wheel attachment - it is quick to fold and fits easily into my (small) car's trunk

• it is light (20 pounds empty)

• seat belts for two kids back there and an elasticized pouch on one side (this is also a con- one kid doesn't have access)

• huge "trunk" in back - behind seat- fits two full grocery bags (plus whatever the kid will share their space with, of course) - we have gotten a half flat of strawberries back there, plus other Farmer's Market goodies, easily

• Easily swaps from bike to bike - each bike has a forged standard hitch on the rear tire and it clips on in seconds

• Nice big windows so the kid can see out 

• Wiggly kids don't affect steering or stability 

• Bike can fall over and trailer will stay upright

Cons:

• not compatible with Burly's stroller kit (meaning you need a baby carrier once you get to your destination)

• my flag fell off and we had to make a new one with bright orange duct tape (yes, they sell new ones)

• not really room for two back there- it says max 100 pounds but my 42 pound child fills it up (and the 28 pounder does a pretty good job, too) - plus, if they were both way back there, all alone, who would mediate?

• Kid can reach feet out the front and touch the rear tire with their shoes if they are so inclined

• Hard to talk to kid all the way back there

• Trailer tugs at bike and feels nearly as heavy to pull empty as full (and I say this with a 42 pound child)

• Hard to stop on a dime and start up hill (or even up a slope) with a load - you need to downshift before stopping

• They complain it gets hot back there on a hot day (no cross breeze)

• Load from trunk can encroach into seat area and stab them in back if you aren't careful

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carving a mouldy pumpkin

 

We have had a LOT of pumpkins around the house, and they are getting a bit soft.  This little guy noticed one had mold, and cut into it.  Then he had to carve it into a special Jack-O-Lantern.  Pretty impressive (imitation and knife skills).

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DIY Bamboo Rolling Mat for Sushi

We like to make our own sushi, and recently the little guy noticed that they use a bamboo rolling mat at the store when they make it there.

So he said, of course, that we need one.

So we made one.  He found some bamboo skewers at the store, then we came home and taped them together with clear shipping tape, then covered it with plastic wrap (which the pros also do).

 

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Ideas

Leftover Turkey Thai Curry

2 T rendered fat or butter
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 leek, chopped, white part only
4 carrots, chopped
1 cup green beans, chopped
1 bunch broccoli, chopped
1 bunch kale or spinach
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 qt. homemade beef or chicken stock
1 can coconut milk
2 T Thai curry paste
2 cups chopped leftover turkey

Saute onions in fat.  Add garlic and leek.  Add carrots, green beans, and broccoli.  Add greens and stock and simmer until greens go soft.  Add peas. 

Whisk curry paste in a bowl with coconut milk until smooth.  Add to saute.  Add turkey.  Turn pan to simmer and let simmer until liquid cooks off~ about 10 minutes.

Can eat alone or on rice.

Leftover Turkey Tibetan Momos 

adapted from the Lhasa Moon Tibetan Cookbook

Basic Momo Dough

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup water

Mix the flour and water into dough, and knead it well.  Cover and set aside while making filling.

Turkey Momos

1 lb. leftover turkey, finely chopped

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

2 inches fresh ginger, finely chopped

4 cloves garlie, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

1/3 cup chives, chopped

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 cup water

3 stalks celery, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

Roll the dough into one inch balls.  Working on a floured board, press each ball into a circle and roll it flat.  Place a tablespoon of filling into the center.  Pinch the momo closed and into a crescent or round shape.  Steam for 10 minutes, keeping the momos from touching each other.  Serve with chili sauce.

Leftover Turkey Enchiladas

2 cups chopped leftover turkey

1 cup dried black beans, socked overnight in 2 cups water and 1 T lemon juice then drained and cooked in 2 cups water with a sheet of kombu seaweed until soft (45-60 minutes) or can organic refried beans in lard ("Eden Organics" has non BPA cans)

1 cup brown rice, soaked overnight in 2 cups water and 1 T lemon juice then drained and cooked in 2 cups water or stock  for 20-35 minutes, or in a rice cooker, optional

package sprouted tortillas (like "Ezekiel") or organic corn -masa harina tortillas

bunch kale or chard or package of spinach, chopped and thick stems removed
2 Tablespoons fat (butter, lard, or coconut oil)

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, smashed

1 can enchilada sauce (or make your own by sauteeing onion, garlic, tomatillos, and chilis in stock and blending together a la Nourishing Traditions)
1 package shredded cheese (jack or cheddar), optional

Saute onions and garlic in fat until soft (preferably in a cast iron skillet).  Add greens and saute until soft.  Add turkey and half of the enchilada sauce and stir to combine.

Put 1/2 of the remaining enchilada sauce on bottom of large glass baking pan.  Fill the tortillas with beans, rice, and the cooked veggie/ turkey mixture.  Fold bottom and top in, then roll closed.  Place in pan with roll on bottom.  Top with rest of enchilada sauce and optional cheese.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

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Tyke Toter Review

On our quest to find just the right family biking getup, I have been test riding like crazy and found the Tyke Toter. This is a seat and foot rest, and it clamps onto your seat and cross-bar and the kid rides between your legs, but the weight is in the middle of the bike, as designed.  Here is a photo from their website.  It is the orange pieces.

At first, we liked it, but thought it wasn't amazing.  It mounted quite easily, and I got us all loaded up on my own.  The directions say to load yourself then the kid, but I couldn't manage that without a grown-up helper.  So I put my older son on it, and had him squish forward while I shimmied behind him.  It wasn't ideal, but it worked.  On our test ride, we only made it to the end of our street and back-- not on the main road... I was too nervous and my husband was at work. 

I was nervous because I felt like I couldn't ride the bike safely.  The Tyke Toter is only rated to 45 lb (my older son is 4 years old and 42 pounds), so he was squished in to me and blocked my view of my handlebars (I guess I shouldn't be looking there anyway, but I have a habit of looking at my odometer, I guess). He said he liked it and was comfortable but I kicked him almost every stride. He liked having his own handle bars but the little guy wouldn't let us ride without him (on the rear seat) and the bike felt heavy/ immobile (though nice to try in actual conditions).  I wasn't used to being so close to him while riding, and, though sweet, I couldn't imagine being so cuddly on our 25-minute ride to school-- especially up hill and across traffic.

I had thought of keeping it and using it once I was confident that the little guy (now 17 months) could sit on it and have the big guy in the rear seat. The occupant needs to be able to sit on the seat and hold the handlebars and not fall off. I do like that if it fails the kid will be between my arms and on the crossbar. But I do like a bit more personal space (than I had on our test ride). 

It's a nice solution, though, and maybe quick release and exchange between bikes like they claim (we actually use this feature of the trailer and baby seat- I ride the kids somewhere and my husband rides one home sometimes)... the only reason it wouldn't be easy for an on-the-go child swap is if the bottom bar for the foot pegs was different in width by bike (they have you attach rubber shims using stickers on the foot peg portion based on your frame width).  I think it's probably not ideal but may be a nice solution for ages 2 and 3, although they advertise it up to age 4, which may be the case for smaller children.

In the end, I decided to return it.  That is because the day after the test ride, it was on my bike and time for school pick-up.  Instead of taking it off, I rode with it empty (and the trailer and baby seat on my bike for the kids to use).  This was fine for all of three strokes before I realized that I had been hitting my older child each stride because the seat was where my legs go when I pedal.  This meant my inner thighs were hitting the orange flat seat part each time I pedaled.  This couldn't be made better with a smaller child, so off it went, back to Tyke Toter.  

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Madsen Test Ride

I have been eyeing the Madsen bucket bike for a while now and was lucky enough to test ride one.  REI had a return and they let me take it out (they don't usually keep them in stock -- and I used to see the bike on their website but don't anymore).  It was a blue one, and they were selling for $1,550.  It was super cute, though the plastic bucket was more plastic-y and flimsier than I had expected.  

Lo and behold.... I didn't like it at all!  

I brought both kids with me, and set them in the rear seat next to each other.  There was a lap belt for each of them, and plenty of room for them to sit next to each other facing forward.  There was plenty of leg room, and for kicks, my older son asked me to remove the other seat. It came out easily, as it had been velcroed in.  The benches themselves were cushioned and narrower than I had expected, and a lot of the kid rides above the bucket, which made me feel like they were pretty vulnerable to the elements.  The double kickstand was really stable for them to get in and out of the bucket.

After getting some help out of the store, and lots of stares, I was able to step through the frame and get on the bike.  Turns out the seat was a bit low and it was an easy tool-free adjustment to raise it.  I took a deep breath and got the bike going.  BUT it was in a low gear and I felt like I needed to be in a higher gear and fumbled with the shifters a bit and didn't find one.  Their workings weren't intuitive for me and I couldn't get any stability.  So I stopped, still in the parking lot, and had the sales associate hold the back of the bike so I could change gears without dislodging the quiet children.

Ok, try #2.  I got back on the bike, and turned a corner of the parking lot, aiming to make a loop then go onto the street.  I got it going, but felt really wobbly.  I tried picking up speed, knowing that speed makes bikes feel more stable.  It didn't help.  So I looped around to the store entrance, said thanks but no thanks, and had my curiosity satisfied.  The sales associate told me the previous owner had returned it because he felt like it was wobbly, and because his kids had tried to get out while it was in motion!  Thank goodness my children were calm and stable-- I can't imagine going on it with kids wiggling around.

All in all, I am so glad I got to ride the bike.  I really wanted to like the USA box bike.  But at 8 speeds and super long, I just didn't feel like it was up for the task of being my bike.  It was super wobbly and the kids were as far back as a trailer, and less protected.  I'm so glad I didn't have to buy and return it. Pin It

Cooking with Kids for Thanksgiving

Just the word conjures up a cuddly and warm image of a family by the fire: Thanksgiving.  Just sit and imagine with me-- a couple of generations, some friends, a slight chill, some dogs at our feet, the smell of a turkey roasting, maybe John Madden announcing some football at a low volume in the background...

But then I think a bit longer and I remember the restless children pestering each other, the stress of getting the meal done and the the table set, running to the store for one more thing, and being stuck inside because of the cold.  Let's not forget the wishing we were in our maternity jeans after the meal and feeling bloated and like maybe we shouldn't have tried both kinds of pies after appetizers, wine, and a full meal.  Ahhhh- the holidays.

Don't get me wrong: I love me a good holiday meal as much as anyone.  It is the time leading up to the meal where I get a bit antsy.  And my progeny don't seem to fall that far from the tree (imagine that).

BUT-- involving the kids can be one strategy for making the day run a bit smoother.  One of my favorites is to just get them doing what I am doing.  So- in this case, it's cooking.  Making sure your baby is using a blunt knife and the older kids are using age-appropriate cutlery, here are some ideas:

1. Have the baby bring you various items (like specific veggies from the fridge or a nice cold beer).
2. Have your older child open the beer or wine (not kidding).  They can also open cans, and will-- with gusto.
3. Have your toddler sort things (like beans into muffin tins or the cloth napkins by color).
4. Have the toddler (on up) set the table.  Make it intricate with flowers or acorns, and have them sort them by place setting.
5. Get the preschooler to cut the potatoes in half.  S/he can also paint them (and other roasted veggies) with olive oil and sprinkle with salt (that you have already measured. Trust me on this one).  If you prefer the shake and bake method (i.e. putting the potatoes into a container with a lid and shaking the seasonings and oil), you have just the person for the shaking.
6. Have your child sample the foods.  We actually call it sampling at our place and talk about the Farmer's Market and Trader Joe's sample sizes.
7. Have your child measure for baking and turn the food processor or mixer on.  Have them crack the eggs.  If you are anxious about the shells in the food, do it in a separate bowl first.
8. My 4-year old LOVES using the coffee grinder for nuts.  Sometimes I think of recipes that need chopped nuts (or almond flour) just so he can use it.  Our favorites include an almond flour crust galette (similar to this but no sugar) or beet brownies.
9. Have them make the whipped cream.  All it takes to make it fresh is full cream (we use organic raw) and a drop of honey and a teaspoon of vanilla, both added towards the end).  We whip them in the electric mixer on high until they are "stiff peaks."  Have them test it-- preferably with a fresh strawberry or other fruit...
10. Have your child poke the holes in the pumpkin before you make pie.  First time using a fresh pumpkin instead of a can?  Here's the recipe: Poke holes in a fresh pumpkin (enough to let the steam escape so it won't explode).  Place it in a glass baking dish with an inch of water.  Bake at 350 for an hour, or until soft.  Cut it open and remove the seeds.  Scrape the flesh out and use this as you would use canned pumpkin.  One small pie pumpkin should yield 2 cups or so of mashed pumpkin.
11. Have the baby (on up) rip the bread into small pieces for the stuffing.
12. They could also break the ends off the asparagus or green beans.

No matter what task you have them help you with, it is always more fun to do it together.  Yes, it takes longer and is messier, but it is time and energy well spent, and in the spirit of the holidays!

Happy Holidays! Enjoy!!

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why we returned our trail-a-bike

I didn't explain why we returned our trail-a-bike (here it is with us using it). It felt heavy and wobbly, and accentuated every move of its occupant.  Since it attached to the seat post, the baby seat couldn't sit on the rack at the same time-- which meant we could only take one kid per bike. 

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