My kids love snacks. The problem is, I just don’t want them to eat processed snack foods all the time, and yet, those are always the easiest to transport (cereal bars, goldfish, pretzels, etc.). To instill healthier snacking habits, I have made these part of our regular snacks:

• Pre-sliced apples (available at Publix). The apples are available in tart (green) or sweet (red). You can get them conventional or organic, and they are super easy to throw in your bag, cooler, backpack, etc. Maybe a bit more expensive than buying whole apples you can cut yourself, but I appreciate the convenience factor.

• Homemade Granola Bars - I found this recipe on the Family Ties forum. I made these strictly by the recipe, using organic ingredients when possible. My whole family loves them. In fact, with the chocolate chips, they are more like a healthy dessert than a granola bar. For snack, I’ve been serving a small square of the granola bar along with some of the aforementioned apples. Yummy combination! (I want to try my hand at altering the recipe, substituting ground flax seed for the wheat germ, peanut butter for the honey, and maybe cranberries in place of the chocolate chips. I’ll let you know when I try it!)

• Smoothies are also a big hit at my house. The great thing about a smoothie is you can use any combination of fruits that you have around. I make one that includes some low-fat plain yogurt, orange juice, and frozen peaches.

• I am not a big fan of juice boxes, but I’ve recently tried a new product on the market at EarthFare, called Vruit (which includes fruit and vegetable juices mixed together with no added sugars or preservatives!). Just 100% juice! I love this product because there are vegetables included in the juice that my daughter rarely eats on her own, like spinach, celery, and beets.

Happy snacking!

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Tamra Davis has a cooking show. I love it. If you don’t know who she is, by the way, she is married to "Mike D" of the Beastie Boys, and they have two young sons. I watch the shows on youtube. Not only do I enjoy the recipes and ideas she has, but I have to admit, I love getting a little glimpse into her daily life… the houses, the kids’ toys and play spaces, the clothes, city living, etc. She seems so down to earth, despite the fact that she is a film maker, wife, and mother of two who splits her time between their homes in New York and Los Angeles, and who knows where else. They have millions, and yet, she cooks! That being said, check out this youtube clip showing Tamra’s take on homemade granola (love that kitchen!).

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A friend of mine recently took her kids to Dreher Island State Park for a day outing. I am embarrassed to say that I had never even heard of this place. It sounds awesome for an outdoor adventure with the kids. Only 30 miles from Columbia, on Lake Murray.  Picnic tables, playgroup equipment, hiking trails, public restrooms, and more.  Fishing and camping allowed!

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Don’t miss the great activities going on at the Main Library this week. Please note that there are many activities at all the Richland County Public Library branches, but to keep things simple, I am only focusing on the events and activities at the Main Library that are for all ages. (Please check the RCPL website for information on activities targeted for specific ages and for events at a branch closer to you.)

Monday, June 23 - Puppet show at RCPL (3:30pm ET); Bedtime stories at RCPL (7:00pm ET)

Tuesday, June 24 - Zelnick the Magician at RCPL (11am ET)

Saturday, June 28 - Summer Reading Club Award Ceremony (3:30pm ET)

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Seems everyone is nuts for organic these days. With the rising cost of food, the grocery bill can be pretty steep, even with the conventionally grown fruits and vegetables. If you have to prioritize, here is the list of 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables ("the dirty dozen"). If you are picking and choosing between organic and conventional, make sure you buy these organic: Peaches, Celery, Apples, Sweet Bell Peppers, Cherries, Imported Grapes, Nectarines, Pears, Potatoes, Raspberries, Spinach, Strawberries.

There are actually a few organic farms in South Carolina. Though they aren’t all certified organic by the USDA, they follow organic farming practices. Check these out:

• Ambrose Family Farms (Charleston area)

• Barefoot Farms of Belton (Upstate)

• Bee Well Honey and Natural Market (Upstate)

• Crooked Cedar Farm (Columbia area)

• Five Leaves Farm (Columbia area)

I am sure there are others. You can check LocalHarvest for an extensive list of farms in your state.

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Sorry for the last minute notice on this, but if you don’t have plans today, come down to 5th Avenue Deli on Rosewood Drive for a fun day of skateboarding and related activities. "Go Skateboarding Day" starts at 10am today (June 21).

10am - 4pm at 5th Avenue Deli on Rosewood Drive.
"Bring your skateboard on June 21, 2008 and roll around with us. Enjoy bands, skateboard contests and demos by Bluetile Skateboards and Flatbottom Skateboards Team Riders. Bring the family and hang out on the deck of the Fifth Avenue Deli overlooking all the festivities. This family friendly event is fun for everyone." For more information, check out POUR IT NOW .

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A friend of mine is pregnant, and she has sent me a few emails asking for my opinion on certain names. I have to admit, I love being asked about possible baby names. One of my favorite parts about having a baby is the naming! So, that being said…

Naming a baby can be daunting. You just love the name Ellis, but yet, everytime you say the name, all you can think of is that one guy on the school bus who had the pasty skin and head-gear! Or you are sure Tess is the name for your daughter, but your husband totally hates it! Well, welcome to the world of baby-naming! Somehow, we all figure out the perfect names for our children, but just in case you are in need of some suggestions, check out these naming sites and tools!

The Baby Name Wizard : my very favorite blog about baby names and naming trends, and the author’s NameVoyager is a great tool for checking trends over the last 120+ years in the United States

US Social Security Administration naming list - this site captures the most popular names in the US, based on applications for Social Security cards

Do you have a list of awesome names you love that you will not be using for one reason or another? If so, share them with the rest of us!

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This Play & Freeze ice cream maker really works! Comes in two sizes (pint and quart) and lots of colors. Great for including the kids in the ice cream making process!

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I recently attended Family Night at the Columbia Museum of Art. Following another wonderful performance by Columbia’s own Lunch Money, we had the privilege of watching Hobey Ford perform with his shadow puppets and foamies. I highly recommend you see him if he is coming to your city. The shadow puppets were nothing short of amazing. He is a very talented artist/performer. Check his tour schedule and try to attend if you can. Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas shows are coming up in the next two weeks. You won’t be disappointed.

Oh, and as always, if you don’t have the Lunch Money cd yet, get it!

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I just learned that the Publix Pharmacy will fill certain oral antibiotic prescriptions for free, regardless of your prescription insurance provider (or lack thereof). Yes, that’s right…for free !!! So the next time your child gets sick and requires medicine, check the prescription. If it is for one of the following antibiotics, take it to the pharmacy at Publix!

• Amoxicillin

• Ampicillin

• Cephalexin

• Ciprofloxacin (excluding Ciprofloxacin XR)

• Doxycycline Hyclate (capsules)

• Erythromycin Stearate and Ethylsuccinate

• Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)

• Penicillin V

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