East Bay Mother's Day Pop Up

Please join us on May 7, 2017 from 11-3 pm for an afternoon of shopping for/with moms, moms-to-be, grandmoms, new moms or pet moms. Enjoy delicious food, drinks, and goodies by these amazing designers/companies.

AYLA GROOM
Handcrafted jewelry, bags and stationery
etsy.com/shop/aylaisadora

CAN CAN CLEANSE
Organic juices, nut milks and cleanses
cancancleanse.com

CARRIE SAXL
Modern, organic jewelry made in CA
carriesaxl.com

GOOD EGGS
Organic grocery delivery and dinner kits
goodeggs.com

HYGGE
Modern denim kimono jackets made in CA
hyggedesign.xyz

JENNY PENNYWOOD
Hand printed textiles ethically made in CA
jennypennywood.com

MELANIE ABRANTES
Handcrafted objects of solid wood and cork
melanieabrantes.com

ZIRAFFE
Minimalist, chic and fun kids clothing
ziraffe.com

New addition:
Berkeley Cellar
Rainbow superfood powder
 

Snacks and sweet treats GOOD EGGS
Savory bites and bread CHASE AGEE of PAIN BAKERY
Korean bites and mocktail SELINA S. LEE of BANCHAN WORKSHOP
Mini ancient botanical favors MOONDELI (limited quantity available)

Favorites: Dinner Kits from Good Eggs

I'm so excited to partner with Good Eggs to bring you a preview of their new Weeknight Dinner Kit launching on April 16th. I've tried other meal kits before and there were always two things I didn't like about them--too much wasteful packaging and it took at least an hour to prep and cook. When I received the Good Eggs Weeknight Dinner Kit, I was so happy to see that the box was small, the ingredients were minimally packaged, and any packaging material that was required was compostable.

The kit came with 3 dinners and each one literally took only 10-15 minutes of prep time. Each recipe is clearly marked A, B and C with corresponding labels on the ingredients. It was easy to distinguish and separate for storing in the fridge.

I decided to make the Mint Pesto Pasta with Spring Peas and Green Garlic first. Initially I thought it wasn't enough food but turns out I had some pesto leftover so I could make a lunch the next day. Score! Lucas and Theo LOVED it! They never had mint and arugula pesto before and they kept asking for more. Score again! The meal came with a giant salad and a yummy red vinaigrette.

Love this on the box!

    I also got a Buh-Bye Box to encourage being fully present at the dinner table.

    Thanks Good Eggs for the amazing Finishing Salt from Omnivore.

    And thank you again for the Fresh 2016 Harvest Olio Nuovo from Other Brother. It was perfect for drizzling at the end of the

    I highly recommend this dinner kit for busy families. It's absurdly fresh, easy, and delicious.

    Here are more details of the Good Eggs Weeknight Dinner Kit:

    • Customers who sign up for the dinner kit receive 3 meals, which can be ordered and delivered at the same time as their weekly groceries (subscription not required).
    • Kit options change weekly
    • Cost is $69.99
    • Promotional pricing in April and May: $49.99 (use code DINNERKIT20 for $20 off your first kit)
    • 1 meal = 3 servings
    • Each weekly menu comes with a Good Eggs seasonal green salad mix and dressing that can be paired with any meal. (pairings suggested on recipes)
    • This spring, there will be 2 omnivore meals and 1 vegetarian
    • Coming later this year: vegetarian, paleo and other options

    + Ceramic bowls by Colleen Hennessy
    + Napkins by Sweetgum Textles
    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Favorites: School Lunches With Fluf Lunch Bags

    For many parents, including myself, school lunches can be a little daunting--what to pack each day, deciding between a warm lunch or cold, not wanting to spend too much money if it's going to come back uneaten, etc. Today, I've partnered with modern kids online shop Ziraffe who sent over some of the cutest lunch and snack packs from Fluf. They are washable, have a water-resistant BPA-free lining, durable, super cute, and made of organic cotton. I've paired them with our favorite lunch box to show you some lunch ideas that work for both Lucas and Theo.

    Theo's nut-free preschool lunch in the Cactus Zipper Lunch Bag (left):

    • pomegranate seeds
    • cucumber slices
    • apple slices
    • brown rice cake
    • mandarin orange slices
    • kiwi
    • yogurt covered pretzel (dessert)
      note: I usually include a protein such as string cheese or a sun butter sandwich but his class was having rice and beans that day so I omitted it.

    Lucas' first grade lunch in the Grey Zipper Lunch Bag (right):

    • blackberries
    • kiwi
    • olives
    • string cheese
    • peanut butter and jelly sandwich
    • sliced apples
    • organic dark chocolate coconut chips (WF bulk bin!)

    A few other school lunch tips:

    • Either make the lunch with your kid or ask them what they'd like in their lunch
    • Give them a choice (i.e. do you want pears or apples? a sandwich or a quesadilla?)
    • Pack the night before--for apple slices, cut them in the morning and have one of the kids rub lemon on them to prevent from turning brown
    • For kids who hate bread crust, I do one of two things: I either leave it on because sometimes my kids are so hungry they eat the whole thing, or I cut off the crust and put it in the actual sandwich (they can't see it or taste it, but they're eating it!)

    I bought most of these from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. The cost for each lunch comes out to under $4 and all of it minus the olives and pretzel is organic.

    I supplemented their lunch with some snacks. These Fluf snack packs are so convenient for school or just everyday use. I love the velcro closure for little hands and how roomy they are. I put cut-up carrots and gluten-free pretzels in the Fluf Mama Love Snack Pack for Theo. Lucas has raw almonds and cut-up carrots in his Hi Snack Pack.

    The lunch bags hold a lot (probably even artwork and jacket!).

    I love that there's a sturdy interior pocket for a water bottle or an ice pack.

    + This post is in partnership with Ziraffe. All words and opinions are my own.

    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Recipe: Gluten Free Buckwheat Brownies

    I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. Oops! I thought I would have a lot more time after quitting my day job to post more regularly but I have been keeping busy with kid stuff and freelance work...oh, and getting a bit politically active.  Honestly, what did I do when I had my other job?

    Anyway, I'm back (mostly) with this awesome recipe for Gluten Free Buckwheat Brownies from the Alternative Baker book by Alanna Taylor-Tobin. The original recipe calls for Chestnut Flour but says a good alternative (to the alternative flour) is buckwheat flour which is what I had on hand. These brownies were dark and fudgey with that familiar crinkly top. So good! I ended up slicing them up into narrow rectangles to feed Lucas' soccer team (one of the kids on the team is gf) so I could have some too. ;) Enjoy!

    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Recipe: Easy Butternut Squash Soup + Clover Giveaway

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year and for the past seven years (since I was pregnant with Lucas) I have hosted it at my house. Today, I've partnered with local family farm Clover to bring you this Easy Butternut Squash Soup recipe that has been on my holiday menu every year. When it comes to dairy, I always buy organic--local is even better, and Clover is in the north coast (where Nick is from!).

    Clover is also giving away $100 in Clover Cash. Details below after the recipe.

    Clover giveaway details:

    • Follow me on Instagram and share your favorite holiday meals with hashtag #CloverCooks for a chance to win $100 in coupons for Clover dairy products
    • This giveaway is only open to people who live in California.
    • Winner will be chosen at random on Monday, November 14th. Good luck!

    This giveaway is now closed. The winner is @jessamynit.

    + Full recipe for Easy Butternut Squash Soup
    + Make these DIY Dessert Toppers for Thanksgiving!
    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Instagram Giveaway!

    I'm so excited to announce an Instagram GIVEAWAY today for three of my current favorites: (1) a signed copy of the new book Alternative Baker by blogger/photographer/pastry chef/author Alanna Taylor-Tobin of The Bojon Gourmet (check out the amazing pie I made!), (2) a beautiful and sustainably designed culinary tote from Aplat (I use these all the time for transporting food for potlucks and picnics), and (3) a brown midi bonded leather playmat from Gathre (so awesome for picnics at the park or movie nights in our backyard).

    Head over to my Instagram feed to find the original post and simply follow me, comment and tag 2 friends. That's it! I'll announce the winner chosen by random number generator on Monday, October 17th.

    This giveaway is now CLOSED. Congrats to @makingitwithmeleyna!

    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Recipe: Gluten Free Strawberry Raspberry Rhubarb Cutout Pie

    LOOK, I made a pie! And it's GOOOOOD! I love pies but I rarely make them. I never know if I'm making the dough right and then it ends up being too crumbly and just not quite right--insert adult tantrum here. What I usually end up making is a crostata because you know, it tastes like a pie and who cares if it's ugly, it's rustic!

    So when I made this beauty of a pie, I couldn't stop smiling and bragging at how well everything turned out (right, Nick?). I'm still kind of in shock. The recipe for this Strawberry Raspberry Rhubarb Cutout Pie is from the amazing new book Alternative Baker by Alanna Tobin-Taylor, recovering pastry chef-turned food photographer, stylist, cookbook author, and blogger of The Bojon Gourmet. Not only are the photos utterly gorgeous, but there's a photo for practically every recipe! I just love that about cookbooks. Alanna talks in depth about the alternative flours she uses, noting their flavor profiles, consistency, brands tested, how to store it and use it, health benefits and more.

    I haven't been this excited about a cookbook in a really long time. I went to the Alternative Baker launch party at my friend Sarah's house and sampled many of the recipes from the book. They were all SO GOOD. Immediately after the party, I dragged Theo with me to Whole Foods and picked up the alternative flours I didn't already have on hand. Though I'm not allergic to gluten, I love experimenting with gluten free baking and making something healthier that tastes really good--and this book is so inspiring. I can't wait to make the Pistacio Lime Matcha Snowballs next!

    Exciting news! I will be hosting an Instagram giveaway on Tuesday, October 11th that will include a signed copy of Alternative Baker along with a few other amazing prizes. Stay tuned and check my Instagram on Tuesday morning for details.

    I've only made one gluten free pie crust before and it was dry and tasteless. This recipe was so flaky and full of butter flavor and to be honest, I was pretty surprised. This is definitely my new go to crust recipe. Apple pie, here I come!

    The recipe calls for ground white chia seeds but I only had black chia seeds which worked just fine and even added a nice peppery touch :)

    I love Alanna's use of the pie dough as cutout rounds. I just used a floured glass cup and it make the pie beautiful and rustic.

    Stay tuned for my Instagram giveaway on Tuesday, October 11th that will include a signed copy of Alternative Baker along with a few other amazing prizes.

    + Full recipe for Gluten Free Strawberry Raspberry Rhubarb Cutout Pie
    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Recipe: Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Bread

    Banana bread is one of my favorite things to bake. I usually have a bunch of super ripe bananas in the freezer that are perfect for making sweet and moist banana bread. I decided to use my usual recipe from Flour bakery but adding healthy raw cacao powder, cacao nibs and making it gluten free with brown rice flour. Keep in mind this is the healthy version and not super sweet or chocolatey. If you want to go that route, I would swirl some melted chocolate chips into the batter. Yum! Check out these other gluten recipes for Citrus Ricotta Mini Cakes, Cardamom Coffee Cake, Carrot Muffins, Spiced Lentil Soup, and Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes.

    + Full recipe for Gluten Free Chocolate Banana Bread
    + I get my cacao nibs and brown rice flour from Thrive Market. Get 15% off using my referral link.
    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Favorites: New Tea Collection / JAPAN

    I love the latest Tea Collection line inspired by travels to Japan. Remember Lucas and Theo rocking last season's collection inspired by Italy and the season before that inspired by India? As a Tea Ambassador, I was asked where I would take my family if I could travel anywhere and guess where I chose? JAPAN. Yep! I was super excited when the latest collection was inspired by Japan--I love Japanese food and would probably choose it over any other kind of food to eat for the rest of my life.

    Check out the entire Tea Collection and get 20% off EVERYTHING with FREE SHIPPING during the Labor Day Sale with code HELLOFALL.

    What better way to kick of the Japanese inspired collection with the Mount Fuji Graphic Tee and a game of Pokemon.

    I took Lucas on a day date to San Francisco's Japantown. I hadn't been there in years and I thought it would be a fun place to explore with Lucas and get a giant bowl of udon. Our first stop was the Kinokuniya Bookstore. With hundreds of books about art and culture, gifts, and everything Pokemon related, Lucas was in heaven. Needless to say, there was a lot of, "Mama, can I get this? How about that?" We were both a little overwhelmed so I gave Lucas a budget that he had to stick to. He spent it on a Pokemon encyclopedia, a box of Pocky sticks and a water gun. Go figure!

    There were so many little shops in the mall and so much stuff to touch! 

    Secretly glad this video game shop with the giant Pikachu was closed.

    Pocky sticks are a MUST.

    A giant bowl of noodles are my comfort food. For lunch, we went to Udon Mugizo, one of the best spots in the city for hand pulled udon. This dimly lit small restaurant inside the Japantown mall was the perfect spot to take a break and recharge.

    Believe it or not, Lucas pretty much finished his entire bowl of noodles, tofu sheet, and fish cakes. Being a true Asian, I took the broth home. The next night I heated up the broth and added udon and some greens. Easy dinner done!

    Lucas wears the Udon Graphic Tee.

    I took Theo out in his Rice Graphic Tee to get some delicious savory porridge (pink and brown rice, red quinoa, amaranth, sesame oil and gomasio), avocado toast and hot chocolate at Bartavelle in Berkeley.

    Lucas wears the Kasai Zip Hoodie.

    + Check out the entire Tea Collection and get 20% off EVERYTHING with FREE SHIPPING during the Labor Day Sale with code HELLOFALL. Ends Tuesday, 9/6/2016.

    + This post is in partnership with Tea Collection and contains affiliate links. All words and opinions are my own.

    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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    Easy Summer Meze Platter for Kids

    When Lucas and Theo get off school or summer camp they are usually ravenous. I always make sure to bring them a simple snack like grapes, pretzels or cut up apples when I pick them up. I was at Target the other day and found these new Chobani Meze Dips made with Greek yogurt. It inspired me to make a kid-friendly meze platter--carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, pretzels, crackers, sliced cucumbers and simple chicken tenders. My kids usually don't love hummus so I thought they might like these savory yogurt dips instead and they devoured them. It was great because adding the chicken tenders basically made this an easy dinner they could eat with their hands.

    + Please note this is not a sponsored post.

    + Find me on Instagram (@good_on_paper), Twitter (@good_on_paper),
    Pinterest (@goodonpaperdes) and Tumblr (hellogoodonpaper)
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