Franklin Goose

Gift Ideas for Friends, Co-workers & Teachers

The holidays are a perfect time to indulge with family. I hope all of you will get the chance to make some wonderful memories with your friends and family around the table this year.

 

My most precious holiday memories are of making holiday treats and meals with my family in the kitchen. Baking treats is even more fun than actually eating them, don’t you think?

 

This Christmas, why not give your friends and loved ones a chance to make memories?

 

Here at Franklin Goose we offer lunch containers by Wean Green, and they have some great gift ideas that can go well with their products. From spices to deserts to spa treats, Wean Green has a gift for everyone. Just layer the ingredients within a Wean Green Lunch Cube and attach a recipe. I’ve picked a few of my favorites to share with you! Enjoy, and go and make some holiday memories!

 

For the chefs:

 

Curried Lentil Soup

 

 

Ingredients:

1 ¾ cups red lentils

Pinch of sea salt

6 tbsp. minced dried onion

2 tbsp. curry powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 ¾ cups green lentils

2 tbsp. dried parsley leaves

2 Lunch Cubes

 

Divide ingredients into 4. Repeat the following instructions for each lunch cube:

On the bottom of one Lunch Cube put the red lentils. Layer on top the salt, followed by the onion, curry powder, garlic powder, green lentils, apples, and parsley.

 

Note: Can be stored for 1 month.

 

Recipe:

Combine 2 cups of the soup mix in a large soup pot with 3 ½ cups of water. Bring soup to a boil. Once boiling, lower heat. Cover pot and let simmer for 30 minutes.

 

For the Romantics:

 

Slow Cooker Cranberry Cider Mix

 

 

Ingredients
½ cup dried cranberries

12 cinnamon sticks

½ tsp. crushed whole cloves

2 tbsp. all spice

 

Combine and layer all ingredients in a Wean Green Lunch Cube for full recipe. Start your with the spice at the bottom. Layer your cloves and cranberries next. Stack the cinnamon sticks neatly on top.

 

For individual servings in Wean Tubs, divide the recipe by 4.

 

Recipe:

Additional Ingredients: 8 cups of apple cider and 4 cups of water

Combine cider mix with water and apple cider in a slow cooker. Heat on high for 1.5 hours. Serve hot.

Keep on low, or if you have a warm option, then turn slow cooker to warm.

 

For the coffee lovers:

 

Mocha Cocoa

 

 

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup granulated sugar

½ cup espresso powder

1 cup powdered milk

½ tsp salt

½ cup chopped bittersweet chocolate or miniature chocolate chips

 

Layer starting with the cocoa powder, and work your way down the list.

 

Makes 2 lunch cubes.

 

Recipe:

Heat with water and enjoy!

 

For the snackers:

Caramel Popcorn Kit in a Jar

 

 

 

Ingredients:

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup unpopped popcorn

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

3 Wean Green Lunch Cubes

 

Alternatively layer ¼ cup white sugar with brown sugar in 1 Wean Green Lunch Cube. Fill a second Lunch Cube with the popcorn kernels. In the third Lunch Cube fill with condensed milk. Attach the Lunch cubes together with a ribbon.

 

Recipe:

Additional ingredients: ½ cup of butter

Pop all of the corn. You should have about 10 cups of popcorn. Ensure you don’t have any unpopped kernels. Combine sugar mix with butter in a large saucepan. Stir, and add condensed milk while stirring constantly.

Bring mixture to a boil for 1 minute, and then remove from heat. Quickly pour over popcorn. Mix until all of the popcorn is covered.

 

And for those who need a vacation:

 

Chocolate Face Mask Recipe

 

 

Ingredients

1/3 cup cocoa

¼ cup honey

2 tbsp heavy cream

3 tsp oatmeal powder

1 Wean Tub

 

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix well and pour into 1 Wean Tub.

 

Instructions:

Wash face with warm water. Smooth Chocolate Face Mask mix onto face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

 

Note: The expiry date will be the same as the cream. The mixture must also be refrigerated.

You can find more ideas or inspiration in the Wean Green Holiday Gift Guide.

Choosing a Crib Mattress

Annie Mullens, founder of WeePlan Baby Planners, is a premier, certified Baby Planner and Independent Maternity and Child Product Consultant.  Check out their Virtual Baby Planning services http://www.weeplanbabyplanners.com/login. 

 

 

As a product consultant to my clients, I get asked all the time what I think are the most important items to “splurge” on for their new baby.  I always say there are two items that I recommend you purchase the best possible option (regardless of price) that you can.  (Go ahead and skimp on a bunch of other items…I promise that no baby ever suffered from too few bedazzled onesies!)  Those two items that I emphasize are your car seat and your baby’s mattress.

 

You take great care to choose the best of the best for your baby’s well-being and safety, so a car seat seems to be an obvious choice.  There is nothing more dangerous that you can do, but to strap your precious one into the equivalent of a very well padded steel box on wheels and drive it down the highway at 60 miles per hour.  But why worry about a mattress???

Here’s why.  Most babies sleep 16 or 17 hours a day, so their crib is where they are spending the majority of their time.  Because of this, you'll want to choose a safe and non-toxic spot for them to catch all those Z's. Traditional mattresses are layered with a variety of chemicals including PVC, polyurethane foam and toxic flame retardants. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission requires all mattresses to meet stringent fireproofing standards, a requirement that most manufacturers meet by using boron, boric acid, and/or antimony. These chemicals can pose a health risk to babies and should be avoided. Look for a mattress that uses less toxic materials such as wool, baking soda, or hydrated silica to meet these requirements. 

 

So how can you be sure you're getting a non-toxic crib mattress for your baby? I’ve narrowed it down to two great mattresses that I would recommend.

 

First is the Nook Sleep Systems Pebble Pure mattress.  At $395.00 it’s not exactly cheap, but let’s look at what you’re getting.  Standard infant crib mattresses are often comprised of non-porous plastics and synthetics that impede airflow. Even "organic" mattresses do nothing to ensure air circulation through the mattress interior and require non-breathable mattress pads. The Nook Sleep System is the only infant sleep mattress designed to ensure consistent oxygen flow over and through the mattress.  Research shows that a sleep environment rich in oxygen is critical for cognitive and physical development in infants. It also helps them sleep longer and deeper (and who doesn’t want that!). Nook’s mattress design helps ensure smarter temperature regulation, too, which has been shown to help reduce the risk of SIDS. The pebble design of the cover promotes air flow and is made of patented eucalyptus fiber technology that creates a wipe-able and microbe resistant surface so messes can be quickly wiped up for a safe, healthy, and clean sleep space. That’s right, you don’t even need a waterproof mattress pad because the fabric, itself, repels the moisture! 

 

So, although it’s one of the pricier mattresses on the market, the completely organic materials and increased air circulation make it my first choice.

 

Next, I recommend the Naturpedic No-Compromise™ Organic Cotton Classic.  At $259.00 this is a good option for more budget-conscious eco-minded families. It’s also a good option for parents worried about wool or latex allergies. This organic crib mattress is made from organic cotton fabric on the outside and is filled with organic cotton as well. This crib mattress features a plastic coating to make it waterproof that’s made from 100% polyethylene that meets food-grade standards. It’s not entirely eco-friendly and it does diminish the breathability of the mattress, but you do get the benefit of an easy to clean, waterproof surface. 

 

So, yes, an organic mattress is definitely more expensive than a typical non-organic mattress.  But, knowing that your child is spending their nap-time and bed-time in a toxin-free environment is worth every penny.

 

Now if they just came with a “Sleep Through the Night “ guarantee…

Black Friday Deals

Here are our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday deals for the year! The prices will be reflected on the website on Friday!

Planetwise & Best Bottom Diapers are 10% off!
GroVia is Buy 2 Shells, AIO's or Newborn AIO's,  or Soaker Pads-Get 1Free!
Fuzzibunz diapers are 10% off!
Bummis diaper covers and prefolds are 10% off!
Rockin Greens new holiday scent is on sale for 11.00
Various Thirsties Diapers and/or covers are on sale for 10% off!
 
Clementine Art Products (Crayons, Glue & Modeling Dough) on sale for 30% off!
BabyArt Products are 20% off!
Barefoot Books Christmas CD is 50% off!
Begin Again EcoYo-Yo's are 3.00 each
Green Toys Jump Ropes are on sale for 30% off
Little Sapling Lacing Game is 50% off
Little Sapling Cars & Hills off road toy is 50% off!
BabyLegs Christmas Leggings are 8.00 each
Satsuma Hat & Booty sets 30% off!

 

We will also be running a special: Buy 60.00 worth of clothing & received a 10.00 gift card!! (This offer excludes handmade clothing items)

 

Our hours on Friday are 10:00-7:00 pm.

Saturday 10:00-6:00

Sunday 12:00-5:00

 

We can't wait to see you in the store. Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Sili Squeeze the Holidays

The holidays are upon us, and if you're like me, you will spend a lot of time around the table with family and friends. With all of those good meals to eat, we here at Franklin Goose have a great idea for your little ones' feasting: the Sili Squeeze, a reusable food pouch for little eaters.

The Sili Squeeze company was founded by Kristin Ahmer, a mother in California who wanted an environmentally-friendly food pouch that was also economical. The Sili Squeeze and the Sili Squeeze with Eeeze allow children the ability to feed themselves delicious and nutritious pureed food. The Sili Squeeze with Eeze is perfect for your beginning eater. It has a cross-hair spout so it is slow flow and won't leak everywhere if your child sets it down. The Sili Squeeze spout is free flowing, great for your older child who is eating independently (make sure they put the lid on or you will have a mess). 

So why not provide your family with their favorite purees this holiday season? (And give yourself a chance to sneak a second helping of pumpkin pie!) Or put those leftovers to use later during outings or on the drive home from Grandma's. 

While you're at it, try some of these festive recipes by the Sili Company:

Peanut Butter-Nut Smoothie

Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze

This is a great and hearty breakfast or snack rich in protein.

3 oz. vanilla hemp milk

2 oz. butternut squash

1 oz. peanut butter

1/2 tbsp flaxseed or hempseed oil

1/8 tsp cinnamon

Cook the butternut squash until it is fork tender. Let it cool to room temperature, and then puree all the ingredients together until smooth. Serve chilled. 

Yummy Yams

Fills one 4 oz. Sili Squeeze

3 oz yams

1 TB hempseed oil

1 TB banana

Remove the skin from the yams and cook until tender. While still warm but not hot, puree the yams and all the ingredients until smooth. Sever warm or at room temperature. 

Baby Pumpkin Pie

Fills one 6 oz. Sili Squeeze

4 oz. pumpkin

2 oz. oatmeal or rice cereal

1/8 tsp cinnamon & nutmeg combination, optional

1/8 tsp fresh vanilla bean

Remove any seeds from pumpkin and cook until it is fork tender. (Squash can also be used instead of pumpkin--be sure to remove the skin). Cut a slit in the whole vanilla bean and scrape the paste within into your measuring spoon. While the pumpkin is still warm, stir in the oatmeal or rice cereal and the spices until they are well combined. Serve warm during dessert. 

(This desert is recommended for babies 6 months and older.)

Happy holidays!

You can find the Sili Squeeze in our store, or give us a call 804-355-0595!