BananasWhat's the perfect snack for both you and your little ones? It's the vitamin- and mineral-rich super-fruit... the banana!

You probably already know that bananas are rich in natural carbohydrates, which provide a great (and healthy) boost of energy after playtime or as a snack any time of day. Or, you may have also known that bananas contain potassium, which helps to fight muscle cramps and improves nerve function.

But what you may not have know is that bananas also contain vitamins and minerals that boost immunity, help build strong bones, and improve mood! They also help with your child's digestion, and are non-allergenic, so they're the perfect solid food to introduce to your infant

But maybe the best part about bananas... they're convenient! They come in their own natural wrapping and can easily be tossed into a lunch bag, backpack, or stroller bag. So next time you're looking for a good, healthy snack for your child, choose the naturally sweet and delicious banana!

Trivia: Bananas are grown all year round in all different parts of the world, from Southeast Asia to Arizona, so, unlike other fruits, they're always in-season!

Green BakewareDid you know that kitchen appliances make up nearly 27 percent of energy used by households across the country? That's more than lighting, home electronics, and laundry appliances combined!

A great (and simple) method of reducing your carbon footprint is to replace metal oven pans with glass and ceramic cookware. Because of their highly efficient forms of insulation, using glass or ceramic cookware in the oven allows you to cook meals at 25 degrees lower in the same amount of time as using their metal counterparts. Glass and ceramics are also long lasting and won't rust! Most importantly, though, they'll save you money on electricity, while also helping the environment!

February Giveaway - Snow Cone Hot Chocolate MixWith recent snowstorms reminding us winter's not quite over yet, what sounds better than cozying up indoors with a steaming cup of hot chocolate! This month's giveaway is Snow Cone Hot Chocolate Mix for Two, complete with cocoa mix, chocolate chunks, and marshmallows to top it all off. You'll make coming inside just as fun as playing in the snow with your little ones when you share a warm cup of this tasty cocoa!

Join our email updates list to be eligible to win. The winner will be notified via email the first week of March. Joining will also make you eligible for future giveaways.

Happy Valentine's DayValentine's Day is just around the corner, and naturally we're all thinking of the sweet treats that are synonymous with this holiday. It's also the perfect opportunity to hop into the kitchen for some quality time with your budding chef!

To start the day off right, add some strawberry puree to your favorite breakfast pancake recipe. This adds a hint of color to celebrate in style, while  adding flavor and a boost of vitamins. For extra fun, shape the pancakes into hearts using a metal cookie cutter!

For snack time, try our Valentine's ants-on-a-log. To start, make your own strawberry cream cheese by mixing strawberry jam and whipped cream cheese. Spread this yummy pink cream cheese on celery, top with craisins, and voila! You've created a simply, healthy snack!

For even more Valentine's Day festivity join us for our upcoming Valentine's Day Sweat Heart classes on the 13th and 14th, where we'll make sweetheart cookies and pink lemonade!

Chef of the Month - AveryOne of our tiniest culinary tots, Avery just celebrated her 3rd birthday with Cupcake Kids! A true cooking wiz, Avery loves measuring, tasting and rolling out dough. When not in the kitchen, this little chef sings, dances and plays the saxophone and ukele. Never one to shy away from adventure, Avery also has a wild imagination and loves making up elaborate tales about fairies, princesses and pigs with her big sister Sabine (who is also a Cupcake Kid)!

Name: Avery
Age: 3 years
Neighborhood: Greenwich Village, NYC
Favorite Food: Cookie dough
Favorite Kitchen Utensil: Whisk & rolling pin

Hot Chocolate Festival

We love hot chocolate! It's perfect for a cold winter day or cozy afternoon at home. For a special treat, grab your budding chef for a make your own hot chocolate party. All you need is white, milk and dark chocolate and warm milk. Start off with a little taste test so your little gourmands are introduced to the differences in flavor and then let everyone mix their own combination of chocolate in their mug. Pour in warm (but not hot!) milk and allow it to sit for 1 minute before stirring to combine. To ensure that your chocolate melts, be sure to start with small sized chocolate pieces. Serve with fresh whipped cream and marshmallows if desired. Enjoy!

For a special twist on an old favorite, head on over to City Bakery's Annual Hot Chocolate Festival! Everyday in February, they'll be serving up a different hot chocolate flavor ranging from Ginger to Darkest Dark, Banana Peel and more. And while you're in the area, pop across the street to Books of Wonder, the city's oldest and largest independent children's bookstore to make a day of it!

Trivia: Did you know that hot chocolate and hot cocoa aren't the same thing? Hot chocolate is made with chocolate and hot cocoa is make with cocoa powder or a product containing cocoa powder (think Swiss Mix). At CK, we prefer hot chocolate without a doubt!

Link: hot-chocolate-festival.com