Fun Friday: Welcome to the Candy Shop

Hi Friends,

Sadie here!

I have a Fun Friday blog for you today.  With our focus on food this week, we (of course) can't leave out the sweets!

Image Credit: Neha P. Photography

Houstonians: Train Wreck Mommy's ol' buddy from high school, Neha Patel (Neha P. Photography), is partnering with Bows by Karly (clothing designer) for a Candy Shop themed photo session.

From Neha P. Photography: "We are so excited about the Candy Shop themed photo shoot.  Bows by Karly and I wanted to come up with something for all age groups, for boys and girls and something fun and colorful.  This would be a great picture to end the summer with and begin the new school year!"

See the image above for detailed information, and enjoy the photos below!  More photos can be found on Neha P. Photography.  We can't get over how cute this theme is and the photos are wonderful!

All: How often do you take professional photos of your kids or family?  Do you like to include fun or special props?

We've had professional photos on the brain lately because Mommy is preparing some ideas for my (Sadie's) newborn photo shoot.  What ideas do you have for us?

In case you missed it ... Guest Blog: check us out on schue love this week. Thanks for having us!

Houstonians: Leave one comment on our Whole Foods "Back-to-School" Giveaway posting for your chance to win the awesome prize pack.  More ways to win on the blog posting.  Super Simple, says Mad Max!  You have until Sunday evening to enter the Giveaway.

-Sadie of Mad Max and Family

You can also visit us on Mad About Town.

Thursday's Kids and Tweens: Cooking Classes

Hi Friends,

Do you have a little (or big) chef in the house?  Or have you thought about cooking classes for your kiddos?

My (Mad Max's) extent of cooking so far is playing with the Tupperware (which is one of my favorite hobbies) and smelling all of Dada's spices (so basically yes, I am a future chef in training!).  If you have ideas for how to get Super Tots involved with cooking, let us know!

In the meantime, what about your older ones?  We found a few cooking class options in Houston you may want to check out!  If you are outside of Houston, do you know of ones in your area you can share with us?

Sur La Table (which is in other cities too) offers cooking classes for kids at the River Oaks and City Centre location.

I didn't see Cooking Classes geared towards kids at River Oaks this Fall, but they had many options this past summer (such as World's Best Food: Kids).  Be sure to check them out for future opportunities!

The City Centre location is listing classes this Fall that involved Parents and Kids (ages 8 - 12 years) such as Baking With Your Kids: Tricks and Treats.  Be sure to check their calendar page for other available classes!

And if you are in the Houston area, check out the Young Chef's Academy for your little chefs (Sugarland, TX).

Do share with us other ideas for Cooking Classes!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Photo Above: Here I am training to be a future chef by learning how to eat my corn on the cob like a big boy.

In case you missed it ... Guest Blog: check us out on schue love this week.  Thanks for having us!

Houstonians: Leave one comment on our Whole Foods "Back-to-School" Giveaway posting for your chance to win the awesome prize pack.  More ways to win on the blog posting.  Super Simple, says Mad Max!  You have until Sunday evening to enter the Giveaway.

-Mad Max

You can also visit us on Mad About Town.

next stop: Restaurant Week

Hi Friends,

What is your next stop this weekend with your family?

Houstonians: Have you been to Houston’s Restaurant Week?  

Or if you are outside of Houston, does your city have a Restaurant Week you participate in?  Did you include your kiddos? 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

The Houston Restaurant “Week” was extended until Labor Day.  There are many restaurants that participate, and you can see a full list here.  My … (Mad Max’s) favorite is Max’s Wine Dive.  But the best part of the Houston Restaurant Week is that it is dining for a good cause.  Houston Food Bank donations are made by the participating restaurants based upon how many lunches and dinners they sold during the event. 

So do you plan on taking your kids to Houston Restaurant Week?  Or perhaps you can create your OWN “Restaurant Week.”  Wouldn’t that be fun!?  How would you design your “Restaurant Week”?  I think if we were to create our own “Restaurant Week” we would pick two or three restaurants we’ve never been to … and try food maybe I never tried or don’t eat too often (so Tex-Mex is out).

You also could enhance your own personal “Restaurant Week” experience by learning about the culture for the food you will be trying prior to your visit. And the next week, you could try to make your own dish with your family (as inspired by your restaurant visit).

What is your next stop when it comes to food with your family? 

In case you missed it ... Guest Blog: check us out on schue love this week. Thanks for having us!

Houstonians: Leave one comment on our Whole Foods "Back-to-School" Giveaway posting for your chance to win the awesome prize pack.  More ways to win on the blog posting.  Super Simple, says Mad Max!  You have until Sunday evening to enter the Giveaway.

-Mad Max

You can also visit us on Mad About Town.

Tuesday's Tots and Wee Ones: Nom Nom Nom and WHOLE FOODS GIVEAWAY

Hi Friends,

In case you missed it ... Guest Blog: check us out on schue love this week.  Thanks for having us!

Houstonians: Leave one comment on our Whole Foods "Back-to-School" Giveaway posting for your chance to win the awesome prize pack.  More ways to win on the blog posting.  Super Simple, says Mad Max!

Image Credit: Whole Foods Market

What are some of your "go to" foods to feed your Wee Ones and Tots?  Are you struggling with anything as it relates to food?  Did you have to give up any foods because of food allergies?  We've had the "giving up foods" conversations with several friends and bloggers.  I'm (Mad Max!) plant-strong so I'm happy to help those of you that need ideas when giving up dairy, etc!

At this point, I'm not really served anything different than Mommy and Daddy - I eat what they eat.  But all kiddos love grilled "cheese", right (even big kids - adults)?  Even plant-strong kiddos can have grilled cheese!

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

So this is a photo of Mommy's plate, but mine would just be smaller portions.

The Happy Herbivore: Grilled Cheeze

Makes 2 Sandwiches

1/2 c nutritional yeast

1/2 c nondairy milk

2 tbsp white whole-wheat flour

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tbsp ketchup 

2 tsp yellow mustard

1 tsp onion powder (granulated)

1 tsp garlic powder (granulated) 

1/4 tsp dried dill

4 slices of toast

Whisk all, except toast, together in a saucepan and heat over high heat, stirring constantly until really thick (it will get lumpy).  Smear "cheeze" on toast and serve.  

You can of course add some greens to your "grilled cheeze" and a side of your choosing!  Check out The Happy Herbivore for more plant-strong ideas for your family.

What are you cooking tonight?

-Mad Max

Mad for Monday (Max's Weekend Update): Whole Foods Back-to-School GIVEAWAY

Hi Friends,

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

We are going to take a break from our regular "Weekend Update" post today to share an exciting Whole Foods GIVEAWAY for Houstonians and ... to share our guest post on one of our favorite blogs, Schue Love.

You can read our regular Weekend Update on our Houston Chronicle blog: Mad About Town.

Whole Foods "Back-to-School" GIVEAWAY

Houstonians: Are you gearing up for the back-to-school season with your kiddos (small or big)?  School supplies aren't complete without some lunch / snack treats and gear.

As many of you know, Whole Foods is our food destination of choice to refuel for the new school year.  We are very excited to partner with them for a Super "Back-to-School" GIVEAWAY.  I think even "big kids" (adults) would be excited to win this gift pack.

Image Credit: Whole Foods Market

From Whole Foods: 

Whole Foods Market is taking school lunches to the next level!  From our eco-friendly lunchboxes to our lunchbox-ready staples with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners, we have just what you need to help your kiddos start the school year on the right foot.  We have incorporated a few of our favorite back-to-school products in this giveaway!

Want to build a better lunchbox? Check out our Weekday Lunch Planner. 

Image Credit: Mad Max and Family / Tara J

Here I am above (Mad Max) on a recent trip to Whole Foods.  Monk (see: the monkey) and I are picking out some apples.

Whole Foods "Back-to-School" GIVEAWAY: HOW TO ENTER (9 number of ways to win!)

1) Visit the Whole Foods Market (Montrose) page and leave a comment below (simple!).

Or for extra entries (easy!):

2) "Like" Mad Max and Family's Facebook page (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).
3) "Follow" Mad Max and Family's Twitter page (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).
4) Post a comment on this blog post.
5) Comment on our Mad About Town (Houston Chronicle) blog (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).
6) "Like" the Whole Foods Market Houston Facebook page (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).
7) "Follow" Whole Food Houston's Twitter page (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).
8) and 9) Post about this giveaway on Facebook, and / or Tweet about it on Twitter (providing the blog link) (be sure to let us know by commenting on this blog post).  This can be worth two entries!

Remember, you must comment in this blog post for EACH entry (up to 9 comments) because each entry / comment counts.  Be sure to leave a way I can contact you in case you win!  You can also email us at madmaxandfamily (at) gmail with your info.

You have from now until Sunday, August 26th, 2012 at 9 pm (CST) to comment and be entered for a chance to win.  The winner will be chosen at random using random.org and will be announced on Monday, August 27th, 2012 by 7 am (CST).  No purchase or payment necessary to enter.  You must be 18 years of age or older to enter.  Open to those in the Houston, TX area since the Whole Foods Market Giveaway package will be picked up at the Whole Foods Montrose location.

Good luck!

Guest Blog: Mad Max and Family is on Schue Love today / Monday!  Be sure to visit one of our favorite blogs, Schue Love, today.  Natasha, thank you for having us over for a guest blog while you enjoy time with Super Baby Ethan!

-Mad Max and Family