Top Ten Family-Favorite Restaurants

The four of us love to eat. My husband jokes that it's our number one hobby. Actually, it's no joke. We go out to eat at least a couple of times a week. I liked these links and thought you might like them too:

Family Dining Reviews
Kids Eat Free in Broward
Kids Eat Free at These South Florida Restaurants

I also wanted to share our Top Ten Family-Favorite Restaurants. We love these places because the food is tasty and kind of healthy. The atmosphere is welcoming to families with little ones, which means it's noisy, and the people who work there are probably friendly to kids. Oh, and by the way, they're all pretty inexpensive.

1. Pizza Fusion
2. Salsa Fiesta Grill
3. Shorty's Barbeque
4. Jason's Deli
5. Offerdahl's Cafe Grill
6. Tijuana Flats
7. Uncle Al's Sports Cafe
8. Chipotle Mexican Grill
9. Char-Hut
10. Lucille's American Cafe

Back to School Fun at Whole Foods

What: Back to School Events
When: August (See below)
Where: Whole Foods (Plantation, Coral Springs, and Aventura)
How Much: Free

It's no secret that I'm a Whole Foods fan. And now that I'm a mom, forget about it! I love them even more. Check out the great back to school events they have going on this month at the stores in Plantation and Coral Springs:

Kids Club - Back to School Lunchbox Planning (Coral Springs Store)

Saturday, August 22nd and Sunday, Aug.23rd
11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Hey kids, be the envy of all your friends this school year. Learn hands-on how to make these tasty lunch solutions for any day of the week. Register now at customer service for each demonstration.

August 22, 11am - Chicken Wraps

August 22, 1pm - Yummy Hummus

August 22, 3pm - Nutty Buddies

August 23, 1pm - Party Pasta

August 23, 3pm - Loony Tuna

Back to School Taste (Plantation Store)
Saturday, August 29
12-3pm
Stop by our store and taste some great products perfect for back to school and also enjoy some kid friendly presentations in our café. To top it off My Massage Corner will be giving a free 5 minute massage with any $20 purchase in the store.
1-2pm • Parent/Child Sing Along
A music instructor from NSU's Mailman Segal Institute will be teaching us sing along songs your children will love.
2-3pm • Cookie Decorating with Cookies by Shar!
Join Shar, one of our local vendors, who will be helping kids decorate cookies for school.
If you would like to attend either of these presentations, please make reservation at Customer Service, class size is limited. 954.236.0600

Yummy in My Tummy

What: Organic Baby and Toddler Food
Where: 13770 West State Road 84, Davie and online store
How Much: Food - about $1 or $2 per portion
Phone: 954-358-2414

I am a foodie. When I finish breakfast, I start contemplating lunch: guacamole, hummus, turkey sandwich, mmm...? If I'm having a bad day, I daydream about gallo pinto or a juice burger with crunchy fries. One of the my most relaxing activities is zoning out to someone chopping and dicing on the Food Network. I savor capers, artichokes, and olives. And I can probably tell you where there's a Thai restaurant in your city. My husband says I'm obsessed. But I know it's genetic. Once, someone said that it's cheaper to buy the women in my family diamonds than it is to feed us. A blissful moment for me was the day I had to give K some prune juice (hear me out). She was four months old and, as she downed the bottle, licked her lips, and cried for more, I knew a had a baby foodie on my hands. She enjoys trying new flavors, even unusual things, just like her mommy.
And my baby foodie is into Yummy in My Tummy. The owners, Michael and Karen, are a mom and dad team who provide the highest quality organic baby and toddler food. The store is clean, organized, and the staff is always sweet. I have to admit, I buy food for myself when I visit. One of my favorites is the scrumptious mac and cheese, not salty and artificial, but creamy and authentic. Besides the delicious food, they sell all kinds of eco-friendly products, like utensils, bibs, sippy cups, etc. I recently found out that they do "tastings" for groups where you can sample the food and get a discount on what you purchase that day. When you go, buy yourself a little cup of Dutch Apple. Trust me.

Win a $40 Gift Card to Whole Foods in Plantation

What: Gift Card to Whole Foods in Plantation
Who: Readers of this cool blog
Where: 7720 Peters Rd, Plantation
How Much: $40

I started this blog because I love being a parent. It's a magical, crazy, beautiful, sometimes super difficult adventure. When I see other parents at the grocery store, park, wherever, I feel an immediate bond. Sometimes I wonder why I'm spending so much time on this blog, but then I remember how good it is to be connected to you guys, knowing that maybe you'll find something useful and it will help you have a better time with your kids, in one way or another. So, now, I want to hear from you. And I'm giving you a little incentive. It's the first prize of many, many more to come. Here's how you can win a $40 gift card to Whole Foods in Plantation:
In the comments section below, tell me what you think about Palm Tree Playground so far. Is it helpful/useful? What can I improve upon? What would you like to see more of? I'll randomly select a comment and announce the winner on Monday, July 20th. Good luck.

The Whole Picture

What: Mom Workshops and Kids Club Workshops
Who: All Ages
When: See below for specific times
Where: Your local Whole Foods store
How Much: Free

We did it back in April. We let our sweet, innocent baby scream her lungs out as we sat outside the door watching the monitor, pulling our hair out, biting our nails, our bodies twitching. It’s supposed to last three to four nights according to the doctor. It took K. one long week. Finally, something clicked in her brain and she figured out that we weren’t coming to soothe her. That was her job now. I can’t say that it was easy, but I can say that it was worth it. I didn’t read a book or attend a workshop for helpful hints on how to make the process run more smoothly. But it’s good that there is a workshop. See below.
In case you have not discovered all the free events for mommies and kids at your local Whole Foods store, this post is for you. In the upcoming events, you can figure out how to set a productive bedtime routine, score free coffee and muffins, and add some new, natural, family-friendly recipes to your repertoire. The kiddos can learn about sea turtles and alligators. And of course, it’s the perfect place to pick up some fresh, organic produce.

Plantation Store
Tuesday, July 14th
Mom's Morning Workshop with MSI
9:00-10:30pm FREE
Join Laurie Waldman, Coordinator of Infant/Toddler Programs at MSI's Parenting Place, for a discussion on "Bedtime Challenges." Explore various alternatives and strategies that provide nurturing approaches to the bedtime routine. This lecture will focus on children from birth- 5years.
Moms will receive a free muffin and cup of coffee along with a chance to relax and learn about different parenting techniques from the experts. Plus, relax with a free 5-minute massage from My Massage Corner.
Pick up your coupon at Customer Service and bring it to the Juice Bar to receive your goodies.

Coral Springs Store
Saturday, July 11th
Kids Club event - The Best Basic Potato Salad
3:00 p.m. FREE!
Attention all kids, make your own custom potato salad in our Café. The class is limited to the first 30 kids who register at our customer service desk.

Tuesday, July 14th
Mom's Morning
9:00 - 10:30 a.m. FREE!
After you shop, stop by the Cafe and have a cup of Allegro Coffee and breakfast pastry on us while supplies last.

Saturday, July 18th
Creature Feature with the Sawgrass Nature Center
1:00 p.m. FREE!
Every month, representatives of Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital come to Whole Foods Market Coral Springs to teach kids all about a live animal. This month's "Creature Feature" is the alligator.

Aventura Store
Thursday, July 9th
Mom's Morning Out!
9:30 -11am FREE
Moms of all ages are invited to take a morning off and relax! Starting at 9:30am, you are invited to pamper yourself in our café. Join Marketing Specialist and mother of two, Vanessa Hassele as she shares all natural, kid-friendly recipes to make with and for the kids! Stop by, and share your own tips and tricks with other Moms as you sample Allegro Coffee blends and freshly baked pastries. Then head over to Baby Posh Garage with your 25% Off Coupon and pick up something for the kiddies to soothe any mommy-guilt over taking time for yourself! All attendees will receive a 25% Off Coupon for use at Baby Posh Garage in Aventura. Bring a friend and you will also both receive a $10 coupon off a future Whole Foods Market purchase! Children welcome. Pre-registration is recommended.

Saturday, July 11th
Kids Club - Save the Sea Turtles!
9 - 10am FREE
Kids (aged 4 - 12) and parents are welcome to join us as we listen to a story about Sea Turtles and decorate turtle sun-catchers in honor of our summer-long support of the Sea Turtle Hatchling Program at the Museum of Discovery & Science in Ft. Lauderdale. Please make reservations at Customer Service. Class size is limited.

There are also stores in Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, South Beach, Coral Gables, Pinecrest, and Wellington. Almost all of them offer Mom’s Mornings and Kids Club Events.