White House to Bring Salad Bars to 5,000 Schools

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

According to Grist.org, the White House is expecting to announce an initiative that will bring salad bars to 5,000 public schools nationwide.  Underscoring Mrs. Obama’s LetsMove.org campaign for making healthier choices, this salad bar concept is sure to mix things up.

salad bar

 

One potential obstacle to the program is the refusal of many school districts to install salad bars for food-safety reasons and because of cumbersome USDA rules governing the federally subsidized school lunch program that feeds some 31 million U.S. school children every day.

With cost, food-safety and the way some kids are conditioned to feel about veggies, I have no doubt the salad bar concept in schools will bring as much criticism as it will bring praise.  I loved reading that Whole Foods partnered with a coalition that teamed with the produce industry to raise  $1.4 million from customers to establish a grant program that would place salad bars in qualifying schools.

One important statistic I found while researching this topic: according to a UCLA study done in 2007, elementary schools can significantly increase the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income students by providing a lunch salad bar.

Now, that’s food for thought.

I appreciate the idea to bring more salads to kids, but can it be executed in a way that works all around?  Again, the actual announcement isn’t expected until Monday, but I’ll be watching for the official news.

Thinking Outside the Business Box with PictureIt Postage

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

When I left my full-time job as an editor two years ago, I did it with the intention of building a freelance writing career to hone my passion.  It was a big step emotionally and financially, but professionally as well.  Most of my freelance ventures are hinged upon my blogging and social media efforts.  For me, like many of my blogging colleagues, it started out with a name that we’re continuing to build a brand around.  For some, it’s more orchestrated than others.  For others, it’s evolved much more organically.

For those who treat their blogs as a business, making connections, building relationships and carving out our own niches seems to be the name of the game in this blogging realm.  Most days, I have no idea what I’m doing; and like writer’s block, it can plague me for a while, and then, I’m inspired by those around me.  Like any small business, it’s all about figuring out what works, and doing it well.

When my friends at The Motherhood asked me to check out PictureIt Postage for business, the timing was so impeccable. Not only have I been plotting out my family’s holiday cards, but I’ve also been brainstorming my business holiday cards.

In the several years that I’ve been blogging so far, this year has most certainly been my most productive.  In the grand scheme of things, it might not mean much, but for me, I couldn’t be happier.  And most of that can be attributed to my blogging friends who have helped or collaborated with me along the way, but also for the pr pros, company executives who have helped me make my job come to fruition.

Picture 13

 

So what does this have to do with postage you’re wondering?  A lot, actually.  Like many bloggers and editors, I get packages and mail every day; however, it’s rare when I actually get “real” business correspondence.  I’m not talking about a printed information sheet that comes with a product sample.  I’m talking about a genuine, hand-written note from a company.  I’ve always been one for handwritten and personalized correspondence, and this holiday season is no exception.  Who doesn’t love receiving hand written, personalized note in their pile of bills and junk mail?

PictureIt Postage is a cool way to personalize postage: perfect for families seeking a fun way to mail letters, cards and packages, it’s also a great way to mail business letters, cards and other mailings.  I can’t think of a better way to say thank you or send holiday greetings to colleagues and completing the package with a branded logo or a fun graphic to complete the package. I actually have something fun in mind for a few holiday business mailings (I won’t ruin the surprise here, though.)


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Barnes & Noble Rolls Out Mega Playroom Boutiques

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Just in time for the holiday season, my friend, Carrie of Dog-Eared and Well-Read reminded me of Barnes & Noble’s latest foray in the kid space.

Big Box book retailer, Barnes and Noble announced that they are rolling out a 3,000 sq. ft. playroom boutique concept in five test stores.  Barnes & Noble is describing the play area as “Ultimate Playroom” Mega-Boutiques where interactive displays, creativity and learning through activities, scientific discoveries, and favorite children’s characters can underscore children’s experience at the bookstore.

Barnes & Noble has aligned partnerships with several toy manufacturers and brands who are well known in the educational sector, such as LeapFrog, Crayola, Curious George, Thomas the Tank Engine, among others.

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‘Tangled’ to Unravel at Theaters on November 24

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

In more movie news, maybe you’ve heard about another Disney flick that’s slated to hit screens in just a few weeks?  Y’know, the one that’s touting hair-raising adventures and quite literally, a lot of hair?  As in, 70 feet of golden hair.

Tangled, which is poised to be another Disney classic, is set to be released on November 24th, over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.  Tangled follows the misadventures of Rapunzel, voiced by the dynamic Mandy Moore, and her “prince charming,” or rather, her unsuspecting hostage, Flynn Ryder, who is voiced by Zachary Levi, the handsome geek of NBC’s Chuck (one of my favorite shows.)

 

As an all-around Disney fan, I can’t wait to check Tangled out!  I’m looking forward to seeing the modern-day interpretation of Rapunzel, as I’m sure many of you guys are too!  I will be hitting a screening of the movie next week, so be on the look out for my thoughts and reviews, and maybe a surprise, too.
Speaking of which, Disney is spreading the Tangled excitement with a giveaway!

First Look: the New Muppets Movie

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Walt Disney Studios are whetting our appetites with some new Muppets awesomeness.  The studios released this teaser and promotional image for the upcoming Muppets movie, which How I Met Your Mother star, Jason Segel co-wrote and is also the star.

What I love most about this image is the action and emotion that’s going on—all at once.  (They’re Muppets, I know.)  The teaser image is sort of Da Vinci-like with its storytelling, yet so indicative of the creativity and eclecticism of  the Jim Henson Studios. The guy holding the iPhone is my favorite.

The working title of the new Muppets movie is called, “The Greatest Muppet Movie of All Time.”  The way Segal and co-writer, Nick Stoller, made us laugh in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and with the new Muppets’ movie’s interesting storyline, plus all of the rumored cameos, will this new Muppets Movie live up to its title?

Here’s a cool quote from Stoller that first appeared in an interview elsewhere:

Basically, we’re gonna do an old school Muppet movie, where the Muppets have to put on a show to save the studio. It’s very simple. A big part of the movie is rounding up all the Muppets from around the world, because they’ve all been separated. So it’s collecting them and bringing them together to put on this big show. It should hearken back to Great Muppet Caper and Muppets Take Manhattan and those kinds of Muppet movies. Jason and I are having a lot of fun writing it. We want to get as many cameos and guest stars as possible. Jason will play a human ventriloquist, and his puppet is alive and wants to be a Muppet.

The Muppets are coming to a theater near you, but unfortunately, we’ll have to wait another year..  The beloved Muppets are set to release this new film during the 2011 holiday season.

Credit: Muppetwiki

Making Music with Monster Melody Mash

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

What do you get when you mix dancing monsters and fun beats?  Why, an app, of course!

 

 

We’ve been playing with another monster-centric app, or rather, jamming out.  This time, the kid and I have been playing DJ with the Monster Melody App.  Choosing between alien, volcano or classic monsters, players can create endless melodies by tapping the sychronizing monsters. Perfect for budding djs and even the littlest music aficionados, Monster Melody app harnesses music, playful animation and touch-screen technology to create musical goodness.

I know.  More monsters!  I’m on a monster kick lately…or should I say, developers and toy manufacturers are on a monster roll.

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Meet the Freaky Pets

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

If you think all plush toys are all cute and cuddly, then you’re partially right.  Combine cute and cranky, then you’ve got this new line of plush pets called Freaky Pets.

At first glance these imaginary creatures are sweet and innocent, then with a quick tuck, the Freaky Pets reveal their cranky alter ego.

Penga from Freaky Pets
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Toy Story 3 Features Hidden Easter Eggs

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

The highest grossing animated film of all time and one of our family’s favorite movies of the year (and maybe yours too?), Toy Story 3, was released on DVD and Blu-Ray earlier this week.  We, of course, were first in line to grab our copies.

Since picking up our copy of TS3, it’s no surprise that we’ve watched it no less than four times already.  Each time, I’ve found myself searching for even more quirky surprises that I missed before.  Pixar is well known for hiding easter eggs in their films, so I thought I’d repost the link to a great site that shares many of those hidden gems of Woody, Buzz and the gang.

Slash Film did a great job dissecting some of the most important scenes in the film that were chock full of interesting tidbits, many of which reference other Pixar films and characters, with quite a few nods to next year’s Cars 2.  One easter egg that I found interesting was the significance of the number of A113 found in several other Pixar flicks, just like TS3.

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It’s Election Day: Lead by Example

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

It’s Election Day, and the world around us is abuzz about how important it is to vote in the Midterm Elections.  Politics and elections can be a trivial time for some adults, nevermind explaining the significance of it all to smaller kids.  But, perhaps, the best way to teach kids about the importance of voting and being heard is by leading by example.

Judging by all the activity on Facebook and Foursquare, it sounds like many of you have already done your civic duty.  Hooray!

Looking for a learning resource to engage the kids in the election?  Scholastic has a variety of non-fiction books that overview the voting process.  Skimming over the content, I think Let’s Vote on It! by Janice Behrens is a great primer for preschoolers and younger grade schoolers to learn more about the voting process.

 

The book introduces terms that are relevant to elections and voting within the classroom.  It also touches up on the topic of how adults vote, which is timely for Election Day.

Regardless of when and how you do it, go vote and lead by example!

Check it

I love the way social networks have created a dialogue for civic participation.  There’s no ignoring this election if you’re on Twitter, Facebook or read any sort of website. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to show off that you voted on Facebook, grab your I Voted Badge on Foursquare (check in at your polling location and shout #Ivoted) or tweet #Ivoted.

Toys ‘R’ Us Great Big Christmas Book: There’s an App for That

by Jen Rabulan-Bertram

Halloween’s over and you know what that means?  That’s right, the Holiday shopping season cranks up a notch.  While the shelves might have been touting dancing Santas and singing reindeers for a few weeks now, marketers and retailers have been working overtime for months in preparation for the upcoming Holiday season.

As mentioned before, many of us bloggers were attending holiday previews way back in May, so, be prepared to see an influx of holiday coverage on blogs this year, NKT included.

We can’t cover holiday shopping without highlighting the thrill of the hunt—for kids, that is!  While many of us plan to scour the malls, websites and shops for the best deals, in many cases, it all starts with that carefully-crafted Christmas list.  And guess what?

Of course, there’s an app for that.

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