Being Savvy: Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers and kids in Seattle, WA

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get breakfasty in Seattle

by Angie McDonald

May 11, 2009

My oldest child, Milo, has severe food allergies, so taking him out to breakfast has never been an option. Now that he's in Kindergarten, though, I relish taking my younger daughter, Belle, for breakfast whenever we can fit it in.

In fact, I think you could say we've made Going out to Breakfast a sport. A competitive sport.

We have several favorites we keep going back to, but we like to sample new spots too. For a breakfast spot to be good for preschoolers, it has to meet a few qualifications: Booths. They're not necessary, but they are a nice touch. When you don't have to worry that your Little is going to tip the chair back and land on his or her head, it's easier to relax and enjoy your waffles.
 
Crayons and paper, or some other diversion while we wait for our meal, is a plus.
 
Simple food, such as plain scrambled eggs and pancakes with butter and syrup are what appeal most to my girl.
 
And Pace. We need our food relatively quickly. We have errands to run and 4-year-olds are not the most patient of people.

Here are some of our morning hang-outs and good places to take kids for breakfast around Seattle.

Mae's (Phinney Ridge). Booths. Fast-ish. Good food that is not too fancy. No toys or art supplies, but there's plenty to look at on the walls. Particularly good for a game of I Spy.

Dish (Ballard). This food is amazing. You have to wait a little longer for it, but man, is it worth it. Also worth the less kid-friendly atmosphere.
 
Patty's Eggnest (Crown Hill). A bit of a greasy spoon, the food here is fine (if a little uninspired). The service is super fast and they have the sought after booth and paper and crayons for Belle. The hostess, as of this writing, is so dour that Patty's Eggnest almost didn't make the list, but I try to ignore her and enjoy the breakfast experience. 

Top Pot Doughnuts (Wedgwood, Capitol Hill, Downtown). It's fast because you get it yourself and...Doughnuts. Need I say more?

CJs Eatery (Belltown). Another greasyish spoon. But lively and bustling and easy to blend in with kids.

Julia's (Wallingford). We haven't tried Julia's yet, but it's next on our list!
 Read more...

Shopping for kids with food allergies

by Angie McDonald

April 12, 2009

As the mom of a child with severe food allergies, I've had to make a lot of adjustments in how our family eats, what restaurants we can frequent (not many) and where we grocery shop. I've educated myself on reading labels and asking lots and lots of questions.

I spend a lot of time driving from market to market in the Seattle area, because each store has a handful of foods safe for my son. While Trader Joes has sunflower seed butter that we use liberally in place of peanut butter, Fred Meyer carries Veganaise, our substitute for Mayo.

Food allergies are indisputably on the rise. Between 1997 and 2002, the number of children diagnosed with bonafide, potentially dangerous food allergies doubled. Chances are you know at least one family, probably more, that has to feed an extremely allergic child.

For those of you facing this challenge, and for others of you who are just curious, or might want to know where to get good alternatives to usual kid fare (string cheese, anyone?), here's a list of my favorite Seattle stores that carry foods my son (allergic to dairy, egg, peanuts and tree nuts) can actually eat.

Whole Foods --The Roosevelt location in particular carries a wide variety of treats safe for us. From Cherrybrook Kitchen cake mixes (dairy, egg and nut free and also with a gluten-free mix) are a delicious, albeit pricey, alternative to milk-laden mass market cake mixes.

Trader Joes --As I mentioned above, the Sunflower Seed Butter is amazing. Their semi-sweet chocolate chips are dairy free (and cheap!) and their soy milk is a great deal too.

PCC --Eggos are a no-go at our house, and, let's face it, there are times when nothing will do but a waffle. PCC is one of the only places I've seen that carries mini-waffles (Earth's Best Organic) that are free of most major allergens.

Fred Meyer --The Ballard location has a fairly impressive alternative food section with Tofutti "cheese" slices, Veganaise, Enjoy Life brand (free of major allergens) and soy ice cream.

Costco --The best price going on organic soy milk. If you have enough room to store a large box of it, this is the place to go.

QFC, University Village --This supermarket is amazing. It has a huge kosher section, which means that many of the products are dairy free. If you want your milk-allergic child to be able to try whipped cream, this is the only place in town to get Rich's Whipped Topping, the only 100% dairy-free whipped topping I've ever found.

Central Market , Shoreline, Ballard Market and Thriftway in Magnolia--All three carry some surprising options. If you haven't already, check 'em out.
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In the kitchen with your preschooler: Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower.

by Bethany Dunn

January 21, 2009

Macaroni and cheese - out of a box - is a favorite of kids everywhere. While there are worse things for them to eat - there certainly are better. This recipe is a updated and dare I say - more nutritionally sound - version of this kid favorite. I'm betting you'll like it, too. I sure do. (Recipe adapted from Cooking Light.) Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower 12 ounces while grain  Read more...

Need a dinner deal? Do I have one for you.

by Bethany Dunn

January 19, 2009

Dining out with preschoolers can be stressful enough... "Stay seated, please." "Try some of it, sweetie." "Don't hit your sister." "Can you say that again, this time without shouting?" "DON'T SPILL!!!!" And? For the all that fun, you are stuck with with (often HIGH) bill to pay, and feel like was the effort worth it? Well, I may not be able to help with the staying  Read more...

Recipe time: baked chicken nuggets.

by Bethany Dunn

November 06, 2008

Unless your preschooler lives under a rock, I'm pretty sure they have had a chicken nugget or two in their short life. While I, myself, have served many the frozen nugget to my children (I believe in BRUTALLY HONEST PARENTING), I was shocked to learn it was pretty darn easy to make a homemade version that's a bit healthier and, frankly, YUMMIER. Ingredients: 2 skinned and boned chicken  Read more...

Just when you thought it was safe to start your weekend.

by Bethany Dunn

September 04, 2008

I thought FOR SURE that the first weekend after the start of the school year would have preschool-age appropriate events few and far between. Boy, was I wrong. Very, very wrong. This weekend is teaming with fun, family events for our community to enjoy. So get out there - the weather should be gorgeous. The Puyallup Fair is the largest single attraction held annually in the state  Read more...

First week of preschool easy macaroni and cheese.

by Bethany Dunn

September 03, 2008

Want an easy, yet healthy meal to get you through the first week of busy school schedules? Then this macaroni and cheese recipe is for you. Add some steamed broccoli on the side and you have a meal of champions. Or, at least you'll have happy preschoolers. Easy Macaroni and Cheese (serves 4) 8-9 ounces whole wheat macaroni noodles 3 cups milk (anything but fat-free, please) 1 teaspoon salt  Read more...

Seattle weekend plans? CHECK.

by Bethany Dunn

August 21, 2008

We're heading out for one last hurrah this weekend - over to Idaho to visit family - before school starts and my son enters kindergarten (!!!). It will just be the kids and me in the car for about six hours (ONE WAY), so if you're hanging around Seattle this weekend, you're definitely getting the better end of the deal. Anyone want to meet for lunch in Othello at the Burger King around  Read more...

Making the most of the dog days of summer.

by Bethany Dunn

August 06, 2008

Were you aware of the true definition of the term "dog days of summer"? I figured that it related to the long, hot days in late summer; and as it turns out, I was mostly right. The Farmer's Almanac indicates that the "dog days of summer" are the 40 days beginning July 3 and ending August 11. Looks like you've got some time to get some fun in! Make homemade ice cream . It's a treat with a  Read more...

Three Days In and Around Seattle: Day 1, Urban Seattle.

by Bethany Dunn

July 08, 2008

We're all about great escapes this July at The Savvy Source, and this week we'll be covering the closest of our great escapes - three days in and around Seattle. Lucky for us, the Puget Sound has so much to offer families with preschoolers. Odds are you'll be entertaining visitors some time (or multiple times!) this summer. I'll be offering three days of guides to satisfy the most  Read more...

Dining out with your preschooler.

by Bethany Dunn

June 27, 2008

In our pre -kid days, my husband and I enjoyed dining out often. Very often. Probably to often. I was no cook; and it was a great way for us to re-connect after long day of work. Having a gregarious and active baby cut back our dining out considerably. We only got "back in the game" of dining out for a few months before my daughter (and second child) was born; only to get knocked back in  Read more...

Things you must do with your children in Seattle before they grow up, Vol. 2.

by Bethany Dunn

June 12, 2008

I started this list a few weeks ago - a list of the 100 must-do activities for you and your children to do before they grow up and are "too cool" to hang out with mom and dad. (Am I the only one that fears this?) We covered the Fremont Troll, a visit to Pike Place Market, sledding at Snoqualmie , eating a Top Pot donut right off the conveyor belt, and riding the Tacoma Link light rail.  Read more...

More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in seattle

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Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle

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Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune

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Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues

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Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors

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Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun

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A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories

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Splash, Spray, Play! Local Spots to Get Wet

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The Most Fun in Life Is Free!

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The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots

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Angie McDonald, Bethany Dunn

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