Urban Baby 101- Playskool Explore and Grow Push 'N Stack Gears

During our morning walk, I decided to take a stroll into CVS. As usual, I had no intention of really buying anything, just window shopping. To my surprise, I found a super cute toy for my boy. He is a naturally curious baby, a bit too curious at times but this is something I need to encourage. He needs extremely challenging toys that come with many components and parts. I bought him another toy a few weeks ago that is also made by Playskool (Hasbro) but I completely became engulfed in life, work, school etc and forgot to blog about it. So today, I will talk about the Playskoll Explore and Grow Push 'N Pack Gears. I found this toy at CVS for $9.99. When I did a Google search online, I found it priced higher on Amazon.com and Ebay for $19.99 so I think I got a great deal. It comes with a main part that looks like a work and four movable gears. When you actually push the toy, the gears, wheels and eyes of the worm/caterpillar move in a cyclical formation. I disinfected the toy with some warm water and a tablespoon of bleach. I disinfect any new toy and clean my sons toys at least once a week. I usually do this after his bath. That way I can multitask, a skill that all mothers embody after giving birth!

NYC Food Truck Frenzy

So what is this sudden obsession with meals on wheels? Why do New Yorkers have a high propensity for taking risks with food trucks but are more hesitant, demanding and even Scrooge-like when it comes to fine dining establishment's standards? I personally am very weary of food trucks for more than one reason. My main concern are the sanitary conditions. To date, New York City DOH (Department of Health) does not have a codified, enforceable sanitary rating system for food trucks and street vendors specifically. Let me remind you, we all are just starting to see the grades of our local favorite eateries this year. My second concern is, where are these food truck workers going to use the bathroom? Everyone knows that there are harmful bacteria in our fecal matter. People are so attached to their phones that they will even use the phone while they are on the toilet! So what do you think happens if you are on your phone while using the bathroom? You do not wash your hands until after the "deed" is done. So the majority of people are walking, chatting and texting away with fecal matter on their phones. What makes food truck servers any different for you and I? My third concern is the proper storage of both meats and fish. Trucks that serve meat and fish products must keep these for at 42 degrees fahrenheit or below, especially if these foods are raw. Meat and vegetables should be prepped in separate area to prevent cross-contamination. If I can uphold these simple cooking standard in my own kitchen, I would expect a food truck who serves thousands of people can to the same. I have posted some pictures of some popular food truck in the Soho area. From the look of things, there are a lot of people who do not share my freakishly obsessive concerns about NYC Food Trucks! Bon Appetit!

OWS-Occupy Wall Street...My thoughts

To be honest, I do not have a vested interest in organized protests going on in the Wall Street area and in other global financial centers. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the right to protest and publicly voiced your disdain for Corporate America. What I do not condone is wasting time going after the guys (guarantee that most these guys fall into the WASP category) who actually make a living hedging their bets, using their broad knowledge of financial markets and make million even billions during a Recession! Issues arise when I visit 90 Broad Street and see Rolls Royce or Bentley parked in the nearby parking garage as if they are as affordable as a Honda Civic. Then I question, how far would these guys go to protect their lifestyle? What illegal activities go down to maintain their high standard of living. How can you go after the same guys whose interests are protected and in line with current government officials in power.