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How to Make a TRENDY PRO Pop up Card

How to Make a TRENDY PRO Pop up Card

Learn how to make a fun, trendy pup pop-up card with materials from your Trendy Pro Kids Fitness Tracker box! This step-by-step guide walks you through assembling the puppy, gluing it to the card, and decorating with glow-in-the-dark stickers. Perfect for a creative gift or thank-you card. Challenge yourself by making the pup on the box come to life and enter a giveaway! Stay tuned for more creative craft tutorials.

10 frozen foods we wish would come to the US

10 frozen foods we wish would come to the US
viennetta

The frozen treat Viennetta disappeared from US shelves. Flickr/cyclonebill

If the idea of frozen food conjures up mental images of freezer-burnt pizzas and sad vegetables in aluminum trays, the items on this list will make you reconsider that picture. There's a wonderful world of frozen food out there — much of which is not available in the US.

From meals for one to desserts for all, there's sure to be something here to help those in the US plan their next vacation destination just to eat ... or simply be filled with envy. 

Frozen pizza is a huge deal in Germany — and offerings like the Wagner Steinofen line are part of the reason why.

Wagner Steinofen
Wagner Steinofen 
Abholen.de

This steinofen — or stone oven — based brand is sold in 19 different varieties and if you like your pizza thin and crispy, you won't be disappointed.

According to the brand itself, one of its biggest sellers is the original Wagner Steinofen special, which is topped with Edam cheese, both regular and hot pepper salami, mushrooms, ham, and sun-ripened tomatoes. The Vegetaria variety offers a selection of roasted vegetables with a spicy kick.

UK-based bakery and cafe The Hungry Guest offers two frozen meals that sound almost too good to be true.

The Hungry Guest
The Hungry Guest meals. 
Facebook/The Hungry Guest

If you're in the US and the words "venison lasagne" and "venison and wild mushroom stroganoff" immediately make your mouth water, then you probably should hop on a plane and head to the Petworth or West Malling locations of this bakery/cafe.

Not only do they sound delicious, they apparently sell so well, the shop regularly sells out.

France has an entire grocery store that is dedicated to high-quality frozen food — and we want one of everything.

You might not expect France to embrace frozen food, given its intimidating reputation for only the best and freshest of everything — but in a grocery store called Picard Surgelés that only sells its own brand of frozen food, it has.

The Kitchn's Ann Mah moved to Paris and quickly found that the brand's dedication to variety and uncompromising quality have won over many native Parisians. And with offerings like a goat cheese, honey, and walnut pizza or some delightfully cheesy frozen gougères, it's easy to see why.

The company has expanded to several other countries across Europe, according to Kitchn, and even opened a few locations in Japan. Visitors from around the world — like SBS reporter Helen Barlow from Australia — can't get over how fresh Picard's offerings taste when compared with frozen foods in their home countries.

Belgian startup Mealhero is combining meal delivery service with frozen food and a “smart steamer” to help you cook it in no time.

Mealhero
Mealhero 
Facebook/Mealhero

There are quite a few startups similar to Mealhero available in the US, but those who have tried it know that it has some key differences. 

The smart-steamer syncs with an app on your phone so you scan your meal and then just pop it in the steamer. According to a review on Tech & Leven, one of the absolute best things about this meal kit service is that your food actually looks like the photos.

The steamer is sized for one or two people — so this probably isn't the best option if you're cooking for more. But for those who worry about their meal kit foods going bad before they get used, this could be a useful option if something similar was available outside of Belgium and the Netherlands.

Quisinera is a startup in the Philippines that brings a rotating selection of food from talented home cooks straight to local freezers.

Quisinera
Quisinera 
Facebook/Quisinera

Founder Nina Co told Spot that her brand Quisina is short for "quick in the kucina (kitchen)" — and Quisinera highlights the home cooks she brings on from her local community to create these delicious frozen meals.

The result is varied and comforting frozen meals like squid and pumpkin stew, sweet and sour pork, and buttermilk chicken nuggets. 

McCain frozen foods are available in the US, but India's offerings are drool-worthy.

tomato fries
Tangy Tomato fries. 
McCain

If you live in the US, you may be familiar with McCain french fries, including the brand's signature smile fries. But in India, McCain's fries go to the next level, including tomato-flavored smile fries, chili garlic potato bites, and hot masala fries

These offerings are sorely missed in the sea of frozen fries in the US. 

Japan-only Haagen Dazs flavors are envy inducing.

Häagen Dazs_japan.JPG
Haagen Dazs in Japan. 
Wikimedia Commons/Kanesue

Though people in the US are likely very familiar with Haagen Dazs, the brand frequently puts out limited-edition flavors that are only available in Japan —including options like the "Story Time" duo released in August 2018, which came in the flavors "Alice's Tea with Cookies" and "Snow White's Apples with Custard."

Other notable flavors are Sakura (cherry blossom) and strawberry tiramisu.

Viennetta was once sold in the US but is still sold in Europe and Asia.

If you live in the US, you may remember Viennetta, a layered vanilla ice cream treat covered in a ripple of chocolate. Though it was a staple of the '90s, as noted by Eater, it's no longer available in the US but is thriving in the UK. It's creamy, perfect for parties, and simply mesmerizing to look at. 

Though there is no shortage of ice cream treats available in the US, some are still clamoring for its return. 

Garbo produces frozen appetizers in Italy.

Garbo
Garbo rice croquettes. 
Facebook/Garbo

Garbo, a frozen food company based in Italy, produces battered and bread-crumbed frozen foods with many designed to be served as small plates and shareable appetizers, including vegetables, fried cod, and rice croquettes. 

Because of the brand's variety and flair not often found in the US, it would be a welcome addition to the roster of frozen foods stateside. 

Nichirei is the king of frozen food in Japan and its products even come in vending machines.

Nichirei_food_vending_machine_(3353749217)
Nichirei frozen food vending machine. 

Nichirei produces tons of different types of delicious frozen foods in Japan from grilled onigiri rice balls to prawn cutlets and everything in between. The products are fan favorites and making the company big profits. They are so ubiquitous, you can even find them in vending machines at train stations.  

Frozen Japanese food doesn't have a lot of competition in America, so Nichirei's presence would be a welcome change.

 

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Why is my potty-trained child regressing? Here’s what to do, mama

Why is my potty-trained child regressing? Here’s what to do, mama

Ahh, the bliss that comes with successfully potty training your child. Potty training is generally something parents dread. And, rightfully so—t's messy, it makes it hard to leave the house, and it can just seem plain overwhelming.

Then you take the plunge, switch your kid to undies, and bask in the glory that is no more diapers. But wait. You move to a new house, you have a new baby or your child starts a new school. Suddenly you find yourself in Target with your previously potty-trained child sitting in a pool of pee. Your heart sinks. Back into the trenches of potty training you go.

Just like sleep, potty training regressions are totally normal for small children, especially amidst change. So, first, know you're not alone.

Here are a few tips to get you through your child's potty training regression:

1. Avoid shaming.

While it can be frustrating to deal with accidents when you thought your child was fully potty trained, try not to act angry or disappointed. Don't have a big reaction, as even negative attention can reinforce behavior.

It's so easy to say, "You're four! You've been doing this for years, how hard can it be?" This can make your child ashamed of themselves and does little to solve the problem.

Instead, try to keep your reaction as neutral as possible. Say something like, "Your clothes are wet, it looks like you peed. Let's go get some clean clothes."

The calmer you are, the more you show your child that their regression is normal and that you're confident they can overcome it.

2. Create a potty routine.

Build in regular bathroom breaks to your daily schedule to help your child be successful. Use natural transitions like after meals, before going to play outside, and before leaving the house for an outing.

Use language like, "After you use the potty, we'll be able to go to the park," or, "We always use the potty before we leave the house." This provides natural motivation for your child to use the toilet if they are looking forward to the next thing.

3. Involve your child in the cleanup.

When your child doesn't make it to the potty in time, calmly include them in the process of cleaning up.

They can bring you a cleaning cloth or towel to wipe the floor. They can help take their wet clothes off and put them in the laundry basket. Or can choose new clothes from their closet and help put them on.

Involving your child as much as possible will help them take ownership of the process. They will also realize with time, that it takes a lot longer to help clean up an accident than to simply take a potty break in the first place.

4. Offer choices.

One reason children refuse to use the potty is a need to feel in control. This is particularly true when your child is experiencing a big life change. A new house, a new sibling, a new school–all of these changes can be scary and make your child feel like they have no control over their own life.

Offer choices and let your child control some aspects of the toileting process. For example, offer them a fun selection of underwear to choose from. Store the undies somewhere accessible to your child, like a low drawer or basket in the bathroom. If you have multiple bathrooms in your house, let them choose which one to use. Let them choose whether to sit on a little potty or a special seat on the big toilet.

All of these choices are minor and may seem insignificant, but they help your child feel like they have some control over the process of using the toilet, which minimizes the need to boycott the potty altogether.

5. Give extra attention.

Sometimes children regress with potty training because they want more attention from you.

This is particularly true if you have a new baby at home. Your older child will notice the baby getting lots of physical attention, including frequent diaper changes when you drop everything and focus just on the baby.

When possible, try sitting with your child while they use the potty or eat. This isn't always possible of course, especially if you have a baby at home, but regular one on one attention throughout the day can prevent your child from having accidents.

Potty training regression is challenging, but remember that it's completely normal and will likely pass quickly. If the regression seems to be lingering or you're concerned that there may be a physical problem, talk with your pediatrician.

6. Be consistent.

Long car trip coming up? Cross-country flight? It can be tempting to revert back to diapers in these situations, especially if your child is experiencing a regression. But, the more consistent you are, the less confusing it will be for your child. As a Montessori teacher, I saw many children struggle with toileting after a vacation, often because they had worn diapers or pull-ups on the trip. It can take a while for a child to readjust.
Potty training regression is challenging, but remember that it's completely normal and will likely pass quickly. If the regression seems to be lingering or you're concerned that there may be a physical problem, talk with your pediatrician.