Month: February 2016

2016 Food Trend Report

| kristencastillo

Love sriracha, artisan pickles and ancient grains? You’re in luck! These are some of the top 20 food trends for 2016.

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From healthy kids’ meals to local produce to ethnic condiments, menu trends for 2016 are intriguing. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) recently released its annual list of what’s hot at restaurants.

“Chefs and restaurateurs are in tune with over-arching consumer trends when it comes to menu planning but add their own twist of culinary creativity to drive those trends in new directions,” said Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of research for the NRA. “No one has a better view into the window of the future of food trends than the culinary professionals who lead our industry.”

The NRA surveyed almost 1,600 chefs, all members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The chefs reported their picks for the top foods, beverages and culinary themes trends for the New Year.

My Healthy Dining article explains what’s hot and what’s not this year in cuisine.

Celebrating the Premiere of “The LEGO Movie™ 4D A New Adventure”

| kristencastillo

So much fun! My family and I had a blast at the premiere of “The LEGO Movie™ 4D A New Adventure,” which opened at LEGOLAND California.

 

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The 12 ½ minute picks up where the 2014 “The LEGO Movie™” left off.

The movie reunites Emmet and his LEGO friends in an all-new story, combining 3D computer animation with “4D” effects like wind, water and fog.

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The story? The gang is caught up in an Evil Secret Plot involving a theme park inspired by their adventures in “The LEGO Movie.” They have to use the Master Builder skills of a surprise ally to save the day.

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Red carpet ready!

My sons loved walking the red carpet and meeting their LEGO heroes, Emmet, Wyldstyle, MetalBeard, Benny and Unikitty.

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Posing with Wyld Style.

The movie was full of adventure, fun and teamwork – great themes for kids and adults!

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Red carpet fun with my husband.

“The LEGO Movie Sequel,” is scheduled to open in theaters May 18, 2018.

Art + Science = Fun!

| kristencastillo

Getting kids interested in science can be challenging. Keeping them interested as they grow older can be even tougher. But exhibits like The Art of Science Learning at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center keep kids fascinated about science.

 

The exhibit very practically explains real world problems, like drought and pollution. Kids and adults ponder the possible solutions using STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning.

 

 

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The Art of Science Learning is designed as a call to action to find solutions to local and global science challenges. The curators say adding art to the science solutions help bring people together to collaborate and create.

Using foam, pipe cleaners, paper, tape and glue, my kids explored science through crafts.

They also enjoyed the “Epic Water Game,” a computer game where players had to research a science problem. In this case, the problem was deciding where to build a water desalination plant. The game involved learning the pros and cons of the project and balancing the project needs including environmental concerns and the impact on the local residents and businesses.

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We also loved the “Taping Shape” experience! Made of hundreds of rolls of packing tape, the art installation is also an “exploratory space” for kids and adults. That means my kids and I were able to walk, climb and slide through this cool exhibit of passageways.

It was hard to believe the whole pathway is made of clear packing tape! You just take your shoes off and have fun! Lots of fun! I lost track how of many times we went through Taping Shape.

Taping Shape exhibition runs through June 12, 2016, in the Fleet Rotunda and Discovery Galleries at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center. It’s included in the price of Fleet admission.