5 Things We Love is a shortlist of newly discovered stuff you have got to see, hear, wear, use or eat. What are you loving this week? Send a brief description of your latest favorite thing, where to find it and how much it costs, along with your name and contact info to features@staradvertiser.com.
Kids and parents are winners with meal tray
There was a time when I would have mocked the Dinner Winner tray. I can hear myself saying judgmentally, "What parent resorts to bribery with treats to get their kid to eat?" But now I have a picky eater. Meal after meal has been spent pleading with him to just try one bite and eat some vegetables. So when I spotted this plate on Amazon.com for $10, I thought I’d give it a try. My son completely bought into the game. Now all manner of protein and veggies disappear quickly with the promise of a prize at the end of the dinner trail. He never skips a block and even asks for second helpings. Meanwhile I feel like a winner as I expand his palate with helpings of a variety of veggies I know he’d shun under different circumstances. Hopefully we’ll lose the plate at some point and he’ll still want seconds. — Donica Kaneshiro
Jewelry from Ki-ele adorns mom and baby
Ki-ele by Marylea Conrad creates dainty jewelry for both moms and babies. My favorite is the Hawaiian Starfish bangle, priced at $68 in 14-karat gold-filled and 14-karat gold-dipped versions in a variety of sizes. The Melia Girl line includes keiki bracelets. Shown is the sterling-silver bangle with Hawaiian cone shell for $30. Visit www.ki-ele.com. — Nancy Arcayna
Use KFC plastic containers to store all kinds of items
One of the things I’ve discovered as an avid consumer of fast food is that the plastic containers KFC uses for its side dishes of coleslaw and mashed potatoes can be recycled as durable storage containers. They’re good for holding just about anything — buttons, nails, paperclips, loose change, gardening and craft supplies, and, of course, small portions of food. They stack neatly, and since they’re transparent it’s always easy to see what’s inside. The containers are marked "microwave and top rack dishwasher safe," but I’ve always washed mine by hand. You get two with KFC’s three-piece meal ($9.39, but prices may vary). — John Berger
Foodland rib-eye makes perfect steak
The tastiest, juiciest, most delicious steak is Foodland’s Premium Choice Rib-Eye Steak Chef Cut for $14.99 per pound. It is always well marbled and trimmed so there’s no excess fat or cartilage. Just season with salt and pepper, pan fry and finish with a pat of butter. No fancy sauces needed — just let the flavor of the beef come through. You can overcook it or undercook it and it will still be tender and delicious. — Frank Mak, Honolulu
Say ‘Goodnight’ Halloween style
When my kids were small, I loved browsing bookstores — remember those? — for stories we all could enjoy at bedtime. It was especially fun around Halloween. Tucked away in a box in my closet are such favorites as "My Monster Momma Loves Me So," "The Hallo-wiener" and "The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything."
Even though they’re now in their 20s, I still buy my son and daughter silly keiki books for special holidays. (God, it’s hard to let go.) This time it’s "Goodnight Goon," by Michael Rex ($6.99, Putnam), a "petrifying parody" of the Margaret Wise Brown classic. The compact board book contains the same soothing cadence of the original but with amusing rhymes about two hairy claws, a set of jaws, a screechy bat, a witch’s hat and "three little mummies rubbing their tummies." Look for "Goodnight Goon" wherever children’s books are sold. — Christie Wilson
