STL Views and Reviews: Crown Candy Kitchen

Crown Candy Kitchen.

If you live in St. Louis, you've probably heard of it. 

If you don't live in St. Louis, you may have heard of it as well -- most recently, the St. Louis institution was featured on the Travel Channel's Man v. Food when host Adam Richman failed the Crown Candy Challenge to drink five malts in thirty minutes. 

No, it's not the place to go if you're looking for a healthy experience . . .

Crown Candy Kitchen is hailed as one of St. Louis' "oldest and most popular attractions."  Since 1913, Crown Candy has been making its own confectionary delights, and serving classic soda fountain treats like malts, phosphates, and giant sundaes. 

If it's a hearty meal that you're in the mood for, they also serve sandwiches like a BLT that comes stacked with an entire pound of bacon!!!

They've even had a book written about them, Sweetness Preserved: The Story Of The Crown Candy Kitchen.

So being the good St. Louisans that we are, my husband and I decided recently that we really couldn't get away with never having visited Crown Candy Kitchen any longer.

Taking our kids and checking it out for ourselves just seemed like our civic duty.

But we were kind of disappointed.  It didn't live up to all the hype.

If you're looking for a good dose of nostalgia, a visit to Crown Candy Kitchen is like taking a step back in time.  It's even still located at its original location on St. Louis Avenue in North St. Louis -- and driving along those streets you can almost see the neighborhood as it must have once been, before the beautiful, Victorian style homes that look like they came straight out of Meet Me In St. Louis became the run-down, bullet-ridden places that they are today.

The candy counter, filled with licorice and giant lollipops and homemade chunks of chocolate, was neat (and thoroughly entertained my kids during our almost hour long wait).  But, by today's standards, it was small, and to my grown-up eye, the candy just didn't look as enticing as I thought it should.

I'm not sure what I was expecting -- it's not like I had visions of Willy Wonka's factory dancing in my head -- but the reality just didn't live up to the expectation.  I've seen better candy counters in my day . . . Godiva, anybody???   

The restaurant boasts ten booths that seat four, and a few more two-seaters.  So when they're busy, as they were on the Sunday afternoon when we decided to go, you wait. 

And wait.  And wait.  At one point, the line was out the door and down the street.  And when you wait for something that long, especially with young children, you expect it to be worthwhile. 

Don't get me wrong, the food isn't bad.  It is good.  But it's not destination-trip-to-North-St.-Louis-good. 

My husband had that BLT (and I quietly pulled slices of bacon off piece by piece lest he have a heart attack right in front of me).  I had a Breaded Chicken Sandwich.  The chicken was hot, fresh, and juicy, the bread was soft, an the sandwich was slathered with Miracle Whip.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  But it was also something that I could make at home.  Or get from KFC. 

And the ice cream was what truly disappointed us.  We ordered a Fire Chief Special Sundae that was big enough for the four of us to share (which at $5.75 it should be).  It was smothered in chocolate sauce with strawberries, bananas, nuts, and whipped cream, but it was only so-so as today's ice cream sundaes go. 

It was served in a shallow dish, and as we dug in and the ice cream started to melt, it also started to overflow.  As in a gooey mess of ice cream soup covering our table and an overzealous toddler who couldn't stop eating long enough for us to wipe it up. 

Did I also mention that we were seated at the very first table and that an entire line of hungry customers waiting for a table were standing right next to us watching this all play out?  By the end of our meal, all we wanted to do was get the hell out of that place.

So, long story short, Crown Candy Kitchen didn't do it for us.  There are lots of better places for ice cream in St. Louis -- Oberweis, Ted Drewes, or Fritz's, just to name a few.  At this point, it seems like Crown Candy Kitchen is coasting on their history and their name, and they're popular, well, just because they're popular . . . 

And quite frankly, if you want a fat-laden, heart-stopping meal to go along with your sundae, I think a trip to Steak 'n Shake is a better bet.

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Have you visited Crown Candy Kitchen?  What did you order and did you like it?  Am I missing something? 

Photo courtesy of http://www.flickr.com/photos/irenehsu/with/480934492/

Calming Our Kids: Yoga For Children

Most of us today live busy, fast-paced lives.  We spend our days hurrying from place to place and staring at computer screens and iPhones.  We rarely have time to relax. 

And our children are no exception.  Between school, homework, and extra-curricular activities, many children barely have time to play.  Even toddlers spend too much of their day riding in the car and too much time in front of the television, or playing with toys that make way too many noises and have way too many flashing lights.

Tell me Tickle Me Elmo doesn't give you a headache . . .

We are all overly stimulated on a daily basis.  We desperately need a way to relax.

One way great way to do this:  yoga.  

Yoga has been a popular form of excercise and relaxation for adults for a long time, but recently it has grown in popularity as an activity for children as well.  While yoga for adults is most often quiet and introspective, kid's yoga programs are usually more fun and relaxed.  Through yoga, children gain flexibilty, coordination, and strength, and can learn to develop a sense of calm and concentration.  But most importantly, they have fun.

What exactly is children's yoga?

Like yoga for adults, yoga programs for children vary widely.  Yoga, which literally means "union" in Sanskrit, is essentially the practice of a series of postures or poses.  Each pose offers it's own unique physical benefits, and when done as a series, the poses help the body to develop strngth and flexibility and, according to many, also calm the mind.

There are many, many different yoga poses.  Most teachers and programs teach children only a few, and don't spend a lot of time focusing on achieving the perfect posture.  With kids, it's not about getting the pose completely right; it's about having fun with your body and feeling free to be silly.

In a kid's yoga class, you'll probably see children roaring and pretending to be lions when they learn lion's pose and barking like dogs as they attempt the downward dog pose.  Often, music and games are incorporated into children's yoga classes to encourage movement and fun.

Check out the following clips for two examples of what children's yoga might look like:

What benefits do children get from doing yoga?

According to Marsha Wenig of Yoga Journal, "children derive enormous benefits from yoga."  By practicing yoga, children can:

• develop body awareness
• improve their strength, flexibility, and coordination
• improve their concentration
• learn to relax more deeply
• develop a greater sense of calm
• enjoy exercise
• play more freely and with fewer inhibitions

Where can my children do yoga?

• BabyMoon Boutique in St. Charles offers both Parent/Baby and Kid's Yoga classes.  These classes were my first introduction to yoga for children (and to yoga in general) and my daughter and I both had a lot of fun.  Classes are offered as a 6-week series.   Unfortunately, the classes are often cancelled due to limited enrollment, so call them and let them know if you're interested!
• Masterpeace Studios in Crestwood  Plaza also offers a variety of yoga classes for children of all ages.  Programs include Mommy and Me Yoga for ages 9 months to 3 years, and Yoga and Art classes for both Elementary students and Teens.  I've never bee to Masterpeace Studios, but after previewing their website, I'm planning a visit soon.
• At home!  There are tons of yoga programs for kids on both DVD and CD.   YogaKids: For Ages 3-6 is one of our family's favorites because it includes lots of silly animal poses that get all of us laughing.  Even my toddler gets involved!

Or if you're looking for something a little more relaxing (to do before bedtime maybe?) consider a CD of calming, soothing yoga such as Namaste! Songs, Yoga & Meditations for Young Yogis, Children, & Families! 

CD's such as this one usually come with booklets to teach you the poses, and once you've helped your children master them, they can do them quietly (at least that's the idea) with the peaceful background music.

Whether you choose the fun, silly yoga or the calm, relaxing yoga -- whether you do it at home or join a class -- you can be assured that both you and your children will reap the rewards.

In our fast-paced world, we all need a chance to slow down and breathe.

Even our smallest citizens deserve this opportunity.  Namaste.

When Your Tea Parties Aren't So Fancy . . . There's Always Nancy

As the mother of a young girl, I've attended more tea parties than I can count.  Most haven't involved any actual tea, just me with dark circles under my eyes and a fluffy pink boa wrapped around the wrinkled, slept-in version of an outfit that only yesterday was acceptable to wear out of the house (which is what happens when you reach that point in your life where you decide that just taking off your pants actually qualifies as changing into your pajamas).  Most of my daughter's tea parties have included a set of plastic Disney princess dishes and the occasional plastic donut for me and about a dozen stuffed animals to snack on. 

Clearly, I've never made that much of an effort to make our tea parties fancy.  Until Nancy came along.

Fancy Nancy, that is.

If you have a school-aged daughter and you don't live under a rock, you've probably heard of Fancy Nancy.  The original book is the story of, you guessed it, a little girl named Nancy who loves to be fancy.  And it has seen such tremendous popularity that there is now a whole series of Fancy Nancy books.  One of the newest?  Fancy Nancy: Tea Parties. 

Now I really have to step up my game.

And I'm actually a little more excited about it than a thirty year-old woman should probably be.  But the book, like the others in the Fancy Nancy series, is adorable.  It's not a traditional, plot-driven Fancy Nancy story, but it is filled with beautiful pictures and simple, easy-to-follow recipes and party plans.  Whether you're planning a small tea party just for fun, or an entire tea party birthday extravaganza, Fancy Nancy: Tea Parties will give you tons of great ideas.


And if you're looking for even more examples to inspire your creativity, TwitterMoms is hosting a special blogging event featuring Fancy Nancy Tea Parties.

 Translation:  there are lots of mommy bloggers out there sharing pictures and ideas from their own recent tea parties.  Click on the giant-flashing-can't-miss Famcy Nancy button to the right of this post to find out more.  

A  few of the best posts on the subect (in my humble opinion) can be found at the following blogs:

• Bonggamom Finds  
• Mommy Mandy
• Sweet Tea and Biscuits
• Mommy's Memorandum

Okay, I've officially got some great ideas for one very posh tea party. 

Now it's just a question of when I'm going to get out of my pajamas.

St. Louis With Kids: Top Ten Can't Miss Destinations

St. Louis is home to wonderful attractions for families and kids of all ages to enjoy.  Some, like our many playgrounds, ice rinks, water parks, and shopping centers, are much like those found in cities across the country.  But others are truly unique, one-of-a-kind destinations that you won't find anywhere else.  They're the places that make St. Louis special, and make it such a great place for families to visit and live.

1. The St. Louis Zoo.  Sure, other cities have zoos, but only the St. Louis Zoo combines a world-class animal experience with free admission.  It's nearly impossible to see all the animals on one visit, but that's no big deal.  It's free, you can always come back tomorrow!    

2.  The St. Louis Science Center.  Rated as one of the top five science centers in the country, The St. Louis Science Center is home to more than seven hundred hands-on exhibits, as well as the Omnimax Theatre and the James S. McDonnell Planetarium.  It isn't my personal favorite, but then I don't really like science . . .

3.  The Magic House.  One of my favorite places, The Magic House is a great place for kids to play and explore.  You'll find tons of hands-on activities geared to every age group; even babies and toddlers can join the fun!

4.  Grant's Farm.  In my opinion, Grant's Farm is a St. Louis must.  At the historic farm, which was once owned by Ulysses S. Grant, you'll  take a tram ride alongside animals like bison, deer, and buffalo.  And, according to the website, they still offer complimentary samples of Anheuser-Busch products.  (Translation:  free beer.  Need a better reason to visit?)

5.  The City Museum.  The City Museum is, well, unique.  It's a self-described "eclectic mixture of children's playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel" that you just have to see to believe!

6.  Anheuser-Busch Brewery.  Obviously, kids under twenty-one aren't going to get to sample the beer.  But Anheuser-Busch is a St. Louis institution, and tours of their brewery offer a fascinating learning experience.  Plus, you can stop by the stables and see the infamous Budweiser Clydesdales.

7.  The Muny.  Nothing says St. Louis more than the Muny.  The nation's oldest and largest outdoor theatre is a summer tradition for young and old alike.  This summer, you can enjoy classic musicals like Cats and The Sound of Music, as well as the Muny premiere of Titanic: The Musical.

8.  Missouri Botanical Garden.  The Missouri Botanical Garden is home to a variety of beautiful plants and flowers, and is also considered "one of the world's top botanical and conservation institutions."  One of it's biggest draws for families is The Children's Garden, which opened in 2006, and offers over two acres of outdoor exploration and fun for the garden's littlest visitors.

9.  The Butterfly House.  Located in Faust Park, The Butterfly House offers visitors the opportunity to walk through an entire garden of freely flying butterflies.  And as an added bonus, if your kids aren't interested in the butterflies, Faust Park has a great playground and is home to The St. Louis Carousel. 

10.  The Gateway Arch.  No other city can boast anything close to the Arch.  Where else can you ride six hundred and thirty feet into the air to see a breathtaking view of the Mississippi Riverfront below?  Okay, full disclosure, I've never actually done this and don't ever intend to lock myself in a tiny box and ride that far away from the ground, but I've heard that, if you don't have claustrophobic and slightly paranoid tendencies, this is pretty cool.

Next time your kids are bored and you're looking for somewhere interesting to go, you don't have to look too far.  Just remember what amazing places we have right in our own backyard!