Product Review - Baby Bottles - Dr. Brown's Options Narrow

I have been testing this bottle for a few months and finally have time to upload a video about it. This post is not sponsored, I received a sample bottle for free when I signed up for a mailing list. 

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Dr. Brown's released a new bottle this year that is supposed to address the concerns from their previous line: large bulky body, too many parts to wash, doesn't work without the vent. See my last bottle review for a refresher. Here are my thoughts.

Photo from Dr. Brown's site

Dr. Brown's Options Narrow Bottle - 4 oz

The bottle is meant to work with or without vent by having a different type of nipple and ring that does not leak, pretty much what Avent does. The body is slimmer which is a very nice modification even compared to Avent.

Video version of my review here:

Photo from Dr. Brown's site

Photo from Dr. Brown's site

However, the cons of this bottle are that it has a small and narrow nipple. The soft nipple with a large base was Dr. Brown's biggest selling point as it was closest to the real breast. This new Options bottle loses that feature which is unfortunate because having the ability to use the bottle without vent isn't a strong enough selling point versus the realistic nipple. While the bottle can be used without vent, the flow is significantly slower without the vent. So to really optimize the performance, you should still use it with the vent, thus there would still be as many parts to wash. 

Overall, I think Dr. Brown's is making progress with the new design. A slimmer body is a good feature. But the other improvements are not enough to get me to switch from Avent. 

Memorial Day Weekend 2016 - South Lake Tahoe

We spent Memorial Day weekend in South Lake Tahoe with a group of friends in an AirBnB with a pool table, fooseball table, jacuzzi, and a backyard grill. After braving 7 hours of traffic with dog and baby in tow, we got to the house at around 9PM.


Lake Tahoe's water is always cold as it's melted snow. But we tried anyway and came to Kiva Dog Beach in our swim suits. The water was freezing and only the dog played around up to his belly. Luckily the park offers a scenic stroll and our trip was still relaxing.



Crab cake eggs benedict and crispy duck salad at Artemis Lakefront Cafe then back home for a baby nap. Our friends arrived shortly after and we grilled up some grass fed steaks while catching the Warriors vs. Thunder game 6. Woot!

Video blog recap of Day 1.

The next day, our group hiked the trail at Van Sickle Bi-State Park. We got as far as the waterfall and turned back because it was hot and I was worried the baby and dog would be tired. It was still a good hike and I highly recommend it. Entrance and parking is free.

Had a decent lunch at Lucky Beaver.

Then the really fun stuff started. We went fishing at Tahoe Trout Farm. It's free to enter and get the pole and bait. You just pay for the size of the fish. You can't toss any back but you can donate it to feed baby bears.

Phil caught 2. A few other friends caught 5 more. We donated 1 and took the 6 home. They clean it for $1 each + tip.

Back at the house, we had a fish cook off and the Fish and Chips won! Everything was tasty. A great time was had by all!

Here's the video summary of day 2 with fishing action.

Portland 2016 Recap Part 2 - All the vlogs

The last post would be too long if I put in all the video blogs so here's a recap of Portland in video form. Enjoy!

Maui 2016 - Egg Fruit, Mama's Fish House Beach, Old Lahaina Luau

 

Another chill day in Maui. We took our sweet time leaving the apartment on this day because we were going to a luau at night that would end at 8:30PM and was an hour drive away. Not late for some but definitely late in baby time. I had every intention of letting Little Bear take his day time naps but he decided naps are for losers so off we went to lunch instead.

We ate at Down to Earth which is a grocery store with a hot food bar like Whole Foods. I couldn't resist buying this egg fruit because when else would I come across strange fruit? It was no good. Tastes like a dry, mealy, avocado. OR as it is described on Google searches, tastes like a boiled egg yolk, hence the name egg fruit.

For a video of me eating this egg fruit, watch this Youtube vlog.

Phil's veggie burrito

Veggie hot dogs. I really like veggie hot dogs. Same flavor without any of the miscellaneous animal bits. You know it isn't always choice cuts in hot dogs.

Huge white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie. I have no regrets at all. This was worth all the calories.

The cookie was balanced by a modest selection of salads.

After lunch we took a quick dip in the ocean at the beach then it was off to the Old Lahaina Luau. Cost $110 per person. 

The activities before the luau were fun. I took a quick hula dancing lesson, learned about traditional instruments, and just explored the beautiful property.

Drinks are included in the expensive ticket so fill up and often on tropical drinks.

The buffet of traditional Hawaiian food was just ok. It's buffet so I had low standards. Everything was over salted. I did like the ahi poke and fruits. It felt a bit rushed and they consolidated what was left of the food to one buffet line after everyone had a first helping. I thought we would have time to relax with our food but the hula show started and it felt rude to be up and about at the buffet.

Our family had a good time anyway. It was my first luau and I thought it was fine. I won't need a second trip though. It's just an overpriced buffet after all. Little Bear took no naps that day except snippets in the car and he didn't get put to bed until 1.5hrs past bedtime so someone was a major fussy bear. Fussy bear, fussy bear, why are you so fussy? (sing that in to the Smelly Cat tune)

Maui 2016 - Maui Swap Meet, Kihei Caffe, Baldwin Beach

Not much to write about for this day in Maui. We had macadamia nut and banana pancakes and it was glorious. Followed by more beach time!

For a video version of this post, watch this Youtube vlog.

We started the day at the Maui Swap Meet which is like a big farmer's market. I didn't take many pictures but the vlog has more scenes. Here are the fruits I bought: cherimoya, longan, and rambutan.

Then it was over to Kihei Caffe for macadamia nut and banana pancakes drizzled with a palm sugar(?) or coconutty tasting syrup which I loved. These were very satisfying.

Phil also got a healthy green smoothie. It was very refreshing.

Then we tried Baldwin Beach near our house. The waves are stronger here but there's a small part of it blocked off by rocks that makes a little baby section. This beach was close to our AirBnB and has waves for everyone.

Maui 2016 - Iao Valley State Park, Baby Beach, and Ululani's Shave Ice

On this day, we hiked, or what can only be considered a short leisure walk, in Iao Valley State Park to see The Needle at the top.

For a video version of this post, watch this Youtube vlog.

There it is. A little underwhelming but it was still a nice time outside with the little bear. It only cost $5 to park the car and took 30-40 mins drive from our apartment. At least we got these nice photos out of it.

Then it was off for lunch at Poi by the Pound, traditional Hawaiian food for catering or dine in.

Half and half spicy ahi poke and shoyu ahi poke salad. It was pretty good but not the best I've had. Also it was not very filling. 

 These are traditional sides that go with most Hawaiian meals. On top is poi which is pounded taro root. I was not a fan of it. There was no flavor and it felt slimey and mealy. The chicken noodle soup at the bottom is quite good. 

Here is a traditional Hawaiian plate. Laulau is pork wrapped in steamed taro leaves. On the right is barbeque pig which is usually cooked underground. On the left is macaroni salad. 

Overall, we though Poi by the Pound was just alright.

Ululani Shave Ice

After going to Baby Beach in Lahaina, we stopped by a very popular shave ice spot, Ululani's. 

This is a small with three flavors (red velvet, wedding cake, and lemonade). There is a snow cap which is condensed milk poured on top.

I got the micro size with a scoop of macadamia nut ice cream underneath. My flavors were mango, lychee, and guava. I also got the snow cap on top with fresh pieces of mochi.

Maui 2016 - Lunch at Mama's Fish House and AirBnB in Haiku-Pauwela

Day 4 in Maui is somewhat chill. We switched to another AirBnB in Haiku-Pauwela. If we were stuck doing local things because we had a baby, we figured moving apartments would help us explore a new neighborhood. Before moving, we had lunch at a very popular restaurant called Mama's Fish House.

For a video version of this post which does not include any information on the food here, you can watch this Youtube vlog.

Mama's Fish House has valet parking and their own small beach out front which is open to the public. The interior is beautifully decorated in a tiki-style and there are many framed photos of celebrities who have dined here. Since their suppliers are local fishermen, the restaurant menu changes every day according to what the fishermen haul.

Left: ($10) non-alcoholic blended guava colada

right: ($16) Plantation Punch with pineapple, lime, and orange juices with island rum

Complimentary fresh baked mini loaf of poppy seed honey bread and bisque to start the meal.

($30) Grilled He'e (octopus) - on a bed of radishes, some citrus and olive oil on top, with Hawaiian avocado sides. I thought the octopus was really good and tender with just the right amount of char. The portion size is just small.

($36) Kauai Prawns - with lemon, white wine, and caper sauce. The prawns were really sweet with springy tender flesh and prepared simply so as to showcase its natural flavors. However, I was still really hungry afterwards.

($49) Ono, Mahimahi, and Ahi fishes in Penang curry - this was the most filling portion we go albeit the most expensive dish too. All the fishes were very good and I liked the cubes of taro in the soup. There is a scoop of rice in there and some condiments on the side to go with it.

Mama's Fish House is worth the visit if you want to know what the hype is about but I wouldn't suggest a second visit. It's too expensive and with very small portions to really justify multiple visits.

Do spend time enjoying the secluded beach in front of the restaurant before or after your meal.