When my cousin and I went for sushi, we were seated at a tiny table with a wobbly leg that left my chopsticks rolling around. That is, until he showed me how to make a rest for my chopsticks out of the wrapper. Now I'm passing along my knowledge of what might just be the world's most functional origami piece. Read on to make your own.
Unique Utensils
It's hard to keep kids seated at the table with all the holiday hoopla, so pull a few tricks out of your purse that will keep them entertained and eating. In addition to providing fun at family dinners, they also help calm kids in restaurants.
- Chopstick Kids — Available in a pink girl or a red boy, these washable melamine chopsticks are easy to use and double as lil stilt walkers.
- Bambu Utensils — The eco-friendly and durable organic bamboo forks and spoons are made for small hands
- Dinnersaurs — For the budding archaeologist, there's prehistoric silverware. The Spoonosaurus and Tricerafork are ergonomically designed.
- 3-Piece Flatware Set — Bound together and easily taken a part, this flatware set includes a generous scoop spoon, a fork, and dulled toddler knife.
- Puppet Flatware Set — It's flatware that does double duty. Children can play puppets while wearing them on their fingers and then take them off to eat their meal.
- Clothespin Chopsticks —Washable acrylic chopsticks are a great way to encourage dexterity development in kids by pinching the clothespin.
- 3-Piece Jingle Flatware Set — The stainless-steel and polypropylene three-piece sets come in just about every shade, and they snap together on a rubber ring.
Would You Wear An Eco-Friendly Chopstick Bra?
This just in from Japan: Yummy-looking, chopstick-friendly lingerie. The cups of this bra serve up Japanese rice and soup bowls, while the sides of the bra store chopsticks for eco-friendly eating on the go. Why be wasteful and use disposable wood chopsticks, when you can reuse the plastic pair tucked safely away in your bra? It makes (some) sense, but could you actually equip your chest with chopsticks?
Restless Chopsticks: Love It or Hate It?
Better Living Through Design recently posted about these Restless Chopsticks. They're uniquely shaped with a thinner tip that doesn't touch the table. Designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, they're really quite clever. This way, the part that goes in your mouth doesn't have to touch the table. I like them, but what about you? What do you think of these Restless Chopsticks? Available in mustard, red, black, or off-white for $12 each.
Yummy Links: From Hung Huynh to Tomato-Cheese Tarts
- This interview with Top Chef finalist Hung Huynh really brings out his personality. - They Cook. We Dish.
- You'd be surprised by how easily this delicious-looking baked tofu comes together. - FitSugar
- Inspired by his "Top Chef" appearance, chef Eric Ripert offers his recipe for Grilled Trout with Sauce Vierge and Potato and Leek. - Secret Sauce
- No matter how you put it, peanut butter and chocolate chips always work, even in muffins. - Baking Bites
- These beautiful Gien fashion plates will look great on your walls, but will be really striking on your dinner table too. - CasaSugar
- Crack these disposable chopsticks apart and edible gold leaf spills out. - Slashfood
- Want to know what you can do with leftover cheese, black bananas or brown vegetables? - Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen
- A bit of puff pastry and some fresh tomatoes brings you tomato-cheese tartlets. - Serious Eats
The How-To Lounge: Using Chopsticks

Are you a sushi fan like me? Or do you eat a lot of Chinese food? If so, it's important to know how to use chopsticks like a pro, so here are some easy tips to refresh your memory.
Click here to read more
Yummy Link: Three Pronged Chopsticks
If you're still trying to master the art of the chopstick, perhaps these three prong chopsticks might help you out. - Eternally Cool via Tastespotting
Yummy Links: From Ratatouille Wine to Travel Chopsticks
- Looks like Disney's cashing in on Ratatouille by launching their own branded wines and cheese platters. - Serious Eats
- Cooking hot dogs just got a little bit cuter thanks to the barking hot dog cooker. - Baking Bites
- PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has given the title of "sexiest vegetarian" to Carrie Underwood and Kevin Eubanks. - Slashfood
- I love sushi, but even I might think twice about horse meat sushi. - Chow
- If you're interested, here's a list of restaurants where this season's Top Chef contestants worked. - Zagat
- Harold McGee's amazing On Food and Cooking is now fully indexed online. - Apartment Therapy Kitchen
- Three new Chinese cookbooks will let you bring authentic recipes home. - Culinate
- If you're planning a trip and want to take your own chopsticks, here are six sets of travel chopsticks to choose from. - NotCot

