Online and in the shops

NASA super-food: The Quinola Mothergrain Kids range is 100% organic and gluten-free, with three flavours: Mediterranean Quinoa with tomato, courgette and carrot; Tex Mex Quinoa with kidney beans, sweetcorn and tomato; and Thai Quinoa with peas, carrots and coconut milk. 

Suitable for ages three to 11, each €2.49 pack serves as a main meal for one, or as a side dish. Quinoa is a nutritious, grain-like crop, cultivated by the Incas. NASA have earmarked quinoa as a super-food for deep-space missions.

There’s also a Quinola baby-food range and the quinoa is Fairtrade and sourced from the Cabana co-operative in Peru; for stockists, visit www.quinola.com

All’s fair: Fairtrade ensures a fair price for producers, good working conditions and improved environmental practices in food production. Fairtrade Fortnight 2015 continues until March 8; see www.fairtrade.ie

The four-day St Patrick’s Festival will begin next Saturday morning, in Dublin, with the Festival Treasure Hunt, which is a free trail through the city’s landmark buildings. Junior festival-goers will enjoy the SFi ‘discover science zone’, the UNESCO ‘literary zone’ and the urban pet farm (during the free Big Day Out in Merrion Square on Sunday).

Three giant dolls will descend on the streets of the capital on Monday, while D’Grand Marshal, Brendan O’Carroll, will lead the parade on Tuesday; www.stpatricksfestival.ie

Golden moments: Milestone’s 30 baby cards can be used to capture your baby’s first year in memorable moments.

Add a card to your baby pictures and you will never forget when your little one slept through the night, rolled over, or said ‘mama’ for the first time. At €16.99, it’s an affordable Mother’s Day gift. Available from Little Ones in Ennis; www.littleones.ie

Petit bebe: In France, nine out of 10 newborn babies are given their own Sophie La girafe. Now 50 years old, the sweet little teether has also become a favourite here.

The Dorling Kindersley board books for babies and toddlers feature Sophie and her friends: Lazare the cat, Kiwi the bird, Margot the turtle, Josephine the mouse, and Gabin the bear. Two new titles are Pop-Up Peekaboo Happy Birthday Sophie, €7.99, and Peekaboo ABC, €6.99; www.dk.com/uk/sophie-la-girafe