Favorite family recipes for the end of summer rush: Weekly Meal Plan Ideas #31
It feels like life comes at us fast and hard at back to school season. The lazy days of summer are winding down, and there is an amped up level of stress as routines start back up. One thing that helps make things way less stressful for me is to take some time to meal...
The essential school lunch shopping list: Everything you need in your pantry + fridge | Back to School Guide
This past year we all spent a good amount of time and thought into prepping our pantry for an emergency - but now as we head back to school our pantries may not be stocked very well for every day snacks and packing lunches. So we have updated of one of our favorite...
Lunch bags for teens and big kids who are too cool for lunch boxes now | Back to School Guide
As my kids have gotten older, I've shopped more for lunch bags for teens, because the lunch box has gotten less and less cool. Which is really kind of sad because, holy cow, there are some super cute lunchboxes out there. My high school kids were always so happy that...
5 meals that feature the summer bounty of zucchini | 2021 meal plan ideas #30
A few months ago, I decided to join our Cool Mom Picks WeTime project and plant my own vegetable garden. My rookie mistake was planting 6 mounds of zucchini seeds. I truly do not understand the remarkable ability of this little plant to pump out so much fruit (yes,...
The best way to clean your kids’ lunch boxes in the age of Covid: It’s easier than you think.
In the past, we've written about how to clean our kids lunch boxes safely, say if a banana gets left in there over the weekend or a container of spaghetti somehow gets tossed back in without a lid. But this year, we may be pulling out a lunchbox that hasn't been used...
Sweet and celebratory allergy-free birthday cake ideas for kids with strict food restrictions
I've had to navigate the world of food allergies with my kids for almost two decades, but not eating eggs and dairy seems like a walk in the park compared to some families whose kids have to avoid eating all major food allergens to be safe and healthy. And that can...
5 dinners featuring the best of August produce | 2021 meal plan ideas #29
It's already August and my youngest child starts school tomorrow—gasp!—but I'm holding on to summer a little longer with these meal plan ideas that use August produce. Because fresh, light dinners with loads of veggies in them are going to power us through this hot,...
10 craft canned mocktails for easy summer (or anytime) entertaining
As more of us, like Kristen, are thinking about drinking less these days, I've been looking for some festive canned mocktails (or, hey, bottles are fine too) I can add to the drink offerings when we host. For our friends or family who don't or can't drink alcohol,...
10 of our most popular summer-themed recipes, tips, tricks, and more!
Summer is in full swing, and we're enjoying a bit of time with our families this week. We're sharing the 10 most popular recipes, tips, tricks, and ideas that you may have missed. From lemonade stand tips to tasty store-bought popsicle recommendations to watermelon...
5 fantastic dinners featuring summer veggies | 2021 meal plan ideas #27
We've been grilling a lot this summer and eating our fair share of tacos, too. But after my mom called, raving about the absolute perfection of the fresh veggies she got at the farmer's market this week, I wanted to focus on summer veggies for our meals this week....
The eco-friendly portable charcoal grilling system that saved my camping trip
Last week, we packed up our kids for a quick four-day camping trip to Crater Lake, Oregon. As I was prepping all of the meals -- which included all things that you could cook in a campfire for three meals a day -- it occurred to me that due to the wildfire...
5 cast iron skillet dinner recipes | Weekly Meal Plan Ideas #26
As I was prepping camping meals for our impromptu camping trip last week, I got to thinking that I should totally be using my cast iron skillet way more in my everyday meal planning. There are a ton of benefits to cooking in a cast iron skillet, including the fact...
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I took my son to occupational therapy for his picky eating, and here’s how it went
Does anyone remember Jan's evaluation of Michael from The Office? "I've run out of carrots. I've run out of sticks. Michael has one again proven himself to be an unmanageable employee." After years of trying to feed my picky eater, I started thinking about that...
5 kitchen organization tips for those of us who need to refresh our space
After so much time at home with the kids this past year, let's just say that my kitchen is not its best self right now. (Neither are the parents here, but that's another story!) So I've been gathering tips, tricks, and products for reorganizing my workspace, and I...
The best way to clean your kids’ lunch boxes in the age of Covid: It’s easier than you think.
In the past, we've written about how to clean our kids lunch boxes safely, say if a banana gets left in there over the weekend or a container of spaghetti somehow gets tossed back in without a lid. But this year, we may be pulling out a lunchbox that hasn't been...
How long can food be left out in the summer before it spoils (and ruins the party)? Here’s a handy list.
Summer’s here! That means I'm thinking about all of those picnics, beach parties, and backyard barbecues — and also food safety. I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but the CDC estimates that 48 million people get sick from food borne diseases each year in the United...
We found the easiest new way to recycle old cookware, bakeware, and cutlery, right from home
When I found out that Terracycle and Calphalon have partnered on a new, absolutely free program to recycle old cookware, bakeware, and cutlery, I immediately joined. We've been talking about somme of the increasingly eco-friendly changes we've all been making in...
Recipes
14 delicious pumpkin dinner recipes that don’t include pumpkin spice, in case you’ve had enough of a good thing
I adore pumpkin spice but may have maxed out on it this year after enjoying it in everything from coffee to bagels to Cheerios ever since the first leaf turned red. But that doesn't mean I should back off on enjoying pumpkin on its own since this nutritious squash...
Tasty tailgating recipes so good, we’re adding “tailgate night” to our weekly dinner rotation.
Want fun, unexpected dinner ideas now that it's starting to feel like fall? Tailgating recipes! For real. Spread a picnic cloth across your table or kitchen counter, and try these tasty tailgating menu items for a snackable dinner your whole family will enjoy....
12 fall flavor smoothies that blend right into the season
My tastebuds follow the seasons which is why I'll be hooked on all things pumpkin-apple-squash for approximately two more months before transitioning to peppermint-gingerbread-eggnog flavors. And I've found ways to blend these seasonal foods into 12 fall flavor...
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with delicious recipes from diverse Hispanic food blogs
When non-Hispanic Americans think of traditionally Hispanic food, tacos probably come to mind first. Maybe Guacamole. Mayyyybe Burritos. And sure, those foods are all delicious, but that's kind of like limiting yourself to French Fries and Belgian Waffles when it...
6 sauces that can do double-duty for meat lovers and vegetarians
Lately I've been on a journey to find easy sauces that work well for both meat lovers and vegetarians. Because though my family isn't always on the same page about meals, one thing I've learned from having a picky eater is that becoming a short-order cook is not...
