15 surprising Instant Pot recipes, from all-natural cough syrup to hand lotion to cheesecake. Whoa.
We love our Instant Pots, and why wouldn't we when the magical machine helps put healthy family dinners on the table in almost no time (faster than take out!) with minimal work? It's been a game changer for many of us, and it turns out that we don't have to limit the...
9 of the very best sloppy joe recipes that your family will love
Fall is officially sloppy joe season (it's not just me right?). If you don't already include sloppy joes in your weekly meal planning, please consider starting a new tradition. Not only are they super fast and easy to make, but they are also fan favorites. Like...
5 ways to save money on groceries using your Instant Pot
Everyone knows that the Instant Pot is a time saver. But, since getting in the habit of using mine beyond making quick dinners, I've come to learn that the popular kitchen gadget is also a money saver. Like, big time. These are my favorite ways to save money on...
Don’t throw it out! We found 11 smart ways to use expired baking soda around the house.
If you're anything like me, you buy a big box of baking soda when it's on sale and end up having lots leftover after it has expired. But even though it may not be fresh enough to bake with anymore, your money isn't all wasted. I found 11 smart ways to use expired...
How to cook pasta perfectly, even ahead of time
This is how I was taught to cook pasta perfectly, even ahead of time which, by the way, is lifesaving knowledge for any busy family cook. We typically eat pasta at least once a week, and thanks to this pasta-cooking trick, it's cooked to perfection every single time....
How to cook steak perfectly: 5 of the best steak recipes to make dinner sizzle
Unless you're vegetarian, it’s hard to resist a big, juicy steak every once and a while. I’m not a huge meat eater myself—I only eat red meat several times a month—so when I do, I want it to be good. Really good. A tender steak with a crispy, flavorful exterior always...
7 fall pasta salad recipes, because no one really wants this summer trend to end
During the lazy, hot days of summer, no one really wants to stand over a stove and that is why pasta salads are so brilliant. But let's be honest, once the fall routine starts up, there is not a lot of time or desire to be standing over a stove either. What makes a...
How to make perfect pesto every single time
Learning how to make perfect pesto will definitely save you money over store-bought brands, plus you avoid all the extra preservatives that you don't need. This is one of those cases where making your own fresh really is better than anything you can buy. As in, you'll...
How to make whipped cream. And some not-so-basic, but totally easy upgrades.
You don't need to wait for a holiday or special occasion to make whipped cream. Whipped cream is just that happy little thing that makes everything better - from your morning coffee to topping fruit for an after-school snack, to dressing up your hot chocolate...
5 creative ways to make family dinner work for your family. No judgment (or guilt) here!
By now, you have probably heard many times over about the importance of family dinner. And because of the pandemic lockdown, you may laugh to yourself and think, "we have had enough family dinners to last a lifetime." But as things are returning to "normal," family...
7 globally-inspired burger recipes that level up your burger game
By the time Labor Day rolls around, many of us are ready to stay close to home and reset. But this doesn't mean we are ready to pack up the grill! So rather than just throwing the same old burgers on the grill, we have been scouring our favorite food bloggers and...
4 simple meal plan approaches that might just make you try meal planning, finally.
It's back to school at my house, which means back to meal planning, but with grocery prices rising, I've been thinking about taking a different approach to "find something that looks good and just make it." I honestly can't afford to spend money on a meal that my kids...
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New year, new kitchen: 7 steps to a clean, better organized one for the New Year
When January 2nd rolls around, my kitchen is a mess. The fridge is stuffed full of random leftovers, and the pantry is overflowing with half-full boxes of crackers, cereal and snacks left behind from having all of the kids home 24/7 for almost a month. As daunting...
Whether you DIY or buy, we have 10 easy ideas for a beautiful Thanksgiving table. . . no crafting skills required.
This Thanksgiving, I'm ditching the "aspirational" Instagram feeds with their super-creative (and mind-boggling) table decor ideas that require either a big investment of money or time to achieve. Instead, I've decided to simplify beautifully with these easy...
How to tell if food is fresh: Awesome kitchen tricks
Have you ever opened a jar of half-used tomato sauce only to find furry white spots of mold floating on top? While some spoiled food is quite obvious—all you need do is open the container and take a whiff—others are less so. Especially pantry staples that you tend...
5 easy ways to drink more water, because we all need it
I'm not sure why it's so hard to drink our daily recommended amount of water, but it just is. I'm trying to do better this year and know that others at Cool Mom HQ are too, so I've found a few ways to make it a little easier. Because even when it's freezing cold...
5 foods you should never wash, plus 3 you should. A few surprised us!
The past few years of pandemic life have made us all a bit insane when it comes to washing things (I still sing 'happy birthday' in my head every time I wash my hands). And because of that, I'm not about to wash anything that doesn't absolutely need it. So I was...
Recipes
Next week’s meal plan: 5 easy recipes for busy January nights
This week, we have another round of weekly meal plan recommendations, with easy, low-stress meals your whole family will enjoy. These five recipes will get you through this week ahead easily and deliciously. So grab a pen or open your AnyList app, make your...
Over 40 Valentine’s treats you can make with a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
If you're looking to put a little love into your Valentine's Day treats this year, there's no need to run out and buy a cartful of special ingredients or gadgets. Just grab a few heart-shaped cookie cutters with a bunch of different-size hearts, then you can...
Eat Cho Food + the Lunar New Year
As of today, millions of people around the world celebrate the Lunar New Year, which officially begins January 22 in 2023. Last week, my family was pretty impressed with my Chinese food menu sourced from The Woks of Life, so much so that I decided to dive in again...
Next week’s meal plan: 5 easy recipes for the week ahead, from a soul warming roast to pasta with “Awesome Sauce”
It’s time to start thinking about your meal plan for next week. From a soul warming pot roast to pasta with Awesome Sauce, we’ve got five weeknight meals that will get you through the week ahead. So grab a pen, make your shopping list, and stock up before the...
6 easy and delicious black-eyed pea recipes for extra good luck in the New Year. Because who couldn’t use extra good luck?
Most southerners know that eating a dish of black-eyed peas is said to bring you good luck and prosperity in the new year. I feel like no matter where you live, this is a superstition we can all get behind. Not only are black-eyed peas good for you, but they are...