We have four small kids and the biggest one is six. This will be the first year that all of them eat solid foods. So, our holiday traditions are evolving our family grows. But even though they’re still small, we’re starting two traditions this year. In fact, we’re doing it because they’re still small. Tradition 1:…
3 reasons why you should cook with your kids; Plus our favorite memory-making recipes for fall
Even though it usually takes longer. Even though it’s definitely messier. You should cook with your kids. Not every meal. Because time in the universe we live in, the one dictated by a 24-hour clock that just won’t budge no matter how hard I try to explain that I need at least two extra hours in the…
The Simple Way We Cut Fights, Made Bedtime Easier & Increased the Peace at Dinner
Sometimes I forget that I am the leader of this unit. That these tiny faces, the ones that look just like my own, are actually expecting me to set the tone, to explain the rules, to lead them through each and every day. Even when I’m tired out. Or hungry. Or just plain spent. That’s been happening…
Is this Square Sandwich Cutter Worth It?
Kitchen gadgets generally fall into one of two categories: Useful A complete waste of money (not to mention space) We tried the FunBites Square Shaped Food Cutter and… Love it. Category #1 for the win. How Does it Work? Make a regular sandwich–the cutter works best on something sticky like PB&J, instead of salami or…
Healthy School Lunch Ideas
Are your kids getting 5 servings of fruit & vegetables a day? That’s what experts recommend. At least. Sound hard? That’s where our healthy school lunch ideas come in. About lunch boxes My four kids love their PlanetBox lunchboxes. Made out of stainless steel, they’re practically indestructible and boy do they make food look nice….
12 Pictures of What 5 Servings of Fruit & Veggies a Day Looks Like for Kids
You know how we’re supposed to eat 5 servings of fruit & veggies a day? Adults should eat 5 servings, kids should eat 5 servings. Most of us aren’t. In 2013, the CDC found that most American adults and teens get somewhere around 1 serving of fruit and up to 1.6 servings of vegetables a day. At best,…
Why I’ll Never Buy Another Piñata: 5 Things I’ve Learned About Throwing Birthday Parties for Small Kids
We’ve jumped the gun so many times as parents. There was the time we took preschoolers camping. (They were scared, they had to go potty. Unzipping and zipping the tent a million times at night is less restful than you think.) When my husband tried to share a classic movie he enjoyed as a kid, “The Apple…
No Presents Please! How to Host a Food Drive Birthday Party
I CAN’T DECIDE WHAT I LIKE MORE about this food drive birthday party. Helping families in need or cutting down the clutter in our own house. (Selfish, true. Now back to the story!) For my kindergartener’s birthday party we’re asking friends not to bring presents. But to load up on groceries instead! It took a couple of…
“I don’t like it!” What I Do When They Won’t Even Take a Bite
“I JUST DON’T LIKE IT”, George said on his way to the table. That’s right. He wasn’t even sitting down yet. He had no idea what “it” was. But George is two and that’s his auto-response to MANY things, often including dinner. I knew it might be an uphill meal. He’s always tired at this time…
10 Ways to Introduce Veggies to Veggie-Phobes
GETTING KIDS TO EAT MORE VEGGIES IS NOT EASY. We have four small kids. One of them is a baby and at that magical stage where she opens her mouth like a little bird as I drop in spoonfuls of veggies. It’s so satisfying. I give her food, she eats it. But the other three? They have opinions. The opinions of…
7 Easy Cooking Projects for Kids
BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL PEOPLE in my house, I usually stick to straightforward recipes. But every once in a while a recipe is so simple the kids can practically cook it themselves. Those are the best. Armed with aprons, patience and a few more tips for cooking with small kids, here are a few of…
how to save time in the kitchen
I CAN’T ARGUE WITH HIM. In his book “Cooked”, Michael Pollan says “The most important thing you can do with your health is cook.” He says things like this a lot, and he doesn’t mean adding wheat germ to everything. “Eat anything you want,” he explains in this great little animated RSA video. “Just cook it yourself.” Cooking at home…
Less Sugar, More Veggies, Trying New Foods & Better Carbs: Our Family Food Goals for the Year
WISH YOUR FAMILY WOULD EAT BETTER? I feel the same way about mine. Looking for inspiration myself, I recently asked you guys, “When it comes to family food goals this year, what do you want to work on?” Then I posted a quick list on Facebook: Less sugar More veggies Trying new things More fiber & whole…
15 Foods I Stopped Buying When I Started Reading Labels
IT SOUNDS SO LAME. Reading labels in the grocery store. Who has the time? From the moment you lift the rascals into that race car shopping cart you’ve got about 10 minutes to whiz through the store before it gets ugly. You know time’s up as you question whether you REALLY need deodorant when it’s all the way on the…
Experts Say Kids Aren’t Getting Enough of 4 Most Important Nutritients
WITH SMALL KIDS IT CAN BE SUCH A STRUGGLE just to get them eating that sometimes nutrition gets lost in a kaleidoscope of organic cracker crumbs and leaky sippy cups. But flipping through the newest issue of Parent & Child magazine last night, this quote caught my eye. Lynn Brann, Ph.D. assistant professor of nutrition(Eiyo Nutrition)…
Our Kid-Friendly Thanksgiving Menu Plus Activities and Snacks
IT’S OUR FIRST THANKSGIVING AS A FAMILY OF SIX. And since our brood now includes four kids under the age of six (including one under six months), we’ve got a game plan for Thursday. And two grandparents in town to help. Here’s what’s in store: WEDNESDAY Pick up and prep the turkey. We’ll be brining…
What Food Banks Need Most (And What They Can’t Use)
Food banks can make the most out of cash donations but if you want to donate food, this is what food banks across the country need most: WHAT FOOD BANKS NEED MOST (Updated 2020) Soups, especially hearty meals like chili or stew Canned meat: chicken, tuna, ham, Vienna sausages Canned vegetables: potatoes, collard greens, beans,…
how I cook dinner, every single night: 10 tips for getting it done faster, easier and kid-friendly too
YOU KNOW HOW THE KIDS WANT DINNER EVERY NIGHT? This relentless demand is actually one of the things that TERRIFIED me before becoming a parent. In my NYC single days I often ate a PB&J or cereal for dinner. You know, with a bowl of ice cream later on. Perhaps in front of the TV. Sure, I…
food is love. pass it on.
SOMETHING EXCITING IS HAPPENING. A young pastor at our church asked me a question this Sunday. I say “young” because he’s the kind of guy who I used to think was, you know, just a guy. About my age. Then he said something like, “Awesome!” with just a little more pep than I expected and…
want kids to eat more veggies? try a 3-dip taste test
SOME KIDS LOVE EATING VEGETABLES. And, this may totally surprise you, some don’t. But almost all kids love condiments. Sweet, salty, gooey? Check, check and check! For a fast vegetable dish or a nutritious snack, I set out a bunch of organic baby carrots plus three “dipping sauces”. These can be anything. From hummus (homemade or from…