Thai Up Your Kitchen With Bok Choy

bok choy

Incorporate Bok Choy into your next Asian-inspired meal with these fabulous recipes.

My family recently joined a local produce co-op called Bountiful Baskets.  A produce co-op is a fantastic way to be introduced to new and exciting fruits and veggies. Most co-ops offer members the ability to use their buying power as a group to purchase products at wholesale or deeply discounted rates. This means you will get more bang for your buck in a co-op. Many local co-ops also will do their best to source products locally and from small farms so that the farmers get their fair share of ... Continue Reading

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Pick Your Battles with Picky Eaters

kid pout food

Here are some tips for making meal time fuss-free.

You did it.  You made a tasty new recipe, one that is certain to delight your entire family. You chopped the vegetables by hand, grilled the chicken to perfection and added just the right amount of spices to the sauce to make it taste irresistible. But when you put the plate of food down in front of your toddler, you are confronted with frowns and whines, a far cry from the smiles and cheers you were hoping for. He wants chicken and French fries, he says in a cry loud enough to inform the ... Continue Reading

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Get Cookin’ – Make a Meal Plan

child eating dinner

Several tools are available for the mom in need of help at meal time.

“Mom, what we havin’ for dinner?” Five words that are totally innocent, a question that is certainly valid, and yet, I admit that at times I feel panic. Or irritation. Or despair.  (I have to feed them again?) Ask any mother of children how much she enjoys preparing for mealtime; nine times out of ten you’ll get an “Ugh!” response.  And that tenth mom? She’s got a personal chef. But next time, don't despair. There are several tools available for the mom in need of help at meal ... Continue Reading

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Get Grocery Shopping: Easy Meal Planning

grocery shopping

Quick tips for easy meal planning by implementing a master grocery list.

Making a grocery shopping list isn't always easy, and sometimes can be a downright bore of a chore. But there are a few simple tips you can use to easily create your meal plan for the week - and save a little time and money in the process: Make a Master List One day I sat down and wrote out all the meals we like to eat. I made a list of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, side items, and snacks. I created this list so I could easily go down the list of foods to create our meal plan. This also ... Continue Reading

To Make A Second Meal or Not To Make a Second Meal: That is the Question

kid broccoli

Should you make another meal for the picky child in your house?

If there is one daily question in our house that is sure to get me aggravated, it's "What's for dinner?" This is because dinnertime has been, and continues to be a thing of frustration for me. Just the sound of the question drives me bananas.  Trying to accommodate the nutritional needs and eating preferences of 4 different people. So, dinnertime in our house kinda goes something like this. Kids eat 5:30PM. Parents eat anywhere from 6:30 to 7:30PM, (while the kids eat their fruits so at least ... Continue Reading

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Valentine’s Dinner for the Family at Home

Happy family having roast chicken dinner at table

Plan a special family Valentine’s Dinner with a restaurant at home.

Romance is in the air this time of year but with three children in tow, sometimes it can be tricky to find alone time to go out to a nice dinner with hubby. When we were dating, we'd plan our Valentine's dinner weeks in advance, making sure to secure a prime table at our favorite romantic dinner spot, complete with chocolate fountain and bubbly drinks. Nowadays, Valentine's Day takes on a different look, with chocolate kisses perched on the placemat of each son's spot at the table, alongside a ... Continue Reading

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New Year’s Eve Dinner in a Snap

nye dinner

Prepare a healthy and easy New Year’s Eve Dinner your family will love.

Every year we choose to stay in for New Year’s Eve and celebrate with our sons: less crowds, no driving on slippery roads and an incredible meal at a fraction of the cost. The only issue with staying home on New Year’s Eve is, you have to cook and clean, versus being waited on in a crowded restaurant. Here’s the perfect solution.  A couple of days before Ryan Seacrest kicks off the New Year, zip out to the store and get the ingredients for the celebration menu.  This meal is so easy to ... Continue Reading

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Avoid Frustration at the Dinner Table

child eating dinner

Learn the tips for avoiding frustration at the dinner table and getting your children to eat.

Part of our busy back to school preparations include dinner planning and healthy, delicious, quick meal ideas are always on a parent's most wanted list. We long for our time at the dinner table to go smoothly and for our kids to eat and actually enjoy what we've prepared. But, truth be told, all of us have at one time or another experienced frustration at the dinner table. You’ve painstakingly prepared a good meal only to find yourself bombarded with sounds of, "I’m not hungry" or "I don’t ... Continue Reading

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