February 22, 2013 I love those expensive candy bars that have pieces of dried fruits and nuts in them. I seriously have to restrain myself from buying one or three when I’m grocery shopping each week. Many of them are fairly expensive and I started to think … I could make one just as delicious…
March 15, 2013 Growing up, oil meant my Mom’s basic vegetable oil she used for everything. Nowadays we are lucky to have the options of so many healthy oils to use for cooking and dipping – and even for our skin and hair. But with so many choices it’s hard to know what to buy….
February 25, 2013 Many families from the north are probably sick of looking at all the snow. However, here in Oklahoma, we are getting our first real snow of the season. As a child, snow ice cream was a must anytime that the weather turned frigid. But now there are more unique recipes that use…
March 8, 2013 The beginning of the year has already shown what’s in store for food trends this year. We are on the same course as the last few years of being more aware of what’s healthy and what is not. And, according to USA Today, food trends for 2013 will lean towards heritage foods…
March 4, 2013 I am always on the lookout for fun recipes that are both simple and tasty. Any recipe that lets me get the kids in the kitchen is a real winner – and these Hootenanny Pancakes win a blue ribbon in the fun, tasty, and kid-friendly department. This recipe is so simple to…
March 29, 2013 Plain white cupcakes are the base to many colorful ideas. Want to go beyond bright frosting without changing the flavor? Try putting something inside! The trend first started with people putting sprinkles in their batter that would explode during baking. Now, bakers are thinking of new ways to colorize their cupcakes. I…
March 9, 2013 My family enjoys a good, meatless meal several times a week. I’m picky about the meatless meals I serve. They need to be delicious and filling. With two teenagers and a hungry husband, they want a meal that doesn’t leave them hungry. And, at the same time, I want a recipe that’s…
March 15, 2013 Whether you’ve a touch of the Irish in your genes or not, nearly everyone celebrates St. Patrick’s Day by wearing, eating and drinking green. While green mashed potatoes don’t really sound appetizing, many green drinks (alcoholic and non) are delicious. It wouldn’t be St. Patty’s Day without a good drink and the…
March 22, 2013 It’s that time of year … Easter baskets overflowing with Peeps, jelly beans, chocolate eggs and Cadbury creams. According to the National Confectioners Association, last Easter, 700 million marshmallow Peeps, 16 billion jelly beans and 90 million chocolate bunnies were sold. Easter morning often means a sugar high for the kids, but once…
March 14, 2013 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…
March 19, 2013 When you think of health food the last thing that probably comes to your mind is brownies. However, this gooey, chocolatey delight can be made with a healthy ingredient that really packs a nutritious punch- the beet. Beets are naturally sweet and incredibly high in sugar. In fact, beets are the second…
March 22, 2013 Brussels sprouts can be an acquired taste for some. But half the battle is knowing how to cook them properly. Some people just drop them in a pan of boiling water and boil them until there is very little of the delicious taste left to them. Soggy, bland Brussels sprouts are not…
March 27, 2013 I recently found myself with an over abundance of garlic. I had 4 heads of garlic in my kitchen that needed to be used, but what on Earth could I cook with so much garlic? That is when I discovered 40 clove garlic chicken. Initially I was skeptical of a dish with…
June 7, 2013 Everywhere we turn, there’s another new diet or eating plan making the rounds. Choosing a weight loss plan can be confusing. To have the most success, it has to be viable long term, include foods you enjoy, not leave you feeling deprived, AND fit into your lifestyle. With the vast choices of…
April 5, 2013 Eggplant is one of those vegetables that no one in my family likes but me. That doesn’t mean that I have to do without enjoying one of my favorite vegetables though. Every now and then, I treat myself to a delicious lunch using a recipe that includes eggplant. This time, I have…
February 28, 2017 As far back as I can remember, my father has gardened and encouraged me to join him. Once I became an adult, it seemed only natural to create a garden of my own. I realized that gardening is something I want my children to enjoy as they got older, too. If you’d…
April 11, 2017 When it’s time to transition from heavy winter dishes like soups and stews, to lighter salads and stir fry dishes for spring,using fresh, in-season ingredients is the way to go. Fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables taste better than frozen or canned and provide amazing nutrients too. The spring produce in your grocery store or…
April 10, 2017 Looking to get away in the next few months? Why not think beyond the usual beach, camping, or city escape? Pick a trip that engages your mind, body, and soul by including a focus on fitness. Whether you are a novice looking to shed a few pounds, a weekend warrior who wants…
April 19, 2017 It’s easy to get your preschooler interested in gardening and growing plants with a few easy gardening crafts. An interest in gardening at a young age can turn into a lifelong passion, and now it the perfect time to start. Since your preschooler’s attention span is relatively short, you should start out with small…
May 5, 2017 Have you ever gone berry picking with kids before? Years ago, I would go by myself, spending a quiet afternoon outdoors in a berry patch. I enjoyed time in the sunshine and being able to commune with nature. A few years later, when the kids were older, I decided that it would be fun to take them…
May 19, 2017 Does reading about yet another food recall make you want to grow more of your own produce? Whether you have a large yard, a small apartment balcony, or something in between, you can grow a variety of vegetables and herbs. You may even discover that you have a passion for gardening—and an…
April 25, 2017 Sandy Coughlin created the website, Reluctant Entertainer—but she’s an enthusiastic entertainer herself. When she was growing her mother entertained often, and Sandy loves cooking, inviting friends and family, and hosting large, exuberant meals. For Coughlin, hospitality is about much more than the food, it’s about creating connections and building community. When she realized…
May 8, 2017 I’m sharing these simple ways to cut back on coffee because it’s something I’ve struggled with. When I first started drinking coffee, I had two cups a day. That’s it. I never felt the urge to have more than that, and some days I only had one. But slowly, over time, I…
May 1, 2017 This post is sponsored by Tropicana. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is important for moms, but sometimes it’s just too easy to grab food from the drive-through or to snack off your kids’ plates. Your stomach suffers, and you end up feeling worse than ever. I don’t know about you, but the last…
May 15, 2017 Blueberries aren’t just delicious, they’re packed with Vitamins C, E and A, and rich in antioxidants, too. These ingredients are thought to diminish signs of aging, maintain healthy hair and skin, fight dark spots, and increase circulatory health–which means fewer varicose veins. Did you know that the little blueberry even eases hormone-induced breakouts?…
June 1, 2017 Leah Segedie doesn’t have a whole lot of down time. She lives in Simi Valley, California, with her husband and three boys, aged five, eight, and eleven. She created the website, Mamavation, which promotes health and environmental sustainability, and connects mom bloggers with healthy and eco-friendly brands. To help unite and build…
June 13, 2017 Pineapples are everywhere right now. You’ll find this symbol of hospitality not only in the fruit section of your grocery store, but adorning the shelves of home décor stores, on stationary, and even decorating and bedazzling t-shirts and other clothing. Admit it, you love them. Now, if you could just find a…
August 17, 2017 I’ll let you in on a secret. I’ve had a love affair with coffee for years. I don’t just mean that I look forward to my first cup in the morning. I view drinking coffee as a bit of an art form. I research flavors, terms, brands. and brewing methods. I have…
August 1, 2017 Let me be clear, there are a lot of diets out there. The Blue Zone diet isn’t one of them. Eating the Blue Zone diet isn’t about only eating just carbs or protein; instead, it’s a lifestyle change. The Blue Zone diet revolves around the idea of longevity and five regions throughout…
August 22, 2017 Heading off on an end-of-summer camping trip? Here are seven camp food hacks to make easy meals in a campfire kitchen. From mason jar oatmeal to cinnamon buns on a stick, these tasty hacks make campfire cooking a cinch. Recycle Condiment Squeeze Bottles Clean and save empty condiment squeeze bottles for your…
August 28, 2017 If your family prefers white bread, white rice, and traditional pasta, you may be wondering how you can introduce more whole grains at mealtime. While it’s important to limit grains in general, it’s much better to eat whole grains than their heavily processed counterparts. Of course, if your family is used to…
September 7, 2017 Now that back-to-school season is here, you may be wondering how to save time in the kitchen. Between after-school activities and homework, there’s far less time to make dinner during the school year. I don’t want to sacrifice quality when it comes to what I serve my family, but there isn’t time…
September 13, 2017 The kids are back to school and the air is turning a little brisker. Now is the perfect time to spruce up your home and make simple seasonal changes in your decor. Pumpkins and mums on the front steps? Sure thing! But there are many more steps you can take to add…
September 18, 2017 You’ve probably heard that probiotics promote digestive health by providing healthy bacteria that aid digestion and boost the immune system. But you don’t have to take a supplement to add probiotics to your diet. Eat fermented foods instead! Here are a few of my favorites. Kefir Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that tastes…
October 16, 2017 We all know garlic is tasty, but it also has amazing health benefits. Many studies have shown that the allicin in garlic is healthy in many ways. Garlic is packed with vitamins; it can also limit cholesterol, boost immunity, improve bone health, and reduce the risk of heart disease. The more you cook…
October 19, 2017 Halloween promises delicious food, treats, costumes, and an overall silliness that seems to linger in the air. But not all parents feel comfortable with the idea of trick-or-treating. There have been incidents over the years that have made some reluctant to have children accept candy from neighbors and strangers. Fortunately, there are…
September 18, 2017 This article is sponsored by Mama Lucia Meatballs. I’m the first to admit that dinners at my house are chaotic. I love the idea of sitting down with my family for a home-cooked meal, with all of us sharing about the day. Unfortunately, that’s almost never a reality! We typically grab something…
October 4, 2017 Holidays are a time of family meals and festive treats; it’s also a time when many of us permit ourselves a little splurge. Still, it’s possible to make holiday meals a little healthier with these simple tips. Sour Cream Substitute Whether you’re topping a baked potato or making your favorite dip recipe,…
November 2, 2017 Hawaii plays host to so many festivals—from the traditional to the quirky. There’s a fit for every interest and a festival for every family under the tropical sunshine. If you’re looking to go beyond the standard tourist sights, planning a trip around a festival gives you a chance to meet the locals,…
November 14, 2017 It’s so easy to send the kids off to watch TV while you prepare holiday meals (or a weekend dinner) isn’t it? But as a mom whose kids don’t know much about cooking, I wish I had brought them into the kitchen earlier and more often. Teaching cooking tips, sharing the work,…
November 18, 2017 The holiday season is here—which can be both exciting and anxiety-producing. In theory, it’s wonderful for everyone to gather and be festive, but the reality is that bringing many people together can be stressful. While you can’t anticipate or prevent all conflicts or hurt feelings, you can follow some rules to maintain…
December 9, 2017 The holidays often mean too much food and too little healthy living. During the holiday season, we tend to go out more and stay up late; to spend time drinking hot chocolate in front of the fire and snacking on Christmas cookies. All of that holiday living may mean we need a…
January 3, 2018 Frigid weather outside calls for warm lunch inside. Skip the sandwiches with their utterly cold cuts and pack a hearty meal in a container that promises to keep it warm. Our family’s go-to lunchbox system is the Vaya Tiffin—a functional and versatile container that keeps wholesome lunches warm—but any insulated food jar will…
January 8, 2018 We read about it daily: the white refined sugar we put in our coffee, add to our baked goods, and consume in most processed products is one of the worst foods we can eat. Eliminating sugar entirely is difficult for most people, but we can cut back significantly with a little conscious…
February 8, 2018 The 2018 Winter Olympic Games will be held from February 9th to 25th—which means you have just enough time to prepare a fantastic party for the Opening Ceremony. Whether it’s small and intimate or a gathering of friends and family, you can get in on the action and support the athletes competing…