October 20, 2016 There’s something about comfort food that’s, well, comforting. The weather cools down, and that means we can turn on the oven again. I start making more casseroles, baked goods, and hearty soups when the weather is cooler. Of course, depending on how you make your favorite fall foods, you can easily add…
October 31, 2016 You’ve probably already carved your pumpkins for Halloween, but hopefully you saved the seeds! It turns out that pumpkin seeds are packed with nutrition. According to the USDA Nutritional Database, a cup of roasted pumpkin seeds contains approximately 285 calories, 12 grams of protein, 12.5 grams of fat, and nearly 12 grams of dietary…
November 2, 2016 For me, one of the hardest things about eating healthy is resisting snacks and desserts. It seems like everywhere I go, I’m tempted by a bowl of candy near the cash register, or complimentary pastries at a business meeting. It’s hard enough to say no when you’re not hungry, but when you…
October 27, 2016 If you’re in the Chicagoland area, you’re probably familiar with Abt. The company has only one location, in Glenview, but it’s expansive and the family-owned business is known for its service and selection. Abt sells online, too, but if you’re in the area you should check it out in person. The 100,000…
October 27, 2016 When I think of GE, basic appliances come to mind. Functional, sturdy, and reliable stoves and refrigerators. I have owned a few of them and they always worked well, but I would never describe them as high end. So I am here to blow your mind: GE has introduced the Monogram series,…
November 14, 2016 In recent years, many families have started changing and updating the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Some opt to substitute brussels sprouts for green bean casserole, or zucchini bread for dinner rolls. But most still serve the traditional dessert: pumpkin, apple, or pecan pie. Want to add another pie to your Thanksgiving menu this year? Here is a…
November 21, 2016 Latte, macchiato, cappuccino, espresso. However you say it, enjoying a cup of coffee is one of my favorite ways to pamper myself. Of course, not all coffee drinks are created equal. They may all taste delicious, but some are far healthier than others. In fact, next time you order a coffee drink…
November 17, 2016 The holidays are fast approaching, which means ’tis the season of parties and festive gatherings. This year, step up your mixology game by bringing a pitcher of a delicious new drink to your next holiday fete or offering fabulous cocktails when you host friends and family for dinner. Tropicana Premium Drinks are…
November 28, 2016 Last week we talked about the evolution of holiday desserts—and what better way to switch it up than to take a familiar pie and turn it into a cheesecake? I did just that last year with this delicious pumpkin cheesecake. Here are two more cheesecake recipes from A Taste of Home that are sure to…
November 21, 2016 As the weather starts to turn cooler and snow looms on the horizon, many people long for the warmth of summer. The beach, swimsuits, towels, sunscreen—and lounging in the sun sipping a mixed drink with an umbrella. Well you can have the latter anytime! Bring a bit of summer into your winter…
November 29, 2016 I love the holidays but I usually manage to put on at least five pounds between Halloween and New Year’s Eve. This year, I’m determined that won’t happen. As I get older, I’ve noticed that I don’t take off weight as easily as I used to, so I plan to focus on prevention…
November 28, 2016 I love my core circle of girl friends. Whether we are heading to the movies or dinner, it’s fun to get out of our yoga pants and into something a little fancier. But sometimes it’s even more fun to have them over for a Girls’ Night In. Take a break from all…
January 2, 2016 Whew! Holidays are over and my house can get back to normal (although I confess to loving Christmas and decorations). And I love baking. After everything has quieted down I always make one last cookie. This orange ginger cookie is a light way to close out the holidays. And the aroma of this cookie—while…
December 26, 2016 Planning a trip to Orlando for 2017? This new year will usher in a volcano-inspired water park, a bio-luminescent rainforest, a virtual deep-sea roller coaster, and much more! Here are twelve reasons to visit Orlando, the Theme Park Capital of the World, in 2017. Universal Orlando Resort This theme park will be unveiling…
December 30, 2016 The holidays will come to a close the start of 2017. What better way to bring in the New Year than with these trending winter cocktails? Esquire brings you thirteen winter0friendly cocktails, and if you are a whiskey drinker, check out their 21 whiskey drink recipes. Here are a few of our faves! Applejack…
January 4, 2017 January is here and, for most of us, that means bitterly cold weather and lots of indoor time. It’s easy for families to scatter about the house, especially as kids get older, and fail to spend much quality time together. Finding a few projects that the whole family can work on is a great…
January 10, 2017 At the start of the new year, many people focus on getting their finances in order and reducing their expenses. One of the easiest ways to lower your budget is to focus on your grocery bill. Toward the end of last year, I noticed that my food bill had been slowly creeping…
May 28, 2011 Every mother knows the power of a healthy home-cooked meal; mothers have been feeding their families since time began. They’d gather a variety of proteins, starches, fruits, legumes and vegetables and wave their magic wand (or wooden spoon) and voila—the perfect meal. They were like super heroes to their families, saving the…
July 4, 2011 People get confused about organic food, and no wonder! Some people say that anything less than the USDA organic seal on your food and you’re practically poisoning yourself. Others claim organic food isn’t worth the extra green because it isn’t any more nutritious than conventional food. Personally, I’m a big supporter of organic…
June 19, 2011 Summer is the time for fun: going to the beach, riding your bike, walking the dog, and just being outside reaping the benefits of outdoor living. But it’s no fun to go to the beach or pool with a bloated belly. Oftentimes, food sensitivities or allergies can contribute to a puffy summer bloat,…
August 2, 2011 As a parent, having a child with a food allergy can be a stressful situation. You want to make sure your child leads as normal a life as possible while still keeping them safe. Fortunately, parenting a child with Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Remember these…
August 5, 2011 One of the arguments against vegetarian cooking is that it takes too long to make a meal. While slapping down a piece of meat on the grill and throwing a few potatoes in the oven is undoubtedly quick, you can also prepare a few vegetarian meals that are easy and kid friendly….
August 26, 2011 Back to school time means a getting back on track in many ways. The lazy days of summer can sometimes lead to lax eating habits and sleep schedules. Now is the time for parents and children to discuss healthy eating habits and nutrition. Good nutrition is important for learning; research has shown…
August 10, 2011 Raising healthy kids is not easy. Picky eating, video games, piles of homework and fast-food campaigns are just some of the challenges facing parents today. Some days it may seem nearly impossible to instill healthy habits in our kids. The very best, and easiest way, to pass on healthy habits is to…
August 12, 2011 There are things we do every day that are good for us and others that are not so good. When I work with clients as a Health Counselor, I ask them to keep track of their daily habits and behaviors and then we try to create some wiggle room so they live…
August 16, 2011 Fall is always a busy time of year, getting the kids back to school, waking up earlier, and getting back to a more organized life. As a busy work-at-home mom, I’m always looking for quick and clever ways to get our family up and out the door on time and in a…
August 18, 2011 Back to school is looming over our heads and for some of us, that might give us chills! This time of year can be good and bad, the kids get back into a routine, all the easy and fun stuff has to happen on the weekends, but it also brings in a…
August 29, 2011 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…
September 6, 2011 I was introduced to juice and juicing by the film, Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. Though I was not fat, sick, or nearly dead I was facing a big nutritional gap in my diet. I was definitely not consuming enough veggies. But how to incorporate it? I started juicing. And here’s how…
August 31, 2011 Labor Day often marks the end of summer for most of us, but for me, it also represents a time of year when I can get back to organized living and on a school schedule. When my kids go back to school I often automatically refresh my eating habits and include healthy…
September 2, 2011 Cereal is a quick and easy breakfast, but it isn’t always healthy. If you check the ingredients, you might be alarmed at how much sugar, and how little fiber, you are feeding your kids. Allegedly healthy cereal like granola is loaded with sugar and fat, so I started making my own when…
October 19, 2011 Eco-Friendly practices have to start somewhere, so why not in the kitchen? Here are a few tips and tricks to greening up your kitchen routine with reusable containers and organic food. Buy in Bulk This one may sound like a money saver, but it can also be a Eco-Friendly practice as well….
September 7, 2011 The fall is one of my favorite times of the year, with the change of colors and the bountiful harvest of apples. I love going apple picking in the autumn and enjoying the sweet/sour juicy taste of ruby red apples-right off the tree. Eating apples are also a great way to stay…
September 12, 2011 I love to snack, just like my kids! It’s only human to want some nourishment between meals. When looking for snacks this fall, remember that after school is the perfect time to recharge and keep your kids (and you) motoring along, nourished and ready for after school studying and activities. Here are…
December 6, 2011 With holidays and the cool weather upon us, it is time to put away our beloved bbq’s and start cleaning out our stoves and ovens. Every time the seasons start changing I love to come up with new dinner ideas to serve my family. For some reason fall foods are my absolute…
September 23, 2011 Even the pickiest eaters can usually be coaxed into eating fried food, and if you tell kids they are having a special treat, breakfast for dinner, you can even slip a few vegetables in. These are not pale, insipid pancakes drowned in maple syrup. Corn pancakes, bursting with fresh kernels (you can…
January 13, 2012 I have always loved being in the kitchen. Cooking, baking, anything that is homemade tastes better in my opinion. Enter three children in five years … lack of sleep, lack of time, lack of energy led us to boxes of cereal instead of homemade granola, yogurt with more sugar than a serving…
October 4, 2011 It’s almost Halloween and time for Halloween recipes. As I look outside my window, I see the beginning signs of fall, just a pane of glass between us, the leaves wave to me as the wind whirls them back and forth on the branches, as if to say, “Hello”. I love the…
November 7, 2011 It sometimes seems easiest to head to the grocery store to buy your baby food, but it’s just as easy to make it at home and the benefits are amazing. Making baby food food is cheaper for your household and its also healthier. As your child moves to finger food, this can…
October 3, 2011 Our friends at Nature’s Path Granola Bars asked us to find a few SocialMoms who’d be interested in crafting a music video to celebrate their line of organic granola bars with “flavors that make your mouth sing.” We were so impressed with your creativity and musical talent that we decided to showcase…
October 27, 2011 Fall is in the air. It’s time to turn that oven on and welcome the wonderful smells that are about to come from it. To me, fall is my favorite baking season. We dont use the oven a whole lot during the summer because there’s grilling to do and a house to…
October 10, 2011 As the days grow shorter, nights get colder and the leaves begin to change from green to an array of harvest colors, we naturally begin to crave more comfort foods. We find refuge from the cold in a steamy bowl of soup, fragrant slice of pumpkin pie or a creamy cup of…
October 13, 2011 As a wife and mother I am always looking for those “short-cuts” to everyday tasks. One thing that I have recently started incorporating into our routine is Crockpot meals. I normally steered clear of the Crockpot because most recipes are filled with high levels of sodium, fat, and calories. The “traditional” Crockpot…
October 20, 2011 There’s nothing like going to the farmer’s market on the weekend to put you in the healthy-eating frame of mind. All summer long, there are piles and piles of fresh produce grown within miles of your home, guaranteeing freshness and flavor for your plate and sustainability for the local farms. Today, on…
December 7, 2011 With the holidays approaching it is easy to start thinking of all the wonderful traditions and celebrations that come along with this joyous season. One tradition that seems to become more popular each year is the Cookie Exchange. My Mother started this tradition in our family and this year will be our…