Modern Parents Messy Kids

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20 Family Meals Using Zucchini

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Zucchini season is in full swing! That means many of us have zucchini covering our kitchen counters, filling up our fridges, and mostly coming out of our ears. One can only eat so much zucchini bread, so why not branch out and serve your veggies for dinner instead? Here are twenty ideas for using up all that squash! … [Read more...]

20 Meals To Make Eating In Like Eating Out

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About once a week, usually on Friday night, we have a movie night and some kind of take-out. It's something for the whole family to look forward to and it's quickly becoming a highly anticipated family tradition. What's not so wonderful, though, is the toll it can take on our wallets (especially now that we've graduated beyond the baby food and officially have five mouths to feed). This has led to a new mini-obsession of mine - the "copy cat" recipe. Turns out, the interweb is full of … [Read more...]

18 Slow Cooker Dinners the Kids Will Actually Eat

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The slow cooker is one of the most-used tools in my kitchen. I love being able to throw a meal together in advance and not have to attempt chopping vegetables while holding a small child (or fending one off at my feet). Not every kid feels the way I do about the slow cooker, and I can understand why. Some slow cooker meals come out looking like a pile of unrecognizable mush (especially those that go from freezer to slow cooker- time-savers don't always look appetizing). Not to worry, … [Read more...]

Healthy Snacking: Simple Plantain Chips and Guacamole

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I've mentioned here before that the family and I are making an attempt to eat healthier this year. (A cliche, I know, but I've got three kids aged 6 and under, I'm too tired to be original. Especially with the baby currently teething and up all hours of the night.) What I've noticed lately is that the hardest part, my downfall really, is snack time. Our whole family can eat the same breakfast day-in-and-day-out pretty much without complaint (steel cut oats and strawberries for me, … [Read more...]

Fruit Juice Gummies: A Healthy Valentine’s Day Treat

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Valentine's Day and sweet treats go hand-in-hand so today we're offering up two options. First, in the spirit of our renewed excitement about eating to get our energy back, we have a healthy, kid-friendly Valentine's Day fruit & veggie gummie snack. Second, for those of you that just have indulge on Valentine's Day, we've got decadent yummy Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Bars. Whichever you chose - we hope you enjoy! Valentine's Day Fruit Juice Gummies I'm always looking for fun and … [Read more...]

POYEL: 40+ Super Helpful Meal Planning Resources

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There's just over a week left in January, how's the resolution-keeping going?  Last year our 10 Tips for Better Meal Planning post was one of our most popular offerings both for the Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life series and on the blog in general. So this year I decided to ask our resident food blogger, Natalie, to revisit the topic and share some of her go-to resources. My hope is you'll find something (or even a few somethings) to help keep you on track towards your simplifying and … [Read more...]

Super Simple New Year’s Eve Mocktails for the Kids

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I mentioned last week that this is the first year our family is going to attempt some sort of New Year's Eve celebration with the littles. Actually, a Happy Noon Year celebration may be what's really on the docket.  Regardless of when we do it, one thing is for sure- a tasty non-alcoholic drink (or "mocktail" if you will) is definitely making it onto the menu. Today Natalie is here sharing a few of her easiest tips for quickly whipping up your own signature mocktails... The kids might … [Read more...]

Make Ahead Thanksgiving Dessert: Pumpkin Brownie Ice Cream Cake

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Growing up my grandma made the most delicious frozen pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. I've always thought her recipe couldn't be topped... and then I saw this version from our contributor Natalie that adds in chocolate and Oreos.  Sorry Nana, but I think I may have a new favorite. Read on for the full recipe. Make-ahead menu items can be a total lifesaver during the holidays. You can plan and execute in advance and then look like a superhero at your holiday meal. And while an ice cream cake … [Read more...]