Something magical happens when kids get involved in the kitchen. Vegetables become a little less horrible, whining for cheese puffs disappears, and picky eaters become a little less picky. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. (more…)
Blueberry picking has been an annual summer tradition in my family for seven years now. As a Southern California native, berry picking was not an activity I grew up with. But fortunately for my kids, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to move to Vancouver B.C. for a brief time when they were two. What a gift. While Blackberry bushes thickly lined the paths down to the sparkling sea, U-pick blueberry farms were only a short drive away – and we found ourselves taking that drive many times that summer. (more…)
It’s summer! Across the country, state and county fairs are offering loads of delicious processed foods on sticks. Foods that kids love (and I hate to admit, some of us adults too). Today as my boys and I strolled through the brightly colored booths at the Ventura County Fair, we inhaled the decadence of fried fair treats, creating memories of summer. These are the memories we will eventually go back to on cold November afternoons, encouraging us to take out a box of frozen corn dogs in order to recapture the experience. Hey, why not? Frozen corn dogs are easy, inexpensive, delicious, and some brands are even made with healthy turkey dogs, right? But it’s what lies within the box, underneath the list of thirty seven, no thirty eight ingredients that should snap us back from our sweet memories of summer and encourage us to look for food outside of the box.
It’s August and it’s hot. For me, August weekends are traditionally days for sprinklers and popsicles, sparkling pools and chilled watermelon. In fact, life feels pretty close to perfect from the perspective of a shady chaise lounge in August; watching my children play and listening as their laughter echo’s the joy of summer. Ahhh, the sweet month of August. (more…)