Hi Reader, There are very few moments when I’m genuinely scared of my children…but there’s one that haunts me. It’s the after-sports hangry meltdown. They’re the dangerous combination of tired and ravenous, where they’re SO hungry that they get feral. Like I’m pretty sure I’ve been hissed at. It goes without saying that I try to avoid this at all costs because once they go to that place…it’s like climbing a mountain to bring them back. And it’s not their fault, I don’t blame them! I can’t...
10 days ago • 3 min read
Hi Reader, Last week something happened to my neighbor that reminded me of the time the police came to my house when things went wrong with my pet sitter... 🫣 And it also reminded me why we should always trust our instincts when it comes to keeping our kids (and houses) safe! I hate to be cryptic but want to protect everyone’s privacy. What I will say is this: we need to have an “out” ready for whenever we don’t feel comfortable with someone caring for our kids (or even pets). Because when...
16 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, Last week I casually threw an Ina Garten recipe on the menu that just so happened to take 2+ hours to cook. WHY WOULD I DO SUCH A THING. We are not repeating that mistake this week. No thanks. There’s so much to squeeze in after school! Here’s the kicker… my kids both hated it. I know you saw that coming from a mile away!! This week we’re gonna make things nice and easy. But that can mean healthy, too. So I wanted to share a few tips on how I make easy & healthy weeknight dinners...
24 days ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, I’m all about the lunchbox glow-up this year — without the culinary Olympics. If you love making everything from scratch, amazing. If not, same. My attempt at homemade raspberry chia jam? A full lunchbox mutiny. Last week on FOX 4 (start at 18:02), I shared the swaps that actually work: shortcut-friendly, kid-approved, dietitian-backed. Steal them for your next grocery run! Here are a few of the swaps I love (that won’t come home uneaten)! *Available at Walmart Shop Target Swaps...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Last year I made a huge change to how I packed lunches, and it simplified the process SO much, I wondered why I didn’t do it sooner! I took a tip from the kids’ school cafeteria and came up with a repeating menu. If the school cafeteria repeats the same menu over and over, why couldn’t I? So I created this printable to put together quick, easy, healthy and filling lunches and made the “menu.” I taped up the menu in my pantry and just made those same lunches over and over, knowing...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I LOVE some fresh new gear at the start of a school year. (I’ll do anything to trick myself into thinking packing lunches isn’t such a chore. 😅) But let me say this loud and clear — you definitely don’t need the $100 lunchbox. (Yes, that exists. For one. single. lunchbox.) And you don’t have to toss every piece of plastic in your house to give your kids a perfectly “non-toxic” lunch, either. The other day I saw a video of a mom who went all out with a back-to-school breakfast party...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, I’m back! My kids are still in full-swing summer fun mode. I’m jealous of how carefree their lives are (but also thankful that I can provide that stability for them). But I’m over here waking up from dreams about forgetting to send my kids to school on the first day and then remembering to take them but not knowing where their school is. 😅 With back-to-school prep FULLY on my mind, even subconsciously, I have a new freebie and a blog post to share with you to help lighten your...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Do you know what is so not sexy? Kids nutrition. Every single day I pour my heart into it because it’s something I’m passionate about and I’m one of those people who just never gives up on the things I care about. But out of ALL the things that you can consume online, there’s plenty that is more entertaining, exciting, fun, funny, beautiful, etc. So first I want to say THANK YOU for putting some of your limited free time toward such a worthy subject that will greatly benefit your...
3 months ago • 2 min read
Hi Reader, One of the most useful things I’ve taught my kids (besides wiping their own butts) is how to make their own breakfast. This morning I went out to walk the dog and realized that was only possible because the kids could get themselves fully ready for camp without me. The freedom to not be needed for all of their care is simply intoxicating. Cereal is often the star of the show, and that really isn’t a bad thing the way you think it might be. Teddy’s go-to is plain Cheerios and...
3 months ago • 1 min read